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

Beach, Wesley A. proprietor of Lakeside Resort in the town of Three Lakes, Oneida County, was born in Waupaca County, Wisconsin, March 24, 1870. He was educated in the public schools of Waupaca County and at the age of 14 years began work in the woods and on the drives down the rivers, following this line of work until 1890. He then came to Oneida County to look over the country with a view of locating permanently, and in 1892 he returned here and went to work as custodian on the lodge on Virgin Lake owned by the South Side Gun Club of Milwaukee, in which capacity he was employed for the ensuing seven years. He was then for one year manager of the private home of H. E. DICK on Crab Lake, during which period he was also assessor of the town of Three Lakes. The following year he was manager of the Three Lakes Rod and Gun Club, and in 1901 he bought what is now the Griswold location on Butternut Lake; selling this property in the fall of the same year, he purchased 28 acres across the Lake in Forest County, this place being now the Rasmusson Resort. In 1905 Mr. BEACH purchased five acres fronting on the west shore of Spirit Lake, in Three Lakes Township, Oneida County, and on this he proceeded to establish his present resort, the Lakeside. He has added to his original purchase until his property now contains 45 acres, with 100 rods of lake frontage. His main lodge is 32x54 feet in dimensions and is three stories high; the main floor is occupied by the dining room, living room, kitchen, and serving room, the kitchen being contained in a 14x24 foot addition at the rear. This building has a full basement and is excellently appointed in every way; the second floor is made up of sleeping rooms for the guests, and the help is lodged on the third floor. There are 12 cottages, of rustic design and equipped for solid comfort; the buildings are supplied with running water and electric lights, and there are many other conveniences and comforts not common to establishments of this sort. A fleet of 12 row boats equipped with Evinrudge motors and two canoes make the excellent fishing offered by Spirit Lake and the adjoining waters comfortably available, and guides are furnished when wished. The management takes a justibiable pride in the cruisine; pure cream, butter, milk, fresh eggs, and vegetables are all produced on the property, and these, together with such other delicancies as the market affords, all skillfully prepared and tastefully served, make the meals at Lakeside a real treat. The location of the resort is perfect for an ideal outing; all forms of outdoor sports are at hand, and the swimming is particularly delightful; the shores of Spirit Lake are of beautiful white sand and have so gradual a slope to deep water as to appear almost level; there is not a finer bathing beach in the entire region. The surrounding scenery is of inspiring beauty; the grounds of Lakeside, with their forests of maple, pine, spruce, cherry, and white birch, and with their wonderful walks and drives (including the original road leading to the lake, known far and wide as Lovers' Lane) form one of Nature's wonderlands. Besides building up this place Mr. BEACH has taken part in many other movements which have been of permanent benefit to the region. He is very widely known, and has been a director of his school district for the past six years, besides having served a term as assessor, as previously mentioned. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Beavers, and Eagle River Masonic Lodge No. 258. He was married Dec. 18, 1889, to Clara M. NELSON; Mrs. BEACH was born in Stockholm, Sweden, and came alone to the United States as the age of 15 years. She is very popular as hostess at the resort.

Transcribed by Susan Swanson, from pages 266-267 (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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