Sumner Kirkhoff was born in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin in 1866. He married Clara Florence Smith in Eau Claire. She was born in Eau Claire in 1870. They had four children, who were all educated in Wisconsin, who accompanied them when they moved to Weimer Township, Barnes County, north of Oriska in 1915.
Warren was born 1891 and married Josephine Schlagel. He died in 1972.
Helen was born in 1893 and married Alfred D. Rasmussen in 1918.
Sumner was born in 1896 and married Helen Herk. He died in 1958.
Harris was born in 1900 and married Alma Jensen. He died in 1958.
Harris was a dentist and made his home in Wisconsin until his death. Sumner and Clara farmed a few years and then moved into Oriska where he operated a pool hall and a restaurant. Later he bought the hotel property renaming it Hotel Wisconsin. He was active in all community activities: was mayor for many years and managed the baseball team. He was responsible for planning and planting of the trees on the east edge of Oriska, where the baseball diamond and park is now located. While owner of the hotel, he always celebrated every holiday by special observance; such as on Washington's birthday he and his wife would dress in Colonial dress and as Uncle Sam on the 4th of July. During blizzards the hotel was often packed with people sleeping in the lobby, and at that time the trains stopped in Oriska so many times the train crews and passengers would also be stranded at the hotel.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 124