James Huff Stout (September 25, 1848 - December 8,1910) was one of the most influential people in Menomonie. One of his biggest accomplishments was founding the Stout Manual Training School, which is now known today as University of Wisconsin-Stout --- Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University. He worked his way up to becoming a very important member in his father's business at the Knapp-Stout lumber company. He used his personal wealth acquired from working all his life to contribute to free libraries across the nation. Although Stout never completed his education, he devoted his life to education and the Menomonie community.

Credit to Emi Stuemke's English classes for beginning to collect information on Menomonie's History.