(Used by permission of Donald Kraut and transcribed by Robt. Lipprandt)

1. Brief history of state, county and towns in which Curtiss is located.

3. Road construction in Curtiss, 1955.

4. School, churches and civic organizations.

5. Curtiss business places.

6. Historical summary with a "Forward" look.

Curtiss is located in the heart of Wisconsin, a land of beautiful forests and rich dairy land. Wisconsin was reached by white men 50 years before Philadelphia was founded and 100 years before the settlement of Savanna. Jean Nicolet, a Frenchman sent out from Canada by Champlain, reached Green Bay in 1634. Father Marquette came in 1673. It is unusual for a region far in the interior of a continent to be explored before the coast lands are settled. The reason is found in its geographical situation. The St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes form a water route which led white men directly to Wisconsin.

Before white men settled in Clark county it was the hunting ground of the Chippewa and Winnebago Indians. The earliest white settlers were largely from Germany and the Scandinavian countries. The came as early as 1844, being attracted by the immense pine forests. So their occupation was chiefly that of the mythical Paul Bunyan. Like him they hewed down the virgin forests that they might build their homes and clear the land to make possible the great dairy industry for which our state is now famous. Some states may be blessed with more awe-inspiring scenery, with towering mountains or majestic views of the ocean, but Wisconsin with it’s green fields, growing crops, pleasant rivers and shady forests has the truly lovely beauty of usefulness.

Clark County was named for the famous explorer, George Rogers Clark. It was due largely to Clark that this part of the country is now under the flag of the United States. It is interesting to note that the territory now embraced with the borders of Clark County, in common with the whole state, has been governed at times by both Great Britain and France, by the State of Virginia, and the territorial governments of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. By an act of Congress approved by President Jackson in April 1838, the territory of Wisconsin was created out of and from the territory of Michigan. The State of Wisconsin was organized and admitted to the Union in 1848. The new state chose for it’s motto the inspiring word, "Forward." The act creating the County of Clark was approved by Governor Farewell on the sixth day of July, 1853.

The land where the Village of Curtiss is now located was originally a part of the Towns of Mayville and Hoard. Mayville was the 15th town to be formed within the county. It was named after Sumner May, one of the earliest settlers there and at whose house the first town meeting was held in April 1874. Hoard, the 24th town was organized in 1889. It’s first chairman was A. B. Matthias. The Town of Hoard was named for ex-Governor W. D. Hoard.

A vivid description of life as it is lived in those early days in Clark County is found in The History of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Green Grove: "....The country was still covered with dense but beautiful pine forests, and the early pioneers dwelt in the simplest of log huts. Wagon roads were unknown, and the people followed the Indian trails or blazed their own ways on the trees to show their route. Streams usually had to be forded, for civilization had not yet built bridges. Flour and other provisions had to be carried on the human shoulder for many miles. Only the most fortunate owned a yoke of oxen....."

In this untamed wilderness those qualities of the pioneer - hospitality, courage and fortitude made living more endurable and enjoyable. Friend or stranger alike could always find a genuine welcome in the home of the pioneer of this wilderness even if it required personal suffering and denial of already slim resources to do so. Day after day the strong arms of the pioneer swung the ax, and the crash of falling trees loudly proclaimed the dawn of civilization for these fertile regions. Wild birds, deer and bear were the only living companions of many pioneer. The days were lonely and some people began to feel forsaken, but even in this isolated wilderness, God was with them.

His messengers, the first missionary pastors looked up and gathered the lost sheep and brought them the bread of life.

"History" says Carlyle, "is the essence of innumerable biographies." After having briefly reviewed the history of our state, county and towns of which our little village is an inherent part, we shall try to record as much as possible the facts concerning the people who have had a part in making Curtiss what it is today.

Curtiss was typical of the state as a whole in that white people first came here because of the logging industry. People living here today have heard "old-timers" like Charlie Jakel tell of the tremendously big white pines which grew here. Some of the trees were so large that it took two or three men to reach around them. In about 1938 the members of the baseball team found verification of that statement when they dynamited stumps from what is now the ball diamond.

In 1880 the land where the village of Curtiss now is was owned by the Wisconsin Central Railroad Company. According to the Post Office Index of the Wisconsin Sate Historical Society, the post office was established here in September 13, 1881 under the name "Quar" with Gilbert Olson in charge. "Quar" was the name of Andrew Olson’s father’s farm in Norway.

During the year 1880, the railroad company sent a civil engineer here to lay plans for the first railroad which was to branch off from the Soo Line. His name was Charles Curtiss, and it was he who gave our village it’s present name. The name of the post office was changed to Curtiss on January 11, 1882. Mr. Curtiss lived here only about two years.

Curtiss has in later years sometimes jokingly been called "Boon-town." It was in existence before Owen was founded, and was considerably larger in population than it is today. Among it’s approximately 350 to 400 people there was a barber, milliner, doctor, dentist, butcher, hotel proprietor, two telephone operators, blacksmith, shoemaker, livery and dray man, O & N Lumber Company, restaurant, opera house, paint shop, garage, slaughterhouse, and a dance hall. A library was located in what is now the village hall. The first librarian was Tom Wilson, a colored man who was also a mason. The first banking business was done in the village hall, which was also at one time used for a store, jail and residence.

The first baseball team was started in 1908. The first game was played near the present Laabs Cheese Factory. Curtiss won the league championship that year. Curtiss has continued to be interested in baseball, the "great American sport" and has won many games.

Basketball was played in the old opera house as early as 1908. The also had a championship team during that year.

The history committee, along with the rest of the people of Curtiss, wish to pay sincere tribute to those young men from our village who gave their lives in service to our county. In the First World War they were John Richter and Wm. Himmel. In the Second World War they were Lorrin Peterson and Elroy Fahrenbach.

The first steps toward the incorporation of Curtiss was taken in 1914, a census being taken by B. B. Green, Chas. Block, H. Machlett, Frank Kraut, Albert Laabs and Herman Boehm. The petition was granted November 28, 1914 and the charter election was held at the old school house in the village on December 23rd. After examination of all papers in the case, Judge James O’Neill declared the incorporation null and void on February 1, 1917. A new petition was filed on February 5, 1915 by B. B. Green, T. B. Peterman, Chas. Block, Fred Jones and Glen Riebsamen. The petition was granted March 30, 1917. The election was held on April 24th. The judges were B. B. Green, Glen Reibsamen and Fred Laabs. The Northern States Power Co., came to town in December 1921 and electricity was provided for lights in February 1922.

In October 1934 the tracks to Abbotsford were taken out. In 1938 those to Owen were also taken out. Since then Curtiss has had to depend on cars and trucks for it’s transportation.

In 1955 an extensive street improvement project of over $100.000 was completed. This project was over three years in the making. It was initiated by Donald Kraut while he was serving as village president in 1952. Tony Hennlich village trustee and members of the Clark County Board of Supervisors worked for a number of years to secure county aid for the program. Other officers who cooperated in the undertaking are Harry Laabs, village president, Lyle Johnson, clerk, Clarence Geary, treasurer and Les Bowen, trustee.

The new road, curbing and sidewalks are a tremendous improvement to our town. During the period of construction which was unduly prolonged because of unseasonable weather, the mud through which people waded made the village folks think of stories of pioneer towns and the western movies made of that period. A good many people got their overshoes stuck in the mud while trying to cross the street. Parts of the road were in an area that was once a saw mill site. Excavations extended to six feet in some sections were necessary to remove saw dust and log fillings that constituted the early road bed. Workmen during the excavation uncovered an old ox-yoke and various other items reminiscent of an early era in Curtiss.

Although construction work temporarily entailed a certain amount of hardship, especially to those business places on what was for a time a sea of mud, most people took it with characteristic pioneer good humor. They knew that progress is often rather painful but that in the end it is worth the effort expended. On a particularly wet spot in front of the post office, a "dummy" with a fishing pole was set up. A sigh beside him read, "Wehmiller’s Fishing Pond." A bit of chuckle helped people to wallow through the mud more cheerfully.

The competition of the road was such an occasion for rejoicing that with typical Curtiss energy and cooperation, the town folks put on the biggest celebration our little town had ever seen. Pictures taken of the gay parade bring back happy memories to the many who attended the celebration that day. This street is part of County Trunk "E". It is also on the Meridian and at one time it was called the Yellowstone Trail, and was also Highway 16.

The history of our school and churches is, of course, intrinsic to the rest of our community life. The dates of their existence are almost synonymous with that of the coming of the first settlers, a fact which shows the basic interest of Curtiss residents in both education and religion. The State Historical Society says that the Evangelical Lutheran Church has a register going back to 1890. The records of the other churches in the village began about 1905. Local historical document state that the E.L.C. Congregation was organized in 1885, the Congregational in 1895, the Reformed in 1906 and the Missouri Lutheran in 1906. The pastors who served the E.L.C. are the Reverends Forde, Monson, Saitveit, Bestul, Fretheim, Nielsen, A. J. Anderson, Reishus, Nordby, Dahl, Odden, Wm. Anderson, Borreson, Odland and Wilhelm. Those who served St. Paul’s Lutheran Church are Pastors Binger, Heschke (a student), Witchonke, Behrendt, Goetch, Dietz, Grafe and Krause. Pastors serving the Congregational Church are Pastors Sargent, Cooke, Powell, Rostad, Mathews and Wagner. Those who served the Reformed and Evangelical Church are Pastors W. H. Lahr, A. G. Schmidt, N. F. Jansen, Al L. Sherry, Wm. Hueneman, Bauer Rosenau, Herman Hartman, Siegfried Schmiecken, David Grether, Robert Leonardt, Franz Puhlmanand Siegfried Dietrich during the period 1906 to 1953. The Reformed and Evangelical Church joined with the Evangelical Lutheran in 1953. this united group has just completed a new church building this summer.

The building now used for the Village Hall was the first school house. It was moved from the school ground where the new grade school was built in 1910, The Parent Teacher Association has been especially active in this community. Before the organization of the present P.T.A., a very active group met at the school house for activities such as spelling bees, debates, milk testing, etc. Mrs. Minnie Green was the first president of the group as we now know it. She has always been an active supporter of education. When the P.T.A. joined the National Organization in 1935, for many years the Curtiss school was the only one in the county which could boast that excellent affiliation. It has been interesting to note that about an equal number of men and women have held the office of president of the P.T.A. showing that both dads and mothers are interested in their children’s education. In general some of the activities sponsored by this group have been health courses, educational movies and speakers, track meets, the purchase of pianos and radios for the school, plays, choral clubs, Scout work, etc. The school has been a large part in determining the kind of citizens this nation will have. One writer has expressed this fact in the following words about:

In line with the subject of education, the following organizations should be mentioned: In 1950 Mrs. Harold Tonn gathered a group of women together to organize the Curtiss Home Maker’s Club. This is a part of the state organization and does much to better homemaking methods and enriches every day living in general. Scouting has also contributed to the life of the community as well as to the individual boys and girls through such activities as camping, participating in Memorial Day programs, etc. Boy Scouts have been led by Arthur Laabs and at present Harold Laabs. The sponsors for the boys at present is the Evangelical Lutheran Church. A few years ago Mrs. Harold Laabs was Den Mother for the Cub Scouts which were sponsored by the Owen Kiwanis Club. Girl Scout leaders have been Bernice Eide, Lily Cass and Mrs. Walter Ecker. Mrs. Albert Rohland is at present the leader of the Brownie Troop which is sponsored by the P.T.A.

The Community Club is also a very active group. At Present Donald Kraut serves as it’s president.

In the following section we have tried to include the names of the original owners and the changes through which the places of business went. If some have been forgotten, we are very sorry, and we do pay tribute to them also.

The village was platted on November 17, 1882, having been surveyed by Edwin R. Parks.

Mills: In 1882 Bass and Clark started the first saw mill which was near the creek East of where Bertha Kraut now lives. Successive owners were Chapman, Pribernow, and the Curtiss Manufacturing Co., which was owned by stockholders. The first three mills burned down. The last one was torn down and the machinery hauled to Phillips. Some of these mills were located East and South of the old Laabs Cheese Warehouse. Others were on East Front Street.

Garage: In 1919 a garage was built in the above location by Herman Cornelius. This burned down in 1920. Then a new garage was built by Richard Schoeneman and operated by Henry Aldinger and Wm. Klessig, and later by Wm. Hennlich. Wm. Klessig built the Standard Service Station to the South of it. This was sold to the Farmer’s Co-op of Spencer. they sold to Sherman Long and then to Walter Ecker. The garage is now owned by Les Bowen.

Blacksmith Shop: Was built by Adolph Mundt in 1919 North of the Les Bowen garage.

This was later torn down.

Warehouse: The Dow-Cheese Company had a cheese warehouse in 1917 or 1918 where the old Laabs Cheese Warehouse and Office is now. Rex Rowe, Paul Johnson and Mr. Haegegel were some of the managers there.

Feed Warehouse: Another warehouse was started by J. J. Jacobson in 1903 or 04. This was sold to Albert Pribernow, then to Emil and Fred Laabs, then to John Sturner, to

Borgemoen and Hrunek, O & N Lumber Co., Peter Bootzin, Les Bowen and Emory

Depot: This was built about 1880 and was located Northeast of the present Laabs warehouse. The depot agents were Mr. Cox, Glenn Friezener, Wm. Finnegan, Joe Platetter, Wm. Radke, Harry Crosby, Bob Potter, Dell Carter, Mrs. Christensen and Guy Teach. From 1880, when the first train came to Curtiss until 1938 when the railroad was taken out, there were several passenger and freight trains which came to Curtiss daily. The freight train was nicknamed "The Scoot." The depot was moved to Owen and is used as a home by Mrs. Grace Nicks and Charlie Lehman. In 1918 the B Line Shopping Association bought cattle here. They also had a potato warehouse near the depot, owned by John Sturner. He shipped car-loads of potatoes, hay, grain, bolts and apples. Section bosses were Mr. Bishop and Fred Richter.

Oil Station: The Farmers Co-op Oil Co. had a bulk oil station on the village park grounds with large tanks near the railroad tracks, North of Bowen’s warehouse, and a filling station across the road South of the bank. This was later moved away. Managers and distributors of the oil station were Harlow Bowen, Willard Geary, Archie Kluve, Bob Scidmore, Franklin Peterson, Henry Scidmore and Sherman Long.

Store: In 1882 Andrew Virch, a native of Norway, established the first general store located where the Curtiss State Bank now stands. He was appointed post master in 1883. Mr. Virch became the first rural mail carrier, taking the first mail out of Curtiss on February 3, 1903. He carried his mail in sort of a covered wagon drawn by horse. A cyclone destroyed Mr. Virch’s store in 1905. The lower part was completely destroyed. The top story landed North of the bank and was converted into a two apartment dwelling. The families living in the store did not even realize what had happened until they looked out of the windows. For many years this building was rented out as an apartment house. Later it was bought by Franklin Tonn who remodeled it to a grocery store and ice-cream parlor. This was then sold to Glenn Schwandt who sold it to Clarence Geary who now uses it as a residence.

Banks: The Curtiss State Bank was organized on July 23, 1912 and has been a useful and reliable factor in the commercial life and development of the community. The original officers were Ole Thompson, President, T. B. Pederman, Vice President and Glenn Riebsamen, Cashier. The directors were Ole Tompson, C. J. Kartsin, B. B. Green and Glenn Riebsamen. The bankers in their order of succession were Glen Riebsamen, Albert Trowbridge, T. B. Pederman and A. M. Erickson.

Saloon: Herman Boehm in the early 1900’s operated a saloon and harness shop. A dance hall was directly East of it. This was built in 1903. This property was sold to Henry Heinzel, then to Louis Schroeder, The dance hall burned in 1923. The saloon was sold later to James Barton, then to Harry Brown and then to George Koerner, who remodeled it into a dwelling.

Saloon: This was built by Andrew Olson and Ole Christiansen in 1882. It was sold to Joe Kraut Sr. in 1891. Later it was owned by Frank Kraut and now by Donald Kraut.

The original building was destroyed by a cyclone in 1905, and another saloon was built on the same spot. This business has been owned by the Kraut family for three generations. For a few years a dance hall stood in back of the tavern.

Blacksmith Shop: Was built by Louis Schroeder in 1913. Later is was bought by Lawrence Librety who had an implement shop there. This building was torn down. The Irvin Koerner residence is directly back of where it stood.

Barber Shop: This was built by Albert Laabs in 1917. This building is now being used for a residence by Albert Bakke.

Blacksmith Shop and Welding Shop: This was built by John Romminger in 1947. It was later bought by Walter Ecker and is now vacant.

Hardware Store: This was built by Henry Machlett in 1905. Before he built this store, he had a blacksmith shop near there for 12 years. In the store he also had groceries and sold furniture and had hearse and funeral services. After his death the business was carried on for many years by his sons, Fred and Ben Machlett. Then it was sold to

George Hoff in 1922 and they were in business in Curtiss for 32 years. They sold it to Howard Wauson, who sold it to the present owner Paul Kramas.

Saloon: It was built by Andrew Olson in the early 1900’s. It was sold to Adolph Schroeder and then to Conrad Fischer. After the fire in 1910 the building was remodeled and a hotel was also started here. The Fischers sold it to Otto Jankee, then to the Tonns, then to Charlie Newman and then to Wm. Fahrenbach Sr. Wm. Fahrenbach Jr., conducted a meat market in part of the building for many years. Franklin Peissig is the present owner.

Saloon: Richard Schoeman built this in the early 1900’s. He also owned a dance hall just North of this building. The dance hall was later moved and is now the Harvey Witt residence. The saloon was bought by Louis Horn and converted into a store. Then it was sold to Charles Block, to John Sturner and then to Otto Sturner. Mrs. Otto Sturner sold it to Glen Schwandt, to Harvey Witt, back to Glenn Schwandt, and then to Clarence Geary.

Restaurant: Was owned by Anna Block in 1914. This stood between the present day Geary Store and Johnson’s Tavern. This building was moved several years ago and is now owned by Wm. Ridpath and occupied by Harvey Klementson.

O & N Lumber Shed: This was built in the above spot in 1915-16. It was later moved East of the feed warehouse and was later torn down.

A Blacksmith Shop: Was built in 1906 by Jones and Radke, who sold it to John Shaus, who later sold it back to them. In 1913, early on New Year’s morning, this building was destroyed by fire. The Hickok Store, which was built in 1894 and was sold in 1910 to the Green Bros., stood to the North of it and was also destroyed. Fred Jones rebuilt the same year. This building was bought by Ben Green in 1914 and was used for a general store. Ralph Green continued as a storekeeper until 1936 when Jacob Johnson bought it and now operated a tavern there.

Telephone Office and Barber Shop: This was built in 1920 by Ben Green. A building which had been used as a blacksmith shop on the South end of town was moved in 1910 North of this building and was used for a post office by Willard Hickok, and then to Fred Ecke, then to Mr. Meyer and last to Mr. Jenz. Both of these buildings were destroyed by fire in 1930.

Gas Station and Garage: In 1949 Glen Schaus started the Mobile Gas Station, of which Lional Schiszik is the present manager. Lyle Johnson is the distributor for Mobile Gas.

Cheese Factory: The first creamery in town was started by O. K. Dahlberg where Mrs. Emil Buss owns a house today. In 1899 Emil Laabs started the first cheese factory and operated it until a cyclone destroyed part of the building. In the winter of 1905, Emil and Fred Laabs hauled lumber from Colby and started the present Laabs Cheese Factory. It was sold to Adolph Luethe who owned it for a few years. Then Fred Laabs bought it back again. It is run now by the sons of Fred Laabs. The grandfather of the present owners of the factory was also in the cheese business and lived near or in Curtiss until his death. The Laabs family had been in the cheese business for at least four generations.

Hotel: This was built by Ammon Arneson and sold to Henry Machlett in 1889. The Machlett’s operated it for many years. People still talk of the wonderful cook Mrs. Machlett was and how people came from far and near to eat her delicious meals. The hotel was sold to H. Borchardt and then to Albert Marquardt. It was destroyed by fire of 1910, in which four other buildings were burned. This was located where the present Henry Peterson home is.

A Shoe Shop: Was built by A. J. Perry in 1922. Charlie Schultz bought it and then Lawrence Librety owned it. He sold it to Gottholdt Martin who rented it to several people as a barber shop. It is now owned by Joe Schiszik and Henry Bublitz who use it as a residence.

A Saloon: Was built by "Doc" Moore in the late 1800’s. It was sold to Janz and Hoge who operated a meat market. Then it was sold to Art Tonn who used it as a residence. The Franklin Tonn bought it and used it for a tavern and then a store and confectionary.

It was sold to Otto Janke and then back to Franklin Tonn. Mrs. Tonn has her home there now.

A Blacksmith Shop: Was moved inbetween the bank and the present Tonn residence. Fred Jones operated it until Louis Shorre took it over. Then Henry Aldinger and Casper Olson used it for a garage with a paint shop upstairs operated by Ed Bartram. After this it was sold to Morris Klemenston and then to the Curtiss State Bank. The building was then torn down. Tonn’s bought the land and moved a building from Main Street to the lot. The building is now Tonn’s Bar.

A White Washing Business: Was conducted for many years by "Cap" Thornson. "Cap" made his home in a building back of Schiszik’s and Bublitz’s place.

Shoemakers: Those who operated shops in Curtiss were August Erler in the early 1900’s, John Zasoba, Albert Perry, George Heagle and Clarence Ravey.

Henry Peterson was a jeweler, watch-repairman, electrician, school and church janitor for many years.

Dentists: Dr. Charles Trowbridge did dental work in the present Paul Kramas residence.

Medical Doctors: Included Dr. Simpson, who had his office in the Ecker house,

Dr. Sinz and Dr. Kampmeir were in the Kramas house.

Livery and Draymen: Included Radke and Jones, Ole and Harry Williams, John Richter, Wm. Stienback, Henry Heinzel, Carl Botterud, Clarence Ravey and Albert Johnson.

Barbers: Included Albert Laabs, Leon Ankney, Glen Web, Mr. Bucke, Francis Tuttle, Mr. Gillette, George Sisco, John Lokken, Mr. Knause, Mr. Gibson, Art Harmel and Howard House.

Other Blacksmiths: Included Mr. Berry, Eswig Bauernfiend, Mike Alchzyk, Steve Konik, Alvin Pribernow and Emil Korth.

Postmasters: Included A. M. Virch, George Hickok, Willard Hickok, Charles Block, Wm. Himmel, Ralph Green, Jacob Johnson, Glenn Schwandt and Ina Hennlich.

Rural Route 1: Was established on February 2, 1903. Carriers were Andrew Virch, sub carrier was Anna Virch. Herbert Quinnell, Henry Ecke was sub carrier. Albert Kuehling, Wm. Fahrenbach and Roy Ostenson, sub carrier.

Rural Route 2: Was established on March 1 1907. Carriers for it were Clarence Ravey,

Reinert Klocke, Otto Olson and Harry Jens as sub carrier and Grant Herrick. The routes were consolidate on July 1, 1935. Albert Kuehling moved to Neillsville to work there and Grant Herrick has had both routes since that time. The total mileage of the route is 64.4 miles.

Carpenter: Perhaps more of the houses in the village of Curtiss have ben built by Wm. Williams than any other man.

Entertainment: The Harry O. Brown Show came to Curtiss every year for many years to provide entertainment somewhat differenct to that which is known to the present generation. The Skerbeck Carnival Company also came for many years. The present carnival company, The Greasers is owned by a daughter and son-in-law. Other recreation was provided to the village for many years by the business men who sponsored out-door movies.

Some of the families who have been residents of Curtiss for three and four generations and who still live here are the Johnsons, Krauts and Laabs’s. The oldest residents born in Curtiss and still making their homes here are Armin Peterson, Arthur Laabs and Donald Kraut.

In tracing the changes which took place in the business places, only the owners have been mentioned although there have also been many renters who operated them.

Like our state, we of Curtiss could well take as our motto the work "Onward." With the splended physical recources with which we have been blessed, there is no reason why ours should not be as progressive and beautiful as any village in this wonderful nation of ours. There is in this place a strong spirit of friendliness, neighborliness, kindness, a love of our home town and a desire to serve others. Most of the people are industrious folks who have heard again and again the common sense admonition from their parents and grandparents, the pioneers fo this country, "Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty and bow your backs to work!" May we in our churches, schools, businesses and homes go forward in such a way that Curtiss may not be only a fine place in which to bring up children but one where those children will want to stay to spend their adult lives.

1. R. H. Whitbeck, former professor of geography at the University of Wisconsin.

2. "History of Clark County" A book authorized to be printed by the County Board in 1889. Chairman of the Board, Ira Fike.

3. "History of Clark County" Compiled by Franklin Curtiss Wedge in 1918.

4. Newspaper clippings by R. Y. Mac Bride written in 1910 and now filed at the Neillsville Public Library.

5. "History of St.Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Green Grove," published in 1929.

6. History of the Curtiss Parent Teachers Association.

7. Wisconsin State Historical Society.

8. The memories of the older people living in Curtiss, especially Mrs. Franklin Tonn and Mrs. Jake Johnson.