History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 13

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 13

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Charles Simeon Taylor, state senator and representative, chairman of the county board, district attorney, and for several years owner of the Barron County "Shield," founder of the Barron Woolen Mills, founder of the Barron Creamery Co., and one of the Republican delegates who nominated William Mckinley for president of the United States, was one of the real founders of the county, and his influence will remain in its official, commercial, financial and social affairs. He was probably the best known man of his time in this part of the state. A University man, of good birth and unusually well trained mind, of high ideals and unswerving integrity, and possessed of a splendid ap- preciation of all the finer things of life, he was just the man that the county needed as a leader in the days when the majority of the people, with limited opportunities and under crude circumstances, were struggling, by hard work, to wrest a living from the woods and from the ground. He was born in Lake Geneva, Walworth county, this state, Oct. 13, 1851, the son of Henry H. and Martha E. (Emerick) Taylor, natives of New York state, and descended from old American stock. He was reared in a home of refinement and culture, and received his preliminary education in the public schools. Then he entered the State Normal School at Whitewater, in his native county, and was graduated in the class of 1876 from the Law Department of the State University at Madi- son. The reputation and standing of the young man had attracted attention at the state capitol, and after his graduation, Governor Harrison Luddington appointed him to fill a vacancy in the office of district attorney at Barron. He finished his appointive term, and was three times elected to the office, fulfill- ing its duties with dignity and to the benefit of the law and order of the com- munity. In 1885 and 1887, he sat in the lower house of the State Assembly, and in 1889 and 1891, in the upper house. It was largely through his efforts that the law was passed incorporating the city of Barron with four wards in 1887. At one time he was chairman of the county board, and at vari- ous intervals he served in several city offices, such as alderman and super- visor from the Fourth Ward. From its organization until his death, he was a member of the water and light commission. He was a delegate to numerous local, district and state conventions, and in 1896 represented the Eleventh Congressional District in the Republican National Convention at St. Louis. In the meantime, he was engaged extensively in journalistic and business en- terprises, and did as much, perhaps, as any man in the county toward develop- ing the natural resources of this region. In all these business transactions, he was a man of scrupulous honesty, and his word once given, was ever above question or doubt. In 1879 he purchased the Barron County "Shield" in part- nership with Walter Speed, and on Sept. 15, 1882, the two established the Chetek "Alert." In July, 1883, the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Speed tak- ing the "Alert" and Mr. Taylor the "Shield." He remained in control of this paper until 1902 when he sold to Thomas Dovery. In 1884 he established the Barron Woolen Mills Co., was made its president and gave up most of his law practice to assume its active management. With the belief that the future of Barron county lay in the dairy industry, he did much to promote the raising of better cattle, and purchased and distributed pure bred registered sires through- out the county and adjacent territory. To further promote the industry, he organized the Barron Creamery Co., now the largest in the world, and of which he was the first president. With five others, he organized a local canning fac- tory, the first in the county. He was also interested in real estate, and at times

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CHARLES S. TAYLOR

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HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

owned various farms. After a long and useful life, he died suddenly June 19, 1913, while attending a Masonic meeting, and witnessing the conferring of the third degree on his son, Archie. Thus briefly is told the story of a life of more than usual prominence, and of more than usual influence upon the affairs of his time. He did his duty in life as he found it, he recognized the obligations which his opportunities offered, and he was faithful to every trust placed in him. He took special delight in his home and his family, and lived to take pride in seeing his sons and daughters take the positions in life for which their careful home training had fitted them. He was married at Ox- ford, Wis., Aug. 22, 1874, to Ann Elizabeth Crawford, who was born Oct. 25, 1856, in the Province of Quebec, Canada, daughter of John and Isabella (Stewart) Crawford, the former of whom died Sept. 9, 1917, and the latter Oct. 15, 1897. Mrs. Taylor has been in every way a fitting helpmeet for a man of such superior attainments and qualities. A gracious lady of many accomplish- ments, and possessed of a broad outlook on life, she braved the rigors of exist- ence in a new country, and made her home a center of education, refinement, hospitality, and every gentle and wholesome influence. The second year they came here, she and her husband erected the sightly residence on First street, which has since been the family domicile. Here they found peace and hap- piness and contentment, here all the babies except one were born, and here the children have grown from happy childhood to worthy manhood and woman- hood. For forty-five years, Mrs. Taylor has been an influence of kindliness and good cheer in the community. Her home has always been open to her friends, and her children's friends, she has taken her part in social and chari- table work, and the community indeed "calls her blessed." The Methodist church has found in her a leader and an active worker. In the nineties, she served as a member of the city school board, the only woman, thus far, who has been a member of that body. In 1892 she was honored by being made a member of the board of visitors of the University of Wisconsin, and filled the position with honor to herself, credit to the community, and benefit to the University. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have had seven children: John C., Herman H., Daisy, Charles A., Florence, Archie R. and Agnes L. John C. was born Oct. 21, 1875, and is now located in Peru, South America, with the Denver Rock Drill & Machinery Co. Herman H. was born Dec. 6, 1877, and is a lead- ing attorney of Sand Point, Idaho. He has served that state with distinction as senator and as lieutenant governor. Daisy was born May 19, 1881, and died Sept. 3, 1882. Charles A. was born July 27, 1883, and, like his father before him, is a leader in official, business and financial circles. Florence was born April 26, 1886, and died June 11, 1887. Archie R. was born Oct. 13, 1890, and is now electrical engineer at New York, while living at Montclair, New Jersey. Agnes L. was born Aug. 31, 1892, and is now at Oakland, California. All the children are graduates of the University of Wisconsin, and all the sons, like their father, are members of the Masonic order.

Charles A. Taylor, attorney, banker and business man, Barron, was born in Barron July 27, 1883, the son of Charles S. and Ann Elizabeth (Crawford) Taylor. He was graduated from the Barron High school in 1899, attended Lawrence University, now Lawrence College, Appleton, in 1899-1901, received his A. B. degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1904; and his LL. B. degree from the same University in 1906. He then took up the practice of his profession in Barron. He was justice of the peace in Barron, 1907-8; mem- ber of the light and water commission of Barron city, 1913-1921; district at- torney of Barron county, 1911-17; first municipal judge of Barron county, 1917-1921; alderman of Barron city, 1908-11; and supervisor for the same period, serving the first year on the county board finance committee, and the second two years on the equalization committee. He is president of the Bar- ron Woolen Mill Co., succeeding his father, Charles S. Taylor; and president of the First National Bank, succeeding his uncle, Jared W. Taylor. Fratern-

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HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

ally he is a member of the Masonic order. He was married May 27, 1908 to Grace L. Grow, the daughter of Charles F. Grow, a prominent Neilsville man. She was born in Neilsville, passed through the schools there, graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1907, and died May 21, 1910. Sept. 11, 1912, Mr. Taylor married Gladys E. Priest. She was born in Reedsburg, Wis., Dec. 25, 1888, the daughter of J. W. and Emily (Wheeler) Priest, of an old Wis- consin family. She graduated from the Madison High school in 1906 and from the University of Wisconsin in 1910, and taught school in Barron two years before her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have three children: Stuart F., born Nov. 12, 1913; Ruth A., born April 6, 1916; and Roger C., born March 17, 1919. During the World War, Mr. Taylor had charge of all five government loan drives, in Barron County, and for the first drive in Washburn County, also.

Jared Wilber Taylor, founder of the Barron Roller Mills, first president of the First National Bank, postmaster, city official, and active man-of-affairs, was for many years one of the most vital factors in the life and growth of Barron. He was born in Oxford, Marquette county, this state, Dec. 11, 1856, the son of Henry H. and Martha E. (Emerick) Taylor, natives of New York state, who came to Wisconsin in 1840, and lived in Walworth county, until moving to Marquette county in the fifties. He was reared on his native farm, attended the neighboring schools, and learned agriculture from his father. In 1877 he started out for himself by renting a farm. But although he made a success of this operation, he felt that his ability lay along commercial lines, and decided to embark on a career as a miller. Accordingly, he came to Bar-

ron in 1884, purchased the roller mill at Cameron, and transferred the machin- ery to a building he erected on the waterpower at Barron, thus establishing the Barron Roller Mills, which for many years were an important feature in the commercial stability of the city. From July 1, 1887 to Nov. 1, 1890, he successfully conducted a general store at Barron. He devoted most of his life, however, to the development of the milling industry here. In 1916 he was a prime mover in the founding of the First National Bank, and as first presi- dent, kept a close supervision over the affairs of the institution, and was espe- cially concerned in the erection of the present sightly banking house. He also had other financial interests and holdings, including city and rural real estate. He did much to promote and further the business interests of Barron, when it was struggling from a village to a city, was always true to this locality, and deserves much credit for having devoted his mature years to its progress and betterment. In politics, Mr. Taylor was a staunch Republican, and was a member of various committees, conventions and delegations of that party in the picturesque days before the primary laws went into effect. In 1888-89 he was postmaster at Barron; in 1896-97 he was city treasurer, and 1901-02, he served with efficiency and dignity as mayor. Fraternally he delighted in the companionship of his fellow man. In 1876 he was one of those instru- mental in organizing the local lodge of Odd Fellows, and for some time served as district deputy. He was also a popular member of the Modern Woodmen of America. After a useful life, he died Feb. 22, 1917. Mr. Taylor was a man of deep convictions, and was possessed of the courage to voice them, and had the most decided opinions as to the things which were of the greatest good to the community. In furtherance of all that he believed to be right and for the city's best interests, he was willing to give freely of his time, his energy and his means, and he is rightly numbered among those who were of permanent help in the upbuilding of this part of the county. In personal affairs he was deservedly successful, and left varied interests to his family. In his home, Mr. Taylor was a loving husband, an indulgent and affectionate father. There he sought rest from business cares, and there he found his greatest contentment. As a business man he was shrewd and cautious, and possessed of unusually good judgment and foresight. In public office he was of scrupulous integrity, of utmost fairness and justice. In politics he never

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JARED W. TAYLOR

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NICOLAUS M. ROCKMAN

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HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

advised a man but in the ways which he believed to be right, and the leaders, as well as the rank and file, had the greatest confidence in his spoken word. As a companion he was cheery and possessed of a keen sense of humor, and as a friend he was loyal, true and helpful. In all ways he measured up to the full standard of an upright and useful citizen, and his loss will long con- tinue to be sincerely mourned.

Mr. Taylor was married Nov. 30, 1881, to Hannah E. Ross, born May 8, 1859, at Farmington, Washington county, this state, the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Ross. This union has been blessed with five children: Henry Ross, Mildred, Lawrence Earl, Sherman and Marshall, all born in Barron. Henry Ross Taylor was born May 8, 1888. He passed through the Barron schools and graduated from Lawrence College at Appleton, Wis. He is now connected with the Nevada Consolidated Copper Co. at McGill, Nevada, as assistant superintendent. He married Beverly Alexander Riley, of Salt Lake City, and has a daughter, Dixie. Mildred Elizabeth was born Sept. 16, 1892, passed through the local schools, graduated from the Barron high school in 1910 and from the home economics course at the Stout Institute, Menomonie, in 1913. She then taught home economics in Wilbur, Washington, two years, in Mondovi, Wis., one year, and in Barron, Wis., one year. Sept. 30, 1918, she enlisted in the service as a student nurse and shortly afterward was made dietitian. From Camp Wheeler, Georgia, she was transferred to the Walter Reed Hospital, Washington, D. C., and from there to the Letterman General Hospital, San Francisco. She was discharged July 1, 1920. On Sept. 22, 1920, she married Wallace M. Plummer, of Oshkosh, Wis., who served two years in Europe with the 16th Engineers. They are located at Wilburton, Oklahoma, where Mr. Plummer is in the U. S. Government claim service. Lawrence Earl Taylor was born Dec. 1, 1894: He graduated from the Barron High school in 1914. He enlisted in the Marines, March 6, 1918, and was stationed at Miami, Florida. He is now at Lanark, Ill., where he is superintendent of a canning factory. Sept. 3,1919, he married Josephine Johnson, of Rice Lake, Wis., and has a son, Dean Leroy, born Feb. 28, 1921. Sherman and Marshall are attending the Barron High school.

Nicolaus M. Rockman, founder and vice president of the Normanna Sav- ings Bank, Barron, pioneer farmer, public official, man of affairs, and former educator, is one of the foremost figures in Barron county. He has been an integral part of its growth and progress for half a century, and his character and influence are woven into its history. In the old country, with but limited educational advantages, he worked himself into a position of importance as an educator. In this country, he determined to win for himself a place of honor and success, and in this he has more than succeeded. Everything that he has gained in life he has won by application, ability and self sacrifice, and everything of good that has come to him has been well deserved. He is a keen minded business man, he knows men, conditions and events thoroughly, and his judgment is always respected. Personally, he is a most genial com- panion and of kindly disposition, and a friend of unfaltering loyalty. As a public official he stood for unswerving honesty and straightforward efficiency. All in all, he is one of the most useful men in the community, honored by his associates, respected by all, and beloved by the younger folk. He delights in encouraging all those who are struggling toward success, he has loaned a help- ing hand to many a young man starting on his way in life, and he and his wife have extended charities of which little is known. He believes in helping in everything that is for the best interests of the community, and he holds the welfare of the city and county deeply at heart.

Nicolaus M. Rockman was born in Nordre Fron, Gulbransdalen, Norway, Aug. 6, 1841, the youngest of four children of Morten and Eli (Evenvold) Rockman, natives of Gansdal, Norway, and honored and respected citizens, the former of whom died Dec. 5, 1852, and the latter, June 3, 1863. Young Nicolaus was baptized in the Lutheran church, Aug. 15, 1841, and was con-

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HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

firmed June 8, 1856. He attended the common schools, and took up some of the burdens of the family at his father's death, although he was then but eleven years old. He planned to continue farming on the home place, but the owners declared the lease void. He then determined to educate himself as best he could. In 1856 he spent the winter in a private school, and then became a teacher, although but fifteen years of age, having charge of public schools in the winter and private schools in the summer. Aug. 16, 1859, he entered Asker's Seminary and graduated from that institution, Dec. 18, 1861. He then became a teacher in the public schools of Lillehammer, and taught there from Jan. 22, 1862 to June 12, 1869. His work, however, proved too con- fining, for a school year took in eleven months including Sundays and holidays. He accordingly determined to try his fortunes in America, not only because he desired a change, and craved the wider opportunities of this great nation, but also because he was a strong anti-monarchist, and wished to live under the Republican doctrines of this great Republic of the West. Closing up his affairs in the land of his birth, he set sail and on July 4, 1870. reached New York harbor, where he witnessed an enthusiastic Independence Day cele- bration. As he watched the New York sky line standing boldly from the water, with a myriad streams of fire shooting into the air, while bombs exploded on every side, he received an impression of the wonders of this great country which will never be effaced from his mind. July 5 he landed and lingered in New York three days waiting to get gold from Washington in exchange for the money he had brought with him. Then he came West, and first saw the Mississippi river at La Crosse. The trip gave him an increasing idea of the country's importance, and his wonderment was still further increased when he witnessed a cyclone which did considerable damage in the vicinity of La

Crosse. From La Crosse, he went to Osseo, in Trempealeau county, this state, and from there to Eau Claire, in Eau Claire county. Near that city he worked three months on a farm. Then he taught school for a short period. Jan. 1, 1871, he went into the lumber woods for Frank Cole. In the spring of 1871 he worked for the Omaha line, grading the railroad road bed between Knapp and Wilson stations, in Dunn County. In the fall he started for Rochester, Minn., but as the wages were too low, he went once more to Eau Claire, and as before worked for a farmer for a while, and then went into the woods. Disap- pointed in a position he had hoped to obtain in the spring of 1872 he determined that he would follow the example of so many of his countrymen, and take a homestead. Accordingly he came to Barron county, and after looking about for a while, located May 17, 1872, on the southeast quarter of section 2, township 23, range 12, in what is now Maple Grove township. The next day he went afoot through the deep woods to Menomonie, where he made arrangements to get his claim and filed at the land office. With the help of Hans Lunde, he built a small shanty with a shake roof, and one four-light window. He impro- vised a cook stove from a large hollow stump, and put up a crude bedstead. After getting everything in shape he returned to Eau Claire for a while. In 1873 he erected a log shanty, 12 by 16 feet, and lived in it at intervals, while clearing up some of the stump land. Soon after his coming here, he became agent for the Hecla Fire Insurance Co., of Madison, and he traveled about for this company, thus earning money to support himself while getting his farm in shape for occupancy. For one season he worked for the Eau Claire Lumber Co., but did not continue with them as he contracted the ague. After his mar- riage in the fall of 1876, and he and his wife spent the winter in a room of what was then the court house at Barron. The next year they moved to the cabin on his homestead. There they farmed for sixteen years. During that time he developed an excellent farm. He cleared up the land, erected a good set of buildings, the house being constructed in 1886, put up fences, purchased good stock and equipment, and maintained a modern, profitable place, in every particular. While he was away, serving in public office, Mrs. Rockman looked after the farm, and proved herself a most capable manager. In 1893 they

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moved to the city of Barron. In May, 1893, he rented a small building in Barron and started the Normanna Savings bank as a private institution. In 1903 it was incorporated as the Normanna State bank, with Mr. Rockman as vice president, in which position he has since remained. His personality and integrity have determined the policy and standing of the bank, since it was first opened, and he is still the active factor in its management.

Being a man of superior attainments, with experience as an educator, and with a broader outlook on life than was customary among the pioneers, it is natural that he should early have been called to public office. In the fall of 1873 he was nominated as county surveyor but was not elected. The next spring he was elected assessor of Barron township, which then took in a large area. Nov. 2, 1875, he was elected county clerk, and on Nov. 6, 1877, was re-elected without opposition. Jan. 23, 1879, he was elected by the county supervisors as county treasurer to fill a vacancy, and assumed office Feb. 19. He was elected to the position Nov. 4, 1879, by a plurality of only 34 votes, but with such dignity and efficiency did he serve that on Nov. 8, 1881, he was elected without opposition, receiving all but six votes cast in the whole county. By re-elections he served until Jan. 1, 1891, and then retired.

Mr. Rockman was married Oct. 28, 1876, at Eau Claire, Wis., to Julie Ann Christiansen, who was born in Christiana, Norway, Dec. 25, 1844, and came to Eau Claire in 1873. After their marriage, they were driven to Barron in a six-horse team by the pioneer, John Quaderer. This union was blessed with six sons. Carl Martin Nicolaus was born Sept. 7, 1877, and died Sept. 28, 1877. Elmer Albert was born Dec. 16, 1878, and died Jan. 18, 1919. Julius C. was born Dec. 14, 1881. Edward William was born Sept. 11, 1883, and died Nov. 1, 1913. Martin Nicolaus was born Jan. 29, 1886. Frederick Adolph was born July 3, 1888. The three sons all live in Barron.

Mrs. Rockman died July 17, 1920. At the time of her death it was said: "Mrs. Rockman was an active and earnest member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, since the organization of the congregation in this community, and was always associated with every endeavor that meant a higher standard of living. She was ever concerned about the comfort and benefit of others, and desired that all about her should be given the best that life affords. One of the pioneers of the county, she faced the hardships of the early settlers unflinch- ingly, at a time when there was little but wilderness to encounter here, when neighbors were miles away, when luxuries were unknown and comforts few, and when the work of building a home was most strenuous. The cheerful spirit which so characterized her life carried her through the many hardships, and after her removal to Barron, where life was more comfortable and modern conveniences lessened the tasks, she devoted much of her time to aiding those who were in need. Her nature was a most unselfish one, and she left a host of friends to mourn her loss." As a wife she was a loyal and sympathetic help- mate, an inspiration and a source of courage, as a mother she was affectionate, sympathetic and of unfailing cheer, and in all obligations of life she fullfilled her duty as a good woman. Her memory will live forever in the hearts of those who loved and cherished her.

Julius C. Rockman, cashier of the Normanna Savings bank, was born in Maple Grove township, this county, Dec. 14, 1881, the son of Nicolaus M. and Julie Ann (Christiansen) Rockman. He attended district school, and in Sept. 1, 1893, moved to Barron with the other members of the family. In due time he entered the Barron High school and was graduated with the class of 1897. For several terms, in 1902-03 and 1903-04, he was a special student at the University of Wisconsin. In 1903 he was made a director in the Normanna Savings bank, and the next year he entered its active employ. Previous to this date, he had been employed in the bank at various intervals since boy- hood. Jan. 1, 1909, he succeeded his father as cashier. Mr. Rockman has been a member of the city light and water commission since it was organized, in January, 1906, and served as its president from the spring of 1914 to the

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 13

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

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