NOTE: References are to buildings on the east side of Co. C, corresponding to those plotted on the map, unless otherwise indicated. This is so as not to confuse them with the present farm on the west side of the road.
Tape 1, Side 1, Part 1 - Introduction. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 2 - Charles Massart born 1900. Estimates house built ca. 1890. House still in Massart family today. His mother (a DeViller) born across the road (west). Tape 1, Side 1, Part 3 - Family homesteaded in field east of existing house. Those buildings no longer standing. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 4 - Discussion of small opening in east side of house. Used to ventilate and light pantry. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 5 - The two different colors of brick for decoration only. Hauled by horse from DePere. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 6 - Two paintings of farm (copies in collection) done by traveling artist, ca. 1935. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 7 - Old machine shed no longer standing. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 8 - Present barn. Mr. Charles Massart built the barn; the southern section in 1912, the northern in 1908. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 9 - Silo. None existed before present one. There is a well inside the milk house, used for cattle and hauled to the house. The well by the windmill used to water the cattle outside. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 10 - Granary. Charles Massart helped build it in ca. 1925. The floor made of gravel from a pit 4 miles south of the farm. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 11 - Old log building. Prior to 1900. Originally a milking barn and horse barn. Later used for pigs and chickens. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 12 - Windmill. Built, ca. 1907. Never used for power. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 13 - Summer Kitchen. 1902. "Bread oven" on south end. Explains its use; Cedar split for rapid heat. No actual flame when bread was baked. Wood stove was in north end of kitchen. Limestone came from their field. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 14 - Land. Explains acquisition of "40's"--now have 140, plus 80 acres and more in the Town of Brussels. The present farm across the road was built around 1928-30. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 15 - Mr. Massart's young adult life. He and his wife lived with his parents after their marriage. He worked in Casco. Built present farm (west of road) for he and his wife. Painting (a copy is in the collection) shows "how it was" when they moved in. Barn across the road burned down ca. 5 years after it was built. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 16 - Raising bee for new barn (the one on the map). Tape 1, Side 1, Part 17 - Land inheritance. He received it from his parents at "one-third" its value. Parents remained in old house. Names his brothers and sisters; how he came to stay on farm ( See Bond of support in file). Tape 1, Side 1, Part 18 - Chapel. Estimates from ca. 1880, oldest building on farm. To St. Christopher, saint of lightening. Once used in processions. No present relationship to the Church. Stones from their land; it was built by a neighbor who was a mason, John Harrison. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 19 - Land inheritance. His children. Youngest son, Joe Massart, has farm now. Tells how this decision made. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 20 - Old log barn ( no longer standing). Grain barn and storage. Was located on east side of standing log building. Has Dutch doors; explains their purpose. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 21 - Hauled water for house. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 22 - Heating. Now own 80-acres of woodland. Obtained firewood form their own land. House first had box heater with a register upstairs and a woodstove in the kitchen. Later, they got an oil stove. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 23 - Beer once made in house basement. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 24 - Gardens. Located on west side of house and summer kitchen. Grew same crops as today; he lists these. Apple orchard on south side of house for own use. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 25 - Cash crops. Dry peas and wheat. Hauled to DePere. Hauled hay across ice. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 26 - Milking cows; had 20. First milking machine ca. 1914, run by gas motor. First electricity 1920. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 27 - Pigs. Kept in log building; seperate from horses and cows because of odor. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 28 - Hired hands. He and his brother each had one; payment 50 cents/day plus room and board. In 1930, each also had 4 horses. His parents had hired girl to help around house. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 29 - Women's roles. Worked in fields; made hay, grain shocks; picked stones. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 30 - Wintertime activities; milked, gathered firewood. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 31 - Explains why did no fishing; located too far from water. Tape 1, Side 1, Part 32 - Religion. Belongs to St. Hubert's Church. Attended mass in Misere occasionally. Prayed in chapel as child; people also stopped by to pray there. Tape 1, Side 2, Part 1 - House Basement. Used for storage, contained cistern. Tape 1, Side 2, Part 2 - House roof wood shingle underneath. Once shingles were made on the farm; later bought at "Baird's Dock" near Duvall. Tin roof put on ca. 1918. Tape 1, Side 2, Part 3 - Summer kitchen used until 1932. In wintertime butchered hogs there. Salted pork, sometimes froze beef outside. Tape 1, Side 2, Part 4 - Chickens. Most recent chicken coop attached to granary. Sold a "few egges" at Ruben's in Rosiere. Made butter for own use. Tape 1, Side 2, Part 5 - Rosiere. Once consisted of Rubens' tavern and store, church, and cheese factory. Later, included a hatchery, feed mill and blacksmith shop. The latter was located at site of Mr. Massart's present home. Tape 1, Side 2, Part 6 - Present lifestyle. His move to town. Relationship with son running farm. Discusses recent church picnic. Tape 1, Side 2, Part 7 - Work experience in Casco. Wife never "worked out." Tape 1, Side 2, Part 8 - Old machine shed. Removed because road being built. Tape 1, Side 2, Part 9 - Boards of present barn cut from wood in swamp. Brought saw on premises. Tape 1, Side 2, Part 10 - First tractor 1930. Tape 1, Side 2, Part 11 - Architecture. Logs of house squared off in order to put bricks on; "hewing" with a broad axe. The few logs which aren't cedar have rotted.
Material owned by University of Wisconsin - Green Bay. No reproduction without permission from the Special Collections Department Cofrin Library, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, 2420 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay WI 54311