HISTORY OF WOOD COUNTY



   Paul L. Blum, president and treasurer of the Blum Bros. Box Co., Inc.,
one of
Marshfield's most important manufacturing concerns, and who is also a prominent
official in other flourishing business enterprises, was born at Hartford,
Washington
County, Wis., June 18, 1889, son of Peter and Eva (Rottsheid) Blum. Like
his
brothers, he was reared on the home farm and attended common school, remain-
ing at home until reaching the age of 14, since which time he has followed
an in-
dependent. career except for his business associations with others. About
1904
he accompanied his brother, John A., to Campbellsport, Fond du Lac County,
Wis., where they both worked two years in a cheese box factory. Then, with
the
same brother, he went to West Bend, Washington County, and there found work
in another cheese box factory, remaining there for two or three years. In
1911
he and John came to Marshfield and established their present box and tub
factory
elsewhere described. They operated the concern as a partnership until 1921,
in
which year it was incorporated. Paul L. is also president of the Palace Garage
Co., established by his brothers, Peter L. and Jacob, but the officers of
which now
consist of Paul L., John A. and Peter L.; he is president of the Colby Cheese
Box
Co. of Colby, Wis.; president of the Greenwood Manufacturing Co. of Greenwood,
Wis.; treasurer of the Central Wisconsin Cheese, Butter & Dairyman's
Associa-
tion, and a director of the Marshfield Building & Loan Association. He
is also a
member of the Water and Light Commission and president of the public (voca-
tional) school board, of Marshfield. In these various enterprises or public
offices
he has proved himself a capable man of affairs and they have all benefited
by his
assistance or direction. He is a member of the local Elks lodge, and the
United
Commercial Travelers, both of Marshfield. On June 6, 1911, he was married
to
Matilda Rauch, of Elmore, Fond du Lac County, Wis., who was born at Camp-
bellsport, that county, March 28, 1891, daughter of William and Amelia (Grebe)
Rauch. Three children are the fruit of this marriage, namely: Evelyn, born
July
28, 1912; Florence, born July 21, 1914, and Harold, born Feb. 24, 1918. Mr.
Blum was reared a Catholic while the members of the Rauch family are Evangeli-
cal Lutherans. It is noteworthy that the four Blum brothers, Paul L., Peter,
L.,
John A. and Jacob, married four Rauch sisters, Matilda, Rose, Lillie and
Bena.
Mr. and Mrs. Paul L. Blum own a good residence at 142 Park Avenue, Marshfield.
   Otto J. Leu, of Wisconsin Rapids, who is engaged in the real estate and
insur-
ance business, and has also for a number of years been more or less closely
connected
with the farming and stock breeding industries, was born in Seneca Township,
Wood County, Wis., Sept. 19, 1872, son of John and Louisa (Griesbach) Leu.
The parents came to America from Germany in 1867, locating first at Milwaukee,
whence they soon came to Wood County, John Leu buying a small tract of wild
land in Seneca Township. He was a shoemaker by trade and for awhile made
shoes for the men who worked in the neighboring sawmills. Gradually he gave
up that occupation and gave more and more of his attention to farming. He
also
bought more land until he had 123 acres and cleared up a fine farm. One of
his
township's most prominent citizens, he was well known throughout the county.
He served on the township board and also as a member of the school board.
He
died in June, 1905, and his wife many years before, in August, 1877. They
were
the parents of six children: Matilda, deceased; Robert, a farmer in Sigel
Town-
ship; Bertha, now Mrs. George Dawes, residing near Pittsville; Otto, the
direct
subject of this sketch; Mary and Herman, who died in infancy. Otto J. Leu
ac-
quired his elementary education in the district school, later attended the
Grand
Rapids High School and subsequently attended normal schools at River Falls
and
later Stevens Point, from which he graduated. During this period he taught
school at various times in order to earn money to finish his education. Subse-
quently he became a regular teacher in the schools of the state, at Alma
Center,
the Merrillan High School and the Nekoosa High School. In the fall of 1898
he
was elected county superintendent of schools of Wood County, and served four
years. He also conducted teachers' institutes. In 1903 Mr. Leu bought a farm
of 130 acres in Seneca Township to which he later added until he had a large
farm,
on which he made improvements. In the meanwhile he took up the real estate



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