History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 70

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 70

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John Swanson, representative farmer of Section 34, Clinton Township, was born in Sweden, Dec. 2, 1860, the son of Swan and Christina Swanson, who spent their lives as farmers in that country. There were two other chil- dren in the family, Anna and Stena, both of whom live in the old country. John was reared in his native land, went to school as he could, and worked

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for farmers in the same neighborhood. In 1882, he came to America, and located at Stillwater, Minn. Thereafter for several years he was employed in Minnesota, on farms, in the lumber camps, and on railroad section crews. In 1893 he came to Barron County and bought 80 acres in Section 34. This tract was then all wild. He built a log cabin, and started clearing the land. With the passing of the years he has prospered. He has a pleasant home, a barn, 50 by 50, with full basement, granary, machine shed and other buildings. Forty-five acres are under the plow, and the rest in pasture. Here he is carrying on general farming and dairying. The cream is sold to the Barron Creamery Co. Mr. Swanson is interested in good roads and has done good service as pathmaster. Mr. Swanson was married in this township in 1903, to Elizabeth Isaacson, who was born in Sweden, the daughter of Isaac Isaacson, native of Sweden. She died at the age of 37, in October, 1905, leaving two children. Esther is attending the High School at Rice Lake. Walfrid is helping on the home farm. Mr. Swanson was married in 1909, to Helma Lawson, who was born in Sweden, the daughter of Lars Lawson. This union has been blessed with two children. Helen is at home. May is dead.

Edward Severson, now deceased, a substantial citizen of Section 23, Clinton Township, for several years, was born in Norway, May 5, 1851, the son of Sever Engelbretson and his good wife, who were farmers and fisher- folk. Edward was reared in Norway, attended school as he could, and like his parents, farmed and fished. In 1881 he came to the United States, and with headquarters at Eau Claire, worked in mills and in the woods. While thus employed he broke his leg, and then lived in Minneapolis, Minn., for a while. He came to Barron County in 1896, and bought a farm of 80 acres in Section 23, Clinton Township, to which he later added 20 acres more, mak- ing a good place of 100 acres. Here he successfully carried on general farm- ing, and was a hard working, industrious man, until his death, Aug. 14, 1918. He was well regarded by all who knew him. Mrs. Severson died Oct. 22, 1909. He was married at Minneapolis, on Dec. 20, 1890, to Engeborg Seeland, who was born in Norway, Nov. 26, 1858, the daughter of Staale Sigbjornson and Anna Tonette Seeland, the former of whom died in Norway, and the latter of whom came to this country and died at Paynesville, Minn. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Severson, four are living: Elise, Amanda, Stanley and Talmer. Amanda is teaching. Elise and Stanley are operating the home farm. Elise is a talented young woman who makes the home a place of good cheer, comfort and hospitality, and is well liked throughout the neighborhood. Stanley is an energetic farmer and is taking his share in everything that he believes to be for the good of the community. From May 15, 1918, to Feb. 26, 1919, he served in the United States navy. The family stand high with all who know them.

Henry J. Young, of Spruce Grove Farm, a well-known farmer of Section 24, Clinton Township, and former sailor in the United States navy, was born in Hampton, Dakota County, Minn., March 25, 1879, the son of Phillip J. and Barbara (Engler) Young, natives respectively of Germany and Wisconsin. The father came to America in 1863, and located in Washington County, Wis. For many years he farmed in Minnesota. He came to Barron County in 1898, and bought 80 acres in Section 13, Clinton Township. He cleared the place of brush, put up a good set of buildings, and farmed there until his death, in 1904. The mother died Aug. 7, 1921. In the family there were thirteen children, of whom eight are now living. Caroline is the wife of Charles Uhlin, of Cannon Falls, Minn. Mary is the wife of Lester L. Lee, of Helena, Mont. Henry J. is a farmer of Clinton Township. Phillip P. lives at Cable, Wis. Elizabeth is the wife of Stephen Peterson, of Helena, Mont. Margaret is the wife of Abe Buckmaster, of Brownlie, Saskatchewan, Canada. John T. lives in Marine, Minn. Katherine is the wife of Chandler Gowin, of Helena, Mont. Henry J. Young was reared and educated in Minnesota, first attending the rural schools and then the St. Paul city schools. In 1902 he

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MR. AND MRS. HENRY J. YOUNG

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enlisted in the United States navy, and was assigned to the engineering service. He was on the receiving ship, "Hancock" in Brooklyn Navy Yard, and on the "Brooklyn" and the "Indiana." In this capacity he visited many of the principal ports of world. As a sailor on the U. S. S. Brooklyn, he landed at Sherberg, France, went to Paris, received the body of the heroic John Paul Jones, who had been buried 113 years, and brought the remains to Annapolis, Md., where they were interred with solemn honors. In May 1906, Mr. Young received his honorable discharge. He came to Barron County in 1906, stayed with his father a year, and then purchased 120 acres in Section 24, Clinton Township. Here he carries on general farming and dairying and has a good herd of some fifty graded Holsteins. As a man of superior attainments and experience, his fellow citizens have called upon him for public service, and he has done good work as supervisor of the township one year and as clerk of the town for four years. He is a director in the Co-operative Mercantile Co. of Paskin, and a stockholder in the Consumers Store of Barron, and the Poskin Bank. His home is an unusually pleasant one. The house is a modern frame structure of seven rooms, and the barn is 36 by 104 feet, furnished with the James equipment. The other buildings are also suitable and adequate. In addition to this place, Mr. Young owns a tract of 120 acres in Section 25, Clinton Township, which he purchased in 1919. He was married in Clinton Township, Nov. 10, 1909, to Lena M. Schaal, who was born near Columbus, Neb., on Dec. 4, 1887, the daughter of Julius and Caroline Schaal. Her parents were natives of Austria, who came to America in 1882, and to Barron County in 1897, and are now farming in Clinton Township. Mr. and Mrs. Young have a bright son, Wilfred H., who was born Dec. 22, 1910, and is doing well with his studies in the public schools.

John Smith, an influential farmer of Section 8, Clinton Township, was born in Sweden, June 24, 1861, the son of Otto and Hannah (Peterson) Smith, who came to the United States in 1892, and spent their remaining years with their son, the subject of this sketch. In the family there were six children: Axel Franzen; Carl Franzen; Alma, the wife of Fred Peterson, of St. Paul; John; Anna, who is still in the old country; and Oscar, who is dead. John was reared in Sweden, attended school as he could, and did farm work. He came to America in 1881, and found employment for three years in Hastings, Minn. Then for seven years he worked on a farm at Northfield, Rice County, Minn. For those seven years he was in the employ of the same man. In 1891 he came to Barron County, and bought the Charles Hamilton homestead of 80 acres in Section 8, Clinton Township. This land was wild and covered with timber. He now has a good set of buildings, and his place is well cultivated and well equipped. Here he successfully carries on general farming and dairying. He sells cream to the Barron Creamery Co. Mr. Smith has taken his part in the affairs of the community as a good citizen. He was a member of the town board for three years, and at various times has been path master. He is a stockholder in the Almena Telephone Co. Fraternally he is a popular member of the Modern Woodmen. He was married at Cumberland, Jan. 25, 1898, to Anna Lundquist, who was born in Sweden, July 22, 1875, the daughter of Charles and Helena Lundquist, natives of Sweden, and early settlers of Clinton Township. The mother is dead. The father farmed until 1918, and then took up his home with the Smith family. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have five children : Alma, wife of Milton Ackerson, who is farming in Cumberland Township; William and Hazel, who help with the work at home; and Carl and Clarence who are doing well at school. The family faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran Church.

William H. Sullivan, a representative farmer of section 36, Clinton Township, was born in La Crosse County, Wis., Oct. 30, 1868, the son of John and Elizabeth (Capper) Sullivan. John Sullivan was born in Ireland, came to this country, found his way to La Crosse County, and became a farmer. He served three years in Co. I, 8th Wis. Vol. Inf., and with this unit saw some

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active fighting in the South. At the close of the Civil War, he returned to La Crosse County, and there farmed until his death, in 1871. His widow, who was a native of Wisconsin, continued to live on the farm for a while, and then went East, and was married near Providence, R. I., to James Kane, with whom she lived until her death in 1897. By her first marriage to John Sullivan, there were three children: Mary, the wife of O. D. Marcou, of La Crosse; Eva, wife of John Frazier, of La Crosse, and William H. By her marriage to James Kane, there were four children. Two are dead. Rosa and Ada are married and live in La Crosse. William H. lost his father when he was a small boy. He attended school in the neighboring schools, and learned farm- ing on the home place. He started out for himself at the age of seventeen, and worked on farms in the same vicinity. In 1897 he started in the feed mill business at West Salem, in the same county. Six years later, in 1903, he came to Barron County, and purchased 160 acres in Section 36, Clinton Township. A few acres had been cleared, but most of the land was still wild. In the nearly two decades that have since elapsed, Mr. Sullivan, with the help of his family, has built up a place of which he may well be proud. The modern home, pleasantly located, and beautified with a well kept lawn and ample grove, is furnished with running hot and cold water, hot water heat, electric lights, bath tub, and other conveniences. The barn is 40 by 70 feet, with full basement, and furnished with running water, electric lights and the like. There is also a nice set of other buildings, including the garage, silo, granary, machine shed, and corn cribs. Here Mr. Sullivan successfully carries on general farming and dairying. He has a fine herd of high grade Guernseys, about half of which are full breds, and the sire is also full blooded. The farm is also well stocked with horses, swine and poultry. Cream is sold to the Barron Creamery Co. in which Mr. Sullivan has been a director. Mr. Sullivan was married at West Salem, Wis., to Lena Bahnub, daughter of William and Sophia Bahnub, natives of Germany, and early settlers of La Crosse County, the former having died some years ago, and the latter still making her home at West Salem. In the family there were eight children. Minnie is the wife of Fred Herman of West Salem. Lena is the wife of William H. Sullivan. Sophia is the wife of William Tenner, of Melrose, Wis. Lizzie is the wife of William J. Runo, of Eau Claire, Wis. Lillian is at home. William is on the home farm. Fred and John are farming at Disco, Wis. John is herdsman for a large farmer of Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan have had two children. Donald died in infancy. Forrest William is at home helping with the work. He is an energetic young man and is well liked by all. Mr. Sullivan is a man of importance in the community, and is doing his share in everything that he believes in.

George Sanns, a substantial citizen of Section 36, Clinton Township, who has been a resident of this county more than forty-three years, was born in Fulton County, Ind., April 3, 1854, the son of George and Mary Sanns, natives of Ohio, who settled on school land in Indiana as young people, and there spent the remainder of their lives. Of their ten children there are now living three. John and Henry farm in Indiana. George was reared in his native state and learned farming on the home place. In 1880 he came to Barron county, and purchased 80 acres in Maple Grove township. This was all wild land. He developed a farm, and lived there until 1900. Then he moved to Barron Village. In 1906 he bought his present place of 40 acres in Section 36, Clinton Township. There he has built up a good farm, on which he conducts general farming and butter making. He is a member of the Farmers Shipping & Produce Association of Poskin. Mr. Sanns is much interested in the history of Barron County. When he came here there were but little over 7,000 people in the whole county. Since then he has watched its wonderful growth and prosperity, and in that growth and prosperity has had his full share as a good citizen. Mr. Sanns was married in Maple Grove Township, in 1886, to Susan I. Garrett, who was born in Grundy County, Mo.,

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MR. AND MRS. LARS AMUNDSON HENRY JUVE AND FAMILY

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Oct. 25, 1860, the daughter of William and Cynthia A. Garrett, who came from Iowa to Barron County, and settled in Maple Grove Township. The father is living with the Sanns family at the age of 82 years, and the mother died June 24, 1884, at the age of 38 years. The five children in the family are all living. Mr. and Mrs. Sanns have four children. Addie is the wife of Robert Till, of Barron. Lillie is the wife of John Williams, of Barron. Ray lives in Barron. Rosa Belle is dead.

Henry Juve is an active, modern and efficient farmer, owning the fertile Forest View Farm, in Section 6, east, Maple Grove Township, where he successfully carries on mixed farming and dairying. He bought the place in 1911 from his parents, and has continued its improvement and development, making a specialty of a good herd of Guernsey cattle with a full blooded sire at its head. In 1913 he erected a modern barn, constructed of cement blocks, 36 by 86 feet in size, and furnished with modern equipment. In public life he is doing good work as clerk of Joint School District No. 3, located in Bar- ron, Stanley and Maple Grove Township. Fraternally he is a member of the I. O. O. F. Henry Juve was born Sept. 11, 1876, in Juneau County, this state, son of Halvor and Martha (Everson) Juve, natives of Norway, who came to America about 1850, lived for many years in Dane County, this state, then moved to Juneau County, and then to Barron County, where they farmed in Maple Grove Township. The mother died March 8, 1919, and the father now lives in Stanley Township, this county. The subject of this sketch was reared to farm pursuits and received a district school education. In 1898 he took a general course in the Northwestern Business College at St. Paul. In 1908 he took a course in stenography. For a time he was employed as a stenographer in St. Paul. For some years he worked with his father, and in time acquired the home farm, which in all its departments bespeaks his intelligent and painstaking efforts. Mr. Juve was married May 25, 1914, to Gena Amundson, who was born in Maple Grove Township, Feb. 18, 1889, the daughter of Lars and Margaret (Tollefson) Amundson, early settlers of that township. Mr. Amundson is dead. Mrs. Amundson lives with her son, Tolef Amundson, in Maple Grove Township. Mr. and Mrs. Juve have two bright boys, Henry L., born Aug. 24, 1915; and Kenneth M., born July 16, 1917.

Frank O. Carlson, a retired farmer living in Hillsdale Village, owner of a good place of 80 acres in Section 34, east, Maple Grove Township, was born in Sweden, Nov. 2, 1858, son of Carl and Martha (Kathrina) Carlson. He received his education in his native land, and was reared as a farmer. He came to America in 1886, and settled on a farm in Grunde County, Ill. After two years he took up farm tiling as a business, and followed this line for ten years. In 1898 he came to this county, and purchased his present farm. He cleared all the land himself, built the farm buildings, put up fences, made various improvements, and carried on mixed farming and dairying. In 1916 he put up a barn, 34 by 62 feet for the further convenience of his work. That year he retired, and rented the place to his sons, Ronald H. and Ray J. Mr. Carlson married Emily Nelson, born in Sweden, the daughter of Nels and Mary Nelson. Mrs. Carlson died Sept. 8, 1917. She was a most estimable woman, a good wife and mother, and her loss is sincerely mourned. Mr. and Mrs. Carlson had six children. Oscar S. was born March 14, 1885; Carl E. was born March 15, 1887; Mary was born. April 13, 1888, and died Oct. 20, 1918; Ronald H. and Donald H. (twins) were born Sept. 20, 1889, and Ray J. was born June 16, 1896. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Luthern Church. Ronald H. was married June 7, 1919, to Dorothy Brownlee, daughter of William and Alice Brownlee, who live north of Hillsdale Village. Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Carlson have one son, Douglas R., born Aug. 27, 1920.

Olaf Rasmussen, now deceased, who came to Barron County when it was developing from a wilderness, was a good citizen and neighbor, and a kind husband and father, and will long be remembered as a hard working, in- dustrious, and useful man. He was born in Norway, July 5, 1857, and was

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there educated and reared to farm pursuits. He came to America in 1882, and settled in Baldwin, Wis., where he clerked in a store for two years. He then worked as a farm hand for a while, and next engaged in railroad work at Maple Island, Minn. It was in 1888, that he came to Barron County, and bought 80 acres, in Rice Lake Township, west of Rice Lake City. He cleared 20 acres, erected a set of buildings and good fences and became a prosperous farmer. Fire once swept the place, destroying everything except the house. The barn and other buildings were at once rebuilt, and the ravages of the fire repaired. In 1902 he sold this place, and bought 40 acres in Section 8, west, Maple Grove Township. He cleared practically all of this, erected buildings, acquired equipment, and carried on mixed farming and dairying until his lamented death, Nov. 1, 1918. For a year after his widow kept the farm going, and then sold to her son-in-law, Gunnar Jackson, with whom she makes her home. Mr. Rasmussen was married Nov. 29, 1890, to Gunda Norby, daughter of Nels and Gunda (Olson) Norby, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1889, and made their home with their son, Nels Norby, at Bald- win, Wis., until their death. Mr. and Mrs. Rasmussen had six children : Abbie, born Aug. 12, 1891, now is wife of August Peterson, of Minneapolis; Nettie, born April 14, 1895, also lives in Minneapolis; Otto and George, twins, were born March 25, 1899, and died the following year, George in February, and Otto in March; Rena was born May 10, 1897, and is now Mrs. Gunnar Jack- son; Margaret, born Sept. 30, 1900, lives in Minneapolis. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Baptist Church.

Gunnar Jackson, an energetic young farmer of Section 8, west, Maple Grove township, was born Oct. 2, 1893, in Arland Township, this county, son of Jacob and Margaret (Anderson) Jackson, natives of Sweden, who came to America in 1892, and settled in Arland Township, where they now live, and where they are successfully farming. Gunnar attended the district schools of his neighborhood, and was reared to farm pursuits. He was married Sept. 24, 1919, to Rena Rasmussen, the daughter of Olaf and Gunda (Norby) Rasmus- sen, and to this union has been born one child, Arlene, born Aug. 23, 1920. After his marriage, Mr. Jackson purchased his wife's home farm, and now operates it, carrying on mixed farming and dairying.

William Lake, who owns a farm of 120 acres in Sections 8 and 9, Maple Grove Township, came here when the settlers were few and scattered, and took his share in the development which has resulted in the prosperity of to- day. He has many interesting stories to tell of those days, when comforts were few and hardships were many, and when it took the utmost courage and perseverance to persist in one's efforts to carve a home and a farm from the wilderness. He recalls with interest the fact that when he first came here he acquired a few bushels of potatoes, all he could get in the neighborhood, a few bushels of rutabagas which had been raised among the stumps, and a dressed pig, this being practically all the meat and vegetables his family had until he was able to get some crops raised. Mr. Lake was born Sept. 12, 1858, in Marshall County, Ind., the son of Joseph and Cynthia (Fuller) Lake, natives of New York State, who settled in Indiana, and there farmed, the father dying in 1868, and the mother in 1904, after spending a quarter of a century with her son, William. In the family there were six children: Lawrence, David (deceased), William, Nancy (deceased), Cassie (deceased), and Alice (deceased). William Lake received his early education in the dis- trict schools, and as a youth did farm work and was engaged in railroading. In 1885 he came to Barron county, and settled in Maple Grove Township, making his home with an old friend from Indiana, and devoting his time to farm labor. In 1887, he was enabled to purchase his present place. He cleared 60 acres, placed fences about the fields, erected buildings, and suc- cessfully carried on general farming and dairying for many years. In ad- dition. to this he rented other farms from time to time and assisted in their development. In 1917 he rented the home farm to his son, Lawrence, but

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continues to reside there. He has been active in the affairs of the community, and has served on the school board for six years. Mr. Lake was married Dec. 30, 1881, to Emma McDonald, daughter of Samuel and Maria (Springer) McDonald, who spent their lives in Indiana, the father dying there, and the mother died on Feb. 25, 1875. In the family there were seven children: Jessie (deceased), Thomas (deceased), Simion (deceased), John, Oliver (de- ceased), Sherman (deceased) and Emma. Mr. and Mrs. Lake have nine chil- dren; Lawrence N., who rents the home farm, was born Jan. 26, 1883; Arvilla L. was born Oct. 30, 1884, and is now Mrs. Alfred Cobb, of Maple Grove Township; Jesse F. was born Oct. 8, 1887, and lives in Maple Grove Town- ship; David W. was born March 23, 1890, and lives in Barron. Anna M. was born June 14, 1892, and is now Mrs. Clarence Olson, of Barron; Cora I. was born March 7, 1896, and is now Mrs. George Raven, of Barron; John S., born Feb. 10, 1898, works on a farm in Prairie Farm Township. He was inducted into the United States service June 12, 1917. Edith E. was born March 18, 1903, and is at home. Harold was born July 14, 1908 and died the following day.

Peter Hughes, manager of the Hillsdale Cheese Co., secretary of the Hills- dale Western Telephone Co., and owner of a good farm of 80 acres in Sec- tions 21 and 28, Maple Grove Township, is one of the real leaders of the com- munity. He has lived in this county nearly forty years, and has been actively identified with all three of its leading industries, lumbering, general farming and dairying. For three years he has done progressive work for the town as town supervisor, and his fourteen years' service as member of the school board has shown him to be a true friend of education and civic betterment. He is well liked throughout the community, and has the fullest confidence of the best minds in the county. Born in Outagamie County, Wis., Oct. 13, 1869, the son of William and Louisa (Tio) Hughes, natives of Canada, he lost his father when he was a few months old, and was brought by his mother to Pierce County in 1872, and to Barron County in 1881. As a youth he started out for himself, and for some years was employed in the summers on farms in St. Croix County, and in the winters in the lumber woods north of Rice Lake. In 1893 he pur- chased 80 acres in Sections 28 and 29, Maple Grove Township, cleared 30 acres, and erected a set of buildings on the south forty. In 1905 he erected a set of buildings on the north forty, thus making two good farms. There he lived until the spring of 1914 when he became manager of the cheese factory, sold his farm, and purchased a home in Hillsdale Village. Two years later he moved onto his present farm, installed Delco lighting system in 1920, remod- eled the barn, erected a silo and machine shed and made general repairs. There he now successfully carries on general farming. Mr. Hughes was mar- ried April 16, 1895, to Ida Cook, daughter of Alexander and Mary (Clayton) Cook, natives respectively of Ohio and Indiana, who came to Barron County in 1883, and settled in Section 31, Maple Grove Township, and here lived until after the mother died, Feb. 1, 1907, after which the father, in 1908, moved to Chetek, where he lived for some years until taking up his present home with his children. Mr. and Mrs. Cook were the parents of eight children: Charles W., Ora, Ida, Lee, Jesse, Ella, Mae and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes have two children: Theo M. was born Dec. 13, 1901; and Margaret R. was born July 16, 1904. Both are living at home. Mr. Hughes is an active member in the I. O. O. F. He and his family attend the Baptist Church.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 70

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

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