Langlade County, Wisconsin - Chapter 4, 1922

Chapter 4

After the great war of the rebellion the dense unbroken wilderness of Upper Wisconsin was explored by an almost unceasing army of timber estimators, lumbermen, prospectors and homestead seekers. With the construction of the Military Road through Ainsworth, Langlade and Elton Townships, the opening of Eastern Langlade County began. With the pioneer came the saw mill. As the result the heavy timbered hills and valleys where once only the red man and wild

Brave and courageous were the families that moved into this country infested with wild animals and Indians. In early years our first settlers, particularly in Norwood Township and the Wolf River Country came into this land of hope after enduring many hardships from long exposure. The journey was always lodern Langlade County farm with its pure bred cattle and lu.xuriant meadows, presenting a vivid contrast to the log cabin of the old homesteader of nearly a half century ago.

What a contrast today. Then the Indian was master of the land. Where his camp fire burned brightly in the valley, on the plains and hilltops, we see hundreds of cultivated farms today. We see the ideal farmhouse with its water works and electric lights, its automobile garage, machine shop, huge barns and tractor sheds and silos, where once the Indian tepee comforted the restless and impulsive red man. Where the Indian made his temporary abode, we find today prosperous farms and contented communities, factories and mills, churches and schools. Instead of the old Indian trails over which mail and provisions had to be "toted" or "man packed" from Shawano, Wausau or Appleton, the nearest trading points, we have today tiresome and tedious. Travel was done with oxen or horses and the wagons were crude and heavy. Many miles of wilderness were passed. The rough corduroy roads were few and boggy. Many a pioneer wagon that trekked into this country was upset or damaged due to miry roads or pits. Some pioneers did not even have a wagon or cart with a yoke of oxen, but trudged along on foot, carrying their personal belongings on their backs. Such jourreys lasted days and days. Langlade County's first settlers suffered hardships, trials and tribulations of which the present generation is not at all familiar. Many a family lost one of their loved ones after they had staked their claim in the woods of the county. Very often on the journey children would become ill and not having any medical attention close at hand would die. In such

Before the Civil War, white men penetrated Langlade County. From 1870 to 1890, this part of Wisconsin, which had long been looked upon as adapted for nothing but the undisturbed home of the Indian and the journeys of venturesome speculators, became the mecca for immigrants from every section south and east of Wisconsin. The belief that this country possessed only one factor of wealth - its pineries - became a myth. With the death of that idea, there was born a new period of expansion - in upper Wisconsin, which wonderfully contributed to the development of Langlade County. In the period of 1870-1875, after the trail of the Pine hunter had been blazed, hardy sons of toil, whose greatest asset was health and muscle, began to erect log cabins, "Homes of Peace and Plenty." Thus began the settlement of the picturesque new north, with Antigo, then an unrealized ideal, and Langlade County, as the pivotal point of progress.

The pioneer cabins and shacks were often times separated by miles of unbroken virgin forests. This loneliness naturally made the homesteaders and squatters very hospitable and cordial. Visitors were always welcome and were given the best that the little cabins could afford. Everyone was neighborly and a spirit of mutual helpfulness approaching perfection was manifest. They were kind and always willing to lend a helping hand to any settlers in distress. Mrs. Anna Morrissey, daughter of Mrs. F. A. Deleglise, has told how her mother would go long distances to aid and comfort some sick person. It was truly a land of equality here in the wilderness. No racial distinctions, no sects, creeds, coteries of people secluded - but all on one common plane. Sometimes we think that in our day of extolled progress and civilization we have attained the acme of benevolence, but the christian charity of the pioneer far surpassed that of society today.

When notice that an itinerant preacher would be in the county to dwell upon the gospel the pioneer settlers would come from miles around to hear him. Some came on foot, horseback, horse and wagon, and with oxen carts, all eager to participate in the worship of God.

The cabin or shacks of the first settlers were made of logs, sometimes covered with boards. The crude dwellings were usually of three rooms, all comfortably but plainly equipped. Rough sawed lumber was used for flooring. The settlers would store their winter supplies in the cabin. There are still many log cabins used in Langlade County and while the log cabin was the start of prosperity for the county, it holds a high place among those things worthy of historical preservation.

Neighbors were not plenty but they made up a lack of numbers by a hearty good wholesome exchange of courtesies and "good turns." When the long winter evenings arrived, the oxen were hitched to the "jumper" and the buxom lads and lassies "snugged in" and sought a neighbor's cabin by sleigh road winding through the forest, slow, it is true, but speed was not desired as so much of the fun was "being together." When the turnouts would arrive at their destination, the occupants of the cabin home would cordially greet them and all would make merry while games, music on the old organ, accordian, or violin was enjoyed.

The howl of the timber wolf often broke forth near the pioneer cabin accompanying the master of the accordian or the old violinist. It is different today. The wolf has been pushed back by civilization and but in few places can his bark be heard. Time has brought forth a wonderful change in the past forty years or more.

Forty Years Ago

With all its drawbacks the pioneer log cabin was a happy home. As saw mills became numerous the doors and floors of the log cabins were made of rough wood. With trade increasing the prosperity of the homesteaders and pioneers became more apparent and frame dwellings were erected. Many of the cabins In the county were covered by clapboards slit from native timber and weighted down by poles.

It was not uncommon for the pioneer settlers to sleep out under the boughs of a forest tree during the time when a cabin was. being "rolled up." The oxen or mules were then allowed to graze in the forest natural clearings around the temporary camping place. Many of the pioneers were without funds to purchase any of the luxuries of that time. Even if they did have funds the trading posts were so far away that it was only with great difficulty and trouble that even necessities were purchased. Courage and unlimited energy were the chief assets of the first settlers.

Once a cabin home was started it was but a few days before it was completed. Two to three families often settled in the various townships in groups. Thus by mutual assistance many of the trials and hardships were successfully coped with. Food was usually "toted" in to the new-comers, but before then they were compelled to gather wild berries, herbs, kill wild game, the deer, rabbits, ducks, prairie chickens and other wild animals of which there was then an abundance.

Some of the old cabins first rolled up are yet in - existence. If the decaying logs of these old land marks could tell the story of their existence history would be much more interesting. The days when the "bee" or the log rolling was conducted were important to the first settlers. It was a courtesy generally respected by all, for every able bodied man who lived within an easy walking or "ridin' distance" to attend the bee or log raising event. He was expected to assist the new settler about to become his neighbor in the all important task of erecting his little domain in the wilderness. If the new settler lived in a section of the county where a number of pioneers could gather quickly the occasion was made a distinct social feature.

The hardy men folks would busy themselves throughout the entire day felling the trees, trimming, sawing and hauling the logs to the site of the proposed cabin. Oxen were often used to aid in hauling the logs. When the logs were placed in proper position the cracks in the walls were filled with moss, sticks, mud and plaster, if it could be obtained. This prevented the wind and rain from entering into the cabin home.

When the work would be about complete the pioneers attending the "bee" or log raising would feast out in the open air. The women folks were as essential at such a pioneer gathering as were the men, for the hard labor was forgotten as the feasting and merriment connected with the event began.

The first pioneers did not have furniture such as is found in the modern home of Langlade County today. In fact only the necessary articles were found in the homes of the homesteaders and other pioneers. When they came into the country the roads were nothing but trails and it was thus very hard to bring any furniture with them except those things absolutely necessary. Many of the household necessities were made by the older boys or the father. Chairs usually consisted of stools or benches made out of rough material secured in the forests.

During the week's labor the father of a family found it difficult to make ends meet, so to speak, and as money was not plentiful he was always anxious to barter commodities. Thus after a church session on Sunday the people would stand around trading produce, exchanging one article for another which they needed most. The people supported the church by sending in corn, potatoes, rutabagas, cord wood, etc., to the pastor. If they subscribed to a paper the editor often allowed them to pay for the subscription in some product of the homestead. And it was for a long time that produce was regarded equally with money as the standard of value.

The cabins of the early settlers were exceptionally simple. Nothing but needed household articles could be found. No art decorations or beautiful paintings adorned the walls of these homes.