Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-04-27

teeth. good digestion and good appe-
titles had any business with it. / can
truthfully say that | have never ham
kered after boiled sandhill crane from
that day to this.
On reading my communication to
my wife. she takes me to task for
emitting to mention the names of Mr..
and Mrs. A. B Sampson, as they were
among our most valued friends. Mrs.
Sampson was more than a mother to
my wife. and Henry ran the risk of
his life, crossing the river on the
rotten ice. at the time my house
burned, going to Rudolph after me
and returning in the night. Very
few men would have taken the risk,
and such acts of kindness are held in
grateful remembrance.
A. B. Sampson and Reuben Lyon
owned the mill south of the Rapids
when [ went to Frenchtown, but
soon after sold it to Hurley s. Burns.
The Parrish family, who lived near
FrenchtOWn, were among our most
esteemed friends, and Robert, who is
now in business in your city, was in
my employ number of years and was
one of my most trusted friends and
advisers. Long may he wave. But if
[ should make mention of all toward
whom l have friendly feelings and
tender recOllections, / should have to
write book.
When we went to Grand Rapids
there were no church organizations or
church editices except a small chapel
of the Catholics. There was no school
house except little wooden structure
near the residence of David Baker.
| While we lived there a small COngre-
gatiOnal church was organized and
church building erected. The Meth
odists also organized class and built
church. Perhaps the first Protes-
tant meeting ever held in the county
was held in the little schoolhouse and
|
Presbyterian minister from Plover.
[ should like to speak of the younger
generation, who were boys and girls
in those days, some of whom still hold
the fort and have taken our places in
the business world. | will only take
space to mention the names of those
who were in the Sabbath and day
schools whom [ best remember. There
were Frank and George Wood, John
and Henry Rablin. George, Orlando
and David Baker, Clarence Warren,
Allen Neeves and his brothers: and of
the girls, Mary j. Searls, Kitty and
Susie Rablin, daughter of John
Compton, one of E. La Vigne, one of
Robert Grace, of Andrew Turnbull,
and many others whose faces | remem-
Der but whose names have gone from
me.
OF the older generation, most of
them have fought the good fight,
| helped to Subdue the forests, establish
thriving community and have gone
to their reward. A feeling of loneli-
ness comes over me when | think how
few remain of those with whom [
used to associate and do business 1t
would do my heart good to meet you
in your prospective gathering and
take by the hand the few old fellows
who remain.
Accept in place of personal greeting
my best wishes for the health and
happiness of you all. My wife wishes
also to be remembered by those who
were such kind and thoughtful neigh
borS in the Affections she passed
through while she lived among you,
Mrs. Rablin, Mrs. Black, Mrs. Heyl-
man, Mrs. Edminster, Mrs. Salmon.
Lucinda and Alma Clark, and many
others who are held by her in grateful
| remembrance.
| have Intentionally avoided refer
ence to matters of a personal nature
| and hope at some future time to COM
municate to you some "reminiscences
of hardships endured, narrow escapes
and humorous incidents, but will now
leave you with the hope that my ram
| bling, deSultOry and disconnected COM
mu nicatiOn may not too much tire
your patience. j. II. LANG.