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Wisconsin Rural Electric Cooperative Association / First yearbook, 1938
(1938)
Introduction: local cooperative histories, pp. 33-49
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Page 33
WISCONSIN RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION INTRODUCTION LOCAL COOPERATIVE HISTORIES With these short sketches of each cooperative, the story is by no means told. As authors often say, "time and space does not permit" the recording of the ups and downs experienced by the volunteer workers; the trials and cares of resident engineers and project superintend- ents; the unselfish service of those who represent the STATEWIDE office; the almost endless, tireless toil on the part of all concerned. When a project is designated "complete" we SEE miles of towering poles and gleaming wires, and as evening comes, bright lights twinkling over the country- side, but we who have watched them materialize, KNOW that they represent a principle. THE EDITOR PROJECT Wisconsin-40-Barron Barron and Washburn Counties have a Cooperative with a member- ship of 608, which was incorporated September 5, 1936, under the name BARRON COUNTY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE. In the spring of 1937, Wallace H. Holman began his duties as resident engineer on the project. The Commrnwealth Electric Company started construction in June. On the 19th day of that month the Cooperative sponsored a celebration, the main event of the day being the setting of the first pole. In solemn reverence it was dedicated to Mr. A. G. Bilodeau, the first president of the Barron County Electric Cooperative, whose death occurred the preceding month. Mr. Bilodeau had been an eager and loyal worker, who would have rejoiced that materialization of the plans was so far advanced. The office of the Cooperative had been established in the City of Barron. This municipality is much interested in the electrification of the surrounding rural community and have enlarged their generating plant to afford them the capacity to sell wholesale energy to the Cooperative. Mr. Lawrence Toynbee is the project superintendent, assisted in the office by Miss Vesta Carpenter. The regular meetings of the Board of Directors are held at the office. Their names and addresses follow: JOHN E. OLSON, President, Chetek KNUTE KNUTSON, Vice-president, Cumberland WILLIS JEROME, Secretary, Barron NELS NELSON, Treasurer, Rice Lake S. A. CARLSON, Chetek WILLIAM GOHL, Comstock HENRY PALMQUisT, Barron ALEX SCHNACKY, Rice Lake OTIS BERGER. Hillsdale The first section of 86 miles was energized November 22 with 125 connections. The entire 178 miles of the original project is now carrying energy and the superintendent reports connections are being made daily. Interest has received new stimulus since construction began and a 168 mile extension is in the Washington office awaiting approval for additional allotment to allow construction to begin next spring. i33
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