THE WAUPACA COUNTY POST

April 1, 1993

 

WHEN THEN WAS NOW

By Wayne A. Guyant

 

            .You can’t judge a book by its cover, as this article will reveal.

            In 1852 young Charles Churchill came to Waupaca with his parents and settled in a farm in the Town of Waupaca.  The young Charles Churchil was born in Fulton County, New York, December 24, 1846.

            He received his common school education here and attended the first Waupaca High School.  He next taught district schools in Waupaca County.

            It was in 1868 that he attended the Eastman Business College in Chicago, and in the fall of 1869 he was elected Clerk of Circuit Court for Waupaca County, a position which he was re-elected five times, holding that office for 12 years.

            He was deputy county clerk for six years, deputy register of deeds for six years and deputy county treasurer for four years.

            In 1874, while clerk of Circuit Court, he commenced working on an abstract title of all lands in Waupaca County. In 1869 he added real estate and money loaning to his business, and was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1882.  Other official services noted were clerk for the Town of Waupaca, four years; Waupaca city clerk for four years, and member of the Board of Education for 10 years.

            Churchill Street in Waupaca was named in honor of this man.  His life up to this point is quite impressive.

            In checking the real estate transactions found in the grantee and grantor index books you would be amazed as to the number of real estate transactions made by Mr. Churchill each year before he was forced into bankruptcy.

            Apparently during his years as a public servant he was in a position of having access to bargain properties coming up for sale; however, it takes capital to purchase property, and Mr. Churchill borrowed money from whoever he could to cover his investments.  Something must have gone wrong, though, because in 1910 he was forced into bankruptcy. 

            The following is quoted from the Waupaca Republican Post, for September 1, 1910:

            “Another sidelight story on the Churchill case is added to the long list of his efforts to leave his creditors with nothing. An attempt was made to move his office furniture in the bank building, by drayman, Frank Craig, by direction of Frank Baldwin (who was his son-in-law).  The shipment was to be shipped to West Allis, the home of Mr. Baldwin.  It was not shipped because Albert Breit attached the same for $190, due him for sporting goods sold to Churchill’s son.

            “This attempt to sneak a hundred dollars worth of furniture away from creditors is in keeping with the spirit of rascality that predominated every turn of Churchill’s life.  Little did he care for those who were wrecked by his career.  His sole ambition was to shine as an aristocrat, even though it made penniless widows and orphans.  His offence by comparison makes the darkened career of many men in the penitentiary assume a creditable appearance.”

            Also in the Waupaca Republican Post for October 13, 1910, a story was reprinted from the Milwaukee Sentinel that gives additional information on the Churchill bankruptcy proceedings. The following is only a portion of this story.

            “Charles Churchill, lawyer and real estate agent, West Allis, and for 12 years referee in bankruptcy in Waupaca, from which position he resigned six months ago, has failed for $65,237.83, all except a few hundred dollars of which is in the form of personal loans from friends.”

            In another part of the article it named many women who had loaned money to Mr. Churchill:

            Mrs. Libby McCrossen, $1,400, Mrs. Anna Jensen, $511.89, Mrs. Freda McIntire, $120, Mrs. Marie Hole, $1,500, Elizabeth Jardine, $800, Mrs. Thomas Evans, $500, Jessie McQueen, $265, all of Waupaca; Kate Beardmore, Sheridan, $600, and Julia T. Booth, Enfield, $650.

            Some of the other creditors were:  Estate of Orville Beach, $10,000; estate of Mr. Mobbs, $1,500; Lawrence Godfriedson, judgment, $2,707.08; N.W. White, $2,312.24; Lorton A. Moore, Portland, Ore., $500; Weed and Gumar & Co., Weyauwega, $500; A.R. Lea, $225; Albert Breit, $50, and L.M. Anthony, $1,435.08.

            These banks made the following claims:  First National Bank, Stevens Point; First National bank, Antigo, and the Bank of Scandinavia.

            The Waupaca Record, March 9, 1911, reported “The sheriff’s sale of the Charles Churchill property took place in the corridors of the Courthouse on Saturday. There was a large attendance and L.D. Smith of this city was the auctioneer.”

            The Park Hotel property was sold to Wm. Voysey for $3,327, free from all encumbrance. Mr. Voysey has a claim against Chas. Churchill for $23,000.  Scattering 40s were sold at prices from $50 to $160 per 40.  The total amount realized from the sale was approximately $5,500.  The total outstanding claims against Churchill exceeded $75,000.

            The Churchills left Waupaca and resided in California for a year before moving on to Newbury, Ore., where they spent their declining years.