95 Years Ago – May 28, 1931
Peter VanderWegan, a farmer residing five miles southwest of the village of Withee, met almost instant death, Friday afternoon of last week, when he was attacked by a stallion which he was driving with another horse, while plowing in the field.
85 Years Ago – May 29, 1941
The Will Implement Company’s 30x57 foot building is now being moved from its present site to a new location across Highway 29 and about a half of a block to the west. The building will then face south toward the highway with the east side of the building running parallel to the road going to the Western Condensing Company. When the moving operations are completed, the building will be completely remodeled.
Ben Levine of Milwaukee is now in Owen busily preparing the interior of the Peven building for his new store which will be open in the near future. The store when it opens will be completely remodeled, which work is now underway. The stock will consist of ladies’ and men’s ready to wear merchandise and a standard brand of groceries.
75 Years Ago – May 31, 1951
Monday evening, May 28, Frank Fridland, executive officer for the Chippewa Valley Boy Scouts, held an organizational meeting for Cub Scouts at the Owen High School. The Kiwanis Club of Owen is sponsoring the pack.
A transfer in ownership of Smith’s Trading Post, located on Highway 29 in Owen’s Fourth Ward was affected Monday. As of July 1, Mr. Walter Welgas, of Thorp, will be the new proprietor.
Twenty-five to 40 gallons of water per minute as the output of a well maybe doesn’t sound like a lot of water to some people. But, in this community, especially around Owen, that is a lot and if the well can be tapped prior to the annual pea pack at the Owen Canning Corporation much of the concern of the summer months will be alleviated.
65 Years Ago – June 1, 1961
Ideal weather favored the Memorial Day exercises held here early Tuesday morning at Riverside Cemetery, where a crowd of more than 3,000 persons witnessed the solemn Memorial Day and special dedication program. Lt. Col. and Mrs. William B. Tufts, retired U.S. Army, of Tacoma, WA, donors of the beautiful new “Court of Honor” were here for the unveiling with Lt. Col. Tufts delivering the dedicatory address.
55 Years Ago – June 3, 1971
The late model Thunderbird driven by Otto Becker, Owen, was badly damaged by fire Tuesday. He had driven the car about two blocks from his home to an area near the sewage disposal plant and as he parked it, he turned off the ignition only to find it kept on running and smoke began to come from beneath the hood.
Rhonda Lynn Mattson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mattson, Owen, received a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at Commencement Exercises held at Wisconsin State University-Eau Claire on the 20th of May.
45 Years Ago – May 28, 1981
Various streets are temporarily blocked in downtown Owen while men from Visu-Sewer drop a funny looking instrument down the sewer hole. They are televising the sewer. This is the first step in determining leaks or structural damage in the sewer system in Owen and Withee. The project will take several weeks, and during that time approximately 18,000 feet of sewer in Owen and some in Withee will be televised.
35 Years Ago – May 30, 1991
Litta Rowe retired as secretary of the O-W Elementary School after 25 years. When asked if she was happy or sad, Litta replied, “Both.”
Beth M. Gehrke and Mark A. Owens exchanged wedding vows at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Owen, on Saturday, March 23. Beth and Mark are Medical Specialists serving in the U.S.A.F. and stationed at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota.
Twin daughters, Kaitlan Sierra and Kelly Lauren were born May 20, 1991 to Kevin and Jodi Kaduce at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Marshfield.
Withee residents should start now, preparing for the recycling program which will begin July 1. They have contracted with Valley Sanitation for curbside pickup of recyclables which will be picked up on an every other week basis.
25 Years Ago – May 30, 2001
Norman Casey, Wisconsin Rapids and Hattie Alice Potocnik, Owen wish to announce their upcoming marriage which will take place June 30, 2001 at Nazareth Lutheran Church, Withee.
15 Years Ago – June 1, 2011
Approximately 50 residents attended the County Board meeting Thursday night which began and ended with discussion of the proposed Clark County Comprehensive Plan. It passed 19 yes, 9 no, and 1 absent.
Community Bank of Central Wisconsin, which has branches in Marshfield, Owen and Thorp, was categorized by the FDIC as “significantly undercapitalized” In a supervisory prompt corrective action directive issued April 14, the bank was directed to either “sell enough voting shares or obligations of the Bank” so it can regain adequate capital or become acquired by another depository institution.