History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 72

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

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David Shields, a prosperous farmer of Section 13, Clinton township, was born in Canada, in 1867, the son of James and Mary Shields, who spent all

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their lives on farms in Canada. Of the eight children in the family there are now living six, John, Hugh, Harry, Matt, David and Minnie, all of whom live in Canada, except Matt, who is in Cumberland, this county, and David. David lost his father when he was five years old, and was reared on the farm by his mother. In 1883 he came to the States, and located at the Sault Ste Marie, working in the woods and on drives and rafts. From there he went to Ash- land, Wis. He then went to Cumberland and joined his brother, Matt. Two summers he spent in North Dakota. For a time he was employed in mills at Prairie Farm and Barron, in this county. In 1893 he bought 80 acres in Section 13, Clinton Township. This was all wild timber land. He moved into the old house which stood on the place, and started developing a farm. In 1910 he erected a modern nine-room house, equipped with such conveniences as electric lights, furnace heat, running hot and cold water and bath room. In 1915 he erected a barn, 34 by 86 feet, with full basement, and with modern equipment. He has the best of tools, implements and machinery, and every- thing about the place bespeaks his thrift and good judgment. He has a good herd of graded Holsteins, and a number of horses, and successfully carries on general farming and dairying, selling the cream to the Barron Creamery Co. Mr. Shields was married at Barron in 1891, to Christina Blair, the daughter of William and Margaret Blair, natives of Canada, and old settlers of Barron County. Mr. and Mrs. Shields have eight children : Ray, Gordon, Harry, Edward, Harold, David W., Jr., Goldie and Verna. Ray lives on a farm. He saw active service in France with the American Expeditionary Force.

Thomas Thompson, Sr., teacher and farmer, for many years a resident of Section 24, Clinton Township, was born in Norway, June 30, 1856, and was there reared and educated. As a young man he became a teacher, and this he followed until 1885. In that year he brought his family to America, and found his way directly to Barron County, where he worked in the sawmills at Cumberland and at Sprague. He saved his earnings, got along as best he could, and in 1892 bought a farm of 80 acres in section 24, Clinton Township. The land was all wild and covered with heavy timber. He put up a log house, and started clearing the land, using a yoke of oxen to help him in getting the logs off and the stumps out. He built up a nice farm, and as soon as he had enough of the land ready, successfully carried on general farming and dairying for many years. As prosperity permitted he sided over the log cabin and made it into a comfortable house. He also built a barn, 36 by 62 feet, with a lean-to, 32 by 32 feet. Other buildings were put up as necessity required. On this place he still makes his home, but the major part of the work is done by his sons. His wife, Gunhild, died Feb. 22, 1913, at the age of fifty-seven. They were the parents of six children: Thomas, Jr., Martin, Ole, Gilbert and Arthur, living, and Albert, deceased. Thomas, Jr., Ole and Gilbert are on the home farm. They are good citizens and good farm- ers, and their well directed efforts are meeting with success. Martin is a clerk in Poskin, and Arthur is also in that village. Arthur served in the 32nd Division, with the American Expeditionary Force in France and with the American Army of Occupation in Germany. Ole trained a year for aviation service in Florida.

Thomas Thompson, Jr., an energetic farmer of section 24, Clinton Town- ship, was born in Norway, Dec. 7, 1885, the son of Thomas and Gunhild Thompson, who brought him to Barron County when he was an infant of six months. He was reared and educated in this county, and as a young man helped to clear and operate the farm, and worked on the railroad sections and in the woods. He and his brother, Ole, took over the home farm which they now operate assisted by their brother Gilbert. They have purchased an additional 80 acres, making a good place of 160 acres. Here they successfully carry on general farming and dairying and have a good herd. Mr. Thompson was married at Barron, on June 17, 1911, to Sophie Hoff, who was born in Minneapolis, Minn., May 9, 1888, the daughter of Andrew and Elsie Hoff,

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natives of Norway, who came to Barron county in 1893, from Minneapolis, Minn., and settled in Clinton Township, where they now live. The father is a carpenter by trade, and has followed that in connection with farming. In the family there are three children, one having died in infancy. Sophie is the wife of Thomas Thompson, Jr. Anna is the wife of Peter Peterson, of Poskin. Sarah is the wife of George Schmidt, of Poskin. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have four children: Gertrude, Elsie, Viola and Thelma, all at home. The family attends the Norwegian Lutheran Church, which Mr. Thompson helped to build, and of which he is a liberal supporter.

John Troan, a worthy early settler of Section 7, Clinton Township, who came through many hardships to a comfortable prosperity, and died with the honor and respect of the community, was born in Norway, Mar. 5, 1857, and as a youth learned the tailoring and shoemaking trade. In 1887 he came to Bar- ron County, and located at Comstock, in Cumberland Township, where he worked in the mills. That fall, he moved to Almena Township, and built a log cabin in which he lived for the winter with his family. In 1888, he purchased 160 acres in Section 7, Clinton Township, which was covered with stumps, trees and brush. He cut down a few of the trees, and used the logs to build a cabin in the little clearing he made. Then he started farming with one cow and a few chickens. He had no money, times were hard, the task of getting a little land under cultivation was long and arduous, and he and his family en- dured many privations and hardships. But they were willing to make sacrifices for the future, and bore the hard life cheerfully. As time passed, their toil brought prosperity. Mr. Troan became one of the substantial men of this region, one who always stood for everything that was right, and one whose worth and character were esteemed. He served for some time as a valued mem- ber of the school board. He was one of the stockholders in the Almena Tele- phone Co. After a long and useful life, he died, July 5, 1918. Mr. Troan was married in Norway on July 10, 1884, to Marie (Eggen) Troan, who was born Aug. 29, 1860, and is still living on the home farm. She is a most worthy woman, esteemed as a wife, mother and neighbor. In the family there are four children: Mary, Bertha, John, Jr., and Arnold. Mary married Knute Hagen, of Superior, and has three children. Bertha married Knut Knutson, of Cumberland, and has a fine pair of twin sons. John, Jr., operates the home farm for the mother, and Arnold assists him. John, Jr., was born April 7, 1889, and Arnold, Aug. 12, 1902. Both were reared here, assisted their father, and have always remained at home. They are men who stand well in the com- munity, and are well regarded as energetic and progressive citizens. They are successfully carrying on general farming and dairying, and have a good herd of graded Shorthorns. Cream is sold to the Barron Creamery Co. The farm is well equipped and is in a high stage of cultivation. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

William A. Selle, of Turtle Lake Township, proprietor of one of the best farms in Barron County, which he has himself developed by hard work through a period of 24 years, was born in Chicago, Ill., Sept. 5, 1861, son of Christopher and Henrietta Selle. The parents were both natives of Germany, the father coming to this country when a young man and the mother when a girl with her parents. They were married in Chicago about 1860, and in that city Mrs. Henrietta Selle died in 1866. Christopher Selle later contracted a second mar- riage and removed with his family in 1871 to Stanton County, Nebraska, and settled on a farm, where he resided until his death in June, 1899. The chil- dren of his first marriage were, William A., Christ, Henry and August, of whom Christ and Henry are now deceased. Of the second union, four children were born. William A Selle acquired his education in the common schools of Chi- cago. Afterwards, he assisted his father, both in his trade and on the farm. It was while residing in Nebraska that he was married, Sept. 5, 1886, to Amanda, daughter of Carl and Wilhelmina (Loarke) Lenser, of Stanton County, that state. He had previously bought 160 acres of prairie land, on which he

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and his wife began housekeeping. In December, 1888, he sold out and came to Barron County, buying 80 acres of land in Section 25, Turtle Lake Township. He was now confronted with a difficult proposition. The land was wild and without buildings, and his funds were at low ebb. As a first residence he con- structed a small board shanty and then began the pioneer labor of developing a farm, the difficulties of which are familiar to every early settler. Though for years in embarrassed circumstances, scarcely able to provide the necessaries of life, he persevered through good and bad fortune until he attained the goal of his ambition. The results are patent in his present admirable farm of 240 acres, all in one body of land, with its valuable stock and neat and substantial buildings. He now has under cultivation 100 acres, the balance being in pas- ture, and is carrying on general farming and dairying, having 30 milch cows of the Red Poll variety. His residence is a fine one and a half story house of six rooms. His frame barn measures 36 by 96 by 14 feet, with a basement of 8 feet for cattle, and is equipped with the James outfit. There is a separate horse barn; and among the other buildings are tool sheds, a hog house, poultry house, well house and garage. All the buildings are lighted by electricity, and are provided with running water. In the villages of Turtle Lake, Almena and Clayton, he has three convenient markets, which he can reach quickly with his seven-passenger Studebaker auto. For the past six years Mr. Selle has been a member of the school board of District No. 3. While in Nebraska he served an equal length of time on his school board there, and was also for a while township assessor. He and his wife have reared a family of eleven children, who were born as follows: Wilhelmina, July 17, 1887; August, Aug. 27, 1888; William, April 12, 1890; Amanda, May 22, 1892; Christian, Oct. 2, 1894; Hen- rietta, Nov. 1, 1896; Martha, March 3, 1898; Carl, November 24, 1900; Henry, Oct. 30, 1902; Julius, March 5, 1905; and Louisa, Nov. 15, 1907. Wilhelmina is now Mrs. August Eggert of Turtle Lake Township, and has four children, Paul, Herman, Sophia and Dora. William, who gave his life for his country, was inducted into the United States service July 23, 1918, and trained at Camp Grant, Ill. He went overseas Oct. 7, 1918, and was in the battle of the Argonne, as a member of Company D, 318th Infantry, 86th Division. Falling sick, he was taken to the hospital, where he died of pneumonia. Feb. 11, 1919. His body was sent home, and was laid to its eternal rest here, Jan. 16, 1921. August is a farmer of Stanton County, Nebraska. He was .inducted into the service Jan. 23, 1918, trained at Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina, sailed for overseas Sept. 30, 1918, served with an ammunition train, returned to the States July 30, 1919, and was discharged at Camp Dodge, Iowa, July 29, 1919. Amanda is the wife of Henry Graunke of Turtle Lake Township and has three children, Emil, Arthur and August. Christian, as yet unmarried, is a farmer at Marsh Lake, Polk County, Wis. Henrietta is now Mrs. Theodore Hohneke of Wayne County, Nebraska, and has one child, Theodore. Martha, who resides at home, is organ- ist for the Silver Creek Lutheran Church. The other children are all on the home farm. Mr. Selle and his family are members of the church above men- tioned, taking an active part in its work. In politics he is a Republican.

Joseph Statton, early settler, now living retired in Cumberland, was born in Cornwall, England, Aug. 14, 1845, the son of Thomas and Felicia (Stevens) Statton, who, as young people, came from England to Mitchell, Province of Ontaria, Canada, and spent the remainder of their days farming. The subject of this sketch was brought to Canada as a child, and was there reared and educated. For some years he worked on the farm with his parents, and then learned the mason trade. In 1879 he came to the United States, and purchased 80 acres from Knapp, Stout & Co. in section 33, Cumberland Township. He erected a fine set of buildings and cleared the whole eighty. In erecting the buildings he did all the mason and carpenter work himself. He has also at different times done considerable contracting and building throughout the county. On his well developed farm, he successfully conducted general farm- ing and dairying for many years. His herd was of Red Poll and Durham cat-

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tle. He followed modern methods and was one of the prosperous men of his community. He believed in progress, and helped to build a number of the roads in the township. For some eight years he did good service as a mem- ber of his school board. In 1918 he sold the farm and moved to Cumberland, where he has a pleasant residence. Mr. Statton is a shrewd and prudent citizen. He has done his duty in life as he has seen it, he has ever been mindful of the rights of others, and he has had the best interests of the com- munity at heart. He is held in high regard, honored and respected by all with whom he comes in contact, and his judgment is sound and safe. He was married April 2, 1879, to Louisa Avery, who was born in Ontario, Canada, Dec. 14, 1858, the daughter of John and Susan (Baab) Avery, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Statton have three children. Ethel was born Jan. 1, 1880, and is the wife of Sterling D. Shellito, of Washington State. Agnes was born Jan. 22, 1882, and is the wife of F. E. Utman, of St. Thomas, Canada. William T. was born April 6, 1887, and is a farmer of Cumberland Township.

William T. Statton, an enterprising farmer of section 27, Cumberland Township, is a native of the township where he now lives, having been born on Section 33, April 6, 1887, the son of Joseph and Louisa (Avery) Statton, early settlers. He attended the district school, was reared on the home farm, and learned farming from his father. In 1908 he bought his present place of 80 acres. He improved and renovated the buildings, and in 1916 erected a barn, 36 by 64 feet, furnished with full James equipment. Here he successfully carries on general farming and dairying. He is one of the active men of the community and is already making good strides along the road to success. Mr. Statton was married March 12, 1913, to Mabel Mullikin, who was born March 31, 1888, in Wisconsin, the daughter of Mack and Anna (Hinze) Mullikin, of Barron Township, this county. This union has been blessed with six chil- dren. Leota M. was born Jan. 30, 1914; Joseph W. was born Feb. 20, 1917; Ralph R. was born March 26, 1918; Don and Dale (twins) were born Aug. 20, 1919; and Evelyn Joyce, born April 19, 1921.

Peter Wold, a hard working farmer of Section 8, Clinton Township, was born in Norway, April 11, 1882, the son of Elef and Johanna Wold. These good people were born and reared and married in Norway, where for some years, Elef was a miner. They came to the United States in 1882, and settled on 40 acres in Section 8, Clinton Township. This was all wild land, and there were only a few settlers in the vicinity. He put up a log cabin, started clear- ing up the land, and began farming with an ox team. As time passed he developed a good farm, put up a good barn, silo, granary and other buildings, got part of the land under cultivation, and successfully carried on general farming. After a useful life, filled with worthy work, he died Dec. 31, 1916, and his death was sincerely mourned. Of the nine children, five are living. Emma is the wife of Peter Rice, of Whitearth, N. D. Mary is the wife of Peter Lien of Whitearth, N. D. Petrena is the wife of Andrew Steenberg of Whitearth, N. D. Ingle lives in New York City. Peter was brought to this county as an infant. He was reared here, attended the district school, and learned farming from his father. Gradually he assumed the responsibility of the place, and upon his father's death in 1916 bought it. He has continued the improvements started by his father, has cleared up more of the land, and purchased additional equipment. He has also erected a modern seven-room house. Here he successfully carries on general farming and dairying and has a good herd. He is a stockholder in the Alemena Telephone Co. He and his mother live together. A nephew, Elling Rice, also lives with them and helps operate the farm. They have a hospitable home, always open to their friends, they are taking their share in the affairs of the community, and all three are highly regarded by all who know them. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Fred C. Schmidt, a modern and progressive farmer of Section 35 and 36, Cumberland Township, was born in Hoboken, New Jersey, Oct. 4, 1872, the'

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son of Christian and Margaret (Buchin) Schmidt, natives of Germany. These good people came to America in 1871, and lived in Hoboken, N. J., until 1882, when they settled on a farm in Afton Township, Howard County, Iowa. There the father farmed until his death, May 5, 1913, and the mother now lives at Elma, Iowa. In the family there are four children: Johannah, now Mrs. Charles Stork, of Riceville, Iowa; Kate, the wife of August Lauck, of Howard Township, Howard County, Iowa; William, of St. Paul, and Fred C. Fred C. attended school in Iowa, and thoroughly learned farming from his father. For a time he worked as a farm laborer, and then rented a farm near Riceville, Iowa. For three years he farmed at Lake Benton, Minn., and for four years at Princeton, Minn. In 1907 he took over his father's farm and operated it for two years. He came to Barron County in 1909 and purchased 80 acres in Maple Grove Township. There he built up a good place. He sold in 1912, and bought his present place of 200 acres. He has christened the place the Maple Leaf Stock Farm. He rebuilt and remodeled all the buildings, put in such improvements as running water in the house and barns, beautified the lawn, ind now has as sightly a farm place as is to be found in the neighborhood. He has cleared an additional .60 acres. The farm is well tilled and productive, and is equipped with good tools, implements and machinery. He successfully carries on general farming and dairying, and is well along the road to suc- cess. His cattle are graded Durhams, his sheep are purebred Shropshires, and his chickens full blooded Plymouth Rocks. He is thoroughly convinced of the advantages of modern methods, and is doing his share toward the progress of the town. He has stock in the Co-operative Store at Poskin. Mr. Schmidt was married March 7, 1895, to Anna Miller, who was born in Racine, Wis., daughter of Peter and Liza Miller. She died at the age of 32. By this union there were five children. Charles was born May 17, 1898. Fred was born April 24, 1899. Edward was born July 6, 1900. Margaret was born May 5, 1902. Minnie was born Sept. 5, 1906 and died Sept. 23, 1906. On Nov. 15, 1906. Mr. Schmidt married Ida Jasch, who was born at Posen, Germany in 1881, the daughter of Henry and Huldah (Arndt) Jasch, both now deceased. This union has been blessed with two children: Henry, born Dec. 21, 1907; and Mary, born Dec. 6, 1908. The family faith is that of the German Lutheran Church.

Tom Knutson, early settler and substantial land owner of Cumberland Township, has had an important and active part in the upbuilding of his community. He was born in Tolgen, Norway, Dec. 1, 1853, the son of Knute and Anna (Ageren), who spent all their years in that country. He was educated in his native land and as a youth and young man did farming and railroad work there. In 1879 he came to America, landed in Philadelphia, Penn., found his way to St. Paul, Minn., and did railroad work there for eighteen months. In the fall of 1880, he came to Barron County, and worked a short time near Comstock, in the employ of the Greggs & Foster Lumber Co. Then he went back to Minnesota and did railroad work again. In 1882 he once more came to Barron County, and bought 80 acres in Section 31, Cumber- land Township. This was all covered with heavy timber. He built a log house and barn from trees standing on the place, and established his home. It is interesting to know that this log cabin is still standing. Gradually he cleared up the place and made improvements. In 1918 he erected a sightly modern home of ten rooms. He also has a good barn and suitable outbuildings. The yard has been beautified, and everything about the place bespeaks the thrift, good judgment, hard work, and sound taste of the owner, as well as of his prosperity and success. By frugal habits and wise purchases, he has in- creased his holdings from time to time until he owns 240 acres of good land in Cumberland and Crystal Lake Townships. He successfully carries on general farming and dairying, and has a good herd of mixed stock. From the time of his first arrival he has done every possible thing he could in up- building the neighborhood, not only in developing his own place but also in

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ALBERT WETZEL AND FAMILY

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assisting others. He early saw that good roads were a necessity if farm products were to be marketed profitably, and he has assisted in building and repairing many miles of roads in the township. He is a most admirable citizen in every respect, he is widely and favorably known, he has been faith- ful to every duty that Life has sent him, and his career is a useful and active one. Being the father of a fine family of children, he has naturally taken an interest in the educational affairs of the community, and has served in all three capacities on the schoolboard of his district. Mr. Knutson was married Nov. 9, 1883, to Sigrud Dolplados, who was born in Norway, Dec. 29, 1860, the daughter of Peter and Margaret Dolplados, now deceased. This union has been blessed with four children: Anna, Knute, Peter and Martin. Anna was born Aug. 18, 1884, and is the wife of Robert Johnson, of Clinton Township. Knute was born Dec. 24, 1886, and is at home. Peter was born Dec. 4, 1893. He was inducted into the United States service, April 3, 1918. He trained at Camp Lewis, Wash., with the 28th Coast Artillery. Later he was sent to Camp Greenleaf, Va. He arrived in France in October, 1918. He arrived in the States again, July 18, 1919, and was discharged at Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill., July 23, 1919. He is now employed by the Hines Mercantile Co., at Cum- berland, in which his father is a stockholder. Martin was born Aug. 20, 1889, and is at home. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Albert Wetzel, early settler of Stanley Township, now deceased, was born in Germany, and was brought to the United States by his parents when he was about seven years old. The voyage was made aboard a sailing vessel, the trip taking seven long weeks. After landing, the family came to this state, and located near Watertown, Dodge County, where they took up a pioneer farm. There the subject of this sketch was reared and educated. It was there also that he married Ida Heuer, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Heuer. and there his oldest child, Albert, now deceased, was born. Then, like his father before him, the subject of this sketch, decided to become a pioneer. So he set out afoot, and after looking about, chose a tract of 120 acres of wild land, in Section 13, Stanley Township, this county. Here he brought his wife and child, and they moved into an old shack which already stood on the place. He was poor, without money, and with but few tools. But he was resource- ful and had undaunted courage. He traded a good watch for a cow, and thus had milk for the family and butter for the table. In one way, he was somewhat better off than his neighbors. He was a skilled millwright, and earned money by assisting in building mills throughout this part of the county. Most of the supplies for the household, especially fiour had to be brought from Chippewa Falls, the journey usually being made afoot, but sometimes with oxen. As the years passed his hard work resulted in success. He added to his farm until he owned 160 acres of good land. He was a prominent man in the com- munity, and held town and school office. Early services of the German Lutheran Church were held in his cabin, and when the congregation was organized he helped to build the church at Sumner, and served at times as one of its officers. After a useful and honored life, he died May 9, 1919. His widow now lives in Cameron. In the family there were eight children : Albert, George, John, Frank, Carl, Effie, Alfred and Harry.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 72

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

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