Ainsworth Town

Ainsworth Town

Ainsworth is situated north of Price township and occupies that territory in townships 33 and 34 of Range 12 East. South Ainsworth township was surveyed by James L. Nowlin, U. S. Deputy Surveyor, who commenced the survey May 6, 1865, and completed it May 17, 1865. South Ainsworth is bounded on the north by North Ainsworth township, on the south by Price township, on the east by East Upham township and on the west by North Langlade township. The south township was originally covered with a growth of white and yellow pine, hemlock, birch, oak and maple. Most of the timber was of poor quality. Extensive tracts of hardwood still stand. The soil of South Ainsworth consists of Gloucester sandy loam found in sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the township and in a spear shaped area in the western part of South Ainsworth. Merrimac silt loam is found in sections 5 and 6. Gloucester silt loam is not so extensive in the southern part of the township. Considerable Peat is found along the banks of the Wolf River and near the marshes and lakes. The junction of the Hunting and Wolf rivers is in this township in section 8. The famous military road runs through section 1 entering North Ainsworth in section 35.

North Ainsworth lies in congressional township 34 of Range 12 East. It was surveyed by James L. Nowlin, who started May 18, 1865, and completed the survey June 1, 1865. Hemlock, tamarack, white pine, cedar, birch and maple were the original forest products. There was but little pine in this township. The only stream of note is the Wolf river, which has a width from 1 to 3 chains. It runs through sections 30, 31 and 32 on the west. Pickerel Creek, in the east, runs through sections 13, 24, 25, 26, 27, 33 and 34. Principal lakes are Rich Lake, the western part of Pickerel Lake, in section 25, and other small lakes.

North Ainsworth is bounded on the north by Forest County, on the south by South Ainsworth, on the west by East Elcho township and on the east by Forest County. The soil of North Ainsworth consists principally of Gloucester silt loam, Gloucester stony sand in the south and a small area north near Little Rolling Stone Lake fat county boundary). Gloucester sandy loam is found in the center of the township, Gloucester fine sand in sections 22, 23 and 27, a strip of Plainfield sand is found south of Rich's (Rolling Stone) Lake in sections 13 and 14. The largest area of Peat in Langlade County is found in western North Ainsworth. It embraces an area of about eight sections.

The Organization Of Ainsworth

Ainsworth township is the youngest of Langlade County civil divisions. The township was organized at the first annual township meeting, April 4, 1905. Charles A. Learned was appointed temporary Chairman of the meeting and Alexander Henry and Robert Schmidt were selected as Clerks of Election. H. B. Polar and A. Nixon were chosen ballot clerks and F. A. Thorn and Joseph Schoknecht as inspectors of election.

The township was named after "Uncle Tom" Ainsworth, who, for many years came to the dam at Pearson to care for it and "tend" for the Wolf River Improvement Company.

First Officers

The first officers of Ainsworth township were: Chairman - Charles A. Learned; F. A. Thorn and H. B. Polar - Supervisors; Alexander Henry - Clerk; Chas. T. Ainsworth - Treasurer; Samuel Preston - Assessor; W. Newell - Constable; J. Thorn, Henry Harvey and J. W. Hoffman - Justices.

The town of Ainsworth was once a part of Langlade township, Oconto County, in 1875-1879. (Langlade township then consisted of 44 and a third townships and extended to the state line, but was cut down to 27 townships just before New County was created in 1879). When Langlade County was organized Ainsworth was a part of Polar township. In November, 1883, it was detached from Polar township and became a part of Price township. It remained under the jurisdiction of Price township but one year. November 12, 1884, the county board was requested to organize Aetna township out of the present territory of Ainsworth and townships 34 of Ranges 13 and 14 East, now a part of Nashville township. Forest County. The request was granted and Cleveland township was created. (See Cleveland township in Chapter on Vacated Langlade County Townships). In November, 1886, this territory, with the exception of that part ceded to Forest County in 1885, was vacated and attached to Langlade township. It remained in Langlade township until 1905 when Ainsworth was organized.

Ainsworth Hall

November 6, 1907, James D. Polar, Sam Preston, F. W. Hoffman, C. A. Learned, Jos. Schoknecht, Charles T. Ainsworth, J. W. Spencer, J. K. Newell, Alvin Richter, F. A. Thorne, J. T. Thorn, Wm. Spencer, W. Crams, H. B. Polar, B. S. Powell, and J. H. Powell petitioned the township officials to vote on the question of raising $1,000 to erect a town hall. The question was put to the voters of Ainsworth and 13 voted for and 2

Settlement With Langlade

Ainsworth township made a settlement with the officials of Langlade township May 20, 1905. Charles A. Learned, Alexander Henry and C. T. Ainsworth were the Committee on Settlement from the new town. The division of properties and treasury funds was made on a 491 to 509 per cent basis, the latter per cent to be retained by Langlade.

The division of Langlade township creating Ainsworth made the seventh recorded change in township jurisdiction of townships 33 and 34 of Range 12 East. These were 1 - Territory was in Oconto County; 2 - Territory in New County ; 3 - Territory in Langlade County in Polar township; 4 - Territory in Price township; 5 - Territory in Cleveland township; 6 - Territory in Langlade township; 7 - Territory in Ainsworth township.

First Health Officers

The first health officers of Ainsworth township were : Chairman of Board of Health - H. B. Polar; Health Officer - Frank A. Thorn and Clerk - Alexander Henry.

First Road Before U. S. Survey In 1865

The first road to penetrate the township was the old Lake Superior Trail that ran in a north and south direction through the center of the township. This road was cut before the government survey of Langlade County. The military road runs through this township on practically the same course.

Early stopping places and dams are found in the chapters on "Pioneer Lumbering on the Wolf River" and "Taverns - Old Stopping Places - Hotels."

Justices Of The Peace District No 3

PEARSON DISTRICT. The first historical event of importance in this district was the construction of the Wolf river dam, erected by the Keshena Improvement Company in 1869. Thomas Ainsworth, had charge of construction of this dam. P. Williams Maginey often termed "Bogus Bill" was the first dam tender. Buckstaff Brothers of Oshkosh had a camp on Craig's corner in this district in 1866. James Magee operated a camp on the site of the Henry Shadick residence, section 5.

March, 1883. Charles Ferguson came at the same time. Joseph Schoknecht settled on section 3, Township 33, Range 12 East, in July, 1883. Following him J. Pearson Hughes came in 1884 from Oshkosh, Wis., to regain his health. Henry Harvey and Charles Ainsworth followed, both coming from Shawano. The latter settled on section 9. Alexander Henry, Fred Hoffman, Albert Nixon, Sim Graves and Samuel Preston all were early settlers coming shortly after the first arrivals.

Henry Seaman and J. Pearson Hughes erected the first log school house on section 3. It was built in 1886. Edith Hughes and Rose and Frank Seeman were the first pupils. Early teachers were Louisa Romeis, Jane Reader, Nellie Reader and Mrs. J. Pearson Hughes. In 1891 a frame school replaced the log structure, being erected on section 10. It was in use until 1916 when a brick school was erected on the same site at a cost of $5,500. The old frame school house was moved to the Cloverdale district where George Mathison remodeled it for a store. The members of the school board when the frame school of 1891 was erected were Joseph Schoknecht, Treasurer; J. Pearson Hughes, Clerk and Robert Armstrong, Director. The 1921-22 officials were Fred Hartman, Treasurer; John Aird, Clerk; August Kussman, Director. The 1921- 22 teacher was Vera Young.

J. Pearson Hughes was the first storekeeper and postmaster at Pearson village, which was named by him. The store was a typical crossroads place. Albert Nixon operated the first hotel on section 9. J. P. Hughes ran a boarding house before then.

Oscar Seeman was the first boy and Elsie Schoknecht was the first girl born in the district. She was also the first woman to vote in the district, at a general election.

Sim Graves operated a saw mill on section 4 from 1905 to 1907, when it was moved away. The land was purchased by the Paine Lumber Company of Oshkosh, Wis.

The Langlade Lumber Company, successor to the Paine Lumber Company, have extensive holdings in the district. They have brought in new settlers, through their cut over land sales.

The post office has been moved frequently since J. Pearson Hughes opened it, on section 9. Other postmasters were Alexander Henry, section 9; William Spencer, section 9; Samuel Preston, section 9, (it burned when he was in charge). It was then located on section 4. Other postmasters were Annie Monette, George Thrasher, Alonzo Bunten and George Mathison.

District No. 4

ARBUTUS HILL DISTRICT. The pioneer citizens of this district were Charles A. Learned, H. B. Polar and David Getchell (who later moved to Langlade township, Elm Grove District).

H. B. Polar came into northern Wisconsin in 1861 and moved down the old Lake Superior trail from Lac Vieux Desert to the territory that later become Langlade County, but a short time later. He was one of Langlade County's most conspicuous pioneers. He lived with and among the Chippewa Indians, who revered and respected him. The chief occupation of this pioneer was that of a trader, woodsman, and later a proprietor of a so-called "stopping place." ( See chapter on Taverns-Hotels-Stopping Places). Polar township was named in his memory. David Getchell, who came from Maine, is mentioned in the Elm Grove District. Charles Leonard became the first Ainsworth town chairman. He was active in Langlade township and Cleveland township affairs previously.

District No. 4 has long been the habitat of the Chippewa, who today lives within its borders. Many of them live in a primitive environment. "Old Blind Christ," a Chippewa Indian of advanced age lives nearby. He is reserved as are most of the Chippewa Indians hereabout. His name is John Pete and the story is related of how he became blind in an attempt to run from the authorities enforcing the peace and civil dignity of the district. Joseph Pete, a brother, fought in the Civil War.

The first school was known as the Polar School and was on the site of the present Arbutus school, section 34. It was a log building and was used a number of years. A frame building was erected and burned down in 1906. It was replaced by another frame structure which still stands, section 27, but is not used as a school. The brick school now in the district was built by Dallman & Hoffschmidt of Antigo. It is a splendid building, well equipped and a credit to the community.

Loggers who have or are now operating : Fish Lumber Company crews, Kellogg Lumber & Mfg. Co., Langlade Lumber Co., Wittenberg Cedar Company and White Star Lumber Co., and Munsard & Perkins of Bowler.

Early teachers were : Michael Hafner and Edith Buck. The 1921-22 teacher was lone Preston. The 1921-22 school officials were : Lyman Jessey, Treasurer; John Harvey, Director and Frank Harvey, Clerk.

An Indian cemetery is located in the district and many of the Polar family are at rest in it. There H. B. Polar, the pioneer, James Polar and Barney Polar, who was charged with the murder of Henry Still, but was never captured for trial, are buried.

District No. 5

This district has but four settlers, Frank A. Thorn family, Wm. Grames, William Vorass and Charles Franks. It is heavily timbered, lumbering, logging and agriculture being the chief occupations of the settlers.

Nicholas Preston homesteaded the southeast quarter of section 29. He was followed by Sim Graves, who also settled on section 29. Frank A. Thorn and family came into the district in 1899 and settled on section 27. E. C. Nichols settled on section 27 (NW M).

The first school was erected on section 29 and was used for many years until the frame structure was built in 1905. Early teachers were Edith Hughes, Dora Berendson, Lena Arentsen, Frarxis McBain, Francis La Veque and Nettie Hanson. The first teacher in the frame school was Minnie Brandow. The last teacher was Olga Grames. School has been discontinued because there are no children of school age.

The Langlade Lumber Company store and headquarters are located near this district on section 5. They moved their headquarters into the district from Bass Lake, Upham township in 1921. The company store was purchased from Hale, Mylrea Lumber Company in 1916.

District No. 6

CLOVER DALE DISTRICT. In the region where the Hunting River joins with the Wolf River in a journey on to the St. Lawrence is a district known to the school children as the Clover Dale. Its early settlers were: John Powell, "Uncle West" Spencer, Columbus Spencer, B. S. Powell and Tillman Arrand. The district is not densely populated, but, because of recent extensive logging operations, has become settled.

The Langlade Lumber Company has extensive logging operations in this vicinity. Their machine shop, general store operated by F. R. Cleveland and the Langlade Hotel, run by William Zerrener, are all located in Clover Dale. George Mathison is the Pearson postmaster. He has a store which he runs in conjunction with the post office. Oliver Shadick, Jr., conducts a soft drink parlor in this district.

District No. 7

SWAMP CREEK DISTRICT is sparsely settled. The settlers are Charles Kreger, Wallace Fryer, the Brennerman family, George Maloney, Frank Slaboch, William Tomlin and Joseph Schacher. E. S. Tradewell logged extensively in the district for many years until 1921. He also conducted a general store while engaged in logging. The school house, was erected by the Charles W. Fish Lumber Company. The first teacher was Miss Lola Mills. Mrs. Wallace Fryer is the present teacher. The 1921-22 school officials were: Frank Slobach, Treasurer; Mrs. Charles Krueger, Clerk and Wallace Fryer, Director.