History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 76

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 76

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Andrew P. Peterson, who has done considerable toward the development of Clinton Township as an agricultural center, was born in Sweden, April 30, 1862, the son of Peter and Christina (Walstrom) Larson, who spent the span of their years in the old country. There Peter Larson was born, March 25, 1830, and his wife, Christina, Aug. 31, 1835. Their children were as follows: Maria Christina, born Jan. 3, 1856; Carl John, Aug. 25, 1858; Emma Carolina, July 17, 1860; Andrew Peter, April 30, 1862; Erick Gustaf, Aug. 17, 1864; Victor, Nov. 12, 1867; Gastorf, Aug. 8, 1872; Erick William, in 1876; Frederick, Aug. 4, 1879; and Frederick William, Herman F. and Anna. The birth dates of the three last mentioned are not now known. All these children, except An- drew P., remained in Sweden. Andrew P. was reared in his native land, attend- ed school there, and remained at home until he was seventeen years old, when he started out for himself. He worked in sawmills for a while, then learned the carpenter trade, and still later the stone mason trade. He came to the United States in 1889, and for a while worked in Michigan and Iowa, in the sawmills, as scaler and grader, and as shipping clerk. In 1891 he came to Barron County, and bought 80 acres in Section 16, Clinton Township, a part of which tract was heavy timber. He went back to Michigan for a while, and worked there. Then he came here again and built a small house, and started clearing the land. As prosperity increased he built up a good farm. The small house he replaced with the present structure, built largely with his own hands. He also erected other buildings, cleared up the land, erected fences, and secured proper equip- ment. This farm is now operated by the son, Bernhard. In 1915, Mr. Peterson bought an additional 40 acres of wild land in the same section. With the help of his sons he started to clear up the place. He erected a good set of build- ings, doing the carpenter and mason work himself. The house is 26 by 26 feet, well arranged and comfortable; the barn is 26 by 56 feet, with full base- ment, and furnished with the James equipment. There is also a good set of other buildings such as granary, machine sheds and the like. This farm has been turned over to the son, Engnard. In 1916, Mr. Peterson bought a partly- improved place of 40 acres in the same section. Here he again set to work. He replaced the log cabin with a good set of buildings, including a house, barn, garage, machine sheds and the like, the house being 24 by 24 feet, and the barn 26 by 58 feet. This farm has been turned over to the son, Gust, with whom Mr. and Mrs. Peterson now make their home. Mr. Peterson and the three sons successfully carry on general farming and dairying. They have modern machinery, including a tractor, they follow the latest methods, they have good graded Guernseys, with a full-blooded sire. All four men are re- garded as among the real leaders of the community, and their judgment is

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highly respected. Mr. Peterson is interested in law and order, in good roads and in education, and his service as justice of the peace, overseer of roads, and member of the school board has been of much benefit to the community at large. Mr. Peterson was married in Sweden, Nov. 20, 1887, to Johannah M. Carlson, who was born in that country Dec. 16, 1869, the daughter of Eric and Lottie Carlson, the former of whom is still living and the latter of whom is dead. Of the eight children, one is dead. The others are: Sofa, Lettie, Johan- nah, Hilda, Carl, Adolph and Erick J., of whom Johannah and Adolph came to the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have had five children, namely: Gust, born Oct. 14, 1890; Albertina, born Sept. 18, 1892; Engnard, born Sept. 21, 1894; Bernhard, born March 13, 1897; and Godfrey, born Jan. 11, 1889, who died May 30, 1889. Gust trained at Camp Taylor with Battery C, 20th Battalion, F. A. R. D., from Aug. 3, 1918, to Dec. 16, 1918.

John B. Johnson, a well-known farmer of Section 22, Clinton Township, was born in Norway, Nov. 29, 1873, the son of Bern and Signe Johnson, natives of that country, who, as young people, farmed in Norway. In 1883, they brought their family to America, and located in Winnebago County, Wis., where they farmed for three years. In 1886 they came to Barron County, and bought 80 acres in Section 22, Clinton Township. They were only just getting a start, when the father died in 1889. He was a good man, and his presence was sorely missed by his family. The mother, a most worthy woman, well liked as a neigh- bor and friend, still lives on the place. In the family there were eight children : Signe, wife of C. G. Tolanda, of Hudson, Wis .; Alice, wife of L. O. Hawkinson, of St. Paul, Minn .; Anna, widow of T. T. Barstad, of Barron; Isabelle, wife of John M. Olson, of Clinton Township; Mary, wife of Hans Gillett, a farmer of Clinton Township; John B .; Tillie, wife of Gust Sandberg, of Barron City; and George, a business man of Barron. John B. attended school in Norway. He was brought to this country by his parents when ten years old, to his pres- ent farm when thirteen years old, and being the oldest of the two boys in the family, took charge of the farm at the age of sixteen, when his father died. He proved equal to the task, and has since carried on the place with increasing prosperity and success. On Feb. 15, 1920, he added the 80 acres adjoining. He successfully carries on general farming and dairying, and is one of the substantial men of the community, as farmer, public citizen, and business man. He has done good public service as a member of the board of supervisors, and for many years he has done efficient work as treasurer of his school board. Mr. Johnson was married July 1, 1885, at Barron to Matilda Sandberg, who was born in Sweden on March 18, 1866, the daughter of Solomon and Johanna (Berg) Sandberg, natives of Sweden, where the father still lives and where the mother died. Matilda came to the United States with her brother, Gust, and her sister, Blanda. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have three children: Barney, Hjel- mar and Ella. Barney is studying in the University of Illinois School of Phar- macy at Chicago. While at Ripon College, at Ripon, Wis., in 1918, he served for three months in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. Hjalmar helps his father at home, representing the third generation that has worked on the same farm. Ella is also at home. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of Clinton Township.

Matthew Matthys, an enterprising farmer of Section 18, Clinton Township, was born in Sauk County, Wis., near Baraboo, Nov. 29, 1891, the son of Peter O. and Alvine (Miller) Matthys, natives of Holland, who came to the United States, farmed in Sauk County, this state many years, and on April 1, 1900, came to Barron township, this county, where he lived until his death, Dec. 23, 1920. Mrs. Matthys died Oct. 8, 1895, leaving seven children: Edward, Emma, wife of Ed. Wood, of Raymond, Wash .; Walter, August, Matthew, Albert, and Alvina, the wife of Park Pyle, of Coleman, Penn. For his second wife, Mr. Matthys married Emma Kauffman, who is still living. Matthew was nine years of age when the family came to Barron County. He received a graded and High School education, and as a young man was employed on the farm and in

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tobacco warehouses. For a while he was in partnership with Fred Kranbaul, in carrying on a farm. Later he operated as a renter for a while. In 1917 he bought 80 acres in Section 18, a portion of the Beecroft estate. He has re- modeled the buildings, and continued the improvement and development of the place. Here he carries on general farming and dairying. He has a herd of graded and full blooded Guernseys, headed by a full blooded sire. The cream is sold to the Barron Creamery Co. As a public spirited citizen, Mr. Matthys has been interested in a number of local enterprises. He is vice president of the Almena Telephone Co., and a stockholder in the Farmers' Shipping Associa- tion. He is affiliated with the Clinton unit of the Barron County Farm Bureau. Mr. Matthys was married in Clinton Township, Feb. 26, 1913, to Jane Beecroft, the daughter of Thomas and Anna Beecroft, natives of England, and for thirty- seven years residents of Barron County. Mr. and Mrs. Matthys have four bright children : Gladys, born Nov. 4, 1913; Morris, born May 22, 1915; Myrle, born May 11, 1918, and Margaret, born Oct. 16, 1919.

Amund Moen, a well-known citizen of Section 6, Clinton Township, was born in Norway, July 23, 1853, the son of Amund and Ingeborg Moen, natives of Norway, who came to the United States in 1880, and spent their latter years with their son, Amund, the former dying in 1897 and the latter in 1907. Of the twelve children in the family there are now living five: Carrie, Mary, Johannah, Ella and Ingeborg. Carrie married Ole Ida, of Cumberland Township. Mary married Benjamin Wold, also of Cumberland Township. Johannah is the wife of Elia Vold, of Clinton Township. Ella is the wife of Charles Peterson, of Rice Lake. Ingeborg still lives in Norway. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native land, and as a young man was a farmer and harness maker. He came to this country in the spring of 1879 and located at Wilson, Wis. That fall he came to this county, and bought 66 acres in Section 6, Clinton Town- ship. A small clearing had been made, and a small shack built, but most of the land was covered with timber. He started clearing up the land, and had put up a house and barn, when the fire of 1888 destroyed everything he had. In spite of this disaster, he set to work with a will, and has built up a new set including a pleasant home, a barn, 50 by 60 feet; a granary, and other suita- ble buildings. Here he successfully carries on general farming and dairying. He has a good herd of graded Guernseys, and sells cream to the Comstock Creamery. Mr. Moen is one of the most prominent and influential men in the community. For some fourteen years he did most excellent service on the town board, showing special interest in good roads. For twenty-eight years he has been clerk of his school district. In 1910 he was census enumerator. He is the president of the North Wisconsin Hail, Cyclone & Insurance Co., and a stockholder in the Comstock Creamery and in the Almena Telephone Co. Mr. Moen was married in Norway, May 4, 1879, to Ingeborg Dahlfast, who was born in that country, July 28, 1855, the daughter of Peter and Mary Dahlfast, who spent the span of their years in that country. Mr. and Mrs. Moen have nine children : Inga, Petrena, Albert, Peter, Mary, Caroline, Anna, Mary Anna, and Emma. Inga is the wife of George Stinby, of Cumberland. Petrina is the wife of Tom Newhouse, of Superior, Wis. Albert is at home. Peter lives in Cum- berland. He trained for service in the World War, was taken ill at Camp Han- cock, Ga., and was nursed by his sister Caroline. Mary is in Cumberland. Caroline is at home. Anna married Raymond Forrest, and is residing in Emerald, Wis. Mary Anna is in Kansas. Emma is in Minneapolis.

Edgar F. Birch, Section 28, Clinton Township, ranks well as farmer and public official, among the leading men of this vicinity. He is a native of the Northwest, having been born at Faribault, in Rice County, Minn., April 10, 1860, the son of John and Caroline (Lockerby) Birch, natives respectively of New York state and Michigan. These good people settled in Rice County, Minn., in 1856, with the early influx of settlers to that region, they took their part in its upbuilding, and there spent the remainder of their lives. In the family there were seven children: Rosaltha, widow of Joseph Frederickberg,

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of Marshall, Minn; Emma, wife of R. R. Cummins, of Los Angeles, Calif .; Edgar F .; Charles, a farmer of Columbia, N. D .; Levi, a farmer of Columbia, N. D .; Frances, of Billings, Mont., and John, of Dundas, Minn. Edgar F. was reared on the farm, and attended school nearby and at Northfield, in the same county. He started earning money by working for the neighbors when he was twelve years old, and since he was seventeen has been entirely on his own responsibility. In 1879 he went to Glendive, Mont., and was identified with the general mercantile business there for seven years. Then he returned to his home county, where he remained for a short time. In 1887 he came to Barron County and bought 80 acres in Section 28, Clinton Township. He has since added 40 acres more, so that he now has 120 acres. In the nearly thirty-five years that have passed since then, he has built up an excellent place. When he purchased the place it was all wild, cut-over land, presenting a dismal prospect indeed. He at once set to work with a will, and in time his efforts brought him success and prosperity. He has a large, thirteen-room house, set in a pretty yard. His barn is 36 by 70, and well equipped. There is also a satisfactory complement of other buildings. The farm is well tilled, well cultivated, well fenced and productive, and the equipment in tools, implements and machinery is fully adequate. Mr. Birch carries on general farming and dairying along the latest approved lines, and has a good herd of Guernseys. Cream is sold to the Barron Creamery Co., of which Mr. Birch is one of the stockholders. He is also a stockholder in the Almena Telephone Co. At one time he was one of the owners of the Poskin State Bank, which he helped to organize, and in whose early destiny he had an important part. In public affairs, Mr. Birch has taken an active part since he first came here. As chair- man of the township he did most excellent work, not only for the township, but also as a member of the county board. For nine years he looked after the town's affairs in a most admirable way as town clerk. For six years he showed fairness and discretion as assessor. For twelve years he was road overseer. For nine years he served his school district as a member of the school board. In many other ways as well he has shown his interest in the public welfare. Mr. Birch was married April 23, 1888, at Turtle Lake, this county, to Margaret Edson, widow of William Edson. She was born in Yorkshire, England, Feb. 19, 1851, the daughter of Henry and Mary (Atkinson) Tidyman, natives of England, who came to America in 1855, and located in Butler County, Iowa, moving from there to Clayton and Riley counties, Kansas. Of the children in the Tidyman family, six are now living: Henry, John, Margaret, Elizabeth, Eveline and Emmaline, the two last mentioned being twins. Two died in in- fancy, and one, a son three years old named George, died on the vessel and was buried at sea on the voyage to this country. Mrs. Birch is a pioneer of this county herself, having come here forty years ago. She walked across country on foot, following an Indian trail, and the family hauled their goods in on what was called a "go-devil" in those days. She did spinning and knitting for men in the lumber camps, where also she worked as a cook. By her first hus- band, William Edson, she has two children: Rosa and Frank. Rosa is the wife of Christ Schonewis and has one child, Tommy Edgar. Frank, who married Emma Rosler and lives in Barron City, has one child, Laura May.

Chauncey Kilmer, pioneer of Maple Grove Township, was born in New York State and married Elizabeth Whaley, a native of Pennsylvania. In 1876 they came to this county and settled three miles east of Hillsdale Village, on a homestead of 80 acres. This was all wild land, in what was then a wilder- ness. They cleared and developed the land, erected suitable buildings, and there farmed until 1887. In that year they moved to Missouri, where they lived six years and then moved to Plymouth, Ind., where Mr. Kilmer died. His wife then returned to this county, and lived with her son, George M. until her death in 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Kilmer were the parents of nine children : George, Chauncey, Henry, William, Sarah, Lois (deceased), Alice, Effie and Lettie.

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MR. AND MRS. CHAUNCEY KILMER GEORGE M. KILMER AND FAMILY

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George M. Kilmer, early settler of Maple Grove Township, once owning land in Sections 16, 17, 28 and 33, west, was born in Fulton County, Ind., Aug. 10, 1846, son of Chauncey and Elizabeth (Whaley) Kilmer. He received a district school education, and as a young man worked on farms and in saw- mills. He came west to Barron County in 1878, to recuperate from ill health caused by mill work. In 1880 he homesteaded 80 acres in Section 28, west, Maple Grove and started its improvement. When he reached this county he had but 25 cents, and when he first took the homestead he had but little to spend for food, provisions or equipment. In order to eke out his scanty re- sources, he helped clear land for his neighbors, and also worked on the roads, one of his jobs being on the construction of the main road from Hillsdale to Barron. In time, his hard work met with success, his land with the buildings and fences he erected took on the appearance of a prosperous farm, and from year to year equipment and machinery was purchased as necessity required. To the original tract he added 80 acres in Section 33, and 160 acres in Section 16 and 17. Later he sold a part of the farm to his son, John, leaving him a good place of 120 acres which is operated by his son, John. He successfully carried on general farming and dairying for many years, but is now living a life of retirement. He is an influential man, served two terms as chairman of the town board, and many years as a member of the school board. His fraternal associations are with the Odd Fellows. Mr. Kilmer was married May 5, 1875, to Elizabeth Strawderman, daughter of Adam and Anna (Jacoby) Strawder- man, natives respectively of Virginia and Pennsylvania, who as young people settled on a farm in Indiana and there spent the remainder of their lives. the mother dying in 1870 and the father in 1903. In the family there were nine children: John, Peter, Anna and Sarah, all deceased, and William, Henry, Nettie, Rose and Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Kilmer are the parents of three children. John H. was born Aug. 18, 1876. He is a successful farmer of Maple Grove Township, and is well liked in the community. He was brought to this county as an infant, attended the district schools, was reared to farm pursuits by his father, and a few years ago took over a part of the home place. Allie was born April 9, 1881, and died April 1, 1907. Lettie was born Oct. 22, 1893, and is the wife of Alvie Olson, of Chetek, where he is employed by the Omaha railroad as operator. They have two children, Elden N. and Philis A.

Andrew Jacobson, now deceased, lived in Barron County nearly thirty-five years and during that time proved his worth as a substantial and useful citizen. He was born Dec. 11, 1834, in Stockholm, Sweden, and came to America in 1872, settling in Kansas City, Mo., where he secured employment on the railroad. He then became a sawmill man, working in Chicago, in Mich- igan and in Plymouth, Ind. In 1880 he came to Barron county and found em- ployment in a sawmill at Old Hillsdale. The next year he purchased 120 acres in Section 29, west, Maple Grove Township, cleared a part of it, erected build- ings and fences and there lived until 1904, in the meantime continuing his work in the mills. In 1904 he sold out and bought forty acres in Section 19, west, Maple Grove Township, erected buildings, made various improvements and there farmed until his death, June 30, 1914. He did not seek public office but did good service on the school board for some years. He was a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Jacobson was married Feb. 17, 1877, to Clara McAdams, daughter of John and Mary (Merica) McAdams, natives of Ohio, who moved from there to Indiana and then to Dunn County, this state, later coming to Maple Grove Township and taking up their home with their adopted son, Charles McAdams. Here they lived until Mr. McAdams' death in 1890. Mrs. McAdams then took up her home with her daughter, Mrs. Jacobson, until her death in 1905. In the McAdams family there were six children: Sylvanius, Butler, Mary, Sarah, Clara and Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobson were the parents of seven children: Luella B., born Sept. 16, 1880, now Mrs. Miles Cramer, of Oregon; Charles B., born May 3, 1882, is now at Rexford, Mont .; Alice L., born June 30, 1885, is now Mrs. Archie Woldrige, living near Cameron,

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this county; Clara J., twin-sister of Alice L., is now Mrs. Nicholas Kofman, of North Dakota; Nora B., born Oct. 14, 1892, married Charles Fagerlin, of Superior, Wis. Rex A., born Nov. 11, 1895, is at Stevens Point, Wis. Andrew C. born May 24, 1903, is at home. Since Mr. Jacobson's death his widow and the youngest son, Andrew C. have successfully carried on the home farm.

Carl Kovach, who owns 80 acres in Section 11, west, Maple Grove Town- ship, was born in Hungary, June 15, 1883, son of Carl and Katherine Kovach, who early left him an orphan. He was reared in his native land, and came to America in 1907, locating for a while in Milwaukee, Wis. He came to Barron County in 1911, and bought 80 acres in Section 31, Maple Grove Township. A year later he sold. Then for several years he was employed as a farm laborer, his longest employment being with Fred Kranbuhl, of Maple Grove Township, for whom he worked six years. He bought his present place in 1918. He erected a house, made general repairs, and now carries on general farming and dairying. Mr. Kovach was married Feb. 27, 1907, to Marion Meisder, daughter of George and Christina (Seletski) Meisder, natives of Hungary, both now deceased. In the Meisder family there were eight children: Joseph, George, Anna, Katherine, Theresa, Margaret, Frank and Marion. Mr. and Mrs. Kovach have two children: Joseph C., born June 11, 1908; and Anna M., born July 27, 1910. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church.

Oscar Malum, Section 13, west, Maple Grove Township, was born in the township where he still lives, Nov. 22, 1887, son of Tollef and Dorothy (Ander- son) Malum, natives of Norway, who came to America in the early eighties and settled in Maple Grove Township, on 85 acres of land in Section 13, west; broke and developed the land, erected buildings, and there continued to farm, the mother dying in 1889, and the father still living there. Oscar received his education in the district schools, and remained with his father some years after attaining his majority. In 1913 he purchased his present farm of 80 acres. He has cleared 67 acres of this land, has erected good buildings, con- structed fences, and acquired good equipment. Here he successfully carries on general farming and dairying, making a specialty of raising grade Holstein cattle. Mr. Malum was married July 5, 1919, to Mary Erickson, daughter of Thomas and Olava (Severson) Erickson, natives of Norway, who came to America in the eighties, and settled in Maple Grove Township, where Mr. Erickson still lives and where Mrs. Erickson died in February, 1897.

Ole Meistad, a respected retired farmer, now owning forty acres in Arland Village, Arland Township, and for nearly forty years proprietor of 80 acres in Section 5, west, Maple Grove Township, was born in Norway, April 13, 1846, and came to America in 1870, settling in Michigan, where he worked in the iron mines for four years. In 1874 he went to Eau Claire, in this state, and for several years thereafter worked in the sawmills and in the woods. In 1882 he came to Barron County, and the next year bought 80 acres in Section 5, west, Maple Grove Township, of which he cleared 10 acres, erected buildings, and established a good farm. This he sold, and later bought 40 acres, to which he still later added 40 more, making 80 acres all in the same section. He cleared some 60 acres of this tract, erected buildings, and continued to carry on general farming. In addition to his work on his own place, he cleared 60 acres of farm land for his neighbors. In 1919 he sold out, and shortly after- ward purchased his present place. He and his family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Mr. Meistad was married June 12, 1877, to Mary Arntson, daughter of Arnt and Kari Arntson, natives of Norway, both now deceased. This union has been blessed with three children. Anton was born Aug. 24, 1880, and is in Cameron, this county. Olga was born Sept. 12, 1887, and died Nov. 15, of the same year. Hans was born Sept. 12, 1890, and lives in Cornell, this state.

John L. Malone, owner of the Sunnybrook Farm, of 80 acres in Section 17, west, Maple Grove Township, was born in Clinton Township, this county, Sept. 8, 1886, son of John and Alice (Marquand) Malone, natives respectively of

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 76

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

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