Langlade County, Wisconsin - Chapter 29, 1922

Chapter 29

The Unwritten Literature of the Pioneer - Charles McFarland, Wolf River Country Writer - Rev. Carl Nagel, Poet - Rev. A. Grimm and Writings - May Napier Burkhart Poems - Paul Swanson Short Stories - Margaret Ashmun - George Hutchins - Pioneer Art - Early Langlade County Artists - The Pioneer Singing Bee - Antigo's First Singing Master - Neighborhood Entertainments - The Village Church and Log School Centers of Music - The Quintet Club of 1883 - The Forest City Band of 1884 - Aeolian Band and Orchestra - Antigo Cornet Band - Antigo City Band - Orchestras - Musicians Association - Radio - "Music in the Air."

None of the writers of Langlade County have made literature a profession. Those who have written have done so at leisure - more for amusement and pastime. In the pioneer history of Langlade County there is the unwritten literature of the public address, the debates on local questions, the verbal thoughts and ideas of the county orators - all of which had a beneficial influence on our early citizens. The early churches, music halls and pioneer "gatherin' places" would often resound with the eloquence of the civic leader, the political leader and the reformer.

Charles McFarland was the earliest of pioneer writers. He was prominent in the development of the county. During his term as Chairman of Wolf River township (Evergreen township) he contributed articles to local newspapers commenting in his characteristic style on county progress. Mr. McFarland started a historical story dealing with the pioneer settlers of the Wolf River Country. It has never been published.

The Rev. Carl Nagel, Pastor of the Unity Evangelical Church, who was born at Port Washington, Wis., September 28, 1873, has composed several poems, many of which have been given national circulation. "The Amateur Sportsman," a delightful poem of a fisherman, and "Farewell to the Lake" were published in Outers Magazine. But recently a poem, "Is It Nothing to You," depicting the misery and the starvation of the Armenian children was officially adopted by the Near East Relief campaign and was widely distributed during the relief drive. Rev. Nagel has translated songs for publication from English to German and vice versa. He has composed many other poems of a patriotic, benevolent or charitable nature.

The Rev. A. Grimm was born in Petershagen, Kreis, Schevelbein, Pommern, Germany, January 18, 1864, and came to Antigo as Pastor of the Peace Lutheran Church in 1891. Rev. Grimm was an author of note, whose books were read all over the United States and elsewhere. In his early years his books were published under the non de plume of Alfred Ira. His works were written in German, but several were translated into English. His books include: Der Pastor's Nachlass, which was so used that four editions were required. Das Stiefmutterschen, Dodai, Unter Uns, Unter dem Apfelbaum, Bilder aud dem Reisepredigerleb - all stories of his German missions close to Antigo. Sommerfaiden, Der Missionplatz, Aus der Alter Kaffeemuehle, Liebe, Im Zukerbusch, Ehwuerden Nudel, Wenn Mann's Gut Meint Gemutlich, Gotthold I and II, Der Prachtjunge are others of his work, of which many are in the Antigo Library. Rev. Grimm also wrote many plays in both English and German for enactment by church organizations. Rev. Grimm died February 12, 1922, following an attack of paralysis. He attained greater success in his literary work than any other Langlade County resident.

May Napier Burkhart, a graduate of the Langlade County Normal and a public school teacher, has written many poems, the first of which appeared in the local press when she was fourteen years old. Invariably they are of the Walt Mason type and deal with contemporary topics. More important of h?r poems have been: "Money in the Bank," "Aunt Sarah's First Basket Ball Game," "Hunting a House" and "Daily Habit."

Margaret Ashmun, once a teacher in the Antigo Public Schools, published Ashmun's Prose Literature for Secondary Schools in 1910. She was then an instructor in the English Department of the University of Wisconsin.

Paul Swanson, 162 Fred Street, Antigo, has written short stories for publication in nationally known magazines. His latest story is entitled, "His Unearned Reckoning," and was published in Truth Magazine.

George Hutchins has written many poems, one of the best of which is, "A Warning to Sinners." The town of Hutchins, Shawano County, was named in his honor.

Art And Artists

In early days Langlade County pioneers were busy clearing away the forests, tilling little patches of soil and building their cozy log and frame houses. Little did they enjoy of the luxuries of life so apparent in this age. No man here was expected to live solely by his artistic talents. None of the artists of Langlade County have had any other than self training. Photography was in existence when the county was organized so painting and drawing were not necessary to preserve the memory and faces of family and friends.

James Smolk is the pioneer painter of Langlade County. He was born in York township, Medina County, Ohio, February 17, 1859. He came to Antigo January 2, 1882, and has since resided there. Mr. Smolk is a prolific painter of more than ordinary ability. His little studio is located on Fifth Avenue, where he divides his time between mixing colors and barbering.

William G. Lindsay, a young artist of talent and ability, was born April 1, 1878, at Oshkosh. His early education was in the Antigo public schools. Mr. Lindsay resides at 128 Filth Avenue. He has painted many local scenes and takes especial delight in landscape. His chief work, however, is commercial sign painting.

George Falkenhagen, Jr., was born July 22, 1890, at Chicago, 111. He moved to Antigo in 1904. Mr. Falkenhagen has made a number of landscape paintings and sketches of Langlade County's woods and streams. Two of his paintings, one a view of the south arm of Post Lake and another a view of Duck Lake, were exhibited at the Wisconsin Sculptor's and Painter's ninth annual art institute in Milwaukee March 1 to May 1, 1922. He has many decorative paintings in the county to his credit.

Mrs. John Burnet conducted her art institute and exhibits in the Cleary building (K. C. home) from 1914 to 1917. She then moved to her home at 303 Superior Street. Mrs. Burnet is an artist of local distinction. Her work is confined largely to landscape and teaching hand China painting in which she is an expert. She has conducted classes in the Vocational School for the past few years.

Mrs. Eugenia Hutchinson Worman, pioneer Antigo lady, has made a name for herself in the art world. She has been awarded honorable mention for her Painting, "Zinnias" at the University of Washington art exhibit. Mrs. Wormer is a sister of Malcolm Hutchinson, pioneer settler. She was the first teacher of music and drawing in the Antigo schools.

Floyd Michaelson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Michaelson, of Bryant, Price township, a promising student, now attends Pratt Institute at Brooklyn, N. Y. He is adept at commercial drawing and cartoon art.

Harold Pond, born in Appleton, June 20, 1897, is nevertheless an Antigo product. He entered Pratt Institute at Brooklyn, N. Y., after graduating from the Antigo High School in 1917. He is now with the American Crayon Company of New York. He is a splendid artist.

Nick Fredericks, a painter and decorator, was born January, 1866. He came to Antigo in 1904. His principal decorative work has been the interior of the Langlade County court house.

Lindsay Brothers, Leon and Frank, came to Antigo in 1886 with their parents. Frank Lindsay was born September 13, 1869, at Beaver Dam, Wis. Leon was born April 15, 1871, at Chilton, Wis. They are pioneer Antigo painters and decorators.

Clarence Freiburger, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Freiburger, Sr., was born in Antigo, June 23, 1891. He has engaged in painting and decorating for many years. He specializes in interior, exterior and sign painting.

Harvey Guile, a native Langlade County resident, was born in Norwood township in 1887. He has followed the decorative painting field since his youth. Important decorative painting has been done by him on the court house building. Palace Theatre interior, ward schools, Antigo High School, county jail and other places.

George and Herman Strube, well known Antigo young men, have been engaged in decorative painting for a number of years, both as employes and now in a partnership of their own, organized in 1921. George was born in Audubon, Iowa, July 1, 1888. Herman Strube was born in September, 1886. The Strube Brothers moved to Antigo with their parents about 1890. They have done much in their field in Antigo, including the decorative work of The Hoffman House and the Unity Church.

Ernest Strube, deceased pioneer decorator, was born in Hanover, Germany, and after coming to America emigrated to Antigo in 1890. He engaged in painting and decorative work at once. His principal work was the Antigo Opera House, the old Music Hall interior scenery and the Unity Church interior.

L. G. Lambert, pioneer Antigo painter and decorator, came to Antigo in 1885. He was born in Markesan. Green Lake County, Wisconsin, in 1869. Mr. Lambert has decorated, among other places, the Armory club rooms, public library, bank buildings, city hall, etc.

There have been and no doubt are others who have a local reputation for art work whose names are not enumerated here yet are equally meritorious.

The few mentioned prove that Langlade County, less than fifty years eld, is well represented by artists and works of art as in other lines of human endeavor and progress. Our people are learning that as we live and admire the beauty of nature it enhances and develcpes the beauty of the soul.

Music And Musicians

"Music," said Victor Hugo, "is the vapor of art." It is to poetry what reverie is to thought, what fluid is to liquid, what the ocean of clouds is to the ocean of waves. This "vapor of art" made its appearance in Langlade County with the first settlers. When the county developed, when farms were opened and homesteads claimed, when churches, community halls and logs schools were erected, then the old fashioned singing master, the accordian and violin genius and the . dance instructor introduced neighborhood entertainment into Langlade County.

The village church and the early log school were the gathering places of the early singers. Then the accordian, mouth organ and violin were highly prized. Few were able to play. However, each church had one or two members who could be relied upon. The early settlers on the Military Road and in Norwood and Rolling townships frequently gathered at the school where the younger folk of the community presented an entertainment. Antigo's first singing master was J. E. Anderson, who conducted a singing class starting December, 1883, and continuing until the spring of 1884.

The Antigo Quintet Club, consisting of Dr. H. V. Mills. Mrs. H. Mills, Dr. J. C. Petty, W. H. Blinn and H. Phillips, was organized in December, 1883. The club gave its first concert December 21, 1883, at the new Congregational Church. Dr. H. V. Mills and Dr. J. C. Petty composed the music, with one or two exceptions.

In the summer of 1884 The Antigo Comet Band was organized with Dr. H. V. Mills as leader. The Forest City Band followed and was composed largely of the same membership. These were Antigo's pioneer musical units. Another early day musical organization was the Aeolian Orchestra in which James Smolk, pioneer violinist, Mr. Praehl, Ed Kiefer, John Haeffler, Frank Modi and Charles White were members.

The old Antigo Cornet band of 1884 was revived in 1891 and was active for a few years later. L. D. Dana was its leader. The Antigo City Band was organized in 1907. Fred W. Leubcke is its leader. Neva Imperial Band, organized by Neva township musicians, was most successful in 1918. Elcho supports a band equal to many in this section of Wisconsin.

Mrs. Lillian White Freyn of Chicago, who lived for many years in Antigo, has made a splendid record in the musical world. She is now conducting recitals and concerts in Chicago. Mrs. Freyn studied at the Fine Arts School, Chicago, 111. She left Antigo in 1907.

James Strnad was a prominent violinist in Antigo for many years before he left in 1919 for Chicago. His son, a lad of nine years, studying in Chicago, has a wonderful career as a violinist before him.

The first violin to form the sound reproducer and amplifier of talking machine records was patented May 24, 1910, patent No. 959318, by Wm. H. Dessureau, 1435 Clermont street, Antigo, Wis.

Great advancement has been made in wireless telephony. It is now possible to sit at home and hear a complete concert many miles away. Weather forecasts, the correct time, market reports, stock fluctuations can be communicated to the invisible audience. These communications travel on radio waves at a speed of 186,000 miles per second. The currents they induce alternate too rapidly for any mechanism yet devised to register directly. A detector, therefore, is essential in all radio work.

The experience of listening to music out of the air is quite unique and interesting. The novelty naturally makes a strong appeal and will be carefully watched by manufactures and retailers of the talking machine. In these and other matters there are signal opportunities awaiting the inventive genius of the coming generations.

It is difficult to realize that but twenty-six years ago, in 1896, the first talking machine was exhibited at the Langlade County fair by James McCarty. It was an odd looking instrument with many long tubes running from the sound reproducer. These tubes were placed to the ear of the listener. No record could be heard without the use of a tube. Five and ten cents was charged to hear one record.

The first broadcasting radio wireless in Langlade County was installed by Lynn Matthias of Antigo. Mr. Matthias is a member of the American Relay Radio Association. Irvin Leuck has cooperated with Mr. Matthias in radio experimentation.

Musicians Association No. 638

Antigo Local No. 638, Musicians Protective Association was organized January 8, 1917. Fred Luebcke was the first President. Other officers were : A. L. Lauby, Charles Urban and L. G. Lambert, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer respectively. Those present at the first meeting were : James Strnad, Chas. A. Urban, Fred W. Luebcke, Raymond Chadek, W. J. Giese, Fred Schneiter and Stanley Kames. The Antigo Local is now active in Langlade County music circles. Past and present members of the association are: H. C. Becker, Mrs. G. Beard, Ben Benishek, Emma Blahnik, Ralph Berner, E. A. Boettcher, F. P. Burkhart, Virgil Biefind, Ben Barta, L. G. Barnes, Betty Carpenter, Raymond Chadek, J. C. Clausen, Hulda Dallman, Mrs. P. Dahleiner, Clarence A. De Chemm, Arthur Du Mont, Raymond Eseucius, Andrew Fagen, Mrs. George Fehring, Esther Fehring, Frank Galligher, Wm. J. Giese, Mattie Gibson, Lee Herman, Al J. Hunter, Victor Hunter, Floyd Hunter, Bert House, Frank Janousek, Peter Jachimstachal, Stanley Kames, Dan Keen, Henry Keen, John Kocian, Victoria Krall, E. H. Kimball, Mrs. E. H. Kimball, Stephen Kimball, Arthur and Claude Clifford, V. E. Kundinger, Olive Kubiacyzk, Wm. Kuhn, Harold King, Wencel Koltz, Wm. Keelan, M. Lambert, L. G. Lambert, A. L. Lauby, F. W. Leubcke, Tony Lindner, James Lichman, Bruno Meyer, Wm. Meagher, Stanley Mills, A. M. Mader, B. Maull, B. E. Morgan, Mrs. Sylvia Miller, John Obester, George Onsanda, Harold Porter, Guesseppe Pomilio, Frank Pinkner, Charles Parrot, Anna Shapiro, John Schroepfer, Fred Schneiter, James E. Strnad, Blaine Stewart, Charles Schuler, James Schultz, Joseph Turechek, George Turechek, Earl Tobey, George Theby, Charles A. Urban, Grace Urban, Clyde Van Doran, A. Vogel, A. L. Vendner, Althea Wade, A. L. White, Earl Weaver, C. Williams and Mrs. Edith Walters.