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

Tilden, Fred D. proprietor of "The Tilden" Resort in the town of Three Lakes, Oneida County, was born at St. Charles, Ill., April 15, 1869. When he was four years odl the family removed to Elgin, Ill., and he was educated in the grade and high schools of the latter city, subsequently entering the factory of the Elgin Watch Co. there and learning the trade of watchmaker, which he followed until he was 24 years of age. In 1893 he went to Springville, Humboldt County, Calif., where for the following two years he was engineer in one of the sawmills of the great redwood timber district there. He then came to Oneida County and took a government claim of over 600 acres on the shores of Meta and Cranberry lakes, building a log cabin on this property and spending the summers here each year. In 1902 he and his brother established the Tilden Bros. Resort on this land, and in 1919, he brought his brother's interest and changed the name of the resort to The Tilden. Today Mr. TILDEN has one of the most popular resorts in northern Wisconsin. His main lodge is 28x48 feet in dimensions with a kitchen and serving room built on the rear, the main portion being used exclusively as a dining room. Besides his own private home he has 11 cottages, and his buildings are furnished with modern conveniences, including running water and electric lights, electricity for the lights being furnished by two individual lighting plants. He has just completed a new dining-hall, in one story hungalow style, with a roof 46x70 feet and a 12-foot porch overlooking the lake. There is a colonade through the center of the hall and the dining-room can be made larger or smaller as the occasion demands. A pipeless furnace has been installed to provide a comfortable warmth in chilly weather. There is also a kitchen and serving-room 24x24 feet, finely equipped in modern style and iwth all sanitary conveniences, including water. There are accommodations for 60 guests, and he is obliged to turn away a large number each year. There are excellent reasons for the popularity of Mr. TILDEN'S hostelry; service, accommodations, and surroundings all conspire to make it a truly ideal place for a thoroughly enjoyable, health-giving outing. There are 160 rods of frontage on Lake Meta and 540 on Cranberry Lake; the resort faces the former, and beautiful lawns extend back from the shore to the lodge and cottages; the grounds are laid out with delightful walks and driverways, and the entire scene is beautiful beyond description. A fleet of 12 row boats and a canoe is maintained, and every form of outdoor sport is available; for the fisherman or hunter there is no finer region in the world; for the gold enthusiast, a splendid nine-hole course is available by a short drive, either with an automobile or launch, and he may labor to his heart's content to bring his game down to par form; and for the nature lover or the person seeking simply quiet and rest from the strain of city life, the woods and waters beckon on every hand here in Nature's wonderland. In building up this place Mr. TILDEN has done much to add to the attractiveness of this region. Mr. TILDEN was married July 5, 1906, to Lena ATHERTON, who was born in Bluehill, Maine, Sept. 25, 1879. Mrs. TILDEN is an expert accountant and stenographer; a lady of refinement and magnetic personality, she is admirably fitted for her duties as hostess at the resort, and no small measure of the success of the "Tilden" is due to her efforts. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. TILDEN; Florence E., March 6, 1913; and Arthur E., June 23, 1918. The family are members of the Congregational Church.

Transcribed by Susan Swanson, from pages 370 (with picture); History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties Wisconsin; Compiled by George O. Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others; H.C. Cooper Jr. & Co, 1924

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