Bio: Newton, William (1881)

Contact: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Newton, Barnett, Dick

----Source: History of Northern Wisconsin (Eau Claire County, Wis.) 1881, page 329

WILLIAM NEWTON, proprietor of the Eau Claire House, came to Milwaukee in the Spring of 1848, and in 1851 went to Fond du Lac, where he remained until 1858, when he came to Eau Claire. He engaged in the clothing business for two years, then conducted a restaurant for six years, and in 1868 became proprietor of an hotel, at first owning but a half interest in the building, but the following year purchasing the entire interest. Starting in a frame building of twenty rooms, he has made improvements from time to time and now has an elegant brick structure of fifty-three rooms. The old building has been moved and is now called "Hart's Hotel." The Eau Claire House was the first hotel in the place. Since purchasing it Mr. Newton has been sole proprietor. He was born in Crogden, Surrey Co., England, Oct. 1, 1825, and came from there to Milwaukee. He was married in 1846, in County Kent, England, to Mary F. Barnett, who is also a native of England. They have four children — Elizabeth Barnett (now Mrs. Frank Dick), Charles B. (now with his father), Sarah and Hattie B.