History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties

"History of Lincoln, Oneida, and Vilas Counties Wisconsin"

Compiled by George O.Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others. Printed in 1924 by H.C.Cooper. Jr. & Co., Minneapoli-Winona MN. ill. 787 pages. The first two hundred pages are history of the three counties, the remainder of the book is biographies.

Biography

Sievwright, Archie, of Rhinelander, a retired cruiser and estimator and a pioneer of Oneida County, was born at Pasley, Canada, Oct. 31, 1846, son of Samuel and Maria (GOODBODY) SIEVWRIGHT. The parents came from the northern part of Ireland; the father accompanied his parents to Canada when three years old, and the mother came with her parents at the age of sixteen. They were subsequently married in Montreal and in 1856 came to the States, settling at Stevens Point, Wis., where Samuel SIEVWRIGHT became connected with the lumber industry and also followed farming until his death on May 5, 1866. Mrs. Maria SIEVWRIGHT passed away in Rhinelander, Sept. 5, 1905, and was buried at Stevens Point. Their children were: Eleanor, now deceased; Elizabeth, who married George HUBBARD and resides at Stevens Point; Archie, of Rhinelander; Maria, now Mrs. John WRIGHT residing at Hiles, Forest County; Mary A., now Mrs. Chas. SPARKS of Stevens Point, Wis.; William, deceased; Samuel H., of Stevens Point, and Jane, who is Mrs. William WHITTAKER of Rhinelander. Archie SIEVWRIGHT acquired his education in the district schools of Portage County, Wis., and was afterwards associated with his father in the lumber business until the latter's death in 1866. Since then he has worked in all branches of the lumber industry, and in particular has gained a first class reputation as a cruiser and timber estimator. He operated various camps, did sawmill work on the Big Plover River in Portage County, and work for the Esterbrook Lumber Co. and for E. D. BROWN, father of the Brown Brothers of Rhinelander. In May, 1882, Mr. SIEVWRIGHT came to Rhinelander from Stevens Point with A. W. BROWN, in whose employ he then was. They walked most of the way, each carrying a pack on his back, and for many years after his arrival here he continued to work for Mr. BROWN or for the Brown Brothers, doing all their cruising and estimating until 1912. He also at times worked for other companies in Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin, and has besides bought and sold many tracts of timber for himself. On June 1, 1887, when Oneida County was organized, Mr. SIEVWRIGHT was appointed Sheriff by Gov. Jeramiah RUSK and served in that office for two years. He also served as assessor of the town of Pelican before Oneida County was organized. He has served as county surveyor and in various ways has been a very active citizen both of the county and of the city of Rhinelander. He is a stockholder in the Rhinelander Paper Co. and the Rhinelander Telephone Co., and a stockholder and director in the Merchants Bank of Rhinelander. Many years ago Mr. SIEVWRIGHT became a Free Mason and has since risen high in the order. He was the first candidate ballotted on by the Rhinelander lodge, of which he is still a member. He also belongs to the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons here, and to the Commandery at Antigo and the Consistory and Shrine at Milwaukee. Archie SIEVWRIGHT was married Aug. 7, 1890, at Rhinelander, to Bertha KRETLOW, who was born at Lake Mills, Jefferson County, in July, 1860, daughter of Karl and Henrietta KRETLOW who were pioneers of that county. She grew to womanhood there and came to Rhinelander over 35 years ago. After a happy married life of 23 years Mrs. SIEVWRIGHT passed away Oct. 24, 1923, at her home at 233 Dahl Street. Her death was very sudden, and was a great shock to her husband and numerous friends, as after having previously been in good health, she suffered a paralytic stroke in the forenoon of Wednesday, at 11:15 a.m., and died shortly after, in the noon hour of the same day. Mrs. SIEVWRIGHT was an excellent woman, a loving and devoted wife and loyal friend and good neighbor. She was a member of the Congregational church. Her immediate relations who survived her are: a sister, Mrs. Edith BISHOP, formerly of Rhinelander, but now of Long Beach, Calif., and two brothers, Frank E. KRETLOW of Rhinelander and C. G. KRETLOW of Madison. In his great bereavement Mr. SIEVWRIGHT has the sympathy of the entire community, of which he and his wife have been prominent members for so many years.

Transcribed by Susan Swanson, from pages 218-219 (with picture), History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties Wisconsin; Compiled by George O. Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others 1924, H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co.

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