Bio: Babler, John (House fire - 1941)

Contact: Stan
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Babler, Riphenburg, Stiles

----Source: Humbird Enterprise (Humbird, Clark Co., Wis.) 05/17/1941

Babler, John (House fire - 12 MAY 1941)

Fire, which started on the roof, apparently from the kitchen chimney, destroyed the house on John Babler’s farm, a half-mile east of town (Humbird, Clark Co., Wis.) Monday forenoon.  The house was completely destroyed, but the bucket brigade and a  favorable wind saved the barns and other farm buildings.

The house was occupied by Hiram Riphenburg and family, who with his brother Herbert, leases the farm.  The most of their belongings from the first floor were saved, but all of the bedroom furniture, bedding and clothing upstairs was lost.

It was one of the most substantially built farm residences in this vicinity.  Erected in 1862 or ’63 by Horace Stiles, it has be kept in good repair.  Forty years ago Mr. Babler bought the farm, and excepting for a few years when it was under a swine association, it has been operated by him and his tenants.  Mr. Babler increased his holdings until the farm numbered more than 400 acres.

John Babler was notified and came at once to attend to matters concerning the loss.  There was $1200 insurance on the house, and the loss will amount to $4000.  The Riphenburg family had no insurance on their household goods.

Mr. Babler wishes to express his thanks to all who went toe the farm and assisted in saving his property from further loss by fire.  He appreciates the fact that everyone rendered all the assistance they could at the time.