Langlade County, Wisconsin - Chapter 43, 1922

Chapter 43

Lakes and Streams - Government Survey - Organization of Norwood - Township Officials 1881-1923 - Pioneer Settlers - Early Industries - Riverside - Phlox - Maple Grove - Apple Grove - Sugar Bush - Mayking - Twintownship and Mayking Granges.

Norwood township is located in the extreme south central part of Langlade County and embraces the entire congressional township 30 north, Range 12 East, hence is six miles square and contains 36 full sections. It is bounded on the north by Antigo and Polar townships, on the east and south by Shawano County (Menominee Indian Reservation) and on the west by Rolling township. The United States government survey was inaugurated in Norwood by James Winthrow, November 22, 1854, and was completed December 12, 1854. The township was originally covered with a dense growth of white and Norway pine, maple, red birch, elm and basswood. The general surface of the township is somewhat rolling with small level areas. The Red river, which received its name from its red bottom clay, arises in the northwest corner and flows southeast through the township, emptying into Moose Lake in section 16 and flowing through sections 14, 15, 22, 23, 25, 26 and 36. A small rivulet flows from Demlow's lake through sections 2, 3, 11 and 14 emptying into Red river. Trout Creek flows through sections 1, 2, 12 and 13. Mud Brook runs through the southwestern part in the Maple Grove district.

With the exception of the northwest part in a strip running through sections 6, 7, 17, 18, 19, 30 and a small area at the southeast end of Moose Lake, Norwood soil is one vast area of Gloucester silt loam, rolling phase. In the region mentioned as the northwest part Gloucester sandy loam is found. Peat is found in small isolated areas in but few places.

Organization Of Norwood

Norwood township was once a part of Hutchinson township, Shawano County, and also of the old town of Mill, Shawano township. It was not a part of the original New County, detached from Oconto County in 1879. By the act of the state legislature, creating Langlade County, February 19, 1881, Norwood township was attached to Langlade County.

Justices Of The Peace District No. 1

RIVERSIDE DISTRICT. In 1878 Henry Mitchell, a resident of Menasha came to the town of Mill, Shawano County, and erected a saw mill on section 22 near what is now Moose Lake, Norwood township. Ross Young, also of Menasha was his associate. Mr. Young erected a cabin home for himself on section 15. Thus these two men, who came primarily because of the lumber industry, were the earliest settlers in Riverside. The Mitchell mill, as it was called, was erected on section 22 near the mouth of Moose Lake. Nearly a year elapsed before the arrival of the next two settlers, Peter Hilger and Michael Neubauer, who, in 1878, cam from Appleton. Charles W. Moss moved his family from Neenah to section 16 in the year 1879. They started a store which operated from 1879 to 1881. Other very early settlers were : I. Narlow, P. Muhm, of Menasha, Austin Robinson, Appleton, and Henry Waterman, of Oshkosh, homesteaders.

These settlers came before the Milwaukee, Lake Shore Sf Western railroad stretched north from Clintonville, fifty one miles distant. All provisions were secured from that place.

The first school meeting was held September 8, 1879 in Hutchinson township. In 1880 this district was changed to Milltown district No. 2. In 1881, when Norwood was attached to Langlade County it became District No. 1 of Norwood. April 13, 1881, the settlers planned a log raising "bee" for the erection of the school house. Previously school was held at the home of Charles W. Moss, while the school (log) was built on the line between sections 11 and 14. In 1884 a new frame school was built and is still used. It is located on the southwest quarter of section 14.

RED RIVER DISTRICT. In May, 1877. Joseph St. Louis, Moses St. Louis, Louis Bergeon and Joseph Bergeon, residents of Little Chute, Outagamie County, cut a trail through the wilderness from Leopolis, Township 27, Range 14 East, to Township 30, Range 12 East. These four prospectors staked homesteads in the country infested by nothing but animals - the deer, wolf, bear and lynx. Only an occasional Indian trail gave ariy evidence of man. Returning to Little Chute these adventurers told of the country "in the north woods" and in August, 1877, Albert Menting, Joseph St. Louis, John Menting and Mr. and Mrs. Frank St. Louis (Mrs. St. Louis was the first white woman in Norwood) moved in with teams. It was a tiresome journey over a poor tote road and often the wheels of the heavy overland schooners were mired in mud. The first night was spent under the hemlock boughs, corner of sections 23, 24, 25 and 26. Arriving at section 26, all the newcomers began building the first log cabin in Norwood township on section 26 - the old Frank St. Louis homestead. All these pioneers lived in the St. Louis log dwelling until they could "roll up" cabins on their own homestead claims. Joseph Bergeon settled on section 23; Albert Menting homesteaded on section 24; Joseph St. Louis homesteaded on section 26; Mr. and Mrs. Frank St. Louis homesteaded on section 26; Moses St. Louis homesteaded on section 28. Before the arrival of these settlers the August Boelke homestead near Leopolis was the farthest northern cabin between Antigo and Township 28, Range 12 East. Other settlers followed and before long Pascal Langlois, came from Bay settlement, homesteading on section 27; Louis Morrison homesteaded on section 26. They came in 1878. Others who arrived the same year were: John Cardin from Bay Settlement; John Jansen from Buchanan, Wis.; J. B. Lawrence from Little Chute and Desert De Broux from Little Chute. Oliver Shadick settled on section 35 and Warren Jones on section 34 in the fall of 1878. They both came from Menasha. In the spring of 1879 Silas Began took up a claim on section 36.

John Jansen opened the first store, log cabin, which still stands, on section 26 in 1879. Shortly after the first post office was opened with Mr. Jansen in charge. Before then mail was sent in from Leopolis two to three times a week. The post office was named Phlox, after a wild genus of herbs growing in the forests nearby.

In 1879, the Rev. Father Masschelein of Keshena, Shawano County, was called to visit a sick person and while there celebrated mass in the little log cabin of Henry St. Louis. The distance to Phlox from Keshena then was thirty miles over rough rocky Indian trails. Rev. Father Masschelein came to the settlement on horseback. In May, 1879, Rev. Father Philip St. Louis walked from Clintonville to Phlox to administer to the spiritual wants of the people. In 1880, five acres of land were donated for church purposes and in 1881 a log church was erected, 34x50 feet. At the same time an Altar Society was organized with a membership of 25. In 1882, Rev. Father Ph. St. Louis became the resident pastor of Phlox. In 1883 a parochial school was erected, occupying an area of 26x27 feet. In 1884 the church parsonage was constructed. In 1888 a new church in honor of St. Joseph was erected by Father Ph. St. Louis. Father St. Louis closed his missionary labors at Phlox, September 12, 1893, moving to Aniwa. Pastors since in order were : Rev. Wm. De Haan, Rev. F. Vollbrecht, Rev. F. Ruessman, Rev. George Pesch, Rev. Wm. De Haan and Rev. I. G. Schmitt, who is now in charge of the Phlox church. The present Phlox parochial school was built in 1907. The parish was re-built in 1898, during Father Vollebrecht's pastorate.

The first public school was erected on section 26 in 1880 and was first taught by Olive St. Louis. Those who attended were: Thomas Mitchell, George Young, Henry, Herman, and Mary Menting, Leo and Maggie Langlois, Delia St. Louis, Clophil St. Louis, Isadore Jansen, Thomas, Josephine and Philomene Lawrence, Michael and John De Broux, Kate Mitchell and Jos. and John Neubauer.

The 1922-23 public school teacher at Phlox was Mrs. A. J. Reinert. George Guertz, Andrew Regan and Nels Jansen, are Clerk, Director and Treasurer, respectively.

Postmasters at Phlox have been : John Jansen (first), Arnold P. Menting, Mrs. John Jansen, Ed. Knapp, Guy Mclntee, Margaret Kaufman and George Guertz, present postmaster.

The first mill erected in the district was built by Thomas St. Louis on section 26 in 1880. It burned down shortly afterwards. Frank and Joseph St. Louis re-built the mill, sold to the Mattoon Mfg. Co., of Sheboygan, who in 1889 sold to John and David Matteson, who came from Wittenberg. A tramway was constructed from the mill to Elmhurst for hauling the product of the mill to the main track. The tramway was used but little, however. In 1897 Matteson & Co. sold to John Kaufman who in 1914 sold the plant to the Red River Mfg. Co. The Red River Mfg. Company is superintended by M. J. EUstad. Charles Elscholz is the resident manager. It is now a modern plant, on the banks of the Red river.

Thomas Wilson operated a butter bowl factory from 1889 to 1892. John Menting was a partner to Wilson for some time. In 1889 John Menting erected a broom handle factory near the Andrew Regan property. A. P. Menting ran it also. Frank St. Louis had a cant hook factory on section 26, from 1892 to 1895.

The first Phlox hotel was built by Peter Bissonnette. The present Hotel Allright was originally the John Jansen residence. In 1904 it was taken over by John Matteson, remodeled, and has since been used as a hotel. It has gained considerable prominence as headquarters for tourists and fishermen. The Red river is nearby. Highway No. 47 runs through Phlox from Antigo to Shawano. Warren Jones once ran a hotel in Phlox. It was sold to the Mattoon Mfg. Co., who in turn sold to J. and D. A. Matteson Co. Mattesons sold to Ed. Knapp, who came to Phlox from Clintonville. He traded the property to Ed. Hadler of An-

The present industries and business places of Phlox are: Red River Mfg. Co., the Farmers' State Bank, A. J. Reinert, Cashier; The George W. Guertz general merchandise store. Duenke & Moss general store, Hotel Allright, John Matteson, prop.; George Jansen Hardware; George Schlientz, soft drink parlor; John Van Ooyan soft drink parlor; Norman M. Racine soft drink parlor; M. W. A. Hall; Henry Menting, Chiropractor; Phlox Garage, W. J. Menting & Co., Props.; Peter Weber and Henry Eggink, blacksmiths; The A. F. Schulz Creamery, A. F. Schultz, prop., was established in 1902 by the Fargo Creamery Supply Co., a farmers cooperative unit. In was purchased by John and Glen Kaufman May 7, 1912, and then by A. F. Schultz, May 1, 1915. The plant has an annual capacity of 160,000 pounds of cheese and 20,000 pounds of Clover Leaf Brand butter.

Phlox, Norwood township village, is 33 miles from Shawano, 25 miles from Keshena, Indian Reservation village, 121 2 jjiiles from Neopit and 13 miles from Antigo, county seat.

MAPLE GROVE DISTRICT. Maple Grove is ideally situated in the southwestern part of Norwood township, near the county line between Shawano and Langlade Counties. It was first settled in 1879 and 1880 by brave and courageous prospectors, homestead seekers and timber hunters, who came with their slow yokes of oxen or with the heavy wagons drawn by horses over the rough trails from Clintonville. Anton Sensenbrenner, Henry Lloyd, Walter Lloyd, then a child, Jesse Armstrong, Henry Hilger, Fred Goodwill, Charles Clifford and M. Thurot were the first settlers. Later settlers, who were in the district very early were ; Israel Ano, Frank Brouilliard, the Cunningham family, Ed. Jarvis, James St. Mitchell. Abraham. Dione, Michael Rayome and John Rayome.

The first school house was built on section 29. It was erected by all the settlers, who set aside a day for a log raising "bee." The district settlers set aside their daily tasks and in a short time a one-room log cabin was erected. Miss Z. Grignon was the first teacher. Laura Royer was the second teacher. The children of the Lloyd, Henry Hilger, F. Brouillard, Ano, St. Mitchell, Cunningham, Jarvis, Goodwill and Clifford families attended the first school. The log school was used until 1896 when a frame school was built. It is still in use. The school was erected by Misseador Thurot. It was remodeled in 1918 by Frank Mottel of Mattoon. The 1922-23 school officials were : Mrs. Martha Beusch, Clerk; John Spiegl, Director and Alfred Resch, Treasurer. The 1922-23 teacher was Esther Nowotny.

The first cheese factory in this district was erected by Walter Lloyd on the site of the present Norwood Cheese Factory, section 28, in 1912. It was sold to

Frank Barta by the original owner. The first factory burned down and in 1920 was re-built by him. September 16, 1921, Emil H. Hintz, progressive cheese maker, purchased the factory, which he operated until September, 1922, when it burned. It was known as the Norwood Cheese Factory.

The area of this district is 3,840 acres or six square miles. It contains all of sections 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33. There are four lakes in the district.

APPLE GROVE DISTRICT. Apple Grove is situated in the west central part of Norwood township and comprises all of sections 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21. Its area includes 3,840 acres of tillable land.

Apple Grove was settled by a group of pioneers who came from Greenville township, Outagamie County in 1879. Its first settler was John J. Simpson, who came from Greenville township in the fall of 1879 and settled on a homestead located on section 17 (NE I4). He was followed by George W. Bemis, who, in March, 1880, settled on section 19. Dallas Chappel came in 1879, homesteading on section 20. John A. Spencer homesteaded on section 22 in 1879. William McLean came from Omro in 1879 and homesteaded the SE V4 of section 17. Other early settlers were: Thomas Mc- Nutt, Charles Shead, J. W. Morse, Langlade County's first County Judge, who, in 1880, homesteaded on section 18. He came from Menasha. Charles Shead came from Vermont state and operated a store for Daniel Chandler, of Menasha. The store was located on section 16 and was erected in 1880, and discontinued a few years later.

Education of the children was important to the pioneer. Therefore as soon as the log cabins were "rolled up" means of education were discussd. School was opened on section 18 in the log shanty on the old George Garrett farm. This was three years before the first log school was built in 1883 on section 20 on the Dallas Chappel farm. He donated an acre of land for school purposes. This pioneer temple of education was used until 1897 when a new school was erected on the NW I4 of section 20 on the C. 0. Peterson farm site. John J. Simpson, afterwards the first Langlade County Clerk, was the first teacher. Miss Hutchins was the first woman teacher. The first teacher in the frame school was Martha Miller. The first school board officials in Apple Grove district were : J. W. Morse, Treasurer; George W. Bemis, Clerk and Dallas Chappel, Director. Early teachers were: Osca Bemis, Miss Hutchins, John J. Simpson, Hattie Thompson and Nancy Hutton now Nancy Garrett. First pupils were : George and Osca Bemis, Charles, Henry, James, and Frank Morse, J. Spencer and Myrtle Chappel.

Apple Grove district has progressed wonderfully since the first vanguard of homesteaders came with horse and buck board or oxen from Outagamie Coun- ty. It has a population of over one hundred inhabitants and more than twenty permanent farmers. The school, frame structure, is pleasantly situated in an apple grove, planted in an early day.

Instead of the old trail and tote road the district now has well kept highways. Most of the old pioneers have moved from the district and new settlers have taken over the old historic homesteads. Those still living can recall when G. W. Bemis of the district or Henry Peters of the Strassburg district. Rolling township, moved the settlers into the district, almost a half century ago. Antigo was then a hamlet with but three building, Doc. Olmsted's store, L. D. Moses' store, Niels Anderson's store and F. A. Deleglise's home and real estate office. The nearest railroad was fifty miles away at Clintonville.

The first gathering of the Twintownship Grange members was held at the Sanborn M. E. Church. On August 5, 1914, the grange was notified to look for a new meeting place and it was then that the members decided to build their own meeting place. A structure was erected on the northwest corner of the Charles Hippe farm, Norwood township. The building committee consisted of: Minnie Elchnitze, Ferry Gillett, Henry Naumann, Ed. Dodge and Herman Wirth. The building, 30x50 feet cost $1,500.00. It was dedicated December 31, 1914, by State Master Culbertson. Regular sessions of the grange are held every first and third Wednesdays. Present membership consists of thirty.

SUGAR BUSH DISTRICT. Sugar Bush is in the northwestern part of Norwood township, within easy riding distance from Antigo, county seat. It is on Highway No. 47, main route from Antigo to Green Bay and is in one of the most developed areas of southern Langlade County. The farms are well established, many being homesteads of pioneer days.

prospector. Only the trail of the Indian, running from the Keshena country, was evidence of habitat by man. Not until almost a half century ago (43 years) did the first brave pioneers penetrate the region. John McCandless and Henry McCandless driving a span of horses on a rough tote road from Menasha, settled in this district in 1879. Their journey took four days and many times the heavy cart, that carried their worldy belongings, was mired in the swamps. August Boettcher came from Stevensville and Peter Tatro, who came from Menasha settled in 1879. Horace Beard came from Neenah the same year. The Beard family came to the district with a yoke of oxen and the journey was long and tedious and would have proven discouraging to the ordinary folk. Other pioneers trekked in until the district became a settlement of log cabins with their picturesque "scooped roofs." Henry Mitchell, prominent Milltown mill owner, Frank Thompson, Harry McCandless, B. Chandler, Charles Teckaline, Ernest Abel, S. Schufeldt, Joseph and W. H. Smith, Henry Boettcher, Gustav Boettcher, Eli St. Peter and O. St. Peter, were later, but early settlers, Henry Heim, George Hooker, and Peter Peterson, also came to the district early.

The first school was conducted in the log cabin built by John McCandless. The Tatro children, the Boettcher children and the McCandless children attended the first session in 1879. Mary St. Louis was the first teacher. Other early teachers were: Mary Purdey, Hattie Thompson, Cora Sackett, Lucy Bliss and Frank Churchouse. Charles, Edward, Bessie and Mamie McCandless, David, Harry, Mable Thompson, Alvin, David and Walter Clifford, the Tatro children, Gustav and Matilda Boettcher were also pupils in this pioneer backwoods school.

A year after the first school was commenced a permanent log school was erected. This was used until 1898, when a frame building was erected. It is still used. The school is located on section 5. Henry McCandless, Gust Schmeige and Ernest Able were the building committee members in charge of building the frame school. They were appointed February 26, 1894. An acre of land was purchased from E. D. Stewart for school purposes. The old log school was purchased from the district by 0. Beard for $12.00.

Early school board officers were : John and Henry McCandless, Henry Mitchell, Peter Tatro, Henry Heim, H. Beard, and E. D. Stewart. The 1922-23 school officials were: W. H. Smith, Clerk; Stephen Palmer, Treasurer and Arley Gilmore, Director. The 1921-22 teacher was Sophia Augustine. The 1922-23 teacher was Mrs. Dan Hale. In the early days school was held in July and August, November, December and January.

Louise Farnham, M. Keelan, May Guenthner, Alma Stromberg, Agnes Walters, Margaret Follstad, Nora Wirig, Lillie Winters, and Helen Belsky. The average enrollment in Sugar Bush school is sixty pupils. In October, 1903, Carl Griswold built an addition to the school.

MAYKING DISTRICT. Mayking is situated in the northeastern part of Norwood township and is one of the oldest established districts in the county. The first settlers came to this region in 1878 and 1879. No railroads went north of Clintonville then, so it was necessary to walk over a rough trail, through swamps and dense forests to this part of Langlade County. Some of the hardy pioneers were able to make this long trip in a day.

J. Morehouse, Fred Shank, Emil Shank, William Shank, Charles Price, Fred Nonnemacher, Lewis Robinson, Fred Robinson, Wallace Robinson, Frank Koch, Norman Koch, and Louis Tatro and their families, all were early settlers, coming between 1878 and 1885. Other early settlers, who arrived later, were : Frank Schisel, Wolfgang Schisel, John and Jaque Price, Frank Price, and William Nonnemacher. Morehouse was the first settler. He was a blacksmith by trade.

The first school house was a log structure erected in 1880 on section 2. It was used until 1890, when a frame school was built. The frame school is located on section 2 and is still used.

The first saw mill in the district was erected by James Kennedy and John Zehner in section 13. After operating from 1882 to 1893, they sold to Chris and Henry Wunderlich, in 1893. The Wunderlich brothers moved the mill in 1907.

While Henry and Chris Wunderlich operated their mill a post office was established and a thriving community developed. It was called Mayking. When the mill disbanded the post office was discontinued.

Mayking has had two cheese factories. The first was on section 12 and run by Henry Kletz and the second now is operated by Martin Parsons. The first factory burned in 1920.

Mayking is well settled, has progressive farmers and fine farm houses. The school was in charge of Helen Elsholtz in 1922-23. The 1922-23 officers were : William Shank, Harry Kraeger, James McGraff, Treasurer, Clerk, and Director, respectively.

Mayking Grange

Mayking Grange, No. 597, was organized by State Organizer John Wilde at the Mayking school December 3, 1912. The first officers were: Master - Norman Koch; Overseer - Jake Price; Lecturer - Mrs. Norman Koch; Steward - William Smith; Assistant Steward - Frank Price; Lady Assistant Steward - Mrs. Emil Shanks; Chaplain - Mrs. Wm. Nonnemacher; Gatekeeper - Leonard Koch; Treasurer - Emil Shanks. The first records show no representative to Pomona Grange and the chairs of Ceres and Flora were not filled.

The Mayking Grange is very active and has at this writing a membership of one hundred. Mayking Hall was constructed in 1914 and the material and labor on the same was donated by the membership. Regular meetings are held the second and fourth Tuesdays.