History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 42

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 42

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).

Ernest J. Favell, D. O., was born in Macon, Mo., May 17, 1870, son of Thomas and Angela (Haste) Favell. He attended the public schools and took his classical studies at Ripon College, Ripon, Wis. Then with his parents he went to Superior, Wis., and was associated with his father in the general mercantile business there. In 1899, however, he decided to enter professional life, and with this end in view he matriculated in the Northern Institute of Osteopathy at Minneapolis, graduating in the class of 1901. He then re- turned to Superior, and opened offices there and at Duluth, Minn. At the end of two years his work had so commended itself to the public, and the number of his clients grown to such proportions, that he was unable to keep both offices open, so he devoted his time exclusively to the Superior office. In 1917, he decided to give up his practice there and establish himself in a smaller place where he could more thoroughly identify himself with the life of the community. Accordingly he came to Rice Lake, and established his offices over the Newberg Clothing Co. on Main Street, where he follows his profession in all its branches. He has a large clientele and has made many friends in the community. In 1920 he purchased a pleasant home at 515 West Marshall Street, where he and his family now reside. Dr. Favell was married Aug. 26, 1909, to Inga Maria Olsen, of Portland, Ore., born at Hayward, Wis., Sept. 17, 1885, daughter of Edward and Christine (Moe) Olsen, now of Sherwood, Ore. Dr. and Mrs. Favell have four children: Madelyn, born Oct. 4, 1911; Elton, born Sept. 30, 1913; James, born Nov. 26, 1915, and Thomas, born Jan. 23, 1919. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

History of Osteopathy-Osteopathy is the original system of spinal adjustment. It was discovered by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still in 1874. There are now about 8,000 practicing Osteopathic physicians. Their system of practice is designated by the degree D. O. (Doctor of Osteopathy) conferred by Osteo- pathic Colleges in contra distinction with the degree M. D. conferred by medical colleges. Osteopathy is the science of the structure and uses of all parts of the human body. As a science it requires the most intimate knowledge of anatomy, physiology and diseases. As an art it demands the highest degree of manipulative skill. Osteopathy looks upon man as a machine. It deals with most diseases as a disorder in the mechanics of the body-that is, if the bones or frame work is kept in normal position, barring accidents and contagious diseases the body should live to a ripe old age, provided it is properly fed, watered, clothed, exercised and rested. Osteopathy defines health as the

Digitized by Google

248

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

perfect flow of life's fluids diseases as the obstructed flow. Normal nerve force is the best medicine life knows. Pure blood is the best germicide. The key note of Osteopathic treatment is "adjustment." Osteopathy is accorded legal recognition in every state in the United States, also Canada. Osteopathy is equally successful in the treatment of both acute and chronic diseases. Many surgical operations have been found unnecessary after the diagnosis and treat- ment of an osteopathic physician. The only osteopathic physician in Barron County is Ernest John Favell, D. O., who has had 21 years successful practice. Besides a general practice, Dr. Favell has for 20 years, made a specialty of treating rheumatism, sciatica, lumbago, lame back, sick headaches, stiff neck, neuralgia, bronchitis, asthma, St. Vitus dance, hay fever, loss of weight, constipation, stomach, bowel, liver and kidney troubles, gall stones, appendicitis (successfully treated without operation), nervous prostration, and all spinal and nervous diseases.

Cyrille Mercier, of the firm of C. Mercier & Son., woodworkers, Rice Lake, was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada. He lost his parents when he was young and was reared by Peter White and his good wife. In 1878 he went to the city of Quebec, and learned the cabinet makers' trade. He came to Rice Lake in 1883, and did general carpenter and building work until 1889, when he erected a sawmill. This proved a success, and in 1916 he branched out along broader lines, erecting a shop in which he makes sash and doors, and does general cabinet work. He also continues as a building contractor, employing several carpenters. Many of the houses in Rice Lake and vicinity are tributes to the skill of his workmanship and honesty of his dealings. In 1917, his son, Charles, a painter and decorator, was admitted to the firm. Mr. Mercier is a public spirited citizen and for two years served on the road and bridge committee of the county. He is an active member of the Commercial Club. Mr. Mercier was married Nov. 29, 1879, in Canada, to Melinda Gagner, born in that Dominion, June 29, 1857, daughter of Joseph and Tairas (Fournier) Gagner, both now deceased. To this union have been born twelve children. Those living are Arthur, Victoria, now wife of Louis Beaudrie, of Rice Lake; Odeline, of Haugen, this county; Charles, in partnership with his father; Anna, now Mrs. Earl Lamler, and Archie and Fred, who live in Rice Lake. The five deceased are Onias, Albert, Clara, Leoni and one who died un- named in infancy. The family home is a pleasant residence at 29 East Evans street, erected in 1917.

Charles Mercier, of the firm of C. Mercier & Son, woodworkers, Rice Lake, was born in the city where he still resides, July 6, 1887, son of Cyrille and Melinda (Gagner) Mercier. He was educated in Catholic schools, and then learned painting and paper hanging. This he followed until 1917, when he entered into partnership with his father. His experience as a painter and decorator is proving an important factor in the success of this old established business. Mr. Mercier is one of the well known young men of the city, and is a popular member of the Catholic Foresters. He was married June 16, 1908, to Delphine Chartier, born March 8, 1891, daughter of Senia and Helen Chartier, natives of Canada, who now reside in Rice Lake. In the Chartier family there are 14 children, Albert, Amos, William, John, Edward, Virginia, Arthur, Selina, Eva, Lina, Delphine, Alma, Emeline and Louis, of whom the three last mentioned are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Mercier have six chil- dren. Irene, born Oct. 5, 1910; Jeanette, Dec. 17, 1911; Elaine, Dec. 17, 1915; Lucille, April 28, 1917; De Wayne, July 21, 1918, and Wallis, Feb. 4, 1921. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Hammond-Olsen Lumber Co., Inc., Rice Lake, is the only lumber com- pany near the Omaha railway station, is located at the corner of Cornell and Evans streets, where the premises cover a full city block, with additional land along the railroad track where are the coal sheds and other storage sheds. The main plant comprises two lumber sheds with lean-to, extending 200 feet in length with a capacity of over half a million feet. There is an additional

Digitized by Google

CYRILLE MERCIER

Digitized by Google

249

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

storage shed, 50 feet square, for storing sash, doors, house finish, screens and roofiing, and an extra sash and door house along the railroad and on the Omaha right-of-way, with coal sheds adjoining, as well as lime and cement sheds. At the upper yard, north of Knapp street and west of the railroad track, on the spur, is another storage warehouse for storing wall-board, extra roof- ing and other specialties. There is also an open coal shed on the other spur track, with room for ten cars. The plant as a whole is the largest in this line in the city of Rice Lake and the company carries the largest stock of building material in the city, comprising all grades of lumber, including Wisconsin and Minnesota white pine and hemlock, hard maple flooring, white cedar posts and shingles from Michigan, fir lumber of all grades, and red cedar shingles from western coast states, and redwood from California. Most of the lumber supplies are received in car-lots, as well as doors, sash and house finish from factories at Duluth and Minneapolis. The company also handles Portland cement in car lots, especially the Universal and Medusa brands from Duluth, Steelton, Minnesota and Buffington, Ind .; gypsum pro- ducts, including plaster and wall board from Fort Dodge, Iowa; tile products from Mason City, Iowa; brick from Menomonie and Stanley, Wis., and build- ing paper and roofing from the Twin Cities. The company has supplied the building material for a large number of buildings in Rice Lake and the sur- rounding country, within a radius of ten to fifteen miles. In connection with its building material, this company also has a good country trade in the Hunt-Helm-Ferris Company's line of barn equipment, and in the King Venti- lating System for barns and creameries. The company makes a specialty of building houses with modern conveniences and selling them on installments. On this plan some fifteen houses have been built and others are constantly in the course of construction. The company also deals in real estate, and owns many building lots in settled parts of the city as well as a whole tract of 20 acres suitable for building purposes within the city limits. In addition to the business in Rice Lake the company has a well-equipped lumber plant and stock of builder's hardware at Sarona, Washburn County, Wis., carrying a good stock of all building material for the demand of the trade throughout that section. All the advantages of the Rice Lake yard are at the service of the Sarona yard. The Sarona Lumber Company constructs houses and barns and furnishes plans and all information required. The employes are trust- worthy and alert, and at the service of the public. The business was establish as a co-partnership by the Hammond-Chandler Lumber Company in 1910, in 1915 was incorporated with a capital stock of $100,000.00. In Novem- ber, 1920, it was succeeded by the Hammond-Olsen Lumber Company, Inc., and the capital stock was increased to $125,000.00. The present officers are E. S. Hammond, president; A. V. Olsen, secretary and manager. The president, E. S. Hammond, was the founder of the business and has had forty-seven years experience in handling logs, lumbering and cruising timber, both in northern Wisconsin and California, being widely acquainted with the lumber trade throughout this part of the state. The secretary and manager, A. V. Olsen, has had seven years experience in connection with this company. J. E. Ricker- man, formerly of the Rice Lake Lumber Co., has purchased an active interest in the business. His knowledge, pleasing and capable methods of handling the trade is beyond question. Ole Foss, manager of the Sarona yard has also had long experience. The service this company has to give and does give with these experienced officers is worthy of notice and is a large asset to a prospective builder or home getter, whether on the farm or in the city. The output from the Rice Lake yard for 1920 was $164,084.80 and of the Sarona yard $47,727.97, making a combined output of nearly $212,000, with an additional business of $20,000.00 in real estate. The sales in all lines are rapidly increasing from year to year. E. S. Hammond has been a resident of Rice Lake since the fall of 1906, and in September, 1909 in company with E. Craite, purchased twenty-nine acres south of Knapp street, and west of the

Digitized by Google

250

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

Omaha railway, where he platted Hammond's addition. In November, 1911, he purchased and platted 120 acres north of Knapp street, known as Ham- mond & Craite's addition, all in the city limits. Since that time some of the best residences in the city have been erected on this property, which is fast becoming one of the finest residence sections of the city.

Eleazer S. Hammond, logger, cruiser, agriculturist, real estate developer and retail lumberman, president of the Hammond-Olsen Lumber Co., Inc., Rice Lake, and known by his friends as Lee Hammond, "King of Loggers", was born at Andover, Province of New Brunswick, Canada, Nov. 19, 1855, son of Archaleus Sylvester and Sarah Elizabeth (Wright) Hammond. His mother died when he was seven years of age and for about a year and a half thereafter he lived with his Uncle Burpee at the small village of Florence- ville. His education, while in Canada was received in that hamlet and at Grand Falls, in the same Province. In the fall of 1864 his father brought him to the State of Maine. That and the following winter were spent in the woods with his father and in the fall of 1866 came to Oshkosh, Wis., thence in 1867 to Eau Claire, with the exceptions of the summer of 1883, when he was in California, he continued to live until the fall of 1902, when he moved to Merriam Park, Minn. In 1903 he moved to Frederic, Polk County, Wis., where he logged in five years a 64,000,000 tract of hardwood. The fall of 1906 he moved to Rice Lake, where he now resides. He was first taken into the Maine forests by his father in the fall of 1864, when he was nine years old, and he has since followed the woods for forty-seven years, sum- mers and winters, cruising and logging. His experiences have been many and varied. At the age of sixteen he had charge of timber cruisers locating land on the Flambeau and Chippewa Rivers, who were receiving from $3.50 to $6.00 a day. He was then his own master, and legally entitled to hold property in his own name. At nineteen he was foreman of a logging camp crew of forty men. He was still a young man when he was offered $6,000.00 annual salary to take charge of certain lumber interests in Arkansas and a little later he was offered $10,000 salary as manager of large lumber interests in Washington state. But he refused both of these flattering offers, by reason of the fact that he has found his abilities are better employed in his own interests and he does not like the idea of hiring out. Mr. Hammond has had many thrilling adventures in the course of his eventful career. On the Chippewa and Flam- beau waters, where he has operated both as a cruiser and a logger, he is familiar with many a crook and turn. He has followed both these rivers from mouth to source, poling a log canoe, camping out and living on tea, crackers, fish, flour, saleratus, pork and sugar. He has also cruised redwood and fir in California. He has cooked, handled the cant-hook, served as camp fore- man, in fact has done everything pertaining to the getting of standing timber to the mill where it may be made into the sawed lumber. As an operator he never had a serious strike among his employees, showing that he is a master of the art of handling men. Scores of men have worked for him from six to eighteen years. From the beginning of his career in the woods he has advo- cated good camps, fair pay, good food, common sense, forethought as to needs, and an honest social feeling between man and man. Among his best friends are the old-time lumberjacks, whom he describes as being "as good a class of men as God ever gave breath." He was reared with them, worked with them, suffered with them, enjoyed their company and even fought a good many battles with them. In thinking over these events he says "The life of a real logger is as thrilling a one as can be imagined and encompasses nearly every experience of human existence in the rough." There are few modes of conveyance that Mr. Hammond has not used at one time or another. On the rivers he has operated birch bark canoes, bateaux, rafts and steamboats. On the land he has blazed logging roads, and has driven oxen, horses, mules and men. He is an expert motorist, and humorously states that he may even yet try the aeroplane and the submarine. It is claimed by his friends that so far as is

Digitized by Google

251

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

known here in Wisconsin, Mr. Hammond has the distinction of having logged the largest amount of logs in one winter on ice roads to be found on record, as well as of having hauled at one of his camps the largest load of logs ever hauled over an ice road. On Lost and Tea Lakes, Sawyer County, Wisconsin, in the five years from 1891 to 1896 he logged respectively, seventeen, twenty- two, twenty-nine, forty and seventeen million feet of logs. It was with the forty million that he touched the high mark in the amount of logs logged by one operator over ice roads on logging sleighs at seven camps, with distances to haul from one-half to seven miles. All logs were landed on lakes-ice landing. Snow-drifts and loads breaking through the ice were some of the troubles he was forced to encounter. Oct. 28, 1908 he signed a contract with the J. S. Stearns Lumber Co. of Odonah, Wis. On March 28, 1909 there were 27,000,000 feet of logs on the landing, the logging of which brought Mr. Ham- mond a cash profit of $30,000.00. It was during this contract that he hauled to the landing the record-breaking load. This contract when first signed stated 14,000,000 feet as the amount. However, the company kept after him to increase the amount. Mr. Hammond accepted and finally 27,000,000 feet were logged. An incident occurred at that time which goes to show how the com- pany sized up the situation at the time of signing the contract. That evening one of the employees remarked, "You have the logging up among the hills?" Hammond replied, "Yes." At this reply he noticed a flash pass over the em- ployee's face and Hammond read this flash to say, you are up against a hard proposition. Mr. Mercier, woods manager for the company, remarked to another party, "This Hammond has a good outfit, but when spring comes we will have it." However, when spring came Mr. Hammond was still the owner of the kit and $30,000.00 to the good. Mr. Hammond's experience with steam tugs has also been interesting. In the spring of 1891 he built a steam tug on the shore of Lost Lake, Sawyer County, Wis., 21 miles from Hayward. Captain Garrison, an old Mississippi River captain and engineer, superintended the work, assisted by H. C. ("Big Hans") Hanson, of Eau Claire, and Andrew Forness. The boat was not very handsome but could do the work. It was 64 by 14 feet in size, made of tamarack "knees" taken from the swamps. On these knees, planks were spiked and the hull calked, bottom side up. When this was completed the hull had to be turned over. The builder said it could not be done without breaking it. Mr. Hammond turned it over with chains, tackle and oxen, and on a Sunday, and did not break a plank or draw a nail. This tug had a five-foot steel shaft on which were attached paddle wheels ten feet in diameter. When not towing an inch and a half manilla rope, 1,800 feet long, was used on a "nigger" erected on the bow. The tug was scow built and could jump boom sticks. Often in passing from one lake to another-through thorofare-with the aid of twelve to twenty men, the boat could go slowly through a boom of from two to four million feet of logs and come safely out on the other side. Mr. Hammond owned this tug for five years. He also operated inland towing steam tugs three years on Pike and Round Lakes, Price County, this state. Fifty-two million feet were towed across these lakes dur- ing the month of May, ready for the main river drive. Many nights he has eaten his supper at 11 P. M. and his breakfast at 2 A. M., following this schedule day after day, so long as the wind was favorable to handling the logs on the lakes in his log driving operations. Capt. C. H. Henry, head overseer of all the Chippewa Logging Co.'s drives said it could not be done. Neverthe- less, it was accomplished by this man Hammond. He drove the logs across the lakes so fast and sleuced them through the dam that the river was plugged full of logs and Mr. Henry asked Mr. Hammond to let up. Hammond told Mr. Henry that he was not big enough for the job and to feed his men better, pay more wages and he could drive logs faster. Mr. Hammond has consistently voted the Republican ticket. At Eau Claire he was offered the nomination as Mayor and as a member of either house of the Assembly. He refused all three because he believes that business and politics do not go well together, and he

Digitized by Google

252

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

feels that there are higher honors for him in lumber than there would be in statecraft. He did, however, consent to serve as an alderman of Eau Claire for four years. When he went on the council he was not accustomed to speak- ing in public and not a single man on his side was a good talker. On the other side was a lawyer, a doctor, a graduate of an English University and a newspaper man, but Mr. Hammond made his presence strongly felt and within two years two of the members of the council had been voted out and another had been subdued. The Progressive element to which Mr. Hammond belonged, pushed through a brick paving ordinance, purchased a rock-crusher and advocated the construction of macadam streets and the building of the big steel bridge across the Chippewa river on Grand avenue, all of which was accomplished. This was the starting point of Eau Claire's change from a town of saw-dust, shingle shaving, crumbling cedar block streets to a live, pro- gressive and well paved city. To celebrate the event, Mayor Douglas and Mr. Hammond planned a big street fair for the city. Thousands swarmed to the city; people slept on the sidewalks and the week was given over to merriment. The stone crusher was in operation constructing macadam streets. General Harrison was present from Washington, D. C., lecturing on good roads. The whole event was one which the old timers will never forget. This fair was educational as to progress in good roads and beautifying the city, together with good clean sport. The public was invited to have a good time, but strict orders were given that they must behave, and they did have a good time and they did behave, although there were thirty-seven saloons in full blast. Not one arrest was made during the fair, nor were any complaints of roughness received. The idea was that orders were issued and they had to be obeyed and they were obeyed. Since coming to Rice Lake, Mr. Hammond has been active in its development, and aside from building up the Hammond-Olsen Lumber Company, Inc., he has platted Hammond's addition of twenty-nine acres and Hammond and Craites' addition of one hundred and twenty acres. Through his company he has also made it possible for many people to build and own homes on easy terms. Unbiased people say he has given away more free meals, more free beds and created more homes for poor people than any man in Barron County. He has sold lots to people that did not have a dollar to pay down on purchase price and furnished them material to build a home on the same terms. Mr. Hammond made arrangements with Lee Brothers in October, 1911, to move their band-saw mill from Reserve, on Couderay Reser- vation, to Rice Lake and kept this mill supplied with logs for five years. Also, furnished the Chas. Mercier mill with logs two years. Also, erected a planing mill with band re-saw-three surfaces dry kiln. This mill was operated eight years and then sold. During these eight years he gave steady employment to 100 men for about eight months of the year at Rice Lake alone, outside of his logging operations. All this goes to show what Mr. Hammond has done for Rice Lake since moving there. All in all, Mr. Hammond is a splendid type of the Northwestern lumberman, strong of body, keen and quick of mind, prepared to meet all emergencies, a believer in fair play, gentle and considerate in all circumstances, but prepared for rough and ready treatment of those of rough and ready conduct. He has seen the hard side of the development of the Northwest and has taken his share in it. A book of his experiences would not only prove a story of interesting adventure, but would be an inspiration to the youth of the present generation. Mr. Hammond has strong beliefs on all public questions. He believes that we should secure more service for the amount expended both for government and for labor; that schools and the state should be maintained at decreased cost and increased efficiency; that the in- come tax should be abolished as it injures business efficiency; that passenger and freight rates should be normal; that money should be made available at a reasonable rate of interest to the farmer, as the farmer is our foundation; that good highways are the arteries of business through which flow the life blood of commerce and that they should be kept open through the winter

Digitized by Google

Digitized by

Google

MR. AND MRS. OLE H. OIEN SEVERINE P. OIEN-CARL J. OIEN

Digitized by y Google

253

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

months. At sixty-five he is alert and active, constantly on the go, full of energy and believes that he will pass to the Great Beyond at a ripe old age with his mind active to the last moment. His motto is "Treat your neighbor as you would like to be treated. Fear God and take your part." Fraternally he is a Commandery Mason. Mr. Hammond was married Sept. 9, 1884, at Eau Claire, to Sarah Adaline Hower, born at Bainterstown, Ind., Feb. 15, 1864, daughter of George and Esther Hower. This union has been blessed with two children : Ruth Adaline and Mary Elizabeth. Ruth Adaline was born in Eau Claire, Wis., Nov. 3, 1885, and was educated there and in St. Paul, Minn. She was married at Rice Lake, May 8, 1907, to Roy C. Chandler. Mary Elizabeth was born at Eau Claire, July 2, 1891, and was educated at Frederic and Rice Lake. She was married at Rice Lake, May 8, 1907, to Abner Victor Olsen. Archaleus Sylvester Hammond, lumberman, father of E. S. Hammond, was born of English parents, Oct. 14, 1831 on the St. John's River, five miles below Andover, Province of New Brunswick, Canada. His father was a Baptist clergyman, who also devoted a part of his life to farming. A. S. Hammond married Sarah Elizabeth Wright, whose parents were farmers. She died May 3, 1863. In 1864 he came to the States, and after living in Maine for two years, came to Wisconsin. He died Jan. 15, 1898. He and his wife had four children. Charlotte Elizabeth was born Feb. 21, 1853 and died in Seattle, Wash., Jan. 6, 1915. Eleazer Slocum was born Nov. 19, 1855, and is a Rice Lake lumberman. Archaleus Sylvester, Jr., was born Oct. 8, 1858, and died Dec. 14, 1902. Fred- eric Lawrence was born Jan. 7, 1863, and is now living in the State of Washington.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 42

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

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