THE VILLAGE OF WITHEE

It was in the summer of 1870 that the first permanent white settler came to what is now the, town of Withee. He was James S. Boardman and he came from Minnesota. Geo.

W. Richards and David R. Goodwin were the next comers and every year brought a few more. Winneoka post office was established in 1874 with Bernard J. Brown as post master. He kept the office at his farm and added a small stock of goods which he sold to the neighboring settlers. Previous to this the settlers had received their mail through the post offices at Chippewa Falls and Greenwood and had packed or toted all their provisions from these points. On November 23rd, 1880, the first passenger and freight train ran over the new line of the Wisconsin Central railway, now the Soo line, from Abbotsford to Chippewa Falls and opened up development of that timbered country with a rush.

The settlement at Withee thrived and soon became a prominent station on the new road. It was named after N. H. Withee who was county treasurer for several consecutive terms and enjoyed the entire confidence of the electors of the county. He came from Maine and was a school teacher. W. S. Tufts came from Manitowoc county in 1878, two years before the new line was operated and quickly took a leading part in the development of the settlement, engaging in lumbering, farming and the mercantile business. He was postmaster, and ran the hotel and store and operated a large farm and engaged quite extensively in lumbering and was a member of the county board all at the same time and later was elected to the office of sheriff which position he filled with honor. His son William is now one of the most enterprising citizens of Withee.

The village has a bank, 8 general stores, a drug store, restaurant, grocery and fruit store, hotel garage. a newspaper, two blacksmith shops, flour and feed store, jewelry store, boot and shoe store, saw mill and electric light plant.

Business Directory

   Ayer, O. L., Lumber and Gen. Store.

   Beilfuss, Walter & Co., Gen. Store.

   Christenson, John, General Store.

   Conrad, William, Saloon.

   Erickson & Thorson, General Store.

   Hansen, Andres, Restaurant.

   Hanson Photo Co.

   Jalling J. E., Fruits and Groceries.

   Jensen Bros., Drugs.

   Jorgensen, Nellie, Hotel.

    Kuehl, Charles, General Store.

   Laneville, J., Saloon.

   Larson, Charles, Blacksmith.

   Madson, C., Contractor.

   Martin, R. Blacksmith.

   Mertens, P., Meats and Grocery.

   Nielsen, E. E., Jewelry.

   Nielsen, G. E., Flour and Feed.

   Paulsen, P. A., Saw Mill.

   Rayemski, A., General Store.

   State Bank of Withee. [Advertisement]

   Stephenson, John, Garage.

   Withee Construction Co.

   Withee Co-operative Co., Gen.

   Withee Electric Light Plant.

   Withee Lumber and Fuel Co.

   Wolter, Aug., Gen. Store.

   Zasoba, John, Boots and Shoes.