BIOGRAPHIES: Herbert H. DENISON, Barron, 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: Transcribed by Peg Lamkin Edited and submitted by Vic Gulickson 28 March 2002 ==================================================================== Herbert H. Denison, proprietor of a well patronized photographic studio in Barron, is a man who has attained success by hard work in the face of early discouragements and is well known and respected throughout this section. He was born in Bergen Township, Vernon County, Wisconsin, Oct. 21, 1874, son of Henry J. and Mary E. (Allen) Denison. The parents were American born, the father being a native of Ohio and the mother of Vermont. The former, Henry J. Denison, came West with his parents when nine years old and was reared and educated in Vernon County. He was married to Mary E. Allen in February, 1872. They are still living on a fruit farm in that county where they are well known and esteemed, Mr. Denison having for many years taken a prominent part in various movements for the benefit of the community in which he lives. He has long been a strong advocate of prohibition, though usually voting the Republican ticket. He and his wife have had twelve children: Herbert H., of Barron; Effa, now deceased; Francis, of Stoddard, Wis.; Leroy, of Chester, S.D.; Lois M., now Mrs. Lloyd Thompson of Prairie Farm, Barron County; Casson M., of Victory, Wis.; Nellie May, now Mrs. Lee Campbell, of Viroqua, Wis.; Harmon, of Viroqua; Venora, wife of Benjamin Bostrom, of La Crosse, Wis.; Vivian (twin brother of Venora), now deceased; Talmadge T., of La Crosse, and Fay, now Mrs. William Bender, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Herbert H. Denison acquired his education in the common school. At the age of 14 he left home and began working out as a farm hand, and occasionally at other occupations. In 1895 he took up the study of photography, which, with the exception of a few months, he has followed ever since. During the spring and summer of 1899, in company with Alvin Post, he traveled through Minnesota engaged in photographic work. Reaching Barron, Wis., in the fall with less than a dollar in his pocket he was obliged to seek some other occupation for a while and during the following winter chopped cord wood. With the money thus earned and a portable outfit, he went first to Prairie Farm, then to Dallas, this county, where he started a gallery. But at first business was slow, his partner left him to accept a salaried position elsewhere, and Mr. Denison, though no longer having to share profits, found it difficult to make a living. For a year or more to eke out his income he wrote business cards and advertising matter with the pen. In 1904 he married and started business in Barron, where he has since had a progressive and successful career. He has been a close student of his profession and has brought his work up to a high standard of photographic art. For a number of years he has been a member of the National Photographic Association. As a citizen of Barron he has identified himself closely with local interests and has done his part in advancing the welfare of the community. He owns a good residence on Franklin street and is numbered among the substantial residents of the place. Mr. Denison was married June 21, 1904, to Mabel Brown, daughter of George W. and Sarah (Peebles) Brown, of Dallas Township, this county, in which township her parents were early settlers. They have had two children: Erman H., born Aug. 21, 1906, who died Oct. 26, 1908, and Dorothy, born Aug. 22, 1909. --Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co., 1922, pp. 102-103.