History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 68

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 68

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natives respectively of Germany and Norway, who in 1885 moved from Juneau, Dodge County, to Pierce County, also in this state, where the father still lives and where the mother died Oct. 28, 1909. Mrs. Baland was the youngest of four children, the others being Albert, William and Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Baland have had two children: William R., born Aug. 8, 1917, and Allen C., born Feb. 13, 1919.

Markus Gilbertson, a substantial citizen of Section 3, west, Dallas Town- ship, was born in Norway, Feb. 16, 1867, the son of Gilbert and Mary (Engebretson) Gunderson. He attended school in Norway, and as a young man worked on farms and in a malting plant. He came to America in 1903, and bought 40 acres in Section 3, west, Dallas Township, this county He fixed up the house, erected a barn and outbuildings, and cleared some twenty acres. There he carried on general farming for nine years. In 1912 he traded his farm for another tract, consisting of 50 acres in the same section. Here he put up a good set of buildings, including a pleasant home, and a barn, erected in 1919, and furnished with the James equipment. He has cleared about thirty acres, some of which he had to stump. As a farmer and dairy- man he is making a good living, and as a good citizen he is doing his duty in every respect. Mr. Gilbertson was married in Norway, Nov. 16, 1893, to Gurena Solie, the daughter of Ole and Leah (Winthrop) Solie, both now de- ceased. Mrs. Gilbertson died Feb. 24, 1920. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbertson had seven children. Gilbert was born Dec. 6, 1894, and is now in Penn, N. D. Ole was born Dec. 24, 1896, and lives in Coopertown, N. D. Elling was born Oct. 20, 1899, and lives in Bloomer, Wis. Leonard was born Dec. 22, 1904; Lillie was born June 16, 1907; Martha was born Nov. 25, 1908, and William was born April 19, 1913. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Roy A. Huseth, energetic farmer of Section 10, Dallas Township, and veteran of the World War, is a native of this county, born on the pioneer farm where he still resides, April 7, 1896, the son of Erick and Julia (Amundson) Huseth, natives of Norway, and early residents of this county. He was reared on the home place, attended the district schools, and learned farming from his father. He was inducted into the United States service, April 2, 1918, and trained at Camp Casey, Wash., with Headquarters Company, 48th Coast Ar- tillery. From there he was sent to Camp Stewart, Va. He was sent to France, in August, of the same year, landing at Brest. He again reached the United States, March 8, 1919, and was discharged March 28, 1919, at Camp Grant, Rockford, Illinois. Then he returned home and rented his father's farm in Section 10, Dallas Township. He is an industrious, hard working young man, ambitious and popular, and is already getting a good start in life. He is one of the leaders among the young people, and is held in high esteem. He carries on general farming and dairying, and is developing a good herd of Holstein cattle. Like the other members of the family, he a member of the Norwegian Lutheran Church at Dallas and is loyal in his support. His sister, Palma, keeps house for him.

Hans Arneson, a pioneer of Section 5, Sumner Township, was born in Norway, May 23, 1838, and was there reared and educated. He came to America in 1868, and found his way to Wisconsin. He was married in Vernon County, Wis., on Nov. 10, 1871, to Oline Olson, who was born in Norway, Nov. 23, 1844, and came to America in 1871. After their marriage, they lived in Vernon County, this state. In 1872, they came to Barron County, riding in with a neighbor. They located on Section 5, Sumner Township, where they erected a log cabin and started home making. They had little to start with. In domestic animals they had not even a chicken. For tools they had an ax, a hoe, an iron bar, a shovel and a spade, and little more. Their furniture consisted of some crude makeshifts, and their household utensils were few indeed. But they had faith and courage, and in time they achieved success. They were both devout people and some of the earliest services

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MR. AND MRS. HANS ARNESON

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of the Norwegian Lutheran congregation were held in their log cabin. After a long and useful life, he died May 30, 1910, and his good wife is still living. In the family there were five children : Arnt, Oluf, Carl, Martin and Hannah.

Ludwig Alton, a prosperous farmer of Section 5, Sumner Township, is a native of this township, born on the old home place in Section 7, June 25, 1881, the son of Peter and Ingeborg Alton. He was reared on the home farm, attended the district school, and also took courses in the Rice Lake High School. As a youth he spent several winters in the lumber woods. By this means he saved $50. This $50 he invested as first payment on 80 acres of land in his home section. About four acres had been cleared, but no buildings had been erected. He started in with almost nothing to work with, and gradually improved the place until he had a good house and barn, and a part of the land cleared. In 1909 he sold out and moved to his present place, which is the old homestead of his wife's father, Hans Arneson. He has continued the improvements on this place, and has erected a silo and sheds. He carries on general farming, and makes a specialty of Guernsey cattle. He is a friend of every movement which has for its object the betterment of farm conditions, and is a stockholder in the Farmers' Co-operative Store at Canton, and the Farmers' Telephone Company, as well as a member of the Guernsey Breed- ers Association. Mr. Alton was married June 6, 1906, to Hannah Arneson, born on the place where they now live, Feb. 7, 1884, the daughter of Hans and Oline (Olson) Arneson. This union has been blessed with six children : Ollie, Harriett, Violet, and Lindsey. Harold, the oldest, died at the age of two years in 1908, and Hubert died March 9, 1921, at the age of one year and seven months. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Peter Alton, a pioneer of Sumner Township, was born in Norway, Jan. 6, 1830, descended from a good line of Norwegian ancestry. He was reared and educated in that country, and on May 3, 1864, married Ingeborg Olson, who was born in that country, April 29, 1840. In 1869 they came to America with their two children, Anna and Olena. Upon reaching Wisconsin they stopped a short time at Neenah, in Winnebago County, and then located in Portage county, where they farmed for a number of years. In the middle seventies they came to Barron County, and secured 160 acres of wild land in Section 7, Sumner Township. At first they had but little to do with. He had to walk to Rice Lake or the old town of Sumner to do his trading, bringing supplies home on his back. The first summer he purchased a cow, and in time raised and trained two of her calves for oxen. Mr. and Mrs. Alton were true pioneers, and underwent all the experiences incident to life in this part of the county in the early days. In their log cabin, 16 by 16 feet, the first Norwegian Lutheran services were held in this vicinity. With the passage of the years they prospered, and in time built up a good farm. He died May 12, 1911, and his widow is still living on the home place. Two children already mentioned, Anna and Olena, were born in the old country. Nettie was born in Portage County, this state. Christ, Ludwig and Paul were born on the place in Barron County.

Christ Alton, a well-known farmer of Section 7, Sumner Township, was born in a lob cabin on the place where he still resides, Feb. 9, 1875, the son of Peter and Ingeborg Alton. He was reared here, attended school, and learned farming from his father. He gradually assumed the responsibilities of the place, and on June 13, 1902, in partnership with his brother, Paul, took over its management. Since 1911 he has managed it alone, and has purchased 35 acres more. He has continued the improvements made by his father. He built over the house, and erected a new barn, 36 by 92 feet, with cement floor, and equipped with patent stanchions and other modern appliances. He carries on general farming and dairying, and is already well started on the road to success. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' Store at Canton. Mr. Alton was married at Sumner in May, 1913, to Lena Peiper, born in Sumner Township,

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the daughter of John Peiper. Mr. and Mrs. Alton have one bright boy, Walter Clifford, born July 30, 1914.

Raymond E. Malone, postmaster at Canton, and manager of the Farmers' Store, is one of the active, influential men of the community, and is well liked by all who know him. As postmaster he has given general satisfaction, and as merchant he is known for business ability and fair dealing. He is a native of this county, born on the old townsite of Sumner, in Sumner Township, Sept. 10, 1880, the son of John E. and Fannie (Grilley) Malone, being the second of four children. As a small boy he attended the rural schools. At the tender age of ten he started out for himself by working on neighboring farms for his board and lodging and care. He was a sturdy youth of seven- teen when he went to Superior, Wis., and became identified with the fuel business, one year as a driver and then eleven years in the yards. From there he returned to Barron County, and became a clerk in a general store at Canton. Later he owned a store here. He was appointed postmaster in 1910, and became manager of the Farmers' Store in 1919. He is known for his ability as an accountant and record keeper as well as a merchant, and has been clerk both of Sumner Township, and of his school district. He was married Dec. 26, 1901 to Flora Louise White, daughter of Henry John White, and they have three children, Ralph, Guy and Jack.

Artemus Ward Kingsley, a substantial citizen of Section 20, Sumner Township, was born in Juneau County, Wis., Sept. 20, 1853, the son of Elias and Patience (Broadway) Kingsley. These worthy people, natives of New York State, started out in the forties, and reached Racine by a sailboat trip on the Great Lakes. Five years later, in 1851, they came westward to Juneau County, and there located in the wilderness. Baraboo, the trading point, was 30 miles away in Sauk County. The trip with an ox team, taking grain to market and bringing back provisions was a long and tiresome one, and some- times beset with danger. When groceries were running low, and the trails were impassible to teams, some member of the family had to make the trip afoot, bringing supplies home on their shoulders. Here the parents spent the remainder of their lives, and developed a good farm which became a part of a flourishing and prosperous community. Artemus was the youngest of thirteen children, and is the only one of the family now living. His early schooling was limited, but, having an aptitude for books, he has studied and read deeply by himself, and has acquired a broad fund of information. He learned farming from his parents, and has devoted his life to that pursuit. In 1882 he came to Barron County, and secured a tract of land in Section 27, Sumner Township. This land he has cleared and cultivated, erected a good set of buildings, and developed and improved a good place, which he later sold. For many years, while working a part of the time on his farm, he was identified with the lumbering industry. He has logged, worked on river drives and in the sawmills, and has been familiar with every phase of the lumbering industry in this locality. It is interesting to note, historically, that he scaled the first lumber that went to Canton from the old Sumner Township. He has been active for many years in public life, and in the old days, before the primary laws were enacted, was a delegate to numerous conventions and sat on various committees. He is assessor of Sumner Township, as he has been at intervals for a long period, and gives general satisfaction by his knowledge of local conditions and values, and his absolute justness and fair- ness. Those qualities of fairness also marked his administration as a justice of the peace. Mr. Kingsley married Matilda Murray, who died in 1895 at the age of forty. Mr. and Mrs. Kingsley had two fine sons. Norman W. lives in the eastern part of Wisconsin. Percy, the foster son of Eugene Silas Lowell, and known as Percy Lowell, is one of the leading young men of this part of the county.

John Halvorson, an industrious and successful farmer of Section 5, Sumner Township, was born in the pioneer log cabin of his parents on the

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section where he now resides, April 18, 1877, the son of Olaus and Ellen (Jorgenson) Halvorson, the early settlers. He grew to manhood on the home place, attended the neighborhood school, and learned farming from his father and brothers. He was not yet of age when he bought 80 acres in the home section. This he started developing with the assistance of his brothers. He put up a house, a barn 38 by 74 feet, a silo of glazed tile 14 by 42 feet, and other buildings. In 1909 he moved there with his bride. He has added to the place until he owns 280 acres of good land, and has continued the improve- ments and developments. The house and barn are equipped with electricity and other modern machinery, and the appliances, tools, implements and ma- chinery are of the best. Mr. Halvorson is a man of influence and importance in the community and has worthily won prosperity and success. He has been an official of the Farmers' Telephone Co. and Farmers' Co-operative Store Co. at Canton, and is a stockholder in the Barron Creamery Co. He is also an active member of the Guernsey Breeders Association. Mr. Halvorson was married June 23, 1909, to Gunda Manstad, who was born in Gulbransdalen, Norway, the daughter of Guldbran and Helena (Sather) Manstad, the former of whom was a veterinary surgeon, and a man of high standing in his community. In the Manstad family there were nine children: Otto, Julius, Clara, Eliza, Oleana (deceased), Pleana (deceased), Helga (deceased), Gunda, Petra and Edward. Clara is still in Norway, and the rest of those living are in the United States. Mrs. Halvorson came to the United States in 1902, alone, remained in New York two years, in Duluth one year, and then came to Barron County. Mr. and Mrs. Halvorson have three children: Ethel Helen, born June 12, 1910; Clara Olive born Oct. 19, 1912, and Frank William, born June 5, 1916. The family attends the Methodist Episcopal Church at Cameron, in which Mr. Halvorson is an official.

Olaus Halvorson, one of the most honored and respected of the early settlers of the county, was born in the northern part of Norway, Dec. 4, 1833, and was there reared and educated. As a young man he married Ellen Jorgenson, the daughter of a neighbor. There three children were born, Lizzie, now wife of L. O. Melby, of St. Paul; Anna, the widow of Frank Caesar, and now living in the old home, and Olive, the widow of Axel A. Ahlroth, and living in Los Angeles. As the family began to grow, the parents determined to seek the wider opportunities of a newer country. Accordingly they set out, April 15, 1869. The voyage on water occupied twelve weeks, and during that time they were aboard seven different boats. They reached the States by way of the St. Lawrence river. Part of the land trip was made aboard a cattle train in the same car with some of the cattle, also some on boats. They reached their journey's end, July 4, 1869, at Eau Claire, Wis. Two years later, they drove to Barron County with an ox team, a son, Peter, being born on the trip. Here they secured 160 acres of wild land in Section 5, Sumner Township. The wife and children lived for a while with the family of an early settler, Ole Olson, at Colfax, before coming to Barron County. Mr. Halvorson at once began putting up a log cabin, the first on the north side of Rock Creek, a branch of Pokegema Creek. The ruins of this historic cabin are still stand- ing. As soon as the walls were up and the roof completed the family moved in. The first bed consisted of brush laid on the ground, for the cabin had no floor except the native earth. A young heifer had been secured to supply milk for the children, but it died after three milkings. The family had no money, and the father had to work in the woods and the mills to support his loved ones before the farm became productive. The wife was thus left alone in a country swarming with Indians, who looked with none too friendly eye on the coming of the white settlers. Then, too, there were many rough characters among the whites who were wandering through the region. Often the lone mother, annoyed and frightened, would gather her four babies to- gether and flee to the cabin of some far-away neighbor for protection and comfort. The younger generation of the present day little realizes the con-

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ditions here a half a century ago. There were no roads except the "tote" roads of the lumber companies. Stores were far away, and provisions were usually brought in on the settlers' backs. Mr. Halvorson carried on his back provisions from Eau Claire. This region was a wilderness, dreary in the extreme, with standing timber and brush. Wheat had to be taken to far- away places, the trip taking several days. There was little of what we now call comfort. The cabins were rough and crude, there was little furniture, the women had little to do with in the way of household utensils, and the farms were worked with the simplest of tools. But the Halvorsons, like the others pioneers, had faith and courage, they were willing to work hard, and in time success crowned their efforts. They built up a good place, and are now numbered among the best and most useful citizens of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Halvorson are venerated for what they are and for what they have done, and are greatly revered by all who know them, especially the younger generations. In addition to the four children already mentioned, five more, William, Georgia, John, Elsie and Albert, were born in this county. William owns the home place. John and Albert are well-known farmers operating places in the township. Georgia is the widow of L. H. Montgomery, and lives on the old home place. Elsie is the wife of C. C. Leslie, of Los Angeles. There are twenty-five grandchildren and sixteen great grand- children.

William Halvorson, an influential and prosperous farmer of Section 5, Sumner Township, was born in the old log cabin on the place where he still lives, Sept. 13, 1873, the son of Olaus and Ellen (Jorgenson) Halvorson, the pioneers. He was reared on the home place, attended the district schools, and learned farming from his father. As a young man he rented the home place in partnership with his brother, Albert. Later he bought out his brother, and now owns the farm alone. He has continued to develop the place ever since he first started helping his parents as a boy. He has a comfortable home, equipped with many conveniences including an electric light plant and run- ning water. He has a good barn, 38 by 70 feet, with full basement, and furnished with scientific appliances. His silo, built of stone, 17 by 33 feet, is probably the largest in the county, possibly in this whole part of the state. The other buildings are fully in keeping with the house and barn. Mr. Hal- vorson carries on general farming and dairying, and makes a specialty of a fine herd of full blooded Guernsey cattle. Mr. Halvorson has not cared for public life, but has been drafted several times for service on the town board. He has been an officer of the Shipping Association and of the Guernsey Breed- ers' Association. Since early boyhood he has been a faithful attendant of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Cameron, and is now one of its officers. He is a good farmer and a good citizen, and his judgment is always respected by all who know him.

Johannes L. Ekenstedt, now deceased for some thirty years, but in his day a solid resident of Lakeland Township, was born in Sweden, and was there reared and educated. He married Caroline Johnson. In 1882 he brought his family to this country, landed at New York, lived a short time in Helock, Minn., and then came to Barronett, this county, and secured 120 acres in Lakeland Township, Section 32. He put up a set of log buildings, cleared about 40 acres, and gradually built up a good place. This was accomplished, however, only in the face of great dificulties and through the suffering of many hardships. The family, arriving at Barronett, could find no lodging place, and accordingly took up their quarters for the first night in a box car; but they had hardly got comfortably-or uncomfortably-settled, when an un- sympathetic brakeman compelled them to vacate their quarters, and they spent the rest of the night in a hay barn. The next day the only dwelling they could find was an old log house, the previous occupants of which had had typhoid fever, and into this they were obliged to move. As a result five of the family caught the fever, and were attended by Dr. Hopkins, who in view of their

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circumstances saw little prospect of getting his pay. They then moved to their homestead, which was seven miles away, the route lying through the woods, through which they had to walk, carrying those who were still sick. They could only get to town by boat and trail, and at first had only a raft for that part of the journey which was made by water. When Mr. Ekenstedt built his house he conveyed his lumber on a two-wheeled cart, which he pushed before him. It took a number of trips and he made use of the railroad track as a highway until one day the section crew took his cart away from him and broke it up. When knapp, Stout and Co. built their dam near his farm, back- ing up the water so that it covered his land, they gave him 120 acres of land in lieu of damages. Like the other settlers he lost everything when the great fire swept, but undaunted by this disaster, he set to work and established himself once more. After a useful life filled with hard work and triumph over difficulties, he died Feb. 14, 1900. His wife survived him a number of years, passing away Nov. 11, 1918. Their children are Johannes, Louis, Albert, Victor, Davis B. and Richard J. Mr. Ekenstedt was a member of the Swedish Lutheran church and for some time served on the school board of his dis- trict.

David B. Ekenstedt, an energetic farmer of Section 33, Cumberland Town- ship, was born in Sweden, Dec. 18, 1875, the son of Johannes L. and Caroline (Johnson) Ekenstedt. He was a small boy when he was brought to Lakeland Township, this county, and here attended school and learned farming from his father. When the father died in 1900, David B. and his brother, Richard J., bought the farm, and operated it until 1906. They then bought 80 acres in Sections 17 and 20. They stumped the entire tract, and cleared 30 acres. They also erected a good set of buildings. In 1919 they purchased 153 acres in Section 33, in the same township. There they now successfully carry on general farming and dairying, and have a good herd. Mr. Ekenstedt is a good business man and a good farmer, he has been familiar with this region for nearly forty years and is thoroughly acquainted with local conditions. As a good citizen he has realized his public duty to the community. For eight years he did most excellent and satisfactory service, from 1907 to 1915, as town supervisor, and he has also been a valued member of the school board of his district. When the two brothers started in for themselves David had only 50 cents and Richard one dollar, but they took a logging contract from Dave Keist, and by hard and persistent work achieved success and supported their mother. David B. Ekenstedt was married March 24, 1904, to Ellen Bjerman, who was born in Sweden on July 13, 1880, the daughter of Nick and Clara (Anderson) Bjerman, the former of whom is dead, and the latter of whom lives in Clinton township. This union has been blessed with seven chil- dren. Lucille V. was born Feb. 19, 1905; Estella was born March 20, 1907; Clara was born Oct. 5, 1909; Delbert was born June 8, 1911; William was born Nov. 11, 1914; Lena was born Sept. 8, 1918; and Ellard was born June 10, 1921.

Richard J. Ekenstedt, an active citizen of Section 33, Cumberland Town- ship, was born in Sweden, July 14, 1880, and was brought to Lakeland Town- ship, this county, as an infant. He was reared here, learned farming from his father, and has devoted practically all his life to farm work. For two winters he worked in the woods for the Beaver Lake Lumber Co., and for three winters he worked at Cumberland City, building heavy logging sleds. In 1900 he and his brother bought the home farm in Lakeland Township, in 1916 they bought a farm in Cumberland Township, and in 1919 bought the present farm. In connection with successfully farming together, they have operated a threshing outfit for some twenty seasons. Mr. Ekenstedt is taking his part in neighborhood affairs, he is a good citizen and a worthy man, and stands well with all who know him. For some years he has done the township good service as constable.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 68

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

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