September 1909

Wm. Campman and L. Williamson have been appointed members of the reception committee to act with the State Board of Agriculture in welcoming President Taft at the time of his visit to the Wisconsin Fair.  The badges received by the gentlemen are quite tasteful and, after use, will be laid up in the archives of their homes as a lasting memento of one of the honors of acting as Secretary of the Clark County Fair.

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Wednesday morning, Jacob Beaver and Mrs. Julia Hein were united in marriage at the St. Peter and Paul Church of Grand Rapids.  After a brief wedding journey, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver will return here to live.  Mr. Beaver is a cigar-maker in the employ of Wm. Goeden.  He is a temperate, capable and honorable gentleman.  His bride has been a resident of Grand Rapids and is highly spoken of by all who know her.

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The manager of the Box Ball Bowling Alley will have free bowling for the ladies on Thursday afternoons.

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Frank B. Wing, proprietor of a large drug store at Abbotsford suffered a heavy loss of property last Monday morning when burglars blew up his store safe.  The thieves used too strong a charge and not only blew the door off the safe, but also nearly demolished the store.  One section of the door was blown the full length of the store and went out through the front plate glass window.  Another piece went through the side of the building and the concussion wrecked the prescription case, breaking many bottles on the shelves.  The contents of the safe were scattered all over the room. A loose-leaf ledger containing valuable accounts was practically destroyed.  The damage will amount to several hundred dollars.

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Next week, George Ludington, the veteran harness maker, severs the tie that binds him to Neillsville.  He will be returning to his boyhood home at Dublin, Indiana, to take up his residence.  Mr. Ludington has been a resident of Neillsville since 1876 and during that time has made a lasting reputation for honesty and square dealing.  His change of residence is a matter of sincere regret to all his friends and associates.

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On Wednesday evening, August 19, at 6 p.m., the ladies of the Methodist Church will serve an excellent chicken pie supper in the basement of the church.  At 8 p.m., the new concrete porch, which has been built on the church, will be unveiled to the public, with appropriate ceremonies.  There will be short speeches, good singing and the dedication of the new structure.  An invitation is extended to all to participate.  Tickets for the supper are 50 cents.

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Last Wednesday afternoon, the 13-year-old son of Fred Pflughoeft, who lives near the mound north of the city, was dangerously hurt in a runaway accident.  The lad was thrown under the wagon, one wheel of which passed over his neck.  He was badly hurt, but seems to be doing fairly well as of now.

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Bids are wanted for the following amounts of hay and straw to be delivered on the fair grounds: 5 tons of timothy, 5 tons of clover and 10 loads of straw, preferably oat; Bids to be sent to L. Williamson before Aug. 21.  Bids will be received for all, or part of the forage.

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Served as coffee, the new coffee substitute known to grocers everywhere as Dr. Shoop’s Health Coffee, will trick even a coffee expert.  Not a grain of real coffee is in it either.  Pure healthful toasted grains, malt, nuts, and such, have been so cleverly blended as to have a wonderfully satisfying coffee taste and flavor.  Also it is made in a minute, no tedious 20 to 30 minutes boiling.  It is sold at all grocers.

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To date, over 11,000 autos have been registered in Iowa.  This amounts to one auto for every 182 inhabitants.  It means also an investment of $2,750,000, if each auto has an average value of $250; Iowa is a state of farmers.

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For sale: 23 acres of land, north of Grand Avenue Bridge, outside of the city limits.  Good house, chicken coop and granary, fair barn, good well and spring.  If interested, inquire at this office to see John Meyer.

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Howard Begley was badly hurt last Thursday evening, when he fell from a bicycle.  He was riding along the road, near the Gusterson place, when a dog started after him.  Mr. Begley kicked the dog, upsetting the wheel, which threw him off.  His collarbone was broken in two places.  He was rendered unconscious until discovered by friends.  He was sent to the Eau Claire hospital.

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Eberhardts, the store of quality furniture, has these special buys, until Sept. 15^th:

Library tables, high quality, quartered oak, now only $21.00; Rockers, large, leather upholstered rocker, prices reduced, starting at $25.50, $20.00 to $12.00 each.  Brass Beds, full size, guest room brass bed, $14.75; High Quality, brass bed, $24.95; Chiffoniers: 5-drawer, solid oak Chiffonier $5.45; Highest quality birds-eye maple Chiffonier, only $12.75.

September 1949

The brick building just east of the Granton Bank has been purchased from Alvin Reichert, by the new Library Committee of the Granton Community.  The funds for the purchase were given Mrs. Augusta Sampson, of Minneapolis.  In this building, the library will be permanently housed.  In recognition of Mrs. Sampson’s interest and generosity, the library will be known as the Sampson Memorial Library.  It is now a village enterprise, managed by a committee consisting of Mrs. Stella Gotter, Mrs. Arthur Eibergen, Miss Pearle Beeckler, Mrs. Hazel Rath and George Edlebeck.

The original statement of the purchase and plans, as prepared by the committee for publication in The Clark County Press, is as follows:

“The Sampson Memorial Library is now an assured fact and is a part of the village of Granton.  It is located one door to the east of the Granton Bank in the building, which originally was the Reichert jewelry store.  This building was purchased through funds donated by Mrs. Augusta Sampson of Minneapolis.  It is an ideal spot in which to house the reading of the people of Granton and surrounding community, for it is adequate not only for the present collection but has ample space for future additions.  If properly supported, this library can be the means of bringing pleasure to the residents of this region for many years to come.  This library grew out of a series of homecomings and much credit is due to the committee in charge of these meetings.”

“Some five years ago, a homecoming was initiated and carried out, largely through the effort of Mrs. Floyd Winn.  At this time, Mrs. Sampson sent a letter expressing her disappointment at being unable to attend the meeting, accompanied by a book, this being the origin of the Windfall Memorial Library, which is now called the Sampson Memorial Library.”

“The following year, letters were sent to all who had attended the Windfall School, asking for donations for the library and many responded with books or money.  At the meeting, a movement to create the library itself was instigated, which was at that time housed in the school.  Later, this was found to be impractical and steps were taken to separate it from the school.  At Mrs. Sampson’s suggestion, which was accompanied by a donation, a board was appointed consisting of five members: Mrs. Dora Winn, Mrs. Hazel Rath, Mrs. Bessie Osgood, Mrs. Stella Gotter and Miss Pearle Beeckler.  The books were then moved into the Schwarze Drug Store, Mrs. Schwarze acting as librarian.  The demand for books grew so rapidly that the work became too much for the druggist and Mrs. Montgomery was appointed librarian.”

“When it was found that the growth of the library required more space than these quarters afforded, Mrs. Sampson again responded to the need and thus we were enabled to purchase the present site.  After the library had grown to such proportions, it seemed advisable for the village to take it over.  When the library became the property of the village, it was necessary to choose a new committee, which is now made up of Mrs. Stella Gotter, Mrs. Arthur Eibergen, Miss Pearle Beeckler, Mrs. Hazel Rath and the Granton School Principal, Mr. George Edlebeck.”

“Granton is fortunate indeed in the fact that Mrs. Sampson has retained her interest in her home town to the extent that she has provided it with this fine memorial.”

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Fred Lakosky, of Loyal, has sold his implement business in Loyal to Ted Gregory, a farmer of the northern part of Clark County.  He will give possession November 1^st.  The deal includes the implement shop in Loyal village, two warehouses, two vacant lots and stock.

During the summer, Mr. Lakosky has sold four farms.  His idea is to ease up a little.  But he still has four farms, duties with the draft board and the village of Loyal, all of them more or less on his hands by virtue of ownership or official connection.  He wants to go South again this winter, but he figures that he has enough in front of him to keep him busy for the next five years.

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The resignation of Fred Rossman, Sr., as chief of police of Neillsville is awaiting the action of the Mayor and the city council.  With a record of more than 20 years of service, Mr. Rossman is being given every consideration, in the hope that some solution may be found for his perplexities.

Mr. Rossman is resigning, not because he is 82 years of age and has passed the time of retirement, but because he is under the necessity of caring for Mrs. Rossman, who is virtually helpless.  Under these conditions, with a shortage of help at every point, Mr. Rossman is unable to find and keep a woman who can render this service in the home.  For nearly two years past, he has been trying to help care for his wife and yet continue to function as chief of police.  He has lost 18 pounds or more and is feeling the strain.  Mrs. Rossman has been sick for about five years.  Two years ago, she broke a hip. Since then she has been almost completely helpless.

It is about 20 years and five months since Fred Rossman became a patrolman in Neillsville.  He was then past 60, beyond the age when some men consider retirement.  But Mr. Rossman was a man of good physique and careful habits.  He proved himself dependable in service.  He was a familiar sight at the main corner of the city, always within reach when on duty and often visible in his off hours.  After five years as an officer, he was promoted to chief and he has served as chief for 15 years.

Despite the shortage of manpower generally, applicants are not wanting for the job of chief of police, if and when the resignation of Mr. Rossman is accepted.

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The Ludwig Perushek family, in the Tioga neighborhood, has completed a reunion, which brought together all the immediate family, except for Corp. Tony.  The star of the occasion was Charles Perushek, a machinist’s mate, who wears eight stars to show participation in eight major engagements.  He also wears three ribbons and one “hash mark” to show that he has completed one four-year hitch in the U. S. Navy.

The Perushek family numbers eight and all were present, except Tony.  Their daughter Marine Sgt. Anne dropping in unexpectedly having secured an emergency furlough from her work in Washington, D. C.

Charles is now at Bremerton, Wash. where he went after the family visit.  He will receive new orders there.

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Participating in an attack which the War Department has officially termed “one of the outstanding examples of daring and courage” in the Southwest Pacific Theater, Private First Class Stanley Janezich, of Willard, Wisconsin, today holds the distinction of membership in an infantry company cited by President Roosevelt for heroism in action.

The Clark County infantryman is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Anton Janezich, of Route 1, Willard.

The citation, issued in the name of the President “as public evidence of deserved honor and distinction,” entitles Private Janezich to wear the Distinguished Unit Badge, an award presented to units for acts which, as an individual soldier, would qualify him for the Distinguished Service Cross.

His company was honored, according to a War Department general order, for “the magnificent gallantry, heroism, teamwork and will to win.  These actions were demonstrated in a crucial operation, a tremendously significant part in the action on Hill 700, which resulted in a victory of major importance to the entire United States defense of Bougainville Island.”

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A Molly Pitcher tag will be pinned on each purchaser of a war bond, or stamp Saturday, September 30, in the American Legion Auxiliary’s observance of the Revolutionary War Heroine’s day.  Americans thus honor the memory of this valiant civilian heroine and at the same time aid present-day heroes and heroines.

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Mr. and Mrs. Henry Langreck, Neillsville, announce the marriage of their daughter, Dorothy, to Robert Opelt, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Opelt, Neillsville, on Tuesday, September 26, at 9 a.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church by Father Biegler.

The bride was dressed in a traditional white satin gown and veil.  Miss Luella Mack, Waupaca, attended the bride and Miss Clara Aumann, Neillsville, was bridesmaid.  The bride’s brother, Harold Langreck, was best man and Rudy Opelt ushered.  A reception was held at the home of the bride’s parents.

After a week’s wedding trip in Northern Wisconsin, Mr. and Mrs. Opelt will be at home on the farm, Rt. 1, Neillsville.

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Throughout the years, Neillsville ladies have enjoyed get-togethers in playing challenging card games of bridge.  There have been several bridge clubs during those years, some women playing in more than one club.  The above photo was taken of a bridge club group in April 1946.  (Left to right) front row, Jean Welch, Nat Schiller, Bernie Welch and Ruth Wall; back row: Betty Daft, Marie Covell, Alta Allen and Pearl Bradbury.  (Photo contributed by Charlotte Drescher)