BIOGRAPHIES:  A. O. BLIX, Turtle Lake, Barron Co., WI

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Submitted by:  Vic Gulickson <vic@indy.net>  24 February 2004
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A. 0. Blix, oldest merchant of Turtle Lake, and well known in fraternal
circles throughout the state, was born in Norway, March 23, 1858, son of
Christopher and Oleanna (Olson) Blix, and descended from a long line of
sturdy ancestors. He came to America in 1876 with two sisters, Olea and
Leonharda and located in Wisconsin, where with headquarters at Eau Claire
he secured employment in the lumber woods. Feeling the need of an American
education, he attended the common schools of Eau Claire, the Augsburg
Seminary of Minneapolis, and Milton College at Milton, Wis. Then for many
years he was employed as a clerk in Eau Claire stores. In 1893 he went to
Drummond, Wis., where he was employed as manager of a general store for the
Rush Owen Lumber Co., until 1904. In that year he came to Turtle Lake and
bought the general store of F. C. Wickenberg. To the development and
progress of this store he has since devoted his time and attention. He has
built up a good business, has a large list of customers in village and
country, and stands high in the community as a merchant and as a man. His
fair dealing, his absolute business integrity, and his courteous manner
have made him widely and favorably known. His branch store at Clayton,
Wis., is conducted along the same general lines as the Turtle Lake one, and
is equally highly regarded. Busy as he has been with his work, he has found
time for fraternal life and public service. For four years he was village
supervisor, representing the village on the county board. He has also
served on various committees and delegations. He has passed through the
chairs of the local lodge of Odd Fellows and has served as deputy state
grand master for his district. He has also been through the chairs of the
local lodge of Masons. The Modern Woodmen likewise count him as a valued
member, passing through the chairs. Mr. Blix was married at Eau Claire in
1889 to Louise Langum, daughter of Andrew and Mina Langum, the former of
whom is living in Eau Claire, and the latter of whom is dead. Mr. and Mrs.
Langum were both born in Norway, being early settlers of Eau Claire. Mr.
and Mrs. Blix have five children: Ovid B., Albert, Mildred, Laura and Anna.
Ovid B. passed through the graded schools of Turtle Lake and graduated from
the High school in Eau Claire. He graduated from the University of
Wisconsin in 1917 and is now municipal librarian in Milwaukee. In 1918 he
was inducted into the United States service, and trained at Camp Grant.
Albert is associated with his father in business. During the war he trained
for the radio service. Mildred is the wife of George H. Bunker, a hardware
merchant of Turtle Lake. Laura is a student at the University at Madison.
Anna is attending the public schools of Turtle Lake. The family faith is
that of the Lutheran church.

--Transcribed from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper,
Jr., & Co., 1922, pp. 170-171.


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