History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 157

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 157

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).

Digitized by Google

933

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

set of buildings and has devoted his time to developing the farm and carrying on general agricultural operations and dairying, a specialty being made of a good dairy herd of Holsteins. A well informed man himself and the father of children, Mr. Wear is a believer in a sound education, and has served with credit as a member of the school board. Mr. Wear was married at Springbrook, Wis., on Nov. 24, 1902, to Daisy Blanche Correll, who was born in Nebraska, March 23, 1887, daughter of James and Jane Correll. Mr. and Mrs. Wear have three fine boys: Lloyd, born' June 18, 1904; Fred, born Dec. 3, 1905; and Edward, born Sept. 9, 1911. James Correll and his wife went from Indiana to Nebraska in the early days, became homesick, went back to Indiana, lived there for a while, and then started out again and located in Washburn County, this state, where they still live.

Fred De Wolf Wright, a representative and substantial citizen, farming 56 acres in section 24, Chetek Township, not far from the city limits, has been identified with both the agricultural and creamery interests of this state. He and his family stand high in the community, they have a pleasant home, are people of genial and sociable disposition and delight in keeping open house for their friends. He was born in Forrestville, N. Y., July 4, 1865, son of Francis C. and Alvina (West) Wright, natives of New York state who came to Dane County in the sixties and secured a farm of 276 acres in Medina Town- ship, where they spent the remainder of their lives. In his family there were four children: Charles (deceased), Edgar M. (deceased), Fred DeWolf of Chetek Township; and Zina L. of Oshkosh, Wis. By a second marriage Francis C. Wright had another son, Donald F., who is still on the home farm. Fred DeWolf was a little over three years of age when his mother died, and he was taken to New York state, where he lived with his grandparents three years. Then he came back to Wisconsin and was reared on the home farm. He devoted much of his young manhood to farming. While still living at home he learned the creamery business, and for some years operated creameries in various parts of the state. In 1904 he gave up the creamery business and devoted all his time to farming in Dane County. He came to his present place in 1912. He has renovated the house, put an addition on the barn and erected a silo, swine house, granary, corn crib, garage and other buildings. He successfully car- ries on general farming and makes a specialty of dairying. His holdings include stock in the Chetek Co-operative Mercantile Co. Mr. Wright was married Jan. 3, 1899, to Annie Chute, who was born at Whiterock, Republic County, Kans., Aug. 25, 1880, daughter of William Alonzo and Catherine Elizabeth (Maxwell) Chute, natives respectively of Maine and Illinois. Mrs. Wright has one brother, William Edson Chute, of Madison, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Wright have one son, William Francis, born in Dane County, Dec. 24, 1899, and now living at home.

Thomas Owen, homesteader, section 32, Chetek Township, was born in England and was there reared. As a young man, he married Mary Price, also a native of that country. He brought his wife and two children, Emma and Charles, to this country in 1871 and located in Ohio. From there they came to Wisconsin and located in Columbia County. In the late seventies they came to Barron County and homesteaded 160 acres in section 32, Chetek Township. Here he built a frame house and started farming with a yoke of oxen. The land was all wild, there were no highways except the lumber roads and set- tlers' trails, the best trading points were Rice Lake and Menomonie, and the condition of the trails were often such that the trip for provisions often had to be made afoot. The farm could not be made productive for several years, and Mr. Owen had to work for Knapp, Stout & Co. at Chetek Lake, to support the family. As time passed he prospered, and with the aid of his family built up a good place. In his advancing years he was much troubled with asthma, so he and his wife moved to Fort Morgan, Colo., where he died in 1909 and where his wife still lives. In addition to the children named they had six

Digitized by Google

934

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

children born in the United States: Liza, Mary, William Henry, Guy, Ray and Leon.

William Henry Owen, a well known farmer of section 3, west, Chetek Township, was born near Portage, Columbia County, Wis., Jan. 29, 1877, the son of Thomas and Mary (Rice) Owen, who brought him to section 32, this township, as an infant. He was reared here, attended the district schools and assisted his father in developing the place. As a young man he purchased 80 acres of the home place and erected a good set of buildings. There he farmed for several years, first making a specialty of Jersey cattle, and then gradually changing to Holsteins. In 1910 he purchased his present place of 115 acres in section 3, west. Here he carries on general farming and dairying on a suc- cessful scale. In public life he believes in doing his duty as a citizen in every way, and has served for nine years as a member of the school board of his district. Mr. Owen was married Jan. 1, 1899, at Dallas, to Mina Cotting- ton, who was born in Dallas Township, this county, on Jan. 18, 1879, the daughter of J. P. and Lavina (Stillick) Cottington, who came from Sauk County to Barron County in 1868, and located on 160 acres of wild land in Dallas Township. The country was then a wilderness, the only marks of civilization being here and there a lumber camp, and at long distances a cabin or two of the settlers. Indians still ranged the region, wild animals were plentiful, and at some seasons of the year deer were so tame that they could be shot from the cabin door. Mr. Cottington was a prominent man, did good service on the school board, and justice of the peace for over twenty years. In his latter life he retired and moved to Dallas Village where he died at the age of 76, his wife having died at the age of 59 years. Mr. and Mrs. Owen had six children: Eva is a teacher and is teaching in the same district in Dallas in which her mother was both a scholar and a teacher. Stanley, Violet, Ethelyn, William and Robert are at home. Violet and Ethelyn are taking high school studies and William and Robert are in the district school. Stanley is a member of Headquarters Company, Chetek, First Infantry, W. N. G.

Samuel Calhoun, a progressive farmer of section 21, east, Chetek Town- ship, ranking well in the foremost among the leading men of this vicinity, has had long experience in the development of this part of the state, both in its lumbering and agricultural aspects. He was born near New Brunswick, Can- ada, July 15, 1850, seventh of the nine children of Andrew and Rachael (Campbell) Calhoun, who were born in the north of Ireland, came to Canada as young people, were married in New Brunswick, settled on a farm there and there spent the remainder of their lives. Samuel had a deeply beloved twin brother, Charles, who as a young man went west to the state of Washington, and there lived until his death. The subject of this sketch was reared in New Brunswick, attended school and learned farming from his father. In 1871 he went to Maine and there worked in the lumber woods and on river drives. In 1872 he came to Eau Claire, this state, and became identified with the lumber industry in the employ of the Weyerhauser interests. His promotion was rapid. The second year he was made a cruiser and estimator, and before long he was made a head woodsman, or "walking boss." In all, he remained in the lumber business for twenty-five years, working in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and becoming one of the best known men in his line in the Northwest. In 1875 he homesteaded 160 acres of wild land in section 21, east, Chetek Township, on which he located permanently in 1888. In 1878 he erected what was then considered the best farmhouse in Barron County. This was built of clear timber, which was then sold at $10 a thousand feet, but which would now cost possibly $125 and would be hard to get even at that price. Other build- ings have been put up as necessity has required until there are now included within the set, a large barn, 100 by 40 feet; an inside barn, 14 by 34 feet; an outside barn, 16 by 42 feet; two silos, a granary, a sheep shed, and numerous other structures. When he started farming here, only a few acres had been broken, his supply of tools and implements were small and his farm animals

Digitized by Google

SAMUEL CALHOUN AND FAMILY

Digitized by

Google

Digitized by

Google

935

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

consisted of three cows. He now has one of the best cultivated farms in the neighborhood, with its broad acres well tilled and neatly fenced and equipped with a full line of implements and machinery. It now contains 400 acres. He has a fine herd of over 100 Guernsey cattle, good Percheron horses, full blooded Chester White swine, and a good collection of poultry. Mr. Calhoun has done considerable public service which is of permanent and lasting benefit. One of the things for which he is honored is his work in connection with Lake View Cemetery. He worked hard for its establishment, he laid it out in a sightly manner, he assisted in neatly fencing it and he has done much toward its improvement and development, all his services being donated as an act of affection to the departed and respect for the living. He was chair- man of the township four years, and during this period the steel bridge was erected across the "Narrows" between the lakes, a notable improvement in- deed. He was also assessor for a while. He has served a number of years as a member of the school board of district No. 8, and had an important part in the building of the brick schoolhouse, at the time of its construction one of the best rural school buildings in the county. He is fraternally affiliated with Chetek Lodge, No. 277, A. F. & A. M., and he and his family attend the Pres- byterian Church. Mr. Calhoun was married March 14, 1888, in his own house in Chetek Township to Minnie Miller, who was born in Columbia County, this state, Jan. 12, 1868, daughter of Robert and Margaret (Henry) Miller. Her parents were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ulster, Ireland, who came to America as young people. Mr. and Mrs. Miller came to Barron County in 1876, farmed here for a number of years and for a while managed the Barron County poor farm. They spent their last years in Chetek, where he died at the age of 58 and she at the age of 70. In the family there were two children : Ida, wife of Frank Elwood of Deronda, Polk County, this state, and Minnie, the wife of Samuel Calhoun of Chetek Township. Mr. and Mrs. Cal- houn have four children : Archie H., born June 1, 1889, now in the meat busi- ness in Chetek; Wallace M., born Oct. 25, 1892, now farming on the home farm; Cecil C., born April 15, 1896, who resides at home, and Hazel M., born Dec. 23, 1898, who is a proficient teacher.

Emun P. Freiberg, a representative and highly respected citizen of section 10, east, Chetek Township, was born in Sweden and was there reared and educated. As a young man, he married. He came to America in the eighties, bringing his wife and child, and was without funds when he finally reached Chetek, in this county, where they took up their abode with Ole Dahl- gren, who was farming nearby in Chetek Township. He then set to work cutting wood to earn a little money, laboring in the woods, in all, for eleven winters. In the meantime, as soon as he was able to make a small payment, he bought 160 acres in section 10, east, Chetek Township, moved his family into a log cabin found standing on the place and started cutting off the timber. He had but little in the way of tools and implements and nothing in the way of domestic stock. Soon, however, he got a cow and in time acquired a yoke of oxen. Thus, little by little, he forged ahead, and in time became one of the substantial men of the community. Of the original tract of 160 acres, he sold forty acres and later he added twenty acres, so that he now has a well tilled place of 140 acres. He has erected a good house and other buildings, drilled a well and installed a windmill and made the usual improvements. On this place he conducts general farming and dairying. He and his family are liberal in their support of the Swedish Lutheran Church at Chetek. Mr. Freiberg was married in Sweden in May, 1885, to Carolina Abrahamson, who was born in that county, April 20, 1859, the daughter of Abraham Swenson. Albert, the child born in Sweden, died in 1915. Maude, born in this township, is the wife of Elmer Krier, son of A. W. Krier of Sumner Township, this county. Louis, born in this township, is still at home.

Elwin E. Taft, a representative farmer of section 14, east, Chetek Town- ship, was born in New York state, Feb. 10, 1866, the son of Elisha and Elsie

Digitized by Google

936

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

(Bailey) Taft, pioneers, who brought him to Grundy County, Iowa, as a small boy, and to Chetek Township in 1875. As a boy he attended the district schools and helped on the home farm. As a young man he worked several seasons in the pineries. He remained at home until his marriage in 1892. Then he and his wife took up their home at Lehigh, in Sumner Township, where he worked in a sawmill. From there he moved to Rice Lake and lived for a short time. Then he settled on his present farm of 160 acres which he had purchased in 1889. He moved into a log cabin built by Alexander Hilton, the original claim- ant, and started clearing up the place. There he successfully farmed until 1900. Then the buildings were destroyed by fire. After this disaster he moved to Ladysmith, in Rusk County, this state, and there he did teaming and mill work for twelve years. In 1912 he returned to his farm. He put up a fine residence and a good complement of barns and other buildings. He has named the place the "Oak Grove Farm." He maintains a hospitable home, his place is a sightly one, the land is well tilled and well fenced and the equipment is excellent. Here he is carrying on general farming and dairying and has a good herd of Guernseys, headed by a full blooded sire. He is a stockholder in the Co-operative Creamery at Chetek. Mr. Taft is a most admirable citizen in every respect. Coming of an old family, he has maintained the family tra- ditions of dignity and progress. He supports everything that he believes to be for the best interests of the community and is a real influence for good. Mr. Taft was married March 21, 1892, to Margaret White, who was born in George- town, Colo., Aug. 25, 1869, the daughter of William and Almira (Lake) White, who settled in Barron County in 1872. This union has been blessed with five children : Iva M., Leslie J., Wesley Lee, William Jay, Lyle E. and Irene B. Iva M. was born Dec. 28, 1892. She married Dillard Cowin, and they live in Chetek Township. They have three children: Harold, Ralph and Dorothy. Leslie J. was born Jan. 8, 1895, and farms in Sumner Township. He married Bessie McClellan, and has a daughter, Lillian. Wesley Lee was born Nov. 24, 1897, and died Feb. 21, 1900. William Jay was born May 4, 1901, and assists his father on the farm. Lyle E., born Oct. 26, 1904, and Irene B., born June 22, 1907, are at home. All the members of the family are well regarded.

Elisha Taft, a rugged pioneer of Chetek Township, founder of what is known as the Pioneer Valley Farm, was born in Vermont, Aug. 25, 1833, of good old Green Mountain State stock. As a young man, he went to New York state and there married Elsie Bailey, who was born in Cattaraugus County, that state, Feb. 21, 1834, a member of a good old family. Upon coming west, they located in Grundy County, Iowa, where they remained for many years. In the early seventies they came to Barron County, Wis., with their six children and located on a homestead of 160 acres in section 9, Chetek Township. When he reached here, Mr. Taft had $1.50 in cash, a little else, as he could not bring much furniture and equipment from Iowa. He was fortunate, however, in being a man of large and powerful frame and of unusual ruggedness, health and endurance; he was carving a home from the wilderness, he was estab- lishing the fortunes of his family, and he was willing to endure hardships and toil early and late in order that success might crown his efforts. At the time when he first settled here he had to bring provisions in on his back from Rice Lake. After a time he got an ox team and started a herd with one cow. As time passed, prosperity came to him, and he was a leading man among his fellows. For many years he held town and school office and he sat as a juror in several notable cases. The trend of his religious thought was toward the Quaker belief. After a long and worthy life he died Dec. 16, 1911, at the age of seventy-eight. His wife died Sept. 23, 1908, at the age of seventy-four.

William Taft, a prominent farmer of section 9, Chetek Township, proprie- tor of the well-known Pioneer Valley Farm, was born in Grundy County, Iowa, Dec. 31, 1872, the son of Elisha and Elsie Bailey Taft, early settlers. He was brought to his present farm as an infant of two years. Subsequently he attended the district school, learned farming from his father and gradually

Digitized by Google

MR. AND MRS. ELISHA TAFT, WILLIAM TAFT AND FAMILY

Digitized by

Google

Digitized by

Google

937

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

took over the responsibility of the home place. He has continued the improve- ments started by his father and has erected a modern barn, 36 by 80 feet. He is one of the substantial, solid men of the community, and, like his father before him, has served on the town board and on the school board, being still a member of the latter body. He holds stock in the Co-operative Mercantile Co. and in the Farmers' Co-operative Creamery, both at Chetek. Mr. Taft was married on June 19, 1901, at Cameron, to Hattie Lenbom, born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., on May 27, 1880, the daughter of Gustiff and Ellen Welsted Lenbom. This union has been blessed with four children: Ruby, Gustiff, William and Frank, who were born as follows: Ruby, April 5, 1902; Gustiff, Feb. 13, 1904; William, Aug. 20, 1907; Frank, April 2, 1912.

Thomas Franklin Robinson, the progressive proprietor of the neat and prosperous Nearwood Farm, section 15, east, Chetek Township, was born on a farm in Iroquois County, Ill., April 23, 1883, second of the family of five boys and two girls born to Thomas Stewart and Harriett (Eshleman) Robin- son, he a native of Illinois, of Irish descent, and she a native of Pennsylvania, of Holland-Dutch descent. The family moved to Nobles County, Minn., in 1885, and there the subject of this sketch was reared and educated, thoroughly learning farming from his father. He came to Barron County in 1919 and purchased his present farm of 80 acres. The place was already well developed and he has continued the improvements. In 1920 he erected a modern barn, 34 by 50 feet, and a silo 12 by 24 feet. He successfully carries on general farming, and has a good herd of Guernsey cattle, a good drove of Belgian horses headed by a full-blooded stallion, and some full-blooded Poland China swine. Although a new comer he is deeply interested in public affairs and has great faith in the future of this region. Among his financial holdings are shares in the Farmers Co-operative Creamery at Chetek, and the Co-operative Mercantile Co. at Chetek. He is interested in education and is serving on the school board of his district. Fraternally he is a member of the Odd Fellows and of the Woodmen. He keeps well abreast of his times by wide reading, he is well informed on all the topics of the day, and he is a man of considerable influence in his neighborhood, his opinions being always listened to with the deepest respect. Mr. Robinson was married at Adrian, Minn., on Oct. 8, 1913, to Nita Prideaux, who was born near that place on June 4, 1889, the daughter of H. L. and Ida Prideaux, natives respectively of Wisconsin and Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have one son, a bright boy, Thomas Russell, who was born Dec. 23, 1917, at Adrian, Minn.

Asa L. Bowers, an energetic farmer of Section 14, east, Chetek Township, was born in Auburn Township, Chippewa County, this state, the son of Albert and Lillie (Combeau) Bowers, early settlers of that county. He was reared on the home farm, attended the district schools, and learned agriculture from his father. In 1915 he came to Barron County, and rented his present farm. Later he purchased it. The tract consists of 158 acres, with a good set of buildings. He successfully carries on general farming, and makes a specialty of a good herd of Holstein grades, headed by a full-blooded sire. He is taking his part in the affairs of the community and is doing good service as treasurer of the school board. His financial holdings include stock in the Chetek Co- operative Creamery. Mr. Bowers was married at Chetek on April 18, 1915, to Laura Cole, who was born in Rusk County, this state, June 7, 1898, the daugh- ter of Charles and Gertrude Cole. This union has been blessed with four chil- dren : Percy, Leon, Marian and Theresa.

Severt Solum, a pioneer, was born in Trondhjem, Norway, May 16, 1844, son of Severt Isenson and Betsy Olson, who died in that country many years ago. Severt was reared and educated in his native land. He came to America in 1867, and established his headquarters at Menomonie, this state, where he secured employment with Knapp, Stout & Co., working as a sawmill helper. In 1875 he bought a farm in Dunn County, seven miles from Menomonie. A year later he sold out and came to Barron County, and took a homestead of 160

Digitized by Google

938

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

acres in Chetek Township. Later he purchased 80 acres adjoining, and still later forty acres of swamp land one half mile away, on which in dry years most excellent hay is harvested. He broke 200 acres and developed a good place. In the early days he and his wife underwent many hardships and privations. They did not even have adequate farming facilities. About all he had to start with was a steer and a crude wagon, together with an axe, a hoe and shovel, a plow and a few other small tools. Eric Gilstad, who came about the same time and settled near by was his brother-in-law. He also owned a few tools as well as a steer. In doing their first work, they worked together, using their steers on one yoke, and pooling their interests. In 1905, after a long and busy life filled with hard work, Mr. Solum retired and moved to Chetec where he erected a comfortable frame house. The farm is now owned and operated by the son, Edward. Mr. Solum is a shareholder in the Chetek Farmers Co-opera- tive Mercantile Co. His faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. He was married in 1869 in Menomonie, Wis., to Lena Andrewson, who died in 1886, leaving three children, Severt R., Edward and Betsey. Severt R. is farming near Canton, in this county. He married Dora Burt and has nine children. Edward, as already noted, owns the home farm. He married Biddy Carlson 'and has four children. Betsey married Ole C. Anderson, a farmer of Chetek, and they have ten children. In 1888, Mr. Solum married Mary Andrewson, who was born in Norway.

Ole C. Anderson, who is successfully farming 42 acres in Section 31, Chetek Township, and also owns 40 acres in Dovre Township, was born in Houston County, Minnesota, June 10, 1867, son of Christ and Rachael Ander- son, natives of Norway, who came to the United States in 1865, lived a while in Houston County, Minnesota, and then took a homestead at Wagon Landing, Polk County, Wisconsin, where they spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying first at the age of 73 and then the mother at the age of 73. Ole C. was reared amid pioneer conditions, obtaining such education as he could by trudging to school three or four miles away. He assisted with the farm work on the home farm for several years, spending a part of these years in the woods. In 1896 he secured 80 acres of wild land on Mosier Creek in Chetek Township. Two acres had been broken. He proceeded with the breaking, erected suitable buildings, and carried on general farming with special atten- tion to dairying. In November, 1920, he sold to Charles Anderson, and bought his present place. This had been owned by Chas. Carey, who sold to A. L. Pelton, of Dallas, who, a week later, sold to Mr. Anderson. The place is a good one, and here Mr. Anderson carries on general farming. He was married in Chetek Township Nov. 22, 1896, to Betsey Solum, daughter of Severt and Olena (Andrewson-Bordall) Solum, pioneers of this township. This union has been blessed with ten children: Josie Christina, Andrew Odin, Julia Olena, Hilda Matilda, Agnes Marian, Ole, Martin, Beatrice, Irene, Christ and Serena Lu- cille. Josie Christina was born March 27, 1898, and lives at home. Andrew Odin was born May 11, 1899 and lives at home. Julia Olena was born June 20, 1902, and married Ingval Branstad, a farmer in Dovre Township, this county. Hilda Matilda was born Feb. 13, 1904, and lives at home. Agnes Marian was born June 7, 1905. Ole and Martin, twins, were born July 27, 1908, and are the pride of the family. Beatrice Irene was born Sept. 10, 1910. Christ was born Nov. 23, 1912. Serena Lucille was born March 23, 1914. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 157

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

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