History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 63

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

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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).

Ludwig Kerber, a prosperous farmer of section 31, Cedar Lake Township, was born in Germany, Feb. 27, 1860. He was educated in that country, and for a period of years worked on farms and in factories. In 1891 he came to America, and settled on a farm in Illinois, where he farmed for eleven years. It was in 1902 that he came to Barron County, and bought 40 acres of wild land in Doyle township. He erected a set of buildings, cleared some of the

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land, and there carried on general farming for four years. He moved to Oak Grove Township in 1906 and rented 120 acres in Section 16, where he remained for five years. In 1911, he rented a farm near Dobie. Then next year he rented a place in Cedar Lake Township, and there he farmed for six years. In 1918 he bought 120 acres in Section 31, Cedar Lake Township, which constitutes his present place. He has remodeled the house, built an addition, and put up a barn and machine shed and other buildings. He has also cleared and broken some of the land. In 1918 he sold the north eighty to one of his sons, retaining the south forty on which the home buildings are standing. Mr. Kerber is an estimable man who is doing his duty as a good citizen in every way. He was married in Germany, May 26, 1882, to Augusta Schultz, who was born in that country. This union has been blessed with eight children : Lena, Amelia, Lizzie, Harry, William, Emil, Henry and Matilda. Lena was born July 28, 1888, and is the wife of Albert Gaut, of Madison, Wis. Amelia was born Jan. 4, 1890, and is the wife of Fred Batcheler, of Cedar Lake Township. Lizzie was born Nov. 15, 1892, and is the wife of John Meins, of Oak Grove Township. Harry was born Feb. 15, 1894, and is at home. He was inducted into the United States service, Sept. 19, 1917; trained at Camp Grant with Co. F, 341st Infantry, 86th Division; also at Camp Green with Co. D, 46th Infantry, 4th Division; was equipped at Camp Mills; sailed for France, May 9, 1918; was at the front two weeks; was wounded at the Battle of the Marne; recuperated in Base Hospital No. 27, and was then transferred as a replacement casual to the 86th Division, arriving home April 2, 1919, and receiving his discharge on April 11, 1919. William was born March 17, 1896, and is employed at Campia, in a sawmill. Emil was born June 17, 1899; Henry was born July 17, 1901, and Matilda was born Dec. 14, 1904.

Alfred Johnson, a substantial farmer of Sections 7 and 8, Oak Grove Township, has been a resident of this county since 1898. He came here that year and for a time was employed on the railroad in the summer time and in the woods winters. Then he bought his present place of 140 acres. He has put up a good set of buildings, has improved and developed the land, and now has a good farm. He carries on general farming and dairying, and has a good herd of graded Holstein cattle. He was born in Sweden, Feb. 8, 1873, the son of Johanas and Anna (Benson) Johnson, who still live in that country. He was educated in his native land, and worked on farms until 1893, when he came to America. For five years he worked in the stone quarries at Cleve- land, Ohio, and then came to Barron County. Mr. Johnson was married May 16, 1896, to Anna Kurten, born in Finland, Sept. 11, 1876, the daughter of Mathias and Mina Kurten, natives of that country, and both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been blessed with eleven children: Hildur, born Jan. 25, 1897, who lives at Evansville, Wis .; Alfonse, born Sept. 1, 1898; Arnold, born Sept. 21, 1900; Elmer, born June 15, 1902; Ejner born Aug. 31, 1904; Hilma, born Oct. 27, 1906; Ellen, born April 29, 1911; Herald, born March 22, 1914; Leroy and Leland (twins) born Dec. 7, 1916, and Donald, born June 21, 1919.

Frank Frolik, retired farmer living in Rice Lake Township, was born in Bohemia, and there married Barbara Wagner. They came to America in the early sixties, and located on a farm in Manitowoc County, this state. In 1899 they came to Barron County, and bought 154 acres, 80 in Section 1, Rice Lake Township, and 74 in Section 36, Oak Grove Township. They made general repairs and improvements and carried on general farming and dairy- ing there until 1917 when they sold the farm to their sons, Anton and Louis. They were the parents of ten children: Mary, Lizzie, Frank, Joseph, Anna, Barbara, Julia, Anton, Louis and Mike (deceased).

Anton Frolik, an up-to-date farmer, who owns part of the home place in Oak Grove Township, was born in Manitowoc County, this state, Nov. 10, 1891, son of Frank and Barbara (Wagner) Frolik. He came to this county

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with his parents in 1899, attended the district school, and helped his father on the farm. In 1917 he purchased the 74 acres of the home farm lying in Section 36, Oak Grove Township, and started farming on his own responsi- bility. He repaired and renovated the buildings, installed modern barn equipment, purchased new machinery, and made the place a modern farm in every respect. He successfully carries on general farming and dairying, and has a good herd of high grade Holstein cattle. His holdings include stock in the Equity Exchange at Campia. Mr. Frolik was married Nov. 18, 1918, to Albina Morneau, born in Solon Springs, Wis., Dec. 5, 1899, daughter of Telesphore and Demerise (Couture) Morneau. Mr. and Mrs. Frolik have one son, Donald, born Dec. 28, 1919. The family are members of the Roman Catholic Church.

John A. Hauck, an energetic young farmer of Section 34, Oak Grove Township, was born in Cresco, Howard County, Iowa, July 14, 1897, son of Frank and Odellia (Schieffer) Hauck, who, in 1898, took him to Monroe County, in that state, where he attended St. Mary's Parochial school. He remained with his parents until after attaining his majority, coming with them to this county in 1916. In 1920, he purchased 80 acres in Section 34, Oak Grove Township, a good farm on which he now conducts general farming and dairying. He has some good Holstein cattle and Duroc-Jersey swine, and is gradually bringing his place to a high stage of development. Mr. Hauck was married, Sept. 23, 1919, to Leona Larson, who was born in Barron County, April 6, 1903, daughter of William and Emma (Sawyer) Larson, the former of whom is a prosperous farmer of Stanfold Township, and the latter of whom died July 10, 1916. In the Larson family there are four children : Violet, Wanda, Evelyn and Leona. Mr. and Mrs. Hauck have one son, Duane, born Nov. 15, 1920. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church.

George Papenheim, a leading farmer, living in Section 35, Oak Grove Township, was born in Chickasaw County, Iowa, June 16, 1888, son of Ru- dolph and Barbara (Hauser) Papenheim, who spent their lives as Iowa farmers, the father dying Jan. 8, 1898, and the mother still living there. In the family there were nine children: Elizabeth, George, Martha, Dora, Wil- liam, Victor, Raymond, Esther and Rose (deceased). The subject of this sketch attended public and parochial schools in New Hampton, Iowa, and as a young man worked with his parents on the farm. He came to Barron County in 1914, and purchased 160 acres in Section 33, Oak Grove Township. The next year he sold this and purchased his present farm of 80 acres. He repaired and renovated the buildings, put up fences, purchased new equipment, and improved the land. He successfully carries on general farming and dairy- ing, having mixed Holstein cattle, and Poland China swine. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Papenheim was married April 10, 1916, to Grace E. Haughian, who was born Jan. 16, 1894, in Barron County, daughter of Michael and Mary (McLeod) Haughian, natives of Canada. This union has been blessed with one daughter, Martha E., born April 10, 1919. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church.

Otto Bergholz, manager of the Farmers' Store at Almena, is one of the leading business men of the village. He is a good merchant, he knows how to buy in the open market, and he knows how to sell, and is thoroughly familiar with the needs of this community. Under his management the store is meeting with success, and his genial manner and fair dealing make his place a real trading center for the farmers. He was born in Lodi, Columbia County, Wis., May 7, 1880, the son of Charles and Augusta (Hoffmater) Bergholz, natives of Germany, who came to America as young people, were married in Wisconsin, and settled on a claim in Columbia county, starting in a log cabin and gradually developing a good place. Otto was the youngest of four children. He was reared on the home farm, and received a good educa- tion in the district schools. For a while he was employed as a farm hand. In 1907 he entered the employ of the Farmers' Co-operative Store at Bloomer,

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in Chippewa County. His work there attracted attention, and in 1911 he was offered and accepted his present position. He has made good in every respect and has given general satisfaction. Mr. Bergholz was married at Almena on Feb. 24, 1915, to Martha Horn, the daughter of Otto and Matilda (Jeske) Horn, natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Bergholz have one daughter, June Lenora, born in Almena, on June 13, 1919.

John R. Swansen, leading garage man and popular athlete of Almena, is a native of the village where he still lives, born May 20, 1898, the son of Nels and Dora (Eggert) Swansen, natives of Germany. He was reared to farm pursuits, attended the public schools, and early became interested in mechanics. In 1914 he went to Minot, N. D., and operated a truck for a transfer company. From there he went to Portal, N. D. In the spring of 1916 he came back to Almena, and assisted M. J. Hockert in building his garage. Then he went to Barron, and worked first for Fred Lentz, in his garage, and then in the John Borgt garage. In the fall of 1916 he operated a threshing machine. He came back to Almena in 1917 and worked in the livery stable for Julius Solt about a year and a half. Then for two years he worked in Charles Kammer's garage. In 1920 he drove his car to Edgley, N. D., and operated a gas tractor engine for a season. Then he came home and in 1920 bought a clover hauler from his father. This he still owns, and in season, operates. In 1920 he rented his present garage. He does repairing of all kinds, carries accessories, and does a general storage business. Since early boyhood he has been an active athlete. He has played basketball throughout this part of the state for several years, and for the past two years has been manager of the town team.

Knudt Anderson, retired farmer of Section 28, Almena Township, was born in Norway, Oct. 2, 1851, the son of Andrew Knudtson and Bertha Nelson, who spent the span of their years in that country. In the family there were two children, Knudt and Nels. By her second marriage to Mons Besserson, the mother had two more sons, Andrew and Kari. Knudt was reared in his native land, and attended school there. As a young man he was a mercantile clerk and steamboat agent at Bergen. In 1883 he came to the United States. He farmed successively in New Jersey, Illinois and Iowa. In 1900 he came to Barron County and purchased 80 acres in Section 28, Almena Township, to which he later added 80 more, making 160 acres in all. A small house had been built, and a little clearing made, but for the most part the land was covered with stumps and brush. With this beginning he has built up a good farm. He erected a pleasant residence, a barn, 40 by 72 feet, a silo, granary and other buildings, and got about 95 acres under the plow. In 1914 he retired, and turned the place over to his son, Elmer. This young man is one of the energetic and enterprising farmers of the neighborhood. He successfully carries on general farming and dairying, and has a good herd. Cream is sold to the Turtle Lake Co-operative Creamery. Mr. Anderson was married at Bancroft, Iowa, Nov. 28, 1886, to Louise Johnson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Johnson, natives of Norway, who settled in Iowa, where both died. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have had seven children: Elmer, Floyd, Cecil, Bert Alva, Emeil (deceased), Oscar (deceased), and an un-named infant (deceased). Elmer was married at St. Paul on April 28, 1920, to Louise Hueftle, who was born in Minneapolis, Aug. 21, 1902, the daughter of William and Julia Hueftle. They have one daughter, Elsie, born May 12, 1921. Floyd is engaged in building cement silos. Cecil is farming in Almena township. Bert Alva is in Bancroft, Iowa. The mother died March 11, 1913. The family faith is that of the Lutheran Church.

William Beecroft, Section 13, Almena Township, has lived in Section 18 Clinton Township 38 years, and has developed it from a tract of wild wood- land to the prosperous-appearing farm that it is today. He was born in Eng- land, Feb. 23, 1862, son of Thomas and Jane (Topper) Beecroft. The father was a gardner by occupation. He came to the United States in 1888, and

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MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM BEECROFT

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bought 80 acres of cut-over land in Section 13, Almena Township, which he partly cleared, and where he erected a frame house, barns and other buildings. After the mother's death, the father sold the place and retired. William was reared in his native land, and in 1883 came to Canada. In 1884 he came to the United States and purchased 40 acres in Section 18, Clinton Township, this county. This was covered with standing hardwood and pine. In order to secure funds for its development, he worked for neighboring farmers for five years. Then he built a log house and barn on his place, and for two years lived there also, while cutting down the trees and getting a farm started. In 1892 he purchased an additional 40 acres of wild land, and this he also improved. In 1898, just when he was getting well started, a fire swept away the buildings, entailing an almost total loss. A few horses and some of the cattle were about all that were saved. Undaunted by this disaster, Mr. and Mrs. Beecroft started in again, and now the family has a developed farm, with pleasant home and buildings. After living alone on his place the two years mentioned, Mr. Beecroft was married at Cumberland, Sept. 15, 1891, to Mary Stoner, the daughter of Casper and Mary (Oberpuler) Stoner. This union has been blessed with five children : George B., William, Mary J., John and George T. George B. was born July 24, 1894 and died April 1, 1905. William B. was born March 22, 1897 and is at home. Mary J. was born Nov. 24, 1899, and married Winsel Fox, of Cumberland. John, born Sept. 13, 1902, and George T. born July 9, 1905, are both at home. Mrs. Beecroft died April 1, 1919. Mrs. Fox lives at home and keeps house for the family.

John B. Meysembourg, a prominent farmer of Section 23, Almena Town- ship, who has been active in the organization of many of the leading enter- prises of this region, was born in Luxemberg, Oct. 2, 1858, the son of Matthias and Elizabeth (Burns) Meysembourg, who spent the span of their years in Luxemburg, the father being a stone mason by trade. In the family there were seven children, of whom there are now living six. Leo, Nick and John B. are in this country. John, Peter and Louis are still in Luxemburg. John B. was reared in his native land, went to school there, and learned the trade of stone mason. In 1879, when he was of age, he came to the United States and worked a year in New Jersey. In 1880 he went to Dubuque, Iowa, and there he worked in a lumber yard, on a Mississippi flat boat, in a brewery and at his trade. In 1881 he went to Bellevue, Iowa, where he remained four years, working on farms and at his trade. In 1885 he bought a farm of 80 acres in Grant County, Wis., where he farmed and carried on his trade. In 1903 he came to Barron County, and purchased 120 acres in Section 23, Almena Township. This was all wild land. With the help of his family he has built up a good place. He has a pleasant residence, 16 by 26 feet, with a 16 by 20 foot ell. His large barn is 34 by 86 feet, with a 14-foot drive, mak- ing 100 feet under cover. His smaller barn is 24 by 36 feet, with an addition, making barn and hay shed 88 feet long. He also has a granary, machine shed and other buildings. The farm is well equipped with tools, implements and machinery. Here he successfully carries on general farming and dairying, and has a good herd of pure blooded and graded Shorthorns. Mr. Meysem- bourg is a believer in everything that tends to benefit the community. He helped to organize the Almena Shipping Association and served as its presi- dent. He helped to organize the Midway Cheese Co., and was its manager when it was built. He also helped to organize the Almena Farmers' Pro- duce Co., and the Almena Telephone Co. In public life he has also taken an active part and has done most excellent service on the school board and on the town board. Mr. Meysembourg was married at Springbrook, Iowa, Oct. 2, 1883, to Kate Wengert, who was born in Bellevue, Iowa, Feb. 24, 1865, the daughter of Peter and Mary (Wagner) Wengert, natives of Luxemberg, who came to this country in 1857, and located at Bellevue, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Meysembourg have eight children: Nick J., L. Herman, Leo, Paul, Mary, Elizabeth, Anna and Lena. Paul and Anna were at home. Mary married L.

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C. Hatton, of Bancroft, Iowa. Elizabeth married John Kiefer, of Canton, this county. Lena married Matt Heller, Jr., of Almena. L. Herman married Bastien Meyer and is a merchant of Almena. The other boys are all farming in this county.

Edward Lindberg, Section 8, Almena Township, was born in Sweden, in 1864, the son of Jacob Lindberg and his wife. These good people died when he was but five years of age, and he early had to make his own way in life. In 1888 he came to the United States, and located at Tower, in St. Louis County, Minn., where he entered the employ of the Minnesota Iron Co., with which concern he was employed as a foreman for some twenty years. In 1901 he came to Barron County, and purchased 40 acres in Section 8, Almena Township, to which he later added a few more acres, making 57 in all. After securing the land he returned to Tower, and continued his employment there until 1909. Then he came back. Since then he has operated the farm. He has built up a nice set of buildings, has about 25 acres under the plow, and carries on general farming and dairying. He was married at Eveleth, Minn., in 1909, to Anna Severson, who was born in Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Lindberg have three children : Hjalmar N., Ellen M. and Ruth C., all at home.

John Lindberg, Section 6, Almena Township, was born in Sweden, April 9, 1889, the son of Carl and Emma Lindberg, the latter of whom died in that country, and the former of whom came to this country and lives at Perley. John was reared in his native land. He came to America in 1907, and located at Eveleth, Minn., where he worked in the mines for three years. In 1910 he came to Barron County, and purchased 80 acres of land in Section 6, Almena Township, which was at that time all wild. He has put up a log house and barn, and cleared about 25 acres. He carries on general farming and dairy- ing and is getting a good start. Mr. Lindberg was married in this township, in October, 1911, to Nettie L. Sands, who was born in Almena Township, Sept. 1, 1894, the daughter of David and Eliza Sands, he a native of Canada. and she of Chippewa Falls, Wis. They now live at Cable, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Lindberg have five children: Eliza, born Oct. 23, 1912; Florence, March 5, 1914; Frieda, Jan. 3, 1916; Hjalmer, Nov. 8, 1917, and Elmer, March 5, 1920, all at home.

Gust Lindberg, Section 6, Almena Township, was born in Sweden, on Aug. 28, 1887, the son of Carl and Emma Lindberg. He was reared in Sweden, and went to school there. In 1907 he came to the United States and located at Eveleth, in northern Minnesota, where he worked in the mines for eight years. In 1915 he came to Barron County, and bought 80 acres in Section 6, Almena Township. It was then all wild, with the exception that a little clear- ing had been made, and a log cabin erected. Mr. Lindberg has cleared 20 acres and has 10 acres under the plow. He has built a barn and made other improvements. Here he specializes in dairying and has a good herd. He is already making good strides along the road to success. Mr. Lindberg married in this township, Oct. 18, 1916, Grace Sands, who was born in Almena Township, Aug. 6, 1896, the daughter of David and Eliza Sands. They have two children: John E., born Oct. 6, 1917, and Emma Louise, born Aug. 16, 1919.

Adam W. Klug, a well known farmer of Section 26, Almena Township, has been active in the affairs of this community for some years. He has been president of the Farmers' Shipping Association of Almena, and president of the Farmers' Produce Co. of Almena. He helped to organize the Midway Cheese Co. and was its first manager. He is a stockholder in the Almena Telephone Co. In public affairs likewise he has been prominent, and has served with satisfaction for some time as town supervisor. He was born in Austria, Dec. 24, 1881, the son of Adam and Mary Klug, also natives of that country. The father brought the family to America in 1891, and located in Minneapolis, Minn., where he worked in a cooper shop for four years. The mother died there in 1892. The father came to Barron County in 1895, and

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bought 110 acres in Sections 26 and 34. This land was then covered with stumps, brush and hard timber. He put up a log house, 20 by 30 feet, and started clearing up the farm. There he lived until his death in 1910. In the family there were six children: Andrew, of Canada; Barbara, the wife of A. P. Sifferle, of Minneapolis; Lena the wife of Joseph Broshofsky, of Almena; Adam W .; Margaret, wife of John Shaupshleger, of Almena, and Mary, the deceased wife of Joseph Nellis, of Blue Island, Ill. Adam W. was reared in Minneapolis, and graduated from the St. Elizabeth Parochial School there. He came to Barron County with his father in 1895, and helped his father get the place started. In 1899 he went back to Minneapolis, and entered the employ of the Blatz Brewing Co. In 1904 he engaged in business at Almena for four years. Since then he has devoted his time to carrying on the home farm. He put up a frame house, a barn, 34 by 108 feet, with full basement, and furnished with James equipment; a tile silo, a machine shed, 22 by 30 feet; a granary, 22 by 30 feet, and other buildings. The farm is well equipped with tools, implements and machinery. About 80 acres are under the plow. Mr. Klug successfully carries on general farming and dairy- ing. He has a good herd of Holsteins headed by a full blooded sire. His swine are of the Poland China breed. Mr. Klug was married at St. Nicholas, Minn., on July 3, 1905, to Kate Theis, who was born at St. Nicholas, Minn., Aug. 1, 1885, the daughter of Adam and Kate Theis, natives respectively of Minnesota and of Baden, Germany. They farmed in Minnesota for many years, and are now in Pasadena, Calif. Mr. and Mrs. Klug have seven chil- dren : Joseph, John, William, Marie, Leo, Adam and Carl, all of whom are at home.

Theodore Jacobson, a settler of Crystal Lake Township, was born in Norway, and came to America in 1870, locating in Minnesota. For some years he divided his time between logging and farming. He came to Crystal Lake Township, this county, in 1876, and homesteaded a tract of land in Section 28. This was all covered with heavy hardwood timber. He built a log house and barn, and started doing some clearing. In the meantime, to earn a living for himself and family, he did railroad work, and also logged in the woods. In 1902, after having partially developed his farm, he sold out and went to Dallas, Ore., where he bought a fruit farm. He died there in 1904. Since his death his wife has made her home in Portland, Ore.

Engel Sigebert Jacobson, general merchant of Almena, was born at Little Falls, Wis., Sept. 5, 1874, son of Theodore and Anna (Monstrud) Jacobson. He was reared on Section 28, Crystal Lake Township, this county, attended school in the neighborhood, and remained with his parents on the home farm until 1897. In that year he secured employment in a store at Cumberland. After eleven years' valuable experience as a clerk in Cumberland, he came to Almena, in 1918, and opened a general store. His success was assured from the start, and his business has gradually grown. He knows how to buy to advantage and he knows how to sell. His genial personality makes his store a popular headquarters for the people from the rural districts, and his sense of fair dealing has established for his goods a reputation of sterling worth. In 1913 to accommodate his rapidly growing business he erected a new brick store, 40 by 60 feet, one story in height, with basement, and here he has excel- lent opportunity for the adequate display of his full stock of goods. He carries a general line of merchandise, and also does a large business in hard- ware and farm implements and machinery. Aside from this he is a buyer and shipper of general farm and dairy products, and has an especially large business in potatoes-his potato warehouse, erected in 1915, being one of the best of its kind in the county. Fraternally he is a member of the A. F. & A. M., the K. of P., the M. W. A., the S. A. S. and several clubs, and he and his wife are both members of the Eastern Star. In public life, he has been a member of the local school board. For four years he was an alderman of the city of Cumberland. He and his wife are members of the Norwegian Lutheran

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 63

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

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