Town of Bear Creek

The Town of Bear Creek comprises Township 24 north, Range 14 east. It is bounded on the north by the Town of Larrabee, on the east by Outagamie County, on the south by Lebanon, and on the west by Union.

The first settlement was made by Welcome Hyde, in 1854. Ludwig Shoepke, L. E. Phillips, S. C. Packard, and N. H. Phillips came in 1855, and L. B. Williams in 1856. All were from the "Old Bay State," except Mr. Shoepke, who was born in Prussia.

The first school house (log) was built in 1859, on Section 24.

The first school was taught by Mrs. L. G. Williams, in the summer of 1856. It was literally a ''high school," being in the attic of L. E. Phillips' house, ingress and egress being effected by means of a ladder on the outside.

The first birth was a child of Louis and Mary Shoepke, in May, 1857.

The first death was that of the same child the following June.

The first marriage was that of August Shoepke and Louisa Baisler, April 26, 1859, O. Bowman, Justice of the Peace, officiating.

Welcome Hyde is a native of Vermont. He cleared the first land, and raised the first crop, on Section 13. His two boys were the only children in town for three years, and were the only pupils Mrs. Williams had in her "high school."

L. G. Williams is the oldest native inhabitant. He was born June 21, 1857.

The first church (Lutheran) was built in 1867. The first sermon was by Elder Peet, in 1857, at the house of Welcome Hyde.

The first saw mill (steam power) was built in 1865, by J. J. Demming.

The first post office was established in 1857, with A. B. Phillips as postmaster. It was on the mail route from Menasha to Shawano. F. Fairbank was carrier.

The first town meeting was held in April, 1856, at the house of Welcome Hyde. The following officers were elected:

G. House kept the first store.

Welcome Hyde planted the first apple trees, and raised the first apples.

Bear Creek contains some of the most valuable farms in the County.

The town officers for 1889

Waupaca County | Wisconsin AHGP