History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 101

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1922
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1767

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 101

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Burre Larson, pioneer, was born in Norway, and was there reared, educated and married. He brought his family to America in 1866, and located in Coon Prairie Township, Vernon County, this state. Two years later he came to Barron County, then practically a wilderness, and took a homestead of 160 acres in Stanley Township, which he cleared and developed, and where he farmed for the remainder of his days. His wife, Jennie, died in 1913. They were the parents of five children: Louis Boreson, of Rice Lake; Christ B., of Rice Lake; Minnie, wife of John Larson, of Cameron; Ole (deceased), and Sophia, wife of Christ Satter, of Canton.

Christ B. Larson, Rice Lake, retired, was born in Norway, Jan. 17, 1849, son of Burre and Jennie Larson, who brought him to Coon Prairie Township, Vernon County, Wis., in 1866. In 1870 he with his father came to Barron County, each taking a homestead. Christ remained here and worked for

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Knapp, Stout & Co. In 1871 his father came back, bringing the rest of the family with him. Christ's homestead was a tract of wild brush prairie. He cleared it, erected buildings and fences, purchased stock and equipment, and successfully carried on general farming for some twenty years. Then he bought 120 acres in Barron Township. This was likewise wild, and as before he proceded to develop a good place, remodelling the small log house he found on the place, and erecting barns and out buildings. There he farmed until 1907, when he moved to Rice Lake City, and purchased his present place at 223 Noble avenue. While in Barron Township, he served as assessor a year. Mr. Larson was married Jan. 4, 1875, to Anna Bren, who was born in Nor- way, June 8, 1858, daughter of Simon and Paulina Bren. Mrs. Larson was the oldest of five children. Christina is now Mrs. Carl Olson, of Sumner Township; Jennie is now Mrs. Martin Flifelt, of Oregon; Peter lives in Wash- ington state; and Clara, who married William Locke, lives in Canton. The family faith is that of the Free Mission Church

Mathies Lunde, who is living a retired life in Rice Lake, after a success- ful career for many years as a farmer, was born in Lillehammer, Norway, April 7, 1853, son of Ole and Ingeborg (Lunde) Knudtrude, taking his sur- name from the family name of his mother. The father died at the age of 77 in Norway, and the mother at the age of 79 years. In the family there were eight children, Hans, Lars, Iver (deceased), Peter, Mathies, Karen (deceased), Ludwig and Julius. Mathies Lunde received his early education in the public schools of his native land, and as a young man learned the moulder's trade in his father's factory. With this preparation he came to America in 1879, and located at Rice Lake, where he became employed in the blacksmith shop of the Knapp, Stout & Co. In 1885 he determined to take up farming, and with this object in view, he purchased 80 acres in Section 35, Chetek Township. This land was all wild. He built a log house and log barn, he cleared and grubbed most of the land, and here he successfully farmed for fifteen years. He was well regarded by his neighbors, and a leader among them, and was honored with several public offices. He did good work as pathmaster, and was also a valued member of the school board. After selling his farm in 1900, he took his family on a three months' trip to his native land. Upon his return he bought 40 acres in Section 31, Rice Lake Township, where he continued farming for fourteen years. In 1914 he re- tired and moved to Rice Lake, where he has a pleasant modern home at 20 Reuter avenue. Mr. Lunde was married Feb. 28, 1879, in Norway, to Randine Bakstad, born at Aamot, Osterdalen, Norway, May 12, 1857, daughter of Ole and Elizabeth (Larson) Bakstad, both of whom died in Norway, the father at the age of sixty-one years, and the mother at the age of forty. In the family there were five children: Ole, Christian, Ludwig, Randine and Soren. Mr. and Mrs. Lunde have had four children. Odie was born Dec. 20, 1879, lives at home with her parents, and is a skilled modiste. Eline died at fourteen years, and two Ingeborgs died in infancy. The family attends the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Henry Soberg, a well known and prosperous farmer of Section 25, west, Dovre Township, is one of the careful, hard working men of the community, and has by industry and hard work built up a good place, which is as good as any to be found in the neighborhood, and of which he may well be proud. He was born in Norway, Dec. 23, 1867, the son of Peter and Carrie Soberg. He attended school in his native country, and was but fifteen, when in 1882, he came to America. For a time he worked for Knapp, Stout & Co. in their mill at Menomonie. He also worked in the logging woods in the winter, spending in all, fifteen seasons in that line of work. In 1902 he purchased his present place of 160 acres. A log cabin had been built and a few acres cleared, but most of the land was covered with brush and stumps. After he was located, he bought a team of horses and a cow, and thus started farming. The results that he has since achieved have been due to his hard work, his

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HENRY SOBERG AND FAMILY

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energy, his frugality, and his unswerving integrity. Mr. Soberg was married at Eau Claire on March 23, 1902, to Inga Anderson, born in Sand Creek, in Dunn County, Jan. 6, 1872, the daughter of Gregers and Helen Anderson, early settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Soberg have four children : Helma, Pearl, Gilman and Hilda.

Martin J. Engebretson, a representative farmer of Section 36, east, Dovre Township, was born in a log cabin on a pioneer farm in Auburn Township, Chippewa County, this state, May 8, 1875, the son of Lars and Mary (Oleson) Engebretson. These good people were born in Norway, came to America as young folks, were married in Wisconsin, and settled in Auburn Township, Chippewa county. At first they lived in a log cabin, and early church serv- ices were held in their home. The father was a prominent man and for some time served on the school board. Martin J. was the third of eight children. He was reared on the home farm and attended school in a log schoolhouse in the neighborhood. At the age of fourteen he started to work on neighboring farms. As a young man he engaged in the produce business at New Auburn, and was in that line there for fifteen years. He was successful, he built up a good trade, became well known throughout the vicinity, and had the absolute confidence of all with whom he had dealings. His thoughts during this period continually turned to farming, and in 1910 he purchased his present tract of 100 acres. A house had been built, and an old log barn. Mr. Engebretson has renovated the house, and has built a barn, 34 by 60 feet, with full cement basement, and good equipment. He has also put up sheds and other buildings. He has a well developed place, and carries on general farming and dairying, making a specialty of Red Poll cattle and Percheron horses. He is a director in the Co-operative Creamery and in the Co-oper- ative Store at New Auburn. He is a man of considerable influence, his opinions are regarded with respect, and he is well along the road to success. Mr. Engebretson was married at New Auburn, June 15, 1910, to Grace Buck, who was born in Hartford, S. D., on April 8, 1890, the daughter of Edwin and Millie Buck. This union has been blessed with two children: Eldred and Duard. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Andrew Wold, for nearly thirty years a prominent and successful citizen of Trempealeau County, in this state, and now an estimable resident on Sec- tion 36, Dovre Township, this county, was born in Christiania, Norway, Jan. 1, 1859, the son of Andrew Larson and Karn Wold, and was there reared and educated. In 1881, at the age of twenty-two, he came to the United States, and started work on a farm in Rock County, this state, near Beloit, where he arrived with practically nothing. There he worked for two years and there he was married. In 1883 he went to La Crosse County, and there stayed a year, going from there in 1884 to Trempealeau County, where he located in Etrick Township, near Blair. That vicinity had been settled for some thirty years, and was well populated, and Blair was a good-sized village, but the particular forty acres upon which Mr. Wood settled was practically all wild. In time he developed it into a good place, and added more land. He put up a good set of buildings, and there carried on general farming about twenty- eight years. During his early period in this state Mr. Wold worked in the woods nine winters, and was west threshing 19 falls. For seven springs he worked on the Mississippi river and for two years as a fireman in the lumber mills at La Crosse. In 1912 he sold his farm near Blair and came to Barron County, where he bought 120 acres in Barron Township, three miles north of the village. This was wild, the only building standing on it being a schoolhouse, and less than three acres being broken. He put up a good house at a cost of $4,000, suitable barns, and broke some of the land. In 1919 he came to his present place of 160 acres. He has a good house, two sub- stantial barns, 42 by 26, and 60 by 36 feet; a silo, 36 by 16 feet, and other suitable buildings. Here he successfully carries on general farming and stock breeding. His cattle are of the Holstein breed. Since coming here,

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Mr. Wold has taken his share in the general affairs of the community, and he is regarded as an upright and useful man. For some years he has been one of the officers of the Norwegian Lutheran Church at Barron, Wis. He is a stockholder in the Barron Creamery Co. Mr. Wold was married, May 17, 1882, at Oxfordville, Rock County, this state, to Mary Ingeborg, who was born in Norway, July 2, 1860, and came to this country alone in 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Wold have five children: Clara, John, Albert, Isaac and Edwin. Clara is the wife of Bert Dalhol of Barron County. John is a farmer in Barron Township. Albert is working in Barron. Isaac and Edwin are on the home farm, and own an interest in it. Both are good farmers and hard workers, and both are popular among the young people of the community.

James Quinn, a progressive farmer of Section 8, Doyle Township, was born at Schleswig, Manitowoc County, Wis., Jan. 6, 1870, the son of Joseph and Johanna (Dowd) Quinn, natives of Ireland, who came to America in 1845, and located at Manitowoc, Wis., both being now dead. He received a common school education, and farmed for a while with his father. As a young man he worked six years for the well-known lumber company of Knapp, Stout & Co. at Rice Lake. In 1894 he purchased 80 acres of wild timber land in Section 8, Doyle Township. There he built a log house and barn, and started to clear up the land. Then he brought his bride to the place, and started home making. By hard work and industrious application, he has built up a good farm. In 1910, his prosperity was sufficiently advanced to warrant his erecting a suitable set of buildings, consisting of a pleasant house, com- modious barn, and other suitable structures. He has adequate equipment, and successfully carries on general farming and dairying. He sells his cream to the Central Butter & Cheese Association of Doyle Township, in which he is a stockholder. Mr. Quinn takes much pride in keeping up his place and he has already got a good start in life. He believes in doing his share in every effort which is for the good of the community, and he is a good and useful citizen in every respect. Fraternally he is a popular member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. Mr. Quinn was married in Doyle Township, April 20, 1896, to Maryann Nalley, born in Cedar Lake Township, now Doyle, on Dec. 8, 1880, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy Nalley. The father is now farming at Medon, S. D., and the mother, whose family name was Harris, is dead. Mr. and Mrs. Quinn have nine children: Mary L., born Dec. 7, 1898, now the wife of Philip Matton, of Barron County; Alice R., born Jan. 4, 1900, who is a proficient teacher; Anna E., born April 15, 1902; Edward J., born March 4, 1905; Hazel N., born Dec. 2, 1907; Grace L., born March 30, 1912; Helen C., born Aug. 17, 1914, and Verna C., born Dec. 30, 1916. The family faith is that of the Catholic Church.

George H. McFarlane, an early settler in Cedar Lake Township, Barron County, now long since deceased, was born in New Brunswick, Canada, April 20, 1840, the son of John and Martha (Sharp) McFarlane, who were farming people, and who were both born in that Province. The subject of this sketch received a common school education, and worked with his father until after attaining his majority. In 1863, he came to the United States, and located in Wisconsin, making his headquarters at Eau Claire, and working in the lumber camps in the winter time and in the sawmills in the summer time. In 1873 he filed on a homestead of 160 acres near Eau Claire, but did not prove up on it. It was in 1874 that he came to Barron County, and secured 160 acres of timber land in Cedar Lake Township. Here he cleared about a half an acre in the woods, and put up a log house and a log barn. For a few years they endured many privations. The country was at that time but sparsely settled. Rice Lake was but just emerging from a lumber camp into a small hamlet. The routes of travel were mostly the "tote" roads of the lumber companies. Money was scarce. It was still uncertain whether farming would ever be successful here. But he had courage and he had faith in the future. So he plowed his little garden plot with a grub hoe, while he dreamed of the

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fertile fields that were yet to be. He worked hard, took cheerfully what life brought him, did his duty in every way, and was getting a good start when death overtook him, Nov. 6, 1884. He was a faithful husband, an affectionate father, a good neighbor and a loyal friend, and his memory is still fresh in the hearts and minds of those who loved and respected him. In 1886, his wife sold the farm, and purchased 40 acres of partly improved land in Section 4, Doyle Township, where she still lives. Mr. McFarlane was married Dec. 9, 1863, in New Brunswick, Canada, to Jane Brackett, born there Feb. 13, 1840, daughter of Daniel and Mary (Connell) Brackett, the former a native of Portland, Me., and the latter of Ireland. Daniel Brackett was a veteran of the war of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. McFarlane had eight children : James B., Daniel D., William John, George T., Earl A., Arthur E., Soloman B., and Helen B. James B. was born Feb. 14, 1865, and lives at Rice Lake. He married Helen N. Hathaway, and they have five children, namely: Keith V., born Feb. 7, 1888; Ellen B., born Nov. 7, 1889, died Dec. 11, 1889; Jennie G., born Sept. 11, 1896; Howard J., born Dec. 28, 1898, and Faith H., born June 25, 1902. Daniel D. and William John, twins, were born July 14, 1868. Daniel D. lives in the state of Washington. He was married March 21, 1894, to Cara L. Brunson, and they have four children : Gordon L., born Oct. 5, 1898; Helen I., born Oct. 10, 1900; Burmah E., born Jan. 6, 1903, and Veda M., born in 1905. William John lives in the State of Washington. He was married Aug. 19, 1895, to Susie M. Reitz, and they have four children: Irene C., born July 9, 1897; Douglas W., born July 19, 1901; Celista A., born May 17, 1903, and Margaret P., born Nov. 1, 1904. George T. was born Jan. 9, 1870. He was married Dec. 23, 1901, to Angie Smith, and they have two children: Ellen, Born Sept. 30, 1902, and Reginald, born in 1900. Earl A. was born May 4, 1877, and lives at Rice Lake. He was married Dec. 24, 1902, to Lottie Hurd, and they have two children : Blanche D., born Oct. 4, 1903, and John A., born in 1905. Arthur E. was born March 24, 1879, and lives at Minneapolis. He was married Aug. 7, 1903, to Lottie Skinner, and they have a son, Van E., born July 9, 1904. Solo- man B. died in 1884, at the age of one year and nine months. Helen B. died in 1887 at the age of eleven months and nine days.

Gilbert J. Mireau, a leading farmer of Doyle Township, was born in Oak Grove Township, March 1, 1871, the son of Aristide and Sarah (La Brie) Mireau. The father, who was known as Aristide Mero, was one of the best liked citizens of the county, and after an active life as a pioneer, public official and farmer, died at Rice Lake July 21, 1921. The mother is a member of the first family to settle in Oak Grove Township. In the home of these good people, the subject of this sketch was reared to sturdy boyhood. He attended the dis- trict school in the neighborhood and learned farming from his father. In 1895 he started farming for himself in Doyle Township. In 1900 he purchased 120 acres in Section 19, the same township. The place had been partly improved. These improvements he has continued, and in 1910 did some extensive building, including the erection of a good frame house, a granary, chicken house, and machine sheds. He has a well tilled farm, well fenced and well stocked, and successfully carries on general farming and dairying. In his herd are nine full-blooded Durham cattle and a full-blooded Durham sire. He is a stock- holder in the Equity Exchange at Campia. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of the World, and of the Domestic Workers of the World. He has naturally taken the deepest interest in the growth and development of the county which the members of his family assisted in settling, and he has done his share as a good citizen in everything that has been for the good of the neighborhood. He is well liked by his associates, and is already well along the road to success. For the past twelve years he has served as school treasurer and he is also vice-president of the Equity Exchange at Campia. Mr. Mireau was married at Dobie, in this county, July 15, 1895, to Angeline Ammans, who was born in Stanfold Township on Oct. 11, 1879, the daughter of Charles and Emily (Peltier) Ammans, the former of whom died Dec. 25, 1920, and the lat-

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ter, May 21, 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Mireau have seven children: Philomene was born March 21, 1896; Aristide C. was born Feb. 6, 1898; Grace M. was born Dec. 18, 1899; Raymond A. was born June 17, 1901; Louise L. was born April 13, 1903; Elsie A. was born Jan. 25, 1910; and Orvel Harry was born June 25, 1917, and died the same day. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church.

Charles H. Roark, an energetic farmer of Section 3, Doyle Township, was born in Hamilton Township, Lee County, Illinois, Oct. 12, 1890, the son of Henry and Ella (McKeel) Roark, who are now living in Illinois, where they are estimable and reputable citizens. He received a good common school edu- cation and learned farming from his father. For a while he worked on the railroad, but most of his youth was devoted to farming. In 1920 he purchased his present place of 160 acres. It is a well improved farm, with good buildings and equipment. Here Mr. Roark is successfully farming and laying the foun- dations for a successful future. He has a good grade of cattle, headed by a full-blooded Holstein sire. His cream is sold at the Central Cheese and But- ter Association factory in Doyle Township, in which he is a stockholder. Mr. Roark is prominent in the social affairs of the neighborhood, and he and his wife delight in keeping open house to their friends. He was married Dec. 12, 1910, in Illinois, to Anna Coughran, who was born in Whiteside County, Illi- nois, Oct. 25, 1898, the daughter of James and Margaret (Durr) Coughran, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Roark have two children: Margaret E., born Oct. 12, 1911, and Charlotte A., born Oct. 20, 1917.

Ralph J. Skoda, an energetic young farmer of Section 15, Doyle Township, was born in Box Butte County, Nebr., the son of Julius and Francis (Krats- chail) Skoda, natives of Bohemia, the former of whom is dead, and the latter of whom still lives in Nebraska. Ralph J. was educated in the common schools and as a youth learned the brick mason's trade. In 1913 he went to Vienna, S. D., and worked at his trade there. He came to Doyle Township and bought his present place of forty acres in 1919. It was then wild cut-over land. He has built a frame house and barn, and is getting well started. Mr. Skoda was married in 1911 at Schuyler, Colfax County, Nebr., to Julia Holada, daughter of Joseph and Bertha (Wobat) Holada, natives of Bohemia, both of whom now live in Vienna, S. D., where they are farming. Mr. and Mrs. Skoda have one daughter, Bernice Helen, born at Creston, Nebraska, March 15, 1912. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church.

Ole Anderson, now deceased, was for many years one of the substantial men of the community. His ambition was to build up a good home and a good farm, and in this he succeeded so well that his stone house will remain a landmark in Dovre Township for many years to come. He was born in Norway, April 22, 1840, his parents being Andreas and Martha, and he was there reared and educated. In 1869 he came to America; on Jan. 20, 1874, at Eau Claire, Wis., was married to Bertha Anderson, daughter of Anders and Inga Anderson. She was born Oct. 7, 1835. Soon after his marriage, or in February, 1874, Mr. Anderson secured 160 acres of wild land in Section 35. west, Dovre Township. There he built a log house, 16 by 24 feet, and by hard work started to develop a farm. For some years he used an ox team. He brought provisions from the trading points afoot. Gradually prosperity crowned his efforts. In 1902.he built a good barn, and in 1909 added a silo. It was in 1907 that he put up the substantial stone house which now ornaments the place. He was active in the affairs of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, and was one of the trustees of the congregation at Sand Creek, Dunn County. He died Dec. 8, 1920, and his wife on Jan. 30, 1917. There were two children: Albert Martin, a farmer of Dovre Township, and Andrea, the wife of Carl Albert Olson, who lives on the home farm.

Carl Albert Olson, a careful and prudent farmer of Section 35, west, Dovre Township, was born in Sweden, March 28, 1879, and was there educated, re- ceiving his home training on a farm. He came to America in 1893, and for

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three years worked in Canada. In 1896 he located at Duluth, and subsequently worked in various places in Minnesota until 1917. Then he came to Barron County. He operates the Ole Anderson farm, owned by his wife, and has been successful in his endeavors. He is enterprising and progressive, and stands well with all who know him. Mr. Olson was married Dec. 9, 1916, to Andrea Anderson, born on this place, Feb. 10, 1881, the daughter of Ole and Bertha Anderson, native of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson had one child, Mandell Orrin, born Nov. 28, 1919, who died Jan. 28, 1921. Mr. and Mrs. Olson take their part in the social affairs of the community and delight in extending the hospitality of their home to their numerous friends.

Porter P. Goodenough, pioneer woodsman, now living retired in Village of Exeland, has been identified with the lumbering interests of this region for some forty years, and has seen the growth and decline of that industry here, in all its aspects. He has also seen much of the inception, growth and devel- opment of the farming industry in this vicinity. He was born on a farm near Neota, in Dodge County, this state, June 28, 1853, son of Benjamin and Cath- erine (Rich) Goodenough, both natives of the Mohawk River region in Penn- sylvania, and both descended from good old American families. He was reared to farm work, and in 1871, brought his bride to Chippewa County, and located in Bloomer Township. Chippewa County was then undeveloped, times were hard, provisions were scarce. Often he had to cart supplies on his back from far away trading points, through the woods. At once, upon his arrival here, he became identified with the lumbering industry, working in the woods in the winter and on the river drives in the spring. His adventures, if recorded, would constitute a volume of the deepest interest to the present generation. He saw the picturesque days of the logging camps, where life was lived in the rough, where not only a man's standing among his fellow men, and his liveli- hood, but often his very bodily safety and life, depended on his strength of body, his quick judgment, and cool conduct. He has seen the crews go into the pathless woods, build their camps, live through the winter amid the crudest conditions, isolated from civilization, cut down the trees, and move on, leav- ing instead of the virgin forest, a waste of stumps and brush. He has seen the logs floated down the streams to the mills, he has seen the log jams, he has seen lives snuffed out in the treacherous waters, under the logs, and has him- self had many narrow escapes when the slightest misstep meant injury and even death. When the industry in this region began to wane, he gave up log- ging and settled down to farm work on a place in Section 28, Township 33, Rusk County, in the Bear Lake region. This was 1899. He built up a good farm, and was successful in his operations. After his wife died in 1920, he re- tired, and now lives with his daughter in the Village of Exeland. He is a man of unusual vigor and health, he keeps abreast of modern thought and progress, and he is respected by all who know him. A genial companion, he has many interesting stories to tell of the early days, and he is admired by those of his own generation and beloved by all the children. Mr. Goodenough was mar- ried at Black River Falls on June 28, 1871, to Carrie Calkins, who was born at Morton on Feb. 7, 1856, the daughter of Weldon and Olive Calkins. She died March 30, 1920. In the family there are three children: Edmond Ray, of Bar- ron County; John Wesley, of Rush County; and Olive Jessie, the wife of Wil- liam Baldridge, of Exeland, Wis.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 101

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1767

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1922
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1767