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 5
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Eau Claire eounty farmers have kept paee with other seetions of the state, and this very profitable industry has been pretty well developed in almost all parts of the county ; farmers are and have been studying the breeds of dairy cattle; they send their sons to the university, some taking the short course and some the long course in agriculture, and come out fitted to manage stoek farms successfully. There are one or two associations of men who breed a certain kind of dairy cattle, and stoek farms with modern sanitary barns and apparatus for handling milk and eream are found in nearly every township, and not only that, but there are numerous creameries, which are generally operated on the co-operative plan by the farmers in its eom- munity, where butter fat is turned into eash with seientific regu- larity, and from this one industry alone has come a great inerease
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HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
in land values all over the county. As late as 1890 there were but 4,104 milch cows in the county. In 1912 this number had been increased to 10,248, valned at $202,312. In this same year there was 6,609 head of other cattle, valued at $67,697. Horses there were 7,723 head, valued at $568,668. Sheep and lambs, 5,116 head, valned at $13,127. This same year there were 5,515 head of swine four months old or over, valned at $30,917. For the year 1912 there were 1,295 silos in the county.
Previous to 1880 there was very little dairying done in Ean Claire county. Farming was practically all wheat, barley and oats, the cattle of the county pasturing in the brush or on the roadside in the summer, and living on the straw stacks in the winter. What little butter was made was made in the summer and all handled by the women folks and put down in the cellar for the winter. The surplus was traded ont to the grocery store or kept in the cellar until the fall and then sold for what it would bring, which was not much.
The first creamery in the county was started along early in the eighties, shortly after the first institute was held in Augusta. At that time Ex-Governor W. H. Hoard, Hiram Smith and Dean Henry of the university were out preaching the gospel of the dairy cow as the only salvation of the northern Wisconsin farmer. The creamery ran all summer and then failed. The next year it went into the hands of the Victory Drug Co., of Angusta, who made a success of it. Shortly after this a creamery was started at Fall Creek. This creamery adopted the plan of gathering hand skimmed cream from the farmers, and followed that plan for a year or two, until the advent of the cream separator. They then established a skimming station as did the Augusta creamery. This improved the quality of the butter and brought more money to the farmers, making it possible for them to make money out of dairying. Soon after this a cheese factory was started at Russell's Corner, near Augusta, which was later turned into a creamery, and has been very successful.
About 1885 the Augusta Creamery established a skimming station in the town of Ludington. This branch later grew and developed into a creamery. It was sold out to Ludtke Bros., of Ludington, who operated it until about three years ago, when it burned down. The farmers then organized a co-operative cream- ery, which is now in active operation. In about the year 1886 there was a company organized in the city of Eau Claire to build and operate a creamery. This was built on Water street, but proved a failure, there not being enough cows within easy hauling
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AGRICULTURE AND DAIRYING
distance of the creamery to furnish cream for the plant. The next creamery to be organized in the county was at Cleghorn. This was along about 1893 or 1894 and is still in operation and doing well. Along about 1894 there was a creamery started in the town of Drammen. This never was a success, was closed down abont two years ago and sold at auction about one year ago. Has now been turned into a cheese factory.
Shortly after this Messrs. Hanke and Emmerson built a cream- ery at Brackett in the town of Washington. This creamery was very successful for a while, but gradually lost patronage and was sold ont several times and finally organized into a co-operative plant and failed, closing down about two years ago. There was also a creamery organized in the town of Union about four miles from Eau Claire. This creamery never did very much and finally closed down.
In 1901 the farmers of the town of Washington organized a co-operative creamery and built it about five miles from Eau Claire. This creamery has been successful from the start and is now doing a good business. In 1901 they discontinued making cheese at Russel's Corner and built a new creamery, and about the same time the farmers of the town of Bridge Creek in what is known as Diamond Valley organized a co-operative ereamery there and are still in successful operation. In 1906 the Eau Claire Creamery Company was organized and started business in May of that year. This company has steadily grown until it ranks as one of the largest concerns of this kind in the state. Since 1880 the county has gradually drifted away from grain raising to dairying and stock raising. They have a Guernsey Breeders' Association, also a Holstein Breeders' Association, and they work- ing in harmony with Prof. Ingles, the State Agricultural Instruc- tor, have done a vast amount of good in the last two years. And the day is not far distant when Eau Claire county will rank as one of the best dairy and stock connties of the state.
CHAPTER X. EAU CLAIRE COUNTY TRAINING SCHOOL.
By W. A. CLARK.
The Eau Claire County Training School for Teachers was established by act of the county board November 18, 1904, and opened in the city of Eau Claire August 28, 1905, and was the eighth school of this kind in the state. At the present time, less than nine years later, there are twenty-eight.
This school at first occupied rooms in the high school building and employed two teachers, namely, W. A. Clark, principal, and Miss Frane Wilkins, assistant. The school opened with an attendance of forty-eight and increased so rapidly that another teacher was secured for the second year. Miss Clara MeNown was engaged in this capacity, and remained with the school two years. On Miss MeNown's resignation, Miss Lydia Wheelock was engaged as second assistant, and remained in this position for four years. She was followed by Miss Maud Guest, who is still one of the faculty. Miss Wilkins and Mr. Clark have been with the school from the beginning to the present time (1914).
During the summer of 1907 the beautiful and commodious building now occupied by the school was erected by the county on grounds adjoining the courthouse. In the spring of 1912 the usefulness of the school in promoting agricultural education was greatly increased by the coming of G. K. Ingalls as county agriculturist, who was given an office in the building, made it his headquarters and became teacher of agriculture in the train- ing school. The following winter a short course in agriculture was given in which seventeen young men were enrolled. The present time finds the school taxed to its utmost capacity, with sixty-four students in the teachers' training courses and twenty- two in the short course in agriculture. That the reputation of the school has reached beyond the boundaries of the county is shown by the fact that there are in attendance this year (1914) more than thirty non-resident students coming from Chippewa, Rush, Clark, Burnette, Jackson, Trempealeau, Buffalo and Pepin counties.
The school has one hundred and eighty-seven graduates up to date, of whom one hundred and twenty are actively engaged in teaching, which testifies to the efficiency of the school in incul-
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EAU CLAIRE COUNTY TRAINING SCHOOL
cating professional spirit and love for the work. These gradu- ates have been uniformly successful and the demand for the product of the school is steadily increasing. No little credit for the success of the school is due the high character and ability of the men and women who have, during the past eight years, served the school on the training school board. The first training school board was composed of Hon. Emmet IIoran, of Eau Claire, president; Mr. Gus Dittmer, of Augusta, treasurer, and County Superintendent of Schools Laura Burce, secretary. On Mr. Horan's appointment as a member of the board of regents of normal schools he resigned from the training school board, April 22, 1908, and Mr. Richard H. Loether, of Eau Claire, was made his successor. On the retirement of Miss Burce from the county superintendency in July, 1909, her successor, Miss Theresa A. Leinenkugel, became secretary of the board. In November, 1913, Mr. E. G. Herrel, of Angusta, was given a place on the board, Mr. Dittmer retiring, and at the same time Mr. J. H. Waggoner succeeded Mr. Loether as president of the board. The board as now constituted consists of J. H. Waggoner, president; E. G. Herrel, treasurer, and Miss Theresa Leinenkugel, secretary.
THE RURAL SCHOOLS OF THE COUNTY.
Eau Claire county has not fallen behind others of the state in regard to the educational welfare of its population. There are 88 rural schools under the supervision of the county superintend- ent, Miss Theresa A. Leinenkugel, who has filled the office for six years-her predecessor, Miss Burce, having held it for the same length of time. Under them the schools have shown a con- stant advance in methods and efficiency. It is to be hoped that the system of consolidation which has proved so successful in Illinois and Indiana will be tried more faithfully in this state and county. Each district should see its three or four small schools united in one, which could thereby secure better teachers and more fitting equipment. The state legislature grants $50 yearly on certain conditions to each school which has a specified number of enregistered pupils, this sum to be expended in suit- able blackboards, maps, a globe, systematic ventilation, properly screened outbuildings, etc. This appropriation is granted for three consecutive years, is highly appreciated and has shown good results in the interest and zeal inspired by pleasing and sanitary surroundings and adequate working tools.
CHAPTER XI. EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR.
By W. W. BARTLETT.
Editor's Note. To Mr. William W. Bartlett, of Eau Claire, is due the credit for this interesting and valuable chapter, and a work of explanation is here appropriate regarding the form in which the matter is presented.
Mr. Bartlett has long taken great interest in gathering remi- niscences of the Civil War, and especially of those from Eau Claire county who participated in it. In fact he is recognized as Eau Claire's authority of Civil War history. In 1911 the fiftieth anniversary of the outbreak of the war, the Eau Claire Telegram started a Civil War column and asked for reminiscences from the veterans. Knowing of Mr. Bartlett's researches along this line he was also asked to contribute, and responded with an article made up of verbatim extracts from the Civil War time files of local newspapers, narrating events in Eau Claire just preceding and immediately after the firing upon of Fort Sumter. Pertain- ing as it did to individuals known to many of the Telegram readers it awakened much interest and more was called for. The result was a series of articles extending over several months. Supplementing the extracts from local newspaper files, of official records and many hitherto unpublished private Civil War letters, Mr. Bartlett prevailed upon a number of surviving officers and members of companies recruited in Eau Claire county to furnish reminiscences of their companies. These contributions constitute an almost complete account of Eau Claire's contingent in the war and were highly appreciated by the public.
The form in which the record appeared in the Telegram has been preserved in this chapter, not only because the series attracted great attention, but also because letters from men who participated in the great conflict convey a more intimate knowl- edge and more vivid impression than any other form of record could possibly give. They also add an intensity of interest to the recital.
The publication of the letters makes this chapter somewhat lengthy, but a valuable chapter has been the sole aim of the pub-
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EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR
lishers. For that reason Mr. Bartlett was persuaded to edit, rearrange and make a connected story of the series.
We are also indebted to Mr. Bartlett for the fine collection of war pictures which illustrate this chapter. They are the result of years of patient search and gathering.
Eau Claire, Wisconsin, March 4, 1911.
Editor Daily Telegram: I have your request for some material for your proposed series of Civil War articles, and shall be pleased to furnish something along that line. Doubtless it is your purpose to publish reminiscences of any sort which may pertain to the Civil War, but what- ever I may furnish will be of a strictly local nature. As you know, I am not a veteran, neither did I reside here during the Civil War. My parents came here from Maine in the spring of 1867, when I was but six years of age, but other relatives had preceded us, and I had cousins in a good proportion of the companies recruited in this county, and also in some of the companies from other counties in this part of the state.
It would seem to me that no sketeh of Civil War times in Eau Claire county would be complete without mention of Gilbert E. Porter, editor of the Eau Claire Free Press from December, 1858, until the fall of 1864, and who later became so prominent in the himbering industry of the Chippewa Valley. I am furnishing you today a picture of Mr. Porter, taken in middle life, and shows him as most of us younger men recall him. Mr. Porter was a true patriot, and every editorial which appeared in his paper was a credit both to the man and to Eau Claire.
The following editorial, which appeared in the Free Press of December 24, 1860, presents the first rumbling of the approaching conflict :
Free Press, December 24, 1860.
"We give today pretty full accounts of the secession move- ment. It will be seen that South Carolina has passed an ordi- nance of secession unanimously, and the others of the eotton states are likely to follow suit. Ilow the matter will terminate is beyond the reach of mortal ken. If we had a Jackson at the helm of the ship of state we should not be kept long in suspense, but as long as the president's ehair is occupied by the present corrupt old traitor we know not what a day will bring forth.
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HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Dispatches from the South justify us in the belief that Buchanan has betrayed his solemn trust by ordering the surrender of the forts and the government's arms at Charleston upon the demand of the southern traitors. If that be so we shall not be surprised if an attempt is made to impeach the Old Public Functionary for high crimes and misdemeanors."
Although realizing to some extent the feeling in the South, it seemed to Editor Porter hardly possible that it would go to the extent of beginning actual hostilities against the government. The unexpected happened. On April 12, 1861, Fort Sumter was fired on. The Free Press came out with an extra announcing the fact. Probably no copy of this extra is in existence, but the next regular issue, April 19, the announcement was reprinted. Fol- lowing the display head are given the dispatches, with particulars of the bombardment and evacuation of the fort. On the same page Mr. Porter expresses his feelings in an editorial as repro- duced below :
"THE WAR BEGUN.
"The terrible fact of a civil war now stares us full in the face, and lovers of the Union must meet the sudden though not unex- pected responsibilities which devolve upon them. Every Union loving heart will swell with emotion as it contemplates the unal- terable baseness and dishonor of those who have inaugurated civil war; and we greatly mistake the temper of all good citizens, South as well as North, if they do not firmly resolve to aid when duty calls, in executing a terrible retribution upon the rebels. Let the watchword be, "The government, it must and shall be preserved'; and if perchance there is a wretch in our midst whose sympathies are not with the government, let the execrations of all good citizens be upon him; let the finger of scorn follow him till shame burns his cheeks to a cinder."
In the press of the following week, April 26, appears the call for the first war meeting, reproduced below :
"PATRIOTS AROUSE.
"There will be a meeting of the patriotic citizens of Eau Claire and vicinity in Reed's Hall on Monday the 29th for the purpose of devising means to get up a company to go and fight the battles of our country. Speaking and singing may be expected."
In the Free Press of May 3, 1861, appears the report of that gathering, as follows :
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EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR
Free Press, May 3, 1861.
"On Monday evening the citizens of this place, irrespective of party, met at Reed's Hall for the purpose of attesting their attachment to the good old Stars and Stripes of the Union. It was in every respect by far the largest and most enthusiastic meeting ever held in this place. A common cause brought them together and a common sentiment animated every heart. At an early hour the hall was densely packed with people, including fifteen or twenty ladies, who came early enough to obtain admit- ance. A great many were unable to get in the hall. N. B. Boyden, Esq., was called to chair and J. G. Callahan was elected secre- tary. Mr. Boyden briefly and appropriately addressed the meet- ing and his remarks were well received. Messrs. Barnes, Meg- gett, Davis, Bartlett, Barrett, Woodworth, Taylor, Porter, Whip- ple, Wilson, Stillman and MeNair were respectively called to the stand, all of whom made speeches abounding in patriotism and expressing warm attachment to the government and union. Men and means promptly tendered-the former to fight for the coun- try, the latter to equip the soldiers and provide for their families. The Eau Claire Brass Band and Sprague's Military Band added much to the interest of the occasion.
"After the meeting the following names were enrolled to form the company : John Taylor, G. W. Marcum, A. S. Bostwick, John Woodworth, A. C. Ellis, Thomas B. Coon, Charles Sargent, G. E. Bonell, D. R. King, Henry Schaffer, John Dennis, F. R. Buck, J. D. MeCauley, Machler Striff, Robert Lackey, W. J. Cosporus, G. W. Wilson, Melvin M. Adams, G. M. Brewer, L. Cornwell, Jesse Adams, Myron Shaw, Theodore DeDesert, G. A. Brown, H. MeDougal, John E. Stillman, A. Watson, H. H. Parker, W. P. Bartlett, J. Wells, J. Sloat, C. S. MeLeod, Augustus Block, James Jones, George Eckart, J. Swan, Philip Hammer, Chriss Scholkopf, John Sloverman, B. F. Cowen, Jacob Siegil, John Harrson, C. W. Burbank, Osten Rutland, Henry J. Linhergue, William E. Kil- gore, B. F. Buck, Oscar Sargent, William Monteith, M. V. Smith, J. C. Davis, J. S. Goodrich, Couradon Wyman, J. F. Hale, D. H. Hollister, Otis F. Warren, D. P. Gordon, A. Parker, J. A. Bar- berish, G. H. Hamilton, Henry Hunter, John Legore, J. S. Anderson.
"From present indications we have no doubt that two com- panies might be raised in this place and Chippewa Falls. Of course the country about will be well represented. Quite a dele- gation from Bridge Creek came down to enlist, and yesterday a
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HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
wagonload drawn by four gray horses, decked with small Union flags, and a beautiful large one streaming from a staff supported in the wagon, came into town from Mondovi. They were vocifer- ously cheered by our citizens. They are a determined and patriotic set of men and would fight like tigers when duty calls them to the battlefield."
Other names were added later and in the Free Press of May 10 we find the following :
"THE EAU CLAIRE BADGERS.
"This company is about full and is aching for active service. It is composed of active, intelligent men, who have good health, strong muscular development and determined wills. We wishi to correct the absurd rumor which is now going the rounds of the papers that a company has been formed here, all of whose members stand over six feet high. The Eau Claire boys in time of peace are probably not larger than the average run of men, but if they come to a hard fight we have no doubt the rebels will think that each man weighs at least a ton. On Saturday last the Badgers met at Recd's IIall and elected officers. They are as follows: Captain, John Taylor; first lieutenant, A. S. Bostwick ; second lieutenant, Henry Hunter; third lieutenant, Oscar Sar- gent ; orderly sergeant, A. C. Ellis. ' Captain Taylor left for Madison on Monday last for the purpose of tendering the services of the company to the governor. He will probably return home as soon as Sunday."
(For some reason there was considerable delay in elosing up the final arrangements for the mustering in of this company, and many of the recruits became restless.)
Free Press, May 31, 1861.
"The Eau Claire Badgers have forwarded their application to the adjutant-general for their acceptance into service. A reply will probably be had in a few days. The boys are ready and willing to go to war, but if there is no show of being accepted they will probably disband.
"Mr. Victor Wolf, who has had several years' experience in the military service of the United States, has been drilling them for some time past, and it is said they have made commendable progress in the arts of war."
(Unwilling to wait longer for an opportunity to see active service the company began to drop out. Just at this opportune
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EAU CLAIRE COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR
time a recruiting officer from another county appeared on the scene, as told in the Free Press as follows) :
"The captain of the 'Prescott Guards,' of Prescott, came up to the Chippewa Valley yesterday for the purpose of filling up his company to the required number, it having been assigned to a place in the Sixth Regiment, and notified to be in readiness for mustering by the 10th inst. Some twenty of the boys of the Eau Claire Badgers enlisted under him last night and left this morning for Prescott, well pleased with the prospects of getting into active service. Our boys, we donbt not, will 'make their mark' when the fighting comes."
(If these boys were looking for a chance to fight they certainly made no mistake in the choice of their company, for it will be remembered the Sixth Regiment with the Second and Seventh became a part of the famous Iron Brigade and saw some of the heaviest service of the war. Among those who left the Eau Claire Badgers to join the Prescott company was A. C. EHis, who attained the rank of first lieutenant, returned to Ean Claire and lived here for a number of years after the war.
Another Eau Claire man who enlisted in the Sixth Regiment, although not in the same company with Ellis and his associates, was Franz Siebenthall. He was in Company D, was wounded at South Mountain, and on the 1st of July, 1863, was killed on the field of Gettysburg. Mr. Siebenthall in the summer of 1855 bought from the United States government about seventy-five aeres of land on the west side, for which he paid $1.25 per acre, or $94.50 for the tract. The following spring he sold the land to Ira Mead for $756, a very fair profit, but this amount would hardly purchase the land today, as it lay just south of Grand avenue and extended from about Fifth avenue east to the Chip- pewa river, comprising the principal part of what is now the Fifth ward. In addition to those who joined the Sixth Regiment were a number of the Badger company who, a few days before, had taken blankets and other equipment belonging to the eom- pany, helped themselves to some boats and went down the river, where they joined an artillery company then being formed at LaCrosse. These individuals may have been able to justify their conduct to themselves, but Editor Porter expressed very strongly his disapproval of same.)
Free Press, June 7, 1861.
"After the company which had been formed here had con- eluded that they could not get into service, something like a half
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HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
dozen committed a most dishonorable trick by running off in the night with all the available property, such as blankets, etc., they could lay their hands upon. In view of such a transaction we are glad the company was not accepted, as we want no men to go to the wars from Eau Claire who are not gentlemen. Of course those who remain would not countenance such petty theft, and who are exempt from the above reflection. A good soldier must be a man of honor."
Under date of June 21, 1861, the Free Press announced that Captain Taylor had received notice from Governor Randall that the company would be accepted, and in the same issue there also appeared the following :
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