In Review
First Week of May 1878-1998
Researched by Ruth Ann Montgomery
140 Years Ago (1868): Church for Sale. The Welsh Society at Union Village having no further use for
their Meeting House, offer it for sale at very reasonable terms. The building is strong and substantial,
and can be moved without any inconvenience or material injury. For terms, particulars, &c., apply to
John Williams, Union or E. A. Thomas at Cooksville.
130 Years Ago (1878): The Cooksville Cheese Factory opened Monday morning with 3,300 lbs of milk.
The proprietor is about putting in another vat. Not long ago Johnson & Stevens Brothers imported
several car loads of cows, and sold them among our farmers and dairymen, and brought a remunerative
price, and met with a ready sale, because the supply of milch cows was reduced beyond the demand.
120 Years Ago (1888): Born. Monday April 30, 1888, to Mr. and Mrs. Ross Merrill, a handsome girl of
which they feel very proud, and well they may.
110 Years Ago (1898): Janesville people will be glad to remember that the wife of Acting Admiral
Dewey, the hero of Manila, is a former Janesville girl, well-known here many years ago as Miss Anna
Sheaf. Great men often owe much to their wives and Janesville will be proud to place Mrs. Dewey on
her list of noble women. – Janesville Republican. Evansville people will also remember Miss Anna Sheaf
as the sister of M. W. Sheaf, a former clothing merchant of this city.
100 Years Ago (1908): There may still be a financial stringency, but if so, the Baker Manufacturing Co.,
of Evansville, is not feeling it very much if we may judge from present indications. The company last
week returned to a full time schedule with a full complement of hands, and as we understand it, most of
them are receiving a little better wages than heretofore. That speaks well for the management and is a
good thing for the town. We wish there were a dozen more concerns in town like the Baker Mfg. Co.
90 Years Ago (1918): On Friday afternoon, May 3, in the city of Rockford, occurred the marriage of
Burchard M. McCoy, of the town of Magnolia, and Miss Ruth H. Milligan, of this city. Miss Milligan is the
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Milligan. She has made Evansville her home the greater share of her
life, and is a graduate of the Evansville High School and of the Rock County Training School, at
Janesville, and is now teaching at the Butts Corners School. Mr. McCoy is the youngest son of Mr. and
Mrs. G. L. McCoy, and is a prosperous young farmer. The many friends of this young couple wish for
them happiness and prosperity.
80 Years Ago (1928): Evansville was first placed on the map as a show town, by that veteran showman,
Col. George W. Hall, when he came here from his farm in Magnolia, where he had kept his stock, forty-
seven years ago, when a young man. Mr. Hall at that time had only a small animal show, with which he
followed the big shows. The man afterwards made his name famous as a great showman, being the first
showman with nerve enough to take a show to Mexico, here he met with rough handling, but, as he
always did, the show business, carried his show through successfully. The lure of the saw dust had
gotten into his son George and for many years, he too, has, from year to year dabbled in the show
business, training his sons, Russell and Frank in the same line, which they have been building up slowly
year after year. H. A. Bruce, who was for several years a trap drummer in the Gollmar Bros. Shows
band and who married the daughter of George Hall, Junior, also started his show out of this city
Wednesday morning. Walter Gollmar and William Campbell, who married the daughters of Col. George
W. Hall, for many years have also been in the show business.
70 Years Ago (1938): After several weeks of secrecy, Prom King Ted Greenway has divulged the
information that he has chosen Miss Shirley Estes, to be queen of the 1938 junior promenade to be held
here Friday evening in the high school gymnasium. Prominent in school activities, Miss Estes, a junior,
is president of the High School Commercial Club, and an active member of the Girls’ Athletic Association
and the Senior Girls’ Glee Club. Mr. Greenway, president of the junior class, is a prominent and
outstanding member of the varsity basketball squad and the Senior Hi-Y. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs.
George Greenway, 138 West Church Street.
60 Years Ago (1948): The casketed remains of Seaman First Class Edwin A. Hatlen, a World War II
deceased member of the Navy being returned from overseas for final burial, will arrive in Evansville
within the next month accompanied by a uniformed U. S. Navy Escort from the Chicago Distribution
Center of the American Graves Registration Division. The body of Seaman First Class Hatlen was
interred in the Barrakpore temporary military cemetery in India, but has been returned to this country for
final interment at the request of his next of kin.
50 Years Ago (1958): Beverly Dennison, 12-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Dennison, Emery
Road, was winner of the Rock County rural spelling contest held last week in Janesville, at the court
house. Winners from schools in 10 Rock County townships competed. Beverly is a seventh grade pupil
at Pleasant Prairie School, Union township. Mrs. Floyd Roberts, a teacher for ten years at the school,
has been Beverly’s teacher during her entire elementary training period.
40 Years Ago (1968): The Women’s Bowling Association members held their annual year-end banquet
last week and re-elected all officers as follows: Mrs. LaVerne Gallman, president; Mrs. Marion Clark,
vice president; Mrs. Lester Rasmussen, secretary; and Mrs. Henry Holz, sergeant at arms. League
bowling will be discontinued until the fall season opens.
30 Years Ago (1978): Mrs. Thea Brunsell and Mrs. Jo Waeffler gave a bridal shower for Melinda Eager,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alan Eager Saturday, April 29, at the home of Mrs. Thea Brunsell. About 18
guests were at the shower from Evansville and Madison. Miss Eager will become the bride of Bruce
Poole, San Francisco at the home of her parents June 17.
20 Years Ago (1988): According to Charles Nordeng, commander of the Evansville Post 35, American
Legion, Evansville will get the military tank, the M47, that it has been waiting for since 1985. It is due to
arrive late in May. Nordeng says the tank will come from Anniston, Alabama Army Depot and will be
brought here by the Monroe National Guard, which will be on maneuvers in Louisiana May 7-21. After
maneuvers, two Guard members will drive to Alabama with a truck and trailer to pick up the Patton tank.
10 years ago (1998): Confirmation of the 1998 class of the United Methodist Church was held last
Sunday. Class members were Kristin Fuchs, Julie Christianson, Derek Allen and Mitch Chapin. Rev.
Bert Lohr is the pastor.
In Review
Second Week of May 1878-1998
140 Years Ago (1868): Poisoned – A little boy, two and a half years old, son of Wm. Bedford, Esq., died
on Saturday morning, from strychnine, incautiously placed within its reach. A vial containing the poison
with others had been removed from its usual place of safety by a member of the family, not knowing its
contents, and to where the little child obtained access to them. In removing the cork with its teeth it took
the poison sufficient to throw it into spasms and died before medical aid could be brought to avail.
Several children have within a short time been lost to the family, and the untimely death of this child falls
with crushing weight upon its parents.
130 Years Ago (1878): Mr. Tom Aspell, while attempting to board a freight train Saturday to go
southward, as he states, fell in such a manner that a wheel passed over his right arm near the elbow. It
was amputated by surgeons Evans and Smith, assisted by Dr. Griswold. It is said that he was partially
intoxicated, which was the primary cause of the accident. Dr. Lucas says it is a low, contemptuous
slander, gotten up to injure him. He never aided or furnished Tom Aspell with a drop of liquor, by which
he got intoxicated and lost his arm, and furthermore, he has not tasted a drop of liquor himself for over
two years, much less furnished it to anyone else. These statements he is ready to verify on oath.
120 Years Ago (1888): Mr. A. H. Fessenden has presented a petition containing 26 names to our
village board requesting that he be allowed to run a temperance billiard hall in this place.
110 Years Ago (1898): Flour has been jumping up 25 cents a sack every time the Chicago daily arrives
for several days, and where it will end still remains a mystery; we shall soon have to commence a diet of
oat and corn meal and possibly wild hay.
100 Years Ago (1908): Ad Barnum went down to the stock yards Monday to buy a couple of fat cows for
Lee’s market. When he got there he found that the cows, which had been sold to Robert Stevens, had
brought the neat sum of $167.10. Ad didn’t faint when he heard it, but went back up town. These cows
were fattened and sold by John Robinson, of the town of Union. They were Herefords, weighed
something over 1440 pounds each, and at six cents per pound, live weight, brought the above figures.
And yet it is said sometimes that there is no money in farming.
90 Years Ago (1918): There will be a special meeting of the Woman’s Literary Club in Library Hall
Tuesday evening, May 14 and a cordial invitation is given us to attend. Mrs. O. C. Colony, who was a
delegate, has just returned from the Bicentennial Convention of the General Federation of Woman’s
Clubs. The message she brings us from those loyal, earnest women is full of enthusiasm. Let us all,
especially the club women of this city, avail ourselves of this opportunity of hearing Mrs. Colony and
gaining fresh inspiration for the work that is before us all.
80 Years Ago (1928): Russell Hall left with his show Monday crossing the river at Dubuque, Iowa, and
will work up through Iowa and Minnesota and on into Canada. Frank Hall, under the name of
Vandenburg Bros., Shows, opened Thursday at Whitewater, going from there to Edgerton and showing
here Saturday May 12. H. A. Bruce, who was for several years a trap drummer in the Gollmar Bros.
Shows band and who married the daughter of George Hall, Junior, a sister of Russell and Frank Hall,
also started his show out from this city Wednesday morning, showing first at Utica and Rockdale. Walter
Gollmar and William Campbell, who married the daughters of Col. George W. Hall, for many years have
also been in the show business. Mr. Gollmar being one of the famous Gollmar Bros., while Mr. Campbell
has had several different minstrel shows, selling his last one last year, being now manager of a large
show in the East and South.
70 Years Ago (1938): A group of 15 Boy Scouts under the leadership of Scoutmaster George
Greenway has completed the planting of 300 small white pine trees which were contributed by the
American Legion Auxiliary through an arrangement with The Wisconsin Conservation Commission. The
trees have been planted near the lake shore in Leota Park. They were grown in state owned nurseries
and should add materially to the present beauty of the park. The local Legion Auxiliary has joined with
other auxiliary units in planting a forest of memory pine trees in the northern part of the state and
dedicating the forest to those boys in khaki who marched away to the World War.
60 Years Ago (1948): Harry Roderick, Jr., will be the speaker at the regular meeting of the Waucoma
Grange next Tuesday at Grange Hall. He will discuss Air Defense. In that Mr. Roderick was keenly
interested in that phase of army work during the war, he will be able to give an interesting talk and
answer questions. His discussion will be supplemented with musical numbers.
50 Years Ago (1958): Pruden Products Company is adding 6,000 feet of floor space to their plant in
Evansville. They are using their own framing which is being accepted throughout the United States for
industrial, commercial and agricultural buildings. The Pruden Products Company moved to Evansville
from Fort Atkinson four years ago. Their line of clear span steel building frames was developed in
Evansville and has been so well accepted that this is their second addition to their manufacturing
facilities. The present new construction is 60 x 100 feet making total plant space at 30,000 square feet.
Pruden will make good use of the new floor space as well as expand their night crew if present activities
are an indication of what will be needed during the peak of the construction season in the summer and
fall. Pruden steel framing is sold nationally through retail lumber yards since they have the roofing,
siding and hardware to complete the buildings.
40 Years Ago (1968): The Evansville Board of Education accepted resignations from eight teachers
and accepted contracts for nine new teachers. Resignations were submitted by Katherine Grapsas,
Lois Infeld, Judith Kirschbaum, Darlene Larson, Dorothy Koch, Kathryn Marquardt, Leta Minke and
Douglas Schuler. Contracts for new teachers were approved for Janet Plourde, Duane Updike, Victor
Illichmann, Jon Enos, Bonnie Maul, Nancy Owens, Ann Kerkenbush, Louis Levy and Charleen Quam.
30 Years Ago (1978): The Evansville Health Planning Association received a positive report from the
committee which had met with several Madison health service administrators and Dr. Roger Gray,
Evansville, in pursuit of another doctor or two for the Evansville area. Pam Wilson, Rev. Dave Stratton,
Rev. I. Dean Jordan, Larry Lauke, and Cliff Woolever met with Dave Anderson, Methodist Hospital senior
vice president, Dr. Blake Waterhouse, Jackson Clinic and Dr. Gray. “A partner for Gray is the best way
to go,” said Pam Wilson, in presenting some of the conclusions she drew from the meeting. Dr. Gray’s
current office is set up for two physicians. The facility could also handle the additional presence of a
physician assistant or a nurse practitioner. A primary care physician who has a residency in family
practice medicine is what Dr. Gray and the EHPA are looking for.
20 Years Ago (1988): David Wartenweiler, building inspector, reports the following: in 1987, there were
107 building permits issued. The estimated cost of these projects or the value of the permits issued was
$739,999. The fees collected for 1987 were $5,206. This number includes street openings, and
variances issued as well as permit fees. These numbers are a decline from 1986. The largest part of
the difference can be related to the Baker Block project in 1986. There were 6 permits issued for new
residences, 3 house additions and 10 new garages constructed. A total of 451 inspections were made
in 1987. .
10 years ago (1998): The Junior Class Prom Court for 1998 were Amber Gorman, Casey Fellows, Jessy
Steig, Abbey Tomlin, Jill Krumwiede, Emily Alling, Stephanie Koepp, Kristin Helker, Lisa Hallmark, Carri
Heacox, Meghan Hintze, Steve Wickersham, Seth Cratsenberg, Josh Stadt, Brian Cufaude, J. R. Crans,
Mike Thornton, Kevin Schneider, Ryan Subera, Marty Johnson, Adam Bradley and Derek Bergum. The
prom theme was “City of Lights” and the song was “Unchained Melody.”
In Review
Third Week of May 1878-1998
140 Years Ago (1868): Improvements. The Methodist society have sold their old parsonage grounds to
Jacob West, and have chosen a committee to make new locations and prepare for the immediate
erection of a parsonage. The grounds about the church have been leveled off, a very substantial and
quite neat fence put up and some few shade trees planted; more are to be set. The improvement is
commendable to the enterprise of the people. The Baptists (F. W.) have put down a walk in front of and
leading to their church. We learn that measures are being taken for raising funds to paint their
parsonage. Several new houses have sprung up in different parts of the village within the few weeks
past, and new fences have been built, which lend an air of cheerfulness to the home and give a thrifty
appearance to our village. [Note: An 1858 map of Evansville shows the Methodist parsonage on the
southwest corner of West Main and Third Street. The Free Will Baptist Church was located on the south
side of the first block of Church Street, west of Madison Street. For a view of the 1858 map go to: http:
//www.evansvillehistory.net/1858map.jpg]
130 Years Ago (1878): A. S. Baker & Co. have had another large lot of six-page circulars, for their new
Monitor Windmills. Usually business is dull at this season; but we have had quite our usual amount to
do.
120 Years Ago (1888): The three hotels in this place all seem to be doing very good business. The
Central is crowded with traveling troops and salesmen while the Commercial and Evansville House have
their share of the traveling public and all the boarders they wish to accommodate.
110 Years Ago (1898): Flower thieves are complained of in various parts of the city, but the worst
complaint comes from those who have them taken from the sacred precincts of the cemetery. We have
not heard of any yet this season, but the seasons past it has been a frequent occurrence and should be
stopped with a shot gun if necessary, for there is no excuse whatever for such low, unfeeling vandalism.
100 Years Ago (1908): John Wood died at his home about 4 ½ miles southwest of this city Thursday
evening, aged 83 years. About two years ago he had a stroke of paralysis, from which he never
recovered. Mr. Wood was born at Brighton, England, Dec. 12, 1824 and came to this country with his
young wife, Mary Ann White, in 1850, locating in Janesville, and later, on a farm near the Owen’s mills.
He leaves two daughters, Mesdames Albert Gibbs and Stephen Wells, both of this city and one son,
Edward T. Wood, who lives in the farm home in Magnolia. Mr. Wood was a member of the Free Baptist
Church. He has been a patient sufferer for the past two years and quietly passed away May 14, 1908.
The funeral services were held Saturday afternoon from the Free Baptist church, Rev. L. E. Sealey
officiating. The interment was made in Maple Hill cemetery.
90 Years Ago (1918): Death came suddenly Monday to the old veteran showman, George W. Hall, who,
for over fifty years, has made this city his home, and here has trained many of the animals with which he
made his enviable reputation as a showman. George Washington Hall was born in New Hampshire,
according to his own statement, Dec. 5, 1835. His parents were Joseph and Susan Hall, of good old
New England stock. In 1855, he was married to Sara Wilder, at Concord, N. H. A son, George
Washington Hall, Jr., and a daughter Mrs. Jessie Gollmar, of Evansville, survive this marriage. One son,
Charles, and a daughter, Ida, have preceded their parents in death. In 1876, he was united in marriage
to Marie Louise Tolen, at St. Louis, and had one daughter, Mabel Campbell, well known in circus life,
who now conducts a show of her own, survives him. In the passing of “Pop” Hall, as he was
affectionately known, Evansville loses a big-hearted, open-minded citizen, who has established himself
permanently in the hearts of many of those he has befriended and who has made our little city noted in
many states as the abiding place and the home of “The Greatest Living Showman.”
80 Years Ago (1928): The city force is busy these days fixing up the city and tourist parks so as to be
ready for the big rush of tourist travel which is sure to come this summer over the National Parks
Highway. The dead water space just west of the bath house where the water has always stood dead
and green in the summer time has been filled in. An entirely new system of lighting is being installed
and six larger lights being added. Appropriations have already been made for the two steel bridges
which connect the dam and the spillways and they will be put in as soon as they arrive. The Baker
Manufacturing Co. is ordering these bridges. The parks are so popular with the people of surrounding
towns for Sunday and anniversary picnics that there seems not be to be room enough for them on
Sundays, despite the large number of tables and other equipment which are already there. Mr. Ellis
states that already there is quite a little tourist traffic going through and stopping here and that he
expects this season that the parks will be crowded to capacity.
70 Years Ago (1938): A wartime atmosphere prevailed throughout Evansville this morning as a battalion
of 30 men of the Third Field artillery paraded through the city enroute from Fort Sheridan, Ill., to Camp
McCoy at Sparta. The attachment, which included scores of sleek saddle horses, and provision
wagons, camped last night in Janesville and was slated to spend tonight in Oregon. The battalion which
stopped here for a short rest period, paraded west on Main Street from Maple turning north on Madison
Street, and was viewed by a large crowd of spectators who thronged the sidewalks as the unit passed.
60 Years Ago (1948): Gary Deininger suffered painful injuries about his face and eye recently when
struck in the face by a B-B gun pellet which he and some friends were playing war. He is a patient at St.
Mary’s hospital, Madison, where a pellet was removed from his cheek. It is not yet known whether he will
lose the sight of the injured eye. Gary is in the fifth grade at the Evansville school.
50 Years Ago (1958): Evansville high school’s baseball team coached by Bernie Golz, Thursday upset
Sun Prairie 3-2 to bring about a three-way tie for first place in the western division of the Madison
Suburban league. Chuck Peterson tripled and scored on a wild pitch in the fifth inning for Evansville’s
winning run. Peterson also pitched a three-hit ball game, Peterson had two hits in three tries and Paul
Brown had two hits in two tries to lead Evansville’s attack. Evansville’s final baseball game of the season
will be Thursday night at Leota Park against Milton. Both teams are tied with Sun Prairie for the western
division lead.
40 Years Ago (1968): One of Evansville’s oldest landmarks is gone. For the past two years, the old
Magee Theater building has been a subject of comment and speculation as to when and how the
building could be razed. It hasn’t been used since 1942 and during the intervening years it has
deteriorated inside and outside until when T. Madden and Co., began work on it last week, there was
practically nothing inside and the entire building was considered a hazard. According to city officials no
special plans have been made for the use of the vacant lot, but to older Evansville residents, although
they know the building had to come down, East Main Street will never be quite the same without the old
Magee Theater.
30 Years Ago (1978): Clarence S. Franklin, native of the Evansville- Cooksville area and one of
Evansville’s oldest residents, will be the guest of honor at a birthday party to be held May 21 in the First
Baptist Church. Clarence will be 95 years old. He was born on the Franklin farm in the Cooksville area.
He attended the Cooksville rural school and was graduated from the Evansville High School and he also
attended the Evansville Seminary. Clarence and his wife Winifred are active citizens of Evansville during
the summer months; they spend their winters in their Florida home.
20 Years Ago (1988): After 33 years in business on Main Street in Evansville, Rowland Straka
announced at last week’s Chamber of Commerce meeting, that he is planning to move his business to
Watertown in the late summer. Rowland’s father, Joseph Straka, started the business in December of
1924. It was in 1955 that he took over from his father. Straka, who has been treasurer for the Chamber
of Commerce for the past several years, joins several other businesses recently, who have left the
downtown Evansville area, citing a lack of business.
10 years ago (1998): St. John’s Praise Team and Junior Choir will take their music on the road and will
be among several groups providing musical entertainment for 600 Christians gathered for the
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America at the Dane Co. Expo Center. Amy Eager, keyboard player for
the Praise Team, sees this as a wonderful opportunity for churches to promote Christian music. The
Praise team includes JoEllen Sigmund, Kitty VerKuilen, Linda Rehfeldt, Deanna Quam, Jeff Herbers,
Dena Martin, Shelly Meredith, Mike Goetz, Jeff Farnsworth, Mike Halvorson, Young Nguyen, and Dave
Persons. Linda O’ Leary, is director of St. John’s Jr. Choir, with choir members Stephanie Abey,
Kimberly Beedle, Brian Crocker, Abey Farnsworth, Katie Herbers, Charlee Larson, Rachel Martin,
Christian Peterson, Nathan and Ryan Peterson, Tina Schnabel, Andrew Soetart, and Adam VerKuilen.
Sharon Magee is the accompanist.
In Review
Fourth Week of May 1878-1998
140 Years Ago (1868): Married. At the residence of the bride’s father, in Plymouth, Wis., May 20,
1868, by Rev. Samuel Lugg, Mr. John E. Sargent, of Evansville and Miss Mary J. Smiley. Accompanying
the above, were three generous slices of cake, for which the parties have our thanks. We never yet
have known of a divorce or a breech of fidelity where the parties so generously and thoughtfully
remembered the printer.
130 Years Ago (1878): The following is the Executive Committee to arrange for the Sunday School
celebration to be held about the middle of June, or at such time and place as the committee may decide
upon. A. S. Baker, Ch’m of Committee; J. W. Osborn, G. H. Palmer, Barny Standish, James Bullard, B.
S. Hoxie, Alvah Marden, Watson Turner, of Porter; S. Smith, Brooklyn. Early arrangements should be
made and schools notified of the time and place where the celebration is to be held. W. S. Smith,
Secretary.
120 Years Ago (1888): Mr. G. A. Goff, Jr., representing the firm of John Brand & Co., of Elmira, N. Y.,
now occupies the Smith & Eager’s tobacco warehouse where he has quite a large force of hands busily
engaged in sorting & etc. of Wisconsin tobacco.
110 Years Ago (1898): Mr. Wm. Huyke, 79 years of age died suddenly of heart failure at his home in
Magnolia on Thursday, May 26, 1898, at 12 o’clock m. His funeral was held at the Advent church at
Magnolia Corners on Sunday. Rev. Wm. Newton officiating.
100 Years Ago (1908): Col. Geo. Hall’s pet leopard reached out of the cage Monday and seized the
Colonel by the arm, taking out a chunk of flesh about as large as a silver dollar. Lucky it was no worse.
90 Years Ago (1918): The Baker shops decided to hire women, if possible, to run machines and to do
lighter work, and hung out a help wanted sign to that effect. But as yet there has been no rush of
women to fill the vacant positions as all the women of this city seem to be busy.
80 Years Ago (1928): In the class exercises this afternoon and the commencement exercise this
evening, in the school gymnasium, there will appear the largest Senior Class ever graduated from the
Evansville High School, numbering forty-three. Miss Martelle Griffeth being valedictorian and Miss Ruth
Guilfoyle, salutatorian, and Miss Janet Weber being winner of the Honor Medal. The faculty which has
piloted this class is composed of J. P. Mann, Superintendent; the Misses L. Hampton, D. Scott, F.
Magdanz, G. Droppers, A. Benson, D. Neitzel, R. Burkman and the Messrs., F. Wheeler, P. Finstad, E.
Johnson and R. Jack.
70 Years Ago (1938): Mrs. F. O. McKinney, prominent Evansville Gold Star mother, whose son, for
whom the Harry McKinney Legion post here was named, is this week in receipt of an official letter from
France stating that the Memorial Day service in Bony Veteran Cemetery overseas will be broadcast this
year at 10:30 Central Standard time next Sunday. The broadcast arrangements have made it possible
for Gold Star mothers to hear the impressive ceremony at home and just as well as though they were
near the graves of their sons. The service will be relayed in the United States over the National and
Columbia networks.
60 Years Ago (1948): Curtis Pierce, 75, life resident of this community with the exception of four years
spent in S. Dakota, died in St. Mary’s hospital Madison at 8 p.m. Monday. He had been ill three days.
Son of Flavius and Maria Pierce he was born in Porter township, Oct. 12, 1872 and was married to Zoe
Rogers in 1899. Mrs. Pierce died in 1920. Pierce was a member of the Waucoma Grange. Surviving
are three sons, Asa, Walter, and Earl Pierce, all of Evansville; three daughters, Mrs. Russell Horne,
Milwaukee; Mrs. Vern Reilly, Edgerton and Mrs. Robert Demrow, Janesville; 15 grandchildren, one
brother, Locke Pierce, Clinton; and a sister, Maude Pierce, Oak Park, Ill.
50 Years Ago (1958): The Rev. James Kramer, pastor of St. Paul’s Catholic Church will be the speaker
at Memorial day exercises in Evansville, which will take place at the cemetery. As is customary, the
parade will form on First St., between Main and Church Streets at 9:30 a.m. Norman Bone will marshal
the parade with the Evansville High School band and the Wyler School Drum and Bugle Corps providing
the music. The American Legion, the Legion Auxiliary, V. F. W. and its Auxiliary, the V. F. W. firing
squad, American War Mothers, Relief Corps, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Brownies, Explorer Scouts, Leota
School and other school children have been invited to march in the parade. Cars will be furnished for
those belonging to organizations who wish to ride. At Maple Hill cemetery there will be tributes to war
veterans at the monument, followed by a program for the public. American Legion Commander, Richard
Eager, who has made all Memorial Day arrangements will preside.
40 Years Ago (1968): The Postal Department recently honored Kenneth Ellis for sustaining superior
performance of assigned duty as a city mail carrier for 31 years. He received a cash award and a pin
from Postmaster Michael Finnane. The latter states that Ken makes few mistakes, is methodical in his
work, takes few sick leaves and is careful about accountable mail records. Ken is well known among his
patrons and other townspeople for his dry sense of humor. One of his favorite statements is “You can’t
depend on women and weather.”
30 Years Ago (1978): Randy Luchsinger has won his second conference medalist title in as many
years. “Most players only get the award once,” explained Coach Duane Updike, “and it is a real honor
to have been able to do it twice in your high school career.” Randy won the title last year as a junior
and as a sophomore, he was runner-up. Criteria for winning the award this year was having the lowest
18 hole score in the conference meet. He accomplished this last Friday at the Coachman’s course over
in Stoughton. Randy has set the school record with a round of 36 for nine holes in his sophomore year
and has twice duplicated this score since then. “We’ll really miss Randy because of his great golfing
and a great attitude and leadership capabilities which meant so much to our recent teams,” Updike
added.
20 Years Ago (1988): Two eighth graders, Rachel Mackie and Bethany Krake received First ratings in
piano at State Competition recently, competing against senior students. Both had achieved Star First
ratings at the District Competition. Rachel played a solo, performing Mozart’s Fantasia in D Minor.
Bethany played a duet with Tara Bradley.
10 years ago (1998): Commencement for the Class of 1998 will be held on Sunday, June 7 in the high
school gymnasium. Randy Keister, Guidance Counsel for the Evansville High School, is proud to
announce that the Valedictorians for the Class of 1998 are Timothy Kruser and Aaron Wallisch. Both
students have recorded a 3.988 grade point average which attending high school. The Class of 1998
Salutatorian is Sherry Sanner. She has accumulated a 3.979 grade point average.