News: Clark Co. - Local Historians Recollections (1981)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-m ail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Sorenson, Stark, Crothers, Carlson, Meacham, Ebert, Anderegg, Elmer, Sisson, Schaefer, Scott, Vorland, Bergstrom, Teeples, Sturdevant, Hoesly

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 6/28/1981

Local Historians Recollections (1981)

Continuing its study of education in Clark County before the consolidation of schools, the Clark County Historical Society will meet Thursday, June 5, in the cafeteria of Owen-Withee High School at 8:00 p.m. Frances Sorenson, Withee, will be the chairman of the lunch committee. Members are asked to bring items of historic interest, especially those related to school days.

At its May meeting, held at Greenwood High School, George Stark, Greenwood, showed a dinner pail which his brother had used, and which is now at least 88 years old. Marcia Crothers, Granton, showed a number of items among them an autograph book dated 1885 which belonged to her husband’s grandmother who was one of the early teachers to receive her training in the Normal School in Neillsville. Arvid Carlson, Abbotsford , had a picture of one of his school teachers who is now 102 years of age.

Myrtle Meacham, Colby, reported that the Creative Corners Homemakers had helped to clean the museum in Colby and will plant flowers on the grounds. The Sam Hill Homemakers donated a tree and a 4-H club planted it. Ruth Ebert reported that several homemakers groups and Boy Scout troops are scheduled for tours in Neillsville. Lunch was served by Mrs. Violet Anderegg, chairman, and Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Elmer, Mr. and Mrs. George Stark, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Sisson and Vernice Schaefer.

Jess Scott, Marshfield, former secretary and president of the Society, was the guest speaker, and recalled the society’s early achievements. The group organized on April 23, 1965, with four incorporators including Pearl Vorland of Colby, Mrs. Anita Bergstrom of Owen, Violet Teeples of Merrillan and Jess W. Scott of Neillsville. The certificate has been framed by Scott and will be hung in the museum in Neillsville.

Scott told of four historic markers placed by the Society to recognize the Mormons of 1844, in Greenwood; Major General Clarence Sturdevant, chief engineer of the Alcan Highway, in Neillsville, the moraine left from the Ice Age at the Moraine Tower on U.S. 10 west of Neillsville; and a marker to recognize Colby Cheese in Clark Colby.

Other recent activities of the Society include the placement of a marker during the week of national recognition of buildings in the National Register of Historic Places. The marker was place in front of the 1897 Clark County Jail which is listed in the national Register. The marker was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Hoesly of Neillsville.