Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-12-06
The Tribune in a recent issue

- Inc tribune III q recent issue
made note of the unexampled immi-
grafton into Wood County during the
year just closing 1t is true that
no county in the state has had SO great
an influx of real, actual settlers, Set
tiers who have come to stay az Wood.
The towns of Sigel, Seneca and Ru-
dolph have been unusually blessed in
this respect, while the towns further
west, such as Lincoln and Wood are
not far behind in the number of set
tiers who have had the wisdom to
choose the rich and fertile regions ly.
ing west of the wisconsin river in
Wood Comfy for their permanent
homes. The number of actual set
tiers who have taken up their abode
ia the several towns mentioned the
past year will aggregate We think seven
hundred, and others are looking in the
same direction. With the opening of
spring the number will be increased
probably to twelve or fifteen hundred
A large immigration is Noted in the
towns of Marshfsld and Auburndals
on the Central railroad. The most
pleasing feature of this influx of settlers
is, that they are tillers of the soil, and
intend to make farms rather than en-
bark in mercantile or manufacturing
pursuits. The growth of city or
village is no. half so good an index to-
the prosperity of = com immunity as the
growth of the country. With 3 popu-
lation composed of husbandmen and
agriculturists the city gets growth.
whereas the growth of city with no
corresponding growth in the surround
ing country bssets poverty and bank
ruptcy. But there i, another light in
which the large and Welcome iInme-
grafton may be looked upon which
must eventually rebound to our welfare
as community. Among the many
who are seeking new homes and find
them in Wood County there must be
some who will choose to embark IN the
business of manufacturing staple COM
nodities, and certainly no better points
can be secured for those seeking such
Investment of capital than Grand Rap
ids and Centralia. We have the most
abundant water power and one of the
best markets in the west Our means
of shipment for commodities and
wares manufactured cannot be s1celled
in the state Our railroads lead cast,
west, north and south and the great
southern and western markets arc cas-
lily accessible and are clamoring for
just such wares as can be produced on
the Rapids Of the Wisconsin River
There ought to be in successful opera
ton, to-day, in Grand Rapids, and
Centralia one or more wooden ware
factories, pail and tub factories, one or
more potteries, besides kaolin works
and manufactures for the production
of cabinet ware and wagon stufs with
which our forests abound. The day
for the manufacture of lumber and
shingles exclusively has gone by, and
the time has come for the opening up
Of a score of industries which can not be
otherwise than profitable to those who
may embark therein.
With the fast settling up of the
County these industries must come
Instead of importing our pIows and
farming utensils VIC should produce
them here. They can be made cheap
er at our doors than they can be i'm
ported, for the reason that the materi-
aIs can be procured Immediately at
home, and the means Of manufacture
are Unlimited. If our property hold
ers are wise they will encourage all
who contemplate investments in the
directions mentioned, not Simply by
welcoming them, but by aiding them
in procuring sites and powers - free
gifts, or at nominal sums. A new era
is opening before US. and if ws are
wise We will not be selfish in these mat.
tiers which are of vital interest to eve.
~ dwcller in the county. The next
census will undoubtedly show an in
crease of at least 100 per Ct in our pop
ulation over that of 1870, and we shall
not be surprised if it exceed that figure
largely. Let us then act in unison
and build up enterprises that ought to
and will make our two cities as import
ant points as can be found on the
Wisconsin River,
The Torch of Liberty gets right
upon its ear and says, "Ansver these
uuestionS