History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 102

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

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Christian George Carlson, an energetic and substantial farmer of Section 16, Dovre Township, who passed away Aug. 10, 1921, was born on the place where he subsequently made his home, Feb. 14, 1881, the son of Martin and Ingrid (Stene) Carlson. He was reared here, learned farming from his father, and attended the district school in the neighborhood. From 1905 to 1912 he was in partnership with his brothers, Sigurd Alfred and Carl Joseph, in farm- ing over a section of their father's land. After the partnership was dissolved, he operated the 200 acres surrounding the old home. The place is known as the "Heide Farm", that being the name of the estate upon which the ancestors

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lived in Norway, and also the real family designation. Mr. Carlson carried on general farming and dairying. He was successful in his operations, his judg- ment was most excellent, and he occupied a position as one of the real leaders of the community. Mr. Carlson was married at his home in Dovre on Feb. 14, 1911, to Hansine Thue, who was born in Norway, May 19, 1885, and came to America alone at the age of twenty-five. This union was blessed with five chil- dren: Ingrid, Fritjof, Borghild, Signe and Gudrun.

Christ M. Pinnerud, a representative farmer of Section 21, Dovre Town- ship, was born in Norway, Dec. 4, 1850, the son of Michael and Carrie Pin- nerud. He was the third of seven children, the others in the family being Nickoline, Johannes, Olea, Hans, Martha and Johanna. The father and one of the sons, Johannes, came to America in 1869, and for a while lived in Fill- more County, Minnesota. Then they went in the fall to Decorah, Iowa, where they were joined in 1870 by the mother and the rest of the children, except Nickoline, who came the next year. In 1872, the family came to Barron County, and located on 160 acres of wild land in Section 28, Dovre Township, T. 32, R. 10. They put up a log building and moved into it. Their domestic animals consisted of a yoke of oxen and a cow, and their farm equipment was most meager. But they persevered, and in time won success. The mother died Jan. 19, 1891, and the father, March 7, 1904, she at the age of seventy-two and he at the age of eighty-four. The homestead was owned and occupied by the son, Hans, a prominent farmer, and Johannes made a home for his father in his de- clining years. Christ M. remained with his parents for a while, and in 1872 homesteaded 80 acres of wild land in Section 21, Dovre Township, T. 32, R. 10. He built a log cabin and there he and his bride started home-making. The log house and the log barn were each 16 by 20. The tables, chairs and benches were home-made. Their domestic animals consisted of the usual yoke of oxen and one cow. With this beginning they have built a good place, and are num- bered among the prosperous and substantial people of the community. They have delighted in extending hospitality to their friends and their children's friends, and their home is always open to all the neighbors. Mr. Pinnerud was married Oct. 17, 1880, to Pernille Nordsveen, who was born in Norway, Feb. 3, 1852, the daughter of Mikkel and Gunaar Nordsveen, and came to America in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Pinnerud have six children: Mina, Martin, George, Chris- tine, Peter and Carl. Mina was born Aug. 3, 1881, and is the wife of Herman S. Brown, of Glenwood City, Wis. Martin was born June 21, 1883, and died in 1912. George was born Aug. 10, 1885, and is on the home place. Christine was born Dec. 24, 1887, and is at home. Peter Magnus was born Nov. 21, 1890, and died in 1918. Carl was born April 13, 1895, and is at home. George and Carl are energetic and enterprising young men, good farmers and good citi- zens, and stand well with all who know them. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church at Dovre, in which Mr. Pinnerud has been a trus- tee. As the father of children, he is interested in education and has served on the school board 18 years.

Christian Michaelson (Leen), one of the early settlers, who located in Section 30, Dovre Township, a half century ago, was born in Norway, and there grew to manhood. He married and had three children: one son (de- ceased), Anette and Betsey. After his first wife's death he married Annette Peterson. To this union were born: Martin, deceased; Charles M., Minnie, Julius, August (deceased), Albert, Matilda (deceased), Clara and Rena. Mr. Leen brought the family to America in the middle sixties, and located on a farm in Coon Prairie, near La Crosse, Wisconsin. From there, in 1871, he came to Barron County, and located in Section 30, Dovre Township. No buildings had been erected, the land was covered with timber, and no roads had been built to it. He put up a log cabin to live in and started brushing, as all he had with him was a cow. The market was at Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, and to get flour and groceries, he walked to these places, bringing home his purchases on his back. In time he got a pair of oxen. Gradually, by hard work,

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C. M. LEEN AND FAMILY

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he built up the place, and developed a good farm. He died in December, 1894, at the age of seventy-eight, having lived to see a part of the wonderful develop- ment of the county which he had found a wilderness. His wife now lives in Rice Lake, at the good old age of eighty years.

Charles Michaelson Leen, a representative farmer of Section 7, Dovre Township, was born on a farm in Coon Prairie, near La Crosse, this state, Nov. 18, 1868, the son of Christian Michaelson Leen and Annette Peterson, who brought him to Dovre Township in 1871. He grew to boyhood amid pioneer conditions, and attended a little pioneer school, making his way there with the other children of the family, through the woods, along a trail which for their safety their father had blazed in the wilderness. As a young man he operated the home place. In 1909 he bought his present place of 103 acres, and to its development has since devoted his attention. He successfully carries on gen- eral farming, and occupies a position of respect and honor in the community. Mr. Leen was married in Dovre on April 4, 1898, to Julia Branville, who was born in Chippewa County, this state, April 22, 1874, the daughter of Martin and Gunda Branville. This union has been blessed with three daughters and one son: Gertrude, a successful teacher, and Maurine, living, and one daugh- ter and one son deceased.

Otto Carlson, a representative farmer of Section 11, Dovre Township, who for over forty years has maintained an excellent reputation here as a hard working, industrious citizen, was born in Sweden, Jan. 16, 1854, and was reared and educated there. Even as a young boy he made up his mind that he would some time come to America. At the age of twenty, in 1874, his ambition was realized. Upon his arrival, he located on Mud Creek, near Menomonie, in Dunn County, this state, and while he was getting a start and learning the language, worked on farms by the month for six years. In 1880 he came to Barron County, and located in Dovre Township, where he rented farms for several years. In 1915 he bought his present farm. Here he successfully car- ries on general farming and dairying. He is a man who stands well in the community, he believes in good roads and has done what he could to upbuild the community, while establishing his own success. For twenty-five years he was road overseer of his district, and since 1919 has been supervisor of roads for the whole township. He is a most proficient road builder, he understands high- way conditions thoroughly, and under his management the roads are being fittingly shaped. He and his son, a good farmer, a good citizen, and a progres- sive man, conduct the farm together, so the place is well looked after while he is road building. Mr. Carlson was married Nov. 9, 1880, to Lena Chris- tianson, who died May 2, 1901, leaving a son, Carl, who was born Oct. 16, 1889. Carl is one of the popular young men of the community, and a good farmer, and he helps his father with his work. The family faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran Church.

Charles Henry Roemhild, a prosperous farmer of Section 27, Prairie Farm Township, was born in a log house in Section 34, this township, March 12, 1870, the son of Carl August and Eva (Mueller) Roemhild, early settlers. He re- ceived such education as was afforded in the log schoolhouse established by his father, and learned farming on the home place. He lost his father when he was but thirteen, so his help was early needed on the farm. When he was but sixteen he started work as teamster, hauling cord wood. Thereafter he spent several seasons in logging camps. After his father's death, he and his brother, Frank, carried on the home farm together until 1900, when each bought a half of it. In 1911 he bought 120 acres of another tract, but later sold it to his son, George. Mr. and Mrs. Roemhild started home-making after their marriage with but little except strength and courage and determination. They did not even have much furniture until he had earned some money working in the woods. With such a beginning they have built up their present prosperity. Mr. Roemhild is a man of sound judgment, and is a splendid example of what a man may accomplish by hard work and close attention to business, encour-

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aged by a loyal wife and family. The farm is well tilled and well cultivated, and the buildings are in a good state of repair. The home is pleasant and comfortable, and the barn, 32 by 40 feet, built in 1897, is the first structure of its kind in this part of the county to be constructed with a full basement. In the spring of 1917, Mr. Roemhild installed the Delco lighting system, with 160- hour batteries, which furnishes light for the house, barns, outbuildings and yards. Mr. Roemhild successfully carries on general farming and dairying. He has a herd of full-blooded Jerseys and a drove of registered Poland-China swine. Busy as he has been with his farm work, and in building up his suc- cess, he has not been neglectful of his duty as a good citizen, and has done most excellent service on the school board and on the town board. Mr. Roem- hild was married Oct. 11, 1890, to Katherine Neck, who was born in Germany, Sept. 28, 1871, the daughter of John M. and Mary Neck, who came to the United States and located in Prairie Farm Township in the eighties. Mr. and Mrs. Roemhild have five children. George F. is at home. Alice is the wife of Leonard Lindermer, of Prairie Farm Township. Arthur died at the age of three years. Lena and Adrian are at home.

Martin Kurschner, now deceased, was one of the early settlers of Prairie Farm Township, and saw its development from a wilderness. He was born in Gumpelstadt, Saxe Meinungen, Germany, Nov. 5, 1839, the son of Casper and Marie Fredericka Kurschner. He was reared in his native land and in 1860 was married to Anna Kallenbach, who was born Aug. 28, 1839. There three children were born, Oswald, Chris and Valentine. In 1866 the whole family, Martin and his wife, his father and mother, and the three children, came to America, the voyage taking three weeks and aboard a sailing boat. In due time they reached Chicago, and from there found their way to Black Earth, in Dane County, this state. For three years he was employed on the railroad as a section hand. In 1869 they came to Barron County. From Black Earth, they made the trip overland to the Mississippi, and thence in a boat up the Missis- sippi to Reed's Landing, Wabasha County, Minn., on the Wisconsin point, op- posite which they were met by Christopher Kiser, a friend, who already had taken a homestead in Sheridan Township, Dunn County. He drove them here with an ox team, and took them into his home until they could get a cabin built. When they put up their cabin there was but little except woods and cut-over land in any direction. Mr. Kurschner borrowed money and bought a cow and a yoke of oxen, with which to start farming. To earn this money he went to the woods and worked in the lumber camps three years. While away he left the family in the little cabin, in a region traversed by Indians, and roamed by the animals of the wild. In after years, Mr. Kurchner enjoyed re- lating stories of the early days. He told with relish of one trip which he took with a team of oxen to the "Eighteen Mile Mill", so called, on the Menomonie River. Arriving at the river, he and his companions determined to camp for the night before fording the stream. That night there came a heavy rain, and by morning the quiet stream was a raging flood. The miller came out with a boat, fastened a rope to the oxen's horns, and piloted them across to the mill, the wagon floating behind them with the wagon box securely lashed to the body. In the early days it was difficult to haul goods in through the woods, and fur- niture, especially, was scarce, so much of the furniture which Mr. Kurschner had in his cabin he made himself. As time passed, Mr. Kurschner built up a good farm. He put up a suitable set of buildings, and added to his holdings until he owned 320 acres. After a long life of useful work, he died Jan. 2, 1919. In addition to the three children who came with the parents from Ger- many, four more, Nicholas, August, Mary and Anna, were born on the farm in Barron County. Mrs. Anna Kallenbach Kurschner died May 29, 1880. In 1881 he married Anna Specht, who was born Nov. 20, 1848, and died May 9, 1908. By this marriage two children were born, John and Louisa.

Valentine Kurschner, a respected citizen of Section 35, was born in Ger- many, May 12, 1865, the son of Martin and Anna (Kallenbach) Kurschner, who

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MR. AND MRS. MARTIN KURSCHNER VALENTINE KURSCHNER AND FAMILY

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brought him to Dane County, this state, in 1866, and to this township in 1869. He was reared here and attended the neighborhood schools. At the age of seventeen he first went into the woods. Thereafter he worked for eighteen winters in logging camps and for sixteen springs on the river drives. After his marriage in 1894, he purchased 80 acres owned by his father in Section 35. This was all wild land covered with heavy timber. He cleared up the land, erected buildings, and has developed a good farm. He carries on general farm- ing and dairying, and has a good herd of Holstein cattle, some good swine, and graded Belgian horses. As the father of children, he is interested in educa- tion, and has served for some nine years as a member of the school board. He stands well with all who know him and is well liked throughout the com- munity. Mr. Kurschner was married March 31, 1894, to Anna Mary Christine Ranft, who was born in Saxony, Germany, June 22, 1873, daughter of David and Louisa (Zapf) Ranft, who brought her to this country when she was ten years old, and settled in Dunn County, this state, where they located on wild land, erected a log cabin, and in time developed a good farm. The father died Aug. 8, 1904, and the mother, June 28, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Kurschner have had seven children: Edna, the wife of William Hammer, of Turtle Lake; Blanche, May; Florence, who taught for a while and was married Sept. 12, 1921, to Roy Schlough, of Sheridan Township, Dunn County; Helen, Clarence; and Eldora, the wife of Joseph Eliason, of Ridgeland, Dunn .County.

Henry John Hellendrung, a substantial farmer of Section 27, Prairie Farm Township, was born in Germany, April 4, 1862, the son of Charles and Yetta (Minelard) Hellendrung. These good people had three children, born in Ger- many, Henry, Herman and Gusta. Of this family, Henry was the first to come to the United States. He arrived in 1883 and entered the employ of the Knapp, Stout & Co. at Menomonie, in Dunn County, this state, working for them in the mills there, in the woods northward, and on the Washburn farm in Sheridan Township, Dunn County. In 1885 Herman joined him. About 1885, the par- ents and Gusta came. For several years the subject of this sketch was vari- ously employed in this region. In 1892, he bought 120 acres of land from Chris. Kurschner, in Section 27, Prairie Farm Township. An old log shack stood on the place, 12 by 14 feet, and into this he moved his family. About ten acres had been cleared. Mr. Hellendrung started farming with a cow and a few implements. In the house, his wife had only the most meager household equipment. For a time it was hard to get along. In order to get a little money for immediate necessities he continued to work in the woods winters, leaving his family alone in the dreary cabin, often cut off from communication with the neighbors for weeks at a time. Thus the family worked together, each taking a proper share of the burdens, and in time their hard work, their never-failing good cheer, and their intelligent efforts, met with success. Mr. Hellendrung now has a well-improved place, with a modern home, and commodious barn, and other suitable farm buildings. The land is well cleared and well tilled, and is being conducted on a profitable basis. Mr. Hellendrung has believed in going his own way in life, quietly and efficiently, attending to his own affairs, and he is held in high esteem for what he has accomplished and for his sterling worth. He was married on May 16, 1890, to Augusta Kisier, who was born in Sheridan Township, Dunn County, this state, on Jan. 28, 1872, the daughter of Chris and Caroline Kisier, now deceased, early settlers of Dunn County, where they farmed for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Hellendrung have had nine children: Walter, who is at home; Ernest, who lives in Menomonie; Valentine, who is at home; Tena, who is the wife of John Kurschner, of Prairie Farm Township; Vernie, who is the wife of Louis Kurschner, Prairie Farm Town- ship; Ella, Mary, Mollie and Alma. The family faith is that of the Evangelical Church.

Hugo O. Gould, a prosperous and energetic farmer of Section 7, Prairie Farm Township, was born in Kingsbury, Kingsbury County, South Dakota, on Dec. 15, 1893, the son of Joshua Franklin and Anna (Bergman) Gould. He at-

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tended school in his native state for a while and also in Barron Township, this county, where he was brought when he was fourteen. He was reared to farm pursuits and grew to manhood in this county. He now successfully carries on general farming and dairying and is already getting a good start in life. He was married in Arland Township, April 6, 1914, to Olivia Yndestad, who was born on the farm where they now live, June 28, 1893, the daughter of Abram K. and Anna (Andrewsdatter) Yndestad. Mr. and Mrs. Gould have four bright children: Orlando, Roy, Lyle and Harold, a fine quartet of lively boys.

Abram K. Yndestad, a respected citizen, now living in retirement in Prairie Farm Township, was born about ten miles north of Bergen, Norway, Sept. 4, 1847, the son of Caston and Kari Yndestad, who spent the span of their years in that country. He was reared on the home farm and attended school. In 1886 he came to America, and joined a cousin, Andrew Johnson, who had already settled in Prairie Farm Township, this county. Here he worked on farms for six years and this earned the money to send to Norway for his wife and seven of his children. In 1888 he secured 80 acres in Section 7, Prairie Farm Township, and to this later added 40 acres more. When he purchased the land it was all wild. For a while he found it hard to get along. But he had strength and courage and ambition, and he had his good wife and children to help him. The second year he got a pair of horses and two cows, and after that the work of developing the place went along faster. In time he built up a good farm, with a suitable set of buildings, and well-tilled land. He here suc- cessfully carried on general farming until 1920, when he sold the place to his son-in-law, Hugo O. Gould, with whom he still lives. In his active years he did his share in public work as a good citizen. He is a stockholder in the Co- operative Creamery of Prairie Farm. Mr. Yndestad was married in Norway in 1868 to Anna Andrewsdatter, who was born in that country, Dec. 26, 1846, and died on the farm in Prairie Farm Township in 1903. The children, born in Norway, were: Colburn, David, Peter, Albert, Ledvald, Anna and Matilda, who came to this country; and Carrie, Patrina and Dorothea, who remained there. Olivia, the youngest child, was born on the farm in Prairie Farm Township.

John P. Johnson, now deceased, for many years a substantial citizen of Section 10, Prairie Farm Township, was born in Sweden, Oct. 20, 1856, the son of Johannes and Anna Stina Johnson, who spent the span of their years in that country. In the family there were eight children: Johannes, John P., Chris- tina, Frank, Alfred, Matilda, Andrew and Charles, all of whom except Johannes and Christine, came, in time, to the United States. John P. was reared in his native land, there grew to manhood, and became a carpenter and farmer. He was married June 2, 1879, to Emma Christina Johnson, the daughter of a neighbor. One child, Helma Caroline, was born. In 1881 he set out with his family and his brother, Alfred, and his wife's sister, Tilda, and in due time reached Barron County, where they joined the wife's brother, Samuel, who was living in Prairie Farm Township. For two years, Mr. Johnson worked in the saw mills at Cumberland, in this county. In 1883 he secured 40 acres of his present place in Section 10, Prairie Farm Township. A log house had been built and an acre or so had been cleared. Here he started farming with almost nothing. He soon, however, bought a cow, and a little later bought a pair of oxen. Although the township had been settled many years previous, and Prairie Farm Village was already a flourishing hamlet, many parts of the township were but little developed, and Mr. John- son's farm was practically in the wilderness. It was some little time before the farm could be made profitable and for several winters he worked in the woods to earn a little money, leaving his wife at home to look after the home- stead. Her mother, who joined her here, brought a spinning wheel, and the two spun yarn, and knit mittens and socks for the family. As the years passed, the family won well-deserved prosperity. Mr. Johnson developed a good farm, with a good set of buildings, and suitable equipment. He was

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ABRAM K. YNDESTAD

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interested in the progress of the community and served for a while as path- master. He was respected by his friends and held in high regard by all, and his death on Nov. 4, 1916, was sincerely mourned. His good wife was a faith- ful helpmate in all his undertakings. She is still living on the home farm with her son Oscar. She was the daughter of John and Anna Lena (Magnus) Johnson. The eight children in the family were Johanna, Samuel, Eliza, Lena, Anna, Emma Christina, Tilda and Sophia. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson had eight children. Helma Caroline died soon after she was brought to this country. August is also dead. Anton August lives at Hanks, N. D. Selma is dead. Clark, a veteran of the World War, was born Dec. 24, 1890, and died Oct. 2, 1918, in the United States forces. Lena and Oscar are at home. Oscar is operating the home place. He is an energetic young farmer, thoroughly un- derstands his business, and is well liked by all who know him. The family faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran Church.

Elisha B. Hudson, an honored and substantial citizen' of Section 11, Prairie Farm Township, has been a resident of this county for nearly two decades. In that time he has become well known as a man of sterling worth, a good farmer, a kindly neighbor and a loyal friend. He reached this county from Rock County, this state, where for many years he had been a prosperous farmer, Oct. 15, 1901, located on a tract of wild land in Section 11, Prairie Farm Township, erected a set of buildings, and started to develop a farm. He has been successful in his endeavors, and now has a good place where he is prosperously carrying on general farming and dairying. He was married in Spring Valley Township, Rock County, this state, to Millie Folmer, who was born in Germany, on July 29, 1862, the daughter of Christian and Mary Folmer. This union has been blessed with three children. Ernest was born April 29, 1883 and is helping his father on the home farm. He is an energetic young man who understands farming thoroughly, and is well liked by all who know him. Nora was born June 1, 1885, and is the wife of William Patrick, of Rice Lake. Mabel was born Feb. 20, 1891, and is the wife of Carl Hanson, of Barron. Mr. Hudson was born in Rock County, Wis., July 11, 1861, the son of William and Rena (Randall) Hudson, and grandson of William Hudson and Archibald Randall. William Hudson, the father, was for many years a respected farmer of Rock County, this state. He was a man of ability and devout faith, and was a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. The grandfather, William Hudson, came to this country from northern Eng- land with his brothers, Silas and Ephraim, and settled on the Holland reser- vation in Rhode Island. The grandfather, Archibald Randall, was a native of Rhode Island, of English descent. One of his sons, uncle of Elisha B. Hudson, is Capt. A. N. Randall, a prominent attorney of Broadhead, Green County, this state.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 102

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

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