History of northern Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development, and resources; an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories; biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers; views of county seats, etc., Part 222

Author: Western historical co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1052

USA > Wisconsin > History of northern Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development, and resources; an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories; biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers; views of county seats, etc. > Part 222

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).

The first bill introduced in the Legislature for the

organization of the county, was in the Spring of 1877. This, as also one of like nature introduced in the Spring of 1878, was defeated. A bill introduced in the Spring of 1879, by the Hon. Hector McRae, member of Assen- bly from Chippewa County, met with but little opposi- tion, and the county was organized.

Among the pioneers of Pricc County who were con- spicions in the fight made for the organization, are the names of David ()'Brien, F. W. Sackett and Dr. J. D. Wyatt. Among the leading, active friends of the new county in the Legislature, were Lieut. Gov. J. M. Bing- ham, Senators William T. Price and Thomas B. Scott, and the Hon. Hector McRae, of the Assembly.

The county was named in honor of Senator W. T. Price.

The first meeting of the County Board of Supervis- ors was held on the 15th of March, 1879, at the office of David O'Brien, in what was known as the Campbell building, in the village of Phillips, the county seat. The Board was composed of the following members : Allen Jackson, David O'Brien and William Farrell. Allen Jackson was chosen Chairman. At this meeting the organization of the county was completed. There was but one organized town in the county, the town of Worcester.

On the first day of April, 1879, the town of Brannan was created, composed of the south ten townships of the county. A. Adams was chosen Chairman of the Town Board.

The next meeting of the County Board of Super- visors was held on the 28th of October, 1879, at which time, William Farrell was elected Chairman. This Board had before them, the difficult task of settling with the old counties, from which the territory had been detached, and providing county buildings. To their credit, be it said, they succeeded most admirably. Much of their success was due to the intelligence and prac- tical sense of the Chairman, Mr. Farrell. In settle- ments with the old counties, about $15,000 in tax eer- tificates, was secured by the new county, as her share of the assets. A site for a county building was secured and cleared, at an expense of about $1,500, and a commo- dious court-house, 44x76 feet in size, was built, cost- ing $7,000. In addition to the court-house, this Board caused to be erected, at the county seat, a small but sub- stantial jail, fitted up with steel lattice-work cells. The entire improvements in way of county buildings and ground, cost the sum of $10,500.

On the 2nd of April, 1880, the town of Fifield was organized by ordinance of the County Board, and con- sisted of the north ten townships of the county. The first election was held on that day, at which time Geo. A. Calhoun was elected Chairman and member of the County Board, and as a member of that body, took an active and prominent part in the erection of the county build- ings, which were completed on the first day of Decem- ber, 1880. Supervisor Adams, of the town of Brannan, was chairman of the building committee on county building, and in this capacity, served the county faith- fully and well.

The first elections in Price County, was held in No- vember, 1880, at which time, the following county offi- cers were chosen : Treasurer, David O'Brien ; Clerk, F. W. Sackett; Register of Deeds, William D. Gumaer;

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

Surveyor, George A. Calhoun ; Superintendent of Schools, A. P. Marner ; Coroner, R. Slattery.

In April, 1881, a judicial election was held, and Capt. E. W. Murray was elected County Judge.

In March, 1881, the county poor system was adopted by the County Board, and Capt. E. W. Murray, ap- pointed Superintendent.

The population of the county, at the time of its or- ganization, was not to exceed 300. The United States census taken the following year, showed to it be 700.

PHILLIPS,

the county-seat, is located near the geographical center of the county, on the south bank of Elk Lake. It is a flour- ishing little place of about 300 inhabitants. It contains several fine residences, six large and well-stocked stores, four hotels, two printing offices, one boot and shoe factory, a wagon factory, a blacksmith shop, and four saloons. Its village plat was recorded September 23, 1876. The profes- sions are represented by two lawyers and one doctor. The village has a large lumber trade.

On the twentieth day of May, 1877, a destructive fire occurred in the village of Phillips, that swept away nearly the entire town leaving but seven buildings standing. Among the business houses destroyed were : J. H. Fennell, general merchandise; J. H. Lingren, boot and shoe store ; Messic & McConnell, groceries; W. F. Turner, hotel, and Waddell Bros., hotel. The loss was estimated at $35,000, which, for a town of about six months' growth, was severe. The fire originated in one of the rooms of Waddell Bros. hotel, and burned from Lot 3, in Block 4, to Lot 1, in Block 5.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

A. ALEXANDER, saloon, Phillips, was born in Dane Co .. Wis., July 12, 1851. In 1868. he went to Sauk County, then to Monroe County, and later came to Stevens Point. He came to Worcester in 1876. He came to Phillips in 1877, where he has done business since. In 1877, he married Miss Jennie Cleveland, of Woodstock, III.

M. BARRY, attorney at law, Phillips, was born in Queenstown, Ire- land, July 4, 1846; received a common school education and emigrated to the United States in Fall of 1867. He stayed for a short time at West Randolph, Mass., when he engaged in the boot and shoe business. He moved to Montello, Marquette Co., Wis., in Spring of 1868, where he remained for about one year ; from thence, moved to Bloomfield, Wau- shara Co., to engage in book-keeping ; remained at this point about nine months, when he moved to Fremont, Waupaca Co., and remained there until the Fall of 1877. During his stay in the latter place, followed va- rious pursuits, principally, book-keeping; held the office of Justice of the l'eace, and was elected Town Chairman in Spring of 1877. In the Fall of 1877, moved to Portage County, to engage in book-keeping ; there he stayed until February, 1879, when he moved to his present loca- tion, for the purpose of opening a law office, having been admitted to the Bar the previous January. Has held various local offices ; was Deputy County Clerk during the first term of that office in the county, and is now Deputy County Treasurer, which position he conducts in connec- tion with his professional business.

W. H. BRIGGS, lumberman, Phillips, was born in Manson, Pis- cataquis Co., Maine, Aug. 21, 1848. Ile was with his parents in Illi- nois in '56, and then in HIortonville. Ilis father was in the store, mill and farming business. He worked in a grist-mill, and in the woods, at times up to the time of his first coming to Phillips, having been on Elk Lake in 1869, locating pine timber. In his business of locating land, he came to where Worcester now stands in 1873, from there to Phillips in 1876, where he first worked at carpenter work, and in the Winter of '80 and 'SI, began lumbering. He also deals in real estate and pine lands, he being surveyor and practical woodsman.

WALIER BROWN, dealer in pine lands, Phillips, was born on Fox Island, Maine, June 1, 1850 ; came with his parents to Columbia Co., Wis., in 1855. Ilis father was a seaman and captain, but came West and settled on a farm; Walter attended school here, and when fifteen

years of age went into the woods, and as woodsman, has traveled over most of the timbered counties of the State. Came to Price County in 1876, and located at Phillips, as dealer in pine lands ; in 1879, was ap- pointed Register of Deeds. In 1880, he married Miss Johanna Muir, of Portage City. He is a member of Temple of Honor, and belongs to the Baptist Church.

W. D. GUMAER, real estate and pine land agent, Phillips, was born in Fairfax Co., West Virginia, May 16, 1848. His parents came to Wisconsin in 1849, locating in Winnebago County, and establishing a trading post at Menomonee,; they remained there till 1860, when they went to Juneau County. In 1873, he left home and went on to the Big Suamico, and took charge of an office as shipping clerk. In Novem- ber, 1875, moved to Phillips, taking contract for right of way. He was one of the first Side Board elected ; he was County Surveyor, and, in 1880, was elected Register of Deeds. In December, 1873, he married Miss A. Howard, of Juneau, and they have three children-Prucilla, Richard, and an infant.

WILLIS HAND, lawyer and County Judge, Phillips, was born in Columbia Co., Wis., May 1, 1849. He was raised on the farm, and, when old enough, he attended common school. In 1866, he went to the Baraboo High School, afterward the Normal School of White Water, and commenced the study of law. In 1873, he entered the State Uni- versity, and graduated from the law department in 1874. The Winter of 1874-5, he read in the office of J. B. Taylor, and then went to Neills- ville, Clark Co., and practiced law till 1877, when he came to Phillips. He opened a law office, and when the county was organized, he received the appointment of County Judge from Gov. Smith. In 1878, he mar- ried Miss Mary E. Muir, of Portage County. They have one child, Wheeler G. Judge Hand belongs to the Temple of Honor and to the I. O. O. F., of Neillsville. He and his wife are church members. His father, J. F. Hand, now Postmaster here, was a member of the Assembly in 1864-5, from the Second District, of Columbia County, and has held other offices of town and county. He has also been a church member for fifty years, and a Son of Temperance sixteen.

W. S. HATTON, book-keeper, with J. H. Favell, Phillips, was born in Manchester, England, April 9, 1854, and came to America with his parents. In 1870, he learned telegraphy and went to Appleton, Stevens Point and Marshfield. In 1872, he was in the employ of the railroad company, and came to Phillips in 1876, to take charge of station here. In 1880, he was employed by J. H. Favell, as book-keeper and clerk. In 1879-So, he was Treasurer of the town, and is now a member of the Temple of Honor and of the I. O. O. F.

W. D. KUHN, restaurant, Phillips, was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., July 9, 1854, and came with his parents to Winnebago and Fond du Lac, where he attended school. He began as a confectioner in Waupun, and was acting as drummer for tobacco house there, when he first visited Phillips in 1877. He went into the Lake View House, as clerk, where he remained till 1879. That year he started a restaurant. In 1877, April 16, he married Miss Gertrude Batterson, of Nora Springs, Iowa. They have two children, Charles H., three years old, and Lulu. Mr. Kuhn is a member of the Temple of Honor.

A. D. LUNT, land-examiner for the Wis. C. R. R., Phillips, was born in Oldtown, Penobscot Co., Me., Oct. S, 1836. He came to Osh- kosh, Wis., for the purpose of lumbering, and then commenced locating on Wolf River and on Mill Creek. In 1872, he went to work for the Wis. C. R. R .. getting $2,000 a year, and expenses paid. Commencing at Stevens Point, he worked up the line just in advance of the railroad, having, in 1872, his office in Medford, Taylor Co., and in Phillips in 1880. He has sold in one year 466,000 acres of pine land for the com- pany. Mr. Lunt is not married. He is a charter member of the Blue Lodge, of Grand Rapids, and belongs to the Forest Chapter, of Stevens point, also the Chippewa Commandery, of Eau Claire ; has been a Mason twenty years.

JAMES MCKINLEY, hotel, Phillips, was born in County Armagh, Ireland, June 2, 1837. Came early to America, and located in Renfrew Co., Canada, where he attended school. He then commenced lumber- ing, and in 1868 came to Oconto, where he was engaged in the same business until 1869, when he went to Monroe Co., Wis. In 1875, he located in Town 37, Range 2 west, of Price County, buying 160 acres for farming purposes. Having cleared fifty acres, he moved to Phillips, in 1876, and built the McKinley House, which he now keeps. He is also engaged in lumbering and farming. IIe was one of the Town Board first elected. In 1870, he married Miss M. J. McConnel, of Canada. They have one son, Charlie H.

J. R. MEANS, restaurant, Phillips, was born in Waldo Co., Me., Feb. 19, 1859. Ile lived on the farm and attended school, and in 1878 left home and came to Stevens Point, Wis., where he worked in a saw- mill. In 1881, opened his restaurant, in Phillips. In 1881, June 14, he married Miss Hannah R. Corrigon, of Buena Vista, Portage Co. Mr. Means belongs to the Temple of Honor, and is doing a business of about $4,000 per year.

E. W. MURRAY, hotel, Phillips, was born in Philadelphia, April S, 1843. Remained there till the death of his mother, when his father took

767

HISTORY OF PRICE COUNTY.

him back to Ireland, County Sligo, where he lived until his father's death, when he returned to America with a relative. His home was in Rhode Island until 1859, when he came to Juneau Co., Wis. There he attended school. In 1862, he went South and enlisted in the Miss. Marine Bri- gade. This organization went out of existence in 1865, but he was in the department till 1866, when he returned to Juneau County, and en- tered into a speculation there and on the river. He was employed by the Wisconsin Central Railroad in IS72. In the Fall of 1876, he came to Phillips and started a hotel and general store. In 1881, he opened his present hotel, which he is now enlarging. He has married three times : in New Orleans in 1865, his wife leaving three children-E. W., J. C. and Eugenia ; he married again in 1876, his wife dying the same year, and in 1880 he married Miss Julia Chambers, his present wife. Mr. Murray is now Superintendent of the County poor, and County Judge elect for 1882. Has been Deputy County Treasurer and Secre- tary of School Board.

D. O'BRIEN, real estate, Phillips. County Treasurer of Price County for 1881.

C. H. ROSER, hotel, Phillips. Was born in Bavaria, Germany July 31, 1838, and came, in 1855, with his parents to Baraboo, Sank Co., Wis., where they located on a farm. In 1861, he enlisted in Co. A, 6th Wis. V. I. Served three years, and was mustered out in 1864. The next five years of his life were spent in various wanderings. In 1869, while fishing and looking up pine, he visited the place where Phillips now stands, and in August, 1876, came to Phillips to remain. On the first train that came was a car-load of lumber, with which he built his 16x32 boarding house. His custom increased so fast that he sent for blankets to Milwaukee, and by giving each guest a blanket, he would find his own place to sleep, oftentimes around camp-fires and on the ground. In October, he built his present house. In 1878, he mar- ried Miss Jenette Micklejohn, of Weyanwega. They have one child, a girl named Pearl, aged twenty-one months.

F. W. SACKETT. Was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, Nov. 5. 1847. Was brought to Wisconsin by his parents in 1852. Lived on a farm in the town of Osceola, Fond du Lac Co., until the Summer of 1863, when he enlisted as a private soldier in Co. A, 38th Wis. V. I. He served until the close of the war, and was in several engagements, commencing at the close of the "Wilderness" fight and ending at the surrender of Lee. Was on the advance line at the battle of " Hatch's Run," and again at the " Petersburg " fight. After being discharged from the serv- ice, he entered the printing office of the Fond du Lac fournal, and after serving an apprenticeship of eighteen months, started in business with a fellow-typo, J. C. Walehon, and established the Weyauwega Times, in Waupaca County. The first number of the paper was issued Feb. 20, 1869. Mr. S. was nominated for member of Assembly in 1876, and made a very creditable run, receiving about five hundred more than his party vote. He sold his paper in Weyauwega in the Winter of 1876, and started the Phillips Times, in Price County, Jan. 6, 1877. Upon the formation of Price County in 1879, he was appointed County Clerk; served the balance of the term, and was elected by a large majority to the same position at the general election of 18So.

C. H. SILVERNAIL, lumber, Phillips, was born in Pike Co., Penn., June 2, 1826. After his father's death he was sent to his grand- parents in Columbia County, where he made his home, going to school until 1844. when he went to sea. After visiting most of the foreign countries, he came to New York and then to Boston, enlisting in the en- gineer corps of sappers and miners, which made their quarters at West Point. He left the service and went to Dutchess County, and while there he was married. He was on the Harlem Railroad as conductor, where he remained till 1855, when he came to Horicon, Wis. In 1861, enlisted in the Sth Iowa V. I .; was second sergeant ; he was taken pris- oner at Shiloh, and was wounded while a prisoner ; was discharged in 1864, and went to St. Louis, where his wife and family visited him, and they lost two of the family from small-pox. He served in the city of St. Louis on the police force; then came to Chicago and went into the furni- ture business, but was burned out in 1871. He had a family of ten children, Emma, Charlie, Howard, Loren, deceased ; Winnie, Willie, Eva, Joseph, John and Rosa. He belongs to the Temple of Honor, be- ing one of the charter members, and now W. C. T.

ARTHUR STURLEY, with J. II. Fewell, Phillips, was born in Norwich, Norfolk Co., England, June 5, 1851. He lost his parents when he was twenty years of age, his father dying in 1870, and his mother in 1871. His father had served as cashier in the Bank of En- gland, and when he found that he had sacrificed his health, he retired on a pension given him by the bank. Arthur came to New York, where he stayed only a few days, and from there to St. Paul, Minn., where his brother Edward was then living ; here he engaged in the crockery business. He then went to Marquette, Mich., where he was employed in a railroad office. He afterward went to St. Louis, Mo., then to Omaha, and again back to St. Paul. In Feb. 1875, he went into J. 11. Fewell's employ. The business was moved to Phillips in 1876. He carries a stock of $10,000, and does a business of $75,000 a year.

WILLIAM WADDELL, saloon, Phillips, was born in Upper Can- ada, Aug. 20, 1855. On leaving home he went to Michigan, and com-

menced lumbering; then went to Wolf River, then to Oconto, and finally, in the Fall of 1876, he came to Phillips and opened his present business.

THOS. WINTER, railroad and express agent, Phillips, was born in Province of Ontario, Canada, Feb. 17, 1837, of English parentage. His father was a ship-builder in Hamilton. Thomas left home in 1850 ; he followed book-keeping for awhile, having learned under a clerk of Roth- schild's. Later, he learned telegraphing and worked for the Grand Western Railroad. He then assumed the management of the Montreal Telegraph & American Express Co. until 1865, when he opened a pri- vate bank. Meeting with reverses in 1869, he went to work for the Montreal Telegraph and Canadian Express. In 1875, he took the agen- cy for the Montreal Telegraph Co., together with the Canadian and American Express Cos. In 1878, he came to Milwaukee, Wis., and from there to Stevens Point, and, in ISSo, came to take charge of the railroad business at Phillips, as well as the American Express. In 1865, he married Miss Emma Calder, of Canada, who died in 1880, leaving one child, Charles M. Mr. Winter is a proficient swordsman, having ac- quired the art while in Vol. Corps ; is also a member of the R. A. M.'s of Canada.

J. D. WYATT, physician and surgeon, Phillips, was born in Moira, Franklin Co., N. Y., July 29, 1845. Until 1853, he remained there, go- ing from thence to Stockholm, St. Lawrence Co. ; thence to Plainfield, Ill. While here, he took classical course in Northwestern College. In 1869, he became local editor of the Aurora Herald in Kane County ; at the same time, was special for the old Chicago Republican. In '71, he came to Fond du Lac, where the firm of Wyatt Bros., insurance agents, was organized. Here he began reading medicine with a brother who was a physician, and in 1874 he went to the Keokuk College, graduating in 1876. He located at Stevens Point, where he was railroad physician. In 1877, he came to Phillips. He is company physician and has been Superintendent of Schools.

WORCESTER.

During the time the terminus of the railroad was at this point, Worcester was a stirring place. A village plat was surveyed, and two stores and two hotels were established, but upon the completion of the road the inhabitants moved, deserted the site, and located elsewhere. At present, there is but one family residing at Worcester.

FIFIELD

Is located on the South Fork of the Flambeau River, thir- teen miles north of Phillips, and is a very stirring town of about 200 inhabitants. It has a good farming country around it, and is destined to be a place of no mean impor- tance. It has four general stores, doing a large business, two good hotels, a blacksmith shop and three-saloons. Its village plat was surveyed in September, and recorded on the seventeenth day of October, 1876.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

H. J. BORHAM & J. FARR, general supply store, Fifield, carry stock of $15,000 and do a business of $25,000 a year. Mr. J Farr is manager of the business, and was born in Franklin Co., Me. His parents and self located on a farm in Walworth Co., Wis., as early as I851, and moved to Waupaca in 1855, where they lived until 1875. and now are located in Iowa. J. Farr in 1855 started at work in the woods on the Wolf River and tributaries, and in 1864 enlisted in the 36th Wis. V. I., Co. B; was mustered out in 1864, and came to Wan- paca. He first entered the mercantile business in Evanswood, Spring of 1879, and afterward came to Fifield, In 1861 he married Miss Cor- nelia N. Starks. They have three children-Louella, Thera and Engene, adopted.

W. F. TURNER, hotel, Fifield. Born in Taberg, Oneida Co., N Y. March 29. 1844. His grand-father died on the day of his birth, aged 98. He came to Madison, Wis., in 1858. In 1861 he enlisted in the 2d Wis. V. I., Co. H ; was discharged on account of disability, but having recovered his lost health he went to South Bend, Ind., and en- listed from there, in 1864, in the 155th V. I. ; was mustered out and went to Columbia Co., Wis. In the Fall of IS7y he came to Fifield and opened the Turner House. Ile now owns the new hotel besides two warehouses. In 1870 he married Miss Annie St. John, who died in 1877; he married again, Miss Mertie Sweet. Mr. Turner was the first Justice in I'rice County ; was elected Town Clerk in iSSo, and is now on the Side Board and Justice. He belongs to the Temple of Honor.

768

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

W. F. HINZ, general store, Fifield, was born in R. B. Brombarg, Kries, Wirsitz, Germany, Sept. 26, 1848. In 1866 he came to Green Lake Co., Wis., where he located on a farm. In 1874 he opened a store in Colby. He has carried on business at Fifield since 1878- His Summer stock amounts to 810,000, and his business to $48,000 in one year. On the 25th of September, 1875, he married Miss Odelia Steinke, of Green Lake, Wis. Mr. Ilinz was the first Town Treasurer of Fifield, and belongs to the Lutheran Church.

EDWIN HORTER, trader, Fifield, was born in Washington Co., N. Y., April 11, 1836. He left home when he was thirteen years of age, and after some wandering came to Green Bay, Wis., and engaged in lumbering. In 1876 he came to Fifield and commenced trading with the Indians ; had a trading post on the Manitosh Lake and one on Lake Flambeau. In 1876 he moved his family up and kept a hotel in Fifield. In 1853 he married Miss Mary J. Smith, of Cooper's Plains, Steuben Co., N. Y. They have had five children -- Monroe, Ida, Carrie, Cora, who died June 29, ISSI, and Eddie.

GEORGE A. SINGLETON, general store, of firm of Singleton & Leonard, Fifield, was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., July 8, 1854. He graduated at the Potsdam Normal School, taught some, and then stud- ied law. In ISSo he came to Wisconsin and took the First Ward school in Chippewa Falls, which place he occupied until ISSI. He then en- gaged in erecting a store and warehouse.

OGEMA

Is located on the Wisconsin Central Railroad near the south line of the county. It is the trading point of a large colony of Swedes; located is the town of Brannan, by J. K. Ostergen, one of the members of the State Board of Im- migration, who makes his home at this village.

D. M. Holmes has in operation here a large saw-mill,

giving employment to about 100 men. Ogema has two stores and two hotels.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

A. M. BYRNES, general store, Ogema, was born in London, En- gland, Aug. 6, 1844. His parents came to America in 1846. In the Spring of 1847 they came to Oshkosh, Wis., locating on a farm where they have remained for thirty years. A. M. helped clear the farm, and enlisted in the 17th Wis. V. I., Co. B, Feb. 11, 1862; was wounded in the second battle of Corinth, and received his discharge May 6, 1863; he re-enlisted Jan. 19, 1864, in the 3rd Wis. Cav., Co. I ; was mustered out as sergeant in 1865. In 1876 he went to Medford and took a con- tract on the county road and bridges. Coming to Omega, he built a store and dwelling house ; he now carries a stock of $2,000, and does a business of $10,000 a year ; also deals in real estate. In 1863 he mar- ried Miss Anna M. Stretch, her parents being among the pioneers of Oshkosh. They have one child, Rufus Melvin. Mr. Byrnes has been Clerk of the School District and Postmaster, which position he resigned in June, 1880. He is a member of the Catholic Church.

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Author: Western historical co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company Number of Pages: 1052

Author: Western historical co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1052