History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 155

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

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Nels Tyni, who started the farm in section 7, Arland Township that is now operated by his son, John, was born in Finland, Sept. 11, 1862. He attended school in his native land and afterwards engaged in farm labor, at which he continued until 1884. He then emigrated to Canada, landing at Quebec, where he resided for three years engaged in railroad work. In 1887 he settled in Iron County, Mich., where he made his home until 1896, being employed in the iron mines. At the end of that period he came to Barron County and bought 80 acres of wild land in section 7, Arland Township, on which he erected a set of log buildings, of which the house is still standing. He then began the work of clearing his land, but could only devote a part of his time to it, as to earn a living he was obliged to cut cordwood, which he shipped to various places. During three years he cut several hundred cords. In 1899, becoming discouraged with the slow progress he had made, Mr. Tyni went back to Iron County, Mich., and again took up work in the mines, remain- ing there until 1904. He then returned to Barron County and again took up his residence on his farm, but his life was near its end, and on Feb. 5, 1905, he passed away. Mr. Tyni was married July 31, 1892, at Mansfield, Mich., to Elizabeth Lamme, who was born in Finland, July 8, 1871, and came to America in 1890. Their family circle was enlarged by the birth of seven children: John, born July 10, 1893; Hilda, born Oct. 27, 1894, now Mrs. Peter Branson of Minneapolis; Velma, born July 26, 1896, also residing in Minneapolis; Ina, born April 28, 1899; Nels, born April 19, 1901; Esther, born Nov. 19, 1902, and George, born April 19, 1905. After her husband's death Mrs. Tyni carried on the farm as best she could with the assistance of her son, John, then but twelve years old. A few years later, having gained strength and experience, he became the active manager, which he still remains. Forty-five acres of the land are now cleared and broken, and in 1916 he and his mother rebuilt the house and erected a barn 36 by 60 feet. They keep Holstein cattle, with a pure bred sire, and the farm is now being conducted on a paying basis. The family worships at the Finnish Synod Church in Arland Township. John Tyni is a popular member of the M. W. A. Camp at Almena.

Edward F. Klein, a prosperous farmer and active business man of Arland Township, residing on section 36, is a native of Wisconsin, having been born in Freedom Township, Sauk County, Sept. 14, 1884, son of Karl and Lena (Timme) Klein. Both parents were natives of Germany. Karl Klein, the father, who came to this country sixty years ago, first located in Pittsburg, where he found work in a foundry. After remaining there five years he came

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MR. AND MRS. PETER CROGAN MR. AND MRS. OLE LANGERUD

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to Wisconsin and bought 91 acres of land in Sauk County. It was situated in the woods and was 30 miles from the nearest railroad. After clearing it he bought a tract of 160 acres, which he also cleared. His first house in the woods was constructed of logs after the pioneer custom, but later, after he had made some progress on the road to prosperity, he built a larger and better one, which was a frame building. He followed general farming and dairying in Sauk County until 1911, in which year he and his wife retired and have since made their home in Baraboo, Wis. Mr. Klein has been twice mar- ried, but lost his first wife as the result of an accident, as she died from the effects of burns. By her he had three children, Louis, Charles and Augusta. He was united to his present wife, Lena Timme, in Sauk County, and the result of this union has been ten children, of whom seven are now living, namely : Otto, George, Bertha, Lena, Henry, Anna and Edward F. Bertha is the wife of Fred Schoephoester of Arkansas. Lena is the wife of George Luck of North Freedom, Wis. Henry resides in Detroit. Anna is the wife of Herman Mueller of Baraboo, Wis. Edward F. Klein as a boy attended rural school in Sauk County and helped his father on the farm. To supplement his country education, he went to La Crosse, where he attended business college for a year, studying bookkeeping. He then went to Pittsburg, where he held a position as bookkeeper for about a year. At the end of that time he returned home and rented his parents' farm, which he operated for two years, or until 1910, when he came to Barron County. Here he bought 40 acres in Maple Grove Township, half a mile from Hillsdale, but a year and a half later he traded that in part payment for his present farm of 130 acres in Section 36, Arland Township, of which 35 acres were cleared. He has since increased the cleared area to 75 acres. The present house and barn were on the place when it came into his possession, but he has made improvements by remodel- ing the house, and putting in running water and gas lights. Mr. Klein is suc- cessfully engaged in general farming and dairying, having a herd of 25 high bred and pure bred cattle with a pure bred sire at the head. Aside from his agricultural activities, he helped to build the Four-Town cheese factory and was one of its promoters and its first manager. He is a stockholder in the Hillsdale cheese factory, also in the Consumers' store of Barron and in the Prairie Farm Telephone Co. He is a member of the Holstein Breeders Asso- ciation of Barron County and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His religious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Hillsdale. Mr. Klein was married June 10, 1908, at Madison, Wis., to Ida Grub, daughter of Phillip and Dora (Klip) Grub. The father was from Pennsylvania and the mother a native of Wisconsin. They became farmers in Sauk County, this state, where they are still living. They have had four children, of whom the three now living are: Mary, who married Martin Stephenson of Maple Grove Township; William, who is on the home farm, and Ida, wife of Edward F. Klein. The one who died was Fred. Mr. and Mrs. Klein are the parents of two children, Jeanette and Edward, both living at home. They have also an adopted son, Leo, and had an adopted daughter, Katherine, who married Elmer Irish and now resides in Rockford, Ill. Mrs. Klein is a graduate of the Baraboo High School and before her marriage was for several years a successful teacher in the schools of Sauk County.

Peter Crogan, an early pioneer, of Section 34, Arland Township, was born in Norway, Nov. 17, 1836, attended school, and learned farming. He married Mary Aan, who was born in that country, May 17, 1836. They came to America in 1856 and located in Pierce County, this state, among the earliest pioneers. There they settled on a piece of wild land, and developed a good farm. In 1871 he sold out there and came to Barron County and settled on 160 acres of land in Section 34, Arland Township. There were then almost no settlers here. No roads had been built, the trading and marketing points were far away. Provisions had to be brought in on the settlers' backs. Mr. Crogan built a cabin in the wilderness and started to clear up the land. For some years he

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continued to work part of the time in sawmills and in the woods to get enough to support his family. He cleared up 20 acres of his homestead and got the place well started. In 1893 he sold the place to his son-in-law, Ole Langerud, and continued to make his home with him until his death, Sept. 18, 1904. His wife died Oct. 15, 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Crogan had two children. Bertha is dead. Anna is the wife of Ole Langerud.

Ole Langerud, an influential citizen of Section 34, was born in Norway, Feb. 22, 1865, the son of Thor and Mary Herbrandson Langerud, the former of whom is dead, and the latter of whom still lives in Norway. He received his education in his native land, and as a young man did farm labor there. He came to America in June, 1884, landed at Philadelphia, and came directly to Menomonie, Wis., where he entered the employ of Knapp, Stout & Co., by whom he was employed three years in Downsville and Cedar Falls. In 1887 he came to Rice Lake, this county. In the summer of 1893 he went to Norway for a visit, remaining until fall. Upon his return he bought 80 acres in Sec- tion 34, Arland Township, to which he added eighty more, thus constituting his present farm. He has put up a sightly modern home, a commodious barn, and other buildings, and has cleared about 70 acres. He has a well improved place, and successfully carries on general farming and dairying. His cattle are Guernseys, his herd being headed by a full blooded sire. Mr. Langerud may well be called a prominent man .. He has real influence in the community, his worth and work are respected, he is liked by all, and is in every way a good and useful citizen. He was married in Prairie Farm Township, Nov. 16, 1895, to Anna Crogan, who was born on Oct. 16, 1873, daughter of Peter and Mary (Aan) Crogan. This union has been blessed with a fine family of ten chil- dren: Mary was born Feb. 20, 1897; Peter, Jan. 31, 1899; Thora, Jan. 4, 1901; Bertha, Dec. 30, 1902; Harold, Feb. 15, 1905; Henry, May 13, 1907; Alfred, Jan. 27, 1910; Helen, June 20, 1912; Anna, Jan. 31, 1915; and Einar, April 20, 1919. Anna died in infancy.

Erick Gilseth, one of the earliest settlers of Chetek Township, was born in Norway, Aug. 28, 1836, and was there reared and educated. He married Mary Bordahl, who was born in the same country, Feb. 16, 1837. They came to America in 1867, and located in Menomonie, Dunn County, this state, where they lived for about a year. In 1869 they came to Barron County where he homesteaded 160 acres in Section 3, Chetek Township. Much of this early work was done in company with Severt Solum, his neighbor and brother-in- law. They helped each other build their cabins, and shared an ox in getting their land cleared. Those were the pioneer days of the county's development, comforts were few and luxuries unknown. There was often a lack of the real necessities. There were no roads, no schools, no churches. The trip to Chippewa Falls for provisions had to be made afoot, through trees and brush and swamps, and over creeks and rivers. But as the years passed, hard work had its reward, and prosperity crowned their efforts. Mr. Gilseth added to his land until he owned 280 acres. He became one of the substantial and solid men of the community, and served with credit as assessor of the township. He was interested in the establishment and growth of the Norwegian Lutheran Church at Chetek and served as one of its trustees. After a long and useful life, he died in 1911 at the age of 75 years. His good wife died in 1907 at the age of seventy.

John P. Gilseth, a representative farmer of Section 3, was born Oct. 31, 1872, the son of Erick and Mary (Bordahl) Gilseth, early settlers. His natal place was a half a mile east of his present home, in a shack built of poplar poles, with a dirt floor and a shake roof. That was in the early days of the county's growth, the nearest schoolhouse was three miles away, and to reach it, young John P. had to travel the pathless woods. In addition to the diffi- culty of getting to school, his help was needed at home, so he received but little early education, although he has always been a great reader and has kept himself well informed on the topics of the day. He learned farming from

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his father, and as a youth started working in the logging woods, an occupa- tion which he followed for nine consecutive winters. At the age of twenty- one he took over the home farm. He has continued the improvements, and in- creased his land holdings to 200 acres. The house has been renovated and improved, and a good barn, 36 by 92 feet, with a lean-to, 26 by 45 feet, and other smaller buildings constructed. Mr. Gilseth is an energetic man who believes that anything that is worth doing is worth doing well, and he bends his best energies to his work, with the result that he is already well along the road to success. He is a stockholder in Chetek Co-operative Store and the Chetek Co-operative Creamery. He was married July 6, 1901 to Sarah Berg, who was born in Norway, Jan. 24, 1873, daughter of Joseph and Carrie Berg, who came to the United States with their four children in 1878, locating in Chippewa County, and a year later coming to Chetek Township, where they took a homestead in the woods, and here spent the remainder of their lives, both being now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Gilseth have two children, Elmer and Cora, both at home. Elmer was born Aug. 3, 1903, and Cora was born Sept. 28, 1905.

Robert Hayes, now deceased, was for many years one of the solid, sub- stantial men of Chetek Township, and had a good influence on all with whom he came in contact. He was a hard working man, who took his greatest inter- est in his home and in his family, and ever gave his first thought to his wife and children. He developed a fine place from the wilderness, and by toil and application coupled with shrewdness and good judgment, won a full measure of success. He was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, March 1, 1853, and as a young man came to Wisconsin and worked in the woods. He was married in Chippewa Falls, this state, May 20, 1886, to Elenora Rutherford, who was born in County Armagh, Ireland, June 11, 1854. They started homemaking on a farm at Eagle Point, Chippewa Falls, this state. At that time Barron County was developing from a wilderness, and the young couple determined to cast their fortunes here. Accordingly in 1889, with their baby, Carl, they located on eighty acres of wild land in Chetek Township, beautifully located on the banks of Lake Pokegema. They moved into the log cabin that stood on the place, and started clearing up the land. For many seasons he spent his winters in the lumber woods to secure funds to support his family. In time, he put up a good set of buildings, brought his land under cultivation, erected neat fences, and purchased a full line of tools, implements and ma- chinery. After a long and busy life, filled with busy work, he died Feb. 2, 1918, and his death was sincerely mourned by all who knew him. His good wife, who was his able helpmeet in all his endeavors, died May 17, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes were the parents of three children: Carl, Pearl and Arthur. Carl farms in Chetek Township. Pearl and Arthur operate the home farm. All three stand well in the community, and are recognized as successful, mod- ern and energetic young people. Pearl and Arthur are continuing the im- provements made by their father, and have a well developed place.

Ole Hagna, a successful farmer of Section 3, Chetek, was born in Nor- way, Dec. 20, 1871, the son of Ellef and Margaret Hagna, who lived all their lives in the old country. In the family there were seven children: Olaf, Am- brose, Turgrim, Johanes, Ole and John. Ambrose and Turgrim came to the United States in the eighties and located in Iowa. In 1886 came John, Ole and Johanes. The subject of this sketch was educated in Norway. Upon com- ing to the United States he stopped at Iola, in Waupaca County, Wis., one year and then came to Barron County and worked on farms near Cameron. Then he located on the farm in Section 5, Stanley Township, where his brother John Hagna now lives. In 1901 he sold his farm to his brother, John, and purchased his present farm of 80 acres in Section 3, Chetek Township. He first moved into a log cabin which stood on the place. Then he erected a good set of buildings. To the original purchase he has added 80 more, so that he now owns 160 acres. He is continuing to improve and develop this farm,

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Jacob Johnson, an influential citizen of Section 15, east, Chetek Township, was born in Denmark, Jan. 1, 1852, the son of Paul and Bodel (Anderson) Johnson, and was there reared and educated. From boyhood up, he has been known as "Jack". He was brought to Winnebago County, this state, by his parents in 1867, and to Chetek Township, this county, in 1870. He was then a sturdy youth of eighteen, and for several years he worked hard helping his parents develop their homestead. When he reached his majority, he home- steaded 160 acres adjoining, and while still living at home, started its devel- opment. Later he established his home on the place and here he has since lived. He erected a good home, 18 by 26 and 16 by 24, a barn 28 by 60 feet with a lean-to, 16 by 60 feet, and other suitable buildings, and after he got the land fairly well cleaned up, he added 40 acres more. On this place he suc- cessfully carried on farming for many years. In addition to his farm hold- ings, he is a stockholder in the Chetek State Bank, the Chetek Farmers' Store Co., and the Chetek Opera House Association. Believing in making rural life as attractive as possible, he was one of those interested in starting the Farmers' Store, and was active in the building of the opera house. In town affairs he has taken an active interest, and has served in various offices in- cluding that of assessor. He has done most excellent service as a member of the school board of his district for some thirty-five years. All in all, he is a useful citizen, he has done his part in the progress of the community, and he is held in the highest regard by all who know him. Mr. Johnson was married Oct. 5, 1890, to Martha Olson, who was born in Norway, July 25, 1871, the daughter of Andrea Olson. She came to the United States with her brother, Olaf, at the age of fifteen. After a useful and faithful life she died May 30, 1918, and her death was sincerely mourned. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson had six children : Albert, Fred, Clara, Edith, Mabel and William. Albert is farming on the home place. Fred is farming in Chetek Township. Clara is the wife of O. B. Orpheim, of Eau Claire, Wis. Edith is the wife of C. E. Robinson of Bloomer, Wis. Mabel died at the age of seventeen. William is farming in Chetek Township.

Albert Johnson, an industrious farmer of Section 15, east, Chetek Town- ship, was born on the place where he now lives, June 8, 1891, the son of Jacob and Martha (Olson) Johnson. He was reared on the home place, and learned farming from his father. As a boy he received a thorough grounding in the fundamentals in the district schools, then attended the Chetek High School, and subsequently took a commercial course in the Superior Business College at Superior, Wis. As he grew older he took over the management of the home place. He is continuing the improvements and developments made by his father, is carrying on general farming and dairying, and making a specialty of Holstein cattle, Percheron horses and Poland China swine. His educational advantages have caused him to be called on for considerable public service. In township affairs he has been assessor two years, and in the school district he has been treasurer five years. He is secretary and treasurer of the Chetek Holstein Breeders' Association, and treasurer of the Moose Ear Cheese Co. On Aug. 2, 1918, he was inducted into the United States service, served five months in the 9th Company, Third Battalion, at Camp Taylor, Kentucky, and was discharged Dec. 18, 1918. Mr. Johnson was mar- ried on May 11, 1918, at Chetek, to Yerda Carlson, the daughter of Emil and Elizabeth Carlson. Mrs. Johnson was born at Waukegan, Ill., on March 3, 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have had one daughter, Ruth, now deceased.

Charles H. Ling has developed an excellent farm in Section 25, east, Chetek Township, from what a few years ago was a wilderness. He has taken pride in its appearance, and the sightly house with its evergreen hedge, the neat appearing barns, the well-kept fences, and the carefully cultivated acres, all testify to his good taste, his industry, and the fidelity with which he has labored. He was born in Cheektowaga, Erie County, New York, Oct. 13, 1854, the son of Jasper and Sophia (Cramer) Ling. He lost his mother

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when he was young, his father married again, and he was early left to shift for himself. As a young man he came west and located at Benton, now Zion City, Ill. After being there for a while, he joined an emigrant party, and went on a trip through Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Then he re- turned to Benton again, and there worked for a few years. After his mar- riage in 1881, he operated rented farms for sixteen years. In 1897 he pur- chased a farm in Clark County, Iowa. Eight years later, on April 1, 1905, he came to Barron County, and bought 80 acres of land in Chetek Township, to which he has since added forty acres more. A house had then been erected, and some of the land had been cleared. But the house was a shabby affair, with trodden dirt for a floor, and with an old-fashioned latch string for a door knob. He set to work with a will and built up a good place, and has suc- ceeded most admirably. He has a good set of buildings where stood the old house, and a fine silo which was the first to be built in this region. A beau- tiful lawn takes the place of the stretch of brush which was in front of the old house, and as mentioned, a hedge of fir adds much beauty to the whole appearance. He here carries on general farming and dairying, and has a fine herd of pure blooded Jersey cattle. He believes that any industry that is worth embarking in at all, is worthy of one's best care and attention, and that he fully practices this theory is shown by that fact that although his Plymouth Rock chickens are only a sideline, he sold over $300 worth of eggs and chickens during the year of 1920. His business holdings include stock in the Co-operative Mercantile Co., and in the Farmers Co-operative Creamery, both at Chetek. Mr. Ling was married at Bristol, Kenosha County, Wisconsin, Sept. 18, 1881, to Mary A. White, who was born in Newport, Ill., March 24, 1863, the daughter of John and Agnes (Taylor) White. This union has been blessed with two children: Maude is now Mrs. Carl Hayes of Chetek Town- ship. Clarence is with his father.

Clarence Ling, working with his father on Section 25, east, Chetek Town- ship, was born Nov. 7, 1884, in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, grew to manhood and attended school there, and has always remained with his father. He is one of the well known men of the region, takes his part in the public and social affairs of the community, and is regarded as one of the useful citizens of the neighborhood. He was married May 30, 1915 to Helma G. Worden, who was born in Hawthorne, Wis., Oct. 18, 1892, daughter of Charles and Matilda (Dalton) Worden, both natives of Wisconsin, the latter of whom died at the age of thirty, and the former of whom lives in this vicinity. Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Ling have four bright children: Charles Henry, Harold Asa, Jessie May and Alice Louise.

John Hiber, who is carrying on a profitable farming and dairying busi- ness in Arland Township, was born in Luxembourg, Feb. 15, 1879, son of Nicholas and Catherine (Hubert) Hiber, now deceased. John came to the United States in 1887, landing at New York, accompanied by his sisters, Mary and Lena, and going directly to St. Paul, where they took up their residence with an uncle, Peter Nickels. There John attended school, and, in fact, se- cured most of his education. Afterwards he worked for his uncle on a dairy farm near St. Paul, remaining in his employ until 1902. He paid his first visit to Barron County in 1896. In 1902 he began his career as a farmer here, buying 60 acres in Section 10, Arland Township. He has since brushed the entire tract and broken 15 acres. In 1921, he erected a sightly modern home of eight rooms, and equipped with hot air furnace and running water. It is built of tile, and stuccoed with Kelley stone. His other buildings are also commodious and well suited to their purpose. He has a good herd of graded Holstein cattle headed by a full blooded sire, and his farm equipment in tools, implements and machinery is excellent. Mr. Hiber is one of the leaders in his community, and is interested in everything that has for its object the betterment of farming conditions in the county. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Co-operative Creamery at Barron, the Farmers Co-operative Store

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MR. AND MRS. JOHN HIBER

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at Poskin, and the Hillsdale & Western Telephone Co. All in all he is a suc- cessful, active and useful man, well liked and highly respected, and favorably regarded throughout the community. He is a member of the Catholic Church at Almena. He was married Feb. 28, 1911, to Elizabeth (Weber) Miller, widow of Peter Miller. She was born Aug. 8, 1877, daughter of Matthew and Katherine (Bidinger) Weber, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hiber are the parents of five children: Michael, born Dec. 25, 1911; Magdeline, March 9, 1914; John B., Aug. 19, 1916; Nicholas, Sept. 19, 1917, and Edward, Oct. 11, 1920. By her first husband, Peter Miller, Mrs. Hiber has four children living: Joseph, born Aug. 17, 1900, now in Hampton, Minn .; Albert, born May 29, 1903; John, born April 10, 1905, and Peter, born Jan. 13, 1908.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 155

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

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