History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 17

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 17

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).

Charles C. Taylor, of the firm of Taylor & Taylor, chiropractic practi- tioners, Rice Lake and Chetek, was born in Vernon county, Wis., Sept. 10, 1871, son of Cortes P. and Thurza J. (Perkins) Taylor. He passed through the graded schools, took a classical course in the Cashton (Monroe county,

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HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

Wis.), high school, and a business course in the Curtis school, Minneapolis. He was also with his father in business at Barron, this county for some time. For six years he was a commercial traveler in Minnesota and Wisconsin. For ten years he was a resident of Akanogan county, Wash., and on the Pacific Coast. He was married June 25, 1901, to Mary D. Copelin, daughter of David and Sarah E. Copelin, of New London, Iowa. In 1918 Mr. and Mrs. Taylor entered the Palmer School of Chiropractic at Davenport, Iowa, and gradu- ated in December, 1919. They started the practice of their profession in this county June 7, 1920. They have two good offices and have made a decided success of their chosen line of work. Their home is at Rice Lake.

William H. Smith, pioneer mill man in Barron county, was born in Williams county, Ohio, Dec. 29, 1829, descended from Holland and Pennsylvania Quaker stock. He was married Oct. 13, 1853 to Sarah A. Helm, who was born May 4, 1836. In 1870 the family moved to Marshall county, Indiana, and in 1881 came to Barron county, and located at Mooney's Mill, now Hillsdale, Maple Grove township. In 1908, Mr. and Mrs. Smith moved to Finney county, Kansas, and from there to Houston, Texas, where both died in January, 1918. In the family there were six children: Emma Jeanette, now of Houston, Texas; J. C. F., a dentist of Barron; Edgar E., railroad agent and business man of Barron; Eugene E., a contractor at Houston, Texas; Frances L., widow of Bert Henry; and William H., Jr., also a contractor at Houston.

Edgar E. Smith, lumberman and railroad man of Barron city, is a man of varied interests and has had his share in the development of the county. He was born in Cardington, Ohio, on a farm, June 20, 1860, the son of William H. and Sarah A. (Helm) Smith. With his parents he moved to Marshall county, Indiana, in 1870, and there continued his schooling. At the age of seventeen he started out for himself, and secured employment in the telegraph service with the Indiapolis, Peru & Chicago R. R. at Plymouth, Indiana. Five years later, in 1882, he came to Barron county, and after spending the summer in hunting and adventuring, secured employment at Mooney's Mill, near what is now Hillsdale, Maple Grove township. In the fall of 1884 he became station agent at Barron for the "Soo" line, then in operation forty-five miles between Turtle Lake, Barron county, and Bruce, Rusk county, then Chippewa county. After a few months, Mr. Smith again became a mill man. In 1898, he set up a portable mill in Loraine township, Polk county, this state, and in 1900 moved it to Barron, where he established a general woodworking business. This he sold out in 1905. In the meantime, in 1903, he started a cement busi- ness in Barron, making cement blocks, laying sidewalks, floors, and foundations, and doing a general contracting business. In this line he still continues. But his first employment still appeals to him, and in 1909 he again became tele- graph operator at Barron, and still retains the position, greatly to the satis- faction of his employers and of the general public. He is a popular member of the I. O. O. F. and the M. W. A., and is well liked throughout the community. Mr. Smith was married Nov. 16, 1884, to Margaret L. Logan, daughter of William H. and Margaret J. (Hyland) Logan. This union has been blessed with five children: J. Raymond, M. Jeanette, Grace E., Ira E. and Lulu May. J. Raymond was born June 13, 1886, graduated from the Barron High school, spent four years in the University of Minnesota, and in the spring of 1909, entered the employ of the Northwestern National bank at Minneapolis. He was married at St. Paul, Aug. 9, 1912, to Helen M. Casey, and they have one son, John P., born Sept. 28, 1913. M. Jeanette was born May 28, 1888, and lives at home. Grace E. was born April 28, 1890, and is the wife of David E. Leeper, train dispatcher for the Great Northern at New Rockford, North Dakota. Ira E. was born Jan. 19, 1899, graduated from the Barron High school, and since 1918 has been with the U. S. Steel Co., at Duluth. Lulu was born April 20, 1901, and is now deceased. The family faith is that of the Episcopal church.

William H. Logan, wagon maker and carpenter, was one of the pioneers of the county. A man of pious inclinations, he went from place to place in

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MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM BARTLETT

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HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

the county where there were but few settlers, distributing religious literature and organizing Sunday schools in order that the children living in what was then a wilderness might be reared in the ways of righteousness and piety. He was born in Portland, New York, Aug. 30, 1826, and after coming West was married Sept. 9, 1849, at Highland Prairie, this state, to Margaret J. Hyland, who was born in Hillsburg, New Hampshire, Oct. 27, 1830. In the early fifties they moved to Sauk county, in this state, and in 1872 homesteaded a quarter section in Dallas township, this county. He watched the county grow, took his share in its progress, and after a long and useful life passed away on the farm March 19, 1899. His wife died at Stone Lake, Wis., April 24, 1919. Mr. and Mrs. Logan were the parents of nine children. Clamania was born in Beaver Dam, Dane county, this state, June 3, 1850, and is the widow of S. A. Stowe, of Neenah, Wis. Elizabeth F. was born in Burnett, Sauk county, this state, June 13, 1852, and is now dead. William A. was also born in Burnett May 2, 1854, and is now dead. Lillie J. was born in Westfield, Mar- quette county, this state, July 11, 1857, and is the wife of J. H. Burrall, of Little Falls, Minnesota. Lydia A. was born in Westfield, Wis., Jan. 12, 1859, and is now dead. Margaret L. was born Feb. 11, 1863 in Westfield, and is the wife of Edgar A. Smith of Barron. Lemuel H. was born in Westfield Oct. 24, 1864, and is dead. Mary L. was born in Reedsburg, Sauk county, this state, June 23, 1867, and is the widow of U. L. Parsons. She lives in Minneapolis. Ethel M. was born in Reedsburg April 5, 1870, and is the wife of William Modersbach of Comstock, Wis.

William Bartlett, farmer, dairyman and man-of-affairs, was for many years one of the leading men of his community, and his fame has spread far beyond the bounds of the county. As a farmer and dairyman he believed in everything that meant improved agricultural conditions. Having this belief, he was one of the most active factors in the Barron County Guernsey Breeders' Association, and did much to further its influence, scope and prestige as its president. The Barron County Live Stock Sales Association likewise found in him an earnest worker, and his conservative judgment as one of its direc- tors was greatly valued. His work as one of the directors of the Barron Cream- ery Co. was also respected. With these connections, it was natural that his financial opinions should be sought, and he was given a position on the direc- torate of the First National Bank of Barron. He also devoted much of his time to public affairs and served in various town and school offices. In these posi- tions he showed the same breadth of vision that he did in his other relations, and advocated progress and improvement, but was ever mindful of the fact that there should be a limit to rural taxation. He took his part in everything that tended toward the good of the community. In fact it was said of him that he was possibly the most progressive and successful dairyman in the county, a high tribute indeed in a county of so many prominent dairymen. His home life was ideal, he was a loving and loyal husband, an understanding and gentle father, a pleasant companion, a generous neighbor, and at all times a good citizen. His sudden death May 2, 1921, was the cause of mourning far and wide, and in his passing the county indeed lost a good man, one whose life was of real benefit to his fellow men, and one who had truly made the com- munity the better for his living in it. Mr. Bartlett was born in Aroostook county, Maine, Feb. 19, 1858, the son of Jeremiah and Josephine Bartlett, natives of that state. They brought him to Galesville, in Trempealeau county, this state, when he was six years old, and here he was educated and reared to farm work. In 1882 he moved to South Dakota, and took a claim near De Smet. He came to Barron county in 1883, and continued to live here for nearly forty years until his death. For a while he lived in Cameron. In 1886 he settled on a tract of 120 acres in section 25, Barron township. To the development and cultivation of this farm he thereafter devoted his attention. He built up a farm which is one of the show places of the community, with fine buildings, a good lawn and grove, well-tilled acres, good fences, and all

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modern equipment. His live stock was of the best, and his herd was known among breeders throughout the state. His death came while he was still hard at work, plowing his garden. Mr. Bartlett was married at Barron, Wis., May 2, 1885, to Emma E. Beckwith, who was born in Allegheny county, New York, Sept. 28, 1866, daughter of Capt. John C. and Anna (Craig) Beckwith. Mrs. Bartlett, a gracious lady of many charming qualities, was the faithful help- mate of her husband in all his undertakings, sharing fully in every aspiration and ambition, and making his home one of comfort, hospitality, brightness and good cheer. Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett had five children: Maude E., now the wife of Carl Kolb of Barron; Ray W., who lives on the home farm with his mother; Lyle, residing on a farm in Barron township; and two who died in infancy.

Jesse Reed, retired, now living in Barron, and an early settler in the county, was born in Indiana and there married Celia (Sumpter) Reed, also a native of that state. They came to Pierce County, Wisconsin, in 1866, and took a homestead of 80 acres. In 1876 they came to Barron county and secured a homestead of 40 acres in Maple Grove Township. They cleared most of the land, erected log buildings, later replaced these with more modern structures, and here farmed until 1890. Then they returned to Pierce County and pur- chased 40 acres. Later Mr. Reed took his father's homestead and lived there until 1905 when he sold out and moved to Barron, where he still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Reed had three children, Irvin (deceased), George and Robert.

Robert Reed, proprietor of a restaurant at Barron, was born in Maple Grove Township, this county, Aug. 25, 1877, son of Jesse and Celia (Sumpter) Reed, natives of Indiana. He attended school in Barron and Pierce Counties, and remained with his parents until 1897, when he started work in a factory at Spring Valley, Wis. In 1905 he came to Barron, and after working in a sawmill for one year, worked in the dyeing and finishing department of the Barron woolen mills for ten years. Then for three years he was on the Barron police force, proving a most efficient officer. He started a restaurant in 1919. His place is a popular one, and Mr. Reed has proven himself an able manager. He knows how to handle the public, he serves the best of food, and his place is decidedly one of the business assets of the city. His newly opened place is a model of its kind. Mr. Reed is ably assisted by his wife. He is a well known fraternity man and belongs to the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Equitable Fraternal Union. At the present time, Mr. Reed is serving efficiently as chief of the Barron city fire department. Mr. Reed was married Oct. 28, 1903, to Emma Holman, who was born May 18, 1882, daughter of John and Mary (McLean) Holman, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have two children: Ethel M., born Nov. 9, 1904, and Isla M., born June 14, 1907. The family faith is that of the Episcopal Church.

Benjamin S. Kipp, veteran of the Civil War, was born in Oswego County, New York, Aug. 18, 1845, son of Reuben and Jane (Stockman) Kipp, the former a native of New York State, and the latter of England. Their children were Esther, Susan, Emma, Ephriam, Lucy, Harriett, Louisa, Peter, Amanda, Ben- jamin S., Ellen and Ann. Of this large family, the subject of this sketch is the only one living. Benjamin S. was brought to Janesville, Wis., as an infant and to Baraboo, Sauk County, when a youth, and there he was reared and educated. He enlisted in the Civil War late in 1863, and served nearly two years as a private in Company A, 19th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was at the front all this period and saw active service in front of Petersburg and at Richmond. While in the army, although not yet of age, he cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. Upon his discharge in 1865, he took up his residence at Baraboo, Wis. In 1870 he came to Barron County and homesteaded 160 acres of wild land in Dallas Township. His first home was a small log structure with a "shake" roof, and he started in with some crude furniture, a cow, a yoke of steers, some tools and 50 pounds of flour. By hard work he developed a good farm and added 80 acres to the original tract, making an excellent place

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BENJAMIN S. KIPP AND FAMILY

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of 240 acres, of which 100 acres are under the plow and the remainder in pas- ture and timberland. The log house was replaced by a frame structure in 1895 and other buildings have been erected as necessity has required. As the years passed, Mr. Kipp achieved success and acquired a competency. In 1909 he retired and purchased a pleasant home on Fifth street in Barron City, still retaining possession of the farm. While living in the township Mr. Kipp served for some time as a member of the school board of his district. His financial interests include stock in the Dallas & Prairie Farm Telephone Co. He has always maintained his interest in patriotic affairs; was a charter mem- ber of William Pitt Post, G. A. R., at Dallas, and is now a member of the Martin Watson Post, No. 172, G. A. R., at Barron. He and his family worship at the Methodist Church. Mr. Kipp was married Nov. 26, 1868, to Helen Pitts, daughter of William and Ann (Fisher) Pitts, of Sauk County, Wisconsin, where she was born Aug. 12, 1849. This union has been blessed with seven children : Belle, born March 8, 1870, is the wife of Milton Rogers, of Baraboo, Wis. Reuben, born Aug. 8, 1872, is dead. Clarence J., born July 1, 1874, is living at Barron, Wis. Ralph, born March 13, 1877, is a farmer in Dallas Township, this county. Susan J., born June 8, 1880, is the wife of Edward Golmar, of Baraboo, Wis. Alfred E., born Feb. 16, 1885, lives at home. Mark was born Oct. 26, 1887.

John W. Soderberg, one of the leading citizens of Barron, where for 21 years he has been engaged in the practice of law, having also held important offices, was born in Filipstad, Sweden, May 28, 1873, son of Carl J. and Mary (Bobek) Soderberg. The father was a shoemaker by trade, but the limited opportunities he had in his native land induced him in 1881 to emigrate to the United States. For about a year after his arrival he and his family resided in Chicago, but in 1882 he settled in Somerset, St. Croix County, Wis., where he followed his trade in a shop of his own. After remaining there until about 1897, he retired and took up his residence in Barron. Born in 1833, he died in 1908, at the age of about 74 years. His wife, Mary, who was born March 14, 1841, is still living in Barron. They were the parents of three children, all born in Sweden: Gustav, born March 31, 1863, who died in January, 1913; Minnie, born in October, 1865, who is now Mrs. Bart Finnemore of Barron, and John W. of Barron. John W. Soderberg was eight years old when he accom- panied his parents to America. He had attended school in Sweden and at the age of eight years, just before leaving his native land, had passed the grades and was in high school. One of the studies he had taken up at that early age was physics. In Chicago he attended English school, and before leaving that city had passed the fifth grade. He next entered school at St. Croix, taking the full course, and also high school work by special instruction. In addition to this he studied bookkeeping and stenography and later began the study of law. In 1899 he was admitted to the bar, but subsequently took a short course in law at the University of Wisconsin. In the fall of 1899 Mr. Soderberg opened an office in Barron where he has since been engaged in the practice of his pro- fession. For eight successive terms, from January, 1903, to January, 1911, he served the county as district attorney, after which he became municipal judge of Barron, serving six years, from Jan. 1, 1911. In 1917 he again became district attorney and continued in that office until the close of 1918. After that he was out of politics until the fall of 1920 when he was re-nominated without opposi- tion for district attorney. Mr. Soderberg was one of the founders of the Barron public library and is now president of the library board. He is a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge, No. 220, in which he has passed all the chairs, and also of Birch Camp, No. 1268, in which he has likewise passed all the chairs. Mr. Soderberg was married Nov. 17, 1896, to Mary Nelson, daughter of Nels and Hannah Johnson of Arland Township, Barron County, where her parents operated a farm. She was born in Sweden Sept. 25, 1878, and accom- panied them to America at the age of fifteen years. Both her parents are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Soderberg have six children, who were born as follows:

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Clarence E., Aug. 12, 1897; Lillian M., Feb. 2, 1900; Edna M., Jan. 1, 1902; Charles E., Nov. 26, 1903; J. Edwin, Nov. 3, 1908, and Evelyn C., Sept. 12, 1915. Clarence E. was graduated from the Barron High School at the age of 16 and in the fall entered Ripon College, where three years later he was graduated in the academic course with the B. A. degree. In 1917 he entered the law department of the University of Wisconsin and was graduated therefrom in 1921. A few months prior to the armistice between the contending armies he enlisted in the United States service and was sent to Camp Grant, Ill., and thence to Darl- ington, Wis., where he did clerical work on the local draft board until his discharge. Lillian M. was graduated from the Barron High School in 1917, after which she spent one year in Ripon College and then entered the University of Wisconsin, from which she graduated in 1921 in the department of commerce. Edna M., after graduating from the Barron High School in 1919, entered the University of Wisconsin in the fall of 1920. Charles E. graduated from the Barron High School in 1921. J. Edwin and Evelyn C. are still attending school in Barron. Mr. Soderberg owns a good modern residence on La Salle street, Barron. He aids in the support of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife is a member. His long residence in Barron and his professional activities have identified him closely with the progress and development of the city and county, and he and his family have a high social standing.

Herbert H. Denison, proprietor of a well patronized photographic studio in Barron, is a man who has attained success by hard work in face of early discouragements and is well known and respected throughout this section. He was born in Bergen Township, Vernon County, Wisconsin, Oct. 21, 1874, son of Henry J. and Mary E. (Allen) Denison. The parents were American born, the father being a native of Ohio and the mother of Vermont. The former, Henry J. Denison, came West with his parents when nine years old and was reared and educated in Vernon County. He was married to Mary E. Allen in February, 1872. They are still living on a fruit farm in that county where they are well known and esteemed, Mr. Denison having for many years taken a prominent part in various movements for the benefit of the community in which he lives. He has long been a strong advocate of prohibition, though usually voting the Republican ticket. He and his wife have had twelve children: Herbert H., of Barron; Effa, now deceased; Francis, of Stoddard, Wis .; Leroy, of Chester, S. D .; Lois M., now Mrs. Lloyd Thompson, of Prairie Farm, Barron County; Casson M., of Victory, Wis .; Nellie May, now Mrs. Lee Campbell, of Viroqua, Wis .; Harmon, of Viroqua; Venora, wife of Ben- jamin Bostrom, of La Crosse, Wis .; Vivian (twin brother of Venora), now deceased; Talmadge T., of La Crosse, and Fay, now Mrs. William Bender, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Herbert H. Denison acquired his education in the common school. At the age of 14 he left home and began working out as a farm hand, and occasionally at other occupations. In 1895 he took up the study of photog- raphy, which, with the exception of a few months, he has followed ever since. During the spring and summer of 1899, in company with Alvin Post, he traveled through Minnesota engaged in photographic work. Reaching Barron, Wis., in the fall with less than a dollar in his pocket he was obliged to seek some other occupation for a while and during the following winter chopped cord wood. With the money thus earned and a portable outfit, he went first to Prairie Farm, then to Dallas, this county, where he started a gallery. But at first business was slow, his partner left him to accept a salaried position elsewhere, and Mr. Denison, though no longer having to share profits, found it difficult to make a living. For a year or more to eke out his income he wrote business cards and advertising matter with the pen. In 1904 he married and started business in Barron, where he has since had a progressive and successful career. He has been a close student of his profession and has brought his work up to a high standard of photographic art. For a number of years he has been a member of the National Photographic Association. As a citizen of Barron he has identified himself closely with local interests and has

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done his part in advancing the welfare of the community. He owns a good residence on Franklin street and is numbered among the substantial residents of the place. Mr. Denison was married June 21, 1904, to Mabel Brown, daughter of George W. and Sarah (Peebles) Brown, of Dallas Township, this county, in which township her parents were early settlers. They have had two children : Erman H., born Aug. 21, 1906, who died Oct. 26, 1908, and Dorothy, born Aug. 22, 1909.

Levi H. Giddings, jeweler and optometrist, and one of the leading busi- ness men of Barron city, was born in Leavett Township, Oceana County, Mich., March 11, 1873, son of Henry and Mary Jane (Spafford) Giddings. The parents were American born. The father, Henry Giddings, settled .in Oceana County, Michigan, when it was a wilderness, his land being far away from. a road, and the nearest railway station being 18 miles distant. He died in the spring of 1879, being survived many years by his wife, who passed away on the home farm in 1907. Levi H. was their only child. He acquired a common school education and remained at home with his mother until arriving at the age of sixteen, when he began industrial life. After working for a short time in Michigan, he went to Vermont to live with a grandfather and an uncle on his mother's side, and during his first winter there he attended school. In that state he remained about four years, or until 1893, when he visited the World's Fair at Chicago. After his visit he spent a short time at his old home in Oceana County, Michigan. In the fall of 1893 he went to LaPorte, Ind., where he attended the Hutchins school of technical watch-making and studied optical work, under Dr. Meyer. In March, 1906, he came to Wisconsin and took a position with T. J. Thompson, a jeweler of Barron. A month later Mr. Thompson sent him to Bruce, Rusk County, to take charge of his branch store there. After remaining in Mr. Thompson's employ for four years, he bought the latter's interest in the Bruce store, of which he was subsequently the proprietor until 1918. In that year Mr. Giddings moved his stock to Barron and formed a partnership with his former employer, Mr. Thompson, under the style of Thompson & Giddings. This association was continued until the spring of 1920 when Mr. Giddings bought Mr. Thompson's interest in the Barron store, which he has since operated alone. He has added to the busi- ness and optical department with a complete outfit and a fine and well appointed room for his fitting and grinding. His stock of jewelry is of a general character and is well selected, and he enjoys a lucrative trade. Mr. Giddings is a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge, No. 316, at Bruce, and Lodge No. 38, I. O. O. F., of Barron, and has passed through the chairs of both lodges. Politically he is a Republican with independent tendencies. Mr. Giddings was first married Nov. 8, 1896, to Emma Anderson, of Oceana County, Mich., who died Jan. 21, 1910, leaving one child, Leo, born Oct. 8, 1898. On June 25, 1914, Mr. Giddings married Lottie A. Nye, who was born in Nora, Wis., Dec. 16, 1882. Two children are the fruit of this union: Allen Nye, born Oct. 10, 1916, and Jesse Hill, born Nov. 15, 1917. Mr. Giddings owns a good residence on LaSalle street, Barron. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 17

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

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