History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 123

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 123

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August E. Westphal, a well known resident of Doyle Township, was born in Faribault, Minn., Aug. 26, 1885, the son of Ferdinand and Mary Westphal, natives of Germany, who, on coming to America, located on a farm at Fari- bault, Minn. He attended the common schools, learned farming from his father, and remained at home for long after attaining his adult years. In 1906 he started work in the mill at Birchwood, in this state, then, after a short time, he worked in Angus, Cedar Lake Township, this county, where he worked for A. T. Johnson, a leading citizen. In 1920 he rented his present farm in Section 16, Doyle Township. He carries on general farming on a profitable

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scale, and makes a specialty of dairying. His good herd of graded cattle is headed by a Holstein sire. Mr. Westphal was married at Cedar Lake Township, Aug. 21, 1913, to Cecelia Asmussen, who was born in Viscania, Ill., on Aug. 2, 1889, the daughter of Peter and Christena (Jensen) Asmussen, natives of Nor- way who now live in Mikana, in Cedar Lake Township. Mr. and Mrs. West- phal have three children : Franklin A., born June 23, 1914; John F., born April 8, 1915; and Hazel M., born June 25, 1917.

Jay F. Smith, for twenty years an influential resident of Section 11, Doyle Township, was born at Alma, Blue Earth County, Minn., March 5, 1867, the son of Osiah P. and Rose (Brossard) Smith. The parents were natives of New York State, who came to Wisconsin in 1850, and located at Beaver Dam, in Dodge County, later going to Wells and later to Blue Earth County, Minn. At the age of fifteen, being then a boy of development beyond his years, Jay F. Smith started out for himself, going to the Black Hills region, where he worked on the ranges for eight years. After that he returned to Minnesota and farmed for a time on the home place, also working in partnership with Leo, a brother, and his father, in their general store at Colgate, N. D. From there he went to Blue Earth County, Minn., and farmed near Mankato. His next loca- tion was on a farm near Elysian, Minn. In 1901 he came to Barron County and purchased 240 acres of hardwood timber, 120 acres in Section 11, and 120 acres in Section 2. On this tract he built a frame house and started to clear up the land. In 1902 he added to the house. Later he made further improve- ments to the house. He has also erected suitable barns and sheds. He now has a well-improved farm as good as any to be found in the neighborhood. Here he carries on general farming and dairying. In the twenty years that he has lived here he has done his duty as a good citizen in every way, and he stands well with all who know him. He is a man of good judgment, he keeps well abreast of the times in every way, and his fellow citizens often look to him for advice and counsel. He is a believer in everything that is for the best interests of the community, and is especially enthusiastic in the cause of co-operative effort among farmers. He is a stockholder in the Central Cheese & Butter Association of Doyle Township. Mr. Smith was married at Elysian, Minn., Feb. 1, 1896, to Cora Brossard, the daughter of Joseph and Melissa A. (Rice) Brossard, natives of Wisconsin, the former of whom is now living in Gardner, Colo., and the latter of whom died Sept. 20, 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have eight children: Percy J., was born Aug. 12, 1897, who married Lorene Farmer, of Doyle Township, and has a daughter, Lillian V. Ross B., born Oct. 23, 1901; Ray L., born June 1, 1905; Clayton, born Feb. 3, 1907; Gladys, born June 27, 1909; Lloyd, born March 28, 1912; Fred, born March 17, 1915; and Wilson, born March 1, 1917.

Joel R. Ackerman, pioneer, veteran of the Civil War, and for many years a solid and substantial citizen, was one of the founders of Doyle Township, and lived to see the region he found a wilderness develop into one of the gar- den spots of the state. He was a man of staunch character, liberal in his opinions, and broad in his outlook, a most kindly and generous man who de- lighted in taking his share in everything that was for the best interests of the community in which he lived. He was a true and faithful husband, a loving and understanding father, a good citizen, a pleasant neighbor, and an indus- trious farmer, and his memory will long be cherished in the hearts of those who knew and admired him. A resident of this county for more than forty years, he was a personal friend of the men famous in the early days, and his opinions were often sought on public affairs by those who valued his good judgment, sound sense, and shrewd intellect. He had faith in the future of the county even in the days when there was a doubt whether it would ever be an agricultural region, and he lived to see all his hopes more than justified and fulfilled. Joel R. Ackerman was born in New York State, July 28, 1838, the son of Henry and Sarah (Brown) Ackerman, both natives of that state, and both descended from early New York families. The father, who was a car-

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JOEL R. ACKERMAN

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penter by trade, brought the family to Sheboygan, this state, in 1850, and here the mother died soon afterward. Joel R. attended school there, and learned the carpenter trade from his father. As a young man he enlisted and served as a private in Co. C, 17th Wis. Vol. Inf. In 1874 he came to Barron County, and took a homestead of 160 acres in Section 24, Doyle Township. This land was mostly covered with hard timber. He cleared a small tract, built a log house and barn, and started farming in the wilderness. Those were the days of real pioneering. Neighbors were few and far between. There were no high- ways except the tote roads of the lumber companies. Provisions had to be brought from trading places many miles away. But he and his family had strength and courage, and they were willing to submit to hardships for the sake of the future. As time passed more and more of the land was cleared, per- mitting farming to be conducted on a profitable basis. In 1893 he put up a frame house and a barn. In 1904 the house was destroyed by fire, and the family moved to Portland, Ore., where they remained a little over a year. Then he returned to Doyle Township, where he built a new home. After a long and useful life, filled with successful endeavor, worthily accomplished, he died June 13, 1918, having nearly reached the age of eighty years. He had served as town treasurer and road commissioner. The farm is called "Cold Spring Farm." Mr. Ackerman was married at Chippewa Falls, Wis., March 5, 1871, to Mrs. Elizabeth Jeffers Gould, the widow of Caleb H. Gould. She was born in New York State, Sept. 1, 1850, the daughter of Freman J. and Loley A. (Wilmot) Jeffers, pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Ackerman had five children: Eva E., Clara A., Hattie L., Walter J. and Merton J. Eva E. was born March 5, 1873, and is the wife of James Bittler, of Rusk. Clara A. was born Aug. 30, 1875, and is the wife of John Bewley, of Oregon. Hattie L. was born June 3, 1882, and mar- ried first Tom Gehan, by whom she has one child, Eblin G. For her second husband she married Edward Johnson, of Rice Lake. Walter J. was born Aug. 5, 1884, married Avra Sawyer, and has one son, Walter F., of Rice Lake. Mer- ton J. was born May 22, 1892. He has purchased the home place, and his mother lives with him. He is one of the active, energetic men of the town- ship. He carries on general farming and dairying and has a good herd of cat- tle. He has continued the improvements started by his father, and has built a garage, a separator house, a swine house and several sheds. He is a popular member of the Masons and the Knights of Pythias. He is held in the highest regard by all who know him, and is taking his share in all the affairs of the community. By her marriage to Mr. Gould, Mrs. Ackerman had two children, Alice L. and Clarence F. Alice L. was born June 18, 1869, married Allen Lock, lives in Oregon, and has twelve children: Walter, Bernard, Leslie, Eugene, Lloyd, Clarice, Paul, Chester, Cecil, Goldie, Sylvia and Floyd. Clarence F. was born June 28, 1871, and lives in Rusk County. He married Ella West, who died in 1913, leaving a child, Claire G., after which he married Anna Sampson.

Patrick E. Drew, the prosperous owner of 200 acres of land in Doyle Town- ship, 80 acres in Section 2, 80 acres in Section 11, and 40 acres in Section 12, was born in Lee County, Illinois, the son of Thomas and Bridget (Callahan) Drew, natives of Ireland, substantial citizens of Lee County for many years, and now deceased. He was educated in the schools, of his neighborhood, and learned farming from his father, with whom he remained until well into his adult years. In 1911 he moved to Murray County, Minnesota, and there farmed for four years. It was in 1915 that he came to Doyle Township, and purchased his present farm. It was then partly cleared, and a log house and log barn had been erected. In 1917 he built a comfortable frame house and in 1918 he put up a good barn, chicken house, sheds and other buildings. He has con- tinued to clear the land and has made other improvements. He now carries on general farming and dairying and is well along the road to success. He is a stockholder in the Central Cheese & Butter Association. Mr. Drew stands well in the community, and is well liked by all who know him. Mr. Drew was

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married April 17, 1895, at Amboy, Ill., to Belle McFadden, who was born and reared in Lee County, Ill. This union has been blessed with five children. Emmett J. was born July 27, 1896, enlisted at Raritan, N. J., served in the ord- nance department, and was discharged in March, 1919. Amie Belle was born June 14, 1898; Harold F. was born Feb. 20, 1901; Verna E. was born July 8, 1904; and Charles E. was born Sept. 10, 1906. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church.

Henry M. Olson is successfully farming on eighty acres in Section 17, Doyle Township, which he purchased in 1907. At that time it was partly im- proved. Just as he was getting started, his house burned, March 7, 1907. He at once replaced it with a frame house, and he has built other structures as necessity has required. He has a well-developed place in which he takes much pride, and from year to year it is gradually being improved. He does mixed farming and dairying, and has a good herd of cattle. Cream from his dairy is sold to the Campia Butter & Cheese Co. of Campia, in which he is a stock- holder. He is also a stockholder in the warehouse there. Fraternally, he is a popular member of the Beavers. He is a substantial, representative citizen, he has the development of this region deeply at heart, and is quietly doing his share in everything that he believes to be for the best interests of the com- munity. Mr. Olson was born in Doyle Township, Oct. 14, 1880, the son of Ole and Anna (Bergstad) Olson. The father was a native of Norway and the mother of Wisconsin. They lived for many years in Doyle Township, where the father died May 14, 1912, and the mother, July 20, 1919. Henry M. at- tended the common schools and learned farming from his parents. In 1900 he went to Courtney, N. D., and for some years was employed on farms there, until securing his present place. For eleven years Mr. Olson followed lumbering, as a sawyer, for two winters on the Chippewa River and the rest of that time in the vicinity of Hemlock and Cedar lakes. He was married Oct. 28, 1909, to Selma Matthews, who was born in Wisconsin, May 9, 1890, the daughter of Matt and Engeborg (Falkestad) Matthews, natives of Norway, and for many years residents of Doyle Township. The father is still living and the mother died Jan. 27, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Olson have two bright children: Vernon M., born June 28, 1910; and Alice N., born Aug. 1, 1912. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Eugene V. Hanson, owner of 40 acres in Section 18, Maple Grove Town- ship, was born in this county, Nov. 14, 1894, son of Charles and Anna (Beebe) Hanson, natives of Norway, who came to America in the early sixties and set- tled in the eastern states, later coming to Barron County, and settling on a farm in Hay River, Clinton Township. In 1898 they moved to Maple Grove Township, where he died in 1906. His wife is still living with her daughter, Ella, in Maple Grove Township. In the family there were eight children, Ella, Clinton, Lathrop, Richard, George, Pearl, Eugene V. and Elmer (deceased). Eugene V. Hanson received his education in the district schools, and devoted his youth to farming for his parents and neighbors. He bought his present place in 1920, made some minor repairs, and took up farming for himself. Mr. Hanson was married May 17, 1920, to Nettie Carnes, daughter of Charles and Nancy Carnes, natives of Iowa, who came to this state in 1910, and now reside at Richland Center. Mr. and Mrs. Carnes have four children: Zen, Clarence, Ray and Nettie.

Edward Kringle, a modern farmer of Section 10, Doyle Township, is a native of this county, born in Maple Grove Township, Dec. 11, 1878, the son of Gabriel and Barbara (Huset) Kringle, natives of Norway, who. are now farming in Maple Grove Township. Edward was sent to the district school in his neighborhood, and also had the advantages of courses in the Chetek High School. He learned farming thoroughly from his father. As a youth he worked for a while in the lumber woods and on railroad sections. In 1901 he bought his present place of 120 acres, then covered with heavy timber. He put up a shanty, and there he and his brother, Gustavus, lived together for a while,

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getting things started on the place. After his marriage, he brought his wife here. In 1908 he built a comfortable modern house, and in 1912 a barn, 40 by 68 feet, with full basement, and furnished with the James barn equipment. Other sheds and buildings have been put up as necessity has required and con- venience permitted. In 1912 the stone silo, 13 by 36 feet, was built. Both house and barn are supplied with electric lights and running water. Mr. Kringle has developed a good place, well fenced and well cultivated, and excel- lently equipped with tools, implements and machinery. He successfully car- ries on general farming along modern lines. He has a good herd of graded cat- tle, headed by a Holstein sire, and a good drove of Poland-China swine. He specializes in certified Rural New York seed potatoes, for which he enjoys an excellent reputation, and for which he finds a ready market. He sends his cream to the Central Cheese & Butter Association, of Doyle Township, in which he is a stockholder. Mr. Kringle is an estimable citizen. He is deeply inter- ested in the growth and progress of his native town, and is ever ready to do his share in everything that meets his approval. He is a hard working man of steady application and is already well along the road to success. He has held township office, having served four years as supervisor, being chairman of the board three years, and has been school clerk for the past six years, since the building of the schoolhouse. Mr. Kringle was married April 5, 1906, at Rice Lake, to Cora Gunnelson, who was born at Rio, Wis., on Feb. 8, 1875, the daughter of Gunnell and Esther (Johnson) Gunnelson, the former of whom is dead and the latter of whom lives in Doyle Township. Mr. and Mrs. Kringle have four children: Esther B., born Sept. 25, 1907; Theron C., born May 7, 1911; and Clarice M. and Carroll M., born Sept. 28, 1913. The family faith is that of the Lutheran Church.

Gustavus Kringle, an energetic farmer of section 10, Doyle Township, was born in Maple Grove Township, this county, July 3, 1883, the son of Gabriel and Barbara (Huset) Kringle, natives of Norway who came to Maple Grove in the seventies, and are still farming there. Gabriel Kringle came from Norway at the age of eleven years. Gustavus attended the school in his neigh- borhood and learned farming from his father. When he was eighteen he began with his brother, Edward, living in one cabin and began to clear up his present place. In 1904 he purchased eighty acres in section 10, Doyle Town- ship, and started to clear a farm among the timber, working there summers, and for the A. V. and S. Co. of Algona, two winters. He also traveled one summer through the southwestern states. After he got a part of the place cleared he put up a small frame house and a barn. 'His present modern frame house was put up in 1914. A commodious barn, 36 by 90 feet, was built in 1920. It has a full tile basement and is installed with Libby equipment. Mr. Kringle successfully carries on general farming and dairying, and has a good herd of graded cattle headed by a Holstein sire, and a flock of full blooded Poland China swine. He makes a specialty of growing certified Rural New York potatoes, which are in high favor with growers wherever their reputation has reached. Mr. Kringle is an excellent farmer in every particular. He reads the farm journals, he attends the farm meetings, he believes in follow- ing the best and latest methods so far as his equipment will allow, and to that equipment he is gradually adding. He and his wife join in the social affairs of the community, and their doors are always open, not only to their own friends, but also to the little friends of their children. They are getting a good start in life and are highly regarded by all who know them. Mr. Kringle was married at Rice Lake May 7, 1908, to Ada Olmsted, daughter of Nels and Annis Olmsted. She was born in Doyle Township on July 31, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Kringle have six children: Marion L., born March 1, 1909; Leonard G., born Nov. 17, 1912; Alice I., born March 31, 1915; Gertrude A., born March 29, 1917; Martha J., born Aug. 29, 1918; and Harold C., born Aug. 21, 1920. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Michael Mc Ginnis, retired farmer now living in Rice Lake, was born in

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Ontario, Canada, Feb. 18, 1852, son of Michael and Margaret (Bennett) Mc Ginnis, who were born in Ireland, came to Canada, and there lived until the father's death in 1856, after which the mother came to Rice Lake, March 1, 1882, and lived with her son until her death in 1895. Michael attended school in Canada part of the time until he was sixteen years old, and then took up farm work. Oct. 30, 1878, he arrived at Saginaw, Mich., and worked in the woods there for a year before coming to Pierce County, Wis., where he was variously employed. His first arrival at Rice Lake was in 1881, after which he assisted in building mills at Cameron and Barron. In 1885 he took a homestead in Oak Grove Township, this county. The tract was covered with timber. This he cleared in part and put up a frame house and log barn and granary. In 1904 he sold out and bought 80 acres in Barron Township, where he farmed for several years. He sold out and took up his home in Rice Lake in 1908. Mr. Mc Ginnis was married Feb. 17, 1890, to Margaret Case, of Eau Claire, and this union has been blessed with six children. Mary W. was born Jan. 27, 1891, at Eau Claire, Wis., married John Hair, and lives in Duluth. Her husband was one of the heroes of the great war. He was in- ducted into the United States Army, made an excellent record in training camp, was sent to France, saw active service, and has never been heard from since, supposedly being one of the "unknown dead" lying in an unnamed grave. Arthur was born April 7, 1895, and lives in Milwaukee, Wis. John was born Jan. 9, 1898; William Nov. 26, 1900; and Frank Jan. 13, 1904. Margaret L., born March 12, 1907, is attending the Rice Lake High School. The family is well regarded throughout the community.

Charles Neuenfeldt, proprietor of Lower Turtle Lake Dairy Farm, one of the prominent men of Almena Township, and the first land owner in section 24, which he found a wilderness, and helped develop into one of the best parts of the county, was born in Germany Feb. 1, 1857, the son of Ferdinand and Charlotte Neuenfeldt, natives of that country, who came to the United States in 1873 and spent the remainder of their lives farming near the Twin Cities, in Minnesota. Of their four children there are now living three. Emil is a garage man in Almena. Otto is a painter and carpenter in Turtle Lake. Minnie is dead. Charles was reared in Germany, and went to school and was confirmed there. He was sixteen years old when he came to this country with his parents. For some years he remained with his father. Then for a while he rented a farm near the Fair Grounds in St. Paul. Later he moved with his father to a farm near Ft. Snelling, and purchased a farm there. Afterward he rented another farm nearer St. Paul. In 1894 he came to Barron County and purchased 160 acres in section 34, Almena Township, on the banks of Lower Turtle Lake. Later he purchased 98 acres more, making his present place of 258 acres. When he purchased the place, it was all wild, covered with timber and stumps, through which the deer and the bear still roamed. There were no roads in the immediate vicinity except the "tote" roads of the lumbermen. Lumbering operations were still in progress, and Knapp, Stout & Co. had a mill close by. Turtle Lake was the trading point. To get to his farm he had to take the Almena road to Turtle Lake, and then follow the tote road to section 34, where he was the first man to buy land. There he built a small house, a building which escaped the great fire, and is still standing. With the help of his family he has cleared up the land, and now has 120 acres under the plow. He has put up a pleasant residence, 16 by 24, with an addition the same size. The barn is 30 by 78 feet, built mostly of logs, and boarded over. He also has a silo, machine shed, granary and other buildings. The farm is well equipped with tools, implements and machinery, including a tractor. Here he successfully carries on general farming and dairying, and has a good herd of graded Guernseys, headed by a full blooded sire. Mr. Neuenfeldt has been active in all the affairs of the community, and has served on the town board. He is secretary of the Turtle Lake Co-operative Creamery, and is interested in the Shipping

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CHARLES NEUENFELDT AND FAMILY

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Association, and in the Cow Testing Association. Mr. Neuenfeldt was mar- ried at St. Paul, Minn., Nov. 20, 1881, to Amelia Kirchkoff, who was born in Germany March 1, 1866, daughter of August and Minnie Kirchoff, the former of whom is living near St. Paul, and the latter of whom is dead. In the family there were the following children: Gustave, Charles, Albert; Minnie, the wife of Henry Simon of St. Paul; Gusta, the widow of John Ott, of St. Paul; Ricke, the widow of Otto Schultz, of St. Paul; and Amelia. Mr. and Mrs. Neuenfeldt have had thirteen children: Anna, the wife of James West, of Turtle Lake; Albert, of St. Paul; Minnie, the wife of Ed. Uer, of Turtle Lake; Bertha, the wife of Charles Weber, of St. Paul; Laura, the wife of Frank Kart, of St. Paul; Amelia, of St. Paul; Tillie; Marie; Charles, who married Vera Ure, and lives in St. Paul; Henry; August; John and Fred (deceased). Charles served two years in a medical unit at Kansas City, and at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, during the World War. Mr. Neuenfeldt has equipped his place with a Garland gas lighting plant and installed a large hot air furnace in the house.

Jacob Slagstad, for some twenty years the owner of 80 acres in Section 5, west, Maple Grove Township, now deceased, was an estimable citizen in every respect. He was a hard working man, a good farmer, and a kind hus- band and father, and his death brought sorrow to a wide circle of friends. He was born in Norway, Jan. 10, 1863, and was there reared. He came to America in 1883, and settled near Elroy, Wis., where he and two of his brothers purchased a small farm. Some ten years later he went back to Norway, to visit his old friends there. In 1893 he once more came to Amer- ica, and bought the farm in this county, where he lived for so long a while. He cleared fifty acres, repaired the house, built a barn, put up new fences, bought equipment, and there farmed successfully until his death, Feb. 3, 1903. After his death, his wife sold forty acres, and she and her son, Joseph, operate the remainder. Joseph is one of the energetic young men of the township, and the farm is prospering under his management. A younger brother, Jacob, also helps with the work. Mr. Slagstad was married Sept. 10, 1894, to Carrie Brandt, a native of Norway. This union has resulted in five children: Olaf, born Sept. 19, 1895, is a baker in Barron; Martha, born May 27, 1897, is the wife of John Olson, of Clinton; Gabriel, born May 26, 1899, operates a restaurant in Barron. Joseph was born Sept. 23, 1900, and Jacob was born April 23, 1903.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 123

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

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