History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 39

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 39

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Joseph C. Bergeron, of the Wisconsin Casualty Association of Green Bay, superintendent of agencies in Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana and Pennsylvania, is one of the well known and representative citizens of Rice Lake, where he has lived for the greater part of his life. He is a good insurance man, he knows how to deal with the public and he is well qualified to handle men. The fidelity with which he works, the esteem in which he is held by the public, and the confidence with which he is regarded by the directors and stockholders of his company, is shown by the fact that he has served in his present position as superintendent longer than any other man who has occupied the place. He was born in Sherbrook, province of Quebec, Canada, Sept. 19, 1878, son of Francis and Mary (Paradis) Bergeron, who in 1884 came to Rice Lake, where the father has since continued to be one of the leading business men and merchants of the city, now conducting a good store at the flourishing part of the city known as Oak Park Corners. Joseph C. was reared in Rice Lake, and received an excellent education in the public schools. Then to secure practical experience in life he worked six years as a shingle weaver in the mill of the

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Rice Lake Lumber Co. The next five years were spent as a clerk in his father's store. Then he learned the barber trade, which he followd from 1898 to 1907 being at one time the proprietor of the sanitary and prosperous shop under the First National Bank. In 1907 he sold out, and engaged in the general insurance business, representing various companies, and writing policies for life, accident, health, fire, hail, tornado and other risks. Already a popular man in the city when he took up this line of business, his success was assured from the start. He has a constantly increasing list of policy-holders, and is known for his fair dealing, his sound advice and his good judgment. His work and ability, his knowledge of the insurance business, and his thoroughness and · reliability, attracted the attention of the officials of various companies, and in time this resulted in his present appointment. He maintains his office in Rice Lake, and still looks after his business here, but spends the greater part of his time traveling, and supervising and establishing agencies in four states. He has a pleasant home on 709 North Main street, on the shores of Rice Lake, with a gently sloping bank from the home to the water. Fraternally he has been a genial companion to his fellow men, and is an active member of Rice Lake Lodge, No. 234, A. F. & A. M., Rice Lake Camp, No. 1258, M. W. A., and Rice Lake Council, No. 322, U. C. T. For nine years he did good work as secretary of the M. W. A. until his enforced absences caused him to resign the position. He is fond of out-of-door life, and devotes his spare time to hunting and fishing. Mr. Bergeron was married Nov. 6, 1902, to Daisy Knudson, who was born at St. Louis, Mo., Dec. 25, 1879, daughter of the Rev. Knud and Jennie (Manson) Knudson, the former of whom, a staunch and beloved Presbyterian clergyman, died June 10, 1906, and the latter of whom now makes her home with the Bergeron family, where she is spending the afternoon of life amid the pleasant surroundings of love and contentment. Mr. and Mrs. Bergeron have two bright children: Francis Edmond, born March 17, 1907, and Dryden Joseph, born July 12, 1911, both of whom are doing well with their studies in the public school. Mrs. Bergeron is an influential factor in Rice Lake social and intellectual life. She was educated in the public schools of Eau Claire and Rice Lake, and in the famous Ferry Hall Seminary, at Lake Forest, Ill. Thus prepared she was a popular teacher for five years in Osseo, Oconto and Rice Lake. While at the Seminary she had specialized in vocal music, and her accomplishments in this line were highly valued in the communities whose youngsters she had in charge. She is now active in the Fortnightly Club in which she is vice president, in the Eastern Star and in the Royal Neighbors. The family faith is that of the Presbyterian church.

Mrs. Charles Miller, the efficient superintendent of the Day Oral School for the Deaf, Rice Lake, was born in Calumet County, Wis., as Lowena A. Dignin, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Weigand) Dignin, natives re- spectively of New York and Connecticut. The father came to Wisconsin in 1847, the mother in 1848, both locating in Calumet County. At the time the Civil War broke out Mr. Dignin volunteered his services and enlisted in Co. G, 19th Wisconsin Infantry, serving three years and nine months. He was wounded in the battle of Fair Oaks, receiving a gun shot wound in the arm, which disabled him to a certain extent for extensive manual labor. He married in 1864, living on a farm until about ten years before his death, when he retired, moving to Fond du Lac, where he died May 4, 1918, Mrs. Dignin's death occurring Feb. 25, 1918. The daughter received her preliminary educa- tion in the district schools of her native county, and in 1904 was graduated from the Oshkosh Normal School at Oshkosh, Wis. With this preparation she taught school in 1905 at Stockbridge, Wis., and in 1906-07 at Sheboygan, Wis. Her teaching experience caused her to determine to devote her life to the instruction of the afflicted. Accordingly in 1907 and 1908 she attended the Training School for Instructors of the Deaf at Milwaukee. In 1909 she taught in the Day Oral School for the Deaf at Ironwood, Mich., and in 1910 and 1911 in the School for the Deaf at Superior, Wis. She was married June 19, 1911, to

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Charles Miller, and this union was blessed with one daughter, Maxine, born April 10, 1912, in Anthon, Iowa. Since 1914 Mrs. Miller has occupied her present position. She is beloved by her pupils and well liked in the town, and has an excellent standing in her chosen profession.

P. D. Jacobson, president of the Jacobson Mercantile Co., Rice Lake, has been one of the real commercial builders of the county, and has been an active leader in business affairs in Cumberland and Rice Lake. He was born in Norway, Jan. 13, 1850, son of Jacob and Petra (Peterson) Jacobson, who spent the span of their years in that country. The subject of this sketch received a good preliminary education in his native land, and came to America in 1879. From Red Wing, Minn., he went to Baldwin, St. Croix County, this state. It was on March 28, 1882, that he reached Barron county, and located in Cumber- land. For three years he was employed by the Beaver Lake Lumber Company, and then rented the Winsor Hotel, which he conducted two years. In 1886 he formed a partnership with C. F. Dahl, and engaged in the furniture business at Washburn, but after a year sold out to his partner and returned to Cumber- land, erected a store, and engaged in the furniture business and funeral directing. In 1913, with his son, John J., he purchased the Benson Brothers mercantile establishment at Rice Lake, and established the Jacobson Mercan- tile Company which is now one of the leading establishments in the place. In 1918 the concern was incorporated with P. D. Jacobson as president, Carl Jacobson as secretary and treasurer, John J. Jacobson as manager, and Hans Jacobson as one of the directors, the three young men having active charge of the business. In addition to the business at Cumberland already mentioned, Mr. Jacobson had a drug department at Cumberland for twelve years, having a licensed pharmacist in charge of that branch of his concern. While in that place he also took an active part in public affairs, serving as village trustee and treasurer, and as town supervisor. His financial holdings include stock in the Island City State Bank at Cumberland. He has large tracts of wild land in Washburn and Douglas counties, in this state, and until recently was the owner of a fine farm in Cumberland Township, this county, originally pre- empted by the pioneer, John Gunderson. Mr. Jacobson was married, March 18, 1881, to Marie Stene, who died Nov. 3, 1893, leaving four children: John J., born Feb. 1, 1884; Carl, born July 25, 1886; Hans, born Oct 14, 1890, and Elling, who was born Jan. 8, 1883, and died Feb. 4, 1894. Mr. Jacobson was married in 1895 to Martha Walstrom, and this union has been blessed with seven children : Mary, born April 22, 1896, now wife of Laren Peterson; Elling, born May 17, 1901, now traveling with the Hoppe Concert Co .; Helen, born Aug. 14, 1903, now taking a commercial course in Minneapolis; Pearl, born Aug. 18, 1905; Eleanore, born June 29, 1906; Clarence, born Feb. 17, 1908, and Lloyd, born Dec. 27, 1910. The family residence is at 136 West Douglas street. Mr. Jacobson is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodman. He affiliates with the Norwegian Lutheran church.

John J. Jacobson, manager of the Jacobson Mercantile Co., Rice Lake, was born in Cumberland, this county, Feb. 1, 1884, the son of P. D. and Marie (Stene) Jacobson, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. He passed through the graded schools of his native place and completed his studies at the High School. Then he clerked there for a while. For five years he was traveling salesman for Finch, Van Slyck & McConville, wholesale dry goods of St. Paul, and for five years was employed in a similar capacity with Tibbs & Hutchins, wholesale dry goods of St. Paul. Then in 1913 he came to Rice Lake, and with his father purchased the Benson Brothers' mercantile establishment, and founded the firm of the Jacobson Mercantile Co. The concern was in- corporated in 1908, with P. D. Jacobson as president, Carl Jacobson as secre- tary and treasurer, John J. Jacobson as manager, and Hans Jacobson as one of the directors. The three young men are actively engaged in the business. The company occupies a modern, two story brick building, 56 by 110 feet, with full basement, at the corner of West Newton and North Main streets. The

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place is well equipped and uses the Air Line Cash System. The concern carries a full line of the goods usually found in such a store, with special attention paid to general dry goods, women's ready-to-wear goods, men's furnishings, crockery, notions, toys and holiday goods. John J. Jacobson is doing good work as a member of the board of education and he is also a director in the Lakeside Methodist Episcopal Hospital. He is Worshipful Master of Rice Lake Lodge, No. 234, A. F. & A. M., and an active member of the Commercial Club. He is a good business man, he is well liked throughout the community, and his personality, experience, and ability are important factors in the success with which the company has met. Mr. Jacobson was married Sept. 1, 1914, to Helma Dahl of Rice Lake, born Aug. 19, 1882, and they have two children: John Porter, born July 30, 1915, and Neil Charles, born June 15, 1919. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Edward K. Brayton, first captain of Co. A, 3rd Regiment, W. N. G., was for many years actively identified with the business and social life of Rice Lake. A descendant of Revolutionary and Colonial stock, and connected with many families still prominent in the eastern states, he was a man courteous and refined in manner, genial yet dignified in bearing, and of unusual staunch character and high ideals. He was above all a family man, and took the greatest delight in his home. He was also fond of the out of doors, and often declared that he found much of his best inspiration while hunting and fishing amid wild surroundings of river and forest. He was born in Dansville, New York, Jan. 20, 1850, and was taken by his parents to Hudson, this state, when he was but eight years of age. As a youth he followed the Mississippi as a pilot, and in this capacity had the opportunity of seeing much of the Mississippi Valley from the head of navigation to its mouth. Later he learned the harness-making trade at Eau Claire, and with this preparation engaged in business at Rusk, Wis. In 1881 he went to Menomonie, Wis., where he engaged in a similar business. It was there that he first became interested in the National Guard, as a member of Co. H, 3rd Wisconsin. He there became a prominent citizen, took a part in public affairs, and served on the city council. Late in 1888 he moved his family to Rice Lake, opened a harness shop, and here spent the remainder of his life. Here he likewise took an active part in public affairs. For a time he was president of the council. At the organization of Co. A, July 27, 1898, he became its captain, and so served until Dec. 21, 1900. He superintended the platting of Orchard Beach Cemetery. In many other ways he also showed his spirit as a good citizen. He was a member of the Modern Woodmen and of the Knights of Pythias. He died Jan. 26, 1907. Mr. Brayton was married Dec. 25, 1877, to Kate M. Schaaf, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Miller) Schaaf. This union was blessed with three children: Elizabeth, Edna and Catherine. Elizabeth was born Dec. 19, 1881, and is now Mrs. Theo C. Surdson of Rice Lake. Edna was born Aug. 29, 1884, and is the widow of James Gass. She lives with her mother. Catherine was born Nov. 16, 1887, and is the wife of Lynn Prentice of Park Falls, Wis. In 1906, Mrs. Brayton opened a boarding house which she is still conducting.

Ole Johnson, retired farmer, living in a pleasant home at 26 Reuter avenue, Rice Lake, was born in Norway, Dec. 10, 1846, son of John Erickson and his wife, Marie Arnson, natives of that country. The father died there, and the mother married Peter Erickson Rogstad. Mr. and Mrs. Rogstad came to this country in 1882, and spent their declining years with the subject of this sketch on a farm in Rice Lake Township, this county, Mr. Rogstad dying in 1893 and she in 1892. Ole Johnson was educated in Norway, and worked on a railroad for a while. He came to America in 1874, and located at Menomonie, in this state, where he worked in a mill. In the fall of 1875 he came to Rice Lake, and then worked in the woods for some years. In 1882 he bought a farm of 100 acres in section 82, township 35, range 11, Rice Lake Township, built a home and other structures, developed the farm, and there carried on general

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MR. AND MRS. E. K. BRAYTON

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J. T. CORNWALL, D. D. S.

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agricultural operations until 1916, when he sold out and purchased 40 acres in the same township which he rents. At the same time he retired and moved to Rice Lake, where he erected a sightly home. While in the township he was supervisor for a long period, and a director of his school district for nearly twenty years. He was married June 4, 1883, to Marion Gihle, born in Norway, Oct. 24, 1857, daughter of Hans Gihle, a blacksmith, and his wife, Antoinette Olson, who came to America from their native home in Norway in 1869, and located in Dane county, this state, later moving to Vernon county, where both died. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are the parents of nine children. Mary is now Mrs. John Borgen, of Rice Lake Township. Anna is the wife of Ole Moe, of Rice Lake, and they have three children, Orville, Raymond and Merlan. Olaf of Rice Lake, married Winnie Johnson and has two children, Marvel and Orvis. Clara, who lives in Rice Lake, married Jo Olson, and has one child, Joyce. Hans married Bessie Dahl, and lives in Stanley township. Julia married John Barta, who farms the old home place, and they have a son, Wesley. Helmer lives in Rice Lake. Harry died Dec. 25, 1919. Alma graduated from the High School and Teachers Training School at Rice Lake and is now a teacher. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

John T. Cornwall, D. D. S., popular dental practitioner at Rice Lake and a captain in the United States Expeditionary Forces during some of the fiercest fighting of the World War, is a native of this country, born at Turtle Lake, July 10, 1887, son of John A. and Lillie E. Cornwall. He was graduated from the Cumberland high school in the class of 1907, and then for two years was time keeper for the D. M. & R. Ry. at Virginia, Minn. In 1908 he matriculated in the classical course of the University of Minnesota, and in 1909 in the Dental College of the Northwestern University at Chicago, receiving his dental degree with the class of 1912. For one year he practiced in Chicago, and the following two years at Stevens Point, Wis. Nov. 13, 1915, he opened an office at Rice Lake. His success was assured from the start, and he soon became well known as a thorough, skilled and efficient craftsman. His pleasant offices are located at 22 Main street, and his equipment in the way of modern appliances is the best. His standing among his professional brethren is shown by his membership in the Eau Claire-Dunn County Dental Society, the Wisconsin State Dental Society, and the National Dental Association. Fraternally he is a popular member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow orders. While at college he was a member of the Xi Psi Phi Fraternity. During his college days he also belonged to various athletic organizations, and took his part as a red-blooded youth in football and baseball. He is still an enthusiastic lover of out-door life, takes his exercise in boxing and playing tennis, and greatly enjoys hunting and fishing. He is a veteran of the World War, having served two years in Europe and four months in the United States. He offered his services to the government, May 13, 1917, and was sent to the Infantry Officers' Training School at Fort Sheriden, Ill. On Sept. 2, 1917, he was commissioned a first lieutenant in the dental corps and assigned to duty with the 166th Infantry, Forty-second (Rainbow) Division, then being mobilized for overseas duty at Camp Mills, Long Island, N. J. He landed in France Oct. 1, 1917. Feb. 20, 1918, his Division took over a defense sector, where they remained on the line for 110 days, Lieutenant Cornwall being in charge of a battalion aid station. On July 1, the Division was placed under the command of the French, and took part in the Champaigne-Marne defensive. During a temporary retirement of the regiment, Lieutenant Cornwall and seventeen men were left with about five-hundred wounded in- what was then No Man's Land for about six hours, until the Germans were driven back. The eighteen were recommended for the Croix de Guerre by the French. After this, the Division participated in the Aisne-Marne offensive, taking over a sector near Chateau Thierry. Then it was in the St. Mihiel drive. Next it was in the Meuse-Argonne offensive for nearly two months, making a remarkable advance of forty kilometers in the last nine days of the war, and being within sight of Sedan when the Armistice was

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called. Shortly afterward, Lieutenant Cornwall was made a captain and assigned to duty as attending dental surgeon in charge of the Dental Infirmary of the Third Army Headquarters, Coblenz, Germany, where he remained six months. He was ordered home, July 1, 1919, sailed on the "Imperator", July 4, and was discharged Sept. 4, 1919, at Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill.

John M. George, former business man of La Crosse, this state, now de- ceased, was born in that city, June 24, 1873, the son of John and Ida (Platenus) George, the former of whom has been a La Crosse merchant for over a half a century and is still dealing in leather goods and tires there. John M. George was educated in his native city, and learned the harness business from his father. Then he became a traveling salesman with headquarters at La Crosse, and afterward had a harness shop in North Dakota for a while. Upon his re- turn to La Crosse, he was traveling salesman for the La Cross Leather Co. for a while. and then engaged in the tire business, which he followed until his lamented death, Oct. 3, 1919. He was a good business man, a charter member of the Chamber of Commerce of La Cross, thoroughly versed in his own line, and was one of the enterprising, active men of his city. He was well liked by all who knew him, and was especially popular in the Elks, the Eagles, the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin and the Kiwanis Club. His family relations were ideal, and his loss is sincerely mourned. Mr. George was married Sept. 22, 1899, to Clara Roster. born Dec. 10, 1876, in Brownsville, Houston County, Minn., daughter of Mathias and Nancy (Schaller) Roster. This union has been blessed with five children: Inez was born Oct. 27, 1904; Florence was born Aug. 28, 1908; Walter was born May 17, 1911 and died May 15, 1912; Robert J. was born March 8, 1913; and Donald E. was born July 6, 1916. After the death of her husband, Mrs. George came to Rice Lake, in February, 1920, and purchased the millinery shop formerly operated by Mrs. "Dan" McCrank. She carries a full line of ladies' hats, and is doing a good business. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church.

Mathias Roster, veteran of the Civil and Indian Wars, pioneer postman, hotel man and merchant, and for many years mayor of Brownsville, Minn., was born in Luxembourg, in 1842, and at the age of nine years was brought to America by his parents, who settled in Freeberg, Houston County, Minn., where he was educated and grew to young manhood. In 1861, at the age of nineteen years, he enlisted in a Minnesota regiment, and saw service both in the South, against the Confederates, and in the Northwest, against the hostile Sioux. After completing his term of service, he returned to Houston County, and located at Brownsville, to which place his parents had moved. Brownsville was then one of the most flourishing places on the Upper Mississippi. No rail- roads had been built, Brownsville had an excellent landing, and there the pioneers left the steamboats when on their way to take homesteads in the rich regions of southeastern Minnesota and northeastern Iowa. Mr. Roster became the post driver, delivering mail from the Brownsville landing to various ham- lets in southeastern Minnesota. Later, for many years, he conducted the Minnesota House, an historic hostelry known throughout a wide area in Min- nesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. Mr. Roster was a man of strong personality and genial disposition, and was known to all the pioneer leaders, by whom he was greatly esteemed and respected. He was a real force among his fellowmen, and held various positions of trust and honor. Fraternally, he was a member of the Odd Fellows and of the German Aid Society. In 1895, after the river traffic had declined, he opened a general store at Brownsville, which he con- ducted until his death, May 19, 1900. He was married in Houston County to Nancy Schaller, who was born in Germany, and was brought to America by her parents, passing the first anniversary of her birth on shipboard. She still makes her home in Brownsville. Mr. and Mrs. Roster had six children: John, Mathias (deceased), Anna, Mary, Loula and Clara. Clara is the widow of John M. George, of La Crosse, and is a business woman of Rice Lake, Wis.

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Cyrus S. Koonce, of the firm of Koonce & Koonce, Rice Lake, better known as the K. & K. dry cleaners, was born at Fairview, Butler County, Penn., Feb. 23, 1873, and there received a good education. As a youth, he clerked three years in a grocery store, in his native town. Then for four and a half years he was identified with the livery business at Duke Center, Penn. The next three years were spent in sawmill work at Coudersport. In 1903 he came West to Osage, Iowa, where he learned the printing trade, remaining with the Wool- verton Printing & Publishing Co. for eleven years. In 1914 he started to learn the dry cleaning trade from Eldridge, the Cleaner, by whom he was em- ployed for three years. In 1917 he came to Rice Lake, and with his wife, estab- lished their present business. He is well liked among his fellows, and is a popular member of the Modern Woodmen, the Yeomen and the Maccabees, as well as of the Business Men's Association and the Commercial Club. Mr. Koonce was married Feb. 5, 1906, to Lola Hain, who was born in Stillman Val- ley, Ogle County, Ill., Dec. 23, 1886, received a good education in the public schools, taught for a while, then took a course in business and stenography at the Cedar Valley Seminary at Osage, Iowa, and with this preparation became a stenographer and bookkeeper until her marriage. After her marriage she took a course in ladies' tailoring and dressmaking at the American College at Kansas City, Mo., and the Queen City Dressmaking and Tailoring School at Waterloo, Iowa. In both of these schools she still holds diplomas. For eight years she devoted her time to making women's wear, but now confines her work to the K. & K. establishment. Mr. and Mrs. Koonce have a pleasant home at 214 West Marshall Street, blessed with the presence of two fine children: Eva H., born March 26, 1907, and Virgil E., born March 9, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Koonce are both members of the Security Benefit Association. The K. &. K. Cleaning Works, established in 1917, is already demonstrating its im- portance as one of the stable business places of the city. The business has grown from the very beginning, and now covers not only the city of Rice Lake, but also for quite a large territory in the vicinity. The concern does dry clean- ing, pressing of all kinds, repairing, remodeling and overhauling, and handles an agency for men's and women's ready-to-wear garments. All the dry clean- ing for the whole city is done in this establishment, as the tailors of the city all send their dry cleaning work here. Both Mr. and Mrs. Koonce are actively employed in all branches of the business, and their hard work, efficiency and honest dealing, have won for them a deserved success.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 39

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

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