USA > Wisconsin > Eau Claire County > History of Eau Claire county, Wisconsin, past and present; including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county > Part 33
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A native born son of Eau Claire, Dr. Montgomery received his primary education in the public schools. He later attended the Eau Claire Business College and took a course at the New Era Business College at Superior, Wis., after which he took a classical course at St. Norbets College at DePere, Wis., and studied phar- macy one year. He received his medical training at the Loyola University in Chicago, where he spent four years, graduating in 1911, after which he spent one year in the Marquette Univer- sity and the Jefferson Park Hospital, and then located at Eau Claire, where he has since been in the active practice of his pro- fession, with offices in the Eau Claire Savings Bank building. Ile is connected with the Montgomery Hospital as vice-president, is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, the Equitable Fraternal Union and the Eau Claire County Medical Society.
Dr. Montgomery was married in 1911 to Miss Winnifred Loughuey, daughter of Roger Loughey, of Duluth, Minn., and they are the parents of one son, John Alexander Montgomery.
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Edward Patrick Hayes, M. D.,* of Eau Claire, is the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (O'Connell) Ilayes, and is one of a family of eight children, all born in the state of Wisconsin. Thomas Hayes, father of the doctor, was born at Richfield, Wis., in 1847, and during his whole lifetime has been engaged in general farm- ing. Ile married Elizabeth O'Connell, daughter of John and Mary O'Connell, and they were the parents of eight children as follows: Martha, wife of IIenry Kuetzel, resides in Milwaukee; Elizabeth married Benjamin Herziger; Eleanor; Thomas resides on the home farm; Edward is deceased ; Edward P., the subject of this sketch; Mary is engaged in teaching at Granville, this state, and Florence, who died at the age of eight years.
Thomas Hayes, grandfather of Doctor Ilayes, was born in Cork, Ireland, and at the age of 27 came to America. In 1839 he came west and located at Richfield, Wis. He was a farmer by occupation and the owner of large tracts of land.
Dr. Edward P. Hayes was born at Richfield, Wis., September 24, 1886. Ile obtained his early education in the common schools and the Menomonie high school. After graduating from the latter, he taught sehool one year at Hartford, this state, after which, in 1909, he commeneed the study of medicine at the Mar- quette University and graduated with the class of 1913 with the degree of M. D. Immediately after this he went to St. Paul, Minn., and for one year was house physician in the Luther IIos- pital. He came to Eau Claire highly recommended and associated himself with Dr. E. L. Mason on May 15, 1914. Their offices are located in the Rust building on South Barstow street. The doctor is a member of the Eau Claire Medical Society and affiliates with the Catholic church.
Leo. H. Flynn, M. D.,# who ranks among the younger class of professional men of Eau Claire, was born in Ohio, December 25, 1882, and is a son of John C. and Mary (Hayes) Flynn, natives of New York and Ireland, respectively. The paternal grandparents, Patrick and Mary Flynn, came from Ireland to the United States and first located in the State of New York, where John C., father of our subject, was born. They later moved to Illinois and were among the pioneers of Bloomington, where the grandfather, who was a carpenter by trade, resided until his death. The father of Dr. Flynn, who is an iron moulder by trade, has resided in Bloom- ington, Ill., for many years, where he has been engaged in the grocery business for the last fifteen years.
Dr. Flynn was reared in Bloomington, where he obtained his primary education in the public and high schools, graduating
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from the latter in 1903. He then attended the State Normal school at Normal, Ill., and in 1908 commenced the study of medi- cine in the medical department of the Northwestern University of Chicago and was gradnated in 1912 with the degree of M. D. He served one year as interne in St. Francis' Hospital in La Crosse, and in July, 1913, came to Eau Claire, where he has since been in active practice. He is a member of the Eau Claire Med- ical Society, the Wisconsin State Medical Society, and the Ameri- can Medical Association. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the Catholic church.
Julius O. Arnson, M. D.,* was born in this city July 3, 1888, a son of Martin and Johanna (Eck) Arnson, both of whom were born in Norway hut reared in Eau Claire, where they married and where the father has been connected with the R. J. Kepler Company for about twenty years. Mr. and Mrs. Arnson have a family of three children: Julius O., the subject of this sketch ; Anna, now Mrs. F. W. Anderson, and J. Martin.
Raised in Eau Claire, Dr. Arnson acquired his primary edu- cation in the public schools of the city, which was supplemented by a thorough course at the Wisconsin University. He obtained his medical education at the Northwestern University Medical College in Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class of 1911. After spending a year and a half as interne in the hos- pitals of Chicago and Minneapolis, he located at Osseo, Wis., in 1912. In May, 1913, he went to Minneapolis, Minn., remaining in practice there until January 1, 1914, when he returned to Eau Claire, associated with Dr. E. E. Tupper, practicing with him until he moved to Kimball, Minn. He is a member of the Eau Claire County Medical Society, the Wisconsin State Medical So- ciety, and the American Medical Association, and the Oseo Lodge, No. 213, Free and Accepted Masons.
Joseph C. Baird, M. D.,* one of the rising young physicians of Eau Claire, whose practice is limited to Roentgenology, was born in McGregor, Iowa, February 1, 1884, to David and Mary (Miller) Baird, natives of Wisconsin and Iowa, respectively, and is of Scotch and Swiss descent.
Dr. Baird was raised in Chicago, Ill., and attended the public schools of that city. Deciding on a medical career for his life's work, he matriculated with the Hahnemann Medical College, of Chicago, from which institution he graduated with the class of May, 1907, and one year later, in 1908, was graduated from the school of Electro Therapeutics of the same city. Ile began the
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practice of his chosen profession at Prairie du Chien in the spring of 1908, remaining there until September, 1909, when he came to Eau Claire and by his close application has succeeded in building up a large and lucrative practice.
Dr. Baird stands well in the medical profession as well as socially, and is a member of the Eau Claire County Medical So- ciety, the Wisconsin State Medical Society, and the West Wis- consin Medical Society, of which he is at present (1914) secretary, and is also a member of the American Medical Association. Hle is connected as Roentgenologist with the Sacred Heart and Luther Hospitals of Eau Claire and the St. Joseph's Hospital at Chippewa Falls.
Robert L. Frisbie, M. D.,* a successful physician and surgeon of Fairchild, this county, was born in Andrain county, Missouri, October 8, 1869, the son of James and Henrietta (Pettibone) Frisbie, both natives of Connecticut, of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and is a direct descendant of Edward Frisbie, who came to Amer- ira in 1653, settling in New England.
Dr. Frisbie was raised to manhood in this state and received a good education in the public schools. He began the study of medicine in 1890, and was graduated from the Marion Sims Med- ical College (now Washington University), St. Louis, Mo., in the class of 1894. Ile soon afterward began the practice of medicine at Freeport, Ill., where for five years he was assistant superintendent of the Home for Feeble-minded. In February, 1907, he located at Fairchild, where he has since carried on a large and successful practice. He was married on June 17, 1902, to Miss Ida, daughter of Franklin Moore, of Freeport, Ill., and they have one son, Robert.
Dr. Frisbie is a member of the Ean Claire County Medical Society and the State Medical Society, and fraternally is a mem- ber of the Masonic Order and the Modern Woodmen of America. Ile affiliates with the Presbyterian church, is a republican in polities, and has served two years as member of the Board of Trustees of the village of Fairchild.
Elmer M. A. Sizer, M. D., the well known physician of Fall Creek, Eau Claire county, is a son of George W. and Fannie Ann (Newman) Sizer, natives of Oneida county, New York, and West Winsted, Conn., respectively. Jabez W. Sizer, paternal grand- father of Dr. Sizer, was born in the Mohawk Valley, New York, and was a colonel in the United States army in the war with England during the years of 1812 and '15. He was a son of
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HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Jabez W. Sizer, a sergeant under General Washington in the Revolutionary war, and whose discharge papers are now in the hands of Jabez W. Sizer, of Fond du Lac, Wis. He was a native of Sleepy Hollow, near Tarrytown, N. Y., and a son of Jabez W .. son of Jabez W., son of Jabez W., a native of France, and son of Anton de ZoSieur, beheaded during the French crusade, whose sons, seven in number, emigrated to New Amsterdam (now New York City) in the latter part of the Seventeenth century. Jabez W. Sizer, grandfather of Dr. Sizer, eame to Wisconsin in 1848, settling in Springvale, Fond du Lac county. Ile was a tinsmith by trade, as was also his father, who were employed on the first government buildings erected at Washington, D. C.
George W. Sizer, father of the doctor, served two years in the Mexican war, with the rank of Corporal. He settled in Springvale, Wis., in 1847, where he owned a farm of 280 acres on which he made all the improvements, and where he made his home until his death in 1880. His wife, mother of our subject, was a daughter of Ezra Newman, of Connecticut, who, with his five sons, were manufacturers of hand-made seythes. Her father was a cousin of the late Cardinal Newman, of England, and she was a cousin of Bishop Newman, of the Methodist Episcopal church. George W. Sizer and wife were the parents of eleven children, viz: Georgia S., a practicing physician of Muskogee, Okla., and widow of Dr. Hiel F. Orvis; Jabez W .; George W .; Helen, wife of Dr. George A. Rogers, of Chicago, Ill .; Charles II. ; Ada D .; Mary, wife of C. E. Pardridge; Frank S., a contractor and real estate dealer of Oklahoma; L. J., a dentist of Broken Bow, Okla .; Imcy B., wife of F. M. Davis, lawyer and real estate dealer of Muskogee, Okla., and Elmer M. A., the subject of this sketeh.
Dr. Sizer was born in the town of Springvale, Fond du Lac county, Wiseonsin, April 15, 1867 ; he was raised on the family homestead and acquired his primary education in the public schools of his home county. His medical education was received at the Chicago Homeopathie Medical College, which he entered in 1891, and was graduated with the class of 1894. Ile first began practice at IIartland, Wis., and later located at White Fish Bay, and in 1896 came to Fall Creek, Eau Claire county, where he has since been engaged in the active and successful practice of his profession.
In 1898 Dr. Sizer married Amanda, daughter of Ferdinand and Wilhelmina (Bruesewitz) Zieman, of Fall Creek, and they have one son, Frank IIobart Knoll. The doctor is a member of
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the Eau Claire County Medieal Society, the Tenth District Med- ical Society, the State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. He is prominently identified with fraternal and benevolent societies, being a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Free and Accepted Masons, with the degrees of R. A. M. and Knights Templar. He has served as chairman of the town of Lincoln, and during his second year of such was successful in getting the village of Fall Creek incorporated. In his political affilia- tions he is independent, while in social life he is in the full enjoy- ment of the respect and esteem of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
Ephraim H. Winter, M. D.,* of Augusta, stands prominent among the medical profession in Eau Claire county, Wisconsin. He was born in Aroostook county, Maine, November 3, 1867, the son of Joseph and Lydia M. (Rollins) Winter. Dr. Winter's grandfather was Benjamin Winter, and his grandmother's maiden name was Olive Gray. The Winter family are of English descent, the early ancestors coming to this country with the Puritans on the Mayflower, and first settled in Massachusetts, members of the family taking part in the Revolutionary War and also in the war of 1812. The family contained many millwrights and in 1874 the doctor moved with his parents to Black River Falls, where the father engaged in the sawmill business. He died in 1896 and the mother passed away in 1878. They were the parents of four children, viz .: Cora, wife of Joseph E. Dimmiek, who resides at Black River Falls; Elmer, Ephriam HI., and Lena, who married Ottie Sweet and lives at Los Angeles, Cal.
The subject of this sketch received his early education in the public schools of Black River Falls, then entered the medical college at Ann Arbor, Mich., from which he was graduated with honors. He located for the practice of his profession at Fair- child, subsequently removing to Reno, Nev., where he practiced for four years. Returning to Wisconsin in 1902, he located at Augusta, where he has since enjoyed a lucrative practice. Polit- ically, he is a republican. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity and the Modern Woodmen of America, also the Baptist church.
In 1898 Dr. Winter married Miss Henrietta Thompson, of Fairchild. She was born in Liverpool, England, and is a daugh- ter of Daniel Thompson, a millwright. Doctor and Mrs. Winter are the parents of three children-Wayland V., born in 1899; Marjorie B., born in 1900, and Ernest A., born in 1903.
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Herman Frederick Prill, M. D .* One of the popular physicians and surgeons of Angusta, Wisconsin, where he was born March 31, 1875, is the son of August F. and Amelia (Ludke) Prill. The father came to the United States and to Wiseonsin, locating at Ripon, where he engaged in the lumbering business. Later on he came to Augusta and embarked in the hotel business, being for many years proprietor of the Park House. Having disposed of his hotel interests, he is now living in retirement, enjoying the fruits of many years of toil.
Dr. Prill was reared in Augusta, receiving his preliminary education in the common and high schools. After graduating from the latter, he took a preparatory eourse at Concordia college, Springfield, Illinois, and for a short time attended the State Uni- versity of Minnesota. Ilis medical education was received at the Medical college in Milwaukee, from which he was graduated in 1902. He almost immediately commenced the practice of medicine in his native town where he has built up a large clientele, and is very successful. He holds membership in the Eau Claire County Medical society, State Medical society and the American Medical association. In politics he is independent, and has served as Alderman in the city of Augusta. Dr. Prill was married in 1904 to Miss Carrie Cebell, daughter of William Cebell, of Augusta.
William J. Clancy, M. D.,* of Eau Claire, was born in Mil- waukee, Wisconsin, October 25, 1885, son of James and Mary (Schultz) Clancy, and is of Irish, German and French lineage. He was raised in Milwaukee, receiving his education in the public schools, the Marquette Academy and Marquette college, from which institution he was graduated in 1906 with the degree of A. B. He then spent two years at the University school of medi- cinc, St. Louis, Mo., and three years in the Medical department of the Marquette college, Milwaukee, where he was graduated in 1911, after which he spent three months as Interne in the St. Mary's Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota. In the Fall of 1911, lie located at Eau Claire. where he has built up a successful practice. He is a member of the Eau Claire County Medical society, the Wisconsin Medical society and the American Medical association. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic chureh.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.
By MISS A. E. KIDDER.
On July 25, 1881, a club was organized under the name of the Eau Claire County Settlers' Association, of which any person who had settled in said county twenty years or more previously should be eligible as member. The object of the association, as set forth in the preamble, was "to the end that the reminiscences and memories of the early history may be preserved, mutual acquaintance be more strongly cemented, social enjoyment pro- moted and influence for the well-being of the future better felt and more effectually directed." The following named persons signed the constitution, duly prepared by a committee, and became members of the association : George W. Sprague, Henry W. Butler, Peter Truax, John Pettipher, Archie Me Vicar, Stephen Marston, A. S. Bostwick, Daniel J. Chandler, B. C. Dann, William P. Bartlett, Alexander Meggett, John T. Tinker, John Hobbs, C. R. Gleason, A. E. Blake and Alma A. Sprague. Alexander Meggett was elected president ; Peter Truax, vice-president ; C. R. Gleason, secretary ; W. P. Bartlett, treasurer. JJohn Hobbs was elected a vice-president from the town of Washington and George Sprague from the town of Brunswick, and later S. E. Coolidge from Otter Creek, H. W. Jones from Union, O. Works from Lincoln, John Ward from Seymour and J. C. Hackett from Augusta. In 1889 the constitution was amended to permit the eleetion of three directors, who with the other officers constituted an executive committee. As time passed it seemed best to change the limit of date at which persons should be eligible to member- ship, and it was decreed that sons and daughters of aetive mem- bers born before January 1, 1870, should be admitted. In 1890 there were 500 members, 178 active, the remainder honorary. In 1894 the honorary members present at a banquet voted to tax themselves 50 cents annual dues. The financial resources of the association are the $1.00 admission fee for active membership and the 25 cents annual dues from active members. By careful man- agement the club has for every year, with one exception, had a
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HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
balance, greater or less, in its treasury. In 1901 the qualification to membership, both active and honorary, was extended "to all those who have had an actual residenee in the county for a period of thirty years," and in 1904 sons and daughters of active members "born prior to 1880" were admitted as honorary mem- bers. Mr. Meggett was the president of the association for twenty-five years, until the time of his death, which occurred in March, 1907. His services to the organization can hardly be measured, his labors were constant and unwearying, his enthu- siasm keen, and at the banquet of October 17, 1894, the apprecia- tion of the association was shown in the presentation to him of a handsome gold watch as a token of esteem and gratitude for his successful efforts to maintain the high character of the fraternity whose affairs he had administered so long and so well.
Mr. Meggett's successors in the president's chair have been : W. P. Bartlett, A. E. Blake, C. A. Bullen, O. H. Ingram, A. D. Chappell and R. J. Kepler. The social meetings held by the asso- eiation in the form of banquets and pienics are attended by large numbers and are seasons of genial gayety, in which age forgets the years, business lays aside its cares and the moments at well filled tables, attended by light music and good cheer are all too short. These meetings are often supplemented by neighborly gatherings of old settlers in all parts of the county, but these festive evenings when a larger number still are brought together to recall early days, compare experiences, comment on the changes "since then," and exchange friendly greetings-these are truly fraternal and heart warming and prove that the Old Settlers' Association has good sanetion for a long and useful existenee. The membership now numbers 225.
CHAPTER XIX.
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY ASYLUM AND HOME FOR THE POOR.
The Eau Claire County Asylum was built in the year 1900, and the original cost, including a farm of 466 acres, the buildings and all equipment, was $135,284.00. The first board of trustees was: August Bartz, Ira B. Bradford and Thomas F. Frawley. August Bartz died during the first year and his place was filled by Louis Germann. Dr. D. W. Day was the first visiting surgeon. In 1901 both Dr. Day and Mr. Frawley died, and Dr. William B. Lyman became visiting surgeon, while Julius G. Ingram sue- eeeded Mr. Frawley on the board of trustees. The personnel of the board then remained the same until 1907, when it became Julius G. Ingram, Clarence B. Sprague and Charles A. Cox. In 1912 David Douglas succeeded Mr. Ingram, who resigned, and in 1913 W. K. Coffin sueeeeded Mr. Douglas, so that the present board is composed of C. G. Spragne, Charles A. Cox, and W. K. Coffin. Dr. J. F. Farr is the present visiting surgeon and has been for some years.
The first secretary to the board of trustees was Miss Nettie Thurston, who served but a short time, and was succeeded by Miss Ruth Kelley. She acted until 1912, when she was succeeded by Miss N. MeLeod.
The asylum is splendidly located on a fine eminenee just west of the city of Eau Claire, and in the other three directions com- mands a broad view of fertile farming country. When this site and the large farm were purchased for asylum purposes the grounds were laid out by F. W. Woodward, and there was a serio-comic phase to some litigation he had with the board of trustees. They thought he was doing the work in a spirit of philanthropy to aid the project of caring for the insane, but he rendered a bill for his work and elaimed they were a "little off" in their understanding of the matter.
The roads, buildings and grounds are maintained in good order, and, with the assistance of the inmates, who are able to work, a large amount of produce is raised on the farm. Also many articles of wearing apparel and for household use are made by the women.
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The cost of maintenance for 1913 was $18,910.11, and the number of patients was 168, of whom 71 were from Ean Claire county. The first superintendent was O. H. Kitzman, who served from 1900 to 1908, when he was succeeded by the present incum- bent, Mr. Horrel. Mrs. Horrell is matron.
The Poor Farm. The poor farm was originally situated about four miles to the southeast of Eau Claire, but that was sold and 31 acres of ground purchased to the west of what is now the asylum farm. Subsequently 80 acres more were added, so that the farm now comprises 111 acres. It is under the same man- agement as the asylum and is well conducted. The total number of inmates in 1913 was 14, and the cost of maintenance was $2,885.73.
CHAPTER XX.
EAU CLAIRE PRIOR TO ITS INCORPORATION AS A CITY IN 1872.
We premise this part of our history of Eau Claire by the statement that originally and before the city of Eau Claire was incorporated, that what was generally spoken of as Eau Claire comprised a part of three separate towns, Eau Claire, West Eau Claire or Oak Grove and North Eau Claire. The Eau Claire river at or near its confluence with the Chippewa river was the divid- ing line between the towns of Eau Claire and North Eau Claire, while the Chippewa river was the dividing line between the towns of West Eau Claire and Eau Claire and North Eau Claire. The settlements in each town were on and near the banks of these rivers. Therefore when we speak of Eau Claire generally, it is meant to include the three settlements or portions of the three towns. When special mention is made to either subdivision, it is to be designated either as the north, east or west side. In 1868 or 1869, a portion of the west side was incorporated as a village under the corporate name of Eau Claire City, and so remained as a separate corporate entity until the incorporation of all Eau Claire as a city. It should also be noted that all the mills on the Eau Claire river were located on the north side, and all those on the Chippewa river were located on the west side, except the Eddy Mill and that of the Wilkin's Island Mill Company, which were located on the north side.
An old Wisconsin history says that two French trappers, one named LeDue, had a post in 1784 at the lower rapids of the Chip- pewa. As they treated with the Chippewas who came from up the river, their post must have been at the head of the rapids where is now the log reservoir. They got into trouble with the Chippewas and went down the river to trade with the Sioux, taking with them two Chippewa sealps as the best method of introdueing themselves to the Sioux. This is the first record of any white man living at Eau Claire. There was then an Indian village on the high land opposite the paper mill, and one also at the head of the Dells rapids opposite Mt. Simon.
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