History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 93

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 93

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

552

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

Spooner; Clebourn, of Hillyard, Washington; Loren, also of that place; and Earl, in the United States military service. Mr. Best was married Feb. 17, 1897, at Necedah to Mrs. Laura Risdon, the widow of Charles Risdon, of Maus- ton, Juneau County, this state, who, in maidenhood, was Laura Clumpner. She was born at Necedah on Nov. 14, 1865, the daughter of William and Evaline (Ward) Clumpner, the former a mill man, born in Holland, and the latter a native of Jefferson County, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Best have three children. Homer, who operates the home place, married Edith Kahl, the daughter of George Kahl. Laura is a teacher. Geneva is at home. There is also an adopted son, Gussie, who is serving in the U. S. Navy.

John Alfred Bakke, the energetic manager of the Bakke Brothers' Bicycle and Motorcycle Shop, at Barron, and veteran of the American Expeditionary Force and of the American Army of Occupation during the World War, is one of the best known young men in this vicinity. He is a good business man and has built up a good trade, and personally he enjoys a lasting popularity with all who know him. He was born in Superior, Wis., Oct. 23, 1894, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Bakke, who brought him to a farm in Barron Township, this county, in 1906. There he completed his schooling, was reared to man- hood and learned farm pursuits. July 12, 1917, he enlisted at Rice Lake in Co. F, 6th Infantry, Wisconsin National Guards, and on July 19 was sent to Camp Douglas, in this state, for a month's training, after which he was in training at Waco, Texas. Dec. 13, the unit was sent from there to Camp Dix, New Jersey, for overseas equipment. He sailed Jan. 30, 1918, on the U. S. S. "Aeolus", a former German liner. He arrived at Brest, Feb. 17, 1918, and was sent thence to Chateau Villan, where he trained with the 107th Engineers of the 32nd Division. Thence he was sent to Alsace Loraine, where he was at- tached to the headquarters company of the same unit. He participated in the offenses of the Marne-Aisne and the Oise-Aisne, both sectors in the Argonne region, and was in France when the Armistice was signed. Later he marched with his division into Germany, and occupied the bank of the Rhine north of Coblenz. In May, 1919, he entrained at Oberbeiber, Germany, subsequently sailed from Brest, France, on the H. M. S. Haverford, of the British navy, and landed at Philadelphia, May 25. He was discharged at Camp Custer, May 27, 1919. Then, after a month on the farm, he took up building contracting. Early in 1920 he became a partner in the firm of Bakke Brothers, with his brothers, Oscar and Westye. This concern has branches at Rice Lake and Barron. The subject of this sketch has the entire charge of the Barron branch. He has just erected a new building of brick, 26 by 40 feet, with a full basement, which is one of the ornaments of La Salle Street and adds much to the appearance of that thoroughfare. It houses the sales rooms and the repair department. Mr. Bakke handles various makes of bicycles and motor cycles, carries a full line of accessories, and does general repairing. The firm has the agency for the Harley Davidson motorcycles. Mr. Bakke is active in the affairs of the Ben Brown Post, No. 212, American Legion. He attends the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Frank Burnham, city marshal of Barron, and successful silo agent, was born in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, Nov. 8, 1869, son of James and Evelyn (Abbey) Burnham, the former of whom died June 1, 1907, and the latter of whom is now living in Hebron, Jefferson County, Wis. Frank D. attended the public schools, learned farming from his father, and remained at home until 1889, when he rented a farm from his grandfather, Dow L. Abbey. In the fall of 1893 he went to Ft. Atkinson, where he was interested in the manufacture of wagons and furniture. Returning to his native place in 1895, he purchased a farm near Milton Junction, Wis., onto which he moved the following year. Three years later he went to Renville County, Minnesota. It was in 1903 that he came to Barron County, and purchased 160 acres in Clinton Township. Here he labored for six years, erecting new buildings, improving the farm, and bringing it to a high stage of cultivation. In 1909 he moved to Barron City,

Digitized by Google

553

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

continuing to rent the farm until 1919 when he sold it. He has a pleasant home on Division Street and is one of the prosperous men of the community. In connection with his other interests he owns stock in the Barron Co-opera- tive Creamery. Mr. Burnham was married Feb. 9, 1891, to Mary Anthony, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Anthony, of Rome, Wis., where she was born May 17, 1871. This union has been made happy with five children: Evelyn, born Dec. 6, 1895; Harry, born May 16, 1899; Edna, born Aug. 7, 1902; Raymond, born April 10, 1904; and Leon, born Nov. 17, 1905. All are at home except Evelyn, who graduated from the Barron High School, and is now a stenographer at Cando, N. D. Harry is also a graduate of the Barron High School, and the three younger ones are still students there. The family faith is that of the Catholic Church, and Mr. Burnham's fraternal relations are with the Modern Woodmen.

John E. Bowen, prominent business man and farmer of Barron, is one of the leading men of the county. He has been mayor of Barron two years, is active in various lines of endeavor, and has taken his full share in political, commercial, agricultural, fraternal, social and church life. The subject of this sketch was born in Burns Township, La Crosse County, Wis., Aug. 18, 1867, son of Oscar and Mary J. (Hanton) Bowen. He learned agriculture from his father, and while still on the home farm was engaged for several years as a cheese maker. In 1890 he bought a farm in his native township, where he followed farming for ten years. In 1901 he came to Barron County and pur- chased 280 acres of partly improved land, without buildings. He erected buildings, moved onto the place, and continued improving the farm for several years. It is now a good farm, well tilled, with suitable equipment, and good structures. This he still operates, although he no longer occupies it. In con- nection with his farming he has conducted a number of other lines of business. For some years he was an extensive buyer and seller of stock, and this he still continues to some extent. From 1902 to 1910 he was manager of the Barron Co-operative Creamery. In 1914 he formed a partnership with F. A. Hulbert in the produce and seed business, and this firm is still operating on a constantly increasing scale. His financial connections are with the Bank of Barron in which he is a stockholder and director. His fraternal relations are with the Masons and the Modern Woodmen. The Barron Methodist Episcopal Church finds in him a liberal supporter and efficient worker, and for some years he has been the superintendent of its Sunday School, as well as a member of the official board. During the war period, for about three years, he was chairman of the Barron County Chapter of the Red Cross, and gave his time and money liberally to its support. All in all, he is a useful and active man and a real influence in the daily life of the county. The family residence, which was pur- chased in 1907, is located on Division Street and is one of the finest in Barron. Mr. Bowen was married Sept. 3, 1890, to Lillian I. Hemstock, daughter of Wil- liam and Elizabeth (Steadman) Hemstock, of Burns Township, La Crosse County, this state. Mrs. Bowen was born in that township, Aug. 29, 1871, and has proven her husband's worthy helpmate in all his endeavors.

Oscar Bowen, Bangor, Wis., veteran of the Civil War, and two terms post- master of Bangor, was born in New York State, Oct. 2, 1843, and after coming west, was married Aug. 19, 1864, in Burns Township, La Crosse County, this state, to Mary J. Hanton, who was born in Canada, Oct. 14, 1842. Immediately following his marriage he enlisted in the Third Wisconsin Cavalry. Upon his return he farmed until about 1895 when he retired. In the family there are three children: John E., Barron business man; Ralph W., born July 23, 1871, banker at Augusta, Wis .; and Roy L., born Jan. 1, 1880, a traveling man out of Bangor, Wis.

Peter McMahon was born in Ireland, and came to the United States about 1840. After living in New York City for a while he came to Portage, Wis., and engaged in lumbering on the Wisconsin River, rafting logs all the way from Portage to St. Louis. He later took up railroad work and was employed on the

Digitized by Google

554

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

old North Wisconsin Railroad from Black River Falls to Knapp and Wilson. He came to Cumberland, then the end of the division, Jan. 1, 1881, in charge of the roundhouse. Here he became a solid, substantial citizen and here lived until his death, Dec. 8, 1908. His wife is still living in Cumberland. In the family there were ten children. Michael is a railroad man in Chicago. Charles F. is at Duluth. Benjamin J. is a railroad engineer with headquarters at Kinney, Minn. William C. is postmaster at Cumberland. Catherine is the wife of Patrick L. Cosgrove, of Poskin, Clinton Township, this county. Anna is at home. Peter, Matthew S., James P. and Albert H. are dead.

William C. McMahon, postmaster at Cumberland, former railroad conduc- tor on the C. St. P. M. & O. Ry., and formerly a prominent life insurance salesman, was born at Wilson, in St. Croix County, this state, Feb. 7, 1880, the son of Peter and Ann (Castle) McMahon. He was brought to Cumberland as a baby and was here reared, graduating from the high school in 1898. Then he went to work on the "Soo" line as a steel man. For one year he taught school. After this he was local call boy for the "Omaha" at Itasca. In May, 1901, he became a freight brakeman on the "Omaha" and the next year was promoted to freight conductor. He took up the insurance business at Cum- berland in 1914 and was meeting with much success in this line when on June 1, 1915, he was appointed postmaster, his appointment being repeated four years later. Mr. McMahon is giving most efficient service. He is popular with his fellows and is a member of the Elks, the Knights of Columbus and the Brotherhood of Railroad Conductors.

James J. Malcolm, M. D., practicing physician and surgeon of Chetek, is one of the representative men of Barron County, a leader in his profession, energetic as a citizen, and popular among his fellowmen. His experience in life has been unusually wide, as he was educated in Canada, has practiced in this country, has seen life in various cities in the vicinity of military training camps in the United States, and has served as an officer with troops in Siberia and the Philippines. He has the respect of his brother practitioners and the confidence of the public, and is establishing for himself an enviable position in the community. He was born at Chesley, Ontario, Canada, May 17, 1877, son of John and Ellen (Madole) Malcolm, a prominent family of that place. The common schools of his native place gave him his preliminary education, after which he entered the high school at Port Perry, Ontario, Canada, from which he was graduated in the class of 1896. That fall he entered the Toronto Medi- cal College at Toronto, Canada, and was graduated in 1900. With this prepara- tion he at once came to Chetek, and entered into partnership with his brother, William G., physician, farmer and mayor. Two years later he went to Dallas, in this county, and was there ten years. In 1912 he came back to Chetek, and engaged in general practice here. He has pleasant offices, well equipped in every way for the practice of his profession. Dr. Malcolm is a popular member of the Modern Woodmen, the Mystic Workers and Odd Fellows. At the entrance of the United States into the World War, Dr. Malcolm offered his services. He was called to duty Aug. 6, 1918, was commissioned first lieutenant, and received his training in the Medical Officers' Training School at Fort Riley, Kansas. Then he was assigned to base hospital duty at Camp Pike, Arkansas, and served there during the worst of the influenza epidemic. In December, 1918, he was ordered to Siberia with the American Expeditionary Force. He served there until February, 1919, when he was assigned to Fort Mills, on Corregidor Island, at the mouth of Manilla Bay, in the Philip- pines. Then he was ordered home. He received his discharge at Presidio, San Francisco, California, in July, 1920, and at once returned to Chetek. Dr. Malcolm was married at Miami, Manitoba, Canada, Oct. 21, 1901, to Alice Anderson, native of Canada, who died March 15, 1905, at Dallas, this county, leaving one daughter, Lolita, born April 14, 1903, now a student in the Chetek High School. Feb. 5, 1909, Dr. Malcolm married Alice Banks, born in

Digitized by Google

US.

JAMES J. MALCOLM, M. D.

Digitized by

Google

Digitized by Google

555

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

Durham, Ontario, Canada, the daughter of Richard H. and Emily (Gray) Banks.

Mathias Egstad, who is engaged in business in Cameron, was born in Nor- way in 1870, the son of Nels and Engeborg Elstad. He spent his early boy- hood in Norway, and in 1881, as a boy of ten, was brought to America by his mother, joining his father in Vernon County, Wis. He attended school there and learned farming from his father. As a young man he worked on farms and in the lumber woods. For many years he has been in business with his brother, Peter. They farmed together on the outskirts of Cameron for a while and in 1891 engaged in business in the village, taking up their present business in 1914. They have a pool hall and lunch room, and sell candies, tobaccoes and novelties. Mr. Egstad is well liked in the community. He is a member of the Odd Fellows. Since attaining years of manhood he had visited his boy- hood home in Norway, where he found many friends and relatives. He married Martha Bronson at Cameron and has four fine boys, Neil, Warren, Maynard and Leon.

Peter Egstad, business man of Cameron, was born in Norway on July 16, 1867, son of Nels and Engeborg Egstad. He was reared in Norway, and there educated. In 1883 he was brought to this country by his mother, following the father, who had come the previous year, and prepared a home for them in Vernon County, Wisconsin. He attended school a short time in this county and for a number of years worked on various farms in Vernon County. He came to Barron County in 1889, and with headquarters at Cameron, worked in the woods winters and on farms in the summer time. Then he and his brother, Mathias, bought 80 acres of land, a half of which is in the village limits and a half in the township. There they successfully engaged in general farming until 1901. In that year they engaged in business in the village. Since 1914 they have had a pool hall, which is admirably conducted, and patronized only by the best people of the village and surrounding country. A lunch counter is also operated, and a good business done in soft drinks, tobacco and candy. Mr. Egstad is a member of the Odd Fellows of Cameron and the Encampment at Rice Lake. Mr. Egstad was married in Cameron, Jan. 26, 1906, to Olena Myer, daughter of John and Karan Myer, natives of Norway, and early settlers of Barron County. Mr. and Mrs. Egstad have nine children: Irene, Nora, Leona, Palmer, Walter, Una, Charles, Orville and Nina.

Emmett A. Ward, retired merchant of Cameron, and now manager of the Pickle Packing Co., was born in a log cabin on a farm in Rock County, this state, July 19, 1860, fourth of the five children of Mosmon and Lucy Ward, both natives of Pennsylvania. The subject of this sketch was reared on the home farm, attended the stone schoolhouse in the neighborhood, and grew to youth amid pioneer conditions. In the late eighties he moved to Evansville, in his native county. From there, in 1896, he came to Cameron, Barron County, and for three years engaged in the livery business. This was before the days of the automobiles, and livery barns did a flourishing business. In 1899 he and his brother, J. M., opened a hardware, implement and machinery store. This they successfully conducted for twenty years until 1919. Then they sold out, and Emmett A. took his present position. He enjoys a high standing in the com- munity, and as one of the oldest business men in the place, has always enjoyed a reputation for honorable and fair dealing. He is acquainted with practically all of the prominent men in this part of the county, and is himself counted among their number. For six years he did most excellent work as one of the aldermen of the city. Fraternally, he is active in Cameron Lodge, No. 237, I. O. O. F., and has been one of its officials. Mr. Ward was married Nov. 4, 1885, in Rock County, this state, to Hattie E. Taylor, born in that county, the daughter of Warren and Lucetta Taylor, early settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Ward have two children, Veva and Lucetta. Veva, formerly a school teacher, is now Mrs. H. E. Miller of Cameron. Lucetta, who is a telegraph operator and music teacher, is the wife of R. A. Tobin of Strong, Chippewa County, Wis.

Digitized by Google

556

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

Ole A. Hallerud, a retired farmer living in Almena Village, was born in Norway, Jan. 13, 1849, the son of Henry Johnson and Tora Wilson. He was . reared on a farm in his native land, attended school, and grew to manhood there. He came to America in 1873, found his way to Chicago, and for a while worked on farms near that city. Then he went to Munsey, Michigan. From there he came to Martell in Pierce County, this state, and clerked one summer for a store keeper. In 1875 he went to Alpaso in Pierce County, Wis., and oper- ated a sawmill ten years. While there he sent for his father and mother and two brothers. With them came Carrie Sorum, who was born in Norway, July 15, 1854, and whom he married Oct. 9, 1877. In 1885 he came to Barron County and located on 80 acres of land in Turtle Lake Township. About five acres had been cleared, and a little cabin had been erected in which he and his family lived while putting up a frame building. Here they set to work to build up a good farm and establish their fortunes. For thirty-five years he worked early and late, in prosperity and adversity, developing and operating this place. He became one of the solid and substantial men of the community and developed a good farm. As the father of children, he is a believer in a sensible education, and for ten years he did good service on the school board. In the fall of 1920 he sold his farm and moved to the Village of Almena, where he bought a pleas- ant home and three lots. There he and his wife are enjoying a well-deserved rest, after their many years of earnest endeavor. They are well thought of by all who know them, and their hospitable home is always open to their friends. They worship at the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Mr. and Mrs. Hallerud are the parents of four children: Anna, Albert, Hjelmar and William. Anna mar- ried George Lewis, and they live on the old home farm. They have two chil- dren, Dora Bell and Grace Lillian. Albert married Inga Tuften. They live in Almena, and have two children, Irene and Ruth. Hjelmar died in 1916. Wil- liam married Clara Rufusberger, and they live in Almena.

William L. Brown, an enterprising and prosperous farmer of Barron Town- ship, who has achieved success in spite of misfortune, was born in Pierce County, Wis., April 14, 1870, son of Edwin A. and Lydia A. (Buckmaster) Brown. The father was born in Llandudno, Wales, Jan. 8, 1838, and came to America as an infant in arms. He was reared in Columbia County, New York, where he remained until he had reached his majority. Then in 1859 he came west and settled in Pierce County, Wis. The railroad took him only as far as La Crosse, from which point he took boat up the Mississippi River to Read's Landing, Minn., then crossed the river and walked twelve miles to Hartland Township, Pierce County. There he took 80 acres of wild land, which he finally developed. When he settled in Hartland Township, his future wife, Lydia A. Buckmaster, was already there, having arrived several years pre- viously. She was born in Dover, Delaware, daughter of Louis and Anna Eliza- beth (Wilkerson) Buckmaster. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were married in 1860, and worked together to develop their farm and rear their family of twelve chil- dren, who were as follows: Ella, Agnes, Adell, William, Lydia, Low, Edwin, Bernard, Louis, Ralph, Elwin and Erwin. William L. Brown grew up on his parents' farm in Pierce County, acquiring a limited common school education. He remained at home until reaching the age of 24, and then, in 1894, came to Barron County, buying 120 acres of land in Barron Township. This was a wild tract without buildings; neither was it on any road, so Mr. Brown had to begin at the beginning and work up. For three years he lived a bachelor's life in a small house which he erected. After a while he bought 40 acres more land, which gave him a farm of 160 acres, which he cleared and developed. In 1910 he erected a modern frame barn, 36 by 80 by 20, with a gambel roof and a ten- foot, full cement basement with a modern steel equipment for stock, having room for 34 head of cattle and horses, with calf pens. Into this barn he built a stave silo of 100 ton capacity, and was successfully carrying on diversified farming, breeding high grade Guernsey cattle, when misfortune overtook him, his barn being destroyed by fire on Jan. 13, 1920. Of his head of 30 cattle, he

Digitized by Google

557

HISTORY OF BARRON COUNTY

lost all but two. This loss was serious, as his cattle was his principal stock, though in earlier years he had given considerable attention to Shropshire sheep and Duroc-Jersey swine. He has reduced the size of his farm to 120 acres by selling 40, and is operating it energetically on a profitable basis. He is a stockholder in the Barron creamery and various other enterprises. Mr. Brown is a Republican, politically, though not a slave to party. He served one year as assessor of Barron Township, and was the first man to put the full land value on the list. He was also school officer in his township for years, and executed the present plat map of the township. Strongly imbued with the modern spirit of progress, he is an energetic "booster" for his own community and the county in general-one of those who keep things moving. Mr. Brown was married Dec. 14, 1896, to Margaret J. Peterson, daughter of Andrew and Mary (Mickel- son) Peterson, natives of Norway, in which country she was born Jan. 8, 1877. Her father having died in Norway, she came to America with her mother in 1883, and was reared in Clinton Township, Barron County. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been the parents of four children, Lawrence Edwin, Roy Melvin, Myrtle Lillian and Blanche Evelyn. Lawrence Edwin, born May 1, 1898, is now sales manager at Rice Lake for the Wisconsin Iron Stove Co., being also a stockholder in the company. Roy Melvin, born Aug. 8, 1900, died May 10, 1901; Myrtle Lillian, born Aug. 30, 1902, was married Oct. 19, 1918, to Frank McStay, and resides in Barron. She has one child, Frank William, born Oct. 10, 1919. Blanche Evelyn, born May 20, 1904, is a student in the Barron High School. Mr. Brown and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Barron.

Frank A. Hulbert, who, after a varied and adventurous career, is now, and has been for some years, proprietor of a poultry, seeds and egg business in Barron, was born Aug. 13, 1860, in Burns Township, La Crosse County, Wis., son of Ira and E. Jane (Cram). Hulbert. His parents came from eastern states, the father having been born in Ohio, Oct. 22, 1828, and the mother, Sept. 16, 1832, in Vermont, near Lake Champlain. Ira Hulbert came west to Racine, Wis., with his parents in 1835, and resided in that locality 15 years, in his youth working as a farm hand. In 1850, affected by the prevailing gold fever, he went to California, where he remained four years. As a gold hunter he was unsuccessful and after a while gave it up and took to conducting a pack train over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. At that occupation he made some money and bought land. In 1854 he sold his interests in California and returned to Wisconsin, homesteading 160 acres of land in La Crosse County, on which stood a mill, but no other buildings. About the same time, E. Jane Cram arrived in the county, and in December, 1856, they were married and settled on Mr. Hul- bert's homestead in Burns Township. Ira Hulbert had a successful career as a farmer and remained active until 1884, in which year he retired from the farm and took up his residence. in Sparta, where he bought a good house. There he died Sept. 28, 1919. His wife, who survived him, is still living in Sparta, being now 86 years old and remarkably well preserved mentally and physically for one of her years. They had four children: Clara, wife of David Hemstock, a retired drayman of Sparta; Frank A., of Barron; Azro I., deceased; and Lillie E., now Mrs. J. Streeton, of Bangor, Wi's. Frank A. Hulbert acquired his education in the district school of his native locality, and remained on the farm with his parents until 1880. In the spring of that year he went to Mar- shall, Minn., but two months later went on to Watertown, S. D., where he en- gaged in teaming between that place and Aberdeen, covering intermediate points, there being at that time no railway line. In the winter of 1880-81 he began trapping on the June River and its tributaries, but on account of deep snow and the impossibility of securing supplies, had to give up the work. This proved a memorable experience to him. He was associated during the trip with a man from Michigan, named William G. Hitt, with whom he set out from Watertown about Christmas time. No settlers were encountered on the trip, except one family consisting of a man, his wife and their ten-year-old daugh-

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 93

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

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