History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 69

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 69

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).

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Joseph N. Cain, a substantial farmer owning 120 acres in Section 18, Sumner Township, has developed a good farm from the wilderness, has done his part in the growth and progress of the community, and is one of the solid men of the township, admired for his worth, his industry and his sterling qualities. He was born in the Province of Ontario, near the United States boundary, April 23, 1850, son of David and Mary (Saunders) Cain, the former a native of Vermont and the latter also of Vermont. Joseph N. came to Wis- consin at the age of twenty, and for a while worked on farms in Chippewa County. Later he came to this county, and worked on farms near the old townsite of Sumner in Sumner Township. In 1873 he took a homestead of 160 acres in Section 18, Sumner Township. This was all wild land. He built a log cabin and started to establish a home in the wilderness. At that time there were only a few houses in this vicinity. He secured an ox team, and a cow or two, and the first year managed to get in a small acreage of crops. To this place he brought his bride. By working early and late, and using good judgment in their operations, they have developed a good farm, and have achieved prosperity. Eighty acres of the original homestead have been sold and forty acres added. Mr. Cain carries on general farming and is building up a fine dairy herd of graded Holsteins. His financial holdings include stock in the State Bank of Canton. Mr. Cain was married at Edge Point, Wis., March 31, 1878, to Rosana Jordan, who was born in Milwaukee, July 17, 1859, the daughter of Michael and Catherine Jordan. Mr. and Mrs. Cain had four children : Milton J., Edith, Eunice and Catherine. Milton J. is at home. Edith, is the deceased wife of the late A. N. Anderson. Eunice is at home. Catherine is the wife of Lorne Doty, of Superior, Wis. Mrs. Cain died Oct. 2, 1906.

Christian Bandli, an early settler, now living in Section 6, Sumner Town- ship, was born in Switzerland, Feb. 1, 1835, and there grew to adult years. In 1868 he married Elizabeth Wiestanner, who was born in that country, Jan. 12, 1844. Four children were born, John, Anna, Lucy and Elsbeth. The family came to America in 1873, and located in Chippewa County, this state. In 1878 they drove in to Barron County, and located in Doyle Township. There they lived for fifteen years. The oldest son, John, a young man of unusual promise, died there at the age of seventeen. In 1893 the family settled on 160 acres in Section 6, Sumner Township, and moved into a small log cabin, which stood on the place. In the meantime, four more children, Christian, Henry, Mary and Christ were born. The family set to work with a will to establish their new home, and in time made many improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Bandli still live on the place, but many years ago retired from active work. They are held in high esteem throughout the community, and the declining years of their life are ones of peace and contentment.

Henry Bandli, a well known farmer of Section 6, Sumner Township, was born in Chippewa Falls, Oct. 14, 1876, the son of Christian and Elizabeth (Wiestanner) Bandli, natives of Switzerland. He came to the present place with the family, and gradually took over its management. He now makes a home for his father and mother, his sister, Anna, keeping house. He helped his father make over the log cabin into a modern residence, and he has built a new barn and a large silo, and made other improvements. He takes an active part in everything that he believes to be for the good of the community, and has been chairman of the township board, and as such a valuable member of the county board. He has also served on the school board. He is a direc- tor of the Farmers' Co-operative Store of Canton, a stockholder in the Canton Shipping Association, and has been on the sales committee of the Guernsey Breeders Association. All-in-all, he is a useful member of the community and is well liked.

Christian Bandli, Jr., a progressive farmer of section 8, Sumner town- ship, was born in a log cabin in Doyle Township, this county, Dec. 29, 1881, the son of Christian and Elizabeth (Wiestanner) Bandli, natives of Switzer- land. He was reared to farm pursuits by his parents and educated in the

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MR. AND MRS. C. J. ORN

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rural schools. He came to Sumner Township, with his parents, and remained on the home place until 1912, when he bought his present place of 120 acres in Section 8. No buildings had then been erected. He has put up a good house, a barn, 36 by 50 feet, and a silo, 12 by 36 feet, as well as other build- ings. The buildings are well equipped with electric lights and running water. He has also developed the land. He carries on general farming and dairying, and has a fine herd of Guernsey cattle. Mr. Bandli is active in all community enterprises, and is a stockholder in the Farmers' Co-operative Store at Can- ton, and a member of the Guernsey Breeders Association. He and his wife are faithful adherents of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Cameron, which body he has efficiently served as treasurer for some time. Mr. Bandli was married July 17, 1912, to Hannah Melbye, who was born in St. Paul, Dec. 14, 1883, the daughter of Lauritz O. and Lizzie (Halvorson) Melbye, and grand- daughter of Olaus and Ellen Halvorson, the pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Bandli are the parents of three children: Lois Elizabeth, Margaret Olive and John Christian.

Gust John Boortz, a representative farmer of Section 33, Sumner Town- ship, was born in Germany, Nov. 17, 1878, the son of Herman and Otelia (Kruger) Boortz, who brought him to Section 29, Sumner Township, in 1880. He was reared here and attended the district schools of the neighborhood. In 1899, he went to Superior, Wis., and was employed in the ship building yards there for eleven years. During this time he helped to build many of the famous freighters which now ply the Great Lakes. In 1910 he came back to Bar- ron County, and bought his present place of 80 acres in Section 33. An old log house then stood on the place and a part of the land had been cleared. To the development and operation of this farm he has since devoted his atten- tion. He has greatly improved the land and has erected a fine set of buildings, including a modern cement house which he put up in 1917. He takes much pride in his place and it is pointed out to visitors as a model farm. Mr. Boortz is one of the real leaders in his community. He believes that farm life is the most desirable life in the country today, and he is in favor of everything which makes farm labor pleasant. He was one of the founders of the Greenwood Social Center Club, and is now its president. This is a notable community center project. Meetings are held with educational, musical and social programs, and the club has already resulted in much good, especially among the young people. Mr. Boortz is also a thorough believer in community co-operative effort, and he is one of the founders and the present president of the Farmers' Co-operative Store of Canton. He is likewise a stock holder in the Canton Shipping Association. In public life he is doing his duty as a good citizen, and has been the efficient clerk of School District No. 2 for five years. Mr. Boortz was married on June 18, 1904, to Ella Lee, of Superior, Wis., daughter of Nels and Christina Lee, natives of Norway, who came to America as young people, and were married in Wisconsin. The father died when Ella was six months old, leaving her and another sister, Hilda. The mother later married Odin Olson, and to this union was born one child, Ida. Mr. and Mrs. Olson now live at Superior, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Boortz have ten children: Henrietta Christina, Clarence Herman, Ernest Otto, Neil Herman, Floyd Raymond, Laurna Silverta, Norene Ida, Glen Gustave, Elaine Gendina and Clyde Arndt. The two first named died in Superior, Wis.

Carl J. Orn, of Orndale Farm, a representative farmer of Section 35, Clinton Township, was born in Sweden, Sept. 1, 1871, the son of Jacob and Anna Orn, also natives of that country. The father was reared in his native land, worked for some years in the smelting plants there. In 1893 he came to this country, and after living in Minnesota for a short time, came to Barron County the same year and bought 40 acres in Section 35, Clinton Township. He was getting a start on this place, when he died in 1896. His wife con- tinued to live there until her death in 1910. In the family there were five children : Axel T., Christina, Hulda, Selma and Carl J. Christina is the wife

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of Carl Sundquist, and lives in Sweden. Selma is the wife of Frank Osten, and lives in Minneapolis, Minn. Hulda is the wife of E. J. Carlson, who farms in Clinton Township. Carl J. was reared in Sweden, and went to school there. As a youth he worked in the smelters, in a pulp mill and on farms. In 1889, at the age of eighteen years, he came to the United States, and settled at Ironwood, Mich., where he worked on a steam pump in the iron mines. In 1892 he went to Minnesota, and there chopped wood in the winter and worked on a farm in the summer. In the spring of 1893 he became a teamster in Minneapolis, Minn. In August of that year he came to Barron County, and bought 40 acres in Section 35, Clinton Township. After his father's death, he took care of his mother, and was deeded the home place of 40 acres. Later he bought 40 acres from his brother, Axel, making a farm of 120 acres in Sections 35 and 36. Here he has built up as fine a place as is to be found in this vicinity. The present farm with its neat buildings, its sightly yard, its well tilled acres, its fences, its excellent equipment of tools, implements and machinery, and its sleek stock, all bespeaking the thrift, hard work, good taste and sound judgment of the owner, are in decided contrast to the wild cut-over brush and stump land that he found here. The home is a pleasant nine-room residence, with a number of conveniences, including hot water heat. The barn is 32 by 60 feet, the silo is 14 by 32, and the other buildings include a granary, machine shed, and garage. About 90 acres are under the plow. Here Mr. Orn successfully carries on general farming and dairying. He has a good herd of full blooded Guernseys, headed by a full blooded sire. It is worthy of note that in 1907, he brought a full blooded Guernsey cow to his farm, which was the first in Barron County. In exhibiting he has secured the first prize on the junior heifer and champion heifer of the show. It was in 1917 that he started with advance registered work in his herd of cows. The following items show his records: Leetana, of Orndale, No. 73,465; class F. F., two and a half years old; butter record is for one year; pounds of milk, 6,275.70; butter fat, 360.36 pounds. Raretan's Linda, of Orndale, No. 80,932; class G; one year, eleven months old; pounds of milk, 6,834.20; butterfat, 363.43 pounds. Ruby, of Orndale, No. 43,828; class A; milk, 10,073.80 pounds; butter fat, 513.97 pounds. Glenwood's Gay Lass, of Orndale, No. 41,523; class A; milk, 8,386.20 pounds; butterfat, 524.79 pounds. Imported Gay Lass, of Sarnia, No. 35,654; class A; milk, 8,159.10 pounds; butterfat, 425.58 pounds. Raretan's Gay Lass, of Orndale, No. 58,600; class A; milk, 10,757.30 pounds; butterfat, 612.40 pounds. Lady Glenwood, of Orndale; sold to Weilip Bros., of Rice Lake, Barron County; class A; butter record, 517 pounds of butterfat. Bessie, of Orndale, sold to L. Gordon, Jr .; class F, in 240 days has made, milk 8,576.6 pounds; butterfat 452.13 pounds. Mr. Orn was married Nov. 27, 1900, at Barron, to Ida Viberg, who was born in Pepin County, Wis., Feb. 5, 1877, the daughter of Carl and Augusta Viberg, who spent their lives in Sweden. Mr. and Mrs. Orn have five children, Eleanor, Stella, Nininan, Selma and Leonard, all of whom are living at home.

Ole Tharaldson, a representative farmer of Section 10, Clinton Township, proprietor of the sightly Vermillion River Valley Farm, was born in Norway, Sept. 1, 1868, the son of Tharal and Ingeborg Mollon. Tharal Mollon is a man of considerable importance in his home town of Homnes, Stausdale, Nor- way. He has been a banker for 58 years and a merchant for a longer period, and now at the age of 90 years is one of the oldest business men in his region. He has had fifteen children. By his first wife he had eight, of whom four are living. By his second wife he has seven, of whom six are living. Ole Tharald- son, the subject of this sketch was but six years old when he lost his mother. He was reared and educated in his native land, and as a youth learned the cobbler's trade. At the age of nineteen, in 1887, he came to the United States, and found his way to Minneapolis. With headquarters there he worked clearing land, as a harvest hand, as a railroad section hand and as a carpen- ter. For a time he was a miner in Michigan. In 1900 he came to Barron

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County and started farming on rented land. His first purchase was of a 40-acre tract in Section 3, Clinton Township. Later he sold this and bought his present place of 80 acres in Section 10. When he acquired the place, a frame house was standing on it. He has remodelled and repaired the house, and has just completed an addition, 16 by 18 feet, with 14-foot posts, and furnished with a full basement. He has also put up a good barn and other buildings. Here he has continued successfully engaged in general farming, stock raising and dairying. His cattle are graded Holsteins, headed by a full blooded sire. The farm is named the Vermillion River Valley Farm, and is not only fertile and well equipped, but is also beautifully located, making an ideal Barron County farm in every particular, and bespeaking the thrift and intelligent hard work of the owner. Mr. Tharaldson was married Dec. 3, 1900, at Minneapolis, to Bertha Salverson, who was born in Norway, Nov. 21, 1867, the daughter of Salver and Elie Thomasson, the former of whom was a postman in Norway, and both of whom are now dead. Of their family of nine children there are now living four. Thelma is in Norway; Salver is in New York; Gera is the wife of Ole Fosstberg, of Alberta, Canada, and Bertha is the wife of Ole Tharaldson. Mr. and Mrs. Tharaldson have a son, Emil, who was born Oct. 28, 1901, and who assists his father on the farm.

Ole Torgerson, a substantial and respected citizen of Section 6, Clinton Township, was born in Norway, Nov. 26, 1850, the son of Torger and Johannah Christianson, both of whom spent the span of their years in Norway, where the father was a blacksmith. In the family there were two chil- dren, Ole and Hawkan. Ole was reared in his native land, attended school there, and as a youth worked on neighboring farms. In 1884 he came to the United States, and found his way directly to Barron County, reaching Prairie Farm Village, on June 30, 1884. Here he entered the employ of Knapp, Stout & Co., at $20 a month, making hay in the summer, and working in the lumber camps in the winter. In the spring of 1885 he started on the lumber drives for a short time, but left that to enter the employ of Louis J. Breen, Arland Township, first on his farm and then in the hay fields. In the fall he entered the employ of the Beaver Lake Lumber Co. at Cumberland. In the spring of 1886, he went to work in the mills at Comstock. That winter he worked for Miller & Waterman in the woods. In the spring of 1887 he went to work for the Omaha line, making his headquarters for some years at Turtle Lake, and then at Comstock. In 1898 he bought 64 acres in Clinton Township, to which not long after he added 40 acres more, making in all, 104 acres, located in sections 5 and 6, Clinton Township. When he secured the tract it was covered with timber. Out of this he has built up an excellent farm. He has cleared the land, put up a set of buildings, and since 1902 has carried on general farming and dairying here. He has a herd of mixed Holsteins and Guernseys, and a good drove of swine. Mr. Torgerson was married July 3, 1897 at Cumberland, this county, to Louisa, the widow of Tom Anderson, and the daughter of Benedick and Carrie Larson, natives of the northern part of Norway, who came to this country, and for many years farmed in Cumberland Township, this county, ending their days at the home of Ole Torgerson, in Clinton Township. Mr. and Mrs. Torgerson have five children: Theodore, Olga, Helmer, Josie and Lennox. Olga is cashier in a store at Cumberland. By her first marriage, Mrs. Torgerson had three children, Matilda, Alma and Laura Anderson. In the old country she learned the trade of weaving, and she now occupies her spare time in weaving carpets and rugs for her neigh- bors and friends, her handicraft being in high demand. The family adheres to the Norwegian Lutheran Church in Clinton Township, of which Mr. Torgerson has been the custodian for some time.

Joseph Stauner, a highly regarded resident of Almena, has lived in this vicinity for 31 years, and has many interesting stories to tell of his ex- periences in the early days when the county was still in the making. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, July 16, 1861, son of Casper and Mary Stauner,

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the other children in the family being Michael, George, Charles, Sebastian, Mary, and Minnie, all of whom came to America with the parents in June, 1891. Joseph was reared in the old country, and on Feb. 5, 1889, married Filmina Guener, who was born April 20, 1862. In November, 1891, he brought his wife and baby, Joseph, to the United States and joined the other members of the family at Almena, arriving here with just $62 in cash. The father had secured 40 acres of land on the edge of Almena Village, near where the Almena Creamery is now located, and had erected a log cabin. Joseph and his wife and baby moved into this cabin with the parents, and began to develop the place. At first they had only a cow and six chickens. Later they bought a pair of young steers and broke them in as oxen. They were without a wagon, so Mr. Stauner made himself a wagon with wooden wheels. The first year he threshed 17 bushels of wheat. While hauling this wheat in his home made wagon with his half-broken oxen, he had a runaway, loosing the entire load. For some years he devoted his time and attention to building up the place. The buildings were swept away in the great fire of 1898, and Mr. Stauner then went to Poskin, in Clinton Township, and secured 80 acres of wild land. He erected a log house and started clearing the land. In time he developed a good place and put up a good set of modern buildings. There he successfully farmed until the fall of 1920, when he turned the management of the place over to his son, Michael, and moved to Almena, where he and his wife are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Stauner are the parents of seven children : Minnie (first), Joseph, Charles, George, Michael, Sebastian and Minnie. Minnie (first) died in infancy. Joseph farms in Medford, Taylor County; Charles and George are farmers in Barron Township. Michael, as already mentioned, is ably farming the home place. Sebastian is a carpenter and lives in Clinton Township. Minnie is with her parents. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church.

Carl Swanson, Section 3, Clinton Township, is one of the energetic and progressive men of this vicinity. He believes in following the latest methods, he keeps thoroughly up to date by wide reading, and his judgment is good on all agricultural subjects. He was born in Sweden, Jan. 27, 1872, the son of Sven and Nila (Benson) Swanson. Sven Swanson was a farmer in Sweden, and spent the span of his years there, dying in 1916, at the fine old age of ninety-four years. By his first wife, he had five children: Martha, Nila, John, Hannah and Marie, all of whom are dead. By his second wife, Nila Benson, he has six children : Maude, in Sweden; Carl; Peter, of Clinton, Iowa; Bertha, in Sweden; Anna, of New Jersey, and Helen, deceased. Carl was reared in Sweden, went to school there, worked on the home farm, and learned the carpenter and stone mason trade. He came to the United States in 1892, landed in New York city, May 9, and found his way to Lyons, Iowa, where he worked as a carpenter and farmer for five years. In 1897 he came to Barron County, and occupied 109 acres in Section 3, Clinton Township, which he had bought the previous year. This was all wild cut-over land, covered with stumps, brush and windfalls. Here he has developed a good farm. The fine set of buildings was erected largely by himself. The house is a pleasant residence of eight rooms. The barn is 52 by 44 feet, with full basement. The granary is 16 by 24 feet; the machine sheds are 40 by 20 feet, and 118 by 24 feet; the milk house is of cement blocks; the chicken house is 12 by 24 feet, and the wood shed is 12 by 12 feet. There are also other suitable structures. All the buildings are lighted with electricity from his own plant. The farm is well tilled, and well fenced, and the equipment is excellent in every respect. A Ford tractor and a potato digger are among the labor saving devices. Mr. Swanson successfully carries on general farming and dairying, and he has a good herd of Durham cattle. The cream is sold to the Barron Creamery Co. in which Mr. Swanson is a stockholder. Mr. Swanson was married at Cumberland, this county, on Aug. 9, 1905, to Signe Bergstrom, who was born in Sweden, Jan. 7, 1885, the daughter of Gust and Matilda Bergstrom,

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natives of Sweden, who came to the United States in 1886, and located at Cumberland, where they farmed until 1916, a long period of thirty years, after which they retired and moved to Superior, Wis., where they now live. In the family there are five girls: Ellen, wife of David Halstead, of Superior, Wis .; Hulda, wife of Nels Nelson, of Park Falls, Wis .; Susette, wife of Arthur Anderson, of Superior, Wis .; Evelyn, wife of John Engstrom, of Superior, Wis., and Signe, wife of Carl Swanson. Mr. and Mrs. Swanson have six children : Ethel, Verner, Eleanor, Lucille, Signe and Randall, all living at home. The family faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran Church.

William D. Moore, an influential farmer of Section 3, Clinton Township, where he has built up a sightly modern farm, was born in Williamson County, Tenn., Oct. 15, 1872, the son of William L. and Sarah E. Moore, both natives of Georgia. The family was founded in this country by six brothers, who came from Scotland. Descended from one of those brothers, was William Moore, who settled on a plantation in Georgia. His son, William L., lived there until after the Civil War, and then moved to Tennessee, where he and his good wife spent the remainder of their lives. Of the nine children in the family there are now living five: Cicero, William D., Hattie, Mary and Susan. Hattie married Mr. Giles and lives in Ft. Worth, Texas. Mary married Joseph Crafton and lives in Nashville, Tenn. Susan married John Galavin and lives at Franklin, Tenn. Cicero also lives in that village. William D. was educated in his native state and was reared to farm pursuits. In 1895 he moved to Illinois, and rented a farm near Danville. From there he went to Green County, Iowa, in 1899, and there farmed six years. It was in 1905 that he came to Barron County, and bought 80 acres in Section 19, Clinton Town- ship. He cleared up the land, erected a set of buildings, developed a good farm, and there carried on agricultural operations for twelve years. In 1916 he purchased 40 acres in section 33, Clinton Township, and 80 acres in Arland Township, and in 1890 he bought 88 acres in Section 4, Arland Township. This place was partly improved. He has fixed over the house, and installed modern conveniences such as electric lights. He has put up a barn, 40 by 80 feet, with an addition 24 by 32 for horses, and furnished with the James equipment. The silo is 13 by 30 feet, with a concrete base. There are also other suitable buildings and sheds. About 150 acres is under the plow, and the place is well equipped with tools, implements and machinery. The herd consists of about 50 head, with a full blooded Holstein sire. Cream is sold to the Barron Creamery Co. Mr. Moore is one of the real leaders in his com- munity. At one time he was president of the Farmers' Shipping Associa- tion of Almena. He is a stockholder in the Almena Telephone Co., and helped to build the exchange at that place. In public life he has done good service as township supervisor and as town health officer. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, while his wife adheres to the Methodist faith. Mr. Brown was married at Franklin, Tenn., March 26, 1893, to Maryetta Burgett, who was born in Brown County, Ohio, July 28, 1876, the daughter of Barton and Margaret (Gilleland) Burgett, both now deceased. This union has been blessed with ten children: Clarence M., William M., Perry B., Francis M., Clifford C., Mary M., Robert L., James L., Myrtle M., and Lloyd P. William M. operates a barber shop at Clayton. The rest are at home. Clarence M. is a veteran of the World War. He.enlisted on March 6, 1917, and the next day war was declared. He served with the Marine Corps, in the Phillipines and China, until he was discharged in November 1919. Perry B. is a tester for the Almena Testing Association. Clarence is now a partner with his father in farming. The rest of the children are at home.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 69

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

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