History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 22

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 22

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).

Carl John Eng, overseer of the stations of the potato buyers for J. R. Beggs, of St. Paul, was born in Norway, Aug. 5, 1877, son of Christ and Mary (Christenson) Eng, who came to America in 1881 and located at Cameron, in this county, where they lived for a year before moving onto a farm. Then they successfully carried on agricultural operations. The father died in 1913

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and the mother is still living on the home place. In the Eng family there were nine children, of whom seven are now living: Anton, foreman in a lumber camp at Montesano, Wash .; Carl J., subject of this sketch; Marie, who is em- ployed in the Journal office at Minneapolis; Hannah, wife of Horace Ander- son, residing on a farm in Saskatchewan, Canada; Alga, wife of Sheldon Sweeny, living on a farm in Stanley Township; Mabel, now Mrs. Oliver Wol- lum, residing at Cameron; Arthur, potato buyer at Barron for Beggs & Co .; and Casper and Matthew, who are deceased. Carl John Eng received his early education in the district schools, remaining in school until he was sixteen and completing the usual grammar school studies, since which time he has acquired broad information by close observation and much reading. He farmed for some years and then became interested in the potato business, in which line, with the exception of two years, when he was in the restaurant business at Cameron, he has since remained. Mr. Eng was married at Barron, Nov. 30, 1916, to Vera Johnson, daughter of J. H. and Justine Johnson, who came to this country from Norway in 1860. In the Johnson family there were six children: Arthur, who is state highway commissioner at Barron; Cecil, engaged in rail- road work at Eau Claire; Esther, employed in the Almena State Bank at Almena, Wis .; Goldie, who is assisting her mother at home, and Natalie, who is attending school at Barron.

Otto W. Holman, part owner of the Barron Feed Mill, was born in Stan- ley Township, this county, Feb. 21, 1888, son of John C. and Mary (Christen- sen) Holman. He passed through the graded schools of his district, and spent two years in the Barron High School. In the fall of 1904 he secured employ- ment with the Oak Grove Handle Co. at Cameron, in this county. A year later he went to Two Harbors, Minn., worked for a while with the Duluth & Iron Range Railway, and then became a clerk in a general store. In the mean- time he served a term as deputy sheriff. Upon his return to Barron County, in 1910, he entered into the clothing business at Cameron with his brother, George, as partner. In the spring of 1912 he went to Duluth, Minn., and was employed for six years with the Great Northern Railway Co. From 1918 to 1920 he was with the Grelck Hovey Co. of Duluth. Then he returned and bought a half interest in the Barron Feed Mill. Mr. Holman is a member of the Odd Fellows and of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen. In politics he is a Republican. He was married, June 18, 1913, to Sadie O. Hanson, daugh- ter of Ole and Sigri Hanson. Mrs. Holman was born in Hayward, Wis., Sept. 7, 1888, graduated from the Hayward High School and the Superior Normal School, and taught public school for four years before her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Holman have had three children: Jay Hayward, born March 4, 1914, at Duluth; Clyde Orrin, who was born July 7, 1915, and died in infancy, and Paul Wendell, born April 10, 1921.

John J. Holman, senior member of the firm of Holman Brothers, owners of the Barron Feed Mill, was born near Christiania, Norway, May 25, 1874, son of John C. and Mary (Christensen) Holman. The parents came to America in the fall of 1884, bought 80 acres of wild land in Stanley Township, this county, built a house and barn, cleared the land, and farmed until the father's death in 1903. The mother, who was born in 1853, now makes her home at Cameron, this county. In the family there were nine children: Anna, wife of W. A. Leonard, Minneapolis; Ole, deceased; Christ, a farmer of Stanley Township; John J., the miller; Martin, deceased; George, of Cameron; Anton, of Cameron; Otto W., the miller; and Albert, deceased. John J. Holman left home at the age of thirteen, but after that still attended school as his circum- stances permitted. In 1895 he entered the flour business by securing employ- ment with J. W. Taylor, at Barron. In 1918, he established the Barron Feed Mill, and two years later he sold a half interest to his brother, Otto W. The mill has a capacity of three tons an hour, is equipped with modern machinery, and operated by electricity. The mill produces and handles grist, middlings, oil meal, stock foods and the like, and has the local agency for Pillsbury flour

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products. Mr. Holman has a pleasant home on La Salle street, Barron. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen and the Beavers, and was one of the founders of the local lodge of Knights of Pythias. Mr. Holman was married Feb. 2, 1901, to Amanda Gunderson, born in Maple Grove Township, this county, July, 1884, daughter of Edward and Hannah Gunderson, now of Barron. This union has been blessed with five children: Wallace Hedfeld, born Feb. 14, 1902, a graduate of the Barron High School; Ethel Marie, Feb. 18, 1904; Anna Lucile, Feb. 8, 1909; Dorothy Jeanette, Sept. 1, 1910; and Robert Eugene, who was born Nov. 2, 1912, and died Aug. 24, 1918. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Andrew Anderson was born in Vermland, Sweden, Sept. 13, 1865, the son of Andrew and Marie Anderson, the former of whom is dead and the latter of whom is still living in that county. In the family there were six children: Andrew; Karl, of St. Paul; Hilma, deceased; John M., of St. Paul; Marie, of Sweden; and Anna, of Sweden. Andrew came to America in the spring of 1888, and first located at Stanton, Minn. With this beginning he devoted his attention to farm work in Wisconsin and Minnesota, working also a few win- ters as a helper in the lumber woods. In the winters of 1892 and 1893 he was employed as a lumberman in Barron county, little dreaming at that time that in the future he would be a prosperous farmer here. May 12, 1900, he bought 80 acres in sections 6 and 7, Barron Township, all wild. There were no build- ings on the land, and the only roads connecting it with the outside world were the old lumber "tote" roads. But Mr. Anderson set to work with courage, and as the result of hard work has developed a most excellent farm, 65 acres of which are under the plow, and the remainder in timber land and pasture. The place is only five miles northwest of Barron City. The buildings are good and the equipment adequate, and Mr. Anderson's farming and dairying opera- tions have been most successful. An automobile places the family in easy access to all the surrounding towns and villages. Mr. Anderson's fraternal relations are with the Modern Woodmen. He is a stockholder in the Barron Co-operative Creamery. Mr. Anderson was married Dec. 3, 1889, to Ida C. Carlstron, born in Smaaland, Sweden, Dec. 1, 1867, daughter of Swan and Christine (Carlson) Carlstron. Mrs. Anderson came to America in 1886, and took up her home with an uncle, Swan Widholm, at Cannon Falls, Goodhue County, Minn., where she was joined four years later by her father and mother, the former of whom died Dec. 23, 1906, and the latter, Sept. 21, 1900. In the family there were four children: Augusta, now Mrs. August Sundberg, of Ogilvie, Minn .; Ida C., now Mrs. Andrew Anderson; Amanda, now Mrs. A. Franzen, of Cannon Falls, Minn .; and Oscar, of New Hampton, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are the parents of four children: Elphie M., born Dec. 10, 1890, widow of John Stone, of Minneapolis; Alvin H., born April 16, 1894, now of Minneapolis; Delmar C., born June 7, 1903; and Viola F., born June 24, 1906. The family adheres to the Swedish Lutheran Church, in which faith the par- ents were reared.

John Anderson, farmer, Barron Township, was born in Norway, Feb. 12, 1849, and there received his education. In 1903 he came to America and set- tled in Barron Township, Barron County, where he secured forty acres of land in section 2, from his brother-in-law, Matt Arneson. This brother-in-law was killed while unloading hay in 1903. In addition to the land already cleared, Mr. Anderson cleared and brushed ten more acres. On this place he carried on gen- eral farming and dairying until 1914 when he turned the property over to his son, Amund, who will operate the place and give his parents a home for the re- mainder of their lives. Mr. Anderson was married April 15, 1877, in Norway, to Anna Arndt, and this union was blessed with five children: Fredericka, Lizzie, Alma, Anna and Amund. In the family there are also two adopted children, Mary and Einer. Mr. Anderson is well liked throughout the community. The family faith is the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

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Ole Slagstad, of the firm of Slagstad Brothers, owners and proprietors of the Barron Bakery, and of a flourishing restaurant at Barron, was born in Maple Grove Township, this county, Sept. 23, 1896, son of Jacob and Carrie (Braud) Slagstad. He received his education in the district schools and in 1911 went to Spooner, Wis., where he worked in the City Bakery for five years. He was inducted into the United States service June 27, 1917, and was assigned as baker to Co. 320, 132nd Division. With this unit he served in France seven- teen months. He was discharged June 27, 1919, and upon his return formed the present firm with his brother, Gabriel, July 23, 1919. He did the baking for the firm until Oct. 1, 1920, when on account of the fact that his health was suffering from the confinement, he went on the road for the Schmitz Supply Co. of St. Paul, selling bakery and confectionery supplies. On Christmas, 1920, he gave up this work, and since then has been in the restaurant and bakery business with his brother. He was married at Cumberland, this county, April 8, 1921, to Freda Chaulkin, of Ensign, Mich.

Gabriel Slagstad, of the firm of Slagstad Brothers, sanitary bakers and restaurant men of Barron, was born in Maple Grove Township, this county, May 26, 1899, son of Jacob and Carrie (Braud) Slagstad. He attended the district schools, and took a two years' high school course in Barron, and a one year's business course in Minneapolis. In that city he worked his way through school by clerking in a market evenings and Saturdays. In 1919 he entered the Minneapolis branch of the Moline Plow Co. as mailing clerk. A few months later he returned to Barron, and on July 23, 1919, with his brother, Ole, bought a bakery and restaurant from Mrs. D. D. Page. The company does a constantly increasing bakery business and ships goods to Dallas, Hills- dale, Ridgeland, Prairie Farm, Poskin, Almena, Turtle Lake, Canton, Weyer- hauser and other places. The restaurant is also well patronized. In connec- tion there is also a small sale of fruits, candies, cigars, small groceries and novelties. The firm has recently installed the famous "Electrik" oven, a new invention by which all the bread and pastry is baked. This oven can be regu- lated as to the degree of heat desired, and is proving very satisfactory, as to the quality of the work done, as well as in regard to economy. The installa- tion of this oven constitutes the bakery as a regular "Electrik Maid Bake Shop."

John H. Sircher was born in Chilton, Wis., June 4, 1858, son of Frederick and Dorothy (Bucher) Sircher, natives of Switzerland, the former of whom died in 1872 and the latter in 1912. John H. was the oldest of the family, the others being: Anna, wife of David Graff; Eliza, wife of Rev. William Erpke; Mary, wife of Frank Moss; and Minnie, wife of Adolph Jensen; all of Chilton, Wis. The subject of this sketch was reared on his parent's farm, farmed for a while in his native country, and in 1890 purchased 80 acres of timber land in Sumner Township, Barron County. He moved his family to Barron City in 1895. For several years he was in the sawmill business and for a while trav- eled as a lumber grader. In the meantime, for some eleven years, the family operated the Railroad House at Barron. In 1913, Mr. Sircher gave up the lumber business and took up his home in Barron permanently He has a pleas- ant home at the corner of Fifth and Division streets, and is employed with the Inderrieden Canning Co. plant. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen. Mr. Sircher was married Jan. 13, 1877, to Bertha R. Pingel, Stock- bridge, Calumet County, this state. This union has resulted in four children: Tena, Loa, William and Raymond. Tena was born Jan. 31, 1879, and has been head nurse at the Werner Hospital in Barron since 1915. Loa was born Oct. 6, 1883, and is the wife of Edward G. Kane, of Barron. William was born March 9, 1885, and is employed with his father. Raymond was born Oct. 28, 1887, and is employed as a stationary engineer at Cumberland, this county. He married Pearl Peck of that place, April, 1917. Mr. Sircher and his wife are of the Dutch Reformed Church faith, but attend the Methodist Episcopal services.

Edward G. Kane, Barron liveryman and insurance agent, was born in

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OLE O. TVEDT AND FAMILY

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Oconomowoc, Wis., Sept. 4, 1879, the son of Thomas and Jane (Riley) Kane. The father was born in Cleveland, Ohio, Dec. 8, 1850, and the mother, in Bos- ton, Mass., May 10, 1852. They were married in Watertown, Wis., and began life on a farm in Merton Township, Jefferson County, Wis. Thomas Kane died at Boyd, Wis., and his wife is still living in that place. In the family, aside from Edward G., who is the oldest, there are two more children: Loretta E., who was born in August, 1881, and is now Mrs. Arthur Smith, of Mauston, Wis .; and Gertrude E., who was born July 7, 1885, and is now assistant post- master at Boyd, where she makes her home with her mother. Edward G., the subject of this sketch, was but two years of age when the family moved to Eau Claire County, in this state. From there he moved with them to Boyd, in Chip- pewa County, this state, where he received his education. At the age of seven- teen he started out for himself and was employed for several years in making staves and barrel heads. In the fall of 1908 he came to Barron in the same business. The year following he went to Athens and from there to Marshfield, but eventually returned to Barron, and became interested in the canning busi- ness. In 1917 he established a local livery garage, and a little later became local agent for several fire and tornado insurance companies. In connection with his business he operates a 'bus line to Cameron, which he established March 1, 1919. Fraternally, Mr. Kane is a member of the Modern Woodmen, the Beavers and the Knights of Pythias. Politically, he is a Republican. Mr. Kane was married July 4, 1908, to Loa I. Sircher, who was born at Calumet, County, Wisconson, Oct. 6, 1884. The family home is a pleasant residence at the corner of 6th and Division streets.

Ole O. Tvedt, for many years one of the substantial farmers of Barron Township, was born in Stavanger, Norway, Sept. 4, 1845, the son of Ole O. and Kari (Natland) Tvedt. He was thrown upon his own resources when he was eight years of age, but by hard work managed to get ahead. As a young man he married and established a home. But he was not satisfied, and when the years passed along and his family began to grow, he longed for the wider opportunities of America, and although he was poor and had no money to make the trip, he determined to realize his ambition. His brother, Nels O., who, with another brother, Gunder, was already in this country, had saved a little money, and it was he who made it possible for Ole O. to secure trans- portation, although it kept Ole O. poor for some time paying it back. The landing at New York was made July 25, 1885, and the family went directly to Stoughton, Wis. About a year and a half later they moved to a farm in Dane County, near Madison, where Mr. Tvedt was employed in the tobacco business. It was in 1895 when they came to Barron County and secured 120 acres of wild land in section 17, Barron Township. Although they had been in this country ten years, wages were at that time small, there had been a growing family to support, the purchase of the land took all their ready money, and they started in the county with little more than their furnishings and clothes. But the father and mother and oldest son, Ole J., assisted also by the younger children, set to work with a will, and soon a home and a log barn were built, and the land gradually yielded to cultivation. Then came the great fire of 1898, and all of their belongings went up in smoke. But with that same pluck which had previously characterized their efforts, they again started, and their hard work before long met with its reward. The farm is now most excellently improved. Seventy-five acres are under cultivation, the house and outbuildings are ade- quate, the operating equipment is good, and the place is well stocked with grade Shorthorn-Durham cattle, and the usual domestic live stock and fowls. Gen- eral farming and dairying are carried on successfully. After a long and use- ful life, filled with hard work and worthy endeavor, Mr. Tvedt was stricken ill in the midst of his activities, and died thirty-six hours later, June 29, 1920. His property was willed to his son, Ole J., who has always remained with his parents, and who now carries along the farm work. He is one of the worthy men of the community, and is highly regarded as one whose success in life is

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already assured. Ole O. Tvedt was married Nov. 14, 1870, to Johanna Rasmfjld, who was born in Norway, Aug. 4, 1846, the daughter of Andrew and Anna (Natland) Peterson. To this union were born three children in Norway, and one in Dane County, Wisconsin. Ole J., already mentioned, was born Dec. 2, 1873. Anna K. was born Oct. 22, 1878, and is the wife of Cornelius G. Tvedt, a farmer of Stanfold Township. Kari H. was born March 10, 1883, and died three years later. Kari H. (second) was born Sept. 7, 1890, and is still at home.

Albert Bergeson, who has a good place of 100 acres, sixty of which is in Barron Township, and forty in Stanley Township, was born in Sweden, Aug. 24, 1888, the son of Berndt J. and Anna Bergeson, who brought him to America when he was a small child. They lived a year in Minneapolis, and then moved to a farm near Sauk Center, Stearns County, Minn. From there they moved to a farm near Neving in Clearwater County, also in that state. Albert was reared and educated in Minnesota, and learned farming from his father. In 1903 he came to Barron County, and purchased 40 acres in Stanley Township. Later he sold that, and in partnership with his brother, Claus, farmed for some years in Barron Township. He bought his present place Feb. 1, 1920. It is well improved in every way, and its appearance is a tribute to the thrift and hard work of its owner. Mr. Bergeson is a director of the Barron Shipping Association and in the Barron Live Stock Association. He is a sup- porter of the Swedish Lutheran Church at Rice Lake.

William H. Baker, Jr., was born on a farm in Dane County, this state, March 8, 1859, son of William and Anna (Harris) Baker, natives of England, who came to America in the early fifties, and were married in Mazomania, Dane County, Wis. The other children in the family were Charles, of Spring Green, Sauk County, this state; Fannie, wife of Peter Plus, of Medford, Taylor County, this state; and Frederick, deceased. The father died in 1864, and the mother remarried. Consequently, the subject of this sketch started out for himself when he was a youth of fifteen years. With the exception of the summer of 1883, when he worked in North Dakota, he devoted his life to farming in his native county until the spring of 1889, when he came to Barron City, this county, and engaged in mill work. In the spring of 1891 he bought 40 acres of wild land one mile south of Barron City. He built a house and barn and cleared 22 acres and there engaged in farming. His present place of 40 acres in section 20, Barron Township, was purchased Oct. 10, 1913, and there he still carries on general farming and dairying. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen. Mr. Baker was married Nov. 20, 1883, to Margaret Alford, who was born Jan. 8, 1863, daughter of George W. and Hannah (Hiney) Alford, of Dane County, Wisconsin. This union has been blessed with two children, Hattie and Orpha. Hattie was born in Mazomania, Wis., Oct. 18, 1884, and is now Mrs. F. W. Williams, of Barron City. Orpha was born in Bar- ron City, April 20, 1891, graduated from the Barron High School, and taught school in the Victory School, Maple Grove, this county. She married Edward Merchant, by whom she had one son, William, born Feb. 7, 1914. Mrs. Baker was one of ten children: Melissa, wife of Jacob Reusch, of Sauk City, Wis .; Mary, deceased wife of Samuel Richards; Emma, wife of Frank Hiney, of Holly, Colo .; Hattie, deceased wife of Daniel Norris; Margaret, wife of William H. Baker, Jr .; Nellie, wife of Daniel Norris, of Hartman, Colo .; Jennie, wife of Alfred Bartlett, of Baraboo, Wis .; and Georgia, George and an unnamed in- fant, all three deceased. The Baker family worships at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Barron City.

Olaus H. Bjugstad, prosperous farmer of section 10, Barron Township, was born in Norway, Sept. 6, 1868, son of Hans and Geline (Hanson) Bjugstad, na- tives of Norway, who came to America in 1902 and lived with their sons in Barron County until their deaths, the father dying in 1908 and the mother, in 1904. Olaus H. received his education in Norway, and as a young man did farm labor and worked in a celluloid factory. He came to America in 1890 and

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settled in Barron Township, Barron County. In 1892 he purchased 40 acres in section 2, of this township, but the following year traded for 40 acres in section 10. He cleared a part of this and lived on it for three years. Then he bought 40 acres in the same section to which he later added 120, so that his farm now consists of a quarter section. He not only cleared and broke 120 acres of this farm, but also pulled stumps on 320 acres for his neighbors. On his excellent farm he built a 10-room, all-modern house, and a fine barn, 34 by 90 feet, as well as a number of other buildings. The barn is furnished with the Libby Barn equipment. Mr. Bjugstad successfully carries on general farming, and makes a specialty of a good herd of Holstein cattle, headed by full-blooded sires. He is a well-known man in the community, and has done good work as town supervisor and school director. He is a stockholder in the Barron Co-operative Creamery. His fraternal relations are with the Beavers. Mr. Bjugstad was married Oct. 18, 1890, to Mary Christianson, born in Norway, in December, 1870, daughter of Christian and Mattie (Stensrud), Christianson, natives of Norway, who both died in that country. Mr. and Mrs. Bjugstad have ten children. Carl H. was born Nov. 24, 1891, and is now farm- ing in Barron Township. Gida M. was born Jan. 11, 1893, and is the wife of Alfred Fogrud, of North Dakota. Oscar was born Aug. 21, 1895. He was inducted into the United States service July 23, 1918, served with Co. L, 343rd Inf., 86th Division, was eleven months in France, returned to the United States July 27, 1919, and was discharged Aug. 1, 1919. Einar was born June 25, 1897; Edward, July 31, 1899; August, Aug. 14, 1901; Harold, Nov. 30, 1902; Nora C., March 4, 1905; Olaf, Feb. 26, 1903 (died April 4, 1903) ; and Olaf M., May 26, 1909 (died Sept. 20, 1909). The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Gudmund Foss, now deceased, who built up a good farm in Barron Town- ship, was born near Christiania, Norway, and there married Caroline Larson. In 1867 he came to America, and secured employment near Rio, Columbia County, Wis. He landed here with nothing, work was hard and wages were low, but in two years, by the strictest self-denial, he had saved enough to send for his wife and two children, Ole G. and Lena. The family lived in Columbia County, until 1881, when they came to Barron County, and bought forty acres of wild land in Barron Township. First, living in a log cabin, they began bringing the land under cultivation, and in time had a good farm. Mr. Foss died April 13, 1919, and his wife, May 8, 1913. Their children were: Ole G., a farmer of Barron Township; Lena, of Castleton, N. D., widow of Lars Wold; Charles, deceased; Ida, wife of H. O. Ruud, Castleton, N. D .; Edward, of Bat- tle Lake, Minn .; and Martin, who is on the home farm. Two died in infancy.

Martin Fos's was born in Columbia County, Wis., Jan. 12, 1879, son of Gudmund and Caroline (Larson) Foss. He was brought to Barron County in 1881 and was here reared and educated. He has always remained at home. He now owns the home farm, one mile north and two miles west of Barron City, and to the original 40 acres, he has added another 80, so that he now has 120 acres, of which about 60 are under the plow. He successfully carries on gen- eral farming and dairying, and is regarded as one of the prosperous men of the community. The confidence in which he is held by his fellow citizens is shown by the fact that he has served seven terms as township treasurer. He is a stockholder in the Barron Co-operative Creamery. The pleasant home is always open, the family is an interesting one, and the farm is well equipped and stocked. Mr. Foss was married June 14, 1904, to Pauline Hong, who was born in Vernon County, Wis., Oct. 24, 1878, daughter of Peter and Martha (Brobak- ken) Hong. There were seven other children in the Hong family: Gustave, Mathias, a Barron township farmer; Ludwig (Louis), who is blind and lives with his sister, Clara; Sesele, now Mrs. N. S. Gyland, of Barron Township; Anna, deceased wife of R. Larson; Ida, deceased wife of Andrew Boe; and Clara, wife of George Gilbertson, of Barron Township. Mr. and Mrs. Foss are the parents of four bright daughters: Mildred R., born March 26, 1905; Hazel

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 22

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

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