1913 Marathon City, Wisconsin, Marathon County

History: 1913 Marathon City, Wisconsin

Poster: History Buffs

----Source: History of Marathon County Wisconsin and Representative Citizens, by Louis Marchetti, 1913, Chapter XXXIII, pgs. 488-498.

THE VILLAGE OF MARATHON CITY The village of Marathon City was organized by the election of village officers in the spring of 1884, electing John A. Lemmer president and supervisor to represent it in the county board.

The history of Marathon City is really the history of the first settlement by the Pittsburg Settlers' Club, and of the towns of Marathon and Cassel. The village was platted and the plat recorded on June 8, 1858. The surveyor who laid it out was W. B. Agnew of Stevens Point, where the United States Land Office was located where the lands were purchased by a committee of the club, as referred to under Chapter of Early Settlements. This plat was later corrected by judicial proceedings and re-recorded June 12, 1884.

The first troupe of settlers arriving in the summer of 1857 built two houses, which they used until their houses on their lands were advanced far enough to be habitable. All houses were, of course, log houses, as no lumber could be procured nearer than Mosinee, and there was no road to Mosinee, or anywhere else for that matter, except through dark, thick and heavy forest. The village was laid out, but there was hardly any settlement for some years, Anton Koester and John Linder being the only ones living on the platted part.

A few years after the first settlers had come, a priest visited the settlement several times a year and held service, until the first church was built and dedicated in the year 1863, with Rev. Joseph Lutz as pastor, who remained with the parish until October, 1865, when he chose to live the life of a hermit for some years, in a small log building standing a short distance above the hill at Joe Hoesle's farm.

There was no possible chance for a growth of the village for many years. A dense forest was everywhere, the settlers were hard at work clearing, logging off, burning, and planting, working out at times to earn the money to carry home provisions on their backs from Mosinee or Wausau, through paths, there being no roads.

Sunday was a day of rest and devotion. The settlers assembled in church for service, coming from one to twelve miles, from the present towns of Marathon, Cassel, and Wien. The family coming furthest to church were the Hornungs, living in section 4 in the present town of Wien. As late as 1867 there were but a few houses in what is now the village.

Coming from Stettin across the bridge going south on Main street, there were first two log houses close together on the east side of the road, one of them occupied by Mr. Osterbrink, who had lost one arm; he was then and had been for some years mail carrier and was a punctual one, too, in spite of rough weather. Further south on the west side of the road was another log house, the home and saloon of Anton Koester, who was then quite old. Next came the church and pastorage, on the east side of the road, then the home of John Linder and the little store of J. Blume, who kept the post office and still further south on the same side, nearly on top of the hill, was the district school house.

There was another small building on the west side of the road, south of A. Koester's place, and still further south on the same side of the road about half way up the hill, was a small square of logs, to mark the spot where unfortunately a son of J. Lemmer lost his life by the accidental discharge of a gun. A little further west from this spot was the house occupied by the teacher, Mr. Stumm and his family, and in another house the teacher's brother-in-law, Thomas Bedynek.

Michael Bauer had a spacious house on the northwest corner of his farm, which was then quite large and cultivated. Here a traveler or newcomer could get a meal and good night's lodging. Bauer was the shoemaker for the small community; he had faith in mankind and worked on credit, helping out some poor fellow, repairing boots and shoes and waiting for his pay.

There were some log stables to shelter the cattle which drew the families in wagon or in the sleigh to church on Sundays or holydays, and there may have been a few more little houses not to exceed three at most.

In the winter of 1867-68, Charles Klein came back from Wausau, and opened a blacksmith shop on the east comer of M. Bauer's land, buying ten acres of land, which is now owned by Adam Mucha, and in 1868 Frank Nolton opened his wagon-making shop.

The farms were scattered from Marathon City to Mosinee on the south, and to range 4 on the west, and altogether did not at that time exceed seventy-five in number in the present towns of Marathon and Cassel. The main trading point was Mosinee, a little nearer than Wausau. Sunday, as was said, was a day of rest and devotion. After church service people gathered together on the road, or at Anton Koester's place and talked over their affairs. Joseph Dessert and Seb. Kronenwetter had each a logging camp on Scotch creek from four to five miles west, and sometimes some of the men would come to Marathon City for some small needful articles like tobacco, or a new ax, to Blume's store, or to attend church. It was on a Sunday after church that this writer made the acquaintance of Mich. Bauman, Peter Heil, John Lemmer, Robert and Anthony Schilling, Joseph Karl, Frank Tigges, Seb. Kronenwetter, Jacob Duerrstein, John Linder, the Urbains, George Lang, Corn. Schmitz, all pioneers, and with a few families in the Village — an acquaintance which afterwards ripened into friendship.

These pioneers were all men of honor and integrity, who extended a friendly welcome to the boy and to every newcomer and gave them good advice.

The growth of Marathon City was slow — it could not be rapid under the circumstances — but it was steady nevertheless. Several attempts had been made to build a dam to drive a grist mill, but the treacherous Rib river had carried it away. This river is the most violent of any of the tributaries of the Wisconsin, sometimes rising ten feet in the course of ten hours, the swift current sweeping everything before it except the everlasting rocks.

Nevertheless Henry C. Fricke succeeded in harnessing-the river (for some years at least) and built a mill in 1870-71. This made Marathon City quite an important village and trading point. Meanwhile John Linder had built his large hotel and hall (later burned down), and George Drengler had come and built a store. New settlers were coming in after 1877, many of them of Polish nationality — the work of J. M. Smith, whose advertisement of Marathon county lands was making itself felt. The sons of the pioneers had grown up, had earned money and saved it, and invested it in land.

The farm settlement spread in every direction. The first church built in 1863 had become much too small, and a larger new edifice was built, solid brick, which was dedicated in 1877. The village at that time had 150 inhabitants.

In 1882 John A. Lemmer built his saw mill, which opened a market for the wealth of timber on the surrounding lands, and long deferred prosperity began to smile upon the settlers and farmers old and new.

It is but natural that the people of Marathon should feel a pride in the accomplishment of the settlement founded under such hardships and drawbacks as they experienced in the first ten to fifteen years, and they planned for a solemn celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the day when the Pittsburg pioneers first set foot on this soil.

The celebration was held on Monday, June 19, 1882, and it was a splendid festival, which the younger generation of Marathon City still vividly remember.

It had rained on Sunday, and many of the Marathon City people felt downcast for fear of unfavorable weather, but their fears proved groundless. Monday morning the sky was blue and cloudless, and a salute of twenty-five guns greeted the opening of the day. The forenoon of the day was given over to the welcoming of the many guests which came by hundreds in holyday garb to take part in the silver jubilee, many from Wausau.

At noon a parade was fonned and moved to the village park, which was decorated with bunting, flowers, and garlands. The procession was led by John A. Lemmer, marshal, on horseback. Next came a coach with the two oldest settlers, Anton Koester and John Linder; then some of the pioneers leading the march with axes over their shoulders, as they appeared twentyfive years ago. Then came the swarm of others, guests, and the school children brought up the rear. That a band led the parade needs no particular mention as being a matter of course. But it may not be generally known that it was a band from Rozelville, with Andrew Daul as leader. The procession marched to the speaker's stand in the park, where the marshal presided. Judge Marchetti, who was to have made the first address in German, but who, being detained in court, sent his letter of regret, which was read and very favorably received. His place as speaker was then filled by the Hon. John Ringle. who spoke of the trials and hardships of the pioneers, and of their tribulations, and congratulated them on the magnificent success which had crowned their efforts. At the close of his address cheers were given with a will for the old settlers.

John Koester was the next speaker, who spoke from personal experience, giving a description of the country as it looked to them on their arrival, and saying how glad some would have been had they been able to go back, but that the lack of means prevented them from turning tail, and how things turned out favorably in the end.

Hon. W. C. Silverthorn, as next speaker, spoke in his best vein, full of reminiscences of the past, not neglecting to spice his remarks with humorous references to his first acquaintances with the old settlers, and he was heartily applauded.

Pg. 493

Meanwhile the ladies of Marathon City had set tables with the best that the country afforded, and all partook of a splendid dinner, which the ladies served in grand style and made the honors to the guests in so hearty a manner as to make every one feel at home.

The afternoon was given over to visiting from one table to another. The one attracting the most attention was the one where Anton Koester had his seat, where the speakers were given the places of honor, and the young people indulged in old-fashioned country dancing in the park hall.

At 4.30 P. M. the procession formed again and marched again to the speakers' stand, where Hon. F. W. Kickbusch introduced Stan. Koslowski, the editor of the Pioneer, who was a ready and fluent speaker, and who entertained the audience with a short address, after which Hon. Sebast. Kronenwetter spoke to his old neighbors and friends in a heart to heart talk which was very affecting, and after his address the meeting dispersed. It was a most joyous gathering and a proud day for the pioneers who, looking upon the host of their children who had a good future before them, through their own self-denial, felt that their labors were not in vain, and that providence had been kind to them in leading them to this country. This beautiful celebration had a sequel not in the programme, which might have had a tragic ending of the day to those affected by it, but which fortunately ended rather humorously.

On the night of the celebration a three-seated democrat wagon took some of the Wausau guests home. They were F. W. Kickbusch, Jacob Gensman, Herman Miller, Charles Ouandt, St. Koslowski, and Carl Hammerschmidt, the then owner of the James Hobart farm in the town of Texas, who prided himself on being an expert teamster. The horses trotted merrily along with the party in the best of spirits, when, in going down a short hill, coming to the end of the same, the wagon tongue suddenly dropped out of its holding in the neck yoke and fell to the ground. The end of the tongue struck a log in the old corduroy, was held tight by the same, and the forward momentum of the wagon which the weak tongue could not stop, made the forward wheels rise high in the air, bringing the box almost to a perpendicular position, and causing the wagon to jump clear over the tongue.

The occupants of the wagon were all thrown out, some more forcibly than others: the horses broke loose and ran away. It had been raining the day before and the road was muddy, which perhaps served to break the hard fall. After the first seconds of the scare had passed away, the men rose up, gathered themselves together and found that luckily enough they were not severely injured, except one who did not rise.

Pg. 494

It was Herman Miller, who had occupied the front seat with the teamster and who was thrown from the highest position. It gave the others another scare. Charles Quandt knelt down at his side and called him by name, and not receiving an answer or seeing any signs of life, splashed a handful of muddy water in his face to revive him; not seeing any signs of returning consciousness, he tried to scrape another handful of water together from the mud puddle and crying out "Herman, are you dead?" splashed the second handful in his face. By this time consciousness had returned, and as the second splash of water and mud came into his face, some of the mud finding its way in the open mouth, the supposed dead man began to sputter, to throw the mud out of his mouth and rose up. He was not hurt, but had received a "shock," which fortunately left no ill consequences. The party then wandered home to Wausau afoot, not the worse for their experience, except Koslowski, who nursed a sore ankle for a couple of weeks. Coming to the city they found one saloon still open, which they entered and cleaned their clothes somewhat, so as not to give their wives at home a scare. On their wav home they hired a farmer to take the wagon back to Wausau; he found the wagon wholly intact, only the tongue sticking out behind the four wheels. It had jumped clear over the tongue without breaking it.

In the spring of the year 1884 the village was duly incorporated as a separate political entity. John .A. Lemmer was its first representative in the county board, and he took good care to see that in the extension of the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & \\'estern Railroad from Wausau to Marshfield, which road got a little bonus in lands, Marathon City was not given the go-by.

The railroad reached Marathon City in the year of 1891 and by the absorption of this road by the Sault St: Marie & Minneapolis Railroad it is now on a trunk line connecting the east and west.

Business has come; the main street is now occupied by good substantial business houses from south to north, and it presents all the appearances of a little thrifty city, which in truth it is.

INDUSTRIES IN 1812, pg. 495

The saw and planing mill of Phil. Menzner was built in 1894, the latter buying out his partner, who emigrated further west. This mill has been in continuous operation ever since, sawing as high as ten million feet of lumber some years. It is a modern up-to-date saw and planing mill. By its operation there was a market established for all sorts of timber and logs, hardwood as well as pine and hemlock.

The grist mill built by Henry C. Fricke is owned by his widow and is run and the business managed by their son, Henry Fricke. Steam furnishes now the motive power, more reliable than the capricious river. It is patronized by the farmers from near and far.

Besides these two establishments there is a brewery, fully equipped, having a large output because of the good quality of its product which on account of the large cellar rooms is given the proper age. It is incorporated with the following set of officers: President, Fred Brandt; vice president, A. F. Sindermann; secretary and treasurer, Ernst Ringle; manager, Adam Mucha, who with Otto Mathie constitute its board of directors.

There is a creamery and cheese factory owned and conducted by A. Anderson, giving a good market for the milk of the near farmers.

The Wausau Canning Company has a "vinery" for threshing out green peas for canning at their factory at Wausau.

Of professional men there are: Dr. A. F. Harder, physician and surgeon: Dr. J. Barber, physician and surgeon; Dr. W. F. Bettcher, physician and surgeon, and O. W. Busse, dentist. Phil. Menzner is the village postmaster.

General merchandise, including groceries, crockeries, dry goods, clothing, and nearly everything manufactured, is kept in stock by Frank Lieg, August Ritger, George Lang, and A. Silvemann.

The brothers Leonh, Joseph, and .\nton Lemmer keep a stock of furniture, hardware, and building materials of all kinds, and do tinners' work. .Another hardware and furniture store is kept by Fred. Prehn & Son, who are also undertakers. Another furniture store is kept by Edw. Saner, who is a funeral director and undertaker.

Robert Urbain keeps a boot and shoe store.

The village drug store is kept by Doctor Barber.

The blacksmith and wagonmaker business is carried on by A. Busse and John Hanke.

Martin Gillmann is the pump maker, and Anton Koehler, shoemaker of the village. Fred Leisinger keeps a tailor shop and Charles Traube a bakery and confectionery. Another confectionery store is kept by Mrs. Vincent Hoesle.

Ladies and lassies are supplied with millinery and fancy work by Mrs. Tressie Busse and by the Misses Mary and Anna L^rbain.

The McEachron Company has a warehouse for the purchase of grain and farm produce. Cattle are bought and shipped by Killian & Strachota.

Hotels — The old renowned ^^'eiss Hotel is now owned and conducted by Jacob Sonnentag and preserves its \ven established reputation for a good table and fine lodging. Another hotel is Farmer's Home, owned and conducted by Robert Hanke.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The village has a new, excellent solid brick building, which was completed in 1910. It is large enough to accommodate the increase in pupils for years to come. It has four rooms, but only two are used. It is planned to get the furniture for another room next year (1913-14) to give instruction in the tenth grade. It is a state graded school giving instruction up to and including the ninth grade. The principal is R. E. Curran; assistant, Ruth Ross. The enrollment is seventy pupils.

THE MARATHON CITY TIMES

is a weekly newspaper, issued every Friday. It is a large eight-page, seven column paper with news and communications from every part of the county. Its columns show a good list of advertisements, which brought it upon a substantial basis. It is in the fifth year of its existence and has a good circulation. While largely devoted to local news, it keeps its readers informed on other interesting topics.

The editor, Frank Leuschen, is not only an able writer and critic, but a good business manager and has a neat job printing outfit.

THE BANK OF MARATHON CITY.

The condition of the Bank of Marathon City, which was organized about ten years ago to facilitate exchanges and accommodate business, is given by the official statement dated February 4, 1913. as follows:

Resources. Liabilities.

Loans and discounts. . . .$1 1 1,273.87 Capital stock $ 15,0x30.00

Overdrafts 35--4 Surplus fund 5,000.00

Banking house 2,800.00 Undivided profits 629.25

Furniture and fixtures.. 1,200.00 Dividends unpaid 48.00

Due from banks 22,225.80 Deposits subject to check 43,849.74

Due from app. res. Certificate of deposits... 87,222.11

banks 9,088.73

Cash on hand 5,125.46 Total $151,749.10

Total $151,749.10

Pg. 497

Officers of the bank are: President, August Ritger; vice president, Michael Duerrstein; cashier, George E. Ritger; who with Adam Mucha and Ernst Ringle constitute the board of directors.

CHURCHES.

The new Catholic St. Mary's Church is a beautiful and stately structure. It would be the pride of many a richer congregation in many a city in the state. It is the third erected in this village, and became a necessity to accommodate the steadily growing number of worshipers. The comer stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies July i, 1910, and the edifice completed, and it was dedicated by Right Rev. James Schwebach, bishop of La Crosse, November 12, 191 1; on the 12th" day of May, 1912, the beautiful high altar was dedicated by the same bishop. This altar is the gift of Mrs. Joseph Blum. Three large new bells had been hung in the tower, being blessed by the Rt. Rev. And. Seubert June 5, 191 1. The cost of the edifice was $65,000. The excellent parochial school and sister house were built in 1904-05 and dedicated by Rt. Rev. James Schwebach on October 5. 1905. The cost of the school building was $27,000, the cost of the sister house $11,000. The attendance in school in 1912 was 325. The priests who had charge of this parish were: Rev. Joseph Lutz, from April, 1863, to October, 1865; Rev. M. Schwebach (Stevens Point), from October, 1865. to November, 1866; Rev. Charles Hengen, from November, 1866, to October, 1869; Rev. J. J. Zavistawski. from November, 1869, to April, 1871; Rev. L. Spitzelberger, from April, 1871. to October, 1874; Rev. J. Reisser, from October, 1874, to June, 1888: Rev. E. A. Hanses, from June, 1888, to September, 1904; Rev. W. Daniels, from September, 1904. to the present time, 1912, and he is the present rector.

To Rev. W. Daniels, who has had charge of this large congregation for the last eight years, and who enjoys the love and confidence of his congregation to an unusually high degree, is due in a large measure the present flourishing condition of the parish. He was born in Giesenkirchen in Rhenish Prussia, Germany, February 23, 1866, and ordained to the priesthood March 14, 1890. He came to America in the same year, was first stationed at the French Catholic Church in Chippewa Falls, later at Marshfield, then became pastor at Hewitt, Wisconsin, from which place he was put in charge of the Marathon City congregation.

Pg. 498

THE GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. The few families living in Marathon City belonging to this faith in 1879 organized into a congregation and Pastor William Hudtloff, the resident minister from the town of Berlin, held services for them in the school house. When Reverend Hudtloff was succeeded in the town of Berlin by Rev. J. J. Hoffmann, he took also that mission upon himself and continued to hold church for the small congregation as Reverend Hudtlofif had done. That was in 1881. Rev. J. J. Hoffmann left about the year 1887 and was succeeded by Reverend Himmler, and while he was pastor the congregation had grown sufficiently to induce them to buy a lot preparatory to building a church. The lot was cleared off by Fred. Prehn, who was a prominent member, and in 1889-90 the church was erected. The following named ministers have since ministered to the congregation in the order named : Reverend Himmler, Reverend Pietz, Reverend Reimer, and he was succeeded by the present resident minister. Reverend Walders. The congregation has a fine large church and is growing and out of debt.

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