USA > Wisconsin > Eau Claire County > History of Eau Claire county, Wisconsin, past and present; including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county > Part 62
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Mr. Banister received a limited edneation in the common schools and after coming to Wisconsin in 1849 he learned the trade of carpenter and joiner and in 1856 came to Eau Claire county, and the following year purchased a farm of 85 acres in what is now Seetion 6, Washington township, to which he sub- sequently added 80 aeres. He cleared and improved 100 aeres and there made his home until 1879, when he sold out and moved to the city of Eau Claire and resnmed the carpenter business, which he followed off and on until 1908 and then retired. In February, 1865, he married Harriett West, daughter of Derriek and Mary (Upham) West, of Columbia county. Three children were born to them, as follows: Mary, who followed the occupa- tion of teacher, is deceased; Lucy, deceased, and Phoebe M., wife of Charles Peat, of Portland, Ore. Mr. Banister was a soldier in the civil war, enlisting December 15, 1861, as a private in Company L, Second Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg and in many other bat- tles and skirmishes, and was honorably discharged January 23, 1865, by reason of the expiration of his term of service. Ile is now a member of Eagle Post, No. 52, G. A. R., of Ean Claire, and the Old Settlers' Association, and is one of its oldest members. While living on the farm Mr. Banister was honored by the people of his town by being elected to various offices, served one term as supervisor and held other minor offices.
Charles C. Barber,* who ranks among the younger class of energetie and advancing farmers of Eau Claire county, Wis- consin, is the son of Solon and Elmira (Richards) Barber, who were both born in St. Lawrence county, New York, and were descended from old and prominent families. They made their home in New York state until they came to Wisconsin and
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settled on the farm near Angusta. Here they lived, the father devoting himself to general farming and stock rais- ing and passed the rest of his life. He was a good man, known for his uprightness and probity of character, and all who knew him honored and respected him. Ile took an active interest in public affairs and at one time was a member of the board of county commissioners. Ilis widow, who still survives, is a charm- ing lady and is loved for her goodness of heart and many woman- ly virtues by her large circle of friends. She is the mother of six children, four of whom are now (1914) living, viz: Ella is the wife of Charles Stinson ; Emma married Rev. John Johns and resides at Reedsburg, Wis .; George lives in Harvard. Ill., and Charles C. Those deceased are Belle, who died when quite young. and Ida.
Charles C. Barber is a native son of Eau Claire county and was born in Bridge Creek township, July 7, 1878. He was raised on a farm, receiving his education in the common sehool, and is now actively engaged in general farming. He owns and operates a well improved farm of 140 aeres within one mile of the city of Augusta, and is rated among the foremost citizens of his town. He takes a commendable interest in all matters publie and sane- tions any movement which is for the best interest of his com- munity. He was married February 8, 1905, to Clara Jane Shep- ard, of Augusta, by whom he has two sons, Bernard Owen and Franeis Wyman. Mr. Barber stands well socially as well as fraternally, and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Woodmen of the World and the Knights of Pythas.
James T. Barber, president of the Northwestern Lumber Com- pany, is the son of William Henry and Caroline (Hayward) Barber. The original ancestor of the Barber family in America was John Barber, great grandfather of James T., who came from England to the United States in 1793. loeating first in Rhode Island, where he married a Miss Jenks, and in 1795 moved to Franklin county, Massachusetts, and resided there until his death. The paternal grandfather, John Barber, was born and spent his entire life in Franklin county, Massachusetts. Wil- liam Henry Barber, father of our subject, was born in Franklin county. where he spent his entire life. Ile was a genius in the line of inventions and a good machinist; he devised many excel- lent contrivances, among them a brace which is still known as the Barber bit brace. He married Caroline Hayward, a daughter of Stephen Ilayward, of Plainfield, Hampshire county, whose family were numbered among the pioneers of that section, and
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they were the parents of the following children: Henry, who was a soldier in the civil war and served two years in the Fifty- seeond Massachusetts Infantry; Ernest: Fidelia J. was drowned at the age of twenty-four, and James T., the subject of this sketeh.
The maternal great grandfather, Hope Brown, was one of the heroes of the revolutionary war. IIe resided near Coneord. and was one of the minute men ealled to arms by Paul Revere in his famous ride. He participated in the battle of Lexington, and after disposing of a red eoat captured his old flint-lock musket, which is still retained by members of the family as a trophy, it now being in possession of Stephen Hayward, who resides in Missouri.
James T. Barber was born January 25, 1847, in Ashfield, Franklin county, Mass., and received his primary education in the common schools, which was supplemented by a course at the Windsor, Vt., high school, where his father was manufacturing muskets for the Union army during the eivil war. At an early age he seeured employment on the Springfield "Republican." then edited by Samuel Bowles and Dr. J. G. Holland. Ile held various positions on this paper and for several years had charge of the mailing department. In 1871 he went to IIannibal, Mo., and for a short time kept books for his uncle. He afterwards kept books for Davis, Backee & Garth for two years. On July 1, 1875, he accepted a like position with the Northwestern Lum- ber Company at Hannibal, and so well did he perform the duties assigned to him he was soon taken into the company and later beeame assistant secretary and treasurer, and it was largely through his efficient management and rare business ability that the company's business at IIannibal assumed the large propor- tions that it did.
On December 1. 1886, he came to Eau Claire in the interests of the company and in 1887 became its vice-president, and sinee 1904 has been president of the corporation. Ile is recognized as a man of affairs and is one of the city's most enterprising and publie spirited men. Soon after his arrival in Eau Claire he became interested in the Gas Works, become a director of the National Electrie Manufacturing Company, secretary of the Montreal River Company and president of the Sterling Lumber Company, the last two being adjuncts of the Northwestern Luni- ber Company. Ile is now treasurer of the Stanley, Merrill & Phillips Railway Company, which is also owned by the North- western Lumber Company.
On January 22, 1889, he was married to Miss Petramilla,
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daughter of Peter and Angie (Tewkesberry) Bellinger, pioneers of Eau Claire. Mr. Barber has always been identified with the Republican party, and while in Missouri was a member of the delegation which nominated James G. Blaine for president in 1884. He was also a delegate from Wisconsin to the National convention which nominated Wm. MeKinley for President in 1900. Religiously he is a member of the vestry of Christ Episcopal church.
Henry Barney,* publie spirited eitizen and manufacturers' agent, of Fairehild, is the son of Godfrey W. and Lorinda (Wilder) Barney, and was born in Belleville, Jefferson county, N. Y., May 9, 1852. His father was also born in Jefferson county, and his mother was a native of Vermont. In 1858 the parents came to Wiseonsin with their family and settled on 320 aeres of land in Juneau eounty; the land was in three parcels, one of which consisted of 80 aeres, to which was subsequently added by purehase 20 acres. The original 320 acres was given to the father by his brother, Iliram Barney, collector of the Port of New York, who was a warm personal friend of Abraham Lincoln, and who resigned his position as collector of the port in favor of Chester A. Arthur, who afterward became President of the United States. The father of Henry Barney was a elergyman in the Methodist Episcopal church and belonged to the Black River conference, New York. Before coming to Wiseonsin, he was super- annuated and his sons made all the improvements on the farm in Juneau eounty where the father died in 1863 at the age of 67 years. Ile served as drummer boy in the war of 1812 and after his death, his widow drew a pension from the government. Before entering the ministry he studied medieine and praetieed that pro- fession more or less during his lifetime, and for many years was the manufacturer of Dr. G. W. Barney's Anti-Billions Cathartic Pills, and for a number of years was land warrant agent for the state of New York, for the benefit of United States soldiers. His children who grew to maturity were Iliram W., a prominent law- yer of Mauston, Wiseosin, who died Deeember 25, 1906; Sarah, deceased; Charles, retired hardware merchant of Mauston; Mary Augusta, a practicing physician, and Henry.
Mr. Barney grew to manhood in Juneau county, receiving his education in the district schools and the Mauston high school. He began his business career as a clerk in a general store at Mauston, serving in that capacity for two years. He later en- gaged iu farming on the old homestead for two years, and still later engaged in lumbering in Juneau and Vernon counties in
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which he continued for some six years, and then entered the agri- cultural implement business at Hillsboro, Wisconsin, which he followed for eight years. In 1893 he settled on a farm of 80 acres in the town of Bridge Creek, Eau Claire county, near Augusta, where he followed farming until April, 1902. In the last named year, he moved to the village of Fairchild and embarked in the livery business which he followed until 1913, when on account of ill health he turned the business over to his sons, by whom it is continued under the name of Barney Brothers.
Twice married, Mr. Barney took for his first wife, Miss Anna, daughter of Ruben and Elizabeth (Daniels) Sweet, of Hillsboro, Wisconsin, whose father was a soldier in the civil war. By this union nine children were born, six of whom grew to maturity : Ernest W .; Wert W .; Charles H .; Francis N .; Hiram R. and Hattie, deceased. He married for his second wife Mrs. Louisa (Jenson) Johnson, widow of James Johnson, who, by her former marriage is the mother of three children: Anna is now Mrs. Walter Olson, of Sparta; Jessie and Carl. Mr. and Mrs. Barney are the owners of valuable property in Fairchild consisting of residences and 40 acres, and they also own two farms of 40 and 80 acres each.
In politics Mr. Barney is a Democrat and has served two terms as assessor of Fairchild village.
David P. Barnes, one of the early settlers of Eau Claire, and for many years a public officer, was born September 6, 1837, in Plattsburg, New York, and there remained until 1857, when he came to Wisconsin, and located at Eau Claire, where for a time he was engaged in the lumber business and for twenty years thereafter he was interested in selling farm implements. For a number of years he was acting deputy sheriff of Eau Claire county, served as county clerk for some time, and for twelve years acted as deputy county treasurer and for twenty-six years prior to his retirement, he acted as janitor of the court house, a record seldom equaled. He married Mary Grinsel, a native of the Province of Quebec, Canada, and to this union seven children have been born, six of whom are now living, viz .: Phoebe, wife of W. HI. Brown, of Eau Claire; Bessie, Margaret, James II., William II. and Grace. Horace Barnes, father of our subject, died in Plattsburg, New York, at the age of fifty-six years, and the mother died there aged 57 years. They raised a family of six children, three sons and three daughters, as follows: Horace .J., William R., David P. and three sisters. Mrs. David P. Barnes died in Eau Claire January 30, 1902.
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William H. Barnes, Councilman of the new commission form of government of Eau Claire, Wis., is the son of David P. and Mary (Grinsell) Barnes, and was born in Eau Claire June 16, 1875. Ilis father was a native of Plattsburg, N. Y., and his mother of the Province of Quebec, Canada. The father came to Wisconsin in 1858, locating in Eau Claire, where he engaged in various lines of business, conducted a livery stable for a few years, engaged in the sale of agricultural implements for 20 years, and for 27 years was janitor of the courthouse. While in that position he acted as deputy of nearly all the offices of the county. He is now (1914), at the age of 77, living retired in this city. Of his seven children, six are now living, viz. : Phoebe, wife of W. J. Brown ; Margaret, Bessie, Horace, William HI. and Grace.
William II. was reared in his native city, receiving his educa- tion in the public schools and local business college. He learned the machinists' trade, which he followed for fifteen years. Po- litically he is a Socialist and is the first one of that party to hold office in Eau Claire county, having been elected councilman for a term of six years in April, 1912. He is a member of the Ma- chinists' Union and a staunch supporter of the principles of unionism and an active union worker. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Fitzpatrick, daughter of John and Nellie (Me- Graw) Fitzpatrick, of Eau Claire, to whom he was married in 1912, is also a supporter of unionism, being a member of the Typo- graphical Union. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes are the parents of two children-Mary and Elizabeth Barnes.
John E. Barron," who. while still a young man, had attained to a position of prominence in the financial circles of Eau Claire, was born in this city April 11, 1872, the son of Martin Van Buren and Caroline A. (Wightman) Barron, pioneers of Eau Claire. After finishing his education in the common and high schools of the city, he entered the employ of his father in the lumber busi- ness, with whom he remained until the latter's death. He was then employed by the Madison Street Manufacturing Company, and for a time worked for the Standard Oil Company in Eau Claire. In 1897 he went into the Bank of Eau Claire, which later became the Union Savings Bank, and has worked his way from messenger boy to the responsible position of cashier of the Union Savings Bank. IIe is a thorough banker and a man whose busi- ness judgment is often sought on important business matters. He is deeply interested in the welfare of the city, and while he takes a keen interest in all public matters, he has never sought nor held public office. Though he has many times been tendered town
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and city offices, he has always declined, preferring to give his whole attention to his many business enterprises. Besides his banking interests in this city, he is a stockholder in the Union Mortgage & Loan Company, of Eau Claire, a director of the Farmers' State Bank, of Allen, Wisconsin, and a stockholder and director of the Northwestern Flour & Feed Company.
Mr. Barron's busy life is marked by many changes, but amidst its many vicissitudes he has held the even tenor of his way, advan- cing gradually step by step until he has attained a standing and position worthy of the man, and withal gained by a course of business methods that commend him to the respect of all who know him. On September 19, 1904, Mr. Barron married Josephine M. Kleinsehintz, daughter of George J. and Mary Magdom (Uhl) Kleinschintz. They have a happy family of two children, viz: Magdom and John Henry.
Mr. Barron is a man of pleasing personality, generons and publie spirited, and occupies a prominent place in fraternal, social and benevolent societies. Ile is a Mason and a member of Blue Lodge. Chapter and Commandery, No. 8. He is Exalted Ruler in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and a member of Germania Lodge, No. 49. Knights of Pythias, the Grand Lodge and the Uniform Rank. Ile is also a member of the Knights of Khorassan of Racine, the Eau Claire Club, Brother- hood of American Yeomen. Independent Order of Foresters and the Spanish-American War Veterans, and represents the Second Ward on the Board of Education. lle enlisted in Company E, Third Regiment, Wisconsin National Guard, as a private and served five years; he held all the non-commissioned offices and rose to the rank of Second Lieutenant. and as such served through the Porto Riean campaign under Major Marshall Cousins during the Spanish-American war.
Martin Van Buren Barron, father of our subject, was a rela- tive of the late Judge Barron, the third judge to hold court in this city. Coming to Eau Claire in 1865. Mr. Barron beeame associated with his brother. John, in the flour and feed business on Barstow street, which was continued for about one year, when. with another brother, under the firm name of Barron Brothers. he built a saw mill on the Chippewa river just above the old Eddy mill. At the end of one year he became connected with the Eau Claire Lumber Company as salesman in the lower Mississippi city, continuing with this concern for about three years. He then began logging for himself and with that and running a lumber vard at Blue Earth, Minnesota, for the Eau Claire Lumber Com-
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pany, his time was well occupied for the next six years. Hle was associated with the late Peter Truax for two years in buying and cutting hard wood lumber in Northern Wisconsin, and from that time until his death, which occurred July 28, 1891, he was associated with John S. Owen, of the Rust-Owen Lumber Com- pany in buying lumber and logs at Boyd, Cadott, Bloomer, Chetek, Barron and other points along the line of the Omaha and Wiseon- sin C'entral (now the Soo) Railways.
Mr. Barron was born in Lisbon, New Hampshire, April 10, 1834, a son of Fletcher J. and Mary (Horton) Barron, natives of Haverhill, New Hampshire, and Providence, Rhode Island, respec- tively, who were married January 13, 1819. Eight children were born to them as follows: Jane, llorton, Fletcher, John, Mary, Martin Van Buren, Moses Durand and Josephine. The early life of Mr. Barron was spent in Livingston county, New York, whither the family moved when he was young. At the age of seventeen he moved to Scio, New York, and there engaged in the lumber business. On January 22, 1859, he married Caroline A. Wight- man, a native of Riehburg. Allegany county, New York, and they became the parents of nine children, of whom two are now living, viz: John E. and Cora, who married DeSota H. Grant, a merchant at River Bank, California. Carrie, a twin sister of Cora, is now deceased, and her remains lay at rest in Forest Hill eemetery. Although Mr. Barron was not a member of any church, he lived an honorable and upright life. He was a member of the A. O. U. W. and always affiliated with the Democratic party. and prob- ably no man connected with the lumber industry was better known through the surrounding country. or more highly re- spected than was he.
The parents of Fletcher J. Barron, grandfather of John E., were of French descent. Moses Barron was a soldier in the French war, and also in the War of the Revolution. Mary Bar- ron, the grandmother, was a daughter of Ebenezer and Chloe (Daly) Ilorton, natives of Rhode Island.
Corydon L. Beardsley .* In perpetuating in words more en- during than monuments of stone the memory of men of promi- nence whose active and valuable lives have been spent in Eau ('laire county, the pages of this volume would be incomplete were mention not made of the honored pioneer whose name is here recorded.
Mr. Beardsley was born in the state of New York, May 21. 1839, and on both sides is descended from sterling New England families, good loyal citizens and most exemplary characters.
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Corydon L. received his primary education in the common schools of his neighborhood, and early in life, imbued with the spirit of the late Horace Greeley, he turned his face to the setting sun. Landing in Wiseonsin, he followed the occupation for a time of well digging, and during the civil war he enlisted in Company F. Thirtieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and proved a brave and efficient soldier.
In 1865 he came to Eau Claire county and settled on a farm in Pleasant Valley township, which he improved and where he lived, engaged in general farming until 1907, when he retired from active labor, moved into the city of Eau Claire, where he now resides in the enjoyment of his family and the fruits of his many years of toil. Mr. Beardsley was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Hathaway, a very estimable lady of Pierce county, Wiseonsin, by whom he had nine children, viz: Elmer E., born May 5, 1862; Ella A., born October 29, 1864; Viola E., born October 17, 1866 ; Effie H., born October 2, 1868; Clifford J., born September 16, 1870; Henry L., born July 2, 1873; Lettie S., born June 16, 1876; Lillian F., born December 30, 1879, and Bertha O., born Deecmber 25, 1883. The mother of these children, who was a lady of rare womanly graces and domestic virtues, died January 21, 1896, loved and respected by all who knew her. Mr. Beardsley has been a resident of Eau Claire county for nearly fifty years and is one of the energetic, thrifty and highly re- spected men. He is a member of Eagle Post, No. 52, Grand Army of the Republic, of Eau Claire.
Hjalmar E. Berg, the well known and popular tailor of Eau Claire, was born in Venenborg, Sweden, of Norwegian parents, on January 5, 1870. His . father, Christian Berg, was born in Holmestrand, Norway. He learned the trade of tailor in his native country, followed the same there until 1888, when he emigrated to the United States, coming direct to Eau Claire, where he was employed as a journeyman by John Horgan, a mer- chant tailor, in whose employ he remained until his death on February 19, 1905. Ile married Sophia Thorp. of Fredrikstad. Norway, who is now seventy years of age. To this union the fol- lowing children were born: Shanette, married Anton M. Ander- son, register of deeds of Eau Claire; Karl Johan: Hjalmar E .; Kristine, married William Cheetham; Hulda, married Martin Hanson; Waldemar Mark; Axel, a lumberman residing in the state of Washington, married Vesta Hanson ; Elvine, married Jack Brewer, and Ella, who died in infancy.
Hjalmar E. attended the public schools of Norway and learned
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the trade of tailor of his father. He came to Eau Claire with his parents in 1888 and in the spring of 1910 he started in business for himself at 436 Water street, and has sinee carried on a sne- eessful merchant tailoring business, manufacturing a high-grade class of clothing.
Ile is a successful business man, progressive and enterprising, and commands a large patronage from the best elass of people in Eau Claire. He is a member of the Lutheran Church and the Sons of Norway and is an independent Republican.
In 1904 Mr. Berg married Miss Lena Everson, daughter of Ever Everson Sletten.
Jonas Bergh, the popular and enterprising real estate man of Eau Claire, is a native son of Norway, where he was born October 6, 1859, to Andrew P. and Lise (Johnson) Bergh, who came to the United States in 1866, locating at Red Wing, Minn., where they remained until 1869, and then removed to St. Paul, where the mother died in 1871. After the death of his wife. Mr. Bergh eame to Eau Claire with his family of five children, four of whom are now (1914) living, viz. : Jonas, Louie, Martin and Chris.
In 1873 Jonas Bergh came to Eau Claire, attended the public schools and later learned the trade of machinist and moulder in the establishment of the Phoenix Manufacturing Company, by whom he was employed for twenty-five years. In 1910 he em- barked in the real estate business on his own account, in which line he has succeeded in building up a large and thriving business. He not only handles local property, but also deals extensively in northern Wisconsin and North Dakota lands.
On October 9, 1887, Mr. Bergh was united in marriage with Randi, daughter of John Larson, a native of Norway. To this union there are five children now (1914) living, as follows: Amanda L., who is the wife of John L. Johnson; James R., An- drew W., Mamie E. and Elmer R. In religious matters Mr. Bergh is an attendant and a supporter of Grace Lutheran Church, while fraternally he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, and in polities a Republican.
Charles H. Bergman, dealer in flour, feed, grain, hay and coal, Ean ('laire, was born in the State of Saxon, Germany, December 9, 1855. His father, Gotlieb, who was a miller by trade, followed that vocation all his life. He was twiee married and was the father of nine children, six by his seeond marriage and three by the first, as follows: William and Herman reside in Germany, and Charles HI., the subject of this sketeh, whose mother died when he was two years of age.
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