Barron County, Wisconsin - Chapter 25: Prairie Farm Village, 1922

Prairie Farm, the oldest settlement in Barron County, and the most important of Its inland villages, is beautifully located in Section 28, Prairie Farm Township. Above it, against the western sky, towers a great bluff, some 200 feet in height, at the foot of which the picturesque Hay River, ob¬ structed by a dam, widens into a pretty artificial lake. At the north and west are rolling hills, while to the southward stretches an ever widening prairie into Dunn County.

The three churches point their spires toward the heavens above the roofs of the substantial residences, the principal store, set amid a park, is the finest in this part of the state, artistic in design and con¬ struction, a sightly state bank looks after the financial interests of the vicinity, and the principal streets have some excellent stores and other business houses.

At the dam is a saw mill, grist mill, lath and cheese box factory, electric light and power plant and lumber yard. The village also has an excellent creamery. A Com¬ munity club and other Farmers' organiza¬ tions flourish here, and the place is a real community center.

The village is Incorporated, and the im¬ provements consist of a fire department, electric light service and a pretty park. The school, set in ample grounds, improved with recreational apparatus, covers nine grades of study. A soldier's monument testifies to the patriotism of the people. The annual Memorial Day celebrations have become a feature widely known throughout this part of the state, and more recently the Armistice Day celebrations are also assuming considerable Importance.

The early history of Prairie Farm is in¬ separably interwoven with the history of the Knapp, Stout ft Co. operations in Bar¬ ron County. For many years it was the

Captain William Wilson selected the site in 1847, as has already been related. Lum¬ bering operations were started here in 1848, and with this place as headquarters camps were gradually established along the Hay River and its tributaries.

With this beginning the place gradually developed, and in time many other camps were established in the region tributary, the activities all centering at Prairie Farm, where the headquarters were maintained and supplies kept. At the farm the mules were stabled, and hay, oats, potatoes, other vegetables and a little grain raised for the camps.

After a while, Prairie Farm took on the appearance of a typical lumber camp. Up and down the north and south street, upon which the churches are now located, was a fence. The present schoolhouse square was a horse pasture. The square where the big store is now located was occupied by the barns, two granaries, a double corn crib, machine shed and straw shed. South¬ east of this were the mule and cattle barns, the sleeping quarters, and the farm house, with the blacksmith shop nearer the river.

Isaac Sprague came to Prairie Farm in 1862 to take charge of the Knapp-Stout in¬ terests. His wife came with him and was the camp cook. Indians still ranged the wilds, and at times Mrs. Sprague needed a guard to keep away the pilfering sav¬ ages while she cooked. It is said that on one occasion a sheaf of grain was har¬ vested, threshed, ground and made into bread and served by Mrs. Sprague all in one day.

In 1866, Knapp, Stout ft Co. opened a store, and placed Mr. Sprague in charge. * The building is still standing south of the Big Store and is used as the Holland lum- ber office. Private mail was brought to the camp and distributed, and in time a reg¬ ular postofflce was established, probably at the time the store was opened. Under Mr. Sprague's management the present dam, several times since partially washed away, was established in 1863, and a sawmill and gristmill put up. In time the company built seven frame houses, five in the lot where the George E. Scott home is now located, and two just south of that lot.

In 1875 Mr. Sprague severed his connec¬ tion with the lumber company, and started a store and hotel of his own. He contin¬ ued to be the postmaster. His place was located on the present site of the Sprague Hotel, across the street to the north from the First State Bank. It was burned in 1899 and replaced by the present structure. In time Mr. Sprague gave up the store but continued the hotel for some years.

The farm had various managers, among the best known being C. P. Hepburn, Sr., Henry H. Clough and William L. Sprague. Augustus L. Best bought the farming in¬ terests in 1892. A portion of it, together with the farm house, still remains in the family.

George E. Scott came to Prairie Farm in 1883 and took charge of the Knapp-Stout interests. With the coming of Mr. and Mrs. Scott the hamlet took on new life, in a business, social and educational way; as both were active leaders in public affairs. In 1891 Mr. Scott bought the Knapp-Stout store and other interests here. In 1901 he erected the Big Store, which will ever re¬ main as his monument. This edifice with its massive arches, ltB architectural de¬ sign, and its many other beauties, has the appearance of a beautiful library rather than of a village store. The building is three stories, 80 by 100 feet, solid brick, trimmed with Dunville stone, heated by steam, brilliantly illuminated by a gasoline gas plant and is supplied with hot and cold water. The interior Is a model in design, being finished in birch throughout. It is provided with all modern fixtures, and well lighted from large windows. There is a ladies' waiting room and many other con¬ veniences, and the private offices are beau¬ tifully finished and furnished.

Mr. Scott opened his store in 1902, the first bill of goods being sold on Feb. 22, 1902, to Mrs. Scott, by C. P. Hepburn, the head clerk. Goods at that time were hauled in from Wheeler and Barron. The Farmers Store Co. of Bloomer bought the store from the Scott estate on Oct. 1. 1917. The manager 1b A. M. Ingebrigtsen, and the head clerk is still C. P. Hepburn.

In 1883, the year that Mr. Scott arrived, a flood swept through the valley, and car¬ ried away the mill and a part of the dam. Another gristmill and sawmill were put up and the dam repaired. This in turn was swept away by a flood. In 1893 the Prairie Farm Milling Co. was organized, took over the mill, and converted it into a roller mill. Jacob P. Hoffman, who had been miller since 1877, was the president, F. F. Tibbetts was the vice president, and George E. Scott was secretary and treasurer. Mr. Scott later acquired all the Interests. The roller mill was washed away and a buck¬ wheat and oatmeal mill built. When this, too, went out in a flood, a feed mill was put up. This was burned and another erected. To the present mill, Mr. Scott and associates added the electric light plant. J. A Holland, who succeeded the Scott estate, has added a lath and cheese box factory.

The first house built in the village by a private individual was that of Engebret Tollefson, who came here in 1878, con¬ ducted a blacksmith shop for Knapp, Stout & Co., and later opened one for himself. He is still in business here. The next pri¬ vate houses were those built by Jacob E. Hoffman, Magnus Larson, Dan D. Harmony and Noah S. Harmony.

The third and fourth and fifth stores were operated by Jacob P. Hoffman, the Christianson firm and Magnus Larson. Mr. Hoffman closed out his business when his store was burned in 1910. Mr. Larson closed his store in 1921. The Christiansen store was operated by Charles Christian¬ sen ana his cousin, Conrad Christiansen. It was succeeded by the firm of Lien & Telgen, consisting of A. O. Lien and Hans O. Telgen. This firm was succeeded by the Farmers Store Co., of Bloomer, now the owners of the Big Store. The building was bought in 1917 by the Prairie Farm Co¬ operative Association, which opened for business In the fall.

The Prairie Farm Co-operative Associa¬ tion was organized July 30, 1917. The first officers were: President, Otto D. Kahl; vice president, Swen Anderson; secretary, Chris Iverson; treasurer, William Rassbach. These and J. A. Nelson constituted the first board of directors. A. B. Carman, the first manager, is still serving.

The village has had a gradual growth. It may be said to have developed from a camp to a hamlet, when the plat was laid out Dec. 21, 1883. About this time the people in the surrounding country began to take up agriculture as a more important industry, and a trading place was needed. There has been a gradual growth until about the close of the World War, since which time there has been a rapid development in the population, some forty farmers in the neigh¬ borhood having retired and taken up their homes in the village.

The postofflce, as already related, had its beginning with the distribution - of mail brought from the Knapp-Stout office at Menomonie for its employes. When the store was opened in 1866, Isaac Sprague was made the regular postmaster. He moved it to his new store in 1875 and continued as postmaster until 1889. He was followed by John Richardson, who moved It west across the street. Mr. Richardson, waB succeeded by Dan. D. Harmony, who moved k to a building north of the Big Store and Just east of the present location. F. S. Wood¬ ard took office July 1, 1903, and served

Prairie Farm was Incorporated as a vil¬ lage in 1900. The petition presented to the district court on Oct 9, 1900, was signed by Isaac Sprague, Charles Christianson, George E. Scott A. L. Best Magnus Lar¬ son, Olaf Behrens, Jacob Hoffman, S. W. Campbell, J. P. Hepburn, J. B. Mann, D. D. Harmony. Noah S. Harmony, A. O. Lien; Charles P. Hepburn, L. Hoyass, E. Tollefson, Allen Maine and Louis L. Lindemer. The judge acted favorably upon the petition and ordered an election on the question. The inspectors of election, George E Scott. L. J. Breen and J. M. Rassbach, reported that the citizens of the proposed villages acted favorably on the question of incor¬ porating, 33 votes being in the affirmative and 19 in the negative. The first election of officers was held in the G. A. R. Hall, Nov. 12, 1900. The first officers were: President, Isaac Sprague; trustees, S. W. Campbell, D. D. Harmony, Ira Sincerbeaux, A. L. Post, Charles Christenson, and Allen Maine; clerk, Charles Christenson; treas¬ urer, Magnus Larson, supervisor, G. E. Scott; assessor, Jacob Hoffman; constable, S. G. Bishop; justice of the peace, Ira Sin¬ cerbeaux and William Hagar; police justice, A. O. Lien, L. Hoyass served as trustee in place of Charles Christenson. William Downs was appointed first street commis¬ sioner. In the division of property be¬ tween the town and village, the "new vil¬ lage received among other things, the con¬ trol of the cemetery.

The present officers are: President, A. M. Ingebrigtsen ; trustees, H. Rogers, G. N. Brick. Peter Holland, Herman Anderson and John Miller, Sr.; clerk, L. B. Thomp¬ son; treasurer, Magnus Larson; supervisor, John Rassbach; assessor, Peter Christen¬ son.

The village has a pretty park, a nar¬ row strip of land along the east bank of the river, a little north of the schoolhouse. It contains some fine pine trees and can be developed Into a beauty spot.

Lights are furnished by the power plant in the Scott mill. The Prairie Farm Elec¬ tric Co. was organized in 1914, and later was purchased by the Scott estate.

A small school was taught in one of tbe Knapp-Stout log buildings in the early days. Later the children in the vicinity went to school in the present Kellogg district, north¬ east of town. The first regular school In the village was located between tbe Meth¬ odist Episcopal and the Akers Churches, now remodeled and occupied by C. P. Hep¬ burn. After some years the south half of the present building was erected. Later the capacity was doubled, making a school of four rooms of which three are now used, covering nine grades. The school grounds are ample and provided with suitable play¬ ground apparatus. The schoolhouse is used

The first school in District No. 1, which now has a sightly two-room brick schoolhouse east of the village, was held in a pri¬ vate house on Section 33, Township 32, Range 13, south of Prairie Farm Village in 1867, with Maggie Smittle as teacher. The next year, 1868, the sturdy pioneers erected a log schoolhouse on Section 26, Township 32, Range 13, east of the village. This was used until 1876, when a new frame schoolhouse, 26 by 36 feet was erected on the same site. In 1910 the present brick schoolhouse was erected, and tbe school organized as a State Graded school. At the present time it is doing most excel¬ lent work, and accommodates from 75 to 80 pupils. Many of the pupils are descendants of the sturdy pioneers who settled this township, and who helped to establish the school. Among the teachers in the early days were George Roemhlld, D. T. Boardman, ^loseman Kellogg and S. R. Finley, all of whom were prominent in the early *nn*i« of the county. In the early days the length of the school year was usually not more than five months, because funds for holding it longer were lacking. There were only a few pupils. But the fires of patriotism and parental love burned brightly in tbe hearts of the pioneers, and they earnestly desired that their boys and girls grow to become good and useful citizens.

There are three churches in the village: the Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church, for which the corner stone was laid in 1892; the Akers Norwegian Evangelical Church, for which the corner stone was laid in 1887; and the Salem Norwegian Lutheran Church for which the corner stone was laid in 1894. These churches are all pleasantly located on one street, only a short distance from each other.

The Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church of Prairie Farm was organized in 1876. At that time the circuit included a large area. The circuit now takes in Prairie Farm, Hillsdale and Dallas. Ridgeland having recently been dropped. Tbe church edifice was erected in 1892.

The Sunday school has been in contin¬ uous operation since 1883. Previous to that attempts had been made, only to be abandoned after a few weeks* trial. When Mr. and Mrs. George Scott came here, they met for five consecutive Sundays with Mrs. C. P. Hepburn before a single scholar ap¬ peared. Then the school began to grow. Mr. Scott was the first superintendent and Mrs. Scott the first Bible teacher.

The Ladles' Aid Society was organized at the Scott residence in October, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Scott, Mrs. E E. Campbell and Mrs. G. E Wing have been active in its up¬ building. There is also a flourishing Wom¬ an's Foreign Missionary Society.

The First State Bank of Prairie Farm is a sound financial Institution. George E Scott, merchant for many years, accommo¬ dated his patrons and friends by ac¬ cepting deposits, issuing drafts and tbe like, but did not have a regularly estabby Google lished banking institution. The First State Bank was organized March 18, 1908, the di¬ rectors being: George E. Scott (president), F. J. McLean (vice president), J. P. Mc¬ Lean, Thomas W. Bo rum and George R. Bo rum. The charter was granted March 18, 1908, and the bank opened tor business on that day in the building just across the street, west of the present institution. Homer C. Baer was the cashier and J. H. Coe the assistant. In a few weeks busi¬ ness was removed to the present adequate and sightly banking house.

Jan. 25, 1908, Mr. Baer, the cashier, be¬ came a director in place ot F. J. McLean, and Thomas W. Borum became vice presi¬ dent. In 1909, J. De Wilde succeeded Mr. Baer as cashier and director. In 1916 Mrs. George E. Scott succeeded her husband as director, and George R. Borum became president. In 1918 J. P. McLean, Mrs. George E. Scott and J. De Wilde retired as directors and their places were taken by Oscar Wilson, Jerome H. Coe and C. J. Borum. Clarance W. Mau, who had been assistant since Aug. 6, 1917, was made cashier, and In 1919 he was made a direc¬ tor in place of Jerome H. Coe. L. B. Thompson, the present assistant cashier, took office on Jan. 1, 1918. Mary Locke and Willard F. Mau are the accountants. Miss Locke having started work July 21, 1919, and Mr. Mau on May 1, 1921.

The Prairie Farm Milling Co., which con¬ ducts a good business at Prairie Farm Vil¬ lage, dates back over half a century to the early mill started by Knapp, Stout ft Co., in connection with their lumbering opera¬ tions. In 1893 it was incorporated by Jacob P. Hoffman, F. F. Tibbetts, George E. Scott and others, and gradually Mr. Scott ac¬ quired all the stock. James A. Helland is the president and manager, and his wife, Eula 8cott Helland, is the secretary and treasurer. The original stock of $10,000 is retained, and the company has a surplus of $15,000 The building, 40 by 60 feet, two stories and a basement, is on the Hay River at the foot of River street. The milling plant on the first floor uses an attrition system, operated by water power. Custom feed grinding is done for the farmers for miles around. The manufacturing plant for wood working is in the rear of the milling plant. Special machinery is used for the manufacture of cheese boxes and furniture material, most of which is shipped to the Twin Cities, Minnesota. Some 500 cords of bolts are required annually to furnish the plant with raw material.

The Prairie Farm Creamery Co. was or¬ ganized Oct. 10, 1892, the first directors being H. H. Clough, Jacob Hoffman, Henry Wiseman, F. N. Roemhfld and Ole Ruid. Previous to this there had been a cheese factory in the village. The present well equipped creamery building, at the north apex of the village, was erected in 1911. The product is excellent and a number of notable prizes have been awarded its butter.

Magnus Larson, secretary since the be¬ ginning of 1921, and treasurer since 1897, has paid out more than $1,423,011.26 during his term of office as treasurer, and this in spite ot the fact that the creamery has found strong competition in neighboring cheese factories.

The Prairie Farm, Ridgeland ft Dallas Co-operative Telephone Co. was organized Sept. 15. 1906, and started business a month later. The organizers were C. S. Johnson, J. M. Rassbach, Sever O. Moen, A. L. Best, Arndt O. Lien, Fred Kahl and C. H. Roemhild. The names of the directors to whom the incorporation papers were Issued are: Peter Christenson, A. L. Best, Andrew O. Lien, Arndt O. Lien and S. O. Pribble. The first officers elected in January, 1907 were: President, H. H. Clough; secretary, treas¬ urer and manager, Andrew O. Lien; vice president, Fred Kahl; directors, S. O. Prib¬ ble, Ole H. Mickelson and John M. Rass¬ bach. Mr. Lien was succeeded as secre¬ tary and treasurer in 1908 by F. S. Wood¬ ard, who was followed in 1910 by Magnus Larson. The present officers are: Presi¬ dent and manager, F. N. Roemhild. Prairie Farm; vice president, J. M. Rassbach, Prairie Farm ; secretary and treasurer, Magnus Larson, Prairie Farm; directors. Charles Dean, Colfax; Sam Hoveland, Sand Creek; Frank Nicklow, Dallas; William Rassbach, Prairie Farm.

The first telephone service in Prairie Farm was a toll station established in the postofflce under Dan. D. Havmony, by the Barron County Telephone Co., and con¬ nected with the central at Barron. When the local company was organized the cen¬ tral office was established over the post¬ offlce of F. S. Woodard. Later the company moved to its present building. The ex¬ change is on the upper floor, and the lower floor, formerly the Breeze newspaper office, is now used for supplies and equipment.

In addition to the Prairie Farm exchange there is one at Ridgeland and one at Sand Creek. The Prairie Farm Exchange at the close of 1920 had 390 phones, the Sand Creek exchange, 288 phones, and the Ridge¬ land exchange, 176 phones, making a total of 804 subscribers. Of the subscribers, 474 are shareholders, and 330 non shareholders. The company has 291% miles of poles and 652% miles of wire.

lum Post, No. 259, American Legion and its auxiliary. The Sons of Veterans are well represented but are not organized. The Memorial Day Association is in a flourish¬ ing condition. The fraternal organizations are the Maccabees, the Woodmen, the Royal Neighbors and the Beavers.

The August Roemhild Post, No. 237, Q. A. R., has erected a monument, commemo¬ rating the Prairie Farm heroes of the Civil War. The names Inscribed on the monu¬ ment are: Dan. D. Harmony, G. Wing, I. Harmon, Noah S. Harmony, C. Quaderer, L. Wert, J. C. Rassbach, A. Baardson, J. P. Hepburn, S. W. Campbell, J. A. Long, I. George, A. Miller, F. Miller, I. Sencerbeaux, August Roemhild, D. H. West, T. West, S. C. Miles, S. T. Best, C. J. Phillips, G. Beiswanger, J. B. Mann, T. Blair, P. C. McCall, Ole Swanson, William Hager, J. R. Cummings, E. R. Cummings and W. Miller.

The Elmer G. Holum Post, No. 259, American Legion, held its first meeting 8ept. 2, 1920. The first officers were: Post commander, Martin Larson; vice com¬ mander, Howard Buck; adjutant, Herman Anderson; finance officer, Melvin Ander¬ son; historian, Claire Richards; master of arms, Otto Anderson; chaplain, Irvin Spitzor. The organization is a flourishing one and is taking its part in the patriotic life of the village and in the various pub¬ lic celebrations. Club rooms have been fitted up, which are soon to be enlarged.

The Woman's Auxiliary of the American Legion was organized April 5, 1921. The first officers were: President, Alma Ander¬ son; vice president, Mrs. C. W. Mau; sec¬ retary, Geneva Best; treasurer, Mrs. Albert Larson. The executive committee consists of Mrs. A. M. Ingebrigtson, Mrs. John Neck and Mrs. Ole Huseby.

Elmer G. Holum, from whom the Post was named, was inducted into the United States service July 23, 1918, and left Baryon with the largest group of draftees ever sent from the county. He served in France with Co. A, 311th Infantry, and was killed Oct. 19, 1918, less than three months . after he left Prairie Farm. While his com¬ pany was advancing near Ferme des Loges, northeast of Grand Pre, he was struck in the stomach by machine gun bullets, death being almost instantaneous. He was burled on the north side of the road between Grand Pre and St. Juvin, France, about 1,000 yards northeast of Grand Pre.

charter officers wefre: Past Sir Knight Commander: J. W. Howard; Sir Knight Commander, E. B. Jackson; Sir Knight Lieutenant Commander, Swen Anderson; Sir Knight Record Keeper, Charles Chris¬ tenson; Sir Knight Finance Keeper, Con¬ rad Christianson; Sir Knight Chaplain, Thomas P. Forehand; Sir Knight Sergeant, F. C. Richardson; Sir Knight Physician, E. B. Jackson; Sir Knight Master at Arms, J. O. Kurschner; Sir Knight First Master of the Guard, S. M. Swanson; Sir Knight Second Master of the Guard, Fred Nelson; Sir Knight Sentinel, Peter Christenson; Sir Knight Picket, O. J. Johnson. The first meetings were held in the old Sprague Hall in the Sprague grove in the outermost northern portion of the town and from then the meetings were held in the second story of the Wing building, known as Wing's Hall.

The Community Club is one of the active factors in the modern progress of Prairie Farm and vicinity. It was organized Jan. 28, 1921, the first officers being: President, John Rassbach; vice president, Otto Kahl; secretary, Arthur Stromstad; treasurer, C. H. Roemhild. The present officers are: President, Leonard Llndemer; vice presi¬ dent, P. A. Martin; secretary, Christ Iver¬ son; treasurer, C. H. Roemhild. Several picnics and social gatherings have been held, a community fair was conducted in September, 1921, a poultry culling demon¬ stration has been given, a cow testing as¬ sociation has been organized, lime and seed grains have been ordered and distributed, several resolutions have been passed look¬ ing to the still further development of the dairy industry, and a number of distin¬ guished speakers have been brought here.