History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 53

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 53

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).

Digitized by Google

314

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

years of residence here have given him a large circle of friends, he has been well acquainted with the makers of Cumberland, past and present, and has been especially interested in the affairs of the Old Settlers' Association, in which he is an active member. He was married in 1875, in Norway, to Bertha Finces, who was born there March 18, 1848.

John Avery, president of the Cumberland Farmers' Light & Power Co., prosperous farmer of Section 21, Cumberland Township, and interested in many important ventures, is one of the most prominent men in this part of the county. His business holdings include stock in the Vermillion Dairy Co., the Cumberland Mercantile Co., the Poskin State Bank and the Apple River Electric Co. In public life he has done good service as town supervisor for two years, and has served efficiently as director of his school district for four- teen years. Especially has he been interested in improved highways. At different times for thirty years he has been road overseer in the township and supervised the building and improving of many miles of good roads. The Old Settlers' Association of Cumberland has found in him a valued member. All in all, he is a most excellent type of citizen, useful and energetic, and has been an integral part of the history of the township since he first came here. He advocates everything that means progress, and he was one of the enthu- siastic organizers of the company of which he is now president. John Avery was born in County Perth, in the Province of Ontario, Canada, Aug. 9, 1864, the son of John and Susan (Baab) Avery. These good people were born in England, came to Canada as young people, and farmed there until 1885 when they retired and came to Barron County and lived with their son, John, until their death, he dying in 1905 and she in 1904. In the faimly there were four children: Charles, of Cumberland Township; Louisa, wife of Joseph Statton, of Cumberland; John, of Cumberland, and Elizabeth, wife of Wm. Hodskins, of Oppin, Province of Ontario, Canada. Five of the children are deceased. John received his education in his native province and did farm work there until 1885. Then he came to Barron County and bought 160 acres of wild land in Section 33, Cumberland Township. He put up a good set of buildings, fenced the entire tract, and cleared 110 acres. There he farmed until 1907. Then he sold and bought 160 acres in Section 21, in the same township. He has repaired the house and barns, erected some new outbuildings, and stumped an additional 160 acres. Here he successfully carries on general farming and dairying along modern lines and has a good herd. Mr. Avery was married at Cumberland Feb. 20, 1889, to Minnie C. Lee, who was born Aug. 28, 1868, at Bonnette Station, Dodge County, Wis., the daughter of Hiram and Harriette (Fox). Lee, natives respectively of New York and Canada. Mr. Lee was for a time one of the leading men of this part of the county. After farming many years in Pierce County where he had moved from Dodge County, this state, he came to Barron County in 1883 and developed successively several fine farms here. He died May 7, 1915, and his wife June 17, 1913. In the family there were five children. Paul is dead. Minnie C. is the wife of John Avery. Maude is in Saskatchewan, Canada. Olive is in St. Louis, Mo. Hattie is dead. Mr. and Mrs. Avery have six children: William J., Chester, Stacy, Roger, Russell and Hiram. William J. was born Jan. 4, 1890, and owns and operates a fruit ranch at Factoria, Wash. Chester was born June 9, 1891, and is at home. Stacy was born April 2, 1893, farmer of Cumberland Township. Roger was born May 5, 1895, and is an aviator at Fairfield, Ohio. Russell was born Aug. 10, 1899, and is at home. Hiram was born Feb. 26, 1905, and is at home. The family is highly regarded throughout the community.

Arthur K. Nedvidek, Cumberland, of the firm of Nedvidek Company, hardware merchants, plumbers and steamfitters, was born in Bynumville, Mo., Jan. 28, 1880, son of Anthony and Mary (Habenicht) Nedvidek, who brought him to Star Prairie, Wis., in 1886. There he received his early education and then entered the New Richmond (Wis.) High School, from which he was graduated in 1898. The next year he went to St. Louis and became a sales-

Digitized by Google

Digitized by

Google

C i

2 1

MR. AND MRS. ARTISTIDE MERO

Digitized by

Google

315

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

man for the Wrought Iron Range Co. for five years. In 1904 he became city salesman for the St. Louis Piano Co. for four years. Then, desiring to see more of the world, he went to San Francisco, Calif., in 1905 and secured employment as a motorman on the street railway system. Five years later he passed the civil service examination and enrolled in the police force in that city. He came back to Cumberland in 1918 to visit his relatives here, and after his father's death in that year, decided to locate here. Accordingly, he bought an interest in his brother Victor's hardware store. His personality and experience are important factors in the success with which the business has met. Mr. Nedvidek was married Dec. 17, 1917, in Kansas City, Mo., to Matilda J. Hayes, born Dec. 11, 1894, at Keytsville, Mo., daughter of Richard J. and Martha (Stevens) Hayes, natives of Richmond, Va., who now live at Lagonda, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Nedvidek make a home for his widowed mother.

Aristide Mero, one of the earliest settlers of Barron County, register of deeds from 1872 to 1874, chairman of the county board two terms, first chair- man of Rice Lake Township, twenty years a member of town boards in Rice Lake, Cedar Lake and Stanfold Townships, at various intervals secretary of his school district, and for a considerable period a successful farmer, is one of the most highly respected citizens of the county. He has taken his part in the upbuilding of this region and will live in history as one of the men who helped to guide destinies of public affairs in the days when they were having their beginning. He was born in Canada, Nov. 1, 1839, son of Bona- venture and Moneque Mero, and remained at home until 1857, when he came to the States and took up farm work at Grand Falls, New York, thereafter alternating between that place and Canada for several years. In 1863 he located in Chicago and for a year worked for the Illinois Central Railroad. His next work was at Lawrence, Kansas, where he went in 1865 to get out square timber for the Union Pacific. In the summer of 1866 he was at Kansas City, Mo., hewing square timbers for the first railroad bridge built across the Missouri River at that point. Then for a time, with headquarters at Cameron, Mo., he repaired bridges along the line of the Hannibal & St. Joseph. In 1868 he came to St. Paul, and worked for a while as a carpenter. Then he entered the employ of Knapp, Stout & Co. at Menomonie, this state. In their employ he came to Rice Lake. In the spring of 1871 he squatted on a piece of railroad land in section 33, in what is now the township of Oak Grove. In the mean- time he continued work for the lumber company, working on his land as op- portunity permitted. He broke twenty acres, erected a log house, barn and shed, with "shake" roof, and put in a small acreage of crops. He sold his rights to this place in 1873 and took a homestead of 168 acres in section 19, Doyle Township. This he likewise started to improve. He broke the land, erected a log house and barn, constructed fences, purchased suitable stock, tools and equipment, and there carried on general farming until 1890, when all the improvements and equipment were destroyed by fire, including $125 in cash which he had saved by hard work and frugality. But undaunted by this disaster, while retaining the original homestead which he still owns, he moved to a tract of 80 acres in section 13, Rice Lake Township. Of this, thirty acres had been broken. He continued the breaking, erected a frame residence, a barn 34 by 70 feet, a machine house, granary and other buildings, and secured modern equipment. In 1894 he added 80 acres in the same section, making a farm of 160 acres, practically all under cultivation. In 1898 he added forty acres more in section 29, of which 15 acres is in wild hay land, and the balance in young timber. The place is now rented to two of his sons, who are ably conducting it, and still carrying out their father's ideas. In 1919 he pur- chased a house and five building lots in the city of Rice Lake, started making extensive improvements on the house, and in 1920 moved into it. Mr. Mero was married April 19, 1868, to Sarah La Brie, daughter of John B. and Parpe- tude (Demers) La Brie, who were born in Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Mero have eleven children : Eugene J., Gilbert J., Palmelia, Charles N., Louis A., Laura

Digitized by Google

316

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

M., Moses J., Alivian J., George B., Alice B., and Grace B. Eugene J. born March 11, 1869, and now lives in Montana. Gilbert J. was born Marc 1, 1871, was married April 13, 1895, to Angle Emmens, and has six children: Philona, Harris C., Grace, Raymond, Louise and Elsie. They live in De yle Township. Palmelia was born Sept. 23, 1873. Charles N. was born Dec. 12, 1875, and lives in Montana. Louis A., born Feb. 9, 1877, is deceased. La ira M. was born June 7, 1879. Moses J., born Nov. 19, 1883, lives in Montana. A iv- ian J., was born June 22, 1887. George B., born Sept. 6, 1889, married Ca rie Olson, of Rice Lake Township. Alice B. was born Oct. 28, 1890, and mar ied Frank Svacine. Grace B., born May 30, 1893, died in the same year. ''he family faith is that of the Roman Catholic church. John B. La Brie was one of the first settlers in Barron County. He came to the States from Can ida in 1862, and located in Missouri, from which state he came to Wisconsir in 1868, and started what is known as the French settlement, on the line between Oak Grove and Rice Lake Townships. He and his wife are both dead.

Anthony Nedvidek, veteran of the Civil War and for some years a resident of Cumberland, now deceased, was born in Bohemia, and in 1856 was brought to America by his parents who settled in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in Company F, 9th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and followed the fortunes of that heroic regiment throughout the conflict, attaining the rank of sergeant. After the war he located in Misscuri where he farmed for seventeen years. In 1886 he came back to Wisconsin and farmed a long time near New Richmond. He came to Cumberland in 1901 and bought 40 acres in the city limits where he did a little farming and where he lived until his death, March 11, 1918, at the age of 74. His wife, Mary Habenicht, born Sept. 18, 1849, now lives with their son, Arthur K., at Cum- berland. Mr. and Mrs. Nedvidek were the parents of six children: Eugene (deceased), Pauline (deceased), Pauline (deceased), Victor H., of Cumber- land; Arthur K., of Cumberland, and Frances, now Mrs. Arthur Swartwout, of Wimbledon, N. D.

Victor H. Nedvidek, Cumberland, of the firm of Nedvidek & Co., hardware merchants, plumbers and steamfitters, was born in Bymumville, Mo., Sept. 26, 1877, son of Anthony and Mary (Habenicht) Nedvidek, who brought him to Star Prairie, St. Croix County, Wis., in 1886. There he received his early education. As a young man he took the dairy course in the agricultural department of the University of Wisconsin, from which he was graduated in 1898 as an expert butter maker. Upon graduation he took charge of the creamery of the Superior Creamery Co. at Star Prairie. From 1902 to 1907 he owned and operated the creamery of the Nedvidek & Otteman Co. at Cum- berland. Then he went to Wimbledon, North Dakota, where he was expert mechanic with a Threshing Machine Co. In 1912 he returned to Cumberland, and bought a half interest in the hardware store of Nedvidek Co. Later he became sole owner. The company has a modern store, and does a good busi- ness in light and heavy, shelf and floor hardware, as well as in plumbing, steam fitting and general tin work. The store is favorable known, and enjoys the confidence of all who deal there. Fraternally Mr. Nedvidek is an official of the local Masonic Blue Lodge, of Cumberland, the Chapter at Spooner, and the Commandery, and is active in the local lodge of Knights of Pythias. He and his family are members of the Congregational Church. Mr. Nedvidek was married Nov. 22, 1905, to Nellie Davis, born in Polk County, Wis., July 27, 1884, daughter of Nelson and Ida (Pelgram) Davis, natives of New York and Massachusetts, respectively, and now farmers of Polk County. Mr. and Mrs. Nedvidek have three children : Ida, born March 19, 1910; Willard, born April 10, 1915; and Helen, born March 10, 1920.

Ernest R. Salsbury, manager of the Comstock Co-operative Creamery, and formerly for many years a successful educator, is a native of this county, born at Dallas, Sept. 26, 1880, the son of Charles and Theresa (Cleaver) Salsbury, natives of New England. They came to Barron County in 1871, and

Digitized by Google

Digitized by

Google

JOHN NORDENFOSS-E. L. SOCKNESS

Digitized by Google

317

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

homesteaded 80 acres in Section 18, Dallas Township, to which they later added another 80 acres. There the father has continued to carry on general farming. In connection with this he has been a traveling salesman at various times, and wool buyer for the Barron Woolen Mills. The mother died March 4, 1905. Of the eight children in the family there are now living seven: Charles L., of Mondovi; Alta L., the wife of T. R. Forehand, of Rice Lake; Willis H. on the old homestead; Anna L., wife of Sylvanus Barton, of Rice Lake; Frank, who farms in Prairie Farm Township; Ernest R., and Rosella, the wife of Martin Frenstad, of Almena Village. Ernest R. was reared on the farm. His early education was received in the district school. In 1902 he took the teachers' course in the Wisconsin State Normal School at Superior. In 1903 he took the commercial course in the New Era Business College at Superior. With this preparation he started teaching in Turtle Lake Township. Thereafter he taught in this county for seventeen years. He was a good teacher, thoroughly competent, and possessed of the happy faculty of in- spiring his pupils to do their best work. In 1917 he took his present position as manager of the creamery. His efficient work has built up the institution and the increase in business under his leadership has been notable. He has a pleasant home and four acres in Crystal Lake Township, where he lives. He also has a comfortable residence and 20 acres in Cumberland Township, which he rents. Mr. Salsbury was married in Clinton Township, March 16, 1916, to Martha Nevin, the daughter of James and Rebecca Nevin, formerly farmers of Clinton Township, and now living retired in Barron. Mr. and Mrs. Salsbury have one child, Rosella, born July 5, 1917.

Iver J. Haugen, for some years a most worthy citizen of Cumberland Township, now deceased, was born in Norway, June 23, 1835 of good old Norsk stock. He attended the parish schools and as a young man worked on farms and in the woods. In 1885 he brought his family to America, and located in Sherburne County, Minnesota. In 1890 he moved to Winnebago County, Iowa. From there he came to Barron County in 1900 and bought 80 acres in Section 13, Cumberland Township. He put up a set of buildings, cleared some 40 acres, and successfully carried on general farming and dairy- ing. After a long and useful life, he died Jan. 17, 1910. He was a man of solid and substantial worth, and his memory is still honored. His wife, who was his faithful helpmate, a good housewife, a good mother, and a good neighbor, is still living on the place. Mr. Haugen was married in 1857 to Karen Olson, who was born in Norway, June 7, 1835, the daughter of Olson and Karen Olson. This union has been blessed with six children: Ole, Elias, Simon, Christ, Peter and Iver (deceased). Two of the sons, Elias and Peter Iverson, operate the place for the mother. They are good farmers and good citizens, and stand high throughout the community. They successfully carry on general farming and dairying and are well along the road to success. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, of which the mem- bers are loyal supporters, and in the belief of which the father died.

E. L. Sockness, of the firm of Sockness & Nordenfoss, shoe dealers, Rice Lake, is the oldest merchant, in point of service, in the city. He was born in Trondhjem, Norway, March 12, 1858, son of Lars and Marit (Sockness) Sock- ness, who spent the span of their years in agricultural pursuits in Trondhjem. He received a thorough education in the public schools of Norway, after which he learned the trade of shoemaker in all its branches, which he followed in his native land for some years. In 1880 he came to America, and after spending the summer in Menomonie, went into the logging woods for the winter. The next spring he came to Rice Lake, then a small hamlet, and secured employment at his trade with O. E. Wagnild, whom he bought out five years later. In 1900 he formed his present partnership with John Nordenfoss. Mr. Sockness is one of the substantial men of the community, honest in all his dealings, and ever mindful of the interests of his patrons who have learned to trust and respect him. He is as sound and stable in

Digitized by Google

318

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

business as he is modest and unassuming in manner, he has at all times taken an active interest in whatever he has believed to be for the good and betterment of the community, and he is ever ready to lend a helping hand, not only in every good public cause, but also to help personal cases of need and trouble. People come to him with their difficulties, and by him have been cheered and helped. Especially has he been interested in the affairs of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, having been active in its support, and giving it good service as clerk, treasurer and trustee. He is superintendent of the church cemetery, and has charge of the distribution of family plots. His financial holdings include stock in the First National Bank. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen and the Scandinavian Society. His sightly residence at 29 East Marshal street, is one of the picturesque places of the city, and is further enhanced in value by the near-by private park which he and his partner, Mr. Nordenfoss maintain on the lake shore. Mr. Sockness was married Feb. 12, 1887, to Inga Folstad, who was born in Nor- way, Dec. 6, 1867, and their home has been blessed with eight children. Lewis clerks in his father's store. Emma is a teacher in the Rice Lake graded schools. Mary lives at home and helps her mother. Inga is a teacher in the Eau Claire High School. Elmer is clerking in his father's store. Alfred graduated from the Rice Lake High School in the class of 1921. Palma and Sophia are still pupils in that school

Victor Markgren, a prosperous farmer of Section 28, Cumberland Town- ship, was born in Sweden, March 24, 1868, the son of Isaac and Matilda (Sunberg) Markgren. These good people were born in Sweden, came to America in 1882, landed in New York, came directly to Cumberland, and purchased 80 acres in Section 28, from Knapp, Stout & Co. There they put up a good set of log buildings, and cleared about fifteen acres of land. The mother died in 1904 and the father then lived retired until his death in 1918. In the family there were four children: Selma is the wife of Ole Carlson, of Cumberland Township. Victor is on the home farm. Hulda is the wife of Ed. Berg, of Cumberland Township. Esther is the wife of Charles Mint, of Seattle, Wash. Ninie is the wife of Carl Espling, of Seattle, Wash. Victor attended school in his native land, and also after coming here at the age of fourteen. In 1888 he entered the employ of the Bayfield & Red Cliff Lumber- ing Co. In 1904 he took charge of the home farm. Later he sold 40 acres, but subsequently bought 80 acres, so that he now has a total of 120 acres. He has put up a good set of buildings, and stumped and cleared nearly all the land. Here he successfully carries on general farming, and has a good herd of graded Holsteins headed by a full blooded sire. He helped to organize the Vermillion Dairy Co. in 1919, and was elected its first president. He is also a stockholder in the Cumberland Farmers' Light & Power Co. As the father of children he is interested in education, and has served on the school board of his district for several years. He is in every way a useful and active , citizen, and is doing his share in everything that he believes to be for the best interests of the community. Mr. Markgren was married July 11, 1896, to Mary Anderson, who was born Nov. 20, 1867, the daughter of Andrew and Catherine Anderson, both of whom are now dead. This union has been blessed with six children. Carl F. G. was born May 2, 1897. Ida C. was born Jan. 26, 1901, and is stenographer in the Island City Bank at Cumber- land. William O. was born May 30, 1904; Adena was born July 23, 1905; Ernest A. was born Jan. 7, 1908; and Helen was born July 1, 1910. The family faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran church.

Albert H. Miller, cashier of the State Bank of Cumberland, was born. in the city where he still resides, and which members of his family assisted in founding, April 5, 1881, the son of John F. and Catherine (Huser) Miller. He was reared here, passed through the graded schools, and was graduated from the Cumberland High School in 1898. After the summer's vacation, he entered the then Bank of Cumberland, and when it was incorporated as the

Digitized by Google

319

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

State Bank of Cumberland in 1903, he became its cashier, a position in which he has continued to serve. Mr. Miller was married at Tacoma, Wash., Sept. 9, 1909, to Minna W. Weber, daughter of John and Elisa Weber, of Watertown, Wis. The father, a flour man of Watertown, is dead, and the mother now makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Miller in Cumberland. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have two children, Elizabeth born Oct. 8, 1912, and John F. born Aug. 21, 1917.

William G. Miller, president and treasurer of the Miller, . Olcott Lumber Co., owning a chain of lumber yards, with headquarters at Cumberland, was born at Montrose, Minn., June 1, 1878, son of John F. and Catherine (Huser) Miller, who brought him to Cumberland when he was two years old. He was educated in the graded schools and in the high school, from which he was graduated in 1898. With this preparation he worked some two years for the company store of the Beaver Dam Lumber Co., of which his father was one of the principal owners. Then he started in the sawmill of the same com- pany, first acting as timekeeper, and gradually working his way up to the posi- tion of manager and sales agent of the operating department. The last saw- ing was in 1910, and the next year was partly spent in cleaning up and clos- ing out the business. Then Miller-Olcott Lumber Co., Inc., was organized and took over the retail business of the Beaver Dam Lumber Co. Mr. Miller has since continued as president and treasurer, Mr. Olcott as vice-president and H. S. Rose as secretary. The company yards are located at Cumberland, Com- stock, Barronett and Trego. Mr. Miller has practically been brought up in the lumbering business, he is a thorough master of all its details, and his experi- ence and business judgment are important factors in the success with which the company has met. He stands high in the community, as an honored mem- ber of an honored family, and he is faithfully upholding the family traditions. He has various business holdings here and elsewhere, including stock in the Miller-Waterman Mercantile Co., of which he is vice-president, and the Beaver Dam Lumber Co. For some years he represented his ward on the county board. He is now serving his community as clerk of the school board. Fra- ternally, he is a Chapter and a Blue Lodge Mason and has been through the chairs of Cumberland Lodge, No. 223, A. F. and A. M. Mr. Miller was mar- ried at Grand Forks, N. D., June 6, 1910, to Lillian D. McNeel, daughter of Milton and Jeanette (De Lane) McNeel, the former of whom is a prominent insurance man of Hudson, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have two bright chil- dren: Jeanette, born March 10, 1916; and William, born Aug. 28, 1918.

John Boorman, who ranks well among the influential men of Cumber- land Township, was born in Sweden, Feb. 22, 1858, the son of John and Mary (Johnson) Boorman, who spent the span of their years in that country. He attended school there, and early became a farm laborer. In 1879 he came to America, and with headquarters at Stillwater, Minn., worked in the sawmills and woods for three years. In 1882 he came to Cumberland and entered the employ of the Beaver Lake Lumber Co., remaining with that concern and its successor, the Beaver Dam Lumber Co., until 1907. Then he was with the Rice Lake Lumber Co. until 1915. Thus, in all, he spent thirty-six consecutive win- ters in the woods, a most remarkable record indeed. In the meantime, in 1884, he bought 120 acres in Section 11, Cumberland Township. Being de- frauded of his first payment, he was compelled to pay for this land a second time. In 1898 he moved onto this place, and has since made his home there. He has cleared 80 acres and broken 40 acres. His home is a pleasant one, and his barn, 34 by 62 feet, erected in 1920, and furnished with full Louden equip- ment, is adequate for its needs. The other buildings are fully in keeping with the house and barn. The place is well-fenced and well-equipped. The herd is of mixed Durhams and Jerseys, headed by a pure-blooded Durham sire. Mr. Boorman successfully carries on general farming and dairying. As a man of high standing in the community he was elected town supervisor in 1909 and did excellent service for three years. In 1920 he was elected town treas-

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 53

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

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