Langlade County, Wisconsin - Chapter 44, 1922

Chapter 44

Peck Township No. 32, Range 10 East, named in honor of George W. Peck, Governor of Wisconsin from January 5, 1891 to January 7, 1895, lies in the west central part of the county. It is bounded on the north by Upham township, on the west by Vilas township, on the south by East Ackley township and on the east by Neva township. It embraces an area of 23,840 acres or thirty-six square miles. The northwest, central and southern portions of the township are drained by the west branch of the Eau Claire river, flowing through sections 5, 6, 8. 15, 16, 17, 22, 27, 29 and 33. The east branch of the Eau Claire river runs through sections 25, 35 and 36. Clear Water Creek in the northeastern part and Sucker Creek in the northwest part, drain those sections into the Eau Claire river. The central and southern sections of the township are level and flat, but the northeastern part is somewhat undulating. Peck was surveyed September 14, 1860 to September 20, 1860, by H. C. Fellows, U. S. Deputy Surveyor.

Peck township is a vast stretch of Merrimac Silt Loam, covering all of the township with the exception of those sections or fraction sections in which Peat or Muck are found. Peat is not very extensive, but more so than Muck, found along the banks of the east and west branches of the Eau Claire river. Peat is found in the NE part of section 3, a strip runs through the eastern part of sections 4 and 9, also sections 2, 5, 8, 9, 10, 17 and 36.

Organization

The territory comprising Peck township was once under the rule of Lincoln County. Later a part of Ackley township, and then Vilas township it was detached from the last named, January 28, 1891, by a resolution adopted by the Langlade County board.

The petition praying for the organization of Peck from Vilas township was sent from Morley, Peck township village, to the county solons, January 6, 1891. It was signed by Z. Space, J. S. Bedah, Nathan Fryer, Thomas Stinson, Carl Yopes, George Hotchkiss, G. N. Tinney, Charles Stinson, Herman Iven, Fred Balch, Abe Bovee, Win Nelson, R. Hampton, J. Harris, Wm. Frick, Jonathon H. Reader, George Fenton, G. F. Walch, Jesse Tinney, Mike Churney, C. H. Harder, Wm. Reader, W. J. Hampton, John Nelson, John Wolter, Moritz Friebel, J. H. Reader, Peter G. Beck, W. R. Anason, H. Fryer, Thomas K. Johnson, D. C. Forrest, Carl F"riebel, W. Hampton, and August Wolfgram.

recommended the organization of Peck township, upon which the county representatives acted favorably. V. P. Rath, George H. .Tones and A. McMillan were selected to make a settlement between Vilas and the new township. The writ sent to the board by citizens opposed to organization was denied by the Town Organization Committee.

First Election Inspectors

The first election inspectors were appointed by the County Board. They were: John S. Wilson, Moritz Friebel and Peter G. Beck. The first election was held at the school house in District No. 2, * of the new township.

Thirty-four votes were cast at the first Peck township election, April 7, 1891. Peter G. Beck was elected first township chairman. Other officers were: Supervisors - G. F. Walch, Sidna Boda; Clerk - W. R. Mason; Treasurer - Moritz Friebel; Assessor - Herman Iven; Justices - Z. Space, T. Stinson (2 years) and C. H. Harder (1 year) ; Constables - John Nelson and W. Fick.

First Road Districts

Peck township was divided into four road districts April 14, 1891. Thomas Stinson, Z. Space, Carl Friebel and Carl Yopes were the first Overseers of Distrists No. 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively.

The first road constructed in this township was authorized May 4, 1879, upon petition of six homesteaders. It commenced at the southwest corner of section 31 ; thence north to the southwest corner of section 19; thence east to the northeast corner of section 19; thence south to the southeast corner of section 31. The hearing on the proposed road was held at the residence of Joseph Parfitt. The next early road established was in the spring of 1882. It started at the SE corner of section 19, Township 32, Range 10 E., and ran east on the section line to the Lincoln County boundary. Five other highways were laid out in Peck township between 1879 and 1885, the last in August, 1884. Early roads were constructed at a cost of sixty to seventy-five cents per rod. Others were as high as $1.25 per rod, while some went still higher depending upon the region through which they were cut.

Justices Of The Peace District No. 1

BADGER DISTRICT. One month after the first election in Peck township the entire township was divided into four school districts. District No. 1, created May 8, 1891, originally consisted of all of sections 1 to 8 inclusive, and the north half of sections 9, 10, 11 and 12, Township 32, Range 10 East. By redistricting, establishment of joint districts with other township sections the district has been gradually growing smaller, until now it consists of sections 4, 7, 8, 9, 17, 18, the N ^2 of sections 19, 20 and the W V2 of section 16 or eight sections. The Badger district, situated in the northwestern part of the township comprises an area of 5,120 acres. The last territorial change in the district was made in 1914.

Before the arrival of the first white settler in Badger district Indians used the primitive region as a hunting and camping ground. Their trails crossed each other in various parts of the wilderness. Hunting the bear, the fleet deer, monarch of the north forest, the lynx, wildcat, wolf or wild fowl was their chief occupation. The adjacent streams afforded fishing for the impulsive red tribes. But just as the Indian was pushed westward from that moment when the Pilgrims first trod the soil of Massachusetts on that memorable

December 21, 1620, so too his unchallenged reign of this county saw its ending when the first settlers arrived in 1876. They came from New London, Wausau, Merrill and other adjacent cities. Z. Space and P. Fryer, prominent in early Peck township activities, were the first settlers. They were followed by Jos. Parfitt, Peter G. Beck and E. Whitney, who came in 1879. Oxen teams were used and the journey to the district, unmarred by the hand of white men, took many days. The roads were poor, swamps were crossed and Indian trails were followed. Tenacity, courage and persistency were typical characteristics of these first settlers and the majority who followed. Like General Grant, they "did not turn back," but faithfully forged ahead.

Cabins were erected in the wilderness. Journeys for provisions were made with the slow oxen to Wausau, the village of Antigo or to Merrill. Most of the longer trips were made in the winter and the supplies for many months were thus brought to the pioneers.

The first school in this district was erected in 1886 on section 20. Here the children of the early homeseekers acquired the foundation for their future education. The first school term was six months. As in most districts the salary averaged $25.00. The log school of pioneer days was called the Beck school in honor of P. G. Beck, first Peck township Chairman.

In 1908, a frame school was erected on the southwest corner of section 17, near the M. E. church. It is a splendid school building, well equipped and a credit to the progressive district. The 1921-22 teacher was Miss Howe. Many of the children in the district attended schools in other districts before the erection of the present school, called "The Badger."

The district is actively interested in community fairs and grange leadership. The first Langlade County township fair was held in the fall of 1914 at the Badger school.

Forest Grange No. 615

Forest Grange No. 615, Patrons of Husbandry, was organized at the Badger school February 18, 1914. Meetings are still held the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at the school. The first officers were: Master - J. K. Walker; Overseer - Olaf Anderson; Lecturer - Alex Henry; Steward - Arthur Berg; Assistant Steward - Wm. Walker; Chaplain - Mrs. Alex Henry; Treasurer - John Christenson; Secretary - J. P. Cleary; Gatekeeper - Lawrence Nelson; Ceres - Eleanora Greenland; Pomona - Mrs. Jenny Greenland; Flora - Amelia Engeles; Lady Assistant Steward - Rose Christenson.

Section No. 1 of Peck Township is a part of Joint District No. 1 of Neva, and is found under Neva township. Sections 5 and 6 are found under the Upham township subdivision. Joint District No. 2 of Upham and Peck.

FRIEBEL DISTRICT. This is one of the oldest districts in Langlade County, being organized when this territory was a part of Lincoln County, long before it was organized as Ackley township, in 1876. The first settlers in this district trekked from Wausau, Green Leaf, Merrill, the state of Virginia and elsewhere.

Roads were few in this territory before the '80's and for a long time after. A tote road ran from Merrill to Neva township territory near the Eau Claire river. This old road, barely passable, was used by some of the first settlers who homesteaded in this district. Pioneer settlers were : Herman Harder, J. Tinney, Moritz Friebel, after whom the school was named, the Jetsoms, Jane De Moss, Wm. Fick. Later settlers were : Martin Helmbrecht, M. Churney, the Pillar family, H. Ivan and Mose Hawley.

The first school, log cabin of the back woods type of frontier days, was erected on the banks of the Eau Claire river, section 27. It was used for a number of years when another school was erected just a short distance away on section 22. The present school, located on the east banks of the Eau Claire river, section 27, is a frame structure, erected in 1894. It is well equipped and cared for. An addition was placed on the school to accommodate the recent increased enrollment. Miss Jetson of Ormsby taught the first school. The 1922-23 teacher was Clara Wagner.

John Tinney, Herman Harder and Moritz Friebel were the first school officials (long before present district was organized). The first officers of the district under Peck township were: C. H. Harder, Clerk; Moritz Friebel, Treasurer; H. Ivan, Director, elected in 1891. The 1922-23 school offiicers were : Herman Fredrick, Clerk; Bert Goodman, Director; and W. H. Wegner, Treasurer.

The first frame house was erected on section 22, and is now owned by William H. Wegner, present Township Chairman. This frame dwelling was followed by others and now most of the settlers have supplanted the log cabin with the modern farm home.

It was later owned by Edward Hawley who was associated with William H. Wegner. Improvements were made and the business flourished. It was later replaced by a cheese factory ( 1917) operated first by Edward Thomae. The latter was purchased by H. Ehlman of Birnamwood, who sold to Emil Bartz in May, 1922.

Among other industries of pioneer days was a lath mill erected on section 22 by H. C. Humphrey. It operated only a short time when a destructive forest fire ignited and burned it down.

Most of the roads are well maintained, the settlers are engaged in scientific farming, telephones are becoming more numerous, pure bred stock, better dairying methods, community social gatherings, and constant touch with Antigo, county seat, makes this a district of high standing.

It is now a marked contrast to that time in 1880 when boats were used to go down the Eau Claire river to Wausau and then oared upstream with a load of supplies; or to that period when the oxen waited outside of the log cabin while the early settler took orders from his distant neighbors for flour and foodstuffs which he planned to return to them from Wausau or Merrill. Little trading was done at Antigo then.

Riverside Grange No. 620

Langlade County leads in grange activities. Important in the granges is the Riverside Grange No. 620 organized at the Friebel school with 44 charter members by John Wilde, State Organizer, February 22, 1914. The first officers were : Master, William H. Wegner; Overseer, Joseph Helmbrecht, Sr. ; Steward, Louis Lensing; Assistant Steward, Charles Leidheisl; Secretary, August Lensing; Treasurer, Sebastian Leidheisl; Lecturer, Helen Friebel; Chaplain, Sara Lensing; Gatekeeper, Fred Fick; Ceres, Mrs. William H. Wegner; Pomona, Mrs. Jos. Kauschinger; Flora, Katherine Helmbrecht; Lady Assistant Steward, Esther Wegner.

One meeting each month is conducted during the winter, while sessions are conducted every second and fourth Saturday during the summer and fall. 1922 officers were: Master, August Lensing; Overseer, Joseph Miner; Steward, Amos Wagner; Secretary, William H. Wegner; Treasurer, Sebastian Leidheisl; Chaplain, Mrs. Joseph Kauschinger; Lecturer, Leona Kauschinger; Ceres, Marie Kauschinger; Pomona, Leona Helmbrecht; Flora, Verna Wegner; Gatekeeper, Louis Heimler; Assistant Steward, Joseph Kauschinger; Lady Assistant Steward, Gertrude Helmbrecht.

BLUE BELL DISTRICT. In the southwestern part of Peck township is an area of land consisting of six and one-half sections or 4,160 acres of land known as district No. 4 or the Blue Bell school district. It was first settled in 1877 by homesteaders. Among these early settlers were George Hotchkiss, Riley Mason, Mary Maltby, the Curtiss family, Wm. James, C. F. Balch, Mrs. Henry, Fadalia McCumber, the Johnston family, and the Fryer family. Then this was a vast territory, stretching north to the Michigan-Wisconsin boundary line and was a part of Lincoln County. All of the northern Wisconsin counties were very large in that period following the close of the Civil War.

The pioneer settlers were constantly facing crisis', almost unbearable burdens and hardships. Their homes were roughly constructed cabins. Two rooms in a farm home was considered very progressive for the period.

The first school was erected on section 31 on the old Maltby homestead location. It was used until 1883 when another building for school purposes was erected on the Yopes farm property, section 31. This school was used until 1891 when it was moved to section 32 where it now is used as the farm home of one of the settlers.

On the McCumber old homestead, a general store and post office were operated for a number of years as Morley post office. It was then moved to the present site of Morley. W. J. Morley, Oshkosh lumberman, was the proprietor of the store. The old building still stands.

Average attendance at the Blue Bell school is fortythree pupils. Mrs. Johnson (formerly a Miss Prosser) was an early teacher. Miss R. Singer was the first teacher in the new school. The 1921-22 teacher was Bessie Augustyn.

District No. 4 was organized as a joint district May 8, 1891. It consisted of sections 1 and 2 of Township 31, Range 9 East, sections 4, 5 and 6, Township 31, Range 10 East, and the south one-half of the north west quarter of section 30 and all of section 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, Township 32, Range 10 East (Peck).

Peter G. Beck, G. F. Walch, and Sidna Boda were the township supervisors of Peck and Charles Nelson, W. L. Ackley and James Siota were the Ackley township supervisors who sanctioned the organization of this district.

The first district school officers elected were : Jonathan Reader, Clerk; Carl Yopes, Treasurer, and G. F. Walch, Director. They were elected in 1891.

August 17, 1892, the school term was designated at six months. The old blue school house of district No. 4 of Vilas was moved to Peck township, having been purchased by the people of this district. Their children heretofore had attended that school, but it was too far for them to walk every day.

On September 17, 1906, this district ceased to be a joint unit with Ackley and became a complete Peck district. July, 1908, it was decided to erect a new school on the northwest corner of section 32.

Joint District No. 5

ROSEDALE DISTRICT. On July 30, 1906, this district was organized as a distinct school unit, including territory of both Ackley and Peck townships. That part of Peck included in this district consisted of the south half of sections 25, 26, the southeast quarter of section 27, the southeast quarter of section 33, sections 34, 35 and 36. East Ackley territory in the district included the north ^2 of section 1, all of sections 2, 3, 4 and 5. Nelson Shanks, P. Greenland and William Fick were then supervisors of Peck township and Charles Nelson, F. G. Kennedy and R. Yonkee were representing Ackley township.

No changes have been made in the district with the exception of the southeast quarter of section 25 and the northeast quarter of section 36 of Township 32, Range 10. This territory was added to Joint District No. 3, Neva and Peck townships, August 24, 1914.

This territory was originally a part of districts 3 and 4 as created May 8, 1891. When district No. 5, Joint, was organized the territory was taken from District No. 3 of Ackley and District No. 4 of Peck. Michael Kennedy and John Hafner represented the Ackley school and Willard Lloyd and H. W. James represented the Peck school at the negotiations.

The first school board in this district consisted of James Shopbell, H. J. Richey and W. J. Diamond, Director, Treasurer and Clerk respectively. James A. Barker, A. L. Hayner and T. Johnson were Clerk, Treasurer and Director in 1921-22.

The first school in this district was an old store building which was used until 1906 when a modern school was erected at a cost of approximately $1,600. In 1906 $375 was set aside as "teacher's yearly salary" for the ensuing year. Early teachers were: Nellie Kevan, Josephine Cook, Agnes Singer and Nannie Maloney. The 1921-22 teacher was Miss Sylvia Chadek.

In this district was once an extensive prairie where a Chippewa Indian settlement was located. This is within the memory of white settlers who established in the township in pioneer days. The Indians hunted and fished nearby. They left proof of their existence by burial mounds, utensils and arrow heads which are frequently found.

The district is principally an agricultural one. All farmers are progressive, have excellent farm buildings and excellent soil, all of which speaks well for the future.

ORMSBY DISTRICT. This district comprises a small area of land situated in the north central part of Peck township. The first settlers were Orvis Vaughn, Barney Brennan, Wm. Ormsby and R. C. Brown. Mr. Ormsby, after whom the post office was named, came to this district from Milwaukee. Associated in his work with him was R. C. Brown of Oshkosh. They formed the Northern Woodland Company and in 1900 erected a sawmill on section 16. The mill v/as used until it burned in 1912. This original company, by reorganization, became the Union Lime Company and then the Ormsby Land & Timber Company. E. P. Hoeft, Ormsby, is the resident manager of the concern. H. R. Swanke of Tigerton, Wis., in his associate.

The first school was erected in 1906 and G. Deirlein was the first teacher. Other early teachers were Martha Petrofsky and Blanche Nelson. The last teacher was Stella Jacobus, school having been discontinued since 1920. The frame school, section 16, was built in 1906.

Present industries at Ormsby are the general store, hotel and blacksmith shop of the Ormsby Land 8f Timber Company. The first postmaster was Henry C. Eickert, also the first store manager for Mr. Ormsby. E. P. Hoeft was the last postmaster.