History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 188

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1922
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1767

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 188

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

It was as a summer resort that Chetek first came into widespread notice. The pleasing scenery and excellent opportunities for boating and fishing attracted the atten- tion of casual visitors and sportsmen, and soon people from Menomonie, Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls began building club- houses and summer homes on the north and east shores of the lake. Later, on the south end of the west side of the lake, the Chau- tanqua grounds were laid out, and the an- nual assemblies drew many people here, some of whom became recruits to the sum- mer colony. Advertising booklets widely distributed also brought visitors from dis- tant parts of the country, including Illinois, Louisiana, Texas and other states. The number of summer cottages has increased to about 400 and more are built every year.

Chetek was incorporated by the legisla- ture as a city in 1891, and on April 2, that year, the following city officers were elec- ted: C. W. Moore, mayor; A. F. Nichols, clerk; J. W. Bell, treasurer; J. E. Cates, as- sessor; H. J. Dixon, justice of the peace. The aldermen were as follows: First Ward -Andrew Olson and Mike Ganske; super- visor, Walter Speed. Second Ward-Alder- men, George A. Strong and Thomas A. Reardon; supervisor, Isaac Bull.

The machinery of local government was at once put into working order and was soon running smoothly. Ordinances were passed pertaining to the licensing of spirit- uous liquors and the restraint and punish- ment of immoderate drinking; also for the public health; to prevent the running at large of certain animals; the regulating of the business of hawkers, auctioneers; and in general, everything having to do with the maintenance of public order. For some years tramps were a great nuisance and the city clerk's records contain many items showing

that their care was a charge on the city, from ten to thirty being sometimes cared for at one time. In September, 1903, the cost of a saloon license was five hundred dollars.

The question of establishing a waterworks system came up early in 1903, and at an election held on June 17 the proposition of bonding the city to the extent of $6,000 for that purpose, the loan to be payable in twenty years, was decided in the affirmative. The money was accordingly borrowed from the trust funds of the state, and in August Oscar Claussen of St. Paul was engaged to draw the plans. On September 9 the bid of W. I. Gray & Co. for the construction work was accepted. The original bid was $6,736, but an extension of the water main having been decided on, this increased the final cost by about $1,200. In February, 1905, the plant was completed and accepted, the council deducting $100 from the contractor's bill on account of delay in fulfilling the contract. The plant consisted of a water tank, dynamo, mains and hydrants, and the wells from which the water supply is ob- tained. Since then the mains have been considerably extended.

In August, 1904, a proposal of the Watrous Engine Co. to furnish 800 feet of fire hose, and carts, for $475 was accepted. In March, 1908, the council recommended an appro- priation of two mills on the dollar to be made for building a fire hall and city hall, and subsequent action resulted in the erec. tion of the building now in use for those purposes.

The Chetek Light & Power Co.'s plant was built in the summer of 1906 .by W. J. Gavin, who owned and operated it himself for about twelve years. About 1918 Mr. Gavin sold the plant to K. Rosholt, A. T. Galby and J. C. Phillips. In 1919 some im- provements were made in the machinery and a new cement dam built, which gave increased waterpower. Two water-wheels are used and one dynamo, and there are also two gasoline engines which are used to fur- nish additional power when required. The plant supplies electricity for street and house lighting, and also the motive power for pumping water into the city tank, lo- cated several blocks to the north, and also motive power for industrial plants. The present manager is E. D. Conrad. The large mill building, to which Mr. Gavin added the greater part of the present powerhouse, was erected by K. Rosholt, who had previously bought the old gristmill and waterpower of Knapp, Stout & Co., which he operated until it burned down in 1911. The present mill was at one time operated as the Northwest- ern Cereal Mill by outside parties. It was also rented for a time by Mr. Gavin, who used it for the manufacture of breakfast food. The present company is operating it as a feed mill.

The Chetek Rural Telephone Co. was or- ganized in 1903 by E. V. Babcock, now clerk of court at Barron, who subsequently sold out to Grant Ross. Mr. Ross later sold to F. W. Ziesniss of Chetek who, after operat-

Digitized by Google

1104

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

ing the plant for some years, disposed of it to T. B. Haskins, also of this city. On April 1, 1917, Mr. Haskins sold out to the present company, an incorporated concern, the off- cers of which are: George Thrasher, presi- dent; I. O. Sherwood, vice-president; O. R. Kienitz, secretary-treasurer and manager. The company's lines cover the city and prac- tically also the townships of Chetek, Maple Grove and Dovre, also extending to Rusk Farm in Rusk County, northeast of Chetek. The company has about 200 phones in the city and an equal number in the country. In Dovre and Maple Grove Townships they con- trol 150 additional phones belonging to mu- tual companies, for which the Chetek com- pany does switching, or operating, this being equivalent to an additional subscription list. They also have connections with the Barron County Telephone Co.'s lines and with those of the Bell (long distance) lines.

The commercial activities of the city were given a new impetus in July, 1900, when K. Rosholt of Eau Claire established here the Farmers and Merchants Bank. It was op- erated as a private concern until Sept. 8, 1908, when it was incorporated as a state bank with a capital of $10,000. The incor- porators and officers were as follows: K. Rosholt, president; Mrs. Gusta Rosholt, vice- president, and A. T. Galby, cashier. Mr. Rosholt continued as president until his death in January, 1920, when he was suc- ceeded in that office by A. T. Galby, who is still serving. R. R. Rosholt is vice-president and W. R. Strong cashier. In 1910 the cap- ital of the institution was increased to $15,- 000, and in 1920 to $25,000. The directors in December, 1921, were A. T. Galby, Mrs. Gusta Rosholt and R. R. Rosholt. R. B. Andrews is assistant cashier.

After a number of years it was felt that there was room for another banking insti- tution in the city, and in 1913 the Chetek State Bank was organized. The stock was sold to quite a number of people, a good deal of it locally. The capital was $10,000 and the first officers were: C. W. Dinger, president; F. A. Southworth, vice-president; Bernard Moe, cashier; A. M. Simpson, as- sistant cashier. The directors were: J. W. Bell, W. K. Coffin, C. W. Dinger, B. F. Faast. T. B. Keith, C. F. Museus and F. A. South- worth. The bank at starting erected the building which they still occupy. In 1916 B. M. Apker succeeded Bernard Moe as cashier and still continues in that office. The capital stock has remained the same, while the present surplus (December, 1921) is $2,000 and the deposits about $180,000. C. W. Dinger is still president and S. Van Gilder is now vice-president. The assistant cashier is Gustave Johnson.

Chetek Cooperative Creamery Co .- The plant of this company was purchased by its present owners, the farmers, in June, 1918, it having been formerly owned by John Mor- rison of Bloomer and managed by E. J. Mor- rison, his father. In 1920 the amount of cream received was 826,270 pounds; pounds of butter fat, 221,180; pounds of butter made, 267,016. The average overrun was 20.72 per

cent; the average test of cream. 267; the average price received for butter, $.556; the average price paid for butter fat, $.606. The officers in 1921 were: W. F. Barber, presi- dent; Elmer Weldon, vice-president; Wil- liam Taft, secretary; Mrs. Raymond Tiffany, treasurer, and Hoie Harrison, manager.

The Lakeside Creamery is owned by Guy Speers of Eau Claire, Wis., and the plant was built in 1917. It is now being used for the manufacture of concentrated milk for ice cream, about 25,000 pounds of milk a day being bought from the farmers in sum- mer and 7,000 to 8,000 pounds in winter. It is sold in Eau Claire, Duluth and elsewhere. Mr. Speers represents the Eau Claire Cream- ery Co., which has factories in various other cities and villages of Wisconsin, including Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Cadott, Green- wood, New Auburn, Cameron and Bruce.

The Chetek Co-operative Mercantile Co. was organized in June, 1915, the first officers being: O. E. Miller, president; Edward Ot- terholt, secretary and treasurer; and G. A. Tyler, manager. The officers for 1920-21 are: President, L. P. Charles; secretary and treasurer, A. T. Galby; manager, Louis Hed- enstrom; directors, Thomas Henson, wil- liam Taft and Charles Rehm. The company purchased the large brick building and the business of the Tyler Mercantile Co., made general improvements and in 1920 erected a large warehouse. The store is wide in its scope and handles all lines that can be pur- chased advantageously, from such heavy material as farm machinery down to house- hold notions. There are about 400 stock- holders, most of whom own one share apiece, a very few owning two, the par value being $100. A dividend of 7 per cent is paid, after which the profits are divided among the consumers, in proportion to the consumers' purchases. The manager, Louis Hedenstrom, is thoroughly experienced, and is carrying the store to a decided success.

A small saw and planing mill was started in Chetek about 15 years ago by George Slawson, who is still operating it.

In 1919 Charles Rich established the Che- tek Feed Mill which he is now operating. It is equipped with modern machinery and Mr. Rich manufactures flour and other cereal products, besides grinding feed.

The Averill-Mau Lumber Co. established a well equipped lumber yard here during the winter of 1920-21.

In the north part of town, near the lake, there is a pavilion, which was built in the spring of 1920 by Ben Ganske and Rex Pel- ton, who are proprietors, and which is used for basketball, summer dances and other entertainments. The grounds cover one acre.

There are now two hotels in Chetek, the Yelow Lodge and the Douglass House. The former was started by G. B. Rickard but was subsequently enlarged and sold to A. Haffle, who sold it to the present proprietor, A. E. Cutsforth. It is situated on the bank of the lake and is provided with modern conveniences.

Digitized by Google

1105

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

The Chetek Equity Live Stock Shipping Association was organized by the farmers in 1911, and all stock now shipped out of Chetek passes through the hands of the As- sociation. In the year 1921 seventy carloads were handled. The Association numbers about 480 shippers, covering all the territory tributory to Chetek and extending east into Rusk County. In 1921 J. M. Krans was pres- ident, O. C. Hanson, secretary-treasurer, and Ed Otterholt, manager. On the board of di- rectors, in addition to the officers, were Frank Pitman, F. W. Barber and L. P. John- son.

The city has also an active Commercial Club with a good membership.

While municipal improvements, public utility plants and private business enter- prises were being planned and constructed, other agencies of civilization, more or less connected therewith, namely, the press, the school and the church, were doing their part in the work of progress.

The following account of Chetek schools was written by Amos B. Carter:

"In 1871 Cobe Tuller, school trustee for this part of the county, authorized the peo- ple of Chetek to build their first school- house, which was a log structure located at what is now known as the Dunsmore Hill. Mrs. D. Plato was the first teacher in this building. She had previously taught school one summer in her residence, for which she was paid by the town.

"About 1878 a new frame building was constructed some distance east of the log building. It is now the Catholic Church. Mrs. Cholerton was the first teacher in this building. It was used for all the grades until 1883; then it became too small and Moore's Hall was rented during the years of 1883 and 1884 for the upper classes with N. C. Carver as teacher.

"In 1884 a four-room frame building was erected on the site of the present school- house. The two lower rooms were finished and used the first year, then were added the high and grammar rooms as they were needed. J. Leidenberg, the first principal, taught for two years. He was followed by Mr. Fish and then Mr. Thomas. Mr. Leiden- berg returned in 1889, and thus graduated the first class from Chetek High in 1890. The members of this class were Bennie Mu- seus, Joseph Gilbert and Byron Carter. A two-room addition was built onto the north side of this building in 1902, but after using it a few weeks, fire, caused by a defective chimney, destroyed the entire building.

"Soon after the destruction of this build- ing plans were made for a new fireproof schoolhouse, and during its completion school was conducted in various places; the high school in the Presbyterian Church, un- der L. P. Charles as principal, grammar grades in the Methodist Church, and the lower grades in the Knapp, Stout & Co.'s building.

"In 1903 the present brick schoolhouse, which cost $16,500, was completed. It con- tained six rooms and several classrooms in the beginning, but has been remodeled until

the high room now occupies two rooms in- stead of one, and the basement has been made into two grade rooms. During 1917 the building became so crowded that Mr. Capener's storeroom across the street was leased for the eighth grade. During 1919, 1920 and 1921 the Capener Building has housed both the seventh and eighth grades, while the barracks erected in 1920 houses the fifth and sixth grades, still leaving the fourth grade in the basement and the other room is used for hot lunches.

"Another large brick building on the west- ern part of the present school site, esti- mated at costing $60,000 and consisting of a junior high on the first floor and high school proper on the second floor, is now in course of construction."

Another educational agency was the Chautauqua organization, formed in 1898. Thirteen acres of ground in the southeast part of the city was purchased and a large tent being provided for the early meetings. Later an . auditorium was built capable of seating 1,200 people, and a dining hall and refreshment stands were also put up. The assemblies proved of much interest and gave local residents and summer visitors the opportunity of hearing such speakers as William J. Bryan, Senator Robert La Fol- lette, T. De Witt Talmadge, Maude Balling- ton Booth and others, besides good musical organizations, including vocal and instru- mental artists. The association was thus kept up for fifteen years and was then dis- solved on account of the change in the Chau- tauqua system to the present bureau plan. The grounds were bought in 1919 by the Chippewa Presbytery and are being used for young people's work, church conventions, boys' and girls' camps and Bible institutes. Meetings are held every year and it is expected that they will be permanent.

A circulating library was established in Chetek in 1888 by the business and profes- sional men together with other citizens. It flourished for a while, and acquired over 2,000 volumes. But after a time it was dis- continued and the books packed. These books were moved from place to place and many were lost. A few of them are now in the possession of J. W. Bell. The new school building is provided with a library room for the use of the public. The books in Mr. Bell's possession will be placed there and an effort made to find some of the others. This will be the nucleus for a future public library.

The Presbyterian Church of Chetek was organized in January, 1883, and a church edifice was erected in that year, the site having been donated by Knapp, Stout & Co. It is a neat and tasteful frame building and has been kept in good condition. Among the early members of the church are: Mrs. D. C. Strong, Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Nickols, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Finneley, Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Andrews, Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Andrews, S. M. Blatchford, Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Jopp, Mr. and Mrs. Duncan C. McDonell, Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Whittney and others. The Rev. W. C. Chapin was the first regular pastor,

Digitized by Google

1106

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

though before the church was built occa- sional services had been held. The building has since been improved by the addition of a basement, which was put in during the pastorate of the Rev. C. L. Merriam, May 1, 1910, to Jan. 1, 1912. Another active pastor who made his influence felt was the Rev. George E. Griffiths, who served from 1916 to 1918. The Ladies' Aid Society has also ex- ercised a strong influence in the growth of the church. In 1906 this society built the manse and has since kept it up, chiefly by giving entertainments, and without asking one cent in the way of a direct pledge. The manse was recently remodeled at the cost of fifteen hundred dollars. The entire church property is now worth about thirty-five hun- dred dollars. The church has about eighty members, while there is a Sunday school enrollment of between sixty and seventy. The last resident pastor, Rev. W. H. Sar- gent, left in July, 1921.

St. Boniface Roman Catholic Church .- This society was organized in 1880, though previously a few services had been held at the home of John Kleve. Father J. Dole, then pastor of the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes at Dobie, came to Chetek as mis- sionary to hold the services at the Kleve home. In 1880 the society bought the pres- ent church property, the building having previously been a schoolhouse. Including the two acres of land, it cost only $650, but so small was the society and so poor its mem- bers, that it took them fourteen years to pay for it. In 1881 the society was incorpo- rated and called the church of St. Boniface by Father Baker, then pastor. Among the organizers and earliest members were John Kleve, August Qualich, John Gregor, Martin Qualich, Frank Novek and their families. The society now numbers about twenty fam- ilies. The parsonage is a good brick build- ing, built six years ago at a cost of about $2,000. The present pastor, Rev. W. Ta- bencki, came to the parish in February, 1918. He also serves the Catholic churches at Bar- ron and Cameron, holding services twice a month in winter and more frequently in summer.

As early as 1872 the Rev. Geo. J. New- comb of Rice Lake, who had parishes at Rice Lake, Chetek, Sumner and the Fox Settle- ment, held Methodist services every fourth Sunday in Chetek, and it is possible that occasional services had been previously held here by itinerant preachers. The first step in the direction of a regular organization was taken in the spring of 1883, when a number of persons met at the home of Mrs. Mattie E. Webster, wife of Judson Webster, and organized a Methodist Episcopal Mite Society, the object of which was to raise funds for the establishment of a Methodist Episcopal Church. The first officers elected were: Mrs. C. H. Horel, president; Mrs. Mattie E. Webster, vice-president; Mrs. Phil- lip Lousley, treasurer; and Miss May How- ard, who later became the wife of Robert Stewart, secretary. Funds were raised through membership dues, payable every two weeks, and through suppers and other entertainments, which were given from time

to time, but the process of raising the amount necessary for a building fund was a slow one and extended over a number of years. Among the early members of the society, in addition to those already men- tioned, were Dr. and Mrs. William H. Rob- bins and Mrs. Nancy C. Howard. Mr. and Mrs. G. B. Rickard, though not members of the society. rendered active aid, and subse- quently Mrs. Thomas E. Gotham and others joined and did good work. In the meanwhile religious services were being held, at first . in the school building which is now the Catholic Church, and later in Stewart's Hall, Elder Wesley E. Robinson being the first pastor. Under the subsequent pastorate of the Rev. Mr. Brown the church edifice was built and dedicated, and he himself took an active and enthusiastic part in bringing the matter to a consummation. The cornerstone was laid in August, 1890, but it was a year or more after that before the church was finally completed and dedicated. The build- ing a ,frame structure with a stone founda- tion, was improved in 1914-15 by the addi- tion of a basement. A long succession of pastors followed the Revs. Robinson and Brown, but for a number of years there was no regular parsonage, the ministers with their families occupying rented houses. This proved a great inconvenience, as at times a forced removal became necessary on ac- count of a change of ownership, and it was finally determined to build a parsonage. Steps were accordingly taken to raise the necessary funds, which, like the raising of funds for the building of the church, proved a hard task. Mrs. Eva H.' Banks, wife of E. J. Banks, and Mrs. Thomas E. Gotham made personal solicitations, not only in Che- tek but in the surrounding towns and vil- lages, but the donations came slowly and in small amounts. The Epworth League, of which Mrs. Banks was then president, raised $75, and last, in 1901, the parsonage was built at a cost of about $800, which was about half what it would cost today. The church has now about fifty members. the Sunday school enrollment numbering about fifty-five. The only auxiliary society at present is the Ladies' Aid. The last pas- tor, the Rev. James Irish, after serving one year up to August, 1921, was returned and continued here until October when he left.

The Free Methodist Church of Chetek .- This society originated in Canton more than thirty years ago, where, after holding serv- ices for a while as best they could, the people resolved to build a church edifice. The prime mover and most active worker in the enterprise was the Rev. Mr. Howe, who himself hauled logs from the woods, trimmed and sawed them and did other manual labor. Some expense was necessar- ily incurred, and it is said, that when the last payment became due and there was no money in the treasury, Mr. Howe sold his trunk, watch and coat to raise it. In course of time a number of the members moved away, and there being not enough left in Canton to keep up the church there, the conference gave the building to the class in Chetek, to which place most of them had

Digitized by Google -

1107

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

come. This class had been organized about three years previously by the Rev. William Good, who served the Sioux Creek Church, and for the first year held its meetings in the Presbyterian Church, and then for two years in a hall. The removal of the building from Canton to Chetek was not effected without some difficulty, as the trustees of the church, believing that they had legal rights in it amounting to ownership, pro- tested strongly and took legal action, caus- ing the arrest of William Bell, who had charge of the teams and was managing the work. He was released by the court, how- ever, and the case was decided in favor of the Chetek members. The building was re- moved to Chetek in sections, the events thus described taking place in the summer of 1909. Mr. Bell, who is still living, was then about eighty years old, and it is said that he had to stand some joking from his friends, one of them, R. A. Burton of Cam- eron, remarking that he never expected to see an old and respected citizen arrested for stealing a church. At that time the church had a lady pastor, the Rev. Mattie Stole, who resided in Chetek and had charge of the class here. She remained for two years longer and was succeeded in the pastorate by the Rev. Edward O. Deitzman, who served one year. Then the Rev. George Simpson was pastor a year, and after that for a year the pulpit was vacant. The next pastor, the Rev. W. Carns, served three years, and his successor, Rev. Edward Wolff, for the same length of time. The latter was succeeded by Rev. Frank Wolff, who is now in the second year of his pastorate here. Before the church was removed to Chetek, a parsonage had been built here to accom- modate the pastor who served the Free Methodist Church at Sioux Creek. This par- sonage burned down six years ago, after which the society bought the building now in use for that purpose. The church has 48 members, and there is a large Sunday school and a missionary society, the active mem- bers of which are ladies. The Free Meth- odist Church at Sioux Creek, on account of diminishing membership, finally disbanded and sold their building to the Adventists.

The Advent Christian Church of Chetek was organized about 1884 or 1885 by the Rev. Charles Slocum, meetings for a number of years being held in private houses or in a hall. Then A. E. Capener donated a lot for the site of a church edifice which was erected soon after and is the building now in use. Mr. Slocum remained pastor until shortly before his death in February, 1904, and his successor in the pastorate was the Rev. W. S. Bowden, who served one year. Then Rev. T. L. Stephens was pastor three years. Rev. C. E. Brown about two years, and Rev. Joseph A. Parquette for about two years. Mr. Parquette was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. George J. Holland, who came here in 1916. The present membership of the church is 116; the Sunday school en- rollment about 65. There is a society of Loyal Workers, composed of young people, and a Helpers' Union, composed of ladies, which performs the functions of a ladies' aid

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 188

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1767

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1922
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1767