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Edgar, Village of

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Author:
Mary Moltzan

Location:
T. 28 N.- R. 4 E., Sec. 12 & 13, Township of Wien; also Cassel Twp.

Formallized:
July 29, 1898

Background:

The village was platted in 1891. Edgar is divided in half along Main Street between Wien Township on the west and Cassel Township on the east.

In 1888, there was nothing at the site of what is now Edgar but trees and Scotch Creek.  However, by 1890, there was a logging camp and saw mill in the community followed by the railroad in 1891.  By the time the village was incorporated in 1899, Edgar had two saw mills, a general store, blacksmith and harness-making shop, tavern, school, and a brickyard.  That yard was the source of much of the brick used in the downtown buildings along Third Street and in the farm houses in the surrounding countryside.

See Railroad

First Public Official:
C. C. DeLong

Post Office Established:
December 2, 1891

First Postmaster:
George Gumaer

About The Post Office:

P.O. is still in service, located in Sect. 12, Wien Township. In the early days, the post office jumped all over town. Postmasters were appointed and whoever was in good graces with the newly elected officials got the job.

Railroad:

In 1889, the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western RR began building between Wausau and Marshfield, running through Edgar. In anticipation of the railroad coming, Sam Quaw and George Gumaer came from Wausau to Edgar and built a large sawmill. In 1890, a small depot was erected and on September 11, 1891, the first train came through.

Churches:

1. St. Stephen Lutheran Church - Edgar's first church, a wood frame building, was dedicated in 1893 and located on the corner of 2nd and Maple.

2. St. Paul's German Evangelical Church - Church was built in 1900. After this congregation disbanded , the church was purchased by the First Presbyterian Church.

3. First Presbyterian Church - The first building was built in 1901 on 4th Ave. When the congregation moved to 3rd Ave, the church was relocated.

4. St. John the Baptist Catholic Church - Built in 1899 on the corner of 4th and Maple and later moved to its present site on 4th Ave.

Schools:

The first school was built in 1893 at a cost of $500. By 1898 it was too small, and the old town hall from the Town of Cassel was purchased and moved. The two buildings were connected by an enclosed hallway. In 1901, Edgar built a brick schoolhouse at a cost of $8000. By 1908, they built a two room addition and, in 1909, were licensed to establish a four year high school course.

Business:

See Background

Industry:

1. The first industry, started in 1885, was a stave and barrel factory operating in the woods with no buildings. Barrels were shipped to Wausau by horse and wagon. In 1893, the Menasha Wooden Ware Co. expanded the factory. It continued in operation for many years.

2. In 1890, the Quaw Lumber Co. started a sawmill operated by Sam Quaw and George Gumaer. It was Edgar's second industry.

3. Another sawmill was erected about 1894 owned by Mr. Hoenish. Later it was acquired by Wausau Lumber Co. and operated for several years before operations were transferred to Rib Falls.

4. Initially, a veneer factory was built to utilize the lumber in the area. Upon completion of the plant, unfortunately, the owners found veneer prices had dropped. They sold their building and equipment. In early 1913, the new owners began operations producing baskets and cheese boxes.

Farming:

Much credit is given to the farmers surrounding Edgar, mostly Poles and Germans, and in smaller numbers, Irish and Bohemians. They cleared the logged-over lands for farming in the summer and during the winter worked in the logging operations to earn cash. Through the efforts of farmers, the Edgar Co-operative was formed in 1924.

Stories:

According to C. C. Delong and A. W. Puchner, in the early days during the logging era, deer and wild game roamed the streets of the town. The streets were a quagmire in the spring and during rainy spells. Most of Edgar was a swamp. There were stumps 4-5 feet across in the middle of the streets that had to be blasted out before they could be paved. C. C. DeLong also recalled there was a severe shortage of cash. You took your pay in butter, eggs and forest products. Cash settlements were usually made once a year in the fall just before taxes were due. The family larder was supplemented by wild game and fish. There were few hunting or fishing regulations. The saloon-boarding houses were the domain of men. They met there to eat, conduct business and socialize. While men were conducting their business, the women were busy with church activities and sewing circles. They held socials and bake sales. The Lyceum Society brought entertainment and lectures to town. Dances were held at the Modern Woodmen Hall, Teggee's and for a short time at the Forest Heights Dance Hall and Saloon on the north end of town across from the Bank of Edgar.