HISTORIES: "Business & Professional Men" of 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: Linda Mott 28 June 2000 ==================================================================== Business and Professional Men We cannot mention all of the names of business and professional men who located in Barron during the last hundred years. We will attempt to mention some of those who were here for a long time, and achieved great success and some who were civic minded and public spirited, and rendered valuable service to this community. In writing about the industries of early days, we have already mentioned the names of several men who built saw mills, woodworking mills, a flour mill, and a woolen mill, here in the long ago. We have also mentioned the business and professional men who were established here in 1884, when the railroad came to Barron. Henry Radermacher worked for several years as the village blacksmith in Cameron before he came to Barron. In 1895 he established a dry goods store here. In 1901, he built a fine new store which was a credit to himself and an asset to the town. J.W. Heffner, who was born in Ohio, sold so much farm machinery in the nineties, that he gained the reputation of "Machinery King.". He came to Barron in 1896. He worked for Knapp Stout and Company for ten years and farmed for nine years before he came to Barron to engage in the machinery business. In 1909, a year after the big fire, he erected the Heffner Opera House block on the southeast corner of Third Street and Division Ave. It had a front of 134 feet on Third Street, and extended 98 feet on Division Ave. He sold part of this property in 1915, and the remainder in 1917 and 1920. W.H. Brandt came to Barron in 1890 and built the first brick building in this city. He established a drug store on the corner were the Stebbins Drug Company is now located. In 1881, T.W. Borum became an employee of the W.W. Kimball Piano and Organ Company of Chicago, Illinois. He became agent, general agent and finally, superintendent of the agencies of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. He established his headquarters in Barron. In a number of years his agencies sold several million dollars worth of goods for this company. He was one of the organizers of the Barron Telephone Company and served for a time as its secretary. He was vice president of the Barron County Abstract Company and in 1915, he was elected president of the Bank of Barron. In 1886, DeWitt Post established a hardware store here. His stock consisted of high grade tools, tinware, firearms, ammunition, fishing tackle, and general sporting goods. Charles S. Taylor did a very big retail business in disposing of the woolen goods produced in his woolen mill here. He sent out from 12 to 15 teams and salesman every fall into a dozen counties in northwestern Wisconsin. They worked during the fall and early winter months. In 1900, Mr. Taylor shipped 100,000 pounds of raw wool to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This was excess wool, not needed in the mill. H.H. Dennison came to Barron in 1902, and opened a photo studio here. He operated this studio for 44 years until he retired in 1946. No doubt, most of the pictures which appear in this history, were taken by him. In 1897, J.W. Soderberg came to live in Barron. In 1899, he was admitted to the bar and for the next 43 years, he practiced law in Barron. He served as district attorney for ten terms, was municipal judge for six years, and was one of the founders of the Barron public library. Dr. C.C. Post came to Barron in 1893, after graduating from the Chicago College of Physicians and Surgeons. He served this community and the surrounding area for a period of 53 years, except for about 21 months during World War One, when he served as a captain in the medical corps in the U.S. Army. He was employed as a surgeon by the Soo railroad for 50 years. His exceptional ability as a physician and surgeon and his integrity and devotion to duty, made him one of the most highly respected medical men in the state. In 1901, Dr. H.M. Coleman joined him and they formed a clinic and worked together for 45 years. They also established the Barron City Hospital. Dr. Post owned several farms and he was a pioneer in breeding pure-bred Holstein cattle. Mrs. C.C. Post, who has been a resident of Barron for about 75 years, still lives at 208 E. LaSalle Ave. Dr. H.M. Coleman graduated from the medical school of the University of Minnesota in 1897. He practiced medicine for three years in North Dakota and in Baldwin, Wisconsin, and then joined Dr. Post here. Like Dr. Post, he served Barron and the adjacent areas faithfully and in accordance with the highest traditions of his profession, for a period of 45 years. (He left Barron for a period of 22 months during World War One and served as a captain in the medical corps in the U.S. Army.) He served on the local school board and was also health officer for awhile. He owned a fine dairy farm south of Barron, and raised pure-bred cattle. Dr. George K. Lang and Dr. C.R. Carlson are veterinarians who are practicing in Barron at the present time. Other veterinarians who practiced here for many years in the past are Dr. M.L. Claflin, Dr. R.A. Johnston, and Dr. G.S. Pratt. F.W. Tims was born in Canada and settled in Barron in 1892. He established a general merchandise store here and built a very fine residence. He served as alderman and supervisor of the 4th ward for some time. Mr. H. McKee arrived in Barron in 1887. He established a grocery store in 1891. Mr. McKee served as city clerk for a period of 20 years. A.P. Stebbins came to Barron with his parents in 1891, from Pennsylvania. In 1904 he graduated from the course in pharmacy, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. In 1906 he became proprietor of the drug store on the northwest corner of LaSalle Ave. and Third Street. For 54 years he has operated this business and carried a full supply of high grade drugs to meet the needs of this community. This store is well stocked with all other goods which drug stores of today have for sale. The Stebbins Drug Company is one of the oldest businesses in the city. To survive for so long a business must be founded on integrity and faithful service. Mr. Stebbins has rendered public service to this community by serving 8 years as mayor. Claude C. Morrison became proprietor of the Morrison Pharmacy in June, 1908 and operated this business until his death in September, 1959. He received his pharmacy degree from Milwaukee Medical College (Now Marquette University), in 1905. He worked in drug stores for a short time in Eau Claire and Cumberland before he came to Barron. Mr. Morrison was interested in community welfare. He served for many years on the Barron School board. Charles A. Taylor, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. Taylor, graduated from the law school, University of Wisconsin, in 1906 and started law practice in Barron in that year. He practiced law here until his death in 1949. He served as district attorney for 8 years and also as municipal judge and divorce council and public administrator for many years. After his father's death in 1913, he became manager of the woolen mill. He served a short time as circuit judge (1939-1940). He was a member of the State Bar Association and was President of the First National Bank from 1917 to 1949. Dr. R.C. Smith came to Barron in 1932. In a few years he worked up an extensive practice here. He was located here for 19 years. In June, 1951, he moved to Alaska. He gained some fame for his large collection of guns. When he left here it contained some 300 guns valued at $75,000. John R. McDonald was a resident of Barron for 62 years and operated the Majestic Theater here for 39 years. We all remember his cheerful smile along main street. He was public spirited and was always willing to lend a helping hand in promoting the best interests of this community. Roy M. Wolworth started to work in his father's store in 1900. In 1910 he became a partner in the business, and in 1920 he became the proprietor. In 1950 he sold his interest to his daughter, Isabelle (Mrs. Henry Samuels). Mr. Wolworth has continued to help in operating the store since selling it. This enterprise has been in the family for more than half the life of Barron. During the last 50 years, many other businesses have been established. Some are: Solie and Son, M.L. Anderson and Sons, and M.I. Berg, insurance. At present time, Dr. R.M. Post has the longest record of service here in the field of dentistry. He started to practice here back in 1925. Some other dentists who have practiced here for many years each, during the last forty years or more, are Dr.H.N. Huff, Dr. E.W. Herring, Dr. W.F. Goddard, and Dr. F.E. Demille. Some other doctors (M.D.S) who practiced medicine in Barron since 1900 are: Dr. A.E. Hedback, Dr. E.S. Crisman, Dr. Henry Wiger, Dr. R.W. Adams, Dr. Knute Reuthin, Dr. A. Galloway, Dr. Nels Werner (He established Werner Hospital), Dr. P.K. Edwards, Dr. Harry Schlomowitz, Dr. D.F. Hammond, Dr. Lucile Radke, and Dr. G.A. Fosvedt. At present, the following doctors are practicing in Barron; Dr. H.M. Templeton, Dr. M.S. Saydjari, Dr. C.J. Strang, Dr. R.C. Whaley, and Dr. D.G. MacMillan. Two dentists are practicing here besides Dr. R.M. Post. They are, Dr. Reid L. Perry and Dr. Melvin Neumann. Dr. R.A. Nelson came here in 1921 after graduating from the Palmer School of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. He located on the second floor of the Normanna Bank Building. In 1937 he built the substantial brick clinic building on the corner of 4th Street and Division Ave.. He practiced in Barron for 37 years. He sold his practice and building to Dr. Ralph Frey in June, 1958. The following attorneys are practicing law in Barron at the present time; John P. Santerre (district attorney); F.E. Van Sickle (city attorney), and George Strang. Dr. Ray E. Jacobson and Dr. G.M. Springer are practicing optometry in Barron at the present time. The only hotel, now operating in Barron , is the Commercial Hotel. This hotel no longer serves meals; it provides rooms for transients and others who may wish to rent rooms for a longer period of time. Many years ago this hotel was called the Kurschner House. It was built not long after the fire of 1908 destroyed the old Commercial Hotel which was located on the northwest corner of Third Street and Division Ave.. When the new Soo line depot was built, the hotel which used to stand on north Seventh Street near the old depot was moved to a location west of the Sales Pavilion. It was called the Bailey Hotel. Many years ago it was torn down. The Barron Hotel, on the northwest corner of LaSalle Ave. and Seventh Street, is no longer operated as a hotel. Some years ago it was operated as an old folk's home. The two Quaderer Houses of early days have already been mentioned. --From the Souvenir Historical Album of the Barron Centennial-1960 (used by permission)