History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 137

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

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Jake T. Jacobson, business man of Rice Lake, was born in Norway, Aug. 7, 1881, son of Thore and Elizabeth (Kingsted) Jacobson, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1884, and located in Lee, Illinois. Thore Jacobson worked for sixteen years in the employ of the Farmers' Elevator Co. there, and in 1900 established a dray line, which he conducted some eight years, afterward becoming government watchman on the dam at Rock Falls, Ill. After the death of his wife, in the spring of 1915, he took up his home with his daughter, Mary, at Shabbona, Ill., until 1917, since which date he has made his home with the subject of this sketch. In the family there are nine chil- dren. Ole lives in Ashland, Wis. Jake T. is a business man of Rice Lake. Christ lives in Shabbona Grove, Ill. Martha is the wife of A. G. Clark, of St. Paul, Minn. Mary is now Mrs. Roy Tilton, of Shabbona, Ill. Tillie is dead. Linnie is the wife of Gust Neisheim, of Minneapolis, Minn. Kearney and Elmer are employed by their brother, Jake T., at Rice Lake. Jake T. attended school at Lee, Ill., and farmed there for a while. He went to Nebraska in 1900 and in 1904 came to Rice Lake. Here he followed the plumbing and heating trade until 1912, when he entered the employ of Frank Bandalin, in a billiard hall. In 1914 he purchased the place, which then had five tables and two bowl- ing alleys. In 1916 he purchased the two-story brick building which he now occupies, built on forty feet in the rear, making it 112 by 26 feet, with full basement, put in modern heating and plumbing, installed nine new pool tables and one new billiard table, and put in four new alleys, so that he now has as fine an establishment of its kind as is to be found in the smaller towns of the Northwest. In addition to this, he carries a full line of smokers' supplies, such as cigars, cigarettes, pipes, tobacco and accessories, serves soft drinks, and distributes the daily papers. Since early youth he has been a baseball player, and in this connection is known throughout this part of the state. He has been catcher of the local team for sixteen consecutive seasons, a record hard to beat among the amateur players of the Northwest, and in this line he has shown much skill and dexterity. He is a man of genial personality, admirably suited for the position he occupies, he prides himself on the high standard he main- tains in his place, and he holds a high place among the business men of the city. his establishment being an important factor in the pleasant impression which the traveling public receives of Rice Lake. He belongs to the Odd Fel- lows and the Eagles, and is active in the Commercial Club. Mr. Jacobson was married Feb. 27, 1909, to Christina Sigstad, of this place, born March 14, 1886. They have two children: Allan Sigstad, born Nov. 6, 1914, and Dorothy Elizabeth, born June 27, 1917. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Leander Grilley, an early settler of Sumner Township, now deceased, was an important factor in the life of the township for many years. A man above the average in intelligence and education, he had strong influence over his fellowmen, and was often sought for advice and counsel. For many years he was justice of the peace, settled neighborhood differences with fairness and dis- cretion, and enforced deep respect for law and order. He and his wife, Sarah

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Briggs, came from Cook County, Ill., to Houston County, Minn., in the sixties. In 1873 they set out for Barron County with an ox team with their six chil- dren. Here they secured a homestead of 160 acres in Section 32, Sumner Township, erected a log cabin, and established their home. Both he and his wife died here, he at the age of 77 and she at the age of 53 years. Their seven children were: Helen, Dighton, Burritt, Mary, Fannie, Hattie and Jesse. Fan- nie married John E. Malone in 1877 and by him had five children, Raymond E., Martin J., Eva B., Harry and Emma (deceased). John E. Malone was a native of this state. He came to Barron County in the late seventies and located in Section 31, Sumner Township, near old Sumner Village. He developed a good farm, and devoted his autumns to threshing. He died in 1887 at the age of thirty-eight. He was one of the popular men of the community, who stood high among all who knew him, and his death was greatly mourned. His widow married Lebinah S. Winchester, and they have one son, Wesley.

Russell Winchester, who settled in Sumner Township in the days of the early development of the county, was born in New York State of good old New York stock. He married Betsey Carter, who also came of an old New York family. They moved to Warren County, Pennsylvania, and from there came to Illinois. After a summer in that state, they came to Wisconsin in the middle sixties, and located in Reedsburg, Sauk County. From there, in 1871, they drove to this county with an ox team, their household goods, supplies, tools and a cow. The family then consisted of four boys and three girls. They built a log cabin and began clearing the land. They experienced all the vicis- situdes of pioneer life. The nearest market was at Chippewa Falls, a three days' journey away. To the development of their farm, Mr. Winchester and his wife devoted the remainder of their lives. They reared a good family and left the heritage of a good name and sterling character.

Lebinah S. Winchester, custodian of the public school building at Canton, was born in Warren County, Pennsylvania, April 21, 1855, the son of Rus- sell and Betsey (Carter) Winchester, who brought him first to Illinois, then to Sauk County, this state, and then to Barron County in 1871. As a young man, he went into the woods for the Knapp, Stout & Co. and so continued for twenty-one winters. He also farmed for a while in Cook's Valley, Chippewa County, in the summer seasons. Then for a while he operated the homestead of his parents. After his marriage he located at Sioska, in Sumner Township, and for a while farmed there. In 1893 he moved to Canton. Here he has been engaged in mason work, plumbing and well digging. In 1920 he became jani- tor of the Canton schools. He is a popular member of the Woodmen of the World. He and his family are faithful adherents of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was married April 20, 1890, to Fannie Grilley Malone, widow of John Malone, and daughter of Leander and Sarah (Briggs) Grilley. She was born in Cook County, Ill., Feb. 24, 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Winchester have one son, Wesley, agent for the "Soo" line at Strickland.

James Andrew Helland, a financier of Prairie Farm Village, president of the Prairie Farm Milling Co. and of the Prairie Farm Electric Light Co., was born at Racine, Wis., Sept. 21, 1893, the son of Chris and Anna (Waage) Hel- land, who took him to Harmony, Minn., where he attended the common schools and the high school. In 1912 he became assistant cashier of the Farmers' State Bank of Minong, Washburn County, this state. He made an excellent record there, and in 1914 assumed temporary charge of the First State Bank, at Solon Springs, Douglas County, as cashier. In 1915 he became assistant cashier of the First State Bank of Prairie Farm. He at once identified him- self with the business and social life of the village and is now one of its most prominent and influential citizens. In 1916 he became manager of the George E. Scott interests here. He has the welfare of the village, township and county at heart, he is an active and energetic man of affairs, and his friends predict for him a future of wide influence. He is looking well after the interests of education in the village as clerk of the school board. Fraternally, he is a

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member of the Masonic Order, belonging to the Blue Lodge at Barron and the Chapter at Menomonie. He is also a member of the Knights Templar at Chip- pewa Falls, Wis. Mr. Helland was married at Prairie Farm on Oct. 21, 1916, to Eula Scott, who was born at Prairie Farm on May 12, 1893, the daughter of George E. and Alice (Hammond) Scott. This union has been blessed with two bright sons, George, born Aug. 23, 1917; and James, born Aug. 28, 1918. Chris Helland was born in Norway and came to this country in 1890. Soon afterward he married Anna Waage, who came from Norway the same year. For a time Mr. Helland was employed by the Mitchell Wagon Co. at Racine and then went to Harmony, Fillmore County, Minn., where he farmed. In 1905 he moved to Washburn County, this state, where he farmed until his death, April 12. 1917, at the age of 49 years. His wife, in 1921, moved to Prairie Farm, where she now resides. In the family there were four sons, Peter, James, Andrew and Martin. Mr. Helland was much interested in the affairs of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, and took an active part therein.

Gust Scheunemann, at present living retired in the village of Turtle Lake, is one of the best known citizens in this part of the county, having resided here or in this vicinity most of the time for the last forty years. As logger, farmer, stock dealer, creamery operator, public official, and generally as a "live wire" in both these and several other occupations, he has had a varied experience and has been brought into contact with all classes of people. As every strong man must do, he has made both friends and enemies, but his shrewd common sense and the rectitude of his motives have turned some of his enemies into friends, and if he has not converted them all, the most embittered will at least acknowledge that he "fights fair." Mr. Scheunemann was born in Prussia, Germany, April 29, 1862, son of Carl and Caroline Scheunemann, the father being a stone mason by trade. Gust grew up in his native land, attended school, and began industrial life as his father's assistant. In March, 1882, seeking a better field of opportunity, he came to the United States, locating at Eagle Grove, Iowa, where he joined two of his brothers who had come to this country previously and were employed in railroad construction work. Gust at once engaged in the same work and was thus employed in the state of Iowa until the fall. Then, as employees of the Omaha railroad, he and his brothers came to Wisconsin by way of Minneapolis, being sent from that city to Cable, Wis. But after reaching the latter place, not liking the aspect of affairs, and the work they were expected to do there, they threw up their jobs and came to Turtle Lake, Barron County where they found employment in the Richardson sawmill. For several years they were numbered among Mr. Richardson's workmen, and having an eye to the future, each saved what he could of his earnings. Their savings they invested in land in the adjoining county of Polk, Gust buying 40 acres and his two brothers a piece of 120 acres, which the two divided between them. The place which Gust had bought had no improve- ments, and he did not live on it, but sold it soon after and homesteaded 40 acres in Beaver Township, Polk County. This latter place had a log house on it in which he took up his residence. After improving the farm a little, he sold it at the end of a year and bought another piece of 40 acres in the same township on which he built a house. Two years later he traded this place to "Joe" Richardson, the mill man, and got in exchange a ten-acre lot in Turtle Lake, Barron County. At the same time he resumed work in the sawmill in the winters being employed in the woods at logging as far north as Barronette. At this work he showed himself so capable that he was made foreman of a gang. His next change of occupation was the result of an accident. While endeavor- ing to loosen some logs from a large pile that had become frozen together, they suddenly gave way and a number of them fell upon him. He was knocked down and quite severely injured, being laid up for some time. Not desiring to take any more dangerous risks, he gave up logging and opened a meat market in Turtle Lake Village, being proprietor of it subsequently for eight or ten years. Then he drifted into the cattle business, buying and shipping stock,

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while continuing to operate his meat market. Finally he sold the market and bought a hardware store in the village, which he conducted for three years, continuing at the same time to buy cattle. He then sold the store, which sub- sequently burned down, and bought 280 acres of land in the township of Tur- tle Lake, which he traded for the Fisk Hotel-not the present hotel of that name, but its predecessor, which stood on the site of the present Hogan Opera House. This hotel he rented out to D. S. Wallace, and in 1909, while the latter was operating it, it burned down. This disaster caused Mr. Scheunemann to sustain a loss of $2,000, as he had spent $800 in improvements, making it worth about $7,500, the insurance covering only about $5,500. Before buying the hotel Mr. Scheunemann had bought a five-acre tract of land in Turtle Lake Vil- lage, and another of 40 acres adjoining. After erecting buildings on this land he lived on it while he owned the hotel and later sold the whole 45 acres to Charles Brown, it being the present Brown property. Subsequently, thinking himself entitled to a vacation, he, in company with D. S. Wallace, went to Arkansas on a big hunting expedition. While in that state he bought a few "razor-back" hogs, which, with a few cattle, he shipped to market. Six weeks later at Gillette, in southeast Arkansas, he was joined by his family and they spent three months in that vicinity. He next went to Wainwright, Okla., a place about eight miles from Muskogee, where, in February, 1910, he made some investments in oil lands, remaining until the latter part of September, when he returned to Barron County, Wis. Here he again got busy and as one of his activities, built the block that includes the Hogan Opera House. For about four years he conducted the theatre and also had a lumber yard. At the end of that time he sold the lumber to the Olcutt Lumber Co., and traded the real property to John Hogan for land on Horseshoe Lake which had been operated as a summer resort. Mr. Scheunemann was proprietor of the resort for the four following years, though not always on the ground during the season. After he had owned that property three years he bought a lumber yard at Clayton, Polk County, which he operated three years, making his home there, and which he sold in 1920. Then he and his family went to Oceanside, Cal., remaining there one year. There he bought property which he now owns. In July, 1921, he returned to Turtle Lake and has since resided here, though he expects to return to California in 1922 for either a temporary or permanent residence. Mr. Scheunemann was first married at Turtle Lake, Wis., to Etta Dennis, of Beaver Township, Polk County, she being a step-daughter of Dave Stratton. By her he had five children: Frank, who died in infancy; Otto, now residing at Minot, N. D .; Calvin, who died at the age of 20 years; Maggie, now Mrs. Swan Bonderson of Taylor's Falls, Minn., and Mary Elizabeth, who died in infancy. Mrs. Etta Scheunemann died in 1894. On Aug. 5, 1896, Mr. Scheunemann was married at Clayton, Wis., to Alice Elmore of that place, an adopted daughter of Bentley and Amanda Elmore. Her real parents were John and Emeline (Van Dyke) Sullivan of Richardson, Clayton Township, Polk County. Mr. and Mrs. Scheunemann have had four children, of whom two are now living, the record being as follows: Milo, born Dec. 28, 1901, who died at the age of 15 months; Noel, born Aug. 11, 1904; Vere, born Dec. 22, 1906, and Fred, born Sept. 3, 1917, whose feeble life lasted but a few hours. The two surviving sons, Noel and Vere, reside at home with their parents. Having thus briefly sketched Mr. Scheunemann's career as a man of business and of family, it remains to say a few words in regard to his public service. In addi- tion to acting as pathmaster in Turtle Lake Township, he served two terms as mayor of Turtle Lake Village, and was also for several terms a member of the village board. As a member of the board he proved a strong champion of progress, advocating measures which he thought were for the best interests of the community, even though at the time they might not be popular. When he was president of the board the sidewalks of the village were in a very bad condition. They were of wood and were mostly old, many of the boards being broken or loose, so as to cause not only great inconvenience but also to con-

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stitute a source of danger to pedestrians. Mr. Scheunemann advocated and put through a measure providing for the substitution of cement walks. As this involved assessments on property owners it was unpopular in some quarters, but though it proved a temporary hardship, it increased the value of property and gave the citizens a better village, a result now generally acknowledged. Mr. Scheunemann and his family are members of the Episcopal Church. He is a Chapter Mason, his wife belonging to the auxiliary branch of the Eastern Star. They hold a high social position in the village and have a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Mr. Scheunemann's parents, who came to this country a year or two after him, are now both deceased. The father died in 1904, and the mother lived to the good old age of 93, passing away in 1918.

Victor Ekenstedt, who is successfully conducting an 80-acre farm in Sec- tion 17, Cumberland Township, was born in Sweden Feb. 22, 1873, son of Jo- hannes L. and Caroline (Johnson) Ekenstedt. He was nine years old when his parents brought him to the United States and during the next few years he gained a knowledge of farming as his father's assistant. When he had devel- oped into a strong young man he went into the logging camps, where he was employed for three winters. For about eighteen years he worked for his brother, John, farming, at the end of which time he started in for himself on his present tract of 80 acres in Section 17, Cumberland Township. He has erected good buildings and is raising a good grade of Hereford and Durham cattle with profitable results. Mr. Ekenstedt was married March 26, 1918, at Cumberland, this county, to Edith Wilson, who was born in Winona County, Minn., May 23, 1899, daughter of James Judson and Elizabeth (Davidson) Wil- son. Her parents, who settled as farmers in Lakeland Township, are still re- siding there. Mr. and Mrs. Ekenstedt have two children: Cecel Victoria, born Dec. 18, 1918, and Fred Stanley, born May 24, 1920. The religious affilia- tions of Mr. Ekenstedt are with the Swedish Lutheran Church.

John Nelson, one of the early pioneers of Dovre Township, now deceased, was born, reared and educated in Norway. He there married Anna K. Chris- topherson, and to them were born in that country nine children: Nels, Tena, Charles, Anna, Julia, Mertie, and three that died in infancy. In 1871 he brought the family to America and located in Eau Claire, this state, where he found employment. While living there he selected a homestead of 160 acres in Section 24, Dovre Township, and built a log cabin, 14 by 14 feet. Into this cabin he moved his large family. The claim was in the wild woods. Neigh- bors were far away. Eau Claire was the trading point. There were few com- forts and even the necessities were sometimes lacking. But Mr. Nelson and his wife were people of courage and determination, and they bore the hard- ships, privations and unceasing toil with fortitude and good cheer. The chil- dren, too, were blessed with a happy temperament, and all of them strove to- gether to make the wilderness home a place of love and contentment. By hard work they developed a good farm. Mr. Nelson was a man of many ad- mirable qualities, solid and substantial in character, and was held in the high- est respect. He died Dec. 11, 1897. After that his widow and the sons con- tinued to operate and develop the place. She died April 22, 1914. She was a most worthy woman in every respect, capable and energetic, and her memory is held in deep honor. All the children are now dead except two. Julia, who was born in Norway, is the wife of Esten Jorstad, of this township. Essie, who was born in Eau Claire, now lives on the home place.

Arne Jorstad, an early settler of Dovre Township, was born in Norway, and was there reared, educated and married. In 1873 he and his wife, Anna, and five children, Esten, Ole, John, Agnes and Petra, came to America, and joined his father, who had come the previous year. For a time the family lived in Portage County, this state. In 1875 they came to Barron County and settled on a homestead of 160 acres in Dovre Township. There Mr. Jorstad built a log cabin for his family and a shed for the two cows that he had brought with him. In the fall he got a yoke of oxen. For a time conditions were hard.

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The market places were far away at Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire. But as time passed the region developed and the Jorstads shared in the general pros- perity. Feeling the need of religious instruction in the neighborhood, Mr. Jor- stad and his wife assisted in organizing the Norwegian Lutheran congregation at Dovre and he served as one of its early officers. Both he and his wife are now dead.

Esten Jorstad, Section 22, Dovre Township, stands well among the pros- perous and industrious men of the community. He was born in Norway July 20, 1858, the son of Arne and Anna Jorstad, and was but eleven years of age when they brought him to Portage County, this state, in 1873, and but thirteen when they brought him to Dovre Township in 1875. He has therefore seen the county develop from a wilderness, and in its development has had his full share and part. As a boy he worked on the farm and at the age of eighteen had his first experience in the woods, when he worked for Knapp, Stout & Co. for $14 a month and board, half his wages being received in cash and half in trade. In 1888 he bought 160 acres of his present place for $600. A log shanty had been built and a few acres had been cleared. He has erected a good set of buildings, has broken up the land, added forty acres more, and now success- fully carries on general farming. His place is one of the best that is to be found in the neighborhood. In addition to his other farming operations he makes a specialty of raising full-blooded sires, for which there is a wide de- mand. A believer in everything that is for the best interests of the commu- nity, he helped to organize the Farmers' Shipping Association of Chetek, he helped to build the store occupied by the Farmers Store Co., and he is a share- holder in the Spring Hill Creamery which he helped to organize. Mr. Jorstad was married in June, 1890 on the farm, to Hilda Wade, who died May 12, 1899, at the age of 27 years, leaving three children: Arthur, Anna (deceased), and Helga (deceased). On Dec. 19, 1900, he married Julia Nelson, who was born at Drammen, Norway, Dec. 25, 1865, and this union has been blessed with one child, Myrtle. Arthur lives in Chetek, where he is a prosperous garage man. Myrtle is at home. The family attends the Norwegian Lutheran Church at. Dovre, on the board of which Mr. Jorstad served for many years.

Otto Jacobson, a worthy pioneer of Section 16, Dovre Township, was born in Norway, April 26, 1850, fourth of the family of five boys and one girl born to Jacob Hovelsrud and his good wife. The others in the family were: John, Soren, Martin, Enevold and Bertha. Of these, Enevold and Otto were the only ones who came to America. Otto was reared and educated in his native land and came to America as a young man in the early seventies. With head- quarters at Eau Claire he worked in sawmills and in lumber camps. In 1875 he bought 120 acres in Section 16, and also homesteaded 80 acres in Section 9, Dovre Township, and to this added from time to time until he owned 360 acres. When he came here the land was all wild and no trails led to the place. He made a little clearing and put up a small shack and moved his family into it while he was putting up a log house. At first he had little to farm with except his own hands and a few small implements. His first draught animals were a yoke of oxen. Then he got a pair of mules and later a team of horses. Eau Claire was the nearest market, and for some years he hauled grain there with his oxen. Sometimes he made the trip there afoot, bringing provisions home on his back. He and his wife toiled early and late and gradually their efforts resulted in a well tilled farm. In developing his own place, he did not neglect the things which were for the general betterment of the community. He assisted to build the first Norwegian Lutheran Church at Dovre, and served for a while as one of its officers. He was married at Eau Claire, Wis., May 12, 1877, to Carrie Stene, who was born in Norway, Aug. 28, 1854, the daughter of Jacob Stene. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobson were the parents of seven children: Anna, John, Clara, Mary, Minda, Agnes and Hilda. Anna married Anton Carl- son, of Superior, Wis. John farms the home place. Clara is the wife of Peter Jergenson of San Francisco, Cal. Mary is the wife of Fred Anderson, of.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 137

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

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