Dedicated to promoting the discovery and preservation of the rich history of the people, events, and places that make up Wisconsin's Last Wilderness.
RESIDENTS of Presque Isle.
Early residents of people that worked and/or lived in the Township of Presque Isle, WI
Alphabetical index of 1928 and 1947 residential directories and other Vilas County published documents.
Please contact the Presque Isle Heritage Society with other names, corrections and details of other such residents.
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Adams, Charles - Vilas County Treasurer, and other county offices, 1914. Husband of Olive.
Adams, Ernest - Son of Charles and Olive.
Adams, Florence Hope - Daughter of Charles and Olive.
Adams, Janet Helen - Daughter of Charles and Olive.
Adams, Marion Jean - Daughter of Charles and Olive.
Adams (Nash), Olive - Married Charles, June, 1904.
Adams, Ronald M. - Son of Charles and Olive.
Alm, John - VCLCo mill hand, 1928.
Anderson, Carl - VCLCo Company Store Clerk, 1928.
Anderson, Harry - VCLCo yard man, 1928.
Anderson, Kenneth - VCLCo Lumber Piler, 1928.
Anderson, John - VCLCo Camp “Piece-maker” (a lumberjack who cuts logs), 1928, Painter and laborer in Winegar, 1947.
Anderson, Walter - VCLCo Camp “Piece-maker” (a lumberjack who cuts logs).
Family outside early Fosterville cabin.
If you can identify any of these Winegar Baseball players, contact the Presque Isle Heritage Society. The Winegar Team manager is probably Sam Carlin.
Baasch, Herman - Farmer near Winegar, 1928.
Backstrom, Charles - appointed Postmaster of Fosterville, 25 January, 1906.
Bacon, Amanda M. - (1840-1921) Married and divorced William Draver Sr.
Ballsmider, A. E. - Barber in Winegar at Winegar Recreation Hall, 1928.
Ballsmider, Harold - VCLCo mill hand, 1928.
Bastian, Henry J. - Son of John & Martha, born 1924.
Bastian, Irma - Daughter of John & Martha & employed at the VCLCo 1924.
Bastian, John - Township of Presque Isle, Board Supervisor, 1924. Presque Isle Farmer, 1928. Husband of Martha.
Bastian, Margaret - Daughter of John & Martha, born 1924.
Bastian (Maas), Martha - Married John, 18 November, 1903.
Bastian, Ort - Son of John & Martha, born 1924.
Bastian, Rachael - Daughter of John & Martha, born 1924.
Bastian, Truman, D. - Son of John & Martha & operates a tractor at the VCLCo camps 1924.
Bastian, Vance - Son of John & Martha, born 1924.
Beery, Oral - VCLCo Scaler (person who determines the volume of wood that can be cut from a log), 1928.
Bonifas, William (Bill) - In 1919 W. S. Winegar took on Joseph Gorman as Vice President and partner they renamed the operation the Winegar-Gorman Lumber Company. Joseph Gorman purchased VCLCo in 1926 forming Bonifas-Gorman Lumber Co. In 1933 William buys out Joseph Gorman. William built his Sawmill in Marenisco, MI with the dismantled Sawmill post and beams but added new machinery, he named the operation Wm. Bonifas Lumber Co. After he sold this Sawmill to Kimberly-Clark he retained day-to-day control of the Sawmill. William Bonifas became a multimillionaire from the lumbering business and refused to quit work and spend his money. He was quoted, “I just enjoy making money.”
Booreson, Manfred - VCLCo Company Store Clerk, 1928.
Bradford, Edward - Vilas County Deputy Clerk, 1914.
Bradford, W. A. - Vilas County Clerk, 1916.
Brightman (Owens), Gladys - Daughter of Dora and Lewis Owens, 1924.
Brightman, L. D. - Conducted service station and automobile repairing business plus he was a Chevrolet agent in Winegar, 1924.
Brightsman, Ray - VCLCo Lumber Grader (person who inspects and grades lumber according to specific company and industry standards), 1928.
Calkins, Border - VCLCo mill hand, 1928.
Carlin (Carrigan), Ann - Married Sam, 31 July, 1923.
Carlin, Sam K. - Proprietor Winegar Billiard & Pool Recreation Hall in Winegar, 1928. Managed the Winegar Baseball team, 1924. Husband of Ann.
Childers, Clarence - ( - 1988) Fosterville/Winegar/Presque Isle resident.
Childers, Curtis - VCLCo Wood Piler, 1928.
Childers, James M. - VCLCo mill hand, 1928 and Wm. Bonifas Lumber Co. mill hand in Marenisco, MI, 1947.
Childers, Ruby - Fremstad Boarding House Waitress in Winegar, 1928.
Clarke, Cap - Crab Lake resort owner, 1920's.
Clarke, Fred - VCLCo mill hand, 1928.
Cole, Albert - Home owner, Cole Island, Crab Lake, 1934.
Colman, Niles A. - Vilas County Judge. While working in Madison, Wisconsin, it was not long before a good occasion presented itself in the proposal to set off Vilas County from Oneida, in 1893, by which time Mr. Colman had gained a wide acquaintance with public men and was able to exert considerable influence in the matter.
A mess of Lumberjacks outside of a VCLCo Cook Shack on a cold winter day, with their dogs.
The “Jacks” were not allowed to talk while eating at tables so they could finish eating quicker and get back to logging.
Note; "Cookee" in far back of photo with his tin Gabriel Dinner Horn used to call Lumberjacks when it was time to eat.
Home of the Henry and Helen Daily family in Winegar.
Daily, Henry (Hank) E. - Company Store manager, 1913. VCLCo Purchasing Agent, 1919, Mill Superintendent and managed village of Winegar baseball team.
Daily, Jean Ann - Daughter of Henry & Helen, born in Winegar, 3 February, 1921.
Daily (Talbot), Helen T. - Wife of Henry Daily, married, 18 July, 1904.
Davis, Margaret R. - Appointed Postmistress of Winegar, 1 June, 1933.
Dahl, Henry - VCLCo mill hand, 1928.
Day, Charles - VCLCo mill hand, 1928.
Day, Henry - VCLCo mill hand, 1928.
Decker A. B. - Proprietor Winegar Billiard & Pool Recreation Hall with a “Fair” credit rating of $500-1000, 1920.
Dick, Herman - Built first house on Crab lake, 1896.
Dillion, Henry - VCLCo mill hand, 1928.
Left to right: William James Draver Jr., Kenneth G. Draver, Gertrude L. Draver, Raymond J. Draver, Charles E. Draver, Marian King Draver, Amanda M. Bacon and the family rocking horse, in front of the first frame house in Fosterville. The first floor had a living room, dining room, and kitchen with three bedrooms upstairs. Electricity was supplied to the home from the large generator at the VCLCo Sawmill. Essay about the Draver Family in Fosterville/Winegar.
Draver, Charles - (1901-1982) Son of William and Gertrude. Born 01 September, 1901.
Draver, Gertrude (Pat) L. - (1903-1995) Daughter of William and Gertrude. Started her schooling in Fosterville’s one room schoolhouse.
Draver, Kenneth G. - (1907-1994) Son of William and Gertrude, born in Fosterville on 01 September, 1907.
Draver, Marian K - (1879-1914)
Draver, Raymond J. - (1904-1973) Son of William and Gertrude.
Draver Jr., William James - (1872-1957) Came with J. J. Foster from Grand Rapids, MI to construct the road from Winchester and build The Vilas County Lumber Company Sawmill. He built the first frame home (shown above) located on Little Horsehead Lake. Township of Presque Isle Clerk and riding Vilas County circuit court route. In 1912 as an employee of the VCLCo he was fired by W. S. Winegar (VCLCo President) for buying from Montgomery Wards in Chicago instead of the VCLCo Company Store and left Winegar with his family.
Duchan, Andrew - Heinke Sawmill, Sawyer (operates Band Mill Saw, Log Loader, Log Turner, and Carriage Feed) on Presque Isle Lake, 1947.
Residents of Fosterville posing around a very full sled of large logs. It's hard and dangerous to load such large loads, meaning this scene was probably staged for the photographer Arthur J. Kingsbury of Antigo, Wisconsin.
Eby, Victor - Wm. Bonifas Lumber Co. mill hand in Marenisco, MI, 1947.
Elliott, R. S. - Township of Presque Isle Chairman.
Eschenbauch, Allen - Township of Presque Isle Clerk, 1928, Fire Warden and School Bus Driver in Winegar, 1947.
Eschenbauch, John - Township of Presque Isle Board of Education Treasurer and Wm. Bonifas Lumber Co., Hardwood. Lumber Inspector (person who inspects and grades lumber according to specific company and industry standards)in Marenisco, MI, 1947.
Eschenbach (Spencer), Lucille - (1911-?) Wife of Allen. Daughter of Cora & Tug Spencer. Graduated St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing, Chicago, IL, 5 October, 1926. Postmistress of Presque Isle, 1936.
A couple wives and a bunch of kids with Lumber Jacks using a portable Sawmill to cut building materials for the building of the Vilas County Lumber Company (VCLCo) in Fosterville in 1905.
Is that distinguish man with mustache sitting on log, J. J. Foster?
Fairfield, Carl - VCLCo mill hand, 1928.
Fairfield, Glenn - VCLCo (steam engine) Fireman, 1928. Wm. Bonifas Lumber Co. mill hand in Marenisco, MI, 1947.
Fairfield, James - C&N-W Ry Section Crew man (repairs and lays both C&N-W Ry & VCLCo RR trackage) in Winegar, 1928.
Finnegan, Jerry F. - Township of Presque Isle Supervisor and VCLCo mill hand, 1928.
Finnegan, Mrs. Jerry - Township of Presque Isle Board of Education Secretary, 1928.
Foster, John J. - (commonly known as J. J. Foster) He came from Greenville, Michigan, in 1905 and started a small Sawmill (a division Grand Rapids Furniture Co.). He named the growing community Fosterville. He was president of the Vilas County Lumber Company from 1905 to 1910 and died in 1912 of tuberculosis.
Fremstad, Lena - Married Stener, 2 July, 1896.
Fremstad, Stener - Proprietor Fremstad Boarding House in Winegar with a “Limited” credit rating of less $500, 1920. Armor Lake Resort owner, Armor Lake, 1920 - 1947. Husband of Lena.
Whom was J. A. Foster?
He was probably interested in a player piano music roll the Milwaukee Consolidated Music Company published. We wonder what tune?
Gibson, Frank - VCLCo Vice President.
Gilbertson, John - VCLCo mill hand, 1928.
Girsch, M. J. - VCLCo mill hand, 1928.
Gorman, James A. - VCLCo Secretary.
Gorman, Joseph A. - W. S. Winegar took on Joseph Gorman as Vice President and partner in 1919. They renamed the operation the Winegar-Gorman Lumber Company. Joseph purchased VCLCo in 1926 forming Bonifas-Gorman Lumber Co. with William Bonfas. In 1933 William Bonfas bought out Joseph Gorman.
Grant, Albert - VCLCo Lumber Piler, 1928.
Green, Platt C. - appointed Postmaster of Fosterville, 20 Sept. 1910.
Grogg, Joseph - (1854-1923) “He is not dead, but sleepeth.” buried in the Shanty Boy Hill Cemetery.
Grogg, Walter - VCLCo (steam engine) Engineer, 1928.
Gunderson, George - VCLCo mill hand, 1928.
Hans, - (1867-1914) “AT REST” buried in the Shanty Boy Hill Cemetery.
Haralson, Elmer - VCLCo Woods Foreman, 1928.
Haralson, Russell - VCLCo mill hand, 1928.
Heinke, William - Proprietor of Heinke Sawmill on Presque Isle Lake, 1947.
Heller Jr., Albert (Jim) - Homestead on Heller's Island, Crab Lake, 1921.
Hesselsweet, M. J. - Presque Isle Township Supervisor.
Hicks, John - C&N-W Ry Section Crew man (repairs and lays both C&N-W Ry & VCLCo RR trackage) in Winegar, 1928.
Hicks, William - C&N-W Ry Section Crew man (repairs and lays both C&N-W Ry & VCLCo RR trackage) in Winegar, 1928.
Hill, Gladys - (1910-2008) Graduated Teach College, Columbia County. Teacher at the Winegar Grade School 1943. Operated an antique store after retiring from teaching. Ox Bow Resort proprietor with husband William on Ox Bow Lake.
Hill (Bowles), Sadie - Married William H. 1 June, 1890.
Hill, William (Bill) - ( - 1994) Ox Bow Lodge proprietor with wife Gladys on Ox Bow Lake, 1947.
Hill, William H. - (1859-19??) Established Cedar Lodge 1906 on Squaw Lake in South-West Vilas County, sold in 1921. Husband of Sadie.
Hodgis, Frank - VCLCo “Barn Boss” (Barn Bosses often were affectionately called “Flunky Horse Nurses” by their friends) who took care of the draft horses (and other animals) used to skid logs and pull Log Wagons, 1928.
Holmberg, Carl - VCLCo Blacksmith, 1928.
Holmberg, Ellen - Postmistress and VCLCo Secretary, 1924.
Honsowetz, Frank - Presque Isle Township Supervisor, 1924.
Houg, Alfred (Al) - Appointed Postmaster of Winegar, 19 July, 1913, reappointed by the President, Calvin Coolidge and confirmed by the Senate, 23 June, 1926. VCLCo office Manager, 1914-1924. Husband of Hazel.
Houg, Dorothy - Daughter of Alfred and Hazel, born 11 March, 1916.
Houg, Edith - VCLCo Stenographer, 1924.
Houg (Cole), Hazel - Married Alfred, 17 September, 1914.
Houg, Mary - Vilas County Clerk, 1924.
Hoye, George - VCLCo Sawyer (operates Band Mill Saw, Log Loader, Log Turner, and Carriage Feed), 1928.
Idema, Henry - VCLCo Treasurer. 1924
Jackson, Jonathan - Owns log cabin, west shore of West Bay, Crab Lake.
Jakeway, Jenny - Reportedly one of the first two non-native women in the area.
Jakeway, Oliver - (1878-1919) “AT REST” buried in the Shanty Boy Hill Cemetery.
Joosten, Walter - VCLCo Planning Mill Foreman, 1928.
Judd, Stanley & Catherine - Crab Lake residents, 1937.
Kirchoff, Gil & Dorthy - Owners of home on Lynx Bay, Crab Lake, 1938.
Knabe, Oscar - VCLCo Blacksmith Helper, 1928 and Winegar School janitor, 1947.
Kunschke (Parnell), Ida - Married William, 9 September, 1911.
Kunschke, Mabel E. - Daughter of Ida & William.
Kunschke, Velma A. - Daughter of Ida & William, resident of Fosterville/Winegar writing an early history of area, in 1936.
Kunschke, William F. - Manager and Cook Ohio Crab Lake Sporting Club, 1903. Built road from Fosterville to Crab Lake. Presque Isle farmer, 1924. Township of Presque Isle Board of Education Treasurer and Assessor, 1928. Proprietor of Wm. Kunschke Ox Bow Resort on Ox Bow Lake, 1911 to 1947. Husband of Ida.
The "REAL" ladies of Winegar.
Laundrie, Frank H. - Presque Isle Town Chairman, 1920 and Committee on Illegal Taxes, 1924. Husband of Lucy.
Laundrie, Jessie - Son of Frank & Mary, born 19 May, 1913
Laundrie (Troyer), Lucy - Married Frank, 10 April, 1912.
Laundrie, Mary - Daughter of Frank & Mary, born 17 December, 1919.
Laundrie, Norene - Daughter of Frank & Mary, born 28 February, 1915.
Mac Leans - Four generations visit their home at Norway Point, Crab Lake, starting 1950.
Maralson, Merritt - VCLCo Millwright (working knowledge of gear ratios, driveshaft speeds who sets up mill machinery), 1928.
May, Oscar - VCLCo mill hand, 1928.
McCorkle, George R. - Appointed Postmaster of Fosterville/Winegar, 29 April, 1911.
McElrone (Vanski). Angela - Married Thomas, October, 1904.
McElrone, Francis - Daughter of Angela & Thomas.
McElrone, Henry - Son of Angela & Thomas.
McElrone, Helen - Daughter of Angela & Thomas.
McElrone, John - Son of Angela & Thomas.
McElrone, Robert - Son of Angela & Thomas..
McElrone, Willis - Son of Angela & Thomas.
McElrone, Thomas F. - Vilas County deputy Sheriff, 1924. Husband of Angela.
McKenzie, Hilda - Reportedly one of the first of two non-native women in the area.
McKenzie, Milon - Township of Presque Isle Assessor, VCLCo (steam engine) Fireman, 1928, Township of Presque Isle Board of Education Clerk and Wm. Bonifas Lumber Co. mill hand in Marenisco, MI, 1947.
Manphony - Vilas County Clerk, 1916.
Medlen, William H. - Appointed Postmaster of Fosterville, 23 Sept. 1906.
Morris, Glenn - VCLCo mill hand, 1928.
Morris, J. - VCLCo mill hand, 1928.
Morris, Ray - VCLCo mill hand, 1928.
VCLCo Lumber Jacks standing outside one of their "Shanties" behind a railroad Log Car.
The two fashionable Jacks are probably wearing Stifel white dots on Navy Blue, Heavy Calico, Bib Overalls.
Nelson, George R. - Real Estate Broker & Farmer Township of Presque Isle. Assistant superintendent of the VCLCo. Township of Presque Isle Assessor, 1924. Winegar Surveyor (possibly the state official who inspects and tallies cargo loads), 1928. Husband of Louise.
Nelson (Smith), Louise - Married George, 29 March, 1900.
Nelson. W. E. - C&N-W Ry Section Crew man (repairs and lays both C&N-W Ry & VCLCo RR trackage) in Winegar, 1928.
Novak, Jules - Fishing and hunting guide in the Presque Isle area, 1922.
Nulty, James (Jas) - VCLCo Company Store Manager, 1928.
Olson, Tony - VCLCo mill hand, 1928.
Owens (Carman), Dora - Married Lewis, 21 November, 1889.
Owens, Fred - Son of Dora and Lewis. VCLCo mechanic, 1928.
Owens, Lewis W. - Township of Presque Isle Clerk, and Justice of Piece. O School Board of Winegar School, 1924. Supervisor, VCLCo Master Mechanic/Chief Engineer, 1928, and logger, 1947. Husband of Dora.
Peterlick, Louis - VCLCo mill hand, 1928.
Peterson, Arthur, Wm. - (1896 - 1921) “Gone but not forgotten” buried in the Shanty Boy Hill Cemetery.
Pierce, Charles A. - VCLCo Camp Foreman, Woods Superintendent, Mill Manager (in charge of woods, railroads, logging, etc.). Husband of Effie.
Pierce (Anderson), Effie - Married Charles, 16 December, 1891.
Pierce, Ray - Son of Charles and Effie.
Pierson, ? - Chicago & North-Western Ry, (C&N-W)Foreman.
Prosser (Zipprie), Ruth Mae - appointed Postmistress of Winegar by the President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, 22 January, 1943.
Charles Pierce 1919 Hunting License.
Rahn, Albert - VCLCo Yard Foreman, 1928.
Rahn, Lyal - VCLCo yard man, 1928.
Randby, Axel - VCLCo Filer (sharpens, fits and repairs saws), 1928.
Randby, Chris - VCLCo mill hand, 1928.
Richards, George D. - Township of Presque Isle Board Chairman oversaw the town of Presque Isle being dissolved with assets distributed between Winchester and Winegar, 5 May, 1923. VCLCo Yard Foreman and General Superintendent, 1924.
Ring, Elmer - VCLCo Lumber Grader (person who inspects and grades lumber according to specific company and industry standards), 1928.
Redd, Edmond - VCLCo Setter (rode Log Carriage frame seated, “setting” the position of the Head Block on the carriage so logs are sawed into the thickness signaled by the Sawyer), 1928.
Rogers, Howard - VCLCo Cruiser (estimator of the amount of timber) and worked in the Company Store, Township of Presque Isle Assessors and Treasurer, 1924.
Rogers, (Smith), Lucy - Married Howard, 22 April, 1895.
Rogers, Maurice - Son of Howard and Lucy.
Rogers, Maurine - Daughter of Howard and Lucy.
Rutherford, Harry - VCLCo Brakeman (applies brakes to logging trains), 1928 and logger, 1947. Son of Jack & Mary.
Rutherford, Henry - VCLCo Lath Mill Foreman, 1928, Township of Presque Isle Fire Warden and well driller, 1947.
Rutherford, Jack - One of the best known hunters and trappers of northern Wisconsin. Husband of Mary.
Rutherford (Larson), Mary - Married Jack, 16 July, 1891.
Schroeder, Fred - Summer resident of Crab Lake's West Bay, since 1922.
Sellstrom, H. - Township of Presque Isle Board Chairman, 1928.
Severn, Lloyd - VCLCo Sawyer (operates Band Mill Saw, Log Loader, Log Turner, and Carriage Feed), 1928.
Seymour, John - VCLCo mill hand, 1928.
Shier, Katherine B. - Appointed Postmistress of Winegar, 1 Jan. 1929.
Shier, Richard - VCLCo Mill Superintendent, 1928.
Sipps (Thompson), Rachel - Presque Isle Town resident, 1924.
Sipps (Johnson), Amy - Wife of William, 1924.
Sipps, Ina - Daughter of Amy and William, born 5 April, 1913.
Sipps, Lena - Daughter of Amy and William, born 24 March, 1909.
Sipps, Roy - Son of Amy and William, born 23 April, 1906.
Sipps, Vernon - Presque Isle Town resident, 1924.
Sipps, William (Billy) F. - Arrived in the area about 1900 and rented teams of horses to the lumber camps. Daily delivered groceries from Winegar to Crab Lake. Farmer near Winegar, 1928. Logger, 1947. Husband of Amy.
Sprackling, George - Built cabin on Crab Lake, 1950.
Spencer, Cora - (1882 - 1982 ) Wife of Tug and mother of Lucille Eschenbach.
Spencer, Tug - Reportedly made the best moonshine from his Kentucky recipes from both rye and corn which he sold for $50 a gallon! He worked full time as a C&N-W Ry Section Crew Foreman. Husband of Cora.
Cora & Tug Spencer's home.
Quite a few ladies with a few of their babies sitting on steps of second Winegar School House built in 1914.
Thomas, Charles A. - VCLCo Head Filer, 1924. Township of Presque Isle President Board of Education President, 1928. Husband of Edith.
Thomas (Simmons), Edith - Married Charles, 12 April, 1893.
Thomas, Irene Margaret - Daughter of Mary and Rollie.
Thomas (Hunt), Mary H. - VCLCo Bookkeeper, 1924. Township of Presque Isle Treasurer, 1928. Married Rollie, 19 September, 1911.
Thomas, Rollie A. - VCLCo Planing Mill 1917. Winegar School Board Clerk and Lumber Inspector, Township of Presque Isle Treasurer, 1924. Husband of Mary.
Thomas, Rollie William - Son of Mary and Rollie.
Thompson, Carl - VCLCo Lumber Grader (person who inspects and grades lumber according to specific company and industry standards), 1928.
Tice, Charles - Proprietor of resort near Winegar, 1928.
Tice, Milton - VCLCo mill hand, 1928, and Wm. Bonifas Lumber Co. mill hand in Marenisco, MI, 1947.
Tolquist, Walter - VCLCo Lumber Piler, 1928.
Vodicnik, John & Stephanie - Own cabin in Lynx Bay, Crab lake, 1944.
Whiteaker, F. E. - VCLCo mill hand, 1928.
Whiteaker, Ralph - VCLCo mill hand, 1928.
Wilbur, Harley - VCLCo mill hand, 1928.
Williamson, Ward - VCLCo mill hand, 1928.
Wilson, Charlie - Homestead North Crab Lake, 1924.
Winegar (Smith), Margaret G. - Born October, 1856 in Ohio. Married William S. in 1874.
Winegar, William S. (1854 - 1927) aka “Big Bill.” A man of abundant energy was President of the VCLCo from 1910 to 1926. The results of his labors may be seen in the Sawmill and the village of Winegar, presenting one of the most active industrial scenes in Vilas County.
He called a meeting shortly after taking over the running of the Sawmill to tell the workers that they were not going to get paid for a while and not to worry because he needed the money to improve the Sawmill. He continued to run the Vilas County Lumber Company as the other Sawmills in the area shut down during that depression. He was then able to pay his men. The VCLCo was one of the only Sawmill with dry lumber when WWI broke out in 1917.
“Big Bill” was known to say “My name is Bill, I have never failed and I never will.”
W. S. Winegar
Compiled by Jack L. Winegar. Last revised 03-13-22.