History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 58

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 58

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Joseph Byrnes was one of the pioneers of the northeastern part of Barron County. In 1872 he came to Oak Grove Township and secured 160 acres in section 22. The land was then all wild, and there were only four other families, those of Hamlon and Frank Mullen and the Tom and Martin Kearney families, in what is now the whole township. Mr. Byrnes' means did not permit his spending all his time on his own farm, so for some time he worked for Knapp, Stout & Co. in the woods and on their farms. At this he earned $18 or $20 a month. When he had saved enough to purchase a team he received $30 a month for himself and team, a sum which was considered an excellent wage in those days. In the meantime he did what he could to develop his farm, working far into the night burning logs and brush after completing a hard day's labor in the woods. He put up a log cabin, cleared a little of the land and made his family as comfortable as possible. In time he was able to devote all his attention to his farm. He cleared some eighty acres, built a pretty bungalow in 1919, and from time to time put up a good set of buildings. From the very beginning he was prominent in township affairs. He had not been here long before he was assigned to help build public roads. He served for some years as town supervisor and was always in favor of improvements and progress. As clerk of the school board of his district he also did most

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excellent work. His holdings included stock in the Oak Grove Cheese County in Oak Grove Township. Joseph Byrnes was born in Perth, Ontario, Canada, March 4, 1843, was educated in the district schools, spent his youth in farm work and logging, came to the States in 1872, stayed a few months in Chip- pewa Falls, this state, and then came to Barron County. He died Feb. 2, 1921. Mr. Byrnes was married July 11, 1871, to Katherine Mullen, who was born in Canada in 1851. This union was blessed with eight children. Michael J. was born May 19, 1874, and is now in Canada. Richard was born July 27, 1876, and lives at home. Anna was born Feb. 7, 1879, and is the wife of T. A. Parks. William was born July 26, 1881, and is now in Canada. James was born Dec. 8, 1884, and is a prosperous and well known farmer of Oak Grove Township. He stands well in the community and is proving successful in his endeavors and has charge of the home farm. Mary was born March 19, 1886, and is the wife of Med. Derocher. Frank was born April 13, 1888, and is farming in Oak Grove Township. Steve was born July 11, 1893. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic church.

John Badertscher, of the firm of Badertscher Brothers, cheese manufac- turers, owners of the Dobie Cheese Factory in Dobie Village; the Oak Grove Cheese Factory in section 15, Oak Grove Township; and the Long Lake Road Cheese Factory in section 15, Oak Grove Township, is an expert in his line, he knows his business thoroughly, he has faith in the still further progress of the county as an agricultural center and he has built up a good trade. He has the confidence of the farmers from whom he buys his milk and produces a cheese which is in high favor with the consumer. He has achieved every- thing by his own efforts and with but little encouragement, and as he is still a young man his friends predict that he will rise high in the ranks of big cheese men of the state. He was born in Switzerland, April 30, 1889, son of Christ and Anna (Beer) Badertscher. He was reared in his native land, early became interested in cheese making in that country noted for its cheese makers, . and in 1909 graduated from the famous Bern Dairy School which has produced some of the best experts in dairying. With this preparation he followed cheese making in his native land a few years more. He came to America in March, 1913, and settled in Stevenson County, Illinois, where he was in charge of the Spring Valley Cheese Factory at Orangeville. While there he looked about for a permanent location and finally hit upon Barron County as one of the best dairy regions in the Northwest. Accordingly he and his brother, Otto, came here in 1918 and built a cheese factory at Dobie, in Oak Grove Township. This plant was destroyed by fire Aug. 20, 1920, but was rebuilt as soon as material could be obtained. It was erected and equipped along the latest improved lines and is one of the best in the county. This factory, which is under the direct supervision of John Badertscher, has a daily summer out- put of 1,000 pounds of cheese, and a daily winter output of 500 pounds, making a total annual output of 273,752 pounds. The other two factories also have a good output. The Oak Grove Factory in section 15 was purchased in 1920 and the Long Lake Road Cheese Factory in section 15 was erected in 1918. Mr. Badertscher is a stockholder in the Industrial Co-operative Union at Monroe, Wis. He was married Feb. 9, 1917, to Alice Oberli, who was born in Switzerland Nov. 29, 1887, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Reber) Oberli, natives of that country who still reside there. Mr. and Mrs. Badertscher have one child, Gertrude E., born June 6, 1919. The family attends the Swiss church.

Otto Badertscher, of the firm of Badertscher Brothers, cheese manufac- turers, owners of the Dobie Cheese Factory in Dobie Village; the Oak Grove Cheese Factory in section 15, Oak Grove Township; and the Long Lake Road Cheese Factory in section 15, Oak Grove Township, is of that new type of cheese makers, to whom the manufacture of dairy products is an exact science. He is familiar with every department of dairying from the selection and breeding of cattle up to marketing cheese and butter, and he keeps thoroughly abreast of all new developments. He is liked by all with whom he has deal-

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MR. AND MRS. FRANK MULLEN

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ings, he is an enthusiast in his work and he has confidence in its limitless opportunities in the future. He has already done much in life and and is on the road to still greater success. He was born in Switzerland, July 27, 1890, the son of Christ and Anna (Beer) Badertscher, substantial natives of that country, the former of whom died Dec. 10, 1912, and the latter of whom is still living there. In the family there were eight children: Christ, Fred, John, Otto, Rose, Sophia, Berthia and Elizabeth, all of whom are living in Switzer- land except John and Otto. Otto was reared in his native land and was familiar with the cheese industry from early boyhood, starting work in that line as soon as he was of sufficient age. In due time he entered the Bern Dairy School, one of the best in the world, and thoroughly studied under capable instructors. He graduated in 1914, and immediately came to America, joining his brother, John, in Stevenson County, Ill., where he was employed in the Badler Cheese Factory at Orangeville. In 1918 he and his brother came to Barron County. They built at once the factory at Dobie, which was burned and rebuilt in 1920. In 1920 they purchased a factory in section 15, Oak Grove Township, and in 1918 they built the one on the Long Lake Road in section 15, Oak Grove Township. Otto Badertscher personally has charge of the factory in section 15, which has an average daily summer output of from 2,500 to 3,000 pounds, and an average daily winter output of 800 pounds. Mr. Badertscher was married March 19, 1920, to Johanna Gradel, who was born in Switzerland, daughter of Godfrey and Elisa (Bachler) Gradel.

John A. Wold, a well liked farmer who is operating his good farm of 61 acres in Section 5, West, Maple Grove Township, is a native of this state, born June 25, 1886, in Trempealeau County, son of Andrew and Ingelberg (Hanson) Wold, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1880 and farmed in Trempealeau County until 1910 when they came to Barron County and purchased their present farm in Dover Township. John A. received his educa- tion in the public schools of his native county, came to Barron County with his parents, and remained with them until 1913. Then for several years he operated rented farms in this county. He bought his present place in 1919. He carries on mixed farming and dairying, and is experimenting with tobacco, with which he has had considerable success. Mr. Wold was married June 24, 1913, to Gena Hanson, daughter of Engvold and Engerberg Lee, natives of Norway, who now reside in Dovre Township, this county, where they are respected farmers. Mr. and Mrs. Wold have three children: Inez, born July 24, 1915; Arnold, born June 19, 1917, and Helen, born Nov. 24, 1918.

Hans Carlson, a worthy and estimable farmer, owning 170 acres in Sec- tions 7 and 18, East, Maple Grove Township, was born in Norway June 4, 1850, son of Carl and Mary (Eversdater) Helgerson, both of whom died in the old country. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native land and was nearly thirty years of age when he came to this country in 1879. He worked for a while in Green County, and then came to Barron County where he bought 65 acres in Dallas Township, where he did some clearing, fixed up the house, built a log barn, and farmed for eight years. In 1888 he bought his present place. Here he cleared about 90 acres, built a set of buildings and fences, and brought the place to a good stage of cultivation. He now, like his neighbors, carries on general farming and dairying. Mr. Carlson was married April 5, 1887, to Mrs. Betsy Tollefson, widow of Knut Tollefson by whom she had one son, Torval, born May 22, 1884, now of Detroit, Mich., and this union has been blessed with seven children: Gena, who was born Nov. 11, 1888, is the wife of Louis Erickson, of Minneapolis. Mary, who was born April 8, 1891, is the wife of Eric Lundmark, of Minneapolis. Emma, who was born Feb. 18, 1894, is also in Minneapolis. Helga, born March 16, 1897; Carl, born May 28, 1899; Bennie, born March 9, 1902, and Victor, born Nov. 13, 1904, are all at home. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Frank Mullen, a worthy and hardworking man, whose early career is a part of the history of the development of Oak Grove Township, came to Sec-

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tion 22 in 1871, and thereafter had much to do with the upbuilding of this region. He built himself a cabin of logs in the woods, with a straw shed for his animals, and the next year brought his bride to the place. Some of his furniture was made from trees cut on the place and the household equipment and farming tools were few indeed. For a number of years he worked in the lumber woods in the winter and on the river drives in the spring to get a little money with which to support his family while the farm was being made profitable. His wife stayed in the little cabin, looking after the place and caring for the children. In time Mr. Mullen became a "cookee" on lumber drives, assisted, as soon as they became old enough, by his sons, John and Michael. As a pioneer in the wilderness he underwent many interesting experiences. He often brought provisions on his back from far away Menomo- nie or Chippewa Falls. In the summers he worked early and late to develop his farm. When he first came here there were no roads. The path to his homestead was an old Indian trail which the savages had trodden for genera- tions. Mr. Mullen realized that if the country was ever to develop that there must be better means of transportation and communication. He, therefore, became an advocate of good roads, and not only did he constantly encourage his neighbors along that line, but he also cut through many roads with his own hands. When he started farming his domestic animals consisted of a yoke of oxen and one cow. His wife had a spinning wheel, and on this she spun yarn with which to knit socks and mittens for the family. The toil, the labor, the hard work, the sacrifices, the lack of comforts, and the heart breaking dis- couragements of those days are hard for the present generation to realize. But they had strength and courage, and in time their efforts resulted, not only in the building up of a good place for themselves, but also in the development of the neighborhood. The Mullen home was always open to all. It was the center of many of the social events of the neighborhood, some of the settlers were invited to live there while they were getting their own places started, no traveler was ever refused hospitality, and in times of misfortune and illness in the neighborhood, Mrs. Mullen was an angel of mercy. Aside from being a leader in material things, Mr. Mullen was deeply interested in church affairs. He helped to establish the Church of Our Lady of Lords at Dobie and continued loyal and unswerving in his support. After a long and useful life he died Jan. 28, 1918, at the good old age of 82 years. His good wife died Feb. 1, 1910. at the age of 68 years. Frank Mullen was born in Armouth, in northern Ire- land, Dec. 15, 1836, the son of Michael Mullen and his good wife. The family came to Canada in 1870, and it was a year later that the subject of this sketch came to Barron County. He was married June 11, 1872, to Margaret McGough, who was born in Canada, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Owen McGough, natives of Ireland. She died in Barron County in 1909 at the age of 68 years Mr. and Mrs. Mullen had four children. Michael farms in Oak Grove Town- ship, this county, on part of the old homestead. John farms on the old home- stead. Bridget Ann is the wife of Thomas Dorsey, of Oak Grove Township. Hannah is the wife of Louis Napolean Forrest, of Campia, in this county.

John Mullen, an enterprising and prosperous farmer of Section 22, Oak Grove Township, is one of the most popular men in his community. He has lived here all his life, and his record through all these years has been without blemish. He is a hard working man, he believes in helping in every good cause, and, like his father before him, has done much in the development of this vicinity. Born in the county when it was little more than a wilderness, he is naturally interested in the story of its beginnings and progress, and he is especially proud of the part which his parents took in its upbuilding. He first saw the light of day on the place where he still lives Jan. 23, 1875, the son of Frank and Margaret (McGough) Mullen, the early settlers. He was reared on the homestead and attended school as the neighborhood then afforded. He was in his early teens when he was first taken on logging drives to help his father in cooking for the crew, and thereafter he was employed in

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the woods for several years, logging in the winter and working on the river drives in the spring. In the meantime he helped his father on the home place. In 1918 he took over 80 acres of the farm, including the home site. He has fixed up the buildings and has further developed the place. Here he success- fully carries on general farming and dairying. He is a popular and repre- sentative citizen. Mr. Mullen greatly honors his parents, and has made possible the appearance of their portrait as one of the illustrations of this work. He was married at Dobie, in this township, June 24, 1903, by Rev. Father A. P. Bourbe, to Rosanna Forrest, who was born on the homestead of her parents, Camille and Mary Ann (Armond) Forrest, Section 6, Doyle Town- ship, this county, May 15, 1882.

Charles R. Chambers, Section 32, West, Maple Grove Township, was born in Emmet County, Iowa, Nov. 17, 1874, son of Dudley and Mettie (Goff) Chambers, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and New York state. They came to Barron County with their sons, Charles R. and Fred, in 1896, and here spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1919 and the mother in 1905. Charles R. was reared in his native county, was educated there and devoted his early life to farm work. When the family came to Barron County in 1896 he and his brother purchased 80 acres in Section 31, West, Maple Grove Township, moved a house onto the farm, built a log barn, cleared a part of the land, and made a number of other improvements. In 1898 he sold his interest to his brother and took up work in the woods in Sawyer County, this state. He came back to Maple Grove Township in the spring of 1900 and bought 80 acres in Section 31, West. Of the 45 acres which he cleared, he broke 35 acres, erected a set of buildings and constructed suitable fences. In the fall of 1917 he sold and purchased his present place of 80 acres. He renovated the buildings standing thereon, and built a machine shed and milk house. Here he now successfully conducts general farming and dairying. He is a member of the school board of his district, and his fraternal relations are with the Odd Fellows. Mr. Chambers was married March 28, 1898, to Mary Coon, daughter of Rufus and Susan (Tio) Coon, natives respectively of New York state and Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Coon came to Barron County in 1881 and settled in Maple Grove Township where they farmed until 1903 when they moved to Hillsdale village. Mrs. Coon died there April 2, 1917, and Mr. Coon moved to Barton, in this state, where he now resides. In the Coon family there are three children, Cora, Myron and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Cham- bers are the parents of five children: Nora L. was born March 7, 1900, mar- ried Rollo Skimmerhorn of St. Paul; Mabel was born June 6, 1901, and is now Mrs. Raymond Brownlee, of Barron; Bernard F. was born April 20, 1903; Benjamin D. was born March 20, 1907, and Gladys I. was born Nov. 17, 1909.

Fred E. Ellis, section 33, West, Maple Grove Township, was born in Men- tone, Indiana, Feb. 3, 1884, son of John and Frances (Dormeyer) Ellis, now of Hillsdale. He received his education in the public schools of Chicago and was for several years employed in that city. In 1902 he accompanied his father to Barron County, and was by him employed here until 1906. That year he purchased from his father 80 acres in section 34, West, Maple Grove Town- ship, which he cleared, and to some extent improved. After two years he traded this tract for a piece of property in Richmond, Virginia, and moved there. In 1910 he came back to Barron County and purchased 40 acres in section 33, West, Maple Grove Township. To this he later added 40 acres more in the same section. He repaired the house, built a new barn, silo and out- buildings, and cleared and broke additional acreage. Here he now success- fully carries on general farming and dairying. Fraternally he associates with the Odd Fellows. Mr. Ellis was married Aug. 12, 1906, to Jennie Skinner, daughter of Albert and Helen (Penny) Skinner, for many years of Barron County, the father dying in 1902 and the mother is now living in Superior, Wisconsin. In the Skinner family there were nine children: Emma, Jennie, Marvin, Martin, Milton, Marshall, Merlin, Lela and Clement. Mr. and Mrs.

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Ellis have one son, Elbert E., born May 21, 1907, who is doing well with his studies in the public schools. The family faith is that of the Christian church.

Andrew Greenwold, a representative farmer of section 20, East, Maple Grove Township, was born in Norway Jan. 27, 1883, son of Martinus and Nickolena (Nelson) Greenwold, being one of their large family of nine sturdy children. He was reared and educated in Norway and there grew to manhood. He left the land of his birth and boyhood Sept. 15, 1903, and after reaching America located at Beloit, in Rock County, this state. From there he went to Rusk County, also in this state, and located on a piece of land near Lady- smith. From there in 1910 he came to Barron County and rented a farm near Hillsdale. Then he rented a farm west of Barron. In 1917 he bought a farm of eighty acres in section 12, West, Maple Grove Township. Three years later he sold and bought 80 acres in section 22, Chetek Township. There he im- proved a good place. In 1920 he sold that place at a good figure and acquired his present farm, to which he is now devoting his attention. He carries on general farming and stock raising and has a fine herd of Guernsey cattle. He is active in the Guernsey Breeders' Association and is a stockholder in the Co-operative Mercantile Co. of Chetek. Mr. Greenwold was married in Norway on March 13, 1901, to Agnes Knutson, and one child, Martin, was born there Dec. 29, 1902. Seven children: Milton, Nellie, Myrtle, Esther (deceased), Ruth, Alfred and Hjalmer, were born in Barron County.

Frank Heinze, for many years a prominent and influential citizen, now deceased, was of an excellent type of manhood, worked hard for the develop- ment of this part of the county and at his death left an honored memory. He was in the forefront of every public move, he was always willing to help in any way possible in the progress of the town, and his neighbors and friends always found him generous whenever the need arose. His career is inter- woven in the warp and woof of the town's story. He served with credit as a member of the town board for about eight years, and did excellent work on the school board of his district for several terms. In his death Sept. 18, 1912, his family lost a loving husband and indulgent father, his friends lost a good neighbor and companion, the township lost a valuable citizen, and the county lost a good man. He was born in Austria and came to the United States in 1865. In La Crosse, Wis., he married Anna Puhl, also a native of Austria, and for nearly twenty years they farmed near that place. In 1885 they moved to a farm near Bloomer, Wis., where they farmed nine years. They came to Barron County in 1894 and purchased 80 acres in section 18, Oak Grove Town- ship. For a while Mr. Heinze was employed as section foreman on the Omaha line, and lived in the section shanty while he devoted his spare time to getting up a log house for himself and his family. Later this log cabin gave place to a good set of substantial buildings. He broke 60 acres of the land and made general improvements. On this place he successfully carried on general farm- ing until his death. For several years he operated the sawmill at Haugen. He was also one of those who helped build the highway from Haugen to Rice Lake. Fraternally he was a member of the Knights of Columbus of Bloomer, and a member of the Catholic church. Mr. and Mrs. Heinze were the parents of eight children: Hugh, Emma, Louisa, Anna, Henry, Bertha, Lena and Frank (deceased). Mrs. Heinze, the mother, still lives on the old place. .

Henry Heinze, energetic and prosperous farmer, business man, public official, and soldier of the World War, was born on a farm at Bloomer, Wis., March 26, 1887, son of Frank and Anna (Puhl) Heinze, who brought him to this county in 1894. He attended district school here and as a young man worked on the home farm, spent his falls in the wheat fields of the Dakotas harvesting and threshing, and worked on the roads in Oak Grove Township. When his father died he purchased the rights of the other heirs and now operates the place successfully carrying on general farming and dairying. For several years he was in business in Haugen. At one time he bought and shipped stock, potatoes, cordwood, hay, grain and other farm produce. He

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MR. AND MRS. ADOLPH J. STODOLA

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also operated a livery barn and dray line and handled the local agency for the Ford cars in connection therewith. As a business man he was active in village affairs and was made treasurer of the Haugen Commercial Club, in which position he is still serving. His business holdings include stock in the Haugen State Bank. In the township he has been a member of the board of supervisors for two years. He was inducted into the United States service July 23, 1918, and trained with the 134th Infantry, 86th Division, at Camp Grant. After arriving in France on Sept. 21, 1918, he was transferred to the 110th Infantry, 78th Division. He was returned to the States in June, 1919, and was discharged June 19 at Camp Grant. He is a member of the American Legion and also of the Modern Woodmen. Mr. Heinze was married July 8, 1919, to Margaret Votruba, who was born June 21, 1898, at Menomonie, Wis., daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Forest) Votruba, natives of Austria, who now live in Washburn County, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Heinze have one son, Robert, born April 11, 1920.

Bohmil Stodola, now deceased, for some ten years a resident of this county, was born in Bohemia, and was there reared and educated. There he married Anna Svoboda, the daughter of a neighbor. They came to America in 1881, bringing their family. After due deliberation they settled near Clarkson, Colfax County, Nebraska, where they farmed for several years, and where the rest of their children were born. In 1895 they came to Barron County and bought 160 acres in section 20, Oak Grove Township. He erected a set of buildings, cleared nearly the entire tract, and developed a well improved farm. He died July 12, 1906. Mrs. Anna Stodola now resides with her son, Adolph J., who after his father's death purchased eighty acres of the farm, which he subsequently sold and now lives on a farm of forty acres in section 9, Oak Grove. The other eighty acres of the old home farm were bought by another son, Ludvik. In the family there were eight children: Bohmil, Anna, Edward, Emma, Joseph, Ludvik, Adolph and Lewis.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 58

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

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