Weston Township, Clark Co., WI

WESTON TOWNSHIP is located southwest of the center of Clark county. It consists of two government townships of thirty-six square miles each; extending twelve miles cast and west, and six miles north and south. The town was first organized in the year 1856, being one of the first town, 3 that were organized in Clark county. It embraced about one-third of the county at that time, and was not reduced to its present limits until nearly twenty years later.

Black River runs in a southerly course through the eastern township.

There are two voting precincts in the town.

The portion of the town east of Black River is known as East Weston, and that west of the river is known as West Weston. Wedge's creek flows through the Western Township. The town is thoroughly watered by several smaller streams, among which is Cawley creek, in East Weston.

That portion of the town which lies along Black river has been settled for many years, and contains some of the richest farms in the count'. The western portion of the town has not been settled as long, but is equally well adapted to agricultural, purposes, and although the most of the farms are small now, they are increasing in size and in number.

The surface was originally covered with hardwood timber interspersed with pine, but much of the timber has been out and farms started, which are producing the best of crops of all kinds. Hay, grain and vegetables of ill kinds grow abundantly, and within a few years, when the western portion of the town is more thoroughly developed, it will stand foremost in wealth among the towns of Clark County. The southern portion of the town is but two miles north of Neillsville, the county seat, so that it is but a short distance from a market and shipping, place for farm produce.

The larger portion of the valuable hardwood timber is still standing, and should be, and probably will be manufactured in the town. If this course is taken it will be one of the chief sources of wealth for many years, but the permanent source of wealth is the rich soil; a surface where the drainage is good and a climate to match, giving the town agricultural advantages which will still exist when the timber resources are exhausted.

Stock raising of all kinds and dairying are being pursued by the farmer with good success. The Neillsville and Withee stage line runs through the eastern part of the town, Christie post-office is on this line in the northeastern part of the town. E. D. Hatch is the postmaster. He also runs a general store in connection with the post-office, and has quite an extensive trade.

There are already one or two sawmills in the town which are doing a paying business.

Good highways extend all over the town, so that the settlers are not isolated from each other.

The town is divided up into several school districts, all of which have good school buildings, and support the best of schools.

There are no villages in this town, and outside of its timber interests it is exclusively an agricultural town, and for a town of this class, its growth has been good, as the following figures from census reports will show: In 1875 the population of the town was 409; in 1880 it was 530- in 1885 it was 718,, and the census of 1890 gives it a population of 850.

The town has so far been settled by natives of this country, although there are some German settlers.

The town officers for the current year are as follows: Chairman, Charles Burpee; clerk, C. E. Foreman; treasurer, W. K. Armitage; assessor, F. L. Butterfield.

"Clark Co. Illustrated" by Saterlee, Tifft & Marsh, 1890.
Transcribed by Janet Schwarze.