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

Wight, Thomas A. who is connected in an industrial capacity with the Wisconsin Veneer Co. of Rhinelander, Oneida County, and is also serving as alderman from the Sixth Ward, was born May 18, 1878, in Green Bay, Wis., son of Albert and Eliza (BAXTER) WIGHT. The parents were both born at Rensselaer Falls, N.Y., where they grew up and were married, coming west and settling at Green Bay, Wis., in 1879. The father, who was in the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Co., died May 14, 1899. The mother, surviving her husband a few years, passed away Nov. 9, 1907. Albert WIGHT was a Civil War veteran, having enlisted in August, 1862, in Co. K., 21st Wis. Vol. Inf. He was wounded in both legs at the battle of Chickamauga, and being taking prisoner, was confined in Libby prison for 72 days; he was honorably discharged in 1864. He and his wife Eliza had seven children: Edward, now a ship builder at Manitowoc, Wis.; Anna, wife of P. O. JEFFRIES of Green Bay, Wis.; Charles who is in the milk business at Green Bay; Joel, who died in August, 1919; Mamie, wife of William FERRINGTON of Green Bay; Thomas A. of Rhinelander; and Lina, now Mrs. Bidwell RATHBUN of Rhinelander. Thomas A. WIGHT acquired his education in the Green Bay schools and at the age of 13 years went to Greenleaf, Brown County, Wis., where for three years he worked as a cheese maker. In 1894 he returned to Green Bay and became a clerk in a grocery store there, a position that he retained until 1899, in the fall of which years he came to Rhinelander. Here he found employment in the W. D. HARRINGTON grocery store, where he worked until Mr. HARRINGTON's death, at which time the store was sold to S. D. NELSON, and for the latter proprietor Mr. WIGHT worked until 1918. In October, 1919 he was appointed city clerk by Mayor S. D. SUTLIFF, remaining in that office until May, 1921, and during the same period serving as secretary of the school board. Since the latter date Mr. WIGHT has been in the employ of the Wisconsin Veneer Co. Prior to his appointment as city clerk he served his ward (the Sixth) as alderman and in May, 1922, he was again elected to that position. As a good citizen he has helped largely to promote local interests, both of the city and county and enjoys considerable popularity. He holds lodge membership with the Eagles and Odd Fellows, and attends the Congregational Church with his family. Mr. WIGHT was married at Green Bay, Oct. 1, 1897, to Julia WEGNER, who was born at that place, March 27, 1879, daughter of Julius and Augusta (LUEDTKE) WEGNER. Her parents, natives of Germany, came to America in the late 60's and were married at Watertown, Wis., settling at Green Bay in 1876. There the father died May 20, 1907; the mother is still residing there. They had in all five children: Mary, who is deceased; William and Charles of Green Bay; Julia, now Mrs. Thomas A. WIGHT; and Gusta, wife of Henry SCHAUT of Green Bay. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. WIGHT are as follows: Allen, born June 20, 1901, now assistant bookkeeper for the Rhinelander Refrigerator Co.; Eliane, born June 26, 1903, who is the wife of Harvey NOWLAND of Rhinelander; Helen, born Aug. 7, 1915; and Thomas J., born Dec. 20, 1918.

Transcribed by Susan Swanson, from pages 493-494, 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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