|
Rev. William T.
Hendren
Hendren Township was originally a part of Eaton Township. Tioga and
later Willard were its principle communities. When it was set apart,
in April, 1911, it was named for this beloved Presbyterian who had
previously served congregations in Minnesota for 6 years before relocating
to Neillsville, Wisconsin in 1872. He played a major role in
establishing the Presbyterian Churches of Neillsville and Greenwood.
He died March 20, 1920 and is buried in the Greenwood City Cemetery.
His wife, the former Lorinda M. Wright was laid by his side September 4,
1935. The couple had married October 9, 1866. |
30 Yr. History
Centennial Celebration; TRG Special
Centennial Edition: [1 Cover] [2]
[3] [4] [5]
[6] [7] [8]
[9] [10] [11]
[12] [13] [14]
[15] [16] [17]
[18] [19] [20
Back]
Hendren
Township's Indian Heritage
Slovenian Heritage Days
Tools of the Past
Willard History, 1908-1914
1949, Refugees Sponsored by Holy Family Parish
1987, Willard Parish celebrates 'Vinska Trgatev'
Berry Picking Time,
Willard, Wisconsin (circa 1915)
The group photographed
above had camped out and had picked eight bushels of blackberries. Note the
gun that was used to hunt for some of their food while camping. Pictured
from L > R: Mrs. Will (Martha) Catlin, Mrs. Everett (Edith) Homes, Mae Homes
(now Mrs. Dedgar Warner), Pearl Catlin, Will Catlin, Evert Homes, C. M. Taylor,
Grant Welsh, and Lynn Catlin.
Source: TRG, Turs., 31-Jul-1975.
Life Before Supermarkets
Before supermarkets
came on the scene, food was obtained whenever it was available, and much food
could only be gotten when it was in season, and with a great deal more work
involved than it is today.
Berry picking was
one of the best ways of getting fruits into the meals and also getting variety
in them. After picking the berries, they had to be cleaned which was
usually a long slow process, and then they were canned for winter meals.
Berry patches were
abundant in the early 1900's as much of the wooded area was still not cleared
away. Families would prepare for a day of berry picking in protective
clothing, and slipped handles of the pails over their belts so both hands could
be used for picking and holding back the bushes. The protective clothing
was to prevent bites from mosquitoes and other insects, and from scratches from
brushes and branches. Sometimes the underbrush was fierce and the
blackberry bushes were treacherous.
There was an
expectant and exited feeling when going berrying, especially if the berry patch
was some distance from home. Sometimes the berry pickers camped out while
the berries were picked. The preparation, the change of pace, and change
scenery in those days involved work. nowadays most people who go camping
are looking for relaxation.
Although berry
picking was a lot of work, it gave them a sense of accomplishment and worth,
while the pails filled as thoughts of those good meals in the coming winter ran
through their minds. Many people enjoyed picking berries and finding a new
berry patch would fill them with excitement.
Laykovich, Frank's Inquest (1936)
Historical Memories of Willard Wisconsin, includes pictures and stories of Slovenian pioneers.
