Barron County, Wisconsin - Chapter 16: Modern Agriculture, 1922

Modern agriculture and dairying in Barron County dates back only about two decades, and it is in fact only in the last decade that the county has reached its present pre-eminence along these lines. Dairying, and the raising of fodder and seed clover incident to it, is the leading industry. Potato grow¬ ing is also reaching large proportions. The Kringle strain of Rural New York potatoes, originated here, has a national reputation, there are many prominent certified seed potato growers, and in addition to this general potato growing for the market is so important that every railroad has its potato warehouses, varying in number from one to ten. Pea growing to supply the canning fac¬ tories is also a profitable enterprise. Swine raising, which until recently, has been merely an adjunct to dairying, is now becoming a specialty with many farmers, and some fine droves are to be found. Poultry raising flourishes, and Barron County poultry has won prizes at many an important exhibition. Here and there throughout the county there are sheep herds which, since the eighties, have supplied the extensive woolen mills at Barron with wool, and provided a little surplus to be shipped out. There are a few stands of ginseng. General farming is also carried on in all its branches. The principal crops, in addition to potatoes, hay, clover and rutabagas, are corn, oats, rye and barley. Tobacco and sugar beets are raised and honey produced. At one time, herds of steers were shipped in for grazing about Cumberland, and a little stock grazing is still done about Canton.

Dean W. A. Henry, of the College of Agriculture, University of Wisconsin, was early convinced that there were wonderful agricultural possibilities in Northern Wisconsin, including Barron County. In "A Handbook for the Homeseeker," prepared by him and published in 1896, he states and reiterates his faith in this region. In his introduction we find him expressing the mental attitude of a great majority of people in other states and in the Southern half of our own state at the time he wrote it. "The possibility that Northern Wis¬ consin may some day become an agricultural region of excellence and promi¬ nence is little realized and less recognized anywhere, even by the people of our own state," and then in the closing paragraph he voices some of the faith that is in him: "With farms supplanting the forest, Northern Wisconsin will not revert to a wilderness with the passing of the lumber industry, but will be occupied by a thrifty class of farmers whose well directed, intelligent efforts bring substantial satisfactory returns from fields, flocks and herds."

Regarding the successful growing of field crops, such as clover, oats, peas, barley, fodder corn and potatoes, Prof. Henry is very sanguine, but it is when he comes to the consideration of the dairy industry that he expresses himself most strongly. Note the following: "After careful study of all the conditions prevailing in Northern Wisconsin, the writer of this article is firmly impressed with the belief that this will some day become one of the great dairy regions of America, if only the people will bend their energies in the right direction and concentrate their efforts upon the production of high grade dairy prod¬ ucts." Regarding the cheese industry he says: "The writer makes the predic¬ tion that some day Northern Wisconsin will rank as the foremost cheese district in America, if not in the world." And in closing his discussion of dairying we have this statement: "With the passing away of the vast forests and the disap¬ pearance of the lumber industry, which has brought its hundreds of millions to our country, let there come to Northern Wisconsin advanced methods of farming with dairying as the leading factor, and the prosperity of this region is assured beyond all question."

There were others, less widely known than Professor Henry, who, having traveled widely in the state and being of an observing disposition, foresaw a great agricultural future for Northern Wisconsin and Barron County especially. Some of these have lived to see this great promise realized in a large measure.

About 1886 or 1887 three pure blooded Holstein bulls were brought into the county from Lake City, Minn. Two were bought by the Van Valkenburgs, on Sioux Creek, in the Northeast part of Dallas. The other, an aged bull, was bought by Woodbury S. Grover, also of Dallas Township. This bull, which weighed 3,200 pounds, one of the largest ever brought into the county, was purchased for $200. Some of the descendants of these three sires are still to be found in the county.

Charles S. Taylor started the impetus toward modern dairying in 1896 when he started bringing in Jersey bulls from the famous "Brown Bessie" strain owned by a relative, H. C. Taylor, of Orfordville, Wis. One of these

"Choirmaster", he kept, one went to the Silas Speed farm east of Barron. Many bull calves were given away or sold, and the strain became pronounced in many Barron County herds. A. Fred Hanson, of Arland Township, long had Jerseys of this strain. Nick Heintz of Rice Lake was also an early Jersey breeder and he and Mr. Taylor co-operated in many ways.

A few creameries and cheese factories were started here and there in the county in the early nineties. The farmers brought the milk to the creameries where the cream was separated and made into butter. Some are still in exis¬ tence. Some ran for only a few years. Some were reorganized. It was not however until the dawn of the present century that any of the butter and cheese factories or their product began to attract more than casual attention.

The assessment of 1901 showed within the county: 17,760 neat cattle; 14,685 sheep and lambs; 6,332 horses; 3,012 swine, and 73 mules and asses.

In 1905 when the state census was taken, the county was still at the dawn of the modern era. The population was 28,376, of whom 21,225 were native born and 7,161 foreign born. Of the native born, 15,732 were born in Wis¬ consin, and 5,493 in other states. Most of the 16,732 were children and young folks, the offspring of foreign parents. The Norwegians continued to show a preponderance, and about the same ratio in regard to nativity was main¬ tained as in previous years, although colonies from Italy, Bohemia, Austria, Poland and Switzerland had established themselves here. The 7,151 foreign born were divided as follows: Norway, 2,648; Germany, 1,226; Sweden, 911; Canada, 713; Italy, 308; Bohemia, 288; Denmark, 205; Austria, 142; Russia, 121; Hungary, 120; England, 91; Switzerland, 70; Finland, 67; Ireland, 67; Russian Poland, 44; Scotland, 41; German Poland, 24; France, 17; Holland, 14; Belgium, 9; Wales, 6; Greece, 1; Austrian Poland, 1; other countries, 17.

There were 37,740 cattle and calves, of which 17,767 were milch cows. During the year, 9,666 cattle and calves had been sold or consumed. There were 16,847 sheep and lambs, of which 7,696 had been sold or consumed during the year. The pounds of wool produced numbered 53,392. There were 8,318 swine, and 10,361 had been disposed of during the year. The horses and mules numbered 8,866. The fowls counted numbered 104,090 and the eggs produced amounted to 535,380 dozen.

Sixty-one acres were in berries, producing 3,769 bushels. The apples raised amounted to 589 bushels, the grapes to 75 bushels. The amount of maple sugar produced was 1,655 pounds, of syrup 752 gallons. Honey produced amounted to 70,151 pounds. In Doyle Township one acre was planted to sorghum, yielding 30 gallons of syrup, valued at $15.

The milk produced was estimated at 1,185,833 gallons. The butter made on farms was estimated at 745,073 pounds, and the cheese made on farms at 1,830 pounds.

There were 16 creameries when the census of 1905 was taken. The cows owned by the patrons numbered 9,756. The amount of butter produced during the year was 1,413,414 pounds, valued at $278,366. A single creamery, that of the Barron Co-operative Creamery Co., has each year since 1917 made more pounds of butter than the entire output of all the sixteen creameries in 1906. The same year, 1905, there were seven cheese factories producing 343,- 691 pounds of cheese.

By 1909, the creameries and cheese factories were already giving indica¬ tions of the wonderful success which was to be theirs in the next decade. The official report made to the Secretary of State on August 12, of that year, showed 16 creameries and 10 cheese factories.

The following is a list of cheese factories in Barron County on April 1, 1920; the name of the factory being given first, the mail address second, and the owner third. The initials indicate the style of cheese manufactured, A standing for American, B for Brick, S for Swiss and L for Limburger: Almena, Almena, B, Almena Cry.; Northwestern, B, Almena, Henry Bolliger; Midway, B, Almena, R. No. 1, Midway Co-op. Ch. Fcty.; Arland, A & B, Arland, H. S. Ben¬ nett, Clayton, R. No. 2; Angus, A, Angus, Angus Farm Prod. Ass'n; Cloverdale, A, Barron, R. No. 2, William Blazel; Cameron Ass'n, A, Cameron, C. A. Carlson Co., Chicago, Ill. ; Canton, A, Canton, Fred M. Lepley ; Moose Ear, A & B, Chetek, Herman J. Engelhardt; Ideal, A, Chetek, R. No. 4, Ideal Ch. & Dy. Fcty.; Oakland, B, Chetek, Walter Zbinden; Maple Leaf, B, Clayton, R. No. 2, Christ Bigler; Sunny Side, B, Clayton, Charles W. Pahlow; Crescent, B, Clay¬ ton, R. No. 2, Peter Thill; Weiss, A, Clayton, Fred Weiss, Jr., and Fred Weiss, Sr.; Advance, B, Clayton, John Weiss; Bestlerton, A, Cumberland, Bestlerton Co-op. Bt. & Ch. Co.; Cumberland, A, B, & L, Cumberland, Curt & Swinghammer; Silver Lake, A, Cumberland, Silver Lake Ch. Co.; Stanfold, A & B, Cumber¬ land, Stanfold Ch. Co.; Star, A, Cumberland, Star Cheese Co.; Bear Lake, B, Haugen, Ernest G. Gross ; Devil's Lake, B, Haugen, Ernest G. Gross ; Hillsdale, A, Hillsdale, Hillsdale Ch. Co.; Poskin, A, Poskin, Poskin Dy. Prod. Co.; Herrman, S & B, Prairie Farm, Robert Herrman, Dallas, Wis.; Independent, B, Prairie Farm, Emil Muehlhausen ; Pine Grove, B, Prairie Farm, Jacob Rothenbuehler; Long Lake Road, A, B, S & L, Rice Lake, R. No. 3, Badertscher Bros.; Oak Grove, B, Rice Lake, R. No. 3, Badertscher Bros. ; Dobie, S & B, Rice Lake, R. No. 3, John Badertscher; Red Cedar, A & B, Rice Lake, R. No. 3, Fred Baumberger and J. J. Wampfler; Campia, B & A, Rice Lake, Campia Ch. Co.; Central,

A, Rice Lake, R. No. 1, Central Ch. & B. Ass'n; Good Hope, A, Rice Lake, R. No. 2, Good Hope Ch. Co.; Lakeview, A, Rice Lake, John P. Klossner; Clover Leaf,

R. Noj 2i Henry Feller; Twin Town, By Turtle Lake, R. No. 2, Twin Town Co-op. Ch. Co.; White Clover, B, Turtle Lake, R. No. 2, White Clover Ch. F. Ass'n ; making a total of 44 cheese factories.

The following is a list of the creameries in Barron County on April 1* 1920, the name of the creamery being given first; the mail address, second; and the operator, third: Arland, Arland, C. J. Benson, Clayton, R. No. 2; Barron, Bar¬ ron, Barron Co-op. Cry. Co.; Barronett, Barronett, Barronett Co-op. Cry, Ass'n; Brill, Brill, Brill Cry. Co.; Cameron, Cameron, Eau Claire Cry. Co., Eau Claire; Chetek, Chetek, Chetek Co-op. Cry. Co.; Chetek, Chetek, Eau Claire Cry. Co.; Spring Hill, Chetek, R. F. D.; Spring Hill Cry.; Crescent, Clayton, Peter Thill; Comstock, Comstock, Comstock Co-op. Co.; Cumberland, Cumber¬ land, Curt & Swinghamer; Silver Lake, Cumberland, Silver Lake Ch. Co.; Dal¬ las, Dallas, Dallas Cry. Co.; Prairie Farm, Prairie Farm, Prairie Farm Cry. Co.; Reeve, Reeve, The Farmers' Cry. Co., Clear Lake; Campia, Rice Lake, R. No. 1. Campia Btr. & Ch. Co.; Central, Rice Lake, R. No. 1, Central Ch. & Btr. Assn; Rice Lake, Rice Lake, Conrad Gerland; Turtle Lake, Turtle Lake. Tur¬ tle Lake Co-op. Cry. Ass'n; making a total of 19 creameries in Barron County.

The annual report of the assessor of incomes for 1921, showed 14,182 horses, mules and asses; 63,180 neat cattle; 8,767 sheep, and 8,917 swine. A mark of modern progress is shown in the fact that 4,269 automobiles are owned here.

Among the forces operating to bring about the rapid agricultural develop¬ ment of Barron County during the quarter of a century just elapsed, probably none has been more important than the Bdrron creamery. Not only has this institution served directly an extensive tract of farming territory in the cen¬ ter of the coufity, but in a very large measure the dairy industry of the entire county is an outgrowth of its successful operation. In the beginning, pioneer work had to be done. It was necessary to demonstrate that butter could be made at a profit in this northern county of long, cold winters. This was ac¬ complished. Then came the move for more cows, and later the demand for better cows. A logical result of the effort to increase the output of the indi¬ vidual cow was the introduction of special dairy strains of cattle, Guernseys, Holsteins and Jerseys.

In due time the settlers in other parts >of the county learned of the suc¬ cess of the Barron Creamery and started creameries or cheese factories in other localities, thus extending to all parts of the county its leading agricultural industry. The story of many of these establishments, some of which even ante¬ dated the Barron efforts is told elsewhere in this book, in connection with the various cities and villages.

A history of the Barron Creamery as it is at the present time would not be complete without some account of earlier efforts looking to the establish¬ ment of such a plant. While those efforts were not crowned with any consider¬ able financial success they doubtless had great influence in calling attention to the possibilities of such an enterprise. There were those who early in the nine¬ ties saw the possibilities for the dairy industry. Some of these were willing to back their belief with their money, and began agitating the proposition of start¬ ing a creamery at Barron. After canvassing the matter carefully, articles of organization were drawn up and circulated for signatures.

The first meeting of the signers of the articles of organization of the Bar¬ ron Creamery Company was held at the Normanna Savings Bank in the City of Barron on the second day of March, 1898. At this meeting the five incor¬ porators, C. S. Taylor, C. C. Coe, John Post, N. M. Rockman and F. W. Timms, elected C. S. Taylor as chairman of the company, and C. C. Coe, secretary. Books were opened for subscriptions to the capital stock. In a short time $2,350 worth of stock was subscribed. This amount was later increased to $2,650. Those who took this stock were: C. S. Taylor, John Post, F. W. Timms. J. W. Taylor, C. P. Taylor, N. M. Rockman, Bank of Barron, J. P. Kohl, Robert Holliday, E. N. Stebbins, W. B. Crawford, T. W. Borum, DeWitt Post, Leo

Permanent organization was completed March 26, 1895, by the election of directors as follows: C. S. Taylor, C. C. Coe, John Post, N. M. Rockman and F. W. Timms. On the eleventh day of April following, these directors were named as the officers of the concern: C. S. Taylor, president; John Post, vicepresident; N. M. Rockman, treasurer; W. B. Crawford, secretary.

A site, located at the corner of Monroe and Fifth Street, was leased from John Quaderer and a creamery erected thereon. The manufacture of butter was commenced on July 10, 1895. The plant was operated from this date until September 28. During these few weeks, 3,844 pounds of butter were made. This brought the company $682.92, of which the patrons received $498.10. The plant was operated from May 4 to October 14 in the summer of 1896, and 15,- 279 pounds of butter were made. This brought the company $2,292.07, of which amount the patrons were paid $1,496.45. The next summer, that of 1897, the factory run from May 3 to November 17, and made 15,279 pounds of but¬ ter. It also purchased butter from the Prairie Farm Creamery Company to the amount of $444.00. For butter bought and manufactured the sum of $2,954.90 was received, and the patrons -were paid $1,762.05 for butter. During the sum¬ mer of 1898 the plant was operated from April 10 to October 10. The amount of butter made was 8,827 pounds, and $73.81 was paid to the Prairie Farm Creamery Company for butter. The total amount received for butter was $1,- 480.61 and the patrons were paid $1,041.25 for butter fat

During -these four seasons the stockholders' meetings were held in John Post's hardware store and the directors' meetings were held at the Normanna Savings Bank. A portion of the closing paragraph of the first annual report to stockholders is quoted below. The bit of prophecy contained in it seems especially significant in the light of the records made by the creamery as we know it today: "We feel like saying in conclusion that the future prospects of thS creamery are good; that we expect a much increased patronage the coming year; and that the business will increase from year to year until it shall be¬ come of great importance to our city and the surrounding community."

The directors and officers and their respective terms of service are as follows: C. S. Taylor served as director from the time of organization until April 7, 1899. John Post was One of the directors chosen at the time of or¬ ganization and continued as such until April 13, 1899. N. M. Rockman served from the date of organization until April 13, 1899, as one of the directors. C. C. Coe acted as a director from March 25, 1896, until January 18, 1897. F. W. Timms was one of the first directors and served until January 17, 1898. J. W. Taylor served as director from January 17, 1898, until April 7, 1899, and W. B. Crawford served as director' from January 17, 1898, until April 13, 1899.

The officers elected at the time of organization, with one exception, served until April, 1899, when the concern passed to a different management: C. S. Taylor, president; John Post, vice-president; N. M. Rockman, treasurer; and W. B. Crawford, secretary. F. B. Kinsley served as secretary during the year 1897.

In the spring of 1899, N. M. Rockman, a stockholder, director and treasurer of the company, made an offer to the other stockholders, looking to the pur¬ chase of their stock. His offer was accepted and on April 13, 1899, the con¬ cern passed into the hands of Mr. Rockman, who assumed full control and man¬ agement. It remained in his hands through three seasons. During two of these it was operated, lying idle one season.

During the years that had elapsed since the organization of the company, many new farms had been opened up by men from older parts of the state. Some of these men came from vicinities where dairying was becoming a profit¬ able feature of rural enterprise. Several of these men believed that the time was ripe for co-operative effort for the promotion of the dairy interests of Bar¬ ron County. To put this belief into operation, new articles of incorporation were signed on December 21, 1901, by E. C. Joyce, William Cuthbert, F. A. Hulbert, Charles Post, W. L. Brown, J. E. Bowen, and F. J. Wichern, and books opened for subscriptions to the capital stock of the concern.

At a meeting of the stockholders held on January 18, 1902, permanent organization, under the name of Barron Co-operative Creamery Company, was effected by the election of the following officers and directors: J. E. Bowen, president; William Bartlett, vice-president; W. L. Brown, secretary; George Brown, treasurer. Directors, J. P. Crawley, E. E. Joyce, J. E. DeWolf, Paul Paulsen, and F. J. Wichern. On February 25, 1902, the new organization pur¬ chased the old creamery plant from N. M. Rockman, and, on March 17, did its first churning, making two sixty-pound tubs of butter, which was sold to Gamble-Robinson Company of Minneapolis. One month later, April 17, a shipment of 600 pounds of butter was made to Gleason & Lansing, of Buffalo, N. Y. This shipment was the entire output of the plant for a week. The total made for this first year, 1902, was 70,416 pounds, for which $14,953.55 was received. From that time to the present, 1922, the concern has made a steady and con¬ sistent growth. During the twenty years, 18,954,154 pounds of butter have been made. This yielded $6,976,639.61. Of this amount, $504,370.50 has been paid for plant and cost of operation, the remainder, $6,472,269.11, has gone to the patrons for butter fat.

Already, by the summer of 1906, the creamery quarters were becoming seriously crowded and in June of that year the officers and directors took pre¬ liminary steps, looking to an enlarged plant, that should be equipped with upto-date machinery. The old building must either be considerably enlarged and remodeled or replaced by a new one. After careful consideration of the matter it was decided to recommend a new building. To that end a resolution, authoriz¬ ing the board of directors to borrow the necessary funds and proceed at once with the erection of a new building, was adopted at the annual meeting of the stockholders, February 9, 1907. In accordance with this resolution a modern brick structure, thought to be large enough for all time, was erected in the late summer of 1907. The building was accepted by the directors November 2, 1907. The officers and directors who had charge of the construction of the new building were: J. E. Bowen, J. H. Johnson, W. L. Brown, E. J. McKinny, J. F. Wichern, W. H. Sullivan, C. J. Tholander, A. W. Arndt, and L. S. Cheney. At this time the beginning was made in substituting modern creamery appliances for the old-fashioned equipment then in use. The first combined churn and worker having been authorized October 15, 1906. Extensive additions to the building were constructed in 1913, 1914 and 1917, and in February, 1922, an¬ other large addition was provided for by the stockholders.

The articles of incorporation were amended in 1906, increasing the capital stock from $3,000 to $5,000, and within a year the extra $2,000 was taken by two hundred purchasers at one share each. At first the creamery charged non¬ stockholding patrons one cent a pound for manufacturing and marketing their butter, but in a few years the regulations were changed and the butter for this class of patrons handled without extra charge, the increased output thus se¬ cured being deemed sufficient return to the company for the extra work.

In 1918 provision was made for the manufacture of buttermilk meal, and during the three years that have followed, the amounts given below have been received for this product: 1919, $6,956.59; 1920, $7,182.48; 1921, $6,977.20, with a considerable part of this last year's output still unsold.

Perhaps there is no better way and certainly no more concise way, of showing the continued growth and sound material condition of the creamery than the inclusion here of the figures compiled for the anAual report of the stockholders :

J. E. Bowen was the first president and manager, serving from 1902 to 1909. At that time the offices of manager and treasurer were combined and Mr. Bowen was elected to this dual office, serving one year. A. W. Arndt was elected president in February, 1909, having served as a director from 1904 up to this time. In February, 1910, E. J. McKinny was elected president and has served continuously up to this time. At the same time, A. W. Arndt was made manager-treasurer and is still serving in this capacity.

William Bartlett was the first vice-president and served from 1902 to 1906. J. H. Johnson was elected in 1906 and served until 1909. Mr. Johnson was elected on the board of directors in 1911 and served until 1918. William Bart¬ lett was vice-president from February, 1909, to February, 1910. In 1910, J. F. Wichern was elected vice-president and served until February, 1914. Mr. Wichern also served on the board of directors from 1902 to 1909. Again in 1914, William Bartlett was elected vice-president, and served until February, 1918. In 1918 he served on the board of directors. W. H. Sullivan was elected vice-president in 1918 and served two years. Mr. Sullivan served on the board of directors from 1906 to February, 1911. F. J. Krahenbuhl was elected vicepresident in 1920 and is still holding this office. He also served as a director, 1903 to 1906.

W. L. Brown was the first secretary and served from 1902 to 1913, when he was succeeded by J. A. Nelson, who has continued in this position up to this time. Mr. Nelson also served as a director in 1909.

George Brown was the first treasurer, elected in 1902, and served one year. He was succeeded by William Cuthbert, who served until 1906. L. S. Cheney served as treasurer for one year, and was a director from February, 1907, to 1908. E. J. McKinny was elected treasurer in 1907 and served until 1909, when the office of manager and treasurer was combined. Mr. McKinny served as a director in 1909.

It will be seen from the foregoing narrative that during the last twenty years, the creamery has made a steady and, at times, a remarkable growth, as it has furnished the basis for much agricultural progress, just so has it prof¬ ited by advancement along other lines. In conclusion, it may be safely said that the growth and development of the institution furnishes an accurate index for the general agricultural development of Barron County.

In a short time after the reorganization of the Barron Creamery it became evident to everybody that dairying could be made a very profitable and perma¬ nent feature in the agricultural activity of Barron County. Those engaged in dairying began to look into the producing capacity of each cow, with a result that here and there a low producing individual was dropped. From this prac¬ tice a logical step was the introduction of dairy strains of cattle into the herds. It was an easy step from this to the thought of co-operative breeding of one or more of the standard kinds of dairy cattle on a sufficiently large scale to produce good dairy stock to export as well as for local use. This idea grew until it seemed the time had arrived for organized effort.

A mass meeting of all dairy men and others interested in the betterment of dairy conditions was held in Nelson's Hall, in the City of Barron, January 15, 1907, for the purpose of organizing an association of dairy men who would pledge themselves to raise one, and one only, of the standard dairy breeds. Holstein, Guernsey or Jersey. A large attendance was present; all parts of the county being represented. A vote was taken to try to decide which breed should be selected. This resulted in a considerable majority for the Holstein. The Guernseys also had a good showing of strong adherents, which included some of the leading dairymen of the county. The Jerseys also had several strong supporters.

The immediate result of the mass meeting was the temporary organization of the Barron County Holstein Breeders' Association, followed within a few weeks by the formation of similar organizations of breeders of Guernseys and Jerseys.

The temporary organization of the Barron County Holstein Breeders' Asso¬ ciation was effected January 15, 1907, by the election of W. F. Krippner tem¬ porary president, F. J. Krahenbuhl secretary, and D. Rollin Kline treasurer. Permanent organization was completed January 26, 1997, by making temporary organization permanent, adopting a constitution and by-laws and the election of S. Pribble vice-president at large. At the same time vice-presidents were provided for from each township in the county represented in the organiza¬ tion.

This organization continued until January, 1921, when the plan waa changed, providing for ten Holstein Clubs throughout the county, each with a president and secretary. The Club officers together constitute the county organization and a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer are elected from this number. Up to this time the officers of the association have been:

At the fourteenth annual meeting held February 26, 1921, the new organ¬ ization was perfected and the following officers elected: E. McKinny was elected president, Karl T. Hazelberg vice-president, William Meisegeier secre¬ tary and A. L. Morken treasurer. At this time the date for holding the annual meeting was changed from the winter months to June. At the June, 1921, meeting the same officers were re-elected, except that N. P. Becker was elected vice-president instead of Karl T. Hazelberg. We find from the record that the association consider this their fifteenth annual meeting.

The ten Clubs, composing the county organization, has 260 or 300 mem¬ bers. The Clubs are located at Almena, Barron, Brill, Cameron, Chetek, Cum¬ berland, Dallas, Rice Lake and Reeve.

Several men who had already made considerable progress in the develop¬ ment of Guernsey herds, feeling that they could not throw away practically all that they had accomplished, met Feb. 3, 1907, pursuant to a call signed by Wm. Bartlett, J. F. Wickern, P. B. Matthys, Archie Nelson, C. J. Cowles, Jacob Kohten, C. J. Orn, M. T. Spencer, W. L. Brown, H. G. Ellsworth, W. H. Sulli¬ van and Roy Cuthburt.

The officers of the association down to the time of re-organization in 1921 were: H. G. Ellsworth was elected president at the time of organization and served until 1909. William Bartlett was president in 1909, again from 1916 to 1919, and again in 1921, up to the time of reorganization. He served as first vice-president during 1907 and 1908; and as secretary during 1910 to 1914. J. E. Bowen was the third president, serving through the years 1910 to 1913, inclusive. Mr. Bowen also served as treasurer from the time of organization to 1909. In 1914 William Halvorson was president, having served as first vicepresident the preceding year. He again served as first vice-president during 1916 to 1918. F. D. Otis was president in 1920, serving the following year as secretary. Jacob Kohten was the first secretary. He served through the years 1907 to 1909. In 1916, A. E. Coe was secretary; and F. W. Meyer served in this capacity in 1916 to 1918. During 1919-1920, E. F. Jones was secretary. J. A. (Archie) Nelson was treasurer of the association from 1910 to 1918, inclusive. In 1919, Mr. Sexton was in this position, and during the next two years, 1920 to 1921, Walter Matthys held the place. Others who served as either first or second vice-president are C. J. Orn, ten years; W. H. Sullivan, five years; W. L. Brown, five years ; E. A. Thompson, one year ; and Albert Halvorson, two years.

In 1921 the Guernsey and Holstein Breeders' Associations reorganized un¬ der a new plan and new constitutions under the new plan. The breeders are grouped in township organizations, known as clubs, with presidents and sec¬ retaries. The officers of the various clubs constituting the central, or county, organization. The work of reorganization was so far completed for the Guern¬ sey people that on Aug. 13, 1921, the central organization was perfected by the election of the following named officers: William Halvorson, President; Frank Huser, Vice-President; Frank D. Otis, Secretary' and Albert Dusel, Treasurer.

Seven clubs completed their organization and federated into the Associa¬ tion. Barron, William Bartlett, president; Frank D. Otis, secretary; Canton, Wm. Halvorson, president; Daul Shearer, secretary; Chetek, Julius Fostvedt, president; Thom Barker, secretary; Cumberland, B. F. Buccholz, president; W. A. Weilip, secretary; Comstock, F. E. Huser, president; Albert Dusel, sec¬ retary; Prairie Farm, Geo. Pederson, president; Otto Kahl, secretary; and Tur¬ tle Lake, J. J. Golden, president; J. R. Young, secretary.

A Jersey Breeders' Association was also organized. While this organiza¬ tion has never had as many members as either of the others, it has contained some of the leading dairymen of the county. The Jersey breeding industry cen¬ ters in Prairie Farm Township, where some of the leading breeders are, Frank N. Roemhild, John Rassbach, C. Henry Roemhild, Otto Kahl, John Sather, Hans Auseng, Schultheiss Brothers, Peter Miller, Leonard Lindemer and John Kurschner. W. H. Clark and W. F. Krippner are in the Rice Lake region. The present Jersey Breeders' Association was organized in 1921. Frank N. Roem¬ hild is the president, and Otto Kurschner the secretary and treasurer.

In closing the account of dairying and breeders' associations it will not be amiss to mention a few who were pioneers in the introduction of high bred dairy cattle. Among the Guernsey fanciers, John E. Bowen should be men¬ tioned as one of the first to bring in a thoroughbred sire to head his herd. Early in 1907, three other registered sires were brought into the neighborhood of Barron. These were purchased by William Bartlett, C. J. Orn and Jacob Kohten, and Dickson Brothers. In October of the same year, C. J. Orn pur¬ chased and brought to Barron the first registered female Guernsey introduced into the county. This was Tessie of Pinehurst, purchased from Mrs. E. W. Strawbridge of Moorestown, N. J. A few outstanding herds of this breed are those of the William Bartlett estate, Barron ; Frank D. Stout, at Mikana ; Hal¬ vorson Brothers, at Canton ; F. W. Meyer, of Barron ; and C. J. Orn, of Barron. The present State Champion Guernsey heifer in production, Bessie of Orndale, was bred by Mr. Orn ; and sold by him at eighteen months of age.

Early herds of grade Holsteins in the county were those of W. H. Bond and D. Rollin Kline. In the early months of 1907, F. J. Krahenbuhl and G. J. Gleiter purchased registered sires to head their herds. In a few months sev¬ eral additional registered sires were brought into different parts of the county. Some fine herds of Holsteins now in the county are the Knight Meyer herd of New Auburn; the F. J. Krahenbuhl herd of Barron; that of G. J. Gleiter of Hillsdale; the John Le Jeune herd of Bear Lake, and the C. A. Ness & Son herd of Cumberland.

As nearly as can now be ascertained the first pure-bred dairy cattle to be brought into Barron County were Jerseys. Several were in the vicinity of Prairie Farm, which is now the Jersey center of the county.

Charles Taylor, as already mentioned, early saw the dairy possibilities of the county and took an active interest in trying to get the industry started. To aid in this work he bought and brought to Barron, about 1895, a registered sire. This was the first pure-bred Jersey sire brought into the county. About the same time, Mr. Taylor bought several young Jersey animals which later were scattered to various farmers about the county. For many years the W. H. Clark Jersey herd of Rice Lake was one of the choice Jersey herds of the state. This herd has furnished some exceptionally fine individuals, including one or two state champions. Other good herds now around in the county are those of Frank N. Roemheld, Henry Roemheld and Mrs. August Miller.

As the years passed, after the organization of the Dairy Breeders' Asso¬ ciations, the herds of pure-bred or high-grade cows had increased in numbers and size to such an extent that some organized agency for the disposal of surplus stock appeared desirable. Consequently, members of the different breeders' associations and others who are interested conceived the plan of a "Sales Association" to advertise and hold public auction sales of high-grade and pure-bred animals of the various standard dairy breeds. This association decided to build a modern sales pavilion at Barron, provided with ample stab¬ ling room and a commodious sales room. The pavilion was completed in 1921. Already hundreds of pure-bred and high-grade animals have been handled for individual breeders through the sales association. A very large percentage of these were pure-bred animals subject to registry. The public sales conducted by this association have attracted buyers from distant parts of the country.

There are Co-operative Live Stock Shipping Associations at Cameron, Bar¬ ron, Poskin, Almena, Turtle Lake, Hillsdale, Dallas, Ridgeland, Cumberland, and Comstock, and one is being organized at Rice Lake. These are connected with the Central Selling Agency of South St. Paul. There is an Equity Live Stock Shipping Association at Chetek, which ships to Milwaukee.

In the effort to improve the dairy cattle of the county, the first big step was the use of pure-bred sires to head herds. The importance of this was made prominent in all the early work of the different breeders' associations and was urged by all progressive dairymen.

The three men who have served the county as Agricultural Agent have all been untiring in their efforts to make this a one hundred per cent county of pure-bred sires. R. L. Cuff made a special compaign for this purpose.

However, such movements have to come slowly if the result is to be perma¬ nent. Dairymen of the county are no longer content with simply a pure-bred animal. They want to know about his particular strain of breeding, and the records of his ancestors. In short, they are now looking for the best. The last ten years have made a wonderful change in the number of such animals and on the farms of the county. Ten years ago from eight to ten per cent of the dairymen owned pure-bred sires, while at the present time it is safe to say that more than fifty per cent of the cattle breeders of the county own pure-bred sires and an additional five to ten per cent use such. The goal of the county is, "Nothing but pure-bred sires used," and it bids fair to be reached at no distant day.

Under the terms of a state law whenever 60 per cent, or more of the cattle owners of any county in the state file the proper petitions with the state depart¬ ment of agriculture this department is authorized to test all cattle within such county for tuberculosis without expense to the owners. Just as soon as it be¬ came known to cattle owners of Barron County that they could have this work done for them, a concerted effort was made to have such a test made. County Agent R. L. Cuff took hold of the matter and pushed it energetically. Petitions were circulated and the signatures of more than 70 per cent of the Barron County cattle owners secured.

Active work on the list was begun in February, 1920. With Dr. J. P. West in charge. The actual testing work was done by Drs. A. T. Olson, W. R. John¬ son, J. B. Collins, J. D. Eastwold, C. B. Lord, Charles Secoy and R. C. Coulson. The work was completed December 23, 1920, and with its completion, Barron County became the first county in the state and the largest tubercular tested area in the world. Between 67,000 and 68,000 animals had been tested with less than 1 per cent of infected animals found. A result of this work is that sixty counties in the United States have since taken up the work.

About six months later a retest of the area was begun and carried through to completion by Dr. R. C. Coulson. This retest was of herds that contained re¬ actors in the first test. It was practically completed before the following win¬ ter. A small fraction of one per cent of reactors was found. When the work of testing this first county was completed, proper regulations to maintain the tubercular free condition of the area were worked out and established by the State Live Stock Sanitary Board, and Dr. Coulson was assigned to Barron County as inspector in charge and is now serving in that capacity.

Provision has been made by properly constituted authorities that when¬ ever a herd of cattle has been tuberculin tested and certified as free from tuber¬ culosis, the individual animals of such may be shipped to other parts of the state or county without further investigation for tuberculosis.

The method employed in the Barron County area test proved so satisfac¬ tory that the federal authorities accepted, without hesitation, the work done as a part of the required test for admitting herds to the accredited list and in July of 1921 sent a corps of federal veterinarians into the county to complete the test of individual herds upon application of the owners for accreditation. This work has resulted, up to date, in having more than five hundred herds - more than 10,000 cattle - put on the accredited list.

In 1910, D. B. Searles, who was employed by the State Dairymen's Asso¬ ciation, came to Barron to look over the ground with a view to getting the dairymen of the county to organize and have a butterfat test of their cowa made; that the poor producers might be eliminated and only the paying ani¬ mals retained. The editor of the News, N. S. Gordon, traveled with Mr. Searlea and worked with him in securing members for a testing association. As soon as sufficient signers had been secured the organization was completed with William Bartlett as chairman and N. S. Gordon as secretary-treasurer. Thia association continued about a year, when it ceased operation. After the lapse of a few months, cow testing was revived in the county and soon there were four flourishing associations. Interest in these associations has gradually in¬ creased until at present there are more cow testing associations in the county than ever before. The first tester in the county was John H. Clark.

There are three swine breeders' organizations in the county: the Duroc- Jersey Clubs of Chetek and Haugen, and the Poland-China Club of Brill.

Among the leading swine breeders of the county may be mentioned F. H. Hembrook, A. G. Churchward and E. G. Patchin, of Chetek; William Bartlett, of Barron; Fred Nelson, of Haugen; Andrew Amdall, of Cumberland; F. L. Stout, of Mikana; H. W. Ferguson & Son, Cumberland; and Lloyd Nesbit, Barron.

From the earliest days, settlers in Barron County found that potatoes of the finest quality grew from our soil, but it was not until in the late eighties that potatoes were grown on a large commercial scale. For many years, how¬ ever, no efforts were made to combine for the production of standard strains of potatoes on a large scale. When F. D. Otis, the first County Agent, came to the county, a campaign was made to induce the potato growers of the county to unite on a few of the better strains of potato, such as Rural New Yorkers, Bur¬ banks, Green Mountains, and Bliss Triumphs. This work was continued by Mr. Cuff, who organized several local potato growers' clubs, and began the agitation for growing pure, certified seed potatoes. During several years of his stay, many fields of Rurals, Green Mountains, Burbanks and Triumphs were certified. Since Mr. Duffy came he has planned and perfected a strong central¬ ized certified seed Potato Growers' Association. This association will devote its energies to the production of three strains, Rurals, Green Mountains and Triumphs. The officers of this association are: Charles Ness of Cumberland, president; Gus Kringle of Rice Lake, vice-president; Peter Helgeland of Brill, secretary.

The Barron County Certified Seed Growers' Association is composed of small growers, planting an average of about ten acres, and is organized for the purpose of furnishing to the seed trade a product noted for vigor, high pro¬ duction and quality. Charles Ness, of Cumberland, is the president; Gust Kringle, of Rice Lake, the vice-president; and Peter Helgeland, of Brill, the secretary.

The members are as follows : Rice Lake, Gust Kringle, Ed. Kringle, Ralph McDonald, J. S. Gabriel, Peter Schneider, William H. Cockerill, Frank Ebel and

A. M. Chrislaw. Almena, Fred Bender, Dickson & Kettleson, C. H. Becker, F. Hotwagner, William H. Miller and Louis Hemaver. Angus, Ole J. Johnson, A. T. Johnson and George Gould. Barron, J. Gould, Albert Bergeson, Clifford H. Meyer, Jos. Mikulanee, Ed. A. Erickson, Gunder Ostenson, B. H. Ellis and Oscar C. Johnson. Barronett, Oscar Okerson, J. C. Frerck and Charles Pier¬ son. Cumberland, Arthur M. Eide and Charles A. Ness. Dallas, Ernest Rogers, And. Stoll and Gil. Gilbertson. Mikana, Louis Frosli and J. A. Harlow. Turtle Lake, E. Pfeifer. Brill, George M. Keesey, Gust. Gagner, Albert Johnson, P. A. Helgeland, Gilbert Dahl and Daniel Dinga. Cameron, L. M. Bergess. Haugen, George Sanders. Birchwood, Jay Jones and R. Hanson.

The Kringle Brothers originated the strain of New York Rurals known as the Kringle strain. This seed has attracted attention through the Rural grow¬ ing belt. All certified Rurals from Barron county are of the Kringle strain.

The story of the Kringle Brothers is perhaps first in line. Gust, and Ed. Kringle settled on hardwood lands in what is now Cedar Lake Township, with the virgin timber standing, about twenty years ago. They "batched" it for many years, working in the lumber camps some of the winters, and doing their own logging and clearing at other times. The clearings opened, they began real farming. As time went on, each brother married, and built a home for himself and family. About twelve years ago they began the development of a special strain of Rural New York variety of potato. This strain of Rural soon began to attract attention. It is noted for vigor, for freedom from disease, for being true to type, and for productiveness. The Kringle strain of Rurals be¬ came well known throughout the United States and Kringle Brothers became noted as potato growers. The Kringle Brothers are more than "Potato Kings"', they are successful dairy farmers, and have fine farms and thriving herds of Holstein cattle which help to keep the lands in the ideal condition for success¬ ful potato production.

The Mikana Potato Growers' Association, on Dec. 4, 1920, received from the Milwaukee Association of Commerce, a certificate of appreciation, which reads in part as follows :

"The Milwaukee Association of Commerce in consideration of the gratitude of the people of .the State of Wisconsin, in particular, and of the United States of America in general, who realize great benefits as a result of the activities of your Association, desires that you accept this missive as a sincere apprecia¬ tion of your splendid work in the development of a superior strain of the Rural New York variety of potato. Your work has been recommended to us by the Wisconsin Potato Growers' Association, and we congratulate you as an organ¬ ization of helpful and progressive Wisconsin citizens."

Among the special crops grown in Barron County, mention must be made of sugar beets. In the year 1904, F. J. Krahenbuhl, grew several acres of beets and shipped them to Chippewa Falls, where a beet sugar factory had recently been built. In the following years many farmers went into beet cultivation. Shipping points for the roots have been, Barron, Cumberland, Campia, Hills¬ dale, Almena, Cameron and Rice Lake. The average in favorable years has run into the hundreds of acres. For many years F. J. Krahenbuhl, while grow¬ ing beets on his own farm, worked with the sugar factory people in securing acreage contracts and superintending the planting, growing and shipping the beets.

Peter A. Hong grew a small plot, one-third to one-half acre, of tobacco on his farm, northwest of Barron, several seasons. He was doing this as early as 1902. He appears to have been the first to try tobacco. He came to Barron County from the neighborhood of Viroqua, Wis., where tobacco had been grown for several years. The Tvedt Brothers came in shortly after Mr. Hong and at once began the growing of this crop. They likewise came from a tobacco grow-

Almost as soon as people began to settle on the land in Barron County, they brought in a few colonies of bees to help supply the home tables with sweets, but at this date it is a hopeless task to find out who brought in the first bees. However, a few of the old beekeepers are known. Rasman Kellogg was one of the first to introduce them in the vicinity of Prairie Farm. J. P. Carl¬ son and Magnus Olson were other old time bee keepers near Prairie Farm. A little farther to the north, on Dority Creek, was Frank Millard, who produced honey on a large scale. Not far from him was Frank Hall, another large keeper.

D. C. Carsley settled early in the territory west of Comstock and has had a large apiary ever since. D. G. Harris was one of the first bee keepers at Barron. L. C. Knutson of Cumberland and Martin Stephenson on Dority Creek were extensively engaged in honey production fairly early. Among the presentday bee keepers of the county the following are prominent: George Stowell has the largest apiary and is the largest honey producer. Others are L. C. Knutson and L. W. Knutson of Cumberland. D. C. Carsley and daughter, Isa¬ belle Carsley, of Comstock; Carlson Sisters of Prairie Farm; W. C. White of Canton; Stout Farm of Mikana; Pearl White of Barron; and Frank Garner of Chetek.

On October 4, 1918, a few bee keepers near Barron organized the Barron County Bee Keepers' Association with seven charter members as follows: George Stowell, Pearl White, George A. Garrett, D. G. Harris, Martin Stephen¬ son, H. H. Chapman, and C. J. Nelson. The officers elected at this time were: George Stowell, president; Pearl White, vice-president; and George A. Gar¬ rett, secretary-treasurer. With one exception, these officers are still serving. At the annual meeting held in January, 1921, Mr. Stowell declined a re-elec¬ tion as president and L. S. Cheney was chosen for the place. At the present time there are 20 members.

Early settlers soon learned that garden and field peas grew and pro¬ duced remarkably well in this north country, yielding peas for the table or for stock feed, of a very superior quality. About 1900 a few of the citizens of Bar¬ ron conceived the idea of establishing a canning plant which should handle peas and possibly sweet corn. To put the plan into execution a company was formed early in 1901 and capital stock of $15,000 subscribed and paid. A fac¬ tory was constructed and operated during the seasons of 1901 and 1902. Four hundred acres of land in two tracts was purchased by the company early in 1902 to insure a fair amount of acreage for growing peas. Unlooked for diffi¬ culties in harvesting and canning arose, and it was soon realized that such a plant must be handled by people experienced in the work to make it a paying venture. At the close of the season of 1902 the company sold the factory to the Waukesha Canning Co. This company enlarged and remodeled the plant and operated it until the spring of 1912, when it passed into the hands of the present owners, the Inderreiden Canning Co.

The original stockholders in this concern were C. S. Taylor, George Parr, Coe Brothers, T. W. Borum, Geo. R. Borum, C. J. Borum, William Simpson, A. E. Hedback, E. McKinny, J. E. McKinny, Henry Radermacher and Mrs. J. F. Coe. The officers were: C. S. Taylor, president; William Simpson, secretary; and C. J. Borum, treasurer. These stockholders made no money in this un¬ dertaking, on the contrary, they suffered considerable loss; but they set in motion an enterprise which has spread to all parts of the county and became a fixed and profitable feature of the agriculture of the county. Since the estab¬ lishment of the plant at Barron, similar ones have been established at Rice Lake, Cumberland, Chetek and Turtle Lake, with vining stations at Floans Farm, Town of Stanfold, Almena, Besslerton and Hillsdale. A factory at Clear Lake and vining station at Clayton, both outside the county, secure a large part of their peas from Barron County farms. At times some of these concerns have tried canning corn and string beans, but at the present time practically nothing but peas are canned. The Barron factory in 1921 put out 60,000 cases, the Rice Lake factory between 90,000 and 100,000 cases.

There are several flourishing community clubs in the county, these at Prairie Farm, that in Vance Creek Township, centering at Reeve, and that at Arland Township, as well as one of unusual importance embracing the people of Chetek and the surrounding county.

Late in the summer of 1911, Dean H. L. Russell of the Wisconsin Agricul¬ tural College was visiting friends at Barron, and in conversation with L. S. Cheney, made the statement that the College of Agriculture was then making arrangements to provide for agricultural representatives for two counties. Mr. Cheney requested Dean Russell to give Barron County a chance to secure one of the two representatives. During the next few weeks, some members of the County Board and other influential men were consulted concerning the matter. Most of these were in favor of requesting the state to send a represen¬ tative to Barron County. One of these, Clarence C. Coe, wrote to Dean Russell, asking if the University of Wisconsin could not arrange for county agents in Wisconsin. He had done this without knowledge that the matter was already being arranged.

When the County Board met in November, Mr. Cheney talked with Super¬ visor Simon S. Berg, a progressive man. He at once fell in with the plan and offered to introduce a resolution to carry the plan into effect. Mr. Cheney formulated and drafted the resolution which Mr. Berg introduced. The reso¬ lution was adopted and the necessary funds appropriated. Mr. Cheney, as a member of the Training School Board, which was to have general supervision of the activities of the County Representative, was then sent to Madison to con¬ fer with the college authorities concerning the man to be sent to Barron County. As a result of this conference, Frank D. Otis was decided upon for the place. Thus, Barron County became the second county of the state to provide for a county agent or representative, Oneida County having had the first the pre¬ ceding year. Mr. Otis did not get onto the ground until August 15, 1912, and for something over two years he did the experimental, pioneering work which must always be done for any new enterprise.

At the annual meeting of the County Board in November, 1914 (Nov. 13), it was voted to discontinue the work, but at a special meeting of the board, held January 5 and 6, 1915, it was decided to continue the work until the fol¬ lowing August. Mr. Otis resigned in February, 1916, and was transferred to Madison. At this time the County Board appointed a special committee to look after the work of the County Agent. About March, R. L. Cuff came to the county as representative. He continued in the work until September 28, 1920. In the fall of 1919 the County Superintendent was added to the committee and the committee empowered to elect County Agent. On October 2, 1920, the com¬ mittee held a conference with W. A. Duffy, at which time he was appointed County Agent. He is still serving the county in this position. An excellent ac¬ count of his progressive work is to be found in the Annual Report of the Board of County Supervisors for 1921. From the first, the county agents have been a chief factor in the advancement along all lines of agricultural endeavor in the county.

The story of the modern agricultural progress of Barron County as here related deals with the strictly local aspects. It should be noted, also, that in a general way, Barron County has kept pace, or just a little ahead of the agri¬ cultural progress of Wisconsin and the United States, in methods, implements, tools and equipment. Modern machinery is to be found on every farm, modern conveniences in many homes, modern equipment and appliances in many barns. Homes are comfortable and well furnished, barns are large and well arranged, lawns are well kept, fields well tilled, well fenced and well rotated. Silos dot the landscape everywhere. The story of the individual farms, and their devel- opment from a little clearing among the stumps to the rich farms of today, ia to be found in the story of the individual settlers found in this volume.

The Barron County Farm Bureau came into existence as a temporary or¬ ganization on March 4, 1921. The organization and election of officers took place in the court house in Barron. The election of officers resulted in making Karl T. Hazelberg temporary county chairman, and Fred M. Arndt, temporary county secretary.

The temporary officers at once began the organization of the township bureaus. April 30, 1921, a permanent organization of the county bureau was per¬ fected, the officers being as follows: President, Karl T. Hazelberg; vice-presi¬ dent, William Bartlett; secretary, Fred M. Arndt; treasurer, E. J. McKinney.

The Farm Bureau was created by the farmers and is an organization of themselves. It consists of the individual farmer and his family as the founda¬ tion. It is an institution brought into existence, managed and supported by farm people.

Farmers in their respective townships meet, elect president, vice-president, secretary-treasurer and one co-operator for each school district, thus creating the township bureau.

The objects of the town units are: (1) To build up and maintain agri¬ culture in the township. (2) To give opportunity for individual members to express their views on all questions which affect their interests. (3) To unite the strength of all the farmers to obtain sufficient power to carry out the pro¬ gram of greatest value.

The Barron County Farm Bureau consists of the various township farm bureaus in the county. The county board of directors consists of the presi¬ dent of each township farm bureau, together with the four county officers elected by the directors at the annual meeting. Each member, at once, belongs to the County, State and National Farm Bureau organizations.

The object of the Barron County Farm Bureau is to advance and improve agriculture; to affiliate with the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation and the American Farm Bureau Federation; to employ county business managers, field representatives or secretaries for the purpose of developing and promoting systematic organization, co-operative marketing and organized production; to co-operate with the Wisconsin State College of Agriculture and the State and United States Department of Agriculture and the Wisconsin Division of Mar¬ kets in developing a definite program of work that will bring to Barron County a better economic, social and educational condition so as to make farming more profitable and country life more attractive.

The Barron Township Farm Bureau was'organized on March 21, 1921, with Wm. Bartlett, as president; G. Ostenson, vice-president; and E. J. McKinney, secretary.

The Clinton Township Farm Bureau was organized on March 22, 1921, with J. J. Malone, as president; Wm. Meisegeier, as vice-president; and Frank Barfknecht, as secretary.

The Turtle Lake Township Farm Bureau was organized on March 24, 1921, with C. D. Cochran, as president; E. J. Kruse, vice-president; and L. A. Roberts, secretary-treasurer.

Crystal Lake Township Farm Bureau was organized on March 25, 1921, with E. L. Tait, president; C. P. Tyvoll, vice-president; and Frank Williams, secretary-treasurer.

Maple Grove Farm Bureau was organized August 16, 1921, and Andrew Bolstad elected president; Chas. Hartzell, vice-president; and Clarence Cor¬ nelius, secretary.

Dallas Township Farm Bureau was organized March 29, 1921, with An¬ drew Wintrone, president; Will T. Owens, vice-president; and Ole G. Wall, sec¬ retary-treasurer.

Sumner Township Farm Bureau was organized March 31, 1921, with L. A. Block, president; Chas. M. Sykes, vice-president; and Albert Halvorson, secre¬ tary-treasurer.

Arland Farm Bureau, organized July 28, 1921, with Fred Ostercamp, pres¬ ident; Sever Severson, vice-president; and Sever Anderson, secretary.

Almena Farm Bureau was organized September 24, 1921, and N. P. Becker was elected president; August Lemke, vice-president; and James Beecroft, sec¬ retary.

Rice Lake Township Farm Bureau, organized November 7, 1921, and C. H. Walters was elected president; Frank B. Thomas, vice-president; and R. P. Hall, secretary.

Maple Plain Township Farm Bureau, organized August 5, 1921, with Henry Peterson, president; P. E. Morey, vice-president; and K. F. Heinecke, secretarytreasurer.

The Barron County Agricultural Society was organized at Barron, on June 15, 1877. The first officers were: President, W. W. Flinn; first vice-pres¬ ident, John Quaderer; second vice-president, D. C. Strong; secretary, Fred Telke; treasurer, E. C. Coleman. The first fair was held at Barron on Sept. 25 and 26, 1877. The total receipts of the first fair were $103.75, the disburse¬ ments, $49.45. Of this amount, $24 was paid in premiums on a total of thir¬ teen entries, which included one stallion, one draft team, one pair of oxen, sev¬ eral hogs and a number of entries of vegetables, potatoes, grain and apples. In 1879 the Society purchased a small tract of land at Barron for fair grounds, but in 1887 sold it for $110. The fair was held at Barron three years, 1877, 1879 and 1880. It was held at Sumner one year, 1878. For eighteen years, 1881 to 1898, it was held at Chetek.

In 1899 the fair was moved to Rice Lake and located on a forty-acre tract of land leased from W. P. Burrows of Madison, Wis. In 1911 the Society pur¬ chased and now owns the grounds. The fair grounds are desirably located in the city limits, bordering on the lake, has electric lights, water and sewer con¬ nections. The tourists' free camp site is also located on a part of the grounds, where a fine grove of pine trees makes an ideal camping ground. In keeping with the progress made by the agricultural development of the county, the fair has advanced from year to year and is now ranked as one of the leading county fairs of Northern Wisconsin. At the 1921 fair, over 200 head of pure-bred cat¬ tle were entered from Barron and adjoining counties and a correspondingly large number of entries in the other departments.

The Society is well equipped with buildings for exhibition purposes but the attendance has increased so much that a new and enlarged grandstand is now needed to accommodate the patrons of the fair.

The Oak Grove Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Co. was organized April 18, 1891. The first officers were: President, Joseph Pecore; secretary, F. C. Donnelly; treasurer, C. L. Brekken. The first directors were: C. S. Garrett, Cumberland; K. F. Houghtaling, Clinton; Otto Thingvold, Maple Grove; F. C. Donnelly, Oak Grove; G. A. Eggleston, Dallas; A. Gulickson, Stanley; Charles Sletten, Chetek; W. R. Stevens, Barron; E. A. Finley, Dallas. Of the first board of directors, there are now two living in Barron County, G. A. Eggleston and A. Gulickson, the last named of whom is the present secretary.

The company organized with a subscribed capital stock of about $60,000 and at the end of the year, after about nine months had passed, the amount of insurance had reached a little over $200,000. The business has steadily in¬ creased. The increase in 1920 was more than $2,600,000. Dec. 31, 1921, there were about 4,000 policyholders, and the amount of insurance in force was about $13,000,000.

The company's business is confined to Barron County, and is conducted by a board of directors, three of whom are elected at each annual meeting for a term of three years. The officers are, president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer, elected by the board of directors for a term of one year.

The present officers are: President, Frank N. Roemhild, Prairie Farm; vice-president, Robert Reese, Cameron; secretary, A. Gulickson, Cameron; treasurer, J. A. Cornwall, Turtle Lake. The directors, in addition to these, are:

Editors' Note: The editors are greatly indebted to Prof. Lellen S. Cheney, of Barron, formerly county superintendent of schools, and founder of the Bar¬ ron High School, for assistance in compiling this chapter. Portions of it were written by him, and he also furnished information for portions which he did not write. Officials of various farm organizations, and many leading farmers and dairymen have likewise been most generous in furnishing information.