USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 43
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Ole H. Oien, Rice Lake, who has been identified with the lumbering indus- try of this region for some three decades, is a solid, substantial citizen of even temperament and good judgment, and is held in the highest regard by all who know him. He was born in Norway Sept. 20, 1870, the son of Hendrick Tilseth and Sigred Oien, taking the ancient and honored name of his mother's family. In his native country he received a good education and was reared to farm pur- suits. In 1891 he came to America and located at once in Rice Lake, where he took up lumbering and sawmill work for the Rice Lake Lumber Co., specializing in grading and scaling, at which he became an acknowledged authority. In this employ he remaind for over a quarter of a century, winning the high regard of those for whom he worked. Subsequently for two years he was employed by the E. S. Hammond Lumber Co. at Rice Lake, after which he practically retired. He and his family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. He is a member of the Scandinavian Society, while his wife belongs to the woman's branch of that order and to the woman's auxiliary of the American Legion, she being one of the war mothers, who gave two sons on her country's altar. Mr. Oien was married March 31, 1894, to Matilda Aageson, who was born in Trondhjem, Norway, May 21, 1871, daughter of Peter and Christina Aageson. Mr. and Mrs. Oien have had seven children: Severin P., Carl J., Minnie, Gladys, Oscar, Lillian and Minnie. Of the two sons who went into action in France, one never returned and the other died from the effects of his experiences there-truly a most excellent record of a patriotic family. Severin P. was born Feb. 11, 1895, was a veteran of the Mexican mobilization and of the World War, and died from the effect of dis- abilities Jan. 19, 1921. Carl J. was born March 10, 1896, and died in France from the results of wounds Oct. 13, 1918. Minnie was born Sept. 20, 1898, and died a few months later. Gladys was born Jan. 1, 1900, and is residing at home. Like her mother she is a member of the woman's branches of the Scandinavian Society and of the American Legion. Oscar, born May 18, 1903, Lillian, born Jan. 28, 1908, and Minnie, born Sept. 15, 1910, are at home. The family is highly respected throughout the community.
Severine Palmer Oien, the first veteran of the World War to die in Rice Lake, was born in this city Feb. 11, 1895, and passed through the graded and high schools. He had only just attained his majority when, in March, 1916,
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he enlisted in Company A, Tenth Separate Battalion, Wisconsin National Guards. He served in the Mexican border mobilization, and a short time after his return was again called into service with his company to guard bridges and railroads in this state and in Minnesota. After the United States entered the World War he was sent to a training camp at Waco, Texas, and went over- seas with the 32d Division. There he saw much active service. For a time he was in Company A, 121st Machine Gun Battalion and for a time he was detailed to drive supply wagons to the front under heavy fire. He was four times invalided, twice with the influenza, once from the effects of gassing, and once from foot troubles, but was with his company in all its principal engage- ments. His Victory medal bore four battle clasps. In 1919 he was returned to the States, and in May of that year was duly discharged at Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill. He then returned home. But his lungs had suffered too severely for human endurance, and he died Jan. 19, 1921, as truly a victim of the war as he would have been had he died on the battlefield. At his funeral he was given military honors by the Edgar Eubanks Post, American Legion, of which he was a faithful member. At the time of his death it was said of him: "Severin Palmer Oien was held in the highest esteem by all but especially by his comrades who knew him best. Of quiet disposition, he won favor by his willing way of undertaking the tasks that fell to his lot, however disagreeable, and his faithfulness to duty was unwavering. He died as he had fought, calmly and with complete faith in God."
Carl J. Oien was one of his country's heroes who will ever be held in honored and loving remembrance. He gave his life for his country, and his name is inscribed upon the country's roll of honor. Born in Rice Lake March 10, 1896, he was here reared, and here received his education in the graded and high schools. He was inducted into the United States service Sept. 17, 1917. trained at Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill., and went overseas with Company C, First Division. With his comrades, he was sent into the terrible slaughter of the Argonne Forest, and was wounded while valiantly doing his duty as a good soldier. He died in France Oct. 13, 1918, and is laid at rest in the soil which the blood of such as he has forever hallowed.
Joseph M. Paul, tinsmith of Rice Lake, was born at Sun Prairie, Wis., Sept. 19, 1882, son of Michael and Mary (Mattecheck) Paul, the former of whom died in 1916 and the latter still living. Joseph M. received his educa- tion in the common schools and remained at home until nearly attaining his majority. Then he went to Webster, S. D., where he learned the tinsmith's trade which he there followed until 1909. In that year he came to Rice Lake, where he was employed for some two years by the Goettsche & Frank Hard- ware Co. and for about six years by the West Hardware Co. In 1915 he estab- lished his present business. He does general tin work, welding and vul- canizing, and makes a specialty of installing heating plants, having the agency for the Lenox "Torrid Zone" heaters and the Waterman & Waterbury all-steel heaters. His aim is to satisfy his customers as to quality, workmanship and prices, and working with this aim in view he has built up for himself a profit- able business. When he first opened his establishment he had his place of business in the old Eubanks Building. In 1918 he moved to his present quarters at 217 North Main street, where he has a plant fully equipped with machinery and tools for the handling of his constantly increasing trade. The plant employs from two to three men the year around, and Mr. Paul gives it his personal attention. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen and the Beavers. His pleasant home, brightened by the happy faces of six chil- dren, is at 35 East Eau Claire street. Mr. Paul was married in April, 1908, to Jennie M. Robb, of Watertown, S. D., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Abe Robb. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Paul are Maurice, Dorothy, Floyd, Harlow, Herbert and Ralph. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Paul is interested in the general growth of the city and has allied himself with the Commercial Club.
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REV. O. M. KLEVEN
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William D. Prince, of the firm of Ross & Prince, draymen, was born at Bloomer, Chippewa County, Wis., May 17, 1883, the son of George F. and Ellen (Dawson) Prince. He came to Barron County as a boy and attended the graded schools and the high school of Rice Lake. He started his own career at the age of sixteen and for several years thereafter was variously employed. In 1910 he crossed the States to the Pacific coast, then came back to Montana and Dakota where he farmed. In 1914 he returned to Rice Lake and entered the employ of the flour and feed mill of the Hartel Morrison Co., remaining with them two years. In 1916 he started work for the Osceola Mill & Elevator Co. at Rice Lake. Then for a year, in 1918, he was baggage- man at the Omaha station at Rice Lake. His present partnership with Thomas E. Ross was formed in 1919. They are engaged in general draying, using horses and trucks in their business. Fraternally, Mr. Prince is a member of the Odd Fellows and the Mystic Workers. He has been active in fire protection for seven years and for two years was assistant chief of the Rice Lake fire department. Mr. Prince was married Feb. 6, 1918, at Rice Lake, to Olga Severson, daughter of Severn B. and Tillie (Jacobson) Severson, who were formerly farmers but now live in Rice Lake.
Leon King, for many years connected with farm work and lumbering in Barron County and vicinity, now deceased, was an honest, hardworking man an estimable citizen in every respect, and left many pleasant memories to be cherished by his family and friends. He was born in Canada Aug. 12, 1868, son of James and Elizabeth King, who came to Barron County as young people and settled on a farm in Prairie Farm Township, where they followed agricul- tural pursuits for the remainder of their lives. Leon received his early educa- tion in this county and took up farming with his parents. Thereafter he devoted his summers to that occupation and his winters to working in the woods. Afer a long and useful life he died April 6, 1919. Mr. King was mar- ried Oct. 31, 1904, at Rice Lake, to Virginia Gagner, born Jan. 3, 1881, in Rice Lake Township, daughter of Peter and Selina (Lavelier) Gagner. This union has been blessed with three bright children, Melina, born April 21, 1906; Delor J., born June 25, 1908, and Elizabeth, born June 24, 1912, all of whom are attending the parochial schools. Mrs. King has a pleasant residence at 926 North Main street.
Peter Gagner, pioneer, was born in Canada of French ancestry and there married Selina Lavelier. They came to Barron County among the first settlers and took a homestead of 160 acres in Rice Lake Township. The tract was then a wilderness, there were no roads except the "tote" roads, and neighbors were few and far between. Mr. Gagner cleared 120 acres of the tract, erected log buildings which he later replaced with frame structures, and there carried on general farming until his death Dec. 3, 1916. His wife died July 25, 1920. In the family there were eight children: Minnie (deceased), Virginia, Dephine, Peter, William, John, Delorn and Alex. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church.
Rev. O. M. Kleven, Rice Lake, a clergyman of the Norwegian Lutheran faith, is pastor of the Bethany Congregation of Rice Lake, Our Saviour's Con- gregation in Doyle Township, Stanfold Congregation in Stanfold Township, and Long Lake Congregation at Long Lake, Washburn County. He was born in Strum, Trempealeau County, Wis., Sept. 28, 1885, the son of Knute and Anna (Olson) Kleven, natives of Norway, who came to America when young people, were married at Strum, and are still engaged in agriculture on a farm near that village. They are people of probity and piety and are highly regarded by all who know them. In the family there are six children : Rev. O. M., Tillie, now Mrs. Andrew Orlid; Christophine, now Mrs. Otto Larson; Emil, Palmer and Julia. The subject of this sketch attended the public schools of his native village. As a boy he determined to devote his life to the ministry, and in order to secure funds to educate himself for that work he secured employment for six years with a lumber yard at Stanley, Wis. In 1906 he entered St.
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Olaf College at Northfield, Minn., and after taking the preparatory and classical course was graduated with the class of 1912. He then entered the United Church Theological Seminary at St. Anthony Park, Minn., from which he was gradu- ated May 28, 1915. On June 13 he was ordained at Minneapolis by T. H. Dahl, D. D., president of the church. He was called by the mission committee to the mission field, having seven congregations near the border line between Minnesota and Ontario: the Zion Congregation at International Falls, the Silver Creek Congregation at Boudette, Minn., the Rainy River Congregation in Ontario, Canada, the Lake-Wood Congregation at the Lake of the Woods, Our Saviour's Congregation at Stratton, Ontario, St. Peter's Congregation at Black- hawk, Ontario, and Fort Francis Congregation at Ft. Francis. His excellent work there resulted in his present call in 1916. Here the Rev. Mr. Kleven is kept busy ministering to the spiritual needs of his people, and taking his rightful share as a leader in all uplift movements. The Bethany Congrega- tion has 142 families, Our Saviour's Congregation 22, Stanfold Congregation 26, and Long Lake Congregation 24. In Bethany Congregation alone in 1920 he held 68 services, 30 in English and 38 in Norwegian, in addition to the services in the other three congregations, and the usual pastoral duties of study, calls, baptisms, catechism classes, marriages and funerals. As a part of the permanent work of the congregations, the pastor has inaugurated a system by which every family in each of his parishes is fully recorded in the church archives. He is a member of the National Young People's League of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. Mr. Kleven was married Sept. 11, 1915, to Mollie Stensby, who was born in Hale Township, Trempealeau County, this state, June 3, 1888. There are two children in the family, Borghild . Alida, born June 23, 1916, and Mildred Ovidia, born Aug. 8, 1918.
J. P. Qualy, dealer in farm implements and machinery and equipment of all kinds, and also a successful farmer, has an office at 11 East Eau Claire street, Rice Lake, and a farm of 80 acres within the city limits which he per- sonally conducts. In addition to this he is also interested in other city and rural property, buying and selling real estate as circumstances dictate. He likewise deals to some extent in general farm products. He was born in Spring Grove, Houston County, Minn., Nov. 17, 1864, son of P. O. and Julia (Erickson) Qualy, natives of Norway, who came to America as young people, were married at Stoughton, Wis., and later located at Spring Grove, Minn., where they farmed the remainder of their lives, the father dying April 24, 1920, and the mother July 4, 1906. The subject of this sketch received a good common school education in the public schools. He also had the advan- tages of a course in the Slack Business College at Decorah, Iowa, from which he was graduated with the class of 1885. After this he farmed for a while. Later he owned and conducted a general mercantile and farm implement store at Caledonia, Minn. Then for eleven years he was traveling as a salesman, selling farm machinery and implements, five years for the Deering Harvester Co. and six years for the Minneapolis Implement Co. He started business for himself in Rice Lake in 1908 and has met with success. Fraternally, he is a member of the Odd Fellows and of the Modern Woodmen. He is also allied with the Commercial Club. He is a man of prominence in the community. His wide experience is of advantage to him in his business operations, and he is one of the city's solid and substantial citizens. Mr. Qualy was married Oct. 29, 1889, to Sophia L. Theisen, of Caledonia, Minn., and this union has been blessed with three children: Harry J., Alta J. and Donald J. Harry J. was born July 19, 1891, and farms for his father. He married Gladys Thornberg. Alta J. was born Aug. 20, 1896, married James McMahon, of Menomonie, and has one child, Ione. Donald J. was born March 17, 1899, and married Faith Ingram. He assists his father on the farm and in the implement business. Mr. Qualy finds his diversion in out of door sports, is fond of tramping in the woods and fields, and takes especial pleasure in hunting. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church.
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Gilbert Peterson, contractor, Rice Lake, is a hard working, solid citizen of real worth, who is well and favorably known throughcut northern Wisconsin, by reason of his temporary residence in many towns where he has been engaged in constructing railroad stations and water tanks. He was born in Norway Feb. 10, 1858, son of Peter Mekelson and Inga Gulbrandson, his wife, natives of that country. The father, who owned a small farm and worked at his trade as a carpenter, died in Norway in 1906. The mother came to America in 1909 and now makes her home with her son, having reached the venerable age of 90 years on July 27, 1920. In the family there were five children : Louise is still in Norway; Gilbert is in Rice Lake, Wis .; Anders died in Norway; Ole is with the Omaha Railroad with headquarters at Rice Lake; and Mathia died in Rice Lake April 3, 1920. The subject of this sketch received his early education in the public schools of his native land and there learned the carpenter's trade, starting at 15 years of age. He came to America in 1880 and after a few months in Austin, Mower County, Minn., came to Rice Lake where he found employment at his trade with Knapp, Stout & Co. In 1900 he started a woodworking shop of his own at Dallas, in this county. About two years later he purchased the woodworking plant of O. T. Johnson at Rice Lake. He sold out in February, 1907, and entered the employ of the Omaha railroad in the capacity of master carpenter, taking charge of crews of from three to fifteen men, engaged in building stations and water tanks, with Spooner, Wis., as the headquarters. Mr. Peterson has been interested in public affairs, was alderman of Rice Lake from the Second Ward for six years and street commissioner for one year. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen. He and his family worship at the Norwegian Lutheran Church. The residence is at 106 North Wilson avenue, Rice Lake. Mr. Peterson married Annetta Leegaard, who was born in Norway Dec. 20, 1861, daughter of Peter Nicoli and Antoine (Krohn) Leegaard, also natives of Norway, who both died in 1919 at the good old age of 90 years. In the Leegaard family there were five children: Margarethe, Bollette (deceased), Annetta, Petra and Anton (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have seven children: Frank, Petra A., Inga, Petra A. (second), Arthur, Gladys and Lillian. Frank was born May 23, 1884, married Emma S. Bush, lives in Rice Lake, and manufactures cigars and conducts an ice cream parlor and candy store. Petra A. died at the age of five years. Inga was born March 25, 1891, and died March 26, 1918, leaving a husband, A. E. Whitman, and a son, Gordon. Petra A. was born March 28, 1893, and is the wife of Kearney Jacobson, of Rice Lake. Arthur, a veteran of the World War, born July 25, 1896, is at home. Gladys was born April 5, 1901, and Lillian was born April 14, 1902.
Arthur Peterson, veteran of the World War, was born in Rice Lake, in the home where he now resides, July 25, 1896, son of Gilbert and Annetta (Leegaard) Peterson. He was reared in this city and here attended the public schools. March 5, 1913, he enlisted in Company A, 10th Regiment, Wisconsin National Guards. March 4, 1916, he was inducted into the federal service with the company and sent to the Mexican border. He returned a year later, but only a short time afterward, April 17, 1917, he was sent with the com- pany to Superior, in this state, for guard duty. Sept. 8, 1917, he was sent with the company to Camp Douglas, Wis., and two weeks later to Waco, Texas. He was there transferred to Company A, 121st Machine Gun Battalion, and with that outfit trained sixteen weeks. He was then sent to Camp Merritt, in New Jersey, where he embarked Feb. 18, 1918. He landed in France March 4, disembarked March 6, went into camp at Brest two days, and then went into training at River La Foss. From there the outfit was moved steadily toward the front and in June, 1918, took over the front line trenches. From the night of June 2-3 to July 2-3, he participated in the center of resistance trench war- fare at Hugen-Beit, France. From July 12-13 to July 20-21, he participated in the center of resistance trench warfare at Badricourt, France, taking an active part on July 14 in repelling the strong raid made by the enemy in
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that sector. He was in the active fighting at Chateau Thierry, Fiesmes, July 30, 1918, to Aug. 7, 1918; Juvigny, Aug. 28-29; Tierny-Sorny, Sept. 2, 1918; . and at Verdun, Sept. 26 to Oct. 16. On the last mentioned date he was seriously gassed, and was at a convalescent camp when the armistice was signed Nov. 11, 1918. He returned to the United States in April, 1919, and was discharged with the rank of first sergeant at Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill., April 25. He is now residing with his parents at Rice Lake.
Charles A. Stark, second municipal judge of Rice Lake and prominent practicing attorney, was born in Randolph County, Wisconsin, Dec. 25, 1854, son of Abial and Jane (Ely) Stark, the former a native of Connecticut, born in 1804, and the latter of New York state, born in 1813. He received a sound education in the public schools and, after due preparation, entered the law department of the University of Wisconsin from which he was graduated in 1878. Then he was associated with a prominent Chicago attorney for three years, and afterwards opened an office at Randolph, Wis. He came to Rice Lake in 1887, opened an office and has since continued in active practice. He practices in all the courts and has the confidence of the community at large. For fourteen years he was city attorney of Rice Lake. In December, 1919, he was appointed second municipal judge of Rice Lake by Governor Phillips to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge James Robbins. He was elected to the position in 1920 and occupies the bench with dignity and ability. Judge Stark was married Jan. 7, 1889, at Rice Lake, to Lillian M. Stultz, daughter of Silas and Mary A. (Mussen) Stultz, the former of whom is now living in Rice Lake, and the latter of whom died when the daughter was a child. Mr. and Mrs. Stark have two children. Ralph R. was born Sept. 8, 1889; fought in the World War, and now lives at home. Blanche I. was born in March, 1891; married Harry Engelstad, and now lives in Superior, Wis.
Ralph R. Stark, a popular young man of Rice Lake and a veteran of the World War, was born at Rice Lake on Sept. 8, 1889, son of Charles A. and Lillian M. (Stultz) Stark. He received his education in the public schools of Rice Lake, was graduated from the high school, and as a young man began business life as a clerk. On June 30, 1917, he enlisted as a private in Company F, 6th Regiment, Wisconsin National Guards, at Rice Lake, was pro- moted to corporal and to sergeant, and on Sept. 1, 1917, was made first ser- geant. He was sent to Camp Douglas, Wis., and from there to Camp McArthur, at Waco, Texas. In January, 1918, he was sent to Camp Merritt, N. J., and two days later to Camp Hill, Va. There until April 15, 1918, he was sergeant major of the animal detachment of the 32d Division. He was sent to France, and after thirteen days on the water landed at St. Nazaire, France, and was sent to the front with the 32d Division. His active service was as follows: Alsace sector, May 18 to July 21, 1918; Aisne-Marne offensive, July 29 to Aug. 7, 1918; Oise-Aisne offensive, Aug. 26 to Sept. 6, 1918; Meuse-Argonne offensive, Sept. 26 to Nov. 11, 1918; Army of Occupation, Nov. 17, 1918, to April 18, 1919. In May, 1919, he was returned to the United States on the "George Washington" and was discharged at Camp Grant, Ill., on May 17, 1919. He is now engaged as clerk in a furniture store.
William D. Brady, vice president of the Barron County Bank, was born in Winneconne, Winnebago County, Wis., April 10, 1885, son of Owen W. and Mary (Roddy) Brady, natives of Madison, this state. The father, who was a mill worker, died in February, 1914, and the mother in February, 1911. He received his education in the public schools and was graduated from the Winneconne high school in the class of 1903. Then he became accountant in the Union Bank at Winneconne. In 1905 he was made assistant cashier. In 1907 he went to Red Granite, Wis., as cashier of the Red Granite State Bank. He came to Rice Lake in 1911 to occupy a similiar position with the Barron County Bank, and in 1915 assumed the duties of his present position. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of Columbus and the Elks. Mr.
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CHARLES A. STARK
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Brady married Nov. 26, 1917, Irene Charron, of Rice Lake. They attend the St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church.
Charles Pederson, of Rice Lake, who has taken his share in the agricul- tural development of the county, is now living in a pleasant home in the city where he is still active in gardening and small dairying. He has been a man of considerable influence, served three years as chairman of Cumber- land Township and as such as a member of the county board; seven years as assessor of that township, and for many terms as member of his school district in the same township, as either clerk or director. He was one of the organizers and the first president of the Comstock Co-operative Creamery of Crystal Lake Township and is still a stockholder therein. He was born in Norway April 18, 1859, son of Peter Larson and his wife, Margareta Simonson, natives of that country, both now deceased. In the family there were ten children: Lars, Carrie, Ingeborg, Simon, Charles, Sigrid, Marie, Signa, Simon and Peter. Charles received his education in the public schools of his native land and was reared as a farmer. He came to America in 1879 and located in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, where he farmed for some two years. He came to Barron County in 1881 and located in Cumberland Township where he bought 80 acres in Section 31. He broke and developed about half of this tract, which, when he bought it, was covered with heavy hard timber, erected a log house and barns and there farmed until 1907. Then he sold and moved to Rice Lake Township where he purchased a farm of 40 acres in Section 19, which he operated three years, during that time serving as director on the school board of his district. He then sold that place and bought 80 acres in Section 1, Barron Township. On this latter farm also he remained three years and was director on the school board of his new district. Again he sold and this time bought 40 acres in Section 6, Stanley Township, where he remained three and a half years, again serving as school director, an office in which he had proved his efficiency. At the end of that time he moved to Rice Lake City. He has three and a half lots and a residence at 601 West Douglas street and four more acres of land a half a mile north. He does truck gardening on these two plots and keeps two cows and a horse. Every- thing he owns he has gained by hard work and his excellent position in the community is well deserved. After the Lutheran churches were united and became the Bethany Congregation, Mr. Pederson was made president of the board of trustees and has since held that position. Mr. Pederson was mar- ried March 6, 1886, to Eilia Amundson, who was born in Norway Oct. 14, 1869, daughter of Amund and Ingeborg (Nyhus) Amundson, natives of Norway, who came to America, the mother in 1879 and the father in 1881, and located in Barron County where they engaged in farming, the father dying in 1906 and the mother in 1912. In the Amundson family there were twelve children: Johanna, Ingebret, Amund (first), Carrie, Eilia (first), Eilia (second), Amund (second), Ingeborg, Marie, Esten (first), Esten (second) and an unnamed infant. Mr. and Mrs. Pederson have given parental love and care to two children, Ida and Carolus. Carolus is now deceased, having passed away in 1908. Ida married Floyd Mason and has one child, Charles. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.
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