 In 1857, Nelson Marsh from Pennsylvania settled in the area, coming with an ox team by way of Sparta and cutting a temporary road through the forest.He established a farm and tavern which served as a stagecoach stopping place on the old stage route from Neillsville to Stevens Point which was established in 1858.Marsh was the first postmaster of Maple Works, serving in that capacity until the post office was abolished in the 1890s.