History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 67

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).

John Frisle, the progressive proprietor of the "Twinkling Star Ranch," Section 13, Prairie Farm Township, was born in Austria, the son of Lebold and Frances (Foster) Frisle, who brought him to Pepin County, this state, in 1871, and to Prairie Farm Township in 1877. He attended the Pleasant Creek school, and was reared to farm pursuits on the home farm. As a young man he worked thirteen winters in the lumber woods, and one season on the river drives. In 1886 he purchased, from his father, 80 acres of heavily wooded land in Sec- tion 24, Prairie Farm Township. He put up a frame house, 14 by 22 by 8 feet, and a hay shed, and started to clear a farm among the trees. As success came to him, he erected an eight-room modern home, and a barn 22 by 30 feet, as well as other buildings. There he farmed for sixteen years. Then, in 1902, he bought his present place of 80 acres. The location of this place is especially advantageous and sightly, and Mr. Frisle has taken much pride in its appear- ance. He has remodeled and enlarged the house, he has put up a barn, 30 by 50 feet, and made other improvements, including the installation of electric lights and running water. He here carries on general farming and dairying along profitable lines. He believes in everything that has for its object the progress of the community, and has taken shares in the Ridgeland Co-opera- tive Creamery, the Prairie Farm Co-operative Store and the State Bank of

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Ridgeland. Mr. Frisle was married on Dec. 31, 1913 to Mary Frasl, who was born at Ridgeland, on Dec. 27, 1894, the daughter of Michael and Emma (Cole) Frasl. . Mr. and Mrs. Frisle have three children : Markie, Angie and Paul.

Henry Anderson, a representative farmer of Section 17, Prairie Farm Township, was born in Norway, Sept. 24, 1856, the son of Henry and Segret (Severson) Anderson, and the fourth of their eight children. He was reared on a farm in his native land and attended the parish schools. In 1879 he came to America, and found his way to Menomonie, Dunn county, this state, where he found employment and was sent to Cedar Falls in the same county. In 1888 he went to Polk County, this state, and was there employed in the lumber woods and in sawmills for seven years. In 1895 he located on 80 acres of wild land in Section 17, Prairie Farm, which he had purchased a few years previous. A log cabin had been erected into which he moved his wife and child. Then he started to clear the land and establish a farm. For a while it was hard to get along. But as the years passed he prospered, and his hard work has resulted in well deserved success. He has enlarged the log house into a frame dwelling, he has built a barn, 70 by 34 feet, and he has put up other buildings. He has cleared a good part of the land, he has put up fences, and he has purchased suitable tools, implements and machinery. He carries on general farming on a prosperous scale, and has a good dairy herd. The cream from his herd is sold to the Prairie Farm Co-operative Creamery, in which he is a stockholder. Mr. Anderson is highly esteemed and respected, and is held in the highest regard for his real worth, industry, and unswerving integrity. He is interested in good roads and has served for a while as pathmaster. He has been active in the Norwegian Lutheran Church at Prairie Farm, and has served as one of its trustees. Mr. Anderson was married at Prairie Farm in 1886, to Sophia Nelson, who was born in Norway, March 1, 1866, the daughter of Nils and Dedjica Nelson. This union has been blessed with eight children : Alfred, Diedrich, Anna (wife of Otto Holby of Vance Creek), Harry, Anna, Inga, Amanda and Julia.

Carl Ludwic Borson, a representative and industrious citizen of Prairie Farm village, planing mill operator, threshing outfit owner, and expert ma- chinist and engineer, was born in Jackson County, this state, Feb. 9, 1866, the son of Anton and Sarah (Larson) Borson. He was brought to Sheridan town- ship, Dunn County, as a child, attended the log school house, and grew up to farm work. In 1887 he located on a farm in Sheridan Township, Dunn County, and there successfully farmed for several years. In 1900 he came to Prairie Farm Village, and has since had charge of the planning mill here. For twelve winters as a young man, Mr. Borson worked in the lumber woods and for thirteen springs he worked on the river drives. Being of a mechanical turn of mind he has been interested in engines and machinery since boyhood. Since 1893 he has owned a complete threshing outfit, and for 25 falls has operated it in the harvest fields of North Dakota. He is thoroughly familiar with his chosen line, is a man of genial temperament and upright dealing, and is highly esteemed by all who know him, being regarded as a valuable and useful citizen. Mr. Borson was married at Groutsburg on July 12, 1891, to Sophie Turner, who was born in Dunn County, this state in 1873, the daughter of David and Soloma Turner, of English descent. She died in Prairie Farm Village, Jan. 11, 1904, leaving four children. Cleo is the wife of Louis Moe, of Prairie Farm Township. Lou is a telephone operator at Sand Creek, in Dunn County. Bernice is a telephone operator at Cumberland, in this county. Gus is in the United States navy. On Dec. 23, 1904, Mr. Borson was married at Prairie Farm to Bertha Clumpner, who was born at Necedah, Wis., in 1866, the daughter of William and Evelyn Clumpner. She died at Prairie Farm Vil- lage in October, 1914. Aug. 27, 1915, Mr. Borson married Ella, the widow of John E. Quam, and the daughter of Isaac Sprague, the pioneer of Prairie Farm, where she was born in the Sprague Hotel, on Feb. 21, 1880. She was married in 1904 to John E. Quam, who was born at:La Crosse, Wis., Dec. 24, 1872, spent

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most of his early life in Barron and Dunn counties, and then moved to Spirit Lake, Idaho, where he died on Jan. 30, 1912. He left besides his wife, a daughter, Gladys, who is now a telephone operator at Prairie Farm Village. Anton Borson, father of Carl Ludwic Borson, and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Norway and was there reared and attended school. He was a deep reader from early boyhood, and became a thorough believer in a Re- publican form of government. Therefore when he learned of the danger to the American Republic in the Rebellion, he came to this country and enlisted in the Northern army, serving with distinction in Co. I, 15th Wis. Vol. Inf. He married Sarah Larson, also a native of Norway, and came to Sheridan Township, Dunn County, to work on the Washburn farm. He was well known in both Dunn and Barron counties.

Dedrick Wold, building contractor and prosperous farmer of Section 8, Prairie Township, was born in Tgotha Kellegbland, Norway, July 17, 1874, the son of Andreas and Inger Wold, who spent the span of their years in the old country. Dedrick was the fourth of five children. He received his education in his native land and as a youth was apprenticed to a blacksmith, from whom he learned the trade. As a young man he married. He brought his family to America in 1891, and came directly to Barron County, where he secured his present tract of 80 acres in section 8, Prairie Farm Township. The expenses of making the move were much greater than he had planned, and when he reached here he had but $60 left. But he started in and got along the best he could. The second year he was able to get a cow. The third year he got a horse. In the thirty years that he has occupied the farm, he has built up a most excellent place. The house, which has been enlarged and improved from time to time, is a comfortable home; the barn is commodious, and the sheds and out-buildings are substantial and in the best of repair. The land is well improved and well fenced. The equipment in tools, implements and machinery is adequate in every way. Here Mr. Wold successfully carries on general farming and dairying, and has a good herd of stock-Shorthorns and Holsteins. He sells his cream to the Prairie Farm Co-operative Creamery in which he is a shareholder. Since 1905, Mr. Wold, in connection with his farming, has been a building contractor. Many of the farm buildings throughout the township testify to the fidelity with which he has labored and to his skill as an artisan. Mr. Wold is a good citizen and a good business man, he has the absolute confidence of all with whom he has dealings, and his standing is without blemish. He is a loyal and patriotic citizen, and does his duty in life as he sees it. Mr. Wold was married in Norway to Sela Peterson, who was born in 1872, and died July 22, 1911. This union was blessed with nine children: Arne Parelius, Julius Invald, Aage, Selmer Dedrick, Calmar, Agnes Marie, Astrid Amanda, and Emil and Hilda (twins). Aage died June 1, 1921. He was born Sept. 21, 1900. Mr. Wold was married, Nov. 26, 1915, to Ingeborg Takle, who was born in Norway, July 31, 1872, the daughter of Fortcil and Orlaug Takle. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Luth- eran Church.

Christian Woxen, a worthy pioneer, now deceased, was born in Norway, and was there reared and educated. As a young man he married Randy Sorenson. In 1864 they determined to try their fortunes amid the better opportunities of the New World. Accordingly they came to this country, making the trip on an old fashioned sailing boat. They reached Elk Mound, in Chippewa County, this state, just twelve weeks from the time they had bidden farewell to their old home. They lived in Elk Mound a year, then moved to Menomonie, in Dunn County, this state, where they also lived a year. In 1868 he came to Barron County, driving in with a hired team, and bringing his wife and two children, Anna and Bess. He settled on a tract of wild land in Section 80, Prairie Farm Township, erected a log cabin, cleared a garden spot, and started farming with a cow and two pigs. For some years he spent his winters in the lumber woods to get a little money for the support of his

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family, while he was starting his farm. For a while life was rather hard for the little family. The farm was away from roads and trails, there were but few settlers, provisions had to be brought in from far away points. But soon the township began to grow, and neighbors became more plentiful. Mr. Woxen and his wife were kindly, hospitable people, and opened their little cabin to many of the new comers who had not yet erected their homes. As time passed, Mr. Woxen replaced his log cabin with a good set of farm buildings, and built up a good farm. After a useful life he died Dec. 6, 1897, at the age of 69. His good wife died at the same age in 1912. Both were Christian peo- ple of many excellent traits, goodly church goers and generous friends, and their deaths were sincerely mourned. Their family and their friends will long cherish their memory. Of the two children brought here, Bess died. Those born on this place were: Julia, Conrad, Mary, Louis, Inga, Rekka (now deceased) and Bess (second). The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Conrad Woxen, a progressive farmer of Section 30, Prairie Farm Town- ship, is a native of the farm which he still owns and operates, born June 10, 1875, the son of Christian and Randy (Sorenson) Woxen, the pioneers. He was reared on the home place, helped to clear it up, attended school in the neighborhood and learned farming from his father. He gradually took over the responsibilities of the place, and in 1912 became its owner. He has put up a good set of buildings, and has continued the clearing and improvement of the land. He believes in scientific methods, he farms along the latest approved lines, and his operations have been successful. He takes his share in everything that has for its object the betterment of the community and he is regarded as a useful and valuable citizen of the community. For one term he did good work as assessor of the township. He has also given excellent service as a member of the board of his school district. Like his parents be- fore him, he is a loyal supporter of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. His sister, Inga, keeps house for him.

Albert N. Wilson, a prosperous farmer of Section 31, Sumner Township, was born in Brookfield, Waukesha County, this state, July 11, 1861, the son of Orrin M. and Ladorna (Grover) Wilson. Orrin Wilson was born in New York State, and came to Wisconsin as a young man. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in Co. A, 28th Wis. Vol. Inf., and served with valor, died in service, and is buried at Pine Bluff, Ark. He married Ladorna Grover, who was born in Birdsell, Algoma County, New York, April 13, 1836, and died in Barron County, Wis., Dec. 24, 1920, the daughter of Morgan L. and Harriet (Barber) Grover. Morgan L. Grover was born Dec. 10, 1815, and was married in 1833 to Harriet Barber. He was the son of Solomon and Betsey (Stowe) Grover, the former of whom was born May 17, 1775, and the latter Dec. 22, 1777. Orrin Wilson and his wife had six children: Harriet, Morgan, Lamira, Byron, Albert N. and Arthur O. The subject of this sketch was reared in Sauk County, this state. At the age of sixteen he struck out for himself, and worked on farms and in the lumber woods. As a young man he home- steaded 120 acres in what was then Bloomer Township, but which is now Strickland Township, Rusk County, this state, where he erected a long cabin and started clearing the land. By hard work he developed a good farm and erected a suitable set of buildings. He attained prominence in his locality, and for three years was town treasurer. His first visit to Barron County was made in 1877, when he first started out for himself. In 1900, after selling his homestead, he bought an improved farm of 100 acres in Dallas Town- ship. A year later he sold out. At that time he bought two tracts of land in Chetek Township, 160 acres two miles west of the village, and 80 acres two miles east of it. In 1902 he bought his present place in Section 31, Sumner Township. To make the trip with his goods from Sumner Village to his home- stead, cutting the trail through the woods as he went, he took nine and a half days. The land upon which he settled was entirely wild, a dismal tract,

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covered with stumps and brush. But he was accustomed to pioneering, he knew the possibilities of the fertile soil, and he set to work with a will to develop a farm. He now has a good place, with good buildings, and is one of the substantial and successful men of the community. He carries on general farming, and makes a specialty of a special strain of full blooded registered Holstein cattle. Mr. Wilson is a supporter of everything that is for the betterment and progress of the community, was one of the prime movers in putting the rural telephone line in his neighborhood, and holds stock in the telephone company, the creamery and the store. As the father of children, he is a thorough believer in education, and has done good service on the school board. Mr. Wilson was married at Chetek, on Aug. 12, 1894, to Philinea C. Howard, who was born May 28, 1872, oldest of the six children of Thomas J. and Ellen (Ward) Howard, natives respectively of Indiana and Maine, who came to Barron County in 1868, and located on a homestead of 160 acres in Dallas Township, where he spent the remainder of his life. He died at the age of eighty-one and she is still living on the homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have five children: Madge Ladorna, a teacher; Myrtle Elenora and Iva Pauline, who are training as nurses at the Englewood Hos- pital, Chicago; Grace Alberta, who is a student at the Barron County Training School, Rice Lake; and Lillian Lucille, at home. The family faith is that of the Free Methodist Church.

John Wirth, the prosperous and progressive owner of the Boxelder Grove Dairy Farm, Section 25, Prairie Farm, is a native of this township, born in a log cabin on the home farm in Section 26, the son of Daniel and Katherine (Miller) Wirth, the pioneers. He was reared on the home farm and attended the district school. As a young man he was employed for several seasons as a driver by John Quaderer, a famous character of the lumbering days. After his death, Mr. Wirth was similarly employed by Knapp, Stout & Co. As a driver he usually handled a four-ox team. In 1896 he purchased his present place of 200 acres. It was then practically wild, no buildings having been erected, and but six or seven acres having been broken. It is interesting to contrast conditions on the farm then with what they are now. His first home was a small house of one room. Additions have been made until it is now a pleasant and comfortable farm home. The first barn was a small structure of logs, with a roof made of slabs. The present barn, which was built in 1915, is a fine structure, 36 by 80 feet, with full basement. Both house and barn are illuminated with a carbide light system. Water was obtained from an open well, being drawn to the surface with buckets and ropes. In the winter time the ropes often had to be thawed out in the kitchen, before they could be used to draw up the water. Now water is pumped from a deep well by power, and forced through pipes to the house and barn. His motive power for the farm work was furnished by a pair of colts, and he had one cow to supply milk for household use. Now he has a good number of horses, a fine herd of Holsteins, a large drove of swine, and other animals, and he has tools, implements and machinery adequate for all his work. The taxes the year he bought the farm were $21.23; in 1920 they were nearly $350. In the early days, when he hauled hay and oats to Barron, he received $4 a ton for the hay and eleven cents a bushel for the oats, a decided contrast to the prices received for farm produce during the World War. Busy as he has been in building up his farm, Mr. Wirth has found time to take an interest in the things that have counted in the upbuilding of the community at large. When the Ridgeland Creamery was proposed, he was the second man that signed, and he is now its manager. He is a shareholder in the Farmers State Bank of Ridgeland, the Farmers Store Company, and the Prairie Farm Telephone Co. In town affairs he has been constable and he has served on the school board of his district. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church, and was a member of the building committee when the present church was built in 1916 in Prairie Farm Township. Mr. Wirth was

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married July 21, 1898, to Lena Kurschner, who was born in Prairie Farm Township, March 7, 1879, the daughter of Valentine and Wilhelmena Kurch- ner, the pioneers. This union has been blessed with a fine family of ten children : Mabel, Edwin, Eva, Alma, Emil, Otto, May, Alice, Paul and Laura, all of whom are at home.

Bert A. Johnson, a prosperous farmer of Section 5, Sumner Township, is a fine example of the modern, progressive and public spirited men, of old American families, who have left the fertile acres and established prosperity of the states to the south, to cast their fortunes with the people of this part of the state which is still in the making. He is a thorough expert in his line, he believes in modern methods, he is genial and generous in temperament, and he is one of the real leaders in the community, and an active factor in the forces which are moulding the destinies of the county. He was born in Russell, Lucas County, Iowa, June 25, 1882, son of Daniel and Mary (Schrum) Johnson, natives respectively of Ohio and Indiana, and both descended from long lines of Colonial ancestry. Daniel Johnson came west to Illinois as a young man, married there, and then came to Lucas County, Iowa, where he farmed the remainder of his days. During the Civil War he served three years and six months in Co. I, 5th Iowa Volunteer Infantry. The subject of this sketch was the ninth of ten children. He was reared on the home farm, and as a young man took over its management. He there carried on general farming, and made a specialty of Shorthorn cattle, Shropshire sheep, and good standard horses. April 3, 1917, he came to Barron County, and purchased 160 acres in Sections 5 and 6, Sumner Township, and 80 acres in Section 32, Doyle Township. He has started in with a will to meet the changed con- ditions he found here, and he is meeting with excellent success. He carries on general farming, and makes a specialty of full blooded Jersey cattle, and good sheep and horses. He has a deep faith in the future of this region, and is enthusiastic as to the possibilities here. Mr. Johnson was married June 8, 1904, to Katherine Kimler, born at Albia, Iowa on Sept. 18, 1884, daughter of Benjamin Kimler, of Monroe County, Iowa. This union has been blessed with five children : Clel, born Aug. 10, 1905; Dean, born Feb. 10, 1909; Dwain, born Oct. 20, 1913; Lee, born Sept. 10, 1916, and Carrol, born April 12, 1918. Paul Alton, a successful farmer of Section 5, Sumner Township, was born on the home place in Section 7, this township, June 20, 1883, the son of Peter and Ingeborg Alton, early settlers. He was reared on the home place, attended the district schools, and learned farming from his parents. In 1912, he bought his present place of 80 acres. The farm was developed to a certain extent, and he has continued the improvements. He has erected a sightly modern home, put an addition on the barn, and erected two new silos. Here he successfully carries on general farming, and pays particular attention to a good herd of Jersey cattle. He takes an active part in the affairs of the community, and believes in progress and betterment along all lines. He is a stockholder in the Shipping Association.

Martin I. Borgen, a modern and progressive farmer of Section 23, Dallas township, was born in Eau Claire, Wis., son of Hans and Magdalena (Steven- son) Borgen, early settlers, now living retired in Dallas Village. He attended the district school, learned farming from his father, and worked with his parents until he was of age. Then for some years he was variously employed. In 1903, he purchased 80 acres in Section 23, Dallas Township, and in 1917 he added the 80 acres of the A. S. Pelton farm, making in all a good place of 160 acres of excellent land. He has put up a good set of modern buildings. The house and barn are both equipped with many comforts and conveniences, in- cluding the Delco lighting system and running water. The buildings are in the best of repair and are a sightly feature of the landscape, surrounded by pleasant yards and lawns. A beautiful evergreen hedge north of the house was set out in 1909 by Mr. Borgen when two feet high, they are now, 1921, 20 feet high. The farm is well tilled and well fenced, and well supplied with

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tools, implements and machinery. The stock consists of a herd of graded Holsteins and a herd of graded Herefords, each headed by a full blooded sire. Mr. Borgen is a fine type of the modern farmer. He keeps thoroughly abreast of the times, he reads the farm journals and bulletins, he adopts new de- velopmentš to local conditions, and he is farming in a sensible and profitable manner. As a public spirited citizen he takes his share in everything that is for the best good of the community. As the father of children, he is a be- liever in education, and for several years he has been a member of the school board of which he was the clerk for three years. In this capacity he is doing most excellent work. He is a stockholder in the Dallas Telephone Co. Mr. Borgen was married at Dallas on Dec. 14, 1905, to Ellen Amdall, who was born at Roland, Story County, Iowa, June 29, 1882, the daughter of Ove and Agatha (Barke) Amdall, the former of whom farmed in Barron County about ten years, and now lives in Minnesota, and the latter of whom died Jan. 6, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Borgen have five children: Otto, born Oct. 11, 1906; Mabel, born Aug. 31, 1908; Morris, born Oct. 1, 1910: Grace, born March 28, 1912; and John, born Sept. 27, 1914; a bright family of lively and well-behaved children who are doing well with their studies in the public schools. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Isaac H. Baland, a progressive citizen owning a fine farm of 160 acres in Section 26, Dallas Township, was born in Menomonie, Dunn County, this state, Feb. 4, 1873, the son of Torger and Carrie (Peterson) Baland. These good people came to America as children, and were reared in Wisconsin, where as a young man he did railroad work, and in 1873 settled on a farm in Dunn County, where they spent the remainder of their lives, he dying in 1897 and she in 1888. The subject of this sketch attended the schools of his native county, learned farming from his father, and remained with him until his death. Then he became engineer in a brick yard at Menomonie. In 1902 he came to Barron County, and bought 80 acres in Section 36, Dallas Township, where he put up a good set of buildings and cleared about twenty-five acres. He became well known, and was elected school treasurer, serving for several terms. In 1915, he sold that farm, and bought 120 acres in Section 26. Four years later he bought 40 acres more in the same section. He repaired the buildings and erected some new ones. He has brought the place to a high degree of cultivation, and has developed it into one of the best farms in the neighborhood. Here he successfully carries on general farming and dairying. His herd is composed of mixed Guernseys and his swine are Duroc- Jerseys. He believes in scientific methods, and keeps well abreast of the times in all his operations. In 1909 he was elected assessor and served with fairness and satisfaction for eight years. Then in 1917 he was elected chair- man of the township, in which position he is still serving. He advocates progress and improvements, he is a friend of good roads, and has faith in development along all lines. His work has given general satisfaction to the voters. As a member of the county board he has been a member of the com- mittee on roads and bridges, and in this capacity has won commendation throughout the county. He has taken his share in various co-operative effort, and is a stockholder in the Farmers' Store at Dallas. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of the Beavers. Mr. Baland was married in Dallas Township May 10, 1896, to Verna Bishop, who was born in Dunn County, the daughter of David and Mattie Bishop, and died in December, 1907. This union was blessed with six children. Archie was born July 18, 1897, and was inducted into service for the World War in October, 1918, trained at Camp Shelby, Miss., in Co. 7, of Infantry, and is now a garage man in Dallas. Van was born Oct. 12, 1898, and lives at Duluth, Minn. Carrie was born March 8, 1900, and married Henry Peterson, of Prairie Farm. Maude was born Nov. 21, 1902. Victor was born July 24, 1905. Malcolm was born Dec. 13, 1907. On Nov. 24, 1910, Mr. Baland married Eda Richard, who was born at Juneau,, Dodge County, Wis., May 16, 1877, the daughter of William and Gunhild (Tollefson) Richard,

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 67

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

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