Memories of Theresa Funk, Withee, Hixon Township, Clark Co., WI

Below is a photo of the first page of her original recollections, followed by the complete transcription of all twelve pages.

This Clark County community was named after Hiram Withee, the first postmaster in 1880

(Hand-written on clipping: “Herbert’s middle name Hiram—named after H. Withee, Pa’s friend)

In 1894 Hans C Hansen of Neenah (father of Niggo Hansen) bought farm from Mr. & Mrs. C.W. Funk and moved to Withee. The Danish colony was invited in 1892 to locate in Withee by Jacob Spaulding. He promised free land for a church and parsonage. Church was established in 1893 on land donated by John S. Owen in Withee. Peter Frost was first official Danish visitor in Withee. Rev. Andres Nielsen arrived in 1893 from Chicago. (Pastor until 1903—died in 1909) In June 1911 the first National Convention of the Danish Church of America was held with the Withee Church serving as host; when the plaque was unveiled showing an engraved picture of Pastor Nielsen. This may be seen on the monument in the Danish Cemetery. The church also hosted the National Convention of the Danish Church of America in 1930. Br’ot a passenger train full of members to Withee. Rev. Jensen was second pastor and Rev. Dixon was third. He urged tree planting on all the farms around homes. He came in 1913. Alfred was first child born into the Danish Colony of Withee. Neenah H. bought farm from Mr. & Mrs. Chas Funk in 1894. Wm. Hansen (born in 1891) son of Neenah Hansen of Maplewood Farm (our old farm) left Withee in 1909—age 18 yrs. Wm. was Pres. of State Teachers Univ. Stevens Pt. for some years. Now is State Senator of Wis. At one time there were five Hans C. Hansens in Withee: Chicago Hansen; Mpls Hansen; Superior Hansen; Neenah Hansen and one other. (I think he was Peter Hansen)

The Mormons (Church of Latter Day Saints) who visited Jackson and Clark counties in the 1840’s to get lumber for their city Nauvoo, will present an hour program of pictures and speaking at the next meeting of the Clark County Historical Society.

Delbert Hoffman of Gresham, the director of the Mormon program in Wisconsin, has promised to bring two July 11 at 8 p. m. in Loyal High carloads of his members to present School a program similar to the one used at the last World’s Fair in New York City.

Jess W Scott, president of the Clark County Historical Society, announces the program will be open to the public and lunch will be served following the program.

Clark County is the only county in Wisconsin to have a historical marker recognizing the visit of the Mormons to Wisconsin in the 19^th century. The marker is located in the Greenwood City Park and was dedicated by the Clark County Historical Society in 1967.

All members are asked to note the change of meeting date from the first Thursday to second Thursday of July. The change was necessary because July 4^th is a legal holiday and that date of our regular meeting.

The drive for new members in the Clark County Historical Society continues as the 1968 goal of 400 members is nearly reached. Goal for 1969 is 500 members. As a special incentive, the Society is awarding a 50-page history of Clark County, published in 1953, to each new member. Membership fee is only $1 per year. Check may be mailed to Miss Natalie Scherf, Withee; Mrs. Nina Cattanach, Owen; Mrs. Gordon Vorland, Colby; Miss Florence Garbush, Loyal or to Jess W Scott, Neillsville.

Named after Moses Clark. St. Germain probably first white man set foot in what is now Clark Co. in 1836. Indians were Chippewas. In 1844 a party of Mormons came from Black River Falls and cut logs which floated down river to Black R. Falls for lumber for Mormons temple at Nauvoo, Ill. For a year after their departure no white man inhabited Clark County. The Mormons retained interest in pine and came up river to “Farming’s bridge” and the “Mormon’s Riffles” near Cunningham Creek. In 1848 And. Grover, Hamilton McCullom & Beebe built a mill on Cunningham Creek, 2 miles below Neillsville. In 1845 James and Alex O’Neill went up the Mississippi & Black R. Falls and built a sawmill. In 1851 they came to what is now Neillsville. Sawmill was erected. Lumber sold for $10 per 1000 ft. at Black R. Falls. In 1848 among immigrants were Moses Clark for whom county was named. Sawmills were erected about 18 mi. north of Neillsville. At height of season perhaps between 1862-1875 estimated 2,500 men were employed along Black R. Teamsters wages $28 to $30 – Choppers $30 to $35 – Swampers $16 to $18 – Blacksmiths $40 – Cooks $50 – Laffle Cooks helper $14. Last big drive on Black R. – 1900. In 1871 estimated 350 million ft. floated down Blk. Riv. In 1847 Eaton Township surveyed first land taken by Hiram Pitts in 1849. In 1869 Eaton Township created. Consisted of present Eaton, Thorp, Withee, Hixon, Longwood, Warner and the towns in Taylor Co.

Mr. & Mrs. Harry Mead (lived in Hemlock near Withee) came in 1865; built house with wooden pins & hinges. Doors without locks -- tools left where last used & always found again there when wanted. Mrs. J Bibel killed her husband with an ax and dragged his body into the woods. She was pregnant. A week later, Fred Limprecht saw crows or ravens circling about a place in the woods & found the body frozen stiff and took it to town and placed it in Honeywell’s ware house. Later they put the body in a barrel of water to thaw out. Mrs. Bibel confessed – said it was self defense and was cleared. Mary Hommel came in 1867. Black River bridge went out in a flood in 1887. Theresa born 1887. The winter of 1858 has been known as the winter of the Big Snow. Outstanding the largest barn in Clark Co. burned 1895. Owned by Robt. Schofield. $1000 insurance was collected. Bank Robbery – robbery Nov. 4, 1892 - $7,102 taken. $6000 was gotten back from Ins. Robbers escaped west with team. Sperbeck, cashier, rec’d word the next week that the robber has been captured in Chicago and were brought to Neillsville. Stephen Case Honeywell was the outstanding character. Chas. Barney when 11 or 12 years of age was sent on horse back from La Crosse County to Hemlock, so that the horse might work in the woods. He walked back alone through dense woods with few settlers and only a blazed trail part of the way. Took him three days.

In 1884 first meat market by Christ Wollenberg. In 1871 Honeywell first blacksmith. Postmaster B.F. Brown about 1878 to 1881. Succeeding Postmasters Karl Baker, Chas. Varney and R.L. Barnes. Hiram Withee postmaster 1880. In 1865 Greenwood named by May Honeywell. Clark County created out of Jackson County July 6, 1853. First town meeting April 5, 1870 at Honeywell home. Chairman Harry Mead. Village of Greenwood incorporated 1891. Honeywell early settler came in 1856. First house built in Greenwood by S. Case Honeywell 1858. Old Withee settlers: John Shanks1863; John McCarthy 1867; Tom Syth in late 1860’s; B.F. Brown in 1870 from Black River Falls opened up store with Chandler; Joe Gibson April 30, 1858—when 10 years old ran away from home in Canada and came to La Crosse and did chores for Mr. Baker four years and during that time received 50 cents. The only money he had received in this country. He and his companion who had run away with him from Canada enlisted in the Union Army at age of 15 years. His companion was killed in the battle of the Wilderness. Gibsons lived in Withee in later years. A Mrs. Carpenter walked 14 miles carrying a child in her arms. Her 4 year old son George walked most of the way. Mr. Carpenter carrying a pack on his back. First white child born in Greenwood was Olive Carpenter (1858) now Mrs. F. Pfeiffer. Mark Warner came in 1871; James Syth 1877; Ira Barr 1878; Baily first undertaker 1872.

After the war Joe Gibson worked in a saw mill. At 19 years became foreman for Bright & Withee. Married in 1869 to Miss Sperbeck. In 1872 settled in Longwood. Mrs. Gibson taught Indian neighbor woman how to make clothing. Mr. Gibson was first president of Greenwood State Bank. Niron Withee came in 1870-was county treasurer 1882. Succeeded by Hiram Withee. Robt Schofield came to Clark County 1855 and to Greenwood 1879. He built one of the finest homes in that past of the country 1880, cost $12,000-at that time was lumberman. Then came John Brown; Hunt; Dave and Hugh Shanks; Chr. Wallenberg; Philip and Paul Rossman; E.T. Burch; Bert Brown; First marriage among settler? John Honeywell and Rachel Hodges 1871. First death Mrs. Charlotte (C.S.) 1871 Mrs. C.S. Honeywell – mother of settler Otto Behrens. Some teachers in first school: Horace Draper; Mary Honeywell; Ben Andrews; Jack Syth; Geo Slater; Henry Warner; Ed Hommel. First class of graduation 1898 Eva Miller; Mabel Varney Greenwood Methodist Church: Jas. Austin Sr. 1882-1882 father or uncle of Rev. Jas Austin of Withee; Paul Hull 1895-1899; Immanuel Reformed – Rev. Schmalz (he baptized all us kids) 1887-1908 German Church organized 1874 Adolf Noah. Henry Humpke; Mr. & Mrs. Herman Schwarze; Ludwig Noah; Mr. & Mrs. Decker; John Vollrath.

First circulating library started in Greenwood by W.C.T.U. in 1885-87 in Buland’s Drug Store-later Pfunder’s Drug Store. Books burned when fire destroyed building. In 1871 there were 3 log houses and 2 frame houses in Greenwood. In 1886 there were two dry goods stores; two meat markets; 1 drug store; 1 hardware store; 1 post office and 1 furniture store. Dr. Buland and Dr. McCutcheon – doctors 1884 from Bush Medical College. Dr. Buland boarded at Dorrence Bailey’s boarding house. The same year two young girls started a millenery store in Tom Syth’s building and boarded at Bailey’s. The first evening Dr. Buland and Bailey saw the two attractive girls, Dorrence said “There are two girls for us.” Dr. Buland replied “Alright, I’ll take the long slim one” and Dorrence said “I’ll take the short fat one” – which they did. Buland married the one next December 1884 and Bailey the other some time later. Cyrus Dewey foreman of the Withee Estate of 21,530 acres – Longwood and Withee townships. Shoe repairing Anton Kristianson, father of Alfred & Signa L Sperbeck first cashier of Bank. Edith Darney, Secretary/Treasurer and Librarian of Library. Hotels: Begley’s; Schofield, Shanks; Jack Bryden. First auto owned by Dr. H.R. Schofield. Steinert Brothers- Martin and either Ernest or Julius had a cigar factory a short time.

In 1891 Wisconsin Central Railroad built between Marshfield and Greenwood. In 1897 Fairchild & N.E. from Fairchild reached Greenwood. In 1878 The Black River Improvement Association built their own telephone line between Dells Dam and Hemlock – was for loggers use to order supplies, etc… Village of Greenwood platted and laid out in 1871. The sixth house was then built in the village. Classical music program under direction of Mabel Bishop – at this program. In 1933, first radio broadcast by Greenwood talent given at Studio W.L.B.L. at Stevens Point. Mabel B. a very able musician/graduate of Chicago Music College. She once was accompanist for Don Gelch (violinist) at a program given in Withee. The old time settlers had no fruit jars for use in canning, so some of them put fruit into earthen jugs and sealed them by covering the cork with a piece of cloth and pouring on pitch. Sugar and syrup from sap of maple trees was used for cakes and cookies. Berries were dried in ovens or sun. Pork was from $26 to $40 a barrel. Flour $16 a barrel was brought by boat from St. Louis and La Crosse. Eggs 8 to 10 cents – butter two pounds for 25 cents.

Old Sheldon in Longwood pulled teeth with a pliers. Father of Nancy Sheldon. Always found at his place in his bare feet.

Front - (Dated May 20, 1878) Your favor of 20 inst. Is received with enclosure as stated. We credit 138.88. Back – Signature of W.S. Tuft, Withee, Wisconsin.

Charles Funk and Wilkelmine Schmidt were married November 2^nd, 1883. Lived on the farm which was given to Minnie Schmidt by her father. I think it was 40 acres.

Withee – The Withee Lions Club is noting the 100^th anniversary of the arrival of the first white settlers in the Withee area which occurred in the summer of 1870. At a meeting Monday evening in the parish hall of St. John’s Lutheran Church, the club members viewed a large number of pictures of early Withee provided by Mrs. Jennie Tufts of Neillsville. Jess W. Scott, Neillsville, guest speaker, traced the early history of the Withee Community.

It was in the summer of 1870, that James Seneca Boardman and his wife arrived from Minnesota and settled in a heavily – wooded area of what is now Hixon township, in the area which is now Withee.

The George W. Richards and David R. Goodwin families arrived in 1871 to become neighbors of the Boardmans. Fourteen new families moved into the area in the period 1872-75.

In 1874 a post office named Winneoka was opened on the Bernard J. Brown farm, about five miles west of what is now the village of Withee. Prior to establishing this post office, residents of the area packed mail in with supplies from Chippewa Falls and Greenwood.

On November 23, 1880, the first passenger and freight service came through Withee, on the new Wisconsin Central Railroad from Chippewa Falls to Abbotsford. A depot was erected in Withee in 1880.

Handwritten below clipping: David (PUG) Goodwin was a brother of Archie Goodwin, the latter was father of Olive Fredrickson author of Northern Canada stories in the magazine “Out Door Life”. David (Pug) Goodwin was a trapper and lived with his family on the place where the Withee (Riverside) Cemetery is now located. Coal kilns were on the same land near the RR tracks.

The names listed are the children of Charles Funk and Wilkelmine Funk (nee Schmidt):

“Is it the Popple River or the Poplar River?” This was the question brought before the Clark County Board of Supervisors last week by Rosalind Chubb, Clark County Clerk.

In board action, a resolution was adopted asking the Wisconsin Geographic Names Council to make the proper change; from the Poplar River to its correct name, Popple River.

For some time the Popple River, which runs south of Owen, had inadvertently been changed on all maps and state references to the name “Poplar River Watershed”, which was constructed and completed recently north of Owen. In the official documents concerning the watershed project, on federal, state and local levels, the project, the river and its two forks are known as the “Poplar River.”

Its was learned recently however, that the Division of Resource Management could request the Wisconsin Geographic Names Council to make the proper change.

According to the history of the Owen area and Northern Clark County, the river was named after the first person who is identified as having been in the area which is known as Owen. He was Sam Popple, a long-haired, bearded logger, who named the Popple River when he passed through the wilderness area later known as Owen sometime after the Civil War, between 1865-1870.

Sam Popple also gave his name to Popple Lake north of Chippewa Falls where he settled and built a log shanty. Historical accounts picture Sam carrying a muzzle-loading musket with a powder horn, looking much like the typical pioneer of the American frontier.

Now the bones of Sam Popple can rest easy again as once again the river he named after himself, once again will be properly named.

For some years this pioneer was forgotten, as everyone from federal, state and local government officials, the map makers, included incorrectly renamed the river he named after himself sometime between 1865-1870. This is Sam Popple, as he looked in 1879. As far as historians are certain, he is the first person to be identified as having explored the woods and the river in the area now known as Owen. In recent years, the river he named has been misnamed the “Poplar River”. Now that error has been corrected by County Board Action.

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