History of Northern Wisconsin

Ashland County

Source: History of Northern Wisconsin: Containing an Account of Its Settlement, Growth, Development, and Resources, an Extensive Sketch of Its Counties, Cities, Towns and Villages, Their Improvements, Industries, Manufactories, Biographical Sketches, Portraits of Prominent Men and Early Settlers, Views of County Seats, Etc. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1881.

p. 74

BUTTERNUT.

July 8, 1878, the following townships were set off: Township 41, Range 1 east, and Township 41, Ranges 1, 2, 3, and the east half of Township 41, Range 4 west, from towns of La Pointe and Ashland, and a new town organized called Butternut. In 1879 it received additional territory by the vacation of town of Juniper, and some more detached from towns of La Pointe and Ashland; and June 17, 1879, the town received additional territory by vacation of the town of La Pointe. The first election was held at the house of M. J. Hart, August 13, 1878, and the following town officers were elected: M. J. Hart, Chairman; Henry Spille and Robert Rom, Supervisors; S. P. Hogan, Clark; H. Besse, Treasurer. In 1875 the village of Butternut was made the terminus of the Wisconsin Central Railroad. At this time there was a boarding-house kept by Hart & Barnidge and a store by Parker & Stubblefield. In the Fall of 1877 the spot was visited by Henry Spille and H. Besse from Cedarburg, Wis., looking for a place to locate. They were so pleased with the country that they induced by their representations quite a number of Germans from the vicinity of Milwaukee to settle in this neighborhood. These people formed what is known as the "Butternut Colony," which now comprises about 120 families.

It was platted in 1878. The first school was taught in 1878 by Miss Hannah Tomkins in a log cabin, formerly used as an ice-house. She had fourteen scholars. A schoolhouse was built the following year. A Lutheran minister visits Butternut occasionally, which is all the religious services they have. A saw-mill was built in 1879 by Karpe, Russell & Aldrich, of Plymouth, Wis. Butternut is now a thriving place of 300 people, and is the center of the best agricultural district in the Superior region. The lumber interest is large, being at the head waters of the Chippewa, and near the Bad River. Butternut Lake, about amile from the village, abounds with large-sized muskallonge and black bass.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

William Baatz (p. 74)
Henry Besse (p. 74)
Ira A. Eble (p. 74)
G. A. Grant (p. 74)
Ferdinand H. Hoth (p. 74)
Alexander McQuillan (pp. 74-75)
Captain John J. Metzgar (p. 75)
J. W. Paine (p. 75)
John Russell (p. 75)
J. H. Smart (p. 75)
Henry Spille (p. 75)
G. W. Stubblefield (p. 75)