Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-11-17
A BEAUTIFUL RESIDENCE.
The Property of Judge Williams and
VIII Soon be Occupied.

Grand Rapids and our sister city
Centralia are rapidly coming to the
front in the architectural beauty of
their homes, some of which are not
undeserving of the term mansion as
popularity used.
Land is comparatively cheap here
and our wealthier citizens have, in the
designing of their homes wisely taken
this into consideration. 1t is the rule,
with few exceptions, that extensive
grounds form feature of our finest
homes. This is especially the case on
high street, note the homes of John
Parrish Frank Pomainville, C. NJ.
Webb, G. II. Nilsson, j. D. Witter, Geo.
r. Gardner, and several others that
when projected improvements will
have materialized, will compare favor
ably with the above. High street
situated on the brow of the hill only
block from, and running parallel with
the river, gives fine natural advantages
as a residence street. The river at this
point is majestic stream when swollen
by summer rains, or its banks filled by
spring freshets Its rocky river bed,
and tul bulent channel. its numerous
isets, and gently sloping banks give it,
at all times exceptional beauty. A row
of native trees planted by the city,
from the bridge to the end Of river
street would pay good interest in the
attractiveness, and picturesqueness of
the city
Judge Geo. l.. Williams a few months
ago bought ten acres embracing the
Neeves' homestead, and the island op-
posite the house. He has had the old
house removed, and on the site has
erected an elegant and modern house
with roomy porches, wide halls, and
the Conveniences that good taste and
refinement dictates. The architecture
is neither renaissance nor classic, but a
happy combination, graceful in outline
and detail, the general features express
ing the purposes they were Intended
to serve, and III so doing forming the
decorative as well as the useful features
of the house. A wide chimney of red
pressed brick is a pronounced feature
of the northeast elevation. Across the
front from the wide window, porch
runs to the conservatory on the south,
and terminates where door opens in
to the sitting room. A graceful group
ing of windows, together with arches
connecting it with both dining and
sitting room forms the conservatory.
On the ground floor are the main en-
trance hall, having grand stairway of
antique carved oak, the parlor or recep-
ton room, with library beyond, sit
ting room, conservatory, dining room,
"Mother's room," kitchen and pantry,
serving room. \ small hall leads
from the "Mother's room" to the
kitchen, while we pass through the
lavatory to the dining room. 1t is a
gem room, designed expressly for the
aged and invalid mother, who is cared
for tenderly by the family.
A commodious cellar and cold storage
room is reached through the pantry.
Water is supplied to all parts of the
house from a natural spring in close
proximity, by means of a hydraulic
ram. Electric lights and bells are in
convenient places. A Boyington fur
mace will heat the entire house.
In the reception parlor on this floor
is CRATE and mantel from the Aldine
manufacturing Co. 1t is antique bronze
in classic design, finished in antique
oak richly carved, and of high polish
On the second floor is long hall
leading to the rear of the house from
the entrance hall. In the northwest
corner is the guest chamber 16x20 and