Langlade County, Wisconsin - Chapter 3, 1922

Chapter 3

Location - Boundary - Population by Comparative Statement - Area - Civil Divisions - Rivers and Streams - County Farm Statistics - Summary of Development.

A relief map of Wisconsin shows that Langlade County is situated in a north central position and is located very near the geographical center of the State. Langlade County is bounded on the north by Oneida and a part of Forest county; on the south by Shawano and a part of Marathon County; on the west by Lincoln County and on the east by Oconto and a part of Forest County. The territory of Langlade County embraces the following governmental sub-divisions viz. all townships numbered 31, 32, 33 and 34 in ranges 9, 10, 11 and 12; also townships numbered 30 in ranges 11 and 12; also townships numbered 31, 32 and 33 in ranges numbered 13 and 14; also the west twelve sections of township numbered 31 in range numbered 15. The ranges all being east of the 4th principal meredian.

This territory before the establishment of Langlade County was a part of the counties of Shawano, Oconto or Lincoln. In another chapter the changes affecting the county from 1880 to date will be discussed. The boundary of Langlade County forms a regular course. Commencing at the northwest corner it runs east twenty-four miles; thence six miles south; thence twelve miles east; thence south twelve miles; thence two miles east, completing the northern boundary; thence six miles south; thence sixteen miles west; thence six miles south; thence twelve miles west; thence six miles north; thence nine and three-fourths miles west and thence twenty-four miles north to the place of beginning. It includes within its borders 876 square miles or 560,640 acres of which approximately 90 per cent is reported for taxation. Non-taxable area includes lakes, rivers and streams.

Population in 1920 - 21,471. The per cent of increase in population is as follows: From 1890 to 1900 - 32.6 per cent; 1900 to 1910 - 35.9 per cent; 1910 to 1920 - 25.8 per cent. This phenomenal growth during a span of forty years is a simple testimonial of what can be expected for the future. The intelligence and initiative of the citizens, their thrift and integrity, the great diversity of industry and occupation, the vast resources, the accessibility of raw materials necessary, but not produced within the borders of Langlade County, the excellent transportation facilities, the splendid network of highways, radiating from Antigo to all sections of the county, prosperous farms, and unsurpassed dairying communities are some of the responsible reasons for a steady, healthy increase in new settlers from year to year.

Rivers, Lakes And Streams

Langlade County is at the door of the great lakes and rivers of tourist fame in Wisconsin. The largest rivers are the Wolf and the Eau Claire {east ana west branches.) These two bodies of water together with numerous creeks, small rivers and rivulets, drain and water the county. The principal river is the Wolf, which has its source in Forest County, flows through Langlade County in a south-easterly direction through the townships of Elcho, Ainsworth, Langlade and Elton. Its receives many rivulets, rivers and creeks, the most important being the Lily River, Hunting River and Pickerel Creek. The Eau Claire river has its headwaters (western branch) in the northwestern section of the county, draining the southeastern part of the Town of Summit, the southwestern part of Upham township and Peck township. The east branch of the Eau Claire river drains the south eastern part of Upham township, all of Neva township and a section of Peck township. It joins the western branch in the northwestern part of section 28 of East Ackley township. The west branch of the Eau Claire river receives Clear Water Creek, and Sucker Creek from the northeast in Peck township and Black Creek from the west in Ackley township. The east branch receives Sucker Creek from Bass Lake in sections 10 and

Other rivers of importance in the county are the Trappe River of the west Ackley township, the Prairie River of north Summit township. Red River of Norwood township, Springbrook, with its headwaters in Neva township, flowing through Antigo township, through the City of Antigo and also through Rolling township. McCloud Creek, Pine River, Lloyd Creek, Pratt Creek, all in the west part of Vilas township, flow in a southwesterly direction.

Government Civil Divisions

Langlade County is subdivided into sixteen civil divisions. They are Summit, Vilas, Elcho, Peck, Neva, Antigo, Ainsworth, Price, Polar, Norwood, Rolling, Langlade, Upham, Evergreen, Elton and Ackley. Elton, the largest civil division is 128 square miles in area. Summit, Upham, Elcho, Ackley, Ainsworth and Langlade are each 72 square miles in area. The other townships, Vilas, Polar, Antigo, Rolling, Norwood, Peck,

Neva, Evergreen and Price are 36 square miles in area respectively. The most densely populated townships are Antigo and Norwood. The most sparsely populated are Summit, Vilas and Ainsworth townships.

This county has some of the most beautiful lakes in the state. The largest lakes are Post, Pickerel, Summit, Enterprise, Richs' or Rolling Stone and Bass Lake. Post Lake is about four miles long. Enterprise Lake is almost two miles at its widest point. Richs' Lake from its farthest northern shore to its most remote southeastern shore is about two miles long. Summit Lake, Bass Lake, Lawrence Lake, Moose Lake, Twin Lakes, Mueller's Lake, Lower Bass Lake and Rose Lake, also White Lake, are all lakes of good size. There are 570 lakes, streams and rivers in the county. The average annual rainfall is about 40 inches and the variations of temperature are from 30 degrees below zero to 90 degrees above (Fahrenheit.)

Langlade County is drained by the St. Lawrence river and the Mississippi river drainage systems, the Wolf river and its tributaries in the former and the Eau Claire (east and west branches) river in the latter.

The information herein does not tell the reader all there is to be known about the geography of Langlade County. Important matters come up every day and there are scores of new things relative to the county with which all intelligent and active citizens should acquaint themselves.

Langlade County is closer to the border of Michigan than to any other state border. It is just southwest of Forest County, touching the Michigan border. There was a day when the county did touch the border line of Michigan before detachments of 1885.

It may be interesting to the student of county history to know that in the State of Wisconsin there are over seven hundred million eggs laid annually of which the hens in Langlade County laid 3,626,080 eggs in 1921. Recent statistics show that in Langlade County there are approximately 42,280 hens laying on an average of 86 eggs each year. Assuming that eggs are retailing at 44 cents per dozen the selling price of all eggs produced in Langlade County is approximately $136,553 annually. Hundreds of crates are shipped from the county to Chicago and other points where they are held in "cold storage" houses. The "candling" of eggs is carried on in the county quite extensively also. Exclusive poultry farms, modern and profitable, are rapidly making their appearance in different townships in the county. This holds good for the future welfare of this particular industry.

Wisconsin is the leading dairy state in the United States. The milk cows of Badgerdom produce an average of over 140 quarts of milk per second. There are 11,518 milk cows in Langlade County producing an average of 4,935 pounds of milk each per year with a total of 50,391,250 pounds of milk during one year.

Langlade County, as we have stated, has a population of 21,471 inhabitants. A quart of milk, weighing two pounds, could be given to every man, woman and child in Langlade County three times per day if the annual total milk production of the county was evenly divided among the people.

The potato industry is the most important in productivity in Langlade County. Some of the largest potato fields under cultivation in Wisconsin are located in Langlade County. The most advanced methods of cultivation are followed by the experts engaged in that phase of agriculture. Homer Beattie, the Prosser Brothers, C. Sorenson, John Morrissey, J. W. Smith, of Kent, Peter Krier and others are well known as leading potato men. There are approximately 4,435 acres of land used for potato cultivation annually in the county. The average yield per acre is 127 bushels. Langlade County holds a rank near the top in the total amount of car loads of potatoes exported yearly. The average annual potato crop is 563,245 bushels. The actual land area of the county is 555,414 acres. Thus the average farm value of an acre of potatoes in Langlade County is $130.81. The reader can gain an idea of the vast potato industry of Wisconsin when it is realized that the county produces but one fiftieth of Wisconsin's total annual yield of 27,200,000 bushels. Langlade County potato growers cultivate about one-sixtieth of the total amount of potato acreage of Wisconsin. Langlade County raises about twenty-five bushels of potatoes for each inhabitant every year. The principal potatoes cultivated in the county are the Rural New Yorkers, Russetts, Triumph, Irish Cobbler, Green Mountain and Early Ohio's and other varieties. Extreme caution is taken in the county to guard against potato blight and the potato beetle. Langlade County growers export seed potato to every section of the United States.

Recent statistics produce the fact that 446 silos are being used in Langlade County. Every year new silos are erected to care for the increasing yields of the farmers. There are now about five hundred silos in the county or one silo to about every fourth farm. Langlade County has 1717 acres annually producing 10,908 tons of corn silage. The figures given are based on a five year average. Thus there are about thirty-six silos in each civil division (section) in the county or an average of nearly one silo to every square mile.

While the county is not in the corn belt of the United States it produces a fair yield of corn used as a grain. There are 704 acres of land, according to statistics producing five year averages, yielding annually in Langlade County 19,800 bushels of grain corn.

make the greatest developments during the next few decades. Since 1855 its area has been gradually, but surely developed into an important and essential part of the great commonwealth of Wisconsin. From the day when the squatters and early homesteaders pushed back the forests from an acre or more of ground, new land has been constantly cleared, broken or drained from year to year. 842 acres of land were cleared or brushed off during the year ending April 1, 1920. The farm value of nineteen principal Langlade County crops during the years 1919 and 1920 were : $2.- 474,422 and $1,927,443. 15,771 acres of land have been added to the total area under cultivation in the county since 1909.

The growth of the county has been gradual and without the "boom" of the mushroom variety. No better index to the general progress of a community could be related that a comparative statement giving figures which cannot be denied and which tell the amazing story of the expansion of the county.

From 137 acres the wild or marsh hay has decreased from 1909 to 1920 to but 97 acres - a sure indication that agriculture is developing scientifically.

A general summary of rural development shows that the county has made rapid increase in production of crops considered grown for strictly commercial purposes.

The first record of tractors used on Langlade County farms was called for by the United States government in 1920. With a return to normal conditions of production and consumption and an equilibrium of price levels the tractor will no doubt be more extensively used.