Bio: Hart, William P. (1914)

Contact: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org.

Surnames: Hart, Hogan, Boyington

----Source: History of Eau Claire County Wisconsin (1914) pages 726-727

William P. Hart, member of the Wisconsin Athletic Commission, the first in the state, was born in Eau Claire, January 11, 1874, the son of Peter and Mary (Hogan) Hart, natives of St. Lawrence county, New York, and New Castle, England, respectively. They were married in Iowa and came to Eau Claire in the early '60s, where for several years he acted as pilot on lumber rafts. He later embarked in the hotel business with Simon Randall, they together conducting the American House, which stood on the present site of the Y. M. C. A. building, until it was destroyed by fire in the late '70s. He then engaged in the fuel business and held the office of deupty sheriff two terms, and sheriff of the county one term, after which he erected the Hart House, also on the present site of the Y. M. C. A. building, which he conducted successfully until his death, which occurred April 11, 1900, at the age of 59 years. His wife, mother of our subject, survived him ten years, and died in April, 1910, also aged 59 years. They were the parents of six children, as follows: Jennie, Peter F., Charles, William P., Jessie, wife of Ray Boyington, and George.

Mr. Hart, the subject of this sketch, was reared in the city of Eau Claire, receiving his education in the public schools. He began life as a clerk, which vocation he has since followed, being associated with one concern since 1906. He married, July 6, 1898, Miss Lillian, daughter of William and Lucy (Garden) Eldridge, natives of London, England, and pioneer settlers of Eau Claire. Mr. Hart is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Since boyhood Mr. Hart has been active in athletics and for a good many years interested in promoting all kinds of athletic sports. In August, 1913, he was appointed a member of the State Athletic Commission, under the Hedding boxing bill. He was the promoter of the first field day ever staged in Eau Claire; also the first World's Championship Log Rolling Tournament ever held in Eau Claire, which took place Labor Day, September 7, 1914. It was the greatest log rolling tournament ever staged. He served one term as city alderman from the Ninth Ward.