History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 147

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 147

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Ole P. Engen is one of the oldest settlers of Barron County still farming here. He has been on his present farm over sixty years and has not only done

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his share in the progress of the town by building up a good place, but has also been active in the affairs of the community. He has been a friend of progress and has kept pace with the march of development which has trans- formed the county from a wilderness into a garden spot. Now, at over three score and ten, he is still hale and hearty, and is still actively engaged in daily toil as he has been for so many years past. He was born in Norway, Oct. 16, 1849, the son of Peter O. and Gina (Estherson) Engen. These good people were born, reared and married in Norway. In 1868 they came to America and settled on a homestead of 160 acres in Sections 22 and 23, Dovre Town- ship, which then had but a few scattered settlers. The mother died the same year. The father continued on the place until 1896. In the family there were five children: Ole P., John, Alf. (deceased), Mary (Mrs. George Olson, of Eau Claire), and Sarah (Mrs. Andrew Larson of New Auburn). Ole P. came to this country as a youth with his parents, and being the oldest of the fam- ily, much of the work of establishing the home in the wilderness fell upon his shoulders. At the end of the fifth year he took over the place. He kept the buildings in good repair, added others as he found the need, and succeeded in getting more than eighty acres cleared. He was a prominent man among his neighbors in that township, and served on the school board for nearly twenty years. In 1898 he sold the old place and moved to Dallas Township where he bought 160 acres in Section 24. He put up a good set of buildings, fenced the entire farm and has cleared some ninety acres. On this place he still carries on general farming assisted by his son, Alfred. Mr. Engen was married Dec. 21, 1876 to Christina Iverson, who was born in Tromsberg, Nor- way, Aug. 24, 1851, the daughter of Iver and Christina (Osbornson) Iverson, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Engen have four children. Ida was born Sept. 17, 1877, and is the wife of James Young of Detroit, Mich. Emma was born Dec. 28, 1880, and is the wife of Henry Swenson of Weyer- hauser, Wis. Alfred was born Aug. 17, 1884, and is at home. He attended the district school, learned farming from his father, and is a capable, ener- getic man, who stands well with all who know him. Cora was born Dec. 5, 1889 and is the wife of Alfred Halverson of Dallas Village. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Earl C. Eggleston, the progressive proprietor and owner of the fertile and productive Twin Balsam Farm, Section 9, west, Dallas, is a native of this township, born Sept. 5, 1888, the son of George A. and Mary J. (Rafferty) Eggleston. He attended the graded schools of Dallas, learned farming from his father and as a young man worked for his parents and for neighbors. In 1912 he purchased 80 acres in Section 24, Dallas Township. He erected a set of buildings, cleared about fifteen acres, and was well along the road to suc- cess when his health failed in 1919. He then sold out and in the spring of 1921 bought his present place. Here he successfully carries on general farm- ing and dairying. He has a herd of graded Holsteins and a drove of pure- blooded Duroc-Jersey hogs. He is adding to the excellent improvements al- ready on the place, and is building up one of the best farms in the neigh- borhood. Mr. Eggleston was married June 7, 1916 to Lottie Hulbert, who was born in Maple Grove Township, this county, Oct. 24, 1891, the daughter of David and Alice (Skinner) Hulbert, of this county. This union has been blessed with two children: Delwin E., born May 12, 1917, and Shelby L., born Oct. 3, 1919.

Henry O. Eggleston, pioneer, blacksmith, veterinarian and farmer, was born in New York state and came to Wisconsin as a young man. In 1840 he came west to Rock County, this state, and lived at Janesville for a number of years. Then for a short time he lived in Jefferson County. In 1857 he re- moved to Dunn County, and bought government land at $1.25 an acre. There- after for some years he did considerable work in various places in Dunn and Eau Claire Counties as a blacksmith. At one time he had a shop at Eau Claire in partnership with George Sprague. In 1872 he came to Barron

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County and took a claim of 160 acres in Section 24. His set of log buildings which he put up included a blacksmith shop where he did work for the peo- ple for miles around. He also used his veterinary skill for the benefit of such few settlers as had cattle. He was one of the best known and most useful men in the vicinity in the early days, and is remembered with honor and re- spect. In 1901 he retired and moved to the village where he died in August, 1906. His wife, who was Elizabeth Scott, a native of England, died in 1896. She had come to this country when three years old, her parents settling in the southern part of the state. There were two sons: George A. and William (deceased).

George A. Eggleston, an early settler of Dallas Township, has lived on his present place in Section 24, west, for nearly a half a century. In that time he has taken his part in the wonderful development of the town, he induced many settlers to locate here and helped them to get started, and he also did much toward the establishment of good roads and the inauguration of an intelligent road system. He was born at Hebron, Jefferson County, Wis- consin, the son of Henry O. and Elizabeth (Scott) Eggleston. He received his education in a log schoolhouse in Dunn County, and helped his father on the farm and in the blacksmith shop. In 1872 he came to Barron County with his parents, and on coming of age in the fall secured 160 acres of land just south of his father's tract in Section 24, west. He put up a set of log buildings and started clearing the land. To this place in 1876 he took his bride. For many years they underwent all the privations of pioneer life. Necessities were scarce and comforts were few. Grain had to be hauled to Menomonie and Eau Claire. Provisions also had to be brought from far away. But as time passed these conditions were changed and the township became a rich farming country, well situated in regard to trading points and marketing centers. Mr. Eggleston replaced the log cabin with a good set of frame buildings and has cleared and broken about 90 acres. Here he still continues to carry on general farming. For many years he has served on the school board of his district and has helped to build two different schoolhouses. He was also road commissioner for many years, and systematized the building of many miles of road in Dallas Township. He also helped to organize the Farmers Mutual Insurance Co. of Barron County, for which he was local agent some eighteen years. Mr. Eggleston was married April 29, 1876 to Mary J. Rafferty, who was born in Henry County, Ohio, Sept. 26, 1849, daughter of John and Mary (Graham) Rafferty, both now deceased. Mr. Eggleston and his wife have six children. Mary G. was born Dec. 14, 1878, and is the wife of Casper Helton of Kline, Colo. Henry O. was born March 5, 1880, and is now in Bakersfield, Cal. Lillian E. was born June 20, 1882, and is the wife of Daniel McGuigan of Colorado. George K. was born July 26, 1884, and is principal of schools at Charlotteville, Va. Earl C. was born Sept. 9, 1886, and farms in Dallas Township. May was born Sept. 7, 1888, and is the wife of Henry Berger of Dallas Township. The family faith is that of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.

Ellef Ellefson, a retired farmer living in Section 36, Dallas Township, is one of the honored and respected men of the community. He has lived here nearly fifty years, has built up a good farm which he received from his father, and has taken his share in the affairs of the neighborhood as a good citizen. He was born in Norway, April 14, 1855, the son of Easton and Anna (Hanson) Ellefson, also natives of that country, who came to America in 1872, and located at Winchester in Winnebago County, this state. In 1873 they came to Barron County and homesteaded 160 acres of wild land in Sec- tion 36, Dallas Township. There they erected a set of log buildings and started clearing up the land. The mother died in 1875 just when they were getting started. The father continued to carry on general farming in all some thirty years, and succeeded with the help of the family in getting 95 acres cleared. In 1903 he retired and turned the place over to his son, Ellef, but

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continued to make his home there until his death in 1909. In the family there were ten children: Ellef, Nellie, Hans, Knute, Halver, Ole, Martin, Henry, Carl (deceased) and Louis (deceased). The subject of this sketch was edu- cated in his native land, came to this country as a youth of seventeen years of age. He worked with his father until 1903, when he received the farm. Here he has erected a fine set of buildings, including a pleasant home, and a good barn furnished with Louden equipment. House, barn and yards are illu- minated with electric lights furnished by the Lally system. For many years Mr. Ellefson successfully carried on general farming and dairying. In 1917 he rented the place to his sons, Oscar, Carl and Edwin, and sold them the stock and machinery. He still makes his home on the place, doing such work as he chooses. His financial holdings include stock in the Farmers Store at Dallas, and the Dallas Shipping Association. Mr. Ellefson was married at Sand Creek, Dunn County, Wisconsin, on March 23, 1893, to Mary Gunderson, who was born in Norway June 12, 1854, the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Greagerson) Gunderson, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Ellefson have the three sons already mentioned. Oscar A. was born March 19, 1894. Carl was born Nov. 17, 1895. Edwin was born March 26, 1898. These three young men are energetic, hard working citizens. They are good farmers and stand well with all who know them and are proud of representing the third generation that has operated the farm. Carl, the second son, was married Feb. 13, 1917 to Anna Amundson, who was born at Pine Creek, Dunn County, Wisconsin, on May 6, 1896, the daughter of Thomas and Anna (Peterson) Amundson, and they have a daughter, Gladys, born June 13, 1918, who is the pride of her grandparents' heart. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Ed. Engebretson, an estimable farmer of Section 32, east, Dallas Township, was born in Norway Feb. 27, 1876, the son of Engebret and Christena (Amund- son) Christianson, the former of whom still lives in that country and the latter of whom is dead. In the family there were five children: Christ, Ed., Gilbert, Hans (deceased), and Martha. The subject of this sketch was reared in Nor- way, went to school there and for some years worked in the woods. In 1900 he came to America and with headquarters at Chippewa Falls, Wis., worked in sawmills and in the woods. In 1902 he went to the state of Washington and worked in the sawmills two years. In 1904 he returned to Chippewa Falls and worked in the sawmills and in the woods for eight years. At the end of this period, in 1912, he came to Barron County and bought 80 acres in Section 32, east, Dallas Township. He put up a set of buildings, has cleared about 25 acres, and carries on general farming and dairying. He stands well in the community and is well along the road to success. Mr. Engebretson was mar- ried June 16, 1906 to Sena Hanson, who was born in Menomonie, Wis., Sept. 19, 1875, the daughter of Peter and Carrie (Severson) Hanson, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1871 and settled at Menomonie where the father was employed by Knapp, Stout & Co. until 1876, when he took a homestead in the same county and farmed until his death April 11, 1913, the mother is now liv- ing with a daughter in Dunn County. Mr. and Mrs. Engebretson have one child, Hazel C., born Aug. 4, 1907.

Martin J. Bishop, a prominent young farmer of Sections 8 and 9, east, Dallas Township, a veteran of the American Expeditionary Forces and the American Army of Occupation, twice wounded in France in defense of his country's flag, and an heroic participant in some of the hottest fighting of the World War, was born near Menomonie, in Dunn County, Wisconsin, April 15, 1893, the son of Lester and Rosa (Tallman) Bishop. The parents were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and North Dakota, who farmed for many years in this county and are now living retired in Dallas Township. Martin J. was brought to this county by his parents in 1900 and reared in Dovre Township, receiving his education in the public schools of the neighborhood. In 1913 he became a cement contractor with headquarters in Dovre Township. He en-

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listed May 24, 1917 in Company L, Third Regiment, Wisconsin National Guard. From Camp Douglas, Wisconsin, he was sent to Waco, Texas, where he trained with Company L, 128th Infantry, 32nd Division. Equipped at Camp Merritt, New Jersey, he sailed for France March 4, 1918. He saw action at Chateau Thierry, Soissons, in the Meuse-Argonne sector, and in Alsace-Lorraine. He was wounded in the battle of Sivigne on the Marne on Aug. 30, 1918, and . on the Meuse-Argonne front on Oct. 9, 1918. After serving in the Army of Occupation in Germany he returned to the United States May 10, 1919, and was discharged at Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill., May 18, 1919. He spent that summer at home and in the fall of 1919 bought 80 acres of improved land in Section 9, east, Dallas Township. Having purchased new equipment he is building up a good place, successfully carrying on general farming and already has an excellent start in life. Mr. Bishop was married Nov. 27, 1920 to Myrtle Anderson, who was born in Waupaca County on Feb. 14, 1899, the daughter of Andrew and Isabelle (Nerlein) Anderson, natives of Norway, who are prominent farmers in that county, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop are loyal adherents of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. They have one daugh- ter, Belauha, born Sept. 14, 1921.

Albert Bakken, an influential farmer of Sections 28 and 33, Dallas Town- ship, was born in Norway Dec. 25, 1878, the son of Mathias and Karen (Ander- son) Bakken. These good people were born in Norway and were there reared, educated and married. In 1881 they brought their family to America, landed in New York, came direct to Barron County and took a homestead of 160 acres in Sections 14 and 15, Dovre Township. There, like the other settlers, they started on a small scale, got along the best they could and worked with a will to establish a home and a farm. After ten years on the place he died Sept. 26, 1891. He was a hard working, substantial man, a kind husband and father and a good neighbor, and had his part in the general story of the township. His good wife continued to live on the place until her death Oct. 13, 1914. A son, Magnus, is now operating the home farm, and like his father before him is a useful, industrious and respected citizen. In all there were six children in the family: Ernest (deceased), Roy, Magnus, Clara, Inga and Albert. Albert was a child when the family came here. He was reared on the home place and attended the district school. As a youth he worked on the home farm and also for neighbors. In 1902 he bought 80 acres in Sections 28 and 33, and in 1919 he bought forty more in the latter section, making a good farm of 120 acres. He erected a sightly set of buildings of lumber made from logs cut on the place. The barn, 34 by 60 feet, was built in 1915. It is a modern structure and made comfortable for the cattle with Star equipment. In 1917 he put up a good silo. ' In 1921 he rebuilt his house and now has a modern residence of eight rooms and bath. The buildings are surrounded by a pleasant lawn with shrub- bery, the farm is well fenced, and everything about the place bespeaks the thrift and good taste of the owner. Mr. Bakken is actively interested in every- thing that he believes to be for the best interests of the farming communities. He is the efficient secretary of the Pine Creek Threshing Co., which owns a community threshing machine, and is a stockholder in the Prairie Farm Tele- phone Co., the Farmers Store at Dallas, the Co-operative Store at Sand Creek and the Anchor Shipbuilding Co. at Washburn, Wis. In 1918 he was elected to the town board and is serving with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the citizens. For 14 years he has been clerk of the school board, Joint Dis- trict No. 1-B. Mr. Bakken was married at Dallas on April 8, 1904, to Hannah Dahl, who was born in Dovre Township on Sept. 11, 1883, the daughter of Amund and Karen (Olstad) Dahl. Mr. and Mrs. Bakken have had seven children: Arvel M., born July 10, 1904; Palmer, born Nov. 6, 1906, who died Jan. 14, 1907; Cora C., born June 12, 1908; Norman, born June 12, 1911; Agnes, born Dec. 21, 1913; Edna, born May 17, 1916, who died Feb. 13, 1917; and Ed- win, who was born June 26, 1918 and died March 3, 1921. Amund Dahl, father of Mrs. Bakken, developed one of the best farms in the county. He was born in

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Norway and was there reared, educated and married. He brought his family to America in 1880 and settled at Eau Claire. In 1881 he came to Dovre Town- ship and bought 160 acres in Section 34, west, to which he later added another 40, making in all 200 acres. He improved this tract of land, erected some ex- cellent buildings, beautified the place and built up what is regarded as a splendid example of a model Wisconsin farm. In 1921 the place was rented to the sons, Alfred and Edwin. Mr. and Mrs. Dahl were the parents of six children : Anna and Anton, deceased; Hilda, the wife of Julius Hanson; Han- nah, the wife of Albert Bakken, and Alfred and Edwin, already mentioned as operating the home farm, who are expert farmers and popular young men, and take their share in all the affairs of the community.

Woodbury S. Grover, a pioneer of Dallas Township, was born in Boothbay, Maine, Dec. 3, 1830, the son of Freeman and Sophia Grover. He was reared and educated in his native town, grew to manhood there and married. In 1858 he brought his wife and daughter to Wisconsin and settled at Menomonie, in Dunn County, where he secured employment with Knapp, Stout & Co. In 1861 he pre-empted 80 acres in that county, put up a house and barn and developed a farm. Seven years later, in 1868, he came to Barron County and took a homestead of 160 acres in Section 32, Dallas Township. This was then wild land. There were almost no settlers, and such as there were were living in isolated cabins in little clearings in the woods. There were no roads except the "tote" roads of the lumber companies. There was still considerable doubt whether the lumber and stumps could ever be profitably cleared up and the county opened for successful farming. But Mr. Grover came of staunch stock, he had courage and determination, and he had faith in the future. So he set to work with a will to establish his home and his farm. He also encour- aged others to take land and helped them get up their cabins and their land cleared. As time passed he got nearly all his own original homestead cleared up, and replaced the original log structures with a fine set of buildings, mak- ing as good a farm as was to be found in the neighborhood. He also bought and sold land as he found opportunity, and at one time owned 400 acres. Com- ing of New England forebears and being a man of superior intelligence, it is natural that he should early have taken a prominent part in public affairs. In the county seat contests he worked hard for Barron, and exerted considerable influence toward the erection of the first courthouse in that place. In 1874-75 he served most efficiently as county clerk. He was the second man to hold that position, his predecessor, O. Brayton, being the first. In 1877 he represented his fellow citizens of the lower house of the State Assembly. Living as he did in a part of the state not yet developed, he knew the needs of the pioneers struggling to develop homes in the woods, and he was an active worker in behalf of every measure which he believed to be for their best interests. For twelve years he was chairman of Dallas Township, and as such sat on the county board for that period. He also led in the fight against the railroads, which were charging from $6.50 up per acre for land, and this contest resulted in the railroads lowering the price of their land to $2.50 per acre, and was one of the greatest boons ever experienced by the county, having the effect of attracting many new settlers. The fight started over the taxes, the county bringing suit with the above mentioned result. In town affairs Mr. Grover was a careful manager, favoring good roads, but believing in conservative taxation. As a member of the county board he served on several important committees, and his judgment on county affairs was highly respected. In this way he became widely known. He is regarded as one of the county's useful citizens, he has done much toward its growth and progress, and his story is interwoven in the warp and woof of the county's progress. Through all the years of his public service he continued to farm successfully on his original homestead. In 1902, however, he retired, and has since made his home at Ridgeland, still continuing to look after his numerous affairs. Mr. Grover was married Feb. 25, 1856 to Angeline Potter, who was born at Brunswick, Me.,

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on June 18, 1838, and died March 20, 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Grover had thirteen children. Floribella was born Jan. 31, 1857, and is the wife of Dewilton F. Blyton. Wilbur W. was born Aug. 30, 1858, and died March 3, 1873. Wood- bury F. was born Sept. 1, 1860, and now lives at Ridgeland. S. Douglas was born Feb. 9, 1862 and lives at Cameron. Warren P. is postmaster and prom- inent citizen at Ridgeland. He was born Sept. 30, 1863. Benjamin A. was born April 17, 1865, and is now in Burbank, Wash. J. Winter was born Dec. 10, 1867 and is at Medical Lake, Wash. Lucy was born Nov. 6, 1869, and is the wife of Isaac Pecore. Fred W. was born Aug. 27, 1871, and lives at Weenatche, Wash. Wilbur A. was born March 30, 1874, and is a chiropractor at Baldwin, Wis. Milton was born May 4, 1876 and lives at Rice Lake. Clarence was born Dec. 23, 1878, and died Dec. 24, 1879. Leon C. was born Feb. 24, 1880, and farms in Dunn County, this state.

Warren P. Grover, postmaster at Ridgeland, over the line in Dunn County, prominent citizen, former educator, merchant, contractor, carpenter and farmer, was born at Menomonie, in Dunn County, Wisconsin, Sept. 30, 1863, the son of Woodbury S. and Angeline (Potter) Grover, who brought him to Dallas Township in 1868. He was reared here, attended the district schools, learned farming from his father and remained with him until he was of age. For two years he taught in the rural schools of the county, and for two years he was employed as a carpenter. In 1889 he went to Spokane, Wash., where for twelve years he was a contractor. In 1901 he went south and traveled through the southern states for two years. He came back to this part of the state in 1903 and with his brother, Milton, operated a hardware and implement store at Ridgeland for three years. Then for two years he farmed in Barron County. In 1908 he became mail carrier at Ridgeland and in 1916 was ap- pointed postmaster. He is an efficient officer, the service has greatly improved and grown under his supervision, and he is giving general satisfaction to the patrons. He is active in public affairs, and is working for the progress and advancement of this part of the state. He is still interested in farming and owns 160 acres of good land in Wilson Township, Dunn County, which he rents. Mr. Grover was married Nov. 2, 1904 to Minnie Johnson, who was born at La Crosse, Wis., April 12, 1879, the daughter of Amund and Mary (Ander- son) Johnson, the former of whom is dead, and the latter of whom lives with her son, John, who is farming in Dunn County. Mr. and Mrs. Grover are the parents of three daughters: Mildred, born Aug. 15, 1905; Carrie, born Sept. 30, 1907, and Angeline, born March 15, 1910.

Frank Garner, a well-to-do farmer of Section 20, east, Dallas Township, is a prominent man throughout this part of the county, and is exerting con- siderable influence on public affairs. He is a man of sound sense and good judgment and his opinions are highly valued by all who know him. He was born in northern Illinois Jan. 26, 1875, the son of C. Henry and Susan (Fuller) Garner, natives respectively of New York state and Ohio. The father came to Wisconsin in 1847 and lived for thirty-one years in Racine and Ken- osha Counties, and for a short time in northern Illinois. In 1878 he came to Barron County and bought 80 acres in Section 20, east, Dallas Township. This tract was all wild land. He put up a set of buildings, cleared some of the land and there successfully farmed until his death, April 5, 1907. He was a substantial man of solid worth, whose good qualities were fully appreciated by all who knew him. His wife died March 12, 1897. In the family there were two sons, Frank and Elba (deceased). Frank was brought to Barron County as a child, and was here reared on the farm and educated in the district schools. He was a mere youth when he took charge of the parental farm, and when he became of age he received the deed. Later he added two more tracts in Section 29, one of 120 acres and one of 40 acres in Section 20, making 240 acres in all. About 100 acres are cleared. He has put up a fine set of build- ings, and the house, barn and yards are illuminated with the Universal light system. The machinery and equipment are of the best. Aside from his farm,

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 147

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

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