Barron County, Wisconsin - Chapter 13: Biographical and Geneological Review, 1922 (part 7 of 46)

17, 1865, son of Frederick I. and Mary (Derosier) Demers, who brought him to the States in 1870 and after a year in Menomonie, this state, came to Barron County. Wilfred A. was reared on a homestead in Rice Lake Township, and there attended the district schools. He was sixteen years old when his family moved to Rice Lake, and here he continued his schooling, spending his spare time in working with his father in his store, and thus learning the principles of business life. After he left school he worked two years for the Omaha Railroad at Rice Lake. Then he became a clerk in his father's store. In the fall of 1898 he was elected county treasurer, and served for four years, making his home at Barron. Upon his retirement he continued in the court house for a while as assistant to the county treasurer. Afterward he resumed his em¬ ployment with his father. He entered upon his banking career Nov. 1, 1907, as assistant cashier of the First National Bank at Rice Lake. His hard work and ability, as well as the confidence in which he is held in the community, at once became important factors in the life of the bank, and on Jan. 1, 1914, he was elevated to his present position. Reared as he was on a farm, he has always been interested in agriculture, and he makes a hobby of his fine place of 400 acres in Rice Lake Township, where he breeds full-blooded Holstein- Freisian cattle for dairy purposes. In addition to this he is the owner of several residences and business buildings in Rice Lake City. His public office holding has not been confined to the court house, for in the city as well, he has done excellent service. He has been city clerk and city treasurer, and during his term as alderman was one of the prime movers in installing the present adequate sewage system. During the war he was fearless and just as a member of the selective draft board, and also headed a number of Liberty Loan and War Fund drives. All in all he is a broad minded man of intelli¬ gence and ability, who has the best good of the community at heart, and who, in acquiring his own success, has not been unmindful of others. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Forestors. Mr. Demers was married July 4, 1887, to Delima Santerre, who was born in Canada, Sept. 6, 1868. To this union ten children have been born. Alda is a teacher and lives at home. Odille was for several years librarian at the Carnege Library at Rice Lake. Hazel is accountant for the First National Bank at Rice Lake. Leontine is the wife of Russell Rill of Casper, Wyoming. Ray¬ mond is a student in the Rice Lake High School. He was a volunteer in the World War and served with Co. A, 121st Machine Gun Battalion, 32nd Division. Clarian is a student at the State Normal School at Superior. Maurine, An¬ toinette and Carroll are attending the public schools. One is dead. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church.

B. Drook, confectioner, is one of the prominent business men and leading citizens of Rice Lake, and has done much more than his share in the upbuild¬ ing of the city. He was born in Russia, March 28, 1865, the son of Joseph and Sarah (Heller) Drook, natives of Germany, and descended from a long line of distinguished chemists. Coming as he did of people of means and education, young Barney had unusual opportunities of training and schooling, and was not only thoroughly grounded in the elementary studies, but also took courses in various institutions in Europe. Not pleased, however, with the system of despotic government under which he was living, he set out for America in 1895. For two years he was engaged in the confectionery business at Bristol, Rhode Island. In 1897 he engaged in business in Brooklyn, N. Y., handling a retail and wholesale line, and manufacturing his own goods. But he had something of the pioneer in his veins, so he determined to seek his fortunes in a still newer region. Accordingly in 1899 he came to St. Paul, Minn., and engaged in the manufacture of confections for the jobbing trade. While thus occupied, he was constantly looking about for a location where he could start with a small village and grow as the village grew. Such an opportunity presented itself in Rice Lake. So he came here in 1901 and the following year established his present business. The country was still new, and the starting of a store here for the sale of high class candies and the manufacture of choice ice cream seemed a highly speculative venture. But Mr. Drook had faith in the future of this region, he was a thorough master of his business, he had energy and pluck, and he had a pleasing personality which won him friends and customers. And he also has those qualities of character and that spirit of fair dealing which keep his friends and customers once they are made. The business developed rapidly. The store in Rice Lake became one of the business centers of the growing city. Ice cream was not only sold to other dealers here and to the homes, but also shipped to points in Northern Wisconsin. Mr. Drook devotes his entire attention to the store at Rice Lake. The building was erected in 1914 in connection with the construction of the Odd Fellows' Block. It is of solid brick with a concrete foundation. The front is of white glazed tile and plate glass. The floors of the salesrooms and parlors are of inlaid mosaic pattern, while the floors of the basement and manufacturing rooms are of cement. The building is steam heated throughout and equipped with an artistic system of lighting. The soda water fountain is modern and the display cases excellently designed for the attractive goods. The parlor is a cozy, prettily decorated place with an artistic balcony. A special feature of the place is the Paganini Violin Or¬ chestra, a mechanical device cased in solid mahogany and imported from Germany at a cost of $3,000. Mr. Drook manufactures his own ice cream and candies. He carries in addition to the confections a full line of bakery, fruits, novelties, school supplies and accessories, and serves light lunches. His home is at 17 West Knapp and was built in 1912. It is a modern structure of eight rooms, with many modern conveniences. Adjoining the house are several lots where Mr. Drook delights in cultivating a small orchard. He also owns other city property. Fraternally Mr. Drook has been very active. In the Masonic order he is a member of Rice Lake Lodge, No. 234, A. F. & A. M., and of the Eastern Star. In the Odd Fellows he has been a moving factor. He is a member of Rice Lake Lodge, No. 269, I. 0. O. F., Phoenix Encampment, No. 25, I. O. 0. F., and Hiawatha Rebecca Lodge, No. 75, I. 0. 0. F., and has occupied the highest offices in all. He is president of the Rice Lake Odd Fellows' Building Association, Inc., and was one of the building committee when the present building was erected. He was also responsible for the founding of the Day Oral School at Rice Lake. Mr. Drook was married in Russia, June 12, 1890, to Mary Divan, who was born in Russia Sept. 1, 1874, and has been a most capable and sympathetic helpmeet in all his undertakings and endeavors. Mr. and Mrs. Drook have had four children. Aaron was born March 22, 1891, passed through the Rice Lake graded schools and high school, graduated from the law school of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and the Detroit College of Law and is now a successful lawyer in Detroit, Mich. Victor was born Sept. 1, 1893, passed through the Rice Lake graded schools and high school, graduated in medicine from' the University of Chicago in 1916 and is now successfully practicing medicine in Detroit, Mich. Abraham, a boy of unusual promise, was born Feb. 23, 1897, and died March 23, 1914. Sarah was born Nov. 25, 1901, was one of the brightest pupils in the Day Oral School at Rice Lake and is now making a remarkable record in the Milwaukee high school. Devoted as he is to his business, Mr. Drook finds time for outdoor life, and takes the keenest delight in orcharding and gardening.

E. E. Campbell, editor and publisher of the Rice Lake "Times," is one of the real moulders of public opinion in the county. He brought to the edi¬ torial chair a long experience in education and business and his paper is widely read and highly commended. During the World War his unswerving patriotism had much to do with the high fervor of loyalty manifest in this county, and his personal influence and his pen have ever been at the disposal of every good cause which he believes to be for the betterment of the nation, the state, the county, the town and the city. He is a strong editorial writer, he possesses that valuable journalistic sense which enables him to fill his news columns with interesting matter, and he has the business ability to see that his advertising columns are kept bright and modern and well filled. He also has a job and commercial department which does a satisfactory business and turns out good work. He was born in Muskegon, Mich., Oct. 30, 1855, and received his early education in the public schools of River Falls, this state. In 1878 he entered the University of Wisconsin and was graduated with the class of 1882. After being identified with the printing business for a while he became assistant principal in the high school at Faribault, Minn. In 1884 he became principal of the schools at Spring Valley, Minn., a position he re¬ tained until 1899, with the exception of three years, when he occupied a similar position with other schools. From 1899 to 1902 he was principal at Adrian, Minn. Then he engaged in the cement business at River Falls and Rice Lake with Frank M. Ulrich as a partner. He came to Rice Lake in 1903 to look after this branch of the business. He sold out shortly afterwards and pur¬ chased a half-interest in the Rice Lake "Leader." It was later consolidated with the Rice Lake Chronotype, Mr. Campbell selling his interest. He then (.1908) purchased the Rice Lake "Times," which he still owns and publishes. Mr. Campbell is a Democrat in politics. Fraternally he belongs to the Royal Neighbors of America. Mr. Campbell was married Nov. 30, 1882, to Inez M. Fields, of Madison, Wis. They have one daughter, wife of J. H. Hoffman, of Minneapolis, employed in the office of the Pittsburgh Coal Co.

Fred E. Bailey, an early Indian trader, for many years engaged in business enterprises in Rice Lake, and now following the trade of tinsmith, was born March 23, 1861, in Dunn County, this state, son of Alva W. and Martha (Tice) Bailey. Alva W. was born in Lowell, Mass., and settled in Maple Springs, Dunn County in 1856, thereafter following the hotel business at Downsville for two years, and at one time serving as government Indian trader. As a boy Fred E., attended school two years at Ellsworth, Wis.; Rush River (later called Bailey Mills), Wis.; Esdaile and Maiden Rock one year; Eau Galle, Wis., and Rice Lake, this county. In 1874 his father became Indian trader on the Couderay Indian Reservation in Chippewa County, and young Fred E. was sent one term to the Indian school on the reservation and then to the public school at Knapp Station. After that he again attended school in Rice Lake for two years. At the close of this period he started out for himself, for a time trading in hides and ginseng through the country and purchasing where he could. Then he made his headquarters at Rice Lake, continuing to buy hides and pelts, ginseng and other medicinal roots, having several squads of Indians as helpers, both in digging roots and in trapping fur bearing ani¬ mals. In 1877 he went to the Red River Valley with his uncle in search of furs, trading and buying furs and hides for A. O. Bailey, of St. Paul, and ranging from St. Paul to Crookston, Minn., and St. Vincent, Canada. After this he returned to Rice Lake and worked in the woods for Knapp, Stout & Co. The next year he went to Knapp Station, Wis., to stay with his uncle, who was ill, and who died in 1882. Then he entered the employ of Lucas & Flescher in their store at Knapp, Wis., to learn the tinners' trade. While there, although not yet of age, he was appointed village marshal. Next he worked on a packing house at Menomonie, Wis., which was in process of construction. Again re¬ turning to Rice Lake he engaged in the transfer business, hauling goods for the merchants. For a while thereafter he assisted in the construction of the Omaha Railroad through Rice Lake; also the "Soof" line into Rice Lake. For some thirty years he had a transfer and storage business, also acting as agent for the Standard Oil Co. for several years. In 1916 he traded his business for land, and since then has devoted his time to his trade. He is well liked in the community and is a member of the Modern Woodmen and the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Bailey was married Oct. 24, 1887, at Rice Lake to Edith A. McLeod, born at Muskegon, Mich., June 18, 1869, daughter of George and Flora D. (Lee) McLeod, natives of Maine and Illinois respectively, who settled in this county in 1874, the father dying in 1910, and the mother still making her home in Rice Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have six children: Herbert H., Milbourne O., Lee Harold, Victor Carl, Grace A. and Norman M. Herbert H. was born July 31, 1888, and died in infancy. Milbourne 0. was born Sept. 1, 1889, married Oct. 24, 1903, Mata Schliep, of Wausau, Wis., and died Feb. 4, 1920. Lee Harold was born Aug. 17, 1891, and lives in Rice Lake, Wis. Victor Carl was born Nov. 10, 1893, and lives with his parents. Grace A. was born April 30, 1897, and died in childhood. Norman M. was born Sept. 9, 1899, and died in childhood. Mrs. Felicia L. Moore, widow of Oliver L. Moore, and grandmother of Mrs. Fred E. Bailey, makes her home with the McLeod family. She is a lady of charming personality, bright and sprightly and cheery, and at the age of 90 years can read without glasses, and takes an interest in all the affairs of the younger folk.

Louis Couture, an estimable citizen who platted a part of the land on which the city of Rice Lake now stands, was born in the parish of St. John, Chrysostum, Province of Quebec, Canada, June 2, 1852, son of Augustine and Caroline (Gagne) Couture, farmers who were born in the Province of Quebec, and there spent the span of their years, the father dying in 1866 and the mother July 11, 1908, at the age of 78 years. In the family there were ten children: Caroline, August, Louis, Samuel, Edward, Oliver, Demriese, Abra¬ ham, Felix and one who died in infancy. By a second marriage to Peter Morneau, the mother had three more children, Arsene, Edmond and Lee. Louis attended the Canadian schools, and remained at home until he was sixteen years of age. Then he started out for himself, working for a while as a helper in lumber camps and sawmills and then as a section hand on different Canadian railroads. He came to the States in 1879 and with headquarters at Rice Lake, became identified with the lumbering industry in this region, working as a cook in lumber camps in the winter, and as a helper in sawmills in summer. In 1882 he became railroad section foreman for the Omaha road, with head¬ quarters at Lakeside, Wis., two years, and at Serona, Wis., then known as Bashaw, for fourteen years. He returned to Barron County in 1896, and for one summer farmed in Stanfold Township. Then he came to Rice Lake once more, after cooking in camps along the Red Cedar River for one season, again entered the employ of the Omaha. When the tracks were being laid from Rice Lake to Eagle Point he *was at first assistant foreman of a gang of men, and was later given full charge of a crew numbering nearly seventy. Next, in the same employ, he moved to Springbrook, in Washburn County, this state. After giving up railroad work he devoted himself to various interests, road con¬ struction, logging, lumbering, hotel managing, real estate dealing and farming. At one time he owned a quarter section of land in Washburn County, where he carried on general farming, gradually developing the farm, and assisting his neighbors in pulling stumps, clearing their land, and generally improving their various properties. He was a leading citizen at Springbrook, helped to organize the creamery there and served efficiently as a member of the school board. Visiting priests held mass at his hotel, and it was through his untiring efforts, aided by the members of his family and a few devout friends, that a Catholic church was finally erected at the place. In 1909 he came back to Rice Lake and bought the Riverside Tract, so-called, of twelve and a half acres, on which he platted the First and Second Couture Additions, and de¬ voted himself to selling the lots, dealing in general real estate, and doing truck farming. He sold out in 1919 and moved to his present residence at 738 North Wilson Avenue, where he now lives retired. He and his family are members of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church. Mr. Couture was married June 9, 1873, to Leocadie Morneau, who was born in the same parish as her husband, Feb. 10, 1856, daughter of Peter and Mary Morneau, both natives of the same parish also, and both now deceased, the father having died at the age of 84 and the mother in 1864. In the Morneau family there were fifteen children: Elsie, Peter, Louise, Marcelleine, Lucy, Charles Delima, Lescadie,

Louise (second), Frank, John, Joseph, Louis, and twins who died unnamed. As already noted, Mr. Morneau, after the death of his wife, married Mrs. Augustine Couture, and had three more children. Mr. and Mrs. Louis Couture have had thirteen children: Josephine, Henry, Oliamine, Napoleon, unnamed twins, Arthur (first), Archel, Arthur J., Edmond, Alphonse F., Clarence and Cemilda. Josephine was born Dec. 19, 1874, married Joseph McDougall, now of Duluth, and has six children, Raymond, Irene, Cicily, Lloyd, Louis and Gene¬ vieve. Henry was born Sept. 25, 1876, and died June 26, 1898. Oliamine was born Sept. 1, 1878, and is now clerk in a store at Rice Lake. Napoleon was born March 1, 1883, married Mrs. Cora (Rose) Gordon, and lives in Minne¬ apolis. Arthur (first) died in infancy. Archel was born Sept. 25, 1886, is a barber at Spooner, married Marvel Devlin, and has two children, James L. and Eileen. Arthur J. was born Dec. 19, 1888, took special courses in the Agricultural Department of the University of Wisconsin, and is now the traveling representative for the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Co., of Racine, his territory being Greece, Turkey and Asia Minor. Edmond, a most promising lad, was drowned in Rice Lake when nine years of age. Alphonse F. is one of the heroes of the World War, having lost his life in the conflict in which the land of his birth, the land of his father's birth, the land of his ancestor's birth were fighting side by side. He did excellent service as an interpreter for the Headquarters Battalion, of the Intelligence Department, and was killed Oct. 3, 1918. He is laid to rest in the Roumange Cemetery in the Argonne district, where he sleeps in the soil on which his ancestors lived, and which he died to save. Clarence was' born Nov. 23, 1895, and died at the age of about four years. Cemilda was born April 4, 1898 and is taking a com¬ mercial course in the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

John H. Johnson, banker, business man and farmer, president of the Citizens State Bank of Rice Lake, former owner of a successful market in Rice Lake, and now proprietor of the Riverside Stock Farm of 160 acres in Rice Lake City, one of the best farms in the county, has been in the county nearly twenty years, and in that time has demonstrated his worth as a good citizen. He was born in Norway June 16, 1869, son of John and Hannah (Anderson) Johnson, who brought him to America in the fall of 1869, and located on a farm in Jackson County, this state, where the mother died in 1913. The father farmed there 46 years until 1915, when he came to* Rice Lake and took up his home with his son, John H., where he died in 1917. John H. was reared in Jackson County and there attended the public schools. He remained on the home farm until 1899 when he went to Eau Claire in the employ of the Min¬ nesota Harvester Co. From there he went to Fairchild, Wis., where he was in the employ of the N. C. Foster Co. He came to Barron County in 1903 and rented his present farm, in section 28, Rice Lake Township. In 1909 he pur¬ chased it. It then consisted of 240 acres, but eighty acres have since been sold. This place he has highly developed. He has renovated and improved the house and barns and erected a granary, machine shed, silo and other buildings. He breeds Holstein cattle. His farming operations have been successful, and his farm is often spoken of as a typical and model Barron County estate. For ten years, from 1909 to 1919, while still conducting his farm, Mr. Johnson was the proprietor of a market at Rice Lake. He was elected president of the Citizens State Bank on Jan. 14, 1921. In public life he has taken his part in every good cause, and for five years he did good service as a member of the Rice Lake South Side school board. He and his family attend the Presbyterian church. Mr. Johnson was married Dec. 23, 1893, to Annetta Thompson, who was born in Norway March 10, 1875, daughter of John and Mary Olson. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have six children: Hazel, Evelyn, Lloyd, Glenn, Clifford and Clara Mae. Hazel was born July 7, 1895; Evelyn was born Sept. 10, 1897; Lloyd was born May 28, 1899; Glenn was born Nov. 21, 1902; Clifford was born Sept. 9, 1909; and Clara Mae was born Aug. 18, 1912. Evelyn is a pro¬ ficient teacher. Lloyd is a veteran of the World War.

Citizens State Bank, Rice Lake Mrs. Herman Boortz

Herman Boortz, an estimable citizen of solid and substantial worth, formerly a farmer of section 29, Sumner Township, and now living at 35 Hatten Avenue, Rice Lake, was born in Germany Oct. 20, 1854, the youngest of the twelve children of John and Fredericka (Schultz) Boortz, who spent the span of their years in the old country. He was reared and educated in Germany, and was there married and had three children. In 1882 he brought his family to America and found his way to this county, where he secured 80 acres of wild land in section 29, Sumner Township. Here he erected a log house, and started to develop a farm from the wilderness. Fortunately he had two cows, so the children had a supply of milk, and the wife made butter for family use. But they had no oxen or other draft animals, their farming equipment was meagre and progress was made but slowly. For some years not enough could be raised amid the stumps to support the family so Mr. Boortz had to secure what outside work he could to earn a little money while his wife stayed at home, reared the children, did the housework, and looked after the farm and stock as best she could. Privations were many, there were no luxuries, and even the necessities were sometimes lacking. But by hard work and frugal management, they prospered, and built up a good place, rearing a good family of children to respectable manhood and womanhood. In 1910 they moved to another farm of 128 acres, where they farmed until 1920, when he returned to Rice Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Boortz have many inter¬ esting stories to tell of their experiences in the early days. When they first came here Mr. Boortz started out on foot and walked all the way from Eau Claire to Sumner before he found a location that suited him. After fixing on a place he went back to Eau Claire and brought his family to the claim with a horse team. Mrs. Boortz brought here the spinning wheel which she had owned in Germany, and on this she knit many useful garments to keep the youngsters warm, and her husband and herself comfortable. Often after the babies were safely asleep, and she waited for her husband to return from some far-away work, she sat by the feeble light late at night, knitting, and half dreaming of the time when the babies should be grown and have babies of their own, and when the county would develop from a wilderness to a rich farming country. As the years passed they replaced their log cabin with a fine set of farm buildings, and their two cows gave way to a fine herd of pure blooded Jerseys. Mrs. Boortz, whose maiden name was Otellia Kruger, was born in Germany Dec. 5, 1851, and they were married May 25, 1877. Three of the children, Minnie, Gustave and Herman, were born in Germany. Eleven children, Emma, Lena, Otto, Paul, Elsie, Erma, Laura, Walter, Bernard, Agatha and Arndt, were born on the farm in this county. The family faith is that of the German Lutheran church in Stanley Township, in which Mr. Boortz has been a prominent worker and officer for many years.

John Mittermeyer, a well-to-do resident of Rice Lake, now living retired, was born in Washington County May 15, 1855, the son of early pioneers of the state. He attended school in his native county, and as a youth learned the blacksmith's trade, which he was destined to follow for over a half a century. In 1880 he came to Rice Lake and became a blacksmith for the Rice Lake Lumber Company, with whom he remained for a quarter of a century, also working many years for other firms. On Nov. 15, 1920, he retired from active work, and now devotes his time to looking after his various interests. He has bought and sold land at various times as an investment and now owns in addition to his pleasant residence at 36 North Wisconsin Avenue, two im¬ proved farms of 80 acres each in Rice Lake Township, which he rents, an im¬ proved farm of 60 acres in Stanley Township, which he also rents, and an un¬ improved farm of 80 acres in Stanfold Township. He raises good Jersey stock, having a full blooded sire. Mr. Mittermeyer was married Sept. 28, 1880, to Catherine Russell, who was born at Chippewa Falls on May 1, 1862. This union has been blessed with four children. Catherine is the wife of Archie Ward of Rice Lake. Georgiana is the wife of John Palmer, who rents

Mr. Mittermeyer's farm in Stanley Township and one in Rice Lake. Edwin died Feb. 7, 1920, and Albert died in 1882. The family faith is that of the Saints Church of Rice Lake.

Carl O. Ronning, of the C. O. Ronning Co., owners of the Ford garage at Rice Lake, was born in Lac qui Parle County, Minn., May 9, 1879, son of An¬ drew and Mary (Hoas) Ronning. The parents were natives of Norway, who came to America in the early seventies, and took a homestead of a quarter section in Lac qui Parle County, which they cleared and broke and on which they erected suitable buildings. There they farmed for many years, the father dying in 1896 and being survived by his wife, who is still living there. In the family there were seven children: Inga, Nels, Gurena, Edward, Martin, Alfred (deceased), and Carl 0. Carl O. was educated in his native county, helped his parents on the farm, and as a youth was employed for some four years in the telephone exchange at Boyd, Minn. Then he went to Minne¬ apolis, and was employed for a year by the Emerson, Brantingham Tractor Co. Ther. he went to work for the Ford Motor Co. at that city, where he thor¬ oughly learned automobile repairing in all its branches. With this excellent preparation, he came to Rice Lake in 1917, and established his present com¬ pany. He handles the Ford car, carries a full line of accessories, and does general repairing. He is a member of the Rice Lake Commercial Club. Mr. Ronning was married June 10, 1912, to Mabel Constance, born in Yellow Medicine County, Minn., April 6, 1891, daughter of Peter and Anna (Bjoraa) Constance, natives of Minnesota, who farmed in that state for many years, and are now farming near New Richmond, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Ronning have one son, Percy O., born Sept. 16, 1917. The family home is a pleasant resi¬ dence on 638 North Main Street. Mr. and Mrs. Ronning attend the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Oscar Bakke, of the Bakke Brothers Bicycle Shops, Rice Lake and Barron, was born in Hurley, Wis., Jan. 7, 1890, son of Andrew and Annette (Anderson) Bakke, natives of Norway, who came to this country in the early eighties, and are now farming in Stanley Township, this county. He received most of his early education in his native city, and for several years was engaged in farm work. From his youth he was interested in mechanics and took up tinkering of various sorts at home. In 1916 he came to Rice Lake and opened a bicycle shop. In 1918 he took his two brothers, John and Westye, as partners, and in 1919 opened a branch at Barron, of which John is now in charge. The two shops carry a general line of bicycles and supplies, do general repairing, and deal in the Harley-Davidson Motorcycle. The brothers also hold the agency for the Universal Farm Lighting Plants, and have installed a number of these plants with satisfaction in farm houses in the townships adjoining Rice Lake and Barron. Oscar Bakke was inducted in the United States service July 15, 1918, and did military police duty at Camp Hancock, Augusta, Ga. He was discharged March 3, 1919.

Westye Bakke, of the Bakke Brothers Bicycle Shops, Rice Lake and Barron, was born in Superior, Wis., Sept. 7, 1892, son of Andrew and Annette (Ander¬ son) Bakke, now of Stanley Township, in this county. He received his educa¬ tion in the schools of Superior and worked with his father for several years. In 1918 he came to Rice Lake, and became a partner in the present concern. He was inducted into the United States service Aug. 6, 1918, and trained at Camp Shelby in Mississippi, and at Camp Mills, Long Island, N. Y. He sailed for overseas Oct. 6, 1918, and was in France ten months with the 152nd In¬ fantry, 38th Division. He was returned to the States and was discharged from Camp Grant, Ill., July 16, 1919.

Ole Berg, now deceased, who for several years was one of the representa¬ tive farmers of Barron County, was born in Norway Nov. 25, 1864, and was there reared. He came to America in 1886 at the age of 22 years, and was married on Christmas Day, 1887, to Anna Sather, who was born in Norway May 8, 1865 and came to America in 1884 at the age of 19 years. In 1895 they settled on a farm of 80 acres in Stanfold Township, and there toiled early and late, grubbing and developing the land, erecting a comfortable home and all necessary outbuildings, and there followed diversified farming until Mr. Berg's death May 2, 1917. He had won the esteem and confidence of his fellow men, his judgment was much relied upon, he was a solid and substantial man, and his death was sincerely mourned. In the spring of 1919 Mrs. Berg moved to Rice Lake and purchased her present home at 311 Hatten avenue. She has sold the home farm and bought another one, which she now rents. She is a most worthy woman who was an able helpmeet to her husband in all his under¬ takings, and she Is well thought of by all who know her.

Dighton S. Grilley, veteran of the Civil War, pioneer farmer, and former clerk of court for Barron County, was born in Palatine, Cook County, Ill., Nov. 28, 1848, son of Leander F. and Sarah (Briggs) Grilley, natives of New York State, who came to Illinois in 1845, and there farmed until 1863. They then located in Houston County, Minnesota, in 1873 coming to Barron County and taking a homestead in Section 28, Sumner Township, where they improved the land, erected buildings, and lived until their deaths, the father dying in July, 1900, and the mother in April, 1876. Dighton S. attended school in Illinois until he was fifteen years of age, and after coming to Minnesota in 1863, attended here still another term. Then he went to Chicago, near his former home, and enlisted in Company E, 113th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was later transferred to the 120th Illinois Infantry, serving until mustered out Sept. 10, 1865. Then he returned to Houston County, Minnesota, and remained with his parents on the farm. In 1871 he rented a farm in Alden, Minn., but the next year engaged in the meat business at Houston Village, Minn. When his parents came to Barron County, Wisconsin, in 1873 he came with them and took a homestead in Section 27, Sumner Township. The next few years were devoted to improving and developing this farm. He sold out in 1881, and in 1883 moved to Cameron, in this county, where he took up railroad work. He served as town clerk and justice of the peace, and in 1887 became assistant postmaster. In 1893 he went to Sumner Township, in . this county, to look after his father. There he engaged in small farming, making a specialty of the bee business. For thirteen years of this stay he served the town as assessor. In 1908 he sold the farm and moved to Barron, to take up his duties as clerk of the Circuit Court. Eight years later on account of ill health he refrained from again offering himself as a candidate. In 1919 he came to Rice Lake, where he has since resided. He belongs to the G. A. R. and worships at the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Grilley was married at La Crosse, Wis., Oct. 3, 1870, to Mrs. Emma (Freeman) Parkes, daughter of Daniel and Mary Freeman. This union has resulted in seven children: Lillian M., Howard, Archer C., George, William D., Irene and Myrtle. Lillian M. was bom Jan. 23, 1872, at Alden, Freeborn County, Minnesota. She married Marlin Mettel in August, 1892, and died April 8, 1899. Her son, William J., now lives with Mr. and Mrs. Grilley at Rice Lake. He served in the World War twenty-two months in the 14th Field Artillery, and after his discharge re-enlisted for aviation duty. Howard was born Sept. 8, 1873, in Houston, Minn., was married Oct. 15, 1902, and lives at Rice Lake. The rest of the children were born in Barron County. Archer C. was bom March 23, 1876, was married in April, 1901, to Leanna Blood and lives at Rice Lake, Wis. George was bora March 5, 1878, was mar¬ ried in 1901 to Tena Hanson and lives in Minneapolis. William D. was born April 10, 1880, was married in 1900 to Mildred Leonard and farms at Drum¬ mond, Wis. Irene was bom April 9, 1886, was married in 1906 to Harry Col¬ bert and lives in Chetek, where her husband is a farmer. Myrtle I. was born Jan. 3, 1889, and died in April, 1892.

Ettsebe E. Craite, who is successfully engaged in the real estate and milling business, Rice Lake, and one of the owners of the Majestic Theater of this place, was born in Manitowoc, Wis., April 14, 1863, son of Eusebe E. and Zoe (Reull) Craite, natives of Canada and of French descent. Eusebe E. Craite, Sr., came to Manitowoc in 1843, worked as a millwright for a number of years, then bought 160 acres of timber land which he cleared and developed into a good farm, later sold out, and purchased a similar tract near Mishicott, Wis., which he also developed, and there spent the remainder of his life. He died Aug. 9, 1893, survived by his good wife who now makes her home in Green Bay, Wis. The subject of this sketch started out for himself when he was sixteen years of age and worked at various occupations, including farming and carpentering. In 1886 he engaged in business at Hayward, Wis. The next year he came to Rice Lake and engaged in business, in which he continued until 1910 when he sold out. In the meantime he was more or less interested in real estate, and engineered many important real estate transfers. He still continues in the same line and also has milling interests in the flour and feed line. In 1920 he and his sons, Isaac J. and Joseph G., erected the Majestic Theater, an up-to-date show house, with a seating capacity of 420. Among other real estate hold¬ ings, Mr. Craite is the owner of several city lots in Hammond & Craite's addi¬ tion to Rice Lake. The pleasant family residence is at 216 North Main street. Mr. Craite was married June 6, 1891, at Rice Lake, to Rosa Deresseau, daughter of Edward and Phileman (Rosseau) Deresseau, both now deceased. This union has been blessed with three sons, Isaac J., Edgar J. and Joseph G.

Isaac J. Craite was born April 25, 1893, at Rice Lake, and attended the public and parochial schools. In the years 1909, 1910 and 1911 he attended St. Thomas College at St. Paul, and in 1911-1912 taught in the commercial department of that institution. In 1913 he was a stenographer in Minneapolis. The next year he was an accountant for the Farmington State Bank, of Farm¬ ington, Minn. In 1915 he came back to Rice Lake and entered into partnership with his father. He served three years in the National Guard - 1910, 1911 and 1912, in a separate battalion. On Jan. 1, 1918, he enlisted at St. Paul in the Divisional Headquarters Troop of the 88th Division with which he spent eighteen months - six months at Camp Dodge, Iowa, and eleven months in France at the Divisional Headquarters. After his return to the United States he was discharged at Camp Dodge June 1, 1919.

Edgar J. Craite was born Dec. 29, 1896, passed through the public and parochial schools of Rice Lake, and studied at St. Thomas College, St. Paul, Minn., in 1910-1913. He then entered the medical department of the Mar¬ quette University at Milwaukee, Wis., and was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1917. He took his interne work as house physician in Trinity Hos¬ pital, Milwaukee, for a year, and is still in practice in that city. He also served in the World War, being an instructor in the medical corps at Marquette University, and receiving his discharge after the armistice was signed.

Joseph G. Craite was born Nov. 30, 1898, and, like his brothers, attended the public and parochial schools of Rice Lake and St. Thomas College at St. Paul, Minn. He served ten months during the World War, enlisting in August,

1918, four months of which was spent in training at the McSweney Auto School at Kansas City and six months in France in the Government Medical Ambulance Section attached to the French Army. He was discharged June 14,

Harvey E. Drake, a pioneer of Dunn County, this state, was born in Boston, Mass., and received a good education in his native city. After engaging in the retail boot and shoe business for a while, he entered the wholesale busi¬ ness in the same line. After a while, however, his eyes failed, and he decided to try his fortunes in the great sweeps of the Northwest. Accordingly he came to Wisconsin about 1857, and after looking about for a while located in the southern part of Dunn County, where he developed a good farm. He and his good wife attained eminence in their community, and were highly respected as God-fearing Christian people of education and refinement, whose former sur¬ roundings had been somewhat different from those of most of their neighbors, nearly all of whom had originally come from rural communities. After a long and useful life Mr. Drake died in 1892. His good wife survived until 1899. Mr. Drake was a descendant from Mayflower stock, and worthily upheld the traditions of that ancient line. His wife, Sarah P. White, was also descended from early New England families.

Horace W. Drake, one of the first aldermen of Rice Lake after its incor¬ poration, and for over three decades engaged with the lumber interests of the county, was born in Massachusetts, in the city of Boston, July 26, 1855, son of Harvey E. and Sarah P. (White) Drake. He was brought to Wisconsin by his parents when he was a small child, and was reared on a farm in the southern part of Dunn County, where he received his education. He then learned his carpenter's trade and entered the employ of the Rice Lake Lumber Co. With this company he helped to build the first sawmill in Rice Lake. He remained with the same company until it sold out. He then retired after thirty-three years of service. When the city of Rice Lake was incorporated in 1887 he was elected one of the members of the first council and served for two terms. He has also done good work as a member of the Board of Edu¬ cation for five years, and has held other positions of public trust and private honor. His fraternal relations are with the Modern Woodmen. The religious faith of the family is that of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Drake is an elder in the local congregation. Mr. Drake was married Oct. 20, 1878, at Menomonie, this state, to Ellen Dale Ginder, daughter of John G. and Leanna L. (Lear) Ginder, who came to Wisconsin from Illinois in 1890. Mr. Ginder was a dealer in real estate, especially in pine lands, he owned extensive tracts in this state and by his transactions acquired a modest fortune. He died in 1890 and his wife is living in Rice Lake. She is now 86 years of age, but is as hearty and sprightly as a girl, and thinks nothing of walking a mile to visit her friends or to enjoy the invigorating air. Mr. and Mrs. Drake have two children, Maude L. and Gussie E. Maude L. was born July 14, 1885, and was married Aug. 7, 1907, to Ernest A. Saucier, of Rice Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Saucier have one son, De Wayne E., born Aug. 26, 1908, who is doing well at his studies in the public schools. Gussie E. was born May 4, 1890, and lives at home with her parents. The family is highly regarded throughout the community.

Stanley Robbins, connected with the Rice Lake Drug Co., at Rice Lake, is one of the rising young men of the community and is taking his share in every movement that has for its object the betterment of the city. He was born at Madison, Wis., Dec. 8, 1888, the son of Judge James and Hattie (Curtis) Robbins, who brought him to Rice Lake when he was an infant. He passed through the graded schools and was graduated from the Rice Lake high school in the class of 1906. He then took a two years' classical course at the Uni¬ versity of Wisconsin at Madison, and a two years' pharmacy course at Mar¬ quette College in Milwaukee, where he received the degree of Ph. G. Then he returned to Rice Lake and took up his present employment. He was married May 17, 1917, to Marie Robarge, born in Rice Lake, March 31, 1896, and they have one son, George, born Aug. 1, 1918.

James Robbins, now deceased, was for nearly thirty years a prominent and highly influential citizen of Rice Lake, and his presence and wise counsel are greatly missed in all civic affairs in the same measure that his benignant presence is missed in his family, and his genial personality in his wide circle of friends. He was mayor of the city, city attorney, municipal judge, member of the board of education and of the library and park boards, president of the Commercial Club, and of the Red Cedar Valley Electrical Co., and a stock¬ holder and director in many companies formed for the advancement of the city's commercial interests. He also served in many other positions of public honor and private trust, was a member of various committees and delegations, and in fact always placed his services at the disposal of any 'cause that he be¬ lieved to be just and right. He attained high success in the practice of his profession, and at one time was endorsed by the Barron County Bar Associa¬ tion as a candidate for Circuit Judge, but declined to run. At the time of his death it was written : "Jim Robbins is dead. These words came with a shock to nearly everyone Friday morning, for, though all knew that he was danger¬ ously ill, they had expected that he would recover and take his customary place among them. The news brought general sorrow, too, for few men are gifted with the pleasant personality which Mr. Robbins possessed. Many a man who came into his presence with a careworn expression on his face left happy and smiling after a little chat which generally started with the words 'hunting trouble, eh?' as a twinkle leaped into his eyes. At no place was Mr. Robbins' wit and humor more in evidence than when making a public address or acting as toastmaster at a banquet. His turn on any program was always awaited with eager smiles." James Robbins was born in Winnebago County, this state, Sept. 1, 1866, son of George and Mary (Reynolds) Robbins, natives respectively of England and Ireland, both now deceased, and for over a half a century residents of Oshkosh, Wis. There was but one other child in the family, an older brother, Decatur, now of Rice Lake. James Robbins graduated from the Oshkosh high school, and in 1889 completed the law course at the University of Wisconsin. The following year he took up the practice of his profession at Rice Lake, where he at once became an active citizen. After a useful life he died Oct. 3, 1919. Judge Robbins was married Dec. 14, 1887, at Clear Lake, Wis., to Hattie Curtis, born Nov. 16, 1866, in Menomonie, Wis., daughter of Almon and Lucy (Hatch) Curtis, long time residents of Menomonie. Mrs. Robbins as Miss Curtis was for some years an efficient teacher in that city. For fourteen years she was the public li¬ brarian at Rice Lake in the institution which her husband organized. She now resides at 25 West Douglas Street. Mr. and Mrs. Robbins have one son, Stanley, born Dec. 8, 1888, now a drug clerk in Rice Lake.

Drexel L. Dawson, M. D., of the firm of Sattre & Dawson, physicians and surgeons of Rice Lake, and members of the surgical and medical staff of the Lakeside Methodist Hospital, which they assisted in organizing and founding, was born in Scotland, Ill., Feb. 6, 1889, son of Douglas and Ida May (Rhodenberger) Dawson, and grandson of Thomas L. Dawson, who brought his family to Illinois in the early days, and there farmed for many years. Douglas Dawson was born and reared on a farm in Illinois and became an agriculturist of considerable note in Edgar County, that state. His wife was a native of Kansas. Their home is one of hospitality and refined influences, and both are leaders in the community where they live. Drexel L. Dawson took the usual graded studies in the public schools and in 1908 was graduated from the Christman (Illinois) high school. After a year's classical course in the Col¬ lege of Arts of the University of Illinois, at Urbana, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of that University at Chicago, and was graduated as validictorian of the class of 1913. He then took the usual eighteen months' work as an interne in the Cook County Hospital, in Chicago. With this prep¬ aration he came to Rice Lake in December, 1914, and entered into partnership with Dr. 0. M. Sattre, under the firm name of Sattre & Dawson. They have a pleasant suite of offices and enjoy a large practice in city and country, making a specialty of surgical work at the Lakeside Methodist Hospital. It was largely through their untiring efforts that this beautiful institution, sit¬ uated at the head of North Main Street, overlooking the picturesque lake, was organized and erected, Drs. Sattre and Dawson not only laboring with en¬ thusiasm to further the project, but also personally contributing $10,000 and $5,000 respectively, in order that the project might be carried to a successful fruition. Dr. Dawson was secretary of the Barron County Medical Society in 1919, and is also a member of the Wisconsin State Medical Society, the Amer¬ ican Medical Association, the Wisconsin Surgical Association and the Air Service Medical Association. His fraternal relations are with Rice Lake Lodge, No. 234, A. F. & A. M., Pekegama Chapter, No. 67, R. A. M., of Rice Lake, and Rice Lake Lodge, No. 269, I. O. O. F. He is one of the directors of Rice Lake's Building and Loan Association. He is likewise active in the Commercial

Club. Dr. Dawson is an enthusiastic athlete and takes especial pleasure in such outdoor recreation as swimming and tennis. At the entry of the United States into the World War he offered his services, and in November, 1917, received his commission as first lieutenant. He was called to active duty in February, 1918, and was assigned to Chanute Field, Rantoul, Ill. After eight months there he was assigned to the Army Medical School at Washing¬ ton, D. C., where he was discharged with the rank of first lieutenant Dec. 3, 1918. Dr. Dawson was married June 8, 1914, to Lulu Sinclair, a concert vio¬ linist, who for several seasons traveled through the United States and Panama with a concert company. They have one son, Lorin Drexel, born June 28, 1918, at the Post Hospital, Chanute Field, Rantoul, Ill., the only child to be born in that camp. The family faith is that of the Presbyterian church.

John S. Crisler, lumberman and prominent citizen, senior partner of the J. S. Crisler & Son Lumber Co., Rice Lake, dealers in lumber, cement, plaster, and other building material, and coal, and furnishers of blue prints, specifi¬ cations and estimates, has been connected with the lumber business in its varying aspects in this county for many years, he has encouraged the building of better homes, and it is said that in his different business connections he has furnished lumber and suggested plans for more houses in Barron County than any other man that has ever lived here. In addition to achieving success for himself, he has found time for public service, and has taken an active part in many movements which he has believed to be for the best interests of the city and county. For several years he was a valued member of the city council of Rice Lake, and at various other times he has filled positions of private honor and public trust. He is active in the Commercial Club, and for many years has been a member of the U. C. T. Mr. Crisler was born in Houston County, Minn., Dec. 17, 1859, son of John P. and Jane Crisler, natives respectively of Kentucky and Virginia, who came to Houston *County in the early days, and there lived until 1875, when they came to Barron County and settled on a farm in Doyle Township, which was then a wilderness, and which they developed into a well kept place on which they farmed the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1889 and the mother in 1897. The subject of this sketch attended the district schools of his native county and came to Barron County with his parents in 1875 at the age of sixteen. For a few years he followed farming. Then he took up the lumber business as an employe of the Knapp & Stout Lumber Co. In this employ he remained for ten years, receiving a knowledge of lumber from the time it stood in the forest until the time that it was made into a completed dwelling. He was a scaler and logger in the woods, he was a logger and raftsman on the river, he was an employe in sawmills, and he was familiar with the selling end of the concern as well. In 1884 he engaged in the lumber business at Rice Lake. In 1899 he assisted in forming the Sigler & Crisler Lumber Co. at Rice Lake. This company was succeeded by the J. S. Crisler Lumber Co. In 1916 the present yard was established. Three years later the firm became the J. S. Crisler & Son Lumber Co. Mr. Crisler was married June 29, 1892, to Hattie Johnson, of Augusta, Wis. They have one son, Allyn B., born Jan. 21, 1897. He attended the graded and high schools of Rice Lake, and the Marquette University at Mil¬ waukee, Wis. Then he followed the drug business until Sept. 1, 1919, when he was admitted to partnership in his father's lumber company. Ha was mar¬ ried Jan. 1, 1919, to Edna Bjoin, of Rice Lake. He is one of the popular young men of the village and is doing excellently in his chosen business.

Louis Dahl, a highly regarded citizen of Rice Lake, was born in Norway, Nov. 9, 1854, son of Nels and Christine Dahl, natives of Norway, who devoted their lives to agricultural pursuits in that country, the father dying in 1912 and the mother in 1879. In the family there were six children: Marie, still of Norway; Louis and Edward of Rice Lake; Lena, of Washington State; Carl, who is dead; and Gunda, who is still in Norway. Louis received his early education in his native land, and from the ages of 21 to 24 served in the stand- ing army, Norway being then a part of Sweden. He came to America in 1880, and with headquarters at Menomonie, in Dunn County, this state, worked for several years in the employ of Knapp, Stout & Co., in the mills and in the lumber woods. For a time he had a farm near Ridgeland, town of Wilson, Dunn County. In 1917 he purchased a pleasant home at 405 Noble Avenue, Rice Lake, where he now lives. He is employed by the Park Falls Lumber Co. In addition to his home he has a ten-acre tract on the lake front, where he expects shortly to erect himself a new residence. Part of the tract is platted as the Dahl Addition to Rice Lake. Mr. Dahl was married April 30, 1894, to Mrs. Carrie (Young) Thorberg, widow of Ole Thorberg, and born in Norway Jan. 13, 1856, daughter of Jergen and Francisco (Sem) Young, who came to America in 1865 and located on a farm near Madison, this state, the father dying in Minneapolis in 1897 and the mother in Twin Valley, Minn., in 1911. In the family there were nine children, of whom James is dead; Carrie is the wife of Louis Dahl; Frank lives in Oregon; Rudolph is in Montana; Anna is at Twin Valley, Minn.; Walter is dead; Leif is in Montana, and Ragna is dead. Of Mrs. Dahl's children by Mr. Thorberg, Fred lives in Rice Lake, and is local agent for the Bankers Insurance Co.; Aimar is in the garage business at Ridgeland, in Dunn County, this state; Oscar is a barber at Hoquiam, Wash.; Frances and two Delberts are deceased. The family faith is that of the Nor¬ wegian Lutheran church.

J. P. Schneider, furniture dealer and undertaker of Rice Lake, is one of the leading business men of the place. He is one of the few commercial men of the town who were born here, and in addition to the pride he takes in the city as a citizen and business man, he is also interested in its progress and growth as one of its native sons. His endeavor is to serve his customers to their fullest satisfaction and benefit, and outside of his business he is ever ready to lend his aid and influence to every movement which he believes to be for the best good of the community. He was born in Rice Lake Feb. 28, 1876, the son of John and Josephine (Burwitz) Schneider, and was here educated. For several years he engaged in the grocery and meat business here. In 1900 he went to Spooner, Wis., and associated himself with C. S. Nelson under the firm name of C. S. Nelson & Co., operating two large stores dealing in general merchandise, hardware, furniture and farm implements, and conducting a bank in connection. Five years later he sold out to Mr. Nelson, and engaged in business for himself, dealing in furniture, hardware and farm implements, and conducting an undertaking and funeral directing parlor. To equip himself in the last named line, he attended the Eckels School of Embalming at Superior, Wis. He continued as a successful man at Spooner for several years, took an active part in business, social and public affairs and served as a member of the city council for five years. In 1912 he sold out and came back to Rice Lake where he purchased the two-story brick building with full basement at 15 North Main street, which he now occupies, and took over the furniture and undertaking business of John Ruths. He does a flourishing business in modern furniture and general house furnishing goods, and his undertaking parlors and funeral directing facilities are adequate in every particular. He is also the owner of the brick building at the corner of North Main and Newton streets, which houses the Citizens' State Bank and the Rice Lake Hardware Co. With H. J. Jacoby, under the firm name of Jacoby & Schneider, he has a hardware store at Haugen, Wis. He is a stockholder in the Citizens' State Bank and is part owner of the Rice Lake Hardware Co., having acquired same recently with A. K. Michaelson and his son, William Schneider, successors to the West Hardware Co. Mr. Schneider was married Sept. 14, 1899, at Rice Lake to Mary Jacoby, of Minneapolis, and this union has been blessed with nine children. Of these, William is in the hardware department of the Rice Lake Hardware Co.; Gertude is a student at St. Mary's Academy at Altoona, Wis., and Stephen is attending the St. Lawrence College at Mt. Calvary, Wis.

Reinhold Schlick, music professor of considerable note in Germany and America, was born in Kalsbrieth, Grossherzogthun Weimar, Germany, descended from a Bohemian ancestor from whom the family derived its soldierly and musical abilities. He was the son of Dankegott and Bertha Schlick. At the tender age of eight years he started his musical education by taking up the study of the pianoforte, organ and violin. Six years later he went to the city of Weimar, not far from the hamlet of his nativity, and in that city his activities centered until he came to America. He received his classical education in the high school and college there, his studies being interrupted by an interval which he spent at home recovering from a nervous breakdown. For three years his teacher on the pianoforte was Louis Jungman, a pupil of Franz Liszt. For a time he taught in the high school at Weimar, giving instruction on the piano¬ forte, organ and violin, and in singing, to young women who planned to become teachers. He also taught Frankenhausen am Kyffhauser in Schwartzburg Rudolstad, Germany, where his future wife, Anna Lintz, was one of his pupils. His debut as a public performer was made in the city of Rossleben, when he was twenty-three years of age. Among his numbers were the "Con¬ cert Pharaphrase" from Dalberg, for the left hand only, Beethoven Sonata Op. 101 Schumann Carnaval, Liszt Fantasie, "Robert le Diable," and the "Hugenotten Overture" from Liszt's "Meyerbeer." So brilliant was his rendition of the latter selection, that when he broke into the stirring strain of the choral "Eine feste burg ist unser Gott" ("A Mighty Fortress Is Our God") the audience was so enthused that all began to sing, and later insisted upon encore after encore. After this performance, he played with increasing talent in many of the largest cities in Germany. A notable event in his life came in 1869 or 1870, when, with a dear friend, Herr Rath von Bamberg, a nobleman, he attended a session at Weimar of the Ton Kunsler Versamlung (Conference of Artists of Music of Europe) of which he was a member, and where he met Carl Tausig, a famous piano player, and Franz Liszt himself. At the request of Liszt, Prof. Schlick played one of the master's own pieces from memory, a feat not then in common vogue, and so greatly pleased the famous musician that he praised the professor's talent and memory and urged that he remain in Weimar so long as he himself should stay there. In 1871 Prof. Schlick came to America with the intention of living in Chicago, but upon his arrival he continued on his way to Sheboygan, in this state, where he had friends and where he established his permanent home, still continuing to teach music and playing in concerts in various important cities. He died in 1882 at the age of 37, and in 1886 the family moved to Milwaukee. He and his wife were the parents of six children : Ida, Reinhold L., Otto, Hugo, Oscar and Frank.

Reinhold L. Schlick, jeweler of Rice Lake and nationally known as a marksman, was born in Sheboygan, Wis., Aug. 9, 1871, the son of Reinhold and Anna (Lintz) Schlick. He was taken to Milwaukee as a small boy, and was there reared and educated. It was there also that he learned the jeweler's trade. He came to Rice Lake in 1908 and opened his present store, where his success has been assured by ability and hard work. He carries a good line of goods, and has the confidence and esteem of the entire community. He has purchased the store which he occupies, together with the lot on which it stands, and he has also erected a pleasant home in the north part of the city on Norh Wilson street. Mr. Schlick is chancellor of the local lodge of Knights of Pythias and is also a member of the D. 0. K. K. He is a believer in the Commercial Club and all kindred movements. He finds his recreation in hunt¬ ing and fishing. Mr. Schlick was married March 10, 1903, at Milwaukee, to Ida Wamke, of Milkaukee, the daughter of Frank and Minnie (Buetow) Wamke. This union has been blessed with three children: Marcella, born Sept. 9, 1908; Rolland, born Sept. 27, 1914, and William Woodrow, born Feb. 18, 1918. Mr. Schlick in August, 1890, enlisted at Milwaukee in Company A, 4th Regiment, Wisconsin National Guard, and served until December, 1912, and attaining the rank of color sergeant. Upon joining the Guard, he at once became a leader in ride shooting, rapidly advancing from marksman to sharp¬ shooter and then to expert. Seven years out of eight, from 1899 to 1907, he was champion of the state militia and was never defeated for that honor. He was finally barred by the state military authorities from receiving any more Wisconsin National Guard medals, it being understood that he could take part in shooting contests of the militia if he so desired, but that he would be awarded no prizes, even though his score might warrant it, which happened to be the case in 1907, when he led the state with a grand total of 1,115 points, and the first prize going to Lieut. Paul Ahmert of the First Regiment of Mil¬ waukee with a score of 1,075, Schlick having a lead of 40 points over the nearest competitor. He now has in his possession sixteen medals, including the seven state championship medals for the years already mentioned. One of his medals is the Falk Skirmish Medal, given by Quartermaster General Otto H. Falk for the member of the Wisconsin National Guard twice winning the highest score in skirmish shooting in annual competition. This medal was awarded to Mr. Schlick for his scores in 1902 and 1907. Another medal he holds is the Fortrie Medal, donated in 1888 by Senator John L. Mitchell, father of General William Mitchell, of aviation fame, to be won three times. By scores achieved in the years 1901, 1903 and 1904, Mr. Schlick won this medal after it had been in competition for sixteen years. Mr. Schlick represented the Wisconsin National Guard in three national meets, twice at Sea Girt, N. J., and once at Camp Perry, Ohio. At the first match, in 1905, where teams were present from every state in the Union and from Porto Rico and the Hawaiian Islands, Mr. Schlick won eleventh place in the great national individual match, which placed him with the medal winners' class, there being but 14 points difference between the first and the eleventh place. All these honors Sergeant Schlick bore modestly and preferred that his state, his regiment and his company should be accorded the glory rather than himself. He has now retired from the militia, but still delights in keeping up his practice as a marksman.

Ray Fitch, railroad engineer on the main line of the Omaha Railroad between Eau Claire and Ashland, with a pleasant residence at 402 West Humbird street. Rice Lake, was born Feb. 6, 1890, at La Crosse, Wis., the son of Casper E. and Ora (Nimoch) Fitch, the former of whom, a retired railroad man, is now living at Winter, Wis. Ray Fitch attended the common schools in St. Paul and early took up railroad work, learning the steamfitters' trade with the Eau Claire Cornice & Heating Co. at Eau Claire in the summer months and working in the woods in the winter. In 1911 he became fireman on the Omaha Railroad, with a run from Spooner to St. Paul, making his home at Spooner. In September, 1918, he was promoted to engineer. His present run is from Rice Lake to Ashland, Wis. He took up his home in Rice Lake in 1917, moving here from Park Falls. He is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen. Mr. Fitch was married June 1, 1916, to Anna Winkler, then of Phillips, Wis., daughter of G. O. and Maria (Nebus) Winkler, and this union has been blessed with one daughter, Ruth Marie, born July 28, 1918. G. O. Winkler, a blacksmith by trade, has large interests at Phillips, Wis. He lives in Ashland, Wis., his wife having died June 24, 1902.

Joseph T. Bilodeau, proprietor of the Home Store at Rice Lake, was born in St. Henry, Province of Quebec, Canada, Dec. 5, 1889, son of George and Cletilda (Gaugier) Bilodeau, both natives of Canada. George Bilodeau brought his family to the States in 1898 and settled in Rice Lake, where he worked for a while for the Mercier Sawmill Co. and later for Rice Lake Lumber Co., retiring in 1912. His wife died April 29, 1909. Of their twelve children, five are now living. Arthur farms in Chetek Township, this county, and Alphonse in Rice Lake Township, this county. Joseph T. is a Rice Lake business man. Louisa is now Sister Mary Peter Claver, mother superior of the Convent of Jesus and Mary, at Woonsocket, R. I., for which convent she solicited the funds and superintended its construction. Clara is now Sister Mary Saint

John Sohnkidkr And Family

Stephen, and is in a convent at Fall River, Mass. Joseph T., as a boy, attended St. Joseph's parochial school at Rice Lake. His higher education was received in the Rice Lake High School and in St. Lawrence College at Calvary, Wis. In 1908 he secured employment as a clerk, and in August, 1920, established his present store. He owns the buildings, carries a full line of standard groceries and other food products and does a good business. He is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. Mr. Bilodeau was married April 18, 1917, to Valeda Surette, born at Haverhill, Mass., March 22, 1894, daughter of Samuel and Grace (Bilodeau) Surette, the former of whom died in 1897, and the latter of whom then married Joseph Surette and lives at Haverhill. She had two children, Valeda and Grace, by her first husband, and three, Irene, Lilly and Leonard, by her second. Mr. and Mrs. Bilodeau have two children - Grace, born March 27, 1918, and Maurice, born March 26, 1919.

John Schneider, pioneer, retired farmer, and now a member of the county board, on which he has served 16 years, has been active in various public affairs for many years. While in the township he served on the town board for two years and as road overseer for five years, and since coming to the city he has served as a member of the council for five years. For fifteen years he was agent for the Barron County Farmers Insurance Co. He is the oldest member of the local lodges of the Knights of Columbus, Foresters and Mystic Workers, and is also one of the earliest and oldest members of the local Roman Catholic church. Mr. Schneider was born in Germany and came to the United States in 1867, locating in Wabasha County, Minn., where he worked for a time on a farm. In 1869 he entered the employ of Knapp, Stout & Co., at Menomonie, this state, and worked for that concern in Dunn County until 1872, when he came to Barron County in the same employ. In that year he took a homestead of 160 acres in Rice Lake Township, a part of which is within the present city limits. At that time the settlement consisted of one store and two small shacks. Across the lake there was a small encampment of Indians in 15 or 16 small wigwams. The pine timber had recently been cut off, and the present site of the city was a dreary stretch of stumps. The hard¬ wood was still standing in the vicinity, and only a few of the farms were occu¬ pied. In order to file his claim, Mr. Schneider had to walk to the land office at Eau Claire. He made the journey as far as Chippewa Falls in one day. He cleared almost his entire claim, and erected a set of log buildings, which ten years later he replaced with frame structures. In order to secure the money to make a living while developing his claim, he continued to work a part of the time for the lumber company. He carried on mixed farming and dairy¬ ing successfully for many years. Dec. 3, 1914, he sold to his son Frank and morakl to Rice Lake City where he has a pleasant residence of seven rooms at 110 W««t Marshall Street. Mr. Schneider was married April 3, 1875, to Josephine Borwitz, born in Germany, Oct. 13, 1852, who came to America in 187<fc This union has been blessed with nine children: John P., born Feb. 28, 1876, is s furniture dealer in Rice Lake. Mary, born June 19, 1877, is the widow of Peter Schaaf, of Rice Lake. Joseph, born Feb. 20, 1879, is a merchant in Rice Lake, dealing in hardware and second-hand furniture. Henry, who was born; Oct. 24, 1880, operates the Golden Rule Store at Rice Lake. Frank, born Oct. 10, 1882, operates the home farm. William, twin brother of Frank, owns a farm in Marshfield, Wis. Anna, born Jan. 4, 1886, is the wife of William Cruse, of Chippewa Falls, Wis. August, born April 11, 1887, is in the hardware business at Cumberland, this county. Emelie, born Nov. 4, 1885, is at home.

John Dahlgren, now deceased, was a substantial citizen of Rice Lake, was connected with the logging and flouring industries and did good work on the streets of the city as street commissioner for four years. He was a hard working man who believed in giving his employers the best that was in him, and he took much pride in his home life and his family. Mr. Dahlgren was born in Norway, June 5, 1859, and was there educated and reared to the occu¬ pations of farmer and fisherman. In 1880 he came to America, and after livized by G00gle ing a short time in Minnesota, became a logger in the Wisconsin woods, work¬ ing at that in the winter and farming in the summer for ten years. In 1890 he started work in the flour mill of Knapp, Stout & Co. at Rice Lake, and by successive promotions became second miller. He died April 5, 1913, and is laid at rest at Rice Lake. His fraternal relations were with the Modern Wood¬ men. In 1883, Mr. Dahlgren returned to Norway on a visit and while there was married to Anna Schall, who was born in that country July 6, 1860, daugh¬ ter of Andrew and Marie (Ullen) Schall, who are still living there. Mr. and Mrs. Dahlgren had six children: Jennie was born Sept. 14, 1884, in Norway, and is the wife of Rudy Conrad, of Hammond, Wis.; Bernard was born Feb. 10, 1887, and died March 14, 1919; Albert was born Nov. 23, 1888, and now is a barber in Minneapolis; Gilbert was born July 24, 1890, and is a barber in Rice Lake; Helen was born Dec. 21, 1894, and lives with her mother; Elmer, born May 4, 1903, is attending the Rice Lake High School. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

Arthur J. Bull, of the A. J. Bull Co., Inc., operators of a feed mill, and dealers in farm produce, feed and machinery, at Rice Lake, was born in Menomonie, Wis., Dec. 5, 1881, son of John L. and Carrie (Hoffmeyer) Bull. He was brought to Rice Lake by his parents, and after passing through the public schools, attended the La Crosse Business College at La Crosse, Wis. Then he became accountant for the Signor & Crisler Lumber Co. from 1902 to 1911. His next employment was with the L. Starks Farm Produce Co. In 1916 he was appointed manager of that company. Two years later he purchased a half interest in the concern, and it was reorganized and incorporated under its present name. The company does a large business, has a capital of $25,000 and a surplus of $6,000, and is gradually extending the scope of its operations. In addition to his other holdings, Mr. Bull is a stockholder in the Rice Lake Dance Pavilion, a structure erected to make summer life in the city more at¬ tractive to the younger people. He is a member of the Blue Lodge and Eastern Star in the Masonic Order. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Bull \ya8 married Sept. 12, 1902, to Grace Whitney, born Dec. 22, 1882, in Trempealeau County, this state, daughter of Dr. D. C. and Rose (Smith) Whitney, now of Rice Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Bull have one daughter, Mercedes, born Jan. 27, 1904, now attending the Rice Lake High School.

John L. Bull, for some years engaged in the flour and feed business in Rice Lake, was borij in Pennsylvania. He came West in the early days, and located at Menomonie, in Dunn County, this state, where he married Carrie Hoffmeyer, a native of Germany. Then he worked for Knapp, Stout & Co. at that place for several years. In 1885 he came to Rice Lake in the employ of that company as foreman in their planing mill here. He engaged in the flour and feed business in 1888, and so continued for the remainder of his life. He died in February, 1905, and his wife died in 1891. They were the parents of four children: Alfred, John, Florence and Arthur. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Bull married again, and had another child, Chestley.

Gilbert L. Bredeson, connected with the employment department of the Park Falls Lumber Co., of Rice Lake, and living in a sightly residence at 20 West Humbird Street, Rice Lake, was born in Eau Claire, Wis., April 26, 1879, son of Ole and Bertha (Larson) Bredeson. He received his early education in the schools of Chetek, in this county. For thirteen winters he was employed in the lumber woods of this state, for twelve springs on the river log drives, also in this state, and for eight autumns in the wheat fields of North Dakota, harvesting and threshing. In 1900 he engaged in business at Rice Lake. Eight years later he sold out, and became a traveling salesman, his territory cover¬ ing Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan. In 1920 he took up his present employ¬ ment. Mr. Bredeson is a member of the Scandinavian-American Fraternity and of the Illinois Commercial Men's Association. In politics he is a Republican, and for two years served as deputy sheriff of Barron County. He attends the Nor¬ wegian Lutheran Church. Mr. Bredeson was married Dec. 14, 1910, to Hulda

Field, born July 12, 1876, daughter of Olaf and Wilhelmina (Sanford) Field, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1884, and settled in Rice Lake. The mother died Sept. 7, 1891, and the father is now located at Shelby, Mont., where he practices his profession as a civil engineer, and serves as United States Commissioner. Mrs. Bredeson is prominent in fraternal circles, belong¬ ing to the Scandinavian-American Fraternity, and other organizations.

Robert Surdson was born in Norway, and when about seven years of age was brought by his parents to Auburn Township, Chippewa County, this state. He there married Nettie Lien, who was born in Norway, and was brought to Dovre Township, this county, when about ten years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Surdson started farming amid pioneer conditions in Auburn Township, when the Indians were still plentiful and when the nearest market place was at Chippewa Falls, many miles away. At first they used oxen, but later replaced these with a pair of mules. In 1887 they came to Rice Lake, where Mr. Surdson entered the employ of Knapp, Stout & Company. He now farms a small tract inside the limits of Rice Lake. His wife died Aug. 12, 1920. Of their five children, three died in infancy, Theo C. is a prominent man of Rice Lake, and Randena married W. J. Rynders, died May 16, 1913, and left two children, Cathryn and Ruth.

Theo C. Surdson, of the Barron County Land & Loan Co., real estate, loans and general insurance, was born in Chippewa County, this state, Jan. 21, 1881, son of Robert and Nettie (Lien) Surdson. He came here with his parents in 1887, passed through the graded schools, and in 1898 was graduated from the Rice Lake High school, after which he taught in the rural and graded schools of the county for five years. Then he took up the insurance business, in which, with the exception of the time he has been away engaged in newspaper work, he has since been interested, adding real estate and loans in 1907, and in 1917 taking up real estate, insurance and loans exclusively. In 1903 he became editor of the Brown County "Journal" and the "Volksblatt", both at New Ulm, Brown County, Minn. Later in the same year he purchased a lease on the "Tribune" at Hibbing, Minn., of which he was editor and publisher for four months. For four years and three months, from November, 1911, to February, 1916, he was owner of the Cameron "Review", at Cameron, in this county, and then moved it to Rice Lake and on April 1, 1916, established the Rioe County Journal. The I. 0. 0. F. building, which housed the plant, was totally destroyed by fire on Feb. 23, 1917, and Mr. Surdson then sold the subscription list to the Rice Lake "Chronotype". He salvaged the plant and sold that to W. F. Erick¬ son, who started the "Union Herald". Later Mr. Erickson sold the paper and plant to the Rice Lake "Chronotype." Jan. 1, 1919, Mr. Surdson became secretary of the Rice Lake Commercial Club, holding the position until Aug. 1, 1920, during which time there were organized and established in Rice Lake: the Rice Lake Wholesale Grocery Co., the Perfect Products Co., the Bartles Oil Co., the Rice Lake Steam Laundry Co., the McKinnon Manufacturing Co., and the Horn-Blum Manufacturing Co., and various other enterprises. In the meantime, Mr. Surdson had continued his interest in real estate and insurance, and on Feb. 1, 1920, with H. M. Whitney, organized the Barron County Land & Loan Co., with offices in Rooms 107-108 First National Bank building. The firm has extensive real estate holdings in the county, renting out a number of farms, and giving personal attention to a sheep ranch of 172 acres, all fenced with woven wire, where attention is given exclusively to a fine flock of black¬ faced Shropshire sheep. Mr. Surdson also owns considerable property personally. He is the owner of the postoffice building, two tracts in the city limits of eleven and seven and a half acres, respectively, and two residences. He has a tract on the north shore of Rice Lake, one of the ideal summer resort spots of the county, and this he has already platted though he has not yet placed it on the market. He is likewise interested in the Perfect Products Co. and the Rice Lake Dancing Pavilion, being one of the twelve young men who built it. In public life he has served as an assessor of Rice Lake for two years.

his knowledge of real estate being a great help to him in this position. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen. In politics he is a Republican. His recreation is found in out-of-door sport, especially in hunting. He was married June 23, 1904, to Elizabeth Brayton, born Dec. 19, 1880, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. K. Brayton. This union has resulted in three children: Gwendolyn May, born May 27, 1905; Dorothy Bray¬ ton, born March 1, 1907, and Marjorie Elizabeth, born Sept. 12, 1914. The family faith is that of the Presbyterian church.

George C. Soper, veteran of the Civil War, former business man, founder of the first greenhouse at Rice Lake, and now a market gardner, is one of the best known men of the city. He is well versed in the story of the early days in this vicinity, and his tales of lumbering and pioneer days are eagerly heard by the younger generation. He is accorded the respect and liking due to his long and active career in the community, and stands well with all who know him. He was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., Feb. 21, 1842, son of Alfred S. and Harriett (Strickland) Soper, natives of New York State. He was reared in the Empire State, and there educated. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. K, 3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, and served in all, three years and three months. His regiment was assigned to Fort Hampton, then to Fort Monroe, then to Hampton Roads, and then to Hilton, thence being sent to Morris Island, a small island in the Atlantic Ocean, near Fort Sumter. From there the regiment was trans¬ ferred north and duly mustered out. In 1871, Mr. Soper came to Eau Claire, this state, and settled on a farm near Porter's Mills. That fall he went back to New York to get his family. In 1872 he started work as a millwright, and in 1874 he entered the employ of Knapp, Stout & Co., at Menomonie, in charge of their stock yards and abattoir. He became government farmer in 1876 for the Indians living on their reservation in Chippewa County, this state. Two years later, in 1878, he engaged in the meat business in Rice Lake, and in 1880 once more entered the employ of Knapp, Stout & Co., for a few years. Since that time he has been variously employed. At present he is raising chickens and doing truck farming. At one time he owned the present site of the new Lakeside Methodist Episcopal Hospital. He now has a pleasant place on the lake front where he has erected a sightly residence. Some years ago, seeing the need of a green house in Rice Lake, he started one and successfully con¬ ducted it for three years. But when the lake was flooded, he was "drowned out," and accordingly went to Arkansas for a year. When he returned, he built up the greenhouse again. A year later he sold to Carl Hanneman who now conducts it. Mr. Soper is now spending the afternoon of life in quiet and con¬ tentment, he has watched the county grow into a flourishing dairy region, and in its development has taken his rightful share. For many years he has been active in Odd Fellow affairs, and holds in that order a Decoration for Chivalry, the highest degree conferred. Mr. Soper was married Dec. 4, 1864, to Katherine M. Rowland of Long Island, and this union has been blessed with five children. Clarence C. was born in 1865 and was drowned in 1876. Daniel A. was born in 1867 and was also drowned. Edward S. was born in 1871, is married, and lives in Eau Claire. Grace E. was bom in 1873, and married Paul Fournier, who is employed in the Quinn Brothers hardware store in Rice Lake. Jessie P. was bom Feb. 20, 1875, is married, and lives in Greenville, Miss. Mrs. Soper, a most worthy woman, a loving and helpful wife, a tender and sympa¬ thizing mother, and a good neighbor and friend, died in 1908.

Rev. Anton Emanuel Bomgren, B. D., pastor of the Swedish Lutheran congregations at Rice Lake, Shell Lake, Winter and Ojibwa, and a prominent man in the Apple River District, the Minnesota Conference and the Augustana Synod, was born in Smaaland, Sweden, Feb. 6, 1890, son of John and Christine (Johnson) Bomgren. He came to America at the age of eighteen and became a student in the Upsala Academy at Kenilworth, New Jersey. In 1912 he entered the Augustana College at Rock Island, Ill., graduating from the classical course with the degree of A. B. in 1915, and from the theological course with the degree of B. D. in 1918. June 9, 1918, he was ordained at Minneapolis, by pastors of the Augustana Synod, as a minister of the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church. July 3, 1918, he took up his duties as pastor of the congregations at Rice Lake and Shell Lake. He found at Rice Lake a congregation of 200 total members, and 166 communicants, with an old church building. Under his pastorate many new members have been added, and the church edifice has been practically rebuilt into a new and modem structure, sightly and convenient. The congregation at Shell Lake numbered 65 com¬ municants. This number has also been increased, and extensive improvements have been made on the church edifice. Mr. Bomgren has also organized two other congregations, the Zion Evangelical Congregation at Winter, which is contemplating erecting a church edifice in the near future, and the congrega¬ tion at Ojibwa. As soon as he entered upon his ministry here he was elected secretary of the Apple River District. In 1919, at the convocation of the Luther Leagues of the Apple River District, held at Hudson, he was elected president of the body. He is also a member of the committee on Ministerial Pension & Aid Fund, of the entire Augustana Synod. During the war he served as a member of a number of patriotic bodies and committees, and in 1920 he had charge of the work in Barron county of raising funds for the Central Europe Relief Fund. He was married June 10, 1918, to Elsie Thorwell of Duluth, bom April 16, 1892, and they have a son, Linne Vincent Emanuel, bom Sept. 7, 1920. John Bomgren, father of the Rev. Anton Emanuel Bomgren, and his wife, Christine Johnson, were bora in Smaaland, Sweden, and there he still lives, she having died in April, 1896. They were substantial, God-fearing people, greatly respected by their neighbors. Their children were as follows: Oscar graduated from the Theological Seminary at Lindsburg, Kan., and is now pastor at Greensburg, Penn. Gustav graduated in theology from the Augustana College at Rock Island, Ill., and is now pastor at Calumet, Mich. Alma is the wife of Ira B. Hadden, of New York city. Aaron is a real estate dealer still living in Sweden. Emil, who for some years had charge of a mine elevator at Ludlow, Penn., met his death there in 1905. Anton Emanuel is a minister at Rice Lake. Hilda is studying music at Chicago. John is a farmer at Marathon, Iowa. Henry is in the mechanical trades in New York state.

Grover Sykes, of the Rice Lake Electric Co., was born in Eau Claire, Wis., Oct. 25, 1885, son of Robert and Anna (Anderson) Sykes, natives respectively of Scotland and New Hampshire. The father came from his native land to Canada, and then to the States, locating at Eau Claire. From there he came to Rice Lake, and after some years went to the state of Washington. He subse¬ quently returned and now lives at Rice Lake. Grover received his early educa¬ tion in Rice Lake, and took the regular four years' course in the Stout Training School at Menomonee. In 1908 he returned to Rice Lake, and did general electrical work for a year. Then for four years he was engineer for the Rice Lake Lumber Co. In 1913 he was employed by the Red Cedar Electric Co. at Rice Lake, and four years later operated a motor truck for a year for the Rice Lake Lumber Co. In 1918 he went to Duluth, Minn., to work in the steel mills there, and a year later became engineer for the Wisconsin State Normal school at Stevens Point, Wis. He came to Rice Lake again in August, 1920, and with Harry King established the company of which he is now part owner. The firm does general electrical work, and carries a complete line of electrical supplies. Mr. Sykes was married in 1914 to Helen Sigstad, bom Sept. 29, 1887, daughter of Ole H. and Sophia (Peterson) Sigstad.

Harry King, of the Rice Lake Electric Co., was born in Fredericksburg, Iowa, Sept. 20, 1891, son of William and Phoebe (Coleman) King, natives of Norway, who came to Rice Lake in 1911, and for several years operated a restaurant here. Later they went to Farmington, Dakota County, Minn., where they now live and where Mr. King is employed as foreman of the coal sheds for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway. In the family there are five children : Opal, Beulah, Everett, Carl and Harry. The family faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Harry King received his early education in Iowa, and later attended the Janesville (Wis.) High School from which he waa graduated in the class of 1907. Then he came to Rice Lake, and was employed for four years by the Red Cedar Electric Co. His next employment was with the Wisconsin-Minnesota Light & Power Co. In August, 1920, with Grover Sykes, he established their present concern. Fraternally he is a member of the I. O. 0. F. Mr. King was married Nov. 3, 1913, to Emma Sigstad, daughter of Ole H. and Sophia (Peterson) Sigstad. Mr. and Mrs. King have one son, Orrin, born Dec. 19, 1915.

Louis A. Dunneboil, superintendent of the municipal waterworks and electric light plant, at Rice Lake, living at 322 Reuter avenue, was born in Germany, Aug. 29, 1876, son of Charles and Wilhelmina (Rost) Dunneboil. He attended school until he was a youth of sixteen, and then learned the machinist's trade. He came to America in 1892, and for three years was employed on boats plying the Hudson river and the Erie canal between New York city and Buffalo. In 1895 he came to Stanley, in this state, and became engineer for the Northwestern Lumber Co., with whom he remained for fourteen years. In 1909 he became chief engineer for the Conner Lumber & Land Co. at Laona. He came to Rice Lake in 1912 as superintendent for the Red Cedar Valley Electric Co. In 1918 he was superintendent for the Wisconsin & Minnesota Light & Power Co. at Rice Lake. The next year he worked for himself, and in 1920 assumed the duties of his present position. In addition to his other holdings, Mr. Dunneboil has a part interest with Ole Moe in a store on Main street, which is profitably rented. He was married Aug. 19, 1901, to Anna Wald of Stanley, Wis., daughter of Frank and Anna Wald, who came from Austria in 1877 and settled in Stanley, Wis., where they died, he Jan. 5, 1907, and she June 4, 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Dunneboil have five children: Mary Anna, born July 30, 1902; Veronica Mary, born July 2, 1906; Albert Frank, born March 31, 1909; Clarence Edward, born Nov. 16, 1913, and Joseph Michael, born April 24, 1916.