History of Langlade County, Wisconsin, from U. S. government survey to present time, with biographical sketches, Part 28

Author: Dessureau, Robert M
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Antigo, Wis., Berner bros. publishing co.
Number of Pages: 384


USA > Wisconsin > Langlade County > History of Langlade County, Wisconsin, from U. S. government survey to present time, with biographical sketches > Part 28


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).


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Neils Anderson was officially selected as the first Postmaster on April 1, 1879, and served until August 17, 1882. On August 18, 1882, Henry Smith was ap- pointed Postmaster, and at that time the Post Office was moved to the frame building of Henry Smith, where he conducted a drug store at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Superior Street. This frame structure served as federal headquarters until 1885, when the Postoffice was moved to the west room of the Dawley


who served from July 1, 1897 to July 20, 1901. The Post Office was then moved to the Molle Building on Fifth Ave., Edward Cleary serving as Postmaster from July 21, 1901 to July 30, 1910. From August 1, 1910 to Feb. 23, 1915, Richard Koebke acted as Postmaster. On Feb. 24, 1915, Richard Koebke was succeeded by Edward Cody, who is still serving. The site of the present Post Office was purchased from the Antigo Canning Co., June 30, 1911, for $8,250.00. The Post Office building was erected in 1915 at a cost of $60,- 000.00, by W. D. Lovewell, Minneapolis, Minnesota. F. W. Thomas was superintendent. Sydney Chaplin acted as government superintendent of construction. Edward Cody was the first Postmaster and property custodian of the new federal building.


City free delivery was instituted November 1, 1903, after Postmaster Edward Cleary had reported receipts


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HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.


in excess of $10,000.00. There were then three dis- tricts and the city was served by the following, the first mail carriers: Emmon J. Badger, Roy G. Lyons and Fred C. Brooks.


Rural Free Delivery was commenced November 1, 1893, with three routes in the county. The first car- riers of these routes were: A. B. Hanks, George H. Hoffman and William Case. The rural mail service


lished throughout the world and has met with growing sentiment everywhere in the United States, was es- tablished in Antigo in June, 1911. The first year's receipts were $415.90. Gene Palmer, a mail carrier, was the first depositor.


Mail was carried from Wausau to Springbrook by private carriers before July, 1880, when the first gov- ernment contract was let. John Doerish operated the


NEILS ANDERSON


Antigo's first postmaster, who was appointed April 1. 1829 by President Rutherford B. Hayes. Mr. Anderson was also the first Antigo merchant.


has proven a great service to the Langlade County farmers and the isolated communities springing up in the more remote sections of the county. It has put the settler, living in the sparsely settled regions, in constant touch with the outside world, bringing to his door pictorial news, the metropolitan daily newspaper, election returns almost instantaneously and has been an unsurpassed convenience to the farmer.


The Star Routes, with the exception of the Antigo to Elton and return route, have been abandoned. Rural Free Delivery meant the discontinuance of many old post offices within the boundary of the county as it eliminated their necessity.


The receipts of the Antigo Post Office for ten year periods since 1890 are: 1890-$5,271.73; 1900-$8,- 157.68; 1910-$19,783.20; 1920-$34,967.48.


The Postal Saving System, which has been estab-


first stage line out of Antigo.


Edward Cody, the present Postmaster, is assisted by the following : P. J. Millard, Assistant Postmaster and O. C. Bardwell, Miss Lily Ladwig, Glen Millard, F. A. Kolerus, Walter A. Petters and William Kuhr.


The City Mail Carriers are: Willis Wheeler, Eu- gene Palmer, Jos. Rath, Max Lyons, Emil Cherf and Jos. Feil.


The rural mail carriers are: Martin Fishback on Route No. 1, William McGregor on Route No. 2, John Feller on Route No. 3, S. B. Kendall on Route No. 4, and Frank Ferdon on Route No. 5.


The estimates and proposals for the erection of the Antigo Post Office were made during the terms of for- mer Congressmen E. A. Morse and Thomas F. Konop, of the now Ninth Wisconsin Congressional Distrcit.


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HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.


CHAPTER XXVIII. Antigo Churches


Congregational-Methodist-St. John's-Seven Day Adventists-St. Mary's Church-Unity Evan- gelical-St. Hyacinth Church-Peace Evangelical-First Baptist-Episcopal-Christian Science -Zion Evangelical-Kahaal Adaas Yesiu.


There can be no law without a lawmaker. The finite mind of man cannot explain the phenomena of nature about him. Knowing that system, general or- der and law, which governs nature, prevail, men of every race believe in some supreme being.


The advent of Christianity into Langlade County is co-temporary with its first settlements. As early as June, 1878, when Langlade County was a forest prime- val, the Rev. Jesse Cole, a Methodist Episcopal preach- er, drove through the Twin Valley townships and stop- ped in the little forest group of cabins, preaching the


tary of State, June 26, 1882, by L. W. Bliss, W. H. Wheeler and B. F. Dorr. The church was erected on the present location and was dedicated on September 9, 1883. The dedica- tory sermon was delivered by the Rev. J. D. Willard of Appleton. The church has been remodel- ed and an addition placed on the south end since. Pastors thus far have been: Rev. A. D. Adams, Dea- con J. Tibbits, Rev. Henry Ketchum, Rev. C. C. Camp- bell, Rev. William Pease, Rev. P. H. Ralph, Rev. Jesse Sarles, Rev. William Reese Dixon.


THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Established in Antigo in 1883 by L. W. Bliss, W. H. Wheeler, and B. F. Dorr.


gospel from the door of Baker's shanty. Rev. Cole had been through the vicinity in 1877 and prayed with a party of landseekers on the banks of the Spring Brook, which was then bordered with giant forest trees. Rev. Phillip St. Louis, born April 15, 1848, at Little Chute, Wisconsin, made a visit to Phlox in 1879. Much of his journeys from Menasha to Phlox and Antigo, his mission villages, were made afoot. The first established church in Langlade County was erected in Phlox, Norwood township in 1881.1


CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.


Articles of Incorporation of the First Congregation- al Church of Antigo were filed with the Secre-


1. In 1880 mass was celebrated in F. A. Deleglise's log cabin, now preserved on the library grounds.


Many Antigo settlers attended mass in the old cabin.


In the summer of 1915, the interior of the church was refinished. A handsome pipe organ was install- ed at that time also. The parsonage is just south of the church and is a two story frame structure.


METHODIST EPISCOPAL.


The Methodist Episcopal Church was erected in 1883 and on June 24, 1883, the Rev. E. L. Eaton, of Madison, dedicated the edifice. A parsonage was erected in 1895, when the second M. E. Church was erected. The Methodist church was then built in its present location. The present parsonage was erected during the pastorship of the Rev. W. A. Hall. The first M. E. Church is now used as the Polish Catholic Church.


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HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.


Pastors and the date of service at the Methodist Episcopal Church are: Rev. Patrick Burke, 1881; Rev. Perry Miller, 1882-1885; J. J. Foot, 1885-1886; Rev. John Willis, 1886-1887; Rev. F. Howarth, 1887-1889; Rev. J. B. Beadle, 1889-1890; Rev. J. D. Kenestrick,


In 1909 a pipe organ was installed and the interior of the church was completely renovated.


UNITY EVANGELICAL CHURCH.


The Unity Evangelical Church was organized on Dec.


THIE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH


The first M. E. Church in Antigo was on Third Avenue, across from the Court llouse, and is now St. Hyacinth's Polish Catholic Church.


1890-1892; Rev. Henry Dueker, 1892-1893; Rev. T. E. Williams, 1893-1896; Rev. W. A. Peterson, 1896- 1901; Rev. F. A. Nimits, 1901-1904; W. A. Hall, 1904- 1909; Rev. James Churm, 1909-1911; Rev. M. L.


25, 1890. Charter members were: Messrs. Herman Laehn, Gustav Ulrich, William Kupper, Theodore Kupper, Edward Grabowski, Herman Meyer, Gottlieb Erni, William Oldenberg, Jacob Kunz, Henrich Boldt,


FEE


THE UNITY EVANGELICAL CHURCH


The present edifice has been in charge of Rev. Carl Nagel since July 1, 1908. The church was organized in December 1890 with eighteen charter members. The parsonage and church hall are shown in this picture.


Eversz 1911-1916; Rev. S. J. Tink, 1916-1921; Rev. O. Adolph Stahl, Herman Schlundt, Wilhelm Brennecke, D. Cannon, 1921-1922. Heinrich Brennecke, Carl Brennecke, Louis Krueger,


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HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.


Fredrick Kaske and Phillip Wessa. The new church sonage is separated from the church by the old par- took for its name "Deutsche Evangelische Einigkeits sonage, now used as the Unity Church Hall. Pastor Geminde" or Unity Evangelical Church. The first Carl Nagel has been in charge of the church since July


Xmesbury


ST. JOHN'S CHURCH Erected in 1884 after the original St. John's Church had burned on September 2. 1883. Dean Conral Saile has been in charge of St. John's Church since May, 1893.


church was a small frame structure. This was fol-


lowed by the present edifice, a splendid brick build-


ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH Erected in Antigo in September, 1901. Rev. Father Frank Kohler was the first priest in charge.


ing, which was completed in 1897. The present mem- bership is 97.


The Parsonage of the church was built in 1907. C. F. Dallman was architect and contractor. The par-


1, 1908. Pastors of the Unity Church thus far have been : Rev. August Jennrich, Rev. Benedict Schori,


ST. HYACINTH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH


Which was established in 1895. It was originally the MI. E. Church of Antigo.


Rev. Rudolf Zielinski, Rev. Hermann Retter, Rev. H. E. Blum, Rev. O. Gilbert, Rev. F. C. Kuether, Rev. Carl Nagel, present pastor.


ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.


On May 2, 1880, Rev. Father St. Louis said Mass in the humble log dwelling of Frank A. Deleglise, pioneer and founder of Antigo. Father St. Louis nurtured his Antigo mission from Phlox, with a spiritual eye until in 1882, the Catholic population increased such in An-


152


HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.


tigo that a church was erected, completion of same being in 1882. Rev. Peter Lockman succeeded Father St. Louis. He was succeeded by Rev. Father John Seubert, under whose administration the present edi- fice was begun in 1884, the first church having burned to the ground on September 2, 1883. The first resi- dent pastor was Rev. A. N. Buschle, who came to An- tigo in 1885. He was followed in 1886 by Father Wil- liam Takken and during his first services in Antigo, the St. John's church was completed. The parsonage was also erected in 1886. Father Takken died May 5, 1893, and was succeeded by Rev. Father Conrad Saile of Wilkesbarre, Pa. Father Saile has proven a worthy successor to Father Takken. During the thir- ty years that Father Saile has been in charge of St. John's congregation he has seen it progress to such


THE PEACE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH Erected in 1902 at a cost of $5,000.00. The old frame church, now used as a parochial school, can be seen at the right ..


extent that the present edifice is no longer capable of caring for the large congregation, and funds are now being raised for a new church.


ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.


St. Mary's Catholic Church located at the inter- section of Lincoln Street and Third Avenue, was erect- ed in September, 1901. The approximate cost of erecting the edifice was $10,000.00. The first priest was the Rev. Father Frank Kohler, who was followed by the Rev. Father Emanuel Kobat. He passed away while at this charge and was succeeded by the Rev. Father J. G. Vorlichek, who is still in charge of the parish.


The St. Mary's Parsonage was erected in 1904, dur -. ing the pastorship of Father Kobat.


ST. HYACINTH'S CHURCH.


The parish of the St. Hyacinth Church was es- tablished on May 1, 1895. The Rev. L. Starostzick was the first appointed Pastor. He was succeeded by the Rev. Father Bieniarz, who, as assistant to the Rev. Father C. F. Saile, organized St. Hyacinth's church. Catholic organizations connected with the church are: St. Stanislaus Kostke Society, St. Hyacinth's Society and Holy Rosary Confraternity. Pastors serving the congregation thus far have been: Rev. L. Starostzick, 1895; Rev. J. C. Bieniarz, 1895-1899; Rev. Quirinas Zielinski, 1899-1907; Rev. Lad. V. Stefaniak, 1907- 1912; Rev. S. A. Warzynski, 1912-1916; Rev. T. Mal- kowski, 1916-1919; Rev. V. Pruc, 1919-1921; Rev. P. Sokol, 1921, who was succeeded in September, 1922 by Rev. Fr. Bemowski.


PEACE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.


In 1883 the Rev. C. Purzner came to Antigo and or- ganized from the little band of Lutherans in the vil- lage, the Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church. He conducted services in private residences. Rev. Purz- rer was followed in 1884 by the Rev. H. Daib, under whose pastorate much progress was made. In 1887,


the first frame edifice was erected. The resolution calling for a structure 26x40 was adopted by the con- gregation in April, 1887. The first church served until 1902, when the present church was erected at a cost of approximately $5,000.00. The church was dedicated October 19, 1902, with services conducted by Rev. F. L. Karth of Synco, Rev. O. List of Witten- berg and Rev. John Ebert of Birnamwood. The lat-


ter directed a sacred concert during the evening dedi- catory services. The building committee consisted of Carl Fuss, Ferdinand Ebert and Joseph Hensel. The architect was A. F. Gruenhagen of Oshkosh, Wis.


The first parsonage was erected on Eighth Avenue, west of the church. In November, 1919, the present parsonage was purchased at a price of $5,000.00.


The Pipe Organ was installed in the church August 1, 1915, at a cost of $2,600.00. Dedicatory services were conducted by Rev. E. Englebert of Birnamwood, while an organ recital was given by Prof. H. M. Hahn of Fort Wayne, Indiana.


Pastors of the church have been: Rev. C. Purzner, 1883-1884; Rev. H. Diab, 1884-1889; Rev. P. Cuechke, 1889; Rev. A. Grimm, 1891-1919; Rev. O. Neuman, August, 1919-1922. Rev. Neuman was in Antigo as a student in 1901-1903. The Peace Evangelical Luth- eran Church is located at the corner of Eighth Avenue and Lincoln Street.


FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.


The First Baptist Church Society of Antigo was or- ganized in May, 1883. The first meeting of the so- ciety was held at the old county court house. The peo- ple of the Baptist faith held their first services in the old Fourth Ward School, the Odd Fellows, Good Tem- plars Hall, and the old Herman Hall, until the pres- ent church was erected.


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HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.


The Baptist church was dedicated on March 17, 1887, during the pastorate of the Rev. J. Staley. The church cost $5,008.73. It was completely remodeled in 1919, a stone foundation and a basement dining room being added. Pastors of the Baptist Church were as follows: Rev. W. L. Cook, Rev. J. J. Staley, Rev. A. C. Brown, Rev. J. H. Fairchild, Rev. Brinsted, Rev. Theo. Hansen, Rev. Jos. Malley, Rev. Hansen, Rev. Arthur Irving, Rev. Charles La Reau, Rev. N. F.


THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH


Which was dedicated in 1887. The church was complete- ly remodeled in 1919. The Baptist Church has been organized in Antigo since May, 1883.


Clark, Rev. A. C. Watts, Rev. David Alexander, Rev. H. C. Carnell and Rev. F. L. Holden, who is in charge at the present time.


ZION EVANGELICAL CHURCH.


The Zion Evangelical Church was organized in An- tigo on May 19, 1888. The organizers were: Rev. M. Ganeche, Fred Miller, John Walch, Fred Boettcher and Ferdinand Bothie. The church is located at the intersection of Seventh Avenue and Edison Street. The congregation has no resident pastor, a student pas- tor coming from Appleton to preach each Sunday. Rec- ords as to when permanent pastors were here are not to be found.


EPISCOPAL CHURCH.


On January 3, 1883, the Rev. Brown, made a visit to Antigo and conducted Episcopal services. The Rev. Fathers O. S. Prescott and L. D. Hopkins visited An- tigo during 1887 to 1890, inclusive. Rev. W. R. Gardner, D. D., visited Antigo on Octo- ber 11, 1883 and conducted Episcopal serv- ices in the present Polish Catholic Church. In


1885, the Rev. J. Jameson held services in a hall lo- cated on the southeast corner of Superior Street and Fifth Avenue. The Right Rev. Hobart Brown con- ducted his first services in Antigo in the Odd Fellows Hall. This was January 3, 1886.


THE ZION EVANGELICAL CHURCH The Zion Evangelical Church Congregation was organized in 1888. The church is located on Seventh Avenue at Edison Street.


The first church was a frame structure located on Milton Street near the present residence of Dr. C. B. Baker. The church was moved from its first location to the corner of Sixth Avenue and Clermont Street. The Episcopal church was called St. Joseph's until 1908, when the name was changed to St. Ambrose.


The present St. Ambrose Church was built by con- tractor J. W. Otis and completed July 14, 1908 at a cost of $10,748.00. The corner stone was laid amid im- pressive ceremonies under the auspices of the Grand Lodge K. of P. on August 18, 1908, with Bishop Coad- jutor Weller of Fond du Lac as the guest of honor. St. Ambrose Church is built of hard head granite in fif- teenth century architectural design.


The Vicarage was erected in 1907. Vicars of the church were: Rev. J. Jameison, 1886-1887; Rev. Alfred W. Griffen, 1890-1891; Rev. L. C. Birch, 1894-1897; Rev. R. G. Osborne, 1899; Rev. L. Moran, 1900; Rev. Geo. H. Kesselhuth, 1904-1905; Rev. J. Boyd Coxe, 1905; Rev. W. L. Williams, 1906-1907; Rev. Fred W. Allen, 1907-1908; Rev. Arthur Searing Peck, 1908- 1909; Rev. R. Johnston Campbell, 1909; Rev. Alfred


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HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.


W. Griffen, 1909-1913; Rev. Cuthbert F. Hinton, 1913- 1918; Rev. J. J. Crawford, 1918-1919 and Rev. Le Roy Jahn, 1920-1922, who is in charge at the present time.


The old church is now used as a Guild Hall and is just west of the Vicarage.


CHRISTIAN SCIENCE (EDDY) CHURCH.


The Christian Science religion was founded by Mary Baker-Eddy, who was born in New Hampshire in 1821 and died in 1910 at Boston, Mass. The first church was established by her in 1879.


The Christian Scientists belief was brought to An- tigo by E. R. Horn. The first church was organized


meetings in the Odd Fellows Hall before the erection of their new edifice at the corner of Superior Street and Seventh Avenue on the site of the old Fred Herman Planing Mill of pioneer Antigo history. The church was formally opened Dec. 13, 1921.


SEVEN DAY ADVENTISTS.


The Seven Day Adventists, while a small congrega- tion, is one of the oldest religious organizations in An- tigo. Elder Charles Herman, the first Sheriff of Langlade County, erected the first Seven Day Adven- tist Church, corner of Eighth Avenue and Superior Street. It is still standing. The edifice was sold to


THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH Now in charge of Rev. LeRoy A. Jahn, was erected by J. W. Otis in 1908.


in Antigo in January, 1895. The original members of the church were: E. R. Horn, Mrs. Wm. Heckman, Charles Anderson, (all still residents in the county) George Doersch, John Dexheimer, Mr. Luedke and Fred Miller. First meetings were held in the old G. A. R. Hall, standing then where the Greisch building is to- day. The founders of the church in Antigo then held meetings at residences of members. Rooms were used in the I. O. O. F. building for five years prior to erection of the present church. The Antigo society of the church was incorporated on May 27, 1916 by W. H. Fuller, Minnie H. Palmer, Lenora Gelbke, E. F. Horn and Ernest Hirt. The Christian Scientists held their


the Jewish people of Antigo in 1909. The Seven Day Adventists then erected a church in 1910 on Eighth Avenue costing $1,700.00. The church has thirty-five members at the present time. The officers are : George Stamper, Deacon; Charles Georgeson, Elder; E. A. Sage, Treasurer.


KAHAAL ADAAS YESIU.


The Kahaal Adaas Yesiu, (Jewish Congregation) was dissolved on August 11, 1915. The synagogue is located at the corner of Eighth Avenue and Super- ior Street. It was purchased from the Seven Day Ad- ventists in 1909.


1


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HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.


CHAPTER XXIX. Literature, Art, Music


The Unwritten Literature of the Pioneer-Charles McFarland, Wolf River Country Writer-Rev. Carl Nagel, Poet-Rev. A. Grimm and Writings-May Napier Burkhart Poems-Paul Swan- son Short Stories-Margaret Ashmun-George Hutchins-Pioneer Art-Early Langlade County Artists-The Pioneer Singing Bee-Antigo's First Singing Master-Neighborhood Entertain- ments-The Village Church and Log School Centers of Music-The Quintet Club of 1883-The Forest City Band of 1884-Aeolian Band and Orchestra-Antigo Cornet Band-Antigo City Band-Orchestras-Musicians Association-Radio-"Music in the Air."


None of the writers of Langlade County have made literature a profession. Those who have written have done so at leisure-more for amusement and pastime. In the pioneer history of Langlade County there is the unwritten literature of the public address, the debates on local questions, the verbal thoughts and ideas of the county orators-all of which had a bene- ficial influence on our early citizens. The early churches, music halls and pioneer "gatherin' places" would often resound with the eloquence of the civic leader, the political leader and the reformer.


Charles McFarland was the earliest of pioneer writ- ers. He was prominent in the development of the county. During his term as Chairman of Wolf River township (Evergreen township) he contributed arti- cles to local newspapers commenting in his character- istic style on county progress. Mr. McFarland start- ed a historical story dealing with the pioneer settlers of the Wolf River Country. It has never been publish- ed.


The Rev. Carl Nagel, Pastor of the Unity Evangeli- cal Church, who was born at Port Washington, Wis., September 28, 1873, has composed several poems, many of which have been given national circulation. "The Amateur Sportsman," a delightful poem of a fisherman, and "Farewell to the Lake" were publish- ed in Outers Magazine. But recently a poem, "Is It Nothing to You," depicting the misery and the starva- tion of the Armenian children was officially adopted by the Near East Relief campaign and was widely dis- tributed during the relief drive. Rev. Nagel has translated songs for publication from English to Ger- man and vice versa. He has composed many other poems of a patriotic, benevolent or charitable nature.


The Rev. A. Grimm was born in Petershagen, Kreis, Schevelbein, Pommern, Germany, January 18, 1864, and came to Antigo as Pastor of the Peace Lutheran Church in 1891. Rev. Grimm was an author of note, whose books were read all over the United States and elsewhere. In his early years his books were publish- ed under the non de plume of Alfred Ira. His works were written in German, but several were translated into English. His books include: Der Pastor's Nach- lass, which was so used that four editions were re- quired, Das Stiefmutterschen, Dodai, Unter Uns, Unter dem Apfelbaum, Bilder aud dem Reisepredi-


gerleb-all stories of his German missions close to Antigo. Sommerfaiden, Der Missionplatz, Aus der Alter Kaffeemuehle, Liebe, Im Zukerbusch, Ehwuer- den Nudel, Wenn Mann's Gut Meint Gemutlich, Gott- hold I and II, Der Prachtjunge are others of his work, of which many are in the Antigo Library. Rev. Grimm also wrote many plays in both English and German for enactment by church organizations. Rev. Grimm died February 12, 1922, following an attack of paralysis. He attained greater success in his liter- ary work than any other Langlade County resident.


May Napier Burkhart, a graduate of the Langlade County Normal and a public school teacher, has writ- ten many poems, the first of which appeared in the local press when she was fourteen years old. Invar- iably they are of the Walt Mason type and deal with contemporary topics. More important of her poems have been: "Money in the Bank," "Aunt Sarah's First Basket Ball Game," "Hunting a House" and "Daily Habit."


Margaret Ashmun, once a teacher in the Antigo Public Schools, published Ashmun's Prose Literature for Secondary Schools in 1910. She was then an in- structor in the English Department of the University of Wisconsin.


Paul Swanson, 162 Fred Street, Antigo, has written short stories for publication in nationally known maga- zines. His latest story is entitled, "His Unearned Reckoning," and was published in Truth Magazine.


George Hutchins has written many poems, one of the best of which is, "A Warning to Sinners." The town of Hutchins, Shawano County, was named in his honor.


ART AND ARTISTS.


In early days Langlade County pioneers were busy clearing away the forests, tilling little patches of soil and building their cozy log and frame houses. Little did they enjoy of the luxuries of life so apparent in this age. No man here was expected to live solely by his artistic talents. None of the artists of Lang- lade County have had any other than self training. Photography was in existence when the county was organized so painting and drawing were not neces- sary to preserve the memory and faces of family and friends.


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HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.


Langlade County has had a number of artists who will be briefly mentioned.


James Smolk is the pioneer painter of Langlade County. He was born in York township, Medina County, Ohio, February 17, 1859. He came to Antigo January 2, 1882, and has since resided there. Mr. Smolk is a prolific painter of more than ordinary abil- ity. His little studio is located on Fifth Avenue, where he divides his time between mixing colors and barbering.




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