Washburn County WIGenWeb Project

Community Histories

"An Early Description of Spooner, It's People and Businesses"

Transcribed from the Spooner Advocate,
dated Friday, 27 February 1903

(NOTE: Links to people and business biographical materials can be found HERE)

Spooner is located at the cross at the great Omaha X, which shows so plainly on the railroad maps, and it lies 69.2 miles south of Superior, 84 miles from Ashland, 99.3 miles northeast of St. Paul and 82 miles northwest of Eau Claire, and is 403.7 miles from Chicago.

This promising town, which is very near the geographical center of Washburn county and was named after the Hon. John C. Spooner, came into existence with the building of the railroad which now forms the important Omaha system in northwestern Wisconsin. it was founded primarily as a railroad town and for a number of years developed along this line. It contains a busy population and is a point of transfer of business from one branch of road to the other. As an eating-house point it has been well advertised and is well known to the traveling public, but more recently the village of SPOONER, having been incorporated the past spring, has changed from a strictly railroad town to a prosperous farming community. The railroad interests are still very large and active, which is shown by the fact of the great improvements made by the company, they having spent at least $50,000 in new passenger and freight depots the past season, besides the large amount of improvements made along the line tributary to Spooner, and while the railroad interests are still the basis of our prosperous town there is also an important new influence at work in the building up of this town, which is now almost on the northern frontier of agricultural Wisconsin, the farming interests in the immediate vicinity of the village and thereabouts for many miles.

Persons in search of homes frequently make the mistake of passing the fertile lands of Wisconsin and going further west. To such persons we will say: Why not first look at the BEST which is not quite so far distant and settle in this great potato belt, which contains some of the very richest agricultural lands in the United States, where crop failures are unknown, where irrigation is not needed, having a climate unsurpassed, a steadily growing market, where land is still in reach of those of limited means, with educational facilities equal to any in the northwest.

SPOONER, in Washburn county, is the metropolis and natural center of this great district and its people invite you to visit them. You will never regret having made your home with us. Here you will find not only the best of farming lands, but here you will enjoy the best fuel on earth. Coal strikes have no effect on us, as we have an abundance of the best hard and soft wood on earth.

SPOONER, without doubt, is preeminently the best business point on the great Omaha system between the twin cities and the Lake Superior region. SPOONER, the center of Washburn county, is surrounded by a rich loam soil a with a clay subsoil. Our principal products are oats, potatoes, corn, flax, barley, hay, fruit, vegetables and ALL root crops do well. The district has never had ONE CROP FAILURE. Wheat yields an average of 15 to 30 bushels per acre. Oats yield as high as 60 and weigh 36 pounds to the bushel. The present price is 40 cents a bushel. Barley yields about 40 bushels to the care and is of a fine quality. Some of the progressive farmers in the SPOONER DISTRICT have tried flax, and find that it is a great cash producer and yields from 10 to 20 bushels to the acre. Rye does well and finds a ready market. Buckwheat has been tried sufficiently to establish it as a standard crop. Spelts, the new rival of the feed cereals, has been grown in the DISTRICT experimentally and has shown a phenomenal result.

There is an ever-ready market for hay, the price ranging from $8 to $10 a ton. Last season when the hay crop was short in other locations there was a good acreage here and the farmers received as high as $12.50 per ton for their crop.

VEGETABLES - In this class you cannot find a single one which will not equal any eastern record in quantity and quality.

STOCK - Fine blooded cattle, hogs and sheep can be found on every thrifty farmer's place. We have no diseases to bother them and all thrive finely.

POULTRY - Chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys find a ready market at high prices.

DAIRYING - The SPOONER DISTRICT farmers have for a number of years past supplied the butter and milk for the local markets as well as a considerable amount for shipping. The wonderful fertility of the soil and its great producing power make this district especially desirable for creameries and dairying. This is surely the ideal home for the cow and red clover. No thoughtful person has ever lost faith in the possibilities of the soil to produce abundant crops of tame grasses and clovers. When once seeded the clovers and grasses yield magnificent crops for many years. The climate during the haying season is ideal for making hay. While occasional showers may occur, they are seldom so hard as to injure the crop. The hay comes in bright and green, thus increasing its feeding and market value. We have good water and plenty of it. Country schools are very numerous. Cyclones and heavy damaging storms are unknown. SPOONER, the center of the farming district and the center of Washburn county, is a town of churches, lodges and good schools. All denominations are represented, Methodist, Episcopal, Catholic, Lutheran and others. Among our prominent lodges are the Masons, Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen, Brotherhood of Trainmen, Knights of Pythias, Women's Relief Corps, Royal Neighbors, etc., etc. SPOONER is a town of beautiful residences, straight, well laid out streets, fine stores and good hotels. The town supports two first-class banks. Below we give a brief history of some of its many prominent people.

(See the alphabetized biographical listing to easily view those names included here or browse through the remainder of this page. Names are listed here in the order that they appear.)

MAYOR BUSCH OF SPOONER

William Busch, better known to all as "Bill" is one of the old landmarks of Spooner. Mr. Busch came to Washburn county and settled at Chandler in 1881, when that place was the end of the railroad, and worked on the section. When Spooner was located and a station opened up he came here and was baggageman for about a year and a half. He then went to work for the American Express company as agent and held that position for fifteen years, which he resigned about three years ago; going into the lumber and sawmill business, which he sold out the past summer, turning his attention to this farming interests and to the fine meat market that he owns and manages successfully. Mr. Busch has one of the finest farms there is in Washburn county, besides other large land holdings, and also one of the finest buildings in Spooner, which is used by all of the secret societies on the second floor, and the first floor is used by John Graham, as a saloon; Mr. Larson, in manufacturing soda water and soft drinks, and the third room is used by Dr. J. P. Cox as a wholesale drug and manufacturing establishment. The lodge rooms on the second floor are something that Spooner people can well be proud of and are much indebted to Mr. Busch, as there is nothing like it on the line between St. Paul and Duluth. Mr. Busch has been justice of the peace, town treasurer, chairman of the town board, member of the county board and now holds the position of president of the village board, and Spooner people will all join in saying that he has been one of a few who has always been working for the interests of Spooner. Mr. Busch is held in high esteem by all.

GEO. W. HARMON

The pioneer northern Wisconsin land and real estate agent. Everybody whose business taken them to Spooner will meet with Geo. W. Harmon, the Pioneer Land and Real Estate Agent. A resident of northern Wisconsin for the past thirty years, the last sixteen of which have been spent in Spooner, he has a thorough knowledge of the soil and climatic conditions as well as the general lay of this rapidly developing section of north Wisconsin. Mr. Harmon has devoted most of his time to surveying and examining lands and estimating timber. For five years he was in the employ of the government as United States deputy surveyor and scaler, which in itself gives him a great knowledge of the lands in northern Wisconsin. For the past six years he has been one of the local representatives of the land department of the Omaha railroad. By reason of his long experience and close attention to the details of his business he has established himself firmly in the confidence of his business associates who will vouch for his absolute accuracy and integrity. He is a stockholder and local agent of the Starks Levis Land company of Madison, Wis., whose large land holdings he handles in the market, and is himself the owner of some of the choicest pieces of land in northern Wisconsin. He is also a stockholder and director in the Spooner State bank. Mr. Harmon is always on the lookout for anything for the good and welfare of Spooner and the surrounding country and is very liberal in public matters, and anyone going to him for donations, if it is for a good cause, will always find him willing to contribute, and it can be said without fear of contradiction that he has done more in the way of advancing the interests of Washington county and bringing in actual settlers who are living on and improving their lands and are well satisfied with their purchase than any other real estate man in the county. Any one having occasion to deal with Mr. Harmon will find him prompt, courteous and thoroughly efficient in all that pertains to his business. Letters addressed to him will receive attention at once and any special information desired will be given cheerfully. Be sure you call on him when visiting Spooner. He will be pleased to meet and talk with you, whether you do business with him or not.

DR. J. P. COX

Dr. Cox, the division surgeon for the C., St. P., M. & O. R. R. Co., is one of the oldest and best known surgeons in northern Wisconsin, having practiced is profession in Wisconsin for the past twenty years. The doctor contemplates retiring from the active practice of his profession and will devote his time to the editorial department of the Aseptic Medical Journal - a magazine published monthly in the interests of the medical fraternity.

E. P. BAKER

E. P. Baker, who is one of Spooner's most prosperous farmers, has only been here for the past three years, but he has accomplished wonders. He resides in the village, but has a large stock farm of some 2,500 acres, which is ten miles east of Spooner. Although having been here only three years, he has the following improvements on the farm: Some 500 acres under cultivation and is clearing at the rate of 200 to 300 acre each year. There is a fine frame house, 34 by 35 feet in dimension, in which 15 men in charge of a superintendent find ample quarters; two large windmills that pump water, and one of them is a large-geared mill which grinds all manner of grains for fodder. The other buildings consist of the following: Three barns, one 35 by 50, 16 feet high; one 40 by 50, 16 feet high, and one 50 by 100, 18 feet high, with a stone basement under full size; granary 32 by 70 in which is the feed mill with two runs of burrs; hog house, 20 by 80, 8 feet high; chicken house 18 by 60, 8 feet high, and a rustic clubhouse, 18 by 24; also a water tank of 200 barrels from which there is a complete system of waterworks running to all of the buildings. In the way of stock on the farm there is the following: 20 head of blooded Percherons, mostly all mares; 5 head of fine blooded driving horses, 35 cows and 45 head of young stock. The most of the cattle are of grade Shorthorn and at the present time there are 100 hogs on the place.

Mr. Baker has had 15 men at work the past season and will continue to employ about 10 the following years, and aims to clear and put under cultivation about 100 acres of land each year hereafter. Crops have been good this year and the coming season will see 350 acres in corn and other grain. There is one entire section fenced and used for pasture, the grasses thereon being timothy, clover and other succulent forage plants, and all of this great farm is well watered by numerous small lakes and streams. The soils is a clay mixture that produces quick growth and seldom suffers from the lack of moisture. Mr. Baker, it may be said, is a member of the Duluth Board of Trade and the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce, and selected this large body of land in preference to any other lands in the northwest as the scene of his live stock operations.

Mr. Baker has just completed a fine residence in the village, with all modern conveniences. As practical information of this kind is what all intending buyers and settlers most desire, by addressing Mr. Baker, enclosing a stamp, he will be pleased to give you any information asked for.

JAMES T. MURPHY

Is another one of our successful merchants, who began business in the spring of 1897 and opened up a small grocery store, since which time he has added to his stock until he has one of the best small stocks in the village. He now carries a line of dry goods, boots and shoes, groceries, flour and feed and gents' furnishing goods. Mr. Murphy rented the building he occupied for a store until last season, when he erected a fine store building, 30 by 70 feet, 14 foot high, and now has plenty of room to attend to his growing business. Mr. Murphy also has considerable village property and has been a resident of Spooner ever since 1896. Before going into the mercantile business Mr. Murphy was in the employ of the railroad company as conductor and was a very successful railroad man. he is the present village treasurer and held the same office in the town of Spooner before the village was incorporated. He is also clerk of the school board and is always on the lookout for anything which will advance the interests of Spooner or her people.

GEORGE V. SIEGNER

The proprietor of the Big C. O. D. Bee Hive department store, came to Spooner in the summer of 1893 and, associated with Mr. P. P. Stoltzman, opened up under the firm name of Stoltsman & Signer, Mr. Signer having the management, and under his supervision the business was a success from the beginning. In 1895 Mr. Siegner purchased the interest of Mr. Stoltzman and since that time has enlarged his business until he has one of the largest stores between St. Paul and West Superior. The past summer he has erected to his large store building two additions of 25 by 70, 16 feet high, and now has a floor space of 70 by 75 feet, besides a large warehouse 26 by 80, which has just been completed. Mr. Siegner also has a fine piece of land adjoining town which he has under fine cultivation and other property in the village, besides other large holdings both in Washburn and Burnett counties. Mr. Siegner is a man of public spirit and is first to put his name down for a liberal sum at all times for anything for the advancement of Spooner's interests. In church matters as well as aid of the poor Mr. Siegner can always be relied upon for assistance.

BYRON WASHBURN

Is our genial express agent and looks after the company's interests to their entire satisfaction. Mr. Washburn came to Spooner some eight years ago and worked for Wm. Busch for a number of years and when Mr. Busch retired from the service of the express company Mr. Washburn was given the position, which has he since held "Bye," as he is known to all of his associates, has made himself a comfortable home since coming to Spooner and is one of our substantial citizens.

CHARLES CEDERBURG

Charley, as he is called by all, has been a resident of Spooner for the past twelve years and has been in the employ of the railroad company all of the time as engineer at the pumping station. Mr. Cederburg is a mechanic of no small caliber and has the confidence of the people he works for. You will not see a neater engine-room anywhere along the line than the one which he has charge of at Spooner. Everything is in first-class order and always in its place.

JAMES S. KING

Or "Uncle Jimmie," as his many friends are privileged to call him, is one of the pioneers of Washburn county, coming to this country in an early day when all of northern Wisconsin was almost an unbroken wilderness. He identified himself with the development of the county in whatever capacity circumstances placed him. Much of his life has been spent in one branch or another of railroading, from a common laborer to an extensive contractor, and whatever he was found to do he has done well. He is an Irishman by birth, a Scotchman by education and a gentleman by nature, and his industry and perseverance, coupled with strict integrity, has been rewarded by seeing himself and family placed in easy circumstances. The voters of the village have honored themselves by electing him a member of the village council, a place he is eminently qualified to fill.

Since the above was in type Mr. King has crossed over the dividing waters and is numbered with the immortal throng.

W. H. CLEARY

Mr. Cleary is our popular station agent who looks after the interests of the railroad company in a satisfactory way both to his employers and the public. Mr. Cleary has been with us for about two and a half years and since he has been here he has gained the respect of all.

HERMAN SCHULTZ

Mr. Schultz is one of the popular conductors on the railroad and while Mr. Schultz is not very largely interested in property in the village he has considerable holding of lands outside and is always directing people looking for a location to come to Spooner and they will find what they are looking for.

T. H. HILLMAN

Is one of the division roadmasters and his route is between Eau Claire and Duluth. Mr. Hillman has been with us for the past fourteen years and first went to work for the railroad company as section foreman and by his strict attention to the interests of the company he has rapidly advanced to the position he now holds. Mr. Hillman owns one of the finest farms in Washburn county, which is only one and a half miles southeast of Spooner. This farm is run under the direct supervision of Mr. Hillman himself, although he does not have much time to look after it owing to having to devote most all of his time to railroad matters. The farm is well taken care of and is on a paying basis.

JOHN T. SINES

John T. is another one of our hustling citizens, having come to Spooner some ten years ago, and has worked at all kinds of work, mostly teaming. Mr. Sines is the owner of a very fine residence and considerable unimproved farming land throughout the county. He devotes most of the time and has for the past two years to draying and teaming about town. He is a hardworking, industrious, energetic man and one who can be depended on at all times.

LEWIS J. JONES

Mr. Jones is one of the leading attorneys of Washburn county, formerly of Canton, S. D., where he practiced law for seven years. He opened his office in Spooner, Dec. 18, 1901, and engaged in the active practice of law, and by associating himself with F. L. Irwin, under the firm name of Jones & Irwin, they carry on a general law, collection and insurance as well as a real estate business. In the real estate branch these two gentlemen have energetically assisted in establishing a record-breaking year for Spooner and vicinity and securing for themselves a prosperous and profitable business.

CHRIS C. NELSON

Mr. Nelson is an embodiment of what can be accomplished by push and perseverance and strict integrity. He came to Washburn county sixteen years ago and settled on a homestead in the town of Bashaw, four miles from Spooner, where he resided for five years, devoting a portion of his time to clearing and cultivating his farm, but the greater part of the time was employed in the service of the Shell Lake Lumber company, where he worked as a laborer in the mill and lumber camps. In the spring of 189_ (smudged copy - could be 1891), he embarked in the butcher business in Spooner with a very limited capital. By economy and strict attention to his business he increased his stock in trade until his own building was too small and he was forced to rent a larger building. He then increased his capabilities by putting in a stock of groceries, flour, feed and hay, and still later by adding dry goods and clothing, hardware and shoes. Early in 1901, in partnership with Louis Larson, he opened the first bank in Spooner. A year later he purchased the interest of Mr. Larson in the banking business, which he still owns and controls.

In the ____________ of 1901 (?), he built the fine brick building which bears his name and stands as a monument to his prosperity. In the fall of 1902 he found his business had grown to such proportions that he had to have assistance in its management and he associated with him John P. Schneider and A. C. Johnson, under the firm name of the Spooner Lumber & Mercantile company, and with their combined capital they are bound to keep in the front rank of progress and prosperity. Mr. Nelson has held many offices of trust, being for six years the treasurer of the town of Spooner and one year the town chairman and member of the county board.

D. J. CAMERON

Mr. Cameron is the present village marshal, which position he has held for several years. Mr. Cameron came to Spooner about eighteen years ago and has lived here ever since. he is a sober, industrious citizen and looks after the welfare of Spooner in a very creditable way.

GEORGE TOZER

Who has been has resident of Spooner for over sixteen years and was elected to the office of sheriff at the last election, which is his second term in that office, having filled the position four years ago, which in itself shows the standing of Mr. Tozer as a citizen in the county.

HENRY M. HANSCOM

Among pioneers of northern Wisconsin no man is more prominent than Henry H. [sic] Hanscom. A native of the state of Maine he brought with him a goodly share of the sterling integrity, sound morality and Christian piety with which the descendants of New England puritanism are so well equipped. he came to northern Wisconsin in the early fifties and for many years engaged in lumbering on the St. Croix and its tributaries. A portion of the time he was engaged in mercantile pursuits and dealt in lumbermen's supplies in connection with his logging operations. Since coming to Spooner, some four years ago, Mr. Hanscom has always been identified with every movement for the progress and upbuilding of the place. He is not one who will put his hand to the plow and then turn back, but is always in the front rank of progress. He is the bulwork of the Baptist church here, of which society he has been for many years a member. He was elected our first police justice of the village, a position he fills to the entire satisfaction of all. Mr. Hanscom has seen northern Wisconsin row from a wilderness where few white men would be seen to the present fast-developing community of pleasant and happy homes.

WALTER WALSINGHAM

Mr. Walsingham is our popular drayman and one who is always prompt in executing your orders entrusted to him and reasonable in his charges. Mr. Welsingham came to Spooner about four years ago and purchased himself a fine home and has devoted most of this time in team work of all kinds, having just recently bought out the dray line of Lewis Baker and new runs the same in a first-class manner. Mr. Walsingham is an energetic, progressive citizen and one who can always be relied upon being on the right side of any public question.

FRANK H. HAMMILL

Mr. Hammill's residence in Spooner dates back twenty years - to January 1883 - and he has the distinction of being the second railroad man to take up residence in the village and has been in the employ of the railroad company, with headquarters here continuously ever since in the capacity of locomotive engineer. He is now pulling a passenger train round trip from Spooner to Minneapolis, which is one of the most responsible runs on this division. Mr. Hammill has invested a good deal of his earnings in land in Bayfield county and has established a fine fruit farm there near the village of Cable, and has demonstrated the adaptability of northern Wisconsin to the growing of small fruits. On this farm he has quite an acreage in different kinds of berries and has handled them so successfully that he has harvested large profits from them. He also sells large quantities of the different kinds of berry plants and is authority upon all matters of berry culture. Mr. Hammill has just completed a very fine home in this thriving village and is one of the solid men of the town.

WALTER C. CROCKER

Is one of the very earliest settlers in Washburn county, having come to Shell Lake in 1881 more than twenty-one years ago. His residence in the village dates from 1891. Mr. Crocker is a graduate of Valparaiso, Ind. normal school and since his graduation has spent several years teaching. His school labors included work in the states of _____, Indiana, and since coming to this county he has taught in Shell Lake and was for four years at the head of our village schools. He serves the town of Spooner as town clerk for ten years and is now serving his fourth term in the capacity of county superintendent of schools of Washburn county. Mr. Crocker owns one of the finest homes in the village and has a fine farm in the town of Spooner some eight miles east of town and considerable real estate in different parts of the county.

JOHN H. D. AUSTIN

Or "Jack" Austin, as we all call him, is another familiar spirit without a mention of whom our record of the town would be incomplete. Mr. Austin is a native of New York state, but came west to Chicago over fifty years ago when that city was a frontier town. In 1881, at the age of 21 years, he enlisted in Company K of the Ninteenth [sic] Illinois volunteers and served three years in the Army of the Cumberland under General Rosencranz. While in the service he enjoyed the confidence of his superior officers to the extent that he was repeatedly commissioned to detail a squad or some important duty. He has many interesting reminiscences to relate of his army experiences. Mr. Austin came to Spooner fifteen years ago and is a good, reliable citizen and owns his own home.

JAKE LANKERMAN AND GEORGE HILLMAN

Are the owners of one of the neatest and best-conducted meat markets in Washburn county and are enjoying a good trade. They have been residents of Washburn county for several years and are honorable and upright citizens. Mr. Lankermann was formerly engaged in stock buying at Racine and Janesville. Mr. Hillman was for several years in the employ of the railroad company as a locomotive engineer.

CHARLES H. DEXTER

Spooner being a railroad center, a historical sketch of the place _____ of necessity deal largely with railroad employes, among whom Charles H. Dexter stands second to none in point of long and continuous service on the Omaha system. Mr. Dexter, or "Charlie," commenced work for this company in 1879 as wiper, but did not long remain in a minor position, and has been running a locomotive for twenty years. he took up his residence in Spooner in 1893 and in 1894 built the finde home where he now resides. He has recently purchased the mercantile business of Henry Hoeppner and has already shown an aptitude for mercantile pursuits.

MISS ANAH CROCKER

Miss Crocker is our popular post-mistress, which position she has held the past three years. Spooner people can well be proud of our postoffice as under Miss Crocker's management, we have one of the finest officer and office fixtures of any town five time sour size along the line of the Omaha system. Miss Crocker handles the office in a creditable way, the mail at this point bieng very heavy, we having eight mail trains daily.

THE SPOONER STATE BANK

This is one of the solid institutions of Washburn county and of which the citizens of Spooner are justly proud. It is now entirely a home institution, owned and controlled by local capital. The building was erected in May 1901 and is owned by Geo. W. Harmon. The bank was opened for business June 15, 1901, mostly by outside capital, but its business has been so judiciously managed that more local capital has been invested until by the process of evolution it is now entirely "home grown." The cashier, E. M. Elliott, is one of those fellows with whom it is a pleasure to deal and who commands the admiration of all with whom he has business relations and if he is obliged to say "No" he does it in such a way that you almost feel that he had said "Yes." The assistant cashier, Carl E. Harmon, needs no introduction to residents of Washburn county, having grown from extreme youth to manhood in our midst, and is known to all as a young man of good morals and with exceptional integrity.

JESSE D. THOMAS

Is a hustling hotel man of Spooner, a natural-born landlord and is so admirably adapted to that profession that no mention of his qualifications is necessary. He came to Spooner a little over three years ago from Chippewa Falls and assumed the management of the railroad eating-house, in which position he still continues, to the great satisfaction of the railroad employes [sic] and the traveling public. When the cafe in the new depot was opened he was given charge of that also and runs it in connection with the hotel in the same gratifying manner. Since becoming a citizen of Spooner Mr. Thomas has invested considerably in real estate and is a large stockholder in the Spooner State bank, of which institution he is president, and is also member of the village council.

HERMAN J. MEYERS

Among the business men of Spooner none outrank H. J. Meyers, our merchant tailor. Thorough-going in all that constitutes business principles, he has been in business here nearly eight years and has never been known to deviate from the strictest integrity, is always on the side of morality and justice. He is one of the finest workmen in his chosen art and carries a full line of clothing and furnishings that in quality and price defies competition. He owns and occupies one of the choicest business sites in the village.

F. H. SPENCER

Washburn county is supplied although not overstocked, with good lawyers. One of these is F. H. Spencer, a young man well versed in law and is considered one of the rising luminaries at the legal profession. He is a graduate of the law university at Madison and had spent several years in the schoolroom in the role of pedagogue. He has practiced law here about four years, as demonstrated his aptness for his chosen profession and business intrusted [sic] to him is well taken care of. He owns his home, which is one of the best here, and so has become a permanent fixture to Spooner. he was elected first village clerk of Spooner without any opposition, an office that he fills with honor to himself and a credit to the community.

J. W. WILSON

Is among the hustling denizens of our commonwealth. Like many others, he commenced at the foot of the ladder in railroad employment and has gradually worked his way up until he is now one of the most trusted and trusty engineers on this division of the Omaha system. With his surplus earnings he has invested in property in different parts of the county and has built himself one of the finest homes in the village. He has been for many years a resident here and has always been identified with every movement for the improvement of the place. Mr. Wilson was acknowledged to be one of our first citizens by being elected a member of the first village council.

EDWARD L. GANSKE

Mr. Ganske has been a resident of Spooner nearly ten years, having come here in 1893. His business is merchant tailoring, in which capacity he is a past master. By diligence and industry, coupled with a thorough knowledge of his art, he has forged to the front until he owns one of the neatest stores in the town, filled to the ceiling with a well-selected stock of ready-made clothing and furnishings and at prices that defy competition. To wear one of Ganske's suits is to be dressed in the heighth of fashion, and you're always sure that your coat fits perfectly.

OUR POPULAR JEWELER

Charles F. Richart is another one of our progressive business men and one that any community may well be proud of. Coming here in 1896, with only a limited capital, financially but with unlimited resources in industry and genius and thoroughly skilled in his profession as jeweler and engraver, he to-day stands in the front rank of this progressive town. He also carries a good line of undertaker's goods and is prepared on short notice to assist in the last and rites of mortality. His promptness, industry and diligence are so well known that to be "as busy as Red Richart" has passed into a proverb.

MARTIN E. CUDDY

Among those who have distinguished themselves by a long and continuous service as railroad employee is Martin E. Cuddy, whose service in that line covers nearly thirty years. The most of this time he has been in the employ of the Omaha, having worked for the Great Northern for only a short time. He built himself a fine home in Spooner in 1893 and is one of the most faithful and trusted of the railroad employes [sic] in the capacity of locomotive engineer. Mr. Cuddy is now on one of the most responsible passenger runs between Spooner and Minneapolis.

DURMAN E. RICHARDSON

While writing of the business men of Spooner we must not overlook that venerable merchant and tradesman, D. E. Richardson, who has devoted more than forty years of his life as a retail clerk and retail merchant. He is a native of New York state, but came west in the fifties and has conducted business for himself or others in a number of north Wisconsin towns. He is probably as good a judge of all kinds of mercandise [sic] as any man in northern Wisconsin. Mr. Richardson conducted a store in Spooner for ten years, from 1891 to 1901, but has retired to rural life on his little farm just outside of the village limits and devotes his time to raising different kinds of fancy stock.

GEORGE E. STRATTON

George is known as one of the early settlers having lived in and near Spooner for upwards of fifteen years. He was at one time in the employ of the railway company, but quit the road a number of years ago and took up other pursuits less hazardous and, perhaps, less remunerative. He is one who never remains long idle and so was followed different kinds of employment until he now owns one of the finest corners in the village, upon which he has erected a fine hotel building, which he occupies himself. He is considered one of the progressive, public-spirited men of Spooner and was honored by an election to membership in the village council.

F. L. IRWIN

Mr. Irwin came to Spooner in October, 1901, from Columbus, Ohio, and at once saw the many advantages that Spooner offered to any one wishing to get along in the world, so decided to locate with us. Mr. Irwin at once took a great interest in the agricultural possibilities of Washburn county and, together with L. J. Jones, he opened up a real estate business in connection with law and collections, and they have been very successful in their efforts and in settling up Washburn county. You will always find Fred ready to show up the advantages of Washburn county.

MRS. SOPHIA LIGHTHIZER

Spooner is well supplied with restaurants and hotels, among the latter the Hoeppner House is well kept by Mrs. Sophia Lighthizer. She is well versed in all branches of the hotel business, having served an apprenticeship in the railroad eating-house in every capacity required in such a place. Mrs. Lighthizer has been a resident of Spooner for seventeen years and has grown from girlhood to womanhood, and all old acquaintances deem it unnecessary to address her by any other title than just "Sophia".

THE PHARMACY

Is a model, up-to-date drug store. The proprietors, Dr. Geo. N. Lemmer and R. W. Pelunek, are both young men of push and energy that every growing town is in want of. They began business in April, 1902, since which time they have added to their stock until they have a full line of the finest drugs and all the necessary sundries generally carried in a first-class drug store. They are doing a thriving business and the doctor, who is one of the best in the county, has a very large practice. When there is anything comes up for the good and welfare of Spooner you can always depend on finding these gentlemen on the right side.

OSCAR A. CROCKER

Mr. Crocker is one of the old-time settlers, his parents coming to Washburn county in 1882 and locating at Shell Lake, coming to Spooner in 1893 and opening up a drug store. Oscar was the prescription druggist until the death of his father, when the store was sold and Mr. Crocker thought he would try his fortune in the far west and located in Idaho, where he stayed about one year, then he returned to Spooner, satisfied that this was the best place to live and make himself a home. Oscar is a steady, reliable man and is well up in his profession as a druggist, always at his post of duty, working night and day for the best interests of the Spooner Drug company, by whom he is employed.

THE SPOONER DRUG COMPANY

This firm started business in Spooner on the 23rd day of September, 1902. They are the leading drug firm, having a full line of drugs and druggist's sundries. The proprietors, Dr. A. E. Costello and L. J. Bedford, are both enterprising and progressive young men who have confidence in Spooner's future development. They have one of the finest drug stores in northern Wisconsin, located on Walnut street between Front and River, situated in a fine brick building fitted up with all up-to-date fixtures. Here you get what the doctor orders and at reasonable prices, and will find fine waiting-rooms where you can rest while waiting for the doctor or the cars.

ED A. COX

Is our popular wholesale drug manufacturer, who, in company with Dr. J. P. Cox, opened up this establishment in October, 1902. Ed, as he is known by every one, is a druggist of sixteen years' experience, having owned and run one of the finest drug stores in the city of Milwaukee some fourteen years. Coming to Spooner in March, 1901, and wishing to get some outdoor work, he devoted considerable of his time while here to the real estate business in connection with the manufacturing of drugs and any one having occasion to deal with him will find him always ready to give any information and such information that can be relied upon.

THE BURK BROTHERS, REAL ESTATE DEALERS

Henry J. and Millard F. Burk are the hustling real estate agents of Spooner, also one of the local representatives of the land department of the railroad company. Henry is a practical surveyor and estimator and has been in the real estate busness about three years and has established himself in the front ranks. Millard is an old resident, coming her [sic] some fourteen years ago, and one of our first contractors and builders, leaving her [sic] some five years go owing to this business being overdone and returning to Spooner about two years ago, when he formed the present partnership with his brother, since which time they have done a very successful business.

ED JARVIS

Mr. Jarvis is the proprietor of ed's Barber Shop, the leading tonsorial rooms in Spooner. Mr. Jarvis has been with us for the past six or seven years and if you want a good shave and a first-class hair cut call on Ed and you will be sure to get it.

DAVE EDWARDS

Mr. Edwards is the proprietor of Spooner's only exclusive flour and feed store. Mr. Edwards opened up the present business the past summer and has done a very good and successful business. He handles the best line of goods that can be had and you will find his prices just right. His place of business is on Walnut street, between River and Summit. Give him a call.

R. W. KELTING

Is our leading hardware and furniture dealer, handling a full and complete line of hardware, farm machinery and furniture. Mr. Kelting came to Washburn county some three years ago and purchased a large tract of land and opened up a fine farm, which he sold the past year and moved to Spooner and opened up the business that he so successfully runs. Mr. Kelting is a progressive man and is always on the lookout for anything advancing the interests of Spooner and her people.

PETER BEDFORD

Came to Spooner some three years ago and has conducted a blacksmith and repair shop up to about a month ago, when he sold out his interest in the shop and went into the livery stable business, where he will be found always ready to wait upon the public. Whenever in want of good livery service be sure that you give him a call.

SPOONER HAS A BAND

The Spooner Cornet band was organized the first day of September and is at this time about five months old ad, to say that the boys have not made great progress in the musical line would be put down by the people of the village at once. There was not one of them who could play a note on his instrument and knew what note he was playing when Mr. Chauncey Mills, the popular instructor, took hold of them. Within seven weeks from the time they began they were out on the streets and playing good music and at this time they are playing high-grade, standard music. Spooner can well be proud of their band and under the management of Dr. Geo. N. Lemmer, Geo. W. Harmon and William Sinclair and direction of Mr. Mills, who is one of the ablest directors in the country, Spooner will have, in a short time, one of the finest bands in northern Wisconsin.

THE SPOONER REGISTER

The Register is one of the oldest papers published in the county, it being now in its tenth year, and was firs started by Burt Peas, who ran it successfully for over a year, then sold out his interest to Andrew Ryan, who is now the owner of it. Although Mr. Ryan lives at Shell Lake, he has the interests of Spooner well at heart, having been an early resident of Spooner, but his business compelled him to go to Shell Lake, where he runs the Washburn County Register. The Spooner paper is edited by C. W. Haskins and is well done. He always is first to gather any interesting news, if there is any to be had.

THE SPOONER ADVOCATE

The Advocate was established eighteen months ago by Ida May Goss and within eight months was declared the official paper of Washburn county. At a meeting of the county board, held las moth, the Advocate was again made the official paper, a most satisfactory compliment to so young a paper. It is a six-column, eight-page paper, enjoying a good patronage, and is well equipped with machinery for doing miscellaneous printing. Mrs. Goss, the editor and proprietor, is an energetic business woman and through her efforts the Advocate has won a distinctive place among the prominent and progressive business fixtures of Spooner.

BEAM & HUDSON

The proprietors of the Spooner Land company, whose office is located on Walnut street next to the postoffice, are both gentlemen of good standing in the community. Mr. Beam is an old resident and has spent most of his time in farming and whose fine farm is located about six miles northwest of Spooner, where you will find all kinds of the choicest fruits grown that can be raised in this part of the state. Mr. Hudson has not been with us more than about three years, but while he has been with us only a short time he has gained the confidence of all. He is also a farmer of good standing and is well qualified to give reliable information to any one wishing it as the qualities of our soil, climate and the growing crops. You may depend on receiving fair treatment in any business transactions that you may have with these gentlemen.

E. WELDEN

Spooner has a first-class harness shop and E. Weldon is the proprietor. Ed is up-to-date in the horse millinery line and his place of business on Walnut street, between River and Summit, is a model that nay town or city of 5,000 inhabitants could well be proud of. When in want of anything in Mr. Weldon's line be sure that you call on him, for you cannot do better even if you go to St. Paul or any other large city. You will always find Ed on hand to serve you faithfully and fairly and when once you do business with him you are sure to call on him again.

C. W. HASKINS

Is another one of our successful farmers who resides in the village. Mr. Haskins came to northern Wisconsin from Vermont and located at Hudson, Wis., some thirty-seven years ago, coming to Spooner in 1893, since which time he has opened up a fine farm one mile east of the village and been successful in the growing of strawberries and other small fruits as well as farm produce of all kinds. Mr. Haskins has held several public offices and also been a member of the school board when the same was in the township system. Any one wishing reliable information regarding the farming possibilities of northern Wisconsin will do well to correspond with him enclosing stamp for reply.

GEORGE CALVERT

Who is known to all the people of Spooner and vicinity as "Uncle George," is one of the oldest residents of northern Wisconsin, coming to and settling at Durand, Wis., with his parents in 1857, since which time he has almost constantly been a resident of northern Wisconsin, excepting for a short time about fifteen years ago when he sold a fine farm which he owned near Eau Claire and went west looking for a better location and after spending about two years in fruitless search returned to Wisconsin and located on the farm where he now lives and says that Washburn county is the best place that he ever found where a man could make a good living and save something for a rainy day, and from appearances Mr. Calvert has done well in the way of saving, as his farm is among the best of the county, as everything abut it will indicate to the close observer.

E. SIDDERS

The genial proprietor of the White Elephant saloon, is an old landmark, having located in Spooner in the early eighties and for a number of years was in the employ of the railroad as conductor. In 1890 he severed his connection with the company. Mr. Sidders was the second chairman of the town of Spooner, which position he held for two years, and was chairman of the county board in 1892. The fall of 1894 Mr. Sidders purchased the interest of F. R. Seymour in the White Elephant saloon and he has successfully conducted the same since that time. You will always find a refreshing draught of beer on tap and a free lunch served at "Sidds," the name he is known by all along the line.

CHARLES SEIBERT

Is our city bakeryman and is a master of his art. Mr. Seibert is an Austrian by birth, but has been in America for the past twelve years, learning the ways of Yankee land, and has proven an apt scholar. He is a backer by trade and has plied his art in all of the principal cities from New York to San Francisco and has finally settled at Spooner as the Mecca of his journeyings and is doing a good business in his chosen craft. In addition to a well kept baker, he carries a good line of fruits, confectionery and cigars and serves lunches on demand.

H. J. BIELOH

Mr. Bieloh is a German by birth, but has been a citizen of the united States and of Wisconsin for many years. His early life was spent in Milwaukee and vicinity, but in 1888 he migrated to the north part of the state and located at West Superior, where he was employed for several years in the capacity of engineer at the steel plant. Later he was in the employ of the Omaha Railway company and had charge of their electric lighting plant at Itasca. he came to Spooner in 1901 and immediately identified himself with the progress of the town by purchasing valuable property and erecting thereon a building which is a credit to the village. At present Mr. Bieloh is engaged in the retail liquor business and is making it a success.

WILLIAM SINCLAIR

Mr. Sinclair is one of the oldest conductors on this branch of the Omaha system and has lived in Spooner fourteen years, so he is entitled to be called an old settler in this new country. He was formerly in the employ of the Chicago & North-Western railroad at Baraboo, Wis., and came here from there. he owns one of the finest homes in the village and is a useful and honorable citizen.

CHARLES H. EDWARDS

Boots, shoes, harness and everything in manufactured leather, paints, oils and wall paper are found at the store of C. H. Edwards. Although comparatively a new man in business, he has developed a trade that is second to none in his line. This of itself speaks volumes for his industry and perseverance. Commencing business with a very limited capital, he now carries a complete stock in his own building, which he erected the past summer, and is one of the finest business locations in the village. Those who trade with Mr. Edwards are sure of getting just what they call for and at the right prices.

JUSTICE W. TOMPKINS

A write-up of Spooner would not be complete without a mention of the soldier, patriot and all-around good fellow, Justice W. Tompkins. Every one calls him "Jud," and it would hurt his pride if his acquaintances should address him in a more formal manner. He is a veteran of the civil war, having enlisted in 1861 from Iowa City, Iowa and served his country for four years. Mr. Tompkins came to Washburn county in 1888 and his time has been occupied in farming and logging, and he has also served the public several years as village marshal, constable and deputy sheriff and at the present time is jailer under Sheriff Tozer. he had always taken a prominent part in Grand Army circles and is now commander of the local G. A. R. post.

IRA HOLMES

Ira Holmes is one of Washburn county's most enterprising farmers. His farm is located some five miles east of the village of Spooner and Mr. Holmes is making himself and family a fine home and one that they are all proud of. Mr. Holmes has held many offices of trust since living here and is at the present time chairman of the town board and a member of the county board as well. There is in Mr. Holmes' farm some 475 acres, of which there is at this time about 160 acres under cultivation. The improvements have all been made by him and in a very short time as it has only been the past few years that he has devoted all of his time to farming, he formerly having been interested in lumbering.

JOHN BRISBEN

Who is the owner of the saloon and billiard room at the corner of Walnut and River street, came to Spooner about fifteen years ago, located on a fine homestead out about fifteen miles northwest of Spooner and made himself a fine home. About five years ago Mr. Brisben came to Spooner and purchased the business place which he now occupies from John Paffel, since which time he has run an up-to-date and successful business. Mr. Brisben is the owner of valuable village property as well as a holder of large land interests in Burnett county, and is a respected citizen of Spooner.

JOHN PAFFEL

John Paffel has been a resident of Spooner since 1884. He first came here and was in the employ of the railroad company, starting in as car repairer and shortly going on the road in the capacity of brakeman, which position he held until 1892, when he had the misfortune to lose one of his legs. After this he purchased a business location in the village and opened up a saloon, which he ran successfully until three years ago, when he sold this out, together with the property, and with the proceeds he purchased a fine piece of land one and a half miles south of the village and began to open up a farm. Mr. Paffel is a German by birth, so it will be unnecessary to say anything about how he is progressing, as, with the usual German energy and push, he has one of the finest of farms. Mr. Paffel is the present town treasurer of the town of Spooner, which shows that the people of the community hold him in high respect and have confidence in him, which is not misplaced.

E. W. BUNKER

E. W. Bunker is also one of Washburn county's successful farmers and his is a fine farm, too. It is located about one and a half miles south of the village on the Shell Lake and Spooner road. Mr. Bunker has been a resident of Washburn county for the past four years and has made very substantial improvements on his farm, which he began to open about two years ago, and we predict that in a few years this farm will be second to none in the county. Mr. Bunker is a member of the town board and he is always looking for the interests of the town and general public. He is very public spirited and a liberal contributor for all public enterprises.

JOHN HART

Is our leading blacksmith. He came to Spooner in 1885 and was in the employ of the railroad company for a number of years as roundhouse blacksmith and when the company changed their shop to Itasca Mr. Hart opened up a shop of his own and has conducted the same ever since. Mr. Hart also owns a fine piece of land just south of town, where he resides and has it well under cultivation.

MRS. PETER LANDGREN

Mrs. Landgren conducts what is called a home boarding-house at her home at the corner of Walnut and River streets, one of the most valuable corners in the village. She is one of the earliest settlers, having come to Spooner with her husband, who was employed on the construction of the railroad. The wayfarer can always be sure of home comforts for a reasonable outlay and feel assured that he will not have to pay for more than he gets.

JOHN GRAHAM

Is the proprietor of the Fountain sample and pool rooms, which are located at the corner of Front and Elm streets, where he has a very neat and attractive place of business and is always ready to wait on his numerous customers. Mr. Graham has been in Spooner most of the time for the past eight years and is now permanently located.

ELVER & HAUSMAN, STOCK FARMERS

These two gentlemen are residents of Madison, Wis., but, some four years ago, Mr. Chas. Elver was induced by Geo. W. Harmon to come up into Washburn county and look the country over with a view of purchasing some land. As soon as Mr. Elver saw the conditions of the land and character of the soil he at once purchased a section of land and has continually been picking up lands and finally interested Mr. Karl Hausmann [sic], also of Madison, who purchased a large tract and together these two gentlemen now own one of the choicest pieces of land and it is the best located and adapted to stock raising of anything in the northern part of the state. They will begin active operations in opening up a large farm the coming spring. In fact, everything is now under way and they expect to have not have not less than 200 acres under cultivation the first year and will open up from 200 to 400 acres each year until they have at least 1,500 acres under cultivation. They will make this a stock farm pure and simple and will have the finest stock that can be had. This farm is located on what is known as the Big Island on Long lake, Washburn county, and contains over 3,600 acres of land, all of which they own.

OUR SCHOOLS

Every one who is true to American ideas of citizenship is intense in his desire for good schools. In choosing a home every thoughtful man is careful to inquire concerning educational advantages for his children. The people of Spooner have shown themselves to be prompt and progressive in everything pertaining to education. They can look back with great satisfaction upon the history of their schools and can prophesy still better things for the future.

In the early history of our village our first schoolhouse consisted of a board shanty, 14 by 16 feet in size. This was the beginning and was used for one year. It was found that we must have something better and the school board which consisted of Frank Jackle, Sr., William Busch and Andrew Ryan, in 1886, went to work with a will and they soon had plans under way whereby the Omaha Railroad company donated a half block for school grounds and within a short time a commodious two-story building was erected, which, at the time, was very much laughed at by a great many people on account of its large size, they saying that Spooner would never see the day that there would be use for more than one room. But the school board, foreseeing from the first that this capacity would be outgrown, the building was planned so as to facilitate the building of an addition and, in 1892, it was found that to keep pace with the development and growth of the village it would be necessary to double the former capacity. This was done by adding the east end of the present building, leaving the well-proportioned structure which is now in use. Since this addition was built many necessary and beneficial improvements have been added. Among these is a splendid steam-heating plant, hardwood floors and slate blackboards.

As each year passes more needs become evident. At the beginning of the present school year, the regular first-year work of the four-year high school course was added to the curriculum and if the present plans of the board of education are carried out one year of high school work will be added each year until a free high school has been established. From present indications, a high school building will become an absolute necessity within three years, and many are looking forward with great anticipation for the completion of this important step of our future development.

R. N. CUNNINGHAM

While we are speaking of livery men and before we drop the subject, let it be said that Robert N. Cunningham is in the livery business and is the owner of the largest stable in town with the best equipped outfit in the county, well informed int he wants of patrons and can drive you to any point to which you may wish to go in northern Wisconsin. Mr. Cunningham has been a resident of Spooner for the past ten years, the most of this time having been spent in the livery business, therefore, he is sure to be in a position to wait upon the public in proper shape.

L. J. ALLEN

Mr. Allen is a farmer, and a good one, from what one can see of his work since coming to Spooner. It is only a little over a year since he purchased the land he now lives on, which is only one mile north of town, and to say that he is making a fine showing would be putting it mild. Mr. Allen came from Iowa, therefore is a prairie farmer, but one would think to see what he has done in the way of clearing land that he was an old-time timber-land farmer, one who had seen the hardships of the pioneer. He has a fine, large, frame house and good barns and sheds, and has at least sixty acres under fine cultivation equal to prairie land. Considering that he only moved onto this land in March, 1902, it is remarkable and shows that we have in Mr. Allen a good man and one that the county may well be proud of. He says that Washburn county is all right and can raise as good corn as Iowa can, if properly taken care of, and as to other produce we are in the lead by a long way.

JOSEPH SULLIVAN

Is the proprietor of The Hub saloon. Mr. Sullivan located in Spooner some twelve years ago and has been in the saloon business ever since. He is a jovial and entertaining host, well up in the profession, keeping good stock and sells the Gettleman's beer, as well as Hamm's. It is understood that Mr. Sullivan will erect a fine, brick building on his lot on Walnut street this coming summer. It will have a basement the full size of the building, which will be 35 feet wide and 80 feet long, two stories. This will be more centrally located on the best business street of the town and a substantial addition to the business houses of Spooner.

BREEN & FOREN

Are the genial proprietors of the Metropolitan saloon, which is located at the corner of Front and Walnut streets. Charley Breen is a Spooner boy, his father coming here and erecting the first frame building put up in Spooner in 1881. Allie is the younger brother and takes an active interest in the business. The two boys grew to manhood in Spooner, received a good education in the Spooner schools and finished their education in the schools of Ashland. Mr. Ben Foren is a well-known Stillwater boy and is too well known to to need very much said about him. He is a man of sterling qualities, having been, until about a year ago, when he came to Spooner to locate permanently, extensively interested in the lumber business, being an experienced timber estimator and scaler and having the confidence at all of his associates.

JOHN KINNEY

It may be said, is the pioneer saloon many of the town, having come here from Barronett in 1894 and opened up in the business. Having had years of experience in the same line, he is qualified to serve his patrons in first-class shape. Any one calling on John will receive fair treatment and find him a good all-around fellow with his heart in the right place, as all good citizens should be, for the welfare of the town.

MR. HENRY HOEPPNER

Came to Spooner in the fall of 1886, since which time he has gained the confidence and respect of all who know him. He first started in the hotel business, which he has run almost continuously since. In 1896 he put in the first exclusive shoe stock in the town. In 1900 he added groceries, flour and feed, and in the spring of 1902, a good line of dry goods was added and at this time he has a fine line of everything found in a country store and doing a good, safe business. Mr. Hoeppner purchased a fine piece of land in the fall of 1897, and has given the most of his attention to the opening up of a farm, leaving the store business to the care of his daughters, and if you wish to see what can be done on a Washburn county farm it one has the energy to work that Mr. Hoeppner has all you need to do is to go for a short walk of a half mile and you will see as good a farm as there is in Washburn county for the time it has been under way. Mr. Hoeppner is a progressive and public-spirited citizen and will always be found on the right side when it comes to anything for the good of Spooner and her people.

W. J. WHISTLER

Is the owner of the local telephone line and is a gentleman who has had a good deal of experience in that line of business and came her about two years ago from Baraboo, Wis. He was formerly in the real estate business in Chicago. Although having been here only a short time, he has been found to be a man of good business qualities and one who will not be detrimental to the advancement of Spooner.

ALBERT H. PORTER

Mr. Porter came to Spooner first in ____ and purchased a tract of 300 acres of land on the shores of Spooner lake, ___ three miles east of the village, and __ at once started in to make an ideal ___ farm. Here he has Mr. Mitchell ___, and has charge of the farm , and is making good, substantial improvements. Mr. Porter has a fine summer cottage on the lake shore, where himself and family spend most of the summer. Mr. Porter at the present time resides at Lake Mills, Wis. and we hope and expect that he will soon be a permanent fixture with us although he could not take any more interest in the development of our county than he does at the present time. Mr. Porter has been instrumental in getting a good many settlers to come to Washburn county and a good many ___ to come here and spend the summers, and we think if he should reside here there would be more of ___ come, which would be an advantage to all.

[ ___ indicates unreadable print]

CHARLES S. NELSON

Is our pioneer liveryman, having come here in 1888, and has been in the livery business every [sic] since, he can well be called the pioneer. Mr. Nelson is well acquainted with all of the surrounding country for miles and always has the best of rigs. He is an old soldier and can be relied upon at all times. When in need of a team call Charley up over the phone and you will get prompt attention.

IVER DEVAUX

The popular proprietor of the European restaurant will be found on Front street and always ready to give you a good meal at the moderate price of 25 cents. He is one of Spooner's boys, his parents having located here in 1884, since that time he has lived here, working in the employ of the railroad company for a number of years and recently opening up in the restaurant which he so ably manages.

R. F. PECK

Mr. Peck is an old residenter of northern Wisconsin, having come here many years ago with his parents, and for the most of his life followed lumbering, until eight years ago, when he settled on a piece of land northeast of Spooner about two and a half miles, where he began opening up a fine farm. Located as it is, on the bank of Spooner lake, it is an ideal place for the making of a fine home and Mr. Peck is the one who knows well how to make home attractive.

W. J. THOMPSON

Hustlers are always at a premium and in this class none outranks W. J. Thompson. Having his home at Black River Falls, Wis., where he was formerly in business, he can hardly be called a resident here, although he has been here for most of the time the past five or six years. He was first attracted here by the inducements this place offered as a blueberry market, in which business he is very successful. He owns a large warehouse where he manufactures great quantities of all kinds of berry crates and boxes. This warehouse is also used for the storage of farm machinery and farm products and he buys and sells everything the markets offer or demands from a rabbit's track to a rubber plantation. Mr. Thompson is one of the most progressive and philanthropic of men and does not wait for the second invitation to join in any public move for advancement, even through it drains his pocketbook.

J. D. TYNAN

Well, we do not want to forget that Spooner had a cigar manufactory, and one that is hard to beat anywhere. It is owned and managed by J. D. Tynan, the inventor of the patent Seal Skin cigar, which he manufactures. This is a patented hygienic cigar, a clean smoker and a fascinating novelty. He challenges the tobacco world to dispute any part of these claims. The above cut represents Mr. Tynan showing the easy way of removing the outer wrapper, which is branded as Seal Skin. Ask your dealers for the and be convinced that they are the only thing in the line of a cigar. Jerry is one of Spooner's oldest residents, always for anything for the best interests of Spooner.

MRS. MARIA JACKLE

Mrs. Jackle came to Spooner with her husband, Frank X. Jackle, and two sons, Frank and Hawley, in 18_4, from Eau Claire, Wis. Mr. Jackle and his sons were int he employ of the railroad company for more than ten years in different capacities. In January, 1898, Mr. Jackle died. Mrs. Jackle and her sons are still residents of Spooner and she owns one of the finest as well as one of the most centrally located homes in the village.

J. T. HAZARD

Mr. Hazard is our popular principal in the schools of Spooner. Although he has been with us only a short time, he is held in high respect by all and is making a grand success of school work. he came to us from Spring green, Wis., where he was employed int he high school as first assistant for three years and since coming here has been offered the principalship of that school, but declined. Mr. Hazard, since coming here has purchased for himself a fine home and also has invested in some valuable farm lands in the vicinity of Spooner which in the near future will make him a good bank account.

BANISTER BROTHERS

The partnership consisting of A. E. And W. A. Banister, and known as Banister Brothers, is one of the leading grocery stores in Spooner. It is comparatively a new firm, starting in business in 1891, but has managed, by fair dealing and industry, to work up to a good business in their line. They own their store building, which is located on the corner of Front and Oak streets and is one of the best corners int he village. They are thoroughly reliable and honest and you will get fair treatment when you deal with them.

PETER VOZEN

Is the proprietor of the Stillwater saloon, which he has managed successfully for Mrs. F. G. Sprague for the past three years. Pete is a good, whole-souled fellow and any one having occasion to spend a few leisure hours will do well to call on him as he is a good entertainer, a fine musician and is always ready to render choice music for his patrons. You will have no trouble in finding his place. It is located on Walnut street just across from the postoffice.

JACOB WEISS

Among the recent ventures in the mercantile line is that of Jacob Weiss, and known as "The New Store." Mr. Weiss came here early in the fall of 1902 from northern Michigan, where he had been in trade for a number of years. He carries a complete line of dry goods, clothing, furnishings and shoes. In the very limited time that he has been here he has gained an immense trade, which could only have been accomplished by honorable dealings, correct prices and honest goods.

ALLISON M. BUXTON

Mr. Buxton is an ex-railroad man who has been a resident of Spooner many years. He served the Omaha in different capacities prior to 1894. After that he worked some time for the Great Northern road and was so unfortunate as to lose his right arm while in the employ of that company. Mr. Buxton is a great fancier of fast horses and owns one of the best breeding horses in the northwest and also owns and occupies one of the finest homes in the village.

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There are many other good citizens of Spooner who are deserving of mention herein, but, owning to lack of space, we will at this time not say more than we have and in the near future we expect to again take up Spooner's advancement and the development of the surrounding country.