Langlade County, Wisconsin - Chapter 41, 1922

Chapter 41

Survey of South Langlade in 1857 - North Langlade Survey in 1865 - The Lost Nation - Its Fight Against Attachment to Shawano County - The Passing of The Lost Nation - Organization of Langlade Township - Township Officials, 1885-1923 - History of Pickerel, Elm Grove, Kent Consolidated and Lily Districts.

Langlade township comprises two entire congressional townships, numbers 32 and 33, of Range 13 East. It derives its name from the distinguished Charles De Langlade, French soldier and leader of the Indians. It is bounded on the north by Forest County, on the west by South Ainsworth and Price townships, on the south by Evergreen township, and on the east by central and north Elton township.

South Langlade township was surveyed in Sept., 1857, by Alfred Millard of the United States survey. The surface of this region is rolling and hilly. A range of hills extend through the township in a north and south direction and are covered with granite boulders. South Langlade township has two types of soil. In south and western parts of the township Gloucester sandy loam is found. In northern and eastern sections of south Langlade Gloucester silt loam, rolling phase is the dominant soil. Peat is found along river banks and in marshes.

North Langlade was surveyed in April, 1865, by James L. Nowlin. The township originally was covered with hemlock, birch, oak, pine, maple and elm. The Wolf river enters the township in section 18 and runs in an easterly direction passing out of the township at section 34. There are many marshes and ponds in the township that cannot be drained. The soil is Gloucester silt loam of the rolling phase, except in the central sections where considerable peat is found.

The Wolf river passes through sections 2, 3, 11, 12, 13 and 24 of south Langlade. Its width varies from one hundred to two hundred links. In many places it is very rapid and filled with boulders so as to completely obstruct navigation. South Langlade has but one swamp of any note in sections 11, 12, 13 and 14. It was originally very low and was heavily timbered with cedar, spruce, tamarack, and other forest products. Elm, yellow birch, white pine and ironwood were the principal forest products.

The Lost Nation

In 1881 all of the present territory of Langlade, Evergreen and Elton townships was detached from Langlade County and made a part of Shawano County. For two years the settlers refused to hold an election at the designated place stipulated by law, they refused to send a Chairman to the Shawano County Board of Supervisors sessions, refused to recognize the authority of the Shawano County Superintendent of Schools and defied the state legislature. They held that the detachment was not legal because none of the territory detached was "contiguous to Shawano County." (The Menominee Indian reservation is between the territory and Shawano County.) And the contention of the settlers was positively correct. This vast area should not have been detached from Langlade County. The settlers charged that leaders in Antigo plotted the detachment to "get the territory out of the county and thus block the ambition of Lily and Langlade settlers who dreamed of a magnificent county with Lily as the county seat."

The citizens of The Lost Nation, as this region was called, maintained their own schools, levied their own taxes, hired their own road inspectors, built their own bridges, cut out their own roads - all these and many other public affairs were conducted without contact or assistance from Oconto, Langlade or Shawano Counties. Their schools were declared the best by the Oconto County Superintendent who visited them, as did the Shawano County Superintendent. (Both claimed them in their jurisdiction.)

But this status could not continue indefinitely. In 1883 the legislature again directed that The Lost Nation be attached to Langlade County, thus restoring the region cut from the county by the provisions of Chapter 7, Laws of 1881.

Two years passed. The Lost Nation remained "lost," with Oconto and Shawano desirous of having it and Langlade County settlers in and adjacent to Antigo not so enthusiastic over it. The settlers in the six and a third townships refused to compromise. They desired a township in Langlade County with all the privileges of a township. In 1885 the legislature again directed that The Lost Nation be detached from Shawano County and be attached to Polar township. Thus came into existence Langlade Township, Langlade County.

Organization Of Langlade

The chiefs of The Lost Nation were quick to realize the phraseology of Chapter 137, Laws of 1885. Attached to Polar township they would be practically under the jurisdiction of the settlers in and near Polar village, whose voting power was larger than that of The Lost Nation. But the attachment law of 1885 held out another hope. If the settlers held an election the first Tuesday in April, 1885, and their officers qualified, a new township would be automatic-

The Passing Of The Lost Nation

The Lost Nation passed into history when the first memorable election of Langlade township was held at the school house in the village of New (Lily) the first Tuesday in April, 1885. Charles H. Larzelere was elected first township Chairman for the new town of Langlade, which consisted of the six and a third townships of The Lost Nation. He served as Chairman until 1887.

Langlade Opposed Elton

May 17, 1887, the Langlade township officials authorized the township Chairman, U. G. Taylor, to employ counsel and start quo warranto proceedings against the officers of Elton township. The object of this action was to set aside the ordinance made by the County Board of Langlade County November 10,

1886, when Langlade township was divided and Elton township was created. The Langlade township officials wanted the action of the Langlade County Board of November 10, 1886, wherein Cleveland township was to be attached to Langlade township by April 1,

1887, set aside. The suits were commenced, W. F. White and C. Werden Deane, Antigo lawyers, representing Langlade. The suit failed and on April 8, 1887, the township officials requested C. Werden Deane to ascertain the cost of carrying the case to the Supreme Court.

S. A. Taylor Demanded Action

The Keshena Improvement Company owned property in Langlade township that went unassessed for some time. S. A. Taylor went before the township officials and demanded that they instruct the township assessor to assess the corporate property of this concern. The board accordingly directed the assessor to do this, July 30, 1887.

Langlade Town Hall

May 9, 1908, the Langlade township officials met at the office of V. P. Rath, Langlade County Clerk, where sealed bids for the erection of the Langlade township hall were opened. Notices regarding the proposed hall were previously erected by Robert Gilray at Kent, Lily and Pickerel post offices. The contract was awarded to J. W. Otis for $900. The town hall was completed by August 1, 1908. It is located on section 27. The half acre site was purchased from William Priem for $150. It is on the east side of the Wolf river, near the intersection of the Kent and Military roads.

Justices Of The Peace District No 1

PICKEREL DISTRICT. Joseph M. Jackson, bringing with him his worldly possessions, came to Langlade County from Bailey's Harbor. Wisconsin, in 1873 and settled on section 7, township 33. range 13 east. He cleared a little space out of the forests and before long a comfortable home was erected. Following him Thomas Simons, a native of Mary-Machee, New Brunswick. Canada, settled on section 7 in the year 1878. Three years before, in 1875. James McCloud. a native of the state of Maine, came into this country famous for its pine forests and settled on section 6. Len Clark, another "Maine stater." settled on section 5, on land purchased from the government at $1.25 per acre, in 1880. John Attredge, Canadian, settled on section 7 in 1880. Henry Chase came the year later from Maine, settling on section 7. The same year Timothy Connell. another Maine native, settled on section 7. In 1882 George Gilmore settled on section 7. James Campbell came to the district in 1883 and settled on section 5. He came from Canada.

The first school was erected in the pine wilderness on section 7 in 1873. It was built by J. M. Jackson at a cost of $100. The lumber for its roof was hauled from Shawano, over the military road. Miss Ida Norton was the first teacher. Others were Parker Ross. Hattie Kittell. Henry Strauss, later a prominent Democrat in Langlade County politics, and Mae Beaudette. The 1921-22 teacher was Berdetta Lutterman. The 1922-23 teacher was lone Preston. The average enrollment at this school is 25 pupils.

The members of the first school board were Timothy Connell. George Gilmore and Henry Strauss. The old log school was used until 1893. when a frame building was erected on section 7 at a cost of $1,000. Michael Hafner was the first teacher in the frame school. The old log cabin stood for many years, "an idle beggar sunning." In 1915 the frame school was replaced by a modern structure erected by C. F. Dallman.

Agriculture and lumbering are the principal industries of the district. Large areas of timber are located in this region. The land is rolling and in some places hilly.

District No. 7

ELM GROVE DISTRICT. The pioneer settler of this district was "Old Dutch Frank," whose identity has been shrouded in darkness. He was in the district in 1863 and operated mail headquarters on section 17 at the place since known as the Strauss Crossing. He was followed by Henry Strauss, who came from Menominee where he had operated a sawmill. Strauss, with William Johnston as a partner, settled in 1867 in the district. He traded with the Chippewa Indians passing through the country over the Wolf river trails and became known for miles around as a friend of the Indian and a shrewd trader, fur buyer, trapper and scholar. Henry Strauss purchased the "Old Dutch Frank" place.

Henry Strauss and "Old Dutch Frank" both secured their merchandise and supplies from Henry Andrews, who was in charge of the government store at Keshena in 1863-68. The old crossing known as Strauss' Crossing can still be located on section 17. Trees, wild vegetation and grasses have long since erased from the view of the passerby for all time most of this historic and picturesque site of a romantic and stirring chapter in Langlade County's pioneer history.

The old Lake Superior trail, mail route from Green Bay, Shawano and thence to the state lire, wound its solitary way through the district. In 1886 the sturdy mail carrier, who often rode many miles, fording streams and climbing treacherous hills, was discontinued.

David Getchell, pioneer, came from Waterville, Maine, in September, 1872, and settled on the historic section 17. Here he has lived since on the north bank of the rumbling Wolf river, that defies man and time as the settler of today becomes the pioneer in passing years.

The settlers in Elm Grove district are few. The school was erected in 1908 by F. F. Arndt at a cost of $1,089. The first schools officials were Mrs. David Getchell, Clerk; Christopher Priem, Director, and Herman Seidler, Treasurer. School was held before the erection of the school house at the residence of Christopher Priem for a year and two months of the second term.

Settlers in this district are : David Getchell, who has since 1900 operated a sawmill on the banks of the Wolf, section 17, Mrs. H. Armstrong, Earl Dalton, Sam Elliott, Charles Hoffman, Chauncey Ennis, Ed Schultz, John Taylor.

Rev. C. D. Griese, Lutheran Pastor of Polar, visits at Lily every month and settlers of the Lutheran faith from this district attend his services.

The 1921-22 school officers were: Mrs. C. Priem, Clerk; Charles Hoffman, Treasurer, and Sam Elliott, Director. Teachers in the distirct have been: Myra Dempster (first), Clara Johnson, Clara Monette, Madge Cecil, Harriet Kohl, Maud Smith, Alfreida Bruss, Flossie Robinson, Elizabeth Folk, Irma Vorass and Audrey Schoepke. The school is located on section 16.

District No. 8

LILY DISTRICT. This district is situated in the North Langlade township. The principal village is Lily, thriving little hamlet at the junction of the Lily and Wolf rivers, section 27. It was settled by the first pioneers to come into Langlade township. Ammesey Smith came to the district from New York state in 1876, settling first at Lac Vieux Desert and then at Lily. S. A. Taylor came from New York into this then unsettled territory. Steven Austin, T. D. Kellogg, Henry Tourtillotte, David B. Edick, Ed Schultze, Napoleon Moran, John Moran, Wren Taylor, Duke Dalton, Israel Stinson, Allen Taylor, Robert Gilray, Nicholas and Jerome Winton, George Truesdell, Louis Pendleton and Henry Mason were all pioneers not only in this district but in the settlement of Langlade County as a whole.

The great pinery of the Wolf river country was the attraction that brought these hardy folks into the dense wilderness that stretched for miles on both sides of the roaring, foaming and picturesque Wolf river.

The first sawmill in the Lily district was erected by Thomas M. Dobbs, in 1882. Mr. Dobbs, pioneer sawmill owner in Langlade County, moved his mill to Lily from Dobbston (Markton) where he has established it in 1873. In the year 1892 it was moved to the south arm of Post Lake, Dobbs moving to Antigo to engage in a business. ' He later moved to Price ;jwnship).

J. E. Schultze and Allen Taylor moved the old John Evans sawmill, erected years before on the Evergreen river banks, to Lily in the winter of 1895 and located it on section 27. It operated until 1915.

William and Herman Haenke moved a mill into the district from Polar in 1916 and after operating it for two years sold to Chris Wunderlich of Antigo. The mill closed in May, 1922, following the death of its owner.

Lily district is located on the famous Military Road and the old stopping place erected by Ammesey Smith in 1876 was the scene of many pioneer activities. The long herds of cattle, often driven from Shawano to the copper regions of Michigan, slowly trod this important highway. Their herders, stopping on the way, fraternalized with the dam tenders, timbermen, Indian traders, prospectors and river drivers. This was a country close to the throne of the Almighty. Man in his mad quest for wealth and power, had not begun to despoil it.

On section 15 of North Langlade township, David B. Edick kept a stopping place for Timothy Craine, lumberman, who was active in timber operations in the Wolf river country for many years.

Henry Ball and sons came to Lily from Shiocton in 1881 and erected a general store on sections 27. They had their supplies and merchandise in the Amessey Smith place in September, 1881, when the historic cyclone of that year went through eastern Langlade County. They operated their store until 1888, when

Dells Of The Wolf River

Charles and Jesse Walsh came from Black Creek, Outagamie County, and took over the business. They moved to Antigo after seven years and June 5, 1895, the store was taken over by William Priem, who has a general store at Lily now. At the time William Priem came to Lily, Israel Stinson had a little store there.

cabin erected on section 27. Miss Dempster was an early teacher. This school was used for a short time until a frame structure was erected on section 34. The frame school was used until 1895, when a second frame school was erected. The second frame school was used until 1914, when C. F. Dallman, Antigo contractor, erected a brick structure on section 34 at a cost of $4,600.

The Lily school is a state graded school of high rank. The 1921-22 officials were: Director, George Getchell; Treasurer, Roy Larzelere; Clerk, W. W. Clark. Mrs. Robert Dewey was Principal and Miss Nellie McDougal, assistant instructor, in 1921-22. The average enrollment is 55 pupils.

Lily has had a number of postmasters, as follows: George Taylor, Sim Ball, Wren Taylor, Israel Stinson, Charles Walsh, William Priem and Osca Tourtillotte.

Before the spur track was laid from Bryant to Kent it was difficult for Lily settlers to get to Shawano or Antigo. This was also before the universal use of the automobile. The year 1914 brought the Wisconsin & Northern Railroad into the district, opei>ing up to the outside world the resources of the country. In 1921 this road was purchased by the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railroad. Extensive improvements are contemplated and before many years the main Soo line will pierce eastern Langlade County. Lily has a depot erected in 1919 on section 34.

From the day when the red man using his bateaux on the Wolf or portaging about its rapids, on through the years of pine timber conquest to the present day of the prosperous farmer, the modern automobile and speeding locomotive, the Lily or the village of New, as S. A. Taylor once named it, has lived on. Its years in the unknown tomorrow may be for bigger and better things.