History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 19

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 19

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

110

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

Mrs. Falkenburg were reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church but are now members of the Episcopal Church of Barron.

Christopher P. Stenerson, assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Barron, president of the Bank of Campia, Wis., secretary-treasurer of the Barron County National Farm Loan and otherwise closely connected with the financial interests of Barron County, was born in Wilson Township, Dunn County, Wis., Oct. 5, 1886, son of Peder and Oline Stenerson. The parents were natives of Norway, the father coming to America about the close of the Civil War, and locating in Trempealeau County, Wis. The mother came to this country some years later, and they were married in Trempealeau County, whence they subsequently removed to Dunn County, where as pioneers they homesteaded 160 acres of wild land. Both are now living at Nevis, Minn., Peder Stenerson owning land both in Minnesota and in Montana. They had seven children-Sam, now deceased; Petra Olson of Yakima, Wash .; Nels, who resides at Prairie Farm, Barron County; Martin of La Crosse, Wis .; Chris- topher P., subject of this sketch, and Henry and Otto of Baker, Mont. Chris- topher P. Stenerson acquired his elementary education in the common schools of Dunn County, Wis., and subsequently attended the normal school at Madison, Minn., where he was graduated in 1904. Then for four years he taught rural school in Dunn County. In 1908 he went to St. Paul, where he took a full course in the Globe Business College and was graduated. Thus equipped, he took a position with the West Publishing Company of that city as accountant, and then remained there until 1914. Then returning to Dunn County, he en- gaged in mercantile business at Ridgeland with his brothers Henry and Otto, and was thus occupied until 1917. In that year he sold his interest in the store, and came to Barron in May as assistant cashier of the First National Bank, of which institution he is also a stockholder. He is also a stockholder in the Bank of Campia, of which, as already stated, he is president. Mr. Stenerson has made good progress as a business man and owns a nice modern residence on South La Salle Street, Barron. He also takes an active part in the affairs of local government, being alderman and supervisor of the First Ward of the city. While residing in Dunn County he served as township clerk and treasurer, and in Barron County he has served as chairman of the County Chapter of the American Red Cross. His fraternal affiliations are with the local Masonic Lodge, No. 220, of Barron. Mr. Stenerson was married Oct. 20, 1910, to Maxine Dalton, daughter of Herschel G. and Frances (Meyer) Dalton of Gran- ton, Wis., and who was born at Downing, Wis., July 11, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Stenerson began home-making in St. Paul. They are the parents of two children -Arlyn Enoma, born March 31, 1916, and Douglas C., born Aug. 29, 1920. Mr. Stenerson was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church but he and his wife are now members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Barron. Politically, he is a Republican but acts independently on occasion, being influenced more by the character of a candidate than by his party.

Louis E. Oleson, the efficient superintendent of the Barron County poor house, was born in Rose Hill, Chicago, June 9, 1863. The parents, Andrew and Mary Oleson, were natives of Norway, but were married in this country. The father was a painter by trade, but in the fall of 1873 came alone to Barron County, Wis., and homesteaded 160 acres in what is now section 34, Bear Lake Township. The land was all wild and without buildings, and his first task was to build a half-roof log house. He then began breaking his land, re- mained on the farm during the winter, and in March, 1874, was joined by his family, who made the trip from Baldwin, Wis., by team. On the way they met with an adventure, the team running away with Mrs. Oleson, who, however, escaped serious injury. Their early life on the farm was one of hard work and more or less privation, as they had no means. Soon also a great misfortune befell the family, as in the fall of 1875 the little son August, then five years old, was lost in the woods and never found, although a search, joined in by at least five hundred people, was kept up for weeks. After struggling along for two

Digitized by Google

L. E. OLESON AND FAMILY

Digitized by

Google

Digitized by

Google

111

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

years, Andrew Oleson went in 1876 to St. Louis to take a job at which he could earn some money, leaving his family on the farm. But fortune was still un- propitious, for in the spring of the following year, 1877, he died in St. Louis at the age of 51 years. His widow was thus left with the four surviving children, the eldest, Louis, E., being then under fourteen. The other survivors were Albert, Anna and Caroline. Mrs. Oleson survived all these misfortunes, and with the assistance of her son Louis, and occasional help from the neighbors managed to keep the farm going and bring up her children. She died at Stevens Point, Wis., in 1915 at the age of 71 years. All the children are living except the lost child August. Albert is now at Deer River, Minn. Anna is a school teacher at Stevens Point, Wis., and Caroline is a teacher in St. Paul. Both the daughters are unmarried. Louis E. Oleson's educational opportunities were confined to the district school and were very limited, as, after his father's death he was his mother's chief reliance, a trust which he faithfully fulfilled. He remained on the home farm until arriving at the age of twenty, and then went to work at lumbering. For 21 years he was in the employ of Knapp, Stout & Co., during the first seven years doing general work, and for 15 years holding the position of foreman. In 1887 he began farming for himself, buying 80 acres in Bear Lake Township, where he remained two years. In 1892 he sold that place and bought 80 acres in Rice Lake Township, which tract he began improving. Later he bought another 80 acres, and about 1897 still another tract of the same size, all adjacent, which gave him a farm of 240 acres on which he erected a fair set of buildings, besides clearing and develop- ing his land. There he remained until the fall of 1917, when he moved to Rice Lake city, being engaged to patrol the state trunk line including a territory about Rice and Long Lakes of twelve miles. He was thus engaged until the fall of 1918, when he was appointed to his present position as superintendent of the Barron County poor farm, one in which he has made a good and satis- factory record. In 1917 Mr. Oleson sold his Rice Lake farm. While living there he served two years on the town board, and was also for seven years town assessor. Politically he is a Republican, though reserving his right to vote for the fittest candidate irrespective of party. Mr. Oleson was married April 10, 1887, to Jennie M., daughter of Halvor and Oleana Knutson, of Colfax, Wis. She was born in Norway July 14, 1865, and was two years old when she came to America with her parents in 1867. They were very poor and settled on gov- .ernment land, living in a log house, and the father grubbing for others to get a start. Of the ten children in the family seven are now living. Mr. Knutson, who was finally successful, died in December, 1907, and was survived by his wife, who is now 81 years old and a resident of Rice Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Louis E. Oleson have had nine children, their record in brief being as follows: Wil- liam L., born Feb. 15, 1888, at Colfax, Wis., and now residing at Rice Lake, was married June 30, 1920, to Anna M. Schultz of Cumberland Township. Florence M., born April 19, 1890, is the wife of Ole Holder of Rice Lake and has three children, Ruby, Aura and Orville. Clarence A., born May 17, 1893, is a telephone lineman living at Rice Lake. Percy R., born Feb. 13, 1896, died Dec. 17, 1915. Chester O., born Sept. 16, 1899, is with his father on the county farm. He was married Feb. 9, 1920, to Evelyn Miller, daughter of Peter and Carrie Miller of Rice Lake. Hazel L., a twin sister of Chester, is the wife of William Behrens of Rice Lake and has one child, Jeanette. Gladys M. and Elsie I., twins, were born Aug. 14, 1903, and are now residing at home, as also is Norman W., born March 3, 1917. The record of the Oleson family is one of interest as showing how a prosperous station in life may be won in spite of humble beginnings and early misfortunes through industry, perseverance and self-reliance.

Floyd J. Wells, proprietor of the Barron Monumental Works, one of the important industries of Barron city, and largely built up by him, was born at Sparta, Wis., son of Henry C. and Elizabeth (Kross) Wells. He was educated in the public and high schools of Sparta, Wis. In 1915 he accepted a position

Digitized by Google

112

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

with the Melgard Monument Works of that place as traveling salesman, and remained with that concern until the fall of 1916, making a good record. He then came to Barron and purchased his present business, which had been established here in 1908 by E. C. Melgard, who had operated it until it was purchased by Mr. Wells. The latter rebuilt the plant, installing modern ma- chinery, including a traveling hoisting crane of five-ton lifting capacity. The business has been considerably extended and now covers territory from Rhine- lander to Osceola, and as far north as Superior, about 40,000 square miles. The work building has ground dimensions of 16 by 40 feet, with an office 16 by 16 feet. The concern handles Wisconsin, Vermont and Minnesota granite, which is secured in the rough and worked out in the plant by highly skilled workmen. It carries the largest stock of finished granite to be found with any concern in the northern half of the state, and in addition to the workmen in the plant has an adequate force of salesmen on the road, high class work and quick truck delivery being guaranteed. Since Mr. Wells took hold of the work, the output has amounted to $100,000, having had a rapid increase, each year's business having more than doubled. Politically Mr. Wells may be classed as an inde- pendent Republican. He is a member of Lodge No. 220, A. F. & A. M., of Barron; Mckinley Lodge, No. 172, K. P., and the I. O. O. F. Lodge No. 38, also of Barron. He was married Sept. 29, 1916, to Anna Melgard, daughter of Olaf and Amelia Melgard of Cashton, Monroe County, Wis. He and his wife are the parents of one child, Ida May, who was born Oct. 26, 1918.

August Wesslin, proprietor of the Barron Woodworks, was born in Sweden, March 21, 1891, son of Erick and Louise (Olean) Wesslin of Hillsdale, this county. He came to America with his parents and received his education in Indiana and Wisconsin, having the advantage of two years' high school. He learned carpenter work and cabinet making in school and was employed with his father for several years. In 1911 he came to Barron as a general contractor. In 1916 he bought the Barron Woodworks. He now carries on general con- tracting and woodworking, erecting dwelling houses during the summer seasons and preparing the lumber and interior furnishings during the winter. He was inducted into the United States service March 22, 1918, and served as mechanic for the Eighth Company, Coast Artillery, at Fort Andrews, Mass., for eleven months. He is a member of the American Legion and of the Odd Fellows.

Franklin M. Wolworth was born in New York State, June 6, 1858, son of Hartwell C. and Sarah E. (Tuxbury) Wolworth, who settled on a farm near Tomah, Monroe County, this state, about 1870. He was educated in New York State and in Wisconsin, and as a young man was employed in construction work on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. He also was engaged on the home farm. In the spring of 1888 he went to New Dam, Wis., and in 1890 to Tomahawk, Wis. It was in 1892 that he came to Barron as superin- tendent of bridge construction work for the "Soo" line. The meat business occupied his attention at Amery, Polk County, from 1896 to 1899, in which latter year he again returned to Barron, and opened a market, which is still carried on by his son. Mr. Wolworth died Jan. 10, 1920, and his loss was sin- cerely mourned. He was an upright man, a good father, a kindly husband, and a progressive citizen, he occupied an excellent place in the esteem of his fellow men, and achieved success from a material standpoint as well. The comfortable home on Division Street, now occupied by the widow, and the sightly brick block in the business center which he started and his son finished, stand as monuments to his business enterprise and to his faith in the future of Barron County. Fraternally he was a member of the I. O. O. F. and the M. W. A. In politics, while he has decided convictions on public questions, he did not care to mingle actively, preferring to give all his attention to his work and his business. His religious duties were paid at the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Wolworth was married June 28, 1882, to Persis A. Goff, born Jan. 14, 1864, on a farm near Tunnel City, Wis., daughter of Stephen D. and Lucinda

Digitized by Google

113

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

I. (Molyneaux) Goff, the former of whom was born May 12, 1825, and died Dec. 5, 1912, and the latter of whom was born Feb. 16, 1836, and died Aug. 15, 1908. Their declining years were spent with Mr. and Mrs. Wolworth, in Barron County. Mrs. Wolworth was the fourth in the family, the others being: Sirena, born Aug. 21, 1856; William H., born Jan. 20, 1860; Lawrence E., born Aug. 27, 1861; Milton L., born April 26, 1865 (deceased) ; E. Whiting, born April 5, 1867; Cecelia B., born June 17, 1872 (deceased) ; Stephen T., born Sept. 1, 1874.

Mr. and Mrs. Wolworth were the parents of three children-Leroy M., Ina S. and Lloyd F. Leroy M. was born May 28, 1883, and succeeded his father in business. Ina S. was born July 1, 1888, was married March 6, 1912, to Roy R. Simpson, of Maple Grove Township, this county, and has two children-Ida B., born Oct. 29, 1913, and Elsie May, born Oct. 31, 1915. Lloyd F. is taking the mechanical engineering course at the University of Wisconsin. He was born Aug. 9, 1896, entered the United States service in the fall of 1918, and trained at Camp McArthur, Waco, Texas. He served first in the infantry, then in the engineering corps and then in the ordnance corps. He was married Aug. 13, 1919, to Grace Mitchell, of Rice Lake, this county.

Leroy M. Wolworth, of the firm of Leroy M. Wolworth & Co., Barron City, was born near Tunnell City, Wis., May 28, 1883, the son of Franklin M. and Persis A. (Goff) Wolworth. He passed through the public graded schools and took a three years' course in the Barron High School. From early boy- hood he was associated with his father in the mercantile business, and in 1920 when his father died he took over the meat business, made his wife a partner in the firm, and finished the sightly modern brick building which his father had planned, and which is now an ornament to the business center of the town. With the exception of one year and a half in Colorado, he has spent all his life, thus far, in Wisconsin. In addition to his business he owns a good farm of 80 acres, a mile and a quarter northwest of Barron City. His city residence on Franklin Street he has recently sold. Fraternally Mr. Wolworth is a member of the Modern Woodmen and the I. O. O. F. The family faith is that of the Methodist church. Mr. Wolworth was married Oct. 17, 1906, to Mary E. Cuth- bert, born in Burns Township, LaCrosse County, this state, Dec. 17, 1881, daughter of William and Isabelle Cuthbert, now of Barron. This union has been blessed with three children-Merton C., Myra and Isabelle.

Fred N. Canfield, telegraph operator and cashier for the "Soo" line at Barron, was born in Whaland, Minn., June 29, 1885, son of Charles and Chris- tina (Johnson) Canfield. Charles Canfield came from Saratoga, N. Y., to Min- nesota in 1860, and is now with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul at Winne- bago, Minn., where he is a well-known citizen and where for a while he was postmaster. Fred N. received his early education in the district schools, and completed his educational training in the high school at Winnebago. Then he started railroading with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, being stationed at Winnebago, Minn., then at La Crosse, Wis., and then at Madison, South

Dakota, until 1914. In that year he entered his present employ at Barron. He has made many friends here, is well liked, and has entered into the life of the place. He has just completed a modern residence which is both sightly and convenient. Mr. Canfield was married Sept. 3, 1917, to Alice Pelkie, born Jan. 8, 1897, daughter of Frank and Margaret (Olive) Pelkie, now of Glad- stone, Mich., both natives of Canada, the father born in 1867 and the mother in 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Canfield have one son, Robert Frederick, born in Barron, Nov. 19, 1919.

John P. Salscheider, secretary and treasurer of the Barron Lumber Com- pany, is regarded as one of the coming young men of the county. He served during the World War first as sergeant and then as lieutenant. He is secretary and treasurer of the Barron Business Men's Club, he is keeper of records and seals in Mckinley Lodge, No. 172, K. P., Barron; he is a popular member of C. F. Schmidt Lodge, K. C., at Rice Lake, Wis., and he is taking an interest in everything that has for its object the advancement of the city and county. He

Digitized by Google

114

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

is hard working, thrifty, active and popular, and his friends predict for him a still more prosperous future. . Mr. Salscheider was born in Amherst, Wis., Sept. 6, 1887, son of Adam and Esther (Monnette) Salscheider. He passed through the common schools of his native town, graduated from the business course at the Merrill (Wis.) High School, and worked his way through the Wausau (Wis.) Business College by clerking in a hotel at that place. At seventeen years of age, he was employed as bookkeeper at Antigo, Wis., and remained there until 1909 when he went to St. Paul as cashier of the Twin City Taxicab Co. In 1913 he came to Barron City as cashier and bookkeeper for the Barron Lumber Co. and in the spring of the following year purchased an interest and assumed his present position. He entered the World War service June 7, 1917, and had charge of the first group of draftees which went from Barron County to Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill. He there served eight months as sergeant in the 341st Infantry. He was then transferred to the Quartermasters' Training School at Jacksonville, Fla., where he served as instructor for five months. Oct. 1, 1918, he was commissioned second lieuten- ant, and was sent to Spartansburg, S. C., as assistant division quartermaster for the 96th Division. There he was discharged, Dec. 12, 1918, and at once returned to Barron and resumed his business.

John Seibolt, business man of Barron, was born in Racine County, Wis., Jan. 18, 1854, son of George and Katherine (Hoffnail) Seibolt, natives of Ger- many. George Seibolt came to America in 1848, and located at Racine, Wis., where, in 1862, he enlisted in the Civil War. Upon his discharge in 1863, he went to New York State, where he was employed as a gardener and as an em- ploye in a malt house. In 1865 he came back to Wisconsin, and bought 80 acres in Monroe County, on which he farmed until 1879, when he again went back to New York State, where he was employed in gardening. He took up his home with his son, John, in Wisconsin, in 1893, but afterward, again went to New York State, and died in Buffalo, in September, 1907. John, the subject of this sketch, received his early education in Buffalo, N. Y., and farmed for some time with his father in Monroe County, Wis. In 1879, when his parents went East, he went to Jackson County, in this state, and purchased a sawmill, which he operated for four years. This he sold, but, after a brief interval in Mon- roe county, he returned to Jackson County, purchased 160 acres of land and another sawmill, and operated the farm and sawmill until 1900. Then he came to Barron and worked in a sawmill here. Afterward he operated a bicycle shop for two years and a meat market for six years. In 1913 he acquired a sawmill in Poskin, Wis., to which he devoted his winter months until he sold out in 1918. In the meantime for many years he has operated threshing ma- chines during the fall seasons, and is regarded as one of the best in his line in this locality. Mr. Seibolt was married Jan. 13, 1892, to Agnes James, who was born May 15, 1863, daughter of Evan and Mary (Lea) James, natives respec- tively of Wales and England. The mother came to America in 1845 and the father in 1857 and after their marriage they settled in Jefferson County, Wis., going to Monroe County in. 1867, and there farming until 1893. They then moved to Tomah, Wis., where Mr. James died June 9, 1896 and Mrs. James, Oct. 13, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Seibolt have five children: Hattie E., Lura K., George E., John L. and Walter E. Hattie E. was born Feb. 4, 1893, married Leslie J. Miller, now a manual training teacher in Tyrone, New Mexico, and has one son, William Lea D. Miller, born Oct. 25, 1920. Lura K., born Jan. 19, 1895, is now teaching in North Dakota. George E., born May 22, 1897, and John L., born Aug. 4, 1899, are working on the "Soo" line, George E., having his headquarters in Minneapolis, and John L. in Barron. Walter E., born April 6, 1902, is at home and follows the carpenter's trade.

Clayton B. Richards is one of the names enrolled on the scrolls of the Nation's heroes. Leaving a prosperous career, which promised much for the future, he entered the service of his country, proved a good soldier, and laid down his life on the field of battle. His memory will ever be cherished. Clay-

Digitized by Google

MR. AND MRS. JOHN SEIBOLT

Digitized by

Google

Digitized by

Google

115

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

ton B. Richards was born in Stewart, Minn., Oct. 20, 1887, son of John and Gertrude Richards, who now reside in Barron. He came to Barron with his parents, and here completed his education. For a while he clerked in various stores, and in 1913, in partnership with William Lee, established & grocery store. In 1916 he became the sole owner. The store prospered under his management, and was constantly increasing in business and capacity. May 1, 1918, Mr. Richards was inducted into the United States service, and trained with Company H, 53rd Infantry, 6th Division, at Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina. He sailed for France July 4, 1918, landed there July 21, 1918, and was killed in action in the Mittlach Sector, Oct. 4, 1918, after three months' of active service at the front. He was a member of Mckinley Lodge, K. of P., of Barron. Mr. Richards was married Nov. 21, 1917, to Beatrice Anderson, born in West Salem, Wis., April 22, 1888, daughter of John and Clara B. (Berg) Anderson.

John A. Anderson, now deceased, was born in Norway Feb. 4, 1858, and came to America in the early seventies, settling in West Salem, Wis., where he clerked in a general store for some .thirty years. In 1909 he came to Bar- ron, and entered the employ of Berg Brothers & Co. Department Store. He remained with this concern until 1916. He died May 29, 1917. He was well liked for his uprightness of character, his kindly disposition, and obliging temperament. Fraternally, he was associated with the Masonic order, being a charter member at West Salem, and with the Beavers. He was a communi- cant of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Mr. Anderson was married Feb. 12, 1881, to Clara B. Berg, born in Norway, June 11, 1861, daughter of Benjamin and Isabelle Berg, who came to America in 1872 and settled in Lewis Valley, La Crosse County, where they farmed the remainder of their lives. In the family there were three children, Clara, Peter and Andrew. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have two daughters, Ida, now Mrs. John McKain, and Beatrice, who married Clayton B. Richards.

John Bolstad, a retired farmer living in Barron City, was born in Oste- dahl, Norway, Dec. 21, 1863, son of John and Ceverine (Oleson) Bolstad. A brother, Ole Bolstad, came to America in 1881 and in 1882 John came. Two years later the parents followed, locating near Madison, Wis. For five years John worked as a farm hand in the summer months and in the pineries in the winter. Although he came here with practically nothing, he saved enough during these five years so that he was enabled to marry and settle on a farm of his own, in Dane County, not far from Madison. In 1892 he sold out there and came to Maple Grove Township, Barron County, where he purchased 40 acres some four miles south of Barron City. To this he later added 80 acres more. After developing this place and acquiring a competence, he retired in the fall of 1916 and moved to Barron City. Three years later he sold his farm to his sons, Elmer and Andrew. He owns a pleasant residence in Barron City, and is enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life. The farm, now owned by the sons, is well improved, with good buildings and excellent equipment. While the young men carry on general farming in all its lines, they make a specialty of raising tobacco, and in this line have been very successful. In connection with his other interests, Mr. Bolstad is a stockholder in the Barron Co-opera- tive Creamery. Mr. Bolstad was married Aug. 12, 1887, to Elsie Swenson, who was born in Norway May 6, 1864, daughter of Sven and Anna (Kittleson) Swen- son. The father died in Norway, and Mrs. Bolstad came to America and took up her home with her cousin, Charles Kittelbak, in Dane County, this state, sending for her mother four years later. In the Swenson family there were thirteen children: Elsie (Mrs. John Bolstad), Ole, Andrew, Kittel, Thomas, Betsy, Hannah, Emma, Anna, Hattie and Sophie, all living; and two who died in Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Bolstad are the parents of four children: John, of Beloit, Wis .; Elmer and Andrew, already mentioned as owning the home farm; and Oscar, of Barron City. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Congregation at Barron City.

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 19

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

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