History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 40

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

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Isaac J. Kvam was born at Sjolstad, Namdalen, Norway, Jan. 28, 1864, son of Jacob and Susanna Kvam, and died in Madison, Wis., Wednesday, Feb. 14, 1917. He came to America when 19 years of age, shortly after having gradu- ated from a military school in Trondhjem, Norway. He attended Luther Col- lege, Decorah, Iowa, and Luther Seminary, Robbinsdale, Minn., and was or- dained to the ministry in June, 1893. Aug. 5, the same year, he was married to . Christine Crogen, of Baldwin, Wis., the daughter of James and Anna (Simon- son) Crogen. Mrs. Kvam was born and reared in St. Croix County, Wis., received her early education in the graded schools of St. Croix and Pierce counties, and took her higher training at the River Falls (Wis.) High School, and the Wisconsin State Normal School at River Falls. With this prepara- tion, she was a popular teacher in St. Croix County for several years. Mr. Kvam served as pastor at Seattle, Wash., from 1893 to 1895, and there the son, Julien A. S., was born. In October, 1895, the family came to Rice Lake, and here Mr. Kvam was pastor of the Norwegian Synode Church, his charge includ- ing congregations at Bloomer, Spooner, Long Lake, and Cedar Lake. He re- signed on account of ill health in 1911. In 1912, in company with his wife and son, he visited his old home in Norway, including in the trip a visit to the prin- cipal seaports of northern Europe and the Mediterranean Sea. At the election in the fall of 1916, Mr. Kvam was elected to the Assembly on the Republican ticket, representing Barron County. When the session opened, Mr. and Mrs. Kvam took apartments in Madison, and Mr. Kvam entered upon his duties. On

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the day of his death, he underwent an operation on diseased teeth at the Madi- son General Hospital, and death was due to embolus following the operation. His short service in the Assembly was very active, much of his legislative ef- forts being directed toward the abolition of the liquor traffic in Wisconsin. A committee of six assemblymen was detailed as an escort for the body, and to remain for the funeral on Saturday, Feb. 17, 1917, at Rice Lake. The commit- tee was accompanied by T. L. Cretney, sergeant-at-arms. A remarkable tribute was paid to Mr. Kvam when the Assembly met at midnight and marched to the station as escort to his remains, the casket being covered with floral tributes from members of the Assembly and friends. The young men who acted as pallbearers were all confirmed during Rev. Kvam's pastorate at Rice Lake: Martin Kolstad and Ed. Foss, of Long Lake; Louis and Henry Olson, of Cedar Lake; and Severin Oien and Arthur Overby, of Rice Lake. The funeral serv- ices were conducted by Rev. P. F. Kjorlaug, pastor of the Synode Church at Rice Lake, and C. T. Clausen, pastor of the Synode Church at Bloomer. A long procession accompanied the remains to Nora Cemetery where interment took place. It is interesting to note that the four parents of Mr. and Mrs. Kvam all spent their declining years with them, Mr. and Mrs. Kvam, both feel- ing it their Christian duty, as well as their pleasure and privilege, to make the afternoon of their life comfortable. Jacob Kvam died at the age of 82 and his wife at the age of 79 years and six months. James Crogen died at the age of 81 years and his wife at the age of 79 years and six months.

Julien A. S. Kvam, president and treasurer of the Wisconsin Iron Store, wholesale hardware establishment of Rice Lake, was born in Seattle, Wash., Aug. 11, 1894, son of Isaac J. and Christine (Crogen) Kvam. He received his early education in the graded and high schools of Rice Lake, later studied in the preparatory department of Luther College at Decorah, Iowa, and the Min- nesota State Normal School at Winona, Minn., and was graduated from the University of Minnesota, at Minneapolis, in the class of 1917. In December of that year, he passed the pilots' aviation examination at Minneapolis, Minn., but was later transferred to the United States Naval Auxiliary Corps, and studied at Chicago, Ill., Cleveland, Ohio and Pelham Bay, New York, in which latter place he received his commission as ensign. With this rank he continued to serve until Jan. 22, 1919, when he was released. He then became a traveling salesman for the Certainteed Products Corporation, of St. Louis. A short time later he returned to Rice Lake, and became interested in the Perfect Products Corporation, of this place. Next he was with the Consumers' Store, at Rice Lake. In November, 1919, he assisted in organizing the concern with which he is still connected. Mr. Kvam is one of the popular and well-liked young business men of the place, and is a real leader in the affairs of the city. He and his wife are both prominent in local society. Fraternally, he is a member · of the Ark Lodge, No. 176, A. F. and A. M., of Minneapolis; Ark Chapter, No. 53, R. A. M., Minneapolis; the Acacia National Masonic Fraternity of the University of Minnesota; the Thulanian Club, of the University of Minnesota; Rice Lake Council, U. C. T., Rice Lake; and the Edgar Eubanks Post, No. . 87, American Legion, in which last named organization he is a past vice com- mander. He is also a member of the Commercial Club. Mr. Kvam was married Jan. 27, 1920, to Helen Carlson, of Frederick, Wis., who was born Aug. 8, 1897, was educated in the graded and high schools of Frederick, and in the Wiscon- sin State Normal School at Superior, Wis., and taught efficiently for several years before her marriage. They reside in a sightly, modern home of white stucco, just completed, at 27 West Stout Street, one of the many pretty and hospitable homes of the city.

Toussaint A. Charron, M. D., oldest practicing physician in Rice Lake, president of the medical board of St. Joseph's Hospital, former mayor of Rice Lake, extensive land owner and stock breeder, horse fancier, and prominent citizen, was born in Montreal, Canada, Oct. 29, 1860, son of John Baptiste and Delphine (Daigneault) Charron, the former of whom died in 1900 and the lat-

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DR. AND MRS. T. A. CHARRON

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ter in 1878. John Baptist Charron was a staunch character of good French blood, sturdy and vigorous, and was a man of considerable note in the farming community in which he lived. Reared with the best of home surroundings, Toussaint A. attended the Brothers' School at Longueuil, Province of Quebec, Canada, for his grammar school and preparatory school studies, and the Sul- piciens School, at Montreal, for his earlier classical studies. His higher edu- cation was received in the Jesuit Seminary at Montreal, from which he was graduated in the class of 1881. With this preparation he entered the Mon- treal Medical College, and was graduated therefrom with the degree of M. D. in 1887. Upon his graduation he came directly to Rice Lake, and opened an office. His presence was greatly needed, and his services were at once in wide demand. Dr. Charron was an ideal physician for a new country. Of vigorous constitution and kindly heart, no call was too great for his strength or pa- tience, he rode through the forests, over the barest trails or over "tote" roads to isolated cabins, through the heat of the summer, the frost of the fall, the cold and snows of the winters, and the slush and mud of the spring, facing perpetual discomforts and often actual danger, that he might bring healing and comfort to the suffering ones. His practice has constantly grown, and although pioneer conditions have changed he still holds the place in the hearts of the people that he did when his journeys through the solitudes brought so much cheer and comfort. From the very beginning, Dr. Charron, who was reared on a farm, and came of a line of farmers, has expressed a belief in the great agricultural possibiliites of the county, and has had his share in its de- velopment along these lines. In addition to owning several residences in the city, he has a place of 320 acres in Rice Lake Township, which he has named poetically the "Rose of Sharon Stock Farm," and there carries on general farming, making a specialty of cattle and horses. His cattle are full-blooded Holsteins. His horses are fast trotters. In his fine stable is a young mare, "Irene Jentry," a pedigreed animal with a trial mark of 2.06, one of the fastest in the state, which will be entered in a number of National meets this year. With all his busy life, Dr. Charron has found time to do his duty as a citizen, and in addition to serving six years as mayor, as already noted, has been a member of various boards and committees, especially during the World War, in which the land of his ancestors, the land of his birth and the land of his adoption sent soldiers to fight side by side. He is a member of the Barron County Medical Society, of the Wisconsin State Medical Society, and of the American Medical Association, as well as of the Modern Woodmen and the Catholic Foresters and the Knights of Columbus. Dr. Charron was married Feb. 12, 1886, at St. Michael, Province of Quebec, Canada, to Cecelia Dorris, and they have had two children: Irene, born March 24, 1888, is now the wife of William Brady, vice-president of the Barron County Bank, of Rice Lake. Eliza- beth, born in 1889, died in infancy. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church.

Oscar Hooey, capitalist and retired lumberman of Rice Lake, is one of the real leaders of the community, being one of the best known men in the county, and having a wide acquaintance among the distinguished men of the state. He has won his success in life by hard work, native worth, his ability to judge men, his capacity for making friends, and the reputation which he has always maintained as a man of absolute and unswerving honesty and fair dealing. Although retired from active participation in business affairs, he is still busy looking after his personal interests, managing a large farm in Barron County and another in Washburn County, and holding large tracts of land elsewhere in Wisconsin and in the Dakotas and western Canada. His financial holdings also include stock in the First National Bank of Rice Lake, in which he is a director, and in the Couderay State Bank at Couderay. His fraternal relations are with the United Commercial Travelers. The Presbyterian Church has found active supporters in him and his family, and he is serving the Rice Lake congregation as an elder. Oscar Hooey was born in Port Hope, Ontario,

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Canada, June 29, 1855, son of John and Elizabeth (Irvin) Hooey, natives respectively of Ontario and Ireland, who were married in Rochester, New York, and at once took up their home in Ontario, where they successfully followed agriculture, acquired a competence, became honored and influential citizens, and were highly regarded. The mother died Dec. 18, 1883, and the father, a venerable man of 86 years, is still living in Ontario. In the family there were five children : Oscar, of Rice Lake; Wellington, of Ontario; Lottie J., who died Nov. 24, 1905; John A., who died Jan. 21, 1890, and Alice M., who died July 11, 1897. The subject of this sketch received his early education in the graded and high schools of Walkerton, Ontario, Canada. Then he came to the States and taught school in Wisconsin for a while, afterward returning to his native province, and taking advanced courses in the High School at Harriston. He again came to the States in 1881 and with headquarters at Menomonie, Wis., became interested in the agricultural implement business, first for fifteen years as general traveling salesman for the Warder, Bushnell & Glessner Co., of Chicago, Ill. and Springfield, Ohio, and then in a similar capacity for five years with the Deering Harvester Co. of Chicago. His territory included portions of Wisconsin and Minnesota. He came to Rice Lake in 1900, and the year later brought his family here. For some years he was interested in the Signer, Crisler & Co., as silent partner, and when the firm was incorporated in 1902, he was made secretary. He continued in the lumber business with this firm until 1914 when he sold out and for two years engaged in the flour mill business at Rice Lake in the Rice Lake Milling & Power Co. He retired in 1916, since which time he has been engaged in looking after his personal affairs. Mr. Hooey was married May 25, 1887, to Ettie C. Kile, a resident of Bainbridge, Ohio, who was born in New Castle, Delaware, Dec. 27, 1860, daughter of Dr. Hiram and Helen (Cooper) Kile. Mr. and Mrs. Hooey have had three children, Helen M., Marian E. and Clifford Kile. Helen M. was born April 28, 1888, is the wife of George Bartholomew of Youngstown, Ohio, and has three children, Jean, aged six, George, Jr., five, and Robert, two. Marian E. was born April 17, 1892 and died Dec. 13, 1913. Clifford Kile was born March 2, 1898, passed through the graded schools and was graduated from the Rice Lake High School in the class of 1917. Then he entered Ripon College, Ripon, Wis., where he was enrolled in the S. A. T. C., and where he studied for two years. He is now attending the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Dr. Hiram Kile was born in Pennsylvania, and his wife was a native of Pennsyl- vania. He received a sound preliminary education and graduated from the Philadelphia Medical College, at Philadelphia, Penn. Most of his active years were spent in practicing his profession at Bainbridge, Ohio, where he was a physician and surgeon of considerable note, being widely esteemed for his skill as a practitioner and his sterling worth as a man and citizen. He died at Bainbridge, Ohio, Sept. 22, 1874, and his wife died at Chillicothe, Ohio, Oct. 26, 1917. They were the parents of six children. Ettie C. is the wife of Oscar Hooey of Rice Lake. Elizabeth is the wife of H. C. Claypool of Chillicothe, Ohio. George W. died Jan. 11, 1897. Three died in infancy.

Ernest F. Hartel, now retired, for many years engaged in the stave manu- facturing business, has been active in the affairs of community, was a member of the city council six years, city treasurer one year, and served on the school board six years, one of which years he was president. He was a charter mem- ber of Rice Lake Lodge, No. 234, A. F. & A. M., in which he has passed through the chairs, and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen and the Maccabees. At the organization of the Rice Lake fire department he was one of the first members. He was born in Dodge County, this state, Jan. 15, 1852, son of Fred and Henrietta (Kepernick) Hartel, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1848 and located in Dodge County, this state, where they spent the re- mainder of their lives. Ernest F. was reared in his native county, and came to Barron County in 1885, taking up work in stave mills. He erected and built the first stave mill in Rice Lake, and was its manager and operator for

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A. A. BERGERON

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seventeen years until 1907, when the timber was exhausted and the mill closed. Mr. Hartel was married May 11, 1877, to Ruth Wood, who died Oct. 22, 1905, leaving two children: Glen D., born April 30, 1883, now a merchant in Rice Lake, and Charles E. born April 24, 1887, a resident of the State of Wash- ington. Mr. Hartel was married Aug. 1, 1910, to Mrs. Mary (Schwartz) Cruse, widow of William E. Cruse, and daughter of Mathias and Catherine Schwartz, who were born in Austria, and came to America in 1866, settling in Chippewa county, this state, where they farmed the remainder of their lives. The daughter, Mrs. Hartel, was born in that county, April 12, 1877, and was there reared. In 1906 she opened a millinery business in Rice Lake by buying out Mrs. A. E. Knudson. In 1910 she bought the building at 21 North Main street, which now houses her establishment. In 1915 she added a full line of women's ready-to-wear goods.

John Edward Horsman, a well known citizen of Rice Lake, efficient and popular manager of the Barron Telephone Co., was born in Guelph, Province of Ontario, Canada, Aug. 5, 1861, only son of John and Elizabeth (Worsfold) Horsman, who were of English descent. His early life was spent in Canada, where he received a thorough preliminary education, taking his classical training in Trinity College, Port Hope, Province of Ontario, from which he was graduated with high honors in 1878. In 1880, he came to the States and located at Rice Lake, entering the employ of the C. W. Hackett Hardware Co. of St. Paul as traveling salesman. In this capacity he traveled through the towns of northern Wisconsin and is still well remembered and well liked in all of them. In this county his popularity grew until in the fall of 1890 he was elected county treasurer. It is worthy of note, as an evidence of the esteem in which he was held, that he was one of the first two men elected on the Democratic ticket since the county was organized, his majority being 565 votes. He efficiently served as treasurer until the end of the term, when he declined re-nomination and entered the employ of Marshall-Wells Hardware Company of Duluth, Minn, where he remained in the Northern Wisconsin territory until 1904, when he was obliged to resign on account of poor health. After regaining this, he was elected secretary of the Barron County Telephone Company, and manager of the Rice Lake Exchange, having been connected with this company as stockholder for a number of years previously, and still retains this position. J. E. (Ed) Horsman has always been identified with everything which goes to make for a better Rice Lake. He has been a member of the City Council, Board of Education and Commercial Club at different times; he is also vice president of the First National Bank of Rice Lake, one of the solid institutions of Barron County. "Ed" Horsman served one term as postmaster of Rice Lake under the second Cleveland administration, also as chairman of the County Democratic Committee for many years. In the language of the layman, you would have to "go some" to find anyone in Northern Wisconsin who does not know the subject of our sketch. Mr. Horsman is a member of Rice Lake Lodge, No. 234, A. F. & A. M .; Pekegema Chapter No. 67, Tancred Commandery No. 27 of Chippewa Falls, Wis., also a loyal member of the United Commercial Travelers of America, Rice Lake Council No. 322. He and his family are communicants of the Protestant Episcopal Church. He was married June 1, 1886, to Ruth Holbrook, daughter of Thomas B. and Elizabeth (Miller) Hol- brook, early settlers of Rice Lake. This union has been blessed with one daughter, Grace, born April 17, 1887.

A. A. Bergeron, a representative business man of Rice Lake, owner of a general store, and proprietor of an extensive farm produce business, was born in Canada, Nov. 15, 1884, the son of Frank and Mary (Paradis) Bergeron, who came from Canada that year and located in Rice Lake, where the father is now a prosperous merchant. The subject of this sketch was reared in Rice Lake, and attended the graded and high schools. As a young man he learned the barber trade and followed this for ten years at Rice Lake, Chetek and Weyerhauser. In 1910 he engaged in the retail boot and shoe business at

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Somerset, this state. A year later he took charge of a flour mill at Chetek, for W. J. Gavin. He established his present business in Rice Lake in 1913. His store handles general supplies, while at his large warehouse and produce office, he purchases and ships in car load lots such materials as hay and grain, and deals in flour and farm seeds. In September, 1920 he opened a branch warehouse at Canton, this state, where his assistant, F. F. Tibbitts, buys pro- duce and handles flour and feed. Mr. Bergeron is well equipped for his business with automobile trucks and horse teams. He thoroughly understands farming conditions, is a fair dealer, shrewd and honest, and is trusted throughout the community. Something of the success with which he has met may be judged from the fact that when he first opened, a monthly business of $750 was considered good, while he now has an annual business of something like $150,000. In addition to his pleasant home, well built store, and commod- ious warehouse, he owns 320 acres of timber land in Burnett County, this state, which he expects sometime to develop. He is interested in the welfare of Rice Lake and is active in the Commercial Club. By furnishing a good market for farm material he is assisting in the modern agricultural growth of the county. Mr. Bergeron was married May 8, 1908, to Etta L. Gavin, who was born Nov. 11, 1888, and died March 31, 1910. Mr. Bergeron was reared in the faith of the Roman Catholic Church.

Hans O. Holm, a well-patronized tailor, owning an establishment at 11 West Marshall Street, Rice Lake, was born at Drommen, Norway, Nov. 17, 1880, son of Ole and Hanna (Halverson) Holm, the former of whom, once a saw- mill worker and now a farmer, still lives in the old country, and the latter of whom died April 17, 1897. Hans O. attended the schools of his native land, and at the age of fourteen was apprentice to a tailor in Vestfossen, Norway, with whom he worked for several years after learning his trade. In 1903 he came to America, and for one year was employed at his trade in Chippewa Falls, this state. He first came to Rice Lake in 1904 and worked for Nels A. Haugen for two years at his trade. In 1906 he went to Duluth, and after work- ing for J. H. Erickson for two years, started in business for himself. In 1916 he sold out and went to Shell Lake, Wis., where he likewise conducted a shop. Two years later he came to Rice Lake and established his present business. He thoroughly knows his trade, he carries good goods and furnishes his customers good workmanship. He also does general renovating, cleaning, pressing and repairing. Mr. Holm was married at Duluth, May 30, 1908, to Gustava Ruud, daughter of Julius and Oliva (Peterson) Ruud, the former of whom is dead and the latter still living at Drommen, Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Holm have been blessed with two bright children: Oscar W. was born March 23, 1909, and Hjordis G. was born Aug. 4, 1912. In the winter of 1920-21, Mr. Holm purchased five acres of land just on the outskirts of the city, and here he has erected a pleasant modern home, a good barn and other buildings. The family attends the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Albert Fengler, manager of the Rice Lake lumber yard for the Andersen Yard Co., South Stillwater, Minn., was born in Eau Claire, Wis., July 27, 1890, and was educated in the public schools and the Eau Claire Business College, of his native place. He early became interested in the lumber business, and was scarcely more than a youth when he entered the employ of the New Dells Lumber Co. at Eau Claire, gradually working his way up to grader and then to salesman. In 1913, in the employ of Jones Brothers, of Foster, Wis., he took charge of the yards at Foster, Allen and Cleghorn, all in this state. For a few months in 1917 he was with the O. & N. Lumber Co. at Menomonie, Wis. It was that year that he came to Rice Lake as salesmanager for the Rice Lake Lumber Co. When the retail department of that company was sold to the Andersen Yard Co., he remained in charge of the yard. He has built up a good business, handling various kinds of building material and fuel, and maintaining a service department which furnishes blue prints, estimates and architectural designs for all persons contemplating building. Mr. Fengler is

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well liked in the community, is esteemed for his business judgment and in- tegrity, and is a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the Commercial Club. He enlisted in August, 1918, at Eau Claire, and was assigned to Head Quarters of the 6th Battalion Supply Company. He was stationed at Camp Dodge, Iowa, and discharged in December, 1918. Mr. Fengler was married June 20, 1918, to Edna Brice, daughter of George W. and Agnes Brice, old settlers of Eau Claire, and they have one son, Harold Laverne, born April 13, 1920. The family faith is that of the St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church.

L. O. Folstrom, an estimable and solid citizen of Rice Lake, now retired, and formerly a prosperous farmer of Rice Lake township, was born in Sweden, Dec. 28, 1844, son of Louis and Katrina Christina Folstrom, both of whom were born, lived and died in the old country. He attended the schools of Sweden, and as a youth and young man occupied his attention with farming and blacksmithing. He came to America in 1888, and just three days after his arrival in Rice Lake, Wis., bought a farm of 40 acres in Rice Lake Township. A house had been erected and some of the land was broken. Mr. Folstrom continued the improvements, broke more land, erected barns and other build- ings, and there devoted his life to hard and arduous toil until 1912, when he sold out, retired, and moved to Rice Lake City, where he purchased his present home at 404 Phipps avenue. Mr. Folstrom was married in 1866, to - Christina Petersdatter, who died in young womanhood, leaving six children. In 1876 he married Anna Larson, who was born in Sweden, March 25, 1852. To this union have been born the following children: Olaf, Anton, Lena, Kathrina, Tilda, Ellen, Emil, John and Clara. The last mentioned lives in Sweden. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 40

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

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