Chase: To The People! For The People! By The People!

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*TO THE PEOPLE? *FOB THE PEOPLE?

*BY THE PEOPLE?

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INTRODUCTION

We, the people of Chase, will try to take you back on a trip through the looking glass of history. Bits and pieces of the growth of the town will come from history books, town board minutes, and recollections of the people whose families have been here since before and after the township was created. Wisconsin, a part of the Louisiana Purchase, was set off as a state in 1848. the state government created the county of Oconto in 1851 which consisted of the present Oconto and Shawano County wth a county seat located on Jones Sawmill which was located within the present limits of the City of Oconto. In 1854 Oconto County was made up of two towns, Oconto and Howard. In · 1855 the

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state road from Fort Howard to Menomonie was laid out.

December 13, 1857, Little Suamico township set off. It was what is now Chase, Morgan , Little Suamico, and a large tract of Lakewood-Mountain area unconnected from the first part. The Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Company was built around 1871 which paved the way for further growth in the area. On the 8th of October 1871 was the infamous Peshtigo Fire which destroyed too many acres of fine timber but made it much easier to start farming . Spot fires about the same time burned the slahings in the river basins on the Pensaukee and Little Suamico. A map from 1878 shows the State Highway with Petersville P.O. at what is Sobieski Corners. West Pensaukee P.O. on the river at Abrams w ith a crQssing road to Brookside and to Pensaukee and Oconto. Little Suamico has a s pur road and the railroad to Brookside Station and Pensaukee and up. In 1878 map area which becomes Chase shows a road which no longer goes through except for Beaumier Lane. South Chase Road starts this road and runs east to Pine Lane and then north east to Sobieski Corners or Petersville. At Beaumier and South Chase Roads the main road continues north to the corner of Hilbert then northeast past Kroll Road to come to the river. It then heads north past Sand C and follows the ridge past the cemetaries to just east of what is now Sampson, which at this time 1878 does not exist. At the Little Suamico River crossing , "St. Nathans" has a post office and school. St. Nathans was probably named for Nathan Chase, the owner of the sawmill which was built in 1864.

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No other roads show on the map except one which run parallel to the Pensaukee River from Sampson north to Gohr Road and crosses the river where it now meets Safian Road. It then goes north into Morgan. The main means of transportation was on foot or horseback. Wagon trails probably were built by owners of property off the main trail.

CHASE

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PATHMASTERS

The old town records show where the most importance lay. Most pages are petitions for new road and ditches. A labor tax of seven mills be raised and passed. The poor acclaimation at the annual meeting was $50.00 per yea r. Felix Belonga Road District 7, John Birr 12, William Tolman 4, August Boetcher 5. At the second meeting of the town board , they declared the office vacant on account of non-qualification of Pathmaster #4 appointed A. H. Thomas. The first annual report shows $300.00 raised and $85.07 delinquent tax. Poor Fund was only $34.50. The report shows total expenditures of $3308.83 with an income of $3750.08 leaving a balance of $442.05. Some facts and figures from the records show how constru ction and prices have changed. To: Henry Alves, dig a ditch 2 feet deep and 3 feet wide, 65 rods ( 1050 feet) long for $24.69. To : Charles Trewilliger to cut hill 4 feet deep and 30 feet wide on to 10 feet in tracks, also cut all logs and brush , 4 rods wide, on said hill for the sum of $29.68 being amount of delinquent tax. To cut brush 3 rods wide 80 rods along road. To grade wagon track 8 feet wide, level knolls, and fill holes. Tax to Louis Heinemann for $35.00. On Demcember 29, 1898, Edward Koldrowiz received permission of the town board to erect telephone post along County Sand Highway 32 without any town liability. Minutes and annual reports show such items as: Mr. Brserinski $9.00 breaking wagon. 1903 the Town of Chase buys Morgans share of safe for $2 1.50. Morgan buys Chase's share of grader (horse pulled) for $54.00. Concrete culverts were built by Gust Fischer in 1910 for $210.00 and $ 150.00. A man and team w as paid $5.00 a day and $2.50 for man and shovel alone. In 1923, the Town Board set gravel specs of two yards gravel to cover one yard of road. All gravel over 3" diameter to be taken out, price of $1 .05 per yard. Ditch digging was let to Ed T ravenski at $1 .00 per rod. All teams were to .haul 1 1/2 yards of gravel per load (about 4 000 lbs. ). In 1928 the portion of Schwartz between Coun ty Sand County C was improved.

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In 1930 the snow budget was $300.00. In 1936, a caterpillar plow was purchased and the snow budget was $1000.00. The tractor and grader were sold in 1950 and Oconto County plowed and graded roads from then on. In 1947, the township voted to pave County C and County S. In 1952, the first time grass and brush was cut along road s with a mower. In 1958, Safian Road was finished by bridging the Pensau kee River bringing togethe r the northwest section of the township with the rest. Pathmasters, ditch commissions, and gravel roads are now all a things from the past. 1905-Motion made and seconded to have the clerk's report read in the Polish language. Motion carried . Motion made and seconded to have the clerk's report read in German lang uage. Motion carried . Motion made and seconded to call upon the District Attorney's advice if constitutional whether or not the clerk's report should be read in several languages. 1913-Motion to eliminate caucus and use the nomination paper to run fo r town office. Th is was a backlash to D.C. Krause refusi ng to serve in 1907. Anton Rudnick refused to serve and John Dolata was appointed . 1915-Motion made and second compelling all freeholders that have rail or stamp fences must move same or will be moved by authorities and the same will be charged to such parties in tax for such damages. Motion carried . 1913-Motion made and seconded whether town board should grant any license to sell liquor or any kind of intoxicating drink. Motion lost.

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AROUND THE TOWN

Sampson was quite a place at the turn of the century. It had a church, a hotel, lively barn with a dance hall. Frank Gilcrece had purchased the original town hall. Rymer started a store on the southeast corner of Cty C and Cty D. He also started the blacksmith shop and had a feed grinder too. Ed Travinski became the smitty after World War I. Lloyd Stepien was the last to run it in about 1960 (8369 Cty D). The Harteau family lived on the north side of the street. Mrs. Harteau had a small ice cream shop right were the community christmas tree is today. There was a little restaurant on the east side of County C ran by Sam Major and a lime kiln south of it. D. Wendt had a fa rm on the west side of County C. H. Kerker family resided there when Kerke r's retired to a little green house right south of the farm house. The Ke rker's also retired to that house later. The house was moved to just past the Harteau farm and Violet Radtke resides there today. Tony Rovinski purchased the Kerker farm. He drove the "cat" for the Town of Chase until they sold it. He then drove the county grader working for the county. F Pankratz had the hotel and the cheese factory was started there. The post office doesn't seem to have a separate building, but moved with the postmaster. The store burned and was rebuilt. Several taverns were also the re. Owners answered to the names of Rymer, Roulier, Racine, Bieda, Kollath , Skinkus, Murphy, Drews, Machurick, Gasell, Wawiorka , and a Stepien, and Kunzer. Ray Lhotte purchased the store in the early 1930's and moved it to where it is today, in the old M.E. Church building. The first farm east of Sampson (8289 Cty D) had a Borden fami ly, then Frank's, Jack Bieda, and now Perry Pautz. The next place was owned by R. Major. Lester Mc Dermid was the last as building burnt. It now is a park-like setting belonging to John Robaidek. A.S. Talman lived on the north side of D. The Pecha family is there now. On the corner of Holowinski Road , JW Waldron had his farm. Holowinski lived there until Bierhals now farms it (2492 Holowinski) . John Major, the justice of the peace, had a farm just west of Sampson (85 19 Major). Every spring he would cook maple syrup. In the 1930's, E. Meyer bought it, then Ed Dombrowski. His son. Freddy, now resides there. G. Cota owned the forty acres west of the Major place. The house and barn where there until the 1920's. Kerker fami ly also lived there. A road was put across the end of Leeman, Goodwin, and Jahnke places from County C.

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When A. Gohr bought these 40's, the road was sold back to original owners. Going south of C , east side of the road, G . Cota followed by CP Larson . The town bought gravel for him. He was also a town supervisor later. John Robaidek now lives there (2315 Cty

CO. C. Leeman lived on the west side going south in 1912. After that, J. Deusing and Vernon Pierret, a town supervisor, in the 60's. On the northeast corner of C and Gohr (8394 Cty C) an Aidt family, then the Clevelands. August Pautz passed it on to his son , Perry, and down to Roger. Cleveland grew ginsing north of the buildings. Going east on Gohr (8264 Gohr) A. Baeten family, followed by T. Duffey then H. Blaser. Ed Wesolowski had large farming operation there. JJ Welhouse now has gravel pit and homes are on small parcels. Going back acress County C to the west we come to 8455 Gohr. B. Waldron , very active town official, farmed until Art Gohr purchased it. Gohr brothers own the land. Sister Sherry and John Stender, own the home. Next west, north side w as Tom Goodwin . They moved and land was rented out. The old building disappeared. The name Sharpe was connected to the place in the 1930's. Lester Blaser bought it and erected new buildings. Robert Blaser farms there (8550 Gohr) . Both father and son were town officials. At 8672 Gohr, A. Jahnke bought the farm in 1900 from Fred Bierhals. Maple syrup was cooked here for many years. His son, Marshall, farmed here and built his retirement home there. Daughter, Carol and husband , Mark Van Donsel, took over farm. Backing up; we've gone past the Lincoln School, where Lester Blaser Jr. resides (8608 Gohr) . Across the road, 8579 Gohr, C. Raduge early 1900-20. then came Kusky , Eggert, Colander. J. Kaufman , Gottwald , George Bohl , Pierret, and now bu ilding are on a small parcel belonging to Rathburn . Now westward south side 8715. Simpson , then A. Margis , Gleason , Jerome Blaser, Joe Pryes, Ed Wesolowski , and after buildings are gone a new house for LaBrosse. Cross the road where Schillings lived , nearly a century farm. Albert Gohr came about 1900 and generation to generation its still Gohr. Calvin by name with sons to follow. Back across the road, 8811 Boxhorn , Wolf family , Schaden. Kreischer, and William Wilinski all lived here. Around the corner to the west side (2 185), was owned by A. Meline , then A. Maternoski . Mrs.

A. Maternoski taught at Lincoln School in the 1920's. It was farmed by John Maternoski and his son, Norbert Maternoski. Joe Terry and Dale Beaumier bring us up to date.

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To the corner we go turning east. The old head sawer from the sawfill A. Bauer lived. He sold out to G . Preveee, who then sold to G . Bierhals to Maternoski, Lasee and Diedrick before it was parted out (8869). Heading west again , south side 8945. Otis family was here. Then J. Brokiewicz and now second generation of the Stanley Sendra Family. Next farm , same side, L. Zezuis, then a Kubiak, next Ray Orella and now De Young on a small parcel. The buildings are newer because first farm yard was on north side of road . Where Louie Sikorski lives, 9273 Gohr, A Gutowski family had three child ren at Lincoln School. Then J. Grych lived there til Sikorski. The 80 acres across the road belonged to Ramonowski family with buildings across the river, gone now. Crossing Safian Road , first place, stone silo was J. Stein then J. Pienta until David Watermolen family today . The next place, south side was early Brzezenski farm. Other families to follow Palkowski, Brunicki, and Stanley Sprewak; 9457 Gohr now is part of John Rybicki's farm. Last farm on Gohr road belongs to Dolata family . John was treasures for Chase around

1920-30. Back to Safian Road we go and north to cross the river. The Rice family owned th e 80 on the west side. Frank Sikorski farms this as did his father

(2205 Safian). At the corner, east, 9254 Karcz the Brokiewicz farm later to be AR Krause. Second generation of Karcz's now farm these acres. Anna Staszak owned 160 acres next which passed thru the family names of Lipinski, Charles, and Nowak . Bob Nowak, still farms part of the land (2216 Safian). Leonard Mroczkowski and now his sons have farmed this also. Otis Birr on Dudzik Road farms land of M. Hujara in 1912. Then J . Maleski later, then H. Dryja. The end of Dudzik Lane is Jake and Peter Mihalski land and is close to a century farm. To the west near 32 lies the farm of Ray Mroczkowski which is 1912 belonged to Charles Blaser. The Blasers had a saw mill which was probably located here on th e river. Now we go back to where we left off on County C. Head yourself south to the corner. Here we find a farm CB Rose and J. Schliep owned . Otto Gohr, Chase Chairman for over twenty years, bought and enlarged it. His son, Rueben, sons, Leon, Dennis, and Steve now control over 300 acreas from 2225 County C . At 2200 County C, the Horsch Burkel and Clarence Gohr made a farmers life. It now belongs to Gohr Bros.

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A near century farm is next at 2170 County C. Louis Blaser homesteaded it and son , Harold , farmed until his son, Allen, took it over and still runs it. The Krieser family homesteaded this farm at 2150 County C and sold it to Bernard Blaser. It was parted out and Allen has the land adjoining his farm. New home is Bernard's daughter. Up the long driveway to the south we find a Rymer farm. The Carstens and Gust Hein also farmed it. John Blaser bought this and ran a veal farm. To the next corner and north we find 2118 Holewinski. A list of owners would include Andersons and the Czech family. Sigmund Christianson raised his family here and son , Walter, lives and cooks syrup here today . Around the corner and south to 1948 we find the Schadens until 1912. Pete Arnovitz bought and rented it out for years. Rehns were followed with Stanley Wojcik purchasing it in 1948 and residing there yet. At 1915 County C, C B Rose was the owner followed by A Huck and Rymer. Adolph Sievert bought it and passed on to Myron (Sonny) . Sonny and his sons, Mike and Rodney , have enlarged both buildings and acreage. At 1834 all that remains of the farm is the house. George Sancey, Jarstad , and Wroblewski famil ies have called this place home. Larry Jaworski does today . All that remains of the Otto Krause farm is a pile of rubble and a well house. This farm was a rental to Burmeister, Zellners, Vincents , and others . Giles Blaser owns the land . Around another corner we find the big grey barn of LeRoy Jeske. He bought it from the Riley's , who had purchased it from Francis Blaser. Francis had one of the best herds and largest in the town about World War II. Th is farm was the Herman Blaser homestead. Around the next corner we find the Hilbert homestead. Lawrence to William to Lawrence it went. Larry and Margaret have a century farm at 1651 County C. Up the hill to the brick home, 1507, of Frank VanDreel. John Lannen , Bieda, Peterson , Krieser, Kircher, and Hummel came before. The homestead of Johann Plautz is next, 1408 County C. As I write the old buildings are being remodeled or removed. Art and his son , Dean, both farmed here until 1990. August owned both 1408 and 1405 County C. Ed Plautz was at 1405 until he sold to Irving Surprise, who remains there today. We arrive in Chase and see the homes. The first one, 1326 belonged to Dethardt Brothers. They were masons whol built many bridges, basements, and barns. Next was the church , horse barn and all. On the left a tavern-hall , which belonged to Kuskey, Noster, Manske, Saindon, and Lacount. Across the road is a house of the town clerk, Jeannie and A. John Wroblewski , which was FE Schwartz store and cheeese factory. On the south west corner was the farm of the

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Regals. They sold to Kusky when they retired from the tavern. All that remains is the house of Charles Hansen. Gone is the farm buildings of Regals to the east of the cheese factory . Swinging to the west on County S we head up hill to 7906 County S. HA Holman sold to Mike Matuszak. Vilas Beaumier started farming here before moving to Oconto Falls. It is now the residence of the Schnell family. Across the road, we find 7911 County S the homestead of the Schwartz family. August was last to live here.

Ronald Jaworski made his home here since.

At 8034 we find one of the many Schwartz farms . Julius passed it on to his son , Elmer. Elmer, a bachelor, passed it on to a nephew, Luther, and it was sold off in parts. On the south side the working farm of Roy and Joann Wilcox, 8077 County S. Leo Maternoski farmed here until retirement. Knutson and Drews owned it before. Jennie Drews owned nearly 300 acres in 1915. The Frysch farm was among her hold ings. She sold to DE Krause and onto the Frysch fam ily. Sam and Casey still reside there . The stone barn is next and is covered in a different story . Up the road a piece is 8423 County S. Owners names were Sieling, Paluck, Hein , and Sutrick. Toefil's wife sold to Robert Elwell, today's owner. Behind the town hall one forty deep, we find the remains of the Rosenberg homestead. Now the land becomes wetter and farms fewer. At 8877, we find the farm of Agnes Pytak. Her homestead was on Jaworski but nothings remain s there. The Krause family owned the land for many years. Across the road is a farm which passed through owners of Blazie, Kreuger, Brokiewicz, and is now Christopherson. Next farm is only marked by "new home" owned by Eugene Mikulsky , 9215 County S. This was the Blondheim residence. Red Zeilinski farmed here until in the 60's . Adam Gwidt now raises crops here . Adam Gwidt's farm is on Highway 32 just south of Sand is nearly a century farm. Father to son is how it went since 1913. Steve and Lynn farm today . We will proceed south on 32 and see the pond next to the highway . This property belonged to a Gorecki until recently when Ron Novitski made it his home. The christmas tree farms of Leon Czech are on land owned by his father and a Krzysiak. Leon will be remembered for his love of tress as he helped many farmers get them from the government. Down the road a piece toward Pulaski we see a shrine on the corner of South Chase Road . This shrine is one the farm of Julius Ryczkowski, 932 Highway 32. Note the log barn built by Walter, his father in good shape. See story on Shrine.

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Turning on South Chase Road, we head back east. The first farm on the north side, 9542. Belonged to the Kamesarek family for the early part of the century. Stanley was an electrican who wired many homes and barns where power became available in 1930's and 1940's. Stanley was also on the town board and was the assessor. Ed Charniak was the last farmer to make his living here. All that remains of the next farm is the newer house of Stanley Brzeczkowski. On the south side of the road just ahead is the Emil Szczepanski farm. Frank and Mike were the owners of this property from 1910. The next big farm was owned by A. J. Dominiczak, 8842 . Rick Counrtney owns the land , less then ten years. The buildings were sold several times since 1985. Nearly to Schwartz Road we come on the south side to 8441 . This house still belongs to Earl Wach , but the rest has been sold off. Herman Wach was here in 1910. Same side next east was John Jagelski. Han k Ladowski made many improvements and his sons, Randy . now owns most of it. Across the road a Jagodzin owned eighty acres. Reinke owned it from the 40's to the ?O's. Monfils still farm the land. On the far side of Schwartz Road south side, a Matuzak owned this farm from 1910 to 1960's. Ed Bieda owned it and sold to Roger Redlin, who remains there today at 8367 South Chase Road. On the top of the hill north side, a nice brick home is all that is left of the Sojka farm. At least two barns burned down in the last forty years. Bob Lacount lost the last one and he sold the land off and kept the house, 8348. It has changed hands several times since. The big farm of Ed Seilitz, 7824 , on the next hill wa s the Brudnicki farm in 1910. A Nowicki farmed and was on the school board . The site of the farm is actually the Pietrzyk farm and original Brudnicki's building site is in a field to the west. Two places left on South Chase Road . At 559 Szczpanski is the home Edmund Szczpanski. He was a 4-H leader and raised jersey cattle for many years. The 1910 map shows Isaac McClure. Across the road there was Nick Kaminski farm. Steve Cizman has made his home there for fifty years since. Down on Kroll Road south we come to the farm of Victor and Walter Nowinski. Today they are owned by Pete and now Dennis Kroll. The second one, was the Valentine Groaczyk farm. They had five sons serving in World War II at the same time. Florian Wesolowski farms here today. Heading home, we go back to County C and head north. The farm on the east side, 324, belonged to Antone Teschrer then the Schumals and Tom Orella, a town officer.

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At the corner of South Chase and C was a tavern and store. Atheys, Brudnicki, and Manske owners. A blacksmith shop under various smithes, a cheese factory, and school. Ahead at the curve, we have the Jerry Fischer farm which was the Clarence Blohowiak farm, John Ertmann before him. William VanDen Heuvel owned it after J. Chase when store and factory were there. Bill Ryan ownes 800 County C, which also was a large farm . John Vanlannen came before him . In 1900 George Scupin owned it and Reinke next. Over the river we go to Potts Lane. First place is William Pott home followed by Albert and now Kenny and Bobby Pott. Last farm in was Kuxman. Bob Jaworski farmed for nearly forty years and still resides there. Back on C. west side we find Julius Pott's farm. Donald , his son, town assessor when he ran the farm His son , Tom, now runs the land and Dorothy Petka, his mother, still resides there. Across the road the farm of Frank and Rose Chilla was. The Chilla family has now sold 1t. but for eighty years a Chilla lived there. Gotlieb Regal owned the farm on the west side at the crest of the hill. Ernest Regal then Dan Rosenberg ran this farm for many years. A large maple woods was home to his syrup shack where homes now stand. Tom Pienta , Dan's grandchild, owns th e buildings. We need to catch several short sections of roads we missed. Jaworski Road at 742 was Andrew Jaworski's farm. He ran the "cat" and worked for the town on the roads. His land now belongs to Chris Jaworski, but homes are sold separately. Original owner in 1910 was Mike Gill J Jaworski owned the land at 886 which was John Jaworski's. He dug gravel from the farm for many years. Later he was town chairman. Down north and west lives the homestead of the Jaworski clan. Read their story. August Oethardt was at 8782 Radtke . Frank Jaworski sold to Dan Przyblski residing there now with his son ru nning the farm. The road ends in the Fischer years. Lester Radke, a town clerk, lived there for many years. Tad and Patty Cook now farm it. Jumping from there we go to Schwartz Road at S. north on the west side was Emil Regal farm. Regal sold out to Doctor Minahan, who made this into a saw place. William VanDreel brought it. Frank, his brother, farmed here and Frank's wife still resided there. More north and east side was the brick home of W. Heinemann. Son, Ernest, was there many years with a fine herd and line of machinery . Robert Busch has made this his home for over thirty-seven years. John Handeyside owned the eigthy acrea north of this. Pete Schaden returned from Canada and purchased in 1916. The son and wife, Leonard and Lila, ran the farm from 1943-1990. It is now split and sells as small parcels.

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South on Schwartz Road from County S we find 1112 IRS Acres. Read Ralph Schwartz's history, becuae it is homestead land . Next is more Schwartz property on east with Schwartz Siding and Jack Schwartz. Last new home 1058 Schwartz Road. Across the road , 1061 Schwartz Road , is the homestead of August Fischer. Walter, his son, farmed this last old block building built in 1914 by August, the local mason in 1900. Ed Schwartz farm, 955, just had the barn tore down. It's another Fred Schwartz home for his son. Next south east side was a Matka with a Wisnewski. Behind him M. Wisnewski buildings all gone and he moved out front. Frrank sold to Lee Hermans who crops the land (862). Next south, 906, Borowski in 1912 with ards fo llowing . son Joe sold to J. Nooyen who farms today . The Miklewicz family family own across the road and nearly to corner. Neklewicz farmed many years and still resides there. Richard Nooyen owns the next place where Joe Neuman raised his family . We forgot east of Chase on County S, at 7315 County S, Antone Wroblewski, from 18901952 . Then Frank and next son, Ray , until Gazella purchased a small home site. On Hilbert, 1029, Joe Komzak homesteaded with Ed and Francis taking over and remains in the family. The big subdivision is on land of a Kuskey, then Felix Zawalock, followed by son, Leo, who sold to Rosenberg. Last place is a neat brick home of Piaskowski in 912 and Rudy Kusky next. An old town treasurer, Ed and Florence Hilbert, farmed many years and sold to Bob Peterson , who farms it today, 887 Hilbert. So end our trip arou nd

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town. I've missed farms for sure, but tried to cover most of the old

ones still recognizable.

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MAIL CALL!! Today, we have street names and house fire numbers. the town is now served by rural carriers with four different addresses; Abrams, Sobieski, Krakow, and Pulaski. Mail was first sorted and kept at postmasters until you picked it up. Rural delivery wasn't started until about 1904 anywhere. Some areas waited much longer for door to door. Mail boxes would be grouped at an intersection or road end and you still had to go get the mail. St. Nathan's was our first post office, established April 1873, with Daniel Ketchum as postmaster. The name was changed to Chase, March 1890, with Hens Knudsen as postmaster. The office was located in or near St. Nathan, Jerry Fischer or Billy Ryan's farm , 800 County C. It was discontinued April 1907 with delivery from Sobieski had a name change . With the bad roads, horse travel, large popu lation, and winter-weather the distance to a post office became reason enough to start another one. Louis Blaser, postmaster, established Clark, in April 1896. It was located around 1681 County C and it ran until April 1904 when the mail service used the Sobieski address and delivery started. Sampson was established November 1898 with George Wilson as the postmaster. His office was probably located right at Sampson as we know it. It remained an address longer then the rest as it first closed July 1909, when the service became a Sobieski address. Rural delivery took place with a buckboard or sleigh depending on the roads. Th anks to Bud Brzezenski , postmaster of Krakow, for his facts and assistance with this article .

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STONE BARN

The ONLY one in Wisconsin and only twenty in the nation, says how much of a work of art the stone barn is. In 1903 D. E. Krause designed and had this unique structure built by William Menenkamp, mason. The walls are over two foot thick motared stone with a limestone arch over the large door. The doorway is 14 x 14 to allow the team and wagon to drive in and unload. The windows and small doors have arches built with bricks set on edge. The walls are 16 feet tall and extend into the ground four to five feet. Th is makes the weight approximately two tons per linear foot. What a lot of rocks to pick and haul. The roof rafters are 35' 2" tamarack logs with a metal roofing no longer made. The beams are hand hewed and pinned . A working wells stands inside the barn to water the animals with a pump jack to replace the manual pumping. Casimir and Stanley Frysh are the proud owners of the barn and the surrounding lands. They were responsible for the restoration of it after the windstorm destroyed a large part of the roof. Orvil Krueger, "The Building Doctor" , from Marion, Wisconsin owned the company which realigned the wall and strengthened the structure so it would stand for many more years. There is a postcard designed with the barn called , "German Heritage Humbly Revisited", by Bridget McCabe Matzke from Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.

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CHURCH

In 1912, five German families decided the weekly ten mile horse and buggy trek to Flintville was "too far" and a new church was built. Bishop Joseph Fox , a friend of Lawrence Hilbert, established the parish. Father Szypa of Flintville was the founding pastor. An unique belfry makes a home for a 575 pound bell, dedicated in 1918. A metal plated dome covering the belfry adds to the character. The stained glass windows bear the names of loved ones to whom they were dedicated to. The original organ was a " pump organ" . A new and larger entrance including inside plumbing was added in 1978. This brings the church dimensions to 85 x 30. The Catholic Cemetary is located about one-half mile away around the corner. Both properties were donated by Lawrence Hilbert, as was much time to build the church. Lawrence Hilbert donated one acre of land for the church and one and one-half acres for the cemetary. The foundation under the church and labor to build it. Herman Blaser donated eighteen pews, $195 .00, furnace , $102 .29, and $19.00 labor to varnish and put up pews and furnace. Joseph Wolf donated plaster and chimney and put up both. Reverand Bishop Fox donated two vestments and a gold chalice . Total donated cash was $1461 .00 of which many belonged to the M & E Church in North Chase. Some even donated labor to help build the building.

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Title to 120 acres was delivered to the Franciscan Order with the condition they build a monastery and church on this site on April 12, 1887. If this was not done, the land would revert back to JJ Hoffmann. In 1888, the people asked "where is the church?" Only the chapel was built of boards, with no windows or doors cut it, was there. In 1892, the first church was completed. From pew rent of $100.00 a year, they paid all expenses with about 250 families. In 1907 , a new church was needed. A stone foundation was put in at a cost of $2295.00. The old church was dismanteled and used to put a roof over the foundation . The altar and other furnishings were moved from the old church to the basement. It measured 140 x 71 foot and seated 1200. The total cost was $12,500.00. Along with the church, a second shrine was built in the front yard. In June 1923, work started on removing the roof to build a larges church but the foundation wasn't sturdy enough to support the new structure. The roof was put on and the basement finished up, but the upper church would be completed sometime in the future. In January 1931, a decision was made to finish the upper church due to low wages and skilled workers looking for work; $100,000.00 was borrowed at 1/2%. The church measured 198 feet by 74 feet. The twin towers rise to the height of 135 feet crowned with gilt crosses. The church held two picnics on the 4th of July and Labor Day to pay the bills as the depression cut into parishioners pew rent paid . With the picnic bringing in $5 ,000.00 , it became necessary to make improvements at the Picnic Grove. A new dance hall was built in 1933 with an attached kitchen, which was used for most weddings in the area . The vending stands were rebuilt and new ones built with a road to serve them . Picnics were discontinued in 1984 after 62 years . In 1946, a motion to conduct the parish meetings in English was made . After many objections, the motion was approved . Older parishioners felt it meant the Polish language would disappear in Pulaski. In 1934, Joh n Peplinski proposed to collect monies to install clocks in the church towers. His son , Norbert, brought the project to completion in 1958.

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POLISH NATIONAL CEMETARY

In 1913, Brzyckowski family sold four acres of land for a cemetary on the corner of Highway 32 and South Chase Road. It was connected to the church, but was incorporated under a charter. The original signers were Frank Kurowski, Mike Palburski, and Frank Kalaczek. The first burial took place in 1914, when the lot price was $10.00. Today, a 16 x 16 lot sells for $750.00. There are about 248 lots in the grave yard . Elmer Safian is the clerk of the corporation , which has control.

SHRINE

A "New Century Holy Year" was the reason the Shrine at the intersection of Highway 32 and South Chase Road was built in 1900. Th ree such shrines were built that year by Michael Borowski, John Czarnik, william Ryczkowski , and Borhter Uhanowski, OFM. One was dismantled when the new church was built on that site . The second one, is located on the Borowski farm, one mile south of Pu laski. The one in chase is the most visible and written about. The Valentine Ryczkowski family donated a 50 x 50 acrea of land for the shrine. In 1937, Highway 32 was widened , and another thirty foot was donated so the shrine could be moved back. Last year it was destroyed in an automobile wreck, but was rebuilt with new materials better than ever. In 1987, the shrine was repaired by Julius Ryczkowski, the grandson or the original builder. he was assisted by Edward Ladowski and Albert Delebreau. The statues were scraped and cleaned by Julius and Betty Ryczkowski, Bernice and Arthur Smurawa, and repainted by Elaine Niec. Julius maintain s the grass and keeps the site neat. The common thinking is that this shrine belongs to the Ryczkowski' s, when in fact it is owned by the Diocese of Green Bay and Assumption Parish of Pulaski. The shrine is a mute memorial to the relig ious nature of the Polish settlers of Chase . The 12 x 6 marlble marker has the Polish words engraved "PAMIATKA JUBILEUSZU 1901" A Rememberance o the Jubilee ear 1901 .

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STONYBROOK FARM

This large fa rming operation located on Schwartz Road no longer runs as an operating farm. In 1870, Bryon Holes bought from the state of Wisconsin 1602 acres in Oconto and Shawano County for $10,120.000. Freeland Gardner of Chicago gained ownership and mortgaged said property for $400,000.00 and lost same for tax deed. Gotfried Regal purchased for back taxes and started to farm some in 1878. Gotfried's children sold to Emil Regal in 1902 for $4,600.00. John Minahan purchased the land and hired workers to improve the house and built many fancy buildings on his show place. The hog barn and chicken coop were both hip roofed buildings with many sky-lights for natural lighting . The barn was the largest one around and could hold fifty cattle in stanchion. The grainery was built with steel siding to mouse proof it. A large hammer mill was installed with oats on second floor to easy grinding operations. A larger steel machine shed, steel framed, was one of the first in the area. All the buildings were fitted with lightning rods and glass balls. Large steel cupalas were on the roof for ventilation . Each had a weather vane with the respective animal for the bu ilding . The creek running through the farm was rerouted to be on his side of the fence. In another place. he purchased ten acres off a forty to keep the creek on his property. Stanley Cichanek along with sons, Walter, Bob, and Roman ran the farm and eventually purchased it from Doc Minihan in 1939. At the time it contained 330 acres. William VanDreel bought the property later and farmed it along with his brothers . Frank VanDreel purchased it in 1947 and made it his home, where his wife, Edna, still resides in 1997. Frank sold his cows off about 1965 and did factory work using the fa rm for cash crops. Three of Frank's children

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reside in Chase.

Frank Jr.-County C Donna Woosencraft-Pulaski Dale-Pittsfield Dean-South Chase Road Diane Prakash-Schwartz Road

23

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1 co 1 t; 2? sets harne:.3 ses; 2J cows; J two year old heifers; 7 one year old heifers; d · calves; 1 bull; 6 mil~ cans; 1 feed cooker; 1 wootl ~aw; 1 fannin_~ mill; 1 drag scraper; 1 lanJ roller; 1 feed mill; 1 tract o r belt; 1 corn planter; 2 ridinc cul tivators; 1 tract or disc; 1 rhan11')ion 'T'ille r; 1 c o rn binder; 1 grain binder; 1 three sec t i on harro w; 1 ha :,: loader; 1 side delivery rak e ; 1 dump rake; 1 ~·fal lac e ~ractor; 2 wa ....~ons; 1 wa~on box; 2 hay rac ,cs ; 1 \X tens i on ladder; 1 gas en:u.: ine; 1 cream separator; 1 si lo filler; 1 potato digger; 1 potato·~lanter; 1 set sleighs; 1 whcelbar~ow; 1 tractor p l ow; 1 gang plo~; 1 walking plow; lsceder; 2 manure spreaders; 1 hand hamner; l hand saw; 1 cro ss C!lt saw; .3 shovels; 2 gr ass sc.1·t i1es; 1 g rind stone; all forks; 1 set dump boards; an rt al i o.ther small f ar:ning to o ls, such as wire stretcher, etc.

All of the above propert~- is locateJ on the ·naser farm in the -..own o: filase , Ocon to Co unty, ·.!is consin.

THIS COMES FROM SOME OF THE MANY TOWN RECORDS IT IS ·THE COMPL~E CONTENTS OF ONE OF THE BETTER FARMSIN 1928 IN CHASE, LEROY JESKE NOW .OWNS-THESE 200 ACRES. 1693 Cty C

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CHASE CENTRAL

At the corner of County C and County S, is the seat of learning called Chase Central School. Before this school was built, a log cabin owned by Erma Matusek near South Chase was used. Planks laid on blocks made the seats and benches. School was in session for eight months. A pump in the front yard was the "running water" and a large box stove heated the single room. Wood was stored in the shed next to the school. In 1934-35, the building was raised and a basement of poured concrete was put under it. A new floor along with extending the building for staircases and cloak homes for the both boys and girls were added . In 1946, the school bought an oil burner for better and evener heat. In 1955, a new well was dug and indoor plumbing was installed. A talent show revue was put on at North Chase Hall and also Morgan Town Hall to raise the monies necessary for these improvements. Other money maki ngs events were called box lunches and cake sales. A family would make a cake or box lunch , donate it to the school and it would be sold to the highest bidder. This was done o n the night of the PTA meetings so all famil ies with children were their. Other older family memember or single people would come last to buy a cake or lunch and meet with the neighbors. From personal knowledge, I remember one bad cooks cake. The auctioneer would say "Here is a good one. It's real heavy." My uncle, a bachelor, would usually buy it so it ended up on my families table, On graduation day. a picnic would be held with each family bringing something to share . Father-Son softball games would be part of the activities of the day . Them old men could really smack the ball around . Old meant 40 or so!!

27

28

1925 Chase Central District 6 Budget Salaries of School Board

$ 25.35

Salaries Teacher (Lady)

760.00

Textbooks

12.76

Library Books

18.49

Supplies

10.00

Janitor Service and Supplies

34.77

Fuel and Lights

58.50

Teacher's Pension

40.00

Equipment

53.00

TOTAL

$1002.96 INCOME

$

Seller or rent Textbooks

Mildred Heidi, Teacher

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12.76

¥£

From front to back row 1952. Row 1- Darlene Regal, Dale VanDreel, Joyce Blaser (Henzel), Bob Schaden Row 2- Bob Pott, Jack Wojcik, Pat Bieda (Matzak). Lucille Regal (Socha), Bob Budz Row 3- Sandy Bieda, Art Regal, Norb Budz, Pat Wojcik, Larry Wojcik Along wall Norma Schaden (Peters), Claire Huempfner (Micolichek), Mary Wojcik (Babiarz), Howard Schaden, Kathy Bieda, Mary Bieda, Teacher Mary Wielgus

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SCHOOL DAYS

School day started with pledge to the flag. In nice weather, we would go outside, say the pledge, and watch the flag raised on the flag pole. The day was divided in to four blocks: Reading, Arithmetic, Language and Social Studies , and Science. Read ing block would last from 9:00 to 10: 15. Grade One- 9:00-9:15 Grade Two- 9:15-9:30 Grade Three and Four- 9:30-9:45 Grade Five and Six- 9:45-10:00 Grade Seven and Eight- 10:00-1 0:15 Recess- 10:15-10:30 Arithmetic block was divided the same way from 10:30 until 12: 00 Lunch at 12:00. In nice weather, students were allowed to eat outside and noon hour was one hour long . In foul weather, students ate inside. When the weather turned cold, noon hour was one-half hour long. The students were dismissed one-half hour earlier. At one o'clock, the bell rang and the language block was started . First grade would have another read ing class and then the second half of the year they would begin phonics. The second grade had phonics the first half of the year and then start language the second half of the year. Again the other classes were combined. Recess- 2:15-2:30 The social studies and science block were divided into three days for social studies and two days for science. Eighth grade had six weeks of agriculture in the spring. A teacher also had to fit penmanship, art, and spelling into the schedule. A teacher had to get to school at least one hour before school bega n. In you were fortunate, the district had an oil burner and you just turned the dial up . Some were not so fortunate and you would have to start a fire from wood. The students usually carried in the wood , from a shed behind the school, the day before. The water was provided by a stone-creek bubbler in the back of the room. This bubbler needed to be cleaned and washed occiasionally, this was duty of the teacher. Students carried water in a pail, from a pump outside, and filled the bubbler. The janitorial duties was the responsibility of the teacher. Usually the floor was dust mopped once a week on Friday. The students moved the desk and someone would push the mop, up and down the aisles.

31

Most of the homework was written on the blackboard. There were some workbooks and the students copied work from textbooks into tablets. Sometimes work was done with hectograph (purple) pencil , which was placed on a hectograph . This hectograph was made of jelly-type substance. You would wet it, put your master copy on it, leave the paper so the purple writing would sink in and then you could run off many copies, maybe twenty-five. You would have to let it fade out or try to wash it off before you could use it again . The school would provide social activities for the community. A PTA organization was responsible for monthly gatherings. Some events were a Halloween party , box social, and endof-the-year picnic. A meeting consisted of needs for the school, some activity , if nothing was available, Pulaski High School would bring some educational movies. The evening ended with a delicious lunch. The Christmas program usually was a big highlight of the year. Parts were given the students and practice began after Thanksgiving. The evening provided entertainment for young and old and the schoolroom was filled with people . The highlight of the evening was Santa Claus with a bag of candy for all youngsters. The last day of school was the picnic day. Everyone in the community was invited. The day would beg in with a noon meal. Everyone bringing special dishes, desserts , sandwiches , and salad s Games were played, such as a ballgame between students and parents , maybe a singa-long . bag races, peanut races, etc. Before everyone left, a treat of ice cream was served. The year began the Tuesday after Labor Day and most likely ended by May 15, so farm ch ildren could help at home with harvesting and planting .

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FLOWING SPRING SCHOOL

Flowing Spring School was built in 1916 on land bought from JJ Hoff Land Company for $15.00. The first school board members were Walter Staczek, John Pljefsky, and Mr. Rowell. They hired Elsie Wery to teach a nine-month school year for $40.00 a month . There was more then teaching in a one roomer. She opened the school, built the fire, and swept the floor. Some tasks were handled by the students like bringing in the wood, pumping the water for the bubbler, cleaning the erasers, blackboards, and outdoor toilets . Teachers that followed Miss Wery were Mable Leeman Gohr, Rose Oetrovek, Helen Schroeder Marcheske, Miss Mayer, Dorothy Pagel Hellman , Mazy Stock Nekiewicz, Janet Blaser Brickner, Hean Smith Grandt, Irma Blaser, Berwyn Birr Walske, Elaine Schwartz Pautz, Joan Birr Rogers , and Margaret Volk. The school board members responsible for running the school included Ernest Dumke, Joe Mclaughlin, Leo Wesolowski, Charles Dumke, Emma Dumke, Stanley LaPata, Mrs. Lester McDermid, Lizzie Kowajcka, Anita Birr, and Ester Belong ia. In 1944, the school was annexed to South Morgan located on County C, just north of Sampson . Neal Rymer, Agnes Benning , and Esther Belongia were the last three school board members. In 1955 or so, the school closed. In 1958, Ed and Elaine Gerwont bought the building and land for $350.00. In 1959, it was sold to Michael and Anna Klafka fo r $500.00. They remodeled it into two apartments which they rented out. Art and Sylvia Wieber paid the estate of Michael $4500.00 for it in 1972. They remodeled more and sold to Jim Dorn. He sold to Josie VandenHeuvel in 1983. She sold to Walter Forgola in the 1990's. Baseball with a softball was the game of spring. Home base near Nowak's fence, first base the girl's toilet, second base between school and the boy's toilet, and third base the east corner of the school.

33

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