Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-02-10
An OLD SETTLER
A SHORT SKETCH OF THE
LIFE OF THE LATE
c.. L. PERRY.

u. l.. FERRY WdS one VI tn0 AIou WA-UC
persons to settle in this part of North
ern Wisconsin, and a sketch OF his life,
interviewer as it is with the early his
tory of this region, cannot help but be
interesting to our readers. He was
born in Pennsylvania and moved, with
his parents to Southern Wisconsin
when but five years old. In 1900. at
the age of 10 years, he penetrated into
Northern Wisconsin and settled on
Yellow Birch lake, a short distance
northeast Of this village. Here he
spent a number of years in company
with FL. B. Polar, who is now living in
Langlade county, making hay IN the
summer and trapping and trading with
the Indians in the winter and spring.
The beautiful lakes in this immediate
vicinity we're, at that time and for
many years after, favorite resort for
the red men, and here they congrega
ted in considerable numbers to hunt,
fish and trap.
The next year, 1856. Mr.. Fox es-
tablished trading post on the north
side of Eagle Lake, and engaged Mr..
Perry to superintend the erection OF a
suitable building. This post was called
Kim-me-con, from an Indian word
meaning, "Have you found it, and
was so named from the Indian guide
asking the question, upon Mr.. Fox's
examination of the beautiful spot
which he chose for the site OF his post
In this building was located the Kim
me-con bank, of wildcat fame, and al
so the post-office of the same name.
The remains of this building can still
be seen in the old clearing on the east
side of Eagle lake, as can the ruins Of
another on the north side of the thor
oughfare between Eagle and Scatter
ing Rice lakes, which was erected by
Mr.. Perry the next year, for man by
the name of Bonduell, and afterwards
occupied by man named Hall, and
known as the "Hall Place." and as
such referred to in the field notes in
the government survey of this town.
These two places were on the old
mail route from Green Bay to Onto
naeon, the mail being carried by pack
ers in summer and by dog train in win
ter.
The first election ever held in this
part,of the country was held at the
Kim-me-con bank building, in the fall
of 1860, when Lincoln was elected pres
ident.
After remaining at his place on
Birch lake for few years, Mr.. Perry
removed short distance north to Lac
Vieux Dessert, and, in company with
man by the name of Alex. Draper,
built fine house for the same Mr..
Fox, to be used as trading post and
''station" or stopping place for travel
ers, road having in the meantime
been cut through from Green Bay to
Ontonagon. This house is still stand
ING and is occupied by Len Thomas at
the present time and is a part OF the
Thomas Summer Resort, which is well
known to tourists.
Mr.. Perry also built a house for him
self at Lac Vieux Dessert and was en-
ploped as mail driver on this route for
one winter. After remaining here for
short time he moved his effects to
Long lake, the head OF Deerskin creek,
where he built a house of hewn tim
| bers, cleared about two acres OF land,
and in company with the same IL. b.
Polar, opened post to trade with the
Indians. They also had a post at Vlr-
gin lake, that one being managed by
Mr.. Polar and the one at Long lake by
Mr.. Perry.
| A few years after the completion OF
the Military road, he, in company with
Polar, moved south to Pickerel creek
where he erected a good, substantial
house, with barns and out buildings,
and logged aud farmed there until the
spring of 1877, when he returned to
Eagle River, in company with Finn
Lawler. They cleared up four acres
| on what is known as the Croker Farm,
and the same year built residence on
Eagle river, short distance above
where this village now stands.
from this time for a number OF years
his services as woodsman, were In
great demand and he made an easy liv-
ing in that way. In 1884 he sold out
his buildings and resided here in the