Clark County, WI History

 

NEILLSVILLE, WISCONSIN (ca. 1860)

 

The village of Neillsville, and county seat of Clark County, situated near the junction of O'Neill's Creek with Black River, is usually conceded to be one of the best built villages in the State.  It has mostly been built up within the past ten years, and the builders have indicated, in all that they have done, that they were intent alike in tasteful and permanent work. Until very recently, the village has been cut off, so to speak, from the outside world, with which communication was had only by means of a stage which connected with distant railroad stations, and the passenger, when he first visited Neillsville, was surprised at the appearance of a New England village in these northern woods. It stands near where Black River tears itself from confinement among the hills, to make a graceful curve through rich valleys to the village site. The village itself, hemmed in on nearly every side by hills, limiting the prospect to groves that climb gentle declivities, while to the rear O'Neill's Creek rushes complainingly and fretfully onward, until its waters are mingled with those of Black River. In the center of this secluded spot, at once lovely and romantic, stands the quiet, unpretentious, yet thriving village, and as the visitor walks lazily over its limits, listening to the murmurs of the rippling waters of the creek and the rush and sometimes roar of the river, or watches the mist, as it hangs in twilight curtains about the hills, it requires no poetic imagination to trace in his mind's eye a long cavalcade of romance, chivalry and heroism proceeding from this spot in the days of barbaric domination, in its march over the world. And he, too, will muse upon the genius that once haunted the neighboring forests, may be, which. has departed forever, and a gloom not unlike superstitious dread will only be dissipated when the past vanishes and the present rises before him in all its beauty and magnificence.

 

As already related, the village was laid out and platted in 1855, by James O'Neill, and named in his honor. The year before, as will be remembered, the county seat was located here, after a lively contest, and to this fact i@ largely due its present prosperity.

 

At that time, O'Neill's residence and mill, with Samuel Ferguson's bachelor's hall and his blacksmith shop, which stood on the lot where a brickyard has of late years been carried on, were the only buildings to be seen on the four acres appropriated to village purposes. Immediately the news of Mr. O'Neill's action had been promulgated, settlers began to come in, purchase lots and make improvements. The first of these was Robert Roix, who erected a tavern where the Rossman House now stands, and this was followed by the construction of two frame buildings for store and residence purposes. They were put up by James O'Neill, and stood, one opposite the Rossman House, the other further north, near the creek. The same Spring, N. M. Clapp settled in the village and built a house on the site of O'Neill's brick building, wherein the Neillsville bank is now located, and Dr. L. M. Baxter put up a, residence on the present site of Gates's meat-market. The same year Frank Cawley came in, also W. K. Dickey, who built a wagon shop and residence where Dewhurst's office now is, and that Fall, Clinton & Quaile brought hither a stock, of goods from Black River Falls, and became the first merchants in the village, being domiciled and doing business in the building built by O'Neill opposite the Rossman House. These were the arrivals and improvements of 1855.

 

On the 26th of February, 1856, the first murder to take place in the village of Neillsville happened. It seems that, some time in the year 1854, Moses Clark and William Paulley became involved in a quarrel at Black River Falls, in which the latter was brutally treated. On the date above indicated, Clark met B. F. French in the store of Clinton & Quaile, and a demand was made on him for a receipt for moneys advanced by French. Some argument followed, and during its progress Paulley interpolated an opinion of Clark, which was far from complimentary, adding that he owed him money, and when asked for it, Clark beat him like a dog.

 

" Yes, and I'll do it again," replied Clark.

"You will, will you?" shouted Paulley. Upon which Clark advanced towards him. He had nearly victim when Paully drew a revolver and fired two shots into Clark's body, from the effects of which lie never recovered.  He was taken to Plattville, in Grant County, where he lodged at the residence of Gideon Hawley, lingering till June 30 following, when he died.

 

Paulley was indicted for manslaughter, tried, convicted and sentenced. After serving out his term at Waupun, he removed to Black River Falls, where he died.

 

The arrivals of 1856 included R. Dewhurst and King, who were the first lawyers to settle in Neillsville; James Hewitt, who began operations by working on the first bridge erected across Black River; W. W. Lemon, who settled in the town of Levis; Daniel Gates, first locating at the mouth of Wedge Creek, but moving to Neillsville in 1861; etc., etc.; also Robert Douglass, who built a blacksmith shop where Meinhold & Curn's store now is; Miles Murry, who erected a residence on the site of Dudley's harness shop, and a blacksmith shop adjoining on the east.  A Mr. McCaleb came in this year, and put up a little frame, still standing, directly north of Dudley's, and Phillip Reissman opened the first furniture store, on the present site of Boardman's house. In May, James and Edmund Fulong, the former with a family, and James Lynch and family were accessions to the place. The Furlongs built where now stands the Reddan House, and Lynchs on the lot they have since occupied, adjoining their residence of today. Anson Green purchased Roix's Hotel; Gustavus Sterns settled at Molin's Rapids this year; Daniel Gates at, Wedge's Creek, but have since become residents of the village, as did Orson Gates the same year.

 

The panic of 1857, it is believed, worked material jury to the progress of the village, as also to that of the county. Few came in from this year until after of the close of the war. Financial stringency produced a practical  suspension of the lumber interests, and consequent stagnation of business. There was comparatively no farming consequence, and less trade. The value of farm products depreciated, and prices of commodities increased correspondingly. The effect of these anomalous conditions were perceptibly visible, not alone in Neillsville and Clark County, but also throughout this portion of the lumber district.  Impoverishment, if not ruin, stared many in the face and escape therefrom was only accomplished after trials no pen can adequately describe. To the close of the war, both increase in population and the number of improvements was nominal. As one who is familiar with the facts asserts, there was not to exceed forty heads of families, who came into the county during the period between 1857 and 1865, who remained permanently. Others visited the vacinity, but, having canvassed the probabilities of the future, decided against remaining, and went elsewhere. In three years preceding the war, among those who settled at Neillsville was Chauncey Blakeslee; B. F. Chase, who studied law with Dewhurst & King; S. N. Dickenson, John Dore; William Liverman; W. B. Berry; a man named McDonald, who opened a furniture store where the Neillsville Mills now are, and probably others whose names and adventures have not been preserved. George Lord, at first located about twenty miles north of Neillsville, and Leonard R. Stafford, but both of them subsequently became residents of the village. At the same time, the improvement comprehended the frame building now occupied by Gates & Co., which was put up by Chauncey Blakeslee; the O'Neill House was erected by James O'Neill as a private residence; a building south of the Rossman House, occupied at present by F. Klopf, was built by Anson Green for commercial purposes, and was for a brief period the office of the Union Flag; W. B. Berry erected a residence west of the courthouse, and some few other buildings.

 

In 1860, the population of Neillsville, Wis. did not exceed 250, besides containing a weekly paper, half a dozen stores and lawyers and physicians sufficiently numerous to sell or donate unlimited quantities of physic and counsel.  The appearance of the place is represented to have not been nearly so attractive as now, and its improvement in the last fifteen years speaks eloquently of the enterprise and substantial character of the men and women who promoted its subsequent growth, and wealth of resources.

 

From this period, up to the close of the war, say old residents, there was no immigration or business to speak of.  The same can be said of improvements in the village and adjoining.  They were comparatively few in number, and made to serve unambitious uses.  The vast lumber region was not then overrun, as now, with labor and enterprise.  The farm and the school were not as universal as they are today.  Hard times stared all classes in the face with the dawn of day, and only retired when troubled sleep shook off the specter for a brief season.  This condition of affairs continued for quite two years before any change began to be manifest, but since that day, the clouds have been dispelled, and the light of fortune restored throughout the country to places where its visitation only was needed to make them flourish and grow in strength and influence.  During all this period, there was little to encourage, less to inspire residents, and Neillsville, like it neighbors, experienced embargoes.  No public buildings were erected; schools were barely sustained, and religious organizations met for services, either at private residences or in the old courthouse.

 

In 1861, came the war, and Neillsville was not behind in her donations of money and offer of recruits.  Meetings were held in the courthouse, at which James O'Neill, B. F. French, Chauncey Blakeslee and others delivered speeches, urging the proffers of aid to enable the general government to accomplish the suppression of war.  Among the soldiers who went out from Clark County, Neillsville contributed nearly one company, which was attached to the western army, and , serving through the war, left the largest proportion of those who went from the village lifeless in the trenches.  From Pittsburg Landing, it is said, when mortality among Clark County volunteers was particularly sever, until the surrender, this was the rule.  As stated, very few of those who went out among those first called, returned, and those who came back did so bearing the marks of strife through which they passed.  Twenty years have passed since this epoch in the history of American civilization came to pass.  Years have passed since many of the leading actors in this drama were borne to the silent halls of death.  Voices that were attuned to mourning at their departure, or welcome at their return, are silent, and hands that once scattered flowers upon the graves of heroes, have lost their cunning.

 

1881 History of Northern Wisconsin, pg. 233 - 235.

 

 


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