A Standard History of Waupaca County, Wisconsin. An Authentic Narrative of the Past, with Particular Attention to the Modern Era in the Commercial, Industrial, Educational, Civic and Social Development.

              304 HISTORY OF WAUPACA COUNTY
Clintonville had a home-coming in August, 1912, and many such events were revived by those who participated in it. Among the best papers presented was that delivered by 0. L. Olen. Extracts from it follow: '' The first permanent settler in Clintonville was Norman Clinton; history says in 1855, but many of the old residents claim, it was in 1853. 1855 was correct. He and his wife Lydia came here in the winter with an ox- team. They shovelled aw^ay the snow which was then about two feet deep, about fifteen rods west of where the Ward House now stands, and built what was then called a 'brush pile' to live in. It consisted of long, forked poles, set up to meet at the top in such a manner as to make a room. These poles set close together and were covered with hemlock boughs or branches, shingled with the huts up so as to keep out the snow and rain. The boards of the boxes on which their goods came were used for a floor, and a blanket served as a door. The 'brush-pile' style of architecture was copied from the Indian.
Merritt Lyon's Bark Hut
"The first temporary structure was built of bark by Merritt Lyon in 1852 near where the Catholic Church now stands. He lived in it with his family until he could complete a log tavern twenty by thirty feet where Jacob Bentz' store now stands. The floors and partitions were made of ' Punchins'—that is, basswood logs split and hewn in the form of boards. It also had puncheons for doors and windows. This tavern was at first run on a kind of European plan. The guests had to furnish their own bed-clothes and sleep on the floor. They also had to furnish their own victuals but had the privilege of preparing them on the landlord's stove. This tavern was sold to Chester Bennett, who at that time got some money from the East, and went to Hortonville, the nearest market place, where he actually bought real glass for the windows, and lumber for the floors, doors and partitions, and converted it into what w^as then a modern hostelry. Although he did not locate at New London perma¬ nently as Clinton did. Air. Lyon is still spared by a kind Providence to tell us about the scenes and characters of the very early days.
Other Pioneer Settlers
"While Clinton and Lyon were completing their taverns, or shortly thereafter, Charley and Sam Birchard built a log house near the Frank Bueholtz residence. U. P. Clinton built a log house near the Mayhew residence, and Luman Clinton, who later was shot in the army, built a log house near the present site of the grist mill, Isaac Buck built a half