History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 81

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 81

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Axel Dahlberg, a respected farmer of section 14, Clinton Township, was born in Sweden Dec. 20, 1864, son of John and Anna M. Swenson, the former of whom spent the span of his life in that country, and the latter of whom still lives there. Axel was educated in Sweden, and farmed there with his father until 1884. In that year he came to America and located at Woodville, in St. Croix County, this state, where he found employment working in the mills in the summer and in the woods winters, and also working on farms in between. In 1898 he bought 80 acres in section 14, Clinton Township. There was a log cabin, 14 by 16 feet, on the place, and he started clearing the land. As the

Digitized by Google

HALE R. ROGERS

Digitized by Google

481

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

years passed, he built up a good farm. In 1907 he erected a pleasant frame residence of nine rooms, heated with a furnace. Other buildings have been put up as necessity has required. About 50 acres of the place are under the plow. Here Mr. Dahlberg successfully carries on general farming and dairying along approved lines. Mr. Dahlberg was married at Barron, Dec. 31, 1898, to Emma L. Swanson, who was born on this place November, 1883, the daughter of Andrew and Louisa (Olson) Swanson, who were born in Sweden, came to America and homesteaded 80 acres in Clinton Township, and farmed there until the father's death, the mother still making her home with Mrs. Hilda Carl- son of Clinton Township. Mr. and Mrs. Dahlberg have had twelve children: Alma, the wife of Anton Palmquist, of Poskin; she died in 1921; Nettie, who is employed by the Bank of Poskin; Carl, at home; Elmer, at home; Axel, Emily, Arvid, Luella, Alvera, Frieda and Darold; and Axel (first) who died in infancy. Charles J. Tengbom, president of the Poskin State Bank, president of the Poskin Shipping Association, successful farmer, and also interested in other business ventures, was born in Sweden, Sept. 26, 1876, the son of John and Anna (Johnson) Tengbom. John Tengbom, who in Sweden was a farmer and worked on the railroads, brought the family to America in 1881, and settled near Red Wing, in Goodhue County, Minnesota, where for nearly twenty years he successfully carried on general farming. In 1900 he came to Barron County, and in partnership with the son, Charles J., bought 80 acres in section 28, Stanfold Township. This was all wild land. With the help of the family he cleared up most of it, and put up a house, barn, chicken houses, sheds and other buildings. In 1908 he sold out, and with his two sons, Charles J. and Claus, bought 80 acres in section 21, Clinton Township. This place has been cleared and stumped, and brought to a high degree of cultivation. The home is a comfortable one, and there is a good set of buildings including barn, silo, granary, chicken house and shed. Mrs. Tengbom died in 1887. In the family there are six children. Mary married Nels Johnson at Red Wing and now lives in Barron Township. Claus is a merchant at Poskin. Tena is the wife of Emil Peterson, of Hoquam, Washington. Amanda is the wife of Harry Mason, of Barron City. Arthur is dead. Charles J. was brought to Red Wing as a child, and there attended school and worked on the farm. He came to Stanfold Township with the family in 1900 and to the present farm in 1908. He is a successful farmer and has other extensive interests. He helped to organize the bank of which he is president, he has been active in the Shipping Associa- tion, of which he is now the head, he is a stockholder in the Almena Telephone Co. In partnership with his brother, Claus, he is the owner of a store at Poskin. All in all, he is an active and useful citizen, he is one of the best known men in this part of the county, and his influence has been a good one. Mr. Tengbom was married at Eagle Bend, Minnesota, Nov. 10, 1909, to Ida C. Carlson, daugh- ter of Frank O. and Martha Carlson, natives of Sweden, and early settlers of Eagle Bend, where the father died in 1920, and where the mother is still living. The other children in the family are: Alma, Hulda, August, Selma, Anna (wife of Anton Hjerstad), and Mabel, all living at Eagle Bend. Mr. and Mrs. Teng- bom have three bright children: Walter, Melvin and Luverne, all at home. The family faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran Church at Poskin.

Hale Robert Rogers, business man of Prairie Farm Village, was born in a log cabin in section 32, Dallas Township, Aug. 2, 1880, the son of Henry and Caroline (Shotliff) Rogers. These good people were born, reared and married in England. In 1876 they came to the United States, bringing their two sons, James and Dickson. For several years they lived at Wilmot, Illinois. There another son, William, was born. In 1874 they came to Barron County and located on section 32, Dallas Township. There they erected a log cabin and log stable and started farming with a yoke of oxen. As time passed they became prosperous and substantial residents, and gained the respect and esteem of their fellow men. Henry Rogers died Feb. 15, 1908, and his wife survived him but a few weeks, passing away March 23 of the same year. Hale R. was reared

Digitized by Google

482

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

on the home place and completed the usual graded school studies in the common schools. He left home in 1900 and after learning the barber's trade at Prairie Farm Village, operated a shop there over thirteen years. In 1919 he sold out and engaged in the lunch room and confectionery business in the same village. He does a good business and is popular with all who know him. Being a man of fraternal disposition, he has joined the Masonic order at Barron and the Maccabees and the Woodmen at Prairie Farm. In the Woodmen he has been especially active and has held a number of offices. In public life he has done efficient service as a member of the council and as a member of the school board. Mr. Rogers was married at Prairie Farm on May 19, 1905, to Althea Reed, who was born in Dunn County, Wis., on May 17, 1887. She was the adopted daughter of Kate E. Reed, who died Aug. 15, 1920. This union has been blessed with two children: Horace Juston, born Dec. 20, 1906, and Glenn Neville, born Aug. 14, 1916.

Charles Babcock, an early settler in Dallas Township, Barron County, where he developed a farm, was born in New York State, Feb. 21, 1840. He served nine months in the Civil War, enlisting in 1861. He was discharged on account of sickness contracted in the service, from which he never fully recovered, and which was finally the cause of his death 36 years later at Dallas, Wis., in December, 1897. In Pennsylvania, in 1862, he was married to Charlotte Walker, who was born Oct. 12, 1839, and who is still living in Barron County. Emigrating to Nebraska, they rented a farm there and remained two years, but his crops being destroyed by grasshoppers, Mr. Babcock became discouraged with trying to make a living in that state, and came to Wisconsin, for five years renting a farm in Eau Claire County. In 1873 he moved with his family to Dallas Township, Barron County, homesteading 160 acres of wild land without buildings in section 8. The nearest trading point was Eau Claire, 50 miles to the southeast, the trip to which place he made for a number of years with an ox team. His first residence on his farm was a log house, but later as he prospered he erected good buildings. He aided in the agricultural develop- ment of this county and was a useful citizen respected in the community. He achieved a fair measure of success and rendered public service as a member of the school board of his district, in politics being a Democrat. He and his wife were First Day Adventists. They had seven children: Levant A., now living in Moosejaw, Canada; Jessie J., wife of A. Pecore of Dallas, Wis .; Jennie (twin sister of Jessie), who died in infancy in Pennsylvania; Zilphia G., now Mrs. E. E. Tabor of Weyerhauser, Wis .; Theddie J., residing in Endicott, Wash .; Ernest V., now clerk of the circuit court of Barron County, and Charles B., who resided for a time at Edmonton, Canada, and returned to Dallas in July, 1921.

Ernest V. Babcock, for a number of years an active business man of wide experience, and now clerk of the circuit court of Barron County, was born on a farm at Eau Claire, Wis., Oct. 10, 1873, son of Charles and Charlotte (Walker) Babcock. As a boy he attended district school to the age of 14, but in the mean- while, at the age of 12, he had the misfortune to lose his right arm as the result of a runaway accident on the farm. Thus physically handicapped for the career of a farmer, he sought other occupations, and after attending school at Chetek for four years, at the age of 18 he received a teacher's certificate, and for two years subsequently taught rural school. In 1893 he entered into the hardware and implement business at Chetek, in association with his brothers, Levant A. and Theddie J., and was thus occupied until 1898, when the firm sold out. He then became a traveling salesman for the Deering Harvester Company of Chicago, remaining with that concern until 1900. Then, with his brothers, Theddie J. and Charles H., he started in the general mercantile business at Bruce, Wis. After four years as a merchant there, in 1904 he returned to Chetek and built and operated the telephone exchange at that place. Two years later he sold the telephone business and in the fall of 1906 went to Spokane, Wash., as traveling agent for the International Harvester Company. Returning to Barron County, Wis., in 1908, he bought the telephone exchange of Dallas,

Digitized by Google

483

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

which he converted into a rural line, selling the stock to the farmers. During the winter of 1909-10 Mr. Babcock was engaged in the logging business at Hawkins, Rusk County, Wis. In the following summer, that of 1910, he went to Winnipeg, Canada, as traveling salesman in the interests of the Townsley Manufacturing Company of Minneapolis, but in the following year became bookkeeper in a hotel at Drinkwater, Canada. After remaining in the Dominion until February, 1913, he returned to Barron, where he has since remained. He was elected clerk of the circuit court in the fall of 1916 and has since held that office. In addition to this employment he owns a farm in Stanley Town- ship, which he conducts, and also sells farm machinery. On January 25, 1898, Mr. Babcock was united in marriage with Claudia F. Davy, daughter of George R. and Mercie M. (Lindsay) Davy of Eleva, Trempeauleau County, Wis., where she was born Dec. 25, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Babcock are the parents of four children: Holles D., born May 27, 1903; Floyd P., born Aug. 15, 1905; Coral E., born March 7, 1908, and George, born April 28, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Babcock are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Barron. Politically he is a Republican. Energetic and capable, Mr. Babcock has won success and is numbered among the prominent and respected citizens of Barron County.

Ronald A. Johnston, veterinary surgeon of Barron, was born in the city where he still resides, Feb. 24, 1893, son of Sylvester and Cassie (Clemmens) Johnston, the former a native of England and the latter of Scotland. The father, who for many years was the owner of a general store in Barron, has a pleasant home on La Salle Street, and owns 40 acres on the city limits, 80 acres in Maple Grove and 40 acres in Arland. These farms are under his personal supervision, and on them he successfully conducts general farming and dairy- ing. In the family there are five children : Ronald A., Clara, Theodore, Charles and Marion. Ronald A. passed through the public schools, graduated from the Barron High School in 1913, and was employed three years in the drug busi- ness. In the fall of 1916 he entered the McKillips Veterinary College, at Chi- cago, and took the full course and graduated. In 1918 he offered his services to the Government, and served as a veterinarian at Camp Greenleaf, Ga. Upon his discharge, Dec. 14, 1918, he came to Barron once more and engaged in the practice of his profession. He is in a stock country and has unlimited territory, and he is highly regarded as a practitioner and as a citizen. His fraternal relations are with the Masonic order. Dr. Johnston was married Dec. 5, 1917, to Lucille Schultz, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Noah Schultz, of Maple Grove Township, this county, who moved here from Waukesha County in 1916. The other children in the Schultz family are: Mabel, Mrs. F. Edward; Maude, now Mrs. Charles Taylor, Esther and Marie.

Frederick E. Lentz, who is engaged in the automobile business in Barron City, was born in Germany, April 29, 1866, son of Frederick and Marie (Blake) Lentz, both of whom died in their native country. Frederick E. received his early education in Germany and later came to America. With Menomonie, Wis., as his headquarters, he farmed and worked in lumber mills and in the pineries until 1899. In that year he came to Barron County and purchased 240 acres in section 24, Prairie Farm Township, where he cleared 160 acres, erected a good set of buildings and carried on general farming and dairying until 1914 when he rented his farm and moved to Prairie Farm Village where he engaged in the automobile business. Then he sold out and moved to Barron, where he is now engaged. Mr. Lentz is a popular man in the community, has a good business and is well liked. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Wood- men. Mr. Lentz was married April 24, 1877, to Katherine Smith, who was born Oct. 20, 1869, daughter of Walter and Marie (Kalemback) Smith, natives of Germany, who came to America in the late sixties and settled in Dunn County, Wis., where they secured a homestead of 300 acres. Mr. Smith died Jan. 21, 1908, and his wife still lives on the home farm with her daughter, Mrs. John Hartung. Mr. and Mrs. Lentz are the parents of six children: Walter W., born May 19, 1888, is living in Lehigh, Wis .; Minnie K., born March 7, 1890, is the

Digitized by Google

484

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

wife of Albert Vergin of Dallas Township, this county; Alice E., born June 17, 1892, is now Mrs. Arthur Lever of Dunn County, this state; Frederick J., born Feb. 12, 1894, now lives in Seattle, Wash .; James E., born June 12, 1896, resides in Ohio; and Edna K., born May 13, 1911, lives at home. The family faith is the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Frank Grebner, one of the progressive and respected citizens of Arland township, where he is successfully engaged in the farming and dairying indus- try, was born in Iowa County, Wis., March 24, 1871, son of Joseph and Anna Grebner. The parents were natives of Austria who came to the United States in 1864, settling in Milwaukee. There Joseph Grebner worked for one year at his trade as carpenter, at the end of that time removing to Bluemounds, Wis., where he and his wife subsequently died. They had a family of four children, all now living, namely: Joseph, who is a blacksmith in Barnweld, Wis .; Anna, now Mrs. Martin Kjorlie of Bluemounds; Christina, who married Joseph Good- man and lives in South Dakota; and Frank of Arland Township, Barron County. Frank Grebner in his boyhood attended school at Bluemounds, being subse- quently engaged in farming and railroad work. In 1902 he came to Barron County and bought 80 acres of land in section 1, Arland Township, which he began to improve. During the first few years he did work for his neighbors, for most of whom he cut grain, having one of the first binders in the vicinity. He has stumped and cleared 35 acres of his land and erected an adequate set of buildings, and his activities along the lines of mixed farming and dairying have had profitable results. In 1911 Mr. Grebner was elected supervisor on the township board and served one year. He was for three years a director on the school board of district No. 1, and is now serving in his sixth year as clerk. An able practical farmer and good neighbor, he is widely known and esteemed. On Sept. 3, 1913, Mr. Grebner was united in marriage with Mrs. Olaus Peterson, whose maiden name was Emma Brocade. She was born at Barre Mills, Wis., July 30, 1873, daughter of Henry and Minnie (Schaffer) Brocade. Her parents, who were born in Germany, came to America in the late sixties, settling at Barre Mills, Wis., where they farmed for many years. In 1914 they retired and moved to West Salem, Wis., where they are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Brocade have had four children, namely: Freda, now Mrs. William Piske of Osseo, Wis .; Emma, now Mrs. Frank Grebner; Dora, who married Ernest Rhoades and resides at Barre Mills; and William, who died Sept. 9, 1913. By her first hus- band, Olaus Peterson, Mrs. Grebner had 3 children: Henrietta, born Sept. 15, 1892, now Mrs. Henry Severson; Gilbert, born March 31, 1902, and Esther, born April 27, 1905, who is clerk in Morrison's drug store at Barron.

Charles Everett, a veteran of the Civil War, was one of the pioneers of Turtle Lake. He came here in 1884 and worked as a teamster until his death in 1901. For many years he lived in Vernon County, Wis., and it was from there that he enlisted in the famous Iron Brigade, with which he saw much active service. By his wife, Ada Gosling, who is still living in Turtle Lake, he had five children, Katherine, Daisy, Harold, Winnie and Mildred B. Katherine is the wife of Aug. Nelson. Daisy married William Dotson, of Eagle River, Wis. Harold is in Minneapolis. Winnie is the wife of Allan Carsell, of Spooner, Wis. Mildred B. is the wife of F. G. Mckenzie.

Francis G. Mckenzie, first and present cashier of the Bank of Turtle Lake, and for many years in charge of the union railroad station at Turtle Lake, was born in Sullivan County, Indiana, Nov. 30, 1865, son of Edward and Eliza J. (McFall) Mckenzie, of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and natives respectively of Ireland and Virginia. They settled in Sullivan County, Indiana, about 1855, and there spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1900 and the mother in 1866. In the family there were five children. John is a farmer near Burlingame, Kansas. Mary is the wife of P. T. Lloyd, of Farmesburg, Indiana. Katherine J. is the wife of J. A. Barcas, of Farmesburg, Indiana. Edward, Jr., is a retired farmer living at Mt. Vernon, Indiana. Francis G. was reared on the home farm in Indiana, attended country school and took higher studies in

Digitized by Google

485

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

the high school at Sullivan, in that state. With this preparation he taught school for a while. Then, in order to still further perfect himself, he took courses at the Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana. In 1890 he entered the employ of the Deering Harvester Co. for one year. He came to Wisconsin in 1891 and for one year taught school at Cable, in Bayfield County, this state. There he learned telegraphy. His first employment in this line was as night operator at Cable. In 1893 he came to Turtle Lake as agent and operator for the Omaha railway, having also charge of the "Soo" line express business here, the station being used by both companies. In this employ he remained for some seven years. March 17, 1900, he was made cashier of the Bank of Turtle Lake. He has proved himself a good financier and is held in high esteem by the community both in village and country, his personality and the confidence with which he is regarded being vital factors in the career of the institution of which he has so long been a moving factor. He has been active in public affairs, has done good work on the village board, has been village clerk, and for some years was an efficient member of the local school board. Fraternally he is a Blue Lodge Mason. He was also a member of the Knights of Pythias until the local lodge was disbanded. In the nearly thirty years that he has lived here he has taken his part in all things as a good citizen and he is held in the highest regard. He and his family adhere to the faith of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Mckenzie was married at Turtle Lake Jan. 19, 1898, to Mildred B. Everett, daughter of Charles and Ada (Gosling) Everett, the pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Mckenzie have four children, Basil, Mary M., Edward and Harold. Basil was born Dec. 6, 1898, and attended the local schools. He entered the Barron high school in his junior year and was graduated in 1916. On Aug. 4, 1917, he enlisted in Co. F, Sixth Regiment, Wisconsin National Guard, and was inducted into the federal service with this unit. He was transferred to Co. D, 107th U. S. Engineers, and was sent to France in January, 1918, with the 32nd Division, seeing active service at Chateau Thierry, the Argonne Drive and elsewhere. After the Armistice he was with the Army of Occupation until May, 1919. He has attended the University of Wisconsin for three years and is now attending Columbia University, in New York City. Mary M. is assistant cashier and accountant of the Bank of Turtle Lake. She was born Sept. 14, 1900, and was educated in the local schools and graduated from the Turtle Lake high school in 1917. Edward was born Jan. 23, 1906, and is now in the Turtle Lake high school. Harold was born Jan. 19, 1911, and is attending the local schools.

Grant Francis Tanner, M. D., practicing physician and surgeon of Turtle Lake, has an excellent practice in the village and in the neighboring districts in Barron and Polk counties. He has been active in public affairs, has held county and village office, and is in every way taking his part as a public spirited citizen. He was born in Clymer, N. Y., June 13, 1866, the son of Chester W. and Mary L. (Holland) Tanner, and descended from a long line of recorded English and American ancestry. He was brought in 1870, by his parents, to Clayton Township, Polk County, Wis., and was there reared amid pioneer conditions. He attended the district schools and early learned to assist with the farm work at home. In 1886 he entered the Illinois Normal and Business College, at Dixon, Ill., and was graduated in 1888. With this preparation he taught rural schools for a while in Polk County. While thus engaged he read widely and studied deeply. In 1892 he entered the old College of Physicians and Surgeons at Minneapolis, Minn., and was graduated with his degree of M. D. April 10, 1895. Eight days later he came to Turtle Lake and engaged in practice. Later, after the years had brought him experience and insight, he entered the Milwaukee Medical College in 1902, and took a postgraduate course there, rounding this out with a period as an interne in Trinity Hospital in that place. Then he resumed his practice at Turtle Lake, in which he has since continued. For several terms Dr. Tanner was coroner of Barron County, and he has been trustee of the village. Fraternally his

Digitized by Google

486

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

associations are with the Masonic order, the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen. Dr. Tanner was married at Turtle Lake Aug. 26, 1896, to Anna Shrankle, daughter of Andrew and Wilhelmina (Sternke) Shrankle, who were born in Germany, brought to this country as children and reared in Wausaw, this state, and both of whom are now dead. Dr. and Mrs. Tanner have two children, Wyverne Grant and Frances Beatrice. Wyverne Grant passed through the graded schools of Turtle Lake and graduated from the Turtle Lake High School in 1917. He enrolled in the Student Officers' Training Corps in 1918, and in this corps attended Hamline University at Hamline, St. Paul, Minn., until Jan. 1, 1919. While there he played in the Hamline Military Band, S. A. T. C., and was leader of one of the college orchestras. He is now studying pharmacy at the University of Wisconsin, and still keeping up with his musical practice. Frances Beatrice graduated from the Turtle Lake High School in the class of 1919. She taught rural school for a year and is now taking the full teachers' course at the Wisconsin State Normal School at Superior.

Chester W. Tanner, pioneer of Clayton Township, Polk County, Wis., was born in New York State, son of Francis Brown Tanner, son of William Tanner, son of Francis Tanner, son of William Tanner, the recorded history of the family dating back to England in 1600. Chester W. farmed for many years in his native state, and in 1870 came to Clayton Township, where he built the first house in the township. The eighty acres which he homesteaded is still in the family. By his wife, Mary L. Holland, who also came of an old Colonial line, he had six children. Adelbert H. is farming on the home place in Clayton Township. Judson C. is operating a neighboring farm there. Rosella married Timothy Rogers. Grant Francis is a physician of Turtle Lake. Two died in infancy.

Knudt Hanson, a highly regarded and estimable citizen of Prairie Farm Village, was born in Norway Sept. 12, 1847, the son of Hans Knudtson and his good wife, Gertie Gilbertson, who spent the span of their years in Norway. He was reared on the home farm and received his education in the neighbor- hood, the schoolmaster going from house to house and gathering the children of the parish about him. In 1868, after Mr. Hanson had attained his majority, he came to America, and after reaching La Crosse went to work on a farm in Vernon County. A year and a half later he came to Eau Claire and was employed there for a similar period. In 1871 he came to Barron County and took 80 acres of railroad land in section 35, N. 1/2 of S. E. 14, Vance Creek Township. This was all wild land, no clearing had been made and no building erected. The nearest road was some distance away. The Indians were still roaming the forests. But Mr. Hanson being a man of genial temperament soon made friends with them, and these savages of whom so many of the settlers were afraid, were soon busily engaged in helping him to roll up the logs for his cabin. After he got his cabin up he went into the lumber camps for the winter. In the meantime his family, consisting of his wife and baby, lived at Holland. He moved them into the cabin and started to clear up the place. For eight years thereafter, in order to get a little money to keep his family going while he could get his land cleared, he spent his winters in the woods and his springs on the drives, leaving his wife to look after things at home. When he started farming he bought a cow from Isaac Sprague. Later he was able to get a yoke of steers which he broke into use. It was not until some years afterward that he was able to get a pair of horses. The nearest trading point was at Prairie Farm. Mr. Hanson often walked there, a distance of five miles, wading the river and making his way through the woods and brush, bringing home flour on his back. He and his wife worked hard together, helped by the children, and in time they had a good farm. There he success- fully carried on general farming and dairying. His wife died in 1903. He then gave up farming, and for several years traveled about. In 1918 he settled down in Prairie Farm Village, where he is devoting his time to tobacco raising. As a good citizen he has served with credit in a number of public positions.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 81

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

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