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History of Amherst, Wi
The early history of Amherst has been preserved in papers written by members of the Red and White School Association. This organization was formed August 26, 1905 in preparation of a reunion of pupils and teachers of the Red and White Schools of Amherst Wisconsin. The early citizens of Amherst painted their schools these colors, hence the name. From this page you can view the entire booklet
published in 1922. The booklet has been broken up into its component articles
for ease of reading and research.
Brief sketches of men who were identified with early Amherst history. Listing of members of this organization. Great for Genealogists.
A. J. Smith was born April 20th, 1841, at Spafford,
Onandaga County, New York. He attended the common school until the age
of 14, when he started out for himself. At the age of 17 he was employed
in the quartermaster’s department of the United States army as teamster.
In ‘59 and ‘60 he was in Texas and New Mexico. He made a forced march to
San Antonio with a part of the Third U. S. Infantry and was almost immediately
made first sergeant of the company. Mr. Smith was in the War Department
drawing second lieutenant pay until October 1864, when he took his final
discharge and came to Amherst In August, 1865, where he resided until his
death. In 1880 he was admitted to the bar; in 1898 he was elected the first
president of the village of Amherst, and also served the people faithfully
in other positions. His wife survived him but a few years. His three children
reside within the state, E. W., a druggist at Tomahawk; Mrs. Edna McCorkle
at Richmond Center and Lloyd D., a lawyer at Waupaca, in partnership with
Edward E. Brown. Mr. Smith is remembered for many things and in many ways,
but perhaps the thing which will last longest and has its foun-dation the
most secure, was his interest in the young people of the village which
was his home for so many years. His work among, and for young people, was
original and unique and many years ahead of his time. He was a boy with
the boys and a counselor and guide for us all. He took time to erect a
toboggan slide from his barn loft, where we spent many pleasant evenings
and the memory of funny happenings brings a happy smile to the faces of
the now middle aged boys and girls. The little parties given in his home,
with the able assistance of Mrs. Smith; the amazed face of the “teacher”,
in the spelling class in one of the Social Evenings of the Social Temple,
when A. J. had put the big boys up to mischief; his unselfish work for
the cause of temperance; these and other things no numerous to mention,
are all solid blocks in the foundation which he built and which shall last
as long as life itself. All honor to the memory of A. J. Smith.
Isaac Simcox was the first hardware dealer in town,
coming at an early date. He served for a number of years in the Civil War,
and was a prisoner in Libby Prison. The suffering he bore in that prison
left marks which he bore to the end of life. His faithful wife went there
and brought him home, more dead than alive. Both have since passed away
leaving two sons, Hiram of Marinette and William of Eau Claire, both active
members of this organization.
P. N. Peterson is the oldest potato shipper in
Wisconsin, having been in the business since 1875. Mr. Peterson kept a
general store in the building now occupied by C. P. Sommers. The farmers
of that time raised small patches of potatoes for family use. What surplus
they had they brought to Mr. Peterson in exchange for groceries. He stored
the potatoes in a shed hack of his store until he had a carload, which
he sold to a man in Green Bay. They were hauled by wagon to Amherst Junction
and shipped from there. Here was the first carload, of potatoes shipped
from this section of the state. The general freight agent of the old Wisconsin
Central R. R., hearing of this shipment, offered Mr. Peterson a small reward
if he would ship fifty cars from this station in one season. Mr. Peterson
worked among the farmers, encouraging them to increase their acreage. He
succeeded in shipping forty-five cars and laughingly says that while he
didn’t get much reward, his efforts earned him the foundation of a successful
business. Mr. Peterson is still, at this writing, 1922, in the potato business
and the small beginning has grown to, on an average, of 700 cars by all
our dealers, from the local station.
James J. Nelson has been a prominent citizen of
our village for many years and is at present one of the young-old men of
the community. He was born April 8th, 1840, in Porsgund, Bratsbergs, Amt.
Norway. The family came to this country in 1857, coming to Wisconsin by
way of Buffalo and Milwaukee, up to Oshkosh, up the Wolf River to Northport
and then on foot to Scandinavia. Mr. Nelson received his early educational
training in the common schools of Scandinavia and assisted his father on
the farm in the summers. When he was 16 years of age he left the old homestead
and found employment at Waupaca. When the Civil War broke out Mr. Nelson
enlisted in Company A, Forty-second Wis. Volunteers and the regiment was
soon afterward ordered to Madison, where the companies were drilled for
about ten weeks and then sent to Cairo, Ill., where the colonel of the
regiment soon promoted Private Nelson to the position of his Orderly. After
a few months he was taken sick and remained in the hospital for about three
months and later received his discharge. In 1866 he and his brother, Andrew
M., now of Stevens Point, embarked in the merchandise business at Amherst
later Mr. Nelson conducted the business on his own account in the building
now occupied by S. C. Swendson, and where he still has his office. On October
14, 1867, Mr. Nelson was married to Miss Juniata Patton Andrews, who passed
away Jan. 5, 1920. Mr. Nelson has three children, Herbert S. of Chicago;
George B., a lawyer of Stevens Point, and Mrs. Laura Nelson Kellogg of
Milwaukee. Mr. Nelson is one of the most hospitable of men. He has always
taken a great delight in entertaining at his beautiful home, friends from
far and near, and all parts of the world, He has traveled extensively,
both in this and in other countries and in telling of incidents connected
with his travels, he makes his listeners enjoy them with him. Mr. Nelson
has had some very sick spells, but at present is, to use his own words,
“100 per cent perfect in health.” May he long continue so, and may his
life of usefulness in Amherst extend for many years to come. His deeds
of kindness have been many and still continue. Long live Mr. Nelson.
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