News: Spencer History – Electricians

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Kolsta, Soles, Redig, Lanoue, Straub, Fenhouse, Kibbel

Source: Spencer Centennial Book (1874 – 1974)

When electricity was first made available in Spencer, Bert Kolsta (a brother of Elizabeth Soles) and his son, George, came from Fond du Lac and did much of the wiring of the homes in town.

William Redig and his brother-in-law, Harry Lanoue, of Vermont, both veterans of World War I, came to town shortly shop in the Hanson building, now the site of the Breeze-Inn Tavern. They did residential and farm wiring, especially on farms were Northern States had just extended their lines.

Wilmer (Toby) Straub moved here from Edgar in 1934 and established his electrical business in a part of what is now the l.G.A. store. He had received his degree from the Electrical School of Engineering in Milwaukee. In 1943 he moved into one half of the Gary Fenhouse building and later continued his business from his own home. He is now retired and is a supervisor on the Marathon County Board for the village of Spencer, Town of Spencer and part of the Town of Eau Plaine. Toby has in his home an electrified miniature circus which he created for the pleasure of his grandchildren and himself.

Spencer Home Service, an area wide service, located in the former Graves Store Building, does residential and farm wiring, small repair service and sells electrical appliances.

LaVern Kibbel has his T.V. Electric Service on route 1, wires homes and farm buildings, and repairs and sells T.V.'s and stereos.