Past Oconto County, WI, articles without dates, from scapbooks

Oconto County WIGenWeb Project
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These short articles are posted in the hopes of adding otherwise unknown aspects to family histories. They contain numerous individual names and describe the everyday life activities in Oconto County, Wisconsin's, past.
Researched, transcribed and contributed by Richard La Brosse

Oconto Falls—Word has been received by Beatrice A. Renel that he was chosen by the editors to be listed in the “Biographical Dictionary of Contemporary Poets”, a forthcoming publication by the Avon Publishing House of New York. The editors have informed her that she would receive double space in this volume, an honor which is not ordinarily allotted to an author. Her poem “The Simons” which was published in the Herald last year was selected as representative of her work. The volume will sell for ten dollars a copy. That the poetical work of this worthy young women is really outstanding has long been recognized by the local editors and others in the city, and all who know her are rejoicing with her in this triumph. The Herald has been proud to publish poems from the pen of Beatrice A. Renel and very happy to have been a medium of expressing her art to its readers.

Oconto Falls—Mr. and Mrs. Louis Fonder of Oconto Falls, recently celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. All of their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were present. They were married in Green Bay Aug 22, 1866. Mr. Fonder is 73 and Mrs. Fonder 68. Their children are Mrs. Reynold (Exzina) Lambrecht, Mountain; Mrs. Harry (Della) Edmark, Grafton, wis; Mrs. Martin (Mabel) Rusch, Oconto Falls; Mrs. Mat (Deloris) Steffens, Oconto Falls, and Martin Fonder, Oconto Falls.

Oconto Falls—Mr. and Mrs. Fred Vollmer will quietly celebrate their 54th wedding anniversary at their home today. A mass of thanksgiving was said this morning at St. Anthony’s Catholic church by the Ref. F. J. Melchiors and breakfast was served for the children who are home for the celebration. The wedding that took place 54 years ago was a double one; mr. Vollmer’s sister, Louise, being married to Theodore Schmitz at the same time. These two couples celebrated their silver weddings together, but death claimed the other bride five years ago. Mr. Vollmer was born on May 24, 1859 in Calumet county while Mrs. Vollmer formerly Annie Mary Gronis was born August 23, 1861 in Fond du Lac county. Following their marriage they took up residence on a farm in Calumet county and lived there for 21 years. The family then moved to a farm near Lena where they resided until 1911, at which time they took up residence in Oconto Falls. For eight years, Mr. Vollmer was employed in the paper mill and for three in the power plant. In recent years he has been in the employ of the city. Their eldes son, John is in Portland, Ore., as is their third daughter, Mrs. Nora Cooped. Their oldest daughter, Mrs. Catherine Holmes is deceased, and the second, Tillie Ann is in Lexington, Ky. Fred is in California; Mr.s Theresa Mahoney of Chicago is deceased as is Mrs. Lean Uhlembrauch of Campbellsport. Louise entered the Holy Family Convent at Manitowox about 20 years ago, and is now known as Sister Mary Paul, located at Mingo Junction, Ohio. Sister Mary Paul is an accomplished musician. Aurelia, Mrs. W.C. Nelson, is a resident of San Francisco. The youngest son, Raymond, passed away five years ago, at Madison. Mr.s R. Nelson, Cincinnati, was the former Madella Vollmer and Margaret is now Mrs. Homer Moore of Wabeno.

Oconto Falls—Mrs. Chester Konitzer was Miss Barbara Ann DeCloux before her recent marriage. Both bride and groom are from the Oconto Falls area and are now living in that city.

Oconto Falls—Funeral services were conducted for Mrs. A.J. Peterson at the Methodist Church here Monday afternoon by the Rev. Huntley C. Lewis. Pallbearers were Benson Schaub, C.W. Carlson, William Benninghaus, A.J. Luth, Wilton Johnson and Leo Marquardt. Burial was in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Oconto Falls—Oconto Falls lost a fine citizen, Grace and St. John’s Lutheran churches lost their adored pastor, a young family is bereft of husband and father, and many feel the loss of a personl friend in the sudden death of the Rev. Wilbur C. Lindsley. The young minister, who was 39, had suffered a heart attack on Saturday and was taken to the hospital. Oxygen and treatment improved his condition, and on Sunday he seemed much better. A little before eight Monday morning he was visited by his doctor and a nurse and he was apparently feeling well as he was propped up on his pillows. When the nurse returned a few minutes later he did not respond when she spoke to him. In that brief moment the tired heart ceased to beat, and Rev. Lindsley left for a better world. Rev. Lindsley had been pastor of the Lutheran churches here and at Morgan, and also of St. Mark’s church of Spruce for several years, since 1951. He was a tireless worker and even though he had curtailed his activities somewhat since being ill about two years ago, the work of the church went on. His crowning achievement was the building of the new edifice now housing the Grace church plant. Ground was broken last winter, and about a year ago the conerstone was laid, and on Ash Wednesday, the first worship service was held. This new church will always be a memorial to Rev. Lindsley in the hearts of the congregation now living. He was born in Green Bay and graduated from East High, after which he attended the University of Wisconsin for two years. He then went to Capital and later to the Theological Seminary there. After a year of internship at Grace Lutheran church in Green Bay, he was ordained in 1948, in his home church in Green Bay. He served the church at Fairport, N.Y., until coming to Oconto Falls in 1951, following the Rev. Alfred Hanisch. Mrs. Lindsley is the former Lola Inloes of Ohio, and they were married September 5, 1944. There are four children, Stephen 14, Wren 10, Michael 7 and 2 year old Robin. He is further survived by his mother, Mrs. F. L. Lindsley, of Green Bay; a brother, Warren, and a sister, Mrs. Paul Purnell, both of Milwaukee. The remains were in state at the Soulek Funeral Home from noon Tuesday until 11 o’clock Wednesday morning, when they were taken to the church. Dr. Theodore Ohlrogge of Appleton officiated at the last rites at two o’clock. Burial took place in Woodlawn cemetery, Green Bay and the remains were in state at the cemetery chapel for Green Bay friends before interment. The casket was borne by W.D. Larsen, Joseph VandenBush, Otto Garbrecht, Henry Wolfe, Herbert Bramschreiber and Herbert Erickson, and member of the church councils were honorary escort.

Gillett—Our featured citizen this week is Irving Miller, druggist here since March 1927. Irv, as nearly everyone calls him, was born in Shawano on October 18, 1887. He is married and has two children, John, his son, is associated with his father since his graduation from the University of Wisconsin in July 1951. His daughter, Mary, is employed in Los Angeles. Irv, one of the pillars of our community, is a charter member of the Krause-Simpson American Legion post, a charter member of the Gillett Civic Club and a member of the Gillett Masonic Lodge, an officer in the infantry, having three years in the service and 14 months overseas. Besides being interested in the growth of our community, Irv likes to bowl and fish. It is with pride that we feature Mr. I.H. Miller as our citizen of the week for it is such men as him that make our community progress.

Oconto Falls—Oconto Falls was a tiny cluster of log cabins when Mrs. Camille Lhotte who will be 92 Oct. 3 arrived here with her parents from France 78 years ago. Mrs. Lhotte remembers that her parents, Roman and Clara Waymel, were disgusted with the new world when they landed at Little Suamico and were introduced to mosquitoes but after a visit with relatives, they moved on to Oconto Falls where a family home was built. Other early memories of Mrs. Lhotte include the log jams above the Oconto Falls dam. She recalls once a lumberjack pried loose the key log that was causing the Jam. The jam broke up so quickly that he could not get out of the way. He was swept down the river, over the dam with the swirling logs, and given up for dead. The hunt down river for his body ended happily when they found him sitting on the bank at Bagely’s Flats, very much alive. Another event in the history of the Falls which also concerned the river was the day when the class from the Oconto High school visited the paper mill, about 1907. They had been warned not to go on the bridge in a group, but did not heed. Nearly all the class were on the bridge when it began to sway. The breaking of the wooden structure also fractured the pipe which carried the hot pulp across the river. There were a couple of deaths and nearly all were burned or injured. The village became a vast hospital as the injured were cared for in various homes. Camille Waymel became Mrs. Fred Lhotte at St. Patrick’s church at Stiles on November 4, 1892. Soon after their marriage plans for the new church at Oconto Falls were begun. Mr. Lhotte hauled the first load of bricks for the new edifice. Their son Raymond was the first infant to be baptized in St. Anthony’s Church. They had five children, two of whom were killed in highway accidents. Raymond had been married only four years when his death occurred. Their daughter Bertha, Mrs. Louis Kinziger of Gladstone, Mich., was killed in Marinette about 10 years ago on icy roads as she was coming to visit her mother. Lucille is Mrs. Ray Molitor of Lena, and is a teacher. Vivian is Mrs. Elmer Johnston and Evelyn is Mrs. Henry Thomson, both of the Falls.

Oconto Falls—Mr. and Mrs. Plier were married at Advance on May 29, 1901, and the date was also the groom’s 25th birthday. Mrs. Plier is the former Helena Koliath and she is 68. They have two sons, Arnold and C. Norvan of Wausau and a daughter Verene, Mrs. Edward Krueger of Oconto. A son Frank died in 1945. There are five grandchildren. Arnold Plier was the toastmaster at the dinner and he gave the history of his parents in a very interesting manner. Mr. Plier’s father settled in what is now known as Advance, Shawano County after he returned from the Civil War. The Kollath family were early settlers of Black Creek, and Frank Kollath, a lad of sixteen began his career by taking over a tract of land near the Pliers, to clear and make a homestead. When his sister came over to help him the couple met and the marriage took place in 1901. The couples grandchildren are Meredith Plier Clark of Norfolk, Virginia, Billy and Peggy, the children of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Plier, and Nancy and Charles 111, the children of the C. Norvan Pliers. All were present except Mrs. Clark. The many relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Plier enjoyed the happy occasion with them and are wishing them many more years of happiness, peace and contentment. Although they have resided in Wausau for the past ten years, they have many friends in Oconto Falls for they will always be remembered as good neighbors and friends and very worthy citizens. Mrs. Plier will be recalled as a Royal Neighbor, having served the local group as Oracle for many years. She was active in the Order of the Eastern Star and Methodist Church Circles.

Oconto Falls—Not since the days when Alfred Lumt was a sophomore at Carroll College, Waukesha, has Shakespeare been popular on the pioneer stage. But this year Miss Margaret Constance, director of dramatics, is reviving interest in that immortal playwright by choosing as the sprin play “As You Like It.” The cast includes an Oconto Falls girl who is new to the Carroll stage. She took the leading part in the Senior class and was a student active in all school projects. Miss Lorain Krahn, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. G.W. Krahn, is to play the part of Celia. Miss Krahn is a member of Beta Chi Theta, social sorority and has been prominent in campus activity during her two years at Carroll.

Oconto Falls—The staff of the “Pantherette,” Oconto Falls high school yearbook, which is headed by Bill Krahn as editor, Arlyne Plauf as assistant editor and Mildred Helmrath, final typist, is at work to make the publication a still greater success than last years edition. The “Pantherette” will be ready for delivery to the students about the middle of May. It is published by representatives of the entire student body, including business manager, Eileen Massard; sales manager, Agnes Pelegrin; organizations, Charlotte Krumery and Irene Kain; athletics, football, Leonard Jones, Basketball, Bob Shellman; classes, juniors, Jean Kadlec, sophomores, Donald Wirtz, freshman, Grant Peterson; prophecy, Frances Smedly; will, Loretta Bast; artists, Malinda Walters and Betty Cross; advertising, Mae Larson; typists, Arlene Miller, Norma Jabes; photography, Ralph Lemorande, Jack Kurtz, Lorraine Gauthier and Myrtle Morrow.

Oconto Falls—Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Carroll, Oconto Falls, announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter Rachel, to Joseph Porter of Green Bay. The wedding will take place at St. Anthony’s church at Oconto Falls on Sept 22.

Suring—A quiet marriage ceremony was performed Saturday, August 7, at the Mr. Olive Lutheran church parsonage at Suring when Miss Lucy Gidney, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gidney, Kelly Lake, and Edwin Benson said the meaningful marriage vows before the Rev. H. Paul Westmeyer. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Sorenson of Swedetown were the attendants. Mrs. Sorenson is a sister of the groom. Mrs. Benson is a graduate of the Oconto Falls high school and teachers training department. She has taught at Swedetown for ten years. Mr. Benson owns a farm at Swedetown, where the young couple will reside upon their return from a wedding trip to Iron Mountain, Mich.

Oconto Falls—The novel position of being a “soldier for a day” was the recent experience of John T. Murphy, seaman, USN, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Murphy of route 2, Oconto Falls, who is a sailor attached to Naval Amphibious Group 3 in Korea.

Oconto Falls—Oconto Falls folks were delighted recently to hear a tape recorded interview over WJPG, Green Bay, in which Marine Pfc. James Wojner and Cpl. Layton of Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, Calif., partictpated. Most happy of all, of course, were Mr. and Mrs. Michael Wojner, to whom the interview was a rare surprise. The Oconto Falls Marine told of the hunting and fishing around his home town, and stated that he likes Marine life. He has been in service since Feb. 12 and is considering the possibility of making it a career. If he changes his mind about that, he plans to come back to the Falls and go into business with his father.

Hayes—Miss Betty Jane Strehlow, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Strehlow of Hayes is the bride of Pvt. Norman Saffran, son of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Saffran of Mountain. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. E. Antrim at the Hayes Evangelical United Brethren Church Saturday afternoon.

Oconto Falls—Constance Lutz has been selected to represent Oconto Falls High School at Badger Girls State on the University of Wisconsin campus June 19 to 26. Joyce Lartz is the alternate. The American Legion Auxiliary at Oconto Falls is the sponsor.

Oconto Falls—A member of the graduating class at Misericordia Hospital School of Nursing in Milwaukee, August 13 was Miss Donna Murphy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Murphy of Oconto Falls. She was the second in her class. She graduated from the Oconto Falls High School with the class of 1952.

Oconto Falls—Friday evening, Quiren Hostak and Jack Ellis will be pitted against each other in a bitterly contested murder trial. This trial, which is given as the class play of the Oconto Falls Seniors, is concerned with the question of whether Karen Audre (played by Phyllis Peterson) is guilty of the murder of Bjorne Faulkner. Auiren Hostak, as the district attorney will be attempting to prove her guilty while Jack Ellis as the defense attorney works for her acquittal. A jury selected from the audience will give the verdict. Quiren, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Hostak has been active in athletics, forensics and bank
D and is president of the senior class. Jack, son of mr. and Mrs. Jack Ellis, has been active in class activities and dramatics.

Oconto Falls—Allan T. Walker, after four years as teacher of mathematics and science in the Oconto Falls High school, has resigned to accept a position in the Longfellow Junior High at Wauwatosa. He was graduated from the State Teachers College at River Falls and attended summer schools at the University of Minnesota. His family will follow him during the Easter Holidays.

Oconto Falls—Richard Davis will represent the Oconto Falls high school at the annual meeting of the Wisconsin Forensic association at Madison Saturday, when he will present the humorous declamation “Side Show Talent Performs.”

Oconto Falls—Miss Helen Gillis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Gillis of this city, has accepted the position of commercial teacher in the Oconto Falls High school for the ensuing school year. Miss Gillis is a graduate of Oconto Falls High school, a Milwaukee business college and of Whitewater state Teachers college. She worked with the Salvation Army for eight years and had charge of the young peoples summer camp in the Milwaukee division. She had charge of the Girl Scouts at Whitewater and the girl guards in the Salvation Army and expects to take up scout work in Oconto Falls.

Oconto Falls—Notice has been received from the registrar of the University of Wisconsin announcing the excellent scholastic record established by George E. Magnin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Magnin., during his first semester. George was the valedictorian of the Oconto Falls high school class of 1940. Out of a possible perfect record of 45 grade points, he has earned 42, making him eleigible to election to the freshman honorary scholastic society, Phi Eta Sigma. Freshmen carrying normal class schedules and achieving a grade-point average of 2.5 or above are eligible for automatic election to membership in the honorary fraternity. Magnin succeeded in establishing the enviable record of a 2.8 average.

Oconto Falls—Howard Lehner of Oconto Falls plays forward on the Lawrence college freshman basketball team in Appleton. He graduated from Washington High school in 1936. “Howie” played forward on the high school team and won one letter. Howard has also been appointed to the staff of the Lawrentian, student newspaper at Lawrence College. He is a pledged member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He is at present spending the holiday vacation with his parents, Attorney and Mr. A.P. Lehner.

Oconto Falls March 8—Some 500 students arrived for classes Friday to find 60 firemen fighting a $ 100,000 blaze at Oconto Falls High School. The fire all but destroyed the old portion of the school, but did not damage the addition erected in 1955 and the gymnasium. Classes at the school, which handles grades 7 through 12, were suspended due to the fire. William Delzer, a janitor, told Fire Chief George Malcomsen, he was dusting desks on the third floor of the old addition, built in 1903, when he smelled smoke. Delzer said he went to the attic to investigate after flicking a light switch that didn’t work but could not enter because of flames. Before the slate roof collapsed, a small army of volunteers crried stoves, sewing machines, office records, desks and othe equipment from the 2 classrooms in the old building. The helpers, including some pupils and workmen from the Oconto Falls Paper & Power Co., also took out books from the library in the new section. The local volunteer fire department was aided by firefighters from Oconto, Lena, Gillett and the Towns of Morgan, Green Valley, Gillett and Spruce. The loss was estimated at more than $ 100,000 by an insurance adjuster, who said it was sully covered by insurance. The School Board held a public meeting Friday night to discuss solutions for the problem and how to find classrooms space for some of the students. Ten of the 20 classrooms in the old section are beyond use. Junior high school students, quartered in the undamaged new addition, will report for class Monday. School authorities hoped that classes could be resumed by Wednesday in the old section rooms not affected by the fire. The board has received several offers which, if accepted, would turn basements of a church and homes into temporary classrooms for those students evicted by the fire.

Oconto Falls—A recipient of a legislative scholarship, Joyce Van Haren, is enrolled at the Wisconsin State College, La Crosse. Miss Van Haren, Route 2, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chester Van Haren and she is majoring in physical education. Legislative scholarships are provided by the board of State College Regents in two classes; those for rank in the high school class and those for leadership and need.

Oconto Falls—Featuring the variety show to be presented by the faculty at Oconto Falls High School at 8 o’clock this evening will be a play, “Her Husband’s First Wife.” Cast members appearing in one scene are, Russ Shannon, Frank Kremer Jr., Ruth Peterson and Joyce Kilmer. Money raised by the teachers will go into the Memorial hospital fund.

Oconto — At a recent reunion, all the members of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Chris Hermsen were present at their home on Superior ave. The arrival of the Hermsens son Edward, and family from San Francisco prompted the reunion. Present were, Mr. and Mrs. Hermsen; Marjorie, Oconto; Ruth (Mrs. Donald LeBreck), Oconto; Lita (Mrs. David Twells ), Green Bay; Roger, at home; Howard, Green Bay; James, Suring; Patrick, at home; Russell, Green Bay; Leon, Kenosha; Gordon Green Bay, and Edward. Mr. and Mrs. Hermsen observed their 41st wedding anniversary May 4.

Harry Volk has received word of the death of a close friend, Frank Hanby, a resident of this community until 1918, when he moved to Tacoma Washington. Mr. Hanby passed away in his western home on August 18. This will be sad news to all who knew him.

Mrs. Earl Rymer has returned from Chicago where she was called by the death of her brother, Louis N. Richards. She also visited in Berwyn and Milwaukee before returning home.

Mr. Richards was born in Oconto on November 19, 1869 and left for Chicago as a very young man. He died in a Chicago hospital on January 23 following a short illness. Funeral rites were held in Our Lady of Victory church, with burial in Chicago. He is survived by his wife, two sons. Louis Jr. and John, both of Chicago; five grandchildren; three brothers, Frank of Berwyn, Fred of Green Bay and Gilbert of Oconto Falls, and one sister, Lillian, Mrs. Rymer of this city. Mr. Richards who was best known to his Oconto county friends as "Poly", was a barber.

Oconto Falls-Glenda Mae McDougal, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Glen McDougal, born Tuesday was too frail for the rigors of this life and passed away about an hour after birth. Burial took place on Wednesday.

Oconto- Sister Mary Rene, 25, died at the Sisters of Notre Dame home, St. Joseph's Catholic church here, at 4:30 yesterday afternoon of pneumonia. The body was removed to the Gagnon funeral home where it will remain pending arrival of relatives from Chicago. Sister Mary Rene was born in Chicago August 13, 1911, and had been at the St. Joseph parochial school here since 1933. She is survived by her parents, eight sisters and one brother.

One of the twin boys of Dr. and Mrs. Goggins died at 11 o'clock Jan. 8th. The child was exactly one year old, having been born at 11 o'clock January 8, 1905. Dr. Goggins and wife have the sympathy of all in their bereavement.

A man who gave his name as Henry Smith, a transient about 65 years old, died Friday afternoon as he was being taken to the Oconto Falls hospital after he became violently ill from drinking denatured alcohol. Smith had spent the week in Suring, panhandling during the day and spending the nights in the Suring jail. Friday afternoon he became ill. A physician was called and on learning from Smith what he had been drinking, gave him first aid. The man was rushed to Oconto Falls by Deputy Sheriff T. H. Pasterski, but died before reaching the hospital. Before dying he told questioners that he had no relatives. His body was shipped to Milwaukee for burial.

Mr. and Mrs. George Johansen are the parents of a son born Friday.

Lena-Funeral services for J. N. Bassett, prominent retired business man of Lena were held at a solemn requiem high mass at St. Charles Catholic church Thursday morning. The celebrant of the mass assisted by the Rev. M. Fetko of Stiles and the Rev. Edward Horyza, Pound. Interment was in the church cemetery. Business houses of the village were closed during the services. Survivors are his widow; five children, nine grandchildren and two sisters.

Oconto Falls- Miss Clara Adamski, R.N. has again resumed her duties as superintendent of the Oconto Falls hospital. Mis Adamski is a graduate of the nurses training course of St. Mary's hospital, Green Bay, with the class of 1919. She entered the hospital at Antigo as surgical nurse and later came to open up the hospital here when it was organized in 1921. She had charge here until 1926, and then took charge of the Oconto hospital for three years. Miss Adamski came here from Hickory Grove, West DePere. She succeeds Miss Christine Pemberton, R.N., who was in charge for the last seven years.

Year unknown

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Herman LaCaptain, of Coleman a baby girl Sunday.

Mrs. Ed. Pope, Abrams, had a birthday surprise Saturday, Oct. 7, when relatives and friends came to remind her that she was 73 years old.

Fred Laasch of Breed purchased what was formerly known as the Gisch hotel in Suring. Mr. Laasch expects to conduct a hotel and soft drink parlor.

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