History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 14

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 14

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HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

spring of 1921. He has been treasurer of the board of education since July, 1910. In 1919, at the death of his brother, Elmer A., he succeeded him as treasurer of the Barron County Red Cross society, and has since continued to serve. Fraternally, he is a member of Barron lodge, No. 220, F. & A. M., of which he has served as master and secretary, and of Rice Lake chapter, No. 67, R. A. M. Mr. Rockman was married Sept. 22, 1909, to E. Helen Strand, of Menomonie, daughter of Andrew O. and Mary (Ludvigson) Strand. Mrs. Rockman was born in Menomonie on Aug. 31, 1885, and attended the public schools there, graduating from the high school with the class of 1905. Then entering Stout Institute, she graduated from the kindergarten training course with the class of 1907. The next two years she taught in the schools of St. Croix Falls, Wis. They have four chlidren: Julia Edward, born July 29, 1910; Helen Margaret, born Dec. 11, 1911; Natalie Mary Anette, born June 5, 1913, and Dorothy Jane, born Aug. 15, 1918.

Edward N. Stebbins, Sr., veteran of the Civil war, and for some years a manufacturer of barrel heads and staves at Barron, was born in New York state in 1835. He was a merchant in New Jersey, and later in Coudersport, Penn., until 1891, when he came to Barron and opened a wood working mill, which he continued until his death Sept. 19, 1903. He and his wife assisted in founding the Episcopal church here, and were active in its work. During the Civil war he was appointed paymaster in the United States Army by President Abraham Lincoln, with the title of major. His offices were at Washington, D. C. As a part of his duties he superintended the burial of J. Wilkes Booth, who assassinated President Lincoln. In Barron he was a man of much influence and importance and served in a number of local offices including that of mayor. Major Stebbins married Mary Treat who was born in 1842 and died Jan. 5, 1909. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom those now living are: Louise, wife of W. L. Morris of Aiken, Minn .; Jessie W., now Mrs. F. H. Spencer of Cheyenne Wells, Colo .; Edward N., of Barron; Isabell, who is librarian at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Eugene B., a physician of Ironwood, Mich., who served with the rank of major in the World War; Arthur P., of Barron; Harold D., a traveling salesman residing in Chicago, and Helen A., who is a stenographer and resides at Aiken, Minn.

Arthur P. Stebbins, one of the leading business men of Barron, proprietor of an up-to-date drug store, was born at Coudersport, Penn., May 13, 1880, son of Edward M. and Mary T. (Clapp) Stebbins, the former of English descent, and later of English-Huguenot stock. The family came to Barron from Pennsylvania in 1891, and here the father engaged in woodworking for the remainder of his life. Arthur P. Stebbins started his education in Pennsylvania, and was eleven years of age when he came to Barron, where he continued his schooling. In 1902 he entered Northwestern University as a student in the pharmacy course and was graduated in 1904. In June of the latter year he took a position with Frank Danielson of Cumberland, Wis., as drug clerk and later was with a drug house in Superior, Wis. After two years' practical experience, on May 28, 1906, he became proprietor of his present business in Barron. He has a fine store at the corner of La Salle and Third streets, and keeps an ample stock of pure drugs, stationery, school supplies, and other lines of merchandise customary in the trade. He is enjoying a good patronage and is the owner of a good residence on South Fifth street. Fraternally, he belongs to the local lodges of Masons and Knights of Pythias. Politically, he is a Democrat. Mr. Stebbins was married Sept. 5, 1914, to Louise T. Ticknor, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John C. Ticknor, of Menomonie, Wis., in which city she was born Sept. 20, 1890. A graduate of Stout Institute, she was for some time before her marriage a teacher of domestic science in the public schools of her native city. Mr. and Mrs. Stebbins are members of the Episcopal church in Barron, which the former has served for some years as warden and treasurer. They have one child, Joan, who was born Feb. 16, 1916.

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HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

Edward N. Stebbins, Jr., junior member of the firm of William F. Horst- mann & Co., Barron, furniture and undertaking, was born in New Jersey, Oct. 27, 1872, son of Edward N. and Mary (Treat) Stebbins. He lived in Coudersport, Penn., before coming to Barron with the family in 1891, and here he assisted his father in the barrel head and stave business until 1904 when he became a partner in his present firm. He is health officer of the city, and enjoys an excellent standing among his fellow men. The family residence is a pleasant house on Division street. Mrs. Stebbins is a musician of ability, serves as church organist for the Methodists, and is prominent in Sunday school work. Mr. Stebbins was married Oct. 12, 1904, to Laura A., the daughter of William A. and Amanda (Craft) Horstmann, and they have three children: Marion, born Jan. 30, 1907; William N., born Feb. 15, 1909, and Edna L., born Feb. 27, 1913.

William F. Horstmann, founder and senior member of the firm of William F. Horstmann & Co., Barron, furniture and undertaking, was born in New York City. June 13, 1855, and came West as a young man. He was married at Sparta, Wis., Oct. 28, 1875, to Amanda Craft, who was born on a farm in New York state, March 20, 1854. For some years he was engaged in the furniture and undertaking business at Norwalk, Wis. In 1889 he came to Barron and established his present business. While at Norwalk he served on the school board. He has been a life-long advocate of temperance, and has lived to see his hopes realized in a prohibition country. Fraternally, he associates with the Odd Fellows. Mrs. Horstmann died Nov. 7, 1907. The four children in their family were: Laura A., born Oct. 24, 1876, now Mrs. Edward N. Stebbins, Jr., of Barron; Frank M., M. D., born Feb. 17, 1878, a lecturer on medical subjects in the public schools and colleges of Chicago; Myron F., born Feb. 16, 1880, and died Aug. 6, 1880; and Mora E., born Dec. 21, 1885, now wife of M. N. Rice, Gresham, Shawano county, Wis. The family worships at the Methodist church.

James Post was born in Pennsylvania, of Pennsylvania-Dutch ancestry, and became a millwright and miller. He married Axa Hurlehy, who also was born in Pennsylvania. They brought their family to Wisconsin in 1855 and settled in Iowa county. The land was all wild, and the nearest railroad was at Madison, fifty miles away. There were no roads and few trails. Settlers were few and far between. Wild game was plentiful, and the Indians were camped on every side. For a year the family lived in a log house with a sod roof, on Otter creek. Then they moved onto a claim which they purchased from the government, and which they had cleared by hired labor. With this beginning they developed a good pioneer farm, Mr. Post in the meantime work- ing at his trade in various places. In 1871 he sold the farm and moved to Avoca, in the same county. In 1872 he moved to Indiana, and there built and operated a mill near Lima. Later he again came to Wisconsin and settled in Richland county. In 1885 he came to Barron City where he died in 1910. His wife died in 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Post were the parents of ten children: Julia, deceased; John, deceased; Ellen and William, deceased; De Witt, of Barron City; Frank, deceased; Jean, of Minneapolis; George, of Barron City; and Emma and James, who died in infancy.

De Witt Post, president of the Barron Telephone Co., was born in Luzerne county, Pa., Jan. 19, 1851, son of James and Axa (Hurlehy) Post. He was brought to Iowa county, Wis., by his parents when he was three years of age. He was there reared, and on account of the necessity for hard work on the farm, received but little schooling, though he has supplemented this by much reading and wide experience. For a time he worked with his father in the milling business near Lima, Indiana. In 1872 he formed a partnership with I. O. Ingraham, in the drug and grocery business at Avoca, in his native county, under the firm name of Ingraham & Post. About two years later he bought out Mr. Ingraham and became sole proprietor of the drug business, Mr. Ingra- ham taking the grocery line. Two years later Mr. Post took Josiah Ward,

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HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

grain buyer and stock dealer as a partner. But the venture did not prove so successful as had been anticipated and so Mr. Post sold out and started life anew. In 1882 he went to the Fort Belknap Agency, in Montana, as instructor of agriculture to the Indians. After three years he again returned to Wiscon- sin, and with his brother John engaged in the hardware business at the corner of LaSalle and Second street, Barron City, this county. Afterward the store was moved to a new building which the brothers erected at the corner of LaSalle and Fifth streets. The partnership was dissolved and De Witt Post continued the business alone until 1905. He now devotes his time to looking after his various interests. He was one of the founders of the Barron Tele- phone Co. of which he is the president; he is a stockholder in the Bank of Barron, as well as a director, and he is also connected with various other leading enterprises. He has a good residence in Barron City and a pleasant summer home on Cedar lake, in this state. For one term he served as alder- man of the city. His fraternal relations are with Barron Lodge No. 38, I. O. O. F., and he has passed through its chairs. He is a useful citizen in every respect, one of the truly important men of the city, and he is held in high esteem for his sterling worth as well as for what he has accomplished for the county. Mr. Post was married in 1872 to Helen Kinzie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kinzie, of Avoca, Wis. This union has been blessed with two children, both of whom are married to leading physicians and surgeons: Bessie P., the wife of Dr. H. M. Coleman; and Jessie, the wife of Dr. C. C. Post, both of Barron City.

Lellen S. Cheney, now living retired in Barron after a long and active career marked by success in educational and scientific fields, was born in Essex, Union county, Ohio, Dec. 4, 1858, on the farm of his parents, Thomas B. and Margaret (Schwartz) Cheney. The father, in addition to being a farmer, was a minister in the Protestant Methodist church. He was also a veteran of the Civil War, having served four years in the Federal army. A year or two after his return home from southern battlefields, his wife, Mar- garet, died in January, 1867. By her he had two children, Lellan S. and John L., the latter of whom is now a contractor and builder at Fort Collins, Colo. Some time after his first wife's death Thomas B. Cheney married for his second wife, Mrs. Mary Jane Watkins, whose maiden name was Mary Jane Falk. Of this union there were six children born, three of whom are now living, namely: Orpha L., widow of Joseph Avann, residing in Chicago; and Charles W. and George B. (twins), of Washington Court House Ohio. The other three died in infancy. Lellan S. Cheney was a boy of eight years when he lost his mother, and from that time until he was 16 he lived with his paternal grandfather. His education was begun in the rural schools of Ohio and for two winters he also attended school in Illinois. At the age of 21 he began teaching, but after following that occupation a short time, in the fall of 1879 he entered Adrian College at Adrian, Mich. He had been a student there but six months when he ran out of funds, and being obliged to go to work, sought employment with a former acquaintance, a Mr. Haley of Champaign, Ill., for whom he worked as a farm hand until March, 1881, earning from $15 to $16 a month. He then set out for Elgin, Ill., expecting to work in the watch factory there, but, altering his intention, instead went on to Lafayette county, Wisconsin, where he found employment on the farm of Ariel Eastman at $22 a month wages. With Mr. Eastman he remained until August, 1881, after which, having never relinquished his desire for a higher education, he be- came a student in the Platteville Normal school, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1886. That fall he came to Barron, Wis., to become principal of the Barron schools, a position in which he served acceptably for three years. During this period he took special work one summer in the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and in July, 1889, he moved to that city and entered the University as a student. In the spring of 1891 he was graduated from the general scientific course and was elected "fellow in botany." In the following

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LELLEN S. CHENEY

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HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

spring, 1892, he was elected instructor in botany at the University and held that position until the spring of 1896. He was then elected as assistant pro- fessor in botany and served as such until the spring of 1903. Owing to ill health, he was then obliged to resign that position, and returning to Barron, bought an 80-acre farm adjoining the city and engaged in agriculture. After operating the farm until 1907, he sold it and went to Colorado, where he spent about a year in prospecting, returning at the end of that time to Barron. In the summer of 1908 Mr. Cheney went to Menomonie, Wis., where for a few months he was a general reporter on the staff of the Dunn County News. In the fall he returned again to Barron to become a candidate for the office of school superintendent of Barron county, to which he was elected in the fol- lowing spring without opposition, and which he held through successive re-elec- tions until July, 1917. In the fall of that year he took a vacation, visiting Ohio and extending his trip until the Christmas holidays. Then, returning to Bar- ron, he took an active part in war work, becoming a member of the local exemp- tion board. In March, 1918, he was appointed assistant pathologist in the Federal Department of Agriculture, a position in which he served two years. He owns a comfortable residence in Barron. Mr. Cheney was married Dec. 28, 1887, to Ina M. Buckmaster, who was born in Fayette, Wis., January 25, 1861, daughter of Benjamin F. and Alsaida (Cook) Buckmaster, her parents being farmers. He and his wife have been the parents of four children, one of whom died at birth. The three survivors are: Monona L., born Dec. 28, 1890; Russell S., born Feb. 22, 1893, and Lois M., born Oct. 17, 1895. Monona L. was graduated from the Barron High school and Lawrence College at Apple- ton, from the latter institution receiving the degree of B. A. Later she received the Master's degree from the Teachers' College of Columbia, N. Y., and for three years was a teacher of history in the public schools and high schools of Wisconsin. For the last three years she has been a teacher in a missionary school at Pekin, China. Russell S. Cheney was graduated from the Barron High school and Lawrence College, when he received the B. A. degree. He is now office manager for the Burdeck Tire & Rubber Co., of Noblesville, Ind. He was a member of the Wisconsin National Guard, in which he attained the rank of battalion sergeant major, remaining in that service for seven months. He then entered the officers' training school at Fort Sheridan and was subsequently commissioned captain. He was stationed successively at Camp Custer, Mich., Fort Sill, Okla., Camp Green, N. C., and Mineola, Long Island, N. Y., from the last mentioned place expecting to go overseas, but his expectations were dis- appointed by the armistice, and after remaining for some time at Camp Upton, Long Island, he was discharged July 3, 1919. Lois M. Cheney, like her sister and brother, was graduated from the Barron High school and Lawrence Col- lege, receiving the B. A. degree. She is now in training as a nurse in the Pres- byterian Hospital at Chicago, with the object of taking up missionary nursing in foreign lands. The religious affiliations of the Cheney family are with the Methodist Episcopal church.

Edwin C. Coleman, first mayor of Barron, veteran of the Civil War. a leading business man of Barron county for many years, and a citizen held in the highest esteem, was born in the village of Hudson, McLean county, Illinois, May 12, 1843, the son of Henry and Alice Coleman. The parents were born in Ireland, and came to America as young people. They lived on Staten Island, New York, for a while, and in the early forties came to Bloomington, Ill., and settled at Hudson, some ten miles away. From there they moved to Max- well Prairie, Pepin county, this state, with the early settlers, and there under- went all the experiences of pioneer life in the wilderness. Amid such con- ditions, Edwin C. was reared, educated and grew to manhood. Aug. 12, 1862, he enlisted as a private in the 25th Wis. Vol. Inf. in which he advanced to corporal. He was offered the command of a colored company, but declined. He was honorably discharged June 7, 1865. On Nov. 12, 1867, he was married at Downsville, Dunn county, Wis., to Isabella J. Cuscaden, a native of the

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HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

north of Ireland, and a daughter of Wm. and Mary Cuscaden. In 1874, Mr. Coleman came to Rice Lake, in this county, in charge of the lumbering interests of Knapp, Stout & Co. In 1881 he formed a partnership with A. O. and A. W. Bailey, and the Messrs. Burdick and Boren, under the firm name of the Bailey Manufacturing Co., and engaged in the manufacturing business at Knapp, in Dunn county, this state. He sold his interests in this concern and with W. H. Phipps as partner he conducted a general store at Rice Lake. Later he sold out to his partner, and in 1885 came to Barron and opened a general store in partnership with N. S. Carpenter. After a while he bought his part- ner out, and continued the business alone until 1893. Then he went to Minne- apolis, where he opened a hardware store on Nicollet avenue, and operated a wood yard in connection therewith. In 1902, he sold his Minneapolis inter- ests and returned to Barron city, where he built a neat residence, in which he lived until his death, May 28, 1909. He was a good business man who had the interests of the community at heart, he served in a number of public capacities including that of mayor of Barron in 1887, and he was a useful and praise- worthy citizen in every respect.

Harry M. Coleman, M. D., a widely known surgeon and medical practi- tioner and one of the two responsible heads of the Barron City hospital at Barron, was born at Menomonie, Wis., Nov. 3, 1869, the son of Edwin C. and Isabella J. (Cuscaden) Coleman. His early education was received in the public schools of his native place and of Rice Lake, this county. In 1887, he entered Hamline university, St. Paul, Minn., and took a full four years' course there. In 1891 he entered the University of Wisconsin, where he took a year's course in the College of Engineering. From a youth up he has been much interested in athletics and consequently took an active part in college sports. At Madison he made the 'varsity eleven as left half back. In the fall of 1894 he entered the medical school of the University of Minnesota, and was graduated with his degree in medicine in 1897. With this preparation he opened an office at Thompson, N. D. In 1899 he moved from there to Hankinson, N. D., where he practiced his profession and had charge of a hospital. Two years later, in 1901, he came to Barron, and formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Dr. Clark C. Post. Later in the year the two physicians estab- lished the Barron City hospital. In 1920 they bought the Jerome Coe property on La Salle street, which they have fitted up as a modern hospital with 20 beds. The hospital fills a vital and increasing need in the community, and is a decided advance in community welfare. Dr. Coleman has also built up a large city and country practice. He keeps thoroughly abreast of the times in his profession and has the respect of his fellow practitioners and the confidence of the public. Dr. Coleman has found his recreation in a fine dairy farm a mile south of Barron. This farm is a model place in every particular, with a sightly set of buildings, and with all the modern equipment in the way of tools, implements and machinery. He specializes in breeding registered Guernsey cattle and full blooded Duroc Jersey swine. Dr. Coleman has been active in public affairs, and has done his duty as a good citizen in every respect. He has performed most efficient service as health officer of Barron, and has been a valued member of the city school board. Politically, he is a Republican. Dr. Coleman served twenty-two months in the medical department of the United States Army, during the participation of this country in the World war. Offering his services June 8, 1917, he was commissioned first lieutenant and took the oath July 7, 1917. On July 26, following, he entered the officers' training camp at Fort Riley, Kansas, and after one month's inten- sive training, he was ordered to Camp Lewis, Washington, where he served as special tuberculosis examiner. He was commissioned captain in August, 1918, and sent to Fort D. A. Russell, Wyoming, and put in charge of the tuberculosis ward at that place. He was discharged May 28, 1919. Since then he has con- tinued his work in Barron. He is much interested in the modern movements toward higher physical standards, and is doing valued work as assistant

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HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

surgeon in the United States public health service. As an ex-soldier he takes an active part in the affairs of the Ben Brown post of the Amerian Legion, at Barron, and served as its first commander, getting the post well established before his term expired. Fraternally, Dr. Coleman is a thirty-second degree Mason and a Shriner, belonging to Tripoli Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Mil- waukee. He is also a member of the local lodges of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. He was married, June 8, 1898, to Bessie P. Post, who was born at Avoca, Wis., Sept. 17, 1875, daughter of DeWitt and Helen (Kinzie) Post. Dr. and Mrs. Coleman have two children: Edwin Dewitt, born March 16, 1899, in Thompson, N. D .; graduated from the Barron High school in 1917 and from the engineering department of the University of Wisconsin in 1922. Harry Clark, born May 12, 1910, is now a pupil in the public schools. The family faith is that of the Episcopal church.

James Bracklin, one of the founders of Barron County, was born in Aroo- stock County, Maine, and came west in 1850. In 1858 he entered the employ of Knapp, Stout & Co. In 1868 he took up other work, but in 1876 re-engaged with them, and took charge of their extensive interests at Rice Lake. At one time he had some 2,000 men in his employ. He occupied several county offices in the. early days, and in the city served as mayor, as chairman of the school board and in other capacities. He died several years ago. In 1868 he mar- ried Julia Vance, who died in 1886, leaving five children. In 1887 he married Minnie Russell, also now deceased, by whom he had two children.

Jerome Franklin Coe, one of the founders of Barron County, and for many years a dominant influence in its affairs, was born in Dixon, Illinois, May 17, 1852, and died at Barron, Wis., in August, 1895. He studied law in Chicago, and after his admission to the bar, came to Barron in 1879 and continued in the active practice of his profession until incapacitated by ill health shortly before his death. In 1885 he and his brother, Clinton D. Coe, established the Bank of C. D. and J. F. Coe, which was the first bank in Barron, the second in the county. In 1887 this was incorporated as the Bank of Barron. In 1887, with F. B. Kinsley, he drafted the charter incorporating the City of Barron. He was elected the first municipal judge of Barron County when the court was created, and held that office twelve years. He started the first set of abstract books in Barron County, the set being still operated by the Barron County Abstract Company. He was a charter member and an early master of Barron Lodge, No. 220, F. and A. M. He was also one of the early members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. This brief mention merely touches the high points in his life. His story is woven in the warp and woof of Barron County history. Judge Coe was one of the pioneers of the county, a lawyer of un- usual ability, a man of unusual character and worth, interested and active in the development of town and county and in all public affairs. His influence will long be a potent force for good. The home which he built shortly before his death, a model of comfort and good taste, is now operated by Drs. H. M. Coleman and C. C. Post as a hospital. Judge Coe was married in 1880 to Ada M. Leach, daughter of Henry and Julia (Post) Leach. He is survived by one son, Jerome H. Coe, vice-president of the First National Bank of Madison, Wisconsin.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 14

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

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