Waupaca Chain O'Lakes Association

The first non-native man to arrive in Waupaca County was Alpheus Hicks who spent about a year exploring the Wolf River from Oshkosh to Shawano Lake and then settled in Fremont. As well as can be ascertained, Hicks was the only permanent white settler prior to 1848 when Wisconsin became a state. In June 1849 Erastus Sessions, Martin Burnham, William Hibbard, Joseph Hibbard and the Hibbards' brother-in-law Mr. Pratt, all from Vermont, went in search of Indian lands the U. S. Government had obtained through an October 1848 treaty. They first stopped in Weyauwega where friendly Indians told them that a few miles up the Waupaca River was a special place called "The Falls" (now part of the City of Waupaca). The men traveled to The Falls area where the Hibbards and Sessions surveyed three 80-acres sites, and began erecting their houses. Sessions built a log cabin with a bark roof and a bark floor near the granite ledge by the Danes Home on North Main Street. At that time Waupaca became known as "Vermonter's Camp" because the small hills reminded these early settlers of Vermont. Although Burnham and Pratt did not remain in the area, many new families arrived and pitched their huts. With the power of the Waupaca River Falls and the Crystal River, several mills were constructed as early as 1849. General stores and other small businesses and manufacturing establishments followed. Logging was a leading industry of those early days along with agriculture. Potatoes were a major crop. While Indian title to territory east of the Wolf River had been surrendered years before, it was not until June 1, 1852 that the Indians lost all claims. Waupaca County was officially approved for organization February 17, 1851 from the counties of Brown and Winnebago. The County seat initially was established in Mukwa (New

London/Royalton area), and voters were authorized to choose a permanent county seat in two years. The County Board met April 15, 1853, and by a vote of three to two, ordered all County officers to immediately move their offices to Waupaca. That vote met with strong resistance and the County became divided into the eastern section, including Mukwa and Weyauwega, and the western section, including Waupaca, under different elected officials. This division existed for four years until the Committee of Conference recommended that those holding duplicate offices resign and that the two sections meet together regarding County business. From 1853-1855 County Board meetings continued to be held in Mukwa. In November 1855 the County Board met in the Town of Waupaca. A committee to supervise the building of the new courthouse was created, and costruction was completed in 1856. From April 1856 to November 1861 County Board meetings were held in Weyauwega. Waupaca was declared the legal location of the County seat by a Wisconsin Supreme Court decision. On November 12, 1861 the first meeting of the full County Board of Supervisors was held in Waupaca. The first Dayton settler was a man named Hitchcock (first name unknown). He arrived in April 1850 and built a shanty west of the Chain O'Lakes. George and Eleanor Van Horn arrived shortly thereafter. They were the first to bring horses and to build a frame house west of Rural. Lyman Dayton with his wife Roena and their eight

children came from Connecticut in July 1850 and settled east of Stratton Lake. In 1851 Lyman began serving as the first Postmaster, the post office being located in his home. Dayton Township was originally part of Lind and Lyman served as Lind's first Chairman. He was so respected that when the new township was organized, it was named after him. In 1851 Lyman's grandson, Calvin Morgan, son of Thomas and Fanny Dayton Morgan, was the first white child born in Dayton. One of Lyman's daughters, Almira, was the first private school teacher. She held class in one room of a house on the east shore of Junction Lake in Rural. Eunice Randall was the first public school teacher. She held class in a shack in west Dayton Township. Lyman and members of his family are buried in the Rural Cemetery. Dayton was formally organized as a Township on December 7, 1852. The first Township meeting was held on April 15, 1853 at the home of Lyman. W. C. Carr was elected Chairman; Samuel Shaw and James Lathrop, Supervisors; John Martin, Clerk; Thomas Thompson, Treasurer; and James Jones, Justice of the Peace. The Town Superintendent, Constables and Assessors were also elected. At that time assessment of total Township property was $9,630 and state, county, school and town taxes were $231.68. Dayton was the location of the area's first blacksmith. In 1853 James Lathrop built a sawmill that operated until the pine trees that grew along the lakes and streams of Dayton and Farmington were gone. In 1855 Lathrop and D. C. Barnam built a gristmill, now the Red Mill, replacing the first gristmill built in the area in 1851 by Robert Parfrey. In 1867 Lathrop and Palmer built a carding mill. The carding mill brushed or carded wool so it could be spun into yarn for knitting or weaving. Farmington was first settled in September 1849 by Ambrose Gard. Soon thereafter Roswell Hicks, Granville Jones and C. O. Brown arrived, staked their claims, and built houses. Hicks, who was a carpenter, designed a plow for Jones to use in preparing fields for planting corn. After harvesting their corn, these men took their small crop to the nearest gristmill, which was in Plover, then a three-day round-trip journey. In 1851 Rollin Jones, son of Granville, was the first white child born in Farmington. That same year the first post office was established in the northeast section. W. H. Cipperly (or Sipperly) became the first Postmaster and also owner of the first

store. William Caley was the first blacksmith. The first church was Lutheran and the first school, taught by Miss Orlie, was located north of the Waupaca River. Brown, originally from Sweden, went back to New York and returned with more than 50 families who settled in the northeast section of Farmington in 1852. Farmington also attracted many Danish and Norwegian settlers. Roswell Hicks, for whom Hicks Lake (now Sunset Lake) was named, is buried with his family in Waupaca's Lakeside Cemetery. Farmington was organized as a Township on April 15, 1853, having separated from Waupaca. Francis

Beardsmore, who owned a great deal of property in the area, named the area Farmington. The first Town meeting was held in the home of John Fisher in April 1854. Granville Jones was elected Chairman and Merrill Barton and. C. O. Brown became Supervisors. Beardsmore was elected Clerk and Brown was chosen as Treasurer. Taxes were set at $50 for schools, $30 for support of the poor, and $50 for town purposes. At that meeting a law was created restricting boars over two months old from roaming. S. Leonard built and operated Farmington's first sawmill. In 1854 Beardsmore planted the first apple trees. Other crops planted by these early settlers included barley, buckwheat, corn, potatoes, oats, rye, wheat and hops. Waupaca County was a prominent hops raiser, and its annual hops shipments exceeded those of most counties in the state. In 1921 a hops house still existed near Hartman Creek. The following 1889 plat map shows property owners in the Chain O'Lakes area and in portions of Dayton and Farmington. Copies of plat maps for the same area in 1912 and 1923 will be available at the Association's annual meeting in June. Plat maps also may be viewed at the Waupaca Historical Society, 321 S Main Street.

As my term ends, I thank the Association Board for the opportunity to serve as President for the last

three years. It has been a great experience! The Chain O'Lakes remains beautiful with the constant efforts of members who either serve on the Lake Association Board or Lake District Board, or who volunteer for the Clean Boats/Clean Waters program. The lakes need attention 24/7, 365 days per year. Please volunteer even if it is only for a few hours at the boat landing. If one person per property volunteered for 2.5 hours one weekend for the Clean Boats/Clean Waters program, we would have 1625 hours of volunteer hours. In 2010 less than 4% of Association members volunteered. It is our responsibility to care for the Chain O'Lakes. Again, I encourage you to volunteer in 2011. If you have questions or concerns regarding the Association or the lakes, please do not hesitate to email me at richard_hammen@yahoo.com. The annual meeting will be June 25 at 9:00 AM in Marden Center, Wisconsin Veterans Home. I look forward to seeing you there. 

Membership dues remain at $25.00 per year for a family or co-owner. A property owner may choose

to pay for a five-year membership at a cost of $100, a savings of $25 over a five-year period. For those

who own more than one lake property and want an additional membership and Who's Hoo directory

listing, dues are $25 or $100 per additional property. Please indicate your choice on the membership

form. The Association is giving members the option of receiving future newsletters via email

only. If you would like to choose this option, please check your preference on the membership form and

include your email address. Please note that your email address will not be given to any other organization or business. If you have a five-year membership, you do NOT need to return your membership form unless there is a change in your information and/or unless you would like to receive future newsletters via email. Before completing the enclosed form, please review your current Who's Hoo listing and email address, if applicable. If any of your information is new or changed since last year, please highlight, underline or otherwise indicate it on your membership form. Circle any information you do not want listed in the Directory. Please do not cut the form. The Sign Request section is for new members who do not have signs and for current members who have changes in their ownership names. If you have a correct sign, do NOT fill out this section. New membership information and new sign information must be received by April 10 for directory inclusion and for spring sign installation.

Checks should be made payable to Waupaca Chain O' Lakes Association. Dues are used for publishing

the newsletter and membership directory, updating the name/arrow signs, and supporting lake projects.

The Association Board continues to work with the Lake District Board to promote Aquatic Invasive

Species education and treatment, and to provide boat-landing volunteers.

Association By-Laws state that the election of Directors shall take place at the annual meeting and

that the Board shall nominate candidates to fill Board vacancies. The Board nominations for the

term 2011-2014 are: Dick Conover, Kay Ellis, John Hebbring, Margie Metzger, Gary Prell and Barry

Tomaras. Any five Association members may nominate an additional candidate by submitting a written

nomination to the Executive Secretary at least thirty days prior to the annual meeting on June 25. If additional names are submitted, candidate names will appear on ballots provided at the meeting.

Mark your calendars for the 5th Annual Antique and Classic Wooden Boat Show and Parade that will be

held on Saturday, July 9th at Clearwater Harbor. The boats will be on display during the day and a

parade through the Chain will follow in the afternoon. If you would like to enter your boat in the

show, please contact Barry Tomaras at btomaras@charter.net or 715-258-3414. All makes and models of antique fiberglass, aluminum and classic wooden boats 40 years or older in original or restored condition are welcome. More information will be available in the County Post and in the Picture Post closer to the event date.

Eastern tent caterpillars spend the winter in shiny brown-band egg masses around twigs. These caterpillars hatch during the spring when buds begin to open. Although the caterpillars favor crabapples, apple, wild or ornamental cherry and wild plum trees, they also feed on other deciduous trees such as oak. They construct silken tents on branch forks for protection from birds and temperature extremes. In high numbers these caterpillars can strip the leaves off infested trees, but they rarely do lasting damage. Native trees have co-evolved with this native caterpillar and will put out new leaves in a few weeks. However, yard or fruit trees should be protected, as leaf loss will prevent flowering and fruit production. There is one generation of tent caterpillars per year and typically high populations persist in a particular area for only a year or two. The tents will remain until they weather out of the tree. The eastern tent caterpillar is often mistaken for the gypsy moth caterpillar. The fully-grown tent caterpillar

is about two inches long, black with a white stripe along the middle of the back and a row of pale blue oval spots on each side. It is sparsely covered with fine light brown hairs. The gypsy moth caterpillar

is also about two inches long, but it has pairs of blue and red spots on its back. Though both are

similar in appearance, they differ in habits. The gypsy moth egg masses are yellow, not brown, and

gypsy moth caterpillars do not form tents. Controlling tent caterpillars is fairly easy and is most effective

in May- June when the caterpillars and their tents are small. If the tent can be reached, pull the tent and its inhabitants out of the tree. Rubber gloves are suggested. Small branches with tents may be pruned. Plunge the tents into water with insecticidal soap, available at garden centers. Do not cut off big branches to remove tents and do not burn tents in the tree. If the tent is out of reach, tear it up with a stick. Spray the tent and caterpillars with insecticidal soapy water. dnr.wi.gov and  learningstore.uwex.edu

Last year the newsletter had some information on terrestrial invasive plants. Another plant that is popping up around the Chain O'Lakes is Japanese knotweed. It is a perennial in the buckwheat family

that grows five to ten feet high in large clones. The arching stems are hollow, bamboo-like, and reddishbrown to tan. Young leaves are heart-shaped. Mature leaves are three to five inches wide and four to nine inches long, lighter on the lower surface, and egg to spade shaped. Lacy two-inch long clusters of tiny greenish-white flowers are produced in late summer and grow upright from the leaf base.

Japanese knotweed reproduces occasionally by seed, but spreads primarily by extensive networks of

underground rhizomes, which can be six feet deep and 60 feet long, and strong enough to damage pavement and penetrate building foundations. Of particular concern is the plant's tendency to invade valuable wetland habitats and to line the banks of creeks and rivers where it often forms an impenetrable wall of stems, crowding out native vegetation and leaving banks vulnerable to erosion when it dies in winter. Unless these plants are small, attempting to remove them by pulling or digging is generally ineffective due to the extensive underground rhizome network. Pulling or digging may promote further spreading if pieces of the plant are not disposed of properly by bagging all plant parts and putting them in the trash. Applications of herbicides containing glyphosate, such as Round-Up, are typically used after spring leaf out and on new sprouts emerging after cutting. Herbicide application is effective when the entire clone is treated repeatedly.

Burn Permits are required from January 1 to June 1 when the ground is not completely snow covered.

Permits are valid for the five-month period. However, each time you want to burn, you first must

obtain authorization by calling 1-888-WIS-BURN and putting in the code for Waupaca, 69, or by

checking the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov.forestry/ fire/state-burnrestrict.asp. The internet and tollfree

phone number will provide the most up-to-date fire restrictions including hours of burning and any

size limitations, and if burning has been suspended for the day due to critical forest fire danger.

Residential burning is restricted to pine needles, leaves, grass, brush, unpainted or untreated wood

and confidential papers. DO NOT rake leaves into the lake and DO NOT burn brush at the shoreline. It

is recommended that brush be burned 35' back from the water's edge, unless done in an in-ground fire pit,

NOT a portable fire pit, so that ashes do not enter the lakes. Ashes contain phosphorus that can cause

algae blooms. A fire must be attended at all times until completely extinguished and cold to the touch.

Failure to extinguish a fire is a crime that may result in a $500 fine and/or 30 days in jail.

Artificial light at night has been shown to affect the existing migration and predation behaviors of many

different species. Please use outdoor night lighting only when and where necessary. Use timers and

sensors to turn off lights when not needed. On the Water, April 2009

Aquatic Plant Removal - Removal of native plants is limited to a single area with a maximum width of no

more than 30 feet measured along one's shoreline provided that piers, boatlifts, swim rafts and other

recreational and water use devices are located within that 30-foot wide zone. Removal may not be in a

new area or in an addition to an area where plants are controlled by another method, pursuant to NR

109.06(2)(a)1, Wis. Admin. Code. No person may intentionally cut aquatic plants in public/navigable

waters without removing cut vegetation from the body of water pursuant to s. NR 109.08(3), Wis.

Admin. Code. Boat lifts, boat hoists and volleyball nets must be associated with or adjacent to a pier connected to the land and can remain in place year round only if they continue to be associated with or adjacent to a pier connected to the land. If the hoist, lift or net is just sitting in the water on its own, it must be removed or it becomes a regulated structure. Lifts, hoists and nets not associated with piers are considered miscellaneous structures and are subject to regulation under Wis. Stats. 30.12(1). The number of boats allowed is based on shoreline footage, two for the first 50 feet and one for each additional full 50 feet. Boat shelters, which may contain a boat lift or hoist, are exempt from permitting if they meet the standards in NR 326. Size is limited to 12-feet wide by 24-feet long on lakes under 1000 acres, the Chain.

Boat shelters may have a roof or canopy, but may not have sides or walls. The boat shelter, including

roof, canopy and any supports, must be removed seasonally between December 1 and April 1 to be

exempt. Permanent boat shelters require a DNR permit and must meet standards in NR 326.055. No

more than one permanent boat shelter is permitted for each riparian property. Does Your Pier Need To Be Registered? Piers are exempt from permit requirements if they meet the following specifications. A pier should be a maximum of 6 feet wide with an 8-feet long by 8-feet wide loading platform or deck at the end of the pier. The length should be no longer than needed to moor one's boat, to use a boatlift, or to reach a 3-foot water depth, which ever is greater. The location should not interfere with the rights of other riparian owners and should not be located in an area of special natural resource interest. If your pier does not meet these specifications, there are two registration forms that must be filled out, one for the DNR and one for the Waupaca County Register of Deeds. Registration is free and must be completed by April 1, 2011. These forms can be found at: dnr.wi.gov/waterways/permit_apps/pier_registration_form and

Aquatic Invasive Species 2010 Treatment - Treatment for about seven acres of Curly-Leaf Pondweed (CLP) took place in May. Primary control sites were on Bass Lake, Miner Lake and the mouth of Emmons Creek. CLP responded well to treatment. Survey and selective treatment for Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM) also took place in May. Approximately 11 acres were treated. Hand harvesting was done where plants were sparse or where significant boat traffic was present, Clearwater Harbor, Chain O' Lakes Marine and Becker Marine. An additional quarter acre EWM in Taylor Lake near George Lake was treated in July. Generally EWM treatment was successful although EWM was subsequently located in other areas of the lakes and was determined to be beyond the effective treatment date. These spots were noted by GPS and will be treated in 2011. Survey, selective treatment and hand removal of Purple Loosestrife (PL) in Otter Lake and on Government and Onaway Islands was conducted during mid July. PL is becoming more prevalent around the Chain. Landowners need to be responsive to growth areas on their properties and to remove, bag and dispose of these plants. New AIS Treatment Contract - This past November the District board sent a request for proposal to ten potential vendors for the treatment of AIS in 2011. After reviewing submitted bids, the board awarded the contract to Bonestroo of Waupun, WI. This company is a well-respected provider of AIS treatment control and our board is looking forward to

working with its representatives on this project. DNR Grant - In 2009 the District received an aquatic

invasive species education and treatment grant from the DNR, worth $68,000, to cover a five-year

period. This is the second year of funding on this grant and the board will continue to work with the

DNR if additional funding is required. Boat Landing Volunteers - The District board thanks

everyone who volunteered at the boat landings this past summer-700 inspections by 21 volunteers! The

volunteer program is more crucial than ever for the preservation of the beautiful Chain O'Lakes. Please

sign up for the 2011 season at either the Lake District website-waupacalakedistrict.com, or Lake

Association website-waupacachainolakes.org, or call Rick Hammen at 262-617-7419. Water Patrol - The District will continue to provide input to the Water Patrol about dates and times that need more patrolling concentration. Auxiliary patrolling last summer resulted in fewer complaints of unruly behavior. There were no reportable accidents on the Chain in 2010.

Rain Gardens are small basins designed to capture rainwater and to filter pollutants, such as lawn fertilizer, pesticides, pet waste, gas and oil, before they reach the lakes. Without filtration these pollutants can end up in Chain surface water. The Waupaca County Land and Water Conservation Department will assist shoreland homeowners with proper rain garden location and design, and will suggest plants for each specific site. Limited grant money is available to pay for 70% of the total cost of preparation and installation, including plants, up to a maximum of $500 for qualified sites. Association members are encouraged to apply. To receive an application, contact bthe Department at 715-258-6245 or download one at www.co.waupaca.wi.us-environment.

If you are interested in restoring your shoreline with native plantings, please visit dnr.wi.gov/org/water/

wm/dsfm/shore/restoration. You may also contact the Waupaca County Land and Water Conservation

Department at 715-258-6245 for information. Reminder - before beginning any construction or

landscape project, please contact Jeff Henneman, Waupaca County Zoning Land Use Code

Enforcement Specialist, at 715-258-6255. A summary of the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance is in the

Dayton Township Tuesday, April 12 7:00 PM Dayton Town Hall

Farmington Township Monday, April 18 7:00 PM Farmington Town Hall

Chairpersons Breakfast Saturday, May 21 8:30 AM Waupaca Ale House

Lake Association Saturday, June 25 9:00 AM Marden Center, Veterans Home

Lake District Saturday, August 6 9:00 AM Marden Center, Veterans Home

The formation of the Chain O' Lakes Foundation was announced at the Association's Annual Meeting June 26, 2010. The goal of this Foundation is to assist in efforts to protect and to improve the Chain O' Lakes as one of our country's most beautiful natural resources. The Association board voted to provide initial funding for the Foundation. The Internal Revenue Service recently approved the Foundation as a charitable organization so it is qualified to receive tax-deductible donations. This Foundation intends to address current lake and water quality issues and to build an endowment fund for the lakes to benefit future generations. It will strive to have both a current and a visible long-term effect on the lake system. Even now there are important issues such as assurance of continuing water quality, treatment of invasive species and review of lake inlets. Steve Huhta is serving as the Foundation's first President. Carl Webber, who incorporated the Foundation, is its Secretary. Dick Conover is Vice-President, and Bob Ellis, Treasurer. Bob, Dick and Steve are all past Presidents of the Association. As an indication of devotion to the lake, Dick Conover and his wife Sandy placed a substantial amount of land in a conservation easement. This land is on an important portion of the lakes' watershed adjacent to Smith Lane. Inquiries about the Foundation are encouraged. The Foundation may be contacted through its website chainolakesfoundation. org, via email chainolakesfoundation@yahoo.com, or by contacting any Board member: Dick Conover, N2760 Rainbow Drive, Waupaca, WI 54981; Bob Ellis, E1228 Pine Tree Point, Waupaca; Steve Huhta, steve@huhta.com or N2424 E Miner Drive, Waupaca; and Carl Webber, cwebber@webberthies.com or 1910 Woodfield Road, Champaign, IL 61822. Contributions in any amount are welcome. Checks should be made payable to Chain O'Lakes Foundation, Inc. and mailed to Treasurer Bob Ellis at his address above.