Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1920-11-23

National bank of which D. l.. Plumer
was chosen president, and which po-
sition he held until the time of his
death.
Incident to the growth of the bank,
it's locations had to be changed to OBJ
tain suitable quarters. 1t was finally
installed in it's present magnificent
banking building on the corner of
Third and Jefferson streets. Mr.
Plumer was the moving spirit in the
erection of this beautiful structure
which was finished in 1890 at a cost
of $4,000. 1t was then, and still is,
one of the most artistic bank buildings
in northern Wisconsin, and will re-
main for many generations as mon
ument to his memory. 1t was his ma
ture to build for the future, and his
judgment was followed in this struc-
ture. 1t has modern banking insti-
tutions and to give the required floor
space for it's increased business, it
will only need further slight alter
ations to accommodate that institu-
ton for the next half century at the
same ratio of growth. He built for
permanency and beauty and it was
characteristic of him. 1t was the
way he built his home, for comfort,
permanence and beauty and it will
remain for century to come.
Elected to Legislature
In 1873, Mr.. Plumer was elected as
member of the legislature; he was
member of the county board for sew
eral years and an alderman. For a
time he served as city engineer. In
1878 he was elected mayor of the city
of Wausau. 1t was at the time when
tax legislation was rampant In one
day, not less than twenty actions
were served upon Mayor Plumer.
Through his efforts and the city and
county attorneys, favorable decisions
were obtained and all taxes were paid
up during that year. 1t, however,
made it necessary to pay more atten-
ton to future assessments. MIR. Plum
er refused to again become candi-
date at the end of his term but three
years later he was again elected may
or, and was reelected in 1888. Our
city made distinct progress during
his terms. School houses were built
and enlarged; the first steel bridge
across the Wisconsin river over the
| falls was built at an expense of near
| ly $4,000, and a bridge was also
built at Leahy & Beebe's mill, north
of the city. Cisterns were arranged
for fire protection and many other i'm
| provementS were made all without
| fostering a burdensome debt on the
| city.
Owned Big Mill
For many years he was in posses
sion of the Plumer saw mill, which
was one of the large plants of the
valley and which occupied site on
Plumer's Island. This was disposed
of about fifteen years ago to the Wis
consin Valley Electric company. Mr.
/ Plumer was one of the chief stock
holders of the Wausau Gas company
and was its president until the con-
Germ was sold to the present corpo-
ration in 1905.
With Knox Brothers and the late
James McCrossen, Mr.. Plumer found
ed the Wausau Lumber company in
1879, which was kept in operation in
1889 when it was destroyed by fire
In 1890, Mr.. Plumer was appointed q
member of the board of regents OF
the University of Wisconsin by Gov
George W. Peck, and until bushes:
forced him to retire, he performed {
terests of our state.
In politics Mr.. plumer was a Dem
ocrat and had been since he becam,
of age He never sought Office or po
litical preferment but such honor:
were pressed upon him. He was elect
ed a delegate at large to the Demo
cratic convention held in Kansa.
City in 1900.
Northern Chief Iron
Mr.. Plumer early became interestei
| in the mineral resources of northern
: Wisconsin and lost no opportunity L
| thoroughly investigate promising
/ prospects. 1t was in 1869 when b.
was making the survey for the Cen
: trail Wisconsin railway TO Bayfiel
that he met with conditions whicl
, resulted in the organization of one o
i the largest and most prosperous irol
5 mining companies in the north-th
) Northern Chief Iron company. II