History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 38

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 38

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 Belland was born in Canada, and there married Mary Cornwell. He brought his family to the States in the early seventies, and settled at Chippewa Falls, Wis., where he was variously employed. A few years later he came to Barron county, and subsequently purchased 220 acres of land in Section 4, Rice Lake Township. Of this tract 35 acres had been broken. He continued the breaking and improving, and erected a log house and barn, which he thatched with bark. In 1885 he replaced the log barn with a frame structure, and in 1900 built a frame granary, sheep shed, hog house and other buildings. In that year he sold out, and moved to the city of Rice Lake, where he now lives with his daughter, Mrs. George Robarge. In the family there are six children : Albert, Paul (deceased), Emma, Adolph, Frieda and Clara. Mrs. Belland died on the farm, Sept. 5, 1883.

Ole Bredeson, deceased, formerly a hotel man of Rice Lake, was a well known citizen of the place, and did what he could for the welfare of the city.

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He was born in Norway, July 4, 1843, was there educated, and as a young man was employed in the lumber woods. In 1873 he came to America, and settled at Beloit, Wis. The next year he came to this part of the state, and after living in Eau Claire for a short time, settled on a farm near Sand Creek, in Dunn county, where he purchased 80 acres. He cleared 40 acres, erected a set of buildings, made other improvements, and there farmed for fifteen years. He sold the farm in 1889, and started the hotel at Sand Creek, which he operated for three years. In 1893 he came to Rice Lake and opened the Bredeson Hotel, which he successfully conducted for five years, meeting with general approval from the traveling public. He retired in 1899, and purchased a home at 135 West Humbird street, where he lived until his lamented death, Nov. 15, 1905. Mr. Bredeson was married in Norway, Aug. 12, 1869, to Bertha Larson, who was born there Jan. 9, 1846. They have eleven children: Gilbert, Mary, George, Louise, Ole C., and Albert, who are living, and Carrie, Gunda, Bertha, James and Oscar, who are dead. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Ole C. Bredeson, automobile salesman, Rice Lake, was born Oct. 6, 1883, at Sand Creek, Dunn County, Wis., son of Ole and Bertha (Larson) Bredeson. He was educated in his native town and in Rice Lake. In 1899 he started railroading for the "Soo" line, as a freight brakeman, in which occupation he had the misfortune to lose his left arm in 1900. In 1904 he worked in the north lumber woods. He engaged in business in Rice Lake in 1907, and in 1912 became an auto salesman. From 1914 to 1917, he owned and conducted a livery barn at Rice Lake, and since then has been an auto salesman. He is active in public life and is a member of the Rice Lake Commercial Club. He makes his home with his mother.

Albert Freier, truck gardener, Rice Lake, was born in Germany, Feb. 19, 1854, received his education in his native country, and spent several years at farm labor. He came to America in 1887, landed in New York city, and there remained for a year. Then he came to Richland County, Wis., bought 140 acres, cleared and broke 100 acres, erected a set of buildings, and successfully carried on general farming for some fifteen years. In 1904 he moved to Rice Lake, bought ten acres just inside the city limits, and erected a pleasant little home at the corner of Kern avenue and Schneider avenue. He is a member of the German Lutheran church. Mr. Freier was married June 6, 1877 to Wilhelmina Fleshamel, who was born Sept. 12, 1853, in Germany, and was early left an orphan. There are nine children in the family. Martha was born Jan. 23, 1878; Theodore was born June 6, 1880; Emma was born Sept. 8, 1882; Wilhelmina was born July 19, 1885; Herman was born Dec. 5, 1888; Ida was born July 18, 1892; Louisa was born July 18, 1895 and died in childhood; Albert was born Oct. 15, 1897 and died in childhood; George was born Jan. 23, 1899. Mr. Freier is a substantial hard working man, and is well liked as a good family man and good neighbor.

Andrew E. Folstad, Rice Lake, was born in the parish of Storen, five miles south of Trondhjem, Norway, Aug. 15, 1864, son of Elling and Ingeborg (Fro- seth) Folstad, who spent the span of their years in that parish, as had their ancestors before them, he dying in 1881 and she in 1882. In the family there were seven children: John (first), John, Andrew, Peter, Johan, Carrie and Berit. Andrew E. received his education in the schools of Norway, and as a youth was reared to farm pursuits. He came to America in 1883 and located at Rice Lake, where he secured employment with Knapp, Stout & Co., with whom he worked logging and lumbering for the long period of 36 years. In April, 1920, he became janitor for the Riverside Methodist Episcopal Hospital, at Rice Lake. The family home is at 31 West Newton Street. Mr. Folstad was mar- ried Oct. 24, 1886, to Mary Hugdahl, who was born in Norway, May 13, 1867, and came to America in 1880 with her parents, Iver and Berit (Stenbru) Hug- dahl, who came to America and located at Rice Lake, where Mr. Hugdahl se- cured employment with Knapp, Stout & Co. for several years, after which he

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purchased land just outside the city limits, and farmed there until his death, May 11, 1914, his wife now making her home with her son, Iver Hugdahl, at the age of 84 years. In the family there were seven children: Inga, Iver, Mary, Ole, Inga (second), Gena and Olaf. Mr. and Mrs. Folstad have had eight chil- dren. Edward (first) is deceased. Edward (second) was born Feb. 13, 1888, and is a building contractor, living in Rice Lake. He married Helga Hanson, and they have one child, Donald. Olaf was born July 22, 1890, and is a clerk with the Jacobson Mercantile Co. He married Wallie Kuger, they have one child, Bernice, and live at Rice Lake. Iver was born Feb. 10, 1893, lives in Rice Lake, and clerks for the Jacobson Mercantile Co. Ida was born Aug. 23, 1897, and died at the age of four and a half years. Arthur was born Feb. 8, 1900: Melvin was born Feb. 7, 1903;'and Oscar was born April 19, 1906. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Iver, the son already mentioned, is a veteran of some of the heaviest fighting of the World War, having seen active service at Montdidier Noyore, in the Aisne- Marne region, at St. Mihiel, in the Meuse-Argonne region, and in various de- fensive sectors, absolutely without injury. He was a volunteer, enlisted July 6, 1917, in Co. F, 6th Wis. Inf., as sergeant, trained at Camp Douglas, in this state, and then at Camp McArthur, Waco, Texas; left America Feb. 18, 1918, arrived at Brest, March 5, 1918, was transferred to the First Division, March 26, 1918; was thrown into action at once, and followed the heroic fortunes of that historic division to the end of the conflict. He was sent back to the States in the fall of 1919, and was discharged at Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill., Sept. 28, 1919.

John Victor Olson is a retired farmer living in Rice Lake, who is highly respected for his worth as a man, his success as an agriculturist, and the share he has had in the upbuilding of the county. He was born in Sweden, May 17, 1865, son of Ole and Katrina Olson, who spent all their lives in that country, the father dying in 1872 and the mother in 1874. After leaving school he farmed for a while, and was also employed in lumber yards and sawmills. He came to America in 1888, and with headquarters at Rice Lake, worked for two years in lumber yards and in the woods. In 1890 he bought a farm of 40 acres in Stanfold Township, Section 36, and to this he later added an adjoining 40 acres in Barron Township. The land was all wild, covered with heavy hard- wood timber. He cleared most of this timber, grubbed and broke the land, de- veloped a good farm, and carried on general farming operations until 1920, when he sold the farm, and moved to 32 Reuter Avenue, where he now resides. He had the confidence of his farm neighbors and at one time served on the town board. Mr. Olson was married Oct. 4, 1888, to Hulda Josephine Johnson, born in Sweden, Jan. 23, 1865, daughter of John and Johanna Johnson, natives of that country, the former of whom died there about 1872 and the latter about 1877. In the Olson family there have been nine children, of whom but two are now living. Mabel was born Dec. 4, 1892, and now lives in Minneapolis. Albert was born Sept. 9, 1902, and lives at home. Runo was born Nov. 15, 1889, and died in September, 1890. Nannie was born July 31, 1891, and died Nov. 11, 1907. Teoline was born Jan. 17, 1894, and died Sept. 5, 1912. Algot was born Nov. 3, 1896, and died June 5, 1916. Reuben was born April 15, 1898 and died Aug. 21, 1898. Alida Josephine was born Jan. 24, 1904, and died Feb. 15, 1908. The family faith is that of the Free Mission Church.

Spencer Driver, a representative citizen of Rice Lake, who has developed an excellent farm of 651/2 acres within the city limits, and also owns another good place of 102 acres just over the city line, was born in England, May 13, 1866, son of John and Emma (Bull) Driver, who spent the span of their years in the old country, the father being a trader and dealer. The subject of this sketch received his education in the public schools of England, and was for some years associated with his father as a trader. In 1888 he came to Canada. In 1893 he came to the States, and became identified with the lumber business

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in Rice Lake. He bought his present farm, then containing 60 acres of wild land, in 1899. He set to work with a will, brought the place under cultivation, and built a nine-room, modern house, with such conveniences as furnace, bath and running water. He has also built three barns, 23 by 30 feet, 16 by 73 feet, and 32 by 86 feet, and also a complete set of smaller buildings for the housing of the domestic fowls and swine, the keeping of corn and other farm produce, and the sheltering of his machinery and equipment. The place is well fenced, and well supplied with suitable tools, implements and machinery. Mr. Driver carries on general farming and makes a specialty of dairying, keeping a herd of good Jersey cattle, both full-blooded and grades, with a full-blooded registered sire at its head. In 1913 he purchased a 40-acre tract and in 1916 a 62-acre tract, making 102 acres, just across the city line in Rice Lake Town- ship, where he has completed a nine-room, modern house, and which is man- aged by his son, Lee. Fraternally, Mr. Driver is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He was married June 21, 1887, in England, to Lucy Barker, who was born in that country Aug. 9, 1867, and to them have been born eight chil- dren: Lee, Edith, Franklin, Alice, Spencer, Jr., Ruth, Roland and Viven Thomas. Lee was born July 11, 1888, is a prosperous farmer, married Min- nie Nothaft, and has two daughters, Minnie and Gladys. Edith was born April 27, 1891, and married A. B. Howie, a farmer. She lives in Rice Lake, and has one child, Maxine. Franklin was born Feb. 7, 1899, and assists his father on the home farm. He enlisted June 15, 1917, and was assigned to Troop A, 21st Regiment, U. S. Cavalry, which later was converted into Light Field Artillery. He trained at Camp Fort Riley, Kansas, Camp Logan in Texas, and Camp Mcclellan, Alabama. Aug. 29, 1918, he sailed for Europe. He was transferred to the Veterinary Corps for a while, and was later assigned to the Government School at Alleray, where he studied farming for three months. He reached the States again, July 13, 1919, and was discharged at Camp Grant, July 12, 1919. Alice was born Oct. 18, 1902; Spencer, Jr., Nov. 17, 1905; and Ruth, Nov. 25, 1911. The are all at home. Roland and Viven Thomas are dead. Mr. Driver and his family are members of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and Mr. Driver is a vestryman of the local parish.

T. E. Oftedahl, Rice Lake, of the firm of Oftedahl & Nelson, real estate agents, was born in Vernon County, Wis., April 6, 1872, and was reared to farm work, receiving his early education in the public schools. For some years he specialized in tobacco raising, in Vernon and Dane counties. In 1907 he took up the real estate business with offices at Stoughton, Wis. He came to Rice Lake in 1916 and continued in the same line. N. A. Nelson became a partner in 1920. The firm has its offices in the Jacobson Block, and has met with success, dealing in general real estate, arranging exchanges and loans, and specializing in farm lands. The confidence in which the two partners are held within the county inspires confidence in the minds of outsiders with whom they have dealings. Mr. Oftedahl was married March 26, 1902, to Amelia Skaar, who was born Dec. 17, 1876, at Stoughton, Wis. The union was blessed with seven children: Earl I., Edna, Anita, Lulu, Theo. V., Irene and Florence, who were born as follows: Earl I., Jan. 1, 1905; Edna, Aug. 7, 1906; Anita, Oct. 15, 1908; Lulu, Jan. 18, 1910; Theo. V., July 9, 1912; Irene, Jan. 13, 1913; and Florence, June 3, 1915. They reside in a pleasant home at 19 West Stout Street. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Nelson Brothers Company, manufacturers of and dealers in monuments and building stone, Rice Lake, was founded as the Nelson Brothers in 1906 by C. D. and William O. Nelson. In 1916, De Wayne Nelson, son of C. D. Nelson, was admitted to the firm and the name changed to the Nelson Brothers Co. C. D. Nelson is the business head of the firm, William O. Nelson is the expert stone dresser, and De Wayne Nelson is the office man and sales man- ager. The concern handles monuments, ornamental stone, and building stone, and has a wide market, being one of the largest concerns of its kind in north- ern Wisconsin. Three expert cutters and two proficient setters are employed

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in the shop, and ten salesmen are on the road. Granite and marble are han- dled from Vermont, Indiana, Georgia, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The factory is equipped with all the latest machinery and tools for speed, efficiency and safety, and the firm does business far beyond the borders of the state. Its present enviable reputation is based upon its many years of fair dealing and honest prices.

William A. Nelson, a veteran of the Civil War, from whom the William A. Nelson Post, G. A. R., at Forestville, Door County, Wis., is named, was born in Nova Scotia, and as a young man came to Wisconsin, where for many years, in various places, he engaged in lumbering and stock shipping. In 1861, he enlisted in Co. E, 14th Wis. Vol. Inf., and after serving with valor with this company, was given command of a company of colored troops in the 6th Louisiana Infantry, with the rank of captain. He was married in Wisconsin to Elizabeth McDonald, a native of this state, and this union has been blessed with three children: Laura Mae, Charles D., and William O. Laura Mae mar- ried Prof. F. B. Virden, a well-known commercial educator, now deceased, and was associated with him in his work. At one time, they had four colleges, with over 7,000 pupils enrolled. She is now president of the Chicago Business College, and gives much of her time to its actual supervision. She has two sons, Frederick and Harold. C. D. and William O. are members of the firm of Nelson Brothers Company, dealers and workers in monumental, ornamental and building stone, at Rice Lake.

Charles D. Nelson, of the firm of Nelson Brothers Company, dealers and workers in monumental, ornamental and building stone, at Rice Lake, was born in Algoma, Wis., Sept. 23, 1872, son of William A. and Elizabeth (Mc- Donald) Nelson. He received his 'early education in the graded and high schools of his native place, and supplemented this with a course in the Chi- cago Business College. With this preparation he went to Madison, Wis., where he held subordinate positions until 1907, first as proofreader of senate docu- ments in 1895, and then in various clerical capacities in different departments until 1901, when he became deputy chief game warden. In 1906, while he was still in Madison, he and his brother, William O., an expert stonecutter, estab- lished the firm of Nelson Brothers Co. and William O. came here to open the business. The subject of this sketch located here permanently in 1908, since which time he has given his entire time to the business. In addition to his interests in this concern, he is vice-president and a director in the Citizens State Bank of Rice Lake, and secretary of the Dairy Land Realty Co. of Rice Lake. In public affairs he has done good service as a member of the county board since 1912, and is now a member of the road and bridge committee of that body. He is a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Eastern Star of the Masonic Order, and of the Odd Fellows and United Commercial Travelers. Mr. Nelson was married June 12, 1894, to Elsie Acker, of Algoma, Wis., who was born April 25, 1872, and died Feb. 1, 1908, leaving a son, De Wayne, born Oct. 31, 1895, who is associated with his father and uncle in busi- ness. Mr. Nelson was married on July 6, 1911, to Ida Thompson, and they have a child, Charles D., Jr., born Jan. 7, 1920. The family faith is that of the Episcopal Church.

William O. Nelson, of the firm of Nelson Brothers Co., manufacturers of and dealers in monumental, ornamental and building stone, at Rice Lake, was born in Algoma, Wis., June 21, 1871, son of William A. and Elizabeth (Mc- Donald) Nelson. He received his early education in his native town, and learned the stonecutters' trade, becoming most expert in this line, a trade which he has since followed for thirty years. For six years he was foreman for Wolf & Hagner, at Appleton, one of the largest establishments of its kind in the state. In 1906 he joined with his brother in the establishment of the pres- ent firm, and took up his home here. His knowledge of stone working, and his expertness as an artisan, have been vital factors in the great success which the company has met. Mr. Nelson is a Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council Mason,

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and active in the affairs of all three. Mr. Nelson was married Jan. 22, 1895. to Alvina Fenske, born Jan. 17, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have five children : Harold C., Mae, Elsie, William and Earl J. Harold C. was one of the heroes who gave his life in the cause of freedom in the World War. He was born Aug. 16, 1897, passed through the public schools, and as a youth, became a stonecutter, determined to follow in his father's footsteps. At the outbreak of the hostilities he was a member of the Wisconsin National Guard. He was inducted into service with that unit, and was assigned to the 121st Machine Gun Battalion of the Thirty-second Division. He made a most gallant record as a soldier both in the training camps and at the front, and was killed in action under circumstances of unusual valor at Juvigny, France. Mae was born April 28, 1900, and is the wife of Theo. Case, of Rice Lake, a stonecutter for Nelson Brothers Co. Elsie was born Oct. 14, 1902, and is wife of William Gardner, a bridge builder of Rice Lake. William, born April 30, 1908, and Earl J., born July 14, 1911, are living at home.

De Wayne Nelson, member of the firm of Nelson Brothers Co., dealers in and manufacturers of monumental, ornamental and building stone, was born in Algoma, Wis., Oct. 31, 1895, only son of C. D. and Elsie (Acker) Nelson. He received his preliminary education in the public schools of Madison and Rice Lake, and then entered the Chicago Business College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1914. He then became office manager and sales- man for his father and uncle, then constituting the firm of Nelson Brothers. In 1916 he, with his father and uncle, William O. Nelson, reorganized the con- cern as the Nelson Brothers Company, and he became the sales and office man- ager, a position he still retains, spending a part of his time in the office and a part on the road. Mr. Nelson is a prominent fraternity man, and belongs to numerous orders. He is a 32nd Degree Mason, and in that order is a member of Rice Lake Lodge, No. 234, A. F. and A. M .; Pokegama Chapter, No. 67. R. A. M .; recorder in Rice Lake Council, No. 27, R. and S. M .; member of Michi- gan Sovereign Consistory, at Detroit, Mich .; and member of Tripoli Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., Milwaukee, Wis. He was the first Post Commander of the Edgar Eubanks Post, No. 87, American Legion, Rice Lake, acting in that capacity for 16 months, and is now Senior Councillor of Rice Lake Council, No. 322, U. C. T. Mr. Nelson is fond of out-door life, especially hunting. He has been deer hunting in the north woods for the past thirteen years, with the exception of the time he was in the Army, and 1920 is the only year in which he has failed to get one. Mr. Nelson has long been interested in military affairs. When he was but fifteen he enlisted in Co. A, 10th Separate Battalion, W. N. G. In May, 1917, he entered the First Officers' Training School at Ft. Sheridan, Ill., and was graduated therefrom with the rank of second lieutenant. He trained at Camp Custer with the 337th Inf. In July, 1918, he went over- seas with that unit, and was transferred to the 101st Infantry of the 26th Divi- sion. Later he was transferred to the 101st Ammunition Train, was pro- moted to first lieutenant, and placed in charge of a company. He was in due time returned to the States, and was discharged at Camp Devins, Mass., April 24, 1919. Shortly after his discharge he received a commission, which he still holds, as Captain of Infantry in the United States Reserves. Mr. Nelson was married Oct. 31, 1917, to Margaret Hazel Barbee, of Chicago, who was born Sept. 29, 1892. They have two children, De Wayne, Jr., born April 2, 1919; and Jane Barbee, born Sept. 21, 1920.

Edmund (Ted) Milligan Knudson, opera and concert singer, was born in Eau Claire, Wis., June 16, 1891. At an early age his family removed to Rice Lake, where he attended the public schools and was graduated from the High School, the class of 1910. In his early life he gave promise of a wonderful voice and his promising development prompted him to go to Minneapolis, after finishing school, to have his voice trained. In Minneapolis he secured a position as chorister in St. Paul's church. The rapid development of his voice was soon noted by critics and music lovers and under the coaching of Mme.

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Geneva Bishop-Johnstone he soon rose to the highest ranks of singers in the Northwest. Recognizing the exceptional quality of his voice, a group of his friends made possible a course of European study and he went abroad in the fall of 1913. Here he studied under Emmerich, a master of international fame, who recognized Knudson's voice as the greatest of all barytones. Knudson studied under Emmerich for two years and in that time had mastered all the foreign languages necessary in operatic singing, had understudied the fore- most of barytone opera singers in Germany, at a time when opera had attained its zenith in that country, and when the greatest singers of the world were attracted to Berlin. His voice was jealously guarded by Emmerich until the winter of 1915 and at that time he made his formal debut in opera at Halle. He sang with great success throughout that season and spent the summer at Geneva, Switzerland, teaching and coaching. In the fall of 1916 he sang lead- ing roles in Opera at Barman Westphalia, and his matured voice won such high recognition that he had signed a five-year contract to sing leading roles in the Royal Opera, when the break came between America and Germany. His charitable acts toward the Belgian refugees had aroused the enmity of the military authorities, and his great success antagonism among German bary- tones, and he was subjected to considerable indignities at the time of the declaration of war against Germany. During a bread riot one evening, when the people were protesting against the terrible food conditions, he became emmeshed in the mob and when the troops charged the crowd he was seized with several of the ring leaders and imprisoned. He was held without any trial nor a chance to communicate with his friends, without proper food or covering and in quarters so unsanitary that he contracted pneumonia which developed into tuberculosis. After several weeks' incarceration he was re- leased and as he appeared to be dying was given permission to leave Germany. He went to Switzerland and gained enough strength to return to America. After several months' treatment at "The Pines" sanatorium at Stevens Point, Wis., he recuperated and gained some semblance of his former self. En- couraged by his physician's belief that he would live for many years, Knudson set about to regain his health and by fall had recovered his vigor to such extent that he was able to sing again. To the time of the close of the war he accomplished much good for the Red Cross by his efforts in benefit concerts. After the signing of the Armistice he sang with the old-time power and was teaching music with great success in Minneapolis. Then an attack of in- fluenza laid him low and destroyed practically all the gain he had made in more than a year. During the year and a half following he made a hard fight for life, but gradually lost and passed from earthly life on the 5th of July, 1920, mourned by a host of friends and music lovers who loved him not alone for his beautiful voice but for the wonderful personality and sympathetic nature he maintained to the end.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 38

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

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