USA > Wisconsin > Langlade County > History of Langlade County, Wisconsin, from U. S. government survey to present time, with biographical sketches > Part 2
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With the signing of the armistice the fate of a mighty empire was doomed and before six months passed the soldiers of Wisconsin began to return home -to be once more absorbed into the economic and in- dustrial life of the state.
September 29, 1919, Wisconsin voters by a vote of 165,762 for and 57,324 against accepted the amend- ment to Chapter 452 of the Laws of 1919, which pro- vided for the creation of a Service Recognition Board and the payment of what has since been known as the Soldier Bonus Act, which provided for the raising of a sufficient sum to assure each soldier, sailor, marine and nurse, including Red Cross nurses, who served in the armed forces of the United States during the World War against Germany and Austria and who, at the time of their induction into service were residents of Wisconsin, a sum of not exceeding ten dollars for each month of service with a minimum of fifty dol- lars, as a token of appreciation of the character and spirit of their patriotic service and to perpetuate such appreciation as a part of the history of Wisconsin. Langlade County went on record in favor of the Sol- dier Bonus Act by the overwhelming vote of 1,294 for and 258 against the proposal.
DE LANGLADE IN BATTLE.
Sieur Charles De Langlade. First Citizen of Wisconsin, leading the French and Indians in the battle of Ft. DuQuesne, which ended in disaster for General Edward Braddock, English Commander. George Washington, then a young Virginia Colonel, sav- ed the English from complete annihilation, July 9. 1735. De Langlade is seen with upraised arm.
Photo from Deming's painting hanging in museum, State Historical Society, Madison, Wis.
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HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.
CHAPTER II. Charles De Langlade
Before a historical discussion of Langlade County is undertaken it will not be amiss to give an account of the exploits of Augustin De Langlade and his illustrious son, Charles, in honor of whom Langlade County bears its name.
Augustin De Langlade was born about 1695. While still a young man, lured to the unconquered and unex- plored northwest of the new world he settled near Mackinaw (Michigan) and traded with the Ottawa Indians. He became very friendly with the Ottawas and married a sister of King Nis-so-wa-quet of that famous tribe. After this union he gained wonderful prestige over the Ottawas.
Charles De Langlade was the second child and was born in 1724 at Mackinaw. At the age of twenty-five he moved with his parents and their younger children to the settlement at Green Bay. Here Sieur De Lang- lade continued as a trader among the Indians, living a peaceful life which ended when he was 76 years old in 1771.
Sieur Charles De Langlade married Charlotte Bou- rassa, the daughter of Rene Bourassa, a retired voy- ageur, who then lived at Mackinaw, August 12, 1754. The ceremony, performed by Father M. L. Le Franc, Roman Catholic priest, was vouched for by M. Herbin, then leader and commandant of the Green Bay post. Mme. De Langlade moved to Green Bay from Macki- naw six years after her marriage. It was at the Green Bay settlement that De Langlade's hardy, noble, im- pulsive, but dangerous career began.
Sieur Charles De Langlade gained a reputation for bravery and strategy second to none. Before the out- break of the French-Indian war in 1754 he had led a force against the Sac Indian nation and succeeded in pushing them back from their holdings in the Fox river valley to the banks of the Wisconsin river.
Because of his knowledge of the Indian tribes of the northwest, his winning personality, intelligence and wonderful influence over the Red Men, Marquis Vau- dreuil, Governor-General of New France and Louisi- ana, selected De Langlade to recruit a ·powerful force from the ten Indian nations, Ottawas (to whom he was personally related), Chippewas, Menominees, Hurons, Winnebagoes and others. 1 The force of Indians was merged with a body of French frontier fighters with De Langlade assuming full command.
The fearless young warrior of just thirty years pro- ceeded at once to Fort Du Quesne 2 where a defense against the British was planned. General Braddock, vainly attempting to take Fort Du Quesne with his picked soldiery, was decisively defeated. The victory of the French and Indians was due to the persistant appeals of De Langlade to induce De Beaujeu, French commandant, to commence the attack. Beaujeu, after repeated requests refused to give the order to com- mence battle. De Langlade then called a council of the Indian chiefs and they demanded that Beaujeu give
the order to fight while the British were feasting or be- fore they crossed the river (Ohio). The French com- mandant, disheartened and fearing that he faced de- feat, yielded to De Langlade and gave orders to bat- tle. Beaujeu, brave, but pessimistic, was killed in the affray. Braddock lost twenty-six officers and 714 of his men were killed or wounded. George Washing- ton, young Colonial leader, saved the retreating troops by his masterly conduct. The force under Beaujeu and De Langlade lost but three officers and thirty men.
Dumais, Commandant of Du Quesne, then ordered De Langlade to proceed with his force on August 9, 1756 to strike at Ft. Cumberland and obtain informa- tion about the movements of the British in the Ohio river valley.
In 1757 De Langlade participated in battles in Cana- da under the brave and beloved Montcalm. De Lang- lade aided in the capture of Ft. William Henry at the head of Lake George.
September 8, 1757, Governor General Vaudreuil or- dered De Langlade to start from Montreal for the post of Michilimackinac to serve as second in command un- der orders of M. De Beaujeu, post commandant. A year later he returned to Canada, fought at Ticonderoga with the French-Indian force against General Aber- crombie, British leader, who suffered severe reverses in killed and wounded.
After the battle at Ticonderoga, De Langlade went back to Ft. Du Quesne, then threatened by the enemy. The gallant George Washington drew near the fort. Rather than face disaster the defenders set fire to it. In November 1758 the Dragon of St. George took the place of the Lilies of France and floated over the Ohio river valley unmolested. De Langlade returned to the post at Green Bay.
Here De Langlade proved himself a faithful servant of France. He could see that the power of the French was slipping, but he rendered faithful and efficient services until the end. In the battle for possession of Quebec, when both Montcalm and Wolfe were mor- tally wounded, De Langlade fought furiously, coming out of the conflict wounded. Two of his brothers fell on the plains of Abraham.
In 1760 he was commissioned a Lieutenant by the King of France and received instructions to return the Indians under his command to their respective villages and he to locate at Mackinac. The French-Indian war ended with the tri-color of France hauled down and De Langlade was given an appointment as Superin- tendent of Indians at Green Bay. While he did not actively participate in the Revolutionary War, his mor- al assistance alone, was worth much to the English.
However he received valuable grants of land and an annuity from the British for his services in the Revo- lution. He passed away in January, 1800, at the ad- vanced age of 75 years and was laid to rest beside his father.
2-Ft. DuQuesne was built at the junction of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers, and was named in honor of the Governor of Canada.
1-De Langlade's agents recruited Indians for this battle from with- in the limits of Langlade County.
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HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.
CHAPTER III. Geography
Location-Boundary-Population by Comparative Statement-Area-Civil Divisions-Rivers and Streams-County Farm Statistics-Summary of Development.
A relief map of Wisconsin shows that Langlade County is situated in a north central position and is located very near the geographical center of the State. Langlade County is bounded on the north by Oneida and a part of Forest county; on the south by Shawano and a part of Marathon County; on the west by Lincoln Coun- ty and on the east by Oconto and a part of Forest County. The territory of Langlade County embraces the fol- lowing governmental sub-divisions viz. all townships numbered 31, 32, 33 and 34 in ranges 9, 10, 11 and 12; also townships numbered 30 in ranges 11 and 12; also townships numbered 31, 32 and 33 in ranges numbered 13 and 14; also the west twelve sections of township numbered 31 in range num- bered 15. The ranges all being east of the 4th principal meredian.
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Scene on the Eau Claire River, Langlade County.
This territory before the establishment of Langlade County was a part of the counties of Shawano, Oconto or Lincoln. In another chapter the changes affecting the county from 1880 to date will be discussed. The boundary of Langlade County forms a regular course. Commencing at the northwest corner it runs east twen- ty-four miles; thence six miles south; thence twelve miles east; thence south twelve miles; thence two miles east, completing the northern boundary; thence six miles south; thence sixteen miles west; thence six miles south; thence twelve miles west; thence six miles north; thence nine and three-fourths miles west and thence twenty-four miles north to the place of begin- ning. It includes within its borders 876 square miles or 560,640 acres of which approximately 90 per cent is reported for taxation. Non-taxable area includes lakes, rivers and streams.
The following statement gives a comparative report of the population of Langlade County for the ten year periods since 1880 :
Population in 1880-685. Population in 1890-9,465. Population in 1900-12,553. Population in 1910-17,062. Population in 1920-21,471.
The per cent of increase in population is as follows : From 1890 to 1900-32.6 per cent; 1900 to 1910-35.9 per cent; 1910 to 1920-25.8 per cent. This phenome- nal growth during a span of forty years is a simple tes- timonial of what can be expected for the future. The intelligence and initiative of the citizens, their thrift
and integrity, the great diversity of industry and occu- pation, the vast resources, the accessibility of raw ma- terials necessary, but not produced within the borders of Langlade County, the excellent transportation facil- ities, the splendid network of highways, radiating from Antigo to all sections of the county, prosperous farms, and unsurpassed dairying communities are some of the responsible reasons for a steady, healthy increase in new settlers from year to year.
RIVERS, LAKES AND STREAMS.
Langlade County is at the door of the great lakes and rivers of tourist fame in Wisconsin. The larg- est rivers are the Wolf and the Eau Claire (east and west branches.) These two bodies of water together with numerous creeks, small rivers and rivulets, drain and water the county. The principal river is the Wolf, which has its source in Forest County, flows through Langlade County in a south-easterly direction through the townships of Elcho, Ainsworth, Langlade and Elton. Its receives many rivulets, rivers and creeks, the most important being the Lily River, Hunt- ing River and Pickerel Creek. The Eau Claire river has its headwaters (western branch) in the northwest- ern section of the county, draining the southeastern part of the Town of Summit, the southwestern part of Upham township and Peck township. The east branch of the Eau Claire river drains the south eastern part of Upham township, all of Neva township and a section of Peck township. It joins the western branch in the northwestern part of section 28 of East Ackley
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HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.
township. The west branch of the Eau Claire river receives Clear Water Creek, and Sucker Creek from the northeast in Peck township and Black Creek from the west in Ackley township. The east branch re- ceives Sucker Creek from Bass Lake in sections 10 and
Scene on the Red River, which flows through Norwood Township.
11 of Neva township and a few smaller creeks and streams in Peck and Ackley townships.
Other rivers of importance in the county are the Trappe River of the west Ackley township, the Prairie River of north Summit township, Red River of Nor- wood township, Springbrook, with its headwaters in Neva township, flowing through Antigo township, through the City of Antigo and also through Rolling township. McCloud Creek, Pine River, Lloyd Creek, Pratt Creek, all in the west part of Vilas township, flow in a southwesterly direction.
GOVERNMENT CIVIL DIVISIONS.
Langlade County is subdivided into sixteen civil di- visions. They are Summit, Vilas, Elcho, Peck, Neva, Antigo, Ainsworth, Price, Polar, Norwood, Rolling, Langlade, Upham, Evergreen, Elton and Ack- ley. Elton, the largest civil division is 128 square miles in area. Summit, Upham, El- cho, Ackley, Ainsworth and Langlade are each 72 square miles in area. The other town- ships, Vilas, Polar, Antigo, Rolling, Norwood, Peck,
Neva, Evergreen and Price are 36 square miles in area respectively. The most densely populated townships are Antigo and Norwood. The most sparsely popu- lated are Summit, Vilas and Ainsworth townships.
61 per cent of the people of Langlade County are residents of rural districts.
This county has some of the most beautiful lakes in the state. The largest lakes are Post, Pickerel, Sum- mit, Enterprise, Richs' or Rolling Stone and Bass Lake. Post Lake is about four miles long, Enterprise Lake is almost two miles at its widest point. Richs' Lake from its farthest northern shore to its most remote southeastern shore is about two miles long. Summit Lake, Bass Lake, Lawrence Lake, Moose Lake, Twin Lakes, Mueller's Lake, Lower Bass Lake and Rose Lake, also White Lake, are all lakes of good size. There are 570 lakes, streams and rivers in the county. The average annual rainfall is about 40 inches and the variations of temperature are from 30 degrees below zero to 90 degrees above (Fahrenheit.)
Langlade County is drained by the St. Lawrence river and the Mississippi river drainage systems, the Wolf river and its tributaries in the former and the Eau Claire (east and west branches) river in the latter.
RURAL LANGLADE COUNTY.
The information herein does not tell the reader all there is to be known about the geography of Langlade County. Important matters come up every day and there are scores of new things relative to the county with which all intelligent and active citizens should ac- quaint themselves.
Langlade County is closer to the border of Michigan than to any other state border. It is just southwest of Forest County, touching the Michigan border. There was a day when the county did touch the border line of Michigan before detachments of 1885.
It may be interesting to the student of county his- tory to know that in the State of Wisconsin there are over seven hundred million eggs laid annually of which the hens in Langlade County laid 3,626,080 eggs in 1921. Recent statistics show that in Langlade Coun- ty there are approximately 42,280 hens laying on an average of 86 eggs each year. Assuming that eggs are retailing at 44 cents per dozen the selling price of all eggs produced in Langlade County is approximate- ly $136,553 annually. Hundreds of crates are ship- ped from the county to Chicago and other points where they are held in "cold storage" houses. The "can- dling" of eggs is carried on in the county quite ex- tensively also. Exclusive poultry farms, modern and profitable, are rapidly making their appearance in dif- ferent townships in the county. This holds good for the future welfare of this particular industry.
Wisconsin is the leading dairy state in the United States. The milk cows of Badgerdom produce an average of over 140 quarts of milk per second. There are 11,518 milk cows in Langlade County producing an average of 4,935 pounds of milk each per year with a total of 50,391,250 pounds of milk during one year.
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HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.
Langlade County, as we have stated, has a popu- lation of 21,471 inhabitants. A quart of milk, weigh- ing two pounds, could be given to every man, woman and child in Langlade County three times per day if the annual total milk production of the county was evenly divided among the people.
The potato industry is the most important in pro- ductivity in Langlade County. Some of the larg- est potato fields under cultivation in Wisconsin are located in Langlade County. The most advanced methods of cultivation are followed by the experts en- gaged in that phase of agriculture. Homer Beattie, the Prosser Brothers, C. Sorenson, John Morrissey, J. W. Smith, of Kent, Peter Krier and others are well known as leading potato men. There are approxi- mately 4,435 acres of land used for potato cultivation annually in the county. The average yield per acre
is 127 bushels. Langlade County holds a rank near the top in the total amount of car loads of potatoes ex- ported yearly. The average annual potato crop is
563,245 bushels. The actual land area of the coun- ty is 555,414 acres. Thus the average farm value of an acre of potatoes in Langlade County is $130.81. The reader can gain an idea of the vast potato industry of Wisconsin when it is realized that the county pro- duces but one fiftieth of Wisconsin's total annual yield of 27,200,000 bushels. Langlade County potato growers cultivate about one-sixtieth of the total amount of potato acreage of Wisconsin. Langlade County raises about twenty-five bushels of potatoes for each inhabitant every year. The principal pota- toes cultivated in the county are the Rural New York- ers, Russetts, Triumph, Irish Cobbler, Green Mountain and Early Ohio's and other varieties. Extreme cau- tion is taken in the county to guard against potato blight and the potato beetle. Langlade County grow- ers export seed potato to every section of the United States.
Recent statistics produce the fact that 446 silos are being used in Langlade County. Every year new silos are erected to care for the increasing yields of the farmers. There are now about five hundred silos in the county or one silo to about every fourth farm. Langlade County has 1717 acres annually producing 10,908 tons of corn silage. The figures given are based on a five year average. Thus there are about thirty-six silos in each civil division (section) in the county or an average of nearly one silo to every square mile.
While the county is not in the corn belt of the Uni- ted States it produces a fair yield of corn used as a grain. There are 704 acres of land, according to sta- tistics producing five year averages, yielding annual- ly in Langlade County 19,800 bushels of grain corn.
Langlade County is within that area of land which the United States governmental officials declare will
make the greatest developments during the next few decades. Since 1855 its area has been gradually, but surely developed into an important and essential part of the great commonwealth of Wisconsin. From the day when the squatters and early homesteaders push- ed back the forests from an acre or more of ground, new land has been constantly cleared, broken or drain- ed from year to year. 842 acres of land were clear- ed or brushed off during the year ending April 1, 1920. The farm value of nineteen principal Langlade Coun- ty crops during the years 1919 and 1920 were: $2 .- 474,422 and $1,927,443. 15,771 acres of land have been added to the total area under cultivation in the county since 1909.
The growth of the county has been gradual and without the "boom" of the mushroom variety. No better index to the general progress of a community could be related that a comparative statement giving figures which cannot be denied and which tell the amazing story of the expansion of the county.
LANGLADE COUNTY FARM STATISTICS.
In 1910 there were but 2,823 apple trees in bear- ing in the county as compared with 8,584 in 1920.
42 tractors were in use in the county in May, 1920.
From fifteen acres the county has forged ahead so far that now 243 acres of land are producing root crops other than sugar beets.
There were less than fifty acres of peas for can- ning cultivated in 1909 as compared with 251 acres in 1920.
From 137 acres the wild or marsh hay has decreas- ed from 1909 to 1920 to but 97 acres-a sure indica- tion that agriculture is developing scientifically.
Clover and timothy production has increased from 17,942 to 23,715 acres in ten years-1909-20.
256 more acres of rye were planted in 1920 than in 1909 in the county.
In 1909, 2,597 acres of barley were cultivated. The acreage of the same crop was practically the same ac- cording to 1919 statistics.
151 acres were under spring wheat production in 1909 as compared with 1,074 acres in 1920.
The increase in acreage sown in oats was approxi- mately 3,000 acres, U. S. statistics indicate.
A general summary of rural development shows that the county has made rapid increase in production of crops considered grown for strictly commercial pur- poses.
The first record of tractors used on Langlade Coun- ty farms was called for by the United States govern- ment in 1920. With a return to normal conditions of production and consumption and an equilibrium of price levels the tractor will no doubt be more exten- sively used.
HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.
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CHAPTER IV. The Pioneer
Hardships-Mode of Life-Hospitality-How They Came-Their Homes.
After the great war of the rebellion the dense un- broken wilderness of Upper Wisconsin was explored by an almost unceasing army of timber estimators, lumbermen, prospectors and homestead seekers. With the construction of the Military Road through Ains- worth, Langlade and Elton Townships, the opening of Eastern Langlade County began. With the pioneer came the saw mill. As the result the heavy timbered hills and valleys where once only the red man and wild
miles of splendid highways over which high powered motor vehicles travel swiftly linking city, village and hamlet.
Brave and courageous were the families that moved into this country infested with wild animals and In- dians. In early years our first settlers, particularly in Norwood Township and the Wolf River Country came into this land of hope after enduring many hard- ships from long exposure. The journey was always
A modern Langlade County farm with its pure bred cattle and luxuriant meadows, presenting a vivid contrast to the log cabin of the old homesteader of nearly a half century ago.
beasts fought for supremacy, a thriving industry de- veloped.
What a contrast today. Then the Indian was master of the land. Where his camp fire burned brightly in the valley, on the plains and hilltops, we see hundreds of cultivated farms today. We see the ideal farm- house with its water works and electric lights, its au- tomobile garage, machine shop, huge barns and tractor sheds and silos, where once the Indian tepee comfort- ed the restless and impulsive red man. Where the Indian made his temporary abode, we find today pros- perous farms and contented communities, factories and mills, churches and schools. Instead of the old In- dian trails over which mail and provisions had to be "toted" or "man packed" from Shawano, Wausau or Appleton, the nearest trading points, we have today
tiresome and tedious. Travel was done with oxen or horses and the wagons were crude and heavy. Many miles of wilderness were passed. The rough cordu-
roy roads were few and boggy. Many a pioneer wa- gon that trekked into this country was upset or dam- aged due to miry roads or pits. Some pioneers did not even have a wagon or cart with a yoke of oxen, but trudged along on foot, carrying their personal be- longings on their backs. Such journeys lasted days and days. Langlade County's first settlers suffered hardships, trials and tribulations of which the present generation is not at all familiar. Many a family lost
one of their loved ones after they had staked their claim in the woods of the county. Very often on the journey children would become ill and not having any medical attention close at hand would die. In such
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HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.
instances, the bereaved parents would place their lov- ed one in a grave dug under the boughs of the forest trees.
Before the Civil War, white men penetrated Lang- lade County. From 1870 to 1890, this part of Wiscon- sin, which had long been looked upon as adapted for nothing but the undisturbed home of the Indian and the journeys of venturesome speculators, became the mec- ca for immigrants from every section south and east of Wisconsin. The belief that this country possessed only one factor of wealth-its pineries-became a myth. With the death of that idea, there was born a new period of expansion-in upper Wisconsin, which wonderfully contributed to the development of Lang- lade County. In the period of 1870-1875, after the trail of the Pine hunter had been blazed, hardy sons of toil, whose greatest asset was health and muscle, began to erect log cabins, "Homes of Peace and Plenty." Thus began the settlement of the picturesque new north, with Antigo, then an unrealized ideal, and Lang- lade County, as the pivotal point of progress.
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