History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 25

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 25

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).

Frederick Wagenbach was born in Ypsilanti, Mich., Oct. 10, 1879, son of Christ and Ida E. (Haes) Wagenbach. He was brought to Barron County when he was six years of age and was here reared and educated. At the age of 18, in 1898, he went to North Dakota. From there he found his way to Mon- tana, and homestead 160 acres on the Fort Buford Military Reservation, in Yellowstone Valley. In the spring of 1905 he came back to the home farm and operated it for three years. Then he started West again, and while looking over the country, secured a homestead of 160 acres near Prince Albert, Sas-

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katchewan, Canada. In 1913 he again returned to Barron County, and after operating the home place for a while, purchased it in 1915. It is a rich farm of 160 acres, three and a half miles north of Barron, well improved with good buildings, with good tools, implements and machinery, including a modern tractor. Here he successfully carries on general farming and specializes in tobacco growing and dairying, having a good herd. of high grade Durham cattle. His financial interests include stock in the Barron Co-operative Creamery, the Consumers' Stores in Barron and Rice Lake and the Terminal Packing Co. at Newport, Minn. Fraternally, he is a member of the Beavers. Mr. Wagenbach was married Sept. 23, 1920, to Henrietta J. Kolb, daughter of Ernest and Lena A. Kolb, of Barron Township. Mrs. Wagenbach was born Sept. 22, 1889. The family faith is that of the German Lutheran Church.

Charles Holtz, mill owner, builder and contractor of Barron, was born in Green Bay, Wis., June 13, 1861, son of William and Caroline Holtz, who were born near Berlin, Prussia, Germany, were there married about 1855, came to America about 1860, homesteaded land near Green Bay, Wis., and there spent the remainder of their lives. A member of a poor family of eight children, young Charles began to work out among the neighbors when he was but nine years of age, and when he was of age he started to learn the carpenter trade with the Zimmerman Brothers at Wrightstown, Wis. In about three years more he became a contractor on his own responsibility. It was about 1886 when he came to Barron County. Here he continued at his trade, and as time permitted he cleaned up eighty acres which he purchased in Section 1, Barron Township, first selling the timber, and then disposing of the cleared land. In 1903 he purchased ground and built a planing mill on Fifth street, and this he operates in connection with his other business, turning out inside furnishings and general woodwork. Aside from being successful in business, Mr. Holtz is an active man in the community and belongs to the Modern Wood- men. His wife is a member of the Royal Neighbors. Mr. Holtz was married April 25, 1886, to Louise Zittlow, born in Lawrence Township, Brown County, Wisconsin, Oct. 15, 1861, daughter of Gottlieb and Ernestine Zittlow, now of Wrightstown, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Holtz have two children: Frederick W., born Aug. 7, 1887, who became his father's partner, and died March 26, 1920; and Eleanor, born July 23, 1894, now Mrs. Clayton Rodwell, living at Baraboo, Wis.

Frederick W. Holtz, now deceased, spent but comparatively few years on earth, but in that short span of time was a man of real usefulness in the community, and left a memory which will long be cherished. He was a loving and obedient son, a good husband, a kind father, an upright citizen, and a respectful friend. He was born in Barron Aug. 7, 1887, son of Charles and Louise (Zittlow) Holtz. He attended the public schools and graduated from the Barron High School at the age of 18. His father then offered him an opportunity to attend the university, and as he was an unusually bright student and fond of books, he would doubtless have made a brilliant record there, but he felt that his duty called him to relinquish a higher education and stay and work with his father. In fact as early as 1897, when he was but ten years old, he had begun assisting his father, and after his graduation he devoted his entire time to the business, developing an unusual aptitude in the use of tools and becoming a splendid workman. In 1910 he entered into partnership with his father under the firm name of C. Holtz & Son. He was on the high road to prosperity and success when he died of pneumonia March 26, 1920. One of the substantial monuments to his memory is the beautiful bungalow which he built near his place of business and in which he took particular pride. This bungalow is one of the show places of the village. It is hand- somely constructed, and equipped with such modern conveniences as electric lights, running hot and cold water, automatic heat and bathroom. He cut the trees from which the lumber was made, made the beds, tables and chairs, . and with his own hands did the plumbing, wiring and interior finishing. Mr.

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FREDERICK W. HOLTZ

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Holtz was married Aug. 26, 1915, to Winnefred Hand, born April 22, 1893, daughter of Salem and Emma (Moore) Hand. To them were born two children : Bettie Belle, Dec. 5, 1918, and Frederick W., Feb. 4, 1920. The oldest child was taken ill the day of the father's death and died April 5, 1920.

Lars Lee is one of those men who, coming to America with no financial resources and compelled to work for some years at anything he could find, has, by industry and frugality, acquired a good farm and become one of the substantial men of the community. He has served on the town board of Barron Township and on the school board of District No. 7, Barron Township, and in other ways has done his duty as a good citizen and taxpayer. He was born in Bergen, Norway, Nov. 2, 1871, the son of Elling and Torbgor (Skaalheans) Lee, who spent the span of their years in Norway. He came to the United States in 1889 and found work at Montevidio, Minn. The next year he came to Rock County, this state, and the next went to Chicago, Ill., going from there to Dane County, this state. In the spring of 1904 he came to Barron County. Four years later he bought 40 acres of wild land in Section 16, Barron Town- ship, cleared 20 acres, erected tobacco sheds and engaged in tobacco raising. While thus employed he boarded for six years with the family of Thomas Osterhus, the neighbor on the east. In the spring of 1914 he sold his tobacco farm, and in the fall of 1915 purchased the Osterhus farm of 40 acres. This is a good place, with a farm house, barns and silo, and with 25 acres under the plow. Here Mr. Lee carries on general farming. He is well liked in the community and has passed through the chairs of Barron Colony, No. 38, of the Beavers. He attends the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Anton Moselle was a worthy son of Italy who came into Barron County, built a log cabin, gradually developed a farm, and achieved the success that his hard work deserved. He was born in Italy and there married. For some years he was a mine foreman. He came to America about 1892 and settled at Hurley, Wis, where he was foreman in an iron mine. While still working in the mine he bought 100 acres of wild land in Section 7, Barron Township, and about 1897, when the depression in the iron business came, moved his family here and took up his home in a small log shanty. With the help of his family he cleared and developed the land, and from time to time erected buildings as necessity required and means permitted. He died Jan. 29, 1919. His first wife died young. His second wife died June 23, 1920. There were six children in the family, five by the first wife and one by the second. Anton G. occupies the home farm. Rosa is the wife of Christ Basso, of Ironwood, Mich. John lives in Chisholm, Minn. Barbara is Mrs. M. J. Johnson, of Duluth, Minn. Albert lives with his brother, Anton G. Mary is the wife of Charlie Gaedabino, of Hurley, Wis. Anton G., Rosa and John were born in Italy, Barbara in France, and Albert in Hurley, Wis.

Anton G. Moselle, an active young farmer of Section 7, Barron Township, is one of the veterans of the World War in which he was wounded and gassed. He was inducted into the service at Ashland, Wis., May 4, 1917, and trained with the 23d Infantry, of the Second Division, at Jefferson Barracks, Mo. Later he trained with Troop A, 13th Cavalry, at Ft. Riley, Kan. Upon being trans- ferred to the Ambulance Corps, he was sent to San Antonio, Texas, for further training and from there to Camp Mills, Long Island, for overseas equipment. He sailed June 2, 1918, and after 21 days on the ocean was landed at Liver- pool, thence going to Southhampton, England, and La Havre, France. In France he was transferred to the Engineer Corps. He was in action July 18, 1918, at Belleau Woods; in the first American drive at St. Mihiel Sept. 12, 1918, and then went to New Largon. He went through the grilling in the Argonne, was wounded in the hip by a machine gun and on the last day there was gassed. After the armistice he was sent to Coblenz with the army of occupa- tion, in which he served from December, 1918, to April 23, 1919. He reached the States July 9, 1919, was discharged at Camp Mills July 12, and was greeted at Hurley, Wis., six days later. Then he resumed his work as a farmer. He

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has an excellent place which he purchased from his father's heirs, 70 acres being under the plow. The buildings are all good, the equipment is suitable in every way, and in addition to carrying on general farming Mr. Moselle is making a specialty of high grade Holstein cattle and Poland-China swine. He believes in the latest methods of modern farming, and his war experiences have fitted him to take a place as a leader among his fellow men. Anton G. Moselle was born in Hurley, Wis., Oct. 23, 1892, son of Anton and Mary Moselle. He came to his present farm with his father and stepmother about 1897 and was here educated. After he attained a suitable age he assisted with the farm work in the summer and worked in the lumber woods in the winter. He is a shareholder in the Barron Co-operative Creamery and a member of the Knights of Columbus at Hurley and the Knights of Pythias at Barron. He is a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church.

Otto Maack, a prosperous farmer who owns a modern place on the outskirts of the city of Barron, was born in Mecklenberg, Germany, May 13, 1882, son of Carl and Caroline (Rubow) Maack, who came to America in 1883, located near Green Bay, Wis., where the father found railroad employment for seven years, and in 1890 came to Barron County, bought 80 acres of wild land in Stanfold Township, erected buildings, cleared the land, and there lived until 1913, when they retired to Rice Lake, this county, where the father died Jan. 17, 1916, and the mother Dec. 11, 1919. In the family there were three children, besides Otto: Lena, now Mrs. John Smittke, of Rice Lake; Augusta, now Mrs. William Brandenburg, of Hudson, Wis., and Melvina, deceased. Otto Maack was reared in Brown County and Barron County. As a young man he purchased 80 acres adjoining the home farm in Stanfold Township. In 1913 he pur- chased the home farm and continued to operate both places for some years, making many improvements on the home place. - Later he sold the home farm, and in 1917 he purchased 120 acres on the outskirts of Barron City, turning in his 80 acres in Stanfold Township as part payment. The Barron farm was already well improved with a good home and other buildings, but Mr. Maack has further modernized it by erecting two good tool sheds, a poultry house and a milk house. One hundred acres are under cultivation, the equipment which is of the best includes a Fordson tractor, and the herd is of a good grade of Guernsey cattle. Mr. Maack keeps thoroughly up-to-date and is conducting his operations along the latest approved lines. He was married Nov. 20, 1909, to Evelyn L. Rowland, daughter of John and Rene Rowland, of Barron Township, born in Cattaraugus County, New York, Sept. 12, 1889, and brought to Barron County by her parents in the early nineties. Mrs. Maack has one brother, Carl, of Stanfold Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Maack have three children : Lineus, born March 29, 1912; Merlyn, born Feb. 3, 1914, and Florence, born Jan. 17, 1916.

George B. Mack Mullikin was born in Littletown Township, Grafton County, New Hampshire, March 13, 1864, son of George and Elizabeth (Fitzgerald) Mullikin. The father, who was a millwright by trade, operated a flouring mill in New Hampshire. He brought the family to Johnstown, Crawford County, Wis., about 1871, and opened a turning shop, where he worked in wood and metals. The subject of this sketch remained with his parents until attain- ing young manhood. In the summer of 1881 he made his first trip to Kansas. Late that year he began operating two farms in Crawford County, Wisconsin, owned by his father and his father-in-law. In the fall of 1888 he moved to Banner County, Nebraska, which he had previously visited, and homesteaded 120 acres of prairie land there. He built a sod house, broke part of the land, and seemed on the high road to prosperity. But the drouth, the hot winds and the grasshoppers ruined all agricultural prospects, and in the fall of 1896 he returned to Wisconsin. Coming to Barron County, he bought 120 acres of land in Section 5, Barron Township, built a house and began operations by clearing the land. With this beginning he has built up a good place and is regarded as one of the prosperous men of the community. He was married Nov. 25,

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1885, to Anna Hinze, born in Brandenberg, Germany, Feb. 7, 1866, daughter of William and Minnie (Witty) Hinze, who came to America about 1870 and settled at Watertown, Wis., where the father worked as a mason, later going to Crawford County, Wisconsin, and settling on a farm. Mr. Hinze died there May 20, 1886, and Mrs. Hinze died in Stanfold Township, this county, Feb. 8, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Mack Mullikin are the parents of eleven children, the two oldest born in Crawford County, Wisconsin, the next three in Banner County, Nebraska, and the others in this county. Mabel E. was born March 30, 1887, and is the wife of William Statton, of Cumberland Township, this county. Melvin W. was born Oct. 5, 1889, and now lives at Doran, Minn. Frank H. was born March 29, 1891, and now lives at Marshfield, Wis. George M. was born June 2, 1892, and now lives in Barron Township. Amil G. was born Dec. 24, 1894, and now lives in Barron Township. Minnie E. was born Sept. 25, 1897, and is the wife of Adolph Hanson, of Barron Township. Her- man D., born Oct. 14, 1901; Anna M., born Oct. 9, 1904; Fred E., born Aug. 29, 1907; Manford H., born April 6, 1909, and Alice I. born June 3, 1911, are all at home. The family worships at the "Hope" Church of the Evangelical Asso- ciation. Amil was inducted into the service in October, 1917, trained at Camp Grant with the 341st Infantry, Company F, and was discharged six months later on account of disability. Mr. Mack Mullikin is one of eleven children : Jane, wife of Oliver Peck, of Crawford County, Wisconsin; Abbie, wife of William McBurney, of Wood County, Wisconsin; Mark, of Crawford County, Wisconsin; Nellie, deceased; Minnie, wife of James Tansey, of Chicago; George B .; John; Alice, now Mrs. George Gordon, of Michigan; Thomas, of Crawford County, Wisconsin; Dade, of Crawford County, Wisconsin, and Mittie, deceased. Mrs. Mack Mullikin is one of five children: Frank and Gustaf, of Mt. Holly, N. J .; Anna, Herman, of Stanfold Township, this county, and Henry, of Doran, Minn. The name of "Mack Mullikin" is derived from Gen. George B. Mcclellan, in Civil War days, familiarly called "Little Mac," after whom he was named, his father's name being Mullikin.

Peter Matthys, who, after his retirement from farming in 1918, resided on his farm in Section 25, Barron Township, until his death on Dec. 21, 1920, was born in Holland Nov. 7, 1845, and was there reared. He came to America in 1864 and settled at North Freedom, Wis., where he secured a farm of 80 acres. He cleared a part of the land, erected buildings, and there farmed until 1899. In that year he sold and came to Barron County where he bought 80 acres in Section 25, Barron Township. He broke some of the land and stumped 10 acres. The house on the farm is one of the best built in the county, contain- ing 2,200 pounds of nails. Mr. Matthys also erected outbuildings in keeping with the house and the whole place wears a look of thrift, industry and good taste. In 1918 Mr. Matthys retired and sold his farm to his son, Albert, who made a home for him till his death. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church. Peter Matthys was married July 4, 1882, to Rena Paul, who died in 1891, leaving seven children: Edward, who was born April 16, 1883, and is now at Leith, N. D .; Emma, who was born June 16, 1884, and is now the wife of Edward Wood, of Raymond, Wash .; Walter, who was born May 3, 1887, and is now living in Maple Grove Township; August, who was born Sept. 23, 1888, and is now in Hillsdale; Mattie, who was born Nov. 29, 1890, and is now on a farm in Clinton Township; Albert, who was born April 22, 1892, and now operates the home farm, and Alvina, who was born Nov. 3, 1893, and is now the wife of E. Cole, of Pennsylvania. Mr. Matthys was married secondly, Jan. 1, 1895, to Emma Kaufman, daughter of Charles and Henrietta (Eckert) Kaufman, who came to America in the early sixties and settled in Sauk County, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Albert Matthys, who is suc- cessfully engaged in general agriculture, taking pride in his fine herd of registered Guernsey cattle, is one of the popular young men of his township. He was married March 2, 1921, to Laura Anderson, daughter of Martin and Matilda Anderson of Turtle Lake Township.

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Otto G. Manstad, a capable and respected citizen of Section 12, Barron Township, was born in Norway Feb. 2, 1858, the son of Gilbert and Helena Manstad, who were born, lived and died in Norway, he being a veterinary sur- geon by profession. Otto G. was the oldest of eight children. He was educated in his native land, and as a youth became a sailor, following the sea for ten years. In 1884 he came to America and located in Sumner Township, this county. For several years he farmed and did carpenter work. In 1891 he purchased 80 acres of wild land in Section 12, Barron Township. He erected a log house, started clearing the land, and for a time lived alone. Then he brought his wife to the place and they started to establish their fortunes. In the years that have passed since then, he has cleared up the land and developed a good place. At first he had but little to do with. Grain was harvested with a cradle. It was two years before he got his first cow. The wife spent her spare time in spinning and weaving, making knitted socks, mittens and jackets from the yarn she spun, and fine dresses and table cloths from the linen she wove. In 1907 Mr. Manstad built an eleven-room frame house, two stories high, and in 1913 he built a barn, 36 by 82 feet in dimensions, with a full basement, and with a silo in the barn. The place is now as good as any that can be found in the neighborhood. Mr. Manstad carries on general farming and raises good Durham and Guernsey cattle. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' Store at Rice Lake. He served three years as town treasurer. and four years as town clerk and for eleven years was school clerk. Mr. Manstad was married May 3, 1897, in the log house on his farm, to Julia Banden, who was born in Norway Sept. 17, 1866, and came to America with her brother, Martin, about 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Manstad have one son, in whom they take just pride. This son, Helmer O. by name, was born on the home place March 6, 1899. He attended the schools of the neighborhood, went through the Rice Lake High School, and took a year's course in the Hunt Business College at Eau Claire, Wis. He is now chief clerk in the office of the "Omaha" line at Altoona, in Eau Claire County, this state.

Harry H. Lichtenwalner, now deceased, was a farmer in Section 23, Barron Township, for some five years. He was a good citizen, an excellent neighbor, and a kind and loving husband and father. Born in Northhampton County, Pennsylvania, Jan. 6, 1869; son of James. and Leanna (Hober) Lichtenwalner, he was educated in Schonerville, in his native state, and remained with his parents until about seventeen years of age, when he came to Wisconsin. He then continued in farm work, first as a helper, and then as a renter, for many years, both in Monroe and Green Counties. In 1904 he went to Richmond County, North Dakota, where he purchased 160 acres on which he erected buildings and made improvements. In the fall of 1909 he came to Barron County and purchased 60 acres in Section 23, Barron Township. In addition to the land already cleared, he cleared 10 acres more, built an addition to the barn, and erected a silo and garage. Here he conducted general farming until his death Oct. 3, 1914. After his death the son, Erwin, became manager of the place for the mother. and they have further improved the place. Electric lights have been installed in the house and barns and the James system of equipment in the latter, and they are now building a dairy house to be supplied with running water. Erwin Lichtenwalner carries on general farming and makes a specialty of a fine herd of Holstein cattle with full blooded sires at its head. He is well liked throughout the community, is a stockholder in the Barron Co-operative Creamery, and is taking his share in the general affairs of the township. Harry H. Lichtenwalner was married Jan. 1, 1891, to Addie Dinges, who was born Feb. 3, 1870, one of the thirteen children of Andrew and Elizabeth (Detwiller) Dinges, who were born in Pennsylvania, came to Green County, this state, and here farmed until their deaths, Mr. Dinges dying July 10, 1891 and Mrs. Dinges April 1, 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Lichtenwalner were the parents of two children: Leanna, born Nov. 14, 1891, wife of Lester Carpenter, of Barron Township, and Erwin, born Dec. 11, 1898.

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William Cuthbert, for some years a resident and public official of Barron Township, now deceased, was born in Scotland and came to the United States in 1871, locating first in Chicago where he worked at his trade as stone cutter and mason. Then he went to Marquette, Mich., was there married to Isabelle Hemstock, a native of Canada, and there remained for several years. His next location was at La Crosse. Later in that vicinity he purchased 240 acres of land, cleared 140 acres, erected a set of buildings and carried on farming. In 1890 he sold out and again took up his trade with headquarters at West Salem. He came to Barron County in 1897 and purchased 160 acres in Section 10, Barron Township. He cleared 30 acres, erected a house, built an addition to the barn, and made other improvements. This farm in 1901 he rented to his son. In the meantime, in 1900, he purchased 160 acres in Section 23, in the same township. He cleared 25 acres of this, made general improvements, and farmed there until 1903 when he moved to Barron City. Five years later he moved to Canon City, Colo., where he lived until his death Feb. 23, 1918, and where his wife still lives. While in Barron Township, Mr. Cuthbert was clerk of the township two years and a member of the schoolboard for several terms. He and his wife were the parents of eight children: Anna (deceased), Charles (deceased), James C., William R., Mary A. E., Fred B., Mabel O. and Glen H.

William R. Cuthbert, Section 23, Barron Township, is said to have one of the best equipped farms in Barron County. It consists of 80 acres of well tilled land, on which he has erected a fine set of buildings, the house being modern in every particular, with electric lights, running hot and cold water and other conveniences, while the barn has electric lights, and James and Drew equipment. His fine herd of registered and high grade Holsteins is headed with blooded sires, and his Poland-China swine are of registered breed. He is a stockholder in the Barron Co-operative Creamery and is interested in other public ventures. He has done good work as a member of the schoolboard and also did capable service in filling out an unexpired term as town super- visor. Mr. Cuthbert was born in La Crosse County, this state, son of William and Isabelle (Hemstock) Cuthbert. He received his education in his native county and came to Barron County with his parents in 1897. In 1901 he rented the home farm and in 1903 bought it, and the next year rented it out, returning to it in 1905. He cleared 25 acres of the place and made various improvements. In 1908 he sold out and purchased his present place. Mr. Cuthbert was married Nov. 28, 1901 to Millie Gilbertson, who died Nov. 13, 1904, leaving a daughter, Lillian I., born Jan. 21, 1903, who now lives with the grandmother in Colorado. Mr. Cuthbert was married Oct. 18, 1905, to Anna L. Voll, who was born Aug. 30, 1879, daughter of Louis and Emma (Mogler) Voll, natives respectively of Germany and Wisconsin.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 25

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

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