History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 88

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 88

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Louis Frisinger, at one time a resident of this county, was born in Ohio, and was taken to Marshall County, Ind., by his parents. He was reared there to farm pursuits, and married Eleanor Denman, a native of that state. In 1886 he came to Barron County, and bought 40 acres in Section 25, west, Maple Grove Township. He cleared about ten acres of the land, erected a log house and barn, and there carried on general farming for a while. In 1896 he moved onto a farm in the same township, which he rented. He went to Arkansas, in 1900, and back to Indiana in 1901. In 1904 he came back to Barron County, and operated a rented farm in Maple Grove Township for three years. He went to North Dakota in 1907, and two years later took a homestead in Montana, where he still lives. He and his good wife had nine children : Charles, Bert (deceased), Harry, Vern, Walter, May, Carrell, Guy and Dollie (deceased). May married Ervin Bair, and lives in Montana on a farm.

Charles Frisinger, a representative farmer owning 123 acres in Section 2, west, Maple Grove township, was born in Marshall County, Ind., Feb. 28, 1883, son of Louis and Eleanor (Denman) Frisinger. As a boy and young man he lived in his native county, in Barron County, and in Arkansas. He worked with his father until 1905, when he started farming for himself on 63 acres inherited by his wife. Later he purchased 60 acres, making a good place of 123 acres. He renovated the house, erected barns and outbuildings, con- tinued clearing the land, and now carries on general farming and dairying along modern and successful lines. Fraternally he is a member of the Beavers. He has been successful in his operations, and is well thought of throughout the community. He and his family worship at the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Frisinger was married Nov. 16, 1904, to Ida Espeseth, daughter of Ole and Esther (Branden) Espeseth, natives of Norway, who came to America in the seventies, and located in Maple Grove Township, where they took a homestead of 80 acres in Section 2, west. There were then few settlers in the county except the families connected with the men in the various lumber camps. The roads were little more than trails, the main routes of travel being the "tote" roads of the lumber companies. Mr. Espeseth carved a home and farm in the wilderness, clearing some of the land, erecting a log house and barns, and carrying on farming for many years. He died in 1889, and his wife is still living on the old homestead. In the Espeseth family there were nine children, of whom there are living three, Gilbert, Ole and Ida. Mr. and Mrs. Frisinger have four children: Arthur, born Oct. 30, 1905; Norman, born March 27, 1907; Ethel, born Aug. 15, 1911; and Marshall, born March 22, 1914.

Malcolm Green, owner of 120 acres, in section 16, east, Maple Grove Township, was born in Sweden, Jan. 1, 1859, son of Gustave and Sophia (Swanson) Green, who spent the span of their years in that country. He received a meager education, and early learned the shoemaking trade, which

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in all, he followed for fifteen years. As a young man he served in the Swedish Royal Army for six years, and made an admirable record as a good soldier. In 1890 he came to this country and for the long period of eighteen years remained in the employ of the piano factory of the Kimball Piano Co., at Chicago. He came to Barron County in 1908 and settled on his present place which he had purchased in 1897. He cleared 50 acres of this land, erected a set of buildings, bought the right tools and equipment, and now carries on general farming and dairying. Although differing from his neighbors in that he was a city man for nearly twenty years, he is neverthe- less well versed in farming in all its branches, and has been successful in his operations. In 1921 he further enhanced the value of his place by erecting a fine modern frame residence of seven rooms. Mr. Green was married Nov. 18, 1892, to Ida Johnson, daughter of John and Mary (Carlson) Peterson, who came to America from Sweden in 1889, and settled in Chicago, where they lived the remainder of their lives, the father dying Jan. 13, 1915, and the mother, Dec. 26, 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Green have three children: Elsie, born Dec. 26, 1894, is now the wife of George Hanson, of Chetek Township; Thure L. was born April 7, 1898, and is now in Michigan. He was in the United States service during the World War having been inducted into the army, Aug. 14, 1918. He was sent to Peoria, Ill., to attend school, and then went to Michigan, where he became a mechanic in the Aviation service. Rudolph was born Jan. 15, 1900, and is at home.

Mons Larson was the first merchant in Campia. He came here in 1900 and erected the first building here, a scale house. He purchased and shipped the first car of produce ever sold from here, loading the car on the main track before a siding had been established. He also erected a potato warehouse, the first in the place. In 1908, he purchased the general store established in. 1900 by M. L. Burke, and this he conducted until 1919, when he sold out. He still buys and ships general farm produce, especially hay, cattle, calves and poultry. His own flock of White Leghorns numbers about 400, and to this flock he devotes the greater part of his time. In 1918 he helped to organize the Bank of Campia, and has been its only vice president. He is located permanently in the hamlet he helped to establish, and in 1912 erected a modern home which is one of the best in the neighborhood. He has not been unmindful of his public duties, and for five years he did good service as treasurer of Doyle Township. Mons Larson was born in Norway, June 26, 1866, the son of Lars and Helga (Stoome) Kellestad, also natives of that country. In the family there were five children: Ole, of Norway; Ingeborg, of Belleview, Minn .; Helga (deceased) ; Inga of Norway, and Mons of Campia. Mons received his early education in Norway. At the age of eighteen he came to the United States, and located in Barron County, working on farms and in the lumber woods. In 1891 he purchased a farm in Doyle township, nearly all wild, with only about ten acres cleared. He cleared much more, built a good frame house and barns, and developed a good farm. The cross- roads at the farm took the name of Larson's Corners, and this name was given to. the Norwegian Lutheran Church built there. In 1907 he sold the farm, and went to Rice Lake, where he engaged in business as a dealer in farm products, flour and feed. A year later he came to Campia. Mr. Larson was married May 6, 1892, to Olena Fadness, of Doyle Township, who was born in Columbia County, Wis., Sept. 11, 1857. They have one daughter, Helma. She was born Sept. 3, 1893, married Nels B. Nelson, and has four children. They live in Campia.

John Forrest, a business man of Campia, was reared near the village where he now lives, he has seen the townships in the vicinity develop from a wild forest to well populated farm communities, he was acquainted with the prominent figures of pioneer life, and his stories of men and conditions . of the early days are as interesting as they are authentic. He knew of the location of Campia when it was a stretch of wood land, and hunted here

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when it was covered with stumps. He owned the farm that now embraces the village. He saw the railroad come through and the hamlet platted. He him- self erected the second building in the village, and has since been identified with its interests. Mr. Forrest was born in Michigan, Aug. 8, 1871, son of Camile and Mary Ann (Orman) Forrest, natives respectively of Canada and Ireland, who came to Barron County in 1876, and located on a farm in Doyle. Township, one half a mile from what is now the village of Campia, and there devoted the remainder of their lives to farming. John Forrest assisted his parents in developing the farm. In 1895 he bought a farm of 120 acres in Rice Lake Township, a part of which embraces the present village of Campia. After farming some five years, he took up the lumber business, logging in the winter, and working on the drives in the spring and summer. In 1903 he engaged in the refreshment business at Campia. He sells soft drinks, tobacco, candy and shelf groceries, and maintains a pool table and other diversions. Mr. Forrest was married June 6, 1894, to Mary Roex, who was born in Canada, in 1873, and died Jan. 18, 1901, leaving three children. Raymond was born Feb. 1, 1898, and is in the state of Washington. Marie was born Feb. 8, 1911, and keeps house for her father. Irene was born Dec. 31, 1903, and lives in Minon, Wis. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church and Mr. Forrest belongs to the Knights of Columbus.

The Bank of Campia was organized Nov. 6, 1918, with a capital of $10,000 and a surplus of $1,000. So quickly did the public respond to the oppor- tunities of banking here, that the deposits on Dec. 29, 1920 had reached nearly $40,000. The first officers were: President, D. A. Russell; vice president, Mons Larson; cashier, A. J. Clark. The present officers are: President, C. P. Stenerson; vice president, Mons Larson; cashier, M. C. Johnson, who has served since Feb. 26, 1919.

M. C. Johnson, cashier of the Bank of Campia, was born at Woodville, Wis., Feb. 3, 1897, son of Charles J. and Mary A. (Welk) Johnson, both natives of Wisconsin, the former of whom died Sept. 22, 1920, and the latter now re- sides in Canton, this county. In the family there were three sons, M. C., of Campia; and E. O. and H. W., of Canton. M. C. Johnson was reared in this county. He attended the public schools of Poskin, in Clinton Township, and in 1916 was graduated from the Barron High School. Then he took a year's course in the University of Wisconsin at Madison. In 1917 he became ac- countant in the Almena State Bank, at Almena, this county. In August, 1918, he was inducted into the United States service, and was sent to Camp Taylor, where he trained with the First Company, First Running Battalion, 159th Depot Brigade, until his discharge Dec. 10, 1918. From then until February, 1919, he was engaged in looking after a tract of 720 acres of wild land near Radisson, Sawyer County, this state, which he still owns. He assumed the duties of his present position Feb. 26, 1919, and under his leadership, the bank is forging ahead. Mr. Johnson was married May 11, 1918, to Rosalie A. Miller, of Almena. She was born Sept. 11, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have one daughter, Beatrice M., born April 7, 1919. The family faith is that of the German Lutheran Church.

Nels B. Nelson, the capable manager of the Campia Lumber Co., is one of the popular and well-liked men of Campia Village, and is taking his part in developing it into a still more flourishing hamlet. He was born in Norway, March 22, 1888, son of Nels N. and Mary (Nymoen) Nelson, who came to Amer- ica in 1890 and located in Duluth, where the father worked at his trade as a carpenter. In 1901 they came to Rice Lake, where the father bought 40 acres within the city limits, on which he is now farming. In the family there were three boys and one girl. Sigurd B. is in the lumber yard at Campia. Elmer is at Rice Lake with the Whitney Clothing Co. Inga A. lives in Duluth. Nels B. was brought to Duluth and to Rice Lake by his parents. As a youth, he learned the carpenter trade, and at this he was engaged in Rice Lake and vicinity until 1913, with the exception of the years 1909 and 1911, when he was employed

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M. C. JOHNSON

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at Duluth by Kelley, Howe & Thompson, a wholesale hardware firm. In 1913 he came to Campia as clerk for Mons Larson in his general store. He has occu- pied his present position with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his employers since 1916. The patrons are assured of his fair dealing and he is building up a good trade. His holdings include an interest in the Campia Box Co. Mr. Nelson was married Aug. 12, 1914, at Campia, Wis., to Helma Larson, daughter of Mons Larson, of Campia, born Sept. 3, 1893. This union has been blessed with four children: Orpha, born Jan. 7, 1914; Marcella, July 25, 1915; Helen, April 8, 1917; and Merlin, Oct. 18, 1918. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Leon Neau, for many years a substantial and successful farmer of Doyle Township, now a respected resident of Campia Village, where he has a pleas- ant home, was born in Canada, Oct. 8, 1863, and was there reared. He came to Rice Lake as a youth in 1880, and entered the employ of Knapp, Stout & Co. For several years thereafter he was identified with the lumbering indus- try in the winter time and worked on farms in the growing season. In 1891 he rented a farm on shares. He bought a place of 80 acres in Cedar Lake Township, in 1894, and there farmed four years. He bought his present place in 1898. He gradually developed it and in the meantime industriously carried on general farming operations. After long years of hard work, he rented the place to his son, Edward G., and moved to Campia Village, where he pur- chased a good modern home on Main Street. Mr. Neau was married Sept. 30, 1889, to Eulalia Gagner, who was born in Rice Lake Township, April 22, 1874, daughter of Louis and Melvina Gagner, early settlers of Rice Lake Township, and now residents of Stanley Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Neau have had thirteen children: Louis H., Edward G., Claire O., Theophiles H., Ray- mond A., Noel J., Leslie M., Clarence W., and Loraine E., living; and Neapolian, Luvina, Moses and Olivia. Louis H. was born May 7, 1892, and is farming in Birchwood, Washburn County, Wisconsin. Edward G. was born March 16, 1893, and is on the home farm in Doyle Township. Claire O. was born Aug. 13, 1895, and is now the wife of Napoleon Aman, of Doyle Township. Theophiles H. was born Feb. 1, 1897; Raymond A. was born July 26, 1898; Noel J. was born Dec. 26, 1899; Leslie M. was born March 18, 1905; Clarence W. was born Jan. 31, 1911; and Loraine E. was born Dec. 5, 1913. The members of the family attend the Our Lady of Lourdes Church at Dobie, Wis.

Charles Hull, owner and proprietor of the Campia Garage, is one of the enterprising and enthusiastic young men who are bringing Campia to the front as a thriving rural village. He serves the people of the village and surrounding country to their satisfaction, and his genial personality, skill and fairness do much to give strangers a most favorable impression of this locality. He was born in Grant County, Wis., July 26, 1885, son of John and Anna (Rewey) Hull, now residents of Plattville, Wis. He was reared and educated in the public schools of Lima Township, Grant County, and learned farming from his father, gradually taking more and more responsibility, until 1907, when he became the manager of the home farm. In 1917 he came to Barron County, and purchased 120 acres in section 11, Doyle Township, on which he successfully conducted farming operations until the spring of 1920, when he rented his farm, came to Campia, purchased a pleasant home and built his present garage. It is an ade- quate structure of tile and cement, with a floor space of 60 by 40 feet, fully equipped with excellent machinery for all kinds of repairing, overhauling and rebuilding. His office and storage rooms are also admirably adapted to their purpose. He handles a line of new cars and tractors, and carries a good line of tires, parts and other accessories. He does a thriving business which is constantly growing, as he is a thorough business man, and keeps thoroughly abreast of the times in every respect. Mr. Hull was married Dec. 22, 1900, to Rose Cardey, born April 2, 1884, daughter of Joseph and Bertha Cardey of Grant County, Wis. This union has been blessed with seven children: Lenice, wife of Elmer Coleman of Cedar Lake Township; Irene, John, Donald, Mar-

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guerite, Bertha and Curtis. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Daniel Wirth, now deceased, was one of the worthy pioneers of Prairie Farm Township. He developed a good farm, took an active part in church and school affairs, reared a family, which is still prominent in the county, and in every way did his duty as a good man and a patriotic citizen. He was born in Germany, April 23, 1841, and was there reared and educated. As a young man, he set out for America, and made the voyage aboard a sailing vessel, a trip taking many a long and tiresome week. On the same boat was Katherine Mil- ler, who was born in Germany, July 12, 1847. After landing, they came to Dane County, this state, and were there married. There for several years he was employed at general farm work. He came to Barron County in the late sixties, and settled on 160 acres of wild land in Section 26, Prairie Farm Town- ship. He put up a log house, 16 by 24 feet, with log stables, and started clear- ing up the land. At first he had little to work with but an ox team. For a while times were hard, and to obtain funds to support the family while the farm could be made productive, he worked in the lumber woods in the winter time for several seasons. The family has many interesting stories to tell of his adven- tures in the early day. On one event, he walked to Menomonie to get a tooth pulled. When he arrived there the pain was gone and he decided to postpone the pulling. So he trudged the long journey home again, only to have the tooth start aching again just as he got within sight of his cabin. As time progressed he replaced his log buildings with a good set of modern farm structures, and he built up a good farm. He was instrumental in the starting of the German Evangelical Congregation at Prairie Farm and held a number of its offices. For a number of years he was treasurer of the school board. He died Oct. 22, 1905, and his wife died Nov. 19, 1918. They were the parents of eight children : Gottlieb, John, Anna, Fred, Ernest, Elizabeth, Margaret and Arnold. Anna married Sim. Dorn, of Barron, and was killed in an automobile accident at Rice Lake, Oct. 31, 1921. Frank is also dead. Elizabeth is the wife of Oscar Meyer, of Prairie Farm Township. Margaret is the wife of Henry Arnold, of Dallas Township.

Gottlieb Wirth is a native of this county and has spent his life of more than half a century in the same township where he was born. He first saw the light of day in Section 26, Prairie Farm, Sept. 19, 1870, the son of Daniel and Katherine (Miller) Wirth, the pioneers. He was reared on the home place and educated in the district schools. After his father's death he took 130 acres of the farm. This he operated successfully, continuing the improvements, until 1919, when he sold. He now lives in the same township with his sister, Mrs. Oscar Meyer. He is doing excellent work as road overseer and is also the care- taker at the German Evangelical Church in Section 35, Prairie Farm Township. He is well liked by all who know him, and is interested in everything that is for the good of the township.

Thomas E. Ross, of the firm of Ross & Prince, draymen, Rice Lake, was born Dec. 20, 1882, at Chippewa Falls, this state, son of Thomas and Lydia J. (Dickey) Ross. Thomas Ross was a well-known character in Rice Lake for nearly three decades. He came here from Chippewa Falls in 1891, built the Ross Hotel, and successfully conducted it until 1914, when he sold out to A. J. Hintz, and then retired. He died Dec. 28, 1918. He was a genial soul, who made friends with all, and his death was sincerely mourned. Thomas E. was brought to Rice Lake as an energetic youth of nine years. He attended public school until in his 'teens, and early became interested in teaming. For six- teen winters he drove "tote" teams and worked at sledding in the woods. In 1906 he established a bus and dray line in Rice Lake. This he sold in 1910. For the following years he was variously employed. In 1919 he formed his present partnership with William D. Prince. The company does a good busi- ness. Mr. Ross was married at Rice Lake, June 17, 1907, to Kate Heim, daugh- ter of Jacob and Gurtie (Mitchell) Heim, who were farmers of Rice Lake Town-

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MR. AND MRS. DANIEL WIRTH

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ship. Mr. and Mrs. Ross have one son, Edwin, born Feb. 23, 1908, who is doing well with his studies in the public schools. Mr. Ross's mother makes her home with the family. For some three years, Mr. Ross was a member of the Rice Lake Fire Department. He is affiliated with the American Federation of Labor.

Thomas O. Rice, a substantial farmer of Maple Grove Township, has owned 160 acres in Section 21, east, Maple Grove Township for nearly twenty years. He was born in Norway, May 15, 1866, son of Ole and Ella (Hanson) Rice, who came to America in 1888, and settled in this county, living with their son, the subject of this sketch, the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1902 and the mother in 1910. In the family there were five children, Hans, Anna, Lena, Mary and Thomas O. Thomas O. was educated in Nor- way, and in 1884 came to this country and secured employment in and near Sand Creek, in Chippewa County, this state. He bought his present place in 1892. Twenty-five acres had been cleared. He cleared 35 acres more, erected buildings and fences, and has since continued to carry on general mixed farming and dairying. He and his family attend the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Mr. Rice was married May 18, 1893, to Nettie Otterholt, daughter of Ole and Sarah (Johnson) Otterholt, who in the eighties settled in Maple Grove Township, where they still reside. Mrs. Rice died March 28, 1902. She was a good woman, a kindly neighbor, a helpful wife, and a loving mother, and her loss is sincerely mourned. Mr. and Mrs. Rice had four children. Esther was born May 9, 1897, and is at home, keeping house for her father. Stella was born Nov. 9, 1898, and lives in Minneapolis. Oliver was born March 12, 1900, and is at home. Oscar was born Feb. 18, 1901 and died Sept. 5, 1918.

George C. Rudell, who has charge of the office and sales work for the Ford garage at Rice Lake, was born in Caudersport, Penn., Feb. 27, 1887, son of John A. and Anna (Johnson) Rudell, natives of Sweden, now residing in Douglass County, Minn. He received a public school education in the public schools, having been brought to Yellow Medicine County, Minn., as a boy. He later took the full commercial course at the Gustavus Adolphus Col- lege, St. Peter, Minn., and graduated with. the class of 1907. Then he became a hardware clerk working in various places including Minneapolis. He came to Rice Lake and assumed the duties of his present position in 1918. Mr. Rudell was married June 2, 1912, to Edna Bjoraa, of Boyd, Minn., and they have four children : Beulah A., born Aug. 3, 1913; Judith A., born Aug. 20, 1915; Gordon E., born July 12, 1918, and Milton N. born July 9, 1920. The family faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran Church. Mrs. Rudell was born Dec. 13, 1891, daughter of P. C. and Anna Bjoraa, now residing in New Rich- mond, Wis. She attended the public schools of Boyd, Wis., and was graduated from the High School at Madison, Wis., in 1910, after which she devoted several years to teaching.

Harry H. Morgan, proprietor of a restaurant and bakery at Rice Lake, was born in Martinsville, Ill., May 19, 1875, son of Samuel and Laura (Crigler) Morgan, native farmers of Illinois, in which state the father still lives, and where the mother died Feb. 30, 1904. Harry H. received his early education in the district schools and worked with his father on the farm until 1893. Then he learned the bakery business at Martinsville, and then continued to follow his trade. He went in business for himself in 1901, when he located at Fulda, Minn., and opened a restaurant and bakery. In 1903 he came to Rice Lake, and secured employment with Max Finstewalder in his bakery and restaurant. In 1913 he bought out his employer, and has since conducted the establishment. He does all the baking himself, and takes personal charge of the restaurant. Both departments are popular and he does a good business. In addition to these interests, he owns two farms, one of 40 acres in Stanley Township, and one of 70 acres in Rice Lake Township. The latter is a good dairy farm, with a pleasant house, suitable barns and other outbuildings, and

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a fine herd of Holsteins. Mr. Morgan is a member of the Modern Woodmen and the Odd Fellows. Mr. Morgan was married Dec. 31, 1902, to Olive Davis, born in Fulda, Minn., April 19, 1886, daughter of William and Norma (Fish) Davis, who now live in Minneapolis. In the Davis family there were five children : Le Roy E., Wilber E., George W., Glen and Olive. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan have two bright sons, Glen born Aug. 5, 1908, and Gerald, born Aug. 5, 1909, both of whom are doing well with their studies in the public schools. The family faith is that of the Presbyterian Church.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 88

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

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