History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 125

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).

Henry E. Kisling, town official and active citizen of Section 28, Stanley Township, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, July 4, 1869, son of Louis and Christina (Rank) Kisling. The father died when Henry E. was four years of age. The mother then came to Ohio, and here she married Mr. Semuth. The family came to Barron County, in 1879, and settled in Stanley township. The subject of this sketch attended school when he could, but spent most of his time helping at home, assisting to clear the place. He was but little more than a boy when he started working in the woods during the winter season. As a young man he rented various farms in this county. In 1890 he bought a farm of 80 acres near Haugen, in Oak Grove Township, this county. Three years later he sold and went to Spooner where he was a section man on the railroad. Then he became a foreman of a fencing crew on the Omaha Short Line from Rice Lake to Birchwood. After that he was section foreman between Couderay and Birchwood fourteen months. Then he purchased a dray line at Cameron and operated it for a year and a half. But his aspirations still turned to farm- ing, so that in 1904 he bought 36 acres in Section 28, Stanley Township, on the outskirts of the village. To this he later added 31 acres more. He has im- proved the place, has a good house, barn and other buildings, and successfully carries on general farming. He has been a member of the town board for nine years, and has also been a member of the health board. For one year he was secretary of the Cameron Telephone Co. For the past five years he has driven the buss for the children to attend the Cameron school. Fraternally,

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he is a member of the Odd Fellows, both of the subordinate lodge and the en- campment. Mr. Kisling was married in 1890 to Ella Coon, and to this union were born three children, Alfred, Myrtle and Percy. On May 4, 1905, he mar- ried Rose Nelson, who was born in Maple Grove Township, this county, April 23, 1887, daughter of Hans and Carrie Nelson. This union has been blessed with five children: Helmer was born Nov. 29, 1907; Mabel was born Sept. 21, 1911; Luella was born Nov. 1, 1913; Valoris was born March 27, 1916; Lloyd was born March 27, 1918.

Herman A. Lemke, proprietor of Pine Valley Dairy Farm, an energetic citi- zen of Stanley Township, who is successfully operating the home place in Sec- tion 32, is a life-long resident, and has held the esteem and respect of his fel- lowmen from boyhood up. He was born on the place where he now lives, Feb. 16, 1883, the son of Herman and Albertine Lemke, who, at that time, were still living in their pioneer log cabin. He was reared to farm pursuits, and attended school in the historic old frame building in Cameron. He lost his father at the age of eleven, and manhood's responsibilities early fell upon his shoulders. The farm consists of 160 acres of good land, well fenced and well stocked. Mr. Lemke has erected a good set of buildings, and has made many improvements, and the whole place bespeaks his thrift and energy and the pride he takes in the place which has been the family homestead for so many long years. Mr. Lemke carries on general farming and dairying, his good herd being of the Guernsey breed. He is a thorough believer in every organization that assists in the progress of the community, and is president of the Cameron Live Stock Shipping Association and a director of the Cameron Farmers' Tele- phone Co. All in all, he is one of the useful men of the community, and has in all ways done his share toward its development.

Andrew Bakke, an estimable farmer of Section 16, Stanley Township, was born in the City of Drobak, Norway, Nov. 27, 1864, youngest of the four chil- dren of Ole and Anna Christensen. The father was a sailor, and a famous government pilot, and sailed the seas of northern Europe, and touched at most of the principal ports of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Russia, Germany, Bel- gium, Holland, France and England. Andrew was reared in the city, attended the city schools, and as a youth, took several ocean trips with his father. In 1884, he came to America, and located in Chippewa Falls, this state, where he was employed four years in the mills and in the lumber woods. Then he went to Ironwood, Mich., where he worked for four years in the mines. There he married. Then he went to Superior, Wis., where he was employed in the ship- yards for twelve years. At the end of this period he bought a tract of land in Aitkin County, Minn., and took up farming. In 1905 he came to Barron County, and took up carpenter work, two years at Barron, and seven years at Cameron. He bought his present place of 80 acres in Section 16, Stanley Township, in 1914. The place was all wild, and covered with standing timber. To the devel- opment of this place, he has since devoted his time and attention. He has put up a good home, a barn, 32 by 58 feet, and other buildings, and has cleared about 50 acres of the land. He has good stock and good equipment, and is considered one of the successful men of his neighborhood. When he started he had two cows and a team of horses. He now has a good herd of cows, and some good horses, as well as a flourishing drove of swine, and a large flock of fowls. As a father, he is deeply interested in education and the training of the coming generation, and has served as clerk of his school district. Mr. Bakke was married at Ironwood, Mich., Sept. 13, 1887, to Annette Anderson, a native of Norway, born at Drammon, Norway, April 29, 1869. This union has been blessed with ten children: Oscar, who is at Rice Lake; Westy, who is at Rice Lake; John, who is at Barron; Ruth, the wife of Joseph Fliflet, of Barron Township; Esther, who is employed as a bookkeeper at the Fair, Rice Lake; Daniel, who helps with the farm work; Marie, who is attending the high school at Rice Lake; and the three younger ones, Martin, Charles and

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Wilma, who are attending the district school. The family faith is that of the Free Mission Church.

Franklin Charles Durkee, Sections 34 and 35, Stanley Township, public official and prosperous farmer, proprietor of the Prairie Lake Farm, and for- mer railroad station agent, was born in Canada, May 29, 1862, the son of E. W. and Louisa (Ballard) Durkee, both natives of Canada, he being descended from farming people, while her father was a M. E. clergyman. Franklin Charles, who was the oldest of five children, was brought to the States when he was three months old, and located in Michigan. The family took him back to Can- ada for a while, but then again returned to Michigan. Franklin C. remained with his parents until some time after attaining his majority. As a young man, he did farm work, logged in the woods, and helped on river drives. Then he learned telegraphy. In 1891 he came to Cameron as telegraph operator here, and was thus employed for about one and a half years. Then he was trans- ferred to Bloomer, in Chippewa County, where he was agent for a long time. In the spring of 1907 he purchased 84 acres of land in Sections 34 and 35, Stanley Township. This was partly cleared, and a house and old log barn stood on the place, in Section 35. The house has been remodeled, a large new barn built, and other smaller buildings erected. The farm has been developed into its present excellent condition. The usual crops are raised, a specialty being made of good Guernsey cattle. Mr. Durkee has been interested in public af- fairs and is now serving as town clerk of Stanley Township, having first been elected in 1912. He has just installed an individual electric light plant for lighting his house and barns. He was married July 27, 1892, to Anna Gehler, who was born at Green Lake, Wis., July 18, 1870, daughter of Fred and Gusta (Mills) Gehler, both of whom are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Durkee have four children: William F., assistant cashier of the Farmers and Merchants State Bank, at Virginia, Minn .; Frank G., who is in partnership with his father; and Gladys May and Mildred Esther, who are students and still reside at home.

Andrew B. Hoff, farmer and dairyman of Section 22, Stanley Township, comes of pioneer stock. He was born in a log cabin on his father's farm in Johnson Township, La Grange County, Indiana, July 7, 1858, son of Michael and Hannah Hoff. These good people settled in Indiana in 1837, when that state was still largely a wilderness. They built a log cabin and log sheds, cleared a farm, and were true pioneers. Andrew B. was the youngest of eight children. He attended such schools as the neighborhood afforded, and then took a six-months' course at the Northern Indiana Normal at Valparaiso, Ind. Thus prepared he went to Iowa, and rented a farm in Carroll County. There he successfully farmed for seven years, making a specialty of grain and swine. Then he went to Emmet County, and purchased a farm, and there successfully farmed for twenty-three years. He carried on farming in all its branches, but made a specialty of dairying with a fine herd of Shorthorns. He became one of the leading citizens of his township, a man of importance and influence. He served in town and school offices, and took part in everything that pertained to the progress of the community. He decided, however, that he would try his fortunes in a newer country, and after due deliberation fixed upon Barron County as the scene of his future activities. Accordingly, he came to Hills- dale, in Maple Grove Township. In 1914 he purchased a farm, and engaged in the dairy business. In 1920 he bought his present place of 70 acres in Section 22, Stanley Township. He has a good place, well improved, and the modern home is equipped with electric lights, and other conveniences. Mr. Hoff is in- troducing the latest improved methods of farming, and is making a specialty of Guernsey cattle. He was married at Estherville, Iowa, on Feb. 24, 1897, to Mary Fernau, the daughter of Jacob and Caroline (Schimel) Fernau, and they have two children, Clella, born May 11, 1901; and Everett, born Jan. 23, 1906.

Levi Wilkins, one of the early settlers of Barron County, now deceased, was born on a farm in Vermont, March 24, 1831, the son of Nathaniel and Filinda Wilkins, both natives of that state and descended from Colonial stock.

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In the family there were five children, Levi being a twin. The parents came to Wisconsin in the forties, and settled in Green Lake County, where they farmed the remainder of their lives. Levi was reared in Vermont and in Wis- consin. In the latter fifties he brought his wife to Chippewa County, this state, where they settled on a tract of wild land. There they established them- selves amid the crudest conditions. They erected a log cabin and started to clear the land. In time they built up a nice little farm, and a frame house and barn replaced the original log house. They were well on their way to success there, but they had heard of the possibilities in Barron County, and decided to try their fortunes here. Accordingly, he drove here with his fam- ily, in 1872, making the trip with an ox team. He secured a homestead of 160 acres in Sumner Township, and erected a log cabin, 16 by 20 feet. The family lived in the wagon and in neighbors' homes, until the cabin was completed. For a while, conditions were hard, and just as the family were getting a little start in life, the stock sickened and died. But they persevered, and in time, won success. At first, they had few implements and no machinery, grain was harvested with a cradle. Mr. Wilkins was an expert cradler and worked for his neighbors, cradling their wheat. Gradually good farms blossomed in among the trees and stumps, good machinery replaced the crude devices of the earlier day, and modern comforts replaced the hardships and makeshifts of pioneer life. In 1899, Mr. Wilkins sold out, and bought 120 acres in Sections 27, 34 and 35, Stanley Township. He rebuilt the house, erected a new barn, and made other improvements. On this place he spent the remainder of his life, dying April 29, 1903. The mother still resides on the farm. Mr. Wilkins was mar- ried Nov. 15, 1855, to Diantha Borril, who was born on a farm in New York State, Jan. 9, 1838, the daughter of Daniel and Sallie (Tweeten) Borril, natives of that state. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins had eleven children: Charles, Lewis, Nathaniel, Ardella, Rosana, Mary Jane, Effie, Sarah (deceased), Inez (de- ceased), Floyd (deceased) and Milton (deceased). Ardella was born Dec. 9, 1856; Rosana, June 11, 1860; Charles, Jan. 16, 1862; Lewis, Dec. 20, 1866; Mary Jane, Nov. 26, 1868; Effie, July 19, 1870; and Nathaniel, Jan. 20, 1872.

Nathaniel Wilkins, proprietor of the White Cloud Stock Farm, in Section 27, Stanley Township, was born in Chippewa County, this state, Jan. 20, 1872, the son of Levi and Diantha (Borril) Wilkins, the pioneers. He was reared in Sumner Township, came to the present farm with his parents, did his share of the work on the home farm, and since the death of his father, has operated it. He is one of the energetic men of his neighborhood, he takes an interest in everything that is for the best interests of the county, and from boyhood up, has done his duty in life in every way. He carries on general farming, and makes a specialty of dairying and raising good stock. He was married Nov. 26, 1913, to Tena Javner, daughter of Peter Olson and Tena Javner, pioneers of Stanley Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins have two daughters, Norma Lor- etta and Blanche Buhla.

Thurgen E. (Tom) Hagna, now living retired in Rice Lake, has developed a good farm in Stanley Township, and has in every way taken his part as a good citizen in the affairs of the community. He was born in Norway, June 24, 1861, and was there reared and educated. He came to America in 1881, and located in Portage County, this state, where he worked on the Northwestern Railroad for a while, then operated a farm, and still later worked in the lum- ber woods, where he logged, drove teams and worked on the river drives. Then he went into the tailoring business at Iola, Waupaca County, this state, with his brother, Ambros, under the firm name of Hagna Brothers. In this business he continued for eight years. He then determined to take up farming as his life work. Accordingly, he came to Barron County, and bought a tract of land in Section 25, Stanley Township. A log house had been erected, and sixty acres had been cleared. He moved into the log cabin with his family, and started to develop a good place. He and his wife, and the children as they grew up, worked early and late, and in time their efforts were crowned with success.

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MR. AND MRS. LEVI WILKINS NATHANIEL WILKINS AND FAMILY

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The place was increased to 280 acres, a good set of buildings was erected, and the farm became one of the best in the neighborhood. It is now known as the Clover Leaf Dairy Farm, and is operated by the sons, Melvin A., William O. and Roy. In the fall of 1919, Mr. Hagna moved to Rice Lake, where he has a pleasant home at 11 Hatten Avenue, and where he and his wife are spending a well-deserved rest after their many years of hard labor. They are honored and respected citizens, and are greatly liked both by their neighbors in Stanley Township, and by their new friends in Rice Lake. Mr. Hagna was married at Iola, Wis., on Dec. 4, 1888, to Lizzie Johnson, a native of Norway. This union has been blessed with eight children: Edward Oscar, Melvin A., William O., Roy, Myrtle, Clarence, Iva and Dorris. The family faith is that of the Nor- wegian Lutheran Church.

Hans Running, of Section 11, Stanley Township, this county, was born in Norway, Jan. 24, 1860, and was there reared and educated. He came to Amer- ica at the age of twenty-two, and located in Waupaca County, this state. In 1907 he came to Barron County with his family and located on his present farm. He was married May 19, 1892, to Mary Wallen, daughter of Ole and Anna Wallen, natives of Norway, and early settlers of Waupaca County. Mr. and Mrs. Running had four children: Eddie (deceased) Myrtle, Agnes and Orrin.

The Hagna Brothers, Melvin A., William O. and Roy, are the proprietors of the Clover Leaf Dairy Farm, in Stanley Township, one of the best farms in the county. The farm consists of 280 acres of good land, well fenced and equipped with all the latest devices in machinery, tools and implements. The house is modern and the barns and other buildings are most excellent, adapted to their various purposes. The young men are known as among the most ener- getic and successful in the township. Melvin A. was born Dec. 11, 1891; William O., July 10, 1893, and Roy, June 2, 1896, all on the place where they still live. the sons of Thurgen E. (Tom) Hagna, and Lizzie Johnson, his wife, worthy people who now live retired in Rice Lake. They were reared on the home place and attended the district school in the neighborhood. In addition to this, Melvin A. attended the Military Academy at Wurtenberg, Wis., where he took a thorough commercial course. They learned farming from their father, and have always remained at home. They are now in partnership in operating the home place. They carry on general farming and dairying on a successful scale. They have one of the best Guernsey dairy herds in this part of the state. They also have a good drove of Chester White swine, and also some good draft horses.

The three are prominent in the community, and Melvin A. is a director in the Cameron Stock Shipping Association. He is also a trustee in the Norwegian Lutheran Church at Pokegema. He married Myrtle Running, Dec. 30, 1919, at Pokegema. She was born at Iola, Wis., on May 2, 1896, the daughter of Hans E. and Mary (Wallen) Running.

Frank Hensel, a prosperous young farmer of Section 24, Stanley Township, was born on the farm where he now resides, Jan. 9, 1890, the son of Fritz and Henrietta (Boyer) Hensel, the pioneers. He was reared on this place, attended school in the neighborhood, and learned farming from his father. In 1917 he took over 160 acres of his father's land, including his father's original home- stead, and has since conducted it. He has made many improvements, including the building of a good barn. He carries on general farming and dairying and raises good stock. A thorough believer in cooperative effort among farmers, he has taken stock in the Farmers Cooperative Store at Canton, and is one of its patrons. He is a good farmer and a good business man, and is one of the best liked men in the neighborhood. He and his family attend the German Lutheran Church at Stanley.

Mr. Hensel was married on the farm Sept. 19, 1917, to Marie Klossner, who was born in Switzerland, June 16, 1894, the daughter of John Jacob and Marie (Bethler) Klossner, natives of Switzerland, who came to America in 1914 and

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located in Stanley Township. Mr. and Mrs. Hensel have one daughter, Mar- garet, born Jan. 1, 1920.

Fritz Hensel, pioneer and leading citizen of Section 33, Stanley Township, was born in Pomerania, north Germany, April 10, 1852, the son of Ludwig and Wilhelmina (Steffen) Hensel, the latter of whom died in Germany, in 1864, at the age of 46, and the former of whom came to the United States in 1889, and died at the good old age of eighty-one. In the family there were nine children : Charles, Fredericka, Johanna, Anstena, August, Fritz, Wilhelmina, Eliza and Rica. Of these, August, Fritz, Fredericka, Johanna, and Wilhelmina came to the United States. The subject of this sketch was confirmed as Christian Fred- erick William, but has always been called Fritz. He attended school in his native land, and early became a farmer. Feb. 19, 1880, he married Henrietta Boyer, who was born in Pomerania, Germany, Sept. 25, 1854. To this union there were born in Germany, two children, Emil and Otto. In 1882 the family set out for America. The oldest son, Emil, died on shipboard, and another son, Albert, was born during the same voyage. In time the family found their way to Barron County. When they reached here, Mr. Hensel had just $100 in cash, a year and a half having elapsed since they had landed in New York, most of which time had been spent there. Mr. Hensel purchased 80 acres in Section 24, Stanley Township. Twenty acres had been cleared, and a small house and a slab and straw barn had been erected. He started farming operations with a yoke of oxen and a few meagre tools. In time he achieved prosperity, cleared up the land, and erected a good set of buildings. Next he purchased 40 acres of timber land in Section 11, Stanley Township, and next 38 acres of improved land in Section 23. In 1910 he bought the present farm of 165 acres in Section 33. Mr. Hensel has been one of the useful men of his township, his school dis- trict and his church. He has been supervisor of the township for two years and has served in other town offices. For seventeen years he has been treasurer of School District No. 2. In the German Lutheran Church at Cameron he has been secretary for twenty years. He has also acted for some time as treasurer of the Cameron Farmers' Warehouse Co. of the American Society of Equity. The children in his family born in this township are: Lillie, Eliza, William, Frank, Elsie and Ida (deceased).

William Hensel is one of the energetic young farmers of Section 33, Stan- ley Township. He is a native of this county and township, and has watched its growth and progress from a wild lumbering region into a cultivated and fruit- ful agricultural and dairy country. He was born in Stanley Township, on April 17, 1887, the son of Fritz and Henrietta (Boyer) Hensel, the pioneers. He was educated in the district schools and was reared to farm pursuits. In 1917 he took over the management of the home farm. The buildings are in excellent condition, 62 acres have been cleared, and the place is well equipped with tools and machinery. He carries on general farming and dairying, and his operations are proving successful. Mr. Hensel was married to Lillie Frank- enberg, born in Stanley Township, daughter of Mauritz Frankenberg. Mrs. Hensel died July 2, 1917, at the age of twenty-two, leaving a bright daughter, Alma, born Feb. 23, 1917.

Albert Fritz Hensel, a progressive farmer of Section 25, Stanley Township, was born in Germany, Feb. 25, 1877, the son of Fritz and Gertrude Hensel, early settlers. He was brought to this country as a child, and was reared and edu- cated in Stanley Township, this county. He ventured out for himself at the age of fifteen, working in the woods at the hardest kind of labor for $12 a month and board and lodging. Then he followed railroad construction and repair work for many years, in the meantime continuing to work for a while in the woods during the winter seasons. In 1907 he purchased 76 acres in Sections 34 and 35, Stanley Township, where he built a new house and silo and improved the land. Ten years later, in 1918, he bought his present place of 80 acres in Section 25. He has an excellent modern house, a barn 34 by 54 feet, a glazed tile silo, 12 by 36 feet, and other improvements. The land is well developed and

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FRITZ HENSEL AND FAMILY

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well fenced, and the equipment of tools and machinery is excellent. Mr. Hen- sel carries on general farming and makes a specialty of Guernsey cattle. He and his family are faithful adherents of the German Lutheran Church at Sum- ner, in which he is a Trustee.

Mr. Hensel was married on Nov. 28, 1908 to Emma Wiese, the daughter of Gottfried and Augusta Wiese, early settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Hensel have five children : Ruth, Archie, Carl, Agnes and Edward.

Harvey Martin Hill, carpenter and farmer, now successfully operating a place of 120 acres in Section 18, Stanley Township, is a native of this state, born in Sumpter Township, Sauk County, Aug. 21, 1890, son of William and Mary (Crosby) Hill, both of whom were born in that county, of pioneer par- entage, and both of whom still live there. The parents were well-known and prominent people. The father has held local offices of various sorts, and has done his share in the progress of the community. Both are active in the affairs of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The subject of this sketch was the fourth of seven children. He attended the schools of his neighborhood and learned farming from his father. He also learned the carpenter trade. In 1914 he left home and located at Sarona, in Washburn County, this state, where he did car- penter work for five months. Then he purchased his present place. His skill as a carpenter has helped him with the improvement of the buildings and fences. He has devoted much of his spare time to the clearing of the land. His hard work has met with success, and he now has a place of which he has good reason to be proud. He successfully carries on general farming and is devel- oping some good graded Guernseys. He believes in cooperative effort and is a member of the Cameron Live Stock Shipping Association.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 125

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

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