95 Years Ago – January 9, 1930

Application of the Consolidated Telephone Co. of Wisconsin has been made to the Railroad Commission of Wisconsin for authority to increase its rates at the Owen exchange affecting 15 subscribers on its line, formerly known as the Curtiss and Withee Telephone Company.

Mildred Hodnett who was out of school with tonsilitis for several days is now able to be back to school.

85 Years Ago – January 11, 1940

Monday, January 15, E.S. Cormican of Menomonie will open to the public a new place of business in Withee. The public is cordially invited to attend the opening of a new variety store. A variety line of merchandise, ranging in value from 5¢ to $1 will be stocked in addition to a complete line of glassware and dishes, and restaurant and tavern supplies.

75 Years Ago – January 12, 1950

The new 1950 model Chevrolet car and trucks were displayed at the B&O Garage, Owen, Saturday, with more than 400 persons viewing the two door coach, two pick-up and one and one-half ton trucks on the display room floor.

The drive among business and professional men and women of Stanley for pledges to the Victory Memorial Hospital is about complete. An amount in excess of $10,000 has been raised toward the final $15,000 to $16,000 goal. The contributions from the city and area must be enough to satisfy federal officials that the hospital fills a true community need in order to qualify for $45,000 in federal aids in grant. The federal money, plus local contributions will be used to complete the addition to the hospital.

65 Years Ago – January 14, 1960

Robert S. Bartosiak, route 2, Owen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley A. Bartosiak, has enlisted for the Regular Army Career Group 61 (Construction Machine Operation) for a period of three years.

Word was received here Friday that former Owen residents, Mr. and Mrs. James Bjornstad, now of Waukegan, IL, are the proud parents of a daughter born January 8. The infant, Tammy Diane, weighed eight pounds at birth and was born on the wedding anniversary of her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Arnie Bjornstad.

55 Years Ago – January 8, 1970

Fire of undetermined origin did extensive damage to the Elton Collier home, in the Village of Withee, late Wednesday evening. Firemen fought the smoldering blaze in sub-zero temperatures for about an hour and a half before the blaze broke through the two-story structure. A short time later flames erupted through the center of the structure and the story goes ‘incomplete’ as the Owen Enterprise had to go to bed.

45 Years Ago – January 10, 1980

Renae Frost, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thorvald Frost, Withee, is now in England having left here on January 3 from Marshfield to join the drama club group in Chicago to visit England for 14 days. On a credit tour connected with Carthage College at Kenosha, the group of 15 will visit London, England and the surrounding area, and will be attending 10 English plays for their drama credit.

35 Years Ago – January 11, 1990

Don Erickson is the new agent taking over for Rod Nowak at the Rural Insurance Office in Owen. Mr. Erickson looks forward to meeting and making friends in the Owen-Withee area and getting involved with community activities.

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Frost announce the birth of a son born December 29, 1989 at Victory Memorial Hospital in Stanley. The infant weighted 8 lbs. 6 oz. and was given the name Travis Jordan.

25 Years Ago – January 12, 2000

James Cardinal, an 8th grade student at Owen-Withee Jr. High, won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee on January 5, and a chance at a $25,000 college scholarship.

Pastor Paul Petersen of Nazareth Lutheran Church, Withee, was the recipient of many cards, gifts and good wishes at his retirement party held January 9 in the afternoon at Nazareth Lutheran Fellowship Hall.

15 Years Ago – January 13, 2010

Hilde Ljokelsoy from Oslo, Norway is spending the school year with Rick and Sue Eloranta, Kari and Kate. Hilde is a junior at Owen-Withee High School. In Oslo she was in the 12th grade.

Thirteen community members met with Gary Gorman, a real estate developer from Madison on January 7 to explore the possible renovation of the old high school. While the group discussed sources of funding, size and types of apartments, housing needs, possible museum space, and locating other businesses in the lowest level, Gary’s project manager examined the building.