History of Clark County, Wisconsin (1918S



GEORGE E. CROTHERS, an influential citizen of Neillsville, journalist, educator and agriculturist, came to Clark County as a school teacher in 1884, and taught four years at Thorp. His ability as a teacher, his personality, his broad sympathies and his sterling character won wide recognition, and in the fall of 1888 he was elected to the position of superintendent of schools, taking office the following January. The influence his work left is still felt in the. public schools of the county. He systematized the methods, he inspired both pupils and teachers to their highest effort, and his term of eight years was one of decided educational progress.

Upon retiring from office he engaged in newspaper work. In the meantime, he studied law, first with C. F. Grow, and later with S. M. Marsh, and in 1898 was admitted to the bar. To this profession he has since devoted more or less of his time. Equipped with his diploma, he took his family to Clarkston, Wash., in the summer of 1899, with a view to studying that region for a possible opening. But after looking over the field thoroughly, he returned to Neillsville in October, and purchased a controlling interest in the Republican-Press, of which he has since been editor and manager, and in connection with which, in addition to issuing an influential journal, he conducts an extensive job printing business. At the time of his return to Neillsville, he purchased a farm of 126 acres on the southern limits of the city, and here he has since continued to reside, improving and developing the place into a model estate, and successfully carrying on general farming as well as specializing in Holstein-Friesian cattle. The home is a sightly one, commands an extensive view of sweeping hill and dale, and is noted for its good cheer, culture and hospitality.

While no longer engaged as an educator, Mr. Crothers' ability has been of good service to the city as a member for eighteen years of the Board of Education, of which he is now treasurer. He is likewise making good use of his farming experience as the president of the Farmers Co-operative Elevator Co. As a substantial citizen he is one of the directors of the First National Bank, and his fraternal nature is shown by his active association with the Masons, the Modern Woodmen and the Beavers.

Born in Adams County, Wis., Sept. 13, 1862, the ninth of ten children, he was reared on a farm, attended the rural and village schools of Oxford, and taught in his native county until coming to Clark County.

He was married Jan. 5, 1893, to Electa Johnson, born in Oxford, Wis., Nov. 7, 1867, daughter of William and Mary (June) Johnson, and this union has been blessed with three children-Donald H., Wendell H. and Marie A. Donald H., born Nov. 15, 1893, and Wendell H., born May 29, 1895, are in the United States service as members of the Aviation Signal Corps. Marie A., born June 20, 1903, is attending the Neillsville high school.