Nestled amid the rolling farmlands and quiet forests of northwestern Wisconsin, three villages—Lublin, Owen, and Withee — stand as living repositories of the heritage and resilience that define the region. Though each is unique, their histories have long been intertwined, shaped by waves of migration and a spirit of cooperation that continues to unite their people.
Wisconsin’s rural communities are built upon stories of migration, and nowhere is this more evident than in Lublin, Owen, and Withee. The communities were originally connected by logging. The huge John S. Owen sawmill in Owen (since 1893) sourced logs and labor from northern areas that included Lublin. As logging declined in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, settlers from various backgrounds journeyed to Clark and Taylor counties in search of new opportunities.
Lublin, named after the city in Poland, became a haven for Polish immigrants. The area’s first settlers arrived in the late 1800s, drawn by the region’s resemblance to the farmlands of eastern Europe. Churches provided a focal point for both religious and social life, preserving customs, language, and a sense of belonging that would help generations weather change.
The forests of northwestern Wisconsin were a source of prosperity for all three communities, and the logging boom of the late 19th century bound their destinies together. Owen’s sawmill and the surrounding forests provided abundant work for residents and immigrants. Men toiled side by side in the lumber camps, their labor carving fields and towns out of wilderness.
As the timber resources dwindled, agriculture became the new cornerstone. The rich soil and moderate climate were ideal for dairy farming, and many of the Polish families in Lublin, as well as German, French and Scandinavian settlers in Withee and Owen, turned to the land for sustenance. Local annual fairs and festivals showcased the region’s bounty. Farmers from all three communities often gathered to exchange techniques, sell goods, and celebrate common traditions. More recently (since 1973) the area ethnicity has dramatically evolved to Mennonite farmers.
The railroad provided yet another pioneer thread of connection. The Wisconsin Central Railroad, with stops in Owen and Lublin, directly linked the villages to markets and delivered visitors from far beyond their borders.
Though each town has its own identity, the lines between them blur in the realm of community. Churches, schools, and civic organizations have always drawn residents together, hosting events that transcend village boundaries. Polish festivals in Lublin, community gatherings in Withee, and holiday celebrations in Owen regularly attract neighbors from all three locales.
The school districts, too, have served as points of convergence. Over decades (pre-Mennonite days), children from outlying farms and villages have attended high school in Owen-Withee, forming friendships that would last a lifetime. Athletic teams, bands, as well as churches have created a sense of shared pride and mutual support. While Lublin village is outside the boundary of the Owen-Withee school district, Lublin’s “suburb,” the Taylor County township of Maplehurst is part of the Owen-Withee School District.
Marriage and kinship further strengthen the ties. Families have grown across borders, with weddings, reunions, and funerals bringing together people from Lublin, Owen, and Withee. Community halls and church basements echo with stories of ancestors who arrived with little but built a life through hard work and unity.
Community initiatives often span all three towns. This is especially true of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). The Lublin post includes many from Owen-Withee. The sense of interconnectedness remains strong — a living testament to the bonds forged over more than a century.
Behind the names of towns and the sweep of history are the stories of individuals whose lives bridge the distance between Lublin, Owen, and Withee. Consider the Polish farmer who, seeking better prices for milk, joined a cooperative in Withee; the German family whose children attended a community school; the logger from Lublin whose stories of the northwoods are retold at family reunions that span three communities. Names like Chris Kulinski, the Ogurek family, Joe Sweda, and of course Lublin pioneer Marion Durski. And Mennonites of course bring an extremely strong community bond across their Groffdale Old Order Conference community.
As the years unfold, the villages remain united—not just by geography, but by the enduring spirit that values tradition, celebrates diversity, and upholds the bonds of community. In Lublin, Owen, and Withee, the past is not forgotten; it is honored, shaping the present and inspiring the future. Their story is a reminder that, in the heart of Wisconsin, history is alive in the friendships and memories that link us all.