105 Years Ago – December 9, 1920

The body of Albert Van Huizen is expected to arrive in New York December 14. He was the first Owen man killed in the World War.

The O&N Lumber Co. have a crew of men at work enlarging their sheds.

95 Years Ago – December 11, 1930

That Myron Duncan, son of Mr. and Mrs. M.H. Duncan, of Owen, formerly of Wausau, is making a success as a tenor singer in Italian opera, is evidenced by an account of his singing in a recent issue of an Italian newspaper. Mr. Duncan is not known by that name in Italy but sings under the name of Mario Duca.

Lumbering operations began in earnest Tuesday afternoon at the mill of the John S. Owen Lumber Co., when the first logs of their season’s cut were run through the mill.

85 Years Ago – December 12, 1940

Owen’s newest place of business, the Club Delite, will be open to the public when they have their official opening, Friday evening, December 20, at 8:30 p.m. Several outstanding bowling teams will roll exhibition matches, but the feature of the opening night festivities will be the members of the Owen Common Council rolling the first game.

Bob Thompson, who has operated the Cities Service Station at the intersection of Central Avenue and Highway 29, left Owen last week for Eau Claire where he will operate a Texaco station from now on.

75 Years Ago – December 14, 1950

Last year property owners paid a tax rate set at $80 per thousand in the village of Withee. This year the rate is $45 per thousand. The big reduction was brought about by increasing the valuation from $320,000 to $508,000.

65 Years Ago – December 15, 1960

William Picus, a highly respected merchant in the city of Owen for 17 years prior to his retirement six years ago passed away early Friday morning. He succumbed to an attack of pneumonia along with complications of old age at Victory Memorial Hospital at Stanley.

Tuesday afternoon Mrs. Henry Mauel Jr. and infant son, James Michael, were welcomed home by his five brothers and three sisters from St. Joseph’s Hospital at Marshfield where he was born Saturday, December 10. He weighed eight pounds and 11 ounces at birth.

55 Years Ago – December 10, 1970

Postmaster H.A. Wendt today urged immediate mailing of all Christmas cards, parcels and other holiday mail as a safeguard in the event of a national railroad strike.

Norbert Bruchert fell on the ice on Thursday and had the misfortune of breaking his leg in two places. He is convalescing at his home.

45 Years Ago – December 11, 1980

The Old Fremont Hotel located next to the 11th Frame was completely gutted by fire Tuesday night, December 2. It was believed to have started in the dining room and according to one fireman who helped extinguish the blaze it was electrical in origin. The 100-year-old landmark was once a popular spot for railroad men.

Northland Foods has received a citation, according to Ron Gehrke, Manager, to appear in court December 10 because of the spill that occurred when a whey holding tank ruptured in August.

35 Years Ago – December 13, 1990

On October 15, 1990 the Clark County Board directed the Community Services Board and Clark County Health Care Center to phase out the New Horizon In-Patient Psychiatric Unit and surrender its Specialty Hospital license.

25 Years Ago – December 13, 2000

State Representative Scott Suder, (R-Abbotsford) today introduced legislation authorizing the State of Wisconsin to lease and open the prison at Stanley. Suder, whose district border is less than a mile from the prison, called for immediate, bipartisan action on his proposal.

On October 22, 2000, the Clark County Extension held its annual 4-H Awards Banquet at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Greenwood. Barb Finkelson, rural Withee, was awarded the “Leader of the Year” and the “4-H Alumni of the Year” countywide.

15 Years Ago – December 15, 2010

Howling winds, drifting snow and subzero temperatures all but put a halt to weekend activities. The O-W Jaycees Santa Day was held at the high school despite the weather conditions. Sixty craft vendors had been lined up, along with activities for the children, a concession stand, and horse drawn sleigh rides. Santa Day went on with 10 or so crafters and no horse drawn sleigh rides. But Santa showed up anyway.