History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 24

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 24

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).

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of Albert Gilette, of Ogema, Price County, Wis. Franklin Willard was born July 17, 1890, and was married June 15, 1920, to Hilda Ormson, of Barron Township. He works on the home farm and he and his wife keep house for his father and brother. He was inducted into the World War service, July 23, 1918, and trained at Camp Grant, Ill., with Co. L, 343rd Inf., 86th Division. He was equipped for overseas service at Camp Mills, L. I., and sailed Sept. 14, 1918. He reached Southhampton, England, on the 21st and was confined in a hospital at Peyton, England, until Oct. 6. Then he was sent to Winchester, England, and crossed the English Channel, Oct. 13, to La Havre, France, being sent from there to Camp La Maisse, France, and from there to the front. Oct. 21, he was again sent to the hospital. Upon his release he was designated as a casual with the Third Division. Jan. 8, 1919, he was placed in Co. I, 30th Inf., Third Division. He served in the Army of Occupation and was sta- tioned at Kehrig and Mayen, Germany until Aug. 7, 1919. He sailed for America, Aug. 13, reached Camp Merritt, N. J., Aug. 23, was discharged six days later at Camp Grant and returned home.

David N. Wolf, veteran of the Civil War, was born in Pennsylvania, of sturdy Pennsylvania-Dutch stock, and was there educated and reared. As a young man he enlisted in the Civil War, served with valor in many of its conflicts, was severely wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville, and was confined in an army hospital nearly a year. Upon his discharge he worked for a while as a carpenter and builder. Then he came west and settled near Mon- roe City, Green County, Wis. There he renewed his acquaintance with Catherine Bressler, whom he had known in Pennsylvania, and whose family had settled just over the line from Green County, in Stephenson County, Ill. They started housekeeping in Monroe City, where Mr. Wolf worked in a planing mill in the winter and devoted his time to his trade as a builder in the summer. Later they moved to a farm in the same county where they still reside. They are the parents of eight children: Perry U. is a prosperous farmer of Barron County; Oscar is a farmer and school teacher of Stephenson County, Ill .; Jennie is the wife of Charles Priewe, of Green County, Wis .; Arthur is school principal at Appleton, Wis .; John has a garage and machine shop in Lena, Ill .; George is a farmer in Geneseo, Ill .; Edwin is on the home farm in Green County, Wis .; and Frank, who lives in Monroe City, Wis., is with the Badger State Cheese Co.

Perry U. Wolf, a prosperous farmer of Barron Township, was born in Monroe City, Green County, Wis., Feb. 23, 1868, son of David N. and Catherine (Bressler) Wolf. He was reared on the home farm and after his marriage started homemaking on the farm of his grandfather, William Bressler, in Stephenson County, Ill. In the fall of 1908 he purchased the McKinney farm of 160 acres, section 16, Barron Township, this county, and moved into the place in February of the following year. The farm was already a good one, but Mr. Wolf set about to still further improve it. Especially, did he devote his attention to the home, installing running hot and cold water, a furnace, electric lights and other conveniences. In 1915 he sold the north eighty, leav- ing him a good place of 80 acres of well improved land. He has good buildings and adequate equipment, and carries on general farming and dairying, making a specialty of a good grade of Holstein cattle and Chester White swine. The place is only two miles from Barron, with a good road all the way. Mr. Wolf has always been a strong temperance advocate and has lived to see his hopes realized in a dry country. He still retains his membership in the United Evangelical Church in Green County, Wis. Mr. Wolf was married Nov. 24, 1898, to Minnie Boeck, born Aug. 2, 1876, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Boeck, of Green County, Wis. This union has resulted in three children. D. Irving was born Feb. 26, 1910; Evelyn O. was born Nov. 20, 1903; and Merlyn E. was born May 28, 1916. All live at home, Irving assisting on the farm, and Evelyn helping with the household duties.

Peter Sockness, a retired farmer of Barron Township, was born in Trond- jem, Norway, Sept. 9, 1866, son of Ole and Mary (Oyen) Sockness, the latter

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of whom died in Norway, and the former of whom came to America, settled on a farm in South Dakota, and there spent the remainder of his life. There were eight children in the family, the seven besides Peter, being: Erick, of Wheeler, Wis .; Ole, who died in Menomonie, Wis .; Gertrude, wife of Sever Stein, of South Dakota; Mary, wife of Peter Ranbraut, of North Dakota; Sever, of Phillips, Wis .; and Sarah and Andrew, who live in Norway. Peter came to America in the spring of 1888, and found his first employment with Knapp, Stout & Co., at Menomonie, Wis. Next, with headquarters at Eau Claire, he worked in the lumber woods in the winter seasons and in sawmills in the sum- mer. In 1894 he went to Minneapolis. It was in 1898 that he located per- manently in Barron County, and bought 80 acres of wild land in Barron Town- ship, to the development of which he devoted his attention. He now has a good farm of 200 acres, five miles northwest of Barron City, with 75 acres under the plow. The house is a frame structure of two stories, the barn is commodious, the silo is adequate for its needs, and the other buildings are all in good con- dition. The place is well equipped with tools, implements and machinery, and well fenced. Mr. Sockness carried on general farming and made a specialty of dairying, with a good herd of Shorthorn cattle. He is now practically retired, having rented the farm to his sons, Olaf and Ingwald. He is well -liked in the community; he served one term as town supervisor, but declined to qualify for the second; he did good work for three years as a director of his school district, and he has also in other ways demonstrated his worth as a public spirited citizen. His financial interests include stock in the Barron Co-operative Creamery. Mr. Sockness married Inga Olson who was born in Trondjem, Norway, April 21, 1865, daughter of Ole and Carrie Olson. Her parents died in Norway. She came to America in the fall of 1890 with her sister, Mary, now Mrs. Michael Nelson, of Minneapolis. Her brother, Ole O., is living in Nor- way. Mr. and Mrs. Sockness have five children: Marie Christine, born June 3, 1897; Olaf Ole, born Aug. 28, 1898; Ingwald Palmer, born July 20, 1900; Martha Galena, born Jan. 4, 1902, a graduate of the Eau Claire Business College, and Anna Elina, born Aug. 7, 1904.

Erick Nelson was born near Bergen, Norway, Sept. 23, 1859, son of Nels and Johanna Nelson. The other children in the family were Johanas, of Norway; Ludwig, of Hawkins, Wis., and Johanna, of Norway, and Bertha (deceased), twins. Erick Nelson lost his mother when he was three years of age and was reared by relatives. He came to America in 1884 and found his way to New Lisbon, Juneau County, Wisconsin. The next few years were spent in general work in several parts of this state. In 1897 he purchased 80 acres of wild land in Barron Township and moved thereon. He cleared and developed 60 acres and erected suitable buildings. His house is comfortable, his barn is a good structure 34 by 80 feet, and his silo is 14 by 24 feet, with a 7-foot base. Here Mr. Nelson carries on general farming, his herd being of graded Guernsey stock. Mr. Nelson was married April 14, 1891, to Rebecca Elsing, who was born in Adams County, Wisconsin, Oct. 13, 1870, daughter of Magnus and Petronella Elsing, the former of whom was born in Sweden in 1835 and now lives in Clifton Township, Monroe County, this state, and the latter of whom was born in Norway in 1834 and died in 1899. There were three children in the family besides Mrs. Nelson-Anna, now Mrs. James Qualley, of Idaho; Mary, deceased, and John, who is living on the home farm with his father in Clifton Township, Monroe County, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are the parents of ten children, the three oldest of whom were born in Dexterville, in Wood County, this state, and the remainder of whom were born in Barron County. Nellie J. was born March 5, 1892, and was married March 5, 1915, to Andrew Engen; of Hawkins, Wis. Martin N. was born Aug. 12, 1893, and lives at home. Lester O. was born Aug. 2, 1895, and lives at home. Emma M. was born Sept. 26, 1897, and lives at home. Mabel was born Sept. 9, 1899, and was married May 29, 1920, to Enoch Englien, of Chetek, this county. Gilbert was born March 7, 1903; Bertina, Feb. 23, 1905; Elmer,

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March 25, 1907; Selma, Sept. 29, 1909, and Amanda, Jan. 31, 1911. Martin and Lester both saw active service during the World War. Martin was inducted into the service July 2, 1918, and trained at Camp Grant. He was in the 28th Division and crossed to France in September, 1918. He was dis- charged in May, 1919. Lester was inducted into the service May 5, 1918, was assigned to Company L, 54th Infantry, 6th Division, and trained at Spartans- burg, S. C. He went to France in July, 1918, and returned in June, 1919, his active service having been in the Argonne.

John Riedmer, a representative farmer of Section 1, Barron County, was born in Dane County, this state, Nov. 3, 1868, the son of Michael and Margaret Holsman, natives of Germany, who came to the United States in 1870 as young people, she at the age of fifteen and he at the age of eighteen. After their marriage, they farmed for many years in Dunn County and there reared their fine family of eight children, four boys and four girls. They now make their home at Royalton, Minn., where they are honored as God-fearing and sub- stantial people. John was reared to farm pursuits, and remained with his parents until several years after attaining his majority. At the age of twenty- five, he struck out for himself and went to Faribault County, Minnesota, where he secured a tract of 293 acres of land. He improved this place and developed a good farm. From there he moved to Renville County, Minnesota, and farmed for a number of years. But during these years, although he was making friends and meeting with prosperity, he still longed to get back to Wisconsin and nearer to the home of his birth. So he came to Barron County in 1908 and purchased his present tract of 80 acres in Section 1, Barron Town- ship. He has improved this place and has a good farm of which he may well be proud. He carries on general farming and dairying and raises Holstein cattle and Chester White swine. He believes in everything that represents development in the community, and has been secretary of the Cloverdale cheese factory. As a father of a family and a good citizen, he has been interested in education and has served as treasurer of his school district for several years. He was married May 22, 1893, to Mary Rauenhorst, who was born in Faribault County, Minnesota, March 23, 1870, the daughter of Theodore and Lena Rauenhorst. Mr. and Mrs. Riedmer have five children: Alfred, Edward, Charles, Leo and Cecelia. The family faith is that of the Catholic Church.

Frank Stoddard, a well known and prosperous farmer of Section 6, Barron Township, is one of the progressive and energetic men of the community, and is taking his share as a good citizen in everything that has for its object the general welfare of the county. He was born in Richland County, Wisconsin, Dec. 9, 1862, the son of Valentine and Arminda (Sippy) Stoddard, grandson of Joseph Sippy, M. D., and great-grandson of Joseph Sippy. Joseph Sippy, the founder of the family in America, came to this country from France with General LaFayette during the Revolutionary War and stayed to establish his fortunes in the independence he had assisted. Joseph Sippy, M. D., came to Richland County, Wisconsin, in 1852, bought 240 acres of land in Big Willow Valley at $2.40 an acre, founded the town of Neptune, and followed his profes- sion as a physician until his death in 1870. Valentine Stoddard was born in Litchfield, Conn., July 25, 1810, the son of Obediah Stoddard. When he was five years of age, the family moved to Ontario County, in Northern New York State, the tradition being that they made the distance of 300 miles in 31 days, traveling with four ox teams and a long sled in the dead of winter. There Valentine Stoddard was reared. In middle age he came West and located in Richland County, this state. He was twice married. By Johanna Davison he had eight children: Jane, George, John, Harlow, of Richland County; Jesse, of Monroe County, this state; Jennette, Emaline and Ann. By Arminda R. (Sippy) McLeod, widow of George McLeod, he had one son, Frank, now of Barron County. By her previous marriage, Arminda R. Sippy McLeod Stoddard had one daughter, Laura P. McLeod, wife of Munroe Slater, of Barron City. Frank Stoddard received his education in the common schools of Richland

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County and remained with his parents until long after attaining the years of manhood. For some years he was engaged in the business of wagon making and general repairing in Twin Bluffs, Wis. In 1909 he rented this business, and acquired a fruit farm in Willow Township, in the same county. He also opened a store on this farm. He owned this farm until 1918. In the meantime, how- ever, in 1915, he rented the farm and closed out the store and came to Barron County and bought 80 acres of wild land in Section 6, Barron Township, five miles northwest of Barron City. He cleared this land, erected suitable build- ings, purchased the proper equipment, and now carries on general farming and dairying. Mr. Stoddard was married Oct. 12, 1895, to Amy M. Hapgood, daughter of Frank and Harriett M. (Foster) Hapgood, of Twin Bluffs, Rich- land County, Wis., the former of whom died there July 1, 1903, and the latter of whom died at Richland Center, Richland County, Wis., Oct. 5, 1914. Mrs. Stoddard had one brother, Elmer, who was born Feb. 15, 1874, and died Dec. 1, 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Stoddard have a daughter, Maude Marie. She was born Oct. 16, 1897, at Twin Bluffs, Wis., graduated from Richland Center (Wis.) High School and from the Barron County Training School at Rice Lake, and is now a successful teacher, having had charge of schools in Ellis County, Okla- homa, Logan County, North Dakota, and Barron County, Wisconsin. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Hans Tollefson was born in Honefos, Ringerike, Norway, June 26, 1865, son of Tollef Hanson and Randina Peterson, who spent their lives in the old country, the father dying in 1904 and the mother in 1912. In the family there were eight children, Hans, Maren, Anna, Thorval, Johan, Peter, Petra and Ragna. Hans and Peter live in Barron Township, this county. Thorval and Johan are dead. The rest are still in Norway. Hans received a common school education in Norway, and early showed considerable ability as a musi- cian. As a boy he was a member of the same musical organization with one of the pupils of Ole Bull, the famous violinist. In 1883 he came to America, found his way directly to Eau Claire, Wis., and for many years was engaged in the lumber business, working both in the woods and in mills. It was in 1893 that he purchased 200 acres of wild land in Section 7, Barron Township. To the improvement and development of this tract he has since devoted his atten- tion. He has 140 acres under the plow, his home is comfortable and his barns and other outbuildings commodious and suitable, the farm equipment is good and includes a "Titan" tractor. The place is well stocked with grade dairy Durham cattle and full blooded Duroc swine. Mr. Tollefson believes that there is a future for fruit culture in this county. He has, therefore, interested himself considerably in horticulture and has been successful in raising apples, plums, berries and currants. He is a prominent man in the community, a thoroughbred Republican, and has served for several years as supervisor of the township and as clerk and treasurer of the school district. Fraternally, his associations are with the Odd Fellows. He is a stockholder in the Barron Co-operative Creamery, also a stockholder in the First National Bank of Barron and in the Stock Pavilion at Barron. Mr. Tollefson was married Feb. 26, 1908, to Marie B. Dragseth, who was born in Minneapolis April 9, 1886, daughter of Arndt J. and Julia (Olson) Dragseth, now of Barron Township. She was graduated in 1905 from the Barron High School and taught school for two and a half years before her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Tollefson have seven children : Elsie M., born Jan. 22, 1909; Gladys G., July 29, 1910; Henry M., Sept. 7, 1912 (died in infancy) ; Theo R., Sept. 24, 1914; Helen M., April 27, 1916; Hans G., March 24, 1918, and Raymond T., June 14, 1920. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Christian O. Nordby, who has been one of the leading temperance workers of Barron County for many years, was born in Gudbrandsdalen, Norway, Feb. 10, 1858. He was early thrown on his own resources. In 1883 he came to the United States and found his way to Black River Falls, Wis., where he landed with but five dollars in his pocket. For a while he lived with his cousin,

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Martin Hanson, fifteen miles out in the country. His first work here was in a sawmill at Merrillan Junction. Then for several years he divided his time between working in the lumber woods in the winter for the Chippewa Lumber & Boom Co. and farming in the summer. After he had been here but a year he brought his mother and sister here, married, and started farming on a rented place in Chetek Township, this county. In 1887 he purchased 40 acres of wild land in Section 2, Barron Township, and built thereon a log house 14 by 18 feet. His first live stock consisted only of one yoke of oxen and a cow. Gradually the place was developed, a comfortable frame house built, and other buildings constructed as necessity required, including a modern silo. To the original 40 another 80 has been added adjoining on the west in Section 3, making a good farm of 120 acres, of which 60 is under the plow. Everything is in good condition and bespeaks the thrift of the owner. Mr. Nordby is a substantial man, has been town clerk for one term and has served in such school offices as clerk and treasurer for many years. He was one of the founders of the Hope of the Future Temperance Society, of Barron, and takes just pride in the fact that he was one of those workers who all over the United States, seeing a star of hope in the future, labored for righteous- ness against heavy odds, and saw their hopes at last realized in a dry country. Mr. Nordby was married July 11, 1884, to Marie Olson to whom he had been engaged in the old country and who came to the United States with him. This union was blessed with six children. Martin O. was born June 7, 1885, and is now a farmer in Saskatchewan, Canada. Olga A. was born April 2, 1887, and died Sept. 3, 1887. Alfred O. was born Nov. 19, 1888, and is a farmer in Saskatchewan, Canada. Olga A. (second) was born Feb. 5, 1891, and is the wife of Mathias Hong. Edward C. was born Oct. 24, 1894, and is a student in the Red Wing (Minn.) Seminary. Carl M. was born Nov. 5, 1895, and assists his father on the farm. He was inducted into the United States service July 23, 1918, was assigned to the 311th Engineer Corps, trained at Camp Grant, Ill., was equipped at Camp Mills for overseas duty and sailed for Liverpool Sept. 9, 1918. From there he was sent to Southhampton. Sept. 22 he crossed the English Channel and was thence sent to Bordeaux. He sailed for home from Marseilles, France, June 12, 1919, and received his discharge at Camp Grant, July 12, 1919. Mrs. Christian O. Nordby died May 7, 1900. Mr. Nordby was married May 16, 1902, to Mary Bjorlie, who was born June 28, 1872, and died Nov. 4, 1916. Mr. Nordby worships with the Norwegian Lutheran Church of which he has been a member for 30 years and secretary 23 years. He was a member of the church building committee when the church was erected in Barron.

Henry Tvedt, one of the best known of the younger farmers of Barron Township, was born on the home farm in this township July 15, 1895, son of Nels O. and Rachael (Stensland) Tvedt. He attended the school of District 5, Barron Township, and has devoted his entire life to farming. He has 160 acres of improved land, with good buildings, on Section 16, two and a half miles northwest of Barron City, 85 acres being under cultivation and the balance in pasture and timber. The soil is first class, the equipment is good, and Mr. Tvedt is on the high road to success. He raises "bumper" crops and takes especial pride in his roan Durham cattle and his Poland-China swine. Modern in every way, he has learned much by travel. His Overland auto- mobile places him in close touch with the nearby places, and his reading keeps him informed as to the events of the day. Mr. Tvedt served in the World War. He was inducted into the service Nov. 2, 1918, trained for light artillery service at Louisville, Ky., was transferred to the quartermaster department at Jeffersonville, Ind., and there served until discharged Feb. 20, 1919, reaching home three days later. He was married Oct. 6, 1920, to Mary Payette, born at Stillwater, Minn., Aug. 28, 1898, daughter of Telesphore L. and Anna (Luke) Payette. Mrs. Tvedt is one of eight children, the others being: Elmer, deceased; Telesphore, Jr., deceased; George, of St. Croix Falls, Wis .; Joseph,

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CHRIST O. NORDBY AND FAMILY

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of St. Croix Falls, Wis .; Clarice, wife of Roy Bailey, of Rhinelander, Wis .; Dorothy, wife of Percy Rutherford, of St. Croix Falls, Wis .; Mary Louise, wife of Peter Peloquin, of Chippewa Falls, Wis., and Mary, now Mrs. Henry Tvedt. Telesphore L. Payette now lives at St. Croix Falls; his wife died at Long Lake, Wis., March 14, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Tvedt have one daughter, Vergine, born June 29, 1921.

Theodore O. Tvedt, an enterprising young farmer, is a native of this county, having been born on the home farm at Stoughton, Dane County, Wis., May 1, 1891, son of Nels O. and Rachael (Stensland) Tvedt, who came to Barron County, Wisconsin, in 1895. He received a good education in the school of District 5, Barron Township, and has devoted his entire life to farming. He has a good place of 80 acres on Section 16, Barron Township, highly cultivated and provided with a set of modern buildings. He is but two and a half miles from Barron City on a good road, and his trading facilities are, therefore, excellent. He believes in the modern methods of farming, and, aside from general lines of agriculture, makes a specialty of roan Dur- ham cattle and Poland-China swine. By judicious purchases he has acquired a good line of tools, implements and machinery and the comfort of the daily life of him and his wife is increased by the possession of a baby Overland automobile. Mr. Tvedt was married Oct. 6, 1920, to Olga Foss, who was born Oct. 1, 1895, daughter of Ole G. and Tillie (Jorgensen) Foss, of Barron Township. Mr. and Mrs. Tvedt are members of the Barron congregation of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. They have one son, Jerome, born July 17, 1921. Christ W. Wagenbach, now deceased, was a substantial hard working citizen who enjoyed an excellent standing in the community and whose death was a distinct loss to his associates. He was born in Germany Dec. 17, 1841, and was there married in February, 1864, to Ida E. Haes, born Feb. 18, 1842. That year, leaving his bride in Germany, to be sent for later, he came to America. He was in comfortable circumstances and decided to look about for a while before locating. After living a few months at Louisville, he came north in the spring of 1865, found his was to Lansing, Mich., and secured employment on a railroad, in which employment he remained for twenty years. In 1885 he came to Barron County and purchased 160 acres of wild land. He built a small log house, moved into it, and with the help of his family started clearing and developing the land. By hard work he succeeded in building up a good farm, with a good set of buildings and suitable equipment. He was honored by his fellow townsmen by being several times elected chair- man of the board of supervisors, and for some years he sat as a member of the school board. He was a life-long member of the German Lutheran Church, a charter member of the Barron congregation, and one of those who helped build the Barron church. After a long life filled with useful endeavor, he died in April, 1901. He and his good wife were the parents of seven children, six of whom are now living: Philip was born May 22, 1867, and is now a farmer in Barron Township, this county. Martin was born Oct. 28, 1869, and is now a farmer in Barron Township. Elizabeth was born April 6, 1872, and is now wife of Conrad Wagenbach, a farmer in Washington. Ida was born March 5, 1875, and is the wife of Stephen Foster, a farmer of Cataract, Wis. Charles was born April 1, 1877, and is farming in Barron Township. Frederick was born Oct. 10, 1879, and is farming in Barron township. Edward is deceased. All were born in Ypsilanti, Mich.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 24

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

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