95 Years Ago – January 30, 1930

After being entirely empty since the opening of the new year, the Clark County jail now has inmate number one for 1930. Sheriff and Mrs. William Bradford lived quietly by themselves at the Clark County jail for four weeks, but now have a prisoner, James Lincoln, a Winnebago Indian, locked up awaiting trial on a charge of deserting his child.

The Rev. Guy D. Christian, newly appointed Vicar of St. Katherine’s Church, has taken up his residence in Owen and will hold his first service Sunday morning.

85 Years Ago – February 1, 1940

Since the erection of the toboggan slide at Perkinstown and the building of a large warming house and ski hills and trails were completed last year it has proven to be a popular and ideal recreational center for residents of this section of the country.

Edward Riihinen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tobias Riihinen, residing northeast of Owen, returned home Tuesday of last week from Alaska, where he has been for the past three years. He was employed at Juneau, as a gold miner and prospector. After about 10 days visiting his parents, he will buy new equipment and then leave for South America, where he will prospect and placer mine in the fields of Venezuela.

75 Years Ago – February 2, 1950

Number please? It’s hard to guess how many times a day an operator in the Owen Exchange of the Commonwealth Telephone Company asks that question, while serving its 604 patrons. But it would be even harder to accurately estimate the number of times that Nell Haire, chief operator of the Exchange, has put the question to hundreds of people served throughout the past 25 years.

65 Years Ago – February 4, 1960

When Ardis Craig, Owen, confessed killer of Donald Brandvold, Minong cattle buyer, was brought before Judge Orrin Larrabee Thursday of last week at Chippewa Falls, he entered a plea of innocent by reason of insanity to a charge of first degree murder.

A Piper Pacer owned by Darrell Marrier was lost in a fire which occurred a week ago yesterday at the Municipal airport in Eau Claire. Marrier and a mechanic were welding his plane when a spark set fire to a string hanging from the plane. The string acted as a wick and when it burned to the fuselage the craft burst into flames. Marrier and the mechanic tried to check the blaze but were fortunate in escaping from the building just as the gas tanks exploded.

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Parker announce the engagement of their daughter, Virginia Lee, to Gerald Thomas Miller, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank T. Miller, Elroy.

55 Years Ago – January 29, 1970

The 1st of February Edward Lehnen will assume his duties as Branch Manager of Central Wisconsin for Rusco, nationally known firm in the building trade. Since 1967 he has been associated with Frederick Post Co., Owen plant, and submitted his letter of resignation to the firm on Tuesday of this week.

45 Years Ago – January 31, 1980

On Tuesday, February 5, 1980, voters of the Owen-Withee school district will again be tested, if they want to replace the older Withee Elementary school building, one wing of which is 90 years old. The district is presently using this building, including the wing which was condemned 20 years ago, and another older school building in Owen. If the voters approve this referendum, these two old buildings will be replaced with a new K-8 facility.

Mr. and Mrs. Claire Milliren, route 1, Withee, announce the engagement of their daughter, Margie Kay to Larry Robert Konik, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Konik, route 2, Owen. A May 1981 wedding is being planned.

35 Years Ago – February 1, 1990

Owen Alliance Christian School held a special day, January 25, 1990, thinking of sunny Mexico. The school was festively decorated with tissue flowers, piñatas and sombreros. All were dressed for the occasion in Mexican attire and a delicious buffet of Mexican favorites was enjoyed.

25 Years Ago – February 2, 2000

Terry Wnek, the newly appointed Owen Post Master, lives with his wife Lori and three sons at rural Thorp. Terry began his appointment in Owen on January 18. He invites all to come in and say hello. He is anxious to get acquainted with the community.

Cynthia Lindgren and Kenneth Parnewicz are pleased to announce the birth of a son Kane Cochise on January 21, 2000. Paternal grandparents are Everett and Betty Lindgren of Withee and Geri and Pete Moore of Altoona. Paternal grandparents are Louise and the late Bruno Parnewicz of Withee.

15 Years Ago – February 3, 2010

The longtime corner store in Withee was torn down last week. The Withee landmark will make room for additional parking for the Withee Mobil Mart as the new addition is coming closer to being finished. The Hi-Way Grocery has been on that spot since 1923 and started out as a bus stop with an ice cream parlor in back.