EDWARD ABBS IS A PIONEER
WELL
KNOWN RESIDENT OF ELDORADO HAD LIVED THERE HALF CENTURY.
RETIRED FROM FARMING
Came
to Wisconsin from east when mere boy
While in Eldorado the reporter representative met Edward
Abbs, one of the oldest residents of the township, who has made the village his
home for the past two years. Mr. Abbs was born in New York state. When a mere
boy his parents came westward choosing Wisconsin as their destination. After
reaching the Badger state they decided to locate at Oshkosh.
His
father was a machinist and blacksmith by trade and decided to follow his
occupation in his new location. He remained in business at Oshkosh for some
time and as was the case with many others in the early days, he met with
business reverses and decided to retire.
He had
resided in the community long enough to see pioneers diligently at work
clearing away the great forests and converting them into fields of cultivation.
He realized that there was a great future in the agricultural work and decided
to adopt it and as a result settled in the town of Eldorado. Like those who
preceded him, he toiled with a determination to win. Although there were many
difficulties to overcome, his efforts and toiling brought the much sought for
results and his reward was the building up of a farm which today is one of the
best in the locality.
Brought
up on Farm
Edward
Abbs was brought up on the farm. As he grew to young manhood he proved of great
help to his parents. Farming was his delight. He also saw the future in real
agricultural work and upon the retirement of his father he continued the
labors. For fifty years he has been a resident of the township and practically
all of his time has been devoted to agricultural labors. Like his father he was
successful. As time advanced conditions in general improved. He kept abreast
with the improvements and when he retired from the farm he felt well
compensated for his years of labor. The farm is still owned by Mr. Abbs and is
but a short distance from the village. It has been leased by Joseph Kitchen.
HAVE OVERCOME ALL DIFFICULTY
IN SPITE OF
HARDSHIPS ELDORADO VILLAGE HAS MADE GOOD
OLD MILL WAS BURNED
Farmers Steadily
Devoting More attention to dairying.
Eldorado village is located about ten miles from Fond du lac
in Eldorado township. It is unincorporated and is therefore governed by the
officials of the township. Although merely a small village there is much
activity in evidence. The citizens, both old and young, take pride in their
town. Socially and in business enterprises its citizens aim to keep abreast
with the times. That they lack many conveniences to be found in cities, they
realize, but this only serves to put more vigor in to their efforts to meet the
difficulties that confront them. That they are successful to some extent in their
various undertakings is best realized after mingling with them.
Mill
Was Landmark
Some
years ago when the Eldorado flour mill was destroyed by fire the little village
lost what may properly be called its old landmark. It was around the mill that
a cluster of residences and business houses spring up and formed the village.
The mill was built in 1855 and at that time, owing to the scarcity of stores,
poor traveling facilities and other things, a mill of this kind was a necessity
and proved a great aid to those in the community. As time advanced and the
country developed, conditions changed materially and after the destruction of
the mill there was considerable speculation as to what would take the place of
it. Several business propositions were talking of but did not materialize.
Recently a feed mill was erected at the station locality, which is about
three-fourths of a mile from the village proper, and steps are now underway for
the constructions of a feed mill, upon the site of the old grist mill. Plans
for the new mill are given in another column.
That
both enterprises will flourish and grow is freely predicted. The country
surrounding the village is will settled with progressive and well to do
agriculturalists. Large acreages are under cultivation and the land is of the
best producing kind. Dairying is also done extensively. Some of the best herds
of cattle to be found in the county are owned in this vicinity and are steadily
being increased in numbers as the farmers here, as well as in other sections
realize that dairying site of the old grist mill. Plans for the new mill are
given in another column.
That
both enterprise will flourish and grow is freely predicted. The country
surrounding the village is well settled with progressive and well to do agriculturalists.
Large acreages are under cultivation and the land is of the best producing
kind. Dairying is also done extensively. Some of the best herds of cattle to be
found in the county are owned in this vicinity and are steadily being increased
in numbers as the farmers here, as well as in other sections realize that
dairying is an excellent and profitable industry.
That prosperity reigns are best
demonstrated by the many improvements that have been made during the past few
years. Substantial residences and other farm buildings have been erected and
other signs of advancement are also in evidence. The township officers are also
aiming to keep in touch with the spirit of progressiveness and road
improvements are now receiving their united attention. The officers of this
township are: chairmen, Louis Schwertfeger; Supervisors, James Dunn and Frank
Westphal; clerk, Louis Heilman; treasure, N. G. white; Assessor, L. Wagner.
HUELSMAN WILL BUILD NEW MILL
FOND DU LAC MAN TO CONDUCT GRINDING BUSINESS IN ELDORADO
LOCATED ON OLD SITE
Will replace structure which was razed by fire.
The citizens of Eldorado and community are filled with much
enthusiasm and joy just now and they have just reason to be in such spirit for
a matter that has been of deep concern and interest to them for years had
finally been solved and means mush for the future interests of the village. The
ruins of the old grist mill will no underway for the erection of a new mill
upon the site of the old one.
Oscar
Huelsman of Fond du Lac has become the owner of the land formerly known as the
Scribner property. At the time of making the purchase Mr. Huelsman planned to
reconstruct the dam which was washed way during the heavy rain last spring.
With the large pond restored ice harvesting was to be drained and devoted to
crops.
Learning of the change of the property and the rebuilding of
the dam, the Eldorado people used all possible efforts to induce Mr. Huelsman
to rebuild the mill. The matter was finally carefully considered by the new
owner and as the outlook is very promising it has been decided to build a new
mill upon the ruins of the old one. All kinds of grinding will be done in the
new mill is not underway and will be rushed to completion. New machinery and
other equipment will be installed as soon as the mill is completed.
The new
dam is of concrete and other material. The usual water power will be available
for the operation of the mill. The water wheels of the old mill will be used
for the new one. The combined power of the two which is 80 horsepower. Grinding
will be started immediately after the mill is completed. It will be under the
management of A. L. Bernier who was in charge of the old mill.
During
the winter months’ ice harvesting was the chief occupation in Eldorado. The
pond had an area of about 72 acres. People from the entire neighborhood got
their supply of ice from this region. Rosendale and Vicinity were also
supplied. When the dam went out last spring and there were no signs of
rebuilding, the ice question caused some alarm. Now that the dam has been
rebuild, the conditions have altered. Mr. Huelsman will engage in extensive
harvesting of ice. All ice orders will receive prompt attention during the
season. Mr. Bernier will also be in charge of this work for Mr. Huelsman.
Eldorado has Good Future
Prosperity
of all lines of Business is in Evidence
Factory and Feed Mill
Stores, Post Office, Blacksmith Shops, etc. Located There
In writing of the village of Eldorado two localities are
to be considered. The Chicago and North Western tracks of the Marshfield
division do not pass through the village proper. The station is, as stated,
elsewhere, three fourths of a mile from the village. W. E. Hill is the station
agent and has been here for the past three years. He also looks after the
interests of the American Express company in this vicinity. The village has no
Western Union telegraph connections
except those afforded by the conveniences of the telephone.
New Feed Mill
At present the largest institution here is the new feed
mill, which was started a year ago this fall by the Eldorado Grain and Fuel
company. Owing to general conveniences the mill was erected at the station. J.
A. D. Dyer is manager of the business. Grinding is made a specialty. The
company buys and ships grain and also deals in lumber, shingles, lath, cement,
plaster, brick and fuel. Considerable wool buying is also done. At present the
concern is making arrangements with the railroad company for the construction
of stock yards at the station and after these are completed buying and shipping
stock will be added to the present business activities of the concern.
Cheese Factory
About half way between the railroad quarters and the
village is the cheese factory, which is owned and operated by H. F. Isaac, who
has been in charge since last spring. He was formerly associated with the H. J.
Gruel Butter and Egg company of Johnson Creek. Mr. Isaac has been engaged in
his occupation for about fourteen years. The manufacture of cheese is now given
his whole attention. The factory is in operation the year around, the average
amount of milk received daily being 5,000 pounds. The product of the factory is
sold to the Sprague, Warner and Company, wholesale firm of Chicago. Mr. Isaac
has shipped to this concern almost continuously since being in the business and
their relations have been entirely satisfactory.
The General Store
Entering the village proper, the first business
establishment reached is the general store of W. R. Anderson. He has been in
the village nearly forty years. For thirty-eight years he has been engaged in
the store business. For about fifteen years he clerked in the store conducted
by E. Scribner. He then took charge of the business himself and has been the
sole proprietor ever since. He conducts a general merchandise business and
being in charge of the only store of its kind in the village enjoys a large and
flourishing trade. He is assisted in his duties by Edward Kemnitz.
The Postal
Department
The Eldorado postoffice is located in the Anderson store
and Mr. Anderson is the postmaster, a position he has held continuously for the
past twenty-two years with the exception of during the administrations of the
late ex-President Cleveland. Mr. Kemnitz is his assistant while J. G. Alt
carries the mail from the railroad station to the office. There is one rural
route leading out of the village, known as route number 10. The carrier is R.
W. Henning.
Hardware Store
Chas. Behrns conducts the hardware store and deals in
heavy and shelf hardware, carrying a good stock for a village of this size. He
also does an extensive business in farm machinery and other farm implements.
Tinsmithing is also given special attention. Mr. Behrns has been in business in
the village for the past ten years.
The Blacksmiths
The village has two blacksmith shops. One is under the
management of F. C. Henning, who has been in the village for ten years.
Horseshoeing, general blacksmithing and wagon repairing are his specialties.
Mr. Henning was born in the town of Eldorado.
The other shop is owned by Jno. W. Meyer, who has been in
Eldorado twenty-two years, removing to the village from Milwaukee. He has been
engaged in his trade for twenty years. For a time he was associated with Mr.
Henning and upon dissolving partnership established a business for himself on
the opposite side of the street. Blacksmithing and wagon work comprises his
main work.
Churches and
Schools
The village has a Congregational and Lutheran church. The
pastor of the former is Rev. Dexter of Ripon. Rev. George Saxmann is in charge
of the Lutheran church and also of the church of the same denomination on the
Rich road in Eldorado township. He has been in this locality twenty-six years.
Six years ago he added the Eldorado congregation to his field of labor. A school
is also conducted in connection with the church.
The public school of the village is now in charge of Miss
Kate McGowen of North Fond du Lac. It consists of one department. The memb ers
of the school board are: President, Fred Henning Jr.; treasurer, Chas. Behrus;
clerk H. Duel.
Physician
Dr. F. A. Jackson is the physician and surgeon for the
village and community. He enjoys a good practice. He located here nine years
ago and is a graduate of Marquette College, Milwaukee.
Telephone
Eldorado receives its telephone service through the
Rosendale Telephone system. They had long distance connections.
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