History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 145

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 145

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Alfred B. Finley, educator and farmer, second county superintendent of Barron County schools, ninth county superintendent of Dunn County schools, was born in Pennsylvania, July 30, 1846, the son of Francis and Margaret Finley, who brought him to Green County, this state, in 1853, and to Rusk Prairie, Dunn County, this state, in 1863. In 1867 he purchased 100 acres in Section 32, and 80 acres in Section 31, Dallas Township, this county, and built a log cabin on it, being the first settler in the southwestern part of the town- ship. To this place he devoted his spare time, and gradually built up a good place. In the meantime he was devoting most of his time to educational work. He taught his first term in the fall of 1865 and was thereafter connected with the schools of this part of the state for nearly forty years. In this capacity he met with greatest success and his work left an impress on the educational system of this region and on the characters of the children, that will remain for many generations. A man of superior attainments, and broad reading, he thoroughly understood child nature, he knew the needs and circumstances of the children of pioneers who were struggling to establish their homes in the wilderness, and he was possessed of an enthusiasm and idealism which inspired the children to their best work. In 1872-73 he was at the head of the Barron County schools, and in 1882-83 and '84 at the head of the Dunn County schools. The log house built on his land was also used as the first schoolhouse of this district. The building is still standing on the home farm and is now 52 years old. For many years he was a justice of the peace in Dallas Township. After a useful life, worthily spent in the interests of humanity, he died April 28, 1918. He had the respect and confidence of all his fellow citizens. He was a man of high principles and staunch character, and his influence was ever for the good. His good wife, Laura Shepard, a native of Wisconsin, is living on the homestead, with their only son, Chester G.

Chester G. Finley, veteran of the World War, postman and farmer, was born on the farm where he now lives, in Sections 31 and 32, Dallas Township, July 26, 1892, and attended the public schools. He also attended the Barron High School. He learned farming from his father and now manages the home place for his mother. He thoroughly understands his business, he is active and energetic, he is a leader among the young people in the neighborhood, and he is already well along the road to success. He carries on general farming and dairying and has a good herd of graded Holsteins. May 16, 1921, he was ap- pointed rural mail carrier out of Ridgeland, and attends to the duties of that position while still looking after the farm. Mr. Finley was inducted into the United States service at Barron, Sept. 19, 1917, and trained at Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill., with Co. F, 341st Inf., 86th Division. Equipped for overseas duty at Camp Upton, L. I., he landed at Liverpool, Sept. 21, 1918, and at Bor- deaux on Oct. 1, 1918. He was transferred to Co. I, 129th Inf., 33rd Division, and saw active service in the Meuse-Argonne and the Metz sectors. He was also with the American Army of Occupation in Luxemburg. Upon his return he landed in the States, May 22, 1919, and was discharged at Camp Grant on June 6, 1919. He was married Dec. 25, 1919, to Frances Eley, who was born at Leetmasters, Penn., Aug. 23, 1900, daughter of Samuel and Anna (Reecher) Eley, both natives of that state, and both now living at Freeport, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Finley have one son, Richard G., born Oct. 24, 1920.

Thomas Lystie, who lived in Barron County for over thirty years and de- veloped four different farms here, was a shrewd and prudent man who quietly went his way in life, doing his duty as he saw it, and devoting his every

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energy to his farm work and to the rearing of his large family. He was born in Norway, June 9, 1845, attended school there, and was reared to farm pur- suits. In 1868 he came to America and located at Green County, Wis. In 1879 he came to Barron County. Here he successfully owned three different farms in Maple Grove and Dallas townships. In 1893 he bought a fourth farm of 80 acres in Section 1, Dallas Township. Here he built a house and a log barn, and cleared up about half the land, and successfully farmed until his death, May 28, 1911. Since then the widow has carried on the farm, assisted by her children. She is a capable woman, a faithful mother and a good neigh- bor, and is liked by all who know her. Mr. Lystie was married Jan. 1, 1873, in Green County, Wis., to Isabelle Thorson, who was left an orphan in early life. Mr. and Mrs. Lystie had nine children. Hannah was born Dec. 12, 1873, and is the wife of Henry Johnson, of Oak Grove Township. John was born Jan. 11, 1875, and farms in Dallas Township. Clara was born Aug. 13, 1877, and is the wife of Halver Bakken, of Maple Grove Township. Thomas was born April 12, 1880. Thelma was born April 6, 1882, and died in 1885. Hulbert was born Sept. 26, 1883. Jacob was born July 30, 1891. Inga was born Sept. 27, 1893, and is the wife of Anton Oshaug, of Maple Grove Township. Robert was born Nov. 30, 1898. Thomas is a farmer in Maple Grove Township; Jacob is in New Richmond, and Albert and Robert are on the home farm. All are energetic, hard-working men, good citizens and good farmers, and are highly esteemed throughout the community. All are getting a good start in life, and all are deeply interested in the welfare of the town and county.

Elmer . P. Rudy, of the firm of Goss & Rudy, blacksmiths, at Dallas. was born at Stevens Point, Wis., April 12, 1890, son of John and Anna (Hermund- son) Rudy. The father was born in Indiana and spent many years farming in Buffalo County, Wis., with a short interval at Stevens Point. In 1920 he sold out and moved to Eau Claire, Wis., where he now lives. The children of John Rudy, by his first wife, were: Mary, George, John, Willie (deceased), Elmer P. and Ella (twins), of whom Ella is deceased, Clarence and Clara (twins), of whom Clara is deceased, and Bennie. John Rudy's children by his second wife were: Theodore, Mabel, Myrtle, Lillie (deceased), Norman, Alver, James, Don- ald (deceased) and Henry. Elmer P. Rudy lost his mother when he was nine years old. He received his education in his native county and farmed until 1911, when he went to Independence, Wis., where he learned the blacksmith trade. In 1913 he rented a shop at Eleva, Wis., and a year later came to Dallas in the employ of August Brotin. In 1915 he went to Barron and worked for .O. G. Klein for six months and then came back to Dallas and with Stein Ulberg bought out his former employer. This partnership continued until Aug. 23, 1920, when Mr Ulberg was bought out by Ralph W. Goss. The young men do general horseshoeing and repair work and have built up a good trade. Fra- ternally, Mr. Rudy is a member of the Beavers. Mr. Rudy was married June 21, 1911, to Sena Severson, daughter of Andrew Severson, who came to Amer- ica from Norway in the early eighties and located in Trempealeau County, Wis. In the Severson family there were twelve children, of whom there are six living: Steen, Bessie, Gilbert and Andrew (twins), Otto and Sena. Mr. and Mrs. Rudy are the parents of four children: Arvilla, born May 11, 1912; Everett, born Nov. 13, 1914; Ancel, born March 26, 1917; and Curtis, born Sept. 26, 1920.

Louis Holt, a prominent citizen living on Section 13, west, Dallas Town- ship, is one of the best known men in this part of the county. He came here from Eau Claire, this state, in 1888, and took up his home at Dallas, where he lived until 1901, when he moved onto his present farm of 40 acres, which he had purchased in 1897. For some years he worked in the sawmills at Dallas. He was a skilled and faithful workman, and had the respect of his fellows and the confidence of his employers. For some time he operated the stage from Chetek to Dallas and Prairie Farm, before the railroad came through. He was also a transfer contractor and hauled most of the stone which went into the foundations of many of the early buildings in Dallas. He built up a wide

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acquaintance, and from time to time, as opportunity presented, made some profitable real estate deals, buying, holding and selling. At one time he owned 400 acres, in addition to the lots on which his pleasant cottage in Dallas Vil- lage was erected. For fifteen years he bought and sold cattle, and in this capacity did much to build up Barron County herds, and to find a market for Barron County cattle, thus giving an impetus to Barron County agriculture. In all these various lines of endeavor, he came in contact with many people, and his genial disposition and honest dealing made him friends among all whom he met. His farm has been his hobby, he took pride in developing it into a good place, and he still has a comfortable home there, and continues to do a little work about the garden, though he is practically retired from farm work. As a leader among his fellowmen, it is natural that he should have been called to considerable public service. Since 1914 he has done excellent work as president of the Dallas Telephone Co. For four years he was a mem- ber of the county weed commission. He was also a valued member of the school board of his district for several terms. In addition to this he has served on numerous committees and delegations, especially during the war. Mr. Holt was born in Norway, April 4, 1861, the son of Martin and Mary (Lar- son) Martinson, both natives of that country and both now deceased. He was reared and educated in his native land, and did farm work there for several years. For a time he was yardman for a prominent physician. In 1888 he came to America and lived a few months at Eau Claire, this state, before coming to Barron County. Mr. Holt was married in 1884, to Carrie A. Christianson, who was born in Norway, July 14, 1861, the daughter of Christian and Martha (Hal- verson) Hanson, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Holt are the parents of ten children. Christ M. was born April 9, 1885, and is a carpenter, living in Iowa. Hans was born Dec. 22, 1887, and is foreman in a car shop in Duluth, Minn. Mary C. was born March 29, 1889, and is the wife of Emery Arnold, of Crosby, Minn. Lottie E. was born Feb. 19, 1891. Clara was born Nov. 9, 1892, and is the wife of Louis Halverson. Inga was born March 26, 1895, and is the wife of Roy Sugrue, of Crosby, Minn. Hannah was born Feb. 14, 1898, and is the wife of Leonard Revord. Sirn was born Nov. 25, 1900. Oscar was born April 1, 1903. Hilda A. was born Nov. 9, 1906. The family faith is that of the Nor- wegian Lutheran Church.

Erick Huseth, an early settler, now living on Section 11, Dallas Township, was born in Norway, May 30, 1855, the son of Erick and Julia (Knutson) Huseth, natives of that country. The good parents brought the family to America in 1874, and took a homestead in Dane County, this state. From there, in 1874, they came to Barron County, and took a homestead of 80 acres in Sec- tion 12, Maple Grove Township. There they erected a set of buildings, cleared up the land and developed a good place. In due time they retired and moved to Dallas Village, where he died in 1910, and she in 1908. In the family there were six children: Halver (deceased), Inga, Erick, Barbara, Bert and Isabelle. The subject of this sketch attended school in his native country and for a while in Dane County, this state. He thoroughly learned farming from his father, and assisted in developing the farm in Section 12, Dallas Township, to which he was brought in 1874. He experienced all the privations and hardships of pioneer life, and saw the county grow from a lumber region, with a few scat- tered villages, a few lumber camps and the beginnings of a few farms, into a fertile stretch of profitable agricultural land, and flourishing cities. In 1880 he started out for himself and purchased 80 acres of wild land in Section 10, Dallas Township. To the improving, developing and cultivation of this place, he devoted nearly forty years. He cleared and fenced nearly all the land and put up a good set of buildings. His years of hard work, intelligent effort and industrious application, resulted in success, and he became one of the leading men of his community. In the fall of 1919 he retired, rented the farm to his son, Edward, and bought a pleasant home in Rice Lake. But he did not care for city life, he longed for the scenes in which he had spent so many busy

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years, and so he sold the city property and purchased 40 acres in Section 11, Dallas Township. There he plans to spend the remainder of his life, partly in retirement, but still doing such farm work as he cares to. Mr. Huseth was married Oct. 15, 1880, to Julia Amundson, who was born in Norway, the daugh- ter of Knute and Rena Amundson. She died June 15, 1904. Their union was blessed with seven children: Edward, born March 25, 1886; Conrad, born Dec. 13, 1888; Gustave, born Jan. 25, 1892; Oscar, born May 15, 1894; Rudolph, born April 7, 1896; Palma, born July 7, 1898; and Melvin, born Aug. 19, 1900. On May 18, 1907, Mr. Huseth married Bertha Johnson, who was born in Norway, Dec. 16, 1881, and the daughter of Iver and Caroline (Olson) Johnson, both now deceased. This union has been blessed with four children: Carlton, born June 8, 1910; Verna, born Sept. 22, 1913; Eunice, born May 22, 1916; and Jane, born Jan. 3, 1921. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Louis Handorf, a leading farmer of Section 31, Dallas Township, is a na- tive of this state, born in Dunn County, Feb. 21, 1874, the son of William J. and Hannah (Hintz) Handorf, natives of Germany. These good people came to America in 1868, and settled near Menomonie, in this state, where he did farm work for several years. In 1876 he bought 160 acres of wild land in Sec- tion 31, Dallas Township, this county, put up a log cabin and started to break the land. As time passed he built up a good place, erected a suitable set of buildings, and cleared eighty acres. In 1894 he retired but continued to make his home on the place with his son, Louis, until his death, June 29, 1912. His wife died June 26, 1919. In the family there were five children: Sophia (de- ceased), Dora, August, Anna (deceased), and Louis. Louis came to this place with his parents, attended the district school of the neighborhood, learned farming from his father, and assisted him in developing the farm. In 1894 he bought the place, and has since successfully conducted it. To the original he has added 40 acres more, so that he now has a good farm of 200 acres, one of the best in the neighborhood. He has erected a new set of buildings, includ- ing a pleasant house and a barn, 30 by 70 feet, and he has also cleared up thirty additional acres. He carries on general farming and dairying and has a good herd of Holsteins, headed by a full-blooded sire. His financial holdings in- clude stock in the Ridgeland Creamery, the New Richmond Packing Plant, and the Heinrick Partridge Co. of Minneapolis. In public affairs he has done good service on the school board and on the town board. Mr. Handorf was married Oct. 26, 1901, to Augusta Glaser, who was born in Germany, Oct. 13, 1881, the daughter of William and Henrietta (Peshaw) Glaser, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1884, and settled in Prairie Farm Township, this county, where they prosperously farmed until 1910, when they retired and moved to Dunn County, where they now live. Mr. and Mrs. Handorf have had nine chil- dren. Pauline C. was born Aug. 11, 1902, and died Aug. 14, 1902. Lulu L. was born Dec. 25, 1904, and is attending the Lutheran High School at Milwaukee. Ernest A. was born Dec. 3, 1906. Josie S. was born Sept. 9, 1908. Waldon H. was born Oct. 16, 1910. Ruth A. was born Sept. 30, 1911. Irene A. was born July 15, 1913. Gertrude M. was born July 15, 1915. Archie E. was born Feb. 6, 1919. The family faith is that of the German Lutheran Church.

. Halver E. Halverson, the first carpenter in Dallas Township, for many years a successful farmer, and now living retired after a useful and well- spent, active career, was born in Norway, May 26, 1852, the son of Ingebret and Andrea (Monsrud) Halverson. These good people came from Norway in 1869 and located in Racine County, Wis., from there coming, in 1872, to Barron County, where they bought 160 acres in Section 15, Dallas Township. They were then getting along in years, and their sons cleared up, developed and operated the farm. In the family there were five children: Inga, deceased; Harry, of Dallas; Mary, of New Auburn; Axel E., of Duluth; and Halver E. Halver E. attended school in Norway, and there learned the carpenters' trade. He came to this country with his parents and was with them when they set- tled in Barron County. He helped to clear up the home place, and also erected

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the buildings on it. Here he continued to farm, more or less, but his real work was that of carpenter and contractor. Being the first, and for many years the only one in Dallas Township, he naturally had much business in this line, and many sets of farm buildings in the township, and in the neighboring townships, testify to the fidelity and skill of his labors. In 1877 he received 80 acres of his father's farm and bought another 40 acres, making a good tract of 120 acres. Here he successfully carried on general farming and dairying. In 1916 he rented the farm to his son, John G., but still lives on the place, the buildings including two pleasant homes. He is one of the best known men in the township and has done considerable public service. In 1878-79-80, he served the town as a capable member of the board of supervisors. For ten years he did good work on the school board. He now devotes much of his time to the Oak Grove Farmers' Insurance Co., of which he has been agent since 1909. Mr. Halverson was married Dec. 20, 1881, to Anna Hallinburg, who was born March 16, 1860, in Norway, the daughter of John and Gunhild (Halling- burg) Anderson, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Halverson have five children: Edwin. Alfred, John G., Henry and Gina. Edwin was born June 6, 1883, and farms in Maple Grove Township. Alfred, born Jan. 21, 1885, is a carpenter in Dallas Village. John G. was born Jan. 20, 1887, and operates the home farm. Henry is a jeweler at Dallas. Gina, who clerks in the Farm- ers' Store at Dallas, was born Nov. 22, 1901.

Henry Halverson, leading jeweler of Dallas and partner in the firm of Halverson Bros., funeral directors, is a native of this township, having been born here March 21, 1894, son of Halver and Anna (Anderson) Halverson. Henry received his early education in the public schools of Dallas and in 1913 was graduated from the Barron High School. In 1914 he went to Minneapolis and learned the watch-making and jewelry business with the E. Brunat Jewelry Co., the following year he came back to Dallas and after working a year on the home farm, bought out Hans Clair. He carries a stock valued at about $1,500.00, has a good business, carries a full line of jewelry and does general engraving and watch repairing. He is regarded as one of the rising young men of the village and his business is constantly increasing. In April, 1920, he formed a partnership with his brother, Alfred, and purchased the undertak- ings business of David Pecore. Alfred, who trained at the Burnam undertak- ing parlors at Chetek, has charge of the funeral directing part of the busi- ness. The family faith is at the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Anton Granum, retired farmer now living in Dallas Village, was born in Norway, July 4, 1852, the son of Nels and Gurtie (Knutson) Tollefson. He received his education in Norway and remained in that country after his par- ents came to America, working in a livery barn for many years. In 1879 he came to this country and joined his parents in Dallas Township. He pur- chased 160 acres in Section 23, west, Dallas Township, cleared nearly all of it, erected a set of buildings and there successfully farmed until 1899 when he sold out. In that year he bought another 160 acres in Sections 13 and 24, Dallas Township. He cleared a part of this, erected buildings and fences on the whole farm. In 1916 he presented the farm to his son, Norvel P., and moved to Dallas Village where he has a pleasant home and where he and his wife plan to spend the remainder of their days. He is a well known man in the township and served fifteen years on the school board; he has also been a director in the Norwegian Lutheran Church of Dallas for a similar period. Mr. Granum was married June 23, 1882 to Regnild P. Berg, daughter of Peter and Anna (Swensdatter) Nelson, natives of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Granum have two children: Anna, who was born May 19, 1883, and is now Mrs. Sofus Moe of Dallas. Norvel P. was born June 24, 1887, lives with his parents and rents his father's farm and stock. Mrs. Granum who had been in poor health for five years passed away June 16, 1921.

Nels Tollefson (Granum), the first Norwegian settler in Dallas Town- ship, was born in Norway and came to America in 1867 and located in Dane

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County, this state. In 1870 he came to Barron County and settled on the west side of Dallas Village. The township was then a wilderness, the trip here was made with oxen and all provisions had to be brought in from Eau Claire either by foot or with oxen. The homestead consisted of 160 acres in Section 14, west. Mr. Tollefson cleared 100 acres and built a set of log build- ings which he later replaced with frame structures. After forty years' work on this farm he retired in 1910 and now makes his home with his daugh- ter, Mrs. J. G. Johnson, his wife, Gurtie Knutson, having died April 17, 1885. Mr. Tollefson is 92 years old, but his memory is still clear and he has many interesting stories to tell of pioneer days. In the family there are four chil- dren: Knute (deceased), Tollf (deceased), Anna, who is now Mrs. J. G. Johnson, and Anton.

William S. Foster, inventor, veteran of the Civil War, pioneer farmer, merchant, hotel keeper and postmaster of Dallas, was born in Livingston County, New York, Feb. 8, 1848, son of William and Sarah (McDonald) Fos- ter, natives of New York, both now deceased, who in 1854 came to Wauke- sha County, this state, where the father was a farmer, blacksmith and wagon maker, he and his wife both now being dead. William S. received his early education in Waukesha County, this state, and was but seventeen years of age when in 1864 he enlisted in the Civil War. Upon his discharge he operated his father's farm in Waukesha County until 1876, when he came to Dallas Township and secured a tract of land some two miles southwest of the pres- ent village. The township was then a wilderness, there were but few fam- ilies here, no roads had been built except the "tote". roads, and the nearest stores were far away. He erected a small shack and opened a store which proved a great convenience to the scattered settlers. In the spring of 1878 he settled on the present site of the village of Dallas, then known as Sylvan Spring, and opened a hotel and store. In 1877 he was appointed postmaster and changed the name of the settlement to its present name of Dallas. In 1890 he built a larger hotel and store. He gave up the store in 1899 but continued to operate the hotel until 1904. In the meantime he had acquired farm land, at one time owning 320 acres of which he had received 120 acres as payment for a patent on a round trunk which he had invented. When he rented the hotel he moved to one of his farms on Section 16, west, Dallas Township, erected a set of buildings, cleared the land, set out an orchard and successfully farmed. He is the present village police justice and was justice of the peace for a considerable period. He has also been township chairman, treasurer and member of the school board. His financial holdings include stock in the Dallas Telephone Co. Fraternally he delights in asso- ciating with the Grand Army. He moved from the farm back to the village about 1913. His patents, aside from that on the novel trunk already men- tioned include his inventions of a bean sorter and a road planer. Of this latter infringements prevail over the United States. Suit was brought in Webster, Wis., against a firm manufacturing them, who made a cash settle- ment rather than have the suit come to trial. The city of Rice Lake was also making them for the use of the city, and deciding to stand trial, was de- feated in the United States courts, Judge Louis Fitz Henry rendering a de- cision in favor of Mr. Foster. Mr. Foster was married March 8, 1872, to Lottie Smart, daughter of David and Martha (Hopper) Smart, natives of Eng- land, who came to Waukesha County, this state, in 1851, and there farmed the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Lottie Smart Foster died June 29, 1918, leaving four children: Martha L. was born April 19, 1874, and is now wife of Perry Nicklow, of Dallas Township; David C. was born June 5, 1876, and died April 12, 1884; Sarahann Ruth was born April 2, 1881 and is now Mrs. Christ Cole of Dallas Township; Mildred L. was born Feb. 2, 1888, and is now Mrs. Henry Seeam of Rice Lake. Mr. Foster was married Oct. 31, 1919 to Mrs. Kate (Burnell) Harrison. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 145

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

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