History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 60

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

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Thomas Parks, now deceased, was a well known figure in Barron County life for more than thirty years. He was one of the real leaders of the town- ship in which he lived, his judgment was always to be relied upon, and he was one of those thorough-going steady men upon whom rests the stability of agricultural life in the Northwest. In his home he was all that a husband and father should be, and his death was sincerely mourned. He was born June 6, 1842, in Burgess, Ontario, Canada, and was there reared and educated. In 1873 he came to the United States and settled in Pierce County, this state, where he bought 80 acres of land and carried on general farming. In 1881 he sold out and came to Barron County, where he took a homestead of 80 acres in section 13, Oak Grove Township, and devoted sixteen years to its develop- ment. He cleared 40 acres, erected a set of buildings and bought suitable equipment. In 1897 he sold out and purchased 240 acres in section 35, in the same township. There he cleared 120 acres of land. He put up a good set of buildings, which, when they were destroyed, he replaced with another set. He was at the height of a successful career when he died Aug. 19, 1913. He was a valued member of the county board, and also served for many years on the town board and on the school board of his district. Fraternally he was a member of the Catholic Knights. He and his family were communicants of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Parks was married Aug. 23, 1869, to Bridget Darcy, born Feb. 2, 1847, in Canada, daughter of Michael and Bridget (Donley) Darcy, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Parks have had four children: Andy, Thomas, George and Frank: The last mentioned died Feb. 13, 1918.

Hans W. Skinvik, a respected farmer of section 4, Oak Grove Township, came to Barron County in 1913, and for a year lived at Rice Lake. Then he bought his present farm of 40 acres. He has fixed up the house and other buildings, and erected a new barn and silo. He has also continued the clearing and breaking of the land. He here carries on general farming along modern lines. He is interested in all the affairs of the community, and for four years served as treasurer of the Hawthorne school district. As he is a man of superior attainments and a former teacher himself, his services in this ca- pacity were of much benefit to the district. Born in Norway June 19, 1861, he is the son of Peter and Anna (Larson) Skinvik, natives of that country, and both now deceased. He was graduated from the Training School at Volden, Norway, in 1878, and then taught school for two years. Subsequently he entered the high school at Christiania, Norway, and was graduated in 1881. With this experience he became a clerk in a furniture store at Christiania,

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Norway, for ten years. In 1891 he came to America and after arriving at Superior, Wis., came to Washburn County, this state, and homesteaded 160 acres near Minong. There he developed a good farm, and there he remained for twenty-two years. He was one of the leading men of his community, exerted considerable influence in public affairs, and served for two years on the town board and twelve years was township clerk. In 1913 he sold out and came to Barron County. Mr. Skinvik was married Jan. 8, 1885, in Norway, to Anna Nelson, who was born in Denmark, Jan. 24, 1862, the daughter of Peter and Bodil Anderson, both natives of that country, and both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Skinvik are the parents of eight children: Peter, Olaf, Borghild, May, Eva, John, Effie and Vivian. Peter was born March 11, 1886, and is now in Augusta, Eau Claire County, this state. Olaf was born Dec. 15, 1888, and is now in Wilson, Oklahoma. Borghild was born Aug. 8, 1891, and is the wife of Herbert Jacoby, a farmer of Spooner, Wis. May was born May 2, 1894, and is the wife of Dr. Seth Medley, of Butler, Oklahoma. Eva was born March 4, 1897, and is the wife of William Philipson, of Barron, this county. John was born Aug. 8, 1902, and is at home. Effie was born Aug. 31, 1904, and is attending the Barron County Training School at Rice Lake. Vivian was born Sept. 3, 1907, and is attending the district school. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Richard G. Hocking, a modern farmer of section 4, Oak Grove Township, was born at Fonda, Pocahontas County, Iowa, Nov. 6, 1881, the son of Hugh and Millie (Willard) Hocking, natives respectively of England and Illinois. Hugh Hocking came to America as a boy with his parents in 1839 and located with them in Grant County, this state, where he remained for thirty years. As a young man he learned the trades of carpenter and wagon maker, voca- tions which he followed throughout his adult years. In 1869 he went to Wagner, South Dakota, and worked at his trade until 1916 when he took up his home with his son, the subject of this sketch. His wife died March 11, 1920. In the family there were ten children: Charles (deceased), Hugh (de- ceased), George (deceased), Nathan (deceasd), John, of Turtle Lake, this county; May, wife of Edward Hyde, of South Dakota; Olive, of Wagner, South Dakota; Richard G., of Oak Grove Township, this county; Theodore, of Lynch, Nebraska; and Frank, who lives with Richard G. Richard G. received his edu- cation in his native town, and has devoted his life to farming since early youth. From Iowa in 1900 he first came to Barron County. Later he went to South Dakota and in 1913 from that state to Nebraska, and rented a farm which he operated for five years. In 1918 he bought his present farm of eighty acres. Here he carries on general farming and dairying, his cattle being of the Holstein breed. Mr. Hocking was married April 16, 1904, to Lucille Guibord, born in Oak Grove, Barron County, in 1888, the daughter of Tusant Guibord. This union has been blessed with one child: Bernice, born Jan. 11, 1907.

Carl E. Westerland, an estimable farmer of section 4, Oak Grove Town- ship, was born in Finland Sept. 22, 1878, the son of Carl and Ella (Nordland) Westerland, also natives of that country, the former of whom died in 1886, and the latter of whom is still living there. In the family there were seven children: Carl E., of Oak Grove Township; Lena, wife of John Bergman, of Oak Grove Township; John, of Escanaba, Michigan; Sophia, of Sweden; Ilgot, of Finland; Helma, the wife of John Berg, of Brooklyn, New York; and Al- fonse, of Sweden. Carl E., the oldest of the family, was reared in his native land and as a youth became a sailor, in which capacity he visited many of the principal ports of Northern Europe. He came to America in 1903 and located in Philadelphia, Penn., where he learned the carpenter's trade. In 1908 he went back to Finland for a short time, but in 1909 again came to America and worked in the mines in upper Michigan. He came to Barron County in 1910 and bought 40 acres in section 4, Oak Grove Township. Later he added forty more in the same section. For a while, in order to secure the funds necessary to improve his farm, he worked in the woods winters and in

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the summers did carpenter work in the neighborhood. In the meantime, he gradually developed his place. He cleared forty acres, put up fences, and erected a good set of buildings with his own hands. He now carries on general farming on a profitable scale, and does considerable dairying, having a good herd of mixed Holsteins. Mr. Westerland was married Nov. 27, 1904, to Olga Johnson, who was born in Finland Feb. 16, 1881, the daughter of John August and Matilda (Hegbloom) Johnson, the former of whom is dead and the latter of whom still lives in Finland. Mr. and Mrs. Westerland have five children: Florence, born Feb. 27, 1905; Holger, born Aug. 10, 1909; Leon, born Aug. 3, 1911; Elmer, born Jan. 6, 1915; and Agnes, born June 10, 1917.

John Bergman, a representative farmer of Section 4, Oak Grove Town- ship, was born in Finland Nov. 27, 1880, the son of Emil and Sophia Bergman, who spent the span of their years in that country. John was educated in his native land, and early became a sailor. He came to the United States in 1904 and came directly to Oak Grove Township where he did farm work for a while. Then he became a railroad section man and worked in Wisconsin, North Dakota and Washington. In 1908 he came back to Barron County and bought 40 acres in Section 4, Oak Grove Township. He renovated the house which stood on the place and built a barn and other structures. Of this tract he cleared 20 acres. In 1918 he bought 80 acres over the line in Washburn County and has cleared several acres of that. He successfully carries on general farming and dairying, and is highly regarded throughout the commu- nity. Mr. Bergman was married in Finland March 18, 1903, to Lena Wester- land, who was born in Finland in February, 1881, the daughter of Carl and Ella (Nordland) Westerland. This union has been blessed with five children: Delia L., born Jan. 1, 1905; Alma B., May 5, 1908; Aver W., Dec. 13, 1913; Carl J., June 8, 1916, and Grace, Oct. 13, 1918.

Joseph P. Kohel, an industrious farmer of Section 5, Oak Grove Township, came to Barron County in 1910 and purchased 80 acres of his present farm. In 1919 he bought another 80 acres in Section 4, thus making a good place of 160 acres. On this tract he has erected a good set of buildings, cleared 65 acres, and broken some of it, so that the farm is now well developed and improved. He carries on general farming and dairying on a successful scale, and is regarded as one of the prosperous men of the township. He was born in Bohemia Aug. 24, 1872, the son of Frank and Julia (Wagner) Kohel, natives of that country, both of whom are now deceased. He received his education in Bohemia and farmed with his parents until 1890. In that year he came to America. He worked a while in Kewaunee County, this state, then in Mari- nette, also in this state, then in the upper peninsula of Michigan, then in the mines near Duluth and then in Marinette County, Wisconsin, getting out posts and ties. In 1903 he went to Ashland, in this state, and worked in the saw- mills there. Next he went to Virginia, Minn., and was employed in the mines. From there he came to Barron County. Mr. Kohel was married April 15, 1903, to Dora Kust, who was born in Bohemia Dec. 4, 1880, the daughter of Mathiew and Anna (Kovrick) Kust. This union has been blessed with nine children: John, born Sept. 12, 1906; Mary, born Sept. 8, 1907; Rose, born March 12, 1910; Thomas, born June 6, 1911; James, born Sept. 12, 1912; Anna, born Dec. 15, 1913; Edward, born May 29, 1915; Helen, born May 24, 1916, and William, born Nov. 2, 1920.

Joseph J. Kust, an energetic farmer of Section 5, Oak Grove Township, was born in Bohemia Dec. 7, 1886, the son of Joseph and Anna (Kovrick) Kust, also natives of that country. The father died in Bohemia in 1894. In 1901 the mother and Joseph J. came to this country and located in Ashland County, this state. There she married Thomas Kvalovec, who brought the family to Barron County in 1905 and located in Oak Grove Township. Joseph J. worked with his stepfather for some years and thoroughly mastered farm- ing. In 1908 he bought 120 acres in Section 5, Oak Grove Township. He has continued the improvements, has fixed over the buildings, and cleared more of

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the land. Here he successfully carries on general farming and dairying. He is well liked for his genial temperament and is already well along the road to success. Mr. Kust was married April 30, 1917, to Cecilia Hrdlicka, who was born Nov. 15, 1902, in Ledgewood, N. D., the daughter of Alois and Anna (Tomek) Hrdlicka, natives of Bohemia, who now live in Woodburn, Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Kust have two children: Joseph B., born July 30, 1918, and Anna C., born April 4, 1920.

Anton Dostal, one of the first settlers in the northern part of Oak Grove Township and a leader among the Bohemian colony in this vicinity, was born in Bohemia, was there reared and educated, and there married Mary Vovalancky. He came to America in 1878 and settled at Muscoda, Grant County, this state, where he engaged in the meat business for nineteen years. In 1897 he came to Barron County and bought 120 acres in Section 9, Oak Grove Township. The northern part of the township was then little more than a wilderness. He put up a set of log buildings in the woods and started to clear the land. He erected a good frame building and in time developed a good place and won success. After a well-spent and worthy life he died Dec. 25, 1909, and in his death the community lost a good citizen. Mr. Dostal was a member of the Catholic Church, as also is his wife who is still living at the old home, being now 67 years old. Mr. and Mrs. Dostal were the parents of ten children: Mary, Frank, Charles, Anna, Amelia, Joseph, Elizabeth, Fred G. and Gustav (twins) and Emma. Mary is the wife of William Brewer, of Omaha, Neb. Frank lives in Madison, Wis. Charles is in Savannah, Ill. Anna is the wife of John Wiernicz. Joseph is a farmer in Stanfold Township, this county. Elizabeth is the wife of Fred Brewer. Emma is the wife of Charles Painter. Fred and Gustav (twins) are both on home farm.

Gustav and Fred G. Dostal, farming in partnership in Section 9, Oak Grove Township, under the name of the Dostal Brothers, were born in Mus- coda, Wis., Feb. 16, 1894, the sons of Anton and Mary (Vovalancky) Dostal, who brought them to their present farm when they were infants. They were reared here and attended the district school, becoming known far and wide as the Dostal twins. They were but fifteen years old when their father died, but they were of sturdy health and clear judgment, and understood farming, so that they began at once to operate the home farm for their mother. They have continued the improvements started by their father, and cleared and stumped 70 acres, and have added to the equpiment. They carry on general farming and dairying and make a specialty of grade Holstein cattle. Both are active in the affairs of the community and both are well liked by all who know them. Fred G. Dostal took an active part in the World War. He was inducted into the United States service July 23, 1918, and was sent to Camp Georgia, at Greenleaf, which was a detention camp. He was then transferred to a replacement camp at the same place. Then he was assigned to Motor Company No. 6 of the 51st Unit and later to Motor Company No. 14, 51st Unit, then to the 13th Company. He was sent to Camp Upton, New Jersey, and sailed for Liverpool, England, Oct. 5, 1918. From there he went to Winchester and thence to Southampton and crossed the channel to Cherbourg, France. In France he was transferred to the Medical Corps, working in a hospital until after the armistice was signed. After a return voyage of seventeen days he arrived in the United States June 3, 1919, and was discharged June 19, when he returned home. His brother, Gustav, who was educated in the district schools, has always remained on the home farm.

Casper Stelmachowski, better known as Casper S. Stelmer, veteran of the World War and held for a time as a prisoner in German camps, was born in Milwaukee, Wis., on Feb. 11, 1895, the son of Thomas and Agnes Stelmachowski, natives of Poland, who came to America in 1888 and located at Milwaukee, both being now deceased. He now lives in Cedar Lake Township. He was inducted into the United States service on Feb. 14, 1917, and trained at Jef-

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ferson Barracks, Missouri, with Company No. 15. From there he was trans- ferred to Nogales, Ariz. He joined the 18th Infantry, Company C, and sailed from Hoboken, N. J., April, 1917, with that organization. He did trench duty in different sectors, and went over the top for the first time on the Toul- Ansauville front, May 28, 1918. July 17, on the Ansauville front, he again went over the top and advanced steadily under heavy fire until July 21, when he was captured by the Germans. Some of his comrades were shot in at- tempting to escape. After four months and thirteen days he was released. He returned to the United States and was discharged at Camp Taylor, Ky., on March 31, 1920. The 18th Infantry was decorated by the French for bravery and cited. The decoration was a silver star bearing the inscription "G. O. 5." Each member of the regiment, including, of course, our subject, wears a copy of this silver star.

Joseph Kringle, who owns a good farm of 60 acres in Section 16, Cedar Lake Township, is one of the leaders in his part of the township. He has been clerk of his township since 1917 and clerk of the Mikana Diary Produce Asso- ciation, operating the cheese factory at Mikana, since 1919. He is local over- seer of state highway work, and in 1920 supervised the putting of some 8,000 loads of gravel on six miles of roadway. He is a native of this county, born in Maple Grove Township Oct. 25, 1891, son of Gabriel and Barbara (Huseth) Kringle. He was educated in the schools of his neighborhood, and in 1908 received a diploma testifying to his completion of a grammar school course of study. For a time thereafter he continued on the farm with his parents. In 1910 he went into the woods where he was employed in the commissary department of a lumber camp. The next year he did farm work for Oskar Bergen in Dallas Township. He went to North Dakota in 1912 and worked for two years on a farm in Foster County. In 1914 he came back to Barron County and became clerk in the general store of George Kringle, at Mikana, for a year. Then from 1915 to 1917 he rented his father's farm. But he had con- ceived a liking for the Mikana locality, so in 1917 he came here and purchased his present place. It was then improved to some extent. He put up a house and a large basement barn, which is modernly equipped with Hudson stan- chions, running water, litter carrier and other conveniences. On this place he conducts general farming and dairying. His holdings include stock in the Mikana Dairy Products Association and the Mikana Feed Mill Company. Mr. Kringle is likewise prominent in church affairs. He is a man of good clerical ability and his records are well kept. He is also a man of good judgment and his opinions are highly regarded. Mr. Kringle was married Sept. 25, 1913, at St. Paul, Minn., to Goldie Edgett, daughter of David and Rachael (Chute) Edgett, now living at Mikana. Mr. and Mrs. Kringle have three bright boys : Glen J., born July 27, 1914; Lloyd L., born March 27, 1916, and Howard D., born March 17, 1918.

Frank J. Wolverson, an expert and highly trained agriculturist, manager of the widely known Cedar Lake Stock Farm, Section 22, Cedar Lake Town- ship, was born in Newark, N. J., Dec. 15, 1890, son of Jesse and Jane (Gray) Wolverson, natives respectively of England and New Jersey, and both now dead. The subject of this sketch was educated in East Orange, N. J., graduat- ing from the high school there in 1909. Then he took courses in agriculture, animal husbandry and kindred subjects at the Connecticut Agricultural School, Storrs, Conn., and was graduated therefrom in 1912. With this preparation he became a stock farm manager and took charge of farms in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Iowa. His excellent work attracted the attention of H. S. Stout, of Chicago, who, in 1919, secured his services as manager of his Barron County farm. Mr. Wolverson has proven himself an ideal man for the position. He has not only devoted his scientific knowledge and experience to the development of the farm of which he is in charge, but he has also taken a deep interest in neighborhood affairs. At the present time he is serving most admirably as secretary and treasurer of the Cedar Lake Potato Growers'

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Association. Mr. Wolverson was married, at Algona, Ia., May 1, 1918, to Flor- ence Schreiber, born at Livermore, Ia., Dec. 25, 1898, daugher of Robert and Rhoda (Paul) Schreiber of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Wolverson have two chil- dren, one daughter, Jennie R., born April 30, 1920, and Frances June, Jan. 7, 1921. The Cedar Lake Stock Farm is probably the largest and best farm in the county. It consists of 700 acres of well improved land in Section 22, Cedar Lake Township. The buildings are models of their kind, the finest to be found in this part of the state, and equipped with every device that modern science has invented. The cow testing barns are said to be the best in the whole state, possibly in the Northwest. On the farm's broad acres is supported a model herd of pure blooded Guernseys, of which 75 are milch cows. The Duroc- Jersey swine, the Shropshire sheep, the white Wyndotte chickens, are also all of pure blood. The crops raised are of the best, the potatoes especially being widely known for their excellence. The equipment of tools, implements and machinery is complete, and the vast stretch of land is well fenced. The owner of the place is H. L. Stout, of Chicago, who visits here frequently, but leaves the entire management in the hands of his overseer, Frank J. Wolverson.

Gottlieb Zulliger, proprietor of the Tuscobia Cheese Factory, is an expert in his particular line, and has built up an excellent business, holding the con- fidence of all with whom he has business dealings. He is a man of unusually wide experience, having traveled extensively in Europe and this country, and having made his home in several different countries and states. He was born in Canton Bern, Switzerland, July 18, 1883, the son of Andy and Elizabeth (Lanz) Zulliger, both of whom are now deceased. In the family there were eight children: Bernard, of Germany; Frederick, Albert and John, of Switzer- land; Emma, of Italy; Gottlieb, the subject of this sketch; Ernest, of Cumber- land, this county; and Walter, of Switzerland. Gottlieb received his early education in his native land, and was there employed until 1902. Then he went to West Prussia and learned the cheese making business. In 1904 he went to Finland and was similarly employed. For a short time in 1907 he visited his parents in Switzerland and then came to America. At Monroe, Green County, this state, where he first settled, he was employed in a cheese factory for eight years. In 1915 he came to Stanfold, in this county, and bought 80 acres. He repaired the buildings, cleared some of the land, and carried on dairying there, at the same time working as cheese maker for the Bestlerton Cheese Factory in Cumberland Township. In 1917 he spent six months in the valley of the Rio Grande River in Texas. Then he operated the Lakeside Cheese Factory at Haugen, this county, for two years. In 1919 he bought his present factory. His output in 1920 was 170,000 pounds of cheese, an average monthly output of 14,150 pounds. Fraternally Mr. Zulliger is a popular member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He attends the Swiss Reform church at Rice Lake. Mr. Zulliger was married April 29, 1910, to Rose Studer, who was born in Switzerland Oct. 15, 1888, daughter of Jacob and Anna (Nyfferler) Studer, both natives of Switzerland, and both now deceased. This union has been blessed with three children : Lilly C., born March 14, 1911; John G., born June 5, 1912; and Edwin A., born Jan. 13, 1914.

Alexander Schnacky, one of the prominent young men of Oak Grove Town- ship, has a good farm of 120 acres in section 2, which he is conducting and improving along the latest approved lines. He is a native of this county, born May 9, 1889, in the township where he now lives, the son of Lewis and Anna (Ruetz) Schnacky, early settlers. He attended the schools of his neighbor- hood, learned farming from his parents, and remained with them until 1906. Then for some years he worked on various farms in different parts of the county. In 1917 he rented his father's farm, and successfully conducted it for three years. He bought his present place in 1920. He remodelled the buildings, erected a machine shed, cleared sixteen more acres, and put every- thing in first class shape. Here he carries on general farming and dairying, and has a good herd of Holsteins headed by a full blooded sire. He also has

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MR. AND MRS. GUSTAVE A. FREITAG

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a good drove of Poland-China swine. Mr. Schnacky was married Jan. 1, 1917, to Edith Hessing, who was born April 14, 1892, in Dane County, Wis., daughter of William and Christina (Heopker) Hessing, natives respectively of Indiana and Wisconsin, who now live at Windsor, Wis. In the Hessing family there are five children: Laura, wife of George Kenden, of Sun Prairie, Dane County, Wis .; Grace, who teaches school in Fort Atkinson, Wis .; Hazel, who also teaches school at Fort Atkinson; Ruby, who is attending the Stout Institute at Menomonie, Wis .; and Edith, the wife of Alexander Schnacky.

Henry Johnson, a well-known farmer of section 8, Oak Grove Township, was born at Blue Mounds, Dane County, this state, Dec. 15, 1868, the son of John H. and Anna (Gorden) Johnson, natives of Norway, who came to America when they were young and spent their years as farmers in Dane and Green counties, this state, he dying July 23, 1914, and she Sept. 14, 1904. In the family there were nine children: Henry, Theodore, Caroline, Andrew (de- ceased), Christ, John, Herman, Emma and Tolena. The subject of this sketch was taken to Green County as a child, attended the district schools there, and learned farming from his father. In 1904 he came to Barron County and bought 40 acres in Rice Lake Township. He erected a set of buildings, cleared and improved the land, and farmed there for five years. In 1909 he bought his present tract of 40 acres in Oak Grove Township. Here he has built up a good place. He has cleared all the land, erected a good set of buildings, and acquired suitable implements, tools and machinery. Before the farming became profitable he helped out the family income by working on the roads in the neighborhood. It is interesting to note that most of the timber for his buildings came from logs which he cut on his own place. He now success- fully carries on general farming and makes a specialty of a good herd of Hol- stein cattle. Mr. Johnson is a man of influence among his fellows and from 1916 to 1919 served as one of the town supervisors. He was married May 16, 1896, to Hannah Lystie, who was born in Evansville, Wis., Dec. 12, 1873, the daughter of Thomas and Ingeborg (Thorson) Lystie, the former of whom is deceased, and the latter of whom lives at Dallas, in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have five children: Thores, Earl, Ella, Grant and Lawrence. Thores was born Nov. 4, 1897, and is now a buttermaker at Pepin, Wis. Earl was born May 10, 1901; Ella was born June 6, 1904; Grant was born Nov. 18, 1907; and Lawrence was born July 14, 1914.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 60

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

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