History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 113

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 113

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Oscar Lundgard, a successful farmer, proprietor of the Fairview Dairy Farm, of Section 20, Dovre Township, is a native of this county, born in Chetek Township, July 23, 1880. He was left an orphan when a small boy, and was taken into the home of Christian Lundgard, where he was given parental love and care. He was sent to the district school, was taught farming, and has always lived on the place, with the exception of the ten winters which he spent in the lumber woods. He bought the farm in 1905. It consists of 160 acres. Here he has continued the improvements, has a good place, and successfully carries on general farming. He has fixed over the house, put up a barn, 34 by 64 feet, a silo, 37 by 12 feet, and other buildings, and has purchased a good supply of machinery, tools, implements and equipment. He has a good herd of Holstein cattle, a good drove of hogs, and some Percheron horses, as well as

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other domestic animals. He is a stockholder in the Spring Hill Creamery and in the Farmers' Store Co. at Chetek. In public life he has done his duty as a good citizen, and is performing most excellent service as a member of the town board. He is a helper in everything that has for its object the best interests of the community. He has been especially interested in the Norwegian Lutheran Church at Dovre, has been a member of the board, treasurer and janitor. Mr. Lundgard was married at Dovre on May 29, 1909, to Sanna Holter, who was born in Norway, March 26, 1879, the daughter of Sever and Karen (Ingebretson) Holter, who brought the family to America in 1884 and located at Duluth, Minn., coming a year later to Dovre Township, where they bought a homestead from Ole Hakenson, where they lived until Mr. Holter's death, in 1917, at the age of seventy-three. Mrs. Holter, who was born April 4, 1842, now makes her home with the Lundgard family. In the Holter family there were seven children: Charles, Allie, Chris, Cornelius (deceased), Caroline, Sanna and Sanna (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Lundgard have two children: Victor Sylvester Christian and Opal Constance.

Homer J. Myers, a retired farmer of New Auburn, has been one of the best known men in southeastern Barron County for many years, and has a most favorable reputation as a preacher, religious worker and farmer, as well as a useful citizen and a good neighbor. He was born on a farm in Hebron Town- ship, Jefferson County, Wis., Aug. 22, 1854, the son of Harvey and Hannah (Pratt) Myers, natives respectively of Vermont and Massachusetts, and des- cended from old American families. The parents came to Jefferson County, this state, bringing their two children, in 1840, and settled in the wild forest in Hebron Township. There were no roads, the nearest neighbors were far away, Milwaukee, the trading point, was forty miles to the eastward, a long and tiresome journey indeed. On this place, nine more children were born, making in all, eleven, of whom Homer J. was the eighth. There the parents spent the remainder of their lives. The father was originally a Baptist, but later joined the Adventist Church. The subject of this sketch was reared on the home farm, in Jefferson County, and attended the district school of his neighborhood. In 1877 he moved onto a rented farm in his native county, and there remained for three years. He came to Dunn county, this state, in 1880, and bought eighty acres of land in Spring Brook Township. There, in addition to farming, he erected a sorghum mill. In 1882 he went back to Jefferson County, and rented a farm in Sullivan Township. There he also engaged in the sorghum business for a while in connection with his farming operations. In the spring of 1886 he came to Barron County, and settled on a tract of 200 acres in Dovre Township, a part of which he had purchased in 1877, while liv- ing in Jefferson County. On this tract a small house had been erected and a garden spot cleared. There he continued to carry on general farming. Sub- sequently, he bought and sold pieces of land. He now owns 200 acres in Sec- tions 25, 26 and 35, Dovre Township, a short distance from New Auburn, where he carried on general farming and dairying, raising Holstein cattle, Poland- China swine, Shropshire sheep and Percheron horses. He also owns a farm of 160 acres in Section 13, Dovre Township, which he rents. He has always been a believer in co-operative effort on the part of the farmers. He helped to organize the first creamery started in New Auburn, then Cartwright, and was its first president. He is a stockholder in the present creamery and in the store at New Auburn. In public affairs it is natural that he should take a prominent part. When Dovre was set off from Chetek, he was a member of the first township board, and has served in the same capacity for several years since. While living on the farm, he served efficiently for several years as a member of the school board. It is however, as a preacher, perhaps, that Mr. Myers is best known. He has been a communicant of the United Brethren Church for thirty-four years, and in its ministry for fifteen years. He has preached in Turtle Lake, Bass Lake, New Auburn, and elsewhere, and is a sin- cere, able, earnest and convincing talker. He is now active in the Sunday

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OLE A. JORSTAD AND FAMILY

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School at New Auburn, which he organized, and of which he is now super- intendent. Homer J. Myers was married in the town of Palmyra, Jefferson County, Wis., June 17, 1877, to Lois A. Chapman, who was born in Jefferson County, this state, April 6, 1859, the daughter of Ezra and Celista (Walker) Chapman, natives of New York State. Mr. Chapman fought through the Civil War, and was killed by a sharp-shooter almost at the close of that conflict. Mr. and Mrs. Myers have one daughter, Nettie, born Oct. 18, 1888, the wife of E. J. Knight, of Dovre Township. They are now operating the 200-acre farm of Mr. Myers. They have two children: Homer John and Earl Leslie.

Ole A. Jorstad, a solid and substantial farmer of Section 7, Dovre Town- ship, was born in Norway, Sept. 5, 1855, the son of Arne and Anna Jorstad. He attended school for a while, and there grew to sturdy youth. In 1873, when only seventeen years of age, he came to America, and located in Portage County, this state. The next year his parents and the rest of the family joined him, and in 1875 they all came to Dovre Township. For some years, Ole A. assisted with the home work in the summer, and worked in the lumber woods winters and on the river drives in the spring seasons. In 1892 he located on his present farm that he had homesteaded five years previously. The land was then nearly covered with woods. Five acres had been cleared, and a small log stable built. He put up a frame house, and started to build up a farm. At first all the stock he had was one cow, which he secured from his father. He now has a good place, and a good herd of cattle. Here he successfully carries on general farming, and is regarded as one of the representative men of the community. As the father of a fine family of children, he has naturally been interested in education, and has done good work as a member of the school board. Mr. Jorstad was married at Cameron on May 22, 1896, to Anna Fos- sum, who was born in Marathon County, Dec. 4, 1872, the daughter of Andrew and Oliena Fossum, of Stanley Township. This union has been blessed with seven chlidren: Elmer, Alma, Hulda, Christ, Olga, George and Edna. Alma resides in St. Paul; the others are at home. Elmer was inducted into the United States service Aug. 30, 1918, and became a member of Company D, 120th Engineers. He trained at Fort Harrison, Indiana, and was discharged Dec. 17, 1918. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Andrew Newman, pioneer, whose original name was Andreas Nymon, is one of the most honored and venerated citizens of the southeastern part of the county. He has come through all the hardships incident to life in the wilderness, he has built up a good estate, he has founded an excellent family, and he well deserves all the pleasant things of life that his latter years have brought to him. From the very first he has been staunch in upholding every- thing that he believes to be for the good and progress of the community, and his influence on neighborhood affairs has been considerable. He was born in Norway, Aug. 25, 1837, and there grew to manhood. In 1868 he came to Amer- ica, aboard a sailing vessel. He landed at New York, came by rail to Chicago, continued by rail to Galena, Ill., came up the Mississippi to near the mouth of the Chippewa by packet, and up the Chippewa on a lumber boat, reaching Eau Claire eleven weeks from the time he bade farewell to his parental home. At Eau Claire he obtained employment in the sawmills. In the fall of 1868 he secured a homestead of 160 acres of wild land in Section 23, Dovre Town- ship, and there built a log cabin, 12 by 16 feet, cutting all the timber by hand. To this cabin, in 1869, he brought his bride. There they started homemaking with but little save their youth, their ambition and their courage. Their house- hold utensils were meager, their furniture crude and mostly home-made. The farm tools were few. The domestic animals consisted of a cow and a calf. Soon he put up a log stable, and got a few sheep, so that his wife could have wool to spin into yarn with which to knit mittens, socks, caps, and other arti- cles. A little later he got a pair of horses, one of the first in the neighborhood. Eau Claire, the market place, was far away, and the trip there, with the ox team, was slow and even hazardous. There were no churches, and services of

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. the Norwegian Lutheran denomination was held in his home. Later he helped to organize the congregation at Sand Creek, assisted in building the church, and served as one of its trustees. About ten years after he moved onto the place, he built a larger log cabin, and still later he remodeled it into a good frame house. He also put up a substantial barn, which has since been remod- eled to larger proportions. He has built up a good farm in every particular, and has achieved merited success. A man of influence and good judgment, he served for some years as a member of the school board of his district. He has helped to start many local enterprises. He was one of the organizers and original stockholders in the Spring Hill Creamery, and served as one of its directors. He was also one of the first to buy stock in the Farmers' Store Co. of Chetek. Mr. Newman was married at Sand Creek, Dunn County, this state, Aug. 7, 1870, to Marit Andersen, who was born in Norway, Jan. 7, 1845, and came to the United States in 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Newman have eight children : Mary, Louis, August, John, Anna, Julius, Richard and Albert Martin. Mary is the wife of Charles O. Holter, of Dovre Township. Louis farms in Dovre Township. August is on the home place. John farms in Dovre Township. Anna is the wife of N. B. Thompson, of Macintosh, Minn. Julius is a farmer of Dovre Township. Richard is a civil engineer in Washington. He is a veteran of the World War, having served over two years in France with the American Expeditionary Force and the American Army of Occupation. Albert Martin is the manager of the Spring Hill Creamery. Three children, Dena, Alfred, and an unnamed infant, are dead. Mrs. Andrew Newman is a gracious lady of many admirable qualities. She has ably assisted her husband in all his efforts, she has kept good cheer and comfort in the home, her personality has been the guiding spirit of the family. She is a good wife and a good mother, the welfare and comfort of her household being her first thought. She is a good neighbor, always kindly and helpful. She is active in all good work. Now, in the sunset of life, she is deeply beloved by all who know her, and highly esteemed and respected throughout the entire community.

August Newman, a well-known and prosperous agriculturist of section 23, Dovre Township, has for many years been a prominent and successful educator in several states of the Union. As a citizen and farmer he is making use of his superior training and experience, and he is regarded as one of the most useful men in the community. He is a native of the section where he still resides, having been born in a pioneer log cabin Aug. 6, 1874, the son of Andrew and Marit (Anderson) Newman, the pioneers. He received his early education in the log schoolhouse in the neighborhood, and in the Chetek High School. Then he taught a year in District 4, this township, and a year in District 3, this township, the district in which he was educated. In 1896 he entered the Northern Illinois Business College at Dixon, Ill., and studied there two years. Next he taught two years at Sand Creek, Dunn County. With this experience, he went West, and taught two years at Eugene, Oregon; two years at Olympia, Washington; and one year at Coll- bran, near Grand Junction, Colorado. In 1905 he returned to Wisconsin and spent a year in temperance work for the Wisconsin and Minnesota Tem- perance Society. The next six years he was principal of schools at Altoona, Wis. In 1915 he took a postgraduate course at the State Normal School at River Falls, Wis. He was acting principal of schools at Maiden Rock, Wis., for two months. He finished that season as teacher of agriculture at Ells- worth, Wis. Then for two years he was principal at Benton, Wis. In 1918, after a long and successful career as a teacher, he retired. He had been an ideal educator, who was not only thoroughly versed in the subjects he taught, but was also possessed of a kindly and sympathetic understanding of child nature, and had the happy faculty of inspiring the boys and girls to interest, and encouraging them in their best work. Upon retiring from teaching he took over the management of the old homestead where he now lives. He carries on general farming and dairying and makes a specialty of

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MR. AND MRS. ANDREW NEWMAN

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Holstein cattle and buff Orpington fowls. He is a stockholder in the Spring Hill Creamery, of Dovre Township, and a member of the Barron County Shipping Association. As a retired educator it is natural that he should take an interest in school affairs and he is doing good work as treasurer of his district, the district in which he attended school and later taught school. Mr. Newman was married at Drammen, Eau Claire County, Wis., Nov. 11, 1905, to Amanda Richard, who was born in Iowa on June 4, 1885, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Richard, and died at Eau Claire Feb. 1, 1914, at the age of twenty-eight years, leaving three boys, Gordon, Wallace and Delos. Mr. Newman was married at Minneapolis June 12, 1918, to Solveig Christensen, born in Norway on Dec. 29, 1884, the daughter of Gustav and Ragna Christensen, and widow of Olaf Nelson, by whom she had one daughter, Esther. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Lewis Newman, a substantial and successful farmer of Section 15, Dovre Township, was born in a pioneer log house on Section 23, Sept. 17, 1873, the son of Andrew and Marit (Anderson) Newman, the early settlers. Although still a young man he is one of the oldest men living in the county who are native sons of the county, and the marvelous growth that has taken place from a region of timber and stumps, with lumber camps and' scattered settlers, to a populous and fertile garden spot, has all taken place since he was a boy. He was reared to farm pursuits on the home place, assisted in its development, and attended the log schoolhouse in the neighborhood. His first experience in the woods was at the age of seventeen, and thereafter he spent eleven seasons working in the woods in the winters and on the drives in the springs, thus spending from five to seven months each year. He well remembers the first year, that of 1891, when the snow was still deep on the ground at the time the camp broke up, April 7. In 1905 he purchased his present 160-acre farm. There he has built up a good place. He has a sightly, modern, ten-room home, built in 1918; a commodious barn, 34 by 56 feet, built in 1914; and an impos- ing silo, 12 by 35 feet, erected in 1916. Other sheds and buildings have been erected as necessity has required. Mr. Newman successfully carries on gen- eral farming on a profitable scale. 'He raises pure-blooded Guernsey cattle, Poland-China swine, and good horses. He is a stockholder in the Spring Hill Creamery, in the Co-operative Mercantile Co., of Chetek, and in the Farmers' Store Co., of Chetek. He is also a member of the Chetek Co-operative Shipping Association of Chetek. As the father of children, he is interested in educa- tion and has done good service on the school board for eight years. He is a useful and active citizen, and believes in everything that has for its object the best interests of the whole community. Mr. Newman was married at Chetek on Aug. 15, 1896, to Emma Knutson, the daughter of Halver and Carrie Knut- son. She was born in Dovre Township on Jan. 16, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. New- man have a fine family of eight children : Mildred, Lula, Harvey, Truman, Phil- lip, Viola, Wallace and Leonora, all of whom are a credit to their parents. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

John Newman, a representative and industrious farmer of Section 23, Dovre Township, was born in a log cabin on the place where he still lives, May 7, 1878, the son of Andrew and Marit (Anderson) Newman, early resi- dents. He was reared on this place, attended the log schoolhouse in the neigh- borhood, and learned farming from his father. He has always remained at home. He now owns eighty acres of the old homestead. His modern and com- fortable home was erected in 1908. The barn, 36 by 64 feet, and the silo, 12 by 33 feet, were erected in 1915. Other buildings have been put up as neces- sity has required. Mr. Newman carries on general farming and dairying, mak- ing a specialty of a herd of Holstein cattle with a full-blooded sire at the head. As a native born son, and a representative of one of the leading families of the township, he has naturally been interested in everything that has tended to make farm marketing more profitable. He is a director of the Spring Hill

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Creamery, a stockholder in the Farmers' Store Co. of Chetek. The bare recital of Mr. Newman's career and interests, however, does not convey an adequate impression of Mr. Newman's real worth to the community. From boyhood up he has taken his share in everything that he has believed to be for the good of the neighborhood, he takes pride in his family and in his farm. he is a good citizen and a good neighbor, and he has a deep faith in the future of the town- ship in which he was born and where he has spent his life. Mr. Newman was married at Chetek on June 27, 1908, to Mary Thompson, who was born in Win- nebago County, Iowa, on April 19, 1886, the daughter of B. N. and Carrie (Gunderson) Thompson, of Chetek. Mr. and Mrs. Newman have three chil- dren : Kenneth, James and Mavis. One, Morris Audley, is dead. Kenneth was born Nov. 29, 1910; James was born Jan. 15, 1916; and Mavis was born March 8, 1918.

A. Martin Newman, the popular and progressive manager of the Spring Hill Creamery, in Section 19, Dovre Township, was born in a log cabin on Sec- tion 23, Aug. 21, 1892, the son of Andrew and Marit (Anderson), prominent citizens. He learned farming from his father and brothers, attended the dis- trict school, and early became interested in dairying. In 1912 he took the dairy course in the Agricultural College of the University of Wisconsin at Madison. With this preparation, he went to Union Grove, Racine County, Wis., and had charge of a creamery one season. Next, he had charge of a creamery at Black Earth, in Dane County, Wis., for five years. The next season he was similarly engaged at Mt. Horeb, in Dane County, this state. On Aug. 15, 1917, he took his present position. No better man could have been chosen for the position. He has known all the patrons since boyhood, many are his relatives, all are his friends. He has the great advantage of knowing local conditions thoroughly. His education and his experience elsewhere, coupled with natural ability and a real love for his work, have made him an expert in his line. He is a skilled dairyman, a thorough business man, a good family man, a genial friend and a loyal citizen. He is conducting the business of the creamery in a profitable manner, turning out about 60 tubs a week. The fidelity and skill with which he labors is shown by the fact that he holds three diplomas for excellence, as well as several prizes. He is well liked by all who know him, takes his part in all the affairs of the community, and is prominent in all social events. Mr. Newman was married at Mt. Horeb, Wis., Dec. 30, 1915, to Mary Froh, who was born there March 14, 1897, the daughter of Christ and Mary Froh, estimable residents of Dane County. This union has been blessed with two bright chil- dren: Milford Arvin and Gladys Marie. The family faith is that of the Nor- wegian Lutheran Church.

John N. Moen, an active farmer of Section 5, Prairie Farm, is a native of this township and county, having been born in the old log house on Section 5, Sept. 15, 1885, the son of Anton P. and Gurena (Nelson) Moen. He was edu -. cated in the school in the neighborhood, and learned farming from his father, whom he helped to clear up the home place. As a young man, he worked in logging camps in this state and in the harvest fields of North Dakota. In 1909 he purchased his present place of 80 acres. This was practically all brush land. There were no buildings and no fences, there was no water on the place, and only eight acres had been broken. He started to develop the place and in 1914 moved onto it. He has a pleasant eight-room house, a well-equipped barn, 70 by 32 feet, with full basement, and other suitable buildings. The farm is well developed and fenced, and the tools, implements and machinery are excel- lent. He carries on general farming and dairying, and has a good herd of cat- tle. He is a believer in everything that is for the good of the community and has taken shares in the co-operative store at Prairie Farm. He is especially in- terested in the Norwegian Lutheran Church in Arland, has held offices in it, and has been active in the Young People's Society. Mr. Moen was married in Prairie Farm Township on Feb. 10, 1914, to Mary Wold, who was born in Arland Township, this county, the daughter of Hans and Stena Wold, early set-

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tlers of that township. Mr. and Mrs. Moen have a fine family of five children : Sarah, Helen, John and Oliva (twins), and Ora.

Frederick Paulsen, Section 29, Prairie Farm Township, has been a Wis- consin town clerk for over twenty years, serving from 1895 to 1903 in that capacity. in Coon Township, Vernon County, and since 1908 in Prairie Farm Township. He is a conscientious record keeper, he knows how the books should be kept for present reference and future study, and he is very capable in han- dling the town's business. He has also been clerk of his school district for many years, having been first appointed in 1903. He was born in Norway, Nov. 21, 1861, the son of Peter and Anna (Frederickson) Paulsen, who brought him and his brother, Paul, to the United States in 1865, and located in Ver- non County, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were solid, substantial people, who gave their sons good training, and were faithful to every demand that life made upon them. Frederick was reared on the home farm, paid good attention to his studies in the public schools, and learned farm- ing from his father. For some years he farmed a good place of 60 acres in Coon Township, in his native county. He was a prominent man among his as- sociates, he took an active part in everything that pertained to the growth of the town, and, as already noted, served with distinction as town clerk. But he heard of the wonderful possibilities of the newly developing dairy region of Barron County, so he decided to cast his lot here. He arrived on Oct. 10, 1893, and settled on 80 acres of his present farm. To this he has since added 20 acres more. His well-tilled place of 100 acres is as good as is to be found in the community. He has a pleasant home, and a fine barn and outbuildings, with a sightly lawn and well-kept yards. His land is well fenced, and is in a good stage of cultivation. His equipment has been purchased with discrimina- tion and is admirably suited to his needs. The stock is of good grade and well cared for. In fact, the place is a representative Wisconsin farm, and its owner a typical intelligent Wisconsin farmer. His position in the community is indi- cated by the offices which he holds. Mr. Paulsen was married in Vernon County, Aug. 31, 1888, to Karen Iverson, who was born in Norway, Aug. 6, 1864, daughter of Iver Erlandson and his wife, Ingeborg. She died Aug. 9, 1915. She was a gracious woman of many beautiful traits of character, a loving wife, an affectionate and understanding mother, and loyal friend, and helpful and gen- erous neighbor. She was everything that a good woman should be, and her death left a vacant place in the hearts of her friends that will never be filled. Mr. and Mrs. Paulsen have one son, Peder Ingman Paulsen, who was born in Vernon County, July 29, 1889. He is a young man of sterling worth, well liked by all who know him, and already making strides along the road to success.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 113

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

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