History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 89

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 89

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Markus Hefty, now living retired in Campia village, where he has a pleasant home, is one of the leading men of his community. He has de- veloped several farms in this state, he has assisted in everything that he has believed to be for the best interests of the communities in which he has lived, and has taken his share as a good citizen in many public movements. He has won a full measure of success by hard work and good management, he well deserves all the prosperity that the years have brought him, and he is honored and respected by all who know him. He was born in Canton Clarus, Switzer- land, Dec. 15, 1854, the son of Fapin and Barbara (Hosley) Hefty, natives of that country. The father came to America in 1864, and settled in Green County, this state, where a few months later he enlisted in a Wisconsin regiment for service in the Civil War. Upon his return from the army he bought a farm near New Glarus, where he successfully farmed until 1890. Then he moved to the village, and there died in the same year. His wife died in 1901. In the family there were seven children: Marcus, Fabian, Wil- liam, Samuel, David, Henry and Barbara. Marcus attended school in Switzer- land and was brought to Green County Wis., as a boy. He there continued his schooling. In 1872 he started to learn the stone mason's trade, which oc- cupation he followed for six years. Then, in 1878, he purchased 160 acres in Green County, and there carried on farming and dairying. He built a good set of buildings, and cleared about 30 acres. In 1885 he again took up his trade at New Glarus. The next year he bought 320 acres in Lafayette County, also in this state, which he operated for seven years. In the meantime he put up a cheese factory which he managed for four years. From there he went to Dane County in 1893, and rented farms for three years. It was in 1900 that he came to Barron County, and bought 160 acres in Section 32, Cedar Lake Township. He built a good set of buildings, cleared forty acres, fenced most of it, and successfully carried on general farming and dairying. In the spring of 1921 he retired and moved to Campia, where he is reaping the rewards of a well-spent life. Mr. Hefty was married Nov. 25, 1875, to Catherine Durst, who was born in New Glarus, Feb. 4, 1859, the daughter of Thomas and Rachel Durst, natives of Switzerland. She died Oct. 15, 1906, leaving seven children all residents of this state, namely: Thomas, of Green County; Marcus, of Dane County; William, a cheesemaker of Barron County; Barbara, wife of John Helstab, of Rice Lake Township, this county; Jacob of Rice Lake Township, this county; Henry, of Green County, and John, who is at home. Mr. Hefty was again married Oct. 28, 1915, to Anna Kohley, widow of Charles Plain, and born in Aurora, Kane County, Ill., Sept. 4, 1872, the daughter of John and Eva (Wilber) Kohley, who were natives of Germany and settled in Kane County, Ill., as farmers. By her marriage with Charles Plain, a farmer, Anna Kohley had eight children: Anthony and Anna, who died; Edward, Henry, Rase, Esther, Carl and John. Edward served in France in the World War, a member of Company A, 78th Division, and "went over the top" six times. Henry was also in the army, being attached to an infantry organization stationed in Mississippi.

William Germain, leading citizen of Campia village, is postmaster, depot and express agent, proprietor of a dray line, landlord of the Campia Hotel, and assistant shipper of the Equity Exchange Produce Co. He was born at Somerset, Wis., Dec. 19, 1884, son of Hubert and Lena (Laverture) Germain, both of whom are now deceased. He was educated in his native town and

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MARKUS HEFTY AND FAMILY

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early perfected himself in cheese making, working in a cheese factory and taking a two-term course in the dairy school of the agricultural department of the University of Minnesota. He came to Barron County in 1906 as head cheese maker for the Central Cheese Co. in Cedar Lake Township. Three years later he took a similar position with the Campia Cheese Co. at Campia. Failing health caused him to give up cheese making in 1909. He according- ly engaged in the restaurant business for a while, in Campia, and a little later took up farming on a near-by farm. In 1919 he purchased a building in the village, moved it to its present site, and remodeled it into the Campia Hotel which he and his wife now conduct. In connection with the hotel, he also operates a dray line. Sept. 25, 1912, he was made depot and express agent at Campia, and on Feb. 1, 1921, he was appointed postmaster. He is an energetic man and is doing much for the upbuilding of the village. Jan. 7, 1908, he was married to Delena Amans, who was born March 17, 1889, daughter of Anton and Philomena Amans. Born in Canada and afterwards residents of Connecticut, her parents came forty years ago to Barron County, Wis., among the early settlers. They are living in Doyle Township. Mr. and Mrs. Germain are the parents of seven living children : Lucille, born Sept. 21, 1910; Emily July 31, 1912; Marie, April 3, 1914; Anna, March 17, 1915; Melvin, May 25, 1916; Stella, in 1918, and Irvin, April 4, 1920. Andre, the oldest child, was born May 7, 1909, and died on the following day.

James Jerry Flynn, a representative farmer of section 34, east, Chetek Township, was born on the home farm in Section 27, east, Chetek Township, the son of Benjamin Franklin and Josie (Adair) Flynn, the pioneers. He was reared on the old homestead, and first attended the old log school house, which his father had helped to establish. When the frame schoolhouse was put up, he attended the first session of school therein. In 1919 he started in for himself on his present farm. In addition to this he owns 64 acres in Dovre township. He is known as a shrewd and prudent farmer, who works early and late, and whose deepest interests are in his home and his family. He carries on general farming along modern lines, and makes a specialty of Holstein cattle and Hampshire swine. Mr. Flynn, like his father before him, is well known throughout the community, and is well liked by all with whom he comes in contact. He has great faith in the future of Barron County, and is already well along the road to success. Mr. Flynn was married at Chetek on Dec. 23, 1919, to Florence Isabelle Henry, born in Walworth County this state, on Nov. 16, 1903, the daughter of Alexander and Ethel (Weeks) Henry, the former a native of that county, and the latter a native of Algoma, Kewaunee County, this state. Mr. Henry died in Walworth County, and his wife now makes her home with the subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Flynn have one child, Malcolm D.

Claude F. Kopp, a well-known farmer of Section 27, east, Chetek Town- ship, was born in Rock Creek Township, Dunn County, this state, Sept. 29, 1892, the son of Fred and Seetate (Norris) Kopp, both born in Wisconsin, the former on Feb. 25, 1857, and the latter Sept. 28, 1859. Fred Kopp, the father, is one of the real leaders of his community. He early turned his attention to public affairs, and for twelve years was chairman of Rock Creek Township, and a member of the school board of his district. For one term he did most excellent service as sheriff of Dunn County. In the early days of the American Society of Equity, he saw in it an opportunity for better organiza- tion among the farmers, and became one of its most active workers. He has also been prominent in the Maccabees and the Yeomen. He and his good wife are now living in Eau Claire, Wis., where they are highly respected and well beloved. They are members of the Baptist Church. They have had eight children : Elmer, Earl, Lloyd, Glee, Wilber, Claude F., Clayton (deceased) and Herbert (deceased). Claude F. was educated in the district schools of his neighborhood, and in the Dunn County Agricultural School. In 1913 he worked on the Lange Canning Farm in Chetek Township. In the fall of 1914

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he bought a farm of 60 acres near Menomonie, in his native county, but sold it the next summer, and became foreman on the farm of the Lange Canning Co. in Chetek Township, which position he held two years. Then he occupied a similar position near Bloomer, Chippewa County, for the Bloomer Canning Co. In 1920 he bought his present place. He has a good farm with a neat set of buildings, including a house, barns and silo. On this place he conducts general farming, and raises Holstein cattle, and the usual horses, swine and poultry. In addition to his farm, he has various local interests, and is secre- tary of the Moose Ear Cheese Co. on the Moose Ear Creek. Fraternally he is a member of the Woodmen of the World and the Bankers' Life Co. Mr. Kopp was married at Chetek, Wis., May 7, 1914, to Evelyn G. Dahl, who was born in Eau Claire on Dec. 24, 1893, the daughter of Gustave H. and Emma F. (Bar- den) Dahl. They have a pleasant home and take their part in the social affairs of the community.

John Onson, who is successfully farming 65 acres in Section 12, Chetek Township, was born in Lillehammer, Norway, March 23, 1867, son of John Johnson and his wife Martha Olson. He came to America in 1885, and took up his home with his sister, Annie, wife of Alaf Serley, who lived in Chetek township, this county. He secured employment with the Chippewa Logging Co., and worked for them for many winters thereafter, spending his summers working on farms in Wisconsin and the Dakotas. In 1892, in company with Olaf Serley, he purchased 145 acres, of which he secured 65 acres. He erected a frame house, barn, silo, garage, sheds and other buildings, and has gradually brought the place to a good stage of development. He carries on general farming, making a specialty of cattle, swine, poultry, oats and potatoes. His holdings include stock in the Farmers Co-operative Creamery at Chetek. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Mr. Onson was married Dec. 14, 1902 to Pauline Running, who was born in Norway, Dec. 11, 1876, and came to this country in 1900. By her first husband, Oliver Bakken, she has a daughter, Betsey, born in Christiania, Norway, Aug. 14, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Onson have four children. Martha was born June 20, 1904; Jenny, Dec. 15, 1905; Olga Pauline, Oct. 7, 1910, and Lillian Marie, Nov. 20, 1917.

Alve O. Olsen, telegraph operator at Chetek, was born in Arcadia, Trem- pealeau County, Wis., April 25, 1892, son of Lewis and Matilda (Moe) Olsen. The father was born near La Crosse, Wis., and the mother in Norway. She came to America when a child and was married to Lewis Olsen in Arcadia. For many years he was in the mercantile business in Trempealeau County, but is now living retired at Cameron, Wis. Their children were Hilda, Elmer, Alve, Selmer and Helen. Elmer died in infancy. Alve O. Olsen was educated in the public schools of Arcadia and Eleva, Trempealeau County. Then for nine months he was a student at the Northwestern Telegraph School at Eau Claire, Wis. On beginning active industrial life, his first station was at Truax, Wis., where he worked a short time for the C. St. P. M. & O. Rail- way. He was next at Bloomer one year for the same company. He came to Chetek as operator June 30, 1915, for the Omaha railroad and has since remained here. He is a popular member of the community and has a pleasant home on Douglas street. He was married on April 8, 1914, to Lettie R. Kilmer, who was born at Hillsdale, Barron County, Wis., Oct. 22, 1893, daughter of George M. and Elizabeth (Strawderman) Kilmer, elsewhere mentioned in this volume. For several years prior to her marriage Mrs. Olson was a clerk in the store of Brown and Machlin at Hillsdale. Mr. and Mrs. Olson are the parents of two children: Elden Neal, born July 15, 1915, and Phyllis Alcy, born Feb. 20, 1917. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church.

George W. Babcock was born in Perry, Maine, of Scotch ancestry, and was brought to St. Croix County, this state in pioneer days by his parents. He was reared on the home farm amid the primitive conditions of the time, and as a young man married Mary Peabody. She was born in New York City, of

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English and French descent, and like her husband was brought to St. Croix County as a child in pioneer days. After working at farm work and in the lumber woods for a while, Mr. Babock became a stationary engineer, and spent all the remainder of his days operating sawmills in the lumber woods of northwestern Wisconsin. He came to Barron County in 1886, and died here in 1904. His wife still makes her home here. In the family there were eight children. William and Pearl died in infancy. Eliza is the wife of Thomas Dovery, of Eugene, Ore. Lulu died as a young woman. Amos is a business man of Chetek. Susan lives in Barron City with her mother. William (second) died Sept. 20, 1920. Irene lives in Barron City with her mother.

The Barron County Canning & Pickle Co., Chetek, cans peas, corn and beets, and puts up dill pickles. Its stockholders are among the leading busi- ness men and farmers of the vicinity, and the company does a good business. It furnishes an output for farm produce, it proves profitable to its owners, and it helps to advertise the merits of Chetek as an agricultural and business center. The concern was started in 1906 by a promoter from Hastings, Minn., who saw here the opportunity for establishing such a concern. Later it passed into the control of the Lange interests of Eau Claire. A reorganiza- tion was effected in 1918, with local people in charge. The first directors were: G. J. Lange, president; Ernest Rohlf, vice president; C. A. Arden, secretary; Amos Babcock, treasurer, and Dr. W. G. Malcolm. The present directors are: B. M. Apker, president; Ernest Rohlf, vice president; M. I. Berg, secretary; Amos Babock, treasurer, and Dr. W. G. Malcolm.

Amos Babcock, manager of the Barron County Canning & Pickle Co., of which he is also treasurer, was born in St. Croix County, this state, Oct. 4, 1875, son of George W. and Mary (Peabody) Babcock. He attended the graded schools and the High School at Baldwin, Wis. At the age of sixteen he started to learn the printer's trade and was thereafter employed for sev- eral years, first as an assistant in country newspaper plants and later for him- self. He came to Barron County in 1886. He established the "Cameron Review", at Cameron in 1896. In 1898 he sold out and went to Turtle Lake, also in this county. There he started the Turtle Lake "Advance". He entered the canning industry in 1908 and was superintendent of the Turtle Lake factory until 1916, when he went to Minnesota, and that year won first prize on peas and corn in the state contest. In 1917 he assumed the duties of his present position as manager, and upon the re-organization of the company in 1918 was made treasurer as well. He is a most capable manager. He knows his business thoroughly, and he has the happy faculty of pleasing the stock- holders, the people from whom he buys products, the people who work for him, the people to whom he sells his product, and the ultimate consumer. Frater- nally he is a popular member of the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows. He is also interested in the Community Club. In public affairs he has like- wise been active, and has served well as clerk of the school board and as member of the city council. Mr. Babcock was married Dec. 31, 1895, to Lola . Whittemore, who was born in Princeton, Wis., daughter of L. F. and Minerva (Briggs) Whitemore, pioneers of Green Lake County, and natives respectively of New York and Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Babcock have had two children : Bessie Fay was born Jan. 13, 1897. Paul was born Feb. 11, 1898, and died in infancy. The family faith is that of the Protestant Episcopal Church.

George Henry Rapley, early storekeeper at Cameron, at one time post- master there, for some years a farmer in Chetek township, and now living retired in Chetek village, was born in Fond du Lac, this state, May 12, 1857, the son of Charles and Mary (Freeman) Rapley. The father, an expert me- chanic, and a past master of the Masonic Lodge at Fond du Lac, died a week before George H. was born. There was another son, Charles H., in the family. The mother had earlier married Nathanial Parks, and to this union had been born three daughters, Emma, Martha and Mary. Mr. Parks was killed soon after the youngest child was born, and the mother took the children to live

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with the grandfather, Cyrus Freeman, at Fond du Lac. She was there married to Charles Rapley. After his death, she took the family of five children to Houston, Minn. In 1865 they came to Chippewa County, in this state, and after a few years took up their residence in Minneapolis, Minn. George Henry was reared in Minnesota and Wisconsin. While living with the family in Chippewa County, he first visited this county, in the employ of Knapp, Stout & Co. and later located here permanently. He was one of the far-sighted men who foresaw the possibilities of the county from a com- mercial standpoint, and being a man of mercantile ability, he determined to open a store at Cameron. In 1882, when the railroad was built to Cameron, he received the first load of goods that came in the first freight shipment, and opened a general store. This he conducted for fifteen years. For six years he was postmaster, being appointed by President William Mckinley. Mr. Rapley was an ideal pioneer storekeeper. He was genial by nature, he was a natural trader, he knew the needs of the community, he was a sincere be- liever in progress, and the story of the early days in the village is inseparably linked with his name. He had the confidence of all the people, he was ever willing to do his share in every good work even at personal sacrifice, and his influence on the community was distinctly a good one. In 1905, after the village had grown, he disposed of his mercantile interests, and located on 190 acres in Section 15, west, Chetek township. He moved into the log cabin on the place, with his wife and fourteen children, and started building up a farm. They all worked together in concord, and soon the work was crowned with success. Mr. Rapley built a fine set of buildings, fenced and improved the land, purchased good equipment, and in time had one of the best places in the whole community, everything about the farm bespeaking the thrift, hard work and good judgment of the owner. On this place he made his home until November, 1920, when he retired and moved to Chetek village. Mr. Rapley was married at Cameron, on Nov. 25, 1884, to Luella J. Richardson, who was born in Richland County, Wis., Aug. 31, 1868, and died March 13, 1920. Mr. and Mrs. Rapley had fifteen children: Guy Raymond (deceased), George (who was the first rural mail carrier out of Cameron), Leroy, Ida May (deceased), Myrtle, Pearl, Lila May (deceased), Katherine, Ethel, Blanche, Charles Henry, Loretta, Clara Belle, Charlotte and Theodore Roosevelt.

Warren J. Burnham, furniture dealer and funeral director, was born in Concord, New Hampshire, Dec. 7, 1865, son of Joseph and Martha (Worth) Burnham, who in 1868 settled in Richland Center, Richland County, Wis., where they lived the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1911, and the mother in 1912. In the family there were six children. Marzetta married William Simpson, and they live in Richland Center, this state. Albert J. lives in Lloyd, Richland County, Wis. Warren J. is a business man of Chetek. Ida is also in Lloyd. Edwin and another died in infancy. Warren J. was reared in Richland County, and as a young man did farm work, carpenter work and · clerical work. He came to Barron County in 1886, and located at Canton, where he engaged in the mercantile business for a while with his father-in- law, Antoine Rollette. Then he occupied his time in construction work on the "Soo" railroad. He came to Chetek in 1890 and for a year worked as a car- penter. Feb. 16, 1891, he bought out T. C. Chase, and established his present business. The present sightly building, erected in 1909, adjoins the site of the former store. He owns both buildings. He is a progressive citizen, and is well liked, both as a business man and as a citizen. He carries a satisfactory line of furniture, hardware, paints, and school supplies, and does a good business. He is the only undertaker in Chetek, and his equipment in these lines is adequate in every respect. When the city of Chetek was incorporated in 1891, Mr. Burnham was the first city marshal appointed, and he has served in one capacity or another with the city nearly ever since, having been alder- man two terms, and treasurer for the past ten years. From 1891 to 1893 he was deputy sheriff under Sheriff J. A. H. Johnson. Fraternally, he is a mem-

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ber of the Masonic order, the Modern Woodmen and the Odd Fellows. Mr. Burnham was married Dec. 27, 1885, to Eliza Rollette, born in Lloyd, Rich- land County, this state, daughter of Antoine and Marion (Wood) Rollette, who came to Canton, in Barron County, in 1886, later moving to Chetek where they died. Mrs. Burnham died on Christmas Day, 1915, and was buried on her wedding anniversary. Mr. and Mrs. Burnham have two sons, William W. and Bertram. William W. was born Nov. 28, 1889, and is associated with his father in business. He married Elizabeth Slawson, Dec. 27, 1911, and they have four children: Thayer, Natalie, Elizabeth and William L. Bertram was born March 13, 1893, married Jennie Calkins, and has two children, Bernice and Laddie. An adopted daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Burnham, Eva Hendrick- son, born April 20, 1901, is now attending the Chetek High School.

William G. Malcolm, M. D., practicing physician and surgeon, mayor of Chetek, farm owner and operator, capitalist and business man, is one of the influential men of the city, and an outstanding figure in the life of the city, township and county. He was born at Chesley, Ontario, Canada, April 3, 1866, son of John and Ellen (Madole) Malcom, natives of Ontario, Canada, the paternal grandparents being natives of Scotland, and the maternal grand- parents of Ireland. The father, a farmer, died in Canada in 1910, and the mother in 1891. In the family there were eleven children, three sons and eight daughters. Margaret Ann married Joseph Simpson, and died in Canada, leaving eight children. Mary Ellen, single, lives with relatives at Nestleton, Province of Ontario, Canada. Matilda Jane is the wife of F. B. Stade, a merchant of Harrison, Ontario, Canada. William G. is a prominent citizen of Chetek, Barron County. Sarah is the wife of Henry Gilcrist, and lives near Lake Simcoe, Ontario, Canada. Elizabeth is the wife of T. J. Hughes, a school principal in Ontario, Canada. Stewart is a hardware merchant at Chesley, Ontario, Canada. He married Sadie Kirkwood. James J., a graduate of Trinity School of Toronto, Canada, is a physician of Chetek, Barron County. Jennie is the wife of James Kirkwood, of Chesley, Ontario, Canada. Ida is the wife of Gavin Kirkwood, who farms near Chesley. Mabel is the wife of Allen Kirkwood, of Chesley, Province of Ontario, Canada. The Kirkwoods come of an old and gentle English family, and those who are inter- married with the Malcolms are brothers and sisters. William G. Malcolm

passed through the public school of his native place and received his medical education in Queen's University, Kingston, Canada. He was graduated in 1893, and on June 23, of that year, came to Chetek, and opened an office, winning the confidence of the people from the very start. He early attracted attention in public life, he served one term as alderman, several terms as health officer, and has been mayor at intervals some six terms. He is much interested in farming, and owns 520 acres in Dovre Township, this county, which he personally supervises, and manages through a foreman. About 200 acres are under cultivation, and the buildings include three good houses, a barn 36 by 102 feet, 32 feet high, with full basement and equipped with the modern "Humane" stanchions, a horse barn joined to the main barn, a swine house, a large granary, milk house and two silos. The machinery includes a tractor and a "Stover" grinder. At Chetek, Dr. Malcolm is stockholder in the Chetek Auto Co., of which he and B. M. Apker own about two-thirds; a stock- holder and director of the Barron Canning and Pickle Co., of Chetek; a stockholder in the Chetek Co-operative Mercantile Co., and a stockholder in the Chetek State Bank. He is president of the Farmers' State Bank of Canton, this county. Fraternally he is a member of the Odd Fellows. The pleasant and sightly family residence has been occupied nearly a quarter of a century. Dr. Malcolm was married Aug. 12, 1903, to Ruth Philips, born in Menomonie, Wis., Nov. 11, 1880, daughter of Jerome C. and Rosalie (Cowing) Phillips, who brought her to Chetek when she was twelve years old. Dr. and Mrs. Malcolm are the parents of eight children: John Phillip, born June 18, 1904, was drowned in Lake Chetek, June 7, 1908. George Andrew, born April 28,

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 89

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

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