History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 168

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 168

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).

Joseph Havel, now deceased, one of the first settlers near Tuscobia, Oak Grove Township, was born in Bohemia, and was there educated and grew to manhood. He married Amelia Zbolsky, the daughter of a neighbor. In 1890, they came to America, and settled in Omaha, Nebraska, where he followed his trade as a carpenter. In 1895 they came to Barron County, and purchased 60 acres in Sections 28 and 29, Oak Grove Township. They cleared up a part of the land, erected a set of buildings, and developed a farm. Mr. Havel was a man greatly respected, he was a good family man, a good farmer and a good citizen. He was killed by lightning on May 12, 1906. His widow has since continued to operate the place with the assistance of her sons. In the family

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REV. EDMUND E. SAVAGEAU

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there are nine children: Christina, Mary, Rose, Joseph, Edward, George, Anna, Helen and Frank.

Frank Mazel, a careful and prudent citizen, who owned and operated three different farm in Oak Grove Township, was born in Bohemia and was there reared and educated. He married Ann Hubacek. They came to America in the early seventies, and located in Nebraska, where they farmed for many years. In 1900 they came to Barron County and located on a farm in Oak Grove Town- ship. Successively they owned two other farms. They retired in 1910, and took up their home with their daughter, Mrs. Ludvik B. Stodola. Mrs. Mazel died Jan. 18, 1904, and Mr. Mazel now lives in Nebraska. They were the parents of thirteen children, of whom there are now living five: Frank, Mary, John P., Louis and Anna.

John P. Mazel, a well-known farmer and carpenter of Section 29, Oak Grove Township, was born in Nebraska, Nov. 30, 1885, the son of Frank and Anna (Hubacek) Mazel, natives of Bohemia. He received his early education in his native state, and was brought to this county in 1900 as a youth of four- teen years. He remained farming with his father until 1905, when he learned the carpenter trade. This occupation he has since followed. He is a skilled workman, and has assisted in constructing many of the best farm buildings in the township. In 1919 he bought a farm of 60 acres in Section 29, Oak Grove Township, which he has improved in various ways, and where he carries on gen- eral farming, still, however, following his trade. Mr. Mazel was married June 29, 1915, to Mary Havel, born in this township, Jan. 1, 1895, the daughter of Joseph and Amelia (Zbolsky) Havel. This union has been blessed with two children: Amelia H., born April 12, 1918; and Edward J., born March 4, 1920.

Rev. Edmund E. Savageau, pastor of the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes at Dobie, rector of the church of that name, and preceptor of the parochial school, is one of the vital personal influences in the life of the northeastern part of Barron County. As a pastor of the parish he has fulfilled the best traditions and ideals of his calling, he is revered by his own flock and respected by those not of his faith, and his sermons and administrations, through God, are a source of inspiration to higher living. His scholarship is of a high order and shows not only in his sermons but in the success which he has had as an in- structor in his school. Much as he is cherished by the older people and loved by the boys and girls, his greatest work has probably been among the young men, who, in addition to their esteem for him as a pastor and teacher, honor him for the part he played as a man and chaplain during the World War, and find in him one who understands all a young man's problems. He is thoroughly modern in methods, is an enthusiastic community worker, makes of his church a real community center, is gradually working toward full recreational and social equipment, and to this end has organized a large band and glee club, his previous musical experience standing him in especial stead in this particular line of work. He was born in West Depere, Brown County, this state, Dec. .21, 1891, son of Severe and Delia (Duaine) Savageau, then well known resi- dents of that place. He attended the public and parochial schools of his na- tive place, and with this preparation entered St. Norbert's College at West Depere, from which he was graduated with the degree of B. A. in 1907. He made a splendid record and was at once engaged as an instructor in the same institution, covering mathematics, gymnastics, etc. He was also placed in charge of the college band in which he had been greatly interested through all his college days. In 1913 his eyes began to fail and he rested for a while. He then entered the St. Francis Seminary at Milwaukee and there finished his courses in theology and other subjects. He was ordained at Superior, April 12, 1914, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Koudelka. He then became assistant to the scholarly Rev. S. A. Leinfelder, D. D., Ph. D., rector of St. Mary's parish at Rheinlander, Wis. That pastor died Nov. 14, and the assistant took charge of the parish for two months. On Jan. 8, 1915, he was appointed pastor of the church at Lake Nabagaman, Wis., where in addition to pastoral duties at the

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church he conducted mission services at Blueberry, Winneboujou, South Range, etc., and at the county workhouse and insane asylum. In 1915 he was appointed pastor of the church of St. Joseph at Amery, Wis., with two missions, one at Georgetown and one at Clear Lake. In July, 1917, he became pastor of St. Louis' Church at Superior, Wis., under the learned Bishop Koudelka. From there he offered his services to the United States government as a chaplain in the navy. He was assigned to his present parish March 15, 1920. Upon enter- ing the naval service he took preliminary training at Boston. He received an order to join the U. S. S. Pueblo, then at Rio Janiero, South America. This 'order was revoked in favor of the battleship Vermont. He traveled the high seas during the war period and after the Armistice made an extended cruise of the West Coast with the Pacific Fleet. From Mare Island Navy Yard, Cali- fornia, he came to his home, arriving there Feb. 16, 1920, and then received his commission as Lieutenant (J. G.), C. H. C., U. S. N. R. F. Father Savageau comes of a good family of substantial people. The father, Severe Savageau, was born in Canada of French descent, and came to the United States in 1860, settling near Green Bay, in Brown County, Wisconsin. There he farmed and worked in the logging woods for many years. His good wife was a native of Wisconsin. They came to Dobie in March, 1920, to be near their son. They were the parents of a large family, the members of which have done well in life. Emanuel, Laura, Clara and Edmund (first) are dead. David, Odele, Mary, Olive, Severe, Rev. Vincent, Charles and Edmund E. are living.

Charles B. Strandberg, a prosperous farmer of Section 18, Prairie Farm Township, was born in Sweden, Aug. 14, 1866, the son of Bandt and Johannah Strandberg, who spent the span of their years as Swedish farmers. The sub- ject of this sketch was reared in his native land and attended school there for a while. As a young man he came to America, landing in New York, May 7, 1886. From there he traveled to Chicago, and thence to Menomonie, in this state, arriving in Prairie Farm before the end of the month. For several years thereafter he worked on farms in the summer and fall, in the woods winters and on the lumber drives in the spring. In all, he spent no less than fifteen win- ters in lumber camps. In 1901 he settled on his present farm of 40 acres in Section 18. A set of log buildings stood on the place, and part of the land had been cleared. Moving his family into the cabin, Mr. Strandberg set to work with a will to build up a farm. At first he had an ox team and a few cows. With this beginning he has developed a good farm. He has a pleasant home, a barn, 34 by 60 feet, and other good buildings. He successfully carries on general farming and dairying, and raises a good grade of stock. Mr. Strand- berg is an hard working man of solid worth, who believes in everything that is decent and good. He is active in the Norwegian Lutheran Church and has been a member of its board of trustees for some eleven years. Mr. Strandberg mar- ried Olena Arnston Kaetvig. She was born in Norway, Nov. 19, 1859, came to the United States in 1879 and married Olof Kastvig. He died in Barron County in 1888, at the age of thirty-one, leaving three children, Anton, Alma and Laura. Mr. and Mrs. Strandberg have one daughter, Amanda.

Otto Olson, a successful farmer owning a place of 120 acres in Section 9, east, Maple Grove Township, was born in Norway, April 3, 1876, son of Matt and Gunhild (Olson) Olson, natives of Norway, who spent the span of their days in that country. Otto was educated in Norway, and in 1892 set out for the New World. For some years he worked on farms and ranches in North Dakota. It was in 1898 that that he came to Barron County, and two years later he ac- quired his present place. He cleared and broke fifty acres, erected a complete set of buildings, built fences, and purchased equipment, and now carries on general farming. He has done good work on the school board of his district, has been clerk, and is now treasurer. Being of a fraternal nature, he has allied himself with the Modern Woodmen. He and his family attend the Nor- wegian Lutheran Church. Mr. Olson is still making improvements, and re- cently installed the Delco lighting system in home and barns. He is gradually

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MR. AND MRS. A. M. WILSON

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grading his Jerseys into an excellent herd. Mr. Olson was married Dec. 9, 1897, to Sophia Larson, daughter of Louis and Helena (Olson) Larson, natives of Norway, who came to America in the early sixties. Mr. and Mrs. Olson have four children: Glen, born March 2, 1901; Violet, born April 30, 1904; Clifford, born Aug. 6, 1906; and Clayton, born Nov. 4, 1915.

Gilbert O. Braaton, successful farmer, Section 35, west, Maple Grove Town- ship, was born in Norway, Jan. 12, 1860, and there received his education and learned the trade of shoemaking. In June, 1886, he came to America, and after landing in New York, found his way to Granite Falls, Minn., where he was a shoemaker for ten years. Then he opened a shop at Hanley Falls, Minn. Next he and his son, George, had a shoe store and repair shop at Wood Lake, Minn. From there he came to Barron County in 1911, and bought and sold three different places before acquiring the present farm. He now successfully car- ries on general farming and dairying. Mr. Braaton was married April 9, 1888, to Carrie J. Brakke, whose parents were Minnesota pioneers. She died at Wood Lake, Minn., March 14, 1900, after bearing her husband two children: George, who was born Dec. 10, 1888, and Julius, who was born Dec. 5, 1892, and died Nov. 17, 1903.

George Braaton, a prosperous young farmer of Section 35, west, Maple Grove Township, was born in Granite Falls, Minn., Dec. 10, 1888, son of Gil- bert O. and Carrie J. (Braake) Braaton. He lived with his parents in Granite Falls, and Hanley Falls, Minn., and at Wood Lake, Minn., where he completed his schooling with a two-years' course in the high school. He then associated himself with his father and opened a shoe shop and repair shop in that place. He came to this county with his father in 1911 and has since been associated with him in his ventures with the exception of about two years when he clerked in various stores in North Dakota. He is now his father's partner in the farm, and is one of the well-known young men of the community.

Peter A. Johnson, Section 12, west, Maple Grove Township, was born in Sweden, June 13, 1861, son of John and Anna (Johnson) Swenson. He was educated in Sweden, and did farm work there until coming to America. He reached the United States in 1883, worked for a year in a nursery in Connec- ticut, and then found his way to Iowa, where he worked on a farm. In 1895 he came to Barron County, and bought a farm in Chetek Township, where he remained two years. He purchased his present farm of 80 acres in 1897. He has cleared 35 acres, fenced the entire farm, and erected suitable buildings. Here he carries on general farming and dairying, and is regarded as one of the useful citizens of the community. He and his family worship at the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Mr. Johnson was married Feb. 19, 1894, to Hanna Olson, a native of Norway. This union has been blessed with nine children: Bena was born Oct. 25, 1894, and is the wife of Christ Gilbertson. Oscar L. was born June 28, 1896. George H. was born Dec. 24, 1898. Amanda was born Oct. 25, 1900, and is housekeeper for Even Monson. Gladys was born Nov. 9, 1902, and died Nov. 30, of the same year. Hilda C. was born Nov. 14, 1903. Elmer L. was born Dec. 4, 1905. Alvira V. was born March 18, 1907. Martin A. was born May 1, 1911.

Albert M. Wilson, a prosperous farmer of Section 31, Sumner Township, was born in Brookfield, Waukesha County, this state, July 11, 1861, the son of Orrin M. and Ladorna (Grover) Wilson. Orrin Wilson was born in New York State, and came to Wisconsin as a young man. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in Co. A, 28th Wis. Vol. Inf., and served with valor, died in service, and is buried at Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He married Ladorna Grover, who was born in Birdsell, Algoma County, New York, April 13, 1836, and died in Barron County, Wis., Dec. 24, 1920, the daughter of Morgan L. and Harriet (Barber) Grover. Morgan L. Grover was born Dec. 10, 1815, and was married in 1833, to Harriet Barber. He was the son of Solomon and Betsey (Stowe) Grover, the former of whom was born May 17, 1775, and the latter Dec. 22, 1777. Orrin Wilson and his wife had six children: Harriet, Morgan, Lamira,

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Byron, Albert M. and Arthur O. The subject of this sketch was reared in Sauk County, this state. At the age of sixteen he struck out for himself, and worked. on farms and in the lumber woods. "As a young man he homesteaded 120 acres in what was then Bloomer Township, but which is now Strickland Town- ship, Rush County, this state, where he erected a log cabin, and started clear- ing the land. By hard work he developed a good farm and erected a suitable set of buildings. He attained prominence in his locality, and for three years was town treasurer. His first visit to Barron County was made in 1877, when he first started out for himself. In 1900, after selling his homestead, he bought an improved farm of 100 acres in Dallas Township. A year later he sold out. At that time he bought two tracts of land in Chetek Township, 160 acres two miles west of the village, and 80 acres two miles east of it. In 1902, he bought his present place in Section 31, Sumner Township. To make the trip with his goods from Sumner Village to his homestead, cutting the trail through the woods as he went, he took nine and a half days. The land upon which he set- tled was entirely wild, a dismal tract covered with stumps and brush. But he was accustomed to pioneering, he knew the possibilities of the fertile soil, and he set to work with a will to develop a farm. He now has a good place, with good buildings, and is one of the substantial and successful men of the commu- nity. He carries on general farming, and makes a specialty of a special strain of full-blooded, registered Holstein cattle. Mr. Wilson is a supporter of every- thing that is for the betterment and progress of the community, was one of the prime movers in putting the rural telephone line in his neighborhood, and holds stock in the telephone company, the creamery and the store. As the father of children, he is a thorough believer in education, and has done good service on the school board. Mr. Wilson was married at Chetek, on Aug. 12, 1894, to Phil- inea C. Howard, who was born May 28, 1872, oldest of the six children of Thomas J. and Ellen (Ward) Howard, natives respectively of Indiana and Maine, who came to Barron County in 1868, and located on a homestead of 160 acres in Dallas Township, where they spent the remainder of their lives, he dying at the age of eighty-one and she still living on the homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have five children: Madge Ladorna, a teacher; Myrtle Elenora and Iva Pauline, who are training as nurses at the Englewood Hospital, Chi- cago; Grace Alberta, who is a student at the Barron County Training School, Rice Lake; and Lillian Lucille, at home. The family faith is that of the Free Methodist Church.

John Ludvigson, guide and fisherman of Chetek Lake, was born in Nor- way, Sept. 15, 1846, son of Hans and Helen (Johnson) Ludvigson, who came to America in the early fifties, lived for about eight years in Fond du Lac County, Wis., and in 1861 located in Elk Mound, Dunn County. There the father and his brother-in-law, Mr. Johnson, bought 10 forty-acre tracts and started farm- ing on a large scale. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. Johnson enlisted, and lost his life during that conflict. As a youth, John Ludvigson worked for about ten years for G. A. Buffington, being engaged at the sawmill in Eau Claire in the summer time and in the lumber woods in the winters. He had many interesting experiences in the woods, living in shanties built to accommodate 75 lumberjacks, eating the hearty fare of the woods, joining in the hilarious sports, and doing his share in leveling the great forests of this part of the state. With his earnings he took some land which his father had acquired in Dunn County, and on this he started farming. But after eight years of farm- ing, he found that he was $500 in debt. So he decided to go back to his former life as a woodsman. He then entered the employ of R. Le Seuer, of Rice Lake. For him he worked along the Moose Ear Creek in the northeastern part of the county, and in a sawmill four miles east of New Auburn. He also helped to develop for his employer a farm near Rice Lake, and broke for him some 200 acres. When Mr. Le Seuer sold out to C. Rickard, Mr. Ludvigson continued in his employ for a while. About this time he began taking fishing parties out on the lake, and is still engaged in this occupation. For many years, however, he

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still continued to work in sawmills in the winter time. For a time he con- ducted a boat livery at Chetek which is now owned by his nephew. He was also in the ice business for a while, cutting the pure ice from Lake Chetek, storing it, and marketing it in the city and to the hotels and cottages along the lake. This work was a bit too strenuous, however, and he abandoned it. In the winter of 1919-20, he spent a few months in fishing and other recreation at Corpus Christi, Cal. He is hale and hearty, he loves the outdoors, he is an expert in his line, and as a man and citizen he is highly regarded. He has a pleasant home in the city, the main part of which was moved in to the city from a mile south, where Mr. Ludvigson had erected it on a small tract presented to his wife by his parents. Mr. Ludvigson was married Sept. 1, 1867, at Elk Mound, Dunn County, this state, to Carrie Beagle, who was born in Vermont about 1849, came west shortly after the Civil War (in which her father served) with her par- ents, Daniel and Adelaine (Donaldson) Beagle, and settled with them in Chetek Township, near the county line, where both of them died. Mr. and Mrs. Lud- vigson were the parents of six children: One daughter died in infancy; Han- nah is the wife of Clayton Dodge, of Chetek; Ella is the wife of Cecil Hazel- tine, and lives near Duluth, Minn. Lida is the wife of Edwin Williams, and also lives near Duluth. Edwin died at four years. A son died in infancy. John Ludvigson was the fifth of eight children. Johannah Johnson and Mary Strand live in Menomonie, Wis. Martha and William live in Elk Mound, Wis. Three . are dead.

Martin T. Mogenson, potato buyer and shipper, of Chetek, is one of the rep- resentative and substantial business men of the place and has been successful in his operations. He was born in Denmark, Nov. 22, 1866, son of Carl and Anna Marie (Matson) Mogenson, who spent the span of their years in that country. He was reared in his native land, and there attended school for a brief period. He came to the United States in 1885, and located in Northwood, Iowa, where he worked on a farm two years. In 1892 he moved to Steele County, Minnesota, where he also farmed. He came to Barron County in 1896, and bought an improved farm of eighty acres in Barron Township. Three years later he took up business and moved to Chetek. He has since successfully con- tinued as a general dealer. He has a good potato warehouse near the Omaha tracks, and deals extensively in potatoes, machinery and implements. He also handles other lines as well, buying and selling farm produce as the market seems to warrant. The home in the city is a pleasant one, and a place of hospitality and good cheer for all the friends of the family. Mr. Mogenson was married in Iowa, in 1888, to Louise B. E. Johnson, who was born in Sweden. Her mother died in Sweden, and her father, Bertle Johnson, came to the United States in 1890 and died in Iowa four years later. Mr. and Mrs. Mogenson have had seven children, Louis, Alma Charlotte, Myrtle, Guy, Lloyd, Gladys and Leona. Louis was born in Iowa and died in Minnesota at the age of ten months. Alma Charlotte was born April 17, 1893, and married Arndt Olson, who farms south of Chetek. Myrtle was born Nov. 28, 1894, married Frank Newman, a farmer north of Chetek, and has one child, Phyllis. Guy was born July 12, 1896, and was killed by the falling of a barn, Aug. 14, 1911. Lloyd was born June 20, 1898, and married Olga Knappen. Gladys was born Oct. 8, 1900, and was married Dec. 6, 1919, to Arthur Nelson, a Chetek barber. Leona was born. June 5, 1904.

Salem Hand, an early settler of Barron County, was born in Minnesota, and married Emma Moore, a native of England. They farmed for many years in Iowa, and then came to Barron County. In the Hand family there were eight children. Florence is the wife of Frank Cummings, of Chetek. Ida is the wife of Matthew Mair, of Chetek. Roy and Allie are in the state of Washington. Rollie is in Iowa. Winnie is the wife of Fred Holtz, of Barron. Clinton has been proprietor of the Barron Hotel, at Barron. Mabel is the wife of Ward Wells, of Barron.

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Matthew Mair, business man of Chetek, was born Oct. 19, 1876, son of James and Margaret (Elgy) Mair. He was reared and educated in Chetek, and has had an active commercial career here. For some time he was a piano sales- man and for several years he conducted a restaurant. Later he erected a good three-story cement block building, 30 by 60 feet, and opened a general store therein, This business prospered, and in time he established a branch at New Auburn, on the south line of the county. In 1920 he sold the two stores, and took over the management of the Chetek Auto Co. in which he is a stockholder and director. He also has other extensive interests in and out of the county. His home is a pleasant apartment on the second floor of his brick block. Fra- ternally, Mr. Mair is a member of the Beavers, but he has been too busy with other things to mingle much in lodge life, although he is possessed of those qualities of friendliness and geniality which help to make a popular fraternity member. He is actively interested in public life and for a time did excellent service as a city alderman. He has also served on various committees and dele- gations. He is a solid, substantial citizen, and a man always to be depended on. Mr. Mair was married April 8, 1900, in Barron, this county, to Mrs. Ida Hand Andrus, daughter of Salem and Emma (Moore) Hand. By her first husband she has one son, Percy, a Chetek barber. Mr. and Mrs. Mair have one son, Volney, born Sept. 17, 1904.

Thomas E. Perry, a modern farmer of Section 27, east, Chetek Township, was born near Augusta, in Eau Claire County, Wis., Sept. 26, 1876, the son of William F. and Sarah (Helegar) Perry. These good people were natives re- spectively of Canada and of New York State. They came west as young peo- ple, were married in Augusta, and spent the remainder of their lives as Eau Claire County farmers. Thomas E. was the third of five children. He attended the district school at Otter Creek, in his native county, and grew up on the farm. At the age of twenty-one, he went to Eau Claire, and entered the em- ploy of a sawmill. A few years later he started work in a flour mill there. In 1909 he came to Barron County and for two years worked in the canning fac- tory at Chetek. He bought his present farm of 100 acres in 1911. It was then a well-improved place, and he has continued the developments, erecting two silos, and purchasing new equipment. Here he carries on general farming, making a specialty of Jersey cattle, Poland-China swine and good horses. Mr. Perry married Bertha Johnson, a native of Norway, and this union has been blessed with six children: Lawrence, Victor, Edgar, Leona, Ralph and Arthur. Mr. and Mrs. Perry take their part in the social affairs of the community, they have a pleasant home in which their friends and their childrens' friends are always made welcome, and they are well liked by all who know them.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 168

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

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