BIOGRAPHIES: Frederick I. DEMERS, Rice Lake, 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 13 August 2000 ==================================================================== Frederick I. Demers, farmer, merchant and public official for many years in Rice Lake, now deceased, exerted a real influence on the life of the county, and left behind the memory of an honest, upright and useful life. He did his duty as he saw it in business, in public affairs and in his family, and was held in high esteem. He was a native of Canada, born in Quebec, Nov. 17, 1845, the son of McGuire and Margaret (Dauplaise) Demers, both of Canadian birth, but of ancient French lineage. The father, who was a mason by trade, died in 1881, after which the mother came to Rice Lake, took up her home with her son, Frederick I., and died March 31, 1914, at the age of ninety-seven years. The subject of this sketch as a boy attended the Canadian public schools. He began his mercantile career at the age of fourteen, when he started clerking in a store at Sorel, Province of Quebec, Canada. After some years of this, he engaged in the mercantile and cordwood business for himself in the same place. In 1870 he came to the States, bringing his family, and locating at Menomonie, Dunn County, Wis. It was in 1871 that he came to Barron County, and took a homestead of 160 acres in section 24, Rice Lake Township. He developed a good place, worked hard to acquire success, and there established the foundation of his future fortunes. In 1881 he moved to the city of Rice Lake, established himself in the mercantile business, and soon became one of the leading business men of the county. He sold the establishment in 1906, and retired. Busy as he was with his personal and business affairs, he found time for public work, and was a member of the town board five years and a member of the city council for two years. He also served on various committees and delegations at various times. He died Feb. 8, 1908, and in his passing the county lost a valued citizen. Mr. Demers was married in Canada, Feb. 27, 1865, to Mary Derosier, and this union has been blessed with five children: Wilfred A. is cashier of the First National Bank at Rice Lake. Samuel is in Seattle, Wash. Joseph J. is a practicing physician of Pompey's Pillar, Montana. Clara is the widow of J. P. Morneau, and lives in Appleton, Wis. Laura is the wife of J. H. Wilz, cashier of the Citizens Bank of Rice Lake. Wilfred A. Demers, financier, agriculturist, former county and city official, former member of the selective draft board, and present cashier of the First National Bank of Rice Lake, was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, Nov. 17, 1865, son of Frederick I. and Mary (Derosier) Demers, who brought him to the States in 1870 and after a year in Menomonie, this state, came to Barron County. Wilfred A. was reared on a homestead in Rice Lake Township, and there attended the district schools. He was sixteen years old when his family moved to Rice Lake, and here he continued his schooling, spending his spare time in working with his father in his store, and thus learning the principles of business life. After he left school he worked two years for the Omaha Railroad at Rice Lake. Then he became a clerk in his father's store. In the fall of 1898 he was elected county treasurer, and served for four years, making his home at Barron. Upon his retirement he continued in the court house for a while as assistant to the county treasurer. Afterward he resumed his employment with his father. He entered upon his banking career Nov. 1, 1907, as assistant cashier of the First National Bank at Rice Lake. His hard work and ability, as well as the confidence in which he is held in the community, at once became important factors in the life of the bank, and on Jan. 1, 1914, he was elevated to his present position. Reared as he was on a farm, he has always been interested in agriculture, and he makes a hobby of his fine place of 400 acres in Rice Lake Township, where he breeds full-blooded Holstein-Freisian cattle for dairy purposes. In addition to this he is the owner of several residences and business buildings in Rice Lake City. His public office holding has not been confined to the court house, for in the city as well, he has done excellent service. He has been city clerk and city treasurer, and during his term as alderman was one of the prime movers in installing the present adequate sewage system. During the war he was fearless and just as a member of the selective draft board, and also headed a number of Liberty Loan and War Fund drives. All in all he is a broad minded man of intelligence and ability, who has the best good of the community at heart, and who, in acquiring his own success, has not been unmindful of others. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Forestors. Mr. Demers was married July 4, 1887, to Delima Santerre, who was born in Canada, Sept. 6, 1868. To this union ten children have been born. Alda is a teacher and lives at home. Odille was for several years librarian at the Carnege Library at Rice Lake. Hazel is accountant for the First National Bank at Rice Lake. Leontine is the wife of Russell Rill of Casper, Wyoming. Raymond is a student in the Rice Lake High School. He was a volunteer in the World War and served with Co. A, 121st Machine Gun Battalion, 32nd Division. Clarian is a student at the State Normal School at Superior. Maurine, Antoinette and Carroll are attending the public schools. One is dead. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church. --Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co., 1922, pp. 195-196.