Wilson Shannon Ackley (W.S.) the Son-in-law of James Bishop, who was one of the earliest Settlers of what is now Sawyer county, was born in Antioch, Monroe county, Ohio, Nov. 17, 1842. He served for a time in the late civil war. Came out of the army in 1865 and moved to Minnesota the following year.

Drove stage from Clear Water to Forest City for two years and then moved to Minneapolis. Was married there in 1871 to Caroline Bishop.

In 1873 he moved to Wisconsin and located on the S. E. Sec. 23-39-6 (now the Louis Larson place) and lived there until the spring of 1887 when he moved to Chippewa Falls where he now resides.

Some ot the difficulties of getting into this part of the ih country at that time is clearly illustrated by Mr. Ackley’s experience. He brought his wife and oldest chiid from Minneapolis to the Chippewa river in a covered wagon-opening up his own road ashe went.

Forded the Chippewa during a snow storm. His horses and the four wheels of his wagon readily crossed but Mr. Ackley was left in the middle of the stream and successfully prevented the rest of the outfit from floating down the river until some woodsmen who were at work near by came to his rescue.

Mrs. Ackley and her mother, Mrs. James Bishop, were the first two white women to settle on the Chippewa river within the territory now included in Sawyer county.

Mr. Ackley claims the honor of employing the first teacher for this part of the county. In 1882 he went to Chippewa Falls and engaged Mary Ann Wall to teach for three months.

The school was held in the residence of James Bishop N. E. 1/4 Sec. 23-39-6 and the town of Flambeau, Chippewa county, paid the teacher.

After the town of Hayward was organized Ada M. Gillette was employed to teach this school. The first three terms by Miss Gillette were taught in the Ackley residence.

About this time the school house was erected on lot 5, Sec. 23-39-6. When Miss Gillette made her second trip from Hayward to teach this school the road had not been opened from the Manwaring place to the Ackley residence and Mr. Ackley took Miss Gillette down the river in a dug out.

When Mr. Ackley came to this county the road up to the Chippewa from Chippewa Falls was open only to Beasy, or Big Bend.

Mr. Ackley is the father of seven children— James W., Roland B., Wilson E., Lulu Mae, Ada Maud, Roy Shanon and Duncan Ray. His daughter, Lulu Mae, married Angus Cameron and lives at Chippewa Falls.

Mr. Ackley was treasurer of school district No. 3 while the town of Hayward was under the district system. He served on the board of school directors for two years being élected to. that position from sub-district No. 3 in ’85 and ’86, and during the first year he was vice president of the board.