Bits and pieces of the growth of the town will come from history books, town board minutes, and recollections of the people whose families have been here since before and after the township was created.

Wisconsin, a part of the Louisiana Purchase, was set off as a state in 1848. The State government created the county of Oconto in 1851 which consisted of the present Oconto and Shawano County with a county seat located on Jones Sawmill, which was located within the present limits of the City of Oconto.

In 1854 Oconto County was made up of two towns, Oconto and Howard.  In 1855 the state road from Fort Howard to Menomonee was laid out.

The Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Company was built around 1871 which paved the way for further growth in the area.  On the 8th of October, 1871, the infamous Peshtigo Fire destroyed too many acres of fine timber, but made it much easier to start farming.  Spot fires about the same time burned the slashings in the river basins on the Pensaukee and Little Suamico rivers.

Chase was originally established on April 15, 1873 as St. Nathan's.  The first postmaster was Daniel W. Ketchum.  The name, St. Nathan's, was changed to Chase on March 20, 1890.  (Information furnished by Peggy Oberbeck).

A map from 1878 shows the State Highway with Petersville P.O. at what is Sobieski Corners.  West Pensaukee P.O. on the river at Abrams with a crossing road to Brookside and to Pensaukee and Oconto.

Little Suamico has a spur road and the railroad to Brookside Station and Pensaukee and up.  In 1878 map area which becomes Chase shows a road which no longer goes through except for Beaumier Lane. South Chase Road starts this road and runs east to Pine Lane and then Northeast to Sobieski Corners or Petersville.  At Beaumier and South Chase Roads the main road continues North to the corner of Hilbert then Northeast past Kroll Road to come over the river. It then heads North past Cty Rd S and Cty Rd C and follows the ridge past the cemeteries to just East of what is now Sampson, which at the this time 1878 does not exist.

At the Little Suamico River crossing, "St. Nathan's" has a post office and school.  St. Nathan's was probably named for Nathan Chase, the owner of the sawmill which was built in 1864.

No Other roads show on the map except one which run parallel to the Pensaukee River from Sampson north to Gohr Road and crosses the river where it now meets Safian Road.  It then goes north into Morgan.

The main means of transportation was on foot or horseback.  Wagon trails probably were built by owners of property off the main trail.

Click Here for the ----> 1912 CHASE PLAT MAP

The old town records show where the most importance lay. Most pages are petitions for new road and ditches.  A labor tax of seven mills be raised and passed.  The poor acclamation at the annual meeting was $50.00 per year. Felix Belonga Road District 7, John Birr 12, William Tolman 4, August Boetcher 5.	Old Town Hall
At the second meeting of the town board, they declared the office vacant on account of non-qualification of Path master #4 appointed A.H. Thomas.	New Town Hall

The first Annual Report shows $300.00 raised and $85.07 delinquent tax. Poor Fund was only $34.50.  The report shows total expenditures of $3308.83 with an income of $3750.08 leaving a balance of $442.05.

Some facts and figures from the records show how construction and prices have changed:

To Henry Alves:  Dig a ditch 2 feet deep and 3 feet wide, 65 rods (1050 feet ) long for $24.69.

To Charles Trewilliger:  Cut a hill 4 feet deep and 30 feet wide on to 10 feet tracks.  Also cut all logs and brush, 4 rods wide, on said hill for the sum of $29.68, being amount of delinquent tax.

To cut brush 3 rods wide 80 rods along road.  To grade wagon track 8 feet wide, level knolls, and fill holes.  Tax to Louis Heinemann for $35.00.

On December 29, 1898, Edward Koldrowiz received permission of the town board to erect telephone post along County S and Highway 32 without any town liability.

Minutes and Annual Reports show such items as:

Mr. Brserinski:  $9.00 for breaking wagon.

1903
Town of Chase buys Morgan's share of safe for $21.50.  Morgan buys Chase's share of horse-pulled grader for $54.00.

1905
A motion was made and seconded to have the clerk's report read in the Polish language.  Motion Carried.

A motion was made and seconded to have the clerk's report read in German language.  Motion carried.

A motion made and seconded to call upon the District Attorney's advice if constitutional whether or not the clerk's report should be read in several languages.

1910
Concrete culverts were built by Gust Fischer for $210.00 and $150.00.

A man and team was paid $5.00 per day and $2.50 for man and shovel alone.

1913
A motion to eliminate caucus and use the nomination paper to run for town office.  This was a backlash to D.C. Krause refusing to serve in 1907.  Anton Rudnick refused to serve and John Dolata was appointed.

A motion was made and seconded whether town board should grant any license to sell liquor or any kind of intoxicating drink.  Motion lost.

1915 
A motion was made and second compelling all freeholders that have rail or stamp fences must move same of will be moved by authorities and the same will be charged to such parties in tax for such damages.  Motion carried.

1923 
The Town Board set gravel specs of two yards gravel to cover one yard of road.  All gravel over 3" diameter to be taken out for the price of $1.05 per yard.  Ditch digging was left to Ed Travenski at $1.00 per rod.

All teams were to haul 1-1/2 yards of gravel per load (about 4000 lbs).

1928 
The portion of Schwartz between County S and County C was approved.

1930  
The snow budget was $300.00.  In 1936, a caterpillar plow was purchased and the snow budget was $1000.00.  The tractor and grader were sold in 1950 and Oconto County plowed and graded roads from then on.

1947 
The township voted to pave County C and County S.

1952 
The first time grass and brush was cut along roads with a mower.

1958 
Safian Road was finished by bridging the Pensaukee River brining together the Northwest section of the township with the rest.

Path masters, ditch commissions, and gravel roads are now all things from the past.

Note - the information above was recorded from the CHASE history book. Much more information is included in this book which can be purchased for $10.00 from the Town Clerk.

 
St. Joseph's Church