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Guenther, Township of

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Author:
Bill Hart

Location:
T. 26 N. - R. 8 E.

Formallized:
1921

Background:

Population: 1930-274, 2000-302.

Guenther Township was created from the eastern part of Knowlton Township. The Town of Guenther is named after Leonard Guenther's son, Charles E. Guenther, who was born in Knowlton on March 4, 1855 and died on June 15, 1926 (see Business Section -Village of Knowlton).

Schools:

Schools-according to the 1923 Plat Map:

1. Section 15-The Ryan School was presumedly named after the Honorable Edward G. Ryan who was Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court from 1874-1880.

2. Section 18-The Cole School. The land for the Cole School was purchased from Harry Cole and wife Anna Cole on April 5, 1915.

3. Section 30-Little Eau Claire School was named after the Little Eau Claire River located to the west of the school.

Stories:

From a 1922 newspaper concerning settlers in Town of Guenther:

During the winter a number of the settlers lost their horses because there had not been made any provision to take care of them properly.   Many of the families posessed no means of locomotion other than walking.  The nearest store and medical help was nine miles away. There was no church nearby and the people had an opportunity to attend few, if any religious services.

Bread and water was the diet of more than one family during the winter months, and it was not unusual for little children to attend school without having had a mouthful to eat.  Pitiable cases of barefoot children and youngsters fainting from hunger  have been revealed.  At times some of the men of the settlement went to Milwaukee and elsewhere to obtain  work and save money to come back and carry on the struggle.