History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 90

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 90

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).

Digitized by Google

534

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

1907, died Sept. 25, of the same year. Ellen Rosalie was born April 30, 1908, Ruth Elizabeth, Sept. 26, 1909; Katherine Ann, Oct. 17, 1910; Margaret, April 13, 1912; Mary Patricia, Oct. 31, 1914, and William George, Jr., Nov. 3, 1915. The family faith is that of the Presbyterian Church.

B. C. Leonard, capable cashier of the Brill State Bank of Brill, is one of the energetic young men of the place, has a strong faith in the future of the hamlet, and is doing his share toward its growth and progress. He has a good knowledge of farm conditions, he is a pleasing personality, and he com- bines the necessary conservatism of a successful banker, with the liberal point of view which makes for prosperity. Born at Spring Valley, Minn., Oct. 19, 1895, the son of Fred and Nellie (Harris) Leonard, he was reared in that pleasant village, passed through the graded schools, and in 1913 was graduated from the Spring Valley High School. Then he entered the Uni- versity of Minnesota, and was graduated therefrom with the degree of B. A. in the class of 1917. He took part in various college activities and was a mem- ber of the Delta Theta Phi. Thus equipped with a thorough college training, he became accountant in the Bank of Boyceville, at Boyceville, Wis. From there, in February, 1918, he enlisted in the navy, was assigned to the radio service, and trained at Cambridge, Mass. He was discharged March, 1919, and for a short time was employed in the First National Bank of Spring Valley. When the Brill State Bank opened its doors May 6, 1919, he was placed in charge as cashier and in this position he has since remained. Under his capable management the bank has increased, and in December, 1921, com- pleted a new banking house, built of brick and tile, and furnished with mod- ern equipment. Mr. Leonard was married Sept. 29, 1921, to Olive Olson, daughter of O. E. and Susannah Olson, of Rice Lake. He attends the Presby- terian Church. Fred Leonard died in December, 1902, and his wife now makes her home with the son, B. C., at Brill. The children in the family were Minnie, Grace, B. C. and Harris. Minnie is the wife of W. J. Tobin, of Evelyth, Minn. Grace is the wife of W. R. Zable, of Boyceville, Wis. Harris is a business man of Minneapolis.

Carl Amundson, a retired farmer living in Cameron, for many years a leading citizen of Section 27, Stanley Township, was born in Forberg, Nor- way, Nov. 15, 1862, the son of Amund and Marie Christensen. He was the youngest of five children, the others being Christian, Mathias, Andrew and Christiana. The father died in Norway. Mathias was the first to come to the United States. He was followed by Andrew, and the latter at intervals by the other members of the family. Carl, who came last, arrived in 1882, and lived for a few months at Canby, Minn. Then he came to Barron County. For some winters thereafter he spent his winters in the lumber woods. When he had been here a few years he bought 40 acres of wild land in Section 27, Stanley Township. In the meantime he had married, and here he started homemaking. He was fortunate in having three cows and ten sheep, but at first he had no oxen or horses. He and his wife set to work with a will. They worked early and late and in time achieved success, and built up a good place. They put up a good set of buildings, cleared and developed the land, and bought suitable stock and equipment. In time they added 80 acres to the original tract. They took pride in the neat appearance of their place, and enjoyed keeping open house to their neighbors and friends, and in extending a warm welcome to their childrens' friends. For some years he did good work on the school board. In 1915, after a long and useful career on the farm, they retired, and moved to Cameron, where they now reside. Mr. Amundson was married Aug. 13, 1884, to Mathia Smested, who was born in Norway, Aug. 13, 1853, the daughter of Ole and Bergete (Ericksen) Smestad, with whom she came from Eau Claire County to Barron County. Mr. and Mrs. Amundson have had five children: Bertha, now Mrs. Henry Smees of the state of Wash- ington; Martha, wife of Fred Elmlinger of Cameron; Christiana, wife of Hel-

Digitized by Google

B. C. LEONARD

Digitized by Google

Digitized by

Google

535

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

mer O. Amundson of Cameron; Olive, deceased, and Alfred, of Minneapolis. Martha and Christiana have been school teachers.

Nathan Harris Bartlett, for many years prominently identified with the lumber industry in this region, one of the first pioneers of Cameron who has seen the village grow from a stump covered waste, and now highway patrol- man under the state patrol system on Highways 11 and 14, was born in Patten, Maine, Sept. 15, 1848, son of Jeremiah W. and Lydia (Dolbier) Bartlett, both natives of Maine, and descended from Puritan stock. Jeremiah W. was born in the same log house in which his father was born in New Portland, Maine, and like him was a blacksmith. He came to Galesville, Trempealeau County, Wis., in 1862, opened a shop and continued to work at his trade until his death in 1918. By his first wife, Lydia Dolbier, he had six children: Hiram C. (deceased), Henry D., Albert B. (deceased), Nathan H., Lucinda (deceased), and George P. By his second wife, Josephine Dolbier, sister of his first wife, he had nine children : Allie, William (deceased), Nettie (deceased), Charles, Frank and Carrie, twins (deceased), Ed. and Wyman. Nathan H. was a youngster of fourteen when his parents came to Galesville, and here he was reared to young manhood. At the age of nineteen, with headquarters at Chip- pewa Falls, he became identified with the lumber business. His first experi- ence was driving a team for eight months in a camp above Belills Falls, on the Chippewa River. The camp was the only evidence of civilization in the entire region. Indians were ranging on every side, and for months he saw no white faces except those of his fellow workers. For thirty-two long winters thereafter he spent his winters in logging camps along the Chippewa, near a quarter of a century of which time he was a contractor for the Weyerhauser interests. In the summers he worked on log drives and in other departments of the lumbering industry. As the pine diminished he gradually took up farming in Stanley Township. April 19, 1882, he took up his residence on the site of old Cameron, making his home for a while with Lou. Barton until he got a log house ready for occupancy. Then he put up a large tent and there accommodated the men working on the construction of the C., St. P. & M. Railway. Thereafter he continued to farm until 1908 when he moved to Cam- eron, where he now lives. He took his present position as highway patrolman in 1917. He has been too busy to mingle actively in public affairs, but while living in Bloomer Township, Chippewa County, Wis., he did good service as a member of the town board for five years, also school clerk ten years. Mr. Bartlett was married Aug. 11, 1870, at Chippewa Falls to Lucinda Crystal, daughter of John and Jane Crystal, natives of Canada, who brought her from that Dominion when she was four years old and settled in Illinois, later moving to Chippewa Falls, in this state, where he died in 1899 and she in 1906. Of the seven children in the family there are now living four: Thomas (second), Wil- liam, Elizabeth and Lucinda, while Jennie, John and Thomas (first) are dead. Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett have seven children: Charles E .; Carrie, wife of Alex S. Reid, of California; Ida, wife of George Beckwith, of Moline, Ill .; Lottie, wife of Raymond Burton, of Cameron; J. W., at Moline, Ill .; Arthur W. (deceased), and Amy (deceased), who was married to Andrew Nelson. Aug. 11, 1920, Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Their old friends and many of the younger people thronged their home and wished them felicitations, while they talked over the long half century and reviewed its joys and sorrows. Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett are highly regarded in the community, and their children have all done well in life.

Arnold Cleveland, the pioneer, was born in Michigan, in pioneer times, and was there reared and educated. He married Louisa Lampman, a native of Vermont. As young people they came to Wisconsin and settled in Dane County, where they developed a good farm. They came to this county in the early seventies and settled in Chetek Township, where they broke the land, erected buildings and underwent all the privations and experiences incident to pioneer life in a timbered country. They later went to Seattle, Wash., where

Digitized by Google

536

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

he died. She still resides there. The children were Frances A., Gladys (deceased), Florence, Edith, Bertha, Edna, Ella and Edward.

James Monroe Pelton, pioneer of Barron County, one of the two first settlers of Dallas Township, and now living retired in Chetek, is one of the most honored and substantial men in this part of the county. He has been active in public affairs, he has done his part in the development of the county, his advice is sought on many subjects, and he has seen the county grow from a heavily wooded wilderness to one of the most prosperous regions in the state. He was the friend and companion of the makers of the county, and his memories extend over more than fifty years of county history. His stories of the early days are most interesting and his reminiscences, when he can be persuaded to tell them, are of the greatest value to all who are interested in the story of the county's beginnings and growth. He was born in Athens, N. Y., Sept. 12, 1848, son of Calhoun and Sarah (Hinkley) Pelton, both of old New York families, the Peltons having come from England and the Hinkleys from Scotland. The parents came west about 1849, and settled in Winfield Township, Sauk County, Wis., where they were pioneers, and where they spent the remainder of their lives in agricultural pursuits, the father dying at the age of seventy years and the mother at the age of eighty-four. In the family there were seven children: Hiram, George, Sally Ann, Charles, Hannah, John E. and Jason Monroe. Hiram, who was one of the first settlers in Dallas Town- ship, died in Dallas Village. George lives on a part of the home farm in Sauk County and is now 90 years old. Sally Ann, Charles and Hannah are dead. John E. lives in Winfield Township, Sauk County. Jason Monroe Pelton was educated in the rural schools of Sauk County and remained with his parents until 1869. Then he engaged in lumbering in Michigan. In February, 1871, he came to Barron County and secured 171 acres in section 18, Dallas Town- ship. He started in with an ox team, a cow, a hog, a pair of bob sleds and a few tools and implements. He and his family lived the lives of real pioneers. The settlers of the county were then few and far between, and the lumber camps were about the only centers of activity. Provisions were scarce and comforts few. But the family were of pioneer stock, and they set to work with a will. In time their efforts were awarded with success. One hundred acres of the land were cleared, good buildings were erected and the farm suitably equipped. There he carried on general farming until 1902 when he moved to the village of Dallas. He came to Chetek in the spring of 1903. He now occu- pies a pleasant modern bungalow which he purchased March 15, 1920. An acre of land surrounds the bungalow, giving ample lawn and garden space. Frater- nally, Mr. Pelton is a member of the Masonic order. He has been active in public affairs and has occupied a number of local offices. His holdings include an interest in various enterprises. He has rendered public service as a member of the county board and as chairman of the town board, and is now one of the aldermen of the city of Chetek. Mr. Pelton was married Jan. 5, 1879, in this county, to Frances A. Cleveland, who was born in Dane County, Wis., Nov. 16, 1858, daughter of Arnold and Louisa (Lampman) Cleveland. Mr. and Mrs. Pelton have three children: Edna M., Gladys L. and Rex M. Edna M. was born Nov. 27, 1880, developed into charming girlhood and died at about four- teen years of age. Gladys L., born Feb. 13, 1895, was graduated from the Chetek High School in the class of 1915. She then entered the State Normal School at Superior and was there graduated. Since then she has been engaged in teaching and has shown proficiency in her profession. Rex M., born Nov. 10, 1897, was graduated from Chetek High School in 1915 and, in partnership with Ben Ganskey, now manages a pavilion where the local dances and athletic events are held. The family is highly regarded throughout the community.

Helmer O. Amundson, a popular and prosperous garage man of the firm of Amundson & Elmlinger, proprietors of the Cameron Garage, at Cameron, was born in Clinton Township, this county, June 7, 1892, the son of Adolph and Matilda (Nelson) Amundson and the grandson of Hans and Sophia

Digitized by Google

537

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

Amundson and August and Johanna Nelson. Both families settled in Barron County in an early day, the Amundsons, who came from Norway, settling in Stanley Township, and the Nelsons, who came from Sweden, settling in Clin- ton Township, on the farm where the subject of this sketch was born. Helmer O. attended the public schools of Barron and as a youth became interested in mechanical lines and in time took up the automobile business. In 1920 he started in the garage business in Cameron, and that fall took Fred Elmlinger as a partner. They have built a sightly garage, 32 by 70 feet, of brick, facing Main Street, and there they do a good business, dealing in cars, doing general storage and having a fine repair department, in addition to carrying a general line of accessories of various kinds. The young men understand their business thoroughly, they are affable and genial, and they have the confidence of their customers and of the public at large. Mr. Amundson was married Jan. 22, 1917, to Christine Amundson, who was born in Stanley Township, Barron County, on Jan. 7, 1890, the daughter of Carl and Mattie Amundson, of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Amundson have two children: Olive, born Sept. 30, 1918, and Maurice, born Aug. 18, 1920.

August Wandri, retired farmer of Cameron, was born in Prussian Poland, March 27, 1856, son of John and Christina (Kloenke) Wandri, both natives of Poland, where both died. August lost his father when he was five years old and he was reared by his mother. At the age of eleven he was brought to America by a cousin, Louis Ract, who settled on a farm near Eau Claire in this state. He was but fourteen when he started out for himself. For some years he spent his winters in the woods for Knapp, Stout & Co., working on farms in the summer seasons. In 1882 he purchased 178 acres in Chetek Township from his employers. This was all wild land. He cleared a small tract and erected a small log cabin and sheds. A little later he erected a larger log cabin. The county was still wild. Much of the county was in heavy timber or stump land. Lumber camps flourished here and there and the "tote" roads were still the best highways. Indians ranged the country at will. Mr. Wandri was fortunate in making friends with the Indians. He worked with them in the woods, learned their language and exchanged many small favors with them. He gradually improved his land and built up a good farm. In 1918 he erected a new frame house. A few months later he sold the place and retired. He now makes his home in Cameron Village. Mr. Wandri was mar- ried at Cameron in 1868 to Louisa Spickerman, who lost her parents in Ger- many and came to America alone as a young girl. Mr. and Mrs. Wandri have had six children: Anna, Ida, Elsie, Louise, William and August. Anna is the wife of Hayden Nevins, of Minneapolis. Ida is the wife of Joseph Fried, of St. Paul. Elsie is the wife of Rudolph Poland, of St. Paul. Louise is at home. William and August are dead. August was inducted into the United States service early in 1918 and died of the influenza at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind., Oct. 14, 1918. Mrs. Wandri died Oct. 18, 1918, at the age of 69 years.

Joseph Richards, the pioneer, was born in New York state and was there reared, educated and taught farming. He married Margaret Penny, also a native of that state. Both were descended from early New York families. They came west in the early seventies and established themselves in Maple Grove Township, this county. There were then but few settlers, and such as were here were living in isolated log cabins in small clearings in the forests. Here and there were lumber camps and the only routes of travel were the tote roads used by the lumbermen for hauling provisions and machinery. The family settled in the woods, built a log cabin and log barns and there experi- enced all the privations and hardships of pioneer life. Provisions were scarce and had to be brought in from faraway points. Comforts were few and con- veniences none. But they prospered, gradually developed a good farm and became respected citizens of the community which gathered about them, and held in the highest honor and esteem. Mr. Richards died Nov. 12, 1901, at the age of 69 years. Mrs. Richards died Feb. 2, 1917, at the age of 81 years.

Digitized by Google

538

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

In the family there were six children. Walter and Ervin are farmers in Aitkin County, Minn. Ellen, the widow of Albert Skinner, lives in Minnesota. Her husband was killed in a railroad accident. Georgianna died at the age of 25. Florence died in infancy. Fred A. is a business man of Chetek, Barron County. Fred A. Richards, proprietor of the Richards Auto Co., Chetek, was born in Maple Grove Township, this county, May 27, 1875, son of Joseph and Mar- garet (Penny) Richards, the pioneers. He was reared on the farm and there attended the district schools. Later he studied in the high school at Grand Rapids, Mich. With this preparation he took up the study of veterinary surgery, which he subsequently practiced for a while in this county. In 1901 he purchased a farm near Hillsdale, in Maple Grove Township. This place he still owns. It consists of 160 acres, of which 100 acres are under the plow, and is well developed and improved, with good buildings and equipment. He established his present business in 1905 when he bought the livery barn of Charles Peterson and converted it into a garage. It was totally destroyed by fire on Aug. 13, 1921. Mr. Richards handles the Ford cars and general acces- sories, deals in various makes of trucks, tractors, threshing machines and implements, and has the agency for the Meyerlite Farm Lighting Plant, an electrical equipment for farm houses. His garage does general repairing and contains a battery service station. In addition to his holdings in Chetek he is interested in various oil wells and tire factories. Fraternally, he is a member of the Odd Fellows and he is active in the Commercial Club. Mr. Richards is one of the popular men of the city, and is well liked by all who know him. In his business he is known for his fair dealings and ability, and as a citizen he is in favor of everything that is for the best of the community. He is genial and affable, and his business is growing in importance. Mr. Richards was married Dec. 25, 1901, at Barron, to Alma Johnson, born in Maple Grove Township, this county, the daughter of Tom H. and Wilhelmina (Johnson) Johnson, pioneer farmers. Mr. and Mrs. Richards have two chil- dren, Raymond Randolph and Faith Margaret. Raymond Randolph was born May 4, 1903, and is a high school graduate. Faith Margaret was born Dec. 4, 1905.

Le Roy Colbert, capitalist, potato magnate, land developer, civic promoter and one of the active business leaders of Chetek, was born near Whitewater, Wis., Aug. 6, 1877, son of Orlando and Clarinda (Castle) Colbert. The other children in the family were Cora and Mary. Cora married Halmer Johnson, a prominent merchant of Warrensburg, Mo., and they have three daughters, all attending the Missouri State Normal School there. Mary married. Arthur Rich, who is associated with his brother-in-law in the potato warehouse at Chetek. Orlando Colbert, the father, was born in Wisconsin of English parent- age. He was married at Whitewater, Wis., and there farmed for a number of years. He brought the family to Barron County in 1886, and homesteaded a tract of land in Prairie Farm Township, about nine miles from Barron. In 1889 he moved to a farm on the east line of Maple Grove Township, just across the line from Chetek Township. This move was made in order that the chil- dren might attend the Ross School, taught by that sutrdy pioneer instructor, W. H. Ross, who now makes his home near Chetek. Le Roy attended this school and then entered the Chetek High School, but in 1895 when his mother died, he returned to the farm to assist his father with the farm work. In 1898 he left the farm and went to Superior, Wis., where he was a conductor on the street car system there. In 1900 he came back to Chetek and purchased a potato warehouse from S. H. Hall, of Minneapolis, now deceased. Since that time he has been engaged in buying potatoes and shipping them in carload lots. For the past few years he has worked with Starks & Co. of Chicago, shipping the potatoes to various points where the markets were favorable. The business is constantly growing, and has necessitated the building of a new warehouse completed in the spring of 1921. For some years he was a heavy buyer of hay and grain and developed good stations at Poskin Lake and

Digitized by Google

. :

ABBOTTS DRUG STORE

THE FARMERS AND MERCHANTS BANK, CHETEK A. T. GALBY, PRESIDENT-W. R. STRONG, CASHIER

Digitized by

Google

539

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

Colfax, doing most of the business at these points by mail and wire. The trade at both of those places, however, has now passed into. the hands of others. For many years he has been interested in the development of real estate. He buys land, improves it, erects houses and other buildings, and then sells the property on easy terms or by monthly payments. In all he has con- structed some 30 or 40 houses and cottages. In the winter of 1920-21 he erected the building now occupied by the Averill Mau Lumber Co., for the housing of its coal, and its cement, lumber and other building material. This structure, 56 by 120 feet, in modern style, is located near the Omaha freight station and cost about $5,000, being erected on a "cost plus" plan. Believing as he does in the present and future of the city, Mr. Colbert joined the Com- mercial Club when it was first organized some ten years ago, and remained with it through its reorganization to the present time. Among his business holdings may be mentioned stock in the Chetek State Bank, the Chetek Can- ning Co., the Chetek Automobile Co., the Chetek Cooperative Mercantile Co. and other local enterprises. As one of his friends has said of him, "He is one of the biggest hustlers in Chetek, a real 'live wire,' he works early and late and 'does things.'" He has done his city service as a member of the city council and of the school board. Religiously he is a member of the Reor- ganized Church of the Latter Day Saints, and is prominent in church and Sunday school work. Since early manhood he has been a strong advocate of the total abolition of the liquor traffic, and has been a prime mover and active worker here in everything that has appertained to the prohibition of the sale of alcoholics. Mrs. Colbert is president of the local society of the W. C. T. U. and the Colbert home has been open at all times to all visiting temperance workers. Mr. Colbert was married July 31, 1909, at Chetek, Wis., to Leda Muermann, daughter of Fred and Loretta (Hancock) Muermann, who own a large farm of over 200 acres near Chetek. The grandfather, Muermann, was a high official under the defunct German Imperial Government, having charge of large military stores in that country. Mr. and Mrs. Colbert had one daugh- ter, Dorothy, born Oct. 13, 1910, who passed away Jan. 4, 1921. They also have an adopted son, Ralph, born in April, 1902. He is making a good record at Graceland College, Lamona, Iowa, where he is taking courses in business and music, and where he is a leader among his fellows and a member of the college football team.

The Farmers and Merchants Bank, of Chetek, was established as a private bank in July, 1900, by K. Rosholt of Eau Claire, Wis., and was continued as such until Feb. 8, 1908, when it was incorporated as a state bank with a capital of $10,000, the first officers being: President, K. Rosholt; vice president, Mrs. Gusta Rosholt; cashier, Anton T. Galby. On Mr. Rosholt's death, in January, 1920, Mr. Galby succeeded him as president and is still serving in that office. At the same time, R. R. Rosholt became vice president and William R. Strong cashier, with M. Lesniewski and R. B. Andrews as assistant cashiers. In 1910, the capital was increased to $15,000. The bank has had a steady and satisfactory growth. The present deposits are about $500,000. On Jan. 1, 1921, the bank moved into its present building on the corner of Knapp and Second Streets. In this building, in addition to the bank, are located the Abbott Drug Store and the postoffice.

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 90

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

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