Researching genealogy can reveal many historical truths we either often do not want to face or face more often than we care to.
We all have a lens of the present when first starting genealogy research. Counties we assume look like they do now or we assume people were not treated differently and when your ancestors emigrated to the United States, they were welcomed with open arms. Too often we assume places in our ancestral search are just like they are today and leads us to incorrect conclusion in our research and ancestors lives.
Many hidden truths come out even going against some local histories you may have read on your research journey. In my ancestral line I have encountered many things. Albeit, many have proven to be opposite of what independent research shows.
Deerbrook, Langlade County, Antigo, Langlade County, Wisconsin; founded by Francis Deleglise. It is researching here I discovered a couple of hidden truths and neither fit within the Rockwell painting local historical accounts.
We see the Rockwell painting in this area right from the start. Squire Taylor was instrumental in the creation of New County, Wisconsin on 3 Mar 1879. Albeit the founding was quite the accomplishment there was friction between people who backed Squire Taylor and those who backed Francis Deleglise. Deleglise did not like the name “New” for the newly formed county and as a member of the Wisconsin State legislature became part of the faction pushing to have New County renamed to Langlade County. The Deleglise argument, because counties in the state are named after those who had an impact on the history of the county or presidents. Indeed, Deleglise had a very weak argument. Likewise, New County was renamed Langlade County on 20 Feb 1880.
Their battle is not high on importance when researching genealogy until you find more hidden truths many do not want known today.
I’ve read many local histories, contacted the Langlade County Historical Society on several occasions, only to be disappointed in the volume of information they have on the area. However, they do have an over abundance of Rockwell painting stories about Antigo and Langlade County.
One local history by Martha Lucas, obtained from the Wisconsin State Historical Society is written specifically on Deerbrook and other small communities near it. In reference to early settlers in Deerbrook area Lucas references an “Irish family”. I am 99% certain this Irish family is my Great Grandfather William Bentley and his wife Anna Lynn (surname). My Great Grandmother is 100% Irish being born to parents who traveled the seas while pregnant with Anna. Meanwhile, Lucas mentions by name Frank Bentley; William Bentley’s older brother. It would appear being married to an Irish woman places you in the category of being Irish. Furthermore, I have no reason to believe this was an error of omission.
Another very odd case exists when researching Deerbrook and finding so many references listing the place as “Deerbrook – Formerly known as Reeve”. This is an impossibility. Deerbrook had rail service, both passenger and freight in 1881; Reeve wasn’t platted until 1887; six years after Deerbrook has rail service. These two locations are separated by a hill and not in the same location even.
These are just two of the hidden treasures found when researching my genealogy. This series will show why history is important and even why you have to do your own research; often not being able to depend on even larger works of history.
I’ve found local historians tend to embellish their stories while those writing more scholarly histories tend to omit facts, focusing only on the facts supporting a story they want to tell. Although, scholarly history is more factual there is always the catch of the full story not being told, waiting to be discovered on old documents kept by others. Others that were a part of the actual event giving clearly both sides while supporting the one they side with.
I hope you join me on this journey and find it helpful with your genealogy research.