Bio: Halle, Hugo (1879 - 1968

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Halle, Ehlenbeck, Wuethrick, Crosby, McMahon

----Source: Published Family Bio, 1976

Hugo Halle Farm - County Farmer - Noted Horseman

Hugo Halle was a familiar sight on Clark County, Wisconsin Roads. In a day when many farms can no longer boast of anything so old fashioned as horses, he remained a picturesque sight of by-gone days as he rode or drove his horses as his means of travel. Hugo Halle was born in Germany (1879 - 1968) and as a youth came to Wisconsin with his parents. They lived in the Elkhart Lake-New Holstein area. There, as a youth, he began to gain fame as a trainer and lover of horses. He had a livery stable there which served as a Iasi and drey service of those days. Along with this he had side-lines of "breaking" horses, skill and showmanship, and also "doctoring" sick animals.

In the early 1900's he married Amerlia Ehlenbeck of that area. They are the parents of eleven children, ten of whom are still living.

Soon after their marriage they moved to Clark County, one place being in a tog house in the Greenwood area on the banks of Black River on the old "26" road. Here they farmed and as extra work hauled cream for John Wuethrick. Travel many times was thru woods and on poor roads, About 1950 they moved to the "Old Hannah" farm in the Town of Weston. This was the first "Home Place." They rented this place for almost thirty years. In 1990, the second "Home Farm" was bought in the Town of York. They operated both farms for several years. In 1946, son Arnold bought the Weston "Home Farm" and has continued to live there since with his wife and family. The second "Home Farm" in the Town of York was continued to be operated by Hugo till 1958 when Mrs. Halle died. Son, Clarence, has rented that farm since from Hugo.

The Hannah farm, when the Halles first moved there, was one of the "fancy" places of its early day. It boasted along with plenty of extra buildings, such things as carbide lights and water system in both house and barns. But as these forms of modern conveniences became obsolete, the kerosene lamp and the hardy pump handle took over. About 1947, electricity was installed (perhaps one of the last in the area) and soon after the path turned to the word "bath" as a water pressure system was installed about 1950.

During all this time, Hugo, the Santa Clause to many children because of his tong white beard, was a character of interest. He was always doing things with his horses. He was a noted rider. Distance made no difference to him. At one time he rode horseback from Neillsville to North of Park Falls where he and several teams worked in a logging camp. At one time he owned 35 horses.

He loved to talk to people and could entertain friends for hours with his colorful tales about his experiences. Many will remember stories which improved with age, about how he "doctored" Bing Crosby's horse, his homestead in Alaska, his Canadian gold mine, and of course all his horse and dog stories. Truth or fantasy, well in a greater sense truth to begin with but they do carry out a Halle legend which will remain a memory in the local color of the community.

In the last few years, he also bought 40 acres of the Old McMahon farm on County Trunk H in the Town of York. He called it "The Ranch" and here he kept horses as a hobby. At the age of 89 he was still active as he drove and trained his horses.

Both Hugo and his wife were true pioneers as far as lack of many modern conveniences were concerned. It is told of haw Mrs. Halle took care of wool from their sheep and spun it into yarn but Hugo spun yarns from his experiences.