History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 52

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 52

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Herbert A., Peter Lawrence and Grace Alice. Ruth, Clarence and Walter are dead.

Herbert A. Pease, commercial and artistic job printer of Cumberland, formerly Cumberland postmaster, and at various times connected with the journalistic profession in this region, is of pioneer stock, born in Menomonie, Wis., July 28, 1867, son of Dr. Walter C. and Margaret (Evans) Pease. Herbert A. received his early education in the graded and high schools of his native place. He was a sturdy boy of fourteen when he came to Cumberland with his parents in 1881. Here he became interested in printing. As a school boy he started playing about the "Advocate" office, and finally took up the work in earnest and learned the printer's trade there. In 1889 he went to Spooner, and established the Washburn County Register, which he conducted for two years. He came back and on April 22, 1891, with O. K. Smith, established the Barron County Free Press. While editing this he was assistant postmaster to his father for a while, from 1892 to 1896. In 1892 he moved the Free Press to Amery, in Polk County, and conducted it until the next spring. In 1898 he went to Balsam Lake, Wis., and conducted the Ledger for two years. Then, his wife's health being poor, he went to Holbrook, Arizona, and took over the Argus. In 1904 he came back to Cumberland and was appointed assistant postmaster. Three years later, in 1907, he was appointed postmaster, and served with satisfaction to the patrons until 1915. Then he established his present printing office. He is a master of artistic printing, carries a good line of type, paper, and novelties, and enjoys a good business. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Politically he adheres to the platform of the Republican party. Mr. Pease was married Sept. 27, 1888, to Etta Morris, who was born Sept. 29, 1868, the daughter of George and Margaret Morris, and died at Holbrook, Arizona, Sept. 1, 1900, leaving two daughters, Margaret and Maretta. Margaret was born in Spooner Sept. 5, 1889, and is the wife of Charles Norton, of this place. Maretta is the wife of A. P. Locke, of Elmira, N. Y. She was born Sept. 20, 1895.

Ole Martinson, skilled woodworker, builder and retired farmer of Cumber- land, was born in Norway, May 27, 1856, son of Martin and Marion (Olson) Martinson, who spent the span of their years in that country; the father, who was a mason and bricklayer, dying in 1917, and the mother in 1913. In the family there were twelve children. Magnil, Olaf Olson, Anton Olson, Ole and Johanna came to this country. Mary and Karen live in Norway. Five died in Norway. Magnil married Anton Anderson and lives in Cumberland. Olaf Olson lives in Missoula, Montana. Anton Olson lives in San Francisco, California. He is a master sailor. While captain of an American merchant- man he was captured by the Germans and held prisoner in a German prison camp for two years. Ole is a resident of Cumberland. Johanna married Magnus Anderson, of Cumberland, and is now deceased. Ole was reared in Norway and there attended school. As a youth he was an apprentice in a blacksmith shop, where he learned the blacksmith trade. Later he learned woodworking and building. In 1896 he came to the United States and settled in Chicago, where he remained for six months. Then he located at Vernon Center, Blue Earth County, Minn., where he opened a shop. A short time afterward he took up farming in that county for several years. In 1900 he came to Barron County and bought 160 acres in section 4, Maple Plain Town- ship, which he cleared and developed into a good farm, erecting a fine set of buildings with his own hands. He was one of the first settlers in the Horse- shoe Lake district, built the first schoolhouse there, and served on the school board for several years. While working on his farm he also took building contracts. In 1916 he sold his farm and moved to Cumberland, where he is living practically a retired life, though he still takes a few contracts and does general woodwork as fancy dictates. He has erected some of the best resi- dences and barns adjacent to the city of Cumberland. He also erected his own home, of cement blocks, which is an ornament to the neighborhood. Much

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OLE MARTINSON

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of the fine furniture was also built with his own hands. A feature of the home is a beautiful oak clock, seven feet high, which Mr. Martinson made, and which is intended to be handed down through the generations. Mr. Martinson has many pleasant stories to tell of life in this vicinity in an earlier day, and also of his boyhood experiences in the old country, especially of the time, when, as a youth, he spent a part of five years as a soldier in the Norwegian standing army. Mr. Martinson was married June 6, 1881, to Marion Peterson, whose parents were natives of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Martinson have had three children. William was born Oct. 15, 1893. He lives on a good farm in Cum- berland Township, three and a half miles from Cumberland, which his father assisted him in purchasing. Martin was born in 1883 and died in Minneapolis June 22, 1914. One died in infancy.

Ole A. Ecklie, Cumberland, vice president of the Johnson-Ecklie Co., Inc., general merchants and dealers in farm produce, was born in Norway Nov. 24, 1865, son of Andrew O. and Bertha Ecklie, both natives of Norway, the former of whom is still living in that country at the age of eighty, and the latter of whom died there in 1920 at the age of ninety years. The father was a farmer and carpenter. In the family there were two sons and two daughters. Ole A. was but eight years old when he left home and started making his own way in the world. He came to the United States in 1882 at the age of seventeen, and located in Pequaming, Michigan, for two years. Then he went to Iron- wood, Mich. At that time that place had but four buildings, three of which were saloons. He remained there seven years, working in a mine. He came to Cumberland in 1893 and with Albert E. Johnson started a small grocery store. This has developed into the present large concern of Johnson-Ecklie Co., Inc., of which Mr. Ecklie is the vice president. In 1917 Mr. Johnson and Mr. Ecklie erected a brick building 50 by 80 feet for postoffice purposes. Mr. Ecklie also has other holdings including stock in the Island City Bank, of which he is a director, the Cumberland Fruit Package Co. and the Star Cheese Co. Mr. Ecklie, in the nearly thirty years that he has been in Cumberland, has been an important factor in its growth and progress. He is a thorough business man, he believes in progress along all lines and is willing to spend his time and energy for the benefit of the public. In his business he is a man of good judgment, conservative and shrewd, and while building his own success, is looking after the interests of his patrons. He has a wide circle of friends in the city and in the country and is known as a man who can at all times be depended upon. Young men often seek his advice, and there are few important movements set on foot without his first being consulted. Mr. Ecklie was married at Ironwood, Mich., in 1890, to Walborg Johnson, who died in 1906. Of their five children there are living three. Anton is an accountant in his father's store. Rute is the wife of Ed Hove, of Ellsworth, Wis. Wilbert is doing well in the Cumberland high school. On Dec. 24, 1912, Mr. Ecklie was married in Cumberland to Agnes Swarstad, daughter of Lars Swarstad. He still lives in the old country. His wife is dead. He has a pleasant home in Cumberland and he and his wife delight in keeping open house to their friends.

Edward P. Endlich, an active business man of Cumberland, was born at Blackcreek, Outagamie County, Wis., July 31, 1883, son of Jacob and Beana (Zimmerman) Endlich, early settlers. He was reared on the farm where he was born and attended district school in the neighborhood. Later he attended the Ryan High School at Appleton, Wis. When he was eighteen he went to Clintonville, Waupaca County, this state, and learned the blacksmith trade. In the fall of 1906 he came to Cumberland and purchased a shop which he operated until 1911. Then he went to Turtle Lake and operated a shop there. Three years later, in 1914, he sold out there and moved to Comstock where he likewise had a shop. In 1918 he returned to Cumberland and here he has since been in business. He has a well equipped shop, does general blacksmith- ing, welding, wagon and sleigh repairing, and sleigh manufacturing. His work is substantial and reliable and is in wide demand in city and country.

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His personal reputation is back of every job which he turns out and he has a constantly increasing list of patrons. He also conducts a popular feed and sales stable and has a good automobile storage business. He is well liked among his fellows and is a popular fraternity man. He has been through the chairs of the local lodge of Odd Fellows, which entitles him to a seat in the grand lodge, and is also active in the local Masonic lodge. He and his family attend the Lutheran Church. Mr. Endlich was married at Cumberland Nov. 26, 1910, to Anna Paulson, daughter of Andrew and Christine Paulson, natives of Norway and early settlers of Cumberland Township. The father died in 1913 and the mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Endlich have had seven children: Irene, Lucile, Helen, Dorothy, Raymond, Edward P., Jr., and Edna (deceased). Jacob Endlich is now living at Black Creek, Outagamie County, where he settled so many years ago. He has many interesting stories to tell of the early days. For some time he was a lumberman and pilot on the Mississippi and its tributaries, running rafts down the streams to the saw- mills. When he settled in Outagamie County he and his family endured all the hardships of pioneer life. The nearest market place was Appleton, in the same county, and was reached only by a long and dangerous trip, sometimes on foot, and sometimes with oxen. But he persisted in his endeavors and in time achieved prosperity and a high place in the community. His wife died March 14, 1920. She was the daughter of Phillip Zimmerman, a prominent public man. Jacob Endlich had three children. Julius is on the home farm which has been in the family more than half a century. Carrie is in the insurance business at Black Creek. She is the widow of Arthur Sassin.

Arthur J. Chubb, local manager and part owner of the Island City Land Co., Cumberland, which is connected with the Wallace Land Co., of Rice Lake, is one of the live, energetic and helpful citizens of this part of the county. His enthusiasm, influence and good judgment have induced many desirable people to locate in this vicinity and his work is resulting in real progress and betterment. He was born Sept. 10, 1861, at Hardwick, Vt., the son of Harrison and Maria (Scott) Chubb, natives of Vermont, who came to Wisconsin in 1865 and located at Edson, in Chippewa County, where the father engaged in the lumbering business for about a quarter of a century, after which he took up farming until his death Feb. 12, 1901, his good wife surviving him and dying March 10, 1909. In the family there were three children, Stella, Minnie M. and Arthur J. Stella is the wife of John Adams, of Peotone, Ill. Minnie M. now lives in Lincoln, Neb. Arthur J. was brought to Edson as a child and attended the neighboring schools, after which he entered the Eau Claire (Wis.) High School from which he was graduated in 1878. With this prepara- tion he became interested in the lumbering business, logging, driving and surveying for various concerns, including the Mississippi River Logging Co. with which he remained for several years. Then he started work for Albert C. Uecke in the real estate business, with headquarters at Cumberland. In this employ he came to Cumberland in 1900. In 1907 he engaged in the real estate business at Cumberland. This proved to be a line in which he had particular aptitude. He knows all the region hereabouts and knows the particular situa- tion and advantages of each piece of land, and he is also a shrewd judge of the desires and needs of each of his customers, the result being that he has on every side a large number of satisfied patrons which have been placed upon desirable locations through his efforts. In 1917 he joined with the Wallace Land Co., the local branch of which is now known as the Island City Land Co. Since April, 1919, he has been city clerk. For two years his experience with land values was of importance to the city in his duty as assessor. Fraternally, he is a Blue Lodge Mason. Mr. Chubb was married Feb. 2, 1889, to Ada L. Burdick, who died July 20, 1895, having borne two children: Harry, now dead, and Clara, now the wife of Dr. Frank Evans, of Sugar City, Idaho. Sept. 19, 1902, Mr. Chubb married Josephine Hollister, daughter of William and (Chris- tiana) Hollister. Mr. and Mrs. Chubb have nine children: Katherine (Mrs.

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Harry Young of Spooner), William, Myron, Arthur, Edison, Lottie, Margaret, Richard and George. The family faith is that of the Congregational Church. Stewart B. Cook, Cumberland, of the Wisconsin Dairy & Food Department, was born at Buck Creek, Richland County, Wis., Oct. 12, 1876, son of Walter and Matilda (Bobb) Cook, natives of New York state, who came to Wisconsin in 1865 and located at Buck Creek, Richland County, for several years, later moving to Gotham, in the same county, where they conduct a farm and operate a summer resort. Walter Cook is a veteran of the Civil War, having served with the Second New York Cavalry, and participated under General Phil. Sheridan in the Battles of the Wilderness, the Battle of Chancellorsville, and other engagements. He and his wife were the parents of a fine family of five boys, William, Curtis, Thomas and Stewart, who are living, and Bert, a bright youngster, who was drowned at the age of ten years. Stewart B. was reared in Richland County, attended the rural schools, and worked on the home farm until seventeen years old. Then he went to Blue Mound, in Dane County, and worked in the Blue Mound Creamery, learning the butter making trade. In 1895 he came to Menomonie, in Dunn County, and made butter for the Hudson Road Creamery Co. Then for one season he operated the Tilden creamery at Chippewa Falls, Wis. Next he operated a dairy farm near Clairmont, Minn., for a season, afterwards again returning to the Hudson Road Creamery Co. at Menomonie. In 1902 he went to Bruce, Wis., and took charge of the Bruce Creamery Co., going in 1904 to Bloomer, Wis., where for six years he had charge of the Tailors Corners creamery. In 1910 he came to Cumberland and managed the Cumberland Creamery Co. until the fall of 1910, when he was appointed to his present position as food and dairy inspector, his territory covering fifteen counties. He is a thorough expert in his line, he pursues his duties without fear or favor, and he has the confidence of the state authorities, the creamery and cheese men, the food dealers and the general public. His standing in his chosen line is shown by the fact that he is a member of the Wisconsin Cheese Makers' Association, the Northwestern Wisconsin Butter Makers' Association, and the Polk County Butter & Cheese Association. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen and of the Beavers. Mr. Cook was married at Mantorville, Minn., July 17, 1902, to Laura Graff, daughter of Christian and Mary Graff, who came from Pennsylvania about 1887 and located in Menomonie, Wis., where they spent the remainder of their days. Mr. and Mrs. Cook have been blessed with five bright boys: Stewart B., Jr., Lyle E., Keith, Iral and Clyde, all at home. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church.

Sockness & Nordenfoss, shoe merchants, Rice Lake. This concern had its beginning when E. L. Sockness came to Rice Lake in 1881 and entered the em- ploy of O. E. Wegnild, then conducting a small shoe shop here. In 1886 he bought the shop and continued the manufacture of hand-made boots and shoes, with especial attention to the cobbling department. The next year John Nord- enfoss entered the establishment as an employe. In 1889 Mr. Sockness in- stalled a line of 24 pairs of ready made shoes and engaged in the retail business. His success was assured from the start, and the stock was con- stantly increased. In 1900 there came a change in the business. The store was moved to the First National Bank building, its present location, and Mr. Nordenfoss became a partner. The store is well located and has a floor space of 26 by 110 feet, with a full basement. The facilities for sale and display and for the comfort and convenience of the customers, follow the latest ideas in such equipment. The company carries a remarkably full line of shoes, boots, overshoes and other footwear accessories, and limits itself to those brands which the two partners know to be honest goods in every way, and the patrons, through long experience have been assured that the merchandise purchased here will in every way bear out the assertions as to quality and value made by the salesmen. The establishment is probably as good as any in Northern Wisconsin and would do credit to a city many times the size of Rice Lake. The

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repair department represents everything that is most modern in the line of facilities and equipment, with stitching, nailing and finishing machines, and other conveniences for quick work and service, including a card index system which might well be copied to advantage in many more establishments of its kind. In other words, the proprietors have a good shoe store and repair de- partment, adequate for the demands made upon it in a town of this size, the annual output being about $80,000. Courtesy is a part of the spirit of the place and is such as to invite repeated visits by satisfied customers.

John Nordenfoss, of the firm of Sockness & Nordenfoss, shoe dealers, Rice Lake, was born in Sweden, April 20, 1867, son of E. G. and Johanna (Sjader) Nordenfoss. He received his boyhood education in Sweden, learned the shoe- makers' trade, and resided on the farm until twenty years of age. He came to America and located in Rice Lake in 1887, and took employment with E. L. Sockness at his trade, varying this by spending his first two winters here in the woods. In 1900 he bought a half interest and the present partnership was formed. Mr. Nordenfoss is an influential man, he stands well in the com- munity, his advice is frequently sought on important questions, and his judg- ment is always respected. He is a Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council Mason, and a member of the Commercial Club. Mr. Nordenfoss was married June 10, 1908, to Olga Solberg, of Menomonie, and they have one child, John W., born April 9, 1910, who is doing well in the public schools. Mr. Nordenfoss and his family attend the Presbyterian church. The pleasant home at 25 East Marshall Street, which was built in 1908, was the first stucco residence built in the city. Aside from his other extensive holdings Mr. Nordenfoss is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Rice Lake.

Anton Newberg, early settler, was born in Norway, and was there reared and educated. There he married Mary Berg, a native of the same parish as himself. In 1875 they came to America and located near Clear Lake, in this state. In 1877 they came to Barron County and located at Rice Lake. Here he was variously employed as sawyer, general mill man and mason for many years. He was a good citizen from every standpoint, a conscientious worker, a faithful friend, a generous neighbor, and a kind and loving husband and father. He died March 19, 1908, and his loss was sincerely mourned. His good wife still makes her home at Rice Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Newberg had six chil- dren. Melvin (first) died at the age of fourteen years. Claude is associated with A. C. Robarge in the clothing business, under the style of the Newberg Clothing Co. Nora is the wife of Ole Oleson of Black River Falls. Bennie and Arthur are with their brother Claude in the store as clerks. Melvin (second) is doing clerical work for the Barron County Bank of Rice Lake.

Claude Newberg, of the Newberg Clothing Co., men's clothiers, haber- dashers and general outfitters, Rice Lake, was born in the city where he still resides July 1, 1885, the son of Anton and Mary (Berg) Newberg, early and respected citizens. He was educated in the public schools, early became in- terested in merchandizing, and as a youth became a clerk. Jan. 1, 1903, he established his present company and opened his present store. He carries a full line of men's clothing, general furnishings, and trunks and bags, and has everything in stock that could be asked of a modern establishment of its kind. Mr. Newberg stands high in the city in which, as a native son, he naturally takes the deepest interest. He has a pleasing geniality of disposition, his dealings are always honorable and the customers in his store always know that they are being treated with the utmost fairness. The sunny atmosphere of his store reflects his genial spirit and his delight in orderliness and business- like surroundings. As a public spirited citizen Mr. Newberg has joined the Commercial Club and the Business Men's Association, and in the latter named organization is serving on the Credit Division. In politics he is a Republican, and while he does not actively enter political life he is much interested in public affairs and has most decided views on all the questions of the day. He is a supporter and member of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

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Ernest V. Benjamin, now deceased, early connected with what is now the State Bank of Cumberland, and one-time owner of the Cumberland Telephone Co., was born in New Lisbon, Juneau County, Wis., Dec. 9, 1861, son of Lewis and Eva (Smith) Benjamin, natives of New York State, and early settlers of Juneau County. As a young man he worked in the Wisconsin woods and dealt in ties and timber. He came to Cumberland in 1884 and became cashier in what is now the State Bank of Cumberland, then owned by J. F. Heath and John F. Miller. In 1886 he and J. F. Heath organized the State Bank at Mauston, Wis. Mr. Benjamin remained in charge of the institution until 1904 when he returned to Cumberland and purchased the Cumberland Telephone Co., which he managed until his death Jan. 1, 1919. He was a good citizen and one of the real builders of the community. Fraternally he was a past master of Cumberland Lodge, No. 223, A. F. & A. M., and also a member of the Modern Woodmen at Mauston. His religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Benjamin was married Feb. 10, 1886, to Ida Miller, born in Carver County, Minn., Jan. 30, 1866, daughter of John F. and Catherine (Huser) Miller. This union has been blessed with four chil- dren: Eva, Lewis W., Lila B. and Frederick John. Eva was born Nov. 23, 1886, and died April 25, 1912. Lewis W. was born Sept. 3, 1888, and is a Cum- berland business man. Lila B. was born Aug. 1, 1890, and is a proficient music teacher in Cumberland. Frederick John was born Aug. 3, 1892, and died March 1, 1911.

Lewis W. Benjamin, efficient manager of the Cumberland Telephone Co. and an active and energetic citizen who has the best interests of the city and county at heart, was born in Mauston, Wis., Sept. 3, 1888, son of Ernest V. and Ida (Miller) Benjamin. He was reared in Mauston and there attended the public schools. He came to Cumberland with his parents in 1904 and attended high school in Cumberland and at Hudson. As a youth he became interested in the telephone business. From 1911 to 1914 he worked for the Wisconsin Telephone Co. with headquarters at Eau Claire. Then he came back home and has since been connected with the Cumberland Telephone Co., taking over the management at the time of his father's death in 1919. He is constantly increasing the scope of the company's work and is giving satisfac- tory service to the patrons. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Benjamin was married Dec. 26, 1912, to Margaret Algeo, who was born Oct. 24, 1888, and died Sept. 8, 1918, the daughter of Frank and Ellen (Burns) Algeo. Mrs. Benjamin was a woman of many gracious quali- ties, she made her home a center of hospitality, and was a devoted wife and mother. Her loss is still sincerely mourned by her many friends. She left two small children, John F., born March 26, 1914, and Helen M., born April 13, 1916. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Lars Benson, pioneer carpenter of Cumberland, was born in Norway, Aug. 21, 1845, and was there reared and learned the carpenter trade. He. followed this in his native land until 1880 when he came to America. Upon reaching this country he made his way to Mason City, Iowa, where he worked at his trade about eighteen months. In 1882 he came to Cumberland and started work at his trade, in time becoming a contractor on his own responsibility. A short time after his arrival he erected a carpenter shop 22 by 50 feet in the south part of the city, which he has now conducted for some 35 years. It is said that he has worked on more than half of all the dwellings and business houses in the city, and he has also erected many houses and barns in the neighboring rural districts. He has taken pride in his work, and the fidelity with which he has wrought is shown in the stability of the structures he has assisted in constructing. He is a good citizen who has always done his duty as he has seen it and he has the respect and confidence of the people. His advice is often sought by the younger generation and his opinions and judg- ments are always of value. Although he is past the middle seventies he is still hale and hearty, and is still actively engaged in business. His long

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 52

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

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