Langlade County, Wisconsin - Chapter 18, 1922

Chapter 18

The First Farmer - Difficulties and Impediments - Homestead Immigration - Progress - Agricultural Society - First County Fair - Poultry Association - Potato Grower's - Breeder's Associations - Cow Testing - Short Courses - County Agents - Dairying - Patrons of Husbandry.

The beginning of agriculture in Langlade County dates back to the year 1853 when the first permanent white settler located within the limits of the county. The first white settler to clear away a space in the forest on which to cultivate a few crops was W. L. Ackley. Mr. Ackley settled on the northeast quarter of section 28, township 31, range 10 east. Here he cultivated potatoes, corn, and other necessary foodstuffs. In the winter months he busied himself in the forest, where both hardwoods and pine prevailed.

H. C. Fellows, U. S. Deputy Surveyor, surveyed the region about Ackley's place in August, 1860, and reported "good crops on Ackley & Hogarty's farm." Hogarty was never a resident of Langlade County, but was interested in business with Ackley. The vil-

Eau Claire banks were many. Here in this primitive wilderness W. L. Ackley lived until his death in 1894. He was well known and respected by all.

Agriculture developed slowly between 1860 and 1875. Settlers did not arrive in great numbers in that fifteen year period. A man named Boyington had a farm and logging claim on section 4, township 31, range 10 east, and another settler named Stone had a small farm with a number of buildings on the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 9, township 31, range 10 east, in 1860. Boyington left the country because of the depressed state of the lumber market at that time.

THE FIRST LOG C.'\BIN ERECTED I.\ L.\XGL.\DE COLXTY. These cabins on the banks of the Eau Claire river, near the junction of the cast and west branches, were built by W. L. Ackley, the first permanent white settler in Langlade County. Mr. Ackley came up the Eau Claire river in a canoe in 1S53 and was in this county at least eight years before "Old Dutch Frank" of the Wolf River country. He cleared the first farm in the county near the site of the once thriving village of Heineniann.

Mr. Ackley came into Ackley township from Wausau following the course of the Eau Claire river up to the forks of the east and west branches, where he settled. He married a Chippewa Indian maiden' and she proved a capable and thrifty housewife. After erecting his cabin and rude shacks he began the nucleus of the Ackley trading post. This was at his farm. He traded chiefly with the Indians passing over the trails in western Langlade County as well as river drivers, lumbermen and homestead seekers.

Charles Larzelere, driving a span of horses, came down the Military Road from Lac Vieux Desert, border settlement, to the Wolf river country in the winter of 1870-71. He settled on his claim on sections 3 and 10, township 31, range 14 east. Mr. Larzelere erected a small dwelling, made a clearing and cultivated crops the following spring.

Agriculture still progressed slowly. The great forests, where only pine was cut, and the great amount of labor necessary to clear a farm and remove logs and stumpage were the chief obstacles. Poor roads and long distances from trading posts and cities fig- ured as principal impediments. Then the farmer did not have the modern equipment of the agriculturist of 1922. Markets were lacking, therefore no incentive to produce more than needed for family consumption was stimulated. Natural meadows were often found for hay and grasses.

The giant forests abounded in game, deer, bear and wild fowl of every description. The streams were filled with fish. When the pioneer farmer and settler desired meats for his table he took his rifle or by use of his traps supplied the family wants with the choicest meats.

The pioneer relied chiefly on his own resources. He could not do otherwise. The housewife aided her husband clear ground and cultivate crops; she knitted his mittens and sox and made his home comfortable and cheerful. As time passed the housewife became the patron of the trading post or village stores of Antigo, which became a fair settlement in 1881. The farmer began to cultivate hay, timothy, clover and truck products. He became more scientific. Livestock became more common and a general change from the methods of 1853 to those of 1922 gradually took place. His neighbors became numerous, forests thinned, a greater acreage was tilled and, in short, the farm community became a reality.

County Agricultural Society

The Langlade County Agricultural Society was organized August 21, 1886, under the laws of Wisconsin. A mass meeting of citizens was held at which a committee was selected to draw up a constitution and by-laws, which were adopted. Charles Gowan, prominent farmer, and A. B. Millard, publisher, were elected President and Secretary respectively. The first county fair was held October 4 and 5, 1886, at the old Opera House. W. H. Hoard, later Governor of Wisconsin, was the principal speaker.

The success of the first fair created greater interest in the agricultural possibilities of the new county and steps were at once taken to secure permanent grounds for an annual exhibition. The County Board appropriated $1,500 for which a site of 40 acres was purchased. In June, 1887, $1,000 was appropriated by the county for erecting buildings and by October 1, 1887, a fine exhibition building was erected for $1,300. Agriculture exhibitions have been supported since; farmers and citizens generally have taken a keen interest in the annual fair and its success is a source of civic pride. The fair is now held three days, usually early in September. Present officers are : President, John Bowen; Vice President, A. L. Hayner; Secretary, Henry Berner; Treasurer, Leonard Freiburger, Sr. ; Executive Committee, all officers, together with W. H. Wegner, R. S. Healy, Sr., James McKenna and John O'Brien. Officers are elected annually.

Dairying And Horticulture

Langlade County is rapidly forging to the front in Wisconsin as a distinctive dairying district. The increased demand for milk and butter by the rapidly growing urban population and the large number of cheese factories in the county have created a rivalry and continued development in the industry.

James Cherf, Ed H. Marsh and other horticulturists in the county will organize a Langlade County Horticultural Society in 1922. The cultivation of fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants can be practiced in Langlade County for commercial as well as pleasure purposes.

Bee Keepers' Association

The Langlade County Bee Keepers' Association was organized in 1918. Then it was known, however, as the Northwestern association. Reorganization took place January 14, 1921, when the name was changed to the present. Meetings are held annually with intervening special sessions. Officers are a President, now James Cherf, who owns a large orchard and farm east on Fifth Avenue, Antigo; Vice President, Otto Klessig; Secretary, Mrs. D. A. Blanchard, 825 Langlade Road; Treasurer, Otto Wirth, Rolling township. Board of Directors, D. A. Blanchard, chairman, Herman Wirth and Joseph Ramer. James Cherf, E. H. Marsh and H. H. Schroeder were active in organization of the association.

Cow Testing Association

The Langlade County Cow Testing Association was active from 1913 to 1918 inclusive. It was reorganized in January, 1915, by F. G. Swoboda, County Agent. Testing was performed by an expert responsible jointly to the local association and the State Dairyman's Association. Eight farmers at Friebel's school. Peck township, and twelve at Elcho weighed their milk regularly and made monthly tests.

Short Course For Boys

That the young man might acquaint himself with scientific methods of modern farming, short courses were held in townships and at the court house since 1915. Then three were held - one at Friebel's school. Peck township, attended by twenty-five; one at Phlox, Norwood township, attended by fifty-four, and another, a six weeks' course, at the court house, attended by eleven. The course was continued at the court house while the County Agents were retained. They are now conducted under the auspices of the County Normal.

The County Agricultural Representative movement, born in Oneida County, Wisconsin, has expanded over the entire nation. Langlade County has had three County Agents. The first, F. G. Swoboda, now General Manager of the Wisconsin Cheese Federation, commenced duties in 1913.

During his tenure in office, 75 meetings were held the first ten months. In the same time 395 farms were visited, 2,726 letters were written to farmers, 2,113 of- fice visits were made by farmers and 41 committee meetings were attended. The pure bred cattle organizations, short courses, cow testing association, community fairs, bee keepers' association and potato growers' association, were either organized or developed during his tenure. He resigned in June, 1918.

J. J. Garland, Emergency Demonstration Agent, took up the work after the resignation of F. G. Swoboda. During his regime potato growers were induced to treat seed before planting; membership in the potato growers' association was increased; Dr. Ball, State Entomologist, examined potato fields attacked by leaf hoppers; boys' and girls' clubs were organized in 29 schools; 272 members joined the sheep club; poultry contests were conducted; a land clearing demonstration was held in Little Chicago district, sheep raising was encouraged and in 1918, 26 pure bred sires, 5 Guernseys and 12 Holstein breeds were brought into the county through the agent.

W. M. Bewick took charge of the County Agency in April, 1918. During his tenure, 3,345 letters were written to farmers, 1,849 conferences were held, 151 days were spent in field work, the township agricultural committee system was partially operative, land clearings, live stock improvement, potato inspection, sheep club work, calf clubs, and poultry contests were conducted. Mr. Bewick resigned in November, 1920.

Potato Growers

The Langlade County Potato Growers' Association was organized in 1914. The most enthusiastic members of the unit are: Homer Beattie, J. W. Smith of Kent, famous for his Smith strain of Triumphs, best in the U. S., Peter Krier and C. Sorenson. Local exhibits have been conducted, the most important in 1916. The association has not been active in late years. There is no reason why Langlade County should not be the banner potato county.

Pure Bred Cattle Organizations

Langlade County has three pure bred cattle organizations, whose objects are to promote and improve the quality of stock possessed by Langlade County farmers.

The Langlade County Jersey Breeders' Association was organized in March, 1914, by F. G. Swoboda, County Agent. First officers were: President, Blaine Stewart; Vice President, Harry Lyons; Secretary, P. T. Gillett; Treasurer, Charles Schotte. Present officers are: President, Charles Schotte; Vice President, Harry Lyons; Secretary, John Maichen; Treasurer, A. Oldenburg. The first meeting was held at the court house. Twenty members are now active.

The Langlade County Holstein Breeders' Association was organized by F. G. Swoboda, County Agent, in 1915. First officers were : President, George Wunderlich; Vice President, Walter Lloyd; Secretary, F. G. Swoboda ; Treasurer, Adam Guenthner. First meetings were held at the court house. Business sessions are held in the winter and an annual summer outing and picnic is enjoyed. Present officers are: President, Henry Diercks, Bryant; Vice President, Theodore Miller, Antigo township; Secretary, Clemans Bemis, Rolling township; Treasurer, Adam Guenthner. Thirty-five progressive breeders are members of the organization.

The Langlade County Guernsey Breeders' Association was organized in May, 1915. First officers chosen were : President, Anton FoUstad ; G. Schroeder, Treasurer; F. G. Swoboda, Secretary. Present officers are: President, R. P. Guptil; Secretary-Treasurer, Anton Follstad. Eighteen Guernsey breeders in Langlade County are members.

Poultry Association Organized

The Langlade County Poultry Association was organized by A. B. Goodrick and E. J. Goodrick, November 12, 1912. The object of the association is to encourage and assist breeding and raising pure bred poultry, pigeons and pet stock and the public exhibition thereof.

Four factors are considered in soil fertility. The crop producing ability of a soil depends upon the amount of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potash and acidity there is in the soil.

Soil tests have been made by the state soils laboratory. University of Wisconsin. Field examinations and chemical analysis was made by H. W. Ullsperger and E. J. Graul of the College of Agriculture. Tests were made on the following farms : Carl Follstad, George Moss, Casper Jilek, Walter Heyl, Joseph Guenthner, S. B. Ullman, H. W. McDougall, Earl French, Homer Beattie, D. C. Dewey, Herman Wirth, Prosser Brothers, Charles Johnson, Charles Motts, William Pheister, Head & Jackson, Edward Nordman, B. Berendsen, Moss & Levis, George Grossman, E. S. Tradewell, Albert Kelly and Knight Brothers.

In 1909, 30,000 acres of land were under cultivation in the county. In 1910, 128,828 acres were such as to be classed as farm lands. Ten years later farm lands increased to 152,683 acres, or an increase of 27.3 per cent. In 1920 there were 5,833 acres of county plow land in pasture. Statistics reveal that in 1920 there were 1,842 farms in the county, 1,776 of which were managed by their owners. Today Langlade County has farms classified as follows : 775 farms between 50 to 99 acres; 368 farms between 100 to 174 acres; 49 farms between 175 to 259 acres; 24 farms between 260 to 499 acres; 4 farms between 500 to 990 acres; 2 farms over 1,000 acres; 7 farms under 3 acres; 34 farms between 3 and 9 acres; 76 farms between 10 and 19 acres and 503 farms between 20 and 49 acres.

The average Langlade County farm is 82I2 acres. Contrast the number of farms in the county in 1922 with the year 1881 when there were two-thirds less inhabitants in the county than there are farms today.

Although the entire acreage of Langlade County is far from under cultivation there is not a great amount of waste land. Agriculture is diversified, farmers not being confined to one single crop, therefore they must not rely on the results of one product.

The first thresher used in Langlade County was bought by Willard L. Ackley, the first settler, in 1883. from the J. C. Lewis Hardware Company of Antigo.

Patrons Of Husbandry

active grange centers in the United States. At the 1922 session of the Wisconsin Granges at Rhinelander, Oneida County, Wisconsin, Langlade County grange leaders took a prominent part.

Edward Utnehmer, Polar Township, member of Polar Grange, is State Overseer; Chaplain of the state unit is J. H. Howe of Winner Grange, Antigo township; Gatekeeper of the state unit is Floyd Frederickson of Antigo, and Fred Swenson of Langlade County is a member of the state executive committee.

Pomona Grange, No. 20, Patrons of Husbandry, was organized by State Organizer John F. Wilde. Rhinelander. The Pomona Grange is the parent unit over the subordinate granges in Langlade County. Its purpose is to solidify subordinate granges for mutual helpfulness and to discuss such questions of general benefit tending to educate and elevate the Langlade County farmer.

The present Master is Fred Swenson; H. H. Schroeder is Overseer; Alex Henry, Treasurer; Mrs. Cora Utnehmer, Secretary; Chaplain, Mrs. Fred Swenson; Lecturer, Mrs. Jess Dudley. Trustees are P. T. Gillett, H. H. Schroeder and Otto Hanke. Meetings are held every two months at a designated subordinate grange and occur on the fourth Thursday.

The Langlade County Fair Association has held races in connection with its annual agricultural exhibitions sitice 1886. The old Antigo Trotting Association was the first organization to use the race track.