BIOGRAPHIES:  Augustus L. BEST, Prairie Farm Township, Barron Co., WI

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Submitted by:  Vic Gulickson <vic@indy.net>  24 February 2004
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Augustus L. Best, now deceased, at one time the most extensive owner (of
improved farm land in Prairie Farm Township, was born on a farm in Adams
County, Wis., April 4, 1854, the son of Socrates T. and E. Frances
(Langson) Best, and was taken by them to Texas while still a young child.
At the outbreak of the Civil War the father was impressed into the
Confederate service, but deserted and joined the Union Army. The mother,
believing that the father had been killed, started for Wisconsin with her
two sons, Augustus L. and William. Near Dardanelle, Ark., she met her
husband, and he established a home near the hospital where he was assigned
to duty. She died Nov. 5, 1864, and he was then ordered back to his
regiment. He sent the boys north with other refugees in charge of a
clergyman. But at Springfield, Ill., the clergyman decamped with the
refugees' funds. The two boys were taken by kindhearted strangers, who
cared for them a while, and then sent them to Chicago. There, too, they met
kindly people, who, after entertaining them a while, sent them to Portage,
Wis., where they had an uncle. From there they were taken to their
grandparents' home in Adams County, where, at the close of the war, they
were joined by their father. Augustus L. started out for himself in 1876,
and located at Menomonie, Dunn County, this state, where he secured
employment carrying the mail between that place and Prairie Farm, in Barron
County. After three years he went to North Dakota. A year later he returned
and became clerk for Knapp, Stout & Co. at Prairie Farm. Three years
afterward he again went to North Dakota, but this time stayed only a short
while. Upon his return he engaged in stock dealing. In 1884 he and his
brother, William J., formed a partnership, in the operation of a sawmill in
New Haven Township, Dunn County, There, for several years, they did a
flourishing business. In 1895 Mr. Best came to Prairie Farm once more and
purchased a tract of 1,000 acres of well improved land from Knapp, Stout &
Co. This tract was a part of the farm from which the town took its name,
and which the lumber company had developed in the early day. He replaced
the house with one of the best frame residences in the vicinity and put up
other good buildings. Here he successfully carried on general farming for
over fifteen years. Gradually the great tract has been sold off until the
home place now consists of 130 acres, forty acres of which is in the
village. Mr. Best took an active part in everything that pertained to the
growth of the community. He was a Republican, and in the convention days
was a delegate to many gatherings of that party. In Dunn and Barron
Counties both he served in numerous town offices, He helped to get the
Co-operative Creamery at Prairie Farm started, and served as a member of
its first board of directors. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Prairie
Farm found in him a prominent supporter and liberal contributor. After a
long and useful life, he died Feb. 11, 1912. Mr. Best was a man eminently
fitted by temperament and ability to be a leader in the development of a
new country. He was progressive and intelligent, be had a broad spirit of
fairness, he was a man of sterling character, and of unfailing cheerfulness
of disposition. He believed in the future of Prairie Farm, he demonstrated
that belief, and the name he left is inseparably interwoven in the history
of the town and village. Mr. Best was married April 6, 1878, to Alana
Laundt, a native of Wisconsin, and the daughter of Jerry and Sarah (Ward)
Laundt. This union was blessed with seven children: Almeron, of Barron;
Eugene, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; Elsie, now deceased; Benjamin, of Spooner;
Clebourn, of Hillyard, Washington; Loren, also of that place; and Earl, in
the United States military service. Mr. Best was married Feb. 17, 1897, at
Necedah to Mrs. Laura Risdon, the widow of Charles Risdon, of Mauston,
Juneau County, this state, who, in maidenhood, was Laura Clumpner. She was
born at Necedah on Nov. 14, 1865, the daughter of William and Evaline
(Ward) Clumpner, the former a mill man, born in Holland, and the latter a
native of Jefferson County, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Best have three
children. Homer, who operates the home place, married Edith Kahl, the
daughter of George Kahl. Laura is a teacher. Geneva is at home. There is
also an adopted son, Gussie, who is serving in the U. S. Navy.

--Transcribed from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper,
Jr., & Co., 1922, pp. 551-552.


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