- Bookwood Historical Collection, Star Lake
- Minocqua Museum
- Plum Lake Library, Sayner
- UW Madison/Wis Hist Soc
Jacob O. Mykleby, a prominent merchant of Star Lake, was born in Norway, March 13, 1859. He received his education in that country and subsequently followed the lumber industry there, operating camps for some of the largest lumber companies of Norway. He came to America in 1881 and proceeded direct from Philadelphia to Merrillan Junction, Wis., where he spent one year in the employ of the Hitchcock interests. He then went back to Black River Falls, spending six years there in the employ of various lumber companies, and in the spring of 1890 he removed to McKenna, Wis., where he was engaged in the same kind of work until the fall of 1895. Then coming to Star Lake, he entered the employ of McMillan, Williams & Co., as lumber inspector, and he remained in this connection until the company's mills closed down in 1908. He then rented the building used as a general store by the company, and he has ever since conducted a mercantile business in these quarters. In August, 1922, he purchased the building, together with 59 acres of land and seven dwelling-houses, acquiring the property, which formerly was owned by the lumber company, from B. F. Wilson. Jr. Mykleby has attained great prominence in this section of the country. He was appointed postmaster in 1914, and has served in many other official capacities, including that of supervisor, of Plum Lake Township, justice of the peace, and school clerk. He owns 80 acres of land in Plum Lake Township which he purchased in 1900 and is now renting out. Mr. Mykleby was married in Norway, Nov. 13, 1883, to Emily Rensmoen. Seven children, as follows, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mykleby: Carl Oscar, a resident of southern Mississippi, where he is employed as auditor for a lumber company; Albert J., merchant at Arbor Vitae; and Edward, Olga E., Jessie, Elsie, and Martha, all of Star Lake. Jessie is now Mrs. August F. Krakow; Elsie is postmistress of Star Lake, and Martha is a teacher in the school here.