History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 144

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

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Peter Kessler was born in Germany and there married Susan Thousand. They came to America and located on a farm in Dane County, Wis., where they lived for many years. In 1898 they came to Barron County and settled in Dallas Township, where they successfully farmed until 1916, when they retired and moved to the village of Dallas. Mr. Kessler was a hard working, Godfearing citizen and his death, Aug. 18, 1918, was sincerely mourned. His wife now makes her home in the village of Dallas with her daughter, Eliza- beth. Mr. and Mrs. Kessler were the parents of five children: Henry (de- ceased), Mary (deceased), Elizabeth, Anna and Nicholas (deceased).

Philip Winterwerber, now living retired in a pretty home in Dallas Village, after a busy life filled with hard work and worthy endeavor, is a splendid example of those men who have come from the old country with no resources except their native ability and their capacity for strenuous labor and have carved for themselves a place among the successful men in this new country of boundless opportunity. He was born in Germany, Feb. 15, 1859, son of George and Elizabeth (Fuhr) Winterwerber, and was there well educated. As a youth he worked with civil engineers for some time and then served three years in the regular army. In 1883 he came to America, and after landing in New York found his way to Madison, this state. For several years thereafter he was variously employed, mostly at farm labor. In 1896 he came to Barron County and bought 80 acres in section 17, west, Dallas Township. He cleared and stumped forty acres and built a complete set of buildings and fences. There he carried on. general farming until 1917, with the exception of three years when he lived on his father-in-law's farm in section 20, west, Dallas Township, 80 acres of which his wife inherited. Mr. Winterwerber was un- usually successful in his operations and was at one time owner of 240 acres. He had the ability to get the most out of his farms and his stock, he was a good buyer and a good seller, and while generous in the support of public ventures was shrewd and frugal in the management of his own affairs. In 1917 he retired and moved to the village of Dallas, where he purchased a comfortable residence, where he and his good wife will spend the afternoon of life surrounded by the respect and esteem of their friends. While in the township, Mr. Winterwerber served on the school board for six years, and he is the present assessor of the village. He and his good wife are ardent sup- porters of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Mr. Winterwerber was married April 10, 1890, to Anna Kessler, daughter of Peter and Susan (Thousand) Kessler, and this union has been blessed with three children: Fred was born Jan. 26, 1891, and is now in Chicago; Gertrude was born Aug. 2, 1895, and is a telephone operator in Minneapolis. Pauline was born Sept. 7, 1899, and is now accountant in the Bank of Dallas.

John A. Lentz, now living retired at Ridgeland, for many years an extensive farmer of Dallas Township, was born in Germany, April 11, 1845, there attended school and was reared to farm pursuits. In 1883 he came to America and found his way directly to Barron County. Here he bought 160 acres of railroad land in section 28, Dallas Township. Later he bought and sold various tracts, and at one time owned nearly 600 acres. In all, he erected three different sets of farm buildings and cleared over 200 acres of land. The German Lutheran Church and cemetery in section 29 are located on two acres

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of land which he donated. For two years he served on the town board and for many years he was an efficient member of the school board of his district. In 1908 he retired, and in 1914 he moved to Ridgeland, where he now lives. Mr. Lentz was married Jan. 5, 1869, to Caroline Radtke, who was born in Germany on March 5, 1845, the daughter of John and Wilhelmina (Jalke) Radtke, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Lentz have six children: August, John C., Otelia, Clara, Fred and Ernest.

John C. Lentz, a successful farmer of sections 21, 28 and 29, Dallas Township, was born in Germany, Sept. 26, 1879, the son of John A. and Caroline (Radtke) Lentz, who brought him to this township, directly from Germany, in 1883. He was reared in this township, attended the district schools and learned farming from his father. For one year he was in the meat business at Rhinelander, in Oneida County, this state, and for two years did railroad work with that place as his headquarters. In 1904 he purchased his present place of 140 acres. He has put up an excellent set of buildings and has cleared a part of the land. Here he carries on general farming on a profitable scale and has a good herd of Red Durham cattle and a drove of full blooded Duroc Jersey swine. In public life Mr. Lentz has taken the interest of a good citizen and has done good service for one year as a member of the town board. Mr. Lentz was married at Dallas, June 1, 1904; to Lena Dietert, who was born in Dallas Township, Feb. 13, 1893, the daughter of William and Wilhelmina (Blake) Dietert. Mr. and Mrs. Lentz are the parents of three children : Lydia M., born May 9, 1905; Norman B., born Aug. 2, 1906; Woodrow W., born March 17, 1918. The family faith is that of the German Lutheran Church.

Fred Link, an enterprising farmer of sections 31 and 32, Dallas Township, was born in Spring Valley, Pierce County, Wis., Nov. 15, 1891, the son of Herman and Kate (Young) Link. These good people were born in Germany, came to America in 1883, landed in New York, spent a short time in Mil- waukee and reached Pierce County, in this state, in 1885. There they bought 160 acres which they improved into a good farm. In 1901 they sold out and came to Barron County, where they bought 180 acres in sections 31 and 32, Dallas Township, west. They improved the buildings, cleared 100 acres and there lived until 1915, when they sold to their son, Fred, and moved to Ridge- land, where they have a pleasant home, and where they are prominent and respected people. In the family there were four children: Mina, wife of Henry Frisle of Prairie Farm Township; Hilda, wife of Thomas Blyton of Sheriden Township, Dunn County, Wis .; Fred, who owns the home farm; and Gertie, the wife of Arthur Fuller of Dallas Township. Fred received his education in the school at Ridgeland and learned farming from his father. In 1910, when but nineteen years of age, he rented the farm and in 1915 he bought it. He has continued the improvements started by his father, and in 1916 put up a barn, machine shed, granary and other buildings. The barn is 36 by 90 feet, with full equipment and furnished with Hudson equipment. The Lally lighting system has been installed in the house, barn and yards. Mr. Link successfully carries on general farming and dairying and has a good herd of graded Shorthorns and a good drove of Duroc-Jersey swine. He is the present clerk of his school district and has previously served as treasurer. He has also done good work as road commissioner of the township. Mr. Link was married in Prairie Farm Township, June 9, 1915, to Inga Jorstad, who was born May 15, 1893, at Fort Scott, Kans., the daughter of John and Sophia (Jorstad) Westerhouse. Her parents died when she was a child and she was adopted by her uncle, Ole Jorstad. Mr. and Mrs. Link have one son, G. Weston, born March 6, 1916. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

William J. Lawrence, an energetic farmer of section 17, east, Dallas Township, was born in Clinton, Bigstone County, Minn., June 6, 1892, the son of Albert and Mary (Hunter) Lawrence, natives of Michigan, and descended from early American families. The mother died in 1896 and the father later

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GEORGE O. GILBERTSON

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married Anna Holten. In 1902 he brought the family to Sheriden Township, Dunn County, and settled on the farm where he now lives. William J. was brought to this part of the state by his father and was educated in the public schools of Dunn and Barron Counties. He did farm work at home and in the neighborhood for several years. In 1914 he rented a farm from William Black, in Dallas Township, Barron County. In 1917 he bought 80 acres in section 17, east, Dallas Township. He renovated and repaired the buildings and has continued to develop the land. He successfully carries on general farming and dairying and has a good herd of cattle headed by a pure blooded Holstein sire. His financial holdings include stock in the Dallas Telephone Co. He is getting a good start in life and is a popular man with all who know him. Mr. Lawrence was married May 26, 1917, to Hilda Huseth, who was born in Maple Grove Township, May 1, 1891, the daughter of Halver and Isabelle (Granum) Huseth, of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence have one daughter, Doris, born Dec. 19, 1918.

Edward D. Martin, an enterprising farmer of section 32, Dallas Township, west, was born at Plymouth, Ind., Oct. 1, 1864, the son of John and Anna (Dawson) Martin, natives of Indiana, both now deceased. He received his education in the district schools of Miami County, Ind., and learned farming from his father. His young manhood was spent farming in his native state. In 1890 he came to Barron County and purchased 80 acres in section 32. A few years later he purchased 80 acres more, making a total of 160 acres of good land. He has put up a set of good buildings, cleared some of the land and built up a fine place. Here he carries on general farming and dairying. He is a solid, substantial man of real worth, and is held in high esteem by all who know him. He takes pride in his home, his family and his farm, and has met with a good degree of success in life. Mr. Martin was married April 3, 1896, to Agnes Frizel, who was born in Barron County, Wis., and died July 14, 1916. This union was blessed with three children: Frances was born May 1, 1903; Edward was born May 31, 1907, and Floyd was born Oct. 13, 1910. Mr. Martin was married May 19, 1919, to Mrs. Viola (Mason) Kallicut, the widow of Filander Kallicut, and born June 8, 1859, the daughter of James and Olive (Austin) Rhoades. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Gilbert Gilbertson, a progressive farmer of section 33, west, Dallas Township, was born in Norway, Feb. 11, 1864, the son of Gilbert and Mary (Engebretson) Gunderson, both now deceased. He was educated in his native land, and as a young man worked in an iron foundry and for a time had charge of a large farm there. In 1902 he came to America, and for a while worked in Peterson's Nursery in Chicago. That fall he came to Barron County and bought 40 acres in section 9, Dallas Township. A short time later he sold that and bought half of his present place. Later he bought the other half, making him a good farm of 80 acres. He has put up a good set of buildings and has broken about 25 acres. Here he carries on general farming and dairying. He is a hard working, industrious man, who takes great pride in his farm and in his family, and he is held in the highest respect by all who know him. Mr. Gilbertson was married Oct. 16, 1892, to Olive Olson, who was born in Norway, Aug. 1, 1864, the daughter of Ole and Antoinette (Larson) Olson, both now deceased. This union has been blessed with four children: George O., Agnes (first), Agnes and Geneva. George O., a veteran of the World War, now deceased, was born Dec. 8, 1893, studied in the district schools and graduated from the engineering course of the Southern Minnesota College at Austin. May 4, 1917, he enlisted at Leeds, S. D., and was sent to Camp Greene, N. C. He served successively with Company H, Eighty-sixth Infantry, Forty-second Division; Headquarters Company, 147th Field Artillery, and Company H, Fifty-fifth Field Artillery. He saw active duty in France, and died of the influenza at Brest on Jan. 9, 1919. Agnes (first) was born March 17, 1897, and died May 9, 1899. Agnes was born June 19, 1899, and is the wife of Otto

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Opheim of Jackson County, Minn. Geneva was born Dec. 2, 1902, and is attending the Barron County Training School at Rice Lake. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Franklin Mizer, now deceased, for over twenty-five years an honored and respected citizen of Dallas Township, who built up one of the good farms of his neighborhood, was born in Ohio, Oct. 1, 1855, the son of William and Catherine Mizer. He received his education in his native state, and as a youth learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for many years. He deter- mined, however, to make farming his life work, so in 1891 he came to Barron County and bought 40 acres in section 7, Dallas Township, west. He built a good set of buildings himself and cleared up about half the land. There he carried on general farming and dairying. After a useful and well spent life, he died March 14, 1917. He was a hard-working man and a good citizen, faithful to every duty of life, kindly in his home and among his neighbors, and he was held in the highest esteem and affection. Mr. Mizer was married July 18, 1877, to Lydia Whetsol, who was born in Ohio, Nov. 23, 1860, the daughter of Joseph and Martha (Jessip) Whetsol, natives of Ohio, and both of whom are now deceased. This union has been blessed with six children: Manuel T. was born Nov. 1, 1878, and died March 23, 1921. Martha was born Jan. 3, . 1881, and died March 27, 1884. Mary was born April 21, 1884, and is the wife of John Milliser of Virginia, Minn. Albert was born Nov. 5, 1886, and farms in Dallas Township. Walter was born Sept. 17, 1889. Nora G. was born Oct. 25, 1894, and died May 18, 1901. Walter, who now operates the farm for his mother, was born in Wabasha County, Minn., came here as an infant, attended the district schools, learned farming from his father and has continued to remain on the home place. He is an energetic man of modern and progressive ideas and is well liked throughout the community. He is carrying on general farming and dairying and has a good herd of Jerseys headed by a full blooded sire. He is a stockholder in the Fourtowns Cheese Factory and is also inter- ested in other local enterprises. The family faith is that of the United Brethren Church.

Harley E. McNeal, who ranks well among the representative men of Dallas Township, was born in the township where he still lives, March 28, 1880, the son of David H. and Anna (Sims) McNeal, natives of Ohio, who came to Wisconsin in 1878 and settled on the line between Dallas Township, Barron County, and Wilson Township, Dunn County, the farm and residence being in Dunn County. He put up a good set of other buildings, cleared up a part of the land and continued to reside there until his death, Feb. 10, 1920, after which his wife took up her home with the son, Harley E. The other two children in the family were Nathan, now of Ridgeland, and Birdie, now the wife of William Townson of Cameron. Harley E. attended the district schools and learned farming from his father. He is a man of considerable mechanical ability, and for some years operated threshing machines and sawmills in Barron, Bayfield and Douglas Counties. In 1914 he bought 80 acres in section 20, east, Dallas Township. He has repaired the buildings he found on the place and he has continued the clearing and breaking of the land. He successfully carries on general farming and dairying, and has a good herd of Holsteins headed by a grade sire. He is doing well with his work and is already making good strides on the road to success. Fraternally, he is a member of the Prairie Farm Camp, No. 6612, M. W. A. Mr. McNeal was married Dec. 30, 1913, to Mabel L. Knapthon, who was born at Ogema, Wis., Feb. 9, 1889, the daughter of Abraham L. and Mary (Holcomb) Knapthon, the former of whom has been for many years engaged in the lumber business at Ridgeland, this state, and the latter of whom died in 1904. In the Knapthon family there were five children : Eldred C., Mabel L., Norma J., Nellie A. and Zerpha. Mr. and Mrs. McNeal have a daughter, Donella I., born Nov. 29, 1914. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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Martin A. McKee, prosperous barber of Dallas Village, was born in Ful- ton County, Indiana, Sept. 19, 1873, son of Martin and Martha (Ellison) McKee, who are appropriately mentioned elsewhere in this work. Martin A. received his early education in the district schools of his native county, and then was connected with the lumber business for a while working in a lath and shingle mill and loading cord wood. In 1888 he came to Barron and after engaging as a barber for a while, became partner with his brother, William, in a shop of their own. In 1900 he came to Dallas and opened his present shop. He owns the building and a residence in the south part of the village. His shop is a model in every respect and the two chairs are kept constantly busy. Mr. McKee is well liked in the community and in 1919 was elected a member of the village council. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and in politics is a strong Republican. Mr. McKee was married April 25, 1893 to Stella Durrin, daughter of Warren and Nancy (Hirschey) Durrin, and this union has been blessed with three children: Naoma, born Aug. 9, 1894, now Mrs. Henry Nutzhorn of Canada; Isabelle, born April 27, 1898; and Melvin, born Jan. 17, 1902, now attending the Normal school at River Falls, Wis. Warren Durrin, father of Mrs. McKee, was born in Cleveland, O., and his wife in Hartland, Wis. They lived for many years in Minnesota and Iowa. In 1873 they went to Wilson, Wis., and later to Woodville, Wis. Mr. Durrin died. there Sept. 25, 1901, and his wife now lives with her daughter, Mrs. C. B. Hart, in Tacoma, Wash. In the Durrin family there were eleven children : Louis, Lena (deceased), Verner (deceased), Estella, George, Har- riet, Laura, Jennie, Warren (deceased), Loren and Lottie.

Iver Moe, retired farmer living in Dallas Village, was born in Norway May 8, 1843, and as a young man became a fisherman. In 1880 he came to America and located at Eau Claire, this state, where he worked in the build- ing trades. He came to Barron County in 1891 and bought 40 acres in Section 11, west, Dallas Township. He renovated the house, erected a barn and out- buildings, and there successfully farmed until 1906 when he sold and moved to the village where he now lives. He was married Nov. 13, 1869 in Norway, to Dorthea Evenson, who died Nov. 23, 1889. She was the mother of four children: Sofus, born June 21, 1873, now in Dallas; James M., born March 12, 1874, now in northern Minnesota; John, who was born May 5, 1875, died July 25, 1881; and Elizabeth, who was born Aug. 29, 1879, and died Aug. 21, 1881. Nov. 25, 1899, Mr. Moe married Ingebrecht Holden, who was born in Nor- way July 8, 1860, daughter of Erick and Eliza (Elemon) Holden, who came from Norway in 1871, and located in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, where they were respected farmers until their death, the father dying June 9, 1882, and the mother Nov. 9, 1901. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Samuel Sigler, for some fifteen years a resident of Maple Grove Town- ship, was born in Ohio, and as a young man went to Indiana, where he mar- ried Jennie Yarwood, a native of New York state. In 1876 he brought his family to Wisconsin and settled on a tract of land in Dunn County. After eleven years spent in developing a farm there, he came to Barron County and settled in Maple Grove Township in 1887. Here he farmed until 1903. He was a hard working, industrious farmer, who made and kept friends, and was a good neighbor and good citizen in every respect, well liked by all who knew him. In 1903 he went back to Indiana. From there he went to Arkan- sas and spent a few years. He now lives at Shipshewana, Lagrange County, Indiana. By his first wife, Jennie Yarwood, he has four children: Eliza, Lydia, Mary and Edward. She died in 1881. Later he married Jennie Kin- caid by whom he has three children; Nora and Dora (twins), and Jennie.

A. Bert Massie, an enterprising farmer of Dallas Township, is a native of this county, born on the father's farm in Section 19, east, Dallas Township, Aug. 31, 1877, the son of Benjamin and Hannah (Sims) Massie. He was reared on the home place, attended district school, and learned farming from his

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father. In 1905 he rented the second of his father's two farms, consisting of 160 acres, and in 1908 he bought it. In 1917 he sold this to his brother-in-law, Edward Sigler, with whom he made his home till Aug. 31, 1921, when he mar- ried Laurie M. Jones, daughter of Joseph and Lottie (Richardson) Jones, farmers of Richland County, Wisconsin. Her father is now deceased and her mother later married Enoch Gray who now lives in Dovre Township. Mr. Massie some time after selling his farm to his brother-in-law, bought 80 acres in Section 19. Of this farm he has cleared 25 acres, and he is erecting buildings and gradually developing the place. He is one of the well-liked men of the township. Energetic and active, he is prominent in social activities and is a good citizen in every respect.

Edward Massie, a modern farmer of Section 20, east, Dallas Township, was born in Gallia County, Ohio, Dec. 21, 1872, the son of Benjamin and Hannah (Sims) Massie, who brought him to this township in 1874. Here he was reared and educated and learned farming from his father. In 1887 he and his brother, Gomer R., bought their father's original homestead. In 1900 he sold out to his brother and purchased his present farm. To the develop- ment and operation of this place he has since devoted his attention. He has renovated the house and improved the buildings and cleared an additional 20 acres of land. He has put up a barn and furnished it with full Louden equipment. Both house and barn are lighted by electricity and supplied with running water. Mr. Massie has been active in public affairs and has served as a member of the town board. He is a stockholder in the Dallas Telephone Co. He is successfully carrying on general farming along the latest approved lines, and is a man of influence and standing in the community. Mr. Massie was married Dec. 15, 1900 to Mary Sigler, who was born in Lagrange County, Indiana, Aug. . 24, 1874, daughter of Samuel and Jennie (Yarwood) Sigler. Mr. and Mrs. Massie have four children: Velma E., born Dec. 13, 1901, who is teaching at Winters, Wis .; Phoebe W., born May 15, 1904, who is attending the Wisconsin State Normal School at Eau Claire, Wis .; Joseph F., born June 8, 1906, who is working on the home farm, and Wayne E., born Dec. 8, 1911, who is making a good record at school.

Gunder A. Lee, farmer, Section 15, west, Dallas Township, and for twenty-five years flour mill operator at Dallas Village, was born in Norway, Oct. 17, 1845, son of Amond and Inga (Nelson) Lee, natives of Norway, where they spent the whole of their lives. Gunder A. received his early edu- cation in Norway and farmed there until coming to America in 1868. He settled in New York City, where he remained three years, and in 1871 located in Winona County, Minnesota, for five years, working first in the rural dis- tricts and then at Dover and St. Charles. In 1877 he came to Dunn County, this state, and took a homestead of a quarter section, of which he cleared twelve acres, built a log house and barn and carried on farming until 1890, when he came to Dallas and took charge of a flour mill. After conducting the mill a quarter of a century, he started farming on his present place. Mr. Lee was married June 14, 1870 to Anna Simonson, daughter of Simon and Pennelia Simonson. She died in 1911. She was a good wife and mother, and her death was sincerely mourned by her large family and by her large circle of friends. Mr. and Mrs. Lee were the parents of nine children: Anna, now Mrs. Halvor Larson of Barron Township; Olaf, now of Dallas Town- ship; Sophia, Lena, Simon and Carl, all dead; Otto, now of Rice Lake; Ole of Dallas, and Carl of Dallas. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Luth- eran Church.

Carl Lee, garage man of Dallas, was born in the village where he now lives, May 9, 1891, and was here reared and educated, working in his father's mill and on his father's farm. He enlisted April 1, 1917, at Hudson, Wis., in Company C, Third Wisconsin National Guards, and was afterward transferred to Company C, 128th Infantry, 32nd Division. He trained at Camp McArthur, Waco, Texas, landed in France April 10, 1918, and saw active service at Cha-

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MR. AND MRS. ALFRED B. FINLEY

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teau Thierry and in the Argonne. He was wounded at Chateau Thierry on Aug. 1, 1918, and was at Base Hospital No. 6, in France, three months. In all he was in the service twenty-five months. He was discharged at Camp Grant May 21, 1919, and at once returned to his anxious family and friends. He is now connected with the Ellfson Garage. He was married Dec. 12, 1913, to Tilda Redding, who died Aug. 10, 1914, leaving a son, Sherold J., born Aug. 9, 1914, now with his cousin in Otter Creek Township, Dunn County, Wis.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 144

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

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