Cumberland City

Cumberland City

Location and Advantages - The Island City - Indians and Their Camps - First Settlers - Township Organization - Early Days - Coming of the Railroad - Early Business Interests - Lumbering and Woodworking - Municipal History Records and Improvements - Farmers Light & Power Co. - -Library- - Cemetery - Public Schools - Postal Service - Banks - Manufacturing - Shipping Association - Breeders' Association - Creamery - Canning Factory and Pickling Station - Other Industrial Activities - Telephones - Hospital - City Officers - Italian Colony - Churches - Fraternities - Cumberland Pioneers . 1087 - 1101

Cumberland is an incorporated city of 1528 Inhabitants, situated in the northwest corner of Cumberland Township, or, as more exactly described, in Sections 6 and 7. Township 35 north. Range 13 west. It is entirely surrounded by Beaver Dam Lake, which converts the site Into an island, sev¬ eral bridges giving access into the surround¬ ing country. From this fact it is sometimes called the "Island City." The lake is a beautiful body of water five miles long, and connects with a chain of lakes extending about sixteen miles to the northwest. The land is rolling, and in many places covered with small timber, the ancient forests hav¬ ing been cut years ago by the different log¬ ging concerns which operated in this region.

reservation. After the white men came, the Indians gradually returned to their reser¬ vation. The chief of the band was Pon-gee Rau-gen, or "Little Pipe", commonly called "Cut Lip". He lived here until his death, about 1895, when he was drowned by being tipped out of a canoe. Several of his de¬ scendants were present at the first pioneer reunion held at Cumberland, in August, 1920, Including his grandsons, Charles and Will Roberts, and their niece, Margaret Bisonett of Cou deray.

The city of Cumberland is built on an island at the lower extremity of Beaver Dam Lake, which is encircled for the most part with rugged hills, whose slopes and summits are adorned from spring to autumn with the brilliant foliage of a variety of trees and shrubs, including the pine, oak, birch and elm; the whole forming a series of magnificent pictures, the perfection of nature's handiwork, from almost number¬ less points of view. Less than five decades ago this Island and all the territory adja¬ cent to the beautiful Che-wa-cum-ma-towangok, or "Lake Made by the Beavers", as Beaver Dam Lake was called in the Chip¬ pewa language, was an unbroken wilder¬ ness, save the clearings and the cabins of two or three adventurous pioneers. In this period a city has grown up that is a sur¬ prise to the visitor. What was a tangled forest of trees, shrubs, wild creeping plants and flowers, is now a business and residence center that demands volumes of praise for the enterprise of the citizens. With wide and graded streets, substantial sidewalks, handsome homes, fine stores, electric lights and a complete system of waterworks in operation, the city is a model of what can be accomplished by the brain and hand of man.

In the fall of 1874 O. A. Rltan, accompa¬ nied by R. H. Clothier, visited this section, both with the intention of taking up home¬ steads. But after looking over the ground they changed their minds and started back for tbeir homes in Hersey. While on their way they met a party of surveyors, who were running lines for the proposed North Wisconsin railway. These surveyors in¬ formed that the road would probably run through or near the homesteads they had intended to file on. They, however, contin¬ ued their homeward Journey. In the fall of the same year they learned that the rail¬ road would probably be built through the next spring, and Mr. Ritan filed on a home¬ stead, aR also did Gunder O. Dahlby.

The Ritan and Dahlby families had met at Downs' camp, near Turtle Lake, to which place the Dahlbys had driven from the town of New Richmond, which was then the end of the railroad. They arrived on the island Dec. 10, 1874, and Mr. Dahlby, as¬ sisted by Mr. Ritan, at once built on his land a rude log cabin of two rooms, the first on the island. It stood on Lot 3, Section 6, or, in other words, about 300 feet north of the site of the present high school.

but during the first winter, that of 1874-75, he and his family shared the cabin of the Dahlbys. R. H. Clothier, who arrived with his family about a month after the others had started housekeeping, also made his temporary home there. They were necessa¬ rily crowded but made the best of circum¬ stances. During the day the men rolled in huge blocks of white pine, which, in the evening they split with frows into shingle size, later dressing them into shape with draw-knives. They also prepared other building material to as to be ready for the spring activities. The lighter work was done in the cabin.

In 1877, when the construction of the North Wisconsin railway was resumed at Clayton and extended toward the Great Lakes, Mr. Dahlby, being the lucky posses¬ sor of an ox team, easily found work haul¬ ing supplies to the various construction camps. In 1880 he sold out his interests here and moved to Chandler (now Spooner), where he opened a store; but after conduct¬ ing it a short time, he resumed railway con¬ struction work, following the road as it ad¬ vanced from place to place. He died at North Branch, Minn., in 1901. His wife, Ellen, whose maiden name was Hemmingson, was present at the pioneer picnic in Cumberland in 1920. They were both na¬ tives of Norway and came to America in 1872 with their firstborn child, Edwin M.

O. A. Ritan, who was also a Norwegian, built a house on his land in the spring of 1875. He remained in this locality for many years and took a prominent part in the de¬ velopment of Cumberland, opening one of the early stores. He is still living, being now a resident of Portland, Ore.

R. H. Clothier took a homestead in Sec¬ tion 18, his farm in part adjoining Mr. Ritan's on the east, while C. C. Clausen, who arrived while Mr. Ritan was building his house, in the spring of 1875, settled just next to him on the north. In June the same year, G. G. Hodgkin arrived, and in the next month brought his family here from their old home in Trempealeau. The Journey was made by wagon across the country, Mr. Hodgkin cutting the first wagon road, or rather trail, through the woods to his new abiding place. In an early narrative we read: "On November 14 of the same year A. J. Cook arrived and entered land in the northern part of the settlement. His son, George B. Cook, accompanied him. They, with their family, consisting of Mr. Cook and his wife, their son, George, and sonin-law, John Hopkins, his wife and two little children, lived in a cloth tent, 12 by 16 feet, through the winter of 1875-76. They secured homesteads across the lake." The A. J. Cook residence was on Lot 5. on the north half of the southeast quarter of Sec¬ tion 6. That of Mr. Hodgkin was on Lot 2 in the same section. Other settlers came in about this time or soon after. Including: Chris Finson, in Section 8; Horace Seward, Section 18, and J. C. Bonett, after whom the bridge at the south end of the Island was named. Speaking of these settlers, it has been said: "During the next four years they experienced many hardships, but as they had always proved themselves to be brave men and true women, with the hope ot a bright future before them, it was com¬ paratively easy for them to make the best of their present circumstances and struggle on as best they could. Fish and game were abundant, including the different species of bass, pickerel, wall-eyed pike, sunftsh, horned-pout, red-horse, partridges, rabbits, raccoons, porcupines, deer, bears, foxes, wildcats, etc. The pioneers were visited oc¬ casionally by the families of Powagams, Wabesesh and Okka-Tuccom, who usually came in a body when they favored their neighbors with a call, which usually lasted from three to four hours, and was remark¬ ably entertaining. Interesting and instruc¬ tive. What seemed harder to bear than anything else was having to wait so long for letters and papers, but the mail always reached them if they only waited long enough. It would be sent from one logging camp to another until, Anally, some one would bring it to them. Sometimes the envelopes would be nearly worn out, and the letters so defaced and dirty that it would take all the members of a family to deci¬ pher them. It was always a gala day when letters and papers were received from rela¬ tives and friends."

The settlement grew quite rapidly, and on Feb. 21, 1879, the village was platted on land owned by the North Wisconsin Rail¬ road Co. George Strong was the surveyor. North Cumberland was platted Nov. 10, 1879, having been surveyed by G. G. Hodg¬ kin. East Cumberland was platted July 13, 1881, on land owned by Henry M. Barney. Mr. Hodgkin was the suFVeyor.

On Dec. 30, 1875, the town of Lakeland was organized, containing what are now the four townships of Cumberland, Crystal Lake, Almena and Maple Plain, with Sec¬ tions 31, 32, 33 and 34 of what is now Lake¬ land Township. The officers elected were: Supervisors: A. J. Cook (chairman), O. A. Rltan and G. W. Caddy; town clerk, George Corsar; town treasurer, R, H. Clothier, as¬ sessors, N. Wallace and William Horning.

On Jan. 1, 1880, the name of the town¬ ship was changed to Cumberland, and in March the same year Almena was united with Turtle Lake into one township under the name of Turtle Lake. For some years after that there was no town of Lakeland. Then, on Nov. 10, 1901, a new town of Lake¬ land was created, consisting of the present townships of Lakeland and Maple Plain. Crystal Lake was set off from Cumberland Nov. 12, 1902, leaving Cumberland with its present outline and dimensions.

During the latter part of 1875 or early in 1876 a postoffice was established in the northwest quarter of Section 10, or about three miles east of the site of the city, L. I. Gunderson being appointed postmaster. Mr. Gunderson had arrived in the vicinity in the fall of 1874, having walked from St Croix Falls in company with his brother, John, and their father, Lars Gunderson, and with Eberhard Christopherson. All home¬ steads of Ole A. Rltan and G. O. Dahlby.

The postofflce was at first called Lakeland, the name of Cumberland being substituted during the winter of 1879 at the request of John Humbird, who came from Cumberland, Maryland.

In July, 1880, Dr. William B. Hopkins ar¬ rived and established his home here, being at that time the only physician between Clear Lake and Lake Superior. He was a native of Maine, and for many years after coming here was an active factor in prog¬ ressive movements of various kinds.

There were no religious institutions in the city during its Infancy, but occasionally a Methodist preacher would visit the island and conduct services. In warm weather the meetings would be held in the open air, and in winter in one of the log cabins. On one occasion one of these itinerant ministers came to the island at night. It was very dark and the rain came down in torrents. Not knowing his way and seeing no light to guide him, he was compelled to remain in the woods until daylight. Tired, wet and hungry, he reached a settler's cabin in the morning, and, not in the least discour¬ aged, preached the next evening before all the inhabitants of the island and surround¬ ing country - not a large congregation.

The first school built by the settlers was not on the island, but Just across the Bonett bridge, and some of the children had to walk several miles to attend it. Accord¬ ing to the best information obtainable, it was built during the winter of 1876-77, but previous to this Mrs. Hodgkin had estab¬ lished one for her own children, teaching them at certain hours of the day. This be¬ coming known to her neighbors, they asked permission to send their children to her for Instruction, paying her one dollar a month for each pupil. The first district school teacher was Miss Ida Schofield, but after months' work she retired, and her term was finished and the next one taught by Miss Carrie Fay, of Prairie Farm.

In the meanwhile the settlers had been eagerly awaiting the coming of the railroad, which it was known was to be constructed by the North Wisconsin Railroad Company from Hudson to Spooner. It was the in¬ tention of the company to build as far as Cumberland during the summer of 1875, but litigation over its land grant compelled it to temporarily suspend operations. Con¬ struction work was resumed in 1877. Trains were run to Cumberland in 1878, and soon the line was extended northward. In the meanwhile the settlers were forced to ob¬ tain provisions, clothing and everything they needed from Rice Lake, Barron or Clayton, the nearest trading-points and carry them for the most part on their backs.

With the whistle of the first locomotive the wheels of progress began to turn with perceptible motion. In August, 1878, David Ingle, in company with his brother, opened a grocery store on the island, in a shanty erected by some of the men engaged in constructing the roadbed of the railway.

being. John A. Humbird opened a store on West avenue, near tbe intersection ot Lake street, in the same month as Mr. Ingle, and in September, 1878, Elmer Wiener of Clear Lake, built the first blacksmith shop, which was located a short distance from the Ingle store. L. L. Gunderson erected a store building at the intersection of Lake street and West avenue, and in the following De¬ cember still another store was opened, by

O. A. Rltan and C. C. Clauson, who had formed a partnership. Later Mr. Rltan erected the north halt of the large store now occupied by the S. W. Hines Mercan¬ tile Co.

In a narrative of 1893 we read: "The first white child born on the island was Mao Jenet Hodgkin. This event occurred Sep¬ tember 10, 1876. She was christened by the natives the 'Lily of the Woods,' and pre¬ sented when a year old with a pair of beaded moccasins by 'Little Pipe.' Hugh McDonald, fourteen years old, a son of Alex McDonald, was the first person who died on the Island. A short time afterward a young man was killed in Mansfield A Lang's saw¬ mill, they having purchased Mr. Dahly's homestead for its site. The first hotel was kept by Jack Collingwood, who afterward built the Collingwood House, which is still in existence, and is owned and managed by Frank Anderson. There are now several hotels in the city. Including the Merchants', the Sherman House, the Jaffer's House and the Hotel Cumberland. The last named was erected in 1890, and completely furnished for occupation and opened to the public in the spring of 1891, by the Cumberland Hotel Company, at a cost of about $15,000. It has been leased for five years by J. H. Kahler of Northfleld, Minn.''

P. Stone. J. H. Smith, A. D. Fuller, O. A. Rltan and C. A. Lamoreux. J. F. Fuller was the first village president. This form of local government was continued for but three years, as in the spring of 1886 Cum¬ berland was Incorporated as a city, with three wards. The first officers were: Mayor, L. B. Royce; city clerk, T. M. Purtell (he resigned the office before the expiration of his term and was succeeded by A. J. Olson) ; treasurer, E. V. Benjamin; assessor, A. F. Wright; city attorneys, Mead & Wright; justices of the peace, R. H. Clothier and S. W. Alderson. Aldermen: First Ward, James Griswold and T. A. Johnson; super¬ visor, J. H. Smith; Second Ward, S. H. Waterman and M. D. Richards; supervisor, J. F. Miller; Third Ward, A. J. Cook; super¬ visor, Thomas H. Oakes. Six years later, on April 2, 1891, the legislature passed an amendment which gave the city practically a new charter, and at that time a fourth ward was created.

The immense tracts of pine and hardwood timber, including oak, maple, basswood and birch, gave rise in the vicinity not only to extensive logging operations, but also to some large lumber and planing mills, which flourished until the available supply of tim¬ ber had been exhausted.

In the spring of 1880 a complete steam sawmill, with planers, and lath and shingle mills, was erected by Mansfield A Lang at what was then North Cumberland. The firm operated the plant for about two years, when it was purchased by S. G. Cook A Co. They leased It to E. G. Oliver A Co., who managed it for a brief period, when Cook A Co. took possession of It. After running for nearly a season it was destroyed by fire on August 15, 1884. EL L. Hunter then bought the site, and what was left of the plant, and built what was known for years as the North Cumberland Mill. It Included a saw, planing and shingle mill, and Mr. Hunter also manufactured furniture stock, employing a large number of men. The mill had a capacity of 60,000 feet of lumber and 120,000 shingles a day. The logs came from a radius of twelve miles around the chain of lakes.

In the fall of 1879, Messrs. Griggs A Fos¬ ter of SL Paul, established a large general store in Cumberland, and early in 1880 it was placed in charge of J. F. Miller. The firm also engaged largely in the purchase of cordwood, piling and railroad ties. In the same year, 1880, T. P. Stone and J. C. Max¬ well purchased about 100,000,000 feet of pine timber In the vicinity, and in the fall bnilt a large steam sawmill. Then, in the sum¬ mer of 1881, the two firms - that of Griggs A Foster and that of Stone A Maxwell - consolidated and became merged In the Cumberland Lumber Co., which a few months later was transferred to the Beaver Lake Lumbering Co., of which the officer* and principal stockholders were: (H. E. Southwell, President; Jeff T. Heath, secre¬ tary, and L. B. Royce, treasurer. An exten¬ sive business was transacted, the product of the company for five years being as follows: 1883, 16,600,000 feet of lumber; 1884, 21,- 500,000 feet; 1886, 21,300,000 feet; 1886. 25,- 000,000 feet; 1887, 23,450,000. On January 1, 1888, this corporation was absorbed by the Beaver Dam Lumber Co., which had just then organized with a capital stock of $200,- 000, and which was composed of Messrs. Griggs, Foster A Miller and L. B. Royce. An extensive tract of pine timber land had been purchased In the winter ot 1887-88. Im¬ provements were made in the plant in the spring of 1891, Including the erection of a new band mill. This brought its capacity up to 60,000 feet of lumber and 175,000 shingles a day.

In may, 1888, the Cumberland Agricultural and Driving Park Association was organ¬ ized and for several years meetings were held annually in September. Among the chief promoters and officers were H. L. Wil¬ liams, W. A. Hall, W. B. Hopkins and G. H. Irwin.

In those days the saloon was a recognized Institution and in 1884 there were 24 within the limits of the village. A liquor license in 1885 cost two hundred dollars. In the same year the jail was repaired, and there was already a fire department, with N. D. Richards as chief. Another institution was the city pound, with John Kellene as pound master. In the same year (1885) the dtl- sens petitioned the council to complete Elm street bridge. The council meetings at this time were held in the old engine-house, built right in the roadway on Lake street, just west of Second street, which part of Lake street was then regarded as "no thorough¬ fare"; but soon afterwards the building was moved to the present site. The city clerk's records for date of September 19, 1885 con¬ tain the entry: "The proposition of Griggs. Poster & Miller to sell to the city lot 1, Griggs, Foster & Miller's addition, upon which to locate engine-house, accepted." In November, that year, the assessed property valuation of the city was $173,463, and a tax of one per cent was levied for the sup¬ port of the city government for the coming year.

In January, 1886, a tax on dogs was pro¬ vided by ordinance, and in March, that year, the sale of liquor on Sunday was prohibited. About that time a Presbyterian society was started, which was allowed the use of the engine-house for worship, but there were few members and the society had but a brief existence. In May the number of sa¬ loon licenses was restricted to "five in force at any one time." Plans for a new enginehouse were proceeded with, and In June the fire company was disbanded and a new one organized. In December an ordinance was passed requiring pack peddlers to pay a license fee of ten dollars.

In February, 1888, the sum of $300 was voted to the Advocate, then owned by H. S. Comstock, to help defray the expense of pub¬ lishing a special edition of that paper show¬ ing the advantages of Barron county and particularly of Cumberland, in the form of an eight-page supplement, which was subse¬ quently published.

On June 4, 1889, the council encouraged a similar enterprise, appropriating money for cuts (not to exceed $60) to illustrate a pamphlet, or booklet, to be published by Ball ft Morgan, then conducting the Advo¬ cate, descriptive of the city of Cumberland and its Immediate surroundings. Some copies of this pamphlet are still in existence, and it has been found useful to some extent in the preparation of this article, especially those parts of it dealing with pioneer days.

In 1890 the council helped the Cumberland Cornet band, by a loan of $125, to purchase needed instruments, and extensive prepara¬ tions were made for a O. A. R. reunion and celebration on the second, third, fourth and fifth of July.

In February, 1893, the state board of health was requested to send a representa¬ tive here to investigate the sanitary con¬ dition of the Italian settlement and to place it under special quarantine, and an ordi¬ nance was passed to regulate the burial of the dead and prevent the spread of conta¬ gious diseases. That the city fathers were keeping careful watch of local conditions, and endeavoring to keep the community well up in the van of progress, is shown by the various resolutions passed, or ordinances adopted, from time to time, providing for the removal of snow from the side-walks, the cutting of thistles, the preventing of cattle or other animals from roaming at large through the streets, the preventing of cows from wearing bells within the city limits, the removal of pigstys from the im¬ mediate vicinity of human dwellings, the repairing of sidewalks and bridges, street grading, improvement of the cemetery, the prevention of bicycle riding on the side¬ walks, and many other things.

On August 1, the same year, the erection of a system of waterworks being deemed necessary, which would entail the borrowing by the city of the sum of $5,900, it was re¬ solved to call a special election for the pur¬ pose of putting the question to the voters. The election, which was held August 13, went in favor of the proposition by a vote of 180 out of a total vote of 206. It was originally intended to issue bonds to cover a period of ten years, at the rate of six per cent per annum, but on August 24 it was decided to borrow the necessary sum from the state, under the provisions of -Chapter 167, laws of 1881, whereby the said loan could be made payable within twelve years in ten equal Installments, at five per cent Interest, and the certificates of indebtedness were ordered to be prepared accordingly.

On February 26, 1896 the bid of Fairbanks, Morse ft Co. for $6,245, for the construction of the waterworks (except the water tower) was accepted, the contract for the tower being let to M. C. Burk for $3,500. The plans for the system were made by C. F. Loweth. On March 4 an assessment on owners of lots was made.

On April 2, 1896, a draft of an ordinance was read granting S. W. Borum and Dewitt Post the right of franchise to erect a sys¬ tem of telephones in the city of Cumber¬ land. The resolution passed. Money seems to have been hard to get at this time, as the city treasurer was authorized to borrow $2,000 at eight per cent to pay off indebted¬ ness.

The city water tank, which had been re¬ cently constructed at so much expense, proved too weak for its purpose, as it burst, and on September 14 the council appointed a board to assess the damage to the prop¬ erty of Heber Angell from that cause. It must have been slight, as it was assessed at only $15. A proposal of Fairbanks, Morse & Co. to rebuild the tank for $920 was ac¬ cepted.

On April 7, 1896, under Mayor W. B. Hop¬ kins, the city voted against the license of saloons. This seems to have been the first public action taken in Cumberland in the direction of prohibition, which as a local measure proved only temporary, as the wet and dry forces were at this time about equal¬ ly balanced, the city going "wet" again the following year. The records show com¬ plaints against certain saloon keepers for running disorderly houses, and all such cases were investigated by the council and occasionally a license was revoked. The vote on the license question cast April 6, 1897, was in favor of license by 139 to 134 against. At this time the cost of a saloon license was $600.

On November 20, 1897, a resolution was adopted for the lighting of the streets, pub¬ lic grounds and public buildings by electric¬ ity, and steps were taken to provide the necessary plant at a cost "not to exceed $3,000, the contract to be let to Martin Peter¬ son. A contract was also let to A. Shaw for 100 poles at 40 cents apiece, and it was de¬ cided to purchase of Mrs. Angell a tract of land for an addition to the grounds of the water-works and electric light light plant. The contract for the construction of the plant and the installation of the system was awarded to the Fort Wayne Electric Cor¬ poration of Fort Wayne, Ind. for $1,808.

December 14, 1897, it was voted to grant a franchise for 25 years to the Cumberland Telephone Co., its successors and assigns. The city was now moving rapidly along the road of progress, and another forward step was taken on February 28, 1898, when "the library committee" submitted a verbal re¬ port in favor of the establishment of a state free library. This step ultimately led to the establishment of the present fine library. About this time the water-works and elec¬ tric light plant were finished and the con¬ tractors paid. Additional lights were put In and the water mains extended the same year. A motion was also carried to provide for the construction of the Cumberland bridge. In November that year it was also provided that the electric lights be run from dark to daylight.

In January, 1903, an ordinance was passed prohibiting the keeping of high explosives within the city limits. In February, 1905, it was voted to provide $1,000 annually for the support of the Carnegie library.

On July 11 1905, a resolution was adopted to accept the bid of Fairbanks, Morse & Co. for the installation of a new boiler at tho power-house, to cost $2,337. The ultimate cost exceeded the sum by about $110 but was allowed by the council. In November, 1906, Mayor Albert C. Uecke, who had been elected in April that year, resigned, and a special election was called for December 11 to elect a new mayor, when Charles F. Foote was elected. On January 29, 1907, it was voted by the council that, beginning February 1, 1907. the Carnegie Library and the high school be required to pay the reg¬ ular rentals for the use of electric lights and power.

February 26, 1907, a motion was presented and adopted to the effect that the "city was in great need of certain large public im¬ provements," which included street grading, an adequate jail, fire-house and council chamber building, and improvements in the fire and water plants "which will make the same efficient and economical, and whereas it appears that the city is not in a position to make such improvements and to pay for the same by the raising of a direct tax thereon, and it further appearing that it is for the best interest of the city, as well as for the tax payers and property owners therein that these improvements be made at once, and that the expense of the same be covered by a long time, rather than by a direct and Immediate tax," etc., a com¬ mittee headed by the mayor was therefore appointed to employ a civil engineer, or some other suitable person, to investigate and make report as to the extent and char¬ acter of the improvements needed. In April it was voted to employ an engineer to run the electric light plant, adjust the meters and repair the electric light mains.

On June 10, 1908, it was resolved that ap¬ plication be made to the commissioner of public funds for the loan of $25,000 from the trust funds for the following purposes: The rebuilding and improvement of the electric lighting works and mains, $15,000; building a city hall, $3,000; extending the water mains, $1,000; improvement of streets and building cement sidewalks thereon- $6,000; the above question to be submitted to the voters at a special election to be held July 3, 1908. The election resulted in favor of the proposition by a vote of 133 to 38, and the city attorney was instructed to make application for the loan, the said loan to be payable within 20 years in 18 equal installments of $1,388.89 each, with interest at the rate of three and a half per centum per annum, payable in advance as provided by law. On September 15 the council met to consider bids for the above work, at which meeting it was additionally proposed to include in the Improvements to the elec¬ tric light plant a new 100-horse-power en¬ gine, "to be directly connected with the generator now in use so as to form two complete units, all connections to be made and the installing to be done by the success¬ ful bidder. The bid of J. G. Robertson of St. Paul for $17,000 was finally accepted. The system thus provided remained in oper¬ ation until four years ago when the city discarded Its power plant, selling the ma¬ chinery, and has slnoe derived its power for water and lightg from the Apple River Mil¬ ling Co.

The Farmers Light & Power Co., a con¬ cern which supplies light and power to the farmers in this vicinity, is a sub-station of the Apple River Milling Co. It was organ¬ ized in the early part of 1919, with John Avery as president, Grover Jacobson secre¬ tary, and A. L. Morken treasurer, which of¬ ficers are still serving. The original amount of stock Issued was $10,000, which was in¬ creased in the latter part of 1920 to $30,000 The company has about 25 miles of country line and about 86 patrons, and is an impor¬ tant factor in the development of the region round about Cumberland.

Having thus taken a brief chronological view of events connected with the progress of the city from 1884 to a comparatively re¬ cent date, it remains to speak more partic¬ ularly of those institutions, whether pub¬ licly or privately owned, that may be classed as public utilities, as agencies of material production, or of educational, social and re¬ ligious growth. Representative mercantile

The Are department has been several times mentioned in connection with the acts and ordinances of the city council. It is a voluntary organization, and has its quarters in the city hall building, the apparatus con¬ sisting of a hose-cart and hook and ladder. No engine is necessary, as the city stand¬ pipe gives enough direct pressure.

Early in August, 1921, the city began the construction of a modern, scientific and anti¬ septic sewerage system of the semi-Dorpand type, to be completed in December the same year. By the latter part of November the pipes, ranging from 16-inch to 9-inch, had all been laid, and the contractors were en¬ gaged in finishing the disposal plant, the last part of the work. The passing of the sewerage through this plant renders it per¬ fectly inocoous and it is then emptied into the south part of Beaver Dam lake. Three sewerage lifts are required to raise the sew¬ erage from the lower parts of the town, and it is carried down the main channel by grav¬ ity. The maximum cut, or depth at which the pipe was laid, was 26 feet. This was installed under the guidance of L. P. Wolf of St Paul, consulting engineer, and H. Von Hlppel, resident engineer.

A library association was established in Cumberland as early as 1898, and from the first received the endorsement and active aid of the city council, as the records show that on February 22, that year, "the library committee submitted a verbal report that a state free library be established, that the committee be allowed to use the enginehouse as a library room, and that a small appropriation be made by the council to de¬ fray necessary expenses." The report was accepted and the committee discharged. The sum of $50 was appropriated for a lib¬ rary fund, and a library board was appoint¬ ed by the council consisting of eight mem¬ bers, three to serve for one year, three for two years, and two for three years. The members of this board, who were appointed by Mayor 8. H. Waterman, were as follows: For one year, D. E. Cameron, Mrs. H. H. Poukey and Mrs. 8. H. Waterman; for two years, F. F. Morgan, Mrs. C. F. Kalk and Mrs. H. 8. Comstock; for three years, J. F. Fuller, W. B. Hopkins and F. L. Olcott. F. F. Morgan was made president. F. L. Olcott secretary, and Mrs. C. F. Kalk treasurer. It was decided that the library should be located in the city council rooms, that it should be opened to the public as a readingroom and library every Saturday. Mrs. Fin¬ ley Urquhart was appointed librarian. For a number of years this early library was supported by sums of money voted by the city council, usually in amounts of $50 to $75, as the need arose, by private donations and by funds derived from parties, lectures and other entertainments arranged for that purpose. The people of the township were privileged to draw books on the same terms as the Inhabitants of the city, including chil¬ dren from ten years old up, these provisions being established in 1899. In January, 1901, it was decided to allow each person to draw two books at a time, provided that but one of them was fiction. On February 4, 1908, Mrs. O. E. Carr was appointed librarian. Various amounts were expended from time to time for books and magazines. A year or two later, owing to the growth and increas¬ ing pooularlty of the institution, the need of a special library building became urgent, and it was decided to apply for assistance to Mr. Andrew Carnegie. Negotiations were accordingly set on foot, the prime movers in this enterprise being Dr. W. B. Hopkins, F. F. Morgan and T. O. Mason. The applica¬ tion of the committee was received favor¬ ably and on March 15, 1905, the association met to consider Mr. Carnegie's proposition to give $10,000 to the city of Cumberland for a library building on the condition that the city should raise $1,000 a year for the support of the institution. A resolution in favor thereof was made and adopted, and the matter of procuring a suitable site dis¬ cussed. At various informal meetings of the board plans and specifications were exam¬ ined, and a plan was finally accepted for the building corresponding to that of the library at Fairmont, Minn. C. H. Paschke, of Fair¬ mont, Minn., was employed as architect. The building, a substantial and ornamental structure, was erected in 1905, the cost be¬ ing kept within the amount appropriated, the site (a central location on Second street) being provided by the city. In December, 1921, the library contained about 3,700 books. It has a very good reference de¬ partment, Including a large number of the leading magazines and newspapers, the back files of the magazines in some instances extending back for many years. There is also a Norwegian traveling library, the books being obtained from the Wisconsin Free Library Commission; and in addition, there is a large list of children's book*. An auditorium in the lower part of the build¬ ing is used for social meetings. On Decem¬ ber 12, 1910, Mrs. H. H. Poukey was elected librarian, and entered upon the duties of the office January 1, 1911, since which time she has continued to serve in that capacity.

One of the oldest institutions of the city is the Lakeside Cemetery, which was laid out in 1880, the site having been purchased by the village. The price of land at that time was nominal, being probably from $2 to $5 an acre. The ground covers ten acres and is located in the east part of the city within the limits. A cemetery Association was formed by calling a meeting of all those who owned lots in the cemetery, and an or¬ ganization was effected, of which H. C. Doo¬ little was president, Dr. C. E. Foote secre¬ tary, and W. N. Fuller treasurer. Within a few years both Mr. Doolittle and Dr. Foote moved away and their places as offi¬ cers were not filled, but Mr. Fuller has con¬ tinued as treasurer and for the last ten years has been the only officer of the asso¬ ciation. The cemetery has been maintained by contributions from the city and by the sale of lots. A new addition was platted in 1918 and more lots laid out. Monument salesmen who visit Cumberland speak of Lakeside as one of the finest cemeteries in

The school kept by Mrs. Hodgkin, and the first district school house, that across the Bonett bridge, have already been men¬ tioned. The latter continued in use until 1879 or 1880, when it was superseded by a new school house built on the island on the site of the present Company Store ware¬ house. It contained four or five rooms and was used as a graded school. When it became crowded the adjacent build¬ ing of the Masonic Temple was utilized as an addition, and both buildings were in use until the erection of the present large brick school house on Second street in 1903. This building, which contains sixteen rooms and an auditorium, cost about $50,000 and the site $3,000. By 1921, however, the number of pupils had so increased that it was found too small, and in the summer of that year a supplementary building, of frame con¬ struction, was built Just across the street, at a cost of $6,500. It contains three rooms and is occupied by the first, second and third grades. In December, 1921, there were 181 pupils in the high school and about 600 in the grades. Many of them come from the country. The district, which Is No. 2, covers a part of the township of Crystal Lake as well as part of the township of Cumberland. Ten teachers are employed in the high school and nine in the grades and another grade teacher is soon to be em¬ ployed. Plans are now being considered for the erection of a still larger school house in the near future, to cost in the neighbor¬ hood of $75,000.

The earliest records show that the Cum¬ berland postofflce was established in June, 1876, at the home of L. L. Gunderson in section 10, and that he served as postmaster from 1876 to 1881. Some time after he as¬ sumed the duties of the office - it is not known how long - he moved to the village, bringing the postofflce with him. He is still living and is now in the U. S. Government service in Alaska. The next postmaster was C. A. Lamoreux, who served from 1881 to

1885. He was succeeded by T. M. Purtell, who served from 1885 to 1886, when Grover Cleveland became president and appointed C. F. Kalk. who administered the affairs of the office until 1889. Then T. M. Purtell was again appointed and served from 1889 to 1894. Mr. Kalk died in Menomonle, Wls., in February, 1921, at the ripe old age of 99 years. T. M. Purtell moved to Madison, Wis.. where he still resides, having been in the service of the state of Wisconsin in several capacities, including service for a short time as state treasurer. W. C. Pease, now deceased, was appointed postmaster at Cumberland in 1894 and served until 1899. Bennie Johnson was the next postmaster, having been the successful candidate among several worthy Republicans in a popular elimlnary contest held by that party in the city of Cumberland. He served from 1899 to 1903, and was subsequently county treas¬ urer, residing at Barron. He is now a mem¬ ber of the firm of Johnson Ecklie Co. of this city. J. F. Fuller was postmaster from 1902 until 1907 and died at Cumberland in 1917. H. A. Pease succeeded Mr. Fuller in 1907 and served until 1915. He is still living in Cum¬ berland and is engaged in the commercial printing business. William C. McMahon was appointed postmaster in June, 1915, and is still serving in that capacity under a com¬ mission that expires in 1923. On July 1,

1918, moved into a new building built for it at the corner of Second and Lake streets, in the center of the city. The new building is of brick, has new equipment throughout, and the space occupied is 25 by 72 feet. Carroll B. Cavanaqgh, assistant postmaster, is an officer in the American Legion, having served In the World War. Miss Katherine Cosgrove is despatch clerk and Miss Grace Cosgrove is window clerk at the parcel post and general delivery. There are four rural routes and one Star route, each from 26 to 30 miles in length and serving from 106 to 166 families. George F. Toynbee is carrier on Route No. 1, having entered the service in October, 1918, vice Lewis C. Tappon, who resigned after thirteen years' service to enter the employ of the state bank of Cum¬ berland. William C. Brown, World War veteran, serves Route No. 2, vice John H. Oren, who was retired in August, 1920, on account of having reached the age of retire¬ ment as provided by law. August B. Eckland serves Route No. 3, having succeeded C. E. Stow, who served the route for over ten years and resigned to enter into busi¬ ness for himself. Mr. Eckland is a World War veteran. Wilbert B. Tewksbury serves Route No. 4, which takes in the Italian set¬ tlement of 150 families. He entered the service May 1, 1919, taking the place of An¬ drew Stoll, who. served for fifteen years, and who resigned to go into business for him¬ self. Patrick L. Cosgrove is the contract carrier on the Star Route which serves the postofflces of Loraine and Andrus, Wls., in Polk County. The Cumberland postofflce. with its several routes, serves between 5000 and 6000 patrons, and at this time it is quite possible that another rural route will be added in the near future. It remains only to mention one more individual, who will be remembered by all the surviving old settlers in this region. In pioneer days Lars Gun¬ derson, who lived In Section 10 - but who was no relation to L. L. Gunderson - though not officially connected with the postofflce, made himself extremely useful by carrying the neighbors' mail from Rice Lake and dis¬ tributing it In his community, making bi¬ weekly trips for that purpose. He contin¬ ued this practice for a number of years after the establishment of the postofflce In Cumberland. He received no pay save the appreciation and thanks of those who benefitted by his services.

E. V. Benjamin was the first cashier and acted in that capacity until August, 1887, when Mr. Heath sold his interest to Mr. Miller, and C. F. Kalk, who came here from Fond du Lac, Wis., became cashier. On Aug. 25, 1903, the bank was incorporated as the State Bank of Cumberland, and the cap¬ ital increased to $10,000.00. On Sept 6, 1919, the capital was again increased, this time to $50,000, at which figure it remains. Mr.

F. W Miller has continued as president up to the present time and is still serving (November, 1921). C. F. Kalk remained cashier until June, 1896, when he was suc¬ ceeded by E. Huser, who served until Sep¬ tember. 1899, when he was succeeded by A. H. Miller, who still holds that office. In the meanwhile Mr. Kalk, who had become vice president, served in that capacity until his death in the spring of 1921, his succes¬ sor being E. L. Miller. Miss E. M. Miller is now assistant cashier. The above men¬ tioned officers constitute the present board of directors. This institution is now the largest state bank in Barron County. Early In July, 1916. the bank moved into a hand¬ some new building on Second street, con¬ structed of fine tapestry brick and Bedford stone, the building, furniture and fixtures being valued at over $17,000.00, and which is regarded as one of the best buildings of its kind and dimensions in the state. The growth of deposits has been a marked fea¬ ture in the progress of the institution. On Dec. 81, 1900, these amounted to $69,470.84; on Dec. 31, 1910, to $245,962.66, and on Dec. 31, 1920 to $757,678.73. On the date last mentioned the surplus fund was $12,676.26, with undivided profits of $9,697.71. The bank operates a number of different depart¬ ments, including the Commercial (checking accounts), Savings, Insurance, Safety De¬ posits and Farm Loans. It has now ren¬ dered 38 years of good service and enjoys in a high degree the confidence of the com¬ munity and the people of the surrounding territory.

The Island City State Bank was estab¬ lished as a private bank July 1, 1896, by O. A. Ritan and Jens Swenson, the latter act¬ ing as cashier. The bank commenced busi¬ ness with d capital of $2,500.00 in a frame building at the corner of Second and Grove streets. On June 1, 1899, Jay S. Hamilton succeeded Mr. Swenson as cashier. About three years after the organization, S. W. Hines, P. D. Jacobson, John Axilrod and Peter Wachter became associated with Mr. Ritan, and Mr. Wachter became cashier. At this time Mr. Swenson withdrew and went to Minneapolis, where he is still living. On Oct. 15, 1901, Lewis Larson became a part¬ ner of Mr. Ritan, with a half Interest in the business by purchasing the interests of the other partners. In 1902 A. L. Morken be¬ came assistant cashier. Less' than two years after that, on July 29, 1903, Mr. Ritan sold bis half interest to F. W. Miller, and the institution was then reorganized and adopt¬ ed the name of the Island City Bank. The capital was placed at $5,000.00 and business was continued, with F. W. Miller as presi¬ dent; Lewis Larson, vice president and cashier, and A. L. Morken, assistant cashier. The three directors were F. W. Miller, Lewis Larson and Mrs. Larson. With this working force the bank continued business until Aug. 25, 1905, when F. R. Townsend of Sycamore, 111., bought the stock of F. W. Miller and be¬ came president of the bank, the other offi¬ cers remaining the same as before. On Sept. 1, 1905, the capitalization was in¬ creased to $25,000.00, and a new board of directors came in, consisting of F. R. Town¬ send, Walter Langlols (of Sycamore, Ill.),

S. W. Hines, T. O. Mason, A. L. Morken, John D. Olson and Lewis Larson. The board then authorized Mr. Larson to buy a lot and build a two-story brick and stone build¬ ing on Second street, which was completed in the summer of 1906 and occupied, and which has remained the home of the institu¬ tion ever since. In July, 1907, Tom O. Ma¬ son and Lewis Larson bought the Interest of F. R. Townsend and Walter Langlols, and

T. O. Mason thereupon became president and continued as such un£U July 12, 1913, when Lewis Larson bought his Interest and also a controlling interest in the bank and became president. After this there were no changes in the official board until July 10, 1921, when Mr. Morken was advanced to the position of vice president, S. L. Larson (son of Lewis) becoming cashier. The pres¬ ent directors are John D. Olson, Albert John¬ son, O. A. Ecklie, L. A. Reese, A. L. Mor¬ ken, Lewis Larson and S. L. Larson. The present surplus (November 1921) is about $6,600.00; undivided profits, $4,000.00, and deposits varying from $285,000.00 to $290,- 000.00. The institution stands on a sub¬ stantial basis and has for some time ex¬ erted a beneficial influence in inducing the farmers of the surrounding territory to en¬ gage more largely in raising pure bred live stock.

The Cumberland Milling Co., one of the largest and most substantial concerns in the city, was Incorporated Oct. 10, 1890, the prime movers in the enterprise being O. A. Ritan. O. W. Mosher, S. W. Hines and Frank Algeo, all of whom, after a lapse of 31 years, are still interested in it, though Mr. Ritan is now a# resident of Portland, Ore. The original stock: was $10,000, but in 1901 two thousand dollars' worth of additional stock was issued, one thousand to Bert H. Water¬ man and one thousand to F. W. Miller. Sub¬ sequently Mr. Waterman left town, and, wishing to dispose of his stock, it was taken over by the company at their annual meet¬ ing Aug. 3, 1908, and cancelled, leaving the capital stock at $11,000, as it is at present. The company's buildings are located at the corner of Front and Elm streets, just west of the Omaha railway tracks, and originally consisted of the mill and elevator, a building 28 by 60 feet in surface dimensions and four stories in height; a storehouse 24 by 60 feet and engine and boiler-room 24 by 28 feet. Soon after starting the compsiny built a hay storehouse 24 by 50 feet. The plant has since been considerably improved. About three years ago steam power was discarded in favor of electricity, obtained from the lines of the Apple River Milling Co. Several years ago an addition was made to the ele¬ vator, and in 1922 the company will con¬ struct a storehouse 40 by 80 feet, on the south end of the mill. They have recently purchased a corn crusher of the most mod¬ ern and improved type to grind ear corn. The present officers of the company are: O. W. Mosher, president; F. W. Miller, vice president; S. W. Hines, treasurer, and Frank Algeo, secretary and manager. The company manufactures all kinds of flour and feed, their brands of flour being known as "Veribest" and "White Rose".

The Cumberland Fruit Package Co., an¬ other large and Important enterprise, was organized as a corporation with a capital of $25,000, In November, 1909, by Julius Ewald, H. C. Monstad, Lewis Larson, W. L. Hocom and others. Mr. Monstad was chosen presi¬ dent, Mr. Hocom vice president, Mr. Larson treasurer, and Mr. Ewald secretary and manager. A brick building, 60 by 60 feet, was erected at a cost of $3,000, and is lo¬ cated on the east side of the Omaha rail¬ way's right of way, between its tracks and Beaver Dam Lake. The ground for the plant which now covers about three acres was donated by citizens. After organization and the building of their factory the company began the manufacture of fruit packages, general boxes, baskets and berry crates.

In 1911 changes occurred in the official board, Louis A. Reese becoming president, Andrew Bachhuber vice president, and Her¬ bert Ewald secretary and assistant treas¬ urer, Mr. Larson remaining treasurer. No further change in officers has since oc¬ curred. The present board of directors is composed of Andrew Bachhuber, August Ewald, Herbert Ewald, William N. Hedback, D. D. S., Lewis Larson and Louis A. Reese.

Another addition was constructed in 1916, on the east side of the original f&ctory, two stories in height and with a surface measurement of 24 by 80 feet.

At the north end of the yard is a ware¬ house 72 by 12S feet, and two auxiliary sheds, and within the yard are also 176 open sheds which are used for drying purposes.

The Cumberland Livestock Shipping As¬ sociation, a co-operative concern, was start¬ ed by the farmers of the neighborhood in 1918. The first officers were: H. H. Wil¬ liams, president and manager; J. B. Sherbon, vice president, and L. C. Tappon, sec¬ retary and treasurer. In 1919 A. H. Solum became president, Mr. Williams remaining manager. In 1920 Mr. Solum was elected both president and manager, A. L. Morken was elected secretary-treasurer, and Mike

Paulson vice president. The officers who were elected in 1921 were: John C. Nelson, president; R. B. Phillips, vice president; A. L. Morken, secretary- treasurer, and A. H. Solum, manager. During the first year of its existence the association handled 40 car¬ loads of stock, Including cattle, hogs and sheep, to an approximate value of $71,000. In 1919, 46 carloads were shipped, the value approximating $96,000. A considerable in¬ crease was noticed in 1920, when the num¬ ber of carloads shipped was 74, and the value of the stock $122,000. The association handles all stock shipped from this point and the vicinity, none going through out¬ side buyers.

The Barron County Holstein Breeders' Association has a club in Cumberland, and there is also a small organization called the Cumberland Holstein Bull Club, which is a partnership concern, recently formed, and consisting of Ernest Le Jeune, August Robery, Oscar Oldeen, William Meisegeier, John Busch and Bjurman Brothers, who in May, 1921, bought a fine Holstein sire for breeding purposes.

The Cumberland Creamery was organized many years ago by the farmers as a co¬ operative concern, but as such was not suc¬ cessful. After changing hands several times, it was purchased in 1911 by H. A. Curt and A. W. Swinghamer (then of New Richmond, Wls.), who bought the plant from the Rice Lake State Bank. Mr. Curt operated it un¬ til June, 1920, when Mr. Swinghamer bought him out and took charge of the busi¬ ness, which he is now conducting. The amount of business done by the creamery in 1920 was about $100,000, a figure that will be considerably exceeded in 1921. A new plant is now being constructed in the cen¬ tral part of the city, one block west of the railway depot, the building to be fireproof and up to date in every respect. It will be operated by a stock oompany and will handle butter, cheese, ice cream, poultry, eggs and general farm produce.

Another important concern, closely con¬ nected with the farming industry, is the Fame Canning Co., which was organized by Grafton Johnson of Greenville, Ind., about 1910. The factory was built by William Christenson, who became manager, and as such conducted it for four years. Then he and Lewis Larson bought it and for one year conducted it as the Cumberland Can¬ ning Co. They then sold the plant back to Mr. Johnson, who thereupon organized the Fame Canning Co. About one year there¬ after the stock of the company was sold to the Thomas E. Wilson Co., the well-known meat packers of Chicago. Two years ago the stock was sold to and owned by the offi¬ cers of the Austin Nichols Co., of New York City, a large grocery house, whose general offices were moved one year ago to Chicago- Of the nine factories owned by this com¬ pany, three are in Wisconsin, namely, at Cumberland, Clear Lake and Ladysmith, and of these three M. A. Dunham is general man¬ ager. The principal product handled is peas, which are bought from the farmers in large quantities, though farm products suititized by Google

What is known In Cumberland as the Pickle Factory is a receiving station of the Magedney Co. of Minneapolis, which con¬ cern buys cucumbers and cauliflowers from the farmers, and after salting them, ship them to Minneapolis, where they are trans¬ formed into bottled pickles.

There are also several potato warehouses in the city, two of which are operated by 8. W. Hines. Another is operated by John¬ son & Bcklle, who also have a hay ware¬ house.

The firm of Alfred P. Ast & Co., was or¬ ganized in 1919 by the gentleman whose name it bears. Later, Daniel Knellwolf and Robert Hall, both of Cumberland, were taken into the firm. The company buys cheese from some 25 factories in and adja¬ cent to Cumberland, and ships it to all parts of the United States, the primary mar¬ ket being the Twin Cities. They also handle cbeese accessories, supplies and ma¬ chinery. In 1920 they sold about one and a half pounds of cheese.

There are three telephone companies operating in Cumberland - the Cumberland ^Telephone Co., the McKinley Telephone Co. and the Bell Telephone Co.

The Cumberland Telephone Co. was in¬ corporated Feb. 19, 1898, under its present name, by Fred Miller, 8. H. Waterman and F. L. Alcott. About 1904 or 1905 it was bought by E. V. Benjamin, who con¬ ducted it until his death, Jan. 1, 1919. In 1898 it was incorporated, with Mrs. Ida Benjamin president, Lilah Benjamin secre¬ tary, and E. V. Benjamin treasurer and gen¬ eral manager. After the death of EL V. Benjamin, his son, L. W. Benjamin, suc¬ ceeded to the office of treasurer and gen¬ eral manager, which he still holds, the other members of the family being inter¬ ested, as before, in the company. The com¬ pany has free service with the McKinley Telephone Co., and toll connections with the Barron County Telephone Co., and the Wisconsin Telephone Co. They have 338 phones within the city limits, and twelve farmer lines, which include 162 phones in the country.

The McKinley Telephone Co. was estab¬ lished in 1909 with a capital stock of $3,000, rfhd with E. J. Pfluger as president and C. J. Poulter, secretary. In 1911 Charles A. Ness became president, and in 1914 John Le Jeune became secretary, but the latter was subsequently succeeded by C. S. Gar¬ rett, who in turn was succeeded by J. H. Le Jeune, the present secretary. The cap¬ ital stock has been gradually increased and is now $8,000. The company has approx¬ imately 460 phones, the territory covered Including a radius of from six to ten miles in all directions around Cumberland. The company has connections with the Bell and city telephone companies' lines.

The main street of Cumberland, which is called Second street, is an unusually long thorofare for a town of this size, and its length might prove inconvenient were it not for the fact that the most important and frequently used buildings, such as the city hall, the two banks and the public library are all centrally located. The schoolhouse is several blocks farther north and in the same neighborhood are the Methodist and 8t. Mary's Catholic Churches. The two Scandinavian churches are in the extreme south end of town. All these buildings are on Second street, which is given up for two-thirds of its length to business blocks and public buildings, the north end of the street consisting almost entirely of residence property. The Epis¬ copal and Congregational Churches are off the main thorofare, but not far from the center of the city. The places of business, not counting the factories, number between fifty and sixty.

The Island City Hospital was estab¬ lished in Cumberland in 1914 by Dr. George A. Grlnde, who has since taken a partner in its proprietorship and management in the person of Dr. S. O. Lund. The insti¬ tution contains twenty beds and is fur¬ nished with modern equipment, including X-ray facilities for diagnosis and treatment.

There is one newspaper in Cumberland, the Cumberland Advocate, which was started as the Cumberland Herald in 1881. The editor and principal owner is R. B. Hart. Its more detailed history may be found elsewhere in this volume.

The city officers of Cumberland in 1921 were as follows: Mayor, August Wolff; clerk, A. J. Chubb; treasurer, A. H. Miller; assessor, H. A. Pease; city attorney, H. S. Comstock; city marshal, John Doar; chief of fire department, L. A. Reese; city en¬ gineer, A. E. Ledgering; president of Coun¬ cil, Ole Paulson; health commissioner, Dr. F. Babcock. Aldermen - First Ward, Wil¬ liam Nyman, H. O. Jacobson; Second Ward, A. W. McGeorge, Ervin Linn; Third Ward, Ole Paulson, R. E. Hopkins; Fourth Ward, August Schneider, W. C. Jeffery. Board of Public Works - August Wolff, H. S. Com¬ stock and A. J. Chubb.

The city water supply is obtained from a six-inch well, about 616 feet deep, located near the lake. Its capacity is about 360,- 000 gallons a day. About sixty per cent of the houses are connected with the water supply system. The best information that can be obtained Indicates that the city well shows 179 feet of drift, and 436 feet of sandstone and soft clay or shale, most of the shale being of a soft red variety of unusual character for the Potsdam forma¬ tion. The private wells in the city vary from 20 to 125 feet in depth.

In the vicinity of Cumberland there is a considerable colony of Italians, numbering about 150 families. When the Omaha rail¬ road was being built through this place a strike occurred among the men engaged in its construction. Whereupon the foreman, a man named McNaughton, acting on the au¬ thority of the company, went to St. Paul and engaged a number of Italians to take the places of the strikers. They came here and finished the work, and some of them afterwards remained, settling south of the town, whore they bought twelve or fifteen shanties which the railroad company had built, and converted them into homes. For a while some ot them continued at rail* road work in one capacity or another, while others bought a few acres of land and started small farms averaging, perhaps, ten or twelve acres each. Industrious and economical, they have for the most part prospered and a few of them have operated business places In the south end of the city. For a number of years their leading representative was Sam Palmer, though he is now less active in public capacities than formerly.

There are now seven active church socie¬ ties in Cumberland or its immediate vicin¬ ity. This Includes St. Anthony's Catholic Church, the building of which, located a mile or so south of the city, was recently destroyed by Are, but is soon to be rebuilt and the members of which reside mostly near the site of the church, though some are residents of the city. The other churches are: St. Mary's (Catholic), the Methodist Episcopal, Congregational, Nor¬ wegian Lutheran, Swedish Lutheran and German Lutheran. There is also a good church edifice belonging to the Protestant Episcopal denomination, but no services have been held in It for several years. The Baptists had an early organization, which lasted for a number of years, and during the eighties an attempt was made to start a Presbyterian Church, but it was unsuc¬ cessful.

St. Mary's and St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Churches. The history of these two churches, forming, as they do, one par¬ ish, is so closely interwoven that it cannot be divided without needless repetition, and hence will be given in a single article. It extends back for nearly forty years. The original congregation consisted for the most part of loggers employed by the lum¬ ber companies, and railroad construction men. the latter being mostly, if not alto¬ gether, Italians, who were brought here to take the places of striking workmen, and who, after the completion of the railroad, remained in the vicinity and established a community of their own race and nation¬ ality known as the Italian Settlement, that has continued to exist and to flourish up to the present time. The earliest Catholic services were held in the hall building now occupied by, or forming a part of, the large "Company Store," and were presided over by missionary priests from New Richmond, Haywood and Ashland, among them Fathers De Paradis and Oderic. The use of the building was permitted free of charge by its owner, Fred Miller. In 1883 the con¬ gregation, which, in addition to the Ital¬ ians, included French, Germans, Poles and English, under the direction of Father De Paradis, began the erection of the church edifice on Second street now known as St. Mary's, and services were occasionally held in the building before its completion in 1884. In 1885, the Italians, who were the most numerous, decided to build a church of their own, and accordingly erected one about a mile south of town, which they called St Anthony's. It stood near the center of the Italian settlement, and close to it a large cemetery was laid out, which is now used by both congrega¬ tions. Among the first members of St. Anthony's who took an active part in the building of the church, were George Alfonse, Sam Palmer, Martin D'Nuzzi, Victor Caponi, Joe Zappa and Lawrence Donat el le, besides a few others.

From the beginning the two churches have been served by the same priests, the first of whom to have regular charge as resident pastor being the Rev. George Kel¬ ler. He was succeeded by the Michael Schorlek, who came here In 1886 and re¬ mained until Aug. 30, 1887. A rectory had been built next to St. Mary's Church In 1885. Father Schorlek was succeeded In 1887 by Rev. Peter Becker, the latter's suc¬ cessors being as follows: Rev. Charles L. Jungblut, of Eau Claire, from June, 1889, to February, 1892; Rev. Sebastian Rohr, to July, 1892; Rev. P. Dickopf, to 1896; Rev. N. Stoltz, January, 1895 to September, 1896; Rev. Gerhard Vadder, 1896 to 1897; Rev. Stephanus A. Leinf elder, Ph. D., July, 1897 to 1905; Rev. Louis Charron, (a brother of Dr. Charron of Rice Lake), No¬ vember. 1896; Rev. P. Condom, July, 1906, who served a few months during the ab¬ sence of Father Leinfelder in Europe; Rev. Stephanus A. Leinfelder, who returned and again took pastoral charge in September, 1906; Rev. A. M. Henderson, June. 1907; Rev. Henrlcus Thamerling, Dec. 8. 1907; Rev. Norbert Scheid, Dec. 22, 1907; Rev. G. Reuter, April, 1908; Rev. Louis Colaganni, October, 1909; Rev. Joseph Tognoll, April, 1914; Rev. Michael Pulch, November, 1914; Rev. Bernard Habraken, January, 1915; Rev. Louis Colaganni, August, 1917 to 1920; Rev. H. Teuwisse, who came in July* 1920, and is still pastor.

The commodious and substantial brick rectory was built at his own expense by Father A. A. Leinfelder, the old rectory at that time being sold and moved across the street, where it still stands, being occupied as a private residence.

3t Anthony's Church edifice was re¬ modeled and enlarged about 1913, but on March 19, 1919, it was totally destroyed by fire. Plans are now under way to build a new edifice to replace it, and it is expected that the new building will be completed by May, 1922.

Several missions have been served from Cumberland. In 1887, Father Schorlek, while pastor here, held services once a month at Glenwood. In 1895 the missions at Almena and Spooner were served, though now each is a separte parish with a church edifice and a resident pastor. Then Barronett was served, first by Father Rohr in 1891, and is still a mission served from Cumberland once a month, the services being held in residences, halls or schoolhouses. as most convenient.

A Baptist Church was organised In Cum¬ berland, Jan. 29, 1882, by Elder A. Gibson, from New Richmond, the first pastor, and started with ten members. It continued as a regular organization until March, 1884, when Mr. Gibson died. Deprived of his leadership, and with no one to take his place, the members discontinued services, and nothing further was done until June, 1890, when a reorganization took place and th6 church entered upon a new existence with Rev. W. H. Barker as minister. He remained, however, but three months. The church was incorporated in July, 1890, and in the following April the Rev. E. D. Ben¬ nett took charge of it At that time there was a membership of forty-nine. Meetings were held in the Good Templars' Hall until a nice church edifice was built. A little later, however quite a number of the influ¬ ential members moved away, and a few others dying, the society became so small that the church was unable to keep its property and decided to dispose of it. The building was accordingly sold to Ed Brand, wrho is now using it as a garage in con¬ nection with his hotel business.

Methodist Episcopal Church. The church building of this society was begun in the summer of 1882. and dedicated May 20. 1883. It is said to have been the first church edi¬ fice erected on the island, though the Catholics built their church of St. Mary's the same year. The Rev. J. H. McManus, the first pastor, remained during 1883. He was succeeded in the following year by Rev. M. J. Robinson. The Rev. G. W. Smith had charge during 1885, 1886 and 1887. In 1888 Rev. George Empey was pastor and he was succeeded by Rev. L. A. Willsey. After Mr. Willsey left the church was served in succession by the following pastors: Rev. Howard Robinson, one year; Rev. T. H. Harvey, three years; Rev. E. A. McKin¬ ley, two years; Rev. E. H. McKenzie, one year: Rev. S. A. Hoffman, one year; Rev. Charles H. Towne, two years; Rev. J. A. Willey, three years; Rev. J. H. Benson, three years; Rev. J. Henley Chatterson, two years; Rev. T. H. Harvey, five years; Rev. G. W. E. Hill, nine or ten months (served out Rev. Harvey's year); Rev. Harold Gee, three years; Rev. Arthur Dlnsdale, who was appointed in 1918, but was called for service overseas, when the pulpit was sup¬ plied by Dr. Delos M. Tompkins, a member of the Rock River conference. In 1919 the present pastor. Rev. J. T. Kneen, took charge. Near the close of 1920 important evangelistic meetings were held here as union services, being led by the conference evangelist. M. E. Taylor, and Howard Flem¬ ing, vocalist. They resulted in many new members, bringing the membership of the Methodist Church up to about 200, and also Increasing the membership of other churches in the city, especially the Scandi¬ navian. During the pastorate of Rev. T. H. Harvey improvements were made in the parsonage, and from time to time the church building has also been improved. The 8unday school enrollment, including the home department, is from 160 to 175. The Epworth League, the Ladies' Aid and Woman's Home Missionary Society are active factors in the good work of the church.

The Swedish Lutheran Church of Cum¬ berland, belonging to the Augustana Synod, originated in the early eighties, and for two or three years occasional services were held in private houses. In 1885 a more def¬ inite organization took place, and soon after the society united with the Norwegian Lutherans in building a house of worship near the south end of Second street. Here all worshiped together until 1907, when, on account of linguistic differences which caused difficulties in the singing, the con¬ gregation divided, the Swedish members building their present brick church on Sec¬ ond street, which stands in close proximity to the Norwegian Church. The building cost $14,000. In 1918 the Swedish Luther¬ ans built a good parsonage at a cost of $4,300. In early years, when both societies used what is now the Norwegian Church edifice, services were held alternately, or at intervals, by Norwegian and Swedish pastors. The first Swedish pastor to serve the congregation was the Rev. A. Bengtson, and the second the Rev. A. G. Malnquist, the latter being thus connected with the church tor seven years. After him the Rev. E. Edman conducted Swedish services for six years, the Rev. A. G. Hammerberg for two years, and the Rev. S. Hawkins for two years. Then came the present pastor. Rev. G. E. Llngsten, who assumed charge Oct. 1, 1917. The church is a neat and substantial structure with ornamental win¬ dows. and has a good bell, which was do¬ nated by Mrs. Akenstedt. In November, 1921, the church had 194 communicant members, and there was a Sunday school roll of about fifty. The societies connected with the church and active in its work are the Ladies' Aid, the Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society, and the Luther League. An account of the Norwegian Lutheran Church may be found in an arti¬ cle on the Norwegian Lutheran Churches of the county, by the Rev. J. E. Nord, which is printed elsewhere in this volume.

Congregational Church. In May, 1888, a Congregational Sunday school was Insti¬ tuted. and in August of the same year the Rev. T. F. Murphy came to the city and conducted services. In the following Octo¬ ber a Congregational Church was organ¬ ized with fourteen members. The services were held for a while in Miller's Hall. In the spring of 1889 the Society purchased the building known as Gymnasium Hall and altered and fitted it up for church pur¬ poses. The Rev. T. F. Murphy was the pastor for several years, and since then the church has had a number of others, in¬ cluding the Rev. E. D. Bennett, Rev. I. B. Tracy, Rev. Julius Parsons, Rev. W. T. Ream, Rev. Lewis H. Skidmore and Rev. J. H. Bielefleld. In 1909 the church build¬ ing was remodeled. The church has now abont 50 members. The auxiliary organi¬ zations are Sunday school, the Ladies' Aid Society, and the Young Peoples' Society for Christian Endeavor.

services had been held for some time pre¬ viously in the homes of the members, and presided over by neighboring preachers. The congregation erected a small building for worship on what was known as "Cab¬ bage Hill,'' owing to the locality being chiefly settled by Germans. Mr. Thormaehlen remained pastor until 1901, and the church then came under the pastoral care of Rev. H. Meyer, of Shell Lake, who served it for about three years. The next pastor. Rev. O. Steffen, of Almena, as¬ sumed charge in 1904 and ended his duties here in the following year. His successor was Rev. O. Neuman, of Shell Lake, who served from 1905 to 1908, and was suc¬ ceeded by Rev. L. Traub. The latter was pastor but a short time, as he died here in 1908, and for three years after his death the pulpit was vacant, except that occa¬ sional services were held by neighboring preachers. Then the church secured the services of Rev. Theodore Martens, whose pastorate lasted from 1911 to December, 1917. In 1918 the Rev. H. H. Wegner came here from Phipps, Wis., and has since remained. The present church building, a frame structure situated on the west side of town, on the shore of Beaver Dam Lake, was erected in 1914 at a cost of about 84.000. The parsonage, located in town, on Foster avenue, was bought by the congre¬ gation about seven years ago. The church has now about thirty voting members and about 100 communicant members. There is a Sunday school and Ladies' Aid Society.

All Souls' Protestant Episcopal Church was organized in 1884, and a church edi¬ fice erected shortly afterward. The pastor for a number of years was the Rev. A. B. Peabody. Subsequently services were held from time to time by other pastors, among them Arch-deacon William F. Hood, then stationed at Shell Lake. On account of re¬ movals without compensating accessions of membership, the congregation gradually diminished until it was found necessary, a few years ago, to suspend services.

Several of the best known fraternal orders and societies have lodges or organ¬ izations in Cumberland, Including the Masons, Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America, the Scandinavian- American Fraternity and the American Le¬ gion. A number of years ago the Odd Fel¬ lows had a lodge here, but after awhile sur¬ rendered their charter.

Cumberland Ixjdge No. 223, A. F. & A. M., was organized June 12, 1883, with fifteen charter members and now has sixty-five. The lodge owns the building in which it meets, which is a frame structure on Sec¬ ond street, and was purchased about ten years ago. The American Legion meets in a room in the same building.

Cumberland Lodge No. 62, K. of P., was institued about March 15, 18&8, and now has eighty-five members. The lodge meets in a hall near the south end of Second street

Branch No. 55 of the Scandinavlan-Amerlcan Fraternity was organized in Cumber¬ land in 1901 and is now a strong society with a membership of 114.

The Cumberland Pioneers. - In the spring of 1920 the surviving pioneers of Cumber¬ land and the vicinity awoke to the realiza¬ tion of the fact tl}at the city had long passed its period of youth and had taken its place among the older settled communities of the western part of the state. Many of the first settlers had already passed away, and those that remained no longer felt that youthful strength and vim which had formerly car¬ ried them successfully through many a hard task in the building of their own fortunes or the development of the village and city. Looking back over the past, they recalled to mind many interesting events in which they had themselves taken part, or which were associated in their minds with the faces and forms of old time friends and neighbors, some still living here, some who had moved to other parts of the country, and some who had passed to the land be¬ yond the grave. The survivors who remained here began to feel that it was time to form an association whose purpose should be "to revive and perpetuate the early history and traditions of Cumberland its environs, to recall the sweet memories of the lives of the early pioneers, to give an opportunity to renew old acquaintances and friendships, and to offer an occasion for an annual as¬ sembly of all those who were identified with the early history of Cumberland."

In response to a call issued by George L Constance, the first meeting of the associa¬ tion was held at the public library on Feb. 2, 1920. The considerable number of old timers who attended the meeting showed that the idea had been timely and had ex¬ cited general interest and approval. George I. Constance was chosen chairman and G. G. Hodgkin secretary, with authority to select such other officers and committees as might be necessary, and under their authority Mrs. F. W. Miller was selected as treasurer. The next meeting was held at the same place June 30, the same year, at which time it was decided to have a big picnic on August 26. Representatives from all parts of the adjoining territory were present at this meeting and much enthusiasm was mani¬ fested. At this meeting committees were appointed on constitution, advertising, re¬ ception, sports and games, grounds and guards, refreshments and membership. The picnic was held in Huser's Park, on the north shore of Beaver Dam Lake, on August 25, as planned, and was a great success, the weather being perfect and about 1,600 peo¬ ple present. After dinner a literary program was carried out which included the follow¬ ing items: Address of welcome, by Judge H. 8. Comstock, with response by Judge A. F. Wright of Barron; president's address, by George I. Constance; address by Rev. J. H. McManus of Coloma, Wis.; song, America, by the audience, Mrs. H. 8. Comstock lead¬ er: reading of letters from absent members, Mrs. F. W. Miller; vocal solo, Mrs. H. &

Comstock. At the business meeting which was held after the program a constitution was adopted and the name of the associa¬ tion was declared to be "The Cumberland Pioneers." The constitution provides that the association shall be non-sectarian and non-political, and that "no religious or po¬ litical speech shall be made, and no religious or political discussion or propaganda per¬ mitted on the assembly ground or the ap¬ proaches thereto." Officers were then elected, namely: President, George L. Con¬ stance; secretary, G. C. Hodgkin; treasurer, Mrs. F. W. Miller; vice-presidents, John HellBtrom, H. H. Carsley, Sig. Jacobson, Charles Oldeen, Will Danniger, J. H. Le- Jeune, Matt Arnes and Israel Ricberg. A resolution of condolence on the death of Mrs. Lydia Nicholson Fuller, widow of J. F. Fuller, the only member who had passed to her reward since the organisation of the society, was adopted; also a resolution of thanks to George L Constance for his un¬ tiring efforts on behalf of the Pioneers. The second annual event, held Aug. 25, 1921, was also favored by good weather and was at¬ tended by about 600 people. The officers elected were: Emil Huser, president; Louis Tappon, secretary; Bennie Johnson, treas¬ urer; vice-presidents, F. W. Miller, Sig. Ja¬ cobson, Oscar Risberg, Matt Arnes, Frank Williams, John HellBtrom and Martin Paul¬ son. Mrs. F. W. Miller again read letters from absent pioneers. C. A. Lamoreux of Ashland was the speaker of the day, and Miss Miller the vocalist The Cumberland Band furnished music, and there was a girls' baseball game played between the girls' teams of Cumberland and Barronett which was won by the latter.