History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 75

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 75

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John J. Malone, farmer and man of affairs, owning a good place of 200 acres in sections 27-34, Clinton Township, is one of the leading men of his neighborhood. He has been chairman of the town board since 1915, and in that capacity has not only done most excellent work for the town but has made himself a force to be reckoned with on the county board. Previous to this he received experience in town affairs as a member of the board of super- visors, and he has served as treasurer some eight or nine years. He has also done excellent work on the school board of his district. He has been president of the Poskin Co-operative Creamery, in which he is a stockholder, and he is also a stockholder and director in the Farmers State Bank, of Poskin; the Con- sumers Store at Barron, and the New Richmond Interstate Packing Co., at New Richmond, Wis. He was born in County Gray, Province of Ontario, Canada, May 24, 1860, the son of John and Mary (Gillan) Malone, both natives of Ire- land. John Malone was brought to the United States by his parents, and was reared in New York State. As a young man he went to Canada, where he married and where he farmed the remainder of his life. His good wife is still living there at the age of 85 years. In the family there were seven children. William is in Vancouver, British Columbia. Patrick is on a farm in Clinton Township. Mary, the widow of P. L. Coffee, lives in Ontario, Canada. John J. farms in Clinton. Daniel, James and Bridget are dead. John J. was reared in Canada. He attended school there, and worked on the home farm until he was twenty years of age. Then he came to the States, and with headquarters at Ontonagan, Mich., took up railroad bridge work. From there he came to Ashland, in this state, and continued in the same line for the Northern Pacific and the Omaha. The year 1884 brought him to Barron County, where with headquarters at Cameron, he did bridge work for the "Soo" line. He spent that winter in Barron, and in the spring of 1885 came to Poskin, where he engaged in getting out railroad ties. While there, in 1886, he bought 80 acres in Section 27, Clinton Township, to which he has since added 120 acres

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in Section 34, making a fine tract of 200 acres. This was all wild land. It was some years before he could get it developed to a profitable basis, and so far several years he worked in the woods, winters and on the river drives in the spring. Gradually he has built up a good farm. Much of the carpenter work on the sightly set of buildings was done by himself. The house is a com- fortable place of 11 rooms. The barn is 30 by 66, with a lean-to 14 by 66. The other buildings are adequate. Here, Mr. Malone successfully carries on general farming and dairying. He has a good herd of about 30 graded Hol- steins, and a good drove of Chester-White swine. Mr. Malone was married May 30, 1886, at Cumberland, to Alice Marquand, who was born in Butler County, Iowa, June 12, 1871, the daughter of Charles and Jane (Barr) Mar- quand, the former of whom, a veteran of the Civil War, brought the family from Iowa, in the eighties, and settled in Section 28, Clinton Township, where he and his wife both spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Malone have three sons, John L., Charles H. and Roy J. John L. lives in Maple Grove Township. Charle's H. and Roy J. live at home. Roy J. volunteered for serv- ice in the World War, but had his arm nearly severed by an accidental gun shot wound. By skilled medical attention he has regained the use of the arm, but not in time to get into the army.

August Horman, of Hay River Stock Farm, a prosperous farmer of Section 20, Clinton Township, was born in Germany, May 26, 1865, the son of Fritz and Minnie Horman, who spent the span of their years in the old country. In this family there were three children, Henry and August, and one who died in infancy. After the father's death, the mother married Carl Veit, and to this union three more children were born: Hannah and Carl, who are dead; and Augusta who married and still lives in Germany. August was reared in Ger- many, and went to school there. He was but fourteen years old when he went to England. There he attended school for a while, and later became a fisher- man. In due time by perseverance and industry he became captain of a fish- ing smack. In 1892 at the age of twenty-seven years he came to the United States, and found his way directly to Barron County, where he purchased 40 acres in Section 18, Clinton Township. This was nearly all wild land, although a small clearing had been made, and a small shanty and barn erected. He fixed up the buildings somewhat, cleared 15 more acres, and then sold it. Then he went to Trego, in Washburn County, this state, homesteaded 160 acres of wild land, built a cabin, and cleared 50 acres. Then he bought another 80 acres, and cleared 15 acres of that. In the meantime he carried on general farming and worked on the railroad. In 1913 he came back to Barron County, and bought 120 acres in Section 20, Clinton Township. A small house and barn stood on the place, and the land was partly improved. To the further improvement and development of this land he has since devoted his time and attention. He has put up a good frame house of ten rooms, equipped with electric light, running water, bath, and other conveniences. His barn is 30 by 60 feet, with full basement, and furnished with the James equipment, and further modernized with electric lights and running water. Here he success- fully carries on general farming and dairying, and has a good herd of graded Guernseys, headed by a full blooded sire. As a modern farmer, who is vitally Interested in the growth of the community, he has taken stock in the Almena Telephone Co., and is a member of the Farmers Shipping Association, and the Farmers Produce Co. of Almena. Fraternally he is a popular member of the Odd Fellows. Mr. Horman was married at Trego, Wis., April 11, 1906, to Lydia Teich, who was born at Canova, S. D. on March 7, 1879, the daughter of Herman and Mary Teich, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Pennsylvania. They were early settlers of Watertown, this state, and both are now dead. Mr. and Mrs. Horman have a fine family of eight children: Henry, Carl, Sidney, Minnie, Edna, Ida, John and Frank, living; and a ninth, Frances, twin sister to Frank, is dead.

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Fred Gehrman has lived on his present place in Section 29, Clinton Town- ship, nearly all his life, and as boy and man has assisted in its development. He was born in St. Paul, Minn., Sept. 1, 1896, the son of Fred and Bertha Gehrman, natives respectively of Minnesota and Iowa. The father early be- came a stone mason, and followed that trade for many years in Minnesota. He came to Barron County in 1898, and bought 40 acres in Clinton Township. To this he later added 80 more, making 120 in all. The land was cut-over land, covered with brush, and with no buildings. He put up a house, barn and other buildings, and started to clear up the land. Most of the work of clearing and operating the farm was looked after by the wife and the children, while he continued to follow his trade. There are five children in the family, George, Albert, Arthur, Maude and Fred. Father and mother and all five children are living, and all are highly esteemed by their friends, associates and neighbors. Fred was reared on the home place, attended district school, and helped about the farm as he could. Gradually he took more and more of the responsibility, and in 1917 assumed the management by rental. Here he successfully carries on general farming and dairying. He has a good herd of graded Holsteins. Mr. Gehrman is regarded as a good farmer and a good citizen, and his standing has been excellent since early boyhood. He is a stockholder in the Almena Telephone Co., and a member of the Farmers Shipping Association of Almena. Mr. Gehrman was married June 4, 1917, at Barron, to Emma Marxman, who was born in Mattoon, Ill., on Nov. 21, 1896, the daughter of Christ and Molly Marx- man, who came from Illinois to Clinton Township, and there farmed. The father is still living there and the mother is dead. The ten children in the Marxman family are: Carl, Martin, Bertha, Albert, Emma, Mary, Gladys, Henry, Lizzie and Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. Gehrman have one son, Marvin, born April 12,1920.

Amund Halverson, early settler of Section 14, Clinton Township, who persevered through many hardships, and established himself a home and a farm in spite of difficulties, was born in Norway, Oct. 14, 1836. He was reared and married there, and in 1869 came to America. After living in Canada for a year he came to the States, and after looking about in Wisconsin for a while, settled in Fillmore County, Minn. The land there had been settled for many years, and there was none left to be taken. But Mr. Halverson heard of the land in Barron County, so in 1875 he loaded his goods onto an ox cart, and with his family and a few head of cattle, started for this region. Upon reaching here, he settled on the shores of Poskin Lake for a while, and then took a home- stead in Section 14, Clinton Township. This was all rough land, heavily timbered. Mr. Halverson cleared a small tract, put up a log cabin, and established his family there. For his stock he put up a pole and straw shed. He was without funds, and for several seasons he went back to the older settlements to do farm work, leaving his family to look after the cabin and the garden. It was hard to get along for a while, and the privations were many and discouraging. But he and his family persevered, worked early and late, and in time developed a good place. There he successfully carried on general farm- ing and dairying until 1906, when he practically retired. He still makes his home on the place. The farm now contains 120 acres, 40 acres of the original quarter section having been given to a son, Oscar. Mrs. Halverson died June 4, 1920, at the age of 87 years.

Anton F. Halverson, proprietor of Richland Farm, a substantial farmer of Section 14, Clinton Township, was born in Fillmore County, Minn., Dec. 13, 1872, the son of Amund and Hannah Halverson, and was a small boy when brought to his present farm. When he was old enough, he was sent to the little log school house of District No. 5, situated in the deep woods. He helped his father get the home place cleared up, and has always lived here. Gradually he took over the responsibility of the work, and in 1906 became the manager. He now owns the home place of 120 acres, and he has continued the improve- ments begun by his father, so that he now has a well developed farm. The

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home is a comfortable frame residence of seven rooms. The barn erected in 1919 is 36 by 72 feet, with full basement, and furnished with the James equipment. Mr. Halverson successfully carries on general farming and dairy- ing, and has good stock, tools, implements and machinery. He is one of the representative men of the community, and has been clerk of the school board for many years as well as road commissioner. He attends the Norwegian Lutheran church in Section 14, Clinton Township.

Ever Hanson, a hard working farmer of Section 19, Clinton Township, was born in Norway, March 5, 1860, the son of Hans and Mary (Jacobson) Olson, who spent the span of their years in that country. Of the seven children in the family, there are now living three, John, Hans and Ever. Mary, Caroline, Anna. and an unnamed infant, are dead. Ever attended school in his native land, and early went to work, receiving but $13.50 a year, in addition to board, room and clothes. For three years he served in the Standing Army. Upon his release, he worked three years in the woods. In 1889 he came to the United States, and found his way directly to Barron County, and settled at Turtle Lake, where he worked on the railroad section for two years. In 1891, he purchased 40 acres of wild land in Section 18, Clinton Township, on which to establish a farm. He built a small log shanty, and started clearing up the brush and stumps. Later he added forty acres more in the same section, making a good little place of eighty acres. By hard work he cleared up this place, erected a good set of buildings, and carried on general farming and dairying there for twenty-six years. In 1915 he sold the place to his son, Ole, who, in turn, sold it to James Beecroft. Upon disposing of his place, Mr. Hanson moved to Rice Lake, and built a home there. A year later, in 1916, he bought 40 acres of wild land in Section 19, Clinton Township. He cleared up the stumps and brush, erected a good frame house, 26 by 28 feet, and is getting the place well under cultivation. Mr. Hanson has been active in the affairs of the community, and has done his duty as a good citizen in every respect. He is specially interested in good roads and has been road overseer for some seventeen years. He helped to build the Norwegian Lutheran Church at Comstock, and has been liberal in his support. Mr. Hanson was married at Prairie Farm on March 16, 1889, to Inga Jacobson, the daughter of Jacob Olson and Bertha (Peterson) Olson, na- tives of Norway, and old settlers of Barron County. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson have six children living: Mary; Bertha, the wife of C. G. Brown, of Duluth; Ole; Peter, Henry and Martin. All stand well in the community, and are liked by all who know them.

William Lundquist, a prudent farmer of Section 9, Clinton Township, was born in Sweden, March 28, 1871, the son of Gust and Christina Lundquist, also natives of that country. The father came to America in 1876, settled at St. Paul, Minn., where he followed his trade as a stone mason, later moving to Le Sueur County, in the same state, where he followed his trade until his death in 1898. The mother remained in Sweden, and died there Jan. 2, 1917. In the family there were three children. Ida C. died in Sweden. Carl W. came to the United States when sixteen years of age, farmed in Clinton Township, became a substantial and respected citizen, and died Jan. 19, 1910. William was sent to school a while in Sweden, and as a boy of still tender years helped to herd cattle. He was eleven years of age, when in 1882, he came to America, and took up his home with his uncle, John Lundquist, at River Falls, Pierce County, Wisconsin. Later he worked about for a while, and then went to Le Sueur County, Minn., where he worked on farms and on the railroad, and fol- lowed his trade as a stone mason. His next location was at Crookston, Minn., where he worked on the railroad, in the harvest fields, and with a threshing crew. For a while he was a teamster with a railroad crew with headquar- ters at Climax, Wis. In 1889 he bought 80 acres from John Allen, in Section 5, Clinton Township, this county. He then went to Kewaunee, Ill., where he worked in shops for a while. In 1891 he came back to Barron County, sold .his property, and bought 80 acres in Section 9, Clinton Township. One

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WILLIAM LUNDQUIST AND FAMILY

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acre had been cleared, and a small house erected. To the development and cul- tivation of this place he has since devoted his attention. The pleasant residence of eight rooms, stucco finish, and supplied with many conveniences such as hot air heat, was put up in 1910. There is also a good barn, and other buildings. Here Mr. Lundquist successfully carries on general farming and dairying. His herd is of mixed Holsteins and Guernseys, and the cream is sold to the Barron Creamery Co. Mr. Lundquist was married at St. James, Minn., on June 21, 1910, to Mary Oien, who was born at St. James Aug. 17, 1885, the daughter of Sever and Barbara (Sunhaugin) Oien, natives of Norway, and early settlers of La Salle, Minn., the former of whom died in 1909 and the latter of whom is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Lundquist have two bright boys, Sidney W. and Walter M. The family faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran Church.

Pit Carlson, who built up a good place in Section 17, Clinton Township, was born in Sweden. He attended school there, worked on farms and in the woods, grew to manhood and married there. In 1888 he came to the United States, and located in Michigan, where he worked in woods and in sawmills. In 1892 he came from there to Barron County, and located on 80 acres in Sec- tion 17, Clinton Township. This was all wild, cut-over land, covered with stumps and brush. He cleared up the land, erected a house and other buildings, and here carried on general farming and dairying until 1916, when he sold the place to his son-in-law, Bernard Hagberg, and retired. He and his good wife, Christina Johnson, had nine children, of whom there are three living: Ella, the wife of Bernard Hagberg; Anna, the wife of Christ Hanson, of Racine, Wis .; and Carl of Barron County.

Albert Hagberg, for nearly twenty years a solid farmer of Section 17, Clinton Township, now deceased, was born in Sweden, and was there reared, educated, and married Betsy Knutson. As a young man he became a carpenter, which trade he followed a number of years. He came to the United States in 1889, and settled at Cannon Falls, Goodhue County, Minn. There he farmed until 1902. Then he came to Barron County, and purchased 80 acres in Section 17. This was all wild land. He put up a set of buildings, cleared the land, and there carried on general farming and dairying. He died June 30, 1920, and his wife, Sept. 3, 1920. In the family there are seven children: Bernard; Oscar, who is married and farms in North Dakota; Ellen, the wife of Herman Biel, of Birchwood, Washburn County, this state; Edith, Esther, Hjalmar and Eleanor.

Bernard Hagberg, an active farmer of Section 17, was born at Cannon Falls, Goodhue County, Minn., Jan. 14, 1892, the son of Albert and Betsy Hag- berg, who brought him to this township when he was six years old. He at- tended school here, was reared to farm pursuits, and as a youth worked about on farms for a while. In 1916 he bought the Pit Carlson place of 80 acres in Section 17, Clinton Township. He has fixed over the buildings which stood on the place, and has put up a fine brick and tile barn, 34 by 80 feet, with full basement, and furnished with James equipment. The land is well tilled and well fenced, and under Mr. Hagberg's capable management is proving profit- able and productive. The equipment in tools, implements and machinery is good in every particular. Mr. Hagberg successfully carries on general farming, dairying and stock raising. He has a good herd of graded Holstein cattle, Poland-China swine, and the necessary number of horses. He was married Feb. 12, 1916, to Ella Carlson, the daughter of Pit and Christina Carlson. Mr. and Mrs. Hagberg have two bright children, Axel and Astrid, both at home.

Frank Henrichsmeier, for several years a worthy resident of Section 32, Clinton Township, was born in Germany, attended school there and was reared to farm pursuits. As a young man, he married Angie Dowel, a native of the same neighborhood. In 1881, they came to America, and settled in Scott County, Minn., not far from Jordan. There they farmed until 1889, when they came to Barron County, and bought 80 acres in Section 32, Clinton Township. This land was all wild and there was little to indicate that it would some time con-

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stitute a prosperous farm. But he set to work with a will, assisted as they grew old enough, by his sons, and in time he built up a good place. He put up a house, barn, and other buildings, cleared up and fenced the land, made general improvements, and carried on mixed farming and dairying. After a useful life he died, September, 1916. He was a respected man of sterling worth, and his memory is still cherished. His good wife, a worthy mother and neighbor, died in October, 1901. In the family there were nine children: Stephen; John; Martin; William; Joseph; Theresa; Angie, wife of Albert Zins, of St. Paul; Anna, wife of Thomas Carr, of St. Paul; and Mary, wife of John St. Louis, of Barron. John and Martin are enterprising farmers and are among the best known men in the neighborhood. Both were born near Jordan, Scott County, Minn., John on April 13, 1886, and Martin on Dec. 19, 1888. They were brought here as infants, and attended district school, and learned farm- ing from their father. Gradually they assumed the management of the home place which they now own and operate. They also operate the Bauer farm of 80 acres. They have excellent equipment, they understand farming thoroughly, and are carrying on general farming and dairying, making a specialty of grow- ing potatoes. Both are doing their duty as good citizens and are taking their share in everything which they believe to be for the good of the community. They have a pleasant and hospitable home, presided over by their sister, Theresa. The family faith is that of the Catholic Church.

Freeman E. Hill, prominent farmer of Section 27, Clinton Township, is one of the best known men in this part of the county, and a citizen of real in- fluence and standing. For six years he was chairman of the township, and dur- ing these six years not only did much to forward the interests of the town, but also served with distinction as a member of the county board. For eight years he has looked after the town's business in an efficient manner as town clerk. He has also served in a similar capacity as a member of the school board. As secretary of the North Wisconsin Cyclone & Hail Insurance Co. his work is meeting with popular favor. The Farmers State Bank of Poskin numbers him among its organizers. As a farmer he follows modern methods and specializes in sheep. He was born in Vernon County, Wisconsin, April 25, 1862, the son of Edward and Margaret Hill, natives respectively of England and Whales. Edward Hill started out alone as a boy of sixteen, and came to Canara, where he lived for a while. From there he came to Chicago, and worked as a tanner. There he married, his wife, Margaret Evans, having been brought to this coun- try by her parents when she was twelve years old. From Chicago, he took his wife to Iowa, homesteaded 160 acres of land, cleared five acres, and erected a cabin. Upon leaving that place he moved to Vernon County, this state, where he engaged in lumbering. Next he lived on a farm near Sparta, in Monroe County, Wis. His next location was on a farm near West Salem, La Crosse County, Wis. After living there for a while, he moved to the village and en- gaged in the lumber business. There he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. In the family there were four children: Lottie, William, Freeman and Sarah. Lottie married Martin McEldowney, and lives at West Salem. He died in 1921. William lives in Kentucky. Sarah married Eugene Gorman. She died at Glenwood City, Wis., leaving two children, Freeman and Earl. The subject of this sketch was reared in Monroe and La Crosse counties, this state. He started out for himself in 1882, at the age of twenty, and went to Minneapolis, Minn., where he drove for a funeral director for a year. Then he came to Cumberland, in this county. With headquarters there, he worked in sawmills, in the woods, and on spring drives along the White River. That river was filled with stumps, logs, snags and windfalls, and he helped to clear it out. In 1883 he bought 160 acres in Section 27, Clinton Township. He cut the timber from this, then sold it, and bought another quarter section in the same section. He cut the timber from it, built a log cabin and started placing the land under cultivation. It is interesting to note that the log cabin stood until 1921, when it was burned down. In 1918, Mr. Hill had built a pleasant eleven-

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MR. AND MRS. A. P. PETERSON

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room house, with hot water heat, running hot and cold water, gas lights and other conveniences. He has a barn, 44 by 60 feet, a granary, sheds and other buildings. Here he successfully carries on general farming and dairying, his cattle being graded Holsteins. As a grower of specialty Shropshire sheep, he has attained quite a reputation. Mr. Hill was married Jan. 1, 1889, at New Richmond, St. Croix County, this state, to Rilda C. Strand, who was born in Norway on Nov. 29, 1867, the daughter of Christian H. and Caroline Strand, natives of Norway, and early settlers of Woodville, Wis., the father being a farmer, sawmill man and lumberman, at one time connected with the Poskin Lake Lumber Co. He came to Barron County in 1885. Mr. Strand is dead, and his wife now lives on a farm on the banks of Poskin Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Hill are the happy parents of a fine family of eight children: Clyde, Nora, Elef, Ralph, Freeman, Gordon, Paul and Archie. Ralph served in the Marine Corps from Feb. 6, 1917, to Feb. 15, 1921, and in this capacity visited no less than thirteen different foreign countries. For sixteen months he served in France, acting as instructor of recruits. Freeman served in the Marine Corps from June 1, 1918, to Sept. 1, 1919, being attached to the aviation service in Hayti. Elef C. served in the medical corps at Camp Kearney, California, from about March, 1918, to March 1, 1919.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 75

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

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