John Smith & Patrick McPhillips homes - Contributed by Susan Eberle
This is the old log home that John and Susan Smith lived in Bear Creek before "the big move west." It is located near Sandusky, Bear Creek, Sauk County, Wisconsin. (click on photo to enlarge)
Patrick McPhillips bought the log home and farm from John and Susan Smith before they left for South Dakota.
Pictured above: (L-R), Mayme, Rose, Susan, Genevieve, Leo, and Patrick McPhillips. Click on photo below to see genealogical information, etc. located on the back of the photo (1902).
The McPhillips & Smith families
As we began to research our family's history, there were many questions we had about our family's history in Wisconsin. One was simply where did they live but more importantly what was life like.
Earlier we reported that the young Smith family made their home in Franklin township, but the photo on the left indicates that their farm was actually further north. Perhaps the newlyweds lived near Plain, Wisconsin, and at some point, made their way to Sandusky, an area that is probably 8-10 miles from Franklin Township. As for the second question "what was life like", the answer has been maintained by the McPhillips family. As this note from Susan Eberle notes, "My mom always said they were so poor when they lived here."
Above is the second home of Patrick McPhillips. This farm was located in Big Hollow, which is a few miles north of Spring Green, Wisconsin. Susan Eberle, who provided these photos, mentioned that her mother grew up in this home. Patrick took over the farm and land in Big Hollow from her Norwegian great-great grandparents, the Knudsons. The Knudsons built the home, and it was considered a "step up for the McPhillips." (click on photo to enlarge)
