Here are some stories, not really biographies, of some of these early men that we've been reading about who owned the first newspapers in the Eau Claire area. This information comes from the book, "Sawdust City" by Lois Barland. John B. STOCKING John Stocking, together with John Owens, J. Culver and Dr. Skinner built a two story brick building at 310 South Barstow. He also built the house on the south east corner of Farwell and Jones. His health was poor and he spent some time in Europe hoping to improve it. In 1896 he lost $10,000 in a swindle and that fall was drowned in Willow River near Hudson. His wife was Mary Alice Wilkins, daughter of Edwin C. Wilkins, an early Eau Claire settler. Their daughter was the first Mrs. Adin J. Airis. Hobart Stocking was receiver at the Land Office in 1869 after having been a 2nd Lt. in the Civil War. He was assemblyman in 1889 and in 1896 married Blanche, daughter of Col. and Mrs. Albert Barnitz of the U. S. Army. They lived at 1247 River Street and two years later he tried to divorce his wife on grounds of dissertion. Mrs. Stocking filed counter suit making sensational charges against her husband. The case dragged on for a year and a half when the court ruled the dissertion not valid. Mr. Stocking had bought the home of Joseph Lockey on Summit Avenue in St. Paul for $30,000. A son of a former marriage, Joseph E., committed suicide by taking 125 grains of morphine. He was 23 years of age and had married, the previous fall, Bessie McDonald an inmate of Jennie King's house of ill repute where they spent their honeymoon. They were divorced and she resumed her former occupation. Esther McDonald was a sister of Bessie. Peter BELLINGER Besides being a Land Agent and banker, Mr. Bellinger had a drug and grocery store on Barstow street in 1859. Two years later he sold out to R. D. Allen. Mr. Bellinger was murdered in 1865 in New Richmond. Soldiers called him a "copperhead" and went after him. He was cornered and fired on the soldiers killing one and injuring three. The citizens tried to protect him, but the soldiers tore down the lamps and seized Bellinger. They took him outside and "beat his brains out." His wife was Angie Tewksbury and their daughter was Petronilla who married James T. Barber. Alexander MEGGETT Mr. Meggett was a prominent figure in early Eau Claire history. He built a home in 1857 on the corner of Graham and Jones. He was the second lawyer in Eau Claire county and the first Master Mason in the Chippewa Valley. He was half brother of Arthur McArthur of Washington and consequently uncle of General Arthur McArthur and a great uncle of the World War II hero, General Douglas McArthur. He built several houses for rental purposes which in those days were called "tenement" houses. He was for years Register of the Land Office and principle speaker at civic functions. A son, Alden, was accidentally shot in a hunting accident at Bridge Creek and bled to death. His oldest son, Arthur, edited and published the Sheboygan paper for many years, and was later in the office of Secretary of State in Madison. A daughter, Mary, married John S. Smith. After his house burned in 1880, Mr. Meggett lived at 624 Barstow. Mr. Meggett was for over sixteen years the President of the Old Settlers Society. He defended 12 murder cases during his legal career and helped prosecute two murder charges. He was forced to retire from court room practice due to loss of hearing. William P. BARTLETT Mr. Bartlett came to Eau Claire in 1857 on the steamer "Chippewa Falls." He was the first and only lawyer in the county from May until July when Alex Meggett arrived. Mr. Bartlett was admitted to practice at the Supreme Court in 1874. He was District Attorney from '57-'60, a member of the Assembly in '59, County Judge in '60 and District Attorney again from 1863-67 and again in the Assembly in '72. In '75 he was appointed Register of the Land Office for four years, and was alderman in 1881. In the 1870's his office was in t he Truax building. He was also a regent of the University and an officer of the first school district for twenty-nine years. He lived on the south west corner of Farwell and Marston. His son, Sumner, married Olga Arnold, daughter of Louis J. Arnold of 2nd Avenue and was killed in t he war in Puerto Rico. Another son, Edward W. attended law school in Iowa City. Other sons were Frank H. and Stanley. Lavina, a daughter married Mr. Winchell. A sister of Pitt Bartlett, Lavilla married J. Sidney Sherman in 1860. ++++++++++++++++ Next week we'll read a description of Chippewa and Eau Claire as seen by a traveler in 1857. Have a great weekend everyone! -- Nance mailto:nsampson@spacestar.net