History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 146

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 146

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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Seth Cole, pioneer and veteran of the Civil War, was born in Erie County, Pennsylvania, April 13, 1839, son of Sylvanus S. and Anna (Ervine) Cole, natives respectively of Connecticut and Pennsylvania. His parents died when he was very young, so he took up his home with a neighbor, Henry Miller, and after leaving him continued farm work. June 15, 1863 he enlisted in the United States navy and served one year. Upon his return he farmed in Greenlake County, Wisconsin, for a while and then enlisted in the 149th Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry. Upon his return from the Civil War he went back to. Indiana and continued farm work. In 1875 he came to Barron County and took a homestead of 80 acres in Section 10, west, Dallas Township. He cleared some of this land, erected a set of log buildings and farmed there for seventeen years. Then he traded the farm for property where the Bank of Dallas now stands in the village. This property he sold in 1899 and moved to Missouri where he bought 40 acres. Fourteen years later he came back to Barron County and located in Barron City where he did truck gardening for a while, then in 1919 he took up his present home in the village. Mr. Cole has been interested in public affairs. He served for four years as supervisor of Dallas Township and fourteen years as constable; he is highly regarded in every way and is a substantial, respected citizen. Mr. Cole was formerly a member of William Pitts Post No. 144, G. A. R. of Dallas, but now be- longs to Martin Watson Post No. 172 of Barron. Mr. Cole was married Nov. 17, 1865 to Mary Allen, who was born Jan. 1, 1844, daughter of William and Mary (Lindsey) Allen, natives of Tennessee. William Allen, who was a staunch Confederate, was killed while bravely serving in the southern army. By a previous marriage to Washington Morgan, Mrs. Cole had a daughter, Katherine, who married Clinton Smith of Dallas, Wis.

Sylvester V. Cranson, now deceased, pioneer of Goodhue County, Minne- sota, early settler of Dallas Township, Barron County, and veteran of the Civil War, was an excellent type of those sturdy citizens from "up state" New York, who found their way into the wilderness, and by their efforts brought civilization and prosperity. He was a man of varied attainments and genial nature, coupled with an upright character and spirit of helpful- ness toward his fellow men, and the world is the better for his having lived in it. Mr. Cranson was born Oct. 29, 1830, in Lockport, New York, and was brought to Michigan by his parents when a boy. In 1856 he came to Good- hue County, Minnesota, and homesteaded a quarter section. He cleared some of the land, erected a shack and then sold out. Sept. 16, 1864 he en- listed in Company C, First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, and was discharged June 26, 1865. Then he returned to Goodhue County and rented farms for many years. On coming to Dallas Township, this county, he bought 80 acres. He cleared this land, erected log buildings and fences, and farmed for eight years. Then he once more went back to Goodhue County. In 1910 he retired and moved to Dallas Village, where he died Oct. 20, 1919. Mrs. Cranson still makes her home in the village. She is an unusually bright and active old lady, thoroughly abreast of the times, and delights in making her home a center of hospitality and cheer. Mr. Cranson was married Sept. 19, 1852, to Evaline Crain, born Jan. 8, 1836, daughter of Benjamin and Sophia (Por- ter) Crain, both natives of Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Cranson were the parents of four children : William, born March 29, 1854, now residing in Dallas; Helen, born March 29, 1858, now Mrs. Helen Kelley, of Oregon; Ada, born Jan. 25, 1861, now Mrs. Levant Babcock of Canada; and Edwin, who was born Dec. 19, 1863, and died Dec. 9, 1896.

Boyd D. Smith, hardware merchant of Dallas, was born in Fillmore County, Minnesota, Aug. 11, 1872, son of Marcus and Glorvonia (Williams) Smith, natives of New York state who came to Wisconsin in the early days, thence going to Fillmore County, Minnesota, then to North Dakota, then to Dunn County where they farmed. The mother died Sept. 6, 1907, and the father then came to Dallas where he lived until his death on March 17, 1910.

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In the family there were three children, Boyd, Mabel and Dean (deceased). Boyd received his early education on the home farms in Minnesota, Wiscon- sin and North Dakota. In 1908 he came to Dallas and with his sister, Mabel, and brother, Dean, started a hardware store under the firm name of Smith Bros. Dean Smith died March 27, 1912, and Boyd and his sister are now the sole owners. They have erected a new building 70 by 150 feet where they sell general hardware and implements and handle the Ford cars, theirs being the oldest agency in the county. The total value of their stock is about $30,000. Mr. Smith has been one of the aldermen of the city. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen. He was married Nov. 12, 1908 to Lillian Smith, daugh- ter of Henry and Cynthia (LaGross) Smith, natives of New York state who first settled in southern Wisconsin and then moved to LaCrosse where they died. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one daughter, Neva, born Nov. 30, 1909.

Clarence Skibeli, lumberman of Dallas, where he is manager for the Lampert Lumber Co., was born in Madison, Minnesota, July 28, 1895, son of Tennis and Anna (Hoium) Skibeli, natives of Norway who came to America in 1871 and settled in Pequot, Minn., where they farmed for sixteen years, then opening a hotel at Oslo, Minn., where the father lived until his death, Dec. 4, 1916. The mother still operates the hotel. In the family there were five children : Oscar, Emma, Alma, Gustave and Clarence. Clarence received his education in Minnesota and remained with his parents for many years. He learned the carpenter's trade at Oslo. In 1916 he entered the employ of the Duluth Boiler Works at Duluth, but the following year was transferred to Oslo as assistant in the lumber yards there. He enlisted in the 42nd En- gineers June 14, 1918, and trained at the University of Minnesota, going from there to Washington, D. C., and thence to Fort Foote, Maryland. He embarked at Camp Merritt, N. J., spent six months in Liverpool and three months in London. He then went to France where he remained but sixteen days, being sent back to the United States where he was discharged June 5, 1919. Two days after leaving the service he took up his work in the lumber yards at Oslo, Minn., and was then transferred to the Alvarado lumber yards as manager for the Robertson Lumber Co. From there he was sent to Napo- leon, N. D., as manager for the Washburn Merrick Co. In April, 1920, he came to Dallas. In his present position during his short stay here he has demonstrated his ability as a business man and is taking his share in the life of the village. Mr. Skibeli was married Aug. 5, 1919 to Sadie Krytzer, daughter of George and Katherine (Booher) Krytzer, natives of Pennsyl- vania, who now operate a general store at Staunton, Ind. In the Krytzer family there were three children, Sadie, Alma and Letha. Mr. and Mrs. Ski- beli have one daughter, Letha, born Oct. 10, 1920.

Carl Smith, now deceased, for some twelve years a substantial citizen of Section 12, west, Dallas Township, was born in Norway, Aug. 6, 1870, the son of Andrew and Carrie Smith. He was reared and educated in his native land, and in 1890 came to America, taking up his home for a while with his brother, Ole, in Dallas, Barron County. Then he went to Osage County, lowa. His next location was in Carleton County, Minnesota. In 1905 he came back to Barron County and purchased the present farm of 80 acres. He put up a good set of buildings and cleared and broke about 40 acres. Here he successfully carried on general farming and dairying. He was a hard working, industrious man, a good citizen, a faithful husband, a kind father, a loyal friend and helpful neighbor, and his death on Jan. 2, 1917 was sin- cerely mourned. After his death his wife rented the place for three years but now carries it on herself and makes her home on it. Mr. Smith was married at Dallas on Aug. 6, 1903, to Josephine Braaton, who was born in Norway, Jan. 24, 1879, the daughter of Andrew and Katherine (Lystie) Braaton, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1879 and located in Green County, this state, coming to Barron County in 1873 and taking a home- stead in Dallas Township, where they built up a good farm, and where he

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lived until his death, his wife still making her home there with her son, Ole, who operates the place. Aside from Ole, the oldest, there are three other children in the Braaton family, Olive, Josephine and Carl. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had four chilren: Minnie, born May 23, 1905; Bennie, born Sept. 18, 1906; Helen, born Aug. 6, 1908, who died in infancy; and Anna born Aug. 24, 1909, who died in infancy. The family faith is that of the Norwegian . Luth- eran Church.

Charles H. Swenson, an industrious farmer of Dallas Township, is a na- tive of this township, born Jan. 21, 1879, the son of Swen and Gunda (Johnson) Swenson, natives of Norway, who were brought to America as children. In 1870 they came to Barron County from Dunn County, this state, and located in Dallas Township. Here he owned at one time as high as 240 acres. He erected four different sets of buildings, and cleared and broke many acres of land. He was a man of influence and prominence in his community and had many friends. He died May 6, 1900, and his wife now makes her home with her son, Charles H. Mr. and Mrs. Swenson have had ten children, of whom Charles H., Henry, Anna, Theodore and Christina are living, and Clara, Lena, John, Selma and Sevel are dead. Charles H. was reared in this township, at- tended the district schools, and as a youth, did farm work for his father and for some of the neighbors. He inherited the home place, with its buildings and 120 acres. Later he sold forty acres, leaving him a tract of 80 acres, to which he now devotes his attention. He has erected a good barn and outbuildings, and a small home for his mother. On this place he successfully conducts general farming and dairying and has a good herd of Holstein cattle. He is a man of standing and worth, and for many years has been a valued member of the school board. Fraternally, he is a member of the Beavers at Dallas. Mr. Swen- son was married June 15, 1912, to Ethel O'Flannagan, who was born in Dallas Township on July 7, 1887, the daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Harmon) O'Flannagan. Her father lives in Dallas, her mother being dead. Mr. and Mrs. Swenson have one son, Charles L., born April 20, 1913. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Conrad Smith, a representative farmer of Section 7, east, Dallas Township, was born on the farm where he now lives, May 24, 1889, the son of Ole and Gina (Enger) Smith, natives of Norway. These good people came to the United States in 1881, lived a short time in Green County, Wis., and the same year came to Barron County, and bought 80 acres of wild land in Section 7, east, . Dallas Township. Out of this place, the father developed a good farm. He erected a good set of buildings, cleared 60 acres of the land, and for many years successfully carried on general farming and dairying. In 1912 he sold to his son. Conrad, but he and his wife still continue to reside on the home place. In the family there were eight children: Clara (Mrs. Ole Hanson), Beatrice (deceased), Albert, Conrad, Guy, Merlin (deceased), Olga J. (deceased) and Olga E. (deceased). Conrad received his education in the district schools of his neighborhood, and learned farming from his parents. He took over the home farm in 1912, the father, however, reserving thirteen acres. He has fur- ther developed the land, and has made many improvements on the buildings. In 1914 he built the pleasant ten-room house. On this place he carries on farm- ing along the latest improved lines, and is already well on the road to success. He was married May 16, 1914, to Inga Amundson, who was born in Dallas Township, on April 21, 1892, the daughter of Andrew and Inga (Nelson) Amundson, the former of whom is dead, and the latter of whom is now the wife of James A. Anderson, of Dallas. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two chil- dren: Florence L., born Dec. 12, 1914; and Lloyd K., born May 14, 1918. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

John S. Dowd, successful farmer of Section 7, Dallas Township, prominent local official, and for many years a successful educator, teaching in the rural schools, was born at Whitehall, in Trempealeau County, this state, March 5, 1871, the son of Samuel and Permelia (Gardner) Dowd, natives respectively of

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New York and Ohio. They came to Trempealeau County as young people, and from there, in 1884, came to Barron County, and bought 80 acres of wild land in Section 7.' They put up a set of buildings, cleared about thirty acres, and successfully carried on general farming for twenty years. In this period they became well known and substantial people and were held in high regard by all who knew them. In 1904 they retired and moved to Oregon, where she died, Feb. 21, 1900, and he in March, 1920. In the family there were four chil- dren: Henry, Lewis, Mary and John S. John S. attended school in White- hall, was brought to this county when he was thirteen, and continued his edu- cation in a log schoolhouse in Dallas Township. In 1890 he started teaching in the rural schools and continued in this profession until 1908, spending his vacations working on the home farm. He was a good teacher, thoroughly versed in the subjects which he taught, possessed of a sympathetic knowledge of child nature, and having the happy faculty of inspiring his pupils to their best work. In 1904 he bought the home farm from his father. He has continued the improvements, repaired the buildings, and cleared an additional fifteen acres of the land. Here he successfully carries on general farming and dairy- ing, having a good herd of Holstein cattle. Mr. Dowd's public service has been notable. In 1909 he was elected clerk of the town board and served for six years. In 1915 he was elected chairman and served for three years, his work in this capacity, both on the town board and on the county board, being in the interests of progress and development. In 1918 he decided that the office was making too many demands on his time and energy, so he declined the chairmanship, but has since continued to serve as a member of the board. For eight years he has been a member of the school board of his district. His financial interests include shares in the Stock Pavilion at Barron. Mr. Dowd was married Dec. 25, 1895, to Lillie Taylor, born at Meadow, Blue Earth County, Minn., July 15, 1871, daughter of the Rev. George A. and Nancy (Rogers) Tay- lor. Mr. and Mrs. Dowd have had seven children. Miles E. was born Nov. 18, 1896. He is one of the heroes who gave his life in his country's service. He enlisted at Minneapolis, Jan. 25, 1918, and trained at Camp Sevier, South Caro- lina, with the 11th Company, U. S. Signal Corps. He died there March 8, 1918. As a boy, he was active, affectionate and dutiful, as a young man, he was earn- est and thoughtful, and his death caused sincere sorrow among his friends, not only here, but in the camp where he was a faithful and cheerful soldier. Elsie E. was born Nov. 10, 1897, and died April 11, 1918. She was a young lady of sunny disposition, a helpful nature, and winsome charm, one of the most popular among her associates. Sybil S. was born Nov. 7, 1899. Tracey A. was born Feb. 23, 1902. Lewis L. was born Aug. 13, 1904. Elmer L. was born Aug. 29, 1907. . Glen E. was born Oct. 23, 1913. Rev. George A. Taylor came to Bar- ron. County from Mauston, Wis., in 1883, and settled on a farm near Dallas. He organized the Free Baptist Church in Dallas, and the church edifice was erected under his pastorate. In 1909 he moved to Colwell, Idaho, where he died June 30, 1913. His wife died Dec. 14, 1905. In the Taylor family there were nine children: Alice, James and Irene, all dead; and Emma, Lucinda, Lillie, Bessie, Ruby and Ernest.

Ole Ellefson, early settler of Barron County, was born in Norway and came to America' in 1872 and settled on Pine Creek, this county, where he home- steaded forty acres, later he bought eighty acres more, making a total of 120 acres in Section 33, west, Dallas Township. He cleared 100 acres, erected a set of buildings and now successfully carries on general farming and dairying. Mr. Ellefson was married in Dallas Township to Mary Anderson and this union has been blessed with ten children: Sylvan A., Adina, Ella, Lionel (deceased), Viola (deceased), Linden, Thelma, Esther, Una and Evelyn.

Sylvan A. Ellefson, prominent garage man of Dallas, has an excellent es- tablishment, is an expert in his line and is building up an excellent business. He was born at Spooner, Wis., Nov. 7, 1893, son of Ole and Mary (Anderson) Ellefson, natives of Norway. He received his education in the district schools

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of Dallas and in 1917 bought eighty acres in Dunn County, of which he cleared forty and which property he still owns. From his boyhood he has been inter- ested in mechanics and in 1918, to further perfect himself in this line, he entered the Sweeney Auto School at Kansas City, from which he was gradu- ated March 1, 1918. In 1919 he bought a half interest in the J. C. Anderson garage and in March, 1920, became the sole owner. Mr. Ellefson was married. Sept. 20, 1919, to Olga Neirson, daughter of John Neirson, an early settler of Dunn County. Mr. and Mrs. Ellefson have one daughter, Ione, born June 11, 1920.

Arthur Granger, a modern and progressive farmer of Section 8, Dallas Township, east, is a native of this township, born Feb. 28, 1881, the son of Austin and Ada (Reirdon) Granger, natives of this state. These good people came to Barron County in the early seventies, and took a homestead of 160 acres in Section 8, to which they later added 40 acres in Section 9, by pur- chase. There they erected a set of log buildings and started clearing up the land. In 1894 they sold 120 acres, but continued to farm on the other 80 acres until 1905, when they sold out and went to Canada, where he died in 1906, after which she moved to Michigan, where she still lives. The subject of this sketch was an only child. He attended the district school, learned farming from his father, and remained at home until 1901. Then for several years he was em- ployed on various farms. In 1905 he bought 80 acres from his father, and erected a good set of buildings. In 1919 he sold one-half the tract and bought 80 acres more, so that he now has a good place of 120 acres. His buildings in- clude a pleasant modern home, with running water, furnace and electric lights. He successfully carries on general farming and dairying. His holdings include stock in the Co-operative Store at Chetek. As a native of the township and county, he is naturally interested in the development of this region, and he takes his share in everything that he believes to be for the public good. Mr. Granger was married at Chetek, Wis., on March 11, 1920, to Lucy Tolman, who was born there on Feb. 4, 1904, the daughter of Elmer and Ethel (Duvall) Tolman, natives of Minnesota, who now operate a farm in Dallas Township.

Arthur Hankin, an enterprising farmer of Sections 25 and 30, Dallas Town- ship, was born at Blair, Trempealeau County, Wis., Nov. 25, 1867, son of Wil- liam and Jane (Fox) Hankin. The parents were natives of England, who came to America in the sixties and located near Blair. Shortly after Arthur's birth the mother died and the father later married Jane Williams and had five more children, namely, Cora, Dora, Fred, Jeanie and Gladys. After farming in Trempealeau County for many years, William Hankin moved to Milwaukee. Later, however, he returned to Trempealeau County and from there came to Barron County, where he died Aug. 30, 1905. Arthur Hankin, the direct sub- ject of this sketch, was educated in his native county and for several years worked on farms there. In 1896 he came to Barron County and located at Rice Lake. Here he was employed for one year by Knapp, Stout & Co. in the Grist Mill, and for one year by Stone & Deitz, selling farm machinery and dealing in stock. Then for two years he worked in a sawmill. In 1900 he came to Dallas Township, and took a homestead of 120 acres in Section 30, east, and bought 80 acres in Section 25, making a good tract of 200 acres. Here he has cleared and broken 80 acres, has fenced much of the land, and has erected a good set of farm buildings. Here he carries on general farming and dairying, and has a good herd of Holsteins with a full-blooded sire. He also has a herd of Shrop- shire sheep. A careful, energetic man, he is winning his fair share of suc- cess. Fraternally, he is a member of the Beavers at Dallas, being secretary of the lodge, and belongs also to the Maccabees Lodge at Rice Lake. His wife has been Most Worthy Queen of the Beaver Lodge for eleven years. Mr. Han- kin was married July 31, 1888, to Elsie Franklin, who was born at Avoca, Wis .. on July 31, 1870, the daughter of Aaron B. and Caroline (Weaver) Franklin, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hankin have five children: Robert, born March 4, 1890; Ernest, born Sept. 9, 1891; Cecil, born Jan. 12,

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1893; Claude, born Oct. 10, 1895; and Goldie, born Aug. 19, 1898. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Goldie married Lyle O'Flan- nagan, of Dallas Township. Mr. and Mrs. Hankin have a grandson, Leo, son of Cecil, who makes his home with them.

Joseph Hanson, an energetic and industrious farmer who, with his broth- ers, is operating the family estate of over half a section on the line between Dallas and Arland townships, where the southeast corner of Arland Township touches the northwest corner of Dallas, was born near Spring Valley, in south- ern Minnesota, July 14, 1899, the son of John A. and Clara (Week) Hanson. He was brought to the present farm as an infant, and was reared here, at- tending the public schools and learning farming from his father. In 1918 he entered the Agricultural College of the University of Wisconsin, and was graduated from the full two-year course in 1920. With this preparation, he took up farming with his brothers on the home farm. The family is breeding the Shorthorn herd into Holsteins, and has a few full-bloods. Eventually, they expect to have all full-bloods. Their swine are of the Duroc-Jersey breed and the chickens are single-comb, White Leghorns. They have partly reconstructed some of the buildings and erected some new outbuildings, and are conducting the place along the latest approved lines. As a college man, Joseph is one of the natural leaders among the young people of the community, he takes his part in all neigborhood affairs, and is well liked by all who know him.

John A. Hanson, now deceased, was an estimable citizen whose untimely death will long be sincerely mourned by his friends. He was a considerate husband, a loving and indulgent father, a good neighbor and a useful citizen, and an especially valued member of the Norwegian Lutheran congregation at Dallas. In every walk of life he was faithful to the duties that lay before him, and his worth will continue to be an inspiration to his children. He was born in Norway March 8, 1874, the son of Andrew and Bertha (Dorstuen) Sev- erud, who brought the family to America about 1878, and located in Maple Grove Township. There John A. was reared, receiving his education in the public schools. He learned farming from his father and remained with his parents until 1896. Then he started out, farmed near Racine, Wis., for a while, and then near Spring Valley, Minn., for a while. In the fall of 1902 he came back to Barron County and bought 169 acres in Section 19, Dallas Town- ship. He improved and repaired the buildings and cleared about 40 acres. In 1915 he bought 160 acres in Section 25, Arland Township, making him a fine farm of 329 acres, the largest in the neighborhood. Here with the assistance of his sons, he carried on general farming and dairying on a large scale. His herd was of Shorthorn breed. Mr. Hanson took much pride in his family, his home and his farm, and was well along the road to success when he was killed in a haying accident, June 29, 1918. Mr. Hanson was interested in every- thing that had for its object the betterment of this region and he had great faith in its future. One of his public services was to help put in the first telephone line in this vicinity, and he was one of the first directors of the Dallas Telephone Co. After his death, his wife, assisted by the older children, managed the farm. She is a capable woman who stands high in the com- munity, beloved by her fatherless family and respected by all who know her. Mr. Hanson was married Jan. 23, 1898 at Grand Meadow, Mower County, Minnesota, to Clara Week, who was born at Grand Meadow, Dec. 23, 1879, the daughter of John and Martha (Braaton) Week, who were prominent farmers there until 1900 when they retired and moved to Spring Valley, in Fillmore County, Minnesota, where he died Sept. 8, 1919, and where she is still living. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hanson: Joseph A., July 14, 1899; Arthur B., July 7, 1901; Mabel V., Sept. 6, 1903; Halbert J., Oct. 1, 1905; Marvin C., Oct. 27, 1907; Freeman L., Sept. 19, 1909; Edwin E., April 9, 1912, and Geneva E., Jan. 20, 1918. All are at home.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 146

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

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