History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 65

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 65

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South Dakota, built a store, and engaged in the general mercantile business. The postoffice was kept in his store, and he was made the postmaster. In 1896 he came to Barron county, and opened a general store at Almena. He was also made postmaster here. He built up a good business in his store, and made a most capable postmaster. After being in business about ten years he sold out and retired. He was a director in the Bank of Almena and had other financial interests in this part of the county. After a long and useful life he died Sept. 30, 1921. Mr. Panian was married April 12, 1875, to Mart Haberkorn, who was born in Dubuque, Iowa, Aug. 14, 1854, the daughter of George and Theresa (Lang) Haberkorn. This union was blessed with nine children: Theresa, George J., Rosa, Julia, Joseph, Anna, John, Mary (de- ceased) and Frank (deceased). Theresa is now Mrs. Joseph Kuchenmeister, of Almena and has six children as follows: Joseph, Laura, Norbert, Emil, Leo and Margaret. George J. lives in Spring Valley, Minn. His first wife, Frances Roskops, died in August, 1909, leaving a daughter, Leonora. His present wife was Emma Bell. Rosa is the wife of Alex Welsch, of St. Paul, and they have five children: Albert, Marie, Alex, George and Edward. Julia is the wife of Edward Pfeiffer, of Turtle Lake, and they have three children : George, Margaret and Edward. Joseph and Anna live at home. John married Marcia Mountain and lives in St. Paul. Mary married Charles Wiess and died Oct. 4, 1919, leaving six children : Edmund, Mary, Frances, Clemence, Sylvester and Raymond. It is interesting to note that one of the great desires of Mr. Panian's heart was to have a great grand child. On Oct. 4, 1921, the date that Mr. Panian was buried, Mrs. Mary (Wiess) Wizback, daughter of Mrs. Mary (Panian) Wiess, gave birth to a child. This together with the fact that Mrs. Mary (Panian) Wiess died on Oct. 4 of another year makes that date an important one in the family.

Matt Dold, for several years a popular business man of Almena, was a kindly, jovial character, who was a good father and husband, a loyal neighbor and friend, and a progressive business man. The brick block, which bears his name, was erected in 1903, and will long remain as a monument to his com- mercial enterprise. He was born in Germany, Sept. 28, 1871, on a farm, the son of Matt Dold. He attended the government schools of Germany for a while, and came to this country as a boy of fourteen years. He located at Duluth, Minn., and there learned the blacksmith trade. He came to Almena in 1896 and engaged in business here. He was well liked by all who knew him, and served as town treasurer nine years and constable three years. He died June 22, 1914, and his death was sincerely mourned by family and friends. He was married at Cumberland, Sept. 25, 1897, to Josephine Kernel, born in Aus- tria, March 19, 1871, daughter of Charles and Josephine Kernel, who brought. the family to this country in 1892, and after living three years in St. Paul, located three and a half miles south of Almena, where they established their home. The land was wild, and they erected a log cabin and started making a home. Twice everything was swept away by forest fires, but they persevered, and are now prosperous and substantial people. In the Kernel family there were six children. Mr. and Mrs. Dold had six children: Joseph, Matt., Arthur, Helen, Clarence and Richard. Joseph is employed at the store of E. S. Jacob- son, Almena. Matt is in the Almena State Bank. Arthur is proprietor of a pool room at Almena. Helen is studying at St. Paul. Clarence and Richard are: at home.

Albin Nystrom, cashier of the Bank of Dallas, was born in Superior, Wis., June 10, 1892, son of Gust and Charlotte (Peterson) Nystrom. The parents: were natives of Sweden, who came to America in 1865 and settled in Superior, where Gust Nystrom worked for several years in the coal docks. Then he and his family removed to Two Harbors, Minn., where he was superintendent at the D. & J. R. ore docks, remaining there until 1900. Since then he has been engaged in farming in Mille Lacs County, Minn. His wife, Charlotte, died Sep- tember 19, 1896. They were the parents of four children, Axel, Alfred, Albin

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and Anna. Albin Nystrom acquired his elementary education in the district school and later attended Minnesota College at Minneapolis, where he was graduated in 1908. He then worked a few months for the Climax Western Oil Co., and also for the D. M. Gilmore Co., both of Minneapolis. In 1909 he went to Burwick, N. D., where for a year he was employed in a bank. After that he was assistant cashier for two years in a bank at Drake, N. D. From there he went to Ryder, in the same state, and was assistant bank cashier there two years, and after that was cashier for four years in a bank at Van Kork, N. D. In 1919 Mr. Nystrom came to Dallas, Wis., and entered upon the duties of his present position as cashier of the Bank of Dallas. He is a stockholder in the bank. He was married Sept. 30, 1916, to Irene Officer, daughter of Elmer H. and Ella (Ring) Officer, now residents of Viroqua, Wis. The home circle of Mr. and Mrs. Nystrom has been enlarged by the birth of two children: Elea- nor J., born Feb. 2, 1918, and Harriet A., born July 4, 1919. The religious affiliations of the family are with the Lutheran Church. Fraternally, Mr. Ny- strom belongs to the Masonic Lodge at Chetek, Wis., the Elks' Lodge at Minot, N. D., and the I. O. O. F. Lodge at Ryder, N. D.

Julius K. Johnson, warehouse manager for the Northern Supply Co. at Dallas, was born in Norway, Feb. 15, 1864, son. of Knut and Oleo (Olson) Johnson, both of whom spent the span of their years in Norway. He received his education in Norway, and came to America in 1881, landing in New York, and finding his way to Rock County, Minn., where he did farm labor for two years. In 1883 he went to Minneapolis and entered the Augsburg Seminary, where he studied for three years. Then for two years he was engaged as a carpenter and lumber scaler. He came to Dallas in 1888, and for seven years was employed by J. A. Anderson. In 1895 he opened a carpenter shop and became a contracting builder, erecting many of the modern farm houses in Dallas township and vicinity. He commenced work with Even Erickson in 1906, and for twelve years the two operated a planing mill. He assumed the duties of his present position in 1918. He is a good man for the position and has the confidence of his employers and of the community at large. Mr. Johnson was married March 21, 1890, to Matilda Christianson, who was born June 10, 1873, at Madison, Wis., daughter of Ole and Jennie (Peterson) Christianson, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1869, and settled in Madison, Wis., where Mr. Christianson worked as a shoemaker until 1884 when he came to Dallas, and here operated a shoe shop until his death, Dec. 7, 1904, his wife still making her home here. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have had three children, Ole, John and Inga, all now deceased. :

J. Casper Rassbach, a worthy citizen, now deceased, was born in Saxony, Germany, Oct. 23, 1835, the son of Matthew Rassbach, who brought his wife and four children, J. Casper, Conrad, Jerry and Anna, to the United States in the forties, and located near Blue Mound, Dane County, Wis., where he spent the remainder of his life. J. Casper grew to manhood in Dane County, and was there married. In 1867 he brought his wife and three children, John Matthew, William and Julius, to Barron County. The trip was made with an ox team, and he also brought a span of colts and a cow. Upon their arrival here they settled on 160 acres of wild land in Section 36, Prairie Farm, not far from the Dunn County line. For a while the family lived in a tent until he could erect a log house, 16 by 22 feet. Most of the furniture for the little home was made from wood cut in the yard. The bedstead consisted of tamarack posts, between which ropes were stretched. The marketing point for the family was at Menomonie. The county was but little developed, most of its inhabitants being people who were working in the lumber camps. Mr. Rassbach for some years "toted" supplies for the Knapp, Stout & Co., re- ceiving $35 a month for himself and a team of horses. In the meantime he gradually developed his own place and as the years passed built up a good farm. He was regarded with much respect by his fellow men and occupied a substantial place in the affairs of the community. He was in everything a

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loyal and patriotic citizen, who had the interests of the town and county deeply at heart. As one of the town supervisors he furthered the cause of good roads. He helped to get a school district organized in his neighborhood, and served on the school board. The Evangelical Church found in him a loyal supporter. He was a God-fearing, upright man, and served the church as class leader and exhorter. He was a good husband and father, a generous neighbor, a loyal friend. His death on Dec. 22, 1906, was sincerely mourned. His good wife died April 13, 1915. Mr. Rassbach was married at Blue Mound, Dane County, to Mary S. Harmon, who was born in November, 1841, at Schellburg, Penn., the daughter of Jesse and Julia Harmon, and descended from an early Pennsylvania family. This union has been blessed with eleven children. John Martin farms in Prairie Farm Township. William farms on Sheridan Prairie, Dunn County, this state. Julia is the wife of John Deringer, of Prairie Farm Township. Lena is the wife of George Hol- man of Cameron. Anna is the wife of John Neck, of Prairie Farm Township. Charles is in Maple Grove Township. Lizzie is the wife of William Henneman of Chippewa Falls. Henry, Walter, Helen and Matilda are dead.

John Matthew Rassbach, prominent man of Prairie Farm Village, mem- ber of the county board, three times county sheriff, four years chairman of the town board, vice president of the Prairie Farm Telephone Co., vice presi- dent of the Prairie Farm & Northwestern Railroad, and actively interested in many successful ventures, was born in Dane County, Wis., June 4, 1863, the son of J. Casper and Mary S. (Harmon) Rassbach, who brought him to this county in 1867. He attended school in the district his father helped to organize, and learned farming at home. For thirteen winters he worked in the woods and for three springs he was employed on the river drives. In the meantime, in 1889, he took over the management of the home place. Two years later he took his bride there. To the development and operation of this farm he devoted many years. He put up a fine modern home, a large barn, 36 by 120 feet, with full basement and modernly equipped; a silo, 16 by 35 feet, and other buildings. He carried on general farming and dairying on a successful scale, and reaped a deserved measure of prosperity. Sept. 15, 1919, he sold the farm, and retired. He now lives in Prairie Farm Village, where he has one of the finest residences to be found in this vicinity. It is modern throughout and well arranged. The lawn is well kept and beautified with flowers and shrubbery, and set in a magnificent grove of pine. As al- ready indicated, Mr. Rassbach has seen considerable public life. He early served on school and town boards, and has been an able town chairman. The confidence in which he was held grew with the years, and in 1898 he was honored by his fellow citizens with the election to the office of county sheriff. He was a most efficient and conscientious officer, and after his term had ex- pired, the people waited the legal two years and then elected him again in 1902. Upon the expiration of this term, he retired to private life, but in 1910 was again called to service for another term. He was therefore sheriff of Barron County in 1899-01, 1903-05 and 1911-13. He now represents the village of Prairie Farm on the county board, and his long experience in county affairs makes him a valuable member indeed. He has taken his share in everything that he has believed to be for the best interests of the community, and is identified with various local enterprises, including the telephone com- pany already mentioned. He has been untiring in his efforts to secure rail- road facilities for the village. He and his family are numbered among the real leaders in the community. They are active in social, civic and religious affairs, their hospitable home is always open to their friends, and they are liked by all who know them. Mr. Rassbach was married July 9, 1891. to Percey Johnson, who was born in Columbia county, this state, Feb. 19, 1869, the daughter of Martin and Lena Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. Rassbach are the parents of five children: Minnie Christine, Jennie Pauline, Nellie Marie, Grace Beatrice and Harry Casper. Jennie Pauline graduated from the Barron

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High School, married Otto Anderson, of Prairie Farm Township, and died March 20, 1919. Minnie Christine, for some years a teacher, is the wife of William Bond, of Chicago. They have one son, William, Jr., popularly known as "Billy." Nellie Marie, a graduate of the Milwaukee Normal school and for some years a teacher is the wife of Herbert Jenson, of Barron. Grace Beatrice and Harry Casper are at home. The family faith is that of the Evangelical Church.

Clarence W. Mau, the efficient and popular cashier of the First State Bank, of Prairie Farm, was born at Fillmore, in Washington County, Wis., Aug. 20, 1896, oldest of the three children of August G. and Lena (Sebastian) Mau, both of whom were natives of this state, and the former of whom was a farmer and carpenter. He attended rural schools and the city schools of Milwaukee. He also took courses in the Eau Claire Business College at Eau Claire, Wis. He came to Prairie Farm at the age of twenty-one in 1917, and entered the employ of the First State Bank, and in January, 1919, he was made a member of the board of directors in which positions he still is serving. He is a capable financier, he has the faculty of making friends, he understands local con- ditions, and combines the soundness of judgment, uprightness of bearing, and pleasantness of temperament necessary to a successful rural banker. Under his management, the bank is increasing its business and maintaining a most excellent standing. Mr. Mau takes his share in the affairs of the community, and is vitally interested in its growth and progress. Mr. Mau was married at Rockfield, Wis., on Dec. 20, 1917, to Amelia Hoelz, who was born at Rockfield, Wis., on Aug. 27, 1895, the daughter of Jacob and Julia (Meyer) Hoelz, natives of Wisconsin and now living at Rockfield, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Mau have two fine boys, Kenneth H., born Oct. 7, 1918, and Gerald W., born Jan. 27, 1921.

Swen Anderson, well known as the owner of the prosperous Morning Star Dairy Farm over the line in Sheridan Township, Dunn County, and now living in the village of Prairie Farm, was born in Norway, March 2, 1851, the son of Andrew Anderson Skgeftskogen, and his good wife, Anna (Sloten). Swen was reared in his native land, attended school there for a while, and grew to young manhood. May 17, 1873 he and his brother, Peter, sailed from their native land, and on June 25, landed at Castle Garden, New York. He found his way to La Crosse, where he had friends. From there he went to Vernon county and worked a short time. Nov. 18, 1873, he reached Menomonie, Dunn County, this state, and entered the employ of the Knapp, Stout & Co. In this employ he worked that winter in the woods of Barron County. For the next few years he did various work. He drove mules in the woods, worked in lumber camps, was employed in the mills at Menomonie, and for a time was on the famous Washburn Farm, in Sheridan Township, Dunn County. In 1878 he settled down on 120 acres in that township. He and his wife moved into a log house, and started farming with a yoke of steers, two cows and a few chickens. Only a half acre had then been cleared. With this beginning they built up the finest farm in the vicinity. Mr. Anderson put up a good set of buildings, which were a credit to himself and an ornament to the community. He increased his hold- ings to 520 acres. This was in tilled land, woodland and pasturage, with some wild land. It was well fenced, and well cared for, and excellently equipped with tools, implements and machinery. On this place, Mr. Anderson success- fully carried on general farming and dairying on an extensive scale. He had a good herd of Holstein cattle, a good drove of Poland-China swine, and a sufficient number of horses. He gave the farm the name of the Morning Star Dairy Farm, and under this name it became widely known. He has now sold the farm, but still owns 40 acres of it. In 1919 he purchased a tract of 46 acres in the village of Prairie Farm on the south side of the river, overlooking the valley. It is one of the most beautiful locations that could be imagined. The house has electric lights, running water and other conveniences. It is sur- rounded with a sightly lawn, set among a few noble trees. In addition to building up a splendid success for himself, Mr. Anderson has devoted a con-

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siderable time to public effort. In Sheridan Township he did most efficient service on the town board for a quarter of a century, and as a member of the school board for a year longer. He helped to organize the Prairie Farm Co- operative Creamery, and was its president for ten years. He has also been active in the Prairie Farm Co-operative Association, owning the village store, and is now its vice president. He has been a loyal supporter of the Norwegian Lutheran Church at Sheridan, helped to build its two successive churches, and has served on its board. All in all he is an active, prominent and useful citizen, and is held in the highest regard by all who know him. Mr. Anderson was married, April 13, 1878, to Julia Hanson Standal, and this union has been blessed with eight children. Alma is at home. Herman, a veteran of the World War and a garage man at Prairie Farm, married Josie Anderson, of Sheridan Township. Otto, also a veteran of the World War, and also a garage man at Prairie Farm, married Jennie Rassbach, now deceased. Hjelmar is likewise a garage man of Prairie Farm. He married Etta Richards, of Wens- berg, Dunn County. Mabel is the wife of Carl Christianson, of Clear Lake, Minn. Mrs. Sven Anderson was born in Norway, May 10, 1857, the daughter of Hans and Mary (Lillievald) Standal. The father died when the daughter was but two years old. In 1870 the mother brought the family to America. The other two children were John and Hans. They were ten weeks on the ocean, aboard an old sailing boat. After landing they found their way to La Crosse, and located in Coon Valley, Vernon County, this state. In 1874 the family came to Vance Creek, in Barron County. Here she married John Hanson, who home- steaded 160 acres, and here she lived until her death in 1919, at the age of eighty-three.

Robert Herrmann, prosperous business man and expert dairyman; pro- prietor of the flourishing Pleasant Creek Cheese Factory in Section 23, Prairie Farm Township, was born in Switzerland, July 7, 1880, a son of Jacob and Marie Herrmann, who came of a long line of Swiss farmers and cheese makers. He was reared in his native land, early became interested in dairying, and learned the cheese making business from some of the best men in that trade in his neighborhood. In 1911 he came to America, and located in Argyle, in La Fayette County, this state, where he continued to work at his trade. In 1917 he came to Barron County, and purchased his present establishment. He has purchased new equipment, and has a model factory. He turns out some 5,000 or 6,000 pounds of cheese monthly, and his product is in wide demand. He thoroughly understands his business, he knows local conditions, he studies the market, and he has the confidence of all with whom he has business dealings, his factory being one of the valued assets of the agricultural progress of the township. Mr. Herrmann returned to Switzerland for a short time in the spring of 1913, and was there married on March 6, to Eliza Burki, who was born in that country, Oct. 11, 1884, the daughter of Rudolph and Eliza Burki. This union has been blessed with four bright children: Ernest, Lillie, Fritz and Nellie.

Iver Lien, who by intelligent hard work and industrious application, has built up a good farm in Section 14, Prairie Farm Township, where he has lived for nearly forty years, was born in Norway, Aug. 11, 1860, the son of Ole and Carrie (Knutson) Tolferson, the former of whom died in Norway, and the latter of whom came to this country in the spring of 1883 and located in Prairie Farm township. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native land, and spent his youth as a farmer. In the fall of 1883 he came to this country, and located in Prairie Farm Township. Here in the summer time he did farm work. For six winters he worked for Knapp, Stout & Co. in the woods, and for five springs on the river drives. In 1889 he took a place of 80 acres on Section 14, Prairie Farm Township. It was all wild except five or six acres which had been cleared. Mr. Lien built a log house and moved his bride into it. He started farming with two cows and a wheelbarrow, and a few tools. By working early and late, and being untiring in labor and strength he has built up a good place.

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MR. AND MRS. HENRY ROGERS DIXON S. ROGERS AND FAMILY

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He has a fine set of buildings, and a well improved farm, well stocked, well equipped and well fenced. He successfully carries on general farming and dairying and has a good herd of Holsteins: He stands well in the community, and has the esteem and respect of all with whom he comes in contact. His success in life is due to his hard work and his ability to apply himself. His holdings include shares in the Pleasant Creek Cheese Co. For one year he did satisfactory service as assessor of the township. He and his family are loyal in their support of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Mr. Lien was married in Prairie Farm Township, June 7, 1889, to Carrie A. Larson, who was born in Norway, June 7, 1859, the daughter of Lars and Anna Larson. Mr. and Mrs. Lien have two children, Oscar and Anna.

Henry Frisle, a modern farmer, who has an unusually sightly place in Section 23, Prairie Farm Township, is a native of this township, born on the home farm, Oct. 15, 1878, the son of Leopold and Frances (Foster) Frisle. He attended the Pleasant Creek school, learned farming from his father, and assisted in the clearing and developing of the family place. While a young man he spent six seasons in the woods, as a cant-hook man and loader. In 1905 he bought his present place of 80 acres in Section 25. To the development and operation of this farm he has since devoted his attention. The farm house is a pretty bungalow, the barn is adequate, the other buildings are well kept. the garden is laid out in orderly manner, and the lawn is pretty and nicely cared for, all together making a place which is one of the beauty spots of the neighborhood. The farm is well tilled and cultivated, and adequately fenced, while the equipment is of the best. Here Mr. Frisle successfully carries on general farming and dairying, and has a good herd of graded Holsteins, and a satisfactory drove of Duroc-Jersey swine. His horses are of the Percheron breed. Mr. Frisle stands well in the community and his opinions are sound and sensible on all subjects. Mr. Frisle was married on June 7, 1906 to Mina Link, who was born at Spring Valley, Pierce County, this state, Oct. 14, 1886, the daughter of Herman L. and Kate (Young) Link, natives respectively of Germany and Wisconsin, and long-time residents of Dallas Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Frisle have five children : Frieda, Arnold, Vida, Norma and Everett.

Dixon S. Rogers, a representative farmer of Section 18, Dallas Township, was born in England, Aug. 25, 1869, the son of Henry and Caroline (Schotleff) Rogers, who came from England that year, and settled in Kenosha County, Wis., coming five years later to Barron County, where they took a homestead of 160 acres in Section 18, Dallas Township, where they erected a set of log buildings, cleared 45 acres, and carried on general farming. The father died Feb. 6, 1908, and the mother a few days previous on March 23. Of their thir- teen children, there are six living: William, Ransom, Hale, Harry, Calvin and Dixon S. Dixon S. was but five years old when the family came to Barron County. He attended the district school and learned farming from his father. In 1901 he bought a half of the homestead and in 1907 the other half. He has erected a good set of frame buildings, and developed an excellent farm. Here he successfully carries on general farming and dairying. His herd is of high grade Guernseys, headed by a full-blooded sire. He is interested in edu- cation and has served with credit on the school board. He is a useful and energetic citizen and is well esteemed by all who know him. Mr. Rogers was married in Dallas Township on April 14, 1909, to Julia Frisle, who was born at Prairie Farm on May 7, 1881, the daughter of Leopold and Frances (Foster) Frisle, who farmed for a number of years in Prairie Farm Township, and are both now dead. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have four children: Henry H., born March 1, 1910; James M., born Jan. 31, 1911; Blanche M., born Sept. 26, 1913; and Evelyn F., born July 4, 1919. The family faith is that of the German Methodist Episcopal Church.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 65

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

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