History: 1913 History of Athens, Marathon Co., Wisconsin

Poster: Janet Schwarze

Surnames: Johnson, Rietbrock, Halsey, Allen, Degner, Kreutzer, Rietz, Bopf, Franz, Kreutzer, Searing, Schlaegel, Bloczynski, Braun, Chessak, Erbach, Munes, Winch, Riley, Schmidt, Schlegel, Blecha, Burgess, Sutter, Halsey, Fiedler, McCarthy, Collins, Rodermund, Durkops, Erbach, Gruenwald, Kissinger, Adams Kuhl, Markus, Hamilton, Stack, Schneider, Rapberger, Belz, Schubert, Busche, Stack Bauman, Williams, Schroeder, Virks, Lehman, Fried, Kainer, Romang, Riehle, Paersch, Schaetzel Jenkins, Esser, Albrecht, Corey, Manner, Delap, Lowther, Irle, Joerres, Muehlenkamp, Schrein, Junk, Stremer, Rausch, Braunwalter, Neuenschwander, Buengel, Knauf, Knudson, agnew, Strauss, Morrison, Geiger

----Source: 1913 HISTORY OF MARATHON COUNTY WISCONSIN AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS BY LOUIS MARCHETTI, WAUSAU, WIS. pg. 508 516.

----THE VILLAGE OF ATHENS, WISCONSIN

THE VILLAGE OF ATHENS, MARATHON CO., WIS. 

One of the youngest, but the most populous and most active of all villages in Marathon county, is the hustling village of Athens. It is between twenty-eight and thirty miles in a northwesterly direction from Wausau, and fifteen miles northeast of Abbottsford. The Sault Ste. Marie & M. Railroad owns now the spur built into the village by Fred Rietbrock, so that it is directly connected with one of the trunk railroad lines of the state.  

The large business of this thriving burg is summarized up in this short statement: It has three large saw mills, a heading and stave factory, a canthook factory and a flour mill. During the winter of 1911 to 1912 the freight shipments averaged five hundred cars per month. The products exported by rail were dairy products, lumber, pulpwood, bark, cordwood and bolts. There is a sufficient amount of timber standing to supply the mills with logs for the next twenty-five years. To manufacture all this freight, there is need for willing hands to work, and need for import of such things as make life comfortable, which are supplied by the commercial houses of the village. The splendid farming communities furnish also a large part of the mutual commerce which goes to benefit all the people of the community.  

The beginning of Athens hardly dates back to 1880, when everything was in its wild, original state, except for the pine, which was cut in early days along the shores of the streams and floated out, leaving only the stumps as witnesses of a past age. A vast change has taken place in and around the territory in this short space of time, and where there was formerly unbroken forest, with an occasional cutting of pine which would have been hardly noticeable except to the trained eye of the woodsman, there are now rising the spires of great church edifices, fine residences and well laid out streets, good hotels and stores where every comfort and even articles of luxury can be had, greet the visitors, and roomy and neat schoolhouses and the many highly cultivated fields which the travelers pass before they reach the village are proof that there is a civilization which may pass comparison with some of the oldest settlements in this wide land.  

Athens is situated on the high land in the southwestern part of section 31, township 30, range 4 east, as originally laid out and platted, but includes now portions of three townships. On the north and east of the village runs Black creek, a large stream which empties in Rib river about six miles further east. The village stands on a plateau gently rising towards the west, affording an excellent drainage in two directions into Black creek, so named in distinction from Black river. The village was located in the midst of a splendid hardwood forest mixed with white pine, which extended for many miles in every direction. On the shores of Black creek the white pine predominated and logging was carried on in the vicinity for years in early days, but it was confined to the cutting of the logs in close proximity to the streams.  

The founder of the village was Fred Rietbrock, of the law firm of Johnson, Rietbrock & Halsey, of Milwaukee. Fred Rietbrock came to Wausau first in the year 1876, no doubt attracted by the opening of the country by the Wisconsin Valley Railroad and the advertising given to this section of the state by that railroad and by J. M. Smith, their land agent residing at Wausau. Rietbrock became convinced of the adaptability of the forest lands of this county for agricultural purposes and bought a large tract with the intention of bringing settlers to the lands from the congested districts of the big cities. He was successful in settling first a number of people of the Polish nationality from Milwaukee in the present town of Rietbrock, although some of them returned to Milwaukee, but many stayed and became substantial farmers. He increased the land holdings of his company in this county in the northwest until they had quite a large compact tract of land, which it was Rietbrock's intention to colonize.  

In 1879 he in company with William Allen, the county surveyor, cruised over the land holdings of the company, examining it as to timber, facilities for a road and adaptability for farming. They had passed Black creek going west; after examining the surroundings, and worn and weary from the long tramp through the woods, they sat down on a big rock, which reared its head out of the ground, and Fred Rietbrock exclaimed. "This is a good place to lay out a village," which was done in September, 1882, by Johnson, Rietbrock & Halsey as the village of Black Creek Falls.  

In the year 1879 Rietbrock cut out a road from Dorchester to his settlement in the present town of Rietbrock, which shortened the distance to the same by more than twelve miles than on the road from Wausau, besides giving prospective settlers from Milwaukee and the lower part of the state a direct railroad communication to Dorchester, and from there to his lands, instead of going the roundabout way from the south to Tomah and up to Wausau. In the same year he brought some settlers in from Dorchester and built a log house, named the Company's House, as a sort of station, and called the place Black Creek Falls. He saw the necessity of providing some employment for newcomers to enable them to earn some means in the first years of their settlement until their farms could support them, and also the need to supply lumber for buildings without going too far a distance, and in 1880 he built a saw and planing mill at Black Creek, which burned down the following year, but was promptly rebuilt and has been in operation ever since, only greatly improved and enlarged. The cut of lumber was from five to seven million feet annually.  

Meanwhile the settlement grew, and in order to give encouragement, Rietbrock, in company with Charles Schlaegel. of West Bend, erected a flour mill. This flour mill, like the saw mill, still exists, being incorporated in 1892 as the "Ceres Roller Mill." with George Schlaegel, a grandson of Charles Schlaegel, as general manager.  

Communications with the outside world were still very deficient, as new roads in a new country running through the forest always are, and in order to improve the condition in that respect he set himself to work to induce the Wisconsin Central Railroad to build a line to Black Creek Falls, and failing, undertook and succeeded in building himself a railroad from Abbottsford to the village, completing the line in the year 1889. It was named Abbottsford North Eastern Railroad. By this road there was an outlet for logs and lumber, which was of much benefit to farmers, who were obliged to cut down the timber to make room for fields. After the completion of this road the settlement increased quicker and the country developed rapidly. To encourage farming, he had a farm cleared himself, called the "Helendale Farm," which will be noticed later. The first settlers in what is now Athens, were Henry Degner. Andrew Kreutzer and William Rietz, who came November;. 1880: but Henry Degner had been there in 1879.  When Rietbrock built the Company House, and returned to his home in Grafton, Wisconsin, getting ready for his change of residence. When they arrived at Black Creek they found fifteen persons, mostly employees of Rietbrock, in the Company House, one of them being Mrs. Franz Albrecht, the housekeeper, and all living in the same house. Early in 1 88 1 came Louis Klein, who built the first private house in Black Creek Falls and opened a store and saloon, but a fann settlement had sprung up in every direction from Athens.  

A flour mill and residence was built by one Kaiser from Manitowoc, which ran three years and was afterwards bought by the Rietbrock Company and used by them as a warehouse. In the same year Andrew Kreutzer built his residence there, and Henry Degner a carpenter shop and J. C. Searing moved into the village from his land in the town of Halsey and, building a log house, kept the first boarding house.  

Fred Schultz, an emigrant coming directly from the city of Berlin, Germany, came in 1882, and built a house which, when remodeled, became the Central Hotel, being owned now and conducted by Alex Bloczynski.  

Another newcomer built a hardware store, but finding the business unprofitable, sold his place to the father of Henry Degner, after which Henry Degner opened a hardware store himself and carried it on successfully until 1910, when he retired. The building is now being used as a drug store.  

The Athens Hotel was completed in 1887 by Mr. Blecha, who conducted it on a high plane, Mrs. Blecha being an excellent landlady, whose kitchen and rooms were the delight of the traveling public. It is now owned and conducted by Henry Bopf, under whose management the hotel keeps up its old reputation.  

In 1889 Henry Degner built a barrel-heading factory, which he operated for five years, and then incorporated the business under the firm name of "Degner Stave and Heading Company." The factory was sold in 1910 to E. E. Winch & Co., of Marshfield, who continue the business under the old name.  

The village had grown sufficiently now to warrant its incorporation as a village, which was done on July 15, 1901. and the order for incorporation was ratified by vote on August 10, 1901. The first election for village officers was held on September 7, 1901, and resulted in the election of the following named gentlemen: President, Henry Kreutzer; clerk. J. D. Riley; treasurer. Peter Schmidt; with E. E. Schlegel, F. Blecha. John Chessak, E. Burgess. G. Sutter and Joseph Braun as trustees. George Kreutzer was elected as supervisor to represent the village in the county board.  

Mathias Braun. who had built a saw mill in Ponatowski. removed his plant to Athens in 1891, where it is still operated under the firm name of Braun Bros. & Co. The present officers are: President, William Braun; secretary and treasurer, John Braun.  

The Chessak Saw and Planing Mill was built in 1891 and under the firm name of Chessak, Munes & Co., has been in continuous operation since, except one year, when the mill was used as a hub factory. The business is now incorporated under the name of Athens Manufacturing Company, with the following named gentlemen as officers: President, Joseph Chessak; vice president, Anton M. Munes; secretary and general manager, John H. Chessak.  

Professional Men — P. L. Halsey, attorney at law; Drs. Fiedler and McCarthy, Dr. F. C. Collins and Dr. Rodermund, physicians and surgeons; dentist, Dr. W. J. Durkops: notary public, Frank Chessak. Henry Kreutzer fills the office of postmaster.

Other industries of Athens are:  

The Athens Brick & Tile Co., its products being implied in its name, a corporation under the sole management of William L. Erbach.  

An electric plant, for lighting purposes, built in 1902 by the Rietbrock Land & Lumber Co.  

Blacksmith shops are conducted by Gustave Gruenwald, William Kissinger, William Adams and Joseph Kuhl; they each have a wagon shop in connection with it. Another blacksmith shop is conducted by the Rietbrock Land & Lumber Co.  

The Athens Implement ^Manufacturing Company makes agricultural implements and repairs automobiles and has a garage.  

Commercial Athens is represented by the following: General merchandise, by Anton Munes, George A. Kreutzer. Athens Farmer Store, and Joseph Markus. Jewelry by C. F. Hamilton and Benjamin Stack. Groceries and confectionery by Gustave Gruenwald. R. H. Schneider and Mrs. Rapberger. Gentlemen's furnishings and tailoring by Hugo Belz. Boots and shoes by Frank Schubert. Meat markets by George Blecha and F. C. Busche. Photographs by Mrs. Louis Stack. Millinery by Mrs. Joseph Bauman. Tonsorial artists, John Williams. Emil Schroeder and Max Virks. Restaurant by Schroeder Brothers. Livery, barn and sale stables by William Lehman. Joseph Baumann. L. Fried. Stock dealer, Christ Kainer. Painter and decorator, Fred Romang.  

The Marathon County Creamery Company was organized in ^larch, IQ06, for the manufacture of cheese and butter. During the year 19 12 this finn paid for milk to the farmers in the surrounding countn^ the sum of $5;, 000. Its officers are: President, William Riehle: vice president, Reinhold Paersch; treasurer, M. M. Schaetzel; general manager. J. H. Jenkins.

  OPERA HOUSE.  

The village is not without an excellent hall for entertainments. It is called the "Opera House": it has a very large seating capacity, which can be used for a dance hall when needed, a stage with a good stage setting and a dining room. Theatrical troups visit the place from time to time and are always welcome. The general manager of the same is Hubert Esser.  

THE ATHENS RECORD.

Nor is the place without a good weekly newspaper. The Athens Record was established by some public-spirited citizens in 1901 and enjoys a good circulation and advertisement list. The people evidently are awake to the value of a good local newspaper.  

The business is incorporated with E. C. Rietbrock as president, G. A. Schlegel as vice president, W. L. Erbach as secretary and treasurer, and J^^^ Conway is the responsible editor.  

Athens has a large public square with a fine bandstand, which is evidence that it was expected that the people would assemble on patriotic occasions and will not be without the inspiring strains of a band of music.  

The laying out of a public square, so often neglected when a new village or city is platted at a time when land is of but little value, is simply another evidence that the village was platted by a man who looked to the future and foresaw the growth of the place and that a public square would not be a bad investment, even from a money point of view.  

THE HELENDALE FARM.  

The Helendale Farm, on the outskirts of Athens, comprises only forty acres, but is known not only throughout the state, but all over the United States, through its breed of finest and purest Guernsey cows. The world's official butter record was made on that farm. The Guernsey cow, known to breeders as "Yekso Sunbeam," has completed the largest record of any cow in the world for butter, the test being made under public supervision and an advanced register and at an agricultural experiment station.  

The highest record was reached from October i, 1904, to September 30, 1905, with 14,920.8 pounds of milk, 5.74 average per cent, and 857.15 pounds of butter fat. Adding one-sixth to this butter fat to cover weight of salt and water found in the butter, the result is 1,000 pounds of butter for one year.  

The foregoing gives an accurate description of the business carried on in 1912 in this bustling village, and in the progressive part taken by the business men of the community.  

The land business of Johnson, Rietbrock & Halsey was conducted as a copartnership until 1901, in which year Fred Rietbrock bought the interest of his partners and organized the "F. Rietbrock Land & Lumber Co." He died in Athens after an active business life of over twenty-five years devoted to the development of the northwestern part of Marathon county, in the year 1906, and is interred in the city of Milwaukee. The good work done by him in that respect was recognized in giving the three towns mainly settled through his efforts the names of the partners of his firm, Rietbrock. Johnson and Halsey.  

The present officers of this corporation are: President, A. C. Rietbrock; vice president, W. L. Erbach, and William C. Klann. secretary and treasurer.  

About twenty years ago the village purchased the old hand fire engine of the city of Wausau, which had rendered so valiant service to Wausau before the installation of the waterworks, and a volunteer, fire company is organized in Athens, which is doing as good work as the old company did in Wausau. which is the highest praise that can be bestowed upon the Athens company.  

THE BANK OF ATHENS.

The Bank of Athens is another institution founded by Athens business men, which has materially assisted in the growth and wealth of the village and surrounding country.  

The following is a copy of the last report made March 18, 1913:

The officers of the bank are: President, A. L. Kreutzer; vice president, George A. Kreutzer; cashier, R. Neuenschwander; assistant cashier, George D. Fulmer. Directors: A. L. Kreutzer, George A. Kreutzer, R. Neuenschwander, J. H. Chesak, C. S. Gilbert, H. G. FHeth and W. Alexander.  

SCHOOLS.

Athens has a high school with a full four years' course. The principal is S. G. Corey; assistant, Miss Manner. Grade teachers: Lillian Kreutzer, first grade; Bessie Delap, second and third grades; Edith Laumar, fourth and fifth grades; Lotta Lowther, sixth and seventh grades; Laurine Irle, eighth grade.  

The building is a solid brick building, modern in every respect, and there is an enrollment of two hundred and twenty-five scholars.  

CHURCHES.  

Five churches give testimony that the population and its civilization is Christian in character.  

The Catholic congregation of Athens is numerically the strongest. It assembled as early as 1880, holding service in a private house.  

It organized in 1886 and under the supervision of Rev. A. J. Joerres of Colby, built the church in 1887. It had no resident priest for some time, and the resident pastor at Poniatowski held regular services in the church until July, 1896, when Rev. Anthony E. Muehlenkamp was appointed rector and took up his residence at Athens. Under his charge the parish rapidly grew and it became necessary to build a larger church, which was begun in the year 1904, and completed and the church dedicated August 5, 1906. The cost of this new church was $30,000.  

A parochial school was instituted in connection with the church as early as 1901, which, like the church, became too small and a new one was built and completed in 1908, costing $10,000. The congregation is in a flourishing condition, numbering over one hundred and fifty families. Of the pioneer members many have died, but the following still remain: Frank Albrecht, Jr., Adam Albrecht, Michael Schrein, John Junk, John C. Searing, John Stremer, Edmond Stremer, Math. Rausch, and Mrs. J. Munes.  

Rev. Anthony E. Muehlenkamp is still resident priest, and the building of the stately church and parish school are testimonials of the high regard in which he is held by his congregation.  

The Evangelical Christ congregation (Evangelical Christus Kirche) was organized early after the beginning of the settlement in Black Creek Falls, a missionary holding divine services. The present church was erected in 1896, and Reverend Hardenstein became the first resident pastor and still is in charge of the congregation.  

The church is a fine brick building and the congregation is large. It has the Ladies' Aid Society, a good choir and a Young People's Society. President, Henry Kreutzer; vice president, Joseph Braunwalter; secretary, R. Neuenschwander; treasurer, G. Romang.  

The Evangelical Communion church (Evangelical Gemeinschafts Kirche) was erected in 1900. This congregation has as yet no resident pastor, but is visited regularly every two weeks by Reverend Krueger from Dorchester, who conducts the religious service.  

Gennan Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Church ( Dreieinigkeits Kirche) — This congregation is the oldest in the village: it was organized on the 20th day of August, 1882. The church was erected in 1886; divine services were held for the first four years in the public schoolhouse by Pastor Theodore Buengel. The resident pastor is Rev. William Knauf. who is in charge of the congregation since the year 1902.  

The Presbyterian Church — Through the efforts of the First Presbyterian church, of Wausau, is due the organization of this congregation, which was effected in the year 1901, and a church was built in the following year. The late Reverend Knudson, a pioneer in home missionary work, served this church from its inception until 1903, He was followed by Revs. W. J. Agnew. J. D. Strauss and W. M. Morrison. when the last named one removed, the church was without regular service until Rev. C. F. Geiger was called as minister in May, 1911, which position he still holds. He has organized a "Christian Endeavor," and "Ladies' Aid Society." of which latter Mrs. Geiger is president. The congregation is now in a flourishing condition.

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