History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 56

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 56

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John Severson, a native of this county, and a well-liked citizen, is farming on 85 acres of the home place in Section 24, west, Maple Grove Township, and his industrious efforts are being crowned with success. He was born on the home place, Feb. 3, 1883, son of Henry and Lena (Larson) Severson, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1869, and settled in Maple Grove Township, where they purchased 240 acres in Section 24, west, a tract much larger than those purchased by most of the settlers. They were true pioneers, as there were but few settlers here at that time, no roads but the tote roads, and no pro- visions except those to be brought in by pack from some far away hamlet. They cleared 100 acres, erected two sets of buildings, and carried on farming

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and dairying the remainder of their lives, the father dying Feb. 10, 1912, and the mother, Dec. 19, 1910. In the family there were six children: Simon (de- ceased), John, Carrie (deceased), Olgar (deceased), Oscar and Richard. John Severson was educated in the district schools, was taught farming by his father, and at his father's death, inherited his present farm. He was married to Josephine Eickstrum, daughter of John and Petra (Erickson) Eickstrum, who came to America from Sweden in 1904, and settled in Maple Grove Town- ship, where they now reside. They were the parents of eight children: Adolph, Erick, Marie, Josephine, Anna, Clara, John and Petra. Mr. and Mrs. Severson have four children : Henry O. was born April 4, 1912; Joseph M. was born Nov. 25, 1914; Palmer, born Oct. 19, 1916; and Vernan, born June 4, 1918. The fam- ily faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

John Gygli, an estimable farmer of Section 30, Oak Grove Township, was born in Switzerland, Feb. 15, 1857, the son of Arthur and Anna (Summer) Gygli, who spent the span of their years in that country. He was reared and educated in his native land, and there learned the carpenters' trade. In 1883 he came to America, and located at Monroe, in Green County, this state. For a while he was a farm helper, and then rented a place. From there, in 1907, he came to Barron County, and acquired his present farm of 160 acres. He has cleared 50 acres, put up fences, and erected a complete set of buildings, so that he now has a good modern place, as well improved as any in the neighborhood. He successfully carries on general farming and dairying, and has a good herd of Holstein cattle, with a full-blooded sire at the head. He has held office as treasurer of his church. Mr. Gygli was married Dec. 29, 1887, to Margaret Kundert, who was born in Switzerland, May 9, 1864, the daughter of Abraham and Margaret (Heitz) Kundert, natives of that country, who came to America in 1881, and settled in Monroe, Green County, Wis. The mother died in 1893, and in 1905, the father moved to the village, where he still lives. Mr. and Mrs. Gygli had twelve children: John, born March 13, 1889, lives in Haugen. Mar- garet, born May 9, 1890, was the wife of Leo Gaylord, who died in 1912. She subsequently married Melvin O. Nelson of Rice Lake. Anna, the wife of Louis Gammelgard, of Sarona, Wis., was born April 5, 1893. Lena, born Oct. 5, 1894, and Marie, born Feb. 9, 1896, are at home. Fred, born July 17, 1897, now op- erates a poultry farm at Occidental, Cal. Henry, born April 21, 1899, is at home, and manages the home place. Rose, born Sept. 13, 1900, is a teacher. Frieda, born Nov. 14, 1903, attends the Rice Lake High School. Helen was born Jan. 10, 1906; Edwin, June 17, 1908; and Harry, Aug. 10, 1909. The fam- ily faith is that of the Swiss Reform Church at Rice Lake.

Levi Walker, a modern farmer, who owns a good place of 60 acres in Sec- tion 32, west, Maple Grove Township, was born Jan. 3, 1880, in Sauk County, Wis., son of Plinny and Jane (Heinman) Walker, natives of New York State, who came to Wisconsin in the late fifties, and later purchased 40 acres in Sauk County, where they lived the remainder of their lives, he dying in 1912 and she in 1910. Plinny Walker was a veteran of the Civil War, serving nearly four years in that conflict with a Wisconsin regiment. He and his wife were the parents of nine children: Susan (deceased), Norman, Loretta, Rachael, May, Amelia, Levi, Orlo and Everett. Levi Walker received his early education and training in his native county, and remained with his parents until 1905. Then for six years he rented farms, and subsequently purchased 80 acres in that county, which he operated for five years. It was in 1916 that he came to Barron County, and purchased his present place. He renovated the house, repaired the buildings, and in 1920 built a commodious barn, 34 by 84 feet, furnished with complete humane barn equipment. He carries on mixed farm- ing and dairying, and makes a specialty of a herd of Holsteins with a full- blooded sire at its head. As a public-spirited citizen he has served on the school board for three years. His fraternal relations are with the Odd Fel- lows and the Beavers. His church is that of the Methodist Episcopal denomina- tion. In April, 1920, he had the misfortune to lose his right hand while saw-

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JOHN GYGLI, SR., AND FAMILY

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ing lumber at a neighbor's home. Mr. Walker was married Jan. 4, 1901, to Nettie Singletary, who died Dec. 24, 1918. She was the daughter of Eugene and Lottie (Hyde) Singletary, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Walker had three children: Keith S., born Feb. 3, 1904; Bernice J., born Nov. 6, 1905; and Raymond, born April 11, 1909.

William S. Adams, a well-liked farmer, owning 80 acres in Section 7, Maple Grove Township, was born in Eau Claire County, this state, Feb. 16, 1890, son of John and Katherine (Gooder) Adams, natives respectively of Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, who farmed in Wisconsin and Montana for many years, and in 1915 moved to Minneapolis, where the father died Sept. 18, 1920, and where the mother still lives. In the family there were four children: Margaret, Chris- tina, Clarence and William S. William S. received a thorough district school education and learned farming from his parents. In 1910 he took a homestead of 320 acres in Montana, on which he proved up. In 1914 he came back to this state, and rented his father's farm. He bought his present place in 1919. He has made general improvements, broke about 15 acres, and carries on mixed farming and dairying, making a specialty of a good herd of Holsteins, headed by a full-blooded sire. Mr. Adams married Etta Whitford, daughter of Charles and Louisa (Whitford) Whitford, who are now farming in Eau Claire County, this state. In the Whitford family there were eight children: Laura, John, Ira, Elliott, Etta, Walter, Olive and Helen. Mr. and Mrs. Adams are the par- ents of six children: Louisa, born May 3, 1911; Jeannette, born Oct. 25, 1912; Richard, born Nov. 3, 1914; Jacob, born Sept. 7, 1915; John, born Jan. 15, 1918; and Anton, born April 1, 1920.

A. James Van Helden, a scientific farmer, has a good farm of 80 acres in Section 27, Oak Grove Township, to which he came in 1911, and where he has devoted his time to general farming and dairying, taking pride in gradually developing his place. He has a good house and outbuildings, the fences are all in repair, the equipment in tools, implements and machinery, is of the best. His barn, 34 by 72 feet, with Louden barn equipment, is one of the best to be found in the county. His herd of Holsteins contains a few full-bloods and he has a full-blooded sire. His swine are of the Poland China breed. In addition to his farm, his holdings include stock in the Consumers' Store at Rice Lake. He and his family attend the Catholic Church. He was born June 21, 1884, in Waldfeucht, Germany, son of Henry and Katherine (Heggen) Van Helden, now of this county. He was reared in his native country, worked for his father on the farm, and served the usual three years in the German army, being in the artillery branch of the service. He came to America in 1910 and set- tled in Barron County. He purchased his present farm a year later. Mr. Van Helden was married June 6, 1911, to Julia Frolik, who was born in Manitowoc County, Wis., daughter of Frank and Barbara (Wagner) Frolik. This union has been blessed with six children: Henry L., born May 21, 1912, who died Jan. 24, 1913; Alice B., born Aug. 5, 1913; Aloysius T., born April 13, 1915; Francis Laura, born June 29, 1917; Josephine A., born March 13, 1919; and George Valentine, born April 23, 1921.

John Stucky, a well known retired farmer of Oak Grove Township, experi- enced dairyman, and for some years prominently identified with the cheese- making industry of Green County, this state, was born Sept. 29, 1856, in Berne, Switzerland, and was there reared and educated. Living as he did in a region known the world over for its cheesemaking, it is natural that he early became interested in that line. As a youth he became a master of the cheesemaking and buttermaking trade, and for some years was employed in cheesemaking and milk buying. He came to America in 1887, and located in Green County, where for six years he worked in a cheese factory at Nesse and Dailyvill. Then with his brother, Fred, he purchased the Elfres Creamery at Elfres, and the Pleasant Valley Creamery three miles from there. These they operated, mak- ing butter and cheese for seventeen years. In 1908 he purchased 160 acres of land in Section 14, Oak Grove Township, this county, but did not then occupy it.

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Two years later he sold one of the factories, and exchanged the other for 360 acres in Bear Lake Township, this county. He then moved here and occupied · the Oak Grove farm. Sixty acres were already broken. He broke sixty more, making a fine tract of 120 acres of well-tilled, well-cultivated and productive land. In improving this land, he has erected a fine set of buildings. The house is comfortable and well arranged. The barn is 32 by 70 feet, with the King ventilating system, full James barn equipment, and Pine Tree milking machine. For many years he conducted this farm for dairy purposes ex- clusively, taking especial pride in his fine herd of Holsteins, of which several of the cows and all the sires are full-blooded. After a successful career, Mr. Stucky retired in 1920, and turned the active management of the farm over to the sons, John F. and Armin, who are likewise devoting their entire attention to dairying. The whole family stands high in the community, the Stucky farm is always the scene of busy and intelligent industry, and the Stucky home one of the centers of hospitality in the community. The family attends the Swiss Reform Church at Rice Lake. Mr. Stucky was married March 15, 1879, in Switzerland, to Mary Schneider, who was born in that country Aug. 29, 1856, and died Jan. 29, 1919. In the family there were five children: Martha, who was born Jan. 4, 1880, and died July 26, 1903; Ida, who was born Oct. 11, 1881, and died May 30, 1893; Will, who was born May 3, 1886, and is now in Washburn County; John F., who was born April 26, 1891, now on the home farm; and Armin, born April 18, 1896, also now on the home farm. John F. was inducted into the United States service Sept. 17, 1917, from this county. He reached Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill., the next day. Feb. 20, 1918, he was transferred to Camp Green, with Co. E, 58th Infantry. He was sent to Camp Mills April 25 and sailed for France May 15, 1918. Upon arriving there he saw service in Europe for fifteen months in the Expeditionary Army in France and in the Occupation Army in Germany. He proved himself a valiant soldier under fire at the Aisne-Marne, the St. Mihiel offensive, the Meuse-Argonne campaign, and the fighting in the Velse and Toulon sectors. He returned to the United States Aug. 1, 1919, and was discharged at Camp Grant, seven days later, and at once returned home.

Patrick Russell was one of the early settlers in this northern part of Barron County. He came here in the late sixties and took a claim of 160 acres in Section 26, Oak Grove Township. It is difficult for the present generation, looking out upon this prosperous farming country, to realize how wild the region then was. Great forests stretched to the north, south, east and west, in which roamed almost undisturbed the beasts of the woods, and where camped the Indians who still considered that their rights to occupy the land were still undisturbed, though their actual ownership had long since passed away. There were a few lumber camps here and there, and desolate stretches of stump and brush which showed where lumber camps had previously existed. There were few roads, almost all the traffic being over the "tote roads" of the loggers. Settlers were few and far between, and these few who had had the courage to locate in the wilds were living in log cabins, without comforts, and by the hardest kind of work and the most stringent of privations, were endeavoring to establish for themselves and their children a prosperous farm. Mr. Russell was a useful man for such a community, and he soon became a real leader among his fellows. The log cabin in which he first lived is still standing, and with it the brick chimney, which was the first of its kind in the township, possibly in the whole northern part of the county. By hard work he gradually cleared the land, and each year added to his prosperity. He was known far and wide among the pioneers as a breeder and breaker of oxen, and some years he had two pair to sell, a fact which won for him the gratitude of the neighbors, as oxen were few and yet were almost indis- pensable for pioneer endeavor in that region. As a public official, Mr. Russell helped to survey and build some of the first roads in the township. Year by year his hard work showed results, and in time he was enabled to

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erect a fine set of modern buildings. He was still hale and hearty at 72, when he died Jan. 26, 1912. In his passing the town lost a valued citizen and his family lost a good husband and father. Mr. Russell was born in Ireland Oct. 18, 1840, and was brought to Canada by his parents when he was about five years old. He was reared in Canada, and devoted his youth to farming and working in the woods. Going to the vicinity of New York, he was for some time engaged in that locality in the lumber business with a brother. In 1863 he came to Wisconsin and located at Chippewa Falls, where he worked in the lumber woods for a few years before coming to Barron County to live. He was married, Sept. 17, 1863, to Catherine Murphy, who was born in Canada, Dec. 25, 1850. This union has resulted in eleven children : Catherine, John W., James M., Charles A., Marie, Margaret, Anna, Beth, George J., Sadie and William A. After Mr. Russell's death, two of the sons, George J. and Charles A. became managers of the place for their mother. They are both substantial and solid men, thoroughly versed in farming, and are already among the leading agriculturists of the township. They have continued the work of their father and added to the farm improvements. In 1914 they erected a large modern dairy barn, with full Star equipment. They carry on mixed farming and dairying, and have a good herd of Durhams with full blooded Bires at its head. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church.

Theodore Amundson, pioneer of Maple Grove Township, now deceased, underwent all the hardships of early life in a new country, he saw the county grow from a wilderness into a prosperous dairy and farming country, and in its general development he took his share and part. He was born in Norway, and was there married to Mary Evenson. They came to America in 1860, and settled in Vernon County, this state, where they bought 40 acres of land. It was in 1871 that they came to Barron County, and took a homestead of 160 acres in Section 30, Maple Grove Township. This land was all wild, there were no roads, the dense woods had not been cut over, provisions were scarce and comforts few. But they persevered, they cleaned 65 of the 160 acres, they established a good home, and reared a family of eight children. After a long and useful life, he died in 1906, and his wife, Nov. 9, 1918, both meeting with accidental death. Their children were: Adolph, Amelia, Bergenie, Palma, Fred, Melvin, Hjelmar and Hilda. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Fred Amundson, section 26, west, Maple Grove Township, was born in the township where he still resides, Jan. 20, 1880, son of Theodore and Mary (Evenson) Amundson, the pioneers. He attended the district school, was reared on the home place to farm life, and after his father's death, operated it for a while for his mother. In 1908, determined to see something of the world before settling down to his life work, he went to St. Paul. There he took a course in the Victor Barber College, and subsequently worked at his trade, in the meantime, however, receiving considerable experience as a street car conductor. In 1910 he went to Spokane, Wash. There he worked as a street car conductor for a while, and as a farmer for a while. From there, with some picked companions he made a bicycle trip of 1,500 miles to Wil- liams, Calif., a feat which attracted considerable attention at the time and is still remembered in athletic circles on the Pacific coast. While in the West he visited the famous Yosemite Valley. Upon his return to Barron County in 1912, he spent a few months with his brother, Adolph. In 1913 he moved onto 40 acres in Section 26, west, Maple Grove Township, which he had purchased in 1904. He cleared and stumped 28 acres, erected good buildings, acquired suitable equipment, and now carries on mixed farming and dairying. His financial interests include stock in the Cameron Telephone Co. Mr. Amund- son was married April 14, 1915, to Olena Olson, daughter of Ole and Bertha Flekkrud, natives of Norway, where the father died and where the mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Amundson have a daughter, Beatrice M., born July 17, 1916.

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Lars Amundson, now deceased, was for many years a substantial and re- spected citizen of Maple Grove Township. He was born in Norway, July 5, 1847, and there received his early education. He came to America in the late fifties and settled in Wisconsin. At the outbreak of the Civil War he en- listed and served until the close of that conflict. Some years afterward he came to Barron County, took a claim in Maple Grove Township and developed a good farm. In his old age he retired and took up his residence in the Soldiers' Home in Milwaukee, where he died July 3, 1912. Mr. Amundson was married July 3, 1870, to Margaret Tollefson, daughter of Turie and Gertie (Tollefson) Peterson. Mr. and Mrs. Amundson had seven children: Tollef, Albert, Lewis, Gina, Andrew, Olaf and Anna, the four youngest of whom are dead.

Tollef L. Amundson, successful general merchant at Wickware, was born on a farm in Maple Grove Township March 30, 1875, son of Lars and Margaret Amundson. He received his education in the district schools and as a young man worked for his father. In 1902 he was appointed postmaster at Wickware Village and opened a general store there, which he now con- tinues. He has been very prosperous and has built up a large trade by his square business methods and pleasing personality. He is interested in public affairs and has done good service as clerk of the School Board for several years. He makes his home with his mother.

Rev. Edmund E. Savageau, R. C., pastor of the Parish of Our Lady of Lords, at Dobie, rector of the church of that name, and preceptor of the parochial school, is one of the vital personal influences in the life of the northeastern part of Barron County. As a pastor of the parish he has ful- filled the best traditions and ideals of his calling, he is revered by his own flock, and respected by those not of his faith, and his sermons and administra- tions, through God, are a source of real inspiration to higher living. His scholarship is of a high order and shows not only in his sermons, but in the success which he has had as an instructor in his school. Much as he is cherished by the older people and loved by tie boys and girls, however, his greatest work has probably been among the young men, who in addition to their esteem for him as a pastor and teacher, honor him for the part he played as a man and chaplain during the World War, and find in him one who understands all a young man's problems. He is thoroughly modern in methods, is an enthusiastic community worker, makes of his church a real community center, is gradually working toward full recreational and social equipment, and to this end has organized a large band and glee club, his previous musical experience standing him in especial stead in this particular line of work. He was born in West Depere, Brown County, this state, Dec. 21, 1891, son of Severe and Delia (Duaine) Savageau, then well known residents of that place. He attended the public and parochial schools of his native place, and with this preparation entered St. Norbert's College at West Depere, from which he was graduated with the degree of B. A. in 1907. He made a splendid record and was at once engaged as an instructor in the same institution, covering mathematics, gymnastics, etc. He was also placed in charge of the college band in which he has been greatly interested through all his college days. In 1913 his eyes began to fail, and he rested for a while. He then entered the St. Francis Seminary at Milwaukee, and there finished his courses in theology, etc. He was ordained at Superior, April 12, 1914, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Koudelka. He then became assistant to the saintly and scholarly Rev. S. A. Leinfelder, D. D., Ph. D., rector of the Church of St. Mary's, at Rhinelander, Wis. That pastor died Nov. 14, and the assistant took charge of the parish for two months. On Jan. 8, 1915, he was appointed pastor of the church at Nabagman, Wis., where in addition to pastoral duties at the church, he conducted mission services at Blueberry, Winnbejou, South Range, etc., and at the county workhouse and insane asylum. In 1915 he was appointed pastor of the Church of St. Joseph at

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Amery, Wis., with two missions, one at Georgetown and one at Clear Lake. In July, 1917, he became pastor of St. Louis Parish at Superior, Wis., under the learned Bishop Koudelka. From there he offered his services to the United States government as a chaplain in the Navy. He was assigned to his present parish, March 15, 1920. Upon entering the naval service he took preliminary training at Boston. He received an order to join the U. S. S. S. Pueblo, then at Rio Janiero, South America. This order was revoked in favor of the battleship Vermont. He travelled the high seas in Pacific and Atlantic waters with the fleet on an extended cruise. From Mare Island navy yard, California, he went to his home, arriving there Feb. 16, 1920, and there re- ceived his commission as Lieutenant (J. B.), C. H. C., U. S. N. F. R. Rev. Savageau comes of a good family of substantial people. The father, Severe Savageau was born in Canada of French descent, and came to the United States in 1860, settling near Green Bay, in Brown County, Wis. There he farmed and worked in the logging woods for many years. His good wife was a native of Wisconsin. They came to Dobie in March, 1920, to be near their son. They were the parents of a large family, the members of which have done well in life. Emanuel, Laura, Clara and Edmund (first) are dead. David, Odele, Mary, Olive, Severe, Charles and Edmund E. are living.

Francis Donnelly, pioneer school teacher and farmer, was born in Canada, and there received a good education. He married Bridget Haughian. They came to America in the early seventies, and homesteaded 160 acres in Section 26, Oak Grove Township, this county. He cleared a small tract, put up a log cabin and sheds, and started to develop a farm, teaching in the mean- time in the early rural schools for a very small wage in order to secure a little money. As the years passed, he succeeded in clearing seventy acres, and re- placed the original crude structures with good modern buildings. Being a man of superior intelligence, it is natural that his official services should be in demand, and he was called upon to serve several years as a member of the town board and a member of the county board, of which latter he was chair- man a number of years. He was also on the school board for many years. In all, his was a useful life, and he is remembered as one of the influential, and one of the foremost men of the township. He died March 1, 1908, and in his death the town lost a good citizen and his family a loving and understand- ing husband and father. The widow now lives in Herbert, Canada, with her son, Patrick. There are nine children in the family: Bert, Thomas, Clara, Charles, Elizabeth, Minnie, Margaret, Patrick and James J. All have done well in their respective communities. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic church.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 56

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

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