In Review
First Week of July 1870-2000
140 Years Ago (1870): On the Fourth, the day was ushered in by a national salute. At the appointed hour,
the procession was formed in front of the Spencer House, under the direction of the Marshall, led by the
Evansville Cornet Band, to the grove in the rear of the residence of Dr. J. M. Evans. It was a most delightful
spot. Speeches were short, pithy and of a highly entertaining character. After the closing exercises, parties
resolved themselves into families and groups, strolled about the grove and enjoyed a dinner. Everyone came
provided with enough for himself and friends. The tub race was witnessed by the whole audience, who lined
the banks of the pond and crowded upon the dam to witness the sport.
130 Years Ago (1880): By 9 o’clock people and teams began to arrive from the country for the parade.
Marilla Andrews portrayed the “Goddess of Liberty” surrounded by other young ladies representing the
states. A stand was erected in the grove on Dr. Evans’ property for the speaker, officers of the committee,
the band and choir. L. T. Pullen was master of ceremonies. A patriotic speech was given by a young orator
from Janesville, Ogden H. Feather. A shooting contest was held near Campbell’s slaughter house. Fireworks
were set off on a large platform wagon set in the midst of the corner of Main and Madison. People watched
from balconies and staircases as John Swager and G. C. Lehman set off the fireworks. The cost was $65.00.
120 Years Ago (1890): Dr. Stair was called to two cases of sun stroke Saturday. One was that of Hendrick
Hanson, near Cooksville and the other Smith Jameson, of Magnolia. Neither case proved fatal but revived
again after a few hours.
110 Years Ago (1900): The annual school meeting occurred upon last Monday evening in the High School
room. The questions of adding a kindergarten department to our school and of fitting up a gymnasium for the
girls were discussed at length and after the pros and cons of each had been duly considered the matters
were put to a vote and the result is that these important factors will be added the coming year. The subject of
free text books also received its share of attention but was voted down. Those who opposed these added
features to the school did so on the ground of expense, as usual. We believe with the majority of persons
present that our city’s money can bring us no returns equal to the quickened intellects and strengthened
bodies of our youth and nearly every home in Evansville will derive benefit from these advancements in our
school system.
100 Years Ago (1910): M. J. Fisher has just platted the Winston and Hulburt land lying south of the creamery
and bounded on the east side by C. &. N. W. right of way. It is called Fisher’s 2nd addition. The Canning Co.
and City of Evansville have purchased about one half of the land platted, but there is a fine place for a factory
or two left just south of the D. E. Wood Butter Co.’s plant.
90 Years Ago (1920): Mr. and Mrs. Bill Sumner announce the birth of a baby boy the 5th of June, whose
name is Wm. Allison Sumner. Mrs. Sumner was Miss Thora Brunsell.
80 Years Ago (1930): One of the headline attractions at the Lions club 4th of July celebration here will be
concerts by the famous Parker Pen Band of Janesville. Walter Gollmar Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter
Gollmar, 115 South Madison Street, is one of the cornet players. The musicians are attired in attractive
orange and black uniforms and are all members of the Janesville local musicians’ union. The Parker Pen
Band will appear in the parade and will be heard in concert at noon in Leonard Park. The band will also
furnish music for the dance to be held at 9 p.m. in the arts building at the fair grounds.
70 Years Ago (1940): Ervin Jorgensen, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Jorgensen, Almeron Street was killed,
and Eddie Trebs, 26, the driver and Robert Allen, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Allen, Mill Street, were
seriously injured here at 3:30 a.m. Sunday when the home built racing car in which they were riding struck a
truck and burst into flames near the Winn gas station on North Madison Street. Trebs was at the wheel of the
homemade racer, made from a Model A Ford. The three youths were returning from Lake Kegonsa and all
were riding in the front seat. The injured youths were taken to the hospital in Janesville, by Chief of Police
Lamb in the city’s squad car.
60 Years Ago (1950): Approximately 80 girls from Chicago and other large cities are enrolled for the summer
period at the Leota School for Girls camp at 443 South First street which is owned and operated by Mrs.
William Bone.
50 Years Ago (1960): Richard Antes, English teacher and swimming coach in the Freeport schools is in
charge of summer activities at the local swimming pool, with Michael Sorkin student at Northwestern,
assisting. With the sun brightening things up the past few days, much activity has center in and about the
pool. Life guards are: Richard Antes, Mike Sorkin, Dean Allen, Scott Sperry, Theo Rasmussen, Norman Hull,
Jerry Propst and Mary Lynn Estes.
40 Years Ago (1970): Sgt. David Persons and Miss Sandy Noel of Marquette, Mich., were July 4th weekend
guests here of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Don Persons. Sgt. Persons is based at Sawyer AFB in Michigan.
30 Years Ago (1980): If you pull wallpaper off of many homes in Evansville you would find the name Geo. C.
Dell written on the walls or that of Geo. H. Dell, his father, or both. The apartment above Steve’s Barber Shop
on 17 E. Main is being redecorated by Roger Berg, and Geo. Dell is doing the papering. When the paper was
removed the following inscriptions were found: “Papered by Geo. H. Dell 1911.” This was George Dell’s
father who was in business before him. On another wall in the same room was: Papered by Geo. H. Dell &
Son, May 8, 1937. By this time, his father was doing the pasting and George C. was doing the hanging. On
two walls of two rooms it was written “Papered by George C. Dell, May 28, 1960.”
20 Years Ago (1990): Clark and Dorothy (Fiene) Prudhon were married July 9, 1940 at the Little Brown
Church in Nashua, Iowa. They moved to Evansville in July 1954. July 15, the family is observing the fiftieth
(50th) anniversary of Clark and Dorothy’s marriage by holding a reception in their front yard at the north end
of Clifton Street.
10 years ago (2000): Key figures from the City of Evansville, the Town of Union and the Evansville
Community School District met last Tuesday, June 27th, to discuss boundaries and time lines for annexation
of town of Union school-owned property into the City. The school district architect would like the annexation to
occur in August; however, determination of the actual building location may not be completed much before
that time, due to incomplete site and soil boring work, making it difficult to determine exactly how much land
should be annexed. If the school building does drop too far south, the Town of Union would have concerns
that land owners would ask for annexation.
In Review
Second Week of July 1870-2000
140 Years Ago (1870): The sabbath school and congregation connected with the Free Will Baptist Church
propose to have a ride and basket picnic on Thursday next at Grass Lake. A cordial invitation is extended to
all who wish to join in the occasion. Parties expecting to go must be at the church by 8 o’clock, morning.
130 Years Ago (1880): Statistics of the town of Union. Number of Inhabitants in town of Union, Rock County,
State of Wisconsin, enumerated by me in June, 1880: Inhabitants in the town, 1012; Inhabitants in the Village
of Evansville, 1067; Number of Farms, 221; Establishments, Productive Industry, 21; Deaths, 26; Insane, 2.
Jacob West, Assessor.
120 Years Ago (1890): Mr. Geo. Hall, Jr., informs us that his alligator escaped from its confinement last night
and is now roaming at large in our village, also that he would be a dangerous animal to meet, especially by
children.
110 Years Ago (1900): Work has begun on Mr. John Robinson’s new residence west of the city. R.
Hankinson has the contract to build it. [Note: The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places
in January 2010. It is located at 18002 West County Trunk Highway C.] For more information go to this
website: http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/hp/register/viewSummary.asp?refnum=09001221
100 Years Ago (1910): Joshua Mulock Owen, an old and honored resident of Evansville died at his home in
the Commercial Hotel Tuesday morning of hemorrhage of the brain. He was proprietor of the Commercial
Hotel for 30 years, selling out his interest only last fall. Mr. Owen’s wife died 4 years ago and he lost an only
child, a daughter 13 years ago. The funeral services will be held at the Commercial Hotel Thursday at 2 p.m.
Rev. T. W. North will officiate.
90 Years Ago (1920): The factory on the county line known as the Jones cheese factory burned Tuesday
evening. The fire started in the engine room, it is thought. However, it is not just sure where the origin was.
The building was completely razed to the ground. There was a month and a half output of cheese in the
building and of course this is all spoiled. This creamery has been run by the farmers and has made them a
good outlet for their milk and now they are wondering where they will dispose of their product. John Golz who
is president of the cooperative factory states that it will be some time before it will be rebuilt.
80 Years Ago (1930): A new 33,000 volt transmission line now being constructed by the Wisconsin Power
and Light Company from Prairie du Sac through Stoughton to Monroe through Evansville and Monticello, will
give the city of Evansville two new sources of power and will better serve the customers of this locality. The
33,000 volt substation, which is being completed here will transform the 33,000 volt energy to 2,300 volts for
city distribution. Evansville is fortunate in having this new transmission line routed through the city because
the new sources of electric supply will insure dependable service and will take care of the increased demands
for electricity at this point.
70 Years Ago (1940): Operations at the plant of the Columbus food corporation here were resumed Tuesday
when a crew of 100 men and women returned to work packing the late pea crop of 275 acres. Evansville
farmers are expected to haul in large numbers the latter part of this week and the fore part of next, when
production will reach its peak and the crew will be increased to about 125 workers. Plant crews, according to
Earl J. Gibbs, local manager, have been dusting the late crop in an effort to eliminate the insects which usually
infest the second sowing. The viner stations are located on the farms of Roy Fellows, William Trickle,
Milbrandt Brothers, Warren Reese, Robert Bryan, Clark Osterheld, Grant Howard and Herman Miller. Others
are located near the church in Center township and at the plant.
60 Years Ago (1950): Palmer Haynes, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe Haynes, returned home Monday night. He
represented the Evansville Boy Scouts at the National Jamboree at Valley Forge the past two weeks. In
discussing the trip, Palmer said: “There were 47,000 of us in all and in that group there were 18 foreign
countries represented. President Truman and Ike Eisenhower were there and talked to us.”
50 Years Ago (1960): The Dutch Elm ordinance, which gives the city the right to remove trees which have the
disease, will take effect upon its publication in the Review next week. The city will remove the elms at no cost
to the property owners. The council unanimously approved the appointment of Harold Tait as city forester, a
position established by the new ordinance. He is now the superintendent of the city’s water and light
department, and will get no compensation for the new duty.
40 Years Ago (1970): At the recent quarterly meeting, the Board of Directors of the Baker Manufacturing
Company named John F. Townsend as a Vice President. Townsend, 47, joined the company in September
1950 as a pattern setter. He became foreman of the foundry and core room in May 1951, in 1961 he was
appointed foundry Superintendent. He and his wife, Barbara, have five daughters and reside at 223 West
Main Street.
30 Years Ago (1980): Tom Dreher recently presented the United Methodist Church with a beautiful wood
carving, depicting “The Parable of the Sower”. Rev. I Dean Jordan incorporated the parable in his sermon
when the presentation was unveiled in late May. Dreher worked on the wood carving during the winter. The
pine wood carving bears the inscriptions from the Bible. In the center is the Sower. Shown in the corners are
the modern day version of the material things of man, with man seated dejectedly in the lower left. In the
upper left corner is the breaking of the cross with a snake representing Satan. Clouds show hard times and
birds are also included. In the lower right hand corner is the joy of man with his family, the results of a good
sower.
20 Years Ago (1990): Rev. Daniel J. Wilson preached his first sermon at the Congregational United Church of
Christ on Sunday, July 8. For the past three years he has served as Associate Pastor at St. Paul’s United
Church of Christ in Oakville, MO. Rev. Wilson will be married in June of 1991 to Sue Schmidt. His special
interests are sign language, recycling, letter writing, music, bicycling and tennis.
10 years ago (2000): Twenty-four members of the Class of 1940 were present at the 60-year reunion held
June 23 at the Evansville Country Club. Also present was former sixth Grade Teacher Ada Ewins Turner, of
Palmyra, Wisconsin and her son, Peter Turner. Thomas Kennedy was the chairman of the reunion
committee. Robert Brunsell provided a lively commentary as the Emcee. Reunion books were prepared by
Ruth Morrison Gollmar.
In Review
Third Week of July 1870-2000
140 Years Ago (1870): A rider came into town on a horse all flecked with foam, on Thursday last, for the
Doctor to see a child of Mr. William Lee, of Magnolia, who had eaten a quantity of Paris Green. The mother
saw the child before it had time to swallow the fatal dose and took it nearly or quite all from the child’s mouth,
else the poison intended for the filthy potatoe bug would have killed her darling child. Keep your potatoe bug
poison from the children.
130 Years Ago (1880): The town has stone drawn upon the spot for rebuilding the bridge across the stream
at the foot of Main Street. The bridge will be eight feet wider than the present one, extending northward that
distance and connecting with the sidewalk. Street Commissioner Williams has charge of the job for the town.
120 Years Ago (1890): Dr. and Mrs. J. M. Evans, Jr. have their household gladdened by the arrival of a girl
baby, since last Thursday night, July 17.
110 Years Ago (1900): Mr. Robert Graham succumbs to injuries received last Monday night. He was thrown
from a railroad car one mile north of Clinton and was taken to the hospital in Janesville. Mrs. Graham was
sent for and went Tuesday afternoon in company with her sister and Dr. Evans to visit the injured man.
100 Years Ago (1910): The installation of a sewer system in this city has become more than a possibility. It is
now but a question of time when sewers will be laid in our streets. The question the voters decided last
Tuesday was “Shall the City of Evansville issue bonds for the sum of $8,000 for sewage purposes?” The
matter was settled by a decisive vote of 174 for the issue of the bonds to 104 against, leaving a clear majority
of 70 in favor of the proposition. It means a reaching out for greater things, an invitation to manufacturers to
consider this beautiful home-adorned city as a fitting place to establish their plants. It is the opening wedge
toward a condition of growth which has in it unlimited opportunities and splendid achievements.
90 Years Ago (1920): A collection of old-fashioned school books, toys, Civil War relics, valentines, souvenir
pins and buttons, surgical implements, and other articles of the period between 1856 and 1880, belonging to
John M. Evans, pioneer of Evansville has just been given to the State Historical Museum by his daughter-in-
law, Mrs. John Evans, of Madison. The children’s toys and costumes will be incorporated in the museum’s
children’s room. Dr. Evans was surgeon for the 13th Wisconsin volunteers during the Civil War. The City of
Evansville, Wis., was named for him.
80 Years Ago (1930): A candelabrum stolen some time Friday night from St. Paul’s Catholic church here was
found Monday afternoon by Chief of Police Fred Gillman north of the Crow and Ames ginseng beds on
Garfield Avenue. The thieves had broken it open and removed the money. The candelabrum was given to
the church in memory of Michael McCarroll.
70 Years Ago (1940): Lyle Wells, 468 South Madison Street, sustained a broken bone back of the little finger
of his right hand when a heavy drill dropped on his hand while he was boring cylinders at the plant of the
Baker Manufacturing Company. X-rays were taken and medical treatment administered by a local physician.
Wells will be unable to resume his duties at the plant for about a month.
60 Years Ago (1950): It has happened again! Allen creek has been on a rampage since last Saturday night
and late Wednesday afternoon it reached its peak. About six o’clock the entire lower section of Leota Park
was covered with water. The water raised two feet in two hours Wednesday afternoon and the Evansville
Feed and Fuel company’s building and the Miller Hotel were threatened with a deluge. Water covered the
railroad tracks near the depot. The Jamaicans employed at the canning factory were forced to vacate their
living quarters.
50 Years Ago (1960): The progress of the new school building is behind schedule. The foundations have all
been placed and brick is being laid. The boiler room is completed. The plumbers and electricians have made
installations. The road approaching the school on Third Street has been completed. Sewer, water and
electrical connections are being extended by the City Water and Light Dept. Supt. J. C. McKenna doubts now
that the building can be completed in time for fall classes to begin.
40 Years Ago (1970): The following youths of St. John’s Lutheran Church recently attended Lutherdale
summer camp at Elkhorn: Tony Allen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Rolland Allen; Judy Anne Kuelz, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Kenneth Kuelz; Anne Thomas, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Merlin Thomas; and Sandy Koch, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Koch.
30 Years Ago (1980): At the Evansville School Board meeting, July 14, Ms. Joyce Nelson reported that 78
kindergarten children were screened, they have 74 who are registered but they felt there are a few who have
not been screened. The teachers recommend that there be four sections next fall. Business Manager
Cufaude presented copies of a letter from the DPI to the effect that state aids would be cut 4.4%. This would
amount to a $43,680 reduction in total state aids. They will send a letter to the state to object strongly to this
cut which comes after all school districts have made their budgets.
20 Years Ago (1990): Lions Club members jumped in once again to offer their talents and time for a project in
the park. They finished the small shelter at the south entrance to the city park. Workers included Lee Winch,
Steve Hagen, Si Chapin, Keith Williams, Gerald Beckwith, Dave Ross and Greg Helgesen. Keith Williams built
the limestone steps to reach the deck of the warming house in the upper park. The limestone was donated by
Don E. Larson from their quarry west of Magnolia and by E. F. Reindahl from his quarry between Brooklyn
and Oregon. A railing was also added to the warming house room and the roof is now in excellent shape for
use, entertainment or programs.
10 years ago (2000): Evansville’s All Star Blue Traveling baseball team were the champions at the VYBA
Little League Invitational Tournament at Orfordville on July 15, 2000. Team members were Jacob Conrad,
Mark Haakenson, Josh Schnell, John Bolling, Owen Ringhand, Alex Manion, Garth Coats, Eric Zee, Kyle
Schulz, Tyler Maybee, Chad Rasmussen, Eric Seeman. The coaches were: Head Coach, John Reilly, Steve
Maybee and John Rasmussen.
In Review
Fourth Week of July 1870-2000
140 Years Ago (1870): We understand that only about $40, is lacking the Baptist Society for the purchase of
a thousand pound bell.
130 Years Ago (1880): Married: At the residence of Mrs. Marshal, near Dayton, Green County, July 25th, by
Rev. Chas. E. Goldthorp, Mr. Frank M. Shurger to Miss Jennie Magee, both of this village.
120 Years Ago (1890): Messrs. H. Potter and J. R. West are making a draft for the new front in the M. E.
Church, which begins to look a little like business.
110 Years Ago (1900): The old cannon which was sent to this city from Washington, by request of our
citizens arrived Monday, and several shells with it. It looks as if it would be able to remind us of the presence
of another national holiday.
100 Years Ago (1910): Byron Campbell has in his possession an octopus lately taken from the Pacific Ocean
and which he has just received by express. It is a good specimen and its long, sinuous arms well illustrate its
power to capture and destroy whatever object its frightful tentacles come in contact with. Mr. Campbell will be
glad to show his prize to visitors and those who wish to see a curiosity now have a chance.
90 Years Ago (1920): The attendance at the Chautauqua which started in this city Tuesday has been
excellent showing that the people of Evansville stand always ready to support anything educational or
intellectual. The programs so far have been interesting.
80 Years Ago (1930): M. D. Fish, 523 West Main Street, an employee of G. C. Peake and Company here,
narrowly escaped drowning in Lake Leota at 3 p.m. Saturday when he stepped from shallow water into a deep
channel near the south spillway and was unable to swim. He was rescued by Jess Kimberly.
70 Years Ago (1940): A new 125 by 46 foot one-story, red brick office building is being erected here at the
plant of the Baker Manufacturing Company. Representing the last word in modern architecture and
convenience, the structure is towering on Enterprise Street adjacent to the firm’s gas engine building and
across the street from the warehouse. The firm of Law, Law, and Potter, Madison, which designed Evansville’
s new $225,000 high school building is in charge of the architectural work. The Fritz Construction Company,
Madison has been engaged as the contractors.
60 Years Ago (1950): Mr. and Mrs. Will Sumner, Jr., have purchased the Mr. and Mrs. Fred Luchsinger home
on the corner of North First and Garfield Avenue and plan to move there about October 15. Mr. Sumner is
the new manager at the Antes Printing Company and he and his wife and daughter, Margaret Ann are living in
Madison at the present. Mr. and Mrs. Luchsinger own a lot just west of their present home and they will begin
building a new modern, smaller home as soon as arrangements can be made.
50 Years Ago (1960): Evansville students who visited the University of Wisconsin campus to register included
Robert J. Bullard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bullard, route 1; Ann Baker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John
Baker, 223 W. Main St.; and Terry A. Cole, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Cole, 442 W. Main Street.
40 Years Ago (1970): The honor of turning the first spade full of dirt to start the building of Evansville’s
Nursing Home was given to John Wyse, president of the Evansville Betterment Corp. Others at the ground
breaking ceremony were William Bewick, Emil Vilhauer, representing the Small Business Administration of
Madison; E. V. Lunning, representing the Colonial Manor Corp. of Sioux City, Iowa; Rollie Devlin, Dr. S. S.
Sorkin, president of the Board of Directors; Dr. Robert Heimerl, Michael Finnane, Mayor Ida T. Conroy,
Thomas Reese of Seattle Wash. Project manager for the Careage Co., contractors for the project and
Leonard Finn. The Rev. Joshua Crowell, pastor of the Evansville Congregational-United Church of Christ,
gave the invocation and benediction.
30 Years Ago (1980): According to the census figures sent to the City of Evansville, the population has
dropped 8.9 percent, thus giving Evansville a population of 2,726. Ten years ago, Evansville was listed as
2,992, just eight people short of the 3,000 mark. Considering all the new homes which have been constructed
in the last 10 years, new faces in the city, and the land which the city has annexed, city officials are finding this
figure hard to believe. For this reason, Pam Wilson and the Ordinance Committee are compiling a list of facts
to prove to the Madison office of the Federal Census Bureau that Evansville is bigger than they say, and that
the new figure presented is incorrect. The committee is researching building permits, the post office, and
water and light hook ups to come up with facts.
20 Years Ago (1990): An open house was held at First Financial in Evansville on Friday, July 27th to honor
Annette Losey, who will be retiring after 11 years of service. Her immediate plans are to enjoy a trip to
Australia to meet a new grandson and visit her daughters, Jackie and Margo and their families.
10 years ago (2000): At the school board meeting on Monday night of last week, Vince Maloney was
unanimously selected to serve as the J. C. McKenna Middle School Principal next school year. Maloney had
planned to retire, since his wife was retiring at this time. However, time constraints would have made it difficult
to hire someone to start in August.
The new book from Arcadia Publishing’s Then and Now series, “Evansville,” written by Ruth Ann Montgomery
with photographs by John Ehle is available at several Evansville businesses, including the Evansville
Pharmacy, Windmill Antiques, Rock ‘n Rollz, Ace Hardware and the Baker Office Museum (open 11 to 3 on
Saturdays.) The book features historic photographs of Evansville, with modern photographs of the same
scene taken by Ehle in the fall of 2009. Proceeds from the book will be donated to the Baker Office Building
Museum.