BIOGRAPHIES: Frank BARFKNECHT, Clinton Township, Barron County, WI ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor, or the legal representative of the contributor, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Vic Gulickson 8 April 2002 ==================================================================== Frank Barfknecht, Section 11, Clinton Township, prosperous farmer and valued public official, was born in Pomerania, Germany, July 10, 1861, the son of William and Caroline Barfknecht, the former of whom, a stockman, died in 1877, and the latter of whom came to America in 1885, and died at Cameron, this county. In the family there were three children, Frank and Fred, and Paulina, who died in Germany. Frank went to school in Germany, and as a youth was employed in the stock business, helping to care for 100 head of cattle. In 1885 he came to America with his mother, and located at Cameron, in this county, where he worked as a section hand. Then he went to Ladysmith, in Rusk County. There he worked on the section and operated a boarding house for the section crew for a while, and then became section foreman. In this capacity he continued for several years, giving general satisfaction to his employers. In 1897 he bought 160 acres of land in Section 11, Clinton Township, and two years later, he came here to live. When he bought it, it was covered with heavy timber. By hard work he developed it to a good farm. He added more acres, thus making him a place of 320 acres. Of this, however, he has presented 80 each to his sons, John and William, so that he now has 160 left. His first house, a small frame structure, is still standing and is used as a hen house. The present residence is a comfortable structure of thirteen rooms, with many conveniences, including hot water heat, running hot and cold water and electric lights. It was erected in 1900. The barn was put up in 1917. It is 40 by 120 feet, with twenty-foot posts, provided with a full basement and cement floor, and furnished with the Star equipment. Running water is provided for the cattle, and the building is illuminated with electricity. Another building is the granary, which is equipped with its own engine for grinding feed. There are also two silos, a swine house, and many other buildings. Here Mr. Barfknecht is successfully carrying on general farming and dairying, on a successful scale. He is making a specialty of pure bred Duroc-Jersey swine, some of his flock being registered. He also has a good registered Holstein sire, and about half his herd of cows and heifers is also registered. In public affairs, Mr. Barfknecht is one of the real leaders. For four years he did most efficient service as chairman of the township, and during that time showed most excellent judgment as a member of the county board. For many years he has served in various capacities on the school board of his district, and is now its treasurer. In many other ways he has likewise shown his interest in everything that is for the best good of the community. Mr. Barfknecht was married in Germany in 1881, to Bertha Laudwiss, who died in 1882, leaving one daughter, Augusta, now deceased. In 1883, he was married in Germany to Augusta Pinow, who was born in Pomerania, Germany, in 1860, daughter of William and Wilhelmina Pinow, who were born in that country, and in 1887 came to America as the guests of Mr. Barfknecht, who furnished them a home in Ladysmith, and then in Clinton Township, for the remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Barfknecht have had nine children. William and John are on the farms presented by their father. Elsie is the wife of Gust Miller, of Almena Township. Ida is the wife of Albert Kuhrt, of Cumberland Township. Lillie, Paul, Emma and Fritz are at home. One is dead. The family is well esteemed throughout the community. --Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co., 1922, pg. 473.