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Early History of Neillsville Contributed by Robert Sanders
Neillsville the county seat of Clark County is situated on the Black River with O’Neill Creek running through the center of the city. The Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha R. R. runs through the town o which is important agricultural, dairying and stock raising district. At the time the town was started, along back in the fifties, it was not expected by the projectors that the place would ever become more than a small lumbering town. For years it was simply a distributing point for logging camps. The earliest settlers who came never expected that the surrounding territory would become a noted agricultural region. The early comers were after the wealth contained in the pine forests, and contended that after the disappearance of that feature of the county the population would decrease rather than increase-but they were wrong. The later comers aw here a soil that was not excelled anywhere in the west, and the cleaning up and cultivation of farms began to stimulate the growth of the city. In June 1845 James O’Neill, Henry O’Neill, with E. L. Brockway and S. F. and William Ferguson became the first permanent settlers in what has since been organized as Clark County. The party came overland in covered wagons drawn by teams of oxen – cutting their way through the brush and other obstructions. This was the first road ever made in the county. It was not long after that, that some of the early comers from the East began to have confidence that there were advantages in locating in Neillsville, which was not only surrounded by the finest agricultural region but backed by an inexhaustible supply of hard wood for manufacturing, which would warrant the building up of one of the most substantial cities of the state. The village of Neillsville was laid out and platted in 1885 by James O’Neill, and named in his honor. The same year Frank Cawley, also W. K. Dickey who built a wagon shop and residence. That fall Clinton & Qauile brought a stock of goods from Black River Falls, and became the first merchant. Better buildings soon began to be erected in a more substantial manner, streets were graded and sidewalks built, and attention was turned toward getting a supply o water as a protection against fire. In 1885 a dam was constructed across O’Neill Creek as a reservoir for water, a building was created and a powerful pump placed therein. A large number of feet of hose was bot (bought), and for a year or more that portion of the city within one thousand feet of the building had reasonable protection. Several thousand dollars had been expended in that direction up to that time, and as the city council was endeavoring to use economy in running the affairs of the city – the matter rested a year, when several thousand feet of mains were laid and connected with the pump. The piping had been gradually extended until the entire business portion, and a large part of the resident portion of the city was amply supplied with fire protection. In 1882 a small private electric plant was put in – some 4 or 5 arc lights being used, but the Neillsville Electric & Water Supply Co. was soon organized by a few citizens and a complete system of arc and incandescent lights established and the streets were amply lighted. This lighting system in Neillsville was from two to three years ahead of any other city of its size in Wisconsin. The main business section is Hewitt Street, named after James Hewitt, one of the pioneer settlers.
Richard Dewhurst and G. W. King who arrived in 1856 were the first lawyers to settle in Neillsville. The first place of amusement was erected in 1885, which was known as the Fourth Street Theater. This theater was owned by a stock company consisting of J. W. Hommel, the manger, C. C. Snitman, H. W. Klopf, R. Kountz and the two Lowe Brothers. Where the Merchants Hotel now stands was a dilapidated frame hotel called the Hubbard House then kept by L. K. Hubbard. The first sidewalk in Neillsville was built on a Sunday morning in the spring of 1867. It was constructed by B. F. French, James Hewitt and two or three others. It extended from where the Neillsville Bank is located to the corner where Marsh’s Dry Goods Store used to be. It was made of planks laid lengthwise – and did service for many years. It was in the seventies that the first brick building was erected in Neillsville – 1872. This building was occupied by W. J. Marsh – a merchant. The second floor was used by the Masonic fraternity. The first library was established in the office of the “True Republican” in 1879. Later in 1897 the citizens of the city voted to establish a library and reading room in the high school. In 1914 the present Carnegie Library was erected. Neillsville’s first Post Office was first established in 1855 with Samuel Boardman as postmaster. Phillip Reisman opened the first furniture store. A four story furniture factory was erected in the eighties and did a flourishing business for a number of years – giving employment to a great many men. This factory had the capacity for working 500 hands. The first order for furniture was a large one, and came from London, England. The factory later was destroyed by fire due to spontaneous combustion. This was a great loss to Neillsville. The Neillsville Bank was a private institution and was organized in August 1879, by Daniel Gates and J. L. Gates, who conducted the business under the firm name of J. L. Gates & Co. About this same year George Adams opened the first Drug Store – and his brother established the first Dry Goods Store. Dr. L. M. Baxter was one of the first doctors. The O’Neill House was considered the finest Hotel and enjoyed the cream of traveling trade. It was owned and operated by John Paulus, who in his earlier days was a prominent logger on Black River. This Hotel was long remembered by the guests who stopped here. This Hotel was later destroyed by fire, and in its place has since been erected a fine Post Office. The Neillsville Flour Mills on O’Neill Creek were erected by Chauncey Blackeslee in 1862, which had water power mill where 50 barrels of flour could be ground in 24 hours. In 1867 addition were made to the mill premise and an engine was substituted for water power and 75 barrels of flour could be ground in 24 hours. The A. S. Leason pump Factory was established in 1880. Mr. Leason’s manufacture embraced all sizes and styles of wooden pumps. Korman & Taplin opened up a Foundry & Machine Shop in 1881. This shop turned out plows, saws and a general run of farming implements. L. ?. Gallager established a planning mill in 1871. This mill was destroyed by fire in 1877. This was immediately rebuilt. His line of manufacture embraced rough and planed lumber, sash, doors, blinds, mouldings (moldings), etc. The Neillsville Brewery was established by William Neverman in 1869. He manufactured 500 barrels of beer per year. In 1856 the first murder to take place in the village of Neillsville happened, when some argument came up between a Moses Clark and William Paulley – Clark claiming that Paulley owed him money. After a much heat argument Paulley drew a revolver and shot Clark. Paulley was indicted for manslaughter, tried, and convicted and sentenced to Waupun. After serving out him (his) term he went to Black River Falls where he died. The residence of Judge O’Neill, son of James O’Neill, one of the early pioneers was considered at that time one of the finest residence of the city. It was erected at a cost of $6,000.00. Judge O’Neill at the time it was built was practicing attorney in Neillsville. This fine residence has since been converted into a hospital. SCHOOLS In the earliest days there was little need of public schools. The early population consisted largely of men. Few women and children did not live in Neillsville until 1855. The settlements were isolated, consisting of a few homes here and there near a mill, and of temporary lumber camps. Neillsville was permanently settled in 1845, but it was not until about 1856 when the first school was opened in the vicinity of Neillsville, about 80 rods from what was known as Gates Corners. Here the children of the village and surrounding country were taught the rudiments of learning by John S. Dore, County Superintendant of Schools, and others, for several years. For a number of years, than later went to California and married. After a few years her husband died, and she married Carl Stange, a widower, who two was an old timer of Neillsville. A few years ago the Wisconsin Federation of Womens’ Club had in essay contest, and our Mrs. Longenecker entered the contest – her essay being on “The Life of Rozella King”, and for this she received first place in the state. RELIGIOUS LIFE: The fur traders who came were of the Catholic faith from Canada. Next came the Mormons. Among the settlers, however, the first services were held by the circuit riders of the Methodist Episcopal faith. In 1867, Rev. {??} Wood, a Methodist clergyman, of Black River Falls, preached the first sermon in Neillsville coming as guest of James O’Neill and preached in his house. For ten years, the people of Neillsville has no regular religious services. Rev. James Cady began visiting in Neillsville once in three weeks, he was in {?} by Rev. John melt and he by Rev. William Carl and these changes continued, the meetings being held at private houses, and such . as could be secured, until 1869, when a neat little church was erected, the lot being the gift of Mrs. James O’Neill. This M. F. Church was erected where the women’s Relief {?} is at the present time. Other churches that had good sized memberships were the Presbyterian, Congressional, {?}, Adventist and Lutheran. The Catholic and Lutheran churches – had and still have private schools connected with the church organization in which the youth are instructed in their particular line of faith. Prominent Early Settlers who came Later: {first few lines unreadable} {?} Sturdevant, E. D. Webster, Levi Archer, Geo. A. Austin, Orson Bacon, William Campbell, J. F. Canon, D. Dickinson, George Lloyd, George Ludington, M. C. Ring, Mr. and Mrs. George Hart, and Rev. & Mrs. George Longenecker. Compiled and written by Mrs. Della Brooks.
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