River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1876-08-03
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HISTORICAL ECIDEsTS OF USI0g.

This town is known by government
survey as town 25, range Is, west,
having as boundaries, Rock Elm on the
north, Waterville, in Pepin county, on
the east, Maiden Rock on the south,
and Salem, west. 1t lies almost wholly
in the Chippewa Valley. The water
falling upon the surface passes Oft into
the Chippewa River, by way of Plum
Creek. The southeast corner of the
town approaches to within about six
miles Of the Chippewa River. 1t is
about the same distance from the
southwest corner to the Mississippi.
The surface of the town is rolling and
uneven, and along the course of Plum
Creek on either side, it is steep, rugged
and rocky. Plum Creek enters the
town from the north on section five;
thence in a southeasterly direction
across the town, through sections nine,
ten, fifteen, twenty-five, twenty.seven
and thirty-fiye. IT is a rapid stream Of
clear sparkling water, receiving in its
course large number of springs of
excellent water, affording, also, linn
tied water power near the center of
the town. The town is densely cover
ed with forest trees of various kinds.
among which the Eastwood, maple,
elm and oak predominant. The settle.
ment of the town began in 1867,
number of German Swiss fam.
lilies moving into town about that date
Among others was Joseph Hellumeller
and his sons, Jacob and Anton; also,
Jacob Bruner, with large family of
boys. Christopher Lander, SEN, Jacob
Fox, Michael, Fritz, Frank and Betsey
Moser were early settlers. Frank was
the founder of Plum City. John Helm
appeared about the same time; his
shanty was near the spring on the bluff
west of it, Andrew Fitzsimons was
another early settler, locating near the
junction of the east and west branches
of Plum Greek. He remained there a
number of years, and finally removed
to Pepin county. He employed most
of his time in hunting and fishing.
II. n. Wood, Esq, was an early set.
tier, moving from Dodge Co., Wis, ia
1856. He located on section six where
he secured, and is now improving, a
large farm. These men were the first
settlers of the town, and have been
here nineteen or twenty years. Joseph
Hellumeller and Jacob Bruner, sen,
died some years ago.
In 1859, Mr.. Charles Marsh moved
into town, and located on section 1--WE,
and the following year Mr.. f. Holt and
family came on from Dodge Co., in this
state, and located on sections five and
six where they still reside. Two years
after, Mr.. John Van Schoonhoyen, of
Maiden Rock, moved into this town,
and located on section six, and re.
NAMED there till the present year,
when he sold his farm of one hundred
and sixty acres for FIVE thousand dol.
lars and moved TO Douglas county,
MINI.
Captain Robert horst appeared about
this time as a settler, and located on
the east branch Of Plum creek. Since
Their many others have moved into the
town among whom are Franklin Tom.
linson, John Hunter, S. NJ. and J. W.
Baker, John Marty, and the Schult.
hess family. Mr.. James II. Persons,
and Alr. 5. w. Hum made their ap.
pearance some years since, Mr. Per.
sons being the first. Mr.. HUM open.
ed store at Plum city, became post.
master, built large store, and one Of
the finest dwelling houses In the town.
AS compared with those Of his neigh.
bors, it might properly be called a
mansion.
At the census Of 1875, the popula.
tion Of the town was about six hun.
bred, and It's assessed valuation was
$50 900.
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