 |
|
||
|
The first line to be run by any government surveyor in Langlade County was done by James A. Marsh in a boundary between Rolling and the Township of Antigo. In May 1853, William J. Neely surveyed the exterior township lines of Norwood and Rolling. William T. Bradley subdivided Rolling into sections in October 1853 and James Withrow subdivided Norwood in November and December of 1854. The first surveyor to work in the eastern part of the county was Artemus Curtis and this was done in June and July of 1857. Hiram C. Fellows in 1857 ran exterior lines in ranges 9, 10 and 11 from the East line of Antigo to the West line of Ackley and from South to North excepting range lines between 12 and 13. Later under a contract dated July 30, 1860, Hiram subdivided all that remained unsurveyed in ranges previously run by him except the West part of Elcho and what was later named Parrish. James S. Nowhin was the last surveyor to do government work in Langlade County except those who came in later to make corrections. On January 22, 1876, F.A. Deleglise accompanied by George Eckhart came to the site of Antigo, then known as “Springbrook”. They hired a horse drawn vehicle to take them from Wausau to W.L. Ackley’s place on the Eau Claire River west of Antigo. They had a hard time getting to J. Hagarly’s place so they finished the trip with a pair of Indian ponies hitched to a jumper or Trevois as the trail led over logs etc. The next day the 2 men began surveying until spring. By that time John Doersch ( Deresch ) had arrived and fixed up a shanty. Deleglise returned to his home at Appleton in spring of 1877. Deleglise asked Eckhart to build a shanty for him, putting it up about opposite of which was later known as the Home Theatre.Mr. Deleglise brought his family in April 1878 and settled in a home on the East side of what is now Superior Street between 4th and 5th Avenue. During the summer a store was built and by fall there were 18 people in what was then known as Springbrook. The name Springbrook was used until the summer of 1880. By then the little village was name “Antigo” taken from Nequi-Antigo-Seebeh, Chippewa name for the Spring River, signifying “Balsom Evergreen River” from the balsom evergreen that bordered its banks. Mr. and Mrs. John Doersch ( Deresch ), the first couple that came to Antigo, she was the daughter of F.A. Deleglise.Nick Anderson was the first merchant to open a store on Superior Street in 1878. He also acted as the first postmaster and Inn Keeper. In 1879 L.D. Moses opened the 2nd store. He also organized the first bank in 1881. Deposits never exceeded $6,000.00. It was bought by H.C. and F.W. Humphrey in 1883 and called it Langlade County Bank. The first school, a log cabin, constructed by Joseph Krause opened in 1879. Miss Anna Sheriff was the first teacher. She had 24 pupils. Reverend Jesse Cole, a Methodist Episcopal preacher, visited the area in 1877. The first Catholic Mass was said in the Deleglise cabin in 1880 by Reverend Philip St. Louis. In 1885, the Antigo Citizens were successful in having the community incorporated as a city. There were 4 wards. The city purchased fire fighting equipment for $350 and organized a volunteer fire department in 1885. A charter for the First National Bank was secured in 1898. The Fidelity Savings Bank was organized on January 20, 1909. One of the earliest schools was at 9 Mile Creek. It was 9 miles North of Langlade on the Military Road. Number 2 Langlade, included Lily. Early settlers there were listed as Thomas Kellogg 1879, etc, Robert Jilray 1899 and William Priem 1895. School of logs Lily Dempster was the 1st teacher. One of the oldest schools was Peace Lutheran School built in 1886 and was used until 1902 then moved to 101 89th Avenue. In 1883, Reverend C. Purzner, a circuit rider, conducted services in homes. In 1883 a congregation was organized by Reverend H. Daid and in 1884 a parish school was started. For several years services were held in Homes. During these early years Reverend Daid served 14 to 16 congregations at homes as a circuit rider for many miles. In 1884 the first High School opened in a building built on a site of today’s 2nd ward school. C.O. March was principle. In October 1883 the High School examination was held, 12 pupils passed the exams. Mrs. Carrie Milligan McArthey came in 1884 to
teach as pay was better, $30.00 a month. She taught in Price District the next
year and she was the first teacher of Neff Switch school. This information
may NOT
be reproduced anywhere without |
|||
 |
|
