Lind, Wisconsin

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 36.1 square miles (93.5 km²), of which, 35.9 square miles (93.1 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.4 km²) of it (0.47%) is water.

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 1,381 people, 522 households, and 406 families residing in the town. The population density was 38.4 people per square mile (14.8/km²). There were 669 housing units at an average density of 18.6 per square mile (7.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.83% White, 0.07% African American, 0.58% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.87% from other races, and 0.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.30% of the population.

There were 522 households, out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.2% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.2% were non-families. 17.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $41,991, and the median income for a family was $46,094. Males had a median income of $32,452 versus $21,613 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,889. About 3.7% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.

The first settlements in the area were made in the spring of 1849, by Simon C. Dow and Colonel John W. Chandler. Dow's log house remained standing until at least 1890. The first school began education on June 5, 1851. The first permanent church (Methodist) was completed in 1865.

The Town of Lind was established on March 5, 1852, as one of the first towns in Waupaca County, along with Centerville (now Little Wolf), Dayton, Embarrass, Mukwa, Waupaca, and Weyauwega. The town was named for Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind.[3] The first town meeting was held at the house of Thomas Spencer, where the following set of first officers were elected.[4]

• Chairman: Lyman Dayton
• Supervisors: J.W. Chandler, Charles Beadleston
• Justices of the Peace: J.H. Jones, S. Warner
• Town Clerk: J.L. Rice

The town was served by 7 "one-room" schools throughout the 1800s and 1900s. However, today, students in Lind attend Waupaca High School or Weyauwega-Fremont High School. One brick school, at the intersection of County Road A and County Road EE, closed in 1960 and is currently used as the town hall and community center. A small playground and artesian well are also located on the property.

• Columbus Caldwell, Wisconsin State Representative, lived in Lind[5]
• Archibald D. Smith, Wisconsin State Representative, lived in Lind[6]