HISTORIES: "The Pioneers" 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 24 June 2000 ==================================================================== The Pioneers "Lest We Forget" One hundred years ago Barron County was a wilderness of gigantic white pines and hardwood trees through which the red man roamed. To this wilderness came the first settlers, sturdy men and women who were called the pioneers. These resolute men and women laid the foundation of this great country of ours, in this community and in thousands of other communities. There could never have been a United States of America without the work done by these courageous men and women. They settled in a wilderness and suffered want and privation. They spent years of gruelling labor and hardship, often with little reward. Comforts were very few; luxuries, there were none. For many years there was no medical aid for miles and miles. Why did they refuse to return to the places from whence they came when they found so much hardship and suffering in the wilderness? Because they were true pioneers with the genuine pioneer spirit. They did not "put their hand to the plow and then turn back." They were men and women of faith and vision. They could "see beyond the years." They toiled faithfully through the weary years so that their children and grandchildren might inherit the promise. We, who live here today, owe these men and women our undying gratitude. In our limited space we cannot mention the names of all those who made a worth contribution in laying the foundation of this community. Indeed, we know the names of only a comparatively few from available records. We know there were hundreds of them in the Barron City limits and in the farm areas surrounding Barron. After the lumbermen had completed their labors a tremendous amount of hard work was required to free the land of huge stumps and brush. Barron County became a famous farming area only after many years of arduous toil by thousands of men and women. Some wise man once said: "No nation is any stronger than the men who own and till its soil." The basic wealth of arron County lies in the fertility of the soil of its thousands of farms. The men and women who acquired these farms proved themselves not only industrious but also progressive and intelligent as well. They were willing to learn new and better methods of farming as years went by. From years before 1900 they began to build up dairy herds of high grade and pure- bred cattle. In time Barron County was known far and wide for its excellent dairy stock, not only in this country, but in many foreign lands, also. For 50 years and more its entries at state and national dairy shows have won hundreds of blue ribbon prizes. From the Souvenir Historical Album of the Barron Centennial-1960 (used by permission)