Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-01-21

church. The financial condition is
better than it ever has been; they are
practically out of debt. The other
churches are steadily gaining. The
Unity Church in Centralia has haC
phencminal success. It is still in itS
infancy, less than three years ago
starting with no capital but voluntary
subscriptions, willing workers anC
Grace of God, they began the yearI89:
free from debt
Of other societies the Masons are
alive and prosperous. The odd-fellow:
have fair organizations; the G. A. r
and relief corps are doing good work
The Kings Daughters are quietly carry
! ing on their practical free masonry; the
Catholic Aid Societies, the Epwortl
League and Y. P. S. c. Z. are al
tourshing.
So much for what we have and are
For the future we want more pay rolls
more cold storage buildings to make
market for the increasing farm products
more manufactures to utilize the grand
Water-power; notably a boot & shoe
factory; a pail and tub factory; a cooper.
shop. No point offers better facilities
for Govt. factory for Indian supplies
IN wearing apparel. A knitting manu-
factory would find home market; more
brick yards are needed; in fact
capitalists can find a chance for fail
investments on a sure basis in almost
any manufacturing business here The
city has never had a boom (outside OF
the river and needs none. A good
substantial growth that is the inevitable
result of legitimate business, based on
supply and demand, we claim. The
corner stone of our prosperity is our
unlimited resources and the financial
honor OF our business men. A review
Of the old times of Grand Rapids lacks
the element Of greatest interest if we
omit to mention the names of the
pioneers whose indomitable energy and
pluck held the fort and planted the
banner of prosperity on solid rock.
Ihe Arpln brothers have been power
III the past, as they are at present. The
palatlal residence of John Arpin any
city might feel proud of They have
an army of employees in their lumber
camps and mills. Beginning with few
hundred dollars, hauling logs by OK
team to the nearest creek or river, then
"drlving" them to mill, rafting the
product and sending it to southern
points by the slow, oftimes dangerous
method Of running the river" they
have with untiring energy kept pace
and led IN the onward march until now
While still III the prime of life, the
Brothers have reached the top. Staunch
catholics, they are liberal givers and
the catholic interests here owe much to
them. The protestant churches also
know the Arpin iberality.
j. D. Witter, another of the earlv
settlers came with more brains than
money. A young attorney who made
brains win not only money, but honor
and credit. He is largely interested in
two banks, in manufacturing, in retail
stores and in real estate.
Mr.. Sampson watched the growth of
the place since what IS now main street
was an avenue Of pines. His only son
Henry took up the work as failing
health overlook the father, and he is
now using his means helpfully for the
city.
In our public library with its pictures,
books and artistic furnishings we have
a memorial gift from Hon. Thos. B.
Scott, who helped to rebuild the city
and whose money still brings advan-
tages to us. Mrs. Scott holds a high
place in the memory of people here.
Liberal and just, a true friend and
earnest worker, she filled we'll her
place.
Our beautiful Howe High School,
built Of stone, stands the pride of our
city as a memorial of another of our
pioneer citizens.
Mr.. Neeyes and wife, Mr. Grace and
wife, Mr.. Wood and wife, leaders in
pioneer days, all finished their life
work here, the homes are broken up,
the families scattered, but their works
do live after them. Only Frank and
George Wood remain to represent the
DoDla o,,J 1,,oroorioc Cr oi+bor of 4J,roo
leading families. MeSsrs. Wood born
and brought up here, merit the honor
of being representatives of the name
'FWood."
Mr.. Rablin still lives, an authority in
W0odsmen's craft and numbering busi-
ness. Hon. Judge Webb was an old
settler even before he answered the call
of his country. Garrison is a name
almost as old as Grand Rapids, Comp
ton, Kline, Purdy, all old time names.
The bride Of Ira Purday's young man
hood braved the dangers of the Wis
consin river when she came from
Wausau, then Big Bull Falls, to Grand
Rapids, in canoe, to join hands with
the stalwart young pioneer.
Time and space forbid mention of
names that we would gladly give place
to, but there are many old landmarks
that remain as reminders of the old
times when pluck, and enthusiasm, and
energy were the leading elements in
the primitive embryo city. If the
youth Of our day imbibe the courage,
enero.r and ideIitr of their fathers as