History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 33

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 33

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wife was Emma Engel, of Cedar Lake, Wis., Mr. Whitaker had four children: Merton E., now of Lethbridge, Canada; Ethel, now Mrs. T. F. Milligan, of Spokane, Wash .; Roy, who died in infancy, and Leon N., of Proctor, Minn. Nov. 11, 1913, Mr. Whitaker married Mrs. Augusta Priscilla Nichols, widow of Amos C. Nichols. She was born in Havana, Illinois, acquired a thorough education, and was a professional teacher for several years. She has taken her part in the religious and social life of Rice Lake, is an active member of the Presbyterian church, and is one of the organizers and a charter member of the Fortnightly Club, of which she has been president for two years.

Edward Whitaker, veteran of the Civil War, and early settler of Barron County, was born in Clarance, N. Y., April 26, 1829, the son of William Henry Whitaker, born at Providence, R. I., in 1805, and of Thankful (Champlin) Whitaker, and grandson of Jacob Bradford Whitaker, the line running back to the earliest English families in New England. He married Betsy Maria Signor, whose New England line ran as far back as his own. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted and served in that conflict from the Battle of Bull . Run to the Battle of the Wilderness, receiving wounds which left him more or less crippled for the remainder of his life. He came to Wisconsin from Pennsylvania in the early days, found his way to Barron County, and estab- lished himself in Stanfold Township. After many years of farming there he moved to Rice Lake, where he and his good wife both died. He served for several terms as treasurer of the town of Stanfold, and in other ways as well had his share in the public weal.

Amos C. Nichols, now deceased, was for many years a highly respected farmer and lumberman of Barron County. He took an active part in the affairs of the community, and was a factor in the progress and general de- velopment of this part of the state. Mr. Nichols was born in Potter County, Penn., May 4, 1848. He came to Barron County in the early days, and for some years dealt extensively in real estate in connection with the lumber interests of the region, buying and selling large tracts of timber lands, and also dealing in cut-over and improved land. He held the regard of all with whom he has business and personal dealings, and at his death in November, 1905, occupied a most enviable position among his fellow men. He was inter- ested in everything that had for its object the betterment of the community, and at various times was called to serve in various public offices. He was also a substantial factor in the Presbyterian church, and for ten years previous to his death served the local church as its ruling elder. Mr. Nichols was married in 1875 to Augusta Priscilla Ginder, and to this union three children have been born, Wilson H., Casson A., and John Freeman. Wilson H. is a wholesale dealer in groceries and supplies with headquarters at Eveleth, Minn. Casson A., a most promising young man, died in his twentieth year while a student at the Superior State Normal School. John Freeman, a graduate of the law department of the University of Minnesota, in the class of 1904, is now a prominent attorney and real estate man of Minneapolis.

George William Hickey, millwright for the Rice Lake factory of the Rice Lake Excelsior Co., was born in the township of Stanley Feb. 22, 1876, son of Isaac and Esther D. (Demars) Hickey. The parents were natives of Canada, who came to the States in 1870 and took a homestead in Stanley Township, this county, where they cleared 100 acres of land, erected log buildings, and suc- cessfully farmed until 1891, when they sold out and moved to the village of Rice Lake, where the mother died Dec. 27, 1902, and where the father now makes his home with his son. George William attended school until he was thirteen years of age. For some years he worked on the farm with his father, and then became interested in the lumber business, working in the woods and in sawmills. In 1899 he entered his present employ, first as assistant to the millwright, and in 1912 was promoted to the position of general millwright for the entire plant. Mr. Hickey was married April 28, 1902, to Ernestine

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Renvill, of Rice Lake, and this union has resulted in one daughter: Lora Alice, born Feb. 22, 1903.

Axel Hedstrom, who is living a retired life at Rice Lake after busy years filled with hard work, is one of the substantial citizens of the community and stands well with all who know him. He was born in Sweden, March 4, 1858, son of Anders and Anna Christina (Eliason) Olson, who spent the span of their years in Sweden. He received his education there and devoted his early life to farming. He came to America in 1892, and located at Prentice, Wis., where he was employed on the railroad and in sawmills for four years. In 1896 he came to Barron County and took 40 acres of wild land in Rice Lake Township. He cleared the wild land, put up a set of buildings, and developed a good farm. In 1898 he added twenty acres, and in 1910 forty acres more, making a tract of 100 acres, all in section 11. For many years he industriously carried on general farming. In the spring of 1919 he rented the farm to his sons, Gust and Ed, and moved to Rice Lake Village, where he purchased a home at 212 Noble Avenue. Mr. Hedstrom was married Oct. 26, 1880, to Anna Christina Johnson, who was born in Sweden, March 15, 1859, and died Nov. 28, 1919, leaving six children, Hilda, Ida, Gust, Ed, Elsie and Anna. Hilda is the wife of John Westman, of Ashland, Wis., and they have six children. Ida is the wife of John Nelson, of Minneapolis, a street car conductor, and they have three children. Gust is on the home farm. Ed is also on the home farm. He is married and has one child. Elsie is the wife of Oscar Amblad, of Chetek Township, and they have two children. Anna is employed in Min- neapolis. The family faith is that of the Baptist church.

Frederick 1. Demers, farmer, merchant and public official for many years in Rice Lake, now deceased, exerted a real influence on the life of the county, and left behind the memory of an honest, upright and useful life. He did his duty as he saw it in business, in public affairs and in his family, and was held in high esteem. He was a native of Canada, born in Quebec, Nov. 17, 1845, the son of McGuire and Margaret (Dauplaise) Demers, both of Canadian birth, but of ancient French lineage. The father, who was a mason by trade, died in 1881, after which the mother came to Rice Lake, took up her home with her son, Frederick I., and died March 31, 1914, at the age of ninety- seven years. The subject of this sketch as a boy attended the Canadian public schools. He began his mercantile career at the age of fourteen, when he started clerking in a store at Sorel, Province of Quebec, Canada. After some years of this, he engaged in the mercantile and cordwood business for him- self in the same place. In 1870 he came to the States, bringing his family, and locating at Menomonie, Dunn County, Wis. It was in 1871 that he came to Barron County, and took a homestead of 160 acres in section 24, Rice Lake Township. He developed a good place, worked hard to acquire success, and there established the foundation of his future fortunes. In 1881 he moved to the city of Rice Lake, established himself in the mercantile business, and soon became one of the leading business men of the county. He sold the estab- lishment in 1906, and retired. Busy as he was with his personal and business affairs, he found time for public work, and was a member of the town board five years and a member of the city council for two years. He also served on various committees and delegations at various times. He died Feb. 8, 1908, and in his passing the county lost a valued citizen. Mr. Demers was married in Canada, Feb. 27, 1865, to Mary Derosier, and this union has been blessed with five children: Wilfred A. is cashier of the First National Bank at Rice Lake. Samuel is in Seattle, Wash. Joseph J. is a practicing physician of Pompey's Pillar, Montana. Clara is the widow of J. P. Morneau, and lives in Appleton, Wis. Laura is the wife of J. H. Wilz, cashier of the Citizens Bank of Rice Lake.

Wilfred A. Demers, financier, agriculturist, former county and city official, former member of the selective draft board, and present cashier of the First National Bank of Rice Lake, was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, Nov.

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17, 1865, son of Frederick I. and Mary (Derosier) Demers, who brought him to the States in 1870 and after a year in Menomonie, this state, came to Barron County. Wilfred A. was reared on a homestead in Rice Lake Township, and there attended the district schools. He was sixteen years old when his family moved to Rice Lake, and here he continued his schooling, spending his spare time in working with his father in his store, and thus learning the principles of business life. After he left school he worked two years for the Omaha Railroad at Rice Lake. Then he became a clerk in his father's store. In the fall of 1898 he was elected county treasurer, and served for four years, making his home at Barron. Upon his retirement he continued in the court house for a while as assistant to the county treasurer. Afterward he resumed his em- ployment with his father. He entered upon his banking career Nov. 1, 1907, as assistant cashier of the First National Bank at Rice Lake. His hard work and ability, as well as the confidence in which he is held in the community, at once became important factors in the life of the bank, and on Jan. 1, 1914, he was elevated to his present position. Reared as he was on a farm, he has always been interested in agriculture, and he makes a hobby of his fine place of 400 acres in Rice Lake Township, where he breeds full-blooded Holstein- Freisian cattle for dairy purposes. In addition to this he is the owner of several residences and business buildings in Rice Lake City. His public office holding has not been confined to the court house, for in the city as well, he has done excellent service. He has been city clerk and city treasurer, and during his term as alderman was one of the prime movers in installing the present adequate sewage system. During the war he was fearless and just as a member of the selective draft board, and also headed a number of Liberty Loan and War Fund drives. All in all he is a broad minded man of intelli- gence and ability, who has the best good of the community at heart, and who, in acquiring his own success, has not been unmindful of others. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Forestors. Mr. Demers was married July 4, 1887, to Delima Santerre, who was born in Canada, Sept. 6, 1868. To this union ten children have been born. Alda is a teacher and lives at home. Odille was for several years librarian at the Car- nege Library at Rice Lake. Hazel is accountant for the First National Bank at Rice Lake. Leontine is the wife of Russell Rill of Casper, Wyoming. Ray- mond is a student in the Rice Lake High School. He was a volunteer in the World War and served with Co. A, 121st Machine Gun Battalion, 32nd Division. Clarian is a student at the State Normal School at Superior. Maurine, An- toinette and Carroll are attending the public schools. One is dead. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church.

B. Drook, confectioner, is one of the prominent business men and leading citizens of Rice Lake, and has done much more than his share in the upbuild- ing of the city. He was born in Russia, March 28, 1865, the son of Joseph and Sarah (Heller) Drook, natives of Germany, and descended from a long line of distinguished chemists. Coming as he did of people of means and education, young Barney had unusual opportunities of training and schooling, and was not only thoroughly grounded in the elementary studies, but also took courses in various institutions in Europe. Not pleased, however, with the system of despotic government under which he was living, he set out for America in 1895. For two years he was engaged in the confectionery business at Bristol, Rhode Island. In 1897 he engaged in business in Brooklyn, N. Y., handling a retail and wholesale line, and manufacturing his own goods. But he had something of the pioneer in his veins, so he determined to seek his fortunes in a still newer region. Accordingly in 1899 he came to St. Paul, Minn., and engaged in the manufacture of confections for the jobbing trade. While thus occupied, he was constantly looking about for a location where he could start with a small village and grow as the village grew. Such an opportunity presented itself in Rice Lake. So he came here in 1901 and the following year established his present business. The country was still new,

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FIRST NATIONAL BANK, RICE LAKE

FIRST NATIONAL BANK

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and the starting of a store here for the sale of high class candies and the manufacture of choice ice cream seemed a highly speculative venture. But Mr. Drook had faith in the future of this region, he was a thorough master of his business, he had energy and pluck, and he had a pleasing personality which won him friends and customers. And he also has those qualities of character and that spirit of fair dealing which keep his friends and customers once they are made. The business developed rapidly. The store in Rice Lake became one of the business centers of the growing city. Ice cream was not only sold to other dealers here and to the homes, but also shipped to points in Northern Wisconsin. Mr. Drook devotes his entire attention to the store at Rice Lake. The building was erected in 1914 in connection with the construction of the Odd Fellows' Block. It is of solid brick with a concrete foundation. The front is of white glazed tile and plate glass. The floors of the salesrooms and parlors are of inlaid mosaic pattern, while the floors of the basement and manufacturing rooms are of cement. The building is steam heated throughout and equipped with an artistic system of lighting. The soda water fountain is modern and the display cases excellently designed for the attractive goods. The parlor is a cozy, prettily decorated place with an artistic balcony. A special feature of the place is the Paganini Violin Or- chestra, a mechanical device cased in solid mahogany and imported from Germany at a cost of $3,000. Mr. Drook manufactures his own ice cream and candies. He carries in addition to the confections a full line of bakery, fruits, novelties, school supplies and accessories, and serves light lunches. His home is at 17 West Knapp and was built in 1912. It is a modern structure of eight rooms, with many modern conveniences. Adjoining the house are several lots where Mr. Drook delights in cultivating a small orchard. He also owns other city property. Fraternally Mr. Drook has been very active. In the Masonic order he is a member of Rice Lake Lodge, No. 234, A. F. & A. M., and of the Eastern Star. In the Odd Fellows he has been a moving factor. He is a member of Rice Lake Lodge, No. 269, I. O. O. F., Phoenix Encampment, No. 25, I. O. O. F., and Hiawatha Rebecca Lodge, No. 75, I. O. O. F., and has occupied the highest offices in all. He is president of the Rice Lake Odd Fellows' Building Association, Inc., and was one of the building committee when the present building was erected. He was also responsible for the founding of the Day Oral School at Rice Lake. Mr. Drook was married in Russia, June 12, 1890, to Mary Divan, who was born in Russia Sept. 1, 1874, and has been a most capable and sympathetic helpmeet in all his undertakings and endeavors. Mr. and Mrs. Drook have had four children. Aaron was born March 22, 1891, passed through the Rice Lake graded schools and high school, graduated from the law school of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and the Detroit College of Law and is now a successful lawyer in Detroit, Mich. Victor was born Sept. 1, 1893, passed through the Rice Lake graded schools and high school, graduated in medicine from the University of Chicago in 1916 and is now successfully practicing medicine in Detroit, Mich. Abraham, a boy of unusual promise, was born Feb. 23, 1897, and died March 23, 1914. Sarah was born Nov. 25, 1901, was one of the brightest pupils in the Day Oral School at Rice Lake and is now making a remarkable record in the Milwaukee high school. Devoted as he is to his business, Mr. Drook finds time for outdoor life, and takes the keenest delight in orcharding and gardening.

E. E. Campbell, editor and publisher of the Rice Lake "Times," is one of the real moulders of public opinion in the county. He brought to the edi- torial chair a long experience in education and business and his paper is widely read and highly commended. During the World War his unswerving patriotism had much to do with the high fervor of loyalty manifest in this county, and his personal influence and his pen have ever been at the disposal of every good cause which he believes to be for the betterment of the nation, the state, the county, the town and the city. He is a strong editorial writer,

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he possesses that valuable journalistic sense which enables him to fill his news columns with interesting matter, and he has the business ability to see that his advertising columns are kept bright and modern and well filled. He also has a job and commercial department which does a satisfactory business and turns out good work. He was born in Muskegon, Mich., Oct. 30, 1855, and received his early education in the public schools of River Falls, this state. In 1878 he entered the University of Wisconsin and was graduated with the class of 1882. After being identified with the printing business for a while he became assistant principal in the high school at Faribault, Minn. In 1884 he became principal of the schools at Spring Valley, Minn., a position he re- tained until 1899, with the exception of three years, when he occupied a similar position with other schools. From 1899 to 1902 he was principal at Adrian, Minn. Then he engaged in the cement business at River Falls and Rice Lake with Frank M. Ulrich as a partner. He came to Rice Lake in 1903 to look after this branch of the business. He sold out shortly afterwards and pur- chased a half-interest in the Rice Lake "Leader." It was later consolidated with the Rice Lake Chronotype, Mr. Campbell selling his interest. He then (1908) purchased the Rice Lake "Times," which he still owns and publishes. Mr. Campbell is a Democrat in politics. Fraternally he belongs to the Royal Neighbors of America. Mr. Campbell was married Nov. 30, 1882, to Inez M. Fields, of Madison, Wis. They have one daughter, wife of J. H. Hoffman, of Minneapolis, employed in the office of the Pittsburgh Coal Co.

Fred E. Bailey, an early Indian trader, for many years engaged in business enterprises in Rice Lake, and now following the trade of tinsmith, was born March 23, 1861, in Dunn County, this state, son of Alva W. and Martha (Tice) Bailey. Alva W. was born in Lowell, Mass., and settled in Maple Springs, Dunn County in 1856, thereafter following the hotel business at Downsville for two years, and at one time serving as government Indian trader. As a boy Fred E., attended school two years at Ellsworth, Wis .; Rush River (later called Bailey Mills), Wis .; Esdaile and Maiden Rock one year; Eau Galle, Wis., and Rice Lake, this county. In 1874 his father became Indian trader on the Couderay Indian Reservation in Chippewa County, and young Fred E. was sent one term to the Indian school on the reservation and then to the public school at Knapp Station. After that he again attended school in Rice Lake for two years. At the close of this period he started out for himself, for a time trading in hides and ginseng through the country and purchasing where he could. Then he made his headquarters at Rice Lake, continuing to buy hides and pelts, ginseng and other medicinal roots, having several squads of Indians as helpers, both in digging roots and in trapping fur bearing ani- mals. In 1877 he went to the Red River Valley with his uncle in search of furs, trading and buying furs and hides for A. O. Bailey, of St. Paul, and ranging from St. Paul to Crookston, Minn., and St. Vincent, Canada. After this he returned to Rice Lake and worked in the woods for Knapp, Stout & Co. The next year he went to Knapp Station, Wis., to stay with his uncle, who was ill, and who died in 1882. Then he entered the employ of Lucas & Flescher in their store at Knapp, Wis., to learn the tinners' trade. While there, although not yet of age, he was appointed village marshal. Next he worked on a packing house at Menomonie, Wis., which was in process of construction. Again re- turning to Rice Lake he engaged in the transfer business, hauling goods for the merchants. For a while thereafter he assisted in the construction of the Omaha Railroad through Rice Lake; also the "Soo" line into Rice Lake. For some thirty years he had a transfer and storage business, also acting as agent for the Standard Oil Co. for several years. In 1916 he traded his business for land, and since then has devoted his time to his trade. He is well liked in the community and is a member of the Modern Woodmen and the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Bailey was married Oct. 24, 1887, at Rice Lake to Edith A. McLeod, born at Muskegon, Mich., June 18, 1869, daughter of George and Flora D. (Lee) McLeod, natives of Maine and Illinois respectively, who settled

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in this county in 1874, the father dying in 1910, and the mother still making her home in Rice Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have six children: Herbert H., Milbourne O., Lee Harold, Victor Carl, Grace A. and Norman M. Herbert H. was born July 31, 1888, and died in infancy. Milbourne O. was born Sept. 1, 1889, married Oct. 24, 1903, Mata Schliep, of Wausau, Wis., and died Feb. 4, 1920. Lee Harold was born Aug. 17, 1891, and lives in Rice Lake, Wis. Victor Carl was born Nov. 10, 1893, and lives with his parents. Grace A. was born April 30, 1897, and died in childhood. Norman M. was born Sept. 9, 1899, and died in childhood. Mrs. Felicia L. Moore, widow of Oliver L. Moore, and grandmother of Mrs. Fred E. Bailey, makes her home with the McLeod family. She is a lady of charming personality, bright and sprightly and cheery, and at the age of 90 years can read without glasses, and takes an interest in all the affairs of the younger folk.

Louis Couture, an estimable citizen who platted a part of the land on which the city of Rice Lake now stands, was born in the parish of St. John, Chrysostum, Province of Quebec, Canada, June 2, 1852, son of Augustine and Caroline (Gagne) Couture, farmers who were born in the Province of Quebec, and there spent the span of their years, the father dying in 1866 and the mother July 11, 1908, at the age of 78 years. In the family there were ten children: Caroline, August, Louis, Samuel, Edward, Oliver, Demriese, Abra- ham, Felix and one who died in infancy. By a second marriage to Peter Mor- neau, the mother had three more children, Arsene, Edmond and Lee. Louis attended the Canadian schools, and remained at home until he was sixteen years of age. Then he started out for himself, working for a while as a helper in lumber camps and sawmills and then as a section hand on different Canadian railroads. He came to the States in 1879 and with headquarters at Rice Lake, became identified with the lumbering industry in this region, working as a cook in lumber camps in the winter, and as a helper in sawmills in summer. In 1882 he became railroad section foreman for the Omaha road, with head- quarters at Lakeside, Wis., two years, and at Serona, Wis., then known as Bashaw, for fourteen years. He returned to Barron County in 1896, and for one summer farmed in Stanfold Township. Then he came to Rice Lake once more, after cooking in camps along the Red Cedar River for one season, again entered the employ of the Omaha. When the tracks were being laid from Rice Lake to Eagle Point he was at first assistant foreman of a gang of men, and was later given full charge of a crew numbering nearly seventy. Next, in the same employ, he moved to Springbrook, in Washburn County, this state. After giving up railroad work he devoted himself to various interests, road con- struction, logging, lumbering, hotel managing, real estate dealing and farming. At one time he owned a quarter section of land in Washburn County, where he carried on general farming, gradually developing the farm, and assisting his neighbors in pulling stumps, clearing their land, and generally improving their various properties. He was a leading citizen at Springbrook, helped to organize the creamery there and served efficiently as a member of the school board. Visiting priests held mass at his hotel, and it was through his untiring efforts, aided by the members of his family and a few devout friends, that a Catholic church was finally erected at the place. In 1909 he came back to Rice Lake and bought the Riverside Tract, so-called, of twelve and a half acres, on which he platted the First and Second Couture Additions, and de- voted himself to selling the lots, dealing in general real estate, and doing truck farming. He sold out in 1919 and moved to his present residence at 738 North Wilson Avenue, where he now lives retired. He and his family are members of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church. Mr. Couture was married June 9, 1873, to Leocadie Morneau, who was born in the same parish as her husband, Feb. 10, 1856, daughter of Peter and Mary Morneau, both natives of the same parish also, and both now deceased, the father having died at the age of 84 and the mother in 1864. In the Morneau family there were fifteen children: Elsie, Peter, Louise, Marcelleine, Lucy, Charles Delima, Lescadie,

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 33

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

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