Historic Homes of Neillsville, Wisconsin

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20.  North Home—134 E. 5th Street

The Henry and Ottelia North family moved to Neillsville in 1882.  Nr. North was a hardware merchant and the family originally lived in the structure now used for storage located in the back of the property.  The new home was originally square but in the 1920s an addition was built in the back.  If you disregard that addition, you will note its similarity to some of the other homes on this tour, namely the Ewing home on Grand Avenue, and the Herbrand home on Clay Street.  The North family lived in this home for more than 100 years.  The present owners are Frank and Valerie Hammond.  This is the North Home (This was later bought by Mayor Diane Murphy, who had her office and M.P.C. accounting there and now is owned by Rebecca Turczyn, she owns and operates a  a full service beauty shop , "Fringe Benefits" at the location time (2007)   Sketch by B. Harder.

21. Morley-Prochazka-824 Hewett Street

Joseph Morley was born in England.  He came to Neillsville in 1876.  In 1882, he became head cashier (a position similar to today's vice president) of the Neillsville Bank.  At that time, the bank had a capital of $50,000.  George Prochazka lived in the home for many years.  George owned and operated the Quality Market, a grocery and meat market on Hewett Street.  Mr. Prochaska was one of Neillsville's leading citizens during the 1920s and '30s.  During the crash of '29, he extended credit to many residents for needed groceries.  George's kindness is still remembered by many to this day.  Mr. and Mrs. Richard Quast now own the home and have done extensive repairs to preserve one of Neillsville's lovely "Victorian Ladies."  Note: In the early morning hours of May 19, 1996 Neillsville endured a vicious thunderstorm with all the accompanying lightening and wind.  This home was damaged in the storm and a fire smoldered and could not be found until it burst forth and did a great deal of damage to the second floor.  Dick and Kathy Quast are in the process of repairing the home and intend to restore it to its former beauty. #1, Sketch by B. Harder.

22. Glenn Thompson-221 West 8th  Street, located next to Russell's Store near the fire hall.

Sketch by B. Harder.

23.  Lloyd Home-1209 Lloyd Street

This house was built by George Trogner for George and Ida Lloyd in 1895.  Mr. Lloyd was a local lumber baron.  In its earl days, the home had a formal garden designed by the horticulture department of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  The O'Neill mansion, the Dewhurst-Hemple mansion, the Cornelius mansion were other Neillsville residences which benefitted from the gardens planned by the same horticulture department at Madison.  Recently, Raymond and Mary Jo Meier have done much to restore this home and its gardens.  The people of Neillsville are grateful to them for all the time and energy! Sketch by B. Harder.

Lloyd Height's Manor 2010

24. G. D. Hoesley Home--1102 Hewett Street

Mr. Hoesley was engaged in farming and lumbering.  In 1890, he built what was described as the finest farm residence in Clark County.  The elegant brick home he built on his farm still stand today (2006).  It is the large brick house located on a knoll near the intersection of Highway 73 and County Trunk C.  Upon the death of his first wife, he found it difficult to live in the brick house north of Neillsville, so he moved into town and built this house located on Hewett Street.  If you look at the next house to the north on Hewett Street, you will note the similar siding.  this was originally the carriage house for the Hoesley home.  After G. D. Hoesley moved away from Neillsville, James Hewett occupied the house.  In fact, Hewett Street is named after James Hewett.  In later years, Neillsville's colorful lawyer, Hugh Haight and his wife, Sadie, lived in the home.  Each Christmas, Sadie set up extravagant Christmas displays on the lawn which are well remembered by many residents, especially the children of the 1950s and 60s!  During the 1980s and early 1990s, the Inderberg family lived in the house and the current owners (2006) are Phillip and Beverly Epping. Sketch by B. Harder.

25.  R. W. Balch Home-1003 Hewett Street.

Mr. Balch was born in 1859 and came to Neillsville in 1880.  Mr. Balch was a partner with Bernhard Tragsdorf in general merchandise business known as "The Merchants."  It was Balch and Tragsdorf who constructed the large brick building on the northwest corner of Hewett and 4th Streets.  (Many refer to the building as "The Farmer Store" or "The Big Store")  At the time of its construction, this home's exterior Victorian details made it one of the most fashionable homes built in the city at that time.  After the Balches passed on, the home was owned by the Glen Robinson family for many years.  The Smith family lived here after the Robinsons, and now the home is owned by Robert and Jane Clark.  Sketch by B. Harder.

Since Nov. 2001 this home has been owned by Larry and Mary DuBois.

 26.  Huntzicker-Leason, 1002 Hewett St.

At one time, the "Northside Hotel" sat on this corner.  Around 1885, George Huntzicker, owner of the "Northside Hotel," moved the structure across O'Neill Creek to the corner of Hewett and 7th Streets, and renamed it the "Merchant's Hotel."  The building still stands in the same spot today!  With an empty lot on the corner of 10th and Hewett Streets, in 1886, Mr. Huntzicker built the house you see today.  Huntzicker is credited with establishing the first telephone company in Neillsville, as well as being the proprietor of his hotel.  In 1901, Dr. William and Anna Leason purchased the home.  Dr. Leason was one of the area's early dentists and proved to be a civic leader and a very colorful man.  In the 1930s, Doc Leason remodeled the house, removing a large part that ran to the west.  The removed portion was placed in the field behind the house, and according to folklore, the removed portion became "home for a night" to many a hobo riding the rails during the Great Depression!  In 1985, Bill Roberts purchased the home from Doc Leason's daughter, "Flossie" Bennett, and worked hard to restore it to it's original, graceful beauty.  In the spring of 1996, Bill & his wife, Jeanne, sold the home to Bill Warren, Jr. who became its 4th owner.

Sketch by B. Harder.

~Continue~

Contributors:  Cecily Cook, Judy Hansen, Dolores Kenyon, Carol Mitte, Neillsville Historic Preservation Commission, Erdine Payne, Bill Roberts.

 

 

 


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