History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 97

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

USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 97

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).

Martin W. Stephenson, prominent agriculturist and owner of the Apiary Home Farm, Section 30, west, Maple Grove Township, was born in Chicago, Ill., March 26, 1877, the son of Christian E. and Lena (Neilson) Stephenson. He came to this county with his parents in 1880, and here attended the district schools. In 1912 he formed a partnership with his brother, Charles, and

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bought a quarter section in Prairie Farm Township. In 1902 he purchased his present place, consisting of 80 acres in Section 30, Maple Grove Township, on which he himself erected the buildings. In 1918 he purchased 80 acres in Section 25, Arland Township, making in all 160 acres, of which 60 are under cultivation, the rest being in timber and pasture and here carries on general farming and dairying. Since early youth Mr. Stephenson has been interested in bees and for many years he kept from fifty to sixty colonies, thus giving his farm its present name. He is a man of unusually wide reading and has kept well abreast of the times especially along his own line of endeavor. He assisted in organizing the Hillsdale Western Co-operative Telephone Company and was its president until 1917. He has also been active in the Four Town cheese factory of which he is now vice president. In addition to his other duties, Mr. Stephenson is manager of the farm owned by his brother Charles, who now lives in Two Harbors, Minn. Mr. Stephenson was married Nov. 23, 1914, to Mary L. Grub, daughter of Phillip and Dorothy (Klipp) Grub, natives of Pennsylvania, who are now farming in Sauk County, Wis. In the Grub family there are four children: William, Mary L., Ida and Fredrick (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson have four children: Dorothy C., Born Dec. 25, 1915; Elizabeth H., born June 22, 1917; Marjorie I., born June 13, 1919, and Martin W. Jr., born April 29, 1921.

Martin Knutson, for many years a farmer on Section 10, Cumberland Township, was born in Norway, and was there educated. As a youth he learned the carpenter's trade, and followed this line of industry for several years thereafter. He came to the United States in 1872, and located at Still- water, Minn., where he continued to follow his trade. But he had strong inclinations toward the agricultural life, so in 1875 he came to Barron County and took a homestead east of the city of Cumberland, where he farmed for the remainder of his life. He married Anna Halverson, also now deceased, and they had six children of whom there are now living five. Johannah re- mained in Norway. Helmer and Louis M. are in Cumberland. Lena is the wife of John H. Oien, of St. Paul. Sever is in Cumberland. Mary, who was the wife of Hans Hendrickson, of St. Paul, Minn., is dead.

Louis M. Knutson, expert well driller, agriculturist and dealer in pumps and engines, was born in Norway, Nov. 25, 1860, the son of Martin and Anna (Halverson) Knutson, who brought him to Stillwater, Minn., in 1872, and to a farm in Cumberland in 1875. As a boy he had many interesting experiences living with his parents in a cabin amid the unbroken woods, where the Indians still roamed and where the wild animals were still plentiful. He still remembers one trip which he took to Sand Lake, after salt for the use of the family. The savage wolves followed the venturesome boy and accompanied his march with their howls, and now and then he met a group of Indians, no very cheering sight to a lone boy in a wilderness far from home and far from any house or settlement. Living thus in a pioneer country, young Louis assisted his parents in the development of their farm. When he was eighteen he entered the employ of L. L. Gunderson, as the first clerk in the store, and at the same time he was made assistant postmaster in the Cumberland office which was kept there. Mail was brought from Rice Lake, some fifteen miles away, young Knutson making the trip afoot with the mail on his back, carry- ing the outgoing mail, and bringing back the incoming mail. In 1880 he went to Cable, in Bayfield County, this state, where he entered the employ of L. L. Gunderson in a general store, and where he was likewise made assistant postmaster, and later postmaster. In 1881 he returned to Cumberland. At that time he bought land. He did not, however, at once settle down to ex- clusive farm work. For several years he was identified with the lumber in- dustry, in the logging woods and in sawmills. In 1888 he went to the state of Washington for a year which was spent at Seattle. Upon his return he bought timber on Hickey Creek, in Township 35, Range 12, Barron County, and engaged in logging on his own responsibility. In 1891 he gave up logging,

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and gave his exclusive attention to his farm, making a specialty of bee keep- ing, and building up one of the largest apiaries in the county. In 1904 he dis- continued farming entirely and put his whole attention to the well business. In 1907 he located in the city of Cumberland where he still continues in the well business which he has expanded until it has become very successful. Mr. Knutson was married at Rice Lake, March 15, 1884, to Jennie M. Hart, the daughter of Isaac and Jane Hart, early settlers of Rice Lake, both now deceased. Mrs. Jennie M. Hart Knutson died in 1908. On March 23, 1910, Mr. Knutson married Rena Lien, daughter of Christian M. and Agnette M. Lien, natives of Norway, who came to America in the sixties and settled in Dovre Township this county, where Mr. Lien farmed until his death in 1894. Mrs. Lien, whose services while on the farm were greatly in demand as a nurse and as a widwife, by her kindness, courage and helpfulness in time of need, greatly endeared herself to the whole community in which she lived. She is now living at Rice Lake at the good old age of eighty years. By his first wife, Mr. Knutson had seven children: Ostin M., Louis E., Jessie H., Robert I., Dora J., Benjamin M. and Clarance R. all living. By his second marriage he has three children: Louise R., Lawrence M. and Elodie L., all living.

John F. Miller, for many years a prominent business man of Cumberland, now deceased, was born in Fallinbostel, Hanover, Germany, April 9, 1836, the son of Herman and Sophia Miller, and descended from a long line of village schoolmasters. The father was killed by a powder-mill explosion in 1838, and afterward the mother married a Mr. Elleman. John F. received his early education in Germany, and learned the tailor's trade. He came to America in the spring of 1857, with his stepfather, mother, brother and two sisters, and located at Carver County, Minnesota. He spent the fall in railroad work and in the winter of 1857-58 helped his people clear up the farm on which they had settled. In the spring he found work on a farm near Stillwater, Minn., at $9 a month. The winter of 1858-59 was again spent in helping clear the home farm. The next spring, 1859, he found employment in a brick-yard at Chaska, at $14 a month. His wages were soon raised a dollar, and the following year he was made foreman. In 1865 he started a brickyard of his own at Carver, in Carver county, Minn. He sold out in 1868, and moved to Cedar Lake, Hennepin County, Minn. There he was in the employ of Hill, Griggs & Co., having charge of their brick yard, and purchasing cord wood for them, some- times buying as much as 60,000 a year. In 1874 he formed a partnership with Col. C. W. Griggs, one of his former employers, and continued the wood busi- ness at Montrose, Minn., on what is now the Great Northern Railroad. Most of their wood was shipped to St. Paul. In connection with their cord wood operations, they conducted a large general store. In 1880, the partners trans- ferred their operations to Cumberland, Wis., and Mr. Miller moved here. In 1881 a company store was established at Cumberland. In 1887 attention was turned from cord wood to the general lumbering business, and a steam saw- mill purchased. The Beaver Dam Lumber Co. was organized at Cumberland, with C. W. Griggs as president, J. F. Miller as vice president, and A. G. Foster as treasurer. This company operated extensively, and at the height of its career employed 125 men and cut something like 12,000,000 feet of lumber annually. Mr. Miller was one of the real founders of the village. He laid out and platted much of it. He held village office. He was active in everything that pertained to the growth and progress of this region. In October, 1883, with J. T. Heath, he established the Bank of Cumberland, and in 1887 became its sole owner. After a long and useful life in which he had achieved a well-deserved success he died Dec. 7, 1892. Mr. Miller was married May 1, 1865, to Catherine Huser, a native of Alsace, France. This union was blessed with eleven children: Ida, Anna, Frederick W., Lydia, Mary, Clara, William, Albert, Ella, Belle and Ernest. All except one are still living.

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Frederick W. Miller is one of the leading men of Cumberland, as was his father before him, and is one of the men who have had their full share in the development of the county, his interests being many and varied. He is presi- dent of the State Bank of Cumberland, president of the State Bank of Com- stock, vice-president of the Cumberland Milling Co., and until 1920, vice-presi- dent of the Olcutt Lumber Co., an off-shoot of the Beaver Dam Lumber Co. He has been mayor and city treasurer of Cumberland, and has done most excel- lent work as a member of the school board. The Miller name is inseparably connected with the history of Cumberland, and Mr. Miller is a most excellent representative of the family. He was born at Cedar Lake, near Minneapolis, in Hennepin County, Minn., Aug. 25, 1870, son of John F. and Catherine (Huser) Miller. He was taken as an infant to Delano, Minn., and in 1874 to Montrose, that state. At the age of ten, in 1880, he was brought to Cum- berland, and here completed his early schooling, graduating from the Cumber- land High School in 1887. His father then sent him into the woods for a year in order that he might become thoroughly familiar with logging. Then for some time he was employed in the office of the Beaver Dam Lumber Co. After his father's death in 1892 he took charge of the company store. In 1903 he purchased the store in partnership with others. The Miller-Waterman Co. was established, the Waterman name coming from B. H. and S. H. Waterman, and a big business built up in machinery, hardware, furniture, clothing, gro- ceries and local farm produce. Mr. Miller was married Dec. 16, 1891, to Cora M. Hunter, daughter of William L. and Elizabeth (Stockman) Hunter. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have four daughters, Catherine, Esther, Marian and Maude. Cath- erine is the wife of C. L. Hines, of Cumberland. Esther is the wife of I. T. Talbott, of Cumberland. Marian is the wife of Harry H. Hines, of Cumber- land. Maude is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, and teaches at Rhinelander.

Willis B. Drake, Cumberland drayman, well known in Barron and Polk counties, was born in Portage, Ohio, June 8, 1876, son of Charles Robert and Alice (Badgley) Drake, natives of Ohio, who came to Polk County, Wis., in 1878 and took a homestead of 160 acres in Johnstown Township (town 35, range 15). This he developed into a good farm, in the meantime working for thirteen years as a machinist for the "Soo" line, with headquarters at Schorem, Minn. He continued to operate his farm until his death, Aug. 14, 1905. His wife died April 1, 1919. In the family there were five children: Arthur, of Minneapolis; Clarence, of Minneapolis; Willis B., of Cumberland, Wis .; Ora E., deceased; and Harry, in New Richmond, Wis. Willis B. Drake received his early education in the district schools of his neighborhood and in Minneapolis. He was reared to farming pursuits and spent much of his young manhood on his father's farm until 1892, when, but a boy of 16, he bought 80 acres of land, the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 4 of the town of Johnstown. In his spare time he made a fine farm of it and a fine home. In 1892 he was married and settled on his farm, which was near his father's, and there car- ried on general farming and dairying. In the meanwhile since early youth he had been interested in lumbering, and for some years worked for the Beaver Dam Lumber Co. as foreman of crews of logging camps in Barron County, Polk County and elsewhere. In 1908 he moved to Cumberland, to take charge of the rafting on Beaver Dam Lake, the logs being rafted down from the northern part of the county to the mills at Cumberland. He remained in the employ of the same company until 1910, when he engaged in the dray and transfer business, in which he has since successfully continued. He is active in public affairs here, and while in Polk County was member of the town board of Johnstown Township, road overseer, and clerk of the school board. Fra- ternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Modern Wood- men. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Drake was married May 28, 1902, to Nettie Olds, born Feb. 22, 1880, in Loraine, Wis., daughter of James and Ellen (Templeton) Olds. This union has been blessed

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FRED W. GLASER AND FAMILY

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with five children. Ora was born May 21, 1903, and died April 30, 1904. Mer- rill was born July 8, 1904, and is attending high school in Cumberland. Myr- tle was born Dec. 29, 1906, and is also attending high school in Cumberland. James was born June 12, 1910. Vivian J. was born May 13, 1917. James Olds was an early settler and prominent citizen of Clam Falls, Polk County. He served on the town and school board for many years, and was known for his kindliness of heart and his neighborly spirit, as well as his upright character and lofty soul. In 1913, he sold his farm and moved to Clam Falls, Wis., where he died April 12, 1919, and where his wife still lives. They were the parents of three estimable daughters, Minnie, Nettie and Nellie. Minnie is the wife of Clarence Drake, of Minneapolis. Nettie is the wife of Willis B. Drake, of Cumberland. Nellie is the wife of Arley Ellis, of Clam Falls, Wis.

Fred William Glaser, a retired farmer of Prairie Farm Township, is one of those solid, substantial men who present an excellent example to the younger generations. Coming here in mature years, after his family had begun to grow, he achieved success by hard work and unremitting toil, and he is greatly honored and respected for what he has been able to accomplish. He was born in Germany, Nov. 22, 1850, the son of Frank and Augusta (Spellman) Glaser, was reared in that country, grew to manhood, and was married in January, 1875, to Henrietta Pashow, who was born Dec. 9, 1852, in the same neighbor- hood. To this worthy couple there were born in Germany, four children, Win- nie, Tena, Gusta and Fred W., Jr. In 1883, Mr. Glaser brought his family to America and found his way to Barron County, where he secured 160 acres of wild railroad land in Section 35, Prairie Farm Township. After securing the land he had practically no funds left, and he had but little equipment with which to develop his farm. For a while he worked out to get a little money for immediate necessities. The first year he bought a cow, and soon afterward was able to get a yoke of oxen. As time passed, his faithful efforts resulted in success. He put up a good set of buildings, developed a good farm, and added to the original tract until he owned 320 acres. In addition to achieving his own success, and establishing his family in life, Mr. Glaser has found time to be interested in the progress of the community. Especially has he been con- cerned in the establishment and support of the St. Paul's German Lutheran Church. He gave the two acres in Section 35, where the church and cemetery are now located. He helped to put up the first church on the site, and also donated toward the construction of the present church. In 1900, after having secured a competence, Mr. Glaser retired. He now makes his home over the line in Sheridan Township, Dunn County, with his son, Fred W., Jr., on what is known as the "Fred W. Glaser Stock Farm." This farm of 80 acres, which is one of the best in the neighborhood, has been developed from a wilderness. The buildings are modern, illuminated with electricity and piped with running water, while the land is well tilled and well fenced, and supplied with all necessary equipment, and an unusually fine herd of cattle. Fred W., the son, is one of the leading and progressive men in this vicinity. He was married in Prairie Farm Township on Nov. 9, 1908, to Martha Zuehlke, who was born at Rice Lake, this county, the daughter of Herman and Lena (Radtke) Zuehlke, early settlers of Dallas Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Fred W. Glaser, Jr., have four children, William, Henry, Harold and Carolina.

Louis Wirth, a pioneer of Prairie Farm Township, was born in Germany. His parents brought him to America when he was eleven years old, and settled on a farm in Dane County, Wis. He attended school there for a while, helped his father with the farm work, and as a young man enlisted as a private in a Wisconsin regiment of volunteer infantry, in which he served as a good soldier for three years and six months. Afterward he took up farming again. In 1871, with his wife and three children, Lorenzo, Lovina and Charlie, he set out for Barron County, driving with a pair of ponies. One of the ponies died on the way. He continued with the other one, and located on a piece of wild land in Section 8, Prairie Farm Township. Here he built a log house and with

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his one pony started to develop a farm in the wilderness. For a time it was hard to get along. To secure provisions he had to walk to Prairie Farm, a long journey through the woods, stumps and brush. It was some years before enough land could be cleared to raise crops in any considerable quantities. After working on the original place for a while, he sold out, and bought 40 acres in Section 16. Here he built up a good place. After he had attained prosperity, he retired and moved to Rice Lake, where he still lives. He was married at Blue Mounds, Dane County, this state, to Almira Bellman, who died in May, 1890, at the age of forty-two years. In addition to the three children already mentioned, there were born in Prairie Farm Township, five, Frank, William (deceased), Mary, Fred and Victor. By his second wife he had two children, Louis and Lulu. After her death he married Cora Shields, of Minneapolis.

Frank Wirth, an energetic farmer of Section 9, Prairie Farm Township, is a native of this township, born in a log cabin on Section 8, May 26, 1874, the son of Louis and Almira (Bellman) Wirth, pioneers. He was reared on the home farm, and received his early education in a log school house in the neighborhood. As a youth he took up lumbering, and in all, spent eighteen seasons in the woods. In 1896 he bought 40 acres of his present farm, and to this he has since added until he has a fine place of 200 acres. He has put up a good set of buildings, developed and fenced the land, and purchased suitable tools, implements and machinery. Here he successfully carries on general farming, and dairying, and has a good herd of Guernsey cattle. He believes in modern methods, he is a scientific farmer, and a satisfactory measure of success has crowned his efforts. He was married July 12, 1902, to Anna Kurschner, who was born in Prairie Farm Township on May 4, 1877, the daughter of Martin and Anna C. Kurschner. This union has been blessed with three children : Francis, Evelyn and Erma.

Ambrose W. Swinghamer, proprietor and operator of the Cumberland Creamery, and a thorough expert in the production, manufacture and market- ing of milk, butter and cheese, was born in Albany Township, Stearns County, Minn., Sept. 22, 1885, son of Joseph and Anna (Hartman) Swinghamer, natives respectively of Germany and Pennsylvania. The father came to America in the early fifties, and settled in Stearns County with the early pioneers. He took a homestead, developed a good place, and there carried on general farm- ing until a few years before his death. He died Aug. 17, 1918, and the mother is still living in Albany. Ambrose W. received his early education in the district schools of Stearns County. Then he took a thorough course in the agricultural department of the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1908. With this preparation, he went to Madison, Minn., where he operated the Madison Co-operative Creamery. In 1910, he bought out the Superior Cream- ery Co. at New Richmond, Wis., and the Superior Creamery Co. at Star Prairie, Wis. These he successfully operated until 1917. In the meantime, in 1911, he had purchased a half interest in his present creamery, his partner being H. A. Curt. In 1917 he bought out his partner, came here and assumed active management, and has since successfully conducted it. In 1920, his average monthly output was 9,000 pounds of cheese, and 10,000 pounds of butter. Fraternally, Mr. Swinghamer is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Foresters. His home is a pleasant ten-room modern residence on North Cumberland street. Mr. Swinghamer owns three different tracts of land-one in Burnett County, one in Washburn County and one in Barron County-comprising 500 acres. He expects to erect in 1922 a modern creamery, 50 by 100 feet, with all the latest equipment. It is to be centrally located on the corner of Front and Grove streets. Mr. Swinghamer was married Oct. 7, 1914, in Madison, Minn., to Magdaline Kemen, who was born Jan. 17, 1896, in Madison, Minn., daughter of John and Anna (Brecht) Kemen, who have been farmers near Madison for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Swing-

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WILLIAM SCOTT AND FAMILY

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hamer have three children: Robert, born July 27, 1915; Arthur, born Dec. 15, 1917; and Walter, born March 17, 1919.

Rev. Henry Teuwisse, priest in charge of the Church of St. Mary and the Church of St. Anthony, both in Cumberland, and of the Mission Church of Corpus Christi at Mckinley, in Polk County, was born in Bloemendaal, Hol- land, Feb. 28, 1883, son of John and Mary (Orsel) Teuwisse, who were born in Holland, of old Netherlands stock, and still live there. He pursued the usual classical and philosophical studies, and took his theological course in the Roermond Diocese Seminary, at Roermond, where he was ordained at the historic old cathedral of Roermond on Sept. 28, 1907. The young priest was then assigned to mision work in his native land. In 1917 he came to America, and with headquarters at Birchwood, Wis., where he was rector of St. Anthony's Church, he took charge of a mission field embracing sixteen preaching places, as well as many temporary lumber camps. His activities were many, and included the building of churches at Couderay, Radisson and Excellence, Sawyer County; the improvement of the church at Winter, in the same county, and the remodeling of that at Birchwood, Washburn County, where he also built a rectory. In July, 1920, he came to Cumberland and took up his present duties. He is now planning and building a new St. Anthony church here, the former edifice having been destroyed by fire.

John Engebretson, many years a railroad man of this county, and for some time a substantial farmer of Cumberland Township, was born in Nor- way, Dec. 24, 1848, was there reared and educated, and there married Bertha North. In 1882 he came to America, and located at Deer Park, in St. Croix County, Wis. A little later he came to this county, and lived in Turtle Lake, where for many years he was employed in railroad work. In 1904, he secured 40 acres in Section 31, Cumberland Township, and later added 40 more in the same section. He cleared and stumped 60 acres, renovated the house, and re- paired the outbuildings, and carried on general farming and dairying. After a long and useful life he died Aug. 3, 1918. His wife still lives on the place. In the family there were eight children. Ole is dead. Mari is the wife of Thorsten Skreeting, of Kensal, N. D. Enga is the wife of Hans Miller, of the same town. Andrew E. farms the home place. Linda is dead. Tillie and Bessie are at home. Minnie is dead.

Andrew E. Engebretson, an industrious farmer of Section 31, Cumberland Township, was born in Deer Park, St. Croix County, Wis., April 1, 1883, the son of John and Bertha (North) Engebretson. He attended school in his native village, and in Turtle Lake, this county, where his parents moved when he was a boy. For some years he was employed by the "Soo" line, the latter part of the time as section foreman. In 1904 he came to Cumberland Town- ship, and with his father first bought 40 acres in Section 31, and later another 40 acres. After the father's death he became sole owner. Here he carries on general farming and dairying and has a good Holstein herd, with a pure blooded sire. In 1920 he built a round barn. He is interested in everything that pertains to the progress of the township, especially in improved methods of transportation. In 1917 he was township pathmaster, and in 1918 he was patrolman on Highway 51, winning high commendation for his efficiency and courtesy. Fraternally, he is a popular member of Almena Lodge, No. 5478, M. W. A. He attends the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 97

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

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