History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 118

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 118

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HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

His product is nearly all taken in this locality, but he also has a good trade throughout the state. His factory is well equipped and power is furnished from a large gasoline engine. His business adds to the industrial importance of the village, and he has taken a personal share in all local affairs. He and his family attend the Catholic Church. Mr. Brunett was married June 27, 1910, to Lucy Patraw, of Rice Lake, daughter of Eugene and Matilda Patraw. This union has been blessed with five bright children: Iola, Beatrice, Ger- trude, Gordon and Veloris. Mr. Brunett has five sisters and one brother, Minnie, Mabel, Julia, Florence, Lillian and Fred.

Albert J. Olson, secretary-treasurer and manager of the Haugen Lumber Co., Haugen, is one of the representative men of the village. He has had long experience in the lumber business, he knows how to buy and sell, and all who have business dealings with him are assured of fair treatment. He is a na- tive of this state, born in Vernon County, April 16, 1886, son of Bernt and Mary (Larson) Olson. The father was born in Norway, came to this country at about twenty-one years of age, located in Vernon County, where he still lives, and where he married a native of that county. In the family there were eight children, all living: Olive, Albert J., Nordahl B., Henry, Bennie, Louis, Minnie and Helen. Albert J. attended the schools of his native county, and was about nineteen years of age when he entered the employ of the J. G. W. Jones Lumber Co., with whom he remained some seven years as grader, scaler, yard foreman and traveling buyer. Then for three years he was employed in a similar capacity with Scott & Howe, of Michigan. He came to Haugen in 1915 and established a good lumber yard. The business continued to grow and in 1919 was incorporated with Henry Beckwith as president, and Mr. Olson in his present capacity. The concern handles general building material and fuel. Mr. Olson has just completed a fine office building, 16 by 26 feet, of Kellystone stucco and cut steel shingle, equipped with all necessary and up- to-date fittings and supplies. He is active in the affairs of the community and is now serving efficiently as village clerk. He is also secretary of the Haugen Commercial Club. Fraternally, he is a member of Rice Lake Lodge, No. 234, A. F. and A. M. Mr. Olson was married Sept. 25, 1911, to Eva Setter, born May 13, 1890, at Hayward, Wis. They have four children: Harriet, born Sept. 26, 1912; Lyman, born April 26, 1915; Ruth, born Aug. 16, 1916; and Theo. R., born Nov. 2, 1919. The family attends the Haugen congregation of the Eng- lish Lutheran Church, of which Mr. Olson is secretary.

John Macak, Haugen, vice-president of the Haugen State Bank, business man and public official, came here in 1902 and engaged in business. He has a good establishment, does a good trade in a general line of groceries, and sells soft drinks of various kinds. He is an experienced business man, he knows how to buy and sell, he knows how to treat his customers, and there is a pleasant atmosphere throughout the place. In addition to his business he owns stock in the Haugen State Bank, which he helped to organize, and of which he has been vice-president since the beginning. He also owns 80 acres of wild land in Oak Grove Township, which, when developed, will be as good as any to be found in the neighborhood. In political life he has been very ac- tive. He was the first clerk of the Village of Haugen and its second president. For ten years he was town clerk. In 1919 he was a member of the county board. Fraternally, he is a popular member of the Bohemian Workers' Asso- ciation, and the Western Bohemia Fraternal Association. He is also active in the Commercial Club. Mr. Macak was born in Bohemia, Dec. 27, 1874, son of Joseph and Josephine (Belka) Macak, who brought the family to America in 1881, located in Pennsylvania, moved from there to Iowa and then to Minne- sota, subsequently, in 1902, coming to Barron County and locating in Oak Grove Township, where he died in 1913 and she in 1910. John followed the fortunes of the family, attended public school and night school, and farmed in Minnesota for a while. He was married Feb. 5, 1907, to Mary Knadle, of Haugen, who was born Jan. 24, 1882, in Yuba, Wis., daughter of A. N. and

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MR. AND MRS. JOHN MACAK

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Mary (Sebek) Knadle. This union has been blessed with five children: John Lester, Jr., born March 12, 1908; Albert Thomas, March 7, 1910; Charles Rich- ard, May 21, 1911; Eleanor Alice, Sept. 3, 1913; and Joseph Robert, Dec. 11, 1918.

Charles V. Borkovec, leading general merchant of Haugen, is also one of its leading citizens. He came here in 1914, when the village was much smaller than at present, purchased the large corner store he now occupies, with a pleasant home in the rear, and two desirable corner lots across the street, and at once began to devote his attention to the development of general mercantile business. His methods of fairness and courtesy have commended his store to the general public, he has a large trade in the village and surrounding coun- try, and his business is constantly growing. The establishment is a model of its kind, and carries a good line of dry goods, groceries, footwear, flour and feed, oil and gasoline, and the like. In addition to his interests here, Mr. Borkovec has extensive interests elsewhere. He is a stockholder in the Mid- land Trust & Savings Bank of St. Paul, the Twin City Wholesale Grocery House of St. Paul, the Columbia Fire Insurance Co. of Indianapolis, and the Chippewa Falls Silver Fox Farm Co. of Chippewa Falls, Wis. Fraternally, he is chief ranger of the local lodge of Catholic Foresters. He is also a mem- ber of the Commercial Club. He was born in Bohemia, Dec. 8, 1876, son of Joseph and Carrie (Hrbek) Borkovec, who brought him to America in 1885 and located in Chicago, where the father still follows his trade as a tailor. Charles V. was reared in Chicago, and as a young man learned the printers' trade, which he followed until 1904. Then he went to North Judson, Indiana, where he established a flour mill, and in connection therewith had an electric light plant which he operated under contract with the village. He sold out in 1912. Then, after looking about for a while, he fixed upon Haugen as his future location and came here in 1914. He was married May 28, 1900, to Rose Vessely, of North Judson, Indiana. This union has been blessed with five children : Sylvia (now Mrs. Frank J. Smatlak) of Haugen, Joseph, Mary, Christie and Bohumil. The family faith is that of the Catholic Church.

Joseph Vinopal, a retired farmer of Haugen, who is spending his life in comparative ease, after many years filled with hard work and successful en- deavor, was born in Bohemia, Sept. 23, 1853, son of Frank and Veronica Vinopal, both of whom died in the old country. Joseph was reared in his na- tive land and came to America in 1881. For three years he farmed in Juneau County, this state. Then for seven years he was a stationary engineer at Eau Claire, also in this state. He came to Haugen in 1895 and purchased 80 acres in Section 18, Oak Grove Township. The land was then wild. He built a home, and later a barn, and subsequently such buildings as necessity required. He cleared and broke the land and developed a good farm. While in the town- ship he was a leader among his fellows, and served as supervisor and assessor. After many years of successful farming he sold out in 1914 and purchased a cottage in the village where he now lives. He is likewise prominent here, and has served for several years as village treasurer. Both he and his wife were especially active in good work during the war, and were interested in all the war drives. He is a member of the Catholic Knights. Mr. Vinopal was mar- ried January 22, 1878, to Anistasia Danes, who was born in Bohemia, April 26, 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Vinopal have ten children: Anna, Mary, Stella, Jose- phine, John, Amelia, Matilda. Albina, Edward and Louis. Anna is the widow of Bruce Brown; Mary is the wife of Peter Dvabek; Stella died at the age of 33; Josephine is the wife of Erwin James, D. V. S .; John is a traveling sales- man; Amelia is the wife of Louis Puhl; Matilda is the wife of John Chermak; Albina is the wife of Louis Kadlec; Edward, who served in France during the World War, is still in the medical service in the United States Army; Louis, born Jan. 20, 1897, has also seen military service. He was in the Seventh Im- perial Artillery of Canada, and was wounded in the Canadian rebellion of 1917 at Quebec. He was then transferred to the U. S. Marine service, from

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which he entered the aviation service at the Great Lakes. The family faith is that of the Catholic Church.

Michael J. Phelan, a well-known citizen of Haugen, former lumberman, former nurseryman, former hotel keeper, former extensive farmer, and still a farmer and drayman on a small scale, was born in Peterboro, Canada, Oct. 12, 1863, son of John and Anna (Cavanaugh) Phelan, natives of Ireland, County Limerick, who came to Canada as young people, and were there married. The father was a prominent lumberman, logger and farmer. After his death the mother came to the States and lived with her children until her death. Michael J. received his early education in the parochial schools, and as a youth worked with his father on the farm and in the woods. For four years he gained valu- able experience as a nurseryman, becoming an adept in tree grafting and pruning. Subsequently, he resumed working in the woods and rafting on the rivers. In 1892 he came to the States and located in Sawyer County, this state, where he and his brothers, Richard, John, Peter, Thomas and Fred, were interested in a large tract of land. On this tract he followed lumbering, log- ging and farming until 1902. In that year he went to Dunn County, this state, where he purchased a farm five miles from Colfax, and engaged in farming. He came to Haugen, Barron County, in 1916 and bought the Bear Lake Hotel, which he conducted a year and a half. Then he sold out to F. A. Bates, and bought 27 acres of land in the village, where he now does light farming. He also keeps horses and does some teaming. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Phelan was married June 27, 1897, to Emma Hel- gerson, of Colfax. They have given a father and mother's love and care to four children of Mr. Phelan's brother, Loretta, Nora, Ethel and Harry.

Carl Kretlow, early settler, who has taken his part in the development of Stanley Township, and has a good farm in Section 22, was born in Germany, July 21, 1845, the son of Carl and Marie (Elert) Kretlow, the second born of three children, the others being Wilhelm and August. The father died in Germany. Carl was reared there and there married. In 1884, the mother, Carl and his wife, and children, and Wilhelm, came to the United States, and located for a while in Ann Arbor, Mich. Then they came to Barron County, and located at Cameron. When they arrived here they had but little money and Carl went to work at anything he could get, on farms and on the railroad. Then he rented farms for three years. In this way he saved a little money and was enabled to buy a tract of 80 acres of wild land in Section 22, Stan- ley Township. Of this, a little clearing of two acres had been made, and a log house and log barn erected. Mr. Kretlow moved into this log cabin with his family, and started in to carve his fortunes. At first he had only his hands and a few tools. Later he was enabled to purchase an ox team. His dairying activities were started with one cow. Grain had to be cut with a cradle. Part of the clothing for the family was made from yarn spun on a spinning wheel which the wife had brought from Germany. In time their hard work was rewarded and they achieved success. They added to their land, erected good buildings, acquired good stock, and as means permitted, purchased tools, implements and machinery. The family took an interest in the German Lutheran Congregation, and helped to build the first church of that denomina- tion in Cameron. Mrs. Augusta Kretlow, the wife, who was born March 28, 1843, and was married in August, 1871, died on the farm, July 1, 1893. The children in the family are: Amelia, Anna Marie, Charles and Albert, all of whom were born in Germany. Amelia is now Mrs. Beyer of Stanley Town- ship and has had eleven children, namely, Erhard, Carl, Alvina, Oscar, Her- bert (deceased), Agnes, William, Martin, Hazel, Emily and Werner. Anna Marie is now Mrs. Ferdinand C. F. Rudolph, of Stanley Township, and has four children, Agnes, Lida, Edgar and Gerda J. Charles, who is farming in Canada, married Hazel Heffner and has four children, Della, Gladys, Roy and Albert. Albert, who rents and conducts the home farm, married Lena Kamrath.

Rev. Damian Kvitek, O. S. B., is pastor of the Parish of the Holy Trinity

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CARL KRETLOW AND FAMILY

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at Haugen, and of the Parish of St. Catherine at Sarona. He came to Haugen July 17, 1915, and found here a congregation of 65 families. This number, under his pastorate, has increased to 130 families. At Sarona he found a scattered parish, which he has developed into a compact congregation, which, under his inspiration and guidance, has erected a sightly new church. Father Kvitek is an ideal rural priest. He knows his people, and is thoroughly in touch with their temporal life and their spiritual needs. He is a deep student of books and of men, and while demanding of himself the highest standards tempers his austerity with a thorough and sympathetic understanding of human frailties. Father Kvitek's training was an excellent one. He was born in Bohemia, June 4, 1887, son of Matt and Catherine (Dufek) Kvitek, the for- mer of whom is still living in that country, and the latter of whom died in 1917. He received his early education in the schools of his native land, and came to America in 1906. His training in theology and philosophy was re- ceived at St. Procopius College at Lisle, Ill., and at St. John's University, Col- legeville, Minn. He was ordained as a Benedictine priest and for a while was curate in St. Procopius Parish, Chicago. From there he came to Haugen.

John J. Gygli, leading contractor and builder, to whose skill and fidelity many of the houses and barns of Barron County will bear testimony for dec- ades to come, is one of the solid respected men of the community. He was born in Green County, Wis., March 13, 1889, son of John and Margaret (Kun- dert) Gygli, natives of Switzerland, who came to this country as young peo- ple, located first in Green County, Wis., and from there came to Section 30, Oak Grove Township, where they are now prominent farmers. He was edu- cated in the public schools of Green County, and as a youth learned the car- penter trade, gradually taking up contracting on his own responsibility. He came to Barron County with his parents, and lived with them on the farm. Since 1916 his time has been devoted almost entirely to contracting. He came to Haugen and established headquarters here in 1920. He has just com- pleted a modern residence which is a model of its kind. It is a sightly seven- room structure, made of glazed tile, with inside trimmings of fir, and with hardwood floors. The house is well arranged with a sumptuous bath, and a built-in fireplace. A hot air furnace furnishes the heat and the house is elec- trically lighted. The well-equipped work shop is in the rear of the house, and is built of glazed tile to conform with his residence. Mr. Gygli is a mem- ber of the Commercial Club. His wife belongs to the I. S. S. of A. Mr. Gygli was married Dec. 25, 1919, to Olga Finstad, who was born in Rice Lake Town- ship, April 25, 1898, daughter of Ole and Lise (Sorenson) Finsted, well known farmers of that township. They have on child, Mardell, born April 17, 1921.

John Plain, proprietor of a billiard parlor at Haugen, was born at Aurora, Ill., Oct. 12, 1875, son of Charles and Anna (Sauer) Plain, natives of Germany, who came to this country as young people and here spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying May 5, 1915, and the mother, March 19, 1887. He received his education in the public schools of Aurora and Streator, Ill. For some years he worked in the glass factory at Streator. Later he was employed at Lafayette, Ind., and Cicero, Ind., in which latter place he was in business for himself for a while. He came to Barron County in 1912, and engaged in business first at Mikana and later at Campia. He came to Haugen in 1914 and engaged in business until July, 1919. In 1920 he opened his present bil- liard parlors. He caters to a high class of trade, his patrons are the best peo- ple of the town, and his place is a popular gathering point. In addition to the billiard trade, he handles tobacco products, smokers' supplies, candies, soft drinks and the like. He is deeply interested in the public welfare and is do- ing good service as a member of the village council. Fraternally, he is a member of the Catholic Foresters, the Knights of Columbus and the Eagles. He and his family attend the Catholic Church. Mr. Plain was married Nov. 9, 1898, to Martha Chadwick, of Cicero, Ind., and they have one child, Anna, born Dec. 25, 1899.

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John Mlejnek, a highly regarded farmer of Section 25, Bear Lake Town- ship, was born in Bohemia, Aug. 19, 1861, the son of Albert and Christena (Mackova) Mlejnek, also natives of Bohemia, who brought the family to Amer- ica in November, 1874, and located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where the father worked with railroad construction crews and in other employment. From Iowa, the parents moved to Owatonna, Steele County, Minn., in 1877, and rented a farm there. In 1887 they moved to South Dakota, and took a claim near Webster. In the fall of 1891 they sold the claim and came to live with their son, John, where the father died in 1902 and the mother in 1903. John, the subject of this sketch, came to America with the family at the age of thirteen, and for a time attended school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. When the family moved to Owatonna, Minn., in 1877, he helped them on the farm there. In 1886 he went to South Dakota, and took a claim near Webster. He erected a good set of buildings, and started to break the land and develop the farm. In 1901 he sold out there, came to Barron County, and purchased 80 acres of wild land in Section 25, Bear Lake Township. There he erected a frame house and log barn, and started clearing up the land. Later he built a better set of buildings. He has a well-fenced and well-tilled place, equipped with all necessary tools, implements and machinery, and beautified with a well-kept lawn and a profusion of flowers. He successfully carries on general farming, and is held in the highest esteem by all who know him. In public affairs he has taken an active part and has served as a member of the town board. He is also interested in better highways, and has served as road overseer. Frater- nally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Haugen. He and his wife were well read people, favorably known for their hospitality. Mr. Mlejnek was married at Faribault, Minn., Jan. 1, 1888, to Mary Slavick, the daughter of John and Minnie (Casper) Slavick, natives of Bohemia, the for- mer of whom died in 1894, and the latter of whom is now living at New Salem (Judson P. O.) North Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Mlejnek have had thirteen chil- dren: Frank J., Rosa, William, Agnes, William, Alice, Mary, John, Charles, Joseph, Victor and George and Northrup (twins). Frank J. was born Oct. 4, 1888. He married Christina Howell, and has five children, Mary, Joseph, Hel- len, Edward and Frank. Rosa was born Feb. 27, 1891. She married James Kovar, and has two children, Lucille and Hellen. William was born June 2, 1892, and died Oct. 8, 1893. Agnes was born July 6, 1894, married Joseph Snoll, and has three children, Verna, Joseph and Beatrice. William (second) was born April 18, 1896. He trained at Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill .; was at- tached to Company M, 343rd Infantry; then transferred to Company E, 30th Infantry, Third Division, and served in France and Germany, being with the Army of Occupation after the armistice, stationed at Munster Maifeld. He was mustered out at Camp Zachary Taylor, Kentucky, Aug. 29, 1919. Later he took a course in the St. Paul Automobile and Tractor School at St. Paul. Alice, Born Sept. 30, 1897, married John Bruha, and has one child, Eleanor. Mary was born June 5, 1899, married Fred Knadle, and has one child, Virgil. John was born Sept. 6, 1902; Charles, July 10, 1904; Joseph, March 15, 1907; Vic- tor, Jan. 11, 1910; and George and Northrop (twins), Oct. 4, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Mlejnek are members of the Freethinkers' Association.

--- ". Joseph Eckl, an early settler of Rice Lake Township, this county, was born in Germany, and was there reared, educated, and learned the carpenters' trade. He came to America in 1847, and located in Milwaukee, where he worked at his trade. Two years later, in 1849, he bought 80 acres of timber land in Eleven Township, Dodge County, this state, and settled on it. He built a log house and barn, and devoted several years to clearing and develop- ing a farm. In 1870 he sold the place, and moved to Chippewa Falls, Chip- pewa' County, near which place he rented a farm for three years. . In 1873 he came to Barron County, and purchased 160 acres in Section 32, Township No. 35 (Rice Lake). This was all 'wild land. He built a log house and barn and started to clear a farm in the wilderness. The region was then only

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JOHN MLEJNEK AND FAMILY

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partly settled. The lumber camps were still flourishing, Rice Lake was just emerging from a lumber camp into a hamlet, settlers were widely scattered; and a few isolated cabins, among the trees and stumps, surrounded with a few acres of broken land, were the only indication of the prosperous agricul- tural region that was yet to be. For a quarter of a century he and his wife lived on this place, and built up a good farm. But the pioneer spirit was still in his blood. Barron County was gradually becoming a settled commu- nity. So in 1898 he sold out and moved to Spring Brook, in Washburn County, this state. He built a set of log buildings, broke a part of the land, and for the third time in his life started to develop a farm in the wilderness. He died there in 1906, and his good wife passed away two years later. Both were hard-working, respected people, held in the highest regard in every community in which they lived.

Frank X. Eckl, a prominent citizen of Section 27, Bear Lake Township, was born in Eleven Township, Dodge County, this state, April 28, 1866, the son of Joseph and Theresa (Himmel) Eckl, who brought him to a farm near Chippewa Falls, this state, in 1870, and to Rice Lake Township, this county, in 1873. He attended school in Chippewa and Barron counties, learned farm- ing from his father, and remained at home helping with the farm work long after attaining his majority. In 1920 he purchased 40 acres in Section 27, Bear Lake Township. There he has built up a good farm, and successfully carries on general agriculture and dairying. He has a good herd of cattle, and everything about the place speaks of his hard work and good judgment. He is much interested in public affairs, and is one of the real leaders in his township. For ten years he did most excellent service as chairman of the town board of the Town of Gull Lake, in Washburn County, and for two years as clerk of the school board. For fourteen years he did valuable work for his fellow citizens as a member of the town board. As justice of the peace for two years, he was impartial and just. In every obligation of life he has lived up to his highest possibilities and he is a valuable and useful citizen. Mr. Eckl was married at Rice Lake, June 15, 1896, to Martha Dawsen, who was born in Maple Grove Township, Barron County, May 8, 1875, the daughter of Elias and Elizabeth Dawsen, natives of Indiana and both now deceased. In the Eckl family there are two bright adopted girls: Eve, born March 16, 1904; and Edna, born Nov. 9, 1908. Mr. Eckl is a Catholic in religion, attending services at Haugen. Mrs. Eckl is a Methodist.

Martenus Brandon, a solid and substantial citizen of Section 29, Bear Lake Township, where he has lived for nearly ten years, and where he has built up a good place, is a native of Norway, born in that country, Sept. 16, 1853, the son of Theodosius and Carrie Brandon, farming people of that coun- try. He received such education as the schools of his neighborhood provided, and was reared to farm pursuits. After reaching middle age, he determined to seek for his family the wider opportunities and better advantages of the new country. Accordingly, he set sail with his family in 1912, and in time reached Rice Lake, this county, where he secured 160 acres in Section 29, Bear Lake Township. This was cut-over land, but little improved. He has built a good set of buildings, including house, barn and sheds, and is engaged in improving and cultivating the farm. He has proved himself a hard work- ing and industrious man and a good citizen, and is held in the highest regard. Like his forefathers before him, he is an adherent of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, and has reared his children in that faith. Mr. Brandon was married in Norway, Aug. 28, 1890, to Anna Strandbakken, born in Ringsaker, Norway, on Sept. 25, 1861, the daughter of Johannes and Gunnor Strandbakken, now deceased. This union has been blessed with six children: Theodore, John Carl, Gunda, Maggie and Anna, all born in Norway, and all brought to this country by their parents in 1912. Theadore was born Nov. 1, 1891, and is working with his father on the home farm. He was reared and educated in Norway, and had just reached his majority when the family came to America.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 118

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

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