History: 1881 History of Dexterville, Wood Co., Wisconsin
Poster: History Buffs
----Source: The History of Northern Wisconsin, page 1215
----1881 History of Dexterville, Wood Co., Wisconsin
DEXTERVILLE, WOOD CO., WISCONSIN, 1881
In the summer of 1849, George Hiles made a trip through the northern part of
Wisconsin, in search of a suitable place upon which to locate, and where he
could, in time, be surrounded by a thriving village. He found that a great deal
of the best government land had been taken up, principally by speculators, but
Section 14, Township 22, Range 3 east, in county of Wood, was yet subject to
entry, and there being a fine water-power, he determined here to set his stakes.
He therefore entered his claim and settled upon it, in the month of October,
1850. When Hiles made his final move, in October, he brought with him, Mr. H.
Searles; together they commenced building a log shanty to live in. A saw-mill
was completed and in running order by the first of the next year. About the same
time a dwelling house was completed and ready for occupancy, Searles’ family
moving in. In 1852, the village had some twelve inhabitants, and Mr. Hills
intent upon developing the resources of the peace, applied to the Government for
an established mail route through here. The petition was not complied with
however, until five years later. In 1857, the post-office was established, and
Hiles appointed Postmaster. The first school was established in September, 1858,
with Miss Nancy Plato, teacher. First marriage was Mr. William Dixon and Miss
Nancy Plato, the ceremony being performed by Jacob Benson, Justice of the Peace,
November, 1858. First birth was T. G. Searles, son of H. Searles, in Spring of
1854. First death was that of James Sprague, in May, 1853. George Hiles started
the first general store, which is still in operation. The lumber business has
been the leading business of Dexterville. George Hiles, the founder of the
village, operates a saw-mill, shingle and planing mill, and has in course of
erection, a large tub and pail factory. There were but four dwelling places when
the village was platted. The village is well situated, being on the line of the
Green Bay & Minnesota Railroad. The business directory of Dexterville is as
follows:
W. H. Clarke, lawyer; George Hiles, general store and lumbering business; W. R.
Jarvis, hotel; C. J. Krueger, A. S. Robinson, store; Syme Hewitt & Co., stave
manufacturers. The population of Dexterville is about 200.