Histories:  The History of the Town of Cumberland, Barron Co.,WI 

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Cumberland is an incorporated city of 1528 inhabitants, situated 
in the northwest  corner of Cumberland Township, or, as more 
exactly described, in Sections 6 and 7, Township 35 north, Range 
13 west. It is entirely surrounded by Beaver Dam Lake, which 
converts the site into an island, several bridges giving access 
into the surrounding country. From this fact it is sometimes 
called the "Island  City."  The lake is a beautiful body of water 
five miles long, and connects with a chain of lakes extending 
about sixteen miles to the northwest.  The land is rolling, and 
in many places covered with small timber, the ancient forests 
having been cut years ago by the different logging concerns which 
operated in this region. The site of Cumberland was occupied for 
some years by a tribe of Chippewa Indians, whose headquarters were 
at the Couderay reservation.  After the white men came, the Indians
gradually returned to their reservation.  The chief of the band was 
Pon-gee Rau-gen, or "Little Pipe", commonly called "Cut Lip".  He 
lived here until his death, about 1895, when he was drowned by 
being tipped out of a canoe. Several of his descendants were present 
at the first pioneer reunion  held at Cumberland, in August, 1920, 
including his grandsons, Charles  and Will Roberts, and their niece, 
Margaret Bisonett of Couderay.

The city of Cumberland is built on an island at the lower extremity 
of Beaver Dam  Lake, which is encircled for the most part with 
rugged hills, whose slopes and summits are adorned from spring to 
autumn with the brilliant foliage of a variety of trees and shrubs, 
including the pine, oak, birch and elm; the whole forming a series 
of magnificent pictures, the perfection of nature's handiwork, from  
almost numberless  points of view. Less than five decades ago this 
island and all the territory adjacent to the beautiful Che-wa-cum-ma-
towangok, or "Lake Made by the Beavers", as Beaver Dam Lake was 
called in the Chippewa language, was an unbroken wilderness, save 
the clearings and the cabins of two or three adventurous pioneers.  
In this period a city has grown up that is a surprise to the visitor.  
What was a tangled forest of trees, shrubs, wild creeping plants and 
flowers, is now a business and residence center that demands volumes 
of praise for the enterprise of the citizens.  With  wide and graded 
streets, substantial sidewalks, handsome homes, fine stores, electric 
lights and a complete system of waterworks in operation, the city is 
a model of what can be accomplished by the brain and hand of man.

In the fall of 1874 0. A. Ritan, accompanied by R. H. Clothier, visited 
this section, both with the intention of taking up homesteads. But 
after looking over the ground they changed their minds and started 
back for their homes in Hersey. While on their way they met a party 
of surveyors, who were running lines for the proposed North Wisconsin 
railway. These surveyors informed that the road would probably run 
through or near the homesteads they had intended to file on. They, 
however, continued their homeward journey. In the fall of the same 
year they learned that the railroad would probably be built through 
the next spring, and Mr. Ritan filed on a homestead, as also did 
Gunder 0. Dahlby.

The Ritan and Dahlby families had met at Downs' camp, near Turtle 
Lake, to which place the Dahlbys had driven from the town of New 
Richmond, which was then the  end  of  the railroad.  They arrived 
on the island Dec. 10, 1874, and Mr. Dahlby, assisted by Mr. Ritan, 
at once built on his land a rude log cabin of two rooms, the first 
on the island. It stood on Lot 3, Section 6, or, in other words, 
about 300 feet north of the site of the present high school.

0. A. Ritan's homestead comprised the west half of the southwest 
quarter of Section  18, or about a mile south of the island, but 
during the first winter, that of 1874-75, he and his family shared 
the cabin of the Dahlbys. R. H. Clothier, who arrived with his 
family about a month after the others had started housekeeping, 
also made his temporary home there. They were necessarily crowded 
but made the best of circumstances. During the day the men rolled 
in huge blocks of white pine, which, in the evening they split 
with frows into shingle size, later dressing them into shape with  
draw-knives.  They also prepared other building material so as to 
be ready for the spring activities. The lighter work was done in 
the cabin.

In 1877, when the construction of the North Wisconsin railway was 
resumed at Clayton and extended toward the Great Lakes, Mr.  Dahlby, 
being the lucky possessor of an ox team, easily found work hauling 
supplies to the various construction camps. In 1880 he sold out his 
interests here and moved to Chandler (now Spooner), where he opened 
a store; but after conducting it a short time, he resumed railway 
construction work, following the road as it advanced from place to 
place. He died at North Branch, Minn., in 1901. His wife, Ellen, 
whose maiden name was Hemmingson, was present at the pioneer picnic 
in Cumberland in 1920.  They were both natives of Norway and came to  
America in 1872 with their firstborn child, Edwin M.

0. A. Ritan, who was also a Norwegian, built a house on his land 
in the spring of 1875.  He remained in this locality for many years 
and took a prominent part in the development of Cumberland, opening 
one of the early stores. He is still living, being now a resident of 
Portland, Ore.

R. H. Clothier took a homestead in Section 18, his farm in part 
adjoining Mr. Ritan's on the east, while C. C. Clausen, who 
arrived while Mr. Ritan was building his house, in the spring 
of 1875, settled just next to him on the north.  In June the same 
year, G. G. Hodgkin arrived, and in the next month brought his 
family here from their old home in Trempealeau. The journey was 
made by wagon across the country, Mr. Hodgkin cutting the first 
wagon road, or rather trail, through the  woods to his new abiding 
place. In an early narrative we read: "On  November 14 of the same 
year A. J. Cook arrived and entered land in the  northern part of 
the settlement. His son, George B. Cook, accompanied him. They, 
with their family, consisting of Mr. Cook and his wife, their son, 
George, and son-in-law, John Hopkins, his wife and two little 
children, lived in a cloth tent, 12 by 16 feet, through the winter 
of 1875-76. They secured homesteads across the lake."  The A. J. 
Cook residence was on Lot 5, on the north half of the southeast 
quarter of Section 6. That of Mr. Hodgkin was on Lot 2 in the same 
section.  Other settlers came in about this time or soon after, 
including: Chris Finson,  in Section 8, Horace Seward, Section 18, 
and J. C. Bonett, after whom the bridge at the south end of the 
island was named. Speaking of these settlers, it has been said: 
"During the next four years they experienced many hardships, but 
as they had always proved themselves to be brave men and true 
women, with the hope of a bright future before them, it was 
comparatively easy for them to make the best of their present 
circumstances and struggle on as best they could.  Fish and game 
were abundant, including the different species of bass, pickerel, 
wall-eyed  pike, sunfish, horned-pout, red-horse, partridges, 
rabbits, raccoons,  porcupines, deer, bears, foxes, wildcats, 
etc. The pioneers were visited  occasionally by the families of 
Powagams, Wabosesh and Okka-Tuccom, who usually came in a body 
when they favored their  neighbors with a call, which usually 
lasted from three to four hours, and was remarkably entertaining, 
interesting and instructive. What seemed harder to bear than 
anything else was having to wait so long for letters and papers, 
but the  mail  always reached them if they only waited long 
enough. It would be sent from  one logging camp to another until, 
finally, some one would bring it to them.  Sometimes the envelopes 
would be nearly worn out, and the letters so defaced and dirty 
that it would take all the members of a family to decipher them.  
It was always a gala day when letters and papers were received 
from relatives and friends." 

The settlement grew quite rapidly, and on Feb. 21, 1879, the 
village was platted on land owned by the North Wisconsin Railroad 
Co. George Strong was the surveyor. North Cumberland was platted 
Nov. 10, 1879, having been surveyed by G. G. Hodgkin. East 
Cumberland was platted July 13, 1881, on land owned by Henry M. 
Barney. Mr. Hodgkin was the surveyor. On Dec. 30, 1875, the town 
of Lakeland was organized, containing what are now the four 
townships of Cumberland, Crystal Lake, Almena and Maple Plain, 
with Sections 31, 32, 33 and 34 of what is now Lakeland Township.   
The officers elected were: Supervisors: A. J. Cook (chairman), 
O. A.  Ritan and G. W. Caddy; town clerk, George Corsar; town 
treasurer, R. H. Clothier, assessors, N. Wallace and William 
Horning.

On Jan. 1, 1880, the name of the township was changed to 
Cumberland, and in March the same year Almena was united with 
Turtle Lake into one township under the name of Turtle Lake.  
For some years after that there was no town of Lakeland. Then, 
on Nov. 10, 1901, a new town of Lakeland was created, consisting 
of the present townships of Lakeland and Maple Plain. Crystal 
Lake was set off from Cumberland  Nov. 12, 1902, leaving Cumberland 
with its present outline and dimensions.  During the latter part 
of 1875 or early in 1876 a postoffice was established in the 
northwest quarter of Section 10, or about three miles east of
the site of the city, L. I. Gunderson being appointed postmaster. 
Mr. Gunderson had arrived in the vicinity in the fall of 1874, 
having walked from St. Croix Falls in company with his brother, 
John, and their father, Lars Gunderson, and with  Eberhard 
Christopherson. All homesteads of Ole A. Ritan and G. 0. Dahlber.

The postoffice was at first called  Lakeland, the name of 
Cumberland being substituted during the winter of 1879 at the 
request of John Humbird, who came from Cumberland, Maryland. In 
July, 1880, Dr. William B. Hopkins arrived and established his 
home here, being at that time the only physician between Clear 
Lake and Lake Superior.  He was a native of Maine, and for many 
years after coming here was an active factor in progressive 
movements of various kinds. There were no religious institutions 
in the city during its infancy, but occasionally a Methodist 
preacher would visit the island and conduct services.  In warm 
weather the meetings would be held in the open air, and in winter 
in one of the log cabins. On one occasion one of these itinerant 
ministers came to the island at night.  It was very dark and the 
rain came down in torrents. Not knowing his way and seeing no 
light to guide him, he was compelled to remain In the woods until 
daylight. Tired, wet and hungry, he reached a settler's cabin in 
the morning, and, not in the least discouraged, preached the next 
evening before all the inhabitants of  the island and surrounding 
country--not a large congregation.  The first school built by the 
settlers was not on the island, but just across the Bonett bridge, 
and some of the children had to walk several miles to  attend it. 
According to the best information obtainable, it was built during 
the winter of 1876-77, but previous to this Mrs. Hodgkin had 
established one for her own children, teaching them at certain 
hours of the day.  This becoming known to her neighbors, they asked 
permission to send their children to her for instruction, paying 
her one dollar a month for each pupil. The first district school 
teacher was  Miss  Ida  Schofield, but after months' work she 
retired, and her term was finished and the next one taught by Miss 
Carrie Fay, of Prairie Farm.  In the meanwhile the settlers had 
been eagerly awaiting the coming of the  railroad, which it was 
known was to be constructed by the North Wisconsin Railroad 
Company from Hudson to Spooner. It was the intention of the company 
to build as far as Cumberland during the summer of 1875, but 
litigation over its land grant compelled it to temporarily suspend 
operations.  Construction work  was  resumed  in 1877. Trains were 
run to Cumberland in 1878, and soon the line was extended northward. 
In the meanwhile the settlers were forced to obtain provisions, 
clothing and  everything they needed from Rice Lake, Barron or 
Clayton, the nearest  trading-points and carry them for the most 
part on their backs.  With the whistle of the first locomotive 
the wheels of progress began to turn  with perceptible motion. 
In August, 1878, David Ingle, in company with his brother, 
opened a grocery store on the Island, in a shanty erected by 
some of the men engaged in constructing the roadbed of the railway. 
The rush of new settlers  was rapidly increasing the population, 
and almost simultaneously other business houses sprang into being.  
John A. Humbird opened a store on West avenue, near the intersection 
of Lake street in the same month as Mr. Ingle, and in September, 
1878, Elmer Wisner of Clear Lake, built the first blacksmith shop, 
which was located a short distance from the Ingle store. L. L. 
Gunderson erected a store building at the intersection of Lake 
street and West avenue, and in the following December still another 
store was opened, by 0. A. Ritan and C. C. Clausen, who had formed 
a partnership. Later Mr. Ritan erected the north half of the large 
store now occupied by the S. W. Hines Mercantile Co.

In a narrative of 1893 we read: "The first white child born on 
the island was Mae Jenet Hodgkin. This event occurred September 
10, 1876. She was christened by the natives the 'Lily of the 
Woods,' and presented when a year old with a pair of beaded 
moccasins by 'Little Pipe.' Hugh McDonald, fourteen years old, 
a son of Alex McDonald, was the first person who died on the 
island. A short time afterward a young man was killed in Mansfield 
& Lang's sawmill, they having purchased Mr. Dahly's homestead 
for its site. The first hotel was kept by Jack Collingwood,  
who afterward built the Collingwood House which is still in 
existence,  and is owned and managed by Frank Anderson. There 
are now several hotels  in the city, including the Merchants', 
the Sherman House, the Jaffer's House and the Hotel Cumberland.  
The last named was erected in 1890, and completely furnished for 
occupation and opened to the public in the spring of 1891, by 
the Cumberland Hotel Company, at a cost of about $15,000. It has 
been leased for five years by J. H. Kahler of Northfield, Minn."

Cumberland was incorporated as a village November 29, 1881, upon 
petition of Thomas P. Stone, J. H. Smith, A. D. Fuller, 0. A. 
Ritan and C. A. Lamoreux. J. F. Fuller was the first village 
president. This form of local government was continued for but 
three years, as in the spring of 1885 Cumberland was incorporated 
as a city, with three wards. The first officers were: Mayor, L. B. 
Royce; city clerk, T. M. Purtell (he resigned the office before 
the expiration of his term and was succeeded by A. J. Olson); 
treasurer, E. V. Benjamin; assessor, A. F. Wright; city attorneys, 
Mead & Wright; Justices of the Peace, R. H. Clothier and S. W. 
Alderson. Aldermen, First Ward, James Griswold and T. A. Johnson; 
supervisor, J. H. Smith; Second Ward, S. H. Waterman and M. D. 
Richards;  supervisor, J. F. Miller; Third Ward, A. J. Cook; 
supervisor, Thomas H. Oakes. Six years later, on April 2, 1891, 
the legislature passed an amendment which gave the city 
practically a new charter, and at that time a fourth ward was 
created.

The immense tracts of pine and hardwood timber, including oak, 
maple, basswood and birch, gave rise in the vicinity not only 
to extensive but also to some large mills, which flourished until 
the supply of timber had been exhausted. In the spring of 1880 a 
complete steam sawmill, with planers, and lath and shingle mills, 
was erected by Mansfield & Lang at what was then North Cumberland. 
The firm operated the plant for about two years, when it was 
purchased by S. G. Cook & Co. They leased it to E. G. Oliver & Co., 
who managed it for a brief period, when Cook & Co. took possession 
of it. After running for nearly a season it was destroyed by fire  
on  August 15, 1884. E. L. Hunter then bought the site, and what 
was left of the plant, and built what was known for years as the 
North Cumberland Mill. It included a saw, planing and shingle mill, 
and Mr. Hunter also manufactured furniture stock, employing a 
large number of men. The mill had a capacity of 60,000 feet of 
lumber and 120,000 shingles a day. The logs came from a radius of 
twelve miles around the chain of lakes.

In the fall of 1879, Messrs. Griggs & Foster of St. Paul, 
established a large general store in Cumberland, and early in 1880 
it was placed in charge of J. F. Miller.  The  firm  also engaged 
largely in the purchase of cordwood, piling and railroad ties. In 
the same year, 1880, T. P. Stone and J. C. Maxwell purchased about 
100,000,000 feet of pine timber in the vicinity, and in the fall 
built a large steam sawmill. Then, in the summer of 1881, the two 
firms--that of Griggs & Foster and that of Stone & Maxwell--
consolidated and became merged in the Cumberland Lumber Co., which 
a few months later was transferred to the Beaver Lake Lumbering Co., 
of which the officers and principal stockholders were: (H. E. 
Southwell, President; Jeff T. Heath, secretary, and L. B. Royce,
treasurer.  An extensive business was transacted, the product of 
the company for five years being as follows: 1883, 16,500,OOO 
feet of lumber; 1884, 21,500,000 feet; 1885, 21,300,000  feet;  
1886,  25,000,000 feet; 1887, 23,450,000. On January 1, 1888, 
this corporation was absorbed by the Beaver Dam Lumber Co., which 
had just then organized  with  a  capital stock of $200,000, and 
which was composed of Messrs. Griggs, Foster & Miller and L. B. 
Royce. An extensive tract of pine timber land had been purchased 
in the winter of 1887-88. Improvements were made in the plant in 
the spring of 1891, including the erection of a new band mill. 
This brought its capacity up to 60,000 feet of lumber and 175,000 
shingles a day.

In May, 1888, the Cumberland Agricultural and Driving Park 
Association was organized and for several years meetings were 
held annually in September.  Among the chief promoters and 
officers were H. L. Williams, W. A. Hall, W. B. Hopkins and G. H. 
Irwin.

In those days the saloon was a recognized institution and in 1884 
therewere 24 within the limits of the village. A liquor license in 
1885 cost two hundred dollars.  In the same year the jail was 
repaired, and there was already a fire department, with N. D. 
Richards as chief. Another institution was the city pound, with 
John Kellene as pound master. In the same year (1885) the citizens 
petitioned the council to complete Elm street bridge. The council 
meetings at this time were held in the old engine-house, built right 
in the roadway on Lake street, just west of Second street, which part 
of Lake street was then regarded as "no thoroughfare"; but soon 
afterwards the building was moved to the present site. The city 
clerk's records for date of September 19, 1885 contain the entry: 
"The proposition of Griggs, Poster & Miller to sell to the city 
lot 1, Griggs, Foster & Miller's addition, upon which to locate 
engine-house, accepted." In November, that year, the assessed 
property valuation of the city was $173,463, and a tax of one per 
cent was levied for the support of the city government for the coming 
year.

In January, 1886, a tax on dogs was provided by ordinance, and 
in March, that year, the sale of liquor on Sunday was prohibited.  
About that time a Presbyterian society was started, which was 
allowed the use of the engine-house for worship, but there were 
few members and the society had but a brief existence. In May the 
number of saloon licenses was restricted to "five in force at any 
one time." Plans for a new engine-house were proceeded with, and 
in June the fire company was disbanded and a new one organized. 
In December an ordinance was passed requiring pack peddlers to 
pay a license fee of ten dollars.

In February, 1888, the sum of $300 was voted to the Advocate, 
then owned by H. S. Comstock, to help defray the expense of 
publishing a special edition of that paper showing the advantages 
of Barron county and particularly of Cumberland, in the form 
of an eight-page supplement, which was subsequently published.

On June 4, 1889, the council encouraged a similar enterprise, 
appropriating money for cuts (not to exceed $60) to illustrate 
a pamphlet, or booklet, to be published by Ball & Morgan, then 
conducting the Advocate, descriptive of the city of Cumberland 
and its immediate surroundings. Some copies of this pamphlet 
are still in existence, and  it has been found useful to some 
extent in the preparation of this article, especially those 
parts of it dealing with pioneer days.

In 1890 the council helped the Cumberland Cornet band, by a loan 
of $125, to purchase needed instruments, and extensive preparations 
were made for a G. A. R. reunion and celebration on the second, 
third, fourth and fifth of July.

In July, 1892, a committee was appointed "in regard to waterworks,"
consisting of J. Lonquest, P. A. Johnson and J. P. Fuller.

In February, 1893, the state board of health was requested to 
send a representative here to investigate the sanitary condition 
of the Italian settlement and to place it under special 
quarantine, and an ordinance was passed to regulate the burial 
of the dead and prevent the spread of contagious diseases.  That 
the city fathers were keeping careful watch of local conditions,
 and endeavoring to keep the community well up in the van of 
progress, is shown by the various resolutions passed, or 
ordinances adopted, from time to time providing for the removal 
of snow from the side-walks, the cutting of thistles, the 
preventing of cattle or other animals from roaming at large 
through the streets, the preventing of cows from wearing bells 
within the city limits, the removal of pigstys from the 
immediate vicinity of human dwellings, the
repairing of sidewalks and bridges, street trading, improvement 
of the cemetery, the prevention of bicycle riding on the 
sidewalks, and many other things.

On July 10, 1894, the committee on fire and water recommended 
the purchase of a more suitable flre-engine and other fire 
apparatus.

On August 1, the same year, the erection of a system of 
waterworks being deemed necessary, which would entail the 
borrowing by the city of the sum of $5,900, it was resolved 
to call a special election for the purpose of putting the 
question to the voters.  The election, which was held August 
13, went in favor of the proposition by a vote of 180 out of 
a total vote of 205. It was originally intended to issue bonds 
to cover a period of ten years, at the rate of six per cent per 
annum, but on August 24 it was decided to borrow the necessary 
sum from the state, under the provisions of Chapter 167, laws 
of 1881, whereby the said loan could be made payable within 
twelve years in ten equal installments, at five per cent 
interest, and the certificates of indebtedness were ordered 
to be prepared accordingly.

On February 26, 1895 the bid of Fairbanks, Morse & Co. for 
$6,245, for the construction of the waterworks (except the 
water tower) was accepted, the contract for the tower being 
let to M. C. Burk for $3,500. The plans for the system were 
made by C. F. Loweth. On March 4 an assessment on owners of 
lots was made.

On April 2, 1895, a draft of an ordinance was read granting 
S. W. Borum and Dewitt Post the right of franchise to erect 
a system of telephones in the city of Cumberland. The resolution 
passed. Money seems to have been hard to get at this time, as 
the city treasurer was authorized to borrow $2,000 at eight per 
cent to pay off indebtedness.

The city water tank, which had been recently constructed at so 
much expense, proved too weak for its purpose, as it burst, and 
on September 14, the council appointed a board to assess the 
damage to the property of Heber Angell from that cause.  It 
must have been slight, as it was assessed at only $15. A proposal 
of Fairbanks, Morse & Co. to rebuild the tank for $920 was 
accepted.

On April 7, 1896, under Mayor W. B. Hopkins, the city voted 
against the license of saloons. This seems to have been the first 
public action taken in Cumberland in the direction of prohibition, 
which as a local measure proved only temporary, as the wet and dry 
forces were at this time about equally balanced, the city going 
"wet" again the following  year.  The records show complaints 
against certain saloon keepers for running disorderly houses, 
and all such cases were investigated by the council and 
occasionally a license was revoked. The vote on the license 
question cast April 6, 1897, was in favor of license by 139 to 
134 against. At this time the cost of a saloon license was $500.

On November 20, 1897, a resolution was adopted for the lighting 
of the streets, public grounds and public buildings by electricity, 
and steps were taken to provide the necessary plant at a cost 
"not to exceed $3,000, the contract to be let to Martin Peterson. 
A contract was also let to A. Shaw for 100 poles at 40 cents 
apiece, and it was decided to purchase of Mrs. Angell a tract 
of land for an addition to the grounds of the water-works and 
electric light light plant.  The contract for the construction 
of the plant and the installation of the system was awarded to 
the Fort Wayne Electric Corporation of Fort Wayne, Ind. for 
$1,808.

December 14, 1897, it was voted to grant a franchise for 25 
years to the Cumberland Telephone Co., its successors and 
assigns. The city was now moving rapidly along the road of 
progress, and another forward step was taken on February 28, 
1898, when "the library committee" submitted a verbal report 
in favor of the establishment of a state free library. This 
step ultimately led to the establishment of the present fine 
library. About this time the water-works and electric light 
plant were finished and the contractors paid.  Additional 
lights were put in and the water mains extended the same year. 
A motion was also carried to  provide for the construction of 
the Cumberland bridge. In November that year it was also 
provided that the electric lights be run from dark to daylight.

In January, 1903, an ordinance was passed prohibiting the 
keeping of high explosives within the city limits. In February, 
1905, it was voted to provide $1,000 annually for the support 
of the Carnegie library.

On July 11, 1905, a resolution was adopted to accept the bid of 
Fairbanks, Morse & Co. for the installation of a new boiler at 
the power-house, to cost $2,337.  The ultimate cost exceeded 
the sum by about $110 but was allowed by the council. In November, 
1906, Mayor Albert C. Uecke, who had been elected in April that
year, resigned, and a special election was called for December 
11 to elect a new mayor, when Charles F. Foote was elected. On 
January 29, 1907, it was voted by the council that, beginning 
February 1, 1907, the Carnegie Library and the  high school be 
required to pay the regular rentals for the use of electric 
lights and power.

February 26, 1907, a motion was presented and adopted to the 
effect that the "city was in great need of certain large public 
improvements," which included street grading, an adequate jail, 
fire-house and council chamber building, and improvements in 
the fire and water plants "which will make the same efficient 
and economical, and whereas it appears that the city is not 
in a position to make such improvements and to pay for the same 
by the raising of a direct tax thereon" and it further appearing 
that it is for the best interest of the city, as well as for  
the tax payers and property owners therein that these 
improvements be made at once, and that the expense of the same 
be covered by a long  time, rather than by a direct and 
immediate tax," etc., a committee headed by the mayor was 
therefore appointed to employ a civil engineer, or some other 
suitable person, to investigate and make report as to the 
extent and character of the improvements needed. In April it 
was voted to employ an engineer to run the electric light plant, 
adjust the meters and repair the electric light mains.

On June 10, 1908, it was resolved that application be made to 
the commissioner of public funds for the loan of $25,000 from 
the trust funds for the following purposes: The rebuilding and 
improvement of the electric lighting works and mains, $15,000; 
building a city hall, $3,000; extending the water mains, $1,000; 
improvement of streets and building cement sidewalks thereon 
$6,000; the above question to be submitted to the voters at a 
special election to be held July 3, 1908.  The election resulted 
in favor of the proposition by a vote of 133 to 38, and the city 
attorney was instructed to make application for the loan, the
said loan to be payable within 20 years in 18 equal installments 
of $1,388.89 each, with interest, at the rate of three and a half 
per centum per annum, payable in advance as provided by law. On 
September 15 the council met to consider bids for the above work, 
at which meeting it was additionally proposed to include in the 
improvements to the electric light plant a new 100-horse-power 
engine, "to be directly connected with the generator now in use 
so as to form two complete units, all connections to be made and 
the installing to be done by the successful bidder. The bid of 
J. G. Robertson of St. Paul for $17,000 was finally accepted.  
The system thus provided remained in operation until four years 
ago when the city discarded its power plant, selling the machinery, 
and has since derived its power for water and lights from the 
Apple River Milling Co.

The Farmers Light & Power Co., a concern which supplies light 
and power to the farmers in this vicinity, is a sub-station of 
the Apple River Milling Co.  It was organized in the early part 
of 1919, with John Avery as president, Grover Jacobson secretary, 
and A. L. Morken treasurer, which officers are still serving. 
The original amount of stock issued was $10,000, which was 
increased in the latter part of 1920 to $30,000 The company 
has about 25 miles of country line and about 85 patrons, and 
is an important factor in the development of the region round 
about Cumberland.

Having thus taken a brief chronological view of events connected 
with the progress of the city from 1884 to a comparatively 
recent date, it remains to speak more particularly of those 
institutions, whether publicly or privately owned, that may 
be classed as public utilities,  as agencies of material 
production, or of educational, social and religious growth.  
Representative mercantile houses may be found mentioned in 
the biographical part of this history.

The fire department has been several times mentioned in 
connection with the acts and ordinances of the city council. 
It is a voluntary organization, and has its quarters in the 
city hall building, the apparatus consisting of a hose-cart and 
hook and ladder. No engine is necessary, as the city standpipe 
gives enough direct pressure. 
 
Early in August, 1921, the city began the construction of a 
modern, scientific and antiseptic sewerage system of the semi-
Dorpund type, to be completed in December the same year. By the 
latter part of November the pipes, ranging from 15-inch to 8-
inch, had all been laid, and the contractors were engaged in 
finishing the disposal plant, the last part of the work. The 
passing of the sewerage through this plant renders it perfectly 
inocuous and it is then emptied into the south part of Beaver 
Dam lake. Three sewerage lifts are required to raise the sewerage 
from the lower parts of the town, and it is carried down the main 
channel by gravity. The maximum cut, or depth at which the pipe 
was laid, was 25 feet.  This was installed under the guidance of 
L. P. Wolf of St. Paul, consulting engineer, and H. Von Hippel, 
resident engineer.

A library association was established in Cumberland as early as 
1898, and from the first received the endorsement and active aid 
of the city council, as the records show that on February 22, 
that year, "the library committee submitted a verbal report that 
a state free library be established, that the committee be 
allowed to use the enginehouse as a library room, and that a 
small appropriation be made by the council to defray necessary 
expenses." The report was accepted and the committee  discharged.  
The sum of $50 was appropriated for a library fund, and a  
library board was appointed by the council consisting of eight 
members,  three to serve for one year, three for two years, and 
two for three years.  The members of this board, who were 
appointed by Mayor S. B. Waterman, were as follows: For one year, 
D. E. Cameron, Mrs. H. H. Poukey and Mrs. S. H. Waterman; for two 
years, F. P. Morgan, Mrs. C. F. Kalk and Mrs. H. S. Comstock; 
for three years, J. F. Fuller, W. B. Hopkins and F. L. Olcott. 
F. P. Morgan was made president, F. L. Olcott secretary, and Mrs. 
C. F. Kalk treasurer.  It was decided that the library should be 
located in the city council rooms, that it should be  opened to 
the public as a reading room and library every Saturday.  Mrs. 
Finley Urquhart was appointed librarian. For a number of years 
this early library was supported by sums of money voted by the 
city council, usually in amounts of $50 to $75, as the need 
arose, by private donations and by funds derived from parties, 
lectures and other  entertainments arranged for that purpose.  
The people of the township were privileged to draw books on the 
same terms as the inhabitants of the city, including children 
from ten years old up, these provisions being established in 
1899. In January, 1901, it was decided to allow each person to 
draw two books at a time, provided that but one of them was 
fiction.  On February 4, 1903, Mrs. G. E. Carr was appointed 
librarian. Various amounts were expended from time to time for 
books and magazines. A year or two later, owing to the growth 
and increasing popularity of the institution, the need of a 
special library building became urgent, and it was decided to 
apply for assistance to Mr. Andrew Carnegie. Negotiations were 
accordingly set on foot, the prime movers in this enterprise 
being Dr. W. B. Hopkins, F. P. Morgan and T. 0. Mason. The 
application of the committee was received favorably and on
March 15, 1905, the association met to consider Mr. Carnegie's 
proposition to give $10,000 to the city of Cumberland for a 
library building on the condition that the city should raise 
$1,000 a year for the support of the institution. A resolution 
in favor thereof was made and adopted, and the matter of 
procuring a suitable site discussed.  At various informal 
meetings of the board plans and specifications were examined,
and a plan was finally accepted for the building corresponding 
to that of the library at Fairmont, Minn. C. H. Paschke, of 
Fairmont, Minn., was employed as architect. The building, a 
substantial and ornamental structure, was erected in 1905, 
the cost being kept within the amount appropriated, the  site 
(a central location on Second street) being provided by the 
city. In December, 1921, the library contained about 3,700 
books. It has a very good reference department, including a 
large number of the leading magazines and newspapers, the back 
files of the magazines in some instances extending back for 
many years. There is also a Norwegian traveling library, the 
books being obtained from the Wisconsin Free Library Commission; 
and in addition, there is a large list of children's books. An 
auditorium in the lower part of the building is used for social 
meetings. On December 12, 1910, Mrs. H. H. Poukey was elected 
librarian, and entered upon the duties of the office January 1, 
1911, since which time she has continued to serve in that 
capacity.

One of the oldest institutions of the city is the Lakeside 
Cemetery, which was laid out in 1880, the site having been 
purchased by the village. The price of land at that time was 
nominal, being probably from $2 to $5 an acre. The ground covers 
ten acres and is located in the east part of the city within 
the limits.  A cemetery Association was formed by calling a 
meeting of all those who owned lots in the cemetery, and an 
organization was effected, of which H. C. Doolittle was 
president, Dr. C. F. Foote secretary, and W. N. Fuller 
treasurer.  Within a few years both Mr. Doolittle and Dr. 
Foote moved away and their places as officers  were not filled, 
but Mr. Fuller has continued as treasurer and for the last ten 
years has been the only officer of the association. The cemetery 
has been maintained by contributions from the city and by the 
sale of lots. A new addition was platted in 1918 and more lots 
laid out. Monument salesmen who visit Cumberland speak of 
Lakeside as one of the finest cemeteries in northern Wisconsin. 
A sexton is maintained from May 1 to October 1, each year, to 
keep the grounds in good condition.

The school kept by Mrs. Hodgkin, and the first district school 
house, that across the Bonett bridge, have already been mentioned. 
The latter continued in use until 1879 or 1880, when it was 
superseded by a new school house built on the island on the 
site of the present Company Store warehouse. It contained four 
or five rooms and was used as a graded school. When it became 
crowded the adjacent building of the Masonic Temple was utilized 
as an addition, and both buildings were in use until the erection 
of the present large brick school house on Second street in 1903. 
This building, which contains sixteen rooms and an auditorium, 
cost about $50,000 and the site $3,000. By 1921, however, the 
number of pupils had so increased that it was found too small, 
and in the summer of that year a supplementary building, of 
frame construction, was built just across the street, at a cost 
of $6,500. It contains three rooms and is occupied by the first, 
second and third grades. in December, 1921, there were 181 pupils 
in the high school and about 500 in the grades. Many of them come 
from the country. The district, which is No. 2, covers a part of 
the township of Crystal Lake as well as part of the township of 
Cumberland. Ten teachers are employed in the high school and nine 
in the grades and another grade teacher is soon to be employed. 
Plans are now being considered for the erection of a still larger 
school house in the near future, to cost in the neighborhood of 
$75,000.

The earliest records show that the Cumberland postoffice was 
established in June, 1876, at the home of L. L. Gunderson in 
section 10, and that he served as postmaster from 1876 to 1881.  
Some time after he assumed the duties of the office-it is not 
known how long-he moved to the village, bringing the postoffice 
with him. He is still living and is now in the U. S. Government 
service in Alaska. The next postmaster was C. A. Lamoreux, who 
served from 1881 to 1884, and is now located in Portland in the 
law business. Then L. L. Gunderson again became postmaster and 
served from 1884 to 1885. He was succeeded by T. M. Purtell, who 
served from 1885 to 1986, when Grover Cleveland became president 
and appointed C. F. Kalk, who administered the affairs of the 
office until 1889. Then T. M. Purtell was again appointed and 
served from 1889 to 1894. Mr. Kalk died in Menomonie, Wis., in 
February, 1921, at the ripe old age of 90 years. T. M. Purtell 
moved to Madison, Wis., where he still resides, having been in 
the service of the state of Wisconsin in several capacities, 
including service for a short time as state treasurer.  W. C. 
Pease, now deceased, was appointed postmaster at Cumberland in 
1894 and served until 1899. Bennie Johnson was the next postmaster, 
having been the successful candidate among several worthy 
Republicans in a popular eliminary contest held by that party in 
the city of Cumberland.  He served from 1899 to 1903, and was 
subsequently county treasurer, residing at Barron. He is now a 
member of the firm of Johnson Ecklie Co. of this city. J. F. 
Fuller was postmaster from 1903 until 1907 and died at Cumberland 
in 1917. H. A. Pease succeeded Mr. Fuller in 1907 and served until 
1915.  He is still living in Cumberland and is engaged in the 
commercial printing business.  William C. McMahon was appointed 
postmaster in June, 1915, and is still serving in that capacity 
under a commission that expires in 1923. On July 1, 1917, the 
Cumberland postofflce became an office of the second class, and 
in December, 1918, moved into a new building built for it at the 
corner of Second and Lake streets, in the center of the city.  
The new building is of brick, has new equipment throughout, and 
the space occupied is 25 by 72 feet. Carroll E. Cavanaugh, 
assistant postmaster, is an officer in the American Legion, 
having served in the World War.  Miss Katherine Cosgrove is 
despatch clerk and Miss Grace Cosgrove is window clerk at the 
parcel post and general delivery.  There are four rural routes 
and one Star route, each from 26 to 30 miles in length and serving  
from  105 to 165 families. George P. Toynbee is carrier on Route 
No. 1, having entered the service in October, 1918, vice Lewis C. 
Tappon, who resigned after thirteen years' service to enter the 
employ of the state bank of Cumberland.  William  C. Brown, World 
War veteran, serves Route No. 2, vice John H. Oren, who was 
retired in August, 1920, on account of having reached the age of 
retirement as provided by law. August B. Eckland serves Route No. 
3, having succeeded C. E. Stow, who served the route for over ten 
years and resigned to enter into business for himself. Mr. Eckland 
is a World War veteran.  Wilbert E. Tewksbury serves Route No. 4, 
which takes in the Italian settlement of 150 families.  He entered 
the service May 1, 1919, taking the place of Andrew Stoll, who, 
served for fifteen years, and who resigned to go into business 
for himself. Patrick L. Cosgrove is the contract carrier on the 
Star Route which serves the postoffices of Loraine and Andrus, 
Wis., in Polk County.  The Cumberland postoffice, with its several 
routes, serves between 5000 and 6000 patrons, and at this time it 
is quite possible that another rural route will be added in the 
near future. It remains only to mention one more individual, who 
will be remembered  by  all  the  surviving old settlers in this 
region. In pioneer days Lars Gunderson, who lived in  Section 10, 
but who was no relation to L. L. Gunderson, though not officially 
connected with the postoffice, made himself extremely useful by 
carrying the neighbors' mail from Rice Lake and distributing it 
in his community, making biweekly trips for that purpose. He 
continued this practice for a number of years after the 
establishment of the postoffice in Cumberland.  He received no 
pay save the appreciation and thanks of those who benefitted by 
his services.

The State Bank of Cumberland was started as the Bank of Cumberland 
by J. F. Miller and Jeff T. Heath, with a capital of $2,500.00, 
and began business on Oct. 8, 1883. E. V. Benjamin was the first 
cashier and acted in that capacity until August, 1887, when Mr. 
Heath sold his interest to Mr. Miller, and C. F. Kalk, who came 
here from Fond du Lac, Wis., became cashier. On Aug. 25, 1903, 
the bank was incorporated as the State Bank of Cumberland, and 
the capital increased to $10,000.00. On Sept. 5, 1919, the capital 
was again increased, this time to $50,000, at which figure it 
remains.  Mr. F. W. Miller has continued as president up to the 
present time and is still serving (November, 1921). C. F. Kalk 
remained cashier until June, 1896, when he was succeeded by E. 
Huser, who served until September, 1899, when he was succeeded 
by A. H. Miller, who still holds that office. In the meanwhile 
Mr. Kalk, who had become vice president, served in that capacity 
until his death in the spring of 1921, his successor being E. L. 
Miller. Miss E. M. Miller is now assistant cashier. The above 
mentioned officers constitute the present board of directors.  
This institution is now the largest state bank in Barron County. 
Early in July, 1916 the bank moved into a handsome new building 
on Second street, constructed of fine tapestry brick and Bedford 
stone, the building, furniture and fixtures being valued at over 
$17,000.00, and which is regarded as one of the best buildings 
of its kind and dimensions in the state. The growth of deposits 
has been a marked feature in the progress of the institution. 
On Dec. 31, 1900, these amounted to $59,470.84; on Dec. 31, 
1910, to $245,962.66, and on Dec. 31, 1920 to $757,578.73. On 
the date last mentioned the surplus fund was $12,676.26, with 
undivided profits of $9,697.71. The bank operates a number of 
different departments, including the Commercial (checking 
accounts), Savings, Insurance, Safety Deposits and Farm Loans. 
It has now rendered 38 years of good service and enjoys in a 
high degree the confidence of the community and the people of 
the surrounding Territory.

The Island City State Bank was established as a private bank July 
1, 1896, by 0. A. Ritan and Jens Swenson, the latter acting as 
cashier. The bank commenced business with a capital of $2,500.00 
in a frame building at the corner of Second and Grove Streets.  
On June 1, 1899, Jay S. Hamilton succeeded Mr. Swenson as cashier.  
About three years after the organization, S. W. Hines, P. D. 
Jacobson, John Axilrod and Peter Wachter became associated with Mr. 
Ritan, and Mr. Wachter became cashier. At this time Mr. Swenson 
withdrew and went to Minneapolis, where he is still living.  On 
Oct. 15, 1901, Lewis Larson became a partner of Mr. Ritan, with 
a half interest in the business by purchasing the interests of 
the other partners.  In 1902 A. L. Morken became assistant cashier. 
Less than two years after that, on July 29, 1903, Mr. Ritan sold 
his half interest to F. W. Miller, and the institution was then 
reorganized and adopted the name of the Island  City  Bank.  The  
capital was placed at $5,000.00 and business was continued, with 
F. W. Miller as president; Lewis Larson, vice president and cashier, 
and A. L. Morken, assistant cashier. The three directors were P. 
W. Miller, Lewis Larson and Mrs. Larson. With this working force 
the bank continued business until Aug. 25,1905, when P. R. 
Townsend of Sycamore, Ill., bought the stock of F. W. Miller and 
became president of the bank, the other officers remaining the 
same as before. On Sept. 1, 1905, the capitalization was 
increased to $25,000.00, and a new board of directors came in, 
consisting of F. R. Townsend, Walter  Langlois (of Sycamore, 
Ill.), S. W. Hines, T. 0. Mason, A. L. Morken, John D. Olson 
and Lewis Larson. The board then authorized Mr. Larson to buy a 
lot and build a two-story brick and stone building on Second 
street, which was completed in the summer of 1906 and occupied, 
and which has remained the home of the institution ever since. 
In July, 1907, Tom 0. Mason and Lewis Larson bought the interest 
of P. R. Townsend and Walter Langlois, and T. 0. Mason thereupon 
became president and continued as such until July 12, 1913, when 
Lewis Larson bought his interest and also a controlling interest 
in the bank and became president.  After this there were no 
changes in the official board until July 10, 1921, when Mr. 
Morken was advanced to the position of vice president, S. L. 
Larson (son of Lewis) becoming cashier. The present directors 
are John D. Olson, Albert Johnson, 0. A. Ecklie, L. A. Reese, A. 
L. Morken, Lewis, Larson and S. L. Larson.  The present surplus 
(November 1921 is about $5,600.00; undivided  profits,  $4,000.00, 
and deposits varying from $285,000.00 to $290,000.00. The 
institution stands on a substantial basis and has for some 
time exerted a beneficial influence in inducing the farmers 
of the surrounding territory to engage more largely in raising 
pure bred live stock.

The Cumberland Milling Co., one of the largest and most 
substantial concerns in the city, was incorporated Oct. 10, 
1890, the prime movers in the enterprise being 0. A. Ritan. 0. 
W. Mosher, S. W. Hines and Frank Algeo, all of whom, after a 
lapse of 31 years, are still interested in it, though Mr. Ritan 
is now a resident of Portland, Ore.  The original stock was 
$10,000, but in 1901 two thousand dollars' worth of additional 
stock was issued, one thousand to Bert H. Waterman and one 
thousand to F. W. Miller. Subsequently Mr. Waterman left town, 
and, wishing to dispose of his stock, it was taken over by the 
company at their annual  meeting Aug. 3, 1908, and cancelled, 
leaving the capital stock at $11,000, as it is at present. The 
company's buildings are located at the corner of Front and Elm 
streets, just west of the Omaha railway tracks, and originally 
consisted of the mill and elevator, a building 28 by 60 feet in 
surface dimensions and four stories in height; a storehouse 24 
by 50 feet and engine and boiler-room 24 by 28 feet.  Soon after 
starting the company built a hay storehouse 24 by 50 feet. The 
plant has since been considerably improved. About three years 
ago steam power was discarded in favor of electricity, obtained 
from the lines of the Apple River Milling Co. Several years ago 
an addition was made to the elevator and in 1922 the company will 
construct a storehouse 40 by 80 feet, on the south end of the 
mill. They have recently purchased a corn crusher of the most 
modern and improved type to grind ear corn. The present officers 
of the company are: 0. W. Mosher, president; F. W. Miller, vice 
president; S. W. Hines, treasurer, and Frank Algeo, secretary and 
manager. The company manufactures all kinds of flour and feed, 
their brands of flour being known as "Veribest" and "White Rose".

The Cumberland Fruit Package Co., another large and important 
enterprise, was organized as a corporation with a capital of 
$25,000, in November, 1909 by Julius Ewald, H. C. Monstad, 
Lewis Larson, W. L. Hocom and others. Mr. Monstad was chosen 
president, Mr. Hocom vice president, Mr. Larson treasurer, and 
Mr. Ewald secretary and manager. A brick building, 60 by 60 feet, 
was erected at a cost of $3,000, and is located on the east side 
of the Omaha railway's right of way, between its tracks and 
Beaver Dam Lake. The ground for the plant which now covers about 
three acres was donated by citizens. After organization and, the 
building of their factory the company began the manufacture of 
fruit packages, general boxes, baskets and berry crates.

In 1911 changes occurred in the official board, Louis A.Reese 
becoming president, Andrew Bachhuber vice president, and Herbert 
Ewald secretary and assistant treasurer, Mr. Larson remaining 
treasurer.  No further change in officers has since occurred.  
The present board of directors is composed of Andrew Bachhuber, 
August Ewald, Herbert Ewald, William N. Hedback, D. D. S., Lewis 
Larson and Louis A. Reese.

In 1915 the company was reorganized and the capital stock 
increased to $50,000.

In 1912 a two-story addition was made to the north side of 
the factory, 70 by 25 feet in ground dimensions.

In 1913 the company built a one-story addition on the west 
side of the original building, measuring 24 by 75 feet.

Another addition was constructed in 1916, on the east side of 
the original factory, two stories in height and with a surface 
measurement of 24 by 80 feet.

At the north end of the yard is a warehouse 72 by 128 feet, 
and two auxiliary sheds, and within the yard are also 176 
open sheds which are used for drying purposes.

The factory is well equipped with the most modern and 
effective machinery for stapling and box and crate nailing.

The Cumberland Livestock Shipping Association, a co-operative 
concern, was started by the farmers of the neighborhood in 1918. 
The first officers were: H. H. Williams, president and manager;
J. D. Sherbon, vice president, and L. C. Tappon, secretary and 
treasurer.  In 1919  A. H. Solum became president, Mr. Williams 
remaining  manager.  In 1920 Mr. Solum was elected both president 
and manager, A. L. Morken was elected secretary-treasurer, and 
Mike Paulson vice president. The officers who were elected in 
1921 were: John C. Nelson, president; R. B. Phillips, vice 
president; A. L. Morken, secretary-treasurer, and A. H. Solum, 
manager. During the first year of its existence the association 
handled 40 carloads of stock, including cattle, hogs and sheep, 
to an approximate value of $71,000.  In  1919, 46 carloads were 
shipped, the value approximating $95,000.  A considerable 
increase was noticed in 1920, when the number of carloads 
shipped was 74, and the value of the stock $122,000. The 
association handles all stock shipped from this point and 
the vicinity, none going through outside buyers.

The Barron County Holstein Breeders' Association has a club 
in Cumberland, and there is also a small organization called 
the Cumberland Holstein Bull Club, which is a partnership 
concern, recently formed, and consisting of Ernest Le Jenne, 
August Robery, Oscar Oldeen, William Meisegeier, John Busch 
and Bjurman Brothers, who in May, 1921, bought a fine 
Holstein sire for breeding purposes.

The Cumberland Creamery was organized many years ago by the 
farmers as a cooperative concern, but as such was not 
successful. After changing hands several times, it was 
purchased in 1911 by H. A. Curt and A. W. Swinghamer (then 
of New Richmond, Wis.), who bought the plant from the Rice 
Lake State Bank. Mr. Curt operated it until June, 1920, when 
Mr. Swinghamer bought him out and took charge of the business, 
which he is now conducting. The amount of business done by the 
creamery in 1920 was about $100,000, a figure that will be 
considerably exceeded in 1921. A new plant is now being 
constructed in the central part of the city, one block west 
of the railway depot, the building to be fireproof and up 
to  date in every respect. It will be operated by a stock 
company and will handle butter, cheese, ice cream, poultry, 
eggs and general farm produce.

Another important concern, closely connected with the farming 
industry, is the Fame Canning Co., which was organized by 
Grafton Johnson of Greenville, Ind., about 1910. The factory 
was built by William Christenson, who became manager, and 
as such conducted it for four years. Then he and Lewis 
Larson bought it and for one year conducted it as the 
Cumberland Canning Co. They then sold the plant back to Mr. 
Johnson, who thereupon organized the Fame Canning Co. About 
one year thereafter the stock of the company was sold to the 
Thomas E. Wilson Co., the well-known meat packers of Chicago.  
Two years ago the stock was sold to and owned by the officers 
of the Austin Nichols Co., of New York City, a large grocery  
house, whose general offices were moved one year ago to Chicago. 
Of the nine factories owned by this company, three are in 
Wisconsin, namely, at Cumberland, Clear Lake and Ladysmith, and 
of these three M. A. Dunham is general manager. The principal 
product handled is peas, which are bought from the farmers in 
large quantities, though farm products suitable for canning 
purposes are also purchased.

What is known in Cumberland as the Pickle Factory is a receiving 
station of the Magedney Co. of Minneapolis, which concern buys 
cucumbers and cauliflowers from the farmers, and after salting 
them, ship them to Minneapolis, where they are transformed into 
bottled pickles.

There are also several potato warehouses in the city, two of 
which are operated by S. W. Hines.  Another is operated by 
Johnson & Ecklie, who also have a hay warehouse.

The firm of  Alfred P. Ast & Co., was organized in 1919 by 
the gentleman whose name it bears. Later, Daniel Knellwolf and 
Robert Hall, both of Cumberland, were taken into the firm.  
The company  buys cheese from some 25 factories in and adjacent 
to Cumberland, and ships it to all parts of the United States, 
the primary market being the Twin Cities.  They also handle 
cheese accessories, supplies and machinery. In 1920 they sold 
about one and a half pounds of cheese.

There are three telephone companies operating in Cumberland-the 
Cumberland Telephone Co., the McKinley Telephone Co. and the Bell 
Telephone Co.

The Cumberland Telephone Co. was incorporated Feb. 19, 1898, 
under its present name, by Fred Miller, S. H. Waterman and F. I. 
Alcott. About 1904 or 1905 it was bought by E. V. Benjamin, who 
conducted it until his death, Jan. 1, 1919. In 1898 it was 
incorporated, with Mrs. Ida Benjamin president, Lilah Benjamin 
secretary, and E. V. Benjamin treasurer and general manager. 
After the death of E. V. Benjamin, his son, L. W. Benjamin, 
succeeded to the office of treasurer and general manager, which 
he still holds, the other members of the family being interested, 
as before, in the company. The company has free service with 
the McKinley  Telephone Co., and toll connections with the 
Barron County Telephone Co., and the Wisconsin Telephone Co. 
They have 338 phones within the city limits, and twelve farmer 
lines, which include 162 phones in the country.

The McKinley Telephone Co. was established In 1909 with a 
capital stock of $3,000, and with E. J. Pfluger as president 
and C. J. Poulter, secretary. In 1911 Charles A. Ness became 
president, and in 1914 John Le Jenne became secretary, but the 
latter was subsequently succeeded. by C. S. Garrett, who in 
turn was succeeded by J. H. Le Jenne, the present secretary. 
The capital stock has been gradually increased and is now $8,000. 
The company has approximately 450 phones, the territory covered 
including a radius of from six to ten miles in all directions 
around Cumberland. The company has connections with the Bell 
and city telephone companies' lines.

The main street of Cumberland, which is called Second street, 
is an unusually long thorofare for a town of this size, and its 
length might prove inconvenient were it not for the fact that 
the most important and frequently used buildings, such as the 
city hall, the two banks and the public library are all 
centrally located.  The schoolhouse is several blocks farther 
north and in the same neighborhood are the Methodist and St. 
Mary's Catholic Churches. The two Scandinavian churches are in 
the extreme south end of town. All these buildings are on Second 
street, which is given up for two-thirds of its length to 
business blocks and  public buildings, the north end of the 
street consisting almost entirely of residence property. The 
Episcopal and Congregational Churches are off the main thorofare, 
but not far from the center of the city. The places of business, 
not counting the factories, number between fifty and sixty.

The Island City Hospital was established in Cumberland in 1914 
by Dr. George A. Grinde, who has since taken a partner in its 
proprietorship and management in the person of Dr. S. 0. Lund.  
The institution contains twenty beds and is furnished with 
modern equipment, including X-ray facilities for diagnosis and 
treatment.

There is one newspaper in Cumberland, the Cumberland Advocate, 
which was started as the Cumberland Herald in 1881. The editor 
and principal owner is R. B. Hart. Its more detailed history 
may be found elsewhere in this volume.

The city officers of Cumberland in 1921 were as follows: 
Mayor, August Wolff; clerk, A. J. Chubb; treasurer, A. H. 
Miller; assessor, H. A. Pease; city attorney,  H. S. Comstock; 
city marshal, John Doar; chief of fire department, L. A. Reese; 
city engineer, A. E. Ledgring; president of Council, Ole 
Paulson; health commissioner, Dr. F. Babcock. Aldermen-First 
Ward, William Nyman, H. O. Jacobson; Second Ward, A. W. McGeorge, 
Ervin Linn; Third Ward, Ole Paulson, R. E. Hopkins; Fourth 
Ward, August Schneider, W. C. Jeffery. Board of Public Works-
August Wolff, H. S. Comstock and A. J. Chubb.

The city water supply is obtained from a six-inch well, about 
615 feet deep, located near the lake. Its capacity is about 
360,000 gallons a day. About sixty per cent of the houses are 
connected with the water supply system. The best information 
that can be obtained indicates that the city well shows 179 
feet of drift, and 436 feet of sandstone and soft clay or shale, 
most of the shale being of a soft red variety of unusual 
character for the Potsdam formation. The private wells in the 
city vary from 20 to 125 feet in depth.

In the vicinity of Cumberland there is a considerable colony of
Italians, numbering about 150 families. When the Omaha railroad 
was being built through this place a strike occurred among the 
men engaged in its construction. Whereupon the foreman, a man 
named McNaughton, acting on the authority of the company, went 
to St. Paul and engaged a number of Italians to take the places 
of the strikers. They came here and finished the work, and some 
of them afterwards remained, settling south of the town  where 
they bought twelve or fifteen shanties which the railroad company 
had built, and converted them into homes. For a while some of 
them continued at railroad work in one capacity or another, while 
others bought a few acres of land and started small farms 
averaging, perhaps, ten or twelve acres each. Industrious 
and economical, they have for the most part prospered and a 
few of them have operated business places in the south end of 
the city. For a number of years their leading representative 
was Sam Palmer, though he is now less active in public capacities 
than formerly.

There are now seven active church societies in Cumberland or its
immediate vicinity. This includes St. Anthony's Catholic Church, 
the building of which, located a mile or so  south of the city, 
was recently destroyed by fire, but is soon to be rebuilt and the 
members of which reside mostly near the site of the church, 
though some are residents of the city. The other churches are: 
St. Mary's (Catholic), the Methodist Episcopal, Congregational, 
Norwegian Lutheran, Swedish Lutheran and German Lutheran. There 
is also a good church edifice belonging to the  Protestant 
Episcopal denomination, but no services have been held in it  
for several years. The Baptists had an early organization, which 
lasted  for a number of years, and during the eighties an attempt 
was made to start a Presbyterian Church, but it was unsuccessful.

St. Mary's and St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Churches. The 
history of these two churches, forming, as they do, one parish, 
is so closely interwoven that it cannot be divided without 
needless repetition, and hence will be given in a single article.  
It extends back for nearly forty years. The original congregation 
consisted for the most part of loggers employed by the lumber 
companies, and railroad construction men, the latter  being 
mostly, if not altogether, Italians, who were brought here to 
take the places of striking workmen, and who, after the 
completion of the railroad, remained in the vicinity and 
established a community of their own race and nationality known 
as the Italian Settlement, that has continued to exist and to 
flourish up to the present time. The earliest Catholic services 
were held in the hall building now occupied by, or forming a 
part of, the large "Company Store," and were presided over by 
missionary priests from New Richmond. Haywood and Ashland, 
among them Fathers  De  Paradis  and  Oderic. The use of the 
building was permitted free of charge by its owner, Fred Miller. 
In 1883 the congregation, which, in addition to the Italians, 
included French, Germans, Poles and English, under the direction 
of Father De Paradis, began the erection of the church edifice 
on Second street now known as St. Mary's, and services were 
occasionally held in the building before its completion in 1884. 
In 1885, the Italians, who were the most numerous, decided to 
build a church of their own, and accordingly erected one about 
a mile south of town, which they called St. Anthony's. It stood 
near the center of the Italian settlement, and close to it a 
large cemetery was laid out, which is now used by both 
congregations. Among the first members of St. Anthony's who 
took an active part in the building of the church, were George 
Alfonse, Sam Palmer, Martin D'Nuzzi, Victor Caponi, Joe Zappa 
and Lawrence Donatelle, besides a few others.

From the beginning the two churches have been served by the 
same priests, the first of whom to have regular charge as 
resident pastor being the Rev. George Keller.  He was succeeded 
by the Michael Schorlek, who came here in 1886 and remained 
until Aug. 30, 1887. A rectory had been built next to St. Mary's 
Church in 1885. Father Schorlek was succeeded in 1887 by Rev. 
Peter Becker, the latter's successors being as follows: Rev. 
Charles L. Jungblut, of Eau Claire, from June, 1889, to February, 
1892; Rev. Sebastian Rohr, to July, 1892; Rev. P. Dickopf, to 
1895; Rev. N. Stoltz, January, 1895 to September, 1896; Rev. 
Gerhard Vadder, 1896 to 1897; Rev. Stephanus A. Leinfelder, Ph. 
D., July, 1897 to 1905; Rev. Louis Charron, (a brother of Dr. 
Charron of Rice Lake), November, 1895; Rev. P. Condom, July, 
1906, who served a few months during the absence of Father 
Leinfelder in Europe; Rev. Stephanus A. Leinfelder, who returned 
and again took pastoral  charge  in  September,  1906; Rev. A. M. 
Henderson, June, 1907; Rev. Henricus Thamerling, Dec. 8, 1907; 
Rev. Norbert Scheid, Dec. 22, 1907; Rev. G. Reuter, April,  1908; 
Rev. Louis Colaganni, October, 1909; Rev. Joseph Tognoli, April, 
1914; Rev. Michael Pulch, November, 1914; Rev. Bernard Habraken, 
January, 1915; Rev. Louis Colaganni, August, 1917 to 1920; Rev. 
H. Teuwisse, who came in July, 1920, and is still pastor.

The commodious and substantial brick rectory was built at his 
own expense by Father A. A. Leinfelder, the old rectory at that 
time being sold and moved across the street, where it still 
stands, being occupied as a private residence.

St. Anthony's Church edifice was remodeled and enlarged about 
1913, but on March 19, 1919, it was totally destroyed by fire. 
Plans are now under way to build a new edifice to replace it, 
and it is expected that the new building will be completed by 
May, 1922.

Several missions have been served from Cumberland. In 1887, 
Father Schorlek, while pastor here, held services once a month 
at Glenwood. In 1895 the missions at Almena and Spooner were 
served, though now each is a separate parish with a church 
edifice and a resident pastor. Then Barronett was served, first 
by Father Rohr in 1891, and is still a mission served from 
Cumberland once a month, the services being held in residences, 
halls or schoolhouses, as most convenient.

A Baptist Church was organized in Cumberland, Jan. 29, 1882, 
by Elder A. Gibson, from New Richmond, the first pastor, and 
started with ten members. It continued as a regular organization 
until March, 1884, when Mr. Gibson died. Deprived of his 
leadership, and with no one to take his place, the members 
discontinued  services, and nothing further was done until June, 
1890, when a reorganization took place and the church entered 
upon a new existence with Rev. W. H. Barker as minister. He 
remained, however, but three months. The church was incorporated  
in  July, 1890, and in the following April the Rev. E. D. Bennett 
took charge of it. At that time there was a membership of forty-
nine. Meetings were held in the Good Templars' Hall until a nice 
church edifice was built. A little later, however quite a number 
of the influential members moved away, and a  few others dying, 
the society became so small that the church was unable to keep 
its property and  decided to dispose of it. The building was 
accordingly sold to Ed Brand, who is now using it as a garage 
in connection with his hotel business.

Methodist Episcopal Church. The church building of this society 
was begun in the  summer of 1882, and dedicated May 20, 1883. 
It is said to have been the first church edifice erected on the 
island, though the Catholics built their church of St. Mary's 
the same year. The Rev. J. H. McManus, the first pastor, 
remained  during  1883.  He  was  succeeded  in the following 
year by Rev. M. J. Robinson.  The Rev. G. W. Smith had charge 
during 1885, 1886 and 1887. In 1888 Rev. George Empey was pastor 
and he was succeeded by Rev. L. A. Willsey.  After Mr.  Willsey  
left the church was served in succession by the following 
pastors: Rev.  Howard  Robinson, one year;  Rev.  T. H. Harvey, 
three years; Rev. E. A. McKinley, two years; Rev. E. H. McKenzie, 
one year; Rev. S. A. Hoffman, one year;  Rev. Charles H. Towne, 
two years; Rev. J. A. Willey, three years; Rev. J. H. Denson, 
three years; Rev. J. Henley Chatterson, two years; Rev. T. H. 
Harvey, five  years; Rev. G. W. E. Hill, nine or ten months 
(served out Rev. Harvey's year); Rev. Harold Gee, three years; 
Rev. Arthur Dinsdale, who was appointed in 1918,  but was 
called for service overseas, when  the pulpit was supplied 
by Dr. Delos M. Tompkins, a member of the Rock River conference. 
In 1919 the present pastor, Rev. J. T. Kneen, took charge.  Near 
the close of 1920 important evangelistic meetings were held here 
as union services, being led by the conference evangelist, M. E. 
Taylor, and Howard Fleming, vocalist. They resulted in many new 
members, bringing the membership of the Methodist Church up to 
about 200, and also increasing the membership of other churches 
in the city, especially  the  Scandinavian.  During the pastorate 
of Rev. T. H. Harvey improvements were  made in the parsonage, 
and from time to time the church building has also  been improved. 
The Sunday school enrollment, including the home  department, is 
from  160 to 175. The Epworth League, the Ladies' Aid and Woman's 
Home Missionary Society are active factors in the good work of 
the church.

The Swedish Lutheran Church of Cumberland, belonging to the 
Augustana Synod, originated in the early eighties, and for 
two or three years occasional services were held in private 
houses. In 1885 a more definite organization took place, and 
soon after the society united with the Norwegian Lutherans in 
building a house of worship near the south end  of Second street. 
Here all worshiped together until 1907 when, on account of 
linguistic differences which caused difficulties in the  singing, 
the congregation  divided, the Swedish members building their 
present  brick  church  on Second street, which stands in close 
proximity to the Norwegian Church. The building cost $14,000. 
In 1918 the Swedish  Lutherans  built  a good parsonage at a 
cost of $4,300. In early years, when both societies used what 
is now the Norwegian Church edifice, services were held  
alternately, or at intervals, by Norwegian and Swedish pastors. 
The first Swedish pastor to serve the congregation was the Rev. 
A. Bengtson and the second the  Rev.  A. G. Malnquist: the 
latter being thus connected with the church for seven  years.  
After  him  the  Rev. E. Edman conducted Swedish  services for 
six years, the Rev. A. G. Hammerberg for two years, and the Rev. 
S. Hawkins for two years.  Then  came  the  present pastor, Rev. 
G. E. Lingsten, who assumed charge Oct.  1,  1917.  The church 
is a neat and substantial structure with ornamental windows, and 
has a good bell, which was donated by Mrs. Akenstedt. In November, 
1921, the church had 194 communicant members, and there was a 
Sunday school roll of  about  fifty. The societies connected 
with the church and active in its work are the Ladies' Aid, the 
Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society, and the Luther 
League.  An account of the Norwegian Lutheran Church may be 
found in an article on the Norwegian  Lutheran  Churches of 
the county, by the Rev. J. E. Nord, which is printed elsewhere 
in this volume.

Congregational  Church.  In May, 1888, a Congregational Sunday 
school was instituted, and in August of the same year the Rev. 
T. F. Murphy came to the city and conducted  services. In the 
following October a Congregational Church was organized with 
fourteen members. The services were held for a while in Miller's 
Hall. In the spring of 1889 the Society purchased the building 
known as Gymnasium Hall and altered and fitted it up for church 
purposes. The Rev. T.F. Murphy was the pastor  for several years, 
and since then the church has had a number of  others, including 
the Rev. E. D. Bennett, Rev. I. B. Tracy, Rev. Julius  Parsons, 
Rev. W. T. Ream, Rev. Lewis  R.  Skidmore  and Rev. J. H. 
Bielefield.  In 1909 the church building was remodeled. The 
church has now about 50  members.  The  auxiliary organizations 
are Sunday school, the Ladies' Aid Society, and the Young 
Peoples' Society for Christian Endeavor.

The German Lutheran Church of Cumberland was organized April 15, 
1900, by the Rev. Theodore Thormaehlen, after services had been 
held for some time previously in the homes of the members, and 
presided over by neighboring preachers. The congregation erected 
a small building for worship on what was known as "Cabbage Hill," 
owing to the locality being chiefly settled by Germans. Mr. 
Thormaehlen remained pastor until 1901, and the church then came 
under the pastoral care of Rev.  H.  Meyer,  of  Shell Lake, who 
served it for about three years. The next pastor,  Rev. 0. 
Steffen, of Almena, assumed charge in 1904 and ended his duties 
here in the following year. His successor was Rev. 0. Neuman, of 
Shell Lake, who served from 1905 to 1908, and was succeeded by 
Rev. L. Traub. The latter was pastor but a short time, as he died 
here in 1908, and for three years after his death the pulpit was 
vacant, except that  occasional services were held by neighboring  
preachers.  Then the  church secured the services of Rev. Theodore 
Martens, whose pastorate lasted from 1911 to December, 1917. In 
1918 the Rev. H. H. Wegner came  here  from Phipps, Wis., and has 
since remained. The present church  building; a frame structure 
situated on the west side of town, on the shore of Beaver  Dam  
Lake, was erected in 1914 at a cost of about $4,000. The 
parsonage, located  in  town, on Poster avenue, was bought by 
the congregation about seven years ago. The church has now about 
thirty voting members and about 100 communicant members. There is 
a Sunday school and Ladies' Aid Society.

All Souls' Protestant Episcopal Church was organized in 1884, and 
a church edifice erected shortly afterward. The pastor for a 
number of years was the Rev. A. B. Peabody.  Subsequently  
services  were  held  from time to time by other pastors, among  
them Arch-deacon William F. Hood, then stationed at Shell Lake. 
On account of removals  without  compensating accessions of 
membership, the congregation gradually diminished until it was 
found necessary, a few years ago, to suspend services.

Several of the best known fraternal orders and societies have 
lodges or organizations  In Cumberland, including the Masons, 
Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America, the Scandinavian-
American Fraternity and the American Legion. A number of years
ago the Odd Fellows had a lodge here, but after awhile 
surrendered their charter.

Cumberland Lodge No. 223, A. F. & A. M., was organized June 
12, 1883, with fifteen charter members and now has sixty-five. 
The lodge owns the building in which it meets, which is a 
frame structure on Second street, and was purchased about ten 
years ago, The American Legion meets in a room in the same 
building.

Cumberland Lodge No. 62, K. of P., was institued about March 15, 
1888, and now has eighty-five members. The lodge meets in a hall 
near the south end of Second street.

Hunter Camp, No. 1218, M. W. A., was organized in January, 1890, 
and now has eighty-five members.

Branch No. 55 of the Scandinavian-American Fraternity was 
organized  in Cumberland in 1901 and is now a strong society 
with a membership of 114.

The Cumberland Pioneers. In the spring of l920 the surviving 
pioneers of Cumberland and the vicinity awoke to the realization 
of the fact that the city had long passed its period of youth 
and had taken its place among the older settled communities of 
the western part of the state. Many of the first settlers had  
already passed away, and those that remained no longer felt that 
youthful strength and vim which  had formerly carried them 
successfully through many a hard task in the  building of their 
own fortunes or the development of the village and  city.  
Looking back over the past, they recalled to mind many 
interesting events in which they had themselves taken part, or 
which were associated in their minds with the faces and forms 
of old time friends and neighbors, some still living here, some 
who had moved to other parts of the country, and some who had 
passed to the land beyond the grave. The survivors who remained 
here began to feel that it was time to form an association whose 
purpose should be "to revive and perpetuate the early history and 
traditions of Cumberland its environs, to recall the sweet 
memories of the lives of the early pioneers, to give an 
opportunity to renew old acquaintances and friendships, and to  
offer  an occasion for an annual  assembly of all those who were 
identified with the early history of Cumberland."

In response to a call issued by George I. Constance, the first 
meeting of the association was held at the public library on 
Feb. 2, 1920. The considerable number of old timers who 
attended the meeting showed that the idea had been timely and 
had excited general interest and approval. George I. Constance
was chosen chairman and G. G. Hodgkin secretary, with authority 
to select such other officers and committees as might be 
necessary, and under their authority Mrs. F. W. Miller was 
selected as treasurer. The next meeting was held at the same 
place June 30, the  same year, at which time it was decided 
to have a big picnic on August  25.  Representatives from all 
parts of the adjoining territory were present at this meeting 
and much enthusiasm was manifested. At this meeting committees  
were appointed  on constitution, advertising, reception, sports 
and games, grounds and guards, refreshments and membership. The 
picnic was held in Huser's Park, on the north shore of Beaver 
Dam Lake, on August 25, as planned, and was a great success,  
the  weather being perfect and about 1,500 people present.  
After dinner a  literary program was carried out which included 
the following items:  Address of welcome, by Judge H. S. 
Comstock, with response by Judge  A.  F. Wright of Barron; 
president's address, by George I. Constance; address by Rev. 
J. H. McManus of Coloma, Wis.; song, America, by the audience, 
Mrs. H. S. Comstock leader; reading of letters from absent 
members, Mrs. P. W. Miller;  vocal solo, Mrs. H. S. Comstock. 
At the business meeting which was held after the program a 
constitution was adopted and the name of the association was 
declared to be "The  Cumberland Pioneers." The constitution 
provides that the association  shall be non-sectarian and 
non-political, and that "no religious or political speech 
shall be made, and no religious or political discussion or 
propaganda permitted on the assembly ground or the approaches 
thereto."  Officers were then elected namely: President, 
George  L. Constance; secretary, G. C. Hodgkin; treasurer, Mrs. 
P. W. Miller; vice-presidents, John Hellstrom, H. H. Carsley, 
Sig. Jacobson, Charles Oldeen, Will Danniger, J. H. LeJenne, 
Matt Arnes and Israel Ricberg.  A  resolution  of  condolence  
on the death of Mrs. Lydia Nicholson  Fuller,  widow  of J.P. 
Fuller, the only member who had passed to her reward  since 
the organization of the society, was adopted; also a resolution 
of thanks to George I. Constance for his untiring  efforts  on 
behalf of the Pioneers. The second annual event, held Aug. 25, 
1921, was also favored by good weather and was attended by about 
600 people. The officers elected were: Emil Huser, president; 
Louis Tappon,   secretary; Bennie  Johnson, treasurer; vice-
presidents, F. W. Miller, Sig. Jacobson, Oscar Risberg, Matt 
Arnes, Frank Williams, John  Hellstrom and Martin Paulson. Mrs. 
F. W. Miller again read letters from  absent pioneers. C. A. 
Lamoreux of Ashland was the speaker of the day,  and Miss Miller 
the vocalist. The Cumberland Band furnished music, and there 
was a girls' baseball game played between the girls' teams of 
Cumberland and Barronett, which was won by the latter.

--Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, 
Jr., & Co., 1922, pp. 1087-1101.