History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 126

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

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Mr. Hill was married June 17, 1914, to Blanche Johnson, of Excelsior, Sauk County, Wis., the youngest of the six children of Wilber D. and Ella (Stone) Johnson, the former a native of Wisconsin and the latter a native of Maine.

Mr. and Mrs. Hill are the parents of two children: Helen Lorraine, born Sept. 19, 1916, and Howard Archie, born Nov. 11, 1919.

Gunder Anderson, now deceased, was of a pioneer family, and was himself an early settler of Barron County. He was born in Norway, March 13, 1849, the son of John and Christina Johnson. The parents brought their family of eight children, of whom Gunder was the seventh, to the United States in 1853. In those days the trip was made by sail boat, making a journey of many weeks, and entailing hardships of cramped quarters, insufficient food, and unsanitary conditions, of which the present generation has little conception. The family found its way to Waupaca County, this state, and there located on a homestead. The county was then new, practically a wilderness, and there were many pri- vations to endure, and difficulties to overcome. But they persevered, they developed a good place, and became solid and substantial citizens. Gunder was reared on the home farm, helped his parents develop the place, attended such schools as the neighborhood afforded, and as a youth spent his autumns with threshing crews. He came to Stanley Township in the late seventies, and secured a homestead of 120 acres of wild land in Sections 35 and 36. He built a small log cabin and there established his bride. A story of his experiences the first few years would be the story of the pioneer conditions of the county. The little cabin in the wilderness was but meagrely furnished, there was little furniture and fewer utensils. Yet the cabin was always open to friends, and in its single room, 16 by 24, early church services were held, and for a while, school was taught there. The farming equipment consisted of a team of horses and a plow, with a few smaller tools. Grain was harvested with a cradle. The wheat market was at Eau Claire, and the trip there was long and tiresome. The second year the family got a cow. Gradually the farm was developed and improved. Mr. Anderson operated one of the first threshing outfits in the neighborhood. From time to time he purchased implements, machinery and other equipment, he cleared the farm, put up fences, and built up a good place. He erected a house and barn, and in other ways showed himself a progressive

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and substantial citizen. He occupied town and school office, helped to maintain the church, and did his duty in life in every way. After a long and useful career, he died Dec. 27, 1915, and the community mourned the loss of a God- fearing man, a good neighbor, and devoted husband and father.

Mr. Anderson was married March 14, 1879, to Nellie Olson, who was born in Norway, May 10, 1859, daughter of Ole and Elizabeth Olson, who came to America in the middle sixties, and located in Chetek Township.

Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were the parents of eight children: Oscar and John (twins), George, Andrew, Martin, Halwig (deceased), Edna, Hilda (de- ceased). Andrew was born Nov. 14, 1886, on the home farm, and was reared here, and attended school in the neighborhood. He learned farming from his father, and is now the manager of the place. He is one of the prosperous in- fluential men of the town, and is well liked by all who know him. He keeps well abreast of the latest methods of farming, and takes an interest in every- thing that he believes to be for the best interests of the community which his father helped to establish. He carries on general farming and stock raising, and makes a specialty of raising good dairy stock.

John Holman, an early settler of Stanley Township, was born in Norway, and was there educated, reared and married. In 1883 he came to America and located on 80 acres of wild land one mile east of the present village of Cameron. When he landed in Chicago he was $300 in debt, and had but $20 in his pocket. Even this was stolen from him, so when he started in Barron County he had nothing, either in the way of money or equipment, furniture or clothes. But he had health and willing hands, and he had the incentive of establishing a home for his family. So he toiled away, erected a log cabin and slab and straw sheds, cleared a small tract of land, and put in some crops. Then he sent for his family, then consisting of his wife and seven children, Anna, Ole, Christian, John, Martin (deceased), George and Anton. Two more, Otto and Albert (de- ceased) were born in the United States. To the original farm, forty more acres were afterward added. Mr. Holman was especially interested in church affairs. He helped to build the first church of the Norwegian Lutheran Congregation at Pekegema Prairie, and served as its secretary and treasurer as long as he lived. In his death, the town lost a good citizen. His wife is still living and is nearly eighty years old.

Christian Holman, until recently a well-to-do farmer of Section 33, Stanley Township, but now operating a grist mill in Cameron village, was born in Nor- way, Sept. 17, 1872, the son of John and Mary Holman. He came to this country with his mother in 1883, and settled with them a mile east of the present village of Cameron. The second day after his arrival here, although only twelve years of age he started out for himself by finding employment with a neighbor, re- ceiving but little more than board and clothing, and turning over to his parents what little he did earn. He was but fourteen years of age when he first went into the lumber woods, and thereafter continued for several years. As a young man he began renting farms in Maple Grove Township, this county. In 1906 he bought a farm of 83 acres in Section 33. This was at that time partly improved and he continued the improvements. In 1915 he remodeled the house, and in 1918 put up a new barn, 34 by 70 feet. Other suitable buildings were erected as necessity has required. Mr. Holman had a fine herd of Holstein cattle and a good drove of Poland China swine, and successfully carried on general farming and dairying. He is a man of influence in the township and has served on the board of supervisors. He is president of the Farmers Telephone Co. of Cam- eron, and a stockholder in the State Bank of Cameron. He has been trustee of the Norwegian Lutheran Congregation since the present church was erected. In August, 1921, Mr. Holman sold his farm and bought a grist mill, residence and ten acres of land in the village of Cameron, where he and his family now reside.

Mr. Holman was married Oct. 22, 1898, in Stanley Township, to Ida Lewis, who was born in Maple Grove Township, this county, Dec. 18, 1879, the daugh-

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CHRISTIAN HOLMAN AND FAMILY

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ter of Gilbert and Mary Lewis. This union has been blessed with ten children: Guy James, born July 19, 1899; Arthur William, born April 2, 1901; Henry, born Feb. 28, 1903, who died Jan. 6, 1912; Harold, born Jan. 2, 1905; Mabel, born July 13, 1907; Albert, born July 25, 1909; Malcolm, born May 3, 1911; Helen, born July 2, 1914; Grace, born Sept. 5, 1916, and Robert, born Feb. 27, 1920.

Henry Bergeson, who has developed a good farm in Section 8, Stanley Township, was born in Sweden, Feb. 7, 1864, second of the three children of Berger and Sophia Carlson. He was reared and educated in his native land, and there married Anna Christina Anderson, daughter of Andrew and Anna Anderson, who lived in the same neighborhood. The subject of this sketch came to America in 1893 and for ten years worked in the mills at Minneapolis. Then he sent for his wife and two children, Selma and Josephine. With them he came to Barron County in 1903, and bought 80 acres in Sections 17 and 18, Stanley Township. This was wild land, covered with stumps, rotting logs and brush. He moved into the log cabin on the place just before Christmas, and started to clear the land. At first he had little to work with. The first year he bought a cow, and the second year a horse. He kept on, year by year, work- ing hard, and gradually developed a good place. He now has a sightly house, a good barn and sheds, and an excellent herd of cattle. He and his family are well thought of in the community. They attend the Swedish Lutheran Church at Rice Lake, and are liberal in their support. Mr. Bergeson is a stockholder in the Farmers' Shipping Association at Cameron.

Jacob Berger, a representative farmer of Section 16, Stanley Township, was born in Germany, Nov. 18, 1859, the son of John and Regina (Ludwig) Berger. The father died in that country in 1868, leaving four children, Jacob, Barbara, Catherine and John. The mother subsequently married George Hafele. The family came to America in 1882, and located at Rice Lake, on. July 3, of that year. That summer, the subject of this sketch worked on the railroad. Then he became a lumberman, working in the woods winters, and worked on farms in the summers. In 1891, when he married, he and his bride moved to a tract of 80 acres in Section 3, Stanley Township. Twenty acres had been cleared, and a frame house and log barn erected. Here he started farming with one yoke of oxen and three cows. His success was assured from the start, and his hard work soon began to show results. He added to the land until he owned 140 acres, much of which he cleared, improved and culti- vated. He enlarged the house, put up a new barn, 28 by 84 feet, and purchased suitable equipment, tools and machinery. Here he continued for some thirty years, building up a place which was as good as any to be found in the neigh- borhood. In 1920 he purchased another well-improved place in Section 16, in the same township, where he now lives. He carries on general farming and makes a specialty of Holstein cattle. Mr. Berger is a careful, industrious man, who occupies a position of considerable importance among his fellows. He has been supervisor of the town, and for many years has served as school treasurer. Mr. Berger was married Aug. 21, 1891, to Albertina Wolf, who was born in Germany, Sept. 18, 1865, the daughter of John and Ernestina (Porath) Wolf, natives of that country. In the family were two other daughters, Emelia and Bertha. Emelia was the first to come to the United States, and Bertha next. The parents and Albertina came in 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Berger have had three children, Walter, John W. and Agnes. Walter, a veteran of the World War, died in the spring of 1920 at the age of twenty-three. John W. farms in Sec- tion 15, Stanley Township. Agnes is at home. The family faith is that of the German Lutheran Church, and Mr. Berger has been secretary for several years of the congregation at Rice Lake.

John Berger, proprietor of Pleasant View Pine Farm, a substantial farmer of Section 3, Stanley Township, was born in Germany, April 4, 1867, the son . of John and Regina (Ludwig) Berger. The father died in Germany in 1868, leaving four children, Jacob, Barbara, Catherine and John. The mother later

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married George Hafele, who brought the family to America in 1882. At that time John was a youth of fifteen. He helped his family get a farm started in Stanley Township, and remained with them until he was twenty-one years of age. For several years thereafter he worked in the woods, in mills and on farms. In 1891 he secured a farm of 70 acres in Section 10, Stanley Town- ship, five acres of which had been cleared. He put up a frame house and a log barn, and started farming with two cows and a colt. After he had things well started, he married, and brought his bride to the place. Together they started to establish their fortunes. He built a modern home, a good frame barn and other structures, and successfully farmed there for several years. In 1916, he sold out and purchased his present place of 160 acres in Section 3, where he has continued the improvements. One of the features which he has built, is a good barn, 34 by 72 feet, with cement floor, and patent stanchions and equipment. He has also built a good silo, 12 by 24 feet. Here he success- fully carries on general farming and dairying, and has a good herd of Hol- stein cattle. He is favorably known throughout the neighborhood, and is an industrious and successful man. Mr. Berger was married at Stanley Town- ship on June 27, 1899, to Lena Timm, who was born in Augusta, Wis., June 27, 1877, the daughter of Michael and Carolina (Schliting) Timm. Mr. and Mrs. Berger have four children: Helen, Arthur, Clarence and Ethel, all residing at home.

Theodore Heuer, a respected and honored farmer of Section 23, Stanley Township, was born in Germany, Sept. 12, 1856, the son of Frederick and Augusta Heuer. The father, in his native country, was a government game warden. In 1872 he came to this country with his wife and five children, Ida, Anna, Bertha, Gusta and Theodore. They lived in Buffalo, New York, for a while, and then came to Winnebago County, in this state. In 1875, Theodore 'came to this county. The family came in 1877. They secured a tract of land in Section 23, Stanley Township, erected a shack and started to develop a farm. After the shack was built, his means were exhausted. But he was willing to work hard and to put up with inconveniences, and in time developed a good place, where he and his good wife spent the remainder of their lives. Theo- dore lived with his parents and helped them improve their farm. As a young man he bought and sold several pieces of land in Stanley Township. His pres- ent place of 120 acres in Section 23 is the old family farm on which he has now lived nearly forty years. He has brought it to a high grade of cultiva- tion, and successfully carries on general farming and dairying. He has watched the county grow from a wilderness into one of the richest dairying regions of the state, and has done his share in its development. He has also watched a wonderful improvement in methods of farming and in equipment. When he first started raising grain he did his reaping with a cradle. Later he secured a reaper. Still later he acquired a binder, the first ever sold at Rice Lake. He hauled grain to Chippewa Falls, while Mrs. Heuer worked in the fields, shocking grain and pitching hay. With his long experience, Mr. Heuer has acquired much knowledge, both of farming methods, and of men and events, and his advice is often sought by the younger generation, and his judgment is much respected. In the Sumner German Lutheran Church he has been an active factor, and was treasurer of that institution for eighteen years, until he resigned. Mr. Heuer was married Jan. 14, 1886, to Augusta Bertina Downer, who was born in Bloomer, this state, Aug. 4, 1867, daughter of Wil- liam and Louisa Downer, natives of Germany, who are now successfully farm- ing near Bloomer, in Chippewa County, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Heuer have had fourteen children: Emma, Reinholt, Edward, Arthur, Fritz, Frank, Max, Theodore, Harry, Albert, Helen, Louisa, William (died in infancy) and Emil (died at nine years). Mr. and Mrs. Heuer have taken especial pride in their fine family, and all are a credit to themselves, their parents and the com- munity.

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THEODORE HEUER AND FAMILY

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August Voelker, an industrious and hard working farmer, who owns a good place of 160 acres in Section 10, Stanley Township, was born in Germany, May 22, 1865, and was there educated and grew to adult years. He came to the United States in 1892, and landed at Baltimore, Maryland. . From there he came to Rice Lake. With headquarters here for about ten years, he worked for the Rice Lake Lumber Co., for the railroad, and on farms. In 1909 he bought 80 acres of land in Section 9, Stanley Township. Here he started to develop a good farm. When he bought the tract it was partly cleared and some old buildings were standing on it. Five years later he bought his pres- ent farm of 160 acres in Section 10. Here he has erected a new set of buildings and continued the improvements. He has ample land for successful crop rais- ing and for the pasturing of his good herd of Holstein cattle. He and his wife are loyal supporters of the German Lutheran Church, and he has been one of the officials of that body. Mr. Voelker was married Jan. 7, 1896, to Otillie Heger, who was born in Germany, Aug. 31, 1870, and came to America in 1891. This union has been blessed with six children: Hattie, Emil, Ella and Walter at home, and August and Anna, deceased. Hattie married Robert Schultz, who lives with the family. Anna married John Quick, and died Feb. 24, 1920, leaving one son, Clarence, born Feb. 19, 1920, who is now the sun- shine of his grandparents' home.

Edward Solum, a well known farmer owning 80 acres in Section 9, Stan- ley Township, was born on a farm in Modum, Norway, Dec. 20, 1863, the son of Nels and Nicolena Solum. He was reared and educated in his native land, and in the spring of 1882, like so many of his countrymen, determined to try his fortunes in America. He was then a youth still in his 'teens. After land- ing he found his way to Eau Claire, in this state. That summer he worked on a farm at Sand Creek, in Dunn County, and then, with headquarters at Rice Lake, worked for the Knapp, Stout & Co. for many years. In 1898 he bought his present farm, then a tract of wild land. Here, by hard work, by toiling early and late, and by careful management and good judgment, he has built up a good place. He first built a frame house and a log barn. The house he has continued to keep in good repair and has improved it from time to time. The log barn has been replaced with a frame structure, 32 by 48 feet, with a full stone basement. A silo has also been erected, and sheds and other build- ings put up. Mr. Solum now has a good farm, and is one of the successful men of his community. He raises the usual crops, and makes a specialty of Holstein cattle and Red Duroc swine. His home is always open to his friends, and is one of the popular social centers of the town. His wife has been his able helpmeet in all his undertakings. As a father, he is interested in educa- tion, and has done good service as a member of the school board. Mr. Solum was married in Stanley Township on Oct. 8, 1891, to Catherine Berger, who was born in Germany, Dec. 4, 1865, the daughter of John and Regina Berger, and came to this country in 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Solum have eight children: Edna, Florence, George, Clara, Mildred, Alice, Nellie (deceased) and Nellie. Edna is the wife of John Rauchenstein, of Stanley Township. Florence is the wife of Erling Anderson, of Stanley Township. Clara is a teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Solum have taken especial pride in their fine family, and all are turning out to be a credit to their parents and to their home training.

Ferdinand Carl Frederick Rudolph, a respected, influential and well-re- garded citizen of Section 21, Stanley Township, was born in Pomerania, Ger- many, Jan. 8, 1871, the son of John and Albertina Rudolph, substantial people of that country. He was reared and educated in his native land, and came to America with other members of his family in 1894. He landed at Halifax, and then came to Rice Lake, where for a time he worked in woodworking mills and as a railroad section hand. In 1900 he purchased his present place of 80 acres. This tract was cut-over stump land, with only about twelve acres broken, and the buildings were not of the best. But Mr. Rudolph was used to hard work, he was skilled as a workman, and he was willing to work early and late that

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he and his family might have comfort in later years. His hopes have been realized, and he now has as good a place as can be found in the neighborhood. He has in all things done his duty as a good citizen and a good neighbor. The German Lutheran Church at Cameron has occupied his especial attention, and for two years he served as its secretary. Mr. Rudolph was married Nov. 10, 1897, to Anna Marie Kretlow, born in Germany, June 6, 1875, daughter of Carl and Augusta Kretlow, who came to the United States in 1884 and located in Stanley Township. Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph have four children: Agnes, born Feb. 6, 1900; Lida, born Jan. 8, 1905; Edgar, born March 21, 1908, and Gerda J., born March 23, 1921. .

Nels Peterson, Section 31, Stanley Township, was born in Denmark, Oct. 1, 1881, the son of Lorentz and Margaret Peterson, the twelfth of sixteen chil- dren, ten of whom are now living. He was reared on the home farm, and at the age of fourteen was apprenticed to learn the meat business. When he was nineteen, he came to the United States, and located in Massachusetts. A year and ten months later he enlisted in the United States Navy, and served four years, most of the time aboard the cruiser "Raleigh." He was discharged at the Brooklyn Navy Yard from the battleship "Ohio." Then he joined his brothers, Otto and Peter, at Aurora, Ill., where he worked for some years as a brake- man on the C. B. & Q. Ry. In 1907 he went to Cheyenne, Wyoming, and was similarly employed on the Union Pacific. In 1920 he came to Barron County, and bought 82 acres in Stanley Township. This he sold and bought a tract in Barron Township. Then he sold that and came back to Stanley Township, where he purchased his present place in Section 31. He carries on general farming and dairying, and has a good herd of Guernsey cattle. He is a man of genial personality, and wide experience with the world, and has made many friends during his brief stay in the county. He has great faith in the future of this region, and is taking his part in its development. Mr. Peterson was married July 25, 1910, at Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Maude Timblin, born in Maple Grove Township, July 2, 1890, daughter of Mike Timblin. This union has been blessed with four children: Margaret, Claude and Ruba, born in Cheyenne, and Maxine, born in Barron County.

Hans Lee, a substantial and well-known citizen of Section 20, Stanley Township, was born on a farm in Norway, Aug. 9, 1865, the son of Thorgrin Lee. Of the five children in the family, three came to the United States. Hans was reared on the home farm, and had just reached his majority when he came to the United States. He lived at Rio, Wis., for a short time, and then entered the employ of a lumber company, for whom he worked for some years, in the vicinity of Rice Lake and Long Lake, logging in the winter time and erecting buildings in the summer time. In 1900 he purchased 50 acres in the limits of Cameron Village. This was mostly wild land, and the only buildings were a few old sheds. He has cleared and developed the land, and has erected a suitable set of buildings. At one time he owned eighty acres in Maple Grove Township, which he has now sold. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran Congregation of Cameron, and helped build the present church. He is inter- ested in everything that is for the good of the town, and is well liked by all who know him. He carries on general farming.

Gotfried Wiese, now deceased, an early settler of Sumner Township, was born in Germany, Jan. 10, 1853, and there grew through boyhood to manhood, spending his time much as the other boys of his time and place. Feb. 14, 1882, he married, and five days later started for the United States with his bride. They reached New York, and from there came on to this state, where they located in Columbus, Columbia County. That summer they worked on farms, he earning fourteen dollars a month and she, five dollars. Then, for four years, while living at Columbus, he cut cordwood. In 1886 he came to Barron County with his wife and two children, Ellen and Charles. He bought 160 acres of wild land in Sumner Township, erected a log cabin, and moved in with his family. His live stock consisted of one cow and some chickens. Implements

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MRS. AUGUSTA WIESE AND FAMILY

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and tools were of the crudest. To harvest his grain, he had to cut it with a cradle, after which his wife bound it into bundles. Mrs. Wiese was a busy woman. She had her household duties and her children to look after, she spun the yarn for many of the clothes worn by herself and her family, and she even helped with the out-door work. Ready money was almost unknown. One fall, when a hard winter was ahead, and provisions were scarce, he picked blueber- ries, which he exchanged at a store for flour, which he brought home to his family on his back. As time passed, all these hardships, hard work and priva- tions had their reward, and the family achieved success. The original quar- ter section was improved and developed, a good house and suitable barns erected, and suitable equipment and tools purchased. First, another quarter section, and later 80 acres more, were added, until the farm consisted of 400 acres. After the arrival of the family here, another child, Ida, was born. Mr. Wiese became one of the leading men of the community, and was regarded as one of the most successful citizens of the township. He believed in educa- tion, and did good service as a member of his school board for some years. His religious faith was that of the German Lutheran Church. After a well- spent life, filled with hard work and worthy accomplishment, he died, Aug. 11, 1892, and his death was long and sincerely mourned. Mr. Wiese was married in Germany, as stated, on Feb. 14, 1882, to Augusta Pffercorn, the daughter of John and Augusta (Smith) Pffercorn. After the death of her husband, she married his brother, Christian. Christian was born in Germany, April, 1851, and came to America on the same ship with his brother. He devoted his life to farming, was a substantial and solid citizen, and died after a useful life, Nov. 11, 1906. He and his wife had one child, Clara, who married Jacob Avery, and has one child, Harland. In 1906, Mrs. Wiese moved to the present place of 110 acres in Section 35, Stanley Township. Mr. Avery, who is one of the . energetic young men of the town, is conducting the farm, and is meeting with success in his operations.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 126

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

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