History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 15

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

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Clarence C. Coe, of Barron, a prominent member of the legal profession, well known throughout the county, was born on a farm in Whiteside County, Illinois, near the City of Sterling, Jan. 4, 1864, son of Jonathan F. and Sarah L. (Murray) Coe. His parental ancestry in America has been traced back to the year 1631, when the first Coe arrived in New England among the early Puri- tan settlers. Mr. Coe's mother was of Irish ancestry, and was born in this country in 1838. Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan F. Coe were among the early set- tlers in Whiteside County, Illinois. Both are now deceased. The subject of this sketch spent his first twenty years on his parents' farm in that county, and was graduated from the high school at Sterling, Ill., in 1884. In June of the same year he came to Barron, Wis., and entered the law office of his cousin,

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HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

Jerome F. Coe, under whose mentorship he began the study of law. With him he remained until the fall of 1887, at which time he became a student in the law department of the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Graduated from the University in June, 1888, in the same year he was admitted to the bar and began the practice of his profession in Barron, where he has since remained. In the fall of 1888, Mr. Coe was elected district attorney and continued in that office for the regular term of two years. In 1892 he became municipal judge, a position which he held for eight years. In 1918 he was elected on the Republi- can ticket as a member of the Wisconsin Assembly, in which he served one term. In 1920 he was a candidate for renomination, but was defeated by John L. Dahl, the Non-partisan candidate, and is now engaged in the practice of his profession in Barron. On Sept. 1, 1888, Clarence C. Coe was united in marriage with Claudia M. Smith, who was born on a farm at Shell Lake, Iowa, May 14, 1866, daughter of Jonathan and Mary G. (Cunningham) Smith, and who had come with her parents to Barron, Wis., when 12 years old. Mr. and Mrs. Coe are the parents of two children: Lawrence S., born July 22, 1890, and Ruth L., born Sept. 18, 1895. Lawrence S. was graduated from the Bar- ron High School in 1907 from the University of Wisconsin, with the B. A. de- gree, in 1911, and from the law department of that University, with the LL. B. degree, in 1913. Since being admitted to the bar he has been engaged in law practice at Rice Lake, Wis. He married Ethel Harmon and he and his wife are the parents of two children, Robert H. and Elizabeth Jane. Ruth Coe was graduated from the Barron High School in 1913, and from the University of Minnesota, with the B. A. degree, in 1918. She later graduated as any army nurse from the Walter Reed Hospital at Washington, D. C. Mr. and Mrs. Coe and their children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for a number of years he has been a trustee of the church of that denomination in Barron. Fraternally, he belongs to Lodge No. 220, F. and A. M., and to Camp No. 1268, M. W. A., both of Barron, of the latter of which he is a charter member.

Arthur E. Coe, a prominent citizen of Barron, where for a number of years he has been engaged in the practice of law, was born at Sterling, Ill., Nov. 2, 1866, son of Jonathan F. and Sarah L. (Murray) Coe. He was gradu- ated as a Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin in the class of 1896, and in the following year was admitted to the bar after examination by the state board, having previously studied law in the office of his brother, Clarence C. Coe. Since then he has successfully practiced his profession in Barron, where for several years he was a member of the school board. He was married July 7, 1897, to Emma Buckmaster, who was born in Fayette, La- fayette County, Wis., July 5, 1867, the daughter of Benjamin F. and Alsaida (Cook) Buckmaster. Of this union five children have been born: Orpha, Sep- tember 6, 1898; Ora E., Jan. 26, 1901; Wayne W., March 27, 1904; Caryl F., Dec. 23, 1905; and Florence I., March 26, 1907. Orpha was graduated from the Barron High School in June, 1916, and from the University of Wisconsin in June, 1920, receiving the B. A. degree. She is now employed by the Railroad Commission at Madison. Ora E. is a student at the University of Wis- consin. Wayne W. and Florence I. are attending the Barron schools. Mr. Coe and his family are affiliated religiously with the Methodist Episcopal Church in Barron, of which he has been a member for a number of years, hav- ing also been active in Sunday School work.

Harvey John Sill was born in Bethany, Genesse county, N. Y., Sept. 23, 1823, the third son of John Sill, born in Lyme, New London county, Conn., Dec. 29, 1790, and died May 27, 1869; and grandson of Thomas Sill, born at Lyme, Conn., Aug. 25, 1717, who was killed in the Revolutionary war. The founder of the family in America was John Sill, who came from Lyme, England, to Cambridge, Mass., in 1637 and died before 1653. In the early years following, the family settled at and formed the town of Lyme, Conn., naming it after their native home in England. John Sill, father of Harvey John Sill the subject of

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JOHN HARVEY SILL

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HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

this sketch, left Lyme, Conn., in the early part of the 19th century, settling at Bethany, N. Y., where Harvey John Sill was born. Later he removed to the town of Alden, Erie county, where he had purchased a tract of heavily tim- bered land, which, with the help of his sons, he cleared and developed into a productive farm and on which he continued to live until he died. On this farm Harvey John Sill lived until he became twenty-one years of age. His education was such as the boys of his time obtained at the country schools, supplemented by attendance for a time at the Bethany academy. Early in life he caught the "Westward Ho" spirit and, against the advice of his father, in 1844 left for Wisconsin, first settling at Kenosha. The money for his transportation was earned by sowing, reaping and threshing by hand a small field of oats, marketed at 121/2 cents per bushel. Arriving at Kenosha he engaged in teaching school, working at carpenter work and contracting. During the fall months he developed trade of considerable proportions in buying fruit, especially peaches in Michigan, shipping by boat to Wisconsin lake ports. About 1847 he married Miranda Foster, and the following year removed to Arlington, Columbia county, Wis., at the time the state was admitted to the Union, and had thrown Empire Prairie open to settlement at $1.25 per acre. He soon became one of the prominent characters of the county, helped to organize the town in which he lived, was justice of the peace and chairman of his town. For several years previous, he had been a great student of Blackstone and reader of Kent, and while developing his new farm, continued assiduously the study of law, for which he had a great liking, and in the fifties was admitted to the bar. He was noted for his energy, courage, honesty and intelligence and generosity, and although deeply engrossed in farming and other enterprises, he continued his practice of law. In 1862 he removed to Poynette, in the same county, engaging in general merchandise, operating flouring mills, etc. He came to Barron county in 1872, soon after the county was organized. He at once took up a government homestead of 160 acres in the present town of Sumner, near Canton, and began the work of making his home there. He was the first to engage in dairying to any extent in those pioneer days and had the distinction of making the first cheese in the county. In 1873 he was elected county judge, holding court at Barron the first of each month; was re-elected to four successive terms, and moved to Barron, the county seat, in 1880. In 1882 he was elected district attorney, serving the county efficiently for two terms. As a lawyer Judge Sill was particularly strong in drawing legal docu- ments and seldom had any papers quashed in court. During these years he held various school offices in township and village, and being of wide education, his services were of great value. During the eighties the Soo Line and Omaha railway were built through the county and in conjunction with his other various duties, he did considerable contracting, building the railroad stations at Barron, Canton, Cameron, Weyerhauser, as well as the first schoolhouse in Barron. The most of his time, however, was given to the attention of his law practice, which he continued till his death, March 23, 1900, being 761/2 years old. His first wife died in Poynette in 1867, and of their children two sons are still living, Edwin Walter, residing at Canton, this county, and William Howard, at Marinette, Wis. In 1871 he married Elizabeth Gee, who, with their two daughters, Katie E. and Jessie M. (now Mrs. K. E. Thompson) still reside in Barron. Judge Sill (he was always called judge) was a man of profound christian character. From this fealty he never swerved. Reared under the strictest of Presbyterian curriculum his faith was well rooted, and yet he was very liberal with all men. There being no church of his early faith in this new county, he at once identified himself with the Methodist church and was an active member in both church and Sunday school work during his life. Judge Sill was one of the real pioneers and founders of Barron County. It is safe to say the county did not contain to exceed 600 people, exclusive of Indians, when the judge, with a small colony from Poynette, located here. Eau Claire was the nearest railroad station. The judge was one of the county's most

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HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

prominent and influential citizens and his name is inseparably connected with nearly four decades of its early progress and growth. He was a man of varied talents, a natural leader of men, and as an agriculturist, mechanical genius, attorney, educator and judge, he performed well his part in all the activities of life. He was an excellent citizen, a loyal friend, an ideal family man. His character and intellectual gifts won the admiration and respect of all. He was a true gentleman and left his impress on the character of those of his profession and on all the citizens of the county, and his memory will be cherished so long as the early days of the county are remembered.

Clinton A. Boardman, pioneer, inventor, and founder of Boardman, St. Croix county, Wisconsin, was born in Vermont, and as a young man married Margaret A. Spence, a native of Canada. They came West in the fifties and settled in St. Croix county, this state, where was started the village which now bears his name. He farmed and had a saw mill and grist mill. In his saw mill he invented and manufactured the Boardman extension ladder, which became known and used all over the country and which is the model upon which all modern extension ladders are built. He is now dead, and his wife is still living. In the family there were nine children. Ellen is the wife of William Stevens of Glenwood, this state. Stephen C. is secretary and Grant C., head miller, of the New Richmond Roller Mills Co., New Richmond, Wis. John C. is a traveling salesman living at Tacoma, Wash. Isabell is the wife of J. T. Lightfoot, living at Glenwood, Wis. Raymond C. is a business man of Barron, Wis. Samuel C. is a traveling salesman living at Glenwood City.

Raymond C. Boardman, manager of the "Daylight Store," one of the lead- ing business houses of Barron, was born at Boardman, St. Croix county, Wis- consin, Oct. 5, 1876, the son of Clinton A. and Margaret A. (Spence) Boardman, the pioneers. He was reared on a farm in his native village and attended the rural schools there. His first business experience was at the age of seventeen years, when he entered the employ of the Johnson Brothers, in their flouring mill at Boardman. In 1900 he went to Glenwood, in his native county, and became a clerk in the "White Store" there. Here he became thoroughly familiar with all departments of the general mercantile business in a rural community, and was widly regarded as a most excellent salesman of affable bearing, honest dealing, and alert ability. In 1913 he went back to Boardman, and in partnership with Frank P. Davis, conducted a general store for two years. Then he sold out to his partner and moved to Bruce, in Rusk county, where he was employed in the mercantile business. There he became a promi- nent citizen and served with distinction for one term as a member of the village board. But he was constantly hearing of the wonderful progress being made in Barron county and of the possibilities of Barron city as a business center. Accordingly, in 1918 he came to Barron and took charge of his present establishment. His success was apparent from the start. Born in the neigh- boring county he is familiar with rural conditions and the needs of the agricul- tural community, his long experience has rendered him an expert in buying under the most advantageous circumstances and selling at the most reasonable prices. He has the confidence of all with whom he has business dealings; he is well liked by his friends, and as a citizen he stands high. Fraternally, he has been much interested in Masonry and he is now giving good service as secretary of Barron lodge, No. 220, A. F. & A. M. Politically, he is a strong prohibitionist and has lived to see his hopes realized in a dry country and an enfranchised womanhood, the two principal planks of his party platform. He and his wife have a hospitable home, and delight in keeping open house to their friends and their children's friends, and both occupy a pleasant position in the social circles in which they move. Mr. Boardman was married at Glen- wood City, St. Croix county, Wis., to Bessie L. Evans, the daughter of William and Mary (MacGuire) Evans, early settlers of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Boardman have three children: Howard Coit was born at Glenwood, May 8, 1903, and is a graduate of the Barron High school. Marian E. was born

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THOMAS J. THOMPSON

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HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

June 4, 1913, at Boardman, and is now attending the public schools. Helen Virginia was born at Bruce, Jan. 31, 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Boardman are active in the affairs of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Thomas J. Thompson, proprietor of a garage and a Ford sales and service station at Barron, which city he has served six years as mayor, was born on a farm in Green county, Wisconsin, April 22, 1873, son of Andrew and Bertha (Johnson) Thompson. The parents were natives of Norway, whence the mother came to this country in 1868 and the father in 1869. They became acquainted with each other in Green county, Wisconsin, where they were married in June, 1872. In the following year they bought a farm in Polk county and engaged in agriculture. There Mrs. Bertha Thompson died in March, 1911. After his wife's death, Andrew Thompson sold the farm, in 1914, and removed to Cameron, Barron county, where he is now living. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Thompson had ten children: Thomas J., subject of this sketch; Albert, now of Bellfield, N. D .; Melvin, of Ladysmith, Wis .; Edwin, of New Richmond, Wis .; Gena, now Mrs. George Christenson, of Exeland, Wis .; Elmer, of Chippewa Falls; Ida, of Exeland; Mabel, wife of Charles Allen, of Cameron, Barron county; Edna, of Spooner, Wis., and Emma, who died in infancy. Thomas J. Thompson attended common school in Polk county up to the age of fourteen, when he began work as cook in lumber camps in the woods, an occupation which he followed during the cutting season for four years, the rest of the time working on the home farm. Then going to New Richmond, St. Croix county, Wis., he entered the employ of F. L. Bosworth, hardware mer- chant, with whom he remained one year. For two years after that he was in the employ of C. H. Todd, jeweler of the same place, with whom he learned watch repairing. In 1894 he opened a jewelry store at Amery, Polk county, Wis., and conducted it for three years, at the end of which time he moved his stock to Cameron, Barron county, and established a business there. While still residing there he opened another store in Barron in 1898 and one in Bruce, Rusk county, in 1900. The Bruce business he disposed of in 1910 and the Cameron business in January, 1916, while he sold his Barron store and business in 1920. In August, 1916, Mr. Thompson became Ford representative in Barron for the Ford cars, tractors and trucks, also carrying a variety of machinery and implements, such as plows, discs and ensillage cutters; also a full line of tires and automobile parts, his territory extending over a part of Barron county. In 1919 he built a tile garage, 50 by 120 feet in ground dimensions, and in 1921 a modern sales and display room of the same size, with a full base- ment, the building being of one story and solid brick construction. He also for two years operated a Ford sales and service station at Ladysmith, Wis., as a partner in the Thompson & Drake Auto Co., his interest in which he sold to his partner Jan. 1, 1921. March 1, 1921, he bought a garage at Osceola where he operates a Ford garage and sales service. He has already a good trade and is building up a flourishing business. Mr. Thompson is a Mason of high degree, belonging to the Blue lodge, No. 220, in Barron; also to the Chapter at Rice Lake, the Commandery at Chippewa Falls, the Consistory at Milwaukee, Wis., and to Tripoli Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Milwaukee. He also belongs to the Odd Fellows' Lodge in which he has filled the chairs, and the lodges of Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America, Maccabees and Beavers, all in Barron. Politically a Republican, he served the city of Barron as mayor from 1914 to 1920. On Feb. 19, 1896, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage with Ida L. Turner, a native of Polk county, Wisconsin, and daughter of Paul and Charity (Babcock) Turner, later residents of Amery, Wis. The children of this union are as follows: Aurie May, born Dec. 23, 1896, who graduated from the Barron High school and is now Mrs. Clyde Walsh of Barron; Leah Bertine, born Nov. 3, 1902, who graduated from the Barron High school; Fern Marie, born April 27, 1907, who is a student in the high school; Sidney Thomas, born Feb. 18, 1900, who died in infancy, and Wayne Vernon, born Sept. 15, 1910. Mr. Thompson was reared in the Lutheran

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faith, but he and his family are now affiliated with the Episcopal church in Barron.

Nels O. Strand, a well known and respected citizen of Barron where he is living, retired after a career devoted chiefly to mercantile pursuits, was born in the eastern part of Norway Nov. 10, 1861, son of Ole and Hendricka (Jensen) Strand. The father died in 1862, the year after the birth of his son Nels, and the mother in 1891. They had ten children, of whom six are now living, including Jens O., the eldest, who is still in Norway. The other sur- vivors, who are all in Menomonie, Wis., except Nels, are: Andrew O., Ole O., Anna O. (wife of B. O. Gordon), Nieoline O. (wife of Martin Quarum), and Nels O., of Barron. Those who are deceased are: Martha, who died in Norway; Nels, who was drowned in Norway; Kari, who was the wife of Ole Loken of Menomonie, and John O., who resided in Abercrombie, N. D. Nels O. Strand, who acquired his education in the common schools in his native land, came to America in his nineteenth year, locating at Menomonie, Wis., where he entered the employ of the Knapp-Stout Lumber Co. The first winter he spent in camp north of Almena, Barron county, but remained with the lumber company only a year, after which for three years he was in the employ of a meat com- pany in Menomonie. He then became a partner in the firm of Strand Bros., continuing as such up to 1888, when he sold his interest to his brother Andrew and became a partner with H. C. Nelson in the firm of Nelson & Strand, meat dealers, at Rice Lake, where he remained until 1897. Then selling his interest to Mr. Nelson, Mr. Strand returned to Menomonie and engaged alone in the jewelry business, being thus occupied until 1900, when he sold out and on January 1, that year, came to Barron. Here he bought a half interest in a mercantile business with K. E. Thompson with whom he was associated until 1907, in the summer of which year the firm closed out their mercantile business and devoted themselves to the buying and packing of leaf tobacco, which for some time previous had been a branch of their general business. Of this Mr. Strand had full charge up to 1912 when the business was closed out. Mr. Strand then bought tobacco for the A. Husse Co. of Chicago (buyers) until the fall of 1918 when he retired after acquiring a competence, except that he occasionally handles real estate. He is a stockholder and director in the First National Bank of Barron and owns a good residence in the city. Mr. Strand was married July 10, 1900, to Marien Barbo, who was born in the northern part of Norway, Dec. 21, 1871, daughter of Andrew and Ingre (Oium) Barbo. Mr. and Mrs. Strand are the parents of two children: Olaf Archibald, born Nov. 30, 1902, who is a graduate of the Barron High school, and Lenore Harriett, born Dec. 12, 1916. Mr. Strand is a Republican in politics, and he and his family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church, which he has served as treasurer for the last eight years. Mrs. Strand came to this country with her parents when a babe, the family settling in Menomonie, Wis., in 1880. From there they moved to North Dakota. Both parents are now deceased. In addition to their daughter Marien, they had a son Albert R., born in Menomonie, who died April 12, 1920. The death of Andrew Barbo, Mrs. Strand's father, occurred April 12, 1920, and that of Mrs. Barbo Oct. 9, 1919.

Otto Berg, retired saw mill man and merchant of Barron, was born in Norway, Sept. 16, 1841, son of Martin and Martha (Lee) Berg, who spent their lives in Norway, the former dying in 1886 and the latter in 1885. Otto Berg received his education in Norway, and there clerked in a store until 1868. In that year he came to America and settled in Iowa, the next year he located in Wisconsin and with headquarters in Chippewa county worked in saw mills and in the woods. In 1878 he started a general store at Bloomer, Wis. He built a sawmill at Hawthorn, Wis., in 1880, and two years later one at Lake Newbagmer. It was in 1902 that he came to Barron and under the firm name of Berg Brothers & Company erected a building and opened a depart- ment store, which he conducted until 1918. In that year he bought the flour

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HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

mill at Barron which he operated for two years, after which he sold to the city of Barron. He helped to organize the First National Bank of Barron of which he is now vice-president. It is interesting to note that Mr. Berg has made no less than six trips to Norway, thus crossing the ocean thirteen times. At one time he owned 1,800 acres of timber land in that country. He has also been the owner of considerable real estate in Barron county, including two good farms. Mr. Berg is one of those men who have gained success in life entirely by their own efforts. Starting his career as a poor boy he has worked hard and by native ability, shrewdness and application has established for himself a position as a leader among his fellow men. He is a useful citizen in every respect and is highly regarded by all who know him. Mr. Berg was married Oct. 20, 1872, to Mary Johnson, who was born in Norway Oct. 20, 1854, daughter of Hans and Mary Johnson, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Berg have two children: Herman, born June 6, 1875, who now lives in St. Louis, Mo., and Martin, born June 2, 1881, who is in the automobile business in Barron.

George A. Garret, manager of the Lampert Lumber company's plant at Barron, Wisconsin, assumed charge of their plant March 15, 1916, coming here from Courtenay, N. D. The Lampert Lumber company operate 85 yards, five of which are in Wisconsin, three in Barron county, viz .: Barron, Rice Lake and Dallas. They handle a general line of building materials and the con- cern is one of the largest and most important in Barron. Mr. Garrett has gained a local reputation as a good business man and useful citizen. Politic- ally he is a Republican with independent tendencies. His fraternal affilia- tions are with Masonic Blue Lodge, Barron No. 220; Pekegema Chapter No. 67, R. A. M., of Rice Lake, Wis., and the Knight Templars of Spooner, Wis. He owns a modern residence on Fifth street in what is known as the Krahenbuhl Addition to the City of Barron. Mr. Garrett was married Nov. 6, 1907, to Minnie M. Knight of Wessington Springs, S. D. Mrs. Garrett is a Past Worthy Matron of the Barron Chapter of the Eastern Star, also a member of Chapter D., P. E. O., of Wessington Springs, S. D.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 15

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

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