USA > Wisconsin > Langlade County > History of Langlade County, Wisconsin, from U. S. government survey to present time, with biographical sketches > Part 49
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DISTRICT NO. 6.
KOEPENICK DISTRICT. This district is situated in the central part of Upham township and consists of
sections in both east and west Upham. It was one of the principal lumbering sections of the county in early days.
When the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western push- ed north this district was one vast wilderness. Summit Lake was a hamlet with one or two prospectors within its present limits. Not until 1889 did Koepenick be- come a community as it now exists. In that year Andrew Bruette started a saw mill on section 18, Town- ship 33, Range 11 East. Three years later he sold to Henry Sherry of Neenah, who moved it to High Lake, Upham township. For eight years the industry ope- rated by Mr. Sherry. A. M. Millard of Antigo then took over the mill. He was succeeded by Henry Wun- derlich, who, after successfully operating, sold to Fleet & Thompson of Wausau, Wis. The mill was then dis- mantled and moved to Michigan.
Early settlers were Orvis Vaughn, Peter Person, E. S. Koepenick, J. J. Hanson and others.
E. S. Koepenick moved to section 18, Township 33, Range 11 East, where he opened a store in 1890. He purchased his land from Thomas Spalding of Osh- kosh. He was the first Postmaster of the village of Koepenick and continued as such until his death in 1914. He was then succeeded by Mrs. E. S. Koepe- nick, who is present Postmistress.
The first Koepenick school was erected in 1892 on section 19 and was built by Frank Krall and Joseph Hoshek. The first school board consisted of J. J. Han- sen, Peter Person and E. S. Koepenick. The pupils grew numerous and in 1903 a new structure was erect- ed on section 18 at a cost of $2,000. Knute Ander- son was the contractor.
Early teachers were Ethel Cardin, Nettie Hanson, Anna Beard, Pearl Williams, Josephine Donohue, Mat- tie and Maud Morson, Harry Hopkins, Clara Williard, Lizzie Daily and Laura Spencer. Doris Sisel was the teacher in 1921-22 and Miss Margaret Gillis in 1922- 23.
Settlers in this district are Harold Mattmiller, R. W. Beattie, J. J. Hanson, Peter Person, Emil Person, Julius Mai, Frank Dempsey, Paul Tappia, John Bale, Orvis Vaughn, Harry Beach, Joseph Ruffie, Mrs. Henry Albright, Mrs. E. S. Koepenick and R. Harvey.
This district was originally a part of District No. 2 created August 10, 1895. The 1922-23 school offi- cials were Mrs. E. S. Koepenick, Clerk; Emil Person, Director and Harold Mattmiller, Treasurer.
DISTRICT NO. 7.
FOREST DISTRICT. This school district was or- ganized June 22, 1917, by detaching parts of District No. 1, consisting of sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 34 and 35, all in Township 33 North of Range 10 East, from District No. 1.
The first district school meeting was held at the old Turner school house on the evening of July 2, 1917. C. H. Turner in accordance with a request from the town board notified Robert Quick, Frank Long, Minnie Tuck- er, John Tucker, Mrs. John Tucker, Helene Kasper, Louis Learman, M. Quick, George Quick, Bertha Quick, S. U. Tucker, Warren McDonald and Mr. and Mrs.
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HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.
John Simmons of the proposed meeting. Accordingly Mrs. Robert Quick, Louis Learman and George Quick were elected Clerk, Treasurer and Director of the school district. The 1922-23 school officials were : August Klever, Clerk; Louis Learman, Treasurer; and C. H. Turner, Director. Miss Mabel Schultz was the 1922-23 teacher. Early teachers were Yarda Bronson, Mabel Earlinson, Rosella Armstrong, Irene Hoyt and Miss Hoffman.
While this district is situated a number of miles west of Highway No. 39 and a distance from Kempster it has a good population, many of whom were early homesteaders. The early settlers who first came into this rolling country were: C. H. Turner, S. U. Tucker, Warren McDonald, Jesse Hess, Andrew Bovee, Feight Loomis, Robert Quick, Louis Learman, John Turner, George Quick and the Tinney family.
Settlers now in this territory are H. A. Tromblie, Glenn Wolf, Wm. Adkins, Homer Shelley, John Tuck- er, August Klever, R. E. Tucker, Roy Tucker, Ted Patterson, James Tucker, Alvin Klever, C. H. Turner, S. U. Tucker, Warren McDonald, Jesse Hess, John
yield of crops. This is an ideal region for plums and apples and C. H. Turner, Louis Learman, Robert Quick and Warren McDonald have taken advantage of the fact and have some fine orchards. They should give the region a reputation in future years. A strip of level land runs five to six miles north and south of the Kempster road and many log farm homes have been erected near it. Principal occupation is agri- culture. In the winter wood cutting, logging and trap- ping the wolf, fox and other animals, are the chief occupations.
DISTRICT NO. 8.
This district was organized in 1921 and consists of sections 23, 24, 25, 26, 35 and 36 of Township 33, Range 11 East. The territory was detached from dis- trict No. 6. It was necessary to undergo many hard- ships and inconveniences before the creation of dis- trict No. 8. Roads were few and the children were unable to get to the Koepenick school except with great difficulty. Accordingly a hearing was held and the township authorities established the new district.
THE FOREST SCHOOL Of District Number ?. Upham township. Compare with log school house shown on page 37.
Turner, Louis Learman and George and Robert Quick.
The first log school, still standing on section 28, just a short distance from the modern school, was used until the present splendid school was erected by August Klever. (See photo on page 37.)
There are more lakes within this region than any other like area in Langlade County. Among them are Horseshoe, Black Oak, Bass, Moses, Government Pond (a government lake), Sucker, Cranberry, Fish, Saddle- back, Snag, Partridge, Long (there are two
Long Lakes, only one of which is in this district), Green Bass, Squaw, and Indian lake, all small bodies of water. The west end of the district is swampy.
The soil consists principally of Gloucester sandy loam, Spencer silt loam, level phase, Merrimac silt loam and some peat. While vast stretches of the country is hilly and must yet be cleared, that which has been cleared and cultivated produces an abundant
School was at once opened. The first officers, Mr. and Mrs. George Linsdau, Director and Clerk respec- tively, and Fred Moss, Treasurer, lost no time in ar- ranging suitable quarters for a temporary structure. An old frame camp (No. 6) of the Langlade Lumber Company was rented and was in use the 1921-22 ses- sion. The property is owned by the Rev. Fr. J. J. Kaster, New London, Wisconsin. A new school, mo- dern and complete, will be erected. The 1922-23 school officers are Mr. and Mrs. George Linsdau, Di- rector and Clerk, and Mrs. Fred Moss, Treasurer.
There are now eight settlers in the district, Matt Schja, Herbert Lutey, Steven Lacib, James McDou- gal, Fred Moss, George Linsdau, Carl Firch and Louis Langlois.
This territory was originally a part of the old dis- trict No. 2, organized August 10, 1895. Mrs. Emil Kramer was the first teacher in this district, 1921-22.
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HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.
CHAPTER L. Vilas Township No. 32 N., R. 9 E.
Government Survey in 1860-Named in Honor of Governor Wm. F. Vilas-Area of Vilas-Bounda- ries-Drainage-Surface-Organized in 1886-Detachments-First Inspectors of Election-Old Road Records-Township Officials, 1887-1923-Liberty Bell District-Area-Early Settlers-Its Boundaries-Present Officials-Good Luck District-Its Early Settlers-Once in Lincoln Coun- ty-Hardships of Pioneers-Road to Gleason in 1883-First Log School-Principal Agricultural Products-1922-23 Officials of Good Luck-Forest View District-Its Area-School Buildings- Settlers in 1877-The Log Cabin Homes-Merrill, Nearest Supply Station-Last District Change in 1908-1922-23 Officers-Teachers-Elmwood District-Location of Elmwood-Early Settlers -First School in 1882-Pioneer Teachers-Present School on Section 26-Industries-Town- ship Hall-Soil-1922-23 District Officers.
Vilas township was surveyed in September, 1860, by H. C. Fellows, U. S. Deputy Surveyor. The survey commenced on September 21 and ended on September 27, 1860. The township was named in honor of Wil- liam Freeman Vilas, American lawyer and statesman, who was elected to the United States Senate from Wisconsin in 1891, served as Postmaster General and Secretary of the Interior under President Grover Cleve- land and has often been termed the state's most illus- trious Democrat. The township is located in the ex- treme west central part of the county and has an area of 23,040 acres or 36 square miles. It is situated in congressional township No. 32, Range 9 East, is bound- ed on the north by Summit township, on the south by West Ackley township, on the east by Peck township and on the west by Lincoln County.
Vilas township is well watered and drained by the McCloud creek, flowing through sections 4, 5, 8, 18, 17, 19, 20, 29, 30 and 31. Pine river runs through sections 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 31 and 32. Pratt creek flows through the central part of the township. Many smaller rivulets and streams are also found.
The surface is somewhat undulating. Originally it was covered with a heavy growth of timber, consist- ing principally of hemlock, birch, pine, oak, ash, maple, poplar and other native trees. The lumber in- dustry still exists in this township in isolated groves of forest products. The soil is not naturally as strong and fertile as some other townships, but with drain- age and proper cultivation abundant crops can be pro- duced. It is one vast area of Spencer silt loam, a small percentage of which is the level phase. Along the banks of the Eau Claire river (West branch) peat is found in small quantities.
Vilas township is a haven for new settlers, many of whom immigrate to this western part of the county from European Countries and larger cities of the United States.
ORGANIZED IN 1886.
Vilas township was organized November 11, 1886, after a resolution written by J. H. Trever, then District
Attorney, was passed by a 10-3 vote of the members of the Langlade County Board. It originally consisted of township 32 of both ranges 9 and 10 east. January 28, 1891, township 32 of range 10 was detached from Vilas township to form Peck township. The township has remained as one congressional township since then.
W. H. Dawley, N. Bangs, J. H. Trever and Edward Daskam were members of the settlement committee appointed to ajudicate the affairs of the new township and Ackley. The petition for creation of Vilas was presented to the County Board April 17, 1886. Fifty- six settlers signed it.
W. L. ACKLEY OPPOSED VILAS TOWNSHIP.
The Vilas township petition to the County Board was followed by another remonstrating against any proposed division of Ackley township, until the set- tlers "knew better what they wanted" and was signed by W. L. Ackley, Charles Ackley, J. De Moss, G. F. Walch, Thomas Bagley, C. Vaughn, Edward Chey and G. W. Schaeffer. They charged that a division such as was proposed would leave the south township of Ackley with an open marshy territory and "old pine choppings that were almost worthless." The remon- strance succeeded in filing the detachment petition for one day, when it was again taken up, and turned over to the District Attorney, who drew up the ordinance at once.
William Hampton, H. W. James and R. Tracy were selected as the first inspectors of election in the town- ship. The County Board designated the Morley post- office as the first polling station.
The first election was held at the home of W. H. Hampton, section 35. Z. Space and R. Balch were chosen ballot clerks. Then the meeting adjourned to the school house of district No. 6. Seventy-one votes were cast for Chairman, Jonathan Reader receiving 57 and Z. Space 14; 142 votes were cast for Super- visor, of which George Kasper and C. H. Harder, the successful candidates, received 46 and 58 votes re- spectively, and Richard Tracey and Robert Simms 13 and 26 votes. Elisha Rinney was elected first
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HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.
township clerk. Peter G. Beck, who later became the first Town Chairman of Peck, was chosen first Vilas Treasurer. A. J. Mittemore was elected Treasurer, re- ceiving 48 of 71 votes. William Fick, Nelson Shanks, John Hubbard and J. S. Hughes were elected first Justices. John Barber and Al Hayes were selected as the first law enforcers (Constables) of the new township.
The new officials took their oaths April 12, 1887.
The first act of the township officials was to raise $300 for roads and bridges. Five hundred dollars was appropriated for township and incidental expenses. The town clerk was voted a salary of $75 per year.
Vilas was divided into eleven road districts which were in charge of Robert Sims, Thomas K. Johnson, W. R. Mason, Henry Fryer, John Darrow, Charles Wet- zel, Benjamin Miller, W. J. Hampton, E. D. Pratt and George Dufick, April 18, 1887.
May 18, 1887, the Vilas township officials divided the town into seven school districts. Thomas K. John- son was notified to call a district school meeting for the purpose of electing school officials. Alterations took place each year until Peck township was detach- ed. Then the township was divided into four equal districts.
OLD ROADS RECORDED.
In 1887 the town officials authorized the clerk to place all highways legally laid out previously by Ack- ley or Pine River townships on the town records. Thus ten roads were recorded that were laid out be- tween 1879 and 1887 but were not placed on record. Thirty-one new highways have been authorized and laid out by Vilas since June 21, 1887, up to and in- cluding May 10, 1920.
The B. Heinemann Lumber Company owns vast amounts of cut-over and timber lands in the township.
VILAS TOWNSHIP OFFICERS, 1887 TO 1923.
CHAIRMEN.
Jonathan Reader, 1887-90; Richard Tracey, 1890- 91; W. J. Hampton, 1891-92; A. J. Mittimore, 1892- 93; W. J. Hampton, 1893-94; A. J. Mittemore, 1894- 97; H. O. Johnson, 1897-98; W. J. Hampton, 1898- 1901; H. O. Johnson, 1901-02; W. J. Hampton, 1902- 07; Alton Burtch, 1907-11; Charles Polar, 1911-12; Geo. Marshall, 1912-18; Charles F. Polar, 1918-21; William Weisshahn, 1921-23.
CLERKS.
Elisa Tinney, 1887-88; Ben Miller, 1888-90; W. R. Mason, 1890-91; Ben Miller, 1891-92; Elisa Tinney, 1892-97; J. Fred, 1897-98; Philander Power, 1898-99; Elisa Tinney, 1899-1900; Charles Lloyd, 1900-03; Elisa Tinney, 1903-06; Philander Powers, 1906-08; George Marshall, 1908-12; Ernest James, 1912-13; Leon Merry, 1913-17; Charles Lloyd, 1918-23.
SUPERVISORS.
C. H. Harder, George Kasper, 1887-88; Moritz Frie- bel, H. O. Johnson, 1888-89; Moritz Friebel, Henry
Fryer, 1889-90; J. W. Hampton, R. Sims, 1890-91; John Hubbard, B. F. Warner, 1891-92; Edwin Hayes, Moses Wildfang, 1892-93; Carl Wetzel, Moses Wild- fang, 1893-94; Edwin Hayes, Arnold Engles, 1894-95; Moses Wildfang, August Wolfgram, 1895-96; Moses Wildfang, John Aird, 1896-97; Geo. Kasper, B. Te- hatchie, 1897-98; E. Hayes, Fred Moltzberger, 1898- 1900; George Holland, Edwin Hayes, 1900-01; Arnold Engles, Henry Cone, 1901-02; Albert Rolo, P. Pow- ers, 1902-03; Richard Powers, 1902-03 (appointed) ; George Kasper, Michael Dufeck, 1903-04; Edwin Hayes, Levi Galligan, 1904-06; Edwin Hayes, Jacob Jerick, 1906-07; Henry Weisshahn, Michael Dufeck, 1907-08; Henry Weisshahn, Charles Hubbard, 1908- 09; Charles Hubbard, Levi Galligan, 1909-10; Henry Weisshahn, Edwin Hayes, 1910-11; Chas. Hubbard, P. Powers, 1911-12; Chas. Beyer, Michael Dufeck, 1912-13; Michael Dufeck, Shirley Morgan, 1913-14; Chas. Beyer, Michael Dufeck, 1914-15; Michael Du- feck, Shirley Morgan, 1915-16; Ava Smith, Jacob Jirik, 1916-17; J. Jirik, Charles Polar, 1917-18; Jacob Jirik, F. Weisshahn, 1918-19; F. Weisshahn, Levi Galligan, 1919-22; Henry Means, F. Weisshahn, 1922-23.
TREASURERS.
Peter G. Beck, 1887-91; H. O. Johnson, 1891-94; Myron Lloyd, 1894-97; W. J. Hampton, 1897-98; Geo. Holland, 1898-99; H. O. Johnson, 1899-1901; A. Burtch, 1901 (appointed) ; A. Burtch, elected, 1901- 04; George Wheeler, 1904-08; H. O. Johnson, 1908-09; Charles Lloyd, 1909-14; Gust Ullman, 1914-16; John Yopes, 1916-18; A. J. Miller, 1918-19; James Lamb, 1919-20; Martin Strandberg, 1920-22; W. W. Scott, 1922-23;
ASSESSORS.
A. J. Mittimore, 1887-88; H. W. James, 1888-90; Walker Holland, 1890-91; Richard Tracy, 1891-92; H. W. James, 1892-93; Walker Holland, 1893-94; Ed- win Whitney, 1894-95; Edwin Hayes, 1895-97; A. En- gles, 1897-99; Charles Lloyd, 1899-1900; Henry Cone, 1900-01; Myron Lloyd, 1901-05; Alton Burtch, 1905- 06; Elisa Tinney, 1906-07; A. Engles, 1907-08; My- ron Lloyd, 1908-12; Elias Spurgeon, 1912-13; Wil- liam Weisshahn, 1913-18; Dan Hubbard, 1918-19; John Spurgeon, 1919-20; A. Engles, 1920-22; Martin Strandberg, 1922-23.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
John Hubbard, Wm. Fick, Z. Space, 1887-88; F. C. Fuller, Wm. Fick, J. Hubbard, 1888-89; W. R. Ma- son, 1889-91; Herman Iwen, Harvey Nye, 1889-90; John Hubbard, Harry Nye, H. Iwen, 1891-92; Henry Fryer, 1891-92; Harvey Nye, Ben Miller and John Hubbard, 1892-93; George Holland, Charles Lloyd, Ed Pratt, Moses Wildfang, 1896-97; H. O. Johnson, Chas. Lloyd, 1898-99; Geo. Kasper, E. Tinney, 1900- 01; Edwin Hayes, P. Powers, A. J. Mittimore, 1901- 02; Charles Polar, P. Polar, P. Powers, Chas. Lloyd, 1903-04; Edward Pratt, Moses Wildfang, Richard Thomas and H. O. Johnson, 1904-05; Chas. Lloyd, A.
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HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.
J. Mittimore, Geo. Holland and Chas. Polar, 1905-06; George Holland, Moses Wildfang, S. Brockway, A. J. Mittimore, 1906-07; J. Rousch, Edwin Hayes, George Marshall, 1907-08; Ernest James, Edward Pratt, John Rousch, 1908-09; Charles Polar, Philander Powers, Edwin Hayes and Chas. Beyer, 1909-10; John Yopes, Robert L. Hughes, Chas. Hubbard, Chas. Beyer, 1910-11; John Yopes, Edwin Hayes, Chas. Beyer, 1911-12; Chas. Hubbard, Mose Wildfang, 1912-13; George Warner, John Yopes, 1913-14; Chas. Wenzel, John Yopes, 1914-15; James Lamb, John Yopes, 1915- 16, Ralph Polar, W. Holland, 1916-17; F. Weisshahn, James Lamb, 1917-18; Wm. Weisshahn, Chas. Beyer, 1918-19; Wm. Fehrman, Jr., Fred Schultz, 1919-20; E. Hayes, H. Dittman, R. Barder, 1920-21; Leo Merry, Charles Hubbard, 1921-22; H. Space, Wm. Weiss- hahn, 1922-23.
CONSTABLES.
Al Hayes, John Barber, 1887-88; J. S. Hughes, John Hahn, J. G. Beardsley, 1888-89; Arnold Engles, John Maltby, 1889-90; Fred Powers, Fred Molzberger, Ed Hayes, 1896-97; A. Johnson, E. Tinney, 1898-99; J. Hess, John Marlowe, 1900-01; Chas. Polar, Henry Weisshahn, John Spurgeon, 1901-02; George Holland, John Marlowe, 1903-04; Ben Warner, R. Hess, 1904- 05; John Koenigs, George Dufeck, Charles Beyer, 1905-06; Michael Dufeck, Gustav Ullman, 1906-07; Elisa Tinney, John Marleau, H. O. Johnson, 1907-08; Orrin Hubbard, Wm. Eagons, 1908-09; Charles Pratt, William Weisshahn, 1909-10; Wm. Weisshahn, Er- nest James, 1910-12; Shirley Morgan, John Spurgeon, 1912-13; Wm. Eagons, Wm. Holland, 1913-14; Ava Smith, S. R. Morgan, 1914-15; James Lamb, John Yopes, 1915-16; Fred Weisshahn, James Lamb, 1916- 17; Edward Shanks, W. L. Todd, 1917-18; A. Weiss- hahn, Fred Schultz, Edward Zerkel, 1918-19; L. Merry, Wm. Weisshahn, 1919-20; S. A. Dillman, James Spur- geon, James Lamb, 1920-21; Harley Space, Ed Griffith, 1921-22; L. Merry, 1922-23.
DISTRICT NO. 1.
LIBERTY BELL DISTRICT is situated in the northeastern part of Vilas township. Its area consists of 5,760 acres of land or one-fourth of the township. The outline of the boundary commences at the north- east corner of section 1, thence running west on the township line between townships 32 and 33, to the west corner of section 3, thence south to the south- west corner of section 15, thence east to the southeast corner of section 13, thence north to the northeast cor- ner of section 1.
District No. 1 is a part of original district No. 5 of Vilas, created May 18, 1887, and also of the second district of this region, District No. 1 of June 26, 1893. District No. 1 of 1893 consisted of all of its present area together with sections 4, 5, 6 and 9 of the present District No. 2.
This district is bounded on the north by a part of Summit township, on the south by Ackley township, on the east by Peck township and on the west by Pine River township in Lincoln County.
The first settlers in Liberty Bell district were Rich- ard Tracy, George Holland, E. I. Whitney, James Spur- geon, Arnold Engles and others.
The 1922-23 teacher was Luella Joles. The school officials for 1922-23 were Martin W. Strandberg, Clerk; A. Engles, Director, and W. W. Scott, Treasur- er.
DISTRICT NO. 2.
GOOD LUCK DISTRICT. The boundaries of this district begin at the northeast corner of section 4, thence run west on the township line between town- ships 32 and 33 to the northwest corner of section 6, thence south to the southwest corner of section 18, thence east to the southeast corner of section 16, thence north to the northeast corner of section 4, em- bracing an area of nine square miles or 5,760 acres. Good Luck district was organized in May, 1908, and is a part of the old district No. 7 of 1887 and of old districts Nos. 1 and 6 of 1893.
This region once was a part of Pine River township, Lincoln County, of Ackley township and then Vilas.
Early settlers arrived in the district in 1881. George Dufeck, John Zema, and Joseph Zema came into the wilderness and cleared twenty to thirty acres each. Moses Wildfang settled at the same time in the north- western part of the district on section 5. Joseph Yin- dra followed, settling on section 8. Other pioneers were J. Jirik, settling on section 4; George Dufeck settled on section 6. Dan Hubbard, another early ar- rival, settled on section 7. B. Tichacek, another early settled, established his farm a mile and a half west of the Jirik farm. The Ourada farm, section 5, is the former Tichacek property.
Most of the early settlers came over the rough trails and paths with yokes of oxen. They came either from Merrill or Wausau.
In 1883 a road to Gleason was constructed. This opened up an avenue of communication with the out- side world, made trade relationship more agreeable and paved the way for the arrival of more settlers.
The first log school was erected in 1891 and was used until 1909 when a frame school house was erect- ed on section 6. The enrollment averaged six to eight pupils in the earliest year. Pioneer teachers in this district were the Misses Molzberger, Gleason and Kett- ner. The 1921-23 teacher was Blanche Bonnell. The members of the 1922-23 school board were Wm. Ander- son, Clerk; John Laughton, Director, and Mrs. M. Jirik, Treasurer.
The first and only store in the district was erected in 1912 on section 3 by Mr. Webster. In the year 1920 he erected a new building on the same location.
Near market places today are Gleason, Dudley, Bloomville and Antigo. Opening of new roads and the automobile make Antigo a convenient trading point, eliminating the disadvantages of distance.
Agriculture and dairying are the principal occupa- tions. Potatoes and grains are the principal products. This district is making noticeable advances in both modern farming and scientific dairying.
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HISTORY OF LANGLADE COUNTY.
DISTRICT NO. 3.
FOREST VIEW DISTRICT. In the southwest part of Vilas township is an area of land containing 5,760 acres and consisting of sections 19, 20, 21, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33, known as the Forest View Dis- trict. It is well named for the children trudging along to and from their daily tasks at school have a wonder- ful panorama of nature's art to view. The school is ideally situated on the northeast quarter of the north- east quarter of section 29. It is a model building, erect- ed in 1900 by the settlers, who take especial pride in it. Previously a frame structure was used and before then a log cabin.
The first settlers established themselves in this re- gion as early as 1877. The Edward Pratt family came to the district from Hilton, Wisconsin. The trip from Wausau was made by wagon over rough miry roads. Henry Cone was the second settler who came into the district. He was followed by John Hubbard and family.
Log houses were erected, one by one, as the sturdy pioneers arrived and before long the distances be- tween them lessened. They gradually were follow- ed by frame dwellings. However, many log houses are still found, many of which are the original cabins erected nearly fifty years ago. Hewn logs served as floors in these typical backwoods homes.
The early settlers were frugal to the point of par- simony. Necessity made them thus. During the long winter sieges cord wood was cut, but the market was far away. It did not pay to haul wood such a dis- tance. But logging camps were numerous, affording employment to the settlers. When spring approached the log drives commenced on the Eau Claire river and the men folks received employment on the drives. The Eau Claire river was improved and thousands of logs were driven down it to Schofield. The housewife, anxious to aid her husband, would do much of the garden and field work, planting and cultivating in order that a bountiful harvest might be reaped in the fall. Thus the years passed on.
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