History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 167

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 167

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).

Herman F. Hinze, a progressive farmer of section 31, Stanfold Township, was born in Wisconsin, Aug. 17, 1876, the son of William and Minnie (Ohm) Hinze, natives of Germany, who came to America in the fifties and successfully engaged in business as a contractor and builder. Herman F. received a good education in the common schools and for a time did various labor in town and

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MATHIAS OLSON AND FAMILY

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on farms. For a time he was a stationary engineer. In 1900 he bought 120 acres in section 31, Stanfold Township, which was then cutover hardwood land. There he built a log house and barn, and started clearing up the land. As his prosperity increased he built a good frame barn, granary, machine sheds and other buildings. In 1917 he built a fine stucco house. House and barn are illuminated with electricity and furnished with running water. A pleasant lawn adds to the sightliness of the place. The farm is well tilled and well fenced, the equipment in tools and machinery is excellent, and everything about the place bespeaks the hard work and thrift of the owner. He carries on general farming and dairying and has a good herd of cattle with a full blooded Guernsey sire. He has been quite successful in raising tobacco and believes that there are great possibilities for that crop in this region. In public affairs Mr. Hinze has served for a few years as a member of the school board. His financial holdings include stock in the Terminal Packing Co. of St. Paul, the Sales Pavilion at Barron and the Consumers' Store at Rice Lake. Mr. Hinze was married in Stanfold Township, March 26, 1913, to Amanda Ristow, daugh- ter of August and Anna (Hummel) Ristow. Mr. and Mrs. Hinze have four children: Alva M. was born June 20, 1915; Vernon W. was born Oct. 26, 1917; Luvern was born July 1, 1919; Russell L. was born April 5, 1921.

Mathias Olson, who gave his life in the cause of duty as sheriff of Barron County, was born in Norway, Oct. 26, 1870, the son of Ole Tollefson. He was reared in his native land and attended school there. As a young man he came to America, and located at Prairie Farm Village. Here he learned the black- smith trade from his uncle, Ingebird Tollefson. Later he operated a shop of his own in the village. In the meantime he took up a tract of 160 acres in the township. This he cleared up and developed into a good farm. As the village blacksmith it was natural that he should become widely acquainted in the vil- lage and surrounding townships, and his genial personality and admirable qualities made him a natural leader. He believed in everything that meant progress. He was an enthusiastic advocate of establishing electric light and telephone service, and when the local companies were formed, became one of their stockholders. He also worked early and late in behalf of a railroad proj- ect. In public life he served as village trustee and as village marshal. His excellence as the village peace officer caused his friends to propose him for county sheriff, his qualities commended themselves to the voters of the county, and in the fall of 1915 he was elected sheriff by a good majority. He made a most excellent officer, conscientious and efficient, and his friends predicted for him many high honors. He was shot in pursuance of duty while serving some legal papers, on Jan. 26, 1916. Mr. Olson was married July 18, 1903, at Prairie Farm, to Karen Klomstad, who was born in Norway, Dec. 13, 1883, the daughter of Hjostel and Ingeborg Klomstad. This union was blessed with three children. Inga Marie and Olaf are at home. Triygue died in childhood.

James J. Golden, proprietor of 80 acres of good farming land in Turtle Lake Township, besides a more extensive farm just across the line in Polk County, and who is carrying on a considerable farming and dairying business, was born in Pierce County, Wis., near Spring Valley, April 12, 1874, son of Michael and Mary (Frinor) Golden. The parents, natives of Canada, came to the United States in 1862, settling in Pierce County, Wisconsin, where they bought 120 acres of land on which Michael Golden for many years carried on general farming, and where he is still living, though now at an advanced age. His wife died Dec. 12, 1920, at the age of sixty-nine. They had twelve chil- dren, of whom eleven still survive, namely: James J .; Mary, who married M. E. O'Connell and lives on a farm near Spring Valley; Martin; Margaret, wife of John O'Connell; Dennis; Anna, wife of James O'Connell; Edward; Nellie; Celia, wife of Pat J. Mulhollan; Walter and William. All reside near Spring Valley, Wis. James J. Golden, who was reared in Pierce County, attended school at Olivett. He helped on the home farm until 22 years old, and then, starting in for himself, worked at the carpenters' trade for a few years. In 1902

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he started in the implement business, which for some years he combined with' dairying. After that for three years he conducted a creamery at Lake City, Minn., and one at Plum City, Wis., for two years. He also helped organize co- operative creameries. Then he moved to Thorpe, Clark County, Wis., and en- gaged in the well drilling business, in which he continued five years. At the end of that time he came to Barron County, but instead of buying within the limits of the county immediately, he purchased 80 acres of land in Polk County, to which later, by an additional purchase, he added 120 acres. Subsequently, he sold that land and bought 226 acres, and on Jan. 27, 1921, bought 80 acres in Turtle Lake Township, Barron County, just across the line from Almena. This was all improved land except 20 acres of steep upland. The buildings, however, being old, Mr. Golden tore them down and built new ones, including a house containing nine rooms downstairs and one room forty feet square upstairs. The barn measures 32 by 64 feet and had a full basement and Louden equip- ment. The other buildings are a silo, granary, machine shed and garage. Mr. Golden carried on general farming and dairying, keeping a herd of 32 pure- bred, high-grade, Guernsey cows, with a pure-bred sire in the herd. He also keeps Duroc-Jersey hogs. A part of his milk and cream is sold to general cus- tomers in Turtle Lake, the balance going to the Turtle Lake Creamery. Mr. Golden was married at Spring Valley, Wis., Feb. 12, 1901, to Katherine Kiefer, daughter of John and Anna (Schlitz) Kiefer. Her parents were natives of Luxembourg, where the father died and the mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Golden have had eight children, of whom seven are now living and residing at home, namely: John Ralph, Florence Gertrude, Irene, Francis, Martin, Bernard and Loretta. Mr. Golden is a man now in the prime of life, with an abundant fund of energy and ambition. He is well to do, his prospects having been self-acquired, and is well known and respected through- out Turtle Lake Township and adjoining territory.

Nathan M. Nelson, an energetic and progressive farmer of Section 30, Vance Creek Township, was born in Waushara County, Wis., Aug. 25, 1888, the son of Nels and Mary (Jeorgeson) Nelson, of Denmark, who settled in Wau- shara County in the early eighties, and are now prosperous and respected resi- dents of that vicinity. He received a good education in the public schools, learned farming from his father, and as a young man, rented farms. Later he purchased his present place of 80 acres. He has fixed over the comfortable farm house, erected a barn, 30 by 38 feet, a silo, 12 by 31 feet, and other build- ings, and has also repaired the fences, purchased new equipment, and made other improvements. He successfully carries on general farming and dairy- ing and has a good herd of Holstein cattle. He is especially interested in the Seventh Day Adventist Church in the township, and is now its treasurer. Mr. Nelson married Pearl Samples, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Clay Sam- ples, well known citizens. This union has been blessed with three bright chil- dren: Henry Lewis, Ina and Arden.

Otis Herman Neville, mason and farmer, Section 29, Vance Creek Town- ship, well known throughout this region, was born in Steele County, Minn., June 10, 1864, the son of John and Marie Neville, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Beloit, Wis. They were early settlers of Steele County, going there in 1861, and there spending the remainder of their days on a farm. The subject of this sketch attended the common schools and learned farming from his father. He was but fourteen years of age when he started working with railroad construction crews. In this employment he learned the stone mason trade. He came to his present place from St. Croix County, this state, in 1910. It was then all wild. He has developed it into an excellent farm. He has a comfortable home, a barn, 36 by 60 feet, and other buildings, and the soil is well tilled and the land well fenced. He successfully carries on general farm- ing and stock raising, making a specialty of a good herd of Guernsey cattle. In connection with his farming, he still continues to work at his trade. Many of the foundations to the farm buildings throughout the region testify to the

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fidelity and skill with which he labors and the regard in which his work is held. Since 1913, he has owned and operated a 30-horse power tractor engine with a full threshing outfit. He is a busy, active man, who has the interests of the community at heart, and is doing what he can to promote its welfare. His work has brought him into contact with many people, and all who know him, hold him in respect and liking. Being of a fraternal disposition, he, many years ago, joined the Modern Woodmen of America, of which he is still a member. As the father of children, he is interested in education, and has done excellent work as a member of the school board of his district. Mr. Neville married Sarah Dennis, and they have three children: James, Cassius and Thea.

John Weiss, successful cheese manufacturer, proprietor of the Advance Cheese Factory in Vance Creek Township, was born in Baron, Switzerland, April 22, 1881, son of John and Anna Weiss. The father came to America in 1888 and located in Monroe, this state, where he was joined by the mother and the four children in 1893. He still lives there and the mother died there in August, 1912. John was twelve years of age when he came to this country, and for a while he attended school in Greene County. Soon, however, he began working among farmers on his own responsibility. At eighteen he determined to enter the manufacturing end of the dairy business. Accordingly, he learned cheese making. In 1916, after looking over the field with care, he fixed upon Barron County as the scene of his future activities, attracted here by the won- derful dairy prospects. He purchased the Advance Factory in Vance Creek Township, with the two acres of land adjoining, and started operations. His success was assured from the start, and in a short time he had added new ma- chinery and equipment. The factory specializes in an excellent grade of brick cheese which has a daily capacity of 12,500 pounds. The product is in high favor, and is shipped to Omaha, Nebraska. Mr. Weiss is thoroughly versed in his line, he has the confidence of all with whom he does business, and is an estimable citizen in every respect. He is a popular member of the M. W. A. at Reeve, and of the I. O. O. F. at Turtle Lake. Mr. Weiss was married March 3, 1903, to Bertha Stiner, and they have one son, Emil, a bright boy, born Aug. 20, 1906. The family faith is that of the Lutheran Church.

Alexander Amans, Section 5, west, Maple Grove Township, is a native of this county, born in this county April 3, 1891, son of Anton and Feleman (Perry) Amans, natives of Canada, who came to the States in 1880, and secured 40 acres of wild land in Doyle Township, this county, which they cleared and improved, and where they continued to carry on mixed farming and dairying. In the family there were eight children: Max, deceased; Raymond, Alexander, Louisa, Obilne, Delena and Leo. Alexander attended the district schools of his neighborhood, learned farming from his father, and remained at home un- til 1910. Then for several years he rented farms. In 1919 he purchased his present place of 120 acres. He has named it the Clear Lake Farm; he has good buildings and equipment, and has been successful in his operations. He was married Feb. 18, 1911, to Helen Oliver, daughter of George and Stella (Hender- son) Oliver, formerly of Dunn County, this state, but now of Rice Lake, Bar- ron County. Mrs. Amans was one of eight children: Irene, deceased; Esther, Crystal, Celon, Dewey, Lloyd, George and Helen. Mr. and Mrs. Amans have three children, Vernon, Gerald, and Lyle. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church.

Isaac A. Anderson, an active and efficient farmer of Maple Grove Town- ship, has a good place of 80 acres in Section 8, east, which he is cultivating and improving, and where he carries on general farming and dairying. He is well liked in the community and takes pride in the growth and progress of the county which gave him birth, and in which his parents were early settlers. He was born in the township where he still lives, Oct. 14, 1886, and received his education in the district school of his neighborhood. He thoroughly learned farming from his parents, Andrew and Augusta (Storm) Anderson, and re- mained with them until 1918, when he started in for himself on a place which

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he rented. He bought his present place in 1919. Mr. Anderson was married Jan. 1, 1918, to Signe Nelson, daughter of Andrew and Anna (Sanderson) Nel- son, natives of Sweden, who came to America in the early eighties, and now re- side in Maple Grove Township. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have one child, Or- ville A., born Aug. 14, 1918. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Luther- an Church.

Jesse F. Lake, an enterprising farmer owning 40 acres in Section 4, west. Maple Grove Township, was born in the township where he still lives, Oct. 8, 1887, the son of William and Emma (McDonald) Lake, of this township. He received his early education in the public schools, and learned farming from his father. For eleven seasons he spent his winters in the woods, part of the time in the employ of the Ellingson Lumber Co. For two years he spent a part of his time operating a well driller, in which he owned a half interest. He also worked in a brick yard at Barron, this county, for a year. In July, 1914, he acquired eighty acres, including his present farm. Later he sold a half of it. He has erected buildings and fences, and carries on general farm- ing and dairying. He is hard working and energetic and is regarded as one of the rising young men of the township. Mr. Lake was married March 15, 1909, to Maude Hanson, daughter of Hans and Tena (Olson) Hanson, who now re- side in Barron Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Lake have five children : Dorothy, born Sept. 19, 1910; Eleanor, born March 7, 1912; Leo, born April 3, 1914; Irene, born May 8, 1917; and Hazel, born Dec. 6, 1919.

Ralph J. Curtis, a prosperous farmer of Maple Grove Township, has a good farm of 97 acres in Section 21, west, Maple Grove Township, and is gradu- ally making improvements which are adding greatly to its value. He has cleared a part of the land, has renovated the house, has built a barn, machine shed and garage, has repaired the fences, and is increasing its productiveness and fertility. His place is equipped with Delco lights and other modern con- veniences. The good herd of Holsteins is headed by a full-blooded sire. Fra- ternally, Mr. Curtis is a member of the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was born in Sauk County, Wis., Nov. 30, 1885, the son of James G. and Leona (Odell) Cur- tis, natives respectively of Dane and Sauk counties, who now reside in Maple Grove Township. He received his education in the district schools, and worked for his father until 1906. Then he drilled wells for a while and later had charge of a cream route for the Barron Co-operative Creamery Co. Still later he rented a farm. He bought his present place in 1913. Mr. Curtis was married Jan. 1, 1907, to Belle Dawson, daughter of George and Effie (Pomroy) Dawson, who came to Wisconsin in 1893 and farmed until 1919, when they retired and moved to Barron, where they now live. In the family there were six children: Jess, Bell, John, Mabel, Fred and Florence. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis are the parents of four children. Earl A. was born June 21, 1908. Lloyd J. was born July 22, 1910. Harry R. was born Nov. 16, 1912. Eleanor E. was born March 18, 1917. Charles L. Brekken, clerk of Chetek Township, and early settler of Bar- ron County, was born in Norway, July 26, 1858, son of Lars and Marit (Kaagen) Brekken, both natives of that country. The family came to America in 1868, and located in Rock County, Wis., for a year, then moving over the line to Boone County, Ill., where one of the children died. In 1875, they came to Barron County, and located in Section 22, Chetek Township. This tract was wild stump land. The father at this time was getting old, but with the help of the chil- dren, he grubbed and broke the land, erected buildings, and developed a farm, upon which he and his family were enabled to earn a good living. The father died in 1905, and the mother in 1912. The seven children in the family were: Ole and Hans, who grew to adult years, married and are now dead; Charles L., town clerk of Chetek Township; Mary, wife of Tosten Hanson, of Chetek Town- ship; John, of Turtle Lake, North Dakota; Lena, wife of L. J. Bjorlie, of Section 16, Maple Grove Township; and another, Lena, who died in infancy. Charles L. was a boy in his early 'teens when the family came to America, and was seven-

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CHARLES L. BREKKEN AND FAMILY

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MR. AND MRS. LARS O. BREKKEN

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teen when they located in Barron County. His father was then growing old, and much of the hard work of the farm fell on Charles L. He helped grub and develop the farm, and in time became the owner, remaining on it until 1920 with the exception of two years when he tried his fortunes in Nebraska. He added to the original acreage until he had 200 acres. Here for many years he carried on general farming, making a specialty of graded Holstein cattle, Poland-China swine and Shropshire sheep. In the summer of 1920 he sold the place to his three sons, Leander, Olin and Harold, who are now successfully operating it. In addition to his other holdings, Mr. Brekken is interested in a number of Chetek enterprises. He was one of the organizers of the Oak Grove Farmers' Mutual Insurance Co. in 1891, and is still interested therein. He en- tered the political arena shortly after he was of age. He and his wife have both been clerk of their school district. He was elected town clerk in 1891, and is proving a most capable, conscientious, and accommodating officer, in high favor with all the people. For fifteen years he has done excellent service as secretary of the Norwegian Lutheran Church at Chetek. Mr. Brekken was married Nov. 10, 1892, on a farm in Chetek Township, to Emma Larson, born near Milwaukee, at Muskeego, Waukesha County, Wis., the daughter of Jorgen and Mari (Daehlen) Larson, who were pioneers of Waukesha County, Wis., and later moved to Waushara County, Wis., where they died. Mr. and Mrs. Brekken have six children: Maude, Leander, Olive, Harold (first), Harold and Conrad. Maude was born Sept. 7, 1893, married John C. Sullivan, and lives in Sauk Center, Minnesota. Leander was born Oct. 18, 1895, and was there reared. He enlisted in the regular army three days before the United States entered the World War. He was assigned to Co. G, 18th Infantry, First Divi- sion, trained at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, and at Douglas, Arizona, and served for a period on the Mexican border. In June, 1917, he embarked and arrived in France, June 28. He served with the First Division, in some of the fiercest fighting at Cantigny Ridge, St. Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne. At Cantigny Ridge he was badly gassed, but recovered sufficiently to again engage in the conflict. He arrived in the United States in 1919 with General Persh- ing, but did not participate in the Triumphal Parade in New York because he was company supply sergeant. He was discharged at Camp Grant, that fall, and returned to the farm. Olin was born Nov. 18, 1897. Harold (first) was born Sept. 3, 1902, and died in infancy. Harold was born April 4, 1904. Conrad was born Aug. 8, 1910, and is doing well in school.

Sever L. Sherwin, an enterprising farmer of Section 4, Oak Grove Town- ship, came to this county in 1912, and purchased 80 acres in Section 15. He there farmed for four years, during which time he continued the clearing and breaking. In 1916 he purchased 120 acres in Section 4, which he has since con- tinued to develop and operate. He has renovated the house and barn, and put up a silo and granary. He has cleared 20 additional acres, and broken some of it. On this place he industriously conducts general farming, and pays particular attention to dairying. His cattle are of the Holstein breed. Born in Norway, July 20, 1873, he was the son of of Lars Sgurson and Martha Larson, the for- mer of whom died in Norway, and the latter of whom still lives there. In the family there were four children: Ben, Lars, Sever L. and Susan. Sever L. was educated in Norway, and was reared to farm work by his parents. He came to America in 1893, and settled on a farm in Dane County, this state, not far from Madison. In 1897 he took employment with the Fuller & Johnson Plow Co., and in 1904 with the American Plow Co. He bought a farm near Madison in 1910, and operated it two years before coming to Barron County. Mr. Sherwin was married Dec. 3, 1899, to Anna Hedlave, who was born in Norway, the daughter of Herman and Syvina Hedlave, the former of whom is dead, and the latter of whom lives in that country. Mr. and Mrs. Sherwin are the parents of four fine children: Leroy, born. May 12, 1903; Margaret.S., born Aug. 16, 1904; Agnes A., born Nov. 5, 1905; and Alfred S., born Aug. 20, 1908. Lars was born July 20, 1911, and died Oct. 14, of the same year.

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George Gagner, farmer of Oak Grove Township, contractor, carpenter and woodworker, was born in Sweden, Sept. 24, 1881, son of John and Christina (Erickson) Gagner, natives of Sweden, who came to America in 1893, and set- tled in Rice Lake, this county, where the father was employed by the Rice Lake Lumber Co. until 1915, when he retired and they moved to Oak Grove Township. George was reared in his native land and there learned the cabinet- making trade. He came to America in 1899, landed in New York and, after looking about there for a while, came to Rice Lake and entered the employ of the Rice Lake Lumber Co. In 1906 he went to Duluth, Minn., and was em- ployed as a cabinet maker and stair builder in a sash and door factory there. While there he attended evening school, and also took a four-years' course by correspondence in architectural drawing and estimating. In 1914 he came back to Rice Lake. A few months later he bought forty acres of land in Section 24, Oak Grove Township, where he still farms. He has cleared almost the total tract, and has himself erected a good set of buildings. In the summer he still does carpenter work and general contracting. For four years he worked for F. D. Stout on his fancy stock farm in Cedar Lake Township, and helped to erect many of the buildings there. Mr. Gagner was married Aug. 12, 1907, to Inga Peterson, who was born in Norway, Jan. 8, 1884, daughter of Peter and Mar- tha (Olson) Peterson, both natives of Norway, and both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Gagner have three children: Esther, born Sept. 25, 1908; Evelyn, born Aug. 3, 1910; and Roy, born July 31, 1920. The family faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran Church.

Lucas Lexa, an energetic farmer of Section 29, Oak Grove Township, was born in Bohemia, Oct. 16, 1881, the son of Frank and Anna (Svoboda) Lexa, who spent the span of their years in that country. He was reared and educated in his native land and there remained until 1895. In that year he came to the United States, and for a while was employed on farms in Iowa. He first came to Barron County in 1897, and worked on farms and on the railroad. Then he went to Chicago, and worked in a sash and door factory for a while. In 1906 he once more came to Barron County and bought 60 acres in Section 28, Oak Grove Township. Here he put up a good set of buildings, cleared twenty acres and stumped forty, and there carried on farming and dairying for many years. He bought his present farm of 80 acres in 1919. He is working hard and is build- ing up a good place. As the father of children, he is interested in education and is doing good work on the school board. He is a stockholder in the Consumers' Store at Rice Lake. Fraternally, he is associated with the Bohemian Workmen. Mr. Lexa was married Nov. 19, 1904, to Mary Tinka, who was born in Chicago, Aug. 17, 1884, the daughter of James and Mary (Kaska) Tinka, who were born in Bohemia, came to America and located in Chicago, where the father worked in a sash and door factory in Chicago, until his death, Aug. 28, 1901, since which time, the mother has lived with her daughter. There was one other child in the family, William, who died Oct. 16, 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Lexa have five bright children: Alois, born Sept. 12, 1905; Mary, who was born March 17, 1907, and died Sept. 24, 1909; Agnes, who was born Aug. 24, 1908; Mary, who was born Feb. 22, 1910; James, who was born Jan. 22, 1913; and Anna, who was born Nov. 26, 1915. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 167

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

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