HISTORIES: "City Government" of Barron, Barron County, WI ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor, or the legal representative of the contributor, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Linda Mott 26 June 2000 ==================================================================== City Government The record of city government for Barron dates back to 1887 on April 5, when the first election was held, following the incorporation on March 31, of that year. Ed C. Coleman, father of Dr. Harry Coleman, was elected Mayor; George Parr, President of the Council; John Quaderer who had figured so prominently in the earlier history of the city, was elected alderman and supervisor of Ward One of the four wards then forming the city. Henry K. Olson was elected City Clerk. The first meeting was held two weeks later on April 19, at which time the regular meeting dates were set and certain salaries were set and also bonding requirements to be met. At this time the clerk's salary was set at $100 per year. The street commissioner was to receive $1.50 per day for a 10 hour work day; if he used a team he was to receive an additional $1.50 per day. Subsequent meetings were held until the end of the first year for the first elected officers, to set up the many ordinances and regulations required. Mayor Coleman served until the even year election the following April in 1888. At this time John Quaderer was elected for the first full two year term. Each of the subsequent mayors served only one term until Joseph T. Atwater served two terms from 1906-1910. John Anderson served the most years as Mayor of the city. He served 4 complete 2 year terms and all but 8 months of his fifth term. His total time was not served consecutively, however, as he and John West alternated during the 10 years beginning in 1924. When Mr. Anderson resigned in August, 1937, he was succeeded by the Council President, LA. Goodrich. He served until the following April which is the shortest term in the city's history. It was in the 1938 election that Emil Fligel, who is presently serving as alderman of the third ward and President of the Council, was first elected. He was served consecutively since and has served in that capacity longer than any other man in the city's history. There are three ex-Mayors of the City of Barron who are still living; Mr. T.J. Thompson, Mr. A.P. Stebbins and Mr. John E. Hoar. Mr. Thompson is retired, Mr. Stebbins is still actively engaged in the drug business as he has been in the past 54 years. Mr. Hoar is presently principal of the new senior high school of this city. Mr. E.N. Stebbins, who was the father of A.P. Stebbins served as Mayor from 1898 to 1900. During the 6 years Mr. T.J. Thompson was Mayor, the city purchased the land that is now our city park; Main Street (La Salle Avenue) received a heavy fill of gravel along with some other streets; a large scale sidewalk installation was carried out and the concrete bridges on North Mill and North 7th Street were built across the Yellow River, besides other regular improvements. World War One occurred while Mr. Thompson was Mayor. Mr. A.P. Stebbins served as Mayor of Barron for a period of 8 years. During this time the city park was much improved. The W.P.A. provided labor for constructing the dam, the bath-house and the cook-house. The new city power and light plant was built on east Division Avenue and a new diesel engine installed there. Other general city improvements were also carried out. World War Two occurred while Mr. Stebbins was Mayor. John E. Hoar served 8 years in the post war period (1946-1954) and during this time the bridge across Quaderer Creek on Memorial Drive was built; the new sewage disposal plant was built; the Woodland Elementary School was built. At this time the Memorial Athletic Field came into being and Munsingwear decided to locate in Barron. There was a new plat that came into the city and the usual general city improvements were made. The present Mayor is Everett E. Lightner who is in the real estate and insurance business. During the time he has served (from 1954 to present) the council has approved the planning Commission's entire re-zoning of the city; a new 30 bed hospital has been built; the first plat with contour sheets developed; the Wisconsin State Animal Lab located here; a new $45,000 city shop built; addition of 10 acres to Wayside Cemetery, platted and improved; 5th Street bridge widened and a new foot bridge built in the city park and another deep well has been added to the city water system. The city has grown slowly in the past 40 years. The council is composed of 4 aldermen, the same as it was at the first meeting in 1887. However, problems of today are probably a little more complex and more of them than 73 years ago. This is borne out by the fact that a lot more space and help is needed to carry out the functions of every facet of the local government. Officials, City of Barron, 1960 Everett E. Lightner...............................................Mayor Roy Kuhnley.................................................City Clerk Gus Hoglund.............Alderman & Supervisor, 1st Ward Everyl Cook.............Alderman & Supervisor, 2nd Ward E.J. Fligel....President of Council & Alderman, 3rd Ward F.H. Helland...................................Alderman, 4th Ward Cecil Erwin............................................Chief of Police Hugh Fleagle...........................................City Assessor Morris Johnson......................................City Treasurer The Barron City Council has met in various places since the incorporation of the city. The first meeting place was C.D. Coe's law office which was on the upper floor of the old Bank of Barron building, on the northeast corner of the intersection of Third Street and La Salle Avenue. The city fire hall was built in 1907, during Mayor Atwater's term of office. The council held its meetings there until the City Hall was built in 1932. Since then the meetings have been held in City Hall. Population--City of Barron In 1890, 829; in 1900, 1493; in 1910, 1449; in 1920, 1623; in 1930, 1863; in 1940, 2059; in 1950, 2355. --From the Souvenir Historical Album of the Barron Centennial-1960 (used by permission)