History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 184

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 184

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).

Digitized by Google

1086

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

The first meetings were held in the upper story of J. F. Coe's law office, which stood. on the northeast corner of LaSalle and Third streets, the present site of the Bank of Barron. The building is still standing, having been moved north to the next lot on Third street. Sometime later, the exact date of which does not seem to be on rec- ord, the lodge moved to the second floor of the building erected by John Post, which is still standing on the northeast corner of LaSalle and Fifth streets. While the lodge occupied this building, the adjoining one was burned and some damage done to the Post building and the lodge equipment, enough so that the charter of the lodge was somewhat blackened with smoke, but ac- tion on the part of some of the members saved the charter and prevented further damage to the equipment. In the year 1903 the lodge moved to the quarters it now occupies, on the second floor of the N. M. Rockman block on the northeast corner of LaSalle and Fourth streets.

In addition to his service as Master, Mr. Washburn has been junior warden three terms, senior warden one term, treasurer one term, and trustee for a considerable pe- riod. C. W. Meadows served twelve terms as treasurer; W. T. Porter eleven terms as tyler, Ellsworth McKinny five terms as treasurer, and Julius C. Rockman four terms as secretary.

There were, as mentioned, seven charter members; 170 have been raised by the lodge, 61 have affiliated from other lodges, making a total of 232 names on the books. Of these 78 have demitted, 28 have died, and 15 have been dropped, a total of 121. There are now 117 members.

In 1882-83 ten were raised. From then un- til 1920, twenty more became members. Ten names disappeared, leaving a net gain of 20, thus making a total membership of 27 in 1900. The greatest loss came in 1909 when eight demitted. For 28 of its years the lodge has gained in membership, for eight years it lost, and for five years it re- mained even.

Esther Chapter No. 36, O. E. S., had its origin when a dispensation was issued, au- thorizing George Parr as worthy patron, Mrs. Lill C. Kinsley as worthy matron, and Mrs. Ella Radermacher as associate ma- tron, to form a chapter. The chapter was duly instituted June 12, 1892, by Dr. Bar- ker, of Shell Lake, deputy grand patron. The following were the charter members: Bertie E. Borum, J. C. Beckwith, Annie Beckwith, J. F. Coe, Ada M. Coe, Clarence C. Coe, Claudia M. Coe, Ed. C. Coleman. Isabella J. Coleman, John Darrow, Eliza- beth Darrow, Libbie Ellis, Ruth Horsman, Lill C. Kinsley, Julia Leach, Josephine Mc- Donald, Susan J. Parr, Florence L. Ross, Ella L. Radermacher, Ellen Speed, H. G. Ellsworth, W. H. Ellis, E. J. Horsman, F. B. Kinsley, George Parr, Henry Radermacher. Silas Speed and Wallace B. Crawford. The first officers in addition to the three al- ready mentioned were: Secretary, Claudia Coe; treasurer, Ada Coe; conductor, Isa- bella Coleman; assistant conductor, Ellen

Speed; chaplain, Clarance C. Coe; Adab, Florence Ross; Ruth, Julia Leach; Esther, Ruth Horsman; Martha, Bertie E. Borum; Electa, Susan J. Parr; warder, Elizabeth Darrow. The first candidates initiated were Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Brandt, on July 28, 1892. The chapter worked under dispensa- tion until March 9, 1893, when the 'charter was granted. There are now 122 members. The officers for 1922 are: Worthy matron, Mae Walsh; worthy patron, L. H. Giddings; assistant matron, Maxine Stenerson; sec- retary, Mildred McKinny; treasurer, Mame Berg; conductor, Mollie Mason; assistant conductor, Nellie Jensen; chaplain, Eliza- beth Crawford; organist, Minnie Garrett; Adah, Nellie Stith; Ruth, Helen Huff; Es- ther, Agnes McKinny; Martha, Gladys Pat- rick; Electa, Nellie Nelson; warder, Mary McNurlen; sentinel. Alvah McKinny; mar- shal, Helga Gulickson.

Barron Lodge No. 38, I. O. O. F. was or- ganized July 4, 1887, with four charter mem- bers: Fred Krombeck, Will Judd, S. Chris- teson, J. W. Hitchcock, J. S. Collingwood, J. W. Stone, Gilbert Holverson, J. W. Tay- lor. The early records of the lodge are missing and there is no record of the first officers. At the first regular meeting held 38 members were initiated. The Odd Fel- lows' lodge is one of the strongest frater- nal organizations in the city. The present officers are: J. W. Heffner, N. G .; L. O. Simonson, V. G .; Simon Christeson, R. S. to N. G .; Dennis Walsh, L. S. to N. G .; M. Coon, R. S. to V. G .; Harry DeWolf, L. S. to V. G .; J. W. Thompson, R. S. S .; J. R. Beckwith, L. S. S .; A. E. Stuerer, I. G .; Willard Foss, O. G.

Liberty Rebekah Lodge No. 54, was or- ganized Sept. 15, 1891, and worked under dispensation until June 8, 1892, when a charter was granted. There were nine names on the petition for charter: Mrs. E. J. Harris, Mrs. Frank Speed, Mrs. H. P. Taft, Mrs. J. Pratt, George Parr, S. Chris- teson. E. J. Harris, David Mckee. J. W. Taylor. There were 40 charter members, but the early records of the lodge were lost, and only by scattering papers are we able to secure a partial list of the first off- cers, who were: Amanda Horstmann, N. G .; Hannah Taylor, V. G .; Gertrude Taft, Rec. Sec .; Mrs. A. V. Rouse, Per. Sec .; Mrs. J. J. Galvin, treasurer; Mary Babcock, chap- lain; Elva Beckwith, Warden; Edith Speed, conductor. The lodge now has an honorary list of seven who have been members of the order for 25 years or more. They are: Noah Augst. J. R. Beckwith, Elva Beckwith, Mary Babcock, Lottie Lee, Gertrude McKee and Edith Speed. Mrs. Mary Babcock is the oldest living member of the order. The present officers are: Mrs. Sarah Heffner, N. G .; Tina Hulbert, V. G .; Susie Babcock, R. S .: Helga Gulickson, F. S .; Anna Car- penter, T .; Ella Hutchins, Con .; Kate Chambers. Warden; Sophie Sather, R. S. to N. G .; Etta Bert, L. S. to N. G .; Clara Davis, R. S. to V. G .; Blanche Coon, L. S. to V. G .; Eliza Simonson, O. G .; Blanche Stalker, I. G .; Elva Beckwith, Chaplin; Mae Walsh, P. N. G.

Digitized by by Google

1087

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

Emerald Camp No. 1850, Royal Neighbors, was instituted on Sept. 7, 1899, with thirty charter members: Alma E. Clemmons, Ruth E. Nelson, Christina M. Dunham, Elmena E. Clemmons, Emma Gillett, Ida J. Clemmons, Ella Radermacher, Percey Rassbach, Nettie Malcolm, Ada M. Kurschner, Bertha Sircher, Anna Kahl, Matilda Pingel, Sophie Quad- erer, E. W. Pierce, Louise Pierce, J. A. Nel- son, Emma Nelson, Emma M. Sumter, Dora Johnston, Hattie M. Hogeboom, Eliza Do- very, Anna Blassingham, Etta L. Maxson, Lillie Martin, Carrie Jenson, Martha Otis, Maggie Haynes, Matilda Amundson and Mary Soderberg.

United Colony No. 218, Beavers, was in- stituted on Jan. 3, 1907, with fourteen char- ter members: William L. Brown, Ella Thompson, Charles G. Cowles, J. A. Nelson, James R. Beckwith, Bertha A. Wichern, Mary E. McThurston, Etta C. Beckwith, Persis Wolworth, Claud E. Edwards, Philip Wagenbach, John F. Wichern, John W. Jen- son and William Bartlett.

Ben Brown Post No. 212, American Le- gion, Department of Wisconsin, was organ- ized Jan. 12, 1920. The first officers of the post were: Dr. H. M. Coleman, commander; Clifford Christeson, vice commander; Lloyd Wahl, adjutant; L. B. West, finance officer; Dr. H. N. Huff, historian; Harry Burnham, sergeant at arms; Clarence Cornelius, chap- lain. The post now has a membership of 126. The present officers are: L. B. West, commander; Oscar E. Kolb, vice com- mander; John C. Schiltz, adjutant; L. V. Weisensell, finance officer; John W. Coe, chaplain; R. B. Curtis, sergeant at arms; M. E. Gordon, historian; H. G. Horne, serv- ice officer.

The Women's Auxiliary of Ben Brown Post No. 212, Department of Wisconsin, was organized March 17, 1921, with eleven char- ter members: Mrs. Oscar Kolb, Miss Alma Ahlstrom, Mrs. Ray Stowell; Mrs. John West; Mrs. L. B. West; Mrs. F. T. Hanson; Mrs. A. M. Paulson; Miss Regina Kohten, Mrs. Alma Bolstad, Mrs. H. M. Coleman, Mrs. C. C. Post. The first officers were: Mrs. Martina Falkenberg, president; Mrs. Nellie Jenson, vice president; Miss Anna Horn, secretary; Mrs. Oscar Kolb, treas- urer; Miss Florence Christeson, Histo- rian. The Auxiliary now has 73 members and hold meetings on the second Thursday of each month. The present omcers are:

Mrs. H. M. Coleman, president; Mrs. Nellie Jenson, vice president; Miss Anna Horn, secretary; Mrs. Oscar Kolb, treasurer; Mrs. C. C. Post, historian.

Martin Watson Post No. 172, G. A. R. was organized Sept. 6, 1884, with sixteen charter members as follows: J. J. Smith, O. Chris- topherson, J. B. Thurston, J. P. Briggs, Levi Miller, Chas. Jenks, J. A. Conner, John Post, J. C. Beckwith, William Miller, Thomas Bourke, A. Blodgett, and D. J. Harris. Of these D. J. Harris is still an active member of the local post. The others are all dead. Eight members are in good standing on March 13, 1922. They are as follows: Commander, M. C. Mason; senior vice commander, S. E. Washburn; junior vice commander, D. G. Harris; quartermas- ter, Noah Augst; officer of the day, B. S. Kipp; adjutant, C. P. Taylor; chaplain, George Lee; patriotic instructor, W. A. Kent.

Martin Watson, W. R. C. No. 130 was or- ganized April 15, 1895, by Belle Hanover, department president. Mrs. Melissa Wy- gant was the first president, Mrs. Elizabeth Clark the first secretary, and Mrs. Abbie Mason, treasurer. all three are now dead. The other charter members were the Mes- dames Rose Kent, Emily Mattison, Mary Rouse, Sarah Fry, Jane Taylor, Sarah Si- dell, Sarah Timblin and Ellen Forrey, all deceased; and Mamie Thurson, Jennie Post, Irene Cheney, Irene Fry, Fidelia Jenks, Hattie Hogeboom, Mary Quackenbush and Mary Babcock, now living.

There are now 20 members. The presi- dent is Catherine Hoffman; the senior vice president is Mrs. Helen Kipp; the junior vice president is Mrs. Ida Hecox, the secre- tary, Mrs. Cora Lee; the treasurer, Mrs. Mary Quackenbush; press correspondent, Mrs. Casey Johnston; patriot instructor, Mrs. Casey Johnston.

The corps since its organization has done everything possible to foster the spirit of patriotism in Barron and to further and aid all the purposes of the old soldiers. Flags have been presented to the schools, and pa- triotic publications furnished the school children. A touching courtesy extended by the ladies of the Corps is a presentation to each of the veterans still living in Barron of a basket of fruits and dainties on their birthdays.

CHAPTER XX. CUMBERLAND CITY.

Cumberland is an incorporated city of 1528 inhabitants, situated in the northwest corner of Cumberland Township, or, as more exactly described, in Sections 6 and 7. Township 35 north, Range 13 west. It is entirely surrounded by Beaver Dam Lake, which converts the site into an island, sev- eral bridges giving access into the surround- ing country. From this fact it is sometimes called the "Island City." The lake is a

beautiful body of water five miles long, and connects with a chain of lakes extending about sixteen miles to the northwest. The land is rolling, and in many places covered with small timber, the ancient forests hav- ing been cut years ago by the different log- ging concerns which operated in this region.

The site of Cumberland was occupied for some years by a tribe of Chippewa Indians, whose headquarters were at the Couderay

Digitized by Google

1088

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

reservation. After the white men came, the Indians gradually returned to their reser- vation. The chief of the band was Pon-gee Rau-gen, or "Little Pipe", commonly called "Cut Lip". He lived here until his death, about 1895, when he was drowned by being tipped out of a canoe. Several of his de- scendants were present at the first pioneer reunion held at Cumberland, in August, 1920, including his grandsons, Charles and Will Roberts, and their niece, Margaret Bi- sonett of Couderay.

The city of Cumberland is built on an island at the lower extremity of Beaver Dam Lake, which is encircled for the most part with rugged hills, whose slopes and summits are adorned from spring to autumn with the brilliant foliage of a variety of trees and shrubs, including the pine, oak, birch and elm; the whole forming a series of magnificent pictures, the perfection of nature's handiwork, from almost number- less points of view. Less than five decades ago this island and all the territory adja- cent to the beautiful Che-wa-cum-ma-towan- gok, or "Lake Made by the Beavers", as Beaver Dam Lake was called in the Chip- pewa language, was an unbroken wilder- ness, save the clearings and the cabins of two or three adventurous pioneers. In this period a city has grown up that is a sur- prise to the visitor. What was a tangled forest of trees, shrubs, wild creeping plants and flowers, is now a business and residence center that demands volumes of praise for the enterprise of the citizens. With wide and graded streets, substantial sidewalks, handsome homes, fine stores, electric lights and a complete system of waterworks in operation, the city is a model of what can be accomplished by the brain and hand of man.

In the fall of 1874 O. A. Ritan, accompa- nied by R. H. Clothier, visited this section, both with the intention of taking up home- steads. But after looking over the ground they changed their minds and started back for their homes in Hersey. While on their way they met a party of surveyors, who were running lines for the proposed North Wisconsin railway. These surveyors in- formed that the road would probably run through or near the homesteads they had intended to file on. They, however, contin- ued their homeward journey. In the fall of the same year they learned that the rail- road would probably be built through the next spring, and Mr. Ritan filed on a home- stead, as also did Gunder O. Dahlby.

The Ritan and Dahlby families had met at Downs' camp, near Turtle Lake, to which place the Dahlbys had driven from the town of New Richmond, which was then the end of the railroad. They arrived on the island Dec. 10, 1874, and Mr. Dahlby, as- sisted by Mr. Ritan, at once built on his land a rude log cabin of two rooms, the first on the island. It stood on Lot 3, Section 6, or, in other words, about 300 feet north of the site of the present high school.

O. A. Ritan's homestead comprised the west half of the southwest quarter of Sec- tion 18, or about a mile south of the island,

but during the first winter, that of 1874-75. he and his family shared the cabin of the Dahlbys. R. H. Clothier, who arrived with his family about a month after the others had started housekeeping, also made his temporary home there. They were necessa- rily crowded but made the best of circum- stances. During the day the men rolled in huge blocks of white pine, which, in the evening they split with frows into shingle size, later dressing them into shape with draw-knives. They also prepared other building material so as to be ready for the spring activities. The lighter work was done in the cabin.

In 1877, when the construction of the North Wisconsin railway was resumed at Clayton and extended toward the Great Lakes, Mr. Dahlby, being the lucky posses- sor of an ox team, easily found work haul- ing supplies to the various construction camps. In 1880 he sold out his interests here and moved to Chandler (now Spooner), where he opened a store; but after conduct- ing it a short time, he resumed railway con- struction work, following the road as it ad- vanced from place to place. He died at North Branch, Minn., in 1901. His wife, Ellen, whose maiden name was Hemming- son, was present at the pioneer picnic in Cumberland in 1920. They were both na- tives of Norway and came to America in 1872 with their firstborn child, Edwin M.

O. A. Ritan, who was also a Norwegian, built a house on his land in the spring of 1875. He remained in this locality for many years and took a prominent part in the de- velopment of Cumberland, opening one of the early stores. He is still living, being now a resident of Portland, Ore.

R. H. Clothier took a homestead in Sec- tion 18, his farm in part adjoining Mr. Ritan's on the east, while C. C. Clausen, who arrived while Mr. Ritan was building his house, in the spring of 1875, settled just next to him on the north. In June the same year, G. G. Hodgkin arrived, and in the next month brought his family here from their old home in Trempealeau. The journey was made by wagon across the country, Mr. Hodgkin cutting the first wagon road, or rather trail, through the woods to his new abiding place. In an early narrative we read: "On November 14 of the same year A. J. Cook arrived and entered land in the northern part of the settlement. His son. George B. Cook, accompanied him. They. with their family, consisting of Mr. Cook and his wife, their son, George, and son- in-law, John Hopkins, his wife and two little children, lived in a cloth tent, 12 by 16 feet, through the winter of 1875-76. They secured homesteads across the lake." The A. J. Cook residence was on Lot 5, on the north half of the southeast quarter of Sec- tion 6. That of Mr. Hodgkin was on Lot 2 in the same section. Other settlers came in about this time or soon after, including: Chris Finson, in Section 8; Horace Seward. Section 18, and J. C. Bonett, after whom the bridge at the south end of the island was named. Speaking of these settlers, it has been said: "During the next four years

Digitized by Google

1089

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

they experienced many hardships, but as they had always proved themselves to be brave men and true women, with the hope of a bright future before them, it was com- paratively easy for them to make the best of their present circumstances and struggle on as best they could. Fish and game were abundant, including the different species of bass, pickerel, wall-eyed pike, sunfish, horned-pout, red-horse, partridges, rabbits, raccoons, porcupines, deer, bears, foxes, wildcats, etc. The pioneers were visited oc- casionally by the families of Powagams, Wabesesh and Okka-Tuccom, who usually came in a body when they favored their neighbors with a call, which usually lasted from three to four hours, and was remark- ably entertaining, interesting and instruc- tive. What seemed harder to bear than anything else was having to wait so long for letters and papers, but the mail always reached them if they only waited long enough. It would be sent from one logging camp to another until, finally, some one would bring it to them. Sometimes the en- velopes would be nearly worn out, and the letters so defaced and dirty that it would take all the members of a family to deci- pher them. It was always a gala day when letters and papers were received from rela- tives and friends."

The settlement grew quite rapidly, and on Feb. 21, 1879, the village was platted on land owned by the North Wisconsin Rail- road Co. George Strong was the surveyor. North Cumberland was platted Nov. 10, 1879, having been surveyed by G. G. Hodg- kin. East Cumberland was platted July 13, 1881, on land owned by Henry M. Barney. Mr. Hodgkin was the surveyor.

On Dec. 30, 1875, the town of Lakeland was organized, containing what are now the four townships of Cumberland, Crystal Lake, Almena and Maple Plain, with Sec- tions 31, 32, 33 and 34 of what is now Lake- land Township. The officers elected were: Supervisors: A. J. Cook (chairman), O. A. Ritan and G. W. Caddy; town clerk, George Corsar; town treasurer, R. H. Clothier, as- sessors, N. Wallace and William Horning.

On Jan. 1, 1880, the name of the town- ship was changed to Cumberland, and in March the same year Almena was united with Turtle Lake into one township under the name of Turtle Lake. For some years after that there was no town of Lakeland. Then, on Nov. 10, 1901, a new town of Lake- land was created, consisting of the present townships of Lakeland and Maple Plain. Crystal Lake was set off from Cumberland Nov. 12, 1902, leaving Cumberland with its present outline and dimensions.

During the latter part of 1875 or early in 1876 a postoffice was established in the northwest quarter of Section 10, or about three miles east of the site of the city, L. I. Gunderson being appointed postmaster. Mr. Gunderson had arrived in the vicinity in the fall of 1874, having walked from St. Croix Falls in company with his brother, John, and their father, Lars Gunderson, and with Eberhard Christopherson. All home- steads of Ole A. Ritan and G. O. Dahlby.

The postoffice was at first called Lakeland, the name of Cumberland being substituted during the winter of 1879 at the request of John Humbird, who came from Cumberland, Maryland.

In July, 1880, Dr. William B. Hopkins ar- rived and established his home here, being at that time the only physician between Clear Lake and Lake Superior. He was a native of Maine, and for many years after coming here was an active factor in prog- ressive movements of various kinds.

There were no religious institutions in the city during its infancy, but occasionally a Methodist preacher would visit the island and conduct services. In warm weather the meetings would be held in the open air, and in winter in one of the log cabins. On one occasion one of these itinerant ministers came to the island at night. It was very dark and the rain came down in torrents. Not knowing his way and seeing no light to guide him, he was compelled to remain in the woods until daylight. Tired, wet and hungry, he reached a settler's cabin in the morning, and, not in the least discour- aged, preached the next evening before all the inhabitants of the island and surround- ing country-not a large congregation.

The first school built by the settlers was not on the island, but just across the Bon- ett bridge, and some of the children had to walk several miles to attend it. Accord- ing to the best information obtainable, it was built during the winter of 1876-77, but previous to this Mrs. Hodgkin had estab- lished one for her own children, teaching them at certain hours of the day. This be- coming known to her neighbors, they asked permission to send their children to her for instruction, paying her one dollar a month for each pupil. The first district school teacher was Miss Ida Schofield, but after months' work she retired, and her term was finished and the next one taught by Miss Carrie Fay, of Prairie Farm.

In the meanwhile the settlers had been eagerly awaiting the coming of the railroad, which it was known was to be constructed by the North Wisconsin Railroad Company from Hudson to Spooner. It was the in- tention of the company to build as far as Cumberland during the summer of 1875, but litigation over its land grant compelled it to temporarily suspend operations. Con- struction work was resumed in 1877. Trains were run to Cumberland in 1878, and soon the line was extended northward. In the meanwhile the settlers were forced to ob- tain provisions, clothing and everything they needed from Rice Lake, Barron or Clayton, the nearest trading-points and carry them for the most part on their backs.

With the whistle of the first locomotive the wheels of progress began to turn with perceptible motion. In August, 1878, David Ingle, in company with his brother, opened a grocery store on the island, in a shanty erected by some of the men engaged in constructing the roadbed of the railway.

The rush of new settlers was rapidly in- creasing the population, and almost simul- taneously other business houses sprang into

Digitized by Google

1090

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

being. John A. Humbird opened a store on West avenue, near the intersection of Lake street, in the same month as Mr. Ingle, and in September, 1878, Elmer Wisner of Clear Lake, built the first blacksmith shop, which was located a short distance from the Ingle store. L. L. Gunderson erected a store building at the intersection of Lake street and West avenue, and in the following De- cember still another store was opened, by O. A. Ritan and C. C. Clauson, who had formed a partnership. Later Mr. Ritan erected the north half of the large store now occupied by the S. W. Hines Mercan- tile Co.

In a narrative of 1893 we read: "The first white child born on the island was Mao Jenet Hodgkin. This event occurred Sep- tember 10, 1876. She was christened by the natives the 'Lily of the Woods,' and pre- sented when a year old with a pair of beaded moccasins by 'Little Pipe.' Hugh McDonald, fourteen years old, a son of Alex McDonald, was the first person who died on the island. A short time afterward a young man was killed in Mansfield & Lang's saw- mill, they having purchased Mr. Dahly's homestead for its site. The first hotel was kept by Jack Collingwood, who afterward built the Collingwood House, which is still in existence, and is owned and managed by Frank Anderson. There are now several hotels in the city, including the Merchants', the Sherman House, the Jaffer's House and the Hotel Cumberland. The last named was erected in 1890, and completely furnished for occupation and opened to the public in the spring of 1891, by the Cumberland Hotel Company, at a cost of about $15,000. It has been leased for five years by J. H. Kahler of Northfield, Minn."

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 184

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

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