Bio: Crowell, Hoel & Frances (Arrived 1875)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Crowell, Wauby, Plomer, Voight, Ress, Pulcifer, Jacobitz, Hardy, Andrews

Source: Spencer Centennial Book (1874 – 1974)

Hoel (called “Dad”) Crowell was attracted, as most pioneers were, by the prospect of work in a new town and came to Spencer from Calumet County in 1875, a month or two ahead of his family, to provide a home for them. He built the original part of the Len Hardy residence, and his wife, Frances Wauby), and two daughters arrived in November of that year. The Charley Plomer, James Voight, George Ress and Pulcifer families were their neighbors on the east side of the railroad track.

In 1898 they left to care for Mr. Crowell’s sister at Brothertown. Then, in 1900, they returned to Spencer and built another home on the corner of Wisconsin and East Mill, which is now the remodeled home of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Jacobitz.

“Dad” Crowell was an intensely patriotic man, of Dutch and American Indian extraction, and his wife was of full Indian heritage. He was a Civil War Veteran and a Charter member of the local G.A.R. Post. In 1902 he was granted a veteran’s pension of $6.00 a month.

In later years he sold his home, and he and his daughter, Rizpah, bought a small home adjoining the Veterans Home at King, Wisconsin. He became a member of the Home, though not residing on the grounds, and Rizpah continued her trade of dressmaking. She had formerly been a school teacher, and became a teacher of the Bible Class at the Home.


“Dad” Crowell returned to Spencer each years, without fail, for the Memorial Day observances, and was always a guest at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Andrews. On his last trip, he died suddenly on the morning of May 31, 1921 while sitting in a rocker on their porch.

The Crowell’s were a prominent pioneer family and were very active in Civic and Church affairs. Both Mrs. Crowell and Rizpah had beautiful alto voices, and were members of the Methodist Church Choir.