River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1876-08-10
HISTORICAL INCIDENTS OF UNION.
MGAyzArroN OF THE TOWN.

AT the session OF the Board Of Su-
pervisors of Pierce county in 1851,
the town was set off from the town of
Pleasant Valley, of which it was then
a part, and the name of Union given
to it. In canvassing for a name for
the town, Judge Pierce, of Ellsworth,
suggested Union for the name, alleg-
ing, that as all parties had united in
electing DR.. Beardsley, of Prescott, to
the Legislature (and who afterward
was elected Speaker of the Assembly,
it also being the first year CT the great
rebellion, that it was the right name.
The name was accepted, and thus we
are under obligation to the Judge for
the name.
The first town meeting was held at
the house of Balty Moser. E. Mott was
appointed Chairman; John Helm and
Balty Moser, Inspectors IN. Wood
aud Andrew Fitzsimons. Clerks. E.
Mott was elected Chairman, and Frank
Moser and John Helm, Supervisors;
Morris c. Holt, Clerk, and II.
n. Wood, Treasurer. Jacob Hellumel-
Ter was chosen Assessor for the ensu-
ing year. A tax of fifty dollars was
voted for town expenses. And for a
number of years after. the expenses of
the town were less than one hundred
dollars.
In 1865 the amount voted for town
expenses was one hundred dollars,
and in 1875 the expenses of the town
were reported as being one hun
bred and ffty-four dollars, with
enough money in the treasury to de-
fray expenses for the ensuing year.
In 1857 c. C. Holt was elected Chair
man. In 1858 John Spohr was elected
to that Office. In 1860 and 10 G. G.
Holt was elected Chairman. In 1871,
-, 70, and "a James ii. Persons was
elected Chairman. In 1875 Edward
Doughty was elected Chairman, and
in 70 James II. Persons was again
chosen to that office.
Next in order it will not be amiss to
mention our business center,
PLUM CITY.
In 1855, Frank Moser in prospecting
up the Plum Creek valley, came upon
the big 5pr1g," so-called. His eye
took in the whole situation at once,
and as William Penn said in regard to
Philadelphia, ''0f all the many places
have seen in the world | remembered
not one better situated for town"
Mr.. Moser proceeded to secure the
land in the neighborhood, procured a
surveyor and laid out the ground for a
village, which lie named Plum City.
For many years it was almost unknown
to other portions Of the county but it
is now rapidly improving, and perhaps
will soon be justly entitled to its
name. In it are two retail stores, one
run by Mr.. Hum, the other by Mr..
Casper Moser, ard both are doing a
good business. Two good hotels, kept
respectively by John Moserand Charles
Tovey, supply the traveller and &C,
commodate the sojourner. We also
have one saw.mill, owned by Franklin
Tomlinson, where an excellent quality
of hard wood lumber is manufactured,
A blacksmith shop, boot and shoe shop,
and stave-mill should not be forgotten
In this part Of the town is a large
spring Of sparkling cold water, which
expands into a natural pond, before
contributing its crystal contents L
Plum Creek. The inhabitants are
largely composed Of German.Swiss
who seem to have been attracted e
the spot by the rugged and almost AL
pine scenery. The bluffs upon either
side of the village range from two L
three hundred feet in height, and, I'm
til recently have been a secure de
Tense against the outside world bu
now comparatively good roads vino
down into the valley, from differen
directions, connecting 1t with thu
upper world" In short, Plum Cit!
has a fair prospect, and we wish