History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 106

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

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Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Peter Bergman, a substantial farmer of section 3, Prairie Farm Township, was born in Sweden, Aug. 31, 1860, and there attended school and grew to young manhood. In 1887 he came to America, landed in New York, and then came by railroad to Minneapolis, Minn., which city he reached Aug. 27, 1887. There for ten summers he did general labor, spending his winters in the lum- bering woods of this region. In 1898 he purchased his present place of a little more than 75 acres, in section 3, Prairie Farm. It was a dismal stretch indeed when he bought it. No buildings had been erected and it was a wild tangle of brush, stumps and windfalls, with a dead tree standing here and there. From such a beginning he has developed his present farm, and great is the contrast that has been brought about in the less than quarter century since he purchased it. It is now well tilled, well cultivated, well cared for and well fenced. The home is comfortable and pleasant, the barn is commodious, the other buildings adequate. The equipment in tools, implements and machinery is excellent. Mr. Bergman successfully carries on general farming and dairy- ing. He has a good herd, principally of Holstein blood, and a good drove of swine. He takes especial pride in his horses. He has a pair of dapple grays that are known for miles around. This high spirited team, with their well-kept

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equipment, present a picture of strength and beauty, rare indeed in these days of machinery, and are an evidence of their owner's good judgment, good taste, and good care. Mr. Bergman is respected by all who know him, and his standing is above reproach. He is doing his duty as a good citizen in every respect and is walking justly before Heaven and before man. Mr. Bergman was married at Minneapolis on Sept. 30, 1893, to Mary Samuelson, who was born in Sweden on Jan. 24, 1873, the daughter of Samuel and Johannah John- son. This union has been blessed with four fine children: Bertha, Fred, Ernest and Esther. The family faith is that of the M. E. Church at Poskin.

Gottlieb J. Spielmann, a worthy early settler of section 36, Prairie Farm Township, was born in Germany, Aug. 29, 1819, and there attended the gov- ernment schools and grew to manhood. As a young man he married Caroline Betcher, who was born in Germany, July 22, 1824. They brought their family to America and settled on section 36, Prairie Farm Township, this county. This was all wild land. He put up a log house and started to develop a farm in the wilderness. He was a man of devout faith and opened his little cabin to meetings of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. He assisted in organizing the congregation, was one of its early members and contributed toward the erection of the first church. By working early and late, and practicing habits of self-denial and frugality, he started a good farm, in which he took much pride. He was respected throughout the community, and his death on April 1, 1901, was sincerely mourned. His good wife died Sept. 19, 1913. They were the parents of four children, named, respectively, Charlie, Hannah, Mary and Emma.

Christopher C. Meyer, for many years a respected and esteemed farmer of section 36, Prairie Farm Township, was born in Germany, April 24, 1853, and was there reared and educated. He came to America at the age of sixteen and located at Middleton, near Madison, Dane County, this state, where he was employed as a farm helper. As a young man he came to Dunn County, this state, and settled on a tract of 80 acres near Boiseville. An old schoolhouse stood on the place and this he used for a dwelling. Later he sold this tract and bought another 80-acre tract, just a mile away. In 1883 he brought his wife and two children, Charles and Lena, to Prairie Farm Township and settled on the 240 acres owned by his father-in-law, Gottlieb J. Spielmann. He was somewhat better off than many of his neighbors, in that he had a pair of mules and two cows. His wife had a spinning wheel, on which she spun yarn to make socks, mittens and caps for her family, thus doing much toward keeping her loved ones warm through the biting winter months. The family worked together, to get along as best they could, and to build up a home and a farm. They were hospitable people and their home was always open to their friends. Mrs. Meyer was widely known for her gracious and neighborly acts. All the members of the family were interested in the Evangelical Lutheran Church from its beginning. As time passed Mr. Meyer built up a good farm. After a long and useful life he died March 10, 1913. She died in 1915. Mr. Meyer was married at Prairie Farm to Mary Spielmann, who was born in Germany, Sept. 26, 1860, the daughter of Gottlieb J. and Caroline Spielmann. She died Nov. 7, 1915. Their children were: Charlie, Lena, Willie, Sina, Oscar, Sarah and Edward.

Charles Meyer, an energetic farmer of section 36, Prairie Farm Township, was born in Dunn County, this state, Dec. 15, 1880, the son of Christopher C. and Mary (Spielmann) Meyer, who brought him to the present farm, as a boy, this being the old homestead of his grandparents, Gottlieb J. and Caroline Spielmann. He attended the district school and has always remained at home. As a young man, he took 80 acres of the home place and has erected thereon a sightly set of buildings. He is a mason by trade and devotes much of his time to that work in this neighborhood. He is one of the popular men of the community and is well liked by all who know him. He stands high as a citizen in every respect.

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Hans J. Soltau was born in Hamburg, Germany, and as a young man learned the blacksmith trade. He married Martha Rolf, a native of the same city. They came to America in 1888, and he secured employment at his trade at Moose Lake, Minn. In 1892 he came to Barron County and purchased eighty acres in section 10, Almena Township. This tract was wild cut-over land. He erected a set of buildings, cleared a part of the land and carried on general farming for many years. He died Jan. 22, 1914, and his wife died Sept. 3, 1908. He was a substantial respected man, well regarded by all who knew him.

Julius Soltau, a well-known business man of Almena Village, was born in Hamburg, Germany, Oct. 12, 1876, son of Hans J. and Martha (Rolf) Soltau, who brought him to America in 1888 and located at Moose Lake, Minn., coming to Almena Township in 1892. Julius received most of his education in Ger- many. After coming to Minnesota he studied in American schools for two years. He spent his youth and young manhood on the farm and in 1906 secured employment in the Farmers Store at Almena. In 1909 he bought a livery business in the same village. At the same time, he became manager of the Almena Telephone Co. In 1919 he sold the livery, and since has been manager of the telephone company. In 1919 he established a refreshment hall in Almena Village, where pool is played, soft drinks dispensed and tobacco and smokers' supplies handled. Mr. Soltau is a man of influence among his fellows. He is now chairman of the town board of Almena, and has been assessor for eight years and treasurer for two years. For some time he has been clerk of his school district. Mr. Soltau was married Sept. 20, 1901, at Almena, to Emma Bresemeister, and to this union have been born nine chil- dren: Frieda, born July 3, 1902; Mamie, born Oct. 4, 1903; Clarence, born Feb. 18, 1905; Arthur, born Nov. 14, 1906; Edna, born Aug. 4, 1908; Edwin, born Aug. 23, 1910; Agnes, born March 6, 1913; Myrtle, born Oct. 5, 1915; Ardine, born May 14, 1918.

John H. Bensend, proprietor of Lake View Stock Farm, a substantial and respected citizen of section 21, Almena Township, where he has developed a good farm from the wilderness, was born in Sweden on Dec. 23, 1854, the son of Ben J. and Anna Bensend. The father brought the family to America in 1868 and located in Chicago, where he unloaded boats by contract. In 1874 he came to Trempealeau County, in this state, and located on a farm. In 1877 he returned to Chicago and was janitor in the Jack Haverly Theater. In the fall of 1881 he took up his home with his son, John H. He died in August, 1895. His good wife lived to be 93 years old and died in 1917. Of their family of four sons and three daughters there are now living five: Andrew, John H., Christine, Betty and Lillie. Christine married Halvor Anderson and lives near Whitehall, Wis. Betty married Abe Cornwall of Turtle Lake, this county. Lillie married John A. Cornwall, also of Turtle Lake. John H. was reared and educated in Sweden. He was fourteen when he came to the United States with his parents. He attended night school and remained with his parents, working at farming, lathing and carpenter work. In 1880 he went to Long- wood, Clark County, and farmed and logged. In the fall of 1881 he came to Barron County and bought 112 acres in section 21, Almena Township, which was all wild and covered with timber, mostly oak. There he began as a real pioneer. There were no public roads in the vicinity, neighbors were few and far between, there were no comforts and the necessities were sometimes lack- ing. The settlers had to bring in provisions on their backs from Perley and Turtle Lake. Lumber was hauled in from Perley with ox teams. There was but little market for anything that was raised on the farm. In order to get a little ready money the first few years, Mr. Bensend worked about as a car- penter, leaving his parents in charge of the farm. In 1879 and 1880 he worked as stage carpenter and night watchman in the Jack Haverly Theater in Chicago. Since then he has devoted his time to the operation and development of his farm. He has a pleasant home, a barn furnished with the James equip- ment and suitable outbuildings such as silo, granary and sheds. Here he

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successfully carries on general farming and dairying. He has a good herd of Holsteins headed by a full blooded sire, his Duroc-Jersey swine are regis- tered and he also has some good horses. He is interested in the development of the community and has done excellent service on the school board for nearly twenty years. In 1890 he took the U. S. census for the towns of Almena and Turtle Lake. The Almena unit of the Barron County Farm Bureau has found in him a useful member. Mr. Bensend was married at Cumberland, this county, on Sept. 17, 1888, to Anna Schroeder, who was born in Minnesota in September, 1870, the daughter of Fred and Mary Schroeder, who settled in Turtle Lake Township, Barron County, in 1876. The father, a veteran of the Civil War, is dead, and the mother is still living in Turtle Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Bensend have seven children: Albert, Mabel, Lulu, John, Lillian, Nellie and Dwight. Albert is a dentist in Carthage, S. D. Mabel married Clarence West of Almena Township. Lulu married Gordon Findley of Duluth. Nellie is in the Midway Bank, Minneapolis. John, Lillian and Dwight are at home. John took a six months' course in the Agricultural College of the State University of Minnesota. He married Lucile Sanford. The two deceased brothers of Mr. Bensend are Gust and Nels. Nels was killed in a "Soo" railroad wreck, while working as a baggageman. Gust bought and sold several farms in Almena Township. His widow, Nellis Stowe, a school teacher, now lives in Little Cedar, Iowa.

Edward Johnson, a highly esteemed and substantial farmer of section 17, Almena Township, where he has developed a fine farm, was born in Swe- den, March 7, 1855, the son of John and Anna Erickson, farming people of that country. Of the twelve children in the family there are now living five: Minnie, Hilma, Edward, Tilda and Martin. Minnie is the wife of Albert Holter, of Tower, Minn. Hilda is the wife of Herman Holst, of Minneapolis. Hilda and Martin live in Sweden. Edward was reared in Sweden, attended school there, and as a youth worked in a brick yard. He came to the United States in 1882 and settled at Iron Mountain, Mich., where he worked in the mines two years. From there he moved to Tower, Minn., where he worked in the mines for eight years. In 1892 he came to Barron and bought 40 acres in section 17, Almena Township. To this he has since added until he has 150 acres, of which 50 acres are under the plow and the remainder in pasturage. When he first came here the land was all wild. He cleared the land himself, and at first endured many hardships. But he persevered, and in time built up a good farm, with a good set of buildings, including a frame house, a barn 38 by 86 feet with a 70-foot basement, tool sheds, and other buildings. Here he carries on general farming and dairying. He has a good herd and sells the cream at Comstock. Mr. Johnson is in every way a good citizen, who does his duty in life as he sees it, and holds the respect of his fellow men. He was married July 26, 1891, to Matilda Gravning, daughter of Andrew and Martha Gravning, of Almena Township. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have a fine family of eleven children, two more having died. They are: Carl, Andrew, Edwin, Otto, Lottie, Hilma, Irvin, Theodore, Alpha, Stanley and Walter. Andrew, Otto, Hilma and Edwin are out in the world for themselves. The others at home. Carl and Edwin were in the service during the World War. Carl saw active service in France with the 138th Field Artillery. Edwin trained in the infan- try service. Carl served with the 138th Field Artillery, 38th Division. He was inducted into the service Aug. 6, 1920, and sent to Camp Shelby, Hatties- burg, Miss .; he then went to Camp Upton; he went overseas Oct. 6, arrived in Liverpool, Eng., Oct. 12, then crossed the English Channel to France, and was held in reserve at Le Mans, where he was stationed when the armistice was signed. He sailed for the United States Dec. 8, and arrived Dec. 19; was discharged Jan. 11, 1920, at Camp Taylor, Ky. Edwin left Barron for Camp Grant Sept. 7, 1918, and was in training there when the armistice was signed; he was discharged Jan. 20, 1920. Both sons received honorable discharges.

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MR. AND MRS. JOHANES ANDERSON MR. AND MRS. ANDREW JOHNSON

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Johanes Anderson, an early settler of section 17, Prairie Farm Township, was born in Norway and was there reared to manhood. As a young man he married Martha Torgerson, who was born May 15, 1824, and they had four children, Andrew, Anna, Torger and Christine, all of whom are now dead. In the sixties, Johanes Anderson determined to seek for himself and his family the broader opportunities of America. Accordingly they embarked at Bergen, in their native land, and after a four weeks' voyage aboard a sailing vessel, reached Quebec, Canada. From there they found their way to Dane County, this state, where they lived for a while. In 1872 they came to Barron County and settled on the banks of Turtle Creek, three miles northwest of Prairie Farm Village. The first summer they lived in a small board shack, and in the fall moved into a log cabin. They started their farming operations with a yoke of oxen and several cows. The market place was at Menomonie. Trips were made there twice a year with the ox team, the journey taking about three days. The family continued to live on the place and gradually built it up, adding to the area until the farm embraced 240 acres. After a useful and well spent life, Johanes Anderson died in April, 1900, at the age of 75 years. His wife, who was the faithful companion of all his labors, died in December, 1906, at the age of 82 years. The family faith was that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Andrew Johnson, for many years an estimable citizen of Prairie Farm Township, was born in Norway, Sept. 22, 1853, the son of Johanes and Martha Anderson, with whom he came first to Dane County and in 1872 to Prairie Farm Township, this county. He helped his parents develop the farm. For seven winters he worked in the lumber woods, and for four springs he was on the river drives. In 1883 he took over the home place of 240 acres in sec- tion 17. He continued the improvements, repaired the house, erected a good barn, 34 by 70 feet, and put up other buildings. There for many years he successfully carried on general farming and became one of the influential and substantial men of the community. He took stock in the Prairie Farm Coopera- tive Association and also had other interests. As the father of children he naturally took an interest in education and for some time he served on the school board. For the past twenty years he has done most efficient work as secretary of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. In 1920 he gave up farming, sold the place and moved to the village. He met his death Nov. 11, 1921, as the result of being struck by a car while walking home from a visit to the home of his son, Anders. Mr. Johnson was a most estimable man, hard working, industrious and upright, and was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him. He was faithful in every walk in life, he made his home a place of good cheer, and he was a good husband, father, neighbor and friend. His loss will long be sincerely mourned. His good wife was a faithful helpmeet in all his endeavors. Mr. Johnson was married at Prairie Farm, on July 29, 1882, to Mary Arntson, who was born in Norway on April 18, 1855, and their five chil- dren are: Anna, Anders, Carl, Jennie and Matilda. Anna is the wife of David Stang of Prairie Farm Township. Anders and Carl are farmers of Prairie Farm. Jennie married Alf. Gilsvik of Milwaukee. Matilda is at home. All are well regarded in the communities in which they live.

Martin J. Rude, respected resident of Rice Lake, who has been identified with the lumbering activities of this region for many years, was born in Christiania, Norway, March 27, 1850, son of John and Carrie (Christianson) Rude, both of whom were born in Norway and died there, the father at the age of 63 and the mother at the age of 85. In the family there were nine children. Martin G., Marn, Thorwald, Carina and Christ are living, and four died in infancy. Martin J. received a good education in the public schools of Norway, and as a young man was employed as a farmer, as a helper in saw- mills and as a painter. He came to America in 1880 and located in Rice Lake, where he worked at the lumber trade, toiling in the woods in the winter and finding employment as a carpenter in the summer. For nearly twenty years

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he was millwright for the Rice Lake Lumber Co. He is now practically retired. He and his family reside in a pleasant home at 35 West Newton street, which he built in 1904. Mr. Rude was married July 5, 1890, to Anne Alton, was who born in Norway Sept. 3, 1865, daughter of Peter and Ingeborg (Olson) Alton, natives of Norway who came to America in May, 1869, lived in Portage County, this state, for a while and in 1874 came to Barron County and located on a farm in Sumner Township, where the father died in 1911, and where the mother is still living at the age of 81 years. In the family there are six children, Anne, Nettie, Ludwig, Olene, Christian and Paul, all living. Mr. and Mrs. Rude have one daughter, Ida Kathrine, born April 28, 1895. She graduated from the Barron County Training School at Rice Lake, and has been a teacher in this county for four years. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Edward Rubesch, proprietor of a tin shop at Rice Lake, was born in Chippewa Falls, this state, Jan. 20, 1890, son of Mathew and Mary (Ullman) Rubesch, natives of Germany who came to America in 1880, and settled on a farm in Chippewa County, this state, moving in 1888 to Chippewa Falls, in the same county, where he took up his trade as a brick layer, and where he still lives. In the family there were seven children: Joseph, John, Edward, Anna, Theresa, Christina and Frank. Edward received his early education in his native city, and learned the tinner's trade. For a while he was partner in the tin shop of McGilvery & Kurth there. In 1915 he came to Rice Lake and opened his present establishment at 206 Wilson avenue, where he does general tinning business and installs furnaces of all descriptions. Frater- nally, he associates with the Catholic Foresters and the Knights of Columbus. He attends the Catholic Church. Mr. Rubesch was married Nov. 19, 1911, to Louisa Schindler, who was born in Chippewa County, Wis., Dec. 6, 1892, daughter of John and Mary (Youngwirth) Schindler, natives of Germany, who came to this country in the eighties and still live in Chippewa County. In the Schindler family there are eleven children: Fred, Joseph, William, Frank, Louis, Louisa, Sebastian, Theresa, Lena, Helen and Anna. Mr. and Mrs. Rubesch have six children: Marie, born May 7, 1913; Margaret, born Nov. 11, 1914; Leonard, born March 20, 1916; Florine and Helen (twins), born Feb. 10, 1918, and Leona, born Oct. 20, 1919.

Charles Saile, Sr., for many years a respected and substantial citizen of Rice Lake, was born in Wettenger, Germany, Aug. 12, 1832, and came to Amer- ica in 1849 at the age of seventeen years. In 1858 he married Elizabeth Giem, a native of Ohio. The next year they came west and located at Reeds' Land- ing, in Wabasha County, Minn., where they remained ten years. Then, in 1869, they went to Hastings, Dakota County, Minn., where they stayed three years. In 1872 they came to Wisconsin and located at Downsville, Dunn County, where they remained until the fall of 1874, when they came to Rice Lake. Mr. Saile was a skilled brewmeister. The year he came to Rice Lake he established and built the South Side Brewery, which he operated for many years. He was liked by all his associates, and was a genial, straightforward citizen in every respect. He died Dec. 31, 1886. His wife died in September, 1889. In the family there are nine children: Amelia, Sophia, Elizabeth, William, Frank, Charles, Clara and Edward, living; and George, Edward, Elizabeth and Frank, deceased.

Charles Saile, veteran of the Porto Rican campaign of the Spanish- American War, and now a well known resident of Rice Lake, where he has lived since early 'boyhood, was born in Lake City, Minn., July 15, 1870. As a baby he was taken in 1872 to Downsville, Dunn County, this state, and in 1874 was brought to Rice Lake where he was educated in the public schools. He left school and started out for himself at the age of sixteen, his first employment being in sawmills. In 1898 he enlisted in Company H, Third Regi- ment, Wisconsin National Guards, which was mustered into federal service as Company H, Third Wisconsin Infantry. After due training he left Charles-

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GUSTAVUS JENSEN, M. D.

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ton, S. C., July 28 and landed at Ponce, Porto Rico Aug. 8. He came back the latter part of October. Upon his return he engaged in the ice business in Rice Lake. This he successfully conducted until 1919, when he sold out, giving him a record of twenty years continuous public service in this city. In 1900 he purchased a well located site in the city and in 1911 moved off the building which was standing thereon and erected his present modern home. In city life he did good work for eight years as alderman. Fraternally, he is a Mason, he being a member of the Blue Lodge and both he and his wife of the Eastern Star. Mr. Saile was married Nov. 15, 1899, at Rice Lake, to Bertha Haese, daughter of John and Caroline (Militz) Haese, the former of whom, died Jan. 29, 1908, and the latter Jan. 25, 1891. Mr. Saile's father died Dec. 31, 1886, and his mother Sept. 17, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Saile have one son, Charles Orton, who was born July 22, 1901, and was graduated from the Rice Lake High School in 1921.

Gustavus Jensen, M. D., practicing physician and practical pharmacist of Cameron, was born in Norway, son of Gustav and Elizabeth (Lindrup) Jensen, natives of Norway, both of whom died in that country. The father was a sea captain of considerable note in his own land. Of their seven chil- dren, the subject of this sketch was the only one who came to this country. Three are dead and Louise, Emelie and Clementine are still living in Norway. Gustavus attended the graded schools and the high school in his native parish, and then studied in a pharmacy for two years. He matriculated in the Uni- versity of Norway, at Christiania, and studied medicine there until 1878. During the next two years he studied pharmacy at Tvesdestrand. On May 15, 1880, he landed in New York and came west to Chicago where he operated a chemical laboratory for three years. He came to Stoughton, Wis., in 1883 and for two years studied medicine with Dr. Christian Sether. For a time he also studied with Dr. Geo. Keenan, who later represented the United States government in Austria for a while. After this he traveled in the interests of the prohibition movement. In 1890 he located in Scandinavia, this state, where for five years he managed a drug store for Dr. H. B. Poppe, and practiced medicine, while still further pursuing his studies. In 1895 he entered the Independent Medical College at Chicago, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1897. He then returned to Scandinavia, bought the drug store and continued his practice of medicine and was one of the incor- porators of that village. In 1900 he started practice in Cameron. At that time he purchased a half interest in the drug store of O. S. Hurlbert. Later he purchased the other half interest. As a physician he has a satisfactory prac- tice in village and country. As a druggist he has built up a large trade. As a thorough chemist and pharmacist, it is natural that his compounding should be of superlative merit. In addition to this he has a good business in general drugs and toilet preparations, paints and oils, brushes, jewelry, cut glass, fancy china ware and novelties. He makes a hobby of his nine acres of land in the village where he raises ginseng, potatoes and beans as well as other garden vegetables. In public affairs he takes a good citizens' interest and is now serving as mayor of Cameron. Fraternally, he is a member of the I. S. W. A. Dr. Jensen was married in May, 1896, in Chicago, to Elizabeth Lilly, of Des Moines, Iowa. It is said that the reception accorded them upon their return to Scandinavia was the largest that that village has known.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 106

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

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