Cyrus S. Stockwell--Clerk of Circuit Court

News Clips

Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI, July 15, 1993, Page 24

Article about the Neillsville Library History  

In its first year of operation, the Neillsville Library’s business was conducted out of the courthouse office of C. S. Stockwell.  All of the library’s books were kept in a single bookcase owned by the group.  So, it was that Stockwell became the city’s first librarian.

Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI, September 28, 1994, Page 28

In 1845, Stockwell left St. Claire County, Mich., arriving at Onalaska, Wis., where he taught school for two years.  He was elected County Superintendent of Schools at La Crosse County in 1877 serving until 1881.  Employed by the La Crosse Lumber Co., he came to Clark County in 1882, where he purchased land in the Town of Sherwood Forest and became a resident there.  Stockwell was elected Clerk of Circuit Court in 1888.

Republican and Press October 19, 1889

C. S.Stockwell was over to Marshfield this week to assist in work in the third degree to the Masonic lodge. After the lodge adjourned, watch was kept over Mr. Stockwell until one o’clock a.m. But not withstanding this, the main street of Marshfield presented a grand display of grindstones, drags, harrows, salt barrels, horse powers, corn shellers, etc. lying in the middle of the roadway. Friends of Mr. Stockwell, however, hustled him out of town before the night watch woke up, and it is quite likely Mr. S. will escape deserved punishment.

Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI (circa Nov. 1894)

Mr. C. S. Stockwell, promises to develop a healthy and vigorous demand for good reading in the community.  After 100 signers have been secured and the $100 which their signatures call for are paid in, a meeting of the association will be called and an organization effected.  New books will then be purchased and added to the old library.  Mr. Stockwell has made a generous offer to attend the library half a day a week, or supply an assistant to do so, keeping the library at his office.  Sign for the new library.  It is the thing to keep boys and girls off the streets and keep boys away from the gambling joints."

Cy Stockwell has been in Colby with his little telescope on three legs, steel tape line, measuring fixings, etc., and is marking the boundary lines of the city. He will also find the exact corner of several blocks and make a complete plat of the city. When Cy gets through with it we know it will be done right. Source: Clark Co. Press: Neillsville, WI; Aug-1899

Clark County News of 1892

C. S. Stockwell has added a hot air furnace to his residence and thereby does away with building half a dozen fires on a cold winter morning in his night shirt.  He is now studying up some electrical contrivances which will save him the trouble of attending to the furnace.  We understand the hired girl has refused to attend the furnace and saw wood, too.

Clark County News June 1928, Obituary

 June 19, C. S. Stockwell, one of Clark County’s best known and highly respected citizens, passed away at his home in Neillsville.

Cyrus Simeon Stockwell was born at Keockee, St. Claire County, Mich. February 11, 1945.  His father was of Scotch ancestry, coming to America in 1660, and his mother was a descendant of the early Hollanders who settled in New York.

Stockwell received a common school education and attended Port Huron High School for a time.  He supplemented his education by private study, until he received a state certificate, and later perfected himself in surveying and civil engineering.  He began to teach school at the age of 18.  When his health became poor, he traveled to Wisconsin, later resuming teaching, becoming the principal of schools at Onalaska.  He was elected County Superintendent of schools in La Crosse County and served several terms.

About 1883, Stockwell went to Clark County as a bookkeeper for LaFlesh’s saw mills near Nevins.  In the fall of 1888, he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court in this county and served in that office for 16 years.  During most of the time he was a member of the Neillsville School Board and took and active part in educational affairs.

Stockwell may truly be said to be the founder of Neillsville Public Library.  He gathered all the old books of an early library here; arranged and catalogued them, acting as librarian.  He kept the books for a time in his office at the courthouse.  Later securing additional volumes, appropriations from the city and with the support of others, he helped secure the Carnegie Library building.

When not busy with his official duties as Clerk of Court and later, he did a great deal of work as surveyor and civil engineer.  His status as an engineer was that of being very reliable.

Stockwell married Mary A. Carless, April 11, 1868.  To them were born eight children: Cyrus D. Stockwell, of Eau Claire, Division Superintendent of the C. St. P.M. & O. Ry; Thomas C. of Dallas, Ore.; Israel M., station agent at Vogel, S. D.; Grace, Mrs. S. F. Thomas, Lisbon, N. D.; Martha, Mrs. E. G. Wanner, Bismarck, N.D.; Ethel, Mrs. Wm. Holway, Madison; Charlotte, Mrs. F. J. Baer, and Arthur R. both of Neillsville.  He leaves 13 grandchildren and three great-grand-children.

His first wife died in 1918; he was married to Katherine Barber Alexander, who survives him.

Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI , February 1938 

Word was received here in regard to the death of Mrs. Cyrus Stockwell at Eau Claire.  She was 68 years old.  Mr. Stockwell is superintendent of the Omaha Railroad and they have lived in Eau Claire for about ten years.

Cyrus D. Stockwell, the son, was married to Helen Phoebe Pickering in Clark County on 18 June 1892. (Pre-1907 Wisconsin Marriage Index) Charlotte Stockwell, a daughter, was married in Clark County on 21 Oct. 1903 to Frank Baer.

Clark County News

(Golf course History) unknown date

Frank Baer was born on November 4, 1879 and came to America in 1900.  He was a professional printer and worked with his trade in this area.  In 1903, he married Charlotte "Lottie" Stockwell of Neillsville.  In 1904, Baer purchased the Granton newspaper, operating it as editor and published until 1921.  After leaving the Granton newspaper, he joined forces with the Neillsville Press, being co-owner and editor until he sold his interest in 1932 to Wallace Ferrand.  Baer created some excitement at the 1932 Clark County Fair when he raced his car with an airplane around the fairground track.  Owner of a bright yellow Cord automobile, a star of the auto industry, Baer won the two-lap race competing with the airplane.