Posted on: EauClaire Co. Wi Query Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Wi/EauClaire/589 Surname: Looking for information on Christian Engebretson ------------------------- wondering if anyone has information on Christian Engebretson belive he died in 1910 dpreston@tri-west.net

Posted on: EauClaire Co. Wi Query Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Wi/EauClaire/587 Surname: Johnson, Sorholdt ------------------------- Eau Claire, Looking for any info on Mr. Iver Johns. Sorholdt from Norway, that went to Eau Claire in 1906.

Posted on: EauClaire Co. Wi Query Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Wi/EauClaire/586 Surname: Becker ------------------------- I am looking for information on Delos and Julia Becker that was on a farm in or near Otter Creek,Eau Claire Co., Wis between 1869 to 1872 or could be 1872 to 1873. Childre are Waren Delos, Grace ( a samll child at the time they lived in Eau Claire Co.) Charles, Valentine, and Cora. If you have any information e-mail me at pjgaddy@netins.net Thank you

Posted on: EauClaire Co. Wi Query Forum Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/gc/USA/Wi/EauClaire/585 Surname: Leland, Hoyt, Southmayd, Garvis ------------------------- Belle N. Leland was married to Henry C. Sharp on 28 oct 1884 in Eau Claire Co., WI. Elizabeth J. Leland was married to Ernest F. Jarvis on 7 Feb 1883 in Eau Claire Co., WI. She later married John Calvin Southmayd (after the death of his first wife Lucinda C. Phillips on 25 May 1885) on 22 Jun 1888 in Eau Claire Co., WI. They had a daughter, Mildred Minerva Southmayd born on 18 Jun 1890. Who were the other children of Robert and Jane Leland?

Today we are finishing up this topic of the first church in Eau Claire, along with the religious leaders that were in the city in the very early days. This information comes from the book "Sawdust City" by Lois Barland, and is used only by permission. Reverend Alberoni Kidder Mr. Kidder built an octagon house on the north west corner of Farwell and Seaver before he and Mr. McNair decided to work in different sections of the city. The next year he built a house in "gothic style" on the west side. He and his two daughters ran a school above a warehouse which was on the present site of the YMCA. He ran a brick yard in the '70s along with Daniel Shaw which was near the south end of 6th Avenue and made 10,000 bricks per day. Mr. Kidder took a church at Durand, after finishing his pastorate in Eau Claire, and remained in Durand ten years. In 1889 he was the pastor at Bloomer for some time. His son Sam married Ida Buffington, daughter of George Buffington, and his daughter Nellie, married Betrand Richardson. Augusta and Martha, other daughters, never married but were active in all community affairs for many years. Reverend W. W. McNair A tragic aftermath of the Indian scare that gripped much of this section of the state in 1862 was the death from exposure of Mrs. Charity McNair whose eight day old baby boy was baptised at the close of his mother's funeral. The couple also had a girl, Lizzie, who was some years older than her baby brother and later married Walter Searing of Tomphin's Cove, New York. Mr. McNair married again, while still in Eau Claire. An interesting event, which must have really electrified the congregation, occurred in August, 1864, when the church was struck by lightning during a service. The bolt went through nine rows of pews and then into the ground. Ladies had the hoops in their skirts burned and Ernie Fish had most of his clothes burned off. Mr. McNair fainted. The congregation began rushing out the door but Mr. Thorp called them back and restored order. Dr. French administered medical aid where needed. Reverend Thomas Barland Mr. Barland was educated in the Universities of St. Andrew and Edinburgh. During the early years in Eau Claire, he held religious services and did missionary work throughout the area. Of their children who lived to adulthood, John was the oldest. He married Dora Schlegelmilch, daughter of Herman Schlegelmilch, and they had six children. T. Gordon became president of the Union Mortgage and Loan company and died unmarried in 1942. Dorothea, Herman and Howard died unmarried. Agnes married Dr. Edwin McDaniel, a medical missionary in Siam and George married Lois Barland, a cousin. The second child of Thomas Barland, Betsey, married Jonathan Merriam and lived in Atlanta, Ill. Agnes married John Keith, a native of Ottawa, Canada, and a bookkeeper for Ingram and Kennedy. Their children were Alexander who married Kate Kennedy and had Alex, Georgena, Donald and Robert; Thomas who married Mary Grassy and had Gordon, Effie, John and Mary; Bessie who married Edward Strong; and Agnes who married Dr. R. F. Werner and had Richard, Keith and Thomas. Another daughter of Thomas Barland, Margaret, married Dr. Hogeboom and after some years in Eau Claire, moved to Alabama. Isabel Barland married Fredrick A Towne and they had Jessie, Isabel, Margaret and Willard. Birney Barland married Alice Wood and had a son Paul. The youngest of Rev. Barland, George, married Ethel Rogers and had two daughters, Genevieve and Lois. He lived in Minneapolis the later years of his life. Reverend Barland told of his work at an anniversary celebration: Excerpts from Anniversary Talk Given by Thomas Barland 1884 "From the time of my arrival in 1852 I had religious services in Gage and Reed's public room -- barroom perhaps it might have been called had liquor been drank there. But I saw none drank. The pure presence of a lovely Norwegian young lady afterwards married to Mr. Reed was enough to banish the practice of dram drinking from the premises. These services I continued afterwards and until the arrival of Brethern McNair and Kidder (fall of 1856) who each of them had selected Eau Claire as their field of labor. Brother McNair I introduced heading a subscription with $20 and afterwards Brother Kidder with $10. We were commanded not to let our right hand know what our left had doeth --. Is not this anniversary a solemn, a sublime, indeed a glorious thing, as being an innumeration of God's goodness in spiritual and providential matters, but necessarily in connection with the works and words and sufferings of his faithful servants. Having thus introduced these brethern, I thought it would be improper to compete with them in ministerial work, and never since have I seen the time when I thought it might be proper to intrude myself again in the field which I had relinquished. And thus it was that I commenced work in Scott's Valley, Thompson's Valley, and Augusta. My schedule was as follows; Saturday a.m. left home on foot for Scott's Valley, Sabbath a.m. held meeting. Rested at Mr. Scott's house an hour or two, walked over to Thompson's Valley, held meeting there in evening. Monday a.m. rested usually with Mr. Streder, walked to Augusta in evening. Held meeting Tuesday evening. Wednesday began to walk home sometimes stopping at Mrs. Bucks in Fall Creek where I was hospitably entertained. Following Sabbath staid at home to encourage my family to attend church at Eau Claire. Sabbath after held meeting at Truax Prairie. Sabbath following went to church with my family as before. Then the Sabbath following recommenced my tour as above described." This he did till he froze his feet and had a discharging ulcer, thus losing a week or more. Then a Methodist preacher determined to take the field for the Methodist cause and he discontinued for some time. Meetings in Scott's Valley and Augusta were "Crowded to the door." Audience enjoyed services, "sang with fevor as frontier people commonly do." "Whenever I knew of others, Presbyterian, Congregational, or Methodist, wanting the field, I relinquished it and in this manner pioneered again throughout Eau Claire County, Dunn County and Chippewa County, so that in 1872 I calculated that my pedistrian tours amounted to 25,000 miles. If I am asked what were my rewards in all this I would answer, "They were great and important tho chiefly of a mental and spiritual kind. 1) An incompressible elasticity of spirit. 2) The conviction that many more are susceptable of gospel impression when kindly presented than is commonly imagined. 3) That there is much more of gratitude and goodness among men than professors commonly believe. 4) A personal acquaintance with some of the salt of the earth, the excellence of whose character it is impossible for me to describe nor to estimate the benefit in confirming me in t he faith of the gospel"-- 1860 - 61 'Walked 60 miles per month occupying once a month each of four different stations having audiences of 50 to 1000 in two of which I was the first who had ever proclaimed the gospel. One was Augusta, a prospectively very important village. My ambition was two fold 1) not to put Eastern Christians to expense, 2) finding Western Christians unaccustomed to Christian liberality so do what I could altogether gratitiously." +++++++++++++++ Next on the agenda -- keeping with our "Beginnings of ECC," we'll be reading about "Life in the Wisconsin Woods". See you then! -- Nance mailto:nsampson@spacestar.net

Here's more from the book "Sawdust City" by Lois Barland, with permission granted for usage to put this only on the Eau Claire WIGenWeb and it's mail list. Today's posting is more on the "Ladies Festival" that we read of in yesterday's posting. Here's more... We are indebted to the "Times" of November 7, 1857 for a extended account of this affair. "Agreeably with a vote taken at the Ladies Festival in the village last Thursday evening, to the effect that the proceedings thereof be published in the Eau Claire papers, we this week give them entire, necessarily to the exclusion of much other matter. Our Own Reporter gives us the following in relation thereto; At the appointed time on Thursday evening, young men and maidens, matrons and their 'worser halves', began to assemble in Reed's Hall, to manifest by their presence and dollars their interest in the Ladies Festival and its laudable object which was, to obtain the necessary funds for furnishing the new Presbyterian church. The Hall was tastefully decorated with 'Wreaths entwined' of verdure green -- and it was evident that fair hands and minds of taste had been employed in the adornment. This was also in regard to the tables which had been spread in the Hall with the choicest viands and the most delicate luxuries procurable. Fair hands had also here done the work, and that it had been well done, the audience unanimously agreed. Your reporter should not omit to mention the Post Office in the hall which was one of the prominent features of the evening and through which were transmitted "on errands of love," doubtless many dainty epistles from the "sterner sex" to the fair, and reciprocally the reverse. It should be an unpardonable act of negligence to omit 'handing down to posterity' this conspicuous and pleasing feature upon the fair face of that festive occasion. At about ten o'clock the signal was given for supper, and nearly one hundred and fifty individuals sat down at the daintily spread board. Words are valueless here, for proper expression, and as the voluminous contents of your reporter's dictionary, were nearly all exhausted through "ye post office" he would be excused from entering into details. Immediately after supper, speeches were called for and the audience succeeded in bringing out Messrs. N. B. Boyden, Esq., A. Meggett Esq., and Rev. W. W. McNair; each of whom ably acquitted himself and was listened to with marked attention." It is understood that about $1,000 was raised or subscribed at this Festival. The membership of the First Presbyterian Church at this time was eighteen. The Elders were Joseph G. Thorp and Charles Pringle. Deacons were Donald Kennedy, Jacob S. Cook and Orrin H. Ingram. The dedication of the church took place on Sunday, January 3, 1858, but there is no newspaper account available. The "Times" issued its last number on January 2, and then merged with the "Telegraph." The next copy of that paper available is the issue of July 10. The advance notice mentions the Rev. Bradley Phillips as being selected to deliver the sermon. (At that time he was at the Presbyterian church in Chippewa Falls.) At a later period he was a merchant in Eau Claire with a store on South Barstow. The "Weekly Free Press" of January 19, 1860, announced: "The Presbyterian Society of this place has extended a call to the Rev. Mr. McNair and have settled him permanently to preside over the spiritual interests of the church. Mr. McNair terminated his pastorship Jan. 1, 1865, and returned to the East. He was succeeded by the Rev. William H. Lockwood. Who continued with the church twenty-five years. Shortly after he left Eau Claire, Mr. McNair entered the Army, and was commissioned Chaplin of the First United States Cavalry, a regiment made up of troops from various states. It was this regiment that was used as a pattern for the Rough Rider Regiment of 1898. The reader must not suppose that Rev. Kidder and Rev. McNair were the first to bring the church into the Valley of the Chippewa. Thomas Randall, in his history, states that he, although not a clergyman, conducted services as early as September, 1846, at the house of Stephen S. McCann, and at the Company's boarding house, at Chippewa Falls, on alternate Sundays. Thomas Barland came from Illinois about 1852, and located on lands to the southeast of the later side of the village of Eau Claire. He conducted services during the winter of 1852-53, and continued to do so until the arrival of Messrs. McNair and Kidder. Mr. Barland was not ordained until 1861. Mr. Randall wrote; "The Methodist Episcopal Church, too, always alive in the interests of religion, and ready with its perfect church machinery to promote its welfare in remote corners of its Wisconsin Conference, sent a preacher of that order into this valley in the summer of 1852, by the name of Mane, a young man from England, quiet, humble and zealous, but unequal to the task of planting a Christian church amongst so many opposing elements as he found here; and his appointments, at the Falls and Eau Claire were discontinued after a few months, but not before a boat crew of wild fellows from the Falls, while stopping over night at Eau Claire, had assailed him with stones and missels, while he was addressing a meeting held for divine services in the dining hall of Gage, Reed and Company." Mr. Mane had a free home at the boarding shanty of Gage and Reed for himself and his horse. At evening he would often "keep count" for the boys while they ran through a game of "Old Sledge". He "could see no harm in it." "The boys," he said, "worked hard and needed something to amuse themselves with." He didn't quite see the reason for the "big laughs" at the close of each hand, but "supposed it was something in the game." He gave them good moral lessons each Sunday, and left them in the late fall without a cent of payment, but bearing the great respect of the boys to this day. ++++++++++++++++++ Next time we'll be reading some short biographies on these men who preached during the early Eau Claire days. -- Nance mailto:nsampson@spacestar.net

Posted on: EauClaire Co. Wi Query Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Wi/EauClaire/584 Surname: Erickson ------------------------- I am researching the family of Hans Peter Erickson (Eriksen) born in 1854 or 1857 in Norway. In 1877 he married Christine (Emilie) Christiansdatter (she also used Hanson and Christopherson surnames) born in Fredrikshald, Norway in 1859. They arrived in Eau Claire County in 1887. They had the following children, the first two were born in Norway: Hans, Erick (Edward W.), George, Carl, Hjalmer, Martha, Jennie and William. Martha was my grandmother. I'm looking for ancestors in Norway.

>From the book, "Sawdust City," by Lois Barland: In May or June 1874 Mr. McNair was a visitor in Eau Claire and on his return to is home favored the "Free Press" with a letter, in which he mentions the little village as he first saw it. Cedarville, New Jersey June 20, 1874 Editor Free Press Dear Sir: It was not able, because of having to prepare for so many farewell calls and visits, to avail myself before I started for my home, of your kind offer of the columns of the "Free Press" for the purpose of expressing to the many dear old friends of Eau Claire, my heartfelt appreciation of the cordial welcome, and most delightful fellowship which were afforded me during my visit among them, after an absence of nine and a half years. The ties of friendship which bind together companions in early labors for the building up of new communities are secondary in strength, only to those which bind together those who have had close Christian fellowship, in suffering, and in work for Jesus. I was made to rejoice in view of the fact that with such few exceptions and earliest settlers of Eau Claire had held to the ground, and that they had been so generally and greatly blessed by the good providence of God in connection with their industry and faith. I had heard of your wonderful growth as a city, but it required all my visit to realized how great and healthy had been your advancement during the period of my absence, and what mighty changes had taken place since I first settled at Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, as a missionary, in 1856, and preached in the Eau Claire House, my first sermon in the Chippewa Valley. I moved my family to Eau Claire in November of the years, and on the first Sabbath of 1859, the Presbyterian House of Worship was dedicated. I have just been hunting up and establishing those dates, and, I can scarcely comprehend that during what appears such a short time, Eau Claire has become a city of nearly 10,000 inhabitants, with its eight or ten churches, its costly and commodious school houses, its other numerous substantial expensive public buildings, its immense lumber establishments, and its very many splendid and delightful private residences. I rejoice especially that to such a large extent the wealth and enterprise of the place are in the hands and under the control of those who are disposed to use these agencies for the advancement of all those intellectual, social, moral and spiritual interests which are inseparably connected with the providence and power of a living and pure Christianity. I confidently trust that those priceless interests will be faithfully guarded and promoted by the people of Eau Claire. I will not cease to pray that the blessing of our common and glorious Christianity, shall with constantly increasing abundance and power be ever conferred upon the inhabitants of your city. Again, I express my most sincere appreciation of the many varied proofs of the friendship and affection of the people of Eau Claire during my visit; and also for the most unsuspected and generous present of one hundred dollars given me upon the evening of my departure. With more love to all my friends, and with sincere desire for the welfare of all the people of Eau Claire, I am, very truly yours, William W. McNair The building operations progressed rapidly during the summer, and by November the subject of furnishings for the edifice were under consideration. The cost of the building, it was seen, would be about $4,000 and a portion of this amount remained to be raised. Citizens had already contributed liberally -- the ugly snarl of the "Argus and Democrat," of Madison, suggests one gentleman alone had given $500. It was now the ladies took hold of the matter, and arranged for a ladies festival. The Eau Claire "Telegraph" of November 2, 1857 contained the following announcement; "Ladies Festival -- A Festival, the proceeds of which will be used in furnishing the Presbyterian church, will be given by the ladies, next Thursday evening, November 5th at Reed's Hall. Tickets of admission, including supper, may be had at the stores of Messrs. Peter Wyckoff, Chapman and Thorp, and William Mosier on the East side of the river; and at Messrs. Blashfield and Giddings and Mr. Marston on the West side. Price of tickets $1.00, children 25¢. Mr. Nichols has kindly offered to run a free ferry during the evening for the accommodation of the people on the West side of the river. The doors will open at 6½ o'clock, and supper will be served at 9 o'clock. Addresses may be expected during the evening." +++++++++++++++++++++ We will read what the "Times" had to say about this evening the next time we get together. -- Nance mailto:nsampson@spacestar.net

Posted on: EauClaire Co. Wi Query Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Wi/EauClaire/582 Surname: Erickson ------------------------- I am researching the family of Hans Peter Erickson (Eriksen) born in 1854 or 1857 in Norway. In 1877 he married Christine (Emilie) Christiansdatter (she also used Hanson and Christopherson surnames) born in Fredrikshald, Norway in 1859. They emigrated to Eau Claire County in 1887. They had the following children, the first two were born in Norway: Hans, Erick (Edward W.), George, Carl, Hjalmer, Martha, Jennie and William. Martha was my grandmother. Any information would be welcomed.

Nance, Again, thank you for the links. I have already gotten a "lead" from someone on the list. I am grateful for your help! With help like this, I'm sure to put the missing pieces of the family tree together. Have a wonderful day!! Thanks. Ann M : ) -----Original Message----- From: Nance Sampson [mailto:nsampson@spacestar.net] Sent: Friday, February 02, 2001 8:10 PM To: WIEAUCLA-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [WIEAUCLA] MOORE Anna Moore wrote: > Nance, > Thank you so much for the links. I will look at them right away. Do you > have any idea whether the library in that area has a website maybe I'll find > an obituary? > Thanks for the welcome to the list. > Ann M : ) > Hi Ann, I had a busy day today, so I'm kinda late in sending this you a response, but I'm hoping you will be able to use these. On our "Addresses" page <http://users.rootsweb.com/~wieaucla/ecaddres.htm > are the snail mail addresses that are helpful in doing research around the Eau Claire Co. area. As a part of the addresses on this page, there are the links to various libraries, if they have a website. Here are two that might be of help to you: L. E. Phillips Memorial Library, in Eau Claire -- http://www.eauclaire.lib.wi.us/ Area Research Center, UW-Eau Claire campus - http://www.shsw.wisc.edu/archives/arcnet/eauclair.html I hope these will help you out. -- Nance mailto:nsampson@spacestar.net

We left off last week with a story about the first church built in Eau Claire and we read that Selim H. Peabody was on the Board of Trustees for the Village of Eau Claire. Here is more information on Mr. Peabody, along with added info on the church as per old newspaper articles. This is from the book "Sawdust City" by Lois Barland and is used by permission of the Barland family. Selim Hobart Peabody is one of the Eau Claire citizens who arose to distinction in later years. In the east he had been a professor in a school, but, his health failing, he came to Eau Claire to take a clerkship in the United States Land Office. He was still a young man, but quickly took a position of leadership in the community, and entered into its life. He read the Declaration of Independence at the great celebration of 1858; he organized the lead of a Shakespearean Society; he edited the "Free Press" in the absence of Mr. Porter, he was incorporator and secretary of the company organized in 1858 to build a bride across the Chippewa and was secretary of the first County Fair, held on the Court House Square (now Wilson Park) October 5 & 6, 1859; he helped build a casket and acted as chaplain at the funeral of a woman, before there was a clergyman in the town, and he led in the getting up of social affairs, to pass the long winter evenings. Mr. Peabody removed to Fond du Lac shortly before the War of the Rebellion, to again engage in teaching. When President Lincoln called for troops, he repeatedly offered himself, but was as often rejected by the surgeons for physical disability -- a weakness of the feet. He continued an upward career in school work, and became an outstanding educator in the country. He served as a department chief at the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893. In 1897 President McKinley urged him to accept the position of Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, but he declined. He became President of the University of Illinois, served for many years, and voluntarily resigned, to continue a line of investigation and study in which he was especially interested. In the Eau Claire Public Library is a biography of this distinguished citizen. A son, Arthur Peabody, was for many years state architect and proud of the fact he was born in Eau Claire. In the second issue of the Eau Claire "Times" dated May 23, 1857, appeared the notice of advertisements for bids for the church and stone. We may suppose ground was broken and work upon the foundation commenced in June. No report as to the awarding of the contract is found in the few copies of the papers that are available. The first issue of the Eau Claire City "Telegraph" announced; "Divine service will be performed in this city, at the usual place of worship on Sunday, May 31, by Rev. W. W. McNair." Surely a very discreet notice -- no good reason for telling the world services would be held in the Niagara House bar room. Two other notices appeared in the Eau Claire "Times," of May 23. Under the date of May 22, 1857, Mr. McNair announced as follows: "As a means of increasing my usefulness I have procured from the Presbyterian Board of Publications a large collection of very valuable and interesting publications embracing about 400 different volumes." The books were highly recommended as being suitable reading, particularly for the young. They were offered for sale at cost. Mr. McNair also announced he was permitted to give away a certain percentage of bound books and all tracts, of which he had about two hundred different kinds. From the advertisement of the Composite Building Committee, in the "Times" of May 23, it is shown the new church building was already called the 'Presbyterian Church' and this suggests, Mr. McNair being a member of this committee, that he and Mr. Kidder had already, by mutual agreement, arranged that Mr. McNair should retain the East Side field, and Mr. Kidder should take up his labors on the West Side. As to how they arrived at this decision we are left in the dark. Eau Claire "Times", May 22, 1857, A Card -- The subscriber would embrace this opportunity (the first of the kind that he has had) to express his sincere thanks to his friends in Eau Claire and vicinity for their cheerful presence at his residence, on the evening of the 13th of March, and for their very liberal gifts, amounting to about $115.00 which they left behind them. I hope I may be led by this, and by the other various acts of kindness and encouragement which I have received, to labor more earnestly and devotedly for the moral and spiritual welfare of this new and rapidly increasing population, and for the establishment of those institutions of the Gospel which tend so powerfully to promote the welfare of any community. Signed, W. W. McNair. +++++++ Tomorrow we will read another interpretation of what Eau Claire was like in the very early days. This one was written by the above signed, W. W. McNair. -- Nance mailto:nsampson@spacestar.net

Last July, in response to my postings about Cameron families in Eau Claire, there was a message from "Dan Parker" about Alexander and Mary Cameron, who lived in Eau Claire in the later 1800's. I'd like to know more. I've been working steadily away on my Camerons, and will just summarize again: Dougald (1830-1892) and Mary (McCormick) Cameron (1833-1900), seem to be in Eau Claire from the early 1860's. Dougald was born in either Canada or Scotland, Mary born in New York State. Dougald had various jobs in the lumber industry. Their children: John b. 1858, Edward b. 1859, Katie b. 1867, Hugh W. b. 1868, Thomas b. 1869. Hugh is my ggrandfather, but I don't know what happened to the others. It's been very hard finding this much, so I've collected info on the other Camerons there at the same time, as I think there was family around. Dan Parker said that Alexander & Mary came from scotland to Ontario to Wisconsin. I've found information on them and some descendants. I think that Duncan and his wife Sarah joined the Pilgrim church in 1888. Does this sound right, Dan? Do you think that Alexander and Dougald could have been related? Ann Cameron

Anna Moore wrote: > Nance, > Thank you so much for the links. I will look at them right away. Do you > have any idea whether the library in that area has a website maybe I'll find > an obituary? > Thanks for the welcome to the list. > Ann M : ) > Hi Ann, I had a busy day today, so I'm kinda late in sending this you a response, but I'm hoping you will be able to use these. On our "Addresses" page <http://users.rootsweb.com/~wieaucla/ecaddres.htm > are the snail mail addresses that are helpful in doing research around the Eau Claire Co. area. As a part of the addresses on this page, there are the links to various libraries, if they have a website. Here are two that might be of help to you: L. E. Phillips Memorial Library, in Eau Claire -- http://www.eauclaire.lib.wi.us/ Area Research Center, UW-Eau Claire campus - http://www.shsw.wisc.edu/archives/arcnet/eauclair.html I hope these will help you out. -- Nance mailto:nsampson@spacestar.net

Nance, Thank you so much for the links. I will look at them right away. Do you have any idea whether the library in that area has a website maybe I'll find an obituary? Thanks for the welcome to the list. Ann M : ) -----Original Message----- From: Nance Sampson [mailto:nsampson@spacestar.net] Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2001 5:57 PM To: WIEAUCLA-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [WIEAUCLA] MOORE Anna Moore wrote: > Hi, > I'm new to this list and have just begun my MOORE family tree research. I > have recently been told that my grandfather, JAMES EDWARD MOORE was a police > officer in Eau Claire until he died between 1920 and 1930 of pneumonia. He > was married to a LUELLA MARIE DELINE they had one child together, WALTER C. > MOORE. > I was wondering if anyone out there would be so kind as to list the > cemetaries in Eau Claire so that I can contact them to see if my grandfather > is buried there. Also is there any way to find out about the Police Force > in Eau Claire back then? > I hope someone can help me. I do belong to the rootweb list for Cook > County, IL and the people on that list are wonderful and I'm sure everyone > on this list is wonderful too. > Thanks, in advance, for any help. > Ann in sunny Florida : ) Hi Ann, Welcome to the list. You'll find we are pretty quiet bunch, but if we can help, we will! There are a few items that have been put online that might be of interest to you. First, is this history of the Eau Claire Police Department. Although I didn't see your James Edward Moore in the article, it might be an interesting story for you to read: ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/wi/eauclaire/history/police.txt Also, there is a listing of cemeteries on our Cemetery page located at http://users.rootsweb.com/~wieaucla/ecemtary.htm Some of the cemeteries have records available through this page, but only a few. I encourage you to use the various search engines on our Resources page to see if anything has been put online for your family. That page is located at http://resources.rootsweb.com/USA/WI/EauClaire I'm sorry I don't live in the Eau Claire area to be able to help you with your research. I will look through my resources here at home and see if I can find anything that may be of help to you. -- Nance (listowner and county coordinator for the Eau Claire Co. WIGenWeb Project) mailto:nsampson@spacestar.net

Anna Moore wrote: > Hi, > I'm new to this list and have just begun my MOORE family tree research. I > have recently been told that my grandfather, JAMES EDWARD MOORE was a police > officer in Eau Claire until he died between 1920 and 1930 of pneumonia. He > was married to a LUELLA MARIE DELINE they had one child together, WALTER C. > MOORE. > I was wondering if anyone out there would be so kind as to list the > cemetaries in Eau Claire so that I can contact them to see if my grandfather > is buried there. Also is there any way to find out about the Police Force > in Eau Claire back then? > I hope someone can help me. I do belong to the rootweb list for Cook > County, IL and the people on that list are wonderful and I'm sure everyone > on this list is wonderful too. > Thanks, in advance, for any help. > Ann in sunny Florida : ) Hi Ann, Welcome to the list. You'll find we are pretty quiet bunch, but if we can help, we will! There are a few items that have been put online that might be of interest to you. First, is this history of the Eau Claire Police Department. Although I didn't see your James Edward Moore in the article, it might be an interesting story for you to read: ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/wi/eauclaire/history/police.txt Also, there is a listing of cemeteries on our Cemetery page located at http://users.rootsweb.com/~wieaucla/ecemtary.htm Some of the cemeteries have records available through this page, but only a few. I encourage you to use the various search engines on our Resources page to see if anything has been put online for your family. That page is located at http://resources.rootsweb.com/USA/WI/EauClaire I'm sorry I don't live in the Eau Claire area to be able to help you with your research. I will look through my resources here at home and see if I can find anything that may be of help to you. -- Nance (listowner and county coordinator for the Eau Claire Co. WIGenWeb Project) mailto:nsampson@spacestar.net

Hi, I'm new to this list and have just begun my MOORE family tree research. I have recently been told that my grandfather, JAMES EDWARD MOORE was a police officer in Eau Claire until he died between 1920 and 1930 of pneumonia. He was married to a LUELLA MARIE DELINE they had one child together, WALTER C. MOORE. I was wondering if anyone out there would be so kind as to list the cemetaries in Eau Claire so that I can contact them to see if my grandfather is buried there. Also is there any way to find out about the Police Force in Eau Claire back then? I hope someone can help me. I do belong to the rootweb list for Cook County, IL and the people on that list are wonderful and I'm sure everyone on this list is wonderful too. Thanks, in advance, for any help. Ann in sunny Florida : )

As mentioned yesterday, here is a story about the first church building in Eau Claire. This is from the book "Sawdust City" by Lois Barland. The First Church Building in Eau Claire In October, 1856, but eight months after the platting of the village of Eau Claire, the Reverend William Wynkoop McNair located in the town as a Presbyterian missionary. He had come from the state of his birth, Pennsylvania, to Fort Winnebago, now Portage, organized a congregation and built a church. He first visited Eau Claire in September 1856, and deciding it was a proper field for his activities, applied for release from the Portage church, which he received October 6, 1856. He was thirty-one years of age, having been born September 21, 1825. In the same month of October, the Rev. Alberoni Kidder came from the east to the little village and like Mr. McNair, decided he was called to labor in this field. He was forty-two years of age, the date of his birth being February 14, 1814. They agreed to labor together, preaching alternate Sundays, one in the Village of Eau Claire and the other in the Village of Eau Claire City. A little temporary school house and the bar room of the Eau Claire House were used for the East side services until Reed's Hall was built and the bar room of the Niagara House on the West side, until the erection of Allen's Hall. Both showed their faith in the town by erecting houses on Farwell Street. Mr. Kidder, December 19, 1856, organized a Congregational Society, with the following charter members; Gilbert E. Porter, Elias S. Ketcham, Thomas Barland, Alberoni Kidder, Mrs. Henry Huntington, Mrs. Elen Ketcham and Mrs. Harriet Ketcham. Early in 1857, the need of a House of Worship was recognized. This was not because the bar rooms did not furnish sufficient seating space -- the fact the town possessed a church would give it standing in the older communities, and additional dignity. Accordingly, a subscription list was circulated, and liberally signed. The sawmill owners contributed lumber and materials, although some of the longer timbers were purchased in Chippewa Falls, the people of that place claimed. The proposed building was to be used by both Mr. McNair and Mr. Kidder, on alternate Sundays, the other preaching on the West side. In July 1857, the residents of the place, at the request of Mr. McNair, met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Orrin H. Ingram. The following were present and entered into a covenant for the organization of a church society: Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Cook, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Wells, Mrs. McVicar, Mrs. Silver (Mary A.?), Mrs. Hendershot, Mrs. Bissell, Mr. Donald Kennedy, Mrs. Orrin H. Ingram. All were at the time members of Presbyterian churches at other places. It is regretted the full names of all cannot be given. The United States Census of 1860 shows several "Mrs. McVicars", and does not identify the others. Previous to May 1857, the site of the proposed ediface had been agreed upon viz: the northeasterly corner of South Barstow and Emery Streets, or Lot 6 of Block 12, of the Village of Eau Claire. From the advertisements in the Times, it appears it was also agreed the church should be known as Presbyterian. On November 16, 1857, after the building was nearing completion, a meeting of the Congregation was called for perfecting the organization. Donald Kennedy, Jacob S. Cook and Orrin H. Ingram were elected trustees. The papers were, however, not drawn or signed until December 5, 1857. The proprietors of the Village of Eau Claire Plat, Nelson C. Chapman, Joseph G. Thorp, Richard F. Wilson and William H. Gleason on January 26, 1858, deeded the lot on which the church had been erected, Lot 6 of Block 12, for a consideration of $1.00 to the three trustees, Messrs. Kennedy, Cook and Ingram. Three witnesses attached their names to the deed, Francis B. Medlar, James A. Gray and Peter Bellinger. The later acted as notary. And the registrar of deeds, Charles H. Howard, made no charge for recording the instrument. By November, 1858, the membership of the Board of Trustees had changed, and was composed of Donald Kennedy, Nelson C. Chapman, and Selim Hobart Peabody, to them as trustees, was deeded Lot 7, and the adjoining lot on t he north side under the date of November 30, 1858 by Messrs. Gleason and Wilson, who owned a half interest. The deed to the other half interest was given by the Eau Claire Lumber Company January 23, 1893. +++++++++++ Next time, we'll be reading about Selim Hobart Peabody and more about the early church in Eau Claire. -- Nance mailto:nsampson@spacestar.net

The following is an article found in an Eau Claire newspaper of what a person visiting Eau Claire in 1857 would see. This is from the book "Sawdust City" and is used by permission of the author's (Lois Barland) family. A Visitors View Eau Claire "Times", August 25, 1857 Mr. Editor: I have been in your embryo "city" now some two weeks, and having seen, as I think, some of its natural advantages, as well as its disadvantages, (for what place is without them?) I have thought that perhaps a stranger's view of the present and prospective of your young town might not be wholly without interest to you and your readers. I had heard, before business called me to the valley of the Chippewa that a fine town, with flattering prospects, was growing up with wonderful rapidity at the confluence of the Chippewa and Eau Claire Rivers; but I confess I was not prepared to see a town so young and yet so full of vigorous and active life -- a town as yet scarcely out of its swathing bands yet wearing the garments and having the fair proportions of fully developed manhood (i.e. cityhood). I came to Eau Claire expecting to see a new village with straggling buildings scattered here and there, over an imaginary 'city' plat, and everything wearing the air of newness and disorder. What was my surprise to find a village, less than two years old, with wide, well laid out streets and compact business blocks on the principal street, and rising like magic on every side. Neat white residences, with all the appliances of comfort and elegance about them -- mills, banks, mercantile establishments, schools, churches, mechanic shops, etc. and best of all a sober, industrious energetic and intelligent people; and with more wealth -- real bona fide capital -- invested in business, than can be found in many towns of more years and far greater pretentions. The sounds of the hammer and saw are to be heard from morning till night; a sure indication of a rapid growth. But a single fact has struck me unfavorably; I have strolled over the beautiful prairies adjacent to your charming town -- have stood upon the splendid bluffs that environs it like an ampitheater -- and gazed afar off upon the magnificent county surrounding; and have thought the town was progressing more rapidly than the country. I saw comparatively few cultivated farms within the range of vision, but those were looking finely, and promised a certainty, and proving beyond a contingency that the valleys of the Chippewa and Eau Claire are good region for farming purposes. I have seen here as good crops of wheat as ordinarily grow upon the prairie lands of Walworth and old Rock; better potatoes; equally as good oats, and very good crops of corn. These, then are some of the advantages of Eau Claire as they appear to a stranger. It is situated at the head of steamboat navigation on the Chippewa River and at the mouth of the Eau Claire; is in the midst of one of the loveliest valleys of all the West, abounding in wild, picturesque and beautiful scenery -- valley productive and remarkably healthy, offering rare inducements to the hardy sons of toil in our eastern states, who wish to make their future homes in the West, where they may enjoy the twin luxuries of an abundant return for their toil and good health, which the eastern emigrant rarely finds in a more southern latitude. Added to this is the fact that these two important rivers are the natural outlet for a vast lumbering region above, abounding in the choicest pine to be found in the West; and Eau Claire, from its position at the confluence of these two streams and its central position in the valley, seems to me to be the natural point of supply for this vast pine region above, as well as for the farming country around. In addition to these advantages, a good water power upon the Eau Claire and excellent facilities for booming logs, must I think, make this an important point for the manufacture of lumber. Your great want seems to be a lack of timber in your immediate vicinity. This is a serious want, but is more than atoned for by other advantages. If your business men do not run into the too common error of too many news towns in the West, and overdo in its business departments, and thereby produce a revulsion, a bright future, full of promise is before you. A. B. M. +++++++++++++ The next time, we'll be reading about the first church building in Eau Claire. -- Nance mailto:nsampson@spacestar.net

Posted on: EauClaire Co. Wi Query Forum Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/gc/USA/Wi/EauClaire/580 Surname: Utter, otter, udder, other ------------------------- Anyone know who Stella Utter married. Or any info on The Utter family?

Here is one person's view of Eau Claire in 1857. It comes from the book "Sawdust City" by Lois Barland and is used here by permission: An interesting article descriptive of West Eau Claire as it as in May 1857. Eau Claire City Our city is situated on the west side of the Chippewa River, and lies in Latitude 45 20 North, Longiture 90 30 West -- being 2 North and 2 West of Milwaukee. It is properly the head of navigation on the Chippewa, although we understand that steam-boats, in time of high water, sometimes ascend the river twelve miles above this place. The climate, like most of our northern latitudes, is very healthy. In consequence of there being no swamps or marsh lands along the Chippewa River we are wholly exempt from fevers and other diseases incident to the districts where such lands exist. North and South we are blessed with the very finest agricultural districts in the state. The lands are mostly prairie, slightly rolling, and interspaced with an abundance of fine timber. As an evidence of the purity of the water, we have only to say that an abundance of brook trout are to be found in all the tributaries emptying into the Chippewa, and this fish is only to be found in the purest water. The farming lands are being fast bought up and settled by industrious and persevering men, many of them bringing wealth and commencing operations on an extensive scale. The season for getting in crops commences in the early part of May, and they are ready for harvest in the latter part of August. Every variety of fruits, excepting peach, can be grown here in abundance. As an indication of this strength of soil, we have only to allude to the facts that as high as forty bushels of wheat have been raised to the acre on land which in point of quality, was considered quite indifferent. We are located within fifteen miles of two inexhaustible pineries -- one lying on the Chippewa River, the other on the Eau Claire River although an immense quantity of lumber is yearly manufactured at the mills located on these rivers, yet this must ultimately be the point where the principle manufacture of lumber will be carried on. The owners of those mills are subjected to great damage and loss in times of heavy freshets, which usually occur semi-annually. At these times immense quantities of drift wood and other refuse matter, is carried down by the current, and its weight is such as to carry away their strongest built booms -- thus leaving their logs at the mercy of the rapid current, which carried them beyond the hope of ever being recovered by their owners -- and so the wealth and toil of whole seasons are swept away in a few hours. Here the above difficulty is wholly obviated -- Half Moon Lake, about two miles in length, lies directly between the river and main land west of the city. Messrs. A. Randall, Shaw and Company, the proprietors, have excavated a canal 1200 feet long, connecting the lake and the river; a sheer boom is thrown out some distance above the mouth of the canal, in the river, securely attached to a strong pier, and logs coming down from above the pier, are thrown directly into a current which carries them to the canal, and from thence they go into the lake, whence, if they were not used, they might remain for all time as no rise in the river can ever disturb them. The lake is quite broad and capable of holding a sufficient number of logs to supply half the United States with lumber. Adin Randall, Esquire, our enterprising fellow citizen, has about completed an extensive planing mill near the mouth of the canal, and by the first of June will have it in active operation. The following gentlemen have completed their arrangements for the erection of mills in the vicinity of Half Moon Lake this summer; Messrs. Mead, Kelly and Co., Messrs. Dole, Kennedy and Co., Messrs. Ball & Co. and Messrs. Shaw and Co. All the mills will be of the largest class, and will afford numbers of mechanics, artisans and laboring men employment. Here they can command the highest wages, and live as cheaply as in other places where they fail to procure an adequate compensation for their labors. Unlike most of our neighbors, we have not attempted to embellish this article, but have confined ourselves to strict and undeniable truths. Ours is a plain, unvarnished statement, and can be relied upon as being correct to the letter. In concluding, we would say by way of notice to our City Site, that it is decidedly the fairest in the State. The bank of the Chippewa fronting our city, rises gradually until it attains a height of about twenty feet when it runs off in a beautiful table land, embracing in area of territory about two miles in width by five miles in length. Our accomplished citizens, Messrs. French and Moore have shown their superior judgment and taste in laying out the city plat. it is laid out in perfect squares, the main streets running parallel with the river. All the streets are eighty feet wide, and it is being covered with dwellings, stores. etc. ++++++++++++++++++ Next time, A Visitor's View. -- Nance mailto:nsampson@spacestar.net