Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

June 12, 1996, Page 23

Transcribed by Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon.

Index of "Oldies" Articles 

 

Good Old Days 

 

By Dee Zimmerman

 

June 1869 

 

New Post Office – Lynn is the name of a new post office recently established in the town by the same name in this county.  Alonzo Brooks if the postmaster

 

Church – The first work towards the erection of the Methodist Church began this week, teams having commenced hauling stone for the foundation.  Over $1,000 has already been subscribed which places the success of the undertaking beyond a doubt.  It is not designed to build a very costly edifice now – something commensurate to the present wants and ability of the village.  Mr. Simon Widrig has contracted to do the carpenter work, and he will commence operations soon.

 

A Cannon – There is talk in town of raising sufficient means with which to purchase a cannon to be used by the village upon public occasions.  This is a good idea.  The sum required to buy one suitable for our purposes is small.  Forty or fifty dollars would get one delivered here, and we would be prepared to make a big noise upon our celebrations, if nothing more.  We should also consider that we have no heavy ordinance, and in the event of an attack upon our town, all will admit that our situation is now and means of defense is decidedly precarious.  Let’s be prepared for the greatest emergency.

 

The Clumsy Club – A meeting was held on Saturday, June 5th, in Maple Works (now Granton) by the young men of that vicinity, and a baseball club organized according to the rules and regulations of the national game, and named the Clumsy Club.  They also played a very interesting game, which, as our informant says, “Created some excitement among the people of that place.”  Our local Pioneer Club had better get organized again and practice some.

 

“Headville” is the name given by those in the vicinity to a small collection of houses, in the woods northwest of the saw mill, in honor, we suppose to Mr. Head, the pioneer settler.  The next census (will) probably show quite a settlement there.

 

Between Here and There – That is to say, between this place and Staffordville.  Well, the road, while it leads to one place and away from the other – is being made a smooth, broad gauge track, room enough for four abreast going at lightning speed – no stumps, no roots, no brush, - all clear!  As good as “on the road to Brighton”

 

Meat Market – E. H. Markey has removed his meat market to a room in the basement of O. P. Well’s Hardware Store.  Ed has things arranged in neat style, and keeps as usual a good supply of fresh meat.  Go down and see him.  For a butcher he is mighty clever.

 

Bacon’s Addition – A new addition to the village of Neillsville has been made by Mr. Orson Bacon.  It is situated on the south side of the road running west from town, extending about eighty rods in that direction from the road running south, and comprises three blocks and two lots, ten lots (4 x 8 rods) in a block.  On the south side of the addition are Deer Street (2nd Street), running east and west, and three others, named respectively Clay, Oak, and Forrest Streets, running north and south.  We understand the lots are for sale upon very reasonable terms.

 

Harrison Williams – Barber at the Lumbermen’s Hotel, Staffordville!  Shaves, Dyes Whiskers, Curls hair, and will answer calls to dress Ladies’ or Misses’ hair.  1 mile north of Neillsville

 

June 1881

 

New Steam Saw Mill in the Town of Mentor, Clark Co., Wis., six miles from Houghtonburg.  Large quantity of lumber on hand

 

Wolff Bros. Market - Wolff Bros. of Sheboygan have opened a meat market in the building north of the Neillsville Bank, on Main Street.  They are first-class butchers.

 

Willie Marsh – Willie has accepted a situation in Larson & Brimi’s clothing house, at Eau Claire.  He will take his departure the latter part of this week.  The best wishes of many friends go with him. (He returned to Neillsville later, to open his own department store business.)

 

Byron Pedrick, of Loyal, has our thanks for a goodly supply of maple sugar, as fine a quality as we ever tasted.

 

A new picket fence adds very materially to the appearance of the residence of Jas. O’Neill, Jr. (corner of East 4th and State St.).

 

The season of Leather Fly Nets, Horse Covers, Ear Tips, Lap Dusters, Rubber Buggy Aprons, etc. has arrived, and the place to buy anything in that line is at Geo. Ludington’s, who has a large and choice stock to select from.

 

That part of Main Street between M. C. Ring’s and J. L. Gates’ residence is being greatly improved by Road-master McIntire.  He has rebuilt the culvert and work of grading the hill down, in front of the residences of J. L. Gates and W. H. Mahar has been commenced, and the dirt is being hauled into the hollow. (The hill referred to would be in the first block of what is now Hewett Street.  The Gates house is 22 Hewett.)

 

Ira B. Jones has been selected to represent Neillsville Lodge, No. 198, I.O.O.F., in the Grand Lodge of the state of Wis., which will meet in Madison next Tuesday.

 

Tom Hommell has leased the Campbell blacksmith Shop on Second Street and now the fire flies in every direction at that establishment.  He is prepared to do all kinds of blacksmithing in the very best manner.  Tom is well known to our citizens, and all they desire to know is that he is in business and they will find their way to his shop.

 

There is not a vacant tenement house in the entire town of Neillsville at this time.

 

Hugh Price was up the first of the week attending his father’s log driving business.  The frequent rains recently have brought the water up to good driving stage of Wedges Creek.

 

Greenwood area news submitted by Von Goth: Geo. C. Andrews is erecting a large barn on his forty, east of town, and John Mahon is also building a fine barn on his lot in the south end of the village.

 

John Shanks and wife just returned form (from) a trip to La Crosse valley, where they have been visiting relatives.  While there, Mr. Shanks purchased a calf two months old at a large price of $40.  It was one of the Holstein breed and is claimed to be a beauty.

 

A. S. Eaton lost a valuable cow by being choked to death with a potato.  Every effort (to) remove the potato was in vain.

 

Wm. Cormick has leased and formally opened the Begley House to the traveling public.  He is an agreeable fellow and will with his fair lady make the Begley House a pleasant place to stop at.

 

Dr. Thomas’ celebrated bird dog, Chum was killed by a log rolling over him on the bank of Black River while boys were playing rolling logs down the bank.  His cash value was $100.

 

Thank you to those who called in answers to our inquiry about the “Knoop Cheese Factory” which was the Knopt cheese factory on Cty. Highway “I”, not Cty. Highway “G”.”  The building was built about 1916 by Frank Schwamb.  The Knopt family operated the factory in the 30’s and 40’s, era of the photograph.

 

One caller remembered as a youngster accompanying his parents when they went to dances at the hall that was located a ways up the road from the cheese factory.  Several popular bands played for dances during its existence.  After the cheese factory business discontinued, Tony Slesnik remodeled the building into a tavern.  The liquor license was obtained from the dance hall owner after the hall was destroyed by fire.

 

Another caller provided names of tavern owners after Slesnik, who were Tony Petkovsek, Tom Krejci, and at present, Lud Hribar.

 

The Blackberry school house was in that vicinity and has been remodeled into a home.  One of the former teachers provided this information.

 

Your calls were appreciated; it provided the community’s history.

 

The Humbird Cheese Factory operated at Humbird, in a building which had originally been a hotel, a block from Highway “B” and near Highway 12.  The building now serves accommodations for the Badger Jacket Factory.

 

Carnation Milk Condensary plant at Owen was located on the north side of town.  It was in operation during the 30’s and 40’s.  The building has been razed since the company ceased operation.

 Walter Reber had two cheese factories.  This was the Pleasant Ridge factory, located north of the present Neillsville airport.

 

The second cheese factory owned by Reber was located at Kurth Corners, along Highway 10.  The property is now owned by Harold and Alice Gaier.  The former factory building was extensively remodeled into a home.  The barn, visible in the background, also remains on the site.

 

 


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