Bio: Nye, Melvin & Julia Parks

Contact: Janet

Surnames: Decker, Hudson, Lusk, Parks, Nye

----Source: 1918 History of Clark Co., WI, by Franklyn, Curtiss-Wedge, pg. 584 - 585

     Melvin & Julia (Parks) Nye

       Hiram F. Hudson--Melvin Nye--Geo. H. Lusk

MELVIN NYE, one of the leading representatives of the lumber industry in Clark County, being associated with George H. Lusk and H. F. Hudson in the operation of a large sawmill and lumber plant at Thorp, is one of the veterans in this line of business, having been connected with it in Clark County, or the vicinity, for the last forty-six years. His industrial bent was probably determined by his early environment, as he was born in the town of Clinton, Kennebec County, Me., in October, 1844. His parents, Allen B. and Lorana (Decker) Nye, were both natives of that state-long famous for its timber resources-and were of old New England stock. The father, however, was a farmer. Melvin was about 30 years old when he cut loose from his home surroundings to seek his fortune in the Northwest. It was early in the seventh decade of the nineteenth century, an auspicious time for lumbermen in this part of the country, when vast forests of valuable timber of various kinds stood awaiting the axe of the Woodman. Like most of the early immigrants in this region, however, Mr. Nye was for some time handicapped by lack of financial resources, and for six winters he could find no more profitable occupation than driving an ox team. He then became connected with the lumber industry on Wolf River, where he spent sixteen years, in January, 1881, erecting a sawmill at Eidsvold in Thorp Township.

In 1882, Mr. Nye abandoned his personal logging pursuits to some extent, and with George H. Lusk and Hiram F. Hudson organized the firm of Nye, Lusk & Hudson, which continued and enlarged the business until July l, 1903, when they incorporated as The Nye, Lusk & Hudson Co., under which title they have continued the business up to the present. The Eidsvold mill was removed to Polley, in Taylor County, twelve miles north of Thorp village, where the company owns large tracts of land, and is still in operation. They also operate a store at that point. The Thorp mill was bought by the company in 1882, and was rebuilt and remodeled, and has been operated by them for the past thirty-five years. It is still an important factor in the industrial life of the village. George H. Lusk died Sept. 2, 1912, leaving Mr. Nye and Mr. Hudson surviving and still in the harness, conducting the extensive affairs of the company. Mr. Nye owns and operates a large farm near Thorp, and is president Of the Peoples State Bank of Thorp and active in its affairs. He is a man of ripe experience in everything pertaining to the logging and lumber industry, having witnessed its development and mutations for a half century. He is well known throughout Clark County, and has a high standing as a successful and honorable business man and a loyal and patriotic citizen.

He was married to Julia Parks, whose parents came from New York State. They have two sons--Ora, who manages the farm interests and Leland, who is at present in the service of Uncle Sam.