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Emmet, Township of

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Author:
Mary Moltzan

Location:
T. 27 N. - R. 5 E. and the southwestern corner of T. 27 N. - R. 6 E.

Founded:
`

Formallized:
December 20, 1888

Background:

Population: 1905-865, 2000-842

Emmet Township was created out of Mosinee Township in 1888 and reduced to its present size in 1910. This reduced size includes sections 19,20,29,30,31 and 32 of Township 27 North, Range 6 East(mostly Mosinee Township).

Emmet Township's history begins with Native Americans. Emmet Township developed into an Irish settlement in the 1840s following the potato famine in Ireland. Many more immigrants arrived in the 1850s. Immigrants who had bought their land sight unseen found the land covered with trees, stumps and undergrowth which had to be cleared before planting could begin. Many worked in the lumber camps to feed their families until they could clear the land.



First Public Official:
Felix Maguire

Biography:

 Felix Maguire was the first township chairman. He died on Saturday, July 23, 1898, at the age of 71. He had been a prominent figure in church and town affairs.



About The Post Office:

See Village of Halder. This had the only post office ever in Emmet Township.



Railroad:

In 1911, the Conner Lumber Co. of Stratford built a line from Stratford that ran to just west of Halder to haul logs to their mill in Stratford. This line was abandoned in 1928.



Churches:

St. Patrick Catholic Church. The congregation formed on November 18, 1871. First church 1872. Second church dedicated on May 13, 1908.



Schools:

The Emmet School system consisted of eight one-room schools:

1. Sunnyside School, Section 8.

2. Weis School, Section 9.

3. Granite Hill School, Section 1.

4. Ludington School, Section 15.

5. Washburn School, Section 29.

6. Twins School,Section 2 consisted of 2 one-room schools side-by-side.

7. Shady Lawn School, Section 30. This school is where the first town meeting was held and where the Emmet Township was formed.

These schools served a very useful purpose in the early days of the Town in addition to teaching the children. Many were used for social events such as weddings and anniversaries as well as a gathering place for children to play summer softball and, in the fall, touch football.

St. Robert's School - Halder - Dedicated 1921 and a part of St. Patrick's Catholic Church parish as a school until the close of the 1970 school year. Legend has it that it was named St. Robert's rather than St. Patrick's School because Father Multerer, pastor of the community at the time, said it would be named after the family of the one who gave the most money towards building it. Apparently, the biggest donation came from Robert Freeman.



Business:

See Village of Halder



Industry:

Sawmills



Stories:

Irish immigrant, Robert Freeman, gave his name to Freeman Creek, which runs through Halder into the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir. Freeman first came to Marathon County in 1851 with his wife and young daughter intending to farm land he purchased. The task proved too difficult, and Freeman soon turned to timber cruising to support his family. It wasn't until 1861 that Freeman purchased the 160 acres south of Halder, and the stream, which flowed through it, soon took on his name. He succeeded in farming this time. His story parallels other early settlers who worked hard to make farms and businesses grow in the wilderness.