BIOGRAPHIES: Martin CLAYTON, Arland Township, Barron County, WI

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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:  
Vic Gulickson <vic@indy.net>  24 February 2002	
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Martin Clayton, an active and industrious farmer of Sections 31 and 32,
Arland Township, was born in Norway, May 3, 1874, the son of Nels and
Johanna (Johansdatter) Clayton. These good people were born and reared in
Norway, and were there married. They came to America in 1887, landing in
New York May 28, of that year. From that city they came directly to
Menomonie, Wis., where they stayed for a while. In 1889 they bought 80
acres in Sections 31 and 32, Arland Township. He erected a set of log
buildings and cleared about fifteen acres. There he carried on farming for
many years. He was active in the upbuilding of the community, was
interested in church and school, and helped to construct some of the early
roads. In 1899 he retired but continued to live on the place until his
lamented death, Oct. 25, 1908. His wife died Dec. 2, 1913. They were the
parents of five children. Andreas and Ellen died in Norway. Curine is the
wife of Anton Moen of Prairie Farm Township. Anna is the widow of Hans
Thorson of Norway. Martin, the third child, attended school in Norway, and
was thirteen years old in 1887, when his parents brought him to America,
was reared on his present farm, and early learned the hard work of farm
life in this region. He helped his parents develop the farm and in 1899
took over its management. He has erected a good set of modern buildings,
has cleared 50 more acres, has put up fences and has purchased suitable
equipment in the way of tools, implements and machinery. Here he
successfully carries on general farming and dairying. He has a good graded
herd, and raises the crops usual in this region. Mr. Clayton believes in
helping every cause which is for the best interests of the community. He is
a stockholder in the Hillsdale Northwestern Telephone Co. In 1904 Mr.
Clayton homesteaded land in Marshall County, Minn., which he held for three
years. Mr. Clayton married Alice G. Baker, who was born in Marquette
County, Wisconsin, Aug. 28, 1876, the daughter of Frank and Christine
(Nelson) Baker, now residents of Arland Township. Mr. and Mrs. Clayton have
a daughter, Juna C., who was born March 6, 1901, and is at home. The family
faith is that of the Concordia Church at Arland.

--Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co.,
1922, pg. 896.