History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 162

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 162

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).

Marcelan Watson Hatch, a pioneer of Barron County, now residing in Chetek, was born at Sherburn, Chenango County, New York, Feb. 13, 1850, son of Watson A. and Amanda Hatch. Coming to Richland County, Wisconsin, with his parents in 1857, he resided there until he was 24 years old, working on and later operating his father's farm. There he married Jan. 15, 1872, Laura Brooks, daughter of Warren S. and Mariam (Wood)" Brooks. Her father was killed in the Civil War at Dallas, Ga., May 30, 1864, the day after

Digitized by Google

963

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

being wounded. He had come west from Maine, his wife coming from New York state. Of an adventurous disposition, he made the overland journey to California in 1857, and later made a trip to Pike's Peak, on both occasions seeking his fortune. Mr. Hatch, after his marriage, farmed for a while in Richland County, and from there came to Barron County, taking a homestead in Chetek Township, four miles north of the city. The land was wild, and the family underwent all the experiences of developing a home and a farm in a pioneer country thronging with Indians. After about seven years he moved to Chetek Village. He was in Barron County altogether for about 21 years. Then he went to River Falls in Pierce County, this state, from there to Door County, where he developed a fruit farm, and from there to Taylor County where he developed a dairy farm. Then he came back to Barron County and engaged in market gardening and poultry raising on his present farm. He is widely known and respected in town and county. For some time he was city assessor. He and his wife are of the Silent Unity faith and have been greatly benefitted by the practice of its teachings. Mr. and Mrs. Hatch have three children: Warren Gay, Clarence Edward and Bessie M. Warren Gay was born in 1873, and died in boyhood. Clarence Edward was born in 1878, and served in France during the World War, seeing some of its fiercest fighting. He married Nancy I. Sampson and has one child, Dorothy M. Bessie M. was born in 1885, and is a proficient school teacher.

Louis Hedenstrom, manager of the Chetek Co-Operative Mercantile Co.'s store, was born at Franconia, Minn., Nov. 25, 1876, son of Olaf and Martha Hedenstrom, natives of Sweden, who upon coming to America in the early seventies located in St. Croix Falls, Wis., where the father was a carpenter, later moving to Franconia, Minn., where he died about 1887, the mother later moving to Lindstrom, Minn., where she still lives. Louis Hedenstrom attended the rural schools of Franconia, and started in for himself when he lost his father at the age of twelve. He worked on farms and in mills for a few years, and at the age of sixteen became a clerk in a mercantile store. In 1885 he came to this county and entered the employ of L. F. Whittemore, jeweler at Barron. He again entered the mercantile business in 1891, when he became clerk at Barron for the Berg Brothers, with whom he remained a quarter of a century. In 1916 he engaged in business for himself there. He came to Chetek in the spring of 1920, and entered the employ of the company for whom he is now manager. Under his management the company is meeting with success. He is thoroughly conversant with the mercantile business, he knows how to buy and he knows the needs of his customers, and he is giving general satisfaction to the stockholders of the company. Fraternally he is a member of the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Wood- men. His religious faith is that of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and he has served as senior warden of the parish at Barron. Mr. Hedenstrom was married June 14, 1899, at Barron, to Alma L. Whittemore, daughter of L. F. and Minerva (Briggs) Whittemore, who came here from Princeton, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Hedenstrom have two daughters, Katherine Minerva, born July 11, 1905, and Harriett Louise, born Oct. 27, 1914.

William F. Greech, owner of a potato warehouse at Chetek, was born in Chicago, Ill., Feb. 4, 1867. His father died when he was two years old, and in 1871 he accompanied his mother to Adams County, this state. Shortly after their arrival there, the great fire of 1871 destroyed all his mother's Chicago property. He attended school in Friendship, in Adams County, and as a young man became a potato buyer, shipping out of Cloma, in Waushara County, to S. H. Hall of Chicago, then widely known as a "potato king." In 1886 Mr. Greech started his operations in this vicinity. He came to New Auburn, just over the line in Chippewa County, and bought a farm in Chetek Township, this county. He still, however, continued to devote his time largely to potato buying. In 1900 he came to Chetek and has since continued successfully as a buyer. He has a good warehouse, is a shrewd buyer and a good seller, and has

Digitized by Google

964

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

the confidence of all with whom he has dealings. For the last fifteen years he has shipped mostly to J. R. Beggs & Co. of St. Paul. In the summer he operated a cement block factory. His holdings include stock in the Chetek Farmers Co-Operative Store. Mr. Greech was married May 25, 1902, at Cam- eron, Barron County, to Etta Adelion Whitney, born in Dovre Township, Bar- ron County, Oct. 13, 1882, daughter of Charles A. and Christina (Gilbertson) Whitney, the pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Greech have had two children; Franklin Charles and Durward John. Franklin Charles was born Feb. 14, 1903, and is doing well at his studies in the high school. Durward John was born Jan. 29, 1906, and died in infancy. Mrs. Greech is prominent in the affairs of the Presbyterian Church, and is a member of the Aid Society. She is also a mem- ber of the Woman's Relief Corps, the Rebekahs, the Royal Neighbors and the Mystic Workers. The home is one of the most hospitable in the community and the center of many social gatherings, and the family is most highly regarded.

Charles A. Whitney, the pioneer, was born at Phillips, Franklin County, Maine, in 1843, son of Josiah and Martha (Barber) Whitney, who in his in- fancy took him to Walworth County, this state, and lived first at Lafayette and next at Delavan, later moving to Tunnell City in Monroe County. As a young man he learned his trade as a carpenter and cabinet maker. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in the 13th United States Infantry, and served in Missouri. He was injured in the chest, and was discharged for dis- ability in 1862. Later he enlisted in Company K, 30th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served for three years more, mostly in detached duty on the plains. He was not discharged until some time after the war was over. Then he located at Chippewa Falls in this state. In 1871 he took a homestead in what is now Dovre Township. The land was then wild, the Indians were still roaming the woods, and there were few settlers except the woodsmen. Pri- vations were many, comforts were few, provisions had to be brought from a distance and it was a long journey to mill to get grist ground. The present site of Chetek was a wilderness, where the long bridge is now located was only a swamp with a courderoy crossing. Mr. Whitney helped to build the first grist mill here for Knapp, Stout & Co. He developed and improved the farm, and there carried on general agricultural operations for many years. He and his wife now make their home in Chetek. Mr. Whitney was married, Feb. 22, 1871, to Christina Gilbertson, who was born Aug. 25, 1853, in Christiana, Nor- way, daughter of Gilbert and Caroline (Anderson) Gilbertson, the former of whom died in Norway in 1855, and the latter of whom came to this country and died in 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Whitney have had four children. William died at the age of 12 years. Antoine lives in Brill. Caroline is the wife of Mark Bates of Oronoco, Minn. Etta Adelion is the wife of William F. Greer.

Thomas E. Gotham, now deceased, one of the pioneers of Barron County, was a substantial, representative citizen, who took his part in the development of the agricultural interests of the community, and who was a real influence for good throughout the neighborhood. He was a man of pleasing personality, of genial temperament, and of upright character, and one who had the faculty of making and keeping friends. His memory will long be cherished by all with whom he came in contact. He was born at Clayton, N. Y., about 1847, son of John and Pamelia (Slate) Gotham. At the age of eighteen he came west, and after living in Michigan for a year, came to Wisconsin, and settled near Sex- tonville, in Richland County. He came to Chetek in 1872, and took a home- stead in Section 32, about half a mile south of the present city. The settlement was then represented by a few crude buildings, and Mr. Gotham watched it grow from that to a flourishing trading center. On his homestead he cleared 100 acres, erected a good frame house and other buildings, and from time to time continued the improvements. When the "Omaha" line was put through, the right-of-way cut off some three or four acres of the farm, and Mr. Gotham sold the company enough more to make ten acres. For a time, Mr. Gotham

Digitized by Google

965

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

was a valued member of the town board. He assisted in starting the Barron County Fair Association, and was one of its charter members and stock- holders. He also served on numerous delegations and committees, and in every way did his part in life as a Christian gentleman, a loving husband and father, and a good citizen and loyal friend. After his death, Feb. 9, 1888, his wife and sons have continued the improvement of the farm. About 120 acres of the farm are under the plow and about 30 in timberland and pasture land. The barn, which was struck by lightning in 1912, was replaced by the present ade- quate structure. A swine house and granary have also been added to the other buildings. Mr. Gotham was married Sept. 20, 1872, to Mary Alzada Banks, daughter of James and Comfort (Sexton) .Banks. This union has been blessed with five children: John Edwin, Charles Robert, Frank Thomas, Mattie Adelaide and Terry Earl. John Edwin was born May 4, 1875, has a homestead in Montana, and lives in Chetek. He married Myrtle Gordon, and has three chilren, Kenneth George, Richard, who died in infancy, and John Edwin Jr. Charles Robert was born May 13, 1879, married Mabel Ziesenis, lives across the road from the old home, and helps operate the home farm. He has four children, Gerald George, Roger (deceased), Wallace and Frederick Arthur. Frank Thomas was born Nov. 20, 1881, and lives at home. Mattie Adelaide was born Dec. 22, 1882, lives in New Auburn, in Chippewa County, married Urban Gavin, and has six children: Thomas, Catherine Alzada, Mil- dred, Lulu Belle, and Olive May and Lilia Marie (twins). Terry Earl was born Aug. 24, 1888, lives at home and is a rural mail carrier. Mrs. Gotham is a capable woman, and she and her family are held in the highest regard and respect throughout the community. James Banks, the father of Mrs. Thomas E. Gotham, died at Sextonville, Richland County, Wisconsin, which had been the family home, and Mrs. Banks then came to Barron County and took a home- stead in Chetek Township, on that part of Lake Chetek since known as Banks' Bay. She died Sept. 7, 1889. She and Mr. Banks had six children, Martha, Robert, Edward, Eleanor, Lydia and Mary Alzada. By a previous marriage to James Rodgers she had two sons, Thomas and John. Martha married the Rev. W. R. Irish, a Methodist clergyman, lived with him in his various charges, and died in Hammond, Wis. Robert served in the Sixth Wisconsin Battery during the Civil War, and gave his life in that conflict. Edward, for his first wife, married Alfretta Bailey, and for his second wife, Eva Knutson. He died in January, 1916. Eleanor married Bradford Lampman, and died in Chetek, in 1917. Lydia died in 1906. She married Dennie Rowan, who lives in Chetek. Mary Alzada is the widow of Thomas Gotham. Thomas Rodgers married first Ellen Holden and then Mrs. Catherine Pickett, and died in Chetek about 1908. John Rodgers served in the Sixth Wisconsin Battery, and died during the Civil War. Mrs. Gotham's uncle, Ebenezer M. Sexton, came to Barron County as a pioneer, and was very active in pursuading others to come here. He owned land near the present site of the Chetek Farmers Co- Operative Creamery, and sold the undivided half of a twenty-acre tract to Knapp, Stout & Co. on condition that they build thereon a sawmill, to make up lumber from logs cut near Lake Chetek, and thus develop the region. But before the agreement was carried out, he died, and a steam sawmill was built in another location. Mrs. Gotham is much interested in local history and is well informed in it. She remembers that the first school taught in Chetek Township was on the farm of W. B. Lampman, on the bank of the lake, about 1870, the first teacher being Mrs. Melissa Plato. Mrs. Gotham herself was a teacher. She taught for several years before her marriage, and two years afterward. She taught the first school in Sumner Village in 1872-73.

Charles F. Museus, veteran of the Civil War, retired business man of Chetek, was born in Christiania, Norway, March 25, 1847, son of H. B. and Katherina. (Strum) Museus, who brought their family to the United States in 1851, came into Wisconsin by way of Milwaukee, and settled about four miles from Oconomowoc, Jefferson County, Wis., where the father had a farm and

Digitized by Google

966

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

also worked at his trade as a carpenter. In 1880 they came to Barron County, and settled on a farm of 40 acres in Turtle Lake Township, a son, Nels C., securing a similar tract adjoining. The father erected a pleasant home but did not cultivate the land, devoting his time to carpenter work in the neigh- borhood. The mother died at the age of seventy-five. Later the father took up his home with his granddaughter, Mrs. Christ Wold, near Haywood, Wis., where he died at the age of eighty-eight. Of the nine children in the family, six died young, one being drowned. Halvor F. and Nels grew to adult years, but both are now deceased. Charles F. had but little chance for an education, and started out for himself at an early age. Three members of the family enlisted in the Civil War. The father and Halvor F. fought at Island No. 10, on the Mississippi. Charles F. was in the 28th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He served along the Tombigbee River, as well as at the attack on Fort Blakely and the Spanish Forts. Later he was sent under Sheridan to the Mexican border to protect Texas from becoming involved in the troubles incident to the overthrow of Emperor Maxmillian I, and the withdrawal of the French. After his discharge he returned to Jefferson County, this state. Later he took a farm of 80 acres in the timbers of Pierce County, this state. He cut over forty acres and cleared twenty acres of stumps, erected buildings and farmed there for twelve years. Then he came to Barron County, making his first trip to Chetek on foot. For a time, with headquarters here, he worked for the Knapp, Stout & Co., in the woods and on drives. In 1886 he engaged in the refreshment business in Chetek. In 1909 he retired. Since then he has been more or less active in looking after his property, and in doing a little specu- lating. He has a pleasant home, noted for its hospitality and good cheer, he has been successful in life, has many friends, and is highly regarded through- out the community. Among his holdings may be mentioned stock in the State Bank of Chetek. Fraternally he is a member of the G. A. R. Mr. Museus was married April 12, 1869, near Martell, Pierce County, Wis., to Alice Johnson, who was born at Alderly, Dodge County, Wis., Feb. 4, 1851, daughter of Kettle and Elsie Johnson, pioneers of that locality. Mr. and Mrs. Museus have five children, Charles Henry, Hans Benjamin, Edward Ferdinand, Ida M. and Charlotte. Charles Henry was born May 24, 1871, and lives in Cameron, this county. Hans Benjamin was born Sept. 8, 1872, and is now a physician of North Dakota. He married Iva Ziesenis, and they have one child, Alice Eliza- beth. Edward Ferdinand is a dentist at Fargo, N. D. He was born March 18, 1877, and married Ada Clark. Mrs. Ida M. Patchin was born April 29, 1880, and has a bright son, Frederick M., born Sept. 25, 1914. She is a teacher in the public schools. Charlotte was born March 23, 1894, and is the wife of R. M. Post, Chetek dentist. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Thomas Gregerson, a farmer who is prosperously engaged in general agri- cultural pursuits in section 18, Chetek Township, was born in Tellemarken, Norway, Dec. 29, 1840, son of Greger and Margretta (Oleson) Halverson. The father died in Norway, and the mother brought the three children to America and settled in Jefferson County, this state. From there Thomas went to Michigan, where he worked in the woods for some five years. Then he went back to Jefferson County, and with his mother went to Winnebago County, where they purchased 80 acres and farmed for three years. He came to Barron County in 1869, and located in section 12, Chetek Township. This was all wild land. There were no roads and no bridges, white settlement was repre- sented only by lumber camps and a few scattered cabins. Indians were still ranging the woods and streams. Trading points were far away, and there was little opportunity for obtaining the comforts or even the necessities of life. Mr. Gregerson erected a log house, broke about two acres of land, and lived the life of a typical pioneer. He sold the place in 1886, and acquired his present place of 40 acres in section 18. He also owns in his wife's name, 56 acres across the road. He has cleared the land and made general improve-

Digitized by Google

Digitized by

Google

MR. AND MRS. ANDREW BACON AND RESIDENCE

Digitized by

Google

967

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

ments. He has a comfortable home, a cement block barn 32 by 60 feet, a fine granary, and other suitable buildings. On this place he conducts general farming, stock raising and dairying. Being a pioneer, Mr. Gregerson is much interested in the early history of the county. He has seen it grow from a wilderness to its present prosperous condition, and has taken his share in this development. He was acquainted with all the pioneers of this region, and remembers all the details in the story of the early settlement. Mr. Greger- son was married March 27, 1877, to Caroline Erickson, who was born in Nor- way in 1859, and was brought to this country by her parents when she was eight years old. Mrs. Gregerson was reared by Hans and Georgena (Peterson) Erickson, the pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Gregerson have had twelve children : George died in infancy. Mary is the wife of Sidney Dickerson, of Carey, Ohio. Matilda lives in Oklahoma. Julia died in infancy. Albert is on the home farm. Cora is the wife of William F. Hartman, of Minneapolis. Ella lives in Zimmerman, Minnesota, and is the wife of Winfield Heath. Ida is at Spooner, Wis. Lilly is the wife of John Muerman of Chetek Township. Gertrude Frances teaches school in Minnesota. Oliver Alexander is at home. Theodore Malcolm is also at home. Mr. and Mrs. Gregerson are members of the Lutheran Church, and Mrs. Gregerson is prominent in the Ladies' Aid Society.

Hans Erickson, an early pioneer, was born in Norway, and on June 24, 1844, was married to Georgena Peterson, who was born Oct. 15, 1816. They came to America in 1868, and located in Winnebago County, this state. Two years later, in 1870, they came to Barron County and. homesteaded 140 acres in section 18, Chetek Township. Here he built up a good farm. He died April 13, 1913, at the good old age of 94 years. He was a good man of solid worth and highly regarded by all who knew him. Mrs. Erickson, lovingly known as "Grandma" Erickson, lived to be over 100 years old. In her latter days she spent her summers in the little log cabin, and the winters at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gregarson, .who cared for her tenderly in all her declining years. The little log cabin where she and her husband had spent so many happy years was nearly in the center of the highway, but to avoid the distress to her sentiments which moving it would cause her, the officials and the public allowed the home to remain undisturbed. She died June 2, 1917. Her memory will long be cherished throughout the county by all who knew her.

Andrew Bacon, one of the well known early settlers of Barron County, and for nearly forty years a resident of Arland Township, where he has de- veloped a fine farm, was born in Norway Sept. 1, 1856, son of Andrew J. and Ingeborg (Johnson) Bacon, the former of whom, a sawmill foreman the greater part of his life, died in 1878 and the latter in 1873. After attending the com- mon school Andrew Bacon attended the Christianson Military School, from which he was graduated with credit as sergeant, in 1877. Subsequently he served one year in the Standing Army as a member of the Telemarken Bat- talion of Infantry. In 1878 he started work in the sawmill of which his father was foreman and there continued for three years. In 1881 he came to America, landed at New York, and continued his journey to Merrill, Wis., where he re- mained about eight months. In the fall of 1882 he came to Barron County and for three years lived with his brother, Nels Anderson, working for him in the summer, and in the woods during the logging season. In 1883 Mr. Bacon bought 80 acres of land in section 11, Arland Township. This was a wild tract and before he could make any improvements on it his health failed and he was sick for a year. This temporarily disarranged his plans and obliged him to sell his land. In 1886 he made a new start, purchasing 80 acres of railroad land in section 13, Arland Township. This also was wild and Mr. Bacon began improvements by erecting a small shack 12 by 14 feet in size, which was his residence for the next 25 years. Subsequently he enlarged it and still later erected a fine modern house, in which he now makes his home. In 1898 Mr. Bacon bought his first horse. During pioneer days on the

Digitized by Google

968

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

farm, when times were very hard, he worked for neighbors or on the high- ways, and also killed wild game to get meat for his large family. For seven years he had to carry his water for a distance of two miles. In time he cleared 60 acres of his land and fenced the entire 80, besides erecting a good barn and outbuildings, and now has a fine farm completely equipped and in a flourishing condition. For many years he has been one of the prominent citi- zens, not only of his township, but also of the county and has rendered val- uable aid in their development by building roads and in other ways, being always ready to support a progressive enterprise. He was road commissioner eight years and also served one term as clerk of his school district. Mr. Bacon was married in Norway Oct. 6, 1878, to Gina Olson, who was born Dec. 4, 1858, the daughter of Ole and Anna C. (Jergensen) Jenson. This union was blessed with three children: Isabelle, Ole (first) and Ole (second), all born in Norway. Isabelle was born Dec. 4, 1879, married George Gullickrode, a well known painter and paper hanger of Minneapolis, and has a fine family of five bright girls: Edna, Jennie, Esther, Helen and Louisa. Ole (first) was born June 22, 1881, and died July 10, of the same year. Ole (second) born June 21, 1882, is now in Norway. For some years after Mr. Bacon came to this country, Mrs. Bacon remained in Norway and looked after the little family, while Mr. Bacon was establishing his fortune here. She and the daughter joined him in 1899. She was a most worthy woman, a loving wife and mother, a good housewife, and a kindly neighbor. She died suddenly while about her housework Oct. 13, 1921. The family home is an unusually sightly one. Mr. Bacon has taken great pride in it, he has beautified the yard with ornamental bushes and shrubbery, and the place is pointed out as a model rural estate. A further attraction is an excellent orchard, now bearing, which Mr. Bacon set out himself.

Owen Hall, of the firm of Sharmota & Hall, blacksmiths, Barron, was born on a farm in Marshall County, Indiana, Feb. 10, 1889, son of J. F. and Delia (Denmann) Hall, natives respectively of Indiana and Ohio. The family came to Barron County in 1894, settled on a farm in Maple Grove Township, im- proved what was mostly wild land, and remained here until 1916, two years after they sold out. They then returned to Indiana, where the mother died Feb. 20, 1915, and where the father is still living. In their family were four children. The oldest daughter is dead. The second, Maggie, was born Nov. 30, 1883, and is now the wife of Maurice Kuhnly, who farms at Brookton, New York. The other son, Edward, was born Nov. 11, 1893, and has a homestead in Montana. After working on the home farm, Owen Hall secured various employment until he learned the blacksmith's trade. In 1910 he went to eastern Montana, but two years later came back and again took up work on the home farm. In 1914 he started farming in Stanfold Township, this county, but four years afterward again resumed his trade. In 1918 he formed his present part- nership with Fred Sharmota, at Barron. The firm does a general blacksmith- ing business, wagon making and gas welding, and enjoys a good trade. Mr. Hall was married June 8, 1914, to Hattie Barton, who was born in Maple Grove Township, Jan. 17, 1894, daughter of William and Clara (Watson) Barton. This union has resulted in three children: Alice, born March 19, 1915; Marjorie, born July 27, 1916; and Herbert, born July 21, 1918. The family residence is in the City of Barron.

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 162

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

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