The first recorded white settler in what became Vilas County was a man named Ashman who established a trading post in Lac du Flambeau in 1818.Vilas County, WI Government Main Page Accessed January 11, 2011 Eagle River's name was derived from the abundance of eagles nesting along the river. It is believed that Bethuel Draper and "Dutch Pete" Cramer camped in the area in 1853 and were responsible for naming the community. A settlement grew as other families settled in the area in 1857. The town of Eagle River was created by an act of the state legislature in 1885. Vilas County was set off from Oneida County on April 12, 1893 and named for William Freeman Vilas, a migrant from Vermont. Vilas had served for Wisconsin in the United States Senate from 1891 to 1897.Horace Samuel Merrill. William Freeman Vilas: Doctrinaire Democrat. Madison: State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1954.Vilas County History . In the 1850s migrants from New England, primarily from Vermont and Connecticut, constructed a number of wagon roads and trails through Vilas County including the Ontonogan Mail Trail and a Military Road from Fort Howard to Fort Wilkins in Copper Harbor, Michigan.
the first recorded white settler in what became vilas county was a man named ashman who established a trading post in lac du flambeau in 1818vilas county wi government main page accessed january 11 2011 eagle river's name was derived from the abundance of eagles nesting along the river it is believed that bethuel draper and "dutch pete" cramer camped in the area in 1853 and were responsible for naming the community a settlement grew as other families settled in the area in 1857 the town of eagle river was created by an act of the state legislature in 1885 vilas county was set off from oneida county on april 12 1893 and named for william freeman vilas a migrant from vermont vilas had served for wisconsin in the united states senate from 1891 to 1897horace samuel merrill william freeman vilas doctrinaire democrat madison state historical society of wisconsin 1954vilas county history  in the 1850s migrants from new england primarily from vermont and connecticut constructed a number of wagon roads and trails through vilas county including the ontonogan mail trail and a military road from fort howard to fort wilkins in copper harbor michigan