Clark County Press, Neillsville,

March 22, 2006, Page 12

Transcribed by Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon.

Index of "Oldies" Articles 

 

 

Compiled by Dee Zimmerman

 

 

Clark County News

March 1881

 

On last Sunday, Feb. 24th, a large congregation gathered in the Town of Grant to witness the dedication of Zion Church, of the Evangelical Association.  Rev. A. Tarutzer, Presiding Elder, preached the morning and evening message in the German language.  In the afternoon, Rev. W. T. Hendren, of the Presbyterian Church of Neillsville, preached by special invitation of the pastor, Rev. W. Kolander.  The church edifice cost about $800, and is a neat and commodious house of worship.  It is a credit to the pastor and congregation who have worked so hard to secure this happy result.  Its location is 1 ¾ miles directly east of Rexer’s Corners.

••••••••••

The cost of constructing a road from Stevens Point to Neillsville, Clark County, is estimated at $1,000,000.  It is rumored that the capitalists of Milwaukee, Stevens Point and a few other places have nearly decided to organize a company for that purpose.  It will pass through some of the best timbered lands in the state, and will materially benefit every town and burg from Neillsville to Milwaukee.  (Stevens Point Gazette)

••••••••••

Benny Tragsdorf, clerk at C. Blakeslee’s store, immigrated last Sunday to a state where many are going of late; to the state of matrimony.  We did not learn the bride’s name.

••••••••••

Last Saturday, Robert M. Campbell and John Rude made a trade of considerable importance.  The large building on Second Street owned by Mr. Campbell and occupied by him as a blacksmith shop, in the basement, and by Geo. W. Trogner’s wagon shop on the grade floor, has been transferred to Mr. Rude.  In consideration for this, Rude has transferred to Campbell the new house east of the schoolhouse and the land, upon which it stands, three-fifths of an acre.  A mortgage, on the Second Street property, was held by Campbell at $1,500.  He is allowing $500 for the property he took from Mr. Rude.  The latter is to pay the $1,000 balance in $200 yearly payments, with interest, so that he has five years to pay up.  He proposes to transform the building into a hotel, to be run for the accommodation of the Norsk public.  It is his intention to open a saloon in the basement, and to have his dining room where Trogner’s shop is now.

 

We learned, at the shop, that friend Campbell was at a loss to know where to move his blacksmith outfit.  Trogner made arrangements with George Lloyd, by which he secured the west end of the big brown building on Second Street.  It was occupied by Mr. Cobb, who thus like Campbell, finds himself in a dilemma.  It is certain that a new shop must be built, or some two shops must combine.

••••••••••

Lowe Bros. have stowed away a fine stock of ice, as have Gates, Neverman and others in the village.  With such shepherds, thou shall not want.

••••••••••

The public, not only of this village, but the boys from the woods too, will be glad to learn that Friday evening, a grand social hop is to take place at Neverman’s Hall.  There will be the best music, and where without formality or a swallow-tailed coat, they can go and have a good time.  The bill will be 75 cents for gents and free for ladies. Come one and all.   You will be welcome, and can stay until daylight in the morning if you like.

••••••••••

Polley’s camp No. 2 now holds the champion banner for hauling the largest load of logs, ever, on Black River.  Mr. Polley informs us that the load consisted of thirteen logs and that the load scaled at 8,320 feet.  The load is about 10 feet high and the top log scaled over 900 feet.  A purse has been made up among the boys in that camp for the purpose of having the load photographed as it now stands on the sleds at the landing.  A La Crosse artist will be employed to do the job.

•••••••••••

The Ladies’ Aid Society of the M. E. Church will hold a necktie festival at the Fireman’s Hall, Friday evening, March11.  The proceeds are to be used in making much needed improvements on the church.  The evening’s entertainment will consist of music, pantomimes, tableaux and an art gallery.  Supper is to be held from five to ten o’clock in the evening, tickets 75 cents a couple.

 

March 1941

 

Neillsville Country Club officers were elected, for the coming year, by the club directors last Thursday afternoon in a meeting held at the office of the Clark County Agency.  R. E. Schmedel was named president; William A. Campman, vice president; Everett Skroch and R. P. Munger, were elected to the offices of treasurer and secretary.  Members of the sports committee are: G. Halverson, W. G. Allen, Henry Thomsen, D. A. Peterson and F. P. Hepburn.

 

Myron Larson will again act as greens keeper, assisted by Bennie Schroeder.  Norman Nielsen also will resume his work as clubhouse attendant.  It is planned to begin the year’s activities about March 15.

••••••••••

Three former members of the Neillsville High School band will be playing with the Stevens Point State Teachers college band in its concert at the armory this afternoon.  They are: Joe Palmer, cornet; Jeanne Kurth, French horn; and Virginia Scholtz, flute.  The concert is scheduled to start at 3 p.m.  Peter J. Michaelson is director of the college band.

••••••••••

Miss Joyce Gaylord, employee for many years of a local insurance and credit firm, started work Monday morning in the War Department of Washington, D. C.  She left Greenwood last Friday.

 

Miss Gaylord, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. C. R. Gaylord of Stanley and formerly of Greenwood, received her new appointment as a result of a civil service examination.  The position will be filled by her brother, Stanton.

 

A position that was held by Mrs. Clyde Grambsch who recently resigned from the insurance and credit office will be filled by Miss Margaret Thorson.  Miss Thorson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Thorson, is a high school senior.  She plans to work part-time until after her graduation.

••••••••••

Over 1,100 mature persons, most of them “war babies”, have been born in Clark County since January 1, 1939.

 

Although it is merely a figure of speech, it is nevertheless true, insofar as records at the Register of Deeds office are concerned. These so-called “delayed births” have been recorded there in addition to the regular run of births, which have been averaging over 500 a year in recent years.

 

The story of the “mature births” goes back to early recording in Clark County and in the state.  It has its sequence in later-day social legislation and in defense industry employment requirements.  As late as 1907, it was not necessary to record a birth in Wisconsin.  Parent felt little compulsion concerning it, and could not foresee the developments, which were to arise nearly 30 years hence.

 

In spite of that, birth records in the Register of Deeds office go back as far as 1814.  Yet, for the better part of a century the recording of births was a haphazard practice, and but relatively few births which occurred in Clark County, were actually put on record.

 

The 1905 census record gave a key to a great many births, which otherwise were on record only in family Bibles, Sunday school certificates, and on other family records.  But, on October 1, 1907, the Wisconsin Legislature made it mandatory to record a birth.  For years following the adoption of the law, many were forgetful of the requirement, with the consequence that births were not always recorded.

 

Then came the social legislation which included old age pensions in its scope.  Many persons born in Clark County found themselves without record of their births, and some sort of substantial evidence was necessary to prove that one was of an age, which entitled him to a pension.

 

Confronted by an increasing demand for “delayed birth” records, Register of Deeds Henry Rahn organized his office in order to put the searching for birth records on an efficient basis.  Records were compiled by years and in alphabetical order.  This served its purpose insofar as those were concerned whose births actually had been recorded, or whose names appeared in the 1905 census record.

 

But the question then arising was what to do about those with no record of birth?  Mr. Rahn solved that problem by undertaking an educational program in Clark County with the assistance of a WPA project.  Working in towns, villages and cities, one at a time, he pointed out the increasing necessity for a record of birth.

 

The campaign met with success, and hundreds of births were recorded as “delayed.”  Various records were accepted as evidence of the date of birth.  Included among these were; the attestment of the physician or midwife who attended at the birth, the signature of one of the parents, or by an older brother or sister, or some relative of (or) neighbor who could testify to the correctness of the birth date.  The affidavits had to be notarized.

 

Although the birth record requirement at first affected mainly those seeking pensions, the National Defense Program has acted as the “whip” in the last year.  For, in many industries it is necessary to present a record of birth before employment can be secured.

 

The result has been that from 25 to 50 inquiries for birth records are being received daily at the Register of Deeds office.

••••••••••

A low murmur filled the large room occupied as headquarters of the Clark County Selective Service Board, in the Loyal municipal building, about noon, Monday.

 

Chairs that lined three walls of the room were filled by youths ranging in age from 21 to 29.  They, 21 of 22, were to fill the March selective service quota.  They were to report on the morrow in Milwaukee for induction into the United States Army.

 

It was a memorable event in the history of Clark County.  They formed the largest single group of the four, which have left Clark County since the passing of the selective service act.  They were the first men in the four groups who were selected in the county to serve under the National Defense Program.

 

The youths making up the contingent were:

 

Sigman J. Barosiak, 24, of Withee, an electro-plater; Edward Zdun, 22 of Granton, a truck driver; Edward L. Bowman, 23, of Loyal, a farm laborer; Ruben M. Loos, 29, of Greenwood, a time-keeper in a logging camp; Donald L. Drescher, 25, of Neillsville, a railroad laborer; William H. Leskinen, 27, of Greenwood, a grocery clerk; Bernard T. Evenson, 21, of Stanley, a cheesemaker; Clifford D. Karl, 25, of Neillsville, a farm laborer; Elmer C. Hoffman, 28, of Dorchester, an electrician and farm laborer; Peter Bogdonovich, 21, of Willard, a farm laborer; Edwin O. Gaulke, 24, of Chili, a farm laborer; Henry F. Schmidt, 21, of Greenwood, a farm laborer; John Stebak, 25, of Thorp, a carpenter; William Jeffery, 25, of Humbird, a furnace and range repairman; Walter L. Petke, 29, of Withee, a truck driver; Palmer C. Shumway, 22, of Neillsville, a truck driver; John F. Trunkel, 27, of Willard, a painter and electrician; Melvin E. Putnam, 24, of Humbird, former employee of the United States Engineering Department; Elroy A. Augustine, 21, of Colby, a farm laborer; Donald G. Lydiksen, 23, of Unity, a painter and elevator clerk; and Joseph F. Sokolowski, 25 of Thorp, a farm laborer.

••••••••••

This week’s Press features a nice assortment of choice Lenten foods at special prices for the housewives on page seven; Mild American Wisconsin cheese, lb. 19c; Ann Page, Elbow Macaroni or Spaghetti, 3 - 1 lb pkgs, 23c Three Diamonds Fancy Crabmeat, 6 ½ oz. can 21c; Wisconsin Grade B Eggs, 16c dozen.

••••••••••

Joseph Prusa, of Hatfield, has made an arrangement with Fred Miller to take over management of the dance hall at the Inwood Pavilion for the year 1941.  Mr. Miller is now residing at Hatfield with his family.  He formerly resided at Humbird and is well known locally.  He was originally in charge of the construction of the Inwood Pavilion.

••••••••••

Feirn’s Complete Service of Neillsville will feature a Ford-Ferguson Tractor Show Saturday, March 29, 8 p.m. at the Silver Dome.  There will be a fine display of 1941 model Ford-Ferguson Tractors and Implements.  A free dance will be following the show.

••••••••••

Penney’s 98c sale is on now!  Jean Nedra Hats for Easter, sport and dress-up styles, 98c each; New Sweaters, button-up or slip-on styles, 98c; New Handbags, 98c; Men’s Marathon Dress Hats, with new scarf bands, blended tones to go with every outfit, each $2.98; Men’s Topflight Dress Shirts, whites and crisp new patterns, all Sanforized, each 98c.

••••••••••

The terms of three village trustees expire this year, but Granton voters will put only one trustee in office at the spring election April 1.

 

The reason is that the village will start this year to pare the village board to three men; two trustees and the president.  The village has operated under a seven-man board since it was incorporated in 1916.

 

Candidates for the lone office of trustee to be filled are, Wilbur E. Billman, one of the three incumbents whose terms expire this year, and E. L. Witte.  Other trustees whose terms expire are Dr. R. H. Wink and William Schmidtke.

 

Dr. Wink and Lloyd Spry are opposed for president of the village to succeed Alvin Reichert, who declined to run.  The only other race will be between Clarence Nowack, incumbent treasurer, and Roland Quicker.

 

Others nominated without opposition are: for supervisor, D. S. Rausch, incumbent; for clerk, Arlo Lautenbach, incumbent; for justice of the peace, George Wilson; and for constable, Herman Scheel.

••••••••••

Wisconsin Trivia

Q. What edible product comes from the Wisconsin state tree?

A. Maple syrup

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“The biggest load of logs ever loaded and hauled in Wisconsin” was the description given this 1910 picture; Michael N. Baltus was camp foreman, for the R. Connor Lumber Co. for more than 20 years.  Baltus claimed credit for the record-breaking achievement.  The load scaled 29,441 board feet.  Conrad Heeg was the scaler.

 

 

 


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