History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 12

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1919
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 885

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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).

Benjamin Harrison Mueller was born at Alma, Wis., Feb. 8, 1890. He was the son of former County Clerk Rudolf Mueller, his mother's maiden name being Louise Schilling, a daughter of one of Buffalo county's pioneers. When but four years of age, little Bennie had the misfortune

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LIEUT. BENJAMIN H. MUELLER

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of being bereft of a kind and loving mother. He attended the public schools at Alma and in 1907 graduated from the Alma High School. Those who knew him as a boy could not help but be drawn to him by his lovable and sympathetic disposition as well as by his manly bearing. These noble traits of character, developed and matured, remained with the man and the soldier, and as we loved the boy, we honored and respected the man and the soldier. He was bright, active and ambitious, hence succeeded well in his school work, being a general favorite with his teachers and schoolmates; in fact, his classmates had adopted him as their soldier boy after he got "over there." In the fall of 1907 he entered the State Univer- sity at Madison, and it was here that he showed his mettle, for besides working his way through school, he distinguished himself as a student, doing most creditable work in the department of mechanical engineering and mastering that difficult course in the required time. During his sum- mer vacations he was never idle, but put in every day working with his father as stone mason or on the farm. Thus he acquired habits of thrift, industry, and close application to the work in hand which, coupled with mental fitness and a preposessing personality, opened him the way to posi- tions which are seldom tendered to inexperienced men, and in all of them he made good. He was first employed by the Milwaukee Electric Railway, Light & Power Co. He then accepted a position with the American Sheet and Tinplate Co. and worked for them first at Pittsburgh, but was later on transferred to different branch offices, where he held responsible posi- tions, the last of these being at Canal Dover, Ohio, where he had charge of one of their plants. Although the position he held there was a most lucrative one and his chances for advancement were very good, when his country called on her young men to come forward and defend the nation's rights and honor, and to secure to all peoples of the world those inherent rights to which they are entitled, he sacrificed position and future pros- pects to what he considered his most sacred duty and offered his services to his country shortly after a state of war had been declared to exist. He entered the First Officers' Training Camp at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, May 4, 1917, and received his commission as second lieutenant Aug. 15 of the same year, being later promoted to the position of first lieutenant. He was sent across as a lieutenant in Co. C, 167th Infantry, and arrived in France Oct. 7, 1917. Of what he did here little is known, but his friends are convinced that however difficult it was, he did his duty. Naturally modest, he spoke little of himself, and his letters, censored by himself, contained nothing personal or pertaining to the service, for one of his prominent traits of character was his sense of duty, and in no wise would he furnish information that might give aid to the enemy. We know that he was mortally wounded and died a few days thereafter. We farther know that he died conscious of the fact that the sacrifice he was making was for the greatest cause, which was as great as the sacrifice itself. Com- ing generations owe to the heroes who have given their all that the world might become a better place to live in, a debt of gratitude which they can never repay; but let them try to pay it in part, at least, by being loyal and patriotic citizens and by being faithful to the trust that is thus placed

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into their hands. In no other way can we better become worthy of the great sacrifices made by him and others like him than by thus doing our duty toward our country and our fellowmen. If we live up to this, their great sacrifice will not have been in vain. Lieut. Mueller leaves to mourn his death, besides his father and stepmother, his sister, Mrs. Edwin U. Wald of the town of Alma; his brother Roy at home, and his brother Irvine with the U. S. Army in France; also his half-brothers and sister, Jacob O., who enlisted in the navy and is on overseas duty in France, and Oliver P., Harvey C., Andrew A., Herbert F. and Olga E., all at home.

Harry H. Scott, editor and publisher of the Buffalo County News, of Mondovi, was born at Whitehall, Trempealeau county, Wis., June 19, 1870. His parents were Christopher E. and Mary (Miller) Scott, the father being of New York antecedents. Harry H. Scott was educated in the district school and the Whitehall graded school, being graduated with the first class in 1887. In the same year he began to learn the printer's trade in the office of the Whitehall Times, where he remained until 1891. In the following year he was elected clerk of court, in which office he served from 1892 to 1898. After that he was engaged in mercantile business in Whitehall until 1901. While residing in Whitehall he served two years as a member of the village board, and was secretary of the Trempealeau County Agricultural and Driving Park Association from 1892 to 1899. In the spring of 1901 Mr. Scott became manager of the Greenwood Gleaner, of Greenwood, Wis., but severed his connection with that paper in July of the same year, when he came to Mondovi and bought the Buffalo County News from Lees & Petzold. This paper had been founded in 1898 by Browne Brothers, who bought the outfit of the Eau Claire Workmen's Gazette and moved it to Mondovi by wagon. Its career had been a check- ered one, and when Mr. Scott purchased it, it had a circulation of only 600, which he has since raised to 1,000. In 1914 he erected the building in which the paper is now published and where job work is also executed. For a country printing-office the equipment is large and complete, including besides the necessary cylinder press, a linotype machine, three job presses, a paper cutter, perforater, and a varied assortment of type. In politics Mr. Scott is a Republican with independent proclivities. His fraternal society affiliations are with Beaver Colony No. 304, of Mondovi, which he joined in 1915, and Capt. W. H. Church Camp, Sons of Veterans, of which he is secretary and treasurer. On Dec. 25, 1895, Mr. Scott was united in marriage at Whitehall, Wis., with Amanda, daughter of Oliver A. and Jane (Anderson) Hegg. Six children have been born to them as follows: Harry H., born in Whitehall, Nov. 27, 1897, now a student in his senior year at the University of Wisconsin, editor of the 1919 "Badger," and a member of the university band and orchestra; James M., born at Whitehall, Wis., Dec. 2, 1899, who is a student in his senior year at Mon- dovi high school, in his spare time working in his father's printing-office; Arnold, born in Mondovi, Feb. 18, 1905; Frederick, born in Mondovi, April 2, 1909; and Madeline, born in Mondovi, now deceased.

Peter A. Turton, a member of the firm of Turton & Von Wald, dealers in farm machinery at Alma, of which place he is also city clerk, was born

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in Waumandee township, Buffalo county, in the log house of his parents, John and Demiah (Hotchkinson) Turton. The parents were natives of England, who, coming to Buffalo county many years ago, located on 80 acres of wild land in Waumandee township, which they farmed and in time became prosperous. In 1894 they sold their farm and took up their resi- dence in Alma, where John Turton is now living at the advanced age of 80 years. Peter A. Turton, who was the third born in a family of eight children, acquired his education in the district school. Then going to Mon- tana, he there learned the printer's trade, which he subsequently followed for one year at Arcadia, Trempealeau county, Wisconsin. Then coming to Alma, he bought and operated a livery stable for six years, at the end of that time selling out and going into his present business, handling the Bull line of farm machinery. After conducting the business alone until 1901, he then took as partner A. C. Von Wald, since which time the busi- ness has been carried on under the style of Turton & Von Wald. The firm has built up a good trade and are among the leaders in their line of busi- ness in this part of the county. A democrat in politics, Mr. Turton has served as city clerk for the last twelve years. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen and the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Turton married Agie Thompson, a native of Waumandee township, Buffalo county, and daughter of William Thompson, her father being a pioneer settler in this section. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Turton: Russel, Roy and Glen.

John Albert Broger, a well-known citizen of Modena township, Buf- falo county, was born in this township, Oct. 8, 1872, son of Arne and Carrie (Olson) Broger. His parents were married in Dane county, Wisconsin, the father having come to America from Norway. Soon after their mar- riage they located in Modena township, Buffalo county, taking land first in section 28 and later in section 27. Arne Broger died a few years later at the age of 27 years, leaving three children, Julia, Oscar and John Albert. His widow later became the wife of John Michaelson, by whom she had five children. Both she and her second husband are now deceased. John Albert Broger acquired his education in the district school and the Norwe- gian parochial school, which he attended from the age of 12 to that of 14 years. Before he was 15 he left home and began working out, but later, from the age of 17 to that of 18, attended school in Modena. Subsequently he spent considerable time in traveling through various states and in Canada, from 1890 to 1892 being in Iowa. Two or three years were spent by him in grubbing in Modena township, and he also farmed for seven years in section 12, this township. April 1, 1905, he started with a party of settlers bound for Canada, and took a homestead that fall in Staneoli, Alberta. He proved up his claim and resided there seven years, then in June, 1912, went to Montana, where he spent that summer. In October, 1912, Mr. Broger went to Minneapolis. In March, 1913, he was attacked by rheumatism and for a year was unable to work. In the fall of 1913 he returned to Modena township, Buffalo county, where he has since remained.

Edward W. Schultz, one of the proprietors of the Schultz Bros.' farm in section 9, Belvidere township, Buffalo county, is a prominent representa-

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tive of the agricultural and stock raising interests of this township. He was born April 11, 1883, son of Carl and Sadie (Voss) Schultz, who were natives of Germany and who settled in Belvidere township, Buffalo county. Their children, six in number, were: Herman, who died at the age of seven years; William, who died at the age of three months; Emma, who died at the age of nine months; Edward W., subject of this sketch; George, born June 12, 1886, who is Edward's partner in the ownership and operation of the farm; and Amanda, born June 18, 1892, who is residing on the home- stead. Edward W. Schultz acquired a district school education and learned agriculture in its different branches on his parents' farm. He was 23 years old when in company with his brother George he bought the farm, which they have since operated together. It contains 320 acres of which 140 acres are cleared. The brothers do general farming, but give their par- ticular attention to dairying and the raising of swine. Their barn, 36 by 80 feet in size, rests on a stone foundation, and is provided with a basement, a stone silo being near at hand. On the farm are two houses, one of which is occupied by Edward W. and his family, and the other by his parents and brother George. Edward W. Schultz was married Oct. 20, 1906, to Elfa Fetting, who was born in Oct. 26, 1889, daughter of Adolph and Lizzie (Damm) Fetting. Her father was born in Germany and her mother in America. They are now living in Buffalo City, the father having retired from farming in 1915. They have seven children: Lillie, Edwin, Frank, Lloyd, Elfa, Hattie and Orvil. All are married except Orvil. Mr. and Mrs. Edward W. Schultz are the parents of three children : Roy George, born Aug. 28, 1907; Sylvia Lillie, born Jan. 21, 1909; and Gilbert Edwin, born Jan. 26, 1913. The two eldest are attending school.

George Lincoln Price, a well-known farmer of Maxwell township, Buffalo county, where he is operating 100 acres of land, was born on a farm in Fulton county, Pennsylvania, Nov. 28, 1860, son of James and Margaret (Brown) Price. The father, though a resident of Pennsylvania, was de- scended from old New England families. His wife, Margaret, was born in Pennsylvania of German parentage. James Price died in 1860, several months before the birth of his son, George Lincoln. The latter remained with his mother until he was 12 years old and after that had to depend on his own resources. He got some schooling in Pennsylvania and at the age of 17 came to Wisconsin, locating at North Branch, Buffalo county, where he was engaged in farming for four years. The next ten or twelve years of his life were spent in the employ of the Mississippi Logging Company, after which he went to work for the Jewell Nursery, getting out pine and cottonwood and other trees in the north woods. In this manner he was occupied for nine years, after which he farmed for awhile in Canton township. Then, about 1884, he located in Maxville township on ten acres of land on which there was no building. To this tract he added until he had 100 acres, also putting up good buildings and making other improvements. He is now doing a profitable farming business, keep- ing a good grade of stock. A part of his time has been devoted to public interests, as he served one term as assessor and was a member of the school board twelve years-nine years as treasurer and three years as clerk.

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GEORGE PRICE AND FAMILY-ELIZA HEWITT

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Mr. Price was married in 1883 to Lillian Hewitt, daughter of William and Eliza (Gardner) Hewitt, her father being one of the first settlers in Max- ville township. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Price, all of whom are living, six being married. They are as follows: Pearl, now Mrs. Herman Burlinger, of St. Paul, Minn .; Nellie, wife of Charles Manore, of Durand, Wis .; Eliza, wife of Earl Shoemaker, of Glen Forest, Wis .; Sadie, now Mrs. Earl Beatty, of Durand; Gussie, wife of Frank Brieder- mann, of Durand; Paul, who married Hazel Hurlburt, of Maxville town- ship; and Hazel, Patrick, James and Fern, who are residing at home. Mr. Price has also twelve grandchildren. William Hewitt was a native of Pennsylvania, having been born near Erie in 1815. After his marriage in Pennsylvania he came to Marquette county, Wisconsin, where he remained for several years. Thence he removed to Lake City, Minn., coming from there to Maxville township, Buffalo county, Wis., about 1858 and settling on a farm of 160 acres of government land on Maxville Prairie, being one of the earliest settlers in this region. Here he lived, a prominent and respected citizen, until his death in 1889. His wife Eliza survived him ten years, dying in 1899.

Oscar Broger, a farmer in sections 27 and 29, Modena township, Buffalo county, was born in section 27, this township, Feb. 1, 1875, son of Arne and Carrie (Olson) Broger. The name Broger is derived from a farm in Norway which was the home of the family for many years. Arne Broger came to the United States by sailing vessel, locating first in Dane county, Wisconsin. He was married near Madison to Carrie Olson, also a native of Norway, to whom he had sent money earned by shoemaking to pay her passage to this country. Together they came as a young couple to Buffalo county, locating in section 28, Modena township, but later taking 160 acres in section 27, all being wild land. The journey was made in a cov- ered wagon drawn by oxen, and the party included, besides Mr. and Mrs. Arne Broger, their child, Julia, and the grandfather, Gergen Olsen Broger, with his second wife Ambjor. On his place Arne Broger built a small frame house and began the development of a farm. As at first he could not get a living from the land, he found it necessary to earn money in some other way, and accordingly worked as a carpenter in Alma and did shoe- making, at which trade he was an expert. He was not, however, destined to carry his labors to a complete issue, as, after he had broken about ten acres of his land, he died at the early age of 27 years, leaving his wife and three children, Julia, Oscar and John Albert. His wife subsequently married John Michaelson, by whom she had five children, Emma, Alfred, Unetta, Laura and Gertie. She died at the age of 67 and her second hus- band at about the same age. Oscar Broger grew up on the parental home- stead, living with his mother and stepfather after his own father's death, and attending district school. At the age of 21 he started in for himself, buying the home place, which he farmed until he sold it five years ago. He then bought his present farm of 126 acres in sections 27 and 29, Modena township, there being an old house and machine-shed on the place. In 1914 he built a barn, 32 by 60 feet in dimensions, and has made other improvements on the property, including the construction of a good chicken

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coop for his flock of Plymouth Rock chickens. He raises Durham cattle, Percheron horses and Poland-China hogs with good financial results. Aside from his immediate farming interests, Mr. Broger is a shareholder in the Equity elevator of Mondovi. He is a member and active supporter of the Lutheran church, which he helped to build. Mr. Broger married Ingor Johnson, daughter of Sylvester and Gertrude Johnson, and a native of Modena township. Her parents were born in Norway, but were mar- ried in Buffalo county, Wisconsin. Both are now deceased: the father, born Dec. 4, 1840, died Aug. 16, 1901; and the mother, born Aug. 30, 1830, died in 1905. They had located on wild land in section 3, Modena town- ship, where Mr. Johnson had built a log house and engaged in farming with an ox team. Later they removed to Crookston, Minn., but finally returned and spent their last days in Buffalo county. They were members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. and Mrs. Broger have had five children: Ollie Christian, who died at the age of three years and seven months; Arne Kenneth, Josephine Susanna, Alice Christian and George A.

Ole Anderson, a well-known and respected resident of the village of Modena, Buffalo county, where he is living retired after a life of agricul- tural activity, was born in Norway, Jan. 6, 1848, son of Edmund and Cecelia Anderson. In 1851 the family emigrated to the United States, the children being Ole, Bertha and Andrena. Settling in Dane county, Wis- consin, they remained there for a number of years and another child, Olena, was born. The father, Edmund, finally removed to South Dakota, where he resided until his death. Ole Anderson, who was a child of four years when the family came to America, grew up in Dane county and became a farmer. At the age of 22 years he married Gertrude Uglan, who was born on a farm in Norway called the Uglan farm, Aug. 17, 1847, · daughter of Louis and Anna Littisko. She came to the United States with her parents in 1869, they residing three years in Dane county and then coming to Modena township, Buffalo county. At that time came also Mr. and Mrs. Ole Anderson as members of a party, making the jour- ney with a wagon and team. The land they settled on was a tract of 80 acres in section 10, Modena township, about five acres of which were cleared, though there was no building on the place. This defect Mr. Ander- son remedied by erecting a log house, and he subsequently bought 40 acres more land. He and his wife had brought a cow from Dane county and they also had a horse team for the draught work on the farm. Until 1915 they resided there, engaged in improving the place, cultivating the land, raising good stock and amassing a competence for their declining years, and then moved to Modena village, their present place of residence, where they are enjoying the fruits of their many years' hard labor. They are the parents of nine children, as follows: Andrew and Louis (twins), who died in infancy ; Edmund, Cecelia, Anna, Louis, second (now deceased), Carrie, Ole, Jr., and Emma.

Edward Anderson, who is successfully operating a farm of 85 acres in section 15, Modena township, Buffalo county, and is also the owner of another tract of farm land in sections 9 and 10 consisting of 60 acres, was born on a farm in Dane county, Wisconsin, Feb. 17, 1872, son of Ole and

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MR. AND MRS. BERT W. AYRES

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Gertrude (Ugulen) Anderson. He spent his youth up to the age of 15 years in this township and then began working for farmers in various parts of the county, after which he started in for himself by renting a farm in Modena township, which he operated for a year. After that he rented the Loomis farm in Gilmanton township for three years, and then bought his present place in section 15, Modena township, which then contained 80 acres, the other five acres having been later added by purchase. The original buildings were an old log house and barn, but the farm is now better provided with good buildings, as Mr. Anderson erected a substantial barn in 1910 and a new house in 1915. As a stock raiser he gives his pref- erence to Duroc-Jersey hogs, Jersey cattle and a good grade of horses, all of which he raises successfully. He is also a shareholder in the Modena creamery. At the present time (1917) Mr. Anderson is serving as a member of the town side board, and also on the school board of his district. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and was formerly coun- cillor of his lodge. He married Ruth Moats, daughter of Ira B. and Clarissa Moats, of Modena village, her parents having been pioneer settlers in this township. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are Wilma, Alice, Coy, Collin, Phoebe and Lyman.

Ole Anderson, Jr., a prosperous young farmer of Modena township, Buffalo county, son of Ole and Gertrude (Uglan) Anderson, was born in a log house on his parents' farm in this township, May 30, 1883. Attend- ing the district school in his boyhood, he remained on the home farm which he helped to cultivate and which subsequently became his property. To the 120 acres it contained he has since added 30 more, and is now making good progress as a successful farmer and stock raiser. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Anderson married Sarah Hagen, daughter of Christ Hagen.

Bert W. Ayres, proprietor of Meadow Brook Farm, a well-developed and profitable farm in sections 26 and 27, Gilmanton township, Buffalo county, is a native of this section of Wisconsin, having been born in Albany township, Pepin county, June 20, 1880, son of Warren and Frances (Locke) Ayres. The father, Warren, was born in Illinois, son of James L. and Sarah Ayres, with whom he came to Pepin county, Wisconsin, when 18 years old. He was brought up to agricultural pursuits and at the age of 22 began farming in Lima township, Pepin county, remaining in that county until 1902, except for two years that he spent in Gilmanton township, Buffalo county. In 1902 he removed to Eau Claire county, where he followed farming until his death in September, 1917. On his removal to Eau Claire county he changed his politics from Democratic to Republican. He was a founder of the United Brethren church in Lima township, of which he was an earnest member, serving it also as deacon. His wife died Nov. 19, 1914, and was buried in Peru township, Dunn county, Wisconsin. Their children were James, William, Marion, Ida, Clara, Bert W., Herbert, Cyrus and Harry, of whom Marion and Ida are now deceased. The surviving sons are all farmers. Bert W. Ayres was educated in Albany township, Pepin county, attending district school during the winters only from the age of 11 to that of 16. He remained at home with his father until 1902, in

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which year he began farming operations for himself, buying 160 acres of wild land in Dramman township, Eau Claire county, on which he built a log shanty and barn. There he remained until 1904, when he sold the farm and purchased another farm in Eau Claire county. This one, how- ever, he never resided on. In 1904 he came to Gilmanton township, Buf- falo county, and for one year thereafter worked on the farm of E. A. Loomis. In 1905 he worked for Conrad Farner and in the fall of 1906 became an employee on Louis Haunschild's farm. In the fall of the fol- lowing year he ceased working for others and with his brother William bought 320 acres of improved land in sections 26 and 27, Gilmanton town- ship, on which they began operations. At the end of a year Bert bought out his brother's interest in the property and has since been the sole pro- prietor. His improvements on the place have been numerous and valuable. The principal buildings on the place when he took possession of it were a frame house consisting of an upright of one and a half stories, 24 by 36 feet, with a wing 12 by 24 feet, and a frame barn 40 by 66 feet. In 1910 Mr. Ayres enlarged the barn to 40 by 98 by 16 feet, putting in a full base- ment with cement floors and modern equipment, including "James" stalls, a milking machine and other conveniences. In the same year he built a silo 38 by 16 feet, and in 1915 a second silo 14 by 32 feet. Other buildings he has erected on the place are a modern poultry house 12 by 40 feet, a granary 16 by 28 by 18 feet, a corncrib 9 by 28, connected on both sides with the granary, and a hog house, full cement, erected in 1917 and meas- uring 24 by 56 by 16. In December, 1916, Mr. Ayres bought an improved farm of 240 acres in section 34, Gilmanton township, on which there was a frame house and log stable. On this farm in 1917 he built a frame barn 30 by 72 by 12 feet, with an eight-foot full basement for cattle and horses, also a silo 14 by 32 feet, and has 95 acres of it under the plow, the balance being in pasture and timber. In sections 26 and 27 he has under the plow 255 acres, the soil being a black loam and clay and the farm being one of the best producing farms in Buffalo county. He carries on general agriculture, including dairying, and has at present a herd of pure- bred and high-grade Holstein cows, raising from 20 to 27 young cattle annually. He also has a pen of from 50 to 75 Duroc-Jersey hogs. His other business interests include those of a stockholder in the Gilmanton & Dover Telephone Co. His fraternal affiliations are with the Beavers and Modern Woodmen of America at Gilmanton. On June 30, 1908, Mr. Ayres married Elisa, daughter of John and Louisa (Ganz) Farner. Mr. Ayres was reared in the faith of the United Brethren church. An active and enterprising farmer, he has had a successful career and is highly esteemed as a citizen.

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History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 12

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge Publication date: 1919 Publisher: Number of Pages: 885

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1919
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 885