History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 55

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 55

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).

J. Frederick Mani, experienced dairyman, cheesemaker at the factory in Section 27, Oak Grove Township, owned and operated by the Badertscher Brothers, was born in Switzerland, May 31, 1857, son of Johann Gottfried and Barbara (Lorcher) Mani, both of good Swiss families, and both now deceased. He was reared in his native land and learned cheesemaking in that country, noted for cheesemakers. Then he went to Germany, and was employed by the owner of a large dairy herd as a milker. He came to America in 1883, and located in Ohio, where he worked on the railroad and in cheese factories. Next he took charge of cheese factories in Vera Cruz, Adams County, and Blufton, Wells County, Ind., for seven years. He visited New Glarus, Wis., in 1891, but stayed only a short time, and then went to Le Roy, Minn., where he rented a farm and engaged in the dairy business. He resumed his trade in

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1898, came back to Wisconsin, and worked four years in Green County, one year in Dane County, and eleven years in Iowa County. In 1914 he tried farming again. He purchased 80 acres in Barron Township, this county, re- paired the buildings, and was there two years. Then he rented 60 acres in Rice Lake Township, for a year, but lost almost his entire crop by hail. In 1917 he entered the employ of the Deer Park cheese factory at Deer Park, St. Croix County, for six months, and then worked in the Deronda cheese factory at Deronda for nineteen months. He took his present position in 1920. Mr. Mani was married Dec. 9, 1892, to Elizabeth Lebeck, who was born in Germany, and died Dec. 12, 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Mani were the parents of three children: Matilda, born March 28, 1898; Fritz, born March 23, 1900, and Emma, born March 3, 1902.

Daniel Johnson, owner of 60 acres in Section 9, east, Maple Grove Town- ship, was born in this township, March 1, 1875, son of Thomas and Anna (Johnson) Johnson. He was reared in this county and at Capron, Ill., and received a good common school education. For a while he farmed with his parents and then rented for two years. Then he went to Washburn County and bought 86 acres of land, cleared some 20 acres, erected a set of build- ings, and carried on general farming. Then he sold out and in 1910 purchased his present farm. He has cleared 40 acres, erected suitable buildings, and is here carrying on general farming and dairying. As the father of children he is a believer in a thorough education, and has been a member of the school board of his district for several years. Mr. Johnson was married June 21, 1899 to Edith Bryngelson, daughter of Erick and Martha (Stephenson) Bryngelson, natives of Norway, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have had four children. Martha was born Nov. 30, 1900, was a girl of un- usually engaging qualities, and died Oct. 4, 1913. Neal was born April 28, 1910 and died Dec. 31, of the same year. Vivian was born Dec. 2, 1911, and is doing well in the district school. Myra was born May 30, 1915.

William H. Cockerill, a leading farmer of Oak Grove Township, who has a good farm which he is constantly developing and improving, was born June 21, 1872, in Green Lake County, this state, son of Richard and Mary Jane (Davis) Cockerill. The father was born in England, came to the United States in the fifties, settled in Green Lake County, Wis., taught school for several years and then devoted his life to farming until his death, Jan. 21, 1914. By his first wife, Mary Jane Davis, who died May 9, 1879, he had three children: William H., Edward (deceased) and Hugh. By his second wife, Elma Crandall, who died May 28, 1921, aged 59 years, he had two children: Walter and Mabel. William H. was reared in his native county and worked for some years for his father. In 1890 he learned the butter-making trade which he subsequently followed for eight years in Ozaukee County. He came to Barron County in 1898, and bought 80 acres in Section 11, Oak Grove Town- ship. In 1903 he bought 80 acres in Section 13, in the same township, which he farmed until he moved onto the tract in Section 11, in 1906. Here he has since devoted his attention to farming and dairying. He continued the clearing of the land, built a sightly modern house, a good barn and other buildings, installed modern improvements in the home and barn, purchased a good equipment of implements and machinery, and adopted the methods and crops which he has believed best suited to his purpose. He has a good herd of Jerseys, headed by full blooded sires, and a good drove of Poland-China swine. Mr. Cockerill has not cared to mingle actively in political life, but as a good citizen he has served for some years as clerk of his school district. His holdings include stock in the Brill Creamery Co. at Brill, and in the Brill State Bank. He and his family attend the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Cockerill was married April 17, 1904, to Emma Sagar, who was born in Eng- land, Dec. 11, 1874, daughter of Seth and Jane (Munday) Sagar, natives of that country, who came to America in 1880, lived in Utica, New York, two years, went from there to Massachusetts, and later to Grafton, Wis., in all of

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WILLIAM H. COCKERILL

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which places the father was employed as a sorter in woollen mills. In 1909 they came to Barron County and took up their home with their daughter, where the father died Dec. 6, 1915, and where the mother is still living, having now attained the age of seventy years. In the family there were three children : William, now of New London, Wis .; Sarah, wife of W. J. Freeborn, of Washington, D. C., and Emma, the wife of William H. Cockerill. Mr. and Mrs. Cockerill have had three children: Jane E., who was born Feb. 15, 1905, and died March 23, 1907; Alice, who was born June 8, 1909, and Edward, who was born April 20, 1914. The two surviving children are doing well in the public school at Brill.

Alois J. Rousar, a prosperous farmer of Section 20, Oak Grove Town- ship, was born in Bohemia, May 25, 1875, the son of Joseph and Anna (Fajmon) Rousar, natives of that country, who came to the United States in 1888 and settled near Hopkins, in Hennepin County, Minn. There they farmed until 1905, when they turned the place over to their son, William, and retired. The children in the family are: Joseph, Alois J., Frank, John and William. Alois J. attended school for a while in his native country and was a youngster entering his 'teens when he was brought to the United States. He attended district school in Hennepin County, worked for his parents for a while, and was later employed on other farms in the neighborhood. In the meantime, in 1898, he bought 80 acres in Section 20, Oak Grove Township, this county. He moved to this tract in 1904, and has since devoted his time to its development and operation. He has cleared 45 acres and the rest is in timber and pasture. He has also put up a good set of buildings, including the modern barn, 32 by 60 feet, furnished with modern Libby barn equipment. Here he successfully conducts general farming, and has a good herd with full blooded sires at the head. Fraternally Mr. Rousar is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. Mr. Rousar was married May 30, 1904, to Kate Kopecky, who was born in New York State, April 6, 1885, the daughter of Martin and Mary Kopecky, the former of whom is dead, and the latter of whom lives in Missouri. In the Kopecky family there were five children: Rose, Sophia, Kate, Francis and John. Mr. and Mrs. Rousar have three chil- dren: Joseph, born April 15, 1909; Alois, born Feb. 20, 1911, and Charles, born Sept. 29, 1916. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic church.

Frederick H. Smalley, former railroad man, now successfully farming on 80 acres in Section 34, Maple Grove Township, is one of the well-liked men of the community, and stands high with all who know him. He is a native of this state, born in Manitowoc, Wis., May 24, 1877, son of Herschel and Agnes (Langworth) Smalley. Herschel Smalley, who is one of the best known traveling men in the Northwest, was born in New York State, but came to Wisconsin in early life. At the age of fifteen he enlisted in the Civil War and served three years in that conflict. As a young man he became a travel- ing salesman with Manitowoc as his headquarters. In 1899 he opened a hotel at Sleepy Eye, Minn., which he conducted for eleven years. He took up com- mercial business again in 1910 as agent for the Smalley Silo Cutters, and this line he still follows, with headquarters at Minneapolis. His wife was Agnes Langworthy, of Milwaukee. In the family there were six children: Clarance H. (deceased), Dora A., John L., Frederick H., Mabel M. and Fannie. Frederick H. received his early education in Manitowoc, and graduated from the High School there in 1897. He also had the advantages of a course in the school of mines at Tucson, Ariz., in which state he lived for a while. In 1898, with headquarters in his native city, he became an employe of the Chi- cago & Northwestern Railway, as fireman, being promoted to engineer in 1902. In 1916, he gave up railroad work, and went to farming on 80 acres in Clark County, this state. He cleared 15 acres, erected a house and a log barn, and farmed for a while. In 1918 he sold out, came to Barron County, and purchased his present place. On this farm he has continued the im- provements already begun. In his fraternal relations, Mr. Smalley is a

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Mason. Although a new comer in the county, he has identified himself with its progress, and has the firmest faith in its future. Mr. Smalley was married Dec. 17, 1907, to May Root, daughter of Adelbert and Mina (Fay) Root, the former of whom is dead, and the latter of whom is now Mrs. J. P. Gainey, of Rice Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Smalley have four children. F. Herschel was born Dec. 1, 1909, and Keith N. was born July 9, 1911. Both are doing well in their studies in the public schools. Miriam R. was born May 31, 1915, and William M. was born April 24, 1919. The family faith is that of the Presby- terian Church.

John C. Scheil, successfully farming on a well-kept place of 80 acres in Section 32, west, Maple Grove Township, was born in Nebraska, April 27, 1889, son of John and Lena (Rusk) Scheil, natives of Germany, who came to America in the early seventies, and settled in Nebraska, living there until 1900 when they came to Barron County, purchased a quarter section in Arland Township, cleared 135 acres, repaired and erected buildings, and made other improvements, and there lived until his death in 1913, the mother now making her home with her son, Henry, in Maple Grove Township. John C. came to this county with his parents as a boy, and completed his school training in Arland Township. After the father's death he and his brother purchased the home farm and operated it together until 1916. Then they sold out, and the subject of this sketch purchased his present place. He im- proved the farm, and in 1919 erected a good barn, 34 by 70 feet, with full Libby equipment. He has also built a silo and other buildings, and now has as good a place as is to be found in the neighborhood. He carries on mixed farming and dairying and makes a specialty of Holstein cattle. Mr. Scheil was married Nov. 25, 1915, to Ettowoin Hartlin, daughter of Henry and Mary (Alexander) Hartlin, the latter of whom died in 1900 and the former of whom makes his home in Indiana. Mrs. Scheil has one brother, Benjamin. Mr. and Mrs. Scheil attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are prominent in the work of that denomination.

Peter H. Vancuren, health officer of Maple Grove Township since 1903, and owner of 80 acres in Section 23, west, Maple Grove Township, was born April 4, 1854, in Kosciusko County, Ind., son of Everett and Elizabeth (Hoover) Vancuren, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio, who came to Indiana in the early fifties and settled in Kosciusko County, where they spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1889 and the mother in 1877. He received his education in the district schools, and learned farm- ing from his father. In 1877 he bought a farm in his native county, and operated it for several years. He traded the Indiana property for his present place in 1886, and moved here at that time. He has cleared 40 acres, erected a good set of buildings and fences and successfully carries on general farm- ing and dairying. He is one of the influential and leading men of the com- munity. For five years he has served on the town board and for fifteen years on the school board. The family worships at the Baptist Church. Mr. Van- curen was married Nov. 8, 1875, to Isabella Royse, daughter of George and Nancy Royse. She died Feb. 8, 1920, leaving nine children : Mabel, now Mrs. Ora Kunley; Lemuel E., Blanche, now Mrs. Byron Coon; Muriel (deceased), Logan, Lloyd, Bessie, now Mrs. Lawrence Granger; Benjamin, Florence, now Mrs. Charles Goodenow; Russell, and Cecil (deceased).

Russell Vancuren, a veteran of the World War, now assisting his father in farming 80 acres in section 23, Maple Grove Township, was born on the place where he now resides, Feb. 10, 1893, son of Peter H. and Isabella (Royse) Vancuren. He was reared to farm pursuits and received his educa- tion in the public schools. He was inducted into the United States service, May 7, 1917, was assigned to the 16th Supply Co. of the First Division, and was in France twenty-seven months, thirteen of which were in active service at the front. He was discharged Sept. 23, 1919, and returned home. Mr. Vancuren was married March 25, 1920, to Minnie Snider, daughter of James

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A. M. CRISLAW

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and Mildred (Riley) Snider, natives of Indiana, who settled in Maple Grove Township in 1900, and still reside here.

Tollef Knudson, the pioneer, was born in Norway, and was there reared to agricultural pursuits. He married there, and there established his home, his wife's maiden name being Guri Olson. They came to America in 1870, and settled in Dane County, this state. In 1872 they came to Barron County, and took a homestead of 120 acres in Section 24, west, Maple Grove Township. There they started life anew, amid pioneer conditions. Times were hard, provisions were scarce, stores were far away. But they persevered, built log buildings, gradually cleared and cultivated the land, and become well-to-do citizens. They were deeply interested in church affairs, and faithful in attendance at church meetings. After a worthy life well lived he died in 1901, she having passed away in 1897. They were the parents of five children: Knut (deceased), Maggie, Guri, Bertha and Ole.

Ole Tollefson, an estimable farmer, owner of 40 acres of the home place, Section 24, west, Maple Grove Township, has seen the town grow since the earliest days when he grew up here from boyhood to manhood. He was born in Norway, Oct. 22, 1859, the son of Tollef and Guri (Olson) Knudson, the pioneers. He came here with his parents, attended the district schools, and learned farming from his father. He has always remained on the home place, and at his father's death became the owner. He sold 80 acres, and on the remaining forty erected a set of good buildings where he now lives. Like his neighbors, he carries on mixed farming with special attention to dairy- ing. Mr. Tollefson was married Sept. 23, 1885, to Anna Amundson, daughter of Amund and Anna (Torgenson) Larson, natives of Norway, the latter of whom died in the old country, and the former of whom came to America, and made his home with his children in Maple Grove Township, this county, until his death in 1898. In the Larson family there were ten children: Ole, Lewis, Andrew, Bertha, Mattie, Peter, Anna, Dena, Simon and Oleana, all of whom except Peter, Anna and Oleana are dead. Mr. and Mrs. Tollefson had eleven children : Alma, Galena, Clara, Theodore, Albert, Oscar, Emma, Mary, now the wife of Selmer Jadner, residing near Cameron ;. Olga, Alvin and Carl. Alma was born Feb. 26, 1887, and is now Mrs. Ole Peterson, of Rice Lake, this county. Galena was born May 1, 1889, and is now Mrs. Fred Tieske, of Mason City, Iowa. Clara was born May 2, 1891, and is now Mrs. Ernest Burns, of Barron. Theodore was born Aug. 11, 1892, and is at home. Albert was born March 19, 1894, and died Oct. 19, 1918. He was one of the heroes of the World War. He was inducted into the United States service, Oct. 19, 1918, received due training, was assigned to replacement troops, was sent to France, and died at Brest. His remains repose in the National Cemetery at Arlington, Va. Oscar was born Aug. 14, 1896, and is at home. Emma was born March 4, 1898, and is the wife of Anstrum Javner, living near Cameron in this county. Mary was born May 13, 1900. Olga, born Sept. 28, 1902; Alvin, born Dec. 9, 1904, and Carl, born Aug. 18, 1908, are all at home.

Albert M. Chrislaw, of "Clover View Stock Farm", ranks well among the leading men of Oak Grove Township. Aside from successfully farming, he has various other interests. He is a director in the Brill State Bank at Brill; a stockholder in the Brill Creamery Company at Brill, and a director in the Lakeside Hospital at Rice Lake. As a modern farmer he is active in the Barron County Farm Bureau, and fraternally he is a popular member of the Mystic Workers. In public life he is a thorough believer in progress, and is serving efficiently as supervisor of the township and as director of the school board of his district. Mr. Chrislaw was born in Dane County, Wis., the son of John M. and Etta (Lamont) Chrislaw. His mother was a descendant in the ninth generation of an old American family. Both she and her husband were children when they came to Dane County and it was there that they were subsequently married and resided on a farm until 1915, with the exception of

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a period of three years spent in the city of Madison in the same county. Thence they moved to Menomonie in Dunn County, this state, where they have since resided. Albert M. was reared in his native county, and attended school there. For some years he farmed with his father. In 1901 he came to Barron County, and bought 200 acres in Sections 13 and 14, Oak Grove Township. Later he bought 80 acres more, making a total of 280 acres. He cleared 50 acres, and erected a fine set of modern buildings, which are well arranged and convenient and are illuminated with the Delco lighting system. Here he successfully carries on general farming and dairying, and has a fine herd of pure blooded Holstein cattle. Mr. Chrislaw was married, Aug. 18, 1901, to Rose McChesney, born in Dane County, Wis., Sept. 10, 1874, the daughter of Rudolph and Hannah (Sharp) McChesney, natives respectively of New York State and England. Mr. McChesney came to Rock County, Wis., in 1848, and from there moved to Dane County, where he was married. He died Oct. 1, 1891. His wife, who came to Dane County, Wis., from England, died in that county May 3, 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Chrislaw have one daughter, Esther B., who was born June 30, 1904, and is now attending the Rice Lake High School.

Anton Posta, Section 17, Oak Grove Township, is one of the prominent and substantial men of this part of the county. He has lived here twenty years, has built up a good farm, and has taken his part in everything that he believes to be for the best interests of the community. When he first came here, he was determined that he would have as good a farm as he could, that he would make the community as good as he could, and that he would give his children all the advantages he could. With these objects in view, he has worked early and late, and has achieved success, out of which success he is always willing to assist in every worthy endeavor. He was born in Bohemia, May 9, 1868, the son of Joseph and Julia (Cermak) Posta, the former of whom still lives in that country, the latter having died there in May, 1888. Anton received his educa- tion in Bohemia, and as a youth was employed in iron and rolling mills there. In 1890 he came to America, and settled in Allegheny, Penn., where he was a factory employe for eleven years. He came to Wisconsin in 1901, and settled on his present farm of eighty acres. It was then covered with a heavy forest. He has cleared 65 acres, and erected a good set of buildings, and now has a good place. When he came here the roads were very poor. He helped work on many of the highways in the vicinity, and now his farm is connected with the outside world with excellent thoroughfares. Mr. Posta carries on general farming and dairying, and makes a specialty of Red Poll and Holstein cattle. He is a stockholder in the Bear Lake Creamery Co., owning the cheese factory at Haugen, and was its trustee for two years. Mr. Posta was married May 14, 1889, to Mary Pergel, who died Nov. 25, 1890. May 24, 1891, he married Caro- line Herbolt, who was born in Bohemia, May 17, 1870, the daughter of John and Anna (Stochl) Herbolt, natives of Bohemia, in which country they still reside. Mr. and Mrs. Posta are the parents of ten children: Barbara, Anton J., Caroline, Joseph, William, Victor, Helen, George, Albina and Hermina. Bar- bara was born Nov. 13, 1890, and is the wife of Ole Halverson. Anton J., born Dec. 14, 1894, was inducted into the United States service, May 15, 1918, and was sent to Camp Grant. He sailed for France with Co. B, 148th Infantry, 37th Division, served with Co. E, 344th Infantry, of that Division, and was wounded in action. He was sent back to the States, and was discharged April 20, 1919. Caroline is the wife of Adolph Stodola, of Oak Grove Township. Joseph was born July 31, 1898; William, Sept. 6, 1900; Victor, Sept. 17, 1904; Helen, Aug. 10, 1906; George, Oct. 2, 1908; Albina, Oct. 6, 1910; and Hermina, Oct. 5, 1912.

Earl Bollman, one of the rising young men of Oak Grove Township, was born in O'Brien County, Iowa, son of John and Susie (Pratt) Bollman, natives of Iowa, who farmed many years in O'Brien County, until the father's death, Sept. 30, 1910, since which time the mother has resided in Draper, Wis. The

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subject of this sketch received his education in the district schools, helped on the home farm, worked in a creamery for five years and for a time was em- ployed at road work. He came to Barron County in 1909 and bought 80 acres in Section 23, Oak Grove Township. In successfully conducting this farm he has made general improvements, has cleared about 25 more acres of the land, and in 1916 erected a fine barn, 32 by 84 feet, with full Louden barn equip- ment. In addition to raising general crops, he makes a specialty of a good herd of Guernsey cattle, headed by a full-blooded sire. In public life he is doing good work as clerk of his school board. Mr. Bollman was married April 24, 1909, to Caroline Cook, who died June 12, 1916, leaving four children: Beatrice, born Jan. 28, 1910; Bernard, born Dec. 30, 1911; Leonard, born Sept. 17, 1913; and Louis, born June 2, 1916. Mr. Bollman was married Aug. 19, 1920, to Loretta McGough, who was born Aug. 23, 1900, in this county, daugh- ter of Patrick and Rosa (Cosgrove) McGough, now living in Oak Grove Town- ship. This union has resulted in one child, Irene Mary. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church.

Henry L. Snider, an enterprising farmer who owns and operates 40 acres in Section 27, west, Maple Grove Township, where he successfully carries on mixed farming and dairying, was born in Marshall County, Indiana, Jan. 13, 1892, son of James and Mildred (Riley) Snider, natives of Indiana, who came to Barron County in 1900, and bought 80 acres in Section 26 and 27, west, Maple Grove Township, cleared 40 acres, developed the place in various ways and still carries on farming there. In the family there were thirteen children: Henry L., Charles, Elmer, Mary, Minnie, Perry, Bessie, Elsie, Winnie, Vera, Oscar, Franklin and James. Henry L. received his early education in the district schools, and learned farming with his parents. He then rented farms for a while, living at North Freedom, Wis., and Luck, Wis. For a few months in 1911 he worked at a summer resort at Birchwood one summer. He bought his present place in 1919. Mr. Snider served in Europe during the World War. He was inducted into the service Aug. 2, 1918, trained for the Heavy Artillery, was assigned to replacement troops, was encamped in England for a month, and was discharged Jan. 8, 1919. Mr. Snider was married Nov. 8, 1917, to Hazel Halloway, daughter of Anson and Isabelle (Cox) Halloway, of this township. Mr. and Mrs. Snider have two children, Raymond H., born Aug. 21, 1918; and Dorothy N., born Oct. 5, 1920.

Ernest Snyder, a prosperous young farmer, who is operating the home farm, Section 27, west, Maple Grove Township, which he has rented since 1917, is one of the active men of the community, and is forging his way to success. He carries on general farming and dairying, and makes a specialty of a good herd of Holsteins, headed by full-blooded sires. He was born in Indiana Oct. 28, 1894, was brought to Maple Grove Township by his parents, Charles and Rebecca (Kitch) Snyder, and was educated in the public schools of Hillsdale and reared to farm pursuits. He was married Nov. 25, 1916, to Grace Perkins, daughter of Jesse and Anna (Curries) Perkins, natives of southern Wisconsin, who came to Barron County, and settled in Maple Grove Township, where they lived until 1916, when they retired and moved to Barron. In the family there were six children, William, Edward, Maude, Loran, Loretta and Grace. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have one child, Laird O., born July 29, 1920.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 55

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

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