USA > Wisconsin > Marathon County > History of Marathon County, Wisconsin and representative citizens > Part 48
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In 1879 he, in company with William Allen, the county surveyor, cruised over the land holdings of the company, examining it as to timber. facilities for a road and adaptability for farming. They had passed Black creek going west ; after examining the surroundings, and worn and weary from the long tramp through the woods, they sat down on a big rock, which reared its head out of the ground, and Fred Rietbrock exclaimed. "This is a good place to lay
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HISTORY OF MARATHON COUNTY
out a village," which was done in September, 1882, by Johnson, Rietbrock & Halsey as the village of Black Creek Falls.
In the year 1879 Rietbrock cut out a road from Dorchester to his settle- ment in the present town of Rietbrock, which shortened the distance to the same by more than twelve miles than on the road from Wausau, besides giv- ing prospective settlers from Milwaukee and the lower part of the state a direct railroad communication to Dorchester, and from there to his lands, instead of going the roundabout way from the south to Tomah and up to Wausau. In the same year he brought some settlers in from Dorchester and built a log house, named the Company's House, as a sort of station, and called the place Black Creek Falls. He saw the necessity of providing some employ- ment for newcomers to enable them to earn some means in the first years of their settlement until their farms could support them, and also the need to supply lumber for buildings without going too far a distance, and in 1880 he built a saw and planing mill at Black Creek, which burned down the following year, but was promptly rebuilt and has been in operation ever since, only greatly improved and enlarged. The cut of lumber was from five to seven million feet annually.
Meanwhile the settlement grew, and in order to give encouragement. Riet- brock, in company with Charles Schlaegel, of West Bend. erected a flour mill. This flour mill, like the saw mill, still exists, being incorporated in 1892 as the "Ceres Roller Mill." with George Schlaegel. a grandson of Charles Schlae- gel, as general manager.
Communications with the outside world were still very deficient, as new roads in a new country running through the forest always are, and in order to improve the condition in that respect he set himself to work to induce the Wisconsin Central Railroad to build a line to Black Creek Falls, and failing, undertook and succeeded in building himself a railroad from Abbottsford to the village, completing the line in the year 1889. It was named Abbottsford- North Eastern Railroad. By this road there was an outlet for logs and lum- ber, which was of much benefit to farmers, who were obliged to cut down the timber to make room for fields. After the completion of this road the settle- ment increased quicker and the country developed rapidly. To encourage farming, he had a farm cleared himself. called the "Helendale Farm." which will be noticed later.
The first settlers in what is now Athens, were Henry Degner, Andrew Kreutzer and William Rietz, who came November 5. 1880: but Henry Deg- ner had been there in 1879. when Rietbrock built the Company House, and returned to his home in Grafton, Wisconsin. getting ready for his change of
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residence. When they arrived at Black Creek they found fifteen persons, mostly employees of Rietbrock, in the Company House, one of them being Mrs. Franz Albrecht, the housekeeper, and all living in the same house. Early in 1881 came Louis Klein, who built the first private house in Black Creek Falls and opened a store and saloon, but a farm settlement had sprung up in every direction from Athens.
A flour mill and residence was built by one Kaiser from Manitowoc, which ran three years and was afterwards bought by the Rietbrock Company and used by them as a warehouse. In the same year Andrew Kreutzer built his residence there, and Henry Degner a carpenter shop and J. C. Searing moved into the village from his land in the town of Halsey and, building a log house, kept the first boarding house.
Fred Schultz, an emigrant coming directly from the city of Berlin. Ger- many, came in 1882, and built a house which, when remodeled, became the Central Hotel, being owned now and conducted by Alex Bloczynski.
Another newcomer built a hardware store, but finding the business unprof- itable, sold his place to the father of Henry Degner, after which Henry Deg- ner opened a hardware store himself and carried it on successfully until 1910, when he retired. The building is now being used as a drug store.
The Athens Hotel was completed in 1887 by Mr. Blecha, who conducted it on a high plane, Mrs. Blecha being an excellent landlady, whose kitchen and rooms were the delight of the traveling public. It is now owned and con- ducted by Henry Bopf, under whose management the hotel keeps up its old reputation.
In 1889 Henry Degner built a barrel-heading factory, which he operated for five years, and then incorporated the business under the firm name of "Degner Stave and Heading Company." The factory was sold in 1910 to E. E. Winch & Co., of Marshfield, who continue the business under the old name.
The village had grown sufficiently now to warrant its incorporation as a village, which was done on July 15, 1901, and the order for incorporation was ratified by vote on August 10, 1901. The first election for village officers was held on September 7, 1901, and resulted in the election of the following named gentlemen : President, Henry Kreutzer ; clerk. J. D. Riley : treasurer, Peter Schmidt: with E. E. Schlegel. F. Blecha, John Chessak, E. Burgess, G. Sutter and Joseph Braun as trustees. George Kreutzer was elected as supervisor to represent the village in the county board.
Mathias Braun, who had built a saw mill in Ponatowski, removed his plant to Athens in 1891, where it is still operated under the firm name of Braun
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HISTORY OF MARATHON COUNTY
Bros. & Co. The present officers are: President, William Braun; secretary and treasurer, John Braun.
The Chessak Saw and Planing Mill was built in 1891 and under the firm name of Chessak, Munes & Co., has been in continuous operation since, except one year, when the mill was used as a hub factory. The business is now in- corporated under the name of Athens Manufacturing Company, with the fol- lowing named gentlemen as officers: President, Joseph Chessak; vice presi- dent, Anton M. Munes; secretary and general manager, John H. Chessak.
Professional Men-P. L. Halsey, attorney at law; Drs. Fiedler and Mc- Carthy, Dr. F. C. Collins and Dr. Rodermund, physicians and surgeons ; den- tist, Dr. W. J. Durkops; notary public, Frank Chessak. Henry Kreutzer fills the office of postmaster.
Other industries of Athens are :
The Athens Brick & Tile Co., its products being implied in its name, a corporation under the sole management of William L. Erbach.
An electric plant, for lighting purposes, built in 1902 by the Rietbrock Land & Lumber Co.
Blacksmith shops are conducted by Gustave Gruenwald, William Kissin- ger. William Adams and Joseph Kuhl; they each have a wagon shop in con- nection with it. Another blacksmith shop is conducted by the Rietbrock Land & Lumber Co.
The Athens Implement Manufacturing Company makes agricultural im- plements and repairs automobiles and has a garage.
Commercial Athens is represented by the following: General merchan- dise, by Anton Munes, George A. Kreutzer, Athens Farmer Store, and Joseph Markus. Jewelry by C. F. Hamilton and Benjamin Stack. Groceries and confectionery by Gustave Gruenwald, R. H. Schneider and Mrs. Rapberger. Gentlemen's furnishings and tailoring by Hugo Belz. Boots and shoes by Frank Schubert. Meat markets by George Blecha and F. C. Busche. Photo- graphs by Mrs. Louis Stack. Millinery by Mrs. Joseph Bauman. Tonsorial artists, John Williams, Emil Schroeder and Max Virks. Restaurant by Schroeder Brothers. Livery, barn and sale stables by William Lehman. Joseph Baumann, L. Fried. Stock dealer, Christ Kainer. Painter and decor- ator, Fred Romang.
The Marathon County Creamery Company was organized in March, 1006. for the manufacture of cheese and butter. During the year 1912 this firm paid for milk to the farmers in the surrounding country the sum of $55.000. Its officers are : President. William Riehle : vice president. Reinhold Paersch ; treasurer, M. M. Schaetzel; general manager, J. H. Jenkins.
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OPERA HOUSE.
The village is not without an excellent hall for entertainments. It is called the "Opera House"; it has a very large seating capacity, which can be used for a dance hall when needed, a stage with a good stage setting and a dining room. Theatrical troups visit the place from time to time and are always welcome. The general manager of the same is Hubert Esser.
THE ATHENS RECORD.
Nor is the place without a good weekly newspaper. The Athens Record was established by some public-spirited citizens in 1901 and enjoys a good circulation and advertisement list. The people evidently are awake to the value of a good local newspaper.
The business is incorporated with E. C. Rietbrock as president, G. A. Schlegel as vice president, W. L. Erbach as secretary and treasurer, and J. W. Conway is the responsible editor.
Athens has a large public square with a fine bandstand, which is evidence that it was expected that the people would assemble on patriotic occasions and will not be without the inspiring strains of a band of music.
The laying out of a public square, so often neglected when a new village or city is platted at a time when land is of but little value, is simply another evidence that the village was platted by a man who looked to the future and foresaw the growth of the place and that a public square would not be a bad investment, èven from a money point of view.
THE HELENDALE FARM.
The Helendale Farm, on the outskirts of Athens, comprises only forty acres, but is known not only throughout the state, but all over the United States, through its breed of finest and purest Guernsey cows. The world's official butter record was made on that farm. The Guernsey cow, known to breeders as "Yekso Sunbeam," has completed the largest record of any cow in the world for butter, the test being made under public supervision and an advanced register and at an agricultural experiment station.
The highest record was reached from October 1, 1904, to September 30, 1905, with 14,920.8 pounds of milk, 5.74 average per cent, and 857.15 pounds of butter fat. Adding one-sixth to this butter fat to cover weight of salt and water found in the butter, the result is 1,000 pounds of butter for one year.
The foregoing gives an accurate description of the business carried on in
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HISTORY OF MARATHON COUNTY
1912 in this bustling village, and in the progressive part taken by the busi- ness men of the community.
The land business of Johnson, Rietbrock & Halsey was conducted as a copartnership until 1901, in which year Fred Rietbrock bought the interest of his partners and organized the "F. Rietbrock Land & Lumber Co." He died in Athens after an active business life of over twenty-five years devoted to the development of the northwestern part of Marathon county, in the year 1906, and is interred in the city of Milwaukee. The good work done by him in that respect was recognized in giving the three towns mainly settled through his efforts the names of the partners of his firm, Rietbrock. Johnson and Halsey.
The present officers of this corporation are: President, A. C. Rietbrock; vice president, WV. L. Erbach, and William C. Klann, secretary and treasurer.
About twenty years ago the village purchased the old hand fire engine of the city of Wausau, which had rendered so valiant service to Wausau before the installation of the waterworks, and a voluntary fire company is organized in Athens, which is doing as good work as the old company did in Wausau, which is the highest praise that can be bestowed upon the Athens company.
THE BANK OF ATHENS.
The Bank of Athens is another institution founded by Athens business men, which has materially assisted in the growth and wealth of the village and surrounding country.
The following is a copy of the last report made March 18, 1913:
Resources.
Liabilities.
Loans and discounts .. . . $147,695.22
Capital stock $ 20,000.00
Loans on real estate,
Surplus
10,000.00
Undivided profits 1,724.06
Exchange 134.72
Expenses
420.68
Interest 1,726.25
Overdrafts
92.84
Saving deposits 17,473.12
Cash on hand
5.923.14
Certificates of deposit
73.572.62
National Germ. Bank,
Check deposits
106,731.82
Wausau
28,626.30
M. & I. Bank
40.664.41
Bonds
5,000.00
Total . $231.422.59
Total $231.422.59
Unpaid dividends
60.00
banking house and fix-
tures
3,000.00
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The officers of the bank are: President, A. L. Kreutzer; vice president, George A. Kreutzer; cashier, R. Neuenschwander; assistant cashier, George D. Fulmer. Directors: A. L. Kreutzer, George A. Kreutzer, R. Neuen- schwander, J. H. Chesak, C. S. Gilbert, H. G. Flieth and W. Alexander.
SCHOOLS.
Athens has a high school with a full four years' course. The principal is S. G. Corey; assistant, Miss Manner. Grade teachers: Lillian Kreutzer, first grade; Bessie Delap, second and third grades; Edith Laumar, fourth and fifth grades; Lotta Lowther, sixth and seventh grades: Laurine Irle, eighth grade.
The building is a solid brick building, modern in every respect, and there is an enrollment of two hundred and twenty-five scholars.
CHURCHES.
Five churches give testimony that the population and its civilization is Christian in character.
The Catholic congregation of Athens is numerically the strongest. It assembled as early as 1880, holding service in a private house.
It organized in 1886 and under the supervision of Rev. A. J. Joerres of Colby, built the church in 1887. It had no resident priest for some time, and the resident pastor at Poniatowski held regular services in the church until July, 1896, when Rev. Anthony E. Muehlenkamp was appointed rector and took up his residence at Athens. Under his charge the parish rapidly grew and it became necessary to build a larger church, which was begun in the year 1904, and completed and the church dedicated August 5, 1906. The cost of this new church was $30,000.
A parochial school was instituted in connection with the church as early as 1901, which, like the church, became too small and a new one was built and completed in 1908, costing $10,000. The congregation is in a flourishing condition, numbering over one hundred and fifty families. Of the pioneer members many have died, but the following still remain: Frank Albrecht. Jr., Adam Albrecht, Michael Schrein, John Junk, John C. Searing, John Stremer, Edmond Stremer, Math. Rausch, and Mrs. J. Munes.
Rev. Anthony E. Muehlenkamp is still resident priest, and the building of the stately church and parish school are testimonials of the high regard in which he is held by his congregation.
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HISTORY OF MARATHON COUNTY
The Evangelical Christ congregation (Evangelical Christus Kirche) was organized early after the beginning of the settlement in Black Creek Falls, a missionary holding divine services. The present church was erected in 1896, and Reverend Hardenstein became the first resident pastor and still is in charge of the congregation.
The church is a fine brick building and the congregation is large. It has the Ladies' Aid Society, a good choir and a Young People's Society. Presi- dent, Henry Kreutzer; vice president, Joseph Braunwalter; secretary, R. Neuenschwander; treasurer, G. Romang.
The Evangelical Communion church ( Evangelical Gemeinschafts Kirche) was erected in 1900. This congregation has as yet no resident pastor, but is visited regularly every two weeks by Reverend Krueger from Dorchester, who conducts the religious service.
German Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Church (Dreieinigkeits Kirche)- This congregation is the oldest in the village; it was organized on the 20th day of August, 1882. The church was erected in 1886; divine services were held for the first four years in the public schoolhouse by Pastor Theodore Buengel. The resident pastor is Rev. William Knauf, who is in charge of the congregation since the year 1902.
The Presbyterian Church-Through the efforts of the First Presbyterian church, of Wausau, is due the organization of this congregation, which was effected in the year 1901, and a church was built in the following year. The late Reverend Knudson, a pioneer in home missionary work, served this church from its inception until 1903. He was followed by Revs. W. J. Agnew, J. D. Strauss and W. M. Morrison. When the last named one removed, the church was without regular service until Rev. C. F. Geiger was called as min- ister in May, 1911, which position he still holds. He has organized a "Chris- tian Endeavor," and "Ladies' Aid Society." of which latter Mrs. Geiger is president. The congregation is now in a flourishing condition.
:
THE CITY OF COLBY
was incorporated under Chapter 128, Laws of 1901 ; its territory comprises one section of land, one-half thereof, west half of section 18, township 28, range 2 east, lying in Marathon county; and the other half, east half of sec- tion 13, in township 28, north of range I east, lying in Clark county. The railroad right of way runs on the county boundary line and divides the city, the two parts being named east ward and west ward. The whole population, according to the Federal census in 1910, was 774. The first supervisor rep-
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resenting the city in the county board of Marathon county was Herman Neumeister.
The beginning of Colby dates back to the building of the Central Railroad, which came to that place in 1873. At the building of the railroad it was confidently expected that the main line road running to St. Paul would branch off at Colby, and there was much disappointment, justifiable it would seem, owing to the fact that the railroad passed Colby, going about two miles further north, and there laid out another village, named it Abbottsford, and branched off from that spot. Nevertheless Colby became a thriving village; the farm lands on all sides being taken up year after year and cultivated, and the eye of the traveler rests with pleasure on the waving fields of grain and corn and soft green meadows which border on the right of way of the road.
The city incorporated to be under one government and work together for the common good, instead of having two separate governments, each jealous of the other. The waterworks as well as the electric lighting plants are municipal plants, and a patriotic voluntary fire company is organized to protect property from fire. This fire company and the protection afforded by the waterworks was of great service in preventing the spread of fire dur- ing the disastrous forest fires of two and three years ago.
The city has a large public building with a lecture hall and for public meetings, which also contains the public library, which seems to have been the first public library in the county, being established in 1879. long before Wausau had one, the Pine Knot Library of Wausau hardly deserving the title or being in fact a "public" library.
On the east or Marathon county side are the following business houses : The saw mill of Umhoefer & Weiks, which has been in operation for at least twenty-five years.
The foundry and machine shop originally built by N. P. Peterson, a pio- neer, who came in 1873 from Wausau to Colby and from a small beginning as a blacksmith built up the establishment to its present large proportions, and only sold out a short time ago on account of advancing age and a desire of well earned rest. The present owner, E. T. Loss, conducts the business with as much success.
Of stores keeping general merchandise are the firms of Jacobson & Nel- son and Priebenow & Johnson.
The leading hotel is the "Commercial House," owned by N. J. White, and conducted for years now by J. D. Wicker, who keeps a first-class house.
Umhoefer & Danes have an auto repair shop and garage. A meat market is kept by E. Lulaff; a blacksmith and wagonmaker shop by Mr. Shore, and
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HISTORY OF MARATHON COUNTY
Mr. Baer and Charles Allman are the shoemakers. Doctor Mclaughlin is a physician and surgeon, and E. K. Harding the veterinary.
On the Clark county side are the following :
R. B. Salter, attorney at law ; Drs. H. H. & A. M. Christopherson, physi- cians and surgeons; Doctor Freeman, physician and surgeon; Dr. E. V. Kautzki, dentist; Miss Cora Bryant, dentist.
H. J. Blanchard is the postmaster of Colby.
General merchandise is kept by Krause & Kersten, and Charles Burk- hardt ; hardware by Zielmann Brothers, and Colby Hardware Company, a corporation. Mr. Carleton keeps a furniture store, and marble works are operated by Lulaff Brothers. Frank Firnstahl conducts a boot and shoe store ; J. E. Lyon keeps flour and feed ; and O. R. Briggs keeps a drug store.
A cheese box factory is conducted on the cooperative plan. Boarding houses are kept by Mr. Hinkel and one by Mr. Gill; a bakery shop by Mr. Fleischmann; a tailor shop by Mr. Fleischhauer; a livery barn by W. Will, and Roy Inman has a barber shop.
Millinery salons to furnish the latest styles in bonnets and hats are con- ducted by Miss Kunz and Miss Gramberg.
THE PHONOGRAPH
is a lively newspaper, established in 1878 by Sam J. and Joel J. Shaefer, and since the death of Sam Shafer is printed and edited by the surviving partner, Joel. It has a large circulation in the towns along the "Line," being by far the oldest paper issued, and posts its readers on news in both counties.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Colby has a full four-year high school course in a separate building, and a state graded school. The principal of the high school is Roy Martin; first assistant, Miss Anga M. Burnson; second assistant, Miss Pearl Blanchard; and there are six grade teachers. All the schoolhouses are located in Clark county.
The State Bank of Colby is located on the west side, and was organ- ized in 1900 with a capital of $25,000. A fair estimate of the business con- ducted in Colby can be arrived at from the splendid showing of this bank. The following is the latest statement, about January 1, 1913 :
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Resources.
Liabilities.
Loans and discounts. . . . $219, 175.45
Capital stock $ 25,000.00
Real estate, furniture
Surplus and undivided
and fixtures 7,500.00 profits 22,467.04
Cash and due from banks 99,134.10
Deposits 278,342.51
$325,809.55
$325,809.55
The officers and directors of the bank are: Erastus Bowen, president ; R. B. Salter, vice president; K. Andrews, cashier; Ed. Kayhart, director.
CHURCHES.
The Catholic St. Mary church congregation was organized July 15, 1886, and attended as a mission from pastors from neighboring parishes. The first resident priest was Rev. A. J. Joerres. Under his direction a new church was built in 1889, known as the St. Killian's church. This church became too small and a new one was built in 1904 under the management and super- vision of Rev. W. Reding, at a cost of $20,000, and the old name of "St. Mary" assumed. The membership of the congregation is 185 families, with 1,050 souls. A parochial school with three departments is owned and sup- ported by the parish, the attendance in school being 146 pupils in 1912. The present rector is Rev. H. J. Artmann.
THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN ZION'S CHURCH.
This congregation organized as early as 1880 and built its first church, a frame building, in 1883. A new brick edifice was erected in and dedicated on the 20th day of November, 1910, at a cost of $14,000. Eighty-four fami- lies, counting 462 souls, are members of this congregation, who have a resident pastor in the person of Rev. C. C. Hartenstein. The same minister has the mission at Unity, where services are held in the Lutheran Swedish Church building; the membership of this church in Unity is fifty-five persons.
Another German Evangelical Lutheran church was built about five years ago, which is growing in numbers, as the population of the place keeps on growing.
The Methodist congregation is the oldest in Colby, its organization dating back to the first settlement ; there is no resident minister at present, but reg- ular service is held by visiting ministers. The congregation consists of thirty members.
All the churches are in Clark county.
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HISTORY OF MARATHON COUNTY
THE VILLAGE OF UNITY.
The village of Unity is situated in section 6, township 27, range 2 east, in Marathon county, and section 1, township 27, range I east in Clark county. As in the village of Colby, the railroad right of way of the Sault St. Marie Railroad (formerly Wisconsin Central) is laid on the boundary line of the county and the village is on both sides of the railroad.
Unity was first incorporated as a village in 1903 and organized, which in- corporation was declared invalid after a long drawn-out lawsuit, involving its legality, In consequence of this judgment, a new incorporation was effected in 1906, which stood the test of judicial scrutiny. The first supervisor in the county board under the valid incorporation was Louis Cook, now the county clerk.
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