History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 49

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 49

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county. In 1920 he bought 55 acres of land in Section 27, Cumberland Town- ship, a fine place which he sold and bought 80 acres in Mckinley Township, Polk County. Mr. Sherman makes his home with Louis A. Reese, of Cumber- land. Aside from his business and farm, he has several financial holdings, including stock in the Vermillion Cheese Co.

Fred A. Schiebel, produce dealer of Cumberland, is one of the youngest and one of the most energetic of the city's business men. He is a good buyer and his sense of fairness has won him the confidence of the people with whom he deals. He knows farm conditions, he is an expert in the cost of production and he studies the market with a view to doing the best possible by farmers while securing a reasonable recompense for his own services. He was born in Stark County, Illinois, June 21, 1900, the son of William and Orilla (Graves) Schiebel, who farmed for some years in Renville County, Minnesota, then in Polk County, Wisconsin, and now live in Cumberland. In the family there are ten children: Jesse, Harry, Sanford, Perry, Ollie, Fred A., Julia, Mary, Minnie and Ethel (deceased). Fred A. attended school in Buffalo Lake, Minn., and St. Croix Falls, Wis. As a youth he clerked in a store at Cen- turia, Wis., for eighteen months. He came to Cumberland and established his present business in 1919, making a specialty of buying poultry, eggs and cream. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen. He was mar- ried June 22, 1920, to Olive Finley, who was born in Cumberland, Barron County, April 1, 1902, daughter of Rodney and Berthia (Equhart) Finley, the former of whom died in 1915 and the latter of whom still lives in Cumberland. In the Finley family there are seven children: Gordon, Reggie, Archie, Rod- ney (deceased), Bessie, Iva and Olive.

Clarence H. Jacobson, of the firm of Schneider & Jacobson, hardware and furniture dealers, funeral directors and embalmers, Cumberland, was born in Iowa County, Wis., Oct. 1, 1890, son of Gust and Clara Jacobson, who were born in that county, were reared there and became prominent farmers. Feb. 15, 1910, they came to Barron County and located on a farm near Cumberland where they still live. In the family there are eight children: Grover, Clarence, Grace, Lillie, Ida, Fred, Helen, deceased wife of Nels Halverson, of Dodgeville, and David (deceased). Clarence H. was reared in his native county, was there educated, and learned farming from his father. He came to this county with his parents in 1910, and farmed with them for a while in Cumberland Town- ship. Then for some time he clerked in the store of S. W. Hines. The present partnership was formed in 1916. In 1916 Mr. Jacobson attended the Johnson College of Embalming at Milwaukee, and received a diploma therefrom. Mr. Jacobson was married at Cumberland Sept. 24, 1913, to Teckla Lundstrom, daughter of John and Anna Lundstrom, natives of Sweden, and early settlers of the vicinity of Cumberland. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobson have one child, Clarice, who is doing well with the primary studies in school.

August W. Schneider, of the firm of Schneider & Jacobson, hardware and furniture dealers, funeral directors and embalmers, Cumberland, is a native of the county, born in Rice Lake April 11, 1887, son of John and Josephine Schneider, natives of Germany and pioneers of this county. John Schneider, the pioneer, is one of the most respected men in the county, and his wife is highly esteemed for her womanly qualities and genial temperament. He came to Rice Lake as a carpenter in 1872 and worked on some of the first buildings there. Four years later he brought his bride to Rice Lake, and for many years thereafter they devoted their time to the development of a farm within the city limits and in that part of the town called "Schneiderville." They are now living retired in Rice Lake. In the family there are nine children, as follows: John, Henry, Frank, William, Joseph, August W., Mary, the widow of J. P. Schaaf; Anna (now deceased), who was the wife of W. P. Cruse, of Chippewa Falls; and Emily, who is at home. August W. was reared in Rice Lake, passed through the graded schools, and attended the high school. For several years he received mercantile experience as clerk in a general store. In

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1910 he went to Spooner, in this state, and there clerked in a hardware and furniture store for three years. With this experience he came to Cumberland, July 20, 1913, and purchased a hardware and furniture store and undertaking establishment from Peter Jacobson. After conducting this place alone for three years he formed the present partnership in 1916. The following year the present sightly brick building was erected. The company handles all kinds of furniture and house furnishings, carries a fine line of shelf and floor hardware, and conducts its undertaking business in an efficient and dignified manner. In 1913 Mr. Schneider attended the Johnson School of Embalming in Milwaukee and received a diploma therefrom. He is well liked throughout the community and is a popular member of the Independent Order of Foresters and the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Schneider was married at Rice Lake, May 15, 1911, to Amelia Schmidt, daughter of Frank and Amelia Schmidt, who for many years farmed near Rice Lake. There the father still lives, having, after his wife's death, married Mrs. Eckel. Mr. and Mrs. Schneider have three children: Earl, Eileen and Phyllis. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic church.

Peter A. Steineck, leading blacksmith of Cumberland, was born in Sweden, May 1, 1858, son of Peter and Christina (Holconson) Steineck, both natives of that country, who came to America in 1888, and settled in Perley, Turtle Lake Township, Barron County, on a farm, where they lived the remainder of their lives, the father dying at the age of 73 and the mother at the age of 72 years. Of their five children, three died in the old country. Shirley lives in Portland, Oregon. Peter A. was reared in his native country, attended common school, and at the age of fifteen started to learn the blacksmith trade, an occupation which he has since followed. In 1882 he came to the United States 'and established himself at Cumberland, in this county. For many years he did general blacksmithing work, in shops, sawmills and camps. In 1895 he opened a shop of his own at Cumberland, where he has since enjoyed a flourishing business in blacksmithing, horseshoeing and general repairing. His shop is equipped with modern implements and machinery, including an electric bellows, drills and press. The motor in the basement not only fur- nishes power for these, but also for the woodworking machinery used in re- pairing wagons and sleighs and in making new equipment. Mr. Steineck is a master of his trade and a thorough business man. He is of the old type whose heart is in his work, and he takes personal pride in every job that he does. His name is synonymous with good work, and his place is known far and wide. He has more business than he can attend to, each customer is his friend, and he stands high with all who know him. Mr. Steineck was married at Cumber- land, July 9, 1888, to Ida Samuelson, born June 2, 1860, daughter of Carl and Christofa Samuelson, who came from Sweden to Perley, Barron County, in 1889, and here spent the remainder of their days. Mr. and Mrs. Steineck have eleven children. Peter G. is at Faribault, Minn. Emelia is the wife of Elmer Torson of Cumberland. Anna is the wife of Art Mitchell, of Duluth. Emma is at home. Sigrig is a stenographer in Minneapolis. Agnes is a trained nurse in Minneapolis. Nora and Laura are at home, and Laura is attending school. Ida, Edna and Carl are dead. The family faith is that of the Lutheran church.

Albert E. Johnson, president of the Johnson-Ecklie Co., Inc., general merchants and dealers in farm products, Cumberland, was born in Norway, Sept. 2, 1861, son of John and Lena Johnson, natives of that country who came to America in 1867 and located in Ottertail County, Minnesota, where they farmed until 1889 when they moved to the state of Washington, where they still operate a farm. Of their family of ten children, there are now living four sons and four daughters. One son, Andrew Engerbritson, enlisted in the World War from the State of Washington, and was killed while in action with United States troops in France, Oct. 11, 1918. Albert E. remained in Norway after his father and mother came to America. Upon completing his education he took up farming. In 1879 at the age of eighteen he came to the United States

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and located in Polk County, this state. For several years thereafter he was variously employed on farms, in the lumber woods, and in sawmills. In 1882 he took a government homestead of wild land in Polk County, this state, which he developed, and where he carried on general farming. He came to Cumberland in 1893 and started a grocery store in partnership with Ole A. Ecklie. This store gradually developed into the present extensive general store of the Johnson-Ecklie Co., Inc. Mr. Johnson is one of the real leaders of the community. As a citizen he stands for everything that means progress and betterment. As a merchant he stands for fair dealing to all. He is an excellent buyer, he knows how to deal with the public, and his personality is an important factor in the high standing which his company has enjoyed. A merchant of nearly thirty years' experience, he knows the community and its needs, and has the most sincere faith in its future. He has various financial interests including stock in the Island City Bank, in which he is a director. Mr. Johnson was married at Ashland, Wis., Aug. 21, 1888, to Melissa Olson, the daughter of Bern and Mary Olson, who came from Norway to Chicago, and then settled in Polk County, this state, where both died.

Adrian R. Foss, early carpenter and farmer, who has taken his share in the growth and development of the county, was born in Ohio, son of Nathaniel and Abbie (Samson) Foss, who died when he was very young, after which he was taken into the home of William Ellison. From Ohio he went to Marshall County, Indiana, as a child, and was there reared to agricultural pursuits and learned the carpenter trade. He came to Barron County in 1882 and purchased some land. This he shortly afterward sold, and took a homestead of 80 acres in section 4, west, Maple Grove Township, which he proceeded to develop. He cleared about 30 acres, erected some good buildings, and carried on general farming and to some extent dairying. In the meantime he worked at his trade as a carpenter, and many of the edifices in this part of Wisconsin testify to the fidelity with which he built. He erected several of the earliest buildings in Barron, he helped to build the first sawmill at Knox, this state, and also the first sawmill north of Ladysmith, this state. He also constructed many farm buildings. He was one of those who cleared the stumps and timber from the route marked out for the road to Barron, now known as State Road No. 25. In other ways he also did public service, and for many years served on the school board. He retired in 1908 and rented the place to his son, Willard. He died Aug. 24, 1921. Mr. Foss was married March 21, 1867, to Sarah Richie, daughter of William and Susan (Griggs) Richie, natives of Kentucky, who early settled in Indiana, and there spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Foss had seven children: Hannah (deceased), William, Mary (deceased), James (deceased), Willard, Pearl and Lawrence (deceased). The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.

William E. Foss, a prosperous farmer owning 71 acres in section 3, west, Maple Grove Township, was born in Marshall County, Indiana, Feb. 29, 1872, son of Adrian R. and Sarah (Richie) Foss. He attended the district schools in his native county and learned farming and woodworking from his father. He came to this county with his parents and in 1898 purchased his present place, which at that time was entirely covered with timber and brush. He cleared some twenty acres and erected the house, barn and other buildings with his own hands, getting all the timber from logs which he cut on his own place. He now has a good farm and carries on general farming and dairying. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen and the Odd Fellows. He and his family attend the Baptist church. Mr. Foss was married June 10, 1900, to Effie Quackenbush, daughter of John and Mary (Benson) Quacken- bush, and they have two children. John was born June 24, 1901. Francis was born March 25, 1903, both are residing at home. John Quackenbush was born in New York State, of good Colonial stock. He came west to Wisconsin as a young man and located in Trempealeau County. He married Mary Benson, a native of Wisconsin. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted and served

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MR. AND MRS. ADRIAN R. FOSS

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with valor throughout that conflict. He devoted the remainder of his life to farming. His wife now lives in Barron, in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Quack- enbush had seven children: Martha, Wandell, Effie, Ellen, John, Ruth and Marvin (deceased).

Bennie Johnson, Cumberland, secretary of the Johnson-Ecklie Co., Inc., former county treasurer, former member of the county board, former post- master of Cumberland, and former alderman of Cumberland, was born in Noway Sept. 14, 1864, son of John O. and Goro (Nelson) Stalsberg, who left their farm in Norway in 1866, and located on railroad land near Baldwin, St. Croix County, Wis., where they developed a fine farm, and where they still live at the age of 91 years. In the family there were five sons and one daughter, of whom there are living the five boys, Bennie, Nicholas, Julius G., Oscar M. and Otto G., the latter of whom was born on his mother's fiftieth birthday. He was reared on the home farm and attended district school. At the age of thirteen he went to Baldwin, Wis., and started clerking in a store, at the same time attending school for a while. Since then he has devoted all his life to mercantile pursuits. He came to Cumberland Dec. 6, 1881, and entered the employ of O. A. Ritan in his general mercantile store. In 1884 he was ap- pointed assistant postmaster. Later he entered the Ritan store once more, and there remained until 1896 when he took a course in the La Crosse Business College, at La Crosse, Wis. When he came back to Cumberland he became a clerk in the "company store," so-called, of the Beaver Dam Lumber Co. During the years of his employment here his popularity increased, and on July 1, 1898, he was appointed postmaster, a position he filled with credit to himself and to the general satisfaction of the public. He retired from office April 1, 1903. The next month he was appointed county treasurer to fill a vacancy, and at the next election was elected to a full term by the voters. Jan. 1, 1907, he associated himself with Albert E. Johnson, Ole A. Ecklie, and Anton Ecklie, in the Johnson-Ecklie Co., Inc., of which he is now secretary. The company handles a general line of merchandise, such as dry goods, gro- ceries, clothing, shoes, and flour and feed, and also deals to some extent in farm produce. Mr. Johnson is a good business man, he thoroughly under- stands rural merchandizing from every angle, and he is a useful citizen in every respect. His work on the county board, already mentioned, covered a period of twelve years, and every act of his during that period of service was for the public good. His work as alderman, to which position he was elected at two different times, has also been of advantage to his fellow citizens. In social life he is a popular member of the Scandinavian-American Fraternity. Mr. Johnson was married Sept. 14, 1889, at Baldwin, Wis., to Hannah J. Nes- gaard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob K. Nesgaard. The mother died in middle life, having borne ten children, of whom six grew to maturity. The father and the second wife brought the children to America in the spring of 1881, and settled in Baldwin, Wis., where he lived until 1916, when he died at the remarkable age of ninety-three years. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have one daughter, Bessie G., who was born Feb. 14, 1897, and is now connected with the First National Bank at Minneapolis.

William C. Jeffery, of Jeffery & Bellows, furniture dealers, Cumberland, was born in Linden, Iowa County, Wis., Dec. 5, 1863, son of Roger and Eliza- beth (Dunstone) Jeffery. Roger Jeffery was born in Cornwall, England, and devoted nearly all his life to mining, spending his working hours under ground for fifty years. He came to America in 1845, and worked for several years in the coal mines of Pennsylvania, later locating at Linden, Wis., where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. Of their fourteen children, there are now living three, William C., Alex and Harriet. The subject of this sketch was reared at Linden and was there educated. He left home at the age of eighteen and for some years was variously employed, part of the time being spent in mines in Michigan. In June, 1902, he moved a livery outfit from Linden to Cumberland, and here engaged in business for three years. Then he

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sold out and opened a restaurant. In connection with this he dealt more or less in real estate, and also had considerable work to do as an auctioneer. In 1919 he formed a partnership with Frank Bellows and engaged in the furniture business. The company has a fine store, carries a good line of goods, and is enjoying a constantly increasing trade. Mr. Jeffery is a good business man and has the confidence of all with whom he has dealings. He is well acquainted in the city and country and is highly regarded. He is the owner of the brick block in which the store is located. This structure was erected in 1916. It is 75 by 80 feet, two stories, and is one of the best privately owned business blocks in the city. There is a full basement for storage, the floor space is excellent for display purposes, and the upper floor is occupied by offices and by Mr. Jeffery as a home. In public life Mr. Jeffery has lived up to his duty 'in every way, and has done good service as a member of the county board and as one of the aldermen of the city. Mr. Jeffery was married at Poskin, this county, July 24, 1906, to Emma Hanson, daughter of Christian and Olive Hanson, natives of Norway, who early settled in Clinton Township, this county, where he still lives and where she died in 1919. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffery have four children: Josephine, born June 6, 1908; William, born Feb .. 8, 1911; Harriet, born Jan. 29, 1912; Esther, born April 20, 1918, and Twila Marie, born March 13, 1921. All the children are at home.

Royal B. Hart, B. L., LL. B., journalist and attorney of Cumberland, editor of the Cumberland Advocate, chairman of the Barron County board at the present time, and member since 1907, president of the Barron County Coun- cil of Defense during the World War, third municipal judge of Barron County since 1917, mayor of Cumberland from 1916 to 1920, city attorney of Cumberland from 1911 to 1914, and an active, useful citizen who has served in many other public capacities, was born in Oakland, Jefferson County, Wis., June 8, 1866, son of Orlando P. and Elizabeth (Eustis) Hart. He was reared in that county and there attended public school until he was fourteen years of age. Then he was taken to Ft. Atkinson, Wis., where he continued his educa- tion and where he was graduated from the high school in 1885. Then for one year he taught rural school in Nebraska. In 1886 he entered the University of Wisconsin and was graduated with his degree in letters in 1890. Then for one year he was principal of schools at Juda, Wis., and one year principal of schools at Cadott, Wis. In 1892 he entered the law department of the Univer- sity of Wisconsin and was graduated with his degree in law in 1894. Then for eight years he was proofreader in the chambers of the Supreme Court at Madison. In the spring of 1902 he opened an office in Shell Lake, in Washburn County. He came to Cumberland in 1905 and here continued practice. In 1915 he became editor of the Cumberland Advocate. This paper is owned by a cor- poration, all the stock being held in the Hart family. Fraternally, Mr. Hart has been through the chairs of the local Masonic order and he is likewise a member of the Woodmen. Mr. Hart was married June 26, 1894, to Nellie F. Worrell, of Durand, Wis., daughter of Thomas and Bridget (Kelley) Worrell, both natives of Ireland, and early settlers of Bear Creek Valley in Buffalo County, Wis. Both are now dead. They had seven children: Joseph, Thomas, Julia, Jennie, Mary, John and Nellie F. Mr. and Mrs. Hart have two children : Irene E. and William E. Irene E. graduated from the Cumberland High School in 1914 and from the University of Wisconsin in 1918. She is now a teacher in the Cumberland High School. William E. graduated from the Cumberland High School in 1917 and is now attending the University of Wisconsin. For twenty-one months during the war he served in the Medical Corps most of the time at Camp Hancock, Augusta, Ga. Orlando P. Hart was born in Oneida County, New York, came to Wisconsin in 1848, and farmed in Jefferson County until his death in 1873. His wife, Elizabeth Eustis, was born in Massachu- setts and died in 1903 at the good old age of 81 years. . They had one son, Royal B. By a previous marriage to Florinda Goodrich he had six children. All grew to maturity and two of the sons, Frank and Henry, served in the

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Civil War. Only one of the six is now living. She is Ina, the widow of George H. Perry, whose sons operate a farm their grandfather preempted in Oakland, Jefferson County, Wis. Mrs. Elizabeth Hart, by her previous mar- riage to John Barger, of Saugamore County, Illinois, had four children, of whom there are now living two, William M. Barger, of Hebron, Neb., and Frances, the widow of H. C. Allen, also of Hebron.

Gust Hafslund, member of the county board, Cumberland restaurant man and real estate promoter, now deceased, was a useful, active citizen and his death was a distinct loss to the community. He was much interested in public affairs, and was frequently honored with local offices. While living on a farm in Cumberland Township he served as town clerk. In the city he did good work as alderman, and was county supervisor from the Fourth Ward of Cumberland at the time of his death. On the county board his judgment was of the highest value, and for several years he was a member of that board's committee on settlement with county officers, a position involving an intimate familiarity with the county's affairs. In every position he proved himself a public spirited and intelligent official. At the time of his death he was work- ing hard for the establishment of a community building in Cumberland. Of a genial nature and "one who loved his fellow man" it was natural that he should be interested in fraternal affairs, and he was active in the local Odd Fellows and a charter member of the local Scandinavian fraternity. Of him it has been well said: "A model husband and father, an obliging neighbor, a pleasant companion and a good and useful citizen has passed away. He will be greatly missed, not only by his immediate family who loved him so well, but by the entire number who knew his worth." He was born in Wilhelmina, Sweden, Sept. 17, 1864, and was there reared and educated. He came to America in 1888 and reached Cumberland July 1 of that year. Then for several years he engaged in farming in the township. After his marriage in 1892 he opened the Farmers' Restaurant in Cumberland and conducted it until the time of his death. In the meantime he operated somewhat extensively in real estate. He owned at various time many farms and other pieces of land, one of his last ventures being the erection of three sightly bungalows on First street which were a distinct addition to the city. Since his death his restau- rant and his other business has been in charge of his widow. Mr. Hafslund was married June 25, 1902, to Margaret Patterson, who was born in Canada Jan. 6, 1875, daughter of John and Margaret (Drysdale) Patterson, natives respectively of Scotland and Ontario, Canada, the former of whom died April 23, 1919, and the latter of whom still resides at Alliston, Ontario, Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Hafslund had three bright children : Clarence A. was born March 8, 1909; Florence M. was born Nov. 23, 1910, and Louise E. was born May 19, 1914. The family faith is that of the Congregational Church.

Peter Hocom, for over thirty years a business man of Cumberland, now deceased, was a substantial, solid citizen, who did his duty as he saw it, and was faithful to every demand that life made upon him. He was born in Sweden and came to the United States in 1871. At first he lived in Centralia, Wood County, Wis., where he changed his surname from Hokenson to Hocom for greater convenience. For some years he was a logger and raftsman, some- times taking rafts as far south as St. Louis. For a while he was also in busi- ness in Centralia. In 1883 he moved to Balsam Lake, in Polk County. From there, in 1886, he came to Cumberland and opened a meat market which he successfully conducted until his death Feb. 11, 1918. His wife is still living in Cumberland at the age of 64. He was married at Cumberland to Christina Hanson, a native of Norway. They had two children: May, a trained nurse in Chicago, and Frank W. who now operates the market. By his first marriage to Amelia Anderson he had two children: W. L., a dentist of Webster, Wis., and Daisy, wife of Hans Monstad of Los Angeles, Calif.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 49

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

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