PIONEERS

"Oh, wife, you've convinced me. We'll argue no more

For I've never once thought of your dying before,

And my children, I love them although they are small,

But my cattle I value most precious of all."

Otto Albert Severt
1882-1964

In 1887 as a young man of about 16 years, Otto worked at the Connor Lumber Camp number 4 in Auburndale, for several winters. During one period of time Otto worked the Ice Sleigh (see the detailed logging camp account) that put down a nightly coating of water to refreeze to make "tracks" for the heavy sleigh loads to be brought out of the woods.

He later worked for the Wisconsin Central Railroad, which eventually was leased and purchased by the Soo Line Railroad,  starting as a laborer in Auburndale. Several years later he accepted a job as section foreman in Arpin, originally walking the six miles through the woods every day to work. In 1911 the family moved to Arpin. The sections were small, because most of the labor had to be done manually and all they had to inspect the tracks with were pushcarts, which limited the distance they could travel. This section was part of the main line between Chicago (Schiller Park, Illinois) and Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Having a small barn and several cows, the Severt’s furnished milk for their neighbors. House to house deliveries of bottle milk and cream were made by the family using a small wagon in the summer and ski’s and sled in the winter. When the route expanded, Otto made deliveries with a milk wagon pulled by his faithful horse, "Doll". Later the auto replaced "Doll".

(Note: The background is an embossed image of a photograph that was published in the book "A Century with Connor Timber", by Mary Connor. The picture is also displayed at the Camp Five Logging Museum, Laona, Wisconsin and is also used in a multimedia presentation at the museum. Pictured are Otto Schultz, Otto Sievert (Severt), and Mike Baltus. The smaller inserts are Otto and his horse Doll, used for years to deliver milk in Arpin. Donald Rassmussen, Otto's grandson, is on Doll; Otto with his deer at the cabin of his son Emil; and Otto with Richard Wilke and Fred Sommerfeldt (a brother-inlaw) working at the Soo depot in Arpin.)

Roy Fred Joseph Severt
1907 -2001

Roy was a journeyman electrician by trade, but his interests in other areas was so broad that his vocation paled in comparison to his life's work. His hobbies ranged from hunting, fishing, trapping and using his mind to recreate patterns of unique style that he observed in jewelry, lamps and even furniture. Some of his more notable endeavors are his interest in lapidary.  He scoured most of the western states looking for rocks to add to his collection and for use in crafts. Crafting things from hand was his specialty; from wind-chimes to the home he lived in are all examples of his handy-work.

Uncle Roy is gone now, but the memories of this great man will live in our hearts forever.

(The forest background selected to display these pictures of Roy and his family is reminiscent of the agates that he cut and polished so exquisitely. The other insert is Roy (standing) with his brother Norman, as children. Roy and the forest seem as one in thought because from his early days of owing a tree nursery, all of his activities and accomplishments have centered around or in the woods. After his retirement he made his home in the house he built, in a glade at the edge of the Chequamegon National Forest named "Severt's Bear Paw".)

Norman Elmer Severt
1909-2008

The railroad was always a big part of Norman's life. He worked for the Soo Line Railroad Company for 46 years, starting out on a section crew and later as a section foreman for most of his career. He loved his work.  Love of family and railroad are the biggest part of his life. He pursued the railroad ties by maintaining two large model railroading layouts and helps youngsters get started in model railroading well into his 90's.

(Note:  The background embossed picture is the train coming into the Coulie gravel pit yards south of Fifield, one of a twice daily passenger train.  This area of track was on Norman's section that at one time extended all the way to Melon.  He knew every foot of track in his section like the back of his hand.  The smaller inserts are Norman and his young family: Norman and his crew at the "office" in Fifield; and Norman (center) with his two brothers, Roy and Emil.) 

Anna Rosaline Severt Ashbeck
1875-1952

Anna was born in Dusseldorf, Germany in 1875 and emigrated to the United States with her parents when she was only one year old. She grew up in the Auburndale area and after she married Mike Ashbeck they moved to the Wabeno area. Anna was a hard worker all her life. During the winter she worked as a cook in the logging camps. In later years she operated a "poor house" for indigent and old men, and with an assistant, did all the work. She was also a mid-wife who delivered approximately 75 percent of the babies born in Wabeno during her time. Anna became the first owner of an electric washing machine in Wabeno and afterwards began taking in laundry from other people in the area.
(Note: A logging camp was chosen for a background for this picture because so much of Anna and Mike's life revolved around the logging camp. The other three inserts are representative of different periods in her life.)

Emil Albert Severt
1911-2003

Emil's long career began in the lumber camps during the winter months where he held jobs as diverse as a sawyer and a cookee. The summer found him guiding on the Turtle Flambeau Flowage. He enjoyed a long and successful career as an electrician, but continued to guide whenever he could. Through the years, he became a Flambeau legend after years of being a fishing guide.