Langlade County, Wisconsin - Chapter 35, 1922

Chapter 35

Location - Variation of Soils - Boundaries - Organization - Attached to Langlade County 1885 - Election of 1879 - Early Voters - Pioneer Roads - First Officials - First Settler - Territory To State Line - Eagle River Included - Eau Claire River Drives - School Districts Adopted 1886 - Bellmyer-McGinnis-Behm Communities on C. M. & St. P. R. R. - Screen Door Concern - Heinemann Village - Control of Lands - Early Settlers in Districts - Schools - Teachers - Pioneer Hardships - Progress.

Historic Ackley township, with its vast expanse of uninhabited territory, reveals a most interesting chapter in the story of Langlade County. While not attached until long after the county was penetrated first by white men, yet its growth and prominence have not been retarded by its physical, political, or geographical features.

This township comprises two full congressional townships, about 40,080 acres or 72 square miles. Township 31, Range 9 East is referred to as West Ackley and Township 31, Range 10 East is designated as East Ackley. The township is bounded on the north by Vilas and Peck townships, on the east by Antigo township, on the south by Rolling township and Marathon County, and on the west by Lincoln County. The survey of both Ackley townships was inaugurated by H. C. Fellows, on August 18, 1860, and ended August 30, 1860.

It received its name from its first settler, W. L. Ackley, an Englishman, who played an important role in the early pioneer and official life of the township.

The principal water course is the west and east branches of the Eau Claire river. The east branch runs through sections 2, 3, 10, 15, 21, 27, 28, and 34. The west branch flows through sections 4, 9, 16, and 21, all in East Ackley. Black Creek flows through sections 19, 29, and 30 in East Ackley township and through sections 11, 12, and 13 in West Ackley. The Trappe river runs through sections 27, 32, 33, and 34, draining much of the West Ackley territory.

The general surface of the township is low, becoming, however, somewhat rolling in the southwestern portion. Ample drainage is afforded in East Ackley, but such is not the fact in West Ackley.

Both congressional townships of Ackley were originally covered with heavy tracts of white pine, maple, poplar, birch, oak, red birch, elm, iron wood and other forest products. The pine was first to be slashed. Except in the southwestern part and in other swampy regions the best of the timber has all disappeared before the axe of the conqueror.

Spencer Silt Loam, level phase, is a light brown silt loam, average depth ten inches, containing a moderate amount of organic matter. The depth below 16 to 20 inches is mottled with yellow, brown, bluish.

and reddish brown, indicative of poor internal drainage. This type of soil is found in West Ackley in all sections except 10, 15, 13, and 21.

Peat, vegetable matter in various stages of decomposition, is found in sections 10 and 15, principally, and in parts of sections 7, 19, 30, and 13 of West Ackley township and also in sections 17, 18, 23, and 19 and in narrow strips elsewhere in East Ackley township.

Merrimac Silt Loam is found in sections 12, 13, 21, and 25 of West Ackley township and with the exception of that part of East Ackley in which Peat and Merrimac Sandy Loam and Muck are found, all of East Ackley territory. This means that over two-thirds of East Ackley have that type of soil. The Merrimac Silt Loam, composed of alluvial material, is a light brown or grayish brown friable silt extending to an average depth of twelve inches. The content of silt is high. The subsoil becomes heavier with depth. It is under general cultivation and is highly improved. Oats, hay, potatoes, corn, rye, barley, wheat, peas, and poppy seed are grown successfully on this soil. Ginseng is a special crop, which, when handled properly, yields profitable results.

The Merrimac Sandy Loam is a type of soil, occupying a tract of land in sections 17, 18, 19, and 20, East Ackley township, with a total area of about one section. It is found in the south part of the first two and the northern part of the last two named sections. This soil on the surface is sandy loam to a depth of 12 inches. The subsoil is loose and incoherent yellow sand, becoming coarser with depth.

First Town Meeting

The first annual town meeting in 1879 was held April 1. Forty-three votes were cast. The township then stretched north to the state line. The first voters were George Bessy, Willis Otis, Michael Kennedy, Frank P. Kennedy, Charles Nelson, Joseph Kenredy, Emanuel McGahan, John Hafner, William Taylor, Henry Shipley, Thomas Hafner, John Kennedy, John McGahan, August Hoglander, Jeremiah De Moss, Joseph Longworth, Rubin Vaughn, Leroy Furgeson, Peter Beck, Y. Space, M. Holey, J. G. Beardsley, W. L. Ackley, Charles M. Ackley, Chauncey Vaughn, John Nelson, Nathan De Moss, Edson Lloyd, Joseph Parfitt, Frank Locks, Thomas Longworth, John Darow, August Hoff-

The pioneer settlers of Ackley also voted April 1, 1879 to adopt the Township School government system. Thirteen votes were cast, all in favor of that system, which was revoked in 1886.

First Resolution

The first Ackley township officials by unanimous vote resolved to raise "for town taxes and incidental purposes," $300. For road tax. 007 mills. For teachers' wages and incidental school purposes, $500.

A committee was selected to examine the "accounts and moneys" of Edson Lloyd, Treasurer, November, 1879. The following correct and true report, showing a balance of $960.18, was produced then: State Tax, $38.40; County Schools, $31,27; County Tax, $340.84; Town and Road Tax, $218.30; Judgment Tax $182.44; Fees, $48; Total, $960.18.

Early Ackley Bridges

Some of the first bridges in Ackley township were : W. L. Ackley built a roughly constructed bridge, the first in the township, over the Eau Claire river. This was the first bridge built by white men in Langlade County (1853). J. R. Balsh corduroyed Black Brook in 1881. April, 1882, Nathan De Moss was allowed $122.65 for bridge work in Ackley.

Road Districts

Ackley township was divided into four road districts in 1880. They were in charge of Thomas Hafner, John Tinney, George Bessy, and W. L. Ackley.

Henry Holey, C. D. Wescott, Charles Holey, Thomas Hafner, John Hafner, Frank P. Kennedy, and John Kennedy, homestead applicants, for a road beginning at the quarter section corner in the center of section 26, Township 31, Range 10 East, and running north on the quarter line to the quarter post in the center of Section 11; thence on the quarter line to the quarter section corner in center of section 12; thence north on the quarter line to the quarter section corner in the center of section 1 and thence east on the quarter line to the quarter section corner on the east side of section 1.

One year before, 1878, bearing the date of November 11, A. D., the supervisors of the Town of Pine River layed out a highway which began at the center of Section 27, Township 31, Range 10 E., thence west toward the Lincoln County line. This was actually the first road in Ackley. It was named the Ackley road. F. A. Deleglise, with John Doersch and George Eckhart, assisting, surveyed this region in October, 1879. Five other roads were laid out in 1879. One began at the center of section 11 and ran west to the center of Section 10, Township 31, Range 10 East, authorized July 25, 1879. Another commenced at the quarter post on the west line of section 11 and continued north until striking the bank of the Eau Claire River (near the A. L. Hayner farm), and was authorized April 30, 1879. May 4, 1879, a road was authorized on the following survey : Beginning at the southwest corner of Section 31, Township 32, Range 10 East, then north (not in Ackley township now). June 20, 1879, a road was authorized beginning in the center of section 3 and running north into what is now Peck township. The last road authorized in 1879 was one beginning at the quarter post of section 12 to the quarter post on the east line of Section 12, Township 31, Range 10 East.

These were the first roads of Pine River or Ackley township. With their construction the tote road and Indian trail were trod less frequently and before long a new wilderness erased them forever.

Attached To Langlade, 1885

In 1885, Chapter 436, Laws of Wisconsin, detached Township 31, Ranges 9 and 10 East, from Lincoln County and attached this territory to Langlade County. Frank P. Kennedy was the first Chairman of Ackley Township to sit in at a Langlade County Board of Supervisors session.

Ackley township had heavy expenses during its first years. New schools, bridges, cutting out roads, general township expenses, all were a constant drain on the treasury. Therefore, June 13, 1885, a resolution was adopted authorizing the township to issue bonds to the extent of $5,500 for the purpose of settling all outstanding township accounts.

On The Water Wagon

to be drank at the polling booth, 1885, (June) and for the service he was paid fifty cents in town orders. This resolution passed. It demonstrates that Ackley officials were moderate in their demands for ale.

CLOVERVALLEY DISTRICT. This district is one of the oldest settlements in Langlade County. It is also one of the smallest, containing sections 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, all of Township 31, Range 10 East in East Ackley congressional township.

The district system of school government was adopted in Ackley township by a vote of 64 to 56 on April 6, 1886. Thus district No. 1 was created. It should be understood, however, that schools were opened in this territory six years previous.

District No. 1 originally consisted of all of sections 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 in both townships 31, Ranges 9 and 10 East, and also sections 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 30 in Township 31, Range 9 East. Originally a district containing 12,800 acres it has, by detaching, recreation of districts and organization of joint districts, dwindled down to but 3,840 acres.

In the year 1880, before the railroad pierced into the county. Matt Duda, Frank Wilson, Joseph Stengl, James Sisel, Alfred Brandow, B. Wooledge, Sr., and son, James Witt, Matt Wachal, Sr., John Stengl, James Brick, W. W. Stone, Charles G. Koudelka, and George Brandow settled on cheap land or staked homesteads in this territory.

Upon their little domains rude log cabins were erected. Necessities of life were considered luxuries by the hardy inhabitants. Wausau was the trading post and one settler would follow the Indian trails on the Eau Claire river banks or an old road cut out by river drivers to that city for provisions. He would haul back to the sparsely settled region such provisions as flour, corn meal, meats, clothing, and garden seeds and grain for the pioneers. The journey, tedious, would take two to three days as oxen were used and they do not compare well with the motor car of today or the fast twentieth century locomotive. Yet in a time like that the settlers were content with what they possessed. The adjacent world was not more fortunate.

In the year 1884 a school was erected. Miss Mary Kiefer and Miss Brandow were very early teachers. The school was a typical pioneer institution of learning. A small stove, a few black boards, and rough floors and benches were used. Text books were not uniform. Teachers' salaries then averaged $25 per month.

The settlers welcomed new families into the district and before long an addition was made on the little school. The same school is in use by the district yet. It is located on the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 35.

The district has splendid roads and rural free delivery since 1904 keeps the agriculturist in touch with events of the state, nation and world. He may receive election returns without leaving his plow or may order his supplies from Antigo, county seat, without leaving his comfortable farm home. The Stenglville and Eau Claire river telephone services are at his command.

Lumbering was an important industry in pioneer days. The logs were hauled to the banks of the Eau Claire river and driven to Schofield, village near Wausau, Wis.

While the education of the youth was adequately provided for, considering the perplexities confronting the early settlers, the district was not organized until April 28, 1886. Schools were erected before then in many instances.

When the first settlers in Ferndale district arrived they found the country a desolate wilderness. Roaming bands of Indians, chiefly of the Chippewa and Menominee tribes, hunted in the forests and fished in the Eau Claire river. Their main Indian trail was along the Eau Claire river banks and went north and eastward toward Oconto County territory, and the old Lake Superior Trail. It was this trail that many settlers used to haul or "man pack" supplies to the settlement from Wausau. Settlers in other districts had

It was during the early settlement of the district that the Indians intermingled with the white settlers. The custom among the first white settlers was to take Indian maidens as their brides. They erected a little cabin, usualy under the boughs of a giant pine tree, hunted wild game, secured provisions, worked on the river drives, trapped in the winter months, fished in the Eau Claire river and cultivated little garden patches while the dusky maiden reigned over the household affairs. Hospitality to no higher degree was ever exhibited than by the "squaw man" and his wife. Many of the pioneer settlers were taught by the Indians how to operate a light canoe down the Eau Claire river to Schofield, Wis.

The first school erected in the district was a rough frame structure in 1886. It was located on section 35. Miss Susan Watson was the first teacher. A Mr. Wescott was a member of the first school board.

The old school v.-as moved from its original location to the northwest Quarter of the southeast quarter of section 26, East Ackley township on land owned by John Bahr, Sr., pioneer settler. The wooden structure served until the settlers decided to construct a new school of brick. The old one was moved off the site by D. C. Woodcock, who purchased it after the erection of a modern school years later.

There are about twenty farmers residing in the district. It has a cheese factory, erected in 1917 by J. Grunderman, who since sold to E. Haase. The factory is located on section 26, near the school house. It is now operated by Michael F. Helmbrecht.

Agriculturing and dairying are the principal occupations of the residents. Excellent lighting systems, well kept barns, silos, farm machinery, neat residences, substantial out buildings, farm tractors, rural telephones, a rural mail system - all these are splendid features of the district.

Eau Claire Grange No 647

The Eau Claire Grange No. 647, Patrons of Husbandry, was organized April 27, 1917. Meetings are held every second and fourth Friday at the township hall. Section 23. The first Master of the grange was Frank Sheriff. Other original officers were : Overseer, William Heschke; Secretary, John Mauer; Treasurer, John Somer; Lecturer, Mrs. John Somer; Steward, Charles Hoerman; Chaplain, Mrs. Otto Klessig; Gatekeeper, Earl Klessig; Ceres, Mrs. Charles

Ackley Town Hall

Ackley township, progressive and alert, has a splendid town hall on section 23 of East Ackley township. The hall was erected at an approximate cost of $1,500. It has one acre of ground neatly fenced in. The hall was erected in 1917.

LONGFELLOW DISTRICT. In the northeastern part of East Ackley is an area of land containing seven and one-half sections or 4,800 acres. This portion of Langlade County, lying northwest of Antigo, is known as District No. 3, since designated as the Longfellow district, in honor of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, distinguished American poet.

The first settlers braved the perils of a desolate wilderness infested with Indians as early as 1877. Those who were first to settle here were John Kennedy, Michael Kennedy, Frank P. Kennedy, Charles Nelson, G. Hoglander, John Nelson, John McGahn, Emanuel McGahn, Thomas Hafner, John Hafner, Michael Hafner, Albert Berdan, the O'Brien family, S. Goodwin, and J. Jilik. Following the first vanguard came Peter Higgins, Sr., his son, Peter Higgins, Jr., Henry Higgins, Joseph Singer, Martin Maloney, and others.

Many of the first settlers came from Wausau, Stevensville, Outagamie County, and other nearby cities. The first came from Wausau with yokes of oxen. The journey was a long one and many of the early homesteaders and land purchasers spent days on the journey. Their family belongings were carted by the same oxen.

Log shacks were hastily erected. Their scooped roofs furnished a picturesque contrast to those frame buildings first erected in the district by Michael Kennedy, who imported the lumber from Wausau. The Martin Maloney and John Nelson homes were second and third frame residences in the district.

Sustenance was provided by the excellent soil and work in the pine timber belt. The Brooks & Ross Company, Wausau, and other pioneer lumber interests, cut pine in the region. Many of the settlers took an active part in this industry during its high tide.

Education of the children was provided for before the expiration of the first year. In 1878 a log school house was erected just a little to the east of the present school site. This school was not a step in advance of the schools such as Abraham Lincoln or Daniel Webster attended. The first teachers were very conscientious and industrious, as are most of those of to- day. The first teacher, Michael Hafner, still lives in Langlade County. In 1922 he returned to the district to visit some of the remaining pioneers. Other early teachers were Carrie and Marian Finucane, Lizzie Young, Mrs. Margaret Hughes, Harry Logan, now a preacher at Appleton, Wis., and Margaret Kavanaugh. The Kennedy, Nelson, and Hoglander children were the first pupils.

Two years later, 1880, the first frame school was erected on the present school site. It was used until 1910. Its cost was $500, but additions and betterments since have entailed $500 expenses. The modern brick structure was erected in 1910 by August Stabe, Antigo contractor, at a cost of $1,800. It is located in the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 11.

John Hruska erected the first cheese factory seventeen years ago. It was operated successfully by Ernest Jaess and Joseph Maresch until the fall of 1921 when it burned. On the same location, section 11 (NWI4), the American Produce Company, a corporation in which Ackley farmers are principal stockholders, opened a new cheese factory May 22, 1922. The first factory was called the Kenr.edyville factory.

Members of the original school board of this district were Frank P. Kennedy, Clerk; John Kennedy, Director, and John Nelson, Treasurer. Agnes Kennedy was the district teacher in 1921-22, while the school officers for that term were Peter Higgins, Jr., Treasurer; Fred Swenson, Clerk, and John Fronek, Director.

The Indians, Chippewa, chiefly, had many favorite camping and fishing locations in the district. They were not very industrious, but were kind to the first settlers. Often these red folk entered homes for food or clothing.

District No. 3 originally consisted of fifteen and onehalf sections, East Ackley township. The sections were 1, 2, 3, one-half of section 4, all of sections 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, or 9,940 acres. This is twice the present area of the district. Organization took place April 6, 1886. The district now comprises 5,440 acres of land in sections 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and the south half of section 1, Township 31, Range 10 East.

East Ackley Grange No. 593

East Ackley Grange, No. 593, is located in this district. The grange was organized August 22, 1912, at the Longfellow school. The first officers were : Master, M. B. Emmerich; Overseer, John Fronek; Lecturer, Clara Emmerich; Steward, Chester Nelson; Assistant Steward, James Barker, Jr.; Chaplain, Anna Goodman; Treasurer, R. Krall; Secretary, A. F. Goodman; Gatekeeper, Joseph Maresh, Jr.; Ceres, Florence Hafner; Flora, Rose Hafner; Pomona, Mamie Maloney; Lady Assistant Steward, Helen Hayner. Present officers are: Master, A. F. Goodman; Overseer, James Barker; Lecturer, Rudolph Shaser; Steward, Joseph Jilek, Jr.; Assistant Steward, Louis Domke; Lady Assistant Steward, Anna Jilek; Chaplain, Clara Swenson; Gatekeeper, Harry Fronek; Treasurer, Fred Swenson;

The East Ackley hall was erected in the fall of 1914. The building was not actually completed, however, until the spring of 1915. Its cost was $1,500. Eighty enthusiastic grangers are on the membership roll.

District No. 3, pioneer district, faced the storms of reaction, lumber and agricultural reverses for a quarter century with calmness and high hope. Its future will be an important march of progress in Langlade County.

EAU CLAIRE DISTRICT. This district is located in the west central part of Ackley township, and lies almost wholly within Township 31, Range 9 East. In consists of all of sections 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and the south halves of sections 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 of Township 31, Range 9 East, all of sections 16, 17, 19, the south one-half of section 18, the north three-quarters of section 21, the west one-half of section 22, the northeast one-fourth of section 22, the northwest one-fourth of the southeast one-fourth of section 22, all in Township 31, Range 10 East.

District No. 5, organized April 6, 1886, originally consisted of all territory beginning at the northeast corner of section 7, Township 32, Range 10 East, thence running south to the southeast corner of section 12, then west to the southwest corner of section 10, Township 32, Range 9 East, thence north to the northwest corner of section 3, thence east to the place of beginning. It will be observed that this territory is not within the present Ackley township limits, but is in the northeastern part of Peck township.

J. Schaeffer, John Galuski, Anton Smith, Albert Reggotki, Albert Preboski, and Charles Ackley were pioneer settlers. Ted Bera and John Boncyzk were also early settlers, but later than the first.

The district was one of the principal pine belts in western Langlade County and logging and lumbering were the chief industries until the cut over lands were cleared and cultivated. The Brooks & Ross Company, W. L. Ackley, Boyington, and others logged and cut pine in this territory in a very early day.

The farm home of Albert Reggotski was the location of the first school, which was taught by Phillip Aird, who became an Ackley township official later.

Some of the pioneer Ackley township roads were constructed in this district, the old beds of which are still visible. Indian trails abounded and many settlers used them to get from cabin to cabin.

Mention has been made of the first school. The second was soon after erected near the Prasalowicz place, section 21, on the banks of the Eau Claire (East Branch) river. The present school was erected in 1910. It is a brick structure with cost $1,800.

There are approximately thirty-five settlers in the district which is named Eau Claire because of the two branches of that river joining nearby.

MARSH DISTRICT. District No. 6, situated in the northern part of Ackley, principally range 9 east, is the largest school area in Ackley township. It comprises 12,000 acres, or all that territory within sections 1 to 12 inclusive in Township 31, Range 9 East, the north one-half of sections 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 in Range 9 East, the north one-half of section 18, Range 10 East, also sections 6, 7, 8 in Township 31, Range 10 East, and the southwest one-fourth of section 5, Range 10 East.

District No. 6 was organized April 6, 1886, when the school system was changed from the township method to the district method. It then consisted of all of sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 in Township 31, Range 9 East, the west one-half of section 4, and also sections 5 and 6 in Township 31, Range 10 East, also more territory now in Peck township which was sparsely settled.

The first settlers were William Taylor and Thomas Woolets. William Taylor came into this district in 1877. His entire fortune consisted of a team, two calves, a hundred pound sack of flour and a few coppers in his pocket. It was necessary for him to drive through much swampy land to reach his small holding. He erected a log cabin, made his own shingles, hewed his logs and cultivated a patch of land to the rear of his cabin located on section 6, Township 31, Range 10 East. Other settlers later, but early, were Thomas Longworth and J. Finney.

Very few settlers moved into this district because of the marshy territory, poor drainage and inaccessibility to trading posts. Even water was hard to obtain by the first settlers, who carried many buckets from Black Brook, Peck township. Spring water was used also.

The first school was erected on a site three-quarters of a mile southeast of the present school site. Twelve pupils were in attendance at the first session which was in charge of John Kennedy. Elizabeth and Alice Kennedy were the second and third teachers in this district.

frame school was erected which Agnes Singer taught during the first session held. It was used until 1906, when a brick school house was erected on section 6. The second school was used afterward as a woodshed.

Members of the first school board were John Beardsley, Jonathan Reader and Peter G. Beck. (The district then included part of what is today Peck township). The school affairs in the Marsh District have been capably handled by various citizens, elected annually as members of the district board.

RIVERVIEW DISTRICT. When the township system of school government was abandoned in Ackley township, the township was divided into eight school districts. Reorganization took place from time to time in recognition of demands of new settlers and also because of Langlade County territorial changes from 1881 to 1885.

District No. 7 was organized by order of State Superintendent of Schools C. P. Cary, Thursday, July 26, 1906. The district was formed chiefly because of the demands for a school by the settlers residing at Heinemann, lumber village, in the territory. It consisted originally of the south half of the southwest quarter and the south half of the southeast quarter of section 20, the south quarter of the southwest quarter and the south half of the southeast quarter of section 21, the west half of section 27, all of sections 28, 29 and 30 and the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 32, all in Township 31, Range 10 East (East Ackley) ; also all of sections 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30 in Township 31, Range 9 East. This took in territory once a part of the original Ferndale District No. 2. District No. 7 then contained 6,480 acres. Its area now, when changes in districts have been made, more important of which was made on petition of 27 citizens, June 4, 1919, is 10,320 acres. It includes all of sections 25 to 36 inclusive, Township 31, Range 9 East, all of sections 28, 29, 30, the west half of section 27, the south half of the south half of both sections 20, 21, and the south half of the southeast quarter of section 22, all in Township 31, Range 10 East.

The first officers of this school district were W. B. Heinemann, Treasurer; Charles Bruce, Director, and Fred Hoffman, Clerk. Present officers (1921-22) are John Mauer, Clerk; Charles Motts, Treasurer, and Herman Lucht, Director.

Early settlers in this district were : W. L. Ackley, Louis Poxleitner, Adolph Stall, Benno Hoermann, John Mauer, Matt Fuchs, Mrs. Joseph Kolet, and others.

The district has the distinction of having W. L. Ackley, first permanent settler of Langlade County, as it's first settler. He arrived in this country in 1853. He was present in Ackley township when the govern- ment survey was made in 1860. Mr. Ackley lived on the Eau Claire river banks. He fished, hunted in the forests, lumbered in the pineries, aided the log drivers, established a business with D. Hogarty, traded with the Indians, lived, in fact, the life of a Daniel Boone in this country. Mr. Ackley was in this township, which bears his name, ten years before Henry Strauss, "Mystery Man" of the Wolf river country went into eastern Langlade County from Menominee, Michigan, to be from the haunts of all white men who he declared he wished no longer to see.

The river driving on the Eau Claire river formed an important industry in pioneer days. The various improvement companies removed obstructions in the Eau Claire river, thus enabling the pine logs to be driven down the stream to Schofield, Wis.

The first cheese factory was opened in 1919 in the old store building, once the Heinemann Lumber Company store. In 1920 it changed hands and the Ackley Farmers Dairy Produce Company operated the factory, which burned down in 1921.

There are now no cheese factories, cemeteries or churches in the district. Highway No. 64 runs through the district and is used constantly. It was opened to Merrill in the fall of 1921.

The Riverview Park, in which many Antigo people are interested, is located across the Eau Claire river (on the west bank) in the district. A large dance pavilion was erected in 1921 and is very popular.

Uells Of The Eau Cl-Mre River

In 1897, H. C. Humphrey, G. W. Hogben, and A. M. Lanning organized the Antigo Screen Door Company. They discontinued business in Antigo after operating a short time. Then the concern erected a factory on the Eau Claire river in this district on section 28. A. C. Campbell and A. M. Lanning operated it until a change in ownership whereby the Heinemann Lumber Company took it over in 1901. They made extensive improvements in the industry. Their saw and planing mills operated until 1911 when the sawmill burned down. The village of Heinemann prospered during the life of the industry. Many employes were boarded at a hotel owned by the lumber concern. The concern also operated a store for the residents of the village. Many of the village houses were since purchased by the Langlade Lumber

At the opening of the twentieth century. Barker & Stewart and the Heinemann Lumber Company logged extensively in this district. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad serves this territory, passing through sections 19, 30, 31, 32 in West Ackley.