Clark County, Wisconsin - Biographical sketches, 1918 (part 7 of 18)

Carl C. Berg

United States with his brother Henry, locating first at Black River Falls, where he arrived Sept. 4, 1871. There he went to live with his brother John, who was a carpenter, and from that time on for fifteen years he worked in the woods in winter and on the drive in the spring, returning to Black River Falls during the intervals. There, on Nov. 29, 1876, he was united in marriage with Amelia Anderson, who was born in Norway, Dec. 18, 1856, and who came to this country with her parents in 1873. Her father was Arndt Anderson, a settler at Blair, Wis., and bought a farm in Trempealeau County, where Amelia grew to womanhood. In 1877, the year after his marriage, Carl C. Berg bought forty acres of wild land in section 31, Fremont Township, on which he built a log house and barn, into the former of which he and his wife moved. Here he started the work of improvement, making good progress. In 1882 he bought forty acres more, which was a tract adjoining, in section 31, and this also he cleared. Then in 1906 he bought a tract of eighty acres, also adjoining the property he had, and in 1914, added twenty-five acres more to his farm, increasing its size to 185 acres, at which it stands at present. Among the buildings he has erected on his place are a commodious residence of eighteen rooms and a barn, 40 by 60 feet. His family numbers eight children, of whom the following is a brief record: Loty, now Mrs. Calvin R. Davis, of Greenwood; Alva, wife of Chas. Fenske, a farmer of Clark County; Arthur, residing at home; Hugh, formerly in the banking business, but now engaged in the automobile business at Granton; Nettie, wife of Harold Hiles, of York township; Price, Pearl and Vernon, residing at home. Mr. Berg has served as chairman of the Fremont Township board as assessor for fifteen years. He is a man of influence in the community, in the progress and development of which he takes a keen interest,

William Wagner, who is engaged in agriculture in section 4, Lynn Township, where he has a good farm of 120 acres, was born in Calumet County, Wis., April 28, 1880. His father, Adam Wagner, was born in Saxony, Germany, Jan. 2, 1849. When about 4 years old Adam accompanied his parents, with two brothers and four sisters, to the United States, the father buying 120 acres of wild land in Calumet County, Wis. There Adam grew to manhood, residing at home until he was 26 years old. He was then married, in October, 1875, to Sofia Oldenburg, and he and his wife took up their residence on 150 acres of land adjoining the home farm. There two sons were born and reared: John, who is still on the home farm, and William. William Wagner spent the first twenty-two years of his life on his parents' homestead. He then bought 120 acres of land in section 4, Lynn Township, and at the same time, or on March 18, 1902, he assumed the responsibilities of domestic life by marrying Anna Franke, daughter of Louis and Barbara (Miller) Franke, her parents being farming people of Calumet County, Wis., and the father a native of Saxony, Germany. Mr. Wagner has since greatly improved his farm, now having over eighty acres under the plow. He is president of the board of directors of the Co-operative Elevator at Chili, Wis., former secretary of the Lynn Telephone Company, and now is its treasurer; a director of the bank at Chili, and a shareholder in the Wausau Packing Company. For twelve years he served as school director and has also been chairman of the township board and a member of the side board, thus taking an active and useful part in public affairs. He and his wife are the parents of four children: Roland, Ethel, Gladys and George, all of whom reside at home.

Levy Williamson, proprietor and editor of the Neillsville Times, was born in Rochester, Ind., Dec. 28, 1878, son of William and Josephine (Olson) Williamson. The parents were natives of Norway, where they were married, coming to the United States as a young couple about 1876. The father, who was a musician in Norway, followed that profession, in connection with piano tuning, in this country, making his home in Rochester, Ind. He and his wife had two children: Ragahild, who married R. W. Hurst of Louisville, Ky., and Levy, of Neillsville, Wis. Levy Williamson acquired a good education, being graduated from the Rochester (Ind.) high school and from the Northwestern University at Evanston, IIl., where he took a special course in literary work. Thus mentally well equipped, he became assistant city editor of the Indianapolis Sentinel, which position he held until 1903, in which year he went to Athens, Wis., for three years subsequently being manager of the Athens Record. In 1906 Mr. Williamson purchased the Neillsville Times, a Republican organ, from L. B. Ring, and has since conducted the paper successfully, also identifying himself closely with local interests generally. For five years he was secretary of the Clark County Fair Association, and he has been secretary of the canning factory since its organization. He is a member of the Free Library Board of Neillsville and for two terms has satisfactorily performed the duties of city clerk. In all concerns with which he has been connected he has shown himself a man of ability and enterprise and has gained a position of influence in the community. His fraternal society affiliations are with the Blue Lodge and Chapter of the Masonic order at Neillsville, and with the local lodges of Modern Woodmen, Odd Fellows and Moose. Mr. Williamson was married, Oct. 1, 1903, to Mary Bruly, daughter of Edward and Mary Bruly, her parents being pioneer settlers of Clark County. He and his wife have one son, Louis, who was born April 9, 1905.

Peter Hotchkiss (now deceased), was one of the public spirited citizens of Fremont Township, well known and respected, a native of Wisconsin, having been born in Jackson County, June 30, 1877, son of Charles and Betsey (Peterson) Hotchkiss. Charles, the father, was born in New York, Jan. 10, 1837, and died in Clark County, Oct. 25, 1895. He was a son of Joseph and Alice Hotchkiss, the former of whom was born Feb. 16, 1810, and the latter Nov. 6, 1915. Betsey Peterson, the mother of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Norway, born Aug. 22, 1849, daughter of Peter Enerson and Mary Larson, who were farming people there, They had five children, one of whom, their daughter Betsey, came to the United States in 1874, being married to Charles Hotchkiss in Munroe County, Wis. Of this union three children were born - William H., Joseph and Peter. By a former marriage Charles had two other children, Louie and Nettie. Charles Hotchkiss, who for some time worked in the lumber woods in Jackson County, this state, subsequently took up a tract of land in section 21, Fremont Township, Clark County. The land had been partly cleared and a log cabin erected on it, and here he spent the rest of his life, engaged in developing a farm. Peter Hotchkiss was educated in the schools of Jackgon County, and when a young man went to work in the logging camps. He also worked on the home farm in Fremont Township, later becoming its owner, and raising Holstein cattle and Percheron horses. He improved the property by erecting on it a good brick house of modern style, but during his latter years he had rented the farm to a tenant. Mr. Hotchkiss was one of the organizers of the Farmers' Co-operative Elevator and Produce Company of Chili, which he served as president. He was chairman of the township board for five years, and was financially interested in the Bank of Chili, having served as a member of its board of directors. His fraternal affiliations were with the Modern Woodmen of America, and was presented with a beautiful diploma by his lodge for his faithful services as clerk, Peter Hotchkiss died Nov. 18, 1917.

Niran H. Withee. The life and record of Niran H. Withee has been one of more than usual interest, and his career was of such benefit, and wielded such a wide influence over the people of the Black River Valley, that a sketch of his career will convey some idea of his usefulness in the various walks of life. He was born in Norridgewock, Maine, June 21, 1827, the son of Zachariah and Pilly (Longly) Withee, who were also born in the Pine Tree State, the father of Irish and the mother of English extraction. Zachariah Withee was born in Norridgewock, Maine, Mar. 21, 1794, and was a leading agriculturist of the section in which he resided, He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and for services rendered the Government in that capacity he received a land warrant. Niran H. Withee was one of seven children, and was given the rudiments of an academic education. When the tide of emigration swept westward Mr. Withee embraced the opportunity then afforded of being one of the pioneers of La Crosse County, Wis., and in 1852 settled in this region, with the commercial interests of which he thoroughly identified himself, eventually becoming one of the most successful business men and extensive land owners of the county. Soon after his arrival he embarked in the lumber business and his operations in that line became so extensive that in 1870 he removed to Clark County. From 1857, however, he was closely identified with the logging interests of the Black River country in La Crosse County, and was a prominent figure in all the progressive business movements in the Black River Valley, in the lumber and flooding-dam companies, and was scarcely ever without heavy official responsibility of some kind. He did much to shape the policy and manage the affairs of Clark County, and was its treasurer from 1875 until his brother Hiram succeeded him in 1882. He represented the county for two terms in the General Assembly of the State, where his ability as an able leader was felt and acknowledged. His integrity and uprighteness of character won for him the regard of his contemporaries, and his clear, analytical and well poised mind and quick perception brought him into immediate recognition. His activity and keen business foresight led him into many important enterprises which have been of permanent benefit to the country, and his generous impulses won him numerous friends, whom he rarely lost. At Hemlock he built a grist and saw mill and cleared up a large farm, and at Longwood he built a stave and heading mill and cheese factory, the latter of which was the first built in that part of the county. He also cleared a large farm at Longwood which he called the home farm. Mr. Withee built a saw mill at La Crosse which became known as the Island Mill Lumber Co., and of which he was the head of until his death. He was also heavily interested in the Hannibal Saw Mill Co. He also had a line of tow boats on the Mississippi River. Mr. Withee was married to Mrs. Louisa (Wood) Stratton, widow of Avery Stratton, of New York, and daughter of Colonel Artemus Wood, of New Berlin, N. Y., the latter being colonel in the State Militia. To Mr. and Mrs. Withee the following children were born: Niran Haskell, William Wood, Theodore Owen, and two who died in infancy, Mr. Withee was a Republican in politics. In social life he was highly esteemed for his cordial and agreeable manners, and in the domestic circle he was a model husband and father. Mr. Withee died at his home in La Crosse, July 2, 1887, at the age of sixty years and eleven days.

N. Haskell Withee, proprietor of Popple River Farm, located one and one-half miles east of Owen, Wis., was born at La Crosse, Wis., Mar, 18, 1868, and called that his home for thirty-five years, after which moving to Minneapolis, Minn., and about five years ago he moved to the above farm which he started to improve in 1896. He was the son of Niran H. and Louisa A. (Wood) Withee. The father, for many years was one of the leading lumbermen of La Crosse and Clark County. The subject of this sketch, after attending Gale College, became associated with his father in the lumber business and was thus engaged until his father's death in 1887, when he and his brothers closed out the lumber interests of the family, after which he spent a good deal of his time for a number of years on the Pacific Coast in buying and selling of timber lands. Mr. Withee was married twice, his present wife was Regina C, Hemberson, daughter of C. L. and Serina Hemberson. Mr. Withee belongs to Lodge No. 300, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of La Crosse, also to the Hoo-Hoos, which order he joined in Portland, Oregon.

Fernando C, Wage, a well-to-do citizen of Neillsville, now retired after a successful agricultural career in this county, was born in Bradford County, Pa., April 6, 1841. He is a son of John D. Wage by the latter's second wife, whose maiden name was Susanna Fowler. His paternal grandfather was a Hessian soldier, who came to this country in the pay of the British during the Revolutionary War, but who, like many of his countrymen, who came on the same errand, liked this country so well that they settled here when their term of service was over. Some of them, indeed, did not wait that long, but when they got a good opportunity, deserted from the British army and took up land here, subsequently becoming good American citizens. Mr. Wage's grandfather, however, who was married, returned to Germany for his wife, whom he brought back with him to the United States. They had two children, John D. and one other, but of the latter all trace has been lost. John D. Wage was born Feb. 27, 1781, either during the voyage of his parents to America, or after their arrival and settlement in Massachusetts. When he grew up he be- came a shoemaker, which trade he followed first in Massachusetts and later in Pennsylvania, to which state he moved. In 1856, however, he joined the throng of homeseekers in the great Northwest. He had previously married in Pennsylvania Abbie , by whom he had eight children: George, Chapel, Henry, John, Caroline, Abigail, Emily and Elsie, and was now united to his second wife, whose maiden name was, as previously mentioned, Susanna Fowler. When he married her, however, she was the widow of Fred Cogswell, by whom she had three children - Fred, Orlando and Bulah. These three children remained behind in Pennsylvania. On starting from Pennsylvania for Wisconsin, Mr. Wage was aceompanied only by Levi Marsh. They drove by team to Buffalo, N. Y., from which point they shipped their team to Chicago. They then drove by horse team to Sparta, Wis., where Mr. Wage's family joined him and where they spent the winter. In the spring of 1857 they resumed their journey, coming by ox team to Neillsville. On arriving here John D. Wage secured a pre-empted farm of 160 acres in Grant Township, which was located two miles away from the nearest neighbor, and he had to cut a road to his farm for his wagon. At that time there were only seven or eight houses in Neillsville; their trading-place was Sparta and the nearest mill was at Weston Rapids. In addition to his ox team, Mr. Wage had two cows and a pig with which to begin farming. For the family residence he put up a Jog building, with a sloping roof covered with boards. Here he and his wife spent the rest of their lives. He improved his farm and in time, after much hard work, became fairly prosperous. At the time he moved onto his place Grant Township was not organized and he was one of those who effected its organization. He also served as supervisor and was active in school affairs. A man of liberal views in religious matters, he was affiliated with the Universalist Church. His death occurred when he had reached the advanced age of 85 years and six months. His wife died at the age of 71. Both were laid to rest in Grant Cemetery, Grant Township. Ferdinando C. Wage attended school in Pennsylvania, but had no further opportunity of pursuing his studies. In 1863, at the age of 22 years, he entered military service as a member of Company I, 14th Wisconsin Regiment, enlisting at Neillsville. His regiment was assigned to the 16th Army Corps and took part in the Red River Expedition, during which he had to do a great deal of marching. He took part in the fighting at Ft. Darusha; at Mobile, Ala.; and in the last battle of Nashville, and was mustered out at Mobile, Oct. 9, 1865. Returning to Neillsville, he took up logging and farming, his homestead consisting of eighty acres of land in Grant Township, fourteen of which formed a part of the original homestead of his parents. Clearing the farm, he also erected good buildings on it, residing there until the late seventies, when he moved to a tract of eighty acres in section 35, Pine Valley. There were some small improvements on this place and he made others, erecting good buildings, until he had considerably increased the value of the property. Here he carried on agricultural operations until 1901, in which year he sold the farm and retired to Neillsville, where he has since resided. While a resident of Grant Township Mr. Wage served five years as supervisor, which office he also held for many years in Pine Valley Township, serving besides on the school board. In politics he has always been a Republican. As a veteran of the Civil War, he belongs to the Chas. Bacon G. A. R. Post at Neillsville. Mr. Wage was married, Oct. 3, 1869, to Ruth Payn, who was born in Erie County, New York, Feb. 28, 1852, daughter of Algernon Sidney and Delaney (Coy) Payn, Her father, who was a blacksmith by trade, died when she was 13 months old. There were previously nine children in the family, of whom five were living at the father's death - Mary Ann, William, Selina, Elmira and Ruth. When 5 years old Ruth accompanied her mother to Sparta, Wis., where the latter spent the rest of her days. The Payns and Coys were respectively of Welsh and Irish origin. In September, 1905, Mr. and Mrs. Wage made a trip to the state of Oregon for health and pleasure. They have had no children of their own, but adopted a son, John, who died eleven years ago at the age of 20.

William Robert Happe, who occupies a prominent place among the successful farmers of Fremont Township, was born in Cooperstown, Manitowoc County, Wis., Mar. 20, 1859, son of Carl August and Mary (Hill) Happe. The father, Carl, was born in Brunswick, Germany, Nov. 28, 1816, and his wife, Mary, in Darmstadt, Germany, Oct. 10, 1818; they were married in their native land, where he followed the occupation of a mechanic. In 1851 the family, which then numbered two children - George and Amelia - left for the United States, landing at New York after a voyage of six weeks in a sailing vessel. In that city they remained for three years, and in October, 1854, set out for Wisconsin, their destination being Cooperstown. Taking land in the vicinity Carl A. Happe began the hard labor of pioneer farming, building a log house, the cracks of which he had to stuff with moss. At first he had no team, though he had brought $400 with him in money. The market, to which he often walked with produce on his back, was twenty-one miles away; but later, when the Civil War broke out, a military road was constructed from Green Bay to Manitowoc, which passed within sixty rods of his farm. There he and his family resided until 1873, during which time he cleared forty-five acres of land and erected good farm buiidings. He was a prominent citizen in the community and a leader in the Evangelical association, the services of which were first held in his house. In time, as he became more prosperous, he constructed a good frame house to take the place of the old log building. In addition to the two children who came with him and his wife from Germany, another, August, was born in New York, and two others, William R. and Charles, on the farm near Cooperstown. Charles, however, died at the age of 3 years, and Amelia also died there. In 1873 the family removed to Dodge County, where the father got an improved farm of 120 acres, and there he remained until his death, which took place June 1, 1890. His wife died Noy. 14, 1892. Carl Happe was a man of quiet domestic tastes and never eared to take an active part in public affairs. William R. Happe acquired his education in the log schoolhouse of his district, also in the school at Lomira, which he began to attend at the age of 14 years, and the high school at Mayville. He then taught for one winter, after which he became a pupil in the Normal school at Oshkosh, Wis, Then, after a visit to New

William R. Happe And Family

York State, he resumed teaching, and was thus occupied for eight winters, working on the farm in summer. Subsequently he engaged in farming for himself at Lomira. On Nov. 16, 1887, Mr. Happe was united in marriage with Lydia Messner, who was born at Lomira, Wis., May 25, 1862, daughter of John and Barbara (Bitzer) Messner. Her parents were natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, where they were married, the father being a dyer. He came alone to the United States in 1854, and worked in the iron mines at Iron Ridge, Wis., to earn money to pay the expense of bringing his family here, they joining him three years later. There were four children who came with his wife - John, Andrew, Fred and George. Locating at Lomira, he rented a farm for a while, but later bought a small place of seventy acres, afterwards purchasing ten acres more. The children born there were Mary, Elizabeth and Lydia. His wife dying, Mr. Messner subsequently married Mrs. Pauline Kude, a widow, by whom he had two children - Gustaf and Charlotte. The father, John, served in the Civil War for a little over a year. Mr. Messner died at the age of 82 years in 1904; his first wife, Barbara, died in 1868, at the age of 47, and his second wife in 1903, at the age of 71 years, William R. Happe, for twelve years or more after his marriage, resided in Dodge County, where he served as clerk of his township for two years. During that time he was engaged in farming, and he and his wife had four children born there: Alma, Irene, now Mrs. Albert Linlow of Fremont Township; William and Elda. Alma has taught school for six years in Clark County, to which county the family came in 1900. Here Mr. Happe secured 580 acres of wild land in Sections 8 and 9, Fremont, there being two tracts of 160 acres each, one of sixty and one of 200 acres, and since then he has bought and sold land in considerable quantities, having now about 500 acres. He has remodeled his barn to a size of 5414 by 82 feet, adding a basement, and built a silo 16 by 39 feet; and on a second farm, which he owns, has built a barn 38 by 100 feet and a silo 14 by 32 feet. The residences are also good, substantial buildings. Mr. Happe is engaged in general farming, raising Durham cattle from full-blooded sires, also a good grade of horses and hogs. He has also various other business interests, being a member of the Chili Elevator Company; a stockholder in the Chili Bank, of which he is president and director; also in the Lynn Telephone Company, being its secretary for Clark County; and a member of the Equity Stock and Shipping Association, being its local secretary and treasurer for the county. For a number of years he has held the office of school clerk. He has also an interest in the Wausau Packing Plant, and is serving as its vice president. His fraternal affiliations are with the order of Woodmen. His public service has further embraced the office of township clerk, which he held for fourteen years up to 1915.

Sereno Wren, a prosperous farmer and lumber dealer of Grant Township, where he is a prominent citizen, was born in Stark County, Ohio, Noy. 10, 1842, son of William and Sarah (Haycock) Wren, The father was born in Virginia, and was a son of William Wren, also a native of that state, who was of English descent, and who was well to do, being the owner of a plantation. There William Wren, second, father of our subject, grew to manhood, and at the age of 18 was engaged in teaching school, among his pupils being his future wife, who was a native of Stark County, Ohio. After their marriage William and Sarah located in Marlborough, Ohio, where he followed various occupations. He died in Tennessee in 1862. His wife, who survived him many years, died in Cedar County, Iowa. Their family consisted of eight children: Levi, Esther, Lydia, Eliza, Sereno, Lindley, Lemuel and Walter. Sereno Wren's school days were spent in Marlborough, Ohio, for the most part, though he finished his schooling in Iowa. On starting out for himself, he came to Clark County, Wis., his first visit, however, being on the occasion of a hunting trip in 1862. Starting from Cedar County, Iowa, he carried a gun weighing thirteen pounds and a blanket and frying pan, with other campers' articles, all the way to Black River Falls, a distance of 400 miles, and that fall visited Clark County, Neillsville being then but a little hamlet without a foot of sidewalk. For two or three years he hunted over various parts of the county and worked in lumber camps, continuing to live in this manner until his marriage. In 1867 he went to work on the farm of B. F. French, six miles south of Neillsville, where he stayed two years. At the end of that time he bought an eighty-acre tract of land in Grant Township, one mile south of Kurth Corners, it being all wild land, and without a road in the vicinity. After staying on that claim three years he sold it and purchased his present place in Section 17, Grant Township, consisting of 240 acres, all time timber. On this he built a log cabin, 24 by 16 feet. He and his wife had at this time three children: Marion, now in Washington; Lemont, in California, and Frank, of Neillsville. Four others were born on the farm: Lemuel, now in Washington; Thomas, now on home place; Nettie and Earl, both residing in Washington. For some time Mr. Wren worked in the woods and did logging on contract, after which he began clearing his land and has since prospered. His first log cabin burned down and he lost everything he had, but, not discouraged, he built a second, in the middle of winter, and continued to work, using an ox team until he had forty acres cleared. His ox team was the finest then on the-river. In more recent years Mr. Wren has erected a fine residence, which is beautifully situated on a hill. His barn is 36 by 96 feet in size, with a horse barn attached, and a large silo. His farm is also well supplied with modern machinery and implements, affording a pleasant contrast to former days when he had to cut grain with a sythe and cradle it by hand. He brought the first traction steam engine into the county, and used it for general threshing around the neighborhood for several years, previous to which he had used an old horsepower thresher. In 1881, Mr. Wren built a sawmill on his place, and has since cut the timber for hundreds of residences in the county, besides sawing all the lumber for his own extensive buildings. Mr. Wren was first married to Alleda Hatch, of Kankakee, IIll., daughter of Earl Hatch, who settled in Clark County, Wis., one mile west of Neillsville. Mrs. Alleda Wren died at Columbus, Wis., Sept. 9, 1891, at the age of 41 years, and Mr. Wren subsequently married Mrs. Sarah Smith, widow of Orland Smith. She was born in Waupaca County, Wis., daughter of George West.

Peter McGinnis, a notable pioneer of Clark County, now deceased, was born on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., June 29, 1834, and was there educated and trained to agricultural pursuits. In early manhood he made two trips to California, but returned to St. Lawrence County, In June, 1854, he was there married, in Wading parish, to Julia Welsh - a union that proved most fortunate and happy. For several years Mr. McGinnis farmed his father's homestead, but later bought one of his own, which he operated until 1869, when he sought his fortune in the West, coming to Wisconsin and locating in La Crosse County. There he farmed for three years, and then, in 1872, came to Clark County, taking a homestead of 120 acres in Sherwood Forest, the tract being wild and heavily timbered. Building a small log house, he moved into it with his family, he and his wife having then ten children - Jennie, Cathren, Mary, Margaret, Patrick, Louise, Francis, Agnes, Ella and William. Two more children, Lillian and Leah, were later born in the little log house, which must have had its capacity sorely taxed. Mr. and Mrs. McGinnis had to surmount many obstacles and endure the privations incident to pioneer life, and at times were almost discouraged, but they persevered and worked together, looking forward to the dawn of a brighter period. They grubbed and broke their land, and were cheered as they saw the cultivated area gradually increase. The primitive buildings were in time replaced with more modern and commodious structures, including a fine farm residence and good barns and outbuildings. The goal of prosperity had been reached, and they were numbered among the well-to-do and most highly respected people in the county. After remaining on the farm until 1904, Mr. McGinnis removed to the village of Neillsville to enjoy the fruits of his labors, but on April 22, that same spring, his good wife died, leaving him alone and saddened by the consciousness that, after all, the best part of his life lay behind him in the years that were brightened by her loving companionship. She had been a most faithful wife and loving mother, and had she lived until June they would have celebrated their golden wedding together. Thereafter, Mr. McGinnis resided with his children, the last six years of his life being spent at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Cathren Welsh, where he died Aug. 26, 1914, sincerely mourned. His name and that of his wife will long be preserved as those of two of the most noble pioneers of Clark County. Mr. McGinnis was a public spirited man, always ready to help any and every good cause. He helped to build the school, and was on its board for many years. He also served as chairman of the town board, and was town treasurer for several years. In politics he was a firm Democrat, and for a number of years was the only voter of his party in the township,

John Welsh, in former years a highly esteemed citizen of Washburn Township, and later of Neillsville, but now deceased, was born at Peterboro, Canada, March 4, 1845, and there received a good education. When 24 years of age, in 1869, he came to the United States and located in Washburn Township, Clark County, Wis., he and his brother Robert purchasing together 160 acres of wild and heavily timbered land, which they at once set to work to clear and develop into a farm, living together and batching it for five years. It was an arduous task and took lots of hard work, and the returns for the first few years were very meager. In 1877, John bought out his brother's interest, becoming the sole owner of the property. By hard labor, good judgment and farsightedness he became a prosperous and influential citizen, and for fifteen years he was chairman of his town board and a member of the county board, also serving in other offices of public trust. In October, 1896, he rented his farm and moved to Neillsville, where for several years he was engaged in the stock business, and later in the real estate business. After leaving the farm he sold it, but later purchased one in York Township, which is still owned by Mrs. Welsh. Mr. Welsh was a man of sterling worth, and he and his family were highly respected. He passed away at his home in Neillsville Aug. 25, 1908, Mr. Welsh was united in marriage at Neillsville Oct. 18, 1876, to Cathren McGinnis, who was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., daughter of Peter and Julia (Welsh) McGinnis. She is a woman who has seen Clark County grow from an almost uninhabited wilderness to a highly civilized section of the state with thriving towns, splendid farms, and handsome estates, the homes of wealthy and highly cultivated people, and from her this valuable historical sketch was obtained. To her and Mr. Welsh three children were born: Mark E., May 1, 1878; Richard, June 5, 1879, and John P., Sept. 29, 1880. Mark E. was married April 11, 1903, to Jennie Farning. He died Aug. 22, 1905, Richard, who is a rural mail carrier on Route No. 2, out of Neillsville, was married April 11, 1907, to Victoria Barton, and has three children - Genevieve, Joseph and Francis. John P. died Feb. 2, 1882. The Welsh family are members of the Catholic Church, Mrs. Welsh being also a member of the Christian Mothers' Union of St. Mary's Church, and of the Royal Neighbors.

Louis Lindow, who is successfully operating a good farm of 270 acres in Fremont Township, was born in Fond du Lac., Wis., Sept. 18, 1861. When a year old he was taken to Calumet County, Wis., where, as he grew up, he attended the district school in one of the old log schoolhouses of that early day. At the age of 25 he came to Clark County, and on Nov. 11, 1885, was married to Mary Luckow, who was born in Waukesha County, Wis., daughter of Herman and Caroline (Lopas) Luckow. Her parents were born and married in Germany, and came to the United States soon after, about 1856, landing in this country after a voyage of twenty-one days in a sailing vessel. They first located in Michigan, where one child, Carrie, was born. After two years they removed to Waukesha County, where Mr. Luckow rented a farm for nine years, during which time they had four more children: William, Elizabeth, Minnie and Mary. The family then moved to Calumet County, where they bought eighty acres of wild land in Woodville Township, which Mr. Luckow cleared, first building a log house. Afterwards he increased the size of his farm by buying 100 acres more, and in time put up good buildings. His market was Sherwood, seven miles away, and he often walked to that town for supplies, A German Lutheran in religion, he helped to build the church in his vicinity, later joining the Evangelicals. He died at the age of 56 years, June 7, 1885, but his wife is still living at the age of 86. She was born Jan. 13, 1831. Their four young- est children were born in Calumet County - Herman, George, Emma and Ida. Louis Lindow and wife located on a tract of sixty acres in Section 28, Fremont Township, Clark County, the land being wild and covered with timber. On it he erected a log building, his wife helping him to shingle the roof. It was a three-room structure, 16 by 26 feet in size, and stood near the site of the present schoolhouse. The first summer they got one cow and one horse, and walked four and a half miles to the old Snow P. O. for supplies. Both worked in the fields while clearing the farm. After four years they went back to Calumet County, where they rented the home place for eight years, at the end of that time returning to Clark County, and resuming work on their old farm, which in time they finished clearing. In 1899 Mr. Lindow built the present brick house of fourteen rooms, and in the same year erected the basement barn, 40 by 80 feet in size. In 1908 he built a silo, 16 by 33 feet. He is now farming 270 acres, and raising graded Holstein cattle, and a good grade of horses. In former days he also raised sheep and spun the wool for socks and mittens. He is a member of the Chili Elevator Company, and has served as one of its directors, and also holds stock in the Chili Bank, in the Independent Harvester Company of Plano, Ill., and in the Lynn Telephone Company. As a member of the Evangelical Church, which he helped to build, he has held office on its board. Mr. and Mrs. Lindow are the parents of eight children - Ida, George, Samuel, Alvin, Sarah, Walter, Lillie and Edward. Ida married Henry Nebel of Fremont Township, and has three children - Freda, Mildred and Lillian. George, who married Alice Erhardt, has three sons - Donald, Norman and Glen.

Lawrence Emerson, proprietor of a good farm of 160 acres in Section 34, Beaver Township, was born in La Crosse County, Wis., Feb. 2, 1873, son of Andrew and Helen (Johnson) Emerson. A memoir of his parents may be found in the biography of his brother Frank, printed elsewhere in this volume, Lawrence was but two years old when his parents came to Clark County. He was educated in the district school, and as he grew to manhood became identified with farm work and lumbering, often working in the woods. After some years of this kind of work he took up farming on his present place of 160 acres, of which about twenty acres were then cleared, There were no buildings on the place, and the approach to his farm was by a wagon road, which zig-zagged through the woods, passing near his land. This was seventeen years ago, and two years previously, on Christmas Day, 1897, he had been married to Kate Christman, daughter of B. Christman, a pioneer settler in Clark County. They had first kept house on his father's farm, remaining there until he moved onto his own land. Mr. Emerson has now some sixty acres cleared and is engaged in raising registered Holstein cattle. Among the improvements on his place is a basement barn, with cement floor, 30 by 60 feet, and he has also erected numerous other buildings. A substantial farmer and respected citizen of his township, he has taken a personal part in the affairs of local government, having been chairman of the township board for the last three years, and having served also as school clerk for nine years, and side supervisor

Charles William Wiesner, who is engaged in the pursuit of agriculture on a farm of 160 acres in Section 20, Lynn Township, was born Jan, 18, 1856, in Richfield, Washington County, Wis. His parents were Fred and Caroline (Davis) Wiesner. The father, who was born in Bulgaria, in Eastern Europe, came to the United States alone at the age of 23 years, being fourteen weeks on the ocean in a sailing vessel which was driven out of its course several times by gales. Locating in Milwaukee, Wis., he rented a farm in that vicinity, and there, in the early fifties, he was married to Caroline Davis. Ten years later, or about 1860, he and his family removed to New London, Outagamie County, Wis., where he bought eighty acres of wild land, which he started to clear with a team of oxen, also building a log house and barn. Thirteen years were spent by him and his family on that place, and then they moved to a homestead in Wood County, which was their home for ten years, and where he cleared forty acres of land. At the end of that time he sold the farm and bought eighty acres of partly cleared land west of Neillsville, Clark County, on which place he subsequently died. His wife is still living at the age of 85 at Neillsville. Charles W. Weisner remained with his parents until he was 22 years old, at which time he bought eighty acres of land in Section 20, Lynn Township, Clark County, which now forms half of his present farm. Here he lived a bachelor's life for two years, clearing the land, which was wild, and also building a road - a most useful work, by which others benefited as well as himself. He also built a log house, 16 by 20 feet in size, which is still standing. On Nov. 5, 1884, he was united in marriage with Bertha Gerber, who was born in Pine Valley Township, this county, Dec. 24, 1861, daughter of Godfred and Anna (Junchen) Gerber, her father being a farmer in Grant Township. He and his wife have since resided on this farm, the original size of which he has doubled by the purchase of eighty acres more. He has built a good eight-room house and a barn 40 by 84 feet in size, and is successfully engaged in general farming. For about nine years Mr. Wiesner has been treasurer of his school district. He and his wife are the parents of four children: Laura, wife of Ernest Kauer, a farmer in Lynn Township; Kadward, also a farmer in Lynn Township, and Otillia and Louis, who are residing at home.

Gustav Lindow, an early settler in Fremont Township, where he now has an excellent farm that he developed from the wilderness, was born in Lomira, Dodge County, Wis., Dec. 8, 1854, son of Fred and (Bussloff) Lindow. His mother died when he was a young child, and never knew his mother or her name, the father, after coming to Wisconsin, contracted a second marriage with Eliza Sanders Niemburg. Fred Lindow and his first and second wife were all natives of Germany, he being born in Brandenberg, where he learned the trade of linen weaver. In the early fifties he set out for the United States with his first wife and two children, Gusta and William, locating at Lomira, Dodge County, Wis. There the wife died at the age of about 30 years, and Mr. Lindow subsequently married a second time, as above recorded. The family removed to Fond du Lac

Gustav Lindow And Family

County, and from there, in 1861, to Calumet County, where Fred Lindow took land - some forty acres - put up a log dwelling and began the work of improvement, which he continued until his death at the age of 60 years, in 1881. Long before that time, however, he had increased the size of his farm by the purchase of an additional tract of eighty acres, and later another tract of twenty acres. He was a member of the Evangelical Church, and services in early days were held in his log cabin. Gustav Lindow attended school but a short time, as he was obliged to help his father from an early age, and remained with him until he was 23 years old, after which he worked for himself. In 1880 he bought forty acres of wild land in Section 27, Fremont Township, paying $6 an acre for it. The surrounding country was mostly a wilderness and there were no roads to his place. In the same year he married Rosa Jansch and began domestic life. She was a native of Germany, who had come to the United States with her parents, William and Caroline Jansch, locating in Waukesha County, Wis., whence they removed seven years later to Calumet County. There her father cleared a farm and he and his wife still reside there. He is 87 years old and his wife is 88 years old. The family were members of the Evangelical Church. On beginning the work of improvement, Mr. Lindow built a shanty across the road from his place, to serve as a temporary residence until he could erect a substantial log house, which, when completed, contained two rooms and an attic, and measured 18 by 24 feet. He also built a log barn of good size. He and his wife started farming here with one cow, and it was two years before he secured a pair of steers for a team. After making some progress with the clearing of his farm, Mr. Lindow bought forty acres more, and still later another tract of the same size, all of which he cleared with the help of his family, the original forty-acre tract, however, being cleared entirely by himself. In time, continuing to prosper, he put up a brick house of eleven rooms, with halls; also a basement barn, 40 by 106 feet in size; a silo 12 by 32 feet, and an automobile shed and granary. In the early days he and his family drove to church with their ox team, being members of the Evangelical Church in Fremont Township. Mr. Lindow is a member of the elevator company at Chili, the Lynn Telephone Company and the Farmers' Equity Association. He and his wife have been the parents of six children: Laura, who died at the age of 9 years; Bertha, who married Rev. August Happe, a minister of the Evangelical Church, and has two children, Lorena and Esther; Charles, who married Lucy Happe, and has two children, Helen and Marion; Albert, residing in Fremont Township, who married Irene Happe, and has one child, Lorma; Lydia, who is the widow of Edwin Happe, and the mother of one child, Verna; and William, who resides at home.

Horace V. Wright, formerly a respected farmer of Dewhurst Township, but now deceased, was born in Washington County, N. Y., Aug. 10, 1838, son of Abner and Esther (Valentine) Wright, the father being a farmer in that state. There, Horace was reared and raised until he was 26 years of age. He then enlisted in the 25th New York Battery, at Greenwich, N. Y., and served for about one year in the army, returning home in the fall. On Dec. 25, 1865, he was married to Emma Fuller, at the Baptist

Church in Greenwich. She was a native of New York, and daughter of Dewitt and Elsie (Hubbel) Fuller. After his marriage, Mr. Wright moved to a farm of 180 acres in Washington County, N. Y., where he lived for ten years, engaged in its operation. Then selling it, he came West to Rock County, Wis., where he rented an improved farm of 250 acres, on which farm he also spent ten years, at the end of that time coming to Clark County. Here he entered the employ of the Graves-Boyington Lumber Company, at Columbia, at which place he and his wife conducted a hotel for the company, There were no buildings in Columbia then, no roads to Neillsville and no bridges on Black River. Mrs. Wright came first with twenty-seven homesteaders, for whom she prepared supper in the railroad station that night. There being no siding at Columbia then, all trains were forced to stop until the logging company's supplies could be unloaded and the empty cars taken away. The farmers then sold supplies to the passengers, carrying them to the station on their backs, and receiving 5 cents a dozen for eggs and 8 cents a pound for butter. Mr. Wright remained there for about a year, and then homesteaded 160 acres in Section 4, Dewhurst Township, which, at the time, was all wild land. Then his wife and children returned to Rock County, leaving him alone. Two years later they came back to Clark County and rejoined him. In the meantime he had built a log shack, 20 by 30 feet in size, and a log barn, and having some stock, they went to work unitedly to develop the farm. Mr. Wright died Noy. 17, 1903, after having cleared five acres and having served Dewhurst Township one year as assessor. Since then his family have built a seven-room frame house. They keep a cow and do truck gardening, Mr. and Mrs. Wright had the following children: Louise, now Mrs. A. L. Gooch of Rock County, Wis., and the mother of four children - Otis, Elsie, Glen and Emma; Fred, who married Ina Short, resides in Dairy, N. M., and has two children - Arthur and Paul; Esther, wife of John Apfel of Clark County, and the mother of one child - Legare; Alfred, who married Ella Finnigan, resides in Fond du Lac County, Wis., and has three children - George, Ruth and Gladys; and Glen, who is living at home.

Ferdinand Wesenberg, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits on a farm in Washburn Township, was born in Pommern, Germany, June 3, 1854, son of Peter and Sophia (Blank) Wesenberg, who were farming people. Peter and his wife came to America in 1874 with six children: Peter, Jr., Sophia, August, Armoreke, Ferdinand and William. Landing at Philadelphia, they proceeded West to Milwaukee, and two years later, in 1876, arrived in Clark County, Peter Wesenberg and his eldest son, August, buying a tract of land in Section 6, Washburn Township. After a short stay there, however, he moved to a tract of 160 acres in Grant Township, where he and his family stayed three years, Then returning to Washburn Township, he lived four years with his son William, after which he took up his residence in Neillsville, where he died at the age of 74 years, his wife having passed away four years previously at the same age. They were members of the German Lutheran Church. Ferdinand Wesenberg acquired his education in Germany, and was 20 years old when he came to the United States. Here he first worked eleven months on a farm in Grant Township, and after that five winters and two summers for George Lloyd. For several years thereafter he worked on farms in summer and in the woods in winter, finally renting a farm for a while on Pleasant Ridge, Grant Township. In 1894 he came to his present place in Section 5, Washburn Township, a tract of eighty acres, then covered with timber, all of which he has cleared except fifteen acres of timber that he is saving. Besides general farming, Mr. Wesenberg, for the last twenty years, has been engaged in honey production, having now 110 colonies of bees, and he has also started many others in this line of business, which he has found profitable. He ships his honey to Chicago and Milwaukee, He is a stockholder in the Shortville creamery and in the Co-operative Elevator and Lumber Company of Neillsville. He has served on the township board as supervisor, and was also roadmaster seven years. His religious affiliations are with the German Lutheran Church. Mr. Wesenberg was first married to Etta Wilding, daughter of George Wilding. She died at the age of 34 years, leaving one son, Charles, who was for seven years a member of Company A, Third Wisconsin Regiment, but who is now living in Indiana. Mr. Wesenberg married for his second wife, Della Campbell, who was born in Neillsville, daughter of William and Eliza (Paxton) Campbell. Her father was a veteran of the Civil War, and a stone mason by trade, being first employed in this county in the construction of the court house. He was three times married - first, to Jane Eliza Everett, by whom he had six children: Fred, Mabel, Ezra, Clyde, George and Nellie. By his marriage to Eliza Jane Paxton, his second wife, he had four: Mabel, Bessie, Barton and Della. His third wife was Altha Wyman, by whom he had one child, Pearl. Mr. and Mrs. Wesenberg are the parents of a large family, numbering eleven children, whose names are, respectively: Dimple, William, August, Elmer, Wesley, James, Albert, Mamie, Esther and Robert.

Andrew Peterson, a well known and respected citizen of Eaton Township, residing in Section 10, was born in Norway June 12, 1820. When a young man he emigrated to America, settling at Black River Falls, Wis., he followed the trade of shoemaker, which he had learned in Norway. There also he was married to Olive Isaacson, who, like himself, was a native of Norway. Black River Falls then contained but a few settlers, he and his wife being among the first. Later he came to Neillisville, where he opened the first shoe shop, conducing it until 1882. Then for two years he conducted a shoe shop in Greenwood. He now turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, buying sixty-two acres of land in Section 10, Eaton Township, where he moved with his family. On this tract, which was all wild land, he built a log house, 16 by 24 feet, containing two rooms downstairs and two upstairs. This dwelling has since been remodeled and is now occupied by his son, Albert C. Peterson. With the help of this son and another son, Ray, and also with that of Miss Carrie Hanson, a maiden lady, who came from Norway in 1879, Mr. Peterson cleared and developed the farm, also buying more land until he had 140 acres, including the original tract. The home place, having been taken over by his sons, Albert and Edward, is now in possession of Albert, the other son having sold his interest to his brother and moved to North Dakota. Mr. Peterson helped to establish the Norwegian Church of Greenwood, of which he is a member, and for many years has been one of the leading citizens of the community. His wife died at the age of 38 years, having been the mother of five children: Marie, Isabella, Albert, Edward and Oliver, the last mentioned of whom died at the age of eight days.

Albert C. Peterson, a well-to-do farmer of Eaton Township, whose estate is situated in Section 10, was born in Neillsville, Clark County, Jan. 19, 1873, son of Andrew and Olive (Isaacson) Peterson. The parents were married at Black River Falls, where Andrew followed the shoemaker's trade. Later, after residing in Neillsville for two years, they located on the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch. This the latter helped to clear, and when he was 25 years old he and his brother Edward took it over and were in partnership for five years. Edward then removed to North Dakota, selling his interest in the property to Albert, who has since operated the farm, raising both crops and stock. He has remodeled the original residence - a four-room log house - and made it into a comfortable home. His father had erected a log barn that was destroyed by lightning, but he rebuilt and improved it, and has also erected a silo, 14 by 30 feet in size. He keeps a good grade of Holstein cattle. The farm contains 140 acres, and is a paying piece of property. Albert C. Peterson has served in the office of township clerk since 1903, and was chairman of the board in 1912. He is a member of the Farmers and Merchants Bank, and is also a stockholder in the Bank of Greenwood and the Wausau Packing Company. Mr. Peterson was married in 1911 to Esther E. Bloomquist, of Tioga, Clark County, daughter of John and Hilda Bloomquist. Her parents came to this county from Rockford, Ill., in which vicinity they had been engaged in farming. Mr. Bloomquist is now deceased, but his wife is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have one child, Lloyd, who was born Feb. 23, 1913. With the family resides Miss Carrie Hanson, a maiden lady, a native of Norway, born Dec. 19, 1834, now 82 years old, who came from Norway in 1879, and was of much assistance to the Peterson family in helping them to develop their farm.

Henry Nichols, a prosperous farmer residing in Section 17, Loyal Township, was born in Hingham, Sheboygan County, Wis., July 3, 1868, His parents were Charles and Jane (Johnson) Nichols, the father being a native of Ohio. When a boy Charles Nichols accompanied his parents to Sheboygan County, this state, and worked on a farm there until he was 18 years old. He then enlisted in the 31st Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, Feb. 3, 1864, as a private in Company H, his captain being EF. K. Bullrick and the colonel of the regiment H. West. This organization was assigned to the Third Brigade, First Division, 20th Corps, Army of the James, and Mr. Nichols took part in the siege of Atlanta, the battle of Peach Tree Creek, siege of Savannah and the actions at Averasborough and Bentonville, being with Sherman on his march to the sea. He took part in the Grand Review at Washington, D. C., May 25, 1865, and was honorably discharged July 20th the same year. Returning to Sheboygan County, he then married Mrs. Jane Johnson, a widow, whose husband had been killed in the war, and devoted himself to clearing a farm, in which work he continued there until 1882.

During that time three children were born to him - Henry, Lydia and Effie. In the year last mentioned, Mr. Nichols came with his family to Loyal, Clark County, buying a partly improved farm of forty acres, which was his home for the rest of his life. Henry Nichols remained at home and attended school until he was 16 years old. He then began working in the woods and was employed for four winters, being occupied on the farm in the summer. March 16, 1895, he was united in marriage with Eliza Hutchins, whose father, Ransom Hutchins, was a farmer in Unity Township, to which place he had come from Fond du Lac County, Wis. He was born in New York State, the son of Abner and Harriett (Van Guilder) Hutchins, and was a child when he accompanied his parents to Fond du Lac County, where he was subsequently reared and educated. Mrs. Nichols' mother was, before her marriage, Lorinda Sheldon. After his marriage, Mr. Nichols resided with his wife on his parents' homestead for fourteen years, and then moved to the village, where for two years he did various kinds of work. At the end of that time he bought forty acres in Section 17, Loyal Township, it being an improved farm. Here he has since built a barn 28 by 40 feet in size, and a fifty-five-ton silo, and has remodeled the house, installing it with modern equipments. He raises graded Holstein cattle with profitable results, and ranks as one of the prosperous citizens of his township. He and his wife have two children: Evelyn and Geneva, both living at home.

Thomas Froeba, proprietor of a good dairy farm in Section 35, Loyal Township, was born in Bavaria, March 25, 1865, son of George and Agnes (Vewter) Froeba. The father was a carpenter, who died in his native land, Bavaria, at the age of 66 years, his wife dying at the age of 53. They were members of the Catholic Church. Their children were seven in number - Margaret, George, Joseph, John, George, John (second), and Thomas. All have now passed away except the subject of this sketch and Margaret, who still lives in Bavaria, and who married a man of the same family name as herself. Thomas Froeba's mother died when he was between 9 and 10 years of age, and he subsequently resided for three years with his brother George. He then worked for farmers until he was 22 years old. His education was not neglected, as he attended school for six years, and also had two or three years of Sunday school training. In 1888, at the age of 23, he emigrated to the United States, after having served time in the German army as a soldier. He was accompanied on his journey by Christ Loeffler, now of Eaton Township, Clark County, who persuaded him to settle in Jefferson County, Wis., where he had friends. There Mr. Froeba went to work on a farm and continued to work for others for a number of years. In 1897 he came to Loyal Township and bought eighty acres of land in Section 35, moving onto it two years later, while still a single man. Immediately after moving here, however, he gave up bachelor life, being united in marriage with Mary Gleiter of Jefferson County, she being a native of Hebron Township, that county, and daughter of Michael and Henrietta Gleiter, of German nativity. Forty acres of the land on which Mr, Froeba settled at the time of his marriage was under the plow, and there was an old log building on the place, and some stock. He also had ateam. After residing there two years he bought forty acres in Section 35, adjoining his original place, and in the same township. On this, also, there was a log building. Here he built a house of eight rooms, a good basement barn, 36 by 86 feet, and a silo 14 by 32 feet. He has also set out ornamental trees, and his farm presents a fine appearance. Mr. Froeba rasises Holstein cattle, Chester-White hogs and a good grade of horses. He was formerly a stockholder in the cheese factory, retaining his stock until it was sold. Since he arrived in Jefferson County, some twenty-nine years ago with $23 in his pocket, he has worked hard and made steady progress on the road to prosperity. He had saved $900 when he bought his eighty-acre farm in Loyal Township and, though he has never been stingy, he has taken care of his money and used it to good advantage. For five years he served as a member of the side board of Loyal Township, and was nine years a director of the school board. His religious affiliations are with the Catholic Church at Loyal. Mr, and Mrs. Froeba are the parents of three children: Albert, born Aug. 12, 1902; Clarence, born Feb. 18, 1905, and Edwin, born Dec. 9, 1908.

Ole J. Johnson, the well-to-do proprietor of Rock Creek Farm in Eaton Township, an estate of 100 acres, was born in Norway Oct. 5, 1850, son of Johanas Olson, whose farm name was Kyshad, and Andrea Simonson. The parent were married in Norway and there five children were born to them: Johannah, Carrie, Anna, Simon and Ole J. Simon and Johannah were the first to come to the United States, locating at Black River Falls, Jackson County. Ole came next, in 1871, being followed by the rest of the family in 1872. All settled first in Jackson County, Ole J. had attended school in Norway, and learned the trade of shoemaker. On arriving at Black River Falls he entered the employ of a lumberman. The next winter he worked in the woods of Clark County, in the camp of John Biggers, on the north fork of Rock Creek. Altogether he spent some fifteen seasons in lumber camps or on the drive. On Sept. 20, 1874, he was married to Carrie Peterson, who was born in Norway Sept. 19, 1856, daughter of Elias and Andrea (Johnson) Peterson. Her father had come to this country in 1870, being followed in 1872 by his wife and three children - Peter, Ingeborg and Carrie. The next year the rest of the children came, consisting of two daughters, both named Mary. The father was a shoemaker and farmer. For nine years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ole J. Johnson resided in Greenwood, keeping a boarding-house. Then, on June 11, 1883, they moved to Rock Creek, in Section 2, Eaton Township, Mr. Johnson buying forty acres of land, which constitutes a part of his present farm, known as Rock Creek Farm. The land was then wild, and was covered with pine stumps, and there were no buildings. Accordingly, he built a log house, which stood on the site of the present frame residence, and measured 18 by 26 feet, containing three rooms. In the same year he built a log barn that is still standing. He had a pair of three-year-old oxen and two cows, together with a few chickens and a pig, but no tools. His wife assisted him in clearing the forty acres - a task that was finally accomplished - and he has since increased the size of the farm to 100 acres. He now has a good frame house of eight rooms, with other good buildings, including a silo, 14 by 28 feet in size, and keeps an automobile. He raises a good grade of stock and is doing a prosperous business. He and his family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, which he has served as a trustee much of the time. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have had a family of twelve children, four of whom - John, Jonas, Edward and Carl - died when young, The others are: Carl Oscar and John Arthur, who are single; Anna Emelia, wife of John Johnson of Clark County; Elmer married Mabel 8. Johnson. They reside on the old farm; Dolly Cecilia, single; Leo Theodore, single; Julia Edvarda, now deceased, who was the wife of Jerry Weyne, and Oliva Amalia, who married Ed Peterson, and died eight years ago at the age of 22, leaving one child, Chester. Anna E., now Mrs. John E. Johnson, has had three children - Emily, now deceased; Ella and Elias. Julia (Mrs. Weyne) left five children - Thomas, Elsie, Verne, Edna and Ole.

Theodore Breseman, proprietor of a good farm in Section 17, Lynn Township, is a native of Wisconsin, having been born at Wayne, Washington County, March 19, 1863, son of Philip and Nettie (Close) Breseman. The parents were born, reared and married in Germany, where the father followed the occupations of farmer and carpenter. With one child, Lena, they set out for the United States in 1854, taking passage in a sailing vessel and landing in this country after a voyage of seven weeks. Coming West to Wisconsin, they stopped a short time in the vicinity of Milwaukee, and then located on a tract of timber land in Washington County, where the father erected a log house as their first dwelling. That place was their home for about twenty-five years, during which time Philip Breseman improved it into a fairly good farm, using an ox team to cultivate the land, after clearing it, Milwaukee being for some years their nearest milling point. He sold out and came to Fremont Township, Clark County, March 19, 1879, securing two tracts of land, each of eighty acres, one of which lay in Wood County, and the other in Section 34, Fremont Township, Clark County. The land was wild but there was a log building on it, and there Mr. Breseman and his family remained until he sold out and removed to the village of Lynn, where he died in 1900. He was born Sept. 28, 1829, in Germany. His wife had died in Washington County many years before, at the age of 35. There were nine children in the family: Lena, Henry, Charles (now deceased), J. Phillip, Martin, Theodore, Jacob, Katie and Nettie. While residing in Washington County, Phillip Breseman held local office, and later was treasurer of Fremont Township, Clark County. The family were affiliated religously with the Presbyterian Church. Theodore Breseman passed his school days in Washington County, and after coming to Clark County helped his father to clear the home farm, also at times working in the logging camps. At the age of 22 years he was married to Anna Wishulkee, a native of Germany, who came to this country when a child of 3 years. She was born April 27, 1863, daughter of Gotlib and Marie (Nitchkis) Wishulkee. He then located for himself on a tract of a quarter section in Section 17, Lynn Township, Range 1 East, the land being covered with stumps and there being no buildings; neither was there any road. Here he erected a log house 18 by 26 feet in size, which in after years he enlarged and improved so that it is today a neat and commodious dwell- ing, mostly frame. His early years on this place were years of hard work, with nothing but his hands to aid him, except a few small tools, He carried rails on his back, and walked to Mapleworks for supplies, which he carried for two and a half miles. Buying a pair of two-year-old steers, he broke them himself, and now, having an ox team, made a jumper, which he used for his first "wagon," and with which he hauled his grain for the first three years. In time he cleared all his land - 160 acres - and built a barn 100 by 28 feet in dimensions, which, however, was struck by lightning and burned. To replace it he built a basement barn 36 by 82 feet, which is now standing, He raises good stock and is doing a profitable business in general farming. At various times Mr, Breseman has taken a more or less active part in local affairs, having served on the township board as supervisor, and as a member of the district school board, which he helped to organize. Aside from his farming interests, already mentioned, in former days he did work as a stone mason, taking contracts. He and his wife have been the parents of eight children: Oscar, Bertha (now deceased), Martha, Lydia, Ida, Freda, Fred and Louie. Lydia is now the wife of Lee Sires of Altona, Wis., and has two children, Dale and Idabell; Freda is the wife of William Prust of Chili, Clark County, they have one child, Kenneth Lloyd. The family are members of the Lutheran Church.

Herman Krouse, Sr., one of the early settlers in Grant Township, where he developed a farm from the wilderness, was born in Pommern, Germany, Nov. 6, 1832, and on beginning industrial life became a laborer. He was there married to Rica Fredericka Megloen, and in 1871, with four children - Herman, Albert, Charles and Henry - they left their native land for the United States, taking passage in a sailing vessel and spending two months on the ocean. Locating near West Bend, in Washington County, Wis., about forty miles northwest of Milwaukee, they resided in that vicinity for three years, Mr. Krouse working at whatever he could find to do. Then, coming to Clark County, he located on a tract of forty acres in Grant Township, which was covered with timber and to which there was no road. A log house was the first requisite and he, accordingly, built one, 18 by 26 feet in size, and containing one room. He also erected a log barn, and, having made these preparations, started on the arduous labor of clearing the land. With nothing but his hands to work with he cleared in time nearly forty acres. During part of this time he had to walk to Neillsville for supplies, as it was five years before he got an ox team, which he obtained by raising a steer and then buying another one to make a yoke of steers. In the second spring on the farm he got acow. There he lived until his death in 1901. His wife, who was born April 4, 1837, is still living. Besides the children already mentioned, they had four others, who were born in Clark County: August, John, Mary and Ida. The family were members of the German Lutheran Church, which Mr. Krouse helped to start in Grant Township. In early days services were held in their log house.

Herman Krouse, Jr., a well-known farmer of Lynn Township, having a good farm in Section 17, was born in Pommern, Germany, March 4, 1862, son of Herman and Rica Fredericka (Megloen) Krouse, The parents came to the United States in 1871, with four children, Herman, Albert, Charles and Henry, and after five years settled in Grant Township, where the father developed a good farm. Herman, Jr., was educated in Clark County, attending the district school and helping to clear his father's farm, He also spent eleven winters in the logging camps of Clark County, driving eattle on the skidway as he was a good canthook man. Later, he bought a tract of forty acres in Section 17, Lynn Township, the land being covered with pine stumps and timber, and away from any road. He had already married Mary Grose, a native of Germany, and for the accommodation of himself and wife, built a good frame house. Since then he has cleared his land and increased the size of his farm to 200 acres, having also built a barn 38 by 72 feet in size. He keeps a good grade of cattle, as well as blooded Percheron horses. Nine children have been born to him and his wife: Emil, Walter, Cleo, Martin, Martha, Gertie, Lydia, Aggie and Lottie. Emil, who lives in Lynn Township, married Hattie Shire, and has three children - Hazel, Eddis and Elroy. Martha is the wife of Elmer Rose, of York Township, Clark County, and has one son, Glenn, Gertie is the wife of John Brassman of Lynn. Lydia, who married Ray Ure of Chili, has one child a son, Ralph. Aggie, who married Edward Ure and lives in Lynn Township, has one child, Neva.

Ernest Barth, a progressive citizen of Lynn Township, where he is engaged in farming and stock raising, was born in Germany, March 7, 1865, son of Ernest and Elizabeth (Raisner) Barth, the father being a blacksmith by trade. In 1869, Ernest, Sr., with his wife and four children - John, Gusta, Bertha and Ernest, left Germany for the United States, landing at Baltimore after a voyage of eighteen days in a steamboat. Locating in Calumet County, Wis., where he had acquaintances, the father bought eighty acres of land, which was a wild tract without buildings. These he put up, remaining there seven years, the first year having nothing but his hands to depend on, but later getting an ox team. In 1876, he and his family came to Clark County, he purchasing a tract of eighty acres in Lynn Township, of which sixteen acres were cleared, though there were no buildings. Accordingly, he first built a log house and log stable, and buying an ox team of Frank Lapp, started to clear the stump covered place. He had made good progress in this task when he died in 1884 at the age of 59 years. A hard worker and a lover of home, he was a man who had won general respect. His wife, born May 8, 1828, is now living with her son Ernest. They attended the Lutheran Church. Ernest Barth, Jr., has always resided on the home farm. In his boyhood he attended the log schoolhouse in Lynn Township, but had no opportunity for gaining a liberal education. In time the management and ownership of the home farm came into his hands, and he has since increased its size by the purchase of forty additional acres. He has also made other improvements, enlarging the house and building a barn 36 by 82 feet in size. He is raising a good grade of gray Durham cattle, is a member of the elevator company at Chili and a shareholder in the Bank of Chili. His fraternal society affiliations are with the Woodmen,

Charles Blado, who is engaged in agricultural operations on a farm of eighty acres in Loyal Township, was born near Berlin, Germany, June 2,

1866, son of August and Christiana (Krahn) Blado. The father, who was a day laborer in Germany, came to the United States in 1882, with his wife and five children - Minnie, Charles, Frank, August and Bertha, They settled in Loyal Township, Clark County, where the mother had a sister, a Mrs. William Schultz. After working out for a while August Blado bought a tract of eighty acres in Section 1, Loyal Township, the land being wild and wooded. On this he built a three-room log house, with an attic, and also a log stable. The first year he had only his hands with which to work, and it was two years before he succeeded in getting an ox team. In place of a wagon he used the kind of rude sled called a "jumper," which was much used by the pioneer settlers. With this assistance he began the clearing of his farm, a task which in time he completed, residing there until his death, in 1901, at the age of 70 or 71 years. His wife died at the age of 60, some twenty-three years ago. He was a member of the German Lutheran Church, and took part in the building of the old log church in Section 3, and later, helped to build the church in Loyal. Charles Blado was 16 years of age when his parents came to Clark County. His education was acquired in the public and Lutheran parochial schools, and he, subsequently, helped his father to clear the home farm, as he got a little older doing most of the work. Later, he replaced the old log house with a brick house of eleven rooms, also putting up a basement barn 40 by 72 feet, and good outbuildings, making all necessary improvements. This place he still operates, raising a good grade of stock. He is an officer of the German Lutheran Church, and helped to build the second church of that denomination, and also the present church in Loyal. Mr. Blado was married March 29, 1894, to Emma Splittgerber, who is a native of the same part of Germany as himself, and who settled in Iowa with her parents. He and his wife have two children - Elsie and Martha. The wife died June 18, 1917, age 43 years, She was born Feb. 11, 1874.

Herman Boettcher, a prosperous stock farmer of Beaver Township, and a stockholder in the Greenwood creamery, was born in Saxony, Germany, May 26, 1846, son of August and Sophia (Regol) Boettcher, whose other children were Louis, now deceased, and August. Herman was the first member of the family to come to the United States, which he did in 1872. In his native land he had worked in coal mines and on the roads, which latter are there kept in a high state of perfection, and had also received a good schooling. After a voyage of three weeks he landed in America, and proceeded to Milwaukee, where he worked in a meat market and packing house for a while. He was then engaged in farm work for two years, after which he went to Oshkosh, where he found employment in a sawmill and stayed a year, thence to Calumet County and subsequently coming to Clark County in 1874. His father and mother and brother Louis followed him about 1875 to this country. On arriving in Clark County, Mr. Boettcher secured a tract of 160 acres in Sections 5 and 34, Beaver Township, it being mostly covered with timber, but with about ten acres chopped over. There was no road past the place, the only access being along a chopped trail. There was a log house on the place, 16 to 22 feet, and containing only one room, and into this he moved his belongings, consisting of three trunks, four chairs and a No. 8 stove. The next year he bought a team of oxen, but was often obliged to carry supplies on his back from Unity. One winter he spent in logging, but most of his time was spent in clearing his land. His parents resided on the farm with him until they died. They were members of the Lutheran Church. On March 23, 1884, Herman Boettcher was united in marriage with Henriette Strouth, who was born in Pommern, Germany, Aug. 15, 1859, and came to Unity Township, Clark County, with her sister, Hannah, in 1883. Her parents, Theodore and Caroline Strouth, died when she was an infant. They never left their native land, where the father was a laborer by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Boettcher began domestic life in the original log house, which was their home for many years, Mrs. Boettcher spinning wool and making caps and socks for her husband, spinning being an occupation in which she still indulges. In 1912 the new residence was built, a substantial building, making a comfortable home. Mr. Boettcher has cleared nearly all of his farm, which contains eighty acres, In 1913 he built a good frame barn, 36 by 80 feet in size, which is a better and more convenient building than the log barn measuring 30 by 72 feet, built in 1882. He raises a good grade of stock, and as a farmer, is doing a successful business. He and his family are members of the German Lutheran Church in Unity Township, in the building of which he took a leading part, having since served several years on its board, He and his wife have had eight children: Anna (deceased), Mary, Max, Minnie, William, an infant who died young, Louise, Elbert and Martha. For ten years Max has run the farm.

Ambrose M. Steinwand, former proprietor of the old Schultz Cheese Factory in Section 3, Colby Township, was born in this township, June 1, 1878, son of Ambrose and Susan (Weber) Steinwand. The parents, natives of Germany, were married in Wisconsin, and after farming for ten years in Manitowoe County, this state, in 1875, settled in Section 25, Colby Township, Clark County, the father becoming a prominent citizen here, In addition to farming he organized, in 1882, the Steinwand Cheese Factory, now operated by his son, Joseph F., as a cheese and butter factory. Ambrose M. Steinwand, at the age of 20 years, or about 1898, left home and bought the cheese factory of which he was owner and which he has operated till March, 1917. He has also at different times bought and sold other factories of this kind. In addition to this occupation he is agent for the Overland cars at Abbotsford and Colby, Wis., being in partnership with A. J. Young, of Abbotsford, and is a director of the Lynn Insurance Company, and of the Abbotsford State Bank. He has served nine years as treasurer of School District No. 3. On April 16, 1903, he was united in marriage with Meta Frome, daughter of Theodore and Mary (Beckfield) Frome, farming people of Colby Township, Her parents were natives of Germany, coming to the United States when young and locating in Clark County, in 1883, their farm in Section 23, Colby Township, being now operated by their son, Louis F. They are still living on the homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Steinwand have two children: Herbert, born Jan. 9, 1905, and Laura, born April 29, 1907, The family reside on a farm in Section 13,

Charles Lester Lloyd, an enterprising farmer of Section 27, Loyal Township, was born on his present farm, April 5, 1875, son of Charles and Sarah (Davis) Lloyd. The father was a native of Mileby, Ohio, and the mother of Pennsylvania, the latter being born May 5, 1849. They were married in Wisconsin, Charles Lloyd locating on 120 acres of land in this township. His early years here were those of a pioneer. On his farm he used an ox team and an old-time "jumper." He built the log house still standing on the farm, worked at times in the woods, and in course of time cleared his farm, on which he resided until his death, in 1895. His wite is still living, being born April 5, 1849. He and his wife had five children: Charles Lester, the date of whose birth has been already given; Jennie N., born Feb. 7, 1877; Lelia and Leone (twins), born March 16, 1881, and Leonard, born April 11, 1887. Of these children Lelia died March, 1910. Charles Lester Lloyd was reared on his parents' farm, which he helped his father to clear, and also worked in the woods at lumbering. In course of time he succeeded to the possession of the homestead, which he has continued to improve and cultivate with satisfactory results and is now numbered among the prosperous agriculturists of his township. He keeps a good grade of stock, raises various crops successfully, and his buildings and farm equipment are kept in excellent condition. Mr. Lloyd was married, Mar. 17, 1910, to Anna Mary Pollack, who came from Danville, Penn., and whose parents were Jerry and Hannah Babb. Mr. Lloyd has no children of his own, but those of his sister Lelia reside with him, as does also his mother. Lelia, widow of Geo. Faust, whose children are James, Roseta and Gilbert.

Frederick Carl Luther, who is engaged in operating a good farm in section 2, Loyal Township, where he has resided many years, was born in Posen, Germany, Mar. 3, 1858, son of Ludwig and Julianna (Schultz) Luther. The parents, who were farming people, died in Germany. They had five children, Frederick, Julius, Minnie, Emma and Gusta. Of these Frederick was the only one to emigrate to the United States, which he did in 1882, settling near Watertown, in Jefferson County, Wis. The journey to America was in reality a wedding trip for him, as he had married in Germany, Mar. 23, that year, Wilhelmina Schultz, daughter of August and Wilhelmina (Zaber) Schultz, whose parents, extensive farmers, had six children - Gustave, August, Henrietta, Julia, Wilhelmina and Emma. Before his marriage Frederick C, Luther had acquired a good education, had worked five years at railroad work in Germany and served two years as a soldier. After arriving in this country he and his wife lived in Jefferson County for about two years, he working at the mason's trade. In 1884 they left that part of the state and came to Clark County, buying forty acres of land in section 2, Loyal Township. They now found themselves confronted with pioneer work, as there were no roads in the immediate vicinity and their land was covered with big pines. Mr. Luther had no teams and had to grub in his first crop by hand. He also had to build a residence for himself and wife and so constructed a log house, 20 by 30 feet in size, with three rooms downstairs and one upstairs. His tradingplace was Spencer, and he had to carry produce there on his back and return with flour and other provisions in the same manner. He got an ox by raising it from a calf, but had a cow when he started in the fall. His first conveyance was a wooden "jumper."' Subsequently he traded an ox team for a horse team. His buildings at first were of logs, but later he built an eight-room brick house, his log house having burned down in January, 1909. He has also put up a barn, 36 by 50 feet, and a silo, 12 by 20 feet, having a three-foot wall. He has cleared his forty acres by his own efforts and now has a good farm, raising Holstein cattle successfully. A member of the Lutheran Church, he has served twenty-five years as its clerk and celebrated his jubilee in January, 1917. In early days services were held in his log cabin and he assisted in starting the old log church of that denomination; he and his family have also assisted the third church in Loyal. Mr, and Mrs. Luther are the parents of ten children: Adolph, of Sherman Township, who married Clara Lindetuger, and has two children - Verna and Florence; Otto, who is a cheese-maker, living in Beaver Township; Emil, who married Blanch Cornwall, resides in Thorp, Clark County, and has two children, Gerald and infant; Frank, of Montana, who married Mina Paul, and has two children, Frances and Fern; John and Martin, who are unmarried; Martha, who is the wife of Otto Schwan, and has five children, Ernest, Herald, Emeline, Esther and Rhinehaldt; Aluina, now Mrs. Adolph Gretzner, whose children are Gladys, Eva and Viola; Lena, now Mrs. Albert Felsky, of Beaver Township, who has one child, Aleda; and Alma, who resides at home.

Otis Slocomb, a prominent farmer of Grant Township, now serving as chairman of the township board, was born June 26, 1869, in a log cabin on his present farm, in section 22, which had been homesteaded by his father. His parents were Charles and Mary (Duffy) Slocomb, the father, a native of Vermont, and the mother of Ireland, their marriage taking place in Lynn, Mass. Charles was the son of Otis and Sarah (Chiver) Slocomb, Otis being an attorney in Woodstock, Vt., and of English descent. In the latter's family were ten children: Harrison, Austin, Joseph (who died in the Civil War), Lydia, Sarah, Ira, Eunice, Charles, Clara and William. Charles and Mary Slocomb came west to Wisconsin, locating in Pewaukee, where Mr. Slocomb enlisted in the 18th Wisconsin Regiment and served one year in the war. Two children were born there - Austin and Mary. At the close of the war the family came by stage to Black River Falls, from which place they walked to Neillsville. Mr. Slocomb and two other men had each purchased eighty acres of land in Grant Township without seeing it, and the three drew straws for the choice of tracts. That which Charles Slocomb drew was all wild land. The only stock he had was the driving horse he had brought with him, but soon afterwards he bought a cow. To begin with he built a two-room log house, 18 by 20 feet, which was the family residence for a number of years until prosperity came to them, when a seven-room modern house was erected. An ox team he had to procure in order to clear his land, a labor that took considerable time, but was finally accomplished. In later years his farm was well stocked with cattle, hogs and horses, having also good buildings, and he was numbered among the prosperous citizens of his township. Charles Slocomb died in 1887, at the age of 67 years. His wife, who survived him about twenty years, passed away in 1907, when 76 years old. Otis, the subject of this sketch, was their only child born in Clark County. Otis Slocomb acquired his education in the district school and learned farming on his parents' homestead. When old enough he worked in the woods driving a team, but continued to make his home with his parents. In course of time he purchased the farm which he has increased in size by the purchase of thirty more acres of improved land. He has erected a good basement barn, 36 by 52 feet, and a silo, 12 by 30 feet, and raises good stock. Aside from his direct farming interests Mr. Slocomb is a member of the Farmers' Co-operative Elevator and Lumber Company of Neillsville, and the Pleasant Ridge Creamery and is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Neillsville. He served as township assessor for six years, has been a member of the school board, and since 1910 has been chairman of the township board. He is now a member of the Clark County Exemption Board. Mr. Slocomb was married, November, 1892, to Agnes Munce, who was born in Titisville, Pa., daughter of Robert Munce, and was adopted by Willis Fuller, of New York. Their children are: Ira, Isabella, Mary, Vera and Ruth.

Curtis Renne, a prosperous farmer of Sherman Township, was born in York Township, Clark County, Oct. 20, 1868, son of Hiram W. and Eveline (Marsh) Renne. He was educated in the district school which stood scarcely more than a stone's throw from his parents' house and grew to manhood on their farm. At the age of 20 years he struck out for himself, engaging in farm and mill work, and was also employed in the woods a number of winters in sawing and hauling logs. At the age of 23 he was married to Lizzie A. Stevens, daughter of Lon Stevens, of Granton, Clark County, and about that time he worked in the mill of J. C. March of Spokeville. He then took a homestead of 160 acres in Lincoln County, buying it in after two years, but at times he and his wife made their home in various parts of Clark County, About sixteen years ago Mr. Renne came to section 27, Sherman Township, buying eighty acres of land, a part of which tract had been chopped and was covered with stumps. Since then he has cleared most or nearly all of it and has fairly good buildings on his farm. He raises Guernsey cattle, good horses and Poland-China hogs. Mr. Renne served as township treasurer for five successive years and has served on the school board three years. He is a member and trustee of the Presbyterian Church and is also Sunday school superintendent. He and his wife have five children; Lila Lonna, Harley Wayne, Fern Electa, Bernice Zella, and Warren Emmet. Mr. Renne has always voted Republican ticket until the first election of Pres. Wilson.