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Page 59 Pioneers or Homesteaders were to build house and lived on their H.S. for a year for which paid $1.00. President Grover Cleveland signed Dad’s paper. Fred had team of horses so he made trips back and forth to get supplies and moved no of familys to their homes. It took 5 days each trip to Schiocton or New London. Brought the Schmeisser, Nonnamacher, Hanke etc. Many a night was spent in the open by a fire or he stayed with Indians they always took him in and he never had any trouble, not when you treated them well. F.A. Deligise came to west of Eau Claire with Mr. Eckhart that was as far as they go, they Indian ponies to get to Antigo area and started surveying in 1876. Homesteaders tried to clear land so they could bring cattle, pigs and chicken to provide food for their familys. They built their homes and barns of logs and trees that couldn’t be used were burned. Fred Nonnamacher was a good carpenter and he also made the coffins when needed.
Page 60 Spring of 1876 and 77, John Doersch had arrived and built a shanty. During summer a store was built and by fall there were 18 people in what was known as Springbrook. The name Antigo was used until 1880, then changed from Nequi-Antigo-Seebeh, Chippewa name of Springbrook, Indian name signifying Balsam Evergreen River. Antigo history will be found on other pages. In 1883 Fred (Demlow) brought his bride to his homestead into a snow country, 3 feet of it. By this time a road had been cut thru land and cut through woods corners, but still very rough and taking eggs to town was kind of tricky, not always whole but scrambled. When they could buy churns, women made butter when was sold in the store, “Nils Anderson had first one”. Women made their clothes even men’s jackets, sheep ewere brought and several women had brought spinning wheels so folks could knit stockings and quilts to help keep warm. To treat the sick, home medicine and remedys had to be used, until Dr. Lower first Dr. came and he had horse and buggy and took care of rural areas. He took car of dad when he broke his leg in 1892 trying to get out load of logs. I stuck a bean in my nose, but Dr. gave mother a hack and when I was sleeping she got it out again. I to was the one that got her arm broke. Ernest clothes caught fire, mother was helpless in bed due to bad case of Rheumatism due to getting wet.
Page 61 The farm was built of logs, 1 end for cows, then a barn floor. The house was also of logs. The kitchen was facing East, grandfather was in S.East corner in kitchen, a pantry in S.West, living room and bedrooms facing North. We had a chicken that would fly into Grandpa’s bedroom window, lay her egg on the bed and cackle, he never could catch her.
In about 1905 or 6 dad built a new house and of course larger than necessary. New well with a wind mill to pump the water. Bud Klitz took off the south wing of house when he remodeled. The large barn was built in about 1907 or 8, walls (stone walls built yr before) and timbers and rafters ready and there was raising bees in which all neighbors and relatives took part. Occupants after we moved to grandfather farm after building a house were no. Ernest and Otillia lived there after Ernest’s death she married Max Collins, later they to town to go in butcher shop with his brother.
Page 62 Trips to town in Winter were cold, would heat a brick or block of wood and put on extra big coat and still shiver when getting there. Dad had a fur coat and then could of used fur coats. No well drilling machine, but (Uncle) Herman Schmeisser dug about every well using a bucket type outfit. Fill one bucket and while that one was pulled up he fille the other one. One well he found himself sinking into quick sand, lucky he had loose boots in the well, sounds scarey even now yet. In early years, no undertakers were available so neighbors prepared the body and under direction of (Uncle) Fred Nonnamacher, men helped to make coffins. A town cemetery was bought in town of Polar. Mother somehow was drafted into being midwife and many the children she delivered, even some of her grandchildren. Sometimes the Dr. et there in time and sometimes not. There always seemed to be times and most everyone willing to help another. But then no TV’s to watch and no big sales. In spite of having to do the wash on washboard, carrying in water, tubs and washboiler to boil the white things. Then heat your flat irons on stove for ironing, not bad in winter time but hot summer day was another story.
Page 63 Wild games was not plentiful but laws were not a strict as now days and so deer helped meat supply. Fishing was good, Demlow’s Lake had a good supply of trout also suckers on S.East end of lake. Weddings were colorful invitations were delivered by a man on a horse decorated with ribbons usually all neighbors and friends being invited so the (man was called wedding bidder) bidder stopped at every home and invitations were delivered in person. Days before were spent preparing food, no showers were held, never heard of. The evening was finished or followed rather one of the last things was Chivarie, a group gathered circle saws, cow bulls, etc to make as much noise as possible.
Page 64 In 1901 a cheese factory as built and owned by Herman Krueger on N.E. corner of H. Schmeisser farm. In 1912 John C. Holmes bought the factory in about 1 year he built a new one, and was also a house. He married Clara Schmeisser, they had 5 children, 4 boys 1 girl. Later moved to a farm, sold factory to J. Hartman, getting cheese makers. H. Kruegar built a saw mill in about 1915, East of School, farmers brought logs to be sawed into lumber. He later moved the mill to Pearson in 1920.
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