Barron County, Wisconsin - Chapter 26: Haugen Village, 1922

Haugen is an incorporated vilage with a population of about 430, in the upper part of Section 18, Oak Grove Township, and is on the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis A Omaha railway. The surrounding country is rolling and is dotted with many fine farms. About a mile to the northwest, in

Bear Lake Township, is the beautiful sheet of water known as Bear Lake, having a length of several miles, on the shores of which are several well patronized summer resorts. Its outlet is Bear Creek, which takes an irregular southerly direction through Oak Grove and Rice Lake Town- ships. touching the northeast corner ot Hau¬ gen and Anally emptying into Rice Lake. To the northeast of the Tillage, distant a mile or more, is Devil's Lake, a part of which lies in Oak Grove Township and part in Washburn County.

The village of Haugen was platted March 26, 1895. The owner was Karl Rosholt of Eau Claire, an agent for Knapp, Stout & Co. Charles A. Alderman was the surveyor. As deAnitely described, the site covers the northeast half of the northwest quarter, and the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 18, Township 36 North, Range 11 West The land on which the village stands, and that in the vicinity, was taken up mainly by Bohemians, who, after the timber had been removed, began the development of farms, most of which are now well improved and in a high state of cultivation. Though people of other na¬ tionalities subsequently came in, the neigh¬ borhood is still largely Bohemian, and a few of the early settlers are still living in the village or on farms in the vicinity.

Haugen became an Incorporated village in 1918. A petition signed by John Macak, Frank Babcock, Rudolph Sykora, Joseph Konop, John J. Vinopal, Ignac Sedy, Simon Hynek, Frank R. Kozlik, Charles V. Borkovek, Michael Phelan, Albert J. Olson and Jerry Fenel was favorably acted upon by the court on March 9, that year, and at the election held three weeks later, on April 1, 35 of the 44 votes cast were favorable to the proposition, and the incorporation ac¬ cordingly became effective on that day. The Arst village officers elected were as fol¬ lows: President, John J. Vinopal; trustees, Rudolph Sykora, Jas. Kin, Ant Brunclik, Simon Hynek, Charles V. Brockovek, Eld Beischneider; clerk, John Macak; treasurer, Jos. Vinopal; assessor. Eld Stodola.

The Arst store in Haugen was opened by James Smith, who also performed the du¬ ties of postmaster. After a while he sold out to George Kunesh, who then took charge of the postofflce. A man named Smith also started a blacksmith shop. In the summer of 1921 the Haugen postofAce was raised to an office of the third class. The present postmaster is Charles E. Juza, who succeeded George Kunesh on Jan. 4, 1915.

The bnilding of the Omaha railroad, which was completed through the village in the spring of 1883, brought the settlement Into close touch with the outside world and it began to grow. For some time it was only a Aag station but after a while became a regular stopping place for local trains. Retired farmers and others moved in and social organizations were formed both secular and religious.

The religious sentiment of a considerable part of the Bohemian population, follow¬ ing old-time traditions, found expression in the establishment of a Roman Catholic Church, now known as Holy Trinity Church. For some years during the early period services were held at the home of Joseph Vinopal. Previous to the year 1893 these services were conducted by mission priests and after that for some years by Rev. Xavier Till. His successor was the Rev. Ad. Miller, who served the mission in 1899 and 1900. The Rev. J. F. Bromllar came in 1901, and under his pastorate a frame church ediAce was erected in the northwest part of the village, which forms a part of the present building, an addition having been made in 1916. The original structure cost about $2,000, and the Arst mass in the -new church was held by E'ather J. E. Prucha, whose pastorate lasted from 1901 to 1903. After him came the Rev. Anthony Bilik, 1904-06; Rev. J. Smith, 1906; Rev. Joseph Hovorka, 1906; Rev. E. Kostorz, 1907-08; Rev. Tom Malecki, 1908-09; Rev. Ad. Novicki, 1909-1910; Rev. Joseph Olesh, 1910; Rev. Ad. Novicki (second pastorate), 1911; Rev. Van Helden, 1911; Rev. John Gratza. 1911-12; Rev. Joseph M. Hynek, 1912; Rev. FYank Kopecky (two months), 1913-14; Rev. Thaddeus Novacki, 1914; Rev. Adalbert Janda, O. S. B., (the Arst resident priest), 1914, and Rev. Damian Kvitek, O. S. B., the present pastor, in July, 1915. Under the pastorate of E'ather Hunek a private residence near the church was pur¬ chased for $2,460 and has since been the pastoral residence and parish house. The addition to the church in 1916, during the present pastorate, cost about $2,000. Plans are now being considered for a new and larger building to serve the purposes of both church and parochial school, the old church building to be used as a hall for parish meetings. E'ormerly the mission at Sarona was served from this parish. The altar and furnishings of this church, in¬ cluding the pews, pictures and statues, were to a large extent donated by members of the congregation, extra expenses being met by collections. The Catholic cemetery, sit¬ uated about a quarter of a mile from the church, was laid out by Rev. E'ather Till at the time the church was regularly or¬ ganized. The ground for both the church ediAce and the cemetery was donated by Karl Rosholt. Among the earliest members of this church were Joseph Vinopal, Emma Haveka, Joseph Hajek, Anton TlutistJ, Jo¬ seph Pekar, Anton Cerni, Bohumll Stodola, Tom Kaska, George Konop, Joe Kovar, Jim Harnak, Joe Vojta, Joe Kadlec, Peter Drabek, Tom Lastofka, Matt Zajec, Joe Sturza, Frank Haneo, Anton Dostal, Matt Douda and Charles Juza.

Not all the Bohemians who settled in or near Haugen were members of the Cath¬ olic Church, as there were a number of free thinkers among them, who at an early date established a Bohemian Free Thinkers' organization, which has lasted up to the present time, but has now only about Afteen members. Their meeting place is in the country, about three miles southwest of Haugen.

In 1900 the Bohemians organized a so¬ ciety known as the Western Bohemian Brotherhood Association and built a large hall in the village opposite the schoolhouse. This society is strong and Aourishing and has now a hundred or more members.

There are also lodges in the Tillage of the Catholic Order of Foresters and the Modern Woodmen of America. About six years ago a Commercial Club was organized and is still active. It has taken an important part in the promotion of local Interests.

The water supply of the village is derived from wells, the water being of good qual¬ ity. Electric light is furnished by the Wisconsin-Minnesota Light & Power Co. Street grading was undertaken and carried out during the summers of 1920 and 1921.

The beautiful scenery on Bear Lake, with the fine fishing and boating facilities at¬ tract many summer visitors and have given rise to several well established resorts, each with its hotel.

The business activities of Haugen now Include a bank, box factory, lumber yard, cheese factory, Farmers' Produce ware¬ house, potato warehouse, four general stores, a flour and feed store, drug store, two billiard halls, a meat market, restau¬ rant, hardware store, garage and barber shop.

The Haugen State Bank was organized Dec. 22, 1914, with a capital of $10,000. The first officers were: O. O. Kinney, president; John Macak, vice president; W. H. Ryan, cashier. The bank has since enjoyed a very substantial growth. On Dec. 31, 1916, one year after it had started in business, its resources wdre given as $48,109.42. On Dec. 31, 1916, they were f69.068.60, and by Dec. 31, 1917, they had Jumped to $142,- 062.32, more than double what they had been a year before. On Dec. 31, 1918, they were $154,803.04, and by another year, Dec. 31, 1919, they had Jumped to $264,104.38, a record which showed that the institution fully enjoyed the confidence of the public. A good modern bank building was erected when building material and labor did not reach the high mark of the present time, and those who organized the bank had an eye for the future and built a structure that would not soon become out of date, the material used being brick and Colfax stone. The interior is finished in the high¬ est grade lumber and fixtures, and is equipped with a modern burglar proof Diabolt safe. As business increased it was found necessary to Install a new Burroughs adding and posting machine. This modern system of bookkeeping enables the bank to give any customer his daily balance within a few minutes and adds to the efficiency of the Institution. Courtesy and service, also, have been important factors in its growth. All rural problems have had its support, as well as all civic and community needs. In 1920 the bank's capital was in¬ creased to $16,000. At the close of business Sept. 6, 1921, the bank's report of condi¬ tion showed a surplus fund of $6,000 and total resources of $216,404.62. The officers were: Tom O. Mason, president; John Ma¬ cak, vice president; W. H. Ryan, cashier, and Nina C. Bates, assistant cashier. The directors were Tom O. Mason, W. H. Ryan, John Macak, O. C. Kinney and W. R. ZabeL

The Farmers Produce Co. was estab¬ lished about Sept. 1, 1921, by H. G. Nich¬ olson and A. A. Bergeron, the present man¬ ager being J. H. Mitchell. The concern buys hay, grain and potatoes from the farmers, having a good warehouse close to the railroad track. In the Immediate vicin¬ ity is a potato warehouse operated during the season by T. A. Penny of Rice Lake.

The Bear Lake Cheese Factory is an Im¬ portant concern owned and operated by Jacob Muller, who in the summer of 1918 built the present plant, which is well equipped and up to date.

A Box Factory was established in Hau¬ gen three years ago by Ernest L. Bru¬ nette and proved successful. In May, 1921. Mr. Brunette co-operated with James S. Lee and O. H. Ingram, both of Rice Lake, in the construction and equipment of a new fac¬ tory that should be thoroughly up to date and provided with the most modern ma¬ chinery. This factory is expected to begin operations Feb. 1, 1922. The president and treasurer of the company is Orrin H. Ingram, the vice president Ernest L. Bru¬ nette, and the secretary James S. Dee. The style of the concern is The Haugen Box and Crating Co.

The Haugen Lumber Co. was started in 1916 by A. J. Olson, who operated it alone until February, 1919, when he became as¬ sociated in partnership with the Chetek Lumber ft Supply Co., since which time additions have been made to the plant, a neat office building erected and the capac¬ ity of the concern doubled. Mr. Olson is now manager. The concern handles all kinds of lumber, cement and general build¬ ing materials.

Prior to the year 1906 public school was held in a two-room frame building; then, when It became Inadequate, the present building was erected. It is a substantial brick structure of two stories and basement and contains four rooms. It was con¬ structed in the summer of 1906. The school includes all the grades and is accredited as a two-year high school. Four teachers are employed, one of whom Is principal. In November, 1921, the enrollment showed the names of about 130 pupils of whom four¬ teen were in the high school.