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

Didier, Nicholas the leading spirit in the organization of the Rhinelander Iron Company 34 yars ago, was born at Eagle Harbor, Mich., Jan.6, 1856, son of Michael and Mary (FUNK) DIDIER. As a boy he attended school in his native village, and after beginning industrial life was for many years in the employ of the Lakeside Rod Co. of Muskegon, Mich., holding a high position with them, and his genius and labor did much for that concern. In 1889 he came to Rhinelander, Wis., in company with his brothers, John H. and Peter, and also with E. G. ROPE, David BURNS, and Charles GLOVER, the three last named being foundrymen from Muskegon. In May the same year they incorporated the Rhinelander Iron Company, of which concern Nicholas served as president and manager up to the time of his death on Feb. 8, 1896. The land on which they built they original plant was the site of an old Indian camp, the lot being now known as No. 401 W. Philips Street, and on it they erected a building 35x125 feet. The concern has had a successful existence down to the present time. Their line of work lies in the building and wrecking of sawmills, the manufacture of sawmill machinery, locomotive repairing, etc., and they have sent men from their factory to Oregon, Vancouver, Mississippi and Alabama to build sawmills. The death of Nicholas DIDIER was a great shock to the community, and the esteem in which he was held was shown by the universal expressions of regret and the closing of all business houses during his funeral. Members of the Modern Woodmen and Macabees lodges, to which he belonged, acted as escorts from the house to the church, and all departments of the city government were present in a body. The services were held in the Catholic Church and interment was in the Catholic Cemetery. Mr. DIDIER was a man of much usefulness, both to himself, his firm and to the community generally. He took a deep interest in public affairs and was always ready to aid any enterprise for the public good. He had served in the city council since the creation of the cty and his service was of benefit to the people. Nicholas DIDIER was married in August, 1880, at Muskegon, Mich., to Katherine BARNHARDT, who survived him many years, passing away April 17, 1917. They had been the parents of three children, Nellie, Russell, and Estella. Nellie is now the wife of Theodore TRELEVEN, a traveling salesman for the Wilson Mercantile Co. of Rhinelander, and they have two children, Russell and Kathleen. Mrs. TREVELEN in 1906 was elected secreatary of the Rhinelander Iron Company. Russell DIDIER (son of Nicholas) resides in Rhinelander. Estella is now Mrs. L. C. HANEY of Denver, Colo.

Transcribed by Susan Swanson, from pages 287-288 (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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