HISTORIES: "Barron Fire Department" 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 27 June 2000 ==================================================================== Barron Fire Department Way back in 1887 at a special election, Barron citizens voted to spend a sum not to exceed $1500 to purchase fire apparatus for the city. On November 16, 1887, John Post bought a fire engine at Beloit, Wisconsin, for $275.00. Five hundred feet of hose was ordered at the same time. On June 7, 1888, a hose cart was purchased for $90.00. A well was dug so water would be available to fight fires in the central part of the city. On May 27, 1890, a call went out for volunteers for the fire department. A.M. Clemmons was fire chief at that time. In April, 1890, the city council voted to pay the owner of the team which hauled the fire engine to a fire, $3.00 for each round trip. On May 18, 1891, a signal service was established in the city and a decision made to built a shed at the city pond to house the fire engines and hose cart. On April 12, 1892, a committee was appointed to fix fire limits in the city. On April 20, 1892, the construction of wooden buildings was prohibited on certain city streets. On May 21, 1892, a fire department of 20 men was organized by Chief E.W. Pierce. Pay was fixed at 50 cents per hour for actual services at a fire. On August 7, 1893, a decision was made to issue bonds for the purpose of building city water works. On December 31, 1894, John Post was appointed to sell the old fire engine. On September 15, 1896, it was decided that a new city well should be constructed beside the old well; dimensions 21 feet by 21 feet, cost not to exceed $250.00. On September 3, 1897, the voters of Barron voted against building a new city hall. On April 11, 1898, Robert Holiday was hired to pump water for the city at $325.00 per year. On March 7, 1899 the fire department was reorganized. The officers were: W.G. Rosenow, chief; C.C. Taylor, secretary; and Will Kolb, treasurer. E.N. Stebbins was mayor. F.W. Tims was appointed to buy a hook and ladder truck--price not to exceed $90.00. On March 5, 1900, $100.00 was appropriated for a fire bell. On May 21, 1900, the number of members of the force was raised to 42. On June 3, 1901, C.W. Taylor was authorized to buy a hose cart and two chemical engines. On May 2, 1904, it was decided to place a hose cart and 200 feet of hose at the heading mill. On August 1, 1904, the council voted to place a hose cart and fire host at the Taylor Bros. Mill. On April 4, 1905, the voters approved the building of a brick structure to house the fire apparatus--cost not to exceed $3,000.00. For some reason, no building was erected. On May 14, 1907, the voters approved a bond issue ($2500), to be used to build an engine house. On June 22, 1907, the contract for building the new fire hall was awarded to Bart Finnemore for $3847.00. On October 3, 1910, the city council purchase a 100 gallon soda acid chemical tank from W.S. Nott Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota. On February 5, 1911, the salary of the fire chief was set at $25.00 per year. On January 12, 1920, the price for fire calls was set at $1.00 per hour, and $4.00 was allowed for team or car hauling the chemical tank to and from fires. On June 13, 1921, the city agreed to buy a new fire truck with this stipulation; the fire department was to pay $600.00 on the purchase price and $200.00 the following year. In 1923, a fire siren was purchased. On May 12, 1928, the fire chief's salary was set at $50.00. In 1950, the townships of Barron and Maple Grove drew up a contract with the City of Barron, to provide fire protection in all three of these areas. This year a new F.W.D. fire truck was purchased at a cost of $13,000.00. In 1957, a Ford Pumper was added to the equipment. In 1959, a 1000 gallon water tank was purchased to be used in fighting country fires. In 1960, there are 32 members in the Barron Fire Department. It is more highly organized than in past years. Now there is an assistant chief, (Ben Becker), a hose captain, a ladder captain, a salvage captain, and a master mechanic. On March 28, 1960, the Barron Fire Department held its annual banquet. Fire Chief, C.H. Wintrone, presented retirement badges to the following: Clarence Edson (36 years of service), Chester Johnson (31 year of service), Emil Fligel (21 years of service.) FIRE CHIEFS TIME SERVED MAYOR George Severance April 1889 to April 1, 1890 C.D. Coe A.N. Clemmons April 1890 to May 1891 C.D. Coe Clarence C. Coe May 1891 to April 1892 J.W. Stone E.W. Pierce April 1892 to January 1895 J.J. Smith John Post January 1895 to June 1896 J.W. Stone R.D. Smith June 1896 to April 1897 Geo. H. Carey Christ Strobel April 1897 to March 1899 F.N. Stebbins W.G. Rosenow March 1899 to May 1904 F.N. Stebbins A.J. Osborne May 1904 to April 1905 S.W. Sparlin John West April 1905 to April 1917 S.T. Atuater D.G. Clemmons April 1917 to April 1919 T.J. Thompson Robert Reed April 1919 to April 1923 H. Radermacher Ben J. Becker April 1923 to April 1928 John West W.E. Taft April 1928 to April 1930 J.A. Anderson Owen Hall April 1930 to April 1931 J.P. Anderson Ben J. Becker April 1931 to April 1946 A.P. Stebbins C.H. Wintrone April 1946 to present (1960) John E. Hoar & Everett E. Lightner --From the Souvenir Historical Album of the Barron Centennial-1960 (used by permission)