History: Greenwood, Wisconsin (1881)

Contact: janet@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Eaton, Brown, Swartz, Bushnell, Armstrong, Andrews, Hunt, Barber, Hodges, Stevens, Warner, Miller, McMahon, Bailey, Bowman, Miller, Hoseley, Dwyer, Schofield, Slater, Rossman, Welsch, Honeywell, Carpenter, Huntzicker, Tompkins, Christie

----Source: 1881 History of Northern Wisconsin Chicago: The Western Historical Company , A. T. Andreas, Proprietor (grammar as is) Pg. 246-247

GREENWOOD, Eaton Township, Clark Co., Wisconsin

Greenwood, almost equidistance between Black and Rock rivers, in Eaton Township, though of comparatively recent establishment and growth, is already a population of nearly 250, and gives evidence in its improvements and otherwise of the character of the people who have located in that vicinity.  It is seventeen miles from Neillsville, four from Hemlock, and eight miles from Longwood Post-Office, and is adjacent to valuable water powers, as also the distributing point for a rich agricultural region.

The earliest settlers about Greenwood included, Elijah Eaton, S. C. Honeywell, Samuel Lambert, C. W. Carpenter, George Huntzicker, Jacob Huntzicker, Jones Tompkins, George Christie, and others, who ventured into this section at various periods from 1847 to 1863, where they engaged in farming, lumbering and other pursuits.  Stephen C. Honeywell came in about 1862, and opening a farm on the present site of the village, engaged extensively in agriculture and logging, which he conducted successfully and profitably.  About 1867, the question of laying out a village contiguous to lumbering operations began to be first mooted, but no decisive action looking to that object was then inaugurated.  This ran along for several years without efforts being made, until supplies, which had been previously purchased at Neillsville and Black River Falls, were accessible in the vicinity of Greenwood, when the long debated subject was decided favorably to enterprise, and the preparations made to begin the founding of the village.

On the 6th of June, 1871, William Welsch surveyed and platted Greenwood, and with the disposition of these preliminaries, lots were purchased and improvements.  The number of domiciles then visible was limited to the log houses and frame structures of settlers who had located before a village was even remotely considered, and it was some time before offers made by owners of lots were availed of by purchasers.  In 1872, very few located here, among these, possible, doubtless, Mrs. B. F. Brown, who opened the first store.  The following year, A. S. Eaton removed to Greenwood from Black River Falls and opened a hardware store, at the same time officiating as Postmaster.  The same year, Frank Pfeiffer emigrated to Wisconsin from Germany, and settled in Greenwood.  A. W. Bailey, who had carried on a business of manufacturing sash, doors, binds, etc., at Black River Falls, established himself at Greenwood, as did Louis Rossman, a mechanic from Sheboygan, and some others.  In about 1874, Dr. G. H. Thomas opened a drug store.  Warners, Hunts, Bowermans and a large proportion of the inhabitants who have since remained in the village made their first advent here.  August 6th of the following year, North Greenwood, composing thirty-two lots was surveyed and added to the original survey, but as yet is but indifferently built up.  Six years before, a religious society had been organized among the residents of the surrounding country, and in 1877, the Methodist Church edifice, one of the largest and most conveniently arranged in the county was built and dedicated.  During this period services had been held in the school-house, which is an inference beyond dispute, that the cause of education had not been neglected, and other interests had been conserved and protected with equal care and diligence, the happy effect of which is apparent to the casual visitor of today.

Though young, Greenwood is claimed to be most desirably located.  In the center of a rich farming country, covered with the fruit of man’s labors in arable fields under fence, with more than ordinarily good buildings and in some instances elegant dwellings, erected in view of the passer, the support thus obtained will be invaluable.  The same can be said of the logging and lumber interests.

The first birth to occur after the village was laid off, is claimed as that of Maude Brown; the first marriage, John Honeywell and Rachel Hodges, in the Fall of 1871; and the first death, Elijah Eaton, December 4, 1872.

The first school in the vicinity was taught by David Hoseley, in a log cabin, the site of which is now occupied by Warner’s store.  This was during the was and the roster of pupils was limited to children of the Eaton and Honeywell families, with those of John Dwyer’s family, all told, not exceeding a baker’s dozen.  From this place it was removed to Robert Schofield’s log house, still standing, and when the village was surveyed, the building now occupied, adjoining George Slater’s residence, was adopted.  During the Summer of 1881, a new building of frame, designed for a graded school, was commenced and completed that same Fall, costing, furnished, a total of $7,000.

For the scholastic year ending in June, 1881, the expense incident tot he support of the school during the year had been $650.  One teacher was employed, and the Board was made up of Elias Peterson, director; W. F. Armstrong, secretary; and S. M. Andrews, treasurer.

Hercules Lodge, No. 181, I. O. O. F., was organized in August, 1870 at Staffordville, where it worked until 1876, when its removal to Greenwood was accomplished.  At that time the officers were: W. H. Mead, N. G.; Robert Schofield, V. G.; Henry Peck, secretary; and John Hoyt, treasurer.  In 1879, the lodge erected a building nearly opposite the Methodist Church, where meetings, which are convened regularly every Saturday evening, are held.  The present officers are: Elias Peterson, N. G.; George McConnel, V. G.; W. J. Armstrong, secretary; John Stewart, treasurer.  The present roster has sixty members, and lodge property is represented at $800.

Frontier Lodge, No. 372, I. O. G. T., was organized in the Winter of 1879 with thirteen members and the following officers: W. J. Armstrong, W. C. T., Miss Elizabeth Andrews, W. V. T.; H. W. Hunt, W. R. S.; Charles Barber, chaplain; Mrs. M. A. Hunt, W. T.; Joseph Hodges, marshal; and L. M. Stevens, P. W. C. T.  Within the next two years, the order grew in numbers and strength, and in the Summer of 1881, enjoyed the support of seventy-three members, who renewed their resolutions to avoid liquor drinking, on Friday evenings, and owned property valued at $100.  At that period, the officers were: L. R. Warner, W. C. T.; Thomas Miller, Jr., A. F. McMahon and Mrs. J. F. Bailey, secretaries; Mrs. Hannah Bowman, chaplain; Miss Hattie Miller, treasurer; and John Miller, marshal.

Greenwood Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in the Winter of 1869, with a small membership, under the auspices of the Rev. Mr. Bushnell, and held services at long intervals in the school-house until 1877.  In that year, the present church edifice was completed and dedicated.  The cost of the structure was $3,600.  The congregation at present numbers seventy-five members, under the pastorate of the Rev. C. C. Swartz.

Greenwood cemetery was laid out, in about 1867 or ’68, on two acres of half a mile west of the village and near Black River.  It is used as a burial place for the dead of Eaton and Warren townships, and is under the control of the town officers.

Post-office was first opened in 1873, with B. F. Brown as Postmaster, who remained in charge until 1880, when he was relieved by A. S. Eaton.  The latter is still in the service.