Bio: Block, Charles (75th Curtiss, WI Ann. Speech, 1957)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Schoeneman, Virch. Machlett, Christianson, Dahlberg, Horn, Bryan, Sewell, McKinley, Hobart, Hicock

----Source: Family Album of Judith Cowell

Dear Chairman and friends,

I was thrilled when I received the invitation to attend the 75th anniversary of the village of Curtiss. To me, it meant an opportunity to come home. I also felt highly honored when I received a request from your chairman to give a short response. I assure you it will be short and I could think of no logical reason why I should've been chosen to do the honors.

I finally concluded that possibly someone on your committee knew me when I first appeared before a gathering of Curtiss people in Schoeneman's hall many of you remember to in the early days I was school could not accommodate a very large crowd hence the reason our school plays and other social activities were held in the hall mentioned.

It was our privilege to attend another anniversary this year. In May we drove to Jamestown, Virginia for the commemoration of the 350th year since the landing of the English colonists. Aside from the historical interest we were just as thrilled to be a part of this celebration. While it is only an infant in Point of years compared to Jamestown, I know how some of the pioneers of Curtiss worked and battle the elements to make it a pleasant place in which to live.

I feel that in the few minutes allotted to me that a few impressions of the early days and Curtiss might be in order. Mrs. He loch agreed that I might reminisce a bit.

We arrived here to make Curtiss are permanent home on or about 1893. It was my home on my school years. I believe if I were to draw a mental picture of it at the time that we had come here it would not be unlike any frontier town you see on the screen of your TV or a western seen in the movies. There were approximately 10 homes and about six straight front business places. Parts of some of these buildings are still standing. The front of the store was the Schoeneman Hall. I believe this was misquoted in the booklet. Louis Horn moved the hall part over to the corner and the living quarters remove back for home. Our school was in about the same location it is now but it house only the lower grades--The upper grades were taught in the large room above the general store which was run by a.m. Virch.

The first sidewalks in town were planks late and on end, and our first regular sidewalks were really appreciated. What a simple life was ours and how much we really appreciated every new improvement. I just read a few days ago that 64 years ago the first automobile was built. When we first heard about horseless carriages, everyone said they would never be a success. We are no longer skeptical as we take everything for granted.

Many of you knew Mr. Bass who ran the first sawmill here. He wasn't imposing figure with his English frock coat and high Felt hat. There are several pictures in the school room of Mr. and Mrs. Bass taken some time in the 1880s.

He brought many of the eastern customs with him. Four instance, fast horses and pedigree dogs were happy with him. Is dad Moore was his brother-in-law, I was nearly always included in the trips to the towns surrounding us. What a thrill it was to sit with dad on the little seat of the two wheel cart and go to Colby, or Abbotsford or Owen. I don't mind confiding that we used to break a little about the first time we made memories. I like to recall families like the Machletts, Virches, Schoenemans, Christiansons, Dahlberg's-- and many others. Of course I could not forget the Krauts, especially Bertha who told us many a bedtime story.

Mrs. Machletts always had a piece of cake for us when we happened around the kitchen. (You can bet that was quite often to!).

All her own home was in the building where dad ran store and also the post office. I recall one of the early presidential campaigns. (Dad was a dyed in the wool Democrat--possibly the only one in town). At least I know that when he got some campaign caps labeled Brian in Sewell-Democrat and Mr. McKinley and Hobart, Republican, I was the only boy in town who was wearing a Bryan and Sewell cap.

Gradually alterations in buildings occurred a few fires--and a serious cyclone or tornado--all these made a change in our surroundings. At one time it was practically impossible to grow any vegetation on our side of the tracks. It just did not grow in sawdust. While I was still in my teens the mail completed its operation except for some custom sawing. From that time, on the farms took a new lease on life. The clearings we're enlarged and cattle began to appear in increasing numbers. I don't have to recalled to you how the dairy interest grew from the first small creamery that was operated by O.A. Dahlberg.

I came back to Curtis in 1912 and bought the store owned by Louis Horn. It was to be our pleasure to have Mrs. Horn come with us this weekend. However she had a slight accident recently and felt she had better stay home. At that time I bought the store in company with Willard Hicock. (Who is still see says regrets). I was married during this. And our son, Charles, was born here in 1917.

I had every intention to make this my permanent home. Yes, I had dreams too. Sometimes when standing in the door of my store, I would look at the vacant railroad property across from me. I wondered if it might be possible to get permission to make a community playground and park out of it. Of course, it was only a dream and a quarter by fate, it was not all a lot to remain here. I don't want to be called a fatalist, but so often things seem to happen we have no control over. You know her visits to Curtis since we moved away, we have always mentioned how well The buildings are kept up--nicely painted and now the paved streets. You are to be commended for the determine spirit that prevails here. In our travels, we have seen so many small towns that--because of the modern roads and automobiles, have just folded up. The answer is I see it, must be the loyalty the citizens of Curtiss have maintained throughout the years. There is no more important factor in human affairs then loyalty--none that enters more into the pursuit of life, Liberty and happiness.

It extends not only to the patriotic defense of our country, but extends to our friends and our community as well. No one can be loyal to his hometown was untrue to his friends or to the principles of justice and right.

I would like to quote a few lines of what Lincoln once said--"I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man who lives in it so that his place will be proud of him. Be honest but he no one. Overturn a man's wrong-doing, but do not overturn him unless it must be done in overturning the wrong. Stand with a man who stands right. If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend. Therein is a drop of honey that catches his heart, which, say what you will, is the greatest highway reason."

In closing, let me again thank you for the opportunity of this visit with you and beg you to make yourselves known to us. We have all changed in many of you, Alice and I have not met for 40 years.