OCONTO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – In Oconto, military history is front and center this weekend, as a grateful nation remembers those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Those from Oconto County with military service are the focus of the Oconto County Historical Society’s newest display at the Beyer Home & Carriage Museum.
Items date back to before the Civil War.
Artifacts and pictures help tell the stories of military members.
“Company C, from Oconto fought along with other companies from Northeast Wisconsin in WWII and then New Guinea, some of the most difficult and the harshest campaign in American History, where we lost seven men from Oconto,” said David Retzlaff, who led the charge in completing new display.
The story of Samuel Johnston is one of many on display.
He fought in a few wars pre-civil war, before coming to Northeast Wisconsin.
Johnston reenlisted once the Civil War began, where he served as a drill sergeant that included training soldiers from Oconto.
He was also on-duty in Washington, D.C. the day of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination.
Descendants of Johnston, including his 93-year-old great-great-great granddaughter, Janet Larson, came from Michigan and Utah to learn about some of the historical society’s findings.
“It’s been a real pleasure, and a real honor to be here to be able to honor him and what he did for our country,” said Larson.
“He is just a name on my family tree, and when you come here it’s a real person and a real life and the contribution he made. It’s just, it’s grace to see,” said Connie Seidl.
Work on the display began back in December.
For Reztlaff, seeing the reaction from the soldier’s family members is priceless.
“As I listen to them, they’re getting emotional, which brings emotions to all of us here who have worked hard to set up this display,” said Retzlaff.
After months of hard work, the historical society hopes more people will be inspired to learn about the contributions people from this county made to the United States.
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