Langlade County, Wisconsin - Chapter 5, 1922

Chapter 5

Under Rule of Four Nations - Spain, France, Great Britain and U. S. - Territorial Government - Land Districts Created in 1834 - County of New Organized by S. A. Taylor - Langlade County Created in 1881 - First County Board - Public Buildings - Opposition to Boundary Changes - Boundary Error - First County Officials - County of Keeps - Territorial Changes 1881-1885-

The territory comprising Langlade County has served successively under the flags of four powerful nations, Spain, France, Great Britain and the United States. Originally a part of the Northwest territory, it became a part of Indiana district in 1800. In 1809 it became a part of Michigan territory, detached from Illinois territory, and was governed by William Henry Harrison. Not until 33 years after Wisconsin was admitted into the union was Langlade County established.

Long before the advent of the white man in Langlade County, there were no land claims made upon the federal government to affect this region. The Green Bay land district, created June 26, 1834, by an act of Congress, did not include Upper or Northern Wisconsin. Thus the reader can realize that for nearly a half century more, until 1855, Langlade County was a paradise of nature, unmarred by the woodman's axe; a virgin forest where God's cattle fed "upon a thousand hills;" where streams and glacial lakes abounded unmolested in fish and game; a country where the melodious warble of the feathered songster intermingled with the soft sigh of the giant pine.

The founder of Langlade County was Squire A. Taylor, a well educated and progressive c'tizen of Lily, Langlade township. He was engaged in lumber and logging operations for years on the Wolf and Lily rivers. It was he who changed the name of the little village to New. He led an eventful life and was one of the picturesque pioneers of Wisconsin's wild north. He passed away at the old Springbrook House, Antigo land mark, February 22, 1902. Through the efforts of Squire A. Taylor, the Committee on Town and County Organization of the State Legislature recommended the passage of Chapter 114, Laws of 1879, creating the "County of New."

The county was named "New" because it was a New County if we are to take the statements of pioneers, and Chicago officials of railroad concerns as accurate.*

In 1882, S. A. Taylor, Founder of Langlade County, attempted to organize the County of Keeps. The proposed county would include all of Langlade County as it then existed except Norwood and Rolling townships. They were to be evacuated and attached to Shawano

* New County was organized when Marinette County was created. It was attached to Shawano County for County and Judicial purposes- The Act of Organizing New County was approved February 27. 1879.

County. The bill was introduced in the Wisconsin Legislature by Mr. H. Button, who opposed it. The Lost Nation was included in the proposed county. In March, 1883, at the time of the defeat of Keeps County, the Lost Nation was attached to Langlade County. In 1884 Taylor tried to organize Matt Carpenter County. It was defeated by the State Legislature.

Langlade County was named in honor of Sieur Charles De Langlade, brave and impulsive leader of the French and Indians, who has been heralded as the first citizen of Wisconsin. In February, 1880, the legislature passed an act changing the name of New, to Langlade County. The change was proposed by Lyman C. Draper, Secretary of the State Historical Society. One year later, February 19, 1881, the boundaries of Shawano, Oconto and Langlade counties were changed. The County of Langlade was created and perfected and "certain towns were therein established." Langlade County included : "All that portion of the counties of Shawano, Oconto and Langlade, within the following boundaries, to-wit: Commencing at the southwest corner of township 30 north, range 11 east of the 4th principal meridian, running thence north on range line between ranges 10 and 11, to the third correction line, thence east on the said correction line to the southwest corner of township 31, range 11 east, thence north on range line between ranges 10 and 11 of the 4th correction line; thence west on the said correction line to the southwest corner of township 41 of range 11 east; thence north on range line between ranges 10 and 11 to the Michigan-Wisconsin boundary line; thence southeasterly on said boundary line to the range line, between ranges 14 and 15 east of the 4th principal meridian; thence south on said range line to the 4th correction line; thence east on the said correction line to the northeast corner of township 40 of range 14 east; thence south on range line between ranges 14 and 15 to the southeast corner of township 34, range 14 east; thence west on the town line between townships 33 and 34 to the northeast corner of township 33, range 12 east; thence south on range line between ranges 12 and 13 to the third correction line; thence west on said correction line to the northeast corner of township 30, north, range 12 and 13 east, to the town line between townships 29 and 30; thence west on said town line to the place of beginning.

Section 3 of the act creating Langlade County specifically granted all rights, powers and privileges legally granted other counties to Langlade. Section 4 stipulated that within ten days after passage and publication of the act of organization Governor J. M. Rusk shall appoint in and for Langlade County all officials excepting the Chairman and members of the County Board.

County officers appointed were to hold offices until the first Monday in January, 1883, until their successors were elected and qualified. County Superintendent and County Judge held office until the first Monday in January, 1882.

The salaries of the first officers of Langlade County were fixed as follows : County Clerk) - $600; County Treasurer - $600; County Judge - $100; County Superintendent o f Schools - $300 ; District Attorney - $100. The first Langlade County officers were : County Judge - J. W. Morse; District Attorney - George W. Latta; Circuit Judge - George H. Meyers of Appleton; Clerk of Court - D. S. Olmsted; Sheriff - Charles Herman; County Clerk - J. J. Simpson; County Treasurer - F. A. Deleglise; County Supt. of Schools - George Ratcliffe; Register of Deeds - R Gee ; Coroner

41 and fractional part township 42 of ranges 11 and 12 east; Carpenter township consisted of townships 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 and fractional township 41 of ranges 13 and 14 east.

A study of the map of Wisconsin indicates that the towns enumerated extended to the state boundary and included parts of Forest, Oneida and Vilas Counties, as they now exist. The county was not permitted to raise more than $1,500 in any one of the first five years.

First Town Meetings

The first annual town meetings were held strictly according to legal provisions. Norwood and Rolling townships held their first assemblages in places previously provided by the

13 east. The farm house of Louis Motzfeldt was the scene of the first town meeting in Gagen township. Motzfeldt's place was located at Freedenland, near Post Lake, on section 26, township 35, range 12 east.

Langlade County was divided into six townships, Rolling, Norwood, Antigo, Polar, Carpenter and Gagen. Rolling consisted of township 30, N. of Range 11 east; Norwood consisted of township 30 North of Range 12, east; Antigo township consisted of townships 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 and 37, all of range 11 east; Polar township consisted of townships 31, 32 and 33 North of Range 12 east and townships 34 of ranges 12, 13 and 14 east; Gagen township consisted of townships 35, 36 and 37 North of range 12 east and township 38, 39, 40,

County Supervisors Meet

The first County Board meeting was held at Niels Anderson's store on the first Tuesday in May, 1881. As Langlade County was a vast wilderness, extending to the state line, it was difficult for the more remote Supervisors to get to the county seat to attend this historic session. These were days before the advent of the railroad. Indian trails and tote roads were few and the country used as many oxen as horses. Neverthe-less these delegates of the hardy pioneer homesteaders diligently attended to their duties at the crucial moments when the moulding of a county destined

The Supervisors present at the first session were Dan Gagen of Gagen township; J. Jansen of Norwood township; James Quinn of Rolling township; A. Van Zile of Carpenter township; J. Schufeldt of Polar township and V. Simmons of Antigo township. Mr. Jansen was elected first Chairman of the Board.

Bonds Of Officials Fixed

The oath of office was administered by Niels Anderson, who climbed the rough stairs leading to the second floor of his log cabin, to act. The first act of the Supervisors was to fix the bond of county officers in the following sums: County Clerk - $5,000; County Surveyor - $1,000; County Superintendent - $1,000;

The First Court House

Until the county provided suitable buildings it was necessary to hold court, board meetings and house officials in the tiny hall and dingy rooms over the old Niels Anderson store. The hall was plainly furnished with "three tables, four common chairs and two rocking chairs." These quarters cost $250 annually. But the progress of Langlade County was the inspiring motive of its pioneer builders and immediate plans were made for a court house. The county seat was at once officially established by ordinance on the west I2 of the NW I4 of Section 29, Township 31 N, Range 11 E. A. Van Zile and James Quinn, Supervisors, and three citizens at large - Charles Herman, architect, Henry St. Louis and George Ratcliffe, were selected to draft specifications and ascertain feasible

The first County Board appointed George D. Ratcliffe, "A committee to act as Purchasing Agent." The resolution, introduced by Supervisor V. Simijions, gave the Purchasing Agent power to "purchase and contract for all books, blanks, safes, stationery, fuel, furniture, lights, etc., for the use of county officers as provided by law." He was authorized and did secure a county seal for county officers and courts. Bills and contracts rendered were reported by Mr. Ratcliffe at the first session thereafter. - He was retained until May 19, 1881.

Chairman Jansen appointed five committees as follows : Finance - Dan Gagen, A. Van Zile and V. Simmons; Pauper Accounts - James Quinn and V. Simmons; Sheriff, Constable's and Justice's Claims - J. Schufeldt and Dan Gagen; Public Property - Dan Gagen and A. Van Zile; Roads and Bridges - James Quinn and Dan Gagen.

plans for securing funds to erect a court house. The committee reported in June, 1881, proposing a $5,000 building. The board delayed the matter until August, 1881, when they adopted the committee's report to erect a court house at $3,000. Immediate steps were taken to prepare for the contractor, E. A. Stickney. The court house square was cleared of dead trees, decayed windfalls and brush. Three county bonds of $1,000 denominations bearing 8 per cent interest annually were issued and $500 was at once levied as a direct tax to pay interest charges. The building committee, James Quinn, G. W. Latta, Eli Waste, V. Simmons and G. D. Ratcliffe, was appointed August 4, 1881. The first court house was completed in May, 1882.

The Present Court House

Langlade County, making wonderful development each decade, since 1879, needed a modern court house to keep in accord with its growth otherwise. The first court house served continuously for over a quarter of a century. The present commodious court house was erected by the Prince Construction Co., Minneapolis, Minn., and accepted March 30, 1905, on recommendation of L. E. Frederickson, County Superintendent of Construction. The first proposal to build came in November 1903. On January 19, 1904, a remonstrance signed by many citizens urged the erection of a building not to exceed $60,000 in costs.

George W. Hill, John Byrne, M. D. Besse, Chris Wunderlich and H. C. Stewart, building committee, succeeded in having the archiect lower the cost $28,000. Three separate bids were called for February 16, 1904. District Attorney Max Hoffman, John Byrne, Geo. W. Hill, T. W. Hogan, Edward Cleary, committeemen, selected to approve plans and specifications, recommended a court house not to cost more than $75,000. The third committee was then appointed consisting of Leonard Frieburger, Sr., Chris Wunderlich, George W. Hill and H. C. Stewart. New plans were secured and a contract was virtually entered into with Schmidt Bros, of Superior, when the entire project was thrown back to the place of beginning.

The Prince Construction Company was paid $71,080 for the court house. The building committee in charge of the work was composed of the following: L. D. Hartford, John Byrne, W. J. Knott and L. F. Culver. Kinney & Detweiler of Minneapolis were the architects. V. P. Rath, County Clerk, and R. J. Morgan, Chairman of the County Board, for the county and C. E. Prince, President of the Prince Construction Company signed the contract. District Attorney Hoffman and A. J. Nowotny were signatory witnesses.

Port Wing Brown stone was used in body construction. The two base courses are made of raindrop stone. The court house contains the office of Municipal Judge, Circuit Judge, court room, offices of Clerk of Court, Court Reporter, Register of Deeds, County Judge, Superintendent of Schools, County Treasurer, Highway Commissioner, County Clerk and law library. It is situated in block 13, City of Antigo. It is surrounded by the most beautiful park in Langlade County.

The first County Board passed an ordinance selecting James Quinn, J. Jansen and J. Schufeldt as a committee to draw plans and let a contract for building a "lock-up or jail" for Langlade County. It was specified that the jail not exceed $150 in costs and should be erected in the court yard. The committee entered into a contract with J. W. Morse, Norwood township, June 15, 1881, for the erection of a log jail 16x20 feet and nine feet high. Lumber and shingles were purchased from F. A. Deleglise and paid for out of the $150. What was left went to contractor Morse. James Quinn accepted the jail for Langlade County, in August, 1881. It cost $4.00 to clear the land of trees, debris and brush before the erection of this rude jail.

Antigo grew miraculously from 1879 to 1886. As a consequence law enforcement became more hazardous and law breakers became more numerous. The old jail was inadequate. It did not provide for a Sheriff's residence.

Pat Murphy of Deerbrook, a character of pioneer days, when confined in the log jail for some trivial offense, would climb over the transom over the door and run up to 5th Avenue through the woods, shouting that the jail was on fire. The old volunteers would rush to the log jail put out the fire, presumably started by Pat, and return to their routine work. This demonstrates the security of the first jail.

January 9, 1885, Charles Gowan, Henry Peters, Walter Guile, E. Raddatz, and Joseph Duchac were selected from the County Board as a building committee to erect a new jail. Bids were received until February 4, 1885. The contract for a two story combined jail and Sheriff's residence was let to J. E. Clancy for $7,000 in bonds of $500 denominations were issued by the county at 7 per cent interest for ten years to meet the cost. The new jail was accepted by the final committee, Ed. Daskam, E. R. Van Buran and W. H. Dawley, January 1, 1886. The cells were placed by Pauly Jail Bldg. & Supply Co., St. Louis, Mo. The Sheriff is the custodian of the county jail.

The territorial changes affecting Langlade County were made between 1883 and 1885. The legislature detached the territory in ranges 13 and 14 and the west 12 sections of township 31 from Shawano County, known as the Lost Nation and attached the same to Langlade County in 1883. Territory cut from Langlade County by the Provisions of Chapter 7, laws of 1881, was also attached to Langlade County. In 1885 the state legislature again directed the territory in township 31, range 14 and 15 east, known as the Lost Nation be detached from Shawano County and attached to Langlade County. In 1885, Chapter 436, laws of Wisconsin, detached territory in ranges 9 and 10 from Lincoln County and attached the same to Langlade County (Ackley, Peck, Upham and Summit townships.) Forest County was created in 1885 from the territory north of the present northern Langlade County boundary. For the story of "The Lost Nation and its Chiefs" consult the history of Langlade township.

The County Board on February 7, 1882, met in special session and passed a resolution opposing any changes and attempted disturbances in boundary lines and declared itself not in favor either of detachments or additions of territory to Langlade County. January 10, 1883, a similar resolution was passed after introduction by Supervisor H. Peters. Copies were sent to Assemblymen and Senators.

Boundary Error In Statutes

Chapter 2, section 5, paragraph 5, Wisconsin Laws of 1898, gives a description of Langlade County commencing at the southwest corner of township 31, range 9 east and describing Langlade County correct with this exception: "thence south on section lines to the township line between townships 30 and 31 ; thence west to the place of beginning. This description cut off Norwood and Rolling townships. It was not discovered and changed until 1907 when E. F. Nelson, Rolling township, represented Langlade County in the Assembly. Legally Assemblyman Nelson did not represent Langlade County because he was a resident of a township that for nine years was inadvertantly cut off from the county.