Barron County, Wisconsin - Chapter 13: Biographical and Geneological Review, 1922 (part 27 of 46)

Charles Henry Roemhild, a prosperous farmer of Section 27, Prairie Farm Township, was born in a log house in Section 34, this township, March 12, 1870, the son of Carl August and Eva (Mueller) Roemhild, early settlers. He re¬ ceived such education as was afforded in the log schoolhouse established by his father, and learned farming on the home place. He lost his father when he was but thirteen, so his help was early needed on the farm. When he was but sixteen he started work as teamster, hauling cord wood. Thereafter he spent several seasons in logging camps. After his father's death, he and his brother, Frank, carried on the home farm together until 1900, when each bought a half of it. In 1911 he bought 120 acres of another tract, but later sold it to his son, George. Mr. and Mrs. Roemhild started home-making after their marriage with but little except strength and courage and determination. They did not even have much furniture until he had earned some money working in the woods. With such a beginning they have built up their present prosperity. Mr. Roemhild is a man of sound judgment, and is a splendid example of what * man may accomplish by hard work and close attention to business, encour- aged by a loyal wife and family. The farm is well tilled and well cultivated, and the buildings are in a good state of repair. The home is pleasant and comfortable, and the barn, 32 by 40 feet, built in 1897, is the first structure of its kind in this part of the county to be constructed with a full basement. In the spring of 1917, Mr. Roemhild installed the Delco lighting system, with 160- hour batteries, which furnishes light for the house, barns, outbuildings and yards. Mr. Roemhild successfully carries on general farming and dairying. He has a herd of full-blooded Jerseys and a drove of registered Poland-China swine. Busy as he has been with his farm work, and in building up his suc¬ cess, he has not been neglectful of his duty as a good citizen, and has done most excellent service on the school board and on the town board. Mr. Roem¬ hild was married Oct. 11, 1890, to Katherine Neck, who was born in Germany, Sept. 28, 1871, the daughter of John M. and Mary Neck, who came to the United States and located in Prairie Farm Township in the eighties. Mr. and Mrs. Roemhild have five children. George F. is at home. Alice is the wife of Leonard Lindermer, of Prairie Farm Township. Arthur died at the age of three years. Lena and Adrian are at home.

Martin Kurschner, now deceased, was one of the early settlers of Prairie Farm Township, and saw its development from a wilderness. He was born in Gumpelstadt, Saxe Meinungen, Germany, Nov. 6, 1839, the son of Casper and Marie Fredericks Kurschner. He was reared in his native land and in 1860 was married to Anna Kallenbach, who was born Aug. 28, 1839. There three children were born, Oswald, Chris and Valentine. In 1866 the whole family, Martin and his wife, his father and mother, and the three children, came to America, the voyage taking three weeks and aboard a sailing boat. In due time they reached Chicago, and from there found their way to Black Earth, in Dane County, this state. For three years he was employed on the railroad as a section hand. In 1869 they came to Barron County. From Black Earth, they made the trip overland to the Mississippi, and thence in a boat up the Missis¬ sippi to Reed's Landing, Wabasha County, Minn., on the Wisconsin point, op¬ posite which they were met by Christopher Kiser, a friend, who already had taken a homestead in Sheridan Township, Dunn County. He drove them here with an ox team, and took them into his home until they could get a cabin built. When they put up their cabin there was but little except woods and cut-over land in any direction. Mr. Kurschner borrowed money and bought a cow and a yoke of oxen, with which to start fanning. To earn this money he went to the woods and worked in the lumber camps three years. While away he left the family in the little cabin, in a region traversed by Indians, and roamed by the animals of the wild. In after years, Mr. Kurchner enjoyed re¬ lating stories of the early days. He told with relish of one trip which he took with a team of oxen to the "Eighteen Mile Mill", so called, on the Menomonie River. Arriving at the river, he and his companions determined to camp for the night before fording the stream. That night there came a heavy rain, and by morning the quiet stream was a raging flood. The miller came out with a boat, fastened a rope to the oxen's horns, and piloted them across to the mill, the wagon floating behind them with the wagon box securely lashed to the body. In the early days it was difficult to haul goods in through the woods, and fur¬ niture, especially, was scarce, so much of the furniture which Mr. Kurschner had in his cabin he made himself. As time passed, Mr. Kurschner built up a good farm. He put up a suitable set of buildings, and added to his holdings until he owned 320 acres. After a long life of useful work, he died Jan. 2, 1919. In addition to the three children who came with the parents from Ger¬ many, four more, Nicholas, August, Mary and Anna, were born on the farm in Barron County. Mrs. Anna Kallenbach Kurschner died May 29, 1880. In 1881 he married Anna Specht, who was born Nov. 20, 1848, and died May 9, 1908. By this marriage two children were born, John and Louisa.

Valentine Kurschner, a respected citizen of Section 36, was born in Ger¬ many, May 12, 1866, the son of Martin and Anna (Kallenbach) Kurschner, who brought him to Dane County, this state, in 1866, and to this township in 1869. He was reared here and attended the neighborhood schools. At the age of seventeen he first went into the woods. Thereafter he worked for eighteen winters in logging camps and for sixteen springs on the river drives. After his marriage in 1894, he purchased 80 acres owned by his father in Section 35. This was all wild land covered with heavy timber. He cleared up the land, erected buildings, and has developed a good farm. He carries on general farm¬ ing and dairying, and has a good herd of Holstein cattle, some good swine, and graded Belgian horses. As the father of children, he is interested in educa¬ tion, and has served for some nine years as a member of the school board. He stands well with all who know him and is well liked throughout the com¬ munity. Mr. Kurschner was married March 31, 1894, to Anna Mary Christine Ranft, who was born in Saxony, Germany, June 22, 1873, daughter of David and Louisa (Zapf) Ranft, who brought her to this country when she was ten years old, and settled in Dunn County, this state, where they located on wild land, erected a log cabin, and in time developed a good farm. The father died Aug. 8, 1904, and the mother, June 28, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Kurschner have had seven children: Edna, the wife of William Hammer, of Turtle Lake; Blanche, May ; Florence, who taught for a while and was married Sept. 12, 1921, to Roy Schlough, of Sheridan Township, Dunn County; Helen, Clarence; and Eldora, the wife of Joseph Eliason, of Ridgeland, Dunn County.

Henry John Hellendrung, a substantial farmer of Section 27, Prairie Farm Township, was born in Germany, April 4, 1862, the son of Charles and Yetta (Minelard) Hellendrung. These good people had three children, born in Ger¬ many, Henry, Herman and Gusta. Of this family, Henry was the first to come to the United States. He arrived in 1883 and entered the employ of the Knapp, Stout & Co. at Menomonie, in Dunn County, this state, working for them in the mills there, in the woods northward, and on the Washburn farm in Sheridan Township, Dunn County. In 1885 Herman joined him. About 1885, the par¬ ents and Gusta came. For several years the subject of this sketch was vari¬ ously employed in this region. In 1892, he bought 120 acres of land from Chris. Kurschner, in Section 27, Prairie Farm Township. An old log shack stood on the place, 12 by 14 feet, and into this he moved his family. About ten acres had been cleared. Mr. Hellendrung started farming with a cow and a few implements. In the house, his wife had only the most meager household equipment. For a time it was hard to get along. In order to get a little money for immediate necessities he continued to work in the woods winters, leaving his family alone in the dreary cabin, often cut off from communication with the neighbors for weeks at a time. Thus the family worked together, each taking a proper share of the burdens, and in time their hard work, their never-failing good cheer, and their intelligent efforts, met with success. Mr. Hellendrung now has a well-improved place, with a modern home, and commodious barn, and other suitable farm buildings. The land is well cleared and well tilled, and is being conducted on a profitable basis. Mr. Hellendrung has believed in going his own way in life, quietly and efficiently, attending to his own affairs, and he is held in high esteem for what he has accomplished and for his sterling worth. He was married on May 16, 1890, to Augusta Kisier, who was born in Sheridan Township, Dunn County, this state, on Jan. 28, 1872, the daughter of Chris and Caroline Kisier, now deceased, early settlers of Dunn County, where they farmed for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Hellendrung have had nine children: Walter, who is at home; Ernest, who lives in Menomonie; Valentine, who is at home; Tena, who is the wife of John Kurschner, of Prairie Farm Township; Vernie, who is the wife of Louis Kurschner, Prairie Farm Town¬ ship; Ella, Mary, Mollie and Alma. The family faith is that of the Evangelical Church.

Hugo O. Gould, a prosperous and energetic farmer of Section 7, Prairie Farm Township, was born in Kingsbury, Kingsbury County, South Dakota, on Dec. 15, 1893, the son of Joshua Franklin and Anna (Bergman) Gould. He at- tended school in his native state for a while and also in Barron Township, this county, where he was brought when he was fourteen. He was reared to farm pursuits and grew to manhood in this county. He now successfully carries on general farming and dairying and is already getting a good start in life. He was married in Arland Township, April 6, 1914, to Olivia Yndestad, who was born on the farm where they now live, June 28, 1893, the daughter of Abram K. and Anna ( Andre wsdatter) Yndestad. Mr. and Mrs. Gould have four bright children: Orlando, Roy, Lyle and Harold, a fine quartet of lively boys.

Abram K. Yndestad, a respected citizen, now living in retirement in Prairie Farm Township, was born about ten miles north of Bergen, Norway, Sept. 4, 1847, the son of Caston and Kari Yndestad, who spent the span of their years in that country. He was reared on the home farm and attended school. In 1886 he came to America, and joined a cousin, Andrew Johnson, who had already settled in Prairie Farm Township, this county. Here he worked on farms for six years and this earned the money to send to Norway for his wife and seven of his children. In 1888 he secured 80 acres in Section 7, Prairie Farm Township, and to this later added 40 acres more. When he purchased the land it was all wild. For a while he found it hard to get along. But he had strength and courage and ambition, and he had his good wife and children to help him. The second year he got a pair of horses and two cows, and after that the work of developing the place went along faster. In time he built up a good farm, with a suitable set of buildings, and well-tilled land. He here suc¬ cessfully carried on general farming until 1920, when he sold the place to his son-in-law, Hugo O. Gould, with whom he still lives. In his active years he did his share in public work as a good citizen. He is a stockholder in the Co¬ operative Creamery of Prairie Farm. Mr. Yndestad was married in Norway in 1868 to Anna Andrewsdatter, who was born in that country, Dec. 26, 1846, and died on the farm in Prairie Farm Township in 1908. The children, born in Norway, were: Colburn, David, Peter, Albert, Ledvald, Anna and Matilda, who came to this country; and Carrie, Patrina and Dorothea, who remained there. Olivia, the youngest child, was born on the farm in Prairie Farm Township.

John P. Johnson, now deceased, for many years a substantial citizen of Section 10, Prairie Farm Township, was born in Sweden, Oct. 20, 1866, the son of Johannes and Anna Stina Johnson, who spent the span of their years in that country. In the family there were eight children: Johannes, John P., Chris¬ tina, Frank, Alfred, Matilda, Andrew and Charles, all of whom except Johannes and Christine, came, in time, to the United States. John P. was reared in his native land, there grew to manhood, and became a carpenter and farmer. He was married June 2, 1879, to Emma Christina Johnson, the daughter of a neighbor. One child, Helma Caroline, was born. In 1881 he set out with his family and his brother, Alfred, and his wife's sister, Tilda, and in due time reached Barron County, where they joined the wife's brother, Samuel, who was living in Prairie Farm Township. For two years, Mr. Johnson worked in the saw mills at Cumberland, in this county. In 1883 he secured 40 acres of his present place in Section 10, Prairie Farm Township. A log house had been built and an acre or so had been cleared. Here he started farming with almost nothing. He soon, however, bought a cow, and a little later bought a pair of oxen. Although the township had been settled many years previous, and Prairie Farm Village was already a flourishing hamlet, many parts of the township were but little developed, and Mr. John¬ son's farm was practically in the wilderness. It was some little time before the farm could be made profitable and for several winters he worked in the woods to earn a little money, leaving his wife at home to look after the home¬ stead. Her mother, who joined her here, brought a spinning wheel, and the two spun yarn, and knit mittens and socks for the family. As the years passed, the family won well-deserved prosperity. Mr. Johnson developed a good farm, with a good set of buildings, and suitable equipment. He was interested in the progress of the community and served for a while as pathmaster. He was respected by his friends and held in high regard by all, and his death on Nov. 4, 1916, was sincerely mourned. His good wife was a faith¬ ful helpmate in all his undertakings. She is still living on the home farm with her son Oscar. She was the daughter of John and Anna Lena (Magnus) Johnson. The eight children in the family were Johanna, Samuel, Eliza, Lena, Anna, Emma Christina, Tilda and Sophia. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson had eight children. Helma Caroline died soon after she was brought to this country. August is also dead. Anton August lives at Hanks, N. D. Selma is dead. Clark, a veteran of the World War, was bom Dec. 24, 1890, and died Oct. 2, 1918, in the United States forces. Lena and Oscar are at home. Oscar is operating the home place. He is an energetic young farmer, thoroughly un¬ derstands his business, and is well liked by all who know him. The family faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran Church.

Elisha B. Hudson, an honored and substantial citizen' of Section 11, Prairie Farm Township, has been a resident of this county for nearly two decades. In that time he has become well known as a man of sterling worth, a good farmer, a kindly neighbor and a loyal friend. He reached this county from Rock County, this state, where for many years he had been a prosperous farmer, Oct. 16, 1901, located on a tract of wild land in Section 11, Prairie Farm Township, erected a set of buildings, and started to develop a farm. He has been successful in his endeavors, and now has a good place where he is prosperously carrying on general farming and dairying. He was married in Spring Valley Township, Rock County, this state, to Millie Folmer, who was born in Germany, on July 29, 1862, the daughter of Christian and Mary Folmer. This union has been blessed with three children. Ernest was bom April 29, 1883 and is helping his father on the home farm. He is an energetic young man who understands farming thoroughly, and is well liked by all who know him. Nora was born June 1, 1885, and is the wife of William Patrick, of Rice Lake. Mabel was born Feb. 20, 1891, and is the wife of Carl Hanson, of Barron. Mr. Hudson was bom in Rock County, Wis., July 11, 1861, the son of William and Rena (Randall) Hudson, and grandson of William Hudson and Archibald Randall. William Hudson, the father, was for many years a respected farmer of Rock County, this state. He was a man of ability and devout faith, and was a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. The grandfather, William Hudson, came to this country from northern Eng¬ land with his brothers, Silas and Ephraim, and settled on the Holland reser¬ vation in Rhode Island. The grandfather, Archibald Randall, was a native of Rhode Island, of English descent. One of his sons, uncle of Elisha B. Hudson, is Capt. A. N. Randall, a prominent attorney of Broadhead, Green County, this state.

Arthur N. Hudson, an esteemed and respected resident of Section 1, Prairie Farm Township, was bom in Rock County, this state, Feb. 26, 1861, the son of William and Irene (Randall) Hudson, both long since deceased. He received his schooling in his native county, and early became a mason and carpenter. In 1877 he went from Rock County to Pierce County, also in this state, where he continued in the same line. It was in 1882 that he came to Barron County and purchased 40 acres in Section 1, all wild land. He built a set of log buildings, and started clearing the land. The buildings were swept away in a great fire, but undaunted by this disaster, he built a better set. He now has a good little place with about 20 acres under cultivation. He carries on general farming and dairying and has met with a fair degree of success. In addition to developing h's own place he has cleared about 200 acres for others in the neighborhood. Mr. Hudson was married May 12, 1878 to Julia Hudson, who was bom at Martell, Pierce County, Wis., in 1861, the daughter of Josiah K. and Samanthy (Warner) Hudson, both now deceased, and died July 3, 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Hudson had twelve children. Samanthy was bora Dec. 6, 1879, and is the wife of Levi Vance, of Washington state.

Claude was born June 14, 1881. Ida was born May 3, 1883, and is the wife of Almon Post, of Washington state. William was born in 1886, and is now in Idaho. Lillian was born in 1887 and died in 1902. George was born in August, 1889, and is now in Eau Claire, Wis. Elsie was born June 23, 1891, and is the wife of Ed. Johnson, of Prairie Farm Township. Elijah was born July 22, 1894. Bennie was born July 19, 1896. Myrtle was born May 6, 1898, and is the wife of James Peterson, of Barron. Rosetta was born June 2, 1900, and is at home keeping house for her father. Henry was born in March, 1902, and died in infancy.

Carl August Roemhild, veteran of the Civil War and early settler of Prairie Farm Township, was born in Saxony, Germany, Sept. 7, 1839, the son of John George and Christliebe (Bachman) Roemhild, who brought the family, consisting of four children, Carl August, Casper, Christina and Louisa, to the United States in 1868, and located in Dane County, Wis., later moving to Dunn County, where the parents spent the remainder of their days. Carl August was educated in Germany, and came to this state with his parents. For a while he worked on the Brigham farm in Dane County, situated on the old military trail from Milwaukee to Prairie du Chien, and said to be the oldest farm in Wisconsin. From Dane County he enlisted, in 1864, in Co. I, 42nd Wis. Vol. Inf., and served until the close of the war, by reason of which service, the August Roemhild Post, No. 234, G. A. R., of Prairie Farm, is named in his honor. Upon his return from the army he resumed farm work. In 1867 he selected a homestead of 160 acres in Section 34, Prairie Farm Township. He drove here in an ox team, through the woods, and across rivers, bringing his wife and three children, George, Jacob and Frank N., and a few household furnishings, together with such implements as he needed to start farming. While he was building a log house they lived in a covered wagon in which they had made the trip. With this beginning he started to clear a farm in the wilderness. At first he had but little to do with. Most of the furniture for the house was made on the home place. The wife spun yarn to knit socks, caps and mittens for the family. The best trading point was at Menomonie, many miles away, and necessitating a long and even hazardous trip through the wilderness. For a number of years, Mr. Roemhild worked in the lumber woods in the winter time in order to get money to keep things going. He was a good citizen, and foresaw that churches, schools and highways were necessary if this region was to develop as an agricultural country. He consequently took a deep interest in getting highways cut through, he helped to establish a school, and he did much toward the starting of the Evangelical Church, opening his home to early meetings, and holding various offices after the church was built. In the meantime he was busy developing his farm. He added 160 acres more to his farm, cleared and fenced quite a little of it, and successfully carried on general farming operations. He put up a good frame house, and was build¬ ing a barn at the time of his death. He died Feb. 13, 1883, and his death was sincerely mourned. He had done the town good service as a supervisor, the school district good service as a member of the school board, and the com¬ munity at large good service as a capable and conscientious man. Mr. Roemhild was married at Blue Mound, Dane County, Wis., in 1868, to Eva Mueller, who was born in Germany, March 20, 1841, and came to America with relatives at the age of thirteen, the voyage aboard the sailing boat taking fourteen weeks. She died March 17, 1916. In addition to the three children mentioned, five, Charles Henry, Louisa, Anna, Lena and Eva, were born in Prairie Farm Township.

Frank N. Roemhild, successful agriculturist and former educator; proprietor of the flourishing Oakdale Dairy Farm, of Prairie Farm Township; chairman of the town and member of the county board; president of the Prairie Farm Telephone Co. which he assisted in organizing; president of the Oak Grove Insurance Co.; former secretary of the Prairie Farm Co-operative

Mr. And Mrs. Carl A. Roemhild Frank N. Roemhild And Family

Creamery, which he helped to organize, and for many years superintendent of the Sunday School of the Evangelical Association Church, is one of the lead¬ ing men of this part of the county. He is a native of this state, born in Dana County, Sept. 16, 1866, the son of Carl August and Eva (Mueller) Roemhild, the pioneers. He was brought to this county in 1867, and was here reared to farm pursuits. He attended the district school established by his father and also studied and read privately, thus acquiring an unusually good education. He was still a youth when he started teaching school, and he thereafter con¬ tinued in this profession seventeen years in the rural schools of the county and one year in the city schools of Barron. In the meantime he continued to farm summers. After his father's death, Frank N. and his brother, Charles Henry, continued to operate the farm until 1900, when each purchased 160 acres. The subject of this sketch has developed a model place. He has a pleasant home, a barn 32 by 70 feet, with full basement, a silo, 14 by 32 feet, and other suitable buildings. The buildings are illuminated with acetylene lights. Mr. Roemhild has a fine herd of Jersey cattle, a good drove of Poland- China swine, and some fine horses of the Percheron type. He is a most excellent representative of the modern, intelligent, Wisconsin farmer. As a teacher he had the happy faculty of inspiring his pupils to do their best. As a farmer he manages to get the best out of his place. As an official he is competent and efficient. He is a real leader among his fellow men, every¬ thing with which he is connected seems to prosper, and he is a useful and valued citizen. He and his wife delight in keeping open house and their home is a hospitable one. Mr. Roemhild was married Dec. 25, 1890, at Prairie Farm to Elizabeth Mueller, who was born in Hesse, Germany, June 4, 1866, and was brought to Prairie Farm Township in 1882 by her parents, Johanes and Maria Mueller. Mr. and Mrs. Roemhild have had four children. Mabel, who for eight years was a successful teacher, is the wife of George Marks, of Appleton, Wis. Clarence is dead. Herbert is attending the Northwestern College at Naperville, Ill. In September, 1918, he enrolled in the S. A. T. C. there. Eva is at home.

Henry Herman Glaser, an enterprising farmer of section 35, Prairie Farm Township, is a native of the township where he now lives, having been born in a log cabin on the home place, June 19, 1886, the son of Fred William and Henrietta (Pashow) Glaser. He was reared here, attended the district school, and learned farming from his father. In January, 1916, he took over the home place of 200 acres and has since continued to operate it. He carries oil general fanning and dairying, and has some good Holstein cattle, Duroc-Jersey swine, and horses of the Percheron type. He takes pride in the appearance of the farm which has been in the family for so many years and which was his birthplace, and he is one of the prominent men of his community. He is a man of sound sense and good judgment, and is highly regarded by all. Mr. Glaser was married on Oct. 14, 1909 to Angelicia Zuehlke, who was born in Red Cedar Township, Dunn County, July 4, 1889, the daughter of Emil and Mary (Rome) Zuehlke, natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Glaser have four children. Frieda Gertrude is dead. Herbert Edgar Emil, born April 28, 1911; Richard Fred, born Jan. 10, 1914, and Arnold George, born Nov. 21, 1919, are bright boys who are the pride of their parents' hearts, and have the dis¬ tinction of having been born on the place where their grandparents settled so many years ago, and where their father himself first saw the light of day.

John Deringer, an early settler of Prairie Farm Township, now retired after many years filled with hard work, was born in Switzerland, Feb. 4, 1865, the oldest son of John and Elizabeth (Wirt) Deringer. These good people started for America in 1857, with their three children, John, Elizabeth and Emil. The hardships aboard the ship were many, the trip took seven weeks, and before it was ended, Emil had died and was buried at sea. After disembarking at New York, the family came west and located on a tract of wild land in Buffalo County, this state. That county is one of the oldest in western Wisconsin, but even in 1857 much of it was wild. The Deringer family did their trading at Alma and at Fountain City, both on the Mississippi River. As time passed the father and mother built up a good farm on which they spent the remainder of their lives. Two more children, Fred and Otto, were born there. The subject of this sketch was reared in Buffalo County, attended school there, learned farming from his father and helped with the development of the home place. In 1880 he came to Barron County and took a homestead of 80 acres in Section 22, Prairie Farm Township. A small shanty had been built of logs and a few acres had been cleared. He had but little with which to start. His tools consisted of little more than an axe, a hoe and shovel. Most of the furniture was made by himself from trees cut on the place. No roads had been built to his claim, and such supplies and provisions as he needed, he brought in on his back from far away trading points. But he had strength and courage, he had been familiar with pioneer life since early boyhood, and he knew how to set to work to develop a farm in the wilderness. In time his hard work resulted in success. He has im¬ proved a fine place of 100 acres, well located, well tilled, well fenced and well equipped. The old log shanty was replaced with a comfortable building, and the log stable gave way to a basement barn, 35 by 70 feet, a silo 24 by 18 feet, and other suitable buildings. He christened his place Prairie View Farm, and its sightly appearance testifies to the fidelity with which he has labored and the pride which he has taken in it. In 1915 he sold his place to August and George Marks, who in 1919 sold it to W. V. Keyes, Mr. Deringer's son-in-law. Mr. Deringer has four acres in Section 26, with a pleasant home where he and his wife now live. In connection with carrying on general farming and dairy¬ ing, Mr. Deringer has for some quarter of a centdry worked at his trade as a stone mason. He has done much of the mason work for many of the farm buildings in this vicinity. As the father of children, Mr. Deringer has been interested in education and has served on the school board. He has been active in the upbuilding of the Evangelical Church, and has served on its board of trustees. Mr. Deringer was married at Prairie Farm, on Sept. 17, 1881, to Julia Rassbach, the daughter of Casper Rassbach, the pioneer. Mr. and Mrs. Deringer have six children: Otto, William, Henry, Anna, wife of W. V. Keyes; Sadie, wife of Ralph Williams, of Park Falls, Wis., and Lydia, wife of Albert Wahl, of Maple Grove Township.

Emil Muehlhausen, the well-known proprietor of the modern Riverside Farm, Stection 33, Prairie Farm Township, and owner of a successful cheese factory just across the line in Sheridan Township, Dunn County, was born in St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minn., Dec. 23, 1866, the son of George and Margaret (Kurschner) Muehlhausen, he, a native of Hesse, Germany, and she, a native of Bavaria, Germany. George Muehlhausen came to this country alone as a boy of twelve, a brave venture indeed for a boy of such tender years. He found his way to St. Paul, where he was identified with the meat business for many years. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in a company of Mis¬ souri cavalry and served three years and six months. In middle age he took up farming in Sibley County, Minn. He and his good wife now live in Le Sueur, Le Sueur County, that state. The subject of this sketch worked with his father in the meat business and at farming, in St. Paul and in Sibley County. For a while he was in the meat business at Le Sueur and St. Peter, both in Minnesota. Then for some years he farmed in Sibley County, Minn. From there he came to Clayton, in Polk County, this state, and located on a farm. In 1913 he came to Barron County, and secured a tract of 200 acres in Section 33, Prairie Farm Township, and to this he later added 160 acres across the road. He successfully carries on general farming and dairying on an extensive scale. His herd consists of Holstein cattle and he is a member of the Holstein Breeders' Association. The cheese factory on the place turns out a good prod¬ uct which finds a ready market. Mr. Muehlhausen believes in everything that is for the best interests of the community, and is doing his share in its devel- opment. He is a stockholder in the Prairie Farm Co-operative Association. Mr. Muehlhausen is a fine type of the modern representative Wisconsin farmer. He has a good place, with sightly buildings, well equipped, with well tilled acres, enclosed with well kept fences. His tools, implements and machinery are of the best. He follows scientific methods and keeps well abreast of the times. He is a good citizen, a good farmer and a good business man, and well deserves the measure of success with which he has met. He was married on March 1, 1913, at Le Sueur, Minn., to Emma Grams, who was born in Waseca County, Minn., Nov. 25, 1873, the daughter of Christ and Paulina Grams. This union has been blessed with seven children: Elsie, Silas, Clarence, Erwin, Laura, Lawrence and Ernest. The family faith is that of the German Evan¬ gelical Church.

Bertel H. Ask, a solid and prudent farmer of Section 17, Prairie Farm Township, was born in Norway, Aug. 18, 1860, and was there reared and edu¬ cated. In 1882, he came to the United States, and found his way to this county. For several years he worked about on farms. For ten winters he has worked in the woods, and one spring he was on the river drives. In 1882 he bought his present place of 120 acres which was then all wild land. He cut a few trees on the place from time to time and finally built a log cabin. Then, in 1888, he went back to Norway, and on>April 23, 1889, married Johanna Jensen, who was born in that country, Jan. 24, 1868, the daughter of Jens and Cecelia Jensen. Then he brought his bride here and moved ifito the log cabin. The household equipment was meager. The domestic animals consisted of a yoke of oxen and a cow. Mr. Ask had no machinery and but few tools. But he and his wife have worked hard, and success has crowned their efforts. A pleasant and comfortable frame home has been built over the old log house. A barn, 34 by 70 feet, has also been built, and other buildings have been put up. Mr. Ask successfully carries on general farming and dairying, and is making good progress in life. He is a stockholder in the Prairie Farm Co-operative Cream¬ ery. Mr. Ask is a good citizen, he is doing his duty in life in every way, and is well regarded by all who know him. He and his wife are faithful adherents of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Mr. and Mrs. Ask have five children: Mary is the wife of H. R. Anderson, of Madelia, Minn.; Julia is at home; Gulena and Gerda are dead; Jennie is at home.

Albert O. Breen, a prominent official of Prairie Farm Township, has a prosperous farm on Section 3. He is a native of this county, born April 6, 1877, in a pioneer log cabin, built by his father, on Section 32, Arland Town¬ ship, which was then a part of this township. His parents were Louis J. and Anne (Hilstahagen) Breen, the pioneers. He was reared on the home farm and attended a log schoolhouse in the same section as his birthplace. He learned farming from his father and assisted with the work on the home farm. For seven seasons he worked in the lumber woods, and for three springs on the river drives. For four years, from 1901 to 1904, he was employed in Minne¬ apolis, by the Twin City Transit Co. In 1906 he located on his present farm of 160 acres. At that time a set of log buildings had been erected, and part of the land cleared. To the development and operation of this place he has since devoted his attention. He has a pleasant, comfortable home, a commodious barn, and other suitable outbuildings. Here he carries on general farming on a successful scale, and has a good herd of Guernsey cattle. His place is well improved, and everything about it bespeaks the care and intelligence that Mr. Breen has devoted to its management. Busy as he has been in developing his farm, he has found considerable time for efficient public service as a good citizen. He has been a member of the town board for a number of years and is still serving with credit and distinction. For several terms he was a useful member of the school board of his district. He is a stockholder in the Prairie Farm Co-operative Association and in the Prairie Farm Co-operative Creamery. He is active in the affairs of the Norwegian Lutheran Church at Prairie Farm and has served as a member of its board. Mr. Breen was married on June 26,

1906, at Prairie Farm, to Huldah Aaen, who was born in Pierce County, Wis., Feb. 28, 1875, the daughter of Iver M. and Patrina Aaen, natives of Norway, and early settlers in Barron County. Mrs. Breen, a lady of many capabilities, was educated in the common schools and the Chetek High School, and taught school efficiently in Clinton, Arland and Prairie Farm townships. Mr. and Mrs. Breen have four bright children: Irene Louise, Alfred Palmer, Hjelmer Otis and Elizabeth Dagna Mignonette.

Ernest F. Kahl stands high among the leading men of Prairie Farm Town¬ ship. He has for eight years been vice-president of the Ridgeland Co-opera¬ tive Creamery, he is a prominent stockholder and has served on the stockhold¬ ers' auditing committee of the Farmers' State Bank of Ridgeland. He is a shareholder in the Prairie Farm Telephone Co.; the Clark Milling Co., and the Heinrich Chemical Co., of Minneapolis; the Mason Shoe Co., of Chippewa Falls; and the New Richmond Packing Co., of New Richmond. In the Church of the Evangelical Association of Prairie Farm Township, he is an active mem¬ ber, and is at the head of its missionary work at the present time. He is a liberal contributor to the church support, and is a loyal and faithful member. His farm is an excellent place of 200 acres in Section 36. He has built a fine nine-room farm house, a barn, 36 by 80 feet, with full basement, and other suitable buildings. The place has many improvements, and the equipment in tools, machinery and implements is of the best. Here Mr. Kahl successfully carries on general farming and dairying, and has a good grade of stock and swine and horses. He believes in modern methods and keeps well abreast of the times. In every way he is a most admirable and useful citizen, and he is held in regard and respect by his fellowmen. He was born on Section 26, this township, Sept. 1, 1876, the son of Frederick and Christena (Mueller) Kahl, the pioneers. He was reared on the home farm, and attended the district school of the neighborhood, and spent one year in the University of Wiscon¬ sin. He learned farming from his father, and as a young man, was employed for several seasons in the lumber woods. In 1899 he secured his present place in Section 36. At that time it was mostly wild. Some of the wood had been chopped off, but only a little of the land had been broken. With such a be¬ ginning, he has built up his present fertile and profitable farm. In 1916 he installed the Delco lighting system, which furnishes light for his house, barn and other buildings. Mr. Kahl was married in November, 1894, to Christina Rassbach, who was born in Prairie Farm Township in 1877, the daughter of Conrad Rassbach, the pioneer. She died in 1901, leaving three children: Helen, wife of Rev. R. A. Bushweiler, of the Evangelical Association Church; Herbert, a traveling salesman; and Perry, a mail carrier out of Dallas. On Dec. 17, 1903, Mr. Kahl married Anna Jordan, who was born in Fond du Lac County, this state, July 20, 1880, the daughter of Theodore and Fredericka (Stellzman) Jordan, of Byron, Wis., and sister of Rev. H. P. Jordan of Appleton, Wis. To this union have been born five children: Harold, Stanley, Tru¬ man, Hazel and Arthur, who is deceased.

Ed. Johnson, a representative farmer of Section 10, Prairie Farm Town¬ ship, was born on the place where he now lives, July 1, 1877, and has always lived here, now owning 80 acres of the farm that has been in the family for more than fifty years. His parents were Samuel and Eliza (Stena) Johnson, the pioneers. He attended the district school of the neighborhood, learned farming from his father, and as a youth helped to develop the home place. He became its owner in 1918. The farm is a well-improved one, and here he successfully carries on general farming and dairying. He is well liked through¬ out the community, he is a good farmer and a good citizen, and he stands well with all who know him. Already he has got a good start in life, and is still forging ahead. He was married in Dallas Township in August, 1916, to Elsie Hudson, who was born in New Centerville, Wis., on June 23, 1892, the daughter of Arthur and Julia Hudson, of Prairie Farm Township. Mr. and Mrs. John-

Mr. And S. Amund Amundson

Samuel Johnson, a pioneer of Prairie Farm Township, now living retired on his farm in Section 10, which he has occupied for considerably over fifty years. He was born in Sweden, Nov. 11, 1843, and was there reared and at¬ tended school. April 15, 1866, he married Eliza Stena, the daughter of a neigh¬ bor. That year the young couple came to the United States. They lived a year in Peshtigo, Marinette County, Wisconsin, and a year in Menomonie, Dunn County, Wisconsin. Then they came to Barron County and homesteaded 160 acres of wild land in Section 10, Prairie Farm Township. There were then but few settlers in the Township. Times were hard, money was scarce, and there was but little with which to establish a home and get a farm started. For a time in order to eke out the family funds, Mr. Johnson worked winters in the woods for Knapp, Stout & Co. When he first came here there were no roads except the tote roads of the lumber companies. Journeys to trading points had to be made afoot through the woods. Fortunately, however, the Knapp, Stout & Co. people had a small store at Prairie Farm Village, and by walking there, Mr. Johnson was able to get flour and salt, which he had to bring to his little cabin on his back. But he and his wife were determined to succeed, and were willing to endure hardship that future prosperity might come. So they toiled away, and gradually developed a good farm, with a sightly set of buildings and adequate equipment. Mrs. Johnson was a faithful help¬ mate, and the children also had their share in the upbuilding of the place. Mrs. Johnson died Feb. 26, 1915. In the family there were seven children, five girls and two boys. Richard operates 80 acres of the home farm in Prairie Farm Township. Ed. owns the other 80 acres. The daughters are: Ama, wife of John Swanson, of Marshville, Wash.; Amanda first and Amanda second, both of whom are deceased; Gertine, wife of Charlie Peterson, of Prairie Farm Town¬ ship; and Alma, wife of Milo Whitman of Hillsdale.

Amund Amundsen, a worthy citizen, now deceased, for many years a resi¬ dent of Section 32, Prairie Farm Township, was an early settler of both Wis¬ consin and Minnesota. He was born in Norway, Dec. 5, 1824, and was there reared, attended school, and grew to manhood. In 1850 he set out for America, the voyage on a sailing boat taking over eleven weeks. He came to Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin, then the end of the railroad, and from there found his way into Dane County, where for some years he was employed at farm labor. In 1860 he settled in Fillmore County, Minnesota, and lived there, doing farm work, during the stirring days of the Civil War and of the Sioux Indian Outbreak. Like the other settlers, he fled to town when the news came that the Indians were slaughtering the settlers in the western part of the state and sweeping eastward. Having mastered the manual of arms in Norway, he helped to drill many volunteers from his county. He himself was drafted, and presented himself at Rochester, but it was found that his name had been confused with another and he was not mustered into service. Fillmore County had been settled early, the wild land was well taken, so after a while Mr. Amundsen, for the sake of his children, decided to settle in a newer region. He arrived in Barron County, Oct. 12, 1872, and here his son, Mathias, home¬ steaded 160 acres of wild land in Section 32, Prairie Farm Township. There the family lived together and developed a good place. They moved into a log cabin built by the original claimant, Alonzo Forward, and started farming with a yoke of oxen and five or six cows. After a long and useful life, Mr. Amund¬ sen died Oct. 23, 1914. His good wife died Dec. 10, 1905. Mr. Amundsen was married at Madison, Wis., in 1851 to Osa Christianson, who was born in Nor¬ way, Dec. 9, 1829. This union has been blessed with eight children: Mathias, Andrew (deceased), Peter (deceased), Christ, Alfred, Sophia (of Minneapolis), Martha (wife of Paul Vance, of Dane County), and Ellen (deceased). The family name has now been modified in spelling to Amundson.

are among the most honored and respected men of the community. They have lived here nearly fifty years, they have seen the region grow from a wilder¬ ness, they have known the leaders in county affairs, and have themselves taken their share in its progress and development. The three men are the sons of Amund and Osa (Christianson) Amundsen, the name having been modified to its present spelling. Mathias was born in Dane County, Wis., June 1, 1862. Christ was born in Fillmore County, Minn., Feb. 16, 1860. Albert was born in Fillmore County, Minn., Sept. 17, 1866. Mathias was nearly twenty-one when he came to Barron County, with his family, and it was he in whose name the homestead in Section 32, Prairie Farm Township, was secured. Christ, who was twelve, and Albert who was six, when the family came, attended school here for a while. All the boys helped with the development of the land. They cleared up the place, erected a good set of buildings, and successfully carried on general farming. In 1903 the home¬ stead was sold to Thorsa Olson, eleven acres being reserved for the family, where they live.

Frederick Kahl, a pioneer of Prairie Farm Township, is one of the best known men in this region, and had an active part in the events of the township in the days when the county was just beginning to develop from a wilderness. He was born in Prussia, Germany, son of Johaken and Sophia (Bovholtz) Kahl, who were small farmers of that country. In the family there were five children, Frederick, John, William, August and Sophia, and of these, two, Frederick and Sophia, now the wife of Fred Fisher, of Menomonie, came to the United States. Frederick attended school in Germany, and as a youth learned the mason's trade. In 1869 he came to the United States, landed at New York, and found his way to Menomonie, in Dunn County, this state, where he entered the employ of Knapp, Stout & Co., and was sent by them to Barron County, where he was employed for some years driving a lumber team under the direction of John Quaderer. During this time he bought the rights in 160 acres of land on Sheridan Prairie, Dunn County, but soon afterward sold that property. After his marriage in 1874, he and his wife conducted John Quaderer's boarding house on the present site of Barron for a year. Then they moved onto a homestead in Section 4, Prairie Farm Township, upon which he had filed as early as July, 1869. Here he built a log cabin, 14 by 16 feet and lived in it long enough to prove up on the homestead. Some time later he sold this homestead. In the meantime, in the fall of 1875, after having lived on the homestead during the summer, he purchased a tract of 160 acres in Section 26, in the same township. A log house, log stable and log granary had been erected, and some nine acres had been cleared. Here he started farming with an ox team, four cows, two head of young stock, 160 bushels of grain, and a few tools. As prosperity increased he put up a good set of buildings and developed a good farm. By judicious purchases he added to his holdings, until he owned half a section of land, but he has sold some, so that he now owns 148 acres. He successfully carries on general farming and dairying, and is one of the prosperous men of the community. He has a fine herd of high grade Guernseys with a pure blooded sire, and is a member of the Guernsey club. His swine are full blooded Poland-Chinas, and his horses are of the Percheron breed. He is a believer in everything that will build up the community. He helped to start a cheese factory over the line in Dunn County in the early days and one in Prairie Farm Township, and he was also instrumental in starting the Farmers' Co-operative Creamery at Prairie Farm Village, of which he was president for four years. He was active in starting the Bloomer Store Co. and is now one of its directors. He likewise helped to get the Evangelical congregation at Prairie Farm started. He was prominent in it in the days when meetings were held in his home and in the school house, he helped to build the church, and he has served in a number of its offices. In public life he has served on the town board and on the school board, with credit to himself, and to the satisfaction of his fellow citizens. Mr. Kahl was married at Menomonie, Sept. 24, 1874, to Christena Muller, who was born in Germany, March 11, 1850, and came to America in 1871. This union has been blessed with five children: Otto, who is farming in this township; Ernest F., who is farming in this township; Mary, who is the wife of Rev. W. W. Kreger, of Arcadia, Wis.; Edward, who operates the home farm with his father, and Lydia, who is the wife of Fred Jordan, of Prairie Farm Township. In 1908 Mr. Kahl built a modern residence of eight rooms and in 1917 installed the Delco system of electric lights, which furnishes light for his two houses, barns, granary and yard.

George N. Buck, head of the Prairie Farm Ginseng Gardens, owner of the prosperous Hope Mound Stock Farm in Section 21, Prairie Farm Township, and a widely known citizen whose enterprise has done much to advertise Barron County throughout the country, was bom in Adams County, Ill., Sept. 21, 1862, the son of Thomas H. and Elizabeth (Posten) Buck. These good people were natives respectively of New York State and Virginia, he being descended from English and she from German stock. They lived in Ohio, and then in Illinois, and from there came to Wisconsin in 1864, and settled near Diamond Bluff, Pierce County, where they developed a home in the wilderness and became leading citizens of the community in which they lived. He died there at the age of 56, and she continued to live there for many years there¬ after and died at the age of 72 years. George N. was twelve years old when the faAily came to Wisconsin. He attended the village school of Diamond Bluff, and learned farming from his parents. For many years as a young man he was engaged in the sawmill business in Pierce county. In 1897 he came to Barron County, and secured 80 acres of wild land at what is now the little hamlet of Reeve, in Vance Creek Township. He built a frame house and a log bam, and started to establish a home and a farm. The county had then been settled for many years, it was already well developed in many places, and had many flourishing villages, but the particular locality where Mr. Buck settled was still in its primitive condition, and the place where he settled was off from any road. Clear Lake, ten miles away, was the trading point. Nine years Mr. Buck faithfully devoted to the operation and development of this place. He was respected and esteemed by his neighbors, and was elected to township and school offices. In 1906 he sold out and purchased his present place of 80 acres in Section 21, Prairie Farm Township. About 80 acres had been cleared, and a small house and a hay shed, with a lean-to for a stable, had been built. Mr. Buck set to work with a will to develop this place. He has erected a fine set of buildings and improved the land, and has given the place the pretty and appropriate name of the Oak Mound Stock Farm. He has served on the township board and the village board, and is a man of influence and importance in the community. Mr. Buck was married in the fall of 1880, at Wahpeton, N. D., to Ida Baker, then of Pierce County, Wis., who was bora near the banks of the Mississippi, at Prairie Island, Dakota County, Minn., July 3, 1863, the daughter of Delos and Caroline (Ellis) Baker. Her father was of Swiss-English and her mother of Scotch-English descent. Delos Baker was a veteran of the Civil War. Mr. and Mrs. Buck have eight children, the first five of whom were bom in Pierce County and the last three in Barron County. Another daughter, Myrtle, is deceased. The living are Charles, Car¬ rie, Harry, Howard, Ethel, Edith, William and Blanche. Carrie is the wife of Elmer Hanson of Maple Grove Township. Ethel married Charles Daniels of Clear Lake. Mr. Buck has rented the farm to his son, Howard, and now lives retired in the village of Prairie Farm. Howard married Pearl Downs of Prairie Farm Township, daughter of Maxwell T. Downs. Howard enlisted for service in the World War from Rice Lake, on July 18, 1917, becoming a member of Company F, 6th Wisconsin Regiment. He went to Camp Douglas, and then to Camp McArthur in Texas, where he trained and was assigned to Company K, 128th Infantry, 32nd Division. He sailed for overseas March 4, 1918, landed at Liverpool, and later in France, and took part with his division in the fighting at Chateau Thierry, the Argonne and at Soissons. Later he was in the army of occupation on the Rhine. On his return he landed in the United States May 6, 1919, and was discharged at Camp Grant, May 18, 1919.

The Prairie Farm Ginseng Gardens, owned and operated by George M. Buck, and his sons, Harry and Howard, in Section 21, Prairie Farm Town¬ ship, are known throughout the United States, an acre and three quarters of land being devoted to the growing of ginseng and golden seal. Mr. Buck started in this business in 1906. He made an investment of $1,200 and put in a quarter of an acre. The result at first was discouraging. But he got in touch with the experiment farm connected with the University of Wisconsin, sent them samples of his roots, eradicated the blights, and started on the road to success. The two sons were admitted to partnership and the gardens in time became widely famed. The gardens are not only the leading ones of their kind in the county, but also in the entire region. Mr. Buck is always willing to help others, and he is regarded as a national authority on ginseng and golden seal culture.

John P. Carlson, now deceased, farmer and bee fancier of Section 18, Prairie Farm Township, was probably as well liked a man as has ever lived in this community. He was a man of unswerving uprightness of character, of genial temperament, and friendly disposition, always ready to lend his aid, his influence and encouragement to a friend or to a good cause. As a farmer he was successful, and as an apiarist he became known as the "Bee King" of Barron County. He was born in Halmstad, Sweden, on the banks of the Cattegat, Nov. 30, 1848, son of Magnus and Anna (Martinson) Carlson, the former of whom was a shoemaker and farmer. The other children in the family were: Peter, now deceased; Erick, formerly of Wilcox, Penn., but now deceased; Anna, the wife of John Alstad, of Erie, Penn., and Pernell, who died in Sweden. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Sweden, and there learned the blacksmith's trade. In 1871 he came to America, and located at Wilcox, Penn., where he operated a blacksmith shop for two years. In 1873 he went to Ridgeway, in the same state, and established a bottling plant. He built up an extensive business, and became a suc¬ cessful and prosperous business man. In 1883 he returned to his native land for a visit. The next year he came back to the States and located at St. Paul. From there he looked over several localities in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and finally decided that Barron County was an ideal spot for his future activities. Accordingly he bought a tract of 80 acres in Section 18, Prairie Farm Town¬ ship, the original homestead of John Selvig. A log cabin had been built and a little of the tract cleared. Mr. Carlson moved his bride into the one-roomed cabin, and started farming with a yoke of oxen and two cows. As time passed he developed a model farm. He put up a good set of buildings, added sixty acres to the place, improved the land, put up fences, planted trees, and purchased suitable equipment. Being a man of close observation, he early saw the possibilities of this region as a bee country. He therefore began keeping them, and gradually increased this industry until he was regarded as the leading bee man in this region. He not only made a great success himself, but encouraged others along the same lines. His family is now carrying on his work. After a useful life fraught with much service to his fellow man, Mr. Carlson died, Jan. 30, 1917, and his death was a distinct loss to the community. Mr. Carlson was an excellent type of citizen. He was self educated, but by wide reading had acquired a unusually broad knowledge of men and events. He was a man of large vision, given to looking ahead. He believed that everything worth doing was worth doing well. He realized thoroughly that the object of his generation in a new country was not so much to win transient success for itself, but to lay the foundation for the prosperity and welfare of the future generations, and his thoughts were ever toward building this foundation well. He was a loving husband, an under¬ standing father, a model citizen, a loyal friend and a helpful neighbor. Mr.

John P. Carlson

Carlson was married at St. Paul, Minn., Aug. 11, 1884, to Neta Strandberg, who was born in Sweden, April 27, 1867. There was an interesting romance connected with their wooing. He met her while on his visit to his native land, and she came to America on the same steamship which brought him back. Their friendship deepened into love and they were married. Their union was an ideal one, and their years together were filled with happiness and sunshine. Their union was blessed with four children. Clarissa is the wife of Albert Johnson, of Prairie Farm township. Alma is dead. Alva and Alida are at home. They and the mother are carrying out the bee business, as well as the farm, with the assistance of Edwin F. Carlson, nephew of John P, They have a fine apiary of a good breed of bees, and thoroughly under¬ stand the business.

August Miller, a worthy citizen of Section 26, Prairie Farm Township, was born in Hesse, Germany, July 1, 1869, the son of Johanes and Marie (Ochsa) Miller, who brought him to this township when he was a small boy. He was reared on the home farm, attended the district school, and learned farming from his father. Five winters he spent in the lumber woods. In 1896 he and his bride located on a farm of 160 acres in Section 26. At that time a small frame house and a shack stood on the place, and about ten acres had been cleared. When they first started they had but little to do with. The first year they bought a cow, and the second year they were enabled to get a team of horses. By hard work he cleared up the place and developed a good farm. After a useful life, he died Sept. 19, 1916, as the result of being kicked by a horse. Mr. Miller was married June 13, 1896, to Anna Roemhild, who was born on the home farm in Prairie Farm Township on Aug. 24, 1874, the daugh¬ ter of Carl August and Eva Roemhild, the pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Miller had five sons: Roy Peter, Franklin August, Arthur Henry, Ralph Wallace and Gerald Reuben, Ralph Wallace died in September, 1911. The other four sons are at home.

Roy Peter Miller, an energetic young farmer of Section 26, Prairie Farm Township, was born on the place where he now lives, May 23, 1897, the son of August and Anna (Roemhild) Miller, all four of his grandparents having been early settlers of this county. He attended the district schools and was reared to farm pursuits by his father. He now operates the home place, with his mother. It consists of 160 acres, about 100 of which have been cleared. The house is a modern farm residence. The barn, 40 by 54 feet, was built to re¬ place one 32 by 64 feet, which was burned. The silo is of stone, 13 by 32 feet. The other buildings are adequate. House and barn are illuminated with acety¬ lene gas and supplied with running water. Mr. Miller is progressive and mod¬ ern and is already getting a good start in life. He is well liked by all who know him. He was married in 1918 to Maude Neck, who was born at Prairie Farm Township on Oct. 2, 1896, the daughter of John and Anna Neck. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have had two children, Kenneth Roy, born May 24, 1919, and one who died in infancy.

Valentine Kurschner, an early settler of Section 22, Prairie Farm Town¬ ship, was born in Germany, March 13, 1852, and there attended school. Feb. 18, 1873, he married Wilhelmina Moline, who was born Nov. 6, 1854. Soon afterward they came to the United States, and took a homestead oh Section 22, Prairie Farm Township, this county. He built a log house, established his home therein, and started to develop a farm. For several winters in order to help out the family funds, he worked in the lumber woods. In time he got a good start in life and built up a good farm. He was especially prominent in the affairs of the Evangelical Church in Prairie Farm Township, and for many years was superintendent of the Sunday School. He was also a pioneer dairy¬ man and helped to start the Prairio Farm Co-operative Creamery. He died Jan. 3, 1908, and his wife is still living on the home place.

Johanes Miller, for many years a resident of Section 35, Prairie Farm Township, was born in Germany, was there reared and educated, and there married Marie Ochsa. Six children were born, two of whom died young, in Germany. The other four were: Elizabeth, now Mrs. Frank Roemhild, of Prairie Farm Township; Peter, a farmer of Prairie Farm Township; August, deceased; and Kate, now Mrs. John Kurschner, of Prairie Farm Township. In Janilary, 1882, Mr. Miller and Elizabeth came to the United States. In May of that year, the mother came with Peter, August and Kate. They settled on 122 acres of wild land in Section 35, Prairie Farm Township. There he built a log house and some log outbuildings. The furniture for the house was mostly made on the place. The first year Mr. Miller had a cow, and not long afterward was able to get a yoke of oxen. Ap time passed, he developed a good farm. He replaced the log house with a frame residence, cleared up the land and built fences. He died Jan. 3, 1911, at the age of seventy-three years. His wife, who was born April 28, 1842, is still living on the home place with her son, Peter.

Peter Miller, who ranks well among the industrious farmers of Prairie Farm Township, was born in Hesse, Germany, Aug. 24, 1872, the son of Johanes and Marie (Ochsa) Miller, the original rendering of whose name was Mueller. He was brought to his present farm in Section 35, as an infant, attended the district school, and here grew to manhood. For nine winters he worked in the woods. After his father's death, in 1911, he took over the home place, and to its development and operation he has since devoted his attention. He has fixed over the house, has put up a modern barn, 36 by 84 feet, a silo, 12 by 33 feet, and other buildings. He carries on general farming, and raises Jersey cattle, Poland-China swine, and a good grade of horses. Busy as he has been in developing his farm, Mr. Miller has found time for considerable public service. He served efficiently on the town board for two years, and for nine years was treasurer of his school district. He had been active in the German Lutheran Church in Prairie Farm Township and has been its treasurer since 1910. Mr. Miller was married May 19, 1897, to Mary Kurschner, who was born in a log cabin in this township, Sept. 9, 1876, the daughter of Valentine and Wilhelmina (Moline) Kurschner, early settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have eight children. Edward is in Dunn County. Matilda is the wife of Ed. Bilse, of Dunn County. Clarence, Erna, Minnie, Elizabeth and Herbert and Helen (twins) are at home. Mr. Miller has christened his place the Valley View Dairy Farm, by reason of its sightly location, and under this name it is widely known. He takes pride in its appearance, and everything about it be¬ speaks the thrift, hard work and good judgment of the owner.

Martin Johnson, early settler of Section 10, Prairie Farm Township, was born in Norway, and was there reared and educated. As a young man he mar¬ ried, and settled down to establish a family. As the children began to grow he determined to seek for them the broader opportunities of America. Ac¬ cordingly, in 1866, with his wife, Lena, and four children, Holden, Morris, Mary and Agnes, he embarked aboard a sailing boat bound for the new coun¬ try. They left the land of their birth and ancestry, in April, and did not sight land until the middle of July. For a time they lived near Rio, in Columbia County, this state, where Mr. Johnson farmed and worked at his trade as a carpenter. Later he took a homestead in Section 10, Prairie Farm Township, this county. Starting in with but little, he here built up a good farm. Five children were born in this country: Albert (deceased), Percie (Mrs. John Rossbach, of Prairie Farm Township), Laura, Albert and Edward.

Nels Eggen, public official, logging foreman, and industrious farmer of Section 3, Prairie Farm Township, now deceased, was born in Norway, Jan. 18, 1852, and was there reared and educated. At the age of eighteen he de¬ cided to make the great experiment and come to America. Accordingly, he borrowed money from good friends, and after a long voyage, landed, and in due time found his way to Menomonie, in Dunn County, this state, where he entered the employ of Knapp, Stout & Co. For many years thereafter he worked in the lumber woods winters, on the river drives in the springs, and on the company farm in Prairie Farm Township in the summer. After he mar¬ ried in the spring: of 1879, his wife went into the lumber camps with him. She worked as cook and he as foreman, their combined wages being $45 a month. In 1881, he purchased 120 acres in Section 3, Prairie Farm Township, and put up a log cabin, 16 by 20 feet, into which he and his wife moved. They started farming with an ox team and a cow, secured from his employer. Mrs Eggen managed to get a few chickens. Thus they made their beginning. For years thereafter, Mr. Eggen continued to work winters as a logging foreman, while his wife bravely stayed at home, looked after the chores and cared for the children. As time passed they built up a good place. Being a man of force¬ ful characteristics, it is natural that he should have been a leader in his com¬ munity. For a number of terms he was chairman of the township, and as such a member of the county board. He believed in conservative progress, he was especially a friend of the good roads movement, and he was honored and re¬ spected for his judgment and ability not only by his own constituents but also by the voters of the county at large. He also served the township with fair¬ ness and discretion as assessor. As a father of children he was naturally in¬ terested in education and did good work on the school board. He believed in co-operative effort among the farmers and was a stockholder in the Prairie Farm Co-operative Association. On his farm he successfully conducted general farming and dairying, and had a good herd. After a successful career he died Jan. 26, 1898, and his death was sincerely mourned. He was one of the town's most useful citizens, he took his part in every forward move, and he left be¬ hind the memory of an honored name. He was a loving husband, an indulgent father, a good neighbor and a loyal friend. Mr. Eggen was married April 14, 1879, at Prairie Farm, to Agnes Johnson, who was born in Norway, Feb. 11, 1861, the daughter of Martin and Lena (Peterson) Johnson, and there were born: Gustave, Willis, Lena and Nina. Gustave was born Jan. 13, 1880, on the present place. He conducts a part of the home place and makes a home for his mother. He here carries on general farming and dairying, and has a good herd of Guernsey cattle. He is one of the substantial and solid men of the township, a good farmer and a good business man, and highly respected by all who know him. Willis was born June 13, 1882. He has purchased a part of the home farm, erected a set of buildings, and carries on general farming and dairying. He is an enterprising man who stands well throughout the commu¬ nity. Lena was born Aug. 24, 1884, and is the wife of Alfred Johnson, of Prairie Farm Township. Nina was born Sept. 10, 1890, and is the wife of Nor¬ man Thompson, of Minneapolis.

John Iverson, an early settler of Prairie Farm Township, now deceased, was born in Norway, Dec. 25, 1839, and was there reared, attended the parish schools, and grew to manhood. In 1867 he married Anna Stubdahl, the daugh¬ ter of a neighbor. He started out with his wife and one son, Christ, for America, in the spring of 1869, and landed after a voyage of over a month aboard a sailing boat. Then he came overland to Iowa, where he had friends. After a short time he came to Menomonie, in Dunn County, this state, and there another son, Elmer, was born. In 1871 the family came to Barron County and settled on a homestead of 160 acres in Section 30, Prairie Farm Township. Prairie Farm Village had been settled for some years, and there was a store, postoffice and sawmill there, but in the vicinity where Mr. Iverson settled there were but two other families, those of Andreas Stensaas and Christ Woxen. For a time the Iversons made their home with Andreas Stensaas, who was liv¬ ing in an old lumber camp. In the meantime, Mr. Iverson put up a log cabin, 14 by 16 feet, and into this he moved his family. Then he set to work to estab¬ lish a home and a farm. For a while it was hard to get along. In the early days there were no lumber yards, and the timber from which the buildings were built was cut and sawed by Mr. Iverson with the old-fashioned rip saw. He also made his own shingles, built his own bob sleds and jumper wagon, with which they hauled their hay and grain which the family threshed with a flail on the barn floor. After Knapp, Stout & Co. put in a mill, things im¬ proved faster. They made their own cradles with which they cut their grain. Sometimes Mr. Iverson walked as far as Menomonie to do his trading, bring¬ ing provisions home on his back. His wife spun yarn to knit mittens, socks and jackets for the family. Gradually the farm was developed. In time he put up a good set of buildings, got a good part of the land under cultivation, put up fences, and acquired tools and equipment. As a family man and a good citi¬ zen, Mr. Iverson was interested in church and school. He helped to organize the Norwegian Lutheran Congregation at Prairie Farm, and served as one of its officers. He also served on the school board. After a long and useful life, he died Nov. 2, 1910. His good wife passed away, March 14, 1906. In addi¬ tion to the two sons, who were brought here, three daughters were born on this place: Mary, the wife of Louis Michaelson, of Glenwood City; Laura, the wife of John Stack, of Saskatchewan, Canada ; and Emma, who is at home.

Christ and Elmer Iverson, known as the Iverson Brothers, are operating the home place in Section 30, Prairie Farm Township, which has been in the family for more than half a century, having been taken as a homestead in 1871 by their parents, John and Anna (Stubdahl) Iverson, the early settlers. Christ was born in Norway, Sept. 23, 1868, was brought to America in 1869, and to the present farm in 1871. Elmer was born in Menomonie, Aug. 13, 1870, and was brought to the present place the next year. Both boys were reared in the wilds amid pioneer conditions. Both attended the log schoolhouse in the neigh¬ borhood, learned farming from their father, and helped to develop the home farm. Christ spent 20 winters in logging camps and nine springs on the river drives. Elmer spent 12 winters in the logging camps. Both are among the best known and most substantial men in the community, and are highly respected by all. They are good farmers and good citizens and take their part in com¬ munity affairs. Christ has been a member of the school board. Each now owns a half of the home place, and they live in the old dwelling, where their sister, Emma, keeps house for them. They successfully carry on general farming and dairying and have a good herd of Hereford cattle.

John August Kahl, an energetic farmer of Section 23, Prairie Farm Town¬ ship, was born in a log cabin on the place where he still lives, April 10, 1885, the son of John and Mary (Hendorf) Kahl. He was reared here, attended the district school, and learned farming from his father. He now owns 120 acres of the home place. The residence is a pretty modern bungalow, the other buildings are adequate and in good repair. General farming and dairying are successfully conducted, and there is a good herd of Guernsey cattle, as well as a fine drove of swine. Mr. Kahl is well known throughout the community, and is as well liked as he is well known. He has served with credit on the school board. Mr. Kahl was married on Jan. 30, 1908, at Dallas to Edith Blake, the daughter of Fred and Minnie Blake. She was born at Dallas, Oct. 4, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Kahl have five children : Athly, Verna, Earl, Helen and Bryon.

John Kahl, who died Sept. 25, 1921, was an estimable citizen of Section 23, Prairie Farm Township, and had been a resident of this county for nearly fifty years. He was born in Germany, March 10, 1851, the son of John and Cath¬ erine Kahl, who spent the span of their years farming in that country. He was educated in the government schools and was reared to farm pursuits by his father. In 1871 he came to America, and for three years found employment in Dane County. From there, in 1874, he came to Barron County, and secured 160 acres in Section 23, Prairie Farm Township. He put up a log cabin and a slab stable, and started farming with a team of horses and a cow or two. There were then few roads except the tote roads of the lumber companies, the settlers were scattered, not much had been done in the way of development. He set to work with a will, and in time had built up a good farm. He replaced the log structures with a good set of frame buildings, and added to his acreage until he owned 280 acres. Here he successfully carried on general farming operations until 1910, when he retired and moved to Prairie Farm Village, where he purchased a pleasant home. After his wife's death, in 1916, he moved back to the farm and enjoyed a well-earned rest after a busy life of hard work, filled with worthy endeavor. Mr. Kahl was married in 1875 to Mary Hendorf, who was born in Germany in 1859, and died in Prairie Farm Village in 1916. This union was blessed with six children: Mary, now deceased; George, on the home farm; Anna, of Minneapolis; Elizabeth, of Rice Lake; John August, on the home farm; and Emma, the wife of William Miller, of Prairie Farm Township. George owns 114 acres of the home farm, which he carries on, on his own account, and on which he has a good house and out¬ buildings.

John Kallenbach, a representative farmer of section 28, Prairie Farm Township, was bom in Germany, Oct. 30, 1863, the son of Oswald and Chris¬ tina Kallenbach. He was reared and educated in his native land, and was still a young boy when he was apprenticed to a shoemaker to learn the trade. At the age of sixteen, in 1880, he came to the United States, and found his way to the Wisconsin lumber regions. For many years thereafter he devoted his life to agriculture and lumbering, spending in all eighteen winters in the lumber woods and ten springs on the river drives. In 1894 he purchased 80 acres of wild land in Section 23, Prairie Farm Township. He built a log house, 20 by 30 feet, on the hill south of his present home, and moved into it with his bride. He started farming here with but little equipment. In a little while he managed to get a cow, and a while later he got a mule team. One of the tables in the house was made from trees cut on the place. Little by little, he managed to get the farm cleared up and under cultivation. In 1906 he purchased another 80 acres adjoining. On this was standing a small frame house into which he moved. This house, he has enlarged and improved into a modern dwelling. He has put up a barn, 36 by 76 feet, a silo 12 by 40 feet and other buildings. The home is pleasantly located in a sightly grove, which makes the farm a landmark in the neighborhood. On this place he successfully conducts general farming, and dairying, and has a good herd of Guernsey cattle, a fine drove of Poland-China swine, and some good Belgian horses. Mr. Kallenbach is one of the prominent and influential men of this community. For six years he has done most efficient work as one of the town supervisors. He has also given valuable service as a member of the school board. He is vice president of the Prairie Farm Co-operative Creamery, a stockholder in the Prairie Farm Telephone Co. and a member of the Guernsey Breeders' Association. Mr. Kallenbach was married May 17, 1893, to Catherine Beisswauger, who was born in Dunn County, May 24, 1870, the daughter of Gottlieb and Anna (Kahl) Beisswauger. This union has been blessed with eight children. Mary died in young womanhood. Albert is farming in Prairie Farm Township. Arthur is at home. Amelia is the wife of Ernest Nitz, of Dallas Township. Stanley, Hellen, Laura and Harry are at home.

Gottlieb Beisswauger, veteran of the Civil War, and early settler of this region, now deceased, was born in Germany, and was there reared and educated. Like so many of his young countrymen he served for a stated period in the regular German army. As a young man he came to America and located in this state. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in a regiment of infantry and served with valor under General Sheridan until after the close of the conflict. For many years he lived in Dunn County, near the Prairie Farm line. He was well known and highly regarded by the people of both counties, and his judgment was respected by all with whom he came in contact. He was personally acquainted with many of the real leaders in this region in the pioneer days. Especially was he active in church affairs. Early Lutheran services were held in his cabin, and he assisted in getting a congregation started. After a long and useful life, he died in March, 1910, at the age of 80 years. His wife, Anna Kahl, who was born in Germany, and came to America as a child, died in July, 1918, at the age of 73 years.

Isaac Sprague, for many years the moving factor in the business life of Prairie Farm village, was born at Troy, near Pontiac, Mich., Dec. 16, 1835, the son of Isaac and Clementina (Black) Sprague, natives of Cattaraugus County, N. Y., who came west to Wayne County, Mich., as young people. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native county, and there grew to manhood and was married. In 1859 he came to Wisconsin with his wife and son, William, and located on a claim near Menomonie, in Dunn County. In 1862 he came to what is now the village of Prairie Farm, then a lumber camp. The county was then a wilderness, the Indians and the wild animals roamed the woods almost undisturbed, and the Indians looked with none too friendly eye on the coming of the white lumbermen. Often they camped across the river from the lumbering operations, and held their savage dances. Mr. Sprague acted as camp foreman, shipping foreman and mill foreman. His wife was the camp cook. Sometimes when an unusually large number of Indians were camped in the vicinity, and their begging and pilfering became unbearable, she had a man stand guard over the food while she did the cook¬ ing. In 1866 the Knapp, Stout & Co. people put up a store, and Mr. Sprague was made the store keeper and postmaster. Goods were brought overland from Menomonie. Such a store and trading post was a great convenience to the employes of Knapp, Stout & Co. and later to the settlers as they began to come in. In 1875 Mr. Sprague severed his relations with the lumber com¬ pany, and opened a store and hotel of his own. He continued to be post¬ master, holding the office until 1899. Mr. Sprague was untiring in every effort to upbuild the village. He took a prominent part in its incorporation, and served as president of its first board of trustees. Previous to this, he had been treasurer of the township and clerk of the school board. After a long useful life, he died Feb. 23, 1916. His wife died March 4, 1908. Mr. Sprague was married at Vernon, Mich., Sept. 8, 1856, to Jane Van Wormer, daughter of Ezekiel and Sarah Van Wormer. Mr. and Mrs. Sprague had six children: William, Charles, George, Frank, Estella, wife of Maxwell T. Downs, of Prairie Farm Township, and Ella, wife of Carl Borson, of Prairie Farm Township.

Maxwell Timothy Downs, a prominent man living in the vicinity of Prairie Farm village, was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, July 18, 1863, the son of John and Jane (Calder) Downs, he a native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and she of Glasgow, Scotland. In 1872 the father came to Menomonie, Dunn County, this state, bringing the family. For a time he was foreman and contractor in lumber camps in Barron County, mostly in the vicinity of Almena. The father died at Menomonie April 22, 1914, at the age of 90 years, and the mother Jan. 30, 1905, at the age of 78 years. The subject of this sketch attended school at Menomonie, and first went into the woods at the age of fifteen with his father, seeking experience and adventure. The next year he secured regular employment in the woods. At the age of 24 he became fore¬ man, a record hard to beat, and thereafter was employed in that capacity in lumber camps and on the river drives until he was forty. Few men are better acquainted with the story of the lumber development of this county than he. In 1890 he purchased a tract of 80 acres of wild land in section 21, Prairie Farm Township, and in 1894 moved his wife and two children into a 14 by 16 frame house which stood on the place. He has remodeled the house into the present pleasant dwelling, and has erected other suitable farm buildings. He is now successfully carrying on general farming and dairying on 120 acres of good land. Mr. Downs has considerable skill and knowledge as a veterinarian, and he is often called upon for help in this line. In public life he is serving the town as a member of the board of supervisors. When his farm was in the village, he represented the village with credit on the county board. He also served on the village board of trustees and on the school board. Mr. Downs is a stockholder in the Prairie Farm Co-operative Creamery. Frater¬ nally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen. Mr. Downs was married April 15, 1891, to Estella J. Sprague, who was born on the present site of

Mr. And Mrs. Martin Johnson Edward M. Johnson

Prairie Farm village, Aug. 2, 1873, the daughter of Isaac and Jane (Van Wormer) Sprague, the pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Downs have six children. Grace, for several years a teacher, is the wife of John Edmunds, of Prairie Farm Township. Edna is dead. Pearl is the wife of Howard Buck, of Prairie Farm Township. Wallace is at home. Edith is the wife of Elmer Wicks, of Prairie Farm village. Bernice is at home. Mrs. Downs for many years, from the time she was a young girl to the time of her; marriage, was assistant to her father in the postoffice and store.

Martin Johnson, farmer and carpenter, for many years a resident of section 10, Prairie Farm Township, was born in Norway, and was reared on a farm and learned the carpenter trade. He there married Lena Johnson, and three children, Holden, Mary and Agnes, were born there. In 1872 he set out with his family for America. The voyage aboard the sailing vessel took four¬ teen weeks, during which time the passengers had to furnish their own food. In due time the family reached Menomonie, Dunn County, this state. Later they settled on 120 acres in section 10, Prairie Farm Township. He built a log house and started to clear up the land. Sometimes when provisions were scarce he walked to Prairie Farm village, Rice Lake or Menomonie or Barron and brought home supplies on his back. As time passed he built up a good farm, and added 40 acres more, making a place of 160 acres. In addition to developing his farm, he worked at his trade as a carpenter. He helped to build the Norwegian Lutheran Church at Prairie Farm village, the schoolhouse in section 2, and many farm dwellings and barns. After a long and useful life he died on the farm in July, 1906. His wife died on Jan. 6, 1919. The children were: Holden, Mary, Agnes, Laura, Morris, Albert and Edward M.

Edward M. Johnson, an estimable farmer of section 10, Prairie Farm Township, was born on the place where he now lives, March 26, 1879, the son of Martin and Lena Johnson, natives of Norway. He was reared on the home place, attended school in the neighborhood, and learned farming and the carpenter trade from his father. One season he worked in the woods. For some years he and his brother, Holden, operated the farm in partnership. Since 1918 he has been the sole owner. Being a carpenter by trade it is natural that he should have a good set of buildings kept in the best of repair. His farm is well developed and well fenced, and everything about the place bespeaks the thrift and good judgment of the owner. In addition to doing his farm work, Mr. Johnson is in partnership with his brother, Albert, in owning and operating a full threshing outfit and portable sawmill. Mr. Johnson was married on March 4, 1904, at Prairie Farm, to Caroline Gaylord, who was born in Norway ^in 1869. Mrs. Johnson died in May, 1910, leaving two sons, Carl and Edwin, "both dutiful sons who are helping their father at home.

Ole Swanson, an early settler of Barron County, veteran of the Civil War, and of the Minnesota Indian Campaign, one of the heroic survivors of the Redwood Ferry ambush, was born in Norway Feb. 12, 1844, the son of Swen and Mary Olson, who came to America in middle age and spent their declining years in Pope County, Minn. The subject of this sketch was reared in Norway and attended school there. In 1861 he came to America as a youth of seven¬ teen, the voyage aboard an old sailing vessel taking seven weeks, six weeks and five days of which was spent out of sight of land. After reaching port he found his way to Fillmore County, Minn., where friends and relatives had already settled, and there he started farming. On March 2, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, 5th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered into service at Fort Snelling, near Minneapolis, on March 24, 1862. His name appears in the military records of the state and nation as Ole Svendson. The company was stationed at Fort Ridgely, on the Minnesota, in the western part of the state of Minnesota. Then came the events which made the company famous for all time. On Aug. 18, 1862, the Sioux Indians arose and began slaughtering the whites. Company B, which started from Fort Ridgely to punish the Indians, was ambushed at Redwood Ferry, and Captain John S.