History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 159

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 159

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ron, this county. Albert D. lives seven miles west of Chetek. Charlotte mar- ried Eugene Andrus. Myron lives in the state of Washington.

William E. Carter, Wisconsin pioneer and veteran of the Civil War, was born in Oneida County, New York, Feb. 16, 1832, probably of French descent, it being supposed that the original form of the name was Cartier. He was reared in New York State, and married Fedora E. Blatchford, who was born in Lubeck, Maine, Jan. 23, 1839, of English-Canadian descent. They came west to Wisconsin in the early days and located in Dane County, Oct. 5, 1857, living for a number of years at Madison, Black Earth and Mazomanie. He was a man of versatile abilities, and worked as a farmer, carpenter, mechanic and sur- veyor. In the last named capacity he helped lay out and grade some of the early streets in Madison, and some of the pioneer roads of Dane County. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted as a mechanic, was attached to an infantry regiment, and helped build boats at Cairo, Ill., until discharged on account of physical disability. In 1868 he came to Prairie du Sac, Sauk County. He came to Barron County in 1875 and settled on the northwest quarter of Sec- tion 9, Dallas Township, later purchasing a quarter of a section adjoining. The county was then but little settled, the lumber industry was still flourishing, there were no highways except the tote roads, and life was filled with hard- ships and privations. But they persevered, and in time developed an excellent farm, well equipped with buildings, and amply furnished with tools, imple- ments and machinery. In 1892 they sold the farm and moved to Chetek, where they purchased a small farm not far away, and conducted the place from their city home until his death, Aug. 1, 1906, after which Mrs. Carter moved to Everett, Wash., where she lived with her son, William E., until her death in 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Carter were the parents of seven children. William E., Jr., was born Aug. 21, 1860, and is now at Port Blakely, Wash. Alva A. was born Feb. 13, 1863, and now lives at Eureka, Mont. Franklin H. was born Aug. 13, 1865, and lives at Everett, Wash. Byron was born March 6, 1868, and is a business man at Chetek, Wis. Wesley M. was born March 5, 1871, and is now at Seattle, Wash. Hattie M. was born Nov. 16, 1875, and is the wife of H. C. Holton, of Everett, Wash. Ina May was born April 5, 1881, and is the wife of J. M. Salter, of Port Blakely, Wash.

Bryon Carter, one of the heaviest potato buyers in this part of the county, and owner of a large warehouse at Chetek, is one of the city's leading citizens. He has been twice mayor of the city, and has also served with distinction as alderman, clerk, treasurer and assessor and as a member of the school board. As a public official and as a private citizen he has stood squarely behind every movement that has for its object the betterment of the city and county, and his efforts have resulted in much good. He is active and useful as a man and as a citizen, but is modest and unassuming in manner and temperament, and believes in practical common sense in everything without frills or evasion. In addition to buying potatoes and shipping them by the car load he has the local agency for several insurance companies, and also deals in several makes of automobiles, although these two enterprises are merely side lines to his work as a potato man. Byron Carter was born at Mazomanie, Dane County, Wisconsin, March 6, 1868, son of William E. and Fedora E. (Blatchford) Car- ter, the pioneers. He was named Robert Bryon, but has never used his first name. He was brought to Prairie du Sac, Sauk County, this state, as an infant, and to Dallas Township, this county, when he was seven years of age. He was reared to farm pursuits, and attended the district schools of his neighbor- hood. Next he attended the graded schools of Chetek, after which he became a teacher for two years. Then he entered the Chetek High School, and grad- uated in 1890 with the first class which completed the course in that institu- tion. After this he went to Superior, where he engaged in the real estate business for two years. In the spring of 1893 he came back to Chetek, and with H. J. Dixon and Christ Brusen, under the firm name of H. J. Dixon & Co., engaged in the mercantile business. Mr. Dixon sold to the other two

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partners in 1895 and the firm continued as Brusen & Carter until 1905, when Mr. Carter became the sole owner. He sold out to the Farmers Store Co. in 1910, and continued as their manager for two years. Then he took up his present business. He was married in Minneapolis, April 18, 1900, to J. Marie Peterson, who was born in Chetek Township, March 12, 1876, daughter of Charles and Julianne (Hanson) Peterson. This union has been blessed with four children. Lorrayne was born Feb. 24, 1901, and is attending the Univer- sity of Wisconsin. Amos R. was born June 22, 1904, and is attending the Chetek High School. Corinne was born Nov. 19, 1906, and is also attending the High School. Lucille was born Oct. 30, 1911, and is a student in the graded schools.

Charles Peterson, the pioneer, was born in Denmark, and came to this country as a young man. At Neceedah, Wis., Oct. 12, 1871, he married Juli- anne Hanson, also a native of Denmark. They came to Barron County in 1874 and took a homestead in Chetek Township, east of the city. They came to the city from the farm about 1881, and here he opened a blacksmith shop. He is now retired and he and his wife both live in Chetek. They have five children. Hannah is the wife of Frank Carter of Everett, Wash. J. Marie is the wife of Bryon Carter of Chetek. Josephine is a trained nurse in Daven- port, Iowa. Benjamin lives in Milwaukee. Laura, wife of George Naidl, lives in Eagan, S. D.

Fred Winfield Howard, one of his country's heroes, made the supreme sacrifice, and gave his life on his nation's altar in order that the world might be the better. His few years were years of sunshine and brightness, he died in a great cause, and the world is the better for his having lived in it. He was born in Chetek, Jan. 14, 1896, the son of Walter Winfield and Abbie Aikens Howard, and descended from Revolutionary and Civil War stock. He was edu- cated in the public schools, and grew up a bright, affectionate and obedient boy. He developed into an exemplary young man, and had but just attained his majority when with a number of companions he enlisted in the United States service May 1, 1917. He was sent to Camp Douglas, this state, and mustered into Co. F, 128th Infantry, 32nd Division. On Sept. 4 his company was sent to Waco, Texas, where they underwent intensive training, and were then sent to Camp Merrit for overseas equipment. They sailed for France Feb. 6, 1918. Upon reaching France he was transferred to Co. F, 28th In- fantry, First Division. This was a company of United States regulars. He was immediately thrown into action with his company. He was a good soldier and a brave fighter. He was killed at Cantigny, France, May 15, 1918, just three days after he wrote his last letter home. He was laid to rest in the United States cemetery, Bonvillers, Vico, France. In the spring of 1921, his body was brought to the United States, and on April 13, he was laid to rest in the cemetery at Chetek amid the scenes which as a boy he had loved so well. At that time it was said: "Fred Howard died fighting in the biggest and most terrible war that is known to history. Just a boy, yet he saw what his duty was, and unflinchingly he volunteered his all. It is such boys that keep up the traditions of this glorious country, and it makes the world a better place to live in knowing that such men like him have died for it. At the funeral the great crowd stood at the grave-side, and as the salute was fired and the taps sounded, tears could be seen on hundreds of faces. Fred Howard is laid away but his memory will always remain with us."

Walter Winfield Howard, veteran of the Civil War, is the son of a Civil War veteran, the great-grandson of a Revolutionary War officer, the father of a son who served in the Spanish-American War, the Mexican border mobiliza- tion and the World War training, and then disappeared from mortal ken, and the father of another son who gave his life to the cause of humanity in France. Walter W. Howard was born in Sauk City, Sauk County, this state, March 1, 1849, son of Henry Robert and Agnes (Steele) Howard, and great grandson of George Howard, the Revolutionary soldier whose sword was long preserved

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WALTER W. HOWARD-FRED W. HOWARD

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in the family but is now lost. Henry Robert Howard was born in New York City of French and English ancestry. As a young man he went to Illinois, and from there came to Sauk County, this state, where he was married in 1846, to Agnes Steele, a native of Ireland. In 1850 they settled in Richland County. From there, in 1862, Henry R. Howard enlisted in Co. I, 19th Wisconsin Vol- unteer Infantry, was commissioned captain and served until the end of the war, being wounded five times, from the effects of which he never fully re- covered, although he lived many years thereafter. He and his wife both died at Chetek, she having reached the good old age of 86 years. In the family there were eleven children. Frank is a merchant in Iowa. Charles is in Superior, Wis. Melvin is in Cameron, this state. May E. is the wife of Robert Stewart of Superior, Wis. Everett is in Massachusetts. Henry, who was in the same company and regiment as his father in the Civil War, Wilbur, Gertrude, Lillie and Bert are dead. Walter W. was an infant when the family moved to Rich- land County. At fifteen years of age, Oct. 10, 1864, he enlisted in Co. F, 46th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served under Sherman in Alabama. Upon his discharge Oct. 10, 1865, he went back to Richland County, and started work in a sawmill at Saxonville, of which in time he became manager. In 1880 he came to Chetek and worked in a sawmill as an employe of Knapp, Stout & Co. Three years later he filed on a homestead in Sections 25 and 36, Chetek Township. The tract was all wild land. He broke thirty acres, erected build- ings, made many other improvements and there carried on general farming. His wife died in 1890, and he then gave up farming and moved to Chetek City with three small children. After a short time he engaged in the livery busi- ness. Some ten years later he became proprietor of a pool hall. He managed this for about a dozen years and then retired. In public life he has been city marshal and policeman as well as street commissioner. In politics he is a Republican. Fraternally he is a member of the G. A. R. Mr. Howard was married in 1873, to Matilda Sawyer, born in New York state, daughter of Francis and Clara (Cargill) Sawyer, of French-Canadian ancestry. She was one of a family of twelve daughters and four sons, including two pairs of twins, and her mother lived to be 103 years old. When Mrs. Howard died May 31, 1900, five weeks after her youngest child was born, she left three children, Elvin, Lee and Hugh Steele. Nov. 19, 1892, Mr. Howard married Abbie Aiken, and to this union there were born three children, Myrtle May, Fred Winfield and Mckinley. Elvin was born in 1876, married Emma Balbridge, and lives in Miles City, Mont. Lee was born in 1885, lives in Duluth, Minn., and has five children. He married, first, Bessie Newman, who died in February, 1919, and then Hulda Peterson. He enlisted in the United States army in 1900 and served in various forts for eighteen months until discharged. Hugh Steele was born in 1890. He enlisted in the United States army in 1907 and served in the regulars in the Philippines for three years. After the expiration of his time, he came back to Chetek and stayed here for about two years. But soldiering was in his blood, so he again enlisted, serving in various forts, and finally in the Mexican border mobilization. At the entrance of the United States into the World War, he was commissioned a lieutenant and was detailed to training duty. May 10, 1918, the day before the Armistice, he wrote that he was about to embark for France. Since then nothing has been heard of him, although the government and the Red Cross society have united in their efforts to aid the mourning parents. Myrtle May was born Sept. 23, 1893, married Orley Campbell of Chetek, and has two children, Walter and Fay. Fred Winfield was born Jan. 14, 1896, enlisted in the United States service May 1, 1917, and after due training went to France where he was killed in action May 15, 1918. McKinley was born in 1900 and was drowned in Lake Chetek Aug. 6, 1908.

William H. Tiffany, automobile salesman, Chetek, was born in Antioch, Ill., Nov. 22, 1868, son of Charles C. and Susan (Crittenden) Tiffany, natives respectively of Canada and England, both of whom are now deceased. They

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were the parents of three children: Albert married Lulu Morley, and farms near Antioch, Ill. Ida married George Gollwitzer and is now dead. William H. was reared on the farm, and as a youth traveled for several years. In 1907 he moved from the home farm to the village of Antioch, and there engaged in the farm machinery business. He came to Barron County in 1912, and pur- chased two farms of 120 and 70 acres respectively, in Chetek Township, and operated one and rented the other until Dec. 13, 1916, when he engaged in the garage and automobile sales business, later disposing of both farms. In the city he erected a tile garage and sales building, 52 by 112 feet, with brick front, and well equipped in every way for its purpose. He has the agency for the Hupmobile. His fraternal relations are with the Masons, and he is active in the Community club. Mr. Tiffany was married in Antioch, Ill., in November, 1889, to Anna Grimm, whose parents were natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Tiffany have six children. Harry was born in 1891. Lorena was born in 1893 and lives in Chicago. Raymond, born in 1895, was married Nov. 13, 1920, to Margaret Bell, of Chetek. Vera, born in 1898, is a stenographer in the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Chetek. Madaline, born in 1909, is attending school.

John Whitaker, veteran of the Civil War, and of the Mexican border mobilization incident to the troubles in Mexico which preceded the assassina- tion of Emperor Maximillian I, was born in Indiana in July, 1832, the son of John Whitaker, who was born in Kentucky, and who in turn was the son of a pioneer who came over the mountains and settled in Kentucky in the early days of the nineteenth century. John Whitaker enlisted at the outbreak of the Civil War in the 51st Indiana Volunteer Infantry, served with the Army of the Cumberland, and took part in the battle of Stone River under Rosecrans. Afterward he was with the force under Sheridan, sent to the Mexican border to overawe the French who were supporting Maximillian. While he was in that region he was stationed at the Alamo, San Antonio, the scene of the massacre by Santa Anna, where Davy Crockett fought his last battle. After the war Mr. Whitaker resumed farming in Indiana. He died in Knox County, in that state, in May, 1901. He married Sarah Spears, born Aug. 19, 1838, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Spears. James Spears fought in the Mexican War, and when the Civil War broke out, although sixty years of age, offered his services, and was killed in the battle of Willow Springs, Missouri. On the maternal side, Mrs. Whitaker was descended from the Led- better family, early settlers of South Carolina, who were greatly harassed by the Seminole Indians, during the Florida troubles. Her maternal grandfather Ledbetter is believed to have done military service either against the Indians or in the War of 1812. Mrs. Whitaker was born in Davis County, Ind., and is still living in that state at the age of 82 years.

Carl C. Whitaker, postmaster of Chetek, was born at Edwardsport, Knox County, Ind., Feb. 14, 1872, son of John and Sarah (Spears) Whitaker. When he was ten years of age he was taken by his parents to Bicknell, in the same state. At the age of sixteen he took up railroad work in the depot of the Pan- handle branch of the Pennsylvania railroad. There he learned telegraphy. The next year he went to Fergus Falls, Minn., where he was employed in the depot of the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba, now the Great Northern. With this company and with the Omaha he served for many years at various points in Minnesota and Wisconsin. He came to Chetek as station agent in 1908. He continued to give good service here until 1915 when he was appointed post- master. He has done excellent service and is in high favor. The office is third class, there are two assistants, and five rural routes. Mr. Whitaker is a stockholder in the Barron County Canning Co. and in the Co-operative Mercan- tile Co. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order. He is also active in the Community club. Mr. Whitaker was married June 27, 1901, in Wood- ville, St. Croix County, Wisconsin, to Alice Frink, the daughter of Morando and Miranda (Chappell) Frink, pioneers of that county. Mrs. Whitaker died in 1919. Mr. Whitaker married, secondly, July 7, 1921, Miss Dorothy M. Roun-

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H. J. WHITE

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sevell of River Falls, Wis., daughter of L. S. Rounsevell of that place, a school teacher by profession. She was graduated from the University of Wisconsin, taught school in Chetek and is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa.

Henry John White, early settler of Sumner Township, veteran of the Civil War, at one time chairman of the county board and for three terms superintendent of county schools, was born in Oneida County, New York, Jan. 2, 1837, son of John and Maria (Staples) White, who came from England and settled in Deerfield Township, near Utica, New York. At the age of eight, Henry John was taken to a farm near Hamilton, southern Ontario, Canada. At the age of sixteen he lost his mother, after which he came to this part of Wisconsin, and was employed in the lumber woods and in sawmills. In the meantime, having a natural aptitude for books, he kept up his studies, geog- raphy being his special delight. Thus having prepared himself by private study, he became a teacher in the rural schools of Barron County, serving to the satisfaction of the tax payers and parents and to the benefit of the pupils. In 1864 he enlisted in Co. K, First Wisconsin Cavalry, and participated in the defense of Nashville against Hood and in Wilson's raids in Georgia. After his discharge he returned to this part of Wisconsin. In 1873 he took a home- stead of 160 acres in Sumner Township. To the development and operation of this farm he devoted much of his attention in the succeeding years. He still, however, remained in public life. His educational work had attracted atten- tion, and he was called upon to be county superintendent of schools, in which capacity he served from 1876 to 1881. While in this office he had much to do with shaping the present educational policy of the county. For some time he was chairman of the county board, and in this position was a force most de- cidedly to be reckoned with. The alms house question was then agitating the board, and was a subject of controversy for some time. Finally the build- ing of the house was left almost entirely in Mr. White's hands. He put up the structure for $2,000, and it was then considered the best alms house in the state erected at that place. With advancing years, Mr. White traded his farm for a stock of goods in Canton. He conducted a store there for a while and then sold out but has since continued to reside in the village. Mr. White was married May 10, 1866, to Elvira Oram, of Calumet County, this state, born June 11, 1847, the daughter of George and Jane Oram. Mr. and Mrs. White have had six children: Alice Jane, George Henry, Effie Amelia, Everet Guy, Sidney John and Flora. Louise. Alice Jane is now Mrs. Adolph Nuesse of Turtle Lake. George Henry lives in Burnett County, Wisconsin. Effie Amelia is the wife of E. C. Woolley of Sumner Township. Everet Guy died March 9, 1921. Sidney John, a farmer and school teacher, died June 16, 1901. Flora Louisa is the wife of R. E. Malera of Canton.

Christ Brusen, potato dealer and farm owner, residing within. the city limits of Chetek, was born in Denmark, June 4, 1863, son of Hans and Sophie (Dinesen) Brusen, farmers, who spent the span of their years in their native land. Of the eight children in the family, two came to this country. Peter lives on a farm in Chetek Township. Christ was educated in Denmark, was reared as a farmer and also became a proficient instrumental musician. He came to the United States in the winter of 1889-90, found his way directly to Chetek, and devoted his summers to farming and his winters to working in the woods. Then with H. J. Dixon as a partner, he started dealing in potatoes, grain and other farm produce. In 1893 Byron Carter' became a partner, the business being conducted under the firm name of H. J. Dixon & Co. Mr. Dixon disposed of the interests to his partners in 1896, and the firm became Brusen & Carter. The firm was dissolved in 1905, Mr. Carter taking the building and the store. Mr. Brusen has since continued as a potato buyer. In 1896, Mr. Brusen bought 80 acres of farm land in Section 19, Chetek Township, within the limits of the city. He made various improvements, and in 1900 sold out. Then he bought 160 acres in the same section, lying partly within the northern city limits of Chetek. This was all wild land. He erected good buildings and

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developed a good farm. In 1913 he sold 145 acres, including all the buildings. On the remaining fifteen acres, which he still owns, he erected in 1914, a fine residence, a frame building, two stories and a basement, lighted with elec- tricity and equipped with modern improvements. The cost was about $4,500, In addition to this, Mr. Brusen owns a farm of 80 acres about two miles west of the city, which he purchased in 1916, and which he has further improved. He is not now actively engaged in farming, but operates his property with the aid of hired assistants. He has been active in public affairs, and has been member of the county board, alderman and assessor. His holdings include stock in the Farmers Co-operative Store of Chetek. The family faith is that of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Brusen was married Oct. 5, 1902, to Nina Nel- son, who was born in Milwaukee, daughter of Julius and Marie Nelson, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Brusen have two children, Bernice and Ragna. Bernice was born Sept. 30, 1903, passed through the local schools, took a two- years' course in the Lutheran Ladies Seminary at Red Wing, Minn., and grad- uated from the Concordia College at Moorehead, Minn., taking the High School and Teachers' course in the pianoforte department. Ragna was born Dec. 4, 1907, and is studying at the Chetek High School.

Michael Hanson was born in Norway, and there married Mattie Johnson. They came to America in 1880 and located near Blair, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin. A year later they moved to Eau Claire. There he was identified with the lumber business, rafting, working in sawmills, and taking sawing contracts in the woods. From Eau Claire they moved to Wilkin County, Minn., where they are now carrying on general farming. Their nine children are: Martin, farming with his father; Carrie, wife of Ole Anderson, of Wilkin County, Minn .; Matilda, wife of Lars Lyngaas, of that county; Alma, wife of Hjelmar Shelstad, of that county; Edna, wife of Archie Kurth of that county; Mary, wife of Nels Hanson, of that county. Roe, farming in Washington; Julia, wife of Thomas Jacobson, of Colfax, Dunn County, this state, and John M., of Cameron, Barron County.

John M. Hanson, manager of the creamery at Cameron for the Eau Claire Creamery Co. and supervisor of the creameries at Chetek and Bruce, was born at Blair, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Jan. 15, 1881, son of Michael and Mattie (Johnson) Hanson. He was taken to Eau Claire, Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, as an infant, and was there reared and educated. As a youth he worked in sawmills and in the woods, including one summer at Superior, Wis. He went to Wilkin County, Minn., with his family, and there worked with them for several years on the farm. Then he came back to Eau Claire, married, and moved to Doran, Minn. Again coming to Eau Claire he worked in a mar- ket for a while, and then took up the creamery business there. Successively thereafter he was creamery manager at New Auburn, Chippewa County, four years; Greenwood, Clark County, one year; Cameron, this county, one year; and Chippewa Falls, Chippewa County, ten months. He took his present posi- tion in 1917. The work has flourished under his management, and the Cam- eron plant now has a weekly output of 85 or 90 tubs. He is at the head of the M. W. A. camp at Cameron, and a popular member of Norden Lodge, No. 1, I. S. W. A. at Eau Claire. At one time he was assistant chief of the Cameron Fire department. Mr. Hanson was married in Howard Township, Chippewa County, this state, Nov. 4, 1905, to Minnie C. Paulson, daughter of Julius and Oleva Paulson, who came from Norway to Eau Claire in 1880 and still live in Chippewa County. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson have three bright boys: Man- ford P. was born Aug. 16, 1906; John O., Aug. 1, 1908; and Julius M., May 4, 1915.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 159

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

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