History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 64

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 64

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).

Digitized by Google

380

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

Church. Mr. Jacobson was married at Baldwin, Wis., Sept. 1, 1899, to Mary Stena. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobson have two children: Edna M., born April 30, 1903, graduated in 1921 from the Cumberland High School. Pearl T., born July 17, 1909, is at home and attending school.

Andrew Jorgenson, early settler who has built up a good place on Sec- tion 2, Almena Township, was born in Norway, Sept. 24, 1860, the son of Chester and Anna Jorgenson. The father died in 1875, and in 1887 the mother came to this country and took up her home with her son, Andrew, until her death in 1905. Of the six children in the family, there are now living five: John, of Comstock, this county ; Thomas, of Deer Park, Wis .; Anna, wife of Eric Hanson, of Stone Lake, Wis .; Andrew, and Erland, who is in Norway. Andrew was reared in Norway, attended school there, and as a youth did farm work. In 1882 he came to Tracy, Minn., and worked for a year. He came to Barron County in 1883, and for a time worked on the railroads and in the woods. In the summer of 1886 he bought 40 acres in Section 2, Almena Township, from Knapp, Stout & Co., the tract at that time being covered with timber. To this he later added 80 more in the same section, making 120 acres in all. He started clearing up the place in 1887, but for some years thereafter continued to work in the woods and at his trade as a carpenter to get the money with which to continue the improvements on his place. There was much hard work to do to get things started. The timber was so thick that one day he lost his way on his own farm. But gradually he cleared it up. He has 70 acres of his place under the plow, and the remainder in pasture land. He also has a good set of buildings, nearly all the work for which was done by himself. The home is a pleasant eight-room residence, the barn is 32 by 92 feet, and the silo, granary and other buildings are fully adequate for their purpose. Mr. Jorgenson successfully carries on general farming and dairying, and has a good herd of pure blooded and graded Guernseys, and a satisfactory drove of Duroc-Jersey swine. The farm is well equipped with tools, implements and machinery. Mr. Jorgenson has taken his part in the affairs of the community, and has been a valued member of the school board of his district for some twenty years. Mr. Jorgenson was married at Comstock, April 9, 1887, to Sarah Johnson, the daughter of Chris- tian and Gunhild Johnson, natives of Norway, who came to the United States in 1868, and settled at Woodstock, Ill., coming to Crystal Lake Township, this county, in 1886, and remaining here for the rest of their lives. In the family there were four children, of whom Mrs. Jorgenson is the only one living. Mr. and Mrs. Jorgenson have a fine family of twelve children: Jennie, wife of Carl Schelver, of Evanston, Wyo .; Chester, at home; Amelia, wife of Ed. Horrick, of Rice Lake; Elliott, in Evanston, Wyo .; Rose, at home; Pearl, a clerk at Almena; Florence, Melvin, Donald, Margaret, Lilah and Katherine, at home. Chester trained eleven months at Camp Travis, Texas, for service in the World War. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Francis E. Huser, B. S. A., a modern and scientific farmer of Section 3, Almena Township, was born in Cumberland, this county, Aug. 20, 1888, the son of Emil and Eleanor (Gunn) Huser. He attended the Cumberland public schools, and in 1908 was graduated from the Cumberland High School. In 1909 he entered the University of Wisconsin, and received his degree in agri- culture in 1913. With this preparation he came home and took over the home place of 200 acres in Section 3, Almena. Here he has one of the best farms in the neighborhood. The residence, built in 1920, is a pretty bungalow of tile and brick, equipped with such modern conveniences as hot air heat, running hot and cold water, electric power from the Apple River Co., and other contrivances. The barn is 36 by 86 feet, with an ell 28 by 54 feet, and with full basement. It is modern in every respect. The milk house is of cobble stone, 14 by 16 feet. There is also a full complement of other build- ings, including machine sheds, granaries and the like. The farm is well

Digitized by Google

381

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

equipped with tools, implements and machinery, all the feed used is ground on the place, and everything is modern and convenient. Mr. Huser carries on general farming and dairying along the latest approved lines, and has a fine herd of registered and graded Guernseys, headed by a full blooded sire. His specialty is breeding full blooded registered Guernseys. Mr. Huser repre- sents a fine type of the modern, educated and scientific farmer, and he is taking his full share in all the affairs of the community. He was married at Perley, Wis., Nov. 19, 1919, to Mary Beran, the daughter of John and Mary Beran, who came to Almena Township from Hudson, Wis., in 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Huser have one son, George, born Sept. 11, 1920. When the United States entered the World War, Mr. Huser volunteered his services, and served in a medical unit at Camp Greenleaf, Ga., from Sept. 3, 1918 to Jan. 5, 1919.

Charles Kaemmer, Almena, garage man, vice president of the Bank of Almena, and founder of the Almena Creamery, was born in West Bend, Wis., March 27, 1870, seventh of the twelve children of John and Bertha (Bavman) Kaemmer, natives of Germany, who came to America as young people, and located at West Bend, moving from there in 1875 to Pickeral Lake Township, Freeborn County, Minn. The father, who was a cooper by trade, there took up farming. He was a devout church man, and helped to establish the first Methodist Episcopal Church in his neighborhood, and served for some years as one of its trustees. The subject of this sketch was educated in the district schools of Minnesota, and was reared on the home farm. He early became interested in the dairy business, and when he left home went to Armstrong, Minn., where he served an apprenticeship of one year as a buttermaker. Then he worked six months at Manchester, Minn., as helper to a buttermaker. Subsequently he was a butter maker at Delano, Minn., for three years, and at Glenville, Minn., for two years. In 1900 he came to Almena, and built the Almena Creamery. From a weekly output of six or seven tubs he increased to 165 tubs. In 1916 he sold out. For two years thereafter he was a farm machinery agent. In 1918 he engaged in the garage business. He has a good place, does general repairing and storage, carries a good line of accessories and supplies, and has the agency for the Buick and Overland cars. He has various financial holdings, including stock in the Bank .of Almena, of which he is the vice president. In public affairs, Mr. Kaemmer has served for some years as town clerk. He was married at Almena June 18, 1901, to Amy Shelver, who was born in Prairie du Chien, Wis., Feb. 2, 1881, the daughter of Theodore and Margaret (Millen) Shelver. This union has been blessed with two daughters: Edith and Ruth. Ruth is attending school in Almena. Edith is attending the University of Wisconsin.

Torger J. Troan, a highly regarded farmer of Section 4, Almena Town- ship, was born in Norway, Feb. 17, 1862, the son of John and Marit Troan, who spent the span of their years in that country. In the family there were nine children : John, Ole, Torger J., Engrie and Ingeborg, living; and John, Gay and two un-named infants now deceased. Engrie married Eric Steen, of Norway. Ingeborg married Paul Florhaug, who farms in North Dakota. Torger J. was reared in Norway, went to school there, and worked on farms, in sawmills and in the logging camps. In 1883 he and his brother, John, came to this country, and bought 163 acres in section 7, Clinton Township. This was all wild land. The two men put up a small log house, 18 by 24 feet, and started clearing up the land. For twenty-two years they lived and labored together, and developed a good farm. In 1907 Torger J. sold his interest to John, and bought 116 acres in Section 4, Almena township, to which he has since devoted his attention. The place was improved, and a good house and barn had been erected. He added to the buildings by putting up a machine shed, milk house and other sheds. Here he successfully carries on general farming and dairying, and has a good herd of graded Guernseys. His build- ings are all lighted with electricity from his own plant. Mr. Troan helped to organize the Comstock Co-operative Creamery, in which he is a director,

Digitized by Google

382

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

and he also helped to organize the Almena Telephone Co. in which he is still a stockholder. While in Clinton Township he did good service on the school board and on the town board. He has been especially active in the Norwegian Lutheran Church at Comstock, of which he has been treasurer. In 1897 he helped to organize the Young People's Society of that church. Mr. Troan's hospitable home is kept by a niece, Anna Troan, the daughter of his sister, Engrie. He brought this young lady back to his home with him, after making a visit to Norway in 1908.

Carl A. Youngberg, who has built up a good farm on Section 17, Almena Township, was born in Sweden, June 24, 1860, the son of Peter and Gustava Youngberg, both of whom spent the span of their years in that country. The father was a tailor by trade, and served as an officer in the Swedish army. Of their three children, Carl is the only one now living. He was reared in his native land, attended school there, and learned his trade as a mason. In 1888 he came to the United States, and found his way directly to Barron County, where he settled at Perley. With headquarters there he worked in the mills, in the woods and at his trade as a mason. In 1890 he bought 80 acres in Section 17, Almena Township, and here he established his home, while still devoting a part of his time to work at his trade, and in the mills and woods. In 1918 he bought 80 acres more in Section 21. When he acquired his first tract, it was all wild, covered with standing hardwood, stumps and brush. He erected a log cabin, which is a part of his present home, and devoted what time he could to the development of the place. In 1919 his barn was blown away, but the next year he built the present structure, 34 by 90 feet, with a full basement, and furnished with the James equipment. The residence, which embraces the original log cabin, boarded over, and augmented, is a pleasant one. The other buildings are also good. Buildings and grounds are lighted with electricity, and the farm is well equipped with tools, implements and machinery. Here he successfully carries on general farming and dairying. He has a good herd, mostly of graded Guernseys, with one full blooded cow, and headed by a full blooded sire. Mr. Youngberg is a stockholder in the Farmers' Co-operative Creamery at Turtle Lake. He is an

active and energetic man, and is respected by all who know him. Mr. Youngberg was married June 3, 1883, in Sweden, to Augusta Samuelson, daughter of Carl and Gustava Samuelson, early settlers of Barron County, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Youngberg have had eight children: Mary, August, Arthur, Wesley, Edgar, Ernest and Elna. Their oldest child, Ida Amelia, died Aug. 28, 1903, at the age of seventeen years. Mary is the wife of Walter Ingham, of Turtle Lake. Wesley and Ernest run a dray line at Turle Lake. Arthur is a blacksmith at Turtle Lake. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Alfred Wistrom, who is building up a good place in Section 14, Almena Township, was born in Sweden, Jan. 24, 1880, the son of Andrew and Mary Wistrom, natives of that country. After the mother's death, the father brought the family to America in 1887, and located near Lindsey, Neb., where he farmed and did railroad work. From there he moved to Braham, Minn., and took up his home with his son, John, where he died. In the family there are six children, all living: August, John, Walfred, Alfred, Hilda and Mary. Hilda married Nels Johnson, and lives near Newman's Grove, Neb., on a farm. Mary, the widow of Charles Peterson, lives on a farm in Almena Township. Alfred was seven years old when brought to this country by his father. He was reared in Nebraska, and attended school there. Then he did farm work there until 1904, when he went to Red Oak, Iowa. The same year he came to Barron County, and took up his home with his brother, Charles Peterson, in Almena township. Here he worked on farms, in the meantime working in the woods winters. In 1908 he rented a farm. In 1915 he bought 80 acres in Section 14, Almena Township, to which he has since devoted his attention. When he purchased the place, a small log house had been erected,

Digitized by Google

CARL ALBERT YOUNGBERG AND FAMILY

Digitized by Google

! 1

: ! :

Google

Digitized by

383

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

and about five acres cleared. He now has the entire place cleared, about twenty-five acres under the plow, and the remainder in pasture. He has a pleasant stucco house, a barn 32 by 36 feet, a granary, machine shed, milk house, chicken house, and the like. Here he successfully carries on general farming and dairying. He is much interested in the progress of the com- munity, and has served with credit as a member of the school board of his district. Mr. Wistrom was married in Clinton Township, on April 8, 1908, to Anna Beecroft, the daughter of Thomas and Anna Beecroft, old settlers of Clinton. Mr. and Mrs. Wistrom have one bright son, Clarence, born Jan. 18, 1909, who is doing well with his studies in the district school.

William A. Gierhart, well known farmer of Section 16, Almena Town- ship, has been one of the leaders of this vicinity for many years. He is a native of this state, born in Lafayette County, Aug. 13, 1876, the son of Jay S. and Lacy Gierhart, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio. They settled in Lafayette County, Wis., in 1854, and there farmed for many years. The mother died there in 1898, and the father now makes his home with the subject of this sketch. In the family there were four children: John, of Argyle, Wis .; Kate, wife of Andrew Everson, of Pipestone, Minn .; William A., and Edna, the wife of William Hale, who lives on the old homestead in Lafayette County. William A. was reared in his native county, attended the common schools, and in 1896 was graduated from the High School at Argyle, Wis. Then he entered the Wisconsin State Normal School at Platteville, from which he was graduated in 1898. With this preparation, he taught rural schools for five years. After this he devoted his time to helping with the work on the home farm until 1906. In that year he came to Barron County, and bought 132 acres in Section 16, Almena Township. A small shack had been erected, but the land was nearly all wild, covered with brush and stumps. He moved into the shack, and to the development and operation of the farm has since devoted his attention. With the passing of the years, he has built up a good place. He has a pleasant six-room home, a barn, 32 by 64 feet, machine shed, granary, chicken house, swine house, and the like. He has about 60 acres under the plow. The farm is well fenced, and well equipped with tools, implements and machinery. Here Mr. Gierhart suc- cessfully carries on general farming, making a specialty of dairying. His herd is of graded Durhams, with a full blooded sire. Being a man of superior attainments and education, it is natural that Mr. Gierhart should be a leader in public affairs, and that his services should often be called into requisition by his fellow men. For six continuous years, and then again for two years, he has been chairman of the township. In this capacity he handled the town's business in a most efficient manner. He also did most excellent work on the county board and served on several important committees. He is now a member of the county school board, and chairman of the book committee of that body. For many years he has been a member of the school board of his district. Since he first came here, he has been active in promoting farmers' organizations. He helped to organize the Comstock Co-operative Creamery Association, of which he is the president, and the Almena Telephone Co. of which he is secretary and treasurer. He is a member of the Farmers' Pro- duce Co. of Almena, and of the shipping associations at Almena and Com- stock. Mr. Gierhart was married at Monroe, Wis., Dec. 19, 1900, to Jane Johnson, who was born in Lafayette County, Sept. 16, 1882, the daughter of John and Marie Johnson, natives of Norway, and early settlers of Lafayette County, both now being deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Gierhart have three daughters, Fay, Eva and Goldie. Fay is attending the Barron County Train- ing School at Rice Lake. Eva is attending the Cumberland High School.

Alexander Olson, a substantial farmer of Section 6, Almena Township, was born in Sweden, Sept. 7, 1858, the son of Olaf and Mary Olson, both of whom spent their lives as farmers in that country. In the family there were two children, Alexander and Hilda. Alexander was reared in his native land,

Digitized by Google

384

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

and there attended school. As a young man he worked on farms. In 1881 he came to the United States, and located in Minnesota, where he did railroad work with Minneapolis and St. Paul as his headquarters. In 1892 he came to Barron County, and purchased 80 acres in Section 6, Almena Township. A small log house had been built, and about two acres cleared, the rest of the land being covered with timber, brush and stumps. To the development and operation of this place he has since devoted his attention. He has built a pleasant residence, of seven rooms, a barn, 30 by 70 feet; a silo, machine shed, granary, and the like. With the help of his sons, he has cleared up the land, got 50 acres under the plow, and fenced much of the property. Here he carries on general farming and dairying, and has a good herd of graded Holsteins, headed by a full blooded sire. The place is well equipped with modern machinery and labor saving devices. Mr. Olson is interested in co- operative effort, and is a stockholder in the Maple Ridge Cheese Co., the Com- stock Co-operative Creamery, the Turtle Lake Co-operative Creamery, and the Turtle Lake Shipping Association. He has done efficient work as a member of the school board for some twelve years. Mr. Olson was married at Cum- berland, in 1893, to Celia Polson. Mr. and Mrs. Olson have three children : Fred, Albert and William. Fred and Albert are at home. William, a most promising young man, gave his life in his country's cause. He trained for service in the World War at Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill., was stricken with the influenza, and died there Oct. 7, 1918. He is laid at rest in Lake View Cemetery.

Joseph Kuchenmeister, postmaster at Almena, furniture dealer and funeral director, was born on a farm in Wright County, near Delano, Minn., Feb. 7, 1874, the son of Frank and Margaret (Borrell) Kuchenmeister, natives of Bavaria, and pioneers of Minnesota. He was reared on the home farm, attended the district schools of the neighborhood, the parochial schools of Winsted and Delano, and the Delano High School. In 1899 he came to Barron County, and entered the store of George Panian as a clerk. After several years, in partnership with S. W. Sparlin and George Panian, Jr., he took over the store under the name of the Panian Mercantile Co. Later Mr. Panian withdrew, and Mr. Sparlin and Mr. Kuchenmeister re-organized the store as the Almena Mercantile Co. In 1908 he was made postmaster, which position he still retains. Since 1913 he has devoted his business attention to a good furniture store, in connection with which he has undertaking parlors. He is one of the popular men of the village and neighboring country, and is well liked by all who know him, both as a man and as a citizen. Mr. Kuchen- meister was married Oct. 24, 1899, to Theresa Panian, born in Westphalia, Iowa, Feb. 25, 1878, the daughter of George and Mary (Haberkon) Panian. Mr. and Mrs. Kuchenmeister have six children : Joseph, Laura, Norbert, Emil, Leo and Margaret.

Frank Kuchenmeister, a Minnesota pioneer now living on the outskirts of Almena Village, this county, was born in Bavaria, Germany, Nov. 25, 1844, the son of John and Magdalina (Schmidt) Kuchenmeister, who, in 1859, came to America with their five children, Frank, Jacob, Valentine, Barbara and Dorothy. They made the trip by sailing boat, and were on the water for 46 days, a long and tedious voyage indeed for the anxious parents with five small children. Sickness prevailed and a number of children died, but the Kuchen- meister family escaped unharmed. After many adventures, they reached St. Paul, Minn., and from there drove with ox teams to a farm in Wright County, near the present site of Delano. With them was the family of Andrus Orlin. The Kuchenmeister family erected a log cabin and underwent all the ex- periences of pioneer life. There the parents remained for the remainder of their lives. The nearest village in the early days was Greenwood, Watertown was the next. From these two places provisions were brought in afoot, while grist was taken there with the ox team. The subject of this sketch was reared amid pioneer conditions, and for many years farmed with his father. Later he

Digitized by Google

MR. AND MRS. GEORGE PANIAN

Digitized by Google

385

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

secured 80 acres of his own. Here he first erected a log cabin, which he later replaced with a good set of frame buildings. He also broke the land and developed a good place. After a long and useful farm life he retired and moved to Delano in 1902. In 1907 he came to Barron County, and purchased 17 acres on the outskirts of Almena. He has built a good set of buildings, and farms on a small scale. By his first wife, Barbara Blatz, he has four children: Frank (deceased), Jacob, Ben and John. By his present wife, Margaret Borrell, he has four children: Joseph, Katherine, Louis and Edward. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church.

George Panian, pioneer merchant and one of the founders of Almena, was a man who left his name indelibly impressed on the history of his vicinity. He was a man of strong character and opinions, tempered with a kindly heart and a genial disposition, he was a hard worker possessed of keen business ability, he built up a sound success for himself and was ever willing to lend a helping hand to others. His advice was often sought on important matters, his influence was far reaching, and his death left a vacancy in the community which will not soon be filled. Village and country side joined in mouring at his death, and the whole county felt that a good and useful man had been taken away. He was born in Austria, March 25, 1851, one of the three chil- dren of George and Mary (Mitchell) Panian. He lost his father when he was five years old, and was reared by his mother and his step-father, Michael Perse. As a youth he became a salesman. From Austria in 1866, he went to Germany, and in 1871 he came to the United States on the steamer "Ger- mania", the trip taking eighteen days. Even as a young man, he had that genial temperament and helpful disposition which continued to be a characteristic feature of his life, and he did all that he could to assist and cheer his fellow passengers. In this way he made acquaintances who proved useful after he had landed here, a stranger in a strange land. He was robbed of 100 Napoleons aboard ship, and landed in New York with no money but a gold piece which he had secreted in his shoe and which was worth about $5.50. In this plight, a friend loaned him some money for his railroad ticket. The agent handed out six cents in change, but he did not dare pick it up from the ticket ledge, as he was afraid that it was a trick to test his honesty. He rode all day without food, and landed at Buffalo without funds. A friend of one of the immigrants he had assisted on the way over, gave him $5.00 and invited him to lunch, but through diffidence he ate only some bread as he did not wish to impose. Then he started out looking for work, and found em- ployment splitting wood at $1.25 a day. After a few days, he received $15 by mail from a friend in Iowa, for the purpose of joining him there. After buying a ticket to Fulton, Iowa, he had 28 cents left, of which he paid 25 cents to a man for helping him with his trunk. He was laughed at when he attempted to buy bread with his three cents, but finally found a good-hearted stranger who sold him a part of a loaf. Upon reaching the Mississippi, he boarded a ferry boat without money, but a fellow passenger loaned him the necessary fare. At Fulton he went to a hotel, and there left his trunk for a pledge for his board and lodging. Then he continued on his trip, and reached Sugar Creek, Iowa, Aug. 15, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. There he worked as a farm hand and as a threshing outfit helper for a few weeks. Soon he found financial backers, and bought a pack of goods weighing about 190 pounds, with which he set out on foot toward Dubuque, Sept. 14. When he reached that city he paid for his goods from his sales and had $100 left as profits. Subsequently he continued as a peddler until 1875. Then, with $2,800 which he had saved, he started a store at Westphalia, Iowa. He kept this store about six months, and then, having married, he sold out and moved onto a farm. He improved the farm, and in 1880 sold it for $4,000 and moved to Cherokee County, Iowa. There he bought a farm of 240 acres at $13 an acre, and sold out the following spring for $19 an acre. In 1881 he went to Royalton, Minn., and clerked in a store for a year. Then he went to Zell,

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 64

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

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