History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 31

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 31

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).

Charles A. Abbott, expert pharmacist and prominent citizen, is one of the

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leading business men of Chetek, and his establishment does much to give that city the metropolitan air and modern spirit so much admired by the summer visitors and the travelers. He is a native of this state, born in Polk County, July 16, 1876, the son of C. W. and Elizabeth (Coombs) Abbott, the former of whom was for many years a mill man, and is now farming in Lincoln Town- ship near Amery, in Polk County. Charles A. attended the district schools of Polk County, and then entered the Amery High School, from which he was graduated in 1905. He early became interested in the drug business, and even while at school spent his spare time in a local drug store. After graduation he continued to work in the drug store for a year. He then entered the Uni- versity of Minnesota at Minneapolis, and was graduated in pharmacy from that institution in 1908. Then he became prescription clerk for the Danielson Drug Co. at Amery. With this experience, he subsequently worked in drug stores at Minot, N. D., and Ladysmith, Ashland and Hayward, Wis. In 1912, he came to Chetek and purchased the drug business of W. R. Hathway. This business he has developed into one of the finest drug establishments in the county. A specialty is made of the compounding of drugs, at which Mr. Abbott is an expert. The other lines, however, are not neglected, and the store car- ries an unusually complete supply of confectionery, stationery, cigars, tobac- cos, smokers' supplies, school supplies, books, toilet articles and various novel- ties. A soda water fountain is also maintained. The fittings are modern and sightly, while the chemical department is most excellently equipped with scien- tific conveniences. Mr. Abbott has taken a deep interest in the affairs of the community, and has done most excellent work on the school board. He is a stockholder in the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Chetek, and in the Barron County Canning Co., of Chetek. In the Masonic Order he belongs to the Blue Lodge at Chetek, and the Chapter at Rice Lake. He is also a member of the Elks at Chippewa. Mr. Abbott was married March 25, 1909, to Minnie Marie Pergandie, and this union has been blessed with four children: Blanche and Beatrice, deceased; and Mildred and Lloyd. The family attends the Presby- terian Church.

Frank J. Smatlak, taxidermist, has a reputation that extends far beyond the borders of the state, and his establishment is making the name of Barron County synonymous with the artistic taxidermy among museums, scientists and sportsmen throughout a wide territory. He was born in Chicago, Ill., Dec. 3, 1889, son of Benjamin and Josephine (Srb) Smatlak, natives of Bohemia, who now live in Cicero, Ill. Educated in the public schools of his native city, he took up taxidermy as a youth, and subsequently received practical training in some of the best schools of taxidermy in Chicago and in some of the best establishments there. He combines with the technical skill thus acquired a sportsman's true love for animals, and takes an artistic delight in preserving nature's forms and colors. He located in Haugen and opened a studio in 1915. There the business grew rapidly until he had the most important industry in the place. Nov. 1, 1921, desiring larger quarters and better facilities, he moved to Rice Lake, where he has a studio at 421 North Main Street. The literature he issues is attractive and his establishment is constantly growing. A descrip- tion recently published reads substantially as follows: "Mr. Smatlak has the only studio in his line in Barron County, located in a two-story building at 421 North Main Street, Rice Lake. The upper floor is used as a residence, with the store and office on the first floor, and the workshop in the rear, which is thoroughly equipped for the purpose. He carries the largest stock of mounted birds, animals, game heads, fish, and fur rugs and other specialties of this kind in the state, and specializes in artistic grouping and mounting for schools, colleges and private collections. Mr. Smatlak has had fifteen years' experience in scientific taxidermy, including museum work; also longer experience in com- mercial taxidermy, and is equipped for mounting in the best manner all kinds of birds, animals, fish, game heads, reptiles, and the like, samples of his work in all lines being on exhibition at his Art Taxidermist Studio. His trade now

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FRANK J. SMATLAK SCIENTIFIC TAXIDERMIST

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extends not only throughout Wisconsin, but to nearly every state in the Union, orders being received daily in season, both by mail and express, his business as a whole being about the largest in this line in the state." Mr. Smatlak has identified himself with the affairs of the community and holds stock in the Haugen State Bank, the Chippewa Falls Silver Fox Co. and the Wisconsin Skead Mines, Limited. He is well liked through the community. Ready to "do his bit" in the World War, he was inducted into the U. S. service April 2, 1918, in Puget Sound, 11th Co., and was sent to Fort Casey, Wash .; was transferred to Fort Warden, Wash., into the 7th Co., Heavy Coast Artillery, and trained there until the armistice was signed; was then shipped to Camp Grant, and was discharged Jan. 1, 1919. During his absence his place of business was closed, but he reopened it immediately on his return. Mr. Smatlak was married June 1, 1920, to Sylvia Borkovec, of Haugen, and they have one child, Lillian Marie, born April 4, 1921. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Smatlak has a brother, Jerry, who assists in the work.

Nels Solum, one of the prominent farmers of Doyle Township, and man- ager of the Campia Warehouse of the Albert Miller Potato Co., is one of the real leaders in this vicinity. He is a good farmer and a good business man, he understands the potato business in all its phases, he knows what is fair to the grower, to the dealer and to the consumer and he stands high as a citizen. He was born in Norway, April 16, 1866, son of Nels Nelson and Nickolena Hovde, natives of that country, who spent the span of their years there. He received his education and boyhood training in Norway, and came to America in 1883 as a youth of seventeen years. For many years he was in the employ of the Knapp, Stout & Co., part of the time in their lumber camps, and part of the time as a clerk in their hardware store at Rice Lake. During this period, his headquarters were at Rice Lake. In 1900 he took up farming as a renter in Doyle Township. He bought his present farm of 80 acres in Section 6, Doyle Township, to which he has since successfully devoted much of his attention. When he purchased the place the farm was but little developed. There was a log house and a few crude sheds, and a few acres of breaking. He has built a good frame house, a commodious barn, and other suitable buildings, and has developed the farm until it is as good as can be found in the neighborhood. He carries on general farming and pays particular attention to dairying with his herd of Holstein-Friesian cattle. Aside from the home farm, he owns a similar tract in the same section which is operated by his sons, Cyril and. Harold. Mr. Solum is a member of the Modern Woodmen. Mr. Solum was married in December, 1891, to Julia Evanson, of Maple Grove Township, who was born in Norway, 1865, daughter of Ole Evanson and Agnette (Christian- son) Evanson. Mr. and Mrs. Solum have nine children: Nora, Helen, Cyril, Harold, Griffin, Gladys and Lester. Nora is the wife of Arnold Strand, of Doyle Township. Helen is the wife of Arthur Strand, of Rice Lake Township. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Henry Wilz, public man and prominent citizen of Rice Lake, was born in Milwaukee County, this state, Dec. 10, 1855. He came to Rice Lake in 1886, from Kaukauna, Wis., where he had been engaged for some years in the manu- facture of hubs and spokes, and opened a similar plant here. Ten years later he transferred the scene of his operations to Dexter, Missouri, and still later to Clarksville, Mississippi. In 1900 he retired, and returned to Rice Lake, where he still resides. When the City of Rice Lake was incorporated in 1887, he was a member of the first board of aldermen. He served in the same posi- tion at intervals for nine years, and was a member of the last board, under the old charter. When the commissioner system was adopted, he was one of the first board of commissioners. In other ways, as well, he has been important in public life, and in his business he was uniformly successful. His financial in- terests include stock in the Citizens State Bank and city property. He is a popular member of the Catholic Knights, and he and his family attend the Catholic Church. Mr. Wilz was married Nov. 19, 1878, to Johanna Cortenhoof,

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who was born in Outagamie County, Wis., Aug. 5, 1855. This union has been blessed with five children: Anna, John H., Minnie, William and Harry. Anna was born Oct. 8, 1879, and is the wife of Charles J. Beecher, of Leona, Wis. John H. was born June 29, 1883, and is a Rice Lake banker. Minnie was born April 23, 1886, and is the wife of Harry Whitney, of Rice Lake. William was born April 5, 1890, and died April 3, 1900. Harry was born March 9, 1895, and died Aug. 14, 1895.

John H. Wilz, cashier of the Citizens State Bank, of Rice Lake, is one of the prominent men of the town, and is one of that generation whose energy, will-power, ability and vision are bringing the county to the leading position it occupies among its sister counties in the state. Not only has his personality been an important factor in the success of the bank with which he is connected, but he has also assisted in the agricultural development of the county, being extensively interested in real estate in the city and country. He is especially proud of the Maple Hill Stock Farm, which is under his personal supervision, a farm of 120 acres in Stanfold Township, where he is making a specialty of graded Holstein cattle, headed by a full-blooded sire. He also gives much of his attention to a 40-acre grain farm, located within the city limits. Mr. Wilz was born in Kaukauna, Wis., June 29, 1883, son of Henry and Johanna (Cor- tenhoof) Wilz. He was brought to Rice Lake as a boy, and attended the parochial schools, later studying in the public schools of Dexter, Mo., and Clarksville, Miss. His business education was received in the Bushey Brothers' Business College, at Appleton, Wis. For some years he was in the spoke and hub business with his father. Then for a while he was with the Wilz & Tremper Lumber Co. at Rice Lake. In May, 1903, he became bookkeeper in the Citizens State Bank of Rice Lake. In 1907 he was made assistant cashier and in 1915 assumed the duties of his present position. He is a member of the local Com- mercial Club and of the Catholic Foresters and the Knights of Columbus. His political affiliation is with the Republican Party. Mr. Wilz was married May 6, 1905, to Laura Demers, who was born July 30, 1885, daughter of Frederick I. Demers, and this union has been blessed with four children: Rufus, born Sept. 25, 1906; Dorothy H., born May 11, 1913; Marjorie H., born April 23, 1915; and John H., Jr., born Jan. 21, 1920.

Oscar G. Jensen, city clerk of Rice Lake and secretary-treasurer of the Rice Lake Building & Loan Association, is one of the progressive, enterprising . young men of the city, and is taking his share in everything which he believes to be for the best good of the community at large. He was born in Christiania, Norway, Sept. 8, 1881, son of E. and Martha (Peterson) Jensen, the former of whom died in 1903, and the latter of whom still makes her home in the old country. Oscar G. received an excellent education in Norway, passing through the graded schools and the high school, and then taking a two-years' course in a business college, and a one-year course in a university in Norway. He landed in America April 2, 1902, and came directly to Barron County, being employed for one year as bookkeeper for the Rice Lake Manufacturing Co. at Rice Lake, and then starting work for the abstract department of the Barron County Bank, of the same place. In the meantime he took a two-years' course in ac- counting and commerce, with the International Correspondence Schools of Scranton, Penn. May 1, 1912, he was elected to his present position, and has since served with distinction and ability. He thoroughly understands the city affairs, he has made a critical study of the city records, and he conducts the office in a manner which gives general satisfaction to the officials and to the taxpayers. Mr. Jensen is quiet and unassuming in manner, but of a genial temperament, and is well liked by all with whom he comes in contact. When the Rice Lake Building & Loan Association was formed in 1921 for the pur- pose of assisting in the upbuilding of homes in this part of the state, he was chosen as a most suitable man to fill the position of secretary and treasurer, and in the short time the company has been in existence he has shown the wisdom of his having been selected. In 1912, he purchased a business building

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at 301 Hatten Street. In 1920 he bought out the grocery store which occupied the building, and organized the Jensen Grocery Co., of which he is the sole owner, and which he operates through a manager. He is also interested in other business ventures. Mr. Jensen was married June 26, 1912, at Rice Lake, to Ettie Olivia Knudson, daughter of Knud and Emma (Olsen) Knudson, of Rice Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Jensen reside in a pleasant, modern home at 18 Phipps Avenue, which they erected in 1917. They are the parents of two chil- dren: Oscar Gerhard, born July 4, 1913; and Ruth Olivette, born Dec. 8, 1915. The family faith is that of the Lutheran Church.

Clarence A. Polland, now deceased, of the firm of Frank & Polland, real estate and insurance, Rice Lake, food administrator during the World War, and supervisor from the Fourth Ward at the time of his death, was born in the Township of Alton, Waseca County, Minn., Nov. 12, 1879. He spent all his early life in his native state, and came to Rice Lake in 1910 to take charge of a milk route. He soon sold out and took up the plumbing business. Then he took up real estate, insurance and farming, and formed a partnership with F. W. Frank. He was an upright, energetic young business man with many close friends, and his death, Feb. 8, 1920, was sincerely mourned. This untimely event took place in Ordway, Colo., while he was visiting his mother there. Fraternally, Mr. Polland was a member of the Masonic Order. He was mar- ried Oct. 16, 1912, to Emma M., the daughter of F. W. and Lena (Schweppe) Frank.

F. W. Frank, of the firm of Frank & Polland, real estate and insurance, Rice Lake, is one of the substantial, influential men of the community, and is doing his share in promoting the development of the county, especially in demonstrating to outsiders the desirability of Barron County life, and induc- ing outsiders to settle here and improve farms, this increasing the general pros- perity. He was born in Cook County, Ill., Dec. 17, 1858, son of Fritz and Mary (Lendt) Frank, natives of Germany. Fritz Frank was born July 12, 1827, and came to America as a young man, and was married in Illinois, in which state they lived until 1860, when they located in Seagle Township, Brown County, Minn. They were in the path of the Sioux Massacre of 1862, but managed to escape at the first alarm, and in due time returned and continued their agri- cultural operations. In 1887, the family moved to the Village of Sleepy Eye, where the father died May 25, 1890, the mother now making her home in Prince- ton, Minn., at the good old age of 88 years. The subject of this sketch was taken to Brown County, when he was two years old, and was but four when the terrible scenes of the Sioux Massacre were enacted. He received his early education in the district schools, learned farming from his father, and remained with his parents until 1884. Then he started farming for himself in Stark Township, Brown County. In 1892 he worked in a hardware and lumber estab- lishment and so continued for three years. Then, in 1895, together with Frank Goettsche, he engaged in the hardware business at Sleepy Eye, Minn. He sold out his interest in 1901, and for two years traveled in Washington and Okla- homa. He came to Rice Lake in 1903, and with Mr. Goettsche again as his part- ner, engaged in the hardware business once more. In 1904 they erected a build- ing at 128 North Main Street. The business was sold in 1911, and in that year Mr. Frank formed a partnership with C. A. Polland, who afterward became his son-in-law. Under the firm name of Frank & Polland they engaged in the real estate and insurance business at Rice Lake. Mr. Polland died suddenly Feb. 8, 1920, but the business retains the firm name, Mrs. Polland looking after her husband's interests. The insurance department is limited to fire insur- ance within the city. The real estate and loan business covers a territory that extends even beyond the boundaries of the county. The firm is constantly growing in all its branches. Mr. Frank was married June 17, 1884, to Lena Schweppe, who was born in Illinois, Jan. 26, 1863. Their daughter, Emma M., was born May 11, 1885, and was married Oct. 16, 1912, to Clarence A. Polland, now deceased.

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Peter Enders, retired farmer living in Rice Lake, was born in Washington County, Wis., July 9, 1860, son of John B. and Barbara (Meisner) Enders. John B. Enders was born in Germany, and there learned the shoemakers' trade. He came to America at the age of 28 years, and studied English in an evening school in New York City, where he followed his trade for a while. Then he came to Wisconsin, and took up his trade at Milwaukee, then a small place. At one time he owned twelve acres near what is now the business center of that city. He was married there to Barbara Meisner, who was born in Ger- many and came to America when twelve years of age. After his health failed, he moved to Washington County, where he farmed for 13 years. Then he sold the place and moved to Pierce County, also in this state, where two years later he died. His wife then moved to Loyal, in Clark County, this state, where she died. Peter grew to manhood in Pierce County. For many years he farmed, at home and in the neighborhood, with the exception of a few seasons he worked in the woods, until 1901, having purchased a farm of 120 acres in 1893. May 22, 1901, he came to Barron County, and bought a farm of 120 acres in Section 35, Oak Grove Township. This was partly improved. He set to work and cleared about 50 acres more, and built up a fine farm, erecting a good frame house, a large, modern barn, and numerous outbuildings. There he successfully fol- lowed general farming, dairying and stock raising. He had a good herd of Holstein cattle with a full-blooded sire at its head, and a good drove of horses. He was also a sheep fancier, having first a herd of Cotswold and Shropshire breeds, and later a herd of full-blooded Oxfords. He did things on a success- ful scale, and was one of the representative men of the community. In the spring of 1920, he sold the farm, and retired to Rice Lake, where he bought his present home, a fine, modern semi-bungalow, at 832 Lake Street, facing the lake shore, where he and his wife are enjoying the comforts of a well-earned rest. Fraternally, Mr. Enders is a member of the Catholic Knights. Mr. Enders was married May 7, 1895, to Thekla Rupp, the daughter of Joseph and Caroline (Ott) Rupp, now deceased, who was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, Sept. 26, 1862, came to America in 1890 and located at Reed's Landing, in Wa- basha County, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Enders have had four children. Caroline Barbara was born Feb. 26, 1899. Joseph, and two unnamed children, died in in- fancy. The daughter, Miss Caroline, is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. The family worships at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church at Rice Lake.

Andrew O. Erstad, proprietor of a well-established tailor shop in Rice Lake, 17 North Main Street, was born in Norway, July 23, 1870, son of Ole and Olive (Martison) Erstad, the former of whom is still living in Norway and the latter of whom died in 1883. Andrew O. attended school in his native land and was apprenticed to a tailor at the age of fourteen. He came to America in 1888, and secured employment at his trade in Beloit, Wis. He came to Rice Lake in the winter of 1891 and entered the employ of Nels Haugen. In 1894 he went to Minneapolis, where he was employed six months by the Plymouth Clothing House. Then he went to Duluth, and for two years was employed at his trade with J. S. Lane. In 1896 he again came to Rice Lake and again en- tered the employ of Mr. Haugen. He started business for himself in 1904. He is an excellent tailor, and has a good trade, making suits and overcoats, and doing renovating, mending and pressing. He has been secretary of Val- halla Lodge No. 7, Scandinavian-American Fraternity, for six years past. Mr. Erstad was married Oct. 6, 1896, at Rice Lake, to Anna Ruud, daughter of Gilbert and Eliza Ruud. Mr. and Mrs. Erstad have four children: Lillian M., Linmore G. O., Arman M. and Wendell W. Lillian M. was born Nov. 13, 1897, and was graduated from the local high school in 1917 and for the past four years has been employed as a stenographer and bookkeeper. Linmore G. O. was born Jan. 3, 1901, and was graduated from the Rice Lake High School in 1921. Arman M., born May 18, 1903, and Wendell W., born Dec. 26, 1905, are both attending school.

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Gust Floberg, retired farmer living at 113 Hatten Avenue, Rice Lake, was born in Sweden, Sept. 29, 1861, son of Andrew and Kate Johnson, who spent the span of their years in that country. He came to America in May, 1881, and located in Maridale, Kansas, where he farmed for several years. In 1891 he came to Rice Lake, and secured employment in a hub and spoke factory. Three years later he purchased forty acres within the limits of the city of Rice Lake. This was all covered with heavy timber. He cleared a part of the land, erected a log house and barn which he later replaced with frame buildings, and there farmed until 1920, when he sold out and moved to his present residence. He is well thought of in the community and has reared a good family. Mr. Floberg was married Jan. 19, 1886, in Kansas, to Mary Anderson, daughter of John and Johannah (Carlson) Anderson, who came to this country in 1852, and located first in New York State, then moved to Canada, and in 1865 went to Kansas, where they farmed until the father's death in 1879, after which the mother came to Wisconsin and died in 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Floberg have ten children: Lelia O., Clara C., Mabel E., Minnie E., Ethel M., Clarence G., Lora V., Florence E., Amy O. and Lester W. Lelia O. was born in Kansas, Jan. 30, 1887, married Osker Halverson, Oct. 15, 1912, at Rice Lake, lives in Superior, Wis., and has one child, Eleanor L., born March 22, 1914. Clara C. was born in Kansas, April 26, 1888, was married at Rice Lake, April 26, 1917, to Victor Nehs, lives at Neilsville, and has one child, De Wayne Pershing, born Oct. 17, 1918. Mabel E. was born Oct. 12, 1890, in Kansas, and lives at home in Rice Lake. The rest of the children were born in Rice Lake. Minnie E. was born Feb. 12, 1892, and died May 18, 1904. Ethel M. was born Nov. 4, 1893, and is clerking in a store in Duluth. Clarence G. was born April 7, 1894, and is farm- ing in Rice Lake Township. Lora V. was born Sept. 5, 1895, and is teaching in Cumberland, this county. Florence E. was born May 24, 1897, married J. C. Derifield, Aug. 3, 1918, and lives at Appleton, Wis. Amy O. was born Jan. 3, 1898, and is teaching at Birchwood, Wis. Lester W. was born Oct. 12, 1900, and is an electrical worker at Oshkosh, Wis.

R. A. Ross, D. D. S., a well-known citizen and active practitioner of Rice Lake, was born at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Sept. 7, 1888, the son of Edwin A. and Hattie L. (Lee) Ross, natives of that state. The father, a farmer of substan- tial worth, died Jan. 15, 1895, and the mother now lives at Superior, Wis. The subject of this sketch received his early education in the public schools of his native place. Three years of his high school training was received at Crooks- ton, Minn., and one year at Superior, Wis. He also took a thorough commercial course in the New Era Business College at Superior. In 1914, he entered the Chicago College of Dental Surgery, and graduated with his degree in May, 1917. He was active in college affairs, and was honored with membership in the Delta Sigma Delta, of which he served as Grand Master. In both his junior and senior year, he and a number of his classmates offered their services to the Canadian and English authorities for overseas work, but did not receive a call. After the entry of the United States into the World War, he offered his serv- ices to the United States Government, and in August, 1917, was commissioned First Lieutenant in the Dental Reserve Corps. While awaiting a call to duty, he came to Rice Lake with a friend, for an outing, seeking recreation in hunt- ing, fishing and travel. He was pleased with the aspect of the city, he met a number of business and professional men who urged him to cast his lot here, he found the farming people genial and prosperous, and he therefore decided to establish himself here permanently. In June, 1917, he entered into partner- ship with F. A. Tate, and this partnership continued until July, 1921, when Dr. Ross opened an office of his own in the new Citizens State Bank Building, at the corner of Maine and West Newton Streets. He has a pleasant suite of rooms most admirably suited to their purpose, with modern appliances and well equipped laboratory. Dr. Ross is a skilled practitioner and operator, he has the well-deserved confidence of the people, and his list of clients is constantly in- creasing. He keeps abreast of the times in his profession, and is a useful and

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 31

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

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