History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 129

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

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Frank Samson, prominent and successful produce dealer of Cameron, manager of the two elevators in the village, and manager of a potato warehouse for the J. R. Beggs Co., has been identified with the business life of this region for many years. He was born in Quebec, Canada, March 3, 1859, son of Martin and Mary (Quintigne) Samson, who spent the span of their years in Canada, the father dying in 1917 and the mother in 1888. In the family there were eight children: John, Joseph, Daniel, Frank, Margaret, Mary, Ellen and Christina. Margaret, Ellen, Daniel, John and Joseph are dead. All the family except Frank have confined their activities to Canada. By a previous marriage, how- ever, the mother had two sons, one of whom, Malcolm McNaughton, lives in New Auburn, this state, the other, Naughton McNaughton, being in British Columbia. Frank was reared in his native province and was there educated. For some years he worked in the lumber woods there. He came to the States in 1881, and with headquarters at Eau Claire, this state, was identified with the lumber industry, first as a chopper and then as a cook in lumber camps. In 1890 he came to Cameron and established a general store. This he successfully conducted for eighteen years, winning a reputation for fair dealing and honest methods. The store was organized as the Farmers Store with Mr. Samson as manager. About this time Mr. Samson erected the sightly business block which now bears his name. In 1914 he sold out to the Bloomer Farms Store Co., who own a chain of Farmers' Stores in this part of Wisconsin. He then devoted his time exclusively to the produce business handling principally hay, grains and potatoes. In his many years' residence here Mr. Samson has taken a deep interest in the progress of the village. When Cameron was first incorporated he served as a member of the village board for several years. He has also served on various committees and delegations. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic Order and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Samson was married at Minneapolis March 13, 1889, to Susan Forrest, daughter of James and Bridget (Kennedy) Forrest, natives, respectively, of Canada and Ireland. They came to Wisconsin from Canada and settled in Eau Claire where they spent the remainder of their lives. He was killed in 1887 as the result of being caught under a falling tree while driving a team of horses in the lumber woods. She died in 1918. They had a good family of five girls and three boys. Dane, Helen and Susan are alive; John, Hugh, Catherine, Sarah and Maryann are dead. Mr. and Mrs. Samson have six children: John F., Homer J., Dewey J., Emmett R., Pearl and Eugenie. John F. is cashier of the State Bank of Hillsdale, in this county. He served during the war as a sergeant major in the Officers' Training Camp at Fortress Monroe, Virginia. Homer J. is post- master at Cameron. He served in France from April, 1918 to June, 1919 with the 314th Ammunition Train, 89th Division. Dewey J. and Emmett R. are in the University of Minnesota. Dewey served in France as a member of the 108th Field Signal Corps. Emmett served in the Navy with the rank of ensign. Pearl and Eugenie are both at home.

Ole Simenson, proprietor of the New East Hotel at Cameron and licensed fisherman and guide, is one of the best known men in this part of the state. As a host he is a genial landlord and jovial companion, and as a guide he is expert in all the things which go to make up the comfort and success of a fishing, hunting or camping party. He was born on a farm in Norway May 28, 1868, son of Simen and Mariet Hanson. In the family there were seven children:

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Marie, Hannah, Margaret, Ole, John, Ida and Lena. Marie and Margaret were the first to come to this country. Then John and Lena came. Next were the father and mother and Ole. Then Ida came, thus completing the family. It was in 1890 when Ole and his parents came. They settled first at Eau Claire, this state, and then moved to Porters Mills, in the same county. There the father died. The subject of this sketch found employment for a number of years in various sawmills in this part of the state. In May, 1900, he came to Cameron and clerked in the Mauseth, Roe & Co. store. He then rented the old Wisconsin Hotel in 1904, and operated it about two years. Then in 1906 he bought the old Johnson & Swenson store, remodeled the building and opened the New East Hotel, which he is still successfully conducting. For the last three years he has also been a licensed guide, taking parties out on the lakes of this part of the state for fishing, hunting and recreation. Mr. Simenson was married Aug. 11, 1894, to Christina Jacobson, who was born at Porter's Mills, Eau Claire County, this state, Aug. 20, 1874, the daughter of Ingebret and Elizabeth Jacobson, natives of Norway. The father came to this country alone and made a home for the family at Porter's Mills, after which he sent for his wife and children. He was employed for many years by the North- western Lumber Co. He died at Porter's Mills. His wife died at Cameron. In the family there were eight children: Jacob, Isaac, Fred, Ingvald, Inga, Laura, Christina and Rebecca. Mr. and Mrs. Simenson have had seven chil- dren: Selmer, Melvin, Norman, Edna, Thelma, Marie and Ingebret. Selmer is a mechanic. He served with the United States forces during the World War. Ingebret died in infancy. Melvin also served in the World War. Edna is a musician with a voice of unusual possibilities, and her friends predict for her a brilliant future in the musical world. She is well known and admired throughout this part of the state, and has appeared in various con- certs. Papers throughout this and neighboring counties have spoken of her voice and personality in the most laudatory terms. She has sung for people who have traveled widely and are judges of vocal music and they have declared that she has one of the best natural child voices that they have ever heard. Her voice is of unusual purity, clearness, sweetness and range, and her stage presence is most charming. She is now fourteen years of age and in spite of the praise and attention she has received she is still an unaffected and un- spoiled child who helps her mother about the house, plays with her friends and is always willing to entertain when requested. It is believed that in the future the fact that she was born here will reflect much credit on the county.

Elmer Kreier, one of the active and energetic young men of Sumner Town- ship, was born in Columbia County on July 3, 1895, the son of August W. and Dora Kreier. He came to this county with his parents when he was fifteen years of age and helped his father to develop the place from a wilderness. He is one of the popular young men of the community and is active in everything which he believes to be for the best interests of the community. He was in- ducted into the United States service on July 23, 1918, and trained at Camp Grant. He was equipped for overseas at Camp Mills, L. I., and sailed Sept. 7, 1918, arriving on the other side Sept. 21, where he served with Company G, 4th U. S. Infantry, Third Division. He accompanied the Army of Occupation into Germany and for five weeks was ill in a hospital at Coblenz. He was in Europe altogether for eleven months and three days. He reached the United States on Aug. 27, 1919, and was discharged at Camp Grant on Sept. 2, 1919 after which he returned home. He was married April 17, 1920, to Maude Freberg of Chetek Township. They have one child, Wilna. Mr. Kreier now conducts the Freberg farm in Section 10, Chetek Township.

August W. Kreier, a hard-working farmer of Section 28, Sumner Town- ship, was born in Germany Nov. 17, 1861, the son of William and Henrietta (Wanslip) Kreier. The parents came to the United States in 1873 bringing their four children, August W., Hermina, Charles and Anna. Another child, Lillie, was born in the United States. The family settled on a farm in Co-

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MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM KAMRATH, SR.

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lumbia County, this state, and there both died. August W. was next to the oldest child. As a boy he attended the government schools in Germany and after coming to this country, also attended school in Columbia County. He remained on the home farm until after attaining his majority. For a number of years he worked in North Dakota and Colorado. In 1910 he came to Barron County and located on 160 acres of wild land in Section 28, Sumner Township. No buildings had been erected and the land was all wild. By hard work he has developed a good farm, has erected a fine set of buildings and cleared much of the land. The house is comfortable and well arranged, and the barn is 32 by 60 feet, and equipped with modern accessories. Mr. Kreier successfully carries on general farming and makes a specialty of raising a good dairy herd of Short- horn cattle. He and his family are prominent in the affairs of the Greenwood Social club. Mr. Kreier was married in Columbia County on July 7, 1894 to Mrs. Dora Brabender, who, in maidenhood, was Dora Kreier, and this union has been blessed with one son, Elmer, born July 3, 1895. Mrs. Kreier is the daugh- ter of August and Minnie Kreier. By her marriage to William Brabender, now deceased, she had seven children: Oscar, Nettie, Alma, Albert, Herbert, Elsie and Helen, all of whom are living.

William Kamrath Sr., proprietor of the Twin Lake Stock Farm in Section 10, Stanley Township, is a believer in good farm buildings. He has erected two full sets on his farm and takes just pride in the fact that he has done more building than any other farmer in the neighborhood. He delights in having his farm present a picture of thrift, neatness and prosperity, and the place every- where shows the taste and industry of its owner, and wins high praise from all who pass or visit it. He was born in Germany Aug. 4, 1856, the youngest of the six children of Frederick Kamrath. He was reared in his native land and as a young man learned the trade of tailor. In 1883 he came to America and located in Chicago. There he married Paulina Reese, who was born in Ger- many and died in Barron County in 1901. In 1893 he came to Barron County and bought 80 acres in Section 10, Stanley Township. This tract was partly cleared and a log cabin had been erected. He moved into the log cabin and started farming with a team of horses and two cows. He gradually improved the land. Having a liking for building, he at once started to replace the log building with a good set of modern structures. In time he had as good a collec- tion of house, barn and outbuildings as could be found in the neighborhood. Then he bought 80 acres adjoining. On this he likewise erected a fine set of buildings. These two sets of buildings will remain as his monument for many generations to come. Busy as he has been with his own work, Mr. Kamrath has found time for public duties, and has served for three years as a member of the town board and nine years as clerk of his school district. He has been active in the German Lutheran Church at Rice Lake, of which he was one of the early members. Mr. and Mrs. Kamrath had five children: William, Lena, Albert, Mary and Otto, all living at home.

Ferdinand Block was one of the true pioneers of Sumner Township. In 1869 he and his family and William Bortz and his family drove into the town- ship with an ox team and here he homesteaded 160 acres in Section 19. He started in with $60 in cash and one cow. His first home was a sod house, and the furniture consisted of crude make-shifts which he was able to put together. At first he could not afford to devote all his time to the farm, so he worked for Knapp, Stout & Co. at $18 a month, while his wife and children tried to clear up the farm. The wife had brought her spinning wheel with her so the family did not have to go without proper clothing, for she spun yarn and wove cloth and this kept the family well clothed. The second summer he built a log cabin. Later he built the first frame house in the neighborhood. As time passed he was able to devote more of his time to the farm. For many years conditions were hard. At first there were no neighbors and no roads. Even after the people began to settle around him grain had to be hauled to Chippewa Falls or to Bloomer over rough ways beset with many dangers. Sometimes the trip

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took five or six days. But these conditions gradually improved, and in time Mr. Block developed a good farm. To his original holdings he added 25 acres of timber land. He attained a position of leadership among his fellows, and served on the town board and on the school board. He and his wife were faithful adherents of the German Lutheran Church, and early services of that denomination were held in their home. After a long and useful life he died in February, 1913. She died in February, 1886. Both will long be remembered in the history of the township. They were hard working, God-fearing people, good neighbors and good people, and their influence was always for the good.

Fred Block, one of the leading citizens of Sumner Township, has seen this region develop from a wilderness, and in its growth and prosperity has had his share and part. He was born in Pomerania, Germany, Nov. 30, 1861, son of Ferdinand and Wilhelmina (Bortz) Block, who brought their two children, Fred and Tena, to Waupaca County, this state, in 1867, and to Sumner Town- ship, this county, in 1869. Fred was reared amid pioneer conditions and was still a young boy when he began to help with the farm work while his father was away earning a little money for the family provisions. He attended the first log schoolhouse erected in the neighborhood and has always spent his life on the present farm with the exception of two years when he worked as a car- penter in Milwaukee. As his father grew to advancing years, he gradually assumed the management of the home place. He erected the fine set of build- ings which now adorn the place. He carries on general farming and dairying making a specialty of Holstein cattle and Jersey swine. He has named the place the Twin Brook Farm, and takes pride in its neat appearance and its modern upkeep. Busy as he has been building up his own fortunes, he has not been unmindful of his duties as a public citizen, and his judgment on town- ship affairs is often sought. He has served in various township and school offices, and has taken his part in everything that he has believed to be for the best interests of the community. Like his parents before him he is a faithful adherent of the German Lutheran Church and has served in various offices of St. John's congregation. Mr. Block was married Dec. 27, 1885 to Helen Krenke, who was born in Waupaca County, this state, July 12, 1864, daughter of Fred and Henrietta Krenke, natives of Germany, who came to Waupaca County as young people. Mr. and Mrs. Block have three children: Arnold, Salwerta and Lorenzo. Arnold is a successful dentist of Milwaukee. Salwerta is the wife of Rev. E. L. Moerke, a clergyman of the English Lutheran faith. Lorenzo is at home.

Lorenzo Block, one of the enterprising young farmers of Sumner Township, was born on the Twin Brook Farm in Section 29, where he now resides, March 9, 1896, the son of Fred and Helen (Krenke) Block, the pioneers. He attended. the schools of this county and took courses in farming and business at the Agricultural School at Wauwatosa, in Waukesha County, not far from Mil- waukee. He has devoted his life to assisting on the home farm, and is an energetic and popular young man. He is now the town clerk of Sumner Town- ship, thus representing the third generation of Blocks that have held town office here. Mr. Block was married Aug. 24, 1918 to Lillian Hensel, who was born in this county Sept. 13, 1895, the daughter of Fritz and Henriette Hensel. Mr. and Mrs. Block have one daughter, Elaine, born Jan. 23, 1920.

William Reese, for some thirty years a farmer in Section 20, Sumner Town- ship, was born in Germany, and there grew to adult years and married Mary Godka, also a native of that country. The first of the children to come to the United States was Robert. He came in 1878, and located first in Manitowoc County, this state, and then in Sauk County, this state. The next to come was the son, Julius. In 1883, William and his wife, and two children, Paulina and William, Jr., came and joined the other two sons, in Sauk County. They came to Barron County in 1885, and located on Section 20, Sumner Township, where they developed a farm. The wife died on the place at the age of sixty- three, and the subject of this sketch moved to Stanley Township, where he

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died at the age of seventy. They were substantial and God-fearing people and lived worthy lives.

Robert Reese, a well-known farmer of Section 29, was born in Germany, March 3, 1862, the son of William and Mary Godka, and was confirmd as Carl August Robert, names which had been in the family for generations. He was reared and educated in his native land, and set out for America as a boy of sixteen, in 1878. He first lived a while in Manitowoc County, this state, and then came to Sauk County, where he was joined by his father and mother and his two brothers and sister. In 1885 they came to Barron County, and located on a tract of land in Section 20, Sumner Township. Here they started in with a team of horses and a cow, as true pioneers. They in time built up a good set of buildings, and developed a fertile and well-improved land. The sub- ject of this sketch owned the land, and had charge of its operation. When he married he brought his bride to the place. In 1915 he sold out and moved to his present farm in Section 30. Here he has a good place and takes pride in its appearance. For many years he has been one of the leaders in his com- munity. For fifteen years he has been chairman of the town board, and has not only been a factor in the excellent town government which has been main- tained, but has also been a valuable member of the county board. He has also served in other town offices. His interest in education and in the welfare of the future is shown by his service as a member of his school board both as director and as clerk. On his farm he has advocated and practiced advanced methods, and has been successful in his operations, making a specialty of Guernsey cattle, Jersey Red swine and good horses. He and his wife are faith- ful adherents of the German Lutheran Church. Mr. Reese was married Aug. 29, 1889, to Wilhelmina Kuther, who was born in Germany, Aug. 28, 1856, and came to the United States in 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Reese have had no children of their own, but have reared two, Paul Draat and Emilia Reese.

Simon Johnson Brein, a pioneer of Stanley Township, now deceased, was born in Norway, Feb. 22, 1836, and was married there in 1858, to Paulina Chris Linsdatter, who was born Jan. 6, 1831. In 1869, with their five children, Anna, Christian, John, Agnette and Johanna, they set out for the United States. They were fourteen weeks aboard a sailing boat, a long and tiresome voyage indeed, for the parents and their young children. They reached Chicago by way of the St. Lawrence and the Great Lakes, and came on to Portage County, this state, where they settled. In 1874 they came to Barron County, and located in Stanley Township. Their funds were low, and the trip from Eau Claire was made afoot. They built a good log cabin, and there started home making. Mr. Brein was a skilled workman, and helped to put up many of the log houses and log schools in the neighborhood. He also dug wells throughout the town- ship. He and his family underwent all the hardships of pioneer life, and in time achieved success. He retired in 1910 and took up his home with his daughter, Mrs. Carl Olsen, in Sumner Township, where he still resides. His wife died in 1912 at the age of eighty-one. They were both devout members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, and early services were held in their cabin. In addition to the children already mentioned, two, Simon Peder and Clara, were born in this state.

Peder Olsen, one of the early pioneers, was born in Norway, July 14, 1835, the son of Olaf and Sissel Michaelson, farmers of that country. He was reared in his native land, was there educated. There also he married Elie Gudaker. In 1857 he started out with his wife and child, for the new world. The trip took seven long weeks aboard a sailing ship, and during the fateful voyage, the child, Olava, sickened and died and was buried at sea. They reached Chi- cago by way of the St. Lawrence and the Great Lakes, and from there came to La Crosse, in this state, where was located his brother, Mathias. From there he went to Coon Prairie, in Vernon County, this state. There he got out wood for wagons, and repaired farm implements and household furniture, first for others, and then in a shop of his own. In 1870 he drove into Barron County

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with an ox team, bringing his wife and five children: Carl, Ida, Olaf, Chris- tina and Elias, and located on a claim of 160 acres in Section 6, Sumner Town- ship, which he had selected the previous year. They took up their home for a few days in the little log cabin which Christ Hilstad had erected about a mile away. Then they put up a log cabin, 16 by 25 feet, on their claim, and started farming there with the yoke of oxen and one cow. Here for some years they underwent many privations and hardships. There were no roads except the tote roads of the lumber companies. The Knapp, Stout & Co.'s log- ging camp stores were the only source of supplies. Grain had to be taken to Colfax or Chippewa Falls for grinding. Farming had to be carried on with the crudest of tools, and the women had but little in the house in the way of furniture and utensils. Mr. Olsen was a little better off than some of the others, because he was able to make furniture for the house, and implements for the farm. He and his good wife, with the help of the children, toiled early and late, they made their home a place of good cheer, and they kept on with unfailing courage until they had won success. They were devout church peo- ple, and early services were held in their cabin. Mr. Olsen took an interest in the township and served for many years as supervisor. His good wife, who was an able helpmeet in all his undertakings, died in 1888. In addition to the children named, two more, Emma and Peter, were born in Barron County.

Carl Olsen, an honored and respected citizen of Section 6, Sumner Town- ship, was born at La Crosse, Wis., this state, June 24, 1857, the son of Peder and Elie Olsen, who brought him to his present farm in 1870, when he was thirteen years old. He was then a husky boy, somewhat large for his years, and as his help was needed in developing the pioneer farm, and the nearest school was miles away, he had little opportunity for an education. He helped his father clear and develop the place, and has always remained there. Since about 1890 he has been its owner. He has continued the improvements, has remodeled and renovated the house, has put up a barn, 133 by 36 feet, a silo, 15 by 32 feet, and other buildings. He successfully carries on general farm- ing, and has a good herd of pure-blooded Jersey cattle. Being a thorough believer in co-operative effort among farmers, he has taken shares in the Farmers' Co-operative Store at Canton, the Farmers' Telephone Co. and the Barron Creamery Co. He has served in such town offices as supervisor and assessor, and is now doing good work as a director of the school board. All in all, he is one of the useful and substantial men of the community. He stands four-square for everything that he believes to be right and just, his judgment is conservative and sound, and he is held in the highest esteem by all who know him. His first thought has always been of his family, and his children all have turned out a credit to his home breeding. Mr. Olsen was married May 31, 1880, at Stanley, to Christina Brein, a native of Norway, born Oct. 31, 1860. This union has been blessed with seven children: Ella, Blaine, Nettie, Victor and Mabel are living; and Victor and Simon are dead.

John Erickson, Section 30, Stanley Township, an early settler of Barron County, was born in Norway, June 27, 1848, son of Erick and Julia Everson, who brought him to America in 1851. Absolutely without financial resources, they settled on a piece of wild land at Blue Mounds, thirty miles west of Madi- son, in Dane County, Wis., making the trip from Milwaukee with an ox team. They endured all the hardships of pioneer life and suffered many privations. Wheat had to be hauled to Madison and Blackearth, and provisions brought from the same points. But as the country developed, their prosperity increased, and their efforts were crowned with success. The father became a prominent man in the community, and held various local offices. He and his wife are both now dead. John remained at home until 24 years old. In 1874, with his wife and two children, Edward, of Stanley Township, and Andrew (now deceased), he came to Barron County, landing here with but three cents in his pockets. He located on 40 acres of wild land in Maple Grove Township and, like his father before him, started in as a pioneer. While developing his farm, he

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 129

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

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