History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 57

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 57

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).

Charles C. Donnelly, a prominent farmer of Oak Grove Township, was born on the farm where he now lives, April 28, 1887, son of Francis and Bridget (Haughian). Donnelly, the pioneers. He was reared on the home farm, attended the district school, and learned farming from his father. In 1908 he took over the management of the home farm for his mother. In 1911 he rented it, and in 1918 he purchased it. Here he carries on general farm- ing and dairying on a successful scale. He has a good herd of Holsteins headed by a full blooded sire, and a good drove of Duroc Jersey swine, in addition to other domestic animals. Mr. Donnelly is one of the real leaders of his community. As a farmer he is alert to every possibility, everything about his place is well cared for, his methods are of the best, and his opinions on argicultural subjects are of value. He is one of those men who, being successful in their personal ventures, believe in encouraging every good effort for business advancement, and he has therefore taken stock in the Brill Co-operative Creamery, the Consumers' Store in Rice Lake, and the Campia Equity Exchange. As a believer in education. he has done good service on the school board. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the Catholic Foresters. Mr. Donnelly was married Oct. 28, 1911, to Bessie De Long, who died April 27, 1916, leaving two sons, Robert, born Aug.

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12, 1912, and Donald, born March 31, 1916. Feb. 5, 1918, he married Corinne McLeod, daughter of Michael and Mary (Kelly) McLeod. By this union there is one child, Marjorie, born April 15, 1920.

Joseph Gabriel, Sr., a retired farmer, still living on the home place in Section 25, Oak Grove Township, was born in Bohemia, Dec. 11, 1861, son of John and Margaret Gabriel, natives of Bohemia, who came to America in 1871, and settled in Manitowoc County, Wis., where they farmed the re- mainder of their lives. Joseph was a youngster of ten when his parents brought him to Wisconsin. He attended school for a while, and worked with his father until 1881. Then he rented the farm for three years. In 1884 he moved to the city of Manitowoc, where he was variously employed for several years, part of the time in a glue factory. He came to Barron County in 1900 and bought 80 acres in Section 25, Oak Grove Township. To this, in 1910, he added 80 acres more in the same section. He cleared 60 acres, erected a sightly set of buildings, and developed what is regarded as one of the best farms in the township. He successfully carried on general farming and dairying until 1916 when he retired and turned the place over to his son, Joseph, who operated it until Jan. 1, 1921, when he assumed the management of the Rice Lake Hotel at Rice Lake. Mr. Gabriel reserved for himself a few acres a short distance from the old home, and there he has built a pretty modern bungalow, where he will spend the afternoon of life free from the more strenuous duties of farm endeavor. He is one of the leaders in the com- munity, did good work on the school board for a number of years, and is a stockholder in the Brill creamery. He was married April 21, 1885, in Manito- woc County, this state, to Mary Dvorak, who was born in Bohemia, Dec. 5, 1868, the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Kolosuf) Dvorak, natives of Bohemia, who came to America in 1872, and located in Manitowoc County, where they spent the remainder of their days. Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel have three children, Joseph, Anna and Mamie. Joseph was born Feb. 12, 1886, and now lives at Rice Lake, Wis. Anna was born Oct. 10, 1888, and is the wife of Frank Ebel, of Oak Grove Township. Mamie was born May 2, 1890 and died two months later. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic church.

Andrew P. Lewis, a progressive farmer of Sections 5 and 8, Oak Grove Township, has built up a good place which is as sightly as any to be found in the neighborhood. He came here in 1908, and bought 190 acres, of which he has cleared 50 acres, leaving the remainder in timber and pasturage. He has erected a pleasant ten-room bungalow, a. good barn, 36 by 92 feet, with the West Bend equipment, and other farm buildings. His machinery is of the best. He successfully carries on general farming and dairying and has a herd of mixed Holstein cattle, headed by a full blooded sire. He is rearing a fine family of children, and is doing his duty as a good citizen in every respect. Mr. Lewis was born in Upshur County, West Virginia, Feb. 3, 1877, son of Granville and Barbara (Halder) Lewis, natives respectively of West Virginia and Switzerland, who came to Wisconsin, and settled in Green County, Wis., where they are well known and substantial farming people. In the family there are nine children: Bertha (deceased), Samantha (deceased), Carrie (deceased), Edna (deceased), Sophia, William, Jacob, Edward and Andrew P. Andrew P. received his education in the district schools of Green County, this state, to which he was brought as a child. He worked with his father until 1900, when he rented a farm in that county for eight years, after which he came to Barron County. He was married Nov. 29, 1899, to Grace Zimmer- man, who was born in Green County, Wis., Aug. 18, 1881, to Gale and Zilfa (Allen) Zimmerman, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, who now live on a farm in Washburn County, this state. In the Zimmerman family there were five children: Mortimer (deceased), Bessie, Peter, Gaylord and Grace. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have had eleven children: Wayne R., born Oct. 19, 1900; Mortimer P., July 21, 1902; Pearl P., May 26, 1904; Myron A., Feb. 19, 1906 (died Nov. 17, 1908) ; Mildred M., Jan. 13, 1908; Florence E.,

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Feb. 27, 1910; Kenneth E., Jan. 18, 1913; Arthur A., May 8, 1914 (drowned in Devil's Lake, June 28, 1916) ; Robert F., March 29, 1916; Von A., Sept. 13, 1917, and Allen L., Feb. 21, 1920. The family home is a hospitable one, and the doors are always open to the friends of the family.

Adolph Amundson, Section 24, west, Maple Grove Township, was born in Vernon County, this state, Nov. 22, 1868, son of Theodore and Mary (Even- son) Amundson, who brought him to Maple Grove Township in 1871. Here he was reared and educated. In 1901 he started out for himself by renting a farm. In 1903 he purchased 80 acres in Maple Grove Township. He has cleared 25 acres, erected a good set of buildings, and constructed suitable fences. The place is well stocked, and here he carries on general farming and dairying. He is held in good esteem by his fellow men, and has been town treasurer for three years. Mr. Amundson was married to Marin Solie, daughter of Elling and Inger (Halverson) Solie, who spent the span of their years in Norway. This union has resulted in six children: Einar, born May 17, 1899; Mildred S., born March 19, 1902; Alice M., born Nov. 15, 1903; Tasker E., born March 12, 1905; Helga S., born Jan. 14, 1907, and Guy M., born Dec. 5, 1908. All are at home. Mildred S. is a student in the High School at Barron City, and the younger ones are attending the district school near home.

Martin Watson, who lived a few years in Maple Grove Township, in an earlier day, was born in Ohio, and there married Anna Martin, a native of that state also. They farmed for many years in Indiana, and were there re- spected and honored citizens of Marshall County. In 1880 they came to Barron County, and secured 160 acres of railroad land in Section 9, west, Maple Grove Township, of which they cleared some twenty acres, erected buildings, and started to establish themselves. But in the midst of their fond ambitions and plans, Mr. Watson died in 1883. His wife, with the assistance of her children, all of whom were young when she lost her husband, carried on the farm work with success, continued the development of the place, and there re- mained until 1903, when after a life of hard work she retired, and took up her home with her daughter, Clara, the wife of William E. Barton. Mr. and Mrs. Watson had five children: William, Walter, Charles, Cyrus and Clara.

Walter Watson, an estimable farmer, who owns 80 acres in Section 3, west, Maple Grove Township, was born in Marshall County, Ind., May 22, 1873, the son of Martin and Anna (Martin) Watson. He was brought to Maple Grove township by his parents in 1880. Three years later he lost his father, and was reared under the fostering care of his mother, who found time to manage the farm, and train her family in the right way, as well as to take her part in the social and educational affairs of the community. He remained as his mother's assistant until 1901 and then rented the farm from her. In 1903 he bought his present place. He has cleared 55 acres, erected a log house, and now carries on general farming and dairying. Mr. Watson married Ellen Quackenbush, daughter of John and Mary (Benson) Quacken- bush, of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Watson have five children: Maude, born Jan. 12, 1900, and died Feb. 16, 1920; Ralph, born Dec. 28, 1901, and died Aug. 6, 1902; Theodore, born Sept. 9, 1903; Harry, born Nov. 27, 1905; and Paul, born Feb. 11, 1918.

John Dalle, an estimable farmer of Section 4, Oak Grove Township, has taken his share in the development of the township, and he and his good wife have raised an excellent family of sturdy children. He was born in Norway, May 7, 1862, and there received his education and was reared to farm pur- suits. He came to America in 1885, and took up farming in Dane County, Wis- consin. From there, in 1902, he came to Barron County and secured his pres- ent farm of forty acres. He erected a good set of buildings, cleared the en- tire tract, and has developed an excellent farm. For several years after he came here, he worked in the woods winters and on the ranch in Washburn County, this state, summers, thus securing a livlihood while he was improving

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his farm. He has been successful in his undertakings, and is conducting gen- eral farming and dairying on a profitable basis. Mr. Dalle was married Oct. 18, 1888, to Anna Gullickson, who was born in Norway, Feb. 25, 1865, daughter of Gulie and Gunda (Halverson) Olson, both of whom are now deceased. Mrs. Dalle, who was a devoted wife and mother, and a good neighbor, died April 5, 1920, and her memory will long be mourned. She gave her years to her hus- band, her children, and her friends, she took great pride in her home and her family, and she was a most worthy woman in every respect. Mr. and Mrs. Dalle had nine children: Gilma, born Jan. 25, 1891, wife of George Eidal, of Dane County; Amanda was born Oct. 3, 1892; John, Aug. 29, 1894; Gulie, Jan. 16, 1896; Alfred, May 26, 1900; James, Nov. 4, 1903; Clara, Dec. 5, 1905; Howard, born Oct. 17, 1912; and Margaret, next to the youngest, who died in infancy. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

William E. Barton, who has lived in this county nearly forty years, and is now farming 80 acres in Section 4, west, Maple Grove Township, was born in Marshall County, Indiana, Jan. 16, 1862, son of Jacob and Millie (Harding) Barton, natives respectively of Tennessee and Ohio. He received a meager common school education, and was early made familiar with hard work. He came to this state in 1883, locating in Barron County, where he was variously employed, at farming, logging and in the mills. In 1888 he purchased 40 acres in Section 22, west, Maple Grove Township. But he made no effort to develop this place, and later sold it without improvements. In 1901 he purchased his present place. . He cleared forty acres, erected a set of buildings and, in gen- eral, brought the place to the status of a successful, well-cultivated, well-kept farm. He has a good herd of graded Guernseys with full-blooded sires, and a good drove of Duroc-Jersey swine. Mr. Barton is a stockholder in the Barron Co-operative Creamery. For several years he has done good work as a member of the school board of his district. Mr. Barton was married Jan. 16, 1892, to Clara Watson, daughter of Martin and Martha (Martin) Watson, early settlers of this township. This union has been blessed with five children: Earl, born March 2, 1893, is in railroad work at Detroit, Mich. Hattie, born Jan. 17, 1895, is now Mrs. Owen Hall, of Barron, this county. Leo was born Dec. 31, 1900. Too young to enlist in the World War, he waited until he was nineteen and then enlisted in the regular army. He is a private in A. Troop, 4th Cavalry, and is stationed at Brownsville, Texas. Edwin and Evelyn, bright twins, who are doing well with their studies in the public schools, were born June 23, 1911.

Martin Kearney, retired agriculturist of Oak Grove, who has developed two farms in this township, on one of which he still lives, was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, son of Murty and Mary (Grant) Kearney, the latter of whom died in Ireland, in 1883, and the former of whom the next year came to America and lived with the son, Thomas, until death. In the family there were eight children: Michael, Martin (second), Richard, Kate, Margaret, Mary, Thomas and Martin, all but Thomas and Martin being now dead. Martin re- ceived his education in his native land, and worked with his parents until coming to America, in 1875. He then came to Barron County, Wis., and, with headquarters at Rice Lake, this county, worked for Knapp, Stout & Co. In 1877 he took a homestead of 160 acres in Section 2, Oak Grove Township, cleared part of the land, put up a house, barn and other log bulidings, and there farmed for many years on a profitable scale. In early days he and his brother, Thomas, carried supplies on their backs from Chippewa. Mr. Kearney rented the place in 1906 to his son, Martin P., and bought 80 acres in Section 11, Oak Grove Township, making his home on an eighty-acre tract owned by his brother, Thomas. He cleared 55 acres, renovated the house, and built an addition to the barn. In 1918 he rented the farm to his son, Richard A., who lives in one of the houses on the place, while he and his wife occupy the other. He is building a beautiful eight-room, modern house of tile construction and electrically equipped. He has various other interests in addition to his two farms, and is a stockholder in the Brill Creamery Co. at Brill. Mr. and Mrs.

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MR. AND MRS. MARTIN KEARNEY

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Kearney make a pleasant home for his only living brother, Thomas. Mr. Kear- ney was married Jan. 5, 1880, to Helen Kennedy, who was born Feb. 9, 1853, in eastern Canada, daughter of Patrick and Elizabeth (Lapttia) Kennedy, both now deceased, and both natives of Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Kearney have six children: Mary E., Martin P., Thomas E., Richard A., Margaret E. and Michael B. Mary E. was born March 1, 1881, and is the wife of John Quinn. Martin P. was born June 25, 1884. Thomas E. was born April 12, 1886. Richard A. was born June 27, 1888. He was inducted into the United States service Aug. 2, 1918. He trained with the 3rd Bat., F. A. R. D., sailed for France Oct. 27, 1918, was transferred to the 147th Field Artillery, 32nd Division, was returned to the United States in May, 1919, and was discharged at Camp Grant, Rock- ford, Ill., May 24. Margaret E. was born June 4, 1890. Michael B. was born Sept. 7, 1892. He was inducted into the United States service April 3, 1918, was assigned to the 18th Co., Puget Sound, C. A. C., Warden, Wash., and died there of the influenza Nov. 3, 1918. The family faith is that of the Catholic Church.

Holver Bakken, who came to an untimely death by drowning, was a resi- dent of Barron County for some thirty-five years, and was a popular, well- liked citizen, conscientious in his work and in his duty, loyal in his friendships, and loving and sympathetic in his family life. He was born Jan. 2, 1869, in Dane County, Wis., son of Nels and Ida (Peterson) Bakken, both now deceased. He was educated in his native county, and came to Barron County with his parents in 1882. After their death, he bought 80 acres in Section 31, east,- Maple Grove Township, and 50 acres adjoining, in Dallas Township. He cleared 30 acres, erected a set of buildings, and profitably engaged in mixed farming and dairying. He was drowned while on a fishing excursion at White Bear Lake, near St. Paul. His wife is now operating the farm. Mr. Bakken was married Aug. 6, 1903, to Clara Listy, daughter of Thomas and Isabelle (Thorsen) Listy, who came to America in the late sixties and settled in Green County, Wis., later coming to Barron County, where they farmed for years in Dallas Township, where he died in 1910 and where she still resides. In the Listy family there are nine children: Hannah, John, Clara, Thomas, Lena (deceased), Hulbert, Jacob, Robert and Inga. Mr. and Mrs. Bakken are the parents of six children; Norbert, born Aug. 9, 1904; Esther, born Oct. 4, 1905; Thomas R., born Aug. 25, 1907; Helmer, born Dec. 5, 1911; Alvin, born March 7, 1913; and Carl, born May 12, 1916. The older children are helping their mother on the farm.

Odin Bronson, an energetic farmer, owning 80 acres in Section 31, east, Maple Grove Township, has developed several farms in this county, and in a general way has assisted in the growth and progress of the community. He was born in Winnebago County, this state, June 23, 1881, the son of Andrew and Klarina (Larson) Bronson. Andrew Bronson was born in Norway and came in the seventies to Wisconsin, locating in Winnebago County, where he married Klarina Larson, a native of this state. In 1882 he took his family to a farm in North Dakota, but in 1900 came back to this state, and located in Doyle Township, this county, where he died Jan. 13, 1913, after which his wife went to Nome, N. D., where she now lives. In the family there were five chil- dren: Anna, Palma (deceased), Odin, Kimbell and Alfred. Odin Bronson re- ceived his early education in the district schools of North Dakota. He came to this county with his parents in 1900 and at that time purchased 80 acres in Doyle Township, but lived with them until 1908 when he occupied it. Of this farm he cleared fifteen acres, and erected a house and barn. In 1908 he traded this property for 80 acres in Section 31, east, Maple Grove Township, which he likewise improved. He acquired his present farm in 1919. He carries on gen- eral farming and dairying, and has been successful in his operations. Mr. Bronson was married April 22, 1908, to Hannah Kringle, daughter of Gabriel and Barbara (Huset) Kringle, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1861, and settled in Dane County, Wis., from which in 1871 they came to Bar

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ron County with the earliest settlers, and took a homestead in the wilderness, erected a set of crude log structures for temporary shelter for themsives and stock. They cleared the land, erected two different sets of buildings, and for many years carried on general farming. Mr. Kringle was a prominent man and served for a while on the town board of Maple Grove Township and on the school board of his district. Mr. and Mrs. Bronson have two children: Bernice V., born March 6, 1913; and Esther P., born April 20, 1918.

Anton Berg was born in Norway and came to America in the early forties. He lived for many years in Iowa and then came to Barron County. When he and his wife arrived here the lumbering industry was still flourishing and Mrs. Berg was the first white woman to cook in a lumber camp, where the City of Barron is now located. In all, Mr. Berg worked in the woods for sev- enteen years. In the early seventies he took a homestead of one hundred sixty acres in Section 20, to which he later added forty more acres, making a fine place of two hundred acres. Of this he cleared one hundred acres, erected all the buildings himself, and carried on general farming until 1911. Then he retired and moved to the village of Hillsdale. He died November 19, 1918, surviving his wife by three days. In the family there were five children : Maggie, Anna, Helen, Edward and Fred.

Fred A. Berg, farmer, section 20, Maple Grove Township, was born on the place where he now lives, Sept. 13, 1882, son of Anton and Mary Berg. He received his early education in Hillsdale Village and worked for his father until 1911. Then in 1912 he bought the home farm and has since devoted his time to its improvement and development. He now carries on mixed farming and dairying, making a specialty of a fine herd of Holstein cattle and a good drove of Duroc-Jersey swine. Mr. Berg was married December 16, 1908, to Emma Horn, daughter of John and Alie (Romaine) Horn, natives of Indiana, who now live in Arland Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Berg have five children: Mildred G., born June 27, 1909; Anna E., born Nov. 3, 1910; Lyle E., born June 21, 1912; Thora, born Aug. 19, 1917; and Lloyd M., born Feb. 4, 1920. The family faith is that of the Baptist Church.

Mathias Duda, generally known as "Mates," a prosperous farmer who has lived on 120 acres in section 3, Oak Grove Township, since 1900, a period of more than twenty years, was born in Bohemia, Feb. 24, 1851, and was there educated. As a youth he learned the brick making trade and took up that occupation as his life work. In 1874, however, he determined to seek his fortunes in a land of wider opportunity. Accordingly he came to America and located in Kewaunee, Kewaunee County, Wis., where he was employed in the shingle mills. In 1880 he went to Antigo, Langlade County, Wis., and bought eighty acres of land on which he lived for twenty years. He put up a set of buildings, improved the land, and became a prosperous and respected citizen. Then he sold out and purchased his present place. He erected a set of build- ings and cleared forty acres. From time to time he made other improvements and developments, and in 1920 built a modern barn, 34 by 54 feet, equipped with modern fixtures and appliances. Mr. Duda still lives on this farm, but has turned the active management over to his son, Anton, who is an energetic young man, well liked throughout the neighborhood. Mr. Duda was married April 21, 1879, to Elizabeth Miller, who was born in Kewaunee, Wis., April 7, 1861, daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth (Chesak) Miller, natives respec- tively of Germany and Bohemia, and both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Duda have nine children: Mates, Mary, Anna, Anton, Libbie, Emma, Theresa, Isa- dora and Joseph. Mates was born Feb. 24, 1880, and lives in Missouri. Mary was born Jan. 19, 1884, and is the wife of Lewis Walter, of Athens, Wis. Anna was born May 8, 1887, and is the wife of Robert Lothian, of Bloomer, Wis. Anton was born April 3, 1889, and operates the home farm. Libbie was born Feb. 2, 1892, and is the wife of Joseph Snephana, of. Bloomer, Wis. Emma was born July 15, 1894, and is the wife of John Drost, of Brill, this county. Theresa was born May 27, 1897, and is an instructor of the blind at Janesville, Wis.

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MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH BYRNES

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Isadora was born May 6, 1899, and is a graduate of a college at Dorchester, Mass. Joseph was born Feb. 12, 1902, and is at home. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic church.

James Hudrle, a prosperous farmer of section 17, Oak Grove Township, is a native of this state, born in Racine County, June 9, 1865, the son of Joseph and Katherine (Miknlecky) Hudrle, natives of Bohemia, who came to America as young people. The father was drowned in 1867. Mrs. Hudrle later married Joseph Hasek, who died at Hutchinson, Minn., where she now resides. In the Hudrle family there were five children: Joseph, John, Katherine (deceased), Anna (deceased) and James. The subject of this sketch was taken to Hutchin- son, McLeod County, Minn., as a child, and was there reared and educated. In 1881 he went to McPherson County, South Dakota, proved up on a claim of 320 acres, and there lived for seven years, also working around Fargo and elsewhere. Then he moved to Hutchinson, Minn. From there, in 1898, he went to Market Lake, Idaho, where he farmed for nine years. In each of the three states he became well known and had a happy faculty of making friends among the people wherever he lived. He achieved prosperity and success and was well pleased with the results of his labors. But his thoughts often turned to the state of his birth, he heard many stories of the opportunities in the cut- over lands, upon which so many of his countrymen were settling. Accordingly he sold his interests in Idaho, packed his goods, and came to Barron County. Here he settled on his present farm of 80 acres. He has continued the clearing and breaking of the land, and has made general improvements. In 1920 he erected a new house of glazed tile, which, with his barns and sheds, makes a fine collection of farm buildings. His place is well equipped, and he carries on general farming and dairying along successful lines. His wide experience is of much benefit to him in his operations, he is respected throughout the community and is in every way a good citizen. Mr. Hudrle was married July 1, 1893, to Mary Michka, who was born in Germany Sept. 8, 1872, daughter of John and Anna (Kischel) Michka, natives of Germany, who brought their family to this country in 1873 and settled at Hutchinson, Minn., where he died in September, 1897; and she on Jan. 29, 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Hudrle have eight children: Laura E., Clara S., Elsie E., Clarence S., Lawrence, Henrietta, Blanche and Ethel. Laura E. was born May 3, 1894, and is now a teacher. Clara S., also a teacher, was born Nov. 30, 1895. Elsie E. was born May 13, 1897, and is a teacher. Clarance S. was born April 23, 1902, and graduated from the high school at Rice Lake. Lawrence was born March 27, 1904; Henrietta M., Feb. 7, 1910; Blanche, Aug. 5, 1911; and Ethel, Jan. 28, 1914. The younger children are attending the Haugen graded school.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 57

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

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