Hub City Times

Top Menu

  • Contact Us
  • E-Editions
  • Subscribe

Main Menu

  • News
    • Around the County
    • Arts & Ent
    • Education
    • Government
    • Local
    • Police / Sheriff Calls
  • Covid 19
  • Opinion
  • Sports
    • Sports News
    • High School Sports Scores
    • Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
  • Coming Events
  • Business
  • Obits
  • Classifieds
    • Place Ad
    • View Ads
  • Legal Ads
    • Our Legals
    • Statewide
  • Senior Photos 2021
  • Contact Us
  • E-Editions
  • Subscribe

logo

Hub City Times

  • News
    • Around the County
    • Arts & Ent
    • Education
    • Government
    • Local
    • Police / Sheriff Calls
  • Covid 19
  • Opinion
  • Sports
    • Sports News
    • High School Sports Scores
    • Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
  • Coming Events
  • Business
  • Obits
  • Classifieds
    • Place Ad
    • View Ads
  • Legal Ads
    • Our Legals
    • Statewide
  • Senior Photos 2021
History
Home›History›Marshfield, July 1909: John Hume’s vision

Marshfield, July 1909: John Hume’s vision

By Hub City Times
July 21, 2015
1168
0
Share:
john p hume history house marhfield park street

Clearing stump lands to bring in new settlers


By Kris Leonhardt

Featured Columnist

By 1909 early timber barons had cleared the vast woodlands surrounding Marshfield. What was once a bustling gold mine of precious wood now lay still and unwanted. All that remained were sawed-off stumps and remains from the crews of working men.

John P. Hume, a city newspaper founder and editor, looked at the area around the growing city and saw more than worthless stump lands. He saw growth and opportunity. Although there would be difficulties in selling this land, Hume had a plan.

An optimist and a philanthropist, Hume was in the land business but not entirely for himself. While the cutover woodlands lay unwanted, eager families longed to settle in new areas of Wisconsin. Without the funds to provide for their needs while also clearing the cutover northern lands, families opted to settle in the southern counties of the state that required much less labor and capital to get started.

In addition, the government at that time encouraged and assisted settlers moving to irrigation lands as well as the dry, windy lands in the west.

Hume created a way to attract these settlers while enlisting an army of soldiers to clear the lands and expose the fertile soil. After organizing the Consolidated Farm Company, Hume acquired machines to clear the stumps from the land, employing a whole new workforce in the woodlands.

The company also provided settlers with the funds to make it through the first year of living while creating their homestead. Money was lent out to purchase stock and equipment as well and was to be repaid with a minimal interest.

As many of these settlers were employed with the company, Hume was guaranteed repayment from those desiring a home in the region. With a legion of foremen, even those families without experience in farming the woodlands could easily make their way through the first years.

By July 1909 Hume’s plan had been operating for a year without one failed agreement. Newspapers around the Midwest, including the Chicago Record-Herald, ran articles acknowledging Hume’s vision and success in bringing settlers to the Marshfield area.

Today, Hume’s name graces Marshfield’s city streets. His original home is a part of the Marshfield Historic District and may be found at 407 W. Park St.

TagsFeaturedfeatured columnisthistoryJohn P. Humekris leonhardtlumbermarshfield history
Previous Article

The vet’s office: Protecting pets against heatstroke

Next Article

Photo of the day: Flower Power

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • LocalNews

    Marshfield man struck by train

    July 30, 2014
    By Hub City Times
  • Photo Gallery

    Photos from Relay For Life in Marshfield

    August 2, 2014
    By HubCityAdmin
  • News

    Cancer gets lapped at Relay For Life

    August 2, 2014
    By Hub City Times
  • Business

    Hotel Marshfield combines sophistication with comfort

    August 6, 2014
    By Hub City Times
  • Arts & Entertainment

    New Visions Gallery fundraises in style

    August 8, 2014
    By Hub City Times
  • BusinessFood

    Marshfield Farmers’ Market in full bloom

    August 9, 2014
    By Hub City Times

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

About Us


Hub City Times is published by Multi Media Channels LLC, N2919 County Road QQ Waupaca, WI 54981.

Copyright © 2020 Multi Media Channels, All Rights Reserved. Designed by MMC Team Awesome
×