LUMBERMAN, MERCHANT AND FARMER. John Oelhafen, a prominent and influential citizen of Tomahawk, Lincoln County, is a native of Bavaria, Germany, born January 22, 1836, a son of Andrew Oelhafen. John Oelhafen, the subject proper of this sketch came to America with his parents when eight years of age, and his childhood days were spent on the farm, his primary education being received in the village schools. He remained on the farm, assisting his father until he reached his majority. Although at the age of seventeen he commenced working in the pineries, giving his earnings to his father to help in the support of the family. In September, 1861, he was united in marriage with Anna S. Miller, who came to America alone at the age of seventeen. To this union were born six children, viz.: Anna E., Andrew, J. W., Mary E., Wm. and Anna L. After their marriage, Mr. Oelhafen and his wife removed to a farm in Washington County, where they remained for about two years. Mr. Oelhafen then sold his interest in the farm and removed to Milwaukee, where he opened a general store, remaining there some ten years. In 1872 he removed to Wausau, at which place he opened a general store, and also engaged in the lumbering business, both in Wausau and Milbank, S. Dakota, where he held large interests in farm lands and city property. In July, 1887, he erected the first building in Tomahawk, Lincoln County, before the days of railroads in that section of the country. At Tomahawk he again opened a department store and also continued in the lumber business, which he still carries on, being assisted by his three sons. Andrew, having charge of the lumber business; J. W. in charge of the mercantile business, and Wm. having charge of the cedar yards. Mr. Oelhafen has invested heavily but profitably in pine and farm lands all through the northern part of the state. He owns a very handsome residence in Tomahawk, and has always been an enterprising and influential citizen. Of the many lumber companies that have done their full part in cutting away the great forests of the North, John Oelhafen has done his. Mr. Oelhafen has been in the lumber business for the past thirty years, and is now employing over two hundred men, with standing timber in the forest sufficient to run for more than ten years longer. His timber consists of hardwood, pine and hemlock. Oelhafen mill is now cutting fifteen million per year. Logs are brought in by rail and water. The mill is kept busy day and night in winter and day times during the summer. Mr. Oelhafen is not only a merchant and lumberman of many years experience, but is also the owner of the largest farm in Lincoln County, consisting of 800 acres, all fenced and 260 acres under the plow, and thoroughly stumped and stocked with blooded cattle. He is also a prominent stockholder and director of the Bradley Bank in the city of Tomahawk, and is one of the early pioneers who helped to break the wilderness in the Wisconsin Valley. He is doing his part to make Tomahawk the hustling, progressive little city that she is.