THE MARION ADVERTISER

January 5, 1899

 

In Regard to Pioneers of Waupaca County.

 

 

EDITOR MARION ADVERTISER:

 

            I read with interest the items in the Dec. 29^th issue of the ADVERTISER, entitled “Historical,” speaking of Mr. I. Hanson, James Smiley and some other early residents.  From my own early acquaintance in Waupaca County, I judged that Mr. Hanson was not just correct in thinking that he and Mr. Smiley were the only two pioneers who settled and now live in the Eastern part of the county.  Being Secretary of the Old Settlers’ Association, I went to the records of the Association and looked up matters.  Of the early pioneers and settlers now surviving and living in the county, I find as follows:  First the oldest settlers as recorded, is Evan Townsend who came into the county early in 1849 and settled at Little River.  He now resides in the town of Waupaca. George W. Taggart came in 1849 and settled in Lind.  He now resides in Weyauwega. M.L. Hayward located on the Little Wolf in 1850.  He now resides in Waupaca.  James Smiley is recorded as coming to the county in March, 1851, settling at Mukwa.  He now resides at Northport.  James M. Jenney settled in Weyauwega early in 1851 and is now living in that town. A. V. Balch came to the county in Sept. 1851, made the first entry of land in the town of Weyauwega, at the United States land office, and has continuously resided on the same to this day.  J. E. Devens is another of the 1851 settlers in the county and resides in Weyauwega.  We find also the names of Geo. W. Lord and W. J. Chamberlain as settlers of the county in 1851.  Both now live in the city of Waupaca.  I do not find Mr. Hanson’s name on the records and therefore cannot give the year of his coming to the county.  Will be very gratified to whoever can give me the desired information, so it can be recorded.  There may be others whose names are not on the records who as heads of families or as single men came to the county and made settlements at an early date as those above named, and who yet live in the county.  I will be pleased to enter their names and date of settlement when furnished to me.  There are a goodly number yet living in the county, who came as children and minors with their parents in the early days, but we cannot properly enroll such as Old Settlers because they came at the option of parents.  What memories come up as we look back over the names of the early pioneers, seeing how great ist he number removed or departed to the “happy hunting grounds”.

 

                                                                                                                        A. V. B.