History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 133

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

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Ernest L. Tait, proprietor of Wild Wood Farm in Crystal Lake Township, of which he is one of the substantial and respected citizens, was born in Pleas- ant Grove Township, Olmsted County, Minn., April 15, 1872. His parents were Joseph and Martha (Rucker) Tait, the father a native of England, who came to the United States in 1854, first settling in Illinois, where he met and married Martha Rucker. In the early sixties he and his family came to Minne- sota, which state was then but thinly settled, and that, only in portions near the principal streams. They had hardly time to establish themselves when the Civil War broke out and Joseph Tait became a soldier in the Union Army, being a member of Company C, Third Minnesota Regiment. As such he served until the end of the war, subsequently making his home in Olmsted County, Minn., until 1894. In that year he retired from active work and moved to Spring Valley, Minn., where he died, Feb. 20, 1901. His wife, who survived

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GEORGE J. HAFELE, FAMILY AND RESIDENCE MR. AND MRS. GEORGE HAFELE

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him, is still living in Spring Valley, though now well advanced in years. They had three children: Ernest L., subject of this sketch; Nellie, who is deceased; and Bernice, who lives at Spring Valley. Ernest L. Tait, in his boyhood, at- tended school in Olmsted County, Minn. He subsequently worked for his par- ents until 1893. in which year he started in for himself, renting a farm in Fill- more County, Minn. Later he bought a farm in the same locality and operated it until he came to Barron County, Wis., in 1912. His first investment here was the purchase of 40 acres in Section 28, Crystal Lake Township. Of that tract he cleared 20 acres, and having improved the buildings, he sold it in 1919. In the preceding year, however, 1918, he bought his present farm of 160 acres in Section 21, the same township. Since then he has cleared 20 acres and im- proved the place further by rebuilding the house and outbuildings, so that he now has a good and profitable farm. His buildings are provided with an ade- quate gas-lighting system and other conveniences. Mr. Tait is profitably en- gaged in mixed farming and dairying, his cattle being pure-bred Shorthorns. He is president of the Farm Bureau in Crystal Lake Township. He was mar- ried Oct. 17, 1894, to Nettie B. Lyman, who was born in Moore County, Minn., February 5, 1872, daughter of Abner and Ellen (Green) Lyman. Their union has been blessed by the birth of eleven children, of whom ten are now living, the record being as follows: Homer E., born Jan. 31, 1896, who is a butter- maker at Stanley, Wis .; Eunice M., born May 5, 1897, now Mrs. Leslie Roy- craft, of Chippewa Falls; Harold, born Sept. 8, 1898; Joseph, born July 4, 1900; Mildred E., born Feb. 23, 1902, who is in the employ of the Bankers' Life In- surance Co. at La Crosse, Wis .; Myrna E., born Aug. 21, 1904; Dorothy M., born May 25, 1906; Donald, born Dec. 4, 1908; Helen, born June 12, 1912; Lloyd A., born Sept. 3, 1914; and Walter, born Sept. 7, 1916, who died March 25. 1917.

George Hafele, an early settler, has lived on his present place in Section 3, Stanley Township, for nearly forty years, and has watched with pride the wonderful development of this part of the state. He was born in Germany, and there spent the first half of his life. As a young man, he married Mrs. Regina Berger, and this union was blessed with six children, Rose, George John, Leon- ard, Lena and Ludwig and one who died, unnamed, in infancy. Lena and Lud- wig are also deceased. By her previous marriage to John Berger, there were four children, Jacob, Barbara, Kate and John. The family came to America in 1882, and located at Rice Lake, where Mr. Hafele secured work on the rail- road. He bought 40 acres of wild land in Section 3, and erected thereon a small frame house and a log barn, and moved the family onto the place in the spring of 1883, having spent the winter in a vacant house owned by Philip Henrich. They had little to do with, no horses, and few tools, and were still in debt for the fare from Germany. For several winters he worked in logging camps to get a little money, spending his summers in the development of the farm. He cleared a large part of the place, on which he still resides, and de- veloped into a prosperous farmer. Mrs. Hafele died May 27, 1920.

George John Hafele, proprietor of the Twin Elm Farm, Section 3, Stanley Township, purchased by his father in 1882, is a splendid example of what a man with energy and perseverance can accomplish by hard work and self-sac- rifice in a new country. He was born in Germany, May 29, 1876, son of George and Regina Hafele, who brought him to this country in 1882. He was reared on his present farm, and attended school in the neighborhood. Gradually as he grew to manhood he assumed the responsibilities of the place. Beginning with his father's buildings, he has built up a fine set of farm structures. He added to and completed the house, he built a stock barn, 34 by 48 feet, with a 14 by 24 "lean-to", a grain and hay barn, 24 by 60 feet, and a silo, 12 by 28 feet as well as other sheds and buildings. To the original tract he has added 40 acres adjoining and 30 acres in another section. The buildings are in excel- lent condition and repair, and are equipped with many modern conveniences, including an acetylene light plant. On this place he carries on general farm-

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ing, and makes a specialty of Holstein cattle and Belgian horses. In public life he has done his duty as a good citizen and has served on the school board. Mr. Hafele was married June 5, 1906, at his bride's home, in Rice Lake Town- ship, to Martha Lienstadt, who was born in Germany on July 5, 1881, the daughter of Carl and Wilhelmina Lienstadt, and came to this country in 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Hafele have four children: Olga, George, Gladys and William. The family faith is that of the German Lutheran Church.

William Modersbach, an active citizen of Crystal Lake Township, where he is profitably engaged in mixed farming and stock raising, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., Sept. 28, 1872, son of Leopold and Mollie (Somflosky) Modersbach. The parents were natives of Russia, who came to America in 1869, and who, not long after arriving here, came west and settled at Reed's Landing, Minn. There they made their home until 1883, in which year they came with their family to Barron County. Here Leopold Modersbach opened and improved three differ- ent farms, continuing actively engaged in agricultural operations until 1919, when he retired. For several years he served as road superintendent. He is now residing in Comstock, Crystal Lake Township. Of the seven children born to him and his wife, Mollie, two are now living: Anna, wife of Fred Nelson, and William, subject of this sketch. William Modersbach acquired his education in the district school. He learned agriculture on his parents' farm and for several winters followed the strenuous occupation of lumberjack. In 1897 he entered the employ of Thompson & Palmer, merchants, of Turtle Lake, in whose store he was employed for three years. His farm of 120 acres was purchased in two different lots, 80 acres in 1898 and the other 40 acres in 1901. It lies in Section 29 and when purchased by him consisted of wild land. Here in 1901 he took up his residence and began the work of improvement. He has cleared 55 acres and erected a set of buildings and his operations in mixed farming and stock raising have led to profitable results. His cattle, which are bred beef stock, are pure-bred Shorthorns. He has been road superintendent for several years and has served as township clerk for one year, being always ready to do his part as a good citizen. Mr. Modersbach was married Oct. 29, 1897, to Ethel Logan, who was born in Sauk County, Wis., April 5, 1870, daugh- ter of William H. and Margaret (Hyland) Logan. Her parents are now de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Modersbach have three children: Ruth M., born June 27, 1900; William L., Oct. 28, 1904; and George V., Feb. 22, 1906.

Frank Williams, a leading representative of the farming and dairying in- dustries in Crystal Lake Township, where also he has taken an active part in public affairs, was born in Morristown, Minn., March 28, 1869. His parents were Joseph and Ada (Hopkins) Williams, the father a native of Ohio and the mother, of Illinois, who settled in Minnesota in the late fifties. In 1884 they removed to Crystal Lake Township, Barron County, Wis., buying 104 acres of wild land in Section 27. Joseph Williams cleared 20 acres of this tract and also erected a set of log buildings. He became one of the prominent citizens of his township, which was then included with three others in Cumberland Town- ship, by which name it was known, serving for five years as chairman of its board. Here he resided until 1901, when he removed to Seattle, Wash., his present place of residence. His wife, Mrs. Ada (Hopkins) Williams, passed away April 24, 1920. They were the parents of six children, Florence, Frank, Stella, Alice, William and Harriet, of whom Stella is now deceased. Frank Williams acquired his education in the common schools of his native state, Min- nesota. When old enough he began to help his father on the farm and thus gradually acquired a practical knowledge of all branches of agricultural work. Ambition and industry have done the rest and placed him among the pros- perous farmers of his township. In 1901 he bought fifty acres of the home farm, on which he has erected a set of modern buildings. His barn, measur- ing 34 by 60 feet, is furnished with the West Bend equipment. He is engaged in mixed farming, keeping a number of dairy cattle, which are grade animals of the Guernsey breed, the herd having a pure-bred sire. Mr. Williams was

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the first manager of the Comstock Creamery, serving also as secretary for one year, and of this institution he is still a stockholder. His public service in- cludes two years as chairman of the township board. Cumberland Lodge, I. O. O. F., numbers him among its active members. He has never married but his three surviving sisters reside on the farm with him, looking after the house- hold duties and providing a congenial home atmosphere.

Charles A. Bergstrom, proprietor of a good farm of 80 acres in Section 23, Crystal Lake Township, is a type of that class of foreign born citizens whose advent is for the benefit of this country. He was born in Sweden, March 27, 1870, son of Gustav and Louisa (Jacobson) Bergstrom. The father is no longer living, but the mother still resides in her native land. Charles A. acquired his education in Sweden, where, until 1890, he was engaged in agricultural pur- suits. He then emigrated to America, landing at Quebec, whence he came directly to Wisconsin, ending his journey at Comstock, Barron County. Hav- ing found employment in the Sprague sawmills in Crystal Lake Township, he remained there two and a half years, practicing economy with the view of some day becoming his own master. This purpose he achieved in 1894 when he bought of Mr. Sprague his present farm of 80 acres in Section 23, Crystal Lake Township, which he at once proceeded to develop. In the 27 years that have since elapsed the place has assumed a very different aspect, the result of his continued exertions in the direction of improvement. Sixty acres of the land have been broken and a good set of buildings erected. Mixed farming and dairying engross Mr. Bergstrom's attention and have given him a place among the prosperous citizens of his township. His cattle are of the Durham and Shorthorn breeds and includes pure-bred sires. Mr. Bergstrom has served several years as a member of the school board of District No. 7. Religiously, he is affiliated with the Swedish Lutheran Church. On April 12, 1891, he was first married to Anna Olson, who passed away twenty years later, Oct. 12, 1911. The issue of that union were two sons: Arthur, born April 4, 1892, now a carpenter, living in Cumberland, Wis., and Carl, born Aug. 10, 1893, who operates a store in Comstock, Wis. Mr. Bergstrom's second marriage was to Mrs. Amanda Carlson, whose maiden name was Amanda Carlson. Of this union three children have been born: Elsie, March 14, 1915; Everett, Sept. 20, 1916; and Edwin, Aug. 17, 1918. Mrs. Bergstrom has also a daughter by her first husband, namely, Sigma Carlson, who was born Aug. 5, 1900. Mr. Berg- strom has been road supervisor since 1911, and has supervised the building of several miles of roads in Crystal Lake Township, as well as keeping the roads in good condition.

Samuel B. Bird, the present assessor of Crystal Lake Township, where he is engaged in general farming and dairying, was born in Turner County, South Dakota, July 18, 1875, son of Samuel and Dinah (Ewerts) Bird. The father was a native of England, while the mother was born in Germany. They came to the United States and settled in Turner County, Dakota (now South Dakota), in 1872, where they resided until Samuel Bird (Sr.) was killed in 1878. They had two children: Maggie, now Mrs. Charles Schugan, and Samuel B., of Crystal Lake Township, Barron County. Mrs. Samuel Bird, who subsequently married John Middendorf, is now residing at Clayton, Wis. Samuel B. Bird received his schooling in the city of Minneapolis. He began industrial life as a farm laborer, after which he learned the carpenters' trade and for sixteen seasons was employed in sawmills in Minneapolis. After that for a short time he operated a truck farm at Robbinsdale, Minn. In 1917 he bought 87 acres in Section 19, Crystal Lake Township, Barron County, which is his present farm. Of this land he has cleared 20 acres and is about to erect a set of mod- ern buildings. He is engaged in mixed farming and dairying, keeping Hol- stein cattle, with a pure-bred sire at the head of his herd. With a good prac- tical knowledge of the various branches of agriculture and endowed with the necessary industry and ambition to advance himself in the world, Mr. Bird can scarcely fail of success. He occupies a respected place among his fellow

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citizens and in 1921 was elected township assessor. His religious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal Church. It is more than a quarter of a cen- tury since Mr. Bird renounced the state of bachelorhood to embrace the re- sponsibilities of domestic life. He was married April 10, 1895, to Wilhelmina Duchene, who was born in Muskegon, Mich., May 17, 1874, daughter of Frank and Dinah (Leonard) Duchene. Her parents are now residents of La Crosse, Wis. During the years that have since elapsed, the Bird family circle has been enlarged by the birth of ten children, as follows: Robert F., born Janu- ary 28, 1896, now living in Hardy, Arkansas; Clara, born May 18, 1898, who is the wife of Boyd F. Hauser, of Minneapolis; Irwin R., born Nov. 5, 1899, who resides in Winnipeg, Canada; John B., born Dec. 15, 1900, now with the Kemp Ice Cream Co., of Minneapolis; Evelyn, born May 3, 1903, who died Aug. 8, 1910; Daniel E., born June 13, 1907, who died Sept. 13, 1916; Wilbur S., born Aug. 14, 1909; Vivian, born March 3, 1913; Warren, born Jan. 2, 1915; and Marie, born May 20, 1917.

George W. Ewen, business man of Mikana, owner and operator of a threshing outfit, former dealer in farm implements and machinery, and for some years a successful farmer, was born in Barnsboro, N. J. April 7, 1850, son of Edward and Elizabeth (Sweeten) Ewen, both of whom spent the span of their years in New Jersey. George W. received a common school educa- tion in his native state. He left school at the age of sixteen, and for several years thereafter was variously employed in his native state, in Ohio, and in Indiana. Late in 1877 he came to Wisconsin, and with headquarters at Rice Lake, worked for Knapp, Stout & Co., and other concerns in lumber camps. From 1890 to 1895 he logged on his own responsibility as a contractor. In the meantime, in 1882, he had purchased 40 acres of hard timber land in Cedar Lake Township. From time to time he purchased additional land until he owned 247 acres, and as opportunity presented he developed a farm. Origin- ally he built a log house and barns, and made a small clearing. In 1900 he erected a good frame barn. In 1910, after having still further improved the place and developed in all some sixty acres, he sold out and moved to Mikana. Here for five years he sold farm implements and machinery. In 1915 he opened a refreshment hall where he has pool tables and sells soft drinks, cigars, tobacco and smokers' supplies. Since 1900 he has owned a threshing outfit which he operates in the harvest season. He owns his place of business and three additional lots. In public affairs Mr. Ewen is well known, having been a supervisor of Cedar Lake Township eighteen years, ten years of which he was chairman. At various times he has also served on the school board. Mr. Ewen was married in June, 1888, to Dorothy Momson, who died Dec. 2, 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Ewen had six children: Edward, Mary J., John G., George R., Martha and Irene C., all born in Cedar Lake Township. Edward was born March 16, 1889, married Helen French, and lives at Yakima Valley, Washington. He enlisted in Company E, Fourteenth U. S. Infantry, on April 17, 1917, and was stationed successively at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri; Camp Lewis, Washington; Vancouver Barracks, Washington; Fort Wright, Washington; Camp Lewis, Washington; Camp Dodge, Iowa; Camp Grant, Illinois, and Camp Custer, Michigan. He was discharged in April, 1919. Mary J. was born Nov. 3, 1890, is the wife of Halver Halverson of Cedar Lake Township, and has five children: Dorothy, George, Howard, Orvil and Lloyd. John G. was born March 15, 1893. He was inducted into the United States service in 1918 and was sent to Camp Grant, Illinois, and was there dis- charged. George R. was born June 22, 1896. He enlisted in the United States service in 1918, trained at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, and Camp Hum- phries, Virginia, and was equipped for overseas service at Camp Merritt, New Jersey. He was further trained at the engineers' camp in France, and was in the Meuse-Argonne drive with Company E, 111th Engineers Regiment, being in action for 27 days. He returned to the United States with his unit and was discharged at Camp Grant, Illinois, June 11, 1919. Martha was born

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G. W. EWEN

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Dec. 29, 1898, married Henry J. Estel, and has one son, Joseph W. Irene C. was born Nov. 14, 1902 and is at home.

Charles E. Wickens has been a well known resident of Doyle Township for some twenty years, and in all that time has maintained a reputation as an estimable, useful and industrious citizen. Upon coming here from Savannah, Ill., in 1902, he purchased 200 acres in Sections 2, 3 and 4, Doyle Township, renovated the house, put up a good barn and outbuildings, and cleared up the land. He now has a well cultivated place and everything about it, buildings, fences, stock, land and equipment all speak of the fidelity with which he has labored. He successfully carries on general farming and stock raising, and has a good grade of cattle, a flock of fine sheep, and a drove of Duroc-Jersey swine. He sells his cream to the Central Cheese and Butter Association of Doyle Township, of which he is one of the stockholders. Mr. Wickens was born at Paw Paw, Van Buren County, Michigan, Nov. 27, 1870, the son of George and Catherine (Raridan) Wickens, natives of New York state, both now deceased. When his parents died he was still an infant, and went to live with his uncle, Richard Drawley, at Lawton, in the same county. He attended the common schools and as a youth took up railroad work, being gradually promoted for faithful service until he became an engineer. He worked at that trade at various places until coming to Barron County in 1902. Mr. Wickens was married at Amboy, Ill., Oct. 9, 1894, to Bridget McFadden, who was born in that place on Oct. 17, 1877, the daughter of Neil and Rose (McGuire) McFadden of Ireland, the father being a native of Ireland and the mother of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Wickens have five children: Cletus M., who served in the World War, was born April 26, 1897. Kenneth C. was born Aug. 4, 1904; Katherine B. was born Aug. 3, 1907 and died June 21, 1909; Gladys B. was born Dec. 31, 1910; Glen was born Sept. 29, 1912 and died April 10, 1913. Cletus M. Wickens was inducted into the United States service as a volun- teer Sept. 16, 1918, at Washington, D. C., and was sent to Governor's Island. On Oct. 6, 1918 he embarked for France, connected with the prison adminis- tration department, his early service being in assembling camps. He re- turned to the United States in January, 1920, in the steamer "George Wash- ington", and was discharged at Hoboken, N. J., Jan. 30, 1920.

Ole Kringle, now deceased, for many years a respected and substantial citizen of Doyle Township, and later a resident of Mikana, in Cedar Lake Township, was born in Norway, Jan. 29, 1858, son of Andrew and Gertrude (Nelson) Krinkle, natives of that country, who brought him to America in 1861 and located in Dane County, this state, where they farmed the remainder of their lives. Ole was reared and educated in Dunn County and learned farming from his father. In 1881 he came to Barron County and bought 100 acres of railroad land in Doyle Township. To this he later added 80 acres more, making a good tract of 180 acres. He erected a good set of buildings, cleared a part of the land and developed a good farm. There he successfully carried on general agricultural operations until 1908. Then he sold out and moved to Mikana. There he conducted a livery and dray line, and operated in addition a truck farm of eighteen acres. He died Feb. 12, 1918. He was a good citizen and well liked by all who knew him. His relig- ious faith was that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Mr. Kringle was married Oct. 12, 1892, to Maren Sathra, who was born Sept. 6, 1868 in Olm- sted County, Minn., daughter of Ole and Jaran (Gulson) Sathra, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1861, and located in Olmsted County, Minn. They left Minnesota in 1879 for North Dakota where they successfully farmed until Mr. Sathra's death Nov. 16, 1910, since which time Mrs. Sathra has lived in North Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Kringle were the parents of two children. Alfred C. was born June 26, 1893 and now lives in Mikana. Ellen was born July 14, 1895, and is the wife of Jack Snyder of Mikana.

Alfred O. Kringle, licensed guide and veteran of the World War, was born on a farm in Doyle Township, this county, June 26, 1893, the son of Ole and

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Maren (Sathra) Kringle. He was reared and educated in his native township, and was brought to Mikana at the age of fifteen. As a youth he was em- ployed as a general store clerk in Mikana. From boyhood days he has been interested in out-door life, and he now devotes much of his time to guiding fishing and hunting parties on Cedar Lake, having received a regular license in 1918. July 23, 1918 he was inducted into the United States service and trained at Camp Grant with Company M, 343rd Inf., 86th Division. He was equipped for overseas duty at Camp Mills. He sailed Sept. 14 and landed in South Hampton, England, Sept. 22. He was in France from Oct. 19 to April 28, 1919, and from there went to Germany. He left Germany for Brest May 23, 1919, returned to the States June 10 and was discharged from Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill., June 21, 1919. He now makes his home with his mother in Mikana.

Lester H. Uren, formerly a general merchant with a store at Mikana, Cedar Lake Township, but now salesman for the Pine Tree Milking Machine Co. of Minneapolis, was born June 2, 1889 at Blanchardville, Wis., son of Blakely and Celia (Paynter) Uren, who are now farming near Angus, Wis. He at- tended the graded and high schools of his native place and in 1911 was grad- uated from the Barnes Anatomy School at Chicago, Ill. Subsequently he worked for a while in Chicago and then returned home. Then he went to Spooner, in this state, and for a few months was employed in charge of the undertaking parlors of A. D. Burnett. From 1912 to 1914 he was a furniture dealer and funeral director at Osceola, this state. After this, for a short time, he had a similar establishment at Postville, Iowa. In 1915 he opened a mercantile business at Mikana in partnership with his brother, Warren, and in 1918 became sole owner. In that year he erected a frame store build- ing, which is one of the features of the business street of the hamlet. In addition to the general mercantile business he took the agency for Barron County for the Pine Tree Milking Machine Co. of Minneapolis. To the sale of this machine he is now devoting his attention. His business holdings in- clude stock in the Mikana Cheese Co. Mr. Uren is a good business man, has built up a good trade, and stands high throughout the community. Frater- nally he is a member of Osceola Lodge, No. 134 A. F. & A. M. Mr. Uren was married May 14, 1913 at Osceola, Wis., to Ella Ames, daughter of E. B. and Christina (Nelson) Ames, the former of whom died in 1910, and the latter of whom now lives in Minneapolis. Mr. and Mrs. Uren have two children: Lester Ames, Oct. 13, 1914, and Dorris Lucille, Sept. 11, 1920.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 133

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

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