History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 26

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 26

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Charles E. Moltz, now deceased, was a prominent farmer and stockman of Barron County, he was an enthusiastic believer in the future of the county as the leading dairy region of the Northwest, and he labored earnestly to improve the breeds of stock, and to import cattle of pure blood best suited to the condi- tions here. He was an active man, a good citizen, a faithful husband and under- standing father, and his death, at a comparatively early age, was a distinct loss to the community. He was a native of this state, born in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, March 16, 1876, son of Carl and Matilda (Korte) Moltz, the former of whom, a carpenter by trade, was a native of Germany, and the latter of the United States. The family lived in Wisconsin until 1892 when they removed to Emmet County, Iowa. From there in 1910 they went to Broadland, S. D., where the father died and where the mother, having remarried, is still living. There were eight children in the family: Silas, deceased; Charles E., Fred- erick, Minnie, John, Cora, Benjamin and Laura, deceased. Charles E. acquired a common school education and remained with his parents until attaining his majority. For some years he rented farms in Iowa. In 1904 he purchased his wife's parents' farm of 160 acres in Emmet County, Iowa. Dec. 9, 1910,

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he came to Barron County and bought 80 acres in Section 24, Barron Town- ship. Forty acres had been cleared but no buildings erected. He erected suitable buildings, cleared more land, and in addition to the usual crops special- ized in stock breeding and dairying. He had just finished the buildings when he was taken ill, and four months later, Jan. 22, 1916, he died. He is laid to rest in the old home cemetery at Graetlinger, Iowa. Mr. Moltz was married March 14, 1900, to Anna M. Dahlke, who was born in Germany Jan. 8, 1881, daughter of Carl and Albertina (Bervoldt) Dahlke, she being the fifth of six children : Bertha, wife of Ernest Peyton, of Graetlinger, Iowa; Charles, of Mountain Home, Idaho; Frank, of Austin, Minn .; Paul, of Austin, Minn., and Martha, wife of Frederick Moltz, of Broadland, S. D. The family came to America in 1884, lived two years in Chicago, moved to Emmetsburg, Emmet County, Iowa, were there a considerable time, and then moved to Broadland, S. D., where the parents still live. Mr. and Mrs. Moltz were the parents of four children : Walter E., born Jan. 29, 1901, and Otto A., born Dec. 31, 1904, are assisting the mother with the work on the farm in Barron Township. Two died in infancy. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Moltz remained on the home farm until 1918. Then she sold and purchased 20 acres within the city limits of Barron City. This she sold that fall and acquired her present place of 80 acres in Section 22, Barron Township, just on the city limits. This was a well improved place with a good house standing thereon. In 1920 she built a commodious and modern barn, 36 by 84 by 16 feet, equipped with all modern improvements. The farm is all under the plow, it is fenced with woven wire, the operating equipment is of the best, and, all in all, it is an ideal country place. A specialty is made of registered Holstein cattle, and it is worthy of note that the famous Holstein full blooded sire which heads the herd was delivered to the farm by aeroplane June 12, 1920. The home is known for its hospitality and good cheer. Mrs. Moltz is nobly carrying on the work begun by her husband, and the two sons, both of whom are highly regarded in the community, are worthily walking in their parents' footsteps.

William C. Hagemeister, real estate man of Barron City, deals extensively in city, village and farm lands in Barron County and vicinity and is meeting with much success. He is a thorough believer in the future of the county and is convinced that land values here will continue to increase rapidly for many years to come. Born in Westphalia, Germany, Jan. 6, 1864, he is the son of Frederick and Wilhelmina (Lehr) Hagemeister, who spent the span of their years in the old country. In 1882 he came to America and took up his home with an uncle, Charles Lehr, at Minneapolis. For five years he was employed as a delivery boy. Then, in 1887, he went to Wood Lake, Minn., as clerk in a store and subsequently found similar employment at Marshall, Minn. Returning to Minneapolis in 1891 he became salesman for the Minneapolis Stock Yards & Packing Co., traveling for this concern throughout northern Wisconsin and the upper peninsula of Michigan. Subsequently he covered the same territory for the Cudahy Packing Co. While thus engaged he became convinced of the future possibilities of Barron County. Consequently, in 1896, he came to Barron City and on July 29 opened a market on Third street. Late in 1900 he sold out and moved to a farm of 102 acres which he had purchased in Maple Grove Township, a mile south of Barron. This was originally wild land. Mr. Hagemeister erected a small house and a barn, cleared and developed the land, and created an excellent place. In 1914 he sold out, and moved to Barron City where he has a comfortable home on La Salle street, equipped with hot water heat, running water, electric lights and other modern conveniences. Mr. Hagemeister was married April 22, 1896, to Emma R. Frank, born Sept. 5, 1872, daughter of Randolph and Augusta (Stuebner) Frank, of Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota. This union has been blessed with three children: Alfred R., born Jan. 16, 1897, passed through the grade schools, took a two years' course in the Barron High School, and is now a traveling salesman. Harold H. was born Sept. 3, 1899, was graduated from the Barron High School, and is

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W. C. HAGEMEISTER AND FAMILY

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now a traveling salesman. Raymond W. was born Nov. 30, 1901, was graduated from the Barron High School, and assists his father. The family worships at the German Lutheran Church. Mr. Hagemeister was the oldest of four chil- dren. The others were: Frederick, a farmer in Sumner Township, this county ; Wilhelmina, who lives in Germany, and Elizabeth, who is dead. Mr. and Mrs. Frank, the parents of Mrs. Hagemeister, were natives of Germany and were brought to this country as children. They now live in Cottonwood, Minn. Mrs. Hagemeister was the oldest of six children, the others being Anna and Reuben, deceased; Amelia, a trained nurse in Minneapolis; Herman, who farms the home place in Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota, and William, who is a banker at Wood Lake, Minn.

Lester Carpenter, Section 26, Barron Township, was born in Sauk County, Wisconsin, Oct. 17, 1892, son of Walter and Anna (Jacobs) Carpenter, natives of Wisconsin, who now reside in Barron City, this county. He received his early education in his native county, came to Barron County with his parents in 1905, and farmed with them until 1915 when he rented a farm five miles south- west of Barron. In 1919 he purchased 72 acres from his father in Section 26, Barron Township. He remodeled the barn, built a chicken house, and con- structed fences. Here he now carries on general farming and dairying, having a good grade of Holstein cattle with a full blooded sire at the head of his herd. His swine are of the Poland-China breed. His financial interests include stock in the Barron Co-operative Creamery. In public life he has served on the school board of District No. 8, Barron Township. His fraternal relations are with the Beavers. Mr. Carpenter was married Sept. 8, 1915, to Leanna Lich- tenwalner, born Nov. 14, 1891, daughter of Harry H. and Addie (Dinges) Lichtenwalner, of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter have two daughters, Leanna E. Vesta, born Aug. 20, 1917, and Mary Ann, born March 10, 1921.

Ernest R. Koepp, a prosperous citizen of Barron, distributor for this region of the Swanlite farm lighting and power plant system and agent for the De La Val separator and milking machine, was born in Sauk County, this state, on a farm near North Freedom, Jan. 13, 1897. His parents, Albert F. and Reka (Nehrlich) Koepp, were natives of Germany. The father, who came to this country at the age of 19, is now living on his farm near Barron. Ernest R., who came to this county with his parents in 1900, was reared on their farm and attended the common schools. After remaining at home until 1917, he came to Barron City and entered the employ of the Thompson Auto Co. as salesman. He remained with them until the fall of 1918 and then entered into partnership with his father in the business in which he is now engaged. On May 12, 1920, he bought his father's interest and became the sole proprietor. For a while he had an automobile business. Now he devotes his time exclusively to the Swanlite and De La Val agencies. He is well established, he has built up a large business, and is highly regarded for his fair dealing by all with whom he comes in contact. On Jan. 6, 1919, Mr. Koepp was united in marriage to Anna Augusta, daughter of Angus H. and Hulda A. Kramer, of Barron, Wis., where she was born July 31, 1897. Mrs. Koepp has a sister, Mildred, the only other child of her parents' family, who is residing at home with the parents. Mr. Koepp owns a good residence on South La Salle street, Barron, supplied with hot water heat, bath, electric light, and other modern improvements. He and his wife are members of the German Lutheran Church. Politically, he is a Republican.

Benjamin A. Pieser, Turtle Lake garage man, former merchant and an active and prominent man in public and fraternal affairs, was born in New York City Aug. 25, 1878, son of Gabriel and Pauline (Feldman) Pieser, who brought him to Wausau, Wis., in 1883. He was educated in Wausau and gradu- ated from the excellent high school there in 1896. Then he started his mer- cantile career as a clerk in his father's store. Subsequently he was similarly engaged in other Wausau stores. Thus becoming thoroughly experienced, he decided to start for himself, so in 1903 he went to Monocqua, Wis., and opened

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a general store there. He came to Turtle Lake in 1917 and purchased a general store. With this village his life has since been identified. Aug. 1, 1919, he sold out the store and purchased a garage and automobile business from E. W. Scheel. This business he still conducts. He has a good trade and has won the confidence of all with whom he has business dealings. He has the local agency for the Ford cars and tractors, carries a full line of general accessories and supplies, and does repairing in all its branches. In public life he is active in various ways; did good service as chairman of the school board for four years and was one of the village trustees for four years. Fraternally, he has passed through the chairs of the Blue Lodge and is a member of the Chapter, Commandery and Shrine. He is also affiliated with the Odd Fellows. Mr. Pieser was married May 19, 1908, to Anna Baum, daughter of Samuel and Sarah Baum, early settlers of Pittsville, Wis., where Mr. Baum was an early merchant. In the Baum family there were five children: John, Albert, Tillie, Anna and Sarah (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Pieser have three children, Marian, Jay and Richard, all at home. Gabriel Pieser was born in Germany and there learned the painter's trade. He came to New York in 1865, and there followed his trade for a while, and there married Pauline Feldman, who came from Germany in 1870. In 1883 they came to Wausau, in this state, and there he was engaged in the mercantile business for many years. He lived to the good age of eighty-three years. His wife is still living at the age of seventy- eight years. They were the parents of two children, Benjamin A. and Rebecca. She married Adolph Roth and lives in Milwaukee.

Charles W. Pahlow, one of the self-made men of Turtle Lake Township where he owns a farm of 320 acres, though now retired, was born in Germany Dec. 6, 1861. His parents were farmers and the mother is still living, but the father died some years ago. About 1881 Charles W. Pahlow set out for America to seek his fortune, equipped with youth and health. Halting at St. Paul, Minn., he worked in that vicinity a few years as a farm hand and then entered the employ of a wholesale house in the city. For seven years he also worked in Oakland Cemetery, St. Paul. In the meanwhile he married, in July, 1887, Hannah Ott, a resident of St. Paul but a native of Germany, in which country he had previously made her acquaintance. After a domestic life of several years in that city, Mr. Pahlow came with his family, which now numbered three children, to Barron County and located on 80 acres of wild land in Section 29, Turtle Lake Township, six miles south of the village of that name. Then commenced a long career of hard labor, including the grubbing and breaking of the land, the erection of buildings and fences and other arduous tasks familiar to the pioneer farmer and long remembered by him in the years of his subsequent prosperity. Mr. Pahlow also added to the size of his farm by additional purchases of land until he brought its area up to 320 acres. Ninety acres are now under the plow. Among the buildings he erected are a substantial frame house, two large frame barns, one 32 by 100 by 16 feet, the other 33 by 125 by 12 feet, with an eight-foot cement basement for horses and cattle; a concrete hog house, 38 by 30 feet; poultry house, 20 by 30 feet, with a tool shed of the same size, and a garage for two large cars, besides others. Though he saw some hard times during the early years, he never lost his courage or perseverence and is now reaping their fruits in a comfortable prosperity. Having retired, the farm is now operated by his sons, Ernest and Herman, the former being manager, and with the daughter, Rose, as housekeeper. They milk 40 cows, having at present about 28 head of young stock, all high grade cattle. On the farm, in addition to the other buildings mentioned, are two silos, and the general equipment includes a large tractor. Mr. and Mrs. Pahlow had four children: Ernest W., born Oct. 8, 1888; Henry G., born Nov. 28, 1890, who died in childhood; Herman J., born May 25, 1892, and Rose E. A., born Jan. 10, 1899. Ernest W. Pahlow, besides operating his father's farm, is the proprietor of the Sunnyside cheese factory, Frank Pittson being the cheese maker. This factory was built in 1917 with a capacity of

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CHRISTIAN BIGLER

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12,000 pounds of milk per day. After being operated three years it was burned down, but was rebuilt in the spring of 1921. The cream product is now handled by the Tilden Produce Co. of St. Paul and the cheese product by Armour & Co. The Pahlow family are affiliated religiously with the German Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Pahlow is independent.

Christian Bigler, proprietor of Maple Leaf cheese factory, an important and flourishing enterprise, was born near Berne, Switzerland, May 18, 1871, son of John and Rosanna (Kunzi) Bigler, who were farming people of that locality. He attended the common school up to the age of seventeen years and subsequently for two years worked as a farm hand. He then learned the butcher's trade, which he followed for three years. Two years more were then spent on the farm, after which young Bigler was employed as a driver for a brewery at Boudry, Switzerland, in which position he remained for six years. His next occupation was that of teamster for a contractor at Bienne where he remained for a year. So far his industrial activities had yielded him but little more than a livelihood, and, as he saw no prospect of anything better in his native land, he resolved to seek his fortune in America. Landing at New York in 1902, he made his way to Monroe, Wis., a locality in which he remained for four years, working in cheese factories. In the spring of 1906 Mr. Bigler came to Turtle Lake Township and entered the employ of the Turtle Lake Co-operative Creamery as cheesemaker. In this position he remained until May, 1908, when he purchased the plant and has since been its sole proprietor. The capacity of the factory is 30,000 pounds a month which it has attained as its maximum output, its average output being about 10,000 pounds. Under Mr. Bigler's management and ownership it is in a flourishing condition and is one of the most important industries of the township. Mr. Bigler is a Republican in politics, his fraternal relations being with the Odd Fellows' lodge at Turtle Lake. When a young man he served, as required by law, in the Swiss army. He was married March 14, 1908, to Elza, daughter of August and Matilda Gantz, of Turtle Lake Township. She was born in Min- neapolis May 20, 1891, and came to Turtle Lake with her parents in 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Bigler are the parents of five children, who were born as follows: Frederick, March 10, 1909; Ruth, July 3, 1911; Esther, Feb. 26, 1913; Arnold, June 26, 1915, and Ellis, Dec. 12, 1917. The family are mem- bers of the German Lutheran Church.

John Rutsche, who has been a resident of Turtle Lake Township for the last 25 years, has in that time proved himself a useful and valuable citizen by the development of an excellent farm of 120 acres. He was born in Canton Saint Gallen, Switzerland, son of Killiam and Elizabeth Rutsche, on Aug. 31, 1865. He was reared on his parents' farm, in his boyhood attending the com- mon school, and in 1892 came to the United States, first locating in Ohio. There, however, he remained but seven weeks, at the end of that time going to Dakota County, Minnesota, where he found work as a farm laborer. In 1894 he purchased 120 acres of wild land in Section 30, Turtle Lake Township, Barron County, Wisconsin, but did not take up his residence on it until the fall of 1895. On Jan. 20, 1896, he married Mary Carawtka. Then he began the work of developing the farm which he has since carried on so successfully. He has now 50 acres under cultivation, having left the balance in pasture. The buildings he has erected include a comfortable house and large barn, together with a machine shed, wood shed, wagon shed, garage and shop, all substantially built and in first class condition. His general equipment is good and includes a Ford auto. Mr. Rutsche has been a hard worker but has achieved results. His barn measures 32 by 112 by 16 feet, with a wing 26 by 30 by 16 feet and full stone basement. He is conducting a general farming and dairying business, having 20 young cows of Guernsey and Holstein grades, and he is now regarded as one of the substantial citizens of his township. For a number of years he served as school director of District No. 2. He worships with the Maple Leaf (Catholic) congregation. His wife, Mrs. Mary Rutsche,

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died on the farm May 8, 1912. They had become the parents of seven children, namely: Anna, now Mrs. Peter Peetz, of Turtle Lake Township; Joseph, who now operates the farm for his father; Elizabeth, wife of John Schmitz, a farmer of Hillsdale, Wis., four miles southeast of Poskin; Thomas, Mary and Agnes, who are residing at home with their father, and Paul, who is deceased.

Leonard M. Richardson, president of the Bank of Turtle Lake and for many years actively connected with the mercantile interests of Turtle Lake, was born in Skowhegan, Maine, Dec. 17, 1857, son of Elbridge and Arvilla (Teague) Richardson, both natives of that state. He was reared in his native town and there attended country school. As a youth he helped on the home farm and was identified with the lumber industry, working on river drives and in sawmills. In 1877 he came to Wisconsin and located at Clayton where he worked in sawmills for two years. It was in 1879 that he came to Turtle Lake. Here he entered the employ of S. F. Richardson. For two years he was in the sawmill and then entered S. F. Richardson's store as clerk and bookkeeper. In 1890, after the mill went out of business he bought the store. In 1900, with John H. Bunker and F. C. Wickenburg, he engaged in the general store business, which they conducted until 1902. Then Mr. Richardson and Mr. Bunker sold their interest to Mr. Wickenburg. In 1900 the Messrs. Richardson, Bunker and Wickenburg organized the Bank of Turtle Lake, and at that time Mr. Richardson assumed his present duties as president. Mr. Richardson has been an important influence in the life of the community ever since he first came here. Of fine old stock, he has maintained the traditions of his family, and his honest dealings and courteous disposition have made him universally respected and esteemed. He was honored with the position of school treasurer for over a quarter of a century and for a long period he had charge of the township records as town clerk. He has also won commendation throughout the county for his work on the county board. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order. Mr. Richardson was married at Osceola, Wis., Feb. 3, 1883, to Frances Clarkson, daughter of Thomas and Harriet (Nickelson) Clarkson, of English descent, and natives of New Brunswick, where they spent the span of their years. They had five children: Sarah, Charles, Harriet, Frances and Henry. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson have three sons, Maurice L., Elwood A. and Linwood T. Maurice L. is a practicing physician of Cleveland, Ohio. Elwood A. and Linwood T. are both electrical and chemical engineers, the former at Toledo, Ohio, and the latter at New Brunswick, N. J. Elbridge Richardson was one of the California Forty-niners. He was born in Maine of a long line of New England ancestors who had originated in Scotland. He had the pioneer spirit in his breast, and in 1849 went to California, by way of the Isthmus of Panama, during the gold rush. He also assisted in the con- struction of the Union Pacific Railroad, having charge of a construction crew. He then returned to his native state and devoted the remainder of his life to farming there. He died in 1916. His wife, Arvilla Teague, was also of a long line of New England ancestors, the family having originated in France. She died in 1909. They had a family of ten children, seven boys and three girls, of whom there are now living six: Ida, Leonard, Eugene, Henry, Adelbert and Elwood. Isabell, Annie, Maurice and Leon are dead. Ida was married first to Manley Rowe, and after his death to Charles Kellum, of Fairbanks, Alaska. Leonard is at Turtle Lake. Eugene is in Washington State. Henry and Adelbert are in Maine. Elwood lives in Massachusetts.

Theophile Rivard, for some years a farmer of Sommerset Township, Polk County, not far from Turtle Lake, was born in Canada, of French ancestry. He came to the United States in 1855 and located in St. Paul. He was a carpenter by trade and assisted in constructing many substantial buildings. From St. Paul he came to Chippewa Falls, Wis., and thence to Menomonie. Then he settled in Sommerest Township, and spent his time in farming until his death in 1913, his wife still making her home there. He was married at Menomonie to Mary Lamire, whose parents were early settlers of St. Croix

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County where she has spent most of her life. She and her husband were the parents of twelve children, of whom there are now living eight. Fred is in Minneapolis. Adelaide is the wife of John Parnell, of Sommerset Township. Eugene is a business man, Sommerset village. Samuel lives on the home farm in Sommerset. Mary, widow of Andrew Campeau, also lives in Sommerset. John is a traveling salesman with headquarters at Portland, Oregon. Mar- garet has taken the vows of the Church, and is Sister Mary Reita in a convent at Concordia, Kan. Louis H. is a prominent man in Turtle Lake.

Louis H. Rivard, president of the Security State Bank of Turtle Lake, extensive real estate dealer and a heavy logging operator of Barron and Polk Counties, was born in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, Jan. 28, 1868, son of Theo- phile and Mary (Lamire) Rivard, the pioneers. He received his early education in the district schools of Sommerset Township, and was reared to farm pur- suits on his father's farm. He early started working in the woods, and for a time was employed in the booms at Stillwater, Minn. In 1887 he formed a partnership with his brother, Frank, purchased some timber land in Polk County, and started lumbering operations. In this line he has since continued, and his operations at one time or another have covered nearly every part of Barron County. In 1903 he established his headquarters and home at Turtle Lake. Here, in addition to looking after his lumbering interests, he has done a big business in real estate, buying, selling and handling, on com- mission, city, village and rural lands, both improved and unimproved. In 1916, in connection with Axel Johnson and T. O. Birch, he organized the Security State Bank, he being made the president, Mr. Johnson the vice- president, and Mr. Birch the cashier. Mr. Rivard's locating here was a distinct addition to the business and social life of the village. He has been president of the village, a member of the village trustees and president of the village water commission. He is treasurer of the school board of Consolidated Joint District No. 3 which has one of the finest schools in this part of the state and of which the people are justly proud. Fraternally, he is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. He was married at Minneapolis June 26, 1910, to Alma, widow of Louis Laurin and daughter of Adolph and Emily Dubois, natives of Canada and early settlers of Turtle Lake. By Mr. Laurin she has two children, Louis and Louise. Mr. and Mrs. Rivard have three bright chil- dren, John, Raymond and Richard.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 26

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

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