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HISTORY OF
TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
WISCONSIN
COMPILED BY
FRANKLYN CURTISS -WEDGE
r
EDITED BY
EBEN DOUGLAS PIERCE, M.D.
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO AND WINONA
H. C. COOPER, Jr., & CO.
1917
■^^^3
/
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
EARLY WISCONSIN, 1-16
Topography, 1-2; Sovereignty, 2-4; Boundaries, 4-6; First Men In, 6-8; Coming of
the White Men, 8-9; Missionaries and Traders, 9-12; French Fur Trade, 12-14; British
Fur Trade, 14-16.
CHAPTER II
GEOLOGY, 17-25
Rock Exposures, 17; Geologic Divisions, 17; Successive Stages of Formation, 19;
the Trempealeau Bluffs, 23-24; Recapitulation, 24-25; Natural Resources, 25.
CHAPTER III
ARCHAEOLOGY, 26-35
Distribution and Character of Antiquities, 26-27; Significance and Authorship,
27-28; Platforms, 28-33; Antiquity of Man, 33-34; Recapitulation, 34-35.
CHAPTER IV
GOVERNMENTAL JURISDICTION, 36-40
Spain, France, England, United States, 36; Territories, States ^d Counties, 36-38;
County Organized, 38-39.
CHAPTER V
REIGN OF THE INDIANS, 41-51
Tribes, 41; Winnebago, 41-43; Dakota (Sioux), 43; Wabasha, 44; Decorah, 45-47;
Black Hawk, Tradition of Capture, 48-49; Modern Encampments, 49.
CHAPTER VI
EXPLORERS AT TREMPEALEAU MOUNTAIN. 52-64
Description of Mountain, C2; Hennepin, Accault, Auguel, 52-54; Duluth, 53-54;
Perrot, 54-55; Le Sueur, 55; Linctot, 56; St. Pierre, 56; Marin, 57; Carver, 57-58; Pike,
58-59; Long, 59-61; Leavenworth, Forsyth and Ft. Snelling, 60; Sawmill on Black River,
60; Cass, Schoolcraft, Doty, 60-61; Sawmill on the Menomonee, 61; Long, Keating,
Schoolcraft, 61; "Virginia," the First Steamboat, 61; Beltrami, 61-62; Featherston-
haugh, Mather, Catlin, Kearney, Lea, 62.
iii
iv CONTENTS
CHAPTER VII
EARLY SETTLEMENT, 65-69
Joseph and Augustine Rocque, Trappers, 65-66; Louis and Augustine Grignon,
Traders, 66; Gavin, Missionary, 66; Stram, Farmer, 66; la Bathe, Trader, 66; Doville
and Antoine Reed, 66-67; James A. Reed, 67; Reed's Followers, 67-68; L. H. and W. B.
Bunnell, 68; Influx Begins, 68; Routes of Travel, 68.
CHAPTER VIII
LOCALITY SETTLEMENTS, 70-105
Changes in Nature Wrought by Man, 70-72; Trempealeau, 72-78; Black River Val-
ley, 78-79; Beaver Creek Valley, 79-83; Frenchville, 83; Ettrick, 83; Galesville, 83-86;
Trempealeau Prairie, 86-87; Dodge, 87-88; Arcadia, 88-91; Bumside, Hale, Chimney
Rock, 92; Lincoln, 92-93; Whitehall, 93-94; Pigeon, 94; Preston, 94; Albion, 94-96; Unity,
96; Sumner, 97; Land Office Records, 97-102; Tax Records, 102-105.
CHAPTER IX
COUNTY GOVERNMENT, 106-128
First County Board, 106; Pre-Bellum Boards and Their Doings, 106-109; Com-
missioners and Their Doings, 109; Present System of Government Inaugurated, 112-114;
County Seat, Courthouse and Jail, 114-116; Asylum, 116-117; Alms House (Attempted),
116-117; Roads and Bridges, 117-118; County Officers, 118-120; County Supervisors
Since 1872, 120-128 (Previous Boards Given Earlier in the General Text of the Chapter);
Organization of Townships — Trempealeau (Montoville) by La Crosse County, Date
Unknown, 106; Gale, 106; Preston, 107; Sumner, 107; Arcadia, 107; Caledonia, 107-108;
Lincoln, 108; Chase, 108 (Vacated, 109); Ettrick, 110; Bumside, 111; Hale, 111; Albion,
113; Dodge, 113-114; Pigeon, 113-114; Unity, 113-114; Chimney Rock, 113-114.
CHAPTER X
HISTORICAL PAPERS, 129-223
Recollections of Antoine Grignon, 129-136; James Allen Reed, 136-143; Irish Set-
tlers, 143-150; Polish and Bohemian Settlers, 150-152; Scandinavian Settlers, 152-159;
The County in 1871, 159-162; Cruise of the Spray, 162-164; Early Trempealeau, 164-166;
Trempealeau Prairie, 166-167; Beaver Creek Valley, 167-169; Lewis Valley, 169; New-
comb Valley, 169-171; Holcomb Cooley, 171-172; American Valley, 172; Rainey Valley,
172-173; Meyers Valley, 173-175; Trout Run Valley, 175-176; North Creek Valley, 176-
177; Bill's Valley, 177; Korpal Valley, 177; The Banner Robbery, 177-178; Williams-
burg, 178-181; McGilvray's Ferry, 181-184; A Wisconsin Pioneer, 184-196; Early Osseo,
196-202; The Olson Lynching, 202-204; Winnebago Festivities, 204-205; Scotch Settlers
of Glasgow and Decorah Prairie, 205-207; Wessel Lowe's Experiences, 207; James N.
Hunter's Reminiscences, 207-208; George H. Markham's Reminiscences, 208-211; A. D.
Tracy, 211-212; Antoine Grignon and the Indians, 212-218; Remains of a Friench Post
Near Trempealeau, 218-222; Organization Act of Trempealeau County, 222-223.
CONTENTS V
CHAPTER XI
MODERN VILLAGES, 224-254
Population with Dates of Platting and Incorporating, 224; Arcadia, 225-231; White-
hall, 232-237; Galesville, 237-240; Independence, 240-245; Blair, 245-248; Eleva, 248-
250; Osseo, 250-252; Strum, 252-253; Ettrick, 253; Dodge, 253; Pigeon Creek, 253;
Trempealeau, 254.
CHAPTER XII
NEWSPAPERS, 255-260
Trempealeau Times, 255; Trempealeau Banner, 255; Galesville Transcript, 255-256;
Trempealeau County Record, 256; Galesville Journal, 256; Journal and Record, 256;
Trempealeau County Messenger, 256; Whitehall Times, 256; Whitehall Times and Blair
Banner, 256; Whitehall Tim.es-Banner, 256; Trempealeau Representative, 256; Trem-
pealeau Coimty Republican, 256; Arcadia Leader, 256-257; Arcadia Republican and
Leader, 256-257; Galesville Independent, 257; Trempealeau Free Press, 257; Trempea-
leau County Democrat, 257; Galesville Republican, 257; Independence News- Wave, 258;
Independence Weekly News, 258; Independence Wave, 258; Trempealeau Gazette, 258;
Trempealeau Tribune, 258; Trempealeau Herald, 258-259; Arcadian, 259; Blair Press,
259; Osseo Blade, 259; Osseo Recorder, 259; Osseo News, 259; Eleva Herald, 259;
International Good Templar, 259; Wisconsin Good Templar, 259; Anzeiger, 259; Der
Nord Staed, 260; Booster, 260.
CHAPTER XIII
RAILROADS AND TELEPHONES, 261-269
Location of Railroads, 261-262; La Crosse, Trempealeau & Prescott, 262; Chicago
& Northwestern, 263; Galesville Branch, 263-264; Green Bay & Western, 264-265; Chi-
cago, Burlington & Quincy, 265; Mondovi Line, 266; Ettrick & Northern, 266-267;
Telephones, 267-269; Veitch-Luce Galesville Line, 267; The Utter Fiasco, 267; The
Waumandee Lime, 267; Arcadia Telephone Co., 267; Trempealeau Valley Exchanges,
268; Western Wisconsin Telephone Co., 268; Osseo Telephone Co., 268; Rural Lines, 269.
CHAPTER XIV
PLACE NAMES, 270-281
Townships, 270-271; Incorporated Villages, 271-272; Platted Vilages, 272-273;
Trading Centers, 273-274; Principal Streams, 274-276; Lakes, 276-277; Geographical
Landmarks, 277-279; Valleys and Cooleys, 279-281.
CHAPTER XV
BIOGRAPHY, 282-801
(For Index, see Biographical Index in Back of This Volume)
vi CONTENTS
CHAPTER XVI
BANKS AND BANKING, 802-810
First Banks, 802; Bank of Arcadia, 802-803; John O. Melby & Co. Bank of White-
hall, 803-804; Bank of Galesville, 804-805; Home Bank of Blair, 805; State Bank of
Osseo, 805; Farmers' and Merchants' State Bank of Galesville, 805-806; Bank of Ettrick,
806; Citizens' State Bank of Trempealeau, 806-807; Farmers' State Bank of Arcadia,
807; First State Bank of Dodge, 807; Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of Independence,
807-808; Farmers' Exchange Bank of Osseo, 808; First State Bank of Strum, 808-809;
Peoples' State Bank of Whitehall, 809; First National Bank of Blair, 809-810; State
Bank of Independence, 810; Bank of Eleva, 810.
CHAPTER XVII
DAIRY INTERESTS, 811-816
Story of the Growth of Dairying, 811-812; Statistics of the Individual Creameries,
812-815; Statistics of the Cheese Factories, 815-816; Values, 816; Butter and Cheese
Made on Farms, 816.
CHAPTER XVIII
NORWEGIAN LUTHERAN CHURCHES, 817-8.35
The Norwegians, 817-818; Story of the Individual Congregations from Dr. O. M.
Norlie's "Norsk Lutherske Menigheder I Amerika, 1843-1915," 818-828; French Creek,
Tamarack, Hardie's Creek, Fagerness and South Beaver Creek Congregations by Rev.
C. B. Bestul, 828-833; Whitehall and Pigeon Creek Congregations, by Rev. Einar B.
Christophersen, 833-835.
CHAPTER XIX
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN TREMPEALEAU COUNTY. 836-851
Catholics in American History, 836-838; Sacred Heart and St. Wenzeslaus' 838-839;
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 839-843; St. Bridget's, 843-845; St. Michael's 845-846; St.
Peter's and St. Paul's, 846-848; St. Mary's, 848-849; St. Bartholomew's 849-850; St.
Stanislaus', 850-851; Summary, 851.
CHAPTER XX
OTHER CHURCHES, 852-863
German Evangelical Lutheran, 852; Swedish Lutheran, 852; Evangelical Associa-
tion, 852-854; Congregational, 854-857; Presbyterian, 857-860; Methodist Episcopal,
860-861; Baptist, 861-862; Episcopal, 862-863; Independent, 863; Union, 863.
CHAPTER XXI
BENCH AND BAR, 864-866
Judges and Lawyers of Trempealeau County.
CONTENTS vii
CHAPTER XXII
SKETCH OF THE TOWN OF PIGEON, 868-882
Preliminary Observations, 868-871; Man-Made History, 871-876; Pigeon Falls, 877-
880; Political History, 880; General Development, 881-882.,
CHAPTER XXIII
MORE HISTORICAL PAPERS, 883-908
Trempealeau Mountain Park, 883-884; Gale College, 884-888; Arcadia in 1876, 888-
889; Pioneer Schools, 889-890; Galesville Fair, 890-891; Agricultural Development,
891-893; Orchard and Its Advancement, 893-895; First Meeting in Sumner, 895; Trem-
pealeau Municipal Improvements, 896; Independence Municipal Improvements, 896-898;
Early Burnside Records, 898-900; Early Adventures, 900; Flood of 1876, 901; Borst Val-
ley, 901-905; Green Bay & Western Railroad, 905-908; Risberg Accounting System, 908.
CHAPTER XXIV
SOURCES, 910-913
Trempealeau County Historians: George H. Squier, 910; Benjamin F. Heuston, 910;
George Gale, 910; H. A. Anderson, 910-911; Eben D. Pierce, 911; Stephen Richmond,
911-912; F. Curtiss-Wedge, 912; Historical Staff on Present Work, 912-913.
SOURCE MATERIAL
(Chapters X and XIII)
American Valley, 172. — Anderson, Margaret, Pioneer Schools, which see. — Ander-
son, H. A., Letter from Olds, 164-166.— Arcadia in 1876, 888-889.— Banner Robbery,
177-178. — Bishop, W. E., Agricultural Development, which see. — Beaver Creek Valley,
167-169. — Bibby, Jemima, Scotch Settlers of Glasgow and Decorah Prairie, which see. —
Bill's Valley, 177.— Bohemian and Polish Settlers, 150-152.— Borst Valley, 901-905.—
Borst Virgil, Borst Valley, which see. — Brovold, E. J., Scandinavian Settlers, which see.
— Burnside, Settlement of, Markham's Reminiscences, 208-211; Early Records of, 898-
900. — Cleveland, E. H., the Banner Robbery, which see. — Caledonia, Old's Reminis-
cences, 164-166; also see McGilvray's Ferry. — Decorah Prairie, Scotch Settlers of, 205-
207. — Dorwin, Flora Luce, Galesville University, Opening Days of, which see. — Flood
of 1876, 901. — French Post near Trempealeau, 218-222. — Gale College (Galesville Uni-
versity), Opening Days, 194-196; History of, 884-888.— Galesville Fair, 890-891.—
Gaveney, John C, Irish Settlers, which s,ee. — Arcadia in 1876, which see. — Gimmestad,
Rev. L. M., Gale College, which see. — Gibbs, A. A., Trempealeau Municipal Improve-
ments, which see. — Glasgow, Scotch Settlers of, 205-207. — Green Bay & Western Rail-
road, 905-908. — Grignon, Antoine, Recollections of Early Trempealeau, 129-136; Indian
Impressions, 212-218. — Grover, John, The Orchard and Its Advancement, which see. —
Hess, Mr. and Mrs. John, Reminiscences, 167-169. — Holcomb Cooley, 171. — Horticul-
ture, 893-895.— Hunter, James N., Early Burnside Records, which see.— Hunter, James
N., Reminiscences, 207-208.— Hyslop, E., Early Osseo, which see.— Independence, Mu-
nicipal Improvements, 896-898; Settlement of, Markham Reminiscences, 208-211. —
viii CONTENTS
Indian Scare, Hunter Reminiscences, 207-208, Markham's Early Adventures, 900-901. —
Irish Settlers, 143-150. — Jackson Jacob, Independence Municipal Improvements, which
se,e. — Jones, Mrs. Nettie F., Reminiscences of A. D. Tracy, which see. — Johnson. Peter
H., Scandinavian Settlers, which see. — Korpal Valley, 177. — Kulig, John F., Polish and
Bohemian Settlers, which sfee. — Latsch, John A., donor of Trempealeau Mountain Park,
which see. — Lowe, Mr. and Mrs. Fred W., Reminiscences of Wessel Lowe, which see. —
Lowe, Wessel, Reminiscences of, 207. — Lewis Valley, 169. — McGilvray's Ferry, Old's
Reminiscences, 164-166; .Rankin McGilvray's Reminiscences, 181-184. — Markham,
George H., Reminiscences, 208-211; Early Adventures, 900-901. — Markham, John A.,
Independence Municipal Improvements. — Montoville, see Trempealeau. — New City
Brawl, Hunter's Reminiscences, 207-208. — Newcomb Valley, 169-171. — North Crleek
Valley, 176-177.^01ds, J. D., Reminiscences, 164-166.— Olson, Hans J., Lynching of,
202-204. — Orchard, The, and Its Advancement, 893-895. — Organization Act of County,
222-223. — Osseo, Early, 196-202. — Perrot's Fort Near Trempealeau, Archaeological
Sketches, 218-222. — Pierce, Eben D., Recollections of Antoine Grignon, Indian Impres-
sions of Antoine Grignon, Life of James Allen Reed, Cruise of the Spray, Beaver Creek
Valley, Williamsburg, McGilvray's F.erry, Winnebago Festivities, Remains of French
Post Near Trempealeau, which see. — Pigeon Valley, Old's Reminiscences, 164-166. —
Polish and Bohemian Settlers, 150-152. — Poultry Association, Trempealeau Valley, 891.
— Rainey Valley, 172-175. — Rathbone, Albert R., A Wisconsin Pioneer, Story of, 184-
194.— Reed, James A., Grignon's Recollections of, 129-136; Pierce's Life, of, 136-143.—
Reed's Town, see Trempealeau. — Richmond, Stephen, Trempealeau County in 1871,
Trempealeau Prairie, Lewis Valley, Newcomb Valley, Holcomb Cooley, Rainey Valley,
Thompson Valley, Trout Run Valley, North Creek Valley, Bill's Valley, Korpal Valley,
which see. — Risberg, P. K., Accounting System, 908-909. — Scandinavian Settlers, 152-
159.— Schools, Pioneer, 889-890.— Scotch Settlers of Glasgow and Decorah Prairie, 205-
207. — Seymour, Frank B., The Green Bay & Western Railroad, which see. — Spray,
Cruise of, 162-164. — Squier, Geo. H., French Post Near Trempealeau, which see. —
Sumner, First Town Meeting in, 895. — Trempealeau, Grignon's Recollections of Early,
129-136; Reed's Settlement at, 136-143. Municipal Improvements, 896. — Trempealeau
County In 1871, 159-162; Organization Act of, 222-223.— Trempealeau Prairie, Trim's
Reminiscences, 166-167. — Trempealeau Mountain Park, 883-884. — Trempealeau Val-
ley, at Whitehall, Old's Reminiscences, 164-166; Above Independence, Markham's Remi-
niscences, 208-211. — Trempealeau Valley Poultry Association, 891. — Thompson Valley,
175. — Tracy, A. D., Settlement in Tracy Valley, 211-213. — Trim, William, Interview
Regarding Trempealeau Prairie, 166-167. — Trout Run Valley, 175-176. — Webb, Jennie
Rathbone, Reminiscences of Albert R. Rathbone, 184-194.— Williamsburg, 178-181.—
Winnebago Festivities, 204-205. — Wood, David, Reminiscences, 209-210.
INTRODUCTION
The hills and valleys of Trempealeau
County have made their striking appeal
to the human mind since the far distant
days of prehistoric man. The venerable
heights have witnessed the coming and
going of successive races and unnumbered
generations. Its crags have watched the
building of Indian mounds in the ages now
dark with oblivion, and have heard the
aboriginal legends told and retold — chang-
ing as they drifted through the centuries,
until they have died away and been for-
gotten. They have looked down on the
haunt of the Indians whose hunting-ground
abounded with game, and whose canoes
were the only vessels on the waters of the
Mississippi. And they have seen the early
French explorers, driven by the restless
spirit of adventure and the love of con-
quest, work their way through the wilder-
ness into the remote regions of the un-
explored country. They have beheld the
self-sacrificing missionaries braving the
perils of the savage-infested regions of
the land, for the purpose of lifting the
barbarous mind of the Indian to a re-
ligious plane; and they have witnessed
the fur trader with his hunters, trappers
and voyageurs penetrating the remote
parts of the county in quest of furs. And
at last they saw the coming of the pio-
neers, who clambered up their sides and
broke the silence of the solitude by fell-
ing the scattered and scanty trees for
cabin homes. These tillers of the soil
established permanent homes, and today,
far and wide over the surface of the
county, are rich farms; thus has the fa-
vorite hunting-ground of the Indian been
transformed by the march of our Western
civilization.
Trempealeau County is in the western
part of Wisconsin, on the Mississippi
River. It is bounded on the east by Jack-
son County, on the north by Eau Claire
County, on the west by Buffalo County,
and on the south by La Crosse County, as
well as by Winona County across the
Mississippi River in Minnesota.
The area of the county is 748 miles.
Its greatest length from north to south
is 42 miles; its average width is 18 miles.
The northern part is a rectangle, four
townships (townships 21, 22, 23 and 24)
long, and three townships (ranges 7, 8
and 9) wide. The southern part would
be a rectangle three townships (townships
18, 19 and 20, ranges 7, 8 and 9) were it
not extended on the west by the course
of the Trempealeau River, and cut off at
the southwest by the course of the Mis-
sissippi River, and at the southeast by
the course of the Black River.
The area belongs entirely to the Mis-
sissippi system, and is separated into
three distinct divisions, the Trempealeau
Prairie Region, the Trempealeau Valley
Region and the Beef River Region. The
Mississippi bluffs are broken at Trempea-
leau village, and this opening stretches
back into a fertile prairie, reacKing from
the Black River bluffs to the Mississippi
River bluffs, the ancient bed of the Missis-
sippi. This prairie opens at the northeast
into the Beaver Creek Valley, which con-
tains the Galesville and Ettrick country.
At the northwest, the Trempealeau Prairie
opens into valley of the Tamarack River,
which flows south between high ridges and
then west across the prairie into the
Trempealeau River a few miles from its
mouth.
The valley of the Trempealeau River
occupies the central part of the county.
Entering from Jackson County on the
east, the river describes a great bend to
the north and then flows southwardly,
forming for a part of its course the west-
ern boundary of the county, dividing a few
miles north of its mouth into two branches,
and then spreading into marshes and
sloughs on its way to the Mississippi. The
Trempealeau River receives two important
tributaries from the north. Elk Creek and
Pigeon Creek, both of which have rich and
fertile valleys.
In the northern part the Beef River
flows east and west.
The three divisions of the county are
separated by high ridges, and all the val-
IX
INTRODUCTION
leys have tributary valleys and cooleys
which in turn are likewise bordered by
ridges.
The physical geography of Trempealeau
County has been the important feature
in its settlement. Its pioneers came first
to Trempealeau, scattered back on the
prairie, and up the Tamarack and Beaver
Creek Valleys. From the ridges of Buf-
falo County to the west and from Jackson
County to the east, they poured into the
Trempealeau Valley, and from that valley
into its tributaries. From the older coun-
ties to the east and south they poured into
the Beef River Valley. Geographical ex-
pediency has also located the incorporated
villages, all being at natural trading cen-
ters near the mouths of important valleys,
and all being the sites of natural water-
powers. At or near the present sites of
all the incorporated villages, there were
stores before the railroads were built.
Physical geography has also been an im-
portant part in determining the political
destinies of the county, political divisions
having been made with a view to geo-
graphical convenience, and only four of
the townships following the lines of the
government survey.
The county was created Jan. 24, 1854.
The supervisors of Montoville ToviTiship
met as the supervisors of Trempealeau
County, March 11, 1854. Gale Township
was created at that meeting, and the first
regular meeting of county supervisors con-
sisting of the chairmen of Montoville
(Trempealeau) and Gale Townships met
May 1, 1854. The commissioner system,
with a commissioner from each of three
districts, went into effect Jan. 1, 1862, and
the supervisor system was revived Jan. 1,
1870. The courthouse was ready for occu-
pancy at Galesville, July 23, 1856. In 1858
a petition was presented to the legislature
asking for the removal of the county seat
of Trempealeau, and in 1868 the legisla-
ture passed a bill authorizing a vote on the
subject. Nov. 7, 1876, the vote was taken
by the citizens of the county, removing
the county seat to Arcadia. A year later
the voters removed the county seat to
Whitehall, where the supervisors held their
first meeting Jan. 23, 1878. A proposition
to remove it to Blair was rejected by the
voters in 1878, and a proposition to return
it to Arcadia rejected in 1882. In 1883 a
petition asking for a vote on the removal
to Independence was declared to have too
few signatures.
The courthouse at Whitehall was started
in 1883 and completed early in 1884. The
jail was built in 1886. Courthouse and jail
were rebuilt in 1911. The County Insane
Asylum at Arcadia was started in 1899
and completed in 1900. Efforts to estab-
lish a poor farm and alms house have thus
far failed.
The townships of the county are: Trem-
pealeau, created as Montoville by the
county supervisors of La Crosse County
before Trempealeau County was organ-
ized, the exact date not appearing in the
LaCrosse records; Gale, created March
11, 1854; Preston, created Nov. 21, 1855;
Sumner, created Nov. 20, 1856; Arcadia,
created Nov. 20, 1856; Caledonia, created
Nov. 11, 1857; Lincoln, created Nov. 13,
1860; Ettrick, Dec. 16, 1862; Bumside,
Dec. 31, 1863; Hale, Feb. 16, 1864; Albion,
Jan. 20, 1870; Dodge, Jan. 4, 1875; Pigeon,
Jan. 4, 1875; Unity, Nov. 20, 1877; and
Chimney Rock, Nov. 22, 1881.
The metropolis is Arcadia with a pop-
ulation of some 1,400. The other villages
are Whitehall, Trempealeau, Galesville,
Dodge, Independence, Blair, Ettrick, Pig-
eon Falls, Osseo, Strum and Eleva.
The population is 22,928. The Scandina-
vian element largely predominates. The
German and Polish element is next in
numbers. In 1860 the population w^
2,560, largely from the eastern states. In
1870, the population was 10,732, the ratio
of the population elements being practi-
cally as at present. In 1880 the popula-
tion was 17,189; in 1890 it was 18,920; in
1900 it was 23,114. The decrease to 22,928
in 1910 was due to the young people mov-
ing to the cities and to the West.
The county is entirely an agricultural
one, all of the villages depending upon the
people of their immediate rural district for
their support.
The earliest explorers of the upper Mis-
sissippi River found Trempealeau under
the domain of the powerful Dakota In-
dians, who from their headquarters in the
Mille Lacs region of northern Minnesota,
used the great river as their route of war
and the chase. But pressed hard by the
Chippewa, who had secured firearms from
the whites, the Dakota abandoned their
ancient northern villages, and the early
fur traders found them ranging the Mis-
INTRODUCTION
XI
sissippi from St. Paul southward to Prairie
du Chien, and on the prairies to the west-
ward. The Winnebago, who, like the Da-
kota, or Sioux proper, were members of
the Siouan family, had held ancient sway
of the valleys of the Rock and Fox Rivers,
and the territory around Lake Winnebago
and Green Bay, were met at Green Bay
by the first explorers, and in early fur
trading days were ranging as far west-
ward as the Mississippi. Tradition tells
of many a murderous foray against the
Dakota and the Winnebago in the vicinity,
not only by their hereditary enemies, the
Chippewas to the northward, but also by
the combined Sauk and Foxes to the south-
ward.
Some time in the middle years of the
first half of the nineteenth century. De-
corah of the Winnebago had a village at
what is now Decorah's Prairie, and Wa-
basha of the , Dakotas had a village near
Trempealeau Mountain, while Red Bird of
the Winnebago had a village near the
mouth of the Black River, from which he
and his followers, as well as Winneshiek
and his followers, ranged Trempealeau
County. The Winnebago were allies of the
Dakota, and the two mingled in friendly
intercourse and even in marriage. Dakota
dominion in Trempealeau County ended in
1837, when the chiefs and head men signed
a treaty relinquishing all their lands east
of the Mississippi and the islands therein,
and withdrew west of the river. The Win-
nebago, however, in spite of many efforts
at removal, persisted in staying in Trem-
pealeau County, and some of their de-
scendants are to be found straying here to
this day.
The shadowy Spanish sovereignty had
no influence on Trempealeau County,
where its vague substance nominally con-
tinued until the approach of the French,
or on the neighboring lands across the
Mississippi River, where il continued until
after the securing of the "Louisiana Pur-
chase" by the United States.
The French Period in Trempealeau
County extended from the discovery of
Wisconsin in 1634 until the fall of New
France. The adventurous Father Louis
Hennepin, in company with Accault and
Auguel, passed the mountain with his sav-
age captors in 1680, on that memorable
trip which was to give to civilization its
first knowledge of St. Anthony Falls,
about which now centers the greatest mill-
ing industry in the world. A few months
later the rocks of Trempealeau heights
beheld the historic rescue of that mission-
ary by the gallant young Sieur du Luth.
Nicholas Perrot was the first to actu-
ally visit Trempealeau County. In the
winter of 168.5-86 he built a Post and
established his winter quarters about two
miles above the present village of Trem-
pealeau. Just when he abandoned this
post is not known. At least he was in this
region for several years thereafter. Line-
tot reoccupied this same post in the fall
of 1731. The site of the post is now defi-
nitely fixed, as its ruins have been un-
earthed and mapped. Linctot was suc-
ceeded late in 1735 by St. Pierre, who re-
moved the post higher up the river early
the following spring. Other Frenchmen
during the French period noted Trempea-
leau Mountain, and some stopped here.
The English period officially dawned
with the signing of the treaties of 1762
and 1763, but the last French garrison had
left Wisconsin in 1760. During this period,
Jonathan Carver, a Connecticut Yankee,
viewed this region in 1766 and published
the first description of Trempealeau Moun-
tain. This description, which is fairly ac-
curate, has been preserved in Carver's
works to this day. British domain in real-
ity continued from the arrival of the Eng-
lish detachment at Green Bay in 1761 until
the beginning of the American military oc-
cupancy at Prairie du Chien and Green
Bay in 1816. But in the meantime, Amer-
ican sovereignty had been inaugurated by
the Treaty of 1783; had been exercised by
the passing of the Ordinance of 1787; had
been confirmed by the Treaty of 1796; and
had been interrupted by the British mili-
tary occupancy during the war of 1812 and
the hostility of the Indians immediately
following that war.
The dashing Lieut. Zebulon M. Pike, on
his way up the river in 1805, camped near
Trempealeau Mountain and spoke glow-
ingly of the scenery. In 1817 came Major
Stephen H. Long with his little band in a
six-oared skiff. He climbed some of the
hills in this region and advanced some in-
teresting theories as to the original con-
tour of Trempealeau Mountain and Prairie.
With the establishment of Ft. Snelling
at the confluence of the Minnesota and
Mississippi rivers in 1819, Trempealeau
INTKODUCTION
County was placed within the pale of civ-
ilization, and soldiers, traders and visitors
were frequently passing. About the same
time, a sawmill was built at the Falls of
the Black River. Gen. Lewis Cass, James
D. Doty and Henry R. Schoolcraft passed
Trempealeau Mountain in 1820 and de-
scribed its peculiar formation and position.
A mill was built in 1822 on the Menomonee
branch of the Chippewa. In 1823, Long,
accompanied this time by the scholarly
William H. Keating, again passed Trem-
pealeau Mountain, and the same year the
sleeping echoes were awakened with the
puffing of the "Virginia," the first steam-
boat to navigate the upper Mississippi.
Among the distinguished people aboard
was J. Constantine Beltrami, the famous
Italian explorer. He wrote of Trempea-
leau Mountain with his characteristic en-
thusiasm.
Trempealeau Bay continued to be the
rendezvous of the traders.
The first trapper and trader known to
have actually built a cabin in Trempea-
leaus County, after the early French ex-
plorers of the seventeenth and eighteenth
centuries, was Joseph Rocque, an early
trader and guide. Winnebago tradition
locates a cabin of his on Beaver Creek, in
Trempealeau County near Galesville,
where a branch of the stream is still
known as French Creek.
In 183.5 Featherstonhaugh visited the
Trempealeau country and describes the
view from the summit of Trempealeau
Mountain. Catlin, as well as the Dragoons
of the Albert Miller Lee Military Expedi-
tion, came the same year. The following
year Daniel Gavin, representing the Pro-
testant Missionary Society of Basle, Swit-
zerland, established a mission among the
Sioux at Trempealeau Bay, and with the
assistance of Louis Stram, a fellow coun-
tryman, endeavored to teach the Indians
agriculture; but Wabasha, their chief, did
not take kindly either to the mission or
the farming; and after the treaty of 1837,
by which all the Sioux claim east of the
Mississippi was ceded to the United States,
Gavin abandoned the mission and pro-
ceeded north to more favorable fields at
Red Wing. Although the enterprise was
temporary, it was the first made in the
county in the nature of a permanent set-
tlement, and was the first farming therein
under the direction of a white man.
The next attempt at settlement came
about under the auspices of the fur trade.
Francois la Bathe, a shrewd half-breed,
and a near relative of Wabasha, induced
John Doville and Antoine Reed to proceed
to the present village of Trempealeau and
cut cordwood on the island opposite for
steamboats, and in so doing hold the Trem-
pealeau River front as a landing and thus
prevent any trade drifting away from Wa-
basha's village, at the present city of
Winona, the American Fur Company being
the real factor back of this move.
Then came the period of actual settle-
ment, when James A. Reed brought his
family from Prairie du Chien and located
on the site of modern Trempealeau. Under
his direction, Doville, his son-in-law, tilled
the soil broken by Stram at the bay, and
became the first Trempealeau County
farmer, as he sowed grain and raised po-
tatoes, while Stram had devoted himself
to gardening only.
During the next ten years a number of
families moved into the new settlement
which was known as Reed's Town, or
Reed's Landing. These families were
mostly of French origin, though some were
mixed bloods, and they thrived largely by
the fur trade, though nearly all raised
good gardens, and those who were fortu-
nate enough to have stock used the prairie
as a common grazing ground.
It was not, however, until after 1850
that any large number of settlers came
into Trempealeau County, and the real in-
flux did not start until 18.5.5, but from that
date until 1870 may be considered the real
pioneer period in the county's history.
Settlers poured into the new country, pene-
trating its remotest valleys and taking up
the choicest lands of the various sections,
and the class of people that came to cast
their lot in the undeveloped country were
largely farmers of experience; and but
few came unprepared to grapple with the
wild forces of nature and subdue the hunt-
ing ground of the Indian.
However, conditions were entirely new.
Little sawed lumber was available. Some
of the pioneers lived in their wagons for
a while; some built log cabins; some con-
structed dugouts; some few went to far-
off sawmills and obtained boards. The
county was but little wooded, and mate-
rial even for log cabins was scarce. Ex-
cept on the prairies, it was not thought
INTRODUCTION
Xlll
possible to sink wells, and water [for
household and farming purposes had to
be secured from the creeks. Horses were
not suited to the inclement winters, the
inferior protection of straw sheds, and the
coarse fodder of marsh grass, and so oxen
were the principal beasts of burden. Tools
were few and hard to obtain. Market
places were far distant. The people from
the eastern states missed their convenient
stores, the nearby schoolhouses, their vil-
lage churches, and their cultural opportu-
nities. The immigrants from the British
Isles and from central Europe missed the
day-by-day routine which their ancestors
had for centuries followed, and were
thrown as never before on their own re-
sources. The Scandinavian, though in a
more fertile land than one of which he had
ever dreamed, missed the waterfalls and
mountains of his native land, and was
confronted with the necessity of entirely
changing the methods of farming to which
he was accustomed. These Europeans also
missed their churches, their schools, and
the neighborhood gatherings of childhood
friends.
In settling along the principal streams
of the county, the pioneer followed a law
that has been adhered to since the race
began; in fact, the stream may be consid-
ered the trail leading into the interior of
the country.
For the first few years the valleys were
sparsely settled. Then came more pio-
neers, and communities were formed and
named as a usual thing after the first set-
tler, though sometimes they took their
names from some home country or from a
class of people natives of a common coun-
try. Thus there are Reed's town, Gales-
ville, Scotch Prairie, Bishop's Settlement
Caledonia, Williamsburg, as instances of
the naming of a community. The same
holds true of the valleys which were most
generally named in honor of the first set-
tler, as Lewis Valley, Newcomb Valley,
Holcomb Cooley and Latsch Valley.
Many of these first settlements became
the present villages, and some of the vil-
lages will become cities in the future.
Reed's Town became the present Trem-
pealeau; Judge Gale's village grew into
modern Galesville; Bishop's Settlement de-
veloped into Arcadia; Old Whitehall
moved a mile became Whitehall; Fields'
Colony became Osseo. But Skillins' Cor-
ners, later called Williamsburg, Coral City
and New City became reverse examples of
the settlements growing into villages, and
today their past glory is only a memory,
recorded on a page of local history, for
conditions were unfavorable for the
growth of a town in those localities.
During the pioneer days, the first draw-
back was the hard winter of the deep snow
in 1856-57; the next was the financial
crisis of 1857. Then, just when prosperity
was davsming, came the Civil War. How-
ever, from an economic standpoint, the in-
creased value of agricultural products rec-
ompensed for the loss of labor caused by
the absence of so many men, and the
county received no severe setbacks. In
fact, the population increased, for there
was a large influx of settlers from the old
country, men who were not liable to mili-
tary service. The Scandinavians, who had
begun to form colonies here in 1855, came
in increasing numbers; the Germans, who
had started to colonize here in 1857, also
flocked in; and during the opening years
of the war the Polish and Bohemian set-
tlers began to arrive. The Minnesota
Sioux massacre of 1862 caused much un-
rest among the settlers of Trempealeau
County as to the attitude of the neighbor-
ing Winnebago camps, and was the occa-
sion of many a fright, the incidents of
which are now told with relish, but in
reality was of great benefit to Trempea-
leau County, as many pioneers who had
intended to settle on the western Minne-
sota prairies were deterred from continu-
ing the journey, and thus cast their for-
tunes here.
During the pioneer period Trempealeau
village was a steamboat center, the great
grain shipping point of this and neighbor-
ing counties. The Black River and the
Mississippi River were filled with great
rafts of logs from the Wisconsin forests,
and even the shallow Trempealeau was
used as a logging highway.
The railroad period begins with the
building of the Northwestern into Trem-
pealeau in 1870 and the building of the
Green Bay through the valley of the
Trempealeau River in 1873. The exten-
sion of the Northwestern to Galesville in
1883, and the building of the Burlington
through Trempealeau in 1886, the building
of the Omaha through the northern part
of the county in 1887-89, and the build-
XIV
INTKODUCTION
ing of the Ettrick & Northern from Ett-
rick to Blair in 1917 opened up new ave-
nues of trade, but marked no particular
epoch.
From 1870 on, Trempealeau County his-
tory becomes tinged more and more with
modern methods and improvements. The
railroad terminated Trempealeau's activi-
ties as the main market town of the
county and at the same time the steam-
boat industry on the Mississippi received
a most formidable rival. With the build-
ing of the Green Bay, Whitehall, Arcadia
and Blair became important points, Dodge
became a trading center, and soon Inde-
pendence was started. The county ad-
vanced rapidly now, as the railroad made
the markets of the world more accessible,
and with the progress came the inevitable
changes that have been the wonder of our
western civilization. People quickly adapt-
ed themselves to the new conditions and
fell in with the trend of things. The
farmer discarded his breaking-plow and
rode across his fields with the modern
sulky, while his oxen were fattened and
sold to market to make way for well-bred
horses. The mattock was flung into a
comer of the tool shed to rust out its
existence, while the stump-pulling ma-
chine tooks its place and made grubbing
a mechanical piece of labor rather than
slow, plodding work. The cradle and flail
were hung on the wall, and in their place
came the reaper, binder and steam
thresher. The old tallow candle that
burned through the pioneer days was laid
aside, and the kerosene and, still later,
gasoline and even the electric light cast
a glamor on the household and lighted the
room so that grandmother could knit even
better than she could before the old fire-
place.
The population increased rapidly, nearly
7,000 by 1877. At the beginning of this
period there were but two graded schools,
one at Galesville and one at Whitehall,
and but one district, that of Arcadia,
where there were two school houses. With
the creation of the new villages, graded
schools became more general, and in a
short time high school studies were intro-
duced. New churches were established;
old congregations built new edifices.
But with all this prosperity, the ele-
ments of disaster were present. The
farmers were devoting their attention al-
most exclusively to wheat raising. A few
experiments were made with other crops,
but wheat was the staple. The taking of
rich crops off the same pieces of land year
after year was depleting the soil. The
cinch bugs were appearing in increasing
numbers. Smooth-talking agents per-
suaded farmers to purchase machinery on
time payments. Better machinery soon
made its appearance, and the unfortunate
purchasers of the earlier machinery found
themselves with inferior equipment and
with heavy bills to pay. The price of
wheat was going down. Many lost their
property through inability to meet their
notes. In 1878 came the wheat failure.
About this time also came the rush to the
prairies of western Minnesota and to the
Dakotas. Many people deserted the
county.
But with the dawn of the eighties there
came improved methods and increasing
prosperity, though for ten years there was
little increase in population. The farm-
ers turned their attention to diversified
crops, to stock, to swine and to sheep.
In 1883 creameries were started at Ar-
cadia and Galesville, and in 188.5 a co-
operative creamery was started at Ettrick.
Banks sprang up here and there. A small
bank had been established in 1878 at
Whitehall and moved to Arcadia, and be-
fore 1890 flourishing banks were in opera-
tion at Galesville, Whitehall, Independ-
ence and Arcadia. Telephone connection
was established with the outside world
from Galesville in 1895, and soon Arcadia
likewise secured outside connections, and
in 1900-02 lines were built and exchanges
opened in the Trempealeau and Beef River
valleys.
During the past ten years scientific agri-
culture has occupied the minds of Trem-
pealeau County farmers, stimulated
largely by the agricultural department of
the federal government and by the efforts
of the agricultural department of the Uni-
versity of Wisconsin, more particularly
by the University Extension Division. As
there are few new fields to subdue, the
farmer must develop his old fields to a
higher stage of efficiency. This he is
doing, as the increasing acreage of alfalfa
and the better quality of com and small
grain show. Blooded herds and con-
stantly developing graded herds are nu-
merous. The automobile has come into
INTRODUCTION
wide use, and since 1907 an extensive
system of road improvement has been con-
ducted with state aid. The farmers from
Illinois and Iowa have brought experience
in tobacco raising, so that the tobacco
industry is now an important one in the
county. The schools have introduced the
teaching of domestic science, agriculture
and the manual arts. Beautiful farm
homes with all modern improvements are
to be seen on all sides. Silos dot the
landscape like ancient castles, Trempea-
leau County seed corn is widely known,
the creameries not only add to the repu-
tation of the county's products but give
the farmer a goodly cash check each
month. The present generation is reap-
ing the fruits that have been made pos-
sible by more than sixty years of toil by
preceding generations.
The year of 1917 has brought its war
cloud. A company has been raised within
the county, many have volunteered, the
conscripts of the National Army have
been called into service. The farmers
have responded to the President's plea,
and, though the early frost has almost
destroyed the corn crop and the cucumber
crop, there has been a greatly increased
acreage and greatly increased yield of all
other crops.
The county having reached so great a
prosperity, it now seems that this scien-
tific age of agriculture should join forces
with the electrical machinery now in the
process of completion, and together make
farming an ideal vocation — a vocation
where the naturalist and scientist com-
bine forces to vinrest from Mother Earth
a harvest such as would satisfy the most
sanguine dreamer. Then we shall see the
lightning from the clouds harnessed, and
plowing the fields, sowing the grain, and
reaping it in harvest time, and in so doing
it will simply be the application of natu-
ral laws in which the human mind is the
directing force.
To the telling of this story of the county
in more extended detail, the following
pages are devoted. First is given the his-
tory of the early days of the area that is
now Wisconsin, and then is traced the his-
tory of the county from its formation
during the geologic ages, through the
early settlement of the various localities.
Then the county government is given, and
the rest of the book is devoted to chap-
ters on various topics of local interest,
source material in the form of miscella-
neous contributions, and biographies of the
lives of those who have helped to make
the county.
E * U C L A ; R £
MAP
TR£MFEAL£AU CO^
CHAPTER I
EARLY. WISCONSIN'
I. Physical and Political Geography
1. Topography — In the beautiful new capital of the State of Wisconsin
a noted artist has portrayed the commonwealth as a strong and beautiful
woman, embraced and encircled by the guardian figures of the Mississippi
River, Lake Superior, and Lake Michigan. Thus in symbolic form the
painter has vividly portrayed the truth that Wisconsin's position at the
head-waters of the two great valleys of North America — the St.
Lawrence and the Mississippi — has been of supreme importance in the
history of the State. To these advantages of position is due its early
discovery, its thorough exploration and its value as a link in the penetration
of the Old Northwest. The area of the present State is 56,066 square
miles, somewhat larger than the whole of England. In extreme length
from north to south it is 320 miles, with a maximum width almost as great.
Its distance from the Atlantic coast is about a thousand miles — one-third
of the entire distance across the continent. The eastern and northern
portions of the State drain into the two upper Great Lakes by short streams
with rapid courses. The larger portion of the area belongs to the
Mississippi system, into which it drains by a series of large rivers; the
largest and most important of these is the one from which the State takes
its name. The Wisconsin River, rising on the northeastern boundary of the
State, cuts across it to the southwest, making a great trough which at the
elbow in south-central Wisconsin approaches within three-quarters of a
mile of the eastward-flowing Fox River. The Fox, in its upper courses a
sluggish stream, winding slowly through lakes and wide spreads of wild
rice, after passing through Lake Winnebago, the largest lake wholly
within the State, rushes with great force down a series of rapids into the
upper end of Green Bay, the V-shaped western extremity of Lake Michigan.
Thus a natural waterway crosses the State, uniting by means of a short
portage the Atlantic waters with those of the Gulf of Mexico, and dividing
the State into a northern and southern portion, which have had widely
differing courses of development.
The southeastern half of the State, with plentiful harbors on Lake
Michigan and Green Bay, opens unobstructedly towards the south and east.
It was therefore the first portion to be permanently settled, and has
partaken of the civilization and progress of the Middle West. The northern
and western part of the State faces toward the farther West, and its
development was delayed by the tardy growth of population at the head
of Lake Superior and along the headwaters of the Mississippi. Waterways
connecting these two drainage systems pass through this part of Wisconsin,
the earliest known of which was that via the Bois Brule of Lake Superior
1
2 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
and the St. Croix of the Mississippi. Other streams connect with the
headwaters of the Chippewa, the Black, and the Wisconsin. All these
routes were explored during the early years of Wisconsin's history, but
their rapid flow and difficult portages have made them impractical as
commercial routes.
The heavy forestation of the northern portion of the State has been
until recent times the main fact in its history ; while as carriers of timber,
and as sources of water power the rapid rivers of northwestern Wisconsin
have played their part in the production of its wealth and prosperity.
2. Sovereignty — Politically, Wisconsin has been included in more
different units of government than any of its neighbors. It was first a
part of the Spanish empire in North America, which claimed all the
continent whose southern borders had been discovered and occupied by
Spanish subjects. The Spanish sovereignty in Wisconsin was never more
than a shadow, and so far as we know no one of that race ever placed foot
upon Wisconsin soil until long after it was possessed by a rival power.
The true history of Wisconsin begins with the coming of the French,
who in 1634 sent their first representative to its shores. The period of
French occupation was nominally about a century and a quarter ; in reality
it lasted somewhat less than one hundred years, as more than twenty years
elapsed before the first discoverer was followed by others. The real
exercise of French sovereignty began in 1671 when St. Lusson at the
Sault Ste. Marie took possession in the name of Louis XIV "of all other
countries, rivers, lakes and tributaries, contiguous and adjacent thereunto
(to the Sault and Lakes Huron and Superior), as well discovered as to be
discovered, which are bounded on the one side by the Northern and Western
Seas and on the other side by the South Sea including all its length and
breadth." =
The French domination of the area we now know as Wisconsin was
exercised from the lower St. Lawrence Valley and was directed by the court
at Versailles, where paternalism was the fashion, and where the smallest
details of administration were decided by the highest powers of the
kingdom. It may thus be said that Wisconsin during the French period
was ruled directly by the French monarch. Every appointment of a petty
officer of the Canadian army to command a log fort by one of Wisconsin's
waterways had to be endorsed by the King ; every Uttle skirmish with the
Indian tribesmen, every disagreement between soldiers and traders had
to be reported by the Canadian authorities to the Royal Council, and await
its dictum for settlement. Even the power of the governor of New France
was frequently overruled by dictation from the Court of France, and orders
for the governance of his subjects in Wisconsin were discussed in the
presence of the greatest monarch of Europe.
The French domination came to an abrupt end when in the course of
the Seven Years' War, Montreal, including all the upper province of New
France, surrendered to the arms of England. The last French garrison
left Wisconsin in 1760 by the Fox-Wisconsin waterway, and the next year
an English detachment took possession of Green Bay and made Wisconsin
a constituent part of the British empire. Thus it remained until the close
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 3
of the American Revolution. During the first years of the English
possession, the Upper Country was ruled by the miUtary authorities at
Fort Edward Augustus (Green Bay), and Mackinac, subject to the
commander-in-chief of the American armies, and Superintendent of Indian
Affairs for the Northern Department. After 1774 Wisconsin was a part
of the Province of Quebec.
British sovereignty in Wisconsin fell with the treaty of Paris in 1783,
which transferred to the new American nation the land south of the Great
Lakes and east of the Mississippi. The British government, however,
claiming non-fulfillment of certain treaty provisions, but in reality acting
in the interest of British fur traders, refused to deliver to the United States
the northwestern posts. Thus the inhabitants of Wisconsin, while
technically on American territory were practically ruled by English officers.
In 1796 after Jay's treaty with England, the northwestern posts were
delivered over to American garrisons, and Wisconsin became an unorganized
portion of the Northwest Territory. On May 7, 1800, Indiana Territory
was organized with Wisconsin a part of her vast domain. Upon the
territorial division into counties Wisconsin became a part of St. Clair, whose
limits extended from a line nearly opposite St. Louis to the northern
boundary of the United States. In 1802 Gov. William Henry Harrison
appointed two justices of the peace and three militia officers in St. Clair
County of Indiana Territory to serve at the French-Canadian settlement
near the mouth of Wisconsin River. The next year a third justice was
appointed for Prairie du Chien, and another commissioned for the sister
community at the mouth of Fox River on Green Bay. All these appointees
were British subjects and prominent fur traders. Therefore while
commissions were issued and writs ran in the name of the United States,
British fur traders were in actual control of all government agencies in
Wisconsin.
In* 1808 the United States increased the number of its representatives
by the appointment of an Indian agent at Prairie du Chien. This agent
was a French-Canadian by birth, formerly a British subject, who had
become a naturalized American by residence in the French settlements
of Illinois. By race and interests he was allied with the Franco-British
traders of Wisconsin.
In 1809 Illinois Territory was set off from Indiana carrying with it
St. Clair County, in which Wisconsin was included. So far as known the
officials appointed by the governor of Indiana for Green Bay and Prairie
du Chien continued to act under the commissions already received.
The outbreak of the War of 1812 made a sharp division among
Wisconsin's few governing officers. The Indian agent was the sole official
who maintained his American allegiance. All the other appointees
declared for Great Britain, and actively engaged in operations for her
benefit. The Indian agent was driven down the Mississippi, and Wisconsin
became again a part of the territory of the British empire, guarded by
Canadian troops and administered by British officers. In 1814 the
Americans made an attempt to repossess themselves of the region on the
Mississippi. A force organized at St. Louis ascended the river and built
4 HISTOUV OF TREJIPEALEAU COUNTY
a post at Prairie du Chien. This American post had been held less than
a month, however, when an overwhelming British force from Mackinac
and Green Bay captured the new fort and expelled the American garrison.
The Canadian authorities were eager to retain possession of Wisconsin,
and during the negotiations for the Treaty of Ghent in 1814 made a
determined effort to have the boundary lines redrawn so that Wisconsin
should be made a buffer Indian region under British authority. This
attempt failed, and in 1815 according to the terms of the Treaty of Ghent,
the British garrisons were withdrawn from Wisconsin's soil. Nevertheless,
so hostile were the Indian tribes to American reoccupation that not until
eighteen months after the signing of the treaty was the American flag
raised within the Kmits of Wisconsin. During this non-governmental
period the British fur traders maintained, as they had done since 1761,
an ascendancy over the tribesmen that preserved the few settlements from
anarchy and destruction. While thus theoretically changing sovereignty
several times from 1761 to 1816, Wisconsin was really during the entire
period a French-Canadian settlement under British control.
American military occupation began in 1816 when strong posts were
built at Prairie du Chien and Gi-een Bay, the garrisons of which overawed
the sullen tribesmen. Indian officials were appointed and American
traders soon rivaled the operations of the French-Canadians. So bitterly
did the latter resent the restrictions imposed upon them by American
officers and officials that in 1818 they planned to remove in a body to some
place under British jurisdiction, taking the Wisconsin Indians with them.
Within a few years, however, the friction was adjusted, and the leading
Wisconsin settlers became naturalized American citizens.
In 1818 Illinois was admitted as a State into the Union, and Wisconsin
was transferred to Michigan territory. The same year Wisconsin was
organized into two counties, Brown and Crawford, justices of the peace
were appointed and American sovereignty became operative with this
region. In 1824 United States district courts were organized for that
portion of Michigan Territory lying west of Lake Michigan. In 1829
Crawford County was divided, all south of the Wisconsin River becoming
Iowa County. In 1834 Brown County was reduced by the organization
of its southern portion into Milwaukee County. In 1836 Michigan was
admitted into the Union, and the Territory of Wisconsin was organized
out of that portion of its limits that lay west of Lake Michigan.
Wisconsin Territory was maintained for twelve years. In 1846 there
was a movement for Statehood, but the Constitution then drawn was
rejected by the people, so that not until 1848 did Wisconsin become the
thirtieth State in the American Union.
3. Boundaries — The boundaries of Wisconsin were first laid down
in the Ordinance of 1787, which decreed that the southern boundary of
the fifth or northwestern State of the Northwest Territory should be an
east and west line drawn through the southerly bend or extreme of Lake
Michigan ; that the western boundary should be the Mississippi to its source,
thence by a straight line to the Lake of the Woods and the international
boundary; that the northern boundary should coincide with the
HISTORY OB' TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 5
international boundary through Lake Superior; and that the eastern
boundary should be the meridian due north of Vincennes to the international
line. The area of Wisconsin as outlined by this ordinance was one and a
half times as large as at the present time. By successive measures
Wisconsin's boundaries have since been curtailed at the southern,
northeastern, and northwestern sides.
The southern boundary was changed when in 1818 Illinois was
admitted to the Union. In order to secure for that State a harbor on
Lake Michigan, Illinois' northern boundary was shifted from the line
due west from the. southern point of Lake Michigan, to latitude 42" 30'.
This added to Illinois a strip of territory sixty-one miles in width, containing
8,500 square miles, and the site of Chicago. In 1818 there was no one in
Wisconsin to protest against this change. In 1838, however, and during
Wisconsin's later territorial period, attempts were made to repossess the
northern portion of Illinois on the ground that the Ordinance of 1787 was a
solemn compact, and as such inviolable without the consent of all parties
concerned. The matter never came before the United States Supreme
Court, but Wisconsin's territorial legislature passed several vigorous
resolutions on the subject to which Congress paid no attention. Strange
to say, many Illinois inhabitants dwelling in the disputed strip would
have preferred Wisconsin's jurisdiction ; at one time an informal referendum
on the question in several Illinois counties resulted overwhelmingly in favor
of Wisconsin. No official action, however, resulted, and the enabling act
for Wisconsin in 1846, fixed its southern line 42° 30'. The eastern boundary
as outlined by the Ordinance of 1787 was obliterated when in 1818
Wisconsin became part of Michigan Territory. When in 1834 it became
evident that Michigan east of Lake Michigan would soon become a State,
it was suggested that all west of Lake Michigan be organized into a new
territory. This would have included in Wisconsin the upper peninsula
of Michigan, and made our State a topographical unit.
Michigan, however, became engaged in a boundary contest with Ohio
concerning the harbor of Toledo. Congress decided this controversy in
favor of Ohio, but compensated Michigan by adding to her area the lands
east of the Montreal and Menominee River boundary. Wisconsin, then
unorganized, had no means of protest. Her northeastern boundary was
fixed by the erection of the Territory in 1836.
Wisconsin Territory when organized included all that portion of the
Louisiana Purchase lying north of Missouri, and east of the Missouri and
White Earth rivers. This vast region' embracing Iowa, and the larger
part of the Dakotas, and Minnesota was understood to be added to Wisconsin
for administrative purposes only. In 1838 Iowa Territory was set off, and
Wisconsin was hmited to the western boundary as outlined in the Ordinance
of 1787. This included within Wisconsin Territory nearly one-third of
the present area of Minnesota. At one time it was suggested that a sixth
State should be formed of the territory east of the upper Mississippi and
south of Lake Superior. Later the portion west of the St. Croix and the
St. Louis River line actually became a part of a sixth State, Minnesota,
which was organized as a Territory in 1849 and admitted as a State in 1858.
6 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Wisconsin in 1848 became a State with boundaries as at present.
Although short of her original allotment of territory, her present area
makes her third in size of the five States of the Old Northwest.^
II. The Red Men and the Fur Trade
1. First Men in Wisconsin — A large portion of the surface of
Wisconsin is covered with small heaps of earth or mounds that are without
doubt the work of man, and not of nature. The formation of these
earthworks was formerly attributed to a pre-Indian race of men known
collectively as the Mound Builders; modern archaeologists, however, have
repudiated the theory of a prehistoric rSce, and now are certain that the
true mound builders were none other than the Indians. A peculiar kind
of mound occurs in southern and central Wisconsin and in the neighboring
regions of northern Illinois, eastern Iowa, and southeastern Minfiesota, that
is not found elsewhere in the United States. These are the effigy mounds,
slight eminences that take the outline of deer, bears, panthers, turtles,
various kinds of birds, and in one or two instances of man. The origin of
these effigy mounds has been much discussed. It is now accepted by
scientists that their makers were a tribe known to the first discoverers
of the Northwest as the Puant or Winnebago Indians.
The great number and extent of the mounds scattered over the surface
of Wisconsin indicates the presence of a large Indian population in
prehistoric times; but at what era in the world's history, or in what way
the Winnebago reached Wisconsin we can only infer from a few scattered
facts. The migration legends of the Siouan peoples, to which stock the
Winnebago belong, indicate that they came from the region near the
sources of the Ohio River. Pressed upon by neighboring Algonquian
peoples they slowly progressed along the Ohio Valley, leaving great
earthworks as they advanced. In the course of several centuries they
reached the Ohio's mouth, and there divided, one large branch passing
northward along the Mississippi River, gi-adually separating into many
tribes that located chiefly west of the great river. Somewhere, possibly
at the mouth of Rock River, one group of this vast horde, attracted by
the abundant game of the pleasant valley, moved eastward and northward,
and after occupying the valley of Rock River to its headwaters, spread
along the Fox River and around the lake now called Winnebago, terminating
their migration at the shores of Green Bay. From the size of the trees
growing upon the artificial mounds, it is inferred that the settlement of
the Winnebago in Wisconsin must have occurred some time before the
discovery of America by Columbus.
The Winnebago who peopled Wisconsin's valleys, and built their
mounds along her streams and lakes were in what is known as the Stone
Age of primitive culture. Contrary to the common belief, they were not
a wandering, but a home-loving people, devotedly attached to the places
of their birth, the homes of their fathers and the sites of their villages.
These villages were so advantageously placed that the sites of most of
Wisconsin's present cities were those once occupied by the Indians. The
woods and streams supplied their simple needs of food, clothing, and
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 7
shelter. From the skins of animals they fashioned their garments, by
hunting and by harvesting wild rice they gained their food. Their lodges
were built of slender trees covered with bark, and with mats formed of
plaited reeds. Gradually they learned a rude form of agriculture, by
cultivating the ground with hoes of bone and plows of wood, corn and
pumpkins were added to their food supply. They had no domestic animals
except dogs, which also served as an addition to their food supply. Their
tools and implements of warfare and of chase were made of stone, flints
chipped to a point tipped their arrows, axes and hatchets were of edged
stone, war clubs swung a heavy stone head. The only metals known were
lead and copper. The former mined in a crude fashion was mostly used
for ornament. Copper, secured by intertribal trade from Lake Superior, was
beaten by hand into ornamental shapes, and occasionally used to tip weapons
and domestic implements.
The change of seasons brought to Wisconsin Indians changed modes of
living. During the winter season they left their permanent villages and
in small groups scattered through the forests, subsisting as best they might
on the products of the chase. They built temporary wigwams of pelts
thrown over poles, within which fires were kindled that kept them from
freezing. Upon the return of spring they sought their villages and corn
fields. The summer was the time for religious rites, for council and for
warfare. Raids upon neighboring enemy groups were a normal part of
the Indian's life. In every village a council house was built where questions
of war and alliance were discussed by the chiefs and elders. The religious
rites clustered about a unit resembling a clan ; the effigy mounds were the
symbols of the clan totems. Near to these totems burial mounds were
placed. The sacred mysteries of the tribe and clan were there celebrated.
Aside from warfare, intercourse was maintained with other tribes
by means of trade. The extent and volume of intertribal trade was
considerable. Sea shells found in Wisconsin mounds prove that they had
passed from hand to hand among all the tribes between its inhabitants and
the Atlantic coast. Shells, bits of metal, articles of dress and ornament,
constituted the bulk of the exchange. Shells pierced and strung or wrought
into belts were both the medium of exchange and the binding symbol of
intertribal treaties and agreements. While the fate of captives taken in
war was horrible, envoys were sacred, and treaties were observed inviolate.
The red man's life was by no means idyllic as children of nature
have been supposed to lead. Famine and disease stalked his footsteps ; war
and wild animals carried away his young ; struggle and hardships made up
his lot in life. None the less it is open to question whether the contact
with the white man did not make the condition of the Indian worse. He
soon became dependent upon the farmer's products for clothing, implements
and weapons. He forgot the arts of his priniitive economy. Urged on
by the gi-eed of traders he rapidly killed off the wild game or drove it farther
into the wilderness, which he had to penetrate in order to secure the store
of furs with which to purchase his necessities. Thus hunting became more
and more important to his existence, and with increased efforts and superior
weapons brought ever-diminishing returns. The red man became
8 HISTORY OF TREIMPEALEAU COUNTY
dependent upon the trader for the very means of life. After the French
and Indian War when all traders of the French race were withdrawn from
Wisconsin, the English traders who after a lapse of two years went to Lake
Superior found naked, starving savages who in less than one hundred years
had ceased to be self-sufficing, and could live only by means of relations
with white men. Thus arose the fur trade, which was not only a commercial
or an economic regime, but a system of government, a form of social life, a
means of exploitation, and a stage in the development of the American
frontier.
2. The Coining of the White Man — For one hundred and forty years
after the discovery of America by Columbus, Wisconsin's forests slept in
quiet, unvexed by the presence of any but their red children. Then
suddenly out of the east, and skirting the coasts of Green Bay in a bark
canoe driven by strange red men, the first white man came, and " women
and children fled at the sight of a man who carried thunder in both hands"
— for thus they called the two pistols that he held. "He wore a grand
robe of China damask, all strewn with flowers and birds of many colors."
"They meet him ; they escort him, and carry all his baggage." They call
him the Manitouriniou, the wonderful or godhke man. From all quarters
they haste to see him until four or five thousand are assembled. "Each
of the chief men made a feast for him, and at one of these banquets they
served at least six score Beavers." ■• Then the mysterious stranger made
a peace with them, under such forms and ceremonies as were customary
in intertribal negotiations, and vanished into the east whence he had come.
To the whites who had crossed the ocean to begin a small colony on
the banks of the St. Lawrence, this first white stranger to visit Wisconsin
was known as Jean Nicolet. He had come to the New World with the
express purpose of dealing with the red men, learning their languages and
customs, and opening a way into their country for trade and missions.
Sent by Champlain, the founder of New France, to dwell among the forest
inhabitants, Nicolet spent several years among the Algonquin Indians of
the upper Ottawa River ; then he dwelt among the Huron in the peninsula
between Lake Erie and Georgian Bay. There he heard of a far western
tribe known as the "people of salt water," whom Nicolet supposed must
dwell on the borders of the Western Sea and be akin to the tribes of Tartary.
Hence the damask robe, and the hope of a new route to Cathay. Instead
of Oriental potentates Nicolet found merely a new tribe of Indians whose
name — the Winnebago — meant equally "people of the salt water" or "people
of bad-smelling springs," and who were known henceforth to the French
as the Puants or Stinkards.
After Nicolet's advent to Wisconsin in 1634, no more of these
mysterious white strangers disturbed the dwellers on Lake Michigan and
Green Bay for over twenty years. Nevertheless in these far regions great
changes were taking place, due to the widespread disturbances in Indian
geography caused by the coming of the white man. Upon the peninsula
of Ontario then occupied by the Huron tribesmen, the Jesuit missionaries
some years before the voyage of Nicolet founded the largest and most
successful of their missions. Throughout all the Huron villages they
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 9
spread, and impelled by a desire to evangelize distant Indians, two of the
fathers had in 1641 accompanied some of their neophytes to the shores
of Lake Superior, and named the strait where the waters leap down from
this mighty basin, the Sault de Ste. Marie.
But the Huron were not long left to develop their new religion in
peace. Suddenly from central New York appeared large bands of their
hereditary enemies, the Iroquois; by one blow after another the Huron
missions were destroyed, some of the Jesuits fell martyrs to their cause,
others escaping sought refuge with the remnants of their mission children
under the cliffs of Quebec. The remainder of the Huron fled westward,
their alarm was communicated to the Algonquian peoples living beyond
them, and for fear of the Iroquois whole tribes left their ancestral homes
for shelter in the farther forests. It happened that shortly before this
disturbance the Winnebago of southern and central Wisconsin had suffered
a severe defeat at the hands of the Illinois tribes living to the south, wherein
they were so reduced in numbers that but a small fragment of the former
tribe was left in its Wisconsin home. Into this sparsely-settled land the
fugitives from Ontario and Michigan poured both by southern and northern
routes. They hid from the pursuing Iroquois in the swamps and marshes of
our State, and the Winnebago being in no condition to resist, made alliances
with the intruding tribes, and yielded to them new homes on the lakes
and streams where their ancestors had dwelt. Thus came the Sauk and
Foxes, the Miami, Mascouten and Kickapoo. Thus, pressed down from
the north and the islands of Lake Michigan, came the Menominee and
Potawatomi to mingle with the Winnebago around Green Bay; while the
Huron and Ottawa, impelled by a more dreadful fear, sought refuge on the
southern shores of Lake Superior and about the headwaters of Black River.
Thus in the middle of the seventeenth century Wisconsin became crowded
with Indian villages, and was sustaining a larger number of red inhabitants
than at any other time throughout her history. This aggregation of
tribesmen conditioned her discovery and exploi'ation, and made her a
region tempting both to the French fur trader and to the Fi-ench mis-
sionary of the cross.
3. Missionaries and Traders
Before the dispersion of tribes incident to the Iroquois wars the
Huron and their neighbors had learned the value of the white man's
goods, and had ventured as far as Three Rivers and Montreal, there to
exchange their skins and robes for the weapons, clothing and trinkets
that the white men had taught them to covet. Immediately there sprang
up an intertribal trade that extended so far westward that tribes which
had never seen a white man became famihar with his wares. The Ottawa
Indians were especially skillful in trade, and so long acted as middlemen
for the western tribes that all the region of the Upper Lakes was called
by the French the Ottawa Country.
The Iroquois wars of the middle of the seventeenth century inter-
rupted the northwest trade, and both the colony of New France and the
interior tribes suffered from the break in the intercourse. Of the two
10 HISTORY OF TREjVIPEALEAU COUNTY
the French suffered the more, because the Indians had not yet forgotten
their wilderness lore and were yet able to be self-sufficing. The lack of
the annual harvest of furs from the Northwest had almost ruined the
little French colony along the St. Lawrence, when suddenly it was
gladdened by the arrival of a caravan of Indians at Three Rivers that
came to exchange its hoarded treasure of peltry over northern streams
and portages, uninfested by the dreaded Iroquois. Prosperity once more
promised for Canada, the Indian visitors were royally treated, and when
they embarked for their return voyage two young Canadians accompanied
them and wandered for two years or more among the tribes of the
Northwest, learning their customs and languages and teaching them the
white man's arts.
The explorations of Radisson and GrosseiUiers during the latter half
of the sixth decade of the seventeenth century were not known to historians
until the journals of Radisson were discovered late in the nineteenth
century in the Bodleian library at Oxford. They were written in EngUsh
by one unfamiliar with that language and their descriptions are so vague
that it yet remains an open question where these explorers went and
whether or not they were the first white men to view the Mississippi.
Radisson and Grossilliers made a second voyage to the Ottawa Country
two or three years after their first adventure. Upon this occasion they
explored Lake Superior and the headwaters of the Mississippi and passed
a desolate and famishing winter, probably on the Wisconsin shore of
Chequamegon Bay.
Meanwhile the first white missionary to Wisconsin had lost his life
in her northern forests. Father Rene Menard in 1660 came to the North-
west with a returning party of trading Indians. They abandoned him
on the shore of Keweenaw Bay and after a wretched winter he started
with one companion to visit the Huron fugitives, formerly members of
the Ontario mission, then thought to be in hiding on the headwaters of
Black River. While descending the Wisconsin in a tiny craft, the reverend
father stepped aside at some one of its upper portages and was lost in
the forest. Whether he was slain by beast or Indian or perished from
starvation is not known ; no trace of his fate was ever found.
In 1665 the colony of New France was re-enforced by a regiment of
soldiers, the Iroquois enemies were punished and concluded a reluctant
peace. Thereafter the wilderness waterways became safer and traders
and missionaries sought the tribesmen in Wisconsin forests.
Notable among the traders was Nicholas Perrot, who, in 1665, began
a career of discovery and exploration in Wisconsin that lasted over thirty
years. Among the missionaries Father Claude Allouez was a pioneer.
His first mission in 1665 was on the shores of the Chequamegon Bay,
where for two years he instructed large bands of Indians from all the
Wisconsin region. Even the Illinois visited the good father in his northern
home and listened for the first time to the gospel message. In 1669
Allouez transferred his ministrations to the neighborhood of Green Bay
where, among the Menominee, Potawatomi and Sauk of the bay shore, the
Foxes on the Wolf, and the Miami, Mascouten and Kickapoo of the upper
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 11
Fox Valley, he founded missions and worked with unflagging zeal for the
conversion of their souls. The first permanent mission in Wisconsin was
the mission of St. Francis Xavier, established in 1671 at the De Pere
rapids of Fox River by Allouez and his fellow workers. The following
decade was the most flourishing in the Jesuit missionary history of
Wisconsin. After 1682 their influence and success began to wane, and by
the close of the century was almost extinct.
In the meantime the King of France had, in 1671, staged a pageant
on the far shore of Sault Ste. Marie, wherein his representative, Simon
Francois Daumont Sieur de St. Lusson took possession of all the western
country for the French sovereignty. Nicholas Perrot was sent in advance
to notify the Wisconsin tribesmen and persuade them to send chiefs as
representatives on this great occasion. With wondering awe the simple
savages watched the impressive ceremony werein priests and warriors
chanted the praise, both of God and of the great King Louis XIV and
declared the latter's benevolence in annexing the Indians' country to his
own domain. All unwillingly they assented to an acknowledgment that
made them thenceforth subjects of a foreign monarch. Some years after-
ward Perrot was sent as governor general of the new French territory west
of Lake Michigan. He built therein a number of French posts, most of
them upon the Mississippi. At Fort St. Antoine upon Lake Pepin in
1689 Perrot took possession for France of the Sioux territory lying along
the upper waters of America's greatest river. He likewise was the first
white man to explore the lead mines of southern Wisconsin. So long as
he ruled in the West the French trade and influence was supreme and
the Indians of Wisconsin were his docile instruments.
Wisconsin's great waterway to the Mississippi River was first
traversed in 1673 by Louis Jolliet and Father Jacques Marquette. Seven
years later Daniel Greysolon Duluth, who had previously threaded the
upper portage from Lake Superior to the Mississippi, came eastward by
the Fox-Wisconsin route from the Sioux country. By these two voyages
connection was established between Wisconsin's portage route and both
the lower and the upper Mississippi.
Rapid changes in the Indian geography oC Wisconsin occurred during
the last twenty years of the seventeenth century. The population that
had massed along the Fox-Wisconsin waterway was pressing upon the
food supply. Moreover, in 1680 Robert Cavelier de La Salle took possession
of the Illinois River Valley and invited the Wisconsin Indians to remove
thither for a permanent home. The Miami, Mascouten and Kickapoo
acceded to his request; the Potawatomi likewise moved south along the
shore of Lake Michigan ; the Foxes ventured from Wolf River to the river
now called by their name. The Menominee surrounded Green Bay, the
Sauk and Foxes controlled the Fox-Wisconsin waterway, the Winnebago
occupied the upper Rock River. The Huron and Ottawa left northern
Wisconsin for homes on the straits of Mackinac, and all the southern shore
of Lake Superior was abandoned to the Chippewa, who at intervals
continued their hereditary wars upon the Sioux of the St. Croix and upper
Mississippi valleys.
.12 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
4. The French Fur Trade — Along with the shifting of tribal homes
grew up changes in the method of handling the fur trade. The Indian
hunters no longer made yearly pilgrimages to Montreal to exchange their
gathered peltry for the white man's goods. Instead the white men came
to them offering their wares, and with tribal consent built in their country
at convenient places little log forts, where an officer and a few soldiers
kept order over the motley crowd of traders and coureurs des bois that
enriched themselves by the wilderness traffic. Most of the traders were
licensed by the government and subjected to strict rules for the conduct
of their trade. The illegal trader, however, flourished and followed his
Indian customers into the depths of the forest, beyond the reach of the
orders and regulations enforced by the commandants at the wayside posts.
These unlicensed traders carried to the red man the alcohohc liquors the
white man had taught him to love ; and in disregard of the regulations of
the French government, the Indian grew more and more debauched and
degraded by his association with the whites. Radisson, who had explored
the western forests for the French, deserted to the English government,
and in 1670 aided in forming the Hudson's Bay Company, that greatest of
all fur-trade monopolies, which, after nearly 250 years, is still the greatest
fur company in the world.
Its traders early penetrated to the north shore of Lake Superior and
drew away many Indians who had previously contributed to the wealth of
Canada. The English also attempted to secure the northwest fur trade by
the route of the Great Lakes. Utilizing the Iroquois as middlemen, the
tribes of Wisconsin were tempted to carry their wares to white men who
paid a larger price for furs and gave better goods in return than those of
the French merchants.
Thus through illegal traders and foreign rivals the French fur trade
was, by the close of the seventeenth century, so demoralized that the
Canadian authorities, spurred thereto by the missionaries, determined upon
drastic measures. All hcenses for traders were revoked, and in 1696 a
decree went forth that all the Northwest posts should be evacuated and
that missionaries should be the only white men allowed in the Ottawa
Country. It was thought that the old custom of yearly caravans would
be revived, thus governmental control could be exercised over the trade
and the aborigines protected. These measures were only partially
successful. Coureurs de bois refused to obey the summons to return to
New France and shamelessly brought in English goods; soldiers deserted
from the garrisons before evacuation, married among the Indian tribes and
introduced the white man's arts. Albany and Hudson Bay traders vigorously
pressed their advantage, and the Canadian authorities feared that the
whole of the Northwest trade would slip from their control.
This danger of disintegration was checked by two events that occurred
in the first year of the eighteenth century, by which the French recovered
their morale and resumed operations in the Northwest. The first of these
was the founding of Detroit, a post whose position barred the Enghsh from
the upper lakes. The second was the peace with the Iroquois, which was
signed at Montreal after a great ceremony, and an exchange of prisoners
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 13
among all the warring tribes. The license for the fur trade was then
restored, the coureur des bois called in by proclaiming pardons for past
offenses, and the policy of control by posts and garrisons was re-established
throughout the Northwest.
The estabhshment of Detroit caused new changes in the Indian
geography of Wisconsin. The Miami and Mascouten entirely withdrew from
the state and moved eastward toward the new post. The Potawatomi
progressed southward around the bend of Lake Michigan, while the Winne-
bago filled in the vacant territory near Lake Winnebago and along the Rock
River Valley. In 1706 a large portion of the Fox and Sauk tribes deserted
Wisconsin and settled in the vicinity of Detroit, whither the Ottawa and
Huron from the neighborhood of Mackinac had preceded them. This new
accumulation of savage peoples did not long dwell in harmony. In 1712
a fierce intertribal quarrel broke out in which the commandant of Detroit
took sides against the Wisconsin tribesmen. Many of the Sauk, Foxes and
Kickapoo were slain, the remainder fled back to their former homes in
Wisconsin, where the remnant of these tribes waged barbaric warfares
against the French for over thirty years. This hostility closed the Fox-
Wisconsin waterway to French traders, rendered their lives insecure on
all the western pathways and greatly diminished French influence in the
far Northwest.
In the course of these Fox wars the first military invasion of Wisconsin
occurred when, in 1716, Sieur Louvigny led a considerable army of Canadian
soldiers, accompanied by a miscellaneous host of traders, voyageui-s and
Indians through Green Bay to the Fox fort at Little Butte des Morts. The
Foxes withstood for a time a considerable siege, which ended in a compro-
mise with the invading forces. The succeeding year a French post was
built on the site of Fort Howard, that was maintained until the fall of the
French sovereignty in the New World. In 1718, in order to develop the
copper mines that were thought to exist on the shores of Lake Superior,
an official post was built at Chequamegon. From 1727 to 1750, in order to
exploit the fur trade among the Sioux French, posts were erected unon the
Upper Mississippi. Chequamegon and the Mississippi posts were abandoned
during the French and Indian war. In 1743 a French post was erected on
the Mississippi near the lead mines, where a beginning was made in devel-
oping this industry. Thus the French found copper, lead and furs in
Wisconsin, the most valuable of which was peltry.
After the Fox wars were over the fur trade grew with startling
rapidity, and the only rivals to the Canadian traders were the French
merchants from Louisiana, whose northern boundary lay between the Rock
and Wisconsin rivers. In 1752 the Green Bay post was leased to a relative
of the reigning governor, who exploited it so dishonestly that the Marquis of
Montcalm declared, "Never have theft and license gone so far." The yearly
harvest of Wisconsin furs amounted to 500 to 600 packs valued at a quarter
of a million dollars.
Peculation and dishonesty led to the downfall of New France. Unpro-
tected by rapacious officials, the lilies of France fell before the cross of
St. George and St. Andrew, and the British replaced the French not only
14 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
on the St. Lawrence, but along the Great Lakes and in the eastern part of
the Mississippi Valley.
5. Development and Decline of the Fur Trade Under the British —
The change from French to British sovereignty in Wisconsin was not
accompanied by any marked upheaval in the little hamlets and among the
Indian villages of the western wilderness. Most of the French traders
transferred their allegiance to the new sovereign with only mild regrets.
The earliest British officers were concihatory in attitude, and the Indians
docilely exchanged their French medals and flags for those of England.
The British traders employed the same voyageurs and coureurs des bois as
had served the traffic under the French reg'ime. The language most in use
in Wisconsin's forests continued to be French. Beyond the bounds of
Wisconsin there was much discontent, which culminated in the revolt known
as Pontiac's Conspiracy. In this uprising Wisconsin tribesmen, almost
alone among those of the Northwest, refused to participate. Possibly the
old grievances against the French, repressed since the Fox wars, still
rankled, and made Wisconsin Indians more favorable to their new British
masters. Be that as it may, the garrison at Green Bay was escorted by
friendly and protecting tribesmen to Mackinac, and there aided in rescuing
the captured British officers from the hands of the hostile Chippewa and
Ottawa. When Sir William Johnson met the Indian chiefs at Niagara in
1764 he signalized the loyalty of the Wisconsin Menominee by presenting to
their chief a medal and a certificate."
With the withdrawal in 1763 of the garrison from Green Bay, Wis-
consin's British post was permanently abandoned. Thenceforward the
metropolis of the fur trade was at Mackinac, where each summer a great
mart was held. Traders brought from Canada an abundance of goods for
forest traffic and exchanged them for the peltry that had been gathered
during the previous winter and spring at dozens of small posts throughout
the West.
With the growth of the trade subsidiary marts were established, and
the one in Wisconsin at Prairie du Chien became next in importance to that
at Mackinac.
The first years of the British trade in Wisconsin were years of unregu-
lated and fierce competition between rival traders and rival companies.
Slight restraints were imposed by the post officers, who in most cases
participated in the profits of the traffic. Therefore, this unrestricted rivalry
wrought great havoc, both among the fur-bearing animals and their red
hunters. Liquor became the ordinary medium of exchange. The traders'
outfits were largely composed of kegs of beverages, and so fierce were the
drunken orgies of the Indians that it seemed that they would soon
exterminate themselves. The traders in like manner grew demoralized and
employed all kinds of subterfuges to secure the advantage. Even murder
and robbery went unpunished, and the law of force and cunning ruled the
forests.
Excess of competition finally suggested its own remedy. In 1778 a
representative group of Canadian merchants made at Mackinac a temporary
combination to control the trade. Two years later the agreement was
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 15
renewed, and became in 1783 the basis of the North West Fur Company, a
powerful organization of Scotch merchants, who controlled the Canadian
trade for the third of a century. About the same time the Mackinac
Company was formed, whose operations lay farther south than those of the
North West Company. In 1786 the Mackinac Company had a post opposite
the mouth of the Missouri and was competing for the trade of Spanish
Louisiana.
Th6 Spanish strove unsuccessfully to bar the British traders from the
trans-Mississippi. The lower Missouri trade they succeeded in possessing,
but the waters of the upper Mississippi and the Minnesota (then called the
St. Peter's) were practically in the hands of the Scotch from Canada, all
supphed by means of the Fox-Wisconsin waterway.
The headquarters of the North West Company lay on the northwest
shore of Lake Superior; two subsidiary posts in Wisconsin — at Fond du
Lac of the great lake, and at Madelaine Island — served the interior forts
along the southern shore of Lake Superior. Around these posts small
communities gradually grew up, composed chiefly of retired voyageurs and
engagees no longer able to endure the hardships of forest wintering. These
occupied themselves with a primitive type of agriculture and supplied the
products to the active traders. The most important of these settlements
was at Green Bay, where, before the close of the French regime, a few
families had settled. Thither, after Pontiac's Conspiracy, the Langlades
removed from Mackinac, and by their superior education and ability became
the recognized leaders of the little community. Charles Langlade, called
the "Father of Wisconsin," had been an officer in the French-Canadian
army. Under the British he held a commission in the Indian Department,
and his influence over both the white and red men of Wisconsin was
unbounded. It was Langlade, who, during the American Revolution, rallied
the Wisconsin Indians for participation in the defense of Canada and in
the invation of Burgoyne. It was due to his loyalty to the British that
George Rogers Clark's agents had so little success in detaching Wisconsin
Indians for the American alliance. It was Langlade who was depended upon
to protect the Wisconsin settlements against the dangers from the Spanish
of Louisiana ; and upon his death in 1801 the French-Canadian settlements
mourned a protector and a leader. His leadership fell into the hands of his
descendants and relatives, the Grignons and Gautiers, who were allied to
the better families of Green Bay and Prairie du Chien. The patriarchal
condition of society in Wisconsin lasted until the coming of the Americans,
who, with their democracy and energy, broke down the class system founded
on the fur trade hierarchy, and introduced the elements of modern life into
the trading posts and settlements that grew up during the fur trade regime.
In the fur trade the bourgeois or master trader was all-powerful, his will
and the exigencies of the traffic were the sole source of authority. To make
this more binding, each voyageur and engagee was obliged before leaving
the main trading post, to sign a contract by which he bound himself in
consideration of a small wage and certain supplies "to serve, obey, and
faithfully execute all that the said Sieurs, his Bourgeois * * * shall
lawfully and honestly order him to do ; without trading on his own account,
16 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
nor absenting himself from, nor leaving the said service." ■ This consti-
tuted a species of peonage, which, to the honor of the fur trading fraternity,
was seldom abused. In truth, the tie that bound master and man was not
purely economic; it was composed of personal elements of loyalty and
attachment. It was compounded from two loyalties — the French system of
subordination and responsibihty, and the Scotch Highlander's attachment
to the head of his clan, and the clan leaders' obligations therefor.
Many of the prominent traders of Wisconsin were Scotchmen, and
in the War of 1812 they commanded retinues of voyageurs and Indians, who
successively captured Mackinac and Prairie du Chien and drove every
American from the vicinity. These traders fondly hoped and loudly boasted
that new boundaries would be drawn and the territory now Wisconsin would
become a fur-trading preserve. Disappointed in that hope, they planned to
adjust the exigencies of the forest trade to the demands of the American
system. The Mackinac Company was dissolved and in its stead was organ-
ized the American Fur Company, many of whose operators were the Scotch-
Canadians who had been partners in the British concern. For twenty years
after the American occupation the new company conducted a flourishing
trade along the old lines. From 1816 to 1824 the United States sought to
better the Indians' condition by the so-called factory system, government
posts operated not for profit, but for benevolence toward its Indian wards.
The factory system failed because of the powerful opposition of the Amer-
ican Fur Company, and because the factors were unacquainted with the
conditions of Indian trade.
Gradually the fur trade, which for two hundred years had ruled Wis-
consin, declined. The local traders, deeply in debt to Astor's monopoly,
the American Fur Company, mortgaged their lands and lost them. Of
recent years a new commerce in furs has sprung up and grows increasingly
valuable. But the fur trade as a regime passed from Wisconsin with the
coming of the Americans and the development of modern industries.
1 — This chapter is adapted by permission from a manseript history ptepared by the
State Historical Society of Wisconsin.
2— Wis. Hist. Colls., XI, 27-28.
3 — For the entire subject of Wisconsin Boundaries, see Ibid., 451-501.
4— Id., XVI, 1-3.
5— Id., XVIII, 206.
6— Ibid., 268-269.
7— Id., XIX, 343.
r
CHAPTER II
GEOLOGY
(By George H. Squier)
The geology of Trempealeau County is the geology of a considerable
tract in western Wisconsin, for, in a region of undisturbed and nearly
horizontal rocks, an area so small as a county will rarely show in its
geological features any great diversification, and the description of one
would apply with slight changes to its neighboring counties.
In entering upon the consideration of this subject it must be fully
recognized that the features of the region as we now see them are but a
passing phase. Changeless as our hills and valleys may seem to us, never-
theless within the long periods of which geology takes cognizance, they
are scarcely more so than are the most ephemeral of the works of man
compared with his own span of life. Therefore, just as the historical
portion of this work seeks to trace the changing phases which have attended
the human occupancy of this region, in the same manner an adequate
treatment of the geology of the county must seek to present an outline
sketch of the history whose record is found in the rocks.
All the rocks exposed within the limits of this county belong to the
upper portion of the Cambrian, and the base of the Ordovician. To a
geologist, a condensed statement of this nature conveys much information,
but to the reader who is not a specialist in that study, it may have but
little meaning, and a further elucidation is needed to place the subject at
the command of the average reader.
In order to understand the significance of the statement that our rocks
belong near the top of the Cambrian and base of the Ordivician, it is
necessary to have some knowledge of the geological time scale. The scale
here given is the one commonly accepted as the standard :
Pleistocene.
Tertiary.
Cretaceous.
Jurassic.
Triassic.
Permian.
Pennsylvanian.
Mississippian.
Devonian.
Silurian.
("Upper
Ordovician ] Middle
[ Lower
[Upper
Cambrian ■{ Middle
I Lower
Pre-Cambrian
17
Our local rocks
18 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
All of the periods are subdivided into numerous "formations," but in
this list only the subdivisions are indicated that apply to the Cambrian and
Ordovician, and only the larger subdivisions even for these. The range
of our local rocks is also duly indicated. Since the older rocks are at the
bottom, it wiU be seen that the Potsdam Sandstone (Cambrian) and the
Lower Magnesian Limestone (Ordovician) are very ancient. The Lower
and Middle Cambrian are not present in this region, consequently the Upper
Cambrian rests directly on the Pre-Cambrian.
It is to be understood that the Pre-Cambrian is not a period comparable
to the others in the table. It is, indeed, properly not a name at all, but
merely a convenient designation for all of the immense series of rocks
antedating the Cambrian, and includes a time, perhaps, as long as all
succeeding time. The rocks have been so extensively folded and faulted
and so generally metamorphosed and intruded by eruptives as to constitute
a very complex problem, and while it is evident that the long series is
capable of subdivision into periods comparable with those given above, the
subdivisions proposed have not been accepted with the same approach to
unanimity as these.
Geological history is the record of successive changes wrought by two
sets of forces. The one, operating within the body of the earth, causes
changes of level of the land surface in its relation to the water level, some
being carried below, and some above that level. The other, the various
agencies of disintegration, acting upon those surfaces raised above water
level, tend to wear them down. This erosion of the land results in two
complementary sets of phenomena: (a) the planing down of the land
surface until, if sufficient time be allowed, even a mountainous region may
be reduced to a nearly level plain but little elevated above the sea level,
a "base plane" ; and (b) the transference of the material thus eroded from
the land surface, mainly by running water, but to some extent by wind,
until it comes to rest in some body of water, or at least in some basin from
which there is no outlet, were it accumulates and may come to form deposits
thousands of feet thick.
In the process of transformation the material becomes more or less
assorted, and is deposited, under varying conditions as coarse fragments-
conglomerate, sand, or mud. In addition to the material thus removed
from the land, the growing deposits include the remains of the sucessive
generations of living creatures which made their home in the water in
which the beds are accumulating, and, since there was a continuous change
in the forms of life, we thus have furnished us a means of the greatest value
in determining what position a particular deposit occupies in the world's
time scale.
It will be realized that the geological time scale does not propose to
place events with the same exactitude as when we speak of an event as
having occurred in a certain year and century, A. D. or B. C. It corresponds
more nearly to our custom of dividing human events into periods character-
ized by some noteworthy set of conditions, as, for example, the time of the
crusades or the period of the renaissance. Geologists have given much
study to the problem of attaining approximate equality for their divisions.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 19
Having thus considered the broad principles on which geological history
is based, we may now address ourselves more specifically to the history
of this particular region.
As already indicated, our Potsdam Sandstones, which include some
shales and impure limestones, and constitute a part, but probably not all,
of the Upper Cambrian, rest directly on the Pre-Cambrian.
While the area of the Pre-Cambrian had been more than once sub-
merged, had received deposits of sediments of great thickness, and had also
been intruded by enormous masses of eruptive rocks, its later nistory con-
sisted, first, in the folding and faulting of the strata so that they formed
mountain ranges comparable, perhaps, to the largest of our present moun-
tains, and, second, a long period of erosion during which these were worn
down until the region had become one of very slight relief, diversified only
by hills of moderate elevation.
When again the region became depressed so as to be covered by a
shallow sea, the beds of the Upper Cambrian were deposited. These deposits
were made not only over the region in which they are now found, but also
over the entire state, including the areas of crystaline rocks to the north-
ward. Not alone the Cambrian, but also Ordivician rocks (Lower Magnesian
Limestone, St. Peter Sandstone, Trenton Limestone) overspread all, or a
considerable portion of the region. Other beds of the Ordovician and
Silurian which now outcrop successively further south and east, undoubtedly
extended much further northward and westward than at present, but we
have no means of determining how far. We may be fairly confident that
the lower Magnesian Limestone (that forming the tops of the bluffs along
the Mississippi) overspread the entire country. Nor is there much doubt
that the St. Peter Limestone (not now found in the county) did so also.
There is considerable ground for the belief that the Trenton Limestone, of
which only a few remnants are now found north of the Wisconsin River,
in Vernon County, also overspread at least the southern part of the county.
While these processes were going on the region seems to have been
affected by only shght changes of level, remaining quite near sea level
throughout the Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, Mississippian and most of
the Pennsylvanian. But toward the end of the Pennsylvanian, or in the
Permian, there was a period of elevation. In the eastern part of the United
States, mountains (the Appalachians) were the result. But in Wisconsin
there was only a moderate elevation, not sufficient to warp or disarrange
the strata.
The necessary result followed. The region was brought under the
influence of eroding agents. Streams began to cut their valleys. When
they had cut as deep a they could at the then height of the land, they
widened them, and as they had a long time in which to work — through the
Permian, Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous — they cut away the entire
surface, down to base level, leaving a great plain. Only a few hills — the
Blue Mounds, Platte Mounds and others south of the Wisconsin River —
which were composed of more than usually resistant rocks, remain to give
us some idea as to the thickness of the rocks thus planed away.'
20 HIBTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Some time during the Tertiary there was again an elevation, and the
streams resumed their downcutting. Since the valleys which they then
formed are those we now see, we are interested in knowing something of
the plain as it was when they began to cut.
If we could reconstruct the Tertiary base plain as it was before the
streams had cut deeply into it, we should find that near the Mississippi, it
coincided closely with the present tops of the higher bluffs — those capped
by the Lower Magnesian Limestone — but that it rose gradually to the
northward, so that the hills in the northern part do not reach to within
three or four hundred feet of the old plain surface. Going northward
beyond the county, the plain would be above the present surface of the
crystaline rocks over the greater part of the area of the state. This plain,
we must realize, then lay so that the surface was nowhere more than three
or four hundred feet above the sea level. The elevation during the Tertiary
was in the nature of a tilting, as though a board was raised at one end,
the other remaining on the surface, the amount of elevation increasing to
the northward. It is to be further observed that the old Pre-Cambrian
surface on which the Cambrian rests, is in itself a tilted base plain, having
such a slope that if it were fully exposed, streams running over it would
have swift courses and great erosive power.
We are to suppose the Tertiary base plain as floored with Cambrian
or later rocks over the entire area of the state, except that included in
Iron, Vilas, Oneida and adjoining counties, where it cut through to the
Pre-Cambrian, also cutting some of that, making it an integral part of
the plain and producing a surface which did not conform with the slopes
of the surrounding Pre-Cambrian areas. The surface of these counties
now has a nearly consistent level of about 1,600 feet, and as this surface
was the level to which the Tertiary base plain was carried by its tilt, the
amount of the tilt or elevation may thus be determined.
The greater part of the present area of the state, floored by Pre-
Cambrian, has been stripped of its Cambrian and later rock covering, since
that time. If we attempt to visualize the Tertiary base plain and consider
the amount of material that has been removed, we shall realize that the
aspect of the valleys has undergone constant though slow change.
It will be interesting here to picture the conditions just before the
opening of the Pleistocene Period, when the valleys had reached their
greatest depth. Of the various artesian wells from which we gain our
knowledge of the position of the old rock bottom of the valleys, few, perhaps
none, strike that bottom at the deepest part, but they indicate that the
old channel of the Mississippi River was somewhere near two hundred feet
below the present river level, or, say, three hundred feet below the present
level of Trempealeau Prairie. That would indicate that our bluffs, which
now rise about six hundred feet above the river, were then nearer eight
hundred feet. The valleys were also considerably narrower and more
canyon-like. Moreover, the thick deposits of clay that now mantle our lower
hills and fill the coulies were then absent and only jagged ledges of rock,
thinly covered with sandy soil, would meet the eye. The tributary valleys
were also correspondingly deeper, and displayed the same characteristics
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 21-
in a less degree. It was a region, no doubt, of much scenic attraction, but
rather inhospitable.
When, with the development of geological knowledge, scientists came
to realize that the deposits which in the early days of geology were called
diluvial, were really made by glaciers which had overspread great areas
in many parts of the world, it was supposed that there had been but a
single invasion, and it was called the Glacial Period. But as the phenomena
were more carefully studied it became evident that there had been more
than one invasion, several, indeed, separated by periods of relative warmth,
seemingly even warmer than the present, and for this whole succession
the term Pleistocene came to be applied.
These various invasions did not cover the same area, and the older
ones seem to have been more severe ; at least they extended much further
south than the later. One, west of the Mississippi, advanced as far as
northeastern Kansas, and east of that stream one reached southern Illinois.
But there was an area, mostly in Wisconsin, and, broadly speaking, including
the portion of the state lying between the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers,
and northward so as to embrace the larger share of Trempealeau and
Jackson counties, which appears never to have been overspread by a
glacier. The last — Wisconsin — glacier did not indeed advance nearly so
far south as the limits named. There is some little doubt as yet as to
the extreme southerly limits reached by the oldest glacier. The greater
share of the region shows none of that modification of topography which
is a distinctive characteristic of glacial action.
But though the glaciers did not overspread this region, they exercised
a notable influence over the conditions within it. This was due (a) to
the fact that some streams bearing glacial outwash traversed the region,
(b) to the influence of the encircling glaciers on the climate, and (c) to
the effect of the glaciers on the water level.
(a) Those streams, some portions of whose drainage basins were
invaded by glaciers, received large amounts of glacial outwash — sand
pebbles — and all such material capable of being transported by stream
action could be carried far beyond the region of glaciation. Within the
boundaries of Trempealeau County the Mississippi and Black rivers were
the principal carriers of such material. It has been supposed that the
Trempealeau Valley lay outside the glaciated region entirely. The writer
was first to call attention to the deposits near Taylor and Blair. The
Mississippi must have been the carrier of glacial outwash during most, if
not all, of the glacial periods ; but the Black only for some of the earlier.
(b) The climate of the driftless area — as the region not covered with
glaciers is called — would have been subject to the chilling effect of the
near-by glaciers. There is also reason to believe that the glaciers acted
something like a mountain range in draining the air of moisture, rendering
the region rather dry.
(c) There are two ways in which we may conceive of a glacier as
affecting the water level. The first is by isostatic readjustment. This
assumes that the crust of the earth has little stiffness and yields readily,
either upward or downward in response to any change of weight near the
22 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
surface. As some of the glaciers attained a thickness of several thousand
feet, they represented a great increase of weight over the surface, and as
a consequence there was a downward warping of the crust. If, however,
as some believe, the crust is much more resistant to such influences than
the theory of "isostosy" supposes, the accumulation of such great masses
of ice would, by increasing the gravitative energy of portions of the earth's
surface relative to others, produce such a shifting of the center of gravity
as to cause readjustment of the water level to compensate. One or the
other of these agencies (not both, at least to the extent that the first agency
was effective, the second was excluded) must, I think, be assumed to
have been operative during each of the glacial periods. But other agencies
not necessarily depending on the presence of the glaciers may have modified,
increased or diminished, the results. It will be obvious that if a glacier
enters a vaUey at some point below its head, leaving the upper portion free
of ice, the result will be a dam, and the impounded water will form a lake.
This also might operate in combination with the others, modifying the
results. It is not possible in the present stage of the investigation to assign
to these several agencies their proportionate share in bringing about the
submergencies which we know from ample evidence to have affected the
region of the upper Mississippi.
The stage of the submergence was quite variable; it stood, however,
for a considerable time at a point between three and four hundred feet
above the present river level, though there is much evidence of one actually
overtopping the bluffs. The result of the submergence was the deposition
of thick beds of lacustine material over the foothills and lower two-thirds
of the bluffs. It is to this deposit that we owe the fact that the foothills
furnish many of our finest farms. Without it they would be rocky ledges,
or steep slopes, thinly covered with sandy soil.
Studied in detail, these deposits form an extremely complex series
which could not even be described without filling many pages and using
much illustrative material.
These periods of submergence did not, however, extend through the
Pleistocene period; there were other long periods when the Mississippi
Valley was occupied by a stream, either one comparable in size to the
present stream, or one of vastly greater volume, carrying away the drainage
from the glaciers and loaded with glacial outwash. These mostly flowed
at a higher level than the present, a level marked by the deposits of Trem-
pealeau Prairie. On the other hand, the warm interglacial periods were
times of down cutting, during which the river often flowed at levels below
the present. One such has been brought to our knowledge during the
present summer (1917) through the sinking of the piers of the Burlington
bridge at Trempealeau Bay, showing many feet of mud deposits loaded
with shells and wood, also marginal peat bogs, and indicating river levels
at from forty to sixty feet or more below the present. We can also trace
lines of cliffs marking the shore lines for some of the river stages, though
they have been partly obscured by more recent outwash from the bluffs.
The interrelations of these various phases are still far from having been
fully worked out.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 23
It remains before bringing this article to a close, to notice that feature,
which, because it is so conspicuous and distinctive, has attracted the atten-
tion of all who have entered the region, Indians apparently as well as whites,
the Trempealeau bluffs.
It is, perhaps, generally recognized that these were at one time a
part of the west (Minnesota) shore, but the process through which thej
became separated is not well understood.
In one of the recent publications of our State Geological Survey, Mr.
Martin, who, I understood, had not personally studied the situation, gives
an explanation which is quite incorrect — impossible, indeed.- His expla-
nations and diagrams assume that the notch at Trempealeau Bay was the
continuation of one of the valleys on the Minnesota side. But the valley
in question is very much wider than the notch, and no explanation is offered
of an adequate agency for the removal of the divide at the place where
it is assumed to have been removed.
To correctly understand the process, it must be remembered that when
the streams were "young," they were flowing in narrow, gorge-Uke valleys.
and that in the case of the Mississippi, this was probably much nearer thp
Wisconsin than the Minnesota side of the present valley. On the Minnesota
side several of the small streams united in one which partly paralleled the
Mississippi, but which, in its meandering, approached it more closely for
a stretch of its upper course than it did below. As the streams, having
cut down to grade, proceeded to widen their valleys, the narrow divide
between this parallel stream and the Mississippi was gradually cut away.
It must be borne in mind that so long as the streams were running
on the rock bottoms, this divide might be wholly removed for some distance
above our present Trempealeau bluffs without causing the diversion of
the Mississippi into the smaller body, because, not only would the steeper
grade of the smaller valley have carried its bottom above that of the larger
stream, but the greater depth of the channel required by the larger stream
would be sufficient to control its flow even though their surfaces had been
at the same level. When, however, the conditions had changed so that the
Mississippi did not keep its channel cleared out, but instead became
gradually filled, its newer course was left unobstructed. Some other
attendant circumstances, also, would have made that its most easy and
natural course.
Naturally, when the large stream invaded the valley of the small one,
there began a rapid process of erosion whereby the salient points and
minor flexures were reduced into an adjustment to its own requirements.
The accompanying diagramatic map is supposed to show the conditions
while the valleys were still narrower; the consequences of the widening
of the valleys will be readily apparent.
The point where the Trempealeau chain of bluffs connected with the
Minnesota shore is a matter of some interest. The projecting headland on
the Minnesota shore which may be supposed to have marked the point of
junction has, of course, been worn away, but it is believed that the
long line of cliff's near Homer has resulted from such rapid wearing back
24 HISTORY OF TREHIPEALEAU COUNTY
of the shore line and marks the probable line of junction, as it is also the
point toward which the present trend of the Trempealeau bluffs points.
The conspicuous isolation and insular position of Trempealeau Moun-
tain proper may call for a few remarks.
It is obvious that not only the larger streams, but the smaller ones, and
the torrent courses were everywhere dissecting the region. Small valleys
similar to those now extending into our bluffs would also have existed in
the portions now wholly removed. One who is familiar with the present
condition of our bluffs will reahze how little erosion along their north
side would serve to remove the low connecting ridges and leave,
instead of a connected chain, three or four disconnected hills. The little
valley between Trempealeau Mountain and Brady's Bluff had been cut so
low that the flooded Mississippi was able to pass through and further rapid
deepening was the result.
In reviewing briefly the facts of the preparation of Trempealeau County
for the occupancy of man, a summary of the foregoing facts may prove
of interest. At the end of the Pre-Cambrian period, Trempealeau County
presented a sloping surface of bare rock, comparatively level, but containing
some hills of moderate elevation. In the Cambrian period the region was
depressed and covered with a shallow sea. During this and succeeding
periods various layers of sandstone (pulverized rock) and limestone
(pulverized shells) were deposited in the bed of this shallow sea. Just
which of these layers were laid down in Trempealeau County is somewhat
uncertain. The Pottsdam sandstone and the Lower Magnesian limestone
still remains, the latter being seen in the tops of the Mississippi bluffs.
The region remained submerged during the Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian,
Mississippian and most of the Pennsylvanian period. But toward the close
of the Pennsylvanian, or in the Permian period, the region was elevated
above the sea level. -Streams began to cut valleys. When they had cut as
deep as they could they began to widen these valleys. This process continued
during the Permian, Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods until the
region was again a great sloping level plain. This plain was surfaced with
the Lower Magnesian limestone and coincided with the present tops of the
Mississippi bluffs. But it rose rapidly in elevation to the northward so
that the present hiUs in the northern part of the country are three or
four hundred feet below what was then the surface of the plain. In the
Tertiary period streams began cutting through this plain. A vast amount
of material was removed and the present valleys were formed. At the
opening of the Pleistocene Period the rock foundation of Trempealeau
County lay practically in its present form. The valleys, however, were
much narrower and deeper and the sides much steeper. Except for thin
deposits of sandy soil, all the county was a region of bare and jagged rocks.
Then came the Pleistocene Period with its glacial periods, when glaciers
formed and were melted again several times. A larger part of Trempealeau
County is in what is called the Driftless Area, and was probably never
covered with a glacier. But it was to the glaciers that we owe the present
condition of the county. During the time of the glaciers the county received
in the Mississippi, Black and, to some extent, the Trempealeau Valley,
HISTORY OF TEEMPEALEAU COUNTY 25
sandy pebbles carried by the streams flowing away from the glaciers, and
■during the several times that the county was submerged during this era,
the bare valleys and foothills, lying in the bed of the muddy lakes, formed
by the melting glaciers, received the deposits which now constitute the
foundation of our soil. At times during the Glacial Periods the Mississippi
bed was higher than at present and at times lower. The original bed of
the Mississippi was probably over the Trempealeau Prairie, and the Trem-
pealeau Bluffs are probably reaUy an extension of the Minnesota Bluffs, the
belief being that in this region the Mississippi is now flowing in what was
the bed of a nearly parallel tributary. In the rich deposits left by the
glacial lakes vegetation began to grow, and the decomposing vegetation
mingling with the deposits formed the soil as it was found by the early
settlers.
There is little to be said as to the mineral resources of the county.
Its wealth lies in its agricultural resources. It is among the possibihties ■
of the future that iron may be found in the underlying Pre-Cambrian rocks.
And while it would be difficult, under present conditions, to mine it
profitably, it would be possible that improved mining methods and the
exhaustion of the more easily-mined "deposits would sometimes make it
possible.
Waterpowers have been developed at various points in the county, and
the resulting mills have been an important factor in the economic develop-
ment of the county.
The watercourses and many of the ridges are heavily wooded, thus
furnishing the farmers with plenty of fuel and building material. Contrary
to usual conditions where the coming of the white men has resulted in
the denuding of the forests, there was little timber here when the settlers
came but has been allowed to grow up in the past sixty years.
1 — It is not to be understood that the history was quite as simple as the sketch indicates.
Even a relatively stable portion of the earth's crust is rarely wholly so for prolonged periods.
To record the minor oscillations, even if they were always determinable, would be quite
unpractical in an article of this character.
2 — Martin, Physical Geography of Wisconsin, 136-197.
CHAPTER III
ARCHAEOLOGY.
(By George H. Squier)
It is so rarely the case that our present poUtical divisions correspond
closely with the outlines of any of the older tribal domains, or habitats,
that when such happens to be the case, it is not only a matter of interest,
but it furnishes a peculiarly satisfactory theme for the writer.
The lack of correspondence between political divisions and archaelogical
provinces is due to the fact that the latter were determined far more by
topographic conditions than are the former, and the fact that Trempealeau
County furnishes an exception is due to the circumstance that the Trem-
pealeau Prairie constitutes the major portion (the adjoining portions of
La Crosse County making up the rest) of a peculiarly compact and sharply
defined area which we may judge to have been very attractive to the Indians.
There are several reasons why it should have been so. It is a region
of unusual beauty and charm. This was due not alone to the bluffs, for
the prairie with its rolling grassy hills, free from woods or brush ; the
park-like aspect of the "oak openings," and the picturesque outlook, all
tended to impress themselves on the senses and enthral the imagination of
those who came under their spell.
There was an abundance of productive and easily cultivated soil. The
bordering streams and lakes yielded ample supplies of fish and water fowl,
and the back country the larger game. For them it might well have been
a veritable "Garden of Eden," such as one of our local writers has pictured.
Distribution and Character of the Antiquities
Broadly speaking, the earthworks, which may be taken as indicating
approximately the locations of the village sites, were disposed in a curving
• band running from Marshland along the margin of the river terraces to
Trempealeau Bay, then from Trempealeau Village along the terrace fronting
the Mississippi to Black River, ending with a number of groups on the
Black River below and above the mouth of Beaver Creek, and a couple
of groups further up the latter stream near Galesville.
These several groups have suffered from cultivation and other agencies
of destruction in varying degrees, those along the Mississippi front, perhaps
the most ; it is doubtful if more than one in ten of those once existing is
now in recognizable condition.
Those on the Black, south of Beaver Creek, have also suffered severely.
The larger ones are still recognizable as artificial, but the forms cannot be
determined. The best preserved are the groups along the Chicago and
Northwestern Railroad, at what is known as Pine Creek siding, and at
Trempealeau Bay, and the one on Black River near Decorah's Peak. The
26
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 27
largest single mound still preserved intact (aside from the platforms which
will be separately described) is that on- the farm of William Nicholls
the largest of a group of large mounds. Distinguished as to form, the
mounds may be classed as (a) conical, mounds having a circular or approxi-
mately circular base. They may be of all sizes from a few feet in diameter
and a few inches high to those a hundred feet in diameter and a dozen
feet high. They may also vary widely in the degree of convexity.
(b) Elongate — those that are notably longer in one direction than
the other — two or three times as long. These also vary much in size.
(c) True linear — those several to many times as long as wide. While
the length of these may vary greatly from less than a hundred up to
several hundred feet, their height and width varies but little. They are
always as straight as the topography will permit. They are often in series,
end to end, the intervals seeming to be often little more than passageways.
(d) Taper Hnear — these, as the name indicates, are straight, elongate
mounds, usually varying from a hundred to near three hundred feet in
length, which show a regular taper from the large end to the vanishing
point. The rate of taper is approximately the same in different examples.
i. e., the base subtends nearly equal angles. It follows that in the larger
examples the large end is broaded and higher than in the smaller.
(e) Effigies — mounds made to represent various birds and animals.
Wisconsin probably contains more of this type than all the rest of America.
A great number of forms have been described, those most common in
this vicinity being birds — apparently two or three species are shown — bear,
deer, and a form rather doubtfully referred to the panther type of the
eastern part of the state.
Significance and Authorship
The simple "conical" mounds have from the first been recognized as
having been mortuary monuments, but their authorship was ascribed to
an unknown race, while both the purpose and authorship of the more
complex mounds were among the unsolved puzzles of a haK century ago;
the unknown race which was assumed to have built them being conven-
iently called "Mound Builders." The studies of the past thirty or forty
years have, however, wrought a pretty thorough revolution in our knowledge
of the subject. It is now definitely established, though once the contrary
was held, that many of our Indian tribes were in the habit of building
mounds. Articles of European manufacture have been found in some
mounds, and even the building of mounds witnessed by whites.
Having settled the more general question of authorship, we were
placed in a fair way to settle the more specific ones, as to the particular
tribes concerned, and the purpose. It has also been long recognized that
in the effigies, linear and taper linear, Wisconsin possessed a peculiar assem-
blage of forms but little developed elsewhere. We have also learned that
even in Wisconsin this type was confined to a somewhat sharply defined area
extending through the south central part of the state. When the whites
first entered the region the area was claimed by, and in part occupied by,
the Winnebago tribe, the members of which appear to understand the
28 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
significance of the effigies. They are simply visible representations of the
clan or gens totem. The gens, 'perhaps even more than the tribe, was
the social unit which most profoundly influenced the life, not only of
American Indians, but of barbarous races throughout the world, and the
object, natural or imaginary, which was assumed as the guardian patron
of the gens, was its totem. But few of the tribes made visible represen-
tations of it. Those which our Alaskan tribes carve from wood offer
another example. The purpose of the linears and taper linears is not as
well determined as of the effigies. It is conjectured that the taper linears
were conventionalized effigies, and that the linears served in some way in
the games and rituals of the tribe. No very direct evidence seems as yet
to be available.
These three forms, effigies, linears, and taper Unears, are so closely
associated that we must regard them as the work of the same tribe, and
their distribution furnishes us a good criterion for determining the actual
limits of the territory held by that tribe. What we may regard as the
state south of Green Bay, exending as a narrow band down the Wisconsin,
main body is that taking up the greater share of the eastern part of the
but showing only slight evidences along the Mississippi until we reach the
rich development of the Trempealeau Prairie, above which it ceased
entirely. Both the conical and elongate mounds were built by other tribes
besides the Winnebago, so that their distribution is far more general.
Outside of Trempealeau Prairie, as above outhned, mounds are not
numerous. A group once existed between Arcadia and Independence, and
two mounds still exist at Independence. So far as I have been able to learn
none have existed above that. But, while earthworks are lacking, artifacts,
in the shape of arrow and spear points, also celts, have been found in
all parts of the country, Mr. Risinger of Winona having a particularly
fine collection, nearly all made from the county.
The Platforms
It might seem that in selecting these for special notice I was giving
them undue prominence, but, when it is realized that they are by far the
most massive earthworks in the county, and exceeded by few, if any, in
the state, or in the Northwest ; that they embody novel features, being in
this respect practically "sui generis" ; that neither their purpose nor author-
ship is determined, it will, I think, be conceded that such prominence is
not unwarranted.
They are easily chief among the features of historic and prehistoric
interest, of which Trempealeau is the center, although it would not be far
wrong to say that the attention they have received from the archae-
ologists of the country has been rather in inverse proportion to their real
importance. Description: The group (see Fig. 1) consists of three plat-
forms ranged along the crest of the hill, which jutting out toward the
village, has its foot on Main street. One platform is on the extreme point,
being partly produced by digging off a portion of the crest of the hill
but mainly by filling. There is an interval of about seventy-five feet between
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 29
this and the next, which is a level place produced by filling sufficiently to
bring it to the level of the crest. The next and principal platform imme-
diately adjoins this and is built up to a level seven feet higher than the
crest of the hill. Owing to a certain amount of settling and wash around
the sides, the level surface was somewhat greater than at present, appar-
ently about sixty-five by eighty feet. The gi-eatest length is transverse
to the direction of the hill crest, a circumstance which added very materially
to the amount of fill required, the west base being about eighteen feet
below the produced surface. The material of which they were constructed
was obviously obtained, in the main, from the large holes closely adjoining
to the northward ; however, an excavation carried down to the base revealed
the interesting fact that at least some material had been carried up the
hill, the nearest source of that kind of material being somewhere in the
vicinity of Woodmen's Hall. Gravel also occurs on the corner of the
middle platform, brought from somewhere below, either with studied design
or else incidentally.
I have also made numerous measurements, transverse, longitudinal and
diagonal, and from these have calculated the cubic contents: Large plat-
form, 93,000 feet; middle, 2,000 cubic feet; on point, 18,000 cubic feet;
total, 113,000 cubic feet. The massive character of the construction may
be best brought out by some comparisons. The Nicholls mound, the largest
conical mound remaining, and at least one of the largest at any time in this
vicinity, contains about 38,000 cubic feet. A mound of medium size, say
40 feet in diameter and four feet high, contains some 1,800 cubic feet. One
of the pure linear mounds may be taken as having a cross section approxi-
mating 18 square feet. The material in the platforms would be sufficient to
build a linear of that cross section over 6,000 feet long. These figures will,
I think, bear out my assertion as to the pre-eminence of the platforms in
the matter of mere size.
Peculiarities: In the emplacement and the apparent careful co-ordi-
nation of the platforms, they are without a known parallel in the North-
west ; indeed, nothing quite parallel has been reported from any part of
the country; but platforms are of somewhat frequent occurrence in the
South and Southwest, and two occur in Wisconsin. These are both in the
same locality, in Jefferson County, and within what appears to have been
an enclosure, on the banks of the Crawfish River. (Two other enclosures
with platforms on a smaller scale occur in the near vicinity.) They are
now nearly obliterated by cultivation, but in 1850 I. A. Lapham surveyed
them, and his plate is reproduced by G. A. West in an article in the
Wisconsin Archaeologist (Vol. 6, No. 4, 1907, facing page 242). Of the
two platforms one is given as sixty by sixty-five feet on the level top, the
other supposed to be fifty-three feet. The height, unfortunately, is
not given. The smaller platform is said to be the highest point in the
enclosure and to averlook the wall. The wall is said to be from one to
five feet high. The other we may pei-haps assume not to have been higher
than the wall. I have calculated the contents on the assumption that one
was five and the other six feet high, giving about 23,000 and 25,000 cubic
feet respectively. These calculations have, of course, little value, but seem
30 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
to indicate that they are considerably less massive than those at
Trempealeau.
Purpose and Authorship — That a construction of such size and built
at the expenditure of so much labor was intended to serve a public function
is so self-evident that attempted proof would be superfluous ; but, whether
this function were civil or religious, and who were the builders, are questions
in regard to which there is a divergence of opinion.
My own opinion, based on apparent adaptation, is that the purpose
was religious, that of sun worship. If this view is correct it involves certain
corollaries as to authorship. The other view, held by many who have not
made a personal study of the remains, would assign to them a civil purpose
and a different authorship. In any line of investigation, when other sources
of information are lacking, apparent adaptation is regarded as important
evidence. In the study of palaeontology, for example, it is relied on to
determine habits of animals long since extinct, and, as is believed, with
a good approximation to accuracy. It would seem to be equally applicable
in the domain of archaeology.
It may be stated as a broad generalization that it is in their religious
constructions chiefly that the idealism, mysticism and mythology of a people
find expression, and when we find a variety of adjustments having no
apparent explanation from the purely utilitarian standpoint, there is justi-
fication for the belief that they were made in conformity to some religious
idea. When in addition we find that all the features combine to render
the construction peculiarly suited to a certain form of religious observance,
the presumption is greatly strengthened. Both of these suppositions find
exemplification in the Trempealeau platforms. There are several adjust-
ments which give evidence of careful planning and appear as though
designed for the accommodation of a rather complicated ceremonial. If
designed for sun worship the location was surpassingly fine, and the evident
orientation (toward the position of the sun at the summer solstice, not
toward due east), evidenced in the placing of the longer axis of the platform
transverse to the hill crest, and in other features, would find its explana-
tion. As the site of a council house, or of a chief's house, the only alternative
function that can be suggested, they would have been isolated from the
body of the tribe, inconvenient of access, remote from supplies, and open
to attack. We may conceive of tribes whose government had become so
centralized and separated from the people, that such isolation would be
desirable, but this is not true, according to our best knowledge of any of
the tribes found in the region when the whites first entered it. So far,
therefore, as we may judge from adaptation, the evidence strongly indicates
religious use and contraindicates a secular one.
The opposition to this view rests on the belief that it conflicts with
certain archaeological generalizations, a belief which, in my opinion, is
based on misconceptions. I have already alluded to the fact that archae-
ological opinion has undergone a great change in the last half century.
The ascription of our American antiquities to an unknown, and long
vanished race, having been quite displaced by that which ascribes them
to tribes identical with, or at least of the same general stock, as those that
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 31
we know. Coupled with this earher beUef were numerous rather fanciful
hypotheses, based on careless observations which, in the light of more
careful recent study, seem almost childish. This whole matter is treated
at considerable length and much ability by G. A. West in an article entitled
"Indian Authorship of American Antiquities" (Wis. Arch., Vol. 6, No. 4,
1907). It is well worth reading by those interested in the subject. But
in discussing the Aztalan (Wis.) remains (pp. 217-232) he reaches some
conclusions which I do not think quite in accord with the evidence. That
the remains at Aztalan and the other two smaller groups of similar char-
acter near by are notable departures from the types seen elsewhere
throughout the State is indisputable. However, Mr. West is disposed to
place such an interpretation on them as to minimize the unlikeness. In
doing so he very justly exposes certain inaccuracies of observation, and
extravagances of interpretation current for a time, such as the use of brick
in the construction of the enclosing wall, the evidences of human sacrifices,
and the ascription of the remains to the Aztecs. Prescot's "Conquest of
Mexico" had taken a firm hold on people's imaginations, and served to bring
the Aztecs into many situations where they had no place.
The two features of Aztalan which are peculiar are the encircling wall
and the platforms. Their peculiarity is seen in the fact that while there
are scores of mound groups showing the characteristic assemblage of
Winnebago forms, efligies, linears, and taper linears, nothing at all similar
to the enclosures is found outside the Aztalan region (a few small inclosures
are reported, but they are so obviously different in aU essential respects
that they cannot justly be placed in the same class) and nothing similar
to the platforms save there and at Trempealeau. We are obliged to assume
in explanation, either that there was some special reason, the seat of a
centralized government, for example, why the tribe used a type of con-
struction there which they deemed needless elsewhere ; that some small
subdivision of the tribe developed a type of construction markedly different
from the others; or that it was built by some quite distinct tribe having
very different ideas and building requirements.
Mr. West finds in the linear groups of mounds common in certain
topographic situations a parallel to the enclosing wall assuming that the
separate mounds of such a group are connected. But such connection is
rare, so rare as to be negligible, and even if it were otherwise would fall
short of a full explanation. He assigns to the platforms a secular function
— the site of the chief's house, or or the council house, and cites as examples
some described in the account of De Soto's expedition, but those which he
encountered were certainly not used by the Winnebago, nor by any other
tribe of the same stock, and there is some reason to believe that one in
northern Georgia belonged to a tribe kindred to the Natchez, with whom
the chief was both the civil and rehgious head of the tribe, and where in
consequence the platform combined both a civil and religious function.
Some of those noted were probably in Florida, a region where, as has been
said, "they have hard work to keep their feet out of the water," and where
a platform had a decidedly utilitarian purpose.
There are a few effigies and linears at Aztalan, both within and without
32 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
the inclosure, which are, no doubt, of Winnebago authorship. The artifacts
found in the vicinity are also said to be of the type common in the State,
though some of a better quahty are hinted at. Because they are indistin-
guishably commingled all are assumed to be of the same authorship. There
is, however, no necessity for such an assumption. If a region has been
occupied by different races, a commingling of their artifacts and construc-
tion must almost inevitably happen. Mingling of white and Indian
remains is not unusual.
However, I have been able to show that at Trempealeau a tji^e of
pottery, almost identical with a type common south of St. Louis, but very
rare north of that place, occurs quite unmixed with the common type
of the region. We may say, therefore, that both the platforms and the
pottery find their nearest counterparts in what we may broadly speak of
as the Arkansas region.
This fact offers at least a suggestion as to probable authorship. Mr.
West remarks in referring to that conjecture that a colony of Mexicans
(Aztecs) had built the inclosure and platforms, "Such conclusions are no
longer permissible. No such colony ever penetrated to within a thousand
miles of Wisconsin." In this assertion he is no doubt correct. There
is to my mind nothing to suggest Aztec influence, and I have never for a
moment entertained such an opinion. But he ignores the fact that the
valley of the Mississippi has been entered, and for a long time occupied
by another race, which, on the basis both of language, and their own
traditions, has been referred to the Maya stock of Central America. These
were the Natchez, and cognate tribes. Their wanderings had carried them
considerably more than a thousand miles from their original seat, and to
considerably less than a thousand miles from Wisconsin.
There is considerable ground for the belief also that they were in their
decadence when they first became known to the whites, and that the area
occupied by them had become greatly restricted from what it had once
been. That, during their expanding and aggressive stage, offshoots from
them should have passed still further up the great river, is more in accord
with inherent probability than that they did not. It should be noted m
this connection that the Arkansan (from whom the state took its name),
a tribe of the same stock as the Winnebago, is, on the basis of Indian
tradition, assigned a rather late entry into the region, apparently about
the last of that stock to pass into the trans-Mississippi region, and the
curtailment of the Natchez territory might in part have been the result
of that invasion. Among the Natchez the chief was held as a superior
being, a child of the sun, the religious as well as the civil head of the tribe.
The sun was the object of worship, the worship involving a complicated
ceremonial on the platform, on which a perpetual fire was kept burning.
The chief, as a sacred being, also had his residence on the platform.
While we should not suppose that all the tribes had identical customs,
we should look for strong family resemblances, and such family resem-
blances would seem to be indicated by the remains at Trempealeau and
Aztalan.
The whole argument, of course, falls short of demonstration, which is
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 33
perhaps not to be hoped for. It, however, offers a solution of the problem
which violates no inherent probabihty or well determined fact ; is, on the
contrary, rather probable and in accord with such facts as we know.
Synopsis of the Argument Regarding the Platforms — 1. Their size,
and the thought and labor bestowed on them, clearly indicated a public
purpose. 2. That purpose, judging from adaptation, was religious — sun
worship. 3. They do not belong to the recognized type of Winnebago
constructions — are indeed so unhke other constructions of the Northwest
as to constitute a type in themselves. 4. The nearest parallels are found
in the "Aztalan" groups. 5. These groups are also rather notable depar-
tures from the typical Winnebago type. 6. The arguments whereby it is
sought to bring them into harmony with Winnebago types are pertinent
as showing their Indian authorship, but not as showing their Winnebago
authorship. 7. Disproof of their Aztec authorship was uncalled for, since
I have never believed in such authorship. 8. A group of tribes
of Central American origin were living on the lower Mississippi when
whites first entered the region. Their civil and rehgious beliefs and
customs offer a rather striking parallel to what, on the basis of adaptation,
we should judge to have been those of the builders of the plaftorms. 9.
The pottery found at Trempealeau is almost identical with that they are
known to have made. 10. It is inherently rather probable that offshoots
from these tribes should have ascended the Mississippi.
The Antiquity of Man
A find made at Trempealeau Bay during the past season — 1917 —
renders it desirable that something be said on the subject. The find
consists of a flat stone, a trifle over three inches long, somewhat under
two wide and about one-half inch thick. It is of moderately hard sand-
stone, unworn, save that at each end there is a carefully-made notch, as
though to permit a cord to be fastened about it. The symmetrical position,
and the care used in making them, places their formation by any other
than human agency quite out of the question. It was taken out of the
mud in which it was closely embedded. The mud had been taken from
under the west pier of the bridge at a depth somewhere betweeen fifty-four
and sixty feet. The mud in which it was embedded was part of an unbroken
deposit of similar material containing an abundance of shells and vegetable
material, and extending from fifty-four feet to the bottom at sixty-eight
feet. From fifty-four feet upward to forty feet the mud alternated to some
exent with sand. The deposit gives every evidence of being interglacial.
Obviously this would indicate the existence of man anterior at least to the
last glacial period. Yet, while the evidence seems clear, and difficult to
invalidate, it is best to receive it with caution.
It must be borne in mind that the antiquity of man as a denizen of
the world is quite a distinct question from that of the date of his arrival
on this continent. In Europe, and adjoining portions of Asia and Africa,
evidences have been found indicating his existence practicafly throughout
the Pleistocene period. But in America the evidences are much more
34 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
scanty and less decisive, and there has come to be a rather sharp division
of opinion as to the validity of such evidence as is available.
A few examples will serve to show the nature and limitations of the
evidence. Some half century ago a human skull was found in the auriferous
gravels of California under a lava bed. This seemed to carry man back
into the tertiary, but the opinion finally prevailed that the lava bed was a
displaced mass which had slidden to its present position. Some years ago
human remains were found along the Missouri River nearly a hundred
feet down. But Professor Chamberlin showed that the bed of that stream
is extremely unstable, being rapidly cut away and refilled to great depths,
with obvious consequences. For a number of years archaeologists have
been finding flint chips in the glacial gravels at various places, notably
near Trenton, New Jersey, and near Washington. But it is claimed that
these might have been produced by natural agencies, and Professor Cham-
berlin gives cuts of two groups, one from the above sources, the other from
a source where human agency is not presumed. I think that no one could
pick out, with confidence, the natural from the supposed artificial group.
More recently human remains have been discovered in Florida associated
with the remains of extinct animals of the Pleistocene. But it appears
that they occur in a Uttle valley which had been partly refilled with wash
derived from the surrounding Pleistocene, whereby objects not really con-
temporaneous are brought into apparent relationship. It will be seen,
therefore, that the evidence thus far obtained lacks considerable of being
conclusive.
In the case of Trempealeau, Professor Chamberlin, in response to my
first letter, was disposed to apply the same explanation as in the case on
the Missouri, scour and fill ; but, the conditions here are such as to definitely
exclude that explanation. It may be said that the weak point in the
evidence is that the object was not seen in its actual position in the bed.
Still, considering that from fifty-four feet downward the material retained
substantially the same character, and quite evidently had not been subject
to scour and fill, the lack does not seem to seriously invaMdate the evidence.
It is best, however, to be a little conservative in such matters, and
reserve one's opinion until the evidence has been studied from all angles.
1— In calculating the volume of conical mounds, I have assumed them to be cones of the
given diameter and height, making the diameter equal to the furthest limit to which artificial
fill can be traced. It is, of course, not strictly accurate, but gives a reasonably close approxi-
mation.
jfote. Charles F. Brown, in the Wisconsin ArcluFologist, Vol. 5, Nos. 3-4, April to
October, 1906, pp. 392-393, gives the following resume of the Archaelogical remains in Trem-
pealeau County:
Trempealeau Township.— (a) Mounds and earthwork near the Mississippi, opposite
Homer. Reported by L. H. Bunnell, Smithsonian Seport, 1871, p. 430. Large group of mounda
on the Gladsten property, south of Pine Creek, near Pine Creek Station.
(b) Mound west of Mr. Booher's residence at Trempealeau. Several mounds in close
proximity to the Baptist church at Trempealeau. (G. H. Squier says there was but one.)
(c) Other mounds on the ridges of the bluffs not far from Trempealeau. Human bones
and vessels found in them. Mentioned by L. H. Bunnell, Winona and Environs (Winona,
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 35
1S07), pp. 84, 37 and 89. Oval mound on Wm. Nicholls' place at Trempealeau. Tabular mound
on the south side of Third street at Trempealeau. (Identical with third item.) Series of three
platforms on the crest of a hill at Trempealeau. Mounds and fireplaces near the former loca-
tion of Fort Perrot. Scattered bones found in some of the mounds.
(d) Group of conical mounds near the southeast corner of Mt. Trempealeau. Also single
mounds nearby. Described and mentioned by 6. H. Squier, Wisconsin Archceologist, Vol. 4,
No. 2 (1905), pp. 25-34. The tabular mound briefly described by L. Kessinger, History
Buffalo County, pp. 75-76. "Pictograph" rock bearing Indian carvings, on an exposed sand-
stone ledge on Trempealeau river, 2Vi miles northwest of Trempealeau. Described by T. H.
Lewis, American Naturalist, September, 1889; mentioned by C. E. Brown, ll'isconsin Archeeo-
logist, Vol. 5, No. 1 (1905).
Gale Township. — (d) Effigy mounds at Galesville and vicinity. Mentioned by (Jeorge
Gale, Th-e Upper Mississippi (1867), p. 14; and by L. H. Bunnell, Winona and Environs
(1897), p. 87, also in Galesville Transcript, Nov. 25, 1860. (e) Rock shelter at Galesville, the
sides of which are covered with carvings representing snakes, birds, mammals and men. Re-
ported by T. H. Lewis, August, 1905; mentioned by C. E. Brown, Wisconsin Arclueologist, Vol.
5, No. 1 (1905), p. 218.
Caledonia Township. — (f) Group of effigy mounds on the west side of Black river, N. %
Sec. 10, T. 18 N., E. 8 W.
Briefly described by T. H. Lewis, Science, Vol. 13, p. 188 ; also in Tracts for Archaeology,
Vol. 1 (1880), and figure.
Tlie list as given is a correct bibliography of the subject as far as I am aware. I have
indicated above such as are duplications or were based on incomplete knowledge. (G. H. S.)
(a; 1 have made repeated inquiries as to this group, Init can learn of nothing save the
Pine Ci-eek group, which is nearly opposite Homer.
(b) This was originally a large conical mound like the Nicholls mound. The top was
scraped away some time in the late fifties or early sixties, by Richard Towner, now dead.
This, that near the Baptist church, and others of which 1 have seen traces, made up a
considerable group once occupying the site of Trempealeau.
(c) Although not numerous, there are mounds in several localities on the bluffs. On
Trempealeau Mountain, Brady 's Bluff, on hill Viack of Fort Perrot, on the main bluff, and on
a lower space of Liberty Peak. These were so scattering that they could not well be plotted,
as was done for the Pine Creek group, those at tlie bay and others.
(d) The mounds about Galesville have been so completely obliterated that scarcely any-
thing can now be recognized.
(e) Unless the one in the park from which the spring issues is intended, I do not know
to what he refers. That Indians may have used it for shelter and left markings in it is not
improbable, but even in the late sixties when I first visited it, these had been largely sup-
planted by the work of the whites.
(f) There are, or were, several groups along the west side of Black river containing
effigies. It is not clear to which he refers.
Judge Gale's work approached nearer to a systematic study of the archeology of the
county than any of the others. His acquaintance was very wide. It is unfortunate that he
left so few notes to aid in locating the features he mentions. Mr. Bunnell was a keen observer,
but his work was only incidental. Mr. Lewis spent a few days in the vicinity, giving consider-
able attention to the archseology.
CHAPTER IV
GOVERNMENTAL JURISDICTION
Jurisdiction over Trempealeau County has been claimed by four nations,
Spain, France, England and the United States ; by the French and English
colonial authorities ; by the territorial officials of the Northwest Territory
and of the Territories of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin ; and by
the officers of the counties of Crawford, La Crosse, Chippewa, Jackson and
Buffalo.
Spain, by virtue of the discoveries of Columbus and others, confirmed
to her by Papal grant (that of Alexander VI, May 4, 1493), may be said
to have been the first European owner of the entire valley of the Mississippi
river, but she never used this claim as a ground for taking actual possession
of this part of her domains other than was incidentally involved in De Soto's
doings. The name of Florida was first applied to the greater part of the
eastern half of North America, commencing at the Gulf of Mexico, and
proceeding northward indefinitely.
England, basing her claims on the explorations made by her subjects
along the Atlantic coast, issued to various individuals and "companies,"
charters to vast tracts of land extending from the Atlantic westward.
Practically, however, the upper Mississippi Valley may be considered
as having been in the first place Canadian soil, for it was Frenchmen from
Canada, who first visited it and traded with its natives. The names of
Canada and New France were used interchangeably to apply to the vast
French possessions of the American continent. The name, Louisiana, was
invented by La Salle and appUed by him to the entire Mississippi VaUey.
But generally speaking, the Canada or New France of the eighteenth cen-
tury took in the upper Mississippi Valley, while the name Louisiana was
used for the lower valley. .
At the close of the great European conflict which found its echo in
the so-caUed French and Indian War in America, the area that is now
Wisconsin, became by the Treaty of Paris, signed February 10, 1763 (a
preliminary treaty having been signed at Fontainebleau, November 3, 1762) ,
a part of the British empire.^ . .u rp ^ .
The success of the American Revolution, resulting m the Treaty ot
Paris = September 3, 1783, revived the claims of the coast States; but finally
these' claims were ceded to the Federal government, in order to form a
national domain from which to create new States and Territories.^ The
land having been acquired by the Federal authority, many P ^ns were pro-
posed for its government. Thomas Jefferson suggested that the tern ory
be divided into ten States, of which the State of Michigania was to include
'^'"^The NOTthw^st^Territory was erected by the Congress of the Confed-
36
ii
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 37
eration (the Constitution of the United States not being adopted until
September 17, 1787) by the "Northwest Ordinance," passed July 13, 1787.''
Eventually there were formed from the Northwest Territory, in addition
to Ohio," the Territories of Indiana' (May 7, 1800), Michigan* (January
11, 1805), Illinois" (February 3, 1809) and Wisconsin'" (April 20, 1836).
Wisconsin was a part of the Northwest Territory from July 13, 1787 to
May 7, 1800 ; of Indiana Territory from May 7, 1800, to February 3, 1809 ;
of Illinois Territry" from February 3, 1809, to April 18, 1818; and of
Michigan Territory from April 18, 1818, to April 20, 1836, when the
Territory of Wisconsin was created.
Crawford County, erected by proclamation of Lewis Cass, governor
of Michigan Territory, October 26, 1818, included what is now Trempealeau
County.'- When the Territory of Wisconsin was organized, Crawford
County still contained in its vast area the present Umits of Trempealeau
County. The same relation continued in early Statehood days. In 1845
the part of what is now Trempealeau County north of the Buffalo River,
became a part of Chippewa County.'^' La Crosse County was created in
1851, and the same year was made to include what is now Trempealeau
County south of the Buffalo River."
Jackson County, when created May 11, 1853, included all of what is
now Trempealeau County south of the Buffalo River and north of the line
between Townships 18 and 19, the tract south of that line remaining in
La Crosse County.^*
Buffalo County, as created July 6, 1853, included all of what is now
Trempealeau County, west of the line between Ranges 7 and 8, south of the
Buffalo River and north of the line between Townships 18 and 19.'"
In 1854 Buffalo County was enlarged. Its northern boundary was
the line between Townships 24 and 25. Its western boundary was the
Chippewa River. Its southern boundary was the Mississippi and the line
between Townships 18 and 19. Its western boundary was the line between
Townships 18 and 19.''
Trempealeau County, then called Trempe a I'eau, was created by Act
approved January 24, 1854. It had practically its present boundaries, with
the exception that the southern boundary, east of where the Black River
touches the southwest corner of Town 19, Range 7, ran due east on the
line between Townships 18 and 19, to the line between Ranges 6 and 7,
instead of following the Black River to the line between Ranges 6 and 7,
as at present.'*
In 1857 the boundaries of Trempealeau and La Crosse were defined
with reference to the channel of the Black River, which was made the
boundary between the two counties from the line between Townships 17
and 18, to the line between Ranges 6 and 7.'" A few days earlier, the
boundaries of Trempealeau and Buffalo Counties had been defined in refer-
ence to the channel and islands of the Trempealeau and Mississippi Rivers.-"
The story of the creation of two counties instead of one along the banks
of the Mississippi River between La Crosse County and the Chippewa River,
is typical of the days of townsite speculation. In the summer of 1853
there was a flourishing settlement at what is now Trempealeau, extending
38 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
to some extent up and down the Mississippi, and spreading out across the
Trempealeau Prairie. Settlers had reached Beaver Creek Valley and Judge
George Gale that year bought land on which to plat the Village of Galesville.
There was a thriving settlement at Holmes' Landing, now Fountain City,
and a smaller one at Twelve-Mile Bluff, now Alma.
Marvin Pierce, who was something of a politician, lived at Montoville,
now Trempealeau. With him were his two brothers, Wesley and James M.
John Buehler was a citizen of Holmes' Landing. It is said that on a trip
to his former home in Grant County, he stopped at Montoville, and inter-
ested Marvin Pierce in the proposition of estabhshing a new county.
According to the story told by Buehler later in life, Marvin Pierce went
up to Holmes' Landing and secured the funds with which to lobby the
required bill through the legislature.^' The Act was passed July 6, 1853,
one of its provisions being the location of the county seat of the newly-
formed Buffalo County at Sand Prairie, Lot 1, Section 1, Township ly,
Range 12, which James M. Pierce had entered at the United States Land
Office a few weeks previous, on June 1.
The people of Holmes' Landing believed that their hopes of developing
an important metropolis were about to be realized. Montoville was left
in La Crosse County, and could never expect to rival La Crosse for county
seat honors. The site of Judge Gale's proposed village was on the extreme
edge of the newly-created Buffalo County, and could have no hope of
securing county seat advantages. It is true that the people of Holmes'
Landing were indignant that the Pierces had taken advantage of the
situation and had secured the location of the county seat on a neighboring
sand bar instead of actually at their village, nevertheless it was felt that
the matter of persuading the supervisors to meet at the village instead of
on what was practically a near-by Mississippi island, was a simple one.
This feeling was fully justified, for the very first recorded gathering of
the county board was held at Fountain City, and at that meeting the home
of Henry Goerke, on Lot 6, Section 8, Township 19, was designated as the
courthouse.
There seemed absolutely no possibility for the creation of another
county between Holmes' Landing and La Crosse, for a constitutional provi-
sion prevented the division of any county having an area of 900 acres,
without a vote of the people."
Judge Gale, however, was a man of considerable inventiveness and
influence. He did not propose to see his village site shelved to the edge
of a county. He quietly interviewed his friends who were to serve in the
legislature, and secured their support for an ingenious plan that he had
conceived. In pursuance with this plan the legislature first passed an Act
enlarging Buffalo County, extending it to its present western and northern
boundaries. Buffalo County thus containing over 900 acres, it was subject
to division by the legislature, and immediately a second Act was passed,
taking a tract containing Trempealeau from La Crosse County, a tier of
townships from Jackson County, and two tiers of townships from Buffalo
County, and naming the new county Trempealeau. The county seat was
located on the northwest quarter of Section 33, Township 19, Range 8, on
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 39
Beaver Creek at Galesville. An election was to be held the first Monday
in September, 1854, to designate a county judge who was to serve three
years from January 1, 1855. A general election was to be held in Novem-
ber, 1854, to elect all county officers, whose term was to commence January
1, 1855. The board of supervisors of Montoville was to act as a board of
supervisors of the county until other towns were organized and elections
held.^«
For story of French, Spanish and English domain in this region, see : Moses M. Strong,
Civil Government from 1512 to 1831, History of the Territory of Wisconsin (Madison, 1885),
151-165.
For story of the territories of which Trempealeau County has been a part, see: F. Cur-
tiss-Wedge, History of Winon-a County (Chicago, 1913), 50-58. See also: Reuben Gold
Thwaites, Boundaries of Wisconsin, Wis. Hist. Colls., XI, 451-501.
For story of the counties of which Trempealeau County has been a part, see: Louise
Phelps Kellogg, Organization, Boundaries and Names of Wisconsin Counties, Wis. Hist. See.,
Proceedings, 1910, 18-4 et seq.
1 — For preliminary treaty of Nov. 3, 1762 (printed from Gentleman 's Magazine, XXXIII,
477-479), and the Quebec Act (reprinted from British Statutes at Large — iondon, 1776. XJI,
184-187), see: Thwaites, ed.. Important Western State Papers, Wis. Hist. Colls., XI, 36-60.
The Proclamation of King George established four separate governments in the acquired terri-
tory, but none included Wisconsin. The Quebec Act extended the jurisdiction of Quebec to a
tract of land embracing Wisconsin. But Virginia, in October, 1778, after the opening of
the Revolution, claimed authority over land northwest of the Ohio, by establishing the county
of Illinois, embracing a vast tract which included Wisconsin (Strong, History of the Territory
of Wisconsin — Madison, 1885, 154-155). Virginia's claim was based on the King's grant in
1609 to the London Company, which concluded with the words "and all that Space and Circuit
of Land Lying from the Sea-coast of the Precinct aforesaid up into the land throughout, from
Sea to Sea, West and Northwest" — Carrie J. Smith, MaVing of Wisconsin (Chicago, 1908),
167.
2— For provisional articles of Nov. 30, 1782 (309-312), definite treaty of Sept. 3, 1783
(314-318), Jay's treaty of Nov. 19, 1794 (318-335), see: Treaties and Conventions Concluded
Between the United States of America and other Powers (Wash., 1873).
3 — For acts of relinquishment see: Lyman J. Nash and Arthur F. Belitz, revisers,
Wisconsin Annotations (Madison, 1914), 1776-1787. For map of conflicting claims, see:
Smith, MaUng of Wisconsin (Chicago, 1908), 168.
4 — For map, see: Ibid., 170.
5 — For text, see: Federal and State Constitutions (Washington, 1877), I, 429-432, or
Wisconsin Annotations, 1914, 1788-1791.
6 — When Indiana was created a territory. May 7, 1800, the eastern part of the old
Northwest Territory still retained its original name. This eastern division, with a change of
boundary, adopted a constitution and created a state government under the name of the State
of Ohio, Nov. 29, 1802. Feb. 19, 1803, Congress declared that Ohio had become one of the
states of the Union. For enabling act, see: Z United Stales Statutes at Large, 173, or Wis-
consin Annotations, 1914, 1796-1797. For recognition act see: S United States Statutes at
Large, 201, or Wisconsin Annotations, 1914, 1798.
7 — S U. S. Statutes at Large, 58, or Wisconsin Annotations, 1914, 1795 ; the enabling act
was passed April 19, 1816 (5 U. S. Statutes at Large, 289, or Wisconsin Annotations, 1914,
1801-1802) ; the admission act was passed Dec. 11, 1816 (5 U. S. Statutes at Large, 299, or
Wi.iGonsin Annotations, 1914, 1803.
8 — S U. S. Statutes at Large, 309, or W-isconsin Annotations, 1914, 1799.
9 — S U. S. Statutes at Large, 514, or Wisconsin Annotations, 1914, 1800; the enabling
act was passed April 18, 1818 (5 U. S. Statutes at Large, 428, or Wisconsin Annotations, 1914,
1804-1805) ; the admission act was passed Dec. 3, 1818 (,? U. S. Statutes at Large, 536, or
Wisconsin Annotations, 1914, 1806). The enabling act (Section 7) attached Wisconsin to
Michigan territory.
40 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
10 — 5 U. S. Statutes at Large, 10, or Wisconsin Annotations, 1914, 1807-1810; the en-
abling act was passed Aug. 6, 1846 (S U. S. Statutes at Large, 56, or Wisconsin Annotations,
1914, 1811-1812) ; the admission act was passed May 29, 1848 (9 V. S. Statutes at Large, 178,
or Wisconsin Annotations, 1914, 1813-1814.
11 — Except a part of Kewaunee and Dorr counties.
12 — Territorial Laws of Michigan Territory, I, 327.
13 — Laws of Wisconsin Territory, 1845, 88.
14 — Chapters 131 and 132, Laws of 1851.
15 — Chapter 8, General Laws of 1853.
16 — Chapter 100, General Laws of 1853.
17 — Chapter 1, General Laws of 1854.
18 — Chapter 2, General Laws of 1854.
19 — Chapter 42, General Laws of 1857.
20— Chapter 16, General Laws of 1857.
21 — L. Kissinger, History of Buffalo County (Alma, 1888), 277, et Beq.
22 — Constitution of Wisconsin, See. 7, Art. 13.
23 — B. F. Heuston (probable author), Trempealeau County, History of Northern Wis-
consin (Chicago, 1881), 1035.
CHAPTER V
REIGN OF THE INDIANS
From the days of the early fur traders, Trempealeau County seems to
have been occupied more or less in common, by two branches of the Siouan
family of North American Indians, the Dakota or Sioux proper, and the
Winnebago.' The Fox, Sauk and Ojibwa (Chippewa) Indians of the
Algonquian family, also appear to have made frequent raids here, and
various other tribes made their rendezvous at Trempealeau Bay in fur-
trading days.
The Winnebago were an outlying tribe of the Siouan family, believed
by some writers to be an older branch than the Dakota themselves. They
were visited at Green Bay by Jean Nicolet- as early as 1634.^ He knew
them as the Men of the Sea or the Men of the Salt Water, from the aborig-
inal name, Ouinipegou, which appears in the modern name of Winnebago.
Literally the word ouinipeg meant "ill-smelling or dirty water," and the early
French called the Winnebago Puants, or "Stinkards."^ In early fur-trading-
days Winnebago were ranging as far westward as the Mississippi River.'
For some two centuries thereafter central Wisconsin continued to be
their home. The treaty of Prairie du Chien, signed August 19, 1825, by
the Chippewa, Sauk and Fox, Menominee, Iowa, Sioux, Winnebago, and a
portion of the Ottawa, Chippewa and Potawatomi living on the Illinois,
fixed various boundaries." The eastern line of the Sioux territory was to
commence on the Mississippi opposite the mouth of the "loway" River, run
back two or three miles to the bluffs, and follow the tops of the bluffs to
the mouth of Black River, and thence to a point a short distance southwest
of Eau Claire on the Chippewa River, "half a day's journey below the falls."'^
The Winnebago territory lay east of the Sioux. In defining a part of
their western territory, the Winnebagoes claimed from the mouth of the
Black River, up that stream to a point due west of the source of the left
fork of the Wisconsin. Thus a part of Trempealeau County was neutral
territory between the Winnebago and Sioux.
By the Treaties of Butta des Morts on Fox River, August 11, 1827 ;
of Green Bay, August 25, 1828, and of Prairie du Chien, August 1, 1829,
the boundaries of the Winnebago were gradually curtailed, and on Septem-
ber 15, 1832, at Ft. Armstrong, Rock Island, Illinois, they agreed to relin-
quish their claim to all land south and east of the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers,
and to remove to the "neuti-al ground" a tract lying west of the Mississippi
in northeastern Iowa and southeastern Minnesota. By the treaty of Wash-
ington, D. C, November 1, 1837, they rehnquished all their land east of the
Mississippi,. Subsequently, by treaty of October 13, 1846, they agreed to
cede the tract assigned them in 1832, and to accept in return a tract north
of the Minnesota and west of the Mississippi. The larger part of the tribe
41
42 HISTORY OF TREJIPEALEAU COUNTY
was removed to Long Prairie, in the central part of Minnesota, in 1848,
and small bands were moved from time to time in the years immediately
following.' In 1855 the Winnebago agency was transferred, under the
terms of the treaty signed February 27, and proclaimed March 23, to Blue
Earth County, near Mankato, Minnesota, but the Sioux Massacre caused
the whites to be apprehensive of the peaceful Winnebago, so (under an
Act of Congress approved February 21, 1863) they were removed to Crow
Creek, on the Missouri River, in North Dakota. In 1865 they agreed to
move to a tract in Nebraska purchased from the Omaha Indians. The
removal of the Winnebago to this Nebraska tract, known as the Black Bird
Reservation, was accomplished in 1866. There a part of the tribe is still
located.
But the Winnebago have never been satisfied with any territory but
the lands of central Wisconsin. Only a portion moved to the Turkey River
country, in northeastern Iowa, under the agreement of 1832. The removal
to Long Prairie, in Minnesota, in 1848 was accomplished under duress
and with the aid of soldiers. In fact, upon reaching Winona, the Winnebago
expressed their determination to go no further, and bloodshed was narrowly
avoided. Before the trouble was ended many had slipped away and found
their way back to their homes in Wisconsin. Others went to southeastern
Nebraska and joined the Ottawa. The Indians who were taken to Long
Prairie soon drifted southward in Minnesota or back to Wisconsin. Later
others came back to Wisconsin from Blue Earth and from North Dakota.
During the Minnesota Massacre of 1862 it was difficult for the citizens and
volunteer soldiers to distinguish between a Dakota and a Winnebago Indian,
so that many Winnebago who were absolutely innocent were shot without
mercy. The Winnebago were, therefore, in danger from both the whites
and the Dakota Indians, and many turned their faces toward the peaceful
land of Wisconsin, and soon joined their friends on the old camping grounds.
No sooner was the removal to the Black Bird Reservation accomplished
in 1866, than others of the Winnebago took the trail that led to the old
familiar haunts among the pine forests. Within two years, a large part of
the tribe was back again in Wisconsin.
Soon a new movement was on foot to compel them to return to
Nebraska, and by a display of military force, hundreds were again removed
to that region in the winter of 1873-74. During the troubles attending
the forced removal, no less than 56 Indians were arrested in Trempealeau
County."
Taken to far-away Nebraska, the people of the unfortunate race still
longed for their native woods and streams, and their thoughts wandered
over the old hunting grounds and berry fields of Wisconsin. In the pine
woods were the graves of their dead, which made the soil more sacred in
their minds, and there were the camping grounds where all of their festiv-
ities were held, and they hungered for the scenes and associations of the
olden days.
The homeward trail was soon thronged with the returning stragglers,
and within a year, half of the tribe were back. This time Fate was kinder
to them, for in 1875 the government gave them the homestead right, which
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 43
enabled them to gain a home of their own by building houses and doing a
certain amount of improving on their land. The larger part of the Winne-
bago are now scattered through a territory in the Black River Valley and
to the westward.
The land they live on will probably never be of any particular benefit
to them ; it is sandy, poor soil, among the scrub oaks and jack pines. Some
little corn is raised, as well as potatoes, and a few of the Indians raise
chickens.
During the blueberry season the Indians pick berries and sell them, and
during the cranberry season they find employment, and go in bands to the
marshes, where they camp until the crop is gathered.
Thus live the descendants of a race which once had at its command
the unmeasured sweeps of nature, and the boundless wealth of forest and
plain, lake and river.
The Dakota, proper, who shared Trempealeau County with the Winne-
bago, were the principal division of the Siouan family, and are more
commonly called by their family name of Sioux, rather than by their indi-
vidual name of Dakota. The Siouan family consisted not only of the
Dakota, proper, but also of the Winnebago, the Assiniboin, the Minnetare
group, and the Osage and southern kindred tribes.^"
The word Sioux, now applied to the whole linguistic family, is a cor-
ruption of the word Nadouessi or Nadouescioux, meaning "the snake-like
ones," or "the enemies," the name by which the Chippewa and other Algon-
quin Indians called the Dakotas. Dakota, variously spelled, was applied
by this branch of the Siouan family to themselves, and means "joined
together in friendly compact." An important division of the Dakotas was
the M'dewakanton (commonly rendered Medawakanton) tribe. At one
time the Medewakanton had their headquarters about the Mille Lacs region
in northern Minnesota, hence their name, which means "The People of
the Spirit Lake." Evidently driven out by the Chippewa, who had obtained
arms from the whites, they established themselves in seven villages along
the Mississippi and Minnesota.''
The Medawakanton relinquished their claim to all lands east of the
Mississippi and all the islands in that river by the treaty signed at Wash-
ington, D. C, September 29, 1837.'= Thus in 1837, Trempealeau passed
from the dominion of both the Winnebago and the Dakota, and into the
possession of the whites. By a treaty signed in 1851 and proclaimed in
1853, the Medawakanton relinquished their vast possessions in Minnesota,
and afterward were removed to a reservation on the upper Minnesota River,
in the western part of the State of Minnesota. They took part in the
Massacre of 1862, and fled or were removed from Minnesota. A larger
part of Indians of that blood are now at the Santee Reservation, in
Nebraska.'' Others are at Flandreau, South Dakota, or scattered through
Minnesota.
Aside from the wandering Indian bands which pitched their camp in
Trempealeau County from the days of Perrot, three bands seem to have
made their home in the locality at various times before the coming of the
settlers, the Winnebago bands of Red Bird and Decorah, and the Medawa-
44 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
kanton Dakota band of Wabasha. Since the coming of the settlers there
have been scattering encampments.
The chiefs of the Wabasha dynasty early became familiar with Trem-
pealeau Mountain and Trempealeau Prairie, and Wabasha II maintained
the home of the tribe here for several years. Wabasha I was probably born
about 1720.^* His name is variously rendered — Ouabashas, Wapasha,
Wapahasha and Wah-pah-hah-sha — and means red leaf, red cap, or red
war banner. He was of mixed Sioux and Algonquian blood, his father
having been a Dakota chief and his mother a Chippewa princess." He
was head chief of all the Medawakanton Dakota, his own immediate band
probably embodying the ancient Mantanton. The band was known to the
Dakota themselves as the Ona-pe-ton or Falling Leaf Band. He appears
to have moved his village from the Mille Lacs region in Minnesota, first to
the lower valley of the Rum River and subsequently to the mouth of the
Minnesota, both in the same State. Later he established himself and his
band at the present site of Winona.'" At Winona (Ke-ox-ah) the head-
quarters of the band seem to have been maintained until the treaty of 1851,
though for many decades, apparently until after the time of Pike in 1805,
the band had a village on the Upper Iowa River. Wabasha I was greatly
honored by the British, made a number of trips to Montreal, received the
confirmation of the authorities to his title as head chief of all the Medawa-
kanton, was a general in the British army in the Revolutionary War, and
led his troops in the British campaign against the Americans at St. Louis,
St. Genevieve, Missouri, and elsewhere. In his old age he was exiled by
jealous relatives from his chieftainship and from the Winona village, and
probably died in Houston County, Minnesota, about 1806. Wabasha II
succeeded him as chief, and reigned until his death in 1836. He is the
La Feuille, The Leaf, who came in contact with all the early American
explorers beginning with Pike in 1805. He sided with the British in the
War of 1812. When Long came up the river in 1817, Wabasha was firmly
established at Winona. But a short time before the Black Hawk War,
the village was moved to Trempealeau Prairie as a precaution against the
raids made by the Sauk of Iowa.'" The band continued, however, to hold
its celebrations and dances at Ke-ox-ah (Winona). Wabasha II took part
in the Black Hawk War of 1832, and assisted in exterminating many of the
Sauk and Foxes as they were fleeing across the Mississippi River into Iowa
after their defeat at the mouth of Bad Axe River. He died of smallpox at
the age of about 63, in 1836. The scourge had swept his band, and the whole
village was reduced to a few teepes. Wabasha II was highly praised by
all the whites with whom he came in contact. In person he was of low
stature, and his face was disfigured by having lost one eye. In character
he was wise, prudent and brave, a friend of the whites, and what was
unusual in those days, absolutely abstemious in his habits, and an earnest
advocate of temperance.
He was succeeded by Wabasha III, who after the treaty of 1837 main-
tained his home and his tribe in Winona until the settlers arrived in 1851.^*
Then he moved across the river into Wisconsin, and spent some time in this
vicinity before locating in the western part of Minnesota. Wabasha III
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 45
led his warriors in the Dakota outbreak of 1862, although he was opposed
to it, and was one of the first to make proposals of peace to the whites, even
while his nation was still in arms. After the Massacre he was removed
to Missouri and finally to Santee, Nebraska, where he died April 23, 1876,
a solitary, broken man, who had inherited the chieftainship of an empire,
and had watched his people dwindle before the onrushing wave of a race
that had defrauded him of his possessions.
Red Bird, a famous Winnebago chief, is believed to have had a village
on the Black River.'" Red Bird was born in 1788 and died in 1827. Various
stories are told of the origin of his name, one being that he wore on each
shoulder the plumage of a red bird, in imitation of the epaulettes which he
had seen worn by American officers.-" He is described as being perfect
in form, face and gesture. In height he was about six feet, straight and
without restraint. His proportions from his head to his feet were those
of the most exact symmetry, and even his fingers were models of beauty.
His face was full of all the ennobling, and, at the same time, winning
expressions ; it appeared to be a compound of grace and dignity, of firmness
and decision, all tempered with mildness and meixy. Until the Red Bird
outbreak he had the confidence of the whites to the extent that his presence
at Prairie du Chien was looked upon as an assurance of protection from
any Indian troubles. But after learning of what he believed to be the
basest treachery and cruelty to some of his people by the officers at Fort
Snelling, he sought the most terrible revenge. With two companions,
We-kau and Chic-hon-sic, he went to the home of Rijeste Gagnier, two
miles southeast from Prairie du Chien, killed Gagnier, scalped and wounded
an infant, who afterward recovered, and killed a boarder, Solomon Lipcap.
The same day Red Bird and his band attacked two boats on the Mississippi,
killing a number of whites. Later Red Bird and his two companions gave
themselves up to the authorities. Red Bird died in prison at Prairie du
Chien, February 16, 1828. His two companions were pardoned by President
John Quincy Adams.^^
The Winnebago, under One-Eyed Decorah, had a village at one time
about a mile and a half from Decorah's Peak, on the Black River, and when
the first white settlers arrived on the prairie the small elevations on the
ground where the Indians had cultivated their corn fields were still to be
seen.
Both the Prairie and Decorah's Peak were named after this one-eyed
chief, and Winnebago tradition is concerned with a battle fought on the
Prairie between the Winnebago and Chippewa. Decorah is said to have
watched this battle from the peak that bears his name, and when he saw
his followers were being defeated, fled from the scene of conflict and found
shelter in a near-by cave, where he remained in hiding until night
approached, when he made his way to his brother's camp on the La Crosse
River.
There are other versions of this tradition — one giving the Dakota as
participating in the battle instead of the Chippewa. But as the Dakota
and Winnebago were friendly alhed tribes of the Siouan family, and the
Chippewa were the Winnebago's most dreaded enemy, it is altogether
46 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
probable that the Chippewa were the ones that defeated Decorah and his
followers.
Traditions are bound to vary, but they point to their origin in a funda-
mental fact, and although we get them clothed in garments that have been
added by the passing generations, we can still find the original framework
intact.
Antoine Grignon,- - who has heard the tribesmen repeat the tradition
of the battle of Decorah's Peak, says that the battle must have been fought
shortly after the war of 1812, and was a bloody encounter, raging furiously
all of one day and well into the evening, when the defeated warriors of
Decorah fled from the darkening scent of conflict, leaving their dead strewn
upon the field.
After the removal of the Winnebago to Long Prairie, in central Minne-
sota, Decorah found his way back to Wisconsin again. In 1855 he went
with the other Winnebago to Blue Earth County, Minnesota, but when they
were removed to North Dakota, he once more started, with his followers,
toward Wisconsin. When the Indians, in their canoes, reached the Black
River, they paddled up its waters until a suitable camping place was found,
when they landed and erected their teepes once more among their native
forests.
Decorah and his small band of followers were camped in the little Tam-
arack in the summer of 1863, and it was there that Grignon visited him
for the last time. "He was an old man then," said Grignon, "his long hair
was thin and streaked with gray, and he was nearly blind. But his body
was well preserved, and his well-developed muscular form showed what a
powerful man he had been. In height he was a little taller than the average
Indian, but he was stocky and solid in build. He was discouraged with the
outlook for his people, and said that he had not been dealt with fairly by
the government. About a year after my visit to his camp old Decorah
died at Tunnel City, Wisconsin, in August, 1864."
In the dingy, smoky wigwam, among a few of his loyal band, the old
chief departed for the "happy hunting ground," leaving behind the cringing
form of poverty that had cursed his old age, and dimmed the glory of his
sunset. He, who once held sway over his flourishing Village, and counted
a territory as his domain, larger than Trempealeau County, fell asleep, the
feeble ruler of a single tepee, its very dirt and rags not his own.
There are still lineal descendants of the old chief Uving among the
Winnebago in this State, and over at Galesville on a point of land near the
Arctic Springs his granddaughter, Princess Marie Nounka, is buried.
When the first settler arrived in this county .Decorah's Peak had virtually
been named, but not the Prairie, which was first called Scotch Prairie during
the early fifties on account of its Scotch settlement.
The Indians told the tradition of Decorah's Peak to the early traders,
and the story repeated from time to time fastened the name of the Winne-
bago chief to this prominent landmark.
The Decorah family, which embraces in its numbers not only several
notable Indian chiefs, but also some of the most distinguished white families
in Wisconsin, was founded by Sabrevior De Carrie, a French officer of gentle
HISTORY OF TREMPBALEATT COUNTY 47
blood, who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Quebec, April 28, 1760.
This gallant adventurer married in 1729 a famous Winnebago queen, called
Hopokoekaw, the Glory of the Moi'ning, sister of the head chief." Their
descendants are variously called Decorah, De Carrie, DeKauray, Dakorah,
Day Korah, and De Corrah. One of the sons was called Cha-post-kaw-kaw,
or The Buzzard. The Buzzard established a village on La Crosse Prairie
about 1787. He was killed in a drunken brawl by one of his sons, Mau-
wah-re-gah. One-Eyed Decorah (Le Borgne) was another son of The
Buzzard, and was born near the Portage on the Wisconsin River about 1772,
receiving the name of Watch-hut-ta-kah ( Wadge-hutta-kaw) or Big Canoe.-^
He lived in the vicinity of La Crosse for many years and was noted for the
part he took in the capture of Black Hawk at the close of the Black Hawk
War. He aided in the capture of Mackenaw in 1812, was out in 1813 when
the British attacked Fort Stephenson, and took part in Colonel William
McKay's expedition against Prairie du Chien in 1814. He was a signer of
the Prairie du Chien treaty in 1825.
He possibly had his village at Gale's Landing (Ferry) on the Black
River from before 1826 until 1842.=' It is certain that in 1832 the Winne-
bago under Old Decorah (Schachip-ka-ka) was chief of a village on the
La Crosse River and ranged the Mississippi in this vicinity.^" One-Eyed
Decorah that summer was encamped at the entrance to the lower mouth
of the Black River, while Winneshiek and Wau-mar-nar-sar hunted up the
La Crosse and Black Rivers.^' In 1843, One-Eyed Decorah had a camp
on Broken Gun Slough, a branch of the Black River.-**
Black Hawk, leader of the Fox and Sauk Uprising in 1832, was captured
near Arcadia, in Trempealeau County, according to Indian tradition. Offi-
cial reports, however, declare that Black Hawk and his followers retreated
to the Dalles of the Wisconsin River, and were there captured about two
miles above Kilbourn City, by the One-Eyed Decorah and Cha-e-tar, who
took them to Prairie du Chien, August 27, 1832, and delivered them to
General Joseph D. Street, the Indian Agent.^"
The tradition of the capture near Arcadia was related through Antoine
Grignon, to Dr. E. D. Pierce, by 0-kick-chum-hak (Looking Glass), a
medicine man, nearly eighty-five years old, and though it has no foundation
in history, it is here given as one of the tales of the Indian lore of Trempea-
leau County, oft repeated around the vanishing campfires of a dying race.
"After the battle of Bad Axe, where so many of the followers of Black
Hawk were cruelly slaughtered, the old chief and two followers fled north-
ward, following the course of the Mississippi River, and carefully avoiding
any trading post or trapper's cabin, until they reached the Trempealeau
River, known by the Winnebago as the Nee-chum-ne-chum-u-kah, or
flooding river, on account of its overflowing its banks during the spring
season and when heavy rains occurred. The Hawk now turned his steps
to follow the course of "The Flooding River," but he was weary with the
effects of the hard campaign, and broken in spirits with its disastrous
results, so he made his way but slowly through the tangled underbrush,
and along the hills of a strange land. His sad-hearted companions, too,
were wont to lag, and though game was plentiful, they were unable to
48 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
secure enough to satisfy their craving appetites, which had been made
keen by long, hard marching for many months where at one time the flesh
of half-starved horses kept them from perishing with hunger.
"But the Sac chief and his faithful companions struggled along up the
river, and succeeded in reaching a well-hidden thicket along its banks,
opposite Barn Bluff, and near the present village of Arcadia, where they
went into camp, as it was toward evening, and they were in sore need of
food and rest.
"In the meantime four Winnebago braves, Ne-no-hump-e-kah, or one
who clears the water, Ra-koo-a-e-kah, Chosh-chum-hut-ta-kah, meaning Big
Wave, and Wa-kow-oha-pin-kar (Good Thunder), were in hot pursuit of
Black Hawk, and since the battle of Bad Axe had been following the trail of
the noted Sac. They traveled up the Trempealeau Valley, keeping close
watch for any signs of the fleeing Indians, and were rewarded by finding
fresh traces of the trail, which they pursued with savage interest. One
day they lost the trail, and seeing a high barn-shaped bluff in the distance
resolved to climb it, and take a look at the surrounding country in the
hope of catching a glimpse of the hunted fugitives. It was near sunset
when they reached the summit of Barn Bluff, on the same day that Black
Hawk and his men went into camp in the thicket on the banks of. the
Trempealeau River.
"The Winnebago braves looked down on the wild country with its rough
hills stretching away in every direction, while the river gleaming with a
touch of the sinking sun, threaded its way silently through the valley and
was lost from sight in the misty thicket far down below. The Indians
scanned the horizon that seemed to touch a continuous range of hills formed
into an immense circle. They looked up the river, and down the river, and
then away down among the thickets one discovei'ed a thin smoke arising,
and caught the glimpse of a campfire.
"A council was quickly held to determine what course to pursue, in
endeavoring to capture Black Hawk, should it prove to be his camp. It
was decided to steal continuously down in the dusk of the evening and
surround the camp, and when its inmates were busy eating to slip up and
capture them, for they wanted to take Black Hawk alive. Accordingly
as arranged, they made their way downward, guided by the light of the fire,
and surrounded the Indians, who were peacefully eating their evening meal.
After watching the care-worn men a short time a signal was given, at which
the four braves rushed forward to the capture. No force was needed, how-
ever, as Black Hawk quietly gave himself up. He was taken to the trading
post at La Crosse and turned over to One-Eyed Decorah and Wa-kon-ah-kah
(Snake Skin), two noted Winnebago chiefs, and they sent him a prisoner
down the river to Prairie du Chien."
After his capture he was sent from Prairie du Chien to Jefferson
Barracks, Missouri, in charge of Jefferson Davis, then an officer in the
United States army, later President of the Confederate States of America.
In April, 1833, he was taken east, was confined for a while at Fortress
Monroe, was taken on a tour through the cities of the East, was afterward
released, settled on the Des Moines River, and died October 3, 1838.2"
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 49
A Winnebago Indian village under the chief Ni-No-Humpt-Pinter, occu-
pied considerable territory in Dodge Township when the early settlers
arrived. The village began north of what is now Dodge Village, where
there was a large Indian field, and extended out into Buffalo County as far
as the Engelhart Doeille farm, where there was another large corn field.
These Indians had substantial huts and pony stables. The huts were built
of limbs of trees protected by bundles of grass on sides and roof, and were
banked to a height of four feet or more with soil. The pony stables were
constructed in much the same manner. Fences protected the growing corn
from the ponies. These fences were of curious structure. First, crotched
sticks were driven into the ground. These supported a single Une of rails.
At regular intervals crossed stakes were driven, meeting just above the
single rail, and on the crotch thus formed was laid another rail. This made
a double-rail fence, supported by perpendicular crotched sticks, and vertical
crossed stakes.
The Indians were peaceable and friendly, visiting at the homes of the
settlers at all hours of day and night. They often begged for food, but were
generous with their own, and were not given to theft or crime of any kind.
The men had guns and hunted and fished most of the time. Deer were
plentiful, but the Indians did not hunt for sport, and seldom killed more
than was needed for immediate use, and though plenty of game was to be
obtained, the Indians never wantonly slaughtered the wild animals and
birds, and were never wasteful. In hot weather, the squaws would dress
and skin the deer carcass, cut it into strips, and hang it up to dry.
These Indians reared many children, who were expert swimmers and
canoeists, at a time when the current in the river was much swifter than
it is now. These youngsters were good-natured, but shy, and were never
troublesome. Their parents seemed to feel for them a deep affection, and
their lives seemed to be a happy one. They appeared to be healthy and
robust, and they and their elders often helped on the settlers' farms, espe-
cially in harvest time.
In their social life, they kept largely to themselves. The only inter-
marriage with the whites was that of Ma-Sho-Pe-We-Ka, a sister of Black
Hawk, with Volney Kingsley, a union to which four children were born.
The early settlers also found other encampments in various parts of
the county, and to this day, temporary camps may be found along the waste
lands of the river courses.
1 — Frederick Webb Hodge, Enndbook of American Indians, Bulletin 30, Bureau of
Ethnology (Washington, 1907), I, 376-382, for the Dakota; I, 95S-961, for the Winnebago.
Also consult indexes of the published "Collections" of the Wisconsin and Minnesota Historical
Societies.
2 — Reuben Gold Thwaitca, ed. French Regeme in Wisconsin (Extract from Jesuit Rela-
tions, Cleveland issue, XXXIII, 275-279), Wis. Hist. Colls., XVI, 1-2. Also see: Ihid, 4
(Extract from La Potherie's Eistoire de I'Amerique, printed at Paris in 1722 and again in
1753). Also: Consul W. Butterfield, ffisiori/ of the Discovery of the Northwest by Jeam
Nicniet (Cincinnati, 1881). Also: Henrie Juan, Jean Nicolet (Translated from the French hj
Grace Clark), Wis. Hist. Colls., XI, 1-22. For bibliography see: Butterfield, Jbid., 23-25.
An excellent summary of the subject, together with the extract from the Jesuit Selations,
50 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
XXXIII, 275-279, just mentioned, is found: L. P. Kellogg, Early Narratives of the North-
west (New York, 1917), 11-16.
3 — Thwaites, editorial note, Jouan, Nicolet, Wis. Hist. Colls., XI, 1-2.
4 — Juan, Nicolet, Ibid., 13, note.
5 — Thwaites, The French E^g^me in Wisconsin, Part 2, Wis. Hist. Colls., XVII, 207.
6 — ^Richard Peters, ed., Treaties Between the United States and the Indian Tribes, U. S.
Statutes at Large (Boston, 1861), VII, 272. See same volume for all Indian treaties from
1778 to 1842.
7 — Chas. C. Royce, Indian Land Cessions, ISth Anvual Report, Bureau of Ethnology
(Washington, 1899), II, 710-712. See same volume for all Indian Land Cessions.
8 — Return I. Holcombe, Minnesota in Three Centuries (New York, 1908), II, 207-218.
Also: L. H. Bunnell, Winona and Its Environs (Winona, 1897), 337-341. Also: Maj. J. E.
Fletcher, Report, Ex. Doc, No. 1, Second Session, Thirtieth Congress. Also: Eben D. Pierce,
Recollections of Antoine Grignon, Wis. Hist. Soc, Proceedings, 1913, 118-119.
9 — Thwaites, The Wisconsin Winnebago, Wis. Hist. CoUs., XII, 414. (The entire arti-
cle,— 399-433, — is a most excellent history of the Winnebagoes in Wisconsin since 1828.)
10 — J. W. Powell, Indian Linguistic Families, 7th Annual Report, Bureau of Ethnology
(Washington, 1891), 111-112.
11 — N. H. Winehell, ed.. Aborigines of Minnesota (St. Paul, 1911), 541 et seq.
12 — Peters, ed.. Treaties, U. S. Statutes at Large, VII, 538. Royce, Indian Land Cessions,
18th Annual Report, Bureau of Ethnology, II, 766.
13 — Holcombe, Minnesota in Three Centuries, II, 108-109.
14 — For the story of the Wabasha dynasty, see: Winehell, Aborigines of Minnesota,
540-558. Also: F. Curtiss- Wedge, History of Winona Cmmty (Cliicago, 1913), I, 18-31.
Also: Bunnell, Winona and lis Environs, 151-154. Also: Hodge, Handbook of American
Indians, II, 911.
15 — Henry R. Schoolcraft, The American Indian, History, Conditions and Prospects
(Rochester, 1851), 137.
16 — For Indian myth concerning the removal of the band to this region, see: Bunnell,
Winona and Its Environs, 111117.
17— Ibid., 209.
18— Curtiss-Wedge, History of Winona County, 117, 123-124, 127-128.
19— Edward D. Neill, History of Minnesota (Minneapolis, 4th ed., 1882), 394-395. Also:
Wm. J. Snelling (supposed author), Winnebago Outbreak of 1827, Wis. Hist. Colls., V, 143.
20 — Hodge, Handbook of American Indians, II, 358.
21 — For story of Red Bird troubles, see: Snelling (supposed author), Winnebago
Outbreak of 1827, Wis. Hist. Colls., V, 143-154. Also: Moses M. Strong, Indian Wars of
Wisconsin, Id., VIII, 254-265. Also: Col. Thos. L. McKenny, Winnebago War, Id., V,
178-204. Also: James H. Loekwood, Early Times and Events in Wisconsin, Id., II, 156-168.
Also: Ebenezer Childs, Recollections, Id., IV, 172-174.
22 — In an interview with Eben D. Pierce, M. D.
23— Jonathan Carver, Travels (Philadelphia, 1796), 20. Also: Geo. Gale, Upper Mis-
sissippi (Chicago and New York, 1867), 81, 82, 189. Also: Mrs. John H. Kinzie, Wau Bun,
1856), 89, 486. Also: Loctwood, Early Times and Events in Wisconsin, Wi.i. Hist. Colls.,
II, 178. Also: Lyman C. Draper's note to: Daniel Steele Durrie, Jonathan Carver and
Carver's Grant, Id., VI, 224. Also: John T. De La Ronde, Narrative, Id., VII, 347,
Also: Augusten Grignon, Recollections, Id., Ill, 286-289. Also: Andrew Jackson Turner,
History of Fort Winnebago, Id., 86, note.
24 — Lyman C. Draper 's note to : Black Hawk War, Id., V, 297.
25 — Gale, Letter in Galesville Transcript (Galesville, Feb. 1, 1861), I, No. 46, 2. But
Walking Ooud, Thwaites, ed.. Wis. Hist. Colls., XIII, 465, says that One Eyed Decorah was
not a chief untU after the Bla>ck Hawk War — that it was not until after that war that Decorah
settled on the Black River. And Burnett, in a letter to General William Clark, June 29, 1831,
speaks of a rumor that a few days previous One Eyed Decorah had left his village at Prairie
La Crosse, and gone down to the Sacs and Foxes (Alfred Brunson, Memoire of Thomas P.
Burnett, Id., II, 253).
26 — Brunson, Memoire of Burnett, Id., II, 257, 259-260.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 51
27— Ibid. 261. Also: Thwaites, The Wisconsin Winnebagoes, Id., XII, 430-431.
28 — Bunnell, Winona and Its Environs, 227.
29 — Spoon Decorah, a cousin of One Eyed Decorah, tells still another Indian tradition
and locates the capture near the headquarters of the La Crosse River. (Thwaites, ed., Narrative
of Spoon Decorah, Wis. Hist. Colls., XIII, 454-455.) Thwaites in a note to Walking Cloud's
Narrative, Ibid., 465, refutes the various Indian traditions and discusses the unreliability of
Indian tradition in general. Draper, in a note to Satterlee Clark 's Early Times at Ft. Winne-
bago, Id., VIII, 316, mentions the various traditions of the capture aud refutes them by a
quotation from the official report locating the capture near the Dalles of the Wisconsin. For
various accounts of the capture see: Dc La Eonde, Narrative, Id., VII, 351. Also: John
T. Kingston, Early Wisconsin Days, Ibid., 332. Also: Thwaites, The Black Hawk War,
Id., XII, 261, text and note. Also: Strong, Indian Wars of Wisconsin, Id., VIII, 285.
Also: David McBride, Capture of Black Hawk, Id., V, 293-297.
30 — Willard Barrows, Death of Black Hawk, Id., V, 305. Also: Thwaites, The Black
Hawk War, Id., XII, 262.
CHAPTER VI
EXPLORERS AT TREMPEALEAU MOUNTAIN
The scenery in the vicinity of Trempealeau Mountain is perhaps as
beautiful as any in the great Mississippi Valley. The bluffs along the river
extend about three miles above the village, from Liberty Peak to Trempea-
leau Mountain, and present many varieties of shape and form, from a low,
graceful mound to a towering, rugged cUff. The highest elevation is
Brady's Peak, which rises to a height of over five hundred feet above the
river, and from its summit a broad view may be had of the surrounding
country.
Looking up the river from this peak, Trempealeau Mountain appears
far beneath, with its wooded sides sloping towards its crest of evergreens,
and its base washed by the waters of the bay that separates it from the
mainland. Extending from the bay is a chain of lakes ; farther up, is Trem-
pealeau River, winding among the woods and tall grasses; and in every
direction from the river gleam the waters of sloughs where the wild rice
bends above the haunts of the wild duck. Far below, gliding in solemn
majesty, is the tawny Mississippi, bounded by ragged bluffs and dotted
with islands of innumerable shape and size, that rest on the glassy surface
like huge wooded rafts. Across the river rise the Minnesota bluffs, holding
in their embrace numerous cozy valleys. The hills seem to roll like great
green waves, breaking the land into a succession of valleys ; and reposing
among them are many sequestered homes.
Indian tradition early associated itself with one peculiarly situated
mountain among the Trempealeau range. This, they believed, had been
carried off by supernatural force from the neighborhood of a Sioux village
on the site of modern Red Wing. When warriors of this tribe found it at
its present location they are said to have called it Pah-hah-dah (The moved
mountain) ; while the neighboring Winnebago gave it the appellation of
Hay-nee-ah-chah (Soaking Mountain).' The French voyageurs translated
these terms into La Montague qui trempe a I'eau (The mountain that is
steeped in the water) .
The first civilizecl men - to gaze upon the towering crags of Trempea-
leau Mountain were probably Father Louis Hennepin, a priest of the Order
of Recollects of St. Francis, and his two companions, Antoine du Gay
Auguel, known from his birthplace as "le Picard," and Michel Accault.^
They were sent out by Robert Cavelier de La Salle from Fort Crevecoeur,
near Lake Peoria, IlUnois, February 28, 1680. They were on their way up
the Mississippi when they were captured by a band of Sioux warriors on
the warpath against the Illinois and Miami nations. These Sioux took
the white men to the Mille Lacs region, in northern Minnesota. Hennepin
does not mention Trempealeau Mountain. He speaks of the Black River
52
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 53
(R. Noire) and declares that the Sioux called the stream Cha-be-de-ba or
Cha-ba-ou-de-ba. He is believed to have spent a night at what is now the
site of Winona. He mentions the Buffalo River (R. de Beeuf s) , which he
said was full of turtles. It is probable that by Buffalo River he meant the
Chippewa River, which he possibly entered through Beef Slough.^ He
also speaks of Lake Pepin, which he calls the Lake of Tears (Lac des
Pleurs). After spending a while in the Mille Lacs region, Hennepin and
Auguel leaving Accault as a hostage, were taken down the Mississippi by
the Indians looking for supplies which La Salle was to have sent to the
mouth of the Wisconsin. On their way down the river, guarded by a chief
Ouasicoude (Wacoota) and a company of Indians, Hennepin and Auguel
came to St. Anthony Falls (near Minneapolis) which Hennepin named.
They continued down the river, and again passed Trempealeau Mountain.
July 11, 1680, while hunting for the mouth of the Wisconsin River, the
party was overtaken by more Indians, headed by Aquipaguetin, a Sioux
chief who had taken Hennepin into his family as an adopted son. Some
time was spent in hunting in the region between the Chippewa River and
the Wisconsin River. The squaws hid meat at the mouth of the Chippewa
and on various islands. Then the party descended the river and hunted
over the prairies further south. July 25, 1680, while again ascending the
river, the party encountered Du Luth and a bodyguard of French soldiers. ■
Daniel Greysolon, better known as the Sieur Du Luth (variously rendered),
had started out from Montreal on September 1, 1678, explored the Lake
Superior region and the territory westward, met the Sioux in the Mille
Lacs region, and on July 2, 1779, set up the standard of New France at
their village. He returned to Lake Superior from that lake the next
summer, ascended the Brule River, made the portage to the St. Croix and
was on his way down the Mississippi when he learned that Hennepin and
his two companions were in slavery among the Sioux." Hastening to the
rescue, Duluth journeyed down the Mississippi with an Indian and two
Frenchmen, and after a canoe trip of two days and two nights, overtook
Hennepin and about 1,000 Indians. This meeting probably took place near
Trempealeau Mountain or possibly somewhat further south. Du Luth
fearlessly took Hennepin in his own canoe and started up the river to the
Mille Lacs region, which they reached August 14, 1680. There, at a council
he upbraided the Indians in scathing terms. He told them that Hennepin
was his brother; he denounced them for making Hennepin and the two
companions slaves and taking away Hennepin's priestly robes ; he taunted
them that after receiving his peace offerings and being associated with
Frenchmen for a year, they should have kidnaped other Frenchmen on
their way to make them a friendly visit. As a climax, Du Luth returned
the peace calumets which the Indians gave him. The savages began to
make excuses, but this did not deter Du Luth from his resolution to take
Hennepin away. Hennepin himself was rebuked by Du Luth for suffering
insult without resentment, as such conduct lowered the prestige of the
French. Toward the end of September, Du Luth, Hennepin, and their
party once more descended the Mississippi River and reached Canada by
way of the Wisconsin River, the Portage, the Fox River and Green Bay.
54 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Thus, in the fall of 1680, Hennepin and Du Luth and their companions
beheld for the last time the picturesque surroundings of Trempealeau
Mountain.
Hennepin's account of his adventures contains many interesting
descriptions of life on this portion of the Mississippi in that far-distant
time. One day the Indians in the party captured and killed a deer while
it was swimming across the Mississippi. But the weather was so hot the
flesh spoiled in a few hours. Thus left without food, the Indians caught a
few turtles, but the capture was difficult, Hennepin says, because the turtles
would plunge into the water and evade capture. They caught but four
fish and were very thankful whenever they could secure a Buffalo fish
dropped by an eagle. Hennepin was particularly interested in the peculiar
appearance of the Shovelnose Sturgeon. He saw one which an otter caught,
and Auguel declared that it reminded him of a devil in the paws of an
animal. But after frightening the otter away, they ate the fish and
found it very good.
The first white man to maintain a habitation beneath the shadows of
Trempealeau Mountain was Nicolas Perrot, who for some twenty years
was a trader and interpreter in the Northwest for the French." Perrot
arrived at Green Bay, where he was already well known, in the late summer
of the year 1685. He found the Indians restless and inclined to intertribal
warfare, so that some time was spent in their pacification. It was later
than he had planned, therefore, when he set out for the country of the
Sioux, where he hoped to secure a great harvest of valuable furs. After
crossing the Wisconsin portage, and proceeding down that river to its
mouth, he turned his little fleet of canoes boldly upstream ; bur as the
weather was growing cold and traveling difficult, they "found a place where
there was timber, which served them for building a fort, and they took
up their quarters at the foot of a mountain, behind which was a great
prairie abounding in wild beasts."** To one familiar with the topography
of this section, the description of the site of Perrot's wintering quarters
in 1685-86 is very clearly that of the Trempealeau bluffs, because these are
the only bluffs near the river having a large prairie in their rear, and
Trempealeau Mountain, moreover, is a well-known landmark on the upper
Mississippi.
In addition to this, ruins have been discovered which clearly prove the
existence of a post at this point at an early period.-' To connect these ruins
with Perrot's post, there is the well-known map of Jean Baptiste Louis
Franquelin, published in 1688, and based undoubtedly on information
obtained from Perrot himself."' Franquelin, an engineer of repute and
royal hydrographer, visited New France in 1683 and remained several
years. His famous map of Louisiana in 1684, drawn to display La Salle's
discoveries, has but few indications of upper Mississippi sites. That of
1688, however, records with much accuracy the upper Mississippi region,
and since we know Perrot to have been in Quebec in the autumn of 1687,
there is every reason to suppose that he furnished Franquelin with the
data appearing thereon. Not far above the mouth of Riviere Noire — tne
Black River of today — there is written La Butte d' Hyvernement (the
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 55
hill of the wintering place), which seems to be intended for Trempealeau
Mountain, near where the commandant and his party wintered. Fort St.
Nicolas, at the mouth of the Wisconsin, and Fort St. Antoine, above the
Chippewa, both founded by Perrot, are likewise indicated.
Just when Perrot left his wintering place on the Mississippi and built
Fort St. Antoine higher up the river is not certain, but it was probably
during the summer of 1686. He was continuously in the upper Mississippi
region until the spring of 1687, when he was ordered to proceed eastward
with allies and join the French in a war against certain Indians of New
York State. In the meantime he had amassed a stock of furs worth 40,000
livres. In his absence on the warpath these were left at the mission house
at Green Bay, which was burned by hostile Indians, with the loss of all
his peltry."
In the autumn of 1687 he set out once more for the Northwest to
retrieve his ruined fortunes. After the ice had begun to form on the
Fox River he passed down the Wisconsin to the Mississippi and ascended
the Mississippi to this region.'- Whether he then occupied the old
wintering place at Trempealeau or Fort St. Antoine further up the river
on the lake is not clear.'' At Fort St. Antoine, on May 8, 1689, he took
possession of the Sioux country in the name of the King of France,
annexing the Minnesota and St. Croix River districts and all headwaters
of the Mississippi.'*
One of the witnesses to this document was Pierre Charles le Sueur,
an explorer and trader, whose work added to the knowledge given to the
world by Perrot. In 1695 Le Sueur built a fort on Pelee Island ( a short
distance above Red Wing) , which was maintained about four years, during
his own absence in France. He later returned and conducted an expedition
in search of copper in the Blue Earth country, Minnesota. In ascending
the Mississippi from its mouth, he found that the remains of Fort St.
Antoine, on Lake Pepin, and his own island fort above Red Wing, were
plainly to be seen.'"' He passed Trempealeau Mountain on his upward
journey between September 10 and September 14, 1700. The Red (Black)
River, the River Paquitanettes (possibly the Buffalo), the River Bon
Secours (Chippewa) and Lake Bon Secours (Pepin) are mentioned in the
account of the voyage, as are the prairies extending back from the bluffs."'
In Trempealeau County one of the party killed a deer.
More than one-fourth of the eighteenth century passed away before
another attempt was made to build a post on the upper Mississippi. The
Fox Indian wars had made the Fox-Wisconsin waterway untenable, and
any approach to the Sioux had to take the difficult route from the end of
Lake Superior through the tangled marshes and ponds at the head of the
Mississippi.
In 1727, however, the French government determined to establish a
post among the Sioux. In September of the same year the new fort was
erected near what is now Frontenac, on the Minnesota side of Lake Pepin,
and dedicated amid imposing ceremonies as Fort Beauharnois. The failure
of the expedition against the Foxes the following year made this post
untenable, however, and it was hastily abandoned by the alarmed garrison.''
56 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
In writing from Fort Beauharnois, May 29, 1727, Father Michel
Guignas describes the bluffs, islands and scenery in this vicinity, but makes
no particular mention of Trempealeau Mountain.'*
In 1731 the Foxes, being temporarly subdued, another expedition to
build a Sioux post was placed in charge of Rene Godefroy, sieur de Linctot.
With him went his son, Louis Rene, Augustin Langlade, and his brother,
Joseph Jolliet, grandson of the explorer; one Campeau, a skilled blacksmith,
brother of the one at Detroit, and Father Michel Guignas, chaplain of the
expedition.
They arrived on the Mississippi in the autumn of 1731, and, according
to the official report, built "a fort On the Mississippy at a Place called the
Mountain * * * (a Montagne qui trempe dans I'Eau) * * *"'^
The winter did not pass without events. During the deep snows food became
so scarce that Linctot was obliged to send his voyageurs and traders to
winter in the camps of the Indians. One of the voyageurs, named Dorval,
had a thrilling experience with refugee Foxes, fleeing from an attack of
mission Iroquois and Detroit Huron. Later some of the same fugitives
came to Linctot to beg for their lives. The Sioux began coming in large
numbers when they learned of Linctot's presence, and a camp of Winnebago
wintered near by.
The succeeding years were replete with danger and difficulty for the
officers and traders of the little Sioux post. Although the Foxes had been
defeated and large numbers of them had been destroyed, desperate
remnants remained scattered over the western country, and attacking
parties of mission Indians and others allied with the French made frequent
excursions to harass the wretched fugitives. The Sioux promised protec-
tion to the French, but their situation among the fierce belligerents was
almost that of prisoners. In April, 1735, one of the Jesuits wrote from
Quebec: "We are Much afraid that father Guignas has h^pn taken and
burned by a tribe of savages called the renards."=" The anxiety in Canada
over his fate was allayed, however, the same summer, when Linctot finally
arrived in the colony, bringing an immense quantity of beaver skins and
other peltry.-' He reported that he had left Father Guignas with but six
men at the little fort in the Sioux country, and asked for himself that he
be relieved from command.-
To succeed Linctot in the post of the Sioux the governor-general of
New France chose Jacques le Gardeur, sieur de St. Pierre, sending him
with a party of twenty-two men to make their way to the upper Mississippi.
This small convoy reached its destination late in 1735, and early the
following spring St. Pierre determined to remove the post twenty-five
leagues (about sixty miles) higher up the Mississippi.^^ There for a year
they held a hostile tribe at bay, employing every device of strategy and
dissimulation and finally, on May 30, 1737, abandoned the post with all
its goods and belongings in order to save their lives.=*
The records would seem to indicate that the post near Trempealeau
occupied by Linctot in the autumn of 1731, was maintained until the removal
to the fort on Lake Pepin in the spring of 1736.==
Thirteen years later, in 1750, the French government established
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 57
anothei' Sioux post under the leadership of Captain Pierre Paul Marin, a
well-known Wisconsin commandant.-" He was recalled two years later
to serve on the Allegheny frontier, and his son Joseph succeeded to the
command. The latter maintained his post for three years, but during
the French and Indian War was obliged to withdraw the garrison and
destroy the post — the last under French occupation upon the upper
Mississippi.-'
While of these French commanders, from 1685 to 1755, Perrot, Linctot
and St. Pierre were probably the only ones who located in Trempealeau
County, it is apparent that this region was familiar to all the French
voyageurs of the upper Mississippi throughout this period of French
dominion.
French rule in the upper Mississippi Valley ended with the treaty of
February 10, 1763, when the Mississippi, nearly to its mouth, became the
boundary hne between the possessions of England and Spain.-'' Three
years later, in 1766, Jonathan Carver, a native of Connecticut, set out to
explore the new British domains in the Northwest.^" Starting from Boston
in June, 1766, Carver traveled to the Strait of Mackinaw and Green Bay,
and thence, by the canoe route of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, to the
Mississippi. Then he ascended the Mississippi, accompanied by a French-
Canadian and a Mohawk Indian. He spent the winter of 1766-67 among
the Sioux of the Northwest. In the spring of 1767 he descended the Missis-
sippi to the present location of Prairie du Chien in the hope of securing
goods. Disappointed there, he ascended the Mississippi to the Chippewa
River and reached Lake Superior by way of that stream and the upper
tributaries of the St. Croix. It was afterward claimed that he had made
a treaty with the Sioux, granting him a tract of land about a hundred miles
wide along the east bank of the Mississippi, from the Falls of St. Anthony
(at Minneapolis) to the southeastern end of Lake Pepin.^" It included
the north half of Trempealeau County, the south line running east and
west somewhat north of Whitehall. On the strength of this alleged treaty
many claims were from time to time presented to the United States Govern-
ment, but Congress has always refused to recognize the claim of Carver's
heirs and successors. .
Carver passed Trempealeau Mountain three times. In speaking of
the locality he says :
"On the first of November I arrived at Lake Pepin, which is rather
an extended part of the River Mississippi, that the French have thus
denominated, about two hundred miles from the Ouisconsin. The Missis-
sippi below this lake flows with a gentle current, but the breadth of it is
very uncertain, in some places it being upwards of a mile, in others not
more than a quarter. This river has a range of mountains on each side
throughout the whole of the way ; which in particular parts approach near
to it, in others he at a greater distance. The land betwixt the mountains,
and on their sides, is generally covered with grass, with a few groves of
trees interspersed, near which large droves of deer and elk are frequently
seen feeding. In many places pyramids of rocks appeared, resembhng old
ruinous towers ; at others amazing precipices ; and what is very remarkable.
58 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
whilst this scene presented itself on one side, the opposite side of the same
mountain was covered with the finest herbage, which gradually ascended
to its summit. From thence the most beautiful and extensive prospect
that imagination can form opens to your view. Verdant plains, fruitful
meadows, numerous islands, and all these abounding with a variety of trees
that yield amazing quantities of fruit, without care or cultivation, such as
the nut-tree, the maple which produces sugar, vines loaded with rich grapes
and plum-trees bending under their blooming burdens, but above all, the
fine river flowing gently beneath and reaching as far as the eye can extend,
by turns attract your admiration and exci-te your wonder.
"The lake is about twenty miles long and near six in breadth ; in some
places it is very deep and abounds with various kinds of fish. Great numbers
of fowl frequent also this lake and rivers adjacent, such as storks, swans,
geese, brants, and ducks ; and in the groves are found great plenty of turkeys
and partridges. On the plains are the largest buffaloes of any in America.
Here I observed the ruins of a French factory, where it was said Captain
St. Pierre resided, and carried on a very great trade with the Naudowessies.
before the reduction of Canada.
"About sixty miles below this lake^' is a mountain remarkably
situated ; for it stands by itself exactly in the middle of the river, and looks
as if it had slidden from the adjacent shore into the stream. It cannot
be termed an island, as it rises immediately from the brink of the water
to a considerably height. Both the Indians and the French call it the
Mountain in the River."^-
At the close of the Revolutionary War, the land east of the Mississippi
became a part of the new United States by the treaty of September 3, 1783.^'
Spain continued in possession of the land west of the Mississippi from
1762 to October 1, 1800,'* when the tract was receded to France, which
nation, however, did not take possession until 1804,^= at which time a formal
transfer was made from Spain to France, in order that France might
formally transfer the tract to the United States under the treaty of April
30, 1803.="'
Two years later the Government determined to send an expedition into
the Northwest, in charge of Zebulon M. Pike. He .was given orders to
negotiate treaties with the Indians, to secure a conformity with the laws
of the United States by the Northwest Company and others engaged in
the fur trade, to secure the site for a fort near the head of Mississippi
River navigation, and to extend geographical exploration. He started from
St. Louis August 9, 1805, with twenty soldiers, spent the winter in northern
Minnesota, started down the river April 7, 1806, and again reached St.
Louis the latter part of that month. On his way up the river Pike slept
near the foot of Trempealeau Mountain, on the night of September 13. He
speaks of the mountain as le Montaigne qui Trompe a I'Eau.^*' He reached
the mountain in a drizzling rain and left the next morning in a dense fog.
On April 16, 1806, he again passed Trempealeau Mountain on his way
down the river.
In his geographical notes Pike says : "La Montaigne qui Trompe dans
I'Eau stands in the Mississippi near the east shore, about fifty miles below
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 59
the Sauteauz (Chippewa) River, and is about two miles in circumference,
with an elevation of 200 feet, covered with timber. There is a small river
which empties into the Mississippi in the rear of the mountain, which I
conceive once bounded the mountain on the lower side and the Mississippi
on the upper, when the mountain was joined to the main land by a neck
of low prairie ground, which in time was worn away by the spring freshets
of the Mississippi, and thus formed an island of this celebrated mountain.^"*
Major Stephen H. Long led an expedition up the Mississippi in 1817.
The voyage was made in a six-oared skiff. The party camped near Trem-
pealeau on the night of Friday, July 11. In his entry for July 10 Long
says, "Passed the Black River on our right, coming in from the northeast.
It is navigable for pirogues somewhat more than 100 miles, to where
the navigation is obstructed by rapids. On this river is an abundance of
pine timber of an excellent quality. Much of the pine timber used at St.
Louis is cut here. This river has three mouths, by which it discharges
itself into the Mississippi, the lowermost of which is passable and communi-
cates with the Mississippi twelve or fourteen miles below the junction of
the valleys of the two rivers. The bluffs along the river today were
unusually interesting. They were of an exceedingly wild and romantic
character, being divided into numerous detached fragments, some of them
of mountain size, while others in slender conical peaks seemed to tower
aloft till their elevation rendered them invisible. Here might the poet or
bard indulge his fancy in the wildest extravagance, while the philosopher
would find a rich repast in examining the numerous phenomena here pre-
sented to his view, and in tracing the wonderful operations of nature that
have taken place since the first formation of the world. A little above the
mouth of the Black River, both shores of the Mississippi may be seen at
the same time, which is the only instance of the kind we have met with
on our way from Prairie du Chien to this place. One mile further ahead
the bluffs on both sides approach within 800 yards of each other, and the
river, in consequence, is narrower here than at any other place this side
of Prairie du Chien. Notwithstanding this contraction of its channel, the
river here imbosoms an island of considerable size. Encamped at sunset
on a small island.
"Saturday, July 12. Within a few yards of the island where we
camped is another, considerably smaller, which, for the sake of bi-evity,
I called the Bluff Island, as its former name is very long and difficult to
pronounce. It has been accounted a great curiosity by travelers. It is
remarkable for being the third island in the Mississippi from the Gulf of
Mexico to this place that has a rocky formation similar to that of the
neighboring bluffs, and nearly the same altitude. Pike, in his account of it.
states the height of it to be about 200 feet. We lay by this morning for
the purpose of ascertaining its altitude, which we found by a trigometrical
calculation, which my instruments would not enable me to make with much
accuracy, to be a Httle more than 500 feet. It is a very handsome conical
hill, but not sufficiently large to deserve the appellation of mountain,
although it is called by the name of the Montaigne qui trompe de I'eau, or
the mountain that is soaked in the water."'"
60 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Long also describes in glowing terms the scenery from Trempealeau
to Winona.
The party again landed at Trempealeau on the journey down the river,
Sunday, July 20. At their former camping place they found their axe
which they had lost there. They ascended Trempealeau Mountain and
from there viewed the Indian village at Winona.^" As befoi'e. Long waxed
enthusiastic over the wonderful scenery. He discovered that the bluffs
which he had previously supposed to be the main river bluffs were in fact
a broken range of high bluff hills, separated from the main bluffs by the
wide expanse of Trempealeau prairie. He advances the theory that the
Trempealeau bluffs are in reality the eastern point of a promontory orig-
inally extending from the Minnesota bluffs, and that the natural course
of the river was originally between the Trempealeau bluffs and the main
Wisconsin bluffs, Trempealeau prairie being the river's natural bed. While
on the top of Trempealeau Mountain, Long and his companion were sum-
moned by three Indians, one of whom had been bitten in the leg by a i-attle-
snake. The Indians at once cut out a piece of flesh containing the wounded
part and applied bandages above it. They refused, however, to allow Long
to wash the wound. A short time later Long ascended Queen Bluff near
Richmond. His observations there led him to believe that the Mississippi
was originally a vast lake filling all the valley, to a height of many hundred
feet above the present water level.
With the establishment in 1819 of Fort Snelling, Trempealeau County
was placed within the pale of civilization, and thereafter soldiers, traders
and visitors were frequently passing. The expedition which estabhshed
the fort, headed by Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Leavenworth and accom-
panied by Major Thomas Forsyth, the Indian agent, reached Trempealeau
and continued its course up the river in August, 1819. In his journal Major
Forsyth mentions that on the night of August 12 he camped five miles
below La Montaigne qui trempe a I'eau.^'
That same year, on November 2, a sawmill was established on the
falls of the Black River, "not much inferior to any in the United States."
Seven chiefs of the Sioux nation granted the original permission to do this,
and later Lefei (Wabasha), the head chief, made the permission perma-
nent.''- The mill was soon destroyed by the Winnebago.
General Lewis Cass, with his party, including Henry Rowe Schoolcraft
and James D. Doty, passed Trempealeau Mountain in 1820. They reached
the upper Mississippi by way of Lake Superior, and after leaving the region
of their explorations came down the Mississippi. On this trip down the
river, Cass and Schoolcraft and their men landed at the present site of
Winona and camped for the night on the Minnesota bank of the Mississippi,
some five miles west of Trempealeau Mountain. Schoolcraft, in his notes,
gave the following description of Trempealeau Mountain:
"A few miles below Wabasha's village an isolated mountain of singular
appearance rises out of the center of the river to a height of four or five
hundred feet, where it terminates in crumbling peaks of naked rock, whose
lines of stratification and massy walls impress forcibly upon the mind the
image of some gigantic battlement of former generations. Around its
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 61
lower extremity the alluvion of the river has collected, forming a large
island, covered with a heavy forest, whose deep green foliage forms a
pleasing contrast with the barren grandeur of the impending rocks, which
project their gothic pinnacles into the clouds and cast a sombre shadow
over the broad and glittering bosom of the Mississippi. This singular
feature in the topography of the country has long attracted the admiration
and the wonder of the voyageurs of the Mississippi, who have bestowed
upon it the appellation of The Mountain that sinks in the Water (La Mon-
taigne qui Trompe dans I'Eau), an opinion being prevalent among them
that it annually sinks a few feet. This island-mountain is four or five
miles in circumference, with a mean width of half a mile, and by dividing
the channel of the river into two equal halves, gives an immense width to
the river, and thus increases the grandeur of the prosiJcct. It is further
remarkable as being the only fast, or rocky island, in the whole course of
this river, from the Falls of Peckagama, to the Mexican Gulf."*'
A mill was built in 1822 on the Menomonee branch of the Chippewa, by
permission of Lawrence Taliaferro, the Indian agent at Fort Snelling, and
with the consent of the Sioux. Joseph Rolette and Judge James Lockwood,
both of Prairie du Chien, were the financial backers of the proposition, and
Wabasha's band of Sioux were also interested in it.''*
On his expedition to Lake Winnipeg in 1823 Long again passed Trem-
pealeau Mountain, accompanied by a part of his followers. From Prairie
du Chien to Fort Snelling, a part of the expedition, under James F. Calhoun,
made the trip on horseback along the west bank of the Mississippi. William
H. Keating, who was with the expedition, mentions Trempealeau Mountain.
Keating corrects many of Schoolcraft's statements and confirms some of
Pike's observations. After giving the French term for the place as Mon-
tagne qui trempe dans I'eau, which he declares to be but a translation of
the Indian name for it, "the mountain which soaks in the water" — he
states that the island mountain is only about a mile in circumference, and
instead of dividing the river into two equal halves, is very near the east
bank. He admits, however, that seen from a distance, it has the delusive
appearance of standing in the middle of the river.'"*
The first steamboat to ascend the upper Mississippi, the "Virginia,"
passed Trempealeau Mountain in May, 1823, and arrived at Fort Snelling,
near the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers. May 10. A
number of prominent people were aboard. Steamboat traffic thus being
opened, Trempealeau Mountain, a landmark and a point of interest to all
travelers, became widely known. J. Constantine Beltrami, who explored
the Red River of the North and the sources of the Mississippi River, was
one of the passengers aboard the "Virginia" when it made its first trip
to Fort Snelling. Of Trempealeau he says :
"From this spot (118 miles from Prairie du Chien) a chain of moun-
tains, whose romantic character reminds one of the valley of the Rhine,
between Bingen and Coblentz, leads to the Mountain which dips into the
water. This place would exhaust all my powers of expression if I had
not seen Longue Vue. Amid a number of delightful little islands, encircled
by the river, rises a mountain of a conical form equally isolated. You
62 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
climb amid cedars and cypresses, strikingly contrasted with the rocks which
intersect them, and from the summit you command a view of valleys,
prairies, and distances in whicTi the eye loses itself. From this point I
saw both the last and the first rays of a splendid sun gild the lovely picture.
The western bank presents another illusion to the eye. Mountains, ruggedly
broken into abrupt rocks, which appear cut perpendicularly into towers,
steeples, cottages, &c., appear precisely like towns and villages."^"
The period of exploration really ends in 1835, when this region was
visited by George William Featherstonhaugh and William Williams Mather,
by George Catlin, and by a military expedition under Lieutenant-Colonel
Stephen W. Kearney, the topographer of the expedition being Albert
Miller Lea.
Featherstonhaugh, in his reconnaissance, mentions Trempealeau
Mountain, and while narrating the geological history of the landmark,
describes the view from its summit. Wabasha's brother related to him that
"the Indians called it Minnay Chonkaha, or bluff in the water, and that
they resorted to it at the beginning of the wild-geese season, to make
offerings to Wakon, or the deity, for success in hunting."^'
The mihtary expedition reached Winona overland from Iowa, entering
the state southwest from what is now the city of Albert Lea. In July,
1835. the soldiers camped on the west bank of the Mississippi, within sight
of what Lea called La Montaigne qui trempe a Teau.^*"
Catlin, the famous Indian painter, was forced to winter his boat near
Richmond,^-' not far from Trempealeau Mountain, by reason of obstructing
ice, late in 1835. On Catlin's Rocks, in Richmond Township, Winona
County, he painted his name in great red letters, and the marks were to
be plainly seen for many years thereafter. ■"
Thus Trempealeau Mountain, which had watched the first white man
penetrate these solitudes, was now known to the world, and the activities
of civilization were soon to be throbbing at its feet. Frenchmen, Enghsh-
men and Americans had examined her wonderful formations, the whistle
and chug of the steamboat had become familiar, the rich land over which
for so many centuries it had stood guard awaited the axe of the pioneer,
the plow of the husbandman.
1— L. H. Bunnell, Winan<i and Its Envirmis (Winona, 1897), 112-114, 187.
2 — Dr. Warren Upham is of the opinion that Radisson and Grosseilliers made their head-
quarters at Prairie Island, above Red Wing, from April or May, 1655, to June, 1656. But this
opinion is not generally accepted. As Dr. Louise Phelps Kellogg says: "The difficulty of
interpreting Radisson 's text, written in a language unfamiliar to himself, and several years
after the completion of his journeys, adds to the differences of opinion with regard to the
route and the locations described." For Upham's conclusions see: TIpham, Grosseilliers and
Radisson, Minnesota in Three Centuries (New York, 1908), I, 127-204. Also: Same author
and title, Minn. Eist. Colls., X, Part 2, 449-594. Dr. Reuben Gold Thwaites has reprinted
portions of the accounts of the third and fourth voyages of these two adventurers, with copious
notes in: Wis. Eist. Colls., XI, 64-69. Dr. Kellogg has reprinted the account of the third
voyage, with an introduction, in: Early Narratives of tlie Northwest (New York, 1917),
29-65. Several writers are of the opinion that Father Menard ascended the Black River on
his way to his tragic death in 1661, and quote Perrot in supporting their contentions. See:
Nicholas Perrot, Memoire (Memoire nur Irs viopurs, coustumes, et relligion des sauvages de
I'Amerique Sepientrionale) , reprinted in the original French with notes and translation by
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 63
Bev. Father Jules Tailhan (Paris, 1864), this in turn being reprinted in: Minn. Hist. Colls.,
II, Part 3, 24-30 (original edition). A reprint of the Memoire (Tailhan 's edition, 84-93),
regarding the Flight of the Ottawa, whic-h Pcrrot says Menard followed, may be found:
Thwaites, ed., French Regime in Wisconsin, Part 1, Wis. Hist. Colls., XVI, 14-21. But Menard's
route is still an open qucftion. For Menard's last letter see: Edward D. Neill, Explorers and
Pioneers of Minnesota (Minneapolis, 1882), 3-4. For extract from Menard's letter (Jemdt
Eelaiions, XLVI, 11-13, 127-145) and Menard's labors and death (Id., XLVIII, 12, 115-143)
see: Thwaites, ed., French Eegime in Wisconsin, Part I, Wis. Hist. Colls., XVI, 21-25. For
life and labors of Menard see also: H. C. Campbell, Pere Rene Menard, Parkman Club Pub-
lications, No. 11 (Milwaukee, 1897). Also see: Kellogg, Early Narratives of the North-
west, 25, note.
3 — Thwaites, ed., Hennepin's New Discovery (Chicago, 1903). Or John G. Shea, ed.,
A Description of Louisiana, by Father Louis Hennepin (New York, 1880).
4 — For a discussion of the identity of Hennepin's R. de.Beeuf 's with Chippewa River,
see: Elliott Cones, ed.. Expeditions of Zcbulon M. Pike (New York, 1895), I, 58, 65, notes.
Also: Bunnell, Winona and Its Environs, 52-54.
5 — Kellogg, Early Narratives of the Northwest, 325-334. Also: Shea, ed., A Descrip-
tion of Louisiana, 374-377.
6 — The vanity of Hennepin did not allow him to admit that he was a captive and a
slave, the cruel sport of the Indians. He represented that he accompanied Duluth because of
the latter 's pleasure in his society and his desire for his companionship. Se^: Thwaites, ed.,
Hennepin 's Neio Discovery, 293-305.
7 — Kellogg, Early Narratives of the Northwest, 69-92.
8 — E. H. Blair, Indian Tribes of the Upper Mississippi (Cleveland, 1911), I, 367.
9 — See : Eben D. Pierce, George H. Squier and Louise Phelps Kellogg, Remains of a
French Post Near Trempealeau, Wis. Hist. Soc, Proceedings, 1915, 111-123. -
10 — For a reproduction of Franqiielin 's great map of 1688, see: Kellogg, Early Narra-
tives of the Northwest, 342; also read J. Franklin Jameson's note (p. xiv) in the same volume.
Also see account of Franquelin 's maps in: Parkman, LaSalle and the Discovery of the North-
west (Boston, 1891), 455-458. A partial reproduction of the map may be found: Neih,
History of Minnesota (Minneapolis, 4th edition, 1882), frontispiece.
11 — Blair, Indian Tribes of the Upper Mississippi, II, 25.
12 — Neill (Wis. Hist. Colls., X, 299-300) says that Perrot returning from the New York
raid reoccupied the post where he had spent the winter of 1685-86. After writing the article,
however, Dr. NeUl discovered that he had confused Ft. St. Antoine with Perrot 's post at
Trempealeau (Ibid., 371).
13 — See: Draper, Early French Forts, Ibid., 358-371.
14 — Thwaites, ed., Important Western Papers, Perrot 's Minutes of Taking Possession,
Id., XI, 35-36 (reprinted from the New York Colonial Documents, IX, 418).
15 — Pierre Margry, Decouvertes et ^abl^scmtnts des Frani,-ais dans L'Am^riqnc (Paris,
1882), V, 413.
16 — Penicault in his Journal of Le Sueur's Expedition as reported in: Neill, Explorers
and Pioneers of Minnesota, 41. Also: Thwaites, ed., French Regime in Wisconsin, Part 1,
Wis. Hist. Colls., XVII, 183. See Ibid., 177, note, concerning Le Sueur's Journal, La Harpe's
and Penicault 's versions, and Shea's and Thwaites' translations.
17— Thwaites, ed., French Regime in Wisconsin, Part 2, Id., XVII, 10-15, 22-28, 56-59,
77-80.
18— Letter from Father Michel Guignas from the Brevort Manuscripts, printed in Shea's
Early French Voyatics, and reprinted in Neill 's Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, 52; also
in Wis. Hist. Colls., XVII, 22-28.
19— /6td!., 151, 168, 169.
20— Thwaites, Jesuit Selations (aeveland, 1900), LXVIII, 255.
21— ITis. Hist. Colls., XVII, 230.
22— Thwaites, Jesuit delations, LXVII, 281; Margry, Decouv. et Etabl., VI, 572, 573;
Wis. Hist. Colls., XVII, 274, note.
23— Id., XVII, 269, 270.
24 — Ibid., 269-274.
64 HISTORY OF TREIMPEALEAU COUNTY
25— Wis. Hist. Soc, Proceedings, 1915, 122.
26 — Wis. Hist. Colls., XVII, 315, note.
27 — Neill, Macalester College Contributions (St. Paul, 1890), First Series, 214, 218.
Also : Same author. Early 'Wiseonsin Explorations, Forts and Trading Posts, Wis. Hist. Colls.,
%, 304.
28 — For preliminary treaty "of Nov. 3, 1762 (reprinted from Gentleman's Magazine,
XXXII, 569-573), and definite treaty of peace of Feb. 10, 1763 (reprinted from Id., XXXIII,
121-126), see: Thwaites, ed., Important Western State Papers, Wis. Hist. CoUs., XI., 36-46.
29 — For Carver Bibliography, see: John Thomas Lee, Wis. Hist. Soc., Proceedings,
1909, 143-183. Also see: Same author and subject. Additional Data, Id., 1912, 87-123.
30 — For text of the Carver deed and its history, see: Carver Centenary, Minn. Hist.
Colls., II, Part 4, 17, 19-21, original edition. Also see: Daniel Steele Durrie, Jonathan Carver
and Carver 's Grant, Wis. Hist. Colls., VI, 221-270.
31 — Possibly the word "Lake" was inserted in Carver's manuscript by an editor. In
the preceding paragraph he mentions the St. Pierre ruins, on the east side of Lake Pepin, and
he may have intended to locate Trempealeau as 60 miles below this (the ruin) rather than 60
miles below Lake Pepin.
32 — Jonathan Carver, Travels in North America (London, 1778), 54-56.
33 — Treaties and Conventions Concluded Between the United States of America and
Other Powers (Washington, 1873), 314-318.
34 — Among the many excellent works on the subject may be mentioned: Jamse K.
Hosmer, Tlie Louisiana Purchase (New York, 1904).
35 — See: Walter B. Douglas, Spanish Domain of Upper Louisiana, Wis. Hist. Soc.,
Proceedings, 1913, 74-90.
36 — Annals of Congress, 1802-1803, pp. 1006-1008.
37— Coues, ed.. Expeditions of Zchu^on M. Pile (New York, 1895), I, 52, 53.
38— 76 id., 307.
39 — Stephen H. Long, Voyage in a Six Oar Skiff to the Falls of St. Anthony in 1817,
Minn. Hist. Colls., II, Part 1, 15-17, original edition.
40— Ibid., 47-50.
41 — Major Thomas Forsj'th, Journal of a Voyage to the Falls of St. Anthony in 1819,
Wis. Hist. Colls., VII, 202.
42 — Durrie, Jonathan Carver and Carver's Grant, Id., VI, 252, 266. Also: American
State Papers, Public Lands, IV, 22. Also: James H. Lockwood, Early Times and Events in
Wisconsin, Wis. Hist. Colls., II, 118, text and note. Also: Col. John Shaw, Narrative, Ibid.,
230.
43— H. R. Schoolcraft, Narrative Journal of Travels (Albany, 1821), 334-335. Also:
Same author and title (Philadelphia, 1855), 165.
44 — Lockwood, Early Times and Events in Wiseonsin, Wis. Hist. Colls., II, 132-141.
45 — W. H. Keating, Narrative of Long's Expedition (Philadelphia, 1824), 271-272.
46 — J. C. Beltrami, A Pilgrimage in Europe and America Leading to the Discovery of
the Sources of the Mississippi and Bluodi/ Eivcr (London, 1S2S), II, 17S-179.
47 — 6. W. Featherstonhaugh, Geological Ecconnaissance (Washington, 1836), 130.
48 — Letter written from Corsieana, Texas, July 7, 1890, by Albert Miller Lee to H. W.
Lathrop, librarian of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and published (October, 1890)
under the title of Early Exploration in Iowa, Iowa Historical Hecord, vi. No. 4, 548.
49 — Richmond was originally called Catlin in honor of the painter. Later the name was
changed to Forest City and still lat^r to Richmond. It is situated a little below Trempealeau
on the Minnesota side of the Mississippi.
50 — Bunnell, Winona and Its Environs, 1S3.
Portions of the introductory paragraphs have been copied from: Eben Douglas Pierce,
Early Days of Trempealeau, Wis. Hist. Society, Proceedings, 1906, 246-255.
The original sources from which Dr. Thwaites obtained his material for Vol. XVII of the
Wis. Hist. Collections, appear with the various documents therein printed, and no attempt has
been made to repeat them here. By consulting that volume tlie inquiring student will find
citations of tlie original sources.
CHAPTER VII
EARLY SETTLEMENT
Trempealeau County, touching, as it does, on its southwestern border
the Mississippi River, was easily accessible for the early explorers, travelers,
traders, and later for the pioneer settlers.
The boundary rivers and some of the streams of the interior of the
county afforded waterways for the canoe, and many of our valleys, such
as the Beaver Creek and Elk Creek, were explored by hunters who canoed
up the principal streams flowing out of these respective regions.
Trempealeau Bay, lying about half a mile above the site of Perrot's
post, afforded an excellent stopping place for traders and travelers during
the fur trading regime on account of the abundance of wood and water in
that locality and also for the protection from rough weather which the
rugged bluffs furnished. During the sharp rivalry between the different
fur companies the trader kept an anxious eye on the bay for the return of
the bands of trappers from up the Trempealeau River.
The first trapper to whom tradition ascribes a fur trading camp in
Trempealeau County, after the early French explorers of the seventeenth
and eighteenth centuries, was Joseph Roque,' a prominent interpreter and
officer of the Indian department in the days when the British ruled over
Mackinac and its western dependencies. Roque was much trusted by the
British officers, and accompanied (1780) Wabasha on his raid against St.
Louis and the forces of George Rogers Clark in Ilhnois. He ranked as
lieutenant in the Indian service, and at the close of the Revolution remained
in the pay of the British government, being likewise prominent in the fur
trade. During the War of 1812-15 he was employed by the English authori-
ties and accompanied Colonel William McKay as lieutenant and interpreter
on his Prairie du Chien expedition in 1814. According to Winnebago tradi-
tion, he had a wintering ground on a branch of Beaver Creek, not far
from Galesville, and the occupancy of this region by him and a companion
gave to this branch its name of French Creek.
Joseph's half-breed son, Augustin, was likewise an interpreter in the
service of the British. With his father he accompanied McKay's Prairie
du Chien expedition of 1814 with the rank of lieutenant. At the conclusion
of the war Augustin took up his home with Wabasha's Indians and estab-
lished several trading posts on the upper Mississippi. The same Winnebago
tradition that ascribes a camp in Trempealeau County to the father, Joseph,
also ascribes a post on Beaver Creek to the son, Augustin. The Indian name
of Beaver Creek, Seen-tah-ro-cah, is from St. Roque, the original French
family name of this hunter. The valley was rich in beaver and elk, and
■hunting and trapping in this region were productive of rich results.
In 1823 Augustin Roque accompanied Major Stephen H. Long's expe-
dition, but his services were unsatisfactory. Some time before 1826 he
65
66 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
seems to have had a trading post at the mouth of the Buffalo River. In
1826 he moved to the present site of Wabasha. Featherstonhaugh men-
tions this trading house on Lake Pepin in 1835 and gives his Indian name
as Wahjustahchay, or Strawberry.^
The occupancy of this region by the trappers is also attested by docu-
mentary evidence. As early as 1820 Louis Grignon had a fur trading camp
at Trempealeau Mountain,^ and the following year Augustin Grignon had
a camp near the mouth of Black River, to which point he moved from a
camp four miles below the Zumbro, which had been burned by the Wabasha
Indians at the instigation of Joseph Rolette, who worked for a British firm.-*
In 1824 Trempealeau Mountain was recommended to the superintendent
of Indian affairs as a suitable place for the location of an Indian agent.
It was described as being desirable because there was plenty of firewood
and because it was convenient to Wabasha's band of Dakota, as well as
the place where all the Winnebago and Menominee stopped in ascending
and descending the Mississippi.'^
Trempealeau Bay thus became a prominent rendezvous for trappers
and traders, and favorite stopping place for river voyagers.
The story of the settlement of Trempealeau County dates from 1836,
when an attempt was made to establish a mission station at this point.
A Protestant missionary society of Basle, Switzerland, desirous of sending
the gospel to the North American Indians, commissioned two young Swiss
for the work. They decided upon the field among the Dakota as the most
promising, and proceeded to Prairie du Chien, where they spent a short
time studying the language and learning the location of the tribes. Rev.
Daniel Gavin concluded to settle near Wabasha's band, while his comrade,
Samuel Denton, went on to Red Wing.
At Prairie du Chien Gavin secured the services as interpreter and
man of all work of a Swiss emigrant, Louis Stram. Together they proceeded
to Trempealeau and built a loghouse east of Mountain Lake, at the site of
a clear spring." Stram opened a farm and endeavored to teach the Indians
agriculture, but Wabasha, their chief, did not take kindly either to the
mission or the farming, and after the treaty of 1837, by which all the Sioux
claim east of the Mississippi was ceded to the United States, Gavin aban-
doned the mission and joined his confrere in Red Wing.' Although the
enterprise was temporary, it was the first attempt made in the county in
the nature of a permanent settlement and was the first farming therein
under the dii-ection of a white man."
The permanent settlement of Trempealeau County finally came about
under the auspices of the fur trade. Francois la Bathe, a shrewd half-breed
and a near relative of Wabasha, was confidential agent of Hercules L.
Dousman, representative of the American Fur Company at Prairie du
Chien. Even before the cession of 1837, La Bathe had tried to secure a
steamboat landing site at the modern La Crosse, and as soon as the treaty
was concluded he made similar arrangements for Trempealeau by inducing
John Doville and Antoine Reed to proceed thither and cut cordwood for
steamboats, while holding a stretch of river front as a landing. His
object in this was to prevent any trade drifting away from Wabasha's
HISTORY OF TKEMPEALEAU COUNTY 67
village, at the present City of Winona." A wood yard was established at
the head of the island opposite Trempealeau, and La Bathe vouched for
the sale of all wood the men might cut. Doville remained at Trempealeau
and became its first permanent settler. He cultivated the land that the
Swiss missionaries had cleared and broke some of his own in the upper
part of the present village. He raised stock upon a small scale and devoted
his time to farming and cutting cordwood for steamboats.
James A. Reed, in his journeys up and down the Mississippi in the
interest of the fur trade, had noticed the Trempealeau Bluffs and resolved
to stop and look the country over with a view of settling later if the place
came up to his expectation. He climbed Liberty Peak and looked down on
the new land and was charmed with its wild grandeur, its lavish wealth
still undeveloped, its inviting valleys and wooded slopes. It was a delectable
land, steeped in an alluring solitude — untouched as yet by the white settler.
Reed decided to locate in the new country. Circumstances delayed him
and gave to his son-in-law, Doville, the credit of being the first settler.
In 1840, however, his plans were perfected and, bringing his family by boat
from Prairie du Chien, he built a log cabin on the banks of the Mississippi
River on the site of modern Trempealeau. Not long afterward his wife
died, and he later married the widow of Amable Grignon, of Prairie du
Chien, who was a sister of Francois La Bathe and a relative of Wabasha.
The locality soon became known as Reed's Town. Outside of the time
that he devoted to his duties as government farmer to Wabasha's band
of Indians at Winona (from 1842 to 1848) Reed occupied his energies in
tending his stock and in hunting and trapping. The Trempealeau bluffs
and adjoining prairie offered an excellent stock range for Reed's horses,
swine and cattle, which he brought from Prairie du Chien; and the swine
proved to be good rattlesnake hunters, killing and eating many of the
Winnebagoes' sacred serpents. Reed used his large log home, for a while,
as a tavern, and many a weary traveler and homeseeker found a hospitable
welcome at his fireside. For a while it was known as Reed's Place ; after-
ward he sold out and it became the Washington Hotel.
The next settlers after the family and relatives of Reed arrived at
Trempealeau in June, 1842. The party consisted of Willard B. Bunnell and
wife, and his brother, Lafayette H. Bunnell. They were from Detroit, and,
seeking a location upon the upper Mississippi, had been induced at Prairie
du Chien to settle at Trempealeau. To the younger of these two pioneers
much of the early history of the region is due. Gifted with a good memory
and a taste for historical studies, he has preserved many incidents of pioneer
life that would otherwise be lost. Upon the arrival of this party at Trem-
pealeau Reed went back from the village a few rods and shortly came in
with a red deer to supply the family with provisions. Buffalo had disap-
peared soon after the Black Hawk War, but elk abounded upon Trempealeau
River, and beaver were plenty enough to give their name to one of the
inland streams."
A number of French families, mostly from Prairie du Chien, came up
the river and joined Reed, but they were mostly connected with the fur
trade and made little progress toward developing the country from an agri-
68 HISTORY OF TREMPExVLEAU COUNTY
cultural standpoint. Some of them lived at Reed's home and some built
houses near by. Peter Rosseau, who helped Reed build his house, remained
for a while. Charles H. Perkins, Joseph Borette, Michael Goulet and Paul
and Antoine Grignon were among the early members of the household.
The Bunnells lived at Trempealeau for several years, but spent the
first two winters at what is now Fountain City. L. H. Bunnell left Trem-
pealeau in 1847 and enlisted in the Mexican War. W. B. Bunnell and his
wife left in 1849 and settled at Homer, in Minnesota. Soon after the arrival
of the Bunnells, Alexander Chenevert joined the Reed settlement. In 1844
a Frenchman named Assalin came. He was a carpenter by trade and made
the woodwork for the first wagon in the county. He also made sleds and
French trains. Antoine La Terreur came the same year. He was a cabinet
maker and made much of the early furniture used in the pioneer homes of
Trempealeau. Michael Bebault arrived in 1845 and hired out as a wood-
chopper on the island. In 1848 Leander Bebault and John La Vigne arrived
with their families, and about the same time Edward Winkleman settled
here.
It was after 1850 that the settlement of the interior of the county
took place, and for a period of fifteen years settlers poured into the valleys
of Trempealeau County, principally from southern and eastern Wisconsin.
Many were from New York State originally, with a goodly number from
the New England States. They came in all manner of ways, but steamboat,
by stage, afoot, on horseback, with ox teams and covered wagons, with
wagons drawn by horses, and often driving behind their caravan a herd of
cattle, while tied to the rear of the wagon in a well-constructed box was the
vociferous porker, proclaiming his presence at every stop.
The routes they selected depended on the section from whence they
hailed. Many came by way of La Crosse and thence over the rough road
to Gordon's or McGilvray's Ferry and crossed these ferries into the county.
Others arrived by steamboat and outfitted in La Crosse for their journey
into the new country. Some came to Trempealeau by steamboat and then
went by stage into the interior. Still others went to Fountain City and
took the trail across the bluffs, over the Glencoe Ridge, and through the
Glencoe Valley to the Trempealeau River. Some came down the Trem-
pealeau valley from Jackson County. The northern part of the county was
settled largely by people who drifted into the county from Black River
Falls and vicinity. A few of the pioneers poled up Black River in flat boats
to the falls and then took the overland trail back to Trempealeau County.
Other settlers came across the Mississippi River from Minnesota, where
they had settled in Pickwick or some other of the valleys that reach back
from the river. The later settlers came into the Trempealeau County by
the railroad, but it was not until 1870 that a railroad was built into the
county.
Aside from those who followed the main routes of travel, there were
many settlers who sifted into the county from adjoining territory following
whatever route was most convenient and striking out across the prairies
or up the ravines to find, removed from the settled haunts of man, a plot
of land where they might establish themselves and build their future homes.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 69
The best sources of authority regarding the early settlement of Trempealeau County
previous to 1850 are Antoine Grignon and L. H. Bunnell, both of whom arrived here in the
forties. E. D. Pierce, from stories heard from pioneers, as a boy, from interviews with Antoine
Grignon, and conversations with descendants of early settlers, gathered the information for
three articles on the subject, all published in the Proceedings of the Wis. Hist. Society as
follows: Early Days of Trempealeau, 1906, 246-255; Recollections of Antoine Grignon, 1913,
110-136; James Allen Eeed, 1914, 107-117. Dr. Bunnell's vivid recollections are found in:
Bunnell, Winona and Its Environs (Winona, 1877), 183 et seq.
1 — Eoque (variously spelled) is mentioned as interpreter for the Sioux, Wis. Sist. Colls.,
Ill, 229; VII, 167; XI, 134-135, 142, 156; XII, 61, 63, 81; and XII, 94, apparently fixes this
interpreter as Joseph Eoque. Whether Joseph or Augustin is meant in XII, 125, and XIII,
67, is uncertain. Id., IX, 264, presents a confusing problem. Among the lieutenants at Ft.
McKay (Prairie du Chien) are given Joseph Eock, Sr., and Augustin Eock, Jr. Whether this
is the Joseph of the earlier days is not apparent. The use of ' ' Jr. ' ' and ' ' Sr. ' ' would indi-
cate that these two men were not father and son, that Augustin indeed was not the son of
Joseph but of an Augustin, Sr. It is possible, however, that the use of the "Sr. " and "Jr."
was a clerical error arising from the fact that one may have been called Eoque, Sr., and the
other Eoque, Jr., without regard to their first names. Augustin is mentioned as an inter-
preter. Id., IX, 254, 256, and an employe of the American Fur Co., Id., XII, 162. For a mention
of the early activities of the Eoques in the region, see: L. H. Bunnell, Winoria and Its
Envirmis (Winona, 1897), 69, 147, 371. "Joe" Eoque, known to the early settlers, was the
son of Augustin and grandson of Joseph.
2 — 6. W. Featherstonhaugh, Geological Reconnaissance (Wash., 1836), 130.
3— Eeuben Gold Thwaites, ed., Fur Trade in Wisconsin, 1812-1825, Wis. Hist. Colls., XX,
160-162, 241-242, 258-259.
4— Ibid., 236.
5— Ibid., 365.
6 — Nearly three miles northwest of the village of Trempealeau on the Trowbridge farm.
The cellar and stones from the chimney could be seen in 1888. The excavation can stUl be
seen, 1917.— E. D. P.
7 — Lyman C. Draper, Early French Forts in Western Wisconsin, Wis. Hist. CoUs., X,
367; also note to same article, 506-507. See also: Minn. Hist. Colls., VI, 134. An official
report in 1838 (U. S. Executive Vocwments, 1, 494) says: "Mr. D. Gavin removes this year
from the 'Mountain in the Waters, East,' to the west with Wabasha's band of Sioux."
8 — The land broken by Stram was afterward used by pioneer settlers, who burned the log
house in 1842 to deprive the troublesome Indians of a shelter for themselves and stolen horses,
Bunnell, Winona and Its Environs, 71.
9 — Ibid., 209. Bunnell and others give the name as James Douville. His descendants
say it was John Doville. His divorce proceedings (First Minute Book, District Court of
Trempealeau County, 21) give his name as John Do Ville.
CHAPTER VIII
LOCALITY SETTLEMENTS
When the first white man gazed upon the Trempealeau country he
beheld a vastly different land physically than we live in today. It was
dressed in its primitive clothes, so to speak. The bluffs, save for the
work of the mound builder, had not been defaced by man. The contour of
the hills and valleys was influenced only by the alluvium and the wash of
storms, for scarcely any land was cultivated, in the modern sense of the
word, by the Indians.
Here and there in secluded places along the hills were forests, but
generally the country was untimbered and covered with brush and wild
grass, which was burned over each year by the Indians.
The Indians, no doubt, had some particular reason for doing this,
though it is difficult to conjecture why they deemed it necessary to burn
over the land annually. No doubt they could travel through a burned-over
country much easier than over one obstructed with a tangle of grass and
brush, and traveling more swiftly mean more game. New grass grew
better also in the burned-over places, and thus the ponies of the Indians
had better grazing on account of this primitive method of land clearing.
Indian trails took the place of our modern roads, and no guide board
pointed its inartistic hand to direct the inquiring traveler. Along these
indistinct trails many of the early settlers made their way with difficulty
and along the wooded streams were obliged to pick their way by blazed
trees.
There were many small lakes or sloughs in the county when the pioneer
came that have since gone dry. On Trempealeau Prairie were a number v
of these tiny lakes where James Reed trapped muskrat, but today we see
no sign of the former outline of these bodies of water. Arcadia was built
in a marshy slough which has since been filled with dirt hauled from a
range of hillocks in the rear of the village. On the other hand, we have
a number of lakes in our county that were not here in the early day. These
artificial bodies of water represent our waterpower and are usually desig-
nated by the undignified name of mill ponds. One would hardly dare apply
that name to beautiful Lake Marinuka of Galesville, reposing in the valley
of Beaver Creek, and possessing all the charm and reflecting qualities of
a natural lake.
But perhaps even greater changes have taken place in the flora and
fauna of our county since the early day than in the physical features. In
order to appreciate more fully these changes, let us picture the early settler
and his wild environment ; his log cabin in the clearing of one of our secluded
valleys, nestling at the foot of a hill where a spring trickles into a dugout
water trough a few feet from the cabin door. Standing against the log
70
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 71
barn is the yoke for the oxen, and near-by is the upturned breaking plow,
while the mattock and ax repose on a half cut log near the woodpile. At
the side of the cabin is the rude wash bench made from a slab of wood
and four wooden pegs for legs. We may also see the grindstone in the
back yard, and hanging under the rafters of the barn is the scythe, the
cradle and the flail. And we must not overlook the lye-leach and soap
kettle, nor the half -sled and stone-boat.
Herds of deer can be seen grazing on the hillside, and in the spring
and autumn days the honking of wild geese fills the air. The boom and
hoot of prairie chickens can be heard in the early spring days, and, during
the summer, from across the hot green fields, comes the plaintive note of
the plover and the whistle of the gopher. The sound of the drumming
partridge comes from the thicket near the clearing, and the whistling quail
proclaims his presence by his far-carrying "Bob White."
The bark and chatter of the grey and red squirrel can be heard in the
woodlands, while at night the hoot of the owl mingles at times with the
howl of the wolf or barking fox.
During the spring and summer the woods ring with the songs of a
variety of birds. From early dawn until dark the tireless songsters fill
the air with music, and in season the whip-poor-will lashes the silence of
the night with his rhythmic strain.
Wild flowers grow in profusion, and many a sloping hillside blushes
scarlet with painted cups in the May days, and in June time the wild roses
light with a pink glow the wilderness where the pioneer came to build his
cabin home.
Along the hills grow blueberries, blackberries and raspberries, while
wild plum and cherry thickets offer their fruits in many of the valleys
and by the streams in the bottom lands.
In June the odor of wild strawberries comes floating from some hidden
patch — a breath of perfume that has the aroma of shortcake, and what
a pleasant adventure to hunt out the hidden patch and gather the luscious
berries in ruddy clusters.
But time and change have wiped the picture out. Cultivation and
pasturing has removed the wild touch — the rustic element — and obliterated
many of our wild flowers, while the hunter has killed oi driven away ali
of our big game.
The buffalo disappeared from this region before the coming of the
white settler, but elk were found here as late as 1865, and wild deer were
seen in our county as late or even later than 1890. The wild pigeons disap-
peared about forty years ago, and our decreasing wild ducks will soon be
of the past. The beaver, the otter, the martin, lynx, the bear and panther,
have long since disappeared from our county, and of all the larger native
wild animals we have the woK fox and bobcat, still to be found in the wild
recesses of the county today.
The process of extermination is taking place among our wild flowers,
and many of the rare varieties will soon become extinct unless some means
is taken to preserve them. The white lady-slipper is becoming a very rare
flower, and even the yellow lady-slipper is growing alarmingly scarce, as
72 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
is also our painted cup that grew in such abundance in the early days ; still
rarer is the showy orchid and other species of the orchid family.
There seems to be an increasing demand to preserve our noble forests
and to keep in a wild state our most beautiful mountain districts. The
government has seen fit to establish a large number of forest reserves,
besides maintaining its national parks. We all appreciate this, though we
cannot all visit these national wonders of beauty, and that is the reason
why it seems to us that each county should have its wild playground.
In order to appreciate sweet sounds there must be silent places, and
in order to appreciate our tame and subdued surroundings we need the
wild touch to recuperate our blunted senses, to rest our minds and restore
our mental poise. The natural park, with its native forests, its wild flowers
and unsubdued grandeur offers the only relief to these conditions, and it
also offers a solution to the problem of keeping our native flora from
extermination.
Trempealeau — Reed's Town in the forties consisted of about half a
dozen log cabins scattered along the river front near James Reed's large
log house, and occupied by French families, most of whom had moved
into the new settlement from Prairie du Chien. Beside these there were
a few French-Canadians, and after 1846 a few American families joined
the community.
The fur trade and the Indian trade furnished the principal industries,
though some farming was done on a small scale, and the inhabitants kept
their stock (cattle, hogs, and horses) on a common range which extended
across Trempealeau Prairie and included the Trempealeau Bluffs.
Life in the Fi'ench settlement was filled with adventures of the back-
woods type, and the hunter and trapper matched his skill of woodcraft
with the Indian. With an abundance of fish and game and wild berrier
and plums, and with the vast expanse of wild grass lands for grazing, there
was little need of food shortage.
John Doville, who maintained a wood camp on the island opposite
Reedstown, had the first farm in Trempealeau. He sowed oats, wheat,
flaxseed, potatoes and beans.
Stram broke the first land in the county, but he used the ground for
garden purposes only, while Doville extended his agricultural pursuits to
grain raising, and has the honor of being the first Trempealeau County
farmer. Though Doville worked on the island and had a temporary camp
there, at the woodyard, he found it necessary, on account of high water,
to erect a permanent cabin on the main land near the river and not far
from the lower end of the present main street. He afterwards built a
house on the site, used later for Melchoir's brewery.
In 1842 James Reed found employment in the Government Indian
service at Winona, where he was engaged as farmer and storekeeper for
Wabasha's band of Sioux. A few years later he was joined by John Doville
and Charles H. Perkins, who likewise entered the Indian service. They
still kept in touch with Reed's Settlement, however, and when their contract
with the Government expired returned to their Trempealeau homes and
became permanent settlers in the county.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 73
Intermarriage between these early inhabitants of Trempealeau and
the Indians took place as in other frontier settlements, with a resultant
mixed blood offspring, whose descendants can be traced down to the present
generation.
But few family records of this period remain, though one has been
preserved of the Willard B. Bunnell family, which discloses the fact that
his son, David Porter Bunnell, who was boi-n in November, 1843, was the
first white child born in the territory of Trempealeau County. His daughter,
Louise, born in 1848, was also the first white girl born in this locality.
Bunnell located on land about a mile above the present village of Trem-
pealeau, which later became the Jack McCarty farm.
The Americanization of Reed's Town came about rather slowly, and
it was not until after 1850 that the influx of Americans began.
Travelers and traders journeying up and down the Mississippi often
stopped at Reed's hospitable log tavern, and on their departure carried to
the outer world rather glowing accounts of the new country, but the town-
site speculator had not' visited as yet the locality, and little thought was
given by the frontiersmen to the future possibilities of the place, and they
looked with aversion on the increasing settlers as a hindrance to their wild,
free life of hunting and trapping.
In the fall of 1851 there arrived at Reed's Town a man who grasped
at once the possibihties of the location for a town site. This was Benjamm
F. Heuston, and it did not take him long to interest Ira Hammond and
James Reed in a project to found a village. In partnership with Mr.
Hammond, he began the erection of a warehouse on the river front, which
was completed the following summer.
Others who came in the fall of 1851 were A. A. Angell, Charles
Cameron, N. B. Grover, Horace E. Owen and Elizur Smith.
On April 5, 1852, William Hood, as surveyor, made a plat of Reed's
Landing, with B. F. Heuston, Ira Hammond and James Reed as proprietors.
The new village was formally named Montoville, but almost before the
ink on the plat became dry another survey was completed under the direc-
tion of Timothy Burns, F. M. Rublee and Benjamin B. Healy, and the
name Trempealeau, the terminal of the sentence which the French
voyageurs gave to Trempealeau Mountain, was adopted for the doubly
named village.
Montoville-Trempealeau thrived for a few weeks, and though over-
burdened with new names, it was still known as Reed's Town or Settlement
by the inhabitants, and as Reed's Landing by the rivermen.
On May 9, 1852, according to the i-ecords of the Post Office Department
at Washington, a post office was estabUshed at Trempealeau, with B. F.
Heuston as postmaster. On January 15, 1853, the name of the office was
changed to Montville, but on July 17, 1856, the name of the office was again
changed to Trempealeau.
For a period of fifteen years Trempealeau remained the only settlement
in the territory comprising Trempealeau County. The first ten years of
this period was devoted almost entirely to the fur trade. Then came the
land seeker, tradesman, speculator and adventurer, and with the rapid influx
74 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
of settlers from 1854 to 1856, new portions of the county were opened for
settlement, and Trempealeau history thereby became limited to one section
of the county.
When B. F. Heuston came here he secured a residence by purchasing
the house of John Doville, a small story and a half building, standing on
Front street, below what is now the Burlington station. Thus possessed
of a permanent location, he prepared to erect a warehouse designed as a
steamboat shipping point for the agricultural produce which the promoters
believed would result from the rapid influx of settlers and the consequent
development of the rich valleys and prairies adjacent to the proposed village.
Before winter set in he had completed the stone foundations. In the mean-
time he procured lumber at Black River Falls, floated it down the stream
to the mouth of Beaver Creek, carted it over to the building site, and in
the spring completed a warehouse, 24 by 50 feet, two stories high, located
on Front street, two or three rods east of what was afterward the site of
the Utter House. In the fall James A. Reed, as justice of the peace, married
his daughter, Madeline, to his stepson, Paul Grignon.
Early in February, 1852, N. B. Grover, who had previously traded
here, came up from La Crosse and opened a shoe shop opposite the later
site of the Utter Hotel. In this store he sold notions and a few dry goods,
thus establishing the first store in the county. In May of this year George
Batchelder and his wife made their appearance and put up a house below
the Hammond & Heuston warehouse. Later they opened a hotel, but not
before the wife of Charles Cameron had arrived and established a boarding
house in the residence which Mr. Heuston had purchased from John Doville.
Thomas Marshall came in that spring and put up a house above the Big
Spring. Israel Noyes came about the same time. He boarded with the
Camerons until October, when he was joined by his wife, and went to live
in the second story of the Hammond & Heuston warehouse, where shortly
afterward a child was born to them. Marvin and James Pierce came and
built a small house on the north side of Front street, above what afterward
became the site of Melchoir's brewery. Ira E. Moore and Alvin Carter
built a residence near the present location of Hoberton's blacksmith shop.
About the same time Alexander McMillan came up from La Crosse and
put up a blacksmith shop, the first in the village. These, with Alexander
McGilvray, C. S. Seymour, B. B. Healy, Robert Farrington, William Cram,
Charles Holmes, Mary .Huff, Catherine Davidson, A. M. Brandenburg, Rev.
Mr. Watts, and possibly a few others, constituted the list of arrivals in 1852.
There were two interesting social events this year. One was the
opening of the Trempealeau House, at which was served a banquet which
was long remembered by the old settlers, Mrs. Batchelder, the landlady,
having secured many dainties from points further down the river. The
Fourth of July celebration was another important event. It was held in
the upper story of the Hammond & Heuston building. Mr. Heuston read
the Declaration, and talks were made by several citizens.
"In 1852," says Mary Brandenburg, "when the Brandenburgs landed
in Trempealeau, then called Montoville, they found among other settlers
James Reed in a log house on the river bank at about the Barney McGraw
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 75
place. Other settlers were George Batchelder, the first merchant, first
school teacher, first store keeper and first hotel keeper; Isaac Noyes, the
first postmaster, and Alexander McGilvray, who afterward ran the first
ferry boat, and N. B. Grover, an Indian trader, and his brother, Archelaus,
both single men, and B. B. Healy. These were most of the early settlers."
In 1853, 1854 and 1855 the arrivals were not numerous. La Crosse
was a thriving village and attracted those who desired to grow up with
a future metropolis, while the Black River country, with its timber, its
springs, and its open meadows, attracted those who were seeking farm
lands and rural homesteads. Among the arrivals of these years were J. D.
Olds, who had selected a claim in 1851 ; A. P. Webb, Patrick Drugan, Thomas
Drugan, Aaron Houghton, Joseph Gale, Patrick Lowry, Gilbert Gibbs, Oscar
Beardsley, Lewis Huttenhow, William Olds, Frank Feeney, Hiram Brown,
and others. Some settled in the village, others scattered back on the
prairie.
The real influx of population began in 1856. In this year the pioneer
mill of the county was erected. That spring, the Messrs. Bredenthal and
King,- with the determination of establishing a mill in the Black River
country, shipped some machinery to the mouth of that river, and made
inquiries at La Crosse as to a suitable location. Meeting J. M. Barrett,
they persuaded him to join them in their venture, and the three called on
S. D. Hastings, who was the La Crosse representative of the townsite
proprietors of Trempealeau. Mr. Hastings, in the name of his employers,
offered a free site for the new mill south of the village. At that time the
river was unusually high, and the location seemed a most suitable one. But
while it was in the progress of construction, the water subsided, and the
owners of the mill began to realize that their venture was not likely to prove
profitable. When they began to operate, these apprehensions were fully
verified. Access to the mill was diflScult, and the expense of hauling was
great. After a while the venture was abandoned, the mill was sold and
moved elsewhere, and of the proprietors, only Mr. Barrett remained in
Trempealeau.
But the mill was the cause of a rapid growth for the village. Property
advanced in value and importance. Many eastern people were at that
time seeking in the West opportunities for investment which they believed
would bring them large returns. The village was filled with new settlers,
houses, cabins and shanties were put up, and the incomers began to buy
land in all directions.
This demand created the utmost excitement, and the price of lots
appreciated so rapidly that no one was able to predict a possible value in
advance. In the spring, the most desirable lots could have been purchased
for from $40 to $50. In May, when the building of the mill was arranged
for, double this price was demanded, and when the mill was completed, as
high as $1,000 was refused for the same pieces of property that could not
have found a purchaser a year previous. As an instance, it may be stated
that while this scale of prices was maintained, $2,100 was offered for lots
on the river bank opposite what was afterward the Melchior Brewery, and
it was declined. They could not now be sold at anything like that figure.
76 HISTORY OF TREMPE.\LEAU COUNTY
Among the prominent arrivals for 1856, were 0. S. Bates, S. D.
Hastings and family, Noah Payne and family, W. T. Booker, J. H. Crossen,
J. P. Israel and family, S. F. Harris and family, Thomas Van Zant, William
Held, A. W. Hickox, C. W. Thomas, John Smith, Dennis Smith, D. W. Gil-
fillan, D. B. Phelps, C. C. Crane, and many others. The improvements
consisted in part of the mill and a large house adjoining for the accommo-
dation of hands employed therein ; the Congregational Church put up under
a contract with C. C. Crane, and numerous private buildings for residence
and commercial purposes. Gilfillan built a hotel. Hastings erected a resi-
dence opposite the public square. Robert Jones, a brick residence on Third
street, the first brick house in the village, and the Rev. Mr. Hayes put up a
frame house on the hill. In addition to Gilfillan's tavern, C. S. Seymour
was proprietor of the Trempealeau House, built in 1852, by A. A. Angell,
and Frederick Harth occupied the old log house of James Reed, as the
Washington Hotel. Jasper Kingsley maintained the only saloon in the
village, and the commercial and river interests were divided between J. P.
Israel, W. T. Booker, Mills & Van Zant and N. B. Grover.
J. A. Parker came in this year. He was the first lawyer in the village.
Dr. Alson Atwood also came in and built a house, and is claimed by some
as the first physician to settle in Trempealeau, though it is contended by
others that this honor legitimately belongs to Dr. E. R. Utter. Lafayette H.
Bunnell, who settled here in the forties, was not a physician until later in
life. Money was plenty, it is said, and times unprecedentedly prosperous.
Almost every steamer bore hither, as passengers, people who were out
prospecting, ready to avail themselves of any opportunity that presented
itself for purchase. The Fourth of July was celebrated with unusual
pomp, the Baptist Society was organized, and a terrible cyclone passed over
the village in August, doing great damage.
A pioneer, John H. Crosen, arriving in Trempealeau on November 13,
1856, has this to say of the village in those days : "There were three stores
on Front street, and a few frame residences, with here and there a log house.
Further back on Second and Third streets were other residences, perhaps
thirty all told, very much scattered. People were coming and going con-
stantly. Each boat brought a new crowd of prospective settlers, and took
away some that had looked the country over and gotten their fill, so to
speak, and had made up their minds to look elsewhere for locations. And
so it went, coming and going, hei-e today and gone tomorrow, although, of
course, some remained and became permanent settlers in the village.
"But the steamboat was not the only means of bringing people to
Trempealeau. Many came overland in covered wagons. During 1856-57
a number of caravans of settlers passed through here and were ferried
across the river to Minnesota, where they took the road leading up thi
Pickwick Valley onto the Minnesota prairie. I have seen the old ferry
owned by Wilson Johnson busy a week steady ferrying teams across the
river. This ferry was a horse tread power, and it carried many a prairie
schooner over the river.
"These long strings of covered wagons made a picturesque sight
winding along the road with their white tops showing against the greei
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 77
landscape, always reaching towards the west— the land of the setting sun—
and many of the occupants of these prairie schooners became the sturdy
pioneers of Minnesota.
"During the wheat times, Trempealeau was surely a lively place. I
have seen wagons loaded with wheat reaching from the loading dock down
Front street and part way up the hill, waiting for their turn to be unloaded
—a procession half a mile long, composed mostly of ox-teams, with a few
teams of horses. At night you would see fires out on Trempealeau Prairie
where the wheat haulers were camped for the night. Every idle man in
Trempealeau could find employment there loading wheat on the steam-
boats, and I have seen two and three boats loading at a time, and steamboat
men scouring the town for more help. The flush wheat times lasted until
a few years after the Civil War."
With the opening of the river in 1857, the hopes of the villagers ran
high. Every steamboat was bringing new arrivals, new buildings were
being erected, the prairie was being settled, the county was growing. But
In the midst of this busy activity came the financial crash, nation-wide in
its scope. Provisions became scarce and rapidly rose in price. Flour
jumped to $12 a barrel, pork to $10 a hundred pounds, and other commodi-
ties in proportion. Wild game became an important article of food, and
kept many of the settlers from starvation. Elk and deer, which even
at this late date were to be found herded in the brush of the bluffs, supplied
the absence of meat.
However, great faith was still maintained in the future of Trempealeau,
and many strangers attempted to take advantage of the situation to secure
land at a low price. But the people of Trempealeau, with dogged perse-
verance, stuck to the high prices that had been maintained during the
"boom" years. The result was that many desirable citizens who would
have located here and helped to build a metropolis, secured cheaper land in
La Crosse, Winona, Red Wing, St. Paul and other places, and the advantage
of their money and enthusiasm was lost to the little village in the shadow
of the mountain. This short-sighted pohcy, together with the money
stringency, retarded the growth of Trempealeau, and though with returning
prosperity, the village was an important shipping point until the coming
of the railroad, those who had demanded such high prices for their land
never saw their hopes realized, and values of village property gradually
declined.
Among those who settled here in 1857 were W. P. Heuston, R. W.
Russell, N. W. Allen, Harvey Bowles, F. A. Utter and others, including
Wilson Johnston, who established the first ferry from Trempealeau Village
to the Minnesota shore.
A good crop of wheat was raised in 1858, and much of it was purchased
at Trempealeau for shipment to various points down the river. Fully 1,000
bushels of wheat were shipped this year, and prosperity was revived. The
absence of railroads in the interior, and the fact that Trempealeau was the
most accessible point for the farmers of this region to merchant their
produce, brought the pioneer agriculturists here in such numbers that the
78 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
streets lining the river were often packed for hours with teamsters waitinp
for a chance to unload.
A later settler (Stephen Richmond) arriving September 8, 1870, a year
before the opening of the railroad, has said of the village :
"Its one main street extending along the river from Melchior's hotel
and brewery and Octave Batchelor's hotel, running east with the then
numerous warehouses and business places crowding close together, and
its neat homes nestling in sunshine on the hillsides and down to the foot of
the Trempealeau Bluffs which appeared as mountains of moderate elevation
— the town itself facing the Mississippi River, its streets filled with farmers
and lined with farm teams of one hundred or more, a majority of the teams
being oxen with wagons loaded with grain for the market, or with goods
and supplies for the farmers' homes ; and the most disconcerting and puz-
zling condition to me was the language spoken by many of the people —
languages with which I was not then familiar, many persons speaking the
German, the Polish, the Bohemian and Scandinavian, this talk being
coupled with the oddity of the dress of many and the general inter-social
manner of the people and their truly democratic manners and customs, no
notice appeared to be taken of dilTerence in nationality. Even the half-
breed and the Indian were kindly recognized. I counted 98 teams along
Main street loaded with grain, waiting for a turn to unload at the ware-
houses, then under the management of Solomon Becker, Christ Reimin-
schneider, and Paul Kribs."
The village trade increased in volume until the completion of the
railroad in August, 1871. Farmers came here with their wheat not only
from this county, but also from adjoining counties, and during the last few
years before 1871 it is said that the shipments sometimes averaged 5,000
bushels a day fi-om the opening of the harvest season until the closing of
the river in the early winter. A vast amount of money was thus put into
circulation.
The village, however, did not grow materially. A few stores were
put up, a few business houses opened, and a few residences constructed,
but the men who would have contributed so materially to its prosperity
had been frightened away by the high values at which the village proprie-
tors held their property. When the railroad from the east was completed
to La Crosse, Trempealeau's importance as a shipping point was increased,
and La Crosse grew rapidly. It was therefore felt that with the building
of the La Crosse, Trempealeau & Prescott Railroad, Trempealeau would
retain its standing as a steamboat point, and grow to great importance as
a railroad point. But when the railroad was put in operation it tapped
many points that had hitherto been tributary to Trempealeau, and the hopes
of the promoters were blasted forever.
In recent years, however, a group of active young business men of
another generation are making the village a busy and important little center
and the recent creation of Trempealeau Mountain as a State park has
revived its former importance.
The Black River Valley in Trempealeau County embraces the eastern
part of Caledonia Township, and Decorah Prairie in Gale Township. Tradi-
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY , 79
tion ascribes Indian village sites to Decorah and Red Bird, Winnebago chiefs,
in this immediate region. The first white settlers were sturdy Scotchmen.
Caledonia early received settlers in that portion lying along the Missis-
sippi adjacent to Trempealeau. James D. Olds was the first to take a claim
in that portion lying properly in the Black River Valley. He came to
Trempealeau on May 6, 1851, and walking out on Caledonia Prairie, selected
a claim in Section 7, in what is now Caledonia Township. He cut logs,
rolled them up for the body of a cabin, and marked out a claim, cutting the
name and date on the log.
The first man actually to settle in the locality was William Cram, who
started building a cabin south of the Olds claim, in May, 1852.
In 1853 came Joshua Rhodes, accompanied by William Hanson, who
lived with him for a while. During the same year came Rufus Comstock,
who settled on the claim of James D. Olds. The same year William Olds
came in and purchased William Cram's place. Alexander McGilvray, who
had reached Trempealeau in 1852, moved his family to the banks of the
Black River.
Bostwick Beardsley led the vanguard in 1854 by settling on Section 28.
There were numerous other arrivals about the same time. He found in
the neighborhood, John, Richard and William NichoUs, Charles Holmes,
B. B. Healy and Alexander McGilvray.
This year marked the opening of McGilvray ferry. The ferry was
started by Alexander McGilvray. In the summer of 1854, J. D. Olds pur-
chased property at the ford, and built a store and blacksmith shop, and
opened a farm.
From this settlement, the pioneers spread onto Decorah Prairie further
up the river, where a flourishing Scotch settlement was founded.
Beaver Creek Valley. According to Winnebago tradition, Joseph
Roque, a famous Indian guide and trapper, erected a cabin on Beaver Creek
near the present village of Galesville, possibly soon after the War of 1812.
His son, Augustin, likewise a guide and trapper, is said to have built a cabin
and spent a winter hunting in the same locality about 1820.
But to Americans Beaver Creek Valley was not opened for settlement
until after the purchase of the Indian rights to all this territory, in 1837,
and even then it was several years before an actual settlement took place.
James A. Reed, the first permanent settler in Trempealeau County,
hunted and trapped along Beaver Creek as far back as 1840, and in 1843, in
company with Willard Bunnell and Antoine Grignon, explored the head-
waters of the valley.
While the fur trade played an important role in the opening of Trempea-
leau County for settlement, but few of the trappers remained to till the soil
after the fur had been gathered, but pushed on westward to the unsubdued
wilderness.
The agriculturist who came to find a permanent home in the fertile
valleys of Trempealeau County was the natural successor of the fur trader,
for here there was no pinery to bring the lumberman, as in other portions
of the State.
The autumn of 1851 saw the first Beaver Creek settler arrive in the
80 HISTORY OF tre:\ipealeau county
person of Abram Trepena, who came up from Racine County to look for a
Homestead. Mr. Trepena came from Oswego, New York, to Racine in 1848,
and had resided in the southern part of the State since that time.
There was a vast amount of unoccupied land in this section in that
early day, and the homeseeker could take his choice of locations. After
looking over the country thoroughly Mr. Trepena finally selected a quarter-
section of land in the Beaver Creek Valley about a mile and a half southwest
of the present village of Galesville. He then returned to Racine and in the
fall of 1852 in company with his family and John Hess came north. They
drove two yoke of oxen and carried all of their household goods in two immi-
grant wagons. On the night of October 11 they arrived at their destination
and went into camp, but before they had hardly settled for the night a snow
storm of unusual severity came up and continued with unabated fury until
morning, and when the new settlers awoke they found the ground covered to
a depth of ten inches with freshly-fallen snow. This was indeed a wintry
greeting for the pioneers, but with dauntless courage they went to work and
arranged their camp for the winter; protecting it with wagon boxes, and
making as comfortable a home as a tent could afford.
In the spring the men began the construction of a log house which
was completed and occupied by the first of May. They also cleared and
broke eight acres of land, and the crop raised during the season indicated
the fertility of the Beaver Creek soil.
In 1853 Judge George Gale of La Crosse purchased about two thousand
acres of land, including the present location of Galesville, with the water
power on Beaver Creek ; and, in January, 1854, he procured from the state
legislature, the organization of the new county of Trempealeau, with the
location of the county seat at Galesville, and at the same time obtained a
charter for a university, to be located at that place. In June of the same
year the village plot of Galvesville was laid out, and subsequently the flour
mills were erected. A. H. Armstrong was the first man to put up a building
in the new village and Ryland Parker opened the first grocery store, keeping
it in conjunction with a hotel.
One of the first to settle in the township of Gale after Galesville was
conceived was B. F. Heuston, who had settled in Trempealeau in 1851.
During the winter of 1853 he moved into a house which he had built about
half a mile south of what afterward became the site of the county court-
house at Gale. In the fall of 1853, or early in 1854, Peter and George Uhle
settled in Crystal Valley, three miles from Galesville. John Dettinger also
settled near-by in that year.
Galesville grew rapidly, and in a short time new settlers were turning
their eyes to the upper Beaver Creek region. The land seekers were looking
for a farming section, and it is not strange that the rolling lands of this
fertile valley attracted their attention.
As early as May, 1855, John Cance settled in what is now the town
of Ettrick. Cance came from Glasgow, Scotland, to America in 1854, and
remained in Jersey City, N. J., a short time, when he decided to move west
to Freeport, 111. He remained in Freeport all winter, and in the spring
of 1855 he started for Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, and on May 25
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 81
arrived at Beaver Creek. His brother-in-law, Andrew C. Purvis came with
him, and the two men took up land and selected suitable building place
within a few days of their arrival.
In 1856 Charley White and Mike Cullity settled in the valley, and in
1857-58 Robert Cance and Alexander Cance arrived and located land adjoin-
ing their brother's farm. During the next few years Dan Kennedy, Thomas
Wall, John Mahony, Darby Whalen, John Lynch and James Corcoran joined
the Beaver Creek settlers.
The first settlers in what is now known as North Beaver Creek were
Iver Orianson (Torblaa) and Iver Knutson (Syse), who came in 1857.
In 1858 K. K. Hallanger, Amund Olsen, R. Richelson, Thomas and
Nels Herreid, Ole Skaar, Simon Nelson, T. R. Thompson, N. B. Henderson,
Lars Hanson, Ole Ellingson, Orians Torblaa, Ole Dale, Erick Tronsen and
Nels Oakland came. Anve Olsen, Arne Arneson, Torkel Gunderson and
Torkel Halderson came in 1859, and Knudt Hagestad in 1860.
The first settlers in the French Creek district were Peter A. Hogden,
John A. Hogden and Andrew A. Hogen, who came in 1859. Ole Gilbertson
came in 1860, and the same year Gilbert Nelson and Hans Johnson moved
into the South Beaver Creek region.
When a postoffice was established in the new settlement and John
Cance received the appointment of postmaster, he turned to his native land
for an appropriate name for the office. He was a great admirer of Scott's
works, and in Marmion introduction to canto second appears the following
couplet :
"The scenes are desert now and bare.
Where flourished once a forest fair,"
and again, further along in the same canto, mention is made of "pathless
Ettrick." According to a foot note in Marmion, Ettrick Forest was a
mountainous region anciently reserved for the pleasure of the royal chase.
The game preserve was known far and wide throughout Scotland as Ettrick
Forest or Ettrick. And so John Cance chose this ancient Scotch name for
the new postoffice, and when the town was organized at the first town
meeting held in Cance's residence April 17, 1863, the name Ettrick was
again chosen.
Settlers poured into the valley rapidly during the next ten years, and
though markets were distant, the slow, but sure, ox team hauled the farm
produce that brought a harvest of gold to the hardy pioneers.
L. L. Grinde of Galesville many years afterward recalled many inci-
dents of pioneer life in upper Beaver Creek, where he settled in the fall
of 1860. Speaking of that period, he said, "Many of the early settlers lived
in dug-outs — just holes burrowed in the side of a hill or bank, and they
remained in these cave dwellings until they were able to buikt log houses.
Often two families would work together on a log structure and when it
was completed would occupy it jointly until circumstances were such that
another log cabin could be built. Markets at that time were La Crosse,
Sparta and Trempealeau, and it took sevei'al days to make the round trip.
What was called speculator land could be bought in the valley then for five
82 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
dollars an acre, and there was still considerable government land which
could be taken by pre-emption."
Cornelius Lynch of Ettrick told of his first visit to Beaver Creek in
1859. "A number of settlers were living here then," said Lynch, "in their
log houses, but a comparatively small amount of land was being cultivated.
There was an abundance of game here at that time, such as deer, wolves
and bear and the prairie chickens, pigeons, native pheasants and quail."
Nora Cullity, who was born in Galesville September 22, 1855, and
reputed to be the first child born in Beaver Creek Valley related experiences
of the early settlers. Our nearest neighbors, she said, were John Cance and
Dan Kennedy, and neighbors were appreciated in the sparsely settled
country, for it was sometimes necessary for a family to borrow flour suflfi-
cient to last until they could get to the distant market. It was customary to
change work in the pioneer day, and people turned out to help at a house
or barn raising or in threshing time the men generally helped each other
and the women were as eager to lend a hand at the quilting bee.
"I have often heard mother tell of watching the wolves on the hills
through the chinks in the log house as she sat knitting by the fireside, and
their howl often broke the white silence of a wintry night with a startling
suddenness."
What changes have taken place in this valley in the last sixty years,
The dugout was soon obliterated and the log house that took its place,
though it stood for years, has long since faded into oblivion and made way
for the frame house, which in turn has been succeeded by the modern
pressed brick residence. There are some of the old-time frame houses left
in the valley, but no log cabin remains to mark the pioneer epoch — np log
school house lingers by the way. No savage war cry has echoed from
these hills since the days of Decorah, but of a summer evening one can
hear the farmer boy calling the cattle home, and the wildest sound in all
the broad valley is the bay of the watch dog.
The large valley, whose length is approximately thirty-five miles, has
some of the most progressive farmers in the state. One may find plenty
of farms with registered stock, and with modern dwelling houses that would
grace the residence section of any city, and then the splendid barns and
other farm buildings are in accord with the dwellings. And one will be
surprised with the equipment, which is the best that money can obtain, and
consists of electric lights, water works, sanitary feeding stalls, the silo and
all of the very best and latest farm machinery.
What early settler ever dreamed of all these modern improvements?
They had not even the shadow of a dream that approached the reality.
Looking over the names in this locahty one is struck with varied human
activities, remote and present, which they suggest : The trappers' paradise,
Beaver Creek, so named on account of abundance of beaver in its waters
in former times ; French Creek and Frenchville, names that point back to
the days of Rocque, the trapper and trader, who built a cabin near the
present Galesville in 1820 ; Iduna, a name taken from one of the characters
in Norse mythology; Ettrick, the ancient Scotch name, and Hegg, which
brings to mind the fame of our state in the Civil War ; Galesville, which
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 83
suggests the sturdy character of that man whose brain felt into the future ;
the sentinel peak, Decorah, named from an Indian chief with a corrupted
French name.
Over a century ago the Winnebago and Dakotas divided hunting ground
in the Beaver Creek territory. A century has fled since Decorah stood on
his famous peak and watched his braves battle with the Chippewa, and
sixty-one years have passed since John Cance came into the valley and
built his log cabin, thatching the roof with wild grass so that it resembled
the low thatched cottages of far away Scotland.
In the years to come no period of American history will be filled with
more romance and hardy adventure than the heroic pioneer age, nor fraught
with greater interest, for on this rough hewn foundation our national
character has been developed.
Frenchville had its first store in 1867, when Iver Federson and Ole
Scow came from Coon Valley, La Crosse County, and opened a general
mercantile establishment. In 1870 Mr. Federson sold out to Mrs. Ole Scow
and moved to Ettrick.
Ettrick had its first store in 1870, when Iver Federson came here from
Frenchville. Seven years later he laid out the village plot of Ettrick, and
thenceforth this Beaver Creek settlement took its place among the progres-
sive Trempealeau County villages. Mr. Federson's enterprise and business
capacity were soon revealed in the growth of the new village. As new
methods were advanced he adopted them, and before many years had
elapsed his business eye saw the need of a flour mill in Ettrick. With
characteristic energy, he turned his attention to this new industry, and
in 1884 completed a flouring mill having a capacity of seventy-five barrels
per day. He was also instrumental in establishing the woolen mills and
creamery at Ettrick and was one of the promoters of the Ettrick Bank, of
which institution he was president.
Ettrick and the upper Beaver Creek country, though somewhat distant
from a railway, has made its disadvantage its opportunity, and instead of
hauling large quantities of grain to market, the dairy feature of farming
was developed to a high degree, and produce from this source proved to
be not only more profitable, but much more conveniently handled than bulky
grain, potatoes and hay.
Galesville was founded by Judge George Gale, jurist, educator and
author. Unable to enthuse the people of La Crosse with the idea of securing
for that place an institution of higher learning, he determined to establish
somewhere in the vicinity a university city. After looking about for a
while, he selected a beautiful spot in the Beaver Creek most admirably
suited to his purpose. Here, amid a picturesque stretch of hill and dale,
lay two tables or plateaus, separated by a wide depression or flat, and
watered by the meandering course of the creek, whose gorge-like bed seemed
especially designed for the building of a dam and the creation of an artificial
lake. The land was unsettled and cheap, and Judge Gale had no difficulty
in securing 2,000 acres in the vicinity of his chosen site.
His duties at La Crosse prevented his moving at once to his new
possessions, so in 1854 he sent Augustus H. Armstrong to start operations
84 HISTORY OF TREiVIPEALEAU COUNTY
in inaugurating the future village. Mr. Armstrong erected a residence on
what is now known as the lower or courthouse table, and as soon as the
weather of the late spring permitted, superintended the construction of a
mill and dam, the stone and the timber being obtained from the gorge itself.
Dr. William M. Young, a brother of Mrs. Gale, arrived a short time
later, followed by Michael Cullity, who erected a shanty on the lower table
on the south side of what is now Allen street, between Ridge and Main
streets. An interesting example of conditions in those days is seen in the
fact that Dr. Young and Mr. Cullity started out at sunrise to obtain the
material for this shanty, and before night had it ready for occupancy by
the Cullity family. Ryland Parker opened a small store east of the south-
east corner of the public square on the present site of the Bank of Galesville.
He started a hotel on the corner of Main and Allen streets, lot 2, block 3,
original plat. Captain Finch started a home northeast of the northeast
corner of the public square, but later sold out to Captain Alexander A.
Arnold. Work on the mill progressed slowly. The dam proved inadequate
and the harnessed waters soon broke their bonds. Judge Gale therefore
secured the services of William 0. Clark as builder and Ebenezer Batchelder
as millwright, and under their auspices the dam was repaired and sawing
started. The grist mill, obtaining power from the same dam, was not
put into operation until later.
While the lower table, now the business district, was thus the scene
of pioneer activity in 1854, the upper table, now the residence district,
was receiving its first settlers. Isaac Clark established his home near the
west end of what is now the north side of Clark street, and John French
located on the west side of what is now French street. A Mr. Crawford
came in about the same time, accompanied by his sister, and lived here a
while in their pioneer wagon. The sister was a strong-minded woman, a
follower of Lucy Stone, and wore a bloomer suit instead of the conven-
tional feminine attire, thus provoking much satirical and sometimes cruel
comment on the part of the other settlers. A. R. Wyman ei'ected a house
on the upper table, but later moved onto a farm, leaving his original home
to be used for many years as a boarding house for university students.
The village was platted on both tables April 22, 1854.
The population of both tables probably did not number thirty people
on New Year's Day, 1855. A few settlers arrived during that year. Early
in 1856 J. W. Armstrong, then registrar of deeds, occupied a house on
Ridge street ; Ryland Parker was a merchant on the corner of Allen street
and the square; Daniel McKeith had a primitive home; WiUiam P. Clark
was engaged with Judge George Gale and Ebenezer Batchelder in building
a grist mill and operating a sawmill ; Franklin Gilbert resided down on the
flats upon what afterward became Mill street; A. R. W^mian resided on
Ridge street ; Isaac Clark on Clark street, and J. C. French on French street.
The hotel, of which Ellsworth was landlord, corner of Allen and Main streets.
was finished, and in the full flush of success. The improvements completed
included among others the courthouse and a schoolhouse. The schoolhouse
was on the site of the present high school. The courthouse was still standing
as a west part of the building north of the west corner of the public square.
HISTORY OF TREMPEx\LEAU COUNTY 85
Later in the year the village saw a considerable growth. J. W. Canter-
bury opened the first blacksmith shop. C. E. Perkins, afterward a promi-
nent county officer, erected a residence on Free street ; W. H. Wyman on
Elizabeth street ; George W. Swift on Clark street ; R. B. Cooper on Ridge
street, and G. H. Burnham on Allen street. C. C. Averill, Nathaniel Stearns,
who had been to Gales.ville in 1855, and George W. Stearns located here, and
the latter two moved into the Armstrong house on Allen street. The Rev.
D. D. Van Slyke, organizer of the Methodist church in the village, also
built a house. Captain Bartlet completed a house in which the postoffice
was this year opened, with Dr. William M. Young as postmaster. Several
of the pioneer shanties were replaced with frame houses.
With this beginning, the village experienced a quick growth, enjoying
a heyday of prosperity until the close of the Civil War. The panic of 1857
apparently did not retard the progress. In 1859 an attempt was made to
transfer some of the business from the lower to the upper table. J. M.
Dodge built a store on Ridge street and soon sold to R. A. Odell, who con-
ducted it for several years. This was the only store ever started on the
upper table.
Work on Gale College, on the upper table, was started in 1858, the
preparatory department opened in the courthouse in the summer of 1859
and the collegiate department opened in the fall of 1861. The first county
fair was held in the fall of 1859. The Galesville Transcript was established
in 1860.
During this period of prosperity many houses were erected, several
church societies perfected their organizations, and the Rev. John Frothing-
ham, first Presbyterian minister to be settled in the county, took charge
of his work.
. On June 2, 1866, the dam went out, and destruction and desolation
marked the rush of waters. The hotel on the flat, put up in 1857 ; the saw
and grist mills and other improvements were swept away in an hour,
entailing a loss of not less than $10,000. The next spring Webster Davis
purchased the water power privileges and the debris left by the flood, and
began the construction of a new dam and mill on the present site several
rods above the old location.
Of Galesville, in the fall of 1870, Stephen Richmond has said:
"It was a beautiful, thriving and famed little city, nestling in the
shade of the mighty cliff, which then as now, forms the east bank of Beaver
Creek, under the shadow of which towered the granite walls of the Davis
Flouring Mill, the whir and busy trundle of which bespoke an active
industry. Galesville University stood near the western boundary or out-
skirts of the village after the fashion of southern colleges and was then
a flourishing school under the presidency of Professor Gilliland and a corps
of strong, active teachers. The public square in the center of the business
part of the village on the lower table was also a reminder of southern cities
and villages, on the north side of which stood the courthouse, the remainder
of the square being built about by business places, all active with bustle
and an air of successful local commerce, presenting a scene and fixing in
my memory a very pleasant remembrance of that day, then bespeaking
86 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
the intelligence, business ability and financial foresight of a community of
people able to cope successfully with all municipal problems. It was a sight
not to be in all the years since effaced from my memory.
"On the day of which I try to sketch my mental picture, the public
square, the streets, and along the bank of the creek were many teams
from the country, and many of the active, hardy, intelligent fai'mers, their
wives and children, who were tributary to Galesville, as their market place,
were present. Good order was manifest everywhere, and the democracy
of which so many have spoken and written was surely there. Away to
the north spread in a sheen of golden ripple lay the Davis mill pond looking
in all respects like a lake formed by the handiwork of Providence, whil
to the southwest could be seen the mighty bluffs and rugged hills in Minne-
sota ranged along the western side of the Mississippi River. Every line
of local municipal activity now present in, and the boast of modern days,
appeared to be actively and intelligently represented. The ragged edge of
the frontier town and the far-western outpost were absent, and there was
an air of permanency, tradition and stability usually lacking in new towns."
Trempealeau Prairie lies in the southern part of Trempealeau County,
about fifteen miles long and from three to five miles wide. Over this
prairie all the early settlers of the county hauled their grain to market.
There were three main routes from the Trempealeau Valley after the ridge
was crossed. The Beaver Creek Valley and the Tamarack Valley route
joins at Centerville, then called Martin's Corners. The Pine Creek route
reached the prairie at Wright's Corners. After the hills, sloughs and log
ways were passed, the early settlers were assured of a safe, steady passage
to Trempealeau, situated on the south edge of the prairie on the Mississippi
River, then the great highway of commerce.
Settlers began to locate on the prairie surrounding Trempealeau at
an early date. Their story has been told in connection with the history
of the village. Not long afterward a populous settlement sprang up a+
what is known as West Prairie. The first permanent settler on West Prairie
was HoUister Wright, who located in 1853 at what was afterward known
as Wright's Corners. He bought out an earlier claimant who had selected
a location and planted potatoes. It is said that Wright was walking over
the prairie, met a man digging potatoes, and bought him out after a five-
minute conversation. In 1854 came W. A. Cram, D. A. Segar, 0. Whitcomb
and William Lee. These four, with Wright, all had their crops harvested
when D. 0. Van Slyke arrived in November of that year.
About 1855 settlers came in large numbers, mostly i/i wagon trains
drawn by oxen. They crossed Black River at McGilvray's Ferry on a flat
boat propelled by poles and held in place by a rope stretched from one bank
to the other. The oxen were often the cause of a great deal of trouble,
for, after being turned loose on the prairie at night to feed, it often took
all the forenoon to round them up ready to move on.
On the east bank of the Trempealeau settled Isaac Nash, who, with
his large family, were well adapted to a new country, because they were
versed in the use of the natural resources of the land. From the woods
they secured logs for a house and fuel for their stove, while the river
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 87
abounded in fish and the land in small game. With the family came Jacob
Holbrook, also a man of resource. With an ax and auger he could fashion
a bob-sled or an ax-yoke. He operated the first miU and made sorgum syrup.
Among the first settlers were Avery Wellington (he was called "Duke,"
and the street on which he lived bears that name), William Burns, Seba
Atwood and Amos Whiting, educator and leader in pubhc affairs. One
of the interesting characters of the time was Dow Ladd, a down-east
Yankee, who served as justice of the peace. He was full of whims, and a
bitter feud existed between him and the boys of the neighborhood, who
often raided his melon patch and annoyed him in other ways.
John Gillies and family, Alex Stevens and family, and John and George
Brewin arrived in June, 1855, and settled on South Prairie. No lumber
could be obtained at Trempealeau, and John GiUies and Alex McGilvray
went to Douglass Mill, near Melrose, and rafted timber down to McGilvray's
Ferry, whence it was carted to the prairie.
Many others came this year and the years immediately following, and
the prairie was soon thickly settled.
The early settlers were for the most part New Englanders, and, coming
from a hilly and rocky country, were attracted by the easy turning of the
soil and its quick production.
Often on Sunday evenings the people gathered at some home for kindly
greeting and mutual comfort. By common impulse their thoughts turned
to far-off New England, with its religious atmosphere, and as their
memories lingered on the familiar scenes and places of the past, there floated
out on the evening air the hymns and songs of other days — to the boys
and girls evenings never to be forgotten.
The first schoolhouse on what is known as West Prairie was built east
of the present brick structure as the result of the work of Amos Whiting.
The building was later replaced on the present site by a large building
which more recently gave place to the brick structure. A Union Sunday
school has been held there almost continuously since 1858.
In 1863 a cemetery was laid out on the corner of the farm of I. D.
Carhart, under the direction of Amos Whiting, whose daughter was the
first to be buried there. The land was given by Mr. Carhart. The cemetery
in charge of an association, has been several times enlarged and is now
permanently fenced. An artistic pagoda has been erected and a permanent
fund provided for its maintenance.
From Trempealeau Prairie the settlers gradually penetrated the Little
and Big Tamarack, and slowly working up that valley, settled in Holcomb
Cooley, Thompson Valley, Norway Cooley, and in numerous other branching
cooleys and valleys.
Dodge was settled in the middle fifties from Trempealeau, Trempealeau
Prairie and the Tamarack Valley. The poi'tion first settled was that lying
tributary to Tamarack Valley and that lying in the Trempealeau River
flats and small cooleys adjacent to West Prairie. In 1855 Martin Whistler
crossed Whistler Pass and settled in the Pine Creek Valley, and within
a year Ichabod Wood had settled in section 14. Other early English and
American settlers in the vicinity of Whistler Pass were John L. Sanderson,
88 HISTORY OF TKEjMPEALEAU COUNTY
Almon A. Johnson, Joseph Utter and Charles Keith. The first Polish settler
in Dodge was Michael Chisin, of Winona, who, in the spring of 1862, settled
on the abandoned claim of John Banner.
It was probably about 1862 when the PoUsh people began to settle in
Pine Creek. They were induced to locate here by John Schmangle, a man
who spoke English, German and Polish. The first six families were those
of Paul Libera, Paul Leishman, Paul Rudnick, Joseph Zabrinsky, Anton
Zabrinsky and Felix Kamarowski. These Polish families were living in
the valley when Mathias Brom, a native of Bohemia, settled there in 1863.
In 1863 there were no improved roads into Pine Creek. The market
points were Trempealeau Village and Fountain City all the year around,
and Winona when the river was frozen. With no improved road over the
ridge communication with Arcadia was most difficult.
A mill was built on Pine Creek in the sixties. It was washed out by
a flood in 1872 and was not rebuilt.
The fii'st German settler in the Trempealeau Valley in Dodge township
was George F. Staflin, who settled in section 11, east of the present village,
on March 10, 1857. About the same time came Casper Walwand, the first
settler in the immediate vicinity of the present village.
Above Dodge one of the first settlers was John Latsch, afterward a
prominent wholesale grocer of Winona. He came here in 1856 and settled
near a creek at the mouth of the valley that now bears his name. In 1865
Frank Pellowski settled in the same valley, and in the next five years there
arrived so many settlers from Hungary that the valley came to be called
Hungary Valley. The name of Latsch Valley is being gradually resumed,
especially for that part of the valley near its mouth."
Arcadia, the first settlement in the Trempealeau Valley above Trem-
pealeau Prairie, had its beginning in 1855. Soon after the Indians relin-
quished their rights to this region, in 1837, James Reed, the first perma-
nent settler of Trempealeau County, made several journeys up the Ti-em-
pealeau River in search of furs. The Bunnells, Willard B. and Lafayette
H., came to Trempealeau in 1842. Willard B. Bunnell hunted and trapped
on some of the tributaries of the Trempealeau in the autumn of the same
year, naming Elk and Pigeon creeks because of his successful hunts there-
upon. In the autumn of 1843 the two brothers Bunnell, in company with
Thomas A. Holmes and William Smothers, ascended the Trempealeau as
far as the present village of Independence, where the party camped and
spent several days hunting elk in the surrounding country.
The valley had been a favorite hunting ground of the Indians long
before the coming of white hunters, and tradition concerns itself with some
of the principal landmarks, such as Barn Bluff ; but the occasional hunters
and trappers who penetrated into the interior, enjoying their wild life of
adventure, had no purpose to settle the country, and little dreamed the
low marshy grounds along the Trempealeau River would ever afford a site
for a village such as Arcadia is at the present day.
When the first settlers arrived at Arcadia they found a defense of
breastworks, proving that some time soldiers had visited the place. The
apparent age of the excavations at that time indicated they had been built
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 89
several years before. Julius Hensel, a veteran of the War of Secession
and an early settler in Ai-cadia, reports that the Indians claimed that a
company of soldiers came up the valley shortly after the Black Hawk War,
and near the present village of Arcadia met a band of Indians. No hostilities
occurred, but the soldiers deemed it prudent to be prepared in case any
evidence of enmity on the part of the tribesmen should be shown, and
therefore erected breastworks. Where the soldiers were going or what their
mission may have been has never been ascertained, and any effort to gain
more information concerning their movements has thus far been futile.
The first permanent settlement of Arcadia came about in the autumn
of 1855, when four men came up from southern Wisconsin by way of La
Crosse, with a drove of cattle. They crossed the Black River at McGilvray's
Ferry and made their way across country to Fountain City. The few people
they met had much to say of the Trempealeau Valley, a region as yet little
frequented except by hunters and trappers.
These men were Colhns Bishop, George Dewey, George Shelley and
James Broughton. Having reached Fountain City and disposed of their
stock, they started out one bright autumn morning to see for themselves
whether the Trempealeau Valley was a suitable location for their future
homes, for they were actuated by no other motive than home-building.
They had lived for several years previous to this time in Dodge County,
where the stone was so numerous in the fields that the only sales of land
were made when the snow was deep. They spent so much time in looking
over the country as they came along that they only got as far as George
Cowie's that day, where they stayed all night, and the next morning resumed
their journey to the river. Arriving there, they drew cuts to see who
should cross and find a suitable fording place. This was soon found, and
they crossed the river near the site of the present bridge. For several years
all the travel to Fountain City was through this ford.
After passing through the river they followed an Indian trail east to
the table land over nearly the same ground now occupied by Main street.
Upon reaching the hill they looked around for some mark to indicate a
section corner, and about a half mile due east from there saw two burr oak
trees standing close together.
These trees were at that time about six inches in diameter at their
base, and proved to be witness trees, or, as the pioneers sometimes called
them, "bearing trees," so the settlers had no difficulty in establishing
section lines with these for a starting point. They located four homesteads,
now owned by W. E. Bishop, George Schmidt, J. I. Dewey and M. N.
Lehnerts, respectively.
The settlers returned to Mr. Cowie's for the night, and the next day
came back and completed their preparations for entering the land, and
picked out building spots. They were well satisfied with the appearance
of the soil, and while the distant hillsides were covered with brush through
which a team could make its way anywhere, they did not doubt that when
prairie fires were no longer allowed to run, there would be a sufl[icient growth
of timber for all their needs. The manner of choosing those homesteads
was so unique that a brief mention may be of interest.
90 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
They agreed to draw cuts for choice of quarter-sections, and the man
A'ho had first choice paid $100 into a common fund, the second paid $90, the
third $75, and the fourth $60, and then the whole amount was divided
equally between them.
They returned to Fountain City, and late the same autumn Collins
Bishop hired James Broughton and a Mr. Davis to build a house on his land.
They erected this near the bearing trees, using logs mostly, and boards
for the roof. This was the first house built in Arcadia, and some of the
boards are still doing service in a barn on the place, built a few years later.
One of the trees was used for firewood the following winter when the
snow fell to the depth of four feet on the level, but the other still stands,
having now a circumference of twelve feet at its base, and is a fitting emblem
of the lives and character of the pioneers who first reposed beneath its
branches.
The next spring Collins Bishop took possession of his new home and
broke several acres of land, which he planted to corn and potatoes.
In 1856 the settlers petitioned the county board that Preston township
be divided and a new town formed. Then it became necessary to decide
upon a name. Hitherto the neighborhood had been known either as Bishop's
Settlement, in honor of its founder, or as Barntown, on account of the
number of barns erected by the early settlers. The petition regarding the
formation of a new town was granted, and so, one winter day, the pioneer
neighbors met at Bishop's cabin to name the town. The families repre-
sented were those of James Broughton, George Shelly, David Bishop, Collins
Bishop, Mrs. Annie B. Bishop, Jessie Penny and Noah D. Comstock. To
the women was accorded the privilege of selecting the name. Mi's. David
Bishop, afterward Mrs. Chai'les Mercer, offei-ed the name of Arcadia, which
had been suggested by Noah D. Comstock.
Mr. Comstock was a man of varied experience and possessed a broad
and practical mind. He had crossed the continent in quest of gold in the
excitement of the days of "Forty-Nine," but he saw in the quiet valleys
of Arcadia a richer promise of gold than in the mountain regions of Cali-
fornia. As he gazed on the numerous ranges of hills and the nestling
valleys, he was thrilled with the grandeur of the scene. Its pastoral beauty
appealed to him, and he saw the agi'icultural possibilities of the rough land
and thought of the rugged mountain region in faraway Greece, the old home
of the Arcadian peasants, who led a life of simple contentment amidst their
wild surroundings. From Mr. Bishop's window the pioneers looked out
on the New Arcadia, and on their way homeward admired with a new
pleasure the scenes of their daily life. Rising above the low range of hills
that skii-t the western horizon was "Barn Bluff," its clear-cut sides white
with snow and with the little round peak contrasting sharply with the
smooth contour of the distant hills. Toward the southeast rose "Noah's
Bluff," and in every direction were ranges of hills encircling the lower
basin, where stood the new-born town. And in among those hills were
valleys, indented nooks and cooleys, with here and there a flat table land.
Winding along among the low bushy bottom lands was the Trempealeau
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 91
Eiver, draining the broad fertile valley that as yet was scarcely disturbed
by the hand of man.
Until this time it had been known as Bishop's Settlement. In 1857
Daniel C. Dewey and Dr. I. A. Briggs moved to Arcadia. The good doctor
not only attended to his medical practice, but found time to cultivate more
or less land, and one summer, a few years later, it was noised around that
he had a fine watermelon patch. They were not all old settlers in Arcadia
by this time, and some of the young settlers started out one pleasant after-
noon to investigate the truth of the report, supposing the doctor to be far
away. They had no difficulty in finding the melons, but, unless all signs
failed, there were no ripe ones. Just at the moment when they were
busiest thumping on the melons and hunting for one that might do, they
were startled by a slight sound from the fence alongside the patch. They
looked up to see the doctor's blue eyes beaming on them in kindly humor as
he said, "Well, well, boys, better wait till they are a little riper."
In the spring of 1857 George Shelley began keeping store at his home
on the present site of the George Schmidt residence. The first town meeting
was held this spring, and Collins Bishop was elected chairman. The school
system of Arcadia dates back to 1857 when District No. 1 of the town
of Arcadia was established and Sarah MacMaster installed as teacher.
The schoolhouse, which afterwards occupied three or four different sites
and was used in turn as courthouse, printing office, feed mill and dwelling
house, was originally located just across the street from John Danuser's
residence in East Arcadia. It was built by James Warren, with lumber
rafted down the river to Fountain City and hauled from there with ox
teams. But such lumber can scarcely be found today.
Two-by-fours were two inches by four inches, and generally a little
more, and the builders had the privilege of throwing out any board found
having a knot in it. The next year Albro C. Matterson started a blacksmith
shop, and near it stood a frame for shoeing oxen.
In 1860 Dr. Briggs and David Massuere undertook to build a flouring
mill, but on account of the Civil War breaking out, were unable to complete
it until five years later. In the meantime it was used as a residence until
1865, when the machinery was installed, and the settlers were no longer
obliged to make the long trips to Trempealeau or Pickwick for flour. The
same year Gay T. Storm erected a store with lumber hauled from Trem-
pealeau, and two or three years later built a brick store building, which
still stands. That fall D. C. Dewey, with Dr. Isaac Briggs, opened a store
at Dewey's Corners, now called Old Arcadia.
Up to the outbreak of the war the arrivals, while not by any means
unusually large, were fairly numerous and were composed of a superior
class. With the advent of that calamity immigration entirely ceased. From
1860 to 1867 times were dull and little improvement of anj^ kind was under-
taken. During the war the Federal Congress passed a Homestead Bill that
attracted a large foreign element which was distributed over the country
tributory to the village, and furnished the means of developing the agri-
cultural resources of the vicinity to a wonderful extent. From 1867 times
began to improve, and considerable progress was made in all lines, increasing
92 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
with each year and culminating in 1873 with the completion of the Green
Bay & Minnesota Railroad. The lower town was built up at once, and many
buildings from the upper town or "Old Arcadia" were removed to the new
location.
In looking over the Arcadia of today, we see the dreams of the pioneers
more than realized. Since the day they waded the river and looked for
the first time on the Trempealeau Valley, Arcadia has changed from a
favorite hunting ground of the Indian to a productive agricultural land;
from the home of wild fowl to a populous community, where instead of
hills and valleys in a wild state of nature, we have all the evidences of an
advanced civilization which is doing its part to "make two blades of grass
grow where one grew before."
Bishop's Settlement became the center for travelers looking for land,
and in time the valleys leading into Trempealeau Valley received their first
settlers.
Burnside was first settled in 1856. Located as it was at the mouth
of Elk Creek (Pleasant) Valley, it was a natural center, and its bottom
lands near the junction of Elk Creek and Trempealeau River presented an
attractive site. The first settlers were members of the Markham family.
The story is told in full elsewhere.
Hale. The first settler in Pleasant valley above Burnside was George
Hale, the pioneer of the township that now bears his name. He came in
1858 and settled nine miles up Elk Creek. Other early families in Hale
were: Allen, Barry, Bruce, Christianson, Donley, ElUs, Heath, Mallery,
Maloney, Lockman, Michaels, McFarlin, Olson, Scott, Spaulding, Lally,
Smith, Stewart, Tull, Teller, Tallman, Van Tassel and Weeks.
Chimney Rock Township, owing to the nature of its surface was not
settled until after the other townships in the county. The first permanent
settler was Daniel Borst, who brought his family here in 1865. About the
same time Hans Herbjornson settled in Bennett Valley. He was followjid
by Austin Gunderson, Halvor Austinson, Aslak Torgerson and Gudmund
Knudson, all of whom settled in the same valley. A few years later there
came an influx of Scandinavian settlers, until the township is now almost
entirely peopled by that nationahty.
Lincoln Township was settled in 1856 by men who came down the
Trempealeau Valley from older parts of the state, men for the most part
of English or New England birth. The first were Deacon Alvah Wood,
Moses Ingalls and his two sons, Moses D. and Francis W., and Hiram and
Albert Stratton.
The Galesville Transcript of September 28, 1860, describes a visit to
these pioneers. The first house encountered in the valley after coming up
over the ridge from French Creek was that of Henry Lake, the pioneer
of Lake Cooley. Lake had arrived from Walworth County New York, in
1855 with 100 head of cattle. In 1860 he already had a large farm, with
130 acres of small grain, 80 acres of clover and 14 acres of peas. He had
adopted the plan of sowing timothy with his small grain and thus had
pasturage for his stock just at the time the prairie grass failed in the
fall. In section 7, Preston, was S. S. Rice, who likewise had a fine farm.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 93
Then came the farms of James Hopkins and Wessel Lowe, in sections 6
and 7, Preston. Wilham Van Sickle was near-by in section 31, Preston.
D. W. Wade was in section 36, Lincoln Township. Next down the Trem-
pealeau Valley, in section 25, Lincoln, was Deacon Alvah Wood, upon
whose farm was one of the first pieces of land cultivated in this region.
A few farms had been opened between the Deacon Wood farm and the
home of A. L. Sherwood, in section 21. Mr. Sherwood, whose home was
on the bank of the Trempealeau, had beautified his place with a fine lawn
shaded with many native trees. Not far away was Hiram Stratton, in
section 15, and E. F. Wade, in section 28. Near-by, too, was the home of
Frank W. and Moses D. Ingalls and their venerable father. Rev. Moses
Ingalls. On the farm was a good field of sorghum, a good acreage of potatoes,
a field of large onions, and many roses and other flowers. The people of
the valley were doing their trading at Sparta, owing to the fact that there
was no good wagon road to Galesville, Trempealeau, La Crosse or Fountain
City. A little later, when the roads were improved, Trempealeau became
the shipping and trading point for these pioneers.
Whitehall was started in 1860 or 1861 in the locality now known as
Old Whitehall, about a mile from the present village, by Ole Knudtson. His
biography in the custody of the Trempealeau County Historical Society
states that he was born in Norway in 1819, came to Chicago in 1844, located
at Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois, four months later, and in 1859
settled at Mineral Springs in Jackson County. He came to Whitehall June
25, 1860, and opened a hotel and blacksmith shop.
The proprietors of the town site were Benjamin Wing and
Georges. The plat was recorded May 23, 1862.
Soon after the village was started some 200 Indians camped along the
flats in the vicinity, and Georges did a flourishing business selling them
whiskey. To prevent this, Mr. Knudtson bought him out, on condition
that he leave the region.
Of the origin of Whitehall, the Galesville Transcript of September 13,
1861, says:
"The people of Trempealeau Valley in the vicinity of Pigeon Valley
have long felt the need of a market for their wheat and a business center
in their midst. To this end they are now engaged in erecting a new village
and making the waters of the Trempealeau River serviceable in carrying
off their produce to the Mississippi. Last week a meeting was called by
the citizens to enquire into the practicability of making use of the river for
flatboats, and the opinion was confidently expressed by those acquainted
with the stream that by laying out $1,000 in removing obsti'uctions, boats
carrying from 15 to 30 tons could be made to run the river. A committee
of three was appointed to examine the river and report. If their report
is favoi'able, it is proposed to organize a company, obtain a charter, and
raise funds for clearing the channel.
"The site of the new town (which has received the name of Whitehall)
is on the bank of Pigeon Creek, one half mile from its confluence with the
Trempealeau. As respects its situation for building a town, it cannot be
94 HISTORY OF TKEMPEALEAU COUNTY
surpassed. It contains within its limits an excellent waterpower. Arrange-
ments are to be made for the erection of a gi-ist mill early next season.
"Mr. Knudtson has nearly completed his new dwelling — the first in
the place. He is a blacksmith by trade, and is now situated to look after
the wants of the people in this line. Messrs. Wing and Georges, proprietors
of the town site, are building a store. It will be completed and filled with
goods before winter. They have the assurance that several families will
come to settle in the place next spring. They are selling lots on very reason-
able terms to those who intend to build on them."
Pigeon Township lies largely in Pigeon Valley, branching from the
Trempealeau Valley near Whitehall. It was first settled about 1860 or
1861 by Edwin Cummings, who located in section 19. Joshua D. South-
worth was the second. In 1863 came Phineas Wright, who opened the mill
at Coral City. At this point a flourishing village sprang up.
The vanguard of the sturdy Scandinavian element which now peoples
the valley arrived in 1864 in the persons of Ole Anderson Aga and Hans
Ole Nielson, who came with ox teams from Dane County.
Preston Township was settled in 1855. There were two distinct groups,
one group consisting of men of some means from the Eastern States, and
the other group consisting of a Scandinavian colony from older Wisconsin
counties. Among the Americans were Ebenezer Thurston, Robert Thomp-
son, E. M. Reynolds, John B. Dunning, Simon S. Rice, John Hopkins and
others. Richard Porter, by some believed to have been the first settler in
the township, died a few weeks after his arrival, before his cabin was
erected, as a result, it is said, of an encounter with a band of wolves. In
the Scandinavian colony were GuUick Olson, Sivert Johnson, Lars Olson,
Bjorgo Olson, Sigbjurne EUickson, Peder Pederson, Gullick A. Storlee, Bengt
Danielson, Nels Halverson, Jacob Tenneson and others. Family traditions
and family Bibles differ considerably as to the date of the arrival of these
pioneers. Some place Gullick Olson's arrival the year previous, and give
him the credit of being the first settler. Others declare that Sivert Johnson
and not Gullick Olson was the one who arrived in 1854.
Albion, lying in the Beef River Valley, was settled in 1856, in which
year William Moon, Burden Cross, David Chase and A. U. Gibson arrived
with their families. Moon, Cross and Chase settled in the eastern part of
the township, south of the Beef River, in the vicinity of what afterward
was known as Hamlin. Gibson settled some three miles back from the river
in the western part of the township adjoining what afterward became the
village of Norden. Preparations were at once made for the coming winter.
On July 3 Moon broke the virgin soil, put in potatoes the following day,
and in the fall gathered a fair quantity, the first crop in the township.
The experience of the Gibsons is a typical one. The family arrived
October 7, 1856, from Argyle, Lafayette County, where Mr. Gibson had
settled in 1839, and where he had gained a thorough knowledge of coping
with the difficulties of pioneer life. Upon coming to Albion with their yoke
of oxen, their goods and their stock, the family set to work erecting a home.
It was made of tamarack logs, chinked on the inside with moss from near-by
swamps and sodded over from the ground up. There was no floor and no
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 9i>
windows, and only one room. A little wild grass was cut for hay, but
after being dried proved inadequate for feeding purposes. While planning
their life here the Gibsons had shipped a great quantity of flour, pork, beans
and other provisions from Galena to Fountain City. But before these provi-
sions could be moved to the cabin home the winter came on, a winter more
severe than has since been experienced. Snow started to fall on November
7, 1856, and continued for three days and three nights. When the calm
came at last the snow lay seven feet deep on the level and was heaped in
great drifts against the hillsides and in the valleys.
The Gibsons, thus shut off from the rest of the world, were miles from
their neighbors. To the north, five miles in Eau Claire County, was the
Gunn family. To the west, in Buff'alo County, Mondovi was seven miles
away, and the family of George Rosman was the only one to be found on
the trail. Sam Cook, of Dover, ten miles away, was the nearest neighbor
to the south. Five miles to the east were the three families at Hamhn.
The Gibson family nearly starved, and all of their stock except the
oxen died. The family was kept alive by purchasing a few bushels of seed
wheat from the Moon family at Hamlin, carting it five miles over the crust
on a hand-sled, and grinding it in a coffee-mill to make coarse flour for
bread. A little hay was secured from the same source and transported in
the same way. In March, 1857, a child was born to the Moon family. In
order to be in attendance, Mrs. Gibson had her two sons take her over
the snow five miles on the hand sled, which on the return trip was utilized
for carrying a load of hay for the oxen.
An interesting story is told of De Lorma Gibson, a fourteen-year-old
boy, and William Morton, a member of the Gibson household. In March,
1857, the man and the boy were hunting, when they came across some bear
tracks. Following the dog along the trail, they encountered an unusually
large black bear. The man lost his courage, but the plucky Ijoy took the
gun, and with one shot broke the bear's neck and cut his throat. With
the assistance of Mr. and Mrs. John Gibson, who were summoned, the
bear was taken home, where he furnished food for many days to come.
When spring came, Moon, discouraged at the privations of the winter,
determined to leave the county. He accordingly traded his 400-acre claim
at Hamlin for an 80-acre tract in Dane County, on which a mortgage of $500
had been placed. Russell Bowers, with whom he traded, arrived in Albion
toward the end of June, 1857. His sons are still in the township. At the
Bowers home the Hamlin postofRce was established.
Cross, after remaining a few years, became discouraged, and returned
to Dane County, from whence he came. Chase enlisted in the Civil War
and was killed. Gibson spent the remainder of his life in this vicinity.
He lives in history as the one who gave the township its name, Albion, the
ancient title of Britain, a word for which he had a great fondness.
M. B. Gibson, a son of A. U., is now the sole authority on early Albion
history. He arrived June 9, 1857, bringing the remainder of the family
belongings, together with some cattle and a pig. The trip of 200 miles
was made with a team of horses, the first horses owned in the township.
A stray pig, also the first of his kind in the township, followed the team
96 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
all the way, arrived in good condition, and furnished the family with pork
the following winter. A flag which Mr. Gibson brought with him was
hoisted near Norden July 4, 1857, probably the first time that the stars
and stripes had been flung to the breeze in Beef River Valley.
Soon after the arrival of M. B. Gibson a trip was made to Fountain City
for the provisions which had reached there the previous autumn. This
food did not last to harvest, so later another trip to Fountain City was made.
There corn was obtained. But no milling facilities, so a long trip had to
be made to Eau Claire, to have the corn ground into meal. On this meal,
with such wild game as deer, elk, bear and rabbit, the family subsisted.
Tea, coffee and sugar were almost unknown luxuries. A beverage which
was used as a substitute for coffee was made from parched corn and toasted
bread crusts. After a few years sugar and syrup were obtained by tapping
the trees on the Chippewa River, a considerable distance away.
In 1857 the crops were good, though only a small acreage was planted,
and the agricultural equipment was meager. Owing to the lateness of the
arrival of the Bowers, the Gibson family rented the 20 acres which Moore
had broken, and in the fall the first corn grown in the township was har-
vested from this tract. The first wheat was raised this year by Barden
Cross. The method of threshing was most primitive. A wide circle of
ground was cleared, several shocks of wheat laid thereon, and the oxen
driven back and forth over it until the grain was all threshed out. The first
threshing machine in the neighborhood was a two-horse tread-power owned
by George Cole, near Augusta.
An interesting feature of pioneer life was the presence of the Indians
in 1857. A band of Sioux and Winnebago camped a short distance below
Norden. One day they killed three elk on Beef River. Bear, wolf, deer
and elk were then plentiful, and an elk was killed by Russell Bowers as late
at 1865. In the fall of 1857 the Indians, about 100 in number, moved to a
site just below the present village of Eleva. From there they had trails
all over the country, through the most accessible, and over the most con-
venient crossings of the rivers and creeks. These trails remained for
many years thereafter.
The Indians were peaceable and friendly and often called at the Gibson
home, where they were never turned away unfed.
Unity Township was not settled until after the two townships on either
side. A number of claims were taken in 1856, but so far as is known, none
of the claimants were living here at that time. Nearly all the first settlers
have moved away. Probably the first two settlers were Dennis Lawler, who
settled south of the Buffalo River in the eastern part of the township, and
P. B. Williams, who settled in the central part of the township and had land
on both sides of the river. These settlers came about 1859. It was not
until 1870 that the real influx of settlement came to this township. Among
the pioneers may be mentioned Esten Johnson, Ole E. Johnson, Engebret
Pederson, Anders Larson, Even Evenson, Martin E. Rognlien, Simon Rise,
John Rise, Ole Svendson, Simon Olson, Peder Inislund, Ole Dahl, Paul
Christopherson, Nels Kleven, Peder H. Bjornstad, Ole Thomasgaard, John
Christianson, Hans Paulson, Martin Olson and Andrew Call.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 97
Sumner was settled in 1856 in the vicinity of the present village of
Osseo. The first settlers were E. M. Sexton and W. A. Woodward. A year
later a postoffice was established at Beef River Station, a mile from the
present village, and George Silkworth appointed postmaster. The present
village had its beginning in 1858, when W. H. and C. G. Thomas built and
operated the first store. Excellent articles on the subject are found else-
where in this volume.
Land Office Records. The land office records are of but little value in
determining the names of the early settlers. Many people filed on land
which they had never seen and which they never occupied, others who were
early settlers filed on land a year or more before their arrival, while on the
other hand there were those who did not file until they had occupied their
land for a considerable period. The list is, however, here appended, as it
gives the names of the first land claimants, resident and otherwise, of the
various townships in Trempealeau County.
Township 18, range 7. 1852— Feb. 21, Charles F. Legate, 5. 1853—
Dec. 29, Charles G. Hanscome, 6, 5. 1854 — Aug. 10, Richard Grant, 4.
Township 19, range 7. 1852— June 28, Henry A. Wiltse, 26, 25. 1853
—Dec. 13, John Irvine, 30; Dec. 23, William B. Hanscome, 31, 32; July 22,
William W. Patrick, Jr., 31. 1854— Oct. 25, Dan Kennedy, Jr., 7 ; Oct. 25,
Michael Cullity, 7; June 16, Frederick Hearth, 19, 30; March 7, Richard
Bibby, 27 ; July 22, Christian Niemeier, 28 ; Aug. 7, JuUus Edwards, 29 ; July
17, Jacob Pass, 30, 31 ; July 22, David Grant, 31, 32, 34 ; Feb. 23, William
Patrick, Jr., 31 ; July 29, Charles V. Spiegel, 32 ; July 29, John Stellpflug, 33.
Township 20, range 7. 1855 — Aug. 6, Robert Thompson, 6; July 18,
Richard Porter, 6 ; Nov. 22, Edward W. Estabrook, 10, 15 ; July 19, Mary W.
Woodward, 14 ; Aug. 11, George Gale, 14 ; Sept. 4, Charles Pike, 17, 20, 29 ;
June 14, George B. Newell, 17, 20 ; June 14, Thomas Wall, 19, 20, 29, 30 ; Oct.
10, Nathaniel Stearns, 30; July 19, William G. Bliss, 30; Nov. 1, Thomas H.
Judd, 31 ; May 10, Albert J. Gary, 31 ; May 18, Franz Hoeppner, 32. 1856—
June 4, George Gale, 11, 13, 14, 15 ; April 3, Mary N. Woodward, 13 ; May 26,
William H. Wyman, 30; Jan. 2, Theo. Simonds, 31; Dec. 25, Thomas E,
Woods, 1 ; Aug. 8, Franz Hoeppner, 32.
Township 21, range 7. 1854— Oct. 30, Bircher Olson. 13. 1855— June
29, Lars Olsen, 1 ; June 19, Syver Johnson, 1, 12 ; Nov. 14, Peder Pederson,
1, 12 ; Aug. 17, Henry H. Steinburg, 7 ; June 27, Simon S. Rice, 7 ; June 21,
George Coburn, 7; June 21, John J. Scrafford, 7, 8; July 19, Mary A.
Woodward, 7, 18; Dec. 17, Albe Upham, 7, 15, 31; Sept. 14, Ebenezer
Thurston, 8, 9, 17, 31 ; June 14, Sam A. Beckman, 11, 12 ; Aug. 3, Robert
Thompson, 11, 15; June 11, Juhus Edwards, 12; April 14, Gullick Olson
Storlee, 13 ; May 23, Birchard Olsen, 13 ; Nov. 14, Bert Danielson, 13 ; Oct.
29, Ninian E. Primm, 13 ; Sept. 19, William H. Conger, 14, 20, 21, 23, 28, 29 ;
April 14, Niels Halverson, 14; April 14, Jacob Tennerson, 14, 23; Oct. 30,
Hiram Walker, 14, 15, 23, 24; Aug. 18, John Fitch, 14; July 2, Richard
Porter, 15, 22; Aug. 24, Ann Porter, 15; June 27, Chester Beswick, 17;
Sept. 17, Lysander P. Armstrong, 17, 20, 28, 31, 32 ; Aug. 13, Frederick A.
Moore, 17; Aug. 8, Robert A. Lake, 18, 19, 21, 22, 28, 30; Nov. 15, Edwin
M. Jones, 18 ; Oct. 1, George W. Mallory, 20, 21 ; June 27, Susan H. Reynolds,
98 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
21, 32; Sept. 18, Daniel Webster, 22; Nov. 7, Alex L. Collins, 24; April 16,
Romanzo Bunn, 28.
Township 22, range 7. 1855 — April 5, Fred Boardman, 10; July 12,
Julius Edwards, 13 ; Aug. 8, Dougald 0. Cameron, 18 ; Nov. 13, Bent Peder-
son, 23; May 18, Gunder Anderson, 23, 25; May 23, Niels Halverson, 24;
June 19, Lars Olson, 24; Feb. 6, Cornelius Griswold, 29; Nov. 13, Ransom
Steel, 30 ; June 26, Dan Williams, 36. 1856— May 30, William B. Winston,
3 ; June 3, George Gale, 3 ; May 20, William H. Bailey, 3 ; May 30, Stephen
T. Owen, 4, 9; April 23, Sam D. Hastings, 8, 9; May 2, John Larson, 8;
May 31, William C. Butts, 9; April 19, Thomas Williams, 17, 18, 19; April
26, Richard C. Washburn, 18; May 20, Francis W. Newland, 18; June 3,
George Gale, 19; April 3, Mary N. Woodward, 29; May 30, Leander G.
Merrill, 30, 31 ; April 10, Cyrus H. Hine, 31 ; May 27, William H. H. Bailey,
36 ; May 18, Allen Overbaugh, 36.
Township 23, range 7. 1855— Dec. 12, Ezra L. Northup, 1 ; Dec. 12,
George W. Parker, 1. 1856— May 31, Stephen T. Owen, 25; May 30, W. E.
Fales, 25, 26, 34, 36; May 29, George Gale, 34, 35; May 30, William B.
Winston, 34, 35. 1858 — April 6, Chester Stoddard, 8 ; April 5, George Moyer,
20 ; April 5, William Moyer, 20 ; April 5, John M. Jones, 20 ; April 9, Lucius
M. Sheldon, 22, 36 ; April 5, Ruth Hamilton, 26 ; April 5, Celinda A. Bliss,
26 ; April 5, Loren L. Knox, 26 ; April 16, Henry D. Aglesworth, 28.
Township 24, range 7. 1855 — April 15, Charles W. McCormick and
J. Rily, 1; Nov. 15, Charles McCormick, 1; Dec. 12, Ezra Northup, 1, 2;
Dec. 5, Hiram Hill, 1 ; Dec. 12, Garwood Green, 2 ; Dec. 12, William Starr,
2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11; Nov. 20, Mortimer C. Caskey, 3, 10; Dec. 12, George W.
Parker, 14, 15. 1856 — Jan. 8, Andrew McCorkle, 1, 9, 10; Jan. 8, Ebenezer
M. Saxton, 1, 2, 21 ; Jan. 23, Charles W. McCormick, 1 ; Jan. 8, Nathaniel
W. Dean, 1, 4, 7, 9; Jan. 15, William E. Keafer, 2, 8; Jan. 19, Garwood
Green, 2 ; Feb. 22, Andrew Billings, 2 ; April 26, Levi C. Fay and Prosper
Merrill, 3, 10, 11; Jan. 11, Robert B. Griswold, 3; April 11, Jeremiah D.
Jones, 3; May 24, William H. Chapman, 7; June 4, M. L. Strickland, 7;
June 4, Harvey Cooney, 8; June 4, John Dunning, 8, 10, 15; Jan. 8, Linda
Linsdale, 10; April 21, Charles F. Taggart, 10; April 15, Lorenzo and
Jackson McCauley, 12 ; April 23, Thomas A. Tomlinson, 13, 14 ; April 23,
Cyrus Woodman, 13 ; June 3, Edward L. Pierce, 14 ; April 9, Ezra L. Northup,
15; May 8, David Lewis, 17; May 8, Rowland Rice, 17, 20; June 2, Seth
Baker, 20 ; May 7, William Morgan, 20.
Township 18, range 8. 1851— Nov. 10, Charlotte Vose, 1. 1852—
Dec. 10, WiUiam J. Barney, 5 ; March 9, Stephen Hopkinson, 5, 6 ; March 9,
Benning Hooper, 5, 6 ; March 9, Jacob Meyers, 6 ; Nov. 30, Thomas Smith,
7 ; June 26, Barnabus Snow, 7 ; Dec. 30, Parley Eaton, 7 ; Dec. 1, John M.
Levey, 7 ; Feb. 20, William Wakefield, 7 ; March 31, Salmon Moore, 8 ; March
31, John Warner, 9; March 31, Richard Hall, 9; March 31, Francis Stone,
9 ; Jan. 31, Lewis Washburn, 18 ; March 31, Cornell Howland, 29 ; March 6,
Abraham C. Meyers, 30; March 2, William Knox, 31; March 2, William
H. Brooks, 31 ; March 31, William B. Murray, 31 ; May 10, Jacob T. Holmes,
31. 1853 — Oct. 26, Absolom Gary, 1; Dec. 13, William B. Hanscome, 1;
Nov. 12, George Gale, 5, 6, 10; March 24, Ira M. Moore, 7; Oct. 18, John
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 99
Morris, 7 ; Oct. 12, Albert M. Olds, 8 ; June 24, William A. Cram, 8 ; July
9, Warren Adams, 8; Oct. 31, Theo. B. Edwards, 8; Jan. 15, Eli B. Richard-
son, 17; June 6, Jacob T. Holmes, 30; Oct. 21, William Gray, 32; Oct. 9,
Benjamin B. Healey, 32.
Township 19, range 8. 1852— Oct. 16, Parley Eaton, 7; May 3,
Bartholomew C. Smith, 19 ; Jan. 1, Henry P. George, 29, 33 ; May 3, Preston
Dugbe, 29; May 3, David French, 29; May 3, David Breed, 32; Feb. 27,
Henry Stillson, 32 ; June 22, Elihu B. Washburn, 33 ; June 1, James Babcock,
35; Sept. 29, Charles T. Janson, 35; May 3, John Hulling, Jr., 21. 1853—
Nov. 10, Juhus Edwards, 8, 9 ; June 28, Joseph B. Tolhngham, 21 ; Oct. 26,
William Dick, 25; Aug. 26, Homer H. Benson, 28; Jan. 10, Edward I.
Lidgeerwood, 29, 30; Nov. 21, Robert Bruce, 29; Nov. 12, Theo. B. Edwards,
29, 35; June 6, George Gale, 31, 32; Jan. 10, David Flynn, 31; Aug. 1,
William A. Woodward, 32; June 28, Benjamin F. Heuston, 33; Oct. 26,
Richard Collins, 35 ; Aug. 22, John Moore, 36 ; July 22, William W. Patrick,
Jr., 36; Nov. 19, David J. Monroe, 36; July 9, Charles G. Hanscome, 36;
Oct. 26, Sarah D. Monroe, 36 ; Nov. 12, George Shohat, 36 ; Oct. 26, Absolom
Gary, 36.
Township 20, range 8. 1854 — Oct. 25, Daniel Kennedy, Jr., 35 ; Oct.
25, Michael CuUity, 36. 1855— Sept. 17, William H. Congor, 1, 36; Nov.
30, George Coburn and John J. Scrafford, 2 ; July 19, Mary A. Woodward,
26, 27; May 21, William V. Clymer, 27, 34; July 2, Welcome A. Johnson,
34; July 7, Mary A. Roddy, 34; May 7, David W. Chenoweth, 34; July 7,
Mary A. Rodolf, 34; July 14, Daniel Kennedy, 35; May 10, Albert J. Gary,
36; May 14, George Gale, 36. 1856— Aug. 9, Edmund M. Reynolds, 1;
May 14, George Gale, 2, 34; May 20, Franklin B. Hawes, 22, 23, 27, 33;
Dec. 25, Peter Dufficy, 25; Jan. 21, John Cance, 36. 1857— July 27, John
Good, 26. 1858— July 2, Walter Webb, 14, 23 ; June 21, Morgan A. White,
15 ; Nov. 16, Theo. B. Edwards, 35 ; April 5, Cornehus Kennedy, 35.
Township 21, range 9. 1855— Nov. 17, Peter Dunning, 24; Oct. 4,
Welcome A. Johnston, 35; Oct. 4. William Congior, 36; Oct. 1, Samuel
Mallory, 36. 1856— April 10, Cyrus H. Hine, 1 ; Feb. 13, Angen Adams, 1 ;
July 9, John Hopkins, 1, 12 ; March 31, T. S. West, 16 ; April 22, Herman
Synder, 25; Aug. 8, Robert 0. Lake, 24, 25. 1857-1858— Sept. 18, Collins
Bishop, 31. 1859— June 22, Thomas W. Fuller, 12. 1860— April 24, Sophia
Hopkins, 12.
Township 22, range 8. 1855— Oct. 31, Charles C. and William E. Crane,
11, 29; Oct. 31, Moses D. and Francis W. Ingalls, 11, 28; Sept. 21, Alvah
Wood, 11, 17, 20, 21, 25 ; Sept. 21, Nathan Wood, 11 ; Oct. 31, Isaac H. Soule,
14, 15; Sept. 14, Hiram Stanton, 15; Oct. 29, Norman E. Primm, 21, 22;
Sept. 27, James T. Banks, 21 ; Nov. 12, Warren H. Ellis, 21, 22 ; Oct. 31,
Hiram Walker, 22, 25, 30, 36; Nov. 13, Edwin M. Jones, 22, 26; Oct. 4,
Welcome A. Johnston, 23; Nov. 2, George Gale, 24; Aug. 11, William E.
Cramer, 24; Aug. 27, Royal Taylor, 24; Oct. 31, Robert H. Wade, 26; Sept.
29, Niman E. Prim, 29 ; Oct. 31, WiUiam and Lyman Smith, 30, 31 ; Oct. 31,
David W. Wade, 36; Oct. 31, Richardson Reeves, 36.
Township 23, range 8. 1856 — June 4, John B. Ayer, 30 ; June 2, Oscar
H. Young, 30, 31; May 30, Enoch L. Cummins, 31, 32. 1857-1858— April
100 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
5, Ebenezer M. Sexton, 14, 24 ; April 5, Rufus Watson, 24 ; April 5, David
S. Watson, 24 ; April 5, Albert W. Knowlton, 26 ; April 9, Peter Filkins, 26 ;
April 5, Jesse T. Paul, 26; May 21, John Smith, 28; April 6, Frederick C.
Moyer, 28; Sept. 11, Patrick Casey, 30; April 5, Christian E. Wyrick, 32;
Sept. 8, Welcome A. Johnston, 32; Oct. 2, George H. Hale, 32; June 2,
Leroy Stanton, 32; May 15, Seth Clark, 34; Sept. 29, Edward Brown, 34;
April 5, Rosea Horsington, 34; May 14, Winchel Stafford, 34; April 6,
Benjamin Watson, 36; April 5, Frederick Boardman, 36.
.Township 24, range 8. 1856— April 24, William N. Olson, 11; May 9,
Daniel Learning, 12; April 24, John Lawske, 12, 13; May 12, Albert F.
Kellogg, 13, 20, 21, 22 ; May 12, Walter W. Wetmore, 13, 15, 17 ; April 19,
Erastus Taylor, 13 ; April 19, Mary Rogers, 14 ; April 24, William N. Wilson,
14 ; May 9, Ebenezer T. Prentice, 14, 15 ; June 4, Thomas McTie, 17 ; June 4,
Luther Irish, 17; April 28, John Evrens, 18, 19; April 28, James Power,
18, 19; June 4, Dan C. Barnum, 18, 29; April 28, Edward Scanlan, 18, 19;
April 21, Charles G. Brown, 20; April 28, James Dwyer, 20; May 31, William
P. Morse, 21 ; June 2, Luther M. Bates, 23.
Township 18. range 9. 1849— July 9, Edward Winkelman, 26, 27, 28;
June 16, James Reed, 27. 1850 — Nov. 25, Leander Beebe, 27. 1851 — Dec.
23, Jonathan Jackson, 20, 21 ; Nov. 24, William Roberts, 22 ; Dec. 16, Fred-
erick Eberhart, 22; Nov. 13, Mitchell Stover, 22; Nov. 18, Charles A.
Stevens, 22, 23, 26, 27, 34, 35 ; Nov. 4, William Nichols, 25 ; Nov. 18, John
Johnson, 25; Nov. 13, Andrew Constick, 26; Nov. 18, Chase A. Stevens,
Francis M. Ruble and Timothy Burns, 27; Dec. 10, Cyrus Woodman, 36;
Dec. 18, John Johnson, 36. 1852— July 31, John C. Higgins, 1; Jan. 7,
John Henley, 1 ; Jan. 7, WiUiam Hyer, 1 ; Jan. 7, Richard Rosecranse, 1 ;
Feb. 9, James Metcalf , 2 ; May 5, Frederick Andres. 4 ; Feb. 29, Jonathan
Willey, 4; May 29, Mary A. Bright, 4; March 25, Jlary Ann Norman, 5;
July 2, John E. Lewis, 5; March 24, Sophia Blake, 6; Jan. 1, James Charles,
8; Jan. 1, Volney French, 8; Aug. 2, Dianthe K. Martindale, 9; Aug. 20,
Elizabeth Baker, 9 ; July 2, Cyrus Woodman, 9, 13, 15, 22, 23, 26 ; May 4,
Thomas Willse, 11; Jan. 7, John Wilkins, 12; March 3, John Thurston, 12;
March 3, John Brickford, 12; March 3, Moses Young, 12; March 3, Mark
Lucias, 12; March 3, John Nichols, 12; May 5, James Himes, 13; May 5,
Peter Van Buren, 13; May 5, Horace Stow. 14; Feb. 20, Eliza Stevens, 14;
Feb. 27, Henry P. George, 14 ; March 24, Alfred Earle, 15 ; June 22, Lucius
G. Fisher, 15; May 3, Obadiah Bernis, 15; Feb. 19, Lewis Reneo, 17; June
11, James B. Gray, 20; May 4. Benjamin H. Buckingham, 20; July 14,
Francis W. Woodward, 21, 22 ; Jan. 1, Francis M. Ruble, 21 ; Feb. 26, Stephen
Bean, 21; April 17, William Campbell, 21; May 10, Charles F. Legate, 22;
Sept. 30, David Flynn. 22 ; Jan. 28, John Quint, 22 ; June 26, Edmund Gondy,
23; Feb. 21, James Kun, Jr., 23; Sept. 25, Joshua Rhodes, 24; March 1,
Samuel Payne, 25 ; May 19, Alfred Bruson, 26, 35 ; July 21, Mary Saunders,
26 ; Feb. 26, V/illiam Plaisted, 27 ; March 1, WiUiam Cheever, 36 ; March 1,
Jason Ellis, 36.
Township 19, range 9. 1852 — March 8, Lewis Cornell, 25; March 6,
Soloman Leonard, 25; March 8, Joseph Hegeman. 25; March 6, Josephine
Coffin, 26; March 6, Joseph Weeks, 26; March 25, John M. Johnson, 28;
HISTORY OF TREMPEALP:AU COUNTY 101
March 25, James Coyine, 31 ; April 5, Timothy Harris, 31 ; July 19, Francis
Daniels, 31 ; March 25, Mary A. Norman, 32 ; July 19, William Higbee, 33 ;
April 5, Thomas Scott, 33 ; March 6, John Fay, 33 ; March 6, Daniel Morrison,
33 ; March 6, Nathaniel Sanborn, 33 ; March 6, George Frost, 33 ; Feb. 26,
Jonathan Willey, 33 ; March 1, Rachael Oilman, 34 ; July 19, William Higbee,
34; March 1, Mehitable Thompson, 34; Oct. 11, Peter Cochien, 35; Aug.
25, Wayne Clark, 35; Jan. 13, Richard H. Coolidge, 35. 1853— June 15,
Hollister M. Wright, 29, 32; July 27, James Reed, 34, 35; Nov. 1, Loretta
Woodworth, 35 ; June 17, Michael Bibeaux, 35 ; July 13, Charles Cameron, 35.
Township 20, range 9. 1855— Nov. 20, Porter Smith, 3; Nov. 12,
David H. Sherman, 5, 6; Oct. 8, Noah D. Comstock, 5, 6; May 24, Jacob
Handel, 19. 1856 — April 11, Jesse Penny, 3; May 7, Harmon G. Tracey,
3 ; April 11, Phebe Penny, 4 ; Feb. 22, Charles Marshall, 4, 5 ; Feb. 22, 'James
Broughton, 4; April 11, Walter D. Dewey, 4; Feb. 5, George Shelly, 5; Aug.
8, James 0. Reiley, 6, 8; April 15, Nathan Corwith, 6, 7; Oct. 21, Noah D.
Comstock, 7 ; April 7, Annie D. Bishop, 18 ; March 24, Colhns Bishop, 18 ;
March 31, F. S. West, 16. 1857— July 1, Phillip Hartman, 7. 1858— July
30, Stephen R. Roath, 1 ; May 3, Isaac Wesley Hull, 1, 12 ; April 7, Harmon
G. Tracy, 2; May 17, Simeon Palmer, 4, 21, 22, 27; May 3, Christian Berry,
5; April 8, Narcissa T. Robertson, 6; April 7, Nicholas Meyer, 7, 8; May 3,
Jeremiah Biddison, 9 ; May 3, George W. Hall, 11 ; June 23, Amassa Simons,
11; April 7, Noah D. Comstock, 8, 12; April 5, Clark Averill, 22; April 10,
William E. Greene, 23; April 5, Ebenezer Holmes, 23; April 5, Frederick
C. Goff, 23, 24 ; April 10, Giddings W. Keyes, 27 ; April 13, Ann E. Clark, 28.
Township 21, range 9. 1855— Nov. 12, Dennison K. Smith, 2, 3, 22;
Nov. 13, Edwin W. Jones, 3, 11, 32; Nov. 13, Charles R. Steele, 11, 14, 15;
Nov. 12, Warren H. Ellis, 22, 27 ; Nov. 13, Ransom Steele, 26, 27 ; Nov. 12,
David H. Sherman, 28, .32, 33; Nov. 12, Charles H. Fox, 29, 32; July 19,
Herman B. Merchant, 31, 32; Dec. 11, George Shelly, 33; Dec. 11, Collins
Bishop, 33, 34. 1856— April 15, Milton Barlow, 14 ; June 3, William Abbott,
21, 28; May 31, William Smith, 21; June 2, Henry D. Elmer, 24; May 30,
William Hollenbaugh, 27 ; July 19, Hiram B. Merchant, 31 ; March 24, Abner
B. Bishop, 34 ; April 7, Rhoda Shelly, 35 ; June 2, Owen Roberts.
Township 22, range 9. 1855— Nov. 13, William B. Werden, 24, 25;
Oct. 31, WilHam and Lyman D. Smith, 25, 36; Nov. 13, Warren H. Ellis, 26.
1856— May 30, Enoch L. Cummings, 1; May 21, Walter W. Wetmore, 11;
June 3, Statira C. Lakin, 12; June 3, George W. Lakin, 13, 24; May 8,
Horace Young, 17 ; May 8, Sherman B. Look, 17, 21 ; May 7, Joshua Travis,
22. 1857— Sept. 22, Charles Lyne. 1858— Oct. 2, Giles Cripps, 12; June
26, Alfred L. Wright, 14 ; May 19, Moses S. Johnson, 18 ; April 28, Caleb F.
Gates, 22 ; Sept. 29, Daniel Cameron, 24 ; Sept. 21, William E. Montazae, 34.
1859— March 22, John McBurney, 36.
Township 23, range 9. 1858— April 8, John Allen, 2, 24; May 19,
Lucius M. Sheldon, 28, 32. 1866— Nov. 24, Martin W. Borst, 34. 1867—
July 5, C. Moser and G. Hunner, 28; Nov. 26, Martin W. Borst, 32, 33;
May 23, George Meigs, 34. 1868— June 18, John A. Hunner, 19 ; June 10,
Martin W. Borst, 28, 33, 35. 1869— July 27, Virgil Borst, 32. 1870—
March 21, Guri Herbransdatter, 4; Sept. 5, Timothy Brown, 10; July 27,
102 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
William Z. Barnhart, 31. 1871— July 12, Osten Gonnufsen, 18; May 2,
Petter Petterson, 18 ; May 24, Merit Petterson, 18 ; May 29, Virgil Borst, 28.
Township 24, range 9. 1856 — June 4, Levi Beebe, 2; June 2, Elliot
D. Barnard, 3, 13, 14; June 2, Harrison Stebbins, 3, 9; June 2, Sylvanus
Morse, 6, 14; June 4, Horace Dickenson, 7; June 3, Richard B. Chandler,
8, 15 ; June 2, Jerome A. Smith, 8, 10, 22 ; June 4, Dan C. Barnum, 9 ; June 4,
Hugh Henri, 10; June 4, Wilham Maxwell, 10; June 4, Almon Steel, 11, 14;
June 3, David R. Chase, 22 ; June 3, William Moon, 23 ; June 4, Frances E.
Wolstenholm, 24. 1857— May 30, Richard B. Chandler, 23. 1859— May 11,
Walter W. Wetmore, 24.
Township 18, range 9. 1852 — June 26, Robert S. Haywood, 2 ; March
15, Abel M. Bryant, 5 ; March 13, John R. Tancill, 8 ; March 13, John Under-
wood, 8 ; March 13, Charles F. Legate, 8. 1854— Oct. 27, Abzana A. Whiting,
1 ; Sept. 4, Elizah Brown, 1, 2 ; Nov. 13, Lawrence Rioney, 1 ; Oct. 27, Newell
Whiting, 12. 1855 — June 2, Caroline Atwood, 1 ; June 2, WiUiam F. Burns,
1, 12; May 11, Lawrence Rioney, 2; June 2, Sela Atwood, 12. 1856 — May
28, Walter W. Wetmore, 1 ; May 13 Joseph A. Chase, 1 ; June 4, Simon
Palmer, 2, 11, 12; Jan. 5, Lornhannah Marshall, 7; Jan. 4, George Gale, 17.
Township 19, range 10. 1852— Jan. 1, John Lynch, 36 ; Feb. 20, Charles
F. Legate, 36 ; April 5, Timothy Harris, 10. 1853— July 16, Reese Whisler,
14. 1854— Nov. 8, Isaac Thompson, 12 ; May 20, Ira B. and Eli D. Hewett,
14; April 8, Benedict B. Utter, 24; April 10, Isaac Nash, 35; May 20,
Jonathan W. Nash, 36. 1855— May 16, Giles R. Montague, 2, 11 ; Oct. 12,
Constantine Blodgett, 12 ; Dec. 18, Isaac Thompson, 12 ; June 20, George
W. Brewin, 25. 1856 — Jan. 5, Isaac Thompson, 2 ; Jan. 5, Constantine
Blodgett, 11; May 8, Samuel Whiting, 11; May 19, Joseph M. Hayes, 13;
April 14, Milton Barlow, 13, 24 ; April 15, Henry Corwith, 14, 24 ; May 7,
William Sutter, Jr., 24; May 19, Francis W. Newland, 25; Feb. 8, Katherine
A. Wood, 25.
Township 20, range 10. 1854— April 28, Julius Edwards, 29. 1855 —
May 24, Jacob Handel, 14, 24 ; Oct. 18, Edward McFadden, 21 ; May 24, John
Grozinger, 22 ; May 24, Christopher Grozinger, 23, 24 ; July 5, Dougald D.
Cameron. 28. 1856 — April 7, Sarah McMaster, 1 ; March 24, John Gleason,
10, 11, 12; March 24, Cornelius Gleason, 11, 12, 13, 14; April 19, Dan D.
Lightner, 15 ; April 29, Michael Welsh, 33. 1857— May 27, William Hyde,
2 ; Aug. 28, Noah D. Comstock, 2 ; May 27, Augustus Hensel, 3 ; May 28,
William Johnson, 9 ; May 27, Thomas A. Simpson, 10 ; Aug. 28, David Bishop,
10; July 6, Phillip Hartman, 12; Sept. 9, Hans Olsen, 35. 1858— May 3,
Peter Case, 1; April 5, Thomas A. Simpson, 10; Dec. 1, Harvey M. Tucker,
15; Nov. 17, James Bingham, 21; June 18, Theo. B. Edwards, 23; April 8,
Mahalia Waller, 25 ; Feb. 29, Franziska Kuck, 25 ; April 7, Lucius M. Sheldon,
26; May 19, Rudolph Siequist, 26; Sept. 30, John M. Kline, 27, 34; Aug. 6,
Timothy Kirk, 28.
Tax Records. The early tax records, to a certain, are valuable in fixing
the earlj^ settlers in the various townships. Their insufficiency, however,
as a foundation in compiling the story of the early settlers lies first, the
fact that "resident owner" on the tax books often meant resident of the
county rather than resident of the township; second, in the fact that no
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 103
effort was made by the assessors to secure a correct spelling of names,
and, third, to the fact that many of the actual settlers were not payers of
real estate taxes.
Township 19, range 7. 1854 — John Irvine, section 31. 1855
Kennedy, 7 ; Alex. Valence, 23 ; Richard Bibby, 27 ; David Cook, 24 ; Christian
Neimeier, 28 ; Henry Fakka, 29 ; John Stellpflug, 29, 33 ; Jacob Poss, 30, 31 ;
John Irvine, 30, 31 ; Robert Summerville, 31 ; Rob. Oliver, 31 ; David Grant,
31, 32, 33; Richard Grant, 32.
Township 20, range 7. 1855 — Franz Hoeppner, 32. 1857 — Franz Hoepp-
ner, 32; C. Smith, 31; A. Purvis, 31; John Cockran, 32; University, 11, 13,
14, 15 ; 0. Olson, 12 ; T. Wall, 19, 20 ; J. Knudson, 24 ; J. Quinn, 30 ; N. Stearns,
30. 31 ; J. Mahoney, 30 ; T. B. Edwards, 30, 31 ; M. Purvis, 31 ; R. Cance, 31 ;
S. McAvoy, 31 ; J. Cockran, 32 ; Franz Hoeppner, 32 ; D. Whalen, 32.
Township 21, range 7. 1859— E. M. Reynolds, 16 ; Ebenezer Thurston,
16; Lars Olson, 1; Sign Huson, 1; Peter Peterson, 1, 12; C. H. Hine, 6, 8,
17 ; Jas. Hopkins, 6 ; James E. Weeks, 6 ; Wessel Lowe, 6 ; Herman Snyder,
7; S. S. Rice, 7; J. R. Nourse, 8, 9; Robert Thompson, 10, 11, 15; Henry
Shepard, 12; Syvert Johnson, 12; Turah Johnson, 12; Gullick Olson, 13;
Birchard Olson, 13; Nels Halvorson, 14; Peter Tennerson, 14; Jacob
Tennerson, 14, 25; Mrs. Ann Porter, 12, 22; Ebenezer Thurston, 17, 31;
Chester Beswick, 17 ; L. P. Armstrong, 17 ; Henry Lake, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22,
28, 30 ; Ernst Rosen, 18 ; William H. Welch, 28, 29 ; Bennet & Quinn, 20, 21 ;
John B. Dunning, 11, 12, 20, 21 ; E. K. Reynolds, 21, 28, 32.
Township 22, range 7. 1858— N. Halvorson, 24 ; William Van Sickle,
30; Nels Anderson, 25; Syvert Johnson, 26. 1859— Lars Olson, 24; Nels
Anderson, 25, 36; Syvert Johnson, 26; William Van Sickle, 31; A.
Swenson, 36.
Township 23, range 7. 1863—1. E. Grant, 8 ; I. E. Sutton, 20 ; Wm.
Elison, 25 ; Ruth Hamilton, 26 ; Edwin Flint, 26 ; L. Knox, 26, 34 ; Wm. E.
Fales, 26, 35, 36 ; C. W. Russell, 28 ; W. L. Wilson, 35 ; A. D. Curtis, 35 ;
G. W. Fortellett, 35.
Township 24, range 7. 1859— F. Bowen, 1 ; E. W. Sexton, 1, 2, 4, 7, 8,
9, 21; Geo. Silkworth, 2; F. Coppel, 2; Wm. A. Woodward, 2, 8, 9, 10, 15;
Levi Decker, 3 ; Wm. McCorkle, 7 ; W. H. Thomas, 10, 15 ; L. D. McCauley,
12 ; S. Brown, 13 ; A. B. Ayers, 24 ; Field, 16.
Township 18, range 8. 1855 — Charles Pickering, 5; Abram Terpena,
5 ; John Salsman, 6 ; Jas. D. Olds, 7 ; Roswell Bigelow, 7 ; John C. Laird, 7 ;
■Theo. Simmonds, 7 ; Wm. Olds, 8, 16 ; Moore & Carter, 8, 30 ; Warren Adams,
8 ; Pardon Wakefield, 8 ; Wm. Adams, 8 ; F. B. Clark, 18 ; Rufus Comstock,
18 ; T. B. Edwards, 18 ; Joseph Dale, 20, 21 ; A. McGilvray, 21 ; Gilbert Gibbs,
29 ; Bostwick Beardsley, 29 ; Dr. Lorna Brooks, 30, 31 ; Adams & Barnard,
30 ; J. T. Holmes, 31, 30 ; B. B. Heuber, 31 ; James Adams, 30 ; Edw. Barnard,
30; Wm. Bright, 16; Geo. Batchelder, 16; C. A. Stevens, 16.
Township 19, range 8. 1854— G. H. Smith, 8, 9; T. B. Edwards, 8,
9. 17; J. B. Tottingham, 21; Benson, 28; G. Gale, 30, 31, 33; J. Hefs,
31 ; Isaac Noyes, 32 ; B. F. Heuston, 33 ; L. Hunter, 33, 35 ; William Dick, 34 ;
John Irvine, 34; L. Cook, 34, 25, 26; Douglas Hunter, 35; Richard Collins,
35 ; Chas. Boyce, 35 ; W. W. Patrick, 36. 1855— Daniel Kennedy, 2 ; Cham-
104 HISTORY OF TREilPEALEAU COUNTY
berlain & Browning, 6, 7 ; G. H. Smith, 8, 9, 22 ; Doty, 8 ; Bidwell,
9; C. Prefer, 14; John Martin, 23; Peter Ohls, 23; Terrance O'Neal, 20;
John Hunter, 25, 35; William Dick, 25, 34, 36; David Cook, 25, 34, 36;
John Thomas, 32 ; B. F. Heuston, 33 ; Douglas Hunter, 33, 34 ; John Irvine,
34; John Hunter, Jr., 35, 36; Richard Collins, 35; C. J. Boyce, 35; John
Davidson, 36; Rob. Oliver, 36; George Shonat, 36.
Township 20, range 8. 1859— T. Dufficy, 25 ; P. Anderson, 27 ; B.
Richardson, 33 ; University, 34 ; A. A. Arnold, 34 ; G. Y. Freeman, 34 ; C.
Kennedy, 35; Daniel Kennedy, 35; John Cance, 36; George Gale, 36; M.
Casey, 36 ; Martin Cullity, 36.
TowTiship 21, range 8. 1859 — Minard Allen, 1; .John Hopkins, 1, 12;
S. S. Rice, 1; Henry Lake, 24, 25; C. H. Hine, 25; H. Snyder, 25; I. B.
Dunning, 24.
Township 22, range 8. 1858 — Henry Stratton, 15; Hiram Stratton, 15;
J. D. Sherwood, 21 ; A. S. Sherwood, 21 ; Banks, 21 ; Clark S. Allen, 15;
Alvah Wood, 11, 17, 20, 25; D. W. Wade, 2, 25, 36; F. W. & M. D. IngaUs,
11, 28; Ed. Wade, 28; Nathan Wood, 11, 26. 1861— D. W. Wade, 2, 25, 36;
M. 0. IngaUs, 2, 11, 21; Henrj' 0. Gill, 2, 21; A. Wood, 11, 25; Cripps &
Erwin, 11; L. D. McNitt, 14; H. C. Stratton, 15; Henr>' Freeman, 15; D.
Wood, 17, 20; A. L. Sherwood, 20, 21; J. D. Sherwood, 21; Prevear,
23; N. D. Comstock, 23; B. F. Wing, 24, 25; Oley Knudtson, 24; James
Erwin, 26; Dowd, 26; E. F. Wade, 28; M. D. & F. W. IngalLs, 28;
F. L. Dunbar, 30 ; C. C. Crane, 29, 16.
Township 23, range 8. 1861— George H. Hale, 32; C. S. Allen, 32.
Township 24, range 8. 1859— W. W. Wetmore, 13, 15, 17; J. IL
Campbell, 1.
Township 18, range 9. 1855 — William A. Cram, 1 ; Ryland Parker, 2 ;
L. T. Kniffen, 2; D. B. Thompson, 2; Alex Hart, 2, 3; 0. Whitcomb, 3; Wm.
McDonah, 3 ; T. B. Edwards, 4, 11 ; Hollister Wright, 4 ; Mar>' A. Bright, 4 ;
B. B. Healy, 5, 6, 9, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 35, 36 ; Davil Monel,
5 ; Washburn & Woodman, 6, 13, 14, 23 ; Amos Whiting. 6, 13 ; A. Stevens, 7;
D. 0. Van Slyke, 9; ilartindale, 9; George Gale, 9; Ira Jones, 9, 10,
15, 22; Barney , 10, 11, 14, 35; Jonathan Ramsden, 12; Joshua Rhodes,
12, 24; Ware & Belden, 12, 14; R. R. Worth, 13, 24; Aaron Houghton, 13;
C. F. Legate, 14 ; Horace Stone, 14 ; John Phillips, 15 ; Wm. Hanson, 15 ; Ran-
some Jones, 15 ; Dean, 15 ; Ellis, 15 ; E. R. Utter, 18 ; David Fbrun,
22 ; C. A. Stevens, 16, 22 ; Healy & others, 22, 23, 26, 27, 34 ; Geo. Batchelder,
16, 22, 26; C. S. Sejnnour, 23, 24, 25; B. H. Stewart, 24; J. P. James, 24;
A. W. Shepard, 25; Francis Drugan, 25; Wm. .lohn Nicholls, 25; Jacob T.
Holmes, 25; T. W. Hill, 26; E. Winkelman, 26, 27; N. Brown, 26, 35; Isaac
Noyes, 16, 26; Chas. Utter, 27; J. H. Hammond, 27; B. F. Heuston, 27;
A. M. Weeks, 27 ; J. M. Levy, 27 ; Avery Wellington, 27 ; Moore & Carter, 35 ;
Wm. & John Nicholls, 36.
Township 19, range 9. 1855— J. Knox, 19 ; A. Rhodes, 20, 21 ; John
Rhodes, 21, 28, 29, 30; Hollister Wright, 21, 28, 33; Thomp.son & Hart, 23;
0. Whitcomb, 23; B. B. Healy, 25, 32; M. Beboe, 26; Joseph Holmes, 26;
A. Grover, 26; W. W. Nash, 31; Alva Wood, 31; Edmond Nash, 31; Wash-
bum & Woodman, 31 ; Ryland Parker, 31 ; Moses Clark, 32 ; Jas. Wright,
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 105
32, 33 ; D. A. Segur, 33, 34 ; W. Higbie, 33, 34 ; Parker Warren, 33 ; Justin
Lee, 34 ; E. R. Utter, 34 ; James Reed, 34, 35 ; Chas. Perkins, 35 ; Michael
Bebeau, 35; Chas. Cameron, 35; Leander Bebeau, 35.
Township 20, range 9. 1859— H. G. Tracy, 2 ; Jesse Penny, 3, 4 ; Jas.
Broughton, 4 ; Walter Dewey, 4 ; R. C. Shelly, 5 ; George D. Dewey, 5 ; Collins
Bishop, 5; Emily Bishop, 5; James Gaveney, 5; N. D. Comstock, 5, 7; R. L.
Robertson, 6; Philip Hartman, 7; Nicholas Meyers, 7; Frank Zeller, 17;
A. B. Bishop, 18; Shelly & Co., 18; A. M. Holcomb, 36. 1860— H. G. Tracy,
2, 3 ; Jesse Penny, 3, 4 ; Jas. Broughton, 4 ; Walter Dewey, 4 ; R. C. Shelly,
4, 5; George D. Dewey, 5; Collins Bishop, 5; Emily Bishop, 5; James
Gaveney, 5; N. D. Comstock, 5, 6, 7; R. L. Robertson, 6; John Gage, 6;
Phillip Hartman, 7 ; Nicholas Meyers, 7, 8 ; Casper Meyers, 8 ; Carl Zeller,
17 ; Frank Zeller, 17 ; A. B. Bishop, 18 ; Shelly & Co., 18 ; A. M. Holcomb, 36 ;
A. C. Matterson, 4.
Township 21, range 9. 1857 — Lyman Carpenter, 15; L. F. Griffin, 15;
William Johnson, 28 ; R. Weller, 29. 1859— John Gage, 32 ; John Busby, 22 ;
Thomas Busby, 22.
Township 22, range 9. 1864— Walter W. Wetmore, 11, 12 ; Giles Cripps,
12 ; Lawrence Bautch, 13, 24 ; Geo. Markham, 24 ; Chas. Lyne, 25.
Township 23, range 9. 1867— Daniel Borst, 33; Martin Borst, 34.
1868— John Zuza, 23 ; Daniel Borst, 33 ; Jeremiah Borst, 33. 1870— Gunn
Heaterandett, 4; John Hunter, 19, 28, 30; EHzabeth N. Brooks, 24; John
Allen, 24 ; Lucius M. Seldon, 28 ; Martin W. Borst, .28, 32, 33, 34 ; J. W.
Borst, 33 ; 0. A. Osgood, 33 ; Jas. Gaveney, 16.
Township 24, range 9. 1858— Wm. Henry, 10; Wm. Maxwell, 10;
Albert Taylor, 11, 14 ; Smith, 13, 22 ; James Chase, 14 ; Russell Bowers,
14, 23 ; David R. Chase, 22 ; Barden Cross, 23 ; Wolsterhoon, 24.
Township 18, range 10. 1856 — Avery Wellington, 1 ; Amos Whiting,
1; Seba Atwood, 1, 12; Wm. Y. Burns, 1, 12; Silvester Wellington, 1; B. B.
Healy, 1 ; Lawrence Rooney, 1, 2 ; Chas. Smith, 12 ; Jonathan Nash, 2.
Township 19, range 10. 1856— G. W. & John Brewin, 25 ; B. B. Healy,
25, 36; Jonathan Nash, 36; Edmund Nash, 36; Isaac Nash, 35; Amos
Whiting, 36 ; Jacob Holbrook, 36.
Township 20, range 10. 1859— Sarah McMaster, 1 ; John Bigham, 1,
2; Caleb Case, 1; John Gleason, 10, 11, 13; Thomas Simpson, 10; Phillip
Hartman, 12 ; J. Kelly, 14 ; Ludwig Hensel, 14, 23 ; W. Kickhofer, 14, 23, 24 ;
Milton Tucker, 15; Jas. Bigham, 21; Wm. Harlow, 22; Chas. Olbrecht, 23;
R. L. Robertson, 1 ; Geo. D. Dewey, 1 ; N. D. Comstock, 2 ; David Bishop,
2, 10 ; Wm. Hyde, 2 ; Aug. Hensel, 3 ; Wm. Johnson, 9 ; A. Finkelnburg, 32.
Village of Montoville. 1855— Ira H. Hammond, block 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,
12 ; B. F. Heuston, 11, 12 ; Geo. Gale, 9.; N. B. Grover, 8 ; A. M. Brandenburg,
8; Geo. Batchelder, 5, 9; Jas. Reed, 3, 8; B. B. Healy, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
Thos. Marshall, 3 ; Chas. Utter, 2 ; Healy & others, 4 ; Alex McGilvray, 1 ;
John Salsman, 1; Isaac Noyes, 5; Hiley Cameron, 5.
Village of Trempealeau. 1855— B. B. Healy, block 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
9, 10, 11, 12; Moore & Carter, 7, 3; Jas. Harris, 6; Geo. Batchelder, 1. 3, 6,
8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13; B. I. Stewart, 12; Joshua Rhodes, 12; Chas. Utter, 1, 2,
11, 13; Geo. W. Kenworthy, 9.
CHAPTER IX
COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Trempealeau County was created by the legislature January 24, 1854,
and a provision included in the act constituting the board of supervisors
of Montoville, the board of supervisors of Trempealeau County until other
towns should be created and town officers duly elected therein.^ Conse-
quently, on March 11, 1854, the town board of Montoville, sitting as a board
of supervisors of Trempealeau County, convened at Trempealeau, with
Horace F. Owen as chairman and Isaac Noyes and Wilham Nicholls as the
other supervisors, and with Charles Cameron as clerk.^ At this meeting
the town of Gale was set off, with practically all of the present area of
Gale and northward to the county line. The first town election was ordered
held at the home of Benjamin F. Heuston, on April 4, following. All of
the county not included in Gale remained in Montoville, which thus consti-
tuted the present towns of Caledonia and Trempealeau and the west part
of the county, north to the county line.
On September 12, 1854, B. F. Heuston was elected county judge,
receiving 26 votes in Montoville and 8 in Gale. George Batchelder received
11 in Montoville and 12 in Gale. In November the following county officers
were elected : Charles Utter, district attorney ; Ira E. Moore, sheriff ; George
H. Smith, clerk of the court; Charles Utter, clerk of the board; A. W.
Armstrong, registrar ; Hollister Wright, treasurer ; George J. Turton, sur-
veyor, and William Adams, coroner. There were 44 votes cast, 36 in Monto-
ville and 8 in Gale. George H. Smith appointed William M. Young deputy
clerk and Hollister Wright made John Nicholls his clerk as deputy county
treasurer.'
Gale township having been created and a chairman elected, the new
board of county supervisors, consisting of George Batchelder, chairman of
Montoville and B. F. Heuston, chairman of Gale, met at Montoville May 1,
1854. George Batchelder was chosen chairman and William M. Young clerk.
Charles Utter was appointed county treasurer. Mr. Utter was also appointed
to act with the commissioner from Jackson County to lay out roads from
Montoville to Black River Falls by way of Trempealeau Valley and Beaver
Creek, and one to Douglass Mills, now North Bend, in Jackson County.
May 29, 1854, the boundary between Montoville and Gale was slightly
readjusted. November 14, 1854, a meeting was held at the home of B. F.
Heuston in Gale, but at once adjourned to Montoville. November 20, 1854,
John Nicholls was appointed clerk in place of William M. Young, resigned.
It would appear that George Batchelder was then looking after the criminal
interests of the county, as on November 27, 1854, he was voted S16.50
for the prosecution, guarding and deposition of "Geo. the Murderer."
In the spring of 1855 B. F. Heuston was re-elected chairman of (iale
IOC
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 107
Township and was accordingly continued as a member of the county board.
William A. Cram took his seat as the member from Montoville. John
Nicholls continued as clerk, being appointed in place of Charles Utter, who
did not qualify. During the first two years of county government the board
met sometimes at Montoville and sometimes in Gale Township or in Gales-
ville. The county officials maintained their offices in their residences or
their places of business. June 26, 1856, the clerk of the board was author-
ized to have his office at his residence in MontoviUe, and the sheriff, clerk
of court, registrar and treasurer were ordered to file with the clerk a
statement of where their headquarters were to be found. The need of a
courthouse, however, was apparent, and on June 11, 1855, the board, meeting
at the home of William A. Cram, decided that a courthouse should be built
at Galesville as soon as possible, and ordered the clerk to prepare plans
for the inspection of the public, and to advertise for bids for a building
28 by 36 feet, two stories high. June 28, 1855, Isaac Noyes and Amassa
P. Webb, of Montoville, were awarded the contract at $1,000, and the
county appropriated $250 for the purchase of material. The work was to
be finished on April 28, 1856, but when that date approached it was found
that the building would not be completed within the time limit. Lumber
had been hard to obtain, and some that had been carted to the site had
been stolen. Accordingly, the contractors were awarded damages of $25
and the time extended to July 28.
The first meeting of the board in the new courthouse was held July 23,
1856. B. F. Heuston of Gale was still a member of the board. WilUam
Adams succeeded William A. Cram of Trempealeau. In the meantime the
town of Preston had been created, November 21, 1855, consisting of all of
the county north of the line between Townships 19 and 20, except that part
in what is now Ettrick, west of the range line between Ranges 9 and 10 ;
and the first town meeting had been held at the home of Ed. Reynolds, April
1, 1856. The first representative of the town on the county board was
Simon S. Rice. John Nicholls continued to serve as clerk of the board.
November 11, 1856, the board voted to allow the people of Galesville to use
the courtroom as a schoolroom.
In the spring of 1857 the new board consisted of B. F. Heuston of
Gale, Simon S. Rice of Preston and William Adams of Trempealeau. The
previous board, on November 20, 1856, had created two new townships,
Arcadia and Sumner. Sumner consisted of all of Township 24, Ranges 7,
8 and 9. The first town meeting was ordered held at Beef River Station
April 7, 1857. Arcadia consisted of all the present town of Arcadia, except
the strip in Township 20, range 8, and everything north of the present town-
ship to the south line of Township 24. The first town meeting was to be
held at home of David Bishop, April 7, 1857. The meeting at David
Bishop's was conducted as ordered, but the one at Beef River Station was
not held, and the board ordered a meeting for April, 1858. In the fall of
1857 the board consisted of J. R. Penney of Arcadia, A. R. Wyman of Gale,
J. B. Dunning of Preston and Sam D. Hastings of Trempealeau. This board
created the town of Caledonia, November 11, 1857, and ordered the first
town meeting to be held at the home of Alexander McGilvray in April, 1858.
108 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
The town consisted of all of the present town of Caledonia except the tier
of sections in Township 18, Range 9. This action was rescinded March
2, 1858.
November 9, 1858, the board consisted of James M. Barrett of Trem-
pealeau, A. R. Wyman of Gale, J. H. Chase of Sumner, in place of William
Harmon ; A. L. Sherwood of Preston and James Broughton of Arcadia. This
board was informed by District Attorney Romanzo Bunn that the action
of the board in rescinding the creation of Caledonia was illegal. But the
town having failed to organize, a new date, the first Tuesday in March,
1859, was set as the time for the first town meeting. As early as November
13, 1858, the need of an almshouse was felt, and a committee consisting
of James M. Barrett, A. L. Sherwood and John Nicholls was appointed to
correspond with officials of various counties of the state in regard to
methods of caring for the needy in a proper and economical manner. At
the February meeting in 1859 W. H. Thomas sat as the member from
Sumner. The board authorized the board of trustees of Galesville Uni-
versity to use the upper story of the courthouse for classroom purposes for
the summer term of 1859 in case the seminary building should not be com-
pleted.
At this meeting the people of Trempealeau Village were reprimanded
by the board for petitioning the legislature to submit to the voters the
question of removing the county seat to that hamlet. The supervisors
expressed the opinion that if the county seat were to be removed at all, it
should be to some point near the geographical center of the county, and
further stated that the agitation of the question at that time would create
a great deal of needless trouble, expense and ill feeling.
Six townships being in existence in the fall of 1859, the board consisted
of six members: J. T. Holmes of Caledonia, Ben. B. Healy of Trempealeau.
Collins Bishop of Arcadia, A. A. Arnold of Gale, Ebenezer Thurston of
Preston and W. H. Thomas of Sumner. November 15, 1859, A. P. Ford was
appointed county drainage commissioner under the provisions of the general
laws of 1858. This board did not authorize any new townships, and the
board for 1860 therefore consisted of six members: George D. Dewey of
Arcadia, J. T. Holmes of Caledonia, Henry French of Gale, Chester Bost-
wick of Preston, William Silkworth of Sumner and James M. Barrett of
Trempealeau. November 13, 1860, Chase and Lincoln Townships were
created. Chase was to consist of all the present town of Albion and the
west half of Unity. The first town meeting was to be held at the home of
David Chase in April, 1861. Lincoln was to consist of Townships 22 and 23.
Range 8, and Township 23, Range 9. This embraced nearly all of what
is now Lincoln, all of what is now Chimney Rock, a small strip of Burnside
and the western part of Hale. The first town meeting was to be held at
the home of Alvah Wood, the first Tuesday in April.
These townships being duly organized and the election held, the board
for 1861 consisted of eight members: George R. Davey, Chase; M. D.
Ingalls, Lincoln ; D. C. Dewey, Arcadia ; Eben Batchelder, Caledonia ; A. A.
Arnold, Gale ; E. M. Reynolds, Preston ; R. C. Fields, Sumner, and Delavan
Bunn, Trempealeau.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 109
With this board the pre-bellum period came to a close. From one
township, in 1854, the county had increased to eight. Settlements were
springing up here and there, and farmhouses were dotting the landscape
in every direction. Without exception, the members of the board had been
men of ability. All had been men from the eastern states, with good district
school educations, who had brought with them all the traditions of the
New England town meeting, and who fully realized their responsibility as
the founders of a future important county. The knowledge that they were
laying a foundation for future years is everywhere apparent, and in many
of the resolutions is actually expressed. John NichoUs, who was county
clerk during this period, was a man of orderly mind, an excellent penman
and possessed of considerable legal knowledge, so that the affairs of the
county were well conducted and the records kept in an adequate manner.
The successive boards had met with many problems. Taxes had to be
laid on a people struggling with poverty in a new country, bills had to be
paid out of a slender treasury, and every account was pared to its utmost
limit, roads had to be laid out along routes which would reach the greatest
number of the scattered settlements, bridges had to be constructed to
accommodate the travels of the inhabitants of the county, and also to
facilitate immigration. Towns had to be created, and the nature of the
ridges and valleys made it necessary that frequent changes be made in
townships already created, in order that the people who were geographically
related might be placed also in convenient pohtical units. Even at this
early date there were poor who must be cared for, and the successive boards
had been divided in their opinions as to whether this should be done with
a township or a county system.
Strangers were constantly passing through the county, and many of
these travelers were of an unsavory character. Unidentified bodies of
murdered men were frequently found along the highways, and corpses werp
often washed up at Trempealeau, a mute testimony to the grim sternness
of life on the Mississippi in those early days. The expense of disposing of
these bodies had to be met by the appropriations of the county board.
Struggling as they were, with pioneer conditions, many of the settlers
were unable to pay their taxes, claims were frequently deserted by restless
pioneers who found it more convenient to seek their fortunes further than
to meet their obligations here, and the problem of disposing of unredeemed
tax titles was constantly before the board. The question of drainage was
also an important one and was frequently considered.
But these farmers met all these situations with clear brains and good
common sense, and the affairs of the county were in a satisfactory condition
at the close of this period in its history.
The new system of county government in Wisconsin went into effect
January 1, 1862, and it was under this system that Trempealeau County
underwent the great stress of the Civil War. The new board convened
January 13, 1862, George Batchelder of Trempealeau representing the
First District, A. R. Wyman of GalesviUe the Second and Henry Lake of
Preston the Third. Batchelder had served on the first county' board in
1854. Wyman had served in 1857 and 1858. Lake was a pioneer who had
110 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
settled at the mouth of Lake Cooley in Preston Township and had abeady
become prominent in township affairs. This board had to defend the exist-
ence of Trempealeau County as a county. At its first meeting William A.
Cram, the sheriff, reported to the board that he had been summoned before
the Superior Court of Wisconsin to show cause why he had illegally per-
formed the duties of sheriff in certain townships, George F. Haswell, repre-
senting Buffalo County, alleging that Trempealeau County had been
illegally created, and that a larger part of its townships were therefore
still a part of Buffalo County. The board placed the matter in the hands
of George Gale, through whose efforts the county was created, and in due
time the organization of the county was confirmed by the Supreme Court.*
The Civil War occupied the attention of the board for the next few
years. Fortunately, during these years a considerable sum was realized
from the sale of tax titles, and in spite of the numerous bounties paid to
war volunteers, the financial standing of the county was not impaired.
November 12, 1862, the county board voted to raise $3,000 as a part of
the general tax fund, for a Soldiers' Bounty Fund, for soldiers from this
county, and their families. December 16, 1862, it was decided to pay $4
a month for seven months to the wives and families of all non-commissioned
officers, musicians and privates enhsting from this county. At the Decem-
ber meeting the first bounties were voted. With this begmning, the board
continued to grant $4 a month to families of volunteers throughout the war.
An ambrotype of the company of volunteers raised in Trempealeau
County having been taken, the board on December 20, 1862, voted to present
the picture to Galesville University.
Ettrick was created on December 16, 1862, and the first town meeting
called for April 7, 1863, at the home of John Cance, in Section 36, Township
20, Range 8. This made nine townships in the county.
The board for 1863 was the same as the previous year. War-time
problems increased. The bounty of $4 a month to families of volunteers
was continued. November 10, 1863, it was voted to pay a bounty to each
volunteer (or heirs) who had enlisted in the military service of the United
States from this county during the Rebellion, and who should die in service
or be honorably discharged. Later it was determined that in case the
monthly bounty had been paid, that the amount of the monthly bounty
should be deducted from the enlistment bounty. The first to receive this
enlistment bounty was F. J. Miller, honoi-ably discharged from the First
Wisconsin Battery.
The unemotional records, with their lists of bounties paid to the rela-
tives of those who died in battle, give to present generations a glimpse of
the stress and tragedy of those days.
While the young men were fighting for the preservation of the Union
at the front, those at home were gradually increasing the agricultural acre-
age of the county. The board, realizing the importance of raising sufficient
food, and appreciating the vital part played in the war by the farms, voted
on December 23, 1863, to contribute $50 to the work of the Trempealeau
County Agricultural Society.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 111
Burnside was created as a township December 29, 1863. It consisted
of Townships 22 and 23, Range 9, the west half of Township 23, Range 8,
and Sections 4, 5, 6, in Township 22, Range 8. This embraced all of what
is now Burnside, except the little strip in Township 22, Rang6 8, all of Chim-
ney Rock, all that is now Hale west of the line that equally divides Range 8,
and a small tract that is now the southwest corner of Lincoln. The first
meeting was to be held in April, 1864, at the home of Giles Cripps.
The board for 1864 consisted of E. Wilcox from the First District, Alex
McGilvray from the Second District, and W. H. Thomas from the Third
District. February 3 this board created Hale Township, embracing practi-
cally the entire present township of that name, with the exception of some
shght variations along the northwestern line of Pigeon Township. The
first town meeting was to be held in April, 1865, at the home of D. S. Watson,
Section 24, Township 23, Range 8. The bounty question continued to be a
problem. At the time of the recruiting of Company C, Thirtieth Wisconsin
Volunteer Infantry, it had been generally understood throughout the county
that every volunteer was to receive a bounty of $50. At the first meeting in
1864 the board therefore determined that the finances of the county were
such as to justify a payment on account of $25 to all who had not already
received that amount, either in person or through their families. The
families that had received money in monthly payments amounting in all
to less than $25 could receive the balance in cash, or request to have their
$4 a month continued. Later in the year it was decided that widows of
certain deceased volunteers should receive a monthly bounty of $4, just
the same as though their husbands were still alive and serving at the front.
November 15, 1865, 115 bounty claims were adjusted. It was during the
administration of this board that the organization of the township of Chase
was vacated, and the territory added to Sumner. The same board served
in 1865, A. R. Wyman succeeding John Nicholls as clerk.
George Dewey from the First District, George H. Smith from the
Second, and Edward F. Wade from the Third, constituted the board for 1866.
This board attempted to construct a jail. Crime was increasing with the
growth in population and the augmentation of travel, and the cost of remov-
ing prisoners to the jail at La Crosse was a serious drain on the county's
resources. November 15, 1866, it was therefore voted to raise $1,500 for
the erection of a jail at Gales ville.
The next board, J. M. Barrett of the First District, George H. Smith of
the Second District, and Charles C. Crane of the Third District, took office
January 8, 1867, and on that date authorized Charles C. Crane to draw
plans for the jail. B. F. Heuston succeeded A. R. Wyman as clerk. In the
summer time this board ordered a tract index prepared for use in the office
of the register of deeds. November 14, a final readjustment was made of
the bounty matter. Many who declared themselves to have claims had
assigned these claims to other persons for small sums, and the holders were
pressing the county for payment. The board found that in most instances
these claims were of men who had not enlisted from this county, or else of
men whose families had already received in monthly payments more than
the volunteer was entitled to receive. As an incentive toward good roads.
112 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
the county decided to construct a pile driver to be loaned to the various
towns.
James M. Barrett from the First District, Robert Cance from the
Second, and C.'C. Crane from the Third, made up the board for 1868. Steps
were taken toward erecting an almshouse. The distribution of the care of
the poor between the county and townships had not proven satisfactory.
Therefore it was determined that the proceeds of all lands that had been
sold for taxes and bid in for iive successive years by the county and
appraised and sold before the annual meeting of 1869, should be turned in
to the poor fund, and an unimproved farm bought for not more than $1,000,
or an improved farm for not more than $3,000, and that the county assume
sole charge of the poor after January 1, 1870.
In 1869 the board consisted of Noah D. Comstock from the First Dis-
trict, Robert Cance from the Second District, and N. P. Bruce from the
Third District. This board decided to abandon the plans for building a
jail, and to accept the offer of the village of Trempealeau for the free use
of the jail in that village.
The last board under this regime convened February 15, 1870, and
consisted of Noah D. Comstock from the First District, A. R. Wyman from
the Second District, and N. P. Bruce from the Third District.
Under the direct system of county government, the three supervisors
each year had borne the brunt of the problems arising from the domestic
aspects of the Civil War. They had continued the internal work of their
predecessors in such matters as road and bridge building, and had attended
to the routine business of the county in an efficient manner, and at a much
less expense than that incident to the cumbersome system of township and
village representation. Bounties had been voted to encourage enlistments,
families of absent volunteers had been looked after, and the finances of the
county kept in a satisfactory condition. An attempt had been made to erect
a county jail and a county almshouse, and the necessity of depending on
La Crosse for jail service had been lessened by the pressing into service of
the village lock-up at Trempealeau, though prisoners after conviction con-
tinued to be sent to La Crosse. While the various nationality elements,
afterward prominent in the county, such as the Scandinavian, the German
and the Polish, had already begun to settle in the county and to establish
communities almost exclusively composed of their own nationalities, the
administration of county affairs remained in the hands of men who were
of English, Irish or Scotch birth or descent.
The new board of supervisors met May 23, 1870. Chase having been
vacated, and Ettrick, Burnside and Hale having been created, the board
consisted of ten members: John D. Lewis of Arcadia, Warren Post of
Burnside, Joshua Rhodes of Caledonia, Robert Cance of Ettrick, Robert
Oliver in place of Wilham P. Clark of Gale, D. S. Watson of Hale, W. H.
Thomas of Sumner, Benjamin B. Healy of Trempealeau, and Gullick Olson
of Preston. Mr. Olson was the first representative of the Scandinavian race
to sit on the board. Mr. Healy was made chairman. This board devoted
a greater part of its attention to the question of unredeemed tax lands.
The land was coming more and more in demand, and the county found that
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 113
the tracts that it had bid in at tax sales in previous years found a ready
market. During this administration, the treasurer, Edward F. Wade,
alleged that $1,498.18 had been stolen from his safe. The board ordered a
rigid investigation, and finally, after considering all aspects of the case,
ordered the district attorney to prosecute the treasurer's bondsmen for
full payment of the amount missing, with interest. Judgment being
obtained, the money was turned over to the county by the bondsmen and a
release signed by the board November 19, 1872. June 20, 1870, the town
of Albion was set off in response to a petition previously presented request-
ing the creation of a town to be named Logan. As created, Albion consisted
of its present area. The first meeting was ordered held at the schoolhouse
in District Three, in April, 1871.
D. S. Watson of Hale was the chairman of the county board in 1871.
The other members were Noah D. Comstock of Arcadia, Michael White of
Burnside, Robert Cance of Ettrick, James Overson of Preston, Benjamin B.
Healy of Trempealeau (place filled March 20, 1871, by D. S. Watson) , George
0. Babcock of Albion, Joshua Rhodes of Caledonia, WiUiam P. Clark of Gale,
David Wood of Lincoln, J. W. McKay of Sumner, and George Batchelder of
Trempealeau Village. The modern system of county government in Trem-
pealeau County dates from this board. The previous board had inaugurated
the new system under the State law, and had paved the way for the per-
fected organization. But the board of 1871 established the procedure by
which the affairs of the county have since been conducted. The rules
adopted November 14, 1871, for the meetings of the board are those which,
with a few minor changes, have since been in force. That these rules have
proved adequate for nearly fifty years shows the foresightedness of those
who invented them. The present system of the division of the labors of
the board among the members was also adopted at that time. Previous
to this adoption, such special committees as were needed were appointed
from time to time, but most of the business now done by the committees
was transacted by the full board. This board of 1871 established a regular
system of committees. These committees, with some shght readjustments,
were the same as at present, with the exception that the work of the what
was then the committee on jury lists is now done by the clerk of court, and
a committee on county property has been added.
Since the days of this board the work of the county supervisors has
been largely of a routine nature, not differing materially from the work of
neighboring counties of the State. Several matters, however, have been of
special historic significance, and among these are the creation of four addi-
tional townships, the county seat struggle, the erection of the courthouse
and jail, the creation of an insane asylum, attempts at establishing a poor
farm, and in recent years the work that has arisen in connection with the
State aid system in the construction of roads and bridges.
Dodge and Pigeon were created January 4, 1875 ; Unity on November
20, 1877, and Chimney Rock on November 22, 1881. All were created with
their boundaries as at present constituted, except that the northwest line
of Pigeon has since been readjusted. The first meeting in Dodge was held
in the schoolhouse in District 2, Section 12, Township 19, Range 10, in April,
114 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
1875, the first meeting in Pigeon was held on the same date, the first meeting
in Unity was held in April, 1878, at the schoolhouse in Section 22, Township
24, Range 8, and the first meeting in Chimney Rock was held at the school-
house in Section 11, Township 23, Range 9, in April, 1882. The question of
the division of Lincoln and the creation of Pigeon was submitted to the
voters, the only instance in the history of the county where such a provision
was made.
The county having been ci'eated through the influence and clever plan-
ning of Judge Gale, the county seat was placed at his proposed village of
Galesville. In the years that immediately followed, Trempealeau occasion-
ally expressed its aspirations, and once went so far as to prepare a petition
to the legislature for a vote on the question of removing the county seat
there. The petition was accepted by the legislature and an Act passed
March 5, 1868, authorizing the election. The voters rejected the proposi-
tion. To the majority of the people of the county the division of honors
between the two villages seemed an equitable one. Galesville was the seat
of learning as the home of Gale College, it was the source of government
by reason of the location of the county seat, and it was the center of consid-
erable influence as the residence of several prominent men. Trempealeau
possessed the advantage of being on the Mississippi, and as aU of the exports
of the county were shipped from there, it naturally became the commercial
metropolis.
But the growth of the county in the decade following the Civil War, the
building of the railroad through the center of the county in 1873, and the
increasing importance of the villages along its line in the Trempealeau Val-
ley caused a growing discontent with the location of the courthouse in the
southeast corner of the county. Judge Gale was dead, the prestige of the
name no longer upheld Galesville, Trempealeau had ceased to be the shipping
point of the county, the balance of power had shifted from the southern
townships. Whitehall, Arcadia, Independence and Blair were all ambitious,
and the people of the northern part of the county naturally joined with the
people of the central part against those in the southern part.
In order to establish their grip on the county seat, the people of Gales-
ville caused to be introduced at the board meeting of November 13, 1875, a
motion to spend $500 in repairing the courthouse, repairs which in fact were
needed, as the building was becoming inadequate for the demands upon it.
That motion being defeated, a proposition was made to erect a new court-
house at a cost of $15,000. This was hkewise defeated.
A year later, at the election of November 7, 1876, the voters of the
county decided in favor of removing the county seat to Arcadia, whcih had
become the metropolis of the county. The people of Gale, however, did
not propose to let their advantages slip from their grasp without a fight, and
on November 18, 1876, John McKeith of Gale proposed to the county board
that the county oflSces and meeting place of the board should remain at
Galesville until the next annual meeting, or until otherwise ordered by the
board. The proposition was defeated, being favored only by the members
from Gale, Caledonia and Ettrick, who hoped to keep the county seat in the
southern part of the county, and by the member from Lincoln, who desired
III8T0RY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 115
Arcadia to secure no advantages. John D. Lewis led the fight for Arcadia,
and on the final proposition of seUing the property at Galesville he had only-
two opponents, the members from Gale and Trempealeau. November 21,
1876, a committee was appointed to supervise the removal to Arcadia.
January 2, 1877, the board met in the schoolhouse at that place.
Whitehall now entered the fight in earnest. Galesville, strongly
entrenched in historic tradition, had been defeated, and it was believed that
Arcadia would prove a less formidable foe. Presenting the argument that
Arcadia was on the western edge of the county and Whitehall in the
geographical center, the people of the latter village had circulated a petition,
and securing the necessary number of signatures, asked the board on
January 3, 1877, to call for an election on the question. Mr. Lewis alleged
that many names had been secured by misrepresentation, and that most of
the signers thought the petition was one requesting that no county tax be
laid for erecting county buildings. He demanded for Arcadia the right
to be represented by an attorney and witnesses before the county board.
But he was denied that privilege and the election was ordered to be held
in the fall. However, in spite of this coming contest, the board appointed
a committee to draw plans for the erection of a $20,000 building at Arcadia.
At the election held November 6, 1877, the voters decided by about 600
majority to move the county seat to Whitehall. The citizens of Arcadia
alleged fraud and secured an injunction, but in the end were unsuccessful in
their contentions.
January 23, 1878, the board met at Scott's Hall, at the southwest corner
of Main and Scranton streets, in Whitehall, and after considerable jockeying
passed a resolution condemning the people of Arcadia for their attitude,
accused them of stirring up strife, or engendering animosities which would
take years to overcome, and wrongfully putting on the county the cost of
expensive litigation. In the same resolution S. W. Button was authorized
to employ Judge Thomas Wilson of Winona to defend the board in the
injunction proceedings brought by Arcadia. On the final vote, the only
members opposing the resolution were the ones from Arcadia and its
adjoining town of Dodge, and the two southern towns of Caledonia and
Trempealeau.
Blair now appeared as an aspirant for county seat honors, but on
November 5, 1878, the voters again declared in favor of Whitehall.
The people of Arcadia continued to feel that not only was Arcadia the
logical place for the county seat, but that they had in fact been defrauded
out of it. The necessary number of names being secured to a petition, the
question of removing the county seat to Arcadia came before the voters
November 7, 1882, and was defeated by a count of 1,874 to 1,454.
Thus for the third time, the people had declared in favor of Whitehall.
The fight had been long and bitter, the newspapers had been filled with
recriminations, the quarrel had been the chief subject of conversation for
years, the ill feeling engendered was long to remain, but the people of
Arcadia accepted the situation cheerfully and set- about to maintain the
position of that village as a metropolis of the county, even though its
lltj HISTORY OF TREMPE.\LEAU COUNTY
geographical position had defeated its county seat aspirations. The ques-
tion was now practically dead, though the people of Independence prepared
a petition and endeavored to secure an election in the fall of 1883 on the
proposition of removing the county seat to Independence. It was found,
however, that the number of votes cast at the previous election was 2,013
of which two-thirds was 1,342. Of the 1,493 names on the petition, 1,318
were on the poll lists and 162 were not. The status of 16 names was in
doubt. The petition thus fell short of the necessary 1,342 and no similar
petition has since been attempted.
November 15, 1882, 0. J. Allen of Lincoln, moved before the county
board that the courthouse be erected in Whitehall. The proposition carried
by a vote of 12 to 5, the opposing votes being those of the members of
Arcadia township and village, and their neighbor Dodge, of Burnside where
the people had aspirations for Independence, and of Preston were the people
had aspirations for Blair. A building committee was appointed consisting
of A. H. Gary, J.D. Olds, M. J. Warner, H. Hoberton and John McKeith. A
large lot was presented by the town of Lincoln, and that town also paid
$5,000 toward the construction of the building. Work was started in the
spring of 1883, and the building was completed late that year at a cost of
about $20,000, being occupied early in January, 1884.
November 11, 1885, money was appropriated for a jail, and work was
commenced the following spring in charge of a building committee consist-
ing of H. Hoberton, E. H. Warner and Peter Ekern. It was accepted
November 1, 1886, having cost about $8,000.
The courthouse and jail proved adequate for more than thirty years.
In 1910 the need of improvement was apparent, and on November 16, 1910,
after preUminary investigation and due consultation with the State Board
of Control, it was decided to rebuild the jail, and at the same time to build
an addition to the courthouse which would nearly double its capacity. The
first set of bids was rejected, and on January 10, 1911, the contracts were
let. The work on the courthouse and jail was completed late in the fall
of 1911 at a cost of nearly $30,000, the committee in charge consisting of
James N. Hunter, chairman; E. F. Hensel, secretary; E. F. Clark, C. Q.
Gage and F. A. Hotchkiss.
The courthouse and jail are surrounded by beautiful wooded lawns
which stretch across the schoolhouse property and merge in the public park,
which in turn extends to the village cemetery, this giving the people a
beautiful sweep of public property scarcely to be equaled in western
Wisconsin.
From the earliest days the care of the poor has been an important part
of the work of the county board. Some members have favored putting the
entire burden on the townships ; some have favored putting the entire
burden on the county, and some have favored a division of responsibility
between the county and the townships. The various systems have been
tried with varying success. At present the townships are responsible for
the care of their own poor, while the county looks after the poor whose
actual residence in any particular township cannot be proven.
Plans for the establishment of a poor farm and almshouse have several
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 117
times been set on foot. Once a poor farm was bought and sold again, and
once the foundation of an almshouse was constructed but later abandoned.
November 11, 1885, at the same meeting which voted to erect a jail,
a motion was passed authorizing the purchase of a poor farm, the erection
of an almshouse and the purchase of equipment, $2,000 to be levied for the
purpose that year and $4,000 the following year. The farm was to consist
of between 80 and 160 acres and was to be located in the Trempealeau
Valley, not more than four miles from a railroad. The work was to be com-
pleted November 1, 1886, at which time the county system of caring for
the poor was to go into full effect. A poor commission was appointed, con-
sisting of W. A. Johnson of Gale, Thomas Thompson of Independence and
Charles Johnson of Blair. But evidently at the time of passing the vote
the board had misgivings, for a motion was at once introduced to reconsider.
The misgivings continued, and at a special meeting held June 15, 1886, it
was decided to adopt the township system of caring for the poor, to dispose
of the farm in Burnside which the commissioners had tentatively purchased,
and to abandon all the work that had been done in preparation for inaugu-
rating the county system. On the final vote the supervisors who still
favored the county system were the representatives from Burnside, Inde-
pendence, Preston, Sumner and Trempealeau Village.
In the years that followed, the matter of building institutions for the
care of the poor and of the insane was discussed at various meetings. On
January 2, 1899, O. E. Gibbs, E. J. Matchett and D. L. Holcombe rendered
an extensive report on the subject and recommended that an insane asylum
and almshouse be built, as a measure of economy, efficiency and humanity.
The report was accepted and the three men named as a committee to carry
out their recommendations. Later G. H. Neperud, D. Wood, Stener Hanson
and E. F. Clark were added to the committee. Land was purchased west
of Arcadia and work was started in the spring of 1899, complicated some-
what by an injunction obtained by Martin T. Babbit, who claimed that the
powers of the committee expired when the old board went out of office
in March. The injunction was served May 4 and dissolved May 12.
The work on the almshouse was suspended permanently after the foun-
dations were nearly finished. The asylum was practically completed Jan-
uary 25, 1900. The first trustees were D. L. Holcombe, president, of Arcadia ;
F. M. Smith, secretary, of Osseo, and Thomas Thompson of Whitehall. J. A.
Johnson was the first superintendent. He was followed in March, 1901,
by P. H. Johnson, who was succeeded in January, 1911, by John McKivergin,
the present superintendent. The farm consists of 405 acres at the asylum
west of Whitehall and three forty-acre tracts of woodland elsewhere. The
farm is well improved and equipped and the institution is regarded as a
model of its kind. The establishment has not only supported itself, but
has already paid nearly one-half of the original cost of $90,000. A part
of the income consists of a certain sum received each year from the state.
The first nine patients were received April 6, 1900, and the number was
increased to forty-six before the end of the month. The capacity is now
nearly 150 patients.
Road and bridge matters have constituted much of the heavy work
118 HISTORY OF TKEMPEALEAU COUNTY
of the successive county boards. The early roads in Trempealeau County
followed the river courses. The trail along the Mississippi and the trail
dovi^n the Beef River Valley early became much frequented highways. Beef
River Valley, Trempealeau Valley and its two gi-eat northern branches,
Pigeon Creek and Elk Creek (Pleasant) Valleys ; and its eastern branch,
the Big Tamarack Valley ; Bruce, Chimney Rock and Borst Valleys, tribu-
tary to Pleasant Valley ; Beaver Creek Valley and its tributary, French
Creek Valley, are all natural lines of travel, while the Trempealeau Prairie
affords routes west and south from Galesville and north and east from
Trempealeau.
The greatest difficulty in road building in the county is in crossing
the ridges which separate the valleys. None of the roads of the county
follow the crest of the ridges for any considerable distance, the longest ridge
road being one of several miles between Pigeon Valley and Osseo. The
southern part of the county abounds in rock, but in the northern part of
the county rock for road building must be shipped in.
The territorial and early state assemblies designated certain routes
as state roads ; the early county boards co-operated with various other
counties in laying out roads which would connect the widely separated
pioneer hamlets, and also laid out such roads as extended across more than
one township. The care of the roads and the laying out of short roads was
left with the townships. Bridges were built in whole or in part by the
county when it appeared that the construction of such bridges would impose
too great a hardship on the individual towns.
Modern road building in Trempealeau County was inaugurated under
the laws of 1907. In that year the county board outlined a series of
"proposed county highways" covering the natural routes of communication
within the county. E. J. Matchett was appointed county highway commis-
sioner. Under this system the county was to pay one-half for the construc-
tion of county roads and the township one-half. Under the laws of 1911
the state pays one-third, the county one-third and the town one-third. The
state money available, however, has not thus far been sufficient to meet
the entire one-third, so in reahty the county and township are paying
considerably more than their respective thirds.
Trempealeau County was one of the first counties in the state to build
roads under the laws of 1907. In 1912 macadamizing was started on the
Arcadia-Dodge and the Galesville-Ettrick roads. The work of macadamizing,
grading and surfacing has since continued until something like $400,000
has been spent within the county. The heaviest piece of relocation work
in the state was done on the so-called Decorah Peak cut, near Galesville,
where something like 35,000 cubic yards of earth were moved in a stretch
of a little more than a mile, at a cost of about $25,000. The new road
considerably modifies the grade and eliminates many dangerous curves.
In 1916 Emil F. Rotering was appointed county highway commissioner, and
under his able supervision, with the co-operation of the county board
committee, the highways of the county are being gradually improved and
the system extended.
County Officers. William M. Young, the first county clerk of Ti-empea-
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 119
leau County, was appointed as clerk of the county board at its first meeting,
May 1, 1854. John Nicholls was appointed November 20, 1854. Charles
Utter was elected in the fall of 1854, but did not qualify, and on February 3,
1855, John Nicholls was again appointed. He was elected in the fall of 1856.
Since then the clerks have been :
1865, Allen R. Wyman; 1867, B. F. Heuston; 1871, Allen R. Wyman
(died in office) ; 1880, Charles E. Perkins (appointed November 9) ; 1883,
E. N. Trowbridge; 1891, L. H. Whitney; 1893, H. A. Towner; 1897, P. H.
Johnson; 1901, Oluf Ihle (died in office) ; 1904, H. A. Towner (appointed
November 15, 1904) ; 1905, John P. Hanson ; 1909, Paudor K. Risberg.
A. A. Arnold became county superintendent of schools December 5,
1861. At the same time George Batchelder, A. R. Wyman and Henry Lake
were appointed examiners. Mr. Arnold resigned September 1, 1862, and
was followed by D. W. GilfiUan. Following him came : 1865, S. S. Luce ;
1870, Amos Whiting; 1874, J. B. Thompson; 1876, Amos Whiting; 1878,
Mary Brandenberg ; 1880, Stephen Richmond ; 1882, W. J. Showers ; 1885,
W. L. Cummings; 1893, T. C. Salt; 1899, L. S. Keith; 1907, Cornelia (Camp-
bell) Remington; 1909, Dan P. Gibson; 1917, Helen Berg. Beginning with
1905, the school superintendents have been elected in April and have taken
office the first Monday in July, to conform with the school year.
Augustus W. Armstrong was elected register of deeds of Trempealeau
County in the fall of 1854. John Nicholls succeeded him January 1, 1857.
Since then the registers have been: 1859, Charles E. Perkins; 1861,
Edward Barnard; 1863, Charles E. Perkins; 1867, David W. Wade; 1871,
H. L. Bunn; 1875, John Olson Melby; 1887, Simon Olson; 1893, T. R.
Phillips; 1895, H. N. Halvorson; 1901, Christian F. Ringlee; 1907, Juhus E.
Wilberg; 1913, Morris Hanson.
The first treasurer of Trempealeau County was Charles Utter, who was
appointed May 1, 1854. His successors have been: 1855, HoUister
Wright; 1857, George H. Smith; 1859, Samuel F. Harris; 1861, Noah D.
Comstock; 1867, Edward F. Wade; 1871, Douglass Arnold; 1875, David
Kribs; 1883, Henry French; 1887, Henry Thorsgaard; 1891, L. L. Grinde;
1895, O. E. Larson ; 1899, Henry French (died in office) ; 1899, M. E. Ladd
(appointed May 8) ; 1903, Charles N. Webster; 1907, Nels L. Fredrickson;
1911, John F. Hager; 1915, Ole 0. Hovre; 1917, F. D. Hopkins.
George H. Smith was the first clerk of court of Trempealeau County.
The other clerks have been : 1857, John Nicholls ; 1865, Allen R. Wyman ;
1867, B. F. Heuston; 1871, Charles E. Perkins; 1875, H. L. Bunn; 1877,
R. A. Odell; 1887, E. Bratberg (resigned) ; 1888, Ohver A. Hegg (appointed
April 2) ; 1893, Harry H. Scott; 1899, "F. E. Beach; 1905, Eugene F. Kidder.
Romanzo Bunn was probably the first man to serve Trempealeau County
as district attorney. He took office January 1, 1857, and resigned Septem-
ber 28, 1857, being followed by A. A. Arnold. Mr. Arnold resigned May 13,
1858, and Mr. Bunn was appointed in his place. Following him came:
1859, John A. Daniels; 1861, C. E. Turner; 1863, G. Y. Freeman; 1867, A. W.
Newman; 1871, J. E. Robinson; 1873, A. W. Newman; 1877, S. W. Button;
1879, Michael Milhgan ; 1881, Sam S. Miller; 1887, E. Q. Nye; 1890, Hans A.
Anderson ; 1891, G. Y. Freeman ; 1893, J. C. Button ; 1895, Herman L. Ekern ;
120 HJ8T0RY OF TREMPEALEAU COUxNTY
1899, Robert S. Cowie. Judge Cowie resigned late in 1903, and Robert
Christianson was appointed. Mr. Christianson died after a few months,
and Earl F. Hensel was appointed. He served until the close of 1908. John
A. Markham then served until the close of 1912, when Judge Hensel again
took office, being succeeded January 1, 1915, by Elmer E. Barlow.
When the first term of court was held on April 28, 1856, A. M. Branden-
berg was the sheriff of Trempealeau County. Following him the sheriffs
have been: 1857, William Clark; 1859, Robert E. Jones; 1861, WiUiam A.
Cram ; 1863, J. W. Marsh ; 1865, Ulysses Button ; 1867, Edward Elkins ; 1869,
John C. McCoy; 1871, David W. Wade; 1873, Charles F. Holmes; 1875.
Joseph Kellogg; 1877, E. S. Hotchkiss; 1879, Daniel K. Hagestad; 1881,
Nels L. Tolvstad; 1883, Ed Elstad; 1885, John McKeith; 1887, Ed Elstad;
1889, John Boynton; 1891, John McKeith; 1893, Nels L. Fredrickson; 1895,
John Durisch; 1897, Joseph L. Jensen; 1899, G. F. Steig; 1901, Elmer L.
Immell; 1903, Arthur A. Holmes; 1905, Nels J. Nelson; 1907, Mathias T.
Pederson; 1909, Phineas A. Van Horn; 1911, Paul E. Van Horn; 1913, Carl
Jahr; 1915, Edward Torgerson; 1917, Ed Erickson.
The first surveyor of Trempealeau County was George J. Turton. His
successors have been: 1857, Daniel Trowbridge; 1863, Alfred P. Ford;
1865, Isaac Zeller; 1867, Alfred P. Ford; 1875, William Coates; 1877, Paul
Heyse ; 1879, H. B. Merchant ; 1881, Thomas G. Cox ; 1883, A. P. Ford ; 1885,
Thomas G. Cox; 1889, H. B. Merchant; 1891, Thomas G. Cox; 1899, Hans B.
Raa (appointed November 17) ; 1901, A. A. Arnold; 1907, G. D. Arnold;
1911, J. C. Van Tassel; 1913, G. D. Arnold; 1915, C. J. Van Tassel; 1917,
G. D. Arnold.
The first coroner of Trempealeau County was William Adams. He was
foUowed by: 1857, Isaac Clark; 1859, D. W. Gilfillan; 1863, George
Batchelder; 1865, Henry Lake; 1867, Charles C. Crane. Crane served as
coroner the greater part of the time until 1889, though during that period
F. E. Booth, Robert Cance and Ed. Borwell served one or more terms. C. E.
Scott served from 1889 until the appointment of H. A. Towner, February 6,
1901. W. E. Parker served until 1911. Then C. L. Storey and S. F.
Hutchins each served a term, followed by M. C. Crane.
Ten men have served as county judges of Trempealeau County. Ben-
jamin F. Heuston was elected in 1854. He has been followed by: 1860,
A. W. Newman (appointed April 10) ; 1867, S. W. Button ; 1873, Charles E.
Perkins ; 1880, Seth Mills (appointed December 2) ; 1882, M. Mulligan ; 1888,
R. A. Odell (appointed January 10) ; 1906, Robert S. Cowie ; 1909, Earl F.
Hensel (appointed July 3) ; 1910, Hans A. Anderson.
County Boards. 1872 : Albion, Ed Borwell ; Arcadia, N. D. Comstock ;
Burnside, Michael White ; Caledonia, Joshua Rhodes ; Ettrick, Robert Cance ;
Gale, John McKeith ; Hale, D. S. Watson (chairman) ; Lincoln, L. D. McNitt;
Preston, Synest Johnson ; Sumner, R. C. Field ; Trempealeau, B. B. Healey
(S. E. Heuston sat at the May meeting in 1873) ; Trempealeau Village, F. H.
Krebs.
1873: Albion, George 0. Babcock; Arcadia, 0. A. Hegg; Burnside,
Michael White; Caledonia, Joshua Rhodes; Ettrick, Robert Cance; Gale,
John McKeith; Hale, James Thompson; Lincoln, David Wood; Preston,
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 121
James Hopkins ; Sumner, Elias Gay ; Trempealeau, B. B. Healy ; Trempealeau
Village, F. H. Krebs, chairman.
1874: Albion, George 0. Babcock; Arcadia, A. Rathburn; Burnside,
George H. Markham; Caledonia, Edward Barnard; Ettrick, Robert Cance
(C. J. Beach sat at January meeting, 1875) ; Gale, George H. Smith; Hale,
D. S. Watson (S. P. Solberg sat at January meeting, 1875) ; Lincoln, D. W.
Wade (Lyman McNitt sat at January meeting, 1875) ; Preston, James
Hopkins; Sumner, T. G. Cox; Trempealeau, Paul Krebs; Trempealeau
Village, F. H. Krebs, chairman.
1875: Albion, George Babcock; Arcadia, N. N. Comstock; Burnside,
D. C. Cilley ; Caledonia, T. M. Holmes ; Dodge, Charles Keith ; Ettrick, C. G.
Beach ; Gale, John McKeith ; Hale, M. J. Warner ; Lincoln, David W. Wade ;
Pigeon, Peter Ekern ; Preston, James Hopkins ; Sumner, T. A. Cox ; Trem-
pealeau, B. B. Healy; Trempealeau Village, F. H. Krebs, chairman.
1876 : Albion, George Babcock ; Arcadia, J. D. Lewis ; Burnside, D. C.
Cilley; Caledonia, T. M. Holmes (R. C. Towner sat at fall meeting) ; Dodge,
Anton Pehler ; Ettrick, C. G. Beach ; Gale, John Keith ; Hale, M. J. Warner ;
Lincoln, David Wood ; Pigeon, Peter Ekern ; Preston, B. Olson ; Sumner, J. V.
Tracy; Trempealeau, B. B. Healy; Trempealeau Village, F. H Krebs, chair-
man.
1877 : Albion, James W. Grant ; Arcadia, J. D. Lewis ; Burnside, James
Reid; Caledonia, Gilbert Gibbs (T. M. Holmes sat at January meeting,
1878) ; Dodge, Mathias Brom ; Ettrick, K. K. Hagestad ; Gale, John McKeith ;
Hale, M. J. Warner; Lincoln, L. H. Earle; Pigeon, Peter Ekern; Preston,
Stener Hanson (Richard Olson sat at January meeting, 1878) ; Sumner,
P. B. Williams; Trempealeau, B. B. Healy (D. C. Wasson sat at January
meeting, 1878) ; Trempealeau Village, T. H. Krebs. chairman.
1878: Albion, J. W. Grant; Arcadia, Seth Putnam; Burnside, Giles
Cripps; Caledonia, Gilbert Gibbs; Dodge, Mathias Brom; Ettrick, K. K.
Hagestad ; Gale, John McKeith ; Hale, M. J. Warner ; Lincoln, S. H. Earle ;
Pigeon, Peter Ekern; Preston, J. G. Hanson; Sumner, J. T. Linderman (E.
Holbrook sat at January meeting, 1879) ; Trempealeau, B. B. Healy; Unity,
P. B. Williams ; Trempealeau Village, F. H. Krebs, chairman.
1879 : Albion, H. Helgerson ; Arcadia, W. Barnes ; Burnside, E. Elstad ;
Caledonia, T. M. Holmes ; Dodge, Aug. Bambenick ; Ettrick, N. T. Tolvstad ;
Gale, John McKeith ; Hale, A. H. Lewis ; Lincoln, T. H. Earle ; Pigeon, Peter
Ekern; Preston, B. Olson; Sumner, D. L. Remington; Trempealeau, A. H.
Carey ; Unity, P. B. Williams ; Arcadia Village, Seth Putnam ; Trempealeau
Village, F. H. Krebs, chairman.
1880: Albion, Ed. Borwell; Arcadia, W. W. Barnes; Burnside, E.
Elstad; Caledonia, Joshua Rhodes; Dodge, Mathias Brom; Ettrick, N. T.
Tolvstad (K. K. Hagestad sat at January meeting, 1881) ; Gale, John
McKeith; Hale, A. H. Lewis; Lincoln, T. A. Earle; Pigeon, Peter Ekern;
Preston, Charles Johnson; Sumner, D. L. Remington; Trempealeau, A. H.
Carey; Unity, E. Everson; Arcadia Village, Seth Putnam; Trempealeau
Village, F. H. Krebs, chairman.
1881 : Albion, Ed. Borwell (George 0. Babcock sat at special meeting
in March, 1881) ; Arcadia, W. W. Barnes; Burnside, E. Elstad; Caledonia,
122 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Charles Pickering ; Dodge, Mathias Brom ; Ettrick, K. K. Hagestad ; Gale,
John McKeith ; Hale, A. H. Lewis ; Lincoln, 0. J. Allen ; Pigeon, J. D. Olds ;
Preston, Charles Johnson; Sumner, W. J. Shores; Trempealeau, William
McDonah; Unity, Ole Thomasgaard; Arcadia, Seth Putnam, chairman;
Trempealeau Village, H. Hoberton.
1882: Albion, George 0. Babcock; Arcadia, W. W. Barnes; Burnside,
E. Elstad (W. R. Turnbull sat in January, 1883) ; Caledonia, Charles Pick-
ering; Chimney Rock, John Haakenson; Dodge, Frank Brom; Ettrick, L. L.
Grinde; Gale, John McKeith; Hale, M. J. Warner; Lincoln, 0. J. Allen;
Pigeon, J. D. Olds; Preston, B. K. Strand; Sumner, D. L. Remington;
Trempealeau, A. H. Carey; Unity, P. B. Williams; Arcadia Village, Seth
Putnam, chairman ; Trempealeau Village, H. Hoberton.
1883 : Albion, J. W. Grant ; Arcadia, W. W. Barnes ; Burnside, Giles
Cripps ; Caledonia, Charles Pickering ; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelton ; Dodge,
Aug. Mondry ; Ettrick, Even 0. Gilbertson ; Gale, Isaac Galloway ; Hale,
M. J. Warner ; Lincoln, T. H. Earle, chairman ; Pigeon, J. D. Olds ; Preston,
Stener Hanson ; Sumner, Stoddard Field ; Trempealeau, A. H. Carey ; Unity,
P. B. Williams; Arcadia Village, S. Richmond; Trempealeau Village, H.
Hoberton.
1884 : Albion, W. J. Boyd ; Arcadia, A. Rathbone ; Burnside, L. N. Lee
(for Giles Cripps); Caledonia, Charles Pickering; Chimney Rock, John
Haakenson ; Dodge, A. Mondry ; Ettrick, E. 0. Gilbertson ; Gale, A. Arnold ;
Hale, M. J. Warner; Lincoln, E. H. Warner; Pigeon, Peter Ekern; Preston,
Henry Thorsgaard; Sumner, Curtis Buzzle (for Stoddard Field) ; Trempea-
leau, N. H. Carhart; Unity, Ole Thomasgaard; Arcadia Village, W. W.
Barnes (for N. Lehrbach) ; Trempealeau Village, H. Hoberton, chairman.
1885 : Albion, W. J. Boyd ; Arcadia, Thomas Simpson ; Burnside, W. R.
Allison; Caledonia, Charles Pickering; Chimney Rock, John Haakenson;
Dodge, A. Mondry ; Ettrick, E. 0. Gilbertson ; Gale, A. A. Arnold ; Hale, J. O.
Van Tassel ; Lincoln, E. H. Warner ; Pigeon, Peter Ekern ; Preston, Stener
Hanson; Sumner, L. L. Cox; Trempealeau, N. H. Carhart; Unity, Ole
Thomasgaard; Arcadia Village, 0. 0. Peterson; Trempealeau Village, H.
Hoberton, chairman.
1886: Albion, G. H. Snoyenbos; Arcadia, L. A. Simpson; Burnside,
John Sprecher; Caledonia, Charles Pickering, chairman; Chimney Rock,
John Haakenson ; Dodge, Frank Brom ; Ettrick ; L. L. Grinde ; Gale, Thomas
Hunter ; Hale, M. J. Warner ; Lincoln, P. A. Williams ; Pigeon, Peter Ekern ;
Preston, F. Thompson ; Sumner, L. L. Cox ; Trempealeau, William McDonah ;
Unity, Ole Thomasgaard; Arcadia Village, J. Farlin; Independence, L. E.
Danuser ; Trempealeau Village, H. Hoberton.
1887: Albion, Knud Jensen; Arcadia, L. A. Simpson; Burnside, L. E.
Danuser; Caledonia, Charles Pickering, chairman; Chimney Rock, John
Haakenson; Dodge, Frank Brom; Ettrick, L. L. Grinde; Gale, Thomas
Hunter ; Hale, F. A. George ; Lincoln, D. Wood ; Pigeon, P. Ekern ; Preston,
G. H. Short ; Sumner, L. L. Cox ; Trempealeau, William McDonah ; Unity, Ole
Thomasgaard; Arcadia Village, J. Farlin; Galesville, W. Davis; Inde-
pendence, L. Thomas ; Trempealeau Village, J. M. Barrett ; Whitehall, C. E.
Scott.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 123
1888: Albion, Knud Jenson; Arcadia, D. Bigham; Burnside, L. E.
Danuser; Caledonia, Charles Pickering, chairman; Chimney Rock, John
Haakenson ; Dodge, Frank Brom ; Ettrick, L. L. Grinde ; Gale, A. A. Al-nold ;
Hale, A. H. Lewis ; Lincoln, D. Wood ; Pigeon, Peter Ekern ; Preston, Stener
Hanson ; Sumner, E. J. Matchett ; Trempealeau, William McDonah ; Unity,
Otto Langerfield ; Arcadia Village, J. Farlin ; Galesville, F. H. Krebs ; Inde-
pendence, E. S. Hotchkiss ; Trempealeau Village, J. M. Barrett ; Whitehall,
C. E. Scott.
1889 : Albion, G. H. Snoyenbos ; Arcadia, D. Bigham ; Bui-nside, L. E.
Danuser; Caledonia, W. P. Bigelow; Chimney Rock, John Haakenson;
Dodge, Frank Brom ; Ettrick, K. K. Hagestad ; Gale, A. A. Arnold, chairman ;
Hale, M. J. Warner; Lincoln, J. E. Lamberson; Pigeon, 0. E. Larson;
Preston, James Hopkins; Sumner, J. H. McKenny; Trempealeau, M. H. Car-
hart; Unity, Ole Thomasgaard; Arcadia Village, S. Richmond; Galesville,
L. L. Odell; Independence, E. S. Hotchkiss; Trempealeau Village, J. M.
Barrett ; Whitehall, Joseph Sherwood.
1890: Albion, M. B. Gibson; Arcadia, D. Bigham; Burnside, A. J.
Bautch ; Caledonia, W. P. Bigelow ; Chimney Rock, C. E. Kittleson ; Dodge,
Louis Leterski ; Ettrick, C. N. Ashley ; Gale, E. F. Clark ; Hale, M. J. Warner ;
Lincoln, J. C. Lamberson ; Pigeon, 0. E. Larson ; Preston, James Hopkins ;
Sumner, E. J. Matchett ; Trempealeau, 0. E. Gibbs ; Unity, Otto Langerfield ;
Arcadia, John Maurer; Galesville, G. Y. Freeman; Independence, E. S.
Hotchkiss, chairman ; Trempealeau Village, R. Hoberton ; Whitehall, A. G.
Bucholz.
1891: Albion, M. B. Gibson; Arcadia, D. Bigham; Burnside, A. J.
Bautch ; Caledonia, W. P. Bigelow ; Chimney Rock, C. E. Kittleson ; Dodge,
Louis Leterski ; Ettrick, C. N. Ashley ; Gale, E. F. Clark ; Hale, M. J. Warner ;
Lincoln, J. E. Lamerson; Pigeon, 0. E. Larson; Preston, James Hopkins;
Sumner, E. J. Matchett ; Trempealeau, 0. E. Gibbs ; Unity, Otto Langerfield ;
Arcadia Village, John Maurer; Galesville, G. Y. Freeman; Independence,
E. S. Hotchkiss, chairman; Trempealeau Village, H. Hoberton; Whitehall,
A. G. Bucholz.
1892: Albion, C. Meyer (for M. B. Gibson) ; Arcadia, D. L. Holcomb;
Burnside, A. J. Bautch; Caledonia, Charles Pickering; Chimney Rock, C. E.
Kittleson ; Dodge, Frank Brom ; Ettrick, K. K. Hagestad ; Gale, E. F. Clark ;
Hale, Robert Warner; Lincoln, J. C. Lamberson; Pigeon, 0. E. Larson;
Preston, F. M. Immell; Sumner, J. A. McKenny (G. Halvorson sat in
January, 1894) ; Trempealeau, 0. E. Gibbs ; Unity, Otto Langerfield ; Arcadia
Village, Casper Wohlgenaut; Galesville, F. H. Krebs, chairman; Independ-
ence, J. C. Taylor ; Trempealeau Village, H. Hoberton; Whitehall, C. E. Scott.
1893: Albion, M. B. Gibson; Arcadia, D. Bingham; Burnside, A. J.
Bautch; Caledonia, Charles Pickering, chairman; Chimney Rock, P. J.
Skogstad ; Dodge, Frank Brom ; Ettrick, K. K. Hagestad ; Gale, E. F. Clark ;
Hale, Robert Warner; Lincoln, J. C. Lamberson; Pigeon, G. H. Neperud;
Preston, Stener Hanson ; Sumner, A. N. Freng ; Trempealeau, 0. E. Gibbs ;
Unity, Otto Langerfield ; Arcadia Village, C. Wohlgenaut ; Galesville, John
McKeith ; Independence, L. E. Danuser ; Osseo, E. J. Matchett ; Trempealeau
Village, H. Hoberton ; Whitehall, H. A. Anderson.
124 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
1894: Albion, M. B. Gibson; Arcadia, H. E. Simpson; Burnside, A. J
Bautch; Caledonia, Charles Pickering; Chimney Rock, P. J. Skogstad
Dodge, Frank Brom ; Ettrick, K. K. Hagestad, chairman ; Gale, E. F. Clark
Hale, Robert Warner; Lincoln, J. M. Ingalls; Pigeon, G. H. Neperud
Preston, Stener Hanson ; Sumner, A. N. Freng ; Trempealeau, 0. E. Gibbs
Unity, Otto Langerfield; Arcadia Village, S. Richmond; Blair, Morris
Hanson; Galesville, L. L. Odell; Independence, L. E. Danuser; Osseo, E. J.
Matchett ; Trempealeau Village, H. Hoberton ; Whitehall, Simon Olson.
1895 : Albion, J. H. Grant ; Arcadia, H. E. Simpson ; Burnside, John P.
Johnson ; Caledonia, M. E. Ladd ; Chimney Rock, P. J. Skogstad ; Dodge,
Frank Brom ; Ettrick, E. 0. Gilbertson ; Gale, E. F. Clark ; Hale, A. H. Lewis ;
Lincoln, J. M. Ingalls; Pigeon, G. H. Neperud; Preston, Stener Hanson;
Sumner, A. N. Freng; Trempealeau, 0. E. Gibbs; Unity, Ole Thomasgaard;
Arcadia Village , George N. Hidershide ; Blair, F. M. Immell ; Galesville, L. L.
Odell; Independence, J. C. Taylor; Osseo, E. J. Matchett; Trempealeau Vil-
lage, H. Hoberton, chairman ; Whitehall, C. E. Scott.
1896: Albion, J. W. Grant; Arcadia, H. E. Simpson; Burnside, A. J.
Bautch ; Caledonia, M. E. Ladd ; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelson ; Dodge, Jacob
Kaldunski ; Ettrick, E. 0. Gilbertson ; Gale, E. F. Clark ; Hale, A. H. Lewis ;
Lincoln, J. M. Ingalls; Pigeon, G. H. Neperud; Preston, Stener Hanson;
Sumner, John Ring; Trempealeau, 0. E. Gibbs; Unity, Ole Thomasgaard;
Arcadia Village, A. F. Hensel; Blair, Thomas Herreid; Galesville, L. L.
Odell ; Independence, J. C. Taylor, chairman ; Osseo, 0. H. Shores (for James
Mclntyre) ; Trempealeau Village, H. Hoberton ; Whitehall, P. A. Van Horn.
1897 : Albion, Chris Meyers ; Arcadia, D. L. Holcomb ; Burnside, A. J.
Bautch ; Caledonia, M. E. Ladd ; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelton ; Dodge, Frank
Brom ; Ettrick, L. L. Grinde ; Gale, Henry French ; Hale, G. F. Steig ; Lincoln,
D. Wood; Pigeon, G. H. Neperud; Preston, Stener Hanson; Sumner, John
Ring; Trempealeau, 0. E. Gibbs; Unity, L. J. Dahl; Arcadia Village, A. F.
Hensel; Blair, Thomas Herreid; Galesville, L. L. Odell; Independence,
Thomas Thompson; Osseo, J. H. McKenny; Trempealeau, John Boynton;
Whitehall, H. A. Anderson, chairman.
1898 : Albion, M. B. Gibson ; Arcadia, D. L. Holcomb ; Burnside, James
M. Hunter; Caledonia, M. E. Ladd; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelton; Dodge,
Frank Brom ; Ettrick, L. L. Grinde ; Gale, Henry French (at fall meeting) ,
E. F. Clark (at January meeting) ; Hale, H. H. Lewis (in place of J. Van
Tassel) ; Lincoln, D. Wood ; Pigeon, G. H. Neperud ; Preston, Stener Hanson ;
Sumner, John Ring ; Trempealeau, 0. E. Gibbs, chairman ; Unity, L. J. Dahl ;
Arcadia Village, F. C. Richmond ; Blair, Thomas Herreid ; Galesville, John
McKeith ; Independence, G. E. Danuser ; Osseo, E. J. Matchett ; Trempealeau
Village, H. Hoberton ; Whitehall, P. A. Van Horn.
1899 : Albion, M. B. Gibson ; Arcadia, J. 0. Dewey ; Burnside, James N.
Hunter ; Caledonia, J. C. Polyblank ; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelton ; Dodge,
Frank Brom ; Ettrick, L. L. Grinde ; Gale, A. A. Arnold ; Hale, H. H. Lewis ;
Lincoln, D. Wood ; Pigeon, G. H. Neperud ; Preston, Stener Hanson ; Sumner,
John Ring ; Trempealeau, 0. E. Gibbs, chairman ; Unity, L. J. Dahl ; Arcadia
Village, F. C. Richmond ; Blair, Thomas Herreid ; Galesville, John McKeith ;
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 125
Independence, A. W. Liver ; Ossco, E. J. Matchett ; Trempealeau Village,
H. G. Gibbs ; Whitehall, H. A. Anderson!
1890 : Albion, W. J. Boyd ; Arcadia, J. L. Dewey ; Burnside, James N.
Hunter; Caledonia, Frank Bender; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelton; Dodge,
Frank Brom ; Ettrick, K. S. Knudtson ; Gale, A. A. Arnold ; Hale, M. J. War-
ner ; Lincoln, D. Wood ; Pigeon, N. J. Agneberg ; Preston, John McKivergin ;
Sumner, John Ring; Trempealeau, H. S. Gibbs; Unity, M. P. Imnislund;
Arcadia Village, F. C. Richmond, chairman; Blair, L. L. Grinde; Galesville,
John McKeith ; Independence, A. W. Liver ; Osseo, G. 0. Linderman ; Trem-
pealeau Village, J. C. Utter ; Whitehall, H. A. Anderson.
1901: Albion, N. I. Gilbert; Arcadia, J. I. Dewey (at fall meeting,
1901), Frank Thomas (at January meeting, 1902); Burnside, James N.
Hunter; Caledonia, Frank Bender; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelton; Dodge,
Frank Brom; Ettrick, K. S. Knudtson; Gale, A. A. Arnold; Hale, M. J.
Warner; Lincoln, William McKivergin; Pigeon, N. J. Agneberg; Preston,
F. D. Hopkins; Sumner, A. N. Freng; Trempealeau, H. G. Gibbs; Unity,
M. P. Imnislund; Arcadia, F. C. Richmond, chairman; Blair, L. L. Grinde;
Galesville, John McKeith ; Independence, A. W. Liver ; Osseo, G. 0. Linder-
man (sat at fall meeting) ; E. J. Matchett (sat at January meeting) ; Trem-
pealeau Village, Thomas Bohen ; Whitehall, P. A. Van Horn.
1902: Albion, Anton Ronglien; Arcadia, George Schmidt; Burnside,
James N. Hunter ; Caledonia, D. E. Campbell ; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelton ;
Dodge, John Brom ; Ettrick, K. K. Hagestad ; Gale, A. A. Arnold ; Hale, F. A.
George; Lincoln, William McKivergin; Pigeon, N. J. Agneberg; Preston,
F. D. Hopkins ; Sumner, A. N. Freng ; Trempealeau, J. L. Saunderson ; Unity,
M. P. Imnislund ; Arcadia Village, F. C. Richmond, chairman ; Blair, L. L.
Grinde ; Eleva, N. I. Gilbert ; Galesville, John McKeith ; Independence, A. W.
Liver ; Osseo, E. W. Carter ; Trempealeau, Thomas Bohen ; Whitehall, P. A.
Van Horn.
1903: Albion, Anton Ronglien; Arcadia, George Schmidt; Burnside,
James N. Hunter ; Caledonia, D. E. Chappell ; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelton ;
Dodge, John Brom ; Ettrick, K. K. Hagestad ; Gale, A. A. Arnold ; Hale, F. A.
George; Lincoln, D. Wood; Pigeon, N. J. Gilbert; Galesville, E. F. Clark;
Independence, A. W. Liver ; Osseo, G. 0. Linderman ; Trempealeau Village,
H. Hoberton ; Whitehall, P. A. Van Horn.
1904 : Albion, Anton Ronglien ; Arcadia, George Schmidt (at fall meet-
ing, 1904), J. I. Dewey (at spi'ing meeting, 1905) ; Burnside, James N.
Hunter; Caledonia, D. E. Chappell; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelton; Dodge,
Paul Jereskie; Ettrick, K. K. Hagestad; Gale, A. A. Arnold; Hale, F. A.
George; Lincoln, D. Wood; Pigeon, N. J. Agneberg; Preston, F. D. Hopkins;
Sumner, A. N. Freng; Trempealeau, N. H. Carhart; Unity, Ole Thomas-
gaard; Arcadia Village, F. C. Richmond, chairman; Blair, L. L. Grinde;
Eleva, N. I. Gilbert; Galesville, E. F. Clark; Independence, A. W. Liver;
Osseo, G. 0. Linderman; Trempealeau Village, H. Hoberton; Whitehall,
P. A. Van Horn.
1905 : Albion, Anton Ronglien ; Arcadia, J. I. Dewey ; Burnside, James
N. Hunter; Caledonia, D. E. Chappell; Chimney Rock, P. K. Risberg; Dodge,
126 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Paul Jereskie; Ettrick, A. P. Ofsdahl; Gale, A. A. Arnold; Hale, F. A.
George; Lincoln, D. Wood; Pigeon, G. H. Neperud; Preston, Ole Sylfest;
Sumner, A. N. Freng; Trempealeau, H. G. Gibbs; Unity, Ole Thomasgaard;
Arcadia Village, F. C. Richmond; Blair, K. S. Knutson; Eleva, N. L Gilbert;
Galesville, E. F. Clark; Independence, A. W. Liver; Osseo, G. 0. Linderman,
chairman ; Trempealeau Village, H. Hoberton ; Whitehall, G. F. Steig.
1906 : Albion, Anton Ronghen ; Arcadia, J. L Dewey ; Burnside, James
N. Hunter; Caledonia, Frank Bender; Chimney Rock, P. K. Risberg; Dodge,
Paul Jereskie; Ettrick, A. P. Ofsdahl; Gale, A. A. Arnold; Hale. F. A.
George ; Lincoln, C. Q. Gage ; Pigeon, G. H. Neperud ; Preston, F. D. Hopkins ;
Sumner, A. N. Freng; Trempealeau, H. G. Gibbs; Unity. Ole Thomasgaard;
Arcadia Village, F. C. Richmond ; Blair. K. S. Knutson ; Eleva, N. L Gilbert ;
Galesville, E. F. Clark ; Independence, A. W. Liver ; Osseo, G. 0. Linderman,
chairman; Trempealeau Village, A. A. Holmes; Whitehall. A. E. Wing.
1907 : Albion, Anton Ronglien ; Arcadia, J. I. Dewey ; Burnside, James
N. Hunter; Caledonia, Frank Bender; Chimney Rock, P. K. Risberg; Dodge,
Joe Leterski ; Ettrick, A. P. Ofsdahl ; Gale, A. A. Arnold ; Hale, F. A. George ;
Lincoln, C. Q. Gage; Pigeon. G. H. Neperud; Preston, F. D. Hopkins, M. M.
Skyrud; Sumner, A. N. Freng; Trempealeau, H. G. Gibbs; Unity, Ole
Thomasgaard ; Arcadia Village, F. C. Richmond ; Blair, K. S. Knutson ; Eleva,
N. I. Gilbert; Galesville, E. F. Clark; Independence, F. A. Hotchkiss; Osseo,
G. 0. Linderman. chairman; Trempealeau, H. Hoberton; Whitehall, A. E.
Wing.
1908: Albion, Anton Ronglien; Arcadia, L. K. Strand; Burnside.
James N. Hunter, chairman ; Caledonia, Frank Bender ; Chimney Rock, P. K.
Risberg ; Dodge, Ignatz Rudnik ; Ettrick, A. P. Ofsdahl ; Gale, H. F. Claus-
sen; Hale, N. J. Nelson; Lincoln, C. Q. Gage; Pigeon, G. H. Neperud (at
spring meeting), M. Everson (at fall meeting); Preston, Ole Sylfest;
Sumner, John Ring; Trempealeau, Henry Kopp (sat at fall meeting), H. G.
Gibbs (sat at spring meeting) ; Unity, Ole Thomasgaard ; Arcadia Village,
F. C. Richmond; Blair, W. J. Hyslop; Eleva, N. I. Gilbert; Galesville, E. F.
Clark ; Independence, F. A. Hotchkiss ; Osseo, G. 0. Linderman (sat at fall
meeting) , C. W. Lewis (sat at spring meeting) ; Trempealeau Village, A. A.
Holmes ; Whitehall, H. A. Anderson.
1909 : Albion, W. J. Boyd ; Arcadia, L. K. Strand ; Burnside, James N.
Hunter, chairman; Caledonia, Frank Bender; Chimney Rock, S. P. Solfest;
Dodge, Ignatz Rudnik ; Ettrick, A. P. Ofsdahl ; Gale, H. F. Claussen ; Hale,
N. J. Nelson; Lincoln, C. Q. Gage; Pigeon, G. H. N-eperud; Preston, Ole
Sylfest; Sumner, John Ring; Trempealeau, Henry Kopp; Unity, C. 0. Dahl;
Arcadia Village, F. C. Richmond ; Blair, K. S. Knutson ; Eleva, P. J. Skog-
stad ; Galesville. E. F. Clark ; Independence, F. A. Hotchkiss ; Osseo, G. O.
Linderman ; Trempealeau Village, A. A. Holmes ; Whitehall, John Hager (sat
at fall meeting), E. F. Hensel.
1910 : Albion, W. J. Boyd ; Arcadia, L. K. Strand ; Burnside, James N.
Hunter, chairman ; Caledonia, Frank Bender ; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelton ;
Dodge, J. F. Brom ; Ettrick, A. J. Ekern ; Gale, H. F. Claussen ; Hale, F. A.
George ; Lincoln, C. Q. Gage ; Pigeon, G. H. Neperud ; Preston, A. N. Nelson ;
Sumner, John Ring; Trempealeau, Henry Kopp; Unity, C. O. Dahl; Arcadia
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 127
Village, F. C. Richmond, Morris Hanson (did not qualif jO , H. T. Thompson
(sat at fall meeting), L. L. Grinde (sat at spring meeting) ; Eleva, P. J. Skog-
stad; Galesville, E. F. Clark; Independence, F. A. Hotchkiss; Osseo, C. M.
Lewis (sat at fall meeting), G. 0. Linderman. (sat at spring meeting) ;
Trempealeau Village, H. Hoberton; Whitehall, E. F. Hensel (sat at fall
meeting) , John Hager (sat at spring meeting) .
1911 : Albion, W. J. Boyd ; Arcadia, L. K. Strand ; Burnside, James N.
Hunter, chairman ; Caledonia, Frank Bender ; Chimney Rock, S. P. Solf est ;
Dodge, Ignatz Rudnik; Ettrick, A. J. Ekern; Gale, H. F. Claussen; Hale,
F. A. George; Lincoln, C. Q. Gage; Pigeon, E. E. Hegge; Preston, A. N.
Nelson; Sumner, John Ring; Trempealeau, I. R. Barr; Unity, C. O. Dahl;
Arcadia Village, J. A. Palmer; Blair, A. B. Peterson; Eleva, N. I. Gilbert;
Galesville, E. F. Clark; Independence, F. A. Hotchkiss; Osseo, G. 0. Linder-
man ; Trempealeau Village, H. Hoberton ; Whitehall, E. F. Hensel.
1912. Albion, W. J. Boyd; Arcadia, M. T. Stelmach; Burnside,
James N. Hunter, chairman ; Caledonia, D. E. Chappell ; Chimney Rock, S. P.
Solfest ; Dodge, M. D. Brown ; Ettrick, E. J. Brovold (at fall meeting) , J. A.
Knudtson (at spring meeting) ; Gale, L. L. Grinde ; Hale, F. A. George ; Lin-
coln, C. Q. Gage ; Pigeon, E. A. Hegge ; Preston, Ole Sylfest ; Sumner, John
Ring; Trempealeau, I. R. Barr; Unity, C. 0. Dahl; Arcadia Village, J. A.
Palmer; Blair, A. B. Peterson; Eleva, N. I. Gilbert; Galesville, E. F. Clark;
Independence, F. A. Hotchkiss ; Osseo, G. 0. Linderman ; Trempealeau Vil-
lage, H. Hoberton ; Whitehall, E. F. Hensel.
1913: Albion, W. J. Boyd; Arcadia, M. T. Stelmach; Burnside, James
N. Hunter; Caledonia, D. E. Chappell; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelton; Dodge,
M. D. Brom ; Ettrick, G. W. Smith ; Gale, Phillip Uhle ; Hale, G. H. Conrow ;
Lincoln, C. Q. Gage ; Pigeon, E. A. Hegge ; Preston, Ole Sylfest ; Sumner, A.
Ihle (sat at fall meeting) , Lars N. Seesan (sat at spring meeting) ; Trempea-
leau, Henry Kopp; Unity, C. 0. Dahl (sat at fall meeting), D. G. Williams
(sat at spring meeting) ; Arcadia Village, J. A. Palmer ; Blair, A. B. Peter-
son ; Eleva, P. J. Skogstad ; Galesville, E. F. Clark, chairman ; Independence,
F. A. Hotchkiss; Osseo, C. M. Lewis; Trempealeau, H. Hoberton (died April
4, 1914) ; Whitehall, C. L. Storey.
1914 : Albion, W. J. Boyd ; Arcadia, Ed. B. McWeeny ; Burnside, James
N. Hunter ; Caledonia, Frank Bender ; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelton ; Dodge,
M. D. Brown ; Ettrick, A. W. Smith ; Gale, L. L. Grinde ; Hale, G. H. Conrow ;
Lincoln, C. H. Anderson ; Pigeon, E. A. Hegge ; Preston, Ole Sylfest ; Sumner,
A. Ihle; Trempealeau, I. R. Barr; Unity, C. O. Dahl; Arcadia Village, J. A.
Palmer ; Blair, A. B. Peterson ; Eleva, P. J. Skogstad ; Galesville, E. F. Clark,
chairman ; Independence, F. A. Hotchkiss ; Osseo, E. Hagen ; Trempealeau,
G. G. Gibbs ; Whitehall, N. L. Fredrickson.
1915: Albion, Fred Bowers; Arcadia, Ed. B. McWeeny; Burnside,
James N. Hunter ; Caledonia, Frank Bender ; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelton ;
Dodge, M. D. Brown ; Ettrick, G. W. Smith ; Gale, L. L. Grinde ; Hale, G. H.
Conrow; Lincoln, C. H. Anderson; Pigeon, G. H. Neperud; Preston, Ole
Sylfest; Sumner, A. Ihle; Trempealeau, I. H. Barr; Unity, C. 0. Dahl;
Arcadia Village, J. A. Palmer; Blair, C. J. Gibson (sat at spring meeting),
Stener Hanson (sat at fall meeting) ; Eleva, C. P. Larson ; Galesville, E. F.
128 HISTORY OF TREMrEALEAU COUNTY
Clark ; Independence, F. A. Hotchkiss, chairman ; Osseo, E. Hagen ; Trempea-
leau Village, G. G. Gibbs ; Whitehall, N. L. Fredrickson.
1916: Albion, Ole T. Miland (at fall meeting), Fred Bowers (at spring
meeting) ; Arcadia, Ed. B. McWeeny ; Burnside, James N. Hunter ; Caledonia,
William NichoUs; Chimney Rock, Peter Nelton; Dodge, M. D. Brown;
Ettrick, J. A. Knutson; Gale, L. L. Grinde; Hale, G. H. Conrow; Lincoln,
C. H. Anderson; Pigeon, E. A. Hegge; Preston, Ole Sylfest; Sumner, E. J.
Henry (sat at fall meeting), E. H. Remington (sat at spring meeting) ;
Trempealeau, Henry Kopp; Unity, C. 0. Dahl; Arcadia Village, J. A.
Palmer ; Blair, K. S. Knutson (in place of Stener Hanson) ; Eleva, C. P.
Larson; Galesville, E. F. Clark; Independence, F. A. Hotchkiss, chairman;
Osseo, E. Hagen; Trempealeau Village, E. D. Smith (sat at fall meeting),
G. G. Gibbs (sat at spring meeting) ; Whitehall, N. L. Fredrickson.
1 — General Laws of 1854, Chapter 2.
2 — All the proceedings of the successive boards mentioned in this chapter are found in
the Minutes, which are in the custody of the County Clerk. The list of officers which appears
in this chapter is secured from the election returns, from the oaths of office filed, and from the
Minutes.
3 — This list appears on p. 1035 in the History of Western Wisc07isin (Chicago, 1881),
and is supposedly from the pen of B. F. Heuston. The election of the clerk of court, clerk of
the board, register and treasurer are confirmed by the records. The name of Ira E. Moore
apjicars nowhere in the records, and A. M. Brandenburg apparently served as sheriff in 1855-.56.
Tlie records show that George J. Turton was appointed surveyor June 26, 1855. No other
mention of Charles Utter as district attorney can be found. He was not a lawyer. Hollister
Wright filed his bond as treasurer Jan. 19, 1855, but on March 9, 1856, George Batchelder was
paid for services as treasurer. No confirmation appears of the election of William Adams as
coroner.
4 — The State ex rel. Geo. F. Haswell vs. William A. Cram, 16 Wis. 343-344.
CHAPTER X
HISTORICAL PAPERS
The Trempealeau County Historical Society is in possession of a number
of historical papers relating to the settlement of various minor valleys and
cooleys in the county, and incidents of the early days, as well as to the
personality of many of the pioneers. These papers are for the most part
still in manuscript, and they are here printed to add interest to the general
story of the pioneer period that has already been told. The collection is
increasing, and in time the society will doubtless possess the history of every
locality in the county. The papers already preserved are largely from the
pens of Hon. H. A. Anderson, Hon. Stephen Richmond and Dr. E. D. Pierce.
In addition to these, many papers have been gathered especially for this
work.
Recollections of Antoine Grignon.' (Eben D. Pierce, Wis. Hist. Soe.
Proceedings, 1913, 110-136.) I was born at old Fort Crawford, Prairie du
Chien, January 9, 1828.- My father, Amable Grignon, who was of French
and Winnebago descent, was born at Portage, Wisconsin;' my mother,
Archange La Bathe, was born at Prairie du Chien, of a French father and
Sioux mother, being a cousin of Wabashaw, the Sioux chief whose village
was located on the site of Winona, Minnesota.* She was a sister of Francois
La Bathe, the noted trader, long a trusted employee of the American Fur
Company. ■ Amable Grignon acted as interpreter for the Federal Govern-
ment on various occasions, and was stationed for a number of years at Fort
Crawford as interpi-eter for its comman'dant. Colonel Zachary Taylor."
There were three children in the family, Paul, Archange, and myself,
and although our parents had but a limited education, they determined to
give their children the best opportunities within their reach. So I was
taken to Col. Zachary Taylor, who permitted me to attend the school con-
ducted in the garrison, thus laying the foundation for an education.
I next went for two terms to a private school conducted by a Mr. Cady
[Cadle],' then John Haney became my teacher. There were no public
schools in that day at Prairie du Chien, and the parents of the pupils in the
private schools paid the teacher a certain amount each month for their
instruction. I remember, too, my French teacher, a Mr. Gibault, who also
taught English, and a lady by the name of Mrs. Crosby, who held school in
her home.
When I was a little past twelve years of age I went to school to Rev.
Joseph Cretin, a Catholic clergyman, who afterwards became bishop of St.
Paul.** By the time I was fifteen years of age I had a fair education in the
common branches of English" and was ready to go out into the world better
equipped than most French Canadian boys of my time.
When I was fifteen years old I went to work for the American Fur Com-
129
130 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
pany under a sub-agent named Alexis P. Bailly, of Wabasha, Minnesota.'"
I was sent out to Turkey River, Iowa. We went by wagon, fifty miles south-
west of Prairie du Chien, where a store building was erected and trade
opened among the Winnebago. A few months later I came back to Prairie
du Chien, and went by the steamboat "Otter" up the Mississippi to Trempea-
leau, which was then known as Reed's Landing or Reed's Town. James
Reed had married my widowed mother and I visited her at his home, a large
log house near the river."
There were but a few families in Reed's Town. John B. Doville'- and
family were living there. He had been conducting a wood yard over on the
island opposite Trempealeau for a few years, having been sent in 1838 by
Francois La Bathe to occupy the island and furnish cord-wood for the steam-
boats passing up and down the river. Joseph Reed, a French Canadian,
accompanied him.
The real object in holding the island was to secure the fur trade, and
to keep Wabashaw's band of Sioux from giving their trade to rival com-
panies.
Doville was quite an agriculturist; he cultivated the land formerly
broken by Louis Stram at the Swiss mission,'^ and also broke up more on the
flat near where the city park is now located. He sowed oats, wheat, flax-
seed, potatoes, and beans. He has the honor, I think, of being the first
farmer in Trempealeau County. Stram broke the first land, but did not sow
any seed except for garden purposes.
Alexander Chenevert" was hving upon the site that afterwards became
the old Grant place. Farther up the river near Fred Ford's present resi-
dence, lived the Bunnells — Willard and Lafayette. Willard lived here until
1848, when he moved across into Minnesota. Lafayette Bunnell had moved
to Minnesota a couple of years before his brother Willard.'^ There was
another Frenchman here at that time by the name of Michael Goulet, who
chopped wood for Reed, and worked at odd jobs whenever opportunity
offered. He did not remain long, a few years perhaps, and then went
farther north.'"
I worked for Mr. Reed, who was farmer for Wabashaw's band of Sioux
at Winona, and as he could get home only occasionally I helped look after his
stock, and built some pole fences for him in the fall of 1843, on what after-
wards became the Van Engen farm. This was the first fence built in the
county. Reed had considerable stock, several head of cattle, a bunch of
ponies, and some blooded horses. They grazed on the hills, and out on
Trempealeau Prairie, and required little attention summer or winter,
although we always put up some wild hay for them in case deep snow should
make the grazing difficult. Cattle suffered more during the deep snow than
the horses, who could more easily paw the snow away.
In 1844 a Frenchman, Assalin, came to Reed's Town. He was a car-
penter by trade, and manufactured for Mr. Reed the first wagon in the
county, that is, he made the woodwork, but the iron had to be shipped up
from Prairie du Chien. Besides carpenter work and wagon-making Assalin
manufactured sleds and French trains.
In speaking of these early French settlers I must not forget to mention
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 131
Peter Rousseau, who helped Reed build his house. Rousseau was an expert
with a broad-ax, and hewed the logs for Reed's house. This had two stories,
was large and roomy, and served well its purpose as an old-fashioned back-
woods inn.
Reed kept a bar, and I have often seen travelers sleeping on the floor
rolled up in their blankets. Beds were a luxury seldom indulged in at that
period. Around the old-fashioned fireplace in Reed's inn was often gathered
a strange and varied company — traders, surveyors, trappers, and hunters,
and a few blanketed Indians. As they sat smoking by the blazing fire in
the evening, you might have heard stories of adventure that would thrill
the heart of the dullest listener.
About the same year, 1844, there came to Trempealeau (Reed's Town)
a Frenchman by the name of Antoine La Terreur, who was a cabinet-maker.
He manufactured chairs, bureaus, chests, and other furniture, and was the
first in our county to do work of that kind. Some of the chairs he manufac-
tured are still, or were a few years ago, in the possession of La Vigne in
Cedar Valley, Minnesota.
In 1845, Michel Bebault came here and hired out as a wood-chopper
over on the island at the steamboat wood yard. He was about the best
wood-chopper I ever saw at work. Three years later Leander Bebault and
John La Vigne'' came with their families to settle in Trempealeau. La
Vigne bought a little piece of land up in the tamarack, but had not lived
there long when he decided to move across the river into Minnesota, where
he settled in Cedar Valley.
Joseph Reed became a mail-carrier, and I think it worth while to relate
some of the hardships he underwent in performing his duty. His route lay
along the Mississippi from Prairie du Chien to Wabashaw's village at
Winona. At the latter place he met the mail-carrier from Fort Snelling,
near St. Paul, and after exchanging mails the two returned to their respec-
tive starting points. The trip was made by canoe in summer, and by
French train on the river ice in winter, and by pony with saddle-bags at
times when neither canoe nor French train could be used.
One year, in the latter part of winter, early in March, I think, Joseph
Reed started from Prairie du Chien with the government mail bound for
Winona. When he arrived the carrier from St. Paul was not there. It was
mild weather, so Reed concluded to proceed on his journey until he met his
partner from up river. By the time he reached Holmes' Landing,'^ the
weather had grown considerably warmer, and the ice showed signs of
breaking up. Still he pushed on, and urging his pony over the ice, sped
away towards the north. On nearing Minneiska'-' he heard the ice begin
to give way — groan, crack, and move ; looking about he saw that an island
in the river offered his only place of escape from drowning, as the ice was
fast breaking up. He made his way thither, and arriving in safety started
to explore his new quarters. He had gone but a short distance when he
ran across the St. Paul mail-carrier, who had likewise made the island in
safety. By this time the ice in the river was moving fast, and before another
day had nearly cleared. So there they were with little provision, shut
off from mainland by a wide channel.
132 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
After their provisions gave out, they subsisted on rose-apples; they
halloed in vain for help, but it was a sparsely-settled region at that time and
no one heard them. After living on the island nearly two weeks, they were
rescued by a party of Sioux who were coming down the river in canoes. The
Sioux took the two mail-carriers into their canoes and left them at Holmes'
Landing, where after two weeks of recuperation they resumed their routes.
They were weak, emaciated, and nearly starved to death.
I remained in Trempealeau until the year before the Mexican War
broke out, when I returned to Prairie du Chien and went to work in a black-
smith shop. When war with Mexico was declared, I enlisted in Governor
Dodge's regiment of home guards, serving therein for a year. We did
not go out of the State, but were held in readiness in case we should be
needed.-" While in service at Prairie du Chien during the winter of 1846-47,
a report came to our commander that the Indians were massacring the
whites in the locality where Vernon County now is. We were ordered out
and with great difficulty marched up through the deep snow to the sup-
posed scene of murder. When we arrived we found the report was false;
the whites had not been disturbed in the least, and no Indians had been
seen in that region for a number of weeks. So we returned ingloriously
to our quarters at Prairie du Chien.
After getting my discharge I went to work as clerk for the American
Fur Company in their store at Prairie du Chien under B. N. Brisbois."^
I remained in their employ until June, 1849, when I decided to go north and
took the steamboat, "Lady Franklin," for St. Paul.
I soon secured employment at Fort Snelhng, helping to get up hay for
the cavalry stationed there at the time. I drove team and helped stack for
a few weeks, when a man from St. Paul came and asked if I would run a
boarding-house and bar for him at that place. I complied with his request,
and worked for him for two months ; at the end of this time I went down
the river in one of A. P. Bailly's boats as far as Wabasha, where I went
to work for Bailly. He was postmaster, and I carried the mail to and from
the boats and also worked in the store as clerk. While there I was appointed
deputy sheriff, and served papers on a man who was accused of stealing
goods from my employer. I had a search warrant and went and looked
over the man's house, but found none of the stolen goods in his possession.
In the winter of 1849 Bailly fixed me up a big load of goods on a French
train, with a pony to haul it down the river ; I took my departure for the
site of Fountain City, where there was a large camp of Sioux. I traded
among them until the spring of 1850, when I loaded my goods in a canoe
and made my way down the river and through the sloughs to the present
site of Marshland, where there was also a Sioux camp. I sold my pony
and train to the Indians and bought a canoe of them, and traded with them
for a number of weeks. They had been trapping up Trempealeau River,
and had a fine lot of beaver, otter, marten, mink, and muskrat pelts. I had
for my store a Sioux hut made out of buffalo hides — as comfortable as one
could wish. After the spring hunting and trapping was over I returned
to Wabasha, but not until I had an opportunity of attending a medicine
dance at Minneowah, not far above the present town of Homer, Minnesota.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 133
In the early fifties I assisted H. M. Rice, S. B. Lowry and David Olm-
sted in removing two bands of Winnebagoes from a point near Sugar Loaf,
Winona, and a point on French Island, a few miles above La Crosse, to the
Long Prairie reservation in central Minnesota. A few months later I
secured employment with the Hudson Bay Co. at Long Prairie.
In 1854, I returned to Trempealeau and remained at home with my
family until 1856. In the latter year Nathan Myrick, the pioneer settler
of La Crosse,- ■ wrote me a letter asking me to take charge as interpreter
of his store at Blue Earth, Minnesota. Accordingly I went to Blue Earth
and began work for Myrick. The Winnebago had meanwhile been removed
from Long Prairie to the Blue Earth agency,-'' and Myrick opened a store at
the latter place secure their trade. Myrick told me to trust all Indians
that were honest, but to look out for the rascals, and said, "You have traded
with them a long time and know them well and so you know the good ones
from the bad ones." I trusted them to the amount of over $3,000, and when
they received their government annuity I got all the money they owed me,
or very nearly all ; I think I lost less than ten dollars in dealing with them.
I remained at Blue Earth until winter and then returned home to
Trempealeau. I did not like the Prairie country and I wanted to be with
my family, although Myrick offered to fix up a place where my family could
stay at Blue Earth.
In 1850, I married Mary Christine de La Ronde, a girl from Portage,
Wisconsin.-' Fourteen children were born to us, six of whom are still living,
three boys and three girls.-* The girls when they were young ladies were
noted in this part of the country for their singing; one of them became a
school teacher and was very successful in her work.
In 1881, Major Halleck came from Washington, D. C, to enumerate
the Winnebago, and wrote for me to assist him in the work.^" We went to
Eland Junction and enumerated Big Black Hawk's band,^" and then pro-
ceeded to Black River Falls ; after completing the work there, we went to
Portage and Kilbourn, and wherever we could locate a camp of this tribe.
Next spring I went with Major Halleck to Stevens Point to make a payment
to the Indians and was with him a year, and whenever a payment was made
I helped to locate and get the names of the Indians on the pay-roll. I also
helped survey the land above Black River Falls, and assisted in locating
the Indians on their homesteads. I have acted as interpreter on various
occasions for the Federal Government, and on matters of business have
helped the Indians whenever I could. I have lived here most of the time
since I quit work for Myrick, and have always made my home in Trem-
pealeau, being away only on business for short intervals. I live in the same
house that I bought in 1857.
I would like to say a word about James Reed. He was a remarkable
man for his time, when just such a man was needed. I first saw Reed in
Prairie du Chien when I was a boy and he was keeping tavern there. He
was not a tall man, medium in height but thick-set, with a deep chest. He
had bluish-gray eyes and a sandy or florid complexion. He was a good
shot, one of the best I ever saw, and the Indians far and wide were aware
of his skill with the rifle. I have seen him kill eleven prairie chicken in
134 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
twelve shots, in the trees on the island across from Trempealeau. He was
several rods away from the game when he shot. I have also seen him shoot
the head from a partridge at a good distance.
One day a merchant from Rock Island, Illinois, who had advanced sup-
pUes to some lumbermen at Black River Falls, called at Reed's inn and asked
the ways to the Falls. Reed inquired if the man intended to go alone, and
he answered he did. "You will find it difficult to make your way," replied
the old hunter, "there are no roads and the trails are unmarked and hard
to find unless you are acquainted with the country." The man said he had
a compass and thought he could find his way all right. He remained all
night, and in the morning Reed and I accompanied him on ponies to Beaver
Creek, and saw him safely across the stream before we took our departure
for home. One afternoon a week later the man came crawling into Reed's
inn almost exhausted. He had lost his way and wandered about in the
neighborhood of Decorah's Peak for a number of days, subsisting on roots
and berries. He was scratched about the face and hands, his clothing was
in shreds, and when he reached Trempealeau Prairie, he was so exhausted
that he had to crawl for three or four miles on his hands and knees. He
remained at Reed's cabin about two weeks and then went home without
attempting to visit the lumbermen at Black River Falls.
Reed could speak several Indian dialects and was as well acquainted
with Indian character as any man I ever knew. He was of a kind disposition
and generally used mild measures in his dealings with the Indians ; but
when diplomacy failed, he was a different man and his temper once aroused,
he feared nothing, and could bring his rifle into play as handily as any
backwoodsman I ever saw. He was noted for his fearlessness as well as for
his expert marksmanship.
1 — This aged pioneer died at Trempealeau, July 24, 1913. He was one of the few
survivors of the fur-trading regime in Wisconsin, and his recollections were secured by his
fellow townsman. Dr. Eben D. Pierce. The transcriber writes, ' ' I have written most of this
narrative just as Grignon told it to me. In some places I have not used his exact words, but
have tried to convey his meaning in language of my own construction." The interview was
written in the shape it is here presented in December, 1912, and January, 1913. — Ed.
2 — The record of Antoine's baptism is preserved in the Prairie du Chien Register. He
was, in fact, born Jan. 9, 1829, and baptized Jan. 17 by Father F. V. Badin. His godfather
was Francois La Bathe, represented in his absence by Denys Cherrier, and his godmother was
Virginie Fisher. A copy of the Megister, the original of which is in Montreal, is in the Wis-
consin Historical Library. — Ed.
3 — For a brief sketch of this person, see Wis. Hist. Colls., xx, p. 157, note 21. Antoine,
in an interview in 1909 with Charles E. Brown, of the Society's staff, stated that in 1825 or
1826 his father had a trading post on the site of the present Dakota, Minn, — Ed.
4 — For this chief, see Wis. Hist. Colls., xvii, p, 323, note 1 ; also Id., xx, pajisim. — Ed.
5 — See note on this trader in Wis. Hist. Soe, Proceedings, 1906, p. 252. — Ed.
6 — Col. Zachary Taylor came to Prairie du Chien in 1829 as commandant of Fort Crawford ;
the same year he determined to remove the fort to higher ground, and began the new fort,
finished in 1831. He continued in command until 1836. — Ed.
7 — Rev, Richard Cadle had been in charge from 1827 to 1836 of an Episcopal mission
school at Green Bay (see Wis. Hist. Colls., xiv, passim). The latter year he resigned, and was
soon after appointed chaplain at Fort Crawford, where he remained until 1841. He was prob-
ably the teacher to wliom the writer refers. — Ed.
8 — Joseph Cretin was born in 1800 in France, came to America as a missionary priest,
being stationed in 1839 at Dubuque, There in 1844 he began a school for Winnebago children,
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 135
wliicli T\as next year discontinued by the governor of Iowa. Grignon does not say the school
he attended was at Prairie du Chien, and it is possible he went to the mission school at
Dubuque. Cretin continued at that place until the see of St. Paul (Minn.) was erected (1850),
whose first bishop he became, dying there Feb. 22, 1857. — Ed.
9 — Grignon told C. E. Brown in the interview referred to, ante, note 3, that he attended
for a time the mission school at Yellow Elver, Iowa, of which Eev. David Lowry had charge.
For an account of this school, see Wis. Hist. Colls., xii, p. 405. — Ed.
10 — For a sketch of this trader, whose name was frequently anglicized into Bailey, see
Id., XX, p. 197, note 55. — Ed.
11 — See an account of the founding of Trempealeau in Wis. Hist. Soc. Proceedings, 1906,
pp. 246-255.— Ed.
12 — John Doville (spoken of as James Douville in Id., p. 252) was a son-in-law of
James Eeed, and the first permanent settler of Trempealeau. His companion, Joseph (also
called Antoine) Eeed, was a French Canadian, not related to James Eeed.- — Ed.
13 — For an account of this mission, see Wis. Hist. Colls., x, pp. 367, 506, 507; Proceedings,
1906, pp. 251, 252.
14 — According to the Prairie du Chien Register, Alexander Chenever, son of Francois
Chenever and Marie Louise Giard, was born at that place Jan. 10, 1827, and baptized Aug. 16
of the same year. He married a daughter of James Eeed. — Ed.
15 — WUIard B. Bunnell was born in 1814 at Homer, N. Y. He ran away and sailed
upon the Great Lakes as pilot until 1832, when he settled at Detroit and there married, in 1837,
Matilda Desnoyer. Having entered the fur trade, he spent the winter of 1841-42 at the site
of Escanaba, Mich.; then removed West, arriving in Trempealeau, July, 1842. In 1848 he
made arrangements to remove to the Minnesota side of the river, where he occupied in 1849,
by permission of the chief, Wabashaw, the site of the village of Homer. There he died in
1861. His brother, Lafayette Houghton, was born in 1824, removed to Detroit in 1832, and
accompanied his brother to Wisconsin in 1841-42. He enlisted in the Mexican War, sought
for gold in California, and after studying medicine, enlisted as surgeon of the 36th Wisconsin
Infantry, and in 1865 served in the same capacity in the 1st Minnesota Battalion. He was
fte historian of Winona, Minn., where he died in 1903. — Ed.
16 — For an account of Goulet and his tragic death, see L. H. Bunnell, Winona and Its
Environs (Winona, Minn., 1897), p. 210. — Ed.
17 — Jean Baptiste Lavigne was an early settler of Green Bay, see Wis. Hist. Colls., xx,
p. 159, note 22. Probably the Trempealeau settler was his son. Louis Bibeau (Bebault) was
an early Hlinois trader, possibly the progenitor of these pioneers of Trempealeau. — Ed.
IS — Holmes's Landing was near the site of the present Fountain City, Buffalo County,
and was settled in 1839 by Thomas A. Holmes, previously of Milwaukee and Eoek County. It
was a well-known port of call on the upper Mississippi. — Ed.
19 — Minnciska is on the Minnesota side, in the southeastern angle of Wabasha County.
—Ed.
20 — Grignon later drew a pension as a Mexican War veteran. — Ed.
21— See the "Becollections" of this pioneer in Wis. Hist. Colls., ix, pp. 282-302. — Ed.
22 — H. M. Eice (1816-94) came from Vermont to Minnesota in 1839, where he engaged
in the fur trade. In 1853-57 he was territorial delegate, and later first senator from the new
state (1858-63).— Ed.
2.3 — Syvanus B. Lowry and David Olnvstead were both American Indian traders. The
former had a post near the present Brockway, Minn.; was adjutant-general of the territory in
1853; laid out the town of St. Cloud, and died there in 1861. Olmstead (1822-61) came from
Vermont to establish a trading post at Long Prairie; was president of the first territorial
legislature, and first mayor of St. Paul. — Ed.
24 — The Long Prairie agency seems to have been near the present town of that name in
Todd County, Minnesota. — Ed.
25 — Nathan Myrick (1822-1903), founder of La Crosse, came there in 1841 from West-
port, N. Y. In 1848 he sold out his landed interests and removed to St. Paul, but continued
to traiie at several places on the Mississippi. He celebrated liis golden wedding, 1893, in St.
Paul, and died there ten years later. — Ed.
26 — In 1.S55, the Winnebagos sold their Long Prairie reservation to the government.
136 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
and were assigned to one in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, which they retained until removed
(1863) to a reservation in Nebraska. — Ed.
27 — For her father, see Wis. Hist. Colls., vii, pp. 345-365; his obituary is in Id., ix, p.
431. According to an article in the Trempealeau Herald, Dec. 17, 1909, Mary Christin de La
Eonde Grignon was born at Portage, Christmas day, 1835, married at Long Prairie, Feb. 4,
1851, and diod at Trempealeau, Dec. 8, 1909. She was at the time of her death one of the
oldest settlers of the town. — Ed.
28 — The newspaper article mentioned in the preceding note gives the names of these chil-
dren as follows: Ralph J. Grignon, of St. Paul; Alexander Grignon, of Oshkosh; Guy A.
Grignon, of Glen Flora, Wis.; Mrs. Mary Jebb, of PaynesvUle, Minn.; Mrs. Camilla Dederich,
of Sandusky, Wis.; Mrs. Nettie Coyle, of Trempealeau. — Ed.
29 — Jan. 18, 1881, Congress passed an "Act for the relief of the Wisconsin Winnebago,"
one of the provisions of which was that a complete census of the members of that tribe, scat-
tered throughout the northern woods, should be taken, and their share of the Winnebago trust
funds allotted to them: also that they should have titles to their lands assigned them in per-
petuity. Maj. Walter F. Halleck, a retired army officer, was appointed special agent to take
this census. Grignon appears to have been in his employ until 1884, when Halleck retired from
the agency. Transcripts of several letters from Halleck to Grignon, showing appreciation of
the latter 's services, are in the Society 's Library. — Ed.
30 — For an account of this chief, see Wis. Hist. Colls., xii, p. 430. — Ed.
James Allen Reed. (Eben D. Pierce, Wis. Hist. Soc. Proceedings, 1914,
107-117.) Among the restless Scotch-Irish pioneers that Kentucky, in the
early day, sent into Wisconsin and the Northwest, there are few with a
life so picturesque and full of interesting incidents as James Reed. Born
in Kentucky in 1798, he early became part of the rough, hardy life of the
frontier. As a child he heard with eager delight the stirring tales related
by Indian fighters, trappers, and traders who enjoyed the hospitality of
his father's fireside ; tales of thrilling encounters and hair-breadth escapes
from the wild beasts and still wilder red men of the forest. Like most
boys of the frontier he was unlearned in the lore of books, though he could
read and write, but in the school of nature he early became an adept. To
him the great, deep forest stretching away to the unexplored westland, was
an open book ; and he could follow a trail, wield the hunting knife, or throw
the tomahawk with more cunning than the native Indians, while as a rifle
shot he acquired, even on the western frontier where every man is an
expert, wide renown.
When a mere stripling Reed resolved on a military career, and the
War of 1812 furnished his fighting blood and martial spirit an outlet, some
claiming that youthful as he was he saw service in the latter part of that
war. Some time after the close of the War of 1812 Reed enhsted in the
regular army, and was sent to Fort Crawford at Prairie du Chien. Here
his skill with the rifle, his knowledge of woodcraft and Indian customs, and
his utility as a scout, interpreter, and courier quickly attracted the atten-
tion of his superior, and before his term of enlistment had expired he had
risen to the rank of sergeant. Although Reed was an excellent soldier, his
greatest service to the government was in the capacity of scout, and long
after his term of enlistment was over he was employed by the commander
at Fort Crawford to conduct bodies of soldiers through the wilderness on
expeditions against the Indians.
During his army life Reed married a Potawatomi woman, by whom
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 137
he had five children, Elizabeth, Joseph, Mary, Madeline, and James. Upon
her death in 1830 he was married a second time to a Menominee mixed blood,
widow of the trader, Russell Farnham. Two children, Margaret and John,
resulted from this union. He later married the widow of Amable Grignon.
whose son Antoine was the chief source of this biography.
While in the United States army service at Fort Crawford Reed learned
the carpenter trade and helped in the construction of some of the frame
buildings of Prairie due Chien. He found plenty of work both in the army
and outside, but he had planned to become a fur trader. Accordingly, after
getting his discharge, he entered the employ of the American Fur Com-
pany, devoting his time to hunting, trapping, and trading with the Indians.
He was stationed for over a year at Red Cedar, Iowa, where he opened a
trading post among the Indians, sending his accumulated furs overland
by cart to Prairie du Chien. During the absence of his cart-train he had
but a single companion, a Sioux boy about sixteen years old. One morning
while this boy was alone a band of fifteen Sauk warriors passing by mur-
dered him, and were in the act of scalping him when Reed appeared on
the scene. Angered at the brutal murder of his helpless Indian boy he
turned his rifle on the fleeing band of Sauks, and fired, kiUing one of the
warriors. He then called out to the Indians, daring them to return and
fight like braves, in loud and angry tones naming them cowards and mur-
derers. They continued their flight, however, over a distant ridge, being
fully convinced that the trapper not only was in earnest but was an excel-
lent shot as well. Reed, expecting the Sauks to return that night and give
him trouble, prepared everything for a surprise, sleeping with his loaded
rifle on his arm ready for instant use. For weeks afterwards he was
entirely alone at the trading post. Years later he told Grignon it was the
most lonely and hazardous position of all his life, living in constant expecta-
tion of hostile Indians, and traveling on perilous expeditions through the
surrounding territory in quest of furs. He had no further trouble with
the Indians while at Red Cedar, but after remaining a year he decided to
return to Prairie du Chien, where he again entered the government service.
During the Black Hawk War he was engaged to help take a keel boat up
the Mississippi to Bad Axe. Returning to Prairie du Chien he vi^as sent as
a courier with important messages to the army, which was nearing Bad
Axe. He traveled the distance on a pony and arrived in time to witness
the battle that ensued. =
Although in the government service, Reed always denounced the cruel,
unrelenting slaughter of the half-starved, dispirited Indians, who had
tried in vain to surrender to the army opposing them, and were peaceably
withdrawing with their wives and children to the west side of the Missis-
sippi. During the battle Reed saw two Indian maidens embrace each other
and jump into the river, and as they rose to the surface of the water the
soldiers fired on them and the crimson streaks of blood mingling with the
tawny waters showed where their lifeless bodies sank from sight. It was
a pitiful sight to watch the slaughter of the helpless women and children
of the unfortunate Sauks, and what added to the horror was the appearance
of the Sioux, who had been notified of the coming conflict, on the opposite
138 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
side of the river, finishing the slaughter by shooting, tomahawking, and
scalping the poor, bedraggled Indians as they landed on the Minnesota shore.
When the struggle was over Reed started on his pony for Prairie du
Chien, and while riding through the woods he came upon a lone Sauk
woman, who had made her escape from the soldiers and ill-fated Indians
and was hiding in the woods in a half-starved condition. Reed spoke kindly
to her, assuring her of his protection, and dismounting gave her a portion
of food from his saddlebags. After she had eaten he helped her into the
saddle, and with his rifle in hand led the way along the homeward trail.
They took turn about riding and walking until they reached Prairie du
Chien, stopping only at night to camp, and at intervals for refreshments.
When their destination was reached Reed turned his captive over to the
military authorities, who in turn sent her to join her people in Iowa.
After the Black Hawk War Reed was sent among the Iowa Indians
on business for the government. He started on his French train, which
consisted of a sled made of oak hewn from the tree, and fastened together
with wooden pegs. The sled, about three feet wide and seven feet long,
was just wide enough to seat a man comfortably. It had hewn slabs
fastened from runner to runner, on which was placed a pair of blankets
rolled up in a tanned buckskin. Two poles were attached to the front top
of the runners and to these the Indian pony was hitched by means of a
harness made of buckskin straps, sewed with deer sinews ; the whippletree
was fastened with the same material. "I started on my train," said Reed,
"taking my old flintlock rifle and ammunition to last the trip, for I was
expected to kill game enough for my living. On my way I chanced to kill
a big, fat bear, and when I reached the Indian camp and exhibited my
game a howl of joy went up among the redskins. We dressed and cooked
the bear Indian fashion, making soup of him, which I ate with the natives
in their manner, and in order to show my appreciation I ate the last drop
of soup and then licked the dish as the Indians did. That Mck gained for
me and the government our point without a thought of bloodshed, and
after shaking hands with my Indian friends I took my departure on my
French train for Prairie du Chien."
The next three years after his return from Iowa Reed occupied him-
self as tavern keeper in Prairie du Chien. His reputation as a fearless
hunter and Indian trader, and the many hardy adventures he had experi-
enced, equipped him with a fund of frontier stories as thriUing as the varied
life of that day afforded. He could speak sevei-al Indian dialects, and his
long association with the French at the Prairie settlement enabled him
to acquire a fair command of their language. To the French he was known
as Reed I'Americain; while by many, on account of his military record,
he was called Captain Reed.
Around the fireplace in his tavern was often gathered an interesting
throng of hunters, trappers, traders, and Indians, and the usual town
loafers. Many strange tales of frontier life and backwoods lore were told,
and wanderers from far up the Mississippi brought glowing accounts of
the northern country, where game and fur-bearing animals abounded, and
where Indians roamed wild and undisturbed by white settlers. The long-
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 139
ing for the wild, free life of the trapper caused Reed to abandon tavern
keeping and resume his employ with the American Fur Company. While
on his journeys up and down the Mississippi in the interests of the fur
company, as well as when in the government service, he had remarked the
beauty of the situation of Trempealeau and had decided to locate there
whenever a favorable opportunity should offer. Circumstances delayed
him until 1840, and gave his son-in-law, John Doville, the credit of being
the first settler. However, Reed had chosen the site for a town and had
in view plans for its future settlement some time before Doville came.
In the summer of 1840 he built a log house on his well-selected site a few
rods from the banks of the Mississippi and hither he brought his family,
resolved to make this his permanent home. One day while hewing logs
with his broadax for the construction of his building a drunken Sioux by
the name of Face-on-Fire came along and began to abuse him. Reed said
very little but at last, the taunting continuing, his temper gave way, and
raising his broadax he threw it at the Indian. It came so dangerously near
the Sioux that he was frightened and left, not daring to show himself
again for days.
Reed, after finishing his log house, followed his favorite vocation of
hunting and trapping in the Trempealeau valley. A few months after his
arrival his wife died, and within two years he married the widow Grignon,
who was a relative of the Sioux chief Wabashaw. Her relationship with
the noted chief gave Reed great prestige among this band of Sioux, which
together with his experience with the Indians while in the government
service secured for him the position of government farmer for Wabashaw's
band of Indians, who were then living on the site of Winona, Minnesota.
He entered on his new occupation as government farmer and storekeeper
some time in October, 1842, and two years later with the help of L. H.
Bunnell, erected the first house built in Winona. This was a government
storehouse, constructed of white ash logs. Reed retained his appointment
until the signing of the Ti-eaty of 1851.
In May, 1844, an incident occurred at Winona which illustrates the
fearlessness of Reed in a "crisis. He had learned from the trader La Bathe.^"
an eye witness, of the murder of an old friend, Sheriff Lester, by a Sioux
of Little Crow's band named 0-mah-haugh-tay. Chancing to be in the
tent of his relative, Wabashaw, when the murderer dropped in for a visit,
he was angered at the consideration with which the fellow was received,
and declined the courtesy of smoking the pipe which was offered him. The
murderer, emboldened by the success of his crime, seized the pipe and
himself presented it to Reed, with unfeigned malignity in his eye. Reed,
whose resentment was kindled into flame by this fresh act of audacity,
dashed the pipe to the ground, and denouncing the Sioux as a dog, informed
him there was one white man who did not fear him. It was the gravest
insult that could be offered to an Indian, but 0-mah-haugh-tay was cowed,
and soon after took his departure from the village.
At the first town election held April, 1851, at La Crosse, James Reed
was elected justice. Trempealeau was then included in La Crosse County.
Whether there were any cases for the justice court during Reed's term of
140 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
office is doubtful. Differences were likely to be settled in the more primi-
tive way of hand to hand encounters, and if this failed an appeal to the
higher court of firearms was taken.
While in Trempealeau Captain Reed had occasional differences with
the Indians. He burned the old mission house^ at Trempealeau Bay to
keep the Winnebago from catching and riding his horses which gathered in
its shelter, thus galling their backs with heavy loads.
One autumn day in the early fifties a number of Indians came to Trem-
pealeau to do some trading, and brought along the usual number of dogs.
Reed had some hogs running loose near his house ; the dogs began to chase
them and succeeded in killing one of their number and injuring several
others. When Reed saw the Indians coming he took down his rifle and,
walking into the yard, shot seven of the dogs; this done he returned to
the house, reloaded his gun, and waited results. Nothing more was heard
of the Indians that day, but the next morning about fifteen of their number
returned and began grumbling about their dogs being killed and demanded
pay for them. Reed listened a while to their complaints, then becoming
angry he took down his rifle and pointed into the muzzle, saying : "I have
something in here which I will give you as pay if you don't all clear out of
here at once." Without waiting for the contents of the well-known rifle
the redskins fled, knowing the old trapper was in earnest. As a result of
this trouble one of the Winnebago, named Hakah, plotted to kill Reed, and
went so far as to hide in ambush behind a pine tree along the trail where
Reed came after his horses every evening towards sundown. When Reed
appeared the Indian noticed the well-known rifle slung across his shoulder,
which so unnerved Hakah, that he kept in his hiding place until his enemy
had passed, not wishing to take a chance of missing Reed and being killed
for his pains.
In 1853 Reed sold his Trempealeau property to Benjamin B. Healy and
moved with his family onto a piece of government land in the Little Tama-
rack. This was in some respects a better situation for one of his tempera-
ment, as it was in closer proximity to the most desirable hunting ground.
From here he took the trail over the bluff on many a long hunting expedition.
When George Luce, formerly of Galesville, was a boy he went on a
hunting trip up the Trempealeau valley with Captain Reed. They camped
in one of the valleys near the present town of Acadia, and as several hunt-
ing parties of Indians were in the immediate vicinity Reed deemed it
advisable to take precautions against surprise, inasmuch as the Indians
looked upon the white hunter with jealous eyes. Therefore the men set
to work digging a hole in the ground for their night's camp fire. After
completing this they cooked their supper, and enjoyed it smoking hot
from the fire.
After nightfall the sound of howling wolves disturbed the hunters,
and as the night wore on the howling became louder and more hideous;
apparently the campers were surrounded by wolves, but Reed began to
mistrust the origin of the sounds and called out loudly in the Winnebago
language: "If you want our scalps come and get them." At this the
howling stopped. Reed and Luce sat up all night with their rifles across
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 141
their knees, expecting the Winnebago wolves to return, but no more dis-
turbance occurred, and after finishing their hunt the men returned home
in safety. Luce told of Reed's skill as a hunter and said the old trapper
always rode with his rifle across the pommel of his saddle Indian fashion.
At the time of the New Ulm massacre in Minnesota during the early
part of the Civil War, the people of Trempealeau and vicinity were one day
thrown into a panic of fear by the announcement that a large party of
hostile Sioux was advancing from Black River upon Trempealeau. With
one impulse the settlers turned to Reed for protection, and the wary old
trapper responded with energy. He knew the cunning savage and did not
proposed to be taken by a night surprise. All night long he patrolled Trem-
pealeau Prairie, mounted on his favorite pony and carrying his trusty rifle
ready for instant use, but it turned out that the report was false and no
Indians came to disturb the frightened settlers.
Reed's numerous journeys throughout the Trempealeau country in
quest of furs made him familiar with all of its streams, its ranges of hills,
its numerous valleys as well as its woodland haunts and expanses of roll-
ing wild grassland and marshes. Indeed he learned the country as thor-
oughly as a Mississippi River pilot learns the river, and was able to make
serviceable use of his knowledge of the trails, the short cuts, the passes,
and the divides.
"We were following along a range of hills one day mounted on our
ponies," said Antoine Grignon, "Reed, his son John, and myself. It was
past noon and we were getting mighty hungry. As we came over a hog's
back and neared a rocky peak. Reed pointed down a valley and said, 'Boys,
this is the nearest way to Beaver Creek, where we can go and catch some
trout for dinner.' We gladly turned our ponies towards the valley, and in
a short time came to the creek. Reed cut a small pole and took from his
pocket a fishline and hook and after catching some grasshoppers for bait
started to fish. Inside of half an hour we had all the trout we needed for
dinner, and cutting some forked sticks to hold them, we built a fire and
broiled them. It was a splendid meal, and I believe that is the best way to
cook fish — all you want is a little salt."
As a trapper Reed could not be excelled. He caught all varieties of the
fur-bearing animals which at that time abounded in this region, such as
the muskrat, mink, marten, otter, raccoon, and beaver, but made a special
effort to get beaver.
Late one afternoon in 1863 Reed came to my father's house on foot
and said his pony was mired in a marsh just over the hill from our place.
My father secured the help of two neighbors, and in company with Reed
went over the hill to help extricate it. The men worked hard for nearly
an hour, and succeeded in getting the pony out without injuring it. On the
pony's back was a large pack of beaver pelts and traps. When, the men
reached our home it was dark and Reed remained all night. My father
offered him a bed, but he preferred to sleep on the floor, with his pack of
furs for a pillow and a blanket spread over him. Early in the morning
he departed for his home in the Little Tamarack.
Throughout the upper Trempealeau valley at this time Reed was
142 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
known as Trapper Reed, and often the remote settler would see his solitary
figure, mounted on his pony, winding along the hills or threading his way
through some woody solitude over the unblazed trail to the haunts of the
beaver.
While living in the Little Tamarack Reed had two hunting dogs of
which he was very fond. One day while hunting with them near the present
town of Dodge they came upon a panther and chased it into the bluffs,
where it turned and offered fight. The dogs flew at it, and although they
fought furiously, the panther seemed to be getting the best of them, and
had one of the dogs nearly disabled when Reed came up. He did not dare
use his rifle for fear of wounding his dogs and yet he was bound to help
them ; so, drawing his tomahawk he entered the fray, working his way into
the fighting mass as best he could, and at length by a well directed blow
succeeded in killing the panther. The wounded dog recovered and lived
to join in many a subsequent hunt.
James Reed was a man of medium height, with bi'oad shoulders and
a large chest; his complexion was florid, and his hair light brown, almost
a sandy hue, while his eyes were a grayish blue. He was a quick, active
man, alert and ready for any emergency. He often dressed like the Indians
with a blanket thrown over his shoulders and fastened around his waist
with a belt. In disposition he was kind and genial and he was an accom-
modating and friendly neighbor.
After the death of his wife Reed lived alone in his log cabin in the
Little Tamarack. He still made journeys on his pony up the Trempealeau
valley on hunting and trapping expeditions, and continued his backwoods
hfe until a year before his death, when the increasing infirmities of age
caused him to abandon his favorite vocation. He then lived with his son
John for a time, and during his last illness stayed at the home of his old
friend and neighbor, Charles H. Perkins, where he died in June, 1873.
He had been such a man as the frontier demanded ; he understood the
Indians, and dealt with' them kindly or severely as occasion demanded;
while his firmness and fairness won for him the respect of all his associates.
Perhaps a future generation will build a monument to this romantic
character. If so I hope it will be erected on old Liberty Peak, and will
represent Reed mounted on his pony, with his rifle across the pommel of
his saddle, looking out upon the peaceful bosom of the Mississippi, where
the scenes of his eventful life were enacted. Such a monument, expressive
of the pioneer hunter and instinct with the spirit of a departed age, would
fittingly grace the noble crest of Trempealeau's venerable bluff.
1 — The material for the following sketeh «as furnished largely by Antoinc Grignon, who
was a stepson of Eeed, and had a longer acquaintance ^^-ith him than any person now living.
For Grignon 's " Reeolleetions," see Wisconsin Historical Society Proceedings, 1913, 110.
Others who 'have furnished recollections of Reed are : John Perkins and Mrs. Mary House,
children of Eeed 's friend, Cliarles H. Perkins, Sr., and Mrs. Charles H. Perkins, Jr., a
daughter-in-law; Mrs. John Eeed, daughter-in-law of the pioneer; and Mary Brandenberg, who
wrote down at his own dictation the account of E<>ed's trip into Iowa on a I'rench train.
C. R. McGilvray, whom Reed taught to trap beaver, furnished many interesting incidents; also
S. D. Noyes, William Huttenow, William Bennett, Mrs. Charles Cleveland. Mrs. Louise Wilson
kindly lent me a daguerreotype of Reed, the only picture of the old pioneer known to be extant.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 143
Among references in print that have been consulted are the volumes of the Wisconsin
HistorU-til. CoUcctions, and L. H. Buniioll, Winona and Its Environs on the Mississipi/i in An-
cient and Modem Days (Winona, Minn., 1897). Data concerning Eeed's career as a soldier
and a farmer for the Siou.x at Winona have been furnished by the War Department, and the
Bureau of Indian Affairs at Washington.
2— See account in Wis. Hist. Colls., XII, 257-261.
3^ — For a brief account of this trader, see Wis. His. Soc. Proceedings, 1906, 2.53.
4^Ibid., 251, 252.
Irish Settlers. The Irish settlers of Trempealeau County have not
been very numerous, although there are some among them who have taken
a prominent part in the development and history of the county. There
are only live sections of the county where they have settled, and, with the
exception of Beaver Creek, the number who have settled in these sections
are very few.
Thomas Drugan was perhaps the first Irish settler in Trempealeau
County. He came to Trempealeau in 1853 and settled on a farm in the town
of Trempealeau. At that time Trempealeau was a part of La Crosse County.
Patrick Lowery and Patrick Drugan, the latter a brother of Thomas
Drugan, came to Trempealeau in 1855. Lowery settled on the place which
had been previously occupied by one Winkleman in 1848, and which is now
known as "The Old Grant Place," while Patrick Drugan settled in the town
of Trempealeau on the place now owned by Patrick Lowery. The Drugans
came from the county of Tyrone in the North of Ireland and lived some
five years in Illinois before coming to Trempealeau.
Frank Feeney settled in Trempealeau in 1855 and bought a place near
the old Ed Elkins home. Daniel Gallagn came to Trempealeau in 1856 and
settled on the place where John Reid now lives. In 1858 James Brady
settled under the Bluff which bears his name, and in 1859 Sullivan settled
on the place now owned by Fred Ford.
About this time McCarthy, who was quite a character in his way,
settled on a farm lying west of the village of Trempealeau along the Mis-
sissippi. McCarthy was a man who took great pride in his physical prowess,
and on many occasions attempted to settle his diff'erences with others
without the intervention of the law. When under the influence of liquor
there was always something doing when Jack McCarthy was around, and
yet withal he was generous to a fault and had many qualities that com-
mend him to the admiration of people.
These men were all typical Irishmen, and were the earliest Irish set-
tlers in Trempealeau County. They cultivated the soil in a small way,
accumulated but a small amount of this world's goods, and were not very
active factors in the organized movement of their local communities.
J. H. Pierson came to Trempealeau in 1860, but did not take up his
residence there until 1861. He came from Dublin, Ireland, and was in the
constabulary service in that city before coming to America. He had been
trained as a druggist in Canada and worked in the drug store at Trem-
pealeau until 1871, and later bought a stock of drugs and opened a drug
store of his own. The store is still run and known as "The Pierson Phar-
macy." He was the father of James and Charles Pierson, who are resi-
dents of Trempealeau, and of Fred Pierson and Lottie Pierson, who have
141 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
moved out of the county. He was a fine type of an Irish gentleman, refined,
law-abiding in all respects, and left a deep impression upon all with whom
he came in contact. He died at a ripe old age in Trempealeau in 1911.
James Dolan came to Trempealeau and settled in the town of Caledonia
in 1857. A typical Irishman who came to Trempealeau in 1867 is Barney
McGraw, who still resides there. McGraw can tell you more of Irish lore
than any other Irishman in the county, unless it be Dennis Lawler, of
whom something will be said hereafter. The greatest regret of Barney
is that although every inch an Irishman, he was born in New York City
instead of Ireland.
A few, but prominent, Irish settlers lived in the town of Hale. The
first Irish settler there was Robert Warner, who came to Trempealeau
County in 1863. He raised a family of ten children, five boys and five
girls, all of whom are now living except his oldest son John. Two of his
gii-ls are now living in the towns of Unity and Albion, one Mrs. Margaret
Wingad, and the other Mrs. Catharine Wingad. One son, Robert, is a
Methodist preacher, and two of his sons, Raymond and Rufus, are living
with their mother on the homestead in the town of Hale. Robert Warner
died February 10th, 1908, and is buried in the Hale cemetery. He was
a prominent, successful and respected resident of the county, and had
much to do within his sphere in the development of his community.
Another Irish settler in the town of Hale is Honorable M. J. Warner,
who moved to Hale in 1861 and took up a homestead of one hundred sixty
acres in Section 33, Township 23, Range 8 West, where he still resides. He
was born in Ireland, February 15th, 1842, emigrated with his mother to
Massachusetts in 1854, moved with his brother Robert and mother to
Adams County. Wisconsin, in 1856, enlisted as a member of Co. K, 25th
Wisconsin Infantry at Friendship, Adams County, August 15th, 1862,
and was discharged in September, 1863, on account of disabilities con-
tracted in the line of duty. He was married to Sarah Risk, November
17th, 1868, and became the father of five children, four boys and one
girl, all of whom are still living. M. J. Warner has been one of the
most active and prominent citizens in Trempealeau County. He has been
an oracle of Democratic wisdom, has served his state in the Legislature,
and has a great many times served the town of Hale on the county board.
He is one of the very strong characters who has had much to do, not only
with the pioneer development of the county, but in its more recent history.
Another early Irish settler who had much to do with the development
of the town of Hale was David Maloney, who moved there in 1866 and took
up a homestead on Section 28, Township 33, Range 8 West. He raised -x
family of seven children, all of whom were a credit to his name, five girls
and two boys. Of the girls, two, Mrs. Catharine Bucholz and Nellie, who
died at the age of four years, are laid to rest in the Hale cemetery. IMary
Rorabeck is living at Ryegate. Montana; Maggie Harrington in Liberty,
Canada: Mrs. Esther Elsom at Britton, South Dakota: James, the oldest son.
is living on the old homestead and cultivating as many acres as any farmer
in Trempealeau County, while the youngest son, David, lives at Ladysmith
and is the County Judge of Rusk County. David IMaloney and his wife are
HISTORY OF TKEMPEALEAU COUNTY 145
both dead and buried in the Hale cemetery. Mr. Maloney, although deprived
of the opportunities of an early education, was a great reader and became
a man of wide information and very set in his convictions.
This trio of Irishmen had as much, if not more, to do with the early
development and history of the town of Hale than any other set of more
numerous individuals who could be selected, and were all types of the better
and more prosperous class of Irish.
The next Irish settler of the town of Hale was Charles Donnelly, who
settled on a homestead in Section 30, Township 23, Range 7 West, in the
year 1867. His early experience coincided with that of most of the
pioneers of Trempealeau County. He came to Hale without a dollar, but
in a few years, by industry and thrift, he became the owner of a com-
fortable home. He died about thirty years ago and was buried in the Hale
cemetery, where a few years later his wife was laid to rest.
The difficulties to be overcome were hard enough in the pioneer days
for men to face, but how much more discouraging was the work for a
woman, yet there came to the town of Hale in 1866 an Irish woman by the
name of Mary Bryan, with seven small children, four girls and three boys,
who took up an undeveloped homestead in Section 30, Township 23, Range 8
West, proved up, broke and cultivated it, and continued to live there until
the children married. Mrs. Bryan died and was buried in the Hale cemetery
about three years ago. Her son Thomas now lives on a farm near Eleva.
This constitutes, I believe, all the Irish settlers who have lived in the
town of Hale.
In the town of Preston there have lived only two Irish settlers of
whom I have knowledge. One was a strong character and left behind a
family of strong individuals who have had much to do with the develop-
ment of this county. I refer to James McKivergin, who was born near
Belfast, Ireland, February 13th, 1818, and who was married to Annie
Conway, who was born at Limerick, Ireland, June 20th, 1830. Mr. McKiver-
gin came to Grant County, Wisconsin, in 1845, and worked in the lead
mines there two years, when he moved to Troy, Walworth County, Wis-
consin, where he engaged in milling. He moved to the town of Preston in
1862, where he continued to live until he died, August 15th, 1886. At the
time he came to Trempealeau County there was no railroad nearer than
La Crosse. Henry Lake then drove a stage from La Crosse to Osseo and
carried passengers and baggage. Mr. and Mrs. McKivergin and their six
children, and what baggage they possessed, went by stage with Mr. Lake
from La Crosse to the log hut of Mr. Carpenter's near the present McKiver-
gin homestead. As soon as the Homestead Law was passed in 1863, Mr.
McKivergin homesteaded the farm now occupied, in the town of Preston,
by his wife and son Edward. In the early days their markets were Sparta,
Trempealeau and La Crosse, with no conveyance except by oxen. There
is now surviving him and residing in Trempealeau County his widow and
seven children, Edwai'd McKivergin, William McKivergin, Mary Young,
Rose A. Immell, Alice McKivergin, John McKivergin and Maggie Immell.
Mrs. McKivergin's father, John Conway, came to Trempealeau County in
1864 and lived with Mr. McKivergin until he died in 1886.
146 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Another Irish settler in the town of Preston was Patrick Bennett, who
settled on what is now known as the Densmore farm about 1856 or 1857,
who continued to reside there until 1864.
A number of Irish have resided at or near Arcadia. The first Irish
settler at Arcadia was James Gaveney, who came there in the Fall of 1856.
He was born at Balla Bay, Monaghan County, Ireland, April 25th, 1825. At
the age of 20 he entered the constabulary of the city of Dublin and served
for three years. In 1848 he came to America and worked in the lead
mines at Mineral Point for two years, and in 1850 crossed the plains to
the gold mines of California, where he became acquainted with a man,
though not Irish, who had very much to do with the pioneer history of
Trempealeau County — Noah D. Comstock. He settled at Arcadia in 1856
upon a farm, which is now part of the village limits of the village, where
he continued to reside until the time of his death, June 18th, 1889. He
was engaged quite extensively in farming at Arcadia and in the town of
Burnside, and also in milling and in the lumber business at Independence.
Among the Irish settlers in the town of Arcadia are J. H. Gleason,
Michael Arrigan, Patrick, John and James Manning, Edward Creeley,
Michael Gleason, James Gibbons, Jerry O'Brien, Thomas Moriarity, Daniel
English and Phillip English.
A strong character among them was Daniel English, who was born in
Tipperary, Ireland, and came to America in the latter '50s. He was
engaged for some time in the construction of the Vermont Central Rail-
road and of the Chicago & North Western Railroad, and settled in the
town of Arcadia about eight miles south of the present village in 1861. He
was a fine type of an Irishman, who made the most out of life without hav-
ing any of the advantages of an early education. He cleared a
farm of heavily timbered lands into one of the fertile and most
valuable farms of the town, and raised a family of four boys
and one girl, two of whom, Michael English and John H. English,
now reside at Arcadia. He was the father of Dr. William E.
English, who died some years ago at Winona, and also of Edward G. English,
who is one of the wealthy lumbermen of the State of Washington. No
finer example of the possibilities of this county can be found than in the
history of this family. Although the father and mother came to the county
with httle book education and with practically none of this world's goods,
they raised and educated, some with college educations, a family of five
children, and left besides an accumulation of several thousands of dollars.
The three Mannings, John, Patrick and Michael, were all good citizens,
but men of no marked characteristics. John was born in Limerick, Ireland,
June 12, 1835, and died March 19, 1895. He emigrated from Ireland in
1855 and settled at Arcadia in 1862 on a farm two miles south of the village.
Patrick Manning also was born at Limerick, Ireland, in 1838, came to
America in 1858, and located at Arcadia in 1863, and Michael Manning, who
was born at Limerick, Ireland, in 1840, came to America in 1863 and located
at Arcadia in 1864. They all raised respected families, some of whom are
railroading and others farming.
Edward Creeley was another early Irish settler of the town of Arcadia.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 147
He located on a farm about two miles south of Arcadia in the latter '60s,
where he continued to live until about ten years ago, when he moved to the
village of Arcadia. Besides being a farmer, he was an engineer, and put
in part of his time working for different railroads. He was, in some
respects, an eccentric character, with a genius for machinery. He patented
several devices for locomotives, none of which ever proved of practical
utility. He is survived by his widow and three children, two of whom now
reside at Arcadia.
Michael Gleason was also an unusual personage — a marked character
for a novel. He was politeness personified. He homesteaded a farm in
Bills Valley, three miles south of Arcadia, in 1866, which is now owned by
the family. His wife was Mary A. Cashel, a sister of Michael Cashel, a very
strong and active character who had much to do with the development of
Buffalo County. He leaves his widow and several children, who are now
farmers in Trempealeau and Buffalo counties.
Another marked character was John H. Gleason, who was born in Tip-
perary, Ireland, May 18, 1818, and came to America in 1848. He purchased
land from the government in 1856 four miles south of Arcadia, and settled
on this land in 1857. The log house which he built first is now used as an
ice house on the farm. He died May 19, 1894. His wife was an unusual
woman, whose predominating characteristics were friendliness and gener-
osity. She was born in Tipperary in 1826 and came to America in 1849.
She died July 11, 1910. They left a family of one boy and four girls, none
of whom are now residents of the county, although the homestead is still
owned by the family.
Another Irishman who located in the town of Arcadia was Phillip
English, a native of Tipperary, Ireland, and whose wife was a native of Gal-
way, Ireland. He came to America in 1850 and settled in Trout Run in 1872.
Jerry O'Brien, a native of the County of Cork, Ireland, located at
Arcadia, July 4, 1864, and homesteaded a farm two miles east of Arcadia.
His wife was Catharine Higgins, who was born in the County of Cary, Ire-
land. He left a family of three children, one girl, Catharine O'Brien, who
married Edson Morgan, a well-known character in Trempealeau County
during the '70s, and Michael O'Brien and Francis O'Brien, none of whom
reside in the county. Mr. O'Brien was an impulsive, decisive character who
took an active part in the affairs of his town in the earlier days and was
in all respects a good citizen. The farm he developed is now one of the
leading dairy farms in the town.
Another Irishman who prided himself on his Irish ancestry, and who
was a very marked character, is Thomas Barry, long a resident of Arcadia.
He came to Arcadia in 1867 and peddled books through Trempealeau and
Buffalo counties. He afterwards was in the implement business and was
known over a wide area as a successful auctioneer.
One of the early settlers was James Bigham, who located in Buffalo
County in 1855 and moved to Trempealeau County on a farm eight miles
south of Arcadia in 1858. He died in 1874. He left behind several children,
three of whom are well known in Trempealeau County, Daniel and John
Bigham of Arcadia, and Mrs. C. W. Thomas of Trempealeau.
148 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Another Irish character particularly worthy of mention is Dennis
Lawler, who is now living in the northern end of the county, at a ripe old age.
Anyone who has ever met Mr. Lawler will recall him as one of marked
characteristics. He is a man of many ideas and of strong memory for
details. He was born in the County of DubUn, September 25, 1823. He
was married to Catharine Brown in 1846, and started for America in 1850.
when he was shipwrecked and returned again to Ireland. Seven years later
crossed the ocean and landed at La Crosse, which was then a very small
place. From La Crosse he went to Black River Falls by stage, and from
there to the Beef River Valley, where he settled on Section 24, Township 23.
Range 8. At that time there were no neighbors within twelve miles. He
squatted upon the land. When war broke out he enlisted, and after his
return homesteaded his farm. It is a matter of pride to Mr. Lawler that
his grandfather was a chum of the noted Robert Emmet, and is buried in the
same churchyard. Mr. Lawler is now living with his son, at a ripe old age,
in the town of Sumner.
Another Irishman of marked character who has had much to do with
the development of Trempealeau County and Northern Wisconsin is E. J.
Matchett. He came to Trempealeau County in 1866 and settled at Osseo.
He came to America in 1862 and for several years followed the business of
railroad construction. He has held many local offices and has always been
an active man of affairs. Few men have impressed themselves as strongly
upon Trempealeau County as has Mr. Matchett. In his day he made much
money and lost much, but whichever way the tide of fortune turns, he has
always been the same persevering, plodding worker. It is needless to say
that such a character will never rust out. Time only can wear him out.
An early Irish settler of the northern part of the county was William
Henry, who settled in the town of Sumner in 1854. He is now alive and
living with his son, E. J. Henry. Michael Merty settled in the town of
Sumner in 1859, and died about 1884. Another Irishman of Osseo was
Charles Shores, who was well known by the people of the county during
the '70s and '80s. He ran a store for some time in the village of Osseo.
This article has now grown to such length that I can barely mention
the Irish settlers of the town of Ettrick. They are the most numerous
lot that settled in any section of Trempealeau County. Among them was
John Mahoney and Dennis Mahoney, John and Daniel Kennedy, Thomas and
Andrew Bierne, Peter and Timothy Dufficy, Daniel Nefficy and Patrick
McCormick, all of whom are now dead ; Michael Connolly, who is yet hving
on a farm ; Pat Cain and Henry Whelan, who now lives at Mankato, Minne-
sota ; James Connors, who left the county years ago ; Cornelius Lynch, who
came to Wisconsin in 1859, but did not settle in Trempealeau County until
1869. The older people will remember him as the one-armed school teacher
who for a number of years was a marked character among the school
teachers of Trempealeau County. James Quinn, who died last year and is
now succeeded by his son, WiUiam ; James McLaughlin, who is dead a long
time and who left no children behind him ; John O'Neil, who was a Civil
War veteran and who is succeeded by a son ; Peter Crogan, who has now
moved to Galesville; Hugh Crogan, now succeeded by his son Henry, and
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 149
Thomas Crogan, who is now dead and is succeeded by his son Wilham;
Timothy Lane, who is now dead and whose farm is now owned by strangers ;
Ed Rielly, now of La Crosse ; Owen Thomas and Patrick Mulligan, who left
no inheritors ; Daniel McGiUindy, who was a Civil War veteran, and Michael
McGillindy, whose son Wallace now lives on the farm he occupied ; Jeremiah
McGillindy, who is now dead, but whose sons reside on the farm; James
McCarthy, a marked character and excellent type of an Irish citizen ; Sylves-
ter McAvoy; Dennis Cavanaugh, who served in the army under General
Miles and gave his life for his country; Daniel Cullity, also a Civil War
veteran ; Thomas and Michael Cullity, both of whom are now dead ; Darby
Whelan and his father, Thomas Whelan, who lived upon the homestead
now occupied by Darby's son ; John Harmon ; James and John Corcoran ;
Thomas Wall and Walter Wall, who also served in the Civil War; Patrick
Wall, John Wall; John, James and Richard Cantlon, all of whom are now
dead, excepting Richard ; Thomas Sheehy, whose boys now occupy his farm ;
Daniel Cahill and Bernhard Brady, now succeeded by his son, Thomas Brady.
I should also mention Maurice Casey, a sucessf ul farmer whose land is now
owned and occupied by his son and who was a nephew of John and Daniel
Kennedy of Ettrick ; James Larkin of Crystal Valley, who is now succeeded
by his two sons, Michael and Fred ; James Dolan, who years ago moved to
St. Paul; John Bierne, John Hunt of Crystal Valley, also Thomas Roach,
John Dolan of Galesville and Thomas Shaw of Crystal Valley.
All these were early Irish settlers in the towns of Ettrick and Gale.
The data of their lives and work should be gathered and preserved before
it is too late, but the hmits of this article are such that I cannot now attempt
it. It is worthy of mention that these men established the only Irish
Catholic church in Trempealeau County, which was built in 1872 and is
known as St. Bridget's Church.
A number of the Irish settlers in the county who should have been
mentioned have perhaps been omitted. It is safe to say, however, that all
told there has not resided in Trempealeau County to exceed one hundred
Irish families. Perhaps no other nationality has had among its numbers
more men of marked personality, when we consider the number from which
to choose.
As a rule they have been good citizens. Some may have been impulsive,
some may have been improvident, and it may be possible that some may have
been deceitful, yet I venture to say there has been a chord in the make-up o^'
nearly every one which, when touched, vibrated into harmony with the
higher and better elements of human character. No two have been alike.
Every one has had an individuahty that separated him from all others.
Very few have seen the clouds — they look more for the sunshine — upon
the more optimistic side of life. Every situation to the average Irish settler
in this county has had its sunny side, its humorous side. They have mainly
lived in an atmosphere of good nature, and they should not be censured too
severely if sometimes some of them have taken artificial means to bring it
about.
They have been typical in their race. Their friends have been all the
people, their faith their own. No climate has been so cold as will not
150 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
produce a shamrock, no soil so barren as will not grow a shillalah. They
have been foremost at a fight, at a frolic and at a funeral, where their
generous nature has always found a blow for the bad, a smile for the glad
and a tear for the sad. (Written at Arcadia, November 12, 1912, by John C.
Gaveney.)
Polish and Bohemian Settlers. It is impossible to obtain the exact
date of the day, or even month of the year, when the first Polish or Bohe-
mian people came to this county, for the reason that there cannot be found
anyone that kept any kind of data, and there are only three left in this
county of the very first ones that came here — two men and one woman.
Those that are alive are all past the age of eighty and their memory is
beginning to fail noticeably, and what information I was able to gather is
such as these people were able to give me from recollection only, except in
one instance, that of the woman I just mentioned. She fixes the dates of
their arrival by the age of one of her daughters. She has the names of
all her children and the date on which they were born written down on the
inside cover of a prayer book, and she seems to be sure that the age of the
girl I mentioned was three weeks.
It seems that the Polish and one Bohemian family settled in two locali-
ties in this county at about the same time, and as near as I have been able
to learn, they did not know of the existence of each other at the time, nor
for a good many years after — the length of time no one seems to be able
to tell.
During the winter of 1862 and 1863, there came to what is now known
as Pine Creek, in the town of Dodge, several Polish famihes, as follows:
Paul Lessman, Paul Libera, Mike Lessman, Frank Weyer, Joseph Lubinski,
Joseph Wnuk, and some others whose names I did not get. Of these, all
but Paul Libera are now dead. With them came one Bohemian family,
that of Math Brom. He is still living, although past eighty years of age
and quite feeble. All of these people came from the city of Winona, Minne-
sota.
You notice that there were several famihes that came at the same time,
and they settled in close proximity and formed a colony of their own. They
claim the distinction of having the second oldest colony in Wisconsin, one
in Polonia, Wisconsin, being older, and they claim their colony as the third
oldest in the United States, one in St. Mary's, Texas, being first.
The other settlement that took place, which I mentioned before, was in
the Town of Arcadia, what is now known as North Creek, and in what is
now known as the Town of Burnside.
Here is the history of the settlement in the Town of Arcadia and Burn-
side as was told to me by the lone survivor, Mrs. Albert Bautch, Sr. The
lady is also past the age of eighty, and although her memory is failing, and
faihng noticeably, yet after a little conversation with her she recalled quite
vividly some of the hardships of pioneer life, and recalled a good deal of its
history.
She told me that her daughter Johanna was three weeks old when they
came to this county, and, from the entry on the inside of the cover of the
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 151
prayer book I mentioned before showed by her to me, it appears that the
girl was born on March 19, 1863.
With Mr. Bautch and his family came his brother Lawrence and his
family, and Peter Sura and his family. Those three famihes came together
from New Lisbon, Wisconsin, where they had lived seven years prior to
their coming to this county. Albert Bautch, Sr., settled with his family in
the town of Arcadia, what is now known as North Creek, and Lawrence
Bautch and Peter Sura settled with their families in what is now known
as the Town of Burnside. As near as she could remember, no other Polish
or Bohemian families came over to this county, to her knowledge, until
about two years later, when several families came over from the State of
Ohio.
All those speaking the Polish language settled in the different locahties
I have mentioned, and came originally from the German Empire, what was
formerly Poland. They all came from agricultural districts and quickly
adapted themselves to this country. They proved themselves to be sturdy,
hard-working and thrifty fellows, and they have greatly assisted in improv-
ing the localities in the colonies that they settled in, and the great majority
of them have accumulated considerable property.
You may have wondered why I speak of the Polish people and do not
have much to say about the Bohemian race. This is the reason. There
are now, as near as I have been able to learn, only about a dozen Bohemian
families in this county, and those, particularly the younger generation,
after living among the Polish people and associating with them, have all,
without any exception, learned to talk, read and write the Polish language.
They belong to and attend the same church, send their children to the same
school, and to all intents and purposes have practically become Polish them-
selves.
They have in this county four Polish churches, four Polish parochial
schools. The combined wealth of their churches, church furnishings, school
buildings, real estate, and other buildings belonging to said churches is
estimated at about $200,000.00. The largest church is located at Independ-
ence, the largest colony of Polish is in the vicinity of Independence, and the
total number of all Polish people in this county is about 3,700.
The principal business of the Polish and Bohemian people is farming.
There are a few engaged in mercantile affairs, but only a few. The great
majority of them, especially the early settlers, were accustomd to farming,
and, being poor, came here looking for an opportunity to better their
conditions, jumped at the opportunity this country offered them in the
shape of homesteads, and went to farming as best they knew how.
Some strong men were found among the early settlers. For example,
take Math Brom, the sole survivor of the Bohemian early settlers, a giant
in stature, a pleasant, lovable fellow to meet, well balanced intellectually,
of sturdy character, honest and upright in all his dealings, a true and
loving husband and father, a true man, and respected by all who know him.
Another striking character was Albert Bautch, Sr., a big man in stature,
a kind, loving husband, father and neighbor, a man who was absolutely true
to the principles of American citizenship, a hard worker. He rapidly accu-
152 ' HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
mulated considerable property — a big-hearted fellow who was always ready
to advise and assist his fellowmen in so far as was in his power to do so.
There were other of the early settlers who possessed- strong character-
istics and who became prominent in developing this county, but time limit
does not permit me to dwell on the individual cases. It stands as the undis-
puted fact that the Polish and Bohemian people of this county have prove
themselves to be worthy men and women, have done their share in the
development of this county, have taken pride in and have learned to love
this country, and although a great many, especially the younger generation,
some years ago went West seeking to better their condition and find cheaper
lands, yet as they become older you will find, by going back with me tc
some of their localities, that after a number of years of absence and after
accumulating some property, they come back and settle in Trempealeau
County in their declining days. Only the other day I met one who is not
very old yet who has returned from the Dakotas and bought a farm in this
county, and intends to live here permanently. I asked him: "What is
the matter? Why did you come back?" "Ah," he said, "this is where I
was born. I love those trees and those hiUs, and I wish to spend the rest
of my life here and be buried here."
Although they, the early settlers, mostly all came from the German
Empire, they came from different provinces. Those living near Pine Creek
came mostly from the Province of Posen and Pomerania, and those near
Arcadia and Burnside came from the Province of Silesia. They all speak
the Polish language, but the dialect is decidedly different. The great
majority of them are of the Catholic faith. One of the strong character-
istics of the race is they are cheerful givers to churches. Another is that
they are hard losers and do not readily forget when some harm has been
done them, and they frequently carry their animosities to their death bed.
One other 'prominent characteristic they possess, and that is dancing.
Not only the young, but in a great many instances men and women past
middle age, derive a great deal of pleasure and enjoyment out of dancing.
(Written at Independence, November 12, 1912, by John F. Kulig.)
Scandinavian Settlers. The Scandinavian landseekers usually had
three things in view, wood, water and hay, as necessary to the establishment
of a home. Where any of these essentials were lacking or the soil too sandy,
it was ordinarily considered undesirable. Therefore we find them among
the hills, if they had a choice.
Gulick Olson was one of a company that came up from the Bad Axe
country in Vernon County and settled three miles east of what is now Blair,
in 1855. He was the first Scandinavian settler in Trempealeau County.
Ebert Olson, his son, now marshal in Blair, is the first child born in Trempea-
leau County of Norwegian parents.
About the same time came Bjorgo Olson, Jacob, Peter and Salve Tonne-
son and Nils Halvorson. A little later Ole Teppen, Syver and Iver Iverson
came from Oleana, Ole Bull's renowned colony. Teppen Coulee is named in
honor of this Ole Teppen. In 1858 Terjan Thompson, 1859 Tosten Torrison
Forkerud and Helge Opland settled in Tromps Coulee. Settlers continued
coming in from older settlements and direct from Scandinavia, mostly from
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 15a
Solor, in Norway, and spread in all directions till this settlement has the
distinction of being the largest Soiling settlement in America.
The Trempealeau Valley congregation was organized by Rev. H. A. Stub
in 1857. But a church was not built until 1868.
North Branch Beaver Creek received its first Scandinavian settlers in
1857, when Iver Knutson Syse and his son Orias Torblaa settled there, com-
ing from Kosh Konong. Torblaa, however, located just across the line in
Jackson County. In 1858 many others followed, among them Knut and
Paul Hallenger, Amund Olson Haaheim, Knut Rocholson, Thomas and Nels
Herreid, Ole Nilson Skaar, Tosten T. Ringven, Nels Henderson, Lars Hanson,
Ole EHingson, Ole Iverson Dale, Erick Grer and Nils Okland. Rev. Nils
Brandt organized a congregation here in 1858, and a church was built in
1861. The congregation paid Ole Olson, a Swede in South Branch, who
had some fine timber, $4.00 for the privilege of cutting the necessary mate-
rial for their meeting house. The whole congregation came together, cut
and hauled the logs and put up a structure 30 by 24 by 12. This church was
built just across the line in Jackson County, and was the first Scandinaviar
church in Western Wisconsin. This old historical structure is now occupied
by Baard 0. Herried as residence. Among later arrivals are D. 0. Hage-
stad, the first chairman of the town of Ettrick, Henrick Swendson, Arne
Arneson, Torkel Gunderson, Berge Torkelson and his sons, Iver and Haldor,
who came in 1859. K. K. Hagestad came in 1860. Many of the above
came from the vicinity of Lodi, Wisconsin. This settlement is mostly by
people originally from Hardanger, Norway.
Another distinct Norwegian settlement is French Creek Valley, where
Peter Anderson Hogden located in 1859. He came from Halfway Creek to
Trempealeau Valley, where he lived a short time before coming to French
Creek. He was the first Scandinavian in this valley. The same year his
two brothers, John and Andrew Hogden, also settled in this valley. Ole E.
Gilbertson, with a large family, arrived in 1860. Among other early set-
tlers can be mentioned Ole 0. Onsrud, James Emerson, Anders Skundberg,
Peter Olson, Lars Tolvstad, Iver Engehagen, Peder Ofsdahl, Christian
Iverson, Andred Onsrud, Ole Smehaugen, Lars and Martin Larson, Ole
Hovre, Fredrick Svern, Andrew Linrud, Peter and Ole Nilsestuen, Gilbert
Jacobson, Hans Madson, Lars and Olaus Thompson, Nils Olson, Marcus P.
Benrud, Tobias Olson, Ole Engelien, Ole Schie, Hans and Andrew Mustad.
This is a very rich valley and one of the most prosperous settlements in
the county. A good church was built in the early '70s, which was enlarged
and remodeled about 20 years later.
The next Norwegian settlement in point of time is a little prosperous
valley in the town of Gale that bears the name of that sturdy Scotchman,
James Hardie, or Hardie's Creek Valley. Christian Larson Hoff and Gilbert
Emerson Ekern came across the Black River from Lewis Valley and settled
here in 1860. They were the first Norwegians there. Shortly afterward
we hear such names as Andrew Ekern, M. J. Scarseth, Ole J. Hemma, Amund
Quisselstuen, Anders Trondson, Amund Bjornstad, Peter Amundson,
Andrew Larson (Hovensholm), Michael Michaelson, Lars Syverson, Mathew
Larson, Otto 0. Rindahl, Ole 0. Semb, Nils 0. Sagen, Bernt Everson, Anders
154 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
C. Haugstad, Mikkel Hanson, Hans Anderkvern and Even Fredrickson. La
Crosse County contributed the most of these settlers, and a large majority
of them came from Biri, Norway, originally.
Pushing across the ridge northward from Hardie's Creek into South
Branch Beaver Creek, another Norwegian settlement was formed. Peter
Larson came up from Coon Valley and located there in June, 1861, the first
Norwegian in that valley. In the fall of the same year came Even Swenson
and Gilbert Nelson, shortly thereafter Christian Olson Syljuberget, Lars
Anderson Osley, Ole 0. Brendhaugen, Peder Johnson Bratstiengen, Svend
Larson Bergum, and others.
In 1862 we find Ole Gutormson locating in Tamarack Valley, the first
Norwegian in what shortly became a very extensive Norwegian settlement.
The following year arrived Tollef Egilson, Sigurd and Berger Bergerson,
John Gunderson, Knut Leofsen Strand, Egil Mikkelson, Trond Osovsen,
John Hanson, John Hendrickson, Hendrick Olson and Hans C. Olson.
Others among early arrivals are Andrew Amundson, John Nilsestuen, Ole
Olson, Lars Amundson, Ole Dove, Hans Hagen, Ole Heram, Ole Lindem,
Lars Christianson, Christian Brennom, and the list could be continued to a
great length.
Hans Herbjornson settled near that natural monument called Chimney
Rock in 1865. Soon after him came H. Kjentvet, Mr. Brynjulson and
others, until this whole town, which derives its name from this peculiar
rock, is largely Scandinavian.
The large and beautiful valley of the Pigeon Creek, which now no doubt
is the finest in the county, was for a long time shunned by the early land-
seekers on account of its scarcity of wood and hay, and distance from
market. It was not until 1867 that any Scandinavian located there, when
Erick Larson from La Crosse County, who, as near as I have been able to
learn, was the first Scandinavian to locate in this valley. Then came P.
Pederson, Mikkel Hagen, Mathias Tuv, and the list of prominent Scandina-
vians who have settled here would be so long that I shall not attempt to
mention later arrivals. These settlers located mostly on land claimed by
the Wisconsin Western Railroad Company, but this land had not come into
market, and on account of its distance from the tracks it was thought
the railway company could not hold it, and that the land would revert to
the government and become homestead land. The settlers selected their
claims and sat on them awaiting the outcome.
One Anders Christianson, locally called "Ringerikingen," a man of
rather extravagant ideas, claimed a whole section. His neighbor, Mr.
Elsom, who had bought an eighty of State school land just across the road
from "Ringerikingen," wanted a forty out of the section claimed by "R"
adjoining his own, and conceived the idea to build on that forty, and com-
menced operations with a view of crowding "Ringerikingen" off. This
happened to be one of the forties that would eventually be "Ringerikingen's"
homestead. He, of course, felt aggrieved, his neighbors viewed such pro-
ceedings with alarm, as under such rule no one would be safe from invaders.
Several neighbors got together for the purpose of visiting Mr. Elsom to
see if a little moral suasion would not induce him to withdraw from his
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 155
neighbor's claim. When they came to the place Mr. Elsom was absent,
but Mrs. Elsom, a beautiful young woman of considerable fortitude very
much in evidence, was informed of the purpose of their visit — namely,
to move what had been done toward a building back to her own side of the
road. Mrs. Elsom objected in very unmistakable terms, and to emphasize
her objections brought out a double-barreled shotgun and promised to put
a hole through the first one that laid hands on her property. This did not
put any more ambition in the house movers, as no one knew what she
might do.
G. F. Steig, always resourceful, was among the company, saw that
something had to be done, approached her jokingly and said: "What do
you want of that gun? You daren't fire it off, and if you did you could not
hit the side of that big bluff." She contended she could hit any mark they
would give her. They wanted the gun discharged and she was anxious to
show her marksmanship. So E. Larson, another member of this company,
hung his hat on a bush a fair distance away. She brought the gun to her
face. Bang ! Lo and behold, the hat was so full of holes it hardly made a
shadow. But there was still one charge in the gun and the gun in the
hands of a marksman of proved ability. It would suit the visitors better
if this also was out. Steig insisted this was an accidental hit. She vowed
she shot like that every time. Just then a woodpecker lit on a little tree a
few rods distant. Steig said: "Bring him down and we will admit you
have made your claim good. Thinking that another hit would be still more
awe-inspiring, and she had plenty of ammunition, she placed the gun again
to cheek, pulled the trigger, and down came the bird fluttering to the ground.
"Now, boys," said Mr. Steig, "to the task, and hurry before the gun is
reloaded." Several men on each corner of the just-commenced building
picked it up and carried it across the road and set it on Elsom's own land.
This was done so quickly that she, in her astonishment, did not attempt,
nor found time, to reload. Seeing how she had been outgeneraled, she did
not further molest the men, who fixed up the building in the new location
with cornerstones and excavations precisely as it was found. When Mr.
Elsom came on the scene, after the first impulse of wrath had subsided,
he took it philosophically and admitted the rule was just and the action of
these men was as binding as a decision by a jury. Thus was established
the rule no one should molest another on these loose titles. As is usual, the
railway company secured extensions and additional grants, got title to these
lands, and the settlers each bought his claim.
I have been told the first Scandinavian in the town of Sumner was Mrs.
Silkworth. She came up from Richland County to work for Green & Silk-
worth at Beef River Station in 1855. She afterward married Mr. Silkworth.
I have been unable to learn her maiden name. JohnChristianson located in
the vicinity of Eleva, Anders Skei, A. Staa, Gunder Johnson, Anders Tvet,
Nils Larson, John Larson, Halyren Torbjorn and Ole Knutson.
In 1874 the first Scandinavians came to Plum Creek. They were Lars
Davidson, Ole, Tom and John Jackson. In 1875 Knut Everson, Oliver A.
Hegg, Syver Amundson and Bennet Anderson, and shortly thereafter Ole
Thompson, Ole Narveson and Andy Anderson came.
156 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
The early Scandinavians, like most other emigrants, were poor, came
here to get cheap land and build themselves homes, some at first living in
dug-outs with sod for walls, marsh hay for thatch, and kind Mother Earth
for floor. Others, yes, a large majority, had small and hastily-constructed
log huts chinked and plastered between the logs with clay. Their farming
implements were wood-beam plow, a drag, Morgan cradle, snath and scythe,
hand-rake and two-tined fork, wagon with wooden skein and lynch pin,
spring seat of two sapplings, rear ends of which were fastened to a cross
piece under the wagon box, resting on a cross piece on top of the wagon box,
the front ends extending to which was nailed a board for the seat. Oxen,
their faithful beast of burden, and their beef when too old for work. They
tilled the early settler's soil, marketed his produce and took the family to
church. This condition, however, was not peculiar to the Scandinavians
alone, but to all early settlers.
Perhaps these glimpses into pioneer life portray a condition full of
poverty, misery, sorrow and hopelessness. But such was not the case.
True, the early Scandinavians, like most all other new settlers in this
county, had little of property and much of poverty, often misery and priva-
tions. But they did have a fund of good cheer and hope, and a hospitality
that is unknown at this day prevailed. If one had little it was freely divided
with one less fortunate. Lodging and board were given the traveler out
of such scantiness as the house afforded, style and fashion never mentioned
or thought of, the spare bedroom was always in order in the mansion which
consisted of one room and perhaps an attic, a sociability and neighborly
feeling there prevailed that does not exist today. Religious meetings, socia
gatherings and dancing parties were had in these small and simple but
happy homes. There were discussed the political affairs, county and town
matters, church and domestic problems, agriculture and markets.
The early Scandinavians of this county were religiously inclined.
Therefore, as soon as so many had located in a locality as to deserve the
name of "settlement," the first work of a social nature was usually to per-
fect a church organization. Literary societies, debating clubs and singing
schools were also common. The Scandinavians of Trempealeau County
have now 27 churches, though nearly all are modest structures, they are
all neat, comfortable and sufficient for the needs in their respective locali-
ties, and represent considerable money outlay. They have, to my knowl-
edge, three parochial school houses, possibly more, one college, one Scandi-
navian insurance company which was organized in 1877 mainly by the
efforts of Jens K. Hagestad, who became its first president, N. L. Tolvstad
its first secretary, and Iver P. Enghagen its first treasurer, which office he
has held continually and still holds. At its last annual meeting this com-
pany carried $5,058,376.00 in risks and had the neat little sum of $20,445.37
in its treasury.
As before mentioned, the Scandinavians who left their mother country
to seek new homes were of the laboring class. So were the Scandinavian
pioneers of this county. Labor was their only asset. Strong and willing
hands, industrious and frugal habits, honest and cheerful hearts, perse-
verance and undaunted courage, was all they brought with them. These
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 157
are worthy characteristics and made the Scandinavians a powerful factor in
the development of this county. Labor was an absolute necessity in the
building of homes and transforming the wild country into productive farms.
Being honest and steady workers, they were sought by the older settlers
as farm hands, artisans, salesmen, and so on, and they eagerly availed them-
selves of the opportunities when not needed on their claims.
Compared with their English, Scotch and Irish fellow pioneers, they
were at a decided disadvantage, not being conversant with the language of
their adopted country. Consequently, very few of them held public office
or clerical positions — at any rate out of all proportion to their numbers or
natural abilities. They were, however, well equipped in their own language,
they could all read, most of them write and cipher, and many enjoyed higher
education. Weekly newspapers were soon found in every home, and they
were as well posted on current events as their English-speaking brethren.
Therefore, though not foremost on the public rostrum, they were an intel-
ligent and safe factor in the settlement of all public questions. Their
patriotism and loyalty to the land of their adoption is evidenced by the
number of volunteers that went forth from among them to save the Union
during the dark days of the Rebellion, and their record for valor is second
to none.
Of the manual labor that has gone into the development of this county,
no nationality has contributed so much as the Scandinavians. Go where
you will throughout this county and see the fertile, well-fenced farms, with
their comfortable homes, spacious and well-painted barns and other farm
buildings, good roads and substantial bridges, fine public buildings and
parks, business houses and manufacturing estabhshments, it would be hard
to point to that which has not some of the Scandinavian brain or brawn in
its make-up, for which the pioneer directly or indirectly deserves credit.
Taken collectively, they had their faults as well as their virtues, but
their good traits outweighed their bad ones, leaving the balance in their
favor. This is the heritage they left to the cosmopolitan population of
Trempealeau County of today. (By Peter H. Johnson.)
Scandinavian Settlers. In the spring of the year 1854, there was a
large number of immigrants that left their native home, Hardanger, Nor-
way, for the United States. Most of them settled temporarily in Dane and
Columbia counties, this State.
At that time government lands that seemed to be of any value in these
counties were taken up by settlers and speculators. These sturdy young
men and women, without any means to buy the higher-priced lands held by
speculators, and desiring to procure a home of their own without running
too much in debt, began to look around for cheaper lands.
In 1855 the first immigration of Norwegians began in Trempealeau
Valley, and the rumors of the fertile villages of Trempealeau and Jackson
counties began to spread.
In 1857, Iver K. Syse, Iver and his son Orjans Torblaa arrived into
North Beaver Creek. Mr. Syse settled in Trempealeau and the two Tor-
blaas across the line in Jackson County.
In 1858 the following arrived : K. K. Hallanger, Knut Richelson, the
158 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
two brothers, Thomas and Nels Herreid, the latter the father of C. N.
Herreid, once Governor of South Dakota, Ole N. Skaar, Tosten R. Thompson,
Nels B. Henderson, Lars Hanson, Ole Ellingson and Ole L Dale.
In 1859, Simon Nelson, Torkel Gunderson, Arne Arneson, Torkel Hal-
dorson, Haldor and Iver Torkelson and Anve 0. Saed and several others
arrived. These settled in the valley east and west of the county line in the
vicinity of what was formerly known as Hegg Postoffice. The largest part
of these settlers arrived on the same ship in 1854, including Knut K. Hage-
stad, Sr., and family.
The first settlers in Bear Creek Valley in 1858 were aforesaid Ole
Ellingson, Lars Knutson, from Nummedahl, and Helge Knutson from Hal-
lingdal. He served in the army and died in a Southern hospital in 1864.
His brother, Anders Knutson, arrived three years later.
In 1860, Knut K. Hagestad, Sr., Lars Grinde, the two brothers Lars B.
and Gullick Johnson, D. 0. Hagestad, Lasse Olson and several others arrived.
The Brovold and Instenes families, Jens K. Hagestad, Hendrick Sven-
son, Halvor Skjeie, and five brothers of Thomas and Nels Herreid, with
numerous others, arrived and settled in the valley in the '60s.
The first Norwegian Lutheran church organization was perfected in
1858. In 1859 the congregation decided to build a church, as the primitive
farm dwellings were very inconvenient for religious gatherings. A large
part of the dwellings were dug-outs in the side-hills, with Mother Earth for
floors and walls, and poles, marsh hay and sod for roofing. Those that were
more able built log houses 12 by 12 or 12 by 14, and the more pretentious
structures were 16 by 16 by 10 feet high. The roofing consisted mostly of
shakes cut out of oak logs with straight grain in 2-foot lengths and split
similar to shingles with a broad ax for cleaver, and evened off to proper
thickness with a hand ax.
After they had decided to build the church, every male member of the
congregation that was able to swing an ax joined together and went south
over the hills into South Beaver Creek to cut logs for the building. They
were allowed for the sum of $4.00 to cut the logs that were needed for the
structure 24 by 30 by 12 feet high on the lands of Ole Olson, a Swede. The
logs were hewed in the woods and hauled in the winter of 1859-60, and the
church was built likewise by the members in 1860-61. There was no money
to spare to hire carpenters to do the work, but most of them were handy
with tools, and all were wilhng to do their share of the work. This was
the first Norwegian Lutheran church built in Western Wisconsin.
The old log church was superseded by a more modern frame structure
in the early '70s. After the new church was completed, the old church
was sold to Baard 0. Herreid, who moved it onto his farm one and one-half
miles north of Hegg, and it is now used for a dwelling house.
The first School District of the North Branch of Beaver Creek was
organized in 1861, now known as the Hegg district, and the Bear Creek
District was organized in 1862.
The main promoter and organizer of the Ettrick Scandinavian Mutual
Insurance Company was Jens K. Hagestad, who came into the valley in 1867
and bought the Iver K. Syse farm in 1868. The company was incorporated
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 159
under the laws of the State February 16, 1877, and commenced business
April 4, 1877, with the following oificers: Jens K. Hagestad, President;
N. L. Tolvstad, Secretary, and Iver P. Engehagen, Treasurer, who has served
the company as Treasurer up to the present time. (By E. J. Brovold.)
The County in 1871. At the close of school in March, 1871, I knew
little of Trempealeau County personally, outside of Trempealeau Village,
Galesville and the Prairie. The county was generally spoken of as the
Tamarack, the Openings, Caledonia, Black River, Decorah Prairie, Hardy
Creek, Beaver Creek, French Creek, Lake Cooley, Over the Pass, Holcomb
Cooley, Over the Ridge, Square Bluff, American Valley, Travis Valley,
Chimney Rock, Elk Creek, Bruce Valley, and the Beef River Valley. The
county was localized in these terms, but the territory was not definite, as
each overlapped the others nearby. The postoffices, as I recall them, were
Trempealeau, Galesville, Ettrick, Arcadia, Pigeon Falls, Chimney Rock,
Osseo, and Hamhn. The natural objects in the county were Trempealeau
Mountain, Trempealeau Lake, Trempealeau Bluffs, Decorah Peak, Whistler
Pass, Barn Bluff, Square Bluff and Chimney Rock. They no doubt will
remain a monument to the Almighty power to whom all nature responds.
I had then been no farther north than the one trip to Arcadia Christmas
Eve, but I knew of Caledonia as the home of Donald and Alex McGilvray,
Joshua Rhodes, Charles Holmes, D. D. Chappell, Pussy WiUiams, John
Bohrnstedt, Christian Schmidt, Thomas Hayter, John Arntz, William Suttie,
Frank Bender, Ira Ramsden, John Hess, R. C. Towner, John Towner, Gilbert
Gibbs, Al Gibbs, William Post, Moses Ladd, Charles Pickering, J. C. Poly-
blank, C. C. Bigelow and Mr. Beardsley.
Over the Pass — Dodge, not then organized, as the home of Mat Brom,
R. Baumgartner, Charles Keith, Jake Schaffner, Joe Pellowski, Paul Rud-
neck, J. L. Sanderson, Joseph Utter, Frank Rushka, John Wier, Andrew
Losinski, John Wicke, Peter Pellowski and Charles Cleveland.
Ettrick as the home of Iver Pederson, C. G. Beach, Robert Cance, Con
Lynch, Maurice Casey and James McCarthy.
Burnside as the home of George H. Markham, A. A. Markham, Giles
Cripps, Martin W. Borst, Lee Hutchins, William Russell, D. C. Cilley, John
Haakenson and James Reid.
Arcadia as the home of Dr. I. A. Briggs, N. D. Comstock, CoHins Bishop,
Gay T. Storm, D. C. Dewey, John D. Lewis, H. B. Slerchant, Douglas Arnold,
Jerry O'Brien, James Gaveney, David Massuere, Daniel Bigham, John Big-
ham, Thomas Simpson, Carl Ei-nst, George Webb, Isaac Newcomb, D. L.
Holcomb, Frank Zeller, Carl Zeller, Phillip and Henry Hartman, William
Bohman, Christian and John Haines, J. W. Ducker, Henry Pierce, J. B.
Gorton. Joseph Kellogg, Louis and Simon Wojczik, Andrew Pietrick,
Ole 0. Peterson, Joseph Stahoski, Wilham Robertson, George Dewey,
Henry Dewey, Sidney Conant, Alexander Bautch, Ole A. Hegg, John
Wool, Nic, Casper and Peter Meyers, Emory M. Stanford, Thomas Busby,
Jonathan Busby, Ira Penny, John Truman, Herman Tracy, Dr. G. N. Hider-
shide, Dan English, A. F. Hensel, Frank Pellowski, John Tuschner, P. TI.
Varney, Charles Mercer, J. H. Gleason, P. Tucker, Peter Case and William
Arnold.
160 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Lincoln as the home of Thomas Lake, David Wade, Henry Stratton,
Henry Freeman, F. W. Ingalls, Moses B. Ingalls, David Wood, Alvah Wood,
G. M. Follette and Mr. Irving.
Preston as the home of Henry Lake, James McKivergin, Gullick Olsen
and Henry Carpenter.
Hale as the home of M. J. Warner, David Maloney, Robert Warner, Silas
Parker, D. S. Watson and Charles Wagoner.
Pigeon as the home of Peter Ekern, J. D. Olds, George Olds and H. A.
Fremstad.
Albion as the home of D. J. Odell, M. B. Gibson, R. P. Goddard, Ed.
Borw^ell, Henry Teeple, A. and D. Wingad and Mr. Englesby.
Sumner and Beef River Valley as the home of R. C. Field, J. L. Linder-
man, Ed. Matchette, Charles Shores, V. A. Gates, William Henry, Otto
Langerfield, W. F. Carter, Alex, and John Tracy, W. H. Thomas, P. B.
WiUiams, D. J. Lyon, Ben Webster, James Rice, Dennis Lawler, D. L. Rem-
ington, Thomas Cox, V. W. Campbell, James King, Hezekia Hyslop, Scott
Hotchkiss, Elias Gay, F. Fuller, John Lovesey, William Lindsay, James
Mclntyre, Henry Gilbert, John Carter, William Boyd, Zeb, John and Cosle
Jones, James W. Grant and William Tomlinson and Robert Bowers.
There are other names which deserve mention and a place on this list
that do not come to my memory after forty-one years of active busy life of
responsibility and cares. I trust no person or family will feel disappointed
or slighted in the omission of names from these lists. There has been no
wish or purpose to leave any name off these lists ; and if names are not cor-
rectly spelled such errors were unintentional and unavoidable. To prepare
such lists after a long span of years is not an easy task.
At the time of which I write, Whistler Pass, a fall or dent in the bluff
above the farm of James Field, over which the highway was built from the
Prairie and the Tamarack Valley into the Trempealeau Valley, now in the
town of Dodge, was a term of frequent mention, and much of the travel from
the western part of the territory over the ridge was on that highway. The
Pass attracted my attention through curiosity, no doubt, and led me to make
an early visit to it. From Martin's Corners the Pass was plainly seen to the
north. Whistler Pass remains, but has lost much of its frequent mention,
and of its early notoriety.
Many Winnebago Indians were then camped and lived much of the year
along the river above Trempealeau Village, and one village near Trempealeau
Lake was said to number 800 or more people, a portion of whom were of
mixed blood. Several "half-breed" families lived in Trempealeau Village,
the men generally being strong, fine-looking fellows, the most distinguished
among them being Antoine Grignon, and some of his descendants, with
those of the Bibault family, have been and are residents of the county, and
on the whole have been good citizens. Thede Booher was styled "The Big
Indian," a name generally applied to him about the county to the time of
his decease.
Trempealeau Village, in the fall of 1870, was a thriving, busy place,
its streets and market-places full of teams, and its business places full to
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 161
overflowing with country people, farmers who came to market produce and
purchase farm and home supplies. They came from Decorah Prairie and
beyond Black River ; from the head of Beaver Creek Valley nearly to Black
River Falls ; from the head of the Trempealeau Valley nearly to Merrilan ;
from Pigeon Creek northeast into Jackson County; from the Elk Creek
valleys and over the ridge in Beef River Valley ; they came from Chimney
Rock Valley, and the Traverse Valley away out in the Mondovi country.
Many came to the Trempealeau market 30, 40, 50 and 60 miles. Before this
I had not seen so busy a mart, emporium, entrepot, or place of traffic as
was the beautiful village of Trempealeau nestling at the foot of Trempealeau
Bluffs, and fronting on the Mississippi River, with its teeming activity of
soil pi'oducts and human freight carried by the then wonderful Mississippi
River steamers, with skow bottom, and of ponderous width.
The most frequently mentioned as wealthy people in the county, as I
recall, were Ben Healy, John Rhodes, W. A. Johnston, Isaac Clark, Wilson
Davis, George H. Markham, and R. C. Field. The most popular politicians
in the county, that is, the most likely to be elected when candidates for office,
were N. D. Comstock, A. A. Arnold and A. W. Newman. The most noted
horsemen were Moses King and Lee Hutchins. The wittiest lawyer was
Frank Utter. Among the jolliest men were Ralph Martin, Pussy Williams,
Marvin Babbit, Sr., Thomas Sutchff, Jimmy Field and Henry Teeple. The
most popular man with the women was Gay T. Storm. The most frequently
mentioned clei'gymen were James Squier and D. 0. Van Slyke. The most
powerful men were Jack McCarthy, Aaron Kribs and John Bugbee. The
only brewer was Jacob Melchoir ; the leading miller was Wilson Davis, and
the best known butcher was Bill Blume. The noted Indians were old
Chief Black Hawk and "Big Indian," Thede Booher. The most skillful
blacksmith was J. B. Ingalls, while the greatest threshers were Jim Merwin
and Ike Wright. The leading saloonkeeper was Pete Eichman, and the most
dead-sure rifle shot was Bob Nibs. The great mule-driver was Philo Beard,
and the best known stage-driver was Jerry Webber. It is my impression
the most noted singers were the Grignon sisters. Others, no doubt, deserve
mention, but memory fails me.
Some of the pioneer women of Trempealeau County had been delicately
reared, most of them had known the com.forts of life, all had left associa-
tions which were dear to them. The sundering of these ties was not easy,
nor was it a condition to be sought. It is but natural that they were
strongly attached to their old homes, friends and comforts. Ties of kindred
and friendship were to be broken; comfortable homes left behind; friends
of a lifetime to be parted with, when with their husbands they set their
faces westward for a new life and new homes, they knew not where. All
beyond the city of Buffalo was then the West, Detroit was in the West, and
Chicago and Milwaukee were in the far West. In many instances they
knew it must be among strangers, and that privations, and even e.xtieme
dangers, were to be met and mastered — at least endured. These pioneer
women shared in all the toils of weary journeys, in sunshine and in storm,
ever westward. They did not grumble of the coarse faro and humole,
oftentimes rude, accommodations of wagon and roadside ; the canal-boat
162 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
and tfte open stage, the log tavern, and at times the open-air bivouac. These
women were always the brave members of the family or the party. Often
late in autumn, or in the early spring, not infrequently in the cold storms,
the discouraging sleet and mist and the complaining chilly winds, they
went bravely on to the very outposts of civilization, over long, lonely and far-
reaching prairies, the gloomy forests, dismal roads, often mere trails beset
with stumps, quagmire, and where no sign of civilization or human habita-
tion was to be seen, except the wigwam and hut of the then dangerous
savage. They traveled largely through a country without settlers or any
evidence of civihzation, at times even making roads upon which to travel.
Can we picture the trials that came to their brave hearts, in hours of
bitterness and loneliness, thus removed from the homes and kindred they
had left behind — remembrances which must have risen up before them
often and often, and how extremely bitter must have been those recollec-
tions, and yet, through their tears which must have silently flowed, they
stood brave sentinels to their little ones who clung to them for comforting
words and care. A word picture fails to give the full facts. Such feelings
were natural and nurtured in their hearts ; yet they bore these and other
burdens as bravely as did the renowned "mothers of ancient Sparta."
Who will, I ask, who can pay these pioneer women of the West, and of
Trempealeau County, the full measure of praise they so richly deserve?
The many sports and pleasures for the pioneer man, such as hunting
the deer, the wolf, the wild fowls and other game; the sport of fishing,
and the pleasure of roaming at will, all suitable to the rougher nature and
coarser tastes of man were denied to these women, who with their chil-
dren were shut up in log cabins or rude huts, often without floors, doors,
or windows, — often filled with smoke and into which the chill of winter
whistled, and the stars at night looked down upon those faithful women
and mothers and their sleeping children; often with no furniture except
the rudest kind, and without kitchen utensils save kettle and frying-pan,
and almost totally destitute of crockery, — seldom even with tinware, they
made that dearest condition of life, the home, possible and a positive fact.
For weeks, for months and even for years in a continued struggle with-
out modern-day conveniences and helps, they struggled and they won ; and
these pioneer women helped make Trempealeau County what it is today.
— (By Stephen Richmond.)
Cruise of the Spray. One day during the latter part of April in 1866
the little steamboat Spray swung up to the river front landing at Trem-
pealeau and stopped for refreshments and supplies for the crew. "She
was a trim little boat," said the old riverman, "about 30 feet long and 10
feet wide, and was a flat-bottomed craft with a stern paddle wheel."
The crew remained in town about an hour when the boat pulled out
for its journey up the Trempealeau River. Arrived at the Trempealeau
navigation became impeded by snags and leaning trees, and a gang of
men was kept busy removing these obstacles. Saws and axes were brought
into play, and now and then a headline was run out and fastened to a tree
and the capstan used to drag the boat over a shoal. Two men stood on the
forward deck with pike-poles to shove the boat away from the bank in
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 163
sharp bends of the river, or where shallow water was encountered to take
soundings.
Thus the steamboat struggled slowly along up the river, clearing its
way as it went, but of all the difficulties met with the wooden wagon bridge
was the most formidable, for settlers living along the river hearing of the
approaching steamboat where on hand to protest against the damaging
of their bridges. However, in every case except one, the officers of the
boat persuaded the people who resisted them that the establishment of
navigation on the river meant more to them than the loss of a portion of
their bridge. Some of the settlers hailed the coming of the boat with joy,
taking it as a messenger of progress come to open an easy way to the
world's markets, while others cursed the audacious little "Spray" as
"another freak endeavoring to establish an impossibility," the navigability
of the river. Still others took the steamboat venture as a joke and laughed
at the idea of navigating a stream that a boy could wade when the water
was at its normal stage. But still they must have looked at the coming of
a steamboat more as a novelty than anything else, and made the most of
it by being on hand to feast their eyes upon the wayward little craft.
Here and there along the route a few of the settlers would get aboard
the Spray, to enjoy a ride on the Trempealeau River. Among these was
Daniel Bigham of Arcadia, who boarded the boat down near the old Dan
Enghsh place and rode nearly to the present site of Arcadia. Dan was
interested in watching the boat navigate the river, but says if he had been
in a hurry he would have made better time walking. "It took a good deal
of time to cut out the snags and trees that obstructed the channel," said
Dan, "and when we grounded the engine would stop and wait for the water
to wash the sand from under the boat. They destroyed all of the bridges
in the town of Arcadia," continued Mr. Bigham, "and it caused considerable
commotion among the settlers, for in that day with but few sawmills and
a scarcity of lumber it was difficult to build a bridge."
The news that a real live steamboat was actually navigating the modest
little Treampealeau traveled so much faster than the boat itself that the
up-river people were on hand to welcome the strange visitor when it arrived.
When the Williamsburg settlers heard the shrill whistle of the boat
they flocked down to the landing on the Baker place, and as the gangplank
touched shore many felt that the marvelous day of prosperity was at hand.
In fact a market landed in the burg that day, for the captain of the boat
bought bread and eggs from the inhabitants and paid the expectant farmers
for it in clean cash.
On the 2nd day of May, 1866, George H. Markham made record in his
diary of the passage up the Trempealeau River of the steamboat Spray.
The Markhams settled in the Trempealeau valley not far from the site of
the present village of Independence in 1856, and Mrs. Geo. H. Markham
distinctly remembers seeing the boat on its journey up the river.
The Spray continued on its course up the river until the wagon bridge
located three miles below Whitehall was reached, when it was met by
David Wade and David Wood, representing the town of Lincoln, who refused
it further passage on account of necessitating the destruction of the bridge.
164 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
The people of Lincoln had heard of the approaching steamboat and of
its wanton destruction of bridges on the lower river, and had decided not
to allow such destruction in their territory. They were practical men and
had no rosy dreams of the future steamboat activity on the river, and con-
sidered their bridge worth more than the vague possibilities of a future
waterway market.
And so the adventurous rivermen turned back, and on the journey
down stream they stopped at Arcadia to take on a shipment of flour from
the Massuere Company mill.
On account of the current and the river being free of snags and trees
the return run was much faster and easier than the up-river trip. At
Marshland the boat was laid up for some time, but it finally resumed its
course into the Mississippi and completed its round trip at LaCrosse.
Why such a trip was undertaken is somewhat of a mystery. Some say
that the Northwestern Railroad Company gave the owners of the boat
a bonus for not compelling the road to maintain a draw bridge across the
river at Marshland. Others say the journey was made to determine the
navigability of the Trempealeau River. Whatever the motive it certainly
established the fact that the river was not a suitable stream for navigation.
— (By Eben D. Pierce.)
Early Trempealeau. I left the State of New York in the spring of
1851 for the West, traveling by rail, by stage, and on foot, and by steam-
boat, arriving at Montoville, now Trempealeau, Wisconsin, on May 6, 1851.
As this place I found James Reed. He lived in a log cabin. His business
was buying furs from the Indians for the Prairie du Chien Fur Company.
While here for a short time I went out each day in different directions
exploring the country, going on one trip north to the Trempealeau River
near where the village of Blair now stands, finding the country everywhere
swarming with wild deer and game of all kinds, and many large or small
camps of Indians. The soil appeared to be of good quality, — some prairie,
some burr oak openings, some rolling, and high bluffs and deep valleys,
with plenty of good pure water, springs, creeks and rivers. After being
out several days I returned to Mr. Reed's and then procured an axe of
Mr. Reed and went northeast into the burr oak openings, and I selected
a claim of 160 acres of land and cut logs and rolled up the body of a cabin,
and marked out my claim, cutting name and date on the logs of the cabin,
then returned to Mr. Reed's, after having made the first claim known to
me in Trempealeau County. I then took the boat up the Mississippi River
to look for work, .arriving at the mouth of Chippewa River and going up
that river to the falls I obtained work for one year at good wages. During
the year I wrote many letters to my father and friends in the East, describ-
ing the country about Montoville and urging them to come and settle there,
and at the end of the year, the last of May, 1852, I returned to Montoville
to look after my claim, and finding there a most wonderful change, new
buildings along the river, and here and there out on the prairie. Mr. Reed
was still there in business. I went out to see my claim and found one,
Wilham Cram, had bought the land on the south and adjoining my claim,
and was building a log house. I then did a little work on my claim, and
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 165
then to keep my promise to work for the company another year I went back
to Chippewa Falls, where I worked one year and seven montihs. Then in
January, 1854, I returned to Montoville, then finding that a more wonder-
ful change had taken place. Hotels, stores, shops and other business places,
churches, school houses and farms scattered here and there in all direc-
tions, and going out to my claim I found that my father, with all of his
family, had bought out William Cram, the place adjoining my claim, and
that a man had jumped my claim and had made some improvements, for
which he would not give up except upon the payment of fifty dollars, which
I paid and took possession. Later I sold it to Charles Pickering.
In the spring of 1854 Alexander McGilvray settled on Black River
and ran a ferry boat across the river, instead of fording as before. The
place then became known as McGilvray's Ferry. In the summer I bought
property there and built a store, blacksmith shop, and also opened a farm,
and early in 1855 our settlers found the need for a school and rented the
front room of my house for one year and employed Cecelia Segar to teach
the first school at McGilvray's Ferry. A new school house was built for
the second term, and Fanny A. Olds was employed as teacher, and here in
this school house at the first term was organized the first debating school
in the county. Our people all became so deeply interested that they came
from far and near and took part in the debates, and established a weekly
newspaper called the "Singinezia," to be edited by the members and read
at each meeting. These schools were kept up for a number of years, dis-
cussing many great and important questions to the lasting benefit of all
that took part in them. Mr. McGilvray, the grand old Scotchman, being
the first settler here, named the place Caledonia, after his native place in
Scotland. Soon after Trempealeau County was organized and the county
seat was established at Galesville, a beautiful young town on the banks
of Beaver creek. Our early settlers were a very intelligent, industrious
and progressive people. Thus school houses, churches, villages, hotels,
stores, grist mills, saw mills, and all kinds of public improvements was the
order of the day from the beginning of our early settlement. Always
manifesting the highest degree of intelligent progression, thus changing
a land that was once the home of the Indian and wild beasts of the forest to
a land that now stands upon the highest pinnacle of American civihzation.
Thus we mention but a small part of the events of our pioneer days from
1851 to 1861.
From 1861 to the spring of 1864 I kept my place at McGilvray's Ferry,
and in the month of May, 1864, Benjamin Oliver and I went north to look
for land to homestead. We found a few settlers in Trempealeau valley
near the mouth of Pigeon Creek. The settlement was called Whitehall.
From there we went up Pigeon Creek about six miles. There we found
Hely Fitch, his mother and sister, who told us that they had settled there
the year before, and that Mr. Fitch froze to death in the winter of the
deep snow ; that the old man had to go up into the cooley about three miles
to cut and stack hay to winter his oxen on, and that the snow got so deep
that he could not driver the oxen there after hay, and to keep them alive
he would go on his snowshoes every day and bring a bundle of hay on his
166 HISTOKY OF TKEMPEALEAU COUNTY
back. The weather turned very cold and he went for a bundle and came
back about half way and fell with his hay, where they found him next day
froze solid. Through the snow being so deep they could not walk through
it and had to shovel and break a path to get to him, but they got him home
late that night. Thus that cooley was named Fitch's Cooley. After hear-
ing their heartrending story, we went on up the creek about four miles into
a cooley southeast of Pigeon Falls, where Mr. Oliver selected his homestead.
We then went north over the bluffs about one mile. There I selected my
homestead. This Fitch family were the only settlers up in Pigeon valley
in Trempealeau County. Mr. Oliver and myself moved onto our land in
August, 1864, and George H. Olds and James Phillips moved in one month
later. Then in the spring Wm. Olds and L. B. Man and H. Smith, P. Peter-
son, L. Larson, Phineas Wright, C. H. Hines, Andrew Peterson and Mr.
Richardson, and some others, moved in during the summer of 1865.
In the faU of 1864 and early winter 1865, Mr. Oliver, Mr. Phillip, G. H.
Olds and myself bought and hauled lumber from Merrilan and built a
school house, and employed Mary Nott to teach the first term of school in
Pigeon Valley, beginning with twelve scholars, but having some more at
the close of the term. The second term was taught by Jane A. Olds, and
the third term by Marilda Lyons. In these early days our people organized
debating schools, where some of the most profound questions affecting the
weal or woe of our people were discussed, and to this day we can see and
realize the benefits from the food for thought that was brought out in
those old debating schools, and I am happy to know that some of those
lights that shone so brightly in those early days have not all gone out yet
in 1912, and I hope that other and brighter lights will continue to shine
until the end of time.
Among the many early settlers of Pigeon Valley was one, Mr. Fuller,
who settled in a cooley northwest of Pigeon Falls about one mile, where
he had built a small farm house, and during a heavy thunder storm had
laid down with his wife upon a bed that stood with its head near a south
window. Mr. Fuller lay on the bed, his head in line with the window, his
wife lying back of him, when a bolt of lightning passed through the window,
striking him on top of the head and passing the length of his body and
from his feet to the floor and out through the side of the house and to the
ground, thus killing him instantly, while his wife was unharmed except a
slight shock. Thus this cooley was called Fuller's Cooley. A year or two
after his body was taken up from his farm and was found to be petrified,
and required five or six persons to take it out of the grave. — (J. D. Olds in
letters to Hon. H. A. Anderson, Feb. 14 to Feb. 17, 1912.)
Trempealeau Prairie. William Trim has seen all the changes come
to the county from its really wild state to its present condition of wealth
and comfort, having resided in it since the fifteenth day of October, 1858,
to this time, except during the three years that he was in the army. He
saw the red schoolhouse built at Wright's Corners in 1862 by Al Holcomb ;
saw the mill and dam put in by the Holcombs and Mr. Grant in 1860 ; knew
the first teacher in the red schoolhouse, a Miss Sumara Grant, afterward
Mrs. Carsely, her term being in 1862 and 1863. Mr. Carsely ran the saw-
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 167
mill above Bortles, built by Mr. Grant when he and Holcomb dissolved
partnership in the prairie mill. Abe Holcomb and Mr. Grant came to the
prairie in the winter of 1860, Al Holcomb coming in the spring of that
year. Hollister Wright was on his old farm when Mr. Trim settled in the
vicinity in 1855. Elder Cook came in 1860, Ralph Martin in 1862. Trem-
pealeau was a small village in October, 1858. Harvey Bowls kept a hotel,
as also did Frank Utter. Thede Booher and Mr. Paine kept stores, and
N. B. Grover a warehouse, to which he helped Mr. Wai'e haul corn in the
winter of 1858-59 at 25 cents a bushel shelled. He attended the town meet-
ing in the spring of 1859 at Trempealeau, the first meeting of that kind
he ever attended, and there became acquainted with Mr. Sutcliffe and John
Rhodes, Samuel Barr and others, who all lived in the Big Tamarack. He
says a man by the name Whistler was an early settler over the Pass —
being the first one — and that the Pass was named after him. The two
sons of the man became homesick and traveled back to Dodge County, and
Mr. Whistler and his wife soon abandoned the place and in an ox team
returned to Dodge County. Thomas Knox was an early pioneer over the
Pass and sold their claim to a Mr. Rudnick, who was the first Pole to settle
in Pine Creek, in 1859 or 1860. This man and his wife paid Knox in half-
dollar pieces the sum of $800 she had earned in Winona washing. Knox put
the half dollars in a sack to carry on foot to Galesville, but at the Lee bridge
over the Tamarack Creek he hid half of the money, finding the whole
amount too heavy to carry at one time to Galesville, afterward returning
for the half that he had hidden. In 1860 four Germans located north of
Vernons, in the valley that has since been called German Valley. There
were Koop, Pfefer, Were and Dopp. In 1858 the settlers in the Tamarack
were Bortle, Cook and Vernon. On the west side of the prairie were Seby
and Darwin Atwood, two Nashes and A. A. Whiting. In the south part
were Stevens, Gillies, Brewins and Steadman. On the east toward Gales-
ville were Anson Bell, Mr. King and a Mr. Hartz on the Isaac Wright farm,
Thompson on old farm. A bai'n was built on the Thompson farm in 1859 ;
the shingles were rived by Stark Butman from logs. Many of these shingles
are now sound and good. William McDonough then lived on the old Martin
farm, William Lee on the Chase Wasson farm. Later came Shaw and
Howe above the Vernon farm. Castleman, a half -negro, lived on the Walsky
farm. — (Interview with Stephen Richmond.)
Beaver Creek Valley. John Hess settled in Beaver Creek Valley in
the fall of 1852. "There were very few families in this part of the country
at that time," said Mr. Hess. "James Reed was living at Trempealeau or
Reed's Landing, as it was called then, and he was the first white man I
saw after coming here. The second season we were here I had a good crop
of winter wheat, which had to be threshed with a flail. It was difficult to
get it clean without a fanning-mill, and so I went down to Prairie du Chien
to buy one and had it shipped to Trempealeau by boat. It was the only
fanning-mill for miles around and I used to loan it to farmers up at Foun-
tain City and across Black River in La Crosse County.
"Flour was hard to get, and one day when I was debating in my mind
where I could get the next sack of flour, for we were out, James Reed came
168 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
along and told me there was a mill over in Lewis Valley in La Crosse County,
and described the trail leading to the valley so that I would have no trouble
in following it. The next morning I got up at three o'clock and started
over the trail for the mill, my wife accompanying me as far as Heuston's
near Galesville. I found my way to Luther Lewis's mill, bought a fifty-
pound sack of flour, and walked home with it on my shoulder, having
traveled between 25 and 30 miles.
"Pork was a luxury in those days and I remember walking up to North
Bend to buy some of it of Thomas Douglass, who operated a sawmill on
Black River. When I got there I found Mr. Douglass at work repairing
a breakdown in the mill, and when I told him my errand he said he could
let me have the pork, and as he was very much in need of help in repairing
the mill he suggested that I pay for it in work.
"I worked for him five days for a hundred pounds of pork, and when
I was ready to start home I built a raft of kant timbers, and loading my
cargo onto it, started down river. I landed at the mouth of Beaver Creek
and hid my pork in the woods and set out afoot for home to get an ox to
'pack' the meat with, but, as luck would have it, I came across my oxen
feeding in the edge of a wood less than half a mile from where I landed. I
drove one of the oxen down to the river and tied the pack of meat on his
back with my suspenders and then drove him home.
"I'll tell you how we got our blacksmithing done the first few years
after we came to Beaver Creek. We drove with an ox team to Trem-
pealeau and then borrowed a skiff" and rowed across the river to Richmond,
Minnesota, where there was a blacksmith shop. Sometimes it would take
two days to make the trip, for if the smith had work ahead we would
have to wait.
"Along in 1856-57 I bought a threshing machine. I went to Racine
and bought a horse-power machine of the J. I. Case Company and paid
$725 for it, and they shipped it to Chicago and thence to Dubuque, and
from there it was shipped by boat to Trempealeau. It was the first thresh-
ing machine in this county, and I used to go many miles over mighty rough
roads to do threshing. I went over to Arcadia and threshed for Noah Com-
stock, James Gaveney and Collins Bishop."
Mrs. Hess also has told in her quaint and pleasing way stories of pioneer
experiences. She says: "The first few years we lived here our nearest
neighbor was Charles H. Perkins, who lived over in the Tamarack, and as
there was no road to their place from our home we used to go back and
forth visiting, over a trail that lead across the bluffs. Mother was a great
hand to knit and always took her knitting along when she went visiting,
and that is how we happened to get our first chickens. You see we hadn't
any chickens and had almost forgotten what an egg looked like, but Perkins'
folks had a flock of chickens, though they didn't care to sell any. Well,
mother was at their place one day and was just finishing a pair of stock-
ings she was knitting when Mrs. Perkins asked her if she would sell a pair
or two of them. Mother said no, she would not sell them, but would trade
for some hens and offered to knit two pairs for four hens. The trade was
agreed to and when mother completed her knitting contract she took the
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY ' 169
stockings over to Mrs. Perkins and brought the four hens home across the
hills in her apron. To complete the flock father went to Treampealeau and
succeeded in buying a rooster from Mr. Reed.
"Hogs were difficult to get, and the first one we were able to procure
after we settled in our new home Mr. Hess got of James Reed in exchange
for work. He cut nine cords of wood over on the island opposite Trem-
pealeau for a sow, and was well pleased with the bargain.
"There were no churches anywhere near our place at that time, and
it was a great treat when a preacher happened to come along and stay
over Sunday with us. The neighbors would gather at our log house to hold
religious services and after the meeting was over they would stay and visit.
"La Crosse was only a little country village then, with one hotel, a
half dozen small stores, a blacksmith shop and a burned-down mill with
the brick chimney left standing."
This was pioneering with all of its varied phases. There were hard-
ships but joys as well, and it is hardship that gives zest to pleasure. There
was a backwoods adventurous spirit in the rough life of that age and the
pioneer will tell you that he took real comfort in his cabin home. And so
we look back and see the log cabin dreaming in the solitude where the wild
roses bloom in profusion, and the ox team and the breaking-plow creep
slowly across the clearing, while the sunlight streaming through the valley
turns the old grub-piles intoheaps of gold.-;-(By E. D. Pierce.)
Lewis Valley. In 1857 Lewis Niffin took up a quarter section of land
about four miles above Arcadia, on a small creek that has since borne his
name, being the first settler to locate directly above Arcadia. He erected
a log hut near the creek, a few rods towards the Trempealeau River, from
what is now the main road, between Arcadia and Independence. Mr. Niffin
remained on his claim less than a year, when he abandoned it and left the
country. In 1861 Richard Rook, an Englishman, came and picked out a
location near Niffin's abandoned claim and put up a small building, but he
was not favorably impressed with his new home and forsook it in a few
months for a more suitable locality. Then came Alonzo Baker (about 1862)
and took up a homestead in one of the branch coolies of Lewis Valley. But
it remained for Capt. John D. Lewis to become the first settler in the main
valley. In May, 1866, shortly after getting his discharge from the army,
he took up the land now known as the Lewis farm and during the summer
built a house and broke some land. The following summer, 1867, J. B.
Gorton and Jonathan Busby moved into the valley. — (By Stephen Rich-
mond.)
Newcomb Valley lies wholly in the town of Arcadia, opening into
American Valley near the Penny schoolhouse, where the branches of the
creek meet above the Miller and Bear pond. The valley runs east about
four miles to the foot of the Preston hills. There are a number of small
valleys known as coolies on either side in which good farms are located;
among them are the Erickson, Hanson and Arneson farms, while the combes
or coolies on the north side are known as the Knudtson and Rud farms and
neighborhood. The main valley was settled in 1866 by Isaac Newcomb and
170 ■ HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
his brother Harold, who came from Lewis Valley, La Crosse County, where
they settled with their parents in 1855, emigrating from Tioga County,
Pennsylvania. (In 1868 the parents also removed to Newcomb Valley,
making their home with Isaac, with whom they hved out their lives, the
father dying in 1873 and the mother in 1879.) So far as can be learned a
family by the name of Van Scroch had for a short time occupied a log hut
on an 85-acre tract, which Isaac Newcomb purchased through N. D. Com-
stock as agent, of Lot D. Rice, he getting his title from Dr. Bishop, who
bought the lands from a Mrs. Hessey Vallandingham, the widow of a Ken-
tucky soldier. She never occupied these lands. Mr. Newcomb home-
steaded 160 acres adjoining this tract, which he improved and made into a
valuable farm.
The early settlers who may be said to have been the pioneers in the
valley were Isaac and Harold Newcomb, Andrew Knudtson, Arney Olson
Rud, Stiner Knudtson, Lewis and Lars Hanson and a man named Rock-
well. At the close of 1866 there were no settlers in the valley except the
Newcombs, nor east to where Hans Solberg lived near Lake Slough. Sol-
berg was known as Stocker in those early days. James McKivergin had
settled in Preston on the old McKivergin farm, and the only tract over the
hills was a single plow furrow to guide the traveler to these settlers' claims.
The Knudtsons, Ruds, Ericksons and Hansons came in in 1867 and 1868, as
did Mr. Scow. After that time settlers continued to locate in the valley,
so that in 1876 all the lands had been taken up and were occupied. The
Newcombs began improving their lands and in 1867 built houses and other
buildings upon them. In the fall of 1868 the Penny schoolhouse was built,
a mere board shell, and the winter term in 1868-69 was taught by W. L.
Cummings, who boarded around with such settlers as were able to keep
him. At some places Mr. Cummings was obliged to crawl to his bed because '
of the meagerness of the living and sleeping accommodations. He boarded
principally with Jerry O'Brien, Ira Penny, Isaac Newcomb and John
Truman. Other early teachers there were Kate Rudolf, Ida Smith and Eva
Allen. The schoolhouse in Newcomb Valley was built in 1875 and was fir?
taught by Ida Smith.
When Isaac Newcomb arrived he brought with him four cows, four
head of young stock and a yoke of oxen, and with these possessions and
245 acres of land was considered as a well-to-do man.
The country was mighty new and people possessed of little money, but
all were stout-hearted patriots determined to "make good," which many
of them did after the coming of the railroad in 1874. About the only farm
implement in the neighborhood was a dung-fork owned by Ira Penny, ■
which he loaned with misgivings to his neighbors. The story of these early |j
days might be written elaborately into pages of local incidents and gossip,
among the most interesting being the bear story published in the Arcadia
Leader in 1874, a newspaper owned by N. D. Comstock, and published after
the new village was started on the Trempealeau River bottoms, where the
flourishing village of Arcadia now stands.
Newcomb Valley for many years had and now has a number of excel- 1 1
lent farms, and its people are among the most intelligent and progressive
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 171
families in the county, with comfortable homes and farm buildings, blooded
stock, and being well provided with all farm conveniences, showing thrift
and contentment.— (By Stephen Richmond.)
Holcomb Cooley lies partly in the town of Trempealeau, the greater
part being in the town of Arcadia, and is in townships 19 and 20 north of
range 8 west, opening into the Tamarack Valley, or running back east and
northeast about two to three miles in width and footing up against French
Creek and the Galesville hills more than three miles from the Tamarack
Valley. Near the center it is widest. On the south side are several small
valleys or coolies in the hills, with much the same conditions as on the
north side, where in the early pioneer days stood dense forests of tamarack
timber. Al and Abe Holcomb, brothers, who had settled on West Prairie
and who had put in a dam in the Tamarack Creek, in section 5, township
18 north of range 9 west, and erected a saw mill, filed claims on much of
the land in this cooley and, taking possession, began to cut and carry to
their mills saw logs which were cut into lumber for use by the settlers.
Hence the name Holcomb Valley, or Cooley, was given to the region by
early settlers and has not been changed, though the men after whom the
valley was named have been long dead. In 1870 the saw mill did little
work, and about 1875 the mill and power were converted into a grist mill
by Square A. Picket, who had come into possession of it, and who later sold
it to other parties, who continued to operate it till 1885.
Much of the land in and about the region of the Tamarack Valley was
marshy, and to reach the cooley when the ground was frozen was an almost
impossible task, except by way of the French Creek Valley, until a series
of corduroy roads was built over the marsh places. The Holcombs also
built and for a number of years operated a windlass on the hills to facilitate
transportation. The teams were unhitched from the vehicles and driven
singly up the bluff and the loads dragged up by the windlass. In fact, teams
descending could not be driven down the bluff side hitched to a wagon
This was in operation as late as 1868 or 1869. It is a fact almost forgotten
by the oldest living pioneer today, though familiar to all of them at the time.
The first settlers to permanently locate and improve lands in the cooley
were Wenzel Brom, known as Big Wenzel, and his cousin, Wenzel Brom,
known as Little Wenzel, and John Holemy, Bohemians, who had immigrated
m 1859 with Mathias Brom, who later settled in Pine Creek in what is now
a part of the town of Dodge ; also Ole 0. Chestleson, still living in the cooley
on the land he homesteaded or pre-empted; John Johnson, who later
removed to the State of Nebraska; Oluff Olson, Hendrick Olson, Mat Olson
and perhaps one or two other families. These settlers came in at various
dates from 1861 to 1865. John Brom later than 1868 homesteaded lands
in the cooley. Among those who came before 1869. not mentioned above
were Hans Hanson, John Hanson and Easton Hoverson.
In 1868 a log schoolhouse was built in the cooley on the site of the
present one, and the first school taught in the winter of 1868-69 The
nearest business place was Old Arcadia, where Gay T. Storm conducter'
a store and David Masseure owned and operated a grist mill in 1868 The
road over the ridge to this store and mill was a rough unimproved tract
172 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Frank Brom first visited these business places in the late fall of 1868 with
Matthias Olson, they going to mill with two yoke of oxen and a cart, having
to lead the oxen up and down the steep hillsides, and then it was a dan-
gerous journey to make. The country was indeed wild and desolate in that
late fall day, being a series of hills and bluffs on all sides, with scarcely a
settler anywhere in sight till they trundled down into Arcadia. — (By
Stephen Richmond.)
American Valley. The first settler in American Valley was a man
named Kenton, who came in the early sixties.
Albert Tracy came in the spring of 1865. Sydney Conant and the
Messrs. Taft and Drake came in the fall of that year. The experiences
of Conant are typical of early life in that valley. Starting out on foot from
his old home in Amsterdam he encountered Mr. Tracy, who advised him
to settle near Arcadia. But upon reaching the Tamarack and finding no
one who had heard of Arcadia, he decided to enquire at Bishop's settle-
ment. Arriving at the settlement he found that he was at Arcadia itself.
From there he went to the head of what has since been called American
Valley and staked out a claim. He had some breaking done and cut some
marsh grass, and then started a house. Some of the lumber was hauled
from Amsterdam. Most of it, however, was obtained from near what is
now Merrillan, Tracy and Conant going to the woods there with two yoke
of oxen each, and each bringing home a large load of lumber and shingles.
Conant finished the woodwork of his house, but as the plasterer was taken
ill was forced to move in before the interior was completed. Then came the
terrible cold. Dry oak logs were burned for fuel. The stove was heated
red-hot, a small space around the stove was enclosed with blankets, within
which the family huddled. As soon as the weather moderated Conant
made some plaster from lime, sand and horsehair, which he had secured,
and started plastering. The plaster froze solid as soon as applied. On the
following Sunday, Taft and Tracy helped complete the work.
Drake was not so fortunate. On his place adjoining Conant's he had
gathered hay, erected a stable and provided for his stock. Lumber had
been hauled for a house, but the weather was too cold for building opera-
tions. His family was then living near Trempealeau.
The Conants opened their home to them and the two families spent
the winter in the one-roomed house, every inch of the floor space being
occupied entirely by beds.
The next spring more land was broken and a fair acreage of crops
put in. Breaking the land was an interesting operation. It was usually
done with a big Whitewater plow and four or five yoke of oxen. The sight
and sound of the large "grubs" being torn from the ground was an inter-
esting one. Often the plow would be stuck in an unusually large "grub,"
and this meant a delay of an hour or more. As the year passed other
settlers located in the valley, but to this day it has retained its original
name, given in honor of the eastern ancestry of the pioneers.
Rainey Valley. In 1865 John Rainey, with his wife, settled on lands
in sections 19, 21 and 9; James Hunter, a son-in-law, settled on lands in
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 173
sections 20, 21 and 9 ; John Berner on lands in sections 29, 19 and 9 ; and
Truman Brie on lands in 19 and 30, 19-9 west. They were the pioneers in
the valley.
The valley is about two miles long, and branching in section 20 runs
westerly one and a half miles into section 19. Later these lands all changed
hands; John D. Rainey soon became the owner of lands settled by John
Earner, and Samuel Rainey, James Pringle and others settled in the valley,
and numerous parties took up the hill and bluff lands. The valley and the
hill farms became valuable and have long been some of the most desirable
about the village of Arcadia.
In 1865 David Bennett and his brother William Bennett settled across
the river, northeast of Arcadia, and were also pioneers. John Weaver
may be said to have been an early settler, as may also Casper Smith. John
Rainey, James Hunter, John D. Rainey and Samuel Rainey were the most
prominent of the pioneers and early settlers in the valley. Mrs. Catherine
Hunter, later known as Catherine J. Beveridge, took an active part in the
interests of the valley in early days. — (By Stephen Richmond.)
Meyers Valley is wholly in the town of Arcadia, and lies about one
and a half miles south of the village of Arcadia. It is really a series of
short pocket valleys with a rich black loam soil, and long has been one of
the choice farm localities in the town, and perhaps in the county. Grain
growing was long the chief industry, but stock raising, grass and corn
has all along had much attention, and in recent years dairying has flourished
among the people of the valley. It is a natural locality for diversified or
intensive farming, and its people were really always well-to-do when the
exclusively grain growing neighborhoods were poor and almost destitute
of money. The first settlers in Meyers Valley were Frank J. and Carl
Zeller and Nic and Caspar Meyers. The Zellers met the Meyers at Rox-
bury in Dane County, Wisconsin, and they soon formed plans to come to
Trempealeau County, the Meyers furnishing ox team and wagon, by which
they traveled. Arriving in Trempealeau Village, they were directed to
go by way of the prairie and Whistler Pass to Arcadia, the route being
little else than a trail. However, they completed the journey to the Bishop
settlement, and partook of their first meal at the home of David Bishop,
it being cooked and served by Mrs. Bishop, who, after the death of Mr.
Bishop, married Charles Mercer, and who is the person who gave to
Arcadia territory, town and village the name now and for long so well
known. At that time there were but few settlers, among them being
Collins and David Bishop and families, George Dewey and family, James
Broiighton and family, George Shelley and family, Ira Penny and family,
Carl Ernst and family, John McMaster with his family, Phillip Hartman
and family, J. H. Gleason and family and N. D. Comstock, unmarried. The
two Zellers and Nic and Caspar Meyers selected lands upon which they made
some improvements with the intention of pre-empting them later, which
they did. Frank J. Zeller located 120 acres and with his brother built a log
house. Later he returned by ox team to Roxbury, Dane County, where,
Nov. 26, 1856, he was married. All remained at Roxbury the winter of
1856 and 1857, returning to Arcadia in the spring of 1857, settling upon
174 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
the lands they had located the previous summer, and which they later
purchased of the Government and opened and improved into valuable farms.
In the summer of 1857 many settlers came and they continued to
arrive until in 1876 the territory was practically occupied. Among the
early arrivals were Christian and John Haines, Peter Meyers, George Cain,
Theodore Tsherhardt, John Well, John Bill, Sr., John and Dan Bigham,
James Gaveney, Dr. I. A. Briggs, David Massuere, Dan C. Dewey and
Henry Dewey, Gay T. Storm and Casper Whifller.
During the early years of life in the valley, and up to the time of the
Indian massacre in Minnesota in 1862, many Indians lived about Arcadia
and were frequent or almost daily visitors at the homes of the settlers,
being very industrious beggars, but committing no crimes upon the white
people. The Indian troubles in Minnesota in 1862 were the occasion of
much anxiety and great prudence on the part of the settlers of Arcadia.
Every man was armed and equipped to do battle, if necessary, for the
protection of family and home. However, no occasion arose necessitating
bloodshed. In pioneer days at Arcadia Indians often remained at the
homes of settlers until late into the night, visiting and being social in their
ways. The market points for many years were Trempealeau and Fountain
City in all seasons, and Winona during such time as the Mississippi river
was frozen in winters.
Bill's Valley is a branch of Meyers Valley, as is Woll Valley and Hart-
man Valley.
In the early days a society known as the St. Joseph Catholic Congre-
gation, built a frame church near where the highway divides to go to the
Hartman Valley, and to turn into the main valley and over the Pine Creek
Ridge and down over the country by way of Whistler Pass to Trempealeau,
where services were held until the congregation was merged into the new
society at Arcadia in 1883. The cemetery remains and is the silent resting-
place of many of the early pioneers of not only Meyers Valley, but that
whole vicinity.
The St. Joseph Church stands in the southeast corner of the southeast
quarter of the southwest quarter, section 6-20-9; and the cemetery is in
the southwest corner of the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter,
section 6-20-9.
Meyers Valley proper, in which the Zeller farm is, has a creek that
flows out of the northwest side of section 17-20-9, crossing sections 17, 8 and
7 in the same town ; while the Bill Valley may be said to be confined to sec-
tions 11, 12, 13 and 14 in 20-10 west.
The original trail out of Arcadia came up out of Pine Creek onto the
Pine Creek ridge above these valleys and Trout Run, following these valleys
to the Trempealeau River, and centered in early times at Old Arcadia, or
Dewey's Corners, as it was by many known. Later Massuere's Mill became
a landmark and point of pubhc interest.
The first white man to die in the Meyers Valley was Phillip Hartman,
Sr., and the first to die in Arcadia was David Bishop, who was killed by a
bolt of hghtning during a storm in 1868. The public school at the mouth
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 175
of Meyer's Valley was organized in 1870, and the first teacher was Ferdi-
nand Robertson. — (By Stephen Richmond.)
Thompson Valley is wholly in the town of Arcadia and runs south from
American Valley, into which it opens near the upper end of the Miller
and Bear mill pond. The valley is about three and a half miles long, foot-
ing up against the ridge which separates it from Norway Cooley. The first
settler in the valley, so far as is known, was a man who took a claim but
went to the war and was never more heard of. His claim was later filed
upon by Thove Thompson, who occupied it, proved up his claim and devel-
oped it into a valuable farm, on which his widow and his two sons, Alex
and Martin, now reside. At the time Thove Thompson settled in the
valley, his brothers, Knut and Tolf, settled on lands they homesteaded and
erected buildings on, and where they resided until their death. This was
in May, 1865. These brothers came from Telemarken, Norway, in April,
1861, and settled in Iowa, where they remained until coming to the valley.
— (By Stephen Richmond.)
Trout Run Valley is wholly in the town of Arcadia and is one of the
early settled parts of Arcadia and of the county north of the ridge. It is
a locality of fertile lands in which all the early pioneers were Germans, and
is still their home and that of their children. The creek commences on the
north side of the Pine Creek ridge, running in a northwesterly direction
to the Trempealeau River a distance of four and a half miles. The valley
includes the following sections, or the great part of them, namely: 9, 10,
14, 15, 23 and 24 in township 20, range 10, and 19 and 30 in township 20,
range 9. The soil is a rich clay sand loam, highly productive of tame
grasses, grains and vegetables.
The very early pioneers were Ludwig Hansel and family, Frederick
Kiekhoefer and family, Charles Ulbrech and family and William Kiek-
hoefer and family. They settled in June, 1857, emigrating from Milwaukee
and were four weeks on the journey, which was made with ox teams.
William and Gust Garby located in the valley in 1859, making their home
there during the remainder of their lives. Patrick and James Gibbons
settled in the valley in 1862, Patrick later selling his lands and moving to
Missouri. James Gibbons died on the old farm a few years ago. A. F.
Hensel, who had lived in Buffalo County on the John Memietz farm a num-
ber of years, and who kept a small store there, and who located all the
early settlers in the valley, settled in the valley in 1862. Jacob PeUowski
settled on the Brownlie farm in 1862, as did Charles Fisher, whose widow
sold the Fisher farm to Fred Kiekhoefer in 1866.
The Trempealeau Valley, north and south, is really a part of Trout
Run Valley, in history at least. Among those who settled in the Trem-
pealeau Valley in that vicinity were Thomas A. Simpson, in 1856, being
then unmarried ; Milton Tucker and Sumner S. Tucker in 1858, Martin Man-
ning in 1860, Joe Hausfair and Charles Sexhour in 1862, John Miller, Simon
Jegi, Frank Knittle and Dan and Phil English in 1862.
The school district was organized and the schoolhouse built in 1865,
and John McMaster was the first teacher. Jack Scond, Fannie Simpson
and D. L. Holcomb were the succeeding teachers. T. A. Simpson was the
176 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
first school clerk. The first school meeting was held in the home of Ludwig
Hensel. The first schoolhouse was a log house built of logs cut in the
valley and was built on the line between Fred Kiekhoefer's and T. A.
Simpson's farms. The present schoolhouse is on a diiferent site or location.
The German settlers were Evangelical Methodists, and in 1869 they
erected a church near where the present schoolhouse stands, in which
religious services have since been held. The society has a cemetery grounds
near the church, in which many of the old settlers are bui'ied. The first
clergyman to hold services in the valley was from Winona, who came there
occasionally on Sundays. The people were industrious, thrifty and thor-
oughly American, and have always been among the good citizens of the
county. Nearly all of the early settlers were prosperous and for many
years only ox teams were used. There were no roads, no bridges and no
dugways.
A. W. Hensel, to whom we are indebted for many of the above facts,
was born in Prussia, at Nougart, on November 7, 1840. He is a son of
Ludwig Hensel and was past 16 years of age when he came to the valley.
He served in Company F, 25th Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers, and was
married in 1866 to Mary Wagoner. His father settled on and pre-empted
160 acres in section 23, township 20, range 10 west. Frederick Kiekhoefer
pre-empted 160 acres in section 14, township 20, range 10 west, and Charles
Ulbrech pre-empted 80 acres in section 23, township 20, range 10 west.
These were the first farms opened in the valley. The valley was named
Trout Run, because of the large numbei's of trout in the creek at the time
this settlement was made. Mr. Hensel soon visited the Bishop settlement,
and for many years took grists to the Masseure mill, trading at the stores
kept by Briggs & Dewey and by Gay T. Storm. There was much timber
in the valley when settled, a considerable quantity of it being large enough
to be squared into 6 by 6, 30 feet long. There was plenty of oak timber
for building fences and fuel. The locality was long known as Tucker's
Corners. Later a postoffice was established at the home of T. A. Simpson
and the name Home was given the locality. The first postoffice was estab-
hshed Nov. 28, 1865, and Seth Tucker was postmaster to June 12, 1868;
Adam Bartch to June 30, 1868 ; Thomas A. Simpson to April 11, 1870 ; Peter
Scholidon to April 21, 1871; Caroline Tucker to June 28, 1875, and Denton
Tucker, April 4, 1891, to June 18, 1895, when the ofiice was discontinued. —
(By Stephen Richmond.)
North Creek Valley lies wholly in the town of Arcadia and has its
head in section 16, township 21, range 8, running southwesterly to the
Trempealeau River in section 28, township 21, range 9, a distance of five
and a half miles. The valley may be said to be embraced in sections 16,
17, 19 and 20 in 21-9, and sections 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 in 21-9. The name
came to be applied in this way : In the early pioneer days the valley was
north from the Bishop settlement and hence was called North Creek. Its
very first settlers were Polish families — those of Albert Bautsch, Joseph
Stanoskey, and a man named Weaver, who settled there in 1867, and who
were soon followed by Louis Wojczik and others in 1868, 1869 and 1870.
Thereafter, up to 1875, Polish families continued to come in and the valley
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 177
became the very first Polish settlement north of the ridge in the county.
It has remained a settlement of these families and those of their nationality,
industrious people, patriotic and intensely American.
The public school was built on the north half of the northeast quarter
of 26-21-9, and a church was built nearby on the south half of said quarter.
It has remained a place of pubUc worship since and a cemetery was at the
same time located near the church.
The valley has good soil and its people have made substantial progress
in all matters of farm improvements, homes and outbuildings, horses, stock
and diversified farming, and rank among the best farmers in the county.
The young people who were born there and have grown up in the valley are
among the best people in the county, and are so Americanized that they
may be said to be real "Yankees" in language, dress and the usual charac-
teristics of our people. — (By Stephen Richmond.)
Bill's Valley is wholly in the town of Arcadia and may be said to cover
or include sections 11, 12, 13 and 14 in 20-10. The valley is more of a
depression than a valley, as it has no real creek or watercourse. It was
settled in 1860 by John Bill, Sr., and soon others came, making it an early
or pioneer community, principally of German families, though later many
of the settlers were Irish. The soil in the valley is good and the farms
valuable. In all ways the progress of the people has kept pace with that of
the best settlements in the county. While it has been more or less a mixed
community, its people have been good citizens and have taken an activ-
interest in public matters affecting the welfare of the town, county and
State. — (By Stephen Richmond.)
Korpal Valley lies wholly in the town of Arcadia and may be said to
be wholly within sections 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 in 21-9, and the Korpal
Valley Creek runs west from a spring in the southwest quarter of the
southeast quarter of 12-21-9, through sections 12, 13, 14 and 15, a distance
of two and a half miles to the Trempealeau River. The first settler was
James Fassett, the second a man by the name of Zabrota. Soon after
this there arrived John Korpal, who with Louis Norwitzki settled in the
valley, they becoming the first permanent settlers. Others soon followed
and the valley and ridges in the vicinity were all settled prior to 1876. The
people were industrious and the community has made good progress. The
soil is rich and the value of the lands there has risen equally with other
parts of Arcadia and the county. The valley and vicinity cannot be said
to have been a Polish neighborhood, as many families, American born and
Norwegian born, have all along owned and occupied farms there. In early
days grain raising was the chief farm industry, but since 1882 the people
have gone successfully into diversified farming and have made it as much
of a success as any nearby community.— (By Stephen Richmond.)
The Banner Robbery. In the spring of 1860 there arrived in the Big
Tamarack Valley an Enghshman who called himself John Banner. He
seemed to have means and bought for cash eighty acres of land described
as the south half of the southeast quarter of section five, township num-
bered nineteen, range nine (S. Uj of S. E. i/j. 5-19-9). For this he received
a deed which he confided to the care of a neighbor. On this land he built
178 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
a shanty and ox-shed, hired some breaking done, planted sod, corn and
potatoes, bought a yoke of oxen and a cart, plow and a few other imple-
ments and tools. In the fall of 1860 he sowed six acres of winter wheat.
Mr. Banner passed the winter of 1860-61 in the neighborhood, getting
acquainted with the settlers, having a good time and being a good fellow
generally. In the spring of 1861 he prepared to plant corn and make
further improvements on his farm. About the middle of May, 1861,
another Englishman, calling himself Nathan Mitchell, came on from Eng-
land to visit his friend Banner, and, incidentally, to invest a few "sover-
eigns" in American unimproved real estate.
Mr. Mitchell arrived at Mr. Banner's on Friday. Saturday and Sunday
Mr. Banner entertained his friend by walking with him from farm to farm
and introducing him to the neighbors as "My especial friend, Mr. Mitchell,
direct from Liverpool, looking for land," etc. On Monday morning Mr.
Banner proposed to initiate his visitor into the American art of planting
"maize," and, after getting started and working a while, asked to be excused
"while he went to a neighbor's for some seed potatoes."
Mr. Mitchell worked away at his new job until hunger and thirst
warned him that the mid-day lunch ought to be due. On going to the
shanty the first thing he saw was his carpet-bag with the side cut open,
and, lying near, was his "friend's" razor with lint on the edge. A hasty
examination showed that a package containing one hundred and thirteen
gold "sovereigns" had been taken, and that it was very evident that his
friend Banner was the robber. After "a nine days' wonder" and unavail-
ing efforts to trace the missing appropriator of his coin, Mr. Mitchell took
legal process against Banner's personal belongings that were left behind,
such as the oxen, cart, plow, cooking stove, shotgun, grindstone, bedding,
etc., including the growing crop of winter wheat, sold the whole at sheriff's
sale, pocketed his loss, shook the Big Tamarack dust from his square-toed
gaiters and returned to Old England.
Thus closed the John Banner-Nathan Mitchell "tragedy."
The first Polish settler in Dodge, Michael Chisin of Winona, was, in the
spring of 1862, piloted to the John Banner farm by Charles J. Cleveland.
To that farm he brought his bride, there his children were born, there he
passed the rest of his life, and there he died. Several other Poles came
into the Tamarack in the fall of 1862 and later. One of the later arrivals
was also named "Michael" (Kolodsey or "Collins") and, as everybody was
called by the person's given name, to distinguish the two "Mikes," Mrs.
Chas. Cleveland gave Chisin the nickname of "Tamarack Mike" and
Kolodsey was called "Winona Mike." The two men were very proud of
their American names, announcing themselves to English speaking
strangers always thus. — (By E. H. Cleveland.)
Williamsburg. The next settler after Lewis Niffin to locate directly
up the Trempealeau Valley above Arcadia was Carl Ernst, a native of
Germany. Ernst settled on a homestead about three miles above Arcadia,
a shoi't distance from the state road, in 1859. The next year Moses Skillins,
a native of Connecticut, came up from Winnebago County, Wisconsin, and
settled on a piece of state land about four and one-half miles above Arcadia,
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 179
on the state road. This was the beginning of the Williamsburg settlement.
In 1862 Hiram Skillins, a Baptist preacher, and a brother of Moses Skillins,
came from Winnecone, Wisconsin, and bought some state land about half a
mile up the Trempealeau River from his brother's place.
We have noticed how customary it was for a new settlement to take its
name from the original settler as instances. Reed's Landing, Bishop's Settle-
ment, Lewis Valley. And so the Williamsburg settlement was first known
as Skillins' Corners, and the small creek which flowed through Hiram's place
was called Skillins' Creek.
Moses Skilhns had broken seven acres of land and erected a log shanty
where he was "baching" when his brother arrived. But pioneering and
"baching" were not to his taste, and he sold his right to his brother and
returned to Connecticut.
Henry E. Pierce was the next Williamsburg settler to arrive. He was a
native of New York State, and came from Sparta, Wisconsin, in May, 1863,
and bought the Moses Skillins place from Hiram Skilhns and took the 140
acres of homestead land adjoining it. In June, the same year, William
Eastman, another New York Stater, came and selected a homestead about
a quarter of a mile above Skilhns' Corners, in Wickham Valley, and in
August, James Wickham, arrived from New York State and picked out a
homestead a few miles up the Wickham Valley for his son Andrew.
The next spring (1864) Douglas Arnold arrived and bought some State
land and took up some government land, and in the fall his brother came and
settled at Skillins' Corners. These two brothers were also from New York
State. The same year William Boorman bought out the Skillins place, and
Andrew T. Wickham moved onto his homestead in Wickham Valley.
The Williamsburg farmers were soon raising large crops of wheat, and
getting war prices for it ; there was an abundance of wild grass for their
herds, and the only drawback was the long distance to market. They
hauled their wheat to Fountain City, Trempealeau, and in the winter when
the Mississippi was frozen over they hauled the grain to the Pickwick mills,
in Minnesota.
A postoffice was established in 1866, and thereafter the place was called
Williamsburg. It had been known before this as Skillins' Corners, or simply
the Corners.
W. B. Arnold has the honor of giving this name to the community,
which was a very appropriate name on account of the three Williams, Arnold,
Eastman and Boorman, all of whom lived near the Corners.
William Arnold was appointed postmaster at Williamsburg and held the
office until it was discontinued in January, 1876. The first mail to Williams-
burg was carried on horseback over the route from Minneska, Minnesota, to
Black River Falls. Later it was carried by stage, and horseback when roads
were bad from Trempealeau on the Trempealeau Elk Creek route. Perry
Rumsy was mail carrier for years.
The same year the postoffice was established a schoolhouse was built
about twenty rods above the Pierce home on the main road, and near the
south corner of Douglas Arnold's place. The first school was taught by
Miss Francis Lewis, a sister of Captain John D. Lewis, of Lewis Valley.
180 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Things moved along rapidly now. The valleys tributary to Williamsburg
vi'ere being taken up, and cultivated fields soon took the place of the rolling
waste of wild grass, and the woodland hillsides resounded with the ax of
the wood chopper.
A woodyard was opened, and soon the peddler's wagon found its way
into the new settlement with shining new wares to attract the thrifty house-
wife. Occasionally the schoolhouse was utilized as a church, and on such
Sundays the neighbors would gather from the country round about and hold
rehgious services, and it would sometimes happen that on a pleasant summer
Sabbath, some farmer who had been repairing pasture fences would loiter
along the deserted road towards the old schoolhouse, and have his vision of
rich golden harvest fields suddenly interrupted by the sound of the itinerant
preacher's voice coming in sanctimonious quavers from the open windows
of the schoolhouse; or perchance the lagging farmer would be stirred by
the sound of the music, as out on the fragrant summer air there floated the
strains of "The Sweet Bye and Bye."
Then one day from the Trempealeau River came the thrilling whistle of
a steamboat. The peaceful quiet of the country was broken, and the inhab-
itants were stirred with excitement at this undreamed-of occurrence and
people flocked down to the river to feast their eyes on a real live steamboat
actually navigating the modest little Trempealeau River. A landing was
made, the gangplank touched shore, and every inhabitant of Williamsburg
felt his property rise in value so fast that it was necessary to hold onto the
trees to keep from sliding downhill.
The steamboat men wanted to buy some eggs from the Williamsburg
farmers, and William Eastman, eager to secure the trade of the boatmen,
hurried home and in a short time returned with a basket of eggs. But, alas !
Mr. Eastman was more accustomed to walking the wide country roads than
a narrow gangplank, and when he had taken a few steps on the plank he
slipped and fell, but like the boy who tumbled out of the barn loft and clung
to his pail of nails to keep them from spilling. Bill froze to his backet of eggs,
and regained his foothold with but a few of them broken, and the captain of
the boat paid him for the original number of eggs, and Mr. Eastman walked
home the crowned monarch of the rural market, and the first and last Will-
iamsburg settler to trade with a Trempealeau River steamboat.
The new community grew rapidly and prospered, for they were thrifty
society should not be forgotten in Williamsburg history. In the winter time
every other Friday night was given to the literary society or spelling school,
and people would come from neighboring districts to attend. There was a
great deal of rivalry between contending districts in these spelling school
matches, and the pupils were kept in good trim for the contest. Then on a
winter's night when the chores were done, there would be a merry jingle of
sleigh bells vibrating along the road to the schoolhouse and by 8 o'clock in
the evening the strains of some well-known school song would announce the
opening of the exercises. And if you would listen in the course of an hour
you would hear the droning of words as the teacher pronounced them to the
pupils lined along the walls of the schoolroom eager for the spelling-down
contest. It is surprising what large words some of those bright little
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 181
country maidens would wade through — woi'ds that would give one a kink
in the neck to pronounce were consumed as easily and greedily as a robin
devours an angleworm.
The new community grew rapidly and prospered, for they were thrifty
farmers, and brought from the Empire State a wealth of dairy experience
and agricultural knowledge that proved useful in opening up the new
country.
In the summer there was the school picnic, which was worth while to a
hungry bunch of children. There under the green shade trees, near the
limpid brook, where the blue violets bloomed in profusion we would enjoy a
picnic dinner with tablecloths spread out on the ground and covered with,
Oh, my, what good things to eat ! not to forget the blueberry pie.
The railroad went through the valley, and by 1876, Wilhamsburg had
two markets, Arcadia and Independence.
There is not an original settler or a descendant of one left in Williams-
burg. You hardly ever hear the name any more, except among a few of the
old settlers who still tell of the days when there was good deer hunting in
Wickham Valley, and elk horns were picked up on the hillside back of the old
SkiUins place. (By Eben D. Pierce.)
McGilvray's Ferry, located on the Black River, in Caledonia Township,
occupied an important place in Trempealeau County history for nearly four
decades, from 1854 to 1892. Many of the early settlers passed into the
county over this ferry, and the route of which it was a part is still an
important thoroughfare, the ferry being now replaced by a neat bridge.
Alexander McGilvray, from whom the ferry took its name, located in
Trempealeau (Reed's Landing) in 1852, and the following year moved his
family to a homestead.
At that time people desiring to go to La Crosse, overland, went by way
of the ford at what was afterward Gordon's ferry. The need of a ferry
to shorten the route was imperative. Therefore in March, 1854, with the
assistance of Charles Utter, Mr. McGilvray built a scow in the streets of
Trempealeau, and later in the spring hauled it with teams to McGilvray's
place, where it was launched and poled across Black River with Mr. Utter's
team as its first cargo. The ferry was a reality now, and the first wagon
road was opened into the south end of the county.
Poles to push the boat across the river were used only for a short time,
when they were supplanted by an ordinary rope cable which was used one
season, and was then replaced by a three-quarter-inch iron rod put together
in sections. This was used until the wire cable took its place when the new
cable was utilized until the ferry was discontinued.
The first ferryboat lasted two years, when a new one was constructed.
In all five boats were built, the last one by G. O. McGilvray (now of Canyon-
ville, Oregon), in 1890 and was run until the McGilvray bridge was com-
pleted February 22, 1892, when it was sold up the river to Decorah Prairie
for Gordon's Ferry.
The rates charged for ferrying across the river were 25 cents for a
team ; 35 cents for a four-horse wagon and 10 cents for a foot passenger.
The tide of settlers increased with the drifting years, and the traffic
1S2 HISTORY OF TRE:MPEALEAU COUNTY
along the river assumed larger proportions. Stage lines, and freight lines
were established, and in the winter when the steamboats were frozen in, the
travel was entirely by team and horseback, and by French train. Four-
horse freight wagons were commonlj- used, and the stages often used two
teams on their coaches when the roads were heavy.
McGilvray's place assumed a busy aspect at times with the long line of
freight wagons and stage coaches on the river bank waiting for their turn to
be ferried over the river. Many of the travelers remained all night at
McGilvray's, and the country inn, or tavern, was hurry and bustle on days of
hea\'y travel. Here were congregated at times a rough and hardy lot of
characters, and around the evening fire were told wild and fascinating
stories of pioneer life, filled with thrilling adventure, and the comedy and
tragedy of the backwoodsman's career, whose nearest neighbor lived miles
away, and whose skill with the rifle furnished his rough-hewn table with
plenty of savory venison, and made the wary Indian reluctant to disturb
his cabin home.
The stage driver told of his wonderful feats of driving, and of his
narrow escapes from robbers in attempted hold-ups ; and of the perilous risk
he took of being thrown down some rocky embankment on mirky night
drives. The trapper told of his long journeys alone into the pathless wilder-
ness in quest of furs ; and the freighter was ready with his tales of hardy
endurance, and of the miraculous journej's made with ponderous loads, up
almost impassable roads, through snowdrifts or mud, until his destination
was reached and he was a hero in his own mind, as well as the minds of some
of his feUow listeners. The hunter and trader swapped yarns and mixed
lies almost as strong as the rum in the freighter's wagon.
Alexander McGilvray entertained his guests occasionally with music on
his bagpipe, an instrument he had brought from Inverness, Scotland, and
the weary traveler would be stirred by the strains of "A Hundred pipers
and a'," and would beat time to the Highland Fling as the piper weaved to
and fro by the glowing fireside.
Rankin McGilvray was at this time a youth. In speaking of the early
days in after years he said: "When the Civil War broke out, we began to
caiTy soldiers across the ferry. Hardly a day went by until the close of the
war that we did not carry some of the boys, and along at first they were all
going one way. bound for La Crosse, and from there to ^ladison or Milwau-
kee, and then to the fi'ont. But after the first battle of Bull Run the
wounded soldiers began to return, and then we were carrying soldiers both
ways until the war ended. Y'ou could always tell one of the wounded ones,
for they were bandaged, and crippled; a great many had their arms in
slings, and others were walking with crutches ; while some had bandaged
heads. I recollect one fellow who came back nearly shot to pieces. He
was the most dilapidated looking soldier I ever saw. He was lame and
his right arm was in a sMng and he had been hit in the face, and lost one eye,
and couldn't see very well out of the other one, and was sour and cranky,
and rather discouraged and I didn't blame him. Father kept him all night,
and had one of the boys drive him to Trempealeau the next day. Father
never charged the soldiers anything for carrying them across the ferry
HliSTORY OF TRE:\IPEALEAU COUNTY 183
or for board and lodging and although he could not go to the war, he did
this patriotic service for his country. My chances for going to the war
were spoiled on account of the ferry. I was on fire to go all right, but
instead of going to the front and dying for my country, I had to stay at
home and bail the water out of the ferry boat and help run it."
Along in the early sixties logging began to interfere with the ferry.
Sometimes teams would be compelled to wait for hours until a log jam was
cleared. Usually the logs bothered only a few weeks in the spring or for a
few hours only but occasionally the ferry was laid up a week or two on
account of the jams, and in 1885 the logs extended in a solid mass from
Lytles to the head of Decoras Prairie, about 200,000,000 feet in the jam,
and in the summer of 1890 the ferry was blockaded for five months. This
was done for the convenience of the logging companies by putting a jack
boom across the river half a mile above Lytles and letting just enough logs
go through to handle during the day, thus saving the company from em-
ploying the men to do the work the current did, when the river was kept
open from Lytles to Onalaska.
After Alexander McGilvray's death in 1878, his son, G. 0. McGihTay
operated the ferry until the bridge was erected, with the exception of one
or two seasons when it was rented to William Kribbs.
Referring to the ice stopping the ferry, G. 0. McGilvray once wrote,
"On November 6, 1868, five or six West Prairie farmers drove to Onalaska
for lumber. The river was open and the ferry running. The next day the
men returned and found the river had been closed twelve hours. The horses
were unhitched and the wagons loaded with a thousand feet of lumber were
run across the ice by hand and the horses led over in safety. That was
closing in rather suddenly."
WTien one turns and looks backward at the changeless past, what
strange visions come floating through the brain. One can see the long
procession winding down the road and passing in grand review along the
old ferry at Black River. The foot-sore land seeker walking along the
blazed trail and dreaming of the land where he can find a free home in the
unsettled wilderness; and following in his footsteps comes the prairie
schooner drawn by a yoke of oxen, and headed toward the new settlement
where lies the richest land that the sun ever shown on, almost unmarked
by the plow share. And then the stream of pioneers increases, and the
stage coach comes into view, and the long train of freight wagons, and
the trader, and lumberman mingle with the varied throng. And now we
see a line of blue creep into the procession as on it moves and we feel a
patriotic pride as our soldier boys slowly cross the river, facing the grim
reality of war where death stalks abroad. And we see the wounded return
with empty sleeves and wan lips and take their way homeward. Onward
the procession moves until on every vacant piece of land there rises a
home, and the subdued soil blossoms with cultivated fields, where once the
wild deer ranged. And anon the procession changes, the French-train and
stage coach fade away, and in their place comes the lumber wagon filled
with golden grain for the market while the hum of our commercial age
makes the very hills tremble ; and the slow old ferry of long ago retreats up
184 HISTORY OF TREIMPBALEAU COUNTY
the river to sleep where old Chief Decorah once looked out upon his peaceful
village of smoking wigwams. — (By Eben D. Pierce.)
A Wisconsin Pioneer. Albert Rouse Rathbone was one of the remark-
able figures of early days in Trempealeau County. In many ways, the
experiences of himself and his family were typical of hundreds of pioneers
who found their way to this region and assisted in its development. His
story, written with loving sympathy and understanding by his daughter,
Mrs. Jennie Rathbone Webb.
My father, Albert Rouse Rathbone (properly bun but changed by mis-
take in the war records) was born June 28, 1838, at the old Rathbun
homestead on Amity Hill near Wattsburg, Penn. His father was an
itinerant doctor carrying among his pills and liniments, kerosene oil, a
great new cure for colds and throat trouble. When Lincoln called for men
my father enlisted in the 145th Pennsylvania Volunteers, and being soon
ordered to the front, he married Adeline White, and left her with his
widowed mother upon the homestead where mother tended her flock of
sheep and did tailoring. Father saw most of the Wilderness Campaign,
was taken prisoner at Chancellorsville, held in Libby prison eleven days,
after which he was exchanged. Wounded in the arm by a minnie ball at
Spottsylvania Courthouse as he raised his sword in sign for his men to
charge the breastworks, he returned home after hospital treatment at
Annapolis with a wound that prevented further army service.
Grandfather had procured his kerosene medicine from the surface of
pools, but now they were deriving it from wells. Father bought a partner-
ship in the Titusville Wells, but having little faith in the business, sold
mother's sheep, a goodly flock, packed up their few belongings, took mother
and the four-months-old baby, waved goodby to a tall form at the homestead
bars, and was off to try his fortunes among the pioneers of Western
Wisconsin.
Their baggage was light. Clothing cost much in "Wartimes," muslin,
coarse, unbleached stuff, sold at seventy-five cents per yard. People had no
machines by means of which they could turn off two or three garments a
day. I imagine most of the space in that leathern trunk which bore the
misuse of travel right up to and including father last move, was taken up
with keepsakes.
Time, prodded by boat, stage, and a hired ox team on the last lap.
landed them, in the spring of 1866, the new cook stove, the precious baggage
intact, upon their possessions at the mouth of Black River some fifteen miles
from La Crosse near the old McGilvray ferry. The little log cabin but
recently vacated containing its rough hand-made furniture was clean. The
new stove in position, mother stored the provisions, conspicuously at the
front a jar of Pennsylvania blackberry jam blatantly labeled, hung the
dimity curtains, wound and set the clock, while father at a near neighbor's
filled the tick with bright oat straw, brought home the cow which had been
included in the purchase, a rangy, long-haired creature jangling a bell but
a trifle smaller and every bit as badly cracked as that one of 1776 fame,
and another home venture was launched.
In this settlement were some thrifty farmers. Though father still
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 185
carried his arm in a sling, he earned enough that summer driving teams
for the farmers to pay for three good milch cows. Mother, by holding
boards up to be nailed, and down to be sawed, helped put a small milk house
over the spring. Mother made prime butter bringing war prices. On a
Sunday might have been seen an odd couple — a tall, soldiery young man,
his baby bundled at his back in a scarlet shawl, true Indian fashion, and
a puffy short woman trudging along the lovely river paths, off to spend the
day with a congenial neighbor. This during the cool days of May, then it
turned warm, and oh, the mosquitoes! And oh dear, for the resultant
smudges ! There was a smudge under the table while they ate, one under
the baby's cradle all the time, another for the cow when milked, and yet
the mosquitoes nearly ate them alive. Mother ran slapping to right and
left with a switch from house to milk room. Father, his one arm useless,
defenseless against their onslaughts, tied down his coat sleeves, wore a
veil and a heavy coat for protection. The creatures followed one in a black
cloud. Up out of the bottoms the cattle rushed, tearing like mad through
the brush.
Father was surprised one morning to find a stray ox at the barn.
Inquiry among the neighbors established father's title thereto. It was Jim,
the ox that had been included in the trade. He had a bad lump on his jaw,
but it didn't hinder his working. He was shy but gentle and took quite
philosophically to the most outlandish harness beast ever wore in man's
remembrance. How father chuckled as he attempted to fit the contrap-
tion, trying it fore and aft, right side and wrong side before getting it
properly adjusted to those particular parts of Jim's anatomy for which it
had been intended. It had the merit of strength, and it resembled hustling
to see father hauling great cart loads of wood behind Jim instead of lugging
it up on his own back.
The summer passed, and, best of all, the mosquitoes went with it. Fall
on Black River. Did you ever gather plums there ? Burbank may keep his
hybrids, the flavor of those wild goose plums can never be improved. Did
you ever struggle in a thicket for black haws, high bush cranberries or fox
grapes after Jack Frost had performed his magic? Yet over all the glory
hung the memory of those mosquitoes.
So, when, during the winter father had an opportunity to sell, they
concluded one summer there was enough, bought a mate for Jim, packed
a few belongings into the sled and drove over the ridge into Trempealeau
Valley. It took two days, but mother and the baby were cozy in the sled box,
and father kept his blood up gee-hawing the oxen through the drifts.
They located a few miles from Arcadia in the lower part of American
Valley on the Harmon Tracey place. Here the third child was born, a
fragile babe, and, only sixteen months later ere this one had vacated the
maternal arms, hardly able to sit alone, I was born. You mothers with
every convenience, steam-heated rooms, hot and cold water on tap, and
perhaps one child, consider this pioneer woman's part. A child of three
years, a weakling of sixteen months (whom I over a year later helped learn
to walk) , and here a hvely lusty youngster demanding her share of atten-
tion, a fireplace for warmth, melted snow to wash in.
186 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
As I read the few notes my mother, now a woman of nearly four
score, pioneering in the wilds of Washington, has furnished me, for this
sketch, it seems their married life was a series of broken advances and
retreats, halting in their migrations for one of two or both reasons, to-wit :
to trade horses, or receive the stork. That we left Trempealeau County only
to hop the more gingerly back in again. And so if at the time my tale is
a trifle overcharged with baby, horse, or vagabondage, — oh well, if you
love the three as I do, nothing I may write will prejudice you against the
book containing other articles most charmingly handled by experienced
pens.
We advanced a step in civilization here — had horses to drive. Mother
did most of the marketing. She tied me into the seat beside her, put the
two older.girls on the floor of the hack (I believe they called it the democrat
wagon) with a foot upon each one's skirts, father stepped from the heads
of the wild young team and away we flew. Mother declares if it hadn't
been up-grade after each down hill plunge she never could have brought
them to a halt in front of Storm's store in East Arcadia. Long years after
I saw her drive our vicious coach stallion in South Dakota and I am fully
persuaded she gloried in those wild pioneer dashes. Father didn't enjoy
renting. The next year he bought a place and in March, 1868, moved over
into Travis Valley where our regular feathered guest got in two paying
visits before we could pack and resume the broken march over Wisconsin,
which, in spite of a very rapidly increasing family calling for an extra board
seat across the wagon box every halt, ceased only when the thirteen child
was born the thirteenth day of June, the birthday of the first babe, had
broken the charm.
That father was a financier goes unchallenged. He shod and provided
books for a family where it was not unusual to meet nine at a time plodding
a mile and a half to school, sister Kate, that most to be pitied being, the
oldest, bringing up the rear with the peck basket of lunch. That he was
a true blue farmer is proved by the fact that the twelve grew up stron.e
healthy men and women (though Kate in making her first dress declared in
a flood of tears that she was one-sided from carrying that basket, to find
later that she had left out an under arm piece) ere one of the number
dropped out, and he grew the food that fed them, and most of the clothing
to keep them warm. Recent dietitians would probably exclaim at the rich
diet so generously larded with pink and white ham, and great prints of
butter. How many fleeces from his flocks were exchanged with the Bangar
Woolen Mill wagon (maybe you remember that curly horse) for bolts of
flannel that so stimulated the circulation of blood and gave us a bran new
epidermis daily if scratching counted. What tear blurred scenes each fall
to get brother Virgil properly clothed for a cold Wisconsin winter. How,
after he had been coaxed and shoved into those home-made domestic flan-
nels he'd watch his chance to hide them in the haymow only to be betrayed
by shivering and obliged to go all through the coercing again and again until
the tender, outraged hide had thickened itself against its aggravator.
Consider, too, the excruciating sensation from wearing one of father's
heaviest red flannel shirts in a hot summer all afternoon, next your thin
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 187
summer skin, in punishment for risking a pleasant suicide wading the
freshet up to your chin.
.But to our sidetracked story. The last of October, 1871, as soon as
these last little ones could sit, one between father and mother on the
spring seat, the other in mother's arms, we packed the leather trunk
in the back of the wagon, emptied the ticks, rolled up the bedding and
clothing, and with us three girls down in the wagon bed on a pile of hay,
for three days bumped and lurched across the hills, to a farm father bought,
as so many did in those days of slow transit, with no real estate man to
whirl you out in a super six, without first seeing the place. Lunch on the
first day was eaten at Ettick, a small Scandinavian settlement, and early
that afternoon we reached Melrose, spending two nights with Aunt Nan,
to rest mother's arms a bit. With a dawn start and steady driving, we made
the Wisconsin River at dark, where we camped out, the baby crying, it
seemed, all night. I was divided between the fear of wolves devouring us,
and hunters shooting us for panthers on account of it, but the baby, unmind-
ful of these dangers, gave vent to its troubles in its own noisy way. We
crossed on a small ferry near where Germantown now stands just as the
sun rose, and hurried on again as nearly due east as the roads permitted.
Those moves must have been keenest torture to mother, but I never heard
her complain. The nearest to it being when late that day as the sun plunged
into his cloudy bed, we looked down upon our eighty acres of sand, unfenced,
un almost everything, she turned her tired face to father, asking pleadingly,
"Isn't there some mistake, Albert?" "Yes," father returned in his char-
acteristic, quiet way, taking the blame upon his own shoulders, "I have
made the mistake of trusting one man too many."
Indeed, it would have taken a Chinese wall to keep realty in bounds
there. The wailing fall wind seemed never to weary of carrying sand
from one spot to another, piling it against the scant clumps of grass, level-
ing it, and shaping a mound farther on. Over and over again it piled and
leveled monotonously. We drove through the creek bounding one side,
where, as the horses drank, we sat in wearied silence, up to the tiny house
standing on a knoll in a small grove .of oaks. It was banked to the window
sills. From a broken pane of the attic window a bit of white rag waved
and beckoned. "The peace signal, Adeline," father said, smiling whim-
sically. We had traded even up everything except the team, wagon and
what it held. Here we found rude furniture not unlike we had left behind.
Mother, it is true, complained that the milk crocks were seamed and cracked,
and what a boiling and scrubbing in home-made soft soap suds they did
get. She found bedbugs, too, but they were soon routed through her per-
sistent deluge of boiling brine. A pecuhar hardness of atmosphere foretold
snow. Mother made up a good hot supper, we girls ransacked our future
room, the attic, and father, after stabhng the jaded team, brought in the
rest of the load, filled, as usual, the bed ticks, and we were again ready to
receive. However, we missed the periodic visit of our most constant guest.
Either it didn't look for orphanages in this outlandish country or had mercy
because of its barrenness. In a few days the snow had covered the bleak
prairie.
188 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
It puzzles me how it was managed, but we never lacked comfort. Our
homes, though plain, were always clean, our table provided with whole-
some food, and our beds neat and inviting. I love to remember that snow-
bound winter. Up in the attic you could hear the wind moan in the flue,
and rattle the dead oak leaves. Then there were the lovely cracks of gold
in the floor telling of father up hours before chore time, reading and study-
ing by lamplight those precious books that never were left behind. Hugh
Miller's "Old Red Sandstone" seems a part of him. It was the first book I
noticed — from it I learned my letters. It gave one a fine inteflectual feeling
to read the A B C's from father's book, standing straight beside his chair,
enunciating each letter with bravado. As far back as my memory reaches,
he was taking the Atlantic Monthly. The first "piece" I spoke was a pre-
lude to some lengthy article in it, taught me by father, and so like his own
sayings — "It is not all in bringing up. Let folks say what they will. To
silver scour a pewter cup, It will be pewter still." Housekeeping wasn't so
complicated those days, and, in spite of its lack of conveniences, mother
found many hours in which to help father teach us. She was an early
Montessori. "
The only real rushing business of this locality was horse stealing among
the outlaws. And although a moral consciousness precluded father's adop-
tion of the profession, he did quite innocently become possessed of one of
their thefts, a black Morgan mare, balky to such a degree I doubt not her
owner considered himself well rid of her — of which more later. Occa-
sionally scraps of talk about these raids reached us, furnishing a little
healthy excitement.
As the last snow was vanishing, father took the sack of cloverseed
down from the rafters and sowed it upon the most favorable ground along
the creek bank. Then the waiting and the watching through unseasonable
heat, freezes and snow flurries. I am reminded of Old Goody Blake dowr
on her knees blowing up the faint embers of the poor little fire she obtained
by filching handf uls of Harry Gill's brushwood. During a dry spell, assisted
by mother and every toddler that could carry a bucket, however small, I
distinctly remember my part in it, and of sounding the depths of the creek
coming up with the tip top of my new shaker plastered with mud — father
kept the patch moist. He said the Sahara might be reclaimed if clover
could be started upon it. It was his creed and he spread its gospel wher-
ever he farmed. Nature couldn't turn a deaf ear to such prayers, it grew
and flourished. That fall it was a great temptation to cut it for Bossie, but
father had mowed some fine-bladed marsh grass while it was young and
tender, dried it beneath the bleaching sheets, salted it down in the mow,
and she performed as well or better than most cows of those days ; that is,
she didn't give milk during the five winter months, but kept in good con-
dition and brought us twin heifer calves early the next spring.
Father was gone off and on most of the summer at work for the more
prosperous farmers in the adjoining valleys. Once when mother was there
with only us children, a band of Indians trailed by, the men sitting erect
and dignified on their shaggy ponies, the squaws so humble and browbeaten,
trudging afoot, loaded nearly double with great bundles at their backs.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 189
carried by means of broad leathern straps across the chest and forehead,
httle girls and boys innocent of clothes scampered along in the cloud of
dust. Papooses dangled from every budget. Cur dogs with red lolling
tongues darted out and in among them. As we stood at the gate one big
fellow stopped, and thrusting his dirty fingers in our cat's fat sides, asked
tersely, "How much?" And for a minute we children held our breath,
certain our lives were to be spared at the sacrifice of pussy's. Then, seeing
the fowls, they wanted chickens, "You so much, me, one," they pleaded. But
mother, knowing their tricks, was firm; one meant that many for every
Indian able to beg. The long line of perhaps two or three hundred ended
at last. They forded the creek and camped less than a half-mile distant
in a grove of oaks. Toward evening one of the neighbors riding by cau-
tioned mother to be on the lookout, the Indian had liquor. While she was
not abashed at the nearness of Indians pure and simple, she knew there were
good reasons to be afraid of the best of them, no matter how civilized, when
mixed with firewater. So with all of us children hanging to her, her face
to the foe, she set out to find the chief, who assured her most solemnly that
she had nothing to fear, and pointed out a number of yelling braves tied to
trees while they sobered off. We visited the camp several times and were
unmolested except that they begged for everything in sight.
As before mentioned, it was here that father bought, unwittingly, the
stolen mare, Doll. She was jet black with a blazing white star in her fore-
head, an exact match for the colt obtained during our stay at Travis
Valley. As father led Doll behind him in the barn, the very day of her
purchase, she kicked out in play, hitting father a terrific blow in the side
that laid him up for a long time. During the two and a half years of our
sojourn here father had used all the barn fertilizer he could get from the
horse dealers (?) and our own stable to enrich his ground. The patch of
clover was now several acres, the corn and grain in splendid trim, when
Mr. Mattison, of spirit rapping fame in Arcadia, passed by and fell in
love with the place. Before he left he owned it and father received in
exchange an eighty in (of course) Trempealeau County. In his anxiety to
get back, the start was made before father was at all fit for even a short
journey, mother driving the stallion and his mate on the wagon holding
a few household articles and four little ones, father following in the buggy
drawn by Doll, with the oldest, a child of eight, to watch over and care for
him. All went well until we reached the foot of Waushara Hill, a hard,
sandy climb enough to discourage any horse. Doll was completely overcome.
She stopped short, letting one hip drop in a resting posture, her delicate
ear radiating toward the rear to catch the verbal abuse her former owners
had subjected her to. Except to chirrup a time or two, father said nothing.
He was so sick nothing really mattered. He sat and waited, placing all the
responsibility of action on Doll. Somehow, somewhere, while yet young
he learned the value of patience, that attribute needed first and usually
gained last. He was not a hustler ; violence of any kind was foreign to his
nature, but his tender, watchful endurance was godlike. It was his win-
ning card in every game. Through his own remarkable self control, he
governed others without visible effort. It seemed so cheerfully right to do
190 IIIHTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
anything father suggested. He never antagonized one. His influence was
always soothing. It soothed and conquered Doll. With an indescribable
gesture of exasperated patience that melted into puzzled incomprehension
and crystallized into life lasting confidence, she gave father a long, studied
look, then with a soft, blubbery sigh, pushed out gently on the bit, starting
up the first of many, many long hills that in her life of over twenty years
in our service she climbed with never an untrue move.
For years father was associated in business with that most canny
Scotch horse dealer, James Low, of Baraboo, buying and selling largely
and constantly, but never to find Doll's equal in intelligence or trustworthi-
ness. To my knowledge no one outside the immediate family was ever
allowed to drive her but once. It was threshing time with its accompanying
hustle. In those days people did not grow enough grain to pay them to
invest in high-priced threshers. They engaged a tramp horsepower ma-
chine that passed from one setting of stacks to another. At our place one
horse took sick and father, driven to it, put in Doll. The noise excited her,
yet she did fairly well until the driver became loud and profane in his
exhortations. Doll stopped and appeared to be recalling similar scenes.
The driver let out a half-rod of whip lash that shot in sinuous, snakelike
coils and cracked immediately over her sensitive ears. She not only hesi-
tated now, she balked stifl" with ears pinched flat, her distended nostrils
blood red, a perfect fury. Had mother been struck it could not have incensed
us children more. We popped up and down like mad Dervishes, and the yell
of bloody murder passed down the line like water in a bucket brigade.
Father was there before anything worse happened, and Doll was quickly and
quietly led out of the traces and inside the barn. How the crew managed,
I do not remember, we were too busy loving our outraged old bonnie to
notice small matters. Once father drove her and a mate into Humbird,
traded the mate for a great white Durham cow, Lily White, an imported
animal that, refusing to breed, had been worked in the lumber camps with
oxen, and came driving back with horse and cow hitched together. It
must have been humiliating to Doll, but father required it of her, that was
enough.
The Mattison home, to which we moved in 1872, adjoined the south
side of the Arcadia burying ground, the house so near the line you could
toss a pebble from the back door to the nearest graves. You could look
through the window on the other side and occasionally see deer among the
oak thickets of the barn yard. Once we shot a bear in the crotch of a tree
over the path leading to the pasture, when we had discovered why the
cows kept turning back at that point. At another time we saw Mrs. Bruin
and two cubs taking their constitutional across a field, headed for Barn
Bluff", upon whose sandy summit grew the earliest sweetest wind flowers. It
was at this place we had a fearful siege of typhoid, every one being stricken
except father and sister Kate, who maintains she underwent worse suffer-
ing than the fever victims. No professional nurses on tap then. Dr. Lewis
spent all his spare time assisting, but upon father fell the hardship of
nursing night and day, napping occasionally in his chair between the
rows of suft"erers. Worn out at last he was persuaded to lie down while
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 191
Mr. and Mrs. Conant watched. To his horror upon awakening he discovered
that through a mistake in the bottles I, who lay at death's door, had been
given a spoonful of turpentine. I estabUshed my reputation then and
there of being contrary by mending at once. Father brought us all through,
bald-headed skeletons, but alive, thanks to his untiring care.
Several families from the old Pennsylvania district came out and set-
tled near. One woman brought a peck of peach pits. Father carefully
cracked and planted his handful in boxes. Several sprouted and grew
amazingly. He kept them in wooden tubs, moving them into the cellar the
first two winters, when they became pot bound and were placed in the
open ground. In the fall father dug up one side of the roots, weighted the
trees to the ground, covering them with dirt, coarse litter and rails. After
danger of frost in the spring they were straightened. In their fourth year
they bore fruit. True, it had a decidedly vegetable flavor, but none the
less home grown peaches. In much the same manner he grew our first
grapes. He planted a small orchard of hardy apples, which thrived and
bore when others thought it useless to try. His pear tree seemed always
beckoning for succor. Like homesick women in a foreign land, it refused
to bear. Its influence was so saddening that it was replaced by a more
cheerful pioneer. We popped corn over its burning twigs, the only real,
spirited, happy time of its existence.
Two new names for the census taker were added here.
We were moving less often now. We remained on the three hundred
and sixty-acre Humbird farm, which now became our home, from 1877
to 1881, nearly five years, perhaps because it took that much longer to
overcome the desecrations of man. Nature had been lavish in her bestowal
of beauty, but man apparently had worked with extraordinary ingenuity
to upset her plans. What a place ! Dead cattle lying unburied in the barn-
yard upon which great, gaunt, hairy hogs were eating, dead fowls under
the perches, a new barn erected above the carcasses of several sheep, half
the pickets fallen from the front fence, buildings unpainted, the windows
of the big house stuffed with rags, worn out fields. Father put the full
force of men and teams to clearing the premises. The dead were buried
in a pit after covering them with lime. Tons and tons of fertilizer were
hauled from the yards and stables to a worked-out forty, as level as the
floor, but too poor to raise a row. He bought at a dollar a load all the
manure at the Humbird livery stable, and how the neighbors laughed to
see a man pay, actually pay, for manure. He grew a crop of clover knee
deep on it and turned that back to the land. The neighbors shook their
heads and called him crazy. You should have seen the crop of corn fol-
lowing! Its like was never seen there before. On other depleted fields
similarly treated the heavy-headed oats stood shoulder high. A lover of
good stock he paid one hundred and fifty dollars for a Short-horn bull, an
unheard of price in those days when cows and chickens were a much
sUghted side issue.
Fences were straightened, buildings painted, a great barn built with
old-fashioned driveway between two immense mows. He flailed some
grain with the jointed rod of long ago on that barn floor. And winter
192 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
evenings, the horses and cattle watching from their stanchions, the sheep
from their pens, we husked long ears of yellow corn there. Had I been
gifted with the pen of a Whittier my snow bound might read as pregnant
with Hfe as his, I sensed it all in a dumb ecstasy.
Our land extending into two districts entitled us to entrance at both
the town school at Humbird and the rural school at Houghtenberg. We
took the full year of the former and the summer term of the latter, for
father placed great faith in schooling. He helped us evenings. I cannot
remember a home without its blackboard and night sessions. Father
wished us to be teachers and ten of us fulfilled his desires.
The instant you crossed the long puncheon bridge to the east you
were in a forest of pines, and upon a carpet of pigeon vines and winter
green. If it were spring the vines were fuU of puffy red berries, and you
could hear the drumming partridge from every direction. Once at the
bridge's approach a neighbor came face to face with a great shambling
bear, as large as a two-year-old heifer. We often saw them in the slash-
ings, where we gathered blueberries with wooden box rakes, and buckets
of juicy blackberries. At dusk from the open country to the west came
the prairie chickens' boom, "Man's a fool !" with its peculiar up and do%vn
inflection. Such winters of snow! How the sleighbells jingled to and from
school ! Fences completely hidden ! Doll and Dido, their breasts frost
white, would come racing into the back yard from the clearing, the sled
piled high with alder pole wood, icicles hanging to father's mustache, his
nose white. Then mother would rush out with a pan of steaming dough-
nuts to regale father while he rubbed the blood back into his nose and
ears, and she stroked Doll's soft muzzle.
Often he engaged strolling bands of Indians to cut wood and clear land.
When they came to the house to engage hay for their ponies, an armful at
a time, if invited in, as they usually were, at the risk of our catching
undesirable things, they squatted about the stove in stolid silence except to
answer a direct question in short guttural notes ; so unlike the musical tones
used in their own language, when their high-pitched voices rose and fell
like the wailing wind in the pine tops. And of course they begged. One
old half-frozen squaw, so wrinkled she looked less than human, asked for
milk. She held her mouth full for a moment, then fumbling in the front
of her dirty blouse drew out a very young puppy that placed to her lips
avidly sucked out the warmed milk. A young squaw, evidently the belle,
had earl lobes stretched nearly to her shoulder from the weight of ear
ornaments made up of dimes, half dimes, and quarters, amounting to at
least five dollars, connected by silver rings. A very tall straight young
buck, when asked his name, replied promptly, "Paul, P-A-U-L," proud of
his schooling, and stalking across the room to the organ drummed "out
with one hand, "Home, sweet home," a strange tune for a wandering Red
man. At another time an old chief and his squaw arrived just as we had
finished dinner. When asked they readily went to the table. Before seat-
ing himself the chief reached the table's length to get a large dish of boiled
Irish potatoes. He divided them with great exactness between his and the
squaw's plates, adding first to one then to the other, then satisfied they
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 193
were evenly filled, gave a grunt of contentment and finished the pile in
no time. They seemed always like happy, irresponsible children. We
destroyed an ideal existence when we took their lands.
A rather perplexing thing happened once. It was during an exceed-
ingly cold spell, boards snapping, snow squeaking under foot, the pump
almost freezing between trips to the kitchen with water, windows furred
thick with frost, when just at dark an Indian and a young squaw nearly
overcome with cold stopped for the night. They were exceptionally clean.
We had a bed in the wood house attic kept purposely to accommodate the
many looking for work who passed up and down the railroad track that
cut our farm and lay a few rods from the house. Instead of sending them
to the barn we let them sleep in this attic, which was warmer. In the
morning something the Indian said about his squaw that didn't seem to
apply to the one with him caused father to ask, motioning to the two,
"You married?" "By 'n bye," was the laconic answer, which left us to
wonder about their ideas of white man morality.
Our next move in 1881 to the George Dewey place, across the road
from his shrewd Yankee brother. Uncle Dan Dewey, at Arcadia, was
father's last investment in Wisconsin land. The house of three stories was
not too large, for, during those years at Humbird, we had prospered in more
than wealth. The stork had blessed our home with four visits, two of
them a half hour apart. One room on the third flooi held long rows of
rich yellow home made cheese, the rest were play rooms, where paper men
and women and every description of animal, with some even beyond describ-
ing, were manufactured as fast as the limited supply of scissors allowed.
While we lived here farm institutes were held yearly in the old Mineral
Springs Hotel. Father always attended, eager to get new ideas, admiring
Governor Hoard, whether he talked dairying or broke the monotony of
farm discussions by singing "Finnegan's Wake," or reciting the pathetic
"Johnnie Kunkerpod." Most of the farmers took to dairying. Father did,
and sold cream at so much an inch — a little more than enough to pay for
the cows' salt now. You all remember how George Kelley used to fly around
in the mud with his wild team gathering up cream for the creamery, and
spilling it occasionally, too. Our place was rich and grew wonderful crops
of corn and clover. We were near good schools. It was a pity to sell.
The thirteenth baby was born here, the thirteenth day of June, 1884.
Counting cribbage style the figures in the year make two more thirteens —
an awful assemblage of that most unlucky number. Whether that was
responsible for father's ankle being broken twice that year, each time by
stumbhng mules, I can't say, but it did look as if bad luck had us by the
collar to see father hobbling about on crutches the next March in a cold,
drizzly rain, and Tom Barry pegging around on his wooden leg, using all
his Irish wit to auction off the personal property. Mother, as usual doing
her share, kept pots of boiling coft'ee and trays of ham sandwiches on hand
to cheer the crowd. Yet every one felt it was a sad move. What wasn't
sold was given away or packed in the freight car with the bees, Virgil's
pup, the Shorthorn stock, the stallion Frank, old Doll's last grandchild and
Doll, too, would have been there had not mother, misunderstanding father,
194 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
caused her to be shot. Faithful old creature, it hurts yet to remember
coming from school and rushing out to learn why she lay so still beside
the fence, discover the bullet wound in the blood-stained star in her fore-
head. I ought to think now, after all these years, that perhaps it was best,
that it may have saved her a lingering, suffering death. I can't do it. I
can't forgive the lack of gratitude for a dumb animal living for our comfort
and profit, nor an unkindness to a child for whose being it is not responsible
any more than my father could.
Leaving the two married girls in April of 1885, we made that most
unfortunate move into the Ozarks, mother and the ten children by passen-
ger train.
Space is too limited to tell you of the wild life there in the woods filled
with flowers, nuts and fruits ; the raids of the Bald Knobbers and our
constant fear, father being a northern man, he should suffer the resent-
ment of these ignorant people, still bitter over the Civil War ; of a winter
not as open as the natives vouched for, we with stock and no hay, how-
father kept some of the cattle alive by feeding them great lengths of
pickled side pork; of little Frank traded for land, starved to death by his
owner, and father unable to save him. No space left to picture the lives
of these mountain children, often four generations living in a single miser-
able hovel, of the little log school house with its broken windows, dropped
chinking, backless puncheon benches, ruled over by an asthmatic old teacher,
who spent the noon hour smoking his pipe and his asthma over a fire in a
hole in the ground; of the precipitate move, amounting almost to flight,
away from these degrading social conditions to the open prairies of South
Dakota, with its droughts, hail storms, cyclones — every force of nature
turned against success, just at the outbreak of the Rosebud Indian Agency
in 1891.
Nor shall I offend my father's memory by dwelling with unnecessary
words upon his last sad illness, the result of that Waushara injury, so
patiently borne throughout the intense heat of the summer of 1901 ; the
misunderstandings, apparently wrong medical treatments; his life need-
lessly lost at the age of sixty-six. The big bays, the team
he loved, carried him on the first relay back to the little cemetery at
Arcadia in the beautiful Trempealeau Valley that had ever beckoned his
return. In the lonely days that followed, how, by loving those creatures
he had made his tender care, we tried to feel him near; not forgetting
the King birds, that having built in the tool box of a cultivator, rather
than cause them grief through the destruction of their home, he worked
longer hours with one machine that the other might stand idle until the
little birds could fly. Some comfort came at last, and I could feel, as he
would wish, that he was but a little way ahead, beyond a turn in the road,
at the summit of a hard climb, with dear faithful old Doll treking on.
Galesville University. It was a pleasant May morning that a child
stepped across the threshold of the assembly room in the old court house
at Galesville.
Rude wooden benches filled the main floor; the judge's desk was at
the opposite end ; connected with this was a long narrow desk, inclosing a
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 195
square space, with an entrance, middle front; within the inclosure a pine
table.
The few young people present sat at the long desk. Beside the table
sat Samuel Fallows, a young man of brilliant promise, secured to take charge
of instruction in the new institution.
School had commenced the day before. There was a recitation in
Latin. The professor turned to the child repeating the questions he had
just asked of the class. His kindly manner brought reply, for every word
had been indelibly impressed.
He took the new books — National Fifth Reader, Davies' Arithmetic,
Clark's English, and Andrew's and Stoddard's Latin Grammar — writing
within her name and the date. May 18, 1859.
That Latin Grammar, solid and hard, was quite unlike the modern
"Easy Lessons," but the children sang the declensions and conjugations
about their play and received no permanent injury, wondering at the greater
difficulty experienced by those older.
An accurate list of those attending the first term nas not been obtained.
We have always recalled the number as sixteen. Of this number were Addie
Marsh Kneeland and Geo. Gale, yet residing at Galesville.
Those were the days of "flowing" sleeves, "low neck" and ample
crinoline. The hair drooped low over the ears in "basket" braids, and
twenty strands were announced as a triumph one morning. No bandeaux
or jewels, but graceful sprays of wild flowers. They were pretty girls.
Elvina Swift, later Mrs. Farrington of Mondovi, and Emma Clark
(Mrs. R. A. Odell) were sweet singers, alto and soprano. Their voices,
hushed long years ago, I can hear yet trilling the "Rain Upon the Roof."
One beautiful autumn day in the second term, rooms having been made
ready, we marched in a body the length of the village to the permanent
building.
One can remember many things with amusement. So has the world
always looked back, as it will to the end of time. The jokes that pleased
our grandfathers grace as new the pages of the latest college journals.
Professor Fallows, questioned at the close of the first day, is said to have
remarked : "We have done better than old Harvard at its beginning."
Of Bishop Fallows we all know. In this year of 1912, strong and
magnetic in humor or in pathos, he moves his audience as of old. The
inspiration of such a personality was of more worth than many text books.
The new country contained individuals rarely endowed in intellect and
thoroughly trained. Shabby as to clothes, and roughened by the hard-
ships of pioneering, they were, nevertheless, an able resource when there
was need.
Professor Kottinger, author of books in use in the schools of his native
Switzerland, was most proficient in Hebrew, as well as several o^her
languages, while his hands could draw rare harmony from piano or violin.
Professor Cheney, of Middlebury, Vt., after driving a breaking team
of oxen all day, could help many a student over the hard places, perfectly
conversant with classic, science or mathematics.
Meager as were the advantages, no one can estimate what they meant
196 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
to the new country. Older men came to make good as best they might that
the advance of civihzation should not find them wanting. That the child
of ten should be classmates of the man of forty years was only example
of the wide range that sought instruction.
Numbers and influence were steadily increasing when the Civil War
bade all stand still, and the boys hastened bravely to their country's defense.
In later years, when the older colleges began to consider co-education,
we realized upon what progressive ideas our training had been founded.
We girls were always welcomed to the boys' ball games. Those who
wished were privileged to take part in oration or debate. Fine courtesy
toward each other prevailed.
The Indian trails were well worn, their corn fields deserted at the com-
ing of the white man yet well marked. The surroundings were not like those
left in Eastern homes, but I can recall no expression of ill-natured com-
parison.
The life record of many is already complete, and across its page has
been written success. Light-hearted and happy, as youth ought to be, I
think an unusual earnestness pervaded that htle band; upon them, the
impress of responsibility, that they were in the making of a future for
others, as well as directing their own lives. Over all, the spirit of the
pioneer. — (Written at Durand, Wisconsin, Nov. 8, 1912, by Flora Luce
Dorwin.)
Early Osseo. The site of the now busy and thriving village of Osseo
was surveyed and platted Sept. 22, 1857, by a company, W. A. Woodward
of the state of New York, C. R. Field and W. H. Thomas of Richland
County, Wisconsin, and they commenced the improvements — W. H. Thomas
and a company of men, including our first blacksmith. Dye Ellis. Mr.
Thomas and family boarded at Green & Silkworth's Station until the barn
was built, when they moved into it and used it for a dwelling until the
hotel was erected. They then moved into the hotel, where they lived until
Mr. Field and company arrived and took possession in 1859, at which time
Mr. Thomas moved into his house, which had been completed at the same
time as the hotel.
The arrival of these new immigrants from Richland County took place
October 14, the party consisting of the Hon. C. R. Field and family, J. D.
Tracy and family, E. Hyslop and family, with a few young men and others,
E. S. Hotchkiss, W. S. Hine, Freem Coats, and some others who did not
come to stay. Mr. Thomas and crew had arrived in the fall of 1857.
At the time the Field party arrived Osseo consisted of a few scattered
buildings. The principal building was the hotel. Next in importance was
the residence of W. H. Thomas. That house is now a part of the residence
of Erick Nelson and stands west of Hume's blacksmith shop. A shanty
occupied the present site of the Congregational church. Dye Ellis had
erected the frame of what is now the dwelling of Mrs. Newman, and a
little east of the frame stood his blacksmith shop. The shop consisted of
a few pieces of jack pine trees arranged to form a forge with some kind
of a cover over them, his anvil being outside. When Mr. Ellis got a job
of work to do he went out into the pines and gathered pine knots and such-
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 197
like material to make a fire of. Such was Osseo's first blacksmith shop and
blacksmith.
On our arrival there were probably only about half a dozen famiUes at
the old Beef River Station of Green & Silkworth. About the same number
were over in the South Valley, Jim King, from whom the creek takes its
name ; H. G. Daniels and family, Jefferson Gorden and family and a young
man, John Spaulding ; James Mclntyre and family, with whom were William
and Mary Lindsay, brother and sister to Mrs. Mclntyre. William Henry
had taken his first crop that summer of 1859, but did not build a home until
1860. East of Osseo, on the farm now owned by James Crawford, Austin
Ayers and family lived. On section 8, a little below the Linderman mill,
Dennis Lawler lived for a time before taking up his later home.
The postoffice (Sumner postoffice) was at the Beef River Station,
owned by Green & Silkworth, with Mr. Silkworth as postmaster. The
postoffice was in a barroom of the old log house, the letters being kept
in a little box, or desk rather, where their account books were — a desk
probably about eighteen inches or maybe two feet square, which anyone
had access to. Beef River Station was on the stage road from Sparta and
Black River Falls to Eau Claire and Menominee. Although we were few
in number in those days there was lots of fun and amusement for all who
wished to enjoy it.
After the arrival of those immigrants there was a school meeting
called to organize a school district, and it was voted to build a schoolhouse,
so there were bids called for, R. C. Field and Mr. Silkworth being the only
bidders. Their bids were $500 each and to get the contract Mr. Field prom-
ised to put on a belfry without extra charge.
At that time there was a small store kept in the house of W. H.
Thomas and owned by him. In the other end of the house a Mrs. Bucklen,
afterwards better known as Mrs. Barber, taught the first school in Osseo,
a school of four scholars — two Lawler girls and Delia and Julia Thomas.
After our arrival the next school was kept in the barroom of the station and
taught by Ruth Griswold, who had arrived in our company from Rich-
land County. Then there were a few new scholars. The next school was
kept in that shanty spoken of and taught by Hattie Field, afterwards Mrs.
E. S. Hotchkiss of Independence.
At the time of building the school house in Osseo the school house in
South Valley was built, Mr. Silkworth having the contract. The work was
done by Mr. Smith, then of South Valley.
In the summer of 1859 Mr. Field contracted to have a lot of marsh
hay put up on what was then called the "big marsh," just beyond what is
now called the Stillman farm. In the fall there was a prairie fire coming
over from the west and to save that hay Mr. Field hired a lot of us to go
down and fight the fire, which was done successfully.
One day during the same fall, or it may have been winter, hay was
needed at the hotel, so Stoddard Field hitched up "Buck" and "Booch," and
another team of the same kind, and he and I went down to the big marsh
for a load. He drew up alongside of a real nice stack or rick and I went
198 HISTORY OF TREiMPEALEAU COUNTY
onto the rick to fork the hay onto the load. I had not got much off before
I went right down through. That nice rick of hay was quite hollow-hearted.
for under a covering of hay there were two tamarack stumps, supportmg
poles against which brush had been piled. Mr. Field had contracted with
a man to put up twenty tons of hay on that marsh, and W. II. Thomas was
to estimate the amount of hay in each stack, each to abide by his estimate.
This particular stack had been highly estimated. "Billy" Hines says that
man was a preacher and Mrs. Field says so, too. In those days there were
more preachers than there was good preaching.
I will relate another little true story of two or three years after. An
Irishman came in to Osseo — Mike Murty by name. He had an ox team
and the settlers needed hay. One day Mike came to me and asked me
to go with him down onto what was called Lawler's Creek, where there
was real nice marsh grass to cut for hay. So on Sunday we went down
and cut hay. On a Sunday after we went and stacked it. In the fall, to save
the hay from prairie fires, I went one Sunday and ploughed two furrows a
little apart around the stack and then set fire between the furrows so as
not to let it run over the prairie. When we had got almost around the fire
leaped over our firebreak on the other side and into the stack of hay, which
all went up in smoke. On Sunday, too! Well, some people will say, "So
much for working on Sunday ;" but in pioneer days we had to do and work
every way to make a living. As for Mike, that was about all the hay he
had for winter fodder, and seemingly it almost broke his heart. I had a
good deal of hay on other marshes, so I gave Mike a stack on one of them
to help tide him over. He left Osseo and I never knew what became of him.
In 1860 the Second National Republican Convention was held and
men around Osseo were anxious to get the news of the convention. Mr.
Field was an enthusiastic Seward man. Maybe partly because he was
a New York man himself, and it seemed to be sure that Seward would be
the man. In due time after the convention I went up to the postoffice to
get the weekly newspaper. On coming back to Osseo I met Mr. Field.
"Well, who's it?" said he. "Who do you think?" "Seward?" "No."
"Chase?" "No." The others he named I do not remember. "Well, who
is it?" "Lincoln." "Lincoln, Lincoln, Lincoln, who is Lincoln, anyway?"
"Don't you remember Lincoln stumping the state of Illinois against
Douglass two years ago?" "Oh, yes." And he went to get his paper to
read the news of the convention. Although he did not get Seward, he
did not go back on Lincoln.
On the first call for troops there left three young men to walk all the
way to Sparta to enlist. These three young men were F. N. Thomas, W. S.
Hine and Hank Robbins. In my mind I can see them yet take the road.
Road ? No, the wagon track. We had no roads in those days ; did not need
them. Those men served Uncle Sam faithfully during the war, Mr. Thomas
being sorely afflicted, Billy Hine coming back safe and Hank Robbins setthng
in some part of the state east.
In December, 1859, there occurred the birth of the first white child
born in the village of Osseo. That child is now Mrs. Barbara Mclntyre, and
she is here yet. True, they went to Seattle once to make a home, but on
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 199
account of poor health there, or perhaps because they were too far from
Osseo, they came back to stay.
The old blacksmith, Mr. Ellis, was a character in his way — he and his
old horse Jimmie. That old horse was the slowest horse that ever stood.
Trot? No, he didn't know how. (Oh, now, Hyslop, be easy on old Jim.
You must remember how you used to like to get him and the old cart when
you wanted to take your family in a buggy riding over to the South Valley.)
A whip was of little use, but he did not like a stick with a brick tied on the
end of it. Ellis was a widower, I suppose, at least he lived by himself here
at first. In about a year or two he had an addition to his household, a step-
son, two daughters and a son coming to keep him company.
I had bought a claim on land of C. R. Nelson, on the east half of 15.
There were 15 acres broken on it, but I had no way of putting it into crop.
Mr. Ellis had his horse, this old Jim, and another he had got some way, and
his boy, Ruff. So I let the 15 acres to Mr. Ellis. He rigged up an old plow
and sent Ruff to plow the land for the crop. But the plow would not work,
or Ruff thought so. In fact he would rather that it would not. So he
brought it down to the shop. Mr. Field had had before this a shop erected
about where the furniture store now is. Mr. Ellis was busy working and
poor Ruff had to take it. When he got the job done at which he had been
at work: "Now we will just see whether that plow will work or not," took
the team and plow onto the prairie on the south side ; he took hold of the
plow and Ruff had to drive the team. It was probably the old man's
emphatic and picturesque language that frightened the horses, but they
went at it and that old plow did turn over a furrow or two. "That's as
good a plow as ever God made," said he, so Ruff had to go back to his
plowing.
In those early days Mrs. Delia Field, then Delia Thomas, used to ride
horseback up to the station and get the mail from the Sumner postoffice.
One day the mare, who had a colt, got in too much of a hurry to see the
colt, jumped over the fence or bars rather, with Delia on her back, but
Delia kept her seat just the same. She was gritty in those days, though a
young girl.
Now why did we all come up here from Richland County? Well, just
to see if we could find better openings. Variety is the one thing needful,
and the way of the world generally always has been so and always will be.
Probably another matter which had an influence was that there was a
prospect of what is now the C, St. P., M. & 0. Railroad being built down
Beef River Valley. But the projectors thought there was a better prospect
for them to go further north and did so, leaving Osseo in the lurch. Then
the Augustaites could lord it over Osseo and often laughed at us Osseoites.
Oh, Osseo was nowhere, and the prospects were quite poor for a good many
years. But they don't laugh quite so much nowadays, and we are all real
good friends and neighbors.
In Richland County there was no land to be got by the moneyless.
But Uncle Sam had lots of land up this way that he was anxious to give —
no, not quite give yet, for the homestead bill did not pass until 1862 — but
he was anxious to dispose of it ; so land was some inducement, too. Oh yes,
200 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
there was land to be had, nothing but land, save that already taken up by
the few scattered settlers, and, oh, there was water. Yes it was a well-
watered country. One Sunday I went over the ridge and down onto Elk
Creek to look for land. Yes, the land was there and nothing else. For
the time being I was monarch of all I surveyed, but I believe there was some
one away down near Elk Creek who would dispute with me the monarchy.
That was too far from Osseo, so I came back and let Mr. Hale have it all.
In course of time the Norwegians and other Scandinavians began to arrive
and take up* the land.
In 1861 two men came to Osseo from Eau Claire with the purpose of
building a mill. They located the site of the proposed mill below the forks
of the river, near where the railroad crosses it, but had some trouble get-
ting the right of water-power from the owners of the land — the state land,
I think — and before that could be accomplished the war started and they
packed up their tools and took themselves back to Eau Claire. That put
an end to the building of a mill in Osseo until 1867, when it was started
again by W. L. Fuller, a miller fi-om Black River Falls, W. H. Thomas and
E. S. Hotchkiss going in as partners, the mill being that now owned by
Lee & Sons. In 1873 and 1874, I think, the Linderman mill was built by
J. L. Linderman of Eau Claire and E. S. Hotchkiss.
In 1861 I had built a house for myself and family on the lots now
owned, I believe, by H. P. Williams, formerly the Gates property. In 1863
I got up a bee of ox teams and moved it onto my then claim on section 15.
I presume it is still there and used as a dwelling. We had quite a time
taking it up onto the prairie, on the way from the bridge and up the side,
breaking two or three neck yokes. The first house erected in Osseo after
our arrival was the front part of the house now owned by Ellis Johnson
and then owned by Mr. Field ; that was built in 1860. All timber for build-
ings had to be sawed out of jack pines. I have my old saw now. I wish
some of those carpenters would buy it and go to work again.
The first garden on Osseo was on the block now owned by Messrs.
Harris and Smith, where Mr. Field had his garden in 1860, and where it
was supposed he would build his residence. But "the best laid schemes of
mice and men gang aft agley," so instead of building in Osseo he built on
the farm. In 1866 Thomas Love and family arrived from California, where
he and his newly wedded wife went to from New York in 1853, during the
golden days of California. He built that part of the house now owned
by E. Remington, where Mr. Carpenter now lives.
In 1865 and 1866 the postofiice was moved from the Beef River Station
to Osseo and the name changed from Sumner postoffice to Osseo, with, I
think, W. H. Thomas as postmaster. The stage then came down on the
south side through Osseo to Eau Claire, the road, or track rather, being over
the high land of Olson farm on over the ridge to Otter Creek and on to
McLellan's.
In one of those early years A. B. Ayers moved from the farm now
owned by J. Crawford and started a store in the building now owned by
Frank Smith, on the corner by the big tree, afterwards building the house
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 201
now owned by Mr. Nessa. He afterwards built a shoe shop near where
the livery barn is, and Mr. Shurtleff moved into it as shoemaker.
In 1861, I think, R. C. Field donated one acre of land on what is now
cemetery hill for a cemetery, and that, with other land acquired by pur-
chase, now comprises the Osseo cemetery. It was Dr. Dickie, who died
while living with his stepson, John Spaulding, in South Valley, on what
used to be the WiUiam Anderson farm, who was the first to be interred in
the cemetery. I made the coffin and W. H. Thomas and I took it over there
on the day of the funeral. The room was so constructed that the coffin
had to be put in at the window and the remains taken out the same way.
You will see that we had no undertakers and fine caskets in which to lay
the dead away.
As for the roads in those days, they were anywhere, and as for
bridges, if we had good corduroy bridges, that was enough. Oh no, no
steel bridges, and only corduroy roads now and then. And pasture for
the flock, that was everywhere — north, south, east and west! the great
thing was to find the cows at night, when they failed to come up. Many
had to search all over for miles around.
Now we will do a little breaking up of land. On Mr. Field's arrival
in Osseo he had a number of yokes of cattle. Those, or at least part of
them, he disposed of to men to do breaking ; that helped men to own cattle
and him to get his breaking done on section 16. If I remember right, I
think the bouts of breaking were about a mile long, so there was not so
much turning. The land being all what was called grub land, there was a
good deal of grubbing to do, the grubs being used for firewood. The first
breaking of land in what is now called Tracy Valley was done by the writer
on what is now the Yarnall farm on section 20, near that fine spring of
water near the south section line. Being a carpenter, I gave two days'
work for an acre of breaking, Mr. Mclntyre getting ten acres broken for
me in that way; John R. Brown, then of Thompson Valley, another ten —
twenty in all, I stopping there and doing the grubbing when necessary and
serving the victuals which my wife brought over from Osseo every day.
That breaking was done in 1861.
About that time A. D. Tracy got what is now the Paul Christopherson
farm, bought in on a tax deed from, I think, William Silkworth, if I am not
mistaken, the price for the quarter section being $50.
Here is a little incident that has just come to my memory. John Wells'
father had come on a visit, while, I think, John was still working for Mr.
Field. One day he was sitting in the store then owned by Thomas &
Hotchkiss, writing a letter, and while writing was talking politics. I
remember that I stood looking at him talking pohtics and writing a letter,
too. This talk was to the effect that every American citizen should vote
one way or another, for or against a candidate.
In speaking of building operations, just think of a carpenter going
out into the jack plains and cutting down trees to be hewed by hand for
barns or houses, and then of lumber and siding all to be dressed by hand,
and the doors and sashes made by hand, as we had to do in those days.
In 1859 David Chase at the Twelve-mile-settlement was having a barn
202 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
built. There not being enough men in the settlement to raise the barn —
an old-fashioned timber frame barn — Mr. Field took a few of us from
Osseo to help raise it, which was done successfully. Mr. Chase afterwards
enlisted in the Civil War and was killed, I believe, by a cannon ball taking
off his head. A real fine man was David Chase, who among thousands
gave his life to save the Union of the United States.
After the organization of the town of Sumner the voters at the settle-
ment had come to Osseo to vote. At a town meeting the men of the settle-
ment asserted their right to share in the town meeting, which was fair.
So in, I forget what year, a vote was taken, the west town meeting in the
school house at the settlement, and carried. Accordingly, in either 1862
or 1863, the town meeting was held at the settlement. All went off well,
though the proceedings were rather monotonous, there being so few voters,
until the annual business meeting was called, when a quarrel arose between
two men about, I think, some road work. From words they came to blows
in the school house, but were ordered outside. So they went at it there.
These two men were Sam Brown and a Mr. Davis, both quarrelsome men.
Davis afterwards was sent to the penitentiary for killing a man. Brown
got Davis down and was trying to put his eyes out when Mr. Thomas
stopped that. So both got up and Davis acknowledged that Brown was
the better man. That was the first and last fight I ever saw at a town
meeting.
How many of those "old timers," previously mentioned, are still left?
Mr. Henry and Mr. Lawler, who were here ahead of us, have both recently
passed over. Mrs. Delia Field and Mrs. Julia Shores, who were then little
girls playing around, are still with us, and long, long may they remain.
(They came to these parts in the fall of 1857.) Of our com-
pany from Richland County there are Mr. and Mrs. E. S. Hotchkiss, of
Independence; Stoddard Field, of Osseo, and Mrs. P. J. Linderman and
Mrs. Nettie Jones, of the Tracy family; E. Hyslop, one son Robert, Mrs.
Mclntyre increasing the family that,, winter; Billy Hine, of Bellevue, and
James Mclntyre, who was then a little boy. So far as I can remember,
all the rest have gone to the great beyond. Such is hfe. For a few years
Mr. Lawler, Mr. Henry and E. Hyslop were the three oldest settlers, being
all over 80 years. The two former are gone and I am left, for how long,
who knows? Being now in my eighty-fifth year my time will necessarily
be short.
"Oh Death ! the poor man's dearest friend.
The kindest and the best.
Welcome the time my aged limbs
Are laid with thee at rest."
— (By E. Hyslop in the Osseo News, Jan. 29 and Feb. 5, 1914.
The Olson Lynching. Hans Jacob Olson was lynched at his home about
three miles from Blair on the night of Nov. 24, 1889. Olson, on June 8, 1885,
was convicted of setting fire to the building of B. K. Strand, a Blair mer-
chant, on Dec. 29, 1883, by loading a stump with blasting powder, the stump
being afterward conveyed to Mr. Strand, who put it in his stove, where it
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 203
exploded. Rumor had it that Olson did not take the stump to the mer-
chant's woodpile personally, but furnished it at the request of another
person and left it at a place agreed. Olson was sentenced to five years in
State's Prison. He was released in the spring of 1889 and almost imme-
diately, upon the testimony of his wife and son, was put under bonds to
keep the peace. Unable to furnish bonds he was sent to jail, where he
served some six months. The term expired in November. Of the events
which followed, it has been said :
"The hanging took place at his home on the 24th day of November,
1889. He lived in a small log house and a few feet from one of the windows
was a burr oak tree with a branch sticking out from the tree almost hori-
zontal, and on this tree he was hung. The day was Sunday and word had
been quietly given out in the neighborhood for the people to come to a
certain place near Charles Johnson's farm where there was a vacant house
at that time. The place of meeting was about one mile from Olson's house.
Charles Johnson was the instigator and leader, and had encouraged the
men who went with him by telling them that if they could get together a
mob of forty or sixty men, that no jury would ever be found to convict
them. Most of the men who followed Johnson had the idea that the pur-
pose was to drive Olson out of the country, but Johnson probably knew
what would be the result from the beginning, for at this vacant house
they provided themselves with two ropes, one a heavy well rope and the
other a smaller rope, probably taken for the purpose of tying him, as they
knew Olson to be a man of extraordinary strength and a very determined
man. At the place that the mob met, a son of Olson's met with them, and
after going within sixty rods of the house the mob sent Olson's son to
reconnoiter. He went to the house and found his father asleep and came
back and reported the fact to the mob. The mob went to the house and
I think four men went in and took him from the bed and called him out
under this tree. He refused to go and they put the rope around his neck
and pulled him up, held him a short time suspended, then let him down and
renewed their demand. Then they strung him up again, this time keeping
him suspended so long that when they let him down they found he was
not able to stand, so they carried him into the house, laid him on the
floor until he revived. Someone in the crowd asked his wife what they
should do with him and she told them to take him away. They then took
him out in front of the house barefooted on the frozen ground, and asked
him to leave the country. His reply was this: 'This is my home, and I
will not leave it till God takes me away.' He was then strung up the third
time and left hanging until morning. During the whole time he never
resisted. His strength was such that probably no two or three men, or
even more, would have been able to handle him had he made resistance.
Whether his courage was moral courage or simply animal courage, it is
difficult to say, but certainly the courage shown was of the highest kind
in its class. After the hanging the mob dispersed, with the exception of
two members who remained all night with the wife and children and to
screen the window so that the corpse would not be visible, the woman hung
up a blanket, and twice during the night made coffee for the men who
204 HISTORY OF TREjMPEALEAU COUNTY
stayed. Early the next day an inquest jury was summoned, and Charles
Johnson was foreman of that jury, and the decision of the jury was that
Olson had come to his death by hanging by persons unknown to the jury.
"The same day the district attorney issued a warrant for the arrest
of Johnson and some thirty others on the charge of riot. Johnson went
to the district attorney's home at midnight and made dire threats, but in
spite of this, warrants were issued charging Johnson, the widow, the son,
and a neighbor with murder. Charles Johnson, Bertha M. Olson (widow),
Ole J. Hanson (son) , and Ole J. Sletto were convicted of murder in the first
degree and sentenced to life. More than fifty others who took part were
convicted of riot. Most of them paid their fines. All four were pardoned
by Governor Peck after having been in prison for something over five years.
The people who took part in this killing were most, if not all, good, peaceable,
law-abiding citizens, and some were men of excellent character. Mr.
Johnson, who was the leader, claimed to be afraid of Olson — afraid that
he would burn his pi'operty or injure his family. Johnson was a man of
acute intelligence, had been chairman of his town several times, was presi-
dent of a Farmers' Trading Association, and in fact a leader in all municipal
affairs in his neighborhood. Johnson, after his return from prison, stayed
in and about Blair for several years."
Winnebago Festivities. The festivities among the Dakotas and Winne-
bagoes consist of dancing, singing, feasting and speech-making, and are
held several times a year.
The peace jubilee, or autumn festival, is celebrated by the Winnebagoes
after the cranberry season is over, usually some time in October. This
jubilee includes the "medicine" or "magic" dance. Invitations are sent
out four days before the dance, and an immense tepee is erected on the
ground where the celebration is to be held. This structure is about 110
feet long and 12 feet wide, and is covered with boughs and canvas. The
invited guests are each supposed to make a present of four blankets to the
person getting up the entertainment. On the evening of the pow-wow
the Indians assemble, and after building large fires, start the celebration
with a chant. Then the young squaws and bucks begin the dance, and the
tum-tum is kept going continuously, all night long. As the enthusiasm
kindles, the older Indians join in, and finally the children. The surging
mass of dusty humanity grows hilarious, and shouts and songs ring through
the air while the tum-tum beats its savage music until the very lodge poles
seem to dance. In the glare of the great fire, the scene grows weird, and the
forms look more hideous, the faces grow inhuman and shrieks stab the
night air. The demons of the night, as it were, are turned loose, and in
their frenzy slaughter the peaceful harmonies that brood in the darkness
over the streams and forests. A feast is prepared and when the guests
are hungry and weary of the dance they assemble in circles and enjoy the
soup and meat that is placed in big bowls before them. Day dawns, but
the dance goes on, and the feasting continues, and not until another night
does the ceremony end.
One of the Indians is made a medicine man during the jubilee. The
secret work of conferring the degree on the candidate has been handed
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 205
down through the ages. After being initiated, the candidate makes a
speech, and thereafter is a full-fledged member of the secret society.
When the entertainment breaks up, the person makes each guest a
pi'esent of a blanket, and keeps the rest for himself.
The buffalo dance is the source of a great deal of amusement among the
Winnebago Indians. The place is chosen and the tepee is erected and cov-
ered the same as in the medicine dance. Each one who participates is
dressed to imitate a buffalo and then they gather on the grounds, build fires
and wait for the herd to make its appearance.
A bowl is put in a hole in the ground and filled with maple sugar and
syrup. The old buffalo leader comes out and is followed by the herd, con-
sisting of calves and young and full grown bisons. The tum-tum begins
and the dance is on. Around the maple sugar bowl they swarm and shout
and sing and bellow. The old buffalo leader stoops down and sticks his head
in the bowl and eats — then he gives way and the rest follow — they keep
on dancing and eating until the sugar is all gone. Then the great fun
begins. The old buffalo must hook the bowl out of the ground without
using his hands. If he is unable to do this he is the laughing stock of the
whole crowd the rest of the night, but he generally manages to hook the
bowl out after a great deal of hard work on his part and a continuous roar
of laughing and shouting from the participants and assembled guests.
When his task is accomplished all join in a feast and then smoke, and lie
around until morning.
Scotch Settlers of Glasgow and Decorah Prairie. The early Scotch
settlers who founded the settlement known as Glasgow — the postoffice so
named because the people were mostly Scotch — came as a rule from the
mining districts of Scotland to follow the occupation of mining in this
country. Wages in Scotland were low and the coal pi'etty well mined in
many of the old localities, so they set out for America to improve their
condition, settling in Maryland, Kentucky and other States where coal is
mined. After saving money and hearing of homestead lands awaiting
settlement in Wisconsin and other Western States, they came farther West
and, locating in Trempealeau County, proceeded to open up to civilization
a new country, much as others under similar circumstances had done, until
success came their way. Their farming methods at first were crude, and
for years they suffered the hardships incident to pioneer life, but with
Scotch tenacity they stuck to the work until they had established com-
fortable homes and were deriving a good living from the soil. The early
settlers of Glasgow were James Hardie, Richard Bibby, John Bibby, Joshua
Bibby, Peter Faulds, Andrew Gatherer, John McMillan, and also the
parents of the McMillans — these with their wives formed the little Scotch
settlement of Glasgow at its origin. They were nearly all related, Mrs.
James Hardie's maiden name being Margaret Bibby — a sister of the three
men named above. Mrs. Richard Bibby was Mary Faulds, a daughter of
Peter and Mary Faulds. Mrs. John Bibby was Mary McMillan, a sister of
John and Niel McMillan. Mrs. Joshua Bibby had no blood relations in
America at that time ; all were left in Scotland. It is no wonder she often
used to sigh for the old home across the sea, and to sing, "0, why left I
206 HISTORY OF TREilPEALEAU COUNTY
my hame," when memories proved too strong; but that was just for a
time. She loved America the best at last. The Gatherers were related
to the Faulds. The McMillans were natives of the Highlands of Scotland,
while the others came from Lanarkshire or thereabouts. All were devoted
Presbyterians and all worshiped God on the Sabbath. No matter how
hard they worked through the week nor how much remained to be done, all
work was dropped on Saturday night ; the Bible was read and prayers said,
as described by Burns in "The Cotter's Saturday Night." Sabbath school
was held in the schoolhouse every Sabbath, Richard Bibby or Joshua Bibby
taking charge. Before the Presbyterian church at North Bend was built,
of which later they were all members, services were held in the schoolhouse,
a pastor from Galesville filhng the pulpit. Visiting among themselves
was practically all the amusement there was in those days. Quiltings were
favorite pastimes for the women, and were profitable as well as pleasant, as
the quilts were, as a rule, always needed. The late Joshua Bibby, the
youngest man in the colony, and a half-brother of Richard and John Bibby
— the elder Bibby being married twice — was a lover of music and poetry,
and a great reader. He used to read and recite Burns, was a member of
the Burns Club, and loved a game of "curling" on the ice — an old Scotch
game. He was a genial, winning man. who radiated good cheer wherever
he went. The others took little interest in Burns and rarely attended Burns
festivals.
Alexander Vallens was another old Scotch settler whose name must not
be omitted. He, with his good wife, occupied the farm adjoining Joshua
Bibby's. "Sandy" was a hot-tempered, although kindly man, whose "dour"
disposition and queer ways led him to leave his farm and go back to Scot-
land, never to return. He refused for some reason to pay his taxes, and
the result was too much for his sense of right — hence his decision. All
these farms join and form one continuous whole.
The Decorah Prairie settlers were mostly from the mining districts of
Scotland, also, having left fheir native land for the same reasons that
influenced those of the Glasgow settlement — to improve their condition as
miners, but eventually drifting father West and settling on homesteads.
Among the first to settle there were James Sampson, John Davidson,
Thomas Hunter, Robert Oliver, William Dick, David Cook, Duncan Grant,
Robert Grant, Collins Irving, Robert Sommerville and Robert Oliver, a
relative of the one above mentioned. Decorah Prairie is fine farming land,
and these hardy Scots waxed prosperous thereon. They built even in the
early days handsome homes, and all were, as a rule, well-to-do. They were,
as a class, genial and fond of company. Dances amused them often, many
being musicians of no mean ability, so an orchestra could be extemporized
on the spot. The Scotch songs were sung at all their merry-makings with
a vim and heartiness that showed they came from the heart. The good
old Scotch brogue was there in abundance, and no one was ashamed of it
either, God bless them. The Galesville Burns Club originated with them,
and to these good old Scotch folk belongs the honor of it for all time. Of
course the years have improved it, as most good things improve with time,
but in the midst of it in all its glory let us not forget those old Scots who
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 207
founded it in the early days and did their best to keep aUve the memory
of Robert Burns, the much loved poet of dear old Scotland. — (By Jemima
Bibby.)
Wessel Lowe and his wife, accompanied by their three sons, William,
Ira and Rufus, left the State of New York in April, 1853, and migrated
to Belvidere, 111. The following summer was spent in that locality, the
two younger sons dying before winter. Before the next spring they moved
north to Brooklyn, Green Lake County, Wis., where they lived until the
spring of 1856. In company with a friend, Herman Snyder, Wessel Lowe
set out afoot for Trempealeau County and reached the town of Preston
in April, 1856, his wife and son William following in October with an
ox-team, a cow and calf, some meat and flour. The first year the family
lived in Preston. They broke ten acres and sowed to wheat, buckwheat,
corn and potatoes. This was cut with a cradle, hauled together with an
ox-team, and threshed with a flail. A fanning mill from near the east
county line was hired to separate the grain from the chaff. William Van
Sickle and Cyrus Hine settled in the town of Preston about the same time.
The first town meeting was held in Reynold's log house, less than 20
votes being cast. The following is a list of voters : Henry Lake, Chester
Beswick, Simon Rice, John Hopkins, Robert Thompson, Henry Sheppard,
Jacob and Peter Tenneson, Nels Halvorsen, Burch Olson, GuUick Olson,
Knudt Storley, Ed Weeks, Stearns, Wessel Lowe, Cyrus Hine,
Ebenezer Thurston and Herman Snyder. Money hired in those days cost
50 per cent in interest. A later reduction to 20 per cent was hailed with
great rejoicing, though the debtor was obliged to work it out at the rate
of 75 cents per day. After the War of the Rebellion broke out the son
Wifliam enlisted and from the meager salary of $13 a month paid the
debt of $150 and saved the homestead. Galesville, Black River Falls,
Squaw Creek and Sechlerville were the nearest milling places. Mail was
gotten at Black River Falls. Later a postoffice known as South Bend
was located on what is now Paul Thompson's farm. All mail during the
Civil War to these parts was directed to South Bend, Trempealeau County,
Wis. This postofiice remained here until the building of the Green Bay
Railroad in 1873. After the war, in the winter of 1865-66, Wilham Lowe
hauled lumber from the sawmill at Merrilan and the East Fork of Black
River, called Mead's Mill, with an ox-team, and began preparations for the
building of the new home in 1866. This house is still standing on the old
farm now owned by Hans C. Johnson of Preston. Game was plentiful in
those days and deer were often shot from the windows of the home with-
out the exertion or pleasure of "going hunting." Grandfather died in
October, 1905. Father Lowe is still living and makes his home with his son
Ward near Blair. Grandmother Lowe died in October, 1891. — (By Mr. and
Mrs. F. W. Lowe.)
James N. Hunter, many years connected with the county board, has
many an interesting story to relate of life in the vicinity of Independence
in the early days.
An especially interesing story is that of tht Indian scare. Little
Beaver, one summer in the early seventies, was camped with a large num-
208 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
ber of his Winnebagos near the mouth of Elk Creek, and aside from the
carousals which they held among themselves and their habit of begging
they gave little trouble.
But one day a well known character of those times came to his home
with a companion, both somewhat under the influence of intoxicants, and
exhibited a badly cut head, with the story that the Indians had attacked
and tried to scalp him.
With the Massacre of 1862 still fresh in their minds, some of the citi-
zens wished to attack the camp and exterminate the Indians at once with-
out warning. But wiser advice prevailed and it was decided to first inves-
tigate the matter.
Little Beaver met the accusation with a request to see the men so
savagely attacked, and further inquiry brought to light that the two men
had not even seen the Indians, but that the wounded man's cuts were
received from falling into a grain cradle.
Another favorite story of Mr. Hunter's has to do with early days at
New City. Fugina's tavern was then the gathering place of many a
roisterer, and also of many a Polish farmer who came here to take his joys
more quietly, and to talk over affairs in their native land.
One day the fun was waxing furious, when the men on mischief bent,
took some dry goods that were hanging on a line in Fugina's store. The
Polish people informed Mr. Fugina, and a race riot ensued. One of the
men even fired shots into the crowd from outside the window, injuring
one of the participants in the affair.
Order was finaly restored and wholesale arrests were made. The
hearing was held one winter night at the Cripps school house, before
George W. Parsons, a justice of the peace. The prisoners were defended
by G. Y. Freeman of Galesville, while Edward Lees of Buffalo County
looked after Mr. Fugina's interests. A number of the prisoners were bound
over, but were later acquitted by the Circuit Court.
So interested had the spectators become in the trial that they had
not observed the heavily falling snow, and when they started home after
midnight they had to find their way to their distant homes through snow
which was above their knees.
George H. Markham is one of the oldest settlers in Trempealeau
County. He came to Independence with the Markham party in 1856, and
has since continued to take an active part in local affairs. His diary is
replete with interesting incidents of the early days, and his memory of
those far-distant times is most vivid.
The family, then consisting of John Markham and wife and two sons,
George H. and Arthur A., accompanied by Walter Maule, a retainer, and
Charles F. D. Lyne, the tutor of the two sons, came to America in 1856,
embarking from Southampton. In originally planning their trip they
had purposed going to Canada, but had changed their destination upon
the advice of Rev. William Davis, whom members of the family had met
in France.
They landed in New York, went to Chicago by rail, thence to Mil-
waukee by boat, thence to Watertown by train, and from there to Columbus
HISTORY OP^ TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 209
by stage. At Columbus they were joined by Mr. Davis. There also they
were met by David Wood, who offered to guide them to Trempealeau
Valley, where homesteads were awaiting.
Consequently, leaving John Markham and his wife and Arthur A.
Markham at Columbus, the remainder of the party, consisting of George
H. Markham, Walter Maule, Charles F. D. E. Line, William Davis, Mrs.
Davis and two children, started out to seek a new home, guided by David
Wood, still a resident of the county. The trip, which was made with an
ox team, was filled with interesting adventures. Through Portage, Mauston
and Sparta they found their way to Billings Ferry, over the Black River,
passing near the present site of the city of Melrose, and thence entering the
Trempealeau Valley near the present site of Blair. The first settler encoun-
tered in the valley was WiUiam Thompson. The first night in the valley was
spent at the home of Edmond Reynolds. A short stop was made at the
home of Alvah Wood, where David Wood remained. They found a poor
bridge across Pigeon Creek, and continued on to Hiram Stratton's, where a
short stop was made. Stratton accompanied them down the valley to the
mouth of Elk Creek, and assisted them in selecting a location. He also
assisted them in procuring some poplar logs near his place, and with these
logs they erected a cabin, 24 by 24, a few hundred feet south of what has
since been known as the Markham or English castle. A shed for the cattle
was built of poles thatched over with marsh grass. Some marsh grass was
also cut for the use of the cattle.
The remainder of the month of October soon passed, and before long
came the famous winter of the deep snow. Miles from the nearest habita-
tion, unaccustomed to the rigors of pioneer life, and with only the crudest
of equipment, the little party spent the long hard winter. Both oxen
died as a result of the poor food and inclement weather. The people them-
selves would have perished had it not been for two trips which George
Markham took to Black River Falls with a hand sled. On one of these
trips, when the snow was four feet deep, he stopped at the home of Gullick
Olson, near the present town of Blair, obtained there a pair of snow shoes,
and within a short time learned their use.
Mr. Markham remembers distinctly those settlers living along the
Trempealeau River between Independence and the Jackson County line
with whom he was acquainted. First came the home of Elder Moses
Ingalls and his two sons, Francis W. and Moses D. They were south of
the river. North of the river not far away was Hiram Stratton. Above
the present village of Whitehall was Alvah Wood south of the river, then
came William Van Sickle, Ed. Weeks, Cyrus Hines, John Debow and Wessel
Lowe north of the river, and then John Hopkins, Simon S. Rice, Henry Lake,
Herman Snyder, Chester Beswick, John B. Dunning, Edmond M. Reynolds,
WiUiam Welch and Gullick Olson, all south of the river. Ebenezer Thurs-
ton was north of the river. Then came Robert Thompson and Severt John-
son south of the river. Messrs. Stirling and Culver were north of the river
over the line in Jackson County.
To this list David Wood, who accompanied Mr. Markham on his first
trip to the county, has made a number of interesting additions. The Ingalls
210 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
family, Hiram Stratton and brother Albert, and Alvah Wood, father of
David, settled in what is now Lincoln in 1856.
Of those in what is now Preston Mr. Wood believes Sivert Johnson to
have been the first in 1854, followed in 1855 by Gullick Olson, Lars Olson
Bjorgo Olson, Sigbjurne Ellickson, Peder Pederson, Gullick A. Storlee,
Bengt Danielson, Nels Halverson and Jacob Tenneson.
Ebenezer Thurston, Robert Thompson, Edmond M. Reynolds, John B.
Dunning, Henry Lake, Simon S. Rice and John Hopkins, with his sixteen-
year-old son James, arrived in 1855, and Wessel Lowe, Herman Snyder,
Chester Beswick and probably William Welch came in 1856.
Others who took land in 1855 and became residents here were William
A. Conger, Hiram Walker, Isander P. Armstrong, George W. Malory
and Richard Porter, the last named of whom died a short time after his
arrival.
While the little Markham colony was spending the winter of 1856-57
at Independence, John Markham and his wife and son Arthur A. had
moved to Black River Falls. In the spring they hired a team there and
started for their new location. They were met at Stirling's, near the
county line, by George H. Markham. Near the Culver home, with the
assistance of Culver, they built a raft and thus made their way down the
Trempealeau River to the mouth of Elk Creek. The next summer was spent
in breaking the land, but no crops were raised except vegetables.
Settlers came in but slowly. In the summer of 1857 Giles Cripps and
family arrived and settled three miles up Elk Creek, the first settlers in
that valley. No more settlers arrived that year.
In 1858, George Hale, accompanied by a friend, arrived at the Mark-
ham home on April 30. On their trip up the river they had lost their guns.
The Markhams took them ten miles down the river in boats and they
recovered the missing firearms. In the fall George Hale brought his
mother and located nine miles up the valley, being the first settler in the
township which now bears his name. It was this year that George H.
Markham and Charles F. D. Lyne blazed the first trail between Indepen-
dence and Arcadia along practically the route of the present wagon road,
the trip being made for the purpose of allowing Mr. Markham to cast his
first vote. The river and creeks were swollen and had to be crossed in
several places. In order to accomplish the passage it was necessary to
construct temporary bridges across which the oxen were led and across
which the wagon was carried after being taken apart.
In 1859 came David Watson, who settled still further up the valley
near the present site of Pleasantville. In 1860 came a great influx of
population.
Of these first settlers John Markham and his wife died here and are
here laid to rest. George H. and Arthur Markham have since continued
to live here. Charles F. D. Lyne first took a claim nearby, then left for
Missouri and for many years was assistant rector of St. Joseph's Parish,
St. Joseph, in that State. Walter Maule never married. He took a claim
near the mouth of the cooley which has since borne his name, and spent
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 211
the rest of his life here. He died in 1898 and is here laid to rest. His
brother George is still here.
Giles Cripps died here and is here buried. George Hale moved to Car-
rington, N. D. David Watson stayed a dozen years or so and then went
to Michigan.
Before the war there was a large settlement in Burnside Town-
ship. Peter Sura and Lawrence Bautch, the first of the Polish people,
arrived, and soon influenced many of their countrymen to settle in the
same locality. About the same time came George Parsons, Talcott Moore,
James Reid, John Reid, Reuben Meggs, George Meggs, William Cramer,
Hamlet Warring, Dr. James Kelly and his two sons, John and James,
Lowell Fay and his two sons, Henry and Aaron, Thomas Bennett, George
Bach, D. C. Cilley, H. W. Rumsey, H. P. Rumsey, E. A. Bently, Michael
White, George Bartlett, Robert Brookings, William Nichols and others
and obtained farms.
Alfred and Harrison Rogers, and Abraham and Samuel Coy, settled
near New City, and up Travis Valley settled Dr. Joshua Travis, an Indian
herb doctor ; Jessie Kidder, Lovell Kidder, Albert Spaulding, Elias Spauld-
ing, Frank and L. D. Tubbs, Theodore Hutchins, John Raymond and
Vance with his two sons, Irving and Washington. There also lived Elder
Isaac Hickey, of the Mormon faith, around whom was gathered a scattered
settlement of his own belief.
Martin Borst, an early settler in the Borst Valley, soon acquired a
large tract of some 1,600 acres of the best land in that valley.
A. D. Tracy is one of the pioneers whose name is preserved among
the place-names of the county, Tracy Valley being a locality which has
been known by its present designation since he first settled there, and
which will bear his name as long as the early history of the county is
honored and remembered. Mrs. Nettie F. Jones has written an article
regarding her father and his times, which is a valuable contribution to
early history. She writes: "My father, A. D. Tracy, for whom Tracy
Valley is named, moved here in the summer of 1858, with my mother,
two brothers, Frank and Anfred, now dead, and sister, Stella (Mrs. P. J.
Linderman), from Lone Rock, Richland County. They lived the first win-
ter in a log house on what is now known as the Bert Field farm. In the
spring of 1859 he built a shanty on the land in Tracy Valley, now owned
by Paul Christopherson. Henry or Hank Robbins and Will Hine did the
first breaking for him with their ox-team. Robbins owned the land lying
west of it and built a log house, which was afterwards occupied by Mike
Murty and P. B. WiUiams.
"This log house was converted into a school house, with long benches
and rude mammoth desks, one row all around the outer edge of the room.
One of the first teachers was Sallie French of Eau Claire. Another was
Hannah Gordon. I think my first teacher was Mary Cox, sister to A. G.
Cox. She is Mrs. F. N. Thomas and lives now in Berkeley, Cal., and has a
very bright mind and pleasing manner yet. Other teachers there were
Mrs. Lucinda Stone (sister of Mrs. John McKenney), Jerry Marvin, Mag-
gie Anderson, Anna Streeton, Alice Muzzy, Emma and Ada Martin.
212 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
"A. D. Tracy's brother John came soon after and settled on the farm
south, which is now owned by Hans Void. The only living member of this
family is Glenn Tracy, who lives in Seattle, Wash. For some time the
only house between A. D. Tracy and Osseo was a log one built by James
Mclntyre's father, located a little north of what was afterwards the
Wm. Maxwell place, now owned by Alex. Gjestvang. The people who
lived there were named Sumner. Possibly it was from them the township
of Sumner derived its name.
"One day when Stella Tracy was a little over three years old she started
out (unknown to her mother) to call on Mrs. Sumner. When she reached
there she was afi'aid to go in on account of the dog and after she had
passed she was afraid to go back past the house, so she decided to go to
Osseo. She went the whole distance alone through the woods three and
one-half miles and reached the "tavern" kept by R. C. Field, Sr., and when
they asked her where her folks were she said they were home of course,
and she had come to play with Lizzie. They sent Hiram Field back on a
pony to tell the folks where she was.
"At that time teachers' examinations were conducted by township
examiners. I don't know what they were called, but my father served in
the town of Sumner at that time and I have heard him tell how one of the
teachers rode over on a pony, and he had her spell a few words, read aloud,
do a few "sums" in mental arithmetic and locate a few places on the map,
and he gave her a license to teach.
"Wm. Lindsay was one of the pioneers of Tracy Valley, settling on the
farm now owned by Esley Thompson. He and John Tracy served in the
Civil War. Wm. Buzzell, John Lovesee, Sam Bunn, Valorus Campbell,
Dennis Lawler and John Ross were residents of the Valley at one time and
each in turn planted for others to reap."
Antoine Grignon has made history his debtor for much of its knowl-
edge concerning the Indians of this vicinity. Of the Dakota and Winne-
bago Indians Mr. Grignon has said :
"Beginning with the soil, the first work was agriculture. The women
were very industrious and would begin in the spring to spade up their
ground for corn planting. They raised what was known as squaw corn,
which is a flint corn, and also raised pumpkins, and any other vegetables,
seed of which had found its way into their camp from the fur traders.
But pumpkins and corn were the principal crops raised. The corn was
cultivated with hoes — big clumsy implements that weighed as much as
three or four of our common garden hoes. It was principally eaten hulled,
also in meal after being ground up in a wooden bowl with a large wooden
pounder. This was their crude mill. This meal they baked into corn
bread, or made it into porridge. They also used gi-een corn as roasting
ears, and dried it in the following fashion : They dug a hole in the ground
and heated large stones ; on these heated stones they thi-ew husks, and on
the husks laid the green corn on cobs ; over this corn they threw more
husks, and then covered it up and let it cook. When it was thoroughly
cooked the corn was cut from the cob and put out on mats in the sun to dry.
This dried corn was used to make soup, and could be kept for years.
HISTORY OF TRE.MPEALEAU COUNTY 213
"Wigwams, before canvas was introduced, were made of woven grass ;
long grass called foxtail was utilized for this purpose. Mats made from
grasses were about four to six feet in width and twelve or sixteen feet in
length. A wooden rod was put at the end of the wigwam mat, and twine
made of basswood bark was used to tie the mat to the rod. Several of
these mats were used to construct a wigwam, and they would shed rain as
readily as canvas does. Both twine and mats were made by hand ; it was
a long piece of work for the squaw to make matting for a wigwam, but once
completed it lasted for years and was always kept in repair. The matting
was light and very easily carried either on ponies or in canoes. In making
this wigwam matting the Indians worked together, several squaws con-
gregating and working until the wigwam was completed, just as pioneer
women gathered at quilting bees. Mats were also used as carpets in the
wigwam, and were made for trading purposes as well, for the whites often
bought them for use in their houses. The women in the Indian camp also
prepared the meat, made the pemmican and jerked the fresh venison. This
kept well though no salt whatever was used. The women also made moc-
casins and tanned skins of animals for use as clothing. Bags were made
out of tanned skin and woven out of wild grasses. These bags were used
to carry cooking utensils, clothing and implements used about the wigwam.
"The Winnebago were noted for mat weaving, basket making, orna-
menting skins and making wooden brooms. They dug out canoes, bowls
and other dishes from wood. These wooden vessels were made by the men
and were oi'namented with the heads of deer and bears, or of some other
animal. They also made wooden ladles with handles ornamented with the
head of a fish or a bird. The men also made the reed, a musical instrument
like a flute. This reed was used in wooing ; a brave would play on his reed
in front of the wigwam where resided his lady love. He would play his
love tune, and if he was a welcome caller he would be invited in to see the
maid for whom he was playing. If he was not welcome, no notice was taken
of him, and he would take his departure. Sometimes he would return and
play night after night until the reluctant father of the Indian maid would
invite him in, but sometimes the father would drive the young wooer away.
"Another instrument of a musical character was the drum, made of a
hollow chunk of wood with a piece of rawhide stretched over it. This was
called the "tum-tum" and was used at all their dancing.
"Another article of manufacture was the bucket. This was made of
birch bark and sewed together with twine from basswood bark, while to
keep the bucket from leaking a glue, made from cherry sap or gum and from
the backbone of a sturgeon, was used. These birch bark pails were used
to catch sap. This was collected in a storage trough made of a log dug out
and burned so it would hold several barrels. In former years the women
did their sewing with sinew from the deer and elk and used bone needles.
"The Dakotas were noted for their leather articles. First was the
wigwam made of tanned buffalo hides, sewed together in the shape of a
tepee, which made a very warm dwelling. The hair was removed from
the buffalo skin in making these wigwams, but for blankets and carpets
the hides were tanned with the hair left on. These wigwams were deco-
214 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
rated with bi'ight paint. As a rule buffalo, deer, elk, horses and birds
were painted on the buffalo hide, but now and then you would see the
human figure on a tent, and I have seen a few where a scene with hills,
river and woods ornamented the wigwam.
"The Dakotas were the most ingenious of the western Indians in mak-
ing ornaments. They decorated their clothing with beads and shells. Por-
cupine quills stained with different colors were used to adorn their arrow
quivers, while the arrows were colored, that is, the feather was stained
some gaudy color. The bow was made of buffalo sinew and the arrows of
wood. The Dakotas were likewise expert pipe makers. They used pipe-
stone, with a reed that grows in marshy places, for a stem. The pipe was
decorated with bird claws, and tufts of fur from the weasel or mink. I
have seen some of the most beautiful pipes among the Dakotas that could
be imagined.
"The Chippewas were noted for their birch bark canoes. These were
made of sheets of birch bark sewed together with sinew and watap root,
and sealed with tamarack and pine pitch to keep them from leaking. These
canoes would carry more weight than one would suppose.
"Indian children usually have a happy time. The child is put into a
straight-back little cradle with sides and a bow handle. It is flat and has
no rocker, for none is needed. The young Indian babe seldom cries, because
it is seldom sick. It is a breast-fed baby, and gets along a great deal better
than the average white child. Two saplings are used to make a swing for
the baby. They are sharpened on one end and stuck in the ground about
seven feet apart. A cord made of basswood bark is tied to the cradle and
the babe is given a swing by tying the cord to the saplings. There the little
one is swung back and forth or jounced up and down. Little trinkets are
placed on the bow of the cradle for the baby's amusement, and it will lie
by the hour and play with these trinkets.
"The principal game of the Indian in this part of the country was
lacrosse. This game was often played as a sacred game, to redeem the
bereaved from their long mourning period. They were obliged by custom
to mourn a stated length of time, but could make a sacrifice instead, that
is, give away a certain amount of furs, blankets, or ponies ; and these were
played for in the lacrosse game. Two parties were formed, from a dozen to
fifteen on a side, and these parties played the game for the goods as a stake,
the winners taking the mourners' sacrifice. After the game the mourning
was at an end. The game was played with a ball and lacrosse sticks. The
ball must not be touched except with the lacrosse stick.
"Among the Indian children games are indulged in; one something
like shinny is played on the ice, and in another the players throw a twisted
hickory stick on the ice; this is driven towards a goal, the one coming
nearest the goal winning. Among the children sliding down hill is enjoyed.
They use basswood and elm bark in making sleds for coasting. They always
ride standing, and hold on to a string fastened to the front of their toboggan.
They also play on the glaring ice. One game or sport was to take a small
round niggerhead stone and spin it on the ice, then take a willow whip and
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 215
whip it over the ice as fast as they could go. They had tops to spin also,
made of wood and set in motion with a string.
"The marriage ceremony among the Indians was very simple. The
young buck would call at the wigwam where resided the Indian maid he
wished for a wife. If the mother of the girl was pleased with the young
brave she would not stir the fire in the least, but would sit quietly before
the glimmering light of the ground hearth. If, however, she was not
pleased with the young suitor, she would stir the fire again and again until
the wooer took his departure and would emphasize her disgust by spitting
into the fire at times. Another custom was for the young buck to bring
presents to the parents of the girl he desired, and if these presents, such
as ponies, furs and silver trinkets, were accepted, he would take the girl
for his wife.
"The Indians believed in 'maunhoonah,' meaning the Great Spirit or
Creator of Earth. They believed in the hereafter, and that in order to get
to the happy hunting ground they had to be good Indians. They had a
Grand Medicine Society, in its form allied to the Free Mason orders. Not
all could join this society, but a certain number were taken in each year.
Application was made for membership, and the names taken up in council,
and if elected to become a member the candidate was initiated into the
order, providing, of course, he could furnish the necessary fee of furs,
blankets, ponies, or goods of any kind. After being initiated the new mem-
ber was given a medicine bag made of the skin of some animal, such as the
coon, squirrel, otter or beaver.
"The medicine man who looks after the bodily ailments of the tribe is
not to be confounded with the medicine man who is a member of the Great
Medicine Lodge. The former is usually above the average intelligence,
and gifted with the power of impressing his superiority upon the Indians,
that is, in deahng with disease. This power of dispelling disease is sup-
posed to be given him by the Great Spirit. In treating a patient, the medi-
cine man goes through certain incantations and rattles a gourd, which has
seed or shot in it. He also uses roots and herbs for the treatment of the
sick. A great deal of ginseng is used, and the bark of poplar trees, man-
drake or May apple root and sweet flag. The list of herbs would be a long
one, and some of the medicine men obtained very good results from these
herbs, which they used as a tea, after steeping them over a fire in a kettle
containing a sufficient amount of water. Some of these Indian doctors
became noted even among the whites, and were able in a limited number
of diseases to give relief and obtain cures. They also practiced surgery,
setting bones, opening abscesses and treating wounds of various kinds.
Their instruments were crude and were made mostly of bone and iron.
"At the burial or funeral ceremony, some member of the tribe was
appointed to speak at the grave of the departed Indian. The mourners
passed around the head of the grave in single file and scattered tobacco
over the open grave. The funeral orator gave an oration on the life of the
departed and pictured his journey into the land of the hereafter. Food
was left on the grave sufficient to carry him on his journey, and a supply
of tobacco, so that he could take comfort on the way to the happy hunting
216 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
ground. On the death of a member of the tribe, the survivors had a wake ;
friends and mourners met at the home where a death occurred, a speech
was made, after which all except the mourners joined in a feast. This
wake was the beginning of mourning, and the mourners observed the cus-
tom of fasting for at least three days. If a woman lost her husband, she
remained with her husband's relatives for a number of months and was
compelled to do their work without a murmur. She was not allowed to
comb her hair for a number of months, or to ornament herself in any way,
but went ragged and dirty with her hair unkempt and was forced to do the
bidding of her husband's relatives. At the end of the mourning period she
was liberated to go where she pleased and do as she pleased ; she frequently
remarried.
"When I was at Long Prairie, I was much interested in a custom among
the Winnebago of making morning speeches. Early each morning when
the weather would permit, one of the orators would appear in front of his
wigwam and give an address of a religious nature to the Indians, who would
assemble to hear the exhorter. He usually spoke in a kindly way, offering
advice and telling the tribesmen to carry themselves in a manner befitting
good, true men and women. I suppose such a person among the whites
would be called an evangehst.
"Among the noted orators and chiefs that I have known were Winno-
shiek, Black Hawk, Decorah, Wah-pa-sha, Little Creek, Little Priest, Snake
Hide, Little Hill, Short Wing, and many others whose names I cannot recall.
Big Fire was a noted astronomer. He studied the heavens and was familiar
with the principal groups of stars.
"The Indians had the heavens mapped out into constellations and were
familiar with all the changes of the moon. They often studied the stars
on cold nights when the light from the constellations was most brilliant. A
month was called a moon and a year of time designated a winter.
"Legends and traditions of the tribes were passed down from one gener-
ation to another by means of 'word passers.' A number of young Indians,
say eight or ten, were chosen on account of their good memories to. study,
and learn lessons from the older 'word passers.' These young Indians were
drilled in the legends, history, and traditions of the tribe. They were
required to repeat them over and over again, omitting no detail, until they
knew them by heart ; and when the old 'word passers' died, another gener-
ation of young men was selected and instructed by their predecessors. Thus
dates and incidents were passed on from generation to generation, and a
living history was kept. An old Winnebago chief, Decorah, had a very
interesting cane that he showed me one day, when I visited him in his
wigwam. On this cane were carved many figures, a sort of hieroglyphics.
It had been handed down from father to son and was in reality a record
which old Decorah could read. It was a crude history of the tribe covering
a good many years, and if I could remember some of the accounts Decorah
gave me as recorded on the cane, they would be worth hearing.
"The Dakotas were fond of decorating themselves with quills, furs,
and feathers ; but I think they had one custom which is worth noting. A
brave, or more particularly a warrior, used a war-eagle feather to adorn
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 217
his hair. This long feather in the hair of a warrior was a mark of distinc-
tion, and it was acquired on merit, for no brave could wear one who did not
merit it. On the feather notches were cut if the warrior had been success-
ful in war. Each notch on one side of the feather represented a scalp
taken from an enemy. The notches on the other side signified the number
of times the brave had been on the war-path. This made it easy for one
to tell what kind of a war record a brave had. If a warrior had a well-
notched feather he was looked up to and envied and praised by his tribes-
men; he felt his superiority, too, and carried himself with a distinguished
air. War-eagles were scarce and it was sometimes hard to get feathers.
I remember one time seeing an Indian trade a pony for a war-eagle feather.
Hunting parties from Wabashaw's village used to go out in search for the
war-eagle, and a favorite resting-place for these eagles was among the hills
of Waumandee. Waumandee means in the Dakota tongue 'the land of the
war-eagle.'
"Another peculiar custom which I recollect is the method of inviting a
party of Indians to attend a dance, feast, or other gathering. One day
while I was camped with a band of Sioux near the site of what is now Marsh-
land, an Indian came into camp who was from another camp near Homer
(Minnesota). He had crossed the Mississippi in a canoe, and came to
invite several of the Indians over to his camp to attend a medicine dance.
He would enter a tent and pass around some small sticks, and explain his
object and depart. He must have had at least fifty sticks answering the
purpose of invitation cards, which he distributed.
"One August day in the '50s we went up the tamarack pluming, for
the place was noted for its wild plums. We had started to gather plums, and
were intent on our work, when all of a sudden the stillness of the summer
solitude was broken by a yell, a war-cry uttered in its wild, blood-curdling
manner. On looking up I saw our party completely surrounded by a- band
of Sioux warriors. It was a war party out after Chippewa ; they mistook
us for their enemies, but soon saw their mistake and went peaceably away.
We gathered our plums in safety and returned home, but we never forgot
the surprise we received by the Sioux warriors.
"In cases of murder in the tribe the guilty party was given a trial.
Witnesses were called to testify and speakers were chosen for and against
the defendant. If the accused person was found guilty, a council was held
to determine the punishment. They usually ordered the murderer killed
in the same manner he used in slaying his victim — death by shooting,
stabbing, or tomahawking as the case might be. In some cases the accused
would redeem himself by furnishing enough goods such as ponies, furs, or
weapons, to secure his liberty ; these goods which were distributed among
the dead person's immediate relatives, prevented retaliation on their part.
"The Indians as I knew them were as a general thing peaceable. They
loved their native haunts and their families and may be called a happy
people. They had plenty. Game abounded ; there was an abundance of fur-
bearing animals ; and the streams were full of fish. There was no need of
poverty, for with plenty of corn and wild meat and with fur enough to
buy ammunition, traps, and knives, there was little else needed to make
218 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
their lot an easy and comfortable one. They were not a stolid people, but
were fond of fun. There was a humorous side to the Indian and a genial
friendship when once you came to know him, and I have no respect for
that unnatural picture so often made of him — the word picture of the
novehst that shows him devoid of sentiment and emotion, a cold, cruel,
unfeeling stoic, whose face is never rippled with a smile or stained with a
tear. I think there is a truer picture of the Indian, as a natural human
being with a heart that feels pain and pleasure, with a mind that appre-
ciates the good and bad, the true and false, with a spirit that enjoys home
and companions and friendship, with a life that throbs with love and senti-
ment. The Indian I know loved and laughed with his children, visited
his neighbor, had warm personal friendships, and loved the life of peaceful
contentment he was living, a life near to nature.
"I have often visited the Dakota and Winnebago and passed long,
pleasant hours in their wigwams, talking with them on various subjects
as we sat circled about the glowing fire. I have heard the laugh of their
children and seen them frolic about as happy as any young ones I ever saw.
I have seen them play games and join in sports, and they were as interesting
to watch as other children. Of course, there were some whose barbarous
nature was revealed. There are some white people also whose barbarous
natuVe gets the upper hand of them. But take the Indian, all in all, he
was a happy creature during the fur-trading days." (See Eben D. Pierce,
Recollections of Antoine Gregnon, Wis. Hist. Soc. Proceedings, 1913, pp.
110-136.)
Remains of a French Post Near Trempealeau.. I — Archaeological
Sketch by Eben D. Pierce. In the early '80s Dr. Lyman C. Draper, then
secretary of the State Historical Society, received a request from the French
Academy of History for information regarding the location of Perrot's post,
as indicated on Franquelin's map of 1688, a few miles above the mouth of
Black River on the east bank of the Mississippi. Doctor Draper sought
the assistance of A. W. Newman, of Trempealeau, later justice of Wisconsin
Supreme Court, who was much interested in local history. He enlisted
the services of Judge B. F. Heuston, then at work on a history of Trempea-
leau, who took up the work with enthusiasm and carefully searched the
riverside of the bluffs for some mark of the ancient fort. He made several
journeys to Trempealeau Bay in the vain effort to find some trace of the
early post, as the bay would seem to have afforded an excellent site for
wintering quarters.
Meanwhile, some of the workmen engaged in grading the Chicago,
Burhngton & Northern Railway along the river discovered, about two miles
above the village, the remains of fireplaces or hearths. Judge Heuston,
hearing of these finds, decided to visit the place and investigate. He
selected George H. Squier to assist him and accompanied by Antoine Grignon
and W. A. Finkelnburg, of Winona, they went to the place where the fire-
places had been uncovered and began excavations. The next spring. Judge
Newman having communicated these facts to the State Historical Society,
Reuben G. Thwaites, then the newly-elected secretary of the Society, came
to Trempealeau and on April 18, accompanied by W. A. Finkelnburg and the
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 219
local historians, made a historical pilgrimage to the site of the post that
had been found, and continued the excavations.
The first fireplace had already been laid bare, and Mr. Squier had suc-
ceeded in tracing by a line of charcoal the former wall of the building. The
dimensions of the building were about 20 by 30 feet; the fireplace was 2V2
feet in depth and 4 feet long with enclosing walls at back and sides. The
chimney had undoubtedly been a wooden structure made of small logs with
clay daubing, as there was not enough stone found to indicate a stone
chimney.
A blacksmith's forge was also unearthed, together with some scrap
iron, and a pile of charcoal which had evidently been used in a smelter. A
pile of slag, some 16 feet in diameter, was found, showing that the occu-
pants of the post had attempted smelting. The slag consisted of a mixture
of iron ore and limestone. The remains of the smelting furnace were also
found. Other relics discovered included some hand-wrought nails, buff'alo
bones, an old-fashioned flintlock pistol, a gun barrel, and an auger. The
pistol was of excellent make, which led Mr. Squier to believe that the ex-
plorers had excavated the officers' quarters. Seven of the original build-
ings were unearthed in all ; one was left undisturbed.
James Reed, the first settler in this county, said that when he first came
to Trempealeau in 1840, he had noticed the elevated foundations at this
place, where part of the fireplace protruded above the sod, but as the region
abounded in Indian mounds of various types, he had attached no especial
significance to this particular elevation. There was, however, a lingering
tradition among the Indians of the locality concerning a French fort near
the sacred Trempealeau Mountain.
In the summer of 1912 George H. Squier, Antoine Grignon, and the
writer did some excavating at this site. By a cross-sectional excavation
we were able to pick up the charcoal line of the main building and follow it
several feet, and from this it was possible to verify Mr. Squier's early
estimate of its dimensions. We also found, besides charcoal, numerous
bones, among which were the jawbone of a beaver, the toe bones and claw of
a bear, and some large bones either of elk or buffalo.
The place was well selected for wintering quarters. It lay near the
head of a slough which, setting back from the Mississippi, afforded a quiet
harbor free from the menace of floating ice. Springs exist in the side of
Brady's and Sullivan's peaks a quarter of a mile away, but the river water
was drinkable, and there was an abundance of firewood. The bluffs pro-
tected the post from the cold north and east winds.
II. Additional Archaeological Details : by George H. Squier. It is now
nearly 30 years since the French post at Trempealeau was first discovered,
and those who had part in that discovery have nearly all pased away. As it
chanced the writer was the first to uncover any portion of the remains, and
it was also his fortune that this first site explored was that of the most
important and best constructed of the group and afforded a key to the
construction plan and the identity of the remains. To the brief account
given in the tenth volume of the Wisconsin Historical Collections, the writer
220 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
is the only one alive who is able to add from first-hand knowledge, details
that were noted but not recorded at the time the post was first laid bare.
In describing the remains one basic fact must be borne in mind, namely,
that they show t\vo distinct periods of occupancy, the earlier of which was
probably that of Perrot, the latter with little doubt represented by Linctot.
Most of the descriptions, therefore, must apply to the latter rather than to
the earlier post. The only portion of the remains which can confidently
be ascribed to the earlier period is the lower of two hearths occupying
the same site. If there were any other remains of this earlier period, they
were indistinguishably mingled with those of the latter. This earlier
hearth was less carefully constructed than the latter, hence we may conjec-
ture that Perrot's accommodations were cruder than those of Linctot. So
far as the character of the construction could be judged from the remains,
it by no means equaled the average squatter's cabin in solidity and per-
manence, and there was nothing whatever to indicate any attempt at
defensive construction.
Of the hearths other than the largest one, which was the first to be
uncovered, it is believed there were five, two of which were removed in
grading the railway. In comparison with the first, these five were much
inferior in construction, the hearthstones being very irregular" in form
with no indications of backs or chimneys. As this would indicate that the
smoke escaped through the roof, it would point to structures very little
removed from Indian tepees slightly modified for white occupancy. Their
true positions with reference to Number 1 and to each other were not
determined, but their distribution was rather irregular.
In front of the supposed officers' quarters were two constructions
representing the industrial equipment of the post. One of these was the
blacksmith's forge. The excavations about this were conducted by the
owner of a private museum at St. Paul, Minn., assisted by Antoine Grignon.
As was to be expected, this furnished the greater portion of the metal rehcs.
Among them I remember a pistol, an auger, a staple, some nails, and several
bits of scrap iron. The other construction, which was explored by myself,
undoubtedly represented an attempt to reduce our local iron ores by the
open-hearth process. There were the remains of a large pile of charcoal
several feet in diameter, and a considerable pile of the resultant slag,
representing material in all stages of fusion from the glassy to that showing
unfused fragments of the ore and limestone intimately commingled. That
this ore, a residual from the decay of limestone and usually associated with
flint, is not now very abundant about the Trempealeau bluff's is believed
to be in part due to the fact that it was largely gathered up by the occupants
of this post, since it occurs in considerable abundance in many other Missis-
sippi River bluffs.
It seems probable that Linctot's occupancy was something more than
temporary, and represented a tentative attempt to establish a permanent
post, which, however, was soon abandoned. There are evidences that the
French scoured the region for a considerable distance around the post —
an ax of the period having been recovered from a shallow pond three miles
eastward.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 221
The relation these remains bear to Indian antiquities is worthy of
notice. A considerable group of mounds occurs only a few rods west of
the site, and a single mound appears on the rather prominent stony point
in front of the post. There are some pecuhar features, not found elsewhere
in this region, in the manner of disposal and burning of the skeletons
covered by this mound ; while conspicuously different from the usual Indian
methods they are much like primitive methods practiced in Europe. It
seems reasonable to suppose that the French were in some way concerned
in these burials. It may be noted that the lower of the two hearths on
the supposed site of the officers' quarters was itself built over an Indian
bake hole in which ashes and bones were found.
Before the uncovering of the site there was nothing in any way resem-
bhng a tumulus. Indeed, the surface was more even than it is now, for in
the process of excavation the dirt was heaped up in places. At the largest
hearth the clay with which the chimney had been plastered formed a cover-
ing a few inches thick over the natural surface, but the rise was so small
and the slope so gentle that it was scarcely recognizable. The one feature
noted by James Reed and Antoine Grignon, which led to the final discovery
of the place was that the sides and back of the hearth, formed of small flat
stones, projected an inch or two above the surface. The construction was
so rude, however, that Judge Heuston, W. A. Finkelnburg, and Antoine
Grignon, who preceded me to the place, after examining some of the top
stones concluded that it was not artificial and went on to the bay. Coming
up after they had left, there seemed to me something in the arrangement
not quite natural, and working around carefully with a garden trowel I
quickly exposed the outlines, and by the time they returned from the bay
the hearth was fully exposed. The hearth proper was about 2 by 4 feet in
dimensions, while the outside dimensions of the chimney were probably
about twice as large. The sides and back were built of small flat stones laid
in clay to a height somewhere between one and two feet, above which the
chimney construction must have been of small logs plastered with clay, in
which a considerable amount of grass was mixed for better binding. The
hearths themselves were of such flat stones as could be found in the vicinity,
the best of them being used in this hearth at the officers' quarters. With
the possible exception of some slight trimming of the edges no tool work had
been given them. But this and the underlying hearth were covered by
several inches of ashes with which were mingled numerous fragments of
bones of birds and small animals. The larger bones were thrown out back
of the hearth which was evidently at the western end of the principal
building.
It is probable that the stone construction did not extend much more
than a foot above the hearth and that these stones were mostly in place
when the remains were discovered. Very few stones were found mingled
with the debris around the hearth, which could hardly have been the case
had any considerable height of such construction fallen down. It is prob-
able that the log enclosure was built up from the ground of sufficient size to
permit a protective interlining, which at the bottom was of stones laid in
clay. After the supply of stones gave out the construction was continued
222 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
of clay alone as high as needed. Used in this way the stones were added
as fillers, much as we do in concrete constructions, with little eflfort to
arrange them in orderly sequence.
According to cross-sectional excavations made in the summer of 1912
the dimensions of this building were 20 by 30 feet; but these figures are
to be looked upon as merely a conjectural estimate. There was nothing
whatever to determine the position of the south wall, and the evidence
concerning the location of the east wall was very slight. The distance from
the northwest corner to the south side of the hearth was about 10 feet.
Five or six feet should be allowed for a door, which there is reason to
believe existed on the west side south of the hearth, so that an estimate
of 20 feet for the width of the building can not be regarded as excessive.
As far as traced, the north wall was a straight, even, sharply-defined line
of charcoal, perhaps ten inches wide. Nothing which could be regarded
as its counterpart was found on the east side. (See Wisconsin Historical
Society, Proceedings, 1915, pp. 111-123.)
Organization of County. AN Act to organize the County of Trempe a
I'eau. Published, Jan. 30, 1854.
The people of the State of Wisconsin, represented in Senate and Assem-
bly, do enact as follows :
1. All that portion of country embraced in the following boundaries,
is hereby set off into a separate county to be called and known as the County
of Trempe a I'eau, to-wit: Beginning at the point on the Mississippi River
where the line between townships 17 and 18 north, strikes said river ; thence
running east on said line to the main channel of Black River ; thence up the
main channel of Black River to the line between townships 18 and 19 north ;
thence east on said line to the range line between ranges 6 and 7 west;
thence north on said range line to the line between townships 24 and 25
north ; thence west on said line and to the range line between ranges 9 and 10
west ; thence south on said range line to Trempe a I'eau River ; thence down
the main channel of the Trempe a I'eau River to the Mississippi River;
thence down the main channel of the Mississippi River to the place of
beginning.
2. There shall be an election held in said county on the first Monday
of September, 1854, for the election of a suitable person for county judge of
said county, which election shall be conducted and the returns thereof made
as now required by law for the election of county judges; and the judge so
elected shall hold his office for the term of three years from and after the
1st day of January, 1855, and until his successor is elected and qualified.
3. At the general election to be held in the month of November, 1854,
there shall be elected in said county, all proper county officers ; which officers
shall qualify as now provided by law, and enter upon the duties of their
several offices the 1st day of January, 1855.
4. The board of supervisors of the Town of Monteville, in said county,
shall have power to act as the board of supervisors of said county until
other towns in said county shall be organized and elections therein held lor
town officers as now provided by law.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 223
5. The seat of justice in said county shall be, and the same is hereby
located, on the northwest quarter of section 33, in township 19 north, of
range 8 west.
6. The said County of Trempe a I'eau is hereby attached to the County
of La Crosse for judicial purposes, until the 1st day of January, 1855, after
which time the said county shall be fully organized for judicial purposes
and shall be attached to the sixth judicial circuit.
7. The county court for said County of Trempe a I'eau shall be held
at the county seat thereof, on the first Monday of March, the first Monday of
June, the first Monday of September, and the first Monday of December in
each year, after said county is organized for judicial purposes as provided in
this Act.
8. This Act shall take effect from and after its passage.
Approved, Jan. 27, 1854. (Chap. 2, General Laws — State of Wis-
consin.)
CHAPTER XI
MODERN VILLAGES
Trempealeau County has eight incorporated villages. Trempealeau,
Galesville, Osseo and Eleva were started on their present sites with their
present names before they were supplied with railroads. Before Arcadia
was started, Old Arcadia, a mile away, was a thriving village, at that time
the third in importance in the county. Before Whitehall was started. Old
Whitehall, a mile away, was a thriving hamlet. Before Blair was started,
there was a store and a postoffice not far away.
Trempealeau was platted April 21, 22 and 23, 1852 (as Montoville, April
7, 1852), was incorporated nearly two decades later and reincorporated
March 10, 1900. Galesville was platted April 22, 1854, and incorporated
June 13, 1887. Arcadia was platted Jan. 27, 1874, and incorporated Dec.
17, 1878. Whitehall was platted Jan. 20, 1874, and incorporated June 14,
1887. Eleva was platted Sept. 10, 1877, and incorporated Jan. 14, 1902.
Osseo was platted Sept. 22, 1857, and incorporated Sept. 4, 1893. Inde-
pendence was platted May 13, 1876, and was incorporated Dec. 16, 1885.
Blair was platted April 16, 1877 (as Porterville, Sept. 2 and 3, 1873), and
was incorporated Sept. 6, 1894.
The census of 1910 shows the population of the villages as follows:
Arcadia, 1,212; Galesville, 873; Whitehall, 703; Independence, 664;
Trempealeau, 535; Osseo, 548; Blair, 486; Eleva, 319.
The census of 1900 shows this population: Arcadia, 1,273; Galesville,
862 ; Trempealeau, 609 ; Independence, 630 ; Whitehall, 600 ; Blair, 438.
The census of 1890 shows this population: Arcadia, 659; Galesville,
537 ; Independence, 382 ; Whitehall, 304.
The census of 1880 shows this population: Arcadia, 720; Galesville,
410 ; Independence, 365 ; Whitehall, 267.
Dodge, Pigeon Falls, Ettrick and Strum are thriving places of between
150 and 300 population each. Dodge was platted Feb. 20, 1874 ; Ettrick, June
30, 1877 ; Pigeon Falls, May 30, 1894 ; and Strum, Sept. 26, 1898. Pleasant
Valley is a trading center platted Feb. 16, 17, 19, 1877. Caledonia, platted
Sept. 14, 1855, is now merely a neighborhood center. At Coral City, platted
on May 28, 1864, there is a mill, a mill dam and a number of houses. At
Old Whitehall, platted May 23, 1862, there are two or three houses and a
cemetery. East Arcadia, platted April 23 and 24, 1874, and West Arcadia,
platted Aug. 15, 1874, adjoin the village of Arcadia. West Prairie is a com-
munity center, with a cemetery, a church, a band stand, a mill and a school-
house. Other places, such as Elk Creek, Tamarack, Centerville, French-
ville, Hegg, Iduna, Norden, Pine Creek, and Russell, are community or
trading centers.
224
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 225
Arcadia
Arcadia is the metropolis of Trempealeau County. It is situated in
the western part of the county on the banks of Trempealeau River. Rail-
road facilities are furnished by the Green Bay & Western. The flats east
and west of the river furnish a well-shaded and well-laid-out residence
section in which are many beautiful buildings. The business section is
situated on the flats east of the river. Circling this section is a plateau
with handsome residences. The street from the business section to Old
Arcadia is also lined with sightly homes. The commanding churches, the
new high school, the Carnegie Library, the macadamized streets, the spread-
ing lawns and magnificent shrubbery all go to make up as pretty a village
as is to be found in Western Wisconsin.
The village has two banks, a newspaper, two creameries, a brewery,
two mills, three elevators and a stock yard. The principal shipments are
cattle, hogs, sheep and grain.
There are six churches in Arcadia — the Church of Our Lady of Per-
petual Help, St. Stanislaus church, St. John's German Evangelical Lutheran,
St. John's Christ German Evangelical Lutheran, the Methodist Episcopal,
and the Evangelical Association. The little church on the hill, first the
Baptist church, then a People's church, and then a Unitarian church, is
now unoccupied.
Arcadia was platted Jan. 27, 1874, on land owned by H. Ketchum, D. M.
Kelly, George Hiles and I. A. Briggs.
Late in the fall of 1878 a movement was started looking to the incor-
poration and organization of the village. A census was taken therein by
D. B. Stitt on Oct. 30 and 31, and the proposed Hmits were found to contain
710 people. A survey of the territory was made Oct. 31, 1878, by Hiram B.
Merchant, who was a practical surveyor and who made a map thereof. On
Dec. 9, 1878, E. A. Morgan, 4. F. Hensel, J. P. Mallinger, Otto Gazal and
J. C. Muir petitioned the court that an order be made incorporating the
village of Arcadia. The order was duly issued Dec. 17, 1878, by Hon. A. W.
Newman, judge. On Feb. 18, 1879, an election resulted in the choice of
E. C. Higbee as president, W. W. Barnes, Seth Putnam, Otto Gazal, J. C.
Muir, -John Maurer and J. Martin Fertig as trustees ; John N. Stariha as
clerk; A. F. Hensel as treasurer; Dr. F. L. Lewis as supervisor; Math
Danuser as marshal; George Schneller as constable; Douglas Arnold as
justice of the peace, and C. M. Mercer as pohce justice, all for three months.
The first annual village election was held May 6, 1879. Mr. Higbee was
elected president ; Messrs. Barnes, Fertig, Mueller, Mergerner, Putnam and
Jacob Schneller were elected trustees ; John N. Stariha, clerk ; A. F. Hensel,
treasurer; C. M. Mercer, police justice; Douglas Arnold, justice; Math
Danuser, marshal; George Schneller, constable; Dr. F. L. Lewis, supervisor.
The present officers of Arcadia are : President, John Roesch ; trustees,
E. G. Bigham, A. C. Foster, William Knoop, J. F. Muir, F. Steinhauser and
George Weisenberger ; clerk, Robert Barlow; assessor, J. K. Cysweski; jus-
tice, John F. Beon ; supervisor. Dr. J. A. Palmer ; marshal, William Hogan ;
health oflficer, Dr. G. N. Hidershide.
226 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
The municipal improvements of Arcadia consist of an electric light
plant, a waterworks system, a fire department, a village hall, a village clock,
a Carnegie Library, a high school, a public park, macadamized roads, and
several bridges.
Street lighting had its beginning Oct. 9, 1891, when the village council
voted to purchase twelve oil street lamps, and made arrangements for their
lighting and care. Electric lighting had its inception June 19, 1893, when
W. R. Wolfe was given a franchise to erect an electric light plant and place
poles in the streets. After considerable discussion of the question, the
Arcadia Electric Light Plant, with John Grover (president), W. R. Wolfe
(treasurer) and Louis Hohnmann as owners, was given a contract to supply
the streets with arc lights for four years. But, owing to restrictions
placed upon the company, the streets were never hghted under this con-
tract. Mr. Wolfe, however, put in a plant and furnished the leading busi-
ness houses with electricity for some six months before he sold to Benton
& Son, who removed the plant. The next move made toward street lighting
was on Jan. 10, 1896, when a franchise was granted the Arcadia Milling
Company. A contract for street lighting was made Jan. 17, 1896, and
several months later the first street lights were installed. The village
purchased the plant Oct. 16, 1903, practically renewed the system, and
connected it with the power plant at the waterworks.
Fire protection in the early days was furnished by a volunteer bucket
company and a hand pump. May 20, 1891, it was voted to buy a fire engine
and bell. In the fall the engine arrived, wells were dug, and additional
equipment was purchased. On Oct. 30, 1891, the fire ordinance was passed
and a few days later, on Nov. 3, 1891, the fire company was organized with
the following officers: Secretary, Charles J. Larson; treasurer, Archie
Hunter ; chief, John .Durisch ; trustees, C. Wohlgenant, C. W. Lubs, J. P.
Runkel and Joseph Hild. The company now consists of forty-two volun-
teers, and is well equipped with modern apparatus. The village bell is in
the village hall, and the fire whistle is at the village power plant. The
village clock is in the belfry of the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help,
and was installed in the spring of 1903, under a contract signed May 15 of
that year.
The village hall was erected in 1893-94 at a cost of about $4,000. The
lot was purchased from the Board of Trade Feb. 10, 1893, a special election
to vote bonds was held June 9, 1893, and work was started in the fall. It
was occupied in the spring, being officially accepted April 20, 1894. The
lower floor is devoted to the fire department, jail, council chambers anc
clerk's office, while the upper floor is used for lodge purposes.
The first macadamizing in Arcadia was done in 1895, bonds of $5,000
for that purpose being voted on March 22 of that year. A stone crusher
was purchased and operations commenced on an extensive scale. The vil-
lage now has a macadamized street extending from the Buffalo County
line through the village to the "Two Mile Corner," so called, beyond the mill.
The road to the Arcadia Mineral Spring is also macadamized, as are several
of the cross streets.
The waterworks plant consists of an artesian well, a pumping station
HISTORY OF TREilPEALEAU COUNTY 227
at which is also located the electric light plant, and the reservoir on Barnes
Bluff. The mains cover the principal streets of the village. Bonds of
$15,000 were voted Dec. 17, 1901, the ordinance was passed Dec. 19, 1902, and
the residences of the village were supplied with water the following spring.
The village park was purchased from J. R. P. Hiles Feb. 20, 1909, and
consists of sixteen acres of land. It has been improved by voluntary work,
and is used largely as a ball ground, the young men of the village having
erected a grand stand thereon. One of the beauty spots of the village is
a private park owned by J. M. Fertig. This park, located along the river
fi'ont, is kept in its natural condition, and is stocked with a number of native
deer, the admiration of travelers from near and far.
The iron bridge across the Trempealeau at Arcadia was built in 1899,
the vote being passed March 10. This replaced a wooden bridge, on the
same site, the wooden bridge, in turn, taking the place of the ford a little
further down the river. In the early days there were two other fords
further up the river, and the "Three Mile Bridge" was built as a wooden
structure some years before the railroad came through.
A school district comprising the whole town of Arcadia was organized
May 24, 1857, and a meeting held at the home of David Bishop in May.
School was opened soon thereafter in a log building, with Sarah Bishop
McMasters as first teacher. In June, 1860, a frame structure was erected
on the same site. After the railroad came through an annex was estab-
lished in a private residence. When the railroad came through the building
was moved to the near village, where in time it became the county court-
house. The graded brick school on the hill was built with four departments
in 1875, and later two more departments were added. The present sightly
high school structure was erected in 1915. The new building, which was
erected at a cost of nearly $45,000, is regarded as a model of its kind. It
has a large and beautiful auditorium, with stage. There are English,
mathematics, history, foreign language, commercial, teachers' training,
domestic science, manual training, agriculture and library rooms, besides a
large gymnasium in the basement. The lighting and ventilation are per-
fect, the heating is the most modern system of direct and indirect radiation,
and the temperature is regulated automatically. The equipment is good
and is being constantly improved.
The beautiful Carnegie Library was erected in 1906. March 29, 1905,
the village council voted an annual appropriation of $500 for this library.
That sum has also been given annually to support the public library for some
years previous.
The Arcadia Board of Trade was organized Aug. 11, 1885, among those
interested being R. L. Dickens, 0. 0. Peterson, Nic. Lehrbach, Stephen
Richmond, J. M. Fertig, George N. Hidershide, F. F. Morgan, John Maurer,
W. P. Massuere, Emil Maurer, J. D. Rainey and R. W. Wheeler. After a
time the association went into the grain buying business in order to estab-
lish equitable rates for the farmers. Business was suspended in the sum-
mer of 1898. The land owned by the board was sold to the village and is
now used as a village hall.
228 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
The Arcadia Brewery has long occupied a leading position in Arcadia
business life. It was established in 1874 or 1875 by Nick Mergner. In
1876 Bion & Co. erected an imposing structure which is a part of the present
establishment.
The woolen industry was at one time numbered among the industries
of the village. In the early '70s Philander Allen started a woolen mill. He
sold to Dr. Isaac A. Briggs. The Arcadia Woolen Mills were built in 1876
by Dyke, Allen & Co. and were in operation for several years. The produc-
tion of wool has increased in volume and importance, but the raw wool is
now shipped to other places.
The Arcadia Mineral Springs are among the pleasant features of
Arcadia life. In 1878 a hotel was built at the springs by George Hiles, a
race track was laid out, and preparations made for an extensive summer
resort. But the hotel was burned before it was completed in 1879, and the
place abandoned. The spring is now permanently arched with cement, and
presents an inviting appearance to the traveler, but is not now used for
commercial purposes. The water has highly medicinal qualities, and con-
stitutes one of the natural resources of the village yet to be developed and
exploited.
Arcadia had its beginning with the settlement of Old Arcadia in 1855.
The first store in Old Arcadia was opened in 1857 by George Shelly,
in his residence on the present site of the home of George Schmidt. The
house was a crude pioneer structure, boarded roughly up and down. The
next was opened in a lean-to addition to the home of Daniel C. Dewey bj-
Mr. Dewey and Dr. Isaac A. Briggs. The next store was that of Gay D.
Storm. Before long quite a settlement sprang up at the "Corners."
When the railroad came through in the fall of 1873, Old Arcadia was
the scene of busy activity. At the northeast corner of the crossroads was
the hotel and store of George Dewey. North of this was the home of P. H.
Varney, justice of the peace, and north of him lived Gus Quinn and his aged
father.
At the northwest corner of the crossroads was the store of Campbell &
Geislin, afterward owned by Ole Peterson and Thom Thompson. West of
Campbell & Geislin's store was the brick store and residence of John D.
Rainey. West of the Rainey store was the harness shop of Ed. DeLay.
Between the Rainey and DeLay locations there had early stood the Quinn
cabin in which the postoffice had been opened. Then came the residence of
Daniel C. Dewey, in the lean-to of which one of the earliest stores had been
kept. Next came the brick residence of Ervin J. Gorton, and next the resi-
dence of Ed Gorton. West of this Isaac Ball had at one time kept a blacK-
smith shop. Then came the postofhce in the residence of Charles Mercer,
in the upper story of which was a public hall, in which justice court was
sometimes held. Mrs. Mercer was the widow of David Bishop, the pioneer,
who had been killed by lightning. Then came the old schoolhouse. West
of the schoolhouse had once lived Albro Matterson. His straw barn was a
conspicuous landmark. Further along were the residences of John Penny.
J. R. Penny and Benjamin F. Holcomb.
' tILSTORY OF TREiVlPEALP:AU COUNTY 229
At the southwest corner of the crossroads was an empty lot. Pre-
viously on the site there had stood a log house originally used as a school-
house, and moved from the school lot to this location to be used as a drug
store by Dr. George. Next west of this vacant corner was the drug store
and residence of Dr. Franlt L. Lewis. West of this store was a hotel and
saloon on the place originally occupied by George Dewey. When Mr. Dewey
moved, John P. Mallinger, better known as "Hans Pete," conducted a hotel
and saloon there, followed by George Motchenbacker, who was there when
the railroad came. Next to the west was the blacksmith shop of Edward
Nichols, in the upper story of which was a hall, the scene of many a famous
gathering. Next was the blacksmith shop of Albro Matterson. West of
this was a vacant building put up and used as a store by Charles Mercer,
who had previously clerked for Gay T. Storm. It passed into other hands
and was opened as a saloon. Under the operation of a man named Williams,
the place became so obnoxious that the good ladies of the community
wrecked the place and destroyed the intoxicants. West of this was the
furniture store of E. J. Tracy. Next came the brick store of E. J. Gorton.
This was the famous Storm store. Early settlers tell of the gatherings of
Winnebago Indians held near this place, and the famous pow-wows in
which they participated. The brick for the Storm store, the Rainey store
and the E. J. Gorton residence were made nearby, probably at the brick
kiln of Dr. I. A. Briggs, which flourished for some years thereafter. The
arrival of the itinerant tintype photographer was also an important event
for several seasons, and in their tents they did a flourishing business. Next
to the Gorton store was a building which had been occupied by Michael
Mochenbacher as a shoe shop. This had been built as a shoe shop by
John D. Rainey. Mochenbacher made and repaired boots and shoes, some-
times using his own leather, but sometimes taking a piece of cowhide fur-
nished by a settler, and making it into fitted boots for the whole family.
Next to the shop was the Mochenbacher residence.
East of the southeast corner of the crossroads was the residence of
Henry Dewey, in which George Shelly had opened the first store. The
corner lot was vacant.
East of Old- Arcadia was the residence of Joseph Kellogg and his 'sister
Jane. With them also lived another sister and Joseph Farber, an itinerant
evangelist and school teacher. Next east was the residence of James
Broughton south of the road, and Broughton's Mill north of the road. At
the pond of this mill, in 1857, Eugene Broughton, a son of James Broughton,
was drowned while swimming. Further east the road branched to North
Creek, and still further east to American, Thompson and Newcomb valleys.
To the north of Old Arcadia, the first house was that of David L. Hol-
combe, on the west side of the road leading across the river bridge to Inde-
pendence.
To the south of Old Arcadia, the first house was Charles Fisher and his
father, the Elder.
The road leading along the highlands east and south of the present
village was well occupied. West was the Benjamin F. Holcombe place,
already mentioned in connection with Old Arcadia. Then came the Alonzo
230 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Kenyon residence. From across the street from the Kenyon residence, a
foot-path led southwest toward the Gaveney residence, skirting a natural
pond which then stood in a depression in the fields, but which has since been
drained. West of the Kenyon residence was the Henry Proctor residence.
West of this was the road which led north to the mill pond and mill owned by
David Massuere, and thence across the ford to the Independence road. Near
the mill was the residence of Louis Massuere. From the mill a track
led westward to the home of Elliott Van Valkenberg. At the Briggs' Cor-
ners lived Dr. I. A. Briggs in a brick house still standing. Dr. Briggs was a
self-educated homeopath. Being the only physician in the locality, his
practice extended from Fountain City to Coral City. From Briggs' Corners,
on the line between sections 32 and 33, a trail led north to the home of
David Massuere, beyond which was a river ford. From the Corners, a
trail also led through a gate down through the present village, following
the high land formed by the sand thrown up by the creek, and crossing the
river at a ford a few rods down the river from the present bridge. Across
the ford on the south side of the road was the house of Simon Wojczik, while
Peter Case lived on the north side. Further up the river toward Independ-
ence were Bragg, William Bennett, David Bennett and Charles
Richardson. In the other direction, over the line in Buffalo County, Glencoe
was well settled. At Glencoe village, Thomas Courtney had a tavern and
store, and George Cowie kept the postoffice.
The main road led south from Briggs' Corners, following a zig-zag
line. The first house along the road southwest of Dr. Briggs' was the
residence of James Gaveney, over the line in township 20, range 9. South
of the next turn in the road was the house built by Noah Comstock, but
occupied by Ole B. Canutson. The next house on the west side of the road
was that of Noah Comstock, and west of this stood the pioneer cheese
factory owned by Noah Comstock and James Gaveney. Further along the
road, this same farm several years later was the scene of the pioneer
sorghum operators in the county.
At the center of section 6, a branch road led west. On the north side
of this road lived A. L. Robinson, while south of it lived Daniel Bigham,
and west of him John Bigham.
East of where the road turned was the home built by John Dennis.
Further south, at the point where the main road met the south line of
section 6, stood the schoolhouse and the Catholic church, the church being
east of the road and the schoolhouse west. There the road branched east
and west to Meyers Valley and Bill's Valley. On the road to Bill's Valley
the first house was that of J. P. Hartman.
With the coming of the railroad, the village of Old Arcadia gradually
dwindled away. The drug store of Dr. F. L. Lewis, the blacksmith shop
of Ed. Nichols, the schoolhouse, and later the mill, were moved to the newer
village, other buildings were moved to other locations and converted to
other uses, some of the structures were left on the same location and con-
verted into residences. The famous Gay T. Storm store was vacated and
is still standing, a notable relic of the past. The only store now at Old
Arcadia is that of James Brownlie, who occupies the old John D. Rainey
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 231
store. Mr. Brownlie is the town clerk, and a wooden addition has been
built to the building for the purposes of a town hall.
The railroad reached Arcadia in the fall of 1873, and the depot was
constructed on the present location. Southwest of it along the right of
way, in the rear of the present village hall, Canterbury & Smith built a
warehouse, and still further along Elmore & Kelley, of Green Bay, built a
warehouse. The Elmore & Kelley warehouse was a unique structure, with
high sloping runways, up which teams were driven to enable the pouring of
grain into the flathouse.
Considerable bitterness followed the building of the railroad, and it
was not until the following spring that a village was platted. The people of
Old Arcadia, who had believed that the railroad would pass through their
village, were determined to keep the business at the old site, regardless
of the railroad. Others were reconciled to the site of the depot, as one
large village at the depot seemed better than two small villages.
Consequently, in 1874, after the village was started, the business
houses began to spring up. The land was a swamp, no grades had been
established, the houses were built on piles, and the sidewalks on stilts,
"while the customers wallowed through mire and pools.
Probably the first business house to go up was the hotel of James
Alexander, afterward operated by John Eckel, the saloon being conducted
by John Gaugler. Many business houses followed, and the sound of build-
ing was heard on every side.
Two Fountain City concerns, realizing that much of the Waumandee,
Glencoe and Montana trade would be turned in the new direction, estab-
lished branch stores here, Bohri Brothers & Hensel, with Charles Hensel
as manager, moving into a building erected by A. F. Hensel, and Fugina
Brothers & Fertig, with J. M. Fertig as manager, moving into a store
erected by Edson A. Morgan, who had previously lived at Old Arcadia and
vended patent medicines throughout the region. The W. P. Massuere
Company had its beginning the same year in a building erected by John D.
Rainey, who had been a merchant of the old town. For a time E. J. Geis-
lin and Milo Campbell, also merchants at Old Arcadia, were interested with
Mr. Massuere in the venture. The Bryan drug store, with a stock of
drugs, paints and oils and notions, was also opened.
J. C. Muir, from Glencoe, who had assisted in building the bridge acrosr
the river that spring, formed a partnership with G. H. Krumdick and
erected a flathouse for the buying of grain. He also dealt in hides and
farm produce. C. N. Paine & Co., of Oshkosh, with C. E. Hollenbeck as
manager, opened a lumber yard. A year later they erected an office building
on Main Street.
Several saloons were opened, the first being that of Matt Danuser.
A number of residences went up the same year.
The village grew in 1875, and when the flood came in the spring of 1875,
the flats already contained a village of considerable size, the business houses
being scattered along Main Street both sides of the track, and down Com-
mercial (Grant) Street.
232 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
WhitehaU
Whitehall, the county seat of Trempealeau County, is located at the
geographical center of the county, within the northernmost bend of the
Trempealeau River. Platted on the river bottoms, the village is almost
entirely level, but is almost entirely surrounded with picturesque hills and
bluffs, broken here and there by cooleys and valleys which lead into some
of the richest farming lands in the county, notable among which is the
Pigeon Valley region, known far and wide for its prosperity and fertility.
The Trempealeau River, dammed a short distance below where it receives
Pigeon Creek, forms a picturesque artificial lake, excellent for boating and
fishing. The public bathhouse and the city light plant are located below
the dam.
The business section of the village is located north of the Green Bay
tracks. This section is surrounded by a portion of the residence district.
Many of the principal residences, however, are located on the two principal
streets south of the tracks, one of the streets being at right angles to the
tracks, and the other parallel with the tracks.
In the south portion of the village are the courthouse, the jail, the high
school, the hospital, the village hall, the public library, the town hall, and
the churches, as well as the public park and the cemetery.
Among the leading business industries of the village are the tobacco
warehouse, the creamery, the pickling station, the mill, three elevators, two
banks and the newspaper. The principal shipments are tobacco, butter,
grain, eggs and potatoes.
Especially beautiful is the park system. Beginning at the railroad
tracks, a small park north of the village hall is ornamented with numerous
flower beds and a cement bandstand erected by the ladies of the Chautauqua
Circle in 1915. Southwest from the village hall, the courthouse yard begins,
with its spreading lawns and magnificent trees. The courthouse and jail
are of yellow brick, and the schoolhouse, west of these buildings, is of the
same material. Without interruption, the courthouse grounds and the
school playgrounds merge into the John 0. Melby Park, and this in turn
stretches to the sightly public cemetery, and likewise faces the community
hospital. On the hill above towers the reservoir of the watei'works system.
The waterworks system was originally inaugurated in 1895. A large
tank, on a nearby ridge, gives ample pressure, and the system covers the
principal streets. On Feb. 23, 1895, the village voted bonds for the installa-
tion of a waterworks system, and on May 31, 1895, the first contract was
awarded for about $6,500. The original sewer system was installed
in the spring of 1902, bonds of $2,500 being voted for the purpose. Addi-
tions to the water and sewer system have since been made, and an elaborate
extension is now planned in the north and west part of the village at a
cost of some $12,000, bonds of $8,000 having been voted.
The electric light current is furnished by the mill. It gives an every-
night service from twilight until midnight, and also furnishes power for
domestic purposes on Tuesday foi-enoons. Bonds of $2,000 were voted
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 233
for electric light service on Oct. 21, 1897, and the lights were first turned
on Oct. 21, of that year.
The village hall is a sightly brick structure, which houses the fire
department, the public library and the council chamber, and provides a large
audience chamber for theatrical entertainments and public meetings. The
hall cost about $18,000. Bonds of $12,000 were voted Dec. 8, 1911, the
hall was opened late in December, 1912, and the first council meeting was
held therein on January 13, 1913. Elections are still held in the town hall
of Lincoln, half a block south of the village hall.
The town hall was built in 1877, in anticipation of securing the county
seat. It is of frame, originally designed to be one story high. But the
Odd Fellows subscribed $600 and the original plan was changed to make the
building two stories high. It cost a total of $1,200. For a time before the
courthouse was built it was used for county offices.
The principal streets were macadamized in 1915 and 1916 at a cost of
about $8,000.
Whitehall was incorporated in 1887. The census of April 15, 1887,
having shown a population of 318, application was made to the circuit judge,
who on April 26 ordered an election to be held on July 8. The election was
duly held in charge of C. E. Scott, L. L. Solsrud and C. A. Adams, resulting
in a vote of 47 to 25 in favor of incorporating. The first election of officers
was held Aug. 12, and resulted as follows: President, H. E. Getts; trus-
tees, J. S. Tull, Even Ekern, John Porter, M. C. Olson, Joseph Sherwood and
A. T. Tucker ; clerk, F. M. Scott ; treasurer, L. L. Solsrud ; supervisor, C. E.
Scott ; constable, William Duer ; justice, R. A. Odell ; police justice, A. Tuttle.
The officers for 1917 are : President, Ludvig Hammerstad ; trustees, Anton
0. Melby, A. E. Wood, E. A. Sorenson, C. A. Adams, George Larson and Ed.
Scott ; clerk, F. N. Larson ; treasurer, J. E. Wilberg ; assessor, 0. F. Harlow ;
supervisor, N. L. Fredrickson; justices, F. N. Larson and Henry Hundt.
The Whitehall Community Hospital was started in 1916, and will be
completed late in 1917. It is a beautiful structure, constructed along the
most modern lines, and occupies a most commanding position facing the
John 0. Melby Park. No less than 843 citizens are shareholders in the
venture, and the rooms are being furnished by various local organizations.
The officers are : President, Ludwig Solsrud ; vice-president, Ole J. Eggum ;
secretary, Cxcorge Larson ; treasurer, S. N. Hegge ; directors, Ludwig Sols-
rud, Richard H. Holtan, Claude Everson, F. W. Lowe, Gilbert Peterson, A. E.
Wood and Ole J. Eggum.
The John 0. Melby Park is to be developed into one of the beauty spots
of Whitehall. Already it is beautified by a boulevard and a number of
shade trees. It is devoted at present largely to athletic purposes. The
original gift was made by Mr. and Mrs. John 0. Melby, Sept. 28, 1906, and
at the same time the village acquired an additional tract by purchase. Mr.
and Mrs. Melby's dedication of the park declares that its purpose is to
promote the comfort, enjoyment and well being of the people of Whitehall.
The park borders on the cemetery, the community hospital, the courthouse,
the jail, the high school and several churches.
Music has been an important factor in the life of Whitehall since the
234 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
earliest days. The Whitehall Concert Band, which enjoys a wide fame,
was established some thirty-five years ago. The present officers are:
President, Joel Haugh ; vice-president, Herbert Holtan ; treasurer, A. P. Tall-
man ; secretary, Ralph H. Wiezorek. The leader is Leo Haesle. The White-
hall Ladies' Band is a notable organization that has won extensive praise
wherever it has appeared. It was organized in 1913, composed of the
leading ladies of the town, and is an important social as well as musical
organization. The officers are: President, Mrs. Ted Harnden; vice-
president, Mrs. Ward Lowe ; secretary, Miss Mabel Larson ; treasurer, Mrs.
Eugene Sorenson ; leader, Leo Haesle.
The Whitehall Free Library is one of the vital educational features of
the village. In early days, the idea of a free library had been growing in
the minds of the citizens of Whitehall, and in May, 1881, we find from the
Whitehall Times, a dime entertainment was given to start a fund for estab-
lishing a public library.
In June of that year, a library association having been formed, the first
order of books was made from Holmes, Hawthorne, Bryant, Longfellow,
Dickens and Scott. Maple sugar parties and other forms of entertainment
helped until in 1883, the "Ladies Athenaeum," a reading club being founded,
they began immediately to incite more interest, so that at the end of that
year 152 volumes were in the library, as reported by J. 0. Melby. The old
bookcase in which the books were stored can still be seen in the Whitehall
Times-Banner office. The checking system was very primitive.
In March, 1899, the village president, Charles Harnden, called a meeting
of the village board to consider the proposition of a free library in Whitehall.
It carried and he appointed Messrs. F. E. Beach, E. Berg, A. M. Dake, H. L.
Ekern, J. 0. Melby, Ludwig Solsrud, Mesdames W. J. Webb (who has served
continuously to present time) , O. Rogan, W. H. Stallings and Professor
C. F. Huleatt as ex-officio member from the public school. Five hundred
dollars was appropriated. "Whitehall was the first village in Trempealeau
County to vote an appropriation for such a cause." Besides the village,
the town of Lincoln gave $100, with promise of further support. J. 0.
Melby donated a lot, and private individuals increased the amount until at
the first meeting of the library board, April 9, it was decided to build.
The building was dedicated Sept. 14, 1899. The formal exercises were
held in the afternoon, Judge R. A. Odell presiding. R. S. Cowie gave the
address of welcome. H. L. Ekern, who was entitled to more credit than any
one other person, gave a history of the movement. L. H. Withee, of La
Crosse, and Senator Stout, of Menomonie, both had been very helpful and
were present, with about 500 out-of-town visitors. A social evening session
closed the day.
The library has grown from 450 volumes at dedication to about 3,000.
The last year's report gave the borrowers as 615, and reading room attend-
ance as 9,295.
The village appropriation is at present $300 annually, $200 for library
board, $100 on librarian's salary.
The present library board is : President, C. B. Melby ; vice-president,
Mrs. W. J. Webb ; secretary, S. N. Hegge ; Miss Minnie Barron, 0. J. Eggum,
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 235
D. P. Gibson, Mrs. C. F. Huleatt; P. K. Risberg and A. E. Wood, with
Principal F. C. Martin as ex-ol!icio member.
At the beginning of each school year, the librarian meets the high
school and eighth grade pupils to explain the working use of the library.
Each teacher is given a special card on which they may draw as many books
and keep as long as they need. The Whitehall Free Library is depository
for county traveling library system, which at present has fifteen boxes in
different parts of the county.
A Chautauqua course has been given at Whitehall every year beginning
with 1913. The work had its beginning in April, 1910, when 20 ladies ■
gathered as a Whitehall Lecture Course committee. At the second meet-
ing but six ladies were present, and these six — the Mesdames R. S. Cowie,
O. J. Eggum, E. F. Hensel, J. F. Hager, C. B. Melby and J. M. Ingalls — have
since constituted the entire committee. In the winter of 1910-11 a four-
number lecture course was given, the talent being furnished by the Central
Lyceum Bureau. In 1911-12 no hall was available. In 1913-14 and 1914-15
the University Extension Lecture Course was given. Then the lecture
field was left in the hands of the high school. The Chautauqua is given
under the direction of the Travers-Wick system. In 1913 the committee
purchased the piano which now stands in the village hall. In 1915 the
ladies, at a cost of $700, erected a cement bandstand which now ornaments
the village park. They are at present planning to furnish a room in the neW
hospital. The officers are: Chairman, Mrs. R. S. Cowie; secretary, Mrs.
0. J. Eggum ; treasurer, Mrs. E. F. Hensel.
The Trempealeau County Industrial, Agricultural and Driving Park
Association held a county fair in Whitehall for several years, beginning with
1887, maintaining grounds and a race track on the south side of Dewey
Street near the west limits of the village.
The vicinity of Whitehall has a history dating back to 1855, when the
first settlers arrived in this vicinity. The railroad came through late in
1873, and at that time the future site of the village was yielding a rich
harvest of wheat. Up and down the Trempealeau Valley, and spreading
into the tributary cooleys and valleys, many a prosperous farm could be
found.
A mile up Pigeon Creek was located Old Whitehall, platted on May 23,
1862, by Alex. A. Arnold for Benjamin F. Wing. Another mile further up
that creek was Coral City, platted May 28, 1868, by George Hodgkin for
Phineas Wright. Both of these hamlets were flourishing trading points.
For a time it appeared that the railroad was to go westward from Blair
to Arcadia, without following the northern loop of the river, but the present
route was finally decided upon, and a village near this point assured.
The tracks were laid through the wheat field that is now Whitehall, on
Sept. 2, 1873. Charles Adams, now a leading Whitehall merchant, was one
of the crew. Where the courthouse now stands, the harvesters were gath-
ering wheat.
In November, 1873, Theodore H. Earle arrived and selected the site for
a dwelling. He was the son-in-law of Henry Ketchum, for several years
president of the railroad, and his purpose was to establish a town in the
236 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
interests of Mr. Ketchiim and C. M. Kelley, a Green Bay grain capitalist
and one of the backers of the Green Bay road.
On New Year's Day, 1874, the first passenger train passed Whitehall
on regular schedule. That same day the lumber was unloaded for the
first depot, and a section crew in charge of Charles Adams started putting
in the, sidetrack and switch. Jan. 4, C. J. Lambert purchased the first load
of wheat at $1.00 a bushel. Jan. 6, Daniel C. Camp arrived as station agent
and grain buyer for Elmore & Kelley. Jan. 20, the village was platted by
T. H. Earle, C. M. Kelly and Henry Ketchum.
During the winter two grain houses went up, one owned by Elmore &
Kelley, of Green Bay, and one by T. H. Earle and C. J. Lambert, who came
here to make their homes. Mr. Earle's interest was soon acquired by H. E.
Getts.
The first residence started was that of T. H. Earle, the second that of
George Olds.
During the spring and summer of 1874, the village presented a scene of
busy activity. Hotels, business houses and residences went up here and
there, and before fall a flourishing hamlet had been established.
The first hotel was the Empire House, erected by Henry Stratton. The
Alexander Hotel, owned by S. L. Alexander, and the Whitehall House,
moved in part from Coral City by M. V. Allen, soon followed.
H. E. Getts built the first store. August Cook and Nelson Comstock
started hardware stores, but before they could open the tornado demolished
their buildings, and they never opened for business. The general store of
L. H. Whitney was also swept by the tornado, but he at once rebuilt, and
put in a stock of goods.
D. L. Camp put up a double block, and opened a general store in one
-side, while T. C. McDermott opened a hardware store in the other. C. E.
Scott put up a building and opened a general store. Benjamin F. Wing,
the original proprietor of Old Whitehall, moved in and erected a general
store. John Rogerson and C. H. Warner opened a hardware store and Melby
& Johnson a tailor shop.
The first carpenters to locate permanently in the new village were
William Blodgett, Joseph Augustine, A. J. Roscoe and James Hiner. A
year or two later came William Scott, also a carpenter, and Alonzo Tucker.
a mason.
The first physician was Dr. R. G. Floyd.
Charles Adams thus describes the village in the late fall of 1874 :
South of the track and east of the street was the store of B. F. Wing.
North of the track and east of the street on the present site of the
Model Store was the Alexander Hotel. North of what is now the John 0.
Melby & Co. Bank was the store of H. E. Getts, the building being stil'
standing. D. L. Camp and T. C. McDermott were on the present site of
the Solsrud Mercantile Co., Camp occupying the side farthest north.
East of the present site of the Solsrud building was the tailor shop of
Melby & Johnson. East of this was L. H. Whitney, east of this were the
foundations of the stores of August Cook and Nelson Comstock.
North of the ti'ack and west of the street north of the present location
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 237
of the Huleatt Mercantile Company was the home of George Olds, the second
residence in the village. North of this was the Rogerson & Warner store.
On the northeast corner of the block was the store of C. E. Scott. The
building is still standing. In this block, the first term of Circuit Court in
Whitehall was held.
The Empire Hotel was on the present site of the American House.
The Whitehall House, now called Hotel Allen, is still standing and is
operated by Mrs. M. V. Allen.
The Earle House was a block east of the present site of the Model.
Various other residences were scattered about the plat.
The Trempealeau Messenger had already been started, Bert E. Clark
having purchased the Galesville Journal and Recorder from George S. Luce
and moved the material here.
A schoolhouse had been moved from its location a half mile east, and a
new building, still standing but not now in use, had been built west of what
is now the 0. P. Larson residence.
The wisdom of the establishment of the village was shown by the fact
that during the year there were shipped from Whitehall 225,000 bushels
of wheat in addition to quantities of oats, barley and corn.
The village was now well established, the various lines of industry were
satisfactorily represented, and during the next two years there were but
few new business houses erected, though there were many additions to the
number of residences. The schoolhouse was completed in 1875, and the
Baptist and Methodist churches erected. In that and the succeeding year
the new business houses were the grocery store of A. J. Cady, the tailor
shop of M. C. Olson, the harness shop of Edward Romander, the general
store of Decker & Lawton, the general store of Melvin Johnson, the lumbei:
yards of A. S. Trow & Co. and T. H. Earle Company, and the liveries of
Eugene Webster and J. R. King.
Galesville
Galesville, situated in the Beaver Creek Valley on the banks of Lake
Marinuka, a beautiful artificial body of water, is one of the most picturesque
villages in Western Wisconsin. The site of the village is divided into an
upper table, the residence section, and the lower table and flats, which
constitute the business section, most of the stores being located about the
Public Square or the street immediately adjoining. An extensive park
system adds to the beauty of the village, and numerous mineral springs
attract tourists. The village is equipped with electric lights, waterworks,
sewer system, village hall, fire department and high school. Two telephone
systems furnish excellent service. The two banks reflect the financial
stability of the surrounding country. A public library is well patronized,
and a modern newspaper chronicles the weekly life of the neighborhood.
The Norwegian Lutherans have two churches, and the Presbyterian,
Catholic and Methodist denominations each one. A band adds to desira-
bihty of life here. The annual celebration of the Burns Club and the annual
county fair bring visitors from near and far. The Commercial Club has
taken an active interest in the civic development of the village. The leading
238 HISTOKY OP TRE:MPEALEAU COUNTY
industries are the mill, the creamery, the elevators and the stock yards.
Gale College is one of the oldest in the State, having opened its first classes
in 1859. Galesville is connected with the outside world with a branch of
the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, and by an excellent system of im-
proved highways.
Founded, settled and platted in 1854, Galesville soon assumed substan-
tial propoi'tions as the county seat and the home of Gale College, enjoying
its greatest growth from 1856 until the year following the Civil War. It
was not materially affected by the railroad which was built in the southern
part of the county in 1870, or by the railroad built through the Trempealeau
Valley in 1873. The loss of the county seat late in 1876 took away some
of the hotel and legal business, and possibly a little of the mercantile trade.
With the coming of the railroad in 1883, the village took on new life
and soon assumed an importance which it still retains as a shipping and
trading center.
In that year efforts were made to incorporate the village. A census
taken on Oct. 16, 1883, having shown a population of 439 persons, an appli-
cation was presented to the district court asking for the incorporation. A
remonstrance was presented at the same time. Accordingly on Dec. 16,
1883, Judge A. W. Newman appointed Hugh Cameron, of La Crosse, as a
referee to hear the testimony in the matter. Mr. Cameron failed to act
and the application continued in abeyance for several years. In 1887 the
proposition was revived, and on June 13 of that year Judge Newman ap-
pointed Isaac Clark, George H. Smith and Moses King inspectors of an
election to be held to decide the matter. July 2, 18S7, Gustavus Holmberg
was appointed in place of Moses King. The election held Aug. 1, 1887,
with H. L. Bunn and Charles T. Silk as clerks, favored the proposition by
a vote of 80 to 32. The first election was held on Aug. 20, 1887, and resulted
as follows : President, G. Y. Freeman ; trustees, C. B. Thrall, 0. N. Sagen,
A. Kribs, A. H. Czepull, G. F. Myhre and F. Langenohl ; clerk, H. L. Bunn ;
treasurer, A. Tibbitts ; supervisor, Wilson Davis ; constable, William Ray-
mond; justice, A. Tower. The first meeting of the council was held Sept.
5, 1887".
The present officers are: President, A. T. Twesme; trustees, Carl
McKeeth, I. G. Herried, R. H. Ashley, R. E. James, W. F. Plummer and
J. A. Berg; clerk, O. D. Witherbee; treasurer. Nils Lund; assessor, J. A.
Kellman ; supervisor, Ben W. Davis.
The village government has been most admirably conducted. Water-
works and a sewer system have been installed and extended, the streets
have been improved and excellently cared for, a city hall has been built, a
good fire department maintained, the business center has been paved, and
considerable attention has been given to the extensive park system and to
public health and recreation, in addition to the usual routine village main-
tenance.
The park system is in charge of a commission which was created in
1915, and now consists of A. T. Twesme, 0. D. Witherbee, J. F. Cance,
Rev. L. M. Gimmestad, Bert A. Gipple, Emil Francar and Charles Bortle.
City beautiful plans have been prepared by John H. Forrer, of La Crosse,
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 239
and are being gradually worked out by the commission. The plans include
public and private property and will make the village one of the beauty
spots of the Northwest. The Upper Table Park and the Public Square
on the lower table were platted with the village and were donated by George
Gale, the founder of the village. The wide streets which enclose the Public
Square were paved in 1912, and soon afterward a cement bandstand erected
at a cost of nearly $1,000 raised by public subscription. The Upper Table
Park is well shaded with old trees and is also supplied with a bandstand.
Reception Park, originally called Riverside Park, was acquired from C. E.
Perkins in the summer of 1889. At once upon its purchase the property
was turned over to William C. Pierce, who agreed to pay Mr. Perkins for
the property, to keep the park open to the public except when in use for
baseball, horse racing or fair purposes, and at the end of ten years to sell
to the village at a fair valuation. Two years after, Mr. Pierce disposed of
all his interest to the village. In 1892 extensive plans were made for the
advertising of Galesville as a summer resort. A landing platform was
erected at Reception Park for the convenience of railroad excursionists, a
pavilion was built, an excursion steamer was purchased, lights were installed
in Reception and High Cliff parks, and the weeds were cleared from the
lake. Efforts were made to have the railroad move its station to the lake
front. But the depot was not moved and in a few years the steamboat was
sold, owing to lack of patronage. In December, 1902, a curling rink was
erected in the park by the Galesville Curling and Burns Club. The park
consists of a little over 11 acres lying along the banks of Beaver Creek. It
is well shaded and in addition to the pavilion, curling rink and landing
platform already mentioned, has an excellent baseball field and an artesian
well 600 feet deep. The High Cliff Park consists of a narrow strip of
land having Beaver Creek on one side and high, perpendicular water-worn
cliffs on the other. It is covered with native foliage and has several springs
and caves. The park is open to the public through the courtesy of Ben W.
Davis. East Side Park is on the lake shore and is made up of groves of
native trees. It is open to the public through the generosity of the heirs of
Captain A. A. Arnold. On the flat above the East Side Park are the grounds
of the Trempealeau County Agricultural Society, purchased in 1892. At
the head of the lake are the Arctic Springs, which will also soon be sur-
rounded with a park. The waters of the spring are widely known for their
purity and health-giving qualities, and a company has been formed for
exploiting and developing this important asset. In connection with the
beauty spots, the public cemetery deserves special mention. The Associa-
tion was organized in 1861 with Isaac Clark as president and A. A. Arnold
as secretary, and eight acres of land obtained from George Gale. The Asso-
ciation has continued to be maintained, and the cemetery is being constantly
beautified.
The village waterworks were inaugurated in the summer of 1888, when
the village contracted with Wilson Davis to extend his mill waterworks
to protect all the property on the lower table, to put in hydrants and to
furnish hose for the use of the fire company, the hose and hosecart to be
kept in repair by the village. This contract was renewed until the present
240 HISTORY OF TRE.ALPEALEAU COUNTY
water and sewer system was put in operation in 1899. Aug. 5, 1898, the
citizens voted bonds of $3,000 which were used to construct a reservoir
on the property of Charles BouUn. Technical difficulties stood in the way of
voting sufficient bonds for the construction of the entire system, so a number
of citizens organized a temporary lirm known as the Galesville Waterworks
Co., and engaged John P. Dales, of the Western Engineering & Construction
Co., as contractor. The contract price was $20,000, to be paid by the village
at the rate of $1,000 a year under the guise of a hydrant rental.
The electric light system was installed in the fall of 1889 by T. P. and
W. W. Benton under the firm name of T. P. Benton & Co. Since then the
system has been continuous, and is now operated by the Davis Mill Company.
Local telephone service was started in the fall of 1895 by W. P. Veitch
and George S. Luce.
The city hall was erected in 1896 and opened Oct. 9 of that year. It
houses the opera house, the fire department, village offices and the jail.
The splendid high school building was erected in 1908, replacing the
earlier building erected in 1873-74. In addition to the usual classical and
English courses, work is given in domestic science and manual training, and
special attention is paid to music, oratory, debating, athletics and general
community endeavor.
The public library is supported by the village, the building having been
donated by the will of Ellen Burchard Burdick, who died Oct. 9, 1913.
The Galesville Commercial Club, whose name was changed from the
Galesville Business Men's Association on Nov. 18, 1916, was organized Sept.
16, 1899, 'the first directors being G. 0. Gilbertson, L. N. Hammer, E. F.
Clark, F. A. KeUman, Ben W. Davis, Henry Yeoman, W. S. Wadleigh, R. H.
Robertson and George Rail. The present officers are : President, J. A. Berg ;
vice-president, Carl McKeeth ; secretary, Emil Fi'ancar, and E. F. Clark.
Independence
Independence is a thriving village located at the junction of Elk Creek
and the Trempealeau River, on the line of the Green Bay & Western, and at
the mouth of the far-reaching Pleasant Valley. It is an important shipping
point for stock, poultry, butter, eggs, cheese and pickles, and aside from
the usual business activities, has four elevators, two banks, a creamery,
a mill, two stock yards, a pickling station, and a newspaper. Municipal
improvements include the village hall, electric lights, waterworks and sewer
systems, and a public library. There are three churches, the Catholic and
the Norwegian Lutheran, and one which is used in common by the Metho-
dists and the Evangelical Association. The streets of the village are paved
with petrified brick, and macadam roads extend in all directions.
There are a number of beauty spots in the village. The railroad right
of way south of the track has been parked, furnishing a beautiful approach
to some sightly houses which parallel the track. Elk Creek, dammed at
this village, forms a beautiful artificial lake, admirably suited for bathing,
boating and fishing. A bath house was erected in the summer of 1917 by
popular subscription, and the beach is being impi'oved.
Independence was incorporated in 188.5. A survey having been made
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 241
May 5, 6 and 7, by H. B. Merchant, a census was taken Oct. 21, 1885, by J.
C. Taylor, showing a population of 350. A petition was accordingly pre-
sented to the court by E. S. Hotchkiss, J. C. Taylor, P. Husom, J. A. John-
son, A. W. Liver and John Sprecher. Judge A. W. Newman, on Dec. 16,
1885, granted the petition, and appointed an election. This election was
held at the lumber office of E. S. Hotchkiss Jan. 22, 1886, in charge of L. E.
Danuser, J. W. Runkel and E. S. Hotchkiss (clerk) , and resulted in a favor-
able vote of 49 to 29. Officers were chosen Feb. 26, 1886 as follows : Presi-
dent, M. Mulhgan; trustees, Thomas Thompson, J. -C. Taylor, Edward
Linse, John Sprecher, E. S. Hotchkiss and Frank Tubbs; clerk, W. B.
Faulds; treasurer, George H. Markham; supervisor, J. A. Johnson; con-
stable, Daniel Garlick; justice of the peace, B. M. Johnson; police justice,
A. W. Liver.
The Independence Public Library was organized some time in 1907,
under the auspices of the Wisconsin Library Commission. The first board
consisted of George A. Markham (president), and Dr. C. F. Peterson (secre-
tary), and Anton Senty. When the village hall was built, provision was
made for a library, so, upon organization of the board, $500 appropriated
by the board was wisely spent in buying books, and the library opened,
with Edna Elstad as librarian. The village appropriates some $200 or
$300 annually, and the library is open three evenings a week, in charge of
Mrs. Minnie Cole and daughter, Sadie Cole. The present board consists of
Dr. C. F. Peterson (chairman), Mrs. George A. Markham (secretary), and
Mrs. E. E. Runkel.
The first village hall was a two-story wooden building, purchased
from John Sprecher June 21, 1886. Later the need of a larger and modern
building was apparent, and accordingly on May 5, 1902, the village voted
bonds of $8,000 for a village hall and electric light system, the vote being
a close one of 98 to 79. The hall is a sightly, two-story building fully ade-
quate for all purposes. It houses the public library, the council chambers,
the fire apparatus, the jail and the opera house. A splendid clock adorns
the stately tower of the building. The hall was partly demolished by the
cyclone of 1903 and was not completely rebuilt until 1906. In 1903 the
electric light system was installed, separate bonds having been voted.
The village has an excellent system of waterworks and sewer, consist-
ing of six wells, a pumping station, and a reservoir at the top of the neigh-
boring bluff. The elevation of 176 feet gives adequate fire protection for
all needs, a volunteer fire department being well equipped with all neces-
sary apparatus. The first waterworks consisted of wrought iron mains
covering about three blocks, and a pump which the village put in at the
mill. Water was obtained from the pond. This system was inaugurated
in 1886. In 1895 the system was extended, an artesian well drilled and a
reservoir built. In 1898 a shallow filtration well was dug.
On June 22, 1909, a special election was held to determine the issuing
of bonds for putting in a complete sewer and water system. The proposi-
tion was rejected by a vote of 65 to 54. But in the meantime, the old sys-
tem was condemned by the State Board of Health and on April 25, 1911,
sewer and waterworks bonds were authorized by a vote of 93 to 37.
242 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
A system of street grades was established Aug. 5, 1908. Oct. 20, 1915,
the village voted $1,000 tax for highway purposes, and with this beginning
some 12,000 square yards of petrified brick have been laid. There are also
some two miles of limestone macadam in the village limits. Two miles are
macadamized west to New City, a short link being missing. South, the
macadam extends a mile. North the macadam extends up Elk Creek four
miles, one mile being in the village and three in the township. In 1916 the
business men subscribed $1,000 to help build a macadam road east from the
road to the town limits of Lincoln. The permanent street improvements
for the two years cost the village $2,500 without creating any bonded
indebtedness.
The new High school building, erected at a cost of some $40,000, is one
of the finest in the state, and is constructed along the latest improved lines.
It was first occupied in January, 1916. The building is of brick. It is ex-
cellently equipped, and surrounded by spacious grounds. Aside from the
usual graded and High school studies, there are special courses in domestic
science, agriculture and the manual arts. The school history of Independ-
ence is a most interesting one. The district was organized in July, 1876.
In the fall, school was opened in Taylor's Hall. A storehouse on Adams
street was next used. In 1880, a brick schoolhouse was erected on a tract
of land donated by D. M. KeUey, the village proprietor. Two additions
were later erected. In 1914, the agitation for a new schoolhouse was
started, and a bitter controversy ensued, resulting finally, however, in the
decision to build the new structure. Frank Tubbs and B. L. Hutchins, who
had just platted a new addition, made the village what was considered an
excellent offer of 24 lots, most of them 50 by 120 feet, on the most advan-
tageous terms. A committee was appointed, consisting of John A. Mark-
ham, August A. Mish, John F. Kulig, Frank A. Hotchkiss, C. J. Peterson,
H. 0. Carthus and Peter C. Schrock, to consider suitable plans. The com-
mittee decided upon the present model, and the decision has since met with
general favor. The old school is still used for several phases of the school
work, the original donor not having yet cancelled the clause in his dedica-
tion of the property, which provided for the revision of the property to him
in case its use for school purposes would be abandoned.
Independence had its beginning in 1876, and received its name from
the fact that the Centennial celebration of American Independence fell on
that year. The agitation for a village at this point started in 1873, when
it became certain that the Green Bay & Lake Pepin, now the Green Bay
& Western, was to build a railroad down Trempealeau Valley, and a propo-
sition was made that the town of Burnside aid the company by voting bonds
of $20,000. But at a special election held for that purpose, May 3, 1873,
the result was 9 for and 93 against the proposition, with one vote deficient.
During the summer of 1873 the question of a depot was strongly agi-
tated. The railroad agreed to build a depot in the town if given a bonus of
$5,000, and a special election was held Nov. 10 to vote on the question of
granting bonds to that amount. The vote stood 29 for and 53 against.
The vote resulted from the agitation over the location of the depot rather
than from opposition to voting the bonds. At that time the present town
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 243
of Chimney Rock was a part of Burnside. Those living in the north part of
the town wanted the depot on the northeast side of Elk Creek, while those
in the southern part of the town wanted the depot about a mile south of
Elk Creek at New City.
New City was quite a flourishing hamlet. It had been started about
1869, when Elliott J. Carpenter came to the mouth of Travis Creek and
constructed a dam and a mill, also opening a small store. He was followed
by Michael Fugina, who opened a store and saloon, and by Peter Eichman,
who opened a tavern and saloon. Henry Gibson opened a small store and
was appointed postmaster. Carpenter sold the mill to Albert Bautch and
Gibson sold his store to David Garlick, who succeeded him as postmaster.
A man named Fancher had a blacksmith shop there, also.
At the Corners, half way between New City and the present site of
Independence, Ed Gorton erected a store, and across the road from him,
Ernest Walthers erected a small tavern and saloon.
In the fall of 1875 the question of a depot was again strongly agitated.
J. C. Noteman, at that time station agent at Dodge, took up the matter with
the officers of the railroad with the result that the railroad agreed that if
the people would raise $5,000 by subscription, giving their notes for that
amount, the request would be granted. It was finally agreed that the de-
pot was to be located between Elk and Travis Creek, and that George H.
Markham was to hold the notes until the railroad company should fulfil
its part of the contract. If the railroad failed to build the depot the notes
were to be returned to the makers. The full amount was subscribed, and
the depot was erected at its present site in the spring of 1876.
At this time the present site of the village was a wheat field, oper-
ated by Lawrence Pampuch. David M. Kelly secured a tract of land here,
and on May 13, 1876, had John Stewart lay out a town. The letter which
Mr. Kelly wrote to George H. Markham, thanking him for his hospitality
at that time, is now preserved by the Trempealeau County Historical So-
ciety. Lots in Independence were offered for sale on May 25, the first to
purchase being David Garlick, Edward Elstad and J. C. Taylor.
Then came an influx from New City, Gorton, Walthers, Fugina and
Garlick all moving in. Gorton moved his stone building to the southeast
corner of block 2, at the corner of Third and Washington streets. Walthers
moved his tavern building to lot 6, block 1, on the east side of Second street,
between Washington and Adams streets. This building is now occupied
by the Farmers & Merchants Bank. Later, north of this building. Walthers
erected a large structure, with rooms for a saloon and store on the first floor,
and with a public hall on the second floor. This hall was the social cen-
ter of Independence for many years. Fugina moved his store to the north-
west corner of block 2, at the corner of Third and Adams streets. Later
he erected another building to the east. Garlick erected a building east of
the Fugina buildings, on the south side of Adams street, between Second
and Third streets. In the lower front room of this place he kept the post
office and a small store. Mrs. Garlick was the first lady to take up her resi-
dence in the village.
J. C. Taylor erected a drug store at the southeast corner of block 1, on
2-1-1 HISTORY OF TEEiMPEALEAU COUNTY
First street, between Washington and Adams streets. Block 1 was irregu-
larly shaped, the southeast corner being cut off. When Mr. Taylor's build-
ing burned, he succeeded in having the village abandon a part of the alley,
so that the present building covers what was originally the alley south of
his first building.
Cyrus J. Lambert and 0. P. Larson opened a store in the Walthers
building, and also started buying grain. Later this firm erected a large
building on the southeast corner of block 2, at the corner of Second and
Washington streets, the present location of the Lambert Brothers, who now
conduct a general store as the successors of their father, Benjamin F. Lam-
bert, who entered business here April 9, 1879.
E. H. Warner erected a hardware store on the north side of block 2,
between Second and Third streets. The history of this store is most in-
teresting. Christ Meuli bought the store in 1877, and A. W. Liver entered
his employ. Meuli later took in L. F. Danuser as a partner, and the com-
pany became Meuli & Danuser. Then Meuli sold to Ferdinand Horst and
the firm became Danuser & Horst. In the meantime, since 1883, A. W.
Liver has been conducting a place of his own. In 1888 he bought out Horst
and the firm became Danuser & Liver. In 1894 Christ Torgerson bought
out Danuser and the firm has since been Liver & Torgerson. The Lang
Brothers opened a harness shop on the present site of Paul Sura's place of
business on the west side of Second street. Nick Theisen opened a shoe
shop on Washington street. Later he erected a brick building and moved
into it.
Ira Smith opened a lumber yard for White & Emery, on the site of the
present lumber yard. The same year Artemus Emery himself came and
took charge. Years later he sold to E. S. Hotchkiss. George Hiles opened a
lumber yard and sent George Hibbard here to conduct it. The Payne Lum-
ber Company, of Oshkosh, opened a lumber yard where the present stock-
yards are located. Charles Hallenbeck was the general manager of the
Payne interests in this region, but confined his attentions largely to Ar-
cadia, while Charles E. Davis conducted the yard here. J. C. Noteman was
the first station agent and the first elevator man. Giles Cripps, Noah Corn-
stock and Mr. Noteman erected a warehouse, the one now used by John
Sprecher & Son. For several years all the grain bought in Independence
by the different firms went through this warehouse. Noteman lived in the
station until his home was completed. John Sprecher came here as the
representative of Krumdick & Muir, implement dealers and grain buyers, of
Arcadia, where he previously worked. In 1878 he bought out Krumdick,
and a year later bought out Muir. In 1897 Mr. Sprecher sold a half interest
of the implement business to William Steiner, and the firm became Sprecher
& Steiner. In 1897 Mr. Sprecher sold his remaining interest to Mr. Steiner.
He still retains his grain business under the name of John Sprecher &
son. Nathaniel Nichols, a lawyer, came over from New City. Dr. W. R.
Allison located here, and Drs. Lewis and Brandt, of Arcadia, opened a
branch oflice here, Dr. Brandt attending to most of the practice.
J. W. McKay opened a hotel on the south side of Washington street,
across from Gorton's store, which he called the Tremont House. While
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 245
the building was being erected he had kept boarders in a nearby shack. The
following year he sold to Wilham R. Trumbull, who put on an addition, and
changed the name to the Trumbull House. Later the name was changed
to the Welcome House.
Edward Elstad built a saloon about the middle of the south side of
block 2, on Washington street, between Second and Third streets. Later he
erected a store where the firm of Elstad Brothers was established. Hans
Melgard opened a saloon at the northeast corner of block 2, at the corner
of Second and Adams, where the Sura garage is now located. Andrew
Anderson opened a saloon east of the Walthers building on the south side
of Adams street, between First and Second streets. Eugene Webster opened
a livery on the west side of Second street, where the warehouse addition
to the Lambert Brothers' store is now located. West Snow opened a liv-
ery east of the Tremont House.
Thus the business of the village started. In addition to the places of
business many residences have been put up. Among them were two build-
ings north of the present business section, which were intended as hotels.
The main road then skirted the foot of the hills west of the village, and
crossing Elk Creek, continued eastward along the present road to Whitehall.
But this route was soon abandoned for one passing through the center of
the village and the hotels were never opened as such.
In 1877 a number of important enterprises were started. S. M. New-
ton erected the dam and mill at a cost of about $22,000. Later this mill
came into possession of Noah Comstock and James Gaveney, of Arcadia,
bought the mill and controlled it the remainder of their lives. Ira Smith
put up the Merchants Hotel at the foot of Washington street. Previously
he had operated a small hotel on the north side of Washington street, just
north of the present Lambert Brothers' store. John W. Runkle started a
furniture store and undertaking establishment. It was this year that Ar-
temas Emery erected the residence south of the tract which has since been
a landmark.
The village gradually grew, the business section stretching from the
depot north and west. The residence section stretches north and west
of the business section west of the artificial lake, north from the bridge
east of the lake, and south and west of the depot.
Blair
The village of Blair is one of the best shipping towns of its size in the
state. The village has about 500 people within its borders, but there are
twenty families living just outside the corporate limits in the town of
Preston.
It is situated in the east central part of the county and is surrounded
by some excellent stock farms. The farmers are enterprising and a big
majority of them have fine herds of full-blooded stock.
Blair can well feel proud of its municipal improvements. The electric
light and waterworks systems are municipally owned and the power for op-
eration is both water and steam. The main streets are macadamized and
it has recently purchased a large market square.
246 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
There is a credited High school, two large Lutheran churches and a
Baptist church ; a large village hall ; two banks ; a newspaper ; a flour mill ; a
creamery, and the usual stores, garages and other places of business.
In 1894 an apphcation was made to the circuit court for Trempealeau
county for incorporation. The territory embraced was the southeast quar-
ter and south half of the northeast quarter of 16-21-7, and comprised 241.68
acres. The application was signed by E. L. Immell, T. I. Gilbert, L. S.
Fenny, G. A. Slye, J. W. Dalton, J. E. Mayer, Ole 0. Moe, H. Thorsgaard, J.
0. Gilbert, J. Leasum and E. 0. Gilfillan. The survey was made by Geo. M.
Adams. The census, taken by Oscar T. Gilbert, gave the proposed village
324 residents. The judgment was entered on September 6, by O. B. Wyman,
circuit judge, and a vote was taken on October 16, which resulted as fol-
lows : 50 for incorporation and 43 against.
At the first village election held on October 30, 1894, the following of-
ficers were chosen : Village president, M. A. Peterson ; trustees, E. Berg-
seng, J. E. Thorstad, Lars Hanson, H. Knutson, O. H. Benrud, G. O. Hanson ;
supervisor, Morris Hanson ; clerk, S. H. Neperud ; treasurer, H. T. Thomp-
son; marshal, W. H. Welch; justices of the peace, 0. A. Brekke, H. N. Hal-
vorson; police justice, F. M. Immell; constable, Lars Hanson. The question
of issuing corporate bonds in the sum of $3,000 for the purpose of construct-
ing a waterworks system for the village was submitted to the electors at a
special election held May 28, 1898. There were 68 votes cast, of which 64
favored the proposition and 4 opposed.
The electric light system was constructed through private subscrip-
tion together with moneys in the general fund, the village having been
bonded almost to the constitutional limitation. The lights were installed in
the early part of 1901, and the shares owned by the individuals were grad-
ually taken over by the village in the following five years.
On Sept. 8, 1911, an election was held for the purpose of authorizing
the village board to borrow $10,000 from the trust funds for building a
village hall. At the election there were 45 in favor and 39 against. The
matter was protested before the trust board and the loan held up until
the middle of the year 1913, when it was granted. On August 29 of that
year the village board let the contract for its construction for the sum of
$11,850, and the building was completed and opened for use in February,
1914.
A movement was made in the spring of 1917 for the extension of the
corporate limits of the village so as to include a number of families of the
town of Preston, living east of Blair, but the proposition was defeated by a
vote of the people.
There is no village park, but the High school has ample grounds and
the magnificent grove of Thomas Hogan near the banks of the Ti-empealeau
is used for picnic and recreation purposes.
Following is a list of the present officers of the village: President, J.
O. Knutson ; trustees, A. E. Bratland, E. C. Hanson, A. L. Thompson, A. S.
Fenney, G. W. Metzgar, E. L. Immell ; village clerk, A. J. Sather ; treasurer,
O. B. Borsheim; assessor, C. O. Grinde; supervisor, K. S. Knutson; justice
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 247
of the peace, K. H. Skaar; police justice, Ebert Olson; constable and mar-
shal, Sid Jacques.
The vicinity of what is now the village of Blair was a center of travel
long before the railroad was projected through Trempealeau Valley. From
further down the main valley, from many a vale and cooley, and from over
the ridges, came the travel into the older Jackson County region, especially
to Merrillan, where the pioneers of the eastern Trempealeau County sold
their wheat and where they secured lumber to build their houses and barns.
One of the principal routes came up from Bear Creek over the ridge, led
north through Reynolds Cooley, joined the Trempealeau Valley road as at
present, just west of what is now the Ettrick & Northern right-of-way, ran
east on the section line a quarter of a mile, turned north on the dividing line
of section 16, past what is now the United Lutheran church, thence across
the Trempealeau River on a bridge some distance west from what is now
the mill bridge, and then eastward up the Trempealeau Valley, north of the
river.
A few rods west of where the Reynolds Cooley road joins the main
road, lived Martin Hanson. Just north of the north end of the Reynolds
Cooley road lived Carl 0. Strum. This farm was a famous stopping place,
where the settlers arriving in the evening on their return journey from Mer-
rillan, found it convenient to rest before undertaking the slow and toilsome
trip over the ridge. Many a night found the house filled to overflowing
with drivers and the barns and yard crowded with teams and vehicles.
Just east of where the Reynolds Cooley road joins the main road, T. L Gil-
bert, about 1870, opened a small store, moving to that location from Mound
Spring, four miles east. Ole Strum lived a short distance south of what
is now the United Lutheran church. On the east edge of what is now the
village was the house of Duke Porter, while his mother and her family
lived still further east. North of the river, west of where the road after
crossing the bridge, turned east toward Jackson county, was the South Bend
postofRce at the home of Ebenezer Thurston, "Yankee" Thurston, as he was
called by his foreign-born neighbors.
Early in 1873, the railroad being assured, and a station at this point
having already been decided upon, John Van Ness, Orrin Van Ness and
Henry Thorsgaard came over the ridge from Ettrick and selected on the
snow-covered flats the location for a mill. These men had all been active-
ly interested in the milling industry in western Wisconsin for several
years, and at the time of this trip, Mr. Thorsgaard was employed by John
Van Ness in the mill which Orrin Van Ness had built at Ettrick, Orrin Van
Ness himself being in charge of a mill near West Salem. Mr. Thorsgaard
became the active factor in the Blair mill and in a few years bought out
the Van Ness interests. He rebuilt the mill after it was burned in 1880,
sold it in 1883, and is now actively engaged in the grain business.
As soon as the snow was off the ground in the spring of 1873, active op-
erations were commenced. Two forty-acre tracts were purchased from
Ebenezer Thurston for a mill and pond, lumber was hauled from Merrillan,
and men put to work on the dam, the mill, the bridge and a dweUing for
Mr. Thorsgaard. At the same time the tracks for the railroad were being
248 HISTORY OF TREIIPEALEAU COUNTY
laid, and every farmhouse along the line was crowded with workmen.
While the work w-as in progress, a farmer named John Thinbacken broke
through the old bridge with a yoke of oxen, and the mill bridge received all
the traffic. Soon afterward a road was established from the mill south
to the main highway.
The depot was erected not far from the mill. Two warehouses and a
lumber yard were opened in the same neighborhood. The business cen-
ter developed on higher ground several blocks south of the mill. Even Ber-
seng opened a hotel, the first business establishment in the new village.
Three years later an addition was built. This hotel was an important fea-
ture in the village life until it bui-ned in 1916. In the hall on the second floor
were held dances, public meetings and theatrical entertainments, and many
an entertainer since famous played behind its oil footlights in the seventies
and eighties.
Some time during the summer of 1873, T. I. Gilbert & Co. moved from
Strum's Corners to the new site, and within a short time other places of
business had started, including C. C. Hanson's general store, John E. John-
son's hardware store and John Hanson's drug store.
In the meantime Ebenezer Thurston had given forty acres to the rail-
road, and on a part of the Porter estate, Duke Porter had platted a village
which he called Porterville. The Hiles & Ketchum plat of Blair, the rail-
road plat, was filed April 16, 1877. Later the land was the subject of con-
sidei'able litigation, and the title to some of the best land in the village re-
mained long in dispute, some of the railroad officials claiming that the plat
belonged to them personally instead of to the railroad as a company.
In 1891 the business section of the village was entirely wiped out by
fire. The conflagration took place at about noon on July 27, and rapidly
destroyed several blocks, leaving on the east and west a blacksmith shop,
on the north the hotel, and nothing else but blackened ruins.
Undaunted the citizens started to make plans for rebuilding. For a
time there was considerable talk of remodeling the village plat and estab-
lishing a public square around which the business houses would be grouped,
but the owners were unable to agree upon a satisfactory plan, for the stores
were eventually rebuilt on their former sites.
Eleva
Eleva is a popular trading center in the northern part of the county on
the Mondovi branch of the Omaha. It is located on the north bank of the
Beef River, and is intersected by the Big Creek. Trout Creek comes in from
the south a short distance east. The mill pond is north of the village. The
business section is west of the creek, while the area east of the creek is, ex-
cept for the creamery entirely devoted to residences.
The churches are of the Norwegian Lutheran and Methodist Episco-
pal faith. The sightly brick school building of four rooms covers twelve
grades of school study.
The bank, mill and creamery, the two elevators and a lumber yard are
in flourishing condition, and the usual business houses are well patronized.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 249
A private park consisting of a two-acre grove east of the mill pond fur-
nishes health and recreation.
The electric light service was inaugurated in December, 1914. The vil-
lage furnished the plant and Heni-y Rusehng erected the building. The
power is furnished from the Ruseling mill.
Eleva was incorporated in 1902. November 29, 1901, Alex A. Arnold
made the survey under the direction of N. I. Gilbert, M. C. Whipple, Even
Bratberg, A. C. Danuser, Ole Halverson, F. J. Hartman and F. E. Brown.
The next day, F. J. Hartman took the census and found a population of 314
persons. A petition was duly presented to the court by N. E. Bersing, Ole
Halverson, Even Bratberg, 0. A. Breakey, Ole Void, A. C. Danuser, F. J.
Hartman, J. Void, J. B. Rice, E. S. Englesby, H. H. McNish, F. E. Brown,
K. Jenson, N. Gregerson, N. B. Nelson, Carl Voss, Peter Steen, N. I. Gil-
bert, A. P. Davis, Wm. Jackson, Martin Olson and C. H. Elkinton. The court
granted the petition January 14, 1902, and ordered an election to be held
February 11, 1902. The election resulted in 53 votes for the proposition
and 11 against it.
The first election of officers was held March 11, 1902, and resulted as
follows: President, F. J. Hartman; trustees, N. Gregerson, Andrew Olson,
F. E. Brown, Ole Void, K. Jenson and William Cleasby; clerk, G. H. Snoyen-
bos ; treasurer, N. E. Bersing ; assessor, Sever Nicholson ; supervisor, Henry
Rusehng; constable, A. C. Danuser; police justice, N. I. Gilbert; justice of
the peace, H. H. McNish and F. Mason.
Situated on the broad flats of the Beef River Valley, Eleva, like nearly
all the other villages of Trempealeau County, is situated at a natural center
of travel. A long stretch of the Beef River Valley, and the fertile expanses
of Big Creek and Trout Creek are immediately tributary to it. Through
this point in the early days, passed the stage lines from Fairchild to Mon-
dovi, and from Eau Claire to Independence and Whitehall in the Trem-
pealeau Valley.
In this locaUty, probably about 1876, Philo Englesby erected a hotel on
a small hill overlooking Big Creek, the present site of the home of H. H.
McNish. Jan. 20, 1877, Geo. 0. Babcock platted the village on land of E. J.
Carpenter and R. P. Goddard. About this time Mr. Carpenter built the
dam and the grist mill, since replaced by the mill of Henry Ruseling. Mr.
Goddard put up a store on what is now the northwest corner of Main and
Mondovi streets, the present site of the Fogland Brothers' store. In his
store the postofiice was kept. In the year that followed, a number of busi-
ness houses went up. John Redfield put up a blacksmith shop. A. C. Hal-
langer built a large store, Knute Jenson a blacksmith shop, Martin Olson a
hardware store, W. W. Wyman a drug store, Thomas Olson a confection-
ery store, Ole Halverson a meat shop, Henry Moxen and John Cook a board-
ing house. The Methodist church was also erected.
The railroad came through late in 1889, and on Dec. 13, 1889, an ex-
cursion was given to celebrate the installation of the first passenger service.
The first mail arrived by train Feb. 18, 1890.
Dec. 30, 1889, Henry Ruseling, who owned a mill there, shipped the
250 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
first load of flour sent on the railroad, and Gilbert & Hallanger shipped the
first load of stock and grain.
At that time, as at present, the center of the village was at the inter-
section of Mondovi and Main streets. The arrival of the railroad brought
sevei-al additions to the business life of the village. Gilbert and Hallanger
put up an elevator, an outside concern put up another elevator, N. C. Foster
opened a lumber yard, and Knute Jenson and David Odell opened hotels.
Osseo
Osseo is a thriving village on the Mondovi line of the Omaha. Its busi-
ness section parallels the Beef River, and a dam provides a pretty artificial
lake for bathing and boating. The residences are sightly and commodious,
and reflect in their architecture and surroundings the New England country
from which many of the pioneers hailed.
The principal municipal improvement is the beautiful and thoroughly
modern high school completed in the spring of 1917 at a cost of about $35,-
000. Electric lights have been furnished for several years by the Lee & Son
mill. The old schoolhouse has been refurnished and refitted as a village hall.
The chief industries consist of the mill at the village, the mill a short-
distance away, a cheese factory and a creamery. Two banks and a newspa-
per are in a flourishing condition.
Osseo was not materially affected by the arrival of the railroad. Started
in the fifties (see account of H. Hyslop elsewhere in this work), the village
on June 20, 1887, when the railroad was completed, was already a flourishing
hamlet, and the business houses were but little changed by the introduc-
tion of railroad transportation.
Among the business industries at that time were the Osseo and Sumner
mills, the general stores operated by F. E. Field & Co. and C. H. Shores & Co.,
drug stores operated by Dr. A. L. Wooster and Hotchkiss (E. S.) & Bewell
(George) ; blacksmith and wagon shop operated by John 0. Christenson &
Co., and blacksmith and machine works by Errick Nelson & Co.
To this list, D. L. Remington adds: J. H. McKenney, hotel and meat
market ; Fred Smith, harness shop ; Valorus Campbell, livery ; Montgomery
Reynolds, photographer; J. Huntington, hardware, and Matt Johnson, shoe-
maker. E. J. Matchett adds to the original list : Anderson Brothers, general
stoi-e; Hewett & Foster, hardware; Smith Brothers, hardware; William
Henry, cheese factory; Hiram Field, dealer in stock and horses, Arthur
Gates, dealer in machinery, and the Osseo Creamery Co.
An important part of the business section was destroyed by fire on
May 29, 1891, but was at once rebuilt with larger and better buildings.
Osseo was platted in September, 1857, by J. E. Irish, county sur-
veyor of Richland County, on land of W. A. Woodward, A. McCorkle, Caro-
line E. Sexton and Willard H. Thomas. It embraced 116 blocks of 8 lots
each, many of which have since been abandoned.
The village was incorporated in 1893. A survey having been made
Feb. 23, 1893 by Thomas G. Cox, a census was taken July 3, 1893, by A. C.
Gates and E. A. Olson, resulting in a numbering of 305 persons. Aug. 31,
1893, a petition was signed by E. J. Matchett, F. A. Smith, C. H. Shores, A.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 251
C. Gates, A. L. Wooster, George F. Newell and E. A. Olson, M. D., asking
for the incorporation of the village. The petition was granted by the dis-
trict court Sept. 4, 1893, and E. J. Matchett, Dr. E. A. Olson and George F.
Newell appointed inspectors of election. The election, duly held on Oct. 9,
1893, resulted in a vote of 33 to 8 in favor of the proposition.
The first election of officers was held Nov. 2, 1893, and resulted as fol-
lows: President, Dr. E. A. Olson; trustees, W. K. Lewis, J. H. LeBarron, C.
H. Shores, F. M. Smith, Thomas Fox and James Mclntyre; treasurer,
George Newell; clerk, J. W. Smith; supervisor, E. J. Matchett (J. H. Mc-
Kenney, who was tied, lost on a drawing of cuts) ; constable, A. H. Rogers;
police justice, A. C. Gates.
About the year 1859, the first school in Osseo was held in the house
now occupied by Eric Nelson ; at that time it was owned by W. H. Thomas,
who used the front part of the building as a general store, and in the rear
were rooms used as a dwelling and occupied by Mrs. Buckley, later better
known as Mrs. Barber. In one of these rooms school was held and taught
by her. There were only four pupils at that time, consisting of the two
daughters of W. H. Thomas, now Mrs. Delia Field, and Julia Shores, and
Kate and Fannie, daughters of Dennis Lawler.
Later school was held in the barroom of a hotel erected by Mr. Thomas
on the spot where Bert Humes' blacksmith shop now stands, and still later
in an old building located just north of the church where Mr. Horgan's
house has since been erected.
As the children grew in number it was deemed necessary to build a
schoolhouse, which was done in 1860. It was a one-room building and locat-
ed on the site as the present graded school building.
As years passed the number of pupils outgrew the capacity of this build-
ing and it was moved across the street where it still stands and is known as
the Town Hall, being occupied by the Sixth and Seventh grades, taught by
Miss Mabel Hagen. A two-story frame building was erected in its place in
1881. Miss Nettie Tracy, now Mrs. Nettie Jones, was the first teacher and
for six weeks had charge of all the pupils in the district, then numbering 59,
as the upper room was not completed at the beginning of the school year.
Malcolm McPhail was the first teacher in this room when finished.
In October, 1881, the people voted to have a graded school and admit
tuition pupils from outside the district. The result was that the number
of pupils increased so rapidly that again the rooms were over-crowded and
in the fall of 1892 there were 83 pupils seated in what is the lower north
room of the present building, taught by Agnes Hyslop, now Mrs. A. Mc-
Kenney. At Christmas time it was decided to hire another teacher and
use the Town Hall. Lottie Field taught during the two months' winter term,
and in the spring it was decided to use the recitation room instead of the
Town Hall, and Agnes Walsh of Fairchild was hired as assistant. Frank
Robinson was principal at that time.
In 1894 an addition was annexed to the south side of the schoolhouse
to correspond with that on the north.
The building is surrounded by beautiful trees, planted by children and
252 HISTOKY OF TREilPEALEAU COUNTY
teachers. David Isom also took great interest in the planting and caring
for them.
Again the building fails to accommodate the number of pupils which
have increased from 59 in 1881, to 220, and the corps of teachers from one
to seven, and we are compelled to vacate its walls for one more modern and
beautiful.
In 1916 the people voted to have a High school and to build a new build-
ing which is now, 1917, completed, and is a beautiful, modern, one-story
brick building, known as Lincoln High school, located in the northeastern
part of the village on a sightly spot known as Lincoln Hill.
It is a structure of which the village of Osseo may well be proud as it
ranks as one of the best in the state.
Strum
Strum is a busy ti-ading center in the Beef River valley on the Mondovi
line of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway. Like many
of the villages in Trempealeau county the village is located at a natural cen-
ter of traffic and stores were in existence here long before the coming of the
railroad.
The pioneer merchant was Thomas E. Holden, who came here about
1884 and erected a small store north of the river, and just west of where
the road turns east toward Osseo. About 1885 came Ole Kittleson. He
opened a store north of the river a few rods east of Holden's store. Situ-
ated as he was in the western part of the Unity township, he received con-
siderable ti'ade from that town and from Albion as well. In connection
with his store business he bought home-made butter, and in 1888 he and the
farmers organized the Strum Creamery Association.
In 1887 the railroad reached Osseo, and plans were made for continu-
ing the line west to Mondovi through Strum. A switch was laid at Strum in
1889. The depot was not built until 1892. An elevator and lumber yard
were built near the depot.
Mr. Kittleson then moved his store to the street leading from the de-
pot to the river, and thus established the location for the future business
of the village, all the stores now being located along this street. The mill
was also built on the river bank near the same street.
The growth of the village has since been steady and satisfactorJ^
The original mill, erected by Samuel Hogue, has been replaced with a large
structure several rods east of the depot. The original creamery has be-
come the flourishing Unity Co-operative Creamery, located on the railroad
right-of-way. Two sightly churches have been built, a bank with a most
satisfactory amount of deposits is well housed, and the Woodman Hall fur-
nishes an adequate place for public meetings and theatrical entertainments.
The school, first occupied in 1914, is a subject of considerable pride to the
citizens, and furnishes excellent instruction in the usual grade studies.
The fire of Christmas, 1915, which swept the east side of the principal
street, did not retard the growth of the village, but rather gave it new life,
for a number of larger and substantial business houses soon replaced those
destroyed.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 253
Although Strum is one of the youngest villages in the county, none of
the first settlers are now here, and in the neighborhood there are but few of
the pioneers of the county. But the newcomers have brought prosperity,
and with the constantly increasing improvement of the farms, and the grad-
ual development of the county highway system, the hamlet is designed to
be a point of stiU greater importance.
Ettrick
Ettrick is the terminus of the new Ettrick & Northern railroad, and evi-
dences of the prosperity and growth which is to follow the opening of that
line is already seen. Outside companies are purchasing building lots, and
many new business houses are being projected. At the present time the vil-
lage has a creamery, a flour mill, a woolen mill, and a new bank and hotel.
It is situated in the valley of the Beaver Creek in the midst of one
of the finest farming regions in western Wisconsin.
Ettrick had its beginning in 1870, when Iver Pederson came over from
Frenchville, and erected a store here. Later the dam was put in, the two
mills built and the creamery started. Gradually a small village grew up at
the point. June 20, 1877, the village was platted by Alfred P. Ford on land
of James Corcoran, P. J. Huff, Iver Knudson, Hans Christiansen and Iver
Pederson.
Dodge
Dodge Village is located at a point which has been a center of traffic
since the earliest days. Just above the present village was the old Indian
ford over the Trempealeau River. At the same ford, was the crossing of the
old stage line from Fountain City to Arcadia and Trempealeau. The rail-
road came through in 1873, the village was platted Feb. 20, 1874, on land
of August Bambenek, and business started that year. Nick Lehrback
opened the first store. Fred Hoesley opened the first hotel and restaurant
John Noteman, the first grain buyer, was also the first station agent. The
first blacksmith was James Tandutschy. The village is not incorporated, but
is a busy trading center, and is located in a region of fertile farms and rich
farmers. It has a good bank and creamery and several good stores.
Pigeon Creek
Pigeon Creek is the trading center of Pigeon Valley. It is the only vil-
lage of any importance in the county, aside from Ettrick, not supplied with
railroad service. The village was started in 1867 when Cyrus H. Hine pur-
chased a tract of land from George Hale and erected a mill. Shortly after-
ward Johnson & Olson put up a store. Peter Ekern came here in 1875, pur-
chased the mill and store, and established the varied activities of the place.
The estate now owns a large store, the creamery and the mill. In addition
to this there ai-e a number of other stores. There are hkewise two churches.
Good roads extend in various directions, and the village is a most attractive
little hamlet with many advantages.
254 HISTORY OF TREilPEALEAU COUNTY
Trempealeau
Trempealeau is located in the southern part of the county, and spreads
along the banks of the Mississippi under the shadows of the overhanging
bluffs and back a mile across the prairie to the depot of the Northwestern
Railroad, which with the Burlington supplies its railroad service.
The story of the village since its settlement in 1842 has already been
told.
Trempealeau now has a village hall, electric light service, a village park,
a bank, a newspaper, a public librai'y, and several elevators.
The shipments are farm products, fish and lime.
The present organization of the village dates from March 10, 1900,
when the old pioneer village government was reincorporated along modern
lines.
CHAPTER XII
NEWSPAPERS
ThP WbHTiTr'''"'^'''''''" *^' •'^"^^"stic field in Trempealeau County.
TranlVnf f .'T^'^fo^T ^'''''' ''' ^'''''^ ^''^''^y ^o the Galesvilfe
Transcript founded m 1860, and indirectly to the Trempealeau Times is-
sued ,n 1858. The Arcadia Leader dates back to the Trempealeau County
Republican established at Trempealeau in 1873. The Galesville Republican
Itself established in 1897, has absorbed the Galesville Independent which
was started in 1874. The Independence News-Wave had its beginning with
! !, . f "'^'"'' ^"'^'^ ^"^' ^" 1^^8- The Trempealeau Herald was es-
tablKshed in 1885. The Osseo News dates from the Osseo Recorder,
established in 1890. The Blair Press was established in 1898
For the most part, the papers of Trempealeau County have been
started as commercial ventures. Support of the labor movement has been
the motive underlying the establishment of at least two, and some have
had the prohibtion cause as their sponsors. Civic pride also entered into
the establishment of several of the papers, and the county seat controversies
caused the inauguration or change of location of a number of the publica-
tions. Two foreign papers flourished for a while.
The first paper published in the county was the Trempealeau Times
issued m the spring of 1858 by Charles and Francis A. Utter who had
brought type and a printing press from Elkhorn, Wis., and got out four is-
sues for the purpose of publishing the Buffalo County tax list.
The printing material was used in the publication of the Trempealeau
Banner, established Oct. 8, 1858, by J. Ketchum Averill. Averill remained
m Trempealeau a short time and then went to Tomah, where he established
the Tomah Chief.
The Utters, who still held a mortgage on the plant, foreclosed and
sold out, a portion being taken to Galesville for the printing of the Gales
ville Transcript. The Transcript was the most notable paper ever issued
in Trempealeau County. Fortunately its early files have been preserved
A bound volume of the first two years is in the possession of the Trem-
pealeau County Historical Society. The same society, and also Bert Gipple
ot the Galesville Republican, are in possession of a large number of unbound
issues. "Devoted to home improvements," the paper made its first appear-
ance March 16, 1860, with Samuel S. Luce as editor. An important feature
was the department of "Law Intelligence," giving in full the proceedings of
the Circuit Court of the district. George Gale was the corresponding editor
The paper contains many historical and literary contributions, and was
remarkable for the quality of its contributions. Charles A. Leith suc-
ceeded Judge Gale as part owner of the paper. In October, 1865, Leith and
H. R. Gale became the owners. It continued in Galesville until November,
255
256 HISTORY OF TREIVIPEALEAU COUNTY
1867, when Leith and A. F. Booth, who had purchased an interest, caused
its removal to Trempealeau, where it was pubhshed under the name of
Trempealeau County Record. In August, 1869, Mr. Leith sold his interest
in the paper to his partner, Mr. Booth. For a short time A. Atwood was a
partner and A. W. Newman editor. Then T. D. Stone purchased a half
interest. In January, 1873, Stone and Booth disposed of the paper, the
printing materials being taken to Madison to print the Wisconsin Good
Templar, and the good will going to Geo. S. Luce, who merged the paper
in the Galesville Journal under the title of Journal and Record. He con-
tinued to print a column or more of Trempealeau news. Geo. S. Luce sold
the Journal and Record in August, 1874, to B. E. Clark, who removed the
paper to Whitehall under the name of Trempealeau County Messenger. A
committee of citizens under the name of the Whitehall Px'inting Association
took over the paper in June, 1875, and placed Dan A. Camp in the editor's
chair. Geo. Eads bought the paper in September, 1876, and in July, 1878,
sold to F. B. Wagner, who in September, 1879, sold to B. F. Wing and Dan
Camp. In January, 1880, the Messenger (which name it retained as a
sub-title until January, 1882), was purchased by Fred E. Beach and the
name changed to the Whitehall Times, Camp still being retained as editor.
In December, 1880, J. B. Beach became a partner and in 1887 the sole owner.
Nov. 5, 1891, the Blair department of the paper had developed to the extent
that the paper appeared with the caption, "Whitehall Times and Blair
Banner." Jan. 27, 1916, the title Whitehall Times-Banner was adopted.
After the death of J. B. Beach in 1915 the paper was leased by Fred E.
and Z. T. Beach.
The Trempealeau Representative was founded in August, 1859, and
was conducted by Francis W. Newland and S. D. Hastings, until suspended
in 1861.
The Galesville Journal was established in May, 1870, by Geo. S. Luce,
with J. H. Powers as a partner. Powers sold his interest to H. L. Bunn in
May, 1871, Bunn to H. F. Burt in February, 1873, and Burt in June, 1873,
to his partner Luce, who thus became the sole owner. Julius C. Chandler
was employed as editor from January to April, 1871, and Samuel S. Luce
from April, 1871, to May, 1872. In January, 1873, upon the absorption
of the Trempealeau County Record, the paper became the Journal and
Record.
The Trempealeau County Republican was established in March, 1873,
hy Charles A. Leith at Trempealeau. In July, 1875, Hackston
and C. E. Hollenbeck started the Arcadia Leader. In April, 1876, Mr.
Hackston sold to Noah D. Comstock and the firm became C. E. Hollenbeck
& Co. A year later Mr. Comstock assumed the entii-e ownership. Later
in 1877 the Trempealeau County RepubUcan and the Arcadia Leader were
combined and issued at Arcadia, Mr. Leith being the editor and Mr. Com-
stock the corresponding editor. H. F. Pond had charge of the Trempealeau
department. During January, 1881, the name was shortened to Republican
Leader of Trempealeau County, and was next styled the Arcadia Repub-
lican and Leader. Following Mr. Leith the editors were : F. F. and E. A.
Morgan, January to May, 1884 ; F. F. Morgan, May, 1884, to January, 1887 ;
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 257
Morgan and Truman F. Ball, three months; Ball alone, March, 1887, to
June, 1888 ; George Z. Heuston, six months ; George and Leonard Mathys,
1889. The Mathys Brothers changed the politics from Republican to
Democratic, and in January, 1890, shortened the name to Arcadia Leader.
Then came George Mathys and J. G. Faulds, January, 1890, to July, 1891 ;
Faulds and A. J. Cowie, July, 1891, to August, 1893; Faulds alone until
February, 1894 ; Peter J. and L. G. Barth till April, 1896 ; Peter Barth,
April, 1896, to November, 1902 (except March to June, 1901, by W. G.
Cameron) ; John Maloney and Henry F. Theuver, November, 1902, January,
1904, when it was sold to Albert Hess, who conducted it alone until Jan. 15,
1914, since when Christ Fuoter associated himself with Mr. Hess as busi-
ness manager.
The Galesville Independent was established in October, 1874, by the
Galesville Printing Association, and was edited by Cunningham and Luce
till October, 1875 ; by W. M. Doty, November, 1875, to March, 1877, and by
S. S. Luce till May, 1881. It was then purchased by Luce and his son, W. S. ;
conducted by them till 1889. Afterward came T. F. Ball, succeeded by
Frank Huntley and then by H. L. Vandervort, who sold the paper to W. A.
Tower in January, 1895. Tower was publisher till 1898, when he sold to
Bunsen Brothers, who conducted the paper until 1907, when it was sold to
Richard E. Smith and Carl C. Gwynne. In 1908 it was absorbed by the
Galesville Republican.
Newton P. Tucker established a small paper called the Free Press in
1878 at Trempealeau, where it was published for about one year, when its
materials were removed to Galesville for the purpose of setting up the
Trempealeau County Democrat. A year later the Trempealeau County
Democrat was removed to Arcadia, where it was suspended in the fall
of 1880.
The Galesville Republican is the outgrowth of a small job printing
plant established by Bert A. Gipple in February, 1897. Mr. Gipple entered
the office of the Galesville Independent as an apprentice in 1890 and was
with that paper much of the time during the seven years following. He
sought to lease or purchase the Independent plant in 1896, but was unsuc-
cessful, and the job shop was the outcome of the movement. The first
issue of The Republican appeared in September, 1897. It was a four-column
quarto, printed on a job press. The little paper found favor from the
start. A few months later its form was changed to a five-column folio,
all home print, and thus it continued until 1907, when larger quarters were
secured and a cylinder press installed. A year later The Republican Print-
ing Company was organized and the Galesville Independent was merged
with The Republican, which was then, as now, issued as a six-column
weekly, with from eight to twelve pages. From the beginning Mr. Gipple
held a majority of shares of stock in the new company, and has continued
as editor and manager. The Republican was launched as a Repubhcan
newspaper, but with no political backing. This was at a time before the
split came in the Republican party in Wisconsin. A few years later LaFol-
letteism spread and political lines were drawn on this issue. The Repub-
lican has always been known as anti-LaFollette.
258 HISTORY OF TREIMPEALEAU COUNTY
The Independence Weekly News was established March 9, 1878, by
Geo. E. Gilkey. The Blair Bulletin was absorbed in April, 1879, and for a
time the paper was called the Weekly News Bulletin, the original name,
however, being soon resumed. In December, 1879, Gilkey sold to W. R.
Allison, who conducted it until April, 1880, followed by H. I. TurnbuU four
months. Then J. R. and W. P. Faulds at intervals, alone or in partnership,
owned the paper until 1888. Then came George A. Markham, who in
April, 1892, united it with the Independence Wave. Since then it has been
styled the Independence News- Wave. It was conducted by George A. and
Ada R. Markham until the former's death in July, 1909. Since then Mrs.
Markham has been the editor.
The Independence Wave was established about May, 1888, by A. A.
Mclntyre, and edited by George A. Markham. In March, 1889, it absorbed
the Eau Claire Progress (founded October, 1887), and a few weeks later
became the property of Markham, who conducted it, assisted by C. G.
Simpson, April, 1889, to April, 1891 ; by 0. G. Briggs, until January, 1892,
and then by Ada R. Markham. It was united with the News April, 1892. Its
politics were Prohibitionist.
The Trempealeau Gazette was founded in 1890. In that year Clarence
S. Utter, who had been publishing the Sunday Morning Gazette in Winona,
moved his printing outfit to Trempealeau, occupying the old Ford building,
now known as the New Hotel. He published the Sunday Morning Gazette,
and during the winter F. C. Utter and C. S. Ford joined him in partnership.
"We had an old wooden reel pi'ess," said one of the firm, "and we used to
fill the reel with sand for ballast, and when we run out the paper the
machinery made as much noise as a bean thrasher." The following spring
the partnership was dissolved, and the editor paid F. C. Utter and C. S.
Ford a five dollar gold piece each for their share of the dividend. C. S.
Utter then leased his equipment to Chas. Morrison, who ran the Gate City
Review in La Crosse for a year, when Utter bought the lease and returned
to Trempealeau with his outfit and revised the Gazette as a campaign sheet.
But in 1894 he sold out to A. A. Gibson and brother, and they remained
a year in the newspaper field, when Utter bought them out and resumed
the pubhcation of the Trempealeau Gazette. In June, 1903, Thomas Bohen
bought the Gazette and published it until 1909. Then F. J. Pearson con-
ducted the paper for a year, after which it was suspended. Shortly after
Bohen bought the Gazette he opened up with virile attacks on the former
owner of the paper, and in self-defense Utter soon launched the Trem-
pealeau Tribune, thus making three newspapers running in Trempealeau
at one time. The first few issues of the Tribune were type-set and printed
at St. Paul and then sent here for mailing. Later Utter ran the paper with
a small outfit of his own. It was suspended for a time and again picked up
and run until the fall of 1904, when the outfit was destroyed by fire and the
paper ceased.
The Trempealeau Herald was founded in December, 1884. Jacob
Tenney conducted it as a labor organ. He sold to Cecil Stewart, a fire-
man on the steamboat Belle of Bellevue. Stewart knew nothing whatever
about the newspaper business ; moreover, lacking an education he appeared
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 259
to be sadly equipped for the new undertaking. But he secured competent
assistants, and with their aid he began his career as a printer. He was an
apt pupil and by applying himself under a qualified tutor he soon was able
with his typo and printers' devil to turn out a good sheet. Later he held
cases on the Milwaukee Sentinel and was classed as a successful printer.
Elbert Newton Goodhue purchased the Trempealeau Herald in 1888 and
edited the paper October, 1897, and then sold out to his sister, Aletta D.
Goodhue, the present owner and publisher.
The Arcadian was established May, 1895, by E. G. Farlin. It was con-
ducted by S. G. Wheeler from 1898 to 1900 ; by David Stevens from 1900 to
1907, and then moved to Beacher, 111.
The Blair Press was started about March 1, 1878, by W. A. Asmues,
who sold to Henry Russell. Simon Berseng, who was employed by Russell,
next took over the paper and after conducting it for a while sold to 0. B.
Borsheim and Earl F. Hensel. The next owners were A. O.
Likken and Sneider Stout. Then the creditors took over the paper and
subsequently it was conducted by Martin Amundson and his son, Omar
Amundson. A. H. York was the next proprietor. On Sept. 1, 1915, he sold
to the present owner, H. C. Kirkpatrick.
The Osseo Blade. The railroad reached Osseo June 20, 1887, and on
July 4 Daniel A. Camp started the Osseo Blade. Later it passed into the
hands of W. C. Thomas. Henry E. Browne became the editor in 1890. The
plant was burned in May, 1891, but within a few months resumed publi-
cation.
The Osseo Recorder was established about Dec. 29, 1893. In January,
1912, E. J. Matchett purchased an equity in the paper from E. E. Carpenter,
who had bought it from W. S. Gilpin, but who had defaulted in his pay-
ments. Mr. Matchett changed the name to the Trempealeau County
Farmer. Jan. 21, 1915, the paper was consolidated with the Osseo News.
The Osseo News was estabhshed May 3, 1912, with W. S. Gilpin as
editor, and with Mr. and Mrs. Gilpin as proprietors. It absorbed the Trem-
pealeau County Farmer, formerly the Osseo Recorder, on Jan. 21, 1915.
The Eleva Herald was published in 1915.
The International Good Templar, a sixty-page magazine devoted to
the interests of Good Templary throughout the world, was founded at
London, Canada, in 1888, was published at Independence from January,
1906, to January, 1909, with G. A. Markham as publisher and B. F. Parker
of Milwaukee, supreme secretary of the order, as editor. In 1909, because
of a change in secretary, it was moved to Glasgow, Scotland.
The Wisconsin Good Templar, a temperance paper devoted wholly to
the interests of the Good Templar order in the State of Wisconsin, was
established in November, 1891, and was published by George A. Markham,
with Ada R. Markham as managing editor. With the death of Mr. Mark-
ham in 1909 Mrs. Markham became publisher as well as editor. The paper
was suspended in 1912.
The Anzeiger was founded in December, 1899, by John Uttermoehl.
He sold to Napoleon Cramolini, who in turn sold to Emil Schulze. The
paper terminated with the sudden death of Mr. Schulze on Feb. 8, 1916.
260 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Der Nord Staed, a Norwegian paper, was published in Whitehall in 1877.
The Booster was established in 1908 by Dan P. Gibson, superintendent
of schools for the county, the publication being authorized by the county
board and the expense being met by the county. Its purpose was educa-
tional and to furnish a better means of communication between the superin-
tendent and the teachers and school boards. With the change in county
superintendent in 1917 it has been discontinued for a time at least.
CHAPTER XIII
RAILROADS AND TELEPHONES
Trempealeau County owes much of its development to its railroads,
which, crossing its northern, central and southern portions, give the best"
of shipping facilities within easy distance of nearly every farm, and have
been the means of the upbuilding of many a thriving village. The pro-
jected line from Blair to Ettrick will tap another rich region, and give still
further impetus to the agricultural life of the county.
One village, however, suffered from the coming of the raih'oads.
Trempealeau in 1870 was a great wheat market, and its river shipping
business brought to its river front the farm produce of a vast region,
extending as far as fifty miles to the interior. The railroad weakened the
steamboat industry, and diverted much of the agricultural produce to
crossroads shipping points, while much of the shipping trade of this region
was diverted to La Crosse and Winona.
Four railroads operate in Trempealeau County : the Chicago & North-
western Railway, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, the Green
Bay & Western Railroad and the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha
Railway. A fifth, the Ettrick & Northern Railroad, is in the process of
construction.
The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy crosses the southwestern part of
the county, through the towns of Trempealeau and Caledonia. It has a
station on the river front at Trempealeau and nearly parallels the Mis-
sissippi.
The Chicago & Northwestern also crosses the southwestern part of
the county, through the towns of Trempealeau and Caledonia. It has a
station at Trempealeau about half a mile back from the river front. Unlike
the Burlington, it does not follow the river between Trempealeau and
Winona, but extends back to the bluffs and runs along their foot. A branch
line also reaches from Trempealeau to Galesville. By an agreement made
a number of years ago the Green Bay uses the Northwestern tracks from
La Crosse to Marshland.
The Green Bay & Western follows the valley of the Trempealeau River
through the central part of the county, crossing the townships of Dodge,
Arcadia, Burnside, Lincoln and Preston. Its stations in this county are
at Dodge, Arcadia, Independence, Whitehall and Blair.
The Mondovi branch of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha
follows the course of the Buffalo River in the northern pai't of the county,
crossing the townships of Albion, Unity and Sumner. Its stations in this
county are at Eleva, Strum and Osseo.
The Ettrick & Northern is being projected from Ettrick to Blair, a
261
262 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
distance of twelve miles. It has been proposed to extend the road fifty
miles to Onalaska, thus making connections with La Crosse.
The project which resulted in the building of the first railroad in Trem-
pealeau County had its beginning March 6, 1857 (Chapter 280, Private
Laws of 1857), when the Wisconsin legislature granted a charter to a
company called the La Crosse, Trempealeau & Prescott Railroad Company
(also known as the La Crosse, Trempealeau, Lake Pepin & Prescott Rail-
road Company), to locate and build a line along the east bank of the Mis-
sissippi from La Crosse to Prescott, Wis., by way of Trempealeau and
Fountain City. The first board of directors consisted of P. V. Wise, 0. T.
•Maxon, T. B. Wilson, David Noggle, Charles McClure, Edmond Bishop,
Henry D. Huff, Samuel D. Hastings, George Batchelder, George Gale and
D. D. Cameron. With the financial crisis of that year interest in the project
was allowed to lag.
But a year later the project was revived with much fervor. Winona
at that time bid fair to be an important railroad point, as the eastern
terminus of the Transit Railroad (now succeeded by the Chicago & North-
western) and the Minnesota & Pacific (now succeeded by the Chicago,
Milwaukee & St. Paul) . La Crosse also had aspirations toward becoming a
railroad center, that city being the western terminal of the La Crosse &
Milwaukee (now succeeded by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul), over
which through connection with the east had been established by the open-
ing of the road Oct. 14, 1858.
Winona and La Crosse were bitter rivals. No one believed that more
than one railroad would ever cross the Mississippi in this region. The
Winona people believed that if they could bridge the river at that city, and
connect with the Milwaukee & La Crosse at some point east of La Crosse,
Winona would be a gi-eat center for the eastern and northern connections,
and that La Crosse would be left at the blind end of a little used stub.
In the winter of 1858-59 three well known Winona men started out
to look for a practical route from Winona to a point east of La Crosse on
the recently built Milwaukee & La Crosse. At that time the people of
Winona knew but little about the interior of Trempealeau County. The
three men cut their way through the swamps from Altoona, now Blufli"
Siding, to the Trempealeau River, at what is now Marshland. Continuing
southeast fi'om that point they were overtaken by darkness and camped
all night in a tract of timber, suffering severely from the cold and lack of
warm food. The next morning, after eating frozen bread and meat for
breakfast, they proceeded on their way, and in half an hour came out on a
prairie covered with fenced fields and good farm houses. They had spent
the arctic night in what they had supposed was a wild country, when in
reality they were in the midst of a settled community of comfort and plenty.
Continuing on their way the prospectors completed a tentative route and
returned to Winona. In the spring the people of Winona, having some-
what modified their ambitions, decided to include La Crosse in their plans
and made a preliminary survey of a route which is practically the present
line of the Northwestern. But even with this change of heart on the part
of the Winonans, the people of La Crosse did not look favorably on the
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 263
project, and threatened, if possible, to prevent the granting of a charter by
the Wisconsin legislature.
Facing this opposition, the Winona people enlisted the aid of prom-
inent Trempealeau County citizens, determined to reorganize under the
old La Crosse, Trempealeau & Prescott charter. Possession of the old
charter was obtained and a reorganization perfected with eleven directors,
five of whom were from Ti'empealeau. Galesville had endeavored to be
included in the route, and had prepared a line from Marshland over the
prairie to that village, thus cutting Trempealeau off entirely. But their
plans did not succeed. Thomas Simpson was elected president; A. W.
Webster, vice-president; J. H. Newland, secretary, and Thomas E. Bennett,
treasurer. The company with the aid of N. F. Hilbert as chief engineer,
who was to be paid whenever the company could secure any money,
started at once to survey the line, obtain the right of way and perfect other
plans, in order to secure vested rights before the legislature could convene
and revoke the charter.
Gradually the opposition of the La Crosse people died away. The
charter was amended April 4, 1864. In time a majority of the stock was
acquired by D. N. Barney & Co. and was by them sold to the Chicago «fe
Northwestern, Oct. 31, 1867. Late in 1870 the road was completd from
Winona to Winona Junction, originally called Trempealeau Junction, near
La Crosse, a distance of 29 miles. Through railroad connection was thus
established between Trempealeau County and the East. A few days after
the completion of the road to a point opposite Winona, the bridge to that
city was completed, Dec. 29, 1870. At that time Winona had railroad con-
nections to the westward with Janesville and to the northwest with Weaver.
Aug. 15, 1871, railroad communication was established between Winona
and St. Paul, thus connecting Trempealeau County with the Northwest.
The La Crosse, Trempealeau & Prescott Railroad was consolidated with the
Chicago & Northwestern June 6, 1877.
The Galesville branch of the Chicago & Northwestern, extending from
Trempealeau to Galesville, was put in operation in the summer of 1883.
In 1882 a number of public spirited citizens approached the Chicago &
Northwestern officials on the subject and were told that if the people of
Galesville would secure a right-of-way and grade the roadbed the rail-
road would lay the ties and rail and put the branch in operation. Prepara-
tions were accordingly made, the Galesville-Mississippi Railroad Company
was organized March 1, 1882, a subscription was taken, and the town voted
bonds of $12,000. The company consisted of: President, A. A. Arnold;
vice-president, Isaac Clark; treasurer, A. H. Kneeland; secretary, G. Y.
Freeman; H. Birchard, Geo. H. Smith and David Kennedy. The light in
which some of the farmers regarded railroads even as late as the eighties
is seen in the communications in the newspapers of the time, in which the
noise and odor of the railroad were prophesied as great evils, and the pre-
diction made that the road would take ^11 the business away from the vil-
lage. But those in favor of the proposition persisted in their efforts, and
at great personal sacrifice completed their labors. The grading was in
charge of Isaac Clark and David Kennedy and was nearly completed when
264 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
winter set in. The faith of the promoters was more than justified, for
Galesville at once became an important business and trading center.
The Green Bay & Western Railroad has been one of the principal
factors in the development of central Trempealeau County. The company
was organized Feb. 7, 1866, and chartered as the Green Bay & Lake Pepin
Railway Company, with Wabasha as its objective western terminal. Four
miles were graded in 1869 and 30 miles in 1870. Track laying was com-
menced in the fall of 1871, and completed 39 miles from Gi'een Bay to
New London, Dec. 20, 1871. Four days later the first passengers were
carried by special train. During the summer of 1872, 110 miles between
New London and Merrillan Junction in Jackson County were graded and
the tracks laid. The whole work was completed at 5 o'clock on the after-
noon of Dec. 24, 1872. During the summer and fall of 1873 the tracks
were graded and iron laid from Merrillan Junction to Marshland, where
connections were made with the old La Crosse, Trempealeau & Prescott
Railroad, now the Madison division of the Chicago & Northwestern. The
first passenger service between Green Bay and Winona was inaugurated
Dec. 18, 1873. The first train ran on regular schedule Jan. 1, 1874. Sept.
5, 1873, the name was changed to the Green Bay & Minnesota Railroad. At
that time it was believed that the road would be consolidated with the
Winona & St. Peter, John I. Blair being a large stockholder in both roads.
But the Chicago & Northwestern absorbed the Winona & St. Peter, and
the Green Bay was left to its own devices. The struggle was a severe one.
Running through 209 miles of a new and sparsely settled country, the
receipts were not sufficient to maintain it. Early in 1878 it went into
the hands of a receiver. June 20, 1881, it was sold at a foreclosure sale and
reorganized as the Green Bay, Winona & St. Paul Railway Company. June
10, 1896, it was again sold under foreclosure and the name changed to
the Green Bay & Western Railroad Company. In 1891 a spur track was
completed from Marshland to East Winona, and the Winona tei-minal was
established at the Burlington station instead of at the Northwestern station.
Of the selection of the route through Whitehall, Stephen Richmond
has said : "Arcadia was offered and had within reach an opportunity such
as comes to few localities indeed when the Green Bay Railroad was pro-
jecting its line across the state and pointing to the Trempealeau Valley
in the winter of 1872. The line of the road had early been definitely decided
upon from Green Bay to Merrillan, where a junctional point was to be made.
Black River Falls was practically inaccessible because of the difficulty of
crossing Black River at that point. Had this not been so the road no doubt
would have been built to that city and thence down the Black River Valley
to Melrose, and thence across country to Trempealeau Village, or down
the Black River to La Crosse. The complete history of the location of
the Green Bay Hne would be an interesting story. It may never be written.
The parties behind the road were poor and the question of cost of right
of way and construction were pressing matters in fixing its location from
the junction point at Merrillan, and were largely the elements which were
most influential. Trempealeau Valley offered a great saving in these
elements. The valley to Blair was an easy proposition and solved itself
HISTORY OP^ TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 265
in offering cheap right of way and inexpensive construction in the river
bottoms, but at Blair the conditions differed in the turn in the course of
the valley from southwesterly to an abrupt northwesterly, and then a
westerly course, adding at least seven miles to the length of the line over
a southwesterly course from Blair to Arcadia ; but this shorter course
necessitated an added expense in construction, to cross the Preston ridge,
or hills, between the head of Welch Cooley, in Preston, and Newcomb Valley
in Arcadia. The extra cost in construction was estimated or fixed at
$75,000, and the town of Preston and Arcadia were asked to bond for such
sum, Preston for $25,000 and Arcadia for $50,000. Men in these towns
clearly saw in such construction the advantage to local business interests
and supported the proposition, so that each town voted bonds. So far
wisdom was manifested, but thereafter a want of prudence followed in
delivering the bonds without a clearly and definitely fixed obligation on
the part of the road to build directly southwest from Blair to Arcadia Vil-
lage (Old Arcadia). However, the bonds were delivered unconditionally,
and without a binding obligation to construct the road as it had been pre-
viously located, between Blair and Arcadia Village, and hence Arcadia lost
and forfeited its first great opportunity, for the road was afterward con-
structed in the valley from Blair by way of Whitehall and Independence to
Arcadia, and thence to Marshland. One cannot fail to see the loss of ter-
ritory which otherwise would have been tributary to Arcadia and the large
market opportunity and trade cut off, and to which she believed herself
entitled for the bonds delivered. With the road built as originally planned
the village would have remained at the old and early location on the table-
land, where every advantage would have been given by .nature for good
streets, easily obtained drainage and desirability, which no one can say
would not have made the town an important city long ago, with a population
of many thousands."
The Chicago, Burlington & Northern, which on June 1, 1899, became
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, built its Hne through Trempealeau
County in 1886. In March of that year Alexander A. Arnold of Galesville,
D. D. Chappell of Caledonia, and Andrew R. Carhart of Trempealeau were
appointed a commission to appraise and condemn necessary land that had
not been already secured for the right of way. Track laying was com-
pleted through Trempealeau County and to a point opposite Winona, April
24, 1886. The first train from St. Paul to Prairie du Chien was sent over
the line Aug. 9, 1886. July 4, 1891, the drawbridge at Winona was com-
pleted, thus giving Trempealeau County three raih'oad connections with
that city.
The Mondovi line of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Rail-
way Company was built through the northern part of the county in the
late eighties, reaching Osseo June 20, 1887, and Eleva late in 1889. The
Fairchild & Mississippi Railway Company was organized in 1886 to build
and operate a line of railroad from Fairchild, Wis., to some point on the
line of the Burlington & Northern Railroad in Buffalo County, with a branch
line from Fairchild to some point on the line of the Wisconsin Central
Railroad in Clark or Marathon County.
266 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Articles of incorporation were executed March 27, 1886, and filed in
the office of secretary of State, and patent issued March 29, 1886. On
May 7, 1887, a resolution was adopted at stockholders' meeting of the com-
pany, changing the name to the Sault Ste. Marie & Southwestern Railway
Company, which resolution was filed in the office of secretary of state on
July 16, 1887.
On April 1, 1891, the line was acquired by the Chicago, St. Paul, Minne-
apolis & Omaha Railway Company by acquisition of the outstanding stock,
and was operated by that company from that date, and on June 3, 1893,
was conveyed to it. As ah-eady stated, the road reached Osseo, 14.21 miles
from Fairchild, on June 20, 1887. After a httle delay it was pushed west-
ward. At Strum, then called Tilden, a switch was constructed in the fall
of 1889. Eleva, 12.89 miles from Osseo, was reached late in 1889, the
opening being celebrated by an excursion Dec. 13, 1889. The depot was
complete in February, 1890. A little later work was started on the line
toward Mondovi, 9.65 miles away, and was soon completed. The depot at
Strum was put up in the fall of 1892 and the first station agent started
work in 1893.
The Ettrick & Northern Railroad Company had its inception in the
minds of H. F. Claussen, banker; M. P. Pederson, former sheriff, agricul-
turist and well contractor, and John Raichle, road contractor. These gen-
tlemen interviewed former Senator John C. Gaveney of Arcadia and inter-
ested him in the proposition of furnishing railroad facilities for the vast
region tributary to Ettrick. In this region there were 170 square miles,
occupied by some of the richest farms in western Wisconsin, absolutely
without raih'oad facilities. The neai'est shipping points were Galesville,
Blair, West Salem and Sparta. Money and time spent in reaching these
points gi'eatly increased the cost of producing and marketing products of
the farms in the Ettrick region.
One solution of the problem was the extension of the Northwestern
from Galesville, but that proposition not receiving favorable response from
the Northwestern officials, a unique plan was conceived of building a rail-
road as a co-operative effort of the farmer to be served, and with all costs
of promotion absolutely eliminated.
Accordingly, subscriptions were solicited, and on June 5, 1915, a com-
pany incorporated with John C. Gaveney, president ; M. P. Pederson, vice-
president; H. F. Claussen, secretary and treasurer; T. A. Whalen, A. G.
Hagestad, A. J. Ekern, Ed. Quammen, Fred FilLner and Peter Corcoran as
the incorporators. A route was selected from Ettrick to Blair, where con-
nection will be made with the Green Bay & Western.
The contract for constructing the line was let to Ed. J. Matchett and
John Raichle. Work was started in the fall of 1916 at Blair. At the
present writing, in the fall of 1917, the road is graded to within a mile of
Ettrick, the "cut," a remarkable feat of excavating through one of the
main hills of the "ridge," is nearly done, all the bridges are completed, the
ties and rails are at Blair, and track laying has commenced at that village.
The town of Ettrick has voted bonds of $75,000, the railroad has issued its
own bonds of $50,000, and over 400 farmers in the territory to be served
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 267
have subscribed to the stock. While there is every indication that the road
itself will prove a profitable investment, its principal object is the develop-
ment of the country, and the improvement of the market facilities in the
region in which its stockholders live. The traffic manager, L. J. Trexler,
has already arranged rates with all the leading railroads of the country
TELEPHONES
Telephone service in Trempealeau County is extensive and adequate,
supplied by the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company, with exchanges
in the leading villages, by the Osseo Telephone Company with an exchange
at Osseo, and by numerous farmers' telephone companies which operate
rural lines and maintain exchanges in several of the villages.
Probably the first telephone in Trempealeau County was that of Dr.
G. N. Hidershide, who in April, 1894, strung a wire between his office and
residence in Arcadia.
The first telephone exchange in the county was put in opei'ation in the
fall of 1895 by W. P. Veitch and Geo. S. Luce at Galesville. The switch
was a crude afl'air manufactured by Mr. Luce himself. A single wire was
strung to Winona, thus giving connection with the outside world.
The first telephone company organized in Trempealeau County was the
Bluff City Telephone Company, incorporated at Trempealeau, Nov. 12, 1895,
by Clarence S. Utter and B. A. Cornelle at Trempealeau for the purpose
of building a telephone line from Trempealeau to CenterviUe. Acting
under this charter Clarence S. Utter erected tamarack poles at irregular
intervals from Trempealeau to CenterviUe, and thence to the village limits
of Arcadia.
At this time a telephone line had been established from Waumandee
to Fountain City. Through this line the people at Fountain City were
receiving much trade from the rich Waumandee valley and from the Mon-
tana region. Senator John C. Gaveney, with keen foresight, realized that
Arcadia's opportunity had come. He consulted with Emil Maurer, J. M.
Fertig and W. P. Masseure, local merchants, and these gentlemen, with
Dr. G. N. Hidershide, constructed a telephone line between Montana and
Arcadia, with intermediate stations at Glencoe and Waumandee. But con-
nection with Fountain City was refused at Waumandee, and the men turned
their attention southward to the line which Clarence S. Utter had projected.
For $200 they purchased the rights of Clarence S. Utter, A. W. McCuUom
and H. Carrey in the Trempeaieau-Centei'ville-Arcadia pi'ojected line and
proceeded to organize a company.
The Arcadia Telephone Company was incorporated June 5, 1896, the
officers, on motion of John C. Gaveney, being: J. M. Fertig, president;
G. N. Hidershide, vice-president; Emil Maurer, secretary, and Geo. A.
Schneller (representing W. P. Massuere) , ti^easurer. The company acquired
the interests of its individual members in the line to Waumandee and the
projected line to Trempealeau. A conference at Winona resulted in a
promise from the Independent companies at La Crosse and Winona to
build connecting lines to Trempealeau. Mr. Gaveney then went to Inde-
pendence, Whitehall and Blair and raised funds by selling coupon books to
268 PIISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
be used after the Valley line was in operation. The line was built up the
valley in 1906 and put in operation at once, Independence and WTiitehall
securing service in the winter and Blair in the spring. Then the line to
Trempealeau was completed.
In 1900 an exchange was opened at Whitehall, and the same year the
hnes were extended up Elk Creek and up Pigeon Valley. In 1901 the Gales-
ville line was purchased, giving connection with the Galesville and Ettrick
region, connections were made at Osseo giving access to the Beef River
country, and an exchange was opened at Independence. An exchange
was opened at Blair in the spring of 1902.
In the meantime many farms were connected with the various lines,
and to make the company a truly community endeavor it was decided to
reorganize with the stock distributed among the farmers.
The Western Wisconsin Telephone Company, a reorganization of the
Arcadia Telephone Company, was incorporated May 19, 1902, with thirty-
seven stockholders. An exchange was at once established at Centerville.
In March, 1903, the lines of the Trempealeau & Buffalo County Telephone
Company and its line to Mondovi were purchased. Soon afterward the
Winona Telephone Company turned over to the Western Wisconsin Tele-
phone Company all its holdings in western Wisconsin, and in 1904 the
exchange at Pigeon Falls was established. Later this exchange w^as aban-
doned. The company covers the greater part of the county, and the
southeastern part of Buffalo County, and crossing the Black River at
Hunter's Ridge covers a considerable territory in the northern part of
La Crosse County. It has adequate connections at La Crosse and Winona.
Besides operating extensive rui'al lines it has exchanges at Arcadia, Cen-
terville, Galesville, Trempealeau, Blair, Whitehall, Independence and
Ettrick, and makes connection not only, with the local exchange of the
Osseo Telephone Company at Osseo, but also with the farmers' local
exchanges at Ettrick, Galesville and Blair.
The officers are: President, John C. Gaveney; vice-president, G. N.
Hidershide; treasurer, G. A. Schneller; secretary, Emil Maurer; general
manager, J. I. Dewey; superintendent, Thomas Cummings; directors, Frank
A. Kellman, Galesville; 0. B. Borsheim, Blair; Frank C. Richmond, Arcadia;
George Bohrnstedt, Arcadia ; Emil Maurer, Arcadia ; K. K. Hagestad,
Ettrick; David Wood, Whitehall; John Sprecher, Independence; Geo. A.
Schneller, Arcadia; G. N. Hidershide, Arcadia; John C. Gaveney, Arcadia.
Underground wires are maintained at Arcadia, Galesville and Indepen-
dence, and conduits for that purpose have been laid at Whitehall.
The Osseo Telephone Company was organized May 3, 1900, and incor-
porated May 15, 1900, by J. L. Linderman, Dr. E. A. Olson, Charles F.
Trager and F. M. Smith. The first officers were : F. A. Smith, president ;
C. F. Trager, vice-president, and H. L. Smith, secretary and treasurer.
The capital stock at beginning was $4,500, which was subsequently increased
to $10,000 and later to $25,000. The present officers are : A. G. Cox, presi-
dent ; C. I. Fields, vice-president; D. L. Remington, secretary and manager;
F. M. Smith, assistant manager; T. J. Thompson, treasurer. The exchange
at Osseo was opened in July, 1900, the one at Eleva in June, 1901. The
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 269
exchange at Mondovi was purchased the same year and in 1904 was sold to
the Mondovi business men. In 1901 a hne was built to Eau Claire from
Eleva and later was sold to Chas. Sequni of Shaw. The Eleva exchange
was sold to the Eleva Farmers' Telephone Company of Eleva in February,
1913. At the present time the Osseo exchange furnishes service to nearly
500 subscribers.
The first farmers' companies in Trempealeau County were at Whitehall
and Blair. The dates of organization of the various farmers' 'phones are
as foUows:
The Lincoln Telephone Company (with local exchange at Whitehall),
organized April 4, 1905.
The Preston Telephone Company (with local exchange at Blair) , organ-
ized July 25, 1905.
The Tamarack Telephone Company (in which is included the New-
comb Valley Telephone Company, organized April 4, 1906) , organized March
14, 1906.
The Ettriclc Telephone Company (with local exchanges at Galesville
and Ettrick) , organized Jan. 8, 1906.
The Beef River Valley Telephone Company (with a short line east of
Osseo), organized Sept. 16, 1906.
The Strum Telephone Company, organized Sept. 13, 1907.
The Pigeon Valley Farmers' Telephone Company, organized March
31, 1908.
The Independence Telephone Company (with local exchange at Inde-
pendence), organized June 18, 1908.
The Pleasant Valley Telephone Company, organized March 26, 1909.
The Eleva Farmers' Telephone Company, organized April 13, 1909.
The Elk Creek Telephone Company, organized Dec. 22, 1910.
CHAPTER XIV
PLACE NAMES
Trempealeau County is rich in place names. Some are picturesque
and original, others are commonplace and duplicates of those found in
other localities. Some are the names of national heroes, some perpetuate
historic incidents, some are fanciful and poetic, some are descriptive, and
hundreds bear the names of early settlers. Some were chosen dehberately,
and some are the result of natural growth. Some are very old, dating back
to the explorers and fur traders, while others are very recent, and have
not yet become entirely fixed. For the most part the origin of the names
is known, though there is yet much research to be done to determine
who applied the names, and when and under what circumstances they were
first applied. The following list is a brief summary of the subject, its
purpose being to form a basis for future study and investigation :
Townships
Albion is the ancient name for England, still applied in poetry.
Arcadia is the name given to the township by Mrs. David Bishop,
who was afterward Mrs. Sarah Mercer. It was suggested by Noah Com-
stock from the real or fancied resemblance of the valley to the state of
Arcadia in ancient Greece, a beautiful locality, the inhabitants of which,
according to the ancient poets, enjoyed a peaceful and happy life.
Burnside was named after Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside (born 1824, died
1881), for a short time commander of the Army of the Potomac in the
Civil War.
Chimney Rock is named from a conspicuous landmark within its
boundaries.
Caledonia is the Latin name for Scotland. It was applied to the present
township by Alex, and Donald McGilvray, and other early Scotch settlers.
Dodge was named from William E. Dodge, philanthropist ; a prominent
financier for many years in New York. He was associated with John I.
Blair, Moses Taylor, Joseph H. Scranton, E. F. Hatfield and others in the
construction of the Green Bay & Western Railroad and was also connected
with many philanthropic institutions and at one time was the treasurer of
the Protestant Syrian College at Constantinople, Turkey.
Ettrick was named from Ettrick Forest in Scotland, as described in
Scott's Marmion. It was given by John Cance.
Gale and Galesville took their names from Judge George Gale, who
also gave his name to Gale College.
Hale is named from George Hale, its first settler. He was born in
Glastenbury, Conn., and came to Trempealeau County in 1858, settling
about nine miles above what is now Independence.
270
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 271
Lincoln is named from the martyred president.
Pigeon Township and Pigeon Falls took their name from Pigeon Creek.
Preston was named from Susan H. Reynolds, the wife of Edmond M.
Reynolds, one of the earliest settlers of Preston Township. Mrs. Reynolds
came of the old New England family of Prestons, and at the first town
meetings Mr. Reynolds proposed that the town be named in her honor.
Sumner Township was named after the distinguished American senator
and statesman, Charles Sumner (born in 1811, died 1874), who was one
of the leaders of the abolition party and a confidential advisor to President
Lincoln during the Civil War.
Trempealeau is a corrupted form of the French phrase, La Montagne
Qui Trempe Dans L'Eau, meaning the Mountain that is Steeped in Water.
This name was applied as early as 1731 and possibly earlier. It was the
French translation of the Winnebago word, Hay-nee-ah-chah, the Soaking
Mountain. The Sioux name was Pah-hah-dah, the Moved Mountain.
Unity. When this township was organized Dennis Lawler felt that
he was entitled to the honor of having it named after him, but P. B.
Williams, another early settler, wished to call it Unity, which was the name
of the town in Maine from which he had come. Upon the suggestion of
Noah Comstock the matter was decided by lot, and Mr. Williams drawing
the longest "cut" named the town Unit.
Incorporated Villages
Galesville and Arcadia are names of the same origin as those of the
townships in which they are located.
Blair was named from John Insley Blair of Blairstown, N. J., a
stockholder in the Green Bay & Western. During the Civil War he
advanced the Federal government over $1,000,000. He presented $6,000
to endow an academy in his home town ; he assisted in the building of Grin-
nell College, Grinnell, Iowa, and he was a large contributor to Princeton
University and Lafayette College. He also built more than a hundred
churches throughout the western states. Mr. Blair died at his home in 1899
at the age of 97 years. The village of Blair was originally platted as Por-
terville.
Eleva was named by R. P. Goddard of Mondovi, Wis., on the sugges-
tion of Mr. Gates, who formerly lived there. The origin of the name is
unknown to Mr. Goddard, but he thinks that Mr. Gates found a place of
that name in France.
Independence was so named because it was platted during the year
of the Centennial celebration of American Independence. It is thought that
Giles Cripps first suggested the name.
Osseo was started in 1856, and was named by Robert C. Field, one
legend says from the Spanish word oso, meaning bear, while another says
it came from an Indian word ossi, meaning stone or stony place or stone
on stone or having relation to river and stone. The name is used by Long-
fellow in his Song of Hiawatha. He called Osseo the Son of the Evening
Star, and has him, when apparently a very old man, turned into a very
handsome and attractive young man. Where Longfellow got the name is
272 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
not now known. A fanciful explanation given by some of the early settlers
is that an Indian, seeing the improvements made by the white men,
exclaimed. Oh ! See ! Oh ! thus giving the name Osseo.
Trempealeau Village is named from Trempealeau Mountain. James
A. Reed settled here in 1840 and opened his cabin as a tavern. The name
Reed's Town or Reed's Landing came to be applied to the place. When
the village was platted in 1852 it was called Montoville, the significance
being Mountain ViUe.
Whitehall was probably named by Benjamin F. Wing, who platted Old
Whitehall. Probably it was named from Whitehall in New York, though
it may have been named from a hall painted white. It is possible, also, that
the name was given by Ole Knudtson, or by Georges, co-partner
with Mr. Wing in the townsite.
Platted ViUages
The names of Caledonia, Dodge, Ettrick and Pigeon Falls have the
same origin as those of the townships in which they are located.
Coral City was at one time a flourishing hamlet located in section 18,
Pigeon Township. The construction of the Green Bay & Western Rail-
road in 1873 blasted its hopes of future greatness. At one time Coral City
had its Main street. State street. Public square and prospects of a pros-
perous future. It had several general stores, shops, hotels, saloons, a good
hiiU; in brief, all the equipments for a lively, busy country village. But
later its business was absorbed by the I'ailroad towns. The Wright brothers,
Phineas and Benjamin, may be credited with beginning the town. They
built a flouring mill in the summer of 1863, and other places of business
soon followed. Egbert Carpenter, C. E. Scott, Andrew Olson, Ryland
Parker, Dr. Shelden and Seneca Johnson are well remembered names of
some of its business men. Granville McFarland, one of the men employed
in building the dam for the mill, is probably more responsible for the name
given to this place than anyone else. While digging dirt on the north
side of the creek for the dam some queer-looking rock was found. McFar-
land, it appears, made Pheaneas Wright, who headed the enterprise for
building the mill, believe that the rock was coral. Mr. Wright, who was
one of the best and most straightforward men in the country, not know-
ing he had been imposed upon by a practical joker, platted the village and
called it "Coral City." The village was noted in the early days for its
law suits, which served not only to settle disputes, but also afl:orded highly
seasoned amusement. Some of the trials in the justice court there lasted
for over a week. The noted flood in March, 1876, entirely destroyed the
mill built by the Wrights, but the following summer another mill took its
place. This mill and some sightly houses are now all that remains of a
once flourishing settlement.
Montoville was the name under which Trempealeau Village was orig-
inally platted. It means the Mountain ville.
Porterville, the name under which Blair was originally platted, was
named for Richard Porter, who settled on land now occupied in part by the
village, June, 1855, and died July 26, of the same year, as the result of an
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 273
encounter with a band of wolves near Galesville. His son, Duke Porter,
platted the village in 1873, and gave it the name of Porterville. But when
the railroad established a station near his plat, they gave it the name of
Blair.
Strum was named by Congressman William T. Price for his friend,
Louis Strum, of Eau Claire, Wis. Under the first Cleveland administration
the hamlet was called Tilden, for Samuel J. Tilden, the statesman, but on
Jan. 1, 1890, was again changed to Strum.
Trading Centers
Tamarack, Elk Creek and Pine Creek take their names from the streams
on which they are located.
Centei'ville is named from its geographical location on Trempealeau
Prairie. It was originally called Martin's Corners from an early settler.
Dooney's Siding was named from James B. Dooney, present general
agent of the Green Bay. It has a wood yard, a stock yard, and a railroad
platform and switch. It is an important shipping point for wood and stock,
and considerable lime and the like is shipped in.
Dewey's Corners was the name applied to Old Arcadia, from the family
of that name prominently identified with its early history. J. I. Dewey,
son and nephew of the original Deweys, is still a resident there.
Frenchville takes its name from its location on French Creek.
Glasgow was named by reason of the numerous hardy Scots who made
their new home there.
Hegg is in the upper Beaver Creek country, which was naturally settled
later than the lower valley. As late as 1871 a postoffice was established
in K. K. Hallanger's residence, and Mr. Hallanger was appointed postmaster.
The name chosen for the postoffice was Hegg, in honor of Colonel Hegg,
commander of the Fifteenth Wisconsin Norwegian Regiment in the Civil
War. A short time after this a general merchandise store was opened at
Hegg, which is still doing a thriving business.
Iduna. This was the name of the post office established in French Creek
Valley in 1899 and which flourished for a short time under the management
of John Hovre as postmaster, but ceased to exist when rural routes were
established in the vicinity. As Mr. Hovre is still conducting a general mer-
cantile business where the postoffice was located, it is quite probable the
name will continue to live, notwithstanding Uncle Sam has shut up shop
at that particular place. The tendency to invent a fictitious origin where
the true origin is unknown, is well illustrated by a current legend which
by some has been accepted as truth. The legend is this : That after the
petition for the establishment of a postoffice had been granted, the Postoffice
Department sent Mr. Hovre a blank asking him to suggest three names for
the postoffice to be established. Hovre, being short on inventing names,
and likewise on grammar and spelling, decided to let the government select
the name, and wrote across the blank, "I-dono," and sent the paper back
to Washington. Whether the department officials misread the final vowels
or for the sake of euphony changed them, the legend does not state, but
274 HISTORY OF TREJIPEALEAU COUNTY
it informs us that the government practically adopted Mr. Hovre's negative
reply as the name of the postofRce. Legends properly embalmed by time
and fii'mly established in the affections of mankind, unless harmful, ought
not to be ruthlessly destroyed. But this particular legend is of too modern
birth to have acquired any special sanctity and as the writer is familiar
with the true origin of the name, he feels in duty bound to dispel the
romantic illusions created by it. When the government blank, already
mentioned, was received by Mr. Hovre, it was sent to A. H. Anderson,
who had assisted in getting the government's consent to the proposed
postoffice. Knowing that this is a big country, with an almost unlimited
use for new names, the writer at once turned to his Norse Mythology, and
selected three names and sent them to the PostofRce Department. Among
fhese was the name "Iduna." According to our Northern Mythology.
Iduna was the custodian of the apples of immortality which the gods tasted
from time to time to perpetuate their youth. Loki, the spirit of evil,
once stole the golden apples, which caused great grief in Valhalla. Iduna's
husband was Bragi, the divine bard.
Martin's Corners was the original name of Centerville.
Pleasantville is named from its location in Pleasant Valley. Who gave
the name of Pleasant Valley to the valley of Elk Creek is not known.
Russell was named from William Russell, who came to the county in
1864 and located in Burnside. When the postoffice was opened in Burnside
Township there was considerable controversy over the name. About 20
years ago the office was moved to Chimney Rock Township, where mail was
received three times a week until the office was discontinued by reason of
the establishment of the rural delivery system. The school district is still
known as the Russell district.
Rhodes Station, in Caledonia Township, was named from Joshua
Rhodes, who settled in that locality in 1853.
Scotia was a postoffice which flourished for a while in section 7,
Caledonia. The name indicates the nationality of the eai'ly settlers of that
neighborhood.
Skillins' Corners. In 1860 Moses Skillins settled about five miles
above Ai-cadia. In 1862 came his brother, Hiram Skillins, a Baptist
clergyman. The creek flowing through his farm was called Skillins' Creek
and the vicinity came to be called Skillins' Corners. When the postoffice
was established the name was changed to WiUiamsburg.
Williamsburg was a name given when a postoffice was established at
Skillins' Corners in 1866 with William B. Arnold as postmaster. Mr. Arnold
suggested the name for the fact that three WiUiams, himself, William
Eastman and William Boorman, all lived in the vicinity.
Wright's Corners was named from HoUister M. Wright, who settled
there in 1853.
Principal Streams
The Beef or Buffalo River in the days of the French explorers took the
name that Hennepin in 1680 applied to the Chippewa River. "Beef" is a
corruption of "Beeuf ," the designation applied by the early French explorers
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 275
to the American buffalo. The R. de Beeufs appears on the earliest maps,
though in some of them it is evident that the Chippewa River is meant.
The Black River was called R. Noire, by Hennepin in 1680, and has
since borne the English translation of that word. Hennepin says that the
Sioux called the river, Cha-be-de-ba or Cha-ba-on-de-ba. The modern Sioux,
however, called it Wat-pah-zappa or Minne-sap-pah, meaning Black Water
or Black River.
Beaver Creek. Tradition says that two Frenchmen (probably the same
Joseph Rocque and companion from whom French Creek was named) win-
tered on Beaver Creek above Galesville in the days of the trappers, and there
caught a large number of beavers. Willard B. Bunnell and James Reed
also caught many beavers there and gave the creek its name.
Cedar Creek was named by Willard B. Bunnell and James Reed. In
the early days it was the haunt of many deer. The creek was named
because of the abundance of dry red cedar used by Mr. Bunnell and Mr.
Reed in "fire hunting."
Elk Creek was named in 1842 by Willard B. Bunnell and William
Smothers while on a hunting expedition. The valley of Elk Creek is usually
called Pleasant Valley.
French Creek, according to Winnebago tradition, was so called from the
fact that Joseph Rocque, the father of Augustine Rocque, once maintained
his wintering ground in that vicinity while hunting and trapping in the
Beaver Creek Valley.
Hardie's Creek was named from James Hardie, an early settler and
sturdy Scotchman.
Pigeon Creek was named by Willard B. Bunnell and William Smothers
while on a hunting trip. Bunnell then lived at Reed's Town (Trempealeau)
and Smothers at Holmes' Landing (Fountain City). Of the great flocks of
pigeons that frequented this vicinity in the early days L. H. Bunnell says :
"I was returning in a canoe from a trip up the river (in 1842) and as I
came in sight of the oak timber then growing on the Wisconsin side below
the site of the lower bridge, I saw clouds of pigeons settling to roost, when
crash, would fall an oak limb, and then a noise would follow like the letting
off of steam. It did not occur to me at first, what it was that made the latter
noise, but as I approached nearer, and saw limb after limb fall, some of
them very large size, and then heard the increased noise, I saw, and heai'd,
that it was numberless pigeons breaking down the limbs and chattering in
glee at their having overloaded and broken them down. Some of the young
Sioux were watching the 'roost,' to see if any had commenced laying, for
some were already building nests, and when I told James Reed of the Indians
being there and not a shot fired at the pigeons, he told me that the Indians
never disturbed pigeons or ducks by shooting at them when nesting, and
that the life of a man doing so would not be safe among the Sioux, as the
whole tribe would feast upon the squabs as soon as big enough. The pigeon
roost extended for 25 miles below La Crosse, as reported to us by up-coming
steamboats, and where there was heavy timber, the same scenes were
repeated that I had witnessed — the whole length of the roost being about
276 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
45 miles. Pigeons are easily disturbed and driven away when they com-
mence nesting, but when they begin to set, they are not so easily scared."
Pine Creek was named after the towering scattered pines which grew in
abundance in that vicinity, some of which stand today, one being utilized
by a farmer as a tower for his windmill, a little south of the Pine Creek
church, the central building in Pine Creek village.
The Big and Little Tamarack creeks were named from the abundance
of tamarack timber grown along their banks and in the bottom lands and
adjoining. Al and Abe Holcomb, two early settlers, built a sawmill on the
prairie near their homes to manufacture this timber into lumber for building
and fence purposes. The old mill was doing business in 1870 and remained
many years later to serve a very useful purpose, when its site and building
were put to use as a grist mill by Squire A. Pickett, later purchased by
John Bonum and Stephen Richmond, and Bonum's interest conveyed to
Blackhawk Johnson, who in 1878 purchased the whole property and con-
tinued the milling business a number of years. The mill and power are in
recent years nearly unknown.
Trempealeau River received its name from Trempealeau Mountain and
Bay. It was called by the Winnebagoes Ne-chann-ne-shan-ah-ga, or over-
flowing stream, and by the Sioux Wat-pah-dah, the moving stream.
Trout Creek or Trout River was named by Willard B. Bunnell. As the
Sioux seldom fished, but confined their activities in this line to spearing
large fish with a spear, the spring creeks were filled with trout of good
size. In the early '40s Mr. Bunnell once caught six dozen trout in Trout
Creek in a few hours. The larger trout were caught in the main stream,
but they did most of their spawning in Little Trout Creek.
Lakes
There are no natural lakes in Trempealeau County, but the streams are
dammed in many places, forming artificial lakes. Trempealeau Lake, so
called, is merely a portion of the Mississippi River.
Marinuka Lake is an artificial body of water formed by the mill dam
at Galesville. Charles E. Freeman (letter to Stephen Richmond, Jan. 21,
1912, now in the possession of the Trempealeau County Historical Society)
says: "At the head of the lake at Galesville, on the property known as
the Arctic Springs, is the headstone that marks the resting place of Marie
Nounka, a granddaughter of One-Eyed Decorah. She died in 1884, and
in the old Galesville Independent for the week beginning Oct. 5, 1884,
there appeared the following notice: 'Death of an Indian Princess — The
Princess Marie Nunka, granddaughter of the great chief Decorah, died on
the morning of Oct. 4, 1884, at the Arctic Springs, and was buried at
midnight of the same day on a point of land belonging to the springs
property. An impressive ceremony was performed with only the light of
the moon to shadow forth the dusky figures of the red men and the few
spectators present. Wallace Parker, John Sheely and Charles E. Freeman
prepared the grave, as the relatives are not allowed to help in this part of
the cei-emony. G. Y. Freeman wishes to state that any desecration of the
grave will be resented by him to the full extent of the law.' A good head-
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 277
stone was placed at the head of the grave and the facts of her genealogy
engraved upon it. In the summer of 1911 the body was removed across the
little creek and is now resting about a rod south of the road. Mr. Gardner
and son, Bert Gipple, Dr. Mailer and myself, with one or two others, assisted
in the transfer of the body to its new resting place. A few years after
her death, on motion of A. A. Arnold at a meeting of the village board, it
was decided to christen the little lake at the edge of the village Marinuka,
which is an abbreviation of the woman's full name, Marie Nounka. Byron
Olds has written and pubhshed a song entitled, 'By Marinuka's Moonlit
Shore.' "
Geographical Landmarks
Chapultepec Peak is named from Mount Chapultepec, Mexico, at whose
base, two miles from the City of Mexico, the Battle of Chapultepec was
fought Sept. 12 and 13, 1847. Charles J. Cleveland, whose father was a
veteran of that battle, was an early settler of Big Tamarac. In the spring
of 1856 he located at Big Bend, in charge of the lumber and rafting business
of Thomas Douglas. In one of his trips to La Crosse in 1856, he purchased
a rifle, and instead of returning home by the usual route, he sent his team
by a hired man, and returned by way of McGilvray's Ferry, traveled
through Galesville, up along Beaver Creek, and crossed the divide into
Trempealeau Valley. He observed a mountain on the top of that valley,
which appeared to him to resemble the description of the Mexican mountain
described by his father. He therefore called it by the name of Chapultepec.
Chimney Rock is a towering, ragged pile, caused, as other similar
formations in Western Wisconsin, by the erosive action of the wind, snow,
frost and rain, wearing away the surrounding formations and leaving the
rock in its present shape and condition. The work of erosion is still
going on. The rock is the highest point in the vicinity. It was originally
called Devil's Chimney and was a landmark to guide the traveler of the
early days. The rock is now obscured by trees.
Decorah Peak was named from the Indian dynasty of Decorah, of
which extended mention is made in the Indian chapter in this work. The
name is variously spelled, the form "Decora" being possibly in more general
use in Trempealeau County than the form "Decorah" used in this history.
Charles E. Freeman writing to Stephen Richmond on Jan. 21, 1912 (manu-
script in the library of the Trempealeau County Historical Society) says:
"I remember quite distinctly a visit my parents made to Decorah's encamp-
ment at the mouth of the Little Tamarack, when I was very small. My
father saw him and tells me that he was lying down, resting upon his elbow.
He was naked to the waist, and was the finest specimen of manhood he ever
saw, tall, big-muscled and having the appearance of a bronze statue. He
was nearly blind and was very old. There is a legend that a battle was
fought on the Black River, just south of Decorah's Peak, and that after
Decorah's warriors were beaten he hid himself in a cave of the peak until
it was safe for him to make his v/^ay to Prairie du Chien. In confirmation
of this, Bert Gipple, editor of the Galesville Repubhcan, tells me that when
a boy attending Gale College, he, with several others, accompanied a man
278 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
from Washington, D. C, over to the Peak and was there shown a place
where Indians had been buried. The boys dug into the mound and found a
confused mass of many skeletons in a very mouldy and decomposed con-
dition. One skull, however, was well preserved. This they took home and
gave it to the Winona High School to place in their museum. This mound is
about 40 rods south of the Peak. Mr. Gipple says he looked for the mound
some years after this and found it only with the greatest difficulty." The
Prairie was originally called Scotch Prairie, but gradually assumed the name
of the Peak.
Oak Openings, or The Openings, was the name applied by the early
settlers to a stretch of land embracing parts of Caledonia and Trempealeau
townships. The name is self-explanatory. The fall and spring fires since
the earliest time had swept down the valleys and the bluff's and over the
Prairie from the northwest, dying out when they reached the southern
part of the Prairie, where they encountered the region of sun-dried and
wind-swept sands. Thus safe from fires, and protected by the Mississippi
and Black rivers, the timber made a struggle for life in what was a small
desert, converting it into a desirable tract for agricultural endeavor.
Trempealeau Prairie is one of the distinctive geological features of the
county. The causes that have made the Prairie are explained by George
H. Squier elsewhere in that work.
Whistler Pass is one of the remarkable geographical formations of the
county. The winds from the northwest sweep through it with great force,
and with a whistling sound that has caused many to make an incorrect guess
as to the origin of the name. It has been said that Selfus Spain, an early
settler of Cross Township, in Buffalo County, and later a resident of Foun-
tain City, gave the name. He and his family crossed the pass in 1856,
having to chain all the wheels to get his wagon down the bluff. He camped
at the foot of the bluff on the north side, and during the night noted the
moaning and whistling of the wind in the depression of the hill over which
he had just passed. However, the name of W^histler's Pass had been given
some time previous. Reese Whistler had filed on a claim in section 14 in
1853, but so far as is known did not then settle there. In 1855 Martin
Whistler settled in Pine Creek Valley and opened a trail over the hills into
a branch of Tamarack Valley to meet the road leading to Trempealeau, his
market-place. This trail became the main road into the upper part of
Pine Creek Valley and later was the main road from Trempealeau to
Arcadia. The portion over the divide toward Whistler's place was known
as Whistler's Pass. Ichabod Wood, also an Englishman, came and settled
near Whistler within about a year. Of the unusual scenery in this vicinity
Dr. Pierce has said : "Last August we drove up the west side of Tamarack
Valley and over Whistler's Pass. It was a lovely day, cool and refreshing,
and breezy, and the farmers were busy in the spreadiflg harvest fields cut-
ting grain. From Whistler's Pass it was a beautiful sight down the Tama-
rack, and off on Trempealeau Prairie. Field after field of yellow grain
spread out over the country and here and there the grain was shocked. On
the stubble fields the red wild buckwheat showed its gaudy color. Far
across the prairie the Trempealeau bluffs loomed green against the blue
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 279
sky. Then we turned and on the other side of the Pass, in Pine Creek
Valley, a new panorama opened to view with broad fields of golden grain
and green meadow lands. What scenes one encounters along the country
road, among our cozy Wisconsin hills in the summer time. Strange-shaped
bluffs peering down with their green slopes adorned with grazing herds of
cattle, rocky peaks with their white limestone, and then the little valleys,
the woodland haunts and waving grain and rustling cornfields."
Valleys and Cooleys
Trempealeau County is filled with valleys and cooleys, all bearing a local
name, usually the name of the first or most prominent settler in the locality.
The names of hundreds of these vales are yet to be gathered by the earnest
historian of future years. The origin of a few of the typical names is here
presented :
Abraham's Cooley, six miles north of Galesville, is named from Abra-
ham Madson, a native of Norway, who came to Trempealeau County from
Coon Valley, Vernon County, in the spring of 1863 and here spent the re-
mainder of his life. Following Mr. Madson the early settlers in the valley
were Andrew Anstensen, Ole Olson Sorgendahl, Johanes Nelson Berge,
Andrew Lebakken and Christian Breningen.
Bill Valley was named after one of its earliest settlers.
Bruce Valley is named for Nathaniel P. Bruce, who settled in the valley
in the fall of 1867.
Borst Valley was named after Martin W. Borst, who located several
sections of land there at an early date and opened up hundreds of acres
of this choice soil to grain and tame grass.
Crystal Valley, situated several miles from Galesville, was settled in
1854 by John Marten. It was named by H. W. Maughmer.
Fitch Cooley was named from Joseph Fitch, who was frozen to death
while carrying hay to his oxen in that cooley in the winter of 1863-64.
Fuller Cooley is so called from a man of that name who settled in the
cooley and was killed by lightning.
German Valley was named from several German settlers, among them
the Coop and Berkanauer families.
Holcomb Cooley was named after Al and Abe Holcomb, who purchased
or by homestead claim took up lands there from which they removed the
timber to their sawmill on the Prairie. A son of Abe Holcomb, Henry
Hibbard, lived on these lands in the fall of 1870 and for several years
afterward.
Hungary Valley, also called Latsch Valley, takes its name from the
large number of Hungarian Poles who settled in the valley from 1865 to
1870, the first to come being Frank Pellowski, whose sons, Jake, Frank and
Barney, are all prominent men in the county.
Korpal Valley was named from John Korpal, an early settler.
King Valley was named from James King, long its most prominent
settler.
Lake Cooley is named from Henry Lake, who settled there in 1856 and
secured extensive tracts of land. He was widely noted for his hospitality,
280 HISTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
keeping open house for all the travelers coming up over the ridge from
French Creek.
Latsch Valley was named in honor of John Latsch, a native of Switzer-
land, who in 1856 settled near the creek at the mouth of the valley which is
located a few miles above the present village of Dodge. He later became
founder of the firm of Latsch & Son, wholesale grocers at Winona. From
1865 to 1870 a number of Polish and Hungarian settlers located in the
main valley, and the name Hungary Valley came to be applied. By some
the whole valley is called Hungary Valley, by some it is called Latsch
Valley, while others apply the name of Latsch Valley to the region where
Mr. Latsch settled, and the name Hungary Valley to the main portion of
the vallej'.
Lewis Valley is named from Captain John D. Lewis, a veteran of the
Civil War and of the Colorado Indian campaign, who settled in the valley
that now bears his name, in May, 1866. He lived in the valley the remainder
of his life and became one of the county's leading men.
Meyers Valley was named after Nic, Casper and Peter Meyers, who
settled on farms there in 1856.
Newcomb Valley was named from Isaac and Harold Newcomb, who
settled in the main valley in 1866.
Niffin Cooley, the valley of Niffin Creek, which flows into Lewis Valley,
is named from Lewis Niffin, who took a claim on the creek, four miles above
Arcadia, and remained there about a year.
Niphon Valley was the name originally applied to Lewis Valley.
Norway Cooley was so named because all its early settlers were of the
Norwegian race. The first to arrive was Knudt Leofson Strand, who is
still living there on his old homestead. Mr. Strand, who came to America
with his wife and one child in 1861, had located in Vernon County, Wiscon-
sin, where he heard such favorable reports of Trempealeau County that he
resolved to investigate them. With a friend named John Gunderson he
came to the county in the summer of 1863 and, selecting a pleasant location
in Holcomb Cooley, the two men began cutting hay. But hearing of good
land to the northward they started out on a further trip of exploration and
after a long tramp reached the mouth of one of the most beautiful cooleys
they had ever seen. Here Mr. Strand determined to locate, and accord-
ingly went to La Crosse and filed claims. In the following spring he came
back and built a hut, also a shed as shelter for some stock he had brough'
with him. In June of the same year, 1864, he brought his family and began
in earnest the task of developing a farm.
Reynolds Cooley, Preston Township, was named from Edmond M. Rey-
nolds, an early settler. The ridge over which the early settlers came into
this valley from the Ettrick country is now pierced by a great "cut" to
allow the passage of the Ettrick & Northern Raib-oad.
Travis Valley is named from Joshua Travis, an Indian herb doctor who
settled in the valley at an early date. The valley is often incorrectly called
Traverse Valley, but the man's own signature shows the correct spelling.
Tappen Cooley is named from Ole 0. Tappen, who settled in the valley
in 1857.
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY- 281
Tracy Valley was named from A. D. Tracy, a distinguished early
pioneer who arrived in 1858, and settled in the valley in 1859.
Tromp Cooley is named from John Von Tromp, a carpenter by trade,
who in 1855 settled on what is now the Bernt Peterson farm. He afterward
sold and secured a farm across the Trempealeau River at the mouth of the
valley which has since been called in his honor. He afterward moved to
Iowa.
Thompson Valley was named after three brothers by the name of
Thompson, who settled there and opened large farms now the homes of
their children.
Vosse Cooley is in the southeastern corner of Trempealeau County.
Nels Anderson Evangorhougen settled in the valley in 1856. He was known
as Vosse Nels and the valley took his name.
West Prairie received its name from its geographical position in regard
to the Trempealeau Prairie.
Wickham Valley was named after James Wickham, long its most promi-
nent settler.
Zabrinski Valley was named from Joseph and Anton Zabrinski, who
settled there in 1865.
CHAPTER XV
BIOGRAPHY
The intimate life of the community is best told in the personal stories
of its citizens. Biographical facts not only provide permanent geneological
material for the families of which they treat, and valuable information for
the historical investigator, but also furnish inspiration for worthy emula-
tion. In so new a county as Trempealeau there are few men who have not
started as poor boys and attained their success by their own efforts. The
story of their equipment for the struggle by birth, training, environment
and experience is of vital significance. So, too, is the story of the men of
the younger generation, who with better preparation and under more
favorable circumstances, have taken up the work which their fathers have
laid down.
Therefore in supplementing the general county history, the publishers
of this volume and their staff have gathered biographical data from some
eight hundred leading families of the county. The list is comprehensive
and thoi'oughly representative. The research involved in collecting the
material has extended over a period of two years, and during that time the
opportunity has been opened to all of those who desired their family story
thus recorded and preserved.
It is manifestly impossible to include every family of the past and
present ; such a task would be beyond human ability. The criticism that
in such a work many worthy families are omitted is of little force; the
scope of the book might be trebled, yet still omit many a family whom some
one would like to see thus honored. And while the story of many of those
here included is no more worthy of preservation than the story of many
who are omitted, those here printed are thoroughly typical and represent
every phase of the county's citizenship.
These biographical and geneological sketches have been gathered from
personal interviews, from records and from newspapers. They have all
been submitted to some member of the family most concerned. While it
is believed that a high degree of accuracy has been maintained, the respon-
sibility rests with the families themselves and not with the publishers.
In a few cases sketches submitted for correction have not been returned.
In such instances the duplicate has been printed, containing the facts as
originally gathered.
The difficulties of gathering such a vast amount of material are many.
Even brothers and sisters often give widely varying accounts, not only of
the facts and dates concerning their parents, but even of the rendering of
their parents' names. In a few instances, where an agreement was impossi-
ble, both versions are here given.
All personal estimates of life, character, accomplishments, worth,
282
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 283
influence and ability have been added by the board of editors, constrained
by a desire throughout to avoid extravagant laudations, though in many
instances such laudations would be most thoroughly deserved.
John O. Melby, for many years a leader in the business, political and
financial integrity of Trempealeau County, was born Oct. 15, 1845, at
Askim, Smaalenenes Amt, Norway. He was reared to farm pursuits and
received a common school education. As a young man he was employed
for five years in a clerical position in Christiania, and during this period
attracted the favorable attention of several prominent citizens. But at
the advice of his friends, who saw in the young clerk those talents which
in after years were to be the foundation of his success, he determined to
seek the wider opportunities of the new world. Accordingly, bidding fare-
well to his old associates, he embarked for America in 1869, and found
his way to Omaha, Neb., where he remained but a short time. Thence
he came to La Crosse, Wis., where he was employed for a short time in
the saw mills. It was in 1870 that he came to Ettrick, in this county, and
secured work as a clerk in the general store of Iver Pederson, in whose
employment he remained for five years. While a resident of that town he
was elected to the office of town treasurer, a position he held for four years.
His character as a man, his ability as an official, and his willingness to
render services to his fellowmen whenever needed made him well known
throughout the county, and in 1874 he was elected registrar of deeds of
Trempealeau County, which office he held continuously until 1887. He
was a conscientious official, and discharged the duties of his office with
dignity and ability. Especially was his influence marked among his fellow
countrymen, who, finding themselves in a new land with new laws and cus-
toms, constantly sought his competent advice. From 1887 to 1888 he was
cashier of the Bank of Galesville, and it was upon retiring from this office
that he entered upon his notable career as near the end of the latter year
he began the operation of a private bank, at Whitehall, which he conducted
as such until 1894. In 1894 he organized a stock company and incor-
porated this as a state bank under the name of John 0. Melby & Co. Bank.
In 1906 the charter of this bank was extended and the capital stock
increased to $50,000. He was president of this institution from its crea-
tion to the date of his death, June 12, 1909. The Times Banner, in summing
up his life and work after his death said of him : "In the death of Mr.
Melby, Trempealeau County loses one of its leading citizens and White-
hall its most lofty type of a Christian gentleman. For almost a quarter
of a century he has been identified with the business, political and social
life of the county, and perhaps no man in all its history has enjoyed such
a wide cricle of personal friends as he. From every section of the county
people came to him with their problems and troubles, and this is especially
true of those of his own nativity, whose inability to speak the English
language or whose lack of knowledge concerning our laws made them hesi-
tate to confide in others. To those he gave his time and the benefit of his
intimate business knowledge with a patience and kindly interest that early
in life endeared him to all who knew him. How much of his time he has
thus devoted gratuitously to others will never be known, nor can we ever
284 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
estimate what his advice and help thus taken from his busy hfe has done
for the peace of communities, the tranquilHty of homes, and the upbuilding
of characters in the county and even beyond its borders. With a modesty
becoming his generous nature, these are all closed incidents for which he
made no charge and kept no record. Only once has he held public oi^ice,
that of registrar of deeds of Trempealeau County, and his services in that
capacity were so highly appreciated that it was with difficulty that he could
retire at the end of twelve years of continuous service. Time and again
in later life he refused the offers of high political honors to devote his time
to his business and his family. Perhaps no stronger testimonial of his
clean and rugged character could be written than the record of the birth
and steady growth of the banking institution that bears his name. For
twenty-one years this institution has been almost the sole depository for
the wealth of the county seat and the surrounding territory. During all
those years it has stood with the strength of a Gibraltar. Whether the
financial tide ran high or low, the people's faith in this bank never faltered,
chiefly because of their unquestioned faith in the man at its head. He
died possessed of a comfortable fortune, and always gave with a liberal
hand to every worthy charity and to every cause looking to the improve-
ment of the social and educational conditions in the village of Whitehall.
In his boyhood he joined the United Lutheran Church of Norway, and
has always been an earnest Christian worker, giving liberally to the aid of
church work, regardless of denominations. The Methodist Episcopal
Church of Whitehall owes much to his enthusiastic work and hberal sup-
port. The best epitome of the life and character of John 0. Melby was
his request, as the end drew near, for a simple Christian burial, and his
acceptance without fear and with quiet resignation of the infinite decree.
John 0. Melby is gone, and the light of his kindly presence on the streets
of Whitehall is dimmed by death, but the influence of his upright Christian
life will remain with us to cheer and guide the generations yet to come."
Such encomiums but briefly skim the surface of the real depths of his
character, his worth and the meaning his life had on the community. He
furnished backing for several financial and business institutions through-
out the county ; he encouraged many a worthy business enterprise that had
a part in the upbuilding of Trempealeau County villages. In Whitehall there
was scarcely any phase of the village's activity in which he did not have a
part. His benefactions were widespread, his hand was ever open. The
blessings which the people of Whitehall will receive from the park which
he and his wife presented to the village will increase yearly. Mr. Melby was
especially happy in his domestic life, and in his home and family he took
his greatest pride. At the beginning of his career Nov. 3, 1875, he married
Jennie L. Beach, at Ettrick, and her influence and encouragement were
important factors in his success. Their home was brightened by five chil-
dren. Two died in infancy. Kathryn F. is the wife of Judge Robert S.
Cowie of Whitehall, Charles B. is cashier of the John 0. Melby & Co. Bank
of Whitehall, Marie A. is the wife of Harold W. Dawdy of Onalaska, Wis.
Jennie L. Melby, the inspiration and companion of her husband in all
his efforts, was born at Charlotte, Vt., Oct. 9, 1847, daughter of Charles
^zz^^^.
CHAELE8 B. MELBY
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 285
Grant Beach and Caroline Barnes Beach. In 1854 the family moved to
North Ferrisburg, Vt., where she attended the common school. In 1859
she attended the seminary at Charlotte, and in 1864 the select school at the
Hollow, in North Ferrisburg. In 1866 she entered the female seminary
at Middleburg, Vt., remaining there, however, only one year, as her parents
then left for Wisconsin, where Mr. Beach owned a farm near Ettrick.
Shortly after coming west she began a term of school in the settlement
now known as Hegg. The following winter she taught in what was then
known as the lower district of Scotch Prairie ; then the next two terms in
Ettrick, and finally a term of school in what is known as the Beach dis-
trict. At the close of the term she returned to Vermont, where she
remained about a year, returning to Wisconsin in 1872. On Nov. 3, 1875,
she was married to John 0. Melby, at Ettrick, Wis. In 1876 they moved
to Galesville, where they remained until the county seat was moved to
Arcadia, leaving Galesville in the fall of 1876 for Arcadia, where they
resided until the fall of 1877. At that time the county seat was moved
to Whitehall, to which place they came to remain until the present time.
Mrs. Melby was always active in community endeavors wherever she was
located, especially in the work of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which
she is a leading member. Being deeply interested in music, and possessing
an unusually sweet voice, she was prominent in all musical organizations
until late years. She was a charter member of the local Woman's Chris-
tian Temperance Union and its first president. She was also an active
member of Ivy Chapter, No. 115, 0. E. S.
Charles B. Melby, financier and man of affairs, is one of the leading
citizens of Trempealeau County. His wide experience has admirably fitted
him for the onerous duties of the position he occupies in the community,
and his influence has ever been used in behaK of progress of development.
Every movement that has for its object the betterment of the county finds
in him a warm friend, and busy though he is with his numerous business
activities, he is finding time for considerable public service. Born in the
village where he now lives, March 1, 1883, only son of John 0. and Jennie
L. (Beach) Melby, he was reared with the special end in view of some time
assuming control of the extensive Melby holdings. He passed through the
graded schools, and was graduated froin the Whitehall high 'school with
the Class of 1899 at the age of sixteen years. Then he attended Lawrence
University at Appleton, Wis., for three years. In 1905 he became chief
page in the House of Representatives at Washington, D. C, in which
capacity he met nearly all of the men prominent in American public life. In
the meantime he studied law at the George Washington University, gradu-
ating in 1907 with the degree of LL.B. Upon being admitted to the bar he
took up the practice of his profession at Washington. April 1, 1909, he
was called home to take the position of assistant cashier in his father's
bank. In July, 1911, he was promoted to the oflSce of cashier, which he
still retains. In addition to his work in this connection he is vice-president
of the Bank of Eleva, and treasurer of the Central Trading Association of
Whitehall. His financial holdings include stock in the new Ettrick &
Northern Railroad Company, of which he has been an enthusiastic and loyal
286 IIISTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
supportex". His public work has included service as a member of the school
board and of the library board. War activities in the county have given
him an unusual opportunity for effective help. The sale of the first Liberty
Bond issue found in him an enthusiastic promotor, and the Defense League
counts him among its most useful members. His decisions as a member
of the exemption board have been marked by a discretion which has realized
the full need of the government, and yet which has taken into due considera-
tion all angles of local needs and local conditions. Of a fraternal disposi-
tion, he was a popular member of the Phi Delta Phi while at college, and
in the Masonic order he has passed through the chairs of the local lodge
and has also joined the Chapter. Mr. Melby was married April 26, 1W9, )
to Frances Gunby Bethune of Washington, D. C, born in Warrentown, Va.,
May 1, 1887, daughter of James A. Bethune, a Washington pharmacist,
and of Narcissa Garrett Bethune. Mr. and Mrs. Melby have two childi'en :
John Bethune, born April 5, 1912, and Natalie Grayson, born Jan. 16, 1915.
Anton O. Melby, president of the John 0. Melby & Co. Bank, White-
hall, is one of the substantial figures in the financial stabihty of Trem-
pealeau County. Connected with his present institution since 1888, he has
worked his way to the top, and his personality and ability have been impor-
tant factors in its success. He was born in Askim, Norway, Jan. 1, 1858,
the son of Ole Christianson and his good wife, Maria Olson, farming people,
the former of whom died in 1871 and the latter in 1896. Of the six children
in the family three came to the United States and found their way directly
to Ettrick, in Trempealeau County, John 0. arriving in 1869, Edward in
1871 and Anton O. in 1873. Upon reaching Ettrick Anton 0. secured
employment in the store of Iver Pederson, with whom he remained nearly
six years. Then he spent nine years traveling. In January, 1888, he came
to Whitehall. In the fall of that year, when his brother, John 0. opened
his bank, Anton O. became assistant cashier. In 1894 he was made cashier,
and in 1911 he was elevated to the duties of his present position. With aU
his busy life, he has found time for considerable- public work, and has
given excellent service as a member of the village council since 1894. He
has been a member of the Odd Fellows since 1888. His religious affiliation
is with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is a member of the
official board as a trustee. Mr. Melby was married July 26, 1893, to Delia
E. Hazard, a school teacher of North Ferrisburg, Vt., who was born in 1865
and died in 1899, the daughter of Ezra and Caroline (Williams) Hazard.
This union was blessed with three children: William H., who is engaged
in the lumber business at De Smet, S. D. ; Sylvia M., who was graduated
from the La Crosse normal school in 1916, and is now teaching at Norwalk,
Wis., and Edward C, who lives at North Ferrisburg, Vt. June 11, 1903, Mr.
Melby married Mrs. Mary E. (McKay) Shane of Modena, Wis.
Robert S. Cowie, attorney of Whitehall, is one of the best known citi-
zens in Western Wisconsin, and for many years has taken an active and
influential part in public affairs. He has held national, state and county
appointments, and as an attorney has participated in many of the most
important cases that have been tried in the courts of the Sixth Judicial
Circuit. He was born in Glencoe, Buffalo County, this state, April 18, 1872,
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HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 287
son of George and Margaret (Faulds) Cowie, was educated in the public
schools, and while still a youth became a teacher. By this means he was
enabled to enter the law department of the University of Wisconsin, from
which he was graduated with the degree of LL.B. in 1894. While in the
university he took a deep interest in all student activities, and was espe-
cially prominent in the Columbia Literary Society. In the fall of 1894 he
located at Arcadia, as a partner of Attorney John C. Gaveney. There he
successfully practiced until Jan. 1, 1898, when he became district attorney,
a position in which he did the county most efficient service. While serving
his second term he resigned to accept an appointment by President Theo-
dore Roosevelt as deputy auditor in the United States Navy Department,
in which position he served from 1903 to 1905, when he resigned. In the
spring of 1905 he was elected county judge, and served with much dis-
tinction from Jan. 1, 1906, to July, 1909, when he was appointed a member
of the State Board of Control by Gov. James O. Davidson. At the expiration
of his term he established himself at Whitehall, where he has since been
in practice. His business holdings include stock in the John 0. Melby &
Co. Bank at Whitehall, the Central Trading Association of Whitehall and
the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Independence. His fraternal associa-
tions are with the Masonic, Elk and Odd Fellow lodges. Judge Cowie was
married Dec. 25, 1897, to Kathryn F. Melby, born in Arcadia, April 1, 1878,
daughter of John O. and Jennie (Beach) Melby. This union has been
blessed with one daughter, Janice M., born Dec. 31, 1900.
George Cowie, an early settler of Buffalo County, Glencoe Township,
was born near Edinburgh, Scotland, Aug. 25, 1828, son of George Cowie, Sr.,
and Janet (McDonald) Cowie, both of ancient Scotch Highland ancestry.
George Cowie was I'eared to the occupation of iron and coal mining in his
native land, and in 1848, at the age of nineteen years, came to America.
Landing in Nova Scotia, he engaged in mining there for a time, and then
went to Pottsville, Pa., where he engaged in the same occupation. Going
thence to the city of New York, he left that port on Jan. 5, 1850, for Cali-
fornia. Going via the Isthmus, he landed at Aspinwall, and thence went
across the Isthmus on foot to Panama on the Pacific side. At that place
he took the steamer Winfield Scott for San Francisco. This proved a most
eventful voyage. The vessel was an old one, and both yellow fever and
cholera broke out on board. The vessel was crowded with 1,000 passengers,
300 of whom were sick, and seventy-five died before the vessel reached
the port of San Francisco, and were buried in the sea. On reaching
California Mr. Cowie went to Nevada County, where he engaged in gold
mining, and remained on the Pacific coast for about one year, when he
returned to his home in Pottsville via the Nicaragua route. Soon after
his return home he removed to Lonaconing, Alleghany County, Md., where
he engaged in mining. In the spring of 1855 he started for Wisconsin,
going by rail to West Virginia, thence- by the Ohio River to Cairo, and
thence by steamer to Fountain City (then known as Holmes' Landing) , an
Indian trading post. That, it will be remembered, was 62 years ago.
La Crosse at that time was but a village, and the existence of Winona had
scarcely begun. Mr. Cowie made his present settlement at once, purchas-
288 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
ipg government land at $1.25 per acre. Mr. Cowie was prominently iden-
tified with the growth and development of Buffalo County, and was called
upon to serve in many public positions. He was the first postmaster of
Glencoe, filling that office very efficiently for twenty-seven successive
years, and gave the name to the office, which was established in 1862. He
gave the name Glencoe to his town in honor of a valley in the highlands
of Scotland called Glencoe, which was the home of the McDonalds, from
which clan he is descended. He also served as chairman of the town for
six years, and held nearly all other local offices, and was largely instru-
mental in the organization of the town of Glencoe. He served in the
legislature in the sessions of 1871-72, and has the honor of being the first
Democrat elected to the legislature from Buffalo County. In November,
1894, Mr. Cowie reluctantly retired from the old farm home and with his
wife moved to Arcadia, Trempealeau County, where they resided until his
death. He died on Feb. 17, 1904, while visiting his daughter, Mrs. F. P.
Taft, at Longmont, Cal. His wife died May 29, 1913, at her old home in
the town of Glencoe. Mr. Cowie was married at Pottsville, Pa., to Mar-
garet Faulds, daughter of James Faulds, who, with his son and daughter,
John and Elizabeth Faulds, came to Wisconsin with the Cowie family. Mr.
and Mrs. Cowie had twelve children: David, Frank, Nettie, Anna, George
and Louis (deceased), and James F., George M., Allan J., Albert E.,
Robert S. and Margaret M.
Eugene F. Clark, legislator, financier and man of affairs, is one of the
leading citizens of Galesville, where his interests and influence extend to
almost every phase of village and rural life. As president of the Bank of
Galesville he has been an important factor in the standing which that
institution has maintained in the community, and as secretary of the
Trempealeau County Insurance Company his able administration of affairs
has made that organization a model of its kind in every particular. For
twenty-two years his work as clerk of the board of education assisted in
shaping the careers of several generations of Galesville youth, and his
voice was ever raised in behalf of progress and efficiency in educational
and administrative methods. For twenty-three years he helped to guide
the destinies of the county as a member of the board of supervisors. In
1916, with a splendid previous record in the assembly, he was elected to
the state senate from this district, and has by his notable work in that
body not only increased his popularity in his district, but also won the
admiration and applause of his colleagues, and the people of the state at
large. His stand on every public question has been on the side of stauncher
patriotism, and for a wider helpfulness and benefit to the people in state
affairs. Desiring to do his share toward every business proposition that
has for its object the upbuilding of Galesville and vicinity, he has become
a stockholder in the Davis Mill Company, the Maxwell-Davis Lumber Com-
pany and the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company. With all his busy
public activities he has been regularly faithful to his church duties, and
has been a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal choir for a period of
some forty years,
The career that has brought Mr. Clark to these vai'ied activities has
■.vxr'i'^.'^^: '..■j!»:i^^si
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 289
been a most interesting one. Descended from distinguished New England
ancestry, he first saw the hght of day in the home of his parents, Isaac
and Emily (French) Clark, at the quaint old hamlet of Kingfield, Maine,
Aug. 14, 1850. As a small boy he was brought to Wisconsin, living a year
in Monroe, Green County, before coming to Galesville, Trempealeau County.
Here he was reared to manhood, learning farming from his father and
receiving a good education first in the pubKc schools and later at Gale
College, and at the La Crosse Business College. After his marriage in
1876 he took up his home on a farm of 100 acres, one mile from Galesville,
which he had purchased in 1871. In 1895, a few months after his father's
death, he succeeded him as president of the Bank of Galesville, and dis-
posing of his own place moved back to the parental farm. That same
year he began his first term in the assembly. In 1902, while serving a
second term in the assembly, he sold the family farm and moved to Gales-
ville. There he has since resided, spending, however, some of his winters
in the South or West.
Senator Clark was married Dec. 24, 1876, to Emily Crouch, who was
born Jan. 13, 1851, in Green Lake County, Wisconsin, daughter of William
and Susan (Frizzelle) Crouch. This union has been blessed with three
children : Emily Blanche, Susan Mildred and Ethel Grace. Emily Blanche
passed through the graded and high schools of Galesville, was graduated
from the University of Wisconsin with the class of 1901, and for two
years was assistant principal of the Galesville high school. She was mar-
ried on Oct. 21, 1903, to Earl E. Hunner, a mining man of Duluth, Minn.
Susan Mildred passed through the graded and high schools of Galesville,
took a course in the Columbia College of Music at Chicago became super-
visor of music at Hibbing, Minn., for two years, also at Marinette, Wis., for
two years, and then became a music supervisor at Missoula, Mont., hav-
ing ten schools under her supervision. She was married on Aug. 29, 1916,
to Leonard Larson, assistant cashier of the Trust and Savings Bank of
Missoula, Mont. Ethel Grace passed through the graded and high schools
of Galesville and attended Milwaukee Downer College for two years. She
then went to Appleton, Wis., where she graduated from both the Con-
servatory of Music and Lawrence University. After this she taught
English and music for three years in the schools of Evansville, Wis., and
a private school near Milwaukee, Wis. She was married on Aug. 29, 1916,
to George C. Nixon, a business man of Milwaukee.
Isaac Clark, one of the early settlers in this region, and one of the
sturdy group of men who had in their hands the shaping of the early
history of Galesville, was born in Maine, of English descent, Jan. 21, 1826,
and was there reared, receiving such educational training as the neighbor-
hood aflforded. Growing to manhood's years, he was married, and settled
down to quiet New England farm life. But the blood of pioneers was in
his veins, and in 1854 he brought his family to Wisconsin, to seek the
wider opportunities of a newer country. For a year they lived at Monroe,
in Green County. Then leaving his family there he came to Galesville,
and secured a farm within what are now the corporate limits of the vil-
lage. On this place a small frame dwelling was standing, and to this house
290 HISTORY OP" TREjMPEALEAU COUNTY
he brought his family. Here he made his home for the remainder of his
days, and followed the occupation of a farmer, taking an interest also in
many other ventures. In 1883 he organized the Bank of Galesville and was
its first president. He also organized the creamery company and was
largely instrumental in having the railroad constructed to Galesville.
Another important enterprise which he helped to found was the Trem-
pealeau Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company, of which he was secretary
for a number of years. He was also actively interested for many years
in the Trempealeau County Agricultural Society, serving as its treasurer
and general superintendent. In short, Isaac Clark was one of those men
of far-sighted enterprise and energy who are the leading factors in advanc-
ing any community in which they may cast their lot. He saw opportunities
where other men passed them by and having once started in any enterprise
he worked hard until it was established upon a sure footing. He was a
member of the town board in 1861, 1862 and 1863, and served in the state
assembly in 1870. After a long and useful life he died Sept. 24, 1894,
widely honored, beloved and mourned. His name will live in the story of
the institutions he helped to found, and in the hearts of the friends whom
his sterling worth drew to his side. In 1893 he built the M. E. Church and
presented it to the M. E. Society.
Mr. Clark was married in Maine, July 9, 1848, to Emily French, a
native of that state. She died in 1865, leaving Eugene F., Florence M. and
Genevieve. By his second marriage, Mr. Clark had two children, Wilford
and Leslie, and by his third marriage he had one child, who died in infancy.
William Crouch, a pioneer, spent his interesting life in four states,
and was a useful and substantial citizen of every locality in which he made
his home. He was born near Lockport, N. Y., May 3, 1828, of English
descent, spent his boyhood in much the same manner as other boys of his
age and period, and as a young man became a miner. Later he came to
Wisconsin and took up farming at Big Creek, near Sparta, in Monroe
County. Subsequently he moved to South Dakota and later made his home
at Ballaton, Minn. He died there Sept. 24, 1908. His wife was Susan
Frizzelle, of English and French descent, who was born Dec. 31, 1828, and
died March 7, 1883, on the farm at Sparta, Monroe County, this state.
Alexander A. Arnold was born in Rhinebeck, Dutchess County, N. Y.,
Oct. 20, 1833, son of Archibald H. R. and Catherine M. E. Schultz. After
mastering his primary studies he was sent to Starkey Academy and later
to an institution known as the Nine Brothers Boarding School. This was
supplemented with a business course at a college in Poughkeepsie. Thus
equipped he started out as a teacher, but this profession did not appeal to
him and he entered the Ohio Law School at Poland, from which he gradu-
ated in 1855. Fresh from college he added to his knowledge of the law
and acquainted himself with actual practice in the office of Hon. Theodore
Miller, then a prominent lawyer of Hudson, N. Y. Six months later he was
admitted to practice before the supreme courts of that state and Ohio.
The tide was flowing westward and the young man saw his future in that
direction. Early in 1857 he set out for Wisconsin, and having relatives at
Elkhorn that was his first place of residence. Elkhorn also was the scene
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 291
of his first case as a trial lawyer. Having two cousins located at Gales-
ville, Mr. Arnold decided to visit them before fixing a permanent location,
and later in the year 1857 found him in the settlement, which was then
in its third year and was known as Galesville. There was little demand
for a lawyer, but there were thousands of acres of land to be entered and
new settlers were arriving. The prospects looked good to the young lawyer
and he cast his lot with Galesville, which was destined to be his home to
the end of his days. There were few frame buildings at this time, and
one of these (still a part of the W. A. Tower house) had just been com-
pleted by a Captain Finch. This building was purchased by Mr. Arnold
and his lawyer's sign was swung to the breeze. The building was small, but
it provided ample room for his desk and a few books, besides space for the
postoffice. The late Dr. William M. Young was postmaster. There was
little mail, and as the doctor was a busy man in his practice the lawyer
attended to the office most of the time. In 1859 Mr. Arnold returned to
New York and was married to Hattie E. Tripp, returning with his bride
to Wisconsin soon after. The young wife died two years later, leaving a
daughter Blanche. The child died at about three years of age. When the
Civil War broke out, in 1861, Galesville, along with the rest of the country,
caught the martial spirit. In August, 1862, the Thirtieth Wisconsin Volun-
teer Infantry was organized and Mr. Arnold enlisted in Company C and
was chosen captain. He was so commissioned by Governor Lewis. The
service of this regiment the first year was largely in this state. The second
year it was stationed on the Indian frontier in the Dakotas. Not until
the third year was the regiment sent south, and then its operations were
confined to Kentucky. At the close of the war Captain Arnold returned to
Galesville. He did not resume his law practice, but turned his attention
to agricultural pursuits. He had, on his first arrival here, purchased eighty
acres of land. After the war he added 160 acres to this and continued to
increase the tract to the 400 acres which make up the present Arnold
properties. The Arnold place has for years been one of the finest farm
homes in the state. Farming fifty years ago was carried on on a much
smaller scale than at the present time, and Captain Arnold found ample
time to assist in shaping the affairs of the community and to study politics.
His college education had included a practical knowledge of surveying, and
few of the original stakes set in this section of the county were not placed
by him. He held the office of county surveyor many years. He was also
one of the early district attorneys and was once county superintendent of
schools. His first prominence in politics was gained in 1870, when he was
elected to the state legislature. From 1878 to 1880 he served his district
as state senator. In 1880 he was again sent to the assembly and was
elected speaker of that body. As an advanced farmer and breeder of pure-
bred stock Captain Arnold has been known throughout this and in other
states for forty years. He was one of the organizers of the Trempealeau
County Agricultural Society in 1859, and served as president and as secre-
tary at different periods. He was a member of the executive board of the
State Agricultural Society for a time, and during a long period was one of
the state's farmers' institute conductors. He commenced the breeding of
292 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Shorthorn cattle when there was not a pure-bred animal in this part of
the state outside of those on his farm. The breeding of this particular
strain has gone on for more than forty years and is continued by his sons.
Captain Arnold was made a Mason in Trempealeau Lodge fifty-seven years
ago. When Decora Lodge was organized he was one of its charter members.
He was a past master of the lodge and one of its faithful patrons to the end.
He was president of the Trempealeau County Historical Society and vice-
president of the Bank of Galesville at the time of his death. As one of
the organizers of the Charles H. Ford Post, G. A. R., he was ever active in
that body. Captain Arnold was again married Feb. 1, 1869, to Miss Mary
Douglas of Melrose. The bride came from a family then prominent in
Jackson County, and was the oldest of five children. She was educated in
the district schools and at Galesville University, first attending when
Bishop Fallows was president, and then taking another course of two years
seven years later. For many years she was president of the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union, of which she is still a member.
Seven children were born to Captain and Mrs. Arnold: Archibald H.,
Roy D., Kittle H., MoUie D., Gerald D., Alex. W. and Beulah. Archibald H.
is a fruit grower, residing at College Place, Wash., three miles from Walla
Walla. He married Fannie M. Parsons of Whitehall and has two children :
Dewey and Douglas. Mollie D. is the wife of S. C. French, Gale Township,
a farmer and stock grower. They have three children : Henry C, Miriam
H. and Arnold S. Gerald D., county surveyor, a resident of Galesville, is
engaged in farming and raising Shorthorn cattle. He married Jayne E.
Burrows of New Richmond, Wis. They have two children: Wm. A. and
John B. Alex. W., who resides on the home place, is conducting the home
farm and is engaged in stock raising. He married Myrtle Smith of Tomah,
Wis. Beulah is the wife of Gilford M. Wiley, principal of the high school
at Greensburg, Ind. They have two children : Arnold R. and Mary Esther.
George Young Freeman was born in the village of Quakerstreet, Schen-
ectady County, N. Y., Aug. 13, 1827. He was of Puritan and Knickerbocker
Dutch ancestry. He received an academic education at Union College at
Schenectady, and in 1843 came to Wisconsin with the family of his Grand-
father Young and settled at Elkhorn, Walworth County. At Elkhorn he pur-
sued the study of law with Judge Gale, and in 1852 went to New York and en-
tered the office of Judge Waterman, then judge of the Marine Court of that
city. He remained in that city six years, coming to Galesville in 1858 to visit
his relative. Judge Gale, the founder of Galesville. He remained here a
short time, returning to New York to sever his connection with Judge
Waterman before entering upon the practice of law in the west. The spring
of 1859 found Mr. Freeman admitted to the bar and permanently located
here. When Mr. Freeman settled in Galesville he found located here
Romanzo Bunn, engaged in the practice of law. The late Capt. Alex. A.
Arnold also was installed in an office and united law with surveying. Gales-
ville was then the county seat, and the old courthouse was the scene of
many a legal contest with these three as advocates. Mr. Freeman at once
came into prominence as a lawyer, and his reputation soon spread over a
wide territory. In 1862 he was elected district attorney for Trempealeau
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 293
County, but a steadily growing practice demanded most of his time, and
in the active years of his life he found little time for political office. In
the earliest years of his life he was a Whig. He voted for Lincoln in 1864
and Grant in 1868, but after that time he was affiliated with the Democratic
party. He was once the candidate of his party for congressman in this
district, and later was named for state senator against the late Senator
Withee. The district was then comprised of Trempealeau and La Crosse
Counties. Mr. Freeman carried La Crosse County, but the overwhelming
Republican majority in Trempealeau County elected Mr. Withee. In 1888
President Cleveland called Mr. Freeman to Washington as principal exam-
iner of land claims and contests. Of the dozen lawyers employed in this
branch of the Department of the Interior, Mr. Freeman was recognized as
an authority. It was during his service at Washington that the famous
Oklahoma decision was handed down. The iindings in this case were
written by him, although the document necessarily appeared over the sig-
nature of the head of the department.
Mr. Freeman remained in Washington under President Harrison a
year after the Democratic administration was retired. A few years later
he sold his office and equipment. Later he associated with him his son
Robert, and the firm of Freeman & Freeman continued until 1898. Mrs.
Freeman died in 1896, and from that time Mr. Freeman gradually lost
interest in business affairs. Mr. Freeman was ever a man of affairs, and
he had much to do with the making of Galesville. When the Trempealeau
County Agricultural Society was founded in 1859 he was the first in the
movement and piloted it through its infancy. As the first secretary of
the society the record books show the interest he took in the organization.
His penmanship in the old secretary's book is like copperplate engraving.
He was a power in the building of the railroad from Trempealeau to Gales-
ville, and was secretary of the company that promoted the road. In this
movement he was tireless in his efforts. When Galesville was incorporated
Mr. Freeman was its first mayor. Along in the nineties he served in this
capacity a second time, when he was elected to fill the vacancy caused by
the death of W. B. Thompson. That was a year when Galesville was a
dry town, and in after years when he thought the generation that followed
him extravagant in city affairs he dehghted in saying that when he was
mayor he ran the town on nothing but the poll and dog tax. Not the least
of Mr. Freeman's exploits was the development of the Arctic Springs, which
property passed into the hands of a syndicate a few years ago. While he
spent considerable money on the springs and in getting the water before
the public, his peculiarities prevented his interesting capital or winning
the co-opei"ation of the public in marketing the product. In the early days
of Galesville University he was prominent in its affairs. He was also one
of the first to organize a Burns Club here. In fact, in all things for the
betterment of the community in his active years he was a conspicuous
figure. Mr. Freeman was a man of fine personal appearance, well groomed,
polished in his speech, and when in the mood, had the politeness of a cavalier.
While never a member of any church, he was one of the few men in Gales-
ville in his time who regularly attended church, and all his life he was a
294 HISTORY OF TREm^EALEAU COUNTY
liberal contributor to the Presbyterian society. He was a charter mem-
ber of Decora Lodge, F. & A. M., but he had not been affihated with the
lodge for twenty-five years. Mr. Freeman is survived by his three sons:
Edwin W., a prominent attorney and promoter, living at Los Angeles, Cal. ;
Robert, also a lawyer and man of public affairs, residing at Corona, that
state, and Rev. Charles E. Freeman of Galesville, who temporarily retired
from the ministry some years ago that he might care for his father in his
helpless condition.
Joseph Barnes Beach, for some 35 years a distinguished figure in West-
ern Wisconsin journalism, was born in Charlotte, Chittenden County, Vt.,
May 12, 1853, son of Charles G. and Caroline (Barnes) Beach. He spent his
early boyhood in his native state, came to Trempealeau County with the
rest of the family at the age of 13, and was reared to farm pursuits in
Ettrick Township. At the age of 21 he entered the office of the Gales-
ville Journal, then conducted by George Luce, and spent two years learn-
ing the printers' trade. When Mr. Luce sold to B. E. Clark in 1876 Mr.
Beach established the Galesville Independent, under the auspices of the
Galesville Printing Association. In 1877 he and E. H. Lowe established the
North La Crosse Star. Selling this a short time later he returned to his
father's farm. Frederick E. Beach, a brother, established the Whitehall
Times in January, 1880, and in December, of the same year, Joseph B. Beach
bought a half interest, buying the other half and assuming full ownership
and control five years later. He conducted this paper until March 20, 1915,
when, owing to failing health, he leased the plant to his brothers, Frederick
E. and Zachary T., and retired. He died May 3, 1916. Entering political
Hfe as a young man, he took a deep interest in public affairs. For 14 years
he was chaii-man of the Republican County Committee. He also served on
numerous other committees and delegations, and was a member of many
political conventions. In 1897 he did his district good service as a member
of the assembly. A Republican of the old type for many years, he later
espoused the cause of the progressive wing of that party, and labored
zealously in its ranks. His great joy was in his newspaper work. At the
time of his death it was written of him : "His was a busy life. Possibly
he thus overtaxed himself, for it was his delight to be constantly accom-
plishing some worthy object. Where others found enjoyment in society
and travel, work at his desk, or at the case, afforded him all the pleasure
his nature seemed to crave. When the day's labor was over he found
recreation, in the summer months, in his well-tilled garden, in which he
took great pride; during the winter months he found life's greatest joy
with his family, in his comfortable home. He was pre-eminently a home
man, a devoted husband, a sympathetic and loving father, and the training
of his children was one of the vital things in his life. Mr. Beach was
married Sept. 5, 1889, to Hattie M. Olds, born in Pigeon Township, March
27, 1869, daughter of George H. and Nancy J. (Oliver) Olds, the pioneers.
This union has been blessed with four children : Kathryn Florence, Joseph
Barnes, Jr. (first), Joseph Barnes, Jr., and George Harrison. K. Florence
was born Nov. 9, 1893, and is now a high school English teacher. She
graduated from the Whitehall high school in 1911 and received the degree
J. B. BEACH
HISTOEY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 295
of B. A. from Lawrence College at Appleton, Wis., in 1915. While at that
institution her scholarship won for Jher the honor of membership in the
Phi Beta Kappa. Joseph Barnes, Jr. (first), was born May 3, 1895, and
died April 29, 1896. Joseph Barnes, Jr., was born Nov. 10, 1897, was gradu-
ated from the Whitehall high school in 1915 and is now a student at the
University of Wisconsin. George Harrison was born July 27, 1901, and is
a junior in the Whitehall high school.
Charles Grant Beach, an early settler, was born in Vermont, Aug. 15,
1815, son of Aaron L. Beach and descended on both sides of his house from
a long line of Colonial ancestry. He was reared on a farm and in his adult
years became interested in railroad work. As a young man he married
Caroline Barnes, who was born in Vermont March 24, 1817, and was like-
wise descended from the colonists of that state. In Vermont eight children
were born, of whom one, a girl four years of age, died there. In 1866 the
family came to Trempealeau County and settled on a farm in Ettrick.
There the mother died in 1887, and the father, two years later, moved to
Whitehall, and took up his home with his daughter, Mrs. John 0. Melby,
with whom he remained until his death. May 13, 1906. Of the seven chil-
dren who came to this county with their parents, Charles, who became a
railroad man, remained in Vermont, where he died in 1903 ; Edgar S., who
came west some years before the others, died in Mankato in 1874 ; Henry,
a railroad man, died in Whitehall in 1904 ; Jennie L. is now Mrs. J. 0. Melby
of Whitehall ; Zachary T. and Frederick E. are newspaper men in Whitehall ;
Joseph B., who died May 3, 1916, was also a newspaper man for many years.
George H. Olds, pioneer, was born in Chenango County, New York,
Jan. 8, 1834, son of William and Marietta (Jackson) Olds. William Olds
was born in Hillsdale, N. Y., March 1, 1799, and in that state grew to man-
hood and was married. In 1853 he came to Wisconsin and located in Cale-
donia Township, where he purchased 40 acres of land from William Cram.
Later he secured a homestead from the government, and from time to time
added more land until he owned in all some 520 acres. His wife died in
Caledonia Township. He died at Rice Lake, Wis., when more than 98 years
old. George H. Olds came west with his parents and remained with them
several years. In 1857, with his brother, James D. — who had come west
in 1851, located in Chippewa Falls, Wis., and there remained until joining
the family in 1853 — he opened a mercantile establishment at Caledonia. In
1861 he served for a short time in the Civil War, being discharged on
account of ill health. He moved to Pigeon Creek in 1863 and in 1874 came
to Whitehall and secured the first lot sold in the townsite. The same year
he was made postmaster, a position he held until May, 1889, when he
retired. He died Sept. 13, 1905. Mr. Olds was married in Pigeon Township,
June 26, 1864, to Nancy J. Oliver, their only child being Hattie M., who was
born March 27, 1869, and was married Sept. 5, 1889, to Joseph B. Beach, now
deceased.
George Gale, jurist and pioneer, founder of Galesville, founder of
Gale College, one of the framers of the Wisconsin constitution, and one of
the organizers of Trempealeau County, was born on the banks of Lake
Champlain, at Burlington, Vermont, Nov. 30, 1816. His grandfather,
296 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Peter Gale, was a native of Vermont, and served in the Continental army ;
his father, whose name was also Peter, was one of the "Minute Men" of
Barre, Vermont, in the War of 1812 ; his mother, whose name was Hannah
Tottingham, was of genuine Puritan stock. George Gale lived on a farm
during his boyhood, and divided his time in working on a farm and attend-
ing school. His schooling was thorough, and although he was not a
graduate of any college, he acquired an excellent knowledge of the higher
branches of mathematics and the sciences. In March, 1839, he com-
menced reading law at Waterbury Center, Vermont, and was admitted to
the bar in 1841, having in the meantime served his village as postmaster.
Soon after becoming a lawyer, he came to the then territory of Wisconsin,
and located at Elkhorn, in what is now Walworth County, where he prac-
ticed law, and at the same time continued his studies with great diligence.
In addition to his professional labors, he was for one year the editor of the
Western Star, published in Elkhorn, to which he contributed many able
articles. The Wisconsin Farm Book he first published in 1846, issuing
revised editions in 1848, 1850 and 1856. Soon after his arrival at Elk-
horn, he entered public life, and was elected to various town and school
offices, serving one term as chairman of the county board of supervisors.
In 1847 the scope of his services broadened, and he was sent to the Con-
stitutional Convention, in which body he was a prominent and hard work-
ing member, winning; distinction for his labors on the judiciary committee.
The same year he was elected district attorney for his county. In 1850
and 1851, he served in the state senate, being chairman of committee on
privileges and elections in the first session, and chairman of the committee
on industry the second session. July 4, 1851, he received from the governor
of the state, the appointment as brigadier-general in the militia. In the
fall of that year he moved to La Crosse, and shortly after his arrival was
elected county judge of La Crosse County, having both common law and
■probate jurisdiction not only of La Crosse County, which then embraced
a large area, but also over Chippewa County, which had been attached to
La Crosse County for judicial purposes. Jan. 1, 1854, he resigned, and in
April, 1856, he was elected judge of the Sixth Judicial District, composed
of the counties of Buffalo, Clark, Jackson, Monroe, Trempealeau, La Crosse,
Vernon and Crawford, for the judicial term of six years, commencing Jan.
1, 1857. The duties of this office he discharged with much dignity and
ability. During Judge Gale's residence at La Crosse, he urged very strongly
upon the prominent citizens of that place the importance of their estab-
lishing a college or an institution of learning of a higher order, but the
country being new, the project did not find favor with the people, and
nothing was done to carry out this worthy project. He shortly afterward
decided to found a college and town on his own responsibility. Accord-
ingly in 1853, he purchased about 2,000 acres of land, including the present
location of Galesville, with the water power on Beaver Creek, and in
January, 1854, he procured from the state legislature the organization of
the new county of Trempealeau, with the location of the county seat at
Galesville. At the same time he obtained a charter for a university to be
located at that place. The board of trustees was organized in 1855, and
ms^:r}mm^'''^^
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 297
the first edifice commenced in 1858. In June, 1854, the village plot of
Galesville was laid out. Even through the financial crisis, Judge Gale
carried the university to success, and had the great joy of seeing the first
class graduated in July, 1865. After eleven years as president of the
board of trustees and of the faculty, he resigned, and left the worlc in
other hands, although he never lost his active interest. In 1863 the insti-
tution conferred upon him the degree of LL.D., the University of Vermont
having paved the way by granting him the degree of M.A. in 1857. As
an historical writer. Judge Gale took a high rank. For the Wisconsin
State Historical Society, of which he was at one time vice-president and
later an honorary member, he prepared an elaborate paper entitled, "His-
tory of the Chippewa Nation of Indians," which is included in the pub-
lished "Collections" of the society. In 1866 he published at Galesville a
"Genealogical History of the Gale Family in England and in the United
States, With an Account of the Tottingham Family, of New England, and
of the Bogardus, Waldron and Young Families, of New York," a volume
requiring a large amount of patience and persevering investigation. His
last work, to the preparation of which he devoted many years, was pub-
lished in 1867 and was entitled, "The Upper Mississippi, or Historical
Sketches of the Introduction of Civilization in the Northwest," a work
which was well received and widely circulated. Judge Gale's health par-
tially failed him in the summer of 1862, and the three following winters
he spent in the South and West, most of the time in the service of the
Sanitary and Christian Commissions. During February and March, 1863,
he had charge of the United States Sanitary Commission Depot, on Morris
Island, during the siege of Charleston. He departed this life with all the
consolations of the Christian religion, at Galesville, April 1, 1868. In all
the relations of life, in which he had been called to take a part. Judge Gale
was always faithful, honest and persevering, with habits of industry and
close application. Those who knew him the best esteemed him the most.
In all respects he was an estimable man, discharging every duty to the
best of his ability. He retained his mental faculties to the last, his faith
was strong, and his last days were full of peace.
December, 1844, Judge Gale married Gertrude Young, born at Schen-
ectady, N. Y., in 1810, daughter of George and Anna (Waldron) Young.
She died March 3, 1902. In the family there were three children: George,
a leading attorney of Galesville ; William, a prominent attorney of Winona,
who died Aug. 13, 1903; and Helen, wife of H. J. Arnold, who is engaged
in the drug business at Kansas City.
George Gale, Jr., a distinguished attorney of Galesville, was born in
Elkhorn, Walworth County, Wisconsin, Sept. 14, 1845, son of George and
Gertrude (Young) Gale. He was taken to La Crosse as a small boy, and
was but 12 years of age when his parents brought him to Galesville. Here
he attended the public schools, and in due time entered Gale College, from
which he was graduated in June, 1866. Then he studied law in his father's
office. In 1868 he was admitted to the bar of Wisconsin and Minnesota,
and the following year moved with his mother, brother and sister to
Winona, where he spent one year in the office of Judge Thomas Simpson.
298 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
In 1870 he and his brother, William, engaged in the practice of law at
Winona, under the firm name of G. & W. Gale. In 1880, the partnership
was dissolved, and George Gale moved to Fairmont, Minn., where he con-
tinued his practice. He subsequently practiced at Berlin, Wis., and later
engaged in the lumber and supply business at Merrill, Wis. Because of
his wife's failing health, he returned to Trempealeau County in 1885, and
moved onto the old Gale farm. In 1894 he moved to Galesville village,
where he has since resided. He devotes his time to the practice of his
profession, and to looking after his farm and village holdings. He is the
justice of the peace for the village, has been city judge of Berlin, Wis.,
and was county attorney of Martin County, Minn. His fraternal relations
are with the Knights of Pythias, in the local lodge of which he was an
officer for a number of years, and in the state lodge of which he has sat as
a delegate. Mr. Gale was married in 1874, to Myra Johnson, who was
born in Elkhorn, Wis., daughter of D. R. and Katherine (Pike) Johnson,
of old Huguenot stock, early settlers of Wisconsin, and natives of New
York. The father engaged in the furniture business in Elkhorn, Wis., and
at Berlin, Wis., established a casket factory, which is now the Milwaukee
Casket Co. By this marriage Mr. Gale had two children, Mamie, who died
at the age of eight years, and George, who died in infancy. Mr. Gale was
married Dec. 31, 1903, to Mrs. Elizabeth (Glennie) Stewart, daughter of
John and Elizabeth Glennie, and widow of Duncan Stewart. She was bom
in Scotland, came to America as a child, was married at Northbend, later
moved to West Salem, and there lived for some years. She has a daughter,
Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. Gale have two sons, George Glennie, born Feb. 14,
1905, and William John, born May 13, 1912.
Peter J. Enghagen, president of the Hammer-Enghagen Co., Inc., gen-
eral merchants, of Galesville, was born in Ettrick township, Trempealeau
County, June 16, 1867, son of Iver and Ingaborg (Jacobsen) Enghagen.
He attended the common school at French Creek and was subsequently a
student for two years at Gale University. Residing at home until he was
21 years old, he then entered the employ of Jordan & Hammer as clerk
in their general store. After two years in their employ, he worked four
years for Gilbertson & Myhre. He then purchased the interest of Mr.
Jordan in the Jordan & Hammer concern and the business was conducted
under the name of Hammer & Enghagen Mercantile Company, until Feb. 15,
1917, when they incorporated and Mr. Enghagen became president. He
devotes all his active hours to the store and is also stockholder in the Bank
of Galesville. As a public spirited citizen, interested and willing to aid in
local progress, he has served a number of times as a member of the city
council. In politics he is independent.
Mr. Enghagen was married May 22, 1895, to Lena Johnson, who was
born at Half-way Ci'eek, near Holman, in the township of Holland,
La Crosse County, Wis., daughter of Louis and Marie (Brudlas) Johnson.
Both her parents were born in Norway, the father in Laud and the mother
in Vordal. Her father, who came to the United States during the Civil
War, enlisted and served in the Union army. At the close of the war he
engaged in farming, residing in La Crosse County, Wis., until the fall of
^ ^^^
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 299
1915, when he retired and took up his residence in Galesville. Mr. and
Mrs. Enghagen have two children: Inez Minerva, who is a student at St.
Olof College, Northfield, Minn., and Marie Lucile, who is attending the
pubhc schools of Galesville. The family are members of the Lutheran
church. As a business man Mr. Enghagen has been successful, and as a
man and citizen he is held in high esteem by his neighbors.
O. P. Larson, for many years a resident of Whitehall, was one of the
most successful men in Trempealeau County. Coming here as a poor boy,
and working for many years under the handicap of poor health, he gradu-
ally built up a series of estabhshments which formed a chain of successful
houses throughout the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota.
In building his own fortunes, he also aided many another man to achieve
prosperity, and more than this, his stores and banks have had a part in
the development of many a rural community. 0. P. Larson was born on
the estate of Eastern Piltingsrud, Begnadalen, Valders, Norway, April 15,
1849, and there received such education as his neighborhood and circum-
stances permitted. In 1866 he came to the United States and found his
way to Trempealeau County, where he secured employment as a farm hand.
His inclinations, however, turned to mercantile pursuits, and before long
he was working in a store. His shrewdness, ability and courtesy won
recognition, and it was not many years before he was at the head of an
establishment of his own. The first store he owned was at Independence.
After a while he looked to other fields, and gradually extended the scope
of his activities. At the height of his career, he owned an interest in some
twenty establishments, the most notable of which were the Bank of Eleva,
Wis. ; the Bank of Melrose, Wis. ; the Churches Ferry State Bank, Churches
Ferry, N. D., and the J. 0. Melby & Co. Bank, Whitehall, as well as the
mercantile stores of Larson, Melby & Co., Eleva, Wis.; Larson, Stevning
& Co., Stephen, Minn.; Larson, Ringlie & Co., Binford, N. D., and Aneta,
N. D. ; Larson, Gravlie & Co., Adams, N. D. ; Larson, Lander & Co., Fairdal,
N. D. ; Larson, Dokken & Co., Knox, N. D., and several others. To all of
these concerns he gave considerable personal attention. His health, never
robust, continued to fail, and in 1912 he went to Norway, in hopes that the
land of his birth might bring to him restored vigor. But these hopes were
not realized, and on Aug. 30, of that year, he died at Christiania, Norway.
His body was brought back to Whitehall for burial. An obituary notice
said of him : "Among the many hardy Northmen who have come to this
country to share the blessings of our prosperous land, few have availed
themselves of its privileges and opportunities more successfully than 0. P.
Larson. No one could spend an hour with Mr. Larson without realizing
the intense energy of his mind, and his keen and almost intuitive analysis
of any question or situation presented. For more than thirty years, always
in delicate health, he wrestled with business problems, and the question
of making his physical strength respond to his ever active mind, and as a
sedative to his restless mental faculties and a stimulus to his lagging
physical abilities, he traveled almost constantly. In pursuance of health
and business he visited nearly every state in our Union. He crossed the
Atlantic Ocean at least 24 times. He exemplified in the highest degree
■m) HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
the power of mind over matter. He has left behind him sons and daughters
eminently fitted to successfully carry on the many business enterprises
which he estabhshed." Mr. Larson married Lina Waller, June 26, 1878.
She was born in Snartingsdalen, Norway, Aug. 14, 1856, daughter of Ole
Jacob Johansen and Martha Waller. Mr. and Mrs. Larson have had six
children: Martha, Ohver, Lewis, Clarence, Julia and Manda. Martha
married Bent Lander, a merchant of Fairdale, N. D., and they have two
sons, twins, Bernhart and Reinhart. Oliver died March 27, 1900. Lewis is
a merchant at Binfoi'd, N. D. He married Florence Ringlie, and they have
one child, LuciUe. Clarence is a banker at Eleva. Julia married Christian
F. Zoylner, a business man of New York, where they reside. Manda resides
at home. Mrs. Larson was the help, encouragement and inspiration of Mr.
Larson in all his undertakings. A lover of her home, and taking the
greatest delight in domestic duties and the rearing of her children, she has
nevertheless found time for much church and charitable work, and has
taken an especially important and active part in the affairs of the Ladies'
Aid Society. Few ladies have traveled more than she, her journeys with
her husband for the benefit of his health having taken her to Norway half
a dozen times, and to Colorado, the Pacific Coast states, and the gulf states.
When but a mere child she lost her father in 1876, and was reared by her
mother, receiving a good education, which her travels and experience has
since deepened and broadened. In 1877 she came to America with her
brother, Oliver Waller, and her sister, Kristina Waller, who became Mrs.
Martin Nelson. She took up her home near Independence, with another
sister, Ingeborg (Mrs. Sever Amundson), who had come to America some
years previous, and there lived until her marriage to Mr. Larson.
Daniel Levi McCallum, who for a number of years was proprietor of
a small but well cultivated and improved farm in Gale township, was born
on the same farm. May 19, 1866. His parents were Charles Rodney and
Abigail (Lindsey) McCallum, natives of Pennsylvania and of Scotch descent.
The father, a farmer, came to Trempealeau County in 1859, locating on
the farm above mentioned, where he resided until a few years before his
death in July, 1900. He was a veteran of the Civil War and an industrious
and respected citizen. For many years before his death he had been a
widower.
Daniel Levi McCallum was the seventh born in a family of ten
children. He was reared on his parents' homestead, of which he took
full charge when 25 years old, later becoming the owner. It consisted of
80 acres of land, supplied with good buildings and other equipment. Here
he carried on general farming until his death, which occurred Mai'ch 6,
1914. He was industrious and enterprising and his efforts were rewarded
by prosperity. Mr. McCallum was first married to Mamie Wood, a native
of this township, who died Nov. 18, 1903. She left one child, Vilas, who
is now residing with his grandfather and guardian, William Wood, of Gale
township. May 23, 1908, Mr. McCallum married for his second wife Lena
Olsen, who was born in Norway, daughter of Ole and Mary Olsen. Her
father came to the United States in 1888, locating in Jackson County, near
Melrose, where the family lived two years, and where the father still resides.
Cyl/U^ oLin^c
•■(^ O' ^ny
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 301
His wife died in July, 1916. Of Mr. McCallum's second marriage there
were two children : Arlene Beatrice and Nadine Clara, the former of whom
is attending school. Mrs. McCallum has recently sold the farm with the
intention of taking up her residence in Galesville. Her husband was a
man devoted to his home and family. Politically he owned allegiance to
the Republican party, but never aspired to official position. He was widely
respected and had many friends, to whom his death caused grief.
Ben W. Davis, one of the leading business men of Galesville, where
he operates a mill and is engaged in other lines of enterprise, was born
in the house in which he now lives, July 28, 1867. His parents were Wilson
and Mary E. Davis, the father born March 4, 1827, Kentucky, in which
state during his earlier manhood he was engaged in farming. Later Wilson
Davis migrated to St. Mary's Landing, Mo., from which place he went to
Minnesota, finally coming to Wisconsin. With his father, Timothy, at one
time congressman from Dubuque, he built a mill at Elkader, Iowa, which
was the first of several that they erected. The second was built at Pick-
wick, Minn., in 1854, and this they operated for about 11 years, coming
to Galesville in 1866. Soon after their arrival here they built the mill
that- is now owned by the Davis Mill Company, starting it in 1867 and
completing it in 1869. It was built of limestone found near the village
and is seven stories high, measuring 98 feet from base to roof, and 50 by 70
feet ground dimensions. Its capacity is 200 barrels of flour a day. Wilson
Davis operated the mill until his death in 1898, and was besides a director
in the Bank of Galesville. He and his wife had four children : Augustine
A., who resides in New York City, where he is engaged in the acetyline
welding business ; Ella, wife of Alfred Campbell, a farmer of Hartland,
Wis. ; Frank G., who is engaged in the retail lumber business at Tarboro,
N. C, and Ben W., of Galesville. Ben W. Davis acquired his education in
the school at Galesville, which he attended until he was 17 years of age.
He then became a traveling salesman and followed that occupation until
he was about 26 years old. Returning to Galesville in 1892 he became con-
nected with the Davis mill in the capacity of manager and the business has
since been under his control. In 1894, soon after assuming the manage-
ment, Mr. Davis rebuilt and remodeled the mill. In 1898 it was burned
down, but in the following year he again rebuilt it, its dimensions and
capacity being each time enlarged, until its capacity has been brought
up to 200 barrels a day. The company also operate an electric plant fur-
nishing light for the city of Galesville. The principal brand of flour turned
out is sold under the name of "Peach Blossom," and commands a good
market throughout this section and in many of the western states. Mr.
Davis gives most of his time to this business, but also has other interests,
being vice-president of the Bank of Galesville, president of the Maxwell-
Davis Lumber Company of Galesville, a stockholder in the Western Wis-
consin Telephone Company. He is a member of the Masonic order, the
Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America. In politics a Repub-
lican, he served as mayor of Galesville for nine years. As a business man
and pubhc spirited citizen he has proved himself a worthy successor to
his father and has taken active part in advancing the growth and interests
302 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
of the city. Mr. Davis was married in June, 1894, to Leora A. Avery, who
was born in Seattle, Wash., daughter of the Rev. J. H. and Lucy (Wash-
burn) Avery, her father being a minister of the Methodist Episcopal
church. He and his wife have one child: Katharyne A., who resides at
home and is attending Lawrence University at Appleton, Wis.
Ludwig N. Hammer, secretary and treasurer of the Hammer-Enghagen
Company, conducting a general mercantile business in Galesville, was
born in Heedmarken, Norway, Jan. 26, 1857, son of Nels Burson and Thrine
Hammer. Both parents died in their native land, where the father fol-
lowed the occupation of millwright. Ludwig N. was the sixth born in a
family of eight children and attended both common and high school in
Norway. Remaining with his parents until he was 16 years old, he then
left home and for some years worked at different occupations, chiefly as
clerk in stores. At the age of 23 he left Norway for the United States,
locating in Frenchville, Wis., in 1879. In 1881 he came to Galesville as
clerk for Wilson-Davis, and remained in their employ until 1889, when he
became associated with W. H. Jordan. In 1895 Mr. Jordan sold his intei-est
to Mr. Enghagen, since which time the business was conducted under
the style of Hammer & Enghagen. The firm moved into their present
quarters in the spring of 1916. They carry a large stock of goods and
enjoy a wide and growing patronage. Feb. 15, 1917, the firm incorporated
as Hammer-Enghagen Company, with a $50,000 capital. The officers are:
P. J. Enghagen, president; Carl Svensen, vice-president; L. M. Hammer,
secretary and treasurer. Mr. Hammer is a stockholder and director in the
Bank of Galesville, and also owns business and residence property in the
village. He was president of the Business Men's Association for a number
of years and is at the present time one of is trustees. He is also a member
of the board of trustees of Gale College and has served on the village
council several terms. In pohtics he is an independent Republican, support-
ing his party at national elections, but exercising his own discretion on
other occasions. Mr. Hammer was married Nov. 7, 1885, to Lena Trondson,
who was born in Trempealeau County, Wis., daughter of Anders and
Agnethe Trondson. Her parents were both natives of that province in
Norway in which Mr. Hammer was born. After coming to the United
States they lived for some years in Trempealeau County, Wis., later moving
to Duel County, South Dakota, where, after a number of years spent in farm-
ing, he died. His wife also died in that county. Mr. and Mrs. Hammer
have had seven children, of whom two, Nora and Arthur, are deceased.
The survivors are : Joseph, a bookkeeper in the Bank of Galesville ; Hulda,
who is engaged in teaching; Margaret, residing at home, who is a graduate
of the high school class of 1916; and Ruth and Rolf, who are attending
school. The family are affiliated religiously with the Lutheran church.
Benjamin F. Gipple, a pioneer merchant, was born in Scipio, Cayuga
County, N. Y., April 26, 1827, of substantial Pennsylvania-Dutch ancestry.
He spent his early life in the East, and after learning farming from his
father, was apprenticed to a builder, who taught him the carpenter's trade.
In 1856 he came West, and located at Hokah, Minn., where he was employed
for a year at his trade. In 1857 he went to La Crosse, and started work for
BERT A. GIl'PLE
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 303
Mons Anderson, at that time conducting the largest mercantile establish-
ment in the Northwest. In this concern his promotion was rapid, and in
a short time he was given charge of all the sales force of the large estab-
lishment. During his years in this employ, he gained experience and won
the confidence of the people to the extent that he was enabled to open a
store of his own. Subsequently he owned stores in Montello, Marquette
County, and in North Bend, Jackson County, in which latter place he served
as postmaster. In 1889 he came to Galesville and opened a stoi'e which he
conducted until 1908, when he retired. He died Jan. 7, 1911. It was one
of the deep regrets of Mr. Gipple's hfe that he could not serve in the Civil
War. He enlisted twice, and was twice rejected, and was subsequently
drafted, but was again rejected, the rejections being due to an injury which
he had received early in life. While Mr. Gipple was not a practicing attor-
ney, he took a deep interest in the law from the time of his earliest boyhood,
and was well versed in legal procedure. He was a justice of the peace for
some fifty years, and in this time handed down hundreds of decisions which
met with the praise and approval of many distinguished jurists.
Mr. Gipple married Mary Ann Snure in May, 1849. She died Aug. 6,
1862. To this union were born six children, five of whom are living at this
date. He married Emily Ruth Bradshaw June 2, 1865. She was born in
Indiana Oct. 9, 1843. There were born to this second marriage three sons,
Benjamin F., Bert Allen and William B., and one daughter, Mayme, who
died at the age of 31. Mrs. Gipple died March 21, 1917.
Bert A. Gipple, journalist and man of afl'airs, editor of the Galesville
Republican for twenty-five years, has taken an active part in every move
that has for its object the upbuilding, development and betterment of the
community. Few men are better known in the county. He is a native
of this State, born in La Crosse, Wis., Dec. 16, 1870, son of Benjamin F.
and Emily R. (Bradshaw) Gipple. At the age of seventeen he became
shipping clerk in a wholesale house in La Crosse. In 1890 he began his
journalistic career as a printer's assistant on the Galesville Independent.
His first reportorial work was done under W. R. Finch, on the La Crosse
Republican and Leader in 1892. In 1893 he took charge of the editorial
department of the Prairie du Chien Union. Subsequently he was employed
on the Mondovi Herald, and then returned to Galesville, where he worked
on the Independent. In 1896 he took charge of the Cumberland Advocate
in the absence of its publisher. Again returning to Galesville later in the
same year, he opened a job printing office. He founded the Galesville
Republican in 1897, and in 1908 on the organization of the Republican
Printing Company he was the principal stockholder. The company
absorbed the old Galesville Independent, and now has the only newspaper
and job printing plant in the village. Mr. Gipple is a high degree Mason,
belonging to the Blue Lodge at Galesville, and the Chapter and Council at
La Crosse. He was appointed Grand Steward at the communication of the
Grand Lodge in 1916. He was a charter member of the Galesville Colony
of Beavers. He was married July 28, 1893, to Emma J. Sagen, daughter
of Ole N. and Ella (Trondson) Sagen, and they have one daughter, Dorris C.
Mrs. Gipple was educated in the schools of Galesville, and in Gale College.
304 HISTORY OF TREilPEALEAU COUNTY
The daughter graduated from the Galesville High School in 1914, and from
the La Crosse Normal School in 1916. She has the unusual record of
having attended school for eleven years without being absent or tardy.
At this date ahe is a teacher in the public schools of Sparta, Wis.
Carl McKeeth, who is doing a successful business in Galesville, dealing
in farm implements, road machinery and automobiles, was born in Gale
Township, six miles north of the village, Sept. 11, 1878. He is a son of
John and Lorette (Bigelow) McKeeth, the father a native of New York
State and the mother of New Hampshire. John McKeeth was formerly a
well-known man in Trempealeau County, to which he came in 1856. He
homesteaded a farm in the county, on which in time he made improvements,
and being elected sheriff served in that office and as deputy for 16 years-.
He was also chaii-man of Gale Township board for 20 years and for a number
of years served as mayor of Galesville. During the Civil War he served in
the First Wisconsin Battery, enlisting as a private. His death took place in
1908 and was regretted throughout the county. His wife passed away in
1900.
Carl McKeeth was the second-born in a family of three children.
He was educated in the grammar and high schools of Galesville, and being
20 years old when the Spanish-American war broke out, he enlisted and
served six months. On his return he engaged in business with his father,
dealing in farm implements, road machinery, automobiles and other similar
goods, this association being continued until the father's death, since
which time Carl McKeeth has carried on the business alone. In his auto-
mobile department he is now selling the Maxwell, Chalmers, Marion, Hanley
and Cadillac cars. He is the owner of a considerable business and residence
property in Galesville. Oct. 17, 1900, Mr. McKeeth was united in marriage
with Bird Converse, who was born in Caledonia Township, Trempealeau
County, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Bender) Converse. Her father,
an engineer by former occupation, is now assisting Mr. McKeeth in the store.
Her mother is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. McKeeth have three children ;
Gale, Ray and Verna, all residing at home. Mr. McKeeth is independent in
politics and has served as a member of the village council. He belongs to
the lodge of Beavers and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian
church.
Cyrus Kass, who operates a good farm in Section 27, Trempealeau
Township, was born in Holland Township, La Crosse County, Wis., Feb. 4,
1864. His parents, William and Katie (Dextra) Kass, came to the United
States from Holland in 1856, leaving Rotterdam May 27 and landing at New
York July 25. From the latter city they came West by rail to Dunleith,
111., and from there by boat to La Crosse. The parents were both natives
of Holland, the father born in Friesland State — the home of the Holstein
cattle — April 23, 1835, and the mother in the city of Leeuwarden, Friesland,
July 28, 1832. They were married only about three weeks before sailing
for America — on May 5, 1856. After reaching La Crosse County, Wis., they
resided there near the village of Amsterdam, until 1868, and then came with
wagon and team to Trempealeau County, William Kass buying 40 acres of
land in Section 27, Trempealeau Township. The land was but slightly
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 305
improved, but there was a small frame house on it, 14 by 20 feet in dimen-
sions, and a one-story pole stable, with hay cover, which was, however, of
little account. Lying immediately west of Mr. Kass' 40 acres was a tract
of uncultivatable bluff land, and of this he homesteaded 120 acres to use
as pasture land. A few years later he purchased another tract of 40 acres,
some of which was cultivatable land, lying north of the original 40 acres,
so that he now had a farm of 200 acres. For the first four years he
used oxen on his farm, as, being more hardy than horses, they were better
fitted for pioneer conditions. He and his wife endured many hardships,
the usual lot of pioneers, but never allowed themselves to become discour-
aged or relax their efforts. While he was developing his farm Mr. Kass
cut and hauled during the winters thousands of hoop-poles, which he sold
in Winona for $8 to $10 a thousand, and in this way maintained his family.
He also sold quite a number in Pickwick, Minn., having to start from home
at 3 o'clock in the morning, and cross the Mississippi River on the ice with
his ox team, returning late at night. In 1869 he built a log barn. For
many years William Kass continued the improvement of his farm, he and his
wife at the same time bringing up a family of six children, namely : John
born July 30, 1857, who died on his parents' farm in February, 1889; Seba,
born June 16, 1859, who is now living near Eau Claire, Wis., on a farm ;
Mary, born Nov. 21, 1862, who died on the farm in Trempealeau Township
in February, 1889; Cyrus, born 1864; Theodore, born March 10, 1866, who
died in Trempealeau Township in February, 1889; Katie, born September
28, 1868, who is now Mrs. Fred Weiss, of Rock Island, 111. John, Seba, Mary,
Cyrus and Theodore were all born in Holland Township, La Crosse County,
and Katie in Trempealeau Township. The deaths in the same month of
John, Mary and Theodore were caused by an epidemic of measles, and were
a heavy blow to the surviving members of the family. Katie, the daughter
born in Trempealeau Township, was educated in District No. 3, at Gale
University, and at the Winona Normal School, from which institution she
was graduated, subsequently teaching school for years. The other children
in the family attended only the district school. The mother, Mrs. Katie
Kass, died on the homestead Jan. 14, 1911, and is buried at Evergreen
Cemetery, at Centerville. Cyrus Kass was brought up on his parents' farm
and has always remained there. He learned farming from his father and is
now engaged in it on the old home place, his operations including dairying
and the raising of orchard and small fruits. He has 11 head of cattle and
five horses, his cows being graded. He has also a herd of 60 sheep, Shrop-
shire and Oxford crossed, and a herd of hogs. The house on the farm is a
story-and-a-half upright, with two wings, and containing nine rooms. His
hay barn, 32 by 48 by 16 feet in dimensions, has a basement in which he
keeps his sheep. His other barn, for horses and cattle, measures 28 by 48
by 24 feet. Mr. Kass was married Oct. 30, 1906, to Stella, daughter of
Peter and Julia (Wojcie) Chowski, of Winona, Minn. Their children are:
Mary, born Oct. 8, 1907 ; John Cyrus, born June 26, 1909 ; William Henry,
born April 27, 1911, and Stanley Peter, born Nov. 18, 1913. Mr. Kass is
a charter member of Galesville Lodge of Beavers, and he and his wife
belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is independent.
306 HISTORY OF TREJIPEALEAU COUNTY
but is not active politically, not having served in public office, but having
so far devoted his whole attention to the business of the farm, on which
his father resides with him.
Rev. Lars M. Gimmestad, pastor of the Norwegian Lutheran Synod
Church in Galesville, Wis., and also president of Gale College, was born in
Nordf jord, Bergenhus Amt., the west central province of Norway, Jan. 20,
1868. He is a son of Mons M. and Anna (Vasenden) Gimmestad, both of
whom were natives of the same province. The father, a stone mason and
carpenter by trade, died in Norway in 1878, and his widow subsequently
came to the United States, settling with her family of five sons in Redwood
County, Minn., where she died in 1907.
Lars M. Gimmestad, who was the youngest member of the family,
acquired his elementary education partly in Norway and partly in Redwood
County, Minn. By the time he was 14 years of age he was practically earn-
ing his own living, which he did by herding cattle, and later working on a
farm for an older brother. In the meanwhile he entered Luther College,
at Decorah, Iowa, which he attended for seven years, continuing to work
on the farm during his vacations. After graduating from this institution
he entered Luther Seminary, at Minneapolis, where he studied theology
for three years, during this period teaching parochial school and assisting
other pastors. He was ordained July 22, 1894, at Eau Claire, Wis., and
for one year subsequently was in charge of a congregation there. From
that time until the fall of 1901 he had charge of congregations in Dane,
Columbia and Trempealeau counties, becoming pastor of the church at
Galesville. In the year last mentioned he took up his residence in Gales-
ville in order to become president of Gale College, which at that time was
transferred to Lutheran hands. This office he has since held, devoting
most of his time to it, though still remaining pastor of the Lutheran congre-
gation here, thus making twenty-three years of continuous service. Much
of his life has been devoted to teaching, and he has administered the affairs
of the college in an efficient manner, maintaining a high scholastic standard
and a Christian atmosphere conducive to the moral and spiritual growth
of the students. Politically he is an independent Democrat.
Mr. Gimmestad was married July 22, 1896, to Amalie Anderson, who
was born in Dane County, Wis., daughter of Hans and Oline (Hanson)
Anderson. Her parents, who were natives of Norway, came to America
about 1873, locating first in Dane County. A few years later they removed
to Eau Claire, Wis., where Mr. Anderson was employed in a shoe factory,
and where he subsequently died. His widow is still residing in that city.
Mr. and Mrs. Gimmestad are the parents of six children: Marie Helen,
Agnes Olava, Herman, Laura Matilda, Bernard Oscar and Victor Edward.
Mr. Gimmestad owns his own residence and also a number of acres of land
in the vicinity of Galesville.
William E. Bartholomew, a well-known citizen of Galesville, who has
resided in Trempealeau County for about 47 years, was born in Atwater
Township, Portage County, Ohio, Sept. 4, 1846. His parents, Albert and
Minerva (Potter) Bartholomew, were both of Welsh descent, but born in
Eastern States. The father in early life was a farmer, but in later life
REV. L. M. GIMMESTAD
President of Gale College
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 307
engaged in business as a wagon maker. He came to Elkhorn, Walworth
County, Wis., in 1850, and he and his wife both died there some years later.
William E. Bartholomew was the youngest of five children. When left an
orphan he was still a young child and for some years his home was with
his older sisters and other relations, who cared for him until 1859. He
then found employment on a dairy farm at $5 a month, and in five months,
having saved enough money to pay his fare to Chicago,.he went to that city,
arriving there without a cent. He succeeded, however, in making his way to
Elkhorn, Wis., where he had a sister hving, with whom he took up his
residence. For a number of years he worked for others, at first having
charge of a horse-power used for threshing. In the summer of 1864 Mr.
Bartholomew, not yet 18 years of age, enlisted at Spring Prairie Center,
near Elkhorn, in Company I, Thirty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry,
and served with the organization as a private for about four months. On
his return to Spring Prairie he again worked out for others and continued
to do so until his marriage in January, 1867, to Alice Bell, who was born
in Geneva Township, Walworth County, Wis., daughter of Anson and Eliza
(Chapman) Bell, who were early settlers in that county, but are both now
deceased. After his marriage Mr. Bartholomew took his wife to Chickesaw
County, Iowa, where he farmed for three years. He then sold his farm and
came to Trempealeau County. Here he was engaged in farming until 1903,
when, on account of impaired health he took up his residence in Galesville,
and entered the employ of Dr. Jegi, having the care of his stable and other
parts of his estate. His health improving, in the spring of 1914 he
entered the employ of the Illinois Oil Company and has since continued
with them. He is the owner of several lots in Galesville in addition to his
own residence. In politics Mr. Bartholomew is a Republican, and in earlier
years was a member of the village board. He and his wife have six
children: Albert, who is a marble cutter and drafter in Madison, Wis.;
Walter, a butter maker by trade, who is now engaged in the grocery business
in Seattle, Wash. ; Mary, wife of N. P. Jensen, of Galesville, a deputy of the
Order of Beavers ; Belle, wife of Julius Keholer, a barber of Galesville ;
Edith, wife of Mert Jensen, form maker in a printing plant at Bobells, N. D. ;
and Ida, wife of Lee Merrill, of St. Paul, who is bookkeeper in the purchasing
department of the Omaha division of the North Western Railway.
John Beck, the pioneer, was born in Ekeby, Sweden, in 1815, and was
there reared. Apprenticed to a carpenter as a youth, he learned the car-
penter, furniture-making and cabinet-making trades, and in following his
occupation wandered about the Scandinavian countries for a while. Thus
he met Christina Anderson, who was born in Kumla, Sweden, in 1815.
Taking his bride to his home in Ekeby, he was there permanently employed
for a considerable period. While there he was called to service in the
Swedish regular army during the time when Denmark was disputing with
Prussia and the Germanic Federation, the ownership of Schleswig-Holstein.
Although participating in a number of bloody engagements, he escaped
injury and wounds. Soon after, he determined to locate in the United
States. Reaching Chicago in 1853, he found employment at his trade, and
there remained until June 15, 1857, when he came to Ti'empealeau County
308 HISTORY OF TREINIPEALEAU COUNTY
and located on a farm in Gale Township, three miles from Galesville. He
died there in 1878, and his wife moved to Grand Meadow, Minn. She died
in 1896 at Northfield, Minn.
Andrew A. Beck, ice dealer of Galesville, was bom in Ekeby, Sweden,
Aug. 2, 1843, son of John and Christina (Anderson) Beck, the pioneers.
He was brought to Chicago in 1853, attended school there for a while, came
to Gale Township in 1857, and attended school here, later taking a course in
Gale College. As a boy he was employed by Captain Alex A. Arnold, and
when the Civil War broke out, enhsted in August, 1862, in Company C,
Thirtieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, which Captain Arnold organized
at Galesville. Going in as a private, he was soon promoted to corporal. His
company served about a year in enforcing the draft in Wisconsin, a similar
period in fighting the Indians on the western plains, and a like interval in
doing police duty in Louisville, Ky. For a time, because of a scalded foot,
Mr. Beck was confined to a hospital. Mustered out at Madison, he returned
to the home farm. After his marriage he moved to another farm near by.
In 1879 he moved to the village, and a short time later established his
present ice business. He has an ice house, 40 by 40 by 20, and during the
summer months disposes of about 100 cakes of ice daily. He also continues
his farming operations. By reason of his war service he has joined the
G. A. R. and his wife is a member of the Relief Corps, and was a charter
member of the 0. E. S. of Galesville. He is also a member of the Knights
of Pythias of Galesville. Mr. Beck was married April 29, 1871, to Hannah
B. Ladd, born in Unity, N. H., April 29, 1847, daughter of Lorenzo D. and
Laura (Bunnell) Ladd. This union has been blessed with one son, Roy
Russell, born May 21, 1878.
Lorenzo D. Ladd, an early settler, was born in Unity, N. H., Aug. 23,
1813, and was there reared and educated. As a youth he devoted his life
to farm industry in his native State, but in his young manhood he became
a salesman, traveling from farm to farm, selling general merchandise.
Later he sold books on the same plan. April 16, 1857, he arrived in
Trempealeau, and in a few days located on a near-by farm, and while there
served as justice of the peace. In 1873 he came to Galesville and became
a general salesman. Here he attained a position of honor and respect in
the community. He was a member of the Masonic order. He died July 4,
1893, being buried with Masonic honors. His wife, Laura Bunnell, was born
in Clairmont, N. H., Sept. 18, 1817, and died Oct. 31, 1900.
Roy R. Beck, chicken fancier, and owner of the Marinuka Poulti'y
Yards, the home of the Mammoth Light Brahmas, Galesville, was born in
the village where he now resides, May 21, 1878, son of Andrew A. and
Hannah B. (Ladd) Beck. He attended the schools of the village, and is
now engaged with his father in the ice business, in addition to his poultry
work. In this line he has won wide recognition, having been awarded
prizes at Minneapolis, St. Paul, Omaha, Lincoln, St. Louis and Chicago,
and receiving orders for his birds and eggs from all over the United States.
The high repute in which his work is held is shown by the fact that he is
now the first vice-president of the Wisconsin branch of the National Brahma
Club. He keeps about 500 fowls annually, and issued an attractive booklet
W. 8. WADLEIGH
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 309
describing his stock. Mr. Beck is a member of Decorah Lodge, No. 177,
A. F. & A. M., at Galesville, having served his lodge as Worshipful Master.
Oscar T. Sagen, secretary and treasurer of the Sagen-Schuster Mer-
cantile Company, of Galesville, and one of the leading business men of the
village, was born in Galesville, Wis., April 20, 1879, son of Ole N. and Ella
T. (Tronson) Sagen. Oscar T. was educated in the public schools of Gales-
ville. At the age of 18 years he began working for the Galesville Creamery
and was thus occupied for about two years. He then spent one year as
clerk in the drug store of F. H. Fiedler, after which he was employed for
two years in the Galesville postofRce. Then he returned to the drug busi-
ness and continued in it for seven years. Then becoming postmaster, he
served five years in the office and, at the expiration of his term of office,
engaged in the general mercantaile business, in which he still continues.
He has other business interests in Galesville, but gives his entire time to the
Sagen-Schuster Mercantile Company. In politics Mr. Sagen is a Repub-
lican. His five years' service in the postoffice followed his appointment
under the Taft administration. He has also served one year as a member
of the village board. He is a member of the Lutheran church. The Sagen
family, of which the subject of this sketch is a typical representative, has
long been prominent in the affairs of Galesville, and its various members
have done much to advance the material interests of the village.
William Samuel Wadleigh, who is engaged in the general practice of
law at Galesville, Wis., was born in Green Lake County, Wis., Oct. 29, 1869,
son of Samuel and Lucy (Towne) Wadleigh. The parents were both born
at Kingsey Falls, Province of Quebec, Canada, the father Oct. 28, 1824, and
the mother Oct. 3, 1827. They were married in Canada, and came to Wis-
consin in 1856, locating on a farm in Green Lake County, near Markesan.
There Samuel Wadleigh engaged in farming, although by trade he was an
expert blacksmith, and maintained a shop on the farm. He became a
prominent man in the community, holding various oflflces, and died on the
farm Feb. 11, 1887. The widow continued to reside on and operate the
farm until 1906, when she removed to Brandon, Fond du Lac County, where
she resided until her death, which occurred May 1, 1917. Seven children
were born of this union, three of whom now survive, the subject of this
sketch being the youngest of the family.
William S. Wadleigh laid the foundation of his education in the common
schools of Green Lake County, and later the High School at Brandon. At
the age of 15 years he left home, and after further attendance at school,
taught for a year. He then attended the Oshkosh State Normal, from
which institution he was graduated in 1891. After this followed a period
of musical and theatrical work on the road, which was given up for the
study of the law, and Mr. Wadleigh graduated from the Law Department
of Wisconsin University in the class of 1894. After his graduation he
entered the law office of M. P. Wing, at La Crosse, remaining until Mr.
Wing's death in the spring of 1895. In June, 1895, he located at Galesville,
forming a partnership with the late G. Y. Freeman, which continued for
about two years, since which time Mr. Wadleigh has practiced alone.
Mr. Wadleigh is a stockholder and director of the Bank of Galesville,
310 HISTORY OF TRE:MPEALEAU COUNTY
and also interested in other business enterprises in Galesville. He also owns
valuable farming properties in this State, and in North Dakota. He has
proven himself a reliable lawyer, and enjoys a large practice, and while
always a busy man, has at all times found time to interest himself in public
work. Some six years ago, as a revival of his musical work, he organized
and became director of the Galesville Concert Band, and under his director-
ship this organization has made great progress, and acquired more than a
local reputation as a musical organization capable of interpreting the best
class of music. Weekly concerts are given during the summer season, and
have become an institution in Galesville. In politics Mr. Wadleigh belongs
to the now increasing order of independent voters. As he expresses it, he
is in politics "An American Citizen." While he has never sought public
•office, he has served the people of Galesville as mayor for nine terms. Mr.
Wadleigh is a Mason, having passed all the chairs in the local lodge ; also
belongs to the Beavers, Mystic Workers, Yeomen and Foresters, in which
last mentioned order he has been secretary since its organization in 1898.
Mr. Wadleigh was first married Sept. 30, 1895, to Nellie May Atkins, who
was born in Sauk County, Wis., daughter of Thornton L. and Caroline (Sim-
mons) Atkins. Both of Mrs. Wadleigh's parents still survive, living at
Reedsburg, Wis., where Mr. Atkins is in the employ of the Collins Monu-
ment Works. Nellie May Wadleigh died at Galesville, April 24, 1909, leav-
ing five children, Gerald Eugene, Marjorie Rose, William St. Clair, Lucy May
and Thornton Lee, all of whom reside at home with the exception of the
eldest son, who is engaged in college work in Chicago, and the youngest,
who resides with his grandparenuts at Reedsburg.
On June 30, 1911, Mr. Wadleigh married for his second wife Carrie May
Collins, who was born at Reedsburg, Wis., daughter of Sanford A. and Allie
(Thayer) Collins. Mr. Collins, the father, is a dealer in and importer of
fine monumental work, having an extensive plant at Reedsburg known as
the Collins Monument Works. One son, John Collins Wadleigh, born July
22, 1912, is the fruit of Mr. Wadleigh's second marriage.
Frederick Martin Symonds, rear admiral U. S. N., now retired and living
in Galesville, Wis., was born in Watertown, N. Y., May 16, 1846, son of
Charles F. and Louisa (Grannis) Symonds. His paternal grandfather
was a captain in the United States Army in the War of 1812-15, and took
part in the battle of Sackett's Harbor. Charles F. Symonds, father of the
Admiral, was born in New Haven, Conn., and was a miller the greater part
of his life. During the Civil War he was marshal of the northern district
of New York. He and his wife — the latter a native of Long Island — never
came west of Utica, N. Y.
Frederick Martin Symonds was the third born in a family of six
children. He attended school in Watertown, N. Y., and at the age of 16
years entered the Naval Academy, which during the period of the Civil War
was located at Newport, R. I. While a member of his class he took part in
a cruise after the Confederate steamer Tacony and also in a search for the
rebel ship Alabama. He was graduated with the class of 1867 and went
to sea as midshipman aboard the U. S. S. Piscataqua, on which vessel, a flag-
ship, he remained until November, 1868, when he was transferred to the
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 311
U. S. S. Ashuelot. June 9, 1870, he was returned to the Piscataqua, now
named the Delaware, and which was still the flagship of the squadron. On
this vessel he came home, being detached from her Nov. 28, 1870, and
ordered to Washington for examination. He had already been advanced
two grades, having been promoted June 13, 1869, to the rank of ensign, and
on March 21, 1870, to that of master.
After examination he returned home to await orders. March 21, 1871,
he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and on June 2 was ordered to
Newport, R. I., on torpedo duty. May 4, 1872, he was ordered to the U. S. S.
Tuscarora on duty and proceeded to the Pacific Ocean. April 24, 1875, he
was detached from that vessel and ordered home. Sept. 15, 1875, Lieutenant
Symonds was ordered to the flagship Minnesota and remained with it until
he was detached Dec. 18, 1878. April 14, 1879, he was ordered to the U. S. S.
Jamestown for duty in Alaska, being detached and ordered home Sept. 9,
1881. From 1882 to 1885 he served on the New Hampshire, and from 1885
to 1888 on the Mohican. From 1889 to 1892 he was on duty on the Great
Lakes, during the latter part of that time serving with the rank of lieuten-
ant-commander, to which he was promoted July 31, 1890. From May 5,
1893, to October, 1896, Lieutenant-Commander Symonds was inspector of
ordnance at Mare Island, Cal. He then proceeded to Alaska to take charge
of the Pinta and was commander of that vessel until 1897, being detached
Aug. 4 and ordered to the U. S. S. Marietta, and while on this vessel, June 19,
1897, he was promoted to the rank of commander. In June, 1899, he left
the Marietta to become inspector of the Ninth Lighthouse District, with
headquarters at Chicago, until April, 1902. April 7 that year he was pro-
moted to captain and detached from duty in connection with the lighthouse
district April 15. May 23, 1902, he was ordered to the Naval War College
and Dec. 1 that year was placed on the list of retired rear admirals. Later
he was ordered to the inspection service Oct. 25, 1904, to investigate the
manner of conducting the steamboat service on Lake Ontario, Ninth Dis-
trict, and afterward sent to Louisville, the Sixth District, on similar duty.
June 2, 1905, he was discharged from duty and ordered home, this being
his last active service. During the Spanish-American War, while in com-
mand of the Marietta, he traveled 44,000 miles in 22 months, his vessel being
one of the two — the other being the Oregon — which hastened from the
Pacific Ocean, making the voyage around Cape Horn, to the West Indies, to
take part in the operations against the Spanish fleet under Admiral Cervera.
After arriving he, with his vessel, took part in the blockade of Havana.
Admiral Symonds, while holding the rank of master, was married, Jan.
3, 1871, at Ogdensburg, N. Y., to Anna C. Parker, of that city, daughter of
George and Fannie Eliza (Wilcox) Parker, both natives of Vermont. Her
father in early life was a railroad man, but later engaged in the wholesale
milling business. He was born Feb. 18, 1817, and his wife Nov. 20, 1819.
Both died in Ogdensburg, N. Y., of which city George Parker was mayor
for a number of years. Ogdensburg was also the home of Admiral Symonds
after his marriage and until April, 1906, when he came to Galesville, wishing
to get in closer touch with rural nature. He had seen 40 years of active
service in his country's navy, 22 years of which had been spent at sea.
312 HISTORY OF TREJVIPEALEAU COUNTY
Here in Galesville he has a small farm of six acres, which he calls "The
sailor's snug harbor," and where he takes his ease when he does not wish
to travel. Admiral Symonds is a member of the Loyal Legion of America,
the First Order, affiliated with the Command of Wisconsin, a member of
the Mihtary Order of Foreign Wars, at Philadelphia, and member of the
Society of Naval Commanders of the United States. He has a Civil War
medal and a Spanish- American War medal for efficient services, both issued
by Congress. He also belongs to the Masonic order, in which he has
advanced as far as the Commandery.
Admiral Frederick M. Symonds and wife have been the parents of four
children: George Parker, born in March, 1872, who is a mechanical
engineer in New York City and chief engineer of the Alberger Condenser
Company ; Frederick W., born June 18, 1876, who is an engineer in Seattle,
Wash.; Carl, born June 3, 1881, at Sitka, Alaska, who is a constructing
engineer ; and Ralph W., born in August, 1889, who resides with his parents.
Admiral Sjinonds in early Ufe was affiliated with the Episcopal church, but
is now a Christian Scientist. In politics he is a Repubhcan.
Ole J. Eggum, attorney-at-law and man of affairs, now located at White-
hall, was born in Dane County, Wis., March 10, 1878, the fifth of nine
children born to John L. and Martha (Eggum) Eggum. John L. Eggum
was born in Sogn, Norway, came to America in 1857 and located in Dane
County, Wis., living for a short time in Norway Grove, and then going to
Mount Horeb, where he farmed until his death, March 13, 1904. His wife
Martha, whom he married in 1865, was also born in Sogn, Norway, and
was brought to Dane County by her parents in 1854, when only 9 years of
age. She passed away Feb. 9, 1896. Ole J. Eggum passed through the
common schools, and in 1897 was graduated from the Mount Horeb
Academy, at Mount Horeb, Wis. After teaching for a while he entered the
collegiate department of the University of Wisconsin, and graduated in
1904. He then worked in Chicago and Los Angeles. In 1906 he was
employed by the Insurance Investigating Committee of the Wisconsin
Legislature to compile insurance laws, statistics and other insurance
information, at Madison and Milwaukee. Subsequently he entered the
Law Department of the University of Wisconsin and was admitted to
the bar in 1907. For the next two years he practiced at Abbotsford, Wis.,
and did law editorial work for a law book company of St. Paul. In May,
1909, he formed a partnership at Whitehall with Herman L. Ekern, who
was State Insurance Commissioner from 1910 to 1915. The partnership
was dissolved April 1, 1913, and Mr. Eggum has since continued the
practice alone. He never sought public office, but has taken an active
interest in pubUc aflfaii's and has been called to various positions of pubUc
honor and trust. Mr. Eggum was married Feb. 16, 1909, to Alice M.
Bushey, of Appleton, born at Plainfield, Wis., June 14, 1878. daughter of
George P. and Elizabeth (Hutchinson) Bushey, the former of whom died
in February, 1917, and the latter of whom died June 30, 1909. Before her
marriage Mrs. Eggum taught in various public schools of the State, includ-
ing the State School for Dependent Children at Sparta, and for two years
was a district representative of the Wisconsin Home Finding Society.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 31^
Since coming to Whitehall she has taken an active interest in pubhc welfai'e
work and is now president of the Trempealeau County Woman Suffrage
Association. Mr. and Mrs. Eggum have an adopted son, Karl William, who
was born Nov. 9, 1916.
Henry E. Getts, first postmaster of North La Crosse, first general store-
keeper in Whitehall, and for many years owner of the Whitehall Mill, was
born in Philadelphia, Pa. He came West during the Civil War, and for
several years kept a grocery store at North La Crosse, where he was
appointed first postmaster. In 1873 he came to Whitehall, and established
the first general store in the village. This store he successfully conducted
until 1892, in the meantime having acquired the Whitehall Mill. In 1892
he took his son, Edmond C. Getts, as a partner, and for six years, under
the firm name of H. E. Getts & Son, engaged in the hay and grain business
at Whitehall. At the end of this period he removed to La Crosse, where,
for about six years, he was employed as manager of the shoe department
of the Doerflinger Department Store. Then he retired and resided in La
Crosse until his death, Sept. 2, 1910. His wife, whose maiden name was
Emma Lambert, now makes her home in Whitehall.
Edmond C. Getts, produce buyer of Whitehall, was born in La Crosse,
Feb. 9, 1867, son of Henry E. and Emma (Lambert) Getts, who brought
him in 1873 to Whitehall, where he was reared and educated. In 1886 he
and Frank W. Potter started a cheese factory in Whitehall, which they
operated for two years. In 1888 he and C. E. Evenson started the first
creamery in Whitehall, and operated it for some four years. In 1892 he
and his father engaged in the hay and grain business under the firm name
of H. E. Getts & Son. In 1896 with A. E. Wing became interested in the
A. E. Wing Company, of which he was made the manager. The firm was
changed to Wing & Getts in 1908, and since 1912 Mr. Getts has conducted
the business alone as sole owner, under his own name. Mr. Getts buys eggs
and poultry on an extensive scale. He also handles coal to some extent. He
is a prominent man in public aflfairs, having been village president for two
years and village clerk for four years. In fraternal circles he has taken
an active part, belonging to the Blue Lodge of the Masons, in which he
has passed through the chair, and also to the Commandery. Mr. Getts ■
was married April 14, 1892, to Pearl Emma Sherwood, of Whitehall, who
was born Oct. 23, 1872, and died June 30, 1913, the daughter of Charles A.
and Mary (Barrington) Sherwood, who now live at Whitehall, the former
being a Civil War veteran and a retired nurseryman. To Mr. and Mrs.
Getts were born two children : Clark Hallum and Katherine Agnes. Clark
Hallum was born Aug. 5, 1893, pased through the Whitehall graded and
high schools, received his degree of A. B. from the University of Wisconsin
in 1914, and his LL. B. from Columbia University in 1916, and is now asso-
ciated with the firm of Counselman & Co. in Chicago. Katherine Agnes
is at home.
Arthur A, Gibbs, manager of the electric plant of Trempealeau, is a
man who has had wide experience in various branches of industrial activity.
He is a native son of the village, as he was born here July 25, 1863, his
parents being 0. E. and Louisa (Grant) Gibbs. As a young boy he attended
314 HISTORY OF TREIIPEALEAU COUNTY
the district school of Caledonia Township, and fi-om 12 to 16 continued his
studies in the Trempealeau village school. Until 1883 he resided on his
father's farm, near the village, during the winters, but his summers, begin-
ning with 1880, he spent on a farm which his father owned in South Dakota,
near Arlington. In the fall of 1883 Mr. Gibbs became assistant agent for
the American Express Company at Tracy, Minn., and was thus occupied
until the spring of 1885. He then returned to Trempealeau and bought
an interest in the boot, shoe and grocery business with Charles B. Allen,
also taking care of the express business for both the American and Adams
Express Companies here. In the spring of 1887 Mr. Gibbs sold out his
interest in the store to Mr. Allen and in the following summer went back
to South Dakota and opened a meat market at Arlington. He conducted
this market until the fall of 1889 and then again returned to Trempealeau.
He now entered the employ of the "BurUngton" Railroad Company as bridge
carpenter, and continued in that department until the summer of 1891,
when he engaged in train service for the same road as freight brakeman.
In 1893 he was promoted to the position of conductor and ran freight until
1898. That fall he went into the meat business at La Crosse, Wis., having
a market on George street, and here he remained in business for about two
years, selling out in the spring of 1900. He now entered the employ of
the Duluth & Iron Range Railroad, as conductor, hauling iron ore and logs,
and continued at this work until the close of navigation, in the winter of
1900. From that time until the fall of 1902 he was on the police force
of Two Harbors, Minn., but then resigned and went to Arlington, S. D.,
to take charge of his father's farm there for a season.
In the fall of 1903 Mr. Gibbs went to Ohio and married Minnie
McNaughton, a daughter of Harlow and Lucinda McNaughton, of Rutland,
that State, and who was born there Dec. 12, 1875. After his marriage he
returned to the South Dakota farm. Adjoining the farm was a tree claim
of 160 acres, all improved, with good buildings, which Mr. Gibbs purchased
in the spring of 1904, and which increased the size of the farm to 320 acres.
In 1906 he bought 80 acres more of adjoining land, and on this farm of 400
acres he Uved until 1910, when he sold it to John Murphy, of Aurelia, Iowa.
In the fall of 1910 Mr. Gibbs returned to Trempealeau Village, but did
nothing until the spring of 1911. He then went to Alberta, Canada, whei'e
he homesteaded 160 acres of land along the Athabaska River, which lay 65
miles from a railroad, Whitecourt being the postoffice. The first year he
broke ten acres and built a log house, and for three successive years he
broke ten acres each year in order to meet the requirements of the law,
obtaining a land patent from the government in October, 1914. In the
winter of 1912-13 he hauled over the country, a distance of 65 miles, a
100-horsepower sawmill outfit, which he set up at Whitecourt and is still
operating. In October, 1914, Mr. Gibbs again returned to Trempealeau and
has since remained here, having charge of the village electric light plant.
He still ownes 160 acres of land near Highmore, Hughes County, S. D., also
124 acres on "Sam Noyes Island," Minnesota, opposite Trempealeau Village,
and is president and manager of the Eagle Cliff Lime Product Company, of
Trempealeau. His society affiliations are with the Order of Railway Con-
.1
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 315
ductors, Division No. 61, of La Crosse, to which he has belonged since 1894 ;
and Hamilton Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of La Crosse. He and his wife
have four children, all living at home: Grace Helen, born at Adington,
S. D., Feb. 26, 1905 ; Alice Louisa, born at Adington, Sept. 26, 1907 ; Clara
Eva, born at Arlington, Nov. 23, 1908, and Frank George, born at Trempea-
leau, Wis., Sept. 7, 1910. Mr. Gibbs was brought up to attend the Methodist
Episcopal church, but has never affiliated himself with the church as a
member. His wife is a member of the Christian church in Ohio. They are
people well known and esteemed in Trempealeau Village and the vicinity.
Charles Henry Growt, president and general manager of the Trempea-
leau Mercantile Company, of Trempealeau Village, was born at St. Charles,
Minn., May 10, 1867, son of Bateman and Susanna (Hartley) Growt. The
father was for many years a farmer in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and is now
living retired in Trempealeau Village. Charles H. Growt attended country
school in his boyhood, and also spent three years in Trempealeau village
school, and one term in the State Normal School at Winona, finishing his
studies June 24, 1888. He then immediately entered the employ of E. J.
Hankey, general merchant of Trempealeau Village, with whom he continued
as clerk and assistant for 26 years, or until January, 1914, when Mr. Hankey
sold the business to the Trempealeau Mercantile Company, Mr. Growt
becoming president and manager. In January the same year the company
was incorporated by R. H. Parker, Charles H. Growt, Mrs. Minnie Parker
and Mrs. Nellie Growt. Mr. Parker is secretary and treasurer. The con-
cern deals in general merchandise, dry goods, clothing, shoes, groceries,
carpets, rugs, linoleum, etc., and the business is prosperous and steadily
growing. Mr. Growt is also a stockholder in the Citizens' Bank of Trempea-
leau and the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company, in which latter concern
his wife also holds stock. He was married, April 14, 1897, at the home
of his bride, to Nellie, daughter of William, Sr., and Charlotte (Dunham)
Nichols, of Caledonia Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., the ceremony
being performed by the Rev. Mr. Griffith, pastor of the Trempealeau Congre-
gational church, of which he and his wife are both members. Immediately
after their marriage they began housekeeping in the Bloom residence, on
West Second street, where they lived for a year and a half. They then
moved to a home on East Fourth street and resided there until 1909. In
the spring of 1910 Mr. Growt bought his present residence on East Third
street — a comfortable and commodious house. He and his wife have one
child. Glen Nicholls, who is now a student in his third year at the Trempea-
leau High School. Mr. Growt has served six years on the village school
board, being secretary at the present time. He is not active in politics, but
votes the Republican ticket. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic
order, belonging to Lodge No. 117 at Trempealeau, of which he is now
Master, having passed all the chairs from Senior Deacon. With his wife
he belongs to the Eastern Star, and is a member of Camp No. 2813, M. W. A.,
of Trempealeau.
George Grant Gibbs, of the firm of Ford & Gibbs, implement dealers,
of Trempealeau Village, is a man who has had a thorough training in the
line of work in which he is now engaged, although he has been established
316 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
here but for about three years. He is, however, a native of the county, hav-
ing been born in Caledonia Township, Nov. 13, 1865, the youngest son of
0. E. and Louisa (Grant) Gibbs. His father being a farmer, he was early
initiated into agricultural methods, gradually becoming acquainted with the
various kinds of machinery used on a farm and the respective value of the
different types of machines. He attended school up to 19 years of age,
working on the parental homestead during his vacations, and after putting
away his class books, continued to do so all the time until he was 23, except
for the summer of 1887, when he was employed as clei'k on a Mississippi
River steamboat. March 8, 1890, he was married to Jennie Hudson, daugh-
ter of Henry and Kate (Stark) Hudson, of Trempealeau County, and Imme-
diately after went to South Dakota, and until the spring of 1892 was
engaged in managing his father's farms in the vicinity of Arlington, that
State. It was just after this that he became connected with the implement
business, taking a position as local salesman with S. C. Cornell, of Ai-lington,
for whom he worked one year. In the spring of 1893 he entered the employ
of the Altman Miller Company, of Akron, Ohio, in the same capacity,
traveling in South Dakota, but remained with them only one season. His
next employers were Sherman Bros. & Bratager, wholesale implement
dealers, of Sioux Falls, S. D., for whom he traveled eight years, at the end
of which time they went out of business. In 1900 he went with the Janes-
ville Machinery Company, of Janesville, Wis., and until July, 1911, was
engaged in selling goods for them in South Dakota. In the year 1900, when
he went with the Janesville company, he was living in Brookings, S. D., but
in the spring of the following year he moved to Watertown, that State, his
next removal being a return to Sioux Falls in the spring of 1903. During
his last two years in Sioux Falls, 1909 and 1910, he was associated with
P. F. Sherman, of that city, as proprietor and manager of a wholesale and
transfer implement house, the business being the jobbing, storing and
reshipping of agricultural implements. Mr. Gibbs now returned to his
native county, taking up his residence in the village of Trempealeau, but
until Jan. 1, 1914, he continued to travel for the Janesville Machinery Com-
pany. Having saved some money, he now resolved to sell goods for himself,
and accordingly, taking as partner his brother-in-law, C. S. Ford, he opened
his present place of business in Trempealeau Village, and his success up to
date has fully justified this action. He has taken an active part in promot-
ing the general business interests of the village and has been president of
the village commercial club since settling here. For the past three years
he has also been president of the La Crosse and Trempealeau County Imple-
ment Club — a similar position to that which he held while living in Sioux
Falls, where he served as president of the Sioux Fall's Implement and Vehicle
Club. In short, Mr. Gibbs has always endeavored to rise above mere routine
work, and has proved himself a "\iv6 wire" whenever there was opportunity
for advancing his personal interests, those of his employers, or of the com-
munity in which he lived. For the last three years he has rendered good
service on the county board. In politics he is a staunch Republican.
Brought up in his youth to attend the Methodist Episcopal church, he aids
in its support, but is not identified with it as a member. His wife also
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 317
takes a similar interest in the church. They have a neat and substantial
residence in the village, provided with modern conveniences. Mr. Gibbs
has membership in several fraternal orders, including Lodge No. 117, A. F.
& A. M., of Trempealeau; Lodge No. 838, B. P. 0. E., of Watertown, S. D.,
to which he has belonged since 1902 ; the A. 0. U. W. Lodge at Arlington,
S. D., which he joined in 1890, and the U. C. T. Lodge, No. 100, of Sioux
Falls, S. D., which he joined in 1897.
Oliver E. Gibbs, pioneer, public official and prominent citizen, was born
at Cherry Creek, Chautauqua County, N. Y., April 15, 1837, son of Israel and
Charlotte (Wright) Gibbs, the former of German descent and the latter of
Colonial English stock. The father, who was a building contractor, special-
izing in bridges, piers and warehouses, came West, bringing the family, in
1844, and settled at Racine, Wis., where he spent the remainder of his days.
In the family there were eleven children: Sidney, Melvin, Augustus, Gil-
bert, Oliver E., Lewis and Hoel, Ruth, Mary and Grace. All are now
deceased except Oliver E. Of these children, Gilbert was the one who first
contemplated settling in Trempealeau County. He started out in the fall
of 1854, with an ox team, provisions, household goods, and a herd of young
stock. Oliver E., in his brother's employ, drove the stock. After a journey
of over two weeks they reached their destination, four miles east of Trem-
pealeau Village. There Oliver E. worked on Gilbert's farm for four years.
In the meantime, in 1856, he bought 200 acres of wild land in Section 25,
Caledonia Township, and 40 acres in Section 26, Trempealeau Township.
In 1858 he built a house on Section 25, and there established his home.
The succeeding years were busy ones. Land had to be broken, buildings
erected, equipment secured, fences constructed, and the farm developed.
Together with general farming on an extensive scale, Mr. Gibbs bought and
sold cattle, swine and horses, and even shipped horses to South Dakota.
The opportunity presented itself to acquire more land, so he purchased 30
acres of heavy timberland in Caledonia Township, which he is still preserv-
ing, and 50 acres of meadow and pasture land in Trempealeau Township.
For a while he also owned a quarter section of good land in Ridgeville Town-
ship, Monroe County, Wis., which he sold in 1860. For several years he
was interested in South Dakota real estate, though, aside from staying
long enough to prove upon a claim, he never actually lived there. In 1880 he
homesteaded 160 acres near what is now Arlington, in Brookings County,
S. D. The same year he took a tree claim of 160 acres, adjoining the other
claim, but across the fine in Kingsbury County. On the homestead he
built a good two-story house, a large barn, a swine house, a granary, and
other buildings, and set out a fruit orchard. On the tree claim he built a
good house, a large barn, two granaries, a swine house, a chicken house and
a large tool shed. The buildings on both places were painted, well furnished
and well equipped. In 1904 Mr. Gibbs disposed of all his South Dakota
holdings. In the meantime, in 1882, he had moved his family to Trempea-
leau Village in order to secure better educational advantages for his children.
He bought a house and two lots, improved the house, and has there made his
home since that time. With all his busy life, Mr. Gibbs has found time for
active public service. For a considerable period he was chairman of the
318 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
board of supervisors of Trempealeau Township, and chairman of the board
of supervisors of Trempealeau County. At one time he was master of the
poor in Trempealeau Village and Township. His distinguished work in
relation to the establishment of the County Insane Asylum at Whitehall
is recorded elsewhere in this history. On many different occasions he has
done jury service in the district court. He has also served on various
committees and delegations.
Mr. Gibbs was married at Trempealeau, Sept. 21, 1861, to Louisa Grant,
who was born in Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio, April 7, 1841, and came West
with her parents. She was an able helpmate to her husband in all his
undertakings, a faithful wife and a loving and considerate mother. Her
services in the Methodist church, especially her work in the Sunday school
department, will never be forgotten. In 1910 her health began to fail, and
on Dec. 16, 1914, she died. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs was blessed
with five children: Arthur A., George G., Jessie, Grace B. and Blanche.
Arthur A. is superintendent of the village electric light plant at Trempea-
leau. He was married in 1903 to Mary McNaughton, of Ohio, and they have
four children, Grace, Alice, Clara and Frank. George G. is a member of
the firm of Ford & Gibbs, of Trempealeau, dealers in farm implements.
He married Jane Hudson, of Bloomington, Wis. Jessie was married April
5, 1901, to Chfford Ford, of the firm of Ford & Gibbs, and they have four
children, Neil, Harold, Edith and Jessie. Grace B. and Blanche are at home.
Tolef Bergeson, a well-known resident of Arcadia Township, where he
settled at an early date, was born in Telemarken, Norway, Nov. 24, 1847,
son of Bjorgub and his wife Anna Sigerson. When he was 21/4 years old
his parents decided upon emigrating to the United States, Bjorgub having
a brother residing in Dane County, Wis. The father came first, being fol-
lowed soon after by his wife and their five children,. Tolef, Sigor, Jack,
Charles and Jennie. After a ten weeks' voyage on the ocean in a sailing
vessel the party landed and came on to Dane County. Here, a few weeks
later the children were bereaved by the death of their mother, who had
been taken sick on the vessel and never recovered. She died without
having seen her husband in America, as before she and the children arrived
he had gone on further west seeking a good place in which to locate. He
found a temporary place in Vernon County, not far from La Crosse. There
he was rejoined by his children, who, in the meanwhile, had been taken
care of by friends, some of whom, coming West, brought them to him.
While residing in Vernon County Bjorgub heard favorable reports of White-
hall, Trempealeau County, and set out to investigate the prospect. With
Ole Gottornson he left home with an ox team and on arriving in Trempealeau
County halted for a short time at Francis Creek. There a Norwegian
blacksmith advised them to leave the ox team there and proceed on foot in
search of land, which they did, the blacksmith accompanying them eastward
and taking them up on a bluft" where they were able to obtain a good view
of the surrounding country. Looking down Tamarac Valley, they saw good
opportunities for raising hay, with plenty of timber, and decided on that
locality as their future home, giving up the idea of Whitehall. Then
returning to La Crosse they made arrangements for settlement. Mr.
^^^^^^^
1
^^^^H i
^^ ^ J
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IB
TOLEF BERGESON
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 319
Bergeson liked a quarter of Section 28 better than any other claim he had
seen, but this had previously been selected by Sigor Chastelson. The latter,
however, gave up his right to Mr. Bergeson and this place accordingly
became the home of the family and has remained -so to this day. Mr. Berge-
son cut hay there during the summer of 1863 and built a pole shanty, to
which he brought his children in the fall. He never remarried, his daughter
Jennie keeping house for him. Later he built a hewn log house of one and
a half stories, 14 by 16 feet in dimensions, a hewn log barn, 20 by 32 feet,
and other necessary buildings. With the help of his sons he developed about
85 acres, the balance of the quarter section remaining in timber. When
he settled on the place there were no roads and easy access to his farm was
barred by Big Tamarac Swamp. There were settlements at Trempealeau
and Galesville, but his nearest neighbor was K. L. Strand, who was also a
native of Norway, coming from the same locality as himself. Bjorgub
Bergeson died in 1888, being cared for in his latter years by his son Tolef
and daughter Jennie, into whose possession the homestead came. There
was a heavy indebtedness on the place at the time of the father's death,
but this in time they cleared away, Tolef continuing to improve the place
and to engage in general farming and dairying, to which latter branch of
agriculture he has in recent years given special attention with profitable
results. By the purchase of 40 acres more land he increased the size of the
farm to 200 acres. He also built a comfortable frame house consisting of
upright and wing, one and a half stories in height. The farm is watered by
fine springs. In his early years he had little opportunity for obtaining an
education, as there was no school here until he had reached working age.
He acquired as much book knowledge as he needed, however, and when a boy
and young man learned much about nature from the Indians, who were
then numerous in this vicinity. His sister Jennie, who always remained
with him, died in June, 1916, and he and his brother Charles, who is living
near Leonard, are now the only surviving members of the family. Mr.
Bergeson is a Republican in politics, but has taken no active part in public
afl'airs. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church at Norway
Coulie, and is a well-to-do and prosperous citizen, having a wide acquaint-
ance. The memory of his father is well preserved in the neighborhood as
that of a kind, helpful and honest man, universally respected.
Hans C. Erickson, a well-known and successful farmer of Ettrick Town-
ship, is a good example attained by those foreign-born citizens of Trempea-
leau County who came to this region endowed with the necessary qualities
of industry and perseverance. He was born in Stange, Hedemarken, Nor-
way, May 9, 1863, a son of Christopher and Bertha Erickson. His parents
were natives of the same district in Norway, where the father worked for
a number of years for wages, but seeking greater opportunities for success,
in 1869 he emigrated with his family to the United States, locating in
La Crosse, Wis., where he resided until 1877, working in a sawmill during
the summers and in the pineries in winter. In the year last mentioned
he came to Trempealeau County and bought the farm now owned by his
son, Hans C. Here he remained for about 18 years engaged in its improve-
ment, in which task he made considerable progress. In 1895 he bought
320 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
another farm, located on Beaver Creek, to which he moved in the following
year, and which was his home until his death, Dec. 10, 1916. He had before
that become an extensive land owner and was recognized as one of the
successful men of his township. In his selection of stock he favored
Shorthorn cattle, always kept good horses, and his farm presented an air
of thrift and prosperity that made a favorable impression upon every
passer-by. He was an upholder of rehgion, morality and good government,
and every Sunday, unless he was prevented by sickness or other strong
reasons, found him in his place, with his family, in the French Creek
Lutheran church. For many years before his death he was a widower,
his wife Bertha having died in 1871. They were the parents of seven
children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth.
Hans C. Erickson's education was begun in the Fifth Ward School at
La Crosse, and he continued his studies later in District School No. 1, at
French Creek. When 12 years old he began working in a sawmill at North
La Crosse and was thus occupied for two summers. His connection with
the lumber business was continued for many years after he came to Trem-
pealeau County, as he spent 17 winters in the north woods cutting timber.
At the end of that period, or about 1894, he bought his father's farm and
has since given his whole time to agriculture and stock raising. The farm
is known as Crystal Springs Stock Farm, and is now a highly-improved
piece of property, the most valuable improvements having been made by
himself. It takes its name from one of the finest springs in the State,
which is located on it, and contains 217 acres of good, fertile land. Mr.
Erickson is a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery and the Ettrick Farmers'
Telephone Co., and, like his father, is affiliated with the Lutheran church.
In June, 1900, Mr. Erickson was united in marriage with Dorthea
Folkedal, who was born in Hardanger, Norway, daughter of Amund and
Anna (Meckletuen) Folkedal, the parents being natives of the same district.
The father, Amund Folkedal, who was for 18 years a surgeon in the Nor-
wegian army, in 1885 came to the United States, his family joining him
two years later and setthng in Osseo, this county. After another two years'
interval they removed to Ettrick, wher both the father and mother died,
the former March 12, 1913, and the latter April 30, 1915. Their daughter
Dorthea (Mrs. Erickson) was the second born of eight children. Mr. and
Mrs. Hans C. Erickson are the parents of seven children, who were born
as follows: Christopher, June 10, 1901; Eddie Francis, Feb. 2, 1903;
Anna Birdella, Feb. 17, 1905 ; Haakon Goodwin, Oct. 27, 1908 ; Albert Einar,
April 15, 1910; Gulena Elizabeth, April 29, 1912, and Donald Ludvik Ber-
nard, Dec. 26, 1916.
John Jacob Blue, a representative of the manufacturing interests of
Trempealeau County as proprietor of the woolen mill at Ettrick, was born
at Mechanicsburg, Champaign County, Ohio, Feb. 4, 1844. His parents
were John and Sarah (Baldwin) Blue, the father being a native of Pennsyl-
vania, fi'om which State he emigi'ated to Ohio, where he died in 1847.
Mrs. Sarah Blue was born in Scotland and was granddaughter of Richard
Baldwin, who served as a soldier in the War of 1812-15 between Great
Britain and the United States. She died about 1881. John Jacob Blue
MR. AND MRS. OLE O. ONSRUD
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 321
was one of the younger members of a family of ten children. He began
industrial hfe in Ohio at the age of 16 years, at intervals working as clerk
or as an employe in the woolen mills. After a service of four months in
the ai-my during the latter part of the Civil War, he moved in 1864 to
Lincoln, 111., where he was clerk in a hotel for about six months, and also
dealt in stock. His residence in Lincoln lasted three years and he then
went to La Crescent, Minn., having been hired to set up the machinery of
a woolen mill there. After this job was accomplished he became an
employee of the mill and continued to be so for three years. The end of
this period found him on the road as a traveling salesman, in which occupa-
tion he was engaged continuously for 14 years, or until 1884. That year
witnessed the establishment of the present woolen mill in Ettrick, a work
accomplished by Mr. Blue, who came here, put in the machinery and began
the operation of the mill, which is a one-set mill with three looms. He has
since been engaged continuously in its operation, disposing of his product
in Wisconsin, Minnesota, lUinois, Indiana, Ohio and other States. The con-
cern has been a success and is an important factor in the industrial life of
Trempealeau County. Mr. Blue is also a stockholder in the Bank of Ettrick
and the Ettrick & Northern Railroad now being constructed, and is the
owner of business and residence property in the village. He belongs to the
Masonic lodge in Galesville and to Camp No. 2940, Modern Woodmen of
America. Since taking up his residence in Ettrick he has taken a good
citizen's interest in the general advancement and prosperity of the com-
munity, and has not hesitated, when called upon, to serve in local office.
Thus he was township clerk for eight years, township treasurer two years
and clerk of the school board 12 years, justice of the peace four years,
notary public for 12 years. In politics he is a Republican.
September 26, 1870, Mr. Blue was united in marriage with Dora B.
Ketchum, who was boi-n in the State of New York, daughter of Ambrose
and Harriet (Burr) Ketchum, both her parents being natives of that State.
The father, who was a farmer, emigrated about 1853 or 1854 to Houston,
Minn., during the latter part of his journey having to follow a blazed trail.
Arriving in Houston County, he took a tract of government land and engaged
in farming there, which was his occupation until his death in 1881. His
wife is still living and now resides at Lisbon, N. D., having attained the
advanced age of 88 years. They had five children, of whom Dora B. was
the second born. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Blue have been eight in
number, their record in brief being as follows : Effie, now deceased ; Harry,
who married Minnie Coocher, and resides in Ettrick, being in business with
his father; Herby, deceased; Inez, residing at home and engaged in the
millinery business in Galesville; Guy B., engaged in the drug business in
Roanoke, 111. ; Frank, engaged in the drug business at Tremont, 111. ; Anetta,
wife of Frank Hewett, who reside in Ettrick Village, and Amy, who lives in
Tremont, 111., where she is employed in her brother Frank's drug store.
Mr. Blue is a member of the Presbyterian church and he and the members
of his family residing here are prominent in the social circles of Ettrick and
the vicinity.
Ole O. Onsrud, who died on the old Onsrud farm in Section 28, Ettrick
322 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Township, was an early settler in this county and township, coming here
immediately or soon after the close of the Civil War, in which he carried
arms as a soldier of the Union. He was born in Biri, Norway, Dec. 26, 1835,
son of Ole and Marie Onsrud, the father being a well-to-do farmer. Neither
of Mr. Onsrud's parents came to this country, both dying in their native
land. Ole 0. Onsrud was educated in Norway and was there confirmed in
the Lutheran church. From the time he was 18 until he was 22 years old
he worked on a farm. In 1857 he took passage on a sailing vessel for the
United States, among the members of the party being the family of Amon
Amundson, whose daughter Andrine subsequently became his wife. The
voyage was long and tedious, lasting seven weeks and three days, and all
were glad when they set foot on the Land of Promise. Mr. Onsrud at once
proceeded to the home of his brother Lars, at Westby, Vernon County, Wis.,
which place he made his home until he came to Trempealeau County in 1866.
During the last year of the war, while in Monroe County, he was drafted
and served nine months in Company B of the Sixth Wisconsin Infantry as
a private. Though not wounded, he had many narrow escapes and partici-
pated in some heavy fighting, including seven pitched battles, which ended
with Appomattox, after which he took part in the Grand Review at Wash-
ington and was honorably discharged. He then returned to Westby, but
soon came from that town to Trempealeau County, purchasing a farm in
Section 28, Ettrick Township, on which he settled and began the work of
improvement. It could hardly be called a farm at that time, however, as
it was all wild land and he had all a pioneer's work to do in clearing it. This
work took him many years, but was finally accomplished, and not only was
the land well cultivated, but good buildings erected and enlarged or rebuilt
from time to time. The size of the farm was increased from 160 to 240
acres and the crops indigenous to this region were raised and an excellent
grade of stock kept. Mr. Onsrud was also a stockholder in the Ettrick
Creamery, which he assisted in organizing. He also aided in the organiza-
tion of the Lutheran Church, of which he was for many years a prominent
member and trustee. He also served on the school board a number of
years. Mr. Onsrud's marriage to Andrine Amundson took place Feb. 4,
1862. She was born in Biri, Norway, Dec. 22, 1839, daughter of Amon and
Agnetta Amundson, who were natives of the same district or province
of Norway. As already narrated, they and their family came to America
in 1857 on the same ship with the subject of this sketch. On reaching
Wisconsin they located at Halfway Creek. La Crosse County, where they
made their home for a number of years. They then came to Ettrick Town-
ship, this county, settling on French Creek, where they developed a farm,
on which Mr. Amundson died in 1890. After his death his wife took up her
residence with her daughter, Mrs. Onsrud, at whose home she died in 1897.
The latter was the second born of five children, of whom three are now
living, and was educated both in Norway and in Trempealeau County. Five
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Onsrud : Alfred Oscar, Amos Marion,
Henry, Frank A., and Orrin Melvin. Alfred Oscar, who is now residing
in Spokane, Wash., is a retired railroad contractor, and is interested as a
stockholder in range properties. He married Etta Harris, of Trempealeau
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 323
County. Amos Marion died in 1907. Henry, who resides in Arcadia Town-
ship, this county, with his wife Elizabeth, a native of Norway. Frank
A., who is a farmer in Arcadia Township, married Josephina Lund,
of Trempealeau County. Orrin Melvin died in California while on the way
home from Alaska. Mrs. Onsrud, who survives her husband, still resides
on the old homestead, the farm being rented and operated by E. Anderson.
She is a lady highly respected throughout this part of the county, having
made many friends since she arrived in the township over half a century ago.
Odell S. Bue, a farmer and land owner of Ettrick Township, well
known and respected, who resides in Section 1.5, east, was born on his
parents' farm in this section, the same place on which he now resides,
July 11, 1877, son of Sever and Catherina (Rice) Bue. The parents were
natives of Hardanger, Norway, but were married In Trempealeau County,
Sever Bue coming to the United States in 1866 and settling here imme-
diately on his arrival. After working for others a short time, he home-
steaded this farm, which was his home practically for the rest of his life,
though it had become the property of his son, Odell, five years before he,
the father, died. The date of his death was June 11, 1913, and that of his
wife June 3, 1910. Sever Bue was a prominent citizen of his locality, serv-
ing on the school board for a number of years and also as one of the board
of directors of his church. He and his wife had five children. Odell S. Bue,
was the fourth born child of his parents. His education was acquired
in the district school at Hegg and he early received practical instruction
in agriculture on his father's farm, of which he became the manager about
1900, when twenty-three years old. In 1905 he bought the farm, consisting
of 120 acres, and in addition to this property, has 160 acres one-half mile
distant, and 20 acres more situated near Hegg Schoolhouse, making 300
acres in all. On this land he is engaged in general farming and dairying,
keeping a number of good cattle, and is doing a prosperous business. He
also owns stock in the Ettrick Creamery, the Farmers' Exchange at Blair
and the Ettrick Telephone Company. Mr. Bue was married March 31,
1902, to Sarah Underheim, who was born in Norway, daughter of Knut
L. and Margaretha (Sunde) Underheim, the family coming to the United
States in 1882 and settling in Jackson County. Mr. and Mrs. Bue's family
circle has been enlarged by the birth of three children : Sigvart Kenneth,
born July 20, 1903; Orrin Sanford, Oct. 1, 1905, and Melvin Clarence, Nov.
3, 1907. Mr. Bue, with his wife and children, are members of the United
Lutheran Church. Though not active in town affairs, he is recognized as
a good citizen, always willing to support any practical movement for the
good of the community.
Frank Melton Butman, an enterprising and successful stock farmer
of Section 35, Gale Township, was born in Buckeye County, Ohio, Feb. 25,
1880, son of Stark and Jane (Lynn) Butman. Frank Melton Butman hved
at home until 1908, two years after his marriage. When only a lad of four-
teen years he commenced buying, selling and trading in stock. Later he
took charge of his father's farm and is now the owner of 80 acres, having
also a half interest in 170 acres adjacent. He carries on general farming,
as well as raising horses and cattle, and is now numbered among the sub-
324 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
stantial citizens of his township. Nov. 12, 1906, Mr. Buiman was united in
marriage with Janet M. Smith, born Jan. 10, 1882, a native of Melrose, Wis.,
and daughter of Adam and Jean (Love) Smith. Her parents were born in
Glasgow, Scotland, the father Oct. 16, 1843, and the mother July 29, 1846.
Adam Smith was a boy of ten years when he accompanied his parents'
family to the United States. They first settled in the State of Mary-
land, a few years later coming to Melrose, Wis., where Adam Smith became
a land owner. He is now retii'ed and is living with his wife in Galesville.
Their daughter, Janet M., was one of eight children, and was educated in
Melrose, Wis., and in Trempealeau County. Mr. and Mrs. Butman have
had four children born: Dora Vesta, Nov. 22, 1907; Stark Douglas, Oct.
25, 1909 ; Gerald Henry, Nov. 5, 1912, and Arra Agnes, June 7, 1915. Mr.
Butman is a member of the Order of Beavers, and the Modern Woodmen
of America, while Mrs. Butman is a member of the Beavers and the Yeo-
men and the Presbyterian Church.
Anton M. Lee, a prominent representative of the farming and stock
raising industry in Gale Township, comes of that hardy Norwegian race
that has assisted so largely in the development of the agricultural resources
of the county. He was born in Trondhjem, in the northern part of Norway,
Aug. 31, .1860, son of Michael and Anna (Anderson) Lee, both parents being
natives of the same province. He had the misfortune to lose both father
and mother when a mere infant, being only three months old when his
mother died. Not long afterwards his father, who was a fisherman,
perished at sea. He was reared by relatives and when eight years old came
to America with his grandmother and uncle, who located at Stevenstown,
La Crosse County, Wis. With this uncle he resided for two years and
then, coming to Trempealeau County, worked on farms for different per-
sons, being in the employ of the Poss family in Gale Township for seven
years. Later he worked in sawmills and at cutting timber in the woods
and was thus generally occupied until he was twenty-four years old. He
then purchased his present farm, on which he has made various improve-
ments, erecting modern buildings. He has 280 acres of valuable land and
operates the farm as a general stock farm. In 1916 he started breeding
Shorthorn cattle, to which line of work he is giving special attention.
Among the buildings he has erected is a commodious barn, 136 by 40 feet,
with a wing 26 by 40, an 8-foot foundation and 16-feet stockboards, and
about 50 feet to the ridge. Mr. Lee is also a stockholder in the Arctic
Springs Creamery, in the Farmers' Exchange and in the La Crosse Packing
Company and the Independent Harvester Company of Piano, 111. April
16, 1884, Mr. Lee was married to Agnes Cook, who was born at Decorah
Prairie, Gale Township, daughter of David and Anna (Henderson) Cook.
Her parents, who were born in Scotland, came to Wisconsin and settled
on Decorah Prairie in 1853, where Mr. Cook, who had been both a farmer
and miner, followed agriculture for many years, and became a prominent
citizen of the township, holding various local offices. He died Feb. 4, 1906,
his wife having passed away Dec. 20, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Lee have been
the parents of four children: Roy D., born Oct. 29, 1886, and died Dec. 19,
1886; Hollis I., born Sept. 4, 1889, a graduate of the Galesville High School,
A. M. LEE AND FAMILY
MB. AND MRS. ISAAC GALLAWAY
JENNIE GALLAWAY— WILLIAM GALLAWAY
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 325
and is residing at home; Hessa G., born Sept. 17, 1894, also a graduate of
the Galesville High School, who resides at home and is a teacher in Grant
School, and Howard A., born Sept. 26, 1898, who graduated from the Agri-
cultural School at Onalaska, class of 1917. Mr. Lee is a member of the
Brotherhood of American Yeomen, having served as head officer of his
lodge since 1908, and also of the American Society of Equity. He served
as clerk of the school board for sixteen years and at present is a director ;
for a number of years also, he has been treasurer of the Decorah Prairie
Creamery Association. He and his family are affiliated religiously with
the Presbyterian Church.
Arthur A. Gibson, a successful farmer of Section 34, Trempealeau
Township, was born in Section 4, near Centerville, this township, son of
William H. and Mai-y N. (Porter) Gibson. The father was born in Canada,
July 21, 1850, the mother in Holland Township, La Crosse County, Decem-
ber 23, 1856. She was a daughter of Langdon Porter, of Trempealeau.
They were married June 6, 1875, and went to live on an improved farm of
160 acres, in Section 4, which Mr. Gibson had bought. The place is now
known as the L. Cook Farm. Here they lived until 1893, when Mr. Gibson
bought 160 acres in Section 3, this also being improved land. Later he
added 80 acres adjoining, making 240 acres in the farm, though a house
was practically the only building, there being no barns. For years he
followed general farming, also making a specialty of breeding English
Shire horses until 1909, in the spring of which year he and his wife went
to Oregon, where they are now residing. They had three children : Kate M.,
born March 4, 1875, who mai'ried A. R. Curtis, of Portland, and died April
29, 1916 ; Arthur A., of Trempealeau Township, and Winnie, born in this
township April 8, 1883, who is the wife of A. H. Lea, of Salem, Oregon.
Arthur A. Gibson was educated in the common schools up to the age of
fourteen, after which, until he was seventeen he attended the Trempealeau
High School. He subsequently remained on the farm with his father until
his marriage, December 2, 1908, to Clara L., daughter of Herman and
Johanna (Sheehan) Gary, of Trempealeau Township, whose father was a
native of this township, her mother being born in Ireland. He then rented
the parental homestead, known as Oakwood Farm, and has since resided
here, engaged in general farming and in the breeding of Shorthoi'n cattle
and English Shire horses, keeping about 60 head of the former and 10 or
12 of the latter. His dwelling is a two-story frame residence of 14 rooms,
his other buildings comprise three barns, a corn crib, machine shed, milk-
house, and tank, granary and with poultry house attached. Mr. Gibson
is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Exchange Elevator of Galesville, and
the Trempealeau Shippers' Association. About 200 acres of his land is
under the plow, with 40 in pasture and timber. In politics he is independent.
He served four years as township clerk and five years as clerk of school
district No. 3. He and his wife have had four children, all of whom are
living: Elizabeth E., born February 13, 1911; Ruth Evelyn, born October
26, 1913 ; WiUiam H., born April 28, 1915, and Ethel May, born June 5, 1917.
William Gallaway, who is conducting Evergreen Lodge stock farm in
section 16, Gale Township, of which he is part owner with his sister,
326 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
E. Jennie Gallaway, was born at Penfield, Ohio, Dec. 16, 1855, son of Isaac
and Fanny (Jacobs) Gallaway. Isaac Gallaway was born in Methwold,
Norfolk County, England, Aug. 6, 1828, and grew to manhood in his native
land. In the spring of 1853, with a party of relations and friends, he came
to the United States. One of the members of the party was Miss Fanny
Jacobs, also a native of England, to whom he was married in August, that
year. He and his wife first located in Ohio, where they lived ten years,
removing to Wisconsin in 1863, and taking up their residence on the
Andrews farm near Galesville. About seven years later they settled on
the farm now owned by their son William, and daughter, E. Jennie Gallaway.
On this farm Isaac Gallaway died, Sept. 22, 1908, his wife having previously
passed away June 13, 1889. He was a farmer practically all his life and
was one of the men who assisted in converting this part of Trempealeau
County into a fertile farming community. A man of sterling worth, warm
in his friendships and strictly honest in his deaUngs with all men, he was
honored and respected by all. For a number of years he served as chair-
man of the township board and also as a member of the school board. He
and his wife had three children: Elizabeth, William and E. Jennie.
William Gallaway was educated in the district school of his township and
at Galesville high school, which he attended two years. He was early
trained to agricultural pursuits under the mentorship of his father. About
1900 he engaged in the stock business and has since been occupied in raising
pure-bred Galloway cattle, in which line of industry he has been very
successful. The farm is well equipped with good modern buildings and
all necessary implements, a recent addition to the machinery being a large
Avery tractor. The farm consists of 200 acres of fertile land. Mr. Gallaway
is a member of the Galloway Breeders' Association and keeps well up with
scientific progress in his line of work. In politics he is independent, and,
while he has never been politically active, he has rendered good service
to his township as treasurer of the school board.
William F. Kopp, proprietor of a small but excellent farm of 43 acres
in section 5, Trempealeau Township, was born in Germany, Nov. 25, 1850,
son of John and Mary Kopp. Both parents were born in Germany, the
father May 18, 1819. Mrs. Mary Kopp died when the subject of this sketch
was a mere infant, and her husband subsequently contracted a second
marriage. In April, 1857, he. came to America with his familj-, locating
in Milwaukee, Wis., where he resided until the spring of 1858. The family
then I'emoved to Richmond, Minn., just opposite Trempealeau Village,
which was their place of residence until 1861. They then crossed over the
river into Wisconsin, locating at Big Tamarac, in Trempealeau Township,
five miles north of Centerville. John Kopp bought 80 acres of wild govern-
ment land, on which he built a three-room log house, 16 by 24 feet, in
which he and his family lived until 1865. He also purchased in the vicinity
320 acres more, which land was partially improved, there standing on it
a fairly good farm house. Mr. Kopp continued the improvements by put-
ting up log barns and sheds, and resided on this farm until his death,
Sept. 20, 1892. His second wife had previously died, March 12, 1888. They
are both buried in Evergreen Cemetery, near Centerville. William F. Kopp
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 327
when a boy attended school in Richmond, Minn. He and his brother Charles
were the only children by his father's first marriage, but he had three half-
brothers, Henry, George and Frank, who are now living in Trempealeau
County, and a half-sister, Josephine, who died in 1881. He was trained to
agricultural pursuits and in time became the owner of a large farm, which
he later disposed of. He now confines his attention to his farm of 43 acres
in section 5, which is a very fine piece of agricultural property, under full
cultivation. Here, besides raising the ordinary crops, he grows apples,
plums and other small fruits. His residence, barn, granary and other build-
ings are all in excellent conditions, and for rapid transit purposes, and the
general convenience of himself and wife, he has a fine automobile. He
married Annie, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Harris, their wedding
taking place at the home of the bride's parents in Trempealeau Township,
Feb. 17, 1880. Mr. Kopp is a Democrat in politics, but has taken no active
part in local government, except that for some years he served as a member
of the school board. He was reared in the Lutheran faith and attends the
church of that denomination at Galesville.
John N. Brenengen is a member of a family of Norwegian origin that
has had much to do with developing the agricultural resources of Gale and
Ettrick Townships. He was born near Christiania, Norway, Dec. 8, 1873,
son of Nels and Net.tie (Johnson) Brenengen. The father was born in
the same locality Dec. 27, 1833, and the mother Jan. 10, 1834. They arrived
in Trempealeau County from Norway, June 10, 1880, locating in Gale Town-
ship. Nels Brenengen, who was a carpenter, soon found work at his trade,
which he followed for awhile in Gale and Ettrick Townships, resolving,
however, to obtain land as soon as possible and seek prosperity through
the cultivation of the soil. Being industrious and economical, it was not
long before he found himself in a position to achieve his ambition, and
accordingly bought a farm in section 8, Ettrick Township, which place
became the home of the family, and here he resided until his death, Oct.
30, 1904. Ten days later his faithful and loving wife followed him to the
grave. Their family numbered in all seven children, of whom the sixth
born was the subject of this sketch. John N. Brenengen was less than
seven years old when he arrived with the Brenengen family in Trempealeau
County, and his schooling, therefore, was only just begun. He became a pupil
at the Smith school in Gale Township, and there and from his playmates
picked up a knowledge of the English language. He had no opportunity
for pursuing advanced studies, for his services were early needed on the
farm, where he soon acquired a good knowledge of agriculture, stock rais-
ing, dairying and everything that goes to make up the life of the modern
farmer. Before he was 20 years old he had saved enough money to begin
farming on his own account, and with his brother Johannas, he purchased
the old home farm, which they conducted together for seven years. He
then sold his share to his brother and bought his present farm, containing
now 196 acres of valuable land, he having recently sold 40 acres to his
neighbor, John Erickson. Mr. Brenengen has added materially to the
improvements on his property, having erected a good barn, a hog-house,
put up fencing, and did other useful or necessary work. Besides raising
328 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
the usual crops, he is engaged in dairying, having good animals for milk-
ing purposes ; and he is also a member of and stockholder in the La Crosse
Packing Company and the Farmers Telephone Company. Success has
attended his operations and he is numbered among the enterprising and
prosperous agriculturists of Gale Township. For 14 years Mr. Brenengen
has been a married man, having been united, Jan. 24, 1903, to Laura
Thompson, who was born in Ettrick Township, daughter of Lars and Mary
(Peterson) Thompson. Her parents, who came from near Christiania,
Norway, settled near Trempealeau, this county, where Mr. Thompson took
a farm. He was born April 13, 1842, and died in July, 1909. His wife, born
in 1848, died in 1888. They had six children, of whom Laura was one of the
youngest. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Brenengen also numbers six children :
Minnie Amanda, Neil Ludwick, Lillian Josephine, Gerald Millard, John
Leonard and Bernice Vernell, all residing at home. Mr. Brenengen and
family are members of the Lutheran church.
E. Jennie Gallaway, part owner with her brother William of Ever-
green Lodge stock farm, located in section 16, Gale Township, where she
now resides, was born in Penfield, Ohio, Feb. 1, 1859, a daughter of Isaac
and Fanny (Jacobs) Gallaway. Coming to Trempealeau County with
her parents in 1863, she grew to womanhood on the parental homestead,
where she has always remained. Having strong artistic tastes, she took
lessons from Sara Birdsall, the well known artist, and has herself achieved
no little fame, occupying a recognized place in the art world. Her home
is adorned with some beautiful paintings from her own brush, including
one of Niagara Falls and one of the Dells of Wisconsin, both instinct with
fidelity to nature and showing masterly treatment. Like most true artists,
Miss Gallaway is fond of outdoor recreations and a great admirer of flowers.
Her rose beds and rose bushes, in the development of which she takes a
great and active interest, are famous throughout this part of the county,
and attract many people to the farm, the visitors always receiving a cordial
welcome. Miss Gallaway is a lady of refinement, tact and good business
ability and she and her brother are popular members of society in Gale
Township.
Arthur Glassford, proprietor of a good farm in section 27, Gale Town-
ship, was born on this farm, March 10, 1876, son of Walter and Jane
(Oliver) Glassford. The father was a native of Glasgow, Scotland, and
when quite a young man learned the moulder's trade. When about 18 or
19 years old he came to America, locating in Illinois and was for some time
in the employ of the McCormick Company, manufacturers of agricultural
implements. This was before the Civil War, and when that great struggle
came on, Walter Glassford enlisted in Company B, Wisconsin
Volunteers, being at that time a resident of Gale Township. During the
war, his term of service having expired, he enlisted a second time and
served until its close. He was never wounded, but was in the hospital for
awhile as the result of an accidental injury. Returning to Wisconsin at
the close of his military career, he located on the farm now owned by his
son in section 27, Gale Township, and lying about a mile and a half east of
Galesville. Here he devoted his time to agriculture and the improvement
O
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 329
of his property, the farm containing 120 acres, and was thus engaged until
1892, when on account of his health he had to give up active work. His
death took place March 14, 1895. His wife Jane, who was born at Augusta,
Maine, and whom he married in Gale Township, died many years before
him, about 1876. Walter Glassford was a man highly respected. Though
he never aspired to public office, he served on the board of education for
about 20 years, acting as treasurer. He and his wife had three children, of
whom Arthur was the youngest.
Arthur Glassford was educated in the district school in Gale Town-
ship. He was 16 years old when his father's health failed, and from that
time on he took practical charge of the farm, becoming its proprietor on
the father's death three years later. He has since operated it continuously,
with the exception of a period of two years, during which he rented it out
to a tenant. Some important improvements have also been made by him,
including the erection of the present fine dwelling, with modern equipment,
in 1906, and a substantial barn built in 1913. Mr. Glassford is engaged
largely as a dairy farmer, though raising the usual crops, and he has met
with good success. He is independent in politics, and is school director
in his district, but has not otherwise been officially active. He takes, how-
ever, a keen interest in the welfare and progress of the community, and is
always willing to do his part as a good citizen.
Mr. Glassford was married Nov. 26, 1902, to Dora De Young, who was
born in Holland, May 22, 1883, daughter of Garman and Catherine (Post)
De Young. Her parents came to the United States with their family in
1884, settling at Amsterdam, La Crosse County, Wis., where Mr. De Young
engaged in farming. He is now retired and he and his wife reside at
La Crosse. Mr. and Mrs. Gflassford have one child: Beatrice Gertrude,
born March 6, 1904.
Henry Kopp, owner and operator of one of the best farms in Trem-
pealeau County, a 450-acre tract lying in sections 21 and 22, Trempealeau
Township, was born at Richmond, Winona County, Minn., -July 15, 1858,
son of John and Mary Kopp. The parents, who were natives of Germany,
came to America in 1857. Henry acquired his education in the district
school, and was brought up to farm work in his youth. Coming to Trem-
pealeau County, he followed his accustomed vocation. Oct. 26, 1886, he was
married in Trempealeau Village, by "Elder" Owen, Congregational pastor,
to Avaline, daughter of Nathan and Mary (Bortle) Wilber. For one year
after his marriage he worked the Wilber farm, and then, in the spring
of 1887, bought 125 acres of improved land in sections 21 and 22, "Big
Tamarac" Valley, Trempealeau Township. To this land he has since added
by purchase 225 acres more, the new property adjoining the old, and now
has a fine farm of 450 acres, beautifully situated, 150 acres of which are
plowed land and the rest in timber and pasture. On this farm Mr. Kopp
has made numerous improvements, including the erection of a two-story,
seven-room house; a barn (No. 1), 32 by 84 feet, with lean-to 14 by 84, for
hay and horses; a barn (No. 2), 32 by 64, with basement for cattle, laid
with cement floors, and equipped with James cow stanchions, and all
modern fittings ; a granary, a scale house, a machine shed, an engine room.
330 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Mr. Kopp carries on general farming, and is a breeder of registered Short-
horn cattle, keeping about 100 head. He also keeps graded Poland-China
hogs, and has a flock of 300 high grade Shropshire sheep. His farm has
a roUing surface, the soil being a black loam, with good sub -soil, and is
well watered. Up to date in his methods, Mr. Kopp has been very success-
ful and is recognized as one of the most prosperous farmers in Trempealeau
County. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' Exchange Elevator at Gales-
ville. In politics a Republican, he has been active in the cause of good
government, has served several terms as chairman of the town board and
has for many years taken a keen interest in whatever was for the good of
the township or county, whether along moral or material lines. He and
his wife have had seven children, all born on the home farm, whose record
in brief is as follows: Ernest, born Nov. 22, 1882, is a farmer in Trem-
pealeau Township. He married Emma Van Vleet, and has three children:
Helen, Ralph and Merle. Amy, born March 23, 1885, is the wife of George
Wilson, a carpenter, and resides at Red Wing, Minn. She has two children :
Doris and Wendel. Grace, born Oct. 4, 1887, is the wife of Herman Kline,
a farmer of Trempealeau Township, and has three children: Norman,
Gladys and Ethel. William, born Jan. 12, 1880, married Josie Severson, and
is operating a rented farm in Trempealeau Township. John, born May
20, 1894, is unmarried and resides at home with his father, whom he
assists on the farm. Byron P., born Sept. 18, 1898, is unmarried and living
at home. Donald, born Aug. 17, 1901, is also residing at home, a boy of 15
years. Mr. Kopp was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church, but is
not a member of it, attending and supporting the Methodist Episcopal
Church in Trempealeau. He and his family are widely known and highly
esteemed.
John O. Gilbertson, who is successfully engaged in farming in section
33, Gale Township, was born in Lewis Valley, La Crosse County, Jan. 17,
1859, son of Ole and Olena (Larson) Gilbertson. His parents were born
in Biried, Norway, the father Dec. 22, 1818, the mother in 1825. They
were married in their native land and came to the United States in 1856,
locating in Lewis Valley, La Crosse County, Wis. Ole Gilbertson, who was
a farmer by occupation, soon afterwards bought land, but in 1860 he
moved with his family to French Creek, in Ettrick Township, Trempealeau
County. Here he was engaged in farming until his death, which occuri-ed
in 1898. His wife died Aug. 9, 1888. He was a prominent man and held
office at various times, being school clerk for many years.
John 0. Gilbertson was the youngest in a family of four children. He
attended school in his boyhood at French Creek and afterwards the Gales-
ville High School. Residing on the parental homestead until 22 years of
age, he then became a land owner, buying a farm in Ettrick Township,
which he operated for five years. He then engaged in mercantile business
at Hale and later in Whitehall, being thus occupied for six years. At the
end of that time he concluded to go back to farming, and accordingly pur-
chased his present property at Frenchville, Gale Township, which consists
of 80 acres of improved land, the improvements having been chiefly made
by himself. These include his neat and comfortable residence, erected in
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 331
1910, and barns and other necessary buildings in 1905, the house being
thoroughly modern in its appointments. Mr. Gilbertson devotes his whole
time to his farm and is doing a prosperous business in his line. He is an
independent Republican in politics and a member of the Lutheran Synod
Church.
Oct. 22, 1879, John 0. Gilbertson was united in marriage with Mina
Helen Nelson, who was born in Biried, Norway, daughter of Borre and
Bertha (Haslie) Nelson, natives of the same place. The parents were
married in Norway, where the father was born July 29, 1821. They came
to America in 1867, locating in Abrahams Valley, Gale Township, where
he engaged in farming, his occupation in the old country. He died April
28, 1898. His wife survived him nearly ten years, passing away in Febru-
ary, 1908. Their daughter, Mina Helen, was the third born in a family of
six children, and was educated in Trempealeau County. Mr. and Mrs.
Gilbertson have three children : Odell, a mail clerk in the emploj^ of the
Northwestern Railway, residing in Winona, who married Ida Thompson
of that city; Ella Josephine, who is a teacher residing at home, and Celia
Berenice, also residing at home, who has been a teacher for eight years,
being now in her third year in the Frenchville school.
Alfred E. Gilbertson, an enterprising and successful farmer of Ettrick
Township, comes of one of the pioneer families of this township, of which
he is a native, having been born here May 11, 1873. His parents were Even
and Antoinette Marie (Ofsdahl) Gilbertson, natives of Norway, who were
married in Wisconsin, the father being a son of Ole and Oline Gilbertson.
Even was born in 1843 and when a boy of 13 or 14 years his parents emi-
grated with their family to the United States. The voyage, made in a
slow sailing vessel, was long and tedious, but the shores of America were
sighted at last and a landing effected. Making no stay in any eastern
city or state, Ole Gilbertson and his family pushed on for the Northwest,
which he had heard was now the land of opportunity for newcomers. He
came to a halt at Stevenstown, La Ci'osse County, Wis., but seems not to
have stayed there long, as soon after we find him homesteading 160 acres
of land on French Creek, Ettrick Township, this county, and beginning its
cultivation with an ox team. There were at that time but few settlers
in the county, he being one of the original pioneers. As such he and his
family had many hardships to endure and much hard work to perform,
but in time his energy bore frujts, and with the assistance of sons he
developed a good farm, and became one of the prominent and respected
citizens of his township, aiding in the building of a church and taking a
leading part in other public affairs. He and his good wife have long since
passed to their final reward.
Even Gilbertson spent most of his boyhood days in assisting his
father, when he was not attending school. In early manhood he started in
for himself, buying a tract of 160 acres, and another of 80 acres, this land
being situated in section 20-24-13, Ettrick Township. It was all wild land
and there was not even a road in the vicinity, so that his task was to carve
a farm out of the primitive wilderness. His first house was a shanty,
16 by 24 feet, and 12 feet high, and with this beginning he set to work, his
332 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
labors being hard and strenuous and lasting many years. He was made
of the right stuff to succeed, however, and gradually the wild appearance
of this land changed its aspect for one of cultivation, the old primitive
shanty giving place to a dwelling more suggestive of domestic comfort.
Barns and outbuildings, too, appeared, and increased in size with successive
enlargements, or the erection of new buildings, while similar changes went
on in the neighborhood with the advent of new settlers, until the community
presented a civilized and flourishing appearance. On this farm Even
resided to the end of his life, dying at the age of 72 years in 1912. He
held a leading place among his fellow townsmen, was chairman of the
township board for many years and served as assessor eight years, being
well informed as to the value of all real property in the township. In
politics he was a staunch Republican. A Lutheran in religious faith, he
and his family helped to start the church of that denomination on French
Creek, he being one of its officials, acting as trustee, foreman and collector
of funds. He also aided in the building of the school and served as its clerk
and treasurer. Among other enterprises which he took an active part in
starting were the creamery and mill at Frenchville and the insurance com-
pany. In short, for a number of years there were few important enterprises
started in the vicinity in which he was not interested in one way or another.
The insurance company he served as clerk for 20 years, and he also became
a stockholder in the telephone company. During his active career he
developed two farms, starting with straw sheds, which he later replaced
with wooden buildings, hauling the lumber from the old mill at Alma,
Buffalo County. He kept good stock, favoring Durham cattle and Shrop-
shire sheep, and his horses were also of excellent quality. His wife Antoin-
ette was a worthy helpmate to him, and to her he owed much of his suc-
cess, which he always readily acknowledged. She was about 12 years
younger than himself and is still living, being now 65 years old. Their
eight children also are living, namely: Lena, Bertie, Ida, Laura, Sophie,
Stella, Emma and Alfred E.
Alfred E. Gilbertson was reared to manhood on the old homestead and
acquired his education in the district school. In course of time, as his
father became advanced in years, he took over the management of the
farm, which he has since operated successfully. For the past three years
he has been a trustee of the Lutheran Church, but has held no town office.
Mr. Gilbertson married Oriana Hegge, of La Crosse. Nov. 8, 1902, daughter
of J. O. and Carrie (Olson) Hegge. He and his wife are the parents of
one child, Mildred. On his farm are some fine pine trees, which were set
out by his grandfather, Ole, at a very early date, while others were planted
by his father. Even, 50 years ago. The development of this place from
the original wilderness to its present flourishing conditions, with its highly
cultivated land, neat and substantial buildings and modern equipment, is
typical of the great changes that have taken place in the county since the
pioneer settlers first appeared upon the scene with their ox carts and home-
made appliances some 50 or 60 years ago.
Edwin R. Wilber, a pioneer settler of Trempealeau County, now passed
away, was of New England birth, born in the southern part of Connecticut,
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 333
Sept. 5, 1822. He was married in the state of New York, May 28, 1853,
to Elizabeth A. King, who was born in Holland, Europe, Jan. 30, 1836.
After farming for a few years in New York State, they came west in
June, 1857, making the journey overland by team to Cleveland, and from
there by boat by way of the Great Lakes to Sheboygan. They had brought
teams with them, and from Sheboygan drove over country to Trempealeau
County, crossing Black River at Gordon's Ferry and spending their first
night in the county at the home of two bachelors, who lived at the ferry.
In the party were the grandparents of the subject of this sketch, Samuel
and Amanda Wilber, who had accompanied them from New York. The
grandfather died in 1866 and the grandmother passed away in 1876. The
families first located at a point just east of Centerville, but stayed there
only two or three weeks until they had located homesteads. The home-
stead of Edwin R. Wilber consisted of 120 acres of wild land in Big Tamarac
Valley, sections 17 and 20, there being no improvements on it. Here Mr.
Wilber put up a log house of one and a half stories and three rooms, which
is still standing. He soon realized that the horse teams he had brought
with him were not adapted to rough work amid pioneer surroundings, and
accordingly traded them for oxen, which he used to clear and develop his
land. In a few years he had added 160 acres to the original tract of 120,
buying 80 acres of this new land from the government and the other 80
from speculators. His four brothers — Samuel D., William M., Acil H. and
Nathan P. — had come west with him, and Nathan P. settled with him in
Big Tamarack Valley, while Samuel, William and Acil located in Pine Creek
Valley, then in Trempealeau but now in Dodge Township, the distance from
the two farms being about two miles. Nathan took a wild tract of 40 acres
adjoining that of Edwin R., and cleared and improved it. The latter, with
his wife, hved in the log house first built but one year, when he erected a
second log house, larger and more convenient, into which they moved. This
latter dwelling was 16 by 24 feet, with an upper story, and was erected on
an "alternate" section, on which Edwin R. Wilber "squatted." It was
about 60 or 80 rods north of the first location. He also built three frame
barns, which are still standing. In the second log house they lived about
18 years, at the end of which time the residence now occupied by the sub-
ject of this sketch was erected. This is a two-story frame dwelling, with
upright and wing, containing eight rooms in all.
Elmer Elsworth Wilber, who is engaged in operating the fine piece of
agricultural property known as the "Wilber homestead," in sections 17 and
20, Trempealeau Township, was born in the old Wilber residence in section
17, Nov. 27, 1860, son of Edwin R. and Elizabeth A. (King) Wilber. He
acquired his education in the district school of Trempealeau Township,
which he attended regularly until 15 years old, after which he continued
attendance during the winters only until 18. In the meanwhile he assisted
his father on the home farm, of which he finally became the owner. To
the buildings which his father erected he has added a frame barn. There
he resided until his death July 5, 1893, being survived by his wife and
several children, of whom he had seven: James M., Mary Jane, Francis M.,
Elmer E., Mary A., Samuel and Henrietta E. James M., born in February,
334 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
1855, in New York State, is now living at Rochester, Minn., being a retired
blacksmith. Mary Jane, born Sept. 19, 1856, also in New York State, died
Nov. 22, 1861, in Trempealeau Township and is buried in Evergreen Ceme-
tery. Francis M., born Oct. 24, 1858, in Trempealeau Township, is now
a prosperous farmer of this township, living near the old homestead.
Elmer E., born Nov. 27, 1860, is now owner of the homestead and is engaged
in farming. Mary A., born Nov. 8, 1862, is the widow of Frank Bunnell
and lives in Minneapolis. Samuel, born Dec. 4, 1870, died Feb. 27, 1871.
Henrietta E., born Nov. 2, 1872, is the wife of Clarence Bunnell, a real
estate dealer of Orlando, Florida. Mrs. Edwin R. Wilber died in Minne-
apoHs, Minn., April 21, 1909.
Elmer E. Wilber acquired his education in the district school of Trem-
pealeau Township, which he attended regularly until 15 years old, after
which he continued attendance during the winters only until 18. In the
meanwhile he assisted his father on the home farm, of which he finally
became the owner. To the buildings which his father erected he has added
a frame barn, with concrete basement, fitted for cattle and horses, the
distance from floor to ridge being 40 feet. He carries on general farming
and dairying, keeping Shorthorn grade cattle, of which he has a good herd,
also Poland-China swine and a large flock of graded Shropshire sheep. He
is also interested as a stockholder in the Galesville Creamery and the
Farmers' Co-operative Packing Company of La Crosse.
March 28, 1886, Mr. Wilber was united in marriage with Cora A.,
daughter of James and Amanda (Towner) Adams of Caledonia Township,
their marriage taking place at the home of the bride's parents, and the
Rev. J. R. Chamberlain of the Trempealeau Congregational Church officiat-
ing. Mr. and Mrs. Wilber have four children : Hazel E., born Oct. 22, 1887,
who was graduated from the Trempealeau High School, the La Crosse
Normal School and the State University at Madison, and is now a teacher
in Madison, Wis. ; Raud E., born March 18, 1890, who lives at home and is
assisting in the management of the farm, and who married Grace E.
Dolbier, Jan. 4, 1917; Cora Madge, born April 16, 1893, who was married
March 8, 1917, to Edwin Severson and resides in Trempealeau Township,
and Mabel A., born Sept. 21, 1894, who is unmarried and hves at home.
Mr. Wilber belongs to Camp No. 2977, M. W. A., of Galesville, Wis. He is
a Republican in politics but not an ofliceholder.
Francis M. Wilber, one of the enterprising farmers of Trempealeau
Township, section 20, was born Oct. 24, 1858, at Big Tamarack Valley, this
township, son of Edwin R. and Elizabeth A. (King) Wilber. His educa-
tional opportunities were limited to attendance at the district school, and
he had to become self-supporting at the time when many boys nowadays
are thinking of high school and college. The habits of industry he then
learned have remained with him all his life and have been the main factor
in his present prosperity. Brought up to farming, he has followed that
occupation since boyhood, buying and moving onto his present farm of
207 acres in sections 20 and 21, Trempealeau Township, soon after his
marriage in 1885 to Emma Bell Bunnell, daughter of George W. and Louise
(Atwood) Bunnell. Since taking possession of this property Mr. Wilber
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 335
has made a number of valuable improvements on it. Among them is a
two-story frame house, erected in 1908, also a fine large barn with modern
equipments; and in addition he has a good granary, hog house, poultry
house, machine sheds and other necessary buildings. The farm itself is
located in one of the richest valleys in Trempealeau County, and has good
fertile soil, yielding bountiful crops. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Wilber
includes five children: Grace, who is the wife of Webster J. Calkins, a
farmer of Trempealeau Township; Myrtle, wife of Benjamin Rhodes, a
farmer at Little Tamarack Valley ; Lizzie, now Mrs. William Lakey, whose
husband is a farmer in Caledonia Township ; Cliffie, who is unmarried and
resides at home, and Dewey, also unmarried, who is engaged in assisting
his father on the farm. Mr. Wilber is a Republican in politics, but takes no
active part in township affairs, being always ready, however, to support
any practical enterprise for the welfare of the general community. He
belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and his wife to the Royal
Neighbors, both of Galesvhle.
George W. and Louise (Atwood) Bunnell, parents of Mrs. F. M. Wilber
of Trempealeau Township, were natives of New Hampshire. In early days
they came west to Baraboo, Wis., where they resided for a time, subse-
quently returning to New Hampshire. In 1860 they came again to Wis-
consin, this time settling on Trempealeau Prairie, where Mr. Bunnell bought
60 acres of land and engaged in farming. A little later, however, he sold
the 60-acre tract and purchased one of 120 acres close by, and there built
up a good farm, on which he remained until 1878. He then rented the farm
and went to Farmington in Dakota County, Minn., where he lived for two
years. The remainder of his life was spent in Minneapolis, his death
occurring May 2, 1891. Mrs. Bunnell later married George Harold. She
died at Seattle, Wash., June 6, 1916, to which state they had moved. The
children of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Bunnell were as follows : Willard, born
Aug. 30, 1857, who died Feb. 10, 1911 ; Frank, born March 11, 1860, who
died Aug. 15, 1904 ; Emma Bell, born April 14, 1863, now Mrs. F. M. Wilber
of Trempealeau County; Clarence, born March 22, 1866, now a real estate
dealer at Orlando, Florida; Lizzie Rose, born Nov. 24, 1871, residing in
Spokane, Wash. ; and George Otis, born Dec. 26, 1875, who is the efficient
chief of police of Seattle, Wash.
Albert J. Baardseth, proprietor of a general store and feed mill at
Hardie's Creek, Gale Township, was born at Hardie's Creek, this township
and county, July 4, 1879. His parents were Andrew and Mary (Hemma)
Baardseth, both of whom were born in Ringsaker, Norway. Andrew Baard-
seth came to the United States when 30 years of age, about 50 years ago,
locating in Lewis Valley, La Crosse County. For 13 winters he worked
in the pineries and in the summers on farms. He then bought land near
North Bend, Jackson County, and was engaged in farming there for seven
or eight years. At the end of that time he located on the farm on which
his son Albert J. was born, and where he is still living, though it is now the
property of his son. His wife, to whom he was married in this state, died
in 1885, at Hardie Creek. Mr. Baardseth was the fourth born of his parents'
six children. He acquired his elementary education at the Glasgow school
338 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
where he is now living retired after a long and successful career as an
agriculturist, was born on his parents' farm at Decorah Prairie, Gale Town-
ship, Sept. 3, 1856, son of John and Mary (Young) Davidson. He was
educated in the district school of his neighborhood and resided on the
home farm until he was 21 years old, assisting his father and acquiring a
good practical knowledge of farming in all its branches. When he came
of age he began working in the pine woods at timber cutting during the
winters, spending the summers in northern Wisconsin. After being thus
occupied for six or seven years he returned to the parental homestead and
resumed farming operations with his father, with whom he continued until
the latter's death. Then buying out the other heirs, he operated the home
farm on his own account for 12 years, at the end of which time he sold it
and bought his present residence in Galesville. He still owns land in the
county and is now in possession of a competence, acquired by years of
industry. In addition to his land holdings he is a stockholder in the Inde-
pendent Harvester Company at Piano, 111., and the Arctic Springs Creamery
of Galveston, Wis. July 5, 1904, Mr. Davidson was united in marriage
with Mrs. Cornelia A. Fuller, who was born in Michigan, daughter of
Elijah and Lucinda (Overacker) Brown. Her father was a native of Ohio
and her mother of Albion, Mich. In 1865 they came to Wisconsin and
settled at Davis Ferry on the Black River, but the following year moved to
Wrightsville, and a year later to Jackson County, where Mrs. Brown died.
Mr. Brown then took up his residence in Neillsville, Clark County, where
his death subsequently occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson have an adopted
child, Stella, who was born Feb. 1, 1906, and is now attending school at
Galesville. Mr. Davidson is independent in politics and for six years was
treasurer of District School No. 2 of Decorah Prairie. He has always taken
an interest in good local government, and though taking little personal part
in politics, has ever been ready to support measures calculated to promote
the general welfare of the community.
John C. Dopp, who is conducting a good farm in sections 3, 10 and 11,
Gale Township, known and registered as "Pleasant View Farm," is a native
of Trempealeau County, having been born near Frenchville, in Gale Town-
ship, April 17, 1865. His parents were born in Germany, but were married
in the state of Iowa. The father, John Dopp, born in Mecklenburg, Ger-
many, Feb. 25, 1837, came to the United States while still a young man
under 20 years of age, and lived for awhile in McGregor, Iowa. His first
winter in this country was spent in Prairie du Chien, where he earned only
25 cents a week as wages, his employer evidently taking advantage of his
ignorance, as he was unable to speak English. In addition to the anxiety
caused by his inability to find remunerative employment, he was attacked
by typhus fever and was very sick, though finally recovering. Later he
was in the employ of an English family at Iowa, in which were two little
girls, who taught him to speak English. After a year with this family he
came to Trempealeau County, crossing the river at Trempealeau in a skiff".
Here he worked awhile for Mr. Healy, but soon after took a homestead
near Frenchville, which farm he developed and improved, residing on it
until his death, Oct. 16, 1908. He married Fredericka Schmidt, who was
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 339
born in Germany, Jan. 26, 1838, and who survived him and is now living
in the old home with her daughter, Mrs. Dennis Brophy. They have five
children, of whom John C. was the first born.
John C. Dopp in his boyhood attended school at Frenchville. He
learned agriculture on his father's farm, and at the age of 17 years began
working out for others, varying this employment with work on the home
farm at intervals. From the age of 21 to that of 30 he worked by the
month. He then took his present farm, which at the time had practically
no improvements. He has 160 acres of land, which is now well cultivated,
and has erected large well equipped barns, and a good modern brick resi-
dence. Here he carries on general farming, including the raising of stock,
and is doing a prosperous business. His breeding operations are confined
chiefly to Durham cattle, Poland-China hogs and Percheron horses. In
addition to his immediate farming interests, he is a stockholder in the
Arctic Springs Creamery Company and the La Crosse Packing Company.
In pontics Mr. Dopp is independent. While not politically active, he served
as justice of the peace for two years and as school clerk six years. May
1, 1898, Mr. Dopp was united in marriage with Anna Margaretha Elizabeth
Claussen, who was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, March 11, 1869,
daughter of Peter H. and Anna M. (Messer) Claussen, both natives of the
same province, where the father was born Nov. 7, 1836, and the mother
Aug. 17, 1837. They came to the United States in April, 1870, and after one
summer in Chicago, came in the following November to Trempealeau
County, Mr. Claussen locating on what is now known as the old Claussen
homestead at Frenchville. He is now practically retired, his son operating
the farm. At various times Mr. Claussen held local office and for many
years has been one of the best known and most respected citizens of his
township. Mr. and Mrs. Dopp are the parents of five children: Esther
Margeretha, Herman Claussen, Johrl Henry, Mary Magdalene and Anna
Elizabeth. The three older children are students at the Galesville High
School, while the two younger ones are attending the rural school of this
district. Anna Ehzabeth, the youngest, only seven years old, will enter
the fourth grade September, 1917. Religiously the family are affiliated
with the Presbyterian Church.
Peter Thomas, a former resident of Trempealeau County, but now
deceased, was born in Germany, Oct. 15, 1840. When eight years old he
accompanied his parents to the United States, they settling at Mineral
Point, Iowa County, Wisconsin, in which locality he was reared. When a
young man he engaged in mining. About 1880 he and his family settled
at Onalaska, La Crosse County. About a year later he came to Trem-
pealeau County and located on a farm about two miles from Galesville, the
property being now known as the Stoner farm. A few years later he
bought a farm at Frenchville, where he died August, 1914. Mr. Thomas
married Leah Ayer, a native of the state of Maine, and they were the
parents of nine children, one of whom, CuUen A., is now a farmer in Gale
Township. Another, Leah, married Walter Birchard, who lives on a farm
on the outskirts of Galesville. Mrs. Leah Thomas died in Galesville in 1909.
Walter Birchard, a stock dealer, now partially retired, who resides on
340 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
a farm of 57 acres almost adjoining the city limits of Galesville, was born
at Black River Falls, Wis., Aug. 13, 1854, son of Harrison and Elizabeth
(Heinick) Birchard. Harrison Birchard was born in Detroit County, New
York, in 1827, and came to Wisconsin about 1848. After a short stay here
he returned to New York state, but came back to Wisconsin in 1851, when
he married and engaged in the lumber business at Black River Falls, which
place was his home until 1878. At times he followed the occupation of river
pilot on the Mississippi, his services being so much in demand that he was
paid at the rate of $10 a day. In 1878 he came to Galesville and conducted
a lumber yard here for a number of years subsequently. He also engaged
m the butcher business for awhile, and later became a fai-mer. He died
Aug. 31, 1905, after having been some years retii-ed. A man of ability and
force of character, he was prominent in every community in which he lived,
while a resident of Black River Falls serving on the township board, and
later as assessor of Gale Township, besides holding other office at various
times. He was twice married, his first wife, Elizabeth, dying in 1866. She
was the mother of five children, including the subject of this sketch. Of
Harrison Birchard's second marriage one child was born.
Walter Birchard when a boy attended school at Black River Falls.
When 15 years old he became his father's assistant and so continued until
he married. At that time — 1882 — he settled on the farm where he now
resides, and engaged in buying cattle for the market. He also for awhile
operated a butcher business in Galesville. Though now practically retired,
his son operating the farm, he still buys stock at intervals. Mr. Birchard
is an Independent Republican in politics, and served as assessor of Gale
Township for a number of years. Fraternally he is connected with the Red
Men, Beavers and Guardians of Liberty. Dec. 27, 1882, Mr. Biixhard was
united in marriage with Leah Thomas, who was born at Mineral Point,
Iowa County, Wis., daughter of Peter and Leah (Ayer) Thomas, who set-
tled in Trempealeau County in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Birchard are the parents
of two children : Mildred G., who is the wife of Ingvald Nelson, a merchant
of Stoughton, Wis., and Warren E., who is engaged in working the home
farm.
Goodwin Toraason, D.D.S., successfully practicing his profession in
Blair, is a native of this village, born Nov. 4, 1885, son of Peder and Carrie
(Lovberg) Toraason. He was reared in the village of his birth, passed
through the graded and high school, and entered the dental department
of the Northwestern University, at Chicago, graduating in 1908. In the
fall of 1908 he opened an office here. Dr. Toraason became interested in
baseball as a young boy, when he played on vacant lots with the other
youngsters.. His abilities increased and in time he became a professional
ball player. In 1907 he pitched the town team of Blair to many a victory
against semi-professional and professional teams, and in 1908 he did excel-
lent work as pitcher for the Manitowoc team in the Lake Shore League. He
has since received many flattering offers, but chooses to devote his time
to the practice of his profession. Dr. Toraason was married Sept. 4, 1912,
to Theresa Gilbert, daughter of T. I. and Maria (Thirston) Gilbert, the
former of whom, a merchant of Blair, died in 1904, the latter now making
ISAAC ARTHUR DUTTON AM) FAMILY
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 341
her home in Blair. Dr. and Mrs. Toraason have one son, Goodwin Ernest,
born Feb. 6, 1914. Peder Toraason, father of Dr. Toraason, was born in
Soler, Norway, and in 1866 came to this county and located in Blair, where
he and his wife still reside. They are the parents of ten children: Tena,
Lena, Ole, Minnie, Palmer, Claus, Goodwin, Clifford M., Stella and Hiram.
Lena is the wife of James Harvey of St. Paul. Ole lives in Westby, Mont.
Minnie is the wife of H. A. Lober of Minneapolis. The rest are all in Blair.
Oscar B. Johnson, of the firm of Hanson & Johnson, hardware and
implement dealers of Blair, was born in Preston Township, this county,
Jan. 1, 1880, son of Bent B. and Martha (Otterson) Johnson, the former
of whom came from Norway and took a homestead in Preston Township
in 1865. Oscar B. Johnson was reared to farm pursuits and remained on
the home farm until 1904, when he went to Springfield township, in Jackson
County, and there farmed until 1911. Then he returned to Blair, and pur-
chased the blacksmith shop of Ole L. Olson. His connection with his present
firm dates from Jan. 20, 1915. Mr. Johnson is well known in the com-
munity, and has served on the city council. The family faith is that of the
United Norwegian Lutheran Chui'ch. Mr. Johnson was married May 14,
1903, to Christina Nordness of Lincoln Township, this county, daughter
of Ole and Bagnild Nordness. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have two children:
Bernice and Raymond.
Isaac Arthur Dutton, proprietor of Maplewood farm in section 9, Trem-
pealeau Township, was born at Whitewater, Walworth County, Wis., June
12, 1855, son of John and Delia B. (Huntley) Dutton, who were residents
of Utica, N. Y. Both parents were born in the state of New York and they
were married in Utica in May, 1846. In 1850 they moved to Wisconsin,
going by way of the Great Lakes to Milwaukee, and then overland to
Whitewater, Wis., by team. Here John Dutton bought 160 acres of unim-
proved land, and there being jio house on it he and his family spent the first
six months in a corn crib. In 1857 he built a frame house one and a half
stories in height, with five rooms below and two upstairs. This house is
still standing and is now occupied by Mrs. Esther Hanson, a cousin of the
subject of this sketch. In 1866 the Dutton family moved to Trempealeau
County, the parents, with their son Isaac A., coming by train to La Crosse,
while Charles, another son, and Henry Cox, a friend, drove a team across
the country. Reuniting at La Crosse, they came the rest of the way to
Trempealeau County up the river on the ice. The father had bought 200
acres of wild land in section 10, Trempealeau Township, now known as the
Shumway place ; also 40 acres of timber land near Henry Kopp's present
homestead in section 22. He now constructed a frame house, consisting of
an upright and "L," and containing 10 rooms, and a two-story granary.
Here John Dutton and his family resided until 1880, when he retired and
moved to Galesville. He died in Galesville March 5, 1907, being survived
several years by his wife, who died in that village April 4, 1911. Their
children were : Charles, born in New York state, in December, 1846, who
is an employee of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company and
resides at Winona, Minn.; Mary Ellen, born in New York state in April,
1850, who is the wife of the Rev. A. L. Tull, a Methodist minister, now resid-
■.U2 HISTORY OF TKEllPEALEAU COUNTY
ing at Atlanta, Ga. ; Lydia Ann, born at Whitewater, Wis., Dec. 25, 1852,
who married George Tobey of Trempealeau and died in 1874, being buried
in Evergreen Cemetery; Isaac Arthur, whose name appears at the head
of this sketch; Alice, born at Whitewater, who died in infancy and was
buried there; George Ellsworth, bprn at Whitewater, March 13, 1861, who
died February, 1901, and is buried at "High Cliff," Galesville, Wis.; Cora
Belle, born Oct. 5, 1866, at Whitewater, and now living at Seattle, Wash.,
the widow of George E. Sanderson; Jennie Euretta, born Sept. 19, 1870,
who is unmarried and is living at Winona, Minn., where she is matron
at the Young Woman's Christian Association.
Isaac Arthur Button resided with his parents on the old Button home-
stead farm until he was 23 years old. He was educated in district school
No. 9, Trempealeau Township, which he attended until the age of 16 years,
then at Wasioja, Minn., and later at the Trempealeau high school. Nov.
10, 1878, he was married at Centerville, Wis., by Rev. A. L. Tull of the M. E.
Church (a brother-in-law) to Eveline Lydia, daughter of Zebulon Mantor
and Minerva Jane (Cook) Viles. She was born in Richmond, Walworth
County, Wis., and on the father's side is a descendant of John Hancock,
and on the mother's of the Marquis de Lafayette, and from 1861 up to
the present time has resided in the same township and within sight of
the house in which she lived 35 years ago. She was educated in Trem-
pealeau Township, and as a girl went barefooted to school, church and
Sunday school over the road she now traverses in an automobile. When
she first came to this township from Whitewater she made the journey
by ox team, which required two weeks, but in 1915 she visited her old home,
going by automobile and thoroughly enjoying the contrast afforded by that
method of travel with the primitive methods of her younger days, this last
trip being made in two days.
After his marriage Mr. Button remained on his farm until 1885, and
then, in the spring of that year, bought 80 acres in section 9, to which land
he had added 100 more adjoining it on the west. He has greatly improved
the house, which was a very primitive dwelling, and has erected several
other buildings, among them in 1896 the first round barn in Trempealeau
Township. This barn has an 80-foot drain, with 20-foot studding, and a
stone basement, with a silo in the center of the barn, 44 by 16 feet, and
having a capacity of 170 tons. His other buildings include hog, corn and
hen houses. He keeps a good herd of grade cows and markets about 125
hogs annually, and is doing a prosperous dairy business. He has thor-
oughly equipped creamery, turning out annually about 5,000 gallons of
cream, which he ships to La Crosse. For 25 years he was a breeder of
Red Poll registered cattle, and attained a high reputation, exhibiting at the
Chicago International Fat Stock Show, and at the Minnesota, Iowa and
Wisconsin State Fairs annually. He always carried about 50 head and sold
and shipped registered stock to Tennessee and other southern states, to
many western states, and to Canada. For 16 years the entire butter
product of Maplewood Farm was marketed in Winona, Minn., at a uniform
price of 25 cents a pound.
Mr. and Mrs. Button have had three children : Carroll Arthur, Mabel
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 343
Eva and Mae Belle. Carroll Arthur was born Nov. 13, 1879, in Trem-
pealeau Township. He attended the district school, Trempealeau high
school for two years, and Gale College two years, afterwards taking a
two years' course in the agricultural College of Wisconsin. He resides at
home and assists his father in the management of the dairy, in which line
of work he is very competent. While at the agricultural college he was the
winner of two medals in a class of 101 members, first prize as the best judge
of horses and the second prize as best judge of cattle, hogs and sheep.
Mabel Eva, born July 12, 1884, in Trempealeau Township, died Aug. 11,
1887, and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery. Mae Belle, born Aug. 6, 1889,
also in this township. She was graduated from the Trempealeau high
school in 1909, and trained as nurse at Asbury Hospital, Minneapolis. April
12, 1917, she was united in marriage to H. W. Coit. They reside on a farm
in Gale Township. Mr. Button is a stockholder in the Western Wisconsin
Telephone Company, and a stockholder in and life member of the Inter-
national Fat Stock Show, Chicago. He is a Prohibitionist by principle, and
he and his family are members of the Centerville M. E. Church, of which
he has been a trustee for years, Mrs. Button being a member of the Ladies'
Aid Society. Their home, Maplewood Farm, is one of the best pieces of
agricultural property in this part of the county. The soil is a dark silty
loam, mixed with fine sand, but without gravel, and the land is sufficiently
rolling to make perfect drainage. The buildings are located on a gentle
rise of ground, sloping south, and sheltered on the west by a large grove
of maple trees, from which the farm derives its name. The equipment of
machinery and tools is very complete and the best of its kind. Church
and school are located but three-quarters of a mile away, while two stores
and blacksmith shop are within a mile and a quarter. The farm has been
the home of the Buttons for 32 years and has always been operated as a
combined dairy and general stock farm. Nearly all hay and grain pro-
duced has been fed on the farm and the manure returned to the land.
Carl L. Kittleson, a business man of Galesville, was born in Ettrick
Township, this county, April 6, 1880, son of Lars and Sena (Olson) Kittle-
son. Lars Kittleson was born in Perry Township, Bane County, this state,
Aug. 23, 1859. He was brought to Ettrick Township, by his parents, as a
lad of six years, was here reared, and finally inherited the home place, now
owning 220 acres, on which he conducts general farming. Carl L. Kittleson
remained at home until 17 years of age, and then found employment as a
farm hand. Later he found work in a creamery. Wishing to further per-
fect himself in this line of industry he entered the Bairy School of the
University of Wisconsin in November, 1902. With this preparation he
was successively employed as cheese maker at Kewaunee, Wis., one season,
and as butter maker at Ettrick, Wis. ; helper, St. Paul, Minn., Salt Lake City,
Utah, Osseo, Wis. In May, 1909, he purchased a restaurant at Osseo.
Three years later, his lease having expired, he came to Galesville and pur-
chased the Hauge & Ragness restaurant, which he has since conducted. In
addition to operating the restaurant, which he had moved from the Grover
block to the old Funston building, which he now owns, he conducts a soda
fountain and ice cream parlor, manufacturing all his ice cream. His estab-
344 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU uOUNTY
lishment is equipped with modern devices, and his fountain is of the latest
design. Mr. Kittleson was married May 12, 1909, to Augusta Frase,
daughter of William and Charlotte (Geske) Frase. William Frase was
born in Posen, Germany, in 1855, came to America at the age of 17 years,
located in Otter Creek Township, Eau Claire County, and there engaged
in farming until his death, Oct. 28, 1904. He was an influential citizen and
served on the school board for many years. His wife was born Sept. 22,
1858, and now lives in Augusta, Wis.
Ernest H. Butman, who is engaged in farming in section 36, Gale
Township, was born at Decorah Prairie, on the farm on which his father
is now residing, son of Stark and Mary Jane (Lynn) Butman. Ernest H.
Butman was the sixth born of nine children. He was educated in the dis-
trict school at Decorah Prairie and was brought up to agricultural pursuits.
He resided with his parents until his marriage and then rented a farm in
Gale Township, on which he lived for about two years. At the end of that
time he purchased the farm, in company with his brother Milton, and
operated it for a number of years, after which he exchanged his interest
in the place with his father for a part of his present farm and has since
resided here. He has now 100 acres of highly improved land on Decorah
Prairie, and carries on general farming. He has made all the improve-
ments on the place and has modern and convenient buildings. His outside
interests include the ownership of stock in the Farmers Exchange, the
La Crosse Packing Company and the Independent Harvester Company at
Piano, 111. March 15, 1899, Mr. Butman was married to Elizabeth M. Burt,
who was born in Cross Township, Buffalo County, Wis., daughter of Robert
and Jeanette (Davidson) Burt. Her parents were natives of Scotland, who
came to the United States about 1855, before their marriage, the latter
event taking place in Wisconsin. Robert Burt is now a resident of Winona,
Minn. His wife, who was a daughter of John and Mary (Young) Davidson,
is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Butman have three children: Lloyd Ernest,
Burel Stark and Mary Jane, all residing at home. Mr. Butman is inde-
pendent in politics. He has served on the school board for a number of
years and is the present clerk of the board of education of his district. His
fraternal affiliations are with the Order of Beavers.
Christian N. Brenengen, proprietor of an excellent farm of 274 acres
in section 11, Gale Township, was born near the city of Christiania, Norway,
Oct. 31, 1861, son of Nels and Nettie (Johnson) Brenengen, who came with
their family to Gale Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., in June, 1880.
Further mention of the parents may be found in biographies of other mem-
bers of the family. Christian N. Brenengen was 18 years of age when
he arrived in America and was unable to speak English. He had begun
industrial life at the age of 14 or 15 years in Norway, where he had worked
in a livery stable for three years. After coming here he found work as
a farm hand at $16 a month, and was thus occupied for years. He then
began working in the woods in the winter time, at logging, and in the
summer was employed on the farm of John McKeeth, his logging operations
being on the Mississippi River. When 26 years of age he married, and at
that time entered the employ of the Iver-Pederson Company, at Ettrick,
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 345
driving a four-horse team for nine years. During all these years he was
saving his money until at last he found himself able to purchase his present
farm. Some time after this he gave up his position with the Iver-Pederson
Company, and, moving onto his farm, began agricultural operations. He
has since made a number of valuable improvements on his place, having a
fine modern residence and two separate water systems, and his barns and
other buildings are substantial and equipped with all necessary appliances.
Mr. Brenengen started farming with about $500 capital and has since made
steady strides in prosperity until he is now one of the well-to-do men of his
township. He has given his whole attention to his farm and is not an office
holder. In politics he is independent. Oct. 26, 1887, he was married to
Julia Olson, who was born in Norway, near Christiania, daughter of Ole
and Johanna (Johnson) Estby, who were natives of the same place. Her
father dying in Norway, her mother came to this country in 1886, residing
first in Galesville and afterwards in Ettrick, in which village she died in
1906. Their daughter Julia was the youngest of three children, and
attended school in Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Brenengen are the parents of 12
children, all born in Trempealeau County, and all of whom are living,
namely: Orron, who married Johanna Paulson and is a farmer residing
near the Brenengen homestead ; Guy, single and residing at home ; Nels,
who married LiUian Madolin and lives in Blair; George, single and living
at home; Arthur, who married Selma Osley and lives near Ettrick; and
Lottie, Amelia, Anna, Norah, Alice, Christ and Joseph, all living at home.
Mr. Brenengen is a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery. He and his family
are members of the Lutheran Synod church.
John W. Jones, an enterprising agriculturist of Gale Township, who is
carrying on general farming and dairying in section 16, was born in Cadiz
Township, Green County, Wis., Nov. 21, 1854. His father, Kinsey Jones,
born in Coshocton County, Ohio, Dec. 31, 1827, was a farmer who located
in Green County, Wis., where he followed his occupation for some years,
or until September, 1855, when he came to Trempealeau County, taking a
farm in Caledonia Township. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary
Shrake, and who was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, April 9, 1833, accom-
panied him, with their son John. After their arrival here a daughter was
born to them, who was the first white girl born in the county. April 17,
1866, Kinsey Jones and family removed to what is now the Herman farm.
Gale Township, which was his last place of residence, as he died there Dec.
22, 1881. He was a steady, reliable citizen, but took no active part in public
affairs, devoting all his time and attention to his farm. His wife survived
him about 25 years, dying at Oberon, N. D., Feb. 30, 1907. They were the
parents of a large family numbering 14 children, of whom John W. was
the second in order of birth.
John W. Jones first attended school in Caledonia Township and after-
wards in Crystal Valley, Gale Township. He resided with his parents until
he was 21 years old, and worked for his father both during that period and
afterward until he was 27. He then purchased 100 acres of land, forming
a part of the farm on which he now lives. There were no improvements
on it at the time, but since then he has increased its size to 240 acres and
346 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
erected all necessary buildings, which are modern in construction and equip-
ment. Besides raising the usual crops, he keeps cattle and hogs and is
doing a good dairy business. Mr. Jones was married July 13, 1877, to Ida
McClary, who was born at New Bedford, Hillsboro County, N. H., daughter
of Daniel and Harriet (Wyman) McClary, her father being a native of the
same place, and her mother of Grasmere, in the same county, boi-n July 8,
1827. Daniel McClary, who was a farmer, came to Gale Township, this
county, in 1856, with his family from Beloit, Wis., where he had resided
about six months. He located on a farm near Galesville, and the bridge
known as McClary bridge was named after him and his family. He and his
wife had six children, of whom their daughter Ida (Mrs. Jones) was the
second born. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are the parents of six children: May,
wife of William Kribs, a carpenter residing in Trempealeau ; Effie, wife of
Hiram Warner, a salesman of Coldwater, Mich. ; Rosie, wife of Earl Hall a
farmer living near Tunnel City, Wis. ; Leonard, Grace and Dean, who are
unmarried and living at home. Mr. Jones is independent in politics, but
has not taken any active part in political matters, preferring to devote his
attention to his farming interests. He and his family are widely known in
this part of the county and have many friends.
Sever J, Brovold, who carried on agriculture successfully for a number
of years in Ettrick Township, and is now living retired on his farm in
section 20, was born in Hardanger, Norway, Feb. 14, 1852. His parents
were John and Christe (Twite) Brovold, natives of the same place, who
came to America in 1866, locating in Beaver Creek Valley, Trempealeau
County, Wis., where John Brovold purchased a tract of unimproved land.
This he cleared and developed into a good farm, on which he spent the
balance of his life, dying in September, 1890. His wife died in March, 1911.
He was a good neighbor and well liked, but was a man who attended to his
own business and took no part in public affairs.
Sever J. Brovold was the second born of five children. He attended
school in Beaver Creek Valley, and assisted his father until he was 21
years old, when the management of the farm came into his hands. Two
years later he bought it and has since operated it on his own account. He
has made many improvements on the place, having put up modern buildings,
and has a full equipment of first-class machinery and implements. The
farm contains 205 acres of highly improved land, and here, though now
retired, Mr. Brovold expects to reside in the future. He is a stockholder in
the Ettrick Creamery Company, in the Bank of Ettrick and in the First
National Bank of Blair. In politics, though not a strict party man, he
usually votes the Republican ticket. For about 16 years he has served
as a member of the school board of his district. July 2, 1875, Mr. Brovold
was united in marriage with Mrs. Martha (Gunderson) Hagestad, daughter
of Torkel and Anna (Rasmussen) Gunderson, natives of Norway, from
which country they came with their family to the United States in 1854,
settling at Lodi, Dane County, where Mr. Gunderson farmed for about five
years. The family then removed to Jackson County, driving overland with
an ox team and settling just across the county line, where Mr. Gundei-son
resumed his farming operations. There both he and his wife died in 1891.
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 347
They left three children, of whom their daughter Martha was the youngest.
She was first married to Ole Hagestad, by whom she had one child, Anna,
now the wife of John Knutson, of Ettrick Township. From her marriage
with Mr. Brovold four children have been born : Josephine, Amelia, Theo-
dore, born Aug. 25, 1885, and Archie J., born March 2, 1894. Josephine and
Amelia are deceased. Theodore resides at home.
Archie J. Brovold, proprietor of the old Brovold homestead in Ettrick
Township, was born March 2, 1894, son of Sever J. Brovold and his wife,
Martha, whose surname was Gunderson. In his boyhood he attended the
Beach District School and subsequently entered the Scandinavia Academy
at Scandinavia, Wis., where he completed the four years' academic course.
In 1915 he was graduated from the agricultural department of the State
University at Madison, after completing the short course. He is now the
owner of the parental homestead and intends to engage more extensively
in the dairy business. He breeds Guernsey cattle, owning a pure-bred sire,
and is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Blair, the Ettrick Cream-
ery Company, the Ettrick Telephone Company, the Scandinavian Insurance
Company, and a member of the Wisconsin Agricultural Experimental Asso-
ciation and the Alfalfa Order.
Archie J. Brovold was married Oct. 12, 1915, to Senie Sexie, daughter
of Lars 0. and Carrie (Bue) Sexie. Her father, who was a native of
Hardanger, Norway, came to America at the age of 17 years, located at
Beaver Creek Valley and engaged in farming, which occupation he still
follows. His wife was born in America. They were the parents of ten
children, of whom Senie was the second in order of birth. She was educated
at the Hegg High School and always remained at home until her marriage.
Samuel Barr, formerly a leading citizen in Trempealeau Township, of
which he was a pioneer settler, was born in Madison County, N. Y., March
28, 1818. While still a single man he came with his brother James, via
the Great Lakes, to Wisconsin. They had intended to land at Milwaukee,
but owing to heavy weather had to go on to Chicago. There they procured
ox teams and proceeded to Fort Atkinson, Wis., overland. James Barr sub-
sequently went to Eau Claire County, Wis., while Samuel bought land in
Walworth County, this State, and then removed to Dodge County, all this
territory lying in the southeastern part of the State. He improved his
land and at the same time worked at his trade of cooper. April 2, 1856, he
was married in Dodge County to Caroline Lilly, who was born Jan. 13, 1830.
in Bingham ton, N. Y., daughter of Henry and Anna (Robinson) Lilly. In
the same year they came to Trempealeau County, Mr. Barr buying 160
acres of wild land, which now forms a part of the present homestead in
Trempealeau Township, sections 28 and 29. To this he later added that
part of the farm now contained in section 32. There were no buildings on
the land at first, and they spent their first winter in a log house with Thomas
Sutcliff, whose place lay just east of their farm, but as soon as possible
Mr. Barr built a frame house of studding, with brick between, sheeted inside
and boarded up and down outside with boards and batten. This house
contained three rooms and an attic, and was superior in construction to
most of the neighboring residences. A barn was also erected by Mr. Barr,
348 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
he and Daniel Bonumn rafting the lumber down Black River for both
buildings. He cleared and fenced his land and in time brought it to a high
state of cultivation. He built other buildings as needed, also the present
residence, a two-story house of 11 rooms, which is a commodious and com-
fortable dwelling. Here he died Oct. 19, 1902, after an active and successful
career, during which he had risen to a prominent place in the community,
serving as supervisor of the township many years, chairman of the board
and clerk of School District No. 9. His wife did not long survive him,
passing away Oct. 24, 1902. They were prominent members of the Trem-
pealeau Baptist church, of which Mr. Barr was a trustee for years, and
every Sunday the family might have been seen driving to and from church
in a lumber wagon — a distance of seven miles. They had a family of
eight children, whose record in brief is as follows: Eliza Idella, born May
10, 1857, who died, an artist of some distinction, March 26, 1901; Emma
Jane, born July 13, 1858, who died in Trempealeau Village, Nov. 6, 1868 ;
Ira Adelbert, born May 27, 1860, who is superintendent of construction for
the General Chemical Company of New York ; Clara Lilly, born Aug. 4, 1861,
who died Feb. 19, 1896 ; Irwin Roscoe, born Sept. 11, 1864 ; Bessie Elsie, born
March 12, 1868, and Ella Lelia, born Sept. 24, 1869, both of whom are living
on the homestead, and Rose May, born Oct. 30, 1871, who died Jan. 25, 1886.
Irwin R. Barr, who operates one of the best farms in Trempealeau
Township — the Barr homestead, in sections 28, 29 and 32 — was born on this
farm Sept. 11, 1864, son of Samuel and Caroline (Lilly) Barr, his parents
having settled here in 1856, the year of their marriage. He attended dis-
trict school regularly until he was 15 years old, and from that time until
he was 17 he was a pupil during the winter in the grade school in Trempea-
leau Village, being employed on the farm in summer. Afterwards he spent
two winters at Gale College. In 1886 he became attached to the carpenter
crew of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway and was engaged in building
depots and in other similar work for two years. During the three following
years he, with his brother Adelbert, followed similar work for the Santa Fe
road, after which, for about three years, he was with the Northwestern
Construction Company of Chicago. He also took part in the construction
of the World's Fair buildings in that city in 1893. In the spring of the
following year he went to Alaska, in which country he spent about five
years. Going first to Edmonton, Alberta, he was employed there in build-
ing river boats, but the firm failing, he, with the other workmen, had to
take an outfit boat and tug for the wages due them. With that he, with the
others of the party, went down Athabaska River, through Athabaska Lake
into Big Slave River, through Slave Lake into the McKenzie River, and
down that river to Fort McPherson, the last post of the Hudson Bay Com-
pany, situated north of the Arctic circle. Then they went up Rat River 65
miles to McDougal Pass through the "Rockies," then through Porcupine
River to Yukon. In December, 1902, Mr. Barr returned from Alaska and
took the management of the old Barr homestead in Trempealeau Township.
He carries on diversified farming and dairying, keeping a good herd of
Shorthorn cows of the dairy type, a large flock of sheep and a good sty of
graded swine. He has built a large and commodious barn, the basement
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 349
being constructed of reinforced concrete, with cement floors. It is equipped
with the "James" outfit, including "B. L. K." milkers. The horse and cow
apartments are divided by a 16-foot driveway. On the floor of the barn are
four grain bins, each of 500 bushels capacity. In connection with the barn
there is also a large silo, and in the basement of the barn a milk separator
run by gasohne power. Both house and barn are provided with running
water. Mr. Barr has also built a machine shed and other necessary build-
ings. In short, it would be hard to find a better equipped farm anywhere in
this vicinity. Although a very busy man, Mr. Barr has found time to assist
in local government affairs, having held the office of town chairman for
several terms and chairman of the county road and bridge committee. He
is always willing to aid in promoting the general interests of the community,
knowing that its advancement along either moral or material lines benefits
each member of it. In politics he is a Republican.
J. C. Button, for many years a distinguished figure in the legal pro-
cedure of western Wisconsin, is now living in retirement in the village of
Trempealeau, at the ripe old age of 84 years. He has known varied expe-
riences, has seen the world in many lands and climes, has taken an active
part in the formation of the policies of several Mississippi valley counties,
and has lived to see his fondest hopes and ambitions realized. High think-
ing and clean living have given him a store of vitality which is still unim-
paired, and the world has brought him a full measure of joy and content-
ment, his only sorrow being the passing away of his friends and relatives
whom the changing years have taken one by one. His ruggedness of health
and staunchness of character are inherited from a long line of worthy fore-
bears. The father, Charles Button, was of Colonial English stock. As a
young man he studied medicine, but never engaged in extensive practice,
choosing rather to spend his life in agricultural pursuits. He was married
in New York State to Cynthia Watson, who was likewise descended from
Colonial stock. From New York they went to Lorain County, Ohio, and
thei-e J. C, the subject of this sketch, was born, June 3, 1830. When he
was an infant they, went to Oakland County, Mich., and settled on the Stony
Creek road, not far from Pontiac. In 1836 they moved to Illinois, and
settled on a farm 12 miles south of Ottawa. From there in 1843 they came
to Green County, Wis., and took up their home eight miles east of Monroe,
the county seat. The father died in 1844 and the mother in 1878. Living
in pioneer communities, and left fatherless at the age of 14 years, young
J. C. had but meager opportunities for schooling, most of his early education
being obtained in a little log schoolhouse. In 1848 he entered the Academic
Department of Beloit College, and was graduated from the Collegiate
Department in 1852. Then he started out for California in search of gold.
The parting with his mother was a pathetic one. Standing hat in hand,
and with his mother's arms about his neck, he promised never to use
profanity, never to indulge in any game of chance, and never to taste or
handle intoxicating drinks of any sort. This promise he has kept to this
day, and to it he attributes his health and happiness. His farewells said,
he joined his party and continued with them as far west as Salt Lake City,
Utah. There he and a friend struck out alone, and located in Salem, Ore.,
350 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
for a time. From there young Button went to Portland, and from there
by ship to San Francisco. After a trip to Sacramento and neighboring
mines, he embarked on a ship which carried him to the west coast of
Panama, where he secured a team which took him to Graytown, on the Gulf
coast. Then, touching at points in Florida and Cuba, he reached New York,
and returned to his home. Desiring to further perfect his education, he
went to Janesville, Wis., and entered the offices of Sleeper & Norton, where
he studied law, and was admitted to the bar. It was in 1858 that he opened
an office in St. Croix Falls, Polk County, Wis., and started housekeeping in
a home which he erected with his own hands. In the fall of 1859 he was
elected to the office of district attorney and moved to Osceola, the county
seat. At the expiration of his term, he moved to Prescott, and entered
into partnership with J. S. White, a partnership which lasted until 1876.
Soon after his arrival in Prescott he was elected district attorney of Pierce
county, a position in which he ably served for a term of two years. Having
been in continuous practice of his profession for 20 years, part of the time
as a public official, Mr. Button determined, in 1877, to take a well-deserved
vacation, traveling in Europe and Asia Minor. Accordingly he set out and
visited in turn England, Scotland, France, Spain, Egypt, the Holy Land,
Turkey, Albania, Greece, Italy, Alsace-Loraine, Germany, Russia, Holland,
Belgium, France, England, Wales and Ireland. Among the many notables
whom he saw may be mentioned Queen Victoria, and it is remarkable that
he attended the funeral of King Victor Emanuel, of Italy, who died Jan. 9,
1878, and of Pope Pius IX, who died in February of the same year. Upon
his return to America, Mr. Button came to Trempealeau County in the fall
of 1878, for the purpose of assisting his brother, S. W. Button. S. W.
Button had been in partnership with Judge Newman, and upon the elevation
of Judge Newman to the district bench found the woi'k too strenuous for
his failing health, and so called his brother J. C. to his assistance, going
himself to the Panhandle country, in Texas, where his health was restored,
after which he took up the practice of his profession in Sparta, Wis.
Accordingly, J. C. Button took up his home permanently in Trempealeau
Village, where he has since resided. For one term he was district attorney
of this county. He is a man of sincere convictions and is highly honored
and respected throughout the community. Mr. Button was married, June
16, 1858, to Charlotte Wheaton, daughter of Cyrus Wheaton, of Green
County, Wis. Mrs. Button died in December, 1890. Their only child,
Charles, died at the age of 4 years and 10 months of age.
Bostwick Beardsley, a pioneer settler of Caledonia Township, now
passed away, was born in Delaware County, N. Y., July 11, 1813. On Dec.
7, 1841, he married Mary Fowler, who was born in East, Pa., Oct. 8, 1820,
their marriage taking place in Racine Couny, Wis., Dec. 7, 1841. In 185-3
they moved to Burlington, Racine County, Wis., and in 1854 came to Trem-
pealeau County, reaching here June 13. Locating in section 29, Caledonia
Township (then Montoville) Mr. Beardsley purchased 300 acres of govern-
ment land, consisting of prairie and "burr oak openings," and two years
later he increased his holdings by buying 200 acres termed by the govern-
ment "swamp land," making 500 acres, all in Caledonia Township. This
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 351
land, of course, was wild and without improvements, and the first residence
of the family here was a one-room log cabin, which he built and in which
they lived until the fall of 1854, when he erected a frame house of one story,
with thvee rooms. During their brief log cabin days the members of the
family, except the father and mother, slept in a covered wagon drawn up
near the shanty. They had at this time six children, who were born in
Racine County: Henry D. and Benjamin P., both of whom died in hospital
while serving as soldiers in the Civil War ; Oscar E. ; Narcissa, who is
deceased ; Lyra Alice, also deceased ; Elam, who is a resident of Caledonia
Township. Their subsequent children, who were all born in Caledonia
Township, were: Huldah, who is the wife of J. 0. Wing (he died in 1915
and she now resides in the State of Washington) ; Otto, who resides on the
old homestead ; Rebecca May, and Mary, who are deceased.
Oscar E. Beardsley, who is operating a good farm in section 29, Cale-
donia Township, was born in Burlington Township, Racine County, Wis.,
June 28, 1845, son of Bostwick and Mary (Fowler) Beardsley. He was in
his ninth year when he came to Trempealeau County, and was brought up on
the homestead, where he acquired a knowledge of farming under pioneer
conditions. When he reached his majority his father gave him 120 acres
of land, 80 acres of which belonged to the original homestead, the other 40
adjoining it. From that time up to the present he has carried on general
farming here and has made great improvements in his property. In 1876,
about ten years after he started agricultural operations on his own account,
he erected his present residence, a brick veneer structure, with brick wing,
the house being one and a half stories high, with seven rooms below and
four above. The other buildings he has put up include a barn, a stone gran-
ary, a stone hog house, with poultry house adjoining, a wood house, a corn
crib, attached to the barn, and a machine shed, all being painted and in
good condition. For the last 15 years Mr. Beardsley's son Ora has managed
the farm for him and built in 1903 in the same yard with his father's house a
substantial brick veneer dwelling of seven rooms. The farm is well stocked
with horses, cows and hogs of good breeds. His cream is shipped to Winona,
Minn. Mr. Beardsley was first married, Dec. 8, 1876, to Lena Olson, of
Trem.pealeau Township, by whom he had two children, Ora, born April 1,
1878, and Clara, born July 4, 1880. Ora, who married Mary Voss, of Cale-
donia Township, has one child, Mildred Lena. Clara is the wife of M. E.
Risinger, of Winona, Minn., and has two living children, Florence and Harold.
Mrs. Lena Beardsley died July 22, 1892, and on Dec. 9, 1895, Mr. Beardsley
married for his second wife Betsy Lewis, of Caledonia Township. Of this
marriage there have been no children. Mr. Beardsley has served one term
as a member of the school board in District 3, but has otherwise taken no
active part in public affairs. He is a stockholder in the Western Wisconsin
Telephone Company and has been a member of Trempealeau Lodge, No. 117,
A. F. & A. M., of Trempealeau, since about 1868. As a good citizen he
takes a keen interest in the progress and development of his township and
county.
Weib Andriesen, who is carrying on general farming and stock raising
on 106 acres of land in section 30, Gale Township, was born in Holland, Jan.
352 HISTOKY OF TREIVIPEALEAU COUNTY
30, 1864, son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Van Buren) Andriesen. His
parents were both natives of Holland, the father being a farmer. Neither
came to America, but both remained and died in their native land.
Weib Andriesen acquired his education in Holland and began working
on farms at the age of 9 years, also helping his father. For 17 months he
served in the standing army of Holland, stationed at Denhaag. After he
was 22 he continued work as a fai'm hand, but kept and saved his earnings
except what he used for living expenses. It was in 1903 that he came to
the United States, locating at once in Trempealeau County, where he had a
brother already settled. After arriving here he rented a farm for three
years in Gale Township, subsequently renting another farm for two years.
Then going to Montana, he bought 120 acres of land, resided there one year
and then sold out, returning to Trempealeau County. Here he purchased
his present farm of 106 acres in section 30, Gale Township, and has made
practically all the improvements on it, having built a modern house, with
a good barn, silo and other necessary buildings. He is engaged in dairy
farming, favoring the Durham breed of cattle, his stock of which he is
gradually increasing. He is also a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing
Company. In addition to the farm he is working he owns another, of 130
acres, near Galesville, on which his son-in-law resides. He now owns from
40 to 50 head of cattle, with horses enough to work his farm, and all neces-
sary implements. Although not yet a naturahzed citizen of the United
States, he has taken the preliminary steps to become one and expects to
enter into the full rights of a citizen in the near future. Mr. Andriesen
was married in May, 1887, to Johannah Fan-Wal, who was born in Holland,
daughter of Henry and Katy (Rondaan) Fan-Wal. Her mother died in
Holland and the father came to America with his daughter and her husband,
Mr. Andriesen, in 1903, and died subsequently in Onalaska, Wis. Mr. and
Mrs. Andriesen are the parents of eight children: Elizabeth, unmarried;
Katie, married William Boersma, they live in La Crosse, Wis., and have two
children, William and Annadean ; Annie, wife of Albert Sandbergen, residing
on Mr. Andriesen's farm of 130 acres, above mentioned, they have one child,
Johannah ; NeUie, unmarried and residing at home, and Ella, Hessie, Johnnie
and Johannah, all living at home. Mr. Andriesen and wife are members of
the Presbyterian church. They are industrious and thrifty people who
have already reached a prosperous condition in life and whose prospects are
bright for the future.
Lars L. Swaim, who for the last 30 years has been engaged in agricul-
tural pursuits on a farm of 300 acres in sections 13, 24 and 14, town 23 north,
range 8 west. Hale Township, was born in Biri, Norway, Nov. 13, 1852. He
is a son of Lars Larson Sveum by his wife Aganetta Larson, both natives of
Norway, the father born in 1824. In 1861 the family emigrated to America,
settling in Coon Valley, Vernon County, Wis., where the mother died in
1863. Lars L. Sveum afterwards continued to reside on his farm, there
until his death, which occurred in 1896. Lars L. Swaim, the direct subject
of this sketch, began working out at the age of 16 years and was thus
employed for some three years. The next two years he spent on the family
homestead, after which he began working in the pineries. Three years
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 353
later he took a homestead in Brookings County, S. D., and was there three
years, from 1878 to 1881. He then resumed work in the pineries and so
continued until 1886, in which year he bought his present farm from Ole
Olson Bates and has since resided on it engaged in its cultivation. The
place is now highly improved and is making a good return for the money
Mr. Swaim invested in it. In 1901 he built his present residence, of two
stories and basement, containing ten rooms, which are heated by furnace
and illuminated with gasohne hghts. The barn was built in 1898, and
measures 48 by 90 by 12 feet, having cement floors and steel stanchions.
The other buildings are a granary, 16 by 28 by 14 feet ; a chicken house, 14
by 28 feet, and a machine shed, 42 by 42 feet. Mr. Swaim keeps Shorthorn
cattle, having 60 head of graded animals, of which he milks 25. He feeds
and ships one carload per year. A good woven wire fence surrounds his
farm. May 8, 1886, Mr. Swaim was united in marriage with Caroline John-
son, of Ettrick Township, this county, but who was born in Norway,
daughter of Eric and Bertha Anderson. He and his wife have had six
children : Arthur, who died at the age of 5 years ; Emil, born Oct. 2, 1888 ;
Lila, born July 15, 1892, who was married, Aug. 28, 1915, to Sigvart Peter-
son, a farmer of Hale Township ; Clarence, born May 8, 1895 ; Esther, born
Sept. 2, 1900, and Lawrence, born Oct. 31, 1902. The three last mentioned,
with Emil, are residing at home with their parents. Aside from his farm
interests, Mr. Swaim was president and treasurer of the Pleasant Valley
Telephone Co., and a stockholder in the Central Trading Association of
Whitehall, and in the Whitehall Hospital. He has served three years as
treasurer of the school board. Affiliated religiously with the Norwegian
Lutheran Church, he holds therein the office of trustee, and it was he who
gave land for the church of that denomination at Pleasantville. He has
always been strict in the fulfilment of his duties as a man and citizen, and he
and his family stand high in the estimation of their fellow townspeople.
Otto Beardsley, a prominent farmer of Caledonia Township, son of Bost-
wick and Mary (Fowler) Beardsley, was born in this township, Feb. 13, 1860.
Otto Beardsley was educated in the District School No. 3, Caledonia Town-
ship, which he attended regularly up to the age of 12 years, and after that
during the winters until he was 18. He assisted his father on the farm
until reaching the age of 18. From that time until his father's death he
rented the farm. It became his property at that time, with the exception
of a tract of 80 acres which the father gave to his son Oscar E. Later Otto
purchased 40 acres from his mother that had been given her by his father,
now 280 acres. The buildings on Mr. Beardsley's farm include a 14-room
frame house of one and a half stories ; a frame barn, 36 by 100 feet, with base-
ment and modern equipment; the other outbuildings include a granary,
poultry house attached to the granary, a corn crib and hog house, with base-
ment, and a machine shed. Mr. Beardsley and his sons are engaged in
general farming, having a herd of good grade cattle and horses and Poland-
China swine. Mr. Beardsley is a stockholder in the Western Wisconsin
Telephone Company. For many years he has been a member of the Inde-
pendent Order of Foresters at Trempealeau, also of Trempealeau Lodge,
No. 117, A. F. & A. M., of Trempealeau, and since 1910 of the Mystic Work-
354 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
ers, of Trempealeau. In politics he is a Republican ; though not especially
active in local affairs, he has served four years as treasurer of Caledonia
Township and as treasurer of School District No. 3 for six years. Mr.
Beardsley's farm is fenced and cross-fenced into 40-acre lots, and includes
120 acres of plow land, 100 acres of pasture land, and 80 acres of timber.
It is watered by two spring brooks and a well 120 feet deep. Oct. 4, 1886,
Mr. Beardsley was united in marriage with Jennie, daughter of August
and Dena (Ehlert) Wagner, of Caledonia Township. He and his wife have
five children: Lester Olna, Henry O., Una May, Archie Lee and Cordelia
D. Lester 0., born April 16, 1888, is now living on the north 80-acre tract
of the old farm, which he owns. He married Elizabeth L. McCartney, of
Caledonia Township, and has two children — Bertha Catherine and Raymond
Otto. Henry 0., born July 9, 1889, resides on the home fai'm, which he is
renting. Una May, born April 14, 1891, who was graduated from the
district school, Trempealeau High School and, in 1912, from Winona Busi-
ness College, is now employed as stenographer in Koch's Vegetable Tea
Company, of Winona, Minn. Archie L., born July 18, 1893, lives on the
home farm, being associated with his father and brother Henry in its opera-
tion. Cordelia D., born June 14, 1899, is residing at home. Mr. Beardsley
and his family attend the Congregational church at Trempealeau, though
he is not a member. As a farmer he has been successful, and the Beardsley
family in general have contributed their full share to the agricultural devel-
opment of Caledonia Township.
Lars K. Underheim, one of the leading merchants in the southern part
of Trempealeau county, proprietor of a general store at Hegg, Ettrick Town-
ship, was born in Norway, Dec. 10, 1878, son of Knut L. and Margretha
(Sunde) Underheim. It was in 1882 that the family came to the United
States, settling first in Roland, Iowa, where Knut L. Underheim, who was
a carpenter, followed his trade for one season. He then removed with his
family to Jackson County, Wis., where he was not only engaged in carpenter
work for many years, but also bought land and became a farmer. In the
spring of 1916 he moved to Trempealeau County and has sold his farm, but
still works at his old trade. In Jackson County he served as treasurer of
his township for five years and as assessor for four years and was a man
highly regarded for his industry, honesty and other personal characteristics.
Lars K. Underheim, who was the second born of his parents' children,
attended school in Frankhn Township, Jackson County, after which, under
his father's direction, he acquired a knowledge of the carpenter's trade,
and at the age of 16 or 17 was working with his father as a journeyman in
Jackson County. After this association had lasted eight years he came
to his present location at Hegg, in Ettrick Township, as manager of. the
store of A. Anderson, who resided at Blair. He continued with Mr. Ander-
son for four years, at the end of which time the business was sold to A. B.
Pederson, and for two years subsequently Mr. Underheim conducted the
store for the new owner. At the end of that time he bought out the busi-
ness, with the stock and buildihgs and has since conducted it on a profitable
basis, keeping a complete line of general merchandise, including groceries
and country produce, and is drawing patronage from a wide extent of rich
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 355
surrounding territory. He has also other financial interests, being a stock-
holder in the Bank of Ettrick, the Home Bank of Blair, the Blair Farmers'
Exchange, the Ettrick Telephone Company, the Ettrick Creamery Company
and the Ettrick Lumber Company, besides being half owner of a valuable
farm, known as the K. S. Knutson farm. Mr. Underheim has shown good
business foresight in the conduct of his business, being careful to give first-
class service and make his prices as low as can be found in any of the sur-
rounding towns, and as his store is conveniently situated, it is patronized by
many farmers to save making longer trips to other places.
June 27, 1906, Mr. Underheim was united in marriage with Josephine
Olson, who was born on the Olson homestead at Beaver Creek, this county,
daughter of Anve and Kari (Gunderson) Olson, who were natives of Norway.
Anve Olson was one of the early settlers of Trempealeau County, breaking
land and spending many years in developing a good farm. During the last
10 months of the Civil War he served as a private in Company E, Thirty-
second Wisconsin Infantry, and while in the service received a gunshot
wound. He survived that great struggle for half a century, however, dying
in the fall of 1915, having lived retired for some 12 years previous to his
death. His wife is still living and is a resident of Ettrick. Their daughter.
Josephine (Mrs. Underheim) was among the younger members of a family
of nine children and was educated in Trempealeau County. Three children
have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Underheim : Margaret Cornelia, who died
in infancy; Caspar Arnold, born January 21, 1912, and Margaret Louise,
born Oct. 1, 1914. The family are memb(;rs of the United Lutheran church.
Mr. Underheim, who is in politics a Repubhcan, has served one year as
treasurer of the school district and has held the same office in his church
for three years. He is a director in the Bank of Ettrick and for five years
has been a notary public.
Clif Ford, who in company with his brother-in-law, George G. Gibbs,
is engaged in the implement business in Trempealeau Village, was born in
this village Sept. 9, 1868, son of Alfred P. and Lizzie D. (Heald) Ford. His
education was acquired in the graded school of Trempealeau, which he left
at the age of 16 years, after passing the grades, in order to learn the
printer's trade in a local office. After working at that trade for five years
in the village, he went to La Crosse, Wis., where he was employed for two
years on the Daily Chronicle. At the age of 23 he entered the employ of
the Chicago, BurUngton & Northern Railroad as bridge builder and was
thus occupied until the spring of 1900. In the meanwhile, April 5, 1891, he
had married Jessie J. Gibbs, daughter of 0. E. and Louise (Grant) Gibbs,
at Trempealeau Village. In the year 1900 he went to South Dakota, to the
farm of his father-in-law, 0. E. Gibbs, near Arlington, on which he resided
four seasons. He had already homesteaded a tract of 160 acres of land
near Pierre, S. D., on which he lived eight months to meet the requirements
of the law. This land he subsequently sold without improving it. In the
fall of 1904 Mr. Ford went to Sioux Falls, S. D., and worked for Sherman &
Bratager, a transfer house handling farm machinery. Here he did general
work, both as clerk and in the shipping department, remaining until the
following year. He then returned to Trempealeau Village and was unem-
356 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
ployed until the spring of 1906, when he again entered the service of the
Burlington Railroad as bridge builder, remaining with them until October,
1913. He then engaged in his present business in Trempealeau Village, in
which he is meeting with good success. Aside from this he is a stockholder
in the Trempealeau Lime Products Company, and has also subscribed for
stock in the proposed creamery. In pohtics he is a Republican, but has
held no political office. His fraternal affiliations are with Lodge No. 2813,
Modern Woodmen of America, of which he is clerk at the present time.
Reared a Baptist in religion, he supports church work, but is not a member
of any religious body. He and his wife have had five children: Arthur
Neil, born May 25, 1892, at Trempealeau, who is unmarried, and is engaged
in the auto repair business at Omaha, Neb. ; Harold George, born in Novem-
ber, 1894, also at Trempealeau Village, who is unmarried, and a civil engi-
neer by profession ; Edith, born at Ai-hngton, S. D., in 1901, who is attending
the Trempealeau Village school ; a child that died in infancy, and Jessie, born
July 10, 1909, at Trempealeau, who is attending school in the village.
Mrs. Lizzie D. Ford, now living retired in the village of Trempealeau,
Wis., of which she is a highly respected resident, was born in Norridgwock,
Maine, Nov. 13, 1841, daughter of William and Esther (Cutler) Heald. The
pai'ents were married, Dec. 29, 1840, at Farmington, Maine, where they
resided for some years subsequently, the house in which they lived being
still standing. William Heald was born Sept. 24, 1816. He was of a roving
disposition and finally came west to Trempealeau County, Wis., settling in
Trempealeau Village, where he died Oct. 6, 1896, at the age of 80 years and
12 days. For the last 18 years of his life he was blind. His wife Esther
was born Nov. 24, 1814, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ford, in
Trempealeau Village, Dec. 6, 1890. She was a charter member of the
Trempealeau Congregational church. To William and Esther Heald wei-e
born two children: William E., Oct. 15, 1846, and Lizzie D., the date of
whose nativity has been given above. William E. Heald was a fanner all
his active life and died Jan. 4, 1916, at Mendota, Wis., leaving a wife and
one daughter, Gertrude, who is now living in Trempealeau Village. Lizzie
D. Heald acquired a good education and in early womanhood taught seven
terms of school in Trempealeau County. She was married, April 4, 1866,
to Alfred P. Ford, of Trempealeau, the marriage taking place at Galesville,
Wis. Mr. Ford was a native of New Hampshire, born at Haverhill, that
State, Aug. 27, 1829. At the age of 26 years, in 1855, he came West, settling
in Trempealeau Village, this county. For many years he served as county
surveyor of Trempealeau County. In 1857 he built the residence to which
after marriage he took his bride. From 1876 to 1883, the year of his death.
he was engaged in the furniture business in Trempealeau, after which Mrs.
Ford carried it on for several years, but finding the care of her family and
the management of the business together too much for her powers, she sold
the business to her son Clif and has since lived retired. She has four
children: Clif, Fred C, Nora and William, all of whom are living but
William, who died at Arlington, S. D. Fred, Mrs. Ford's second son, mar-
ried Mabel Graves, of Trempealeau Village, and has six children : Lester,
Ruth, Lynn and Lytle (twins), Fred, Jr., and Charles H., all of whom are
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 357
living. Nora, Mrs. Ford's only daughter, married Thomas Growt, of Trem-
pealeau Village, and has one child, William, who is now a student. Mrs.
Ford, though not a member of any church, is greatly interested in church
work, in which she gives active aid and assistance, her closest affiliations
being with the Methodist Episcopal church.
George A. Trim, who is engaged in farming in section 35, Trempealeau
Township, was born in this township, in section 34, Aug. 2, 1866, son of
William and Martha R. (Robinson) Trim. He remained with his parents
until his marriage, and as a boy acquired his education in the common school
of District No. 3. Dec. 3, 1891, he was married at the home of his wife's
parents, by the Rev. E. Trimm, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church,
of Necedah, Wis., to Alta, daughter of Nephi and Elma Nichols, of Trempea-
leau Township. Immediately after his marriage he moved with his bride to
his present home in section 35, which was his father's old homestead, and
began farming on his own account. April 2, 1900, Mr. Trim's first wife
died. She had been the mother of five children: Lulu, born Nov. 7, 1892,
who is unmarried and is living with her sister, Mrs. Nichols, in section 34 ;
Willard, born Jan. 6, 1894, who is married and is a traveling salesman, resid-
ing in Chicago ; Harry, born Feb. 29, 1896, who is unmarried and is living at
Galesville, Wis., where he is occupied as a grocery clerk; Edward, born
March 5, 1898, who is a carpenter residing at home, and Albert, born March
22, 1890, who died in infancy. Oct. 23, 1901, Mr. Trim married his second
wife. Marie Baumgardt, of Fountain City, BulTalo County, Wis., their
wedding taking place in the German Lutheran church of Winona, Minn.,
presided over by the Rev. Mr. Von Rohr. The children of this marriage are :
Grace, born Dec. 31, 1902 ; Earle, born July 3, 1905 ; and Archie, born March
7, 1909, all residing at home. Mr. Trim is engaged in general farming and
dairying, keeping 20 grade Shorthorn cows and about 50 head of Poland-
China hogs. His farm contains 302 acres, of which 170 acres are plowed
land and the balance in pasture and timber. He has also a large apple
orchard of well-selected varieties. In 1915 he remodeled the house, which
is now a two-story, 12-room frame residence, with bath, laundry, hot and
cold water, and general modern equipment. His father's original residence
is still standing on the farm, a one and a half story upright, with wing
— a frame building — built over 50 years ago, and now occupied by his family
of hired help. The outbuildings include a barn, 40 by 120 feet, with a
poultry house attached ; a buggy shed, and cattle shed, 24 by 100 feet. The
barn was built in 1885 and in 1906 was remodeled and enlarged. There is
a sheep shed with barn attached, on stone basement ; a hay barn attached,
a horse barn, built in 1887, a granary with hay loft overhead, a milk and ice
house combined and a concrete silo, all the buildings being well painted and
in good shape. Mr. Trim's farm is known as Hillhurst Dairy and is an
excellent example of the up-to-date dairy farm of this region. Mr. Trim is a
stockholder in the Exchange Elevator at Galesville, and in the Farmers'
Co-Operative Packing Company, of La Crosse, Wis. Since 1898 he has been
a member of Lodge No. 2977, M. W. A., of Galesville, and since 1902 of the
Mystic Workers' Lodge at Trempealeau. He has been treasurer of School
District No. 3 for the past 15 years, but in politics is independent.
358 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
James Irvine, for many years a prominent citizen of Trempealeau
County, was born in Maryland, in 1853, and early determined to devote his
life to farm pursuits. When a mere lad he accompanied his parents to this
county, and here grew to manhood. As soon as he was able he acquired land
and was soon numbered in the ranks of the successful agriculturists of the
county. At different times he owned and operated various farms here until
the spring of 1911, when he moved to the vicinity of Bowman, S. D., and
engaged in farming and stock raising there. While living in Gale Township
he served a number of years as township treasurer and as a member of the
school board. His wife, Agnes Dick, was the first white child born at
Decorah Prairie. Mr. and Mrs. Irvine were the parents of five children:
John Quinton, Nellie (deceased) , WilUam Walter, Myrtle Beatrice and Rose
Irene.
John Quinton Irvine. The name of Irvine is familiar to those ac-
quainted with the agricultural development of Trempealeau County, as for
many years members of the family have been engaged here in the tilling of
the soil, in stock raising, or kindred occupations. The subject of this sketch
was born at Decorah Prairie, in Gale Township, Sept. 7, 1877, oldest of the
five children of James and Agnes (Dick) Irvine. In his boyhood he attended
the district school at Decorah Prairie, there acquiring the elements of
knowledge before settling down to the more serious business of life. His
first 25 years were spent on the parental homestead as his father's assistant,
and he then came to his present farm in section 23, which contains 160 acres,
and on which he has made practically all the improvements. His buildings
are modern and well constructed and he has an ample supply of tools and
implements for both general and dairy farming, to which he devotes all his
time.
June 4, 1902, Mr. Irvine was united in marriage with Tillie Olson, who
was born in Pickwick, Minn., fifth of the eleven children of Thomas and
Sarah Olson. The other children were Mattie (deceased) , Rena, Oluf , Ida,
Tommy, Hannah, Helmer, Eddie, Hilda and an unnamed infant. The
parents, who were born in Norway, came to Minnesota at an early date and
are still residing in the vicinity of Pickwick. Mr. and Mrs. Irvine have had
two children. The first born died in infancy. The other, Thomas James,
born Dec. 16, 1904, is attending school. Mr. and Mrs. Irvine are members
of the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a Republican.
Almon Everett Cram, who is engaged in raising fruit and nursery stock
on his farm of 72 acres in section 34, Gale Township, was born near Belfast,
Maine, March 27, 1856. His parents, Nathan and Esther (Bucklin) Cram,
were also natives of that State. The family came to Wisconsin in 1860,
locating about three miles west of Galesville. While the Civil War was
in progress Nathan Cram enlisted in Company J, Thirty-sixth Wisconsin
Regiment, and was killed in the battle of Cold Harbor. He had followed
the occupations of miner and farmer. His wife survived him nearly half
a century, dying about 1910. They had four children, of whom Almon E.
was the eldest.
Almon Everett Cram was a child of 4 years when he accompanied his
parents to Trempealeau County, and his earliest boyhood recollections are
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 359
associated with pioneer conditions. The Indians were numerous, but nevei
gave them any trouble, and when he grew older he kept on good terms with
them, avoiding them as much as possible without the appearance of doing
so, but always treating them in a just and friendly manner when he had
occasion to meet them. The woods in those days were full of game. Deer
could be shot at almost any time on the bluffs, and bears were not uncom-
mon. As for pigeons, they were so numerous as to be a serious pest to
the farmers, eating the grain as fast as it could be sown. When 16 years
old young Almon began to work out for others and continued to do so until
he was 22, when he bought land and began farming for himself in Stearns
Valley, Trempealeau County. About 1879 he took up his residence in
Galesville, where he resided for 12 years, engaged in teaming. He then,
in 1891, began operations on his present farm, which he had previously
purchased, making a specialty of the fruit and nursery business, in which
he has been successful. He was a charter member of the first fire company
in Galesville and for three years has served as president of the Burns
Curling Association. Mr. Cram was married in 1876 to Isabelle Gunderson,
who was born in Norway, daughter of Michael and Betsy Gunderson. She
came to America with her parents when a child of 7 or 8 years, they settling
in Bear Creek Valley on a homestead five miles north of Ettrick. After
residing there a number of years they moved across the river into Minne-
sota, near Bear Park, where Mrs. Gunderson is now living, her husband
being deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Cram have had seven children, one of whom
died in infancy. The others are : Blanche, wife of Thomas Hunter, a hard-
ware merchant of Galesville; Lela, wife of Harry Bennett, a farmer of
Centerville, Wis. ; Ray, who married Eunice Tucker, and resides in Gales-
ville ; Mabel, wife of Milton Merwin, a farmer of Centerville ; and John and
Vilas, who reside at home and are assisting their father in operating the
farm. Mr. Cram is a Democrat in politics, but has taken no active part
in local government affairs. He is warmly interested, however, in the
progress and development of the community in which he lives, and always
ready to aid in advancing its interests.
M. N. Hammer, proprietor of Fair View Farm, in section 17, Gale Town-
ship, was born in Hedemarken, Norway, son of Nels Burson and Thrine
Hammer. His parents, who died in their native land, were born in the
same province, the father Nov. 22, 1820, and the mother Jan. 12, 1817.
M. N. Hammer attended school in Norway until he was 17 years of age,
when he began to learn the moulder's trade, which he followed for some
four years or more, in Norway, and for seven years in the United States,
to which country he came in 1881. He located first in Frenchville, Trempea-
leau County, and then went to Clay County, Minn., where he took up land
and resided three years, subsequently i-eturning to this county and settling
in Galesville. For some years thereafter, however, he worked in various
places, and then bought his present farm, but in the same year, 1891, began
working in the flour mill of Wilson Davis at Galesville. He continued to
work in the mill for 16 years, at the end of which time he moved onto his
farm of 40 acres, where he has since been engaged in breeding Jersey and
Holstein cattle. He has made a number of improvements on the place,
360 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
greatly increasing its value, and is doing a profitable business. He is also
a stockholder in the Arctic Springs Creamery. For a number of years
he has served as superintendent of roads. In politics he is a Republican.
Mr. Hammer was married May 28, 1882, to Marthea Larson, daughter
of Lars Keos and Alice Sather, who was born March 24, 1853, in the same
province in Norway that the Hammer family came from. Her parents
died in their native land. He and his wife have had five children : Nels N.,
residing at home and engaged in the lightning rod business ; he married
Josephine Brenengen ; John M., who is connected with the J. I. Chase Com-
pany, of Racine, Wis. ; Elmer and Alice, residing at home, and Thorval, who
is deceased. Mr. Hammer is fraternally connected with the I. S. W. A., of
Galesville. The family are members of the Lutheran church.
Thomas W. Bibby, who is engaged in agriculture in sections 22 and 26,
Gale Township, was born on his present farm, Nov. 7, 1869, son of Joshua
and Jane (Allan) Bibby, who were natives of Scotland. Joshua Bibby was
born at Airdrie, Scotland, Aug. 5, 1838, and his wife in Lanarkshire, Jan.
22, 1840. After marrying in their native land, they came to America in
1859, settling in Gale Township, this county, and soon afterwards locating
on the farm now owned by their son Thomas, which, however, then con-
tained but 100 acres of land. Here Joshua Bibby died May 15, 1889. having
made fair progress in the development and cultivation of his farm. His
wife survived him nearly nine years, passing away Jan. 9, 1898. They had
a family of 11 children, born in the following order: Janet (1), Janet (2),
Margaret Allan, Jemima, Thomas W., Alexander, Mary Fauls, Agnes Janet,
Ruth Ora, Joshua and Ross. All are now deceased except Thomas W., and
his sister Jemima, who resides with him. Thomas W. Bibby attended
school at Glasgow, Gale Township. When he was 20 years old his fathei
died and he took charge of the estate and has since resided on it, carrying
on general farming and dairying. The farm now contains 240 acres, and
is well provided with good buildings and all necessary equipment, Mr.
Bibby having made many improvements on it since his father's death. He
is also a stockholder in the Arctic Springs Creamery and the Independent
Harvester Company of Piano, 111., also in a company operating a thresh-
ing machine. In politics he is an independent Democrat, but has not par-
ticipated in local government affairs. He and his sister Jemima attend
North Bend Presbyterian Church. The latter was also educated in the
Glasgow school, and afterwards attended Trempealeau high school and
Gale University. She presides over the domestic arrangements of the farm
and she and her brother are popular members of the community of Gale
Township, and for ten years was a proficient teacher in the rural schools
in Trempealeau County, teaching mostly in her own district, where she
attended when a girl.
Thomas Bibby, a prosperous citizen of Galesville, who is engaged in
market gardening and chicken raising, is a native son of this county, born
at Glasgow, Oct. 10, 1858. His parents were John and Mary (McMillan)
Bibby, both born in Scotland, the father Aug. 15, 1832, the mother a year
or two previously. John Bibby came to the United States in 1853, settling
in Maryland. Later he removed to Kentucky and from there to Ohio,
MR. AND MRS. JOSHUA BIBBY
3
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 361
subsequently returning to Maryland, and was there married. In 1856
they came to Trempealeau County, where Mr. Bibby was engaged in farm-
ing until his death in February, 1912, his farm being located nine miles
northeast of Galesville. He had been a widower for some 14 years, his
wife having died in September, 1898. He was a man of prominence in
the township, and at different times held local office. Thomas Bibby was
the second born in a family of six children. His education was begun in
the old Glasgow schoolhouse of his father's farm and he subsequently was
a student for three terms in Gale University. He began assisting his
father on the farm when 14 years of age, and the management came into
his hands a few years later, on account of the father's health failing.
When 30 years old he and his brother James rented the farm and operated
it on their account for three years. He then purchased a farm adjoining
the old home on the north, which he operated eight years. Then selling
this farm, he moved to Galesville and two years later — 1904 — purchased
the place where he now resides, although he did not move onto it until
1909. This is a tract consisting of 12 lots, all inside the city limits, and
here Mr. Bibby devotes his time to truck farming, raising vegetables and
similar produce, finding a ready market in Galesville. He also keeps about
60 White Leghorn chickens, to which he devotes most of his time in the
winter. In politics Mr. Bibby is a Prohibitionist. He has served as village
treasurer two years and in 1916 was a candidate for county treasurer. He
is a member of the Presbyterian Church and of the order of Beavers.
Mr. Bibby was married June 16, 1893, to Anna Pryse, who was born in
New London, Ohio, daughter of James M. and Mary (Morgan) Pryse, who
were natives of Wales. Her father came to America when a child, his
family settling near Palmyra, Ohio. He became a Presbyterian minister
and came to Wisconsin about the time the Civil War broke out, or pre-
viously. From this state he went to Lawrence, Kansas, where he was living
at the time that place was attacked and raided by the notorious rebel
guerrilla Quanti'el. Later he returned to Wisconsin and made his home
at North Bend, where his death occurred, he having been active in church
work until the last. His wife, who subsequently made her home with her
son-in-law, Thomas Bibby, died Nov. 7, 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Bibby became
the parents of two children: Gwynifred Jane and Mary Edna, both of
whom are students at Carroll College, Waukesha, Wis. Mrs. Thomas Bibby
died July 14, 1900.
John M. Bibby, who has a highly improved farm of 160 acres in sec-
tion 20, Gale township, where he is successfully carrying on dairying and
stock raising, was born in the locality now known as Glasgow, May 8, 1860,
son of John and Mary (McMillan) Bibby. His parents were natives of
Scotland, the father coming to the United States in 1853, when 21 years
of age, and settling in Maryland, where he was mari-ied. Subsequently he
and his wife removed to Kentucky and from there to Ohio, after returning
to Maryland. They settled in Trempealeau County in 1856, locating nine
miles northeast of Galesville. Here John Bibby died in February, 1912.
His wife died in September, 1898. John M. Bibby in his boyhood attended
the school at Glasgow, this county. He remained at home until he was 22
362 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
years of age. He was married Nov. 24, 1884, to Louise Emerson, who was
born at French Creek, Trempealeau County, Wis., daughter of Henry and
Mary (Gilbertson) Emerson. Her parents were natives of Norway, who
came to this country in the early fifties, locating at Lewis Valley, La Crosse
County. In 1868 Henry Emerson engaged in farming at North Bend,
Jackson County, until his death, March 13, 1911. His wife died May 2,
1917, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. M. Bibby. They had six chil-
dren, of whom their daughter Louise was the eldest. When he was 22
years old Mr. Bibby began working for his future father-in-law, Mr. Emer-
son, and was thus engaged for 18 months. Subsequently for two years he
was employed in hauling cream to the creamery at Galesville. He then
went into the creamery as a butter maker, and was manager of the estab-
lishment, now known as the Arctic Springs Creamery, until Jan. 15, 1915,
his period of service being little short of 25 years. Subsequently to 1902
his family resided on his present farm, which he had previously purchased.
Here he is now engaged in breeding Holstein cattle, milking 18 cows and
having 20 head of young Holsteins. He is also a stockholder in the creamery
and in the Farmers Co-operative Packing Company at La Crosse. Mr.
Bibby was so long in the creamery that, since going back to his land, he
says he has had to learn farming over again. He has made some important
improvements on his place, one of the most recent being a fine barn, 72
by 40 feet in dimensions. He has also a good residence and other necessary
buildings, all in good condition. While residing in Galesville he served on
the village board. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church.
In politics Mr. Bibby is a Republican. His fraternal afliliations are with
the Beavers and Yeomen. Mr. and Mrs. Bibby are the parents of six
children : Dwight H., residing at home ; Irwin J., who married Ruth Erwin
of South Dakota, and for four years was a teacher in the State Agricultural
College of Pennsylvania. He is now in the employ of the government,
manufacturing cheese from the byproducts of the creamery, such as whey
and buttermilk. Harold F., who married Ida Alstrom and is employed in
the creamery at Centerville; Joseph W., Mary V. and Mildred L., who are
residing at home.
Odell Hanson, a general farmer in sections 26-27, Gale Township,
where he has 295 acres of land, was born in this township, March 14, 1881,
son of Ole P. and Carrie (Peterson) Hanson. His parents were natives of
Norway, the father born in Krageru, March 13, 1843, and the mother in
Biri, Oct. 3, 1851. Their marriage took place in this country. Ole P.
Hanson came to the United States during the Civil War and settled in
Wisconsin. For a number of years he worked in a saw mill near Black
River Falls. At the time of his marriage, about 1876, he located on a farm
on Hardie's Creek, Gale Township, Trempealeau County, where his son
Hans now hves and with whom Mr. and Mrs. Hanson now reside.
Odell Hanson was the fourth born of his parents' eight children. He
attended the Grant school in his boyhood and began working out for others
at the age of 16 years and was thus occupied for about nine years. For
one year he was engaged in hauling cream, after which he farmed for
seven years. At the end of that time he bought his present farm, which
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HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 363
was known as the old Hardie farm, and on which he raises most of the
crops cultivated in this section. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers'
Exchange and the La Crosse Packing Company. Nov. 7, 1910, Mr. Hanson
was married to Clara Anderson, who was born in Long Coolie, La Crosse
County, Wis., daughter of Anton and Agnes (Evenson) Anderson. Her
parents, natives of Norway, came to this country in 1880, locating on
Beaver Creek, Ettrick Township, this county, where Mr. Anderson engaged
in farming and where he still lives. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson have three chil-
dren : Elmer Oscar, Kelmer Alton and Clinton, all residing at home. The
family are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Hanson is
independent.
John Hunter, who is successfully engaged in farming in section 35,
Gale Township, was born on the farm of his parents at Decorah Prairie,
which adjoins his present farm, April 4, 1871. John Hunter was educated
in the district school at Decorah Prairie. He resided with his parents,
assisting on the home farm, until he was about 27 years old and then went
to Nebraska, where he engaged in farming and stock raising, remaining
four years. He then sold out his interests there and returned to Trem-
pealeau County. In 1908 he purchased his present farm and has since
been engaged here in general farming. He has made practically all the
improvements on his place ; his farm is fertile, giving good yields of the
ordinary crops, and his buildings are in good condition. He is also a stock-
holder in the La Crosse Packing Company. Mr. Hunter was married,
Dec. 21, 1898, to Effie Bidwell, who was born in Easton, Adams County,
Wis., daughter of Jacob and Julia (Vanhooser) Bidwell. Her father, who
was born Nov. 15, 1845, in Easton, Adams County, N. Y., was a soldier in
the Civil War, going to the front as a member of Company K, 38th Wis-
consin Volunteers. At the end of his military service he settled at Easton,
Wis., and engaged in farming until some time before his death, which took
place in 1884. His wife died Nov. 16, 1913, at the home of her daughter,
Mrs. John Hunter, where her last years were spent. They had six children,
of whom their daughter Effie was the third born. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter
have two children : Maud Arleen, born Oct. 29, 1904, and Edith Margaret,
born July 5, 1907, both of whom reside at home. In politics Mr. Hunter
is independent. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hunter are members of the Order of
Beavers.
Levi L. Odell, a well to do citizen of Galesville, who is now living
retired after a long and active career, which included military service in
the Civil War, was born in Elizabethtown, Essex County, N. Y., Dec. 18,
1833, son of R. F. and Harriett (Lobdell) Odell. His parents were natives
of New York state, the father being a son of Robert Odell, also a native of
New York state, whose father, also named Robert, was born in Scotland
and after coming to America took part in the Revolutionary War, as a
member of the Continental army, which he joined from the colony at
Albany, N. Y. Robert Odell. second, the grandfather of the subject of
this sketch, fought against Great Britain in the War of 1812. R. F. Odell,
father of Levi, late in life migrated westward with his family, settling
in Black Hawk County, Iowa, where he lived retired until his death. He
364 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
and his wife were the parents of six children, of whom Levi L. was the
third born. Levi L. Odell attended school for a limited period in Elizabeth-
town, N. Y. He resided at home until he was 21 years old, working in his
father's iron business from the age of 14. On coming of age he began
teaching school, receiving a salary of $16 a month, which was the highest
paid in the county. He then went into a forwarding house in Westport,
New York, handling expressage and doing similar work for eight months.
He then came to Chicago, and, starting Dec. 1, 1854, drove from that city
to Green Bay, Wis., passing through Milwaukee. After arriving there he
worked in the pineries around Green Bay and in Marinette County until
September, 1861, when he enlisted in Company F, 12th Wisconsin Volun-
teer Infantry, as a private, being one of 68 men who enlisted the same
night. Mr. Odell was elected first lieutenant and for three years had com-
mand of the company's drill. He was never wounded or confined to the
hospital, and up to the time of the surrender of Vicksburg had never been
off duty. Mr. Odell continued his military career until December, 1864,
when he was mustered out at Madison, Wis. His brother had purchased
a farm for him near Galesville, Trempealeau County, and this he resided
on from 1865 to 1889, engaged in agriculture. He was then appointed
postmaster of Galesville and moved into the village, serving in the office
until President Cleveland's second administration, when that administra-
tion going out he was superseded. Four years later, however, he was
reappointed and served three terms longer. He has a comfortable home
in Galesville, and still owns his farm of 160 acres. He belongs to the
Grand Army of the Republic and has been a delegate to the Encampment.
In early life Mr. Odell was a Whig, but later became a Republican, which
he has since remained. He and his wife are the parents of one child:
Harlan B., who is a railroad contractor, doing an extensive business in
Ohio. He married Josie Bryant, and they have three children : Harlan W.,
Aulis L. and Robert E.
Thomas R. Hunter, one of the pioneers of Trempealeau County, who
came here more than 60 years ago, was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland,
about eight miles from the city of Glasgow, Nov. 26, 1836, son of John
and Agnes (Ferguson) Hunter, his parents being natives of the same
locality. In 1842 John Hunter came alone to the United States, his family
following in 1848. For about a year he operated a mine at Bloomsberg,
Pa., then moved to Clinton County, Pa., and from there to Maryland, where
he remained about 18 months. In the summer of 1853 he came to Wis-
consin, locating in La Crosse County, where he remained about six weeks.
He then came to Decorah Prairie, near Galesville, Trempealeau County,
which locality was then, however, a part of La Crosse County. In the fol-
lowing year Trempealeau County was organized and John Hunter became
the first treasurer of Gale Township. He had obtained land, which he set
to work to develop and improve, and was thus engaged when his death
occurred in 1864. He and his wife were the parents of ten childi-en, of
whom the youngest and the only one now living is Thomas Russell, the
subject of this sketch.
Thomas R. Hunter was a lad of 17 years when he accompanied his
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 365
parents to Trempealeau County. He assisted his father on the farm until
the latter's death and then became its owner, his father leaving it to him
by will. Here he has since resided, carrying on general farming. He has
180 acres of highly improved land, all a part of the original homestead,
which is now operated by his youngest son Robert. The nearest trading
point when he came to this farm was La Crosse. The Indians frequently
came to the vicinity, but never molested him. In fact he had some warm
friends among them, frequently gave them shelter over night and was
thanked by them for his favors. Mr. Hunter was the instigator and prime
mover in having the bridge across Black River constructed, on the main
Galesville-La Crosse road, this improvement being accomplished in 1895.
It is known as "Hunter's bridge," this name being given to it by the
La Crosse County board. When a young man living in the state of Mary-
land, Mr. Hunter was a member of the denomination known as Bible Chris-
tians. He has never joined any church in Trempealeau County, but for
over 50 years has been connected with the Sunday school at Decorah
Prairie. In politics he is independent. He was township chairman two
years and was two years a member of the side board. Thomas R. Hunter
was married Oct. 31, 1862, to Agnes Grant, who was born in Lanarkshire,
Scotland, May 28, 1842. When a child of six years she accompanied her
parents to the United States, the family settling on Big Sandy River in
Kentucky. After residing there until 1855 or 1856 they came to Wisconsin,
traveling by rail to Prairie du Chien, from there by boat to Trempealeau,
and by team to Gale Township. Here Mr. Grant bought land and engaged
in farming. He died on his homestead about 1871 and his wife about 1877.
They had four children, of whom their daughter Agnes was second in order
of birth. Thomas Hunter and wife have 11 children: Walter, residing
on an adjoining farm, who married Jeanette Oliver of Gale Township and
has eight children : Elizabeth, wife of Andrew McCall, a farmer and exten-
sive land owner in Rock Island County, 111., who has three children; Agnes,
residing with her parents; Thomas, a resident of Galesville; John, living
on an adjoining farm, who married Effie Bidwell, and has two children;
Ellen, wife of Henry Shoffell, a farmer in Nebraska; Ruth, wife of Fred
Docken, a farmer and ranchman in Montana; Mae, residing with her
parents; Jennie, wife of Talmadge Vicery, a lumber dealer of Sheridan,
Wyoming; Isabelle, residing at home, and Robert, who is operating the
home farm.
Walter Hermann, a well known farmer in sections 27 and 28, Gale
Township, was born in La Crosse County, Wis., July 8, 1884, son of Jacob
and Augusta (Yootic) Hermann. The parents were natives of Germany,
who came to the United States when children, the family of Jacob Hermann
setthng at Smith's Cooley in La Crosse County. Wis., where he later engaged
in farming. He continued there until 1908, when he retired and took up
his residence in the city of La Crosse. He and his wife celebrated their
golden wedding there in the fall of 1915. Of their family of nine children
their son Walter was the youngest. Walter Hermann when a boy attended
district school in Smith's Cooley, La Crosse County. He assisted his
father until his marriage, and then located on his present farm in Gale
366 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Township, which consists of 160 acres of highly cultivated land. Here he
is engaged in general farming and dairying, also in raising pure-bred
Guernsey cattle, his other live stock including hogs and horses. He is also
a stockholder in a threshing outfit owned in the vicinity. Mr. Hermann
was married, March 24, 1909, to Minnie Beyer, who was born in Smith
Cooley, La Crosse County, July 7, 1883, daughter of August and Minnie
(Hoffman) Beyer. Her parents were natives of Germany. Mr. Beyer came
to the United States at the age of 7 years and mother came at age of 14.
They are now retired from farming labor, but still reside on the farm.
They had a family of 12 children, their daughter Minnie being the third
in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Hermann have one child, Alice Dorothy,
a bright girl, born Feb. 3, 1914. The family are members of the Lutheran
Church. In politics Mr. Hermann is independent. He has never sought
office, but has always taken an interest in good government and cast his
vote accordingly. He has always, too, shown a willingness to support any
practical movement for the general good of the community. He and his
family are well known and respected in this part of the county.
Gilbert Olson Herreid, a pioneer settler in Ettrick Township, now
deceased, was born in Hardanger, Norway, June 23, 1836. He was married
in his native land to Ingeborg Torgersdater Twinde, who was born in Vosse
Naugen, Norway, March 20, 1832, Mr. Herreid being then engaged in
operating a rented farm in that county, near the village of Lodi. In 1863
he and his family started for Trempealeau County, arriving here with one
of the first teams ever seen in the county, hitched to a home-made wagon.
They settled on the farm now owned by their son Gilbert M., and on which
the original log house is still standing. Mr. Herreid at once began clear-
ing the land and was thus engaged when, in 1865, he was drafted to serve
in the Civil War. He had only proceeded as far as Madison, however, when
the war came to an end and he was allowed to return home. When he
first arrived here he had but $6 in money and was destitute of provisions
or supphes, but having an old army musket he made use of it to shoot
prairie chickens and other game, on which he and his family chiefly lived
for awhile. About a year after his arrival he bought a cow from his
brother, but the animal was stolen before he had had a chance to milk it,
the thief at the same time taking the halter of one of his horses and putting
it on the cow to lead it away with. The cow was never recovered, nor
ever afterwards heard of. At that time there were plenty of Indians in
this vicinity, and they often came to the cabin begging, but were not
unfriendly. Mr. Herreid worked hard and in course of time began to
prosper. He increased the size of his farm until he had 360 acres of land
in it, and from time to time made improvements in his buildings. That
he was an enterprising man may be gathered from the fact that he bought
the first steam engine used on any farm on Beaver Creek, with which he
did work for others for a number of years. He also kept his eyes open for
other opportunities, was a stockholder in the Hegg store, helped to organize
the first creamery at Blair and also the Ettrick creamery. He owned stock
in the first Norman horse ever brought to Ettrick Township, and assisted
in organizing the Farmers' store in Blair, keeping up his varied activities
k;
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 367
until a year before his death, which took place Jan. 29, 1914, when he was
in his seventy-eighth year. Although so active in business matters Mr.
Herreid would never accept office of any kind. His wife assisted him not
only in the household, but also practicing as a midwife throughout all this
part of the county, and was so efficient in this profession that she was
frequently called to render service not only in Galesville, Whitehall, Center-
ville, Blair, and other places in this county, but also sometimes in La Crosse.
She is still living and makes her home with her son, Gilbert M. Herreid.
Gilbert M. Herreid, a prosperous representative of the agricultural
interests of Ettrick Township, was born on his present farm, and in the
same house in which he now lives, in section 16 E, May 10, 1872. His
parents were Gilbert Olson and Ingeborg Torgersdater Twinde Herreid,
farming people near the village of Lodi, who came to America, and settled
in Ettrick Township, this county, in 186.3. Gilbert M. had limited educa-
tional opportunities, but in his boyhood attended school for awhile in
Ettrick Township. Under his father's instruction he acquired a good
knowledge of agriculture and began working for his father by the year
when he was 21 years old, becoming a partner in the farm when he was 25.
Jan. 1, 1906, he purchased the entire farm, which now consists of 160
acres, he having recently sold 40 acres. He is engaged in the breeding of
registered Shorthorn cattle and since 1902 has also been breeding Poland-
China hogs. Aside from his immediate farming interests Mr. Herreid is
a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery Company, the Co-operative Packing
Company of La Crosse, the Farmers' Exchange at Blair, the Ettrick Tele-
phone Company and the Ettrick & Northern Railroad Company.
Oct. 10, 1900, he was married to Ida Gilbertson, who was born at
French Creek, Ettrick Township, daughter of Even 0. and Maria Antoinetta
Gilbertson. The parents, natives of Biri, Norway, came to Ettrick Town-
ship at an early date and engaged in farming. Mr. Gilbertson, who was a
brother of J. 0. Gilbertson, became a prominent citizen of the township,
serving as chairman of the township board and a member of the county
board and in other local offices. He was also president and secretary of
the Scandinavian Insurance Company, a stockholder in the Ettrick
Creamery, and as manager of a stock company organized here, bought two
fine Clydesdale stallions, the first of the kind brought to Ettrick Township.
He also took a prominent part in church work. His death occurred
Sept. 26, 1913. His wife, who survives him, is a resident of CenterviUe,
Wisconsin.
Mr. and Mrs. Herreid are the parents of two children : Eugene Guy, born
Aug. 18, 1902, who is attending the agricultural college at Onalaska, and
Irene Marcella, born May 31, 1905, who is attending school. Mr. Herreid
is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the United
Lutheran Church, to which his family also belong. In politics he is a
Republican, and while never ambitious to hold pubhc office, as a good citizen
he has several times consented to serve, and was supervisor for three
years and school clerk six years, after which he declined further service.
A list of his parents' children, living and deceased, is as follows : Tosten G.,
born Oct. 31, 1857 ; Ole, born April 5, 1863 ; Thomas, born April 27, 1865,
368 HISTORY OF TKEMPEALEAU COUNTY
now residing near Galesville; Carl, born July 21, 1868, who died June 8,
1879; Sena R., wife of A. M. Hellekson, born May 31, 1870; Gilbert M.,
born May 10, 1872 ; Iver, born April 5, 1874, now a resident of Galesville ;
and Emma Marthina, born April 7, 1877, who died Jan. 15, 1879.
Thomas Harmon. In i-eviewing the history of the notable pioneers
of Trempealeau County those who have passed away must not be for-
gotten. Among them was Thomas Harmon, whom the older residents of
Ettrick Township still remember as a good neighbor and reliable citizen,
as well as the founder of one of the flourishing homesteads in the town-
ship. Mr. Harmon was born in County Louth, Ireland, in 1822, and was a
young man when he came to the United States, being as yet unmarried.
After a long voyage in a sailing vessel, he reached port. Landing at New
Orleans his first work was turning a hand corn sheller at $3.00 a day, but
on account of the cholera he removed to Illinois, where he worked in a
factory. From there he proceeded to Walworth County, Wis., where, not
long after, he was married at Lake Geneva to Julia Rafter, a native of
Kilkenny, Ireland. About 1861 he came with his wife and two children,
Andy and Katie, to Trempealeau County, making the journey in a covered
wagon with ox team. Arriving here he located on land in Ettrick Town-
ship, which he owned in partnership with his brother John. Later he
homesteaded 80 acres more. On his farm he built a frame shack and later
a house of hewed logs, 16 by 24 feet, which was so well and substantially
made that it is still occupied by the family. Here Thomas Harmon passed
the rest of his life engaged in improving his farm, his death taking place
May 3, 1887, when he had reached the age of 66 years. He served some
time on the school board, and as a good Catholic helped to build the first
church at Ettrick. His wife died March 6, 1904. Their children were:
And], born, Sept. 14, 1857; Kate, now Mrs. James Kennedy of Morris,
Minn.; James, born April 3, 1863; Mary, who is Mrs. S. Thompson and
resides at Nome, Alaska; Bridget, wife of Tom Whalen of Ettrick Town-
ship, and Julia, who died Dec. 8, 1908. She always remained at home, assist-
ing her mother, and after her mother's death she became housekeeper for
the boys until her death. James and Andy are now the proprietors of
the old homestead, on which they have made some valuable improvements,
among other things erecting a good basement barn, 34 by 60 feet. Like
their father, they are devout members of the Catholic Church. Neither
have ever married.
Thomas P. Herreid, a farmer of section 14, E. Ettrick Township, is a
native of this township, having been born near Hegg, Nov. 26, 1886. His
parents, Peter 0. and Segried (Larsdatter) Herreid, were both born in
Hardanger, Norway, and were married in that country, coming to America
while still a young couple. After arriving in Trempealeau County, Wis.,
they resided with Peter Herreid's brother, K. 0., for one year. Peter then
bought land in Ettrick Township and began farming, in which occupation
he continued for the rest of his life, his death taking place in December,
1911. He had learned the trade of stone mason in his younger days and
followed it here at times when work was slack on the farm. He was a
member of the United Lutheran Church. His wife, who survived him, still
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 369
resides on the old farm. They were the parents of eight children, of whom
Thomas P. was the seventh in order of birth.
Thomas P. Herreid was educated in the district school at Hegg. At
the age of 16 years he began working out on farms, and continued to work
for others, besides assisting his father, until two years before he mar-
ried. He then settled on the farm which he and his wife now own and
which contains 180 acres of land. Mr. Herreid has added to the improve-
ments and the property is now well supplied with suitable buildings and
a good equipment of machinery and implements. It is registered as Meadow
Brook Farm and is a good piece of agricultural property. Sept. 10, 1911,
Mr. Herreid was married to Ella Amelia Augeness, who was born in Ettrick
Township, where she now lives. Her parents were Peter J. and Martha S.
(Nelson) Augeness, the former born in Hardanger, Norway, Feb. 28, 1864.
Mr. Augeness came to this country two or three years before he was mar-
ried, locating in Trempealeau County, Wis., and working at first for others.
After his marriage he lived on the farm of his wife's father until his early
death at the age of 27 years. His wife subsequently continued to reside
with her parents until her own death, June 16, 1900. One year previous to
that event the family moved from the farm to Ettrick, where the mother
died. Mrs. Herreid was the first born of two children, and the only one
now living. In her girlhood she attended the district school at Hegg, where
her husband was a fellow pupil and a member of the same class, and sub-
sequently her education was continued in the school in Ettrick Village and
at Gale College, which latter institution she attended a part of a term only,
being obliged to give up her studies on account of the illness of her grand-
mother. Simon Nelson, her grandfather, was one of the first settlers in
Trempealeau County. She was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Synod
Church. Mr. and Mrs. Herreid are the parents of one child, Stanley Mirald
Palmer, who was born April 29, 1913. The family are members of the
Lutheran Synod Church. Mr. Herreid is a Republican in politics, but takes
no active part in township affairs, devoting his whole attention to the farm.
He is a prosperous citizen and he and his family are well known and
respected in this part of Trempealeau County.
La Verd Ernest Hardie, proprietor of a good farm in sections 20 and
29, Gale Township, was born at Mindoro, La Crosse County, Wis., Nov.
2, 1880, son of Andrew and Catherine (Becker) Hardie. The father,
Andrew Hardie, who was born in Scotland, came to the United States
in 1854, locating first in Maryland. He then came to Trempealeau County,
Wisconsin, settling at Glasgow, Gale Township, where he engaged in farm-
ing. After residing there for a number of years, he returned to Mindoro,
but later coming back to Trempealeau County, he settled in Ettrick Town-
ship. Still later he returned to the old farm in Glasgow and lived there
until 1912, when he retired and took up his residence in Galesville, where
he and his wife ai'e now living.
La Verd E. Hardie was the second-born child in a family of four. He
attended school in Ettrick and Glasgow, and also was a student for two
years at the State Agricultural College at Madison. He resided on the
home farm until 1905, in which year he purchased his present property —
370 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
a farm of 157 acres — on which he has made all the improvements now
standing, having also brought the land into a high state of cultivation.
In addition to general farming, he engaged in dairying, keeping high grade
Guernsey cattle, which he breeds from pure-bred bulls. Mr. Hardie is
also a stockholder in the Co-operative Packing Company of La Crosse and
in the Farmers' Elevator Company of Galesville. He is a member of sev-
eral fraternal orders, including the Beavers, Yeomen, Odd Fellows and
Modern Woodmen of America. He was married June 5, 1907, to Sara F.
Daniels, who was born at Plymouth, Pa., daughter of Frederick and Agnes
(Noble) Daniels, her father being a native of Pennsylvania and her mother
of Scotland. Frederick Daniels was connected with the coal mining busi-
ness in his native state, and while employed as hoisting engineer was acci-
dentally killed when his daughter Sara was a child of 14 months. His wife,
the latter's mother, is still living and resides in Plymouth, Pa. The family
stood high in the community in which they lived, Mrs. Daniels being super-
intendent of the Pi-esbyterian Sunday school. Mr. and Mrs. Hardie have
many friends and acquaintances in this part of the county. They are
members of the Presbyterian Chui'ch, and in politics Mr. Hardie is an inde-
pendent Republican. He has never sought public office, but has always
supported good candidates in the local field and been ready to lend his aid
and influence to any movement calculated to advance the general interests
of the community.
Christian J. Hogden, who is engaged in farming in Ettrick Township,
having two farms of 80 acres each, in sections 26, 27, 15, was born in
French Creek Valley, this county, Oct. 8, 1862. His parents were John
Anderson and Oliva (Anderson) Hogden, born in Vardar, Norway, the
father July 4, 1832, and the mother April 14, 1830. They were married
in Norway and came to the United States in 1854, residing for about a
year near Holmen, Wis., whence they removed to Trempealeau Valley.
Three years later John A. Hogden and his family removed to the farm,
where he now lives in section 23, Ettrick Township, having resided hei'e
over 60 years. As a pioneer settler of the county he had to endure many
hardships in early days, among other things being obliged to carry flour
on his back from La Crosse to his home near Blair. The Indians were
then numerous, and often came to his cabin begging. By humoring them
and treating them in a friendly manner he got along with them without
any trouble, and often traded with them for buckskins, blueberries or other
wild products. His farm contained 120 acres, to which he later added 100
acres more. He engaged in general farming and stock raising and gradu-
ally became prosperous. He was one of the founders of the Lutheran Con-
gregation Church in this valley, and also assisted in organizing the Ettrick
Creamery Company. He was also a member of the township board in early
days and assisted in organizing the schools and in building the first school-
house. Bearing in mind his own early difficulties and trials, he was always
glad to extend a helping hand to new settlers, giving them food and shelter
and showing them how to build their cabins, break their land and do other
work to which many of them had been unaccustomed. During the Civil
War he sent a substitute to serve for him, not being able to leave his family.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 371
His wife died April 11, 1909, after many years of happy married life. Their
family included eight children, as follows : Andrew, Carolina, John, Anna
(deceased), Christian J., Peter, Julia and Ole.
Christian J. Hogden in his boyhood attended school in district No. 1,
French Creek Valley, and resided at home until he was 21 years old. After
that he worked two winters in the pineries. Being now ready to begin
farming for himself, he rented his father's farm and operated it on that
basis for three years. At the end of that time he purchased his father-
in-law's (Hans Madson) farm. He has since continued to reside here and
has prospered. He has spent several thousand dollars in improving the
place. The two parts of the estate, each consisting of 80 acres, are sepa-
rated about a mile and a half from each other. They are provided with
good buildings and are fully equipped for all the purposes of modern farm-
ing. Mr. Hogden is a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery and also in the
Farmers and Merchants' Bank at Galesville. He was also formerly inter-
ested in the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company, in which, however,
he has sold out his stock. Mr. Hogden was first married. May 18, 1889, to
Oleana Madson, who was born on this farm Oct. 30, 1864, daughter of Hans
and Johanas (Olson) Madson. Her parents were natives of Norway and
were early settlers in this township, coming here from Vernon County,
where they had resided one summer. Both are now deceased. Mrs. Oleana
Hogden died Feb. 19, 1899, leaving three children: Josephine, born April
5, 1890, wife of Gust Erickson (her issue, Kilmer, Oleana and Goodwin),
a farmer residing one mile north of Ettrick ; Hans, born Feb. 5, 1895 ;
Oscar, who is single and lives on the home farm ; and Clara Otillie, born
June 17, 1897, residing at home. On Dec. 5, 1907, Mr. Hogden married
for his second wife Miss Anna Larson, who was born at Hardie's Creek,
Gale Township, this county, daughter of Matt and Agnes (Larson) Larson.
Her parents, both natives of Norway, came early to Trempealeau County,
settling on Hardie's Creek, where the father died, after a career of many
years engaged in farming and stock raising. The widow still resides on
the farm. They had ten children, of whom their daughter Anna was the
third in order of birth. Of Mr. Hogden's second marriage there are no chil-
dren. The family church is the French Creek Lutheran.
.Knudt P. Hallanger. Among the flourishing and well kept farms of
Ettrick Township is that of the subject of this sketch, Knudt P. Hallanger,
a practical agriculturist, who has achieved prosperity chiefly through his
own efforts and is now numbered among the substantial citizens of this
township. Like many other successful farmers of the county, Mr. Hallanger
is of Norwegian birth, having been born in Handanger, Norway, July 31,
1860, son of Paul and Guri (Johnson) Hallanger, natives of the same
country and locality, where Paul Hallanger was born Jan. 9, 1837, and his
wife Nov. 2, 1834. On July 5, 1867, the family made their appearance in
Beaver Valley, this county, locating on the farm now owned by Knudt P.
Hallanger. It was not then a farm, however, but merely a tract of wild
land awaiting the plow of the pioneer. With a pair of oxen Mr. Hallanger
began the work of cultivation and for years thereafter he was an extremely
busy man. The original tract consisted of 80 acres, and for awhile this
372 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
was all he owned, but in time he doubled the size of the farm, so that it
contained 160 acres at the time of his retirement in 1893. For a number
of years he continued to use oxen for his plowing and other farm work,
changing to horses as conditions improved and he became more prosperous,
the horse being the less hardy animal. On retiring, as above mentioned,
he took up his residence in Hegg, but after spending some years there he
returned to the farm, where he died Jan. 19, 1913. He took no active part
in town affairs, but was a man well known and respected for his industry,
intelligence and good neighborly qualities. His wife survived him a little
over two years, dying Feb. 2, 1915. They were the parents of eight chil-
dren, four of whom are now living : Knudt P., who was the eldest ; Breta,
wife of Eri'ick Sime, a farmer of Ettrick Township; Louisa, wife of John
Shoblom, a farmer and ranchman in Montana; and Martin, who resides
at Chippewa Falls, Wis.
Knudt P. Hallanger acquired the elements of an English education
in the district school of his present neighborhood. Like other farmers'
boys he had to make himself useful at an early age and was up in the
morning doing chores long before the average city boy crawls reluctantly
from bed. The hard work and fresh air did him no harm, however, but
strengthened his lungs and his muscles, and at the age of 18 years he
began to work in the woods during the winter time, resuming his farm
work on the family homestead in the summer, and in this way he was
occupied for eleven years. Later he purchased the old homestead, on which
he has since resided and which now contains 140 acres of land. Here he
carries on general farming very successfully and according to up to date
methods, having good barns and all necessary buildings and equipment,
and in 1915 he erected a new and handsome modern residence, which is
the comfortable home of a large family circle. Though devoting all his
business hours to his farm, he is a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery
Company, the Farmers' Exchange of Blair and the Ettrick Telephone
Company.
Mr. Hallanger began domestic life on his own account over 25 years
ago, when, April 20, 1891, he was united in marriage with Betsy Johnson,
who was born in Franklin Township, Jackson County, Wis., daughter of
Nels and Jorand (Erickson) Johnson. Her parents were born and married
in Hardanger, Norway, and came to America in 1867, setthng in the
location above mentioned, their dwelHng being near the county line divid-
ing Jackson and Trempealeau Counties, so that it was not far from the
Hallanger farm. Mrs. Johnson died when her daughter Betsy was a mere
babe, her husband surviving her until 1901. Mrs. Hallanger was the
youngest member of the family, the other children being: Lesa, wife of
Andrew Lee, who resides in Frankhn Township, Jackson County; Aleck,
also residing there, in a part of the old Johnson home; and Nellie, who
is the wife of C. K. Lein, a farmer in Robinson, Kidder County, N. D.
Mr. and Mrs. Hallanger have had a family of 13 children : Palmer Nicoli,
Joseph Gilbert, Helmer and Christian, who are deceased ; Helmer Bertram,
residing at home ; Cornelia, deceased ; Cornelia Martina, Elvin Sigvort,
Evelyn Jose, Carl Johan, Bernice Louisa, residing at home, and Edward
MR. AXIJ MKS. KM T K, HALLANGER
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 373
Julius and Esther Juliet, who are deceased. The family are members of
the United Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Hallanger is a Republican.
He has served 16 years as a member of the school board, was township
assessor five years and was again elected in 1917, and has also served as
school clerk and treasurer and as trustee of his church. As a man of varied
activities he is energetic and I'esourceful, using good judgment in business
matters and conscientiously performing every piece of work that comes to
hand, whether it is for himself or pertaining to the community at large.
Knut K. Hallanger, one of the earliest settlers in Beaver Creek Valley,
Ettrick Township, was born in Hardanger, Norway, in June, 1833. He
came to the United States in 1854, settling on Koshkanong Prairie, near
Stoughton, Dane County, Wis. In 1858 he located in Beaver Creek Valley,
Ettrick Township, Trempealeau County, and engaged in farming, taking
up government land and acquiring more by purchase. The land he obtained
was wild, but he cleared and cultivated it, and after many years of hard
labor had developed it into a good farm. It was his residence until 1910,
in which year he retired and moved to Galesville, where he is now living in
a comfortable residence which he bought at the time he left the farm.
As one of the first settlers in Beaver Creek Valley, and a resident of it for
more than half a century, Mr. Hallanger witnessed many changes and
improvements in the township. For a number of years he served as post-
master at Hegg, being appointed in 1873 by President Grant. He was
also for a number of years township assessor and for one term supervisor.
A Lutheran in religion, he became one of the founders of the church of
that denomination at Hegg, and assisted in building a number of other
churches in the county. When he arrived here from Norway he could
speak no EngUsh, but soon acquired such a good knowledge of the language
that he used to act as interpreter for the early Norwegian settlers.
Knut K. Hallanger was married in Wisconsin to Symoa Bgotveit, who
also was a native of Hardanger, Norway, and who died Oct. 22, 1906. They
had a family of seven children : Alexander, John (first) and John (second) ,
who are deceased ; John B., a farmer of Hegg, Ettrick Township ; Helland
Louis and Carl, both residing in Galesville, and Helena Bertina, who is
now Mrs. C. G. Pains, of Ettrick Township.
John B. Hallanger, a well known farmer of Hegg, Ettrick Township,
was born in this township, Feb. 5, 1866, son of Knut K. and Symoa
(Bgotveit) Hallanger. He acquired a district school education in Ettrick
Township and at the age of 18 years began to work out for others at thresh-
ing, sawing lumber and whatever he could find to do. He also spent some
of his winters cutting timber in the woods, and with his brother operated
the homestead farm for a number of years. In 1909 he made a trip to the
Pacific coast, for pleasure only, spending the time in sightseeing. The
following winter he bought his present farm at Hegg, consisting of 204
acres, in addition to which he has 20 acres of timber land lying six miles
farther east. Mr. Hallanger, besides raising various crops, is engaged in
dairying, keeping good cows for milking purposes, and is conducting his
farm on a profitable basis. He is also a stockholder and director in the
Ettrick Lumber Company, a stockholder in the Home Bank at Blair, the
374 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Ettrick Telephone Company and the Farmers' Exchange at Blair. He
belongs to the United Lutheran Church at Hegg, and in politics may be
termed an independent Republican. He has never married.
George M. and Walter R. Hass, who together are operating a good
farm in section 19, Gale Township, are sons of Samuel and Marie (Dieko)
Hass, natives of Germany. The father, Samuel Hass, born in Pommern,
Germany, Dec. 9, 1844, was the son of a clergyman, and came to this country
when 12 years of age, settling in Mormon Coolie, La Crosse County, Wis.
where he was reared to manhood. For many years the family lived near
the city. In 1874 Mr. Hass was married to Marie Dieko, who was born in
Germany, Jan. 9, 1845. He continued to reside in La Crosse County until
1905, in which year he moved with his family to Trempealeau County, set-
tling on the Duncan Wright farm, where they lived and prospered, a happy,
thrifty family, until Mr. Hass's death in November, 1910. Mr. Hass was
a man of sterling character and was esteemed wherever known. While
residing in La Crosse County, he served as assessor for nine years and as
supervisor one year. He and his wife had eight children, seven of
whom are now living: John and Mary Hass, Mrs. Anderegg and Mrs.
Adolph Schilling live in or near La Crosse, George, Walter and Sophia
are at home.
George M. Hass was born in Shelby Township, La Crosse County,
March 18, 1875, being the third born of his parents' family. He attended
district school No. 3 in his native township and the German school in that
locality one winter. Until 1911 he resided at home with his parents and
then he and his brother, Walter R., purchased the farm on which they
now Uve, and which contains 155 acres of land. They are engaged in general
farming and dairying, keeping a number of high grade cattle and various
other kinds of stock. Their farm is well equipped with suitable buildings
and is kept in excellent condition. The brothers also own a threshing
outfit and engage in threshing and silo fiUing for others, devoting their
eniSre time to agricultural work in its various branches. Their mother
resides with them on the farm. The family faith is that of the Lutheran
Church.
Walter R. Hass was boi-n Oct. 30, 1887, was educated in the rural
schools of La Crosse County, resided at home until 1911, when as above
stated he purchased with his brother, George M., their present farm.
Sophia was born June 6, 1885, and attended the rural schools of La Crosse
County and the La Crosse high school, and for six years was a proficient
teacher in the rural school of La Crosse County. She is now keeping house
for her brothers and mother.
Ole O. Helstad, a prosperous farmer of Ettrick Township, whose farm
of 160 acres is located in section 11, was born in Norway. Jan. 15, 1856, son
of Ole Larson and Bertha Simonson. There were 12 children in his parents'
family : Christ, Martha, Sam, Lars, Mat, Sena, Bernt and Ole 0. growing
to maturity and the others dying young. All the members of the family
who survived came to the United States, but not all together. Sam was the
first to emigrate, and was followed by the parents. Then Bernt and Sena
came, and after them Ole O. ; then Martha and Mat and lastly Lars. The
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 375
parents arrived in 1872, locating in Ettrick Township, Trempealeau County,
on the farm now operated by their ijon Ole, and which contained 160 acres.
The land had previously been pre-empted by Ole Halvorson, who had built
a small log house on it, but as there was no barn Ole Larson built one of
straw. He had little but his hands with which to begin work, and it was
two years before he was able to obtain an ox team. Such merchandise as
he needed he had to carry on his back from Galesville. The market was at
Trempealeau and there was no road, the journey to Trempealeau with the
ox team occupying two days. He had to use the jumper for a wagon, as he
then had no wheeled vehicle. He succeeded, however, in getting a cow
the first year. The rest of Mr. Larson's life was spent on this place, and
he died in the old log cabin at the age of 84 years, his wife passing away
at the same age. In early days their home was often the scene of religious
meetings, the Lutheran congregation, then small, holding their services
there. Later Mr. Helstad helped to build the church at French Creek, of
which he was a member until his death.
Ole 0. Helstad, the direct subject of this sketch, was 18 years old when
he came to the United States. For a number of years he assisted his
father in clearing and improving the homestead, and finally, in 1881,
bought the farm and cared for his parents until their death. The present
frame residence was erected by him, also the basement barn, 34 by 64
feet in size, and other buildings. He is engaged in general farming and
raises good stock, and his operations have resulted profitably. Like his
father, he assisted in building the Lutheran Church, of which he has been
a trustee for many years. He also served on the school board nine years
as clerk. Mr. Helstad married Kittie Jorgenson, who was born in Norway
and accompanied her parents to America at the age of two years. He and
his wife have had 12 children: Bernt, who died at the age of 26 years;
Nick ; Odell, who married Gena Olson and resides on the home farm ; Albert ;
Olof, who married Siverna Redsten of Preston Township; Eiml; John;
William; Carl; Gena, who married Christ Redsten of Ettrick Township;
Clara, wife of Anton Nelsestuen of Ettrick Township; and Anna, who is
the wife of L. 0. Belland of Los Angeles, Cahf.
Charles Francis Holmes, a pioneer, was born in Norway, Maine, Jan.
25, 1823, and spent his boyhood and young manhood in the New England
states. In 1850, leaving his wife at Slaterville, R. I., he came west, looking
for a new home. Reaching La Crosse, May 1, 1850, he came directly to
Ti-empealeau Village, then called Reed's Landing, and after looking about
for a while, secured a farm in Caledonia Township. In the spring of 1853
he returned to Rhode Island, where his young wife had died, and in the fall
of that year came back to Trempealeau County, bringing with him his child
Corintha that had been born during his absence, and his father, mother
and two sisters. Some time later he married Lucy Atwood, who died in
November, 1866, leaving two children: Herman and Arthur A. In 1868,
Mr. Holmes sold his farm to his brother-in-law. Royal Atwood of Waupun,
Wis., and took up his home with relatives in Trempealeau Village. While
living here he was elected sheriff of the county. Late in the fall of 1874,
when his term had almost expired, he went to Cahfornia. The next spring
376 HISTORY OF TEEMPEALEAU COUNTY
he came back, and continued to reside in the village until 1878. Then he
purchased a farm in Trempealeau Township, where he followed agricultural
pursuits until his death, Jan. 25, 1900.
Arthur Atwood Holmes, deputy state game warden and former sheriff
of Treampealeau County, was born in Caledonia Township, this county,
Feb. 23, 1862, son of Charles Francis and Lucy (Atwood) Holmes, natives
respectively of Norway, Maine, and Addison, Vermont. He lost his mother
as a boy of four years, and for several years was passed about among
various relatives. For a time he lived with an uncle, Roj^al Atwood, in
Waupun, Wis. Then he lived with Amos Whiting, another uncle, at West
Prairie, Wis. For one year he was with Dr. Olson Atwood, an uncle living
in Trempealeau. When about fourteen he went to Vermont, and lived with
Norman Brooks, of the Brooks Edge Tool Company, Brooksville, manufac-
turers of fine tools. Then he came back to Trempealeau County, and after
living in the village a while went on the farm with his father. Until 17
years of age he attended the Trempealeau Village schools, driving back and
forth to the farm, or else riding a pony. After completing his schooling
he remained on the farm until 1897, and then moved to Trempealeau Vil-
lage, where he and his family took up their residence in the old home of
Judge A. W. Newman, where they still live. After moving to the village,
Mr. Holmes still continued to operate the farm for two years. For a time
he served as deputy under Sheriff Elmer Immel, and on Jan. 1, 1903, became
sheriff, an office he efficiently held for one term, during which time he lived
at Whitehall. In the winter of 1905 he moved to Trempealeau. In 1907-
08-09 he was a member of the county board. His appointment to his
present position as deputy state game warden dates from March 30, 1910.
Mr. Holmes has a variety of interests and holds stock in the Citizens' State
Bank of Trempealeau, the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company, the
Arctic Spring Creamery of Galesville, Wis., and the Trempealeau Lime
Products Company, of which last named company he is vice-president.
Mr. Holmes was manned April 5, 1883, to Nettie E. Booher, daughter of
William T. Booher, a general merchant of Trempealeau. This union has
been blessed with four children, Cyril Theodore, Lucy, Charles Arthur and
Harold Frederick. Cyril Theodore was born May 20, 1884, and was married
June 11, 1912, to Zella Case, of Cashton, Minn. Lucy was born Jan. 9, 1887,
and teaches in the Trempealeau schools. Charles Arthur was born Feb. 1,
1892, graduated from University of Wisconsin and is now a civil engineer.
Harold Frederick was born Aug. 19, 1897, graduated from the University
of Wisconsin, and is now a civil engineer.
Albert Halderson, a well known and respected resident of section 1,
Caledonia Township, was born at Valders in the northern part of Norway,
Nov. 25. 1847, son of John and Gertie (Olson) Halderson. The father was
born in the same locality in 1817 and his wife in 1816, their marriage tak-
ing place in 1841. While in his native land John Halderson lived under a
landlord named Eric Strand and worked a certain number of days in each
season spring, summer, fall and winter — for home privileges on Strand's
property. Mr. Strand finally sold out all his interests in Norway and came
to America, and by arrangement with Mr. Halderson brought him and his
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 377
family with him. While on the journey between New York and Wisconsin
the two men became accidentally separated, but in Dane County, Wis.,
Mr. Halderson subsequently learned through a cousin, Ole Brown of
La Crosse, that Mr. Strand had located in Bostwick Valley, La Crosse
County, and so he came on with his family. This was in 1858. To pay
his indebtedness to Mr. Strand, Mr. Halderson, who was a carpenter by
trade, worked for him in that capacity at intervals, Mr. Strand assisting
him and his family when it was necessary until the account was settled
between them. The first home of the Halderson family in Wisconsin was
a dugout in the side of a hill in Bostwick Valley, and in this they lived for
the first year or two. In 1860 Mr. Halderson bought 120 acres of wild land
from the government, on which he built a two-room log house, and in 1870
he erected a more substantial and convenient log house, hewn inside and
out, also sided and plastered. It was of two stories with basement and
contained six rooms, and is today occupied by Knute Halderson, a brother
of the subject of this sketch. Mr. Halderson, the father, cleared and
developed all the plow land on the 120-acre tract, using oxen for his first
team, the money for which he obtained by splitting rails at 75 cents per
hundred. To accomplish this he had to walk three and a half miles every
morning and back at night, working all day without dinner. Being a power-
fully built man, Mr. Halderson was popularly known in the neighborhood
as "Big John." In 1881 he sold this farm to his brother Knute, and moved
to Coon Valley, Vernon County, Wis., where he bought an unimproved
farm of 80 acres, this place being his home until the death of his wife
Gertie in 1891. He then sold the farm to his son Peter and spent the rest
of his life with his children, his death occurring Dec. 2, 1897, at the home
of his daughter, Jane Nelson, near Viroqua, Wis. The children of John
and Gertie Halderson were six in number: Jane, born in Norway, who
resides in Spokane, Wash. ; Albert, whose name appears at the head of
this sketch; Ole, born in Norway, April 8, 1853, who now resides in
Willamette Valley, Oregon; Knute, born on shipboard while on the trip
to America in 1857 ; Peter, born in Bostwick Valley, La Crosse County, in
1861, who died at La Crosse during the winter of 1915-16, and a daughter,
born in Bostwick Valley, who died in infancy. Albert Halderson was
brought up on his parents' farm and adopted agriculture for his occupation.
He was married in 1868 to Mary Gaarder of Bostwick Valley, La Crosse
County, Wis., of which union there was one son, J. 0. Halderson, now a
furniture dealer in Galesville, Wis. Mrs. Mary Halderson died in August,
1873, at the age of about 26, she having been in Norway in 1847. Mr. Hal-
derson contracted a second marriage with Rachael Larson, who was born
in Norway Sept. 22, 1850. She was killed in the summer of 1886 in a run-
away accident. Their children are: Melvin of Holmen, La Crosse County,
Wis. ; Louis of Treampealeau County, Wis. ; Elmer and Frank, who reside
with their father. Mr. Halderson was married the third time April 24,
1887, to Rosa Caswell. Their children are: Gertrude, resides at home;
Raymond, county agent, living at Elkins, W. Va. ; Grace, a teacher at
Bangor, Wis.; Carrol, a student at Galesville high school. The family
church is the Methodist.
378 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
E. J. Hankey, who for a number of years was the leading merchant of
Trempealeau Village, where he is now living retired, was born in Czarnikow,
Province of Posen, Prussia, Germany, Nov. 17, 1844, and there resided until
he was 10 years old. When he was 5 years old his father died, and about
1852 his mother married for her second husband a Mr. Maschke. In 1854
the family came to America, landing at Quebec, Canada, from which city
they came directly to Wisconsin, locating at Beaver Dam, Dodge Countj'.
Here Mr. Maschke found work at his trade of cabinet-maker, and was thus
employed there for the rest of his life. When no longer able to work he
went to live with his daughter Celia, who was the wife of Charles Owen, a
farmer, living near Fox Lake, and there died about 1899, when 80 years
of age. This daughter and her husband are still living, Celia being 58 years
old. There was another daughter, Minnie, who died about 1892 or 1893, at
Beaver Dam, Wis.
E. J. Hankey was the first-born son by his mother's first marriage. He
attended common school in Germany from the age of 5 to that of 10 years,
and being an apt pupil, was well advanced in the common branches for his
years when he came to America. Subsequently he attended school at
Beaver Dam, in which city he resided until he was 24 years old. At the
age of 17 he began working as clerk for J. H. & D. Newman, who kept a
general merchandise store in Beaver Dam, dealing, however, principally in
dry goods, and he continued in the employ of this firm until he came to Trem-
pealeau early in 1868. On arriving here he at once formed a partnership
with Thomas Veltum, and under the firm name of Hankey & Veltum they
started business on Front street, dealing in groceries, crockery and notions.
This partnership continued until 1873, when Mr. Hankey sold out to Mr.
Veltum. A year later, however, the partnership was renewed and con-
tinued until 1878, in which year the subject of this sketch bought out his
partner, the latter going to St. James, Minn. Mr. Hankey remained on
Front street until 1888, and then moved to a new store he had erected on
the west side of Main street, one block north of the river. This was a two-
story brick block, with basement, 34 by 70 feet in ground dimensions. It
was built by Charles Thomas, of Trempealeau, and was the best and largest
block in the village. While on Front street, however, Mr. Hankey had
made a removal from his first location, a block east of the Melchoir place,
to a double building about half a block further east, so that this was his
second removal. When he took possession of his Main street store he
enlarged his business, and it continued to grow during the many subsequent
years that he was its proprietor. During the winter of 1913-14 Mr.
Hankey's health began to decline, and as he no longer felt able to give that
close attention to his business which he felt it required, he resolved to retire,
and accordingly sold out in January, 1914, to the Trempealeau Mercantile
Company, though retaining ownership of the building. Throughout his
long commercial career he strove not only for personal success, but also
to advance the general interests of the community, taking a leading part
in every progressive movement, and it is largely owing to him and to a
few other men of like public spirit that Trempealeau is today one of the
most prosperous villages of its size in this part of the State. During his
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 379
business career Mr. Hankey passed through two serious fires, having to
move his stock both times, but sustained no material loss. He adheres
to t)ie principles of the Republican party, but was never personally
active in poHtics. As a good citizen, however, he rendered service for a
number of years as a member of the board of education, and was its
secretary at the time the high school addition was made to the village
school.
Mr. Hankey was married, Dec. 16, 1868, to Mary Frances, daughter
of Thomas and Caroline McCune, of Beaver Dam, Wis., at which place their
wedding occurred. She was born there July 14, 1848, and died at Trempea-
leau, Wis., March 4, 1900, after a happy married life of over 31 years. After
coming to Trempealeau, which they did immediately after their marriage,
they boarded for a short time, subsequently beginning housekeeping on
East Third street. They had two sons: WiUiam T., born Oct. 10, 1869,
and Adelbert G., born Feb. 4, 1876. The latter died April 7, 1887. WiUiam
T. is now engaged in the drug business in Cleveland, Ohio, to which city he
went in 1894. He married Nellie Barker, of Cleveland, and has four chil-
dren : Howard B., Ruth, Helen and William T., Jr.
Mr. Hankey was reared in the Lutheran faith, but is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, which he has served as trustee. He is a mem-
ber also of Trempealeau Lodge, No. 117, A. F. & A. M., of Trempealeau,
having joined the order while living in Beaver Dam. He resides with an
adopted daughter, Mrs. J. W. Johnston, who is the wife of John W. John-
ston, a pioneer in telephone construction work in western Wisconsin, their
marriage taking place June 24, 1901. Mrs. Hankey during her life was very
active in church work and benevolent enterprises, and was a woman loved
and respected by young and old.
Iver Pederson, founder of Ettrick, merchant, manufacturer, Indian
fighter and veteran of the Civil War, was a splendid example of the
descendants of the Vikings who fought their way to America, and with
no other assistance than their native ability and capacity for hard work
established for themselves an enviable position in this new country. He
was born in Biri, Norway, March 13, 1842. He was there reared amid
rugged conditions, and acquired such education as the parish afforded. In
1859 he came to America and located in Westby, Vernon County, this State,
where a number of his countrymen had preceded him. Only three years
later, in 1862, he responded to Abraham Lincoln's call for troops to defend
the Union and enlisted in the now-famous Company K, Twenty-fifth Wis-
consin Volunteer Infantry, in which he served until the close of the war.
Immediately after its organization the company was sent to the frontier
to defend the white settlers against the Sioux Indians. In 1863 the regi-
ment was sent to Columbus, Ky., and joined the expedition against Vicks-
burg under command of Gen. Jeremiah Rusk. From Vicksburg the regi-
ment was sent to Jackson, Mo., later returning to Vicksburg, and from there
being sent to join Sherman's army in its march to the sea. After the
general review at Washington, Veteran Pederson returned to Vernon
County. From there, a short time later, he moved to Coon Valley, La
Crosse County. It was in 1867 that he began his career in Trempealeau
380 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
County by establishing a store at Frenchville in company with Ole Skow.
Two years later he sold this store to Mrs. Skow and moved to what is now
the village of Ettrick. After homesteading a farm, which now includes
the village site, he opened a store in 1870 and engaged in the general mer-
cantile business. Later he platted the village and increased its material
prosperity by erecting a flouring mill and woolen mill and a creamery.
Here he continued to spend the remainder of his life. After a long and
useful career, in which he had done much to increase the material prosperity
of his village and county, he died Sept. 29, 1914, and was sincerely mourned
by a wide circle of friends and associates. Mr. Pederson was married at
Ettrick to Mary Nelson, who was born in Biri, Norway, Nov. 15, 1852,
and came to this county with her father in 1861. Mrs. Pederson, who
proved a loyal helpmate and faithful mother, still resides at the family
home at Ettrick. Their union has been brightened with five children. The
oldest, Peder, died in infancy. Albert M. is still conducting the store and
mill at Ettrick. Emma is the wife of P. M. Benrud, of Frenchville, Ida is
the wife of Carl Aaby, who is associated with Albert M. Pederson in the
mercantile business. Anna is the wife of Morris Berge, a druggist at Elk
Mound, Wis.
Albert M. Pederson, merchant, miller and leading citizen of Ettrick, is
a native of the village where he still resides, having first seen the light of
day Aug. 27, 1874, in the home of his parents, Iver and Mary (Nelson)
Pederson, the pioneers. As a boy he attended the school of his neighbor-
hood, and later was accorded the advantages of a course at Galesville
University, now Gale College. Still later he rounded out his education with
a year at the Wisconsin State Normal School at River Falls. From his
earliest boyhood he assisted his father in his numerous business ventures,
and in 1898 became a partner in the business. After the father's death,
the estate was incorporated as the Iver Pederson Company. The subject of
this sketch is president and manager. This concern, which conducts the
store and the flour and grist mill, is in a flourishing condition, and is one
of the strong commercial assets of the village. In addition to its holdings
in Ettrick, it owns various tracts of valuable land throughout the county,
especially in the Ettrick Valley. Mr. Pederson is a public-spirited citizen,
and is a stockholder in the Bank of Ettrick, Bank of Galesville and the
Wisconsin Telephone Company. He has done valuable service as a member
of the school board for twelve years, and has served on numerous com-
mittees and delegations. His fraternal association is with the Modern
Woodmen of America. He and his family are staunch supporters of the
Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Pederson was married May 17, 1898, to
Emelia Evenson, also a native of Ettrick Township, daughter of Bernt and
Lena (Ekern) Evenson, also natives of Biri, Norway, who came to America
in the winter of 1868 and located in Gale Township, where Mr. Evenson is
engaged in farming. Mrs. Evenson died in 1907, and Mr. Evenson now
makes his home with his daughter.
Eugene A. Sorenson, dealer in leaf tobacco and inventor of the Victor
Piston Ring, is one of the genial, energetic young men of Whitehall, and his
work in developing the tobacco industry has been an important feature
EUGENE A. SORENSON AND FAMILY
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 381
in the modern agricultural progress of Trempealeau County. He was born
in Dane County, Wis., March 16, 1876, second of the six children of John
and Ellen (Otteson) Sorenson, was reared on the home farm, and left
school at the age of 13 years. Starting out for himself at the age of 22, he
worked a little over a year for the Utica Creamery Co., Utica, Wis. ; about
four years for the Wheeler Prairie Creamery at Stoughton, Wis.; and a
little over two years for Jokum Johnson, general store keeper at Utica, Wis.
It was in 1905 that he came to Whitehall and for five years was one of the
firm of R. Holtan & Co., dealers in and packers of leaf tobacco. In 1910
he engaged in business for himself as buyer and packer, and two years
later purchased the warehouse of the Home Tobacco Co. at Whitehall. In
November, 1916, the business was incorporated under the name of the
Mabbett Leaf Tobacco Co., with a capital of $30,000 and with W. F. Mabbett
as president, E. A. Sorenson as vice-president, and C. W. Birkenmeyer as
secretary and treasurer. The company has large warehouses at Whitehall
and at Edgerton. Mr. Sorenson is in full charge of the large Whitehall
warehouse. This establishment is fully equipped for the best work, em-
ploys from 30 to 40 people during the busy season, and has a yearly output
of from 200,000 to 500,000 pounds. In addition to his position of honor
in the tobacco world, Mr. Sorenson is widely known as the inventor of the
Victor Piston Rings, for automobiles, aeroplanes, motorcycles, steam
engines, marine motors, compressors, gas engines and pumps. The rings
are manufactured by the A. E. White Machine Works, of Eau Claire, Wis.
Mr. Sorenson was married Feb. 15, 1900, to Emma Johnson, daughter of
Jokum and Aasil (Smithback) Johnson, born June 4, 1879. Mr. and Mrs.
Sorenson have two children, Adehne, born Feb. 20, 1904, and Eldora, born
Aug. 18, 1908.
Ludwig L. Solsrud, part owner of the Solsrud Mercantile Co. and
president of the People's State Bank, both of Whitehall, was born in Chris-
tiania, Norway, Sept. 24, 1864, son of John and Anna 0. (Halvorsen)
Solsrud, the former of whom died in 1900 and the latter in 1872. The
subject of this sketch was reared and educated in the old country. He
came to America in 1883, locating in Spring Valley, Minn., June 9, of that
year. A little over two years later, in December, 1885, he came to White-
hall. For a time he was variously employed. In August, 1900, he entered
the store of his uncle, L. L. Solsrud. By attention to business and intel-
ligent effort, he gradually mastered the business, and in 1895 became a
partner, the firm at that time taking the name of Solsrud, Kidder & Co.
In 1899 Mr. Kidder retired, and the firm became Solsrud & Solsrud, a name
which was retained until the present name and organization was adopted
in 1901. The building, which is of solid brick, two stories, with basement,
is one of the sightly business houses of the village. It was erected in 1895.
The firm carries a good stock, and does a large business, its reputation for
fair prices, honest dealing and high quality having been deservedly gained
through its many years of existence. When the People's State Bank was
organized, Mr. Solsrud as one of the leading business men of the city was
selected as its president, and in that capacity he has since continued to
serve. A thorough believer in the brotherhood of man, Mr. Solsrud has
382 IJISTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
allied himself with several fraternities. In the Masonic order he is a member
of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Commandery, Consistory and Shrine. In the
I. 0. O. F. he has passed through all the chairs of the lodge and is a popular
member of the Rebekah degree. In the Independent Order of Foresters
he is also a valued member. His public work has included efficient work
on the village council for eight years. His religious affiliation is with the
United Norwegian Lutheran church, in which he has been the treasurer
since 1914. Mr. Solsrud was married June 9, 1897, to Lena Larson, who
was born in Hale Township, Jan. 21, 187.5, daughter of Martin and Marie
(Bjorke) Larson, the pioneers, the former of whom makes his home with
Mr. and Mrs. Solsrud, and the latter of whom died in 1902. Mr. and Mrs.
Solsrud have had five children: Mary (who died in 1909 at the age of 11
years), Louise, Alice, John and Dorothy.
John McKivergin, the efficient superintendent of the Trempealeau
County Asylum, is a native of this county, having first seen the light of
day in Preston Township, June 18, 1864, a son of James and Ann (Conway)
McKivergin. He was reared on the farm, attended the district schools of
his neighborhood, and thoroughly learned agricultural pursuits from his
parents. After his father's death, he and his brother Thomas took charge
of the old homestead. A few years later the two brothers, in connection
with their farm work, began buying and shipping live stock, and this busi-
ness grew to such proportions that in 1903 the subject of this sketch moved
to Blair in order to devote his attention exclusively to this line of industry.
In 1910, in company with W. E. Kidder, under the firm name of Kidder &
McKivergin, he engaged in the hardware business at Galesville for several
months, after which he assumed the duties of his present position. Under
his administration the institution has undergone many improvements, and
he has made it one of the model asylums of Wisconsin. Aside from his
present position, Mr. McKivergin has seen considerable public service. For
a time he was a member of the board of Preston Township, and for about
ten years he was a member of the school board. His business holdings
include stock in the Home Bank of Blair. His fraternal affiliation is with
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. McKivergin was married Dec.
31, 1902, to Minnie H. Bigham, who was born in Arcadia Sept. 9, 1872,
daughter of John and Grace (Gardner) Bigham. Mrs. McKivergin is a
lady of many accomplishments and has ably assisted her husband in his
splendid work at the asylum. She was educated in the Arcadia High
School and the Winona State Normal School, and for some nine years was
efficiently engaged as an educator, specializing in primary department work,
at Arcadia and Galesville, in this county, and at Wadena, Minn.
James McKivergin, pioneer, was born near Banbridge, in the north of
Ireland, in 1818, and came to America as a young man about 1839. After
living in the Eastern States for a number of years, he came to Trempealeau
County in 1862 and located on section 18, Preston Township, about three
miles west of the present village of Blair. There he successfully farmed
until his lamented death in 1886. A man of considerable ability, he
possessed a strong influence over his fellow citizens, and did good service
on the township and school boards. His wife, whose maiden name was
Mli. AND MRS. D. L). ClIAri'KLL
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 383
Ann Conway, was born June 20, 1830, and still resides on the old homestead.
They were the parents of eight sturdy children.
John Bigham, an eai'ly settler, was born in Brewsters, N. Y., and was
there reared and educated. In 1855 he was brought to Wisconsin by his
parents. For several years he worked as a stationary engineer in some
of the pioneer mills of the county, and in 1859 homesteaded a tract of land
about one and one-half miles southwest of Arcadia. He served during
the Civil War, and after that conflict returned to his farm and devoted his
life to agricultural pursuits until his retirement in 1899, when he moved
to the village of Arcadia, where he has since resided. He was married
Jan. 9, 1868, at Arcadia, to Grace Gardner, who was born in Indiana, Sept.
9, 1850. Their happy union was blessed with five children.
The Trempealeau County Asylum, widely famed as a model institution
of its kind, is located in the town of Lincoln about one mile west of the
village of Whitehall. Its story is told elsewhere. Buildings were erected
in 1899, and the institution opened April 6, 1900. J. A. Johnson, the first
superintendent, was succeeded by P. H. Johnson, who in turn was followed
on April 1, 1911, by John McKivergin as superintendent, and Mrs. McKiv-
ergin as matron. The institution has accommodations for about 130, the
average number of patients being about 112.
Darius D. Chappell, a pioneer of Trempealeau County, who for the past
18 years or more has resided in Galesville, was born in Warren County, Pa.,
Dec. 8, 1833, son of Chubil D. and Mary Ann (Palmeter) Chappell. The
father, Shubil, son of a Revolutionary soldier, was a native of Herkimer
County, N. Y., and a carpenter and joiner by occupation. With his wife,
who was born near New York, he removed to Walworth County, Wis., in
1854, and engaged in contracting and building and also in farming. He
remained in that locality until 1862, in which year, with his family, he came
to Trempealeau County, locating in Caledonia Township, where the rest of
his life was spent.
Darius D. Chappell, who was the eldest of ten children, in his boyhood
attended school in Warren, Pa. He resided at home until he was 19 years
of age, and then, with but little money, he came West to Wisconsin, locating
in Walworth County. After working through the harvest season, he
returned home for the rest of the family, and brought them to Walworth
County. Here he worked for others and for his father, assisting the latter
as carpenter, and in the winter worked in the Eau Claire woods. At the
time of his marriage in 1857 he came to Trempealeau County, settling in
Caledonia and entering into business as carpenter and builder, in which
occupation he continued until the summer of 1862, when, on Aug. 15, he
enlisted in Company C, Thirtieth Wisconsin Regiment, as a private. He
was appointed first lieutenant and was later promoted to the rank of captain
of Company E in the same regiment, and served as such until the close of
the war. Though never wounded, he was seized with sickness and confined
to his bed for several weeks at Fort Rice, where Bismarck, N. D., now
stands. At the close of the war he was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., and
returned to Caledonia Township, where he engaged in farming. This occu-
pation he followed without intermission until 1898, when he purchased his
384 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
present residence in Galesville and retired from active life. Previous to
settling in the village, however, he, accompanied by his wife, took a trip to
his old home in Pennsylvania, from which they made trips, visiting the
battle grounds of Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga, Chick-
amauga and others, subsequently taking a far western trip to Tacoma,
Wash., and California.
Mr. Chappell was married June 21, 1857, to CaroUne F. Fowler, who
was born in Racine, Wis., before that town was named. Her parents were
Benjamin and Martha (Kocher) Fowler, both natives of Pennsylvania, the
father born in Harrisburg and the mother in Philadelphia. The former
was a farmer, capitalist and real estate dealer who came to Wisconsin in or
about 1833, settling on the site of the present city of Racine. Subsequently
he sold his last business holdings to the J. L Case Company and moved to
Walworth County, where he died Dec. 26, 1874. His wife died at Hart
Prairie, Wis., in 1876. Mr. Fowler was a busy man during his active career
and never sought to mix largely in politics, but at different times he held
local office. He and his wife had a family of 13 children, of whom Caroline
F. was the eleventh in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Chappell have three
children: Elmer Elsworth, Ella Swarthng (an adopted daughter), and
Daniel Earl. Ehner Elsworth, born July 8, 1861, died March 21, 1916, at
Lawton, Okla., where he was engaged in business as a contractor and builder.
He married Jennie Dunlap and left two children, Carrie E. and Carl D. Ella
(Swartling) Chappell is now Mrs. Henry Marsh, of Caledonia Township, and
has three children, Glenn, Ray and Ethel. Daniel Earl, born May 29, 1869,
resides on the old home farm in Caledonia. He married Nellie Gilbert, and
they have two children, Alice Myrl, a teacher at Kewaunee, Wis., and Giles
Earl, residing at home. Mr. Chappell is the owner of considerable land in
Trempealeau County. He belongs to Charles H. Ford Post, No. 258, G. A. R.,
of which he has been commander several times, and is a member of the
county commission for the soldiers' indigent fund, which he has served as
secretary since its organization. He and his wife have many warm friends
throughout this part of the county. On the twenty-fifth anniversary of
their wedding they were given a surprise party by about 200 of their friends,
who presented them with many beautiful and costly gifts, and a similar
event took place on their fiftieth anniversary. On the latter occasion Mrs.
Chappell was presented with a gold-headed umbrella and Mr. Chappell with
a gold-headed cane, a golden clock and other beautiful gifts. In thanking
their friends Mr. and Mrs. Chappell said that they might have accumulated
more of this world's goods, had they tried to do so, but they doubted if
they would have seen so much real happiness and would not exchange the
high esteem of their friends for all the gold in Alaska. Mr. Chappell is a
Republican in politics and when a resident of Caledonia Township served as
town treasurer for a number of years.
Glaus 0. Mitskogen is a native of this county, having been born in
Lake's Coulie, five miles south of Blair, Jan. 6, 1873, son of Ole 0. and Lisa
(Hendrickson) Mitskogen. The father, Ole 0. Mitskogen, was born in
Sweden, in 1822, came to America in 1867, followed by his family in August,
1868, worked as a farm hand one year, homesteaded a farm in Lake's Coulie,
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 385
section 2, range 8, township 20 (Preston), and there lived until his death
in 1900. The mother, Lisa Hendrickson, was born in Sweden, in 1834, and
died in the spring of 1914. Glaus 0. Mitskogen was reared on the home
farm, and remained with his parents until 1896, when he purchased his
present farm of l60 acres in section 34, range 7, township 22 (Preston).
Since coming here he has made many improvements, and has d-^veloped as
good a place as is to be found in the community. His home, a frame struc-
ture, two stories high, with eight rooms and a basement, was erected in
1908. The barn, 28 by 56 by 14 feet, with cement floors, and modern
equipment, was erected in 1905. The farm is well fenced, and the imple-
ments, machinery and tools are of the best. In carrying on general farm-
ing, Mr. Mitskogen makes a specialty of raising a good grade of Holstein
cattle for beef and dairy purposes. A prominent man in the community,
Mr. Mitskogen has served on the township board, and has been a member
of the school board since 1910. Since 1906 he has been secretary of the
Synod Norwegian Lutheran church (now united). Mr. Mitskogen was
married June 8, 1894, to Nellie Haug, who was born in Ettrick Township,
Jan. 11, 1874, the daughter of John 0. and Nina Haug, and died Jan. 11,
1900. Odin, a child of this union, was born Oct. 15, 1897. Of the other
two children, Olava died at the age of 2 years, and Julia at the age of 10
years. On May 4, 1901, Mr. Mitskogen married Amanda Anderson, who
was born in Pigeon Township, Aug. 17, 1878, daughter of Halvor and Chris-
tian (Benson) Anderson, natives of Norway.
Moses E. Ladd, a well-known and respected resident of Whitehall,
retired farmer, former county official, and now engaged in the insurance
business, was born in Unity, N. H., July 2, 1843, son of Philander J. and
Ruth (Adams) Ladd. Philander J. Ladd was born in New Hampshire, and
in 1857 came to Trempealeau County, where he engaged in agriculture until
his death in 1896 at the age of 75 years, his wife Ruth, whom he married
in his native State, having died in 1886 at the age of 54. Moses E. Ladd
was 14 years old when his father brought the family to Wisconsin. He
worked as a clerk and bookkeeper at Trempealeau for four years and taught
school an equal length of time, in the meanwhile improving his education by
attending Gale College. Turning his attention to agriculture, he then
engaged in farming in Caledonia Township until 1899. Appointed county
treasurer. May 8, 1899, he moved to Whitehall and gave his attention to
the duties of that office, in which he served so efficiently that he was elected
in 1900 and served an additional term. In 1903 Mr. Ladd bought the insur-
ance agency of Herman L. Ekern, of Whitehall, and has since carried on the
business successfully, writing fire, tornado, automobile and accident insur-
ance. For many years Mr. Ladd has given a considerable part of his time
to public service. He was a member of the county board in 1896, 1897 and
1898, was township clerk of Caledonia Township for seven years, and clerk
of his school board there a similar period. In Trempealeau Township he
was township clerk for two years. Since coming to Whitehall he has been
village clerk two years. While still farming, he was also one of the organ-
izers of the Galesville Creamery, serving seven years as director. Relig-
iously, he is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church, holding the
386 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
ofRce of trustee and steward. For half a century he has been a member
of the Masonic order. It will thus be seen that his life has been one of
activity and useful effort in various directions, and in whatever position he
has been placed he has shown efficiency and fidelity to his duties. Mr. Ladd
was married, March 30, 1870, to Libbie J. Bagley, who was born in Hayfield,
Crawfoi'd County, Pa., Oct. 26, 1849, daughter of Phineas and Phoebe
(Williams) Bagley. Her father was a farmer who came to Trempealeau
County in 1856, and died in 1892 at the age of 85 years, after a long and
industrious career. Her mother died in 1890. Mrs. Ladd passed away
April 22, 1917. An obituary notice said of her :
"Mrs. Ladd may well be called a pioneer of the county. In her girlhood
days the life of Trempealeau did not have the comforts and blessings of
the hfe of today. But it had a delightful and wholesome Christian atmos-
phere, and Miss Bagley early took advantage of this great blessing and took
an active part in the church work of the neighborhood. At the age of 25
she joined the Methodist Episcopal church and has been a very faithful
member ever since. After moving to Whitehall Mrs. Ladd became an im-
portant link in the social, civic and religious life of this village. She has
been especially industrious in the temperance cause, church work. Ladies'
Aid and in work of the relief corps. In the death of Mrs. Ladd her husband
mourns the loss of a loving, devoted wife, and the community suffers the
loss of a diligent worker for the higher things of life."
The Central Trading Association, of Whitehall, conducts the "Model"
store, and handles general merchandise, shoes, clothing, dry goods,
groceries, notions and the like. The store occupies the basement, first floor
and part of the second floor of a sightly modern building which the company
has remodelled. It is constructed in the shape of an "L," 30 feet wide and
120 feet long, with a rear of 60 feet in width. The company also owns two
lots near the store, whereon have been built sheds for the accommodation
of teams. The Association was incorporated Sept. 25, 1913, with a capital
stock of $50,000. The first officers were : President, P. H. Johnson ; vice-
president, D. Wood ; secretary, C. P. Larson ; treasurer, C. B. Melby ; direc-
tors, P. H. Johnson, R. S. Cowie, C. P. Larson, C. B. Melby and F. D. Hopkins.
Immediately upon organization, the company bought out the general store
of Torgerson & Sons, and estabhshed its present business.
Peter H. Johnson, president of the board of directors of the Central
Trading Association, conducting the "Model" department store at White-
hall, is a man of wide interests and varied experiences. Aside from his
position with the Trading Association, he is vice-president of the John O.
Melby & Co. Bank, of Whitehall, and a stockholder in the State Bank of
Galesville, the Farmers' and Merchants' State Bank, of Stanley, the Western
Wisconsin Telephone Company, of Whitehall, and the Farmers' Co-Opera-
tive Elevator Company, of Whitehall. He was born in Biri, Norway, April
2, 1862, second of the seven children of Hans and Martha (Halvorsdatter)
Johnson. Hans Johnson came to America in 1864, lived in La Crosse
County, this State, a year, homesteaded in 1865 a farm in section 5, town-
ship 19, range 7, Ettrick, and there farmed until his death in 1896, his
good wife dying in 1894. Peter H. Johnson attended the common schools
HENRY A. COX AND FAMILY
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 387
and Gale College at Galesville, taught school for a while, and helped his
parents with the work of the farm. In 1884 he became grain buyer and
bookkeeper for Wilson Davis, the Galesville miller. Ten years later, in
1894, he and J. E. Wilberg, under the firm name of Johnson & Wilberg,
opened a hardware store at Ettrick. While still a member of this firm, he
was elected county clerk in the fall of 1896, and took office Jan. 1, 1897. He
was re-elected, and served until Jan. 1, 1901. March 1, 1901, he was named
as superintendent of the Trempealeau County Insane Asylum, at Whitehall,
and served in this capacity for ten years. Then he was idle for a while,
and then became manager of the Farmers' Elevator Company, at Whitehall,
assuming the duties of his present position Sept. 25, 1913. Aside from his
business interests, Mr. Johnson is notary public and justice of the peace,
and has served as court commissioner since 1914. Mr. Johnson was mar-
ried June 13, 1891, to Mary 0. Heram, born in Norway, Feb. 16, 1862,
daughter of Ole C. and Mary (Haakenson) Heram, who brought their
family in 1869 to Trempealeau County, where the father still lives, the
mother having died in 1914 at the age of 80 years. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson
have three children, Hughitt, Mae and Miles. Hughitt is a student in the
Chicago Dental College. Mae is studying music in the music department
of the Lawrence University at Appleton, Wis. Miles is doing well at his
studies in the Whitehall High School.
Henry A. Cox, a retired farmer residing on his old farm in section 11,
Trempealeau Township, was born at Whitewater, Walworth County, Wis.,
Dec. 12, 1845, son of Jeffry and Elizabeth (Cox) Cox. His parents were
natives of Somersetshire, England, and came to the United States in 1844,
locating at Whitewater, Wis., where the mother died about a year after the
birth of her son Henry. The father, who was born in 1798, survived his
wife many years, dying in 1882 at the advanced age of 84.
Henry A. Cox was educated in the district school at Whitewater, Wis.,
which he left at the age of 15 years. At the age of 17 he enlisted in Com-
pany D, Twenty-eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He took part in
several battles and his regiment was with the Union troops when they took
possession of Little Rock, Ark., but Mr. Cox was in the hospital at that time.
After serving three years and two months, he was mustered out at Browns-
ville, Tex., and returned to his home in Whitewater. In 1866 he came to
Trempealeau Township, locating near Centerville, on a farm of 80 acres
which he had bought of Hollister Wright, where he remained for five or
six years, after which he sold that farm and bought his present home of
120 acres in section 11, on which he built a one and a half story frame house,
together with a barn, silo and other necessary buildings. All the land is
under the plow. In 1909 Mr. Cox turned over the farm to his son Frank,
who now operates it. In the summers he resides on the farm and in the
winters he lives with his son Clarence at La Crosse. In politics Mr. Cox
has always been a Republican. He formerly served two terms as clerk of
School District No. 13. His rehgious affiliations are with Centerville
Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been an active member for a
number of years. He is a man highly respected throughout this part of
the county as a reliable citizen and good neighbor. He was united in holy
388 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
bonds of matrimony to Jennie Ladd, who proved a loyal wife and loving
mother. She passed away Jan. 16, 1895, leaving the following children:
George H., born in 1876, who is married and is engaged in farming in Iowa;
Frank, born in 1879, who is also married and is operating the home farm,
and Clarence, born in 1883, who is married and lives in La Crosse, Wis.,
where he is engaged in the hardware business.
Thomas P. Huleatt was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, the son of
Thomas and Jane (Harden) Huleatt, who brought their family to America
in 1850, and after iiving in Rock Island, 111., for a year, settled in Pepm
County, this State, taking up their home in Bogus Valley. There the
parents spent the remainder of their days, having achieved by hard work
and frugality a position of influence and importance in the community.
Thomas P. Huleatt spent his youth on the home farm, and as he grew to
manhood determined to devote his life to farming. As a young man he
acquired a good farm, which he successfully conducted for many years. He
was well thought of in his neighborhood, and occupied a number of local
offices in the county and on the school boai'd. After a long and useful career
in Pepin County, he came to Whitehall, in 1899, and here resided until his
lamented death in 1906. Mr. Huleatt was married, in 1865, at Pepin, Wis.,
to Maria A. Clarke, who was born in Pennsylvania, in 1845, and died in
1905. Mr. and Mrs. Huleatt had two children: Clarence F., a merchant
of Whitehall, and Eva, the wife of Watson Leach, a carpenter at Zion
City, 111.
Clarence F. Huleatt, secretary and treasurer of the Huleatt Mercantile
Co., and a leading merchant of Whitehall, was born in Bogus Valley, near
Pepin, Wis., March 30, 1866, son of Thomas P. and Maria A. (Clarke)
Huleatt. He was reared on the farm, attended the district schools of Pepin
County, and graduated from the River Falls State Normal School, in 1892.
Thus prepared, he taught school for several years, part of which time he
was principal of the Whitehall schools. In the spring of 1897 he and L. M.
Ekern became owners of the hardware and furniture store of Peterson &
Ekern, at Whitehall, under the firm name of Huleatt & Ekern. In 1899
Mr. Huleatt bought out his partner's interest, and with his uncle, Samuel
Huleatt, established the firm of Huleatt & Huleatt. In 1900 the Huleatt
Mercantile Company was incorporated with a capital stock of $6,000, the
officers and owners being: President, Thomas F. Huleatt; treasurer,
Samuel H. Huleatt, and secretary, Clarence F. Huleatt. Clarence F. Huleatt
is now the secretary and treasurer, and his wife is the president. The firm
does a large business in furniture, hardware and appliances, and has a
large business in installing heating plants and doing general plumbing
work. Mr. Huleatt also conducts a funeral directing department, having
taken lectures on undertaking at Milwaukee and St. Paul under the leading
embalmers of the country. The building, erected in 1900, occupies a promi-
nent place on Main street, and is of modern construction, 30 by 80 feet. Mr.
Huleatt has been a member of the village council for two years. He has
passed through the chairs of the local I. 0. 0. F. Lodge. His religious affili-
ations are with the Whitehall Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is a
trustee. Mr. Huleatt was married Dec. 23, 1896, to Mary E. Shane, of
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 389
Modena, county superintendent of schools, Buffalo County, Wis., born March
20, 1864, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (McEldowney) Shane, natives
of Ireland.
Peter T. Herreid, a prosperous hardware merchant, of Blair, Wis., was
born in Ettrick Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., Oct. 13, 1867. His
parents were Thomas 0. and Brita (Bue) Herreid. The father was born
at Hardanger, Norway, and came to America in 1854, locating in Dane
County, Wis., where he remained until 1858. He then came to Trempealeau
County and homesteaded a farm in Ettrick Township, which place was his
home for the rest of his life. He died March 20, 1898, when 69 years old.
His wife died Aug. 14, 1914, at the age of 87. Peter T. Herreid at 16 years
of age began work as a carpenter in Pigeon Township and was thus occupied
until 1893. In 1895 he bought the hardware store of A. B. Peterson, at
Blair, being associated with his brother Thomas, under the firm name of
Herreid Brothers. The firm has since continued in business and has built
up a good trade. Their building is a one-story frame 24x100 feet. They
carry a general line of hardware, operate a tinshop and conduct heating
and plumbing departments of their business. Peter T. Herreid has been a
member of the village council five years, having served as its president for
two years. He has also served on the school board ten years. He is a stock-
holder in the First National Bank of Blair. His religious afliliations are
with the United Norwegian Lutheran church, which he has served as
treasurer since about 1900. He also had charge of the building of the
church. December 27, 1895, Mr. Herreid was united in marriage with
Hanna B. Hanson, of Blair, whose father, Martin Hanson Skyrud, was a
pioneer farmer of Trempealeau County. To him and his wife five children
have been born: Myron, Berdelle, Leon, Francis and Lyla. Myron is on
the flagship Pennsylvania in the navy ; Berdelle is a proficient teacher ; Leon
is with the L. C. Hyde & Britton Bankers, at Beloit, Wis. ; Francis and Lyla
are at home.
John H. Crosen, an elderly resident of Trempealeau Village, one of the
surviving veterans of the Civil War, was born in Wheeling, Va., Aug. 22,
1833. His parents were William and Adelaide (Israel) Crosen. The
father, born in Virginia about 1790, learned the cooper's trade, which he
followed in Wheeling for a number of years, and afterwards in Pittsburgh,
Pa. He was of Dutch descent. His wife, Adelaide (Israel) Crosen, was
born in Pennsylvania of Scotch descent, and was nearly 90 years of age
at the time of her death.
John H. Crosen had but limited educational opportunities in his boy-
hood, attending the common schools during the winters from the age of 7
to that of 16 years. He remained at home until he was 18 years old,
assisting his father in coopering, and then worked out to some extent on
farms, though still assisting his father at times. It was his desire to learn
the machinist's trade, but could find no one to take him as an apprentice
on account of his slight build. Through the influence of an uncle, however,
he found an opportunity to learn boot and shoe making, which he started
to do at the age of 22 years, and he continued his apprenticeship until he
could make any kind of footwear, pegged or sewed. Then he went to Alle-
390 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
gheny, Pa., where he entered the employ of James Spratley, a manufacturer
and dealer, for whom he worked four years.
In 1856 Mr. Crosen came West to Wisconsin, traveling by rail by way
of Chicago to Dubuque, Iowa, and from there by boat up the river to Trem-
pealeau, then known as Montoville, arriving the 13th of November, 1856.
Here he went to work as clerk for J. P. Israel, who had come West with him
and established a grocery and dry goods business. Israel had bought
goods in St. Louis, which were delivered to the Packet Company at Dubuque,
Iowa, but as the river was frozen over so as to prevent navigation, they
were not delivered at Trempealeau until the spring of 1857. After working
for Mr. Israel a few months, Mr. Crosen bought him out. Not long after
doing so he discovered that the goods bought in St. Louis had not been
paid for, and as he was unable to pay for them, the St. Louis people closed
him out. He then opened a boot and shoe shop, there being at this time
only three business houses in Trempealeau, and resided at the hotel kept
by D. W. Gilfillan. There was plenty of work to be had and he was kept busy
in his shop, but business was done largely on credit and there was plenty
of "wildcat" money in circulation, sound money being scarce. Mr. Crosen
often had as much as $250 of this more than doubtful currency in his pocket,
but couldn't pay a week's board with it. There were scores of banks organ-
ized and existing on an unsound financial condition and failures were fre-
quent. These conditions lasted until the Civil War, by which time Mr.
Crosen found himself in bad financial condition, and with prospects no
better. There was one thing every able-bodied young man could do, how-
evei' — serve his country; so on June 20, 1861, he enlisted in Company H,
Sixth Regiment Volunteer Infantry, better known as the "Iron Brigade."
He was mustered in at Madison, Wis., July 17, 1861, with rank of sergeant.
Three days later the command arrived in Washington, D. C, and was
stationed at Kalorama Heights, D. C, near the capital. Early in the fol-
lowing March they took part in McClelland's advance on Bull Run, subse-
quently returning to Alexandria, Va., where they were held for the protec-
tion of Washington. They, however, cleared the State of the rebels as far
down as Fredericksburg, the enemy burning all bridges and shipping.
After the bridges had been rebuilt the command crossed the Rappahannock
in the night, going to the vicinity of Orange County Courthouse. From
there they marched to Spottsylvania Courthouse, and on to Waller's Tavern
and Frederickhall Station on the Richmond Railroad. On this raid they
destroyed "Stonewall" Jackson's commissary supplies and the station at
Frederickhall, together with three miles of the railroad track. Making
use of a "ground wire," they telegraphed General Jackson (the message
purporting to come from Richmond) : "Send troops to protect railroad."
Jackson's reply was : "Pope giving me enough to do here ; railroad must take
care of itself." Having accomplished this work, the command returned to
camp at Fredericksbiii-g. The next movement was a feint attack made to
deceive the enemy, so that the troops at Fredericksburg could rejoin the
main army. This movement was successful, but in making it a New York
regiment lost their entire supply train, and sent back a courier with an
order demanding horses — everyone that could be picked up. This order was
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 391
delivered to Colonel Cutler, of the Wisconsin troops, and was very thor-
oughly obeyed, the command gathering in a large number of horses. This
was one of the biggest infantry raids during the war, and was accomplished
by Wisconsin troops. It lasted four days, and as the men had but three
days' rations, the last 24 hours they were without food. On their return
they were complimented by General Gibbons, who issued to Sergeant Crosen
the following orders: "Find two rows of tents at right. Occupy these.
Cook and eat to your heart's content. Pay no attention to taps, and I'll send
up a present." The present was four buckets of whiskey, of which the last
drop was drunk, though there was not an intoxicated man. They then
turned in and were just asleep when an order came to Sergeant Crosen to
notify the colonel to prepare three days' rations and make an immediate
advance to Cedar Mountain, 50 miles distant, to the Rapidan River. Accord-
ingly rest had to be postponed to a future occasion, the troops took up their
march and in 48 hours were at Cedar Mountain ready for battle. On this
occasion the subject of this sketch was a messmate with Major Charles
Ford, they sharing half rations together, as he had none. The battle
was a hard contest and the iield was so piled with the bodies of men and
horses that it could not be passed over. It was suspended by a truce. Two
days afterward outriders came in reporting that the Confederate army of
different divisions of 40,000 each were "advancing from every direction."
The troops were immediately drawn up in line of battle on the Rappahannock
River to prevent the rebels from crossing, and they held this position from
4 o'clock p. m. on one day to 10 o'clock a. m. the next. As the enemy did
not appear, they took up the line of march back through Culpepper to the
Rappahannock railroad station, and then up the river. This four days'
march was made from Aug. 20 to 23, 1862, inclusive. Aug. 26 the "Iron
Brigade" went to White Sulphur Springs, where they defeated a flank
movement of the enemy. They then took up their march for Bull Run, on
a report that the Confederates had got around their right. Reaching Gaines-
ville, Aug. 28, 1862, they marched through the town. About a mile beyond
the enemy suddenly opened fire on them, the attack being quite unexpected.
Quickly forming line, they fought for three hours, the brigade losing 800
killed and wounded. Among the latter was Mr. Crosen, who was shot in
the left thigh. Left on the field, he lay there nine days and on the tenth
day was taken to Gainesville and laid beside the road to be parolled with
others. The second battle of Bull Run took place as he lay on the field
between the opposing forces, unable to get away. By the terms of an
armistice the wounded were released, the Union wounded being conveyed
to Washington, 39 miles distant, in 700 ambulances, holding from two to
twenty-five people each. Mr. Crosen remained in the hospital until the
spring of 1863 and was then transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, as
being disabled for active service, and he continued as a member of this
corps until his discharge, July 13, 1864. He took part in the battle of Fort
Stevens, July 8, 1864, and at this time was brevetted first lieutenant of the
Second Battalion of Veteran Reserves.
In the fall of 1864 Mr. Crosen returned to Trempealeau and reopened
his shop. He was in bad physical condition, but his health slowly improved
392 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
and he continued in the shoe business until about 1881. He then engaged
in raising small fruits on a five-acre tract adjoining the village, erecting
on it a settler's shanty to avoid having to pay rent. Here he lived six years,
at the end of which time he took up his abode in his present residence, which
he had built, a six-room house, with upright and wing. Mr. Crosen was
married, November 15, 1866, to Cornelia F. Melhorn, at Washington, D. C.
She was born at Harpers Ferry, Va., April 26, 1836, her father being Francis
Melhorn, an old-time Virginian, who was for years an inspector at the
Harpers Ferry arsenal, his connection with the arsenal being severed when
the war broke out, owing to his sympathy with the South. He then took
up his residence in Washington, where he engaged in the meat business,
never taking up arms. Immediately after his marriage Mr. Crosen brought
his wife to Trempealeau, where she is still living, though in somewhat feeble
health, as she is now in her eighty-first year. Six children were born to
Mr. and Mrs. Crosen: Luella, who married James B. McManus, of Trem-
pealeau, and died leaving two children ; Francis, who is married and engaged
in the auto livery business in Trempealeau ; Cornelia, wife of Edward
Carpenter, a farmer of Hope, N. D., who has six children — four sons and
two daughters ; William, married, who is a barber in Trempealeau Village ;
Warren, who was drowned several years ago in the Mississippi River, near
Trempealeau, and Harry, who died when young. Mr. Crosen has never
been active in politics or held any public ofiice. Religiously he is in accord
with the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal church, though not a member
of any church. Still at one time he was a class leader of the Methodist
church and has professed Christianity for 32 years, during which time he
has been a Bible student. He has been a member of the Masonic order since
1866, being connected with Lodge No. 117, of Trempealeau, of which he
was secretary for several years. Although in his eighty-fourth year, he
is still strong and fairly vigorous, enjoying good health.
Elmer L. Immell, live stock dealer and automobile agent of Blair, has
seen considerable public life. From 1889 to 1893, under President Benjamin
H. Harrison, he was postmaster at Blair. From 1901 to 1903 he was sheriff
of Trempealeau County. From 1903 to 1908 he was deputy State game
warden. Since its organization he has served on the village council all
except four years, and during a part of this period he was president of that
body. He has also been village treasurer and township treasurer. In
all of these positions he has done most excellent woi'k, and has demonstrated
his efficiency and ability in whatever line of effort he has been called upon to
undertake. He was born in Alma Township, Jackson County, Wis., May 10,
1863, son of Francis M. and Anna (Storley) Immell, and spent his boyhood
on the farm, coming to Blair with his parents in 1876. For a number of
years he was occupied in drilling wells and installing pumps and windmills.
During this period he operated a number of steam threshers. Gradually he
became interested in stock buying, in which line he has since continued. In
1910 he purchased the hardware store of A. B. Peterson. In 1913, having
sold this establishment, he became treasurer and part owner of the White-
hall Auto Sales Company, of Whitehall, assuming the position of agent at
Blair. He has built up a good business and is widely known for his honor-
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 393
able dealing. Fraternally, Mr. Immell is connected with the Modern Wood-
men and the Beavers. He was married Nov. 19, 1885, to Rose McKivergin,
and this union has been blessed with four children: Hugh E., who is in
the hardware business in Appleton, Wis. ; Russell H., who is at home ; Clin-
ton B., who is a student at the La Crosse Normal School, and Ralph M., who
is studying law in the University of Wisconsin.
Knut S. Knutson has been one of the leading citizens of the county for
many years. As an agriculturist he developed a good farm in the Beaver
Creek Valley, as a merchant he assisted in the progress of Blair by building
up an important store, and as county, village and school official he has done
most efficient service to the community at large. Mr. Knutson is a native
of Ulvik, Hardanger, Norway, born Feb. 20, 1856, the son of Urians and Brita
(Severson) Knutson. The parents, born, respectively, July 6, 1823, and
Dec. 13, 1830, brought the family to America in 1869, and settled on a home-
stead in the Beaver Creek Valley, in Ettrick Township, where the father
died Feb. 15, 1901, and where the mother now makes her home with her
daughter, Mrs. 0. T. Johnson. As a young man Knut S. Knutson secured a
farm in the Beaver Creek Valley, which he owned and operated for a number
of years. Having attained success in this line, he determined to seek
broader fields of opportunity, and- in 1903 moved to Blair, where, with his
sons, Julius 0. and Edwin B., he purchased the hardware and implement
store of Charles Johnson and estabhshed the firm of K. S. Knutson & Sons,
which was succeeded in 1909 by the son, Julius 0. Knutson. The subject of
this sketch now devotes his time to looking after his various interests and
to public service. As a member of the county board he has the advantage
of eight years' experience, and he is regarded as one of the influential men
of that body. For twenty years in Ettrick and for three years in Blair he
has been a member of the school board. For two years he was on the village
council of Blair. His fi'aternal relations are with the Independent Order
of Foresters. His business holdings include stock in the Home State Bank,
of Blair, of which he is a director, and in the Minneapolis (Minn.) State
Bank of Commerce. Mr. Knutson was married June 8, 1878, to Anna Skaar,
who was born in Ettrick Township, Dec. 23, 1858, daughter of 0. N. and
Engeborg Skaar, the former of whom was born June 27, 1822, and died Oct.
16, 1909, and the latter of whom was born Feb. 10, 1822, and died July 12,
1908. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Knutson has been blessed with four
children: Julius 0., Edwin B., Irvin N. and Ida. Juhus 0. is the leading
hardware and implement dealer in Blair. Edwin B. organized the State
Bank of Commerce at Minneapolis and of this institution he is now cashier.
On June 23, 1903, he married Adah Pooler, of Onalaska, Wis. Irvin N. is
cashier of the Coon Valley (Wis.) State Bank. He married Minnie Neprud,
of Coon Valley, and they have two children, Genevieve and Irvin N., Jr. Ida
is the assistant cashier of the Coon Valley State Bank. In addition to his
holdings in this county, and in Grant County, N. D., Mr. Knutson and his two
sons, Julius 0. and Edwin B., own a 240-acre farm in Imperial County, Cal.
Nathan H. Carhart, who owns and operates an ideal farm of 156 acres
section 36, township 19, range 10 west (Trempealeau Township), was boi'n
at Broome, Schoharie County, N. Y., Nov. 20, 1848. His parents, Isaac D.
394 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
and Nancy A. (Bangs) Carhart, were married at Kortright, Delaware
County, N. Y., Sept. 14, 1830, which place was their home for a number of
years. In the fall of 1855 they came West to Milwaukee, by way of the
Great Lakes. From that city they proceeded by train to Fox Lake, Dodge
County, Wis., where they lived until 1861, Mr. Carhart renting and working
land there. Leaving Dodge County in the year last mentioned, they set
out for Fillmore County, Minn., but on reaching Trempealeau County, Wis.,
they camped one Sunday on the land now owned by Mr. Carhart. The loca-
tion and surroundings proved so fascinating to him that he went to La
Crosse, met the owner, and closed a bargain for 156 acres, all of it being
wild land. On this, for a first residence he erected a board shanty, 12 by 12
feet in dimensions, and here he and his wife, and their family, then num-
bering eight children, lived for some years. His first barn was a shed
with hay roof. He later enlarged the shanty, as it was too small a dwelling
for so large a family, and it served as a residence until 1869, in which year
he built the present house, a two-story with basement, built of lime and
sand brick, with hollow walls.
Sept. 2, 1885, Isaac D. Carhart died on the homestead. His wife sur-
vived him until May 7, 1889, when she, too, passed away. They were quiet,
industrious and worthy people who had worked hard to obtain what few
comforts they possessed, and who were held in esteem by their neighbors
for their sterling qualities. They are buried in Greenwood Cemetery, which
Mr. Carhart had platted on the farm, and of which for many years he was
treasurer. He and his wife were active members of the Methodist Episcopal
church at Centerville, which he served for many years as treasurer. Their
family, in addition to the subject of this sketch, consisted of four sons and
five daughters, or five sons and five daughters in all, the other sons being
Lewis Henry, John McKendree, Andrew R. and Isaac W., and the duaghters
Mary L., Delia Elizabeth, Emma Frances, Charlotte Ophelia and Clara
Josephine. All but Clara Josephine were born in New York, Clara being
born in Dodge County, Wis.
Nathan H. Carhart was trained to farm work at an early age, attend-
ing school as he had opportunity, and he has been engaged in agricultural
pursuits ever since. His farm is one of the best in this part of the county,
120 acres of the land being under the plow and 36 acres in timber and
pasture. Through the farm flows Big Tamarack Creek, furnishing an
abundant supply of running spring water all seasons of the year. He is a
stockholder in the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company and the Citizens'
State Bank, of Trempealeau, Wis., and for years has been president of the
Farmers' Trempealeau County Mutual Insurance Company. In politics he
is a Republican and for a long time has been more or less active in local
government matters, having served many years as supervisor of Trempea-
leau Township, and for some years as a member of the school board, both
as clerk and treasurer. Oct. 24, 1883, Mr. Carhart was married at the home
of his bride to Mary Ellen, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Rhodes) Brown-
sell, of Fond du Lac, Wis., the Rev. John P. Hale officiating. She became
the mother of three children: Thomas Brownsell, born Oct. 2, 1884, who is
engaged in railroad business at San Antonio, Tex. ; Clarence Nathan, born
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 395
April 1, 1886, who died Oct. 1, 1886; and Clara Ellen, born Aug. 18, 1888,
who is now Mrs. Franklin Dickman, of Pine Island, Minn.
Mr. Carhart was married, secondly, April 12, 1893, to Emma Towner,
daughter of John and Margaret Towner, of Caledonia Township, this county,
their marriage taking place at his bride's home, and being presided over by
the Rev. W. A. Allen, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church. The
children of this second marriage were : Mildred, born Jan. 26, 1894, who is
a graduate of the high school and the Winona Normal School and is now a
teacher, residing at home; Emma, born April 29, 1895, who died Aug. 2,
the same year; Nathan Towner, born Dec. 6, 1897, and now residing at
home; Lawrence Harvey, born Aug. 1, 1901, who is a high school student
living at home, and Carroll Curtis, born Jan. 17, 1903. Mr. Carhart and his
wife are members of Centerville Methodist Episcopal church, of which he
is a trustee. His children, Mildred, Lawrence and Carroll, are also members
of the church, and Mrs. Carhart is active in the Ladies' Aid Society con-
nected with it, and is president of the Harmony Circle of King's Daughters,
of West Prairie.
Julius 0. Knutson, a leading business man of Blair, was born on the
homestead in Ettrick Township, this county, Sept. 2, 1878, son of Knut S.
and Anna (Skaar) Knutson. In 1903 he became a member of the firm of
K. S. Knutson & Sons, and on Jan. 1, 1909, he purchased the business and has
since conducted it under his own name. He carries on a general hardware
and implement business. The modern building which houses the estab-
lishment, is owned by his father, K. S. Knutson. It is a two-story structure
with full basement, 60 by 60 feet, of brick veneer. It is equipped with an
elevator and other conveniences. In the spring of 1917 Mr. Knutson erected
a modern brick garage 33 by 70 feet adjoining the store building. This
he conducts in connection with his other business. Handling a good line of
automobiles and accessories, the garage is fully equipped, where auto repair-
ing is done by expert mechanics. Mr. Knutson is a stockholder in the Home
Bank of Blair, and in the Western Wisconsin Telephone Co. of Arcadia.
With his brother, Edwin B., and his father, K. S., he owns a large farm in
Imperial County, Cal. His public work has included service as village clerk
for five years and school treasurer five years, being now president of the
village council. His fraternal relations are with the Independent Order of
Foresters. Mr. Knutson was married, May 23, 1906, to Alice B. Thompson,
who was born in Jackson County, Wis., Feb. 20, 1875, daughter of Reier and
Brunhild (Haugland) Thompson, of North Dakota. This union has been
blessed with three children : Kenneth Ralph, born July 5, 1907, and died
Sept. 2, 1907; Kermit Russell, born Aug. 22, 1911; and Blanche Annabel,
born March 21, 1916. The family faith is that of the United Norwegian
Lutheran church.
Edwin T. Mattison, the present postmaster of Blair, Wis., was born
in Preston Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., Feb. 18, 1882. He is a
son of Mattis Mattison, a native of Sweden. Edwin T. Mattison was reared
on his parents' farm and remained at home until reaching the age of 24
years. He then married and began farming for himself in Preston Town-
ship, staying there till June, 1915. On July 1 of that year he assumed his
396 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
present duties as postmaster of Blair. He is a stockholder in the First
National Bank of Blair, a member of the United Norwegian Church, serv-
ing as secretary of the same, and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of
America. Mr. Mattison was married, Aug. 4, 1906, to Ida Thompson of
Preston Township, a daughter of Ole and Ingeborg (Brekke) Thompson,
her father being a native of Sweden and a pioneer farmer of this county,
who died June 25, 1916, at the age of 75 years. Her mother still lives on
the old farm. Mr. and Mrs. Mattison have been the parents of six children:
Magnus, Delbert, Victor, Alvin, Ralph and Esther. Alvin died in December,
1914 at the age of one year and eight months.
Ole Mork, M. D., who for the last eight years has been engaged in
the practice of medicine and surgery in Blair, Wis., was born in Thele-
marken, Norway, July 14, 1873, a son of John and Anna (Landsverk)
Mork. His father and mother are both living in Norway, the former at
the age of 70 and the latter at that of 65 years. Ole Mork attended school
in his native land and was subsequently graduated from the University
of Norway, at Christiania, with the degree of M. D. For six months he
was assistant physician at the asylum at Throndlijem. From 1901 he prac-
ticed medicine in Ulvvik, Hardanger, and was thus occupied for seven
years. In 1908 Dr. Mork came to the United States, and located in Port-
land, Ore., where he remained several months or until the fall, when he
came to Blair. Here he has since been engaged in practice, many of his
patients being his own countrymen. He is a member of the county, state
and national medical societies, and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen
of America and the Sons of Norway. Dr. Mork was married Feb. 2, 1900,
to Karina Grotevik of Solum, Thelemarken, Norway. Her father, Halvor
Grotevik, was a farmer, who died in his native land. Her mother, whose
maiden name was Bertha Thorson, still resides in Norway. Dr. and Mrs.
Mork have been the parents of nine children : Anna, Kaare, Madli, Hjordis,
Bjarne, Martha, Olga, John, who died in 1914 at the age of one year, and
Ella.
Smith Molstad. Among those engaged in developing the agricultural
resources of Gale township, and whose efforts have met with success, must
be taken into prominent consideration the subject of this sketch. Mr.
Molstad is a native of Wisconsin, having been born in La Crosse County,
July 17, 1867. His parents were Ole and Martha (Peterson) Molstad, both
born in Ringsock, Norway, and who were married in that country. Desir-
ing to better their condition and give their children a better prospect in
life, they emigrated to the United States, the voyage being made on a
sailing vessel, settled in Holland Township, La Crosse County, Wis. Here
Ole Molstad acquired a homestead and set at work to till the soil. He was
not, however, destined to long life, as he died in 1875, when his son Smith
was a boy of eight years. His wife, who was constitutionally more hardy,
or more fortunate, survived him about 37 years, passing away at an
advanced age in 1912. Their family was large, numbering eleven chil-
dren, their son Smith being the eighth born. Smith Molstad's schooling
was obtained in a district school in Long Coolie, La Crosse County, and his
agricultural training on his father's farm in that locality. After he was
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HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 397
21 years old he worked on other farms for two or three years, and then
tried raih-oad work, at which he continued for about two years. He then
married and about this time went to work in a lumber mill at Onalaska,
and was thus occupied for four years. Then he took a farm near Onalaska
and operated it for a year, after which he changed the scene of his activ-
ities to Pine Creek, Minn., being engaged in agriculture there for four
years. At the end of that time he purchased a farm near Brownsville,
Minn., where the next six years of his life were spent at his old occupation.
He then tried farming in Winnishiek County, Iowa, and was there six years,
after which he came to his present farm in Gale Township, Trempealeau
County, in 1914, which is a good piece of agricultural property of 290
acres, equipped with good modern buildings and everything- essential in
up-to-date farming. Here he raises the usual crops indigenous to this
region and keeps a fair amount of stock. His farm is kept in excellent
condition and he is doing a good business as an agriculturist.
Mr. Molstad entered into the bonds of matrimony in October, 1893,
choosing as his wife Miss Dorthea Peterson, a native of Norway and
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Peterson. Her parents remained in
Norway. She came to the United States in 1890 and resided at Onalaska
until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Molstad have had seven children : Oscar,
Melvin, Selmar, Emma, Lula, Lillie and Paul. Lula and Paul are deceased,
the latter dying in infancy. All the others are residing at home. In
addition to his farming interests Mr. Molstad is a stockholder in the
La Crosse Packing Company and also has some business interests in other
enterprises. He and his family are members of the Lutheran Church. In
politics he is a Republican. He has, however, served two terms on the
school board of his township.
John A. Perkins, who owns and operates a fine farm of 272 acres in
section 25, Trempealeau Township, was born at Prairie Du Chien, Wis.,
Feb. 13, 1850. His parents were Charles and Mary (Farnham) Perkins,
the father born in Prairie du Chien, March 25, 1824, and the mother at
Rock Island, 111., October, 1826. They were of French and English descent,
Charles Perkins being a farmer by occupation. In the fall of 1850 the
family came to Trempealeau County, the father buying 160 acres of wild
land in section 35, North Ti-empealeau Township, but instead of moving
onto it at once, they took up their residence in Trempealeau Village, where
they remained two years. Then the whole family moved back to Prairie
du Chien and spent one year there on a rented farm. In the fall of 1854
they returned to Trempealeau County and moved onto their farm here.
As there were i^o building on the land, the father built a shanty and pole
stable. He cleared and broke quite a number of acres and in time erected
a good frame house, residing on the place until his death, Nov. 7, 1906.
His wife died May 15, 1886, on the homestead, where she was living. The
children of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Perkins were as follows: John A., sub-
ject of this sketch ; Charles, born in Trempealeau Village, May 28, 1851,
who was killed while walking on the tracks of the Chicago, Burhngton &
Quincy Railroad; Timothy, born June 30, 1853, at Prairie du Chien, who
died in infancy: Mary Agnes, born at Prairie du Chien, Aug. 5, 1854, who
398 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
is now Mrs. Edward House and lives in Trempealeau Village; Nicholas,
born in Trempealeau Township, June 9, 1856, who was a farmer and is
now living in Trempealeau Township and is an invalid; Joseph, born in
Trempealeau Township, Oct. 10, 1858, who resides at the old home, in
section 35; EUzabeth, born in Trempealeau Township April 22, 1861, now
living at Cando, N. D. ; Victoria, born in Trempealeau Township, Jan. 24,
1864, became the wife of Nason Grover, she died in November, 1916 ; Solo-
mon Robert, born July 15, 1867, in Trempealeau Township, who is now in
Iowa; Ida E., born in Trempealeau Township, Oct. 3, 1869, who is unmarried
and resides at Cando, N. D. John A. Perkins when a boy attended dis-
trict school No. 3, Trempealeau Township, regularly until he was 14 years
old, and afterwards during the winters until he was 18. He remained at
home until he was 24, but pi-evious to this, in 1871, he purchased 40 acres
of wild land in section 25, north, Trempealeau Township, this being the
land on which his present residence stands. Oct. 28, 1874, he was married
to Victoria, daughter of John and Victoria La Vigue of Cedar Creek, Minn.,
their marriage being solemnized at the Catholic church in Trempealeau
Village by Rev. Fr. Gongal. The young couple at once took up their resi-
dence on the farm and began housekeeping. Being poor, they could at
first make few improvements, and for some time the house remained in
an unfinished state, but Mr. Perkins jinally built an upright to it, which
gave them more commodious quarters. He had but one horse to begin
farming with, but his father loaned him another to make a team, and it
was more than two years before he was able to buy a second horse. He
made gradual progress, however, and added to his original 40 acres of land
from time to time until the farm now contains 272 acres, 100 of which is
plowed land, the rest being in pasture and timber. The farm is in a favor-
able location, lying on the east side of the beautiful Little Tamarac Val-
ley, and is 14 miles from Winona, five from Galesville and seven from
Trempealeau. For 36 years Mr. Perkins has marketed butter, the product
of his farm, at uniform prices for the year to regular customers. His son
WiUiam now operates the farm. The present house is an upright, two-
story and a half building, with two wings, nicely finished and well fur-
nished. In addition there is a barn with stone basement, having dimensions
of 36 by 86 by 20 feet above the basement, the latter having a cement floor.
The basement has a capacity of 73 heads of cattle and 12 horses. On the
farm there are also corn cribs and granary, with a garage attached, a
machine shed, with an extension, a milk house and ice house and engine
house, all the buildings being painted and in excellent shape. Mr. Perkins
carries on general farming and dairying, and also has a good orchard of
15 acres, the trees all bearing, and the varieties being well selected. He
keeps grade Shorthorn cows and Poland-China hogs. Aside from his per-
sonal farming interests he is a stockholder in the Farmers' Exchange
Elevator of Galesville, and the Farmers' Co-operative Packing Company
of La Crosse, Wis. His thorough knowledge of farming in all its branches
was acquired from his father, who in 1847 and- 1848 was employed by the
Government to assist James Reed in instructing the Sioux Indians in the
vicinity of Winona in agriculture. Sept. 9, 1913, Mr. Perkins' wife died
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 39a
on the old homestead after a long illness and was buried in the Catholic
cemetery in Trempealeau Village. She had borne her husband two chil-
dren : Mary Louise and William J. Mary Louise, who was born Oct. 28, 1878,.
is now Mrs. Stanford Bortz, a resident of Trempealeau Village. William J.,
born Oct. 24, 1882, is unmarried, and, as before stated, is working the farm
for his father. Mr. Perkins is independent in politics and has held no pub-
lic office. He is a member of the Mystic Circle at Trempealeau Village,
having been connected with that organization for the past 16 years. He
and his family are members of the Catholic church, attending St. Mary's
at Galesville.
Everett MeWain. Among those who have helped to develop the soil
and promote the agricultural interests of Caledonia Township is the sub-
ject of this sketch, who was born near the famed Green Mountains of
Vermont, in the town of North Dorset, that state, Dec. 17, 1850, his parents
being John W. and Helen (Parker) McWain. The family, including Everett,
came to Wisconsin in 1854, locating on a farm in Outgamie County, near
Stevensville, in which locality they spent about four years. They then
moved onto David Parker's farm (grandfather of Everett McWain), near
St. Anthony, now a part of Minneapolis. From there they returned for
one winter to Outgamie County, coming to Trempealeau County in March,
1864, and settling on the land on which Everett now resides. The father
after a long career as an agriculturist, spent his last years in retirement,,
dying at the home of his son Bert, in Winona, Minn., at the venerable age
of 91. His wife, who was born in Vermont, in April, 1833, died at her own
home in Gale Township, near Galesville, Feb. 8, 1904, at the age of 71 years.
Everett McWain was a child of less than four years when he came to
Wisconsin. His educational opportunities were not great, but he attended
district school until he was 14 years old and learned to read, write and
cipher. When 15 he began working for himself at threshing, being asso-
ciated for 12 years in this branch of farming with Frank Bender, and dui'-
ing the latter part of this period they owned their own machine. In this
business Mr. McWain continued until he had reached the age of 45 years,
owning his own outfit and using horse-power before the days of steam
threshing. He bought his first land on section 6, Caledonia Township, it
being a tract of 80 acres, to which he has since added by purchase until
he and his two sons now own 240 acres — 200 acres in one body, and 40 acres
one mile south of his home. On the original farm in section 6, some land
was broken when he bought it. He now has 160 acres under the plow and
40 acres in pasture. On the original tract he has built a substantial one-
story and a half frame house, consisting of upright and wing ; also a good
barn, a milk house and a silo of 120 tons capacity, all the buildings being
painted and in excellent condition. Mr. McWain is carrying on general
farming very successfully and is numbered among the prosperous citizens
of his township. He is also a stockholder in the Galesville Ci'eamery.
Sept. 26, 1875, he was married to Johanna, daughter of Thomas and
Ellen (Brophy) Roach of Gale Township, this county, and to him and
his wife have been born the following children : Ethlyn, born June 17, 1878,
who married Ernest Post, and has two living children — Verna and Gladys
400 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
May, another child, Delia May, being deceased; Roy, born Sept. 28, 1882,
who married Beulah Cook, and hves on a farm in Caledonia Township, his
children being Gerald, Vilas and Evelyn Lucille; Lloyd, born May 2, 1887,
who is unmarried and resides on the home farm ; and William, born March
16, 1896, also unmarried and living on the farm. In politics Mr. McWain
has always been a Democrat and has given some of his time to assisting
in local government matters, having served many terms as a member of
the township board, and having also been assessor. As a prosperous farmer
and good reliable citizen he is well known in his township and with his
family occupies a respected position among its inhabitants.
William Davidson, a prosperous farmer residing in section 36, Gale
Township, was born on his father's farm at Decorah Prairie, Jan. 15, 1861,
son of John and Mary (Young) Davidson. His parents were both natives
of Scotland, the father born at Strathaven, Oct. 24, 1820. John Davidson
came to the United States when a young man, locating first in Mai-yland,
where he engaged in mining and other occupations. After awhile he went
back to Scotland on a visit, then returned to Maryland with his wife, whom
he had married in his native land, where she was born in 1824. In all he
made three trips across the ocean. He and his family removed from Mary-
land to Kentucky, and after residing there awhile came in 1855, or there-
abouts, to Trempealeau County, Wis., and took a farm on Decorah Prairie,
Gale Township. The rest of his life was spent in the development of this
property, which he improved considerable before his retirement from active
work. He Uved to be over 80 years of age, his death taking place in 1901.
His wife Mary passed away in middle life, in 1863. She was the mother
of eight children, of whom William was the seventh born.
William Davidson acquired his education in the district school at
Decorah Prairie. He leai'ned the science of agriculture from his father,
whom he assisted on the home farm until he was 23 years old. In the spring
of 1884 he went to Wyoming, and later, in 1885, to western Nebraska, where
he homesteaded land and remained until he had fulfilled the requirements
of the homestead law and obtained a full title to his property. He was
engaged in the stock business there for several years, but finally gave it
up and went to South Dakota, still, however, retaining possession of his
land for the time. In South Dakota he purchased land in Deuel County,
near Revillo, and resided there most of the time for a number of years,
going back and forth between his various holdings as occasion required.
In 1905 Mr. Davidson purchased his present farm and soon after sold his
lands in Nebraska. In 1909 he sold also his Dakota lands and is now con-
fining his attention to his farm of 160 acres in Gale Township, which is a
highly improved piece of property, provided with substantial modern
buildings and everything necessary for up to date farming. He is also a
stockholder in the La Crosse Packing Company, the Independent Harvester
Company of Piano, 111., and the Farmers Elevator Exchange at Galesville.
Feb. 25, 1914, Mr. Davidson was united in marriage with Mi's. Anna John-
son, a native of Kansas and daughter of William and Alice (Bonum) Leh-
mann, who are now residents of Trempealeau County, Mr. Lehmann being
a farmer in Trempealeau Township. By a former marriage to Frederick
WILLIAM DAVIDSON AND FAMILY
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 401
Johnson Mrs. Davidson is the mother of one child, Harry Johnson, who
resides at home. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson have had two children: Wilma,
who died at the age of 15 months, and Dorothy Helen, born Feb. 6, 1917.
Mr. Davidson is a member of the order of Beavers and of the American
Society of Equity. The family are members of the Presbyterian church
and he is independent in politics.
William Bartle, an early settler of Trempealeau County, was born in
Devonshire, England, Jan. 12, 1823, and came to America as a young man.
He was married in Cleveland, Ohio, May 16, 1856, to Ellen Seary, who was
born in Inniskillian, Ireland, in May, 1830, and came to America in 1849,
locating in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1862 Mr. Bartle and wife, with three chil-
dren, came to Trempealeau County and settled on a farm in Ettrick Town-
ship, where he followed farming until 1876. He then moved to Trem-
pealeau and for the two years following worked at burning lime. In 1878
he received a stroke of paralysis, which rendered him unable to perform
heavy labor during the balance of his life. He passed away May 29, 1888.
Just seven years to the day his good wife followed him, dying May 29,
1895. They were the parents of nine children, as follows : Sarah, born May
19, 1857, who is now Mrs. George Tibbitts of Keddleston, Canada ; Emma,
born in June, 1859, who died at the age of eleven years; Ellen, bon^ in
November, 1860, who died in 1904; Mary, born in 1863, and now Mrs.
Thomas S. Bramwell of La Crosse, Wis. ; William, born June 10, 1865, now
a resident of Trempealeau ; Charlotte, born April 1, 1868, now Mrs. Ed
Huttenhow of Trempealeau Village; Margaret, born April 12, 1870, now
Mrs. John C. Towner of Trempealeau Township ; John, born Nov. 19, 1872,
who is living at Keddleston, Canada, and Harriett, who was born Dec. 17,
1874, and died Sept. 1, 1913.
John C. Towner, a successful agriculturist of Trempealeau Township,
is a native of this county, having been born in Caledonia Township, Aug.
1, 1869. His parents were John C, Sr., and Margaret (Carleton) Towner,
who setlted in section 19, Caledonia Township, in 1859. John C. Towner
in his boyhood attended district school No. 3, Caledonia Township, until he
was 14 years of age, and one or two terms afterwards during the winters.
At the age of 17 he began working away from home, but contributed to
home expenses until he was 21. April 12, 1893, he was married to Margaret,
daughter of William and Ellen (Seary) Bartle. The day after his wedding
they moved to Pickwick, Minn., where he had rented a farm. After a
year there he came back to Trempealeau Township and for five years there-
after operated a rented farm. In 1900 Mr. Towner bought 110 acres in
sections 22 and 23, this township, the land being under plow but destitute
of buildings, so to remedy this deficiency he erected that year a two-story
frame dwelling, consisting of upright and wing. In October, 1902, his resi-
dence was destroyed by fire, but was replaced at once by a seven-room,
frame house, of one and a half stories, with upright and wing. In 1910
he built a barn, with a lean-to on the east and south; also a corn crib,
machine shed and cream house. A cyclone in 1913 demolished his barn,
machine shed and windmill, but he has since replaced the barn and built
a tool shed, a granary and a silo, all good substantial buildings. Mr. Towner
402 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
has now 105 acres of plow land, with five acres of waste land, one mile out
of Trempealeau, and does general farming, keeping a good grade of stock,
both cows and hogs, also having sufficient horses for his farm work. He
finds a ready market for his produce and is one of the thriving farmers of
his township. For 19 years he has been identified with Camp No. 2813,
M. W. A., at Trempealeau, and holds the office of camp advisor. He is also
manager of the Trempealeau Farmers Shipping Association. He and his
wife are the parents of four children: Lloyd E., born Feb. 3, 1894, who is
a fireman on the C. & N. W. Railroad ; J. Carleton, born Aug. 6, 1896, now
a student at the La Crosse. State Normal School; Elmer R., born Oct. 5,
1898, who was graduated from the Trempealeau high school in the class
of 1917, and is assisting his father; and Hazel Margaret, born Oct. 24,
1901, who is student at the Trempealeau high school. Mr. and Mrs. Towner
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Trempealeau.
Ebert K. Stutlien. Among the choice farms of Preston Township is
that known as "Springdale," in section 10, a 234-acre farm belonging to
the subject of this sketch, who also owns 160 acres in Welch Coolie, this
township. Mr. Stutlien was born in Houston County, Minn., Nov. 23, 1866,
son of Arne Knudson Stutlien and wife Mary, whose maiden name was
Hellekson. The father, born in Norway in 1832, came to this country in
1854 and resided first in Dane County, Wis., moving from there to Houston
County in 1858. Ten years later he and his family settled in Welch Coolie,
Preston Township, Trempealeau County, which was his home until his
death. His wife still resides in Welch Coolie, being now 76 years old. Ebert
K. Stutlien was reared to agricultural pursuits and has been thus engaged
since he was old enough to begin industrial life. He has been proprietor
of his present farm since 1915, and is conducting it with profitable results.
Nov. 25, 1893, he was united in marriage with Ida M. Scow, who was born
in Arcadia Township, Aug. 2, 1874. Her parents. Matt 0. Scow and Isabel
Larson, were both born in Norway, the former in 1832 and the latter in
1834. Mr. Scow died in Arcadia Township, July 7, 1904, and his wife July
21, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Stutlien are the parents of ten children : Ingwald,
assistant bank cashier at Bowman, N. D. ; Alfred, Leona, Emil, Palmer,
Alma, Lester, Eunice, Florence and Sidney, all but Ingwald living at home.
Stanley Clark French, one of the leading stock fai'mers of Ti'empealeau
County, and a business man widely known throughout this section, his
farm being located in section 29, Gale Township, was born on this farm
Oct. 3, 1869. His parents were Henry and Parmelia E. (Clark) French,
the father born at Kingsfield, Maine, in 1834. The mother was a native
of the same place and was somewhat older than her husband. Henry
French was trained to agi'iculture in his youth, but subsequently worked
in a sawmill in Pennsylvania, to which state his parents had removed. He
came to Wisconsin in 1856, driving a yoke of oxen from Monticello, Green
County, Wis., to Trempealeau County, his father having arrived here in
the previous year. The latter bought 400 acres of land from Judge Gale,
of which land Henry purchased a part and started to break it up, using his
team of oxen for that purpose. His tract consisted of 170 acres adjoining
the village limits of Galesville, and here he resided until his death in April,
MR. AND MRS. HENRY FRENCH
STANLEY C. FRENCH AND FAMILY
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 403
1898. He became a prominent man in this locality, serving as assessor
and chairman of the township board for a number of terms, and also
assisted in founding the Bank of Galesville. He served two terms as
county treasurer and was serving his third term at the time of his death.
His wife survived him some years, dying Jan. 12, 1905. They were the
parents of three children: Lunette, now Mrs. D. C. Burns; Clinton H. of
Concord, Calif., and Stanley C. Stanley Clark French acquired a good
practical education, after attending the Galesville high school, spending
one year at Galesville University and one year at Winona Business College.
Previous, however, to taking the commercial course, he taught school at
Decorah Prairie one year, beginning at the age of 16 years. After leaving
the business college he returned to the farm for the summer. Subsequently
he was employed in the Bank of Galesville for about eight months and then
went to Minneapolis, where he worked the next summer. He next removed
to Grand Forks, N. D., where, however, he remained only a short time,
returning to Minneapolis, where he passed the next winter. The summer
following was spent on the farm, after which he spent a winter at Gale
University. When the warm weather again came around, he joined a
surveying expedition bound for the Missouri River, leaving Williston,
N. D., and going to Bismark in the same state. On the completion of this
work he was at home for 18 months. The summer following was that of
1893 and Mr. French obtained a position as guard at the World's Fair held
in Chicago, serving until the fair closed. From Chicago he went to Phila-
delphia, where he spent six months. After this he was superintendent
for a brush contractor in the state reformatory at Huntington, Pa., until
the following year, when he returned to Galesville and took charge of the
homestead. His father dying in the following April, he has since remained
here as proprietor of the estate, which now contains 343 acres. In addition
to general farming Mr. French makes a specialty of breeding Guernsey
cattle and Shropshire sheep, besides hogs, and keeping a large stock of
each on hand, making extensive shipments every year. Mr. French is also
vice-president of the Bank of Galesville, secretary of the Galesville Farmers
Exchange, treasurer of the Trempealeau County Farmers Mutual Insur-
ance Company and a director of the Farmers Packing Company of La Crosse.
He is also a stockholder in the Arctic Springs Creamery Company and was
its president for ten years, besides having been connected with various
other local enterprises, including the Trempealeau County Fair Associa-
tion, and organizations of wide scope, among which may be mentioned the
Wisconsin Fine Stock Breeders' Association, the Shropshire Register Asso-
ciation and the Western Wisconsin Guernsey Breeders' Association. Mr.
French has made valuable improvements on his farm, among things having
rebuilt the old family dwelling, which he has turned into a fine modern
residence, installed with every convenience. The Farmers Exchange, men-
tioned above, of which Mr. French is secretary, is now doing a business of
$75,000 a year, but his executive ability enables him to attend to his official
duties in connection with it, in addition to managing his own large business,
which has grown from year to year. His farm is recognized as one of the
best stock farms in the county and he is continually adding to its equip-
404 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
ment and facilities. Mr. French was married July 27, 1898, to Mollie D.
Arnold, daughter of Capt. Alexander A. and Mary J. ((Douglas) Arnold,
her father being for many years a prominent citizen of Galesville and Gale
Township. Mr. and Mrs. French have been the parents of three children:
Henry Clinton, born Jan. 1, 1901 ; Miriam Helene, born April 12, 1902, and
Arnold Stanley, born April 1, 1905. In poUtics Mr. French is a Republican
but has not held office, having preferred so far to devote his time solely
to his various business interests.
William K. Towner, owner of a flourishing farm in section 30, Caledonia
Township, was born on the farm on which he now lives, Oct. 15, 1874, son
of John C. and Margaret (Carleton) Towner. The father was born in
Steuben County, N. Y., Aug. 29, 1830, and his wife Jan. 17, 1833, at Big
Flat. Mr. and Mrs. Towner came as young people with their parents from
New York to Wayne County, Michigan, and in that county were married.
In 1859 they came west, setthng in Trempealeau County, Wis., taking land
in section 19, Caledonia Township. John C. Towner had come to the county
a short time previously and selected his land and then returned to Mich-
igan for his family in the winter of 1858-59, the early part of the latter
year being the time of their settlement. The farm in section 19 was their
residence until the fall of 1864, at which time John C. Towner bought 80
acres of wild land in section 30, Caledonia Township. On this he built a
temporary shanty, in which he and his family lived during the winter of
1864-65. In the year last mentioned he erected the present residence, an
upright, two-story dwelling of five rooms, to which a few years later a
wing was added. After a long career of nearly 40 years as an agricul-
turist in this township, he died Feb. 2, 1905, at Eau Claire, Wis., his wife
having preceded him, passing away Sept. 9, 1902, at West Prairie, Trem-
pealeau County. They are both buried in Trempealeau Cemetery. Their
family numbered eight children : Mary, Emma, Elmer, Clara, Milton, Lena,
John and William K. With the exception of Mary all the children were
born in Caledonia Township.
William K. Towner attended district school No. 3 until 12 years of
age and subsequently spent one year in the graded school at Winona, Minn.
From the age of 14 to that of 16 he attended winter school at Trem-
pealeau Village, and then laid aside his school books to take up the active
duties of life. He had ali-eady gained some knowledge of agriculture and
remained on the farm with his father, from whom he leased it in 1896, con-
tinuing as a renter or lessee until 1900, in which year he bought the prop-
erty. Feb. 23, 1898, he was united in marriage with Rennie S., daughter
of Orlando M. and Laura F. Robinson, the ceremony being performed at
the home of his mother and sister in Minneapolis, after which he brought
his bride home to Caledonia Township. He is engaged in general farm-
ing and dairying, having a herd of grade Holstein cows, and selling his
cream to the Galesville Creamery. His swine are of the Poland-China
breed. The buildings on his farm are substantial and convenient and include
a barn, corn crib, machine shed, hog house and a silo. Aside from his farm
duties he is a stockholder in the Galesville Creamery. He has devoted some
part of his time to public affairs, having served three years as treasurer
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 405
of school district No. 3 and eight years as clerk. As a progressive citizen
he is alive to the best interests of the community and is one of those who
may be counted upon to support a worthy cause, whether of a moral or
material character. Since Jan. 25, 1900, he has been a member of Lotus
Court, No. 3346, L 0. 0. F., of Trempealeau. Mr. and Mrs. Towner have
had three children born to them : Cary W., June 7, 1902, who is a student
living at home ; Albert R., April 12, 1907, also a student, and Laura Mar-
garet, born May 19, 1913, who died in infancy. The family are members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Trempealeau, of which Mr. Towner
is a trustee, his wife being a member of the Ladies' Aid Society of that
denomination.
Horace N, Tobey, who is successfully engaged in farming and dairying
in section 8, Trempealeau Township, was born in Tioga County, Pa., April
17, 1840. He resided in his native place until 1842, when his parents
removed to Kalamazoo, Mich. The father, who was a carpenter by trade,
worked at his trade there and in Galesburg, in that vicinity, until 1850, in
which year he returned to Tioga, Pa., on account of his wife's health.
Aug. 16, 1863, Horace N. Tobey, who was now of age, enlisted at Wilhams-
port, Pa., for service in the Civil War. He had an adventurous career as
a soldier, taking part in 14 engagements, including the battle of the Wil-
derness, Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania, and the North Anna, the capture of
the Weldon Railroad, Hatches Run, both battles and charge on Petersburg,
which were among the bloodiest of the war. He was fortunate, however,
in that he was never wounded and never in a hospital, but was discharged
from the service in good health at Elmira, N. Y., June 29, 1865, the war
being then over. In 1868 he returned to the west with his parents, locating
in Trempealeau Township, Trempealeau County, on what is now the Thomas
Gibson farm. This property, which was improved, having good buildings,
including a house and barn, he bought in company with his brother George,
and subsequently they purchased together the A. Button farm in section
4, which was an unimproved tract of 80 acres. In 1884 Mr. Tobey and his
brother dissolved partnership and Horace in 1885 bought his present home-
stead of 80 acres in section 8, Trempealeau Township. The place was
partially improved, but in 1898 he erected the present residence, and in
1915 built a frame barn, 32 by 52 by 16 feet, and a silo, 12 by 38 feet.
He has also improved the farm materially and brought it into a good
state of cultivation, and besides general farming and dairying pays special
attention to butter making, in all of which branches of farming he has
been successful.
Mr. Tobey was married Oct. 28, 1866, to Harriet 0. Beach of Tioga
County, Pa., and of this union were born three children: Minnie, Sept.
23, 1867, at Tioga, Pa., who died in April, 1868; Raymond, Sept. 15, 1873,
at Trempealeau, who married Ada Spalding and resides in Trempealeau
Township ; and Harriet, December 13, 1877, also at Trempealeau who mar-
ried Frank Edwards and resides near Jacksonville, Fla. Mrs. Tobey died
Dec. 13, 1877. Feb. 16, 1879, Mr. Tobey married for his second wife Lillie
A. Merwin of Trempealeau, by whom he has had two children : Hazel, born
Sept. 16, 1885, in Trempealeau, who is unmarried and living at home ; and
406 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Glenn, born March 5, 1890, at Trempealeau, who is also unmarried, and is
manager of his father's farm. Mr. Tobey was reared in the Baptist faith,
but is not identified with any church ; his wife and daughter, however, are
affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In pohtics Mr. Tobey is
a Republican, but holds no public office. He is highly esteemed as a prac-
tical farmer and a good neighbor. For his services in the Civil War he
receives a pension. He is a member of Ford Post, G. A. R.
Lars Quammen, a well known and respected citizen of Ettrick Town-
ship, was born in Hardanger, Norway, April 26, 1841, and came to America
when a lad of 17 years, settling in Dane County, Wis. After working a
while for others he became a land owner and farmer, and was there mar-
ried to Anna Leland, who was born in Voss, Norway, Dec. 13, 1844. In
1875 they came to Trempealeau County, locating on the farm now owned
by Eward L. Quemmen, where the father and mother are still living, though
he has been retired since 1901. During his years of activity he was a
prominent citizen of the township and served at various times in local office.
On July 1, 1916, Mr. and Mrs. Lars Quammen celebrated their golden wed-
ding. They have been the parents of seven children : James, now deceased ;
Edward L., the present proprietor of the old homestead ; Andrew and Louis,
residing in Montana; Caroline, now Mrs. Henry Legreid of Ettrick Town-
ship ; Albert, who is manager of the Farmers' Exchange at Blair, Wis., and
Sena, who is a visiting nurse in Chicago, having formerly been nurse at the
Cook County Hospital there.
Edward L. Quammen, proprietor of Elm Grove Farm of 123 acres in
section 14, Ettrick Township, was born in Dane County, Wisconsin, Feb.
23, 1869, son of Lars and Anna (Leland) Quammen. He was the second
born of his parents' children and was a child of six years when he came
with the family to Trempealeau County in 1875. He was educated in
the district school and eai'ly gained a knowledge of agriculture, helping
his father as soon as he became old enough. When 18 years of age he
began working in the north woods during the winter, continuing work on
the home farm in the summer. In 1901, on his father's retirement, he
bought the homestead, which consists of 123 acres of valuable land, and
which he is operating as a general stock farm, making a specialty of Short-
horn cattle, of which he has about 40 head. He is also a stockholder in the
Ettrick Creamery, the Farmers' Exchange at Blair, the Ettrick Telephone
Company, the Bank of Ettrick, the Ettrick Lumber Company and the
Ettrick & Northei-n Railroad Company.
June 12, 1901, Mr. Quammen was united in marriage with Emma
Rogne, who was born in Jackson County, Wisconsin, daughter of Ole and
Eli (Grae) Rogne, both natives of Voss, Norway, who came to Trempealeau
County before the Quammens located in Shake Hollow, Jackson County.
Mr. Rogne, who was a farmer in Frankhn Township, has been dead a num-
ber of years, but his wife is still living and resides on the old homestead.
Mr. and Mrs. Quammen are the parents of three children : Lloyd Rogne,
Alice Evelyn and Clifford Ernest, all of whom ai-e attending school. The
family are members of the Lutheran Synod Church. In politics Mr.
Quammen is a Republican, but has not been active in local affairs. As a
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 407
stock farmer he is doing a prosperous business and is regarded as one of the
substantial men of his township.
Joseph C. Stellpflug, a general farmer on 120 acres of land in section
25, Gale Township, was born in this township, Nov. 23, 1870. His parents
were John and Sarah (Shonet) Stellpflug. The father, John Stellpflug, who
was born in Germany, was a farmer by occupation. He came to the United
States in 1853, resided in Milwaukee about seven years, and then, coming
to Ti-empealeau County, located on Decorah Prairie, Gale Township,
where he bought land and developed a farm. For a number of years he
served as a member of the township board. His death, which took place
about 1906, deprived the township of a worthy citizen and a good public
official. His wife is still living and resides on the old home farm. Their
family was a large one, numbering 14 children. Joseph C. was the third
born in his parents' family. In his boyhood he attended the Grant school
in Gale Township, where his future wife, Elizabeth Grant, was also a pupil.
To her he was married Jan. 8, 1902, having spent the intervening years in
working on his parents' farm and acquiring a good knowledge of agricul-
ture. Miss Grant was a daughter of Robert and Jane (Dick) Grant, whose
farm is located on Trempealeau Prairie, this county.
At the time of his marriage Joseph C. Stellpflug moved onto his
present farm, on which he has since made numerous improvements, so
that it is now a good piece of agricultural property, consisting of 120 acres
of land, with substantial modern buildings and a full equipment of
machinery and tools. Mr. Stellpflug carries on general farming and is also
a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing Company, the Farmers' Exchange
Elevator Company and the Farmers' Telephone Company. He and his wife
have one child, Ehzabeth, who was born Nov. 15, 1914. The family are
affiliated religiously with the Roman Catholic Church, and he and his wife
with the order of Yeomen. He also belongs to the C. 0. F. In politics
Mr. Stellpflug is independent and has not been active in local government
matters, leaving that to others while he has devoted his entire attention
to his farm. As the result of his industry he is prospering and he and
his family are in comfortable circumstances.
Ole Sesvold, who is engaged in farming in section 30, Gale Township,
was born in Sesvold, Norway, near the city of Christiania, March 6, 1865,
son of Martin Evenson and Gurena Marthea Swanson, the father being a
farmer. The parents, who never came to America, are both now deceased.
Ole Sesvold was the second born in a family of eight children. He attended
school in his native land and began to contribute to his own support when
only 14 years of age as a worker on farms. When he was 22 he came to the
United States, locating in Trempealeau County, where he found work on the
farm of Ben Dale, and continued at that kind of work, and also as an
employee in the brick kiln and lime kiln for 16 years. He then worked one
year for the city of Galesville, after which he purchased his present farm
of 60 acres on which he is engaged in general farming and stock raising.
He has made some valuable improvements on the property. In 1903 he
erected his present residence, which is a two-story brick building, con-
structed of brick, which he himself burned in the Dale brick yards, situated
408 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
a mile from his home. He also did the carpenter work himself. The house
is a good modern building installed with all necessary equipment and con-
veniences. Ole Sesvold was married Dec. 26, 1902, to Mary Tronson, a
native of the same locality in Norway as himself, and daughter of Andreas
Tronson. Her mother died when she was a child of four years. Mr. and
Mrs. Sesvold have four children : Minnie, Josephine, Esther and Oscar, all
residing at home. Since coming to this country Mr. Sesvold has prospered
as the result of industry and thrift, and has visited his old home in Norway
a number of times. The family church is the Norwegian Lutheran.
Joshua Rhodes, a pioneer, was born in Yorkshire, England, March 21,
1827, son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Hinkle) Rhodes, also natives of that
shire. He was there reared and in the summer of 1840 set out with his
parents for America. After a voyage of several weeks aboard a sailing
vessel they landed in New York, and found their way to Wisconsin, where
they settled in Brighton, Kenosha County, in which place the parents
spent the remainder of their lives, the town of Brighton being
named in honor of the several Rhodes families that settled there, they
bringing the name "Brighton" from England, a town by that name being
in Yorkshire, where they migrated from. Joshua Rhodes lived in Kenosha
County in 1850, and then went to Marquette County, where he took up
a farm with a land warrant presented to him by his father. In 1853 he
came to Trempealeau County, and settled in section 12, Caledonia Town-
ship, founding the locality which was afterward known as Rhodes' Station.
Aside from this tract of 200 acres he secured various other tracts in Cale-
donia and Trempealeau Townships. At once upon his arrival he started
developing the farm in section 12. He first erected a log cabin, 10 by 12,
and lived a pioneer's life for a time with Wilham Hanson as a companion.
Then for a while, until his marriage in 1855, he lived alone. Bringing his
bride to his cabin, he started life with new energy, and as time passed, he
developed one of the best places in the community. He was prominent in
community, township and county affairs, and he was highly honored by all
who knew him. He was a man of broad sympathies, gentle toward the faults
of others, but unswerving in the rules he made for his own conduct. Honest,
upright, with a wide understanding of human nature, he left his impress
on the life of the region in which he lived, and his family will never cease
to cherish his memory. His death in Trempealeau Village Oct. 6, 1907, was
sincerely mourned. As treasurer and chairman of the township, as clerk
of his school district, as master of Burr Oak Grange during its entire exist-
ence, as treasurer of the Decorah Farmers' Alliance, and as president of
the Trempealeau County Agricultural Society, his services were highly
valued. Reared as an Episcopalean, he was a friend of all churches, and con-
tributed liberally to their support. He was ever a faithful attendance upon
church services, and required the same attention to duty on the part of
his family.
Mr. Rhodes was first married Feb. 1, 1855, to Susan E. Stevens, daugh-
ter of Samuel and Lydia Stevens, natives of Vermont, and pioneers of North
Bend, Jackson County, Wis. Mrs. Rhodes taught in the Bigelow school,
district 2, the first school in Caledonia Township. Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes
>
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50
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 409
were the parents of eight children: Mary A., Byron S., Ida J., Henry A.,
Albert J., William L., Charles W. and Cora N. Mary A. was born Nov. 14,
1857, married Charles Nelson, a native of Indiana. They have one son,
Robert. They live on a part of the old home farm. Byron S. was born
July 28, 1859, and died Feb. 27, 1879. Ida J. is the widow of John C. Poly-
blank, and hves in Caledonia Township. Her sketch appears elsewhere in
this work. Henry A. was born April 14, 1863, and is now the proprietor of
a department store in Tacoma, Wash. He married Birdella Booker of
Ottawa, 111., and they have two children: Vera and Edward, both living.
Albert J., born Dec. 31, 1865, is the proprietor of a department store in
Seattle, Wash. He married Harriet Williams of that state. William L.
was born Oct. 14, 1867, married Claudia Altenberg of Trempealeau, is the
proprietor of a five and ten-cent store at Seattle, Wash., and has two chil-
dren: Florence and William. Charles W. was born April 7, 1871, married
Lizzie Van Ingen of Trempealeau Township and is associated with his
brother Henry in the department store at Tacoma. He has three chil-
dren : Glen, Catherine and Kenneth. Cora N. was born Nov. 22, 1873, and
died at the age of three years. Mrs. Susan F. (Stevens) Rhodes died Jan.
14, 1890, and in 1893 Mr. Rhodes married JuHa Mabie, who survives and
resides in Trempealeau Village.
John C. Polyblank, for many years a successful farmer of Caledonia
Township, was born in Devonshire, England, July 16, 1855, son of J. C. and
Mary (Lakeman) Polyblank. He was reared in England and came to
America and Trempealeau County in 1871. About 1877 or 1878 he pur-
chased 176 acres of land in section 36, Caledonia Township, from John
NichoUs, who obtained it from the government. To this place he brought
his bride in 1881, and here he lived until his lamented death, July 27, 1914.
He was an active, vigorous man, and built up a good farm. To the original
house he added until it is now a two-story structure with a large wing, and
containing twelve comfortable and commodious rooms. The barn is 32
by 50 feet, the machine sheds 20 by 30, the two poultry houses 10 by 12,
the milk house 8 by 10, and the ice house 12 by 14. The silo is 40 feet high
and 121/2 feet in diameter. There is also a swine house, corn crib and
other structures. The farm is well fenced and cross fenced. One hundred
acres are under the plow, while 76 acres are in timber and hay land. A
specialty is made of breeding graded Guernsey cows. Since the death of
her husband, Mrs. Polyblank has rented the place, but still continues to
reside on it.
John C. Polyblank was married March 21, 1881, to Ida J. Rhodes, born
in section 12, Caledonia Township, June 30, 1861, daughter of Joshua and
Susan (Stevens) Rhodes. The ceremony was performed in the old home
by the Rev. Grafton T. Owen, then pastor of the Congregational church at
Trempealeau. Mr. and Mrs. Polyblank have had five daughters : Cora M.,
Ruth M., Mabel L., Nina D. and Evelyn I. Cora M. was born Dec. 31, 1881,
married Frank Bain, who holds a very responsible position in the A. J.
Rhodes' department store in Seattle, and has one son, Albert. Ruth M.
was born May 16, 1884, and has been a teacher for some twelve years past.
She is now living with her mother and teaching in district 3. Mabel L.,
410 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
born March 13, 1886, was graduated from the high schools of Trem-
pealeau and Winona, State Normal school, and has been a teacher for some
six years. She now teaches at Elmore, Minn. Nina D. was born June 17,
1887, married Asa Gibbs, a farmer of Caledonia Township, and has two
children : Ethel and Jack. Ethel I., born May 3, 1899, was graduated from
the Treampealeau high school. She is now the wife of Lars Gjeide.
Mrs. Polybank is a lady of many accomplishments. After passing
through the district schools, she attended the Trempealeau high school and
the Gale College. She has been prominent in the affairs of the Congre-
gational church, has reared her family to that faith, and has taught in the
Sunday school for many years.
Mark R. Hewitt, who is engaged in farming and stock raising in sec-
tion 2, Gale Township, is a man who has had an active and interesting
career. He was born at Midway, La Crosse County, June 14, 1879, son of
John Charles and Margaret (Stilts) Hewitt. Mark R. was educated in
schools at Midway and La Crosse, Wis. At the age of 17 years he began
working in a saw mill and lumbering in the woods. In 1898, when he was
still under age, the Spanish- American war broke out, and he enlisted, though
without his parents' consent, in Company C, Twelfth Minnesota Volunteer
Infantry, at Winona, Minn., and was stationed at New Ulm and St. Paul
about five weeks, going later to Georgia and Tennessee. His service lasted
six months and he was then mustered out at New Ulm. During the fol-
lowing winter he worked on the farm, and was then engaged in rafting on
the river for about three months, with headquarters at La Crosse. After
this he spent some time in harvesting and threshing in North Dakota, the
next winter working in the woods of northern Wisconsin. His next employ-
ment, during the summer, was log driving on the upper Chippewa River;
then lumbering again in the winter at Mountain Iron, 100 miles north of
Duluth. Mr. Hewitt then changed the scene of his activities to the Hood
River, Oregon, where he spent some time lumbering in the woods at the
foot of Mt. Hood. About July 4, 1903, he returned to Trempealeau County,
but left soon for North Dakota, where he worked in the harvest fields. In
the fall of 1903 he and his brother Charles purchased the old home farm,
the winter, however, being spent by him in the lumber woods. The cold
weather over, he returned to the farm in Gale Township, where he has
since remained, engaged for the most part in agricultural work, with the
exception spent in carpentering and three summers in hauling freight
between Galesville and Ettrick. He has 160 acres of land highly improved,
with modern buildings and every necessary or desirable convenience. The
size of his bai-n is 36 by 80 feet, with 24-foot posts, it too being equipped
with all necessary apparatus. Aside from his general farming operations,
Mr. Hewitt is engaged in raising pure-bred Chester-White hogs and is a
members of the Chester-White Association. He also carries on dairying
successfully, and is a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery and in the
Ettrick & Northern Railway. In 1906 he homesteaded land in North
Dakota, which he sold a year later. In that same year, in the month of
March, he was married to Stella Casey, who was born in Ettrick, Trem-
pealeau County, Wis., daughter of Morris and Helen (Daily) Casey. He
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 411
and his wife have one child: Vivian E. They are both members of the
Eastern Star lodge, Mr. Hewitt being also a member of the Blue Lodge
of Masons at Galesville, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Spanish-
War Veterans' Association. In politics he is an independent Republican,
his rehgious affiliations being with the Presbyterian church. He has held
some local offices, having served as constable two years and as road super-
intendent of Gale Township.
Charles F. Hewitt, proprietor of a good farm of 200 acres, 140 acres
of which lie in Gale Township, and the balance in Ettrick, his residence
being in section 2, Gale township, was born at Nelson, near Alma, Buffalo
County, Wis., Feb. 4, 1875, son of John Charles and Margaret (Stilts)
Hewitt. Charles F. Hewitt was the third eldest in a family of six children.
In his youth he attended district school in La Crosse County, and after-
ward the Wisconsin Business University at La Crosse. He accompanied
his parents to the farm in Gale and Ettrick Townships and has resided on
it ever since. In 1901 he took charge of the property and has continued
to operate it up to the present time, with the exception of three years,
during which time he had it let out to a renter. The land is valuable and
produces good crops, and Mr. Hewitt has added from time to time to the
improvements, until it now has all necessary buildings. He is also a stock-
holder in the Ettrick Creamery Company and the Ettrick & Northern Rail-
way Company. Mr. Hewitt was married, April 5, 1899, to Jerusha Casey,
who was born in Ettrick Township, daughter of Maurice and Helen (Daily)
Casey. His fraternal affiliations are with the Blue Lodge of Masons and
the Modern Woodmen of America, Mrs. Hewitt belonging to the Royal
Neighbors. He is now State oil inspector.
Charles Adolph Sesvold, who is engaged in farming in section 35, Gale
Township, was born near Christiania, Norway, July 15, 1871, son of Martin
Evenson and Gurena Marthea Swanson, the parents being farming people.
He was educated in his native land and at the age of 18 years came to
America, locating in Trempealeau County, where he and his brother Ole
settled. Here he entered the employ of Ben Dale of Gale Township, for
whom he worked for three and a half years. At the end of that time, hav-
ing saved some money, he purchased a farm near the Dale homestead and
engaged in agriculture for himself. This place was Mr. Sesvold's home
until 1915, and on it he made extensive improvements. In August of the
year last mentioned he purchased a residence property in Galesville, mov-
ing his family to it for the winter in order that his children might have
good school advantages. In the spring of 1916 Mr. Sesvold bought his
present farm, moving onto it in April and beginning improvements which
in time will greatly increase its value. The farm contains 131 acres and
Mr. Sesvold is engaged thereon in general farming, of which he has a
thorough knowledge. It is his intention that his family shall reside in
the village during the winters for the sake of the school and other advan-
tages. Aside from his immediate farming interests he is a stockholder
in a company operating a threshing outfit. June 27, 1896, Mr. Sesvold was
united in marriage with Ragna Hougstad, a native of Norway, and daughter
of Hans and Gunel (Bratsven) Hougstad. He and his wife have eight
412 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
children: Herman and Melvin, who are in the employ of Ivan G. Dale;
Gustave, Melva, Agnes, Marion, Alfred and Laura residing at home. Mr.
Sesvold and family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. In
poUtics he is a Republican, but has not been active in public affairs, nor
taken any part in politics beyond casting his vote.
Parley Stoner, an early resident of the town of Gale, and a veteran
of the Civil War, whose death was a loss to the community in which he
lived, was born in Hancock County, Illinois, Aug. 25, 1843, son of David
and Ann (Dean) Stoner. His parents were both born in Bedford county,
Pennsylvania, in 1817. The father was a practical farmer, and very suc-
cessful at his chosen occupation. He with his wife and family came to
Wisconsin in 1846, locating at Mineral Point, Iowa County, where he was
subsequently engaged in farming until his death in 1895, his wife having
died some years before. They had a family of nine children, of whom
Parley was the second in order of birth. Parley Stoner in his boyhood
attended school at Linden, Iowa County, Wis., and resided at home' until he
was 19 years of age. Then, in 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Eleventh
Wisconsin Volunteers, with which organization he served until the close
of the war. He was never wounded, but was confined to the hospital for
awhile as the result of a fall. His regiment formed a part of the Army
of the West, and with it he participated in some fierce battles. His period
of service ended with the close of the war and he then returned home.
Sept. 2, 1866, he was married to Elizabeth Ayer, who was born at Mineral
Point, Wis., June 26, 1847, daughter of Jonas and Leah (Nutting) Ayer.
Her parents were natives of Maine, who came to Wisconsin about 1840,
locating at Mineral Point, where Mr. Ayer engaged in farming, in which
occupation he continued there until health failed, when he moved to
La Crosse County and lived with his children. He died in April, 1879, and
his wife in 1893. They had 12 children, of whom their daughter Eliza-
beth was one of the younger. After his marriage Parley Stoner settled
with his wife in La Crosse County, which was his home for 16 years. He
followed the river until 1884, being engaged in logging, in which work he
became very expert, knowing all the ins and outs of the business, and
being familiar with Black River from its sources to its mouth. In 1884
Mr. Stoner purchased the farm in the southern part of Gale Township,
which has since been known as the Stoner, or Black River View Farm, and
where his wife is now living, and here he settled down to agriculture. This
farm, which contains 200 acres, he operated until his death. May 21, 1916.
Severe campaigning in the army, followed by exposure on the river, had
made him an early victim of rheumatism, and the trouble grew more aggra-
vating with advancing years, until about ten years before his death he
became incapacitated for active work. Occasionally he rode to town in his
crippled condition and visited old friends, but in his last years he was con-
fined to his home. His sufferings at the last were intensified by a diseased
foot, resulting in gangrene. For this an operation was performed at the
Lutheran hospital in La Crosse, but his case was hopeless. Mr. and Mrs.
Stoner were the parents of nine children : Jessie, wife of John Smith, a
railroad engineer residing at Ottumwa, Iowa; Esther, now deceased, who
GEORGE HAMMOND AND FAMILY
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 413
was the wife of Edward De Pooler of Minneapolis, also deceased; Clara,
now living, who was the second wife of Edward De Pooler; Susannah,
unmarried, residing in Trempealeau County; Polly, wife of Bert McQuain
of Minneapolis; Charles, baggage master for the Northwestern Railway
Company at Galesville; Harley, who is operating the home farm, his
mother residing with him, and Clifford, residing in Galesville and in the
employ of William Hegge, bridge contractor. Parley Stoner will long be
remembered as a man of sterling qualities. In his younger days he was
an athlete. He could hold his own with any of the strong men on the river.
He was courageous to recklessness and in every way was a friend worth
having. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, also of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Mrs. Stoner joined the same church before she was 16 years of age and has
always remained a faithful member of it.
George Hammond, proprietor of an excellent dairy farm of 176 acres
in sections 19 and 20, Gale Township, was born at Barnbydun, Yorkshire,
England, Feb. 25, 1856. His parents, George and Mary Ann (Wittels)
Hammond, were natives of the same place, the father being a farmer. They
came to America in 1858 and after residing in Canada for 18 months came
on to Trempealeau County in 1860, locating in Big Tamarac Valley. Here
George Hammond, Sr., bought land and in course of time developed a farm,
which he later sold, moving to Jackson County. Three years later he
returned to Trempealeau County and took a farm in Gale Township, on
which, however, he lived only 18 months. He then returned to Little Tamarac
Valley, settling on another farm, which was his home until a short time
before his death, as the last three months of his life were spent at the home
of his son George. He died in October, 1907, and his wife about two years
later. His life was devoted to farming and he took no part in public affairs,
but was esteemed as a good neighbor and reliable citizen. George Ham-
mond, second, the direct subject of this sketch, was the third born in a
family of nine children. His schooling was somewhat limited and was
obtained in Galesville and in Melrose, Jackson County. He began to work
out on farms at the early age of ten years, living at home a part of the time,
and continued to do so for a number of years. At the age of 22, having
saved money, he bought land. When 25 he married and later purchased a
farm near Ettrick, which he operated for about four years. He then
sold it and bought his present place of 176 acres, less than two miles from
the city limits of Galesville. On this he has made a number of valuable
improvements, having erected modern buildings, including a fine barn,
which is one of the best in this locality. He is carrying on a good dairying
business and is also engaged in breeding Guernsey cattle successfully, hav-
ing selected this as his favorite stock.
Nov. 8, 1883, Mr. Hammond was united in marriage with Mary Speier,
who was born at Spring Prairie, Wolworth County, Wis., daughter of
Jacob and Josephine (Langenohl) Speier. Her parents were natives of
Germany, who came to Trempealeau County from Walworth County, hav-
ing previously resided at Green Bay. On coming here they settled in Gale
Township, about four miles from Galesville, and farmed for a number of
414 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
years before their death. Mr. and Mrs. Hammond are the parents of seven
children : Mary Josephine, wife of George Kells, a contractor and builder
residing in Gale Township; Christine G., wife of Ben Deeren, proprietor
of a bicycle and motorcycle repair shop in Winona, Minn. ; Lois Jeanette,
unmarried, and a teacher in Trempealeau County; Lawrence Jacob, who
married Nellie Eng and resides on the Hammond farm, assisting his father ;
Warren Lewis, unmarried, and living at home; and John and Vilas, who
died in infancy. Mr. Hammond and his family are affiliated with the
Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is an independent Republican,
but, like his father, has never taken an active part in public affairs, being
content with casting his vote.
John Sutcliffe, a well known resident of section 33, Trempealeau Town-
ship, was born in the old log house on his father's farm, Feb. 19, 1858, son
of Thomas and Elizabeth (Rhodes) Sutcliffe. His parents were both born
in England, the father in Halifax, Yorkshire, Aug. 9, 1821. They came to
this country single and were married in Marquette County, Wisconsin.
Between 1852 and 1854 they came to Trempealeau County, Thomas Sutcliffe
buying 160 acres of unimproved land in section 33, Trempealeau Township.
As there were no buildings on it, he put up a log house and barn, later
building a second log house, hewn inside and out and sheeted inside and
out with lumber. It was one and a half stories in height and is still stand-
ing, being now used as an ice house. It was in this building that the subject
of this sketch was born. In 1866 Thomas Sutcliffe built a square brick
house, two stories high and with 10 rooms, which is still standing and is-
now occupied. He also purchased an additional 80 acres of land adjoining
the home farm, making 280 acres in all. He cleared, fenced and developed
this farm until he had transformed it into a good piece of agricultural prop-
erty, and here he died Feb. 19, 1903. He had been a widower for some
years previous to his death, his wife having passed away on the home farm.
They are both buried in Evergreen Cemetery. Their family was not large,
consisting only of five children, one of whom died in infancy. The others,
who are living, are: Phoebe Ann and Sarah Jane, both unmarried, and
John. Franklin died at the age of 33 years. Phoebe Ann, who is John's
senior by four years, resides in Galesville, Wis. Sarah Jane, who is two
years younger than John, lived in Winona, Minn., several years, but is now a
resident of Plainview, Minn.
John Sutcliffe acquired his education in district school No. 9, Trem-
pealeau Township, which he attended from the age of seven to that of 14,
regularly, and afterwards during the winters until he was 20 years old.
With the exception of about one year, six months of which he spent in
North Dakota and the other six months in Chicago, he has resided all his
life on the home farm, of which he became the owner at his father's death,
purchasing the interests of the other heirs. When he took possession of it
there were 250 acres of the farm under the plow, the balance of 30 acres
being in pasture and timber land. After carrying on this farm until Febru-
ary, 1911, the subject of this sketch sold it, except a small tract of four
acres, on which stands a comfortable house, which is his present residence.
In March, 1917, he bought back IO5V2 acres of the old farm, which he
►J
a
z
K
O
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 415
now operates. This makes him 109 1/2 acres. Here he lieves alone, having
never married. He is practically retired and is a great lover of the woods
and their inhabitants, taking pleasure and recreation in the study of
Nature and her works. In politics he is a Republican, but has not held
office.
George B. Shonat, a well known farmer residing in section 1, Gale town-
ship, was born in Oswego County, New York, Dec. 31, 1844, son of George
and Abigail (Like) Shonat. The father was born in Germany Feb. 3, 1810,
and came to America when a young man. In his native land he had learned
the shoemaker's and carpenter's trades, so was well equipped to succeed
in a country where skilled labor was in demand. In New York, however,
where he stayed for a while, he at first found the labor market somewhat
crowded, and not being able to find remunerative work immediately at
either of his trades, he took the first employment he could find, which was
in New York City, that of gathering bones for a sugar refinery with a
wheelbarrow. Later he worked on a farm for $7 a month and his board.
After some experience in this kind of work he went to Madison County,
New York, where also he worked for farmers and continued to do so until
he was able to purchase a small farm in the town of Monroe, Oswego County,
having previously, however, worked for awhile in Columbia County. After
awhile he gave up farming temporarily to become engineer in a sawmill.
In 1852 he joined the westward tide of emigration, arriving in Milwaukee
July 1 of that year. There he hired two teams to take him and his goods
to Waupun, Wis., where on arriving, he rented land and worked for others
for two years. Then, in the fall of 1853, he came to Trempealeau County
and entered land that now forms a part of Mr. Shonat's present farm,
moving onto it in the fall of 1855, November 24. During the intervening
years he was engaged in farming in Dodge County, Wisconsin. After
beginning farming on his own place he spent his winters in hauling logs
and such other work as he could do during the cold season, so kept busy
all the year round. This farm was his home for the rest of his life, his
death taking place here in 1887. He served as assessor in his township
for a number of years and in early days was a member of the school
board. His wife survived him about eleven years, dying in 1898. They
had two children: George B., subject of this sketch, and Sarah F., who is
now the widow of John Stellpflug.
George B. Shonat first attended school in his native state of New
York, afterwards the district school of Decorah Prairie, this county, and
subsequently Gale University, now Gale College. He resided on the home
farm until his marriage, which event, occurring Nov. 11, 1868, united him
with Nettie Dewar, who was born in Scotland, Jan. 21, 1844, daughter of
James and Anna Gordon (Harriss) Dewar. Her parents, who were also
natives of Scotland, came to America in 1853, settling first in lower Canada,
near Montreal, from which place in a short time thy came to the United
States and located in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, where Mr. Dewar
engaged in agriculture. In 1861 he and his family came to Trempealeau
County, locating in Big Tamarac Valley, where the mother died in the
spring of that year. James Dewar subsequently left the county and died
416 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
finally in St. Louis. His daughter Nettie was engaged in teaching previous
to her marriage. A year after that event Mr. Shonat built a house on a
recently purchased farm in Gale Township, and he, with his wife and
family, resided there for 24 years. He then purchased his present farm,
adjoining his old home, and located in section 1. Here he has resided since
1894, having at present 145 acres of land. His farm was formerly much
larger, as he has sold 185 acres to his son, W. R. Shonat. He is a stockholder
in the La Crosse Packing Company and was one of the first stockholders in
the Galesville Creamery at Arctic Springs. In 1889 Mr. Shonat engaged in
buying stock and in June, 1892 shipped the first carload of stock bred by
himself. Since that time he has been engaged practically all the time in
buying for himself or others and dealing in and shipping stock, and has
been very successful in these various enterprises. In politics he is a Demo-
crat and is now serving in his ninth year as assessor of Gale Township,
having also served on the township board for a number of years and as school
clerk for 10 years. He and his wife are the parents of eight children:
Warner R., who resides in Galesville; Anna May, wife of Robert S. Cook,
residing in La Crosse county ; Abbie E., wife of A. D. Burnett, a hardware
merchant at Spooner, Wis.; Catherine A., residing at home; N. Blanche,
also residing at home, who was also a teacher; Mary Esther, a teacher
residing in Spooner, Wis. ; Archie, who is a civil engineer in the employ of
the Northwestern Railroad Company, and who is a graduate of the Univer-
sity of Wisconsin; and George Martin, who died at the age of 14 months
in 1883.
Andrew M. Hellekson. One of the best improved farms in Ettrick
Township is that of Andrew M. Hellekson in section 21, a farm of 240 acres,
with buildings and equipment indicating even to the casual eye the enter-
prise and thrift of its owner. Mr. Hellekson is a native of Wisconsin,
having been born in the city of Racine, Aug. 21, 1870, son of Ellef and
Christe (Nelson) Hellekson. His father was born in Kragero, Norway,
Sept. 21, 1832, his mother being a native of the same place. The latter died
when the subject of this sketch was 1 year old, and Ellef Hellekson subse-
quently married for his second wife Mrs. Johanna Halverson. From the
age of 14 years he had followed the occupation of a sailor, before the Civil
War on the ocean, during which period he visited most of the maritime
countries of the world. He was still a young man when he came to the
United States, and here he remained, for some time sailing the Great Lakes.
The gi'eat city of Chicago, which he visited, attracted him and he made it
his home, residing there until about 1887, in which year he made a sudden
change in his occupation and manner of life, coming to Trempealeau County,
Wis., and settling on the farm now owned by his son Andrew M. On a part
of this farm he and his wife are still living, after spending many years in
the cultivation of the soil, though now retired.
Andrew M. Hellekson was the youngest of four children. His boyhood
was largely spent in the city of Chicago, where he attended the Maplewood
school. At the age of 14 years he began industrial fife in Chicago, first as
a door boy in a furniture store, from which position he was advanced to
that of collector for the same firm. He remained with the concern until
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 417
1887, in which year he came to Trempealeau County with his father, with
whom he remained practically all of the time, except for three winters, when
he again worked in Chicago. While at home he was practically the man-
ager of the farm from the time he came here, and is now its owner. It
consists of 240 acres, 60 acres of which he has cleared. He gives particular
attention to raising seeds of barley, rye, corn and oats from selected plants
for market purposes and for a number of years he has been engaged suc-
cessfully in breeding Guernsey cattle, milking 20 cows. Aside from the
immediate profits of his farm, he is a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery,
the Bank of Ettrick, the Ettrick & Northern Railroad, the Farmers' Elevator
in Blair, of which he was a former director, the La Crosse Packing Company,
the Ettrick Lumber Company and the Farmers' Telephone Company, of
which he is president. In 1916 Mr. Hellekson built a fine modern residence,
both commodious and attractive in appearance and provided with practically
all modern facilities and conveniences, and most of the important improve-
ments on the farm, including the neat and substantial buildings, have been
put up by him. He has served as county secretary of the American Society
of Equity, and was one of the organizers of the society in this county, and
is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics indepen-
dent, he has performed some pubhc service, including two years as super-
visor and three years as clerk of the school board. June 27, 1893, Mr.
Hellekson was united in marriage with Sena Herreid, daughter of Gilbert
and Ingeborg Herreid. He and his wife are the parents of six children:
John Andrew, who is official tester at the State Agricultural College at
Madison ; Ida Josephine, residing at home ; Ella Gertrude, who is attending
the La Crosse School of Agriculture, at Onalaska; Charles Edgar, Emma
Sophia and Lawrence Goodwin, residing at home. Mr. Hellekson and his
family are members of Beaver Creek United Lutheran church. Through
his own enterprise and industry, coupled with good judgment, he has
achieved prosperity and attained an honorable place in the community as
one of its substantial and reliable citizens. His children are receiving the
advantage of a good education to qualify them to make their own way in
life and all promise to be a credit to the family name.
Tosten G. Herreid, who owns and operates Pleasant View Farm of 200
acres in section 17, Ettrick Township, was born in Dane County., Wis., near
Stoughton, Oct. 31, 1857, son of Gilbert and Ingaborg Torgersdatter
(Twinde) Herreid. His parents were natives of Norway, the father born
at Hardanger, Bergenstift, June 23, 1836, and the mother at Vosse Nangen,
March 20, 1832. Gilbert Herreid came to the United States in the spring
of 1857, locating in Dane County, Wis., where he engaged in farming, and
in 1863 came to Trempealeau County, locating in Ettrick Township, where
he homesteaded land and improved and developed it into a good farm.
There his death took place in December, 1914. His wife is still residing on
the homestead. Their family numbered nine children, of whom Tosten G.
was the oldest. Tosten G. Herreid acquired his education in the local
schools of Ettrick Township. He resided at home until he was 25 years
old and then bought land in Ettrick Township, farming that place for 13
years. He then sold it and purchased his present farm, which consists
418 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
of 200 acres of valuable land and which he is operating in a general way,
raising various crops and breeding Hereford cattle from pure-bred sires.
He has greatly improved the property, having erected modern barns and
other necessary buildings, and is doing a successful business. Feb. 19,
1880, Mr. Herreid was united in marriage with Ragnhild Bue, who was born
in Hardanger, Norway, daughter of To.sten and Anna (Kjarland) Bue, her
parents being natives of the same place. Tosten Bue was born March 6,
1820, and his wife in 1824. They came to the United States in 1866, and
within one week after landing in this country the wife died. Mr. Bue
continued west to Winnesheik County, Iowa, where he remained some years,
or until 1873, when he came to Ettrick Township, Trempealeau County,
Wis., and home.steaded land on which he resided until his death in 1886.
He and his wife had a family of nine children.
Mr. and Mrs. Herreid have been the parents of seven children : Gilbert
Theodore, unmarried and now living in one of the more Western States;
Anna Emclia, wife of John Instenes, a farmer of Ettrick Township; Carl
Alfred (the second born), who died in infancy; Clara Martena, wife of
Louis Instenes, a farmer residing at Hegg, this township; Andrew Julius,
residing at home ; Selmer Imanuel, who died in childhood, and Selma Regina,
who graduated at the Galesville High School and is now a teacher in Trem-
pealeau County. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran
church.
John H. Schaller is one of the enterprising farmers oj" Gale Town.ship,
where he has resided about eight years, following agriculture and raising
stock, and is doing a prosperous business. He was born at Freeburg,
Houston County, Minn., Sept. 14, 1866, son of John C. and Katherine (Fetz-
ner) Schaller. Both parents were natives of Germany, the father born at
Heidelberg June 30, 1838, and the mother at Oberkronbach, Germany, June
30, 1843. When a lad of 6 years John C. Schaller came to America with his
parents, George and Katherine (Margaart) Schaller, who settled in Steuben-
ville, Ohio, just across the Ohio River from Brook County, W. Va., and a few
miles above Wheeling, that State. George Schaller was a miller and oper-
ated a mil! there for a number of years' coming toMinne.sota with his family
in 18.'55. In the latter State John C. was reared, and after learning the
miller's trade from his father, followed it there until the fall of 1889, when
he moved to La Crosse County, Wis., and engaged in the .sawmill business.
After being thus occupied for some three years, he returned to flour milling,
for seven or eight years operating a mill in Mormon Coolie, La Crosse
County. He then went to Fairmont, Minn., where he followed the same
business for two years. At the end of that time he purchased an interest
in the Hartford Milling Company, of Hartford, S. D., where he is still
engaged in that business with the same company. His wife died May 30,
1914. They were married April 12, 1863, and celebrated their golden
wedding April 12, 1913. The grandparents of our subject, George and
Katherine (Margaart) Schaller, celebrated their golden wedding in 1879.
John H. Schaller was the second born in a family of eight c;hildren.
At the age of 17 years he was employed in the capacity of wheat buyer for
the mills in South Dakota, and, not being able to follow the miller's trade.
W. A. SMITH AND FAMILY
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 419
continued buying grain until his marriage in 1890. He then entered the
service of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, being employed as
fireman for some seven years, running between La Crosse and Milwaukee.
At the end of that time, on account of defective hearing, he was obliged
to give up railroad work, but found a position as watchman and fireman in
the Federal Building at La Crosse, which he held for nine years and two
months. He then took a farm on Silver Creek, Trempealeau County, and
operated it for three years. For two and a half years following he operated
other farms, and then took his present place, where he has 138 acres of
good land and is engaged in dairy and stock farming, doing a profitable
business, the advantage of which accrues to himself, instead of working for
others. In politics, while usually voting the Republican ticket, he exercises
the right of independent judgment. He has served for a number of years
as clerk of School District No. 6. In religion he is a Catholic.
June 3, 1890, Mr. Schaller was married to Josephine Schwarzhoff , who
was born in Highlandville, Minn., daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Pep-
per) Schwarzhoff. Her father was born in Westphalia, Germany, Oct. 5,
1836, and was a miller and merchant. He came to this country in 1853,
settling at Highlandville, where he grew to manhood and was engaged in
business for some ten years. He then removed to Burgen, Iowa, where the
rest of his life was spent in the milling and mercantile business. His wife,
who was born in Kleinraken, Germany, Sept. 5, 1843, is now living in Gales-
ville. They were the parents of four children, of whom Josephine was the
youngest. Mr. and Mrs. Schaller are the parents of six children : Alletta
Marie, born March 25, 1891, wife of Rainnie Lun, a farmer residing on
Silver Creek, Gale Township; Arthur Joseph, born Sept. 1, 1892; Charles
Leo, born Sept. 13, 1894 ; Herman John, born June 29, 1896 ; George Dewey,
born May 15, 1898, and La Verne Alexander, born Aug. 30, 1908, the last
five mentioned all residing at home. Mr. Schaller belongs to the Modern
Woodmen of America and also to the B. of L. F. & E., being the oldest past
president of this lodge.
William A. Smith, who is engaged in farming in section 34, Gale Town-
ship, was born in Walworth County, Wis., June 26, 1864, son of William
and Mary (Wagner) Smith. His parents were born and married in Ger-
many and came to the United States in the early '50s, locating in Walworth
County, Wis., where William Smith engaged in farming. Subsequently he
and his wife came to Trempealeau County and for the first two years occu-
pied a rented farm. He then homesteaded land three and a half miles
north of Galesville and resided on that farm until his death, which took
place in the latter '80s. He was of a well-to-do family in Germany, and
when a young man had run away from home to enter the German army,
in which he served seven years. His wife survived him a number of years,
dying in 1911. Their family numbered six children, of whom William A.
was the fifth in order of birth. William A. Smith attended school in the
George Smith District in Trempealeau County and was reared on his
parents' farm, where he worked when only 14 years old. He remained at
home and assisted his parents until he was 26, at times working out at
teaming and other work in order to keep busy earning something, these
420 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
industrial activities being carried on mostly in the neighborhood of Gales-
ville. Being thrift}'- and economical, he saved money, so that at last he
was able to purchase a house in Galesville, where he took up his residence
and engaged in the dray and transfer business, being thus occupied until
1914. He then bought his present farm, consisting of 48 acres of valuable
land, on which he has made practically all the improvements, and to which
he now devotes practically all of his time, though still retaining possession
of his property in Galesville. Mr. Smith was married, July 1, 1899, to
Bertha Olson, who was born near Arcadia, Trempealeau County, Wis.,
daughter of Targe and Bertha (Olson) Olson. Her parents were natives
of Norway, the father born in 1834 and the mother Dec. 29, 1849. They
came to the United States when young and unmarried and settled in Trem-
pealeau County, Wis., about seven miles west of Galesville in Big Tamarac
Valley, where Targe Olson engaged in farming. He died 1901, but his
wife is still living and resides on the old farm. They had a large family,
numbering eleven children. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of one
child, Roy Theodore, who was born June 15, 1901. The family are attend-
ants of the Lutheran church. Mr. Smith is a member of the Order of
Beavers, while Mrs. Smith is a member of the Royal Neighbors.
Edward Christian Elliason, who is conducting a farm of .300 acres in
section 25, Gale Township, was born in Layton, Norway, Jan. 31, 1865, son
of Peter and Martha (Christenson) Elliason. His parents, also natives
of Norway, came to America in 1869, locating in Lewis Valley, La Crosse
County, where Peter Elliason, who was a tanner by trade, engaged in
farming, residing there until his death, April 7, 1915. His wife died in
June, 1896. Edward C. EUiason, subject of this sketch, was the eldest of
five children. He attended school in Farmington Township, La Crosse
County, and also had the advantage of some home instruction. Residing
at home practically all of the time until his marriage at the age of 22 years,
he then worked on a farm for one year, and afterward went to La Crosse,
where for three years he was employed at the Wheland Cedar Works. Sub-
sequently he went on a farm near Holman, where he resided five years, at
the end of which time he came to the vicinity of Glasgow, Trempealeau
County, and in 1908 purchased his present farm of 300 acres, on which he
is carrying on general farming. He is also a stockholder in a threshing and
shredding outfit, in the Farmers' Exchange at Galesville, the La Crosse
Packing Company and the Independent Harvester Company, of Piano, 111.
On Nov. 23, 1887, Mr. Elliason was united in marriage to Katherine Wilson,
who was born in La Crosse Valley, La Crosse County, daughter of James
and Jeanette (Barkley) Wilson, her parents being natives of Scotland.
James Wilson was born Nov. 22, 1817, and his wife in 1832. They were
married in their native land and came to La Crosse County, Wis., at an early
date, Mr. Wilson taking a homestead, on which he was engaged in farming
until his death in 1878; his wife died in 1882. Their family numbered
nine children, of whom their daughter Katherine was the second in order
of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Elliason are the parents of three children : Wilson
Peter, born June 12, 1889 ; Malcolm Howard, born Dec. 28, 1893, and Edward
Kilmor, born Aug. 16, 1896. Mr. Elliason is a member of the American
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 421
Society of Equity, and, with his family, belongs to the Lutheran church.
In politics he is independent, but usually votes the Republican ticket.
Bernt O. Evenson, who is engaged in general agriculture on a farm of
154 acres in section 33 E, Gale Township, was born in Ringseger, Norway,
Nov. 25, 1864, son of Ole and Mary (Hovey) Evenson, who were natives of
the same place. The parents came to America with their family in 1867,
locating in Holland Township, La Crosse County, Wis., where the father
died about 18 months later. His wife remained in La Crosse County until
1888, buying land in Stevens Township, that county, in 1875. From 1888
to 1895, in which year her death took place, she resided in Trempealeau
County with her two sons, Andrew and Bernt O.
The subject of this sketch was the third born of four children. He
attended school in Stevens Township, La Crosse County, and began indus-
trial life at the early age of 9 years, being employed by neighboring farmers
to herd cows and do other jobs of which he was capable, and in time he
became a regular farm hand. When 22 years old he began working on
Black River, having charge of a log driving crew. After being thus occu-
pied for two summers he and his brother Andrew bought a farm in Gale
Township, which they operated together until the death of their mother.
Bernt 0. then sold his interest in the property and bought his present farm,
which was partly cultivated, and on which he has cleai'ed 35 additional
acres. He has also made a number of improvements on the place, his
buildings being modern in construction and equipment. He is a stockholder
in the Farmers' Exchange at Galesville, the Arctic Springs Creamery and
the Independent Harvester Company at Piano, 111., also a stockholder in the
Farmers' and Merchants' State Bank at Galesville.
Sept. 26, 1890, Mr. Evenson was united in marriage with Anna Ekern,
who was born in Gale Township, this county, daughter of Andrew and Olena
(Emonson) Ekern. Her parents were born in Biri, Norway, the father May
19, 1834, and the mother Aug. 8, 1838. Andrew Ekern came to the United
States when a young man, settling in Coon "Valley, Vernon County, Wis.,
where he bought land. Later, while yet a single man, he moved to Lewis
Valley, Holland Township, La Crosse County, where he engaged in farming
and was there married. Coming subsequently to Trempealeau County, he
homesteaded land adjoining the farm now owned by his son-in-law, Mr.
Evenson. Andrew Ekern developed the farm which is now operated by his
son, Gustav Ekern. He was a man of intelligence and force of character
and at different times held local office. He died Nov. 18, 1916, and his wife
died March 29, 1914. They were the parents of six children, of whom their
daughter Anna was the fourth in order of birth. She was educated in the
Norwegian parochial school. Mr. and Mrs. Evenson have five children:
Odell Augustus, Orville Milford, Arthur Marvin, Emma Augusta and Roy
Chester. Mr. Evenson belongs to the Order of Beavers. He has served
as treasurer of the school board for six years and for a number of years as
road overseer, rendering good service in each capacity. In politics he is
independent, with a leaning towards the Republican party. He and his
family are members of the Lutheran church at Hardie's Creek. Indus-
trious and enterprising, he is one of those who have the ability to extract
422 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
wealth from the soil, and is doing his full part in developing the agricul-
tural resources of his township.
Alfred Edward Emerson, a well-known agriculturist of Gale Township,
was born at North Bend, Jackson County, Wis., July 8, 1880, son of Henry
and Mary (Gilbertson) Emerson. His parents were natives of Norway,
but were married in Wisconsin. Henry Emerson was 12 years old when
he accompanied his parents to the United States. They settled in Wis-
consin, in which State he grew to manhood. In time he purchased land
at North Bend and engaged in farming, which was his occupation
for many years. He died on his farm in April, 1911. His wife died
May 2, 1917. They had six children, of whom Alfred E. was next to the
youngest.
Alfred E. Emerson resided with his parents until he was 26 years old,
at which time, a year or two previous to his marriage, he bought his
present farm and engaged in agriculture on his own account. He has 220
acres of improved land, with good modern buildings and equipment, prac-
tically all the improvements having been made by himself. He carries
on general farming very successfully and is now one of the prosperous
and substantial citizens of his township. Besides this, he is a stockholder
in the La Crosse Packing Company. Mr. Emerson was first married in
1908 to Katie Stellpflug, who was born in Gale Township, a daughter of
John and Sarah (Shonat) Stellpflug. She died Nov. 5, 1909, leaving one
child, Bernard, who is now attending school.
In March, 1911, Mr. Emerson married for his second wife Abbie
Stellpflug, a sister of his first wife. By her he has had two children,
Valeria Frances and Flavian John, both of whom are living. Mr. Emerson
is a member of the Order of Beavers and of the Foresters, and is a Catholic
in religion.
James A. Marsh, one of the up-to-date and thriving farmers of Trem-
pealeau Township, was born at Waukegan, 111., Jan. 24, 1861, son of John A.
and Catherine (Haynes) Marsh. The father was born in the County of
Kent, England, in 1835, and came to the United States in 1857 at the age
of 22 years. Stopping for a while in Michigan, he went on to Waukegan,
111., where he remained until 1863. In the year 1860 he met and married
Catherine Hayes, of Kenosha, Wis. It was in 1863 that he made his advent
in Trempealeau County, making the journey with a wagon and two yoke
of oxen, settling on a tract of wild land at Big Tamarac Valley, section 15,
Trempealeau Township. There were no buildings on the land, but he
remedied that defect as best he could by building a one-room log cabin,
which had a blanket in place of a door. This primitive dwelling was the
family residence for about two years, or until 1865, when Mr. Marsh
erected an eight-room log house, which indeed seemed a palace in compari-
son with his previous abode, and in this house he resided until his death
in 1873. His remains rest in Evergreen Cemetery at Centerville, Wis.
His wife still survives him, now residing at Centerville. John A. Marsh
cleared and developed the homestead and increased its size by purchasing
200 additional acres. The children in the family were: James A., born
in 1861 ; J. H., born in 1863, now a farmer residing at Centerville, Trempea-
MR. AND MBS. LARS M. HANSAASEN
NICHOLAS ENGHAGEN AND FAMILY
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 423
leau County; Sumner W., born in 1866, who is now living in Western
Canada, and Katharine, born in 1871, who is now Mrs. WilHam McDonah,
of Centerville. James A. Marsh acquired his education in the old log
school house, which he attended until he was 14 years old. After his
father's death the work of the farm devolved upon him more and more
as he grew older, until he was bearing the whole responsibihty. In 1892
he purchased the homestead from his mother and since then has made
numerous improvements on it. In 1906 he erected a fine two-story frame
house of 12 rooms, and has also built a large horse and cattle barn, with
basement, a sheep barn, a hog house of two stories, with a shop above. He
has also a granary and corn crib and a poultry house. Mr. Marsh carries
on general farming, keeping a good herd of cattle, hogs and sheep, graded
animals. He has added to the size of his farm until it now contains 427
acres, 200 of which are under the plow, the rest being in timber and pasture
land. He has also a small orchard. In addition to his farming interests
he holds stock in the Farmers' Co-Operative Packing Company, of La
Crosse, Wis. A Republican in politics, he has served as member of the
town board four terms and has been school director three years. Jan. 31,
1898, Mr. Marsh was married to Agnes, daughter of Michael and Augusta
(Collins) Sizons, of Trempealeau Township, their wedding being celebrated
at Sacred Heart Church, Pine Creek. Their children, with dates of birth, _
are: John, Nov. 24, 1899, who resides on the farm with his father;
Blanche, 1901; Musey, 1902; James, 1904, who died in November, 1909;
Agnes, 1906; Daniel, 1909; Garrett, 1911, and Leone, 1914. Mr. Marsh
and his family are Catholics in religion, attending the Church of the Sacred
Heart at Pine Creek. Fraternally he has been affiliated with the Yeomen
at Centerville since 1906, and with the Mystic Workers, of Centerville,
since 1908.
Lars Mikkleson Hansaasen, an early settler in Ettrick Township,
where he is now living, was born in Ringsaker, Norway, April 27, 1837.
He was married in his native land in September, 1858, and with his wife.
Goner, who was born in the same part of Norway in March, 1836, came
to the United States in 1862, locating on a farm in Lewis Valley, La Crosse
County, Wis. About three years later they removed to Ettrick Township,
Trempealeau County, Mr. Hansaasen homesteading a farm on Beaver
Creek, where he is still living, after spending half a century in its culti-
vation and improvement. The farm is now owned by his son-in-law, Alex-
ander J. Ekern, who bought it. Mr. and Mrs. Hansaasen reared six chil-
dren, their daughter Clara being the wife of Mr. Ekern, above mentioned,
and another daughter, Lena, marrying Nicholas Enghagen.
Alexander J. Ekern is a successful agriculturist of Ettrick Township,
his flourishing farm of 207 acres being located in sections 7 and 8, south.
He was born in Gale Township, this county, July 19, 1863, son of Andrew
and Oline (Amundson) Ekern. The parents were both natives of Biri,
Norway, the date of the father's birth being May 19, 1834, arid that of his
wife Aug. 8, 1838. Andrew Ekern came to this country unmarried in 1852,
locating on Coon Prairie, Vernon County, Wis. After working for others
for awhile he engaged in farming in that locality, from which he removed
424 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
later to La Crosse County, where he and his brother Gilbert bought a farm,
on which he lived for a few years. In La Crosse County he also married.
In 1860 he came with his wife to Trempealeau County and filed on a home-
stead in Gale Township, which place was his home for the remainder
of his life. He made important improvements on his property and
did his full share in helping to develop the agricultural resources of the
township. His death occun-ed Dec. 18, 1916. His wife died March 29,
1913. They had a family of nine children, Alexander J. being the
first born.
Alexander J. Ekern was educated in the district school at Glasgow,
Gale Township, and at the same time was taught farm work, assisting his
father out of school hours, and all of the time after he laid aside his school
books. At the age of 15 years he was practically self-supporting, and
when a little older and stronger worked as a regular farm hand in the
summer and at lumbering in the winter. This sort of life continued for
about seven years, during which time he saved a part of his wages with a
view to future independence. At the end of the period referred to he
rented a farm in Gale Township for three years and then moved onto the
farm which he now operates, purchasing the property at that time. Since
then he has made many improvements in it, erecting new buildings, includ-
ing barns and granaries, and has added considerably to the acreage of
tilled land. His farming operations include dairying, and his prosperity
has increased from year to year with the enlargement of his farm and
herd. Mr. Ekern is also president of the Ettrick Creamery Company, and
a stockholder and one of the incorporators of the Ettrick & Northern
Railroad Company, the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company, and the
Bank of Ettrick, also a director and president of the Scandinavian Insur-
ance Company, having foi'merly held the office of vice-president. In poli-
tics he is a Republican. Although a busy man, he has devoted a part of
his time to town and county affairs, having served as chairman of the
township board two years, being at the same time a member of the county
board, as supervisor ten years and as clerk of the district school board two
years. He was a member of the building committee that erected the new
Lutheran church at Hardie's Creek, and has served as trustee of the
church, to which he and his family belong. Mr. Ekern was married Nov.
11, 1885, to Clara Larson, who was born in Lewis' Valley, La Crosse
County, Wis., daughter of Lars and Goner (Mikkleson) Hansaasen, both
natives of Ringsaker, Norway, where they were married. Mrs. Ekern's
father was born April 27, 1837, and her mother in March, 1836. After
their marriage in September, 1858, they continued to reside in their native
land for several years, but about 1862 emigrated to America, locating on a
farm in La Crosse County, Wis. From there they removed later to Ettrick
Township, Trempealeau County, where Mrs. Ekern's father homesteaded
the farm now owned by Mr. Ekern, on which he is still living, being
practically retired from active labor. He and his wife reared six children,
Clara being the fourth born. Mr. and Mrs. Ekern are the parents of two
children: Alfred L. and Gertrude 0. Alfred L., who, after attending the
local schools, took a course at the State Agricultural College at Madison,
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 425
is now operating the home farm. He married Margaret Knutson, who
was born at Beaver Creek, this county. Gertrude O., who is unmarried,
resides at home.
Lars P, Larson, who is now living retired on his farm of 160 acres in
section 11, Ettrick Township, after a long and active career, both as a
pioneer and modern farmer, was born in Biri, Norway, Feb. 24, 1847. His
parents were Peter and Carrie (Nelson) Larson, the father born Aug. 1,
1820, and the mother Dec. 9, 1819. In 1857 they arrived in the United
States with their family and, proceeding westward, settled in Coon Valley,
Vernon County, which was their place of residence for four years, or
until June, 1861. They then came to Trempealeau County, making the
journey partly by boat and partly on foot, bringing with them an ox team.
Arriving in Ettrick Township, Peter Larson located on a piece of land in
section 11, about half a mile from his present home, the present townships
of Ettrick and Gale being then known as Gale. Building a log cabin, Mr.
Larson began at once the work of improvement. This work, like that of
aU the pioneers, was strenuous, but he was already used to hard labor, as
for some time after settling in Vernon County he had to get a living for
himself and his family by splitting rails at 50 cents a day, boarding him-
self, and had also swung a cradle all day long for 75 cents a day. Now,
in addition to his heavy work on the homestead, he had to carry flour on
his back from Lewis' Valley to Hardie's Creek, crossing Black River on a
raft logs. His homestead consisted of 160 acres, which he took under the
first homestead act. Later he sold this property to his son Lars P., and pur-
chased a farm nearer Ettrick, which was his home for the remainder of his
life, his death occurring Aug. 7, 1893. He was a prominent citizen of his
township and was active in church work, also taking an interest in every-
thing calculated to benefit the community in which he hved. His first
wife, Mrs. Carrie (Nelson) Larson, died April 18, 1870, and he subsequently
contracted a second marriage to Aynet Hugelus. Of the first union four
children were born and of the second four: Lars P. Larson, who was the
eldest son of his parents, attended school in Coon Valley and later in Beaver
Valley, there being no school in Ettrick Township when the family first
came here. When a boy he had few idle hours, at the age of 11 or 12 years
being employed in driving a breaking team of oxen, for which he received
10 cents a day. He resided with his father until about 23 years of age,
during that time acquiring an intimate knowledge of farming, especially
under pioneer conditions. He was an expert ox teamster and during the
early days skidded logs enough to build a village as large as Galesville. At
the age of 23 he bought land and became a farmer on his own account.
He also engaged in threshing, and drove breaking teams of from three to
six oxen on a plow. His trading was done at Trempealeau, where also he
sold his produce. There was at that time plenty of game in the vicinity ;
deer were quite common and prairie chickens might be seen by thousands.
Since those days Mr. Larson has made many improvements on his property
and has advanced in prosperity with the years that have passed. He was
married March 16, 1871, to Grace Elizabeth Smith, who was born in Leeds,
England, daughter of George and Alice (Wilford) Smith, natives of the
426 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
same city. The family came to the United States in the early '50s, settling
in Walworth County, Wis. In 1864 they moved to Beaver Creek Valley,
where Mr. Smith engaged in farming and was thus occupied until his death,
in or about 1896. His wife died in 1878. Their daughter, Mrs. Larson, was
the second born of four children. She died Feb. 5, 1915, after a long and
happy married life of nearly 44 years. The children born to Mr. and Mrs.
Larson were three in number: AUce C, Emma Josephine and George Wil-
ford. Alice C. is now the wife of Lud Emerson, a farmer living at North
Bend, Wis. She has six children: James, Allan, Floys, Harold, Lila and
Mary. Emma Josephine is the wife of Gustave Fillner, a salesman residing
in Madison, Wis., and her children are: Laverne, Alice, Glenn, Layton,
Vera and Mildred. George Wilford, the second member of the family,
resides on the old homestead, which he is operating, his father being now
retired. He married Pauline Emerson, of North Bend, and they have five
children: Grace Annadine, Verna Lorena, Stanley George, Leslie Pearl
and Robert Milton. Mr. Larson was reared in the faith of the Lutheran
church, but the church he now attends is the Presbyterian. He is a staunch
Republican politically, but never aspired to political office, though always
taking an interest in good government, both National, State and local. As
one whose early recollections extend back to pioneer days in this county, he
is an authority on most matters connected with those early times and can,
when he desires, narrate many interesting stories of the hardships formerly
endured, the perils encountered, and also the compensations met with by
the men and women who laid the foundations of Trempealeau County's
present prosperity — among whom he, himself, was numbered.
Thomas A. Whalen, proprietor of a fine dairy farm of 200 acres in
section 32, Ettrick Township, was born on his present farm, Sept. 3, 1866,
son of Darby and Ann (Riley) Whalen. Darby Whalen was born in Con-
naught, Ireland, Jan. 13, 1824, and came to America with his parents in
1833, they being among the early settlers of Ettrick Township, this county.
Here in time he became an extensive land owner and farmer, spending his
life in cultivation of the soil, raising stock and other farm work. He was
a prominent citizen of the township and was at various times called upon to
serve in public office, being a member of the township board and school
board and also serving as justice of the peace. His death occurred in 1894.
His wife, who was born in Fall River, Wis., Jan. 13, 1824, is still living and
resides on the farm with her son Thomas. She was the mother of two
children, Thomas and Mary, Mary being also a resident of the home farm.
Her education in part was obtained at the Winona Normal School, where she
made good progress in advanced studies.
Thomas A. Whalen in his boyhood attended District School No. 8 in
Ettrick Township, where he completed the education afforded the boy of
those days. At an early age he learned the rudiments of farming and
assisted his father until the latter's death, becoming its manager a number
of years previous to that event. Subsequently becoming the proprietor, he
has continued to develop and improve the property until it now ranks as
one of the best dairy farms in the township. The buildings are sub-
stantial and include a barn, 90 by 34 feet in dimensions, with a 9-foot base-
MH.s IVKR 1'. KXGHAGEN, B. I. ENGHAGEN, IVEB P. ENGHAi.KN, BAKV ENGHAOEN"
(). O. KXGKX, MRS. H. I. ENGHAGEN, MRS. O. O. ENGEN
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 427
ment and 14-foot stockboards and cement floor. Both the barn and resi-
dence are hghted with electricity and the latter with other modern con-
veniences desirable for a comfortable home. On the farm there is also
a first-clas silo, with an ample supply of machinery and implements neces-
sary for up-to-date dairy farming. Mr. Whalen is also a stockholder in
the Ettrick & Northern Railroad.
Jan. 10, 1906, Mr. Whalen was married to Bridget Harmon, who was
born in Ettrick Township, about a mile from the Whalen farm. She at-
tended the district schools, the Galesville High School and completed her
studies with a term at the Gale College, after which she became a proficient
teacher, teaching four years in Wisconsin and five years in Illinois. Her
parents were Thomas and Julia (Rafter) Harmon. Mr. and Mrs. Whalen
have one child, Thomas Harold, who was born Feb. 21, 1907. The family
are members of the Catholic church. In politics Mr. Whalen is indepen-
dent. He is now serving as president of the school board and is a man
whose interests and sympathies are not confined to the limits of his own
family circle, but who is always ready to do his part as a good citizen, and
render aid when necessary to promote some worthy cause with the object
of bettering the community at large.
Iver P. Enghagen, who was for many years, until his death, Dec. 17,
1914, one of the leading citizens of Ettrick Township, where he was an
early settler, was born in Lillehamer, Province of Faaberg, Norway, and
came to the United States in 1860 when a young man, unable to speak
English. He resided for about two years in La Crosse County, Wis., but
subsequently moved to Trempealeau County, where he was married to Inge-
borg Jacobson, who was born in Hadeland, Norway. Buying a farm on
French Creek, in Ettrick Township, he engaged in agriculture and continued
to improve his property for the rest of his life, which came to an end Dec.
17, 1914. He was also interested in other business enterprises. He as-
sisted in organizing the Scandinavian Insurance Company, of which he
was cashier until his death ; was financially interested in the Ettrick Cream-
ery Company, the Bank of Ettrick, the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of
Galesville, and the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company, of which he
was a director for a number of years. Mr. Enghagen was also assessor of
Ettrick Township for seven or eight years and served on the township board
for a number of years. Though he had never gone to school a day in his
life, he was a natural mathematician and could figure as rapidly and accu-
rately as any college student. As cashier of the Scandinavian Insurance
Company he handled for many years all the money of the company — a large
amount annually — and was always correct in his accounts. He also helped
to organize the Lutheran church, becoming its treasurer, and at a later
period was presented with a fine gold watch as a reward for his faithful
services. His wife, who survives him, still resides on the old homestead,
now owned by their son, Bernt I? Enghagen. Their family numbered six
children, as follows : Peter Julius, now a merchant in Galesville ; Amelia,
now Mrs. Martin Madson ; Nicholas, a farmer in Ettrick Township ; Minnie,
who is deceased; Bernt I., proprietor of the old home farm, and Josephine,
who is now Mrs. Gilbert Hogden.
428 1II8T0RV OF TKEMPEALEAU COUNTY
Bernt I. Enghagen, who is engaged in farming the old Enghagen home
in section 27 (west), Ettrick Township, was born on this farm June 27,
1878, son of Iver P. and Ingeborg (Jacobson) Enghagen. In his boyhood
he attended school both in Ettrick township and Ettrick Village. From his
early youth until reaching the age of .35 years he was associated with his
father in the operation of the home farm, and has always resided on it.
On his father's death he purchased the property and now has 160 acres of
land, which he devotes to general farming. The estate is well improved
and shows the results of the care that has been lavished on it for so many
years. Mr. Enghagen is also a stockholder in the Western Wisconsin Tele-
phone Company, the Ettrick & Northern Railroad and the Hammer-Eng-
hagen Company, Inc. (general merchants), at Galesville, of which his
brother, Peter J., is a member. In politics he is a Republican, but not active
in public affairs. His rehgious affiliations are with the Lutheran church
at French Creek.
Mr. Enghagen was married Oct. 25, 1913, to Miss Julia Engen, who was
born in Arcadia Township, daughter of Ole and Helena (Haakensen) Engen,
both natives of Norway, the father born in Ringsaker, Oct. 31, 1841. Ole
Engen emigrated to the United States when a young man, in 1868. He
worked in La Crosse County, Wis., one summer, and then came to Ettrick
Township, Trempealeau County, teaching parochial school for several years,
and also being engaged in farming. He was married in this county, June 9,
1871, to Helena Haakensen, who was born in Norway, Jan. 2, 1840, and died
Oct. 31, 1911. After being occupied as above mentioned for several years,
he moved to Big Tamarac, where he and his family made their home for ten
years, and then retuined to the farm which is now the home of Nicholas
Enghagen, and where he resided from 1883 to 1914. In the latter year he
took up his residence with the subject of this sketch, on whose farm he is
now living retired. He taught Norwegian school here and was an active
officer in the Lutheran church, being secretary of the congregation for 27
years. He and his wife had four children, of whom the only one now sur-
viving is Julia (Mrs. B. I. Enghagen). She acquired her early education in
the district school in Ettrick Township and subsequently attended the
Ladies' Lutheran Seminary at Red Wing, Minn., being graduated with the
class of 1900. Later she taught parochial school for four years near
Westby, Vernon County, Wis., and two terms of school in Beaver Creek
Valley, Ettrick Township. Mr. and Mrs. Enghagen have one child, Helena
Ingeborg, who was born July 2, 1915.
William Willinger, who is engaged in operating a good farm in section
36, Gale Township, was born in Holland, Oct. 10, 1857, son of Abe and Clara
(Kuik) Willinger, who also were both natives of Holland, in which country
his mother died. In 1882 the father came to the United States, settling
in Amsterdam, La Crosse County, Wis., where he died about 1901.
William Willinger was the youngest'member of a family of four chil-
dren. He was educated in Holland and was 31 years of age when he came
to this country. For a number of years subsequently he worked for his
brothers in La Crosse County, and also for others, and then came to Trem-
pealeau County, renting a farm near Ettrick, where he remained three years.
IIISTOKY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 429
At the end of that time he bought a farm in Gale Township, above Decorah
Prairie, and operated it for five years. He then sold it and purchased a farm
in Silver Creek Valley, where he lived and worked for four years. Then,
selling that farm, he bought the old John Davidson farm, on which he now
resides. The farm contains 80 acres, and in addition to this Mr. Willinger
owns 201/0 acres of woodland on Black River. He practices general farming
and is doing a prosperous business.
In May, 1882, Mr. Willinger was married to Katherine De Groot, a
native of Holland, by whom he had four children: Abe and John, both
single and residing at home ; Clara and Susan, who are both deceased. Mrs.
Katherine Willinger died in 1895, and on March 14, 1899, Mr. Willinger
married for his second wife Katherine Grassma, who was born in Holland
Township, La Crosse County, Wis. Her parents, Bouke and Clara (Tickler)
Grassma, were born in Holland and at an early date, now forgotten, came
to the United States in a sailing vessel, locating immediately in La Crosse
County. There Mr. Grassma worked for various people in different lines
of industry, including that of clerk. Later he engaged in farming and
also conducted a truck business for a while. He was a veteran of the Civil
War. Both he and his wife are now deceased. They had a large family
numbering 13 children, of whom their daughter Katherine was the eighth
in order of birth. Mr. Willinger and his family attend the Presbyterian
church, of which, however, he is not a member. His son John belongs to
the Order of Beavers and Yeomen.
Nicholas Enghagen, a farmer in section 34 W., Ettrick Township, was
born in French Valley, Ettrick Township, Dec. 2, 1869, son of Tver P. and
Ingeborg (Jacobson) Enghagen. In his boyhood he attended the school at
French Creek. He resided on his parents' farm until he was 39 years old,
assisting in its cultivation. Then purchasing a farm on the South Branch of
Beaver Creek, he operated it until about two years ago, when he sold it
and bought his present farm of 83 acres, at the mouth of French Creek.
Here he carries on general farming and is also a stockholder in the Ettrick
Creamery. Sept. 30, 1909, Mr. Enghagen was united in marriage with
Lena Larson, who was born on the South Branch of Beaver Creek, in Ettrick
Township. Her parents, Lars and Goner (Mikkleson) Hansaasen, were
born in Norway and came to the United States in 1862, locating first in
Lewis Valley, La Crosse County, where they spent three years. They then
came to Trempealeau County, the father taking a farm on Beaver Creek,
where he is still living, having spent half a century in its cultivation and
improvement. Their daughter Lena was the youngest of the six children
they reared and was educated in the district school of Ettrick Township.
Mr. and Mrs. Enghagen have one child, Ingred Genevieve, who was born
June 19, 1910. The family are members of the Lutheran church, and in
politics Mr. Enghagen is a Republican. Though his farm is not one of
the largest in the township, it is well equipped with everything necessary
in the way of buildings and machinery and he is doing a profitable business.
Mrs. Thomas D. Wilcox, a widely-known and highly-respected resident
of Trempealeau Township, was born at Delhi, Delaware County, N. Y., April
15, 1848, daughter of John and Euphemia (Thompson) Gillies. In the
430 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
spring of 1849, while yet a babe, she accompanied her parents to Fond du
Lac County, Wis., they settUng on a farm near Waupun. John Gillies,
who was a miller by trade, divided his time between farming and milling,
following the latter occupation in mills at Fairwater and Waupun. In the
spring of 1855 Mr. Gillies started with his family for Minnesota, but falling
in on the way with some other people who were seeking a good location for
settlement, he decided, after talking the matter over with them, to halt on
the east side of the Mississippi River, and accordingly stayed in Buffalo
County a few days. Not being satisfied with that region after a short stay,
he returned south to Trempealeau County, which he had passed through on
his way up the river, and settled in section 7, Trempealeau Township, where
he bought 160 acres of wild government land. With this to begin with,
he started in to develop a good homestead, and from time to time added to
his farm until he had in all some 400 acres, part of this property being what
is now known as the Wilcox and Jones farm. On this land he built the
present residence, which it was his intention to enlarge ; but having traded
a yoke of oxen for 14,000 feet of lumber, he gave the lumber away at
different times to neighbors who wished to build shanties, until he had none
left, and. as most of his sons went to the war, he never rebuilt or enlarged
the old home. He died Nov. 7, 1908, at the home of his son Richard, in
Trempealeau Township. At the time of his death he had been a widower
for some ten years, as his wife had passed away Jan. 25, 1898, at the old
home in section 7. For many years before her death she had suffered
from the affliction of blindness. Her remains now repose with those of
her husband in the cemetery at Trempealeau Village.
Their daughter, Mary Gillies, subject of this sketch, was brought up
on the parental farm, where she lived until she was 29 years old, assisting
in the care of the home, and for a number of years taught in the rural schools
of Trempealeau County, and also taught one term in Buffalo County, Wis.,
and one term in Winona County, Minn. June 14, 1877, she was married
there to Thomas D. Wilcox, the ceremony being performed by Elder Owen,
pastor of the Ti-empealeau Congregational church. Her husband at the
time of their marriage owned an undivided half of the Thomas Gillies place
in section 17, Trempealeau Township, and as a bride she went to this place
to begin housekeeping for herself. Mr. Wilcox had fought for the Union
in the Civil War and came home with very poor health, but he continued
farming operations for many years, dying in Trempealeau Township, April
8, 1908, near the village of Trempealeau. He was buried in the village
cemetery. He belonged to the Gi'and Army of the Republic, but was not
a member of any other fraternal societies. In politics he was a Republican,
but held no political offices. For many years he was a member of Trempea-
leau Methodist Episcopal church, which his wife attended with him,
although reared a Congregationalist. Their only son and child, Dean G.
Wilcox, was born on the Booth place in Trempealeau Township, July 8, 1882,
and is now one of the proprietors of the Wilcox and Jones farm, in Trempea-
leau Township.
Dean G. Wilcox, one of the proprietors of the Wilcox and Jones farm
in section 7, Trempealeau Township, was born at Trempealeau Prairie,
J. A. BERG AND FAMILY
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 431
Trempealeau County, Wis., July 8, 1882. He was educated in Trempealeau
village school, passing through the grades and then taking two years at
the high school, at the end of which time he had to give up his studies on
account of the illness of his father. He remained with his parents until he
was 20 years old, and then went to Oelwein, Iowa, where he obtained
employment as shipping clerk in a railway store house of the Chicago &
Great Western Railroad. After working there for a while he went to St.
Paul and was clerk in the Robinson & Cary office, selling railway supplies.
His father's condition becoming worse, he had to return home and take
care of the home farm for some time, but on his father's improvement he
again entered railway service, becoming time keeper for the Chicago, Bur-
lington & Quincy Railroad. His railroad experience covered in all some
three years, but his lot was finally cast as a farmer.
April 3, 1906, Mr. Wilcox was married to Delia, daughter of Griffith
and Martha Jones, of Bangor, Wis., the ceremony being performed by the
Rev. John E. Jones, a Methodist-Calvinistic pastor. After the marriage
he and his wife resided in Bangor for two years, at the end of which time
he bought the old homestead formerly owned by his grandfather GilUes,
consisting of 120 acres in sections 7 and 8, and at the same time he entered
into partnership with Roger Jones, his wife's brother, to operate the farm.
This partnership has since continued and he and his brother-in-law are
among the thrifty and prosperous young farmers of the county. Besides
raising the usual crops, they have successfully experimented with alfalfa
for the last five years, and at this writing have four acres which is an
excellent stand. They keep 12 head of Guernsey cows, 10 head of young
cattle and have 50 head of Duroc-Jersey hogs. Their annual production of
butter fat is about 3,000 pounds. Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox have three children :
Stanley, born Feb. 8, 1907 ; Lawrence, born Sept. 11, 1909, and Ruth, born
Aug. 19, 1916. Mrs. Wilcox, who was born in Bangor Village, July 16, 1879,
was a teacher in the Trempealeau school for three years. Though reared
in the faith of the Methodist-Calvinistic church, of which she is a member,
she attends the Methodist Episcopal church with her husband and children.
Mr. Wilcox is independent in pohtics and has held no public office. In 1903
he joined Lodge No. 2813, Modern Woodmen of America, and became a Blue
Lodge Mason in 1906, being a member of Trempealeau Lodge, No. 117,
A. F. & A. M., of Trempealeau.
John A. Berg, a well-known banker and business man of Galesville,
was born in La Crosse County, Wis., Nov. 16, 1873. His parents were
Benjamin and Petrina (Aas) Holman, both natives of the northern part
of Norway, but who were married in Wisconsin. The father came to the
United States at an early date, stayed here awhile and then returned to
Norway. Later he came again to this country, about 1871, and remained.
Both he and his wife died when the subject of this sketch was a mere child
and the latter was adopted and reared by a man named Berg, whose surname
he has since borne. John A. Berg was educated in a grammar school at
Halfway Creek, Wis., and in a business university at La Crosse. When 23
years old he opened a general store in Vernon County, Wis., and carried it
on for two years. He then returned to La Crosse County and conducted a
432 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
store at Holmen for about nine years. In 1908 he came to Galesville and
organized the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank, of which he became cashier.
This position he has since retained, having an interest in the bank as
stockholder, besides a similar interest in other banks in La Crosse County.
He is also interested in the Galesville Building and Realty Company and
served as chairman of the building committee in the erection of several
different public buildings, including the one above mentioned, of which he
is president. He has served as treasurer of the Holmen Milling Company,
for several years, also treasurer of the Holmen Creamery for five years, and
for four years served as president of the La Crosse County Fair Association.
In 1916 he was elected pi'esident of the board of trustees of Gale College,
succeeding the Hon. K. K. Hagestad in that office, which he still retains. He
has been an active member of the board since the college was transferred
to the Lutherans, and was its unanimous choice as Mr. Hagestad's successor.
As a member of the executive committee he devoted his time unstintedly to
the interests of the school. He was at the head of the movment to erect
the new dormitory and gymnasium and successfully conducted the cam-
paign for funds for that building, as well as giving the closest attention
to the work of construction. Mr. Berg is an extensive land holder in North
Dakota, having holdings in Burk and Morton counties, besides having land
in Ettrick Township, Trempealeau County, which he rents out to tenants.
As an enterprising business man and public-spirited citizen he has been a
strong factor for advancement in every community in which he has lived,
or with which he has had anything to do, and his aid and influence have
greatly aided in their development. In politics he has been a Prohibitionist
since he cast his first ballot, and has been a candidate for different offices
representing his party. July 7, 1898, Mr. Berg was united in marriage with
Matilda Molstad, a native of La Crosse County, Wis., and daughter of Ole
and Martha (Hough) Molstad. She has been a faithful worker in the
Lutheran church, as well as Mr. Berg. Her parents, who were both born
in Norway, settled in Wisconsin many years ago, the father being a farmer.
Both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Berg have one adopted child, Mildred
E., who is now a student at St. Olaf College, of Northfield, Minn.
Christian Raichle, who for many years was actively engaged in farming
in Gale Township, though now retired, was born in Wittenberg, Germany,
Nov. 6, 1840, son of Jacob and Barbara (Koenig) Raichle, natives of the
same province, who remained in their native land, not coming to America.
He was educated in Germany and was in his twenty-ninth year when, in
April, 1869, he came to the United States. Locating at once in Trempealeau
County, Wis., he found work on the farm of his brother WiUiam, who was
already settled in Gale Township, and in whose employ he remained for
one season. He then purchased the farm on which he now lives, consisting
of 90 acres, and on which he has made all the improvements. Here he still
makes his residence, though retired, renting the farm to his nephew. In
May, 1871, Mr. Raichle was married to Mary Barbara Schott, who was
born in Wittenberg, Germany, daughter of Conrad and Mary Barbara
(Stark) Schott, natives of the same province, who died in their native land,
which they never left. Mr. and Mrs. Raichle have an adopted daughter,
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 433
Josephine, wife of Fred Raichle, who rents and operates the farm. Mr.
Raichle is a stockholder in the creamery at Galesville. When a young man
he served in the German army and is therefore well able to take an appre-
ciative interest in the momentous events now taking place in Europe.
William Raichle, one of the older residents of Gale Township, of which
he was a pioneer settler, was born in Germany in 1831 and came to America
in 1854, locating first in the State of New York, where he spent two years
engaged in farm work. In 1857 he came to Trempealeau County, Wis.,
taking a homestead in Gale Township which now forms a part of the farm of
his son, William F. Raichle. Here he engaged in farming and stock raising
and continued in those occupations until 1906, when he retired. Four years
later he sold the homestead to his son, but is still living on it. He served
formerly on the school board and in other local offices and since pioneer days
has been one of the best known and most respected citizens of the township.
He was married in 1869 to Emma Messer, who was born in Germany in 1848
and came to America in 1868, locating in Winona, Minn., whence she removed
a year later to Trempealeau County, Wis. They had eight children : Anna,
Chris, WilUam F., Freada, Carl, Ella, Emma and Fritz, of whom Freada
and Ella are now deceased.
William F. Raichle, who is engaged in operating a stock farm of 200
acres in section 10, Gale Township, is one of the prosperous and represen-
tative farmers of this township. He was born on the farm on which he
now resides Nov. 2, 1878, his parents being William and Emma (Messer)
Raichle, natives of Germany, further mention of whom is made elsewhere
in this volume. He acquired the elements of knowledge in the district
school of his neighborhood and subsequently took a two years' course in the
agricultural department of the State University at Madison. Beginning
work for his father on the homestead at the age of 18 years, he continued
to be thus occupied until 1904, when he took entire charge of the farm and
operated it in the same way until 1910, when it became his property by
purchase. Since his father bought the original land many years ago the
size of the farm has been increased to 200 acres, and the land is now well
cultivated. Mr. Raichle makes a specialty of raising pure-bred Guernsey
cattle. His buildings are modern and substantial and his business has
grown from year to year, his work on the farm keeping him busy so that
he has had little time for anything else. He is at present, however, serving
as a member of the school board, in politics being a Republican.
Mr. Raichle has led a domestic life for over ten years, having been
married, Aug. 22, 1906, to Myrtle Irvine, who was born in Gale Township,
daughter of James and Agnes (Dick) Irvine. Mr. and Mrs. Raichle have
one child, Margaret Agnes, who was born June 22, 1910. Mr. Raichle, in
addition to his farming interests, is president and a stockholder of the
Arctic Springs Creamery, and he and his wife both belong to the Order of
Beavers. They are in prosperous circumstances and have many friends in
this part of the county.
John Raichle, proprietor of a farm of 230 acres in section 17, Gale Town-
ship, was born in Wittenberg, Germany, March 23, 1836. His parents,
Jacob and Barbara (Koenig) Raichle, were natives of the same province.
434 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
the father being a farmer. Neither ever came to the United States. John
Raichle was the fifth born in a family of eight children. He attended school
in his native land and in 1854, at the age of 18, came to this country, locating
first in New York State, where for two years he was employed on farms.
In 1856 he came to Galesville, Trempealeau County, Wis., and during his
first year here was employed on a farm at Trempealeau Prairie. At the
end of that time he took a claim in section 15, Gale Township, where he was
engaged in farming for himself until 1862, during which time he made a
number of improvements on the property. August 20, that year, he enlisted
in Company C, Thirtieth Wisconsin Volunteers, as a private, and served
until he was mustered out in September, 1865. He was fortunate in his
military career, as he was never wounded or confined in the hospital. About
a month after his return home Mr. Raichle went to Missouri and the next
four years of his life were spent in that State, working on farms in various
places and watching out for any advantageous opportunity. As, however,
he saw nothing better than he could find at home, he returned to Trempea-
leau County and bought the farm where he now -lives and which now con-
sists of 230 acres of land. It is still his property, though now operated
by his sons. He is a stockholder in the creamery and in the Farmers'
Exchange at Galesville. Mr. Raichle was married in December, 1880, to
Bertha John, who was born in Schwartzberg, Germany, daughter of Carl
and Rosalie (Share) John. The John family came to America in 1872,
locating on a farm in Caledonia Township, this county, which was their home
for the rest of the parents' lives. They had five children, their daughter
Bertha, now Mrs. Raichle, being the first born. Mr. and Mrs. Raichle have
three children: Fritz C, who is living on the home farm, and John and
Lena, also at home, all being unmarried. Mr. Raichle is a member of the
Lutheran church and is an independent Republican in politics. He has
never aspired to public office, but served one term as a member of the school
board of his district.
John Bohrnstedt, formerly a well-known and esteemed citizen of Gales-
ville, Wis., was born near Stateen, Germany, April 24, 1833. When a youth
he accompanied his parents to the United States, the family first settling
in Milwaukee. About 1859 they settled on a farm near Trempealeau, this
county, and John Bohrnstedt worked for some time on the Ben Healey
farm for Mr. Healey, and in that locality, until he was able to purchase
land and engage in farming for himself. It was after he had thus made
an independent start in life that, in August, 1862, he enhsted in Company C,
Thirtieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, with which regiment he served
until he was mustered out in December, 1865. While in the army, he was
married, Sept. 10, 1863, to Mary Frohmader, who was born in Syracuse,
N. Y., March 9, 1843, daughter of Lawrence and Margaret Frohmader. Her
parents were natives of Biron, Germany, in which country they were mar-
ried, coming to America in the third decade of the Nineteenth Century.
After their arrival here they lived for three years in New York, migrating
thence to Jefferson, Wis., and from that place to New Lisbon, Juneau
County, Wis., where they both died. Mr. Frohmader was a farmer by
occupation.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 435
When Mr. Bohrnstedt concluded his military service, his health was
somewhat impaired. On returning to Wisconsin he located at New Lisbon,
but a short time later with his wife joined the Bohrnstedt family at the old
two-mile house on the Trempealeau road. Later they settled on the farm
in the town of Trempealeau, which was their home for so many years. Mr.
Bohrnstedt continued on this farm until 1902, when he retired and moved
to Galesville. In 1908 he bought several lots on Clark street in Galesville
and erected a comfortable home, which was one of the best residences in
town. Mr. Bohrnstedt was a man of thrift, and whatever he did, he did
thoroughly, and his farm, after he had spent a few years on it, was one
of the best pieces of agricultural property in the county. He was a stock-
holder in the Bank of Galesville and at one time was a land owner in North
Dakota ; this land, however, he disposed of. That he was highly esteemed
by a wide acquaintance was evidenced by the multitude that gathered on
the occasion of his funeral, to pay tribute to his memory. He died June 4,
1909, and his funeral services were in charge of the Masonic fraternity.
He was ex-senior warden and tyler in his lodge and was also a member of
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Grand Army of the
Republic, in which he had held minor offices. He and his wife were the
parents of four children: George Frederick, Henry Lawrence, William
Charles and Albert C. George Frederick, who is proprietor of the Arcadia
Wagon Shop, married Naomi Rathburn, and has four children: Russell,
Gale, Catherine and Lucia. Henry Lawrence married Naomi Langley, and
resides on the old homestead. He and his wife have one child, Leo. Will-
iam Charles, who is a hardware dealer in Arcadia, married Elsie Muir.
Albert C, who is a real estate dealer and insurance man in Oregon, married
Elizabeth Trestel. He has an adopted daughter, Alberta.
Olof Rindahl. Though most of the original pioneers of Trempealeau
County have passed away, their work in the development of the county is
being carried under more favorable conditions and with still more pros-
perous results by the sons and grandsons they have left behind them. One
of the prominent members of the second generation in Gale Township is
Olof Rindahl, a farmer in section 22 east, who was born in a log house
erected by his father in this township, Dec. 8, 1863. The father was Otto"
Rindahl, who was born in Lillehammer, Norway, in 1818, and who came to
the United States in the fifth decade of the last century, locating first in
Lewis Valley, La Crosse County, Wis. His wife, born April 28, 1828, was
a native of the same district in Norway. After farming a few years in
La Crosse County, Otto Rindahl removed to Gale Township, buying the
farm on which one of his sons, Mat 0. Rindahl, now lives. On this he
built a log house and began the work of improvement, continued by him for
many years, and that original farm was his home until his death, which
occurred in 1902. Though his experiences in early days were hard, like
all the pioneers, he in time prospered and was able at a later period to donate
land for the site of the Lutheran church at Hardie's Creek, and he also
assisted in building the church. To official position in his township or
county he never aspired, devoting his time and energies to the care of his
homestead and to providing for his family. His wife, whose maiden name
436 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
was Oleia, died on June 13, 1909. They had seven children, of whom Olof
was the fifth born.
Olof Rindahl acquired the elements in the Glasgow schoolhouse, where
many other now prosperous farmers in this township got their education.
He was obliged to begin industrial life at an early age, however, for, when
only 15 years old he began work in the woods, being attached to a logging
camp, and was thus employed for three winters, working on the fann in the
summer. At a subsequent period, when old enough to work for himself, he
rented a farm, which he operated for three years, at the end of that time
buying his present farm, on which he has since resided. It contains 160
acres of valuable land, and the buildings, erected by himself, are neat in
appearance and of substantial construction, being also equipped with modern
conveniences. Mr. Rindahl is successfully engaged in general farming and
is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Exchange at Galesville, the Ettrick
Telephone Company, and the Farmei's' Equity. He was married in October,
1892, to Mattie Huckstadt, who was born on an adjoining farm, daughter
of Andrew C. and Helen (Toppan) Huckstadt. Her parents, who were
natives of Norway, came at an early date to this region, resided on Black
River for a while and then moved to the farm above mentioned, on which
both subsequently died, the father in 1894 and the mother some time pre-
viously. Their daughter Mattie, who was the eldest of seven children,
was educated in the schools of Gale Township. Mr. and Mrs. Rindahl have
five children : Alfred, Herman Oscar, Melva Octava, Edwin and Julia, all of
whom reside at home. Mr. Rindahl, like his father before him, is a member
of the Lutheran church. In poUtics he is a RepubUcan, but is not active in
public affairs, though always taking an interest in whatever concerns the
good of the community in which he lives.
Peter V. Becker, who is successfully operating a farm of 173 acres in
the vicinity of Galesville, was born at Glasgow, Trempealeau County, Wis.,
Dec. 29, 1873, son of Philip and Sophia (Bey) Becker. His parents were
born near the River Rhine, in Germany, but were married in Wisconsin,
Philip Becker coming to the United States in 1846 and locating first in
Washington County, Wis., where he settled on a farm with his parents
and remained there until he married. He then moved to La Crosse, Wis.,
and worked as a carpenter in the shipyards, which at that time were one
of the industrial enterprises of the place. His first wife died in La Crosse
and he subsequently contracted a second marriage. After this he moved to
Glasgow and settled on a farm, which was his home until 1902. At that
time he went back to La Crosse. A few years later he retired and removed
to Trempealeau, this county, residing there a number of years. His last
home was at the residence of his daughter at Crystal Valley, where he lived
for about two years, when his death occurred. He was a respected citizen
and at different times held local office. His wife Sophia survives him and
is now living at the home of her daughter in Galesville.
Peter V. Becker was the fourth born child of his father's second mar-
riage, there having been five children by the first. He attended school at
Glasgow in his boyhood and afterwards was a student at Gale University one
term. His literary education was supplemented by two terms at the State
HISTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 437
Agricultural College, at Madison. When he was 24 years old he became
manager of the parental farm and continued to live at home until he was 27.
Jan. 29, 1901, he was married to Meta Arpke, who was born in Sheboygan
County, Wis., daughter of Simon and Fredericka (Martin) Arpke, both
parents being natives of Lippe, Germany, who came to America in 1847,
locating near Franklin, Wis., where Mr. Arpke was engaged in agriculture
until his death. His wife is also now deceased. After his marriage Mr.
Becker moved to Sheboygan, near which place he operated a farm for nine
years. Then selling the farm, he became associated with the Fruit Box
Company, of Sheboygan City, and was engaged in that business for 18
months. At the end of that time he came to Galesville and purchased his
present farm of 173 acres, seven acres of which are within the corporation
limits. His farm is fully equipped with all necessary buildings and imple-
ments, and he has brought the land into a high state of cultivation. He
makes a specialty of the dairy business, breeds pure Guernsey cattle, and
produces fine seed grains, for which he finds a ready sale. Aside from this,
he is a stockholder in the Farmers' Packing Company, of La Crosse, a mem-
ber of the Wisconsin Live Stock Breeders' Association, of the Wisconsin
Experimental Association and the American Society of Equity, and the
Alfalfa Order. Mr. and Mrs. Becker have a family of six children : Harvey
Lawrence, Leslie Valentine, Alice Lorena, Ezra Philip, Eleanore Meta and
Ella Arpke, all residing at home. Mr. Becker is independent in politics,
and is a member of the Presbyterian church, with which his family are also
affiliated.
John Elland. Among the successful farmers of Preston Township is
the subject of this sketch, who as proprietor of Sunnyslope Farm is con-
tributing to the agricultural development of the township while enjoying
yearly an increased prosperity. He was born in Gulbransdalen, Fron, Nor-
way, Sept. 27, 1845. His father was Elland Everson, a native of Norway,
who came with his wife and family to the United States in 1857, settling
first in Vernon County, Wis., where he remained four years. At the end of
that time he came to Trempealeau County, and after hving two years in
Trempealeau Coolie, bought the farm on which his son John now resides,
and on which he began agricultural operations. A few years later he was
unfortunate enough to lose his life by one of those accidents incident to
pioneer life, dying in the woods in 1866 while engaged in cutting timber.
His wife, whose maiden name was Marit Alme, survived him nearly half a
century, dying in 1913 at the age of 91 years. They had six children:
John, the subject of this sketch; Thomas, who resides at Black River Falls,
and has been engaged in railroad work for the last 20 years ; Martha, who
married Ole Benrud, of Blair, Wis., and died in 1904; Even, a farmer in
Preston Township; Karen, who met an accidental death from burning at
the age of 8 years, and Martinus, who died on the voyage to America. Of
this family the eldest was John, upon whom, therefore, the chief responsi-
bility fell at the time of his father's death. He was at this time about 21
years old and able to assume charge of the farm, which he managed for his
mother until his marriage in June, 1872, to Paulina Paulson, of Chimney
Rock Township, a daughter of Paul Berger. He then purchased the farm
438 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
and has ever since been its proprietor. Sunnyslope Farm is a good piece
of agricultural property, containing 246 acres and lying in sections 22 and
23, Preston Township. The first residence of the family on this land was a
log house 10 by 12 feet, which is still standing, having been replaced as a
dwelling, however, by a good 10-room frame house of two stories and base-
ment, erected by Mr. Elland in 1895. Among other improvements he has
made are a frame barn, 42 by 84 by 18 feet, with basement, and a concrete
block silo, 14 by 35 feet. Both house and barn are provided with running
water and various modern improvements suitable to each. He and his
wife are the parents of seven children: Edward, who is conducting a
butcher's shop in Blair ; Milan, engaged in farming near Blair ; Peter, resid-
ing in Blair; Minnie, at home; Nettie, who died July 18, 1917; Hannah, who
married Edward Odegaard, of Minneapolis, and Clarence, living on the home
farm. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Aside
from his original farm, he had 18 acres of slough land which he could not
use for years, but now he has it all tiled, and on this land has one of the
heaviest crops on the farm.
Anton H. Fremstad, proprietor of Corn and Clover Farm in sections 4
and 9, Pigeon Township, was born in section 4, town 22, range 7 west, just
north of his present farm, Aug. 5, 1873, son of Hans A. and Andrena (Nil-
son) Fremstad. The father was born in Nordland, Norway, in 1838, and
came to the United States in 1857, settling in Vernon County, Wis., from
which place he came to Trempealeau County in 1871, accompanied by his
wife and children then born. He bought a farm in section 4, Pigeon Town-
ship, and cultivated it until he sold out to his two sons, Albert H. and Anton
H. He still, however, resides on the old homestead. His wife, Andrena,
who was born in Noi'way in 1834, died Oct. 1, 1916. Anton H. Fremstad was
the first child born to his parents after they came to Trempealeau County.
He worked for his father until the year 1900 and then, with his brother
Albert, purchased the homestead, the two brothers operating it in partner-
ship until 1906. They then bought the farm now owned by Anton H. and
operated the entire property until the spring of 1915, at which time they
dissolved partnership and divided it, Anton taking the farm he now has, and
which consists of 120 acres, 40 acres of which lie in section 4 and the re-
mainder in section 9. The buildings on the property include two houses,
one of seven rooms, and the new modern home just completed, of 10 rooms.
Hot water heat, water system, electric light, bath and all complete. The
barn is 32 by 50 by 12 feet, with an 8-foot basement and concrete floors, and
a concrete silo, 14 by 30 feet, built in 1912, all the buildings being substantial
and in good condition. Mr. Fremstad was vice-president of the Pigeon
Grain and Stock Company, and has been its president for the last three
years. As one of the responsible citizens of his township, he has devoted
some time to public affairs, having sei'ved three years as township super-
visor, and he is also a trustee of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, to which
he and his family belong. His wife, to whom he was united April 11, 1908,
was in maidenhood Christine F. Lovlien, and was born in Pigeon Township,
Nov. 28, 1885. Her parents were natives of Norway, the father, Frederick
Lovlien, who was born in 1840, settling in Pigeon Township, this county,
HiaTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 439
in 1872, and residing here engaged in agriculture until his death in 1913.
The mother of Mrs. Fremstad, whose maiden name was Gore Bjornstugen,
was born in 1850, and is still hving on the old homestead with her sons,
Andrew and Olof. Mr. and Mrs. Fremstad have been the parents of four
children: Herman, born Jan. 22, 1909, who died at birth; Gladys, born
Jan. 22, 1911 ; Harold, born July 20, 1913, and Hulda, born Sept. 22, 1915.
Willis A. Bell, who is successfully engaged in farming and dairying in
section 3, Trempealeau Township, was born in Holland, La Crosse County,
Wis., March 6, 1860, son of Anson D. and Eliza (Chapman) Bell. The father
was born in Guilford, Ohio, April 9, 1818, and the mother at Harrisville,
Ohio, Aug. 23, 1820. They were married in Ohio Feb. 2, 1842, and in the
same year came West, locating at Geneva, Walworth County, Wis., in which
vicinity they began farming. In making the journey overland, they passed
through Chicago, which was then a small place. In 1855 Mr. Bell with
his family removed to Holland, La Crosse County, where he bought 200
acres of wild land on which there were no buildings. He built a frame house
and a small stable and here the family lived until 1863. Then they came
to Trempealeau County, renting 80 acres of land in section 2, Trempealeau
Township, the property being a part of what is now the 0. A. Critzman
farm. After residing here until 1865 Anson D. Bell bought 60 acres in
section 3, the same township, which land now forms part of the farm of
the subject of this sketch. On it at the time stood a three-room log house
and a frame barn. This house was the family residence until 1875, which
year Mr. Bell built a better one, the later being an upright, story and a half,
brick veneer building, which now forms part of his present residence.
Later he added a wing of the same material, with ten rooms, a front porch
and side porch. In addition to looking after his property, Mr. Bell worked
at his ti-ade — that of mason. Anson D. Bell died Dec. 13, 1892, and his wife
Jan. 10, 1899, both on the old homestead, and are buried in Evergreen Ceme-
tery. They were people much respected for their sterling qualities, and
were among the founders of the Centerville Methodist Episcopal Church.
Their family consisted of seven children: LeRoy, Alice M., Sarah E., Har-
rison B., Ida E., Orville P. and Willis A., whose record in brief is as follows:
LeRoy W., born at Geneva, Wis., Aug. 9, 1843, died Feb. 30, 1911, at La
Crosse. Alice M., born Nov. 18, 1845, is now Mrs. William Bartholomew, of
Galesville, Wis. Sarah E., born Jan. 27, 1847, at Geneva, died Aug. 27, 1863,
at Holland, Wis. Harrison B., born March 11, 1849, at Geneva, died Oct. 11,
1863, at Holland, Wis. Ida E., born July 4, 1852, at Geneva, is the wife of
William Rich, of Washougal, Wash. Orville, P., born Oct. 3, 1855, at Hol-
land, Wis., is a mason residing in Trempealeau Township.
WiUis A. Bell in his boyhood attended the district school from the age
of 3 to that of 13 years regularly, and afterwards during the winters up
to the age of 18 years. At 13 he began working on his parents' farm — the
present homestead — and has remained on it up to the present time. He has
enlarged the estate somewhat and it now contains a little over 94 acres.
Feb. 19, 1896, he was married to Anna F., daughter of Henry and Sophia
Bockenhauer, of Trempealeau Township, the ceremony, which took place at
the home of W. H. Gibson, being presided over by Rev. Mr. Witherbee.
440 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Mr. Bell is engaged in general farming and dairying, marketing his butter
in Galesville. He keeps a herd of grade Shorthorn cattle and a large sty of
Poland-China swine. His farm is thoroughly up to date in buildings and
equipment, some of the most important improvements having been put in
by him. Among these is a large barn, which furnishes stable room for 2-5
head of cattle and eight horses. Attached to the barn is a granary and
buggy shed. There is also a sheep barn attached. There are two silos,
with a capacity of 110 tons, and 85 tons. In addition there is a poultry
house, a corn crib, a hog house, a combined milk and ice house, and a tank
house. All the buildings except the granary and corn crib have cement
floors and are neatly painted and kept in first-class condition. Indeed, the
whole farm presents a thriving appearance, highly creditable to its proprie-
tor. Like most prosperous and up-to-date farmers, Mr. Bell keeps an
automobile. He is a stockholder in the Exchange Elevator Company, of
Galesville, Wis. In politics he is a Republican, and has been director of the
school board three terms, and clerk of the board two terms. He and his
wife have one child, Robert W., who was born Aug. 13, 1903, and resides
at home. The family are members of the Centerville Methodist Episcopal
church.
Thomas Johnson, who is numbered among the successful agriculturists
of Pigeon Township, being proprietor of the Aga Farm of 120 acres in sec-
tion 27, was born in Telemarken, Norway, Jan. 25, 1867, son of John and
Berget (Thompson) Halvorson, the latter dying at his birth. The father,
born in Norway in 1825, died in that country in 1889. Thomas Johnson,
who was the youngest of nine children, resided in his native land until 1885,
and then, following the example of so many of his countrymen, in the hope
of bettering his condition, emigrated to the United States, locating in White-
hall, Trempealeau County, Wis. Here he soon found employment and
worked out for some five years, or until his marriage, Dec. 11, 1900, to
Malinda Aga, who was born Jan. 10, 1864, daughter of Die Anderson Aga
and his wife, Brita Aga. Mr. Johnson then began farming on his present
place, which was previously the property of his wife's father, and has since
remained here. The residence on the farm is a good frame building. His
barn, erected in 1909, is 32 by 66 by 22 feet in dimensions, and the other
buildings are neat and substantial and kept in good condition. Mr. Johnson
keeps 30 head of cattle, of which he milks 21, and is a stockholder in the
Pigeon Grain and Stock Company. For three years he has served as treas-
urer of the school board of his district and is a man of influence and standing
in the community. His wife, who was born Jan. 10, 1864, died March 1,
1903, and Mr. Johnson's household is now presided over by his sister, Mrs.
Egil Egilson. The latter has four children: Berget, who married Otto
Berg, a farmer of Williston, N. D. ; Annie, the wife of John Carlson, of Ule-
vass, Norway; Margaret, wife of Anton Ustad, of Stoughton, Wis., and Egil,
who resides in Blair, this county.
William A. Bright, a well known business man residing in Trempealeau
Village, of which he is the present mayor, was born in Caledonia Township,
Trempealeau County, Wis., Nov. 22, 1865, son of Robert and Christiana
(Campbell) Bright. His early education was obtained in the district school
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 441
in his native township, and later he attended school in the village of Trem-
pealeau, to which place his parents had moved in the fall of 1873. For
some five or six years he assisted his father in the latter's store and then
went into business for himself at North Bend, Jackson County, Wis.,
opening a general store there. A year and a half later he sold
out to Patterson Brothers of North Bend, and came back to Trempealeau
Village, where about 1890 or 1891 he opened a grocery store, which he
carried on for two years. He then sold out and became traveling sales-
man for G. W. Marston, a wholesale grocer of La Crosse, Wis. This experi-
ence also lasted two years, at the end of which time Mr. Marston went
out of business, and Mr. Bright formed a new connection with Ranson
Brothers of Albert Lea, wholesale grocers, for whom he traveled three
years, in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. In 1898 Mr. Bright
entered the employ of J. J. Hogan of La Crosse, engaged in the same hne
of business, and has remained with him, traveling in western Wisconsin
and eastern Minnesota, the territory adjacent to Trempealeau. He was
one of the organizers of the Citizens State Bank of Trempealeau, and is
now a director and stockholder in it, being also a stockholder in the Western
Wisconsin Telephone Company and the Trempealeau Lime Products Com-
pany. Mr. Bright was married, at the home of his bride's parents, Aug.
25, 1886, to Lettie C, daughter of Henry C. Shephard, a farmer living
near Blair, Wis. He and his wife began housekeeping in the house in
which they now reside. He is also the owner of a house and lot next door^
which he rents, and of the Trempealeau Hotel on Main street. He and
his wife have two children: Vera M. and Jennie 0. Vera M., who was
born in Trempealeau, May 22, 1887, was married here, Sept. 29, 1909, to
E. B. Elkins, now agent for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway. They
reside in Trempeleau and have two sons: Winston Alexander and Arnold,
aged six and four years respectively. Jennie 0., born in Trempealeau,
Jan. 7, 1891, is unmarried, and is a stenographer in the employ of the She-
boygan Falls Machinery Company, of Sheboygan, Wis. Mr. Bright is a
stalwart Republican in politics, but has held no pohtical office. His fraternal
society affiliations are with Lodge No. 117, A. F. & A. M. of Trempeleau,
which he joined in 1890; the Eastern Star Lodge of Trempealeau, of which
he and his wife are charter members, and Lodge No. 96, U. C. T., to which
he has belonged since 1898. He is also a member of the B. P. 0. E., No. 300,
of La Crosse. His wife and daughter are active members of the Congre-
gational church of Trempealeau, which he helps to support, though not a
member. Mr. Bright is one of the active and enterprising men of his
village, of which he has been mayor for the last eight j^ears, and never
loses an opportunity to advance its interests. He and his family have a
wide acquaintance and are highly esteemed throughout this part of the
county.
Robert Bright, a retired farmer now living in Trempealeau Village,
was born in Geulph, Ontario, April 8, 1837, son of William and Mary Ann
(King) Bright. The parents were both natives of Hampshire, England,
the father born May 31, 1798, and the mother October 8, the same year.
Married in their native land, they emigrated to Canada in 1836, settling
442 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
at Geulph, where William Bright worked at his trade of carpenter until
1843. In that year he brought his family to Wisconsin, settling on a farm
near Beloit. The subject of this sketch was at that time six years old and
a year later he began his struggle with the "three R's" in the typical log
school house of the district. Most of his schooling was acquired in the
winters, and his zest for learning was doubtless stimulated by the two-
mile walk he had to take in covering the distance from his home to the
rural temple of knowledge. This primitive building being unprovided
with steam pipes or furnace, the elder boys, in accordance with a time-
honored, pioneer custom, were obliged to cut and haul the wood used for
fuel, and in this work, after he was ten years old, he had to take a part.
After he was old enough to be of use on the farm, however, he attended
school only during the winters, and at 16 he had to lay aside his class books
to take up the heavier burdens of life. At 17 he was the mainstay of the
family, and was the one upon whom his parents chiefly depended during
the rest of their lives. In June, 1855, the family came to Trempealau
County, William Bright locating on a tract of 160 acres of school land
in section 16, Caledonia Township, near McGilvray's Ferry. This land was
without any building that could be used as a residence, so that summer
Mr. Bright built a frame house of five rooms, with upright and wings. The
subsequent work of the family was similar to that of all pioneer farmers,
and was sufficiently arduous to make them all enjoy their nightly rest. In
1859 Robert Bright purchased the farm from his father and began operat-
ing it on his own account, his parents residing with him. In November,
1864, occurred another important event of his life, when he took to wife
Christiana, daughter of Alexander and Helen (Matthews) Campbell of
Guelph, Ontario. Bringing his bride to his parents' home, they resided
there for about two years, but in 1866, desiring to establish a separate
household, and finding a house for sale in the vicinity, he bought it and
moved it onto the farm, he and his wife taking up their residence in it.
From time to time he also bought other land until he finally owned 560
acres. Mr. Bright continued his farming operations until the fall of 1873,
when, having acquired a competence, he sold half his land and moved to
Trempealeau Village with his family, which also included his father and
mother. The rest of his land he sold later. In 1891, however, he purchased
an improved farm of 160 acres near Black River Falls, which he still owns.
In the following year he made a trip to California, but was away but two
and a half months. Mr. Bright's present residence is a comfortable brick
house on East Third street, where he and his wife are frequently visited
by those of their children who live not too far away. His family consists
of six in all: William A., Jennie E., Ella May, Ernest A., Frank C. and
Eleanor E. William A. was born Nov. 23, 1865, and married Letta Shep-
heard of Blair, Wis. He has two children. Vera and Jennie. Jennie E.,
born Jan. 22, 1868, is the only one of the family who lives out of the
state. She married Almon Holden of South Dakota and now resides in
Los Angeles, Calif. Ella May, born March 29. 1872, is the wife of Bert
Wakefield of West Salem, Wis., and has two children: Majorie and Robert.
Ernest A., born Sept. 25, 1874, married Ella Hoberton of Trempealeau, Wis.,
HISTORY OP^ TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 443
and has two children: Laura and Ernest, Jr. Frank C, born Aug. 31, 1876,
married Metta Miles of Hixon, Wis. He lives on his father's farm near
Black River Falls, and has four children: Donald, Marion, Douglas and
Majorie. Elmer E., born Aug. 18, 1878, is unmarried and lives with his
brother Frank. Mr. Bright's parents have been dead many years. The mother
was the first to go, passing away in October, 1875, when 77 years old. The
father was 83 when he died, Aug. 21, 1881. There were ten children in
their family, including the subject of this sketch — five sons and five daugh-
ters, and all except Robert and one of the daughters were born in England.
The sons are all living, and there are three of the daughters surviving —
two in Wisconsin and one in Sioux City, Iowa. In his youth Robert Bright
attended the Methodist Episcopal Church, but after his marriage he and
his wife united with the Trempealeau Congregational Church and still
maintain their membership. In politics Mr. Bright is a Republican, but
has held no public office, except that of postmaster, in which he served
in Jackson County, 1896 to 1901, during the time he lived on his farm at
Black River Falls. He is now in his 81st year, one of the few survivors of
pioneer days in this county, and his memory brings back to his many
interesting scenes that the younger generation, accustomed to all the
modern conveniences, would find it hard to realize. He can recall the hard
physical labor that was necessary to break the new land, the lack of almost
every convenience, the frequent scarcity of provisions, the long journey to
the mill, and how he once crossed Black River on foot on the ice, hauling
a wagon across, and then, laying down planks, went back and led his oxen
across (this was Oct. 1, 1855), together with many dther incidents of his
boyhood and youthful days, when his blood coursed swiftly through his
veins and hardships were little minded. Of those of his own age whom he
then knew, most have passed away and a new generation has taken up the
work which the old hands have laid down. In the success and advancement
of his children, and his increasing family of grandchildren and great-grand-
children he takes a keen interest, the more so that one and all give fair
promise of doing honor to the family name.
Die C. Hanson dates his residence in Trempealeau County from 1870,
when he was brought to Irvin's Coulie, Lincoln County, by his parents,
Hans and Bertha (Nelson) Arneson, who the year previous had brought
him from Norway, where he was born Sept. 23, 1853. As a young man he
did farm work, and for a while was employed in a sawmill at Eau Claire,
Wisconsin. In 1884 he purchased his present place of 80 acres in section
29, Pigeon Township, where he successfully carries on general farming. His
financial holdings include stock in the Peoples State Bank of Whitehall, the
Pigeon Grain & Stock Company of Whitehall, and the Preston Creamery
at Blair. His public work has included service as clerk of the school board
since 1904. Since 1890 he has been secretary of the Norwegian Luthern
Chuch at Whitehall. Mr. Hanson was married, Dec. 30, 1882, to Olena
Hanevold, who was born in Toten, Norway, Feb. 22, 1862, daughter of Ole
and Andrena Hanevold, who in 1873 came to Fly Creek, in Pigeon Township,
and here spent the remainder of their lives, the former dying in 1914 and
the latter in 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson have had eleven children, of
444 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
whom two died in infancy. Heldor is a farmer in Dunn County, Wisconsin.
Adolph is a clerk at Whitehall. Matilda is the wife of Hans Svaie of
Church's Ferry, North Dakota. Carl, Lewis, Melvin, Louise and Otto are
at home. Emma died March 19, 1917, at the age of eleven years. Hans
Arneson, father of Ole C. Hanson, was born in Norway, Oct. 22, 1807, came
to America in 1869, lived in Dane County, this state, a year, and then came
to this county, where he settled in Irvin's Coulie, in Lincoln Township. In
1884 he sold his place, and took up his home with his son, Hans Arneson,
where he died Jan. 6, 1896, his wife, Bertha Nelson, who was born in Nor-
way, Sept. 22, 1813, dying on Dec. 14, 1900.
Henry A. Jacobson, successful merchant of Pigeon Falls, was born
at North Branch, Hale Township, this county, Jan. 5, 1878, son of Hans
and Olena (Saastad) Jacobson. Hans Jacobson was born in Norway in
1851, came to America in 1867 with his parents, lived two years in Minne-
sota, later settled at North Branch, in this county, and farmed there until
1898, when he moved to Whitehall, where he died in 1907, his good wife,
who was born in 1852, still making her home in that village. Henry A.
Jacobson, remained with his parents until 19 years of age, and then went
to work as a farm hand. May 1, 1901, he secured employment at Pigeon
Falls in the store of Torgerson & Steig. In 1905 this firm became Steig &
Steig, and in 1906 Mr. Jacobson purchased a half interest and changed the
firm name to Steig & Jacobson. The store and stock were destroyed by
fire in 1912, and the present edifice was erected. It is a frame structure,
28 by 42 feet, two stories high and a basement, and is well equipped and
stocked for the carrying on of a large mercantile business. Mr. Jacobson
has been the sole owner since 1913, and has built up a constantly increasing
business. He has the confidence and esteem of the village and country
people, and his trade extends for miles around. Mr. Jacobson was married
July 10, 1904, to Anna Wold, born June 22, 1885, daughter of Ever and
Mary Wold, and this union has been blessed with four children. Hansel,
Myrtle, Archie and Irene. The family faith is that of the Norwegia
Lutheran Church of America.
Edward M. Hagen, proprietor of a farm of 300 acres in section 5,
Pigeon Township, known as Hagen's Farm, was born in Biri, Norway, Jan.
12, 1864, son of Mathias Olson and his wife, Annette Thompson. The father
died in Norway in June, 1865, and his wife in Norway in 1884. In 1881
Edward M. emigrated to the United States, coming to Trempealeau County,
Wisconsin, and locating at Pigeon Falls, where he resided until the spring
of 1892, working out and saving his money. Having by that time accumu-
lated a fair sum, he purchased his present farm and has since resided on
it, engaged in its development and cultivation, in which he has made great
progress. The previous period of 11 years was spent in the employ of
P. Ekern, for whom he worked seven years as buttermaker at Pigeon Falls.
As a progressive farmer Mr. Hagen has sought to increase the value of
his property by making substantial improvements. In 1910 he rebuilt his
residence, which is a two-story building of 18 rooms and basement. In
1916 he rebuilt the barn, which measures 44 by 60 by 16 feet with base-
ment, and has an ell, 26 by 50 by 16, with basement, both furnished with
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 445
concrete floors and installed with 40 steel stanchions and litter carrier. The
silo, built in the center of the barn, measures 14 by 31 feet. All the buildings
are electrically lighted and furnished with running water from a spring,
the house having hot and cold water and bathroom. Mr. Hagen plants
six acres of his land with tobacco and has a tobacco shed, 26 by 130 feet
in size. His herd of Shorthorn cattle numbers 65 head, all high grade
animals, of which he milks 25. He also has a flock of 30 sheep and 50 acres
of his land is planted in clover. He is a stockholder in the Pigeon Grain
& Stock Company, and for six years has served as a director of the school
board of his district. May 16, 1891, Mr. Hagen was united in marriage
with Jennie Moe of Pigeon Falls, in which place she was born May 4, 1873.
Her parents were John and Antoinette (Peterson) Moe, the former of
whom, born in Norway, Sept. 17, 1841, came to America in 1869, settling
in Pigeon Township, this county. In 1872 he bought the farm on which
his son-in-law, Mr. Hagen, now lives, and still resides here. His wife, whom
he married at Pigeon Falls Aug. 28, 1872, was born in Norway, March 27,
1846, and is also now living and residing on the Hagen farm. Mr. and Mrs.
Hagen have ten children: Aletta, wife of Alfred Nelson, a contractor of
Pigeon Falls; Adolph, living at home; Elvina, who graduated from the
La Crosse Normal school in 1914 and is now a teacher; Amanda, a student
at the Whitehall high school, and Harold, Hilmer, Ansel, Delia, Milfred and
Raymond, who are residing at home on the farm.
Marvin T. Babbitt, who operates a 75-acre farm close to Trempealeau
Village, and is also the owner of other agricultural property, was born
in Colerain, Mass., Nov. 27, 1848. His parents, Adonii'am and Sarah (Rid-
dle) Babbitt, were American born and of Scotch, Irish and German ancestry.
In 1855 the family came west, Adoniram Babbitt settling on 160 acres of
school land near Eyota, Minn., from which place they came to Trempealeau
County, Wisconsin, in 1873. Here Mr. Babbitt bought the George Perkins
farm of 90 acres in Caledonia Township, now known as the George Hess
farm, it being situated about five miles from Trempealeau Village on the
Galesville road. On the farm at the time the Babbits moved onto it there
were a clapboarded log house and a log barn, the said house being still
standing. Here the family lived for two or three years, at the end of which
time Mr. Babbitt moved to West Prairie, Trempealeau Township, taking
up 120 acres of wild land on which there was but little timber. On this farm
he built a one-story frame house. In 1878 Adoniram Babbitt sold his place
and moved to Lincoln County, Minn., where he homesteaded 160 acres of
wild prairie land and took up his residence on it. In the meanwhile Marvin
T. has grown to man's estate. His education was somewhat limited, but
he acquired the elements of knowledge in the district school and learned
agriculture and stock raising from his father, whom he assisted on the
farm. When the family removed to Lincoln County, he went with them,
accompanied by his wife, whom he had recently married, and after arriv-
ing in the county he homesteaded 160 acres of land there, also taking a
tree claim of 160 acres adjoining. There he resided until 1880, in which
year he went to Grant County, S. D., and pre-empted 120 acres of land on
what had lately been the Sioux Indian reservation. This land he improved,
446 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
building a frame house, 24 by 28 feet, a barn 16 by 34 feet, and a granary
of the same size as the barn. In 1884 his health broke down and he rented
his Minnesota farm to a tenant and returning to Trempealeau County took
up his residence in Trempealeau Village. For five years after settling in
the village Mr. Babbitt did little or nothing, but in 1889, tired of inactivity,
and his health being improved, he bought the Rudolph place of 44 acres,
situated on the edge of the village, and moved to it with his family. Since
then he has purchased some adjoining land so that now his farm contains
75 acres. The farm was improved at the time he bought it, there being a
three-story house on it, 20 by 34 feet, with stone basement. Mr. Babbitt
in 1901 added to the house a frame wing, 14 by 30 feet, and has since erected
a tool shed, 16 by 28, and a woodshed, 14 by 20 feet, with shop attached,
having also other substantial outbuildings.
January 23, 1878, Mr. Babbitt was married to Helen, daughter of
Edward A. and Margaret C. Barnard of Caledonia Township, Trempealeau
County, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride's parents. He
and his wife have had a family of 12 children: Edward A., Elbert J.,
Frank T., William H., Grace M., Ella R., Louis M., Ruth C, George R.,
Harry R., John C. and Virgil A. All of these children are living, except
Harry R., who was born May 16, 1898, and died May 22, 1911, at the age
of 13 years. William H., born October 7, 1884, is married and resides near
Trempealeau Village. Grace M., born December 8, 1889, is unmarried and
is a telegraph operator, residing at home. Ella R., born March 20, 1892,
follows the same occupation as her sister Grace and also resides at home.
Louis M., born Oct. 15, 1893, is a plumber, unmarried, and resides at
Seymour, Wis. Ruth C, born Jan. 25, 1896, is unmarried, a high school
graduate residing at home. Geoi-ge R., born Jan. 30, 1897, spent two years
in the high school and is now engaged as a section hand. John C, born
April 9, 1899, also studied two years in the high school. Virgil A., born
June 9, 1903, resides at home and is attending school in Trempealeau. Mr.
Babbitt is independent in politics, but has not been active politically and
has held no public offices. He belongs to Lodge No. 117, A. F. & A. M. of
Trempealeau. Though reared a Baptist he belongs to no church, but sup-
ports the cause of religion without regard to denominational affiliations.
In addition to his property already mentioned, he owns 100 acres one mile
north of the village, and 80 acres of "bottom land" four miles southeast in
La Crosse County, Wisconsin.
Thomas M. Hagen, who owns and operates Woodland Farm of 240
acres in section 5, Pigeon Township, is one of the thriving agriculturists of
this township and one of its best known and respected citizens. He was
born in Noi'way, Dec. 12, 1867, his father being Matt Olson and his mother
in maidenhood Annette Thompson. It was on May 17, 1883, that he left
his native land for the New World, his journey coming to an end at White-
hall, this county. He soon entered the employ of P. Ekern of Pigeon Falls,
for whom he worked for seven years. These were years, not only of indus-
try, but of economy and thrift, as he had no intention of spending his life
in working for others. At the end of the period mentioned, having enough
money for his purpose, he purchased his present farm, a good piece of
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 447
agricultural property, well improved, where he carries on general farm-
ing and dairying. The house is a good frame building of two stories and
basement. The barn measures 48 by 70 by 14 feet, having stone basement
and concrete floors, also 22 steel stanchions. On the farm is also a stave
silo, 14 by 32 feet. Mr. Hagen has a herd of 30 cattle, of the Durham and
Holstein breeds, of which he milks 25. He was married Dec. 25, 1891, to
Paulina Moe of Pigeon Township, who was born at Pigeon Falls, this county^
May 8, 1874, daughter of John J. and Antoinette (Peterson) Moe. Mr. and
Mrs. Hagen have had ten children, three of whom died in infancy. The
others are: Joel, born Jan. 11, 1893; Albert, Feb. 10, 1895, was married
June 30, 1917, to Elsie Margaret Evenson; Palmer, Aug. 26, 1896; Edwin,
March 15, 1899 ; Peter, Nov. 18, 1900 ; Rudolph, Sept. 12, 1904, and Karl,
Nov. 30, 1907. In March, 1916, they adopted a girl, Alice, who was born
July 21, 1909. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church
of America.
Paul Ackley. Among the leading agriculturists of Pigeon Township
is the subject of this sketch, who is proprietor of two good farms, aggre-
gating 360 acres. Mr. Ackley was born in Gulsbrandsdalen, Norway, Feb.
4, 1860. His father, Franz Anderson Ackley, who was a farmer, died in
Norway in 1890 at the age of 75 years. Mr. Ackley's mother, whose maiden
name was Karen Harralsdatter, died in the same year as her husband, at
the age of 75. Paul Ackley on attaining his majority in 1881 said farewell
to his native land and took passage for the United States. Following the
example of many of his countrymen who had preceded him, he decided to
make his home in the great Northwest, and first located in Swift County,
Minn., where for two years he worked out for others. Then going to Eau
Claire County, he spent eight years there working in a sawmill and in the
woods. The next two years of his life were spent in Tacoma, Wash., after
which he returned to Wisconsin and resided in Eau Claire five years, being
engaged in the saw mill business. In the fall of 1894 Mr. Ackley began
agricultural operations in Pigeon township, buying the property now known
as Ackley's farm, and which contains 160 acres, 120 of which are located in
the northwest quarter of section 12, and 40 acres in the southeast quarter
of section 11. Here Mr. Ackley took up his residence and cultivated the
farm until 1910. He then purchased the Tuff farm of 200 acres, 160 acres
lying in the southeast quarter of section 12 and the other 40 in the north-
east quarter of section 11. On this latter farm he now makes his residence.
The houses on both farms are substantial two-story buildings, neat-look-
ing and commodious, and the farms are well improved, all the buildings
being kept in good condition. Both are operated profitably by Mr. Ackley,
who is an experienced agriculturist and whose energy and perseverance,
combined with thrift and good business foresight, have placed him among
the substantial and well-to-do citizens of Pigeon Township. He has been
treasurer of the school board for 13 years and has always taken a keen
interest in all projects for the good of the community in which he lives.
Aside from his interest in the two farms mentioned, he is a stockholder in
the Pigeon Grain & Stock Company and the Whitehall Hospital. Mr. Ackley
was married April 17, 1891, to Maria Tufi", who was born at Haalen, Norway,
448 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
July 1, 1861, her father being Ole Tuff and her mother, in maidenhood, Anna
Stena Johnson. The father, who was born in Norway, came to America
in October, 1861, setthng in LaFayette County, Wisconsin, where, however,
he lived but a short time, removing to Blair County, where also his residence
was brief. Coming from Blair to Trempealeau County, he bought the farm
known as the Tuff farm, now ovmed by Mr. Ackley, and resided on it until
it was purchased by Mr. Ackley. Since then he has retired and resides in
Blair. His wife Anna died in 1904 at the age of 70 years. Mr. and Mrs.
Ackley are the parents of five children: Olaf F., who is a member of the
Engineering Corps, now located at Fort Snelling, while Clara, Palmer, Mel-
vin and Selmer reside at home. The family are members of the Norwegian
Lutheran Church. ,
Anton Davidson, general farmer and tobacco I'aiser, owning a farm of
160 acres in section 8, Preston Township, was born in Hedemaarken, Nor-
way, June 24, 1868, son of David and Mary Fagerness. He lost his parents
when a mere child, and in 1876, as a boy of eight years, set out alone for
far-distant America, to join his brother Louis, who had sent for him. Arriv-
ing at Westby, Wis., he was met by his brothers, Louis and Hans, and by
his uncle, Christopher Stephanson, and was under their care until sixteen
years of age. For a time he was engaged as a member of a construction
crew, then worked two years for P. S. Davidson of La Crosse
as coachman. Then he entered the employ of Capt. L H. Moulton of
La Crosse, as coachman, a position in which he remained for over twenty
years. Desiring, however, to take up agricultural pursuits, he purchased
his present farm from Capt. Moulton in 1897 and moved onto it in 1899.
There he has since resided. He has a pleasant home and good barns,
including a large well-equipped tobacco shed. He successfully farms, raises
the usual crops, breeds good stock and makes a specialty of Spanish Com-
stock tobacco, of which he sets out from five to ten acres each year. Mr.
Davidson was married July 10, 1900, to Sophia Hunter, daughter of John
and Christina Hunter, who were born and married in Berlin, Germany, and
now farm near Hokah, Minn. Mrs. Davidson died Jan. 21, 1909. In the
family there are three children : Daisy, Lottie and Clara, one, Milton, hav-
ing died at the age of three months. Daisy is a student at the La Crosse
normal school. The others are at home.
William Trim, a well to do farmer of Trempealeau Township, was born
at Dorchester, England (in the village of Kington), July 1, 1840, son of
Thomas and Mary (Hanan) Trim. Both his parents were natives of Eng-
land. Oct. 2, 1858, William left England for America, in company with a
sister, Mrs. Edward Ware and her six children, Mrs. Ware's husband hav-
ing preceded her to this country a year and a half before, settling in Trem-
pealeau, Wis. Landing at New York they went from there to Toronto,
Canada, to await transportation to Trempealeau, for which place they left
after a short time. The journey was made by train to Dunleith, 111., and
from there to Trempealeau by boat, arriving at 7 o'clock in the morning,
Oct. 15, 1858. They found Mr. Ware located at Cal McGilvray's Ferry in
Caledonia Township. He had not yet built a house, so they all had to
take up their residence in the house of Thomas Ware — a one-roomed log
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 449
structure, which furnished poor accommodations for 11 people. Finding
the space so crowded, on account of which he was unable to sleep, William
Triin went over to Mr. Bright's and slept with Robert Bright. His next
task was to look for work, and he found it on the farms at threshing, and
otherwise helping the farmers, for which he received 50 cents a day. That
fall he husked corn at $8 a month and board. During the winter of 1858-59
he split rails with Edward Ware in payment for a cow, and also did what-
ever work he could get in addition. At times he felt discouraged and home-
sick and would have returned to England, but had not the means. When
he could find no other place to sleep he went to the little shanty which
Edward Ware had built for his family, where he could always stay over
night, though being somewhat crowded in bed, as he had to sleep with two
others. In the spring of 1859 Mr. Trim was engaged by Hollister Wright
for one year at $9 a month. He remained with him three years, receiving
the second year $10 and the third year $13 a month. Mr. Wright vi'as
engaged in general farming and dairying, keeping 12 or 13 cows, and young
Trim had to make himself generally useful.
In the spring of 1862 a change occurred in his life, which led him into
fields of adventure. The Civil War was then raging and Mr. Trim, tired of
the drudgery of farming for no more pay than he would receive as a soldier,
enhsted at Galesville, Wis., in Company C, Thirtieth Wisconsin Infantry,
being mustered in at Madison. The regiment was ordered to Milwaukee at
the time of the draft in November, and remained there until the spring of
1863. They were next sent to New Lisbon, Wis., to prevent an anticipated
Indian outbreak, a woman having been killed by the savages in that neigh-
borhood. When the danger was over they were ordered back to Madison
and from there sent to Camp Washburn. Jan. 1, 1864, the Thirtieth Regi-
ment took up winter quarters on the shore of Lake Michigan, near Mil-
waukee, where they remained until the following April. Their next move
was to St. Louis, Mo., and in that city they stayed ten days, when they
broke camp and proceeded up the Missouri River with orders to build
Fort Rice, near Bismark (North) Dakota, 15 miles above the mouth of
Cannon Ball River. This duty detained them in that neighborhood until
October. While there an emigrant train under command of Captain Fisk,
and bound for Virginia City, Idaho, was stopped by Indians at the edge of
the "Bad Lands," North Dakota, and an expedition was sent out from Fort
Rice for its relief, which Mr. Trim accompanied. This expedition took 20
days, the soldiers marching on foot, escorting an ox train. On the way
Tjack, 900 strong, they stopped at the Missouri River, where they built flat
boats for transportation and floated down the river to St. Joseph, Mo.,
having, it may be presumed, received government orders, they proceeded
by rail to Louisville, Ky., continuing their movement, Dec. 10, 1864, to
Bowling Green, that state, where they were placed to guard the railroad
bridge from attacks by the Confederates. Jan. 10, 1865, they returned to
Louisville, at which place they were stationed until the close of the war,
when they returned to Madison, Wis., to be mustered out.
During the war, and while stationed at New Lisbon, Wis., Mr. Trim
was married to Martha R., daughter of Richard Robinson of Trempealeau,
450 HISTORY OF TRE^iIPEALEAU COUNTY
at which place their wedding occurred Oct. 25, 1863. Mrs. Trim remained
with her parents in Trempealeau during the rest of her husband's absence
while in military service. In the fall of 1865 Mr. Trim renled a farm con-
sisting of improved land, which now forms a part of his present homestead.
On it stood a small frame shanty and a frame barn for a yoke of oxen, and
to this place he brought his wife and they began farming operations and
housekeeping. By the spring of 1866 he had put in 40 acres of wheat and
20 of corn, by the aid of his ox team, and was congratulating himself on his
future prospects, when the June flood of that year wiped out everything,
destroying the crops. However, he had $1,000 saved up, the result of his
labor and the war bounty he had received, so was not destitute. In the
fall he moved to a farm in Pine Creek Township, where he remained two
years, having better luck, as here he made up his losses. He then made
another removal, this time to an 80-acre farm on Trempealeau prairie, three
miles fi'om Centerville, southeast. It was improved land and had a log
house on it, and here he and his family remained until 1871. He then
traded this farm for 120 acres in Little Tamarac, which land was also
improved, the residence being a frame building. Here Mr. Trim built a
large barn, and increased the size of the farm by purchasing 182 additional
acres, so that he now had a 302-acre farm, this he had bought being adjacent
to the original purchase. In 1872 he had a big crop of wheat, and while
engaged in threshing it a fii'e broke out and destroyed all his grain — causing
him a loss of $800. He was already in debt $4,000 for the land he had bought
and was paying 10 per cent interest on the money. This loss temporarily
discouraged him and he wanted the man from whom he had bought his
farm to take back the land and release him from the debt, but he refused
to do so. The only thing Mr. Trim could do, therefore, was to continue
and hope for better fortune. He had learned dairying in the old country,
so now turned his attention to that, buying all the cows he could pay for,
and he and his wife set to work again, beginning at the bottom of the ladder.
By this time fate seemed tired of pursuing him. The dairy venture was
a success, and he had no more misfortune with his crops. Each year saw
his debt reduced, until at the end of six years it was all paid off and he
owned his farm of 302 acres, besides having a good cow barn which he had
been able to erect. This was the position in which he found himself in
1877, from which year he dates the beginning of his prosperity. Now he
began to go ahead in the right dii'ection. By the end of the next year he
had saved $1,000, and was able to build a large barn, 96 by 40 by 22 feet,
with a cattle barn attached. In the meanwhile he continued in the dairying
business and his profits increased from year to year, so that in 1896, when
his present farm of 302 acres was put on the market by its then owner he
was enabled to purchase it, still retaining the farm he had at Little Tamarac.
About this time his son George married and went to live on the Little
Tamarac place. Mr. Trim moved onto his present farm in February, 1896,
and has since made many improvements on it. He first improved the orig-
inal residence, but later erected a new frame house, one and a half stories
high, with seven rooms, in which he lives, his daughter, Mrs. Nichols,
occupying the original building. In addition to this new house he has a
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 451
nQmber of good buildings, including a frame barn, a large sheep shed, a
corn crib, machine shed, poultry houses and hog houses, all in excellent
shape. On the farm are also three wells and two windmills, furnishing a
complete water system. Mr. Trim is engaged in both general farming and
dairying, keeping grade Durham cows; also several horses and a sty of
Poland-China hogs. The soil on his farm consists of black loam, with a
clay sub-soil, and is very fertile. It has a beautiful location in the valley.
In association with his daughter, Mrs. Nichols, Mr. Trim also owns a farm
of 316 acres in Big Tamarac, the property being improved and with good
buildings. His wife died Jan. 16, 1916, and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery.
Their children were George Alvin, Mary Alice, Jane Agnes and Nettie
Eldora. George Alvin, born Aug. 2, 1866, at Big Tamarac, is living on the
Little Tamarac farm in Trempealeau Township. He married and has seven
children : Mary Alice, born Feb. 22, 1869, at Trempealeau Prairie, married
James Nichols, and is living on her father's homestead. She has two chil-
dren: Wilham and Howard. Jane Agnes, born March 13, 1873, died
March 19, 1874. Nettie Eldora, born May 26, 1875, is the wife of Milton
Pittinger and is living at Big Tamarac. She has a daughter Martha, who
is the wife of Guy Kopp, and has a son, Wayne R. — the great-grandson of
the subject of this sketch. Mr. Trim was reared strictly in the faith of
the Church of England. He is not active in politics, but has always been
interested in good local government. His career has been a strenuous one
and his success has been well earned.
Gilbert Baalrud, proprietor of a well equipped photographic studio in
Whitehall, Wis., was born in Winona, Minn., May 6, 1893. He is son of
Eric and Hannah (Hanson) Baalrud. The father, born in Norway, came
to America in 1886, locating in Winona, Minn., where he resided four years,
subsequently settling in Pigeon Township, Trempealeu County, Wis. In
April, 1915, he moved to Chippewa County, where he is now living at the
age of 55 years, and is engaged in farming. By his wife Hannah, who is
ten years younger than himself, he has had 11 children, of whom all are
living but three. Gilbert Baalrud, who was the eldest child of his parents,
remained at home until November, 1914, when he began to learn the trade
of photographer. In January, 1916, he bought his present studio from C. J.
Van Tassel. It is located in a two-story frame building on Main street and
is well equipped with everything necessary for artistic work. Although he
has been here but a short time, he has begun to make a reputation for him-
self and his future prospects are promising. Mr. Baalrud was married
May 9, 1917, to Agnes Hansen of Preston Township, this county. He is a
member of the United Norwegian Lutheran Church and of the Modern
Woodmen of America.
The Augustine Brothers have made Whitehall known throughout the
United States with their ferret breeding establishments. They raise thou-
sands of the little animals yearly, and sell them extensively for use in
eliminating rats, and for hunting rabbits, mink, muskrats, gophers, squir-
rels, prairie dogs and skunk. In addition to shipping the ferrets far and
wide, they issue a pamphlet which contains a valuable treatise on the care
and use of the animal. The ferrets from the Augustine Brothers' place are
452 HISTORY OV TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
unusually strong and hardy, with sound eyes and feet, and with thick fur.
They are of three sizes, large, medium and small, and they are of two colors,
the white, which are called English, and the brown, which are called Fitch.
All the yearlings have been handled until they are tame and gentle, while
the younger ones good for hunting rabbits have not been trained so much.
The young men have been in business for a number of years; they are
thorough masters of their hne of industry, and they have testimonials from
all over the country testfying as to the excellence of their animals, and the
honesty and courtesy of their dealings. The firm consists of Frank and
Clarence Augustine. They first started raising ferrets in 1902 and have
gradually increased their business until they now carry at one time an
average of 1,000 to 1,500 animals. They ship about 1,500 each year. They
are also constantly importing animals from other reputable dealers in order
to avoid inbreeding.
Joseph Augustine, a veteran of the Civil War, and for many years
an honored resident of Lincoln Township, was born in West Virginia, Aug.
7, 1841, son of Jacob F. R. and Justina (Null) Augustine. He was reared
in Pennsylvania, and in 1862 tendered his services to the Union government
as a carpenter. He served through the great conflict as a bridge builder
in the armies of General Sherman and General Thomas. At the close of
the hostilities he came to Wisconsin in 1865, and for several years divided
his time between Eau Claire, where he was employed as a carpenter, and the
pine forests of the state, where he was employed as cook. In 1874 he came
to Whitehall, where he followed his trade as a carpenter until 1885, when
he purchased a farm in Lincoln Township, town 22, range 28, and moved
thereon. When he purchased the tract it was covered with timber. He
cleared the land, erected buildings, added to his original purchase, and
gradually developed his place until he had a splendid estate of 200 acres
located in sections 14, 23 and 24, to which he gave the name of Sunny Hill
farm. The home, a frame structure of two stories and a basement, with ten
good-sized rooms, was erected in 1898. The barn, a frame structure, 40
by 70 feet, was erected in 1906. A silo, 16 by 40 feet, of cement blocks,
was constructed in 1908. One of the features of the place is a valuable
orchard of two and a half acres. General farming is conducted on a gener-
ous scale, and a specialty is made of a fine herd of grade Holstein cattle.
Another interesting feature is the production of honey, some thirty colonies
of the finest Italian bees being maintained. The sons, Frank and Clarence,
under the name of the Augustine Brothers, have made the place widely
known through the breeding of ferrets. Mr. Augustine was married in
1868 to Maria Borea, who was born in 1843. She died in 1870, leaving one
child, Fannie, who married D. 0. Sweet, a farmer of Whitehall, and died
in 1902. March 14, 1874, Mr. Augustine married Francis E. (Mason)
Staples. She was born in Litchfield, Conn., March 9, 1846, daughter of
Charles S. and Rosetta T. Bissell, natives of Connecticut, and this union
was blessed with seven children : Jessie, who died at the age of two years ;
Ray, who died at the age of one year; Ernest, who died at the age of two
years ; Bessie, a stenographer at St. Paul ; Frank and Clarence, who are at
home ; and Charles, who died at the age of nine years. By her marriage to
EMILE FRANCAR
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 453
W. S. Staples of Kilbourn City, a veteran of Company K, 42nd Wisconsin
Volunteer Infantry, Mrs. Augustine has three children: Fred M., a hard-
ware merchant of Little Rock, Kan.; Clifford D., a commercial man of
St. Paul, and Marcia, who is a clerk in the pension office at Washington,
D. C.
Emile Francar, proprietor of a well equipped drug store in Galesville,
was born in Red River, Wis., June 25, 1877, son of Anton and Jennie
(Lewis) Francar. The father was a native of Belgium, who on coming to
this country settled near Green Bay, Wis., where for thirty years or more
he was employed by the coopei'age company's plant. He and his wife, who
was born in Wallon, Wis., now reside at Green Bay. They had 14 children,
of whom Emile was the fifth in order of birth.
Emile Francar was educated in the schools at Green Bay and subse-
quently took a course in pharmacy, receiving his degree in May, 1898. He
resided at home until 1901, when he came to Galesville and associated him-
self in the drug business with Dr. Edson Rhodes in the Rhodes building.
In 1903 he purchased from F. H. Fiedler the Galesville pharmacy, which
store he now conducts. This store is one of the Rexall stores. Mr. Francar
is one of the successful business men of Galesville. Since coming to this
village Mr. Francar has identified himself with the interests of the village
and county, taking an active part in different local organizations. He served
as trustee on the village board of Galesville, and is at present secretary of
the Business Men's Association, and president of the Trempealeau County
Fair Association. Mr. Francar was married Nov. 7, 1902, to Clara Lan-
genohl, who was born in Winona, Minn., daughter of Fred and Mary
(Webber) Langenohl. Her father, who was a shoe manufacturer, is now
deceased. His wife, surviving him, resides in Galesville. Mr. and Mrs.
Francar have one child, Genevieve Delphine.
Ole B. Borsheim, president and cashier of "The Home Bank" of Blair,
Wis., was born in Mitchell County, Iowa, May 5, 1869, son of Thorkel N,
and Brita (Hylden) Borsheim. The father, born in Norway, came to
America in 1865, locating in Mitchell County, Iowa, where he engaged in
farming and where he died Feb. 6, 1915. He was nearly 81 years old, hav-
ing been born in April, 1834. His wife Brita still resides on the old farm,
having passed her 77th birthday. Ole B. Borsheim was the sixth born of
his parents' seven children. After acquiring the elements of knowledge
in the local schools, he became clerk in a store at Cresco, Iowa, where he
worked four years — from March 3, 1891 to 1895. He then went to Dubuque,
where he was employed in the office of John T. Hancock & Sons until Sep-
tember, 1899. At that time he came to Blair and, with H. C. Hjerleid of
Decorah, Iowa, started the Home Bank of Blair. Of this institution he
was the cashier till July 27, 1912; then president till the fall of 1915, since
which time he has been both cashier and president. He is also president
of the Trempealeau Valley State Bank of Taylor, Wis., a director of the
State Bank of Bowman, N. D., and a director in the Home Lumber Company
of Bowman. All these are flourishing concerns conducted by enterprising
business men, with whom Mr. Borsheim is pleasantly and profitably asso-
ciated. Mr. Borsheim has been active in local affairs, having served as vil-
454 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
lage treasurer eight years and school clerk three years. He is a member
of several fraternal orders, belonging to the Blue Lodge and Chapter in
the Masons, having passed all the chairs in the Blue Lodge ; the Independent
Order of Foresters ; the Modern Woodmen of America, and the B. R. F. F.
He was married, Feb. 22, 1905, to Delilah Johnson of Anamosa, Iowa, who
was born in Kansas, a daughter of R. W. and Sarah (Burwell) Johnson.
Her father followed the mercantile business in Anamosa for many years.
Her mother died in 1910 at the age of 56. Mr. and Mrs. Borsheim have no
children. They are social people and have many friends in Blair and the
vicinity.
Ole J. Anderson, proprietor of the Nordingen farm of 240 acres in
section 15, town 23, range 7, Hale Township, was born in Biri, Norway,
Oct. 9, 1862, son of John and Pernella (Kalverud) Anderson, who came
to America in 1885, the former now making his home with his children, and
the latter of whom died in 1911. Ole J. Anderson came to America in 1882
and started work on his. present farm for Ole Faring, who then owned the
place, and who had assisted in paying his passage. In 1896 Mr. Anderson
bought 80 acres of his present farm. In 1903 he bought the portion of
which his home is located. Here he carries on general farming, and raises
a good grade of Holstein cattle and Poland-China swine. Taking, as he
does, an interest in public affairs, he has served as treasurer of the school
board for the past twelve years. The family faith is that of the Norwegian
Lutheran Church of America. Mr. Anderson was married Dec. 27, 1890, to
Anna Hanvold, born in Coon Valley, Vernon County, Wis., Oct. 17, 1872,
daughter of Andrew and Aganetta Hanvold. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have
two children : Adolph, who is at home ; and Palma, who was graduated from
the Red Wing Seminary, Red Wing, Minn., Class of 1917.
Knut K. Hagestad. One of the most important industries of Trem-
pealeau County is that of stock raising, of which the subject of this sketch
was for many years a leading representative. He was born at Ulvic
Hardanger, Bergenstift, Norway, June 26, 1846, his pai-ents, Knut and
Cathrina (Richolsen) Hagestad, being natives of the same place. The
father, who in Norway was a boat builder, emigrated to America with his
family in 1854, settling in Columbia County, Wis. There he remained
until 1860, in which year he came to Trempealeau County, taking land
which now constitutes the farm lately owned by his son, Knut K., and
which he cultivated and developed, residing on it until his death, Aug.
22, 1872. He became a man of influence in the community, serving as
treasurer of the school board and in other offices. His wife survived him
a few years, dying in May, 1875. Their family consisted of four children,
Knut being the first in order of birth. Knut K. Hagestad had but limited
educational opportunities, attending school in Columbia County, Wis., for a
part of three or four terms only. He accompanied his parents to Trem-
pealeau County, being then 14 years old, and resided at home until he was
18. He then returned to the old home in Columbia County and worked
for farmers in that vicinity for about 18 months. Returning to this county
in the month of January, he spent the next three months lumbering in the
woods, after which he worked at grubbing for his father. By this time he
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 455
had saved some money and with this he bought two pairs of oxen, and
hiring another pair from his father and one from his brother, he engaged
in bi'eaking land, among other jobs of this kind turning the first furrow
in Lakes Coolie for Lars Jahr, on the farm now owned by H. K. Solberg
and John Hogden. After one season at breaking he sold his oxen and
engaged in threshing one summer, working in the woods the next fall and
winter. From that time until 1872 he followed the carpenter's trade in
the summer. In this year his marriage occurred and he then rented his
father's farm and operated it on that basis for about a year after his
father's death, the estate being as yet unsettled. It subsequently came
into his possession and he took up his residence in the original house built
of logs, but which was so skillfully constructed by himself that today it
appeats like a modern dwelling, the logs not being visible. Mr. Hagestad
also erected the main part of the present barn, another excellent piece of
work, the building measuring 124 by 32 feet, with a nine-foot basement and
16-foot stockboards, the rock used for the foundations being quarried by
him. Starting with 160 acres of land, Mr. Hagestad increased the size of
the farm to 228 acres of highly improved land, and his buildings and equip-
ment were and are adequate to the fullest demands of modern farming and
stock raising. It was to the latter branch of his business that he devoted
his chief attention. When he began agricultural work for himself it was
with the desire to raise pure-bred cattle, and in the early eighties he com-
menced with Shorthorns, purchasing two full-blooded sires. About 1886
he decided that breed of cattle was more suited to beef purposes and con-
sequently would not produce the maximum amount of milk, also that he
could not breed them as profitably as he desired. He then bought two full-
blooded Holstein heifers and a bull and continued with this breed until
his herd had become one of pure-blooded Holstein-Friesian cattle exclu-
sively, which experiment he found highly satisfactory. His original stock
was obtained at Libertyvflle, 111., and while there attending a sale he met
Mons Anderson, a merchant of La Crosse, who purchased 12 head, and
these, with Mr. Hagestad's three head, were shipped together to La Crosse,
Mr. Hagestad taking charge of the car. Upon arriving in La Crosse they
paraded their stock through the streets, attracting considerable attention,
as these were the first Holstein cattle seen in the county or anywhere in
the vicinity. Mr. Hagestad became the owner of about 50 head of these
cattle, aU fine specimens of the breed. He frequently shipped stock to
Texas, Old Mexico and various states of the Union, and in 1903 shipped
six head to Japan for breeding purposes. He and his son, Andrew C, for
the last 25 years were engaged in breeding pure-blooded Berkshire hogs
and S. C. White Leghorn chickens, which he continued to do until his death,
April 18, 1917.
Mr. Hagestad was a member and vice-president of the Western Wis-
consin's Holstein-Friesian Breeders' Association, and had been a director
in the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company from its organization. In
addition to the interests mentioned, he was a stockholder in the Ettrick
Creamery Company and a stockholder and director in the Home Bank at
Blair. Other interests that he had in the Bank of Ettrick he turned over
456 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
to his son before his death, and was then living practically retired, the son
having taken over the management of the farm. Mr. Hagestad was a
Republican in politics and during his long and active career took a more
or less prominent part in public affairs, serving on the township board, as
chairman of the county board, and as representative to the State Assembly
during the session of 1889. On June 3, 1872, Mr. Hagestad was united in
marriage with Astri Knutson, who was born in Hallingdahl, Norway,
daughter of Andres and Astri (Johnson) Knutson. Her parents, who were
natives of the same province, came to America in 1860, locating in Trem-
pealeau County, Wis., on land adjoining the Hagestad farm, where Mr.
Knutson followed farming and stock raising. He died June 7, 1891, and
his wife May 12, 1895. Mrs. Hagestad was the second born of seven chil-
dren. In her girlhood she attended school in this county, her attendance,
however, being limited to about two months each summer, as her services
were needed in the household. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hagestad
are as follows : Knut Martimus, who is a professor in the city schools of
Santa Cruz, Calif. ; Andrew C, residing on the home farm ; Albert J.,
deceased ; Kathrina, also deceased, who was the wife of C. L. Grinde, her
husband now residing in Blair, Wis. ; Esther, deceased, who was the wife
of Hans Twesme of Galesville; Cora, deceased; Almina, wife of Ove Vet-
terhaus, residing in South Dakota; Albert, deceased; Clara, wife of John
Fillner of Ettrick; William, a graduate of Gale College and of the State
Agricultural School at Madison, who is now a farmer near Camp Douglas,
Wis. ; Anna, wife of Irving Swenson, a farmer of Ettrick Township ; Cora
(second) , a nurse in the Lutheran Hospital at La Crosse ; Hilda, who resides
at home, and a child who died in infancy. Mr. Hagestad was a member
of the Lutheran church, to which his family also belong. One of the lead-
ing men in his line of business in Trempealeau County, he was widely known
and highly esteemed. The example he set more than 30 years ago in the
breeding of Holstein cattle has since been followed successfully by many
other farmers in this region and is now an important branch of the stock
raising industry of the county, adding to the sum total of wealth and the
general prosperity ; and in this way he was a pubhc benefactor. His activ-
ities along this and other lines also conduced to his own benefit, and he was
recognized as one of the well-to-do and substantial citizens of the com-
munity in which he lived. His wife, an estimable lady, who was to him
a worthy helpmate, still resides on the old homestead. Mr. Hagestad for
many years took a warm interest in Gale College, becoming president of its
board of directors at the time it passed into Lutheran hands.
John Erickson, proprietor of a profitable 200-acre farm located partly
in Gale and partly in Ettrick Township, his residence being in section 2,
Gale Township, was born at Dramen, Norway, Jan. 9, 1873, son of John
and Catherine (Amundson) Erickson, both natives of that locality. Mr.
Erickson's parents never came to the United States. The father woi'ked
in the woods at lumbering until his death, which occurred when the subject
of this sketch was only four months old. The mother is still living in
Norway. John Erickson was the only child of his parents and when young
was adopted by a family named Berg, whom he accompanied to America
A. T. TWESME
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 457
when about seven years old. He began working for others at the age of
ten, his residence being then in La Crosse, where the Bergs had settled.
His usual occupations at this time were herding cows, carrying wood and
other easy work, but at the age of 12 he began working for farmers in
Lewis Valley, and as he got older and stronger the work became more
strenuous, including timber cutting in the north woods and lumber rafting
on the river. June 6, 1900, he was married to Rose Dick, who was born at
Decorah Prairie, Trempealeau County, daughter of John and Elizabeth
(Brant) Dick, her father now residing on a farm near Galesville. For one
year after his marriage Mr. Erickson lived with his wife's father in Silver
Creek Valley, and at the end of that time took a farm situated not far
from his present residence. He was then on the Hewitt farm for five
years, after which he purchased his present farm of 200 acres, where he
is carrying on general farming and dairying, with profitable results. He
is also a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery Company, the Farmers'
Exchange at Galesville and the La Crosse Packing Company, and is counted
as one of the substantial and well-to-do citizens of his township. He and
his wife are the parents of six children: Alice Elizabeth, Ellen Catherine,
Winnie, John Glenn, Ralph William and Donald Victor. At the present time
Mr. Erickson is serving in his sixth year as school clerk. In politics he
is an independent Republican, while his fraternal affiliations are with the
Beavers and Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Erickson's career is a
good example of the value of self-help. Practically self-supporting from
an early age, he has worked his way up by courage and resolution, coupled
with plenty of hard work, to an honorable position in the community, and
is able to give his children much better advantages than he himself received.
As he is now in the prime of life he may be expected to enjoy the fruits
of his labors for many years to come.
Albert T, Twesme, who is engaged in the general practice of law in
Galesville, of which village he is the president, was born in Ettrick Town-
ship, Trempealeau County, Wis., Aug. 7, 1879, son of Lars and Begga
(Tvedt) Twesme. The parents were both born in Norway, the father
Oct. 5, 1843, and the mother Nov. 21, 1841. They were married in their
native land and soon afterwards came to the United States, settling in
Trempealeau County. Lars Twesme homesteaded a farm in Ettrick Town-
ship, which he improved and developed, and on which he resided until 1908,
when he retired and took up his residence in Galesville. His wife died
here in 1914.
Albert T. Twesme was the sixth born in a family of eight children.
He acquired his elementary education in the graded school in Ettrick Town-
ship and at the age of 15 years was assisting on his father's farm, which
he operated for three years, subsequently continuing his education at Gale
College. He then went to Madison, where he took one year preparatory
work in the Wisconsin Academy and six years in the University of Wis-
consin at Madison, taking the course in law. He was graduated Bachelor
of Arts in 1906 and from the law department in 1908, and then began the
practice of his profession in Galesville, where he has since remained. He
has gained a good reputation as a reliable lawyer and is a stockholder in
458 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
several business enterprises, besides being the owner of a number of farms,
all of which are rented except one. In 1908 Mr. Twesme served as a mem-
ber of the state assembly ; he was elected president of the village of Gales-
ville in 1915-16-17. In politics he is a stalwart Republican.
Mr. Twesme was married, Nov. 4, 1909, to Miss Lulu Burns, who was
born in Trempealeau County, daughter of Delbert C. and Lunetta (French)
Burns. She is of Scotch-English descent. Her father, who was born in
Trempealeau County, and was a farmer in the county for many years, died
in 1908. He was a prominent citizen and at various times held local office.
His widow is now living in Winona, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Twesme have one
child: Albert Luverne, who was born May 4, 1914. Mr. Twesme keeps
up his membership in his college fraternity of Alpha Tau Omega, and is a
Chapter Mason and a member of the fraternal orders of the Elks and
Beavers.
Nels J. Twesme, who is living practically retired on a small farm in
section 15 E, Ettrick Township, was born in Hardanger, Norway, Nov. 7,
1847, son of Jone Larson and Anna (Matson) Larson. His parents, who
were natives of the same province in Norway, emigrated to the United
States in 1869, but the father died on the voyage and was buried at sea.
His wife, with her daughter, continued on to Trempealeau County, Wis.,
settling on Beaver Creek, Ettrick Township, where she lived many years,
passing away in 1905. She and her husband had five children, of whom
Nels J. was the fourth born.
Nels J. Twesme was educated in his native land and was only ten
years old when he began to earn money by tending goats, subsequently
working on farms for six or seven years. He then took to the sea, mak-
ing coastwise voyages as a sailor for some five years. In 1869 he came
to this countrj% locating on Beaver Creek and for two years thereafter
worked as a farm hand. At the end of that time he bought a farm, which
was located near his present farm in Ettrick Township and began its cul-
tivation, with the aid of an ox team, using oxen on his farm for many years
subsequently. He was unable at first to speak English, but gradually
acquired a knowledge of the language by associating with English-speaking
people. After spending some 36 or 37 years on that farm, Mr. Twesme sold
it to his children and bought his present small farm of 20 acres, where he
is keeping a few cows, pigs and chickens, which he can take care of with-
out too much work. This rural life he prefers to living in town, where he
would have nothing to do. He is also a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery
and in the Telephone Company.
April 12, 1869, Mr. Twesme was united in marriage with Ranveig
Larson, who was born in Hardanger, Norway, daughter of Lars and Ranveig
Longesetter Larson, natives of that place, where the father was engaged
in farming. Her parents remained in their native land and are now
deceased. Mrs. Twesme, who was one of two children born to her parents,
was educated in Norway, where also she and her husband were married
while he was on a visit to his native land. Mr. and Mrs. Twesme are the
parents of five children: John, unmarried and a carpenter by trade, who
resides with his parents ; Randena, wife of Thomas Halven, residing on a
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 459
farm in Jackson County, their home being only two miles from the
Twesme residence; Louis, engaged in the x'eal estate business in Chicago,
who married Miss Charlotte Kravick of Dane County, Wis. ; Edward, who
lives on a part of the old farm in Ettrick Township, and Thea, wife of
Cornelius Davis. Mr. Twesme and family are members of the Lutheran
Synod Church. In pohtics he is an independent Republican, but has not
been active in public affairs.
Christian Amundsen was born in Norway May 25, 1862, and has lived
in Hale Township since 1869, when he was brought here from Norway by
his parents, Amund and Thea (Halvorson) Amundson. He was reared on
the Lars Eide farm, and in 1889 purchased a farm of 160 acres located in
sections 4, 8 and 9. Later he purchased 40 more, making 200 acres, to
which he has since devoted his attention. His present home, a frame
structure of ten rooms, with two stories and a basement, was erected in
1900, while in 1915 the barn was rebuilt, 50 by 60 feet, with cement floors,
and a frame silo 26 by 14 feet. The herd on the farm consists of grade
Holstein cattle. Mr. Amundson was married May 30, 1885, to Caroline
Eide, who was born in Norway, April 28, 1866, daughter of John and Ellen
(Gurilokken) Eide, and this union has been blessed with twelve children.
Aimer married Clara Fransen, a farmer of Hale Township. They have two
children: Frederick and LueUa. Thea married Ellert Eleven, a farmer of
Unity Township ; one child Evelyn was born. Louise married Ole Gullicks-
rud, a clerk in the store of Robbe & Myhre, at Strum; one child Leonard
was born. Joseph married Myrtle Bradison and farms in Saskatchewan,
Canada; they have one son. Clara died at the age of 12 years; Hannah,
who was a teacher, is now Mrs. H. George Peterson of Wyoming ; William,
Tillie, Ludwig, Martin, Leona and Viola are at home.
Lars Eide, who is engaged in agricultural operation of a farm of
275 acres in section 4-8, Hale Township, was born in Rumsdale, Norway,
April 8, 1869. His parents were John and Ellen (Larson) Eide, both natives
of Norway. John Eide, who was born in 1843, came to America with his
wife and family in 1882, locating on 160 acres of land, constituting the
northeast quarter of section 5, Hale Township, this county, where he fol-
lowed farming until his death in 1908. His wife, who was born in 1835,
died in the spring of 1910. Lars Eide arrived in the United States in 1883
and from that time to 1886 lived on the farm with his father. He then
went to Glasgow, Mont., where for three years he was engaged in the cattle
business. Then, returning home, he worked out four years for others.
Resolving to engage in agriculture on his own account, he rented his
present farm from A. Amundson and began operations. In 1890 he bought
that part of the farm lying in section 4, and in 1893 purchased the
remainder, which is located in section 8, and has since resided here engaged
in general farming. He has made a number of improvements on the place,
thereby increasing its value and is doing a successful and profitable busi-
ness. In 1909 Mr. Eide built a good house of 10 rooms, consisting of two
stories and basement; and in 1915 he erected a barn and silo, the former
measuring 36 by 94 by 16 feet, with a basement 60 feet long, provided with
cement floors and 40 steel stanchions. His silo is 12 by 32 feet. His herd
460 IILSTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
of cattle numbers 40 head, of which he milks 20. For two years he has
served as township supervisor. Mr. Eide was married May 22, 1896, to
Clara Amundson, who was born on Mr. Eide's present farm May 9, 1873,
a daughter of Amund and Thea (Halvorson) Amundson. Her father, who
was a pioneer of Bruce Valley, died on this farm in 1912 at the age of 881/2
years, his wife having passed away in the spring of 1897 at the age of 62.
They were worthy people, who during their long career in this negihbor-
hood had made many friends and were universally respected. Mr. and Mrs.
Eide are the parents of five children: Theodore, Emma, Jennie, Arnold
and Lillie, all of whom are living at home with their parents. The family
are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America, of which
Mr. Eide was treasurer for three years.
Cullen A. Thomas, proprietor of Evergreen Park Farm, in section 8,
Gale Township, was born at Mineral Point, Wis., July 11, 1876, son of Peter
and Leah (Ayer) Thomas. The father, who was born in Germany, came
to the United States with his parents when a small boy and was reared in
southern Wisconsin. In early manhood he was engaged in mining, but later
took up farming. In 1881 his family came to Trempealeau County, having
previously resided for a year at Onalaska, La Crosse County, and Peter
Thomas engaged in farming near Galesville, and continued in that occupa-
tion at the same location for a number of years, dying in Galesville in 1914.
His wife Leah, who was a native of the state of Maine, died in Galesville
in 1909. They had nine children, Cullen A. being the fourth born.
Cullen A. Thomas was educated in Gale Township, attending school
first at Decorah Prairie and afterwards at Frenchville. He resided at home
with his parents until he was 22 years old, working on the home farm, and
then going to Whitehall engaged in the livery business. After being thus
occupied for two years he returned to the farm and has since remained on
it, it having come into his possession. It contain 80 acres on which he
raises the usual crops cultivated in this region, carrying on general farm-
ing. He is also a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing Company and in
the Independent Harvester Company of Piano, 111.
Mr. Thomas was married, Feb. 28, 1910, to Nelhe Garrett, who was
born in Sussex, Wis., Sept. 10, 1885, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Taylor)
Garrett. Her father was born at Scott, Sheboygan County, Wis., Nov. 24,
1857, and her mother in Brookfield, Wis., March 22, 1861. The maternal
grandmother of Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. Richard Taylor, came to Trempealeau
County about 1881 and resided in the county until about 1907. She died
in Milwaukee, Wis., in 1915. Henry Garrett for a number of years was
engaged in operating a creamery and cheese factory in Sussex, and at one
time also conducted a meat market at Pewaukee. He moved to Milwaukee
in 1891 and worked there at the carpenter's trade. He is now engaged in
farming at South Milwaukee, Wis. He and his wife were the parents of
four children, of whom Nellie was the third born. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas
have a family of four children: Henry Fred, Sarah Ann, Elsie Marie nad
Oscar Franklin. In politics Mr. Thomas is a Democrat, but so far has
taken no part in local government affairs, having been too busy to give
much attention to politics.
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 461
Ole Erickson, proprietor of the Rumpel farm of 223 acres, in section 36,
township 23 north, range 8 west, Hale Township, was born in Soler, Nor-
way, Oct. 20, 1859. His father, Eric Olson, died in Norway, as did also his
mother, whose maiden name was Oleana Thorsonsdatter. In 1884, when in
his 25th year, Ole Erickson left his native land for the United States, and
on landing in this country proceeded west to Wisconsin, where so many
of his countrymen had already settled and were aiding in the development
of the great Northwest. Locating in Blair, Trempealeau County, he
worked out for others for three years, in the meanwhile saving his money
and looking forward to the day when he would be able to start in for him-
self. As soon as a good opportunity occurred of which he could take advan-
tage he bought a farm in Lincoln Township and was engaged in agricul-
tural operations there until March, 1896. He then sold that farm and pur-
chased the one he now owns, which is a desirable piece of agricultural
property and where he is carrying on general farming and stock raising
on a profitable basis. In 1910 he built his present residence, a two-story
and basement, brick veneer structure of ten rooms, with furnace heat, run-
ning water and gasohne lights. He had erected a barn in 1901, which,
however, was blown down in 1914 during a violent storm. In the following
year the present barn on its site, a structure 36 by 48 by 12 feet in dimen-
sions above concrete basement with cement floors. He has also a good stave
silo, 12 by 42 feet in size. Mr. Erickson keeps 25 head of graded Holstein
cattle, of which he milks 20; also 50 head of hogs and a large flock of
Plymouth Rock chickens. He served as township treasurer two years
and has been a director of the school board 15 years. Aside from his
immediate farming interests, he is a stockholder in the Pigeon Grain &
Stock Company and in the Whitehall Hospital. Oct. 5, 1887, he was mar-
ried to Annie M. Engen of Whitehall, Wis., who was born in Norway,
Sept. 29, 1863, daughter of Martin and Marthia (Anderson) Engen. Her
father now lives on the farm with his daughter and son-in-law, and is a
widower, his wife having died in 1893 at the age of 53 years Mr. and Mrs.
Erickson have had ten children born to them, of whom two are deceased.
The record of the family, given in brief, is as follows : Emma, born Feb.
21, 1889, died Aug. 5, 1890 ; Hilman, born Jan. 25, 1890, who owns a farm
in Pigeon Township; Emma, born March 18, 1891, also at home; Amanda,
born Sept. 6, 1894, who is the wife of Ralph Cook, a farmer of Charles
City, Iowa, and the mother of one child, Evelyn ; Olga, born March 30, 1897,
and Ida, born June 18, 1898, both living at home ; Carl, also born June 18,
1898, a twin brother of Ida, who died Sept. 1, 1898 ; Ole M., born Feb. 19,
1902; Carl, born June 16, 1904, and Marvin Ole, born March 20, 1910,
all three of whom, being children, live at home with their parents. Relig-
iously the family are affiliated with the Norwegian Lutheran Church of
America.
James McDonah came to Trempealeau County as a boy in 1857, and
took his part in the pioneer life of two states, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
He was born in Holland, Orleans County, Vermont, April 4, 1843, son of
Thomas and EUza (McMahon) McDonah. Thomas McDonah was born in
the North of Ireland, came to America as a young man, served in the War
462 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
of 1812, and established his home in Vermont on the banks of Lake Cham-
plain, where he died in 1850. William McDonah, a son of Thomas and a
brother of James, came to Trempealeau County in 1854, and located at
Centerville on the present site of Winter's store. There he was joined by
James and the widowed mother, who made the trip from Vermont to
Dubuque, Iowa, by rail, and from there to Monteville, now Trempealeau,
by boat, arriving in Centerville Oct. 27, 1857. James had attended school
in Vermont, and had worked during the summer season for $4 a month.
In Trempealeau County he attended school in the log schoolhouse in dis-
trict 9 for a while, and then started work for William Lee, a farmer on
Trempealeau prairie, with whom he Worked the first three years for $8
a month. At the age of twenty-one he purchased a horse team and a
wagon and engaged for a time in trucking. Then he went to Blue Earth
County, Minnesota, and was there married June 4, 1877, to Jennie Adams,
daughter of William and Jane Adams of Mankato. The young couple took
up their residence in Trempealeau County, where he had previously acquired
80 acres in section 33, and 30 acres in section 3, Trempealeau Township.
Blue Earth County, however, still appealed strongly to them, so they sold
their Wisconsin holdings, and bought 160 acres in Pleasant Township, in
that county. They set at work with a will, erected a home, and broke about
100 acres of land. But the grasshoppers devoured the crops, and then came
the blight. Discouraged, Mr. McDonah again came to Trempealeau County
and bought 320 acres, four miles from Centerville, on the west side of the
Big Tamarac Valley, from Charles Cleveland. Eight years later Mr.
McDonah purchased the James Sherman place of 200 acres in Caledonia
Township, where he still resides. The place was partly improved, and a
small house and a hay shed had been erected. Mr. McDonah set at work
with a will, aided by his good wife, and their efforts won for them a well
deserved success. The original 200 acres has been increased to 535 acres,
the house has been enlarged and improved, a horse and cattle barn has
been erected, as well as a hay barn, with other sheds and outbuildings.
Here, assisted by his son Elba, who has charge of the place, and by his
sons, Arthur and Hugh, he carries on general farming and dairying, keep-
ing a good herd of Durham and Hereford cattle, and selling cream to the
Galesville creamery, as well as breeding a good drove of Poland-China swine.
For 27 years Mr. McDonah was an extensive buyer and shipper of cattle,
and in that line he still continues to a certain extent. At the age of
seventy-three he is hale and hearty, capable of doing a better day's work
than many a much younger man. The home of Mr. and Mrs. McDonah
has been blessed with five sons: Perry, Arthur, Elba, Walter and Hugh.
Perry was born Aug. 15, 1881, married an attractive young lady, and was
in the prime of his career when stricken with black diphtheria at St. Paul,
June 27, 1910. He is buried in Evergreen cemetery at Centerville. Arthur
was born Oct. 20, 1883, and lives at home. He owns 200 acres of his
father's original farm, one-half a mile southwest of the parental home.
Elba was born June 8, 1886, and manages his father's farm. Walter was
born Nov. 8, 1888, is married, and operates his brother Arthur's farm.
Hugh was born Aug. 12, 1894, and lives at home and helps operate the
«
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 463
farm. The two oldest were born in Dodge Township and the three youngest
in Caledonia Township. Mrs. McDonah, who for so many years shared the
joys and sorrows of her husband's life, is the second child born in Trem-
pealeau County. Her parents, William and Jane Adams, came to Trem-
pealeau County from Baraboo, Wis., in 1853, with the McGilvi'ay family,
and from here moved to Mankato. The good mother of James McDonah,
who brought him to this state, died in Centerville, Trempealeau Township
in 1875, at the home of her son-in-law, Henry Carter.
Arthur P. Tibbitts, an elderly resident of Galesville, where he is now
living retired after a long and active life, which included military service
during the Civil War, was born in the state of Maine, Jan. 8, 1840, son of
Benjamin and Sarah (Clark) Tibbitts. Both parents were born in the
state of Maine, the father being a farmer. They came to Wisconsin in
1846, settling at Hingham, Sheboygan County, where the father died in
1873 and the mother in 1880. They had nine children, of whom three are
now living, Arthur P. being the seventh of the family.
Arthur P. Tibbitts attended school in Hingham, Wis., and lived at
home until he was 18 years old. He then worked out as a farm hand until
he enlisted in Sheboygan County, Oct. 1, 1861, in the First Wisconsin
Infantry, Company I, as sergeant. When in the battle of Perrysville, Ky.,
he was wounded in the throat by a spent shell on Sept. 20, 1863. While
engaged in the battle of Chickamauga he was wounded by a solid shot
weighing a quarter of a pound, which cut off three ribs from the spine and
lodged in the liver. He was taken prisoner that night and laid on the field
ten days without medical attention, when he was parolled and taken to the
hospital at Chattanooga. There he remained until December, when he was
sent north to Murphysboro, Tenn, and two weeks later received a furlough
to come home, although he was still a parolled prisoner. He remained
home until May 7, 1864, when he was ordered to Camp Chase, Ohio, where
he was exchanged, remaining at Camp Chase until about the time of the
expiration of his term of enlistment. He took part in the following battles :
Perrysville, Stone River, Bailey's Cross Roads, Hoover's Gap, McLaMoor's
Cave, Chickamauga, and several minor battles and skirmishes. Then
returning home, he engaged in farming, and also for a while worked in a
mill at Black River. Going from there to eastern Wisconsin, he resided
on a small farm there until 1874, when he came to Galesville, Wis. Here
he engaged in business as builder and contractor, and among the various
business blocks he erected was the building in which the Bank of Gales-
ville is located. Mr. Tibbitts continued in business as contractor until 1915,
when he retired and has since been unemployed, enjoying the fruits of his
years of industry. He owns 15 acres of very valuable land adjacent to the
main street of Galesville and is a stockholder in the Galesville Implement
Company. He belongs fraternally to the Good Templars and the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Tibbitts is a Republican in politics.
In the past he has taken part in local government, serving as assessor six
years, as a member of the board of education 12 years and as mayor of
Galesville one term.
March 8, 1866, Mr. Tibbitts was united in marriage with Margaret
464 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Hardie, who was born in Scotland, daughter of James and Margaret (Bibby)
Hardie, natives of Glasgow, Scotland, who came to America in 1852 and
located in Maryland. Two years later the Hardies came to Trempealeau
County, Wisconsin, where they were the first settlers in what is now known
as Hardie's Creek, which took its name from them. Here James Hardie
cleared and improved a piece of land which he had purchased two years
before. He resided there until 1889, a year after his wife's death, when
he took up his residence with his daughter Margaret (Mrs. Tibbitts), with
whom he remained until his death in 1908. He was a prominent man in
the town for manj- years, serving as a member of the board of education.
Mrs. Margaret Tibbitts was educated in the schools of Glasgow, Scotland,
and at Galesville University. She and her husband have one child, James
Ernest, who is a proofreader in the War Department at Washington, D. C.
He married Ella Chase of DeSota, Wis., and has one child, Gordon Chase,
who at 17 years of age was graduated from the McKinley school at Wash-
ington, D. C, his adaptability along literary lines being such that he was
chosen by the school as editor-in-chief of the school paper, of which he was
editor at the time of his graduation.
Henry M. Hanson, who is profitably engaged in operating the Beswick
farm of 100 acres in section 17, Preston Township, was born March 6, 1873,
son of Martin and Olea (Stutrud) Hanson. The father, whose full name,
in accordance with the Norwegian system of family nomenclature, was
Martin Hanson Skyrud, was born in Norway, Jan. 10, 1836, and came to
America April 27, 1862. He settled on land in section 17, Preston Town-
ship, Trempealeau County, Wis., and engaged in agriculture, undergoing
all the hardships of pioneer hfe, but in time developing a good farm. Here
he 'died Sept. 5, 1912. His wife Olea, who was born in Norway, Dec. 30,
1836, died April 4, 1892. They had a family of 13 children: Dorthea,
born Nov. 11, 1860. who died July 21, 1862; Henry, born Dec.
5, 1862, who died Dec. 6. 1863; Morris, born April 1, 1864, who
is now registrar of deeds of Trempealeau County; Karen Dorthea, born
Aug. 30, 186-5, who married Albert J. Halvorson, a farmer near Blair,
now deceased, and died Dec. 1, 1900 ; Hannah Berthine, born Feb. 14, 1868,
wife of P. T. Herreid, a hardware merchant of Blair; Marie, born Oct. 31,
1869, who died Oct. 31, 1873; Madts, born June 26, 1871, a farmer hving
near Blair; Marie Ohve, bom April 2, 1875, who is a trained nurse in
Chicago; Clara Thine, born Nov. 1, 1876, who married Joseph Johnson, a
railroad employee of Superior, Wis.; Alph Lawrence, born Nov. 21, now
proprietor of a general store at Sonora, Minn.; Theodore, born April 5,
1881, now a farmer near Blair, and Tilda Rosiana, born June 23, 1883, who
married Joseph Halvorson, a dentist of Galesville, Wis. Henry M. Hanson
resided at home and worked for his father on the farm in section 17,
Preston Township, until his marriage, Feb. 22, 1903, to Susan E. Beswick,
daughter of Chester and Anjenette (Thurston) Beswick. He then took
charge of the farm on which he is now living, for his wife's father, and has
since operated it successfully. It is well improved and provided with a
fine eight-room residence, large barns and other necessary buildings. A
sketch of the Beswick family may be found elsewhere in this volume.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 465
Mr. and Mrs. Hanson have an adopted son, Everett Beswick Hanson. One
son, Ralph, born Sept. 17, 1906, died same day.
George L. Solberg, one of the leading business men of the village of
Blair, where he is proprietor of two stores, was born in Toten, Norway,
March 6, 1866. His father was Andrew L. Solberg and his mother in
maidenhood Brit J. Hestdahlen. They came to the United States in 1867,
Andrew L. Solberg homesteading land in Preston Township in the follow-
ing year, and there he resided until his death in 1914 at the age of 79 years.
His wife died Dec. 26, 1915, at the age of 82. They were members of the
Synod Norwegian Lutheran Church. George L. Solberg was an infant
about one year old when he accompanied his parents to this country. He
attended the local schools and resided with his parents until he was 22 years
of age. In 1888 he began industrial life as clerk in the store of the Blair
Trading Association and was thus occupied for seven years. Then in com-
pany with 0. F. Immel he opened a general store in Blair under the firm
name of Immel & Solberg and they conducted the business together from
1895 to 1897, in the latter year Mr. Solberg buying out his partner, since
which time it has been conducted under the name of G. L. Solberg. In 1911
Mr. Solberg opened another store in Blair, where he handles clothing and
men's furnishings. Both his stores are doing a good business and his trade
is gradually growing. He is also vice-president of the Home Bank of Blair,
and is a member of the society of Sons of Norway.
Mr. Solberg was married Oct. 17, 1895, to Minnie Johnson, who was
born in Arcadia Township, April 4, 1873, daughter of Edward and Marie
Johnson. Her parents came to America from Norway about 1870, settling
in Arcadia Township, this county, where Mr. Johnson engaged in farming.
Mr. and Mrs. Solberg have no children. Some of his brothers and sisters,
however, are living, the complete list of his parents' family being as follows:
Augusta, wife of L. A. Larson, a farmer of Buffalo County; Inge Maria,
now Mrs. Otto- A. Hogen of Fargo, N. D. ; Laura, who died unmarried at
the age of 23 years ; George L. ; Olaf , a farmer in Jackson County ; Henry,
a farmer on the old homestead in Preston Township; Albert, who was a
jeweler in Blair, who died in 1908 at the age of 33 years ; Oscar and Adolph.
twins, both of whom died at the age of 11 months; Aletta Ovedia, who died
at the age of fo; r years and eight months, and Clara, who is the wife of
Hellik Olson, a farmer of Preston TowTiship.
Reinhold SielafF, a retired farmer of section 6, Pigeon Township, was
born in Pomerania, Germany, Jan. 3, 1850, son of Paul and Maria (Tietz)
Sielaff. Both parents died in Germany, the father in 1873, at the age of
72 years, and the mother in 1853 at the age of 40. Reinhold Sielaff fol-
lowed a seafaring life from the age of 14 to that of 22 years. In 1872 he
came to America, locating in New York City, where he worked four years
in a piano factory. While there he was married, Aug. 30, 1874, to Wil-
helmina Schwolow, who was born in Germany June 6, 1849, daughter of
Ernst Schwolow. After leaving New York Mr. Sielaff came to Wisconsin
and homesteaded 160 acres in section 6, Pigeon Township, Trempealeau
County, which place has been his home ever since. He and his wife have
had ten children: Charles, who is now the owner of the homestead;
466 HISTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Johanna, wife of Fred Welke, a farmer of Eau Claire County ; Lena, who
married C. F. W. Seiler ; Ida, who married Carl Knudtson, a farmer of Hale
Township ; Bertha, wife of Edward Schroeder, also a farmer of Hale Town-
ship ; Paul, residing at home ; Fred, who is farming in Hale Township ; Clara,
living at home; Alvina, wife of Paul Schroeder, a farmer of Hale Town-
ship, and Hermina, residing at home. Mr. Sielaff is a member of the
German Lutheran Church, of which he has been president and trustee for
many years. Mrs. Sielaff died September, 1909.
Paul Olson Strum, one of the older members of the farming community
in Preston Township, having a farm of 70 acres in section 16, has been
engaged in agriculture here for more than half a century. He was born
in Osterdalen, Norway, Jan. 7, 1843, son of Ole Olson Strum by his wife
Bertha Paulson. The father was born in Norway in 1808 and came to
America in 1852, locating in Porter County, Pa., where he lived for six
years. He then came west to Wisconsin, settling in La Crosse County,
near Onalaska, which place he made his home for five years. After that
he I'emoved with his family to Trempealeau County. His death took place
at Blair Feb. 8, 1879. His wife Bertha survived him about 15 years, dying
in 1894 at the age of 80. Paul Olson Strum came to this country from
Norway in 1854, accompanying his brother and sister. He was in his
nineteenth year when he enlisted, in September, 1861, in Company L,
Eighth Wisconsin Infantry, with which organization he served three years
in the Civil War. On May 22, 1863, he was wounded in the right arm while
taking part with Grant's army in the Siege of Vicksburg, and in addition
to this experience he took part in other actions near Vicksburg, in the
battles of Corinth, Jackson, Miss., Memphis and other places. On his return
home after the war, in 1865, he bought his present farm, his parents mak-
ing their residence with him, and here he has since remained, having spent
the intervening time, half a century or more, in improving his property.
The results of his work are apparent in the well tilled acres and neat and
substantial buildings, indicating thrift and prosperity, which attract the
attention of the passer-by. Having for many years possessed the full con-
fidence and esteem of his fellow townsmen, Mr. Strum has at different times
been called upon to aid in the administration of the town government, and
thus served six years as supervisor and ten years as township treasurer.
He was also assessor of the village of Blair two years and a member of the
village council one year, in these various offices showing good natural
ability and sound judgment. During the present year — 1917 — Mr. Strum
will celebrate his golden wedding anniversary, as he was married July 20,
1867, to Serena Olson Tappen, who was born in Soler, Norway, daughter
of Ole Olson Tappen and Elizabeth Embretson. He and his wife have had
a large family, numbering 13 children, two of whom are now deceased.
Their record in brief is as follows: Olaus, born Aug. 18, 1868, who is a
farmer in Preston Township, this county; Bert C, born Nov. 10, 1870, who
died in 1871; Ehzabeth, born Sept. 26, 1872, who married Ole Munson of
Winona, Minn.; Olaf, born Aug. 27, 1874, who is now living in Duluth,
Minn.; Bertha, born April 15, 1876, who died April 30, 1876; Bart, born
Feb. 26, 1878, now living in Comstock, Minn. ; Amanda, born Feb. 23, 1881,
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 467
who married Ted Johnson of Coolidge, N. D. ; Selma, born March 15, 1883,
wife of Ole Rennung of Blair, Wis. ; Edwin, born Oct. 27, 1887, who lives
on the home farm ; Clara, born March 22, 1890, now assistant postmaster
at Blair; Alice, born Feb. 18, 1893, who married Norman Henderson, resides
in Henneford, N. D., and has one child, Lillian, born May 19, 1915; Albert,
born Dec. 1, 1887, at home; Herman, born Nov. 17, 1895, also living on the
home farm. The Strum family are members of the United Norwegian
Lutheran Church, of which Mr. Strum has been a trustee for a number of
years. Since casting in his lot with this community so many years ago,
Mr. Strum has seen many great and beneficial changes in his surroundings.
Much or most of the land was then wild and newcomers had to make all
their own improvements, breaking the soil with oxen and erecting rude log
houses, or rather cabins, in which to live, while their barns and other
buildings were of the most primitive description. Such roads as then
existed were bad, and at times hardly passable and it was hard to get their
crops to market or procure supplies. Many of the early settlers at times
went hungry, or subsisted on such game and fish as they might be able
to shoot or catch, together with a little cornmeal. Now smiling farms are
seen on every hand, with large, substantial barns and handsome residences
provided with all modern conveniences, such as the city dweller enjoys.
The roads are much improved and more numerous and markets easy of
access, except in severe winter weather. Most of the farmers own automo-
biles and their children are able to attend high school or even college, if
they so desire, so that all the conveniences and luxuries of advanced civili-
zation have been brought, so to speak, to the farmer's door. To see all
these changes is a privilege that not all of the pioneers enjoyed, Mr. Strum
being among the few in this county who have lived to witness them and
to participate in their benefits during his declining years.
Marenius M. Scarseth, who up to the time of his death, Aug. 25, 1911,
was engaged in operating a farm of 160 acres in sections 21 and 28 E, Gale
Township, was born in this township Feb. 5, 1867. His parents were
Martinus M. and Kari (Knudson) Scarseth, both natives of Biri, Norway,
who were married in Wisconsin. They were early settlers in Gale Town-
ship, Mr. Scarseth carrying on a farm on Decorah Prairie. He died July
4, 1910. His wife survived him little over a month, her death taking
place Aug. 8, the same year. Marenius M. Scarseth was the second born
in a family of four children. In his boyhood he attended the district school
at Glasgow, Gale Township, but began industrial life at an early age, begin-
ning to work out on farms when 14 years old. He continued to be thus
occupied until his marriage, at which time he purchased the farm which
was his home until his death. He was an active, industrious man, highly
esteemed by his neighbors and his passing away in middle life was widely
regretted. In addition to his farm he owned 27 acres of woodland on the
river. Sept. 17, 1891, Mr. Scarseth was united in marriage with Clara
Evenson, who was born in Biri, Norway, daughter of Bent and Lena
(Ekern) Evenson. He and his wife are the parents of three children: Ella,
wife of Elmer Evenson ; Alice Lenora and Milton Bernard. Mrs. Scarseth
still resides on the homestead. In politics Mr. Scarseth was independent.
468 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
and though he gave his chief attention to his farm, he served as school
treasurer for a number of years and took an active interest in the progress
and development of the community in which he lived. The family are
members of the Lutheran church.
Charles M. Scarseth, who is conducting a farm of 144 acres in section
27-34 E, Gale Township, was born on his present farm April 28, 1862, son
of Martinus J. and Kari (Knudson) Scarseth. His parents were natives
of Biri, Norway ; the father came to the United States in 1857 and settled
in Gale Township in 1860 at the time of his marriage. Charles M. attended
the Glasgow school in this township. When about 16 or 17 years of age he
began working for others at intervals, though residing on the home farm.
Oct. 6, 1886, he was married to Clara Semb, daughter of Ole 0. and Kari
(Ekern) Semb, who wei'e natives of Biri, Norway, and came to the United
States in 1851, locating in La Crosse County, and later on Hardie's Creek,
Trempealeau County, Wis. In the year after his marriage Mr. Scarseth
bought his parents' homestead, containing 144 acres of improved land on
Black River, on which he is now doing general farming, including stock
raising and dairying. His farm is one of the the best equipped in this
vicinity, the buildings being thoroughly modern, and his machinery and
implements adequate to the demand of scientific farming. He is also a
stockholder in the Arctic Springs Creamery and the Western Telephone
Company, and for 16 years served as clerk of his school district. Since
1900 he has been secretary of the Ettrick Scandinavia Insurance Company.
In politics he is a Republican and has served as supervisor one term. Mr.
and Mrs. Scarseth are the parents of five children : Cora Constance, born
Oct. 19, 1887, who died Dec. 28, the same year; Octiv Melvin, born Oct. 31,
1888 ; Cora, May 24, 1890 ; Laura, March 27, 1892, and Hulda, July 11, 1895,
all of whom are residing at home. The family are members of the Lutheran
church, of which Mr. Scarseth has served as treasurer for the past 25 years.
Edward E. Quarne, proprietor of the B. J. Smalberg homestead of 193
acres in sections 31 and 32, Preston Township, belongs to that hardy Nor-
wegian race that has done so much to develop the agricultural resources
of Trempealeau County. He was born in Honefos, Norway, June 10, 1847,
his father being Elling J. Quarne, a shoemaker, who was born in Norway
in 1807 and died in 1892, and his mother, in maidenhood Karen Olena Aas,
who was born in Norway in 1810 and died in 1880. Edward E. Quarne was
reared in his native land and resided there until he had attained his
majority. Realizing, however, that his chances for advancement were
small if he remained at home, his thought turned to the United States,
whither he knew many of his countrymen had already gone and where
opportunities were abundant for men of courage and perseverance. His
decision made, he sailed for America in 1869, and after landing proceeded
to Eau Claire, Wis., where for three years he worked at the carpenter's
trade. At the end of that time he resolved to try farming as the best
means of gaining an independent livelihood and ultimate prosperity, and
so came to the farm on which he now resides, which was then owned by
his father-in-law, he having recently married. Here he devoted himself
to agriculture for two years and then saw all his labors come to naught
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 469
by a pest of chinch bugs, which totally destroyed his crops. Not knowing
how long these unwelcome visitors might conclude to stay with him, he
resolved to try a new location, and so removed to Grant County, Minnesota,
where he bought a farm and operated it until 1891, a period of about 13
years. He then returned to Trempealeau County and bought his original
farm here, on which he has since resided, carrying on general farming.
Mr. Quarne raises Shorthorn cattle, having about 35 head, graded, of which
he milks ten, and also keeps and raises black Minorca chickens. In 19
he built a good residence — a two-story frame structure with basement and
containing eight rooms. His frame barn, 28 by 64 by 16 feet, was erected
by him in 1898. As one of the prominent and substantial men of his town-
ship, Mr. Quarne has been called on at times to take part in local govern-
ment affairs, and thus served one year as supervisor and six years on the
school board. He also rendered public service while in Grant County,
being a member of his township board there for nine years. Aside from
his immediate farming interests, he is a stockholder in the Home Bank of
Blair and in Preston Creamery at Blair. Feb. 22, 1873, he was united in
marriage with Anna B. Johnson of Eau Claire, who was born in Soler,
Norway, June 11, 1853. Her parents were B. J. Smalberg and Anna Maria
Ingebretsen, who came to America in 1866, Mr. Smalberg homesteading
the farm on which his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Quarne, now
live, and which was their home until they died, Mr. Smalberg in 1911 at
the age of 88 years, and his wife in 1908 at the age of 83. Mr. and Mrs.
Quarne have had seven children, of whom the following is a brief record:
Caroline Amelia is the wife of Eric Anderson, a farmer of Ettrick Town-
ship, this county, and has four children : Ernest Arthur, Ahna Orilla, Lloyd
Wilfred and Norman Rudolph. Marie Elise married Alfred Andreson and
has two children: Evelyn Veda and Lillian Hazel. They reside on the
Quarne farm. Peter Julius, who married Anna Jones, is engaged in farm-
ing near his parents' homestead. He and his wife have two children:
LeRoy Wilfred and Beulah Lavina. Edwin Bernhard, now a farmer in
Jackson County, married EfRe Skorstad and has four children : Marie Irene
Idanna, Lorin Donald, Arnold DeVere and Corine Ardell. The other three
children of Mr. and Mrs. Quarne died in infancy. Religious, the family are
affihated with the Norwegian Lutheran Church.
John M. Sagen, proprietor of the Sagen farm of 162 acres in section
27 (range 7, township 23), Pigeon Township, was born in Biri, Norway,
Sept. 19, 1853, son of Mathias and Karen (Olson) Sagen, the former of
whom died in Norway in 1856, and the latter of whom came to America
in 1877 and died in 1897. John M. Sagen came to America in 1872, and
after reaching La Crosse County worked in the pine woods and as a river
logsman for several years. In 1876 he homesteaded a farm in Sjuggerud
Coulie, section 22, Pigeon Township. He improved and developed this
place and built up a good farm. In 1903 he sold out and purchased his
present place, where he successfully carries on general farming and stock
raising, making a specialty of a fine herd of Holstein cattle. His present
home was built in 1912. It consists of a brick veneer, two-story structure,
with nine rooms and a basement, and equipped with furnace heat, running
470 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
water and other conveniences. The barn was built in 1914. It is 36 by 80
by 111/2 feet in size, with an addition 12 by 32 feet. The floor is of cement
and the equipment is of steel. The stave silo, 12 by 32 feet, was erected in
1915. Among the other buildings may be mentioned the tobacco shed,
26 by 96 by 14 feet. The tools and equipment about the place are well
in keeping with these excellent buildings. Mr. Sagen was married in April,
1883, to Amelia Olafsdatter, who was born in Soler, Norway, Sept. 6, 1856,
the daughter of Olaf and Ingeborg Olafson, and this union has been blessed
with nine children: Inga, Magnus, Olaf, Clara, Milhe, Joseph, Emma, Val-
borg and Oliver. Inga married Joseph Nelson, a farmer of Pigeon Town-
ship. Magnus farms in Hale Township. Clara is the wife of Gunder John-
son, secretary of the Wilhelm Oil Company of Minneapolis ; Millie married
Albert Heapy, a farmer of Calvin, N. D. ; Joseph operates a garage at Pigeon
Falls ; Oliver died at the age of nine years ; the others are at home. The
family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Mr. Sagen is a
stockholder in the Whitehall Creamery Company and in the Whitehall
Elevator Company. He has been a member of the school board for some
six years past.
Alfred N. Sagen, vice-president of the Davis Mill Company of Gales-
ville, was born in this village, March 5, 1877. His parents, Ole N. and
Ella T. (Tronson) Sagen, were natives of Norway. Ole N. Sagen was born
May 7, 1848, and in 1866, came with his parents to the United States. The
family located in the town of Gale, Trempealeau County, and Ole N., who
had begun to learn the trade of miller in his native land, in 1869 entered
the flouring mill of Wilson Davis at Galesville. In 1878 he became head
miller and has held that position until the present date. He is a member
of the Norwegian Workmen's Society of Galesville. He is religiously
affiliated with the Baptist Church. The children of Ole T. and Ella T. Sagen
were Emma J., Alfred N. and Oscar T. In his boyhood Alfred N. Sagen
attended the schools of Galesville and subsequently spent one year at Gale
College. At the age of 15 he began to work in the Davis mill, but con-
tinued to attend school during the winters until he was 18, after which
time he worked in the mill regularly all through the year, and has since
continued to do so, having never been absent from duty. In 1910 he was
elected vice-president of the Davis Mill Company and now holds that posi-
tion. He is also vice-president of the Sagen-Schuster Mercantile Company
of Galesville. Mr. Sagen was married Oct. 30, 1900, to Mabel A. Thomp-
son, who was born in Galesville, Wis., daughter of William and Allie T.
(Atwood) Thompson. Her parents were natives of Wisconsin, the father,
who was a farmer and stock dealer, being reared in Trempealeau County.
Mr. Thompson, who at one time served as president of the village of Gales-
ville, died about 1894, and his wife July 19, 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Sagen have
one child, Layton Thompson, who was born Sept. 1, 1901. Mr. Sagen is a
member of the United Lutheran Church.
Idius B. Scarseth, of section 31 E, Gale Township, is one of the enter-
prising and successful farmers of this township, where he was born Aug.
24, 1868. His parents were Martinus J. and Kari (Knudson) Scarseth, both
natives of Biri, Norway. Martinus J. Scarseth was born March 30, 1836,
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 471
and came to the United States in 1857, when 21 years old, being at that time
unmarried. He located in Stevens Township, La Crosse County, where he
found employment on farms, and also attended school one winter to improve
his knowledge of Enghsh. There he remained until his marriage in 1860,
at which time he came to Gale Township, taking up his residence on the
farm where his son, C. M. Scarseth, now resides. In 1888 he moved to
the farm now owned by his son Idius and resided here until his death July 4,
1910. His wife, who was born Jan. 3, 1831, died little more than a month
after him, on August 8. At different times Mr. Scarseth held local office,
serving, among other things, as census enumerator. He was the first secre-
tary of the Hardie's Creek Lutheran Church, holding that position until his
death, and he was also one of the organizers of the church. He also took
an active part in educational work, serving on the school board, and was
at one time town commissioner. His wife was an expert dressmaker and
when she first came to this country located in Chicago, where she worked
at her trade. She was a popular member of society in Gale Township.
Idius B. Scarseth was one of four children, being the last born. In his boy-
hood he attended the Glasgow school, and from the age of 17 to that of 24
worked out for others. A year later he bought his parents' farm, on which
he now resides, and which consists of 120 acres of highly improved land.
Here he is engaged in general farming and in breeding Holstein cattle and
full-blooded Poland-China hogs. His farm is well improved, having sub-
stantial buildings and a full equipment of all necessary tools and imple-
ments. Mr. Scarseth is a stockholder in the Farmers' Co-operative Packing
Company of La Crosse. For 20 years he has been a member of the school
board, while his religious affiliations are with the Lutheran church. Sept.
6, 1893, Mr. Scarseth was married to Sena Semb, who was born in Gale
Township, this county, daughter of Ole 0. and Kari (Ekern) Semb. Her
father was born in Biri, Norway, Sept. 17, 1835, and his wife in the same
locality, Oct. 12, 1841. They came to the United States in 1851, locating
in Stevenstown, La Crosse County, where Mr. Semb found employment on
farms. One of his brothers was killed in the Civil War, and his father and
another brother went to Minnesota, where ill fortune pursued them also,
as both were killed by the Indians. Ole 0. Semb also went to Minnesota
and lived there for awhile, but later returned to Wisconsin, locating on
Hardie's Creek about a year before his father did. Buying land there, he
devoted himself to farming, spending the rest of his life on the homestead,
his death occurred July 6, 1898. At various times he served the township
in local office, being regarded by his neighbors as an intelligent pubhc spir-
ited citizen. His wife survived him a number of years, passing away Jan. 11,
1911. They were the parents of eight children, of whom their daughter
Sena (Mrs. Scarseth) was the seventh in order of birth. She was educated
in the Glasgow school, where her future husband was fellow pupil. Mr. and
Mrs. Scarseth are the parents of seven children: Julia, wife of Alfred
Ravnum, a farmer residing at Glasgow, Gale Township; Nora, at home;
George Dewey, who attended the La Crosse County School of Agriculture,
and is also at home; Edwin Julius, Lester Bernhard, Lloyd Helmer and
Clinton Theodore, who were educated in the common schools. Mr. Scarseth
472 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
is a great lover of fishing and hunting and has made some of the finest
catches ever made in Black River. His wife is a member of the Ladies'
Aid Society at Hardie's Creek, being past secretary of the society.
Jens J. Staff, Jr., proprietor of Staff farm of 160 acres in sections 1
and 12, Pigeon Township, was born in Sundf jord, Norway, March 14, 1870,
son of Jens J. and Louisa (Berge) Staff, the parents being also Norwegians.
Jens J. Staff, who was born Feb. 5, 1838, came to the United States with his
family in 1872, locating at Black River Falls, Jackson County, Wis., where he
remained until 1882. Then selling out his property there he came to Trem-
pealeau County, and bought the farm on which his son Jens J., Jr., now
lives, and where he still resides. His wife, who was born Feb. 13, 1841,
died April 30, 1913. Jens J. Staff, Jr., resided with his parents until he
was 21 years old, and then, in 1891, began working for the P. Ekern Com-
pany of Pigeon Falls. After being in this manner for about six years and
four months, he returned to his father's farm and resumed agricultural
operations. In 1900 he purchased the property and has since resided on
it, being engaged in carrying on general farming, dairying and stock-raising.
In 1908 Mr. Staff erected his present residence, a brick veneer structure
two stories and basement, eight rooms, equipped with hot water heat and
an individual electric light plant. In 1907 he rebuilt the barn, which
measures 28 by 72 by 16 feet, with stone basement and cement floors, steel
stanchions and individual water cups. The hog house is a frame building
with cement floors, 20 by 20 feet in dimensions. Mr. Staff keeps graded
Holstein cattle, having a herd of 40 head, of which he milks 20, feeding
half a carload for the market each year. He has been successful in his
farming operations and the value of his property has continued to increase
with the improvements he had made on it. As a substantial and reliable
citizen, with a good knowledge of local conditions, he has been called on at
times to serve in public office, having been supervisor four years and town-
ship assessor since 1912. In 1904 he assumed the duties of school clerk
of his district and is still serving in that office. Aside from his immediate
farming interests, he owns stock in the Pigeon Grain & Stock Company
and the Whitehall Hospital and is a director of the Elevator Company of
Whitehall. Mr. Staff was married May 25, 1898, to Lena Kogslein, who
was born in Curran Township, Jackson County, Wis., March 16, 1872. Her
parents were Nils and Ingeborg (Holen) Kogslein, the father born at
Gulbransdalen, Norway, Feb. 29, 1829, and the mother born Sept. 15, 1834.
They came to America, settling in Jackson County, Wisconsin, in 1866, but
are both now deceased, Mr. Kogslein dying July 7, 1909, and his wife March
4, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Staff have been the parents of seven children:
Laura, born Feb. 4, 1899 ; Joseph, April 10, 1901 ; Ida, Jan. 3, 1903 ; Norma,
May 29, 1905 ; Carl, Sept. 12, 1907 ; Olga, Sept. 29, 1908, and Earl, Oct. 27,
1911.. The family are members of the United Noi-wegian Lutheran
Church, of which Mr. Staff is auditor.
Tennes Tenneson, proprietor of Lavold farm of 150 acres in sections
13 and 14, Preston Township, was born near Viroquo, Vernon County, Wis.,
May 22, 1855. He is a son of Jacob Tenneson Lavold and his wife Johanna,
whose maiden name was Nuland. Jacob T. Lavold was born near Flekkef-
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 473
jord, Norway, Feb. 28, 1828, and came to the United States in 1852. Com-
ing west by rail as far as Chicago, he drove from that city with an ox team
to Vernon County, Wisconsin, where he remained until the fall of 1855.
Then, in the fall of that year, he continued his westward journey until he
reached Trempealeau County, settling on a farm in section 14, Preston Town-
ship, which he had bought in the spring of the same year. Here he devoted
himself to agricultui'al pursuits, spending many years in clearing and
improving his farm and finally becoming one of the prosperous citizens of
the township. In 1892 he sold the farm and removed to the village of Blair,
where he made his home until his death in 1896, at the age of 70 years. His
i^rst wife, Johanna, dying in 1876, he afterwards married Grethe Thompson
of Blair, who is also now deceased. Tennes Tenneson was given a some-
what better education than the ordinary farmer's boy of his day, as, after
attending the public or district school, he became a student in the business
college at La Crosse. His industrial education was not neglected, however,
for he was well trained by his father in all the different branches of farm-
ing, learning how to cultivate the soil, take care of stock and perform other
necessary duties. This knowledge he has since put to good use on his own
account, beginning when a young man by renting a farm on French Creek,
which he cultivated for two years. Not perfectly satisfied with that loca-
tion, however, in 1880 he bought his present farm, and has since continued
on it, having found it a profitable investment. He raises high grade Hol-
stein cattle, having about 30 head, of which he milks 12; also keeping
Poland-China hogs, and registered White Leghorn and Rhode Island Red
chickens. He is a stockholder in the Preston Creamery at Blair. His farm
is well improved, having good buildings, and he is careful to keep it in good
condition, its value having greatly increased since he took it in hand. As a
substantial citizen, having a landed interest in his township, Mr. Tenneson
has consented at various times to aid in local government. Thus he was
township treasurer for two years, and for 30 years has served on the school
board as clerk or treasurer. He and his family are members of the United
Norwegian Lutheran Church. He was married Feb. 29, 1876, to Martha
Lindrud of French Creek, this county, who was born in Norway, Oct. 30,
1854. Her father, Andrew I. Lindrud, born in Norway in 1828, emigrated
to this country in 1861, setthng first in Vernon County, Wisconsin, from
which locality he removed in 1864 to French Creek, Ettrick Township, Trem-
pealeau County. This latter place was his home until his death Oct. 30,
1904. His wife, whose maiden name was Gunhild Smedhaugen, died in
December, 1915, at the age of 89 years. Mr. and Mrs. Tenneson's family
circle has been enlarged by the birth of seven children, namely: Ida, who
married Henry Thompson, a farmer of Beach, N. D. ; Albert, a farmer resid-
ing two miles east of Blair; John, who is farming in Preston Township;
Melvin, who conducts a fancy grocery and delicatessen store at St. Paul;
Thomas, who lives on the home farm; Tillie, who graduated from Blair
high school in 1911, and has been a teacher for three years, and Nora, who
lives with her parents.
Frederick John Stellpflug, proprietor of Walnut Grove Stock farm,
who for a number of years has been engaged in farming and stock raising
474 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
in sections 29 and 32, Gale Township, though recently retired, was born
on the same farm Dec. 6, 1866, son of John Alois and Sarah Frances
(Shonat) Stellpflug. The father was born in Westphalia, Germany, Sept.
28, 1838, and came to the United States in 1847, locating at Milwaukee,
where he resided for about seven years. While there he assisted in build-
ing the first railroad to enter that city and also aided in filling the marsh.
Later he engaged in farming at West Bend, Washington County. In 1860
he came to Trempealeau County and settled on land in sections 29 and 32,
which now constitutes the farm of his son Frederick J., and which land he
purchased from the Government. Here he remained until his death June 30,
1907, developing the farm, on which he made most of the improvements.
He was a stockholder in the Arctic Springs Creamery, which he helped to
organize, and of which he was vice-president and director for many years.
In early days he was also a member of the township board. His wife, Sarah
Frances, who was born in Oswego County, New York, Sept. 4, 1850, is still
living on the home farm. Frederick J. Stellpflug was the eldest of 14 chil-
dren. He acquired the elements of knowledge in the Grant schoolhouse
and has always resided on the family homestead, the management of which
came into his hands when he was 25 years old. The estate contains 200
acres of land and is well supplied with good buildings and all necessary
equipment. Here Mr. Stellpflug carried on general farming for a number
of years, also breeding Holstein cattle. He has lately, however, retired from
active farm work and rented the farm, though still residing upon it. Aside
from his interests in this connection, he is a stockholder in the Arctic
Springs Creamery, of which he is vice-president, a director and stockholder
in the Farmers and Merchants Bank, director in the Farmers Elevator
Company, and a stockholder in the Independent Harvester Company of
Piano, 111., the La Crosse Packing and the Ettrick Telephone Companies.
He is now serving in his twentieth year as clerk of the school board and
was township treasurer three years. In politics he is independent. June
19, 1912, Mr. Stellpflug was married to Elizabeth Williamson, who was born
in Gale township, near Galesville, Oct. 11, 1891, daughter of Richard Ellis
and Christina (Schmidt) Williamson. Her father, who was born in Little
Tamarack, this township, in 1864, has always been a farmer and is still in
active life, now residing about two and a half miles from Galesville. His
wife was born in this township, Nov. 16, 1866. They had five children, of
whom their daughter Elizabeth was the eldest. Mr. and Mrs. Stellpflug are
the parents of two children: Frederick Joseph, who was born July 2, 1913,
and Cecelia Ehzabeth, born Sept. 2, 1915. The family are members of the
Catholic church. Mr. Stellpflug also belongs to the Foi-esters, being record-
ing secretary of his lodge, and to the Woodmen's Accident Assurance Com-
pany. It is his present intention to continue his residence on the farm.
Andrew Evenson came to Trempealeau County in 1888, located in sec-
tion 4, Gale Township, and here lived until his death. May 9, 1915. He
was born near Christiania, Norway, Aug. 25, 1857, oldest of the four chil-
dren of Ole and Mary Evenson. The parents came to America about 1857
and located in La Crosse County, this state. After the father's death, the
mother moved to another farm in the same county, located on the south side
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 475
of the La Crosse River, and there Uved until she took up her home with her
son, Andrew, until the time of her death. Andrew Evenson attended the
schools of his native land and of La Crosse County, and as a youth assisted
his mother with the duties of her small farm, remaining under the maternal
roof until about a year after his marriage, when he located in Trempealeau
County. Here he devoted his life to his farm, his home, his children and his
church, taking in his family his deepest joy, and in his church his greatest
satisfaction. As a successful farmer he acquired stock in the Arctic
Springs Creamery, and was a substantial friend thereof, but aside from
this, his outside interests were few. His church support was given to the
Synod Lutheran Congregation, in the activities of which he was an efficient
and valued worker. Mr. Evenson was married Dec. 3, 1887, to Bertha
Johnson, who was born in La Crosse County, Holland Township, daughter
of Louis and Mary Johnson, and this union was blessed with eight children :
Melva, Ornie Melvin, Elmer Theodore, Lester, Lester Marvin, Edna Marie,
Ansel Bernard and Arline Bernice. Melva is the wife of Herbert Hardie,
who farms two miles west of Galesville. Ornie Melvin operates the home
farm of 200 acres bordering on the Black River. He married Minnie Engen,
May 24, 1917. Elmer Theodore married Ella Scarseth, and lives on the
Scarseth farm in Gale Township. Lester died in infancy. The other chil-
dren are at home.
Louis Johnson was born in Norway, came to America in 1858, and
took up his residence on a farm near Viroqua, in Vernon County, this state.
At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in the Sixteenth Wisconsin
Volunteer Infantry and did good service for three years. After farming
in Vernon County for some forty-seven years he retired and moved to
Galesville, in this county, where he now makes his home.
Fred Schuman, a well known land owner and farmer residing in sec-
tion 18, Caledonia Township, was born near Doering, Germany, Aug. 8,
1853. He is a son of Gottlieb and Johanna Schuman, the former of whom
died in Germany when the subject of this sketch was eight years old. The
widowed mother, with her four children — the three others being Edward,
Louise and Frederecia — came to America about six yeai's later, in Novem-
ber, 1867. They settled at once in Trempealeau County, Wis., where Mrs.
Schuman bought 180 acres of land in section 9, Caledonia Township. Eighty
acres were already under the plow, and a log house, granary and stable
were standing on the farm. About a year after her arrival here, or in 1868,
she married Gustaf Keisling, who had accompanied the Schuman family
to America. At the age of 16 years Fred Schuman left home to work for
himself and was variously employed until 1876. Then, with his brother
Edward, he bought the northwest half of the northwest quarter of section
20, Caledonia Township. There were neither buildings nor fences on the
land and they lived in a one-room shanty on a rented tract of 40 acres
adjoining, beginning farming operations on the 80-acre tract, of which they
broke 18 acres the first year. In the fall of 1878 Mr. Schuman and his
brother erected a frame house on this tract, it being an upright, one and
a half stories high, just covered and enclosed. In this unfinished house they
resided for several years. When Mr. Schuman purchased his tract of 80
476 HISTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
acres it was on an agreement to pay $100 down and the rest in monthly
instalments. He had only $75 cash and had great difficulty in raising the
other $25. He and his brother had no team, so they used their mother's
the first year, and in the following spring bought one horse, not being able
to procure another until a year later — in the spring of 1879. Now having
a team of their own, they made good progress and continued in partnership
until 1894, by which time they had added to the original 80 acres on section
20, an adjoining tract of 120 acres on section 2 adjoining, also acquiring
240 acres (all improved but 30 acres) in section 18. His farm now consists
of 340 acres, as follows : 240 acres in section 18, 84 in section 34 and 20 in
section 24, all in Caledonia Township, in addition to which he owns 100 acres
in La Crosse County. Mr. Schuman does general farming, keeping a herd
of grade Durham cattle and a sty of grade Poland-China hogs. The wing
of his present residence consists of a small house of two rooms, which was
on the farm when he bought the land, and in which he lived until about
1912, when he built his present two-story, nine-room residence, a frame
structure, painted and with modern improvements. Among his other build-
ings are a barn, with cement basement, used for hogs and cattle; a horse
barn, with wing attached; cattle sheds, poultry house, hog house, with
cement floors, a brick milk house and a cement block silo. The farm is also
well equipped with agricultural machinery and tools. June 23, 1914, a
cyclone carried away seven of Mr. Schuman's buildings, all of which, how-
ever he has since replaced. He is a stockholder in the Galesville Creamery.
Mr. Schuman was married, July 3, 1879, in Trempealeau Village, to Maggie,
daughter of Robert and Melissa Bright, of Caledonia Township. Of this
union seven children were born: Dollie, April 18, 1880, who died June 5,
1889 ; Freddie R., Jan. 7, 1882, who died June 7, 1889 ; Millie J., Sept. 9,
1885, who died June 5, 1889 ; Harry J., May 5, 1888, who is a farmer residing
near the homestead; Glenn, Sept. 7, 1890, now farming on a tract of 120
acres in this vicinity; Mabel A., Aug. 25, 1892, wife of G. Roy Dale of Gale
Township, and the mother of one daughter, Ruth ; and Ross L., born Feb. 2,
1899, who lives on the home farm. As will be seen from the above record,
Mr. Schuman lost three children within two days, which was due to that
dread scourge diphtheria. His daughter Mabel graduated fi'om the Gales-
ville high school in 1913 and was a teacher for one year before her mar-
riage. Mr. Schuman was reared in the faith of the Lutheran church and
his wife in that of the Baptist, but are not members of either. They are
numbered among .the prosperous people of the township and are widely
known and respected. Mr. Schuman usually votes the Republican ticket,
but is not a strong party man or active in politics.
Elizabeth Heald, one of the estimable women of Trempealeau County,
has seen pioneer life in two states and four counties. She was born in
New York City, Jan. 1, 1854, daughter of Alonzo Morris and Mary (Schuy-
ler) Merwin, and a great-granddaughter, on her mother's side, of Gen.
Philip Schuyler, of Revolutionary War fame. In the' fall of the year of
her birth, the family came westward, and located at Greenbush, Sheboygan
County, Wis., where they settled in the woods, and devoted three years
to developing a farm. They cut down the trees, cleared up the land, erected
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 477
a four-room house, and conducted pioneer farming on a small scale. Then
they moved to Dodge County, in the same state where they rented a farm.
From there the father, in 1862, went to Nicollet County, in Minnesota, not
far from New Ulm, secured a tract of land, erected a cabin, and harvested
a quantity of hay. Then he went back to his home, and thus escaped the
massacre of August 18 of that year. In June, 1863, the family, consisting
of the father, mother and five children, William, George, Elizabeth, Ida and
Arvilla, set out for their new home with an ox team. To the parents the
long trip entailed many hardships, but the children thoroughly enjoyed
it, and met with delight the constantly changing landscape, and the many
varied experiences. Upon reaching the claim, it was found that the cabin
was almost a ruin and the hay gone, the place having apparently been
visited both by the Indians and the fleeing whites during the terrible days
of the massacre. The cabin was soon repaired, however, and before long
a farm was started. Late in the fall of 1864 the family came back to
Wisconsin, and settled on 43 acres at Centerville, in Trempealeau Township,
this county. The land had been improved, but no buildings were standing
thereon. The father built a frame house, and in this the family continued
to live for many years. He died March 10, 1867, and the sons, WilHam and
George, assumed the responsibility of supporting the family. The mother
lived for many years thereafter, and spent her dechning years in Trem-
pealeau Village, where she died Feb. 20, 1909, at over 91 years of age. The
daughter, Elizabeth, the subject of this sketch, followed the family for-
tunes until her marriage. Feb. 7, 1886, she married William E. Heald, who
lived on a farm about a half mile from Trempealeau Village. Since his
death, Feb. 6, 1916, she has Uved in Trempealeau Village with her only
daughter, Gertrude Mae. Gertrude Mae Heald was born on the farm near
Trempealeau Village, Oct. 26, 1886. After passing through the common
schools she was graduated from the Trempealeau high school in June, 1906.
Then for three years she taught in the rural schools of the county. In the
fall of 1909 she entered the Winona Business College at Winona, and was
duly graduated from the stenographic and bookkeeping departments. In
1910 she entered the employ of the Cooper & Graves Lumber Company at
Trempealeau as bookkeeper; in 1913 she started work for the Galesville
Lumber Company at Galesville; from the fall of 1914 to the fall of 1915
she was at home, and since then she has been with the Trempealeau Mer-
cantile Company at Trempealeau.
Carl T. Carlson, who is successfully engaged in farming in section 19,
Gale Township, was born in Esther Getland, Sweden, Nov. 9, 1870, son of
Carl John and Johana M. (Flood) Carlson. His parents were born in the
same province, the father in 1844, and the mother in 1846. Carl J. Carlson
learned the trade of shoemaker in Sweden. He served in the regular army
but otherwise followed his trade there until he came to America with his
parents' family in 1880, they locating at Galesville. Here he continued at
his trade for about seven years longer, at the end of which time he home-
steaded the farm where his son Carl T. now lives. This place remained
his home until his death, which occurred Nov. 3, 1905. His wife died July
3,1911. Their children were : Carl T., now on the old homestead ; August
478 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
M., residing in New York City; Ellen Elizabeth, who died at the age
of 24 years in 1898; Oscar Robert of Wild Rose, N. D., who married Stilla
Lindberg and has three children, Earl, Oscar and Eugene E., and John M.,
Marie and Alfred J.
Carl T. Carlson was the eldest of six children. He attended district
school in Gale Township and worked out as a farm hand from the time he
was 14 years of age, at times also working in the pine woods. His first
employment was by Hiram Butman in Gale Township. About 1896 he pur-
chased land in Polk County, of which he later sold a part, but still owns 80
acres of farm land there. Since the death of his parents Mr. Carlson has
been a part owner of the old Carlson homestead, his brother, Alfred J.,
and his sister, Marie W., having an equal share with himself in it. The
farm contains 200 acres, some of which is timbered land. It is operated as a
stock and dairy farm and about 100 head of sheep are kept. Carl T. Carlson
is a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing Company and a member of the
Farmers' Shipping Association of Trempealeau County. He is a member
of the Lutheran Church and in politics is independent.
Warner R. Shonat, a prominent citizen of Galesville, who until recently
was closely identified with the agricultural development of the township,
was born at Decorah Prairie, Trempealeau County, Nov. 20, 1869, son of
George B. and Jeanette (Dewar) Shonat. His education, acquired chiefly
in the district school, was supplemented by student work at Gale College,
which he attended two winters. After that he resided on the parental
homestead, assisting his father until 1894, when, on March 14, he was
married to Mary Cook, who was born near Duplainville, Wis., daughter
of Thomas and Sarah (Wilson) Cook. Her father, who was born in Scar-
boro, England, Nov. 6, 1829, was a merchant by occupation. After com-
ing to America he settled in New York state, whence he came to Waukesha,
Wis., at a time when the site of the present large and flourishing city of
Milwaukee was but a swamp. After settling in Duplainville he engaged
in business there as a merchant and was also postmaster of the village for
a number of years, besides serving as justice of the peace. He died there
June 20, 1876. His wife survived him many years, her death taking place
at Pewaukee, Wis., May 10, 1905. Their daughter Mary was the fourth
born in a family of five children, and was educated in the Lisbon school at
Pewaukee, Wis. Warner R. Shonat after his marriage took charge of the
home farm of his parents, which he purchased in June, 1894. He added to
the improvements made on it by his father and developed it into a first-class
piece of agricultural property, continuing to operate it until the spring of
1916, when he rented the farm and moved to Galesville. Here he had pur-
chased a fine modern residence, formerly owned by his sister, together with
five acres of land adjacent to the Arctic Springs Creamery. He is a stock-
holder in the La Crosse Packing Company and the Western Wisconsin
Telephone Company. His farm consists of 180 acres of highly improved
land. Mr. Shonat is a director in the Farmers' Fire Insurance Company
of Trempealeau County, and is head officer of the reserve fund of the
Order of Beavers, belonging also to the Yeomen. He is a member and elder
of the Presbyterian Church and for about 14 years served as clerk of the
MK. AND MRS. W. R. SHONAT
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 479
Decorah Prairie school district. In politics he is a Prohibitionist. The
family, of which he is a leading I'epresentative, has aided largely in the
development of the agricultural resources of this part of Trempealeau
County.
George Hull Squier of Trempealeau, Wis., whose name is inseparably
connected with discoveries regarding the archaeology and geology of the
"driftless area" of the upper Mississippi basin, was born in Southhold, Long
Island, Oct. 15, 1849, son of the Rev. James and Eliza (Hull) Squier, who
brought him to Wisconsin in 1851, to La Crosse County in 1853, and to
Trempealeau Village in 1864. In the cultured atmosphere of the home of
these good people, George H. was reared and early acquired habits of unsel-
fish labor, strict economy and mental alertness. As a youth he was encour-
aged by his father in intellectual pursuits, and he early determined to devote
his life to geology, archaeology, anthropology and paleology. With this
end in view, after passing through the schools of Trempealeau, Galesville,
Alton (111.) and Beaver Dam (Wis.), he entered Harvard University, where
for three years he pursued geological and palaeological studies, in the mean-
time devoting his summers to field work in Kentucky, Virginia, New York
and Maine. Failing health and financial limitations, however, forced him to
abandon his university studies, so he returned to Trempealeau and engaged
in dairying and poultry raising. In all the years that have passed since
then, he has devoted a part of his time to research, investigation and writ-
ing along the lines of his favorite branches of science, and his work has
caused certain features of this part of Wisconsin to become known to
scholars throughout the world. Mr. Squier now lives in partial retirement
in the village of Trempealeau. He is a quiet, courteous, scholarly gentle-
man of the old school, greatly revered in his own community and highly
honored throughout the county. His more notable contributions to
archaeology include "Certain Archaeological Features of Western Wiscon-
sin" (Wisconsin Archaeologist, IV No. 2) ; "Archaeological Resources of
Western Wisconsin" (Wisconsin Archaeologist, XIII No. 3) ; "Additional
Archaeological Details, Remains of a French Post Near Trempealeau"
(Wisconsin Historical Society Proceedings, 1915, pp. 113-117), and "The
Geologic and Archaeological Features of Trempealeau County" (History
of Trempealeau County, Dr. Pierce and Curtiss- Wedge, Winona, 1917). To
geology they include "Erratic Pebbles in the Licking Valley of Kentucky"
(Science, 1883, p. 436) ; "Studies in the Driftless Area of Wisconsin" (Jour-
nal of Geology, No. 1, Vol. V, 1897, No. 2, Vol. VI, 1898, No. 3, Vol. VII,
1899) ; "Peculiar Local Deposits on Bluffs Adjacent to the Mississippi"
(Report of Wisconsin Academy of Science, Arts and Letters, Vol. XVI,
Part I). In 1880 Mr. Squier was engaged in a geological survey of the
Appalachian Mountains in southwestern Virginia for a projected railroad.
The survey was to have occupied two years, but the failure of the company
cut it short. Both himself and Prof. Shaler, who held the contract, were
losers. In 1881 he was making surveys near Eastport, Maine. In 1882 he
made a survey of the iron resources of the Licking Valley, Kentucky, for an
iron company. He was recommended by Prof. Shaler about this time for
a position on the United States Geological Survey. There chanced to be
480 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
no vacancy at the time, and suddenly recurring illness caused him to
abandon that career. Mr. Squier was married, June 29, 1882, to May
Button, daughter of U. S. and Minerva Button, and descended from early
New England stock, one of her ancestors being Roger Williams. Mrs.
Squier was graduated in 1877 from the Mount Carrol Seminary, located
at Mount Carrol, 111. To Mr. and Mrs. Squier has been born one son,
Ulysses Button, who is now engaged in the railroad business in Chicago
as traffic expert. He married Clara Belle Linard, Aug. 23, 1910, and has
two children.
Rev. James Squier. It is a rather delicate task for a son to undertake
to write of a father's life, and I have rather hesitated to attempt more than
the barest outlines. Yet he was, I think, identified with the religious work
of this part of the state for a longer time than any other, and in the con-
duct of the work he displayed characteristics which entitled him to a high
place among the workers. Although the more strictly pioneer work was
part of the history of La Crosse County, he was for nearly thirty-seven
years a resident of Trempealeau — longer than in any other single locality.
Since both himself, and all those, his contemporaries, who knew of his
work, have passed away, I remain, myself, the only source of information
concerning his life ; and since the substance of the article must be mine, it
seems best that I should give it form and be directly responsible for its
statements. The subject of this sketch was born in in Hopkinton, St. Law-
rence County, N. Y., Sept. 21, 1808. His father had entered the state from
Vermont when it was an unbroken forest, and an older sister was the first
white child born in the vicinity. The life was, of course, that of the pioneer,
and his boyhood training served to give him an intimate knowledge of
woodcraft. He was converted in young manhood, and very soon felt him-
self called to the ministry. One of his first acts, after having settled on his
future course, was typical of his life. He had bought and cleared a farm
and was expecting to have cared for his parents in their declining years.
Knowing that would not be possible under the new plan, he gave the farm
to an older brother on condition that he would care for them. His decision
made, he entered Madison (now Colgate) University in 1832 and graduated
in 1838 (this included two years in theology). In the fall following his
graduation he was ordained at Tyringham, Mass., and soon entered on his
first pastorate at Sandisfield, Mass. In 1839 he married Eliza Hull, a
teacher, and a descendant in the fifth generation of Hannah Dustan of
Haverhill, Mass., whose capture by, and escape from the Indians during
the "King Phillip" war, formed one of the stirring episodes of ej.rly
Massachusetts history. (Abigail Hull, mother of Eliza Hull, was a resident
of Trempealeau for a number of years, dying in 1882 in her one hundred
and first year.) In 1840 he was paster in Bristol, Conn.; in 1842-6 in
Tolland, Conn. In 1846 he had a very serious illness, and when suHiciently
recovered went, by advice, to a fishing hamlet (also something of a summer
resort), becoming pastor of a little church there. This place, Southhold,
was on a narrow neck of land near the eastern end of Long Island. The
life, much of it on the water, was very beneficial to him. It was here that
the writer was born, in October, 1849. In 1850 he was pastor in "Head of
L. S. SANDERS
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 481
Mystic," Conn. His illness had, however, left certain permanent effects
which rendered it inexpedient that he enter the foreign field, which had
up to this time been his purpose, and being possessed in large measure of
the missionary spirit, his mind turned toward home missions. His wife's
parents, and sister, had already located at Elgin, 111. Moving west in 1851,
he soon located as pastor of the church in East Troy, Walworth County,
Wis. It was about this time that the tide of emigration was turning toward
the rich region of the La Crosse Valley, and a surprisingly large number of
people from Walworth County were among the early settlers of La Crosse
County. Among them were several of his friends and neighbors. In the
summer of 1853 he visited the region, bought some land of the late George
Edwards of La Crosse, a friend and neighbor who had preceded him by a
year, and in September moved his family there. At this time a Baptist
church had been but recently formed in La Crosse, and soon after one was
formed in Sparta, but the extensive region lying between had no church
organization, though there were a few scattered Baptists. To this region
he undertook to minister. The demands on the Home Mission Society far
exceeded their resources and he resolved not to apply to them. For six
years he conducted this work without salary. This double burden of work
was one that few would be willing to assume. That he was able to carry
it alone may be ascribed to the severe school of his boyhood and the wise
and devoted co-operation of his wife. The story of these years of work and
privation would be well worth writing, but I will not attempt it.
The farm home was about a mile north of the present village of West
Salem. The village, however, was not started until a few years later, after
the construction of the Milwaukee road. The then village, known as
Neshonoe, was on the La Crosse River, adjacent to the mills, from which
the electric current used in West Salem is obtained. It is now only a
memory. In the fall of 1859 he rented his farm and moved to Lewis Valley
(La Crosse County, Mindoro, P. 0.), preaching there and at Melrose. In
1863 he became pastor at West Salem. The next year — 1864 — the Baptist
church at Trempealeau was organized, and he, one of those present at the
council, was invited to become pastor. He entered upon his duties during
the summer, but did not remove his family until fall, our arrival being on
Thanksgiving Day. He remained pastor until 1871, when he retired from
the pastoral work. It was during his pastorate that the church building
was erected, he himself meeting about half the cost. His death occurred
in 1901. I think all who knew him intimately recognized his outstanding
characteristics: his unswerving devotion to duty, and his unselfishness in
his relations to others. He asked but little of the world and gave much.
Simple and unaffected in manners, he was nevertheless a man of refined
tastes, and of well trained scholarly mind. — (Written by Geo. H. Squier.)
Leland S. Sanders, efficient and popular cashier of the Citizens State
Bank of Trempealeau, and a prominent factor in the business and social
life of the- village wherein he makes his home, was born in Friend, Neb.,
Feb. 22, 1891, the son of Charles M. and NeUie (Steward) Sanders. He
passed through the graded schools of his native place, took a two years'
■course in the Omaha (Neb.) high school, graduated from the Fairbury
482 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
(Neb.) high school, and then attended the Lake Forest College at Lake
Forest, 111. In the meantime he had been considerably interested in bank-
ing, having started his connection with the financial interests by becom-
ing a bank messenger at the age of thirteen, working in a bank at Daykin,
Neb., evenings, mornings and Saturdays, while attending the graded
schools. After leaving the institution at Lake Forest he took a position
with the accounting department of the Ilhnois Central Railroad Company.
But finding that railroad accounting was not exactly to his liking, he sub-
sequently secured a position as assistant cashier of the Clarion Savings
Bank, at Clarion, Iowa, where he remained until Jan. 1, 1916, when he
came to Trempealeau to assume the duties of his present position. Here
he has thoroughly identified himself with that modern movement which
has brought renewed life to the historic village of Trempealeau, and has
become one of that little group of men who are infusing enthusiasm and
zest into the plans which have for their object the development of the
village as a thriving business center. His work is also establishing the
Citizens Bank as one of the leading financial houses of western Wisconsin.
Mr. Sanders was married in Clarion, Iowa, June 17, 1914, to June M. Bird-
sail, daughter of Judge and Mrs. B. P. Birdsall, and to this union has been
born one daughter, Ruth Sanders, March 30, 1915.
Judge B. P. Birdsall was born in Weyauwega, Wis., in 1865, and as
a young man went to Iowa. He became prominent in law and poKtics,
served in Congress as a representative from the Third Congressional Dis-
trict of Iowa for eight years, and was circuit judge of the Tenth Judicial
District of Iowa for ten years.
Charles M. Sanders was born in Waukegan, 111., Aug. 23, 1861, and
married Nellie Steward, who was born in Rockford, 111., March 26, 1866,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Steward. Charles M. Sanders engaged
in the hardware business in Friend, Neb., for 25 years, and is now in the
lumber business at Daykin, Neb.
Peter Crogan, a general farmer residing in section 4, Gale Township,
was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, Dec. 24, 1845, son of Patrick and
Mary (Bropsom) Crogan. His parents were natives of the same county.
The father was a farmer, who died in Ireland about 1859, and his wife
subsequently came to the United States, settling in New Jersey, where her
death took place about 1893. Peter Crogan was the fourth born in a
family of 13 children. He attended school in his native land and resided
on the home farm until he came to America in 1864. For five years he
lived in New Jersey, working for others and then, hearing of opportunities
to acquire land in the great Northwest, he came to Trempealeau County,
Wisconsin. He did not immediately acquire land, however, but for some
years worked in Trempealeau and La Crosse Counties until 1878, at which
time he bought his present farm of 160 acres. Here he has since made
a number of improvements, having cultivated and developed the land and
put up good buildings of substantial and modern construction. Mr. Crogan
was married in 1877 to Mary Jane McCormick, who was born in La Crosse
County, daughter of Patrick and Mary (Finon) McCormick. Her parents
were born in Ireland and came to the United States, being early settlers.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 483
in La Crosse County, where Mr. McCormick engaged in farming. Both
are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Crogan are the parents of six children:
Joseph, who is a railroad man and resides in Reedsburg, Wis. ; Lucy, who
was educated in the schools of Trempealeau County and La Crosse, also at
the Winona Normal School, and is now a teacher in Ettrick; Peter Bene-
dick, who was drowned April 10, 1916, opposite Winona while automobile
riding on a flooded roadway; Winnie, a stenographer at Grafton, N. D. ;
Clement, who resides with his father, and one who died in infancy. The
death of Peter Benedick during the flood of 1916 was a very sad event, his
wife and two children perishing with him. It occurred at a spot where sev-
eral others were drowned the same season. He was at the time opei'ating
his father's farm, the latter having retired and taken up his residence in
Winona. Owing to this accident Peter Crogan, having no other tenant,
returned to the farm, where he has since remained. He and his wife are
members of the CathoUc church. In politics he is independent.
William Henry Conrad, proprietor of a fine farm of 280 acres, 225 of
which is in section 26, Gale Township and the balance across Black River
in La Crosse County, was born on this farm Sept. 26, 1886, son of Frank
and Allemania (Genske) Conrad. The father, a native of this town-
ship, was always a farmer, and moved onto this farm with his parents
when about six or seven years of age. When he grew up it came into his
possession and he developed it and made many improvements on it. Though
not now operating the farm, he resides on it and is still very active. For
five years he was a member of the township board, and also served some
time as school director. His wife, who was born on shipboard while on
the passage from Germany to the United States, is also living. Their
only child was the subject of this skech.
William Henry Conrad was educated in the district school of his neigh-
borhood. He worked for his father until he was 21 years old and then
rented the farm and has since operated it on his own account, having done
a profitable business. He was married Dec. 18, 1908, to Julia Ravnum,
who was born in Gale Township, this county, daughter of Anton and
Martha (Gilboe) Ravnum, both of whom were natives of Norway. Her
father, who was a farmer, is now deceased, but her mother still resides
on the old homestead in Gale Township. Anton Ravnum was born in
Biri, Norway, and his wife in Gubrendal, that country, the former coming
to this country when a young man and working out in this township until
he settled on his own farm, which he developed and improved. He and his
wife were married in Hardie's Creek Valley, Trempealeau County. He
was a prominent man in the township, both he and his wife being highly
esteemed. His death occurred Nov. 6, 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Conrad have
been the parents of five children: Laura Irene, Harvey William, Helen
Margaret, Hazel Marie and Francis Alfred, Harvey W, and Helen M. being
twins. Hazel M. died in infancy, but the others are still living and are
residing at home. The family are members of the Lutheran church. Mr.
Conrad is independent in politics, voting for the man rather than for the
party. He is now serving in his sixth year as clerk of the school board
of his district, and he served three years as township treasurer.
484 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Hans Christiansen, proprietor of a shoemaking and repairing estab-
lishment, and also a dealer in saddlery and harness, in Ettrick, Wis., was
born in Ringsaker, Haedmarken, Norway, Oct. 17, 1843, son of Christian
Hanson and Roufe (Johnson) Hanson. His parents were natives of the
same place or province, whei-e they lived many years, the mother dying
in her native land. In 1866 Christian Hanson came to the United States,
and locating at North Bend, Jackson County, there engaged in farming,
which he carried on industriously up to his later years, his death taking
place about 1892.
Hans Christiansen was his parents' only child. He had somewhat
limited opportunities for attending school, but acquired the rudiments
of knowledge, and at the age of 14 years began an apprenticeship to the
shoemaker's trade, at which he became an expert workman. In 1868 he
followed his father to America, and on arriving here at first settled on a
farm at South Beaver Creek, about four miles from Ettrick. Until the
fall of 1871 he worked out for othei's, and then, deciding to return to his
trade, he came to Ettrick, and, opening a shop, engaged in shoemaking
and repair work, in which business he has since continued, having also
added a complete line of harness and saddlery supplies. When Mr. Chris-
tiansen first came to Ettrick there were only four buildings in the village
and he has since witnessed its growth to a floui'ishing village of 300 people
or more. He built his present store about 1905, a substantial building,
conveniently located, and giving him plenty of room.
Mr. Christiansen was married in November, 1868, to Caroline Olson,
who was born in his own native province in Norway, and who came to
America at the same time that he did. Her parents, who died in Norway,
were Ole Larson and Margaret Gunderson. Mr. and Mrs. Christiansen are
the parents of nine children : Helena, now Mrs. L. M. Larson, an attorney
residing in Regina, Canada, where he is collection man for the International
Harvester Company; Ole (deceased), at the time of his death he was inter-
ested in a large creamery at Long Prairie, Minn.; Robert (deceased), who
was a prominent young lawyer of the county; in the spring of 1914 he
was appointed by Governor LaFoUette as district attorney of Trempealeau
County and in August that year he died, leaving a wife and two children ;
Martha, now Mrs. Andrew C. Hagestad of Ettrick Township; Clara, wife
of Rev. P. A. Hendrickson of Roanwood, Mont.; Melvin (deceased), who
was assisting his father in business ; Helmer, who is now associated with
his father in business at Ettrick ; Octavia, a stenographer at Fargo, N. D. ;
Anna Amelia, a graduate nurse from the Cook County Hospital, Chicago,
is now Mrs. E. J. Burke. They reside at LaSalle, 111., where Mr. Burke is
a practicing physician. Mr. Christiansen has built up a good trade and is
one of the prosperous citizens of the village of Ettrick. He and his family
are members of the Lutheran church.
James 0. Halderson, president of the Halderson-Plummer Company,
Incorporated, of Galesville, of which place he is one of the leading busi-
ness men, was born in Harmony, Vernon County, Wis., Feb. 18, 1871, son
of Albert and Mary (Gaarder) Halderson. He was educated in the com-
mon schools of Vernon County and remained at home until he was 20 years
.J. O. UALUKHt^ON AND FAMIl-V
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 485
of age, when he became clerk in the furniture store of Joseph Polver at
Viroqua, Wis. There he remained for three years, during the last year
of which period he had full charge of the business, having mastered it
in every detail. In 1894 Mr. Halderson came to Galesville and here estab-
hshed an up-to-date furniture and undertaking business, with Thomas
Call as an equal partner, the style of the firm being Halderson & Call.
Two years later their establishment was burned out, entailing a complete
loss, but, undaunted, Mr. Halderson made a new start, this time alone and
on a small scale, his place of business being located in the Button building.
By hard work and upright deahng he built up a flourishing business, which
increased steadily year by year. He now owns a fine store building, com-
plete in every branch of the business, located on the corner of Ridge and
Allen streets. This location he purchased from M. B. Parker and son Ervin
in 1898. He has just built a tasteful modern residence north of his business
block facing on Ridge street. In July, 1915, Mr. Halderson sold a half
interest in the business to W. F. Plummer, and it was then incorporated as
the Halderson-Plummer Company, with J. 0. Halderson, president; Mrs.
J. 0. Halderson, vice-president; W. F. Plummer, secretary and treasurer.
Mr. Halderson is a graduate of the Clark Embalming School of Chicago
and of the Williams Embalming School of Oshkosh, Wis., and holds a state
certificate as a thoroughly qualified funeral director. As a business man
he has gained a reputation for honesty and reliability that is one of his
most valuable assets. Aside from their furniture and undertaking depart-
ments, the Halderson-Plummer Company deal in pianos, organs, talking
machines and other similar goods, keeping articles of standard merit.
Mr. Halderson was married June 24, 1896, to Ellen Cook, who was born
at Decorah Prairie, this county, July 25, 1870, daughter of David and Agnes
(Henderson) Cook. Mrs. Halderson was graduated from the Galesville
schools in 1888. For several terms she was a proficient teacher in the rural
schools, and for a long period a clerk in the department store of Gilbertson
& Myhre at Galesville. Mr. and Mrs. Halderson have two children : James
Haskell, born June 2, 1899, who was graduated from Galesville high school
in 1917, and Theresa Grace, born March 8, 1902, who is now a student
in the high school. Mr. Halderson is a member of Decorah Lodge, A. F.
& A. M. ; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen
of America, and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen.
Hans F. Claussen, one of the most prominent business men in the
southeastern part of Trempealeau County, and a resident of the village
of Ettrick, was born in Heide, Germany, Dec. 1, 1865, son of Peter H. and
Anna (Messer) Claussen. His parents came to the United States with their
family when he was five years old, in 1870, first locating in Chicago, where
Peter H. Claussen worked one summer. Desiring better opportunities for
advancement than he could find at once in the crowded city, he then came
to Trempealeau County, Wis., and located on a farm near Frenchville,
which is still known as the Claussen homestead and which is one of the
best farms to be found in this part of the county, its development and
improvement having been effected by him. There he and his wife
are still living, though he is now retired from active work. Of their
486 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
eight children, the subject of this sketch was the second in order
of birth.
Hans F. Claussen was educated in the district school at Frenchville,
Gale Township, and at Gale University, now known as Gale College. He
resided on his parents' farm until he was 22 years old and then became a
clerk in the general store of Gilbertson & Myhre at Galesville, remaining
in their employ for three years. At the end of that time, resolving to go
into business for himself, he selected Elk Creek, in this county, as a suit-
able location and there conducted a store for four years. An opportunity
then occurred for him to purchase the business of John Gilbertson at French-
ville, and he accordingly did so, improving the store by the erection of new
buildings, his store building being 42 by 60 feet, two stories in height, with
basement. A house for residence is connected with it. Here Mr. Claussen
is doing a good business as general merchant, keeping a large and varied
stock of goods to suit both village and country trade and ensuring a gradual
increase of patronage by prompt service and honest dealing. This enter-
prise, however, prosperous though it is, is but one of those with which he
is connected. He was one of the founders of the Farmers and Merchants
Bank of Galesville and its first vice-president. In 1911 he organized the
Bank of Ettrick, of which he is at the present time president, devoting to
this institution the greater part of his time ; and he is besides secretary and
treasurer and a director of the Ettrick & Northern Railroad, now building ;
acting treasurer of the Ettrick Creamery Company and treasurer of the
Ettrick Telephone Company, also secretary and treasurer of the Ettrick
Lumber Company, organized in 1917. Aside from his interests in these
various enterprises he is the owner of real estate in Frenchville and land
in Ettrick Township close to the corporation line of Ettrick Village. An
independent Republican in politics, Mr. Claussen, while having no political
aspirations, has at different times responded when called upon to serve
in local office, and thus has served four years as treasurer of Gale Town-
ship and a similar length of time as chairman of the township board. He
was married in June, 1892, to Anna Olson, who was born in Trempealeau
County, daughter of Louis and Mary (Olson) Olson. Her parents, who
are now deceased, were early settlers in Trempealeau County, coming here
from Coon Valley, La Crosse County, where they lived for a short time,
Mr. Olson's occupation was that of farmer, and he and his wife were
worthy, reliable people, much respected in their vicinity. They had four
children, their daughter Anna, now Mrs. Claussen, being the third born.
Mr. and Mrs. Claussen's family circle has been enlarged by the birth of
five children : Lucile P., who was educated in the local schools and at Red
Wing Seminary and is now assistant cashier in the Bank of Ettrick ; Vesta
M., Freda M., Peter H. and Ruth M., all of whom are residing at home. The
Claussen family are members of the Lutheran church. They stand high
in the community as people of sterling character and their circle of frienus
and acquaintances is a wide one.
James E. Cance. One of the prosperous merchants of the village of
Ettrick is James E. Cance, who was born in Ettrick Township, Dec. 22,
1864, son of Robert and Christine (Edmond) Cance. Scotland was the
488 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
later served three terms as chairman of the board. At the age of twenty-
two he was elected town clerk, a position in which he served for eleven
years. In 1894 he was elected county treasurer, and in this capacity did
such excellent service that he was re-elected in the fall of 1896. From
1882, the time of its organization, until 1894, he was secretary of the
Pigeon Mutual Fire Insurance Company and was one of the important
factors in its success. Upon retiring from public office he made his home
in Whitehall until his lamented death March 5, 1901. Mr. Larson was
married May 28, 1887, to Marie Skorstad, who was born near Vardahl,
Christiania, Norway, Aug. 7, 1863, daughter of Christian and Ellen
(Brostad) Skorstad, born in 1819 and 1821 respectively, came to America
in 1868, and homesteaded a farm in section 27, town 23, range 7, Pigeon
Township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs.
Larson are the parents of three children: Chester Ernest, who was born
April 15, 1894, and died April 30, of the same year; Mabel, who was born
Aug. 20, 1896, and is now a student in domestic science in the Stout Insti-
tute at Menominee, Wis. ; and Owen Elmer, who was born April 13, 1899,
and is now attending the Whitehall high school. Mr. Larson was one of
two children. His brother Lars was born in 1852, married Ellen Johnson
in 1876, and has three children : Edwin, a farmer of Jackson County, this
state ; Emma, the wife of Knut Haugen, a farmer of Jackson County, and
Lena, now Mrs. Severson, who lives near Neillsville, Wis. Mrs. Larson is
the fifth of six children, the others being: Andrew (deceased), who mar-
ried Petra Tennseth (deceased), and has one son, Casper; Ohve, who mar-
ried Andrew Rye, a farmer of Taconite, Minn. ; Peter of Whitehall ; Carrie,
who lives with her brother Anton ; and Anton, who is a merchant in York,
Wisconsin.
Paul Nordhus, one of the enterprising and prosperous farmers of
Ettrick Township, is, like many other successful agriculturists of this part
of the county, of Norwegian birth, having been born in Hardanger, Nor-
way, Oct. 28, 1859. son of Ole and Ingeborg (Tolafson) Nordhus, his parents
being natives of the same locality. The father was a farmer and also post-
master of his town. He and his wife both died in Norway, never coming
to this country.
Paul Nordhus, who was the seventh born in a family of nine children,
attended school in his native land. At the age of 16 years he became a
sailor and followed that vocation until 1882, in which year he came to the
United States, locating in Beaver Creek Valley, Trempealeau County, Wis.
Here he found employment in a sawmill and was thus occupied for six years.
At the end of that time he went west, visiting Spokane, Wash., and other
places and working as a stone mason for about 18 months. In the mean-
while he had saved money and now returned to Norway, desiring to see his
native place once more. The United States possessed too strong an attrac-
tion for him to remain there long, however, and in 1891 he came back to
this country and located on his present farm in section 12 East, Ettrick
Township, the farm containing 280 acres of valuable land, on which he
raises good crops, besides keeping a fair amount of stock. He is also
financially interested as a stockholder in the Farmers Exchange of Blair,
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 489
the Ettrick Creamery Company, the Ettrick Telephone Company and the
Bank of Ettrick. Mr. Nordhus was married Feb. 6, 1894, to Betsey David-
son, who was born in Beaver Creek Valley, Ettrick Township, daughter of
Rasmus and Anna (Johnson) Davidson. Her parents were natives of
Hardanger, Norway, who came to America about 1875, settling on a farm
in Jackson County, just across the hne from Trempealeau County, where
Mr. Davidson died in 1908. His wife is still residing on the old farm. They
were among the earliest settlers in that locality. Mrs. Nordhus, who was
the third born of their six children, when a girl attended the Hegg school-
house in Ettrick Township, this county. The children born to Mr. and Mrs.
Nordhus are six in number: Oscar Raymond, who is employed in the
office of the St. L. & M. Railroad Company at Minneapolis ; Alina Ingeborg,
now residing in Minneapolis, and Esther Josephine, Norma Jeanette, Emil
James and Basil Philip, who are residing at home. Mr. Nordhus and his
family are affiliated by membership with the United Lutheran Church,
while his political principles are those of the Republican party. As a suc-
cessful farmer and loyal citizen he is known and respected throughout this
part of the county.
Thomas P. Nelsestuen, a successful farmer of section 34 W., Ettrick
Township, was born on the farm on which he now lives, Jan. 8, 1876, son
of Peter and Christiana (Hagestuen) Nelsestuen. His parents were natives
of Norway. The father was born in Syndreland, that country, Oct. 3, 1838 ;
his wife in Biri, Feb. 6, 1845. About 1860 they came to the United States,
settling in Trempealeau County, and soon after on the farm where the sub-
ject of this sketch now lives, which Peter Nelsestuen cleared and improved
and on which he resided until his death Feb. 6, 1914. His wife now resides
in Beaver Creek Valley, Ettrick Township, with her daughter, Mrs. Sever
Twesme. They had a family of eight children, of whom Thomas P. was
the sixth born. The latter, after acquiring his education in the district
school, was a student for awhile at Gale College, and for one year attended
public school at Superior, Wis. He resided at home until he was 23 years
old and then went to Westby, Vernon County, where he spent the winter.
From there he went to North Dakota and then to Canada, locating in the
province of Saskatchewan, where he proved up 160 acres of land, residing
on it three years. He then went to Ross, N. D., and proved up a claim
there, his residence being continued for 18 months. At the end of that
time he returned home and bought the old homestead of his parents, con-
sisting of 1331/^ acres, located at the mouth of French's Creek. Mr.
Nelsestuen has added to the improvements on the farm, having put up
a good barn and silo and done other work increasing the value of the prop-
erty. He has disposed of his Canadian and North Dakota holdings, but is a
stockholder in the Ettrick & Northern Railroad Company, the Scandinavian
Insurance Company and the Ettrick Farmers' Telephone Company.
June 23, 1909, Mr. Nelsestuen was united in marriage with Julia
Ofsdahl, who was born in Ettrick Township, daughter of Peter and Inge-
borg (Holmen) Ofsdahl, whose parents were Norwegians, her father being
born in Biri, Norway, Oct. 27, 1835, and her mother Feb. 1, 1835. Peter
Ofsdahl had been previously married. He came to this country before
490 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
the Civil War, in which he served as a soldier. His death took place Oct.
10, 1905, his wife surviving him a little over a year, passed away May 13,
1906. Mr. and Mrs. Nelsestuen are members of the Lutheran Church; in
politics he is a Republican. The children of Peter Nelsestuen and wife are :
Ole of Thief River Falls, Minn. ; Tillie, widow of Siver Twesme ; Minnie, now
Mrs. H. Gangnon of Superior, Wis.; Clara, now Mrs. Lewis Twesme of
Superior, Wis. ; Peter of South Beaver Creek, Ettrick Township ; Thomas
P., subject of this sketch, and John and Otto of Minneapolis.
Mathias T. Pederson. Among the foreign born citizens of Trem-
pealeau County the Norwegians take a prominent place for their industry
and enterprise and the large measure of success which has accompanied
their efforts to establish a home and improve their fortunes in this, the
land of their adoption. An excellent type of this class is the subject of
this sketch, Mathias T. Pederson, who was born in Rinsager, Norway,
Sept. 9, 1864. His parents, Thomas and Mary (Larson) Pederson, natives
of the same province, emigrated to the United States with their family in
1873, settling on a farm about three miles and a half from Ettrick, Trem-
pealeau County, Wis., where they remained about 18 months. Thomas
Pederson was then about 35 years old, and his wife some six or seven years
younger. Following their residence on the farm, Mr. Pederson, the father,
engaged in the shoemaking business in Ettrick, taking as a partner Hans
Christianson, the firm both manufacturing and repairing boots and shoes.
In this work he continued until his death, Jan. 12, 1884 which took place
at the Wisconsin House in La Crosse, where he was taking treatment for a
physical ailment. His wife died Oct. 15, 1909.
Mathias T. Pederson was the eldest of his parents' nine children. He
attended district school in Ettrick Township and when a lad of from 10
to 12 years old began working out during the summers, and continued to
do so, living at home in the winter, until he was 20 years of age. His
father then died and he subsequently helped his mother to support the
family until his own marriage, being then employed with a team in gather-
ing cream for the Ettrick Creamery. He had previously purchased a lot
on which he later erected a barn, and not long after that, or about a year
after his marriage, he purchased a residence property. After hauling
cream for about five years Mr. Pederson engaged in the pump and windmill
business in Ettrick, doing contract work and sinking all kinds of wells.
This work was interrupted by intervals of service in public office as sheriff,
during which time he rented his equipment to his brother and brother-in-
law. He served as township treasurer in 1897-98, as under sheriff in
1905-06, and as sheriff in 1907-08, also acting as constable for a number
of years until he declined any longer to serve. He has also for a number
of years been a member of the board of education, of which body he is at
the present time the treasurer. Besides pumps and windmills he deals in
gasoline engines, U. S. cream separators and steam and hot water heat-
ing plants, doing an extensive and profitable business. Mr. Pederson built
his present commodious residence in 1910 and also owns other real estate,
both within and without the village limits. He is a stockholder in the
Bank of Ettrick and a member of the examining board, a stockholder in
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 491
Ettrick Hall, in the Ettrick & Northern Railroad, of which he is vice-presi-
dent; also a stockholder in the Ettrick Telephone Company and in the
Ettrick Lumber Company, of which latter concern he was one of the
incorporators. These various interests make large demands on his time,
the greater part of which, however, is given to his pump and windmill
business.
June 27, 1891, Mr. Pederson was united in marriage with Agnes
Erickson, who was born in Biri, Norway, daughter of Evan and Frederica
(Olson) Erickson, both natives of the same district in Norway. The
Erickson family came to this country in 1871, settling in Ettrick Town-
ship, near the Gale Township line, where Mr. Erickson engaged in farm-
ing. He is still living there, but is now 83 years old and retired. His wife
died on the home farm about 1901 or 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Pederson have
a family of eight children: Thomas E., a farmer at Mobridge, S. D. ;
Fred M., who resides at home and is assisting his father ; Myrtle, a teacher
in the schools of Trempealeau County ; Agnes, who is attending the Gales-
ville high school; Palmer L., a graduate of Galesville high school, class of
1917 ; Silas Clarence, Thelma L. and Otis K., residing at home. Mr. Peder-
son and his family are members of the Lutheran Synod Church at Ettrick.
He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, being banker for his lodge,
and is a member of the board of managers of the Beaver lodge. As a good
citizen, progressive and pubhc spirited, he has at heart the general interests
of the community in which he lives and has taken part in many practical
measures for its advancement. He has attained a comfortable position
in. life through his own energy and business acumen, and is one of the
substantial and respected citizens of his village and township.
Duncan Grant, a prosperous agriculturist operating a farm of 274
acres in section 5-32 E, Gale Township, was born on the farm on which
he now lives, Feb. 1, 1870, son of Duncan and Elizabeth (Dick) Grant. His
parents were natives of Ayrshire, Scotland, the father born March 5, 1837,
and the mother about 1847. Duncan Grant, the elder^ came to America
in 1851, locating first in Kentucky, in which state he resided three or four
years, and then came to Trempealeau County, Wis. He was married in
Gale Township and settled on the farm now owned by his son and name-
sake, and engaged in agriculture. Here he resided until 1913, when he
took up his residence with his son-in-law, Andrew Cook, of Gale Township,
where he is now Uving. His wife died about 1881. They were the parents
of eight children.
Duncan Grant, the second of the name, was the fourth born child in
his parents' family. He attended the Grant school in district No. 7, Gale
Township, and was at an early age initiated into agricultural work, being
set to work as soon as he could handle a team. Before he was of age he
took charge of the farm and has since operated it, becoming its owner by
purchase when he was 29 years old. He is engaged in general farming and
stock raising, and is doing a large and profitable business. He is a stock-
holder in the Arctic Springs Creamery, the Farmers Exchange Elevator
and the La Crosse Packing Company. April 25, 1906, Mr. Grant was
married to Henrietta Lowner, a native of Holland and daughter of Martin
492 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
and Helen (Bymers) Lowner. Her parents, who were both born in Hol-
land, came to the United States about 1893, locating near Amsterdam, in
La Crosse County, where Mr. Lowner found employment on farms, and
where he died about 1902. His wife now resides at Council Bay, that
county. They had seven children, Henrietta being the fourth in order of
birth. Mr. and Mrs. Grant are the parents of four children: Helen Eliza-
beth, Russell Vernon, Thomas Glenn and Arvilla May. He belongs to the
order of Beavers and in politics is an independent Republican.
Peter J. Pederson, who is the owner of a good dairy farm of 160 acres
in section 35 west, Ettrick Township, was born in Coon Valley, Vernon
County, Wis., May 11, 1870, son of John and Agnes (Lindahl) Pederson.
His parents were among the hardy Norwegian settlers of this county, and
were both born in Biri, Norway, the father Feb. 2, 1848, the mother Nov.
12, 1849. The former came to America in 1859, locating in Coon Valley
Wisconsin. Early in the Civil War he enlisted in Company K, 25th Wis-
consin Regiment, but after serving for awhile was mustered out on account
of sickness. On his recovery he re-enlisted as a substitute and served until
the end of the war. He then settled in Vernon County, where he bought
land and married, residing there until 1875, in which year he removed to
Trempealeau County, taking the farm on which his son Peter J. now lives.
Here he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death Aug. 22, 1914.
His wife died No. 12, 1908. Their family consisted of the following chil-
dren: Martha, wife of Chris Skunberg, residing at French Creek, this
county; Peter J., subject of this sketch; Carrie, deceased; a child who died
in infancy, and Anton, who is unmarried and resides with his brother Peter.
Peter J. Pederson acquired his education in the district school. He
resided at home and when 18 years of age took the management of the
farm, operating it until about 1910. Subsequently he bought out the heirs
to the estate and now has 160 acres of valuable land, on which he has put
on all improvements, and is conducting it as a first class dairy farm. Mr.
Pederson is a stockholder in the creamery and in the Ettrick & Northern
Railroad. He was married May 27, 1896, to Sena Husman, who was born
in Biri, Norway, daughter of Olie and Marit (Forgerson) Husman. Her
parents were born in Fauberg, Norway, the father Nov. 23, 1842, and the
mother in Ayr, Norway, Sept. 27, 1841. They came to America in 1885
locating in Coon Valley, Vernon County, but in the same year came to Trem-
pealeau County, Mr. Husman farming for many years on French Creek,
where he and his wife are now living retired. They celebrated their golden
wedding June 15, 1917. They were the parents of eight children, Sena
being their fourth born. Mr. and Mrs. Pederson have three children:
Joseph, born Dec. 2, 1897; Orrin, born Sept. 6, 1900, and Arthur Miner,
born March 6, 1910, all residing at home. The family are members of the
Lutheran church. In political matters Mr. Pederson votes independently,
judging of issues and men as the occasion arises and not being bound to
any party. As a successful farmer and good citizen he is known and
respected throughout this part of the county.
John P. Poss, a well known farmer operating 200 acres of land in section
32 E, Gale Township, was born in this township, Dec. 13, 1873, son of
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 493
Peter and Barbara (Happel) Poss. Peter Poss was born in Milwaukee, Dec.
25, 1849, and came to Trempealeau County with his parents when a child of
three years, they locating on a farm in Gale Township. After growing to
manhood he followed farming for himself in this township until 1904, at
which time he sold the farm to his sons, and is now living retired at Houston,
Minn. His wife, who was born in Germany Dec. 31, 1850, died Aug. 11,
1904. They wei-e the parents of four children, of whom the subject of this
sketch was the eldest.
John P. Poss in his boyhood attended the Grant school in Gale Town-
ship and resided on a farm adjoining his father's until 1904, in which
year, on January 6, he was married to Louise Wohlers. She was born at
Brownville, Minn., daughter of Henry and Wilhelmina (Depthner) Wohlers,
who were married in La Crosse County. Her parents were born in Ger-
many, the father Aug. 18, 1838, and the mother Aug. 9, 1847. Mr. Wohlers
came to the United States about 1868, taking a farm in Houston County,
on which he and his wife are still living. They had a large family, number-
ing 11 children, Mrs. Poss being the sixth in order of birth. At the time
of his marriage Mr. Poss began operations of his present farm, where he
has since remained, being engaged in general farming, including stock
raising. He is a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing Company and in the
Independent Harvester Company of Piano, 111. He and his wife have four
children : Pearl Barbara, Le Roy Henry, Gladys Winifred and Anna Eliza-
beth. Mr. Poss is independent in politics. He has taken no active part
in local government and as a good citizen is interested in the advancement
of the community in which he lives, and ready to support any practical
movement for that purpose.
Nels Pederson, the present postmaster of Galesville, who is also inter-
ested in several important business enterprises here, was born in Hede-
marken, Norway, Dec. 16, 1850. His parents, Peder Nelson and Martha
Halverson, never came to America, but died in their native land, Norway.
Nels Pederson was obliged to support himself when he was 13 years of
age. For three years he worked on the farm of one of his uncles, and then
found employment in a store as clerk, being thus occupied three years.
Afterwards he worked nine years in factories devoted to the woodwork-
ing industry, two years in Sweden and six years in Germany. From the
latter country he came in 1883 to the United States, locating at once in
Winona, Minn., where he found work in a wagon factory. He continued
in this occupation for nine years, and then, in 1892, became registrar of
deeds for Winona county. After serving one term in this office he came to
Galesville and engaged in the retail liquor business, remaining in it for
16 years. Since then he has served as village clerk, and in other offices,
receiving his appointment as postmaster July 1, 1915. In p'olitics he is a
Democrat.
Julius 0. Tappen, proprietor of the old Tappen homestead in section 24,
Preston Township, was born in Solar, Norway, Oct. 24, 1854, son of Ole 0.
and Elizabeth (Embretson) Tappen. The father, who was born in Norway
in 1816, came to America in the fall of 1857 and resided one year in Vernon
County, Wisconsin. He then bought a farm in what is now known as
494 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Tappan Coulie, Preston Township, Trempealeau County, where he lived six
years. At the end of that time he purchased the farm on which his son
Julius 0. now Uves, and spent the rest of his life in its cultivation and
improvement. His death took place on this farm, Jan. 3, 1905. His wife
Elizabeth, who was born in 1815, died in 1910. Their family consisted of
the following eight children : Ole Olson, who was killed in Kentucky in the
Civil War ; Evert Olson, also a soldier in the Civil War, who was killed by
a desperado at New Lisbon ; Karen, who died in 1857 at the age of 16 years ;
Olea, who married Gunder Peterson, a farmer of Preston Township, and
died in 1911; Serena, wife of Paul Strum, a farmer residing near Blair;
Julius 0. of Preston Township ; Annie, who died at the age of three years,
and Alex C, a resident of Springwater, Saskatchewan, Canada. Julius O.
Tappen was brought up to farm life and labor and for a number of years
when a young man worked on farms in the summer and in the pineries
during the winter. In this manner he was occupied until 1884, in which
year he purchased the home farm of his parents and has since been engaged
in its cultivation. The property contains 100 acres and is well improved.
Mr. Tappen is engaged in general farming and dairying, also in breeding
Percheron horses, having two good stallions, which latter business he began
in 1904. Mr. Tappen was married Nov. 11, 1881, to Mary Olson of Preston
Township, who was born in Norway Sept. 22, 1852. Her parents were Ole
Nelson, who was born in Greue, Solar, Norway, and Bertha Ericsdatter
Void. They came to America in 1872, settling in Trempealeau Coulie, this
county, where the father died in 1888 and the mother in 1896. Mr. and Mrs.
Tappen are the parents of eight children : Oscar, residing at home ; Bendt,
who married Esther Johnson and lives at Springwater, Saskatchewan ; Olaus,
living at Courtney, N. D. ; Elizabeth, wife of Henry Thurston of Courtney,
N. D. ; Eddie of Alma Center, Wis.; John, residing at home; Alfred of
Canada and Morris at home.
Mike Pinorsky, proprietor of a first class meat market in Trempealeau
the only one in the village, was born in Posen, Germany, Nov. 19, 1888,
son of Walter and Frances (Grossman) Pinorsky, who were married in
Germany. The father was born in Russia and the mother in Posen,
Germany. Walter Pinorsky died when the subject of this sketch was but
two years old, and his widow subsequently married Martin Borroski. Both
her first and second husbands were meat cutters.
Mike Pinorsky learned the meat cutter's trade with his stepfather.
In May, 1906, he left his native land for America, and coming directly to
Trempealeau county, took up his residence in the home of an uncle, Frank
Grossman, his mother's brother. Here he remained, working on his uncle's
farm, for one year, during which time he apphed himself to learning the
Enghsh language, which task he accomphshed fairly well. He then took
a position as cutter in a meat shop in Arcadia, remaining there until the
fall of 1911. At that time he came to Trempealeau Village and began work
as cutter in a meat market here. In the fall of 1914 he bought the old
Graves & Atwood store building on the corner of West Second street and
Main street, Trempealeau Village, and fitted it up as a first class market,
beginning business for himself. He has since built up a large patronage.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 495
and though he has no competition in the village he keeps the best stock
and aims to give perfect satisfaction to his customers. Besides working
hard to advance his own prosperity, he takes a keen interest in the general
well-being of the community and is always ready to join with his neighbors
in promoting any worthy enterprise. He has no relations in this country
except a cousin at Arcadia and a step-brother, Anton Pinorsky, who is a
farmer at Waumandee, Wis. He was married Jan. 24, 1917, to Hedwig Kup-
ferschnidt, who was born in Germany Feb. 21, 1889, and came to America
in 1909.
Abraham Pittenger, a pioneer, was born near Mansfield, in Richland
County, Ohio, May 24, 1802, descended from sturdy Pennsylvania-Dutch
ancestry. He was reared to farm pursuits and as a young man learned the
blacksmith trade, to which two occupations he devoted his time in his native
state until 1854. In that year he came west to Wisconsin and located at
Onalaska, in La Crosse County. For a while he did various work at his
trade, including the installing of the machinery in the historic Nicholas
mill at the mouth of the Black River. In 1857 he settled on a homestead
on Brice's Prairie, on the Black River, and began its improvement by erect-
ing a seven-room house, consisting of an upright and a wing, a very good
house for those days. By pre-empting an adjoining tract, and purchasing
other land, he added to his holdings until he owned 420 acres. He sold 120
of this, and of the remainder developed 220 acres, leaving 80 acres in timber.
In 1875 he came to Trempealeau County and purchased a farm two miles
north of Trempealeau Village. There he lived in peace and contentment
until his death Sept. 1, 1888. He will long be remembered for his activity
in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a class leader and a member
of the official board, gave land from his La Crosse County farm for a church
and a cemetery, and was liberal in its support. He was also prominent in
the affairs of the church at Trempealeau. Mr. Pittenger was married at
Mansfield, Ohio, in 1821, to Eleanor Ferguson, who died in 1845, leaving
ten children. He was married April 24, 1849, to Lucy Rand Barnes of
Mansfield, Ohio, who died March 12, 1906, and to this union were born five
children. Three were born in Mansfield, Ohio, Thomas J., July 27, 1850;
Joseph Benson, April 18, 1852, and Lucy E., Sept. 3, 1853. Benjamin F. was
born Nov. 16, 1855, at Onalaska, Wis ; Luther M. was born March 7, 1859,
on Brice's Prairie, La Crosse County, Wis. Luther M. is the only one
living, the others, except Thomas J., having died in childhood.
Luther Melville Pittenger, newspaperman and real estate agent, was
born on a homestead on Brice's Prairie, on the Black River, in La Crosse
County, this state, March 7, 1859, son of Abraham and Lucy Rand (Barnes)
Pittenger. He was reared in his native county, and there attended school
until he was sixteen years of age. Then he was brought to Trempealeau
County by his parents, and studied two years in the Trempealeau high
school. For many years he devoted his life to farm pursuits. Prominent
in public affairs, he was chairman of the election board in his township
for a long period, and was a delegate at various times to different Repub-
lican committees, also serving on various committees. He helped to organize
school district 13, and was an active factor in the building of the new
496 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
schoolhouse. In 1907, Mr. Pittenger moved to Trempealeau Village and
has since been engaged in his present line of work. His duties take him
all over the county, and he has made many friends. He has also largely
increased the circulation of the La Crosse Daily Tribune, vi^hich he repre-
sents as solicitor and collector. His financial holdings include stock in the
Citizens State Bank of Trempealeau. His fraternal affiliation is with the
Blue Lodge of the Masons. Mr. Pittenger was married Nov. 25, 1880, by
the Rev. David Wing, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Trem-
pealeau, to Adaline Harris, born at La Crosse, Nov. 1, 1862, daughter of
Peter Harris of Trempealeau. This union has been blessed with five chil-
dren : Chnton H., Hattie E., Glenna May, Robert Lee and Jennie A. Clinton
H. was born Sept. 1, 1881, and is a stationary engineer, living at Trem-
pealeau. He married Edith Hess and has four children: Martha, Wil-
helmina, Luther and Virginia. Hattie E. was born May 14, 1883, and mar-
ried William Crosen, a barber of Trempealeau. Glenna May was born March
7, 1885, and married Lemuel Hare, Jr., who in 1915 purchased the old Pit-
tenger homestead. They have three children : Minerva, Lynn and Edna.
Robert Lee, born June 30, 1887, died July 19, 1901, at the age of 14 years ;
Jennie A. was born April 28, 1892, and is now Mrs. Abner Hess. They live
on a farm in Trempealeau County and have two children: Norman and
Clyde.
James Saurin Pierson, who for many years has conducted a drug busi-
ness in Trempealeau Village, and has been successful as a business man,
was born in Kingston, Canada, July 25, 1852. His parents were Jacob
and Marian (Thompson) Pierson, the father born in Belfast, Ireland, Sept.
10, 1824. Mrs. Jacob Pierson was of Irish parentage, but was born in the
southern part of France, in 1821. The subject of this sketch came to
Wisconsin with his parents from Port Hope, arriving in Trempealeau, April
20, 1861. The journey was made by train to Dunleith, III. (now East
Dubuque), and from there by boat to Trempealeau. On arriving in this
county Jacob Pierson settled in Caledonia Township, on a farm at McGil-
vray's Ferry, on Black River, the location being about a mile from the old
ferry. He remained on this farm until the spring of 1871 and then moved
to the George Miller place, one mile west of Trempealeau, which was a
small tract of six acres, to which he added by purchase 165 acres adjoining.
James S. Pierson in his boyhood attended the common schools, and
subsequently spent six months at Galesville University, taking as far as
he went, what corresponded to a high school course, during the winter
of 1867 and the spring of '68. He then spent about a year in logging on
the river at Onalaska, but during the winter of 1869-70 attended school
in Barnard district, Caledonia. In the spring of 1870 he went back on the
river and was engaged in lumbering for about two years, spending the
summers on the river and the winters in scaling logs in northern Wisconsin.
During the winter of 1873-74 he taught school in Trempealeau County. This
summer — 1874 — he was married in Trempealeau Village, July 9, by the
pastor of the M. E. Church, to Clara I. Carleton, daughter of Martin and
Sarah (Owen) Carleton of Wayne County, Michigan, and having bought
his father's farm, took his wife to live there, the father entering the employ
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of King & Gray, druggists in Trempealeau Village. He and his wife resided
on the farm until about the fall of 1877 and then moved into the village,
where Mr. Pierson worked at the carpenter's trade for two or three years.
In the meanwhile Jacob Pierson, the father, had become owner of the drug
business on Front street, and in 1882 the subject of this sketch bought
him out and engaged in the drug business himself, conducting the store on
Front street until April 13, 1887, when the business section of Trempealeau
was wiped out by fire. Then in July he moved into the Ed Elkins block on
Main street, where he has since been located, having built up a prosperous
business. He has been a member of the Wisconsin Pharmaceutical Associa-
tion almost from its organization. Aside from his immediate business inter-
ests he is a stockholder in the Citizens State Bank. Succeeding Judge A. W.
Newman as president of the school board, Mr. Pierson served in that posi-
tion for 11 years following, by appointment, and has also served three terms
by election. For 30 years he has acted as village treasurer. Otherwise he
has held no public office, but in politics is a stalwart Republican. He and
his wife have had two children, the elder of whom, Grace, born July 9, 1876,
died at the age of five years, Oct. 9, 1881. The other, Charles R., born
March 7, 1882, is married and resides at Watertown, S. D., where he is
district manager for the American Tobacco Company. He has four chil-
dren : William Irvin, born March 28, 1904 ; Hugh, born May 28, 1906 ; James,
born March 3, 1909, and Kathleen, born May 14, 1912. James S. Pierson
has been a member of the Masonic order for 35 years, and is a Knight
Templar, belonging to the Commandery at La Crosse. For 15 years he has
been treasurer of his lodge. No. 117, A. F. & A. M., at Trempealeau, and
for three years has served as master. He also belongs to Court Lotus,
No. 3346, I. 0. 0. F. of Trempealeau. He was reared in the faith of the
Episcopal church, but since his marriage has affiliated with and supported
the Congregational church. Both as a citizen and as one of the leading
business men of Trempealeau he is highly respected. He has always had
the welfare of the village at heart and has taken a prominent part in every
progressive movement calculated to advance its interests.
Ivan George Dale operates the farm owned and developed by his
parents. His father, Benjamin Thomas Dale, was born July 29, 1853, on
the site of the present city of La Crosse. Five years later this place was
sold and the family settled on a farm in the town of Caledonia, and this,
in turn, was traded to Elder Wing (thus locally acquiring the name, "The
Wing Place"), for a farm located in a valley two miles west of Galesville.
Various parcels of land were added to the original farm, and a more con-
venient building site was chosen.
Benjamin, familiarly called Ben, attended public school, Galesville
University, and completed a course at the La Crosse Business College. His
marriage to EUzabeth Marianne Hougstad took place April 23, 1884, and
their home was established on land adjoining that of his father. Two chil-
dren were born to them : Ivan George, born July 20, 1886, and-Addie Albina,
Feb. 6, 1888. Her husband, Gerhard B. Christophersen, formerly of Pigeon
Falls, this county, is employed as a claim manager by the Twohy-Eimon
Mercantile Company, wholesale grocers, Superior, Wis. Mr. Dale bought
498 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
land adjoining his original farm, finally possessing 280 acres. Former
owners had conducted a lime stone quarry and lime kiln, abundant quan-
tities of material being found in the hills. Ben continued and extended
these industries, later adding brick making, the farm including deep beds
of clay suitable for the soft-mud brick variety. Lime and brick kilns
required wood for fuel, so 100 acres of timber land was purchased in the
low lands of Black River. Mr. Dale was ably assisted by his noble wife
in the management of his extensive business. Finally their health broke
under the strain of constant toil and the place was sold April 1, 1901, the
family removing to Trempealeau, where the children continued their work
in the grade schools. When Gale College was taken over by the Norwegian
Lutherans in 1901 Ben Dale was made treasurer, continuing in that office
until his death, April 4, 1902. He never aspired to public office, though
he took a warm interest in all things pertaining to the welfare of the
community. His social life, through preference, was confined to home and
church. His family sold out in Trempealeau soon after his death, and
returned to Galesville, purchasing a smaU home near Gale College, which
school both children attended. Ivan at the age of eighteen operated a part
of the Gale College farm. He became manager of the old homestead upon
its return into the hands of the family in 1908. Ivan conducted the stone
quarry in addition to the farm, discontinuing the lime and brick business.
He became sole owner of the place in 1912, later closing the quarries, as the
farm with its many substantial buildings required his whole time. His
mother resides with him.
Svend H. Dale, a well known and respected resident of Galesville, for-
merly engaged in farming, but now otherwise occupied, was born in Bergen-
stift, Norway, May 5, 1857, son of Hendrick Swenson by his wife Jorond
Knutson. His parents, both natives of Norway, came to the United States
in 1867, locating in Ettrick Township, Beaver Creek Valley. Mr. Swenson,
who had been a sailor, here engaged in farming. He continued to reside
in Ettrick Township until his death, which took place Jan. 12, 1896 ; his wife
died in September, 1897. They were the parents of eight children, of whom
Svend H. was the eldest. The latter changed his name to Dale for the sake
of conveninece.
Svend H. Dale was ten years old when he accompanied his parents to
this country. He completed his schooling in Beaver Creek Valley and
remained at home until he was 24 years old. He then bought land on
Beaver Creek and engaged in farming there until 1913, when he turned
over the farm to his sons to operate it for him and removed to his present
location, which is a tract of 230 acres adjoining the city limits of Gales-
ville. Here he has erected a modern brick residence situated on a high
bluff overlooking the business part of the city. His farm on Beaver Creek,
known as the Dale farm, contains 200 acres. Mr. Dale has personally
retired from general farming, but is engaged in the stock business and has
served as manager of the Farmers' Shipping Association of Galesville.
He is a Republican in politics and served as clerk of the school district at
Beaver Creek for about 15 years. Mr. Dale was married June 7, 1882, to
Catherine Herreid, who was born in Beaver Creek Valley, Gale Township,
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 499
daughter of Nels 0. and Thone (Kittleson) Herreid. The parents were Nor-
wegians, the father born in Hardanger and the mother in Telemarken, the
latter coming to this country during the cholera epidemic. Her husband,
Nels 0. Hen-eid, came the same year and they were married in Wisconsin.
He had been a miner but after coming to this county engaged in farming.
Both died in Beaver Creek, Mr. Herreid being accidentally killed in 1902.
His wife died in 1908. Their daughter Catherine was the youngest of five
children. Mr. and Mrs. Dale have been the parents of nine children:
Helmer N., who died at the age of three years; Josephine Tonettie, now
Mrs. Louis Instenes, a jeweler at Blair, Wis., they have two children: Stan-
ley Leroy and Ardyce Catherine; Helmer N., second, who resides on a part
of Mr. Dale's Galesburg farm, and who married Blanche Rehfus of Minne-
apolis ; they have one child, Earline Whilhelmina ; Sanf ord C, a farmer and
mail carrier, residing at home ; Hilda, also residing at home ; Gilford Roy,
residing on the old Gale farm, who married Mabel Schuman of Caledonia
Township; they have one child, Ruth Alvira; Normal Clarence, who is a
printer on the Galesville Republican; Francis, who died in infancy, and
Alice Eunice, who lives at home. Mr. and Mrs. Dale are members of the
United Lutheran Church and of the order of Beavers.
Archelaus Grover, one of the notable pioneers of Trempealeau Village,
and the first sheriff of Trempealeau County, came to the West from New
England, having been born in Bethel, Maine, Nov. 19, 1832. When an infant
he accompanied his parents to Chemung County, New York, they settling at
a place known locally as Martin's Hill. When he was 14 the family moved
to Waupun, Wis., where the subject of this sketch resided until 1849. In
that year, though only 17 years of age, he left home and walked to La Crosse,
Wis., then only a trading post, where he assisted in building the first frame
house, the only other white man in the place being a man named Nathan
Merrick. Young Grover stayed at La Crosse but a short time, going from
there to Brownsville, Iowa, where he learned raft piloting from a certain
WilUam Richmand. In the same year — 1849 — he returned to Wisconsin
and located in Trempealeau Village, which then consisted of a few houses
occupied mostly by half-breed hunters and trappers with several small
farmers. Here Mr. Grover engaged in buying furs from the Indians, which
occupation he followed for several years. Later he assisted in the survey
of northern Wisconsin. On April 13, 1855, he purchased land from the
government in sections 26 and 27, Trempealeau Township. He now set to
work to develop a farm, buying adjoining land from time to time until he
owned 328 acres in one farm, also considerable other land. On this place
he resided until 1885, at which time he removed into Trempealeau Village,
which was his subsequent home until his death, Oct. 2, 1912, by accident.
Nearly 80 years old, and somewhat hard of hearing, he was walking home
from Winona on the Burhngton Railway tracks, when he was struck by a
train about two miles west of Trempealeau Village, his body being found
the next morning. Mr. Grover was a man of kindly, just and generous
character, though resolute, and was greatly beloved by practically all who
knew him. In 1872 he joined the Baptist church of Trempealeau, of which
he was a member at the time of his death. He was married in Trempealeau
500 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Village, July 8, 1855, to Esther Elizabeth Brandenberg, a daughter of
Alpheus M. and Catherine Brandenberg of Dayton, Ohio, near which place
she was boi-n April 25, 1837, coming to Trempealeau Village with her parents
and the rest of their family in 1853. She survives her husband and is still
living in Trempealeau Village, being now about 80 years of age. They
had nine children, four sons and five daughters. Five of the children died
in infancy. One daughter, Riza, was married to John Edward Powell of
La Crosse, June 26, 1896, and died in that city Feb. 5, 1904. The children
living are : S. D. Grover of Galesville, Wis. ; John, residing in Trempealeau
Village, and Cora Kate, now Mrs. Benjamin Irvine, a resident of Everett,
Wash. Mrs. Grover is a faithful member of the Baptist church, and is a
lady highly respected in the community.
William H. Dick, one of the leading and most progressive farmers in
Gale Township and a large land owner, is a native of the township, having
been born at Decorah Prairie, April 21, 1864. He is a son of WiUiam and
Rosana (Neil) Dick, natives of Scotland, who were married in that country
and came to the United States about 1846, first settling in Maryland. There
for a few years Mr. Dick, the elder, was engaged in mining. It was not long,
however, before he heard of better opportunities in the great Northwest,
and soon after he was found among the pioneers of Trempealeau County,
Wisconsin, taking land in section 36, Gale Township, which now constitutes •
the farm of his son, William H. He became an extensive land owner and
for a number of years was actively engaged in the stock business. His
death occurred in 1907. His wife, who survives him, is now living with
her son John in Gale Township.
William H. Dick was the youngest member of his parents' family,
which numbered eight children. He acquired the elements of knowledge
in the district school at Decorah Prairie and learned agriculture on the
home farm under his father. When he was 21 years old he became the
owner of the farm, consisting of 248 acres of land, and has since been
engaged in general farming. He has made some valuable improvements
on the place, the more substantial buildings having been erected by him. In
addition to this place he owns 200 acres in Black River bottoms and 60
acres of timberland. He keeps a large amount of stock and his business
is steadily growing. Mr. Dick is also a stockholder in the La Crosse Pack-
ing Company, the Galesville Creamery, the Independent Harvester Com-
pany of Piano, 111., and the farmers' Warehouse Elevator at Galesville. In
politics he is a Republican, but has taken no active part in local govern-
ment. Feb. 22, 1888, Mr. Dick was united in marriage with Alice Brown,
who was born at Decorah Prairie, Trempealeau County, daughter of George
and Ellen (Irvine) Brown. Her father was born in Vermont April 23,
1831, and her mother in Scotland, Aug. 8, 1840, their marriage taking place
in America. George Brown came when a lad of 14 years to Wisconsin.
He was a pioneer of Gale Township and did his share in developing its
agricultural resources, breaking in and improving a considerable quantity
of land during his active career. His death took place in 1902. His wife
is still hving and resides with her son and daughter half a mile east of her
daughter Mrs. Dick, the three children mentioned constituting their entire
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 501
family. Mr. and Mrs. Dick's family also consists of three children : Lester
William, who married Laura Agnes Stellpflug, and is a farmer in Gale Town-
ship, having one child, Armond Leo ; Rose Ellen and Hazel Leila, who reside
at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Dick both belong to the two
fraternal orders of Beavers and Yeomen, and Mr. Dick also to the Red Men.
They are among the most prosperous residents in this part of the country
and have a wide acquaintance.
Ole T. Johnson, who is engaged in operating a stock and dairy farm
in section 10 E, Ettrick Township, was born in Telemarken, Norway, Dec. 1,
1854. His parents, Torger and Bergetal Johnson, were natives of the same
province. In 1860 they set out for America, but on the voyage over the
mother died and was buried at sea. The father with his motherless chil-
dren on landing in this country came west as far as Dane County, Wisconsin,
but resided there only a short time, removing to Coon Valley, Vernon
County, and one season later to Trempealeau County. Here he homesteaded
140 acres in section 14, Ettrick Township, also buying an additional 50
acres. After making that farm his home for a number of years, he con-
tracted a second marriage and moved to another farm in the neighborhood.
This latter farm he later sold to his daughter, Rosa, with whom he resided
also for a number of years, or practically until the end of his life. He died
in January, 1898, while on a visit to his son Ole T. He was a quiet, indus-
trious man, respected by his neighbors and confined his attention to his
farm, taking no part in public affairs. By his first wife he had four children,
Ole T. being the second born. Ole T. Johnson was six years old when he
was deprived of a mother's care, and at the same time found himself in
a new world and amid strange surroundings, but like most young children he
soon began to feel at home and it was not long before he picked up an ele-
mentary knowledge of the English tongue. He attended the Hegg school-
house, and when a mere lad began to make himself useful on the farm,
working for his father for a number of years. Before he was 18, how-
ever, he began working in the woods during the winter season and con-
tinued to do so for six or seven years. Then, thinking it time to start
life on his own account, he purchased his present farm of 179 acres, con-
sisting of well improved land, with good substantial buildings, on which
he carries on general farming, making a specialty, however, of breeding
Shorthorn cattle, and keeping from 30 to 35 on hand constantly. He is
also engaged in dairying and is a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery Com-
pany, the La Crosse Packing Company, the Farmers Exchange of Blair
and the Ettrick Telephone Company. Mr. Johnson assumed the responsi-
bilities of married life in his twenty-second year, on Sept. 1, 1876, when
he was united to Catherine Knudtson, daughter of Uriason and Bretta
(Severson) Knudtson. Both she and her parents were born in Hardanger,
Norway, the father July 6, 1823, and the mother Dec. 13, 1830. The family
came to the United States in 1869, locating on the farm on which Mr. John-
son now resides and where Mr. Knudtson Uved until his death, Feb. 15,
1901. His wife is still living and resides on the Johnson farm with her
daughter and son-in-law. Mrs. Johnson was the second born of nine chil-
dren. She only attended an English school for two weeks, being a pupil
502 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
for that length of time at the Hegg school. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are the
parents of two children: Theodore Irvin, born March 19, 1891, and Bertha
Theolena, born June 4, 1895, who was married April 29, 1917, to Helmer
Sexie. They i-eside with his father, Lars Sexie. The family are members
of the United Lutheran Church. Mr. Johnson usually supports the Repub-
lican party, but is not active in politics. As an energetic, prosperous citizen
he commands the respect of his neighbors.
John S. Johnson, who is engaged in operating a valuable farm of 120
acres in section 21, Gale Township, was born in Norway, Feb. 11, 1868, son
of Simon and Agnet (Smenstuen) Johnson. The parents, both natives of
Norway, emigrated to America in 1871, locating in Gale Township, this
county, on a farm from which they subsequently moved to the one now
owned by their son, John S., with whom the father now resides. He is now
advanced in years and a widower, his wife having passed away on this
farm in 1900. They had a family of nine children, of whom, however, the
subject of this sketch is the only one now living. John S. Johnson has
always resided on the old family homestead. For many years he was
associated with his father in its operation and later became its owner. He
carries on general farming successfully, his land being valuable and his
buildings and equipment of good style and quality. He was educated in
the school at South Beaver Creek and later in that of the Glasgow district.
Gale Township, and has in these later years served one term as a director
of the school board. Rehgiously he is affiliated with the Lutheran church
and in politics is independent. As a farmer and loyal citizen he has estab-
lished a good record and has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
Mr. Johnson has never married.
Simon Jegi, a pioneer, was born in Switzerland, in 1832, and was there
reared. His father, a stone worker, was killed in the quarries when Simon
was still a boy, and it became necessary for him to eke out the family
income by herding cattle in the Alps and doing such other duties as fell
to his lot. At the age of 20 years he came to America and secured employ-
ment as a farm hand in Sauk County, Wisconsin. By hard work and fru-
gality he managed to save enough money to make the first payment on
a farm. Accordingly he secured a place in Buffalo County. Shortly after-
ward he came over the line into Trempealeau County and purchased a fai-m
near Arcadia. There he successfully conducted general farming for many
years. His latter days were spent in retirement in the village of Ai-cadia.
His widow, who was born in Switzerland, and was brought to this country
as a child of 12 years, still makes her home in Arcadia. Mr. and Mrs. Jegi
were the parents of four children: John I., George F., Mary and Henry A.
John I., now deceased, was a man of considerable distinction. He was reared
on the farm, attended school in Arcadia, taught for a while, and received his
B. A. and M. A. degrees from the University of Chicago. The remainder
of his hfe was spent as professor of physiology and psychology in the Mil-
waukee Normal School. In this connection he was also a frequent lecturer
in the Milwaukee Medical College. George F. was graduated from the
Northwestern College at Naperville, 111., with the degree of B. A., but ill
health forced his return to Trempealeau County, and he died near Gales-
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 503
ville. Mary is the wife of Jacob Hotz, who farms on the old fair grounds
at Arcadia. Henry A. is a prominent physician and practices at Galesville.
Henry A. Jegi, physician and prominent citizen, conducting an exten-
sive practice at Galesville, was born in Arcadia, Wis., April 16, 1873, son
of Simon and Agnes (Dascher) Jegi. As a boy he apphed himself to his
studies with great diligence, and at the age of 16 years became a teacher.
From that time he was self-supporting, working his way by teaching and
doing other work. For a time he attended the River Falls Normal School.
In 1896 he was graduated from the medical department of the University
of Illinois. For one year he perfected his knowledge by practice with lead-
ing physicians in Winona, Arcadia and Fountain City, after which, in 1897,
he located in Galesville, where he has since continued in practice. His
standing in his profession is shown by the fact that he is local surgeon for
the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, but subject to calls outside of his
immediate vicinity, also a member of the American Medical Association,
the Wisconsin State Medical Society and the Seventh Congressional Dis-
trict Medical Society, as well as of the State Medical Council. He was the
first secretary of the Trempealeau, Jackson and Buffalo Counties Medical
Society. For many years he has done excellent work for local sanitation
as a member of the Board of Health. A man of thorough education and
wide reading himself, he has taken a deep interest in the training of the
younger generation, and is doing active service on the Trempealeau County
Board of Education, of which he was the first pi-esident. For fifteen years
he has been president of the local Board of Education. In the Masonic
order he is affiliated with the Blue Lodge and the Chapter; he is a member of
the Beavers and the Modern Woodmen, and examming pnysician oi the
Foresters and Mystic Workers. His financial holdings include business and
residence propei'ty in Galesville, and stock in the Bank of Galesville. Dr.
Jegi was married Nov. 23, 1898, to Alice Brown, born in Canada, daughter
of Mathews and Mary Brown, who came to the United States when their
daughter was a mere child, and located near Rochester, Minn., where both
died of typhoid fever in a single week. Dr. and Mrs. Jegi have two children :
Henry A. and Charlotte Mae.
Robert Grant, a retired farmer now living in Gale Township, Wisconsin,
where he is well known and respected, was born near Glasgow, Scotland,
Aug. 11, 1845. His parents were Thomas and Elizabeth (Gibb) Grant,
who were natives of the same locality. The father in early life was a coal
miner. In 1851 he came to this country with his family, locating at Peach
Orchard, Lawrence County, Ky., on the Big Sandy River. There he resided
for three or four years at the end of which time he moved to Ohio. A year
later he made another removal, this time to West Columbia, W. Va., where
he spent six or eight months. He then came to Trempealeau County, locat-
ing on the farm where his son Robert now lives, and here he was engaged
in agriculture until his death in 1869. He and his family were among the
earliest settlers in this locaUty. The mother survived her husband 20
years, passing away in 1889.
Robert Grant was the third born in a family of four children. In his
boyhood he attended the Grant school in the seventh district, which was
504 HISTORY OF TREilPEALEAU COUNTY
named for the family, his attendance, however, being short. He resided
with his parents until he was 21 j^ears old, at which time he went to Rock
Island, 111., where he engaged in mining, being thus occupied, however, for
but a short time, and at intervals spending the summers on the home farm.
He thus continued until his marriage, at which time he bought a part of
his present farm. Later he became full owner of the homestead and
engaged in general farming, from time to time making necessary improve-
ments, most of those now standing having been put up by him. About 1912
Mr. Grant turned over the farm to his son-in-law, but still resides on it.
He is a stockholder in the Arctic Springs Creamery Company, the Farmers
Exchange Elevator and the Independent Harvester Company of Piano, 111.
Nov. 3, 1868, Mr. Grant was married to Jane Dick, who was born in
Scotland, daughter of William and Rosana (Neil) Dick, her parents coming
to the United States in 1846. He and his wife have seven children : Thomas,
who is a farmer, single, and resides with his parents; Rose Ann, widow
of Louis Bornitz, residing in Winona, Minn., who has three children : Laura
Marie, Robert LeRoy and Ai-villa May ; Ehzabeth Margaret, wife of Joseph
Stellpflug ; William D. ; Mae Hazel, wife of William Byrne, a farmer, who
has three children: Maud Eleanor, Edna Mae and Rose Bernice; Maud
Eleanor, now deceased, who was the wife of Alexander Schwartzhoff of
Gale Township, and William, who died in infancy.
William D. Grant of Gale Township was born at Decorah Prairie, Gale
Township, April 4, 1876, son of Robert and Jane (Dick) Grant. He was
educated in the Grant school on Decorah Prairie, and resided at home until
his marriage in February, 1902, to Matilda Larson. She was born at
Hardie's Creek Valley, Gale Township, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mat
Larson, her parents being natives of Norway, who were early settlers in
Trempealeau County, Mr. Larson being a farmer. He died about 1902;
his wife, Mrs. Grant's mother, is still living and resides at Hardie's Creek,
of which place she is a well known and respected resident. Her husband
also was well known and esteemed for his industry and good neighborly
qualities. At the time of his marriage Mr. Grant rented the farm on w-hich
he now lives, which contains 238 acres and which is a part of the old Grant
estate and which he now owns. He carries on general farming and is doing
a successful business. Mr. and Mrs. Grant have two children: William
Guy, born Nov. 9, 1908, and Gladys Marie, born in 1910.
Peter J. Uhl, a retired farmer now residing in Galesville, where he is
largely interested in several important industries, is a native son of the
township, the date of his nativity being Nov. 28, 1864. His parents were
Peter and Abbie Uhl, both born in Germany. Both also came to the United
States before marriage, accompanying their respective parents. The Uhls
first settled in Milwaukee, \Vis., but came to Trempealeau Conuty with the
pioneers, and Mr. Uhl spent the rest of his life here, being engaged in
agriculture. He served for some time on the school board and was a useful
and industrious citizen, widely respected. His wife is now Uving in Gales-
ville.
Peter J. Uhl was the fourth born in a family of nine children. He
attended school in Crystal Valley and afterward was a student at Gale
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 505
University. Reared on the home farm, on which he lived until his mar-
riage, he acquired a good knowledge of agriculture. When 24 years of age
he purchased a farm from his father, continuing to live on his parents'
homestead for about two years longer. Oct. 9, 1890, he was married to
Sophia Becker, who was born in La Crosse, Wis., daughter of Phillip and
Sophia Becker. Her father was born in Germany in 1830 and her mother
in Alsace, France, in 1843. Phillip Becker in early life was a carpenter
and butcher. He came to the United States with his parents' family when
16 years old, locating in Washington County, Wisconsin. Later the family
moved to La Crosse, where, after residing on a farm for some years, he
engaged in carpenter work, afterward taking up his other trade of butcher
for a short time. He then took a farm near Glasgow, Trempealeau County,
and was engaged in agriculture there for a period of about 40 years, when
he sold out and retired. His death took place 11 years after, in 1913. Dur-
ing his active career he held a number of local offices. He and his wife were
the parents of six children, of whom Sophia was the eldest.
After his marriage Peter J. Uhl moved onto the farm in Gale township,
which he had bought two years previously from his father, and which con-
tained 320 acres. Here he lived until 1913, when he sold the property and
moved to Galesville, where he has since lived retired from active work.
As a farmer he was enterprising and successful, making money at the
business, so that he is now well to do. He is one of the largest stockholders
in the Galesville Realty & Improvement Company, a stockholder in the
Farmers & Merchants Bank and in the Arctic Springs Creamery, and he
also holds the maximum amount of stock permitted in the Farmers Elevator
Company, the Farmers Co-operative Company and the Western Wisconsin
Telephone Company. In politics he is a RepubUcan. He has never sought
to be active in governmental affairs, but for some time rendered good service
on the school board of Gale Township. He attends the Presbyterian church,
although not a member. His fraternal affihations are with the order of
Beavers, while his wife is an active member of the Woman's Christian Tem-
perance Union. They are the parents of two children: Elsie Adelle and
Forest Gladson.
Philip Uhl, a well known and respected resident of Galesville, where
he is now living retired after an active career as an agriculturist, was born
on the farm in Gale Township, which afterwards became his property, June
9, 1870. His parents were Peter and Abbie Uhl, further mention of whom
may be found in the biography of Peter Uhl, elsewhere published in this
volume. The subject of this sketch acquired the elements of knowledge
in the district school of his neighborhood and afterward became a student
of Gale University, now Gale College. In his youth he worked on the home
farm, taking charge of it when 22 years old, and when 25 he became its
owner. Later, however, he moved to another farm in Gale Township, on
which he lived for five years, cultivating and improving it. He then sold
it and returned to the old homestead, where he continued at farming until
September, 1916, when he retired and took up his residence in Galesville,
in order that his children might have better school advantages. Mr. Uhl
still owns 480 acres of land, which it is his intention to rent out to others.
506 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
He is a stockholder in the creamery at Galesville, in the La Crosse Packing
Company, the Farmers Exchange, the Independent Harvester Company of
Piano, 111., and the Northwestern Telephone Company. In politics he is
practically independent, though with Republican proclivities, and rendered
good service for many years as a member of the Board of Education, serv-
ing in his uncle's stead when only 18 years of age ; he also served four years
on the township board, of which for awhile he was chairman. Mr. Uhl was
married, July 1, 1896, to Sadie Hoyt, who was born at Decorah Prairie,
daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Gordon) Hoyt. Her parents were natives
of the state of New Hampshire, the father being a farmer. They came to
Trempealeau County at an early date, Mr. Hoyt homesteading land on
Decorah Prairie, where he was engaged in farming until his death in 1902.
He served as township assessor for a number of years and also did good
work as a member of the school board, taking a warm interest in the cause
of education. His wife died Dec. 24, 1904. Of their six children Mrs. Uhl
was the youngest. The home life of Mr. and Mrs. Uhl has been enlarged
and brightened by the birth of four children : Allan Phihp, now a student
at the State University at Madison ; Arthur Hoyt, who is in his fourth year
at Galesville high school ; Anna Lucile, also attending the high school, and
Isabelle Rose. Mr. Uhl is just completing a fine new residence, modern in
every way.
Andres Knutson, an early settler, was born in Halingdahl, Norway,
and was there reared. As a young man he married Astri Johnson, and
the two decided to cast their future lot in America. Accordingly in 1860
they came to this county, and located in Ettrick Township, a mile from the
present family home. He homesteaded a farm and successfully carried on
general farming until his death June 7, 1891. His good wife survived him
several years, passing away May 12, 1895. In the family there were seven
children: Margit (deceased) ; Astri, the widow of K. K. Hagestad; Karine
(deceased), Johanna (deceased), Knut of Ettrick Township, John A. of
Ettrick, and Margit, now Mrs. S. S. Knutson of Ettrick Township.
John A. Knutson, town chairman and a prosperous farmer in section
17, Ettrick Township, was born in this township Oct. 19, 1872, sixth child
of Andres and Astri (Johnson) Knutson. He acquired his education in the
district school of Ettrick Township, and resided at home until he was 21
years of age, assisting his father and acquiring a knowledge of agriculture.
At the time of his marriage, June 23, 1894, to Anna M. Hagestad, he bought
his present farm, which contains 158 acres of excellent land. On this prop-
erty he has made practically all the improvements, and his farm is now
equipped with substantial modern buildings. Mr. Knutson has other finan-
cial interests aside from his farm, being a stockholder in the Ettrick Cream-
ery Company, the Ettrick Telephone Company, the Farmers Exchange at
Blair and the Ettrick & Northern Railroad. His wife, Mrs. Anna M. (Hage-
stad) Knutson, was born in Ettrick Township, this county, daughter of
Ole and Martha (Gunderson) Hagestad, who were natives of Norway. Her
father died when she was a babe one year old. Mr. and Mrs. Knutson have
been the parents of eight children: Margaret Amanda, wife of Alfred
Ekern; Omar, deceased; Alma Ovidia, deceased; Newman Sylvester and
FRED W. GRAVES
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 507
Ernest William, residing at home; Grunild Irene, who is deceased; Orrin
Alexander, residing at home, and Lillian Marie, deceased. Mr. Knutson is
affiliated by membership with the Yeomen and the Modern Woodmen of
America. In politics he is an independent Republican. He has served on
the township board a number of years and is its present chairman, render-
ing efficient service and supporting all practical measures for the betterment
of the community in which he lives. He and his family are members of the
United Lutheran Church.
Oscar Ystenes, who is engaged in general farming and stock raising in
section 11 East, Ettrick Township, was born in Beaver Creek Valley, this
township, July 31, 1886, son of Nels and Elizabeth (Instenes) Ystenes.
The parents were natives of Hardanger, Norway, the father born Dec. 4,
1851, the mother, Aug. 16, 1861. The former came to the United States
when a young man, settling on Beaver Creek, this county. He first found
work driving a team for the Iver Pederson Company of Ettrick, but after-
wards began farming where his son Oscar is now located, and which he
made his home for many years, or until the fall of 1915, at which time he
retired from active labor and took up his residence in the village of Hegg,
where he is now living. His farm consisted of 120 acres of valuable land,
which he had greatly improved and highly cultivated. He and his wife
were the parents of six children: Emma, who resides on the farm with
her brother; Clara, deceased; Oscar, the present proprietor of the farm;
Selmar and Nicholia, both residents of this state, and Cornelius, who lives
with his parents.
Oscar Ystenes in his boyhood acquired the elements of an English
education in the school at Hegg. He was trained to agricultural work and
for two summers worked away from home. In 1908 he began farming the
homestead as its manager, and so continued until 1914, in which year he
bought the property. The farm is well equipped with modern buildings
and all necessary implements and machinery, and he is working it with
profitable results. Mr. Ystenes is also a stockholder in the Ettrick Tele-
phone Company. His religious affiliations are with the United Lutheran
Church, while in politics he is independent.
Fred Warren Graves, secretary and manager of the Cooper & Graves
Lumber Company, Trempealeau, dealers in lumber, building material, posts,
wire fencing, feed, grain, flour and other supplies, is one of the progressive
business men of the village, and has developed an important industry. He
was born near Gi-anite Falls, Chippewa County, Minn., Sept. 13, 1873, son
of Warren A. and Sarah (Metcalf ) Graves, now living in Trempealeau. He
passed through the country schools and spent three years in the Granite
Falls high school. As a young man he was variously employed. In 1893
he went to Salt Lake City, Utah, and was employed there for about two
years by Nolton & Graves, paper hangers and decorators. Since 1895 he
has lived continuously in Trempealeau Village. In the fall of that year he
entered the employ of his father in a general store, and two years later
was received into partnership, the firm name becoming W. A. Graves & Son.
Selling his interest in this establishment in the fall of 1906 to E. L. Atwood,
he purchased a warehouse in Trempealeau, and became a grain dealer.
508 HISTORY OF TREIIPEALEAU COUNTY
buying, storing and shipping on a lai'ge scale. While thus engaged he was
impressed with the opportunities for a good lumber yard, in combination
with the grain business, so he organized the Cooper & Graves Lumber
Company. This company was incorporated Feb. 18, 1907, with a capital
of $25,000, and with W. E. Cooper as president, F. W. Graves as secretary
and manager, Linnie U. Cooper as vice-president, and E. W. Graves as treas-
urer. This company absorbed the business of F. W. Graves at the time of
organization, and that of William Merwin in May of the same year, and has
since been without competition. Mr. Graves, in addition to his holdings
in this concern, has a pleasant home on West Second street, which he bought
in the spring of 1900, and renovated and remodeled it so that he was enabled
to move in that fall. He is a stockholder in the Citizens State Bank. An
enthusiastic booster, he is a thorough believer in the future of the village,
and is always ready to do his share for every worthy project. His fraternal
relations are with Modern Woodmen. He has been a member of the Con-
gregational church since he was a youth of fifteen years. His wife and
two children are also members of that church, his son having joined at the
age of 14 years. Mr. Graves was married Sept. 1, 1898, to Edna May Utter,
daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Utter of Trempealeau Village. Mr. and
Mrs. Graves have two children: Clyde Warren, born Sept. 7, 1899, and
Elizabeth May, Jan. 28, 1904.
Tobias Olson, a resident of Galesville until his death, July 7, 1913, was
engaged for a number of years in agricultural pursuits in Trempealeau
County, and was a citizen well known and respected. He was born in
Sondreland, Norway, March 7, 1836, son of Tosten and Marit Olson, who
were natives of the same place. Coming to Coon Valley, Vernon County,
Wis., with his family, Tosten Olson worked as a farm hand for a short time.
He then moved to French Creek, Trempealeau County, and was engaged
in farming there until his death. His wife also died on that farm. Their
family numbered five children, of whom Tobias was the youngest. Tobias
Olson attended school in Sondreland, Norway, until he was nine years old.
He was then sent successively to Denmark and Germany to learn the lan-
guages and also the tailor's trade, at which he worked in Denmark about
seven years. In 1861 he came to the United States with his parents.
Remaining with them for a year subsequently, he then went to La Crosse,
where he worked at tailoring, and also opened a general store, being engaged
in business there for a number of years. Then selling out his business he
moved to Frenchville, Gale Township, and engaged in the mercantile busi-
ness for many years. He then rented his store and moved to La Crosse,
where he remained one year, then returned to Gale Township, where he
devoted the next 12 years of his life to agriculture. The rest of his life was
spent retired in Galesville, his death, however, occurring at the Lutheran
Hospital in La Crosse, following an operation. He was a member of the
Synod Lutheran Church. A Republican in politics, at various times he held
local office and was postmaster for a number of terms in Frenchville. July
21, 1894, Tobias Olson was married to Nettie Linnerud, who was born at
French Creek, Wis., daughter of Andrew and Gunnild (Nilson) Linnerud.
Her parents were born in Sondreland, Norway, the mother Sept. 3, 1825.
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 509
Andrew Linnerud, who was a farmer, came to Coon Valley, Wis., with Mr.
Olson's father in 1861, and worked for others on farms for about a year.
He then purchased land on French Creek and was there engaged in agricul-
ture till three years before his death, when his health became impaired.
He died at Frenchville Oct. 30, 1903. His wife, who survived him, died at
the home of her son, John, Dec. 8, 1915. Their daughter Nettie, who was
born July 20, 1864, was the fourth born of six children. Mr. and Mrs. Tobias
Olson had one child, Oscar Albert, who was born in Frenchville, Wis., Jan.
21, 1896. He graduated from the Frenchville grammar school, and from
the Galesville high school in the class of 1915 and is now attending the
University of Wisconsin. Mrs. Olson has recently sold the home farm and
has a comfortable modern home in Galesville.
Andrew P. Ofsdahl, who is now living practically retired in the village
of Ettrick, after a successful career as an agriculturist, was born in French
Creek Valley, Ettrick Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., Aug. 2, 1870.
His parents, Peter 0. and Martha (Nelsestuen) Ofsdahl, were both natives
of Norway. In 1858 Peter 0. Ofsdahl came to the United States, a single
man, and located at Westby, Vernon County, Wis., where he found employ-
ment. Being an ambitious man, he was not satisfied to work long for others,
but after awhile made his way to Trempealeau County, where he bought
land and became a farmer. The Civil War coming on, he enlisted as a
private in Company B, in 1861, and went to the front to fight in defense
of the American Union. Receiving a gunshot wound at the battle of Stone
River, Dec. 31, 1862, he was confined for some time to the Nashville hospital
and was subsequently discharged on account of physical disability at Louis-
ville, Ky., April 4, 1863. He thereupon returned to Trempealeau County and
resumed residence on his farm in Ettrick Township, which he set to work
to cultivate and improve, and where, after a long and successful career as
a farmer, he died Oct. 10, 1906. His marriage to Martha Nelsestuen took
place in Trempealeau County, but after living a few years together she died
when her son Andrew P. was but eight weeks old. Their family numbered
in all seven children. Andrew P. Ofsdahl, after attending school in Ettrick
Township, became a student at Galesville University, now known as Gale
College, and still later attended the La Crosse Business College. At the age
of 19 he began farming independently on French Creek, buying a farm there
which he still owns, consisting of 100 acres, which was purchased from his
uncle. Later he increased its size by buying 60 additional acres. At a
subsequent period he began specializing in Holstein cattle, in which industry
he is still engaged and in which he has been very successful, having bred
many fine animals. His arduous labors terminated in 1913, when he gave
up the hard work of the farm and took up his residence in the village. He
is treasurer of the Ettrick Scandinavian Fire Insurance Company, a stock-
holder in the Ettrick Creamery, to which he devotes much of his time, also
in the Ettrick & Northern Railroad and in the Ettrick Lumber Company,
besides being a director in the Bank of Ettrick. He is also secretary of
the creamery company, having held that position nearly ten years, and is
serving in his third year as trustee of the County Asylum at Whitehall,
besides having served five years as chairman of the township board. In
510 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
politics he is a Republican, his religious affiliations being with the Lutheran
church. Mr. Ofsdahl was married in 1889 to Laura Larson, who was born
in French Creek Valley, daughter of Lars Dafinsrud and Bertha (Johnson)
Dafinsrud. Mrs. Ofsdahl's father died before she was born and her mother
four years later, so that she has no recollection even of her mother. She
was educated in the district schools of Trempealeau County. Mr. and Mrs.
Ofsdahl have five children: Loraine, who resides at Fessenden, N. D.,
where he holds the position of cashier in a business house ; Blanche Mabel,
employed by the Pederson Mercantile Company of Ettrick; Arthur L.,
Agnes L. and Esther Magdalena.
John Oppengaard, proprietor of a blacksmith and repair shop, and also
a dealer in plows in Ettrick Village, is, like so many of the enterprising
citizens of this part of Trempealeau County, a native of Norway, his birth
having taken place in Fauberg, in the northern part of that country, May
14, 1877. His parents were Christ Johnson and Carrie Amundson Johnson,
who were born in Biri, Norway, the father being a farmer and blacksmith.
They died in their native land, Christ Johnson in 1910 and his wife in 1886.
John Oppengaard was the younger of two children born to his parents.
He attended school in Norway and afterwards served an apprenticeship to
the blacksmith's trade at Lillehammer, being thus occupied for four years.
Subsequently until 1901 he worked as a journeyman in Christiania, and
then, desirous of advancing his fortunes, took passage for the United States,
coming direct to Galesville. Here he found employment in the blacksmith
shop of Sever Johnson, for whom he worked until the fall of the same year.
The next three winters were spent in Ettrick, where he followed his trade.
Having now saved some money, he went back to Norway, where he was
married, Aug. 7, 1904, to Anneta Christenson, who was born. in Lier, Nor-
way, daughter of Christ Gulickson and Gunild Anderson, both natives of
Lier, now deceased. Her father was a sailor many years and also for some
time a watchman on a railroad bridge. He died in 1893 and his wife in 1905.
In the latter year Mr. Oppengaard returned to America with his wife. On
arriving here he engaged in business in Ettrick for one year as blacksmith,
after which he established himself at his present location. His shop is 24
by 50 feet in ground dimensions and is well equipped with a stock of gas
engines, trip hammers and various kinds of machinery, being adapted to
repair work of all kinds. He also engages in horseshoeing and sells the
Gale plow, having built up a good trade in the various departments of his
business. In 1906 he purchased a lot in Ettrick, on which in the following
year he erected his present residence, a good, substantial building, and in
addition to this he owns other property in the village. The Ettrick &
Northern Railroad also numbers him among its stockholders. He is a
member of the board of directors of the Norwegian school at Ettrick, and
in politics is a Republican. He and his wife are the parents of two
children: Kalbyjirn and Carta Amelia Josephina. The family are mem-
bers of the Lutheran church, while Mr. Oppengaard's lodge affiliations are
with the Order of Beavers.
Warren A. Graves, a highly respected citizen of Trempealeau, now living
retired, was born at Walpole, N. H., Oct. 16, 1841, son of Aaron M. and
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 511
Abigail (Sanderson) Graves. The parents, who were natives and farmers
of New Hampshire, are both now deceased. Warren A. acquired his educa-
tion in the "httle red schoolhouse" in the State of his birth, and there grew
to manhood, remaining on the farm until 20 years of age. On starting out
in hfe for himself he accepted a position as attendant at the Concord, N. H.,
Insane Asylum, and was thus occupied for two years. He then went to
Boston, Mass., and was there employed in the New England Glass Factory.
He also delivered express in Brookline, a suburb of Boston, driving from
Boston. In 1864 he returned to New Hampshire and accepted a position
as superintendent of the West Mooreland Poor Farm, at West Mooreland,
N. H. In 1866 he migrated west to Trempealeau County, Wis., and for
one year was engaged in farming in Dodge Township. He then removed to
Winona County, Minn., and purchased a farm in Wiscoy Township. Four
years later he sold that farm and removed to Chippewa County, Minn.,
taking a government homestead of 160 acres, which he cultivated and
developed, erecting buildings, and becoming one of the leading farmers of
the county. He served as county commissioner of Chippewa County for
three years and for a long time did the assessing of the unorganized town-
ships of the county, being appointed to do this work by the county commis-
sioners. After his township (Stoneham) was organized, he became chair-
man of the town board and also held other offices. From 1882 until 1894 he
lived in Granite Falls and was salesman for agricultural implements. In
1894 he moved with his family to Trempealeau Village and purchased a
store building, putting in a line of general merchandise, with J. C. Utter
as an equal partner, the firm name being Utter & Graves. In 1895 Mr.
Graves purchased the Utter interest and conducted the business alone for
one year. His next partner was his son, Fred W., who purchased a half
interest, and the firm became W. A. Graves & Son. This partnership
continued for seven years, when Fred W. sold out his interests to E. L.
Atwood and the firm became Graves & Atwood, which it remained until
1913. The Atwood interest was then purchased by C. H. Growt and for
one year the firm was Graves & Growt. In January, 1914, Mr. Graves
sold out and the stock was removed to the Trempealeau Mercantile's
building, of which Mr. Growt is manager. Mr. Graves then retired and
later disposed of his building. On coming to Trempealeau he purchased
his present home, where he has since continued to Uve.
Mr. Graves served as a member of the board of education in Granite
Falls and is now a member of the Trempealeau Village Council. Mr. Graves
was married at East Cambridge, Mass., Feb. 20, 1864, to Sarah Metcalf,
who was born Sept. 9, 1843, who in all their married life has proved a
faithful wife and loving mother. To them have been born five children:
Lester H., Idella, Fred W., Mabel and Cora. Lester H., born Jan. 3, 1868,
and died at Salt Lake City, Utah, Oct. 21, 1895. Idella, born Dec. 19, 1870,
who for eight years taught in the high school at Trempealeau, subsequently
graduated from the Chicago Dental College, and is now a dentist at Cleve-
land, Ohio, where she has been located for the past seven years, and in her
work stands in high repute. Fred W. was born Sept. 13, 1873. Mabel,
bom Dec. 11, 1874, is now Mrs. Fred C. Ford, of Trempealeau, was before
512 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
her marriage for eight years a proficient teacher. She has six children:
Lester, a student at the State University at Madison ; Ruth, Lyle and Lynn
(twins), Fred C, Jr., and Charles. Cora, born Nov. 23, 1883, was gradu-
ated from the Trempealeau High School and the Winona State Normal
School, subsequently entered the State School for Deaf and Dumb at Mil-
waukee, from which she was graduated, and was retained there to teach
for three years. She married Wallace Hannaman, then principal of the
Durkee School at Kenosha. He later accepted a position at the State
University at Madison, and there Cora died in June, 1914, leaving no children,
Mr. Graves is deacon in the Congregational church at Trempealeau and
chairman of its board of trustees. He is a stockholder in the Citizens' State
Bank, also president of the Trempealeau Cemetery Association, and a
member of Trempealeau Lodge, No. 117, A. F. & A. M. Both Mr. and Mrs.
Graves are members of the Congregational church, of which Mrs. Graves is
a member of the Ways and Means Society. Both Mr. and Mrs. Graves are
interested in church work and are liberal supporters to that benevolent
cause.
Frank A. Kellman, who is conducting at Galesville one of the most com-
plete hardware stores in Trempealeau County, and also carrying on a good
business in plumbing, gas fitting and the installation of heating apparatus,
was born at Barras, Sweden, April 24, 1869, son of John and Anna C. Kell-
man. His parents came to the United States with their family in the year
of his birth, settling in Galesville, Wis., where they are still living, the
father having been engaged in the jewelry business for many years. Frank
A. attended school in Galesville when a boy. At the age of 17 he entered
the hardware store of Aaron Oribbs, in this village, where he learned the
tinner's trade and the hardware business in general, and continued with this
employer for about eight years. He then engaged in the hardware business
for himself, opening a store in the building now occupied by the Galesville
postoffice. After remaining at that location for seven years, he moved
to the corner on which the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank now stands.
There he carried on business for ten years, by the end of which time his
trade had so increased that he had to find more commodious quarters, and
so moved into his present building. Here he occupies two floors, 40 by 60
feet, but owing to the continued growth of his business is so crowded that
he has hardly any room for display. He carries a large stock of shelf
and heavy hardware, occupying the space from floor to ceiling, and also has
a number of outside warehouses. In his plumbing, gas fitting and heating
department he employs several highly skilled workmen. Mr. Kellman has
also been secretary of the Davis Mill Company since its organization, and
is a director in the Bank of Galesville and in the Western Wisconsin Tele-
phone Company. Mr. Kelhnan was married in October, 1892, to Lizzie Belle
Thompson, who was boTn in Trempealeau County, Wis., daughter of William
B. and Allie (Atwood) Thompson, who are both now deceased. Her father,
who was born in the State of New York and was engaged in farming and
stock raising most of his life, was also a stockholder in the Bank of
Galesville. For many years he was a large land owner in the county and
also had extensive property interests in Galesville, being one of the most
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 513
prominent cicizens of the village. Mr. and Mrs. Kellman have three chil-
dren: Vilas A., who is associated with his father in business; Forest T.
and Norris J., residing at home.
J. Alfred Kellman, who for many years has been established in the
jewelry business in Galesville, and is one of the leading citizens of the village,
was born in & A'eden, Oct. 16, 1865, son of John and Anna C. Kellman. The
father was born in Sweden, April 24, 1831, and learned the jeweler's trade.
Coming to th 'Jnited States in 1869, he settled in Trempealeau County the
same year, . a. ting a jewelry store in Trempealeau, where he remained
for four year\ He then established himself in the same business in Gales-
ville, of whici place he has since been a resident. Although now advanced
in years, he is still hale and hearty, as, also, is Mrs. Kellman, who has
reached the advanced age of 83 years. They were the parents of four
children : Ch irles A., John A., Frank A. and Solomon L. (deceased) .
J. Alfred Kellman was educated in the Galesville graded school and
at Gale College. He learned the jewelry business from his father, with
whom he has Leen associated since he was 15 years old, and who, it may be
said, was the fir *•. jeweler in Galesville. For a place of the size of Galesville
he has a remarkably well-stocked store and does a good business in watch
cleaning and repairing. He has also been manager and treasurer of the
Galesville Improvement Company since its organization in 1892. A Repub-
lican in politics, he has served on the village board for a number of years,
has been town and village treasurer and is at present serving as assessor
of Galesville. He owns both business and residence property in Galesville.
Fraternally he u connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern
Woodmen of Ar-ierica. Mr. Kellman was married in June, 1897, to Julia
Ziegler, daughter of John and Barbara (Raichel) Ziegler, both she and her
parents being natives of Germany. The Ziegler family came to the United
States many years ago, locating immediately in Galesville, Wis., where
Mr. Ziegler followed his trade of blacksmith and machinist. Some time
after coming here he went to Pittsburgh, Pa., where he remained for a year,
after which he returned to Galesville. About 1896 he retired and moved
to La Crosse, \,here he and his wife subsequently died. Mr. and Mrs.
J. Alfred Kellman are the parents of two children: Arleen Thelma and
John Morton, who reside with their parents.
George Rail, one of the leading business men of Galesville, Wis., where
"he is engaged in manufacturing, also dealing in automobiles, was born in
Dettingen, Wuriemberg, Germany, Oct. 10, 1849. His parents, George
and Sophia (Kuehlbrei) Rail, were also born in Germany, the father in
Dettingen and the mother in Bissingen. They came to the United States
in 1852, locating in Erie County, N. Y. After residing there for five years,
during which time Mr. Rail worked for others, they came to Trempealeau
County, Wis., and settled in Gale Township. There, in the spring of 1857,
he engaged in farming, and was thus occupied until 1895, when he retired
and moved to Galesville, where he died in 1901. He had long survived his
wife, who passed away in 1874.
George Rail, the younger, began his school attendance in New York
State, and continued it after coming to Trempealeau County in District No.
514 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
7. He resided on the homestead, assisting his father until about 1880, when
he engaged in farming for himself on the home place. In 1895 he came to
Galesville and founded the George Rail Manufacturing Company, building
his present mill, and engaging in planing and general woodwork manufac-
ture, adding a feed mill to his other enterprises in 1897. His two sons,
William A. and Louis A., have been associated with him from the beginning.
In 1910 he took up the automobile business and at present is handling the
Studebaker car only. Mr. Rail was married May 26, 1872, to Katherine
Frasch, who was born in Bissingen, Germany, Jan. 22, 1858. He and his
wife have four children : William A., Sophia Barbara, George M. and Louis
A. William A., who was born Dec. 1, 1872, is associated in business with
his father. He married Lena Spors, and has four children: Glenn W.,
Gladys M., Edson G. and Gerald L. Sophia Barbara, born Dec. 15, 1873,
is residing at home. George M., born Feb. 24, 1876, also resides at home.
Louis A., born Dec. 22, 1883, is associated with his father in business. He
married Anna Kienzle, of Galesville, and has two children: Kathryn L.
and Lloyd L. The family are members of the German Lutheran church.
John Grover, owner of the old Grover homestead in section 26, Trem-
pealeau Township, but now living practically retired in Trempealeau Village,
was born on the Grover farm, Dec. 23, 1867, a son of Archelaus and Esther
E. (Brandenburg) Grover. He was educated in the district school, which
he attended during the winters only, after he was 11 or 12 years old, his
services at other times being needed on the farm. When he was 15 his
school days were ended and he gave his whole time to assisting his father.
About two years later, the father having retired in 1885, he entered into a
partnership with his brother, S. D. Grover, and they operated the farm
together for two years and a half. The partnership was then dissolved,
and for two years and a half more John lived on the homestead as a bachelor.
Sept. 10, 1890, he married Anna Irvine, daughter of B. A. and Hannah
(Ballis) Irvine, of Stillwater, Minn. Mr. Grover continued to carry on
farming operations until March, 1914, at which time he took up his residence
in the village. In 1901 he engaged in the breeding and selling of registered
Shorthorn cattle, shipping them to many States and as far west as Montana.
This business is now taken care of by his two sons, Harry and Albert, who
live on the homestead. On this farm is the largest apple-bearing orchard in
Trempealeau County, containing 17 acres and 1,800 trees. Mr. Grover is
one of the directors of the Galesville Elevator Exchange, and has been a
stockholder in it since its organization in 1909. In politics he is a Repub-
lican, and though he has held no county offices, he has served on the school
board of District No. 3, Trempealeau Township, and was one of the township
supervisors one year. He and his wife have been the parents of eight
children: Harry Irvine, Amy Maria, Myrtle Evelyn. Albert, Howard A.,
Ehzabeth E., Ethel and Gertrude, whose record in brief is as follows:
Harry Irvine, born Nov. 9, 1891, and now residing on the old Grover farm,
married Flora Larson, daughter of Hans Larson, of Galesville, Wis., the
marriage taking place March 15, 1914. He has one child, Wayne Merle,
now 19 months old. Amy Maria, born June 16, 1893, is unmarried and
resides at home. Myrtle Evelyn, born July 7, 1895, is unmarried and for
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 515
three years has been engaged in teaching country schools. Albert, born
March 24, 1897, who works in partnership with his brother Harry, is
unmarried. Howard Anderson, born Sept. 27, 1899, resides at home and
is attending high school. Elizabeth Esther, born Nov. 10, 1902, died on
the old homestead, Sept. 15, 1904. Ethel, born April 10, 1904, is attending
school. Gertrude, born July 3, 1906, also attends school.
Lincoln S. Keith, a well-known and respected citizen, residing on the
outskirts of Galesville, where he is engaged in cattle and horse raising,
and who has also been closely connected with the educational interests
of the county, was born in Winslow, Me., Oct. 29, 1860, son of Richard H.
and Jane D. (Hiscock) Keith. His parents were natives of the same place,
the father born March 1, 1820, the mother March 8, 1826. The former,
who was a carpenter by trade, in 1863 enlisted in the Third Maine Battery of
Artillery and fought for the Union until the close of the Civil War. Al-
though never wounded, he suffered from illness, which caused blindness
of one eye. On being mustered out he returned to his native State, where
he resided until 1891, when he and his wife went to the Pacific coast,
locating at Puyallup, near Seattle, Wash., where they resided until Mr.
Keith's death, Nov. 12, 1897. His wife died April 26, 1900.
Lincoln S. Keith was the seventh-born in a family of nine children.
In his youth he attended school in Waterville, Me., and in Fairfield, that
State, becoming a proficient teacher. When 20 years old he came West,
almost directly to Trempealeau County, and in the following year, 1882,
became principal of the schools at Osseo, this county, beginning his duties
in the spring and continuing them for the two following years. For one
year subsequently he was school principal at Independence, later occupying
the same position six years at Whitehall, si.K years at Galesville and one year
at Blair. By this time he had become well known and had made so good
a record that he was elected county superintendent of schools and held that
office for six years and a half. In 1893 Mr. Keith purchased 90 acres of
land just outside the city limits of Galesville, where he is now engaged in
breeding thoroughbred Jersey cattle and high-grade coach horses. On
account of an injury he is not able to do heavy farm work, but for some
years has held the position of rural mail carrier. Aug. 16, 1887, Mr. Keith
was united in marriage with Cora A. Cain, who was born in Clinton, Me.,
daughter of Moses R. and Ruth L. (Richardson) Cain, both natives of the
same town, and the father a farmer by occupation. Her parents remained
in the East and are now both deceased. Mrs. Keith, herself, has also passed
away, her death occurring Jan. 21, 1916. She had been the mother of
four children: Winifred Maud, Ruth Alice, Helen L. and Donald C. Winifred
Maud, who was graduated from the University of Wisconsin, had charge of
vocational training in the Normal School at Aberdeen, S. D., holding that
position for two years. She is now instructor of methods at La Crosse Normal
School. Ruth Alice, who was graduated from the Valparaiso University
in music, and in science and letters from the Wisconsin University, and was
formerly assistant supervisor in the city schools of Madison, and supervisor
at DeForest, is now engaged during the summer months in Chatauqua
circuit work for the University of Wisconsin, and is also superintendent
516 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
of music in the La Crosse city schools. Helen M., who graduated from the
Galesville High School, is now a student in the La Crosse Normal School.
Donald C. is a student in the Galesville High School and resides at home.
Mr. Keith is independent in politics, but has always taken an interest in
good local government. His fraternal society affiliations are with the
Beavers and the Modern Woodmen of America.
Philip G. Kribs, who is engaged in farming and dairying on a good
80-acre farm in section 15, Trempealeau Township, was born in Elgin, 111.,
Dec. 1, 1859. His parents were Paul and Sarah (Van Buren) Kribs, the
father a native of Guelph, Canada, and the mother of Pennsylvania. They
were married in Guelph, and went from Canada to Elgin, 111., at an early day,
residing in the latter place until 1865, when they came to Trempealeau
County, Wis., locating on what is now the Theodore Schmidt farm in section
3-W, Trempealeau Township. This was an 80-acre tract of partially im-
proved land, with a log house and barn. By additional purchases Mr. Kribs
enlarged the farm to 160 acres, 40 acres of his new purchase lying across
the road east. Here Paul Kribs resided until his death, December 3, 1877,
his wife surviving him and living with her son Philip, who carried on the
farm. Their children were: David, Ludwig, Mary, Jane, Aaron, Henry,
Sarah, Paul, Philip G. and one that died in infancy. Those now living in
addition to the subject of this sketch are: Ludwig, who resides in Alta,
Canada; Paul, living in Aberdeen, S. D. ; Sarah, who resides at Grants Pass,
Ore., and Mary, residing in Medford, Ore. Philip G. Kribs acljuired his
education in the district school, which he attended until the age of 16 years,
and then spent two winters at the La Cross Business University and one
winter at Gale College, Galesville, Wis. Dec. 4, 1884, he was married at the
home of his bride's parents, by the Rev. J. Irwin Smith, a Presbyterian
minister, to Ella, daughter of Wil?iam J. and Eliza Suttie, of Caledonia Town-
ship, Trempealeau County, and after marriage took his wife to his father's
old home in section 3, Trempealeau Township. He was at that time working
his father's farm, on which he lived until March, 1886. He then changed
his occupation by going into the grocery business in Galesville, Wis., and
was thus occupied until March, 1888. He then sold out in Galesville and
went into the same business in Midway, La Crosse County, Wis., and while
there was appointed postmaster. Remaining in Midway until the spring of
1890, he then made up his mind to go back to farming, and accordingly
purchased 80 acres of improved land in section 15, Trempealeau Township,
which constitutes his home farm. On it, however, he made a number of
improvements. The original buildings were poor, but in 1904 he remodeled
the house, which is now a good two-story frame dwelling of eight rooms.
He has also erected a number of other buildings, including a new frame
barn, a granary, milk house, corn crib, poultry house and a garage. As
a farmer and dairyman he is doing a profitable business, having a herd of
graded cows and a good sty of Poland-China hogs, together with a sufficient
number of horses for the farm work and a good equipment of tools and
machinery. He and his wife have four children: Grace S., Harry W.,
Paul W. and Mary E. Grace S., who was born in Galesville, Wis., April 21,
1887 is the wife of George Sagen, assistant cashier of the Merchants' Bank
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 517
at Galesville, Wis. Harry W., born at Midway, Wis., July 10, 1889, is
unmarried and resides at home with his father. He owns 40 acres in section
15 and 40 acres in section 22, improved land, which he farms in connection
with the home place. Paul W., born in Trempealeau Township Feb. 12,
1892, is unmarried and lives on the home farm. Mary E., born in Trempea-
leau Township Oct. 19, 1902, lives at home and is attending the Galesville
High School. In politics Mr. Kribs is a Democrat, but is not active polit-
ically beyond casting his vote. Since 1897 he has been a member of Liberty
Peak Camp, No. 2813, M. W. A., having passed all the chairs. He and his
wife and daughter Grace are affiliated with the Centerville Methodist Episco-
pal church.
Ludwig 0. Goplin. Among the farmers of Gale Township who are
recognized as successful men in their branch of industry is the subject of
this sketch, whose farm of 220 acres is situated in sections 3, 14, 23 and 24,
town 23 north, range 7 west. Here Mr. Goplin was born Jan. 27, 1883, son
of Glaus E. and Mathia (Benrud) Goplin, the homestead having been in
the family since the time of the grandfather, who settled on it in 1869.
Olaus E. Goplin, who was born in Norway in 1861, purchased 80 acres of
the farm and lived on it many years, dying in December, 1901. He added
to his land until the farm comprised 220 acres. His wife, also a native of
Norway, survived him about a year and four months, passing away in
April, 1903. Ludwig O. Gophn worked on the old home farm for his parents
from his boyhood until his father's death, and afterwards for his mother
until she, too, died. He then rented the farm from the heirs for five years,
buying it in April, 1915. Here he is carrying on general farming and
dairying, keeping graded Durham and Holstein cattle, of which he has 35
head, milking 20. The residence on the farm is a good two-story and base-
ment fi'ame house of 10 rooms. A man of progressive nature, in 1902 Mr.
Goplin built a round barn, 64 feet in diameter, and 26 feet to the eaves, and
in 1915 he erected a stave silo, 14 by 34 feet. He is a stockholder in the
Pigeon Grain and Stock Company and also in the Whitehall Hospital. Since
1913 he has served as treasurer of the school board. His religious affilia-
tions are with the United Norwegian Lutheran church, of Pigeon Falls, of
which he is a member, and of which his father was secretary from the time
of its organization until his death. Dec. 10, 1910, Mr. Goplin was united in
marriage with Ruth Mortenson, of Whitehall, Wis., who was born in Pigeon
Township, this county, Sept. 15, 1887. Her father, Hans H. Mortenson,
who was born near Hammerfest, Norway, Sept. 15, 1836, is now residing
in Whitehall. Her mother was born in Norway, Jan. 11, 1847, and is
now living in Whitehall. Mr. and Mrs. Goplin have two children:
Margaret Alverne, born Oct. 15, 1911, and Obert Harvey, born Oct. 27,
1913.
Sigvald N. Hegge, cashier of the People's State Bank, of Whitehall, has
had an important part in the upbuilding of that institution, and is one of
the energetic young men of the village. A native of this county, and de-
scended from a pioneer family, he had considerable experience in business
before assuming the duties of his present position, and his well-merited
success is built upon a firm foundation. He was born in Pigeon Township,
518 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
May 18, 1887, the son of Nels F. and Lena (Nelson) Hegge, and there grew
to manhood, receiving his early education in the district school of his
neighborhood, and in the graded schools of Whitehall. In 1905 he gradu-
ated from the Wisconsin Business University at La Crosse, and soon there-
after became interested in the lumber business. Entering the employ of
the St. Anthony & Dakota Elevator Co., he first took charge of their lumber
yard at Hatton, N. D., and so thoroughly demonstrated his ability there,
that he was employed for the next few years in opening and establishing
yards at various points in western North Dakota and eastern Montana.
Sept. 29, 1913, he returned to his native county to become assistant cashier
of the People's State Bank, of Whitehall. Jan. 1, 1914, he was promoted
to his present position. Fraternally Mr. Hegge is a former secretarj' of
the local Masonic lodge, and past Noble Grand of the local Odd Fellows'
lodge. He is also connected with other clubs and organizations. Mr.
Hegge was married Dec. 29, 1915, to Emelia Bensen, of Whitehall, who
was born in that village Aug. 13, 1888, daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth
(Frederickson) Bensen, the former of whom is a mail carrier and the latter
of whom died in 1911. Before her marriage, Mrs. Hegge was a teacher
in the kindergarten department of the Whitehall public schools. Mr. and
Mrs. Hegge have one child, Harriet Elizabeth, born Oct. 8, 1916.
Nels F. Hegge, a pioneer, from whom is named Hegge Valley, in Pigeon
Township, was born at Biri, Norway, came to America as a young man,
lived in La Crosse for a while, came to Trempealeau County in 1872, lived
in Pigeon Township until 1900, and then moved to Whitehall, where he died
in 1912 at the age of 73 years. His widow, Lena Nelson, still makes her
home in that village. She and her husband have been actively affiliated
with the United Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Hegge was a strong
Democrat in politics and had considerable influence in local affairs.
David R. Dissmore, well known to the inhabitants of Pigeon Township
as proprietor of the old Dissmore homestead, consisting of 200 acres in
section 8, was born in Viroqua, Wis., Sept. 16, 1863, son of George P. and
Mary E. (Rogers) Dissmore. His father was one of the well-known and
respected citizens of the township, of which he was a resident for many
years. Born in Marblehead, Mass., in 1835, George P. Dissmore, while
still a young man, emigrated to the great Northwest. He was married in
Mauston, Juneau County, Wis., in 1859, to Mary E. Rogers, who was born
in 1841, and for some time he resided in Vernon County, coming to Trempea-
leau County in 1863. In the spring of the following year he homesteaded
the farm on which his son David now resides, and here he made his home
until 1895. As a minister affiliated with the Baptist denomination, he
served the church at Whitehall for several years, and also preached three
years in Polk County and two years in Barron County. He died at White-
hall in 1908, his wife passing away in 1914 at Whitehall. They were the
parents of a family numbering 14 children, of whom four are now deceased.
The record of the living is as follows : Mary, wife of Forest Van Sickle, a
retired farmer of Ryder, N. D. ; Lyvenia, wife of James Maloney, a farmer
of Hale Township, Trempealeau County; David R., of Pigeon Township;
Jessie, wife of Archie Wood, a contractor of Whitehall ; Sarah, now Mrs. Ole
MW^.^:
REV. AND MES. GEORGE DISSMORE
DAVID K. DISSMORE AND FAMILY
<
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 519
Knosberg, her husband being a farmer and gardener of Barron, Wis. ;
Emma, wife of Louis Dowd, a farmer rf Weston, Ore. ; Martha, wife of
Gotlieb Nogossek, a farmer of Hale Township, this county ; George, who is
farming in Oregon; Ruth, now Mrs. Fred Wallace, of Osceola, Wis., and
Rheuamy, wife of Oscar J. Olson, of Saginaw, Ore.
David R. Dissmore was reared on his parents' farm in section 8, Pigeon
Township, and in the year 1900 became its manager. It became his prop-
erty by purchase in 1914 and as owner he is continuing the work of improve-
ment which he began as manager. Besides general farming, he is a consid-
erable producer of honey, keeping 130 colonies of Italian bees. In these
enterprises he has achieved success and now takes rank among the pros-
perous citizens of his township. He was married. May 18, 1892, to Alice
Breed, of old Whitehall, daughter of Calvin and Anna (Crane) Breed,
her parents being now residents of Whitehall. He and his wife are the
parents of eight children : Elbert, Clinton, Sidney, Reuben, Lily, Florence,
George and Lulu. The family are affiliated religiously with the Baptist
church.
Andrew K. Skumlien, who in former days was an active and successful
farmer of Pigeon Township, was born in Vardal, Norway, in 1833. Coming
to the United States in 1876, at the age of 43 years, he settled in Trempea-
leau County, Wis., working the first summer on the farm of Olaus Knutson
in Moe Couley. He then bought 160 acres of land in section 28, it being
the southwest quarter of town 23 noi'th, range 7 west. Pigeon Township, the
locality being known as Fuller Cooley. This farm was purchased from the
estate of Peter Anderson, who homesteaded it. Here Andrew K. Skumlien
spent the rest of his life, which lasted but ten years longer, his death taking
place June 6, 1886. He was an industrious man, working hard to improve
his property, and was 'well liked and respected by his neighbors. He was
married in his native land, in 1860, to Anna Olson, who was born in Norway,
Dec. 24, 1830, and who now lives with her children on the old homestead.
There were eight children in their family : Ole C, who owns the old farm
in company with his brother Anton ; Anton, above mentioned ; Mary, who
married Ludwig Thompson, a farmer, of Saskatchewan, Canada; Carl, a
farmer of Pigeon Township ; Anna, who is the wife of L. C. Olson, who was
a farmer in section 34, Pigeon Township; Maren, wife of Albert Kaas, a
farmer of Jackson County, Wis. ; TiUie, wife of Bent Myren, a farmer of
Pigeon Township, and one that died in infancy.
Ole C. Skumlien, who, with his brother Anton, owns and operates the
old Skumlien farm in section 28, Pigeon Township, was born in Vardahl,
Norway, July 25, 1861, son of Andrew K. and Anna (Olson) Skumfien.
After residing in his native land until he was 14 years of age, in 1875 he
accompanied his grandparents, Knute and Anna (Thorson) Skumlien, to the
United States, they taking up their residence on the farm of Olaus Knutson,
a relation, who lived in Moe Couley, Pigeon Township. There the grand-
parents spent the rest of their lives. Andrew K. Skumlien came to the
county in 1876 and worked that summer on Mr. Knutson's farm, the family
being thus united. He soon, however, purchased a farm of his own, con-
sisting of 160 acres in section 28, Pigeon Township, the exact location being
520 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
defined as the southwest quarter of town 23 north, range 7 west, and here
he resided until his death, June 6, 1886. Ole C. Skumlien was reared on
his father's farm and trained to agricultural pursuits, which he has since
followed on the old homestead, he and his brother Anton buying it in 1899.
Since it came into their possession they have made a number of improve-
ments on it, including the erection of new buildings. In 1903 they built a
barn, 34 by 64 by 18 feet, with an 8-foot basement, cement floors and run-
ning water, and lighted by acetylene lights. A house was built in 1912,
and is a cement block building 32 by 38 feet, two stories and basement, and
containing 10 rooms. It is installed with hot water heat, acetylene lights,
hot and cold running water, bath and toilet, and is a fine and attractive resi-
dence. Mr. Skumlien has served as township supervisor six years and as
school clerk 15 years. He is also a stockholder in the Pigeon Grain and
Stock Company, the People's State Bank at Whitehall and the Whitehall
Hospital. April 6, 1901, Mr. Skumlien was united in marriage with Clara
Larson, of Fitch Cooley, where she was born Jan. 6, 1884. Her parents
were Anton and Gertrude (Blegen) Larson, who have resided in Fitch
Cooley since 1875, the former being now 75 and the latter 67 years old.
They came to America from Norway, the mother in 1877, the father in 1866,
and were manned in this country, he locating first in Coon Valley, Vernon
County, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Ole C. Skumlien are the parents of seven
children, born as follows : George Arthur, March 20, 1903 ; Oscar Clarence,
Sept. 10, 1905; Laura Amanda, Jan. 29, 1907; Carl Albert, Nov. 11, 1908;
Agnes Mabel, April 14, 1911; Inga Thealine, April 18, 1913, and Jennie
Matilda, March 9, 1915. Mr. Skumlien and his family are members of the
Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.
Anton Void, D. D. S., of Whitehall, Wis., was born in Hale Township,
Trempealeau County, Wis., Feb. 20, 1879, son of John J. and Martha (An-
derson) Void. The father, born in Norway, came to America in 1872 and
settled in Trempealeau County, where he followed farming and blacksmith-
ing for some years, was a merchant in Whitehall, but is now retired. His
wife is also living, both of them having reached the age of 70 years. Anton
Void was graduated from the Whitehall High School in 1899. He then
applied himself to the study of dentistry and was graduated from the Chi-
cago College of Dental Surgery in 1902. July 1 the same year he located
in Whitehall, where he has fine offices in the Model Building. Since begin-
ning his professional labors here he has built up a good practice and gained
a reputation for skilled dentistry which extends throughout the northern
part of the county. As a citizen interested in good local government, he
has served on the village board for three years, supporting the' cause of
progress and efficiency. He retains his membership in the college frater-
nity of Psi Omega, has advanced in the Masonic order as far as the Com-
mandery, being a Knight Templar, and belongs also to the Modern Woodmen
of America. Dr. Void was married, Feb. 4, 1909, to Verne F. Ingalls, of
Whitehall, whose father, John M. Ingalls, who came to Trempealeau County
in 1856, is a farmer and agent for the Standard Oil Company. Mrs. Ingalls
was in maidenhood Carrie Gage. Dr. and Mrs. Void have had three
children, the second-born of whom died at birth. The others, Evangeline
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 521
C, was born Oct. 27, 1909, and is now a bright girl of 7 years, and Anton J.,
born May 4, 1917.
Axel K. Olsen, M. D., of Ettrick, Wis., was born in Stavanger, Norway,
Sept. 16, 1865, son of Peter and Bertha Elisabeth (Olsen) Olsen. The
father, who was a ship carpenter, died of yellow fever in South America,
in 1873, his wife dying in Norway a few years later. He came to the United
States in 1886, at the age of 21 years. He attended the high school and
college in Norway and in the year 1885 he passed the examen artium (B. A.)
at the University of Christiania, Norway. He went to Vermilion, S. D.,
where he became a student at the State University, taking his degree of
Master of Arts in the Class of 1890. He commenced his medical studies at
Northwestern Medical College, in Chicago, 1892-93, attended the College
of Physicians and Surgeons in 1893-94, passed the Illinois State Board
examination in 1895. In the winter of 1895-96 Dr. Olsen was interne in
the Lutheran Hospital at Chicago, and in the following summer began
practice in Westby, taking charge of the practice of Dr. J. Schreiner. In
the fall he returned to Chicago and entered Rush Medical College, where he
took his degree in medicine in 1897. He now located in Baldwin, Wis., but
after three months there came to Ettrick, where there was then no
physician, and here he has since resided, having built up a good practice in
the village and the surrounding territory. His neat and commodious resi-
dence in Ettrick was erected by him in 1915. At the present time he holds
the position of health officer. Dr. Olsen was first married in the fall of
1897 to Sarah Brager, who was born in Norway, in which country her father
gained his living as a timber expert. He died there and his widow came
to the United States, locating in Blanchardville, where she subsequently
died. Mrs. Sarah Olson was killed in a runaway accident in 1899, leaving one
child, Esther, who died at the age of Syears. May29, 1901, the Doctor married
Miss Inger Brager, who was a sister of his first wife, and was also born
in Norway, being about 10 years of age when she came to America. The
children of this second marriage are three in number: Axel K., Jr., Erna
'Brager and Borge Halyard. Dr. Olsen is a member of the County, State
and American Medical Associations. He attends the Lutheran church.
He is a well-known and popular citizen, and with his family moves in the
best society in this part of the county.
Anton P. Brohelden, who is engaged in farming 160 acres of land in
sections 24-25, Ettrick Township, with prosperous results, was born in
Sunderland, Norway, Oct. 25, 1871, son of Andrew Peterson and Bertha
Svenson, his wife, both natives of the same district, and neither of whom
ever came to America. Anton P. emigrated to this country in 1892 and
after arriving in Trempealeau County, found employment with Christ
Brenengen, of Abraham's Cooley, for whom he worked two years, after-
wards working two years for Chris Skunberg and later for others. About
1899 he bought his present farm, which is a good piece of agricultural
property and where he is carrying on general fai'ming' successfully, being
also a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery. Mr. Brohelden was married
at French Creek, in 1899, to Anna Brenengen, who was born in Norway,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nils Brenengen, her family being one well known
522 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
in this part of the county. He and his wife have four children : Sanf ord
Amandus, Esther Alvena, Bernice Lenora and Stella Lillian. The family
are members of the Lutheran church.
George Amoth, proprietor of a well-improved farm of 135 acres in
Ettrick Township, near the village of Ettrick, was born in a log house in
this locahty, May 29, 1873, son of Gilbert and Helen (Haldvorsdatter)
Amoth. The parents were natives of Norway, in which counti-y they were
married, and a few years later, about 1867, came with their two eldest
children to the United States. After a long voyage across the Atlantic
in a sailing vessel they landed at an eastern port, and came directly to
Ettrick Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., which locality they had
been infoi-med was favorable for settlement. Having little knowledge,
however, of what he would have to do, Gilbert Amoth was practically
unprovided with necessaries for making a start in the wilderness, and at
first had scarcely anything but his bare hands with which to begin work.
In spite of this handicap, he managed to erect a log house and as soon as
possible procured an ox team, with which he began the work of pioneer
farming. A number of years later, after he had made good progress in
developing his farm, he increased its size by the purchase of 40 additional
acres, and here he resided until he retired and moved to Ettrick about six
years before his death, which occurred March 17, 1916. He was a member
of the Lutheran church and a respected member of the community in which
he had cast his lot. His wife died on the farm about 1908. They had a
family numbering 11 children. George Amoth worked on the home farm
until he had reached the age of 18 years, at which time he began working
out on other farms, and also for a while hauled cream to the creamery at
Ettrick. At the age of 26 years he was married to Julia Johnson, daughter
of Hans and Martha Johnson, of Ettrick. He then rented a farm in section
20, working it for three years, at the end of which time he bought his
present farm near the village, where he raises various crops, and also more
or less stock, including Shorthorn cattle, Poland-China hogs, a good grade
of horses and full-blooded Black Monarch chickens. Since taking this
place he has erected on it a good silo, machine shed and chicken coop. His
barn is 100 by 28 feet in size. Mr. Amoth takes an interest in all local
enterprises, giving active support to the creamery in particular. He has
been successful as a farmer and he and his wife are prominent and esteemed
residents of the community in which they live. They have two children:
Hazel Marie and Guy Hubert.
Ole Tomter, proprietor of the Tomter Dairy Farm of 158 acres in sec-
tions 27 and 28, town 23, range 7, Pigeon Township, was born on the farm
where he still lives, Nov. 11, 1877, son of John L. and Martha (Olsdatter
Rolieie) Tomter. John L. Tomter died Dec. 24, 1915, and Mrs. Tomter
resides with her son Ole. He was reared on the home place, attended the
district schools, and learned farming from his father. In July, 1903, he
and his brother Anton rented the farm, and three years later they pur-
chased it. In 1909 he acquired his brother Anton's interest, and has since
continued as the sole owner. On this place he conducts general farming
operations, making a specialty of grade Holstein cattle. His home is a
JOHN L. TOMTER AND FAMILY
OLE TOMTER AND FAMILY
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 523
pleasant frame structure of 12 rooms. Like the other buildings on the
farm, it is lighted with acetylene gas. The barn, 50 by 62 by 31 feet, was
erected in 1915. It has cement floors, steel stanchions and other modern
features. The silo, constructed in 1916, is of glazed blocks. The other
buildings are also in keeping with these sightly structures. Mr. Tomter
is a prominent man in the community and has been on the town board since
1914 and on the school board since 1915. He is a stockholder in the Pigeon
Grain & Stock Company and in the Whitehall Hospital. His fraternal
relations are with the S. A. F. His religious faith is that of the Norwegian
Lutheran church, of which he is efficiently serving as treasurer. Mr.
Tomter was married Oct. 27, 1906, to Hilda Maria Skoyen, who was born
in Hale Township, Jan. 15, 1886, daughter of Hans and Martha Skoyen,
early settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Tomter have four children : Hensel Joseph,
born Aug. 8, 1907 ; Lester, born March 28, 1910 ; Lawrence Raymond, born
July 19, 1912 ; and Sylvia Amanda, born April 8, 1916.
James C. Beirne, a well-known agriculturist in section 31, east, Ettrick
Township, where he has a farm of 120 acres, is a native of Wisconsin, having
been born at St. Mary's Ridge, La Crosse County, March 25, 1855. His
parents were Thomas and Catherine Beirne, both natives of Ireland.
Thomas Beirne came to the United States when a mere lad, residing for
some years in Albany, N. Y., where he began industrial life. In later years,
after attaining maturity, he came to Wisconsin, locating at Watertown, in
the vicinity of which place he bought land and became a farmer. From
there he removed to La Crosse, and subsequently, about 1857, to Galesville,
here continuing his farming operations. After residing in Galesville for two
years he bought land in what is now the northern part of Ettrick Township,
on which he built a smaU house and started to develop a homestead. He
improved about 160 acres of land and resided there until 1898, when he
moved to Ettrick, where he subsequently died. His wife is also deceased.
They had a family of nine children. James C. Beirne was the fourth-born
child of his parents. He acquired the elements of knowledge in a primitive
log schoolhouse in Ettrick Township and remained at home assisting his
parents until he was 30 years old, having the practical management of
the farm at an early age. About 1886 he purchased his present farm,
which he has since lived on and improved. Mr. Beirne was married May 10,
1897, to Ellen Cleary, daughter of John and Ellen Cleary. Mrs. Beirne,
who was one of seven children, being the sixth-born, was educated in the
schools of Crawford County. Mr. and Mrs. Beirne have two children:
Vincent, born Oct. 21, 1898, and Mildred, born Aug. 28, 1902. The family
are members of the Catholic church. Mr. Beirne is independent in politics.
He is an industrious and substantial citizen.
Charles L. Brenengan, who is profitably operating a farm of 120 acres
in sections 8 and 6, Gale Township, was born on this farm, Jan. 29, 1869, son
of Christian and Mary (Jorde) Brenengan. Both parents were natives
of Norway, the mother born in Berie. Christian Brenengan came to this
country in 1862, locating near Stoddard, in Vernon County. He was em-
plbyed by others at threshing and other labor until he came to the farm
now owned by his son Charles, which he developed and improved. This was
524 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
not his only property, as he owned altogether 370 acres. Besides carrying
on general farming, he dealt in stock for a number of years. About 1905
he retired from the farm and went to Galesville, where he is now living.
For a number of years during his active period he was a member of the
school board. Their family consisted of three children, of whom
Charles L. was the first-born. The others were: Alfred J., who
resides on the old home farm, and Elma Stella, wife of Alex Toppen,
residing on an adjoining farm. In September, 1896, Mr. Brenengan was
married to Julia Skundberg, who was born on French Creek, Trempealeau
County, daughter of Andrew and Bertha Skundberg. He and his wife have
one child, Katheryn Margaret, who is now attending school. Mr. Brenen-
gan is a member of the Order of Scandinavian Workmen, a beneficial insur-
ance society of Oshkosh, Wis. He has always resided on the parental
homestead, which he purchased in 1900 from his father, and is engaged in
general farming, including dairying and stock raising, being also a stock-
holder in the Galesville Creamery. His education, besides the usual district
school course, included two years in the La Crosse High School, and he has
since increased his general knowledge by reading and acquaintance with the
practical things of life. In politics he is independent, as a rule voting
for the man rather than for the party, and though interested in good
government, he has not been politically active, either in town or county
affairs. As a reliable citizen and good neighbor he commands gen-
eral respect.
Stark Butman, one of the oldest living citizens of Trempealeau County,
having resided continuously for 60 years in Gale Township, was born in
Huron County (now Erie County), Ohio, March 28, 1832. He was educated
and grew to manhood in his native State. In 1852 he came West to La
Crosse County, Wis., where he located 160 acres of land, returning to Ohio
that same year. In 1853 he and his brother Hiram came to La Crosse
County and settled on this land, which was situated near Stevenstown. In
1857 he exchanged 80 acres of his land for 40 acres of land on this side of
Black River, in Gale Township, Trempealeau County, and there he laid the
foundations for his future prosperity, building a house, with the proper
accompaniment of outbuildings, and breaking and developing his land.
Later he acquired other land by purchase and by homesteading until he
owned at one time several hundred acres, becoming one of the leading
and representative men of Trempealeau County. He has followed diversi-
fied farming all his life, and has given away and sold land to his children,
at the present time having only 160 acres in his own name. For about
28 years Mr. Butman served as postmaster at Decorah Prairie, the office
being in his own home, and for his services he received the large recompense
of 1 per cent of the cancellations. He has also rendered efficient service in
various town offices. In 1855 Mr. Butman was married at La Crosse, Wis.,
to Mary Jane Lynn, who was born in New York State, July 22, 1836. After
56 years of wedded life, she passed away, March 19, 1911, sincerely mourned.
Mr. and Mrs. Butman were the parents of 10 children, whose record in brief
is as follows: Eugene S., born Oct. 4, 1856, was mari'ied Jan. 22, 1882, to
Lizzie Stellpflug, and they reside at Pipestone, Minn. Emma J., born Nov.
GQ
bd
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 525
3, 1858, was married, July, 1885, to David Lonie, and they now reside at
Pullman, Wash. Eva I., born Aug. 11, 1861, was married Feb. 17, 1884, to
Ally Bartlett, and they reside at Alexandria, Minn. Erie H., born May 28,
1863, married. May 15, 1904, Charles E. Potter. Nancy M., born May 8,
1865, was married Oct. 20, 1883, to Clinton V. Lovell. Nettie L., born
March 17, 1867, on May 4, 1888, became the wife of W. E. McKown. She
died May 25, 1897. Ernest H., born Aug. 31, 1873, was married March 15,
1899, to Lizzie M. Burt, and they reside in Gale Township. An infant
daughter, born May 9, 1876, died May 14, 1876. Frank M., born Feb. 25,
1880, was married Nov. 12, 1906, to Janet M. Smith. They reside in Gale
Township. Since her mother's death Mary Edna McKown has always
lived with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Butman, and since her grand-
mother's death in 1911 has been the sole housekeeper for her grandfather.
Mr. Butman, althought over 85 years old, is still hale and hearty and in
full possession of all his faculties, enjoying an opportunity to relate the
many hardships and trials incident to pioneer life, and above all, proud to
boast that he has 27 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
George Christiansen, M. D., a popular physician of Galesville, was born
in La Crosse, Wis., May 14, 1886, son of Peter and Anna (Iverson) Chris-
tiansen. The father was born in Norway, Aug. 7, 1844, and came to the
United States when about 18. or 20 years of age, locating in La Crosse, Wis.,
where he worked for some time in a store. Subsequently he engaged in
rafting on the river between St. Louis and New Orleans and continued in
this occupation until the Southern Minnesota Railroad was built, when he
found work on it at building telegraph lines. Later he became inspector
of a telegraph line, holding this position for a number of years. His next
employment was in the Kline dry goods store in La Crosse, and he remained
there until he was appointed substitute mail carrier in that city, later
becoming a member of the regular force. In 1911 he ceased industrial
activity and is now living retired in La Crosse. His father died October
22, 1916. His wife Anna, who was born in Milwaukee, Wis., in 1860, died
Feb. 6, 1900. Their family numbered four children, of whom George is
the third in order of birth.
George Christiansen acquired the main part of his literary education in
the grammar school at La Crosse. Then, after two years of preparatory
medical work in Milwaukee, he entered Northwestern University Medical
School, at Chicago, where he was graduated M. D. in 1911, after a four years'
course. Returning to La Crosse, he became resident physician to the
Lutheran Hospital there, which position he held for three years. He then
went to Holman, Wis., where he practiced for about 18 months, at the end
of which time he came to Galesville as successor to Dr. G. H. Laurence in
general medical practice. Though here but a short time. Dr. Christiansen
has already made a favorable impression on the community, and, being
thoroughly well qualified in his profession, has the best prospects of a suc-
cessful career as long as he chooses to remain here. He is a member of
the County, State and American Medical Associations. His other society
affiliations are with the Masonic Lodge, No. 177, of Galesville, the Elks'
Lodge, No. 300, and the Phi Chi Medical Fraternity. In politics he is a
526 HISTORY OF TKEMPEALEAU COUNTY
Republican. The Doctor was married, May 25, 1917, to Miss Dena Edna
Myhre, of Galesville.
N. E. Dale, buttermaker for the Preston Creamery Company, of Blair,
was born in Pigeon Township, Trempealeau County, July 12, 1878, son of
Benedict Olson and Guina Halvorslein. The father and mother came to
America as young people, and after the father's death, the mother married
Louis A. Larson, of Pigeon Falls, now residing at Onalaska, Wis. The sub-
ject of this sketch was reared by his grandparents, Nels and Christina
(Gunderson) Halvorslein, in Curran Township, Jackson County. As a
youth he was employed at farm work, and for some three years, while
attending school in Minneapolis, he was engaged as a coachman. In 1901
he began his career as a buttermaker by working in the York Creamery,
in Jackson County. But desiring to further perfect himself in the art, he
entered the Dairy School of the University of Wisconsin, in 1902, and was
duly graduated. Then, after two years' experience at Flint, Mich., he
returned to Jackson County, and worked at the creamery in Irving Township
for seven years. He has occupied his present position since July 1, 1911.
He is thoroughly competent and efficient, and his work is highly valued by
the stockholders of the company. Mr. Dale was married at Hixton, Wis.,
June 20, 1904, to Edith May Dimond, of Flint, Mich., who was born in
Otisville, Mich., May 10, 1886, daughter of Eugene and Eva Dimond. Mr.
and Mrs. Dale have seven childi'en : Gladys, Evelyn, Glenn, Maurice, Mer-
lin, Marjorie and Byron.
Theodore M. Hanson, who is aiding in developing the agricultural
resources of Preston Township, as proprietor of Clear Mound Farm, con-
sisting of 100 acres in section 20, was born on this farm, April 5, 1881.
His parents were Martin Hanson Skyrud and Olea Stutterud, a memoir of
whom appears elsewhere in this work. Theodore M. Hanson resided at
home with his parents and worked on the home farm until 1908. Then
at the age of 27 years he became a general merchant, opening a store at
Waldorf, Minn., which he conducted until 1912. He then sold out and
returned to the Hanson homestead. Here he is successfully engaged in
agi-icultural pursuits, dairying and stock raising, his farm being well im-
proved, having fertile soil, capable of producing all the crops indigenous
to this region, and his buildings substantial, convenient and supplied with
all necessary equipment. Besides operating this farm, Mr. Hanson is
secretary of the Blair Elevator Company and a stockholder in the Home
Bank of Blair. Though not politically active, he is alive to the general
interests of the community in which he lives and ever ready to support any
good, practical measure for its advancement. Mr. Hanson was married
Sept. 7, 1904, to Helen Grinde, of Beaver Creek Valley, Trempealeau County,
where she was born Jan. 15, 1883, daughter of Lars L. and Helga (Hilleboe)
Grinde. Her father was born in Norway in 1847 and came to the United
States with his parents in 1856, they settling in Presfon Township. Mr.
Grinde became a very prominent citizen in the county, serving as county
treasurer four years and as a member of the State legislature two years.
He was also at different times a member of the township and county boards.
His wife H.elga was born in 1850 and died in 1885.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 527
Mr. and Mrs. Hanson have had six children born to them : Lucile Theo-
dora, born June 23, 1907, who died April 16, 1908; Martin Grinde, born
Oct. 10, 1909; Sylvia Helen, born Aug. 16, 1911; Dorothy Lucile, born Feb.
23, 1914 ; Mildred Louise, born Sept. 30, 1915, and George Anthony, born
July 12, 1917.
Sanford J. Johnson, who holds the responsible position of buttermaker
with the Ettrick Creamery, was born three miles northeast of Ettrick Vil-
lage, Aug. 27, 1881, son of John T. and Juha (Johnson) Johnson. His
parents were natives of Norway, the father born in Ulwig and the mother
in HoUingdahl, but their marriage took place in Trempealeau County. John
T. Johnson came to the United States when 20 years old, at that time being
unable to speak English. Settling in Trempealeau County, he bought land
and engaged in farming, in which occupation he continued until his death
in 1906, his farm being located in section 20, range 7. He served as town-
ship assessor for a number of terms and was agent for the Ettrick Scandi-
navian Mutual Fire Insurance Company from the time of its organization
until his death, and also served on the school board, in these various positions
proving himself a man of keen intelligence and sound business judgment.
His wife survived him only about nine months. They had a large family
numbering 12 children, of whom Sanford J. was the sixth in order of birth.
Sanford J. Johnson was educated in the district school in Ettrick Town-
ship and afterwards took a course in the dairy department of the State
Agricultural College at Madison. He resided at home until he was 20 years
of age and then worked eight months in a creamery at Hegge, this township.
At the end of that time he entered the employ of the Ettrick Creamery as
buttermaker, and has since remained with the company in that capacity,
having established a good and satisfactory record. In addition to this em-
ployment, he also operates an 80-acre farm near Ettrick and is a dealer in
wagons, buggies," carriages and other vehicles. He is a stockholder in the
Ettrick & Northern Railroad Company and in the Ettrick Lumber Company,
organized in January, 1917. Dec. 19, 1906, Mr. Johnson was united in
marriage with Clara M. Brorold, who was born in Ettrick Village, daughter
of Erick and Anna (Olson) Brorold. Her parents were natives of Ulwick,
Norway, Erick Brorold coming to the United States with his parents when
a young man. They located about two miles northeast of Ettrick on a farm,
where he resided until his marriage. He then entered the employ of the
Iver Pederson Mercantile Company as clerk and continued with them for
22 years. Appointed postmaster, he served in that position 17 years until
his death, which took place May 7, 1914. His reliable character and good
citizenship was recognized by his election to several positions of responsi-
bility and trust, and his record includes service as township treasurer, clerk
and chairman of the township board, also a fifteen years' membership on the
school board. He also held office in the United Norwegian Lutheran church
as treasurer, trustee or otherwise for a number of years. His wife is still
living and resides in Ettrick. They were the parents of three children,
Clara M. being the second-born. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have one child,
Lillian Genevieve, who is attending school. Mr. Johnson belongs to the
Modern Woodmen of America and to the Beavers, of which latter order his
528 HISTORY OF TREJIPEALEAU COUNTY
wife is also a member. She is now postmistress of Ettrick, having been
appointed under civil service rules. The family faith is that of the United
Luthei-an church, and in politics Mr. Johnson is a Repubhcan.
Madts M. Skyrud, proprietor of Hillcrest Farm of 100 acres in section
20, Preston Township, was born in this section of Preston Township June 26,
1871. Madts M. resided at home until reaching the age of 21 years. He
then worked out for two years and at the end of that time bought his present
farm — in January, 1901 — from his father. After operating it until 1908,
he rented it out to a tenant and went to Colorado, near Limon, where he
farmed until the fall of 1913, subsequently returning to his farm in Preston
Township. Here he has since remained, cultivating the land and improving
the property generally. Among other improvements, in 1903 he built a
good, three-story frame house of nine rooms and basement, equipped with
furnace heat and other conveniences, and in the following year, 1904, he
erected a frame barn 34 by 68 by 16 feet, with basement and concrete floors.
He keeps a herd of graded Shorthorn cattle, of which he milks 18. As one
of the responsible citizens of his township, he has been called upon to serve
in public office, having been township treasurer and a member of the town-
ship board. Jan. 1, 1903, Mr. Skyrud was married to Louisa Johnson, of
Blair, who was born in Jackson County, Wis., April 13, 1877. Her parents
were Johannes (Johnson Tytegraff ) and Caroline Johnson, the former being
a native of Norway, who came to America when a boy and resided most
of his life in Jackson County, dying in 1883 at the age of 50 years. His wife
Caroline died in 1892 at the age of 46. Five children have been born to
Mr. and Mrs. Skyrud : Alden Clement, Oct. 24, 1903 ; Milton LeRoy, Feb.
21, 1904; Kenneth Johannes, June 12, 1907; Elsie Irene, Oct. 24, 1909, and
Orene Margaret, March 28, 1914. The family are members of the United
Norwegian Lutheran church, Mr. Skyrud also belonging to the Independent
Order of Foresters.
Gilbert Mikkelson has lived in this county for over 45 years, and on his
present farm in Hale Township for over forty years. He was born in Biri,
Norway, Jan. 2, 1834, the son of Mikkel and Annie Mikkelson. In that
country he was reared and there he was married March 26, 1859, to Annie
Huskelhus. They came to America and located in Mindora, in La Crosse
County, where they lived about a year. About 1870 they came to this
county, and three or four years later secured 260 acres in sections 15 and 21,
township 23, range 7 (Hale), where they developed a good farm. There
the wife died in 1908. Of the children in the family there is now living but
one, Ben, born at Mindora, Oct. 2, 1869, and is married. He was reared on
the home place, educated in the common schools, and has become a substan-
tial man in the community. He has been supervisor for three years and
school clerk for nine years. His financial holdings include stock in the
Pigeon Grain and Stock Company and in the Whitehall Hospital. The
family faith is that of the United Norwegian Lutheran church. The father
is still living.
David C. Tucker, whose fertile farm of 160 acres lies in sections 23 and
26, Gale Township, was born at New Anan, Nova Scotia, April 14, 1853.
His parents, Alexander and Eunice (Wartman) Tucker, were both natives
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 529
of Nova Scotia, the place of their nativity being in the vicinity of Truro.
The father was a farmer and carpenter by occupation. He located at North
Bend, Jackson County, with his family, in 1874, and resided there for a
number of years. For awhile he worked for others, but later took a farm
and engaged in agriculture. He finally went to Grafton, N. D., where he
died about 1910. His wife died in 1908. David C. Tucker is the oldest
of five living children of his parents. He was educated at New Anan, N. S.,
and began industrial life when 17 years of age, working for others a part of
his time, but also helping his parents at intervals for five or six years.
When 26 years old he began farming at Grafton, N. D., taking a homestead
there. After operating that farm for about seven years he returned to
Wisconsin and for eleven winters worked in the woods cutting timber.
He then came to his present farm, which he has since cultivated and im-
proved, having recently built a fine barn, 100 by 36 feet, with 16-foot stud-
ding. He is a stockholder in the North Bend Milling Company and in the
La Crosse Packing Company. Mr. Tucker was first married, April 7, 1879,
to Margaret Bibby, who was born in Maryland, daughter of Richard and
Mary (Faulds) Bibby. Of this union there were the following children
born : William, deceased ; Richard A., residing at home with his father ;
Alexander R., who died in California in April, 1916 ; Mrs. May Waller, who
lives on an adjoining farm; Eunice, wife of Ray Cram, and Florence, David
W. and George R., who reside at home. The mother of these children died
July 20, 1904, and on June 5, 1915, Mr. Tucker married for his second wife
Mrs. Rebecca Chase, a native of Nova Scotia, and widow of Frank Chase,
who was a farmer in Jackson County, Wis. Of this second marriage there
are no children. Mr. Tucker is practically independent in politics, with
leanings toward the Prohibition party. He has served as a member of the
board of education for a number of years and is now a director on the board.
His religious aflSliations are with the Presbyterian church at North Bend,
of which he is an elder.
Thomas Hunter, a prosperous citizen of Galesville, where he is engaged
in the hardware business, was born at Decorah Prairie, on his parents' farm,
Nov. 15, 1868, son of Thomas Russell and Agnes (Grant) Hunter; a memoir
of whom may be found on another page of this volume. Of their 11 children
he was the fourth in order of birth. In his boyhood he attended district
school at Decorah Prairie and when 15 years old began working in the woods
for Michals & Co., of Onalaska, Wis. After being thus employed for the
winter, in the following spring he worked on the river as a log driver. He
remained at this occupation for seven years and for the next five years was
employed on steamboats on the Mississippi River. Then going to Chase
County, Neb., where he was engaged in farming until June, 1894, when he
returned to Galesville, Wis. After residing at home for one season, or more,
he was married, Jan. 19, 1897, to Blanche Cram, who was born in Galesville,
Wis., daughter of Almon E. and Isabelle (Gunderson) Cram, of Gale Town-
ship. In 1903 he returned to Nebraska and for one year was engaged in
cattle ranching. Then selling his ranch, he drove a span of mules to Minne-
apolis and worked there for a sugar factory a short time. Returning again
to Galesville, he bought a farm near the village and operated it two years, at
530 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
the end of which time he sold it to John Dick and opened his present hard-
ware store in Galesville. He carries a full line of shelf and heavy hardware
and his trade is constantly increasing. He also operates a threshing
machine and clover puller each season and owns property in the village of
Galesville. His fraternal affiliations are with the Beavers and Red Men,
and he is also a member of the Galesville Fire Department. Mr. Hunter's
wife died Dec. 18, 1914, leaving five children: Rose Almon, Russell, Bruce
Raymond, Thomas Russell and Marion, all of whom are residing at home.
In politics Mr. Hunter is a Socialist, but has taken no active part in local
government. He is an enterprising and industrious citizen, successful in
business, and has a wide circle of friends in this part of the county.
Mile Albert Jones, who is engaged in agricultural operations on a farm
of 126 acres in sections 25 and 36, Gale Township, was born on this farm
March 22, 1870, son of John H. Jones, who was a well known and respected
farmer of this community, the father born Feb. 29, 1824, and the mother
June 12, 1833. Milo Jones in his boyhood attended the Glasgow school in
Gale Towmship. He has always resided on the homestead his parents
settled on, and when 19 years of age became its manager, operating it as
such until 1900, at which time he purchased the property. He carries on
general farming and stock raising, keeping cattle, hogs and other stock.
He is also financially interested in the Farmers' Exchange at Galesville.
Mr. Jones is independent in politics, with Republican proclivities, and at-
tends the Presbyterian church. He is unmarried. As a farmer he has been
successful, and though not an office holder, he is recognized as a good, reli-
able citizen, interested in the welfare of the community in which he resides.
Charles F. York, a prosperous farmer residing on a farm of 160 acres in
section 26, town 23 north, range 8 west. Hale township, was born on this
farm, which he now owns, Nov. 14, 1874, son of Abel and Susan (Pierce)
York. The father, born in New York State, April 10, 1827, migrated to
Wisconsin, residing for some 20 years in the vicinity of Whitewater. In
1868 he purchased the farm now owned by his son Charles and resided on
it subsequently until his death, Nov. 11, 1912. He had been a widower
for eight years, as his wife Susan, who was born in New York State in 1836,
died on the homestead Sept. 11, 1904. They were the parents of two
children : James, who is a carpenter at Black River Falls, Wis., and Charles
F. Charles F. York, who in his youth had received a thorough training in
agriculture, operated his father's farm on shares from 1895 to 1912, the year
of his father's death, at which time he purchased the property, and has since
continued farming on it, with remunei'ative results. He was married, Nov.
10, 1897, to Alice G. Heath, of Hale Township, who was born at Arcadia,
Wis., in 1875, and who died Oct. 22, 1899. She was the daughter of Barney
and Adella (Briggs) Heath, farming people of Hale Township, and at her
death left one child, Iva Ahce, who was born Aug. 4, 1898. April 26, 1903,
Mr. York married for his second wife Jennie Dean, a school teacher by
occupation, who was born in Chimney Rock Township, this county. May 17,
1880. Her parents, Barney and Delia (Hess) Dean, are well known farmers
of Hale Township. Mr. and Mrs. York are well known and popular members
of the community, having a wide circle of friends in this part of the county.
uSfiTv4i'.'*'?0M('^I''i*"
MR. AND MRS. ABEL YORK
CHARLES F. YORK AND FAMILY
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 531
Herbert Duxbury, proprietor of Valley Belle Farm of 173 acres in
sections 8 and 17, Preston Township, was born near Hixton, Jackson County,
Wis., Aug. 5, 1861. He is a son of Joseph and Sarah Ann (Ashworth) Dux-
bury, the former of whom was born at Hyde, Cheshire, England, in 1835,
son of James and Jane Duxbury. James, who was a weaver by occupation,
died in England, and about 1854 his widow, with the other members of the
family, came to the United States, locating at Lonsdale, R. I., where she
died, and where her son Joseph, father of the subject of this sketch, worked
at the weaver's trade, which he had learned in England. In 1855 Joseph
joined the tide of westward emigration, coming to Fond du Lac County,
Wis., where he remained for about a year. He then went from there to
Hixton, Jackson County, this State, but soon returned to Lonsdale, R. L,
where he was married in 1858 to Sarah Ann Ashworth. In 1865 he located
on a farm near Hixton, Jackson County, Wis., and was engaged in farming
there for 35 years, or until 1900. Then removing to Blair, Trempealeau
County, he engaged in the livery business there, being thus occupied for
three years. In 1904 he retired to Alva Center, where he now lives with his
wife. Herbert Duxbury resided at home until the age of 26 years, and
gave all his earnings to his father. He learned agriculture on his father's
farm and was manager of the Hugh Price farms in Price County, Wis., from
1887 to 1891. He then bought a farm in Garden Valley Township, Jackson
County, operating it until 1902, at which time he purchased his present farm
in Preston Township, Trempealeau County. Here he is engaged in general
agricultural work, breeding graded Brown Swiss cattle, Berkshire hogs
and White Orpington chickens, doing a successful business. June 1, 1888,
Mr. Duxbury was united in marriage with Julia Grunlien of Northfield
Township, Jackson County. She died March 30, 1901, at the age of 36
years, leaving four children: Mrs. Mary Dilworth of Campbell, Minn.;
Lyle, now a barber at Blair ; Glen and Robert, who reside with their father,
and one that died in infancy. Mr. Duxbury married for his second wife,
June 28, 1903, Mrs. Dorthea Frederickson, widow of Mathias Frederickson,
a farmer of Jackson County. She was born in Norway, June 14, 1864, her
family name being Shanke. By her first husband Mrs. Duxbury had eight
children : Alice, who died at the age of nine years ; Milton, who died at the
age of one year; Christian, who resides on the farm with his mother;
Reidar, now a student in the State Agricultural College; Milton (second),
employed in the C. J. Gibson furniture store at Blair, Wis. ; Oscar, who is
learning the business of railroad agent at Blair; Gudfreid, who married
Lester Sly, a farmer of Jackson County, and Helen, who lives with her
mother. By her marriage with Mr. Duxbury three children have been born :
Arthur and Harold, who are hving on the farm with their parents, and one
that died at birth. Mr. Duxbury was elected assessor of the town of
Preston in 1916 and re-elected in 1917.
Frank A. Uhl, proprietor of Spring Glenn farm, located in section 36,
Gale Township, is one of the leading stockmen in this part of Trempealeau
County, his farm being one of the largest and best equipped. He was born
here July 26, 1871. son of George and Christina (Harth) Uhl. The father
was a native of Germany, born near Frankfort on the Rhine, Oct. 6, 1833.
532 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
He came to the United States when 17 years old and for three years resided
in the vicinity of Milwaukee. Later he came to Trempealeau County and in
1853 settled on the farm now owned by his son, Frank A., which had been
homesteaded by his father, Michael Uhl. Both the grandfather and father
of the subject of this sketch died on the farm, as did also the grandmother,
Mrs. Michael Uhl. The mother of Frank A., who was born near Milwaukee,
Wis., July 2, 1844, is still living, being now a resident' of Galesville. When
the family first settled here there were no improvements whatever on the
place. Michael Uhl homesteaded 160 acres and started the improvements,
which were continued by his son and successor George Uhl, who added to
the size of the farm until it contained 400 acres. The latter gave his whole
attention to this work, taking no part in public affairs. He and his wife
had five children, Frank A. being the third born. Frank A. Uhl acquired
his education in district school No. 4, Gale Township, and leai'ned agricul-
ture on his home farm under his father's tuition. When he was 21 years
old he became manager of the farm, it coming into his possession four years
later on the death of his father. Since then he has cleared more of the
land and added to the improvements, enlarging the buildings, or erecting
new ones, as circumstances required. The farm still contains 400 acres
and is a fine piece of agricultural property. Mr. Uhl makes a specialty of
breeding Hereford cattle and Percheron horses, of the former keeping
about 60 head and of the latter 12. He is also a stockholder in the Arctic
Springs Creamery Company and in the Independent Harvester Company
of Piano, 111. His fraternal affiliations include membership in the Beavers,
Yeomen and Red Men. May 25, 1898, Mr. Uhl was united in marriage with
Sophia O'Neill, who was born in Gale Township, about one mile from the
Uhl farm, daughter of James and Mary (Coleman) O'Neill. Her father
was born in Ireland in 1812 and her mother in Belfast, Maine, in 1835,
they being married near Milwaukee, Wis. Mr. O'Neill came to Trempealeau
County about a year before the Uhls, taking a homestead of 160 acres,
where he farmed and raised stock until his death. Their daughter, Sophia,
who was the eighth born in a family of ten children, was in girlhood a
schoolmate of her future husband. Mr. and Mrs. Uhl have one child,
Helen Grace, who is now attending the high school at Galesville. Mr. Uhl
is a Republican in politics and has served six years as a member of the
school board. He and his family attend the Catholic church.
Ole F. Lovlien. One of the best-improved farms of Pigeon Township
is that known as Pine Grove Stock Farm, of which Ole F. Lovlien is the pro-
prietor. Mr. Lovlien is a native of this township, having been born on his
parents' farm in the southwest quarter of section 33, April 23, 1873. His
father, Fred LovHen, was born in Norway in 1840, and married Guri Nilson.
They came to this country and for a number of years made their home on
the farm above mentioned, in section 33, where Fred Lovlien died in 1913.
His wife is still living on the homestead. Ole F. Lovlien was reared on
his parents' farm, on which he resided until reaching the age of 23 years.
Then deciding to start in for himself, he purchased his present farm and
has since been actively engaged in its cultivation and improvement. It con-
tains 120 acres, two "forties" lying in section 28 and one "forty" in section
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 533
27, town 23 north, range 7 west. In the work of improving this farm Mr.
Lovlien has been highly successful, and his barn and houses are, in par-
ticular, excellent buildings. The former, erected in 1905, measures 34
by 64 by 16 feet, with basement, and an addition 22 by 20 feet. The house
was built in 1913, and is a brick veneer structure, two stories and basement,
containing eight rooms, with oak finish and maple floors downstairs and
finished in fir upstairs. It is installed with hot water heat, with hot and cold
running water, bath and toilet, and is located in Fuller Cooley in a nice
grove of pines, whence it derives its name of "Pine Grove" stock farm. On
a hill near the house is a cistern, 10 by 11 feet in diameter, which is filled by
a windmill. Mr. Lovlien is a stockholder in the Pigeon Grain and Stock
Company and the Whitehall Hospital. For nine years he has been a director
of the school board of his district. He was married to Lena Lindberg, who
was born in Norway Aug. 11, 1879, daughter of Martin and Johanna (Tosak-
til) Lindberg. Her father, born in Norway, April 1, 1847, came to this
country in 1883, locating at the head of Fly Creek, on the north side of
Preston Township, where he resided until he was killed at Ingram, Wis.,
Feb. 20, 1906. He had homesteaded his farm and for 18 winters worked in
the woods. His wife Johanna, who was born in Norway in 1854, is still
Uving at Fly Creek. Mr. and Mrs. Lovlien have had four children: Os-
wald, who died when only 6 days old; Mabel, born Sept. 27, 1901, who died
July 13, 1915; Oscar, born April 9, 1908, and Gerhard, born Nov. 29, 1911.
The family are members of the United Norwegian Lutheran church.
William A. Wyman, manager of the Farmers' Elevator Company at
Galesville, was born in Groton Township, Tompkins County, N. Y., Sept. 3,
1852. His parents were Allan R. and Esther (Stron) Wyman, the latter
born in the State of New York, Sept. 3, 1831. Allan R. Wyman, who was
5 years older than his wife, was a native of the State of Maine. In 1856
he came to Galesville, Wis., with his family and subsequently became one
of the prominent men of the village and the vicinity. He was connected
with a machinery business here for a number of years and also carried on
farming. A man of unusual energy and determination, he made a strong
impress on the community, being a leader or strong supporter of all worthy
public enterprises, besides helping to promote the industrial resources of
the village. For a long period he was chairman of the village board and
township clerk and treasurer; he was for 13 years and up to the time of
his death in 1880 county clerk of Trempealeau County, and for a number
of years he was treasurer of Gale University.
WilUam A. Wyman was the younger of his parents' two children, and
is the only survivor. In his youth he attended school in Galesville, then
was a student at Gale College, and later spent a year at La Crosse Business
College. When only 16 years old he was given charge of his father's farm
and when 24 took a homestead near Madison, S. D., where he resided three
years. He soon after went to Baldwin, Wis., in which place also he
remained three years, having charge of a sawTnill and lumber yard. For
the next seven years he was a resident of Amherst, S. D., holding the
position of wheat buyer for a large elevator company. The scene of his
next industrial efforts was Austin, Minn., where he spent three years. Five
534 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
years were subsequently spent in Winnebago, Minn., three as grain buyer
for the Peary Elevator Company and two for the Winnebago Milling Com-
pany, and while living there he bought grain in Canada for some four years.
He then had charge of a Farmers' Elevator in Grenada for 18 months, after
which he came to Galesville as manager of the Farmers' Elevator Company.
Mr. Wj^man has spent the greater part of his hfe as a grain buyer and
thoroughly understands the business. He has never held local office, but
in politics is an independent Republican. Mr. Wyman was married Dec.
29, 1880, to Julia Pace, who was born at Beaver Dam, Wis., daughter of
William and Lavina (Castle) Pace. Her father, who was born in England,
thei-e learned the trade of miller. Coming to the United States, he followed
his trade in New York and later at Beaver Dam, Wis., where he lived for
a number of years. Thence he went to Oakland, Minn., where he engaged
in the miUing business. About 1858 he opened the first mill at Austin,
Minn., and continued in business there until he was too old to work. Both
he and his wife died in Minnesota. They had a family of five children, of
whom their daughter Julia was the youngest and is one of the two survivors,
the other being Mrs. J. R. Ogden, of Black River Falls. Mr. and Mrs.
Wyman have two children : Myrtle G. and Allan W. Myrtle G. is the wife
of Thomas Loft and resides in Winnebago, Minn. She has two children :
Allan Thomas and Irwin. Allan W. Wyman, who is single, is a resident or
Blue Earth, Minn., where he has charge of the grocery department in a
general mercantile store. William A. Wyman has been a member of the
Masonic order since he was 24 years old and is now a member of Decorah
Lodge No. 77. In this he follows the footsteps of his father, who was
Master of the Masonic Lodge for a number of years, besides being a member
of the Orders of Odd Fellows, Good Templars and the Grange, of Patrons of
Husbandry. The latter's wife is hving, and resides with her son, the
subject of this sketch.
Mattinus J. Skogstad, who is engaged in agriculture on a farm of 185
acres in section 12, Preston Township, was born in Norway, Jan. 20, 1861,
son of John B. and Gurie (Peterson) Skogstad. The father was born in
Norway May 28, 1827, and emigrated to the United States in 1864, settling
in Dane County, Wis., where he remained until 1869. He then homesteaded
a farm at Lake's Cooley, in Preston Township, Trempealeau County, where
he resided until his death in January, 1913. His wife died in 1904 at the
age of 72. Mattinus J. Skogstad was reared on his parents' farm, which
he operated for a number of years, afterward farming nine years in Albion
Township. Then, in 1906, he bought his present farm, which is a well-
improved piece of property, and has since been successfully engaged in its
cultivation. Mr. Skogstad was married Feb. 1, 1891, to Josephine Scow,
of Arcadia Township, daughter of Matt and Ingeborg Scow, her father being
one of the pioneer farmers of that township. Mr. and Mrs. Skogstad are
the parents of six children : Margaret, who graduated from the Blair High
School in 1912 and later from the La Crosse Business College, and has been
a teacher for two years ; Maurice and Bennie, residing at home ; Laura, who
graduated from Arcadia High School in 1916 and is now a teacher, and
Irwin and John Lloyd, residing with their parents.
<
O
HIISTORY OF TKEMPEALEAU COUNTY 535
Lemuel H. Waller, a resident of Gale Township, who is operating a farm
of 235 acres in section 24, was born at Glasgow, this township, June 24, 1870.
His father was Hans Waller, and his mother's name before marriage was
Martha Maria Braatsvein. Both parents were born in Norway, the father
on March 16, 1841, and the mother on June 8, 1831. They were married in
Norway, Hans Waller coming first to the United States in 1868, and his
wife coming in the following year. They settled in Hardie's Creek Valley,
but resided there only a short time, moving to the farm on which their son
Lemuel now lives, where Hans Waller died in 1899. His wife died Dec. 21,
1914. They were among the pioneer settlers of their neighborhood. Lemuel
H. Walker was the seventh born in a family of eight children. He ac-
quired his elementary education in the school at Glasgow, Gale Township,
and afterward attended two winter terms at Gale College. Remaining on
the homestead, he followed agriculture, assisting his father until the latter's
death, when he became the owner of the property. Here he is engaged in
general farming, including dairying and stock raising, and is doing a profit-
able business. He is a stockholder in the Arctic Springs Creamery, the
North Bend Creamery, the Independent Harvester Company, of Piano, 111.,
and the Farmers' Elevator Company at GalesviUe. Mr. Waller has always
been a member of the Lutheran church of Hardie's Creek and is much
interested in church work. He has served as trustee for the congregation
for six years and has been appointed to serve on different committees. In
politics he is a Republican. Mr. Waller was married Feb. 24, 1904, to Mary
Alice Tucker, daughter of David C. and Margaret (Bibby) Tucker, of Gale
Township. He and his wife have six children: Goodwin Edward, Roy
Orvald, Sanford Milton, Alice Emeline, Martha Helen and Victoria Maria,
all residing at home.
Ludwig C. Olson, who was actively connected with the farming industry
of Pigeon Township, as proprietor of Maple Dale Stock Farm, in section 34,
town 23 north, range 7 west, was born in Ulensager, Norway, Oct. 24, 1858.
His father was Christopher Olson, who was born in Norway in 1829 and
who came to the United States in 1870, settling in Dane County, Wis. In
1873 Christopher located in Trempealeau County, homesteading the farm
owned and operated by his son Ludwig until the latter's death. He obtained
it by buying the relinquishment of the widow of Hans Harralsrud. Here
he spent many years in improving the property, tilling the land and erecting
buildings, and here he died at an advanced age in January, 1916. His first
wife, mother of Ludwig, whose maiden name was Inga Marie Larson, was
born in Norway in 1824. She died many years before her husband, passing
away in May, 1874. In January of the following year Christopher Olson
married for his second wife Mrs. Karen Harralsrud, widow of Hans Harrals-
rud, from whom he had obtained his farm. She is now living near White-
hall. Ludwig C. Olson at an early age became acquainted with all the
various duties of farm life. At the age of 18 he began working out for
others and was thus occupied until 1888. He then bought a farm — then
containing 160 acres — from his father, he and his brother, Ole C. Harralsrud
dividing it between them. In its present condition it is a well-improved
piece of property, having a good house and barns. Mr. Olson bred Holstein
536 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
cattle, having a herd of about 50 graded animals. He purchased a home
in Pigeon Falls, to which he moved in the fall of 1916. He died Jan. 2, 1917.
He was married in 1895 to Anna Skumhen, of Fuller Cooley, Pigeon
Township, who was born in Vaardahl, Norway, Aug. 5, 1870, daughter of
Andrew and Anna (Olson) Skumlien. Her father, a native of Norway,
came to America in 1876 with his wife and children, settling in Fuller Cooley,
where he bought a farm on which he resided until his death, June 9, 1882.
His wife, who was born in Norway in 1848, is still residing on the homestead.
Five children wei-e born to Mr. and Mi's. Olson : Agnes Mabel, born Oct. 15,
1895, who married Thoroald Fremstad Oct. 21, 1916; Christine Alette, born
Sept. 13, 1897 ; Lila Anna, born Nov. 9, 1901, who married Benone Foss, July
8, 1916, who is working on the farm of Mrs. Olson ; Hazel Othilde, born Nov.
9, 1901, and Olger Clarence, born Dec. 22, 1904. The family are members
of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.
Roy E. James, secretary and manager of the Galesville Lumber Com-
pany, was born in Alexandria, S. D., March 4, 1883, son of C. P. and Ella
(Stebbins) James. C. P. James, the father, was born in the State of New
York and was a farmer the greater part of his life. In 1881 he went West
to South Dakota, where he resided operating a farm until 1898. He then
removed to Michigan, was there two years, and next moved to Monroe, Wis.,
where he stayed a year. From Monroe he went to Wausau, Wis., in which
city he is now residing, operating a large plant for the manufacture of
potash. His wife, a native of Pennsylvania, is also living. Roy E. James
was the eldest son of his parents' four children. He acquired his education
in the public schools in South Dakota, Michigan and Monroe, Wis., and in
a business college at Wausau, Wis. At the age of 18 years he was employed
as a stenogi'apher in the ofRce of a sawmill at Schofield, Wis., remaining
there about five years, after which he was employed two and a half years
in a lumber office at Dunbar, Wis. He then went to Wausau, Wis., and for
a while was connected with a firm in the same line of business there, but
subsequently became sales manager for a large sawmilling concern, with
which he remained about 18 months. He next became connected with the
W. E. Cooper Lumber Company, of Milwaukee, and has since remained
with this concern, of which the Galesville Lumber Company is a branch.
He was appointed to his present position as secretary and manager in Octo-
ber, 1912. He is a stockholder in the company and also owns property in
Galesville. Aug. 21, 1907, Mr. James was united in marriage with Ida
Berger, who was born near Sturgeon Bay, Door County, Wis., daughter
of William and Emma (Howard) Berger. The father at different times
followed the trades of house painter and cooper and was also engaged in
farming. He is now practically retired and resides in Wausau, Wis., where
he owns a large ginseng garden and truck farm. Mr. and Mi's. James have
two children: Mary Elizabeth and Frank Berger. Mr. James is Master
in the local Blue Lodge of Masons, a trustee of the Modern Woodmen of
America. He attends the Presbyterian church, but is not a member. In
politics he is independent.
Frank J. Hartman, now residing in La Crosse, Wis., is a native son of
Trempealeau County, having been born in Arcadia Township, March 7, 1865.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 537
son of Henry and Augusta (Sheldon) Hartman. The father was born in
Ohio, March 16, 1839, and came West with his parents in 1856, making the
journey by train to Dubuque, Iowa, and from there by boat to Fountain City,
Wis., and from Fountain City to "Bishop Settlement," now Arcadia, by ox
team. His father, John P. Hartman, homesteaded 160 acres near Arcadia
Village. It was wild land with no buildings on it, and the family had a
hard time to procure the necessities of life, being often obliged to haul sup-
plies from Fountain City on a hand sled. Mr. Hartman, grandfather of
the subject of this sketch, worked with his sons, Philip and Henry, for the
father of John Gavney, to earn foodstuifs. Henry Hartman was 17 years
of age when he came to Trempealeau County, and he had to make himself
useful on the farm and help his parents in various ways. In 1864, when 25
years old, he was married in Iowa to Augusta Sheldon, who was born in
Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., March 8, 1840, a daughter of
Benjamin Sheldon. It was not until 1869, however, that Henry Hartman
began farming for himself ; in the meanwhile he lived on the parents' farm,
except for his trip to Iowa, where he obtained his bride. When he started
in for himself he bought 160 acres of land in Wickham Valley, between
Arcadia and Independence, and here he remained for 14 years, engaged in
developing his farm, transforming it in time into a good piece of agricultural
property. In 1883 he rented the farm to Wilber Wickham and moved to
East Arcadia, where he and his family hved for 10 years. Selling the
above-mentioned farm in 1892, he bought one near Alma Center in the fol-
lowing year, which he lived on and worked for ten years. He then sold this
farm and retired to a home that he built in Alma Center, where he and his
wife resided till 1914, in which year they sold the residence and moved to
Spokane, Wash., where they are now living with their son Howard. Their
children were: Myrtle, born May 31, 1866, who was married in 1889 to
Claud Higbee and is now residing with her husband at Whitepine, Mont. ;
Cora, born Feb. 13, 1868, who died unmarried at Alma Center, June 13, 1913 ;
Howard, born May 2, 1873, now living in Spokane, Wash., where he is en-
gaged in i-ailroading ; Bert, born March 7, 1881, who is a druggist at Eleva,
Wis., and Frank J., of La Crosse. All the children were born in Trempealeau
County. Frank J. Hartman in his youth attended the common schools and
the Arcadia High School, from which he was graduated in 1887, subse-
quently teaching one winter in Sieger district, Trempealeau County. In
the year of his graduation he entered the employ of the Holway Lumber
Company, of North La Crosse, and remained with them as time keeper and
clerk for three and a half years, being in the mill during the summers and
in the woods during the winters. From October, 1890, to April, 1898, he
held the position of hardware clerk with the W. P. Massuere Company. On
July 4, 1892, the day on which the wagon bridge across the Mississippi River
at Winona was dedicated, Mr. Hartman was married in that city to Cora A.,
daughter of John and Nancy (Frey) Danuser, of Fountain City, the Rev.
Mr. Higbee, pastor of the Baptist church, officiating. They began house-
keeping in Arcadia Village, where they lived until 1898, in which year Mr.
Hartman went to Eleva and engaged in the hardware business, being thus
occupied until 1913. He and his family then moved to Onalaska, where his
538 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
son Cecil was attending the high school. In the following year, 1914, he
moved to La Crosse and entered the employ of the Tausch Hardware Com-
pany, with which concern he is still connected. He and his wife have had
three children, of whom two daughters died in infancy. The son, Cecil, was
born in Arcadia, Aug. 5, 1895, and after passing through the graded school
of Eleva, attended the Onalaska High School. Mr. Hartman is not active
in politics, but votes the Republican ticket. He is a prosperous business
man and has not lost his interest in his old home in Trempealeau County.
Iver A. Berg, garage owner at Blair, Trempealeau County, Wis., was
born in Preston Township, this county, Aug. 24, 1886, son of Arne I. and Eli
(Arneson) Berg. He attended the district schools, was reared to farm
pursuits by his father, and remained at home until February, 1916, when
he engaged in his present business. His garage occupies a suitable two-
story building, 44 by 72 feet, on the corner of Broadway and Dover streets.
He has a well-equipped plant, including a machine shop, with a steam vulcan-
izer and tools suitable for all kinds of repairing. A full Line of supphes are
always on hand. He has the agency for the Studebaker cars and does livery
work at reasonable prices. He was married, July 29, 1916, to Emma Briggs,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Briggs.
Joachim Schmidt, a pioneer of Gale Township, Trempealeau County,
now deceased, was born in Mecklenberg-Schwerin, Germany, in 1827, and
was there educated and reared to manhood. There also he was married to
Sophia Engel, who was born in the same province in 1825. Seeking a wider
field of opportunity, with better prospects of success, in November, 1866,
they said good-bye to their native land and came to the United States, locat-
ing in Gale Township, this county. In March, 1868, Mr. Schmidt took a
homestead in section 19, and he and his wife set to work at once to improve
the land and better their condition ; a task involving persevering industry
continued through a long period of years, but which was finally accom-
plished. Mr. Schmidt's honesty and activity were supplemented by the
energy and womanly qualities of his wife, and they won the esteem of the
neighbors, which they retained to the end of their lives. Mr. Schmidt died
on the homestead in 1896, his wife surviving him until 1907, when she, too,
passed away. They were the parents of three children : Joachim J., who
after hving on the home farm for nearly 50 years is now retired and resid-
ing in Galesville ; Sophia, now the wife of Christ Kroger, a prominent farmer
of Tipton, Iowa, and Henry who is a representative agriculturist of Geneva,
Nebraska.
Joachim J. Schmidt, now living retired in the city of Galesville, was
born in Mecklenberg-Schwerin, Germany, Dec. 1, 1865, son of Joachim and
Sophia (Engel) Schmidt. In 1866 he was brought to America by his
parents, who located at once in Trempealeau County. He was educated in
the district schools and was reared to agricultural pursuits, remaining on
the home farm and working for and with his father until his marriage in
1889, at which time he became proprietor and manager of the homestead.
To him are due some of the most modern improvements on it, including a
good and substantial set of buildings, with all subsidiary equipment. His
operations included general farming and stock raising, which he carried
MR. AND MBS. JOACHIM SCHMIDT, SB.
JOACHIM SCHMIDT, JR., AND FAMILY
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 539
on with satisfactory results, becoming one of the leading and substantial
agriculturists of Trempealeau County. His business interests also identify
him as a stockholder in the Arctic Springs Creamery at GalesviUe. In the
spring of 1917, after living for nearly 50 successive years on the old home-
stead, he sold out and retired to GalesviUe, where he and his wife are now
living, surrounded by the comforts gained by years of hard labor on the
farm. Their farm was beautifully located in section 19, Gale Township,
and consisted of 230 acres. Mr. Schmidt was married, April 17, 1889, to
Sophia Wangelin, who was born near Princeton, 111., Jan. 11, 1870, daughter
of John and Wilhelmina (Schmidt) Wangelin, her parents being natives of
Mecklenberg, Germany. John Wangelin came to the United States in
1863, locating in Illinois. In 1868 Wilhelmina Schmidt came, and they
were married in Illinois in 1869. Three years later, in 1872, Mr. Wangehn
moved to Nebraska, taking a homestead in Fillmore County, where he
engaged in general farming, becoming a representative and influential
citizen. He died there in 1910, and his wife now resides in Geneva, Neb.
Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt became the parents of two children: Emma, born
in 1890, who died in infancy, and Bertha W., born in 1892, who is living at
home with her parents. The family are attendants of the Presbyterian
church. In politics Mr. Schmidt is an independent Repubhcan.
Fred Hagen, who is aiding in developing the agricultural resources of
Gale Township on his farm of 104 acres in section 5, was born at Lilleham-
mer, Norway, July 11, 1870, son of Simon and Ingeborg Hagen. The father
was a mechanic and neither he nor his wife ever left their native land. Both
are now deceased. Fred Hagen was the fifth born in a family of six chil-
dren. He attended school in Norway and began regular industrial life at the
age of 17 years. In 1893 he joined the tide of westward emigration and,
landing in the United States, proceeded to Iowa, where he worked as a
farmer in Ward County for about three years. He then spent a winter in
Trempealeau County, Wis., but at the time did not settle here permanently,
going instead to Dodge County, Minn., where he worked as a farm hand for
about seven years. Then returning to Trempealeau County, he rented a
farm in Gale Township, having previously rented one for three years in
Minnesota, and went to farming for himself here. Eight years later, having
saved money, he bought his present farm of 104 acres, on which he has since
been engaged in general farming and stock raising. His property is well
improved and he is enjoying a well-earned prosperity, being also a stock-
holder in the Farmers' Telephone Company. Mr. Hagen was married, Oct.
10, 1902, to Clara Dahl, who was born in Gale Township, daughter of Gustave
and Len Dahl. Her parents, both now living in this township, are natives
of Norway, the father being a retired farmer. Mrs. Hagen died Oct. 26,
1911, leaving three children: Stanley, born Sept. 14, 1903; Lester, born
July 20, 1905, and Norman, born Nov. 8, 1908. The family are members
of the Lutheran church at French Creek, and in politics Mr. Hagen is a
Republican. When he first came to this country he was entirely ignorant
of the English language, but acquired it quickly, considering his opportuni-
ties, and has since carved his way to a position of comparative prosperity,
with good prospects for the future.
540 HISTORY OF TRE:MPEALEAU COUNTY
Johanas N. Brenengen, who is engaged in farming a tract of 40 acres
in section 33 west, Ettrick Tois-nship, was born near Christiania, Norway,
July 12. 1864, son of Nels C. and Nettie (Johnson) Brenengen. The family
came to Trempealeau County in June, 1880, locating in Gale Township and
in Ettrick Township. Nels C. Brenengen worked for awhile at the car-
penter's trade, which he had learned in his native land. Afterwards he
engaged in farming and was thus occupied for the most part until his death
in October, 1904. His wife sur^dved him only ten days. They had a family
of seven children. Johanas N. Brenengen attended school in Norway and
also the Smith school in Gale Township, being 13 years of age when he
came to this country. He began industrial life as a farm hand in Abraham's
Cooley, Trempealeau County, and worked for others until 20 years of age.
For ten years longer he resided \\ith his father on the homestead, and
then, when 30 j-ears old, bought the farm, which then contained 160 acres,
of which he has since sold 120 acres. He carries on general farming and is
a stockholder in the Ettrick Telephone Company. June 14, 1902, Mr.
Brenengen was married to Anna Nelson, who was bom in Preston Town-
ship, Trempealeau County, Wis., at Plumb Creek Cooley, daughter of Knut
Field and I\Iattie (Learing) Field. Her parents, born in Biri, Norway,
came to America about 1884, locating in Preston Township, this county,
where her father at first worked out for others, but afterwards bought a
farm in that township, on which he still resides. He and his wife had
nine children, of whom their daughter Anna was the fifth'in order of birth.
Mr. and ]Mrs. Brenengen have a family of two children : Clarence Norman,
born Feb. 1, 1906. and Alfred Meier, born June 25. 1910. The family are
members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Brenengen is an independent voter
and is not politically active, preferring to devote his attention to his private
business. He is in good circumstances and is counted among the reliable
citizens of his neighborhood.
Olaf M. Myhre, of the firm of Berg & Myhre, garage o^^Tiers of Blair,
was born in Preston Township, this county, June 7, 1882, son of Ole H. and
Caroline (Berg) Myhre, natives of Norway, the former of whom died in
1908, and the latter of whom now lives in Northfield, Wis. He attended
the district schools, was reared to farm pursuits, and remained at home
until 1912. Then he farmed for himself in Ettrick Township. In February,
1916. he engaged in his present business. He is an energetic and public
spirited man, and is building up a successful business. Mr. Myhre was
married Nov. 18. 1912. to Mabel Mow of Preston Township, and they have
three children: Vema, Erwin and Edna.
Rev. Christian Brandt Bestul, pastor of several Lutheran congregations
in Trempealeau County, and a member of the official board of Gale College,
was bom near Morris\-ille. Wis., Nov. 13. 1870. His parents were John E.
and Ingeborg (Brandt) Bestul, both natives of Norway, the father bora
in Telemarken in 1828. and the mother in Valders in 1826. They were
married in Wisconsin in 1855, John E. Bestul coming to the United States
in 1844. in which year came also his father. EUef J. Bestul. Later John
located in the Rock River settlement near Milwaukee, the father also locat-
ing in that \ncinity, and was there for several years engaged in farming.
REV. AND MRS. CHRISTIAN B. BESTUL
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 541
In 1853 John T. Bestul, father of EUef J. and great-grandfather of the sub-
ject of this memoir, came to America. He was then an aged man of 90
years and died in the same year. In 1860 John E. Bestul removed to
Columbia County, Wisconsin, and there continued his agricultural opera-
tions until his death, which occurred in 1878, when the subject of this sketch
was eight years old. His widow, after living there a year longer, removed
with her family to Shawano County, Wisconsin, which place was her home
for six years. The last thirty-seven years of her life she lived with her
children in this and adjoining states. She died May 20, 1917, at the home
of her daughter, Mrs. Rev. E. Berrum, Holmen, Wis.
Christian Brandt Bestul was the youngest and the only boy of his
parents' eight children. He attended school at Wittenberg, Wis., and sub-
sequently became a student at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, being gradu-
ated from that institution with the class in 1893. His theological education
was obtained at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., where he spent three
years, finishing there in 1896. After graduating in theology he became
pastor of a Lutheran church at Marshfield, Wis., where he remained one
year. His next charge was at Viroqua, as assistant to the president of the
Eastern District of the Norwegian Sjmod, and covered a period of four
years. In 1901 he became pastor of the Lutheran congregation at French
Creek, Trempealeau County, and has since held that position, also serving
the congregations at Hardie's Creek, South Branch of Beaver Creek,
Tamarac and Eagerness. There are 130 families in the French Creek con-
gregation, and in that of Hardie's Creek, which is the smallest, 44 families.
Since the transfer of Gale College to the Lutherans, Mr. Bestul has served
as secretary of the board and assisted in establishing the college on a
Lutheran basis. He was secretary of the Church Extension Board nine
years and for a similar period of time was a member of the Board of Home
Missions. His whole time is devoted to church and educational work, in
which he has shown an ability that has made him a power for good in his
denomination. On June 27, 1900, Mr. Bestul was united in marriage with
Harriet Halvorsen, who was born at Westby, Vernon County, Wis., daughter
of Halvor and Marie (Olson) Halvorsen. Her parents were both born in
Norway, the father in Stavanger in 1845, and the mother in Christiania
in 1846. Married in their native land in 1871, they came to the United
States in the following year, locating at Westby, Wis., where Mr. Halvor-
sen became pastor of the Lutheran Synod Church, a position which he still
retains. The entire period of his residence in this country has been spent
in church work. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Halvorsen consisted of eight
children, of whom Harriet was the fourth in order of birth. She was
educated at the Ladies' Lutheran Seminary at Red Wing, Minn., and the
high school at Viroqua, Wis., and is a lady of culture and refinement and
an able assistant to her husband in parish work. Mr. and Mrs. Bestul are
the parents of eight children: Marie Ingeborg, Harold Brandt, Valborg
Elizabeth, Erling Johan, Harriet Ragna, Christian Wilhelm, Signe Emelie
and Anna Matilda. The family residence is in section 27, Ettrick Township.
Sever Instenes, who was for many years a well known and successful
farmer of Ettrick Township, was born in Hardanger, Norway, Oct. 23,
542 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
1848, son of Johanes and Anna (Brovald) Instenes. Johanes and his family
came from Norway in 1861, and first located in Dane County, Wisconsin,
where he remained one year. As he was born March 20, 1824, he was
then a man of about 37 years, and in the prime of life. Coming from Dane
to Trempealeau County, he settled on a farm in Ettrick Township, where
nearly 20 years later his wife Anna died, on Jan. 7, 1882. There he con-
tinued to reside for 28 years longer, or until his death, which occurred
March 21, 1910. He was a sturdy pioneer farmer, who accepted condi-
tions as he found them and did his share in developing the agricultural
resources of his township. Sever Instenes was a youth of 14 years when
he came to this country. He was reared on the home farm, acquiring a
good knowledge of agriculture from practical experience, and following it
when young under pioneer conditions. In time he succeeded to the posses-
sion of the farm which his father had homesteaded, and which he stll
further improved, operating it successfully until his death, Jan. 14, 1906.
On Oct. 22, 1872, he was united in marriage at Roche a Cri, Adams County,
Wis., to Anna Instenes, who was born in Hardanger, Norway, Nov. 26, 1854.
She is still living on the old farm, making her home with her son John S.,
who is its present owner. Sever and Anna Instenes were the parents of
three children: Anna, John S. and Lewis O. Anna, who was born Nov.
13, 1873, was married June 4, 1898, to Albert Saed, a resident of Ettrick
Township, this county, and has two children : Althord Sulliven, born June
29, 1904, and Adella (Corinthia), born July 23, 1906. John S., born June
20, 1876, is now, as previously mentioned, operating the old homestead.
Lewis 0., born Nov. 25, 1880, is a jeweler, residing in Blair.
John S. Instenes, who is successfully operating the old Instenes farm
of 200 acres in Ettrick Township, was born on this farm June 20, 1876,
son of Sever and Anna (Instenes) Instenes. In his boyhood he attended
the Beach school in Ettrick Township. Brought up on the home farm, he
assisted his father in its operation, but at intervals was away from home,
working elsewhere. On his father's death in 1906 he came into possession
of the farm, on which he has made a number of valuable improvements,
and now has very good buildings, including a nice modern residence.
Besides carrying on general farming on a profitable basis, he is interested
financially as a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery, the Ettrick Telephone
Company and the Farmers Exchange of Blair. On May 28, 1908, Mr.
Instenes was united in marriage with Anna Herreid, daughter of Tosten G.
and Ragnhild (Bue) Herreid, prosperous farming people of section 17,
Ettrick Township. He and his wife are the parents of two children:
Evelyn Jeanette, born Aug. 29, 1912, and Spencer Thomas, born Jan. 2,
1916. They have also an adopted daughter, Clara Olive, born May 11,
1906, who is attending school. The family are members of the Norwegian
Lutheran Church. Mr. Instenes is independent in politics. He is a mem-
ber of the order of Beavers, and is an enterprising agriculturist, widely
known and respected.
Lewis O. Instenes, who is prosperously engaged in the jewelry business
in Blair, Trempealeau County, is a native of this county, having been born
in Ettrick Township, Nov. 25, 1880, son of Sever and Anna (Instenes)
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 543
Instenes. He was educated in the district schools and spent his early
life on his parents' farm. Graduating from the Minneapolis School of
Watchmaking in 1905, he acquired experience by working in various shops
until he came to Blair in 1907. Here he bought out the jewelry stock of
Ed. Bersing and established his present business. He handles a general
line of jewelry, does expert watch repairing, and also deals in clocks, silver-
ware, Edison phonographs and similar goods. He has built up a good
trade and won the confidence of his patrons by honest dealing and cour-
teous attention to their wants. Thus estabhshed on a firm basis, his future
prospects are as favorable as his present prosperity is gratifying. Mr.
Instenes was married Oct. 5, 1910, to Nettie Dale, who was born in Ettrick
Township, Jan. 12, 1885, daughter of Sam and Catherine (Herreid) Dale.
Her father, a native of Norway, was a pioneer of Ettrick Township, and is
now carrying on business, as a stock buyer in Galesville. Mr. and Mrs.
Instenes have two children: Stanley LeRoy, born Sept. 2, 1911, and Ardyce
Catherine, born March 22, 1916.
John W. Nash, proprietor of a good farm in section 1, Trempealeau
Township, was born in Du Page County, Illinois, Jan. 13, 1851, son of Isaac
and Anna Nash. The parents were natives of New York state, the father
born at New Lisbon, Otsego County, Feb. 18, 1810, and the mother in
Hartford, May 21, 1811. They were married in Hanover, Chautauqua
County, N. Y., Nov. 25, 1832.' In 1837 they came west and from that time
until 1854 resided at different times in various sections of Illinois. In May,
1854, Isaac Nash came to Wisconsin and in September of that year brought
his family from Illinois with an ox team, locating in section 1, Trempealeau
County, where he bought 100 acres of timbered government land, on which
there were no buildings. For a residence he erected a single-room log
house, which the family of eight occupied, the subject of this sketch being
then between three and four years of age. Mr. Nash began the work of
clearing his farm at once, but at first made slow progress, as he was poor
and had to work out for means to support his family. The log house was
occupied for 12 years, and then, in 1866, Mr. Nash sold the farm and bought
another of 120 acres just north of West Prairie schoolhouse. This land
was partially improved, there being a small clearing, together with a frame
house and stable. Here Isaac Nash resided until 1871, in which year, in
the spring, he sold out and went to Nebraska, where he and his wife spent
the rest of their lives. Mrs. Nash was the first to pass away, her death
taking place Feb. 14, 1882, and his, Nov. 30, 1883. Joel W. Nash, who
accompanied his parents to Nebraska, remained in that state tiU March,
1884, and then came back to Wisconsin. After his return, he resided in
La Crosse until July, 1885, and then rented a farm in Trempealeau Town-
ship, which he operated until 1887. He then removed to the "Bell Farm"
in section 3, this township. In the winter of 1888 he purchased 40 acres of
improved land in section 1 E, which place is his present home. There was
a frame house on the farm, in which he lived until 1915, when he erected
a comfortable cottage in the same yard, his son Gustave and family mov-
ing into the older building, and he taking up his residence in the cottage.
In 1904 he built a good frame barn, 32 by 60 feet, and has also put up a
544 HISTORY OF TREIMPEALEAU COUNTY
granary, 14 by 20, a machine shed, 16 by 30, and a poultry house, 12 by 14
feet. Mr. Nash was married, June 23, 1884, at the home of his bride's
parents, by the Rev. Mr. Ilert, Evangehcal pastor, to Lydia, daughter of
Jacob and EUzabeth Staublein of Buffalo County, Wis. He and his wife
have one child, the son Gustave above mentioned, who was born at Center-
ville. Wis., Jan. 30, 1886, and who is now operating the home farm.
Gustave married Ida Myer of Winona, Minn., and they have one child,
Myrtle. Mr. Nash and his son carry on general farming, having 60 acres
under the plow and 60 in pasture land. They keep from 12 to 15 grade
cows and as many graded hogs, and have an ample equipment of tools,
machinery, teams and whatever is necessary to the successful operation
of a modern farm. Mr. Nash is a Republican in politics, but has not served
in public office. He and his wife are members of Centerville M. E. Church.
Mrs. Nash belonging to the King's Daughters.
Walter D. Young, proprietor of Decorah Valley Stock Farm, located
in section 33, town 19, range 8, just outside the city limits of Galesville,
formerly known as the Sterns homestead, was born in the town of Melrose,
Jackson County, Wis., Aug. 22, 1863. He lived at the old home until 1891,
when he was married to Miss Belle Baird, and they moved to their present
home. Mr. Young is of German parentage. His grandparents, Mr. and
Mrs. Morris Young, came to this country from Saxony Meiningen, Germany,
in 1847. There were six children besides the parents when they came to
America. They settled at Bloomfield, Walworth County, Wis., and took
up farming, which was their occupation in Germany. They crossed the
ocean in a sailing vessel, which took 41 days. They did not purchase any
land until they emigrated to Burr Oak, La Crosse County, Wis. At this
time the six children — three sons and three daughters — were grown to
manhood and womanhood, and all emigrated with their parents overland
with oxen, driving their cattle with them, and loading all other belongings
on the wagons drawn by four oxen each. It took them 14 days to make the
trip. Yust D. Young, father of Walter D. Young, was born in Germany
in 1837 and died at Melrose, Jackson County, Wis., March 14, 1897. He
was the eldest son of Morris Young and a pioneer in this part of the country.
After helping his parents hew out a home in the new country, he was mar-
ried to Miss Elizabeth Williams, and in 1862 they started to build a home
in the town of Melrose, Jackson County, Wis. Taking 80 acres of land as
nature gave it, they transformed it into a successful and prosperous farm
home of 240 acres by additional purchases. Mr. Yust D. Young was a
progressive farmer in his day. He was one of the first to adopt diversified
farming and rotation of crops, and also owned one of the first twine binders,
which was considered extravagant in those days, as it cost $265. Game
being plentiful, it was his custom to kill a couple of deer each fall for his
winter meat. He very seldom had to go more than a mile to get them.
There were from four to twenty in a drove. Bear meat was also indulged
in. He was a respected citizen and served his county in local affairs. His
wife Elizabeth was born in Saxe Meiningen, Germany, Nov. 13, 1836. She
came to America at the age of twenty, was married to Yust D. Young in
1862; she died Nov. 17, 1910. She was the mother of three children living:
MORRIS HANSON
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTt 545
Walter D. Young, Milton M. Young and Libbie S. Petterson. She was a
kind and good mother, always willing and ready to sacrifice herself for the
good of others and did her work nobly in building of a new country. Belle
E. Baird, wife of Walter D. Young, was born Jan. 16, 1861, She is of
Scottish parentage. Her father, John Baird, was born in Glasgow, Scot-
land, Sept. 27, 1830. He came to America in 1852, locating in Pennsylvania,
where he worked in the mines. Later he moved to Big Sandy, Kentucky,
where he was married to Miss Elizabeth Willson. In 1857 they moved to
North Bend, Jackson County, Wis., and took up farming as their occupa-
tion, which Mr. Baird followed until several years before his death on May
1, 1910. He knew much of the trials of the early pioneer. Having followed
mining until he was 27 years old, he had many difficulties to contend with
in his new chosen field — farming. As a pioneer he was equal to the occa-
sion. He acquired a nice farm, which he sold to his youngest son, John
Baird, at his death. He was an honored citizen, one of the charter mem-
bers of the Presbyterian church at North Bend. He was noted for his
musical talent and led the singing in church for years before either organ
or choir were installed. Mrs. Elizabeth Baird was born in Scotland April
6, 1833, and came to America with her parents in 1841. She was the mother
of six children and is still living at this writing, Sept. 1, 1917. She and her
brother Wilhe WiUson, six years her senior, have the distinction of being
two of the old pioneers still living. She was a kind and loving mother and
knows much of the early pioneer life. Walter D. Young and wife moved
onto their present farm in the spring of 1891. The farm was badly run
down. The soil had been depleted of its fertility by continuous cropping
for over 30 years. The buildings were badly dilapidated, as it had been
occupied by renters for most of that time. Mr. Young began at once to
build up the soil by rotation of crops, including clover, feeding the same to
stock, and also fattening sheep for the spring market, which practice he still
continues. This farm is now considered one of the best in the town of Gale
and the buildings are all modern, having been erected in recent years.
Mr. Young has always taken a prominent part in church, school and local
town matters, having held offices in the various organizations, but devoting
his entire time in working hours to the management of his farm. He and
his wife have five children: Roy D., Alvin W., Ralph E., Vilas D. and
Hazel E. All have graduated from the Galesville high school but Hazel,
who expects to graduate in 1920.
Morris Hanson, register of deeds of Trempealeau County, was born
at Blair, this county, April 1, 1864, son of Martin and Oha (Stuterud) Han-
son, natives of Norway. The father, born at Soler, Norway, came to
America in 1862, settling in Blair, where he became a highly respected
citizen, being a member and trustee of the United Norwegian Lutheran
Church. He died Sept. 5, 1912, at the age of 77 years. His wife, to whom
he was married in Norway, died in 1896 at the age of 53. They had a
large family of 13 children, of whom nine are now living. Morris Hanson,
who was the third born child in the family, remained at home until 1887,
and then began to work out. He attended business college at La Crosse
one year, and in 1890 found employment in a general store in Blair, remain-
546 HISTORY OF TREAITEALEAU COUNTY
ing with the firm seven years. He then became a partner in the firm of
Halvorson, Hanson & Co., general merchants of Blair, and was thus occupied
until 1910. In the fall of 1912, having by this time become widely known
and respected, he was elected to the office of registrar of deeds, and was
re-elected in the fall of 1914. He has devoted a considerable part of his
time to the public service, as he was a member of the village council of
Blair for 10 years, being president one year, and was clerk of the Blair
school board four years. Aside from his present occupation he is a stock-
holder in the Home Bank of Blair. Mr. Hanson was married Sept. 9, 1891,
to Lena Halvorson, who was born in Blair, Wis., May 9, 1866, daughter of
Nels and Turi (Newland) Halvorson. The father, who was a farmer, was
a native of Norway, came to America in 1855 and took a homestead about
two miles east of Blair. He died in 1912 at the age of 78 years. His wife
died in 1913 at the age of 72. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson have five children:
Verna. a graduate of Stevens Point normal school, who is now a teacher
in the sixth grade at Waterloo, Iowa; Edna, also a graduate of Stevens
Point normal school, and a teacher in domestic science at Mukwanogo, Wis. ;
Mendez, assistant cashier in Trempealeau Valley State Bank at Taylor,
Jackson County, Wis. ; Dagna and Donald, residing at home. Mr. Hanson
belongs to the Independent Order of Foresters, and he and his family are
members of the United Lutheran Church.
Gilbert S. Rice, manager of the Auto Sales Co. of Whitehall, has devel-
oped that institution into one of the most important industries in the village.
Eflficient in his chosen line, affable of manner, and keenly interested in pub-
lic affairs, he has taken his place as one of the public spirited citizens of the
county, and his influence has ever been used in behalf of progress and
betterment. He is a native of this county, born on Trempealeau Prairie,
Jan. 11, 1872. His father, Tracy E. Rice, was born in New York state,
came to Trempealeau County in the early days, and here married Ellen G.
Hanson; he died many years ago, and his widow, who married Christian
Everson, now fives in Lincobi Township. The subject of this sketch was
educated in the schools of Whitehall, and devoted his early life to farm
pursuits. Since boyhood, however, he has been interested in machinery,
and in 1895 the opportunity came to enter his chosen fine by embarking
in the implement business at WhitehaU. With the development of the auto-
mobile industry he saw a still wider opportunity, and late in 1910 organ-
ized the Auto Sales Co. For a time he was president and manager, but
as the business grew he retired from the presidency to devote all his time
to the active management. Busy as he has been with his life work, he has
found time for pubfic service, and has given general satisfaction at different
times as village president, village clerk and vifiage treasurer. His business
holdings include stock in the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Independence.
Mr. Rice was married May 30, 1895, to Ida 0. Wold, born in this county,
a daughter of Ole 0. and Kari (Bang) Wold, both now deceased. Their
happy home has been blessed with six children: Tracy 0., born May 18,
1896; Kathryn I., born April 14, 1898; Elsie V., born July 10, 1900; Evelyn
M., born Jan. 13, 1904 ; Donald 0., born April 14, 1906, and Marion, born
March 12, 1914.
A. W. ANDERSON
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 547
The Auto Sales Co. is one of the most important business concerns in
Whitehall. The company occupies its own sightly building, located in a
commanding position, and has an extensive trade not only in Whitehall
and Blair, but also throughout a wide territory in the rural districts. The
building is two stories in height, with a full basement, equipped with an
elevator, and all the latest appliances for auto repairing. In the basement
are stored the oils, gasohne, tires and heavy equipment. The first floor
is devoted to the salesrooms and offices. The top floor is used for repairing
and for carrying the stock. The concern employs an expert staff of
mechanics, headed by the manager, Gilbert S. Rice. A full line of acces-
sories is carried. The company does a large business in Ford automobiles,
and is constantly demonstrating and selling these machines. The Auto
Sales Co. was organized Dec. 15, 1910, by Gilbert S. Rice, with a capital of
$6,000, Mr. Rice being the president and manager and Charles B. Melby
the secretary and treasurer. The present officers are: President, F. D.
Hopkins; secretary, F. A. George; treasurer, E. L. Immell; manager,
Gilbert S. Rice.
Andrew W. Anderson resides on section 26, town of Lincoln, where
he settled in 1870, when but little improvement had been made there.
Mr. Anderson was born in 1836. In 1848 his father, Gilbert Anderson,
emigrated to the United States with his family, except the subject of this
sketch, who came six years later. The family settled in the town of Blue
Mound in Dane County, Wis. The family made their home there until
the year 1870, when they came to Trempealeau County. Here the parents
lived till death. In 1854 Mr. Andrew W. Anderson, who was the only one
of the family who had remained in Norway, came to this country. He
went to Dane County, where the family was living. There he remained
until 1859. At this time the gold excitement at Pike's Peak was at its
height, and Mr. Anderson with many others decided to go to that place.
He numbered one of a party of five young men who started from Dane
County, and all reached Denver in safety. He continued in Denver engaged
in work till the spring of 1863, when in company of five, though not the
company who had gone with him to Denver, started with team and wagon
for Virginia City, Nevada, but on reaching that place decided to continue
to San Francisco, which they reached in safety after a long and eventful
journey. He stayed there until spring of 1864, and then he went to Boise
City, Idaho, where he stayed a short time, when the excitement occurred
regarding the Alder Creek Mines in Montana, when he left there and went
to what is now Helena, Mont. There he remained until 1870, when he
returned. Going from Helena to Fort Benton, he descended the Missouri
River on a steamer to Sioux City, when he crossed the state of Iowa, and
thus returned home. Soon after his retui-n to Dane County he came here
and brought his father's family with him. The subject of this sketch is
the oldest son, and the oldest but one of his father's family. Mr. Ander-
son bought his farm of Elder Aldrich. He has 160 acres. He was married
in 1870 to Julia Evenson, native of Norway. They have an adopted
daughter, Clara Solberg. She is now Mrs. Gustav Thompson of Donaldson,
Minn. She has two children: George T. and Marie A. One daughter,
548 UlSTURY OF TKEMPEALEAU COUNTY
Lena Maria, born in 1871, died at age of ten months. Mr. Anderson is one
of the representative men of his town. He has a pleasant home, etc. He
has had much experience with the world. His trip to the Pacific coast in
the early days, before the railroad had crossed the continent, was fraught
with events and incidents of much interest. In his political affiliations
Mr. Anderson, as is the entire family, is a Republican, and is a warm
advocate of the principles of that party. Mr. Anderson is numbered among
the progressive and public-spirited citizens of Trempealeau County.
Ever B. Anderson, who is operating a good farm of 160 acres in Lin-
coln Township, was born in Dane County, Wisconsin, Oct. 30, 1863, son of
Bennett and Ellen (Everson) Anderson, and grandson of Gilbert and Inge-
borg (Fladegaard) Anderson. Like all boys of the early days he grew
up on the parental farm and acquired his education at the district school-
house. Remaining at home until 24 years of age, he then engaged in farm-
ing for himself in Lincoln Township, near Independence, and there followed
agricultural operations until 1904. Selling his farm that year he moved
to his present one, which he still operates. This farm was owned and
operated for many years by A. W. Anderson (an uncle of Ever B.), or
until his death, Sept. 10, 1902. Mr. Anderson's farm is well improved and
bespeaks thrift and good judgment of its owner. His stock is of the Dur-
ham grade breed, numbering about 35 head. Mr. Anderson is a man of good
judgment and ability and the family are highly respected in the county.
Mr. Anderson was married Dec. 15, 1890, to Carrie Evenson, then of
Arcadia Township. She was born in Dane County, Wisconsin, July 5, 1866,
daughter of Peter and Maria Evenson, early settlers of Trempealeau County.
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have seven children: Ellen M., born Oct. 22, 1891,
is now Mrs. George A. Anderson. She and her husband reside on a farm
in Long Lake Township, Washburn County, Wis. They have one child,
Hans A. Palma B., born Dec. 2, 1893 ; Gerald A., born Oct. 2, 1896 ; Ina E.,
born Oct. 28, 1898; Clark E., born May 6, 1901; Robert W., born March 13,
1903, and Ruth L., born May 2, 1908, are all residing at home. The family
are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.
Bennett Anderson, deceased, one of the early settlers of Trempealeau
County, was born in Valders, Norway. In 1868 he brought his family to
Trempealeau County from Dane County and estabhshed himself as a farmer
in Arcadia Township, being one of the earliest settlers in that neighbor-
hood. He labored early and late and under these conditions prospered. He
became one of the representative farmers of Trempealeau County, remain-
ing on his farm until his death, Feb. 15, 1902. He was married to Ellen
Everson, who still survives and resides on the old homestead in Arcadia
Township. They had a family of nine children, as follows : Inger Maria,
who became Mrs. H. 0. Wold and the mother of one child, Oscar B. Wold
(she passed away in 1893) ; Gabriel, who died at the age of seven years;
Ever B. and C. H., farmers in Lincoln Township ; Sarah A., who died at the
age of ten years ; Gabriel, second, residing on the old homestead in Arcadia
Township, who married Julia Nelson and has four children: Bennett 0.,
Irene E., Carrie M. and Goodwin J. ; Carrie, who died in 1914 ; Edward, a
resident of the state of Washington, and Polly A., wife of Henry Amundson,
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 549
who resides in Ostrander, Minn., and has three children : Sidney B., Cyril W.
and Madehne M.
Gilbert Anderson and his good wife, Ingeborg Fladegaard, natives of
Norway, were among the early people of that hardy race who have done
so much to better the agricultural conditions of America, coming to the
American land at a very early date. On reaching this country they found
their means exhausted when they had got as far west as Milwaukee, but
undaunted they set out with an ox team, proceeding to Dane County, where
they settled. The elder members of the family, including Gilbert's aged
mother, about 80 years, had walked the entire distance. They were ambi-
tious God-fearing people, being representative and prosperous. Both are
now deceased. They were the parents of Ever B. and Charles H. Anderson,
who are representative farmers of Lincoln Township, this county.
Peter Evenson, deceased, was born in Norway and was there educated
and grew to manhood. He was married in Norway to Maria Dahl. In
1854 they sailed for America, settling that same year in Dane County,
Wisconsin, near Blue Mounds, where they resided until 1870. They then
came to Trempealeau County, where they became representative and influen-
tial farmers. The wife Maria passed away on the farm, July 12, 1893.
Mr. Evenson then made his home with his daughter, Mrs. E. B. Anderson,
until his lamented death, Aug. 2, 1901. They were the parents of nine
children, of whom but two, Juha and Carrie, are now living. Julia is the
widow of A. W. Anderson and resides with the E. B. Anderson family on
the old farm now owned by E. B. Anderson, and of which her lamented
husband was for many years owner and operator. Carrie is now Mrs.
E. B. Anderson. The other children: Even, Erik, Mathias, Edward,
Edward (2d) , Mary and Carrie, all of whom died in infancy.
Eugene J. Kidder., who for a number of years has served as clerk of
the Circuit Court for Trempealeau County, was born in Sauk County, Wis-
consin, Feb. 13, 1859, son of Pomeroy and Lucy (Scott) Kidder. About
1862, when the subject of this sketch was a small boy, his father died, as
the result of an accident while engaged in rafting lumber down the Trem-
pealeau River, their home at that time was Sechlerville, Jackson County,
Wis. In the spring of 1863 they moved to Trempealeau County, where
they have since resided. The mother subsequently married Oscar F. Har-
low, a wagon maker of Whitehall. By the first marriage there were three
children: Ada A. Kidder (deceased), Eugene J. Kidder and W. S. Kidder
(deceased), of whom the subject of this sketch was the second in order of
birth. The only child of the second marriage was William E. Harlow, who
is now engaged in the automobile business in Whitehall, Wis. Eugene J.
Kidder while a young man learned the barber's trade, and subsequently
went into business for himself in Whitehall, where he has owned and
operated a shop for many years. In the fall of 1904 he was elected clerk
of the Circuit Court for Trempealeau County, and has since served in that
position by successive re-elections. He was formerly township treasurer
for the Town of Lincoln one year, and served on the village council of
Whitehall for a number of years. His knowledge of local affairs is exten-
sive and he has always been found arrayed on the side of progress and
550 HISTORY OF TREI\rPEALEAU COUNTY
efficiency. He is a charter member of Whitehall Lodge No. 271, F. &
A. M., and served as m.aster of the lodge for two years, and is also a mem-
ber of Whitehall Lodge No. 2549, M. W. of A. Mr. Kidder was married
Feb. 4, 1884, to Christina Harris of Pigeon Township, a native of Perthshire,
Scotland, and daughter of David and Mary HaiTis, who came to the United
States from that country in 1877. Both her parents died in 1912 at Groton,
S. D. Mr. and Mrs. Kidder have three children : John L. Kidder, who now
resides at Timber Valley, Wash., and who is now engaged in the lumber
business, and Gladys and Mary, residing at home.
Peter C. Peterson has a well improved place called "Lozenge Farm,"
located in Fly Creek Valley, and consisting of 158 acres in the northeast
quarter of section 29, Pigeon Township, where he has lived since its pur-
chase Nov. 15, 1901. He has a comfortable home and suitable barns, and
successfully carries on general farming, making a specialty of raising high
grade Holstein cattle. His public service has included membership on the
school board since 1913. His church affiliation is with the Norwegian
Lutheran Church, of which he is a trustee. Mr. Peterson was born in
Madison, Wis., April 29, 1867, and remained at home until locating on his
present farm. He was married April 29, 1894, to Christina Eidsvoog, who
was born in Norway, May 9, 1868, and came to America in 1890, her father,
Peter Eidsvoog, dying in Norway in 1893, and her mother, Cecelia Nelson,
in the same year. The children in the Peterson family are four : Nettie,
born Jan. 9, 1895, who was graduated from Gale College and the Winona
Business College, and is now a bookkeeper for Jones-Kroeger & Co. of
Winona, Minn.; Cora, born Jan. 27, 1899, who was graduated from the
Whitehall high school in the class of 1917, and is now teaching at Lidger-
wood, N. D. ; Tilmer, born April 25, 1904, and Palmer, born March 23, 1911.
The two youngest are living at home. The parents of Peter C. Peterson
were Christian Peterson and Toro Olson Nordness. The father was born
in Norway, May 10, 1837, came to America in 1857, and worked as a clerk
in Madison, Wis., until August, 1868, when he came to Trempealeau County,
and settled in section 16, Lincoln Township, where he died June 29, 1917.
He was a veteran of the Civil War, having served a year in Company F, 45th
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. The mother was born in Norway, Jan. 23,
1844, and died Jan. 22, 1916.
Andrew J. Ringlien, proprietor of the Ringlien Farm of 240 acres in
sections 5 and 6, Pigeon Township, was born in Sundreland, Norway, April
29, 1857, son of John and Mary (Nilson) Ringlien. He resided in his native
land until about 26 years old, and then, in 1883, came to the United States
in search of better opportunities for self-advancement than he had there.
Locating in Pigeon Township, this county, he obtained employment and
also attended school in order chiefly to acquire a knowledge of the English
language, in which he made good progress. For three years he worked
for P. Ekern, carefully saving his earnings, or as much of them as possible,
with the view of achieving industrial independence. This purpose he accom-
plished in 1890 when he bought his present farm and began working for
himself. Since that time he has made considerable progress and is now
one of the prosperous citizens of his township, a fact conspicuously mani-
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 551
fested by the fine brick house he erected in 1914, a two-story building with
basement, containing ten rooms and installed with furnace heat and other
conveniences. His barn, 30 by 60 by 18 feet, with basement and concrete
floors, is also a good and substantial structure, and the other buildings on
the farm are well kept and of neat appearance. Mr. Ringlien keeps graded
Durham cattle, having a herd of 40 head, of which he milks 20. He is also
a stockholder in the elevator and creamery at Whitehall. His religious
afliliations are with the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America, of which
he has been trustee and auditor for ten years. For the past six years he
has been a member of the Norwegian school board. Mr. Ringlien was
united in marriage, April 4, 1890, with Helen Knutson, daughter of Olaus
and Nicolena (Netten) Knutson. She died in September, 1909, leaving eight
children: John Olger, Nettie Melvina, Arthur Maurice, Arnold Norman,
Axel William, Herman Calbjorn, Menick Cornelius and Erling Conrad, who
reside at home with their father.
David Wood, a retired farmer residing in Whitehall, Wis., was born
in Cattaraugus County, New York, Feb. 10, 1840, son of Alva and Amanda
(Porter) Wood. Alva Wood was born near Utica, N. Y., in 1810, and in
1848 came to Dane County, Wisconsin, where he farmed until 1856. He
then purchased government land in sections 21, 25, 26 and 11, Lincoln
Township, later going to live with his son David on his farm in section 17,
where he died in 1883. His wife Amanda, who was born in Utica, N. Y.,
died in 1853 at the age of 58. David Wood was the fourth born in a family
of ten children. He remained at home until his marriage, March 17, 1863,
to Mary Parsons of Whitehall. Her parents were Lincoln and Maria (Sher-
wood) Parsons, the former of whom died at Marshall, Wis. In the year
of his marriage Mr. Wood began farming in section 17, Lincoln Township,
where he remained until 1872. He then removed to another farm in the
southeast quarter of section 15, which he operated until March, 1913, at
which time he retired and took up his residence in Whitehall. Some time
previous to this he had built a warehouse in Whitehall and bought and
shipped grain for many years, also baling and shipping hay (1874). Mr.
Wood is a director in the John 0. Melby & Co. Bank and a stockholder in the
General Trading Company of Whitehall. He served as chairman of the
township board for 25 years and was on the building committee of the
county asylum. While on the county board he had charge of some bridge
building in Lincoln Township. In politics he is a Prohibitionist. Mr. and
Mrs. Wood are the parents of five children : Archie E., James L., Sarah, Alta
and Ralph W. Archie E., born in 1864, is engaged in contracting and build-
ing in Whitehall. He married Jessie M. Dissmore and has four living chil-
dren: Elmer, Ernest Y., Elsie M. and Chester. James L., born in 1867, is
a carpenter living at Whitehall. He married H. Olive Tull. Sarah, born in
1870, died in 1877. Alta, born in 1875, died in 1877. Ralph W., born in
1879, is a farmer on the old homestead in Lincoln Township. He married
Martha Johnson and has two children : Harold and Helen.
William J. Webb, who is conducting a successful lumber business in
Whitehall, was born in Dane County, Wisconsin, July 7, 1859, son of
William and Adelaide J. (Warner) Webb. The father, who was born in
I
552 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Vermont in 1808, was a contractor and builder by occupation, and during
his residence in Dane County helped to build the state capitol. In 1874 he
came to Trempealeau County and settled on a farm two miles north of
Whitehall, where he died in 1876. His wife, who was born in 1835, is now
living in Whitehall. William J. Webb was educated in the public schools
of Black Earth, and in 1889 engaged in the hardware business in Whitehall.
He was thus occupied until 1891, in which year he bought the lumber
yard of T. H. Earle here and has since been proprietor of the business.
He is also a stockholder and director in the concern of John 0. Melby & Co.,
the Bank of Whitehall and a stockholder in the Peoples State Bank of
Whitehall. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
June 1, 1886, Mr. Webb was united in marriage with Ella N. Lake, daughter
of Thomas and Mary J. (Carpenter) Lake. Her father was a pioneer of
Preston Township, where for a number of years he was engaged in farming.
Mr. and Mrs. Webb have one child, Archie, who was born May 7, 1888. He
was graduated at Brown University in the class of 1907, and subsequently
engaged in the bond and investment business with Councilman & Co., of 112
W. Adams street, Chicago. He has been very successful in business.
Paudor K. Risberg, county clerk, educator and prominent citizen, was
born north of Christiania, Norway, at Risberget, parish of Vaaler, Feb.
15, 1866, son of Knut and Martha (Anderson) Risberg, both of whom died
in Norway in 1893. Paudor K. Risberg was reared in his native parish,
and in 1883, as a youth of seventeen, set out by himself to join his brother
Carl and his sister Agnetha (now Mrs. John Matson) in Chimney Rock
Township, this county. Upon arriving here the courageous and ambitious
boy secured employment where he could work for his board while he
attended school. His first winter in this country he attended the Chimney
Rock district school. Later he alternated work with attending school,
laboring as a farm hand, lumberjack, river man and railroader in order
to get money to pay his board and tuition. In the winter of 1884-1855 he
attended the graded schools of Eau Claire. After a summer's work on the
Canadian Pacific Railroad in British Columbia he took a two years' teachers'
course at the Wittenberg (Wis.) normal school. In 1892, after teaching
school one year, he took a special teachers' course in the Northern Indiana
University at Valparaiso. After preparing himself for the profession of
teaching he was engaged as principal of the Chimney Rock graded school
for nine years. In 1903 Mr. Risberg purchased a farm of 90 acres in
section 14, Chimney Rock Township. There he farmed until Jan. 1, 1909,
when he assumed the duties of his present position, to which he had been
elected the previous fall. He has since then been successively re-elected.
In addition to this service, Mr. Risberg has been chairman of Chimney
Rock town four years, clerk five years and treasurer one year. For four
years he has been clerk of the school board in Whitehall. The United Nor-
wegian Lutheran Church has found in him a valued member. Since 1890
he has been superintendent of the Sunday school, and in the same time he
has been leader of the church choir. He has also served on various com-
mittees and boards. His financial holdings include stock in the Peoples
State Bank, of which he was a director for a time. Mr. Risberg was mar-
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I
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 553
ried Sept. 2, 1893, to Agnethe Larson, born in Chimney Rock Town, Feb. 15,
1871. His wife is a daughter of Eric and Ohvia (Omestad) Larson, who
came to this country in 1866. Mrs. Risberg's mother died in 1906 and her
father in 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Risberg have eight children : Arthur, Walter,
Alice, Clifford, Ethel, Harvey, Louise and Pearl. Walter, who is his father's
deputy, is married to Dora L. Brandon of Whitehall, and Arthur, who is a
restaurant keeper in Whitehall, is married to Stella Kloety of Arcadia.
Henry C. Shephard, Jr., a retired farmer now residing with his son,
Ray D., on the latter's farm in section 12, Preston Township, was born in
Prescott, Canada, near Montreal, Sept. 30, 1835. He is a son of
Henry C. Shephard, Sr., who was born in England and was there married
to Jane Collins. In 1839 the elder Henry came to America with his family
and located in Wisconsin, living, for awhile at Milwaukee and also for some
time at Waukesha. Later he removed to Jefferson County, Wisconsin,
where he followed the trade of brick mason, and also carried on farming
until his death. His wife Jane died June 30, 1911. Henry C. Shephard, Jr.,
resided at home until 1855. He then came to Black River Falls, Wis., and
on August 10, that year, began working in the pineries and on the river.
In this work he continued until he had spent 36 winters in the woods and
taken part in 21 spring drives. In 1856 he entered the farm on which he
now resides with his son and which has been his home many years. This
farm formerly contained 400 acres, but has since been divided among Mr.
Shephard's sons. Here he cut his first grain with a cradle and threshed it
with a flail. It is now finely improved, the land being well tilled and the
buildings substantial and adequate. In 1884 Mr. Shephard began
breeding Holstein cattle and continued to do so as long as he was farming.
He has served in the offices of school clerk and supervisor. Sept. 20, 1861,
Mr. Shephard was united in marriage with Phylena Sterling of Jackson
County, Wisconsin, who was born in Maine in 1840, daughter of C. I. and
Abigail SterUng. He and his wife have had ten children: Lettie, who
married William Bright of Trempealeau, Wis. ; Nellie, wife of F. D. Hopkins
of Whitehall ; Guy, who is engaged in farming a part of the old homestead ;
Ray, who owns and operates the old homestead ; Frank, who died at the age
of 37 years, leaving a widow, Libby Bidgood Shephard, and five children,
she being now a resident of Mellen, Wis. ; Margaret, wife of Edward Gilbert,
president of the State Bank of Foreston, Minn. ; Harry and Henry, twins,
the former of whom died at the age of four days and the latter at that of
two years ; Mabel, who died at the age of 21 years, and Sadie, who married
George Bohen, a barber of Dickinson, N. D. Ray married Thina Gilbert,
June 26, 1896, and has had two children: Ralph, born Aug. 16, 1904, and
a daughter, who died in infancy. Mrs. Henry C. Shephard died June
30, 1912.
Amund G. Tjoflat, a contracting carpenter residing in Ettrick, Wis.,
where he is conducting a good business, was born in Hardanger, Bergen
Stiff, Norway, Jan. 30, 1870, son of Guttorm and Herborg (Djonne) Tjoflat.
The parents were natives of the same locality, Bergen, a famous old sea-
port, being the nearest large city. The father, who was a sailor most of
his life, died in his native land in January, 1912, but his wife is still living
554 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
in Norway. Neither of them ever came to America. Amund G. Tjoflat
was the second born of eight children. He attended school in Norway, and
at the age of 16 years began working as a farm hand. Two years later he
commenced an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, at which he worked
for three years in his native land. In 1891 he set out for the United States
and on arriving in this country continued west to Jackson County, Wiscon-
sin, locating near the Trempealeau County line. He was at this time unable
to speak English, but for five months attended an English school in Ettrick,
where he learned the rudiments of the language and later increased his
knowledge through association with English speaking people. Soon after
arriving here he began working at his trade in Ettrick and continued to do
so as a journeyman until 1899, in which year he engaged in contract work,
and has been thus occupied up to the present time, his contracts having
been for work in Ettrick and the vicinity. In 1906 he built his present
residence in Ettrick. Besides owning good pi'operty in the village, he is a
stockholder in the Ettrick Lumber Company, Ettrick Farmers Telephone
Company and the Ettrick & Northern Railroad, and is recognized as one
of the enterprising and prosperous business men of the village — a position
gained through his own unaided efforts. June 2, 1898, Mr. Tjoflat was
united in marriage with Elenora Torkelson, who was born in Jackson
County, Wisconsin, daughter of Haldor and Breta (Grinde) Torkelson,
the parents being natives of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Tjoflat are the parents
of six children: Ceroid B., Berglot H., Oliver E., Esther V., Howard L. and
Joseph Kenneth, all of whom are residing at home. Mr. Tjoflat belongs to
the order of Beavers, being trustee of his lodge. His political principles are
in the main those of the Republican party. He and his family are members
of the Lutheran Synod Church.
Amos Jacobsen, for nearly twenty years proprietor of the Coral City
Flouring Mills, has been connected with the milling business since early
boyhood, as were his father and grandfather before him. He was born
in Schleswig, now a part of Germany, Nov. 23, 1849, son of Hans and
Dorothy (Hansen) Jacobsen, the former of whom died in 1896 and the
latter in 1900. He learned the milling business from his father, and worked
for several years in the mills of his native country. In 1870, however,
he determined to seek the broader opportunities of America, and accord-
ingly came to this country and resumed his occupation as a miller, working
first at Dexter, Mich., then in various places in Iowa and Wisconsin, and
finally in St. Paul. Then he rented a mill at Lansing, Iowa, next he bought
a mill near Desota, Wis., still later he built a mill at Washburn, N. D., and
subsequently he rented a miU at Mishamwoka, near Durand, Wis. June 1,
1898, he secured the Coral City mill, in Pigeon Township, this county, built
by Silas Wright in 1862, destroyed by flood in 1874 and rebuilt in 1876. This
mill he remodelled and improved, and has since continued to operate it.
It is a frame building, located on Pigeon Creek, nearly three miles- north-
east of Whitehall. It is operated by waterpower, and is equipped with five
double sets of rolls, and two sets of old French stone buhrs. The capacity
is about 50 barrels, and the product includes wheat flour and rye, and all
kinds of cereals and feeds, both merchant and custom work being done.
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MR. AND MRS. AMUND AMUNDSEN— MR. AND MRS. JOHN EIDE
PAUL EIDE AND FAMILY
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 555
Mr. Jacobsen was married at St. Paul Nov. 19, 1877, to Nancy Rapp, who
was born in Jefferson County, New York, Aug. 11, 1849, and came to St. Paul
with her mother. This union has been blessed with two sons, Fred P. and
John A., both born in Lansing, Iowa, and both now employed in their
father's mill. Fred P. was born July 26, 1879, was married April 21, 1909,
to Edna V. Olson of Blair, born at Blair May 3, 1886, and has six children :
Dorothy, Edith, Harold, John, Fred and Elenore. John A. was born Feb.
18, 1881, and was married Jan. 1, 1908, to Augusta Reinhard, born in Ger-
many May 12, 1884. Mrs. Nancy (Rapp) Jacobsen died Dec. 28, 1910,
and on May 2, 1914, Mr. Jacobsen married, secondly, Mrs. Letacia (Stevens)
Wright. She has one daughter, Mary Stevens, now 15 years old.
Paul Eide, a well known and prosperous farmer of Hale Township,
was born in Romsdal, Norway, Jan. 1, 1859, son of John and Ellen (Larson)
Eide. His parents were both natives of Norway, the father born in 1843
and the mother in 1835. They came to America with their family in 1882,
settling in Hale Township, this county, on 160 acres of land in section 5,
where they lived 15 years. They then took a farm in section 4, where John
Eide died in 1908; his wife died in the spring of 1910. Paul Eide, who
accompanied his parents to the United States, settled on his present farm
with his parents in 1884 and has since resided on it, having purchased the
property in 1890. It contains 300 acres or more and is located in sections
4 and 5, township 23 north, range 8 west. Hale Township. The house, a
two-story frame structure, was rebuilt in 1903. It contains 10 rooms and
is a substantial and commodious dwelling. In 1911 Mr. Eide built a barn,
40 by 70 by 16 feet in dimensions above stone basement, with cement floor
and steel stanchions. In the same year he put up a stave silo, 12 by 30
feet. His herd of graded Durham cattle numbers 35 head, of which he
milks 20. For three years he has served as a member of the school board
of his district. Mr. Eide was married in November, 1890, to Millie Amund-
son, who was born in section 8, Hale Township, this county, June 27, 1870,
daughter of Amund and Thea (Halvorson) Amundson. Mr. and Mrs. Eide
have been the parents of nine children: Thea, born April 9, 1891; John,
Dec. 25, 1892; Arthur, Aug. 21, 1895; Elvina, Jan. 2, 1898; Palmer, Aug. 1,
1900; Magnus, Feb. 14, 1903 (died Feb. 23, 1903) ; Mabel, Nov. 23, 1904;
Ruth, Aug. 26, 1907, and Millard, July 16, 1910. All the living children are
residing at home. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran
Church of America, of which Mr. Eide is a trustee.
Peter Nelson, who settled in Pigeon Creek Valley, Pigeon Township,
in 1875, and in the course of his 30 years' residence there became one of
the leading citizens of the township, was born in Hidemaker, Norway, April
30, 1844, son of Nels Peterson. The father, who was governor and man-
ager of a farm, hved and died in Norway. Peter Nelson was the fourth born
in a family of eight children. In his native land he attended school and
learned the carpenter's trade. On April 3, 1866, he was married to Jom
Olson and on the 14th of the same month they left home for the United
States, the journey thus being practically a honeymoon trip. After a
voyage of six weeks and two days in a sailing vessel, they landed at Quebec,
Canada, and from there made their way to La Crosse, Wisconsin, arriving
556 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
June 24. One fall and winter were spent in Louis Valley, and subsequently
Mr. Peterson worked nine years at lumbering on Black River, being a part
of the time in the camp. His wife had died in 1867 and for his second wife
he subsequently married Bertha Johnson. In 1875 Peter Nelson went to
Pigeon Creek Valley, Trempealeau County, and bought a partly improved
farm of 160 acres. There he lived for 30 years, during which time he
bought more land until he had 240 acres, most of which he cleared and
improved, erecting good buildings. For 30 years also he served on the
township board, and for a number of years was justice of the peace and
school clerk. Then selling his farm, he came to Whitehall, whei-e he has
since made his home. Here he bought out the Farmers Trading Associa-
tion and started an implement company, of which he was the active man-
ager until the spring of 1917, when he sold out his shares, and since then
has been retired from industrial life. In addition to the above mentioned
activities he was president of the first creamery in his locality and was
its manager for two years, directing all its operations. At the present
time he is a shareholder in the Peoples State Bank of Whitehall, and is a
prosperous and highly respected citizen, who has made a success in life
through industry and perseverance. He has had ten children, three of
whom were carried off by that formerly much dreaded scourge diphtheria.
The living are Joseph, Isaac, Oscar, Nels, Alia and Laulia. He and his
family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.
Joseph P. Nelson, proprietor of Silver Brook Stock Farm of 160 acres,
in section 30, Pigeon Township, is a native of Trempealeau County, having
been born in Fitch Coulie, this township, April 10, 1882. His parents were
Peter and Bertha (Jensen) Nelson, natives of Norway, now living retired
at Whitehall. Mr. Nelson passed his youthful days up to the age of 15
in Fitch Coulie, and was trained to agricultural pursuits on his parents'
farm. When he had reached that age the parents with their family moved
onto the farm in section 30, and Joseph was associated with his father in
its operation until 1908, in which year he purchased it, and it has since
remained his property and place of residence. Mr. Nelson keeps graded
Durham cattle, milking 16, and also raises Poland-China hogs and Black
Minorca chickens. His farm is well improved and is conducted on a profit-
able basis. On April 7, 1906, he was married to Ingeborg T. Sogen, daughter
of John and Amelia (Rud) Sogen, her parents being farmers residing near
Pigeon Falls. He and his wife have five children : Esther, Palmer, Ervin,
Harold and Ernest. Mr. Nelson has been a director of the school board
since 1915. He and has family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran
Church of America.
William G, Hyslop, proprietor of the Blair Flour Mills, has been one
of the most prominent mill and creamery men in this part of the state.
He was born at Osseo, in this county, Feb. 26, 1864, the son of Ebenezer
and Anna (Gillespie) Hyslop. Ebenezer Hyslop, a retired carpenter, now
living in Osseo, at the age of 88 years, was born in Scotland, came to
America in 1850, lived two years in New York City, and four years in Rich-
land County, Wisconsin, and in 1859 came to Osseo, this county, where he
has since resided, his wife, whom he married in 1850, having died in 1899,
THOMAS HOGAN AND FAMILY
niSTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 557
at the age of 69 years. William G. Hyslop was reared in Osseo, and there
received his education. For 25 years he devoted his time to the creamery
business, having at one period no less than five establishments under his
management. He learned his trade at Osseo ; he was manager of the cream-
eries at Ettrick and Blair; he built the creamery at Alma Center, and he
purchased the creameries at Melrose and Neillsville. In 1901 he bought
his present mill, and operated it in connection with his management of
the Blair creamery. In 1909 he rented the mill and took up farming at
Bowman, N. D. In February, 1916, he again resumed charge of the mill.
A prominent man in the community, he has been on the village council for
many terms, ten years of which he was its president. He also served one
year as a member of the county board of supervisors. His fraternal asso-
ciations are with the Masonic order, the Modern Woodmen and the Beavers.
Mr. Hyslop was married Oct. 22, 1887, to Ella Quinn, born in Ettrick, April
26, 1864, daughter of James and Susan Quinn, the former of whom died
in 1912 at the age of 91, and the latter in 1899 at the age of 69 years. Mr.
and Mrs. Hyslop have five children: Clayton, Orton, Leland, Faye and
Virda, the three last mentioned residing at home. Clayton and Orton were
graduated from the Northwestern Medical School, then performed interne
service in Mercy Hospital, Chicago, and are both now practicing physicians,
located in that city.
Thomas Hogan, proprietor of the Thomas Hogan & Son Lumber Com-
pany at Blair, was born in Kvitised, Telemarken, Norway, March 18, 1854,
son of Knudt ToUefson and Gunhild Tvedt, the former of whom died in
1863 and the latter in 1862. The original family name was Hougen. Knudt
Tollefson was a lieutenant in the standing army of Norway. The first of
the family to come to America was Gunder (brother of Thomas), who
reached this country in 1878. He was joined two years later by Thomas,
at Humbird, Wis. For a time Thomas Hogan worked in the lumber yard
there, then he secured employment in a sawmill four miles southeast of
Hatfield. So faithfully did he perform his duties there that after the first
year he was placed in charge of the shipping. In 1886, with Simon Lein,
he opened a lumber yard at Blair, under the firm name of Hogan & Lein.
Owing to ill health, Mr. Lein sold out to Mr. Hogan, and the firm became
the Hogan Lumber & Stock Company. From 1898 until Jan. 1, 1917, the
business was conducted under Mr. Hogan's name as an individual. Jan.
1, 1917, the firm became Thomas Hogan & Son. Mr. Hogan deals in all
kinds of lumber and building material, and has built up a good business,
the success of which has been due to his fairness and business integrity.
Mr. Hogan enjoys an excellent standing in the community and has served
on the village council for eight years. Fraternally he is affihated with the
Modern Woodmen of America. He was married Jan. 28, 1885, to Anna
Olive Lyhnes, who was born in Edsvald, Norway, daughter of Andrew and
Johanna Lynnes, the former of whom now lives with the Hogan family.
Mr. and Mrs. Hogan have had six children : Louisa, Jennie, Clifford. Agnes,
Gena and Arthur. Louisa lives at home. Jennie died at the age of 17 years ;
Clifford at the age of 24 years, and Agnes at the age of 15 years. Gena
married Tosten Thompson, and they have two children, Truman and Ruth.
558 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Ai'thur married Mabel Johnstad and resides at Blair, where he is associated
in business with his father in the firm of Thomas Hogan & Son. Mr. Hogan
and family are afiihated religiously with the Lutheran church.
Hans Holtan was born in Vik, Sogn, Norway, Jan. 9, 1834, son of Anfin
and Gjertrud Holtan. The mother died in the old countrj^ and in 1846 the
father, with his second wife Turi and his children, came to America, set-
tling in Pleasant Springs Township, Dane County, where the father and
stepmother spent the remainder of their days, the former dying Sept. 1,
1872, and the latter about 1865. Hans Holtan was reared to farm pur-
suits, and with the exception of a few years from 1906 to 1910, when
he lived at Stoughton, Wis., remained on the home farm until his death,
Jan. 1, 1911. In 1858 Hans Holtan was married to Raandi Lunde, who was
born in Laurdal, Telemarken, Norway, Sept. 30, 1833, and came to America
with her parents, Austin and Jorond Lunde, in 1851. Austin Lunde died
in 1884, and his wife in 1857. Mrs. Hans Holtan died Jan. 23, 1906, having
been the mother of the following children: Anfin and Austin, who are
farmers in Dane County, Wisconsin; John, a tobacco dealer in Stoughton,
Wis., of which city he was formerly mayor for three terms ; Gertrude, wife
of Louis Severson, also a tobacco dealer of Stoughton ; George, a farmer in
Dane County ; Ole, a tobacco dealer in Stoughton ; Andrew, who is farming
in Dane County; Josie, wife of Albert Asleson, a farmer of Dane County,
and Richard H. of Whitehall, Wis.
Richard H. Holtan, dealer in leaf tobacco at Whitehall, Wis., was born
in Dane County, this state, Aug. 11, 1876, son of Hans and Randi (Lunde)
Holtan. He resided at home with his parents until his marriage, Oct. 28,
1897, when he engaged in farming for himself until 1902. He then moved
to Stoughton, engaging in the tobacco business under the style of Richard
Holtan & Co. After carrying on the business there until 1905 he moved
to Whitehall, estabhshing himself here August 28. In 1914 the concern
was incorporated with a capital stock of $45,000, taking the name of the
Holtan Leaf Tobacco Comany, with John Holtan, president ; R. H. Holtan,
secretary, and 0. H. Holtan, treasurer. The concern has two offices, one at
Whitehall and the other at Stoughton, with warehouses at Stoughton.
R. H. Holtan is also vice-president of the People's State Bank of White-
hall. He has served four years as a member of the village council and was
its president three years. Fraternally he is a member of the Beavers and
Odd Fellows, in which latter order he has passed all the chairs. Mr. Holtan
was married Oct. 28, 1897, to Betsey Johnson of Utica, Dane County, who
was born Nov. 24, 1876, daughter of Jokum and Aasil (Smithback) John-
son. This union has been blessed with two children : Herbert, born Oct. 7,
1898, and Rollin A., born Dec. 7, 1902. Jokum Johnson, farmer and mer-
chant, now residing at Stoughton, Wis., was born in Nummedal, Norway,
in 1853, and came to America in 1871, settling in Dane County, Wisconsin,
where he engaged in farming. In 1894 he became a merchant at Utica, in
the same county, and in 1910 retired and moved to his present home. He
married Aasil Smithback, who died March 24, 1909, at the age of 59 years.
They were the parents of six children : Oscar, residing in the township of
Christiania, Dane County, Wis. ; Betsey (Mrs. R. H. Holtan) ; Aline, who
MR. AND MRS. RICHARD H. HOLTAN AND SONS
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 559
died at the age of two years ; Emma (Mrs. Sorensen) ; Nellie of Utica, Dane
County, who married E. Adolph Johnson, and Olga, now Mrs. B. Logan of
Christiania, Dane County.
Ole G. Herreid, who is engaged in operating a valuable farm of 155
acres in section 16 E., Ettrick Township, was born in Dane County, Wis-
consin, near Lodi, April 5, 1863, son of Gilbert Olson and Ingeborg (Torgers-
dater) Herreid. A memoir of his parents may be found in the sketch of
his brother, Gilbert M. Herreid. Mr. Herreid acquired his education in the
local schools, his parents having settled in Trempealeau County in the year
of his birth, and was brought up on the home farm. At the age of 18 years
he began working in the woods in the winter time, but continued to make
his home with his parents until he was 27, at which time he purchased his
present farm from his father. Besides carrying on general agricultural
operations on his own farm, he has operated a threshing outfit for the last
37 years. Since taking possession of his present homestead, he has made
many improvements on it, his barn being a substantial structure, 32 by 70
feet, with 16-foot stockboards and cement floors, equipped in modern style.
Mr. Herreid is a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery Company and also
operates a cream route, which takes two or three days of his time each
week. Since he began farming on his own account he has made steady
progress and is now one of the prosperous citizens of his township. He
has served on the school board for nine years and in politics is independent.
Oct. 9, 1891, Mr. Herreid was united in marriage with Mattie Paine, who
was born at Medalia, Minn., daughter of William G. and Julia (Dale) Paine.
Her father was born in Wrentham, Mass., of Scotch-Irish stock, and in early
life was a sailor, going to sea on his uncle's whaling vessel at the age of
14 years. After five years spent in this adventurous employment, the Civil
War having broken out, he enlisted in the Eighth Rhode Island Artillery
and served three years. On the conclusion of his term of service he engaged
in the hotel business at St. Cloud, Minn., having come west with a military
company under the command of General Sibley, which company disbanded
at St. Cloud. Later he engaged in business at Madelia, Minn., where after
a residence of seven years, he died. His wife, who was born in Norway, is
now residing with her daughter in Ettrick Township. By her marriage
with Mr. Paine she had three children, and after his death she became the
wife of Ed Johnson, who subsequently died in this township. Of this latter
union two children were born. Mr. and Mrs. Herreid have 10 children:
Emma, Willa, Gordon, Carl, Lea, Rachel, Blanche and Bernice (twins),
Grace and Richard. Mr. Herreid belongs to the Modern Woodmen of
America, and he and his family are members of the United Lutheran
Church.
Theodore A. Breitenfield, proprietor of a blacksmith establishment and
planing mill at Blair, was born in Portland Township, Monroe County, this
state, May 2, 1890, youngest of the eight children of William and Annie
(Oswald) Breitenfield, the former of whom still lives in that township, and
the latter of whom died in 1906, at the age of 58 years. Theodore A.
remained at home until nineteen years of age. It was then that he started
in the blacksmith trade. After a year at Lyndon Station in Juneau County,
560 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
and eight months at Mauston, in the same county, he rented a shop near his
old home for a year. Subsequently he rented a shop at Augusta, in Eau
Claire County, for nine months. June 10, 1914, he rented his present place.
Here he does all kinds of blacksmith work, horseshoeing and wagon work.
The establishment is well equipped with drill pi-ess, trip-hammer and other
conveniences, and turns out some excellent work. In connection with it is
operated the planing mill, which does sawing, turning, planing and other
woodwork. As already mentioned, Mr. Breitenfield comes of a large family.
Albert, the oldest, and Barbara, the fifth, now Mrs. Even Everson, a widow,
live in La Crosse. The others, all of whom live on farms in Monroe County,
are: Clara, wife of Albert Erickson; Herman; Emma, wife of Thomas
Jones ; Laura, wife of Carl Moody, and Otto.
Frank Wood, agent in Galesville, Wis., for the Standard Oil Company,
was born in Bangor, Wis., Jan. 14, 1874, son of David and Mary (Morgan)
Wood. The father, who was born in Wales, Feb. 14, 1840, was a farmer for
many years and now lives retired in Bangor. His wife Mary, mother of
the subject of this sketch, was born near Waukesha, Wis., in 1846, and died
July 1, 1911. Frank Wood was the elder of two children. His early educa-
tion was acquired in the country schools and was supplemented to some
extent by a three months' attendance at high school. He resided at home
until he was 25 years old and then engaged in farming in LaCrosse County,
following that occupation for si.x years. He then sold out and went into the
transfer business in Galesville. In 1912 he entered the employ of the
Standard Oil Company, but still continued in the transfer business until
1916, when he gave it up and has since devoted his whole attention to the
Standard Oil Company's business. Mr. Wood was married Oct. 25, 1899,
to Grace Phillips, who was born in West Salem, Wis., daughter of Hollister
and Marian (Gage) Phillips. Her parents, who are now living retired in
Galesville, were born in eastern states. The father, Hollister Phillips,
was a farmer in early life at West Salem, Wis. He served in the Civil
War with a Wisconsin regiment and was promoted to the rank of captain
of his company. Later he served a term as sheriff of LaCrosse County. He
and his wife had seven children, of whom their daughter Grace was the
third in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Wood are the parents of one child,
Dorothy Marian. He is chief forester of the Modern Woodmen of America,
and belongs also to the Yeomen and Red Men, being clerk in the lodge of the
last mentioned order. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and in
politics is independent.
Ferdinand Witt, who is engaged in farming 160 acres of land in section
8, Lincoln Township, was born in Pomerania, Germany, Sept. 14, 1855.
His parents were Gottfreid and Maria (Betcher) Witt, both of whom died
in Germany, where the father followed the occupation of farmer. Ferdi-
nand was the only member of the family to come to America, making the
journey in 1878. Locating in Whitehall, this county, he worked there two
years and then bought the farm on which he now lives from Lars L.
Skjonsby's widow, making the purchase in 1881. Here he has since resided,
engaged in improving his property. In 1916 he built a barn, 36 by 84 by 12
feet above basement, with concrete walls and cement floors, and his seven-
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 561
room frame house was rebuilt by him in 1913. In 1917 he built a silo 12 by
30 feet of cement blocks. He keeps 35 cattle and 10 horses, milking 14
cows, and also has a number of White Leghorn chickens and mammoth
bronze turkeys, the appearance of his farm presenting evidences of industry
and prosperity. Mr. Witt was married in March, 1881, to Olive Larson
Skjonsby, whose father, Lars L., died in November, 1879. Her mother,
Ingebor Larson, died Feb. 29, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Witt have been the
parents of 11 children: Gottfreid, who died at the age of three months;
Clara, residing at home ; Louis, a farmer in Lincoln Township, who married
Agnes Kurth and has two children — Arthur and Florence ; Fred, Josephine,
William, James and Emma, who reside at home; Minnie, who died at the
age of a year and a half ; Milhe and Alice, at home. Mrs. Witt was born in
Norway, Nov. 6, 1860, and came to America with her parents in 1866, they
spending two years in LaCrosse County. Afterwards her father home-
steaded the land on which she and her husband now reside.
Gilbert F. Steig, a retired farmer residing in Whitehall, Wis., was born
in Biri, Norway, Sept. 25, 1849, a son of Frederick and Bertha (Jenson)
Steig. The pai'ents came to the United States in 1867, settling in Mindora,
LaCi'osse County, Wis., where they remained one year, afterwards moving
to Trempealeau County. They died on the farm of their son, the subject
of this sketch, the father March 28, 1888, and the mother, in March, 1897.
Gilbert F. Steig bought his farm in section 23, Hale Township, this county,
in 1870, when he was 21 years old, and resided there, operating the farm
until the fall of 1898, when he was elected county sheriff, at which time
he moved to Whitehall, which has since been his place of residence. After
filling the office of sheriff two years he went into the hay and grain busi-
ness, also conducting an elevator with Christ Torgerson (of Independence)
at Whitehall, and this was his occupation until 1914, when he retired. He
was treasurer of the Pigeon Mutual Fire Insurance Company for five years
and has been president of the company since 1901. A considerable part of
his time has been devoted to the public service. He was township superin-
tendent four years, township treasurer five years, school clerk two years,
school treasurer 18 years, and president of the village board of Whitehall
four years, in all these offices rendering good and faithful service. Mr.
Steig was married May 30, 1874, to Gelina M. Lewis, who was born in
Norway May 22, 1854, daughter of Gilbert and Marie (Thomervolden)
Lewis. Her parents came to the United States with their family in 1865,
locating in Dane County, Wisconsin, where they spent three years. They
then removed to a farm in section 14, Hale Township, Trempealeau County,
on which place the mother died in 1894, and the father ten years later, in
1904. Mr. and Mrs. Steig have eight children : Frederick, now a farmer in
Bowman, N. D. ; Gustav M., who graduated from the Whitehall high school
and the W. B. University of LaCrosse, and is now a merchant at Church's
Ferry, N. D. ; Benonie I., a merchant at Edmond, N. D. ; Minnie, who
graduated from Steven's Point normal school, was a teacher two years, and
is now the wife of Martin Swenson, a merchant of Esmond, N. D. ; Louise,
also a graduate of Stevens Point normal school, who was a teacher six
years, and is now the wife of C. P. Larson, a banker of Eleva, Wis.;
562 HISTOKY OF TEEMPEALEAU COUNTY
Josephine, a graduate in the class of 1907 of the University of Wisconsin,
and who is now teacher of mathematics in the Kenosha (Wis.) schools;
Olga, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, class of 1914, who is a
teacher of German in the Kenosha (Wis.) schools, and George C., a graduate
of Whitehall high school and the W. B. University of LaCrosse, Wis., who
is assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Lakota, N. D. It will be
seen that Mr. Steig has given his children a good education and that they
are making a good use of it to their own advantage and the credit of their
parents.
David M. Sorenson, a well known resident of Ettrick Village, who is
connected with the government mail service, was born near Jutland, Den-
mark, June 19, 1863, son of Christian C. and Gettie Sorenson, who were
natives of the same locality. When he was less than a year old his mother
died and his father thereupon emigrated to the United States with his
family, consisting of six children, of whom David M. was the youngest.
Setthng in Davenport, Iowa, Christian C. Sorenson there found work at his
trade, which was that of a wheelwright. He remained in that city about
18 months and then removed to LaCrosse, Wis., where he took up carpenter
work, which occupation he followed until his retirement many years later.
His death took place in LaCrosse in 1912. When a young man he had served
in the regular army of Denmark in the War of 1848. David M. Sorenson
when a boy attended school in LaCrosse, and at the age of 16 years began
working as a farm hand in La Crosse County. When 19 he took up the
blacksmith's trade with E. R. Savage, with whom he continued for three
year, going from his employ to that of Sullivan & Buchanan of LaCrosse.
Later he worked two years for McDonnell Bros. & Burchard of the same
city. At the end of that time he came to Ettrick, where he started a general
blacksmith and horseshoeing shop, which he conducted for 18 years. It
was at the end of this latter period that he took the mail route, and since
then he has remained in government employ as carrier, being not otherwise
occupied. In 1912 he built his present residence in Ettrick, one of the best
in the village, to which is attached three acres and a half of land. Interested
in the growth and development of the community in which he lives, he aids
in supporting local or other enterprises calculated to benefit the town or
county, and is a stockholder in the Ettrick & Northern Railroad Company.
Mr. Sorenson gave up bachelor life Oct. 10, 1886, when he was united in
marriage with Lena Nelson Brenengen. Mr. and Mrs. Sorenson are the
parents of four sons : Arthur Guy, Norman C, Joel L. and Oscar M., all
residing at home. Mr. Sorenson is a member of the Masonic order, belong-
ing to the Blue Lodge at Galesville, and also to the Beavers, being worthy
councillor of his lodge.
Frank W. Young is operating the farm in the northwest quarter of sec-
tion 22, Sumner Township, where he was born April 12, 1887, the second
of the seven children of Walter and Minnie (Chamberlain) Young. He
carries on general farming, and has a good grade of Holstein cattle and
Duroc Jersey swine. His public work consists of service as justice of the
peace since 1913, and his fraternal relations are with the M. W. A. Mr.
Young was married Dec. 23, 1912, to Louise Anderson, who was born in
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 563
Unity Township, this county, Aug. 23, 1887, daughter of Daniel Anderson,
and they have two children: Marjorie and Sarah Alice. Walter Young came
to Wisconsin from Pennsylvania and his wife from New York state. They
had seven children : Lester married Grace Kennedy and lives in Duluth ;
Lee is married and lives in Minot, N. D. ; Owen lives with his mother at
Augusta, Wis. ; Grace married Joe Anderson and lives in Eau Claire County
on a farm ; Stella married Frank Justenson and lives on a farm in Eau
Claire County ; Frank and Neva live with the mother at Augusta.
John Wagstad, secretary and treasurer of the Whitehall Mill & Power
Co., of which he is also the miller, was born in Sonfjord, Norway, Nov.
13, 1876, son of Simon and Marie (Hanson) Wagstad. His mother died in
1879 at the age of 36 years and Simon Wagstad subsequently married for
his second wife Anna Flekke. Simon and his wife Anna are both Hving in
Norway, the former at the age of 87 and the latter at that of 55 years.
During his active career he was engaged in farming. John Wagstad came
to America in 1894 with his brother Samuel, locating in Whitehall, Wis.,
where his first work was unloading a car of brick for John 0. Melby & Co.'s
new bank. After working for this company two years he began in 1896 to
learn the miller's trade with the concern of which he is now an officer, and
with which he has remained ever since, except for one year, when he was
in the employ of the Arcadia Milling Company. In 1904 he became miller
and has since retained that position. His fraternal affiliations are with the
Independent Order of Foresters, while religiously he is connected by mem-
bership with the United Norwegian Lutheran Church. John Wagstad was
married July 19, 1910, to Martha Peterson of Unity Township, Wisconsin,
whose father, Gilbert Peterson, formerly a farmer, is now living retired
in Whitehall. Her mother's maiden name was Olive Osgaard. Mr. and
Mrs. Wagstad have one son, Gerald S. Wagstad, born Aug. 27, 1916.
Delbert G. WiUiams, who with his brother Hezekiah P., owns and
operates 280 acres of land in sections 10 and 15, Unity Township, was born
on his present farm, Feb. 13, 1868. His parents were Prince Barnard and
Mary (Atkins) Williams. The father, who was born in Maine in 1832,
subsequently migrated to Kane County, Illinois, with his parents, who died
there. Prince B. Williams then went to Michigan, where he resided for
some years. In 1859 he came to Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, and pur-
chased the land now constituting the Williams farm from the raih-oad com-
pany. Here he resided until his death, devoting his time and labor to the
development and improvement of the farm. His residence was the first house
built in Unity Township, and it was he who named the township, in honor of
his okl home in Maine. After a strenuous life, spent mostly in hard work, he
passed away May 4, 1895. His wife, Mary Atkins Williams, who was born
in Maine, Jan. 14, 1830, died on the home farm May 4, 1906, having survived
her husband just 11 years. Delbert G. WiUiams at an early age became
practically acquainted with the various branches of farm work, being well
taught by his father. From the latter he and his brother, Hezekiah, in
1890 purchased the old homestead and have since continued to own and
operate it, with profitable results. In 1906 Hezekiah P. Williams moved to
Osseo and the two brothers are now engaged in contracting, in addition
564 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
to farming, building state roads in Trempealeau County. Delbert G. Wil-
liams was married June 1, 1890, to Mary Boetzer, who was born in Ger-
many, March 10, 1867, daughter of William and Wilhelmina Boetzer. Her
father, who also was born in Germany, Jan. 13, 1824, came to America in
1874 and resided in Eau Claire County for several years. Mr. and Mrs.
Williams are the parents of six children: Grace May, who was mari'ied
Oct. 19, 1913, to Melvin Holmen of Strum; Charles, residing at home;
Guy, also at home ; Lottie, who was married Aug. 2, 1916, to Jesse Hogue
of Strum, and Leona and Fred, both of whom reside at home. Mr. Williams
served as township supervisor for two years, and has been a school director
since 1898. In politics he is a staunch Democrat. Fraternally he is con-
nected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Beavers.
Oliver Waller, a prosperous merchant of Osseo, member of the firm
of Hagen & Waller, was born in Norway, Jan. 10, 1851, son of Ole Jacob
Johnson and Martha Olsdotter, both of whom spent the span of their years
in the land of their birth. OUver Waller was reared in Norway, and as a
youth was apprenticed to a tailor, from whom he learned the trade. In
1877 he came to this country, and found his way directly to Trempealeau
County, where he worked several years at his trade, first at Independence
and then at Whitehall. In 1882 he opened a store at Stephen, Minn., under
the firm name of 0. P. Larson & Co. Six years later he returned to Inde-
pendence. It was in 1895 that he came to Osseo, and with Eric Hagen,
under the firm name of Hagen & Waller, estabUshed his present business.
The firm enjoys a good trade, and carries a suitable line of general mer-
chandise. Mr. Waller is a stockholder in the Osseo State Bank. His
religious affihation is with the Norwegian Lutheran Church at Osseo, of
which he has been treasurer for some years. Mr. Waller was married Nov.
15, 1905, to Christina Haugen, daughter of M. K. and Guliana (Preste-
gaarten) Haugen. Mr. and Mrs. Waller have had five children: Ohver
Maynard, Thelma Gilma, Maynard Oliver, Julian Donald and Theola Ophelia.
Oliver Maynard and Maynard Oliver died in infancy.
Allen B. Thompson, who is engaged in dairying and horse breeding on
a fine farm of 70 acres, 25 acres of which are located within the city limits
of Galesville and the rest of the property in Gale Township, section 53, was
born in Galesville, this county, Aug. 30, 1880. His parents were WiUiam
and Allie (Atwood) Thompson, the father a native of the state of New
York and the mother of Waupon, Wis. WiUiam Thompson, who early in
life engaged in the stock business, settled in Wisconsin and was engaged
in farming in Trempealeau County for many years, residing on his farm
and personally conducting it for some 12 years, at the end of which time
he took up his residence in Galesville, where he died in 1894. He had come
to the county when a lad of 17 years and had closely identified himself with
its development. He was widely recognized as a man of character and
ability and was elected mayor of Galesville and subsequently re-elected,
but on account of impaired health did not serve out his second term. In this
city he was also an extensive property owner, and was also one of the
founders of and a stockholder in the Bank of Galesville, besides being
prominently connected with other important enterprises. His wife sur-
HISTORY OF TRE.MPEALEAU COUNTY 565
vived him nearly 20 years, passing away in 1913. They reared a family of
seven children, Allen B. being the fifth in order of birth. Allen B. Thompson
acquired the elements of knowledge in the schools of Galesville and subse-
quently continued his literary education at Gale University. He then took
a course in the State Agricultural College at Madison, having already
acquired a fair practical knowledge of farming on the parental homestead
and by working for others, which he began to do when he was 15 years old.
When he was 21 he began to operate the homestead farm independently,
and continued to do so for 12 years, at the end of which time he purchased
his present farm, known generally as the old Waite Johnson farm, but
registered as Top Notch Farm. Here, besides carrying on dairying suc-
cessfully, he is engaged in breeding Percheron horses. His residence is
situated on one of the finest building sites in the county, and his buildings
and equipment are thoroughly up to date and kept in fine condition. Mr.
Thompson was married Jan. 1, 1904, to Helen Maud Kilmer, who was born
in Galesville, daughter of John and Drena (Baldwin) Kilmer. Her father
was born in Cohoes, N. Y., Jan. 22, 1850, and was a carpenter and builder
by occupation. He came to Trempealeau County when a lad of ten years
and for a number of years resided in Stevenstown. Afterwards he became
a prominent citizen of GalesviUe, served as postmaster one term and was
city marshal for a number of years, and is still in active life. His wife
was born in Waupun, Wis., Nov. 14, 1848. Of their children three are now
hving, their daughter Helen Maud being the second born and one of twins.
She was educated in Galesville, graduating from the high school class in
1901. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have one child, Bernice. In the spring
of 1916 Mrs. Thompson engaged in the breeding of black and tan terriers,
using pedigreed registered sires, and has a number now on hand, besides
a number bred from pedigreed sires and dames. These dogs are noted for
their cleanliness and their desirability as pets and also as rat dogs, and
there is a growing demand for them both in this and other states, as well
as Canada. Mrs. Thompson expects to engage extensively in this hne of
business. She has erected quarters for the dogs, known as Top Notch
Kennels, and her business is rapidly increasing. Mr. Thompson is inde-
pendent Repubhcan in politics, but has taken no active part in govern-
mental affairs. He is known as one of the prosperous and substantial
citizens of this locaUty, ready to do his part in advancing the best interests
of the community.
Clyde S. Van Gorden. manager of the Osseo branch of the firm of S. H.
Van Gorden & Sons, was born in Hixton, Wis., Aug. 7, 1892, son of Schuyler
H. and Clara (Potter) Van Gorden. He passed through the gi-aded schools
of Hixton and in 1908 was graduated from the Hixton high school. In
1909 he was graduated from the Winona Business College, and subsequently
took a year's course in Letters and Science at the University of Wisconsin.
He assumed his present duties June 15, 1911, when the Osseo store was
purchased. As manager of this store he has been very successful, and has
built up a flourishing trade. He is a director in the Farmers' Exchange
Bank of Osseo, and in the Central Wisconsin Telephone Co. For two years
he has given good service as a member of the village council. His fraternal
566 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
affiliations are with the Masons, the Modern Woodmen and the Beavers.
In the Masonic order he is a member of the Blue Lodge at Osseo and of the
Chapter at Eau Claire. Mr. Van Gorden was married Aug. 27, 1912, to
Elsie Caley of Waterford, Wis., the daughter of Henry and Ellen Caley, a
graduate of the Whitewater Normal school, and for several years a success-
ful teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Van Gorden have two children : Clara Jeanette,
born Sept. 28, 1913, and Ethel Ellen, born Jan. 10, 1915.
S. H. Van Gorden, senior member and founder of the firm of S. H. Van
Gorden & Sons, founder of a chain of stores in western Wisconsin, was
born in Horseheads, N. Y., Jan. 22, 1852, descended from a long line of New
York ancestry. He came West in 1866, and spent some seven years working
on farms near Fredericksburg, Iowa. In 1873 he drove to Jackson County,
this State, where he engaged in farming. Later he became traveling sales-
man for the Davis, Rankin Company, manufacturers of creamery supplies.
In the employ of this company he erected creameries at Whitehall, Strum
and other places in this region. In 1888 he opened a general store at Hixton.
This venture was successful, and he decided to enlarge the scope of his
activities. He bought a store at Taylor in 1893, at Alma Center in 1906,
and at Osseo in 1911. These four stores were operated under the firm
name of S. H. Van Gorden & Sons, S. H. Van Gorden, himself, managing the
one at Hixton ; the son, Bert L., the one at Taylor ; the son, Harry H., the
one at Alma Center, and Clyde S., the one at Osseo. S. H. Van Gorden is
a prominent man in his community, is a director in the Hixton Bank and the
Jackson County Bank at Black River Falls, and is treasurer of the Central
Wisconsin Telephone Company. One of the sons, Bert L., is president of
the Jackson County Bank at Black River Falls, vice-president of the Trem-
pealeau Valley State Bank at Taylor, and president and general manager
of the Central Wisconsin Telephone Company. He is serving in the Wis-
consin Legislature as a member from Jackson County. S. H. Van Gorden
was married July 4, 1871, at Fredericksburg, Iowa, to Clara Potter, who
was born Sept. 20, 1851.
Knudt E. Runnestrand, among the prosperous merchants of the Village
of Ettrick, where he is engaged in the furniture business, is the subject of
this sketch, who was born in Bergen, Norway, Aug. 3, 1855. His parents
were Elling and Barbara (Torgerson) Runnestrand, both natives of the
same city, a noted seaport of Norway. The father was a sailor, but neither
he nor his wife ever came to this country, both dying in their native land.
Knudt Runnestrand resided with his parents until he was 17 years of age,
when he began to learn the carpenter's trade, becoming a journeyman car-
penter at the age of 21. After continuing work at his trade for one year
in Norway, he decided to emigrate to the United States and soon after,
June 5, 1877, arrived in Ettrick, Trempealeau County, Wis., where at that
time there were but two or three houses. Here Sylvester Johnson gave
him work in the harvest field, and after that he became acquainted with
Almond Holhnger, a carpenter and contractor of Blair, who was known as
the "church builder," and was then engaged in building the church at French
Creek. Mr. Hollinger employed him to assist on that job and he remained
with him 18 months, during which time he also helped to build Gilberson's
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 567
store at Blair. He then began contracting on his own account, among other
jobs building Swen Johnson's residence at Bear Creek. In 1880 Mr.
Runnestrand returned to Norway, where, April 18, 1881, he was married
in the city of Bergen to Anna Larson, who was born in Hardanger, Norway,
where her father was engaged in farming. Her parents remained in their
native land, but in June, 1881, about two months after their marriage, Mrs.
Runnestrand accompanied her husband on his return to this country. Here
he resumed his work as contractor and builder and has since continued in
that line of industry, adding to it in 1907 his present furniture and under-
taking business. His store is well stocked with a good line of furniture and
his trade has gradually increased until it is now on a profitable basis.
Mr. Runnestrand has been industrious and enterprising and is reaping the
reward of his labors, having financial interests aside from those ah'eady
mentioned. He owns valuable property in Ettrick and is a stockholder in
the Bank of Ettrick and the Ettrick & Northern Railroad, now in process
of construction. He and his wife are the parents of six children : Bertha,
wife of Maurice Casey, who is engaged in the implement business in Ettrick ;
Emma, wife of Arthur Knudtson, a merchant of New England, N. D. ; Clara,
wife of William Truax, a farmer of Gale Township; Alfred T., who is en-
gaged in assisting his father; Helen, a telephone operator in Ettrick, and
Archie. Mr. Runnestrand and his family are members of the Norwegian
Synod Lutheran church. In politics he is an independent Republican. He
has served one term as township treasurer and is a man who occupies an
honorable place in the community, which he has won by his own efforts.
Ole 0. Thomasgaard. Among the well-developed agricultural proper-
ties in Unity Township is that known as Oak Grove Farm, in sections 20
and 29, of which Ole 0. Thomasgaard is proprietor. Mr. Thomasgaard
was born in Tolgen, Norway, June 3, 1848. His father, Ole L. Thomasgaard,
died in Norway, as did also his mother, whose maiden name was Petronelle
Hanson. The subject of this sketch came to America in 1870, locating first
in Hesper, Iowa, where he worked on farms for two years. He then came
to Trempealeau County, Wis., and worked two years on farms in Sumner
Township, at the end of which time he bought 40 acres of his present farm
in Unity Township, having since added to it the other 80 acres. In 1877 he
assisted in the organization of Unity Township and served as its first
assessor, two years later being chairman of the township board, which
office he held for 20 years, and, by virtue of that office, a member also of
the county board. He also served as justice of the peace for 20 years, and
has been school clerk, serving three years, and school treasurer nine years.
He helped to organize Unity Co-Operative Creamery at Strum, of which he
has been a director for your years, and he is also a stockholder of the First
State Bank of Strum. In these various positions, both business and official,
Mr. Thomasgaard has shown capacity and a conscientious regard for duty
which have given him a high place among the citizens of his township. As
a farmer he has been prosperous, his land being productive and his place
well improved. Mr. Thomasgaard was married Aug. 4, 1872, to Marit E.
Kleven, who was born in Vingelen, Norway, Feb. 9, 1847, and who came to
the United States on the same vessel with him. Her father, Esten 0.
568 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Kleven, who was a farmer, died in Norway, as did also her mother, whose
maiden name was Johanna Roesplaece. Mr. and Mrs. Thomasgaard have
had a family of eight children, but only three ai'e now Uving. Their record
in brief is as follows : Pauline, who is the wife of 0. C. Olson, and has five
children — Colonel Oscar Olson, Edwin, Mabel, Melvin and Julia ; Josephine,
who died at the age of four years ; Emelia, who died when 2 years old ;
Josephine (second) , who is the wife of Gilbert Svendby, of Strum, and has
three children — Mabel, Odin and Clifford ; Edward, who died at the age of
1 year; Edward (second), who resides on his father's farm, which he is
managing ; Oscar, who died at the age of 4 years, and PauUna, who died at
the age of 3 years. The surviving members of the family belong to the
United Norwegian Lutheran church, which Mr. Thomasgaard has served
six years as trustee and six years as treasurer.
C. O. Thomas, who conducts an ice cream parlor and variety store in
Osseo, was born in Lodi, Wis., Oct. 14, 1879, son of Charles Edmond and
Adeline (Odell) Thomas, and grandson of James and Polly (Lyman)
Thomas. Charles Edmond Thomas was born in Canada, and was a pioneer
in Lodi, Wis., where he farmed and worked in hardware stores. He died
Nov. 11, 1915, and his wife died May 30, 1903. C. 0. Thomas was reared
in his native place, and learned the trade of buttermaker there. Thus
pi'epared he worked in creameries in Loyal, Wis., Osseo, and Poynette, Wis.
In 1907 he came back to Osseo and entered the employ of John Carson,
merchant. March 4, 1912, he purchased the variety store of A. B. Arvidson,
and this he has since successfully conducted. He has a lunch counter and
ice cream parlor, and handles soft drinks, cigars, pipes, tobacco, bakery
goods, fancy groceries, candy and nuts, fruits and vegetables, sporting
goods, kodaks and kodak supplies, books and magazines, 5- and 10-cent
goods, toys, jewelry and post cards. He also has a clothing department,
taking orders for custom-made clothes. Mr. Thomas' financial holdings
include stock in the Farmers' Exchange Bank and in the Farmers' Elevator,
both of Osseo. His fraternal relations are with the Masonic order and
Modern Woodmen, and he is a member of the Osseo Band. Mr. Thomas
was married Aug. 15, 1906, to Emma Nelson, daughter of Eric and Betsy
(Roberts) Nelson.
Ador G. Peterson, manager of the electric Hght plant at Blair, was born
in Norway, Nov. 12, 1866, son of Guttorm Rognrud and Karen Braskerud,
who spent the span of their years in the old country, the father dying in
1890 at the age of 66 and the mother in 1878 at the age of 50 years. He
was educated in the schools of his native land, and in 1888 came to this
country and located in Blair. For a considerable period he divided his time
between working in the pineries winters and on farms summers. As miller
for W. G. Hyslop, at Blair, he did most efficient work for some seven years.
For eight months Mr. Peterson was marshal at Blair. His fraternal affili-
ations are with the Independent Foresters and the Beavers. Mr. Peterson
was married Aug. 21, 1898, to Lottie Kvenmon, of Blair, the daughter of
Christ and PeuneUie (Braskerud) Kvenmon, and this union has been blessed
with seven children : Goldie, Alf , Alden, Gladys, Orrie, Robert and Pearl.
The family faith is that of the United Norwegian Lutheran church.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 569
Donald M. Phillips, D. D. S., of Galesville, was born in La Crosse County,
Wis., July 30, 1891, a son of H. M. and Lillie (McKenzie) Phillips. The
father was born in West Salem, Wis., April 5, 1868, and in early manhood
was a farmer. He is now residing in Galesville, where he is in business as
a bridge builder and contractor. His wife, the Doctor's mother, was born
near La Crosse, Wisconsin. Dr. Phillips, who was the eldest of a
family of six children, attended school in Galesville and subsequently took
a preliminary college course from instructors connected with the University
of Northern Indiana. His degree of D. D. S. was obtained later, after the
usual course of study, from the Chicago College of Dental Surgery.
In 1914 he began practicing his profession in Galesville and has
since remained here. He has already gained a good reputation
for skill and the number of his patrons has steadily increased, so
that he is kept busy most of the time. He owns some valuable property
in Galesville. Dr. Phillips' fraternal affiliations are with the local Masonic
lodge, of which he is now junior deacon, the Red Men, Beavers, Modern
Woodmen of America and Yeomen. He is also a member of the Galesville
Fire Department. Dec. 26, 1914, Dr. Phillips was married to Florence
Song, of Evanston, 111., daughter of A. F. and Adeline (Ryerson) Song, both
natives and present residents of Chicago, where her father is connected
with the printing business. Dr. and Mrs. Phillips have two children:
Donald M., Jr., who was born Jan. 7, 1916, and Robert Milton, born April 26,
1917.
Adolph C. Olson, harness manufacturer and dealer, now located at Blair,
was born in Preston Township, this county, March 11, 1873, son of Carlos
and Caroline (Christenson) Olson, and grandson of Andrew and Olea Chris-
fenson, all of whom were born in Norway, and immigrated to the United
States, Andrew Christenson and his family coming first and Carlos Olson
coming in 1871. Left fatherless when but little more than a year old,
Adolph C. Olson, was reared by his mother and grandparents until he was
10 years of age, at which time he was adopted by Andrew Shelly, a farmer
of Springfield Township, Jackson County, Wis. At the age of 24 he started
out for himself, and for several years was employed as a farm hand. In
1900 he began to learn the trade of harnessmaking under Ed. Arneson, of
Taylor, this State. He came to Blair in 1904 and purchased a half interest
in the shop of A. H. Boe. For several years the business was conducted
under the firm name of Boe & Olson. Then, in 1907, Mr. Olson bought out
his partner, and has since been the sole owner and proprietor. He manu-
factures and repairs leather goods and horse supplies. A substantial man
in the community, he has been especially prominent in the local lodge of
the Sons of Norway, in which he has been vice-president since 1912. He
is also a member of the Modern Woodmen. His religious affiliations are
with the Synod Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Olson was married Nov.
2, 1904, to Olive Peterson, daughter of Ole and Lena Peterson, formerly
of Jackson County, this State, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Olson
have had three children : Lillian (died at the age of 4 years) , Agnes and
Lloyd.
Glaus and Carl Thompson, proprietors of 187 acres of land in section
570 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
16, Unity Township, are the sons of Klemet and Cecil (Sletto) Tandlokken,
and were born on the family homestead in Unity Township — Glaus, Feb. 8,
1883, and Carl, Feb. 6, 1885. The original family name of Tandlokken has
been Americanized to Thompson. The father, Klemet, who was born in
Gulbrandsdalen, Norway, came to America in 1865, settling first in Vernon
County, Wis., where he remained until 1870. He then purchased the farm
in Unity Township now owned by his sons Olaus and Carl and spent the
rest of his hfe in its improvement. His death took place January 16, 1909.
His wife Cecil was born in Norway, June 26, 1854, and died Aug. 8, 1916.
There were seven children in their family, of whom the two brothers above
mentioned are the only ones now living. Carl Thompson was married June
21, 1911, to Nettie Nelson, of Unity Township, who was born in this town-
ship Sept. 4, 1876, daughter of Peder and Karen (Anderson) Nelson. Her
father, a farmer by occupation, was born in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway, Feb.
22, 1843, son of Nels Peterson and Christina, his wife, and came to America
in 1866, settling in Vernon County, Wis., where he remained two years. In
1869 he located on his present farm of 160 acres in section 19, Unity Town-
ship, Trempealeau County, where he has since remained, having well
improved the farm. He was married, April 26, 1868, to Karen Anderson,
of Vernon County, Wis., who was born in Norway, Oct. 21, 1841, and whose
father, Andrew, died in Norway. Peder Nelson and wife were the parents
of six children : Nels, who died at the age of 6 years ; Marcus and Matilda,
residing at home ; Nettie, who is now Mrs. Carl Thompson ; Albert, who
married Selma Johnson, resides in Minneapolis and has had one child,
Lincoln, who died at the age of 9 years ; and Palma, who married Gust Peter-
son, of St. Paul. Mr. and Mrs. Carl Thompson have one child, Mabel Sylvia,
who was born Dec. 13, 1912. Both Carl and Olaus Thompson are stock-
holders in the Farmers' Bank of Osseo. They are members of the Sjoiod
Norwegian Lutheran church, of Strum. Carl has served two years as
township supervisor.
Louis J. Schansberg, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits as proprie-
tor of Meadow Lake Farm of 155 acres, situated in section 24, Lincoln town-
ship, was born in Vernon County, Wis., near Chaseburg, Oct. 16, 1881. He
is a son of John Schansberg, who was born in Norway in October, 1841, and
who came to the United States in 1860, locating in Vernon County, Wis.,
where he resided until 1897. In that year John Schansberg removed to
Trempealeau County, settling on the farm where his son Louis J. now
resides, and which he cultivated until 1907. He then sold it to the latter and
retired to a small farm near Whitehall, where he is now living. His wife,
whose maiden name was Berget Steenberg, is still living, being now 69
years old. Louis J. Schansberg resided at home working with his father
until 1907, in which year he bought the home farm with his brother, Henry
J., and they operated it together in partnership until 1912, when Louis
purchased his brother's interest in the place and has since remained sole
proprietor. The buildings include a two-story, seven-room house, with full
basement, and provided with furnace, bath, toilet and all necessary con-
veniences. In 1916 Mr. Schansberg built an ell-shaped, frame bam,- the
main part being 32 by 60 feet, and the ell 34 by 44, with concrete blocks four
a;
c
Z
B
W
Z
B
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 571
feet from the bottom, and 17 feet above the blocks. It is furnished with
25 Louden stanchions and Utter carrier, and has concrete floors, concrete
mangers and individual drinking fountains. He has also two silos — one
a stave silo, 14 by 29 feet, the other of cement blocks, 12 by 29. Mr.
Schansberg keeps graded Shorthorn cattle, having a herd of 45 head, of
which he milks 20 ; he also feeds 100 Duroc-Jersey hogs a year. Aside from
his direct farming interests, he is a director and vice-president of the Pigeon
Grain & Stock Company. Since 1909 he has been treasurer of joint district
No. 1, of Lincoln and Pigeon Townships, has served on the township board
two years and as township treasurer two years. April 7, 1907, Mr.
Schansberg was married to Clara Simonson, who was born in Pigeon Town-
ship, this county, Dec. 18, 1878, and whose father, Peter Simonson, now a
retired farmer of that township, came to America from Norway in 1870.
Her mother, whose maiden name was Helena Weverstad, is now 78 years old.
Mr. and Mrs. Schansberg have five children : Selma V., born Jan. 28, 1908 ;
Odell N., born June 19, 1909; Helen, born March 13, 1912; Lawrence, born
Dec. 31, 1914, and Ralph H., born Jan. 8, 1917. The family are members
of the United Norwegian Lutheran church, of which Mr. Schansberg has
been secretary since 1911.
Paul Sura, a well-known real estate dealer and business man of Inde-
pendence, was born in this village, June 11, 1880, a son of Peter and Agatha
(Lucasek) Sura. The father, who was born in Germany, came to America
in 1857, was the first Polish settler in Burnside and died May 11, 1879,
at the age of 79 years. The mother of the subject of this sketch, who was
his father's second wife, is still living in the village, being now 60 years of
age. Peter Sura had a large family numbering 18 children, nine by each
wife, all of those by the first wife being now dead. Paul Sura, who was
the second-born child of the second marriage, after beginning industrial
life worked out for others for some seven years. He then, in 1904, bought
the saloon of Ignaatz Jelen in Independence and has since carried on business
here, occupying a modern brick building of two stories with basement, 46
by 28 feet in dimensions. He deals in real estate and has recently built a
modern garage, a brick building of two stories and basement, with concrete
floors, 30 by 60 feet, with machine shop, washing rack and all necessary
fixtures. He deals in Oldsmobiles (8's and 4's) and Dodge Bros, cars,
together with all supplies and accessories. He is also a stockholder and was
a promoter of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of Independence. Mr.
Sura was married Nov. 16, 1904, to Annie Woychik, of Independence, a
daughter of Thomas and Frances (Gierok) Woychik, her father being a
farmer. He and his wife have three children: Benedict, Lucy and Clar-
ence. Mr. Sura is a member of the CathoMc church. Active and enter-
prising, he takes a keen interest not only in the advancement of his own
fortunes, but also in the general prosperity of the village and is prompt to
lend his aid to a worthy cause.
Marcus Olson, who is conducting a farm of 78 acres in sections 10 and
15, Gale Township, was born in Ettrick Township, Trempealeau County,
Wis., Dec. 28, 1873, son of Samuel and Bertha (Larson) Olson. The
parents were natives of Berey, Norway, in which country they were mar-
572 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
ried. On coming to this country they settled near Sparta, Wis., from which
place they later removed to Ettrick Township, where Samuel Olson engaged
in farming. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted eai'ly in the Fif-
teenth Wisconsin Volunteers, Company B, and served until the close of the
war, escaping death, wounds and imprisonment. He is now a resident of
Gale Township, and is a widcTwer, his wife having died in February, 1900.
Their family was large, numbering 12 children, Marcus being the fourth in
order of birth. Marcus Olson was obliged to support himself at the early
age of 10 years, working for his clothing and board. Besides doing farm
work, he learned the carpenter's trade and worked at it for a number of
years at intervals. Later he engaged in hauling cream to the creamery at
Galesville and was thus occupied for 12 years. In 1907 he bought his
present farm and has since resided on it, carrying on general farming and
dairying. He has made extensive improvements on the place and now has
good modern buildings with an adequate supply of tools and implements
and all the accessories needed for modern agriculture. Besides operating
his farm he still hauls cream to the creamery. Mr. Olson was married,
June 15, 1899, to Julia Jurgensen, who was born at French Creek, Ettrick
Township, daughter of Simon and Agnes (Johnson) Jurgensen. Her
parents were natives of Norway, the father born June 15, 1830, the mother
in 1834. Simon Jurgensen, who died in August, 1916, was a Civil War
veteran, having enlisted in the same company and regiment as Samuel Olson,
the father of the subject of this sketch. Receiving a gunshot wound in
battle, he was sent home disabled, but recovering sufficiently, he returned
to the army and served until the close of the war. The greater part of his
life was spent in farming. His wife died in 1908. Their daughter Juha,
who was the ninth born in a family of 12 children, was educated in the
schools of Ettrick Township. Mr. and Mrs. Olson are the parents of six
children : Aslang Lelma, Bert Selinar, Mabel Josephine, Lester Vilas, Clar-
ence Richard and Hazel Irene, all of whom are residing at home. The
Olson family are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Olson gives his
political allegiance to the Republican party, but is not active in politics,
devoting his entire attention to his farm, his cream route and his home.
Louis Crawford Olson, manager of the Arctic Springs Creamery at
Galesville, was born at Wild Rose, Waushara County, Wis., May 13, 1885.
His parents were Louis and Ida (Nelson) Olson. The father, who was
born in Norway, June 5, 1849, was brought to the United States when a
child of four years and was reared in Wisconsin, becoming a farmer and land
owner near Wild Rose. He has held various local offices and is still in
active life. His parents reside in that vicinity. His wife Ida was born in
Sheboygan, Wis., April 10, 1855. Louis Crawford Olson was the youngest
of four children, of whom three are still living. He attended the grammar
and high school at Wild Rose, also business college in Grand Rapids, Wis.,
subsequently taking a course in dairying at the University of Wisconsin.
When about 18 years of age he was given the practical management of his
parents' farm and remained at home until about 1911, when he entered the
employ of the Wild Rose Creamery Company, with whom he remained two
years. It was immediately after this that he took the dairy course at the
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 573
university. He then spent a year in Peshtigo, Wis., at the end of which
tirtie he came to Galesville to assume the duties of his present position. He
is also a stockholder in the Wild Rose Creamery Company, but devotes his
entire time to the creamery in Galesville. Mr. Olson v^fas married June 5,
1913, to Jane Ramsdale, who was born in Madison, Wis., daughter of Frank
and Mary (Jones) Ramsdale. Her parents were natives, respectively of
Madison and Cambria, Wis. The father, who was a printer in early life,
about the year 1900 became connected with the State Fish Commission, and
is at present in its employ. He and his wife reside at Wild Rose, Wis. Mr.
and Mrs. Olson are the parents of a daughter, Lorraine Clara. Mr. Olson
belongs to the Masonic lodge at Wild Rose, No. 274, and to the Eastern Star
in Galesville. In politics he is a Republican.
Henry Russell, proprietor of the Russell farm of 190 acres in section 4,
Burnside Township, was born on this farm Oct. 4, 1874, son of William and
Christina (Cooper) Russell, who were married in Scotland, their native land.
William Russell was born in 1834 and his wife Christina Nov. 26, 1840, the
former's birthplace being Edinburgh. In 1863 William, with his wife, four
children, and his wife's parents, Henry and Isabelle (McKay) Russell,
emigrated to the United States, locating first in Pennsylvania, where
William Russell found employment in the coal mines. In the spring of the
following year all the other members of the family came to Trempealeau
County, Wis., he joining them in the fall. Here he bought the farm now
owned by his son Henry, the subject of this sketch. At the time he did
so he had neither team nor tools for agricultural purposes and the family
was destitute of furniture. How they managed to get along and achieve
final prosperity might well puzzle anyone brought up under modern condi-
tions, but they accomplished this seemingly impossible task, after enduring
many severe privations. Obtaining a few tools, perhaps by borrowing
from his neighbors, who were always ready to help newcomers, Mr. Russell
erected a small log house, 14 by 16 feet in dimensions, having a puncheon
floor and slab roof, which was the family home for some years; and by
some arrangement he obtained the use of an ox team for breaking the land.
His subsequent labors were similar to those of other pioneers, which may
be found often described in this volume. Here William Russell lived and
toiled for 22 years, or until his death in 1886. He had made good progress
with his fai'm and its subsequent development has since been taken care
of by his son Henry, now the owner of the property, with whom resides
the latter's mother, and other members of the family. One of the most
recent improvements is a good barn, built in 1916, which measures 38 by
70 by 20 feet. It is of frame construction, except for the lower four feet,
which is of concrete blocks, and has cement floors all through, being also
provided with steel stanchions, litter carriers and other modern conven-
iences. Mr. Russell has a herd of 35 Durham cattle, of which he milks 15, all
being high-grade animals, while he raises the various crops indigenous to
this region. For fifteen years he has served as clerk of the school board. He
was married June 7, 1899, to Allie Back, of Chimney Rock Township, daugh-
ter of George and Charlotte (Branch) Back, her father being a well-known
farmer of that township. Mr. and Mrs. Russell have two children : Russell
574 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU ( ^UNTY
A., born in September, 1900, and Christina, born in December, 1908. The
following is a brief record of the children of William and Christina (Cooper)
Russell: Alexander, who died in 1891; Mary, wife of A. W. Liver, a mer-
chant of Independence, Wis. ; Isabelle, who married William Koepke, of
Racine, Wis., and died in 1910 ; Christina, who died in 1892 ; Henry, proprie-
tor of the old homestead ; William, now a farmer at Portland, Ore. ; and Tona,
wife of Albert Olson, a farmer of Preston Township, this county.
Peter C. Skroch, a well-known business man of Independence, agent for
the G. Heileman Brewing Company, of La Crosse, was born in German
Poland Aug. 12, 1864, a son of John and Mary (Sobota) Skroch. The father,
John Skroch, a native of German Poland, came to the United States in 1882
and, settling in Trempealeau County, Wis., bought a farm in Lincoln Town-
ship, where he resided until 1900, when he retired to Independence. He died
Jan. 14, 1916, aged 84 years. His wife Mary died Dec. 25, 1911, at the age
of 63. Peter C. Skroch was reared on the home farm in Lincoln Township
and lived there until his marriage. He then engaged in mason work in
Independence. In 1889 he accepted his present position as agent for the
G. Heileman Brewing Company, of La Crosse. Since 1892 he has held the
office of assessor in Independence. He is a stockholder and was one of
the organizers of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank, of Independence. A
member of the Catholic church, he has been secretary of the Congregation
Sts. Peter and Paul for five years. He is president and was one of the
organizers of Sts. Peter and Paul Society, having held the office of president
seven years. This society is a branch (No. 14) of the Polish Union of
America. In politics Mr. Skroch is a Democrat. Mr. Skroch was first
married, Sept. 8, 1892, to Mary Sygula, of Burnside Township, who died in
1900 at the early age of 28 years. She left two children : Mary, now Mrs.
John Klink, of Independence; and Rosa, a clerk in Garthus' store in this
village, who resides at home. June 6, 1904, Mr. Skroch married for his
second wife Rosa Firlus, of St. Paul. Of this union there are six children :
Aloysius, Clara, Martha, Alphonse, Helen and Clarence.
Simon Skroch, a business man of Independence, of which village he is
now postmaster, was born in Burnside Township, Trempealeau County, Wis.,
Oct. 28, 1885. His parents were Frank and Agnes (Sobota) Skroch. The
father, who was born in German Poland, came to America in 1880, settling in
Burnside Township, this county, where he died in 1892 at the age of 58
years. His wife survived him a number of years, dying in 1903 at the age
of 52. They had 10 children, of whom Simon was the ninth in order of birth.
He received his education in the parochial school and the Independence
High School, graduating from the latter in 1903. Simon Skroch in his
youth acquired a knowledge of farming, and from. 1904 to 1908 worked
at that occupation for his brother Michael. From 1910 to 1914 he earned a
good living as painter and paper-hanger, following that occupation at Inde-
pendence. Dec. 22, 1913, he was appointed postmaster at Independence
by President Wilson, and has since retained that office. In politics he is a
strong Democrat. Aside from his immediate occupation, he is a stock-
holder in the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank, of Independence. He belongs
to the Knights of Columbus in Arcadia and is a member of the Catholic
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 575
church. Oct. 13, 1914, Mr. Skroch was united in marriage with Lucy Zilla,
of Independence, who was born Dec. 11, 1892, daughter of John F. and Agnes
(Motszko) Zilla. Her father, who was a plumber by trade, died in 1907
at the age of 39 years. Her mother is still living and resides in Inde-
pendence, being now 44 years old. Mr. and Mrs. Skroch have one child,
Florence, who was born May 8, 1916.
Edwin C. Hanson, of the firm of Hanson & Johnson, hardware and
implement dealers of Blair, is a native of the village where he now lives,
having been born April 9, 1881, son of Christ C. and Bertha (Peterson) Blair,
the former of whom, a retired merchant now living in Blair, came to
America in 1869, and found his way directly to Trempealeau County.
Edwin C. Hanson remained at home until 20 years of age, and then became
timekeeper in an iron mine at Ely, Minn. Returning to Blair, he clerked
for a number of years in the store of G. L. Solberg. Sept. 12, 1912, he
purchased the hardware stock of F. L. Immel, and on Jan. 1, 1913, the
implement stock of A' B. Peterson, carrying on the joint business under
his own name until Jan. 20, 1915, when he took Oscar B. Johnson as a
partner under the firm name of Hanson & Johnson. May 1, 1916, they
purchased the building on the corner of Broadway and Gilbert Street, and
have since carried on business there. The structure is a brick-veneered
building, 28 by 64 feet, two-story with a basement, steam heated and modern
throughout, and the firm carries a complete line of goods, being known far
and wide for its reasonable prices and honest dealings. Mr. Hanson has
done good service on the village council for six years. His fraternal rela-
tions are with the Modern Woodmen, the Sons of Norway and the Beavers.
The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Hanson
was married Oct. 30, 1907, to Helga Olson, born in Hale Township, Aug. 8,
1880, daughter of Ole C. and Martha (Paulson) Hanson, the former of
whom came from Norway in 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson had three chil-
dren: Bessie, who died in infancy; Corinne, born Nov. 20, 1910, and Helen
E., born Oct. 20, 1914.
Michael J. Romui\dstad, proprietor of Valley View Farm, Unity Town-
ship, a highly improved piece of agricultural property, was born on this
farm, Jan. 27, 1874, son of Ole J. and Gertrude 0. Romundstad. The father
was one of the early settlers in this locality. Born in Rindalen, near Trond-
jem, Norway, Sept. 3, 1840, he came to the United States in the spring of
1869 and homesteaded the farm on which his son Michael J. now lives.
This farm now consists of 280 acres, of which 200 lie in section 4 and the
other 80 in section 33. Here Ole J. Romundstad spent some 37 years, adding
to the size of his farm and improving it by cultivation and the erection of
buildings as needed until it became a valuable piece of property. His labori-
ous career was brought to a close by death, Sept. 10, 1906. His wife
Gertrude, who was born in the same part of Norway as himself, Oct. 23,
1847, came to this country in the spring of 1870, their marriage taking
place Nov. 7, that year. She is still living and resides with her son, Michael
J. Their family numbered nine children: John, a farmer at Fergus,
Mont.; Odin, who is engaged in ranching at that place; Michael J., subject
of this sketch ; Ellen, wife of John Karo, a farmer of Fergus, Mont. ; Mollie,
576 HISTORY OF TEEMPEALEAU COUNTY
wife of Dan Moltzau, a farmer of Fergus, Mont.; Marit, wife of Harry
Haanstad, a sawyer of Medford, Wis. ; Louisa, now Mrs. Anton Clementson,
her husband being a merchant at Mondovi, Wis. ; Annie, wife of H. P. Frodal,
of Shevlin, Minn., her husband being a farmer; and Olga, wife of Harry
Oquist, a farmer of Roy, Mont. Michael J. Romundstad has resided on his
present farm — the old parental homestead — all his life, becoming its man-
ager in 1905 and its owner in 1906, after his father's death, he purchasing
the property. The improvements are very extensive, and include a bam,
20 by 52 by 18 feet, for horses ; another barn, 30 by 50 by 16 feet, with an ell,
24 by 52 by 18 feet, having cement flooi's and equipped with steel stanchions ;
also a residence of frame construction, two stories and basement, and con-
taining ten rooms. Among his other buildings are a skimming house, 10
by 12 feet ; a granary, 20 by 32 by 14, and a machine shed, 32 by 22 by 8 feet,
these three being frame buildings, together with a concrete silo, 14 by 33
feet. Mr. Romundstad keeps a herd of 32 Shorthorn cattle, graded, and also
raises Plymouth Rock chickens. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' Ex-
change Bank, of Osseo, and the Unity Co-Operative Creamery, of Strum.
As one of the responsible citizens of Unity Township, he has been called
upon several times to aid in local government affairs, having been a member
of the township board four years, school clerk four years and assessor one
year. June 2, 1909, Mr. Romundstad was united in marriage with Marie
Fossum, of Eau Claire, Wis., who was born in that city Dec. 26, 1886,
daughter of Anton and Mathia (Johnsgaard) Fossum, her father being a
carpenter by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Romundstad are the parents of four
children born as follows: Ohve, July 6, 1910; Muriel, Dec. 9, 1911 ; Astrid,
Sept. 23, 1914, and Gjermund, Feb. 25, 1916. The family are members of
.the United Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.
Claud Harrison Hare, proprietor of a dairy and stock farm of 160 acres
in section 12, Gale Township, was born in Trempealeau Township, this
county, Oct. 6, 1888, son of William and Aurilla (Hovell) Hare. His parents
were natives of Wisconsin, the father born in La Crosse County, Sept. 4,
1860, and the mother in Trempealeau County, Oct. 31, 1870. William Hare
became a land owner in this county in 1887 and has always been a farmer.
He still resides on his old homestead of 180 acres and is one of the active
agriculturalists of his township. He and his wife have been the parents
of four children. Claud H. was the first born. Claud H. Hare in his boy-
hood attended District School No. 13, which was located on his father's farm.
He learned agriculture under his father's tuition and lived at home until
he was 20 years of age. He then worked on a dairy farm for two years,
afterward moving to Galesville, where he resided for five months, during
this period being engaged in operating a threshing outfit. At the end of
that time — in December — he rented the Harris farm in Big Tamarac and
operated it until December, 1913, when he purchased his present farm of
160 acres of improved land. This he is operating as a general dairy farm
and stock farm, giving particular attention to the breeding of Durham
cattle. He is not active in politics, preferring to give his entire attention
to his business, which is growing larger each year. June 30, 1909, Mr.
Hare was united in marriage with Mabel Harnslein, who was born at French-
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 577
ville, Trempealeau County, Wis., daughter of Andrew and Julia (Sagen)
Harnslein. Her father, who also was born at Frenchville, this county, and
raised there, was a ti-aveling salesman up to the time of his death, Nov.
4, 1911. His wife, Mrs. Hare's mother, who is a sister of Ole Sagen, of
Galesville, was born in Norway, Sept. 6, 1862. Mrs. Hare was educated in
Trempealeau County, attending the Galesville High School and also Gale
College. She and her husband are the parents of two children : Lyle Fern
and Ruth Mae. Mr. Hare's fraternal society affiliations are with the Yeo-
men and the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his family stand high
in the community and have a wide circle of friends.
Walter Hunter, a well-known farmer in section 35, Gale Township, was
born on his parents' farm at Decorah Prairie, this township, Aug. 12, 1863.
His parents were Thomas and Agnes (Grant) Hunter. He was educated in
the district school and remained at home until he was 20 years old. He then
went to Cheyenne, Wyo., under contract and for one summer was employed
in cutting wood for the soldiers at old Fort Laramie. He then went to
southwestern Nebraska, where he homesteaded Government land, residing
there until the spring of 1902, and during this time being engaged in farm-
ing and stock raising on a tract of 320 acres, which he sold in 1906, four
years after his return home. In 1902 he purchased his present farm of
120 acres of valley land, which adjoins his father's farm in section 35, and
here he has since carried on general farming, devoting his entire time to
the business. He is also a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing Company
and in the Independent Harvester Company at Piano, 111. Mr. Hunter was
married April 28, 1892, to Jeanette Oliver, daughter of Robert and Mary
(Scott) Oliver. Her parents, who were natives of Lanarkshire, Scotland,
were early settlers in Trempealeau County, Mr. Oliver becoming an extensive
land owner here. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter have a family of eight children:
John, Lucian, William, Agnes, Mamie, Ollie, Norman and Donald, all of
whom reside at home.
■ Frederick A. Smith, senior member of the firm of Smith Brothers, hard-
ware and implement dealers of Osseo, was born at Bedford, near Cleveland,
Ohio. Sept. 25, 1853, son of Matthias M. and Ehzabeth (Thomas) Smith.
The family moved to Richland County, Wis., when Frederick A. was an
infant, and there he was reared. In the spring of 1877 he came to Trempea-
leau County, and entered the employ of C. H. Shores & Co., general mer-
chants. In 1888, with his brother, James W., he established his present
business, and has since been successfully engaged therein. His standing
as a citizen is shown by the fact that he has served as president of the vil-
lage for 13 years. He has also been treasurer of the village, a member of
the school board, and an assessor in the township of Sumner. His fraternal
affiliation is with the Masonic order. Mr. Smith was married Nov. 4, 1874,
to Mary E. Jaquish, daughter of Joseph and Antoinette Jaquish, of Rich-
land County, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three children: Charles G.,
who works in his father's store ; Frank M., who farms near Osseo ; and Julia,
the wife of Leslie H. Field, also a farmer near Osseo. Mrs. Smith died
Feb. 17, 1917. The firm of Smith Brothers, which does a large business,
and which by fair dealing and sound business integrity has built up a large
578 HISTORY OP TREJIPEALEAU COUNTY
trade, had its origin in 1888, when Frederick A. and James W. Smith bought
the business of A. G. Cox, estabHshed in 1876, and continued it on an en-
larged scale. The original structure was burned in 1891, and the firm
erected a new building, 24 by 60 feet, brick veneered, fully equipped for its
purpose in every way. The firm handles hardware, implements, paints,
leather goods and the like.
James W. Smith, junior member of the firm of Smith Brothers, hard-
ware and implement dealers, of Osseo, was born in Richland County, Wis.,
March 30, 1857, son of Matthias M. and Elizabeth (Thomas) Smith. He
received his education in the public schools, and as a young man taught
school in various Wisconsin districts. For a time he was merchant and
postmaster at Neptune, Wis. In 1888 he came to Osseo, and established
his present business. With the exception of the year 1900, he has been
clerk of the village of Osseo since its organization in 1893, and in this
capacity has done most excellent service. The Congregational church has
found in him an active worker, and he has served that organization as treas-
urer since 1889 and as superintendent of the Sunday school since 1894. Mr.
Smith was married Dec. 25, 1882, to Delia M. Warner, who was bom in Rich-
land County, Wis., and died at Osseo, June 17, 1891.
Sivert Rekstad. Among the leading farmers and business men of
Unity Township is the subject of this sketch, who was born near Trondjem,
Norway, July 8, 1852, son of John E. and Kari Rekstad. Both parents
died in Norway, the father, who was a farmer, in 1863, and the mother in
1893. Sivert Rekstad came to America in June, 1873, locating first in Ish-
peming, Mich., where he worked as a carpenter for one year. Then going
to Eau Claire, he found employment in the sawmiU and pineries, spending
one year in these closely related occupations. Subsequently until 1883 he
worked as a carpenter and on farms in Unity Township, and at the end of
that time purchased the farm he now owns in section 19, Unity Township,
and which contains 172 acres and is known as Pine Grove Farm. This
property is highly improved, the buildings, which are fine in appearance
and substantially constructed, consisting of the following: A barn, 32 by
60 by 18 feet ; horse barn, 20 by 42 by 16, with an addition of 16 by 16 feet ;
sheep barn, 24 by 32, with an ell 12 by 22 feet ; granary, 20 by 32 feet, and
a good frame residence of one and a half stories. Besides carrying on this
farm Mr. Rekstad has been actively interested for a number of years in other
important business enterprises. For 14 years he was manager of the N. C.
Foster Lumber Company, of Strum, and then for two years he held the same
position for their successors, the Wilson-Weber Lumber Company, and
during the two following years was manager for the North Star Lumber
Company, successors to the Wilson-Weber Lumber Company. In 1908 he
assisted in organizing the First State Bank of Strum, of which he has since
been a director. He was its vice-president for two years and since Jan. 1,
1916, has held the office of president. Jan. 1, 1911, he became treasurer
of the Unity Co-Operative Creamery and still holds that position. He was
treasurer of the town of Unity for five years, town clerk two years and
treasurer of the school district 33 years, has been identified with the Mutual
Insurance Company of Ettrick for 35 years. Mr. Rekstad was married.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 579
June 23, 1882, to Annie Knutson, who was born in Brown County, Kan., Aug.
17, 1859. He and his wife have been the parents of six children : Christo-
phine, who is residing at home ; Mary, residing at home, and a teacher in the
parochial school ; Martha, a nurse in the Lutheran Hospital at Eau Claire ;
Joseph, who died when 31/2 years of age; Clara, a music teacher living at
home; and Katrine, who is a student at St. Olaf's College at Northfield,
Minn. Mr. Rekstad and his family are members of the United Norwegian
Lutheran church, of which he has been secretary since 1880. Both as a
farmer and business man he has made an excellent record and is highly
respected throughout Unity and neighboring townships.
Peter J. Callahan, a prosperous farmer in section 5 South, Ettrick
Township, was born in Boston, Mass., Feb. 9", 1859, son of James and
Katherine (O'Keefe) Callahan. His parents were born in County Kerry,
Ireland, the father in March, 1825, and the mother in 1839, their marriage
taking place in Boston. James Callahan was 30 years old when he came
to the United States. He was a carpenter and wheelwright by trade and
was thus employed in Boston for a number of years. In 1864 he came from
that city to Wisconsin and homesteaded land in section 32, this township,
which place he has since developed into a good farm with substantial build-
ings, and is still active in agricultural work. During his early years in this
vicinity he followed at times his trade of carpenter, and many of the old
residences here were built by him. His wife is also living. Peter J. Callahan
was the second born in a family of four children. He was educated in the
district school and remained at home until 20 years of age. He then began
working in the northern woods, and continued working for others until
he was 25, when he bought his present farm. He had some previous experi-
ence in farming, starting when a lad of eight or nine years, when he used
to lead the oxen his father used in plowing and subsequently assisted his
father in other branches of farm work. After buying his farm Mr. Callahan
resided on it for two and a half years and then went to La Crosse, where
he entered the employ of a firm for whom he traveled for eight or nine
years. He then returned to his farm, which consists of 80 acres of valu-
able land. He is carrying on general farming with some stock raising,
breeding Duroc-Jersey hogs, and is also a stockholder in the Ettrick &
Northern Railroad Company. Mr. Callahan was married June 25, 1892,
to Catherine Corcoran, who was born at Ettrick, this county, daughter of
John and Catherine (McKay) Corcoran. Her father, who was born in
County Kerry, Ireland, in 1825, was a farmer all his active hfe, coming
to Trempealeau County in 1864, and residing here until his death in 1875.
Mrs. Callahan's mother was born at Horseheads, Pa., Jan. 15, 1833, and in
her younger days was a cook on the Erie canal, having 40 cooks under her
supervision, her husband being employed on the canal at the same time.
They were thrifty and industrious people and a valuable addition to the
farming community of their township. Mr. and Mrs. Callahan are the
parents of two children: Catherine Mae and Arnold James. Catherine
Mae, who was born Aug. 27, 1893, is the wife of William Bishop, of Canadian
birth, and they reside on the Callahan farm. They have two children:
William Stanley and Catherine Fay. Ai'nold James Callahan was born
580 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Aug. 2, 1896. Alter graduating from the local schools he attended the
La Crosse normal school and has taught school for four terms, making a
creditable record. Mr. Callahan is a member of the Catholic Order of For-
esters, he and his family being members of the Cathohc church, in which he
is serving as a trustee. In politics he is independent, though usually voting
the Democratic ticket.
Melvin P. Skogstad, the energetic cashier of the Farmers Exchange
Bank, of Osseo, of which he is one of the organizers, was born in Chimney
Rock Township, Aug. 18, 1886, son of Peter J. and Mary (Hanson) Skogstad.
Peter J. Skogstad was born in Norway, came to America in 1865 with his
parents, lived in Dane County, this state, a number of years, came to Trem-
pealeau County in 1868, and for several years has been associated with his
son-in-law, Harvey Havenor, at Eleva, Wis., in the hardware and imple-
ment business. In the family there were six children: Clara died at the
age of ten months ; Cora is the wife of Harvey Havenor, a hardware man
in Eleva; Melvin P. is the subject of this sketch; Luella is the wife of Ben
Bergerson, a farmer of Albion Township ; Henry is at home ; Palmer served
as clerk for a time in the First State Bank of Strum, and now making his
home at Eleva. Melvin P. Skogstad remained on the farm until twenty
years of age. Then he entered the State Bank of Strum, where he was
bookkeeper until the spring of 1911, when he became cashier. May 1, 1916,
he organized the Farmers Exchange Bank of Osseo, and has since been its
cashier. Fraternally Mr. Skogstad is a member of the Masonic order and
of the Modern Woodmen. He was married May 10, 1913, to Goldie Cardinal,
of Sumner Township, born Sept. 9, 1894, daughter of Samuel and Emma
(Olson) Cardinal, both of that township. Mr. and Mrs. Skogstad have two
children: Marjorie Eleanor, born Feb. 22, 1914, and Stanford Pierre, born
March 19, 1916. The family faith is that of the United Norwegian Lutheran
Church of America at Osseo.
Charles F. Peterson, M. D., of Independence, a man of excellent stand-
ing in his profession, was born in Pomerania, Prussia, June 5, 1871. His
father, August Peterson, born in Germany in 1838, came to the United
States in 1884 and for some years operated a stone quarry at Arcadia,
Trempealeau County, Wis. He died Jan. 25, 1917. August married Minnie
Anklam, who was born in 1842 and came with her husband and the rest
of their family to this country, including the subject of this sketch. She is
no longer living, having passed away in 1904. Charles F. Peterson was 13
years of age when he left Germany with his parents. He had attended
school in his native land and after coming to Trempealeau County entered
the Arcadia high school, where he was graduated in 1892. He taught eight
years and in 1900 he was graduated from the River Falls (Wis.) normal
school, and for the next two years followed the occupation of a teacher.
As such he proved his ability and was principal of schools at Independence,
Osceola and Galesville. In the meanwhile he entered medical college
in 1902 and began the study of medicine and was graduated from the
Northwestern Medical College at Chicago in 1907, while there becoming a
member of the Phi Beta Pi college fraternity. On June 1 of the year of
his graduation he opened an office in Independence, Wis., where he has built
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 581
up a successful practice both in medicine and surgery. He has never
allowed himself to get into a rut, but keeps in close touch with the advance
of his profession, continuing his studies and subscribing for the best med-
ical journals. He is a member of the county, state and national medical
associations, being now secretary of the county association, of which he
served as president one year. Aside from this he keeps up his interest in
educational matters. He has been clerk of Independence school district
since 1907, and it was he who started and kept up the agitation for the
new and splendid school building, costing $32,000, which is at once an orna-
ment to the town and an important factor in the training of the younger
generation. This enterprise was not brought to fruition without consider-
able labor on his part, for there were many who objected to the cost of the
building, preferring to put off the work to some future time and to get
along for the present with inferior accommodations, but Dr. Peterson and
a few others looked farther ahead and finally brought a majority of the
citizens to see the expediency of present and thorough action and the work
was accomplished, which probably few of the original objectors are now
sorry for. Dr. Peterson has also taken an active interest in the local library,
having served as president of the board since 1908, in which position he has
used his influence to augment the quantity and raise the qualitative
standard of the books in the circulating department. He has also served
as health oflScer of the village since 1908 and has been physician of Trem-
pealeau County asylum since July 1, 1915. The State Bank of Independence
numbers him among its stockholders. Dr. Peterson was first married Jan.
18, 1896, to Julia Runkel, of Independence, a daughter of J. W. and Margaret
(Steiner) Runkel. She died Feb. 13, 1904, at the early age of 28 years,
having been the mother of two children: Maxwell, who died when a year
old, and Donald, now (1917) aged 16 years. June 5, 1906, Dr. Peterson
married for his second wife Helen Runkel, who is a sister of his first wife.
They have a wide circle of friends in the best society of Independence.
Ever A. Olson, M. D., has practiced medicine in Osseo for nearly forty
years. Arriving here June 20, 1877, he at once opened an office, and with
the exception of one year, 1889-90 spent in Sioux Falls, S. D., has since
continued to live here. Aside from ministring to a constantly increasing
number of patients he has been actively engaged in public life for many
years. When the village of Osseo was organized he served as president
of the first council, and continued in that position for four years. For
thirty years he has been health officer of Osseo and Sumner Township. A
conservative Republican in politics, he has been delegate to district, county
and congressional conventions, and has served as a member of the Repub-
lican County committee. His financial holdings include an interest in the
Farmers Exchange Bank of Osseo. In the Masonic order he has passed
through the chairs of the Blue Lodge, and is a member of the Chapter
and Commandery. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. Mem-
ber of the State Medical Society and the Eau Claire County Medical Society.
He was married Feb. 28, 1875, to Helen E. Valleau, of Mauston, Wis., born
in Lindina Township, Juneau County, Wis., Aug. 29, 1863, daughter of
Theodore and Eliza (Linderman) Valleau, pioneers, who were married in
582 HISTORY OF TREHIPEALEAU COUNTY
Illinois, and settled in Juneau County in 1855, the former dying in 1913 at
the age of 89 years. Mrs. Valleau died in Juneau County, July 8, 1917, aged
89. Dr. and Mrs. Olson have a daughter, Blanche Louise, who was born
Oct. 18, 1882, was married Nov. 27, 1909, to Dr. Roy C. Ferguson, a dentist
of Osseo, and has two children, Marlen Neville and Virginia. Dr. Olson
was bom near Christiania, Norway, Oct. 18, 1850, was brought to Wis-
consin as an infant, passed through the schools of Mauston, in that state,
and graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Keokuk, Iowa.
His parents, Ole T. and Sarah (Everson) Olson, were born in Norway, came
to America in 1853, and after living in Milwaukee, Wis., for a time went
to Mauston, where the father engaged in the show business and where he
still lives at the age of 92, the mother having died in 1894 at the age of 75
years. Dr. Olson in 1900 spent four months in Europe, traveling extensively
through Belgium, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, England,
Ireland and Scotland. He attended the Paris Exposition and visited land
of the midnight sun. He had the pleasure of viewing the midnight sun.
John A. Rumpel, formerly a member of the firm of Rumpel & Coy, but
now sole owner, having purchased the interest of Mr. Coy Jan. 15, 1917,
engaged in the meat market and grocery business in Independence, was
bom Jan. 11, 1892, in this village, son of Nicholas and Josephine (Filla)
Rumpel. The father, a native of Poland, was formerly proprietor of the old
Welcome House, which for many years was a well known landmark in this
locality. He died in 1903 at the age of 42 years. His wife, now 50 years
old, is living in Independence. John A. Rumpel after leaving school learned
the butcher's trade in Independence and worked for others until the
firm of Rumpel & Coy was organized, April 1, 1916. Then with George A.
Coy he bought the business and fixtures of the Peter Filla Market, renting
the building, which is a two-story brick structure with basement. He does
his own killing and handles a full line of fresh and cured meats, groceries,
canned goods and bakery goods. Though so recently started he has made
good progress and his estabUshment is favorably known throughout this
part of the county, enjoying a good and increasing patronage. Mr. Rumpel
was married Nov. 3, 1914, to Anna Smick, of Independence, daughter of
Juhus and Hattie (Blacha) Smick, her father being a retired fanner now
residing at Elk Creek. Mr. and Mrs. Rumpel have one child, Marion Lucile,
born Jan. 7, 1916. The family are members of the Catholic church.
John B. Corcoran, a well known and popular citizen of Ettrick Village,
engaged in the mail service as carrier, has lived in Trempealeau County all
his life, having been born a quarter of a mile from the site of Ettrick, May
15, 1858. His parents were James and Hannah (Callahan) Corcoran.
James Corcoran was bom in County Kerry, Ireland, in 1830, and his wife
in Ireland in 1831. The former was a young man when he came to the
United States, settling in New York State. For two years he was employed
as clerk in the old Van Dusen Hotel at Elmira, N. Y., and then, about 1855,
came west to Wisconsin, locating in Galesville, Trempealeau County. Here
he entered the employ of Judge Gale, his wife — for he had married in New
York State — boarding the men who were engaged in building the judge's
residence, which now stands on the Gale farm. After being thus occupied
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 583
for awhile James Corcoran, anxious to become independent, availed himself
of the opportunity to homestead a farm on the East Branch, near Ettrick,
and having secured this property, settled down to develop and improve it.
There he resided until his death, which occurred about 1890. His wife
survived him many years, dying in 1913. They had a family of seven chil-
dren, of whom John B. was the first born. John B. Corcoran first attended
school in the Ettrick district and distinctly remembers the small log shanty
in which he mastered his A, B, C. Afterwards he went to school at French-
ville, where he gained some further knowledge. He had to make himself
useful at an early age, however, especially as being the eldest child and
son he was the best able to assist his father. At that time he frequently
drove cows over the site of the present village of Ettrick. Wild game was
abundant and he has counted as many as 15 or 20 deer at one time, while
there were also many beaver. When 12 years old he often used to haul
wheat from Ettrick to Trempealeau with an ox team. Later he became a
regular farm hand and also tried other industrial Lines, working some four
or five years as a machinist in Ettrick, following the same trade for awhile
in Galesville and later at Eau Claire, in which place he continued at it three
years. Then returning to Ettrick he built a hotel and feed barn, and has
continued in that business since, being now engaged in erecting a new hotel
of 16 sleeping rooms, office, dining room, parlor and kitchen. The building
is of brick veneer two full stories, with ground dimensions of 65 by 34 feet,
and will be operated as a commercial hotel. Mr. Corcoran is now serving
in his thirteenth year as railroad mail carrier from the Ettrick office and
will continue in that occupation, his son, Edwin J., operating the hotel. He
is also the owner of a farm of 160 acres, situated a mile and a quarter east
of Ettrick on the south branch of Beaver Creek, and is a stockholder in the
Ettrick & Northern Railroad. At times he has held office as a member of
the township and school boards, his political principles being those of the
Democratic party. He is a member of the Catholic church at Ettrick. June,
1884, Mr. Corcoran was married to Margaret Lane, who was born in
La Crescent, Minn., daughter of Timothy and Mary (Buckley) Lane, her
parents, like his own father, being natives of County Kerry, Ireland, though
coming to America seven years later. They settled six miles east of Ettrick,
on the Willie Mack farm, where they resided practically for the rest of
their lives, though they finally retired and removed to Ettrick Village,
where they died. Mr. and Mrs. Corcoran are the parents of three children :
Edwin J., who resides in Ettrick and has charge of his father's hotel and
barn; Florence, wife of Ray Trunbar, proprietor of a European hotel in
Sioux City, Iowa, and Perry, who lives with his parents. Mr. Corcoran's
fraternal affiliations are with the Order of Beavers. He is noted through-
out this region as a skillful hunter, never missing a season of deer hunting
in the north woods. Among his trophies of the chase are a jacket, gloves
and mittens of buckskin, made from the hides of deer which he killed.
Maurice Casey, Sr., in former years a well known farmer and stock
dealer in Ettrick Township, but now deceased, was born at Fort Covington,
N. Y., near the Canadian line, and was in early business life a stock dealer
exclusively. He resided in the state of New York until 21 years of age,
584 HISTORY OF TREirPEALEAU COUNTY
coming to Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, in 1858, to take advantage of
the opportunity for buying cheap land in this section, then but partially
developed. Homesteading land in Ettrick Township, he farmed there for
many years, also at times deaUng in stock. Finally he retired to Ettrick
Village, where, after for some time in quiet and easy circumstances, he died
July 29, 1909. While not particularly active in public affairs, in early days
he served as constable and was a member of the school board for a number
of years. Mr. Casey married Helena Daley, a native of New York City,
their marriage taking place in La Crosse, Wis. They were the parents of
six children. Mrs. Helena Casey died in Ettrick some 18 months previous
to her husband, on Dec. 4, 1907. They were highly respected people and
had a multitude of friends.
Maurice Casey, a prominent resident of Ettrick Village, where he is
profitably engaged in the implement and automobile business, was born in
Ettrick, this county, April 14, 1880, son of Maurice, Sr., and Helena (Daley)
Casey. He attended school in Ettrick and at an early age was obliged to
make himself useful on the home farm, speedily acquiring a knowledge of
agricultural methods, stock raising, dairying and all branches of farming
science. Up to the age of 19 years he assisted his father and then rented
the latter's farm, which he operated for two years with his brother William
as partner. At the end of that time he entered the employ of J. E. Cance,
of Ettrick, in whose store he learned the tinsmith and plumbing business,
continuing with Mr. Cance until 1912, at which time he engaged in his
present business. He has a thoroughly up-to-date establishment, enjoys
a good patronage, and his trade is steadily increasing. Mr. Casey is th3
owTier of a good residence in Ettrick, besides three village lots, and is a
stockholder in the Bank of Ettrick, the Ettrick & Northern Railroad Com-
pany, and in Ettrick Hall. His fraternal affiliations are with the Beavers
and the Modern Woodmen of America, he having been secretary of his
camp in the latter order for the last 12 years. On March 16, 1911, Mr. Casey
was united in marriage with Bertha Runnestrand, who was born in Ettrick,
Wis., daughter of Knudt E. and Anna (Larson) Runnestrand, natives of
Norway, her father coming to Ettrick in 1877. Further mention of the
family may be found in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Casey have one child,
Helen Anna. In politics Mr. Casey is practically independent, though
usually voting the Democratic ticket. He reserves the right, however, to
judge of the fitness of candidates for public office, not being bound by strict
party ties. As a citizen of Ettrick he has the interests of the general
community at heart, and is quick to support any practical measure with
that end in view. He and his family are well known and popular residents
of the village.
Andrew J. Beirne, who has a good farm of 160 acres in section 13,
Gale Township, was born in the neighboring town of Ettrick, this county,
Feb. 2, 1869, son of Thomas and Catherine (Smith) Beirne. Both parents
were natives of Ireland, the father born in County Roscommon, Dec. 22,
1821, and the mother in County Cavan, April 1, 1831. Coming to America
in 1847, Thomas Beirne spent several years in the eastern states, and then,
in the fifties, came to Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, homesteading a
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 585
farm in Ettrick Township, on which he lived for half a century. Finally
retiring, he took up his residence in the village of Ettrick, where he died
Nov. 22, 1905. His wife did not long survive him, passing from this life
in 1907. Their family numbered nine children, of whom Andrew J. was
the eighth born. Andrew J. Beirne was educated in the district school of
his neighborhood and while still young picked up a good knowledge of agri-
culture on his father's farm, of which he had the practical charge after
reaching the age of 16 years. He was married to Alice Crogan, who was
born in Ettrick Township, daughter of Hugh and Mary (Monahan) Crogan.
Mrs. Beirne's father, Hugh Crogan, was born in County Roscommon, Ire-
land, June 27, 1829, and had a somewhat adventurous career. When a
young man he went to California, then the Mecca of gold seekers from all
parts of the world, where men of every station in life mingled together in
a wild scramble for sudden wealth, most of them, however, meeting only
with disappointment, and not a few with speedy death, accidental or other-
wise. Mr. Crogan was a man well able to take care of himself, and he
remained in the state for a number of years, engaged in mining with mod-
erate success. In 1866 he came to Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, and
purchased land, becoming a farmer in Ettrick Township, in which occupa-
tion he continued until he was killed in a runaway accident on his farm in
1876. His wife, Mary; who was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, May
18, 1839, died Feb. 15, 1913, having survived him 36 years or more. Their
daughter Alice was the fourth born in a family of five children. Mr. Beirne
after his marriage continued on his father's farm for four years longer,
and then settled on his present property, on which he has made all the
improvements. He is engaged in general farming and is a stockholder in
the Farmers Exchange of Galesville, the creamery at Galesville and the
La Crosse Packing Company. He and his wife have seven children, born
as follows : Lester Stephen, Dec. 7, 1895 ; Gerald Francis, April 19, 1900 ;
Edward Joseph, Aug. 15, 1902; Myrtle Elizabeth, Aug. 7, 1904; Donald
Andrew, April 12, 1906 ; Mary Katherine, May 31, 1907 ; and Smith Ray-
mond, Jan. 17, 1914. The family are members of the Catholic church, and
in politics Mr. Beirne is a Democrat, voting generally his party's ticket, but
taking no active part in local government.
George A. Markham, who from 1887 to 1909 was proprietor of the
Independence News, was born in Independence, Trempealeau County, Wis.,
May 7, 1865, a son of George H. and Fannie (Bishop) Markham. His parents
are still living in Independence, the father, a retired farmer, being now 80
years old and the mother 76. George A. Markham acquired a good educa-
tion, attending Gale College at Galesville, and afterwards the Winona nor-
mal school. He learned the newspaper business in Galesville while attend-
ing school, but subsequently remained on his parents' farm, raising fancy
poultry, until the spring of 1887, when he branched out into newspaper
work for himself, buying the Independence News, which he edited and
published until his death, July 16, 1909. His premature demise, for he was
only 44 years old, caused widespread regret, for he was a man of many
friends, and in his journalistic work he never neglected any opportunity of
advancing the interests of the community of which he was a prominent
586 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
citizen, and where he had been born and passed so many years of his life.
Mr. Markham was married Oct. 11, 1891, to Ada E. Rogers, who was born
Dec. 26, 1867, in Burnside Township, this county, daughter of Alfred H. and
Abby A. (Buzzell) Rogers. After Mr. Markham's death Mrs. Markham
took charge of the office and has since continued the publication of the
News. She is secretary of the library board and is active in a number
of ways in promoting the general interests of the village. Religiously
she is affihated with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Ernest H. Remington, who is carrying on agricultural operations in
section 11, Sumner Township, his farm of 120 acres being known as Clover-
hill Farm, was born in this township. May 16, 1874, son of D. L. and Ella
(Zhe) Remington. After residing at home until reaching the age of 26
years, he bought a farm in Otter Creek Township, Eau Claire County, which
he operated from the year 1900 until the spring of 1907. He then pur-
chased his present farm from Frank Svobada and has since remained here.
The property has good buildings on it, the house being a frame structure of
two stories and basement, with eight rooms. There is also a frame barn
30 by 56 by 20 feet above stone basement, with cement floors, and a stave
silo, 14 by 36 feet. The farm is well fenced with woven wire. Mr. Rem-
ington, besides raising the usual crops, keeps graded Holstein cattle and
Poland-China hogs. He was first married Thanksgiving Day, 1903, to
Ethel Ferguson, of Eau Claire County, daughter of Charles and Jane Fer-
guson, her father being a farmer and logger, who is now deceased. Mrs.
Eethel Remington died Feb. 15, 1907, at the age of 33 years, leaving one
child, Vyan Keith, who was born April 24, 1905. On June 29, 1909, Mr.
Remington contracted a second marriage, to Cornelia Campbell, who was
born Feb. 9, 1877, daughter of Charles R. and Martha Jane (Rosebrook)
Campbell. Graduated from Stevens Point normal school in 1898, she fol-
lowed the vocation of a teacher for 18 years, and was elected county super-
intendent in the fall of 1905, being re-elected in the fall of 1907, and thus
serving four years in that position. Her father, Charles R. Campbell, who
was born in Illinois, came to Wisconsin in boyhood. He died in Augu^,
1912, at the age of 72 years. His wife, Martha Jane, died in February, 1913,
at the age of 65 years. Of Mr. Remington's second marriage three children
were born : Owen, who died at the age of three days ; Lucile, born June 27,
1911, and Winnifred Janet, born Sept. 25, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Remington
are members of the Congregational church at Osseo, and he belongs also to
the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen of America. He has served
as township supervisor three years, has been chairman of the township
board and a member of the county board since 1916, and while a resident
of Eau Claire County served as clerk of the school board one year. In addi-
tion to his farming interests he is a stockholder in the Osseo Telephone
Company and the Osseo Farmers Elevator.
John Ring, postmaster at Osseo, is one of the leading men in this part
of the county. As chairman of Sumner Township he did most efficient
service on the county board for fourteen years, and as a member of the
school board of his district for a considerable period he also did good work.
In 1916 he was candidate for county treasurer. For many years he has
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 587
been a leading Democrat, and as such has been a member of numerous com-
mittees, and a delegate to several conventions. His financial holdings
include stock in the Farmers Exchange Bank of Osseo. His fraternal affilia-
tions are with the A. F. & A. M. and the M. W. A. Mr. Ring was born in
Milwaukee, March 1, 1857, son of Robert and Sarah (Murphy) Ring, natives
of Ireland, who went down with the ill-fated Lady Elgin, on Lake Michigan,
Sept. 8, 1860, leaving, besides John, two sons, one of whom, James, worked
his way up until he was a successful railroad conductor, and was killed at
Hawthorne, Wis., and the other of whom, Michael, became a prominent
citizen of Kansas City, Kan., and died a short time ago. Young John, left
an orphan by the Lady Elgin catastrophe, was taken into the home of his
uncle, Michael Ring, of Cleveland, Ohio, by whom he was reared. As a
young man he became interested in farm pursuits. It was in 1879 that he
came to Trempealeau County, and secured a farm in section 2, Sumner
Township. There he successfully farmed until November, 1915, when he
moved to Osseo, to fulfill the duties of the'postmastership to which he had
been appointed July 2 of that year. Mr. Ring was married April 11, 1877,
to Bertha Dighton, daughter of Francis and Dolly Ann (Gillett) Dighton,
the former of whom was a Methodist clergyman. Mr. and Mrs. Ring have
had eight children : Robert, of Plentywood, Mont. ; Jessie, wife of Alva
Isom, a farmer of Sumner Township ; Julia, wife of Mr. Sever Semmingson,
a farmer of Crosby, N. D. ; Laura C, wife of Bert Zee, a farmer of Sumner
Township ; Glen, a farmer of Whitetail, Mont. ; Francis, who died at the age
of seven years ; and Pearl and James, who are at home.
Richard Brophy, who is conducting a farm of 108 acres in section 31,
Gale Township, Trempealeau County, was born in this township in October,
1865, son of John and Honora (CoUiday) Brophy. His parents were both
natives of Ireland, but were married in this country, the father coming
here when a lad under 20 years of age. After working for others for a
number of years John Brophy became a land owner and engaged in farming
for himself, continuing in this occupation until his death in March, 1913.
His farm consisted of 100 acres of good land in Gale Township, a part of
which is still owned by the subject of this sketch, the latter's mother living
with him. Richard Brophy was the eldest in a family of six children. He
attended school at Galesville and resided on the homestead with his parents
until he was married, except during the winters for eight years, when he
worked in the timber woods. Jan. 23, 1893, he married Margaret Cantlin,
who was born in Ettrick, this county, daughter of Owen and Margaret
(Shay) Cantlin, her parents being natives of Ireland, who came to this
country and were married in La Crosse. Owen Cantlin was a farmer, set-
tling at an early date in Ettrick Township, where he resided until his death
in 1886. His wife died in June, 1896. Richard Brophy at the time of his
marriage rented the farm and operated it on his own account for several
years until he finally became its owner, and, as already mentioned, he still
owns a part of it. He carries on general farming, raising grain, keeping
hogs and cattle, some of the latter being pure-bred Durham, to which breed
he is devoting special attention, with the view of raising them almost exclu-
sively. Aside from these immediate interests he is a stockholder in the
588 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Farmers Shipping Association and in the Farmers Co-Operative Packing
Company, of La Crosse, while fraternally he belongs to the Modern Wood-
men of America. He and his wife are the parents of seven children : Hazel
Ann, LaVerne Eugene, Dorothy, Margaret Esther, Blanche Mary, May
Ellen and Katherine Evelyn, all residing at home. Mr. Brophy and family
are members of the Catholic church.
Fred W. Lowe. Among the farms of moderate size in Lincoln Town-
ship there are few better improved or equipped than that of Fred W. Lowe,
of section 22. The property is known as Fair Oaks Farm and contains 160
acres — a size ample for profitable handling without requiring too much
outside assistance, which most farmers have found expensive. Mr. Lowe
was born in Preston Township, this county, July 14, 1874. His parents were
William and Mary Jane (Colwell) Lowe, the former, born in Ulster County,
New York, in 1841, being a son of Wessel and Hannah (De Pew) Lowe.
When a boy William accompanied his parents to Belvidere, 111. There were
two other children in the family, both of whom died there, and Wessel Lowe,
with his wife and surviving son, in 1856 homesteaded a farm in section 7,
Preston Township, Trempealeau County. Here they hved for a number
of years or until their death. On the breaking out of the Civil War William
enlisted in Company C, Thirtieth Wisconsin Infantry, and during his absence
of four years his father homesteaded a farm for him in section 7. At
Hixton, Wis., in 1869, he married Mary Jane Colwell, who was born in
Ulster County, New York, and who died in the hospital at Winona, Minn.,
Dec. 5, 1910. Fred W. Lowe was educated in the district schools and in the
school at Blair, after which he taught for five years. At the age of 21 he
bought his grandfathrr's old farm in section 7, which he operated until
March, 1905, considerably improving the property. He then sold it and
removed to his present farm in section 22, which he acquired by purchase,
and on which he has since resided. Here also he has made some important
improvements, in 1912 rebuilding the barn, which is a good frame structure,
34 by 64 by 20 feet, with concrete floors and steel stanchions, and provided
with running water. His residence he built in 1916, a two-story framt
building, 28 by 32 feet, containing nine rooms, and with kitchen added to
the back. It is lighted with electricity, as are also the other buildings on
the farm, Mr. Lowe owning his own electric plant, and is also provided with
other modern conveniences, hot water heat and running water. Mr. Lowe's
dairy building is also of frame construction, is 16 by 20 feet in dimensions,
and was equipped with boiler, sterilizer and bottle washer, cooler and bottle
filler and refrigerator. Mr. Lowe operated a retail dairy in Whitehall until
he sold it Sept. 1, 1917, together with bottling equipment. He has a herd of
40 cattle and milks 30, using the "B. L. K." milking machine of two units.
Aside from his farming interests he is a director in the Farmers Telephone
Company and the Peoples State Bank. For eight years he has assisted in
local government as a member of the township board. He served as town-
ship treasurer one year and is now treasurer of the Whitehall school. In
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows he has passed all the chairs and is a
member of the Grand Lodge of that order, also of the Modern Woodmen of
America and of the Beavers Reserve Fund Fraternity. June 19, 1895, Mr.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 589
Lowe was united in marriage with Berenice Lamberson, who was born on
the Lamberson farm in Lincoln Township Feb. 29, 1872, daughter of John C.
and Lucene (Becker) Lamberson. Mrs. Lowe is a lady of more than average
education. She was graduated from the Whitehall schools and from Soper's
School of Oratory at Chicago, and was teacher of oratory for six years, one
year of which time was spent at the Glendale Female College, Glendale, Ohio.
She has been an efficient helpmate to her husband and by her wise manage-
ment of the household has contributed in no small measure to his success.
Their family now includes six children, all residing at home, who were born
as follows: John W., April 19, 1897; Mirpah M., is attending La Crosse
normal school, Jan. 15, 1899; Helen P., April 1, 1903; Portia E., Dec. 5,
1906; Marion B., Jan. 4, 1913, and Esther M., April 30, 1915. The son,
John W., is now at the University of Wisconsin, taking a course in chemistry,
while the older daughters are able to assist their mother in the work of
the household.
D. L. Remington, secretary and manager of the Osseo Telephone Com-
pany, is one of the active men of Osseo Village. In 1902, two years after
the company was organized, he became secretary, served a year, was then
made president, and held that office until 1912, when he assumed the duties
of his present position. In public life he has served several years as town-
ship chairman and town clerk, and in 1911 he was supervisor of assess-
ments for Trempealeau County. He was vice-president of the Citizens
State Bank from 1906 until it was absorbed by the Osseo State Bank late
in 1907. In the Congregational church, of which he is an active member,
he has been trustee since 1894. Mr. Remington was born in Otsego County
New York, March 28, 1851, son of Charles and Elizabeth (Crumley) Rem-
ington. Charles Remington was born in New York in 1815, came to Reeds-
burg, Wis., in 1852, farmed there until 1860, and then moved to Mower
County, Minnesota, where he died in 1886. His wife died in Wisconsin
in 1853, and in 1858 he married Elizabeth Olp, who died Nov. 10,' 1915.
The subject of this sketch, having lost his mother, was reared by his uncle,
D. L. Remington, who came from Washington County, New York, to Wal-
worth County, Wisconsin, in 1858, and farmed there until 1869, when he
came to Trempealeau County and homesteaded a tract of land two miles east
of Osseo, where he lived until his death in 1870. The nephew, D. L. Reming-
ton, operated the place until 1911, when he moved to Osseo. Mr. Remington
was married in 1873 to Ella Zhe, who died in 1884, leaving two children,
Ernest, chairman of the town board of Sumner, who farms near the village ;
and Jessie, who married James W. Rorabeck, a grain man of Frankhn, Ment.
In 1891 Mr. Remington married Mrs. Emily (Shores) Chamberlain, who
was the mother of two children : Harvey, drowned in 1896, and Perry, who
operates the home farm.
Nicholas M. Rognlien, a well known and respected citizen of Unity
Township, proprietor of a farm of 320 acres, forming the east half of sec-
tion 30, was born in Hurdalen, Norway, Jan. 31, 1862. His parents were
Martin E. and Annie (Enerson) Rognhen, the father born in Norway, Jan.
13, 1826, and the mother in 1823. The family came to America in 1870,
taking a homestead in the northwest quarter of section 30, Unity Town-
590 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
ship, this county, where Martin E. Rognlien died March 21, 1911, his wife
having passed away in 1900. Their family numbered eight children : Even,
now deceased, whose widow and childi'en now reside on the farm of the
subject of this sketch; Bertha, who married John M. Rice, a farmer of
Johnson Valley, and died in 1882 ; Georgia, who died at the age of 22 years ;
Nicholina, wife of Louis Dahl, a farmer of Unity Township; Anton, who
is farming in Albion Township, this county; Martin, a farmer of Unity
Township; Nicholas M., also of Unity Township, and Otto, who is a farmer
in Griggs County, North Dakota. Nicholas M. Rognlien, like most farmers'
sons, was early trained to agricultural work, and when quite young was able
to be of some assistance to his father. When he got large and strong he
began working out in the pineries, but after being thus occupied for a while
he bought 120 acres of land in section 17, Unity Township, which he sold
later to Even Holte for $1,500, Mr. Holte paying $5.00 down and the balance
at the rate of $100 a year for 15 years. After selling this farm Mr. Rognlien
rented the home farm from his father and operated it on that basis for 14
years. Subsequently he bought a 200-acre farm in Albion Township, but
sold it five years later. Feb. 5, 1896, he purchased his present farm, moving
onto it the same year, and here he has since remained, with the exception
of three years which he spent in Europe. As a farmer Mr. Rognlien has had
a prosperous career, due to his industry and sound practical knowledge of
the business. His farm is well handled and presents a thriving appearance,
showing the guiding hand of a good manager. Mr. Rognlien is a stock-
holder in the Osseo Creamery and in the First State Bank of Strum. He
is affiliated religiously with the Beef River Synod church, and in 1916 gave
$1,000 to help build the church edifice of that denomination in Strum. Few
men in this vicinity have been more successful and perhaps it may be said
that none have been more hberal in supporting enterprises for the religious,
moral or material advancement of the community.
Martin M. Rognlien, who is engaged in farming 170 acres of land in
section 20, Unity Township, was born in Hurdalen, Norway, Feb. 17, 1859,
son of Martin E. and Annie (Enerson) Rognlien. The father came to
America in 1868, homesteading a farm in section 30, Unity Township, this
county, his wife and the children, including the subject of this sketch, fol-
lowing him in 1870. Martin M., on arriving in Wisconsin, spent three weeks
in Sparta, after which he proceeded to his father's homestead, on which
he resided until reaching the age of 21 years. He then rented a farm on
Big Creek, Albion Township, operating it for four years. Then building a
house on his father's farm, he lived there for the next six years while work-
ing out by the day with a team. In the spring of 1889 he bought his present
farm of Sam Hoag, and has been occupied in its cultivation and improve-
ment, owning besides his farm of 160 acres on Big Creek, Albion Township.
On the farm where he makes his home he has a barn 36 by 56 by 16 feet
above basement, equipped with steel stanchions and with cement floors,
and all his buildings are good and suitable for up-to-date farming. Mr.
Rognlien was married Nov. 22, 1879, to Matilda Dahl, who was born in
Norway, April 26, 1860, daughter of Johannes and Mary (Hanson) Dahl.
Both her parents died in Unity Township, they having settled in section
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 591
27 in 1876, six years after coming to this country, the intervening period
having been spent in Vernon County. Mr. and Mrs. Rognlien have had a
family of 12 children : Mary, who died at the age of 15 years ; Josephine,
vifho died at the age of 12 years; Annie (born after Mary and before
Josephine) , who is residing at home ; Martin, now living in Calgary, Canada ;
John, a farmer in Unity Township, who married Johanna Flaten and has
one child, Abraham ; Louis, who is engaged in operating his father's farm
In Albion Township ; two who died in infancy, and William, who died June
26, 1917; Anton, Emma and Margaret, who are residing at home.
Eric Hagen, manager and partner in the firm of Hagen & Waller, gen-
eral mei'chants, Osseo, was born in Sondreland, Norway, April 23, 1863,
son of Hans E. and Anne (Lunde) Hagen, the former of whom came to
America in 1869, farmed in Arcadia Township for many years, and now
lives a retired life in Whitehall, the latter having died in 1875. Eric Hagen
was reared to farm pursuits, and attended the country schools. His atten-
tion, however, was early turned to mercantile lines, and while still a youth
he secured employment as a clerk in a store at Elk Creek. Further experi-
ence in the same line was secured in St. Paul and in Independence. In 1895
he came to Osseo and organized with Oliver Waller the firm of Hagen &
Waller. This firm succeeded Larson, Getts & Co. in the general mercantile
business. It has a large trade, and well deserves the esteem and confidence
in which it is held by its numerous patrons. From 1897 to 1907 the firm
owned a creamery at Osseo, and from 1904 until it was destroyed by fire
in the winter of 1915, owned and operated the elevator there. Mr. Hagen
is also interested in the State Bank of Osseo, in which he is the assistant
cashier and one of the directors. Busy though he is with his financial
interests, Mr. Hagen has found time for some excellent public service.
Since the spring of 1914 he has been a member of the county board, and he
has also been a member of the school and village boards. His fraternal
relations are with the A. F. & A. M., while his rehgious affihations are with
the Congregational church, in which he is one of the trustees. Mr. Hagen
was married March 17, 1891, to Mary Reid, of Burnside Township, daughter
of James and Margaret (Lange) Reid. Mr. and Mrs. Hagen have five
children : Mabel A., who graduated from the La Crosse normal school and
was teacher in the Osseo schools. She was married to E. A. Nelson, a banker
of Maddox, N. D., July, 1917. Henry, a farmer in Steele, N. D. ; and Ralph
E., Margaret and Alice, who are at home.
Henry N. Robbe, cashier of the First National Bank of Strum, has been
an important factor in the business and financial life of the community for
several years. He was born at Elk Mound, Wis., March 3, 1868, son of
Gunder and Marie (Nelson) Robbe. Gunder Robbe was born in Roldal,
Christiansand, Norway, in 1838, came to America in 1856, lived in Waupon,
Wis., for a while, and then located at Elk Mound, Wis., where he has since
resided, his wife, who was born in Norway in 1838, having died in April,
1918. Henry N. Robbe passed through the public schools and took special
courses in the Curtiss Commercial College at Minneapolis. Thus prepared
he taught in the schools of Dunn County, Wisconsin, for seven years. In
1899 he came to Strum as a teacher. Deciding to locate here he purchased
592 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
a half interest in the store of O. M. Solberg. Later he resold his interest to
Mr. Solberg, erected a building and opened a store of his own. After con-
ducting this alone he formed a partnership with his brother, Nils H., under
the firm name of Robbe Brothers. Later admitting 0. J. Dahl to partner-
ship, and changing the firm name to Robbe Bros. & Dahl, they bought the
store of H. Williamson and added his business to their own. In the mean-
time, in 1905, the subject of this sketch had assisted in organizing the State
Bank of Strum, of which he became director and examiner. Jan. 4, 1912,
he was elected president, a position he held until May 1, 1916, when he
became cashier and assumed the active management, as at present. About
the same time he disposed of his mercantile interests. He is also president
and manager of the Strum Telephone Company and for a time was treas-
urer and manager of the Unity Co-operative Creamery Company. In pub-
lic life he has done good service as clerk of the school board since 1912. Mr.
Robbe was married Jan. 28, 1900, to Malena Albertson, born in Strum, May
7, 1884, daughter of Reinhard and Marie (Teveand) Albertson, the former
of whom died in 1909, and the latter of whom lives in La Crosse. Mr. and
Mrs. Robbe have three children : Gordon, born Sept. 13, 1905 ; Harvey, born
Aug. 8, 1907, and Ethel, born June 1, 1909.
Nils H. Robbe, of the firm of Robbe & Myhers, general merchants at
Strum, is a native of Wisconsin, born at Elk Mound, Dunn County, May 10,
1865, son of Gunder and Marie (Nelson) Robbe. He remained with his
parents until 1900, when he came to Strum, and with his brother, Henry
N. Robbe, engaged in the line of business with which he is now connected.
In public life, Mr. Robbe has been a supervisor of the township a year. His
financial holdings include stock in the First State Bank of Strum. In the
Synod Norwegian Lutheran church he has been especially active, having
been secretary of the building committee when the new church was erected
in 1915 and 1916. Mr. Robbe was married Jan. 11, 1903, to Clara Peterson,
of Strum, daughter of Ole and Clara Peterson, and they have six children:
Marshall, Gladys, Nobel, Alice, Helen and Francis.
H. George Peterson, organizer, president and manager of the Strum
Automobile Company, was born in Eau Claire, Wis., Jan. 4, 1890, son of Hans
Peterson Stai and Hannah Halvorson. Hans Peterson Stai was born in
Norway in 1853, and now farms in Unity Township, having come to this
country in the '90s. H. George Peterson was reared to farm pursuits by
his father. His mechanical experience was received in automobile shops
in Minneapolis and St. Paul. For a time he was foreman of engines for
the Hackney Land & Credit Company, McLeod, N. D. In Hill County, Mont.,
he pi'oved up on a homestead. But in 1915 he determined to cast his lot
in Strum. Accordingly he erected a building 26 by 50 feet, and opened
a garage. His friends became interested in the project and in September,
1915, his firm was incorporated as the Strum Automobile Company with a
capital of $2,500, by Melvin P. Skogstad, Joseph Mathison, Olof J. Dahl
and H. George Peterson. The officers are: President and manager, H.
George Peterson; vice president and treasurer, Olof J. Dahl; secretary,
Joseph Mathison. The firm handles the Dodge, Ford and Reo cars, carries
a full line of supplies and accessories, and does all kinds of repairing. Under
Q
O
Q
d
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 593
the personal supervision of Mr. Peterson the business is constantly growing
and is one of the important assets in the general prosperity of the com-
munity. In April, 1917, Mr. Peterson purchased the interest of the other
stockholders and now conducts the business alone under the name of H.
George Peterson, the corporation having been dissolved. On Aug. 7, 1917,
Mr. Peterson was united in marriage with Hannah Amundson, daughter of
Christ Amundson, a prosperous farmer of Bruce Valley, in Gale Township.
C. K. Edison was born on his father's farm near Vassevangen, Norway,
Nov. 5, 1854, a son of Knud Aadson and Cecelia Sjursdatta Gjelle, who were
natives of Vass, Noi*way, where they were numbered among the most dis-
tinguished and representative farmers of their community. Both died in
their native land, he in 1859, and his wife in 1883. C. K. Edison attended
the pubhc and high school of Norway and at the age of 16 set out for the
new country across the seas. In April, 1870, we find him and his sister
embarking m a sail ship bound for America. They had to furnish their
own board while on the ship. It took them seven weeks from the time of
leaving the port of Bergen, Norway, until they arrived at Quebec, Canada,
and then they spent about three weeks traveling on steamboats and rail-
roads before they reached their destination near Decorah, Iowa, in which
place they arrived in July. They stopped there during summer and in the
fall the same year they, in company with their cousin, started for Dodge
County, Minnesota, going in a so-called prairie schooner pulled by a yoke of
oxen. Mr. Edison spent about three years at that place working in the
harvest fields in summer and working for his board and attending school in
winter. In 1874 he returned on a trip to his native land to pay a visit to
his mother and brother, returning to his adopted country the next year. In
1880 he came to Trempealeau County, Wis. July 30, 1881, he was united
in holy bonds of matrimony to Mary Herbjornson, who was born in Iowa
County, Wis., Aug. 8, 1862, a daughter of Hans and Guri Herbjornson, both
now deceased, the father dying in 1898 and the mother in 1903. In 1884
he purchased part of his present farm in section 7, Chimney Rock Township.
He has resided on this place continuously since, with the exception of three
years spent in Eleva and two years in Superior, Wis. Mr. Edison on his
arrival in Trempealeau County did valuable service as pioneer school teacher
for about ten years. He now owns a good dairy farm of 333 acres, on
which he keeps on an average about 30 milch cows, with young stock and
a lot of horses. The farm is under a good state of cultivation. He has
erected modern and substantial buildings. The neatness in appearance
of the entire place bespeaks thrift, coupled with good judgment, in behalf
of its owner. Mr. Edison has always acted as a leader in his community.
As such he was a member of a committee who built the new church and
the brick school house, also in laying out a good road in Bennett Valley, etc.
He has served as town supervisor, justice of the peace, clerk of his school
district for 12 years, and for 23 years he has done efficient service as town
clerk. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Edison has been blessed with the birth of
nine children : Ed, Cecelia, Gertie, Hilma, Charles, George, Gertie Bertina,
Horace, Kemel and Marvin. Ed married Lizzie Holten and is associated
with his father on the home farm. CeceUa became the wife of John Killnes,
594 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
a farmer of Dover Township, Buffalo County, Wis. George married Jose-
phina Austen, and is farming. Horace is clerking in a store at Mondovi,
Wis. Marvin is attending high school at the same place. Charles and
Kemel are farming at home. Gertie Helma died at the age of 4 years.
Gertie Bertina keeps house for her father, the mother having died Aug. 23,
1917. In the death of Mrs. Edison the family are deprived of a most accom-
plished woman, who through all her years was a loyal wife and loving
mother. The family are members of the Bennett Valley Norwegian Luth-
eran church, Mr. Edison being one of the organizers, and of which he
has ever been a beneficent supporter.
Tobias M. Olson, who has e.xtensive mercantile and farming interests in
the village of Strum and Unity Township, was born in Gulbrandsdalen,
Norway, March 2, 1869. His father, Michael, who was born in Norway in
1834, married Kari Tandlokken, who was born in that county Nov. 14, 1836.
In 1872 the family, which then included eight children, left their native
land for the United States, and settled in Monroe county, Wis. Here they
remained five years, and then, in 1877, came to Unity Township, Trempea-
leau County, where the father bought 80 acres of land in section 9, on which
he spent the rest of his hfe, engaged in farming.. His death occurred Sept.
12, 1885. His wife, who survives him, resides with her son, the subject of
this sketch. Tobias M. Olson, who was brought up to agricultural work,
operated the home farm from the time of his father's death until 1910,
and is still the owner of the property. On March 1, 1897, he purchased
160 acres constituting the northeast quarter of section 22, where he now
lives. Here he has built at a cost of $10,000 a fine three-story and base-
ment solid brick house, 34 by 36 feet in ground dimensions, and containing
12 rooms. The furnishings are strictly modern, including quarter-sawed
oak finish and floors, with electric lights and other conveniences. He has
also very large barns and out-buildings, electrically lighted, and in addition
owns several other farms, both in Unity and Sumner Townships. In 1897
Mr. Olson bought an interest in a hardware and implement business at
Strum, with John A. Call, and was engaged in business there for two years.
In 1899 the firm was dissolved, since which time Mr. Olson has carried on
the implement business alone. His brick store at Strum, 30 by 70 feet, two
stories and basement, which he uses for implements and automobiles, was
erected in 1913. In 1898 he built a large grain elevator at Strum, and in
1916, another at Eleva, and both of these he operates at the present time.
His business interests have grown with good management until he is now
recognized as the most prominent business man in the community, his
transactions being the most extensive. Dec. 25, 1900, Mr. Olson was
married to Mary Romundstad, of Unity Township, who was born in this
township Jan. 15, 1877, and whose father, Ole 0. Romundstad, is a farmer
in Eau Claire County. Seven children have been born of this marriage:
Milton (who died at the age of 7 months) , Myrtle, Edwin, Ruth, Helen, Olga
and Harriet Thelma. Mr. Olson is a member of the Synod Norwegian
Lutheran church. His example should be an inspiring one to all young
men just starting in life, proving, as it does, that industry and perseverance,
guided by intelligence, still meets with due reward.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY ' 595
Dell Nicols, who is engaged in operating a farm of 160 acres in section
11, Burnside Township, was born on his present farm Feb. 29, 1880, a son of
William and Emma J. (Cripps) Nicols. The father, William, was born in
Scotland in 1836 and came to America with his parents in 1850. In 1866
he bought the farm on which his son Dell now lives and was engaged in
its operation and improvement until 1904, a period of 38 years. He then
took up his residence in Independence, this county, in which place he died
May 17, 1916. His wife is still living in Independence, being now 60 years
old. Dell Nicols, who received a good agricultural training on the parental
homestead, assisted his father until the year 1900, and then rented the
farm until 1916, in which year he bought it. It is well improved and
furnished with good buildings and adequate equipment for profitable farm-
ing. Mr. Nicols was married July 3, 1900, to Annie Olson, of Independence,
this county, who was born at Traverse Valley, this county, April 17, 1881,
daughter of Mat and Martha Olson. Her mother now resides at Inde-
pendence ; her father died April 22, 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Nicols have three
children : Edith May, born Oct. 11, 1900 ; Lester A., born Jan. 30, 1904, and
Giles W., born Oct. 30, 1908.
Richard Mattson, president of the Whitehall Mill & Power Company,
was born in Soler, Norway, Nov. 11, 1869, son of Martinus and Dorothy
(Lund) Mattson. The father, a farmer by occupation, was also a native
of Norway and came to the United States in 1872, and after reaching Blair,
Wis., bought a farm in Pigeon Township, which was his home until 1908.
He then retired and moved to Whitehall, where he died Nov. 22, 1916, at
the age of 82 years. His wife, who is also living, is 77 years old. Richard
Mattson, who accompanied his parents to America when a young child, at
the age of 18 years began working in the woods at the lumber industry,
and was thus occupied for six years during the winters, being employed
on his father's farm in the summers. He subsequently learned the car-
penter's trade and followed the business of carpenter and contractor in
Whitehall until 1910. He then bought an interest in the Whitehall Mill
& Power Company, with which concern he has since been connected. While
a contracting carpenter he built the schoolhouse in Blair and another in
Taylor, also a bank in Hixton, additions to the schoolhouse and jail in
Whitehall, and the residences of E. A. Sorenson and C. B. Melby, besides
doing other important work. The Whitehall Mill & Power Company, with
which, as above stated, he became connected in 1910, was incorporated in
the spring of that year with a capital stock of $10,000, Mr. Mattson
becoMiing president and John Wagstad secretary and treasurer. The con-
cern occupies a substantial frame building, and besides furnishing electric
light and power for the village, has a capacity of 25 barrels of flour per day.
It was originally started and the building erected in 1880 by Earl, Gates &
Scott, and was purchased in 1893 by John Larson, who sold out Nov. 1, 1908,
to T. E. Thompson. With Mr. Thompson as president, John Wagstad as
vice-president, and M. S. Olson as secretary and treasurer, it was operated
until its incorporation in 1910, as above recorded. Mr. Mattson is an up-to-
date business man, and aside from his personal interests has served eight
years as a member of the village council. He is a member of the church.
596 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
belonging to the Norwegian Lutheran Synod. He was married in Pigeon
Township, Sept. 5, 1896, to Augusta Mortenson, who was born in that
township Aug. 3, 1876, daughter of Hans H. and Mathia (Evenson) Mor-
tenson. Her father, now 81 years old, is a retired farmer living in White-
hall with his wife, who is now 70. Mr. and Mrs. Mattson have nine children :
Hihnan, who enlisted in Company I, Eleventh United States Infantry, April
24, 1917; Adelia, Agnes, Rudolph, Anna, Edwin, Alfred, Elsie and Helen, all
of whom reside at home with their parents.
Christian O. Dahl, president of the Farmers' Exchange Bank, of Osseo,
Wis., and proprietor of Hillsdale Farm of 160 acres, the northeast quarter
of section 2, Unity Township, was born at Coon Prairie, Vernon County,
Wis., July 8, 1868. He is a son of Ole Dahl, who was born in Ringsaker,
Norway, Feb. 4, 1837, and who came to America in 186.5, residing for two
years in New York City, where he was married in 1867 to Ane Bue. She
was born in Foaberg, Norway, Sept. 24, 1846. Soon after their marriage
Ole Dahl and wife came West to Wisconsin, locating first in Vernon County,
in the village of Westby, where for two years Mr. Dahl followed the black-
smith's trade. In 1870 they came with their family to Unity Township,
Trempealeau County, and homesteaded the farm now known as Hillsdale
Farm, as above described. Here Ole Dahl spent the rest of his life, his
death occurring June 14, 1916. He was a highly-respected citizen, serving
on the township board for several years, also on the school board, and for
a long period being one of the officials of the Synod Norwegian Lutheran
church. He was also an esteemed member of the Trempealeau County
Historical Society, taking a keen interest in the growth and development
of the county and in the preservation of its historical records. His wife
is still living and resides on the farm with her son Christian. Eight of
their children are now living: Christian O., subject of this sketch; Marie,
wife of Charles P. Holman, a farmer of Humbird, Wis. ; Andrew, who is
engaged in the ranching business at Saratoga, Wyo. ; Hannah, who is house-
keeper for her brothers, Olans and Thorvald, at Price, Wis. ; Caroline, who
married Nils Indstefjord, a farmer of Price, Wis.; Olans and Thorvald,
farmers at Price, Wis., and Tilda, who resides with her brother Christian.
Christian O. Dahl has resided on his present farm since his parents moved
onto it in 1870, and since 1896 has been its manager. Besides planting the
usual crops, he raises cattle, sheep and horses, usually milking 25 cows, for
which purpose he uses a three-unit milking machine. The farm is well
improved and yields good returns for the labor spent upon it. Mr. Dahl
gives his chief attention to this property, but is also interested financially
in other business enterprises. On July 10, 1916, he aided in organizing
the Farmers' Exchange Bank, of Osseo, of which he has since been presi-
dent. He is a director in the Inter-County Co-Operative Packing Company,
of New Richmond, Wis., and helped to organize the Osseo Farmers' Produce
Company, of which he is treasurer. For a number of years Mr. Dahl has
taken an active part in official life, having served as township treasurer
for a period of three years, township supervisor one year, township clerk
four years, school clerk 20 years, and as chairman of the township board
and a member of the county board since 1908. He is a member and
C. O. DAHL
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 597
treasurer of the Synod Congregation of the United Norwegian Lutheran
Church of America at Strum, having served in the latter office since
1904.
Thomas J. Myhers, D. V. M., Osseo, was born in Eau Claire, July 23,
1885, passed through the public schools, came to this county when he was
15, graduated from the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Veterinary College in 1911,
located at Strum, where he remained for five months, and has since practiced
in Osseo. His fraternal affiliation is with the Masonic order. July 20,
1912, he married Julia Nysven, of Strum, daughter of Ole and Ida Nysven,
the former of whom is postmaster at Strum, as he has been for the past
30 years. Dr. and Mrs. Myhers have two daughters : Irma, born April 2,
1915, and Marion, born Sept. 2, 1917. The parents of Dr. Myhers are Jacob
and Inga (Johnson) Myhers. Jacob Myhers was born in Norway, was
foreman of the Valley Lumber Company, of Eau Claire, Wis., for 20 years,
and since 1900 has farmed in Unity Township, in this county.
Anton A. Myhre, the well-known proprietor of Fair Pines Farm of 159
acres, in sections 12 and 13, Sumner Township, was born at Biri, Norway,
Feb. 2, 1851. His parents were both of Norwegian birth, the father. Even
Anderson Myhre, born in 1807, and his mother, whose maiden name was
Martha Olson, born in 1820. They came to the United States in 1861,
accompanied by their four children, and settled in Coon Valley, Vernon
County, Wis., where they resided until 1868, moving in that year to Tamarac
Valley, Arcadia Township, where the parents spent the rest of their lives.
Even A. Myhre dying in 1889 and his wife Martha in 1902. They had six
children, of whom two died in infancy. Anton A. was the first-born. Then
came Ole, who is a farmer in Arcadia Township; Pauline, who is keeping
house for her brother Ole, and Mary. The last mentioned married Olaus
Johnson, who died in Osseo in 1909, where she now resides. Anton A.
Myhre when a young man worked out on farms in Vernon County, and in
Arcadia Township, Trempealeau County, until 1872. He was now 21 years
old, and, thinking it time to start in for himself, he homesteaded a farm
in Chimney Rock Township, section 25, and until 1893 was engaged in its
cultivation and development, in which he made good progress. He then
sold it and bought his present farm, which his son Theodore now rents and
operates. It is well provided with good buildings and everything necessary
for modern farming. Mr. Myhre was township supervisor for one year in
Chimney Rock Township, and assessor for four years in the same township.
The latter office he has held also for two years in Sumner Township, in
addition to which he has served for 15 years as school clerk. He is a stock-
holder in the Farmers' Telephone Company and the Osseo Produce Company.
March 9, 1878, Anton A. Myhre was married to Helena Anderson, who was
born at Faaberg, Norway, Feb. 2, 1851, daughter of Andreas and Margaret
(Leir) Faaberg, both of whom died in Norway. Mrs. Myhre died Jan. 25,
1895, having been the mother of six children: Emil, now a farmer at
Spiritwood, N. D. ; Andreas, a carpenter residing in Seattle ; Anna, born Oct.
10, who died Aug. 24, 1898 ; Mina, who married Lauritz Oftedahl, of Osseo ;
Theodore, manager of his father's farm, and Benjamin, a farmer at Allen,
Mont. Theodore Myhre, who was born on his parents' farm in Chimney
598 HISTORY OF TREjMPEALEAU COUNTY
Rock Township, July 23, 1888, was married, June 14, 1913, to Minnie Sever-
son, of Jackson County, Garfield Township, her birth taking place in that
township, Jan. 2, 1889. Her parents. Sever and Marit (Hattren) Severson,
were farming people. Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Myhre have two children:
Marion Helen, born April 10, 1914, and Samuel Arnold, born Sept. 11, 1915.
Theodore has rented his father's farm since 1909 and is cultivating it suc-
cessfully. The family are affiliated religiously with the Norwegian Luth-
eran church, of which Anton A. Myhre has been a trustee for 16 years.
Jakob T. Myhers, who is engaged in farming on a tract of 240 acres in
section 23, Unity Township, was born in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway, Dec. 18,
1857. His father, Thor G. Myrum, who was also a farmer, was born in
Norway in 1826 and died in that country in 1910. The mother of our
subject, Mary Grothe, died in Norway in 1868. In the spring of 1877 Jakob
T. Myhers sailed from Christiania for Quebec, and from the latter port
proceeded to Chicago. Finding himself without money, he shipped as a
railroad hand to Marquette County, Mich., where he worked in the iron
mines for two years and a half. At this time his future wife, Inga Johnson,
was working in Eau Claire, Wis., and Mr. Myhers went there and found
employment with the Valley Lumber Company at $1.25 a day, boarding
himself. He remained with this firm for 18 years, the first three years of
this period as yard and barn man. During the last 15 he was salesman and
foreman of the lumber yard and wood yard. While here he was married,
May 5, 1880, to Inga Johnson, whose parents, Joseph and Mary (Lee)
Johnson, had remained in Norway, where the mother is now living at the
advanced age of 90 years. He and his wife began housekeeping at Shaw-
town, in Eau Claire, their residence being an old cow barn, which they
cleaned up, and here they lived for two years. In 1882 occurred the great
flood which swept away nearly the entire city of Eau Claire, and Mr. and
Mrs. Myhers lost all that they had. They continued working in Eau Claire,
however, until 1900, by which time, having been industrious and frugal, they
had succeeded in saving some money. This they made a good use of in the
purchase of their present farm from Gilbert Brown, on which they have
since resided, and which Mr. Myhers has brought into a good state of culti-
vation. When it came into his possession it had hardly any improvements
on it, but there is now a good two-story house, a large modern horse barn, a
good cattle barn, with numerous sheds and a large silo, all evidences of a
well-deserved prosperity. Mr. Myhers has served as school director for
nine years. Since childhood he has been a member of the United Norwegian
Lutheran church. He and his wife are the parents of nine children:
Thomas J., who is a veterinary surgeon at Osseo; John, a member of the
mercantile firm of Robbe & Myhers, at Strum ; Mary, wife of Thomas Rice,
a carpenter residing at Strum ; Martin, who hves at home with his parents ;
Jacob T., a veterinary surgeon of Eleva, and Ole, Ingwald, Caroline and
Rena, all of whom reside with their parents. Mr. Myhers left home when
11 years old and started life for himself, first herding cattle and sheep for
his uncle, remaining in this position until 14 years old; then engaged on
a stock farm, remaining there until 21 years old, giving to his parents, who
were poor and old, all his savings, and after coming to America sent his
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 599
father $400 to pay off all his indebtedness in order that he might remain
• on the farm.
John H. Call has been a resident of Sumner Township since 1877, and
assisted by his good wife has reared a large family of children, developed
a good farm and established himself as one of the substantial men of the
community. He is doing the township good service as supervisor, to which
position he was first ele(;ted in 1915. Born near Bergen, in Norway,
June 9, 1851, he is the oldest of the eight children born to Henry and Sophia
(Eirum) Call. The father, born April 21, 1824, and the mother, born
Dec. 23, 1835, brought their children to America in 1853, reached Dane
County, Wis., June 9, of that year, after a trip of six months, fourteen weeks
of which were spent aboard a sailing vessel, and the next year located at
West Prairie, Vernon County, Wis., where the father died in 1890 and the
mother in 1910. John H. Call was reared to farm pursuits and for a number
of years was employed on various farms. After his marriage in 1877 he
purchased his present farm of 121 acres in section 27, Sumner township.
From a wilderness he brought the farm to its present high degree of culti-
vation. On this place he now successfully carries on general farming, and
makes a specialty of breeding Holstein cattle, of which he has a good-sized
herd. In this connection he has purchased a two-unit milking machine,
which is proving a great saving of labor. The farm throughout is equipped
with the best of machinery and tools, and is fenced with woven wire. The
buildings are especially sightly. The first house, a frame building, 12 by
18 feet, was erected in 1877. The present home, a two-story frame struc-
ture of eight pleasant rooms, was erected in 1899. The barn was con-
structed in 1912. It is 40 by 64 by 14 feet, with a stone basement and
cement floors. Steel stanchions and other improvements add to the com-
fort of the stock. The silo, 12 by 39 feet, is built of substantial cement
blocks. Mr. Call was married July 1, 1877, to Caroline Prestegaarden, born
in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway, Feb. 4, 1855, daughter of Andrew and Martha
(Eirum) Prestegaarden, who came to America in 1869, located in Dane
County, Wis., and in 1871 took up their residence in Sumner Township,
Trempealeau County, where they spent the remainder of their days. Mr.
and Mrs. Call are the parents of ten children : Sophia, born Feb. 22, 1878 ;
Albert, born Aug. 12, 1880; Helmer, born March 1, 1882; Charles, born
April 24, 1884; Martha, who died in infancy; Julia, born Oct. 12, 1888;
Martha, born July 29, 1890 ; Clara, born Dec. 2, 1892 ; James, born June 2,
1895, and Bernhard, born Feb. 6, 1897. Albert and Helmer farm in Jackson
County, Wis. Julia graduated from the La Crosse State Normal School
and taught three years. She married, Nov. 27, 1916, Edwin Anderson, a
farmer living in Unity Township. The other members of the family are
at home. The family faith is that of the Hauge Norwegian Lutheran
church, of which Mr. Call is the treasurer.
Paul H. Moltzau. Among the many successful agriculturists and
business men of Trempealeau County no small number are of Norwegian
birth or ancestry, that class of settlers possessing in a large degree the
qualities, perseverance and thrift, without which little can be accomplished.
Few of the Norwegians of Trempealeau County, however, have been more
600 HISTORY OF TREIMPEALEAU COUNTY
successful than the subject of this sketch, who is one of the best known,
as he is also one of the most prospei'ous citizens residing in Unity Town^
ship, being proprietor of two good farms in section 18 — the Carter Valley
Dairy Farm of 200 acres, and the Fairview Farm of 160 acres, besides own-
ing other valuable property elsewhere. Paul H. Moltzau was born in Hur-
dalen, Norway, May 25, 1862, son of Hans Moltzau and his wife, Mathia
Roserud. The father, Hans, who was born Sept. ^20, 1835, emigrated to the
United States with his family, in 1867, locating in La Crosse County, Wis.,
and for three years residing in Bostwick Valley, that county. From there
he came in 1870 to Unity Township, Trempealeau County, buying 160 acres
of land in section 31, which became the family homestead, as he lived on
that farm for 24 years, only leaving it to take up his residence with his son,
Paul H., on the latter's Carter Valley Dairy Farm in 1894. This place was
his subsequent home until his death, Jan. 14, 1909. His wife Mathia died
in 1877, at the age of about 42 years. Of their family six children are now
living: Mary, wife of Gilbert Halvorson, a farmer of Farmington, Minn. ;
Martha, wife of Hans Hanson, a barber of Eau Claire; Paul H., of Unity
Township; Annie, wife of Peter Frodahl, of Wilton, Minn.; Emma, who
married Nels Nelson, her husband being a hotel keeper at Seattle, Wash.,
and Daniel, who resides at Fergus, Mont. Paul H. Moltzau in his youth
acquired a good knowledge of agriculture and when old enough began work-
ing out on farms and in the pineries, in which manner he was occupied
until he was 21 years old. He then started out on an independent career
by purchasing the old homestead of his parents, which he operated for a
number of years, or until 1894. He then bought the Carter Valley Dairy
Farm and resided on it until July, 1915, on which date he moved to the
Fairview Farm, a mile and a quarter northwest of Strum, where he is now
living. This farm is situated on a high ridge, from which a fine view of the
country may be had for ten miles around. In the year in which he moved
here Mr. Moltzau built his present residence, a two-story brick veneer
dwelling, with basement, and containing ten rooms and bathroom. A hot-
water heating system is installed and there is hot and cold running water
in the house, which is lighted by electricity from a plant on the premises.
The floors are all maple, the first floor is finished in quarter-sawed oak and
the second in pine, great pains being taken in the construction of the house
and in its modern equipment. Besides operating these two farms, Mr.
Moltzau is president of the Unity Co-Operative Creamery Company, of
which he has been a director for ten years, and is a director in the First
State Bank of Strum. He has also rendered service in township affairs,
his official career covering eight years as township supervisor and 12 years
as treasurer of the school board. A member of the Synod Norwegian
Lutheran church, he has served that organization 15 years as treasurer.
Mr. Moltzau was married May 30, 1885, to Severene Frodahl, of Albion
Township, who was born in Toten, Norway, Sept. 3, 1863, a daughter of
John and Helena (Christianson) Frodahl. The father was born in Norway
in 1831, the mother in 1827. They were married in their native land and
came to America in 1869, settling in La Crosse County, Wis., whence they
came to Albion Township, Trempealeau County, in the spring of 1878. John
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 601
Frodahl died in January, 1898, and his wife in March the following year.
Mr. and Mrs. Moltzau have had ten children : Alfred, who died at the age
of 5 years ; Andor, who married Selma Tronson and is now farming at
Shevlin, Minn. ; Marshall, a farmer at Shevlin, Minn., who married Tillie
Martinson and has one child, Muriel ; Herman, assistant cashier of the Bank
of Eleva, who married Goldie Knutson and has one child, Hewitt ; Doris,
wife of Dr. J. J. Myhres, a veterinary surgeon of Eleva; Margaret, who
married Alfred Borgen, of Eau Claire, Wis., chief of the Bell Telephone Com-
pany, of Chippewa Falls ; Valborg, who graduated from the Mondovi High
School and is now a teacher, and Esther, Theodore and Paul LeRoy, who
reside at home.
Albert J. Lamberson, V. S., proprietor of "The Lamberson Farm" of
200 acres in sections 22 and 27, Lincoln Township, was born on this farm
May 2, 1870, a son of John C. Lamberson. John C. was a son of Orson S.
and Jane (Hoskins) Lamberson, the former of whom died on this place
Jan. 30, 1904, at the age of 82 years. Orson's wife Jane died in Sauk
County, Wis., about 1848, when a young woman. John C. Lamberson was
born in Bradford County, Pa., June 13, 1840, and came to Sauk County, Wis.,
with his parents in 1850. He then removed to Rochester, Minn. In Octo-
ber, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Third Minnesota Infantry, with which
regiment he served four years, taking part in the battles of Lookout
Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Chickamauga. In 1867 he bought a part
of the farm now owned by his son Alfred — that part of the farm in section
22, which place he made his home till 1892. Aug. 8, 1867 he married
Lucena Woolsey (nee Becker), whose first husband, James Woolsey, died
in the army, she being then a resident of Adams County. By him she had
one child, Ella, who is now the wife of A. R. Warren, of Lincoln Township.
John C. Lamberson and wife had four children: Alfred J., subject of this
memoir ; Berenice, wife of Fred W. Lowe, a farmer of Lincoln Township ;
George W., also a farmer of Lincoln Township, and Lloyd H., who is an
acountant in the employ of the Studebaker Company at South Bend, Ind.
Mr. J. C. Lamberson died June 20, 1917. Alfred J. Lamberson was reared
on his parents' farm, and to more fully qualify himself for his intended voca-
tion as a farmer, he attended for two years the State Agricultural College.
He then spent two years at the Ontario Veterinary College at Toronto,
Canada, being graduated from that institution in the spring of 1891.
Going to Winona, Minn., he practiced as a veterinary there for 12 years,
after which, in the spring of 1902, he bought the old home farm from his
father and has since been engaged in its operation. He has made some
important improvements on the place, in 1916 rebuilding the barn, which
is a T-shaped structure, 116 feet long, the cross section being 82 feet long.
In part the barn is 42 feet wide, and stands on 20-foot posts, with full base-
ment. It is provided with concrete floors, swinging stanchions and litter
carriers and has room for 50 cows, besides 75 young stock and 10 horses.
There are two silos ; one 16 by 42 feet, of solid concrete, the other of cement
blocks, 14 by 42. The house, which he rebuilt in 1904, is an 8-room build-
ing, two-story and basement, thoroughly modern in its fittings, and tasteful
in design and appearance. Dr. Lamberson raises Holstein cattle, having a
602 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
herd of 60 head, of which he milks 40, furnishing whipping cream to the
Hardwick Dairy, of Winona. He also raises Poland-China hogs, selling one
carload per year. Feb. 5, 1893, he was married to Birdie L. Johnson, of
Pigeon Township, who was born March 20, 1873, daughter of Seneca B. and
Lydia (Bangs) Johnson. Her father was a merchant at Coral City, of
which place he was a pioneer. He died there in 1881, and his widow
subsequently became the wife of David Flack, who is also now deceased.
She is still living and resides in Whitehall. Dr. and Mrs. Lamberson have
had three children: Raymond, who was graduated from the Department
of Agriculture of the University of Wisconsin, in 1916, with the degree of
Bachelor of Science of Agriculture, and who is now with his father ; Win-
nifred, residing at home, and Sidney, who died at the age of 1 year. Dr.
Lamberson and family are members of the Baptist church, and he belongs
to the Masonic order. His father, John C. Lamberson, was a stockholder
in the Melby Bank, and for a number of years was chairman of the township
board.
Jacob Pederson, an early settler in Hale Township, now deceased, but
who will be long remembered, was born in Norway, Feb. 6, 1848, son of Peder
and Mangnil (Pederson) Pederson. He was educated in his native land
and came to America in 1867 with his parents, the family locating at La
Crosse, Wis. In 1870 they came to Trempealeau County, taking a home-
stead of 80 acres in section 4, Hale Township. Jacob remained at home
until 1875, and then began life's battle for himself, buying 120 acres of
wild railroad land in section 9, in the same township. Moving onto it, he
threw himself with all his energy, of which he had an abundance, into the
hard pioneer work of delevoping a farm. Success finally crowned his efforts,
in time he increased his holdings, and at last found himself in possession
of a good farm of 240 acres, of which 80 acres lay in section 10, 80 in section
4, 40 in section 3, and 80 in section .9. He was engaged in diversified
farming, and became a prosperous and highly-respected citizen of the town-
ship, also serving as school clerk for three years. His father and mother
both died on the farm, after doing their part in helping to make the wilder-
ness a fertile area of production. Jacob Pederson died June 14, 1903, his
loss being much regretted by all his friends and acquaintances, which
included practically the entire population of the township. Mr. Pederson
was married, Jan. 5, 1876, to Anne Marie Granrud, who was born in Norway,
Jan. 7, 1857, daughter of Ole and Karen (Anderson) Granrud. He and his
wife were the parents of a large family, numbering 10 children, whose
names, respectively, were: Peter, Olaf, Martha, Edward, Julia, Sigvart,
Anna, Emil and Karen. Peter, who married Cora Saxrud, lives in Bow-
man County, N. D., and has two children, Signa and Viola. Olaf married
Augusta Johnson and resides in Sumner Township, Trempealeau County.
He has two children, Edward and Florence. Martha, now Mrs. Sim Lee,
resides at Osseo, this county, and has two children, Adrienne and Abner.
Edward died at the age of 18 months, and George at that of 26 years. Julia
is the wife of WiUiam Wagner and lives in Bowman County, N. D. Sigvart,
who married Lila Swaim, is living on the home farm and has one child,
Arline Loretta. Anna, now Mrs. Louis Christianson, lives in Hale Town-
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HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 603
ship. Emil is on the old homestead and Karen is a student in the Osseo
High School. The family are members of the Norwegian church. Since
Mr. Pederson's death Mrs. Pederson has still further enlarged the size of
the farm, having purchased 120 acres more, of which 80 lie in section 9 and
40 in section 10. The farm contains 360 acres, over 40 of which lie in
Sumner Township. The estate is a valuable one, highly improved and well
taken care of, so as to reach the highest point of productiveness.
Ole Granrud, a pioneer of Trempealeau County in 1868, was a native of
Norway, where he married Karen Anderson. In 1866 he came with his
wife and family to the United States, locating first in Fillmore County,
Minnesota, whence he soon came to Trempealeau County, taking a home-
stead of 120 acres in section 4, Hale Township, he being the first settler in
the South Branch District. He and his family began life here in true
pioneer style, living the first summer in a dug-out with lumber roof, the
lumber for which was obtained at Hamburg. In the fall Mr. Granrud built
a larger dug-out, with lumber, hay and sod roof, in which he and his family
resided until 1874, when, his circumstances having improved, he built a fine
house. In 1893 he sold the farm and for the next three years he and his
wife resided with their daughter, Mrs. Jacob Pederson. At the end of that
time he bought a farm in Sumner Township, onto which he moved, and
which he operated for about seven years. He then returned to his daugh-
ter's home, where he died in 1900. His wife survived him but a short
time, dying in 1902. Their children were: EUe, now deceased; Andrew,
deceased; Anne, wife of Jacob Pederson, and Ole, now living in Tacoma,
Wash.
Anton W. Liver, a member of the firm of Liver & Torgerson, hardware
dealers in Independence, was born in the village of Sarn, Canton of Grau-
buenden, Switzerland, Feb. 3, 1857, son of Anton and Clara (Wazau) Liver.
The father, who was a farmer by occupation, died in Switzerland in 1867,
and two years later, or in 1869, his wife also passed away. Young Anton,
thus left an orphan at the age of 12 years, was reared by his father's sister,
Mrs. Ursula Masueger. In 1874, when only 17 years old, he came to the
United States, locating first in Milwaukee, where he found employment and
remained a year. He then removed to Buffalo County, Wis., and learned
the tinner's trade at Alma, working at it there for some two years. Sub-
sequently he followed it in Independence until 1881, in which year he opened
a hardware store for himself in the village, conducting it until 1888. He
then purchased the interest of Ferd Horst in the hardware firm of Danuser
& Horst, the style of the firm being changed to Danuser & Liver. In 1894
Christ Torgerson bought the interest of Mr. Danuser, since which time the
business has been carried on under the style of Liver & Torgerson. The
firm has an up-to-date store, keeping a good and complete stock, and enjoys
a large and profitable patronage. Mr. Liver is a stockholder in the State
Bank of Independence, and for some time has taken a more or less active
part in local government matters. His service in this connection includes
nine years as clerk of the school board, two years as a member of the
village council and the same length of time as its president, and six years
as a member of the county board of supervisors. He is a member, trustee
604 HISTORY OF TREilPEALEAU COUNTY
and steward of the Methodist Episcopal church, while fraternally he belongs
to the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Liver was married, April 28,
1880, to Mary Russell, of Burnside Township, whose father, William, a
farmer born in Scotland, settled in Trempealeau County in 1875 and resided
there until his death in 1886. Her mother, whose maiden name was Eliza-
beth Muir, died in 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Liver have had five children : Clara,
who married Alven Elstad, of Independence, and died at the age of 30 years ;
William, who died at the age of 18 months ; Pearl, who died at the age of 15
months ; Iva and Bessie, who are residing at home with their parents.
William K. Levis, a pioneer, was born in Bucks County, Pa., in 1814,
and there married Mary Blanchard, who was born in 1823. He came to
Black River Falls, this State, in 1846, and operated a sawmill there until
1860. Then he moved to Alma Center, in Jackson County. From there in
1867 he came to Trempealeau, and settled on a farm some two miles north
of the village of Osseo. After a long and useful life on the farm he moved
to the village in 1890, and here died in 1898, his wife surviving until
1907.
Clark M. Levis, meat dealer at Osseo, was born in Black River Falls,
Wis., June 8, 1859, son of William K. and Mary (Blanchard) Levis. He
spent his early boyhood in his native town, and at Alma Center, Jackson
County, this State. In 1867, while still a youth, he was brought to Osseo,
and was reared on a farm some two miles away. He worked with his father
for a while, purchased 80 acres of the farm in 1883, and the remainder in
1899, and there remained until 1904, when he came to Osseo and established
his present business. A public-spirited man, he has served on the village
council six years, and as county supervisor one year. His fraternal relations
are with the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen. Mr. Levis was
married, June 1, 1884, to Delia Sawyer, daughter of John and Caroline
(Chase) Sawyer, of Eau Claire County, and they have one daughter, Gladys
C, born July 26, 1896.
Andrew C. Hagestad, proprietor of the Hagestad Stock Farm, which
embraces the old Hagestad homestead in section 19, Ettrick Township, is
one of the best-known agriculturists in this county. He has a wide reputa-
tion as a breeder of Holstein-Fresian cattle, he has been an important factor
in many farmers' organizations, and he has been very active indeed in
church, school and township affairs. Like his father before him, he is
energetic and progressive, and is recognized as one of the most useful
citizens in the community. A native of this county, he was born on the
place where he now hves, Jan. 23, 1876, son of Knut K. and Astri (Knutson)
Hagestad, the early settlers. He was reared to farm pursuits, attended the
pubKc schools, and in the winters of 1896-97 he attended the College of
Agriculture at the State University, receiving his diploma in the spring of
1897, thereafter became his father's partner in conducting the farm, acquir-
ing a half interest in the place. In the winter of 1917, before his father's
death, he secured the other half interest and is now the sole owner. On
this place he successfully conducts agricultural operations along the latest
approved hnes. In connection with his breeding of Holstein-Fresian cattle,
he owns the noted sire, "Prince Korndyke," No. 177,392, whose dam,
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 605
Princess De Kol Echo, has a world-wide reputation for having in a stated
tested period given 98 pounds of milk a day and produced over 28 pounds
of butterfat in a week. The farm is also known for its Berkshire swine
and Single-comb White Leghorn poultry. Aside from his farm holdings,
Mr. Hagestad has extensive business interests, including stock in the
Ettrick Creamery, of which he is vice-president ; in the Ettrick & Northern
Railroad Company, of which he is a director, and in the Ettrick Lumber
Company and the Farmers' Telephone Company at Ettrick. In church and
public life he has been no less prominent, he is a member of the Lutheran
church, and has held an office of trustee for eight years, has been director
of the school district for the past nine years and township treasurer for the
past five years. As a believer in agricultural progress he has affiliated
himself with the Wisconsin Experiment Association, with headquarters at
Madison. In advertising his farm, Mr. Hagestad makes use of an inter-
esting device of his own invention. The device consists of two large wings,
connected by a circle. The left wing bears the word "Quality," the right
wing the word "Quantity," the top of the circle the word "Production," and
the bottom of the circle the word "First," thus giving the slogan : "First in
Production, First in Quality and First in Quantity." In the center of the
circle is a picture of the famous Prince Korndyke. Mr. Hagestad was mar-
ried Jan. 25, 1901, to Martha Christianson, of Ettrick, daughter of Hans
Christianson, and this union has been blessed with five children : Victor R.,
born June 13, 1902 ; Evelyn C, born June 19, 1904, and died Dec. 27, 1904 ;
Kenneth H., born Jan. 22, 1906; Elsie M., born June 4, 1910; and Ruth C,
born April 3, 1914.
Tom Lomsdahl, of Osseo, dealer in hardware, farm implements, agricul-
tural machinery and automobiles, was born in Sondre Land, Norway, Aug.
6, 1874, son of Peter and Maren (Andreasdotter) Lomsdahl. And in 1893
the mother and her son Tom came to America, where she later married
E. C. Hagen, of Bruce Valley, Hale Township. The subject of this sketch
was employed as a farm hand for several years. Then for nearly ten years
he operated a farm near Osseo. In 1910 he moved to the village and pur-
chased the business of Fields & Olson. In 1912 he bought out the interest
of Gilbert Lewis, in the firm of Lewis & Hokland. With Frederick N. Hok-
land as a partner, under the firm name of Tom Lomsdahl & Co., he carried
on the business for five years, when he purchased the interest of his part-
ner, Mr. Hokland, Feb. 5, 1917, and now carries on a large and constantly
increasing business alone. For three years he was secretary and manager
of the Farmers' Telephone Company, in which he is still a director. He
is a stockholder in the State Bank of Osseo. His services for four years as
a member of the village council have been highly valued, and he did equally
good work as a member of the town board of Sumner Township for two
years. He is one of the directors of the Osseo Farmers' Produce Company.
His religious faith is that of the Synod Norwegian Lutheran church, and his
fraternal affiliation is with the Beavers. Mr. Lomsdahl was married Nov.
12, 1898, to Mary Gunnem, of Bruce Valley, daughter of Thorn and Carrie
(Osldotter) Gunnem, natives of Norway, who came to America in the early
'70s, and spent the remainder of their lives in Trempealeau County, the
606 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
former dying in 1907 and the latter in 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Lomsdahl have
a daughter, LiUian May, born Sept. 25, 1906.
Sim E. Lee, manager of the Osseo Feed Mill, from which mill the electric
current of the village is supphed, was born in Burnside Township, this
county, April 26, 1881, son of Joseph N. and Belle (Simonson) Lee. Joseph
N. Lee was born in Norway, Aug. 5, 1849, and came to America as a young
man. After the death of his first wife. Belle Simonson, he married Lena
Olson. Sim E. Lee was reared on the home farm and educated in the com-
mon schools. In 1904 he became manager of the Osseo Feed Mill. On Jan.
28, 1914, he installed therein an electric light plant, which furnishes elec-
tricity for street, business and residential lighting. In this capacity the
plant has won wide favor, and its manager is held in high esteem. Mr. Lee
is a stockholder in the Farmers' Exchange Bank of Osseo, and also has
other business holdings. Mr. Lee was married June 16, 1907, to Martha
Pederson, who was born in Hale Township, July 1, 1882, daughter of Jacob
and Annie (Grandrud) Pederson. This union has been blessed with two
children : Adrine, born Dec. 6, 1908 ; and Abner, born June 19, 1911.
John Konz, Jr., blacksmith, garage owner and opera house manager, of
Osseo, was born in Dane County, Wis., April 3, 1870, son of John and
Frances (Krisch) Konz. The second of a large family of 10 children, he
remained at home until he was 24 years of age. Then he farmed near Osseo
for a number of years. In 1907 he came to Osseo, and purchased the black-
smith shop of J. M. Anderson, which he now conducts. He also engaged
in the sale of farm implements. In 1909 he enlarged and remodeled his
building, and established an opera house on the upper floor. As a stock-
holder in the Farmers' Exchange Bank and as a director and stockholder
in the Osseo Telephone Company he has taken his part in the financial and
business development of the village and community. His fraternal affili-
ations are with the Modern Woodmen and the Beavers. The family faith
is that of the Catholic church. Mr. Konz was married Feb. 1, 1898, to
Elizabeth Andrus, of Sumner Township, daughter of Alvah and Angelia
(Lane) Andrus, and descended from an old New York family. The father
makes his home with Mr. and Mrs. Konz, while the mother died in 1880.
Mr. and Mrs. Konz have four children: Ardys, Raymond, Mai'garet and
Maurice. William died at the age of 6 weeks. John Konz, Sr.,. father of
John Konz, Jr., was born in Germany, came to America in 1860, located on
a farm seven miles south of Augusta, in Eau Claire County, Wis., in 1873,
farmed there until 1911, and then moved to Augusta, where he is now the
proprietor of the Augusta Hotel, one of the leading hostelries of that place.
J. Reese Jones, attorney at Osseo, was born in Dodge County, this State,
July 15, 1882, son of Jonah and Margaret (Williams) Jones. Jonah Jones
was born in Wales, and came to America in 1843 with his parents, living in
New York for a while, and subsequently locating in Wisconsin, where he
farmed for the remainder of his life. He died in 1913 at the age of 76, and
his wife is now living in Columbus, Wis. In the family there are six
children: Mamye, wife of W. J. Roberts, of Columbus; Hannah, of Colum-
bus; Kathryn, now Mrs. Richard Griffith, of Columbus; Marjorie, now Mrs.
Griff. Jones, of Vallejo, Cal., where her husband is employed in the navy
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HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 607
yards as a machinist; William 0., a farmer of Columbus, and J. Reese.
Evelyn died at the age of 2 years. The subject of this sketch was reared
to farm pursuits and received his early education in the schools of his neigh-
borhood. In 1907 he graduated from the Stevens Point Normal School,
and then, after teaching school for a year, entered the College of Law of the
University of Wisconsin, from which he was graduated in 1911. Immedi-
ately upon graduation, he opened an office in Friendship, in this State. In the
fall of 1915 he came to Trempealeau County, bought out the practice of
G. O. Linderman, at Osseo, and has since maintained his office here. He
is one of the successful young lawyers of the county, and his friends predict
for him a brilliant future. Mr. Jones is a stockholder in the Farmers'
Exchange Bank, of Osseo. His fraternal affiliation is with the Masonic
order.
Knut A. Knudtson, a retired farmer of Whitehall, and owner of the
Overland Farm of 160 acres in section 28, and the Ada Stock Farm of 240
acres in sections 4 and 9, all in Pigeon Township, was born in Telemaarken,
Norway, June 24, 1852, son of Andrew and Margaret (Halvorson) Knudtson,
born in Norway in 1827 and 1832, respectively, who came to America in
1869, and located in Preston Township, this County, where they died, the
father in 1909 and the mother in 1886. After coming to this country,
Knut A. worked about among the farmers of the neighborhood until 1874,
when he bought the Overland Farm on Fly Creek. This farm he operated
about 30 years. In 1903 he took up his residence in Whitehall. But he
still longed for farm hfe, so in the fall of 1909 he purchased the Ada Stock
Farm, on which he lived until 1912, when he again took up his home in
Whitehall. For three years he served on the town board and for 15 years
on the school board. He is a stockholder in the Whitehall Creamery, the
Pigeon Grain & Stock Company, the People's State Bank and the Whitehall
Hospital. Mr. Knudtson was married Nov. 6, 1874, to Julia Knudtson,
daughter of Aslak and Hannah (Hendrickson) Knudtson, of Pigeon Town-
ship. This union has been blessed with 10 children : Amanda, Ida, Han-
nah, Ella, Tina, Clara and Grace, living, and Ada, Adolph and Clara deceased.
Amanda is the wife of Ira Thompson, a farmer of Preston Township. Ida
married Patrick Murphy, a stonecutter of Waterbury, Vt. Hannah mar-
ried E. E. Deppe, a real estate man of Duluth, Minn. Ella married Theo.
Stendahl, a farmer of Pigeon Township. Tina married Luther Quacken-
bush, of Whitehall. Clara and Grace are at home. Ada died at the age
of 2 years, Adolph at the age of 18 years, and Clara at the age of 11 years.
The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.
Gust G. Johnson, a farmer operating 120 acres of land in section 25,
Sumner Township, was born at Black Earth, Dane County, Wis., Dec. 15,
1861. He is a son of Gunerus C. Johnson, who was born at Soler, Norway,
Oct. 5, 1833, and who, after coming to the United States, participated in the
Civil War as a member of the Forty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.
He married Syverine Christianson, who was born in Hedemarken, Norway,
m 1836, and who died May 12, 1893. His death occurred Nov. 6, 1898.
Gunerus C. Johnson came to the United States in 1854, locating in Detroit,
Mich. From there he subsequently removed to Iowa County, Wis., where
608 HISTORY OF TREilPEALEAU COUNTY
he was married in 1855. In 1870 he and his family came to Trempealeau
County, homesteading land in section 36, Sumner Township, where he and
his wife spent the rest of their lives. They had a large family of 12
children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth.
Gust G. Johnson resided on the home farm until his marriage, which
united him. May 14, 1883, to Martha Erickson, who was born in Iowa
County, Wis., July 2, 1867. Her parents were Peter and Christina (Olson)
Erickson, the former being now a retired farmer residing in Osseo, whose
eighty-second birthday occurred Jan. 31, 1917. Mrs. Johnson's mother,
who was born in Norway, Sept. 22, 1839, died March 3, 1901. After his
marriage Mr. Johnson rented a farm in section 25, Sumner Township, and
cultivated it 12 years, removing to his present farm in the same section
in 1895, having bought it in 1891. He has served as township treasurer
since 1912, was township supervisor two years, and has been treasurer of
the school district since it was organized in 1890. He is also a director of
the Golden Valley Cheese Factory, the valley in which the factory is located
having been named by him. He and his wife have been the parents of
seven children: Swerin, who died at the age of 16 years in 1901; Adelia,
residing at home ; Philip, who is engaged in farming in Sumner Township,
and Chfford, Dewey, Lawrence, Viola and Orlando. In addition to the busi-
ness interests named above, with which Mr. Johnson is connected, he is
also a stockholder in the State Bank of Osseo. Both as farmer and business
man he has been successful, and is recognized as one of the reliable and
substantial citizens of his township.
David Isom came to Trempealeau County in 1882 and purchased a farm
in section 19, Sumner Township, which he operated until 1907, when he sold
it to his son, George J., and moved to Osseo, where he now resides. He
was born in Leicestershire, England, May 27, 1843, son of Francis and
Elizabeth (Hoe) Isom, the former of whom, of German descent, was born
in 1801 and died in 1878, and the latter of whom, of English descent, was
born in 1814 and died in 1864. Coming to America in 1862, the subject of
this sketch visited Quebec and Montreal, and lived in Door and Dane Coun-
ties, this state, before coming to Trempealeau County. Mr. Isom was
married Dec. 1, 1868, to Emma Jane Elwood, who was born in England,
April 13, 1851. This union has been blessed with seven children: Ada E.,
Frank W., George J., Alvah E., James, Clarence and Lura Maria Rosella.
Ada E. died of diptheria at the age of eight years. Frank W. is in the land
business in Los Angeles. George J. owns and operates the home farm.
He was married April 25, 1900, to Jennie Nichols, born in Eau Claire County,
this state, daughter of Caleb F. and Anna (Olson) Nichols, retired farmers
of Osseo, and this union has been blessed with five children : Eunice Adele,
born Nov. 30, 1901 ; Grace Elizabeth, born Nov. 21, 1902 ; Ernest Francis,
born July 11, 1904; Vera Anna, born Sept. 21, 1906, and Harold William,
born Aug. 27, 1910. James was drowned at the age of two years. Alvah E.
farms in Sumner Township. He was married Sept. 23, 1903, to Jessie Ring,
daughter of John Ring, of Ossoe, and they have three children: Eugene
Willard, born Nov. 16, 1905 ; Clifford Roy, born Sept. 9, 1909, and Howard
Kent, born Sept. 13, 1911. Clarence died at the age of six months. Lura
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IILSTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 609
Maria Rosella was married April 13, 1902, to Sidney Carter, who operates
a garage at Cadotte, Wis., and tliey have four children: Walter Isom, born
July 17, 1906 ; Dorothy May, born Aug. 5, 1908 ; Frank Elroy, born Aug. 6,
1913, and Elwood David, born Sept. 1, 1915.
Alva E. Isom, a successful and well-known farmer living on 160 acres
of well-improved land in section 17, Sumner Township, is a native of this
state, having been born at Black Earth, Oct. 17, 1880, son of David and
Emma (Elwood) Isom. He was educated in the schools of his neighbor-
hood, was reared to farm pursuits by his father, and remained with his
parents until 1903, when he purchased his present place. In public life he
has been town supervisor for two years and school clerk for seven years.
His financial holdings include stock in the Farmers' Elevator at Osseo and
the Farmers Exchange Bank of Osseo. His fraternal relations are with
the Modern Woodmen of America, in which he is an officer. Mr. Isom was
married Sept. 23, 1903, to Jessie Ring, born in Sumner Township, May 24,
1880, daughter of John and Alberta (Dighton) Ring, and this union has been
blessed with three children: Eugene W., born Nov. 16, 1905; Clifford R.,
born Sept. 9, 1909, and Howard K, born Sept. 13, 1911.
Chester Beswick, Jr., a retired farmer residing in section 17, Preston
Township, was born at Bolton, Warren County, N. Y., Dec. 24, 1834, son
of Chester Beswick, Sr., and Polly Ann (Rice) Beswick. The father was
born in Warren County, New York, Sept. 22, 1810, and in 1849 migrated
west to Beaver Dam, Wis., residing there six years. He then came to
Trempealeau County and pre-empted 120 acres of land in section 17, Preston
Township. The rest of his life was spent in the cultivation and improve-
ment of his farm, his death occurring Feb. 13, 1895. His wife, Polly Ann
Rice, was born in Warren County, New York, June 3, 1815, and died Nov.
29, 1905. Her parents, with their family, removed from New York state
to Kenosha, Wis., whei'e the father died at the age of 95 years. Mrs. Rice,
with her son Simon, came to Trempealeau County so as to be near her
daughter, Mrs. Chester Beswick, Sr., and with whom she made her home
until her death, March 31, 1888. She was born in New York state Feb. 25,
1796. Her son Simon was afterwards a well known farmer of Preston
Township. Chester Beswick, Jr., came to Wisconsin with his parents, but
in the spring of 1859 he went to Texas and engaged in sheep herding in
the valley of the Brazos River. At the outbreak of the Civil war he and
four companions started home on horseback. While on the way they were
arrested by Confederate troops as spies and were thrown into prison, where
they remained for a month. Then, in order to gain their freedom, they
enlisted in the Confederate army, but soon afterwards deserted. They were
retaken, however, by a band of Osage Indians, who were in the Confederate
service, and were again imprisoned and sentenced to be shot. The day
before the date set for their execution they again escaped, but were once
more recaptured. In an effort to learn the truth from them their captors
put ropes around their necks and made ready to hang them, but were finally
dissuaded from doing so by some members of their own band. At another
time the Indians had them lined up to be shot, and on still another occasion
had prepared a fire to burn them, but this time they were saved by their
610 IllSTOHY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
interpreter. It was in December, 1862, when Mr. Beswick finally made his
way in safety to his Wisconsin home, and resumed industrial life in a safer
locality. He was married July 4, 1877, to Anjenette Thurston, of Blair,
whose father, Ebenezer Thurston, was the first postmaster of that village,
which was then called South Bend. He kept the post office in his old home
in section 16, on the farm now owned by Paul Thompson. Mr. Thurston
was born Dec. 30, 1805, and died May 13, 1880. He married Mary Eveline
Haywood, who was born June 10, 1811, and died Dec. 15, 1881. Chester
Beswick, Jr., lived most of his life on the old farm taken by his father in
1855, except for a period of 20 years, when he was engaged in farming four
miles north of Independence. He is now healthy and active at 82 years of
age, being able to read without glasses. He resides with his son-in-law,
Henry M. Hanson. His wife, Anjenette Thurston Beswick, who was born
April 28, 1844, died Sept. 10, 1901. Their children were : Alice, born May
17, 1870, who married Palmer Back, a farmer of Preston Township ; Harriet,
born Nov. 23, 1872, who died Oct. 10, 1873 ; Charles, born April 3, 1874, who
died Aug. 20, 1877, and Susan E., born Jan. 9, 1876, and now wife of Henry
M. Hanson, the owner of Mr. Beswick's old farm. Alice (Mrs. Palmer Back)
has had seven children, whose names, with dates of birth and death, are as
follows: Hazel Charlotte, born Aug. 4, 1892; Willis Irvin, May 18, 1894,
died Sept. 26, 1909 ; Charles Chester, Aug. 10, 1901 ; Myrtle Adine, July 1,
1903; Dorris Evelyn, April 23, 1906; Florence Irene, Feb. 25, 1911, and
WyUis Margarite, Aug. 30, 1912.
Frederick N. Hokland, formerly of the firm of Tom Lomsdahl & Co.,
Osseo, dealers in hardware, farm implements, agricultural machinery and
automobiles, was born in Nordland, Norway, Sept. 22, 1853, son of Nels 0.
and Mary (Frederickson) Hokland. Nels 0. Hokland came to America from
Norway, with his family, in 1867, and farmed in Vernon County, Wisconsin,
until 1872, when he came to Trempealeau County, and located in Pigeon
Township, moving a year later to a farm in the east side of Hale Township,
where he remained until 1903, when he moved to Osseo, where he now lives
at the good old age of 83, making his home with his son, Frederick N., his
wife having died in 1884. Frederick N. Hokland was reared on his father's
farm. From 1897 to 1901 he was manager of the Whitehall & Pigeon Trad-
ing Association at Whitehall. In 1904, with Gilbert Lewis, he opened a hard-
ware and implement store in Osseo, under the firm name of Lewis & Hok-
land. Tom Lomsdahl, in 1912, purchased the Lewis interest, and the firm
was consolidated in Tom Lomsdahl & Co. Aside from building up a large
trade, Mr. Hokland has found time for service as a member of the village
council for four years. He was clerk of the school board of his district in
Hale Township for eleven years.
Bert L. Hume, blacksmith and general machinist, now conducting a
plant at Osseo, was born in Otter Creek Township, Eau Claire County, Wis.,
Feb. 26, 1883, son of Alexander and Amanda (Root) Hume. Alexander
Hume was born in Canada, came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1863, and
lived in Eau Claire County until his death in 1902, his wife still living in
Osseo. Bert L. was reared to farm pursuits by his father and remained on
the home place until 1901, when he went to Augusta, and learned the black-
C. L. BOLENG AND FAMILY
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 611
smith trade. In 1909 he came to Osseo, and purchased the shop of E. Nelson
& Son, which he has since conducted. The shop was destroyed by fire on
Aug. 30, 1911, and Mr. Hume then built his present plant. The building
is of concrete, 40 by 40 feet, well equipped for all kinds of blacksmith and
machinery work and automobile repairing. A feature of the plant is a large
oxygen-acetylene welding apparatus, and the trip hammer, drill press and
two lathes add to the efficiency of the work done. The shop occupied the
corner of Thomas and Main streets, the site of the first house built in the
village of Osseo. Mr. Hume is well liked in the community, and is a mem-
ber of the Modern Woodmen and of the Woodmen of the World. He was
married Sept. 24, 1903, to Emma M. Krienke, of Otter Creek Township, Eau
Claire County, daughter of Fred and Bertha (Bethe) Krienke. Fred
Krienke was a native of Germany, served in the German army, and was a
pioneer in Eau Claire County. Mr. and Mrs. Hume have five children:
Edna, Selma, Margaret, Edwin and Alice.
William Henry came to Trempealeau County in 1858 and homesteaded
a farm of 160 acres in sections 21 and 22, Sumner Township, where he lived
until his death, May 28, 1913. He was born in County Down, near Belfast,
Ireland, Jan. 27, 1828, the son of David Henry, who was born in Scotland,
and for many years was an inn keeper in Ireland. William Henry came to
America in 1852, and located in Chenango County, New York, where he
lived until coming to Trempealeau County. In 1859 he went back to New
York for a short trip and was there married to Elizabeth Skillin, a native
of Chenango County. They had two sons, Elmer H., who farms in Eau
Claire County, four miles north of Osseo, and Edward J., who bought the
home farm about 1898.
Edward J. Henry, proprietor of the Oakgrove Stock Farm, sections
21 and 22, Sumner Township, was born on the place where he still lives
Nov. 29, 1863, son of William and Elizabeth (Skillin) Henry. He has made
many improvements on the farm, has fenced it with woven wire, and main-
tains his substantial home, barns and silo in the best of condition. He com-
pleted in 1917 a barn 36 by 60 feet, with cement floor and steel stanchions,
for stock. Carrying on general farming in all its branches, he has made a
specialty of Duroc-Jersey swine, of which he has a good drove. In public
life he has served as supervisor for two years, and as clerk of the school
board of his district since 1900. Mr. Henry was married June 1, 1886, to
Ettie L. Johnson, born in Black Earth, Wis., Aug. 18, 1865, daughter of
Almond S. and Jane (Oswald) Johnson, and this union has been blessed with
six children: Vina, William D., Jane E., Nina L., Frank S. and Laura L.
Vina was born June 1, 1888,. and married Ludwig Johnson, who farms in
Eau Claire County. William D., born March 21, 1892, farms in Forsythe
Mont. Jane E., born Dec. 12, 1893, graduated from the Augusta high
school, and has successfully taught school in the same district for four
years. Nina L. was born April 23, 1897, and is a graduate of the Augusta
high school. Frank S. was born Sept. 23, 1902. Laura L. was bom Oct.
10, 1905, both living at home.
Christ L. Boleng, proprietor of a grocery store at Tamarac, Arcadia
Township, was bom in Norway, Sept. 5, 1851, son of Lars and Martha
612 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
(Iverson) Boleng. As a youth his attention had been drawn to America
as a land of opportunity and he resolved, as soon as he was able, to seek
his fortune in the New World. This resolve he made good at an early age,
for he was only 18 years old when, in 1870, he sailed from his native
shores, landing in New York June 6, that year. In the same year he came
to Wisconsin, locating first at La Crosse, where he lived for six years, in
the summers working in the sawmills and at the log booms of Black River,
and in the winters in the pine woods of Clark County, Wisconsin. During
all this time he was looking forward to being his own master, and as a first
step to this, in 1874 he bought 80 acres of wild land in Trempealeau County,
four miles west of Independence. This land was situated in Traverse Val-
ley, its previous owner being Abe Bugee, who had built a log house or shanty
on it. During the winter of 1875-76 Mr. Boleng again worked in the Clai'k
County pineries, living economically and saving as much as he could. In
the summer of 1876 he sent to Norway for his parents, and on their arrival
settled them on the Traverse Valley land, where they hved until 1882.
During the years from 1876 to 1882 he went to the woods every fall and
worked there until the next haying season, when he would return to the
farm for the balance of the summer. Mr. Boleng's father died in Unity
Township, this county, Dec. 24, 1915. His wife, surviving him, is still liv-
ing in that township and is now 87 years old. June 6, 1879, the subject of
this sketch was married to Ehzabeth, daughter of Halvor and Melinda
(Lee) Kettleson, of La Crosse County. Her brother Nels Lee was the first
settler near Lee, III. She was born on the site of Midway, between Trem-
pealeau and La Crosse Counties, Wisconsin. After their marriage Mr. and
Mrs. Boleng took up their residence on the Traverse Valley farm, where
they lived until 1892. They then rented the farm and moved into Indepen-
dence Village, making their home there until the summer of 1898. At
that time they moved to Tamarac, half way between Centerville and
Arcadia, where Mr. Boleng purchased the stock of a country grocery store,
also the store building a year later, and where he has since carried on
business. For eight years he was postmaster at Tamarack until the rural
delivery came into operation. The first mail he received was on Oct. 10,
1898, and the last mail arrived at 12 :24 Tuesday, July 31, 1906, and departed
at 12:40 the same day. On Sept. 7, 1916, Mr. Boleng was assaulted and
robbed in his store and left for dead, but fortunately recovered. He is a
stockholder in the State Bank of Trempealeau, in Savage's factories at
Minneapolis and in Savage's Electric Railway. In politics he is a staunch
Republican. He and his wife have had five children : Lee H., Lilly (first) ,
Lilly (second), Milton and Milton G., of whom the first named Lilly is
deceased, and the first Milton died in infancy. Lee H., who was a graduate
of Wisconsin University, went to China as an instructor in English, and was
drowned in that country while on a vacation July 3, 1910. Lilly (second)
is keeping house for her father, and Milton G., who graduated from Gale
College in the class of 1917, is now with the John Latsch wholesale house,
Winona, Minn. Mr. Boleng and his surviving family are members of Nor-
way Coulie Lutheran Congregation. He is a popular citizen in this part
of the county and the brutal attack upon him last September caused great
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 613
indignation in the neighborhood. Mrs. Boleng passed away May 19, 1902,
at Galesville Hospital.
William Hunter, an early settler, was born in Clackmannanshire, Scot-
land, and as a young man became a miner. He married Jane Neish, and
in 1852, after three children had been born, set out for America. His wife
died shortly after his arrival in the new country. Locating near Pittsburg,
Penn., he followed his former occupation as a miner for eighteen years. He
was determined, however, to see other environment for his family, so, in
1870, he came west and secured a homestead of 160 acres in section 5,
Burnside Township, this county. Here he successfully farmed until his
death, in 1897. He was the father of six children: William, who lives with
his brother James N. on the home farm; Janet, wife of D. A. Hunt, of
Burnside Township ; James N., who owns and operates the old homestead ;
Annie, now Mrs. Cole, of South Dakota; Kate, the wife of Charles Hoyt,
of Spokane, Wash., and Mary, wife of Fred Martin, of Trempealeau.
James N. Hunter, farmer, township chairman, member of the county
board, bank director, and man of many interests, was born in Clackman-
nanshire, Scotland, June 21, 1852, son of William and Jane (Neish) Hunter,
with whom he came to America in 1852. He grew to young manhood near
Pittsburg, Penn., and in 1870, with his father, brother and sisters, came to
Trempealeau County, and located in section 5, Burnside Township, where
he has since resided. Coming here as a youth, he has led his life day by
day, uprightly and honorably, and has won the respect and esteem of the
entire county. Since 1898 he has been chairman of the township board
and a member of the county board, having served as president of the latter
body for four years. He has served as justice of the peace for many years,
and as health officer of the township he has looked after the physical wel-
fare of the community. His financial holdings include stock in the Farmers
& Merchants Bank of Independence, in which he is a director. His broad
interest in the county and its affairs is shown by his work as president of
the Trempealeau County Historical Society. Fraternally his associations
are with the Masonic lodge at Arcadia. He is unmarried.
Alfred Hagen, buttermaker for the Unity Co-operative Creamery at
Strum, is one of the popular young men of the village, and is thoroughly
proficient in his chosen line of work. He was born in Eau Claire, Wis., Oct.
10, 1882, son of Segvart A. and Karen (Olson) Hagen. Segvart A. Hagen
was born in Norway, came to Trempealeau County in the nineties, settled
on a farm in section 12, Albion Township, and there lived until his death
in 1906, since which time the widow has continued to make her home there.
Alfred Hagen remained with his parents until 15 years old. Then he was
employed as a farm hand for several years. In 1911 he entered the Unity
Creamery as a helper, and gradually perfecetd himself as a buttermaker
until he was promoted to his present position in the spring of 1916. Mr.
Hagen was married April 7, 1915, to Clara Engen, of Eleva, daughter of
Ole and Mathia Engen, for many years residents of section 22, Albion Town-
ship, where the father died in 1908 and where the mother stiU lives. Mr.
and Mrs. Hagen have a daughter, Myrtle Kathrine, born March 12, 1916.
Olaf C. GuUord, contractor and builder of Osseo, was born on a farm
614 HISTORY OF TREIMPEALEAU COUNTY
four miles south of the village Sept. 4, 1881, son of Christ and PauUna
Gullord. Christ Gullord, a mason by trade, was born in Norway, came to
America in June, 1880, bought a farm in Sumner Township, this county,
farmed here until 1911, and then went to BiUings, Mont., where he died in
1914, his wife dying in 1905. Olaf C. Gullord started to learn the trade of
mason from his father at the age of 14 years, and after following this trade
for a number of years, gradually worked into his present business. He has
been successful in his undertakings, and is regarded as a substantial and
well-to-do man. He is a holder of business property in the village, having
in 1915 erected a garage, 50 by 60 feet, of soKd concrete, with two stories
and a basement, fully equipped in every way. This garage he now operates
in connection with the sale of Overland automobiles. Mr. Gullord was mar-
ried April 14, 1905, to Emma Stensby, daughter of Berndt Stensby, who was
born in Norway, and has farmed in Hale Township since 1886. Mr. and
Mrs. Gullord have two children, Franzel and Lester.
George Gjuul has lived in this county as manager of the Midland Lum-
ber & Coal Company at Osseo since Jan. 4, 1912. In advocating better farm
buildings he has assisted in the development of the surrounding rural
region, while his work for the progress of Osseo has included his efforts
toward the organization of the Farmers Exchange Bank, of which he is
now one of the directors. His fraternal affiliations are with the A. F. &
A. M. Mr. Gjuul was born in Mankato, Minn., May 13, 1874, the youngest
in a family of three children. As a youth he worked with his father. At
the age of twenty-four he secured employment in a hardware store at
Erskine, Minn. A year and a half later he took up his present line of work
as manager for the Stenerson Brothers Lumber Yard at Menton, Minn.
Six years later he became manager for the Lamper Lumber Company at
Ruthton, Minn. Subsequently he occupied a similar position for the H. W.
Ross Lumber Company at Hancock, Minn., for the Glattley Lumber Com-
pany at Hot Springs, S. D., and for the John J. Queal Lumber Company at
Leeds, Sioux City, Iowa. With this experience he came to Osseo. Mr.
Gjuul was married April 25, 1906, to Elva Williams, of Amboy, Minn.,
daughter of Cyrus and Mary Nixon, the former of whom died in 1914 at
the age of 72 and the latter of whom died in 1916 at the age of 70. Torris
F. Gjuul, father of the subject of this sketch, was born at Trondjem, Nor-
way, came to America, and after living at Stevens Point, Wis., a year,
located in Mankato, where he became a successful contractor and builder.
In later years carried on farming at Mankato, Minn., and died Feb. 26, 1906.
He married Randi Dahl, who lives in Texarkana, Tex., with her son Frank.
Bert Thompson, for several years proprietor of Maple Lawn Farm of
176 acres, in section 31, Preston Township, but now living in Whitehall,
was born in section 6, this township, July 4, 1877, son of William and Laura
E. (Hine) Thompson. He resided at home, assisting his father and brothers
until the spring of 1914, at which time he bought the above mentioned farm
from his father. There he was engaged in raising the usual crops and in
breeding Shorthorn graded cattle, Duroc-Jersey hogs and Partridge Wyan-
dotte chickens, doing a successful and increasing business. He had a good
eight-room house, with a substantial barn, 40 by 60 feet in dimensions, and
MR. AND MRS. EDWARD D. WEEKS
MR. AND MRS. BERT THOMPSON
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 615
a glazed-tile silo of ample capacity. In the spring of 1917 he disposed of
the tai-m and moved to the village of Whitehall, where he erected a com-
fortable residence, which is now the home of himseK' and wife. Mr. Thomp-
son was first married Jan. 1, 1900, to Jennie B. Ecker, who was born Aug. 17,
1881, daughter of Charles A. and Margaret (McKimm) Ecker. Her father,
who was a pioneer railroad agent for the G. B. & W. R. R. at Whitehall,
Wis., died in 1915, aged 65 years, and is survived by his wife, who is now
living in Whitehall at the age of 67. Mrs. Jennie B. Thompson died Nov.
18, 1902, and after remaining a widow nearly 12 years Mr. Thompson mar-
ried for his second wife Cecil M. Weeks, Sept. 30, 1914. She was born Dec.
6, 1882, daughter of Edward and Minnie (Hodgdon) Weeks. Mr. Thompson
is secretary and treasurer of the Whitehall Presbyterian Church. He is
recognized as one of the enterprising and successful agriculturists and
stock breeders of his township and has a wide circle of friends. He and his
family are members of the Presbyterian church and he is also a member of
the Sons of Veterans and for several years was commander of the camp.
Edward D. Weeks, a retired farmer now residing at Coral City, Pigeon
Township, Trempealeau County, was born at Cooperstown, Otsego County,
N. Y., Dec. 24, 1840, son of Stephen and Sehna (Lyon) Weeks. The father
was a native of Massachusetts, born in 1812. When a young man he went
to New York City, where he was engaged in the butcher's trade until 1855.
In 1833 he married Selina Lyon, and they had a family of seven children:
Elmira, who married Floyd Washburn, and died at Black River Falls, Wis.,
in 1864 ; George, who died at Watertown, S. D. ; Luzerne, who died at White-
hall, Wis., in June, 1916 ; Edward D., subject of this sketch ; Marcus L., now
living at Beaver Dam, Wis., and two who died in infancy. The mother died
at Beaver Dam in 1894, and her husband at Neillsville about 1886. The
latter was a Civil war veteran, having served three years in Company I,
Seventeenth Wisconsin Infantry, his son Marcus serving four years in
the same regiment, and Luzerne three years in the Tenth Wisconsin
Infantry. The aggregate service of the family in the army amounted to 13
years, the other three years being served by the subject of this sketch,
Edward D., who enhsted at La Crosse in Company B, Second Wisconsin
Infantry. Edward was shot in the shoulder at the battle of Gettysburg
and taken prisoner, and was in a parole camp at West Chester, Pa. He took
part in 11 important battles, including, besides Gettysburg, the second battle
of Bull Run, and the battles of Antietam, South Mountain and the Wilder-
ness. At the last mentioned battle he was shot through the leg and was
subsequently confined to the hospital for four months. After his discharge
from the army he came to Trempealeau County and in 1865 took a home-
stead in Chimney Rock Coolie, Hale Township, where he lived for 15 years,
engaged in agriculture. In 1880 he removed to Coral City, where he worked
as a laborer for some years, but is now retired. June 29, 1870, Mr. Weeks
was married to Minnie Hodgdon, who was born at Epping, N. H., Oct. 13,
1851, daughter of Charles and Lamira (Cummings) Hodgdon. Her father
also a native of New Hampshire, served four years in the Civil war. He died
in his native state. The wife, with her children, came to Wisconsin, locating
at Lake Geneva in 1852. There in 1862 she was married to George Follett,
616 HISTORY OF TREaiPEALEAU COUNTY
and they afterwards came to Trempealeau County, Mr. FoUett conducting-
a store at old Whitehall for a year. They then removed to Coral City, where
he conducted a store and hotel until 1880. He died at Wadena, Minn., about
1901, which was the year of his wife's death, she being aged 73 years. Mr.
and Mrs. Edward D. Weeks have been the parents of four children : Ruby,
wife of Alfred Taintor, a retired farmer of Meadow, S. D., and the mother
of four children : Myrtle, Edward, Lyle and Perry (Mrs. Taintor died Aug.
8, 1916) ; Lewis E., employed in the Crosby Lumber Yard at Crosby, N. D.,
who married Kate Martin and has had six children: Norma, Edward W.
(died 1906), WilUam H., Howard, Ervin and Robert; Jennie, who died at
the age of one year, and Cecile, wife of Bert Thompson, of Whitehall Vil-
lage. Mr. Weeks is a member of Winfield Scott Post, No. 104, of Whitehall,
Wis., and is well known and respected in Coral City and vicinity.
William S. Gilpin, editor and proprietor of the Osseo News, was born
in Alexandria, Minn., Nov. 19, 1872, son of Joseph and Sarah (Walker)
Gilpin, the former of whom is a retired newspaper man. Of the four chil-
dren in the family there are now living three: William S., the subject of
this sketch ; Mary T., an accomplished musician, a graduate of Carleton
College at Northfield, Minn., and principal of the public schools of Hopkins,
Minn., and NeUie, wife of Walter B. von Fredenburg, a traveling salesman
living in Minneapolis. William S. Gilpin attended the public schools of
Alexandria, and learned the printing and newspaper business in the office
of the Douglas County News, then owned by his father. In 1891 he bought
the Eagle Bend (Minn.) Pilot, and later the Browerville (Minn.) Citizen.
In 1893 he moved the Citizen to Alexandria, and there published it until
1896. For two years he conducted Gilpin's X Rays at Hamilton, N. D. It
was in 1898 that he came to Osseo, and purchased the Osseo Weekly
Recorder. In 1911 he sold out. The next year he established the Osseo
News, which on Jan. 1, 1915, absorbed the Recorder. From 1903 to 1915 he
was postmaster at Osseo. For one term he served on the village council.
He has also done good service on the library board. By helping to organize
the Osseo Telephone Company he assisted in making possible a valuable
modern improvement. Mr. Gilpin was married Oct. 3, 1893, to Evelyn M.
Abbott, of Eagle Bend, Minn., the daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Crich-
ton) Abbott, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Gilpin have three children:
Myle de Vere, born March 3, 1897 ; Selby A., born June 4, 1898, now in United
States navy, and Beatrice, born Aug. 7, 1901.
Ole Gilbertson, proprietor of a 240-acre farm in section 22, Unity Town-
ship, and also of 188 acres in section 28, the same township, was born in
Telemarken, Norway, Oct. 9, 1860, his father being Gilbert Olson, and his
mother, before marriage, Thorild Nilson. Gilbert Olson was born in Norway
in 1825 and passed the greater part of his life in his native land, coming to
this country in 1898, when he was about 73 years old. He and his wife
resided in Bruce Valley for six years and then removed to Hale Township,
where Mr. Olson died in the spring of 1914. His wife now lives with her
daughter, Mrs. John Lee, of Hale Township. Ole Gilbertson was a young
man 20 years old when he came to the United States in 1880. He located
in Arcadia, this county, and for about a year worked in the pineries and on
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 617
farms. Then for six years he was engaged in farming in Bruce Valley,
afterwards farming a place near Pleasanton one year. The next 20 years
were spent by him on a farm in section 28, United Township, and at the ent;
of that time he bought his present farm in section 22, moving onto it in
the spring of 1914. This farm has good buildings, the house being a two-
story frame structure with basement, and containing 12 rooms, lighted with
gasoline and furnished with hot water heat and running water. The barn
measures 48 by 105 by 16 feet above stone basement, and there are two
solid cement silos, each 16 by 36 feet. Mr. Gilbertson is conducting a suc-
cessful farming business and has akeady attained a considerable degree of
prosperity. His present farm was purchased from Samuel R. Anderson
and is a fine property. He is also a stockholder in the First State Bank of
Strum. In June, 1890, Mr. Gilbertson was married to Tina Christopherson,
who was born on the farm he owns in section 28, Unity Township, July 8,
1870, daughter of Paul and Anna (Olson) Christopherson, a memoir of
whom may be found elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbertson
have seven children: Paul, Oscar, Theodore, Amanda, Melvin, Joseph and
Ida, all residing at home.
Ernest E. French, D. D. S., has practiced his profession in Osseo since
1909, and has established an admirable reputation. His office is equipped
with the most modern appliances, and his standing is shown by his mem-
bership in the Eau Claire, Chippewa and Dunn County Dental Society, the
Wisconsin State Dental Society and the National Association, as well as in
the dental college fraternity, the Gamma Epsilon. Dr. French was born
in Eau Claire, Wis., March 18, 1876, son of Dr. Edmund C. and Esther
(Edward) French. After passing through the pubhc schools of his native
city he entered the Dickinson Seminary at Williamsport, Penn., with which
preparation he studied three years in Hamline University in St. Paul, and
Macalester College in Minneapolis. His dental training was received in the
offices of his father in Eau Claire of Dr. Frank Brooks, in Charleston, 111.,
and of Dr. Jason Lyons in New York City. For four years he had charge
of the Chicago Dental Laboratories at Chicago, and in 1905 established the
Reliable Dental Laboratories in the same city, which he conducted for some
two years. Then he practiced in Eau Claire for a while before coming to
Osseo. Dr. French was married Aug. 8, 1906, to Lillian K. Spencer, who
was born in Genesee County, New York, June 10, 1871, daughter of Alanson
and Mary (Thorp) Spencer. Dr. French has one daughter, Mignon.
Edmund C. French, D. D. S., now of Eau Claire, this state, has practiced
in that city since 1874. He has attained prominence in his profession, and
was a member of the Wisconsin State Dental Board of Examiners, as well
as president of the Wisconsin State Dental Society. His fraternal relations
are with the Masonic order, and his politics are those of the Republican
party. Dr. French was married Jan. 27, 1867, to Esther Edwards, who was
born in Salem, Penn., and this union has been blessed with four children,
Myrta, Ernest E., Dwight Day and one who died in infancy. Myrta, known
as Madam Kursteiner, the Wisconsin Nightingale, is a famous grand opera
singer. She lives in New York, and is the wife of Jean Paul Kursteiner,
a composer of some note, and the director of music at Bryn Mawr and
618 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Ogontoz Colleges. She has been soloist for the Strackash Grand Opera
Company, of London, Berlin, Paris and Vienna with Madam Nellie Melba
and Madam Phoebe Strackash, and leading soprano with the International
Grand Opera Company, Andrews Grand Opera Company, Sousa's Band, the
Walter Damrosch Orchestra and the Siedel Orchestra in this country.
Ernest E. is a dentist in Osseo, Wis. Dwight Day is an interior decorator
at Minneapohs.
Chester L Field, garage man and automobile dealer of Osseo, was born
in the village where he now resides, Aug. 18, 1891, son of Horace A. and
Zoe (Shephard) Field. Horace A. Field was born in Richland County, Wis-
consin, came to Sumner Township, this county, in 1861, with his parents,
was reared on the farm, and devoted his life to that occupation and to keep-
ing a hardware store in Osseo. He died in 1913 at the age of 62, while his
wife died in 1896 at the age of 36 years. In the family there were six
children. Roy died in infancy. Genevieve is secretary to Superintendent
L. D. Harvey, of the Stout Institute, at Menominee, Wis. Her twin, Elinor,
is the wife of Bartlett Cole, an attorney of Portland, Ore. Martha is a
teacher in the primary grade of the Osseo schools. Marshall F. is an insur-
ance agent at Osseo. Chester I., the youngest of the family, received his
early education in the schools of Osseo and Menominee. For a time he
helped his father operate the farm. In the spring of 1911 he established
his present business. He handles the Chevrolet cars, does general repair-
ing, and carries a full line of accessories and supplies. His financial hold-
ings include stock in the State Bank, of Osseo; the Farmers Exchange
Bank, of Osseo, and the Osseo Telephone Company, in the latter of which
he is the vice-president. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masonic
order and the Modern Woodmen. Mr. Field was married Oct. 29, 1915, to
Mrs. Ella (Stearns) Bradley, born in Fairchild, Wis., May 14, 1881, daughter
of Charles and Barbara Stearns, who conduct a hotel at Fairchild. By her
previous marriage to Charles Bradley, a traveling salesman of St. Paul,
Mrs. Field has a daughter, Louise.
John Thompson, one of the most prominent citizens of Preston Town-
ship, who is both a farmer and business man, was born in the northern
part of Sweden, March 16, 1848. His father, who was Thomas Olson, was
born in 1810, and in 1857 emigrated to the United States with his family,
locating first in Racine County, Wisconsin. After residing there until 1864
he decided to remove farther west, and accordingly, hitching an ox team
to a wagon, he started with his family for Trempealeau County. On arriv-
ing here he located in Preston Township, taking up land which forms the
present farm of his son John — a fine piece of agricultural property con-
taining 218 acres, in sections 21, 22 and 27, and known as "The Oaks."
When he took it, however, it was unimproved and he spent many years in
its cultivation and development until it began to assume somewhat the
appearance it has today. On this farm he died in 1890. His wife, whose
maiden name was Brita Johnson, and who was born in Sweden in 1820,
passed away before him in 1882. John Thompson, who was reared on his
parents' farm, remained at home until the year of his mother's death.
Some years before that event, or in 1878, he had purchased his present
MR. AND MRS. JOHN THOMPSON AND FAMILY
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 619
farm, and he now moved onto it and has since made it his home. Aside
from his interests represented therein he is president of the First National
Bank of Blair, Wis., and for two years has been a stockholder in the
creamery there. His success has been marked, both as farmer and busi-
ness man and there are few citizens of Preston Township who stand higher
in public confidence and esteem. For ten years he served as township
assessor, and he has also held the office of township treasurer, in both posi-
tions making a creditable record. June 26, 1880, Mr. Thompson was united
in marriage with Ellina Mattison, who was born in La Crosse County, Wis-
consin, daughter of Mattes and Anna (Olson) Mattison. Her father, bom
in Sweden in 1827, came to America in 1852, residing in Pennsylvania until
1866, in which year he came to Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, making
his home here until his death in 1905. Mrs. Thompson's mother, who was
born in 1828, died in 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are the parents of
eight children : Anna, who married Gilbert G. Anderson, a farmer of Ettrick
Township, and Melvin, Oscar, Emma, Edmund, Victor, Arthur and Gilford.
The seven last mentioned are residing at home, except Edmund, who is
traveling in the interests of the Agricultural Department of the United
States at Washington. The family are members of the United Norwegian
Lutheran Church.
Anton N. Freng came to Trempealeau County in 1875, and has lived
on his present place of 160 acres in sections 27 and 28, Sumner Township,
since 1883. As chairman of the town board of supervisors he has served
on the county board eleven years, he has been assessor seven years, and
clerk on the school board for twelve years. His financial relations are with
the State Bank of Osseo, his business holdings include a half interest in his
son's furniture store in Osseo, and his church connections are with the
Hauge Norwegian Lutheran congregation, of which he has been secretary
nearly a quarter of a century. As a modern farmer he keeps well abreast
of the times and takes great pride in the development and improvement
of his estate. Mr. Freng was born in Ringsacker, Norway, July 31, 1852,
and was brought to America by his parents, Nels and Bertha (Johnson)
Haakenson Freng, living with them in La Crosse, Wis., two years, before
coming to this county. He was married July 10, 1880, to Louise Huskelhus,
born in Biri, Norway, Feb. 20, 1862, daughter of Peter Arneson Huskelhus
and Sedsel Jorgenson, who came to America in 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Freng
have four children : Bernt A., Peter N., Sena E. and Albert L. Bernt A. is
a furniture dealer and undertaker at Osseo. He has two children, Mildred
and Nels. Peter N. is employed in a garage at Osseo. He has two children,
Blanche and Sena. Sena E. died at the age of twenty-five years. Albert L.
farms with his father. He has two children, Anton and Elmer. Nels
Haakenson Freng settled in Golden Valley, Sumner Township, in 1875, and
five years later moved to Hale Township, remaining there until he took
up his home with his son, Anton N. Freng, where he lived until his death
in 1905 at the age of 79 years. His wife, Bertha Johnson, died in Sumner
Township in 1878 at the age of 67. Before locating in this county they had
hved in La Crosse, Wis., to which city they came from their native land of
Norway in 1873.
620 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
David L. Davidson, proprietor of a good farm of 169 acres in sections
22 and 27, Lincoln Township, was born near Bergen, Norway, March 5,
1861. He is a son of Lars Davidson, also a native of Norway, who came
to America in 1866, locating in Ettrick Township, Trempealeau County,
Wis. Later he removed to Preston Township, where he subsequently resided
until his death in 1909 at the age of 79 years. Lars married Julia Johnson,
who did not long survive him, passing away in 1910, at the age of 81 years.
David L. Davidson was reared on his parents' farm, which he purchased in
1887. He conducted it thereafter until 1911, at which time he sold it and
bought his present place. In 1914 he rebuilt the barn, which is a substan-
tial frame structure, 30 by 50 feet, with an L-shaped addition 34 by 46 feet,
and having a capacity of 50 head of cattle. In 1915 he built a cement block
silo, 16 by 40 feet. He keeps graded Holstein cattle, milking 25. Mr.
Davidson is a member of the Synod Norwegian Lutheran Church. He has
served three years on the Preston Township school board, and is a man
who takes a personal interest in the welfare and development of the com-
munity in which he lives. He was married July 3, 1887, to Bertha Everson,
of Arcadia Township, whose father, Ever, died in Dane County, Wis. Mr.
and Mrs. Davidson are the parents of six children: Louis, John, Elmer,
Clarence, Ernest and Mildred. The last mentioned was the third in order
of birth, and is now the wife of Jacob Wilitzky, a farmer of Arcadia Town-
ship. All the others reside at home. Mr. Davidson and his family are well
known and prosperous people, he and his wife reaping the reward of industry
and thrift. Their children have been brought up to be a credit to the family
name.
John Carson, of Osseo, was born in Winneshiek County, Iowa, Dec. 24,
1867, oldest of the thirteen children of Ole and Jennie Carson. Ole Carson
was born in Norway, came to America in 1865, and farmed near Decorah,
Iowa, until his death in 1898, since which time his second wife, Julia Green,
has made her home in Osseo. John Carson was reared in his native county,
and started out on his own responsibility at the age of 13 years. When
he was about 15 he came to Osseo. After working on various farms for
a number of years he opened a general store in Osseo in 1900. For a time
he had J. N. Lee as a partner, but for some 15 years he conducted the busi-
ness alone, selling out to M. I. Gilbert in 1916. In 1908 he erected a cement
block building, with two full stories and a basement, thus giving him ample
room for his rapidly growing trade. As justice of the peace for six years
Mr. Carson won the respect of the community. He is especially interested
in church work in the Hauge Norwegian Lutheran congregation, and has
been superintendent of the Sunday school for nearly twenty years. Mr.
Carson was married June 5, 1899, to Anna Nelson, daughter of Eric and
Betsy (Robertson) Nelson. Eric Nelson was born in Norway, came to
America as a boy of nine years, has lived in Osseo 35 years, and now makes
his home with the Carson family, his wife having died in 1914. With the
family also lives Lottie Nelson, an Osseo miliner, who was reared by Mr.
and Mrs. Carson.
William Thompson, Sr., a retired farmer residing in section 31, Preston
Township, was born in Broome County, New York, Feb. 17, 1840, son of
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM THOMPSON
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 621
Robert and Elizabeth A. (Scott) Thompson. The father, also a native of
New York State, came to Wisconsin in 1847, locating in Milwaukee, where
he resided two years. The next six years of his hfe were spent in Columbia
County, Wisconsin, after which, coming to Trempealeau County, he bought
360 acres of land a mile and a half east of Blair, and farmed there until
1865. He then bought a farm in Little Tamarack Valley and resided there
two years. Selling that place, he bought a farm near Mankato, Minn., where
he lived three years. The next two years of his life were spent at the home
of his son William. He then retired to Blue Earth County and there died
at the age of 74 years. His wife died at the home of her son William, Jan.
8, 1892. They had a family of seven children, of whom the subject of this
sketch was the second in order of birth. William Thompson Sr., was
brought up on his parents' farm and early acquired a practical knowledge
of agriculture. He was in his twenty-first year when the Civil war broke
out and in the following year, Aug. 15, 1862, he enlisted in Company C,
Thirtieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, at Reynolds' Coolie school house,
Preston Township. After a military service of three years he returned
home and for the first year worked in the woods. Then in partnership with
Cyrus H. Hines he built Pigeon Falls mill. In 1867 he traded his interest
in the mill for Mr. Hines' farm in section 6, Preston Township, where he
resided for some years engaged in farming. Again he traded, this time
for a one-half interest in Coral City mill, residing at Coral City for several
years, or until 1885, at which time he bought the farm on which he now
lives, which is a good piece of agricultural property, with very fine improve-
ments. During his active career as a farmer Mr. Thompson was an exten-
sive cattle raiser, specializing in Durham cattle and doing a considerabl'^
dairy business. At an early date he hauled for Ole Knutson the first load
of lumber ever carried to old Whitehall. Since 1914 he has been prac-
tically retired from active work, the farm being operated by his son, Ira
Thompson. Mr. Thompson was first married Dec. 14, 1866, to Laure Hine,
daughter of Cyrus H. and Catherine (Barber) Hine, of Pigeon Falls. Of
this union there were six children born: Dewey, who died in infancy;
William C. and Ira, who are both farmers in Preston Township ; Catherine
E., who was born after WilHam and before Ira, Nov. 15, 1871, and who
died Oct. 15, 1877, and Bert and Selon, both of whom are farmers in Preston
Township. On Friday, June 18, 1882, Mrs. Laure Thompson met an instant
and tragic death. The family were at that time occupying J. W. Snow's
house, on his farm half way between Blair and Whitehall. It was 11 o'clock
at night, and she and her husband and youngest child were asleep in bed,
three elder children being asleep upstairs. A terrible storm was passing
over the neighborhood, when suddenly a bolt of lightning passing down to
the bed room, killed Mrs. Thompson instantly and shocked Mr. Thompson
and his child and threw them both out of bed. For several minutes he was
unconscious, but neither he nor the child was seriously injured. Two of
the other children upstairs were thrown out of bed onto the floor, but not
seriously injured. The house was splintered more or less all through and
several trees and posts standing near were split open. Mrs. Thompson was
born at Lenox, 111., July 4, 1849. She was a very popular lady in this
622 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
vicinity, and her funeral was attended by a large number of friends and
neighbors. Mr. Thompson subsequently married Mrs. Emma Ellison, by
whom he had two children: Grace E., now the wife of Alvah Van Sickle,
a farmer of Pigeon Township, and Alice M., wife of Oscar Cummings, a
carpenter living in Whitehall, Wis. Dec. 28, 1898, Mr. Thompson con-
tracted a third marriage, with Agnes Wright, who was born at Staff ords-
ville, Ontario, Oct. 4, 1864. Her father, Joseph Wright, a native of Canada,
came to Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, by team, accompanied by his wife
and family, and was subsequently a resident of Pigeon Township until his
death in 1901 at the age of 71 years. His wife, Mrs. Thompson's mother,
whose maiden name was Georgiana Douglas, is now residing at the age
of 84 years on the old farm in Pigeon Township, operated by her son James
Wright. The family attended the Presbyterian church. Mr. Thompson
is a Republican in politics. He is a man who takes an intelligent interest
in all measures calculated to advance the interests of the community in
which he lives, but has never sought public office.
Samuel Cardinal dates his residence in Trempealeau County from
1897, when he came to Sumner Township and purchased 140 acres in sec-
tions 18 and 19, then owned by John Lovesey. To the development of this
place he has since devoted his attention. In 1909 he built a barn, 38 by 6
feet, with cement floors; in 1910 he rebuilt his house, making a pleasant
home of eleven rooms, and in 1911 he erected a stave silo, 14 by 35 feet. He
keeps a good herd of Durham cattle, four of which are registered, and a
drove of Duroc-Jersey swine, eight of which are registered. His public
work has included service as township supervisor for three years and as
clerk of the school board of his district for five years. His financial hold-
ings include stock in the Farmers Exchange Bank and the Farmers Products
Company, both at Osseo. Mr. Cardinal was born in Montreal, Canada, April
18, 1868, the son of Gideon and Rose Ann (Roberts) Cardinal, natives of
Canada, the former of whom was born in 1836 and died in 1904, and the
latter of whom was born in 1832 and died in 1908. The family came to
the United States in 1872, to a homestead in Chippewa County, Wis-
consin, and there lived until 1892, when they moved to Tomahawk, in
Lincoln County. There Samuel Cardinal was employed at home and on
various farms until coming to this country. He was married Aug. 26,
1891, to Emma Olsen, who was born in La Crosse, July 20, 1870, and was
reared at Strum, in this county, where her mother, Mary Anderson Olsen,
now lives, the father, Christ Olsen, who was born in Christiania, Norway,
in 1844, having died in 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal have had nine children,
of whom there are living seven : Nora, a nurse at Eau Claire, Wis. ; Goldie,
the wife of M. P. Skogstad, the cashier of the Farmers Exchange Bank at
Osseo, and Leo, who married Pearl Ring, daughter of John Ring, post-
master at Osseo, March 28, 1917 ; Marshall, Lillie, Mabel and Juanita, who
are at home. Ethel died at the age of six years and Marian died in infancy.
The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.
John A. Call, an influential and prosperous business man of Strum,
was born in Crawford County, Wisconsin, March 1, 1864, son of Andrew
and Brita (Johanasdotter) Call. Andrew Call was born in Sogon, Norway,
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 623
in 1826, came to America in 1850, farmed in Crawford County, Wisconsin,
until 1872, and then came to Unity Township, Trempealeau County, where
he remained until his death in 1896, his widow now making her home in
Strum. John A. Call was reared in Crawford County and came to Unity
Township when eight years old. He attended district school and devoted
his life to agricultural pursuits until 1896. In that year he came to Strum
and engaged in the hotel and livery business. Subsequently he became a
salesman of farm machinery. In 1904 he engaged in the hardware and
implement business. In addition to this he handles harnesses and pianos
and deals extensively in live stock. He has been a director of the school
board since 1915. Mr. Call was married March 6, 1896, to Christine Johnson,
of Unity Township, born in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway, in 1872, the daughter
of Lars Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. Call have had nine children: Birdella,
William, Clarence, Lillian, Ruth, Esther, John and two who died in infancy.
Charles H. Anderson, whose well cultivated farm of 230 acres is located
in sections 26 and 35, Lincoln Township, was born in Dane County, Wis-
consin, Dec. 15, 1865. He is a son of Bennett and Ellen (Everson) Ander-
son and is of Norwegian ancestry. His grandfather, Gilbert, married
Inger Flategar. Gilbert had considerable property in Norway and during
a famine gave it all away to feed the starving. His mother, aged 80 years,
had a life interest in the old home, and this she sold to provide her son
Gilbert and his family with funds to come to America. They reached Mil-
waukee with no money and this aged lady walked from Milwaukee to Dane
County; Wisconsin, with the family and the ox team. Bennett Anderson,
father of Charles H., was reared in Dane County and there married Ellen
Everson. After living in Dane County until 1868 he homesteaded land in
Arcadia Township, which was his home until his death. He and his wife
had nine children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the third in
order of birth. Charles H. Anderson lived on the old home in Arcadia
Township till 1887. He then went to Yellowstone Valley in Montana, where
he worked at railroad construction work for eight years. Then in the
summer of 1896 he bought his present farm, which is a well improved piece
of agricultural property. He raises Shorthorn cattle, keeping 50 head,
which are all high grade. He feeds one carload a year and milks 20 cows,
and keeps 40 acres of his laud in clover and timothy. Mr. Anderson has
served six years on the township board, during three years of which he
has been chairman. He was married April 14, 1897, to Mrs. Marian Skaug
(nee Wald) , widow of Christopher Skaug, of Unity, Wis. They have had
11 children, of whom three — Charles, Omer and Rudolph R. — died in
infancy. The living are: Blanche, Laura, Jane, Julia, Eleanor, Myrtle.
Casper and Doris. Mr. Anderson is a member of the Synod Norwegian
Lutheran Church.
Charles J. Amundsen is proprietor of the Amundson Auto Company,
of Osseo. This company has the Osseo agency for the Ford cars. The
garage is a frame building, 30 by 50 feet, supplied with all kinds of Ford
supplies and accessories. The place is excellently equipped for general
repairing, an electric motor and a lathe being among the special features.
Mr. Amundson was born in Jackson County, this state, Sept. 9, 1878, son of
624 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Thore and Mary (Johnson) Amundson, the former of whom died in Jackson
County in 1888, and the latter of whom is now the wife of John Larson,
of that county. Charles J. Amundson was the fourth of five children, the
others being: Anna, now wife of John Olson, an undertaker of Marietta,
Minn. ; Theodore, who farms in Jackson County ; Helen, who died at the age
of 17 years, and Josephine, now of Eau Claire. The subject of this sketch
was reared to farm pursuits in his native county. At the age of 15 he
started work at the carpenter trade, and was employed in this line until
1912, when he established his present business. His fraternal relations
are with the Modern Woodmen. Mr. Amundson was married, June 1, 1906,
to Anna Christiansen, of Hale Township, daughter of Charles and Helen
(Johnson) Christianson. This union has been blessed with one child:
Hilman Charles, born Dec. 6, 1911.
Giles E. Cripps, an enterprising and successful agriculturist, who is
engaged in operating a farm of 280 acres in sections 13 and 14, Burnside
Township, was born in section 11, this township, Oct. 19, 1861, son of Giles
and Harriet (Wood) Cripps. A memoir of his parents may be found in the
biography of Fred C. Cripps, elsewhere published in this volume. He was
reared on his parents' farm and resided on it until reaching the age of 22
years, during this period being engaged in assisting his father. Dec. 30,
1883, Mr. Cripps married Eliza Zimmer, who was born at New Lisbon,
Wis., Dec. 16, 1863, her parents being John J. and Margaret (Wunderlich)
Zimmer. The father, usually known as Jacob Zimmer, was born in Erie
County, N. Y., Jan. 7, 1836, and came West with his parents to Racine,
Wis., in 1845, residing there one year. He then removed to Jefferson
County, where he lived until 1865. His marriage to Margaret Wunderlich
took place March 12, 1856. She was a native of Germany, born March 12,
1834, and died Nov. 15, 1912. John J. Zimmer in 1862 enhsted in the
Twelfth Wisconsin Battery and was wounded in the right leg at the battle
of Corinth. In the spring of 1865 he came to Trempealeau County and
rented a farm in Hale Township, but after a two years' residence there, he
moved to Traverse Valley, section 17, Burnside Township, where he bought
a farm on which he lived until 1892. The remainder of his life was spent in
the village of Independence, where his death finally occurred, Feb. 6, 1909,
about three years and nine months before that of his wife. On beginning
agricultural work for himself Giles E. Cripps purchased the farm on which
he has since resided, and which is now well improved, the land being well
tilled, the buildings ample and of good, substantial construction, and the
equipment of tools and machinery being fully adequate to all the needs of
modern farming. An all-woven wire fence surrounds the entire farm. Mr.
Cripps and wife have been the parents of three children, the first of whom
died at birth. The others are: Ralph, born Nov. 6, 1890, and Mildred,
born Sept. 12, 1894. Ralph Cripps, who is engaged in operating the farm
for his wife's mother, was married Oct. 3, 1916, to Jennie Cooke, of Inde-
pendence, who was born Aug. 9, 1897, daughter of Samuel and Martha
(Arnold) Cooke. They have one child, Willis Ralph, born Sept. 10, 1917.
Mildred resides at home.
Ole O. Hovre, recently county treasurer of Trempealeau County, was
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o
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 625
born in Guldbrandsdalen, Norway, Feb. 14, 1864. His father, Ole 0. Hovre,
also a native of Norway, came to the United States on 1874, settling in
Ettrick Township, where he homesteaded land in section 2 in 1876. He
died on his farm in 1900 at the age of 70 years. Ole O. Hovre married
Sonnov Husmoen, who survives him and still resides on the homestead,
being now 78 years old. They had six children, of whom the subject of this
sketch was the first-born. Ole O. Hovre, Jr., was graduated from Gale
College in 1886. He then went to Spink County, S. D., where he remained
until 1890, working on farms during the summers and teaching school
in the winters. At the end of that period he bought a general
store in Hale, Trempealeau County, Wis., and conducted it for 26 years, or
until the spring of 1916, when he sold out. He was elected county treasurer
in the faU of 1914 and served two yeai's. He has lately purchased a farm
in Taintor Township, Dunn County, to which he intends to remove after
Jan. 1, 1917. Mr. Hovre served as clerk of Hale township for 12 years.
He was also clerk of School District No. 3 for eight years. For 24 years
he served as deacon of the Norwegian Lutheran Synod church, acting as
secretary for six years. He was also justice of the peace for 24 years. Mr.
Hovre was married May 13, 1891, to Mathia Bole, of Ettrick, Wis., who was
born there Feb. 7, 1871, daughter of Juuhl and Ingri Bole. Her father, who
was born in Norway, came to America in 1875, locating in Vernon County,
Wis., from which place after a year he came to Ettrick. He died in 1914
at the age of 89 years. His wife still lives on the old farm, having now
attained the age of 90 years. Mr. and Mrs. Hovre have had a family of
10 children : Selma, residing at home ; Olga, who lives in Culbertson, Mont.,
where she is employed as a bookkeeper ; May, who is the wife of the Rev.
Folkestad, of Strum, Wis.; and Helmer, Hazel, Myrtle, Lilhan M., Orvel,
Allice and Catherine, all of whom are residing at home except LiHiam M.,
who died at the age of 2 years.
Henry Anderson was born in Trondhjem, Norway, and as a young man
came to America. He married Cassandra Everson, a native of Harrisburg,
Pa., and together they came to Trempealeau County. For a time they lived
on a farm near Independence. In the late '80s they moved to Superior,
Wis., where Henry Anderson was employed as a structural iron worker.
While engaged in this occupation in November, 1891, he was severely in-
jured, from the effects of which he died on the 27th of the following month.
His wife still lives in Superior. In the family there were six children:
Ida, Alice, Sebert J., Clarence, Oscar and Cornell H. Ida married Carl
Sorem, an electrical engineer of Minneapolis. Alice is a teacher in the
eighth grade of the Superior public schools. Sebert J. is a violin player,
and makes his home in Chicago. Clarence is the chief clerk of the Minne-
apohs Board of Education. Cornell H., twin of Clarence, is State insurance
inspector and adjuster for the Home Fire Insurance Company of New York,
and is located at Milwaukee. Oscar was killed while deer hunting near
Superior, Nov. 27, 1904.
Cornell H. Anderson, a prominent insurance man of the State of Wis-
consin, now living in Milwaukee, claims Trempealeau County as his place of
nativity, his birth having taken place in Independence, Aug. 8, 1885. His
626 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
parents, Henry and Cassandra (Everson) Anderson, took him to Superior,
Wis., as a child, and there he passed through the graded and high schools.
Entering the insurance business at the age of 17, he became clerk in the
office of an agency at Superior, and there thoroughly learned the business.
In 1910 he assumed the duties of his present position as special State agent,
inspector and adjuster for the Home Fire Insurance Company of New York.
With an office at Milwaukee, he covers the entire State. He is a "hustler,"
and is widely known for his business ability and his good fellowship.
Seth S. Speestra, proprietor of one of the best farms in Hale Township,
known as Hillside Stock Farm, was born in Holland, Europe, Jan. 16, 1884,
son of Samuel F. and Ruth (Bronz) Speerstra. The parents came to
America with their family in 1890, locating first in La Crosse County, Wis.,
where they made their home until 1898. Removing to Trempealeau County,
they purchased the farm in Hale which is now known as Hillside Stock Farm,
where they resided until the spring of 1911, when they moved to their
present place of residence near Whitehall, Seth S. Speerstra then taking
possession of the farm. It was in the spring of that year, also, on June 7,
that the latter was united in marriage with Sophy Johnson, who was born
in Hale Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., Nov. 1, 1886, her parents,
Peter L. and Eldri (Nelson) Johnson, being well-known and prosperous
farming people. Mr. Speerstra's farm contains 380 acres and is a fine
piece of agricultural property, being well improved and adapted to all the
requirements of the most scientific farming. The residence is a commodious
frame dwelling of nine rooms conveniently arranged ; the barn, also a frame
structure, measures 58 by 60 by 16 feet, and is provided with a good cement
floor; while among the other buildings, all substantially built, are a hog
house, 28 by 80 feet, with cement floor, and a frame silo, 16 V2 by 37 feet
in size. The entire farm is well fenced around with woven wire fencing.
Besides raising the usual crops, Mr. Speerstra is quite extensively engaged
in stock breeding and dairying, in which branches of the farming industry
he has achieved a pronounced success. He has now 100 head of Shorthorn
cattle, milking 30 cows, and having in connection with his dairy a Hinman
machine of four units, with gasoline engine. Each year he feeds one car of
cattle for the market. He also has a large herd of Poland-China hogs,
numbering at the present time about 200 head, of which he sells about 100
head a year, and also sells 20 head of hogs for breeders. Of pure-bred
Shropshire sheep he keeps about 55 head, his sheep being registered
animals; and in addition to the above-mentioned stock he keeps a flock of
Mammoth Bronze turkeys. The management of so large a farm naturally
requires an expert knowledge of every branch of agriculture, together
with a more than ordinary amount of good business judgment, but Mr.
Speerstra has shown himself thoroughly capable of handhng his large
interests and making his farm pay a handsome profit. He has taken rank
among the leading farmers of his township, and he and his wife are well-
to-do and popular members of the community in which they reside.
John Raichle, a well-known resident of Ettrick, Wis., where he is
engaged in business as a general contractor and bridge builder, and is
also a land owner, was born in Winona, Minn., Oct. 18, 1868, son of William
MR. AND MRS. HANS A. FREMSTAI)
ALBERT H. KREMSTAD AND FAMILY
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 627
and Emma (Medsker) Raichle. His early education was acquired in the
public school of Frenchville, Wis., and he resided at home until he was
18 years of age. He then went to South Dakota, where he worked out
for others, and in the winters was engaged in cutting timber in the woods.
When about 22 years old, having returned to Trempealeau County, he rented
land in Ettrick Township and engaged in farming, continuing to rent for
four years. At the end of that time he purchased the John Cance farm,
which he operated until the winter of 1908-09. He then rented it out and
moved into the village of Ettrick, in the meanwhile having begun the con-
struction of his present residence, which was completed in 1913, after
which he took up his residence in it. He has sold 160 acres of the land
he formerly owned, but still has 101 acres left, which he rents out. For
some time past Mr. Raichle has been engaged in contracting in masonry and
construction work, including bridge building, and at present has contracts
for the Ettrick & Northern Railroad, now building. He is a stockholder
in the Bank of Ettrick and in the Ettrick Creamery Company, the Ettrick
Hall Company, and in a lumber company, organized Jan. 18, 1917. Mr.
Raichle was married May 28, 1895, to Nettie Benrud, who was born at
Frenchville, this county, daughter of Marcus and Carrie (Hegge) Benrud,
who were born in Biri, Norway, the father Jan. 17, 1846, and the mother
Dec. 13, 1845. The parents of Mrs. Raichle were married at La Crosse,
Wis. Marcus Benrud came to the United States when a lad of 18 years,
locating at French Creek, this county, where he made his home with Mr.
Gilbertson, working out for two years. He then went back to Norway,
and when he returned to this country he brought with him his young wife.
Then settling in La Crosse, he engaged there in the liquor business, but
continued in it but a short time, coming to Frenchville not long after and
starting a hotel here, which he conducted for about six or seven years. In
the meanwhile he acquired some land and when he gave up the hotel
business he engaged in farming, and in this latter occupation he continued
until his death, which took place Aug. 23, 1910. His wife survived him
less than a year, dying May 6, 1911. For a number of years Mr. Benrud held
the office of assessor in Gale Township. He and his wife had six children,
of whom their daughter Nettie (Mrs. John Raichle) was the second-born.
Mr. and Mrs. Raichle are the parents of four children: Elmer Oscar,
Albert William, Robert Theodore and Antoinette, all residing at home. Mr.
Raichle belongs to the orders of Royal Neighbors and Beavers at Ettrick.
For a number of years he has served on the township board and as president
of the Ettrick Creamery Company.
Albert H. Fremstad, an enterprising and prosperous agriculturist, pro-
prietor of the Fremstad Farm of 160 acres in sections 3 and 4, Pigeon Town-
ship, is a native of Wisconsin, having been born in Vernon County, Nov. 27,
1871. His father, Hans A. Fremstad, was born in Nordland, Norway, in 1838,
and came to the United States in 1857, residing for some years in Vernon
County, this State. In December, 1871, he came to Pigeon Township, this
County, taking the farm on which his son Albert H. now lives, and which
he cultivated for many years, or until his retirement from active labor.
He still, however, makes it his place of residence. His wife, whose maiden
628 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
name was Andrena Nilson, was born in Norway in 1834, and died Oct. 1,
1916. Albert H. Fremstad was an infant scarcely a month old when his
parents came to Trempealeau County and took the land since known as the
Fremstad Farm. Here he was reared, attending the local schools in boy-
hood and also beginning at an early age to acquire a knowledge of agricul-
ture. This knowledge was of a most practical kind and at times involved
considerable labor, but in performing it he was laying the foundation of
his present prospei'ity. In this work he was associated with his father
until 1898, when, with his brother Anton, he purchased the farm and it was
carried on by them under the name of Fremstad Bros, until the spring o1
1915, since which time Albert H. has been the sole proprietor. The
improvements are extensive and up-to-date, and include a barn, 32 by 60
feet, with basement, and shed on the north side; a solid concrete silo, 14
by 36, built in 1913; a tobacco shed, 40 by 144, and a good two-story house
of 12 rooms. Mr. Fremstad has four acres planted in tobacco. His herd
of cattle numbers 40 head, of which he milks 20. Mr. Fremstad was mar-
ried March 27, 1901, to Clara Hougen, who was born in Osseo, Trempealeau
County, Wis., April 4, 1875, daughter of Mat and Gurina (Prestegaarder)
Hougen. He and his wife have six children, born as follows : Hazel, Jan.
4, 1903 ; Clifford, Nov. 9, 1904 ; Palmer, March 15, 1908 ; Glen, March 6, 1910 ;
Maynard, Oct. 31, 1913, and Ernest Milton, June 30, 1917. The family are
members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.
Omer F. Immell, hustling agent for the New York Life Insurance
Company, was born on a farm three miles east of Blair, April 22, 1872,
son of Francis M. and Anna (Storley) Immell. Francis M. Immell was
born in Ohio, came to Wisconsin in 1851, lived at Black River Falls four
years, came to Trempealeau County in 1856, located three miles east of
Blair, and there hved until he moved to the village, where he died in 1913,
his good wife having passed away the previous year. Omer F. Immell
started out for himself while a boy in his early teens. As a youth he did
farm work. For several years he was a clerk in the Farmers' Trading
Association store at Blair. For one year he traveled for the Ramer Candy
Company, of Winona, and for six years for the Winona Candy Company, of
that city. Later he traveled seven years for the Kratchwil Candy Com-
pany, of La Crosse. In 1913, he established at Blair, the Immell Bait Com-
pany for the manufacture of the "Chippewa Bait." Jan. 25, 1915, he
accepted his present agency. In this capacity he has several times led
the State organization in number of apphcations obtained, and in February
and March, 1915, he led the district comprising Wisconsin, Minnesota, North
Dakota and a part of Canada. The enclosed extract, taken from a journal-
istic source, is a well-merited tribute to his ability in the line of industry he
follows : "O. F. Immell, agent for the New York Life Insurance Company,
has the honor of being one of seven to win a vice-presidency in what is
termed by the company the $100,000 class. To be in this class an agent
must sell over $100,000 worth of insurance. Mr. Immell came close to
doubling this figure, selling a total of $183,000 worth of insurance for the
year (1917). By so doing he automatically elected himself a delegate
from this district to the convention of that company at Atlantic City, which
HISTORY OF TREJIPEALEAU COUNTY 629
is held Thursday and Fi'iday of this week. Mr. Immell has worked hard
for this honor and only a close attention to this business, couplied with the
fact that he is well posted on insurance matters and represents one of the
best companies, enabled him to win. The company has this to say of him :
'He has the honor of having a larger volume, $183,000, than any other official
in the club. He is so close to the $200,000 club that we shall expect to see
him there without fail one year from now.' " Mr. Immell was married
Jan. 1, 1895, to Margaret McKivergin, a native of Trempealeau County,
daughter of James McKivergin. This union has resulted in two children:
Orrie and Florence.
Algernon P. Tallman, proprietor of a blacksmith and wagon shop in
Whitehall, was born in the southeastern part of Hale Township, Trempea-
leau County, Wis., May 31, 1879. His parents were Humphrey G. and
Esther (Boyd) Tallman. The father, a native of the State of New York,
fought for the Union in the Civil War, as a member of Company A, Sixteenth
New York Cavalry, serving 18 months. After the war he came to Trempea-
leau County, homesteading land in Hale Township, and engaged in farming.
In 1904 he retired to Whitehall. Algernon P. Tallman began learning the
blacksmith's trade at York, Jackson County, Wis., where he remained
two years. March 5, 1901, he purchased his present business from Louis
Brenom and has since remained here, enjoying a good patronage. He is
a stockholder in the Pigeon Grain & Stock Company, and as a business
man and good citizen is interested in everything connected with the wel-
fare of the village. His fraternal society affiliations are with the Order of
Beavers. Mr. Tallman was married, June 25, 1900, to Pearl Bursell,
daughter of William and Melissa (Creighton) Bursell. He and his wife
have one child, Nina, who was born Nov. 18, 1901.
Andrew F. and Oluf Lovlien, joint proprietors of the Lovlien Farms
in Pigeon Township, were born in this township, Andrew on May 23, 1878,
and Oluf July 2, 1891. Their parents were Fred 0. and Guri Lovlien,
natives of Norway, who were married in Wisconsin, both having come to
this country in the '60s. Fred O. was the first to arrive, settling in Vernon
County, this State, where he and his wife were married. Coming to Trem-
pealeau County, he first worked out in Trempealeau to earn enough money
with which to buy land, which he finally purchased in Pigeon Towmship,
where his sons are now located. Beginning with 160 acres, he also bought
another homestead of 80 acres. He had very little capital to start with
and there were no buildings on his place, so pioneer work had to be done,
and continued for a number of years. Like nearly aU the pioneer settlers,
he made use of an ox team, and during the early days sometimes walked to
La Crosse for supplies. He erected a frame house which was the family
residence for many years, being replaced in 1914 by the present substantial
brick dweUing. The barns now standing were built by members of the
family. Religiously Fred. 0. Lovlien was affiliated with the Norwegian
Lutheran church. After a long and active Ufe, during which he accom-
plished a large amount of useful work, he died in 1913 at the age of 72
years. His wife is still living, being now 69 years old. They were the
parents of 10 children, of whom three died when young. Those living are :
630 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Die, Anna, Andrew, Hans, Christine, Nina and Oluf. Nina's husband died
in 1911 and she and her son have since made their home with her brothers.
On their father's death, or in 1913, the two sons, Andrew and Oluf, took
charge of the home farm, which they are now operating, raising the usual
crops and keeping good stock. They are shareholders in the Whitehall
Creamery, as was also their father, and also hold shares in the Pigeon
Grain & Stock Company. Their enterprising efforts have met with well-
deserved success and as general farmers they are doing a profitable business.
Both are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.
Lars J. Dahl, who for over 40 years has been engaged in operating an
80-acre farm in section 21, Unity Township, was born in Tolgen, Norway,
April 8, 1850, the son of John and Birit Hulbakdahl, both of whom died
in Norway. Lars J., while in Norway, used his father's surname of Hul-
bakdahl, shortening it to Dahl after coming to America, which he did in
1870, making the voyage on the same ship with Ole Thomasgaard, and
landing at Quebec, Canada, May 1. From there he made his way to Lan-
sing, Iowa, where he found employment and worked at various jobs for
some two years. He then removed to Menominie, Wis., where for three
years he was employed in the woods and on the river by the Napp-Stout
Lumber Company. In the meanwhile he had been saving his money and
was now in a position to start life for himself. Accordingly, coming to
Trempealeau County, he purchased his present farm from the railway
company and has since remained here, having been the only owner of the
farm, and the only man on his road who had stayed on his original pur-
chase. In so doing he has probably prospered as well as he might have
done elsewhere, as his property is now very finely improved and is one
of the most valuable farms of its size in the county. He operates it on the
four-year rotation plan, whereby the land produces twice as much as it
would without rotation, in 1915 his yield of corn being 66 bushels to the
acre. In 1900 Mr. Dahl erected a barn 36 by 52 by 12 feet with a stone
basement, the latter having cement floors. His residence was built in
1907 and is a brick veneer structure of two stories and basement, measur-
ing 28 by 30 feet, the basement having cement floor and the house con-
taining eight rooms, heated by furnace. Mr. Dahl's sound judgment and
business ability have been recognized by his fellow citizens and he has
served longer in public office of one kind or another than any man in his
township, his activities in this direction having extended over a period
of 26 years. For four years he was supervisor in Sumner Township, and
he- has served in Unity Township eight years as township treasurer, 11
years as assessor, and three years as chairman of the township board and
consequently as a member of the county board. He is a member of the
Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.
Mr. Dahl was married April 3, 1878, to Nikoline Rognlien, who was
born in Hurdalen, Norway, Sept. 21, 1854, daughter of Martin E. and
Annie (Enerson) Rognhen, of whom a memoir may be found on another
page of this volume. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dahl :
John, Anna, Bertha, Mary, Julia, Louisa, Martin, Alfred and Inga. John,
who was graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1913, was for some
FRANK A. GEORGE
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY ' 631
time a school teacher, being principal of the high school at Thorp for two
years and of that at Shell Lake one year, Cashton one year and Algoma
four years. He was also superintendent of city schools at Bloomington
Prairie, Minn., three years. His training for the profession of teacher
was obtained at the River Falls normal school, where he was graduated in
1904. While engaged in this work he studied law by the correspondence
method and applied himself to it so thoroughly that he qualified for the
bar, during the same period earning $5,500 in his regular vocation. He is
now a practicing attorney at Rice Lake, Wis. Anna graduated from the
Dixon Business College at Dixon, 111., and resides in St. Paul, where she
is cashier in a store. Bertha, who graduated from the River Falls normal
school and was a teacher for ten years, is now the wife of Grover Pace, a
druggist of Adams, Wis. Mary, who graduated in domestic science from
the University of Chicago, is engaged in teaching domestic science at
Hammond, Ind. Julia, who graduated from River Falls normal school, is
now a teacher at Mason City, Iowa. Louisa, a graduate of the same normal
school, is teaching at Carthage, S. D. Martin is residing on the home farm
and assisting his father in its cultivation. He has the distinction of being
the youngest town treasurer to serve in the county, being elected at the age
of 22, and serving three years. At the age of 26 he was elected to his
present office as chairman. Alfred graduated from a business college at
Minneapolis in June, 1916, and is now bookkeeper in a bank at Seattle,
Wash. Inga, who graduated from the La Crosse normal school, is now a
teacher at Brandon, Wis. It will thus be seen that Mr. Dahl has educated
his children for responsible positions in life, and that all, both sons and
daughters, are making their own way in the world, and, it may be added,
reflecting credit on the family name.
Frank A. George, secretary of the Auto Sales Company of Whitehall,
and president of the Trempealeau County School Committee, is one of the
best known men in the county. Of a genial temperament and quiet dis-
position, he has been actively interested in public affairs for many years,
has mingled considerably in politics, has served in numerous local offices,
has represented the Republican party at numerous conventions, and for
a time occupied an official position in the House of Representatives at
Washington. Of ancient New England ancestry, he was born in Haver-
hill, Mass., July 26, 1861, son of Lucien and Harriett (Morrison) George.
He received his early education in the pubhc schools of his native place,
graduated from the high school there, and passed the examinations admit-
ting him to Harvard University. Determining, however, to embark upon
a business rather than a scholastic career, he became cashier and accountant
for the Gale Brothers' Manufacturing Company at Havei'hill. In 1883 he
decided to become an agriculturist in the middle west, and with this object
in view came to Hale Township in Trempealeau County and secured 400
acres in sections 19 and 20, Township 23, range 7, 240 acres being bought
from the railroad, and 160 acres from a previous owner. Of this, four
years later, he sold 160 acres, leaving a good farm of 240 acres, which he
still owns. Mr. George was the pioneer dairyman of the county. Others
had raised cows for dairy purposes, but it was he who first understood it
632 ■ HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
as the principal business of his farm. For a time he had the biggest dairy
business in the county. Of this herd of 100 cows 23 were full blooded
Jerseys, and there were seasons when he milked as high as 60 cows. In
1911 he turned the farm over to his son-in-law, S. B. Scott, and in 1913
he moved to Whitehall and purchased an interest in the Auto Sales Com-
pany, of which he became the secretary. His popularity and personality
have been important factors in the success with which the concern has met.
Mr. George's public life would in itself make a most interesting chapter.
In his township he was an excellent justice of the peace for about twenty
years, and for a similar period did most efficient service on the school
board, part of the time as clerk and part of the time as treasurer. His
experience in this line was an important factor in securing him the appoint-
ment at the head of the county school board in 1915. A staunch Republican
in politics, he has been chairman of the County Republican Committee for
the past eight years, and in the old convention days he was the center of
many a hot political fight at county and state gatherings. In recognition
of his activities and worth he was given an appointment on the staff of
employees of the House of Representatives at Washington, serving in
1897, 1898, 1899, 1900 and 1901. For ten years he was chairman of the
town of Hale and in this capacity gave most excellent service as a member
of the county board. All in all he is a most useful citizen. Unostentatious
in his ways, his voice and influence are always raised in behalf of the things
that are for the betterment and progress of the community, and any good
cause finds in him an active supporter. Mr. George was married at
Shawano, Wis., October, 1877, to Mary J. Gibson, and this union was
blessed with one daughter, Edith, wife of S. B. Scott, who conducts her
father's farm. Mrs. George died Dec. 6, 1911.
Peter O. Skulhus, proprietor of a general merchandise and confec-
tionery business at Eleva, was born in Biri, Norway, June 23, 1878, son of
Ole P. and Louise (Bratberg) Skulhus. The father died in Norway and
his wife subsequently came to America in 1908 and married S. H. Ander-
son, a retired farmer now living in Eleva. Peter O. Skulhus came to this
country in June, 1900, locating in Eleva, Wis., where he worked one year
and nine months for the Larson-Melby Company. He then bought the
confectionery business of Sever Severson, and subsequently purchased of
Andrew Tweit the building in which he is now located. He is carrying on
a successful business and his prospects are good for further advancement.
In 1911 he made a visit to Norway, and in 1914 he again visited his native
land, attending the world's fair at Christiania, and making the voyage on
the first vessel which sailed after war was declared. Mr. Skulhus was
married May 2, 1903, to Molly Semmingson of Eau Claire County, Wis-
consin, who was born in that county May 8, 1883, her parents, Matt and
Gina (Hagen) Semmingson, being farming people there. Mr. and Mrs.
Skulhus have had two children: Oliver Millard, born Nov. 18, 1904, who
died October 3, the same year, and Gordie Louise, born Dec. 6, 1905. The
family belong to the United Lutheran Church and Mr. Skulhus has served
five years as a member of the village board, being ever ready to do his
part as a responsible citizen.
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 633
Gustave M. Instenes, who is engaged in operating the old Instenes
farm in section 26, Chimney Rock Township, was born on this farm April
24, 1888, son of Sven and Ragnil (Rosgaard) Instenes, who had settled in
this township in 1874. Reared on the homestead, he became familiar with
every branch of agricultural work, and was associated with his father until
his death, since which time he has operated the farm alone, acquiring it
by purchase in February, 1914. On Dec. 30, 1914, he was married to Elise
Haakenson, who was born in Chimney Rock Township, April 21, 1882,
daughter of John and Eli (Erickson) Haakenson. Her father, born in
Soler, Norway, Aug. 26, 1846, died Dec. 4, 1891. Her mother, also a native
of that place, born March 11, 1852, is still living on the old homestead. Mrs.
Gustave M. Instenes, who received a good education, taught school for four-
teen years and a half. The Instenes farm is a well improved and productive
piece of property and is kept up to a high standard of value. Mr. Instenes
has served as school clerk for three years. He and his wife are members
of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.
Sven Instenes, who for many years was a well known farmer and
popular citizen of Chimney Rock Township, was born in Hardanger, Nor-
way, Feb. 4, 1845, son of Lars and Anna Instenes. In 1861 he accompanied
his parents to the United States, the family settUng in Adams County,
Wisconsin, where they remained until 1874. They then came to Trem-
pealeau County, Lars Instenes homesteading the northwest corner of
section 23, Chimney Rock Township, where he made his home until his
death June 2, 1899. Sven Instenes was well trained in agricultural methods
in his youth and was 29 years old when he started in for himself, home-
steading the northwest quarter of section 26, Chimney Rock Township,
in 1874. From that time until his death, Feb. 21, 1913, a period of 39
years, he resided on that farm, cultivating the soil, raising stock and per-
forming other farm duties connected with the development of his place.
He was industrious and successful and was well liked and respected by
his neighbors as a man of good qualities and a reliable citizen. April 9,
1871, Sven Instenes was united in marriage with Ragnil Rosgaard, who
was born in Numedahl, Norway, March 18, 1852. They had eight chil-
dren, of whom one is now deceased, the family record being briefly as fol-
lows : Anna, who married Sam P. Solfast, a farmer of Chimney Rock Town-
ship; Lars, who died Aug. 9, 1911; Otis, who is farming in Velva, N. D. ;
Albert, Robert and Helmer, who are all three farming in McCabe, Mont. ;
Gustave, residing on the old homestead in Chimney Rock Township, and
Henry, who is also a farmer in this township. Mr. Instenes served as
treasurer and director of the school board for nine years and was also
nine years township supervisor. Mrs. Instenes resides on the old farm with
her son Gustave.
Die Fredrickson, who as proprietor of Brookhill farm of 167 acres,
in section 25, Pigeon Township, is taking an active part in the develop-
ment of the agricultural resources of this township, was born in Stor
Hammar, Hedemarken, Norway, March 25, 1857. His father was Fredrick
Olson, a railroad man, who died in Norway in 1881, and whose wife, Helen
Olson, is now hving in Christiania, Norway, at the age of 87 years. It
634 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
was in May, 1881, the year of his father's death, that the subject of this
sketch came to the United States. Following the trail of most of the
Norwegian pioneers to the great Northwest, he located at Whitehall, this
county, but for about a year was employed near Osseo at farm work. For
15 years Mr. Fredrickson worked for various employers, in the mean-
while saving his money and looking forward to the day when he should
be able to begin an independent career. When the time came, having decided
upon agriculture as the readiest means of attaining prosperity, he bought
a farm in Curran Township, Jackson County, this state, and taking up
his residence upon it operated it for six years. Then, for substantial
reasons, he decided to make a change of location, and accordingly pur-
chased his present farm in the southeast corner of town 23 north, range
7 west. Pigeon Township, where he has since remained. Acting on pro-
gressive ideas, he has made various improvements on the place, one of the
most imporatnt of which is the barn erected in 1905, and measuring 34
by 80 by 16 feet, with an eight-foot basement, and provided with running
water. In 1914 he built his present residence, a frame two-story building,
with basement, containing nine rooms, with hot water heat and provided
with hot and cold running water and Delco plumbing throughout. In 1917
he installed an individual electric light plant in his house and barn. On
the farm is also a concrete silo, 14 by 30 feet. Mr. Fredrickson has a herd
of 31 Holstein cattle, seven being pure-bred and registered. Of this herd
he milks 15. The farm is conducted on a profitable basis and he has taken
his place among the successful and prosperous citizens of his township — a
result achieved by hard work and perseverance, aided by a competent
knowledge of all the various branches of the farming industry. The farm
is an historic one, the original home of Nils Jensen Tomten, built in 1870,
being still standing thereon. Mr. Fredrickson has been treasurer of the
local school board for nine years, serving two years as clerk. He is also
a stockholder in the Pigeon Grain & Stock Company and in the Whitehall
Hospital. Mr. Fredrickson entered in to the married state about 14 years
ago or more, Mrs. Mattie Tomten becoming his wife Oct. 29, 1902. Mrs.
Fredrickson was born in Norway Dec. 8, 1866, a daughter of Torger and
Regina Thorson. The Thorson family came to America in 1876, settling
in Pigeon Township, this county, where the father died in 1913; his wife
died Sept. 28, 1916. Their daughter Mattie was first married to Gilbert
Tomten, a son of Niels Jensen Tomten by his wife Berte Olsdatter, both
natives of Norway, where the father was born April 8, 1815, and the mother
Jan. 13, 1815. Coming to America in the spring of 1866, with their family,
Mr. and Mrs. Tomten bought the farm on which the subject of this sketch,
Mr. Fredrickson, now Uves, and this place was their home until their
respective deaths, Niels J. Tomten passing away March 30, 1882, and his
wife Nov. 12, 1891, the latter surviving her husband over nine years. Their
two sons, Gilbert and John N., after their death divided the farm between
them, Gilbert taking the part now owned by Mr. Fredrickson, the farm
as a whole having a larger acreage, and this he operated until his death,
Nov. 14, 1900. He was born in Biri, Norway, Dec. 2, 1863, his marriage
to Mattie Thorson taking place May 13, 1900. They had one child, Robert
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 635
Tomten, born April 1, 1891, who is now residing at home. Mr. and Mrs.
Fredrickson are the parents of two children: Frederick G., born July 20,
1903, and Mildred Helen Olive, born Jan. 20, 1912. The family are mem-
bers of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.
Lars M. Lyngdal, proprietor of the Independence Hotel at Indepen-
dence, Wis., was born in Vernon County, Wisconsin, July 22, 1856, son of
Michael and Metta (Larson) Lyngal. The father, Michael, was born in
Norway and came to America in 1837, when 23 years old. He went first
to Chicago, but afterwards worked on farms in Illinois for several years.
About 1852 he homesteaded land at Coon Prairie, Vernon County, Wis.,
and farmed there until 1873. He then sold and bought a farm at Pigeon
Falls, Trempealeau County, on which place he spent the rest of his life,
dying Sept. 5, 1892, at the age of 69 years. His wife Metta died Jan. 28,
1910, at the age of. 84. They had six children, of whom Lars M. was the
second born. Lars M. Lyngdal remained at home until 1885 assisting his
father. He then bought the home farm and conducted it on his own
account till 1899, when he sold it and went to Spokane, Wash., where he
remained nine months. Then coming to Whitehall, he bought the City
Hotel and was its proprietor until the spring of 1916, at which time he
located in Independence and took over the Independence Hotel, which he
is now conducting. He has a good class of trade and is popular with the
traveling pubhc. The hotel is a modern, three-story, brick building of 21
rooms, all newly furnished and installed with all desirable accommodations.
Mr. Lyngdal was married May 22, 1886, to Isabel Stendal, who was born
at Midway, La Crosse County, Wis., Oct. 7, 1868, daughter of Tostem and
Hannah (Solberg) Stendal. Her father, who was a farmer of Pigeon
Township, died Dec. 5, 1897, at the age of 75 years ; her mother died Feb.
27, 1911, at the age of 82. Mr. and Mrs. Lyngdal are the parents of seven
children: Sydney, born March 9, 1887, who is cashier in Simmons hard-
ware store at Minneapolis and who married, April 12, 1911, Florence
Anderson of Minneapolis and has one child, Lorin, born March 29, 1915;
Bernie, born Aug. 7, 1890, who is a druggist in Chicago; Myrtle A., born
Sept. 24, 1892, a stenographer, residing at home; Lancelot, born Sept. 24,
1896; Reuben, born April 4, 1898; Ernest, born June 3, 1903, and Viola,
born June 2, 1907, all residing at home.
Emil Huslegard, a well known farmer of Chimney Rock Township,
proprietor of the Huslegard farm of 160 acres in section 33, and also the
owner of 35 acres in section 4, Burnside Township, the whole forming one
farm, was born in Soler, Norway, June 4, 1858, a son of Ole and Ellen,
his wife, whose maiden name was Ellen Ansett. The father was born in
Norway in 1829 and was married in his native land, where his wife died
in 1869. In 1871 he came with the surviving members of his family to
the Uinted States, settling in Adams County, Wis., where he remained
five years. He then bought 80 acres of land in section 33, Chimney Rock
Township, which he cultivated for four years, subsequently retiring and
taking up his residence with his son Emil, at whose home he died in June,
1897. By his wife Ellen he had seven children : Lottie, who married Carl
Hendrickson, a farmer of Chimney Rock Township; Halvor, who resides
636 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
with his brother Emil, who was the third born child; Helen, who married
Adolph Melsness, who is secretary of the I. S. W. A. at Eau Claire, Wis. ;
Bertha, wife of Charles Johnson, a moulder of Eau Claire, Wis. ; Mary,
wife of Adolph Hendrickson, a farmer of Chimney Rock Township; Alice,
who died at the age of 20 years. Emil Huslegard was a boy of 13 years
when he accompanied his father to America. At that early age he made
himself useful in various ways and when a little older and stronger began
working in the saw mills at Necedah, Wis., being thus occupied subse-
quently, and also working in the woods, until 1889. He then bought the
farm on which he has since resided and which he is operating on a profit-
able basis. This is a well developed piece of agricultural property, with
good buildings, and is pleasantly situated in the southern part of the town-
ship in the neighborhood known as Russell.
Jan. 17, 1892, Mr. Huslegard was married to Laura Haakenson, who
was born in Chimney Rock Township, this county, Jan. 17, 1871. Her
father, John Haakenson, who was born in Norway in 1846, came to
America in 1868, and died Dec. 4, 1891. Her mother, whose maiden name
was Ellen Erickson, was born in Norway, March 11, 1832, and is still resid-
ing on the old homestead in Chimney Rock Township. Mr. and Mrs. Husle-
gard are the parents of three children : John, born April 26, 1893 ; Alice,
born Jan. 29, 1895, and Henry, born Jan. 12, 1898. The family attend
the Norwegian Lutheran Church.
Even Holte, one of the enterprising and successful farmers and dairy-
men of Unity Township, was born in Westertoten, Norway, Nov. 16, 1859.
His father, Andreas Holte, who was a farmer, and his mother, Olena Paul-
seth, died in Norway. Even Holte was a young man in his nineteenth year
when he emigrated to the United States in 1879. Settling in Unity Town-
ship, Trempealeau County, Wis., he found employment working on farms
for about a year, and then, having made up his mind to be his own boss,
rented the farm of Christ Olson, which he operated for five years. Dur-
ing the five years following he rented the farm of C. Quale, and then, being
in a position to purchase a farm of his own, bought the first 120 acres of
his present farm, which he has since enlarged by purchase up to its present
size of 320 acres. His improvements since he took hold of the place have
greatly increased its value, one of the most notable being a frame barn,
built in 1901, which measures 34 by 70 by 20 feet above stone basement,
having cement floors and stanchions, and in connection with which there is
an L, 30 by 30 by 20 feet, for horses. Having thus provided for his stock,
Mr. Holte, in 1903, built himself a new residence, a two-story and base-
ment structure, 30 by 34 feet, containing eight rooms and heated with hot
air furnace. The other buildings on the farm are also substantial and
equipped with modern conveniences. Mr. Holte raises pure-bred Holstein
cattle, having a herd of 53, and using a three-unit milking machine. His
silo is of frame construction, plastered with cement plaster inside and out.
He was one of the organizers of the Unity Co-operative Creamery at Strum
and was its secretary for ten years, and is a stockholder in the First State
Bank of Strum. Although a busy man, Mr. Holte has devoted some part
of his time to aiding in local government affairs. Thus he was township
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 637
treasurer eight years, school treasurer three years and a director of the
school board three years and is now treasurer of the school district, making
a good record as a public official. His business holdings include stock in
the State Bank of Strum, of which he is a director. For 15 years he has
been secretary of the Synod Norwegian Lutheran Church, to which he
belongs as a member. For nearly 30 years Mr. Holte has led a domestic
life, having been united in marriage July 2, 1887, to Marie Rice of Unity
Township, who was born in Vernon County, Wisconsin, April 28, 1867. Her
father, Simon Rice, and her mother, whose maiden name was Mathea
Bergum, were Norwegians, the former being born at Little Hammer, Nor-
way, June 21, 1845, and the latter at Land, Norway, Oct. 24, 1845. Simon
came to America in 1854, setthng in Vernon County, this state, whence in
1869 he came to Unity Township, Trempealeau County, where he was
subsequently engaged in farming until his death. May 21, 1901. He was
one of those hardy settlers, almost pioneers, who broke the land and helped
to lay the foundations of that agricultural prosperity of which the present
generation enjoys the advantage. His wife, who survived him, is now
living on the old home farm in section 30, Unity Township. The family
circle of Mr. and Mrs. Even Holte has been rounded out to good dimensions
by the birth of ten children, whose record in brief is as follows : Minnie,
born Nov. 21, 1888, and now residing in Chicago ; Olga, born Dec. 16, 1890,
who is living at home ; Julia, born Dec. 28, 1892, who graduated at River Falls
normal school and is a teacher in the fourth grade at Marmarth, N. D. ;
Laura, born Feb. 23, 1895, who is the wife of Edwin Rognlien, a bank cashier
of Foster, Wis., and Seymour, born April 20, 1897; Josephine, born July
18, 1899 ; Nordahl, born Dec. 20, 1902 ; Lillian, born Feb. 3, 1904 ; Evelyn,
born Dec. 18, 1906, and Alton, born Dec. 12, 1908, who are all living at home.
Jorgen Olson. One of the oldest and best known residents of Chimney
Rock Township is the subject of this sketch, who has been a resident here
for nearly 48 years, having been one of the early Norwegian settlers in the
county. He was born in Valdres, Norway, Nov. 3, 1844, a son of Ole Jorgen-
son, a mason, and his wife, Annie Uldrikson. Both parents died in Nor-
way. It was in 1867, at the age of 23 years, that Jorgen Olson left his
native land for the United States, attracted hither by reports that had
reached Norway from those gone before of the opportunity to obtain free
land in the great northwestern states. On his arrival in the country he
located first in Dane County, Wisconsin, where he remained three years,
earning and saving money and keeping his main purpose steadily in view.
Then, having saved enough to purchase equipment and make a fair start,
he came to Trempealeau County in 1869 and homesteaded a farm in sec-
tion 2, on which he spent 18 years of his life, carrying on agriculture and
stock raising and improving his property, so that when he finally sold he
obtained a good price for it. Since then he has been engaged in cultivating
his present farm in section 24, which he purchased on leaving the farm
in section 2. This property also he has improved considerably, building the
residence, a two-story house of 10 rooms, in 1889. In 1914 he erected a
new barn, 30 by 74 by 14 feet, with stone basement and cement floors. His
son Olaus now rents and manages the farm, and together they raise graded
638 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Shorthorn cattle, having a herd of 40 head, of which they milk 15. Mr.
Olson served as township treasurer for 14 years. He also helped organize
school district No. 1, Chimney Rock Township, of which he was treasurer
six years. His son Glaus has served as school clerk three years. Mr. Olson
was married May 17, 1870, to Berget Halvorson, who was born in Norway
in 1851, and died on the home farm in November, 1904. There were seven
children born to them: Olaus, mentioned above, who was born Aug. 18,
1873 ; Annie, who married Halvor Veum, a farmer of Chimney Rock Town-
ship ; Anton, who is farming at Hettinger, N. D. ; Henry, a resident of
Superior, Wis. ; Christine, who is keeping house for her father and brother
Olaus ; William, who is operating a farm in this vicinity, and Joachim, who
is residing at home. The family are members of the United Norwegian
Lutheran Church, of which Mr. Olson has been a trustee for four years.
The Jorgen Olson farm contains "180 acres and is pleasantly situated, the
land being fertile and everything about the place being up to date and in
good condition.
Ole Haug, proprietor of Haug Farm of 260 acres, in section 25, Lincoln
Township, and section 30, Pigeon Township, was born at Holmen, La Crosse
County, Wis., Dec. 12, 1877, son of Peter 0. and Augusta Haug. The father,
who was born in Norway, came to America with his parents in 1855, they
locating in La Crosse County, Wis. There he was reared, and there he lived
until March, 1896, when he bought the farm on which his son Ole now
resides, which he cultivated until his death in 1902 at the age of 49 years.
His wife, who was born near Holmen, Wis., is still living on the farm, being
now 61 years old. They had three children : Ole, Amalia, who lives on the
homestead, and Smith, who died in 1907, at the age of 21 years. Ole Haug
assisted his father on the farm until the latter's death in 1902, after which
he operated it for his mother until 1908. He then purchased it and has
since been the sole owner. He has 55 head of cattle, mixed grades, milking
20 cows, and keeps 100 hogs per year. The farm has good buildings, includ-
ing a two-story, eight-room, frame house with basement, equipped with
furnace heat, and modern in every respect, except lights. His barn, 36
by 94 by 18 feet in dimensions, has a good basement with cement floors,
steel stanchions and litter-carrier, cement mangers, watering buckets, hog
house, 24 by 30 feet, frame with cement floors. Mr. Haug was married,
November, 1902, to Mina Tharaldson, of Pigeon Township, who was born
in La Crosse, Wis., daughter of John and Theoline (Suggerud) Tharaldson.
Her father was a native of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Haug have three chil-
dren: Palmer, Agnes and Tilman, the two latter being twins.
Nels S. Fagerland, who is successfully engaged in business as proprietor
of a good general store in the village of Eleva, Wis., was born in Deerfield,
Dane County, Wis., June 25, 1883. His father, Gunder 0. Fagerland, was
born in Norway in 1857 and came to America in 1881, settling in Dane
County, Wis., where he resided until 1893. He then removed to Curran
Township, Jackson County, which is his present place of residence. Our
subject's mother, in maidenhood Brunhilde Sundnas, was born in Norway
in 1860. Nels S. Fagerland remained with his parents until 1909. Then,
with Clarence Thompson, his brother-in-law, he bought the general store
o
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>
MR. AXD MRS. NELS F. HEGGE
H. 11. MORTEXSOX
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 639
of A. E. Amundson in Eleva, and they carried on business together until
May 1, 1915, when he came to his present location, buying the store in
company with Oscar Wold, who, however, lived but one year after. After
Mr. Wold's death his wife continued the business with Mr. Fagerland until
March 1, 1917, when his brother Olaf purchased her interests, the firm
now being Fagerland Brothers. Mr. Fagerland was married March 30,
1907, to Isabelle Thompson, who was born in Jackson County, Wis., April
27, 1881. Her parents, Thomas and Martha (Anderson) Thompson, were
farming people of Jackson County, where the mother died in 1911. Mr.
and Mrs. Fagerland have two children : Violet and Harley. Mr. Fagerland
has served as village clerk for three years, as a member of the council four
years and as school director three years. He and his family belong to the
United Lutheran church. Since coming to Eleva they have made many
friends and are increasing in prosperity from year to year as the result of
honest dealing, enterprise and frugality.
Even A. Hegge, prominent member of the county board from Pigeon
Falls, is one of the influential men of the county, and has been unusually
active in public affairs. His work on the town and county board has been
of the highest order, and as an advocate of good roads he had done much
to promote the best interests of the community at large. A native of this
county, he was born on his present farm at the mouth of Hegge Valley, in
Pigeon Township, Nov. 27, 1875. He attended school in the district of
which his father was an official, and supplemented this with a course in
the Wisconsin Business University at La Crosse. Thus equipped, he
returned home and resumed agricultural operations. For a while he
worked with his father, then he managed the farm, subsequently rented it,
and still later acquired the ownership. The place consists of 290 acres in
section 3, township 22, range 7, and has been made into a model farm in
every particular. Since taking possession, Mr. Hegge has greatly improved
the farm in general, has rebuilt the barn and house, and has put in an
individual electric light plant, a complete water system, and modern plumbing
conveniences. Carrying on general farming along scientific lines, he makes
a specialty of raising thoroughbred and high-grade Holstein cattle for dairy
purposes, and Duroc-Jersey swine for shipping. Before being elected town
chairman in 1912, Mr. Hegge did good service for fifteen years as town clerk.
He has been secretary and treasurer of the Pigeon Grain and Stock Company
since its organization, and is a director in the People's State Bank of
Whitehall, which he also assisted in starting. For several years he has
been secretary of the Norwegian Lutheran Congregation of Pigeon Falls.
Nels F. Hegge was for many years one of the substantial men of the
county. He gave his name to an important valley in Pigeon Falls Township,
was an earnest worker in town and school ofl!ice, and being a well-read man
of kindly disposition, exerted a wide influence upon his fellowmen. He
came of old Norwegian stock, and was born in Biri, Norway, Oct. 31, 1839.
He was there reared amid rugged surroundings, and in 1866 determined
to seek his fortunes amid the wider opportunities of America. Reaching
La Crosse, he secured various employment, farming in the summer months,
and working in Clark County in the lumbering season, both as a chopper in
640 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
the forests and as engineer at the King's Mills. It was in the spring of
1871 that he came to Trempealeau County and located at the foot of the
vallej^ which has since borne his name. For thirty years he toiled early and
late and built up his farm. In 1901, after a useful life filled with worthy
endeavor, he retired and moved to Whitehall. His death, Aug. 25, 1912, was
sincerely mourned. Starting with no other resources than a sturdy body
and strong integrity, he had established his place as a man of worth and
ability, he had achieved success, and given to the world a good family. His
death will long be sincerely moui-ned. Mr. Hegge was married Sept. 20,
1869, to Nekoline E. Nelson, and this union was blessed with 10 children:
Edward, of North Dakota ; Oluf N. ; Isaac, of North Dakota ; Oscar, of
Durant, Miss. ; Sigvold, a banker of Whitehall ; George, of Preston, Wash. ;
Even A., who resides on the home farm, and Frederick, Josephine and Anna,
who are dead. Mrs. Hegge resides in Whitehall. Mr. Hegge was married
March 26, 1902, to Clara Mortenson, who was born in Pipeon, Sept. 2-3, 1878,
daughter of H. H. and Romang Mathea (Mathiason) Mortenson. This union
has been blessed with a fine family of nine children : Norman Herbert, born
Jan. 8, 1903 ; Myrtle Nettehe, March 17, 1904 ; Edgar Alfred, Nov. 15, 1906 ;
Harold Erland, July 10, 1907 ; Ernest Victor, June 3, 1909 ; Orris William,
April 9, 1911; Nels Frederick, Dec. 27, 1912; Anna Dorathy, Nov. 8, 1915;
and Esther Andrea, born July 19, 1917.
Edward S. Englesby, assistant postmaster at Eleva, is a native of this
State, born in Modena, Buffalo County, March 7, 1862, son of Harrison and
Roxanna (Hammond) Englesby. Harrison W. Englesby was born in
Vermont, and settled in Buffalo County, this State, in 1860. In 1868 he
opened a hotel at Coral City, not far from what is now Whitehall, in Trem-
pealeau County. Subsequently he farmed in Preston Township, this county,
for a while. Then he lived successively in Black River Falls, Eau Claire
and Mondovi. In 1876 he settled in Albion Township, and there remained
until his death. Edward S. Englesby followed the fortunes of his family
and spent his young manhood on the Albion Township farm. For a time
he was employed as a lumberman, on the rivers and in the pine forests.
In 1892 he engaged in lumbering at Hayward, Wis., and three years later he
came to Eleva and entered the postoffice. From 1903 to 1915 he was a rural
mail carrier, and since that date has occupied his present position, his wife
being the postmistress. In addition to his services for the Government,
Mr. Englesby has for some years operated a farm of 80 acres in Albion Town-
ship. For three years he did good work on the village board. His fraternal
affiliations are with the Masons, the Woodmen and the Beavers. Mr.
Englesby was married Oct. 9, 1892, to Ida Gibson, daughter of Milo B. and
Mary (Harvey) Gibson, of Eleva, and they have one child. Marguerite, born
May 3, 1910.
James Maloney, a well-known farmer of Hale Township, and one of the
large land owners of Trempealeau County, was born in Adams County, Wis.,
Aug. 30, 1857, son of David and Margaret (Warner) Maloney. The father,
David Maloney, was born in Cork, Ireland, Jan. 18, 1830, and came to
America with his parents in 1852, they settling in Hadley, Mass. His
marriage to Margaret Warner took place in the same, on Nov. 1. She also
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 641
-was a native of Cork, Ireland, the date of her birth being Aug. 29, 1832.
It was in 1867 that David Maloney and his family settled in Hale Township,
Trempealeau County, Wis., Mr. Maloney buying land which, with subse-
quent additions, constitutes the present farm of the subject of this sketch.
The estate now contains 1,000 acres, lying in section 28 and other sections,
town 23 north, ranges 7 and 8 west. Hale Township. David Maloney spent
many years of his life in enlarging and improving his property, the present
large estate being in a great measure the result of his industry, thrift and
far-sighted judgment. He died in 1898 and his wife on June 2, 1912.
They were the parents of seven children, as follows : Katherine, Mary,
James, Esther, Margaret, David and Nellie. James Maloney was a boy of 10
years when he arrived with his father's family in Trempealeau County. He
was reared on the home farm and was associated with his father in its oper-
ation until 1896. He then purchased the farm and has since conducted
it on his own account, raising varied crops, and keeping a flock of 600 Shrop-
shire sheep, besides 40 head of cattle, of which he milks 20. In 1915 Mr.
Maloney erected a fine barn, 36 by 126 by 14 feet above stone basement, and
equipped with steel stanchions. In the same year he built a glazed block
silo, reinforced with steel, 14 by 35 feet in dimensions. His buildings are
all substantial and his equipment adequate to all the purposes of modern
farming and stock raising, and he has taken place among the successful
and well-to-do farmers of his township. Dec. 25, 1893, Mr. Maloney was
united in marriage with Lavinia Dissmore, daughter of George and Mary E.
(Rogers) Dissmore, the date of her nativity being Feb. 17, 1862. He and
his wife are the parents of four children : George, born Nov. 20, 1894, and
now a student at Bethel Academy, Arpin, Wis. ; David, born Jan. 6, 1897,
now i-esiding on the home farm, who married Sarah Getts and has one child,
Esther, born Oct. 5, 1916 ; James, born June 14, 1898, and Archie, born Nov.
29, 1900, both living at home. Mr. Maloney has taken part to some extent
in local government affairs, having served three years as treasurer of the
school board. He and his family have a wide circle of friends in Hale Town-
ship and the vicinity and are among the representative members of the
agricultural community.
Halvor J. Halvorson, expert buttermaker at the Eleva Co-Operative
Creamery, has been connected with the creamery industry in this village for
18 years, and is thoroughly familiar with all departments of his business.
He was born in Chippewa Falls, Wis., Oct. 6, 1874, son of John and Mary
(Haganess) Halvorson, who operate a farm in Eau Claire County. Halvor
J. Halvorson spent his boyhood on a farm, and came to this county in 1899
as a helper in the old Eleva creamery. Desiring to further perfect himself,
he studied in the Dairy School of the Agricultural College of the University
of Wisconsin. Completing his course there March 1, 1903, he took his
present position, and here he has since remained. In addition to this, he
operates a farm of 75 acres in section 10, Albion Township, where he carries
on general agricultural operations. He holds the agency for the Wonder
Milking Machines for Eau Claire, Trempealeau and Buffalo counties, and has
installed several on Trempealeau County farms. Busy as he is, he has
found time for public service, and has been a member of the village council
642 HISTORY OB^ TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
three years. Mr. Halvorson was married July 1, 1902, to Louisa Serum,
who was born in Buffalo County, Wis., Feb. 23, 1877, and died Oct. 1, 1907,
daughter of Ole and Mary Serum. Mr. and Mrs. Halvorson had two chil-
dren : Josephine, born April 1, 1903, and Obert, born June 14, 1906.
Byron L. Hutchins, who is engaged in the real estate business at Inde-
pendence, Wis., was born in Burnside Township, Trempealeau County, Wis.,
Sept. 22, 1865, son of James L. and Elizabeth (Tubbs) Hutchins. The
father, James, took a homestead in this county about 1860, and died in 1876
at the age of 37 years. His widow resides in Independence at the age of
72 years. Byron L. Hutchins was reared in Independence and for a number
of years after his father's death was occupied in the management of his
mother's business affairs. In 1900 he engaged in the real estate business
in Independence and has since continued in it, handling city and farm
property and rentals. He has been a member of the village council eight
years and is a stockholder in the State Bank of Independence. In the
order of the Knights of Pythias he has passed all the chairs. Mr. Hfttchins
was married in February, 1899, to Bertha Arnold, of Arcadia Township,
this county. Her father, William D. Arnold, who was a pioneer farmer
here, is now living retired at the age of 85 years in Winona, Minn.; his
wife, Mrs. Hutchins' mother, is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hutchins have two
children : Lee J., aged 16 years, and Earl B., aged 10 years.
Clarence P. Larson, president and cashier of the Bank of Eleva, is one
of the leading citizens of the village, and has business and financial interests
and connections which extend far beyond the boundaries of the State. He
was born in Independence, this county, June 6, 1885, son of Ole P. and Lina
(Waller) Larson. He was reared in Whitehall and received his early
education in the Whitehall schools. For a time he was a student in the
Toland Business College, at Winona. With this preparation he entered the
John 0. Melby & Co. Bank, at Whitehall, as accountant. For one year,
1908, he engaged in the general mercantile business at Aneta, N. D. In
1909 he came to Eleva as cashier of the Bank of Eleva, and the foUowing^
year was made president as well. In these capacities he is still serving.
His engaging personality and sound business abiUty have been the most
important factors in the success with which the institution has met. Since
1911, Mr. Larson has been president of the Eleva Mercantile Company. He
is president of the Larson-Stevning Company, of Stephen, Minn., secretary
of the Central Trading Association of Whitehall, and a stockholder in the
United States National Bank of Superior, Wis., and the John O. Melby Co.
Bank, of Whitehall. Mr. Larson is a member of the county board, serving^
his third year. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, and also a member
of the Commandery, the Shrine and the Eastern Star. His Elk affiliation is
with the lodge at Eau Claire. Mr. Larson was married Aug. 21, 1909, to
Louise Steig, born in Pigeon Township, this county, Sept. 8, 1883, daughter
of Gilbert F. and Gelena (Lewis) Steig, now living in Whitehall. Mr. and
Mrs. Larson have had four children: Charles Phihp, born Aug. 15, 1900;
Oliver Philip, born March 2, 1912, and died Feb. 5, 1913, and Mary Jane,
born March 2, 1914, and Betty Louise, born Aug. 20, 1917. The family
faith is that of the Synod Norwegian Lutheran church, at Whitehall.
CLARENCE P. LARSON
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 643
Ralph W. Wood, whose farm of 240 acres in section 15, Lincoln Town-
ship, is a well-cultivated and productive piece of agricultural property, was
born in this township, Jan. 19, 1879, son of David and Mary (Parsons) Wood,
the others in the family being Archie, now a contractor and builder of White-
hall ; James, also residing there and engaged in the same business ; Kippy,
who died at the age of 7 years ; Alta, who died at the age of 2 years, and
Ralph W. Ralph W. Wood has resided on his present farm since his
father purchased it about the year 1900, and has been operating the plow
since 1913. The farm is nicely improved, the 12-room frame house being
equipped with water and lights. The barn measures 50 by 80 feet, and the
cement block silo, built in 1912, 16 by 33 feet. Mr. Wood milks 15 cows,
feeding one carload of cattle a year for the market and half a carload of
hogs. He also raises Plymouth Rock chickens. Sept. 27, 1906, he was mar-
ried to Martha Johnson, of Osseo, Wis., who was born near that village, Feb.
20, 1886, daughter of Charles and Anna (Granhn) Johnson, her father
being a farmer of Hale Township. Her parents' children were as follows :
Helen, wife of Charles Christianson, a farmer of Hale Township; Karen,
wife of Swen Swenson, also of Hale Township ; Charlotte, now Mrs. Martin
Engen, her husband Tjeing a farmer of Rusk County, Wis. ; John, who is
engaged in farming near the home place; Louise, wife of Fred Steig, a
farmer of Bowman, N. D.; Augusta, wife of Olaf Peterson, a farmer of
Sumner Township ; Hilmer, who resides on the home farm ; Martha, wife of
Ralph W. Wood, and Louise (first), who was born after John and died at
the age of 2 years. The children of Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Wood are : Helen
B., born Dec. 17, 1908, and Harold C, born Feb. 24, 1910. The family are
among the prosperous members of the agricultural community of Lincoln
Township and are widely known and respected.
Hans H. Mortenson, a pioneer of Pigeon Township, now living in retire-
ment at Whitehall, has seen the Pigeon Valley develop from a wild, unculti-
vated area, with only a few scattering houses, into one of the richest regions
in Western Wisconsin, and by building up a fine farm, he himself took an
important part in the wonderful progress and improvement. Born in
Tromso, Norway, Sept. 15, 1836, the son of Morten Peterson and Helena
Christopherson, he received such meager education as the church schools
of the vicinity afforded, and then, like all the other boys of his neighborhood,
he embarked in a seafaring hfe, devoting the years of his young manhood to
fishing with various fleets along the Norwegian coast. But the wages were
small and life was hard, so he determined to transfer the scene of his work
to America. Accordingly, in July, 1862, he arrived in the United States and
found his way to La Crosse County, where for six years he was engaged at
various work, laboring for farmers during the agricultural seasons, and"
securing employment in the pineries and on the river in the winter. It
was in 1868 that he came to Trempealeau County and took a homestead of
160 acres of wild land in section 32, township 23, range 7. Starting on a
small scale and amid primitive conditions, he broke the land, erected the
necessary buildings, and for many years successfully carried on general
farming. Prosperity came with the years, and in 1909 he was enabled to
sell his property at a good figure and retire to the village of Whitehall, where
644 HISTORY OF TKEMPEALEAU COUNTY
he has a pleasant home, and where after a hfe of hard work, he is enjoying
the fruits of his success. Mr. Mortenson has seen considerable public life.
For nine years he was town assessor, for two years town treasurer, and for
' two years town supervisor. For sixteen years he was clerk of his school
district. His work as census enumerator for the town of Pigeon in 1880
and 1890 won high commendation from his superiors. While on the farm
he was a stockholder in the Whitehall Creamery. Mr. Mortenson was mar-
ried Oct. 26, 1867, to Romang Mathea Mathiason, who was born in Norway in
1845. This union has been blessed withsixchildren: Augusta, Clara (second),
Anna, Ida, Ruth and Esther, living, and Martin, Emelia, Isaac, Clara (first)
and Maria, deceased. Augusta is now Mrs. Richard Mattison, of White-
hall. Clara (second) is now Mrs. Even A. Hegge, of Pigeon Township.
Anna is now Mrs. Claude Everson, of Lincoln Township. Ida is now Mrs.
Ludwig Berg, of Hale Township. Ruth is now Mrs. L. 0. Goplin, of Hale
Township. Esther, a teacher, lives at home.
Ray H. Larson, who is successfully conducting an up-to-date garage in
the village of Independence, was born near this village, Nov. 25, 1888, son of
Ed and Belle (Amundson) Larson. His parents are both living in White-
hall, the father being a retired farmer now 65 years old, and the mother
aged 63. They had three children, of whom the subject of this sketch is
the second in order of birth. Ray H. Larson was reared on his parents'
farm. When a young man he woi'ked one year in Milwaukee and was also
employed for some time in a hardware store in Independence. With his
brother, Louis C, he opened a hay and straw business in Independence in
1911 and has since conducted it, the brother withdrawing in the fall of 1915.
In the spring of the year last mentioned Mr. Larson bought the auto sales
agency of Steiner & Larson and started his present garage, located in a
frame building, two stories in height and 30 by 90 feet in dimensions. He
handles Studebaker and Ford cars, together with the usual supplies and
accessories and his business is gradually increasing. Mr. Larson is a mem-
ber of the United Norwegian Lutheran church.
William E. Harlow, one of the proprietors of the Harlow & Herrell
garage, at Whitehall, Wis., was born in Pigeon Township, Trempealeau
County, Wis., Dec. 6, 1872, son of 0. F. and Lucy (Kidder, nee Scott) Harlow.
He made his home with his father until he was 24 years old and then learned
the painter's trade, at which he worked in Whitehall until 1916. He then
became a member of the firm of Harlow & Herrell, and in June they opened
their present garage, a one-story frame building, 28 by 86 feet, on Scranton
Street. Here they do all kinds of repairing and handle all supplies and
accessories. With the increasing popularity of the automobile, their busi-
• ness is bound to grow, and they have already made an auspicious start.
Mr. Harlow also has a knowledge of electrical work, which is likely to be of
use to him in the future. He is fraternally aflShated with the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. June 10, 1896,
he was married to Florence M. Breed, of Whitehall, who was born Oct. 25,
1876, daughter of Calvin E. and Anna (Crane) Breed. Her father, now a
retired farmer, is a military veteran. Mr. and Mrs. Harlow have one child,
Eugene Scott, who was born Oct. 14, 1907.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 645
William White, one of the prosperous farmers of Albion Township,
whose fertile farm of 160 acres, known as "Natural Spring Dairy Farm,"
lies in section 6, was born in Ohio, Jan. 10, 1854. He is a son of David and
Mary (Ettel) White, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania in 1827.
In 1860 David White with his family came to Wisconsin, settling in Pepin
County. After a residence there of five years he removed to what is now
Buffalo County, where he made his home for the rest of his life. His wife
Mary, who was born in Germany in 1834, came to the United States in 1841,
their marriage taking place in Pennsylvania. She was the first to pass
away, dying in 1904, while his death took place July 18, 1911. William
White resided with his parents until March 20, 1877, that being the date on
which he bought his present farm. The land was first entered by Sylvanus
Moore, Oct. 8, 1858, and was sold by him to James McDermott, the latter
selling to Mr. White. The property is now well improved and Mr. White
is profitably engaged in farming and stock raising, keeping Holstein cattle,
Poland-China hogs and Belgian horses — all grades. Mr. White was mar-
ried. May 6, 1875, to Emma Walker, who was born in La Crosse County, Jan.
14, 1855, daughter of Silas and Mary J. (McEldowney) Walker. Her father
was a farmer, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1818 and died in 1880. Her
mother, who was born in 1829, now resides in Mondovi, Wis. Mrs. White
was given a good education, being graduated from Gale College, of Gales-
ville, in 1872. She and her husband have been the parents of seven chil-
dren: Nora, Maynie, Earl, Winnifred, Gladys, Vilas and Velma, of whom
Earl, the third-born, died at the age of 2 years. Nora is the wife of Isaac
Perry, of Albion Township, and has three children — Floy, Evelyn and Con-
stance. Maynie, who married Earl Davis, a farmer of Eau Claire County,
Wis., has eight children — Pierre, Claire, Glen, Helen, Howard, Margaret,
Dean and Max. Winnifred, who is the wife of Eugene Rosman, has two
children — Lloyd and Delbert. Mr. White is affiliated religiously with the
Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a Democrat. He has devoted
some part of his time to the public service, having been township supervisor
three years and school clerk six years. He and his family are well known
and respected in this part of the county.
Christ Torgerson, who is engaged in the hardware business in Inde-
pendence as a member of the firm of Liver & Torgerson, was born in Ringebo,
Gulbrandsdahlen, Norway, Dec. 8, 1855. His father was Torger Tulibakken,
a farmer, who died in 1877 at the age of 65 years. Torger married Ragnil
Tulin, who survived him until 1912, when she passed away at the advanced
age of 90. Christ Torgerson in 1876, having attained his majority, left his
native land for the United States, knowing that here he should find wider
opportunities for self-advancement. He first located at Black River Falls,
where he found employment and remained until 1882. Then coming to
Independence, he entered into business for himself, and so continued tiU
1894, when he bought the interest of L. E. Danuser in the hardware and
implement firm of Danuser & Liver. The business has since been conducted
under the style of Liver & Torgerson and is in a flourishing condition. Mr.
Torgerson is also a stockholder in the Central Trading Association of White-
hall and the State Bank of Independence. For three years he was a member
646 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
of the village council. He belongs to the United Norwegian Lutheran
church and to the Modei'n Woodmen of America. Mr. Torgerson was mar-
ried, May 20, 1883, to Martha Nelson Bidney, of Buffalo County, Wis., whose
father, Ole Nelson Bidney, born in Norway, settled in Dane County, Wis.,
afterward becoming a pioneer of Buffalo County, where he followed farming,
and died in June, 1916, at the age of 84 years. Mrs. Torgerson's mother,
who now lives in Independence, is 75 years old. Mr. and Mrs. Torgerson
are the parents of nine children : Theodore, Edward, Wren, Myron, Albert,
Ella, Marion, Ida and Norman. Theodore is a prominent citizen of Alma Cen-
ter. Edward has just completed a term as sheriff of Trempealeau County.
Wren and Albert are employed in their father's store. Myron, a hero of
the Great War, enhsted from Saskatchewan in the Canadian Colonial troops
at the beginning of the war, was sent to France with one of the first con-
tingents, was there wounded, and then returned to Saskatchewan, where
he now lives. EUa is the wife of Ansel Everson, of Blair. Marion is the
wife of Peter Haugh, of Taylor, Wis. Ida is the wife of Maurice Thompson,
of Blair.
Albert G. Rognrud is a native of this county, having been born near
Blair, Feb. 27, 1874, son of Gunarius G. Pederson Rognrud and Olea 0.
Tappen, his wife. Albert G. was reared and educated on the home farm,
attending the district schools of the neighborhood. For a time he worked
as a fireman in the Northwest Sawmill at Eau Claire, Wis., and for a while
he owned the T. H. Moen farm in Pigeon Township, but on March 21, 1904,
he purchased the home farm, where he has since resided. Mr. Rognrud was
married April 8, 1899, to Anna Moen, who wasJsorn in Dane County, Wis.,
Sept. 3, 1876, daughter of Thorsten H. and Eli (Gutormson) Moen, who were
born July 19, 1847, and Dec. 2, 1853, respectively, and came to America in
1876, settling near Eleva, in Eau Claire County, where they still live. Mr.
and Mrs. Rognrud have two children: Elvina, born Dec. 2, 1900, and
Geodina, born Sept. 12, 1902. With the Rognrud family lives Caroline
Rustad, who homesteaded the Rognrud Farm in the fall of 1873, and in
1880 deeded the farm to Gunarius Rognrud with the provision that she
retain therein her habitation during life. She was born in Elverum, Nor-
way, Jan. 12, 1831, and came to this region in the spring of 1873. In order
to file on the property where she settled she made the trip to the land office
at La Crosse, a distance of 50 miles, on foot.
Lars H. Weverstad was born in Hammer, Norway, Nov. 11, 1846, and
came to America in 1870. For eight years he was employed as a lumber-
man. At the end of this period he purchased his father's farm in section
14, Pigeon Township, this county, where he farmed until 1906, when he
purchased his present farm of 160 acres in the northwest quarter of section
23. He has a well-improved place, and successfully carries on general farm-
ing. Mr. Weverstad was married Dec. 5, 1879, to Agnethe Moe, who was
born in Ringsager, Norway, Feb. 4, 1861, daughter of Peter and Karen
(Herberg) Larson, who came to America in 1877 and settled in Moe Cooley,
in Pigeon Township. Mr. and Mrs. Weverstad have had 11 children : Mary,
Clara, Nettie, Peter, Laura, Mandley, Edwin and Margaret, hving; and
Augusta, Anna and Minnie, deceased. Mary married Theo. Thorson, a
MK. AND MKS. GUXAIUI'S li. ( I'KJUJKJriijN j I;(m,M(L'D
ME. AND MRS. OLE A. BREKKE
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 647
farmer of Oneida County, Wis. Clara married John Lundstad, a farmer of
Pigeon Township. Nettie married Emil Hanevold, a farmer of Fly Creek,
this township. Peter operates the home farm ; he married Julia Dake, in
June, 1911, and has two children, Almon and Wilmar. Laura married Wal-
ter Vitense, of Madison, Wis. Mandley, Edwin and Margaret are at home.
Mr. Weverstad was the son of Michael and Nellie (Franseth) Weverstad,
who came from Norway in 1872, and secured a farm in section 14, Pigeon
Township, this county, where he died in 1878 at the age of 60, and she in
1887 at the age of 75.
Gunarius G. Pederson Rognrud, whose estate name in the old country
was Gunarius G. Rongrud, was born in Voler Soler, Norway, Oct. 14, 1831,
and was there reared. Upon coming to America in the '60s, he lived in La
Crosse County a year, and then found his way to this county, where he
spent the remainder of his days. When he reached here he bought 100
acres of land a half mile south of Blair. Later he purchased 40 acres
adjoining the old village of Porterville, and platted Pederson's addition to
that village. On this addition, an important part of Blair is now located,
the village of Porterville having faded into oblivion. In 1890 he sold his
farm and moved to Fly Creek Valley, in Preston Township, where he farmed
until his death in 1902. When he platted Pederson's addition he gave a
lot for the church, and on this lot he helped to build the edifice, hauling the
lumber from Black River Falls. His wife, Olea 0. Tappen, who was also a
faithful church member, was born April 25, 1848, and died on Thanksgiving
Day, 1906, after a long and busy life. They were the parents of 15 children :
Peder, Alavus (deceased), Lena, Geoadena (deceased), George, Emma, Gil-
bert, Albert G., Karn, Clara, Volborg, Alexander, Petra, Gena and Isaac.
Andrew A. Brekke, an early settler, was born in Norway, and there
grew to manhood. In 1868 he came to America and found employment in
Racine, Wis. His residence in Trempealeau County dates from 1870, when
he located on the old Trumpf farm, in west side of Preston Township. Two
years later he homesteaded 160 acres a little more than a mile west of the
present village of Blair. He was a mason by trade, as well as a farmer,
and he assisted in laying the foundation of many of the early houses in
this vicinity. When the village of Blair was started, he not only laid the
foundations for the first two houses, but also assisted in building the houses
themselves. He remained on his farm until his death, Sept. 30, 1905. He
did not seek pubHc office, but devoted himself to his work and his family.
He was, however, an active laborer in the Norwegian Lutheran church,
and contributed liberally to its support. He married Berget Groeness, who
died in 1907, and they had nine children : Tove, Ingeborg, Burgue, Torger,
Olav, Tollef, Lesa, Johan and Hage (deceased).
Olav A. Brekke, real estate dealer of Blair, and formerly an expert
butter-maker, was born at Mosele, in Telemarken, Norway, April 11, 1868,
son of Andrew A. and Berget (Groeness) Brekke. He was brought to
Preston Township, this county, as a child, and devoted his early manhood
to working as a farm hand, both at home and elsewhere. In 1891 he started
creamery work in Blair, where he learned his trade. For some 18 years
he was employed in creameries in Blair and Westby, in the meantime spend-
648 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
ing three years on the road as an agent for creamery supplies. In 1893 he
was awarded a medal and a diploma from the World's Columbian Exposition
at Chicago for his excellent butter, and in 1905, in the same city, he won
the diamond medal in the Diamond Medal Contest. He has also won other
awards and prizes. Since 1913 Mr. Brekke has devoted his attention to
the real estate business, with an office in the Home Bank Building. He has
passed through the chairs of the Odd Fellows' lodge at Cashton, Wis., and
was the second member to join the Beaver Lodge at Blair. Mr. Brekke was
married March 20, 1890, to Lena G. Fognrud, born in Blair, Dec. 12, 1869,
daughter of Gunarius G. Rognrud.
Richard Bibby, one of the sturdy farmers who is engaged in develop-
ing the argricultural resources of Gale Township, was born on his present
farm in section 27, July 10, 1868. His parents, Richard and Mary (Faulds)
Bibby, natives of Scotland, were married in the State of Maryland, in 1852,
after they had been in this country some four or five years. In 1854 Richard
Bibby, the elder, purchased from the Government the land which now con-
stitutes the farm of his son and namesake, but it was not until October,
1856, that he and his family moved onto it. At that time it could hardly
be called a farm, as it was destitute of improvements of any kind, so Mr.
Bibby found plenty of hard work ahead of him. He went at his task with
vigor, at first putting up only the most essential buildings, and those of a
primitive kind, giving his main attention to raising crops for the support of
himself and family. As time went on, however, he improved the place,
and cultivated a larger area of land. Satisfied with his choice, he tried no
experiments with other locations, but remained here until his death, which
occurred in July, 1894. For 18 years, beginning with the organization of
the district, he served as a member of the school board. His wife did not
long survive him, passing away in March, 1895. They belonged to that
sturdy pioneer class who conquered the wilderness, and to whom the present
generation owes much for the better conditions now enjoyed. Moreover,
they took part in the religious life of the community, Mr. Bibby being a
charter member and for some years an elder of the Presbyterian church
at Galesville, and later assisting to organize the church of that denomination
at North Bend. Their family was a large one, numbering 15 children, of
whom the subject of this sketch was the ninth in order of birth. Richard
Bibby, the second of the name, acquired the elements of knowledge in the
district school. As may be supposed, he was not allowed to grow up in
idleness, but at an early age began to assist his father, there being always
something to do on the farm. He resided at home, with the exception of
two or three winters, until 1894, when, being now in his twenty-sixth year,
he rented the farm from his father for one year. The latter dying soon
after, however, he then became the owner of the property and has resided
on it ever since. It contains 158 acres, and Mr. Bibby carries on general
farming, including dairying and the raising of hogs, besides keeping more
or less other stock. The chief improvements now standing were made by
him, and include a circular barn, 64 feet in diameter, with a 9-foot basement
and 20 feet overhead, the erection of which shows him to be enterprising
and up-to-date. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Exchange at
IVEE EIMON
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 649
Galesville, the La Crosse Packing Company and the Independent Harvester
Company, of Piano, 111., and is a member of the American Society of Equity.
In politics Mr. Bibby is an independent Republican. He has served on the
board of supervisors three terms and as a member of the school board nine
years. Sept. 23, 1896, he was married to Ina Jones, who was born in Gale
Township, daughter of John and Lucy (Miller) Jones. Her parents were
both natives of England, but were married in Columbia County, Wis., in
which State Mr. Jones settled when he came to this country, being then
about 22 years old, subsequently locating in Columbia County. In the early
'50s of the last century he removed with his family to Trempealeau County,
and was a pioneer of Gale Township, taking a farm on the Jackson County
line. That place was his subsequent home until his death in 1887. His wife
is still living on the old homestead, being now well advanced in years. They
had five children, of whom Mrs. Bibby was the youngest. Mr. and Mrs.
Bibby have been the parents of six children : Richard A., Arthur, who died
at the age of 2 years, Allen L., William HoUis, Mary E. and Ahce M. The
surviving children are all residing at home. Mr. and Mrs. Bibby are mem-
bers of the North Bend Presbyterian church, and have many friends
throughout this part of the county.
Iver Eimon, one of the most prominent farmers and stock raisers in
Hale Township, and an extensive land owner elsewhere, was born in Land,
Norway, June 5, 1854, son of Ole and Sierce (Thomle) Eimon. His parents,
who were natives of the same part of Norway, came to the United States in
1862, locating at Blue Mounds, Dane County, Wis., where the father engaged
in farming, and also at times worked in the lead mines. In 1868 they came
to Trempealeau County, taking a homestead of 160 acres in section 12, Hale
Township, it consisting entirely of wild land. Here Ole Eimon built a shanty
and with four yoke of cattle, assisted by his son Iver, broke the land. In
time, by hard work and perseverence, he developed a good farm, on which
he resided until his death, Feb. 6, 1908. His wife passed away long before
him, in March, 1882. They had in all, seven children, two of whom, Bertha
and Christian, are deceased. The others are: Iver, the direct subject of
this sketch; Beaty, who now lives in North Dakota; Christian, Peter and
Benjamin. Iver Eimon accompanied his parents from Norway to Wiscon-
sin, arriving with them in Trempealeau County in 1868. In the summer he
assisted his father on the home farm and in winter worked in the woods at
lumbering. In 1893 he became manager of the farm, which he later pur-
chased. Energetic and enterprising, he has made many valuable improve*
ments on the property, having now a fine barn, 120 by 52 feet, provided with
running water and electric lights, two silos, each with a capacity of 100 tons,
and other first-class buildings. He is successfully engaged in breeding
Holstein-Freisian cattle, shipping a carload of beef cattle to market each
spring. His farm is a large one, of 320 acres, in section 12. He also owns
a farm of 320 acres in Becker County, Minn., which he rents. For many
years Mr. Eimon has served as school clerk, and is now a supervisor of Hale
Township. He has been twice nominated for the State Assembly. He has
traveled extensively, both in the United States and Europe, having visited
in this country nearly every State in the Union, in particular the Gulf States.
650 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
For six years he owned a cotton farm at Fort Ben, Tex., and at one time
owned 10 acres of land at Houston, that State. His travels also extended
into old Mexico, while on a five-months' trip to Europe he visited Scotland,
Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany, France, Switzerland and Italy. Dur-
ing these travels he saw many interesting sights and acquired a knowledge
of the manners and customs of various races of people, and found the time
well spent. His present prosperity is the result of intelligent effort, kept
up perseveringly through a series of years, and his reward has been large.
On July 5, 1886, Mr. Eimon assumed the responsibilities of domestic life,
being united in marriage with Margaret Heyerdahl, a native of Pierce
County, Wis. The following children have been born to him: Sigvald,
born Dec. 3, 1888, who married Anna Golbertson ; Max, born March 19, 1891 ;
Sigrid, Feb. 7, 1894 ; Paul, March 3, 1900, and Margaret, Sept. 7, 1906. All
except Sigvald are residing at home. The family are members of the Nor-
wegian Lutheran church, and Mr. Eimon is a Prohibitionist in politics.
Christian E. Sveum, the well known proprietor of Sveum Stock Farm
of 196 acres, located in sections 23 and 24, and Home Farm of 160 acres,
in section 14, town 23 north, range 7 west, Hale Township, was born in
Ringsager, Norway, April 6, 1863. His parents, Even and Johanna Sveum,
both died in Norway. In 1886, Christian E. Sveum, then 23 years old,
came to the United States, seeking to better his condition. Having heard
of opportunities in the great Northwest, he located in Whitehall, Trem-
pealeau County, Wis., renting the farm of Hans Borreson — now the Sveum
Stock Farm — for six years. At the end of that time he purchased it, and
in April, 1913, bought his other farm, known as the Home Farm. He is
successfully engaged in agriculture and stock raising, his two properties
being well improved, and is numbered among the substantial and pros-
perous farmers of Hale Township. Nov. 13, 1889, Mr. Sveum was mar-
ried to Anna Borreson, who was born on the old farm in sections 23 and 24,
Hale Township, which her parents, Hans and Helena (Anderson) Borreson
homesteaded in 1870. They were born in Norway, in the town of Birid, the
father July 5, 1830, and the mother Jan. 5, 1832. They were married in
1869 at Coon Valley, Vernon County, Wis., the same year in which they
came to America. Both are now living on the farm. They had four chil-
dren, of whom three died in infancy, the only survivor being Mrs. Sveum.
Mr. and Mrs. Sveum have had a large family of 13 children, born as follows :
Edwin, March 3, 1890 ; Harry, Feb. 5, 1892, now farming on a homestead
at Joslyn, Mont.; Hjelmer, born Sept. 7, 1893; Clara, Oct. 17, 1895;
Josephine, Aug. 29, 1897; Agnes, Aug. 22, 1899; Inga, Oct. 13, 1901;
Gustav, March 13, 1904 ; Tina, Feb. 28, 1906 ; Lillian, Dec. 9, 1908 ; Blanch-
ard, July 14, 1911; Evelyn, Dec. 8, 1913, and one unnamed, who was born
July 20, 1900, and died the same day. All the living children except
Hjelmar, Harry and Edwin reside at home. Mr. Sveum's residence stands
on the Home farm, and is a good, neat and substantial house, the barns
and outbuildings being also well constructed and in good condition. He
keeps 90 head of cattle, milking 50, and is a stockholder in the creamery
at York, the Pigeon Grain & Stock Company and the Whitehall Hospital.
For three years he has served as school director. He and his family
AIK. AND MRS. HANS B0RKE80N
C. E. SVEUM AND FAMILY
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 651
are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, of which he is a
trustee.
Albert G. Cox, proprietor of the Linderman Mills, one mile west of
Osseo, and of a 300-acre farm in sections 8 and 9, Sumner Township, was
born in Milford, Wis., March 28, 1856, son of Samuel and Sarah (Dicken-
son) Cox. Samuel Cox was born in London, England, came to America
in 1841, located in Philadelphia, where he hved until 1850, and then came
to Wisconsin. He farmed two miles south of Osseo from 1866 to 1880 and
then retired to Osseo Village, where he resided until his death, his wife
dying in 1893. Albert G. Cox was reared to farm pursuits by his father,
and as a young man learned the tinner's trade. In 1876 he opened a hard-
ware and machinery establishment in Osseo, which he conducted until
1887. Then he became general agent for the Van Brunt & Wilkins Manu-
facturing Company, implement makers, traveling for them in Wisconsin,
Minnesota and Iowa. Upon entering the employ of this concern he moved
to Augusta, Wis. From 1894 to 1900 he conducted a hai'dware store in
that place. In 1900 he returned to Osseo and took charge of the Linder-
man Mills, which on the death of Mr. Linderman were willed to the Cox
family. These mills, Mr. Cox, who moved his family here six years later,
in 1906, has since successfully conducted. Mr. Cox is a well-known man
in the community, and is regarded as a leading citizen. He is a member of
the Blue Lodge and of the Chapter and Commandery in the Masonic order,
and at Augusta passed through the chairs of the Knights of Pythias Lodge.
In addition to his milling and agricultural interests he is president of the
Northern Wisconsin State Fair Association and president of the Osseo
Telephone Company. Mr. Cox was married, Aug. 17, 1878, to Emma
Linderman, daughter of James L. and Abigail (Williams) Linderman, and
this union has been blessed with three children: Laura, Clarissa and
Winnifred S. Laura married C. A. Williams, who owns creameries at
Augusta, Osseo and Fairchild. They live at Augusta and have two chil-
dren: Albert Cox and Mary Jane. Clarissa married A. E. Bradford, a
banker of Augusta, and they have three children: Elizabeth, Clarissa and
Barbara. Winnifred S. married George Livesey, an attorney of Belling-
ham, Wash., and has one child : Kathryn.
The Linderman Mills, located on Beef River one mile west of Osseo,
were first erected by E. Scott Hotchkiss and James L. Lindei'man in 1872,
and except for having been burned and rebuilt in 1880 has been in con-
tinual existence since that time. The original building is of white pine
and is still standing in as good condition as it was when first erected. The
original machinery, however, was all replaced with new and modern equip-
ment by A. G. Cox in 1901. This original building is 36 by 50 feet, four
stories high, with a basement. The elevator building is 32 by 32 feet, and
35 feet high to the eaves, and with still another story above, used for
elevator heads. This building was erected by A. G. Cox in 1901. The mill
is run by water power by a flume of the Beef River, and the engine is about
100 feet distant from the mill, power being furnished from the engine, when
needed, by a transmission rope. The machinery consists of four double
strand of rolls for wheat, the same with corrugated rolls for rye, and a
652 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
separate mill with three double strand of rolls for buckwheat. A plansifter
system is used for each mill, and dust collectors throughout. A 22-inch
ball-bearing Foos attrition mill is used for feed grinding. A 45 horsepower
Atlas engine auxiliary power is installed, to be used when needed, but this
need is only in the very cold weather, and at the busiest time of the year
should the water run low. Situated on the C, St. P., M. & O. Ry., it is the
center of a rich farming community, and aside from turning out excellent
grades of wheat and buckwheat flour does an extensive grist-mill business.
A new dam with concrete piers has been installed to replace a wooden one
after its 30 years or more of service. The pond extends a mile above the
dam. With the exception of the big flood of 1876 there has never been a
washout. The property was operated by its founder and owner, James L.
Linderman, until 1900, when Albert G. Cox took over the mill, paying
Mr. Linderman a rental. The new machinery was all installed by Mr. Cox,
with the understanding that the mill was to be willed to his family,
which was done by Mr. Linderman, the business being conducted by
Mr. Cox, and the title of the property now resting in his and his
wife's names.
James L. Linderman, founder of the famous Linderman mills, located
on the Beef River, one mile west of Osseo, was born at Ithaca, N. Y., April
4, 1827. In 1871 he came to Osseo from Rockford, lU., where he had been
a traveling salesman for the F. H. Manny Company, manufacturers of
farm machinery. The next year he and F. Scott Hotchkiss started the
Linderman Mills. There he continued to work for the remainder of his life.
He was a most estimable man, and was an important factor in the agricul-
tural development of the county, furnishing a market for the constantly
increasing grain crops. He took a prominent part in the political life of
the county and state, was a delegate to many county, district and state con-
ventions, and sat in the Republican National Convention of 1888. He
served his district with distinction in the General Assembly of 1876-77.
After a long and useful life he died Oct. 7, 1906. His wife, Abigail Williams,
was born in Troy, N. Y., Dec. 12, 1822, and died Nov. 15, 1898.
August E. Goplin came to Trempealeau County as a boy, and has
resided on his present farm located in sections 16 and 17, township 23,
range 7 (Hale), since 1889. It now contains 440 acres of good, fertile land
and is one of the best in the vicinity, his buildings being his especial pride.
The pleasant home was built in 1897. It is a frame structure, two stories
high, with 12 rooms and a full basement, suppHed with running water, hot
water heat, acetylene lights and other conveniences. The barn was built
in 1916. It is 48 by 80 by 14 feet, with a stone basement, and an addition
22 by 36 by 12, for horses. The floors are of cement, the stalls are equipped
with steel stalls and stanchions, the interior is lighted with acetylene, and
there are pens for the young calves, and a special hospital pen. Among the
other buildings may be mentioned a barn for young stock, 26 by 66 by 20
feet. Mr. Goplin carries on general farming and makes a specialty of rais-
ing Durham cattle, at which he has been very successful. While busy with
his farm duties, Mr. Goplin has found time to take an interest in public
affairs, and has done excellent service on the school board for two years.
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 653
He was married Dec. 15, 1888, to Beatha Steig, who was born Dec. 24,
1868, in section 23, range 7, township 23 (Hale), daughter of Christian
and Ingeborg (Anderson) Steig, and this union has been blessed with six
children: Edward, Inga, Emma, Charles, Mildred and Ernest. Edward
was born Jan. 6, 1890, and was married Sept. 2, 1916, to Ella Eid, daughter
of Gilbert Eid, of Pigeon Township. He works with his father on the farm.
Inga was born March 23, 1892, and is a stenographer. Emma was born
June 21, 1895 ; Charles, Nov. 19, 1898 ; Mildred, Dec. 3, 1904, and Ernest,
May 23, 1907. All living at home. Mr. Goplin is a native of Norway,
where he was born Aug. 1, 1857, son of Eric 0. and EH (Roen) Goplin. The
father, Eric 0., was born in Norway, Aug. 14, 1805, came to America in
1867, lived in Rock County a while, and in 1869 came to Trempealeau
County and took a homestead in section 14, range 7, township 23 (Hale),
where he labored until his death in 1883. The mother was born in Nor-
way, Sept. 30, 1827, came to America with her husband, and died May 14,
1914. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of
America.
David C. Cilley, who was for many years one of the enterprising
farmers of Burnside Township, of which he became a resident at an early
day, was born in Franklin County, New York, May 22, 1833, a son of
David and Abigail (Church) Cilley. He was reared in his native county
and was there married, Jan. 17, 1853, to Anna E. Wright, whose home
was on the shores of Lake Champlain, her birth taking place there Dec.
28, 1833. Her parents were Isaac and Rhoda (Barlow) Wright, her father
being a sailor in the days when American merchant vessels visited all the
ports of the world, many of them being everywhere admired for their
beautiful build and fast saihng qualities. In 1855 Mr. and Mrs. Cilley came
west to La Crosse, Wis., going from there to Houston, Minn., where they
were engaged in farming for nine years. They then came to Trempealeau
County, Wisconsin, settling in section 4, Burnside Township, and here
Mr. Cilley resided, engaged in agricultural operations, until his death,
April 11, 1911. His wife still resides on the old homestead, which is now
operated by their son Darwin C. They had in all four children : William 0.,
a farmer tt Concrete, N. D. ; Charles L., who is a carpenter living at Her-
man, Minn.; John H., formerly an engineer in Chicago, who died May 5,
1913, and Darwin C.
Darwin C. Cilley, who is successfully engaged in operating the old
Cilley farm of 200 acres in section 4, Burnside Township, was born in
Houston, Minn., March 12, 1861, son of David C. and Anna E. (Wright)
Cilley. He was reared partly in Houston and then on his parents' farm in
Burnside Township, this county, and began to assist his father at an early
age. He has always resided on the homestead since coming here in child-
hood, and since taking its management in hand has operated it with prolit-
able results. The property is well improved and is kept in good shape by
Mr. Cilley, whose knowledge of practical farming is thorough and exten-
sive. June 18, 1890, Mr. Cilley was united in marriage with Clara Boesden,
who was born in Arcadia, this county, April 15, 1872. Her father, Stephen
Boesden, who was born in Kent, England, in 1830, came to Arcadia, Wis.,
654 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
in 1860, and died April 2, 1910. His wife, whose maiden name was Eliza
Leonard, died in 1912, at the age of 54 years. Mr. and Mrs. Cilley have been
the parents of nine children: Josephine, boi-n Nov. 11, 1891, who married
Fred Sieh, a farmer of Minong, Wis. ; James, born July 13, 1893 ; David L.,
born April 3, 1895 ; Susan, born Feb. 23, 1897 ; Clara, born March 13, 1899,
now wife of Herbert Coardes ; Henry, born March 26, 1901 ; Margaret N.,
born July 23, 1906; Estella N., born Oct. 6, 1908, and Dorothy M., born June
25, 1904. David L. is in the United States service, having gone south with
the Sixth Wisconsin. Susan is a graduate of the Eau Claire Training school
and is now teaching. With the Cilley family lives the venerable and gracious
mother, Mrs. David C. Cilley.
Martin H. Skjeie is one of the progressive farmers who are engaged
in developing the agricultural resources of Ettrick Township, his fine farm
of 197 acres being located in section 8 in the eastern part of the township.
His present homestead was also the scene of his birth, which occurred
Aug. 16, 1872. His parents, Halver N. and Martha (Lindebrekke) Skjeie,
were born in Hardanger, Norway, the date of the father's birth being
Sept. 28, 1836, and the mother's occurring in June, 1840. Married in their
native land, they came to the United States in 1868 and located on Beaver
Creek, Ettrick Township, this county, Halver N. Skjeie homesteading 40
acres of the farm now owned by his son Martin and acquiring the balance
by purchase. He spent many years in clearing and improving the land,
and is still residing on the farm, though now retired from active work. His
wife is also living. Martin H. Skjeie was the fourth born in a family of
five children. He attended school in Ettrick Township and after having
acquired the elements of knowledge, spent six months in the Winona Busi-
ness College. He has resided on the parental homestead nearly all of his
life, becoming manager of the farm about 1897, and later becoming its
owner by purchase. It contains 197 acres of valuable land, on which he
carries on general farming, doing a successful business. He also owns a
40-acre tract of land at Minong, Washburn County, Wis. Mr. Skjeie is also
a stockholder in the Farmers' Exchange of Blair and the Ettrick Telephone
Company. Oct. 9, 1901, he was married to Julia Hauge, a native of
Ettrick Township, and daughter of Adolph and Nellie (Rogness) Hauge.
Like many other hardy settlers of this part of Trempealeau County, her
parents were born in Norway, the father in Soler, April 13, 1847, and the
mother in Bergenstift, Feb. 8, 1854. Adolph Hauge came to America when
about 20 years old and became a farmer and land owner in Ettrick Town-
ship, this county. He still resides on the old farm, after a long life of
activity in the cultivation of the soil and during which he became one of
the prominent citizens of his township, serving on the school board for
many years, a part of the time as clerk. He also assisted in the organiza-
tion of the United Lutheran Church at Blair and took an active and some-
times leading part in various other local enterprises. His wife, who came
to America at the age of 16, died Feb. 28, 1902. They had eight children,
of whom their daughter Julia was the third born. Mr. and Mrs. Skjeie
have an adopted daughter, Jeanette, who is attending school. Mr. Skjeie
belongs to the order of Beavers and to the Modern Woodmen of America.
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He is a Republican in politics and he and his family are members of the
Lutheran Synod Church at Hegg, Ettrick Township.
Thomas H. Hauge, a well known and prosperous farmer of Hale Town-
ship, proprietor of a farm of 240 acres in sections 24 and 35, is, like many
other successful men in his line of work, a native of Norway, having been
born in Hitterdal, that country, July 20, 1859. His father, Harold Aslakson,
came to America in 1869, locating in Arcadia Township, this county, where
he homesteaded a farm. He thus followed close on the heels of the pioneers
and had much the same experiences, the surroundings at that time being
more or less primitive and the work of developing a homestead one of long
toil and occasional privation. Harold Aslakson was, however, adapted by
nature and disposition to succeed, and in time his industry and perseverance
brought their due reward in a flourishing and profitable farm on which
he resided until his death in the spring of 1892. His first wife, whose
maiden name was Karen Tostenson Gunnem, died in Norway in 1861, and
he married for his second wife, in Dane County, Wisconsin, in 1869, Asslan
Johnson, who died in 1890. Thomas H. Hauge, who was initiated at an
early age into agricultural methods, worked on his parents' homestead for
some time in his youth. He then for seven years and a half operated a
farm for F. C. Allen of Eau Claire, which was located in Arcadia Township.
At the end of that period he bought a farm in Bruce Valley, Hale Township,
on which he resided until 1909. It is now operated by his son-in-law,
Oscar Hanke, and his son, Melvin Hauge. Upon leaving his farm in 1909
Mr. Hauge purchased his present farm. In the same year he built the
house in which he now resides, a two-story and basement cement brick
veneer structure of 12 rooms, heated by furnace and lighted by electricity,
the same lighting system being used in all his buildings. The barn was
rebuilt in 1912, and is a frame structure, 50 by 72 by 20 feet, with cement
floors. In 1913 Mr. Hauge erected a stave silo, 14 by 32 feet in size. He
has a herd of 31 graded Holstein cattle, of which he milks 20, and also raises
Buff Orpington chickens. Aside from his farm interests he is a stockholder
in the Pigeon Grain & Stock Company. For four years he has served as
township treasurer. Mr. Hauge was married, July 23, 1882, to Anna Olson,
who was born at Tamarack, Ettrick Township, Dec. 25, 1866, daughter of
Andrew H. and Olive (Gilbertson) Olson. Her father, born in Norway
in 1836, died March 7, 1908, in Arcadia, having come to America in 1852.
Her mother was born in Norway in 1828 and died May 14, 1900. Mr. and
Mrs. Hauge have had a large family, numbering 15 children, of whom all
are living but one. They are as follows : Carrie, who is the wife of Sever
Williamson, a farmer of Hale Township, and has one child, Walter ; Henry
a farmer of Hale Township, who married Mary Johnson and has two chil-
dren : Marion and William ; Mary, wife of Oscar Hanke, also a Hale Town-
ship farmer, and the mother of two children : Marion and Florence ; Melvin,
who is farming in Hale Township; Clara, who was a teacher four years
and is now the wife of Peter Enger, a farmer of this township ; Annie, wife
of Otto Olson, proprietor of the Commercial Hotel, Arcadia; Cora, who
resides at home ; Alma, who graduated from the La Crosse normal school
and is now a teacher in Bruce Valley ; Hartwick, Uving at home ; Carl Alfred,
656 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
who died at the age of one and a half years, and Agnes, Delia, Walter, Viola
and Stella, all of whom are residing at home. Mr. Hauge and his family-
are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America, of which he
is also a trustee. As the son of an early settler of the county and himself
a substantial and reliable citizen, he is widely known and highly esteemed.
Peter Hanson, for many years a prominent resident of the county, was
born on the estate known as Bjornstad, Vaage Gulbrandsdalen, in 1826,
and became a farmer. As a young man he married Anna Risdal, who was
born in 1829. The emigration of the family to America took place in 1869,
Coral City, Trempealeau County, Wis., being selected as their place of set-
tlement. There they remained, however, but six months, and then removed
to section 33, Unity Township, where Mr. Hanson bought a tract of rail-
road land and started farming. In this occupation he continued on the
same farm until his death in 1898, but which time he had improved his
property to a large extent and was a prosperous citizen. His wife died in
1911. Their children were: Sven (deceased), Johannes P., Peter, Jr., of
Strum, Torger (deceased), Hans (deceased) and Martinus (deceased).
Johannes P. Hanson, agriculturist, creamery secretary, man of affairs
and former county clerk, is not only one of the leading residents of Albion
Township, but also one of the best known men in the county. He is affable,
genial and official, the friend of every worthy cause and a valuable and
useful citizen in every respect. He was born in Vaage, Gulbrandsdalen,
Norway, March 21, 1863, son of Peter and Anna (Risdal) Hanson), who
brought him to Trempealeau County in 1869. He was reared to farm pur-
suits and in 1891, in partnership with his brother Sven, took over the home
farm. His acquaintance and popularity increased from his early boy-
hood, his abilities became widely known, and in 1904 he was elected county
clerk, taking office Jan. 1, 1905, and serving two terms. In this capacity
he more than justified the faith of his friends, and conducted the affairs
of the office with general satisfaction to the voters. Upon retiring from
office he took up his home on his present farm in Albion Township. Mr.
Hanson has also at various times rendered other public service. He was
town clerk of Unity Township for nine years and clerk of Albion Township
four years, being appointed jury commissioner in 1909 and still holding
that office. He also served as school clerk in Unity Township three years.
In addition to his direct farming interests Mr. Hanson has been secretary
of Unity Co-operative Creamery in Strum since 1909. He is a director
of the First State Bank of Strum, and a member of its examining board,
and is financial secretary of Branch No. 30, I. S. W. A., at Strum. June
10, 1903, Mr. Hanson was married to Toline Veggum of Mt. Horeb, Wis.,
who was born at that place Aug. 21, 1870. Her parents were Hans and
Gunhild (Ramlet) Veggum, the father now residing on the Hanson farm
with his daughter and son-in-law, his wife having died Dec. 26, 1915. Mr.
and Mrs. Hanson have one child, Alice Gertrude, who was born May 25, 1907.
The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America,
Mr. Hanson being vice-president of the congregation at Strum.
Basil L Peterson is one of the energetic business men of Blair, and is
known throughout western Wisconsin for his active work in furthering
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 657
every interest that has for its object the betterment and upbuilding of
his village, county and state. Born in Blair, Nov. 22, 1889, he was reared
in the home of his parents, Albert B. and Amelia (Torkelson) Peterson,
and applied himself so well to his studies that he was graduated from the
Blair high school at the age of 15 years. Then he studied a year at St. Olaf
College at Northfield, Minn. Thus prepared he entered the College of Let-
ters and Science at the University of Wisconsin in 1906 and was a senior
at the age of eighteen, the youngest member of his class. He then entered
the law offices of Jesse E. Higbee at La Crosse, where he served as a clerk
for two years. In 1911 he went back to Madison and took a year's law
course in his Alma Mater. A year later he entered the Northwestern
University at Chicago and was there graduated in Law in 1914. Having
acquired a liking for Chicago he decided to remain in that city for a while,
and accepted a position as assistant credit manager for the Miehle Print-
ing Press & Manufacturing Company of Chicago, with whom he secured
valuable business experience. He was called home by the death of his
brother, and on May 15, 1916, succeeded him as cashier of the First National
Bank of Blair, a position in which he has given most efficient service, his
personality, education and experience being important factors in its suc-
cess. His fraternal associations are with the Masonic order at Whitehall.
Ernest A. Peterson, cut off in the prime of his young manhood with
an unusually brilliant future ahead of him, and with a sterling record of
worth and character ah-eady achieved, was one of the leading spirits in
Blair from his boyhood up ; he was a man among men, a good son, a loyal
friend, a keen student of people, of business and of books, and his memory
will long be held dear in all the walks of hfe to which his duty called him.
He was born Sept. 22, 1892, in Blair, son of Albert B. and Amelia Torkelson
Peterson, completed his studies in the Blair graded and high schools at
the age of sixteen, and then studied science and music a year at St. Olaf
College, at Northfield, Minn. In 1910 he entered the University of Wis-
consin, where he distinguished himself in scholarship, music and athletics,
winning many honors. A popular man with his classmates, he was a lead-
ing member of the Beta Gamma Sigma, Honorary Fraternity, and also of
the Chi Phi, Social Fraternity. Upon his graduation at the age of 20 in
1913 he returned to Blair and for a short period was employed in the Home
Bank of Blair. Then he went to Bowman, N. D., where he was employed
in the State Bank of Bowman. Late in 1914 he returned to Blair once more,
and with his father organized the First National Bank, of which he was
cashier until his untimely death, April 14, 1916. He was one of the fore-
most young business men of the county, and lived to see his bank estab-
lished on a sound basis. From early boyhood Mr. Peterson was interested
in music. At St. Olaf he studied the piano and was flute soloist in the col-
lege band, and belonged to several musical organizations in Madison while
attending college there, and in Blair he found time for considerable orches-
tra work. His life and character were a joy and a solace to his parents,
in whose hearts his place can never be filled.
Bent Pederson, a pioneer of Jackson County, this state, was born in
Sweden, Dec. 1, 1829, and was still a boy when he was brought to America
658 HISTORY OF TREIIPEALEAU COUNTY
by his parents in 1851. Upon attaining man's estate he acquired a farm
in Jackson County, upon which he still resides. He has been a hard-working
successful farmer, and has occupied several public offices in his township.
His wife, whom he married in November, 1861, was like him a native of
Sweden and came to America as a girl. Her maiden name was Anna Nor-
gaard. After 55 years of happy married life they gave a large celebration
to mark the event in 1916, the affair being attended by neighbors, friends
and relatives for miles around. Mrs. Pederson, after a long and useful life,
passed away June, 1917. They were the parents of 14 children, of whom
the following six are still living: Glaus, Sophia, Albert, Emelia, Bennie
and Myrtle.
Iver Torkelson was for many years a prominent figure in the life of
Jackson County, this state. He was born in Norway, came to America as
a youth, and by native ability and hard work attained a position of influence
and importance among his fellow men. At the outbreak of the Civil War
he rushed to the colors and became sergeant of a Wisconsin regiment and
was wounded in action. For twelve years he was registrar of deeds of
Jackson County, and for a considerable period he served as postmaster.
He also held local offices of varied nature. He died in January, 1901, at
the age of 62 years. His wife, Martina Anderson, died in April, 1912, at
the age of 70.
Albert B. Peterson, long connected with the financial, political and mer-
cantile life of Blair, was born in Jackson County, this state, Nov. 16, 1863,
a son of Bent and Anna (Norgaard) Pederson. He was reared to farm
pursuits, but early acquired an ambition to engage in business. Accord-
ingly he started his commercial career in 1885 by entering the employ of
T. I. Gilbert & Co., the pioneer merchants of Blair, for two years. Then
he bought a half interest in the hardware store of John E. Mayer in that
village, changing the name of the concern to Mayer & Peterson. After
two more years he bought out his partner's interest and successfully con-
ducted the estabhshment until 1896, when he sold out to the Herried
Brothers. In the meantime the store had been burned in the fire of 1891,
but was almost immediately rebuilt. From 1896 until 1900 Mr. Peterson
served efficiently as village postmaster. After the expiration of his term
he engaged in the general mercantile business with Martin Peterson under
the firm name of Martin Peterson & Co. From 1901 to 1912 he engaged
in the hardware and implement business. Since then he has been exten-
sively interested in the real estate business, handhng considerable local
property, and engineering deals throughout the western states as far west
as California. The First National Bank of Blair, which he organized in
company with his son, Ernest A., and others, is a monument to his faith
in the future progress of the village. His public services have included
loyal duty as a member of the county board, as a member and president of
the village council, and as a member of the school board. His religious
affiliation is with the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Mr. Peterson was mar-
ried Feb. 22, 1889, to Amelia Torkelson of Black River Falls, daughter of
Iver and Martina (Anderson) Torkelson. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have had
four children: Basil I., Ernest A., Marie and Eugene. Basil I. was born
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 659
Nov. 22, 1889, and is now cashier of the First National Bank of Blair.
Ernest A. was born Sept. 22, 1892, and died April 4, 1916. Marie, born
Jan. 11, 1901, and Eugene, born Feb. 8, 1904, are at home.
Syver Everson. a pioneer of Jackson County, was born in Julberg,
Solar, Norway, in 1832, and at the age of 20 he, with his brother Ole and
one sister, Mrs. Andrew Olson, together with others from their neighbor-
hood, left on June 22, 1852, for America. They stayed at Christiania
about two weeks before saiHng. Leaving Christiania they went on board
the sailing vessel Incognito and were on the Atlantic ten weeks and four
days, landing in New York on Saturday morning, September 4. The fol-
lowing Tuesday they left New York, going to Wellsboro, Pa. They then
went to Coudersport, that state, and from there traveled on foot 60 miles
to Bergen, settling one mile from that place in what was known as Ole
Bull's colony. The valley where they settled was called Oleann, and in time
a town grew up. The students who had come over on the Incognito and
joined the colony soon became dissatisfied with the land they found and
composed that well known Norwegian song "Oleanna." That section of
Pennsylvania was then only a wilderness, many of the trees being so large
that it took three men to reach around a single tree. It took Syver, with
his father and brother, a whole year to clear an acre of land. In 1853
Syver Everson was married to Helene Pederson Svenbykvernen, a young
lady who had crossed the ocean on the same ship, and for five years they
continued their residence in the colony. On May 13, 1858, they left for
Wisconsin and came to Trempealeau, from there traveling on foot 34
miles to the home of Mr. Everson's cousin, John Koien, who then lived
near the Trempealeau Valley church. After remaining there one year
they moved, in April, 1859, to Ole Tappen's place in Porter Cooley, now
known as Tappen Cooley. Here they bought 80 acres of government land,
moving onto it that fall and making a home, and later adding more land
to the farm, where Mr. Everson resided up to the time of his death, Aug.
29, 1911, at the age of 79 years and 14 days. He was survived by his wife,
Helene, and four children: Mrs. Cassandra Anderson of Superior; Ebert
S. of Preston, Peter of Blair, Wis., and Mrs. Ole Dahl of Preston ; also by a
brother John, residing at White Earth, N. D., who is now dead.
Ebert S. Everson, one of the thriving agriculturists of Preston Town-
ship, is a native of Wisconsin, having been born in Springfield Township,
Jackson County, Oct. 24, 1858, son of Syver and Helene (Pederson) Ever-
son. He was reared to agricultural endeavor and to that line of work has
since given his attention. For seventeen seasons he devoted his time to
threshing, and for thirteen years he conducted two cream routes. In 1887
he purchased 40 acres of his father's farm, and to this he has since added
until he now owns 186 acres of fertile and highly improved land in sec-
tions 26, 27 and 34, Preston Township. He has christened his place the
"Fairview Farm," and here he now carries on general farming and dairy-
ing with good financial results. Mr. Everson is a director in the Preston
Creamery Company and a stockholder in the First National Bank of Blair.
For three years he did good service as town supervisor, and for twelve
years as school clerk. He is a charter member of Camp No. 2576, Modern
660 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Woodmen of America at Blair. Mr. Everson was married June 4, 1884, to
Anna Kjelson, who was born in Pierce County, Wisconsin, Feb. 14, 1861,
daughter of Arne and Karen (Pederson) Kjelson, natives of Norway, the
latter of whom died in 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Everson have a family of five
children: Sevilla, who died when 10 days old; Mabel Elvira, born July 1.3,
1888, who graduated from the Blair high school with the class of 1907 and
has been a teacher for nine years ; Alice Selmine, born April 21, 1891, who
graduated from the Blair high school with the class of 1910, and was
a teacher for seven years; Elmer Alfred, born April 18, 1894, who is a
student in the agricultural college at Onalaska, Wis., and resides at home,
and Myrtle Constance, born Aug. 16, 1896, who graduated from Blair high
school with the class of 1915 and resides at home. The family are mem-
bers of the United Norwegian Church, of which Mr. Everson is a trustee.
Frederick C. Steig, proprietor of Steig farm of 200 acres in sections
23 and 24, town 23 north, range 7 west. Hale Township, belongs to that
class of hardy and industrious Norwegian farmers who have done so much
to build up and develop the resources of Trempealeau County. His birth
took place in Biri, Norway, April 1, 1866, his parents being Christian F.
and Ingeborg (Anderson) Steig. The father, who was born at Biri, Nor-
way, March 11, 1839, emigrated with his family to the United States in
1866, locating in Dane County, Wisconsin, where he remained about two
years. In 1868 he came to Trempealeau County, settling on the farm now
owned and operated by his son Frederick C. Here he resided for some 42
years, dying June 25, 1910, after a long career of agricultural activity,
during which time he greatly improved his farm, becoming a prosperous
citizen of his township. His wife Ingeborg, who was born in Norway,
Dec. 8, 1842, is still living and resides with her son Frederick, subject of
this sketch. The latter was reared on the home farm and for many years
assisted his father in operating it. In 1887 he became its manager and so
continued until 1896, in which year he bought the property and has since
been engaged in its further development. In 1904 he built the house in
which he and his family now reside, which is a two-story brick veneer
structure, with basement, containing eight rooms and heated by furnace.
In 1914 Mr. Steig built a frame barn, 36 by 90 by 12 feet, with an eight-
foot stone basement, having cement floors and modern equipment. He
keeps graded Durham cattle, having a herd of 35 head, of which he milks
22. Since 1908 he has been a member of the school board of his district.
Mr. Steig was married Oct. 7, 1893, to Antonette Klundby, who was born
in Biri, Norway, June 11, 1869. Her father, Hans Klundby, born in Nor-
way in 1830, came to America in 1884 with his family, settling in Hale
Township, this county. He died in 1892. His wife, whose maiden name
was Agnethe Olson, was born in Norway in 1828 and died in 1900. Mr.
and Mrs. Steig are the parents of eight children, born as follows : Hulda,
June 21, 1894; Carl, July 31, 1895; Catherine, Oct. 6, 1897; Arthur, Nov.
26, 1899 ; Florence, June 2, 1902 ; Cora, Aug. 22, 1904 ; Hazel, Dec. 17, 1906,
and Selma, Sept. 19, 1910. All the children are living at home except
Hulda, who was married July 30, 1917, to Orlando Kaas of Pigeon Town-
ship. Mr. Steig and his family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 661
Church of America. They have a wide acquaintance and are among the
substantial and prosperous families of Hale Township.
Mattis Mattison, for many years a prominent citizen of Preston Town-
ship, and the father of a number of children actively identified with the
affairs of the county, was born in Sweden in 1841, and in 1848 came to
America with his parents, who settled in Pennsylvania, in the historic
colony established by Ole Bull, the famous violin virtuoso. He was reared
in Pennsylvania, was there married, and in 1864 came to Trempealeau
County, bringing his family, and settling in sections 21 and 28, Preston
Township. Here he spent many years in cultivating the soil and develop-
ing his farm. After a long and useful life he died Dec. 19, 1909. His wife,
Anna Olson Strum, to whom he was married in Abbott Township, Potter
County, Penn., Oct. 13, 1856, was born in 1837 and survived him four years
or more. They were the parents of eight children : Martin (deceased) ;
Eline, now Mrs. John Thompson ; Martin 0. of Omaha, Ark. ; Betina, now
Mrs. John E. Pederson ; Albert (deceased) ; Ole M. of Canby, Ore. ; Maria,
now Mrs. Erick Frederickson ; Paul (deceased) ; Thomas, who farms on
the old homestead; Albert; Edwin F., postmaster of Blair, and Minnie,
now Mrs. Ole A. Thompson.
Thomas Mattison, who is successfully engaged in carrying on agri-
cultural operations in sections 28 and 21, Preston Township, was born in
this township July 31, 1876, son of Mattis and Anna (Olson-Strum) Mat-
tison. He was reared on the farm and worked for his father until he was
in his 28th year, at which time he married. In 1903 he bought a farm
situated near his father's and cultivated it until 1906, at which time he
sold it and bought the parental homestead, on which he has since resided,
and which contains 225 acres. Here he carries on general farming, keeping
a good herd of Shorthorn cattle. He also breeds Rhode Island Red chickens,
with which he has several times won prizes at poultry shows. Since 1911
he has been president of the Preston Creamery Company at Blair, and he
is also a stockholder in, and was one of the organizers of the First National
Bank of Blair. Mr. Mattison was married June 5, 1904, to Anna Peterson,
of Preston Township, who was born in that township June 1, 1882,
daughter of Sever and Olena (Andreson) Peterson. Her father, who was
born in Norway in 1852, came to America with his parents in 1864, they
settling in Salve Cooley, Preston Township, which was his home until his
death in 1908. Mrs. Peterson, who was born in Norway in 1851, is now
residing in Blair. She and her husband had a family of seven children,
their daughter Anna being their fifth child. To Mr. and Mrs. Mattison
have been born seven children: Orwin, Feb. 18, 1905; Rudolph, April 18,
1906 ; Wilfred, Dec. 10, 1907 ; Walter, Sept. 25, 1909 ; Lorenze, July 16, 1912 ;
Viola, March 20, 1914, and Cora, Jan. 23, 1916. The family are members
of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, while Mr. Mattison is also a member
of the Masonic lodge at Whitehall and of the camp of the Modern Wood-
men of America at Blair.
Ole Sylfest, a well known farmer who is engaged in operating 130
acres of land in section 11, Preston Township, was born in Vossie Cooley,
this township. May 8, 1865. His father, whose name also was Ole, was
662 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
a native of Voss, Norway, who came to the United States in 1854, locating
in Dane County, Wisconsin, from which place he came in 1860 to Trem-
pealeau County, settling in Vossie Cooley. Here he died in 1888 at the
age of 66 years, after many years hard work spent in improving his farm,
which he left in good condition. His wife, whose maiden name was Carrie
Gjerstad, died in 1907, aged 88 years. They had been the parents of five
children : Sever, now living on the old farm in Vossie Cooley ; Ingeborg, who
married Lars Johnson, a farmer of Vossie Cooley; Susan, who resides
with her brother Sever; Ole (first), who died at the age of one year, and
Ole (second), subject of this sketch. Ole Sylfest resided at home with
his parents until reaching the age of 25 years, or until the time of his mar-
riage in 1891. He then farmed the old Sylfest homestead for seven years,
subsequently going to Shepherd Cooley, where he operated a farm for 10
years, or until 1908, when he bought his present farm. This is a good
piece of agricultural property, having a nice commodious residence, a good
basement barn and all other necessary buildings, besides a full equipment
of tools and implements. Mr. Sylfest is operating the place with profitable
results and is recognized throughout the township as a thoroughly practical
farmer and a reliable citizen, one who can be depended upon to support the
interests of the community in which he lives. He has won his success in
life entirely by his own efforts, and has succeeded by exercising hard work,
frugality and good judgment. Since 1903 he has served as a member of
the township board, having been its chairman, and consequently a member
of the county board also, for eight years. He is doing good service as
clerk of his school district. In connection with his farm work he has been
interested in co-operative movements, assisted in organizing the Preston
Creamery Company, of Blair, and has been one of its directors for 10 years.
June 11, 1891, Mr. Sylfest was united in marriage with Paulina Olson, who
was born in Tromp Cooley, Jan. 30, 1868, daughter of Christian and Anna
(Peterson) Olson. Her father, who was a native of Norway, came to the
United States in 1860, and on the breaking out of the Civil War enlisted
in the Eleventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, in which he served four years.
After the war he settled in Tromp Cooley and engaged in farming there
until his death in 1879. His wife Anna now resides in Tromp Cooley, having
survived him 38 years. Mr. and Mrs. Sylfest have been the parents of
five children: Otilia, born Jan. 6, 1894, who graduated from the Blair
High School and La Crosse Normal School and has been a teacher four
years ; Ameha, born Jan. 3, 1898, who graduated from the Blair High School
and is clerk in a business house in Blair ; Myrtle, born April 3, 1900 ; Stella,
born May 21, 1905, and one that died in infancy. The family are members
of the Norwegian Lutheran church, of which Mr. Sylfest has been treasurer
since 1902.
Bernhard Hulberg, a rising young garage man of Osseo, was born in
Hale Township, this county, March 27, 1887, and was reared to farm pur-
suits, attaining a good rudimentary education in the district schools. He
became interested in the automobile industry, and seeing an opening at
Osseo, formed a partnership with his brother, Conrad, and engaged in the
garage business in this village, occupying a building which was erected
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 663
for them in 1915 by 0. C. GuUard. Mr. Hulberg is now connected with the
Amundson Garage, in whose success he is a valued factor. He was married
May 10, 1916, to Helga Brateng, who was born Dec. 22, 1891. The parents
of Mr. Hulberg were Edward and Paulina (Raa) Hulberg, natives of Nor-
way, who came to Hale Township some forty years ago, the father now
living in Osseo, and the mother having died in 1896.
Conrad Hulberg, a popular young automobile man, was born in Hale
Township, April 4, 1891. He went to the neighborhood schools, learned
farming from his father, and early became an adept in mechanics. With
his brother he engaged in the garage business at Osseo for a while, and is
now employed in the Hohmann Garage at Arcadia, where he is doing excel-
lent work. He is a good workman, a master of his trade, and a genial friend.
George W. Lamberson, proprietor of Four Pines Farm, in section 22,
Lincoln Township, was born on the old Lamberson farm in this township,
June 12, 1874, son of John C. and Lucena (Becker) Lamberson. He was
trained to agriculture in early youth and resided at home until reaching the
age of 21, at which time he bought his present farm of 160 acres, which
Is a well-improved piece of property. His residence, built in 1908, is a frame
structure of nine rooms, equipped with furnace and other modern con-
veniences, except hghts. The barn was erected in 1898 and is a frame
building 28 by 54 by 16 feet, with 4-foot basement. In 1913 he built a
solid concrete silo, 14 by 36 feet. The farm is surrounded with woven wire
fencing. Mr. Lamberson keeps Holstein cattle of high grade, having 20
head, of which he milks 15 ; also Poland-China hogs, having a herd of 60 head
and handhng 100 per year, part of which are registered and all of which
are pedigreed. Since 1910 he has served as president of the Whitehall
Creamery Association. Mr. Lamberson was married May 21, 1893, to
Claudia Williams, of Whitehall, who was born at Stevens Point, Wis., May
1, 1878, daughter of Edward J. and Rose (Mason) Williams. Her father,
formerly a member of the crew of the U. S. S. Dolphin, is now living at
Palm Beach, Cal. ; her mother died in 1890 at the age of 32 years. Mr. and
Mrs. Lamberson have had four children; Milo J., born Dec. 30, 1893;
Percy G., born July 5, 1895; Bernice, born June 21, 1902, who died at the
age of 5 months, and Crystal, born May 13, 1905. Mr. Lamberson is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been steward
since 1900. He has served as township clerk since the spring of 1914 and
is a citizen always ready to do his part in promoting the interests of the
community in which he lives.
John C. Lamberson was born in Bradford County, Pa., June 13, 1840,
and died June 20, 1917. He was a descendant of Garrit Lamberson, who
served under General Washington at the memorable Delaware campaign.
His great-grandmother was of the family of John Hart, one of the signers of
the Declaration of Independence. His grandfather, Isaac Lamberson, a vet-
eran of the War of 1812, was married to Rebecca Monroe, a first cousin of
President James Monroe. His father and mother, Orson Lamberson and
Sarah Haskins, moved to Wisconsin in 1850, his mother dying shortly after.
A Httle red schoolhouse had been erected at Kerns Corners, near Baraboo,
and his early school advantages consisted of only three years' attendance,
664 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
studying such books as were then available. Being of a studious disposition
and living to learn something of benefit each day, he later became, by obser-
vation and study, as well versed in matters of literature, science and the
business world as many men of better opportunities. At the early age of 13
years he ventured upon his own resources out into the then pioneer settle-
ments of Wisconsin and Minnesota, working as a farm hand in various places
until 1861. On Oct. 11 he went to Fort Snelling and enlisted in the Third
Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, serving until discharged on account of dis-
ability, on April 14, 1862, at Nashville, Tenn. For some time he carried mail
from Wabasha to Rochester, stopping occasionally with his father and
sisters at Greenwood Pi'airie, about 15 miles north of Rochester. At this
time occurred a sad event which always was a shade in his memory. One
August morning his sister, a child of 13 years, left with a family of friends
who were emigrating overland to Mankato. The Indian Massacre of New
Ulm is written in history. The family never reached their destination, nor
was any trace ever found to clear any doubt as to their sad disappearance.
The lure of battle called, presumably thi-ough his sturdy ancestors, and
again having fully recovered from his injury he went South to Chattanooga,
Tenn., and enlisted under Captain Godfrey, remaining until the close of the
war. He soon started North, traveling by steamboat as far as Fountain
City. On a bright June morning in 1865 he started on foot to reach his
father's cabin, on what is now the James Wright farm in Fly Creek Valley.
Stopping over night at the home of G. H. Markham, he reached his destina-
tion the following day. He was employed by Henry Freeman the balance
of the summer, and rented the farm now owned by Archie Wood in 1866.
On Aug. 8, 1867, he was married to Mrs. Lucena Becker Woolsey, and Dec.
24, 1867, they moved to the home farm one mile west of Whitehall. Here
he at once took a prominent part in the life of the community. Industrious
and hardworking, a friend of every good cause, he endeared himself to all
with whom he came in contact. By his industry and care he acquired and
improved one of the best farms in the community. He served his town in
various offices in a manner creditable alike to himself and to the taxpayers.
His home life bordered on the ideal, and the many pleasant family gather-
ings will pass on in vivid memories. When death visited the home of his
neighbor, L. D. McNitt, leaving a number of orphaned children, little 8-year-
old Gertrude was admitted into the family circle. On account of advanced
age and failing health he retired from the strenuous work of the farm and
removed with his wife to Winona, Minn., on March 18, 1902, where they
resided in their pleasant home at 1066 West Seventh Street. He left a wife
and step-daughter, Ella, wife of A. R. Warren ; three sons. Dr. A. J. Lamber-
son, George W. Lamberson, L. H. Lamberson, and a daughter, Bernice, Mrs.
Fred W. Lowe.
Amund Garthus is one of the leading citizens of Independence, and has
been intimately associated with its business, political and social life for
nearly 40 years. In building up a successful business he has assisted in the
general development of the village, but the work by which he will be longest
remembered is his civic service. The municipal improvements of the vil-
lage have been his especial hobby, and he has given much of his spare time
MR. AND MRS. FREDERICK SEILER
C. F. W. SEILER AND FAMILY
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 665
and all of his influence, to bring some of these improvements about. For
no less than 17 years he was president of the village council, and for 15 years
he served on the school board, a long record of public work worthily and
efficiently performed. He was born in Valders, Norway, Oct. 4, 1852, son
of Harold and Karen (Rustebakke) Garthus. He was reared to manhood
in the old country, and in 1880 set out for the United States. Sept. 14
of that year he reached Independence, where he obtained work as clerk in a
store and was thus occupied for about nine months. He then entered into
partnership with Henry Hanson and bought the store of 0. P. Larson,
which they conducted for two years and a half under the style of Hanson
& Garthus. Subsequently Mr. Garthus conducted the business alone until
1884, when the store was destroyed by fire. In the fall of 1885 he started
another store with J. A. Johanssen and was associated with him until the
spring of 1889, at which time he bought the entire business and has since
operated it alone. He has built up a good patronage and is doing a suc-
cessful business. In 1901 he rebuilt the store, now having a two-room brick
building, two stories and basement, measuring 42 by 70 feet. He and his
family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church, he having been
secretary of the Independence congregation for many years. Mr. Garthus
was married Aug. 13, 1887, to Susanna Torgerson, of Vernon County, Wis.,
who was born in that county Dec. 9, 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Garthus have had
six children : Harold 0., born May 23, 1888, who is manager of his father's
store; Samuel C, who died in 1907 at the age of 17 years; Lilhan T., born
February 18, 1892, who is a bookkeeper in her father's store ; Ira B., born
Sept. 18, 1894, and Adam S., born Nov. 26, 1897, who are employed in the
store, and Arthur W., who died in infancy. Harold Garthus, father of
Amund Garthus, was born Feb. 6, 1802, and died Oct. 12, 1880. He was
married Nov. 12, 1836, to Karen Rustebakke, who was born Sept. 2, 1819,
and died Oct. 16, 1891. Ole Forgerson, father of Mrs. Garthus, was born
and reared in Norway, came to America in 1850, settled in Dane County, this
State, moved to Vernon County in 1852, and there devoted his life to farm-
ing, dying at Independence in the spring of 1901, at the age of 86 years, his
good wife, Sigri Midtveit, dying in 1896 at the age of 77 years.
C. F. W. Seiler, better known locally as Will Seller, is one of the thriving
farmers of Hale Township, being proprietor of Plainview Stock Farm of 320
acres, comprising the north half of section 13, town 23 north, range 8 west.
He is a native of Wisconsin, having been born at Cream, Buffalo County,
Dec. 9, 1871. His parents were Frederick and Frederika (Bade) Seiler,
the father born in Mecklenburg, Germany, in 1844, and the mother in
Germany in 1847. Frederick Seiler emigrated to the United States in the
year 1869, locating at Fountain City, Wis., where he worked out and rented
farms until 1880. He then bought the north half and northeast quarter of
section 13, Hale Township, residing on and cultivating that farm until 1904,
when he took up his residence in Whitehall. Here he died in 1909. His
wife survived him some years, passing away in the spring of 1915. They
were the parents of three children : C. F. W. Albert, who died in infancy,
and Paulina. "Will" Seiler was reared on the parental homestead and
worked for his father until 1900, which was the year in which he purchased
666 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
his present farm. Since then he has made some valuable improvements
on it, in 1907 building his present residence, a 10-room, two-story, frame
house, with basement, furnished with acetylene lights and running water.
The barn was put up in 1905, and is 36 by 74 by 18 feet, with a cement floor
basement, and has similar lighting and water facilities to the house.
Mr. Seller raises Shorthorn cattle, having 80 head of high graded animals,
and milking 25 ; also graded Shropshire sheep, of which he has 50 head ; and
White Plymouth Rock chickens. His farm is well fenced with woven wire,
its general appearance showing thrift and prosperity. Mr. Seller is also a
stockholder in the Farmers' Exchange Bank, of Osseo ; the Pigeon Grain and
Stock Company and the Whitehall Hospital. Mr. Seller was married May
20, 1899, to Lena Sielaff, who was born in Lincoln Township, Trempealeau
County, Wis., April 2, 1878, her parents being Reinhold and Wilhelmina
(Schwolon) Sielaff. Four children have been born to them : Louise, May
4, 1900 ; Clarence, Feb. 15, 1901 ; Ida, July 2, 1902, and Esther, Sept. 13,
1905. Mr. Seller and his family are members of the German Lutheran
church, of which he is also a trustee. He has served as township treasurer
for two years and since 1908 has been a director and treasurer of the school
board of District No. 1.
Samuel Gunderson, proprietor of the Pleasant Hill Farm, section 22,
Sumner ToVnship, is a native of this county, has spent his life on his
present farm, and has served his township as clerk since 1910 and his
school district as clerk and director. He was born Sept. 12, 1875, was
reared to agricultural pursuits, attended the district school, and in 1900
rented the home farm, which he bought in 1906. In carrying on general
agricultural operations he has been very successful. By his wife, Hannah
Amundson, whom he married May 2, 1906, he has five children: Helen,
born March 27, 1907, died Aug. 12, 1917 ; Thomas, born Dec. 3, 1908; Ruth,
born May 30, 1912 ; Sigvald, born Nov. 29, 1915, and Helen Almira, born
July 15, 1917. Mrs. Gunderson was born in Sumner Township Aug. 31,
1875, daughter of Halvor and Ragnild (Hougen) Amundson, who came to
America in 1869, located in Dane County, Wis., and three years later settled
in Sumner Township, this county, the father, who was born in 1830, dying
in 1907, and the mother, who was born in 1835, dying in 1913.
Torger Gunderson came to Trempealeau County in 1874, and located
on a farm of 160 acres in section 22, Sumner Township, which he operated
until 1900, when he rented it to his son Samuel, the fourth of his 12 children
(who purchased it in 1906) , and retired to a farm of 120 acres in section
28, in the same township, where he now lives. He was born in Norway,
Feb. 20, 1846, came to America in 1869, and lived in Vernon County, this
State, five years before coming to this county. His wife, Randi Simenson,
was born in Norway, Dec. 12, 1846.
Frank M. Smith, stock dealer and agi'iculturist, of Osseo, is one of the
prominent men in the community. He helped organize the State Bank of
Osseo, has been one of its directors for many years, was its first depositor,
and has been its president since 1912. He assisted in the organization of
the Osseo Telephone Company, and is now a director and assistant manager
of it. He has been a trustee of the Trempealeau County Asylum since its
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 667
establishment in 1900, and for a number of years served as secretary of the
State Association of County Asylum Trustees and Superintendents. For
several years he has been clerk of the school board of Osseo, and was one
of the active promoters of the building of the new modern Lincoln Hill
High School, which now adorns the village. In rehgious work he is also
active, and has been trustee of the Congregational church for some time.
His fraternal relations are with the Masonic order and the Modern Wood-
men. Mr. Smith was born at Ithaca, Wis., Nov. 1, 1864, son of Mathias M.
and Elizabeth M. (Thomas) Smith. His education was received in the
district school of Neptune, and the high schools of Sextonville and Richland
Center. With this preparation he taught for three years at Ithaca and
Cazenovia, Wis. In June, 1889, he came to Osseo, and for some years
operated a livery stable and meat market. Selling the hvery business, he
purchased a farm near Osseo, and another meat market in Fairchild, Wis.,
operating the two markets and doing an extensive business in live stock
shipping for many years. He was married Jan. 1, 1892, to Florence Newell,
daughter of George F. and Harriet R. (Sylvester) Newell, the former of
whom, a miller, came to Osseo in 1880, and died in 1895, 14 years after the
decease of his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three children: Cecile
Harriet, married to Earl Johnson, of Augusta ; Margaret E. and Newell M.,
who are at home with their parents. Miss Margaret is a graduate of the
Austin High School, of Chicago, and Master Newell is a boy of 14 in the
Osseo High School. Mrs. Smith has been and is active in church and social
work, and has shared her husband's enthusiasm for better schools and
better homes for Osseo. Their home is a hospitable one of culture and
refinement, from which emanates a splendid influence for good. Mathias
M. Smith was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., came to Wisconsin and
located in Richland County in 1854, farmed there until 1900, then came to
Osseo, and died here in 1906, his wife dying in 1910.
Robert C. Field, a sturdy pioneer of this county, was born in Cairo,
Greene County, N. Y., May 6, 1804, son of Robert B. and Sally (Austin)
Field. He grew to manhood in his native State, became a leading man in
his community, and did distinguished service in the New York Assembly
in 1844. In 1849 he came to Wisconsin, and located in Richland County.
Here his former reputation preceded him, and 10 years after his arrival
he was sent to the Wisconsin Assembly. After completing his duties at
the State capital, he came to Trempealeau County, and located on section
16, in Sumner Township. As before, he speedily became a leader among
his fellows, and in 1874 he was sent to the State Senate. While conducting
his farm, he bought and sold cattle and also dealt in real estate. He died
June 16, 1876, sincerely honored and mourned. Mr. Field was married Jan.
1, 1837, to Harriet M. Graham, who died a few months after their marriage.
April 1, 1838, he married May Stoddard, who was born Nov. 3, 1815, and
died Jan. 2, 1901, a daughter of Neri and Triphena (Beebe) Stoddard. Mr.
and Mrs. Field had seven children : Harriet, who married E. S. Hotchkiss ;
Stoddard, a prominent man of Osseo; Robert D., Francis E., Horace A.,
Hiram H. and Mary E., who married C. D. Van Hoesen. All are dead except
Stoddard.
668 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Stoddard Field, one of the leading men of Osseo, has been an important
factor in the upbuilding of the community. He has taken a deep intei*est
in all the big enterprises of his day, has led an active life, and has been
a useful and worthy citizen. He was born at Cairo, Greene County, N. Y.,
Aug. 19, 1842, son of Robert C. and Mary (Stoddard) Field, the pioneers.
For many years he lived on the home farm near Osseo, carrying on agricul-
tural operations while engaged extensively in stock dealing, and also
handling considerable real estate. For a time he was a merchant at Osseo.
In connection with his stock buying, he held for a considerable period the
contract for furnishing meat for woodsmen in Northern Wisconsin. Some-
times he bought, killed and dressed as high as 100 head of cattle a day, to
be shipped to Ashland, Wis., from which point it was distributed. Mr.
Field is now living a retired life in his pleasant home in Osseo, where he is
deeply beloved by all who know him. Mr. Field was married Jan. 1, 1871,
to Martha E. Robbins, a teacher in Eau Claire, born in Marquette County,
Wis., Feb. 25, 1850, daughter of E. W. and Laura (Pond) Robbins. E. W.
Robbins was born in Lennox, N. Y., Feb. 24, 1821, and was married in 1846
to Laura Pond, who was born in Camden, N. Y. They came to Marquette
County, Wis., in 1843, and to Eau Claire County in 1854, farming three
miles east of Eau Claire until his death, Feb. 20, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Field
have two children: Leslie H., born Nov. 19, 1871, farms near Osseo.
Clarence W., born Feb. 8, 1874, is a lumber dealer in Osseo.
Anton Senty, vice-president of the State Bank of Independence, was
born in Buffalo County, Wis., Oct. 4, 1865. He is a son of John George and
Margaret (Gasner) Senty. The father was born in Switzerland and came
to the United States in 1849, settling in Sauk County, Wis., where he was
engaged in farming. In 1857 he removed to Buffalo County, where the rest
of his life was spent, as he died in Montana Township, that county, in 1879,
at the age of 53 years. His wife Margaret died in 1913 at the age of 75.
Anton Senty resided on the home farm until the age of 25 years. He
acquired a good education, attending Gale College, at Galesville, after gradu-
ating from the Arcadia High School, and subsequently taking the regular
course at the Winona Normal School. He then taught five winters in the
public schools. While living on the farm he served as town clerk of Montana
Township. In 1892 he became bookkeeper for John Sprecher, in whose
employ he continued until 1897. In that year he and Mr. Sprecher organ-
ized the Sprecher & Senty Bank, a private institution, which later became
the State Bank of Independence. Of this he became cashier and was also
the practical manager, Mr. Sprecher being president. In 1913 Mr. Senty
was elected vice-president, in which position he is still serving. He is also
a stockholder in three other banking institutions and in the Sprecher Lum-
ber Company. Since 1905 he has served as treasurer of the board of educa-
tion of Independence. As a business man he is progressive, with a con-
servatism that avoids taking doubtful risks. The institution of which he is
one of the leading officers is prospering and gradually increasing in strength
and importance owing to the wise management of himself and his associates.
Mr. Senty was united in marriage, Jan. 25, 1900, to Nellie Lockway, of Inde-
pendence, a daughter of Michael and Sena (Severson) Lockway. Her
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PETER NELTON AND FAMILY
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 669
father, who was engaged in the grain business, died in 1908 at the age of
62 years. He is survived by his wife, who is now 62 years old and resides
in Independence. Mr. and Mrs. Senty have had six children, two of whom
died in infancy. Those living are : Lester A., who was born May 19, 1903;
Margaret S., born April 15, 1909; Dorothy N., born Nov. 29, 1913, and
Imogene, born Feb. 13, 1917. The family faith is that of the Methodist
Episcopal church.
Peter Nelton. Few names are better known in Trempealeau County
than that of the subject of this sketch, who, besides operating a small but
well-improved farm in section 33, Chimney Rock Township, has for many
years been intimately connected with public affairs and is a leading member
of the Democratic party in this section. He was born in Schleswig-Holstein,
Germany, Oct. 13, 1853, son of Mads and Mary Nelton. His mother died in
1860, in her native land, and the father, coming to America in 1869, died at
Dubuque, Iowa, the same year at the age of 57 years. Peter Nelton did not
come to this country until 1872, and then he settled at Topeka, Kan., where
he obtained employment on the railroad and was thus occupied for two
years. At the end of that time he came to Trempealeau County, Wis., and
located in Arcadia, where he worked as lumberman and clerk until 1876.
From that time until 1879 he resided in Borst Valley, being employed on a
farm and then purchased his present place in section 33, Chimney Rock
Township. The farm contains 40 acres, the land being fertile and the
buildings neat and substantial. Mr. Nelton is president of the creamery
company at Independence. Aside from the duties connected therewith, and
the management of his farm, he has for a long period devoted a large part
of his time to the public service, for 20 years having been chairman of the
township board and a member of the county board by virtue of that office.
He was also clerk of the school board 18 years ; chairman of the county Dem-
ocratic committee three years, and in the office of the Railway Commission at
Madison from 1891 to 1895. In 1911 and 1912 he served as a member of the
Wisconsin Assembly. In all these various positions Mr. Nelton has shown
himself an efficient and conscientious public servant, familiar with local
conditions, loyal to his constituents and progressive in spirit and action when
changes were needed in the laws or in their application. That he has gained
the confidence of his fellow citizens is attested by the fact that he has been
so continuously in public life, having advanced usually from lower to higher
positions. He is a member of the Masonic lodge in Arcadia and also of the
Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Nelton has enjoyed the comforts and
shared the responsibilities of domestic life for over 40 years, having been
married Nov. 1, 1876, to Mary Olson, who was born in Denmark, May 28,
1844. He and his wife are the parents of three children : Mamie is now a
teacher, having been a student in the University of Wisconsin. Nora is a
teacher in Chimney Rock Township. Earl was an attorney at Grand Rapids,
Wis., for two years. He is now in the United States service, having been
made a lieutenant in the officers' reserve camp at Camp Custer, near Battle
Creek, Mich.
Judson A. Palmer, M. D., one of the leading physicians and most
influential citizens of Trempealeau County, was born near Bothwell,
670 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Ontario, Canada, June 9, 1868, son of Gideon A. and Jane (Wilson) Palmer.
The father, who was born in Nova Scotia in 1832, was a farmer by occupa-
tion ; he died at Bothwell, Ontario, Oct. 4, 1908 ; his wife, who was born
in Bothwell in 1838, died there Feb. 7, 1912; they had a family of eight
children, aU bom in Bothwell : Emily, born in 1864, and now Mrs. Joseph
McAuslin of Bothwell ; Hiram W., born in 1866, who is engaged in farming
near Bothwell ; Judson A., subject of this sketch ; Spurgeon, born in 1870,
who is a traveling salesman residing at La Crosse, Wis. ; Alexander, born
in 1878, who is a farmer living near Bothwell; Fannie, born in 1884, who is
residing at the old home in Bothwell; Eliza, born in 1886, who resides in
Ontario, and George, born in 1891, who is an expert machinist, making his
home in Bothwell. Both Eliza and Fannie are unmarried. Judson A.
Palmer came to the United States in 1887 and entered the University of
Michigan at Ann Arbor, from the medical department of which he was
graduated in 1890. In the same year he began medical practice at Foston,
Minn., but after remaining there one month he removed to Red Wing,
Minn. In July, 1891, he came to Arcadia, where he built up a good repu-
tation throughout this part of the county as physician and surgeon. Dr.
Palmer was appointed local medical examiner for all the old line insurance
companies represented in this section, and also for a number of fraternal
lodges and orders, to which he himself belongs. He has been a Chapter
Mason since 1896, a Knight Templar since 1911, a member of the Con-
sistory and the Shrine since 1914. The other lodges or orders of which
he is a member are: The Eastern Star, Independent Order of Foresters,
Yeomen, Woodmen of the World, Modern Woodmen of America, Knights
of the Maccabees, Beavers, Knights of Pythias and Elks. For several years
he has been a member of the county board and has served in several local
offices. Aug. 6, 1907, he enlisted in the United States service, received a
commission as first Ueutenant and was sent to Ft. Riley, Kansas.
March 27, 1895, Dr. Palmer was united in marriage with Alice M.,
daughter of Daniel and Florence (Caldwell) Bigham of Arcadia Town-
ship, who were among the earliest settlers of Trempealeau County. Dr.
and Mrs. Palmer have one son, Donald, born on Aug. 22, 1911. Mrs. Palmer
is active and prominent in various society circles, being a member of the
Eastern Star and a past member of the Grand Chapter, Eastern Star.
She is also interested in educational matters and is now serving as secre-
tary of the county committee on common schools, having been appointed
by the county board.
Halvor K. Moen, a retired farmer residing at Arcadia "Old Town," a
mile east of the present village of Arcadia, was born in the province of
Christiansand-Telemarken, Norway, April 4, 1849, son of Kittle and Turi
Moen. In 1866, at the age of 17 years, he came to America, landing at
Quebec, Canada, from which city he journeyed by train to Windsor, cross-
ing into the United States at Detroit, and proceeding by train to Chicago.
Here an attempt was made to forward him, with others of the party to
Milwaukee by boat, but as their tickets called for rail transportation they
stood on their rights and came by train to Dane County, Wisconsin, locat-
ing near Madison. Young Moen, who had neither money nor ticket, passed
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 671
as a member of another family. After staying in Dane County until
November, he left for Prairie du Chien, taking boat from the latter place
to La Crosse and proceeding on foot the rest of the way to Trempealeau
County, on his arrival here locating in Holcomb Coulie. He worked at
whatever he could find to do for a number of years thereafter, boating on
the Mississippi River, helping in the Minnesota harvest fields and lumber-
ing in the woods during the winters, for many seasons running logs on
Black River. In 1870 he sent to Norway for his parents, buying for them
a homesteader's right to 120 acres in Holcomb Coulie, where they settled
on their arrival. In 1875 he bought 200 acres of partly improved land
in Thompson's Valley, three miles from Arcadia in Arcadia township, on
which land stood a small log house. This property he rented till 1883 and
then began working it for himself. On March 12, 1885, Mr. Moen married
Carrie Hanson, daughter of Sever and Torbjor Hanson of Thompson's
Valley, who was born in Norway and when a child of two years came to
America with her parents, they settling in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin.
Until 1899 he and his wife resided in the log cabin on the farm and then
Mr. Moen built a good residence — a two-story, brick-veneer house of nine
rooms. In 1890 he built his first barn, six years later erecting a modern
frame barn, 24 by 44 feet, with full basement. He has also put up a
granary and machine shed combined, a hog house, poultry house, spring-
house and other necessary or useful buildings. He continued to improve
and cultivate the farm until 1916, in which year he retired to his present
residence, where he is passing the time in ease and comfort, the reward
of many years of strenuous exertion. He is a stockholder in the Western
Wisconsin Telephone Company, the Arcadia Shipping Association, the Inde-
pendent Cattle Company of North Dakota, and the Independent Harvester
Company of Piano, 111. His financial interests in North Dakota and Mon-
tana are quite extensive. He and his wife have reared a family of ten
children: Thomas, residing in Montana, unmarried; Rena, living in Mon-
tana and the owner of a claim there ; Thea, who resides at Devils Lake,
N. D. ; Clara, residing at home, unmarried ; Helma, unmarried, who gradu-
ated from the Arcadia high school and the normal school at Mayville,
N. D., and has taught school for the past five years ; Sarah, a graduate of
the Arcadia high school and of the La Crosse normal school, who is unmar-
ried, and is teaching in Montana, where she owns a claim; Gelena, who
married Gustav Timboe and resides at Devils Lake, N. D. ; Otto, who is
a student at the Wisconsin Business University, La Crosse, Wis.; Carrie,
a student in the Arcadia high school, and Carl, attending the Arcadia school,
both residing at home. Mr. Moen and his family are members of the
Tamarack Lutheran Congregation. He is a charter member and was one
of the founders of the church located in Norway Coolie, south of his old
homestead. In politics he is a Democrat. He served as township assessor
two years, was tax collector a number of years, treasurer of the school
district No. 7 for several years, and clerk of the board one year, rendering
eflScient service in these various offices.
Michael English, insurance and real estate man of Arcadia, was born
in County Tipperary, Ireland, April 3, 1850, son of Daniel and Margaret
672 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
(Hawley) English, who brought him to this country that same year. He
spent his early boyhood in various places in Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
Connecticut and Wisconsin, and was brought to Arcadia Township, this
county, as a boy of fourteen. He was reared to farm pursuits, taught
school four years, was undersheriff six years, and has been in his present
line of endeavor since 1874. For two years he was town treasui-er. Mr.
English was married Jan. 25, 1876, to Anna Glennon, who was born Nov.
13, 1857, daughter of Redmond and Margaret Glennon. This union has
been blessed with five children : Edward G., Ralph, Margaret, Redmond F.
and Mark. Edward G. graduated from the Arcadia high school, and from
the medical college of the University of Wisconsin, and is now a physician
in Pachuca, Mexico, in which country he has lived for the past nine years.
Ralph died at the age of nine years. Margaret is the wife of George H.
Barry, implement dealer of Arcadia. Redmond F. graduated from the
Arcadia high school and the University of Washington and is now in part-
nership with his father. Mark has also studied engineering in the Univer-
sity of Washington.
Daniel English, for many years a well-known citizen of Trempealeau
County, was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, May 19, 1819, and there
spent his youth. As a young man he married Margaret Hawley. They
came to America in 1850, and to secure funds for their trip to the Missis-
sippi Valley worked in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
Reaching Wisconsin they worked for a while in Milwaukee and La Crosse.
In 1864 they came to Trempealeau County and settled on a farm in the
southern part of Arcadia Township. Through thrift, economy and hard
labor he soon developed a fine farm, and became one of the substantial
men of the community. In 1889 he moved his family to Arcadia Village,
and there resided until his death, in 1898. He had been a true husband,
a kind father, and loyal friend and a good citizen, and his loss was sin-
cerely mourned. Daniel Enghsh and Margaret Hawley were married April
5, 1848. Mrs. Hawley was born May 28, 1824, and proved an able help-
mate of her husband through all the changing fortunes of life. Mr. and
Mrs. English were the parents of seven children : Michael, John, May, Ellen,
Edward G., Daniel and William T. Michael and John live in Arcadia. May
and Edward G. live in Mt. Vernon, Wash. Daniel lives in British Columbia.
Ellen, who became Mrs. Egan, and Dr. W. T., foi-merly of Winona, are dead.
Noah D. Comstock, a pioneer settler of Arcadia, long passed away, but
whose memory will remain green for many years to come, was born in Low-
ville, Lewis County, N. Y., Nov. 22, 1832. In his native town he received a
common school and partially academic education. When 18 years of age he
moved to Calhoun County, Mich., and one year later to Indiana, where he
taught school until 1853. In that year he crossed overland the great plains
and mountains to the gold mines of Califoi-nia. After working in the gold
mines for two years, he returned east as far as Wisconsin and in 1855 be-
came one of the first settlers of Arcadia. He was town assessor in 1858,
county treasurer in 1860, and re-elected in 1862 and 1864, was a member
of the county board in 1868, and a member of the assembly from Trempea-
leau County in 1872, 1874, 1875 and 1876 ; he also held other local offices
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY G73
and was elected state senator in 1882. In 1868 Mr. Comstock was united in
marriage to Ellen Comstock, a union of the happiest and brightest order,
lasting lor moi-e than 20 years. But in time came the inevitable end, and
after a long, patient and resolute struggle against the messenger of death,
Noah Durham Comstock passed away on the morning of the 6th of June,
1890. His death was regretted by all who knew him, for he possessed all
the characteristics of a true and noble gentleman. A man of great inde-
pendence of character and stern integrity, united with rare ability, he had a
warm heart and a remarkably unselfish and self-sacrificing disposition, being
ever ready to lend his counsel and assistance to those in need. In manner
he was modest and retiring. Void of all superstitious fear of death, his
main study was to learn how to live — how to utilize his narrow span of
time here in the faithful performance of Ufe's daily and hourly duties,
indulging in no vain speculations as to the shadowy future. Like the
Hebrew sage, of whom Longfellow speaks in one of his shorter poems, he
sought to be remembered "as one who loved his fellow men." During his
last sickness he was gentle and patient, and greatly appreciated all that
was done for him. He suif ered much, but never complained, though he was
conscious to the last, and when death came it was as a peaceful sleep. At
his own request, his funeral services were conducted by Judge A. W. New-
man, of Trempealeau, and his remains were followed from his residence to
the village cemetery by a large concourse of friends and neighbors who had
come from nearly every part of the county to pay a last sad tribute of respect
to one whom in life they had learned to honor and esteem. To his wife and
children he left the fragrance of an exemplary life and the honor of a
stainless name.
James Gaveney was one of the founders and pioneers of Trempealeau
County, his personality was woven into much of the warp and woof of the
county's early history, and his name was inseparably connected with its
destinies for many years. He not only developed one of the best farms in
the county, but he likewise became interested in a number of important
business ventures, and his varied activities included the milling, lumbering
and cheese-making industries. James Gaveney was born at Bally Bay,
County Monaghan, Ireland, April 5, 1825. Left an orphan at an early age,
he was reared to farm pursuits, and upon attaining his majority, went to
Dublin, where for some years he was employed as a member of the police
force. While thus engaged he constantly heard stories of the wonderful
possibilities offered to men of industry and intelligence in the United States,
and he accordingly determined to try his fortunes in the new world. The
opportunity came in 1848, when, with Httle more than sufficient funds to pay
his passage, he set out for America. After landing, he found his way to
Mineral Point, this State, where for a while he was engaged in lead mining.
In 1852, when the excitement attending the gold discovery in California
was at its height, he joined Captain Sublette's company and crossed the
plains to the Pacific coast. His first location in that State was at French
Corral, where he remained one year, and was afterward at Forest City about
four years. At French Corral he formed the acquaintance of Noah Com-
stock, another pioneer and prominent citizen of Trempealeau County, who
674 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
preceded Mr. Gaveney here by a year, and became one of the first settlers in
the now historic "Bishop Colony," of which he was a member. The circum-
stances of the meeting of these two sturdy frontiersmen was most peculiar,
and furnished them with much amusement in after years. According to
the story which, with many a chuckle, they often told, they met as strangers,
and there arose between them a most serious dispute as to the title of a
certain claim which grew so violent in its character that revolvers were
drawn, and the quarrel seemed likely to terminate seriously to one or both of
the parties. But better counsels prevailed, and they agi-eed to work the
claim in partnership. As these gentlemen came to know each other better,
and to appreciate each other's better qualities, a friendship was formed
which only ceased with death. Their attachment was ever a subject of
remark.
Mr. Gaveney returned from California via the Isthmus of Panama, and
came to Trempealeau County from Mineral Point in 1856 ; he first purchased
40 acres of land, which forms a part of the present homestead of the family ;
and he afterward increased his possessions until he owned many hundred
acres. His Uf e was devoted mainly to agricultural pursuits, and he was ever
a well-known and influential citizen. In 1879, in company with Mr. Com-
stock, he bought the Independence Mill at Independence, where they did
quite an extensive business ; their output averaged about $60,000 per annum.
They were also engaged in the lumber business at the same place. Person-
ally, Mr. Gaveney was a man of more than average physical strength, and
possessed great will power. He was prominent in whatever tended to pro-
mote the best interests of the community in which he lived, and possessed
the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens. In his political affiliations
he was a Republican. His tastes were opposed to the seeking of political
preferment, but he was prevailed upon to accept a number of public oifices,
including the chairmanship of his township, and other positions, and from
June, 1876, until July, 1885, he was postmaster, resigning his position by
reason of advancing years. He was a successful man, and deservedly so, and
at his death, which occurred June 21, 1889, the community was bereft of one
of its most worthy citizens. He left behind him a record worthy of preser-
vation in the annals of his county. Mr. Gaveney was married in Arcadia,
in 1860, to Maria Martha Briggs, who was born in Vermont, June 30, 1830.
This union was blessed with three children : Charles, John C. and Mamie.
Charles was born May 27, 1861, and died Dec. 5, 1889. John C. was born
Oct. 30, 1863, and is one of the leading citizens of Arcadia. Mamie died at
the age of 11 years, in 1879. After the death of Mr. Gaveney his good wife
continued to live on the pleasant homestead near the village of Arcadia until
her lamented death, Feb. 19, 1908.
John C. Gaveney, leading attorney, former senator, member of the
Wisconsin Exemption Board, president of the Western Wisconsin Telephone
Company, president of the Ettrick & Northern Railroad Company, vice-
president of the Bank of Arcadia, owner of a modern stock farm, and promi-
nently identified with the political, economical and social life of Trempealeau
County for the past 30 years, is one of the leading citizens of Western Wis-
consin, and his name is inseparably connected with its history, as was that
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 675
of his father before him. The career which has led to these many honors
and distinctions has been a most notable one. Born on the pioneer home-
stead in this county, June 30, 1863, he was reared to sturdy boyhood, and
attended first the school at Old Arcadia, and then the school in the new
village, graduating from the Arcadia public schools with the class of 1879.
Thus prepared, he increased his educational experience by teaching for
several seasons, and then, in 1881, entered the University of Wisconsin,
graduating in the class of 1885 with the degree of B. A. Then he again
taught for a while, and subsequently entered the law department of his
alma mater, receiving his degree of LL. B. with the class of 1888. He began
the practice of his profession at Milwaukee, but a short time afterward
formed a partnership with J. 0. Raymond at Stevens Point. He was there
on the highway to success, when he was called home by the death of his
father, June 21, 1890, and the death of his brother, Dec. 5, 1889, and the
burdens of the various interests of the estate feU upon his shoulders. He
at once opened an office here, but for the first three years he was largely
engaged in operating the mill and lumber yard at Independence, and the
farms at Independence and Arcadia. He is now dean of the lawyers of
the county, he has been engaged in most of its important htigation for nearly
30 years, and he has been one of the most eloquent and able attorneys that
has ever practiced before its courts. His interest in farming has never
abated. His large tract of 500 acres near the village is one of the show
places of the county. Here he carries on general agricultural operations
along the most modern improved hnes, making a specialty of dairying and
stock raising and maintaining a fine herd of Holstein-Friesian cattle. A
tractor engine furnishes much of the motive power, and a feature of the
work on the place is the new B. L. K. milking machines, the farm being the
first in this region where such equipment was installed. The story of the
starting of the telephone line which has now become the important Western
Wisconsin Telephone Company by Mr. Gaveney and a few of his friends, as
well as the story of the Ettrick & Northern Railroad, and his shaping of its
destinies since the people of Ettrick first conceived the project is told else-
where in this work, as is also the story of the municipal improvements of
Arcadia, many of the most important of which were installed during his
terms of oflSce as village president, and all of which have been given the
benefit of his influence and enthusiasm. Since early manhood he has been
interested in politics, he has been the center of many a political fight as a
delegate to county, district and State conventions, and while he has pre-
ferred to be a power behind the office rather than to actually occupy office
himself, he has served in several important pubhc positions. His service
as state senator in 1901-1905 added materially to his influence throughout
the State. Being of a fraternal nature. Senator Gaveney has allied himself
with Arcadia Lodge, No. 201, A. F. & A. M., and with Chapter No. 76, R. A.M.
He is a lover of the out-of-doors, and aside from farming, his greatest hobby
is fishing, some of his greatest legal problems having been worked out while
he was "casting" for trout along the beautiful streams of Trempealeau
County. In personality. Senator Gaveney is of genial temperament and
tremendous energy, a polished gentleman of the old school, and much of his
67C HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
influence is reflected in the progressive spirit of the village. He is demo-
cratic and approachable, an untiring worker for every good cause or
worthy project. His beautiful home, erected on a bluff overlooking the
business section of the village, is one of the social centers of the county,
and he and Mrs. Gaveney dehght in dispensing hospitality to young and old
alike. Mr. Gaveney was married, April 9, 1890, to Isadore D. Webster, step-
daughter of Judge E. W. Keyes, of Madison. This union has been blessed
with two children : Marguerite and Stanleigh. Marguerite was born Oct.
2, 1891, graduated from the Arcadia High School, attended the University
of Wisconsin, became a proficient musician, and is now proprietor of a mil-
linery establishment in Arcadia. Stanleigh was born July 6, 1896, gradu-
ated from the Arcadia High School, where he attained considerable distinc-
tion as an athlete, and is now attending the University of Wisconsin, with a
view to later adopting his father's profession.
Albert Hess, postmaster, and editor of the Arcadia Leader, is a native
of this State, having been born in Buffalo County, Montana Township, Sept.
24, 1871, son of George and Fredericka (Beutner) Hess. George Hess was
born in Germany, came to America in 1850, lived at Cleveland, Ohio, five
years, employed as a carpenter, came to Winona, Minn., in 1855, and
located in Buffalo County in 1860, there remaining until his death in 1895
at the age of 70 years. He married in 1852 Fredericka Beutner, who was
born in Germany in 1830, came to America in 1851, and now lives in Buffalo
County at the age of 87 years. Three of the children in the family are
living. Albert Hess attended the public schools of his neighborhood, supple-
mented with courses in the high schools at Arcadia and Alma. He was
reared to farm pursuits, and remained on the home farm until 1896. Then
he was employed in the machine business at Arcadia, six years. In 1902
he entered the postal service as mail carrier on Route No. 1, out of Arcadia.
The Leader being for sale in 1904, he purchased it, and has since been its
editor and proprietor. Sept. 1, 1913, he was appointed postmaster by
President Woodrow Wilson. Previous to this for three years he had been
secretary of the Democratic County Committee. Mr. Hess was married
Jan. 1, 1896, to Clara Nickel, daughter of Fred and Ehzabeth (Fenster-
macher) Nickel, the former of whom is pastor of the Evangelical Associa-
tion church at Port Washington, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Hess have one daughter,
Ethel, born May 11, 1899, who assisted her father in the postofflce, but now
is a student at the State University at Madison, Wis.
Caspar Wohlgenant, a prosperous business man of Arcadia Village, was
born in the Tyrol, Austria, Aug. 22, 1849, son of Joseph and Catherine
(Coeb) Wohlgenant. When he was 12 years old his parents died and he
had to go to work to earn his own living. At 15 years he began to learn
the cabinetmaker's trade, finishing his apprenticeship at the age of 19.
For the next two years he traveled through Switzerland, working at his
trade. On attaining his majority he was turned over to the Austrian
government, according to the law enforcing military service, but instead
of serving he decided to come to America. Landing in New York in 1871,
he proceeded by rail to Dubuque, Iowa, where he worked two years as a
carpenter and millwright. In 1873 he went to Wabasha, Minn., finding
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 677
employment in a furniture factory there and remaining two years. Coming
to Arcadia in the fall of 1875, he entered into partnership with E. J. Tracy
in the furniture business, and this partnership was continued until the fall
of 1877, when it was dissolved, Mr. Wohlgenant buying Mr. Tracy's interest.
A few months later Mr. Wohlgenant associated himself as partner with
Peter Ley, and they continued together for two years, at the end of which
time the subject of this sketch bought out Mr. Ley and again became sole
owner of the business. During the partnership above mentioned a frame
store was built by the firm, which is now occupied by Mr. Wohlgenant's
successor. In connection with the furniture business Mr. Wohlgenant built
and operated a planing mill, and in 1896 he added a lumber business, estab-
lishing a yard in Arcadia, which he still operates. June 1, 1914, he sold his
furniture business, together with the store building, to John J. Schneider,
a son-in-law, who now operates the leading furniture business in Arcadia,
carrying a large stock. Since purchasing the business Mr. Schneider has
erected a two-story brick block, 35 by 80 feet. Mr. Wohlgenant was mar-
ried, July 22, 1878, to Mary, daughter of Peter and Catherine Ley, of Arca-
dia. He and his wife have had four children : Rosy, born in 1879, who died
in 1893 ; Mary, born Feb. 2, 1884, who is now Mrs. Harry Engeldinger, of
Durand, Wis. ; Katherine, born May 30, 1886, now Mrs. Perry Comersford,
of Chicago, 111., and Anna, born March 8, 1889, who is the wife of John J.
Schneider, of Arcadia. All these children were born in Arcadia. Mr. Wohl-
genant is a Democrat pohtically. He has served two terms as a member
of the county board, has been president of Arcadia village two terms, and
a member of the village board for many years. Aside from his lumber
business, he is a stockholder in Bank of Arcadia and also in the Western
Wisconsin Telephone Company and the Arcadia Brewery. He and his entire
family are members of the Cathohc church, and since 1914 he has belonged
to the Knights of Columbus. The family is one of the most respected in
this part of Trempealeau County.
John J. Schneider, the leading furniture dealer of Arcadia, Wis., was
born in Montana Township, Buffalo County, Wis., Jan. 17, 1886. He was
educated in the district schools of his native township, which he attended
until he was 12 years old, and from 12 to 15 continued his studies in the
German Catholic parochial school in Arcadia, and later in the Arcadia
High School. Until he was 20 years old he worked on his father's farm, sub-
sequently entering the employ of Fugina Bros. & Fertig as clerk in their
department store, and remaining with them until 1907. In 1898 his parents
moved to Arcadia from their farm in Buffalo County. It was in the winter
of 1907-08 that the subject of this sketch entered the Winona Business Col-
lege, at Winona, Minn., and he remained there until he had completed the
full business course. Then returning to Arcadia, he purchased the bakery
business of Joseph Bast, which he carried on for one year, and then sold
out. In 1909 he went to Chicago and took a course in embalming at the
Barnes School, and on his return entered the employ of Caspar Wohlgenant,
furniture dealer. Dec. 7, 1910, he bought the furniture stock of Mr. Wohl-
genant and has since been the proprietor of the business. June 1, 1914, he
bought the building occupied by Mr. Wohlgenant and in the same year
678 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
added a one-story brick block, 35 by 80 feet, thus expanding his furniture
and undertaking business, which has now reached large proportions. He
was now a man of family, having married, Sept. 4, 1912, Anna, daughter of
Caspar and Mary Wohlgenant, of Arcadia. They have one child, Ber-
nice, who was born Feb. 26, 1914. Mr. Schneider and his family are mem-
bers of the Catholic church. Since 1910 he has belonged to the Order of Red
Men, and since 1911 to the Knights of Columbus.
Matt. Scow came to Trempealeau County in 1868 and located in New-
comb's Valley, seven miles east of Arcadia Village, where he homesteaded
160 acres in section 33. The land was wild and had to be grubbed
and cleared before crops could be planted. The first home was
a small structure, 14 by 16 feet, which is now the south wing of the
present house. Additions were made from time to time until the home
is a pleasant two-story building of eleven comfortable rooms. Beginning
under the most primitive circumstances, with a yoke of oxen, and but few
tools, he gradually achieved prosperity. To his original claim he added
40 acres, thus making a farm of 200 acres, of which 150 was tilled. After
a long life, filled with busy work, he died in 1904 at the age of 72 years.
Two weeks later his wife died. They were buried in the cemetery of the
Fagerness Lutheran church, of which they were numbered among the
founders and liberal supporters. Mr. Scow was born in Norway in 1832,
there married Isabella Olson, and with her came to America in 1866, land-
ing at New York, and living near Madison, in Dane County, Wisconsin,
before coming to Trempealeau. In the family there were seven children:
Tillie, now of Minneapolis ; Minnie, now wife of C. W. Cann of Jersey City,
N. J.; Josie, now wife of M. J. Skogstad, a farmer of Blair, this county;
Ohve, now Mrs. C. J. Skogstad of Whitehall, Wis.; Ida, now Mrs. E. K.
Stutlien of Blair, Wis. ; Albert Mark, who owns the home place, and Emil,
an attorney of Bowman, N. D.
Albert Mark Scow is a native of Trempealeau County, boi'n on the
homestead in section 33, Arcadia Township, in Newcomb's Valley, Dec. 3,
1875, son' of Matt and Isabella (Olson) Scow. He was educated in the
district schools, learned farming from his father, rented the home farm
in 1901, and purchased it from his co-heirs in 1909. On this place he now
carries on general farming and dairying, owning a good herd of Holstein
and Redpoll cattle. He has improved the house and has erected a frame
barn, 36 by 80 by 14, with full basement and equipped with the James sys-
tem, stanchions and other conveniences. He has also constructed a granary,
cattle stalls, machine sheds and similar buildings. A Republican in poU-
tics, he is a public-spirited citizen. His fraternal associations are with the
Beavers at Arcadia. Mr. Scow was married Dec. 26, 1910, to Lena Erickson,
daughter of Paul and Matilda Erickson of Newcomb's Valley, and this
union has been blessed with four children: Palmer, born Nov. 4, 1904;
Raymond, born June 30, 1906; Evelyn, born Oct. 16, 1910, and Maurice
Leonard, born April 11, 1917.
George Meier, head butter maker for the Farmers Co-operative Cream-
ery Company of Arcadia, and a. man who has had a wide experience in his
line of work, was born Feb. 12, 1878, at Waumandee, Buffalo County, Wis.
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 679
His parents were Andrew and Catherine (Stauni) Meier, the father born
at Northstabl, Freiderichstadt, Germany, May 3, 1845, and the mother in
Canton Schauffhausen, Switzerland, Oct. 14, 1851. Andrew Meier came
to America in 1871, a single man, his future wife coming alone in 1873.
Both of them settled in Montana, Buffalo County, Wis., where they were
married Nov. 6, 1874. For many years Andrew Meier was engaged in
farming, being thus occupied until his death, March 14, 1891, after which
his wife came to reside in Arcadia Village, Trempealeau County. Their
children, eight in number, were: Elizabeth, born Jan. 25, 1875, who is
now the wife of Hiram Hensel of Arcadia; George, the subject of this
sketch ; Maria, born Jan. 22, 1878, now Mrs. Matt Burnie of Fairchild, Wis. ;
Katharine, born March 19, 1880, who is unmarried and has resided in New
York City for the past 18 years ; Andrew, who was born June 12, 1882, and
is now living at Wibaux, Mont. ; Anna Lena, who died in infancy ; Henry,
born Nov. 13, 1885, who is living at Fresno, Cal., and John, born Nov. 9,
1890, who is a resident of Linton, N. D. George Meier in his youth attended
the district school and the graded school at Arcadia. Relinquishing his
studies at the age of 17, he worked out on farms until 1897, at which time
he entered the Arcadia creamery as butter maker's helper, and was thus
employed until 1900. During the winter of 1899-00 he attended the short
term dairy course at Madison, Wis., and in the following spring became
head butter maker at the Arcadia creamery. In this position he continued
until 1907, when the company sold out. On the eighth of April, that year,
Mr. Meier went to Ogden, Utah, where he entered the employ of the Black-
man & Griffin Creamery Company as first butter maker. With this con-
cern he remained only until February, 1908, going then to Salt Lake City, in
the same state, where he worked as head butter maker with the Cache
Valley Condensed Milk Company. In the spring of 1909 he returned to
Arcadia, arriving home February 19, and on the following day took the
position of head butter maker with the Farmers Co-operative Creamery
Company of Arcadia, with which concern he has since remained. Mr. Meier
is also a stockholder in the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company.
Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masons, belonging to Lodge No. 201 and
Chapter No. 76 ; has been a member of the Modern Woodmen of America
since 1901, and also belongs to the Beavers. In politics he is a Republican,
but is not active pohtically. Mr. Meier was married Oct. 6, 1914, to Louise,
daughter of Thomas and Oleen Johnson of Osseo, Wis., the marriage cere-
mony taking place at Arcadia. He and his wife have three children:
Wilmar, born Nov. 12, 1905; Nolda, born Jan. 15, 1914, and Oleen, born
Jan. 13, 1916.
Jacob Hotz, a resident of Arcadia Village, is a man who has conquered
fortune by industry and perseverance in spite of adverse circumstances.
He was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, May 24, 1864, son of Adam
and Margaret E. (Sior) Hotz. His parents were both born in Germany, the
father May 8, 1834, and the mother March 26, 1837. In 1882 the family
came to America, landing in New York, from which city they proceeded
direct to Arcadia, Wis. They were very poor and the expenses of the
voyage had almost depleted their scanty resources. During the first year
680 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
in this country Adam Hotz worked at the trade of blacksmith, which he
had followed in the old country, going from place to place to find employ-
ment. In 1883 he opened a shop in Arcadia, and did general blacksmith
work, being handicapped, however, by the fact that he was unable to shoe
horses, but his skill as a lock and gunsmith was of assistance to him. He
continued in business in Arcadia until his death, which occuri'ed June 26,
1895. His wife died in 1915, aged 78 years. Jacob Hotz, who was an
only child, was 18 years old when his parents settled in Arcadia. He soon
found work on a farm and was thus occupied during the summers until he
had reached the age of 21, attending Arcadia high school in the winters.
He then went to work for Dr. George N. Hidershide, in whose employ he
continued for five years without the loss of a day. In the spring of 1890
he went to Winona, Minn., where he was employed in a greenhouse, but
stayed only a short time, as he found his pay was uncertain. Returning
to Arcadia, he again went to work for Dr. Hidershide and was there one
year. After the death of his father he was left with the care and support
of his widowed mother. In the fall of 1896 he was offered and accepted
the position of janitor in the Arcadia public schools, and although now 32
years of age, on small wages and with his mother to support, he determined
to improve his education by taking the high school course, and accord-
ingly did so, graduating in 1900 with honor at the age of 36, an example
of what may be achieved by courage and determination. A year before
he graduated he gave another proof of his courage by marrying, Aug. 17,
1899, Mary Jegi, daughter of Simon and Agnes (Dascher) Jagi of West
Arcadia, bringing her to his home. However, he had gained confidence in
himself by this time, and it is safe to say that he has never regretted what
some people might have regarded as a premature marriage. He was the
more confident, as one year after entering the high school he had laid the
foundation for future success in a business way by purchasing the old fair
ground in Arcadia, a plot of land of 17 acres, with buildings and surrounded
by a fence. From the material in the fence and buildings he erected his
present buildings — a two-story, brick veneer house of nine rooms, and a
frame barn, 24 by 48 by 20 feet, for hay and stock. In 1915 Mr. Hotz
added 14 adjoining acres to his property, having now 31 acres, all within
the village limits. He does a dairy business, keeping 12 cows and selling
the milk, also raises small fruits and keeps 50 swarms of bees, and in addi-
tion to all this is a stockholder in the Western Wisconsin Telephone Com-
pany. Some of the money for his investments was earned during his high
school period by selling nursery stock and old line life insurance. Had not
the care of his mother devolved upon him at that time he would have taken
the complete agricultural course in the Wisconsin University, as he had
taken as his motto, "It is never too late for one to learn." As it is, his
present prosperity has been well earned, and is visible in the thrifty and
flourishing appearance of his little farm. He and his wife are among the
highly respected people of the village. They have no children of their own,
but have three boys in their home whom they are taking care of and
educating. Mr. Hotz was reared in the German Lutheran faith, but when
a young man embraced the German Evangelical doctrines. His wife is also
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 681
a German Evangelical in religion. In politics Mr. Hotz is independent, vot-
ing for the man rather than for the party.
James Hanson was brought to Trempealeau County as a baby, and
has lived on his present farm in Arcadia Township since 1896. During his
residence here he has taken his part in the progress of the community by
developing a good place, and he is regarded as one of the thrifty men of
the neighborhood. He was born not far from Christiania, Norway, April
25, 1870, the son of Hans and Maren (Sorlie) Hanson. The father having
died in 1871, the mother brought her baby son to America, a few weeks
later, and took up her home with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Sorlie,
who had previously brought the other members of the family to America
and homesteaded 160 acres of land in Lake's Coulie, Arcadia Township,
this county. After Kving with her parents for a while, the young widow
married Hans Tolloken of French Creek, Newcomb's Valley, Arcadia Town-
ship. James Hanson was reared in the home of his stepfather and grand-
parents, helped about the farm and attended the district schools. At the
age of sixteen years he started out for himself and was variously employed,
working in the forests of Jackson and Clark Counties in the winters, run-
ning logs in the spring and working on farms in the summers. When he
was twenty-six years old he married and soon thereafter acquired 160
acres in Newcomb's Valley, Arcadia Township. This land had been partly
improved and a small frame house, together with a straw-covered shed
for stock had been erected. To this home he brought his bride, and began
to develop and improve the farm, which now consists of 280 acres, 120
acres having been added on the east side. Soon after moving on the place
Mr. Hanson replaced the small house with a sightly twelve-roomed house,
which is still the family home. It is connected with the neighbors' houses
by the line of the Farmers' Telephone Company, in which Mr. Hanson is a
stockholder. Other buildings have been erected as necessity has required,
until the improvements now consist of good barns, a granary, tool house,
stock sheds and the like, all in the best of condition. Running water from
sparkling springs plentifully supplies the house and barns. On this
excellent place Mr. Hanson carries on general farming and stockraising,
having a good grade of Shorthorn cattle. In addition to this he has operated
a threshing outfit for the past twenty-five years. Mr. Hanson was mar-
ried May 21, 1896, to Anna Christianson, the daughter of Arndt and Caro-
line Christenson of Preston Township, and this union has been blessed with
eight children : Alfred, born Jan. 3, 1897 ; William, Dec. 29, 1898 ; Corneha
(deceased) ; Arthur, Feb. 6, 1904 ; Isabelle, June 6, 1906 ; Myrtle, Jan. 23,
1909 ; Hazel, Jan. 23, 1911 ; James, May 4, 1914. The family attends the
Fagerness Lutheran church, only a few miles away.
August F. Hensel, one of the hardy pioneers of Arcadia Township, now
passed away, was born in Prussia, Germany, Oct. 17, 1834. His father,
John F. Hensel, was born in Prussia in 1803, his mother being born in that
country in 1801. In 1839 they came to America with their family of five
children, sailing from Hamburg in the spring and landing in New York
after a tedious voyage of three months in a slow sailing vessel. From New
York they went direct to Buffalo, where they remained two years, John F.
682 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Hensel finding employment on the Erie canal. In 1841, when the subject
of this sketch was seven years old, they migrated to Milwaukee Township,
Wisconsin, which place was their home until about 1847, in which year
they came to Granville Township, where the father had secured a piece of
land, and this, with the help of his sons, he improved. In 1861 the family
returned to Milwaukee, where John F. Hensel engaged in the house moving
business. That city remained his home for the rest of his Ufe and he died
there May 29, 1886, at the advanced age of 83 years. His wife, whose
maiden name is not now remembered, died in Milwaukee in February, 1881,
at the age of 80. There were seven children in their family: Caroline,
Edward, Julius, Matilda, August F., John A. and Charles A. John Alfred
was born on the voyage to America and was named after the ship on which
he was born. Charles Albert, the youngest son, was born in Milwaukee
in 1847. August F. Hensel, while a youth hving in Milwaukee, began indus-
trial life as clerk in a store, and was thus occupied until May 5, 1854, at
which time he removed to Madison, Wis., and continued as a resident of
that county until he came to this part of the state. While on a visit to his
parents in Milwaukee he learned something about the natural resources of
Buffalo County, and by the advice of his father decided to locate there.
His father gave him $300 with which to purchase land, and with his brother
Julius he at once set out for Buffalo County. The journey was made by
way of Chicago, thence by rail to Dunleith (now East Dubuque) and from
there by steamboat to La Crosse. At the latter place he secured the serv-
ices of a surveyor and proceeded to Buffalo County, where he made locations.
Subsequently he returned to the same county with a wagon and a pair of
ponies, then, selling his outfit, went back to Milwaukee, but in the same
fall returned to Buffalo County with an ox team and wagon. He was accom-
panied by his brother, John A., and by Thomas Simpson, William Johnson
and two Piper brothers. The Piper brothers, however, left the party at
Sparta. All the members of the Buffalo County company were unmar-
ried, and all except John A. Hensel located on land in the county. This
trip was made about 1856. The winter of 1856-57 was severe and the
pioneers suffered many hardships. Their provisions became exhausted,
and the situation became so serious that it was necessary to make a heroic
effort to reach Fountain City. Accordingly August F. Hensel started with
a sled and three yoke of oxen, accompanied by Henry Wertenberg and
James Faulds. The snow was covered with a heavy crust, which was
hard to break, this crust continuing for the entire distance of 16 miles.
It was so hard that although Mr. Hensel wore three pairs of pants they
were all cut through in places before the party reached Fountain City,
which they only did after a terrible journey of six days, having left home
on the Monday and reaching town on the following Saturday. Their experi-
ences may be more easily imagined than described. Mr. Hensel had to
borrow clothes to wear on the return trip. Even after all this trouble and
hardship they only succeeded in procuring one barrel of flour, which cost
them $16. Mr. Hensel nearly lost his life on the trip and all the party were
much exhausted, succeeding only by force of will and power of endurance.
It is well for the young people of the present generation, who are surrounded
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 683
by all the conveniences of a high civilization — good roads, steam and elec-
tric railroads and automobiles, with convenient stores of all kinds within
a mile or two of their homes — to read and ponder on such narratives as
these, more especially when they are inclined to be discontented with their
lot. They may then realize how much they have to be thankful for. In
1862 August F. Hensel sold out his holdings in Buffalo County and moved
to Trempealeau County, settling on land which he had purchased in Arcadia
Township. Here he lived until 1874, when, the village of Arcadia having
been founded, he moved into it and erected a store, beginning mercantile
business in 1876. At this time he had been married 16 years and had a
family, and here he passed the rest of his life, dying in Arcadia, July 2,
1902. He was a Republican in politics and cast his first presidential vote
for John C. Fremont in 1856, subsequently voting for every Republican
President up to the time of his death. His wife died in Arcadia Dec. 17,
1908. Her maiden name was Amelia Hensel. She was a native of Prussia
and daughter of Ludwig Hensel, and their marriage took place in August,
1860. They had a large family of children, as follows : Ida, born Aug. 26,
1861, now Mrs. C. Studt of Arcadia ; Emma, born March 30, 1863, who died
in July, 1890 ; Alvah, born Aug. 10, 1865, who resides in Minneapolis ; Ayris,
born June 30, 1867, now Mrs. George A. Schneller of Arcadia ; Eunice, born
Dec. 19, 1869, wife of WiUiam Koenig of Waupaca, Wis. ; Almira, born in
1871, who died when six months old; Dexter, born in 1873, who died in
1874; Jesse, born Dec. 20, 1875, who is now hving at Green Bay, Wis.;
Ivan I., born March 4, 1878, who is now practicing dentistry in Arcadia Vil-
lage ; Myrtle, born March 25, 1886, who is unmarried and lives in Arcadia,
and another child, who died in infancy.
Ivan I. Hensel, D. D. S., who is engaged in the practice of dentistry
in Arcadia Village, was born in Arcadia, Wis., March 4, 1878, son of
August F. and Amelia Hensel. He was educated in the village school and
in Arcadia high school,, from which he was graduated in 1896. Having
decided upon dentistry as his future profession, he entered Marquette
Dental School, Milwaukee, and was graduated therefrom in 1900, beginning
practice in Blair, Wis. Soon after, however, he removed to Arcadia, his
home town, and established himself in practice here, where he is now the
leading dentist. Aside from his profession he owns stock in the Western
Wisconsin Telephone Company. Sept. 24, 1902, Dr. Hensel was married
to Nora, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Kindschy of Arcadia, and they have
two children: Marie, born Oct. 23, 1908, and Dwight, born Nov. 3, 1912.
Dr. Hensel owns a comfortable home on the west side of the village, and is
recognized as one of Arcadia's stable citizens, the Hensels being one of the
principal families in the town. In politics the Doctor is independent and is
not an incumbent of any public office. Since 1904 he has been a member
of the Masonic Blue Lodge, No. 201, and for several years has also belonged
to the lodges of Modern Woodmen of America and the Beavers, both of
which he has served as secretary. His religious affiliations are with the
Evangelical church, in the faith of which he was reared.
Augustus W. Hensel, a retired farmer now living in Arcadia Village,
was born in Germany, Nov. 7, 1840, son of Ludwig and Frederica (Kiek-
684 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
hoefer) Hensel. The father was born in 1809 and the mother in 1812. In
1856 the family came to the United States, locating in Milwaukee, Wis.,
where they remained until the spring of 1857. They then came to Arcadia
Township, Trempealeau County, where Ludwig Hensel pre-empted 160
acres of land in section 23, range 10 west. The land, of course, was "wild,"
and their residence was a dugout. Mr. Hensel gradually improved the
property and resided on it subsequently until his death in 1886. His wife
survived him about nine years, dying on the homestead in 1894. There
were five children in their family — two sons and three daughters. Augustus
W. Hensel was the second born child of his parents. He was educated in
the common and district schools up to the age of 14 years, and remained
on his father's farm until 1864. He then became a soldier, serving in the
Union army until the close of the war and taking part in the battle of
Nashville. Being mustered out at Washington, D. C, he returned home
unwounded and became a pioneer farmer, buying 160 acres of wild land in
section 14, range 10, Arcadia Township. This land he developed and erected
on it substantial buildings, residing there until 1906, in which year he
retired and took up his residence in the village. The old home he sold in
1908 to his son Lewis, who lives on the farm. Nov. 28, 1867, Mr. Hensel
married Mary, daughter of William and Sophia (Supka) Wagner of Arcadia,
who is sharing with her husband the comfortable prosperity of their declin-
ing years. The following are the children who have been born to them:
Lewis, born Aug. 7, 1868, who is now living on the old homestead, of which
he is the owner ; William, born Dec. 12, 1869, who is a farmer at Black River
Falls, Wis.; Erwin, born March 12, 1871, who is a merchant at Grand
Meadow, Minn.; Lillian, born Jan. 11, 1873, and now Mrs. J. W. Kube of
Winona, Minn. ; Frank, born Jan. 14, 1875, who is a farmer at Burlington,
N. D. ; Edith, born Oct. 19, 1877, now the wife of A. L. Severence, a banker
of Wausaukee, Wis. ; John, born Oct. 10, 1879, who is now a railway ticket
agent at Eau Claire, Wis.; Helena, born Sept. 19, 1881, who is unmarried,
resides at home and is employed as a bank clerk; Edward, born Aug. 17,
1883, who is a farmer at Strasburg, Colo. ; Benjamin, born Feb. 4, 1886,
also a farmer at Strasburg, Colo. ; Emma, born March 15, 1888, who is now
Mrs. Lester Kindsehy of Strasburg, Colo. Mr. Hensel is a Republican, but
is not active in politics. He has, however, served as a member of the school
board of district No. 2, Arcadia Township. He and his family are members
of the German Evangelical Association, and all are widely respected in the
communities in which they live.
Lars Hanson, who was the first Norwegian settler to locate in New-
comb Valley, Arcadia Township, was born in the northern part of Norway,
July 15, 1840, son of Hans and Anna Nelson. In June, 1864, he was married
in his native land to Sarah, daughter of Peter and Cassie Peterson, and in
1866 they came to America together. Landing in Quebec, Canada, they
came from that city to Winona, Minn., in the vicinity of which place they
spent the winter of 1866-67. In the following summer they removed to
Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, and in 1868 homesteaded 160 acres of
wild land in sections 28 and 29, Newcomb Valley. Their resources were
very limited, as they had arrived in Winona with but 50 cents in money.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 685
but during their stay there Mr. Hanson had worked at whatever he could
find to do and managed to make a living and also earn enough to enable them
to make a start on their Wisconsin farm. Still they had to be extremely
economical. One of the first things Mr. Hanson did on taking possession of
his homestead was to build a dugout, with sod roof, in the side of a hill, and
he then began the grubbing of the farm. At the end of the first year he
built a small log house with no floor, into which they moved, and here they
lived for a number of years. When they came to the valley Arcadia had
but one store and a small grist mill, and Mr. Hanson often carried flour
and provisions home on his back — a distance of seven miles. Perhaps the
greatest feat he accomplished in this line, however, was carrying their first
cook stove across the country, on his back, for three and a half miles. Such
energy and perseverance, which he displayed in all his operations, were
bound to produce results, which became visible in the gradual improve-
ment of his farm and an increasing prosperity. In 1885 he built the frame
house that now stands on the farm, and from time to time he erected barns
and other necessary buildings. After residing here until the spring of
1901, Mr. Hanson moved with his family to Blair, Wis., where he resided
until the fall of 1902. He then returned to the farm and did not leave it
again until 1907, in which year he sold the old home to his son Sam and
bought a small house about a mile east, to which he moved and where he
is now living. When he left the farm he had about 60 acres under plow.
Mr. Hanson was a stockholder in the now defunct co-operative creamery
at Blair, its failure causing him a pecuniary loss. On the whole, however,
he has been successful and is a man highly respected in this part of the
county. He believes in the principles of the Prohibition party, but has
never held ofiice. He and his wife have had six children : Louis, who lives
at East Grand Forks, Minn. ; Sine, now Mrs. Fred Payne of Arcadia Vil-
lage ; Josephine, wife of Louis Gilbertson of Blair, Wis. ; Samuel, who
resides on the old homestead, and two others, who died in infancy.
Samuel Hanson, son of Lars and Sarah (Peterson) Hanson, was born
in Newcomb Valley, Arcadia Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., Nov.
17, 1876. He was educated in the district school, which he attended regu-
larly until the age of 12 years, and from 12 to 16 during the winters only.
As soon as he was old enough he began to help his father on the farm, and
continued as the latter's assistant until he rented the homestead in 1902,
and started in for himself. In 1906 it became his by purchase. He has
improved the buildings and built a new granary and a garage. To the
120 acres of the original farm he has added 80 more, thus enlarging the
farm to 200 acres. It lies in a fertile region, the surface of the land being
rolhng, and he carries on both general fai-ming and dairying. Aside from
these immediate interests he is a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing
Company, the Arcadia Farmers Co-operative Creamery, and the Farmers
Telephone Company. Mr. Hanson was married, Sept. 7, 1907, to Minnie,
daughter of Olaf and Carrie Moe of Newcomb Valley, and their children
are : Celia, born July 17, 1909 ; Sadie, born Feb. 24, 1910 ; Milton, born April
23, 1912 ; and Ivan, born Oct. 30, 1914. In politics Mr. Hanson is a staunch
Repubhcan. He has served as township assessor three years, was clerk
686 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
of the district school board for a number of years, and took the United
States census in 1900. He belongs to Arcadia camp, Modern Woodmen of
America and he and his family are members of Fagerness Lutheran church,
of which his father was one of the founders. Enterprising and energetic,
he is getting along in the world and has won the esteem of his neighbors.
Peter Ekern, merchant, town proprietor, assemblyman, extensive land
owner, public spirited citizen, and man of affairs, to whose efforts was due
the building up of a flourishing village, was one of the most distinguished
citizens of the county, and for many years had an influential voice in con-
trolling its destinies. As a business man he platted Pigeon Falls, erected a
store and creamery, rebuilt a large mill and developed extensive tracts of
land. As a public citizen he did such splendid work as chairman of the
township and member of the county board for many years, that in 1881 he
was called upon to serve in the General Assembly, in which position he
looked after the interests of his state and district with dignity and dis-
tinction. Peter Ekern was born in Norway, Jan. 25, 1837, the son of Hen-
rik Ekern, and oldest of a family of four sons and two daughters, the others
being : Even, a merchant of Whitehall ; Randine, wife of Edward Klebo of
Chicago; Anton, a farmer of Pigeon Township; Mark, a farmer in Moody
County, South Dakota ; and Maria, wife of Edward Schultz of Des Moines,
Iowa. Peter was reared to a life of agricultural endeavor. At the age of
eighteen he started operating a farm on his own responsibility, under a
guardianship, the law at that time being that a youth could not engage in
business for himself under the age of 25, except with a guardianship. As
the years passed the young man determined to seek for himself the broader
opportunities and superior advantages of the New World. Accordingly he
disposed of his holdings in 1867, and accompanied by his wife and children,
came to America, and found his way to La Crosse, where two brothers and
a sister had preceded him. From there he went to Vernon County, and
there remained for several months. In March, 1868, he settled in Trem-
pealeau County, in the affairs of which he was later to take so prominent
a part. For a time he lived in section 36, township 23, range 7, in the
northern part of Pigeon. With keen judgment he foresaw the favorable
opportunity of establishing a village at Pigeon Falls, and when, in 1872, his
plans were ripe, he moved to the hamlet with which his name was there-
after to be inseparably connected. At the time of his arrival the village
contained the mill of Cyrus H. Hine and the store of Johnson & Olson, as
well as several residences. Mr. Hine owned about 160 acres, a part of which
he had purchased from George Gale in 1867, and a part of which he had
obtained from the government under the homestead act. His residence is
still standing, but has been moved to another site. His barn is on its original
location, and has been used in connection with the village hotel. His mill
has been replaced by the Pigeon Falls flour and feed mill on the same site.
Upon his arrival here Mr. Ekern purchased the store of Johnson & Olson.
In 1882 he erected another store building, and converted his original store
building into a residence which he long occupied, and which was used as
the village hotel until 1916. In the meantime, in 1875 and 1880, Mr. Ekern
had bought Mr. Hine's land and holdings, as well as a tract from George
MR. AND MRS. PETER EKERN
Mn. AND MRS. B. M. SLETTELAMT)
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 687
Gale, so that he owned 280 acres, all in section 34. The store, which he
erected in 1882, 60 by 108 feet, two stories and full basement, is still used
by his successors and is still in excellent condition. In 1885 he erected a
creamery. This he operated until 1892, when he sold it to a farmers' asso-
ciation. The new ventui'e, however, was not successful, so Mr. Ekern took
possession, rebuilt the plant, and put in new equipment. Now known as the
Pigeon Falls Creamery, the institution is still operated by his successors.
In 1894, Mr. Ekern platted the townsite on the southeast quarter of section
34. In 1880 he built a new flour and feed mill on the site of the original
Hine mill. This building was shortly afterward destroyed by fire. He then
erected the present mill. Since that date the equipment has kept march
with the progress of time, the old stone burrs being replaced with a modern
roller system, and new machinery and appliances being added as circum-
stances required. In 1898 the business was incorporated under the name
of P. Ekern Company, for the purpose of operating the farms, the general
store, the creamery, the flour and feed mill, the townsite property and
other real estate. After a long and useful life, Mr. Ekern died in 1899. His
widow died in 1911. The owners of the property are now: Dr. Andrew
Ekern, who is president of the corporation, and Mr. and Mrs. Ben. M. Slet-
teland, the former of whom is secretary,, treasurer and manager, and the
latter of whom is vice-president. Mr. Ekern was married in 1858 to Olive
Hovde. This union was blessed with seven children: Ludwig P., Andrew,
Minnie, Hannah, Josephine, Emma, Hulda and Hulda. Ludwig P. is a
retired merchant of Superior, Wis. Andrew is a retired physician of San
Diego, Cal. Minnie is the wife of B. M. Sletteland. Josephine is the wife
of Peter Eimon, a wholesale grocer of Superior, Wis. Emma, the wife of
H. A. Otto, a Chicago lumberman, died in 1914. Hulda is the wife of Ben.
Eimon, who is also in the wholesale grocery business in Superior. Hannah
died at the age of 14 years. Hulda (first) also died in childhood.
Ben M. Sletteland, the leading citizen of Pigeon Falls, village post-
master, and manager, secretary and treasurer of the P. Ekern Company,
is well known throughout the county. He has been member and at one
time treasurer of the Republican County Committee, and a member of the
Republican District Congressional Committee; since 1892 he has been
treasurer of the Norwegian Lutheran church; in 1917 he was elected one
of the trustees of Gale College; and in addition to this he has served on
many delegations and committees, both civic and religious. His business
holdings include stock in the John 0. Melby & Co. bank at Whitehall, in
which he is a director, and in the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company.
Mr. Sletteland was born in Dale Parish, Sondf jord, Norway, Aug. 19, 1864,
son of Ananias and Bergitte (Risting) Sletteland, the former of whom
spent many years of his life as a teacher in the state schools of Norway.
Ben M. Sletteland received a good education at home and at school, and
came to America in 1884, since which time he has lived continuously in
Pigeon Falls. For a time he clerked for Peter Ekern. When the P. Ekern
Company was incoi-porated in 1898 he assumed the duties of his present
position. A year later he was appointed to his present oflSce of postmaster.
Mr. Sletteland was married Oct. 31, 1887, to Minnie Ekern, born in La Crosse
688 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
County, Feb. 29, 1868, daughter of Peter and Olive (Hovde) Ekern. Mr.
and Mrs. Sletteland have three children: Perrey Arthur, Ernest A. and
Oscar B. Perrey Arthur is a graduate of the Scandinavia Academy at
Scandia, St. Olaf College, at Northfield, Minn. (B. A.), and the University
of Wisconsin (LL. B.). He is now practicing law at La Crosse with Otto
Schlabach, under the firm name of Schlabach & Sletteland. Ernest A. has
attended St. Olaf College at Northfield, Minn., and Macalester College at
St. Paul, Minn., and is assisting his father. Oscar B. has had two years at
Macalester College, St. Paul, Minn., and is soon to graduate from the Univer-
sity of Wisconsin at Madison.
William C. Bohrnstedt, who is engaged in the hardware business in
Arcadia, was born at Trempealeau Prairie, in Trempealeau Township, Oct.
2, 1870. A memoir of his parents, John and Mary (Frohmader) Bohrnstedt,
may be found elsewhere in this volume. WilUam C. in his boyhood attended
the district school and the graded school in Galesville. Completing his
literary education at the age of 15, he then took a business course in the
old Winona Business College under Professor Lambert. For two or three
years after this he resided at home. In 1893 he came to Arcadia and
entered the employ of N. Lehrbach, a hardware merchant, for whom he
worked until 1896. In the latter year he entered the employ of R. D. Cone
Hardware Company of Winona, Minn., and was traveling salesman for them
until 1903. Then, leaving the employ of that company, he returned to
Arcadia and in 1905, with William E. Muir, purchased the hardware busi-
ness of N. Lehrbach, his former employer, Mr. Muir retaining an interest
in the firm for about a year, when Mr. Bohrnstedt bought him out and has
since been sole proprietor and manager of the concern. The latter is also
a stockholder in Arcadia Bank and the Bank of GalesviUe. One of the
progressive and enterprising young business men of the village, he is
always willing to lend his aid and influence to any practical movement for
advancing the public welfare. In politics he is independent. He has never
had any strong desire to mingle in politics, but for the last seven years has
been clerk of the board of education. Mr. Bohrnstedt .is a member of sev-
eral fraternal orders. He has belonged to the Blue Lodge of Masons ir
Arcadia (No. 201) for many years, and to the Chapter, No. 76, Arcadia,
since 1895 ; also to the Knights of Pythias since 1892, and to the Indepen-
dent Order of Foresters for many years. Although reared a Lutheran, he
is not a member of any church. Aug. 12, 1898, Mr. Bohrnstedt was married
to Elspeth Muir, daughter of John and Ann Muir of Arcadia.
Oliver Busby, who is now living retired in Arcadia Village, after a life
of activity in several different avocations, was born in section 21, range 9,
Arcadia Township, this county, Jan. 29, 1866. His parents, Thomas and
Mary (Knight) Busby, were natives of England, both born at Stowe, near
Kimbolton, Huntingdonshire, England, the father Aug. 24, 1828, the mother
Feb. 8, 1837. Thomas Busby and wife came to America in 1855, landing
in New York and proceeding at once to Waukegan, 111., in the vicinity of
which place Mr. Busby rented a farm. After remaining there about two
years they came ovei'land by ox team to Arcadia Township, Trempealeau
County, and settled on 160 acres of land he acquired while in Illinois, to
HISTORY OF TKEMPEALEAU COUNTY 689
which he later added 20 acres, built a log cabin and began to develop a
farm. Here he lived until 1893, in which year he sold the farm to Louie
Wojsczik, the latter subsequently selling it to John Wojsczik. In 1879
Thomas Busby had bought 160 acres of wild prairie land near Wakefield,
Neb., to which he moved on selling his farm in Arcadia. On this land he
built a house and other frame buildings, and remained there 19 years,
engaged in developing a farm. He then retired and moved into Wakefield,
where he and his wife are still living, in good health and prosperous cir-
cumstances. Their children were: Emma, born in Waukegan, 111., who
married W. H. Smith, a farmer of Bakersfield, Cal., and died Aug. 4, 1904;
John, also born in Waukegan, and now a farmer in Arcadia Township;
Thomas, born in Arcadia, Wis., who is farming at Wakefield, Neb.; Flor-
ence, born in Arcadia, who is unmarried and keeps house for her parents
in Wakefield, Neb. ; Charles, born in Arcadia, also residing in Wakefield,
where he is engaged in buying grain and managing an elevator ; Andy, born
in Arcadia, and now deceased; Mary, born in Arcadia, who is the wife of
H. H. Child, proprietor of the electric lighting plant at Wakefield, Neb.;
Lilly, born in Arcadia, who married Benjamin Davis, a farmer, and died
at Wakefield, Neb. ; Mark, born in Arcadia, who is now deceased ; William,
born in Arcadia, who is now living retired at -Wakefield, Neb. ; and Oliver,
the subject of this sketch.
OUver Busby began his school life in Arcadia and was graduated from
the high school in the class of 1886. In the meanwhile, however, he made
a trip to Nebraska, going there in 1882 and returning in 1884. He now
spent a number of years in teaching school, beginning this occupation in
Arcadia, where he taught for three years, later teaching three years in
the graded schools of Chimney Rock, Wis., where he also served one year
as principal, one year in Strum and three years in Nebraska, to which
state he returned when his parents moved there in 1893. In 1896 he
returned again to Arcadia, and on September 1 bought an interest in the
hardware business of Mr. Christ of Arcadia, the style of the firm becoming
Christ & Busby. This partnership was continued until 1904. In 1902
Christ & Busby bought a farm of 509 acres, two and a half miles north of
Arcadia, 225 acres of it being under the plow and the rest in timber and
pasture land. Mr. Busby bought Mr. Christ's interest in this farm in 1904,
and managed it subsequently while residing in the village until 1914, when
he sold it and retired. The buildings on the farm were a two-story frame
house, a frame barn, 36 by 80 feet ; a granary, 16 by 40 feet ; a sheep shed,
12 by 64 feet, all painted and in good condition. Here Mr. Busby did gen-
eral farming and dairying, keeping from 25 to 30 graded cows. Sept. 8,
1896, Mr. Busby was married to Mary, daughter of John Philip and Barbara
(Uhl) Hartman of Arcadia Township. He and his wife had six children:
William 0., born Nov. 26, 1897, who is a student at Lawrence College,
Appleton, Wis.; Fern E., born May 11, 1899, now attending the Arcadia
high school; Lynn J., born July 29, 1902, who is also attending the high
school; Hazel M., born May 12, 1904, who is residing at home, a student;
Florence G., born March 26, 1906, who died Aug. 23, 1914; and one that
died in infancy. Mr. Busby in political matters holds by the principles of the
690 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Democratic party, but reserves the right to vote for the best man regard-
less of party lines, when he sees occasion. He has held no strictly political
office, but has been a member of the village board for three years. He
attends and supports the Methodist Episcopal church, though not a member
of it. He belongs to Lodge No. 201, A. F. & A. M. of Arcadia, and to Camp
No. 769, Modern Woodmen of America, which he joined in 1896.
August Evenson was for many years one of the successful and sub-
stantial men of the community. He developed a good farm, he reared a
large and respected family, and upon his death left a record of hard work,
staunch character and sterling worth. His wife, a most estimable woman,
who was his helpmeet and inspiration in all his undertakings, still owns the
family farm, but in 1915 moved to Pigeon Falls, where she erected a com-
fortable home, and where she now makes her residence. August Evenson
was born in Vardal, Norway, Feb. 1, 1857, son of Mathias and Pernella
Evenson, who brought him to America in 1858, and located near Holmen,
in La Crosse County, this state, where they spent the remainder of their
lives. Reared on the home farm and educated in the schools of that county,
August Evenson started out for himself in 1881, and two years later, in
1883, came to Pigeon Township and secured land in section 11, which he
proceeded to break and develop, erecting a suitable home and commodious
outbuildings. There he successfully carried on general farming until his
death Jan. 27, 1915. Taking his deepest joy in his family and his farm,
Mr. Evenson did not care to mingle in political life, but was nevertheless
deeply interested in public affairs, and kept himself well informed upon
current topics. He was a good citizen, a loyal friend and a loving father,
and his loss was sincerely and deeply mourned. Mr. Evenson was married
April 21, 1881, to Mina Johnson Skogen, who was born in Holmen, La Crosse
County, this state, Sept. 16, 1859, daughter of Andrew and Anna Marie
(Anderson) Skogen, natives of Vardal, Norway, who came to America in
1850, located in La Crosse County, and there spent the remainder of their
days. Mr. and Mrs. Evenson have had ten children: Albert Manley, May
Pauline, Albert Manley (second), Selma Luella, Hulda Josephine, Cora
Charlotte, Mabel Amanda, Lawrence Ernest, Edmund Melford and Mildred
Ovida. Albert Manley, born June 5, 1882, died at the age of thirteen days ;
May Paulina, born June 19, 1883, died at the age of two and a half years :
Albert Manley (second) was born Dec. 25, 1885, and died at the age of one
year; Selma Luella was born March 25, 1887, and is now the wife of John
H. Johnson of Harshan, Wis. ; Hulda Josephine was born Dec. 25, 1888, and
is now the wife of Otto Tomter, who farms the home place ; Cora Charlotte
was born Feb. 6, 1891 ; Mabel Amanda was born Feb. 26, 1894 ; Lawrence
Ernest was born Feb. 23, 1896 ; Edmund Melford was born Nov. 17, 1898,
and died Sept. 13, 1908 ; and Mildred Ovida was born June 15, 1906. The
family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church, in the Ladies' Aid
Society of which Mrs. Evenson is a prominent member.
Ole T. Stendahl, proprietor of the Fair View fai-m of 200 acres in sec-
tions 13, 14 and 23, Pigeon Township, was born in Trondjem, Norway, June
4, 1857. His father, Thortson Stendahl, was born in Norway Dec. 10, 1822,
married Johanna Berg, who was born Oct. 5, 1827, brought his family to
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 691
America in 1861, lived in La Crosse, Wis., 16 years, and in 1877 settled in
Pigeon Township, this county, where he spent the remainder of his life,
dying Sept. 4, 1897. Mrs. Thortson Stendahl died in Pigeon Township Jan.
20, 1911. Ole T. Stendahl was brought here by his parents, attended the
district schools, and was reared to farm pursuits. For eighteen winters
he engaged in lumbering as woodsman and riverman. For the past twenty-
four seasons he has engaged in threshing. His farming operations, since
he assumed charge of the home place, have been most successful, his
good herd of high grade Holstein cattle net him a satisfactory income, ancT
his whole farm presents a neat and thrifty appearance. Mr. Stendahl was
married April 4, 1884, to Nettie Amlee, born in Hammer, Norway, Sept.
26, 1859, daughter of Gilbert and Ehzabeth (Bokalrud) Amlee, the former
of whom was born Dec. 1, 1818, and died in Hammer, Norway, Sept. 4, 1877,
and latter of whom was born in Norway, April 14, 1837, and died Feb. 4,
1904, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. 0. Madson, in Menominie, Wis.
Mrs. Gilbert Amlee and children came from Norway in 1880 to Black River
Falls, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Stendahl have had eight children : Theodore is a
farmer of Pigeon Township; Oscar also farms in Pigeon Township;
Jennie L. died at the age of nine years ; Archie is at home ; Abbie married
Knelland Simons of Whitehall ; Lillie, Walter and Amy are at home.
Albert K. Axness came to his present farm in 1872 with his mother
and step-father, and has thus been a resident of this county for forty-five
years. He was born in Norway, near Christiania, July 29, 1861, son of
Knute and Carrie (Tostenson) Axness. The father died in Norway in 1863,
and subsequently four of the sons, Tosten, born in 1844; Juhus, born in
1847; Knute, born in 1851, and Ole, born in 1855, came to America in 1867,
three locating near Winona, Minn., and one near Madison, Wis. In 1868
the mother, accompanied by the son, Albert K., and a daughter, Mary, born
in 1858, came to this country and joined her sons near Winona. In 1870
the mother married Ole Larson. Mr. Larson soon came to Trempealeau
County and bought the homestead rights of Hans Talaken to a tract of
wild land in section 6, Arcadia Township, within the limits of Newcomb
Valley. On this place he built a small shanty, to which in 1872 he brought
his wife, and his step children, Albert K. and Mary. In the fall of that
year they built a small frame house, which is now the east wing of the
■ present home. Later they erected an upright addition, and since then
other additions have been made until the home is now a comfortable eleven-
room structure. Barns, sheds and the like have been erected as necessity
has required. Albert K. was reared to farm pursuits and finished his educa-
tion in the schoolhouse of the Penny district near his home. At the age of
nineteen he started for himself by securing winter employment in the
lumber woods of Clark and Jackson counties, still continuing to do farm
work during the summer seasons. In 1898 he brought his bride to the
home place and here has since continued to live. He carries on general
farming and dairying, 90 acres of his 174 acres being under plow, and the
rest being in woodland and pasture. His political affiliations are with the
Republican party, and his fraternal relations are maintained with Arcadia
Camp, No. 769, M. W. A., of which he has been a member for the past
692 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
eighteen years. Mr. Axness was married Jan. 1, 1898, to Minnie Olson,
daughter of John and Mary Olson of Homer Township, Winona County.
She died Sept. 9, 1914, at the age of 37 years. Mr. and Mrs. Axness have
had five children: Cora, who died in infancy; Carl, born in 1900; Ernest,
born in 1902; Myrtle, born in 1907, and Orion, born in 1909, all of whom
are at home. The mother of Mr. Axness died in 1907 at the age of 84
years, the stepfather died in 1905.
John Erickson, one of the pioneers of Trempealeau County, was born
in Norway, Aug. 24, 1834, and was there reared to manhood. He was mar-
ried March 25, 1858, to EUina Hanson, who was born March 19, 1830. Even
at the time of their marriage the young people were already contemplating
seeking the broader opportunities of the new world. With this end in view
they hoarded their frugal income until 1862, when they had sufficient funds
to make the great venture. With their two children, Erick, born Sept. 3,
1859, and Hans, born Sept. 8, 1861, they set sail on April 27, 1862, aboard a
slow sailing vessel, bound for their new home. Landing at Quebec, July 12,
1862, strangers in a strange land, where language and customs were
unknown to them, they started cut by rail for Winona, which they
reached July 30, 1862. That city was then a flourishing lumber town,
ten years old, but just at the dawn of the era which was to make it for
some years one of the principal lumber and grain points on the Mississippi.
At Winona Mr. Erickson got in touch with several of his countrymen who
had settled in Trempealeau County and secured employment in Cedar
Valley. While living in that vicinity, Mr. and Mrs. Erickson had another
child, Marte, born Dec. 27, 1863. In 1864 the family moved to French
Creek, and there the wife died in 1865. In 1867 Mr. Erickson married
Bertha Gilbertson, who was born in Norway and came to America in 1863.
Soon afterward the family moved to Newcomb Valley, and there Mr. Erick-
son pre-empted 242 acres of wild land in section 6. Here he experienced
real pioneer life. One of his first acts was to build a small log cabin, after
which he started the difficult task of developing a farm. The principal
trading center was at Trempealeau, twenty miles away. The trip there
with an ox team was weary and sometimes dangerous. At some seasons
even the oxen could not get through, and Mr. Erickson made the trip afoot,
bringing back flour and other provisions on his back. Conveniences were
almost entirely lacking, comforts were almost unknown. But the sturdy
couple had faith, health and ambition, they desired to see their growing
family well placed in the world, and they were willing to toil and sacrifice
that success might be assured. Beginning with nothing in the way of
worldly goods, they developed a fine farm, erecting commodious buildings,
including a frame house, barn and granary, and gradually securing a good
equipment of tools and machinery. Mr. Erickson conducted the farm until
1901, when failing health caused his retirement. He died May 30, 1903.
In his many years of life here he had attained a recognized position in
the community as a prosperous and conscientious farmer, and was highly
esteemed as a good family man, a successful citizen, and an accommodating
neighbor. A man of strong religious convictions he assisted in organizing
the Eagerness Norwegian Lutheran Congregation, and remained an active
EDWARD EEICKSON
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 693
member the remainder of his life. Of the five children born on the New-
comb Valley farm two died in infancy; Edward, born Oct. 19, 1873, has
been a prosperous farmer and is now sheriff of Trempealeau County ; Gil-
bert, born April 7, 1868, is living on the family homestead, and Anna, born
Dec. 26, 1870, is the wife of Olaf Hurberg of Arcadia Township.
Edward Erickson, the popular and efficient sheriff of Trempealeau
County, is one of its leading citizens. Coming into office at a time when
the war clouds were brewing, and serving at the time of the opening of
the actual hostilities, he has given his time, ability and energy in patriotic
service to his country at a great personal sacrifice, and his name will live
in history as the "war sheriff" of the county. In addition to the many
added duties which the raising of the National Army and the conservation
of food have placed upon his official work, he has done conscientious work
as chairman of the exemption board, his wide and intimate knowledge
of the people of the county being of great assistance to the board in its
various decisions. Mr. Erickson was born in Newcomb VaUey, this county,
Oct. 19, 1873, son of John and Bertha Erickson. He was reared on the
home farm, attended the district schools, and determined to devote his life
to an agricultural career. Accordingly in 1901 he purchased 120 acres of
partly improved land, adjoining his father's farm on the west, and in time
made it into the well-developed place that it is today. In 1906 he erected
a substantial, square, two-story brick house of eight rooms, a good modern
farm house in every respect. He later put up a frame barn with a full
basement, 28 by 58 by 16 feet above the foundation, a milk house, a milk
and tank house, tool sheds, poultry house and cribs. He also put in a run-
ning water system for house and barns. The place, which is temporarily
rented during his term of ofl[ice, supports a good grade of Holsteins, a
number of horses and a herd of swine, all the work of the farm being con-
ducted along the latest improved methods, with modern equipment, tools
and machinery. Aside from his farming interests, Mr. Erickson has taken
an interest in community growth and has become a stockholder and earnest
supporter of the Bank of Arcadia, the Arcadia Co-operative Creamery, the
Arcadia Shipping Association, and the Tamarack Valley Telephone Com-
pany. Of fraternal and sociable disposition he has been a member of the
Modern Woodmen for twenty years, and for a number of years a member
of the Masonic order. Interested in the best education of his children, he
had done efficient work for some years as school director of School Dis-
trict 14. His present office dates from Jan. 1, 1917. Sheriff Erickson
makes an ideal officer. Thorough and painstaking in his work, he deeply
feels his responsibility as the preserver of the peace and dignity of the
law, and in this direction he has been most untiring. Stern and unbend-
irg as an officer, nevertheless as a man his broad outlook on life and his
understanding of human frailties, makes him ever favorable toward giving
minor offenders every opportunity possible to repair their mistakes and
to make the most of their future careers. As a man the sheriff is genial
and popular, a pleasant companion and a loyal friend. Mr. Erickson was
married Oct. 25, 1905, to Julia Arnson, who was born May 16, 1875, daughter
of John and Olena Arnson of Preston Township. She died March 3, 1911,
694 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
leaving three brigh't boys : Orlen, born May 30, 1907 ; Erwin, born Nov. 3,
1908 ; and Basil, born April 20, 1910. Feb. 7, 1913, Mr. Erickson married
Minnie Mustad, daughter of Hans and Ingeborg Mustad of Ettrick Town-
ship. To this marriage has been born a daughter, Florence, April 30, 1915.
Mr. Erickson was reared to the Lutheran faith, and with his family belongs
to the Fagei"ness congregation, which his father helped to establish.
Albert F. Sauer of Arcadia Village was born in Buffalo County, Wis-
consin, July 14, 1889, son of William and Frederica (Reglin) Sauer. He
was educated in the Arcadia graded school, and in 1909 entered the Uni-
versal Chiropractic College at Davenport, Iowa, as a student. Having com-
pleted a two years' course in September, 1911, he opened an office in Mer-
rill, Wis., where he practiced his profession until 1913. Then coming to
Arcadia he practiced here for a year, returning in the fall of 1914 to Mer-
rill. This time he remained there but five or six months, coming back
to Arcadia in the spring of 1915 and opening an office, where he has since
continued to practice chiropractic. He has a well equipped office and has
built up a practice extending over a radius of 50 miles. Dr. Sauer is among
the foremost members of his profession in this part of the state and
undoubtedly has a bright future before him. His collegiate preparation
was very thorough, the course of study embracing the subjects of sym-
tomatology, chemistry, spinal palpation, clinic adjusting, histology, psy-
chology, ethics, hygiene and public health. Many will undoubtedly ask,
"What is chiropractic? It is a new woi'd to me. What does it mean?"
Chiropractic (Ki-ro-prak-tic) is a coined word composed of two Greek
words, Cheir, meaning "the hand" (in composition Chiro) and Praxis, "a
doing." Hence literally Chiropractic means the doing of something by the
hand. The chiropractic method applied affords an exact scientific method
of determining the location of any vertebra, which on account of its mis-
ahgnment, is responsible for nerve compression, and also to provide an
original, unique and correct means of adjusting or removing this cause
more promptly, radically and permanently than by any other known method.
Dr. Sauer is energetic and enterprising, with an agreeable personahty that
inspires confidence in his patients. Like the other members of his father's
family, he belongs to the German Lutheran church, and in politics he is a
Republican.
William Sauer, now living retired in the village of Arcadia, was born
near Kronigreich, Prussia, Germany, May 9, 1842, son of Christ Sauer. In
the fall of 1869 he came to America and without lingering in the East pro-
ceeded directly to Alma, Wis., where he remained about two years. From
there he removed in 1871 to Big Waumandee, Buffalo County, where he
found employment in the flour mill of John Ochsner as head miller, con-
tinuing to work for Mr. Ochsner until 1875. In the latter year he returned
to Alma and resided there until 1877, in which year he bought a custom
flour mill at Glencoe, Wis. In this place he remained 29 years, engaged
in the milling business, and then retired and took up his residence in
Arcadia Village, selling the mill to his son WiUiam, who had learned the
trade with him, and who now operates the mill. Mr. Sauer's success was
the result of his own energy and ability. When he arrived in Alma he had
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 695
nothing, but in four years had gained enough to enable him to purchase
, his mill, and this energy characterized him throughout his business career.
He was married Oct. 25, 1873, to Frederica, daughter of Carl and Dorothy
Reglin of Big Waumandee, Wis., and he and his bride began housekeeping
in a house which his employer, John Ochsner, had built for them near tha
mill. The children of this marriage were: Otto, WiUiam, Jr., Edward,
Albert F., Emil, Bertha, Annie and a son who died in infancy. Otto, who
was born June 28, 1874, is married and resides at Milwaukee. William, Jr.,
born Oct. 18, 1879, is also married and is operating his father's old mill.
Edward, born March 14, 1887, is married and resides in Arcadia Township
on the mail route. Albert F., born July 14, 1889, is unmarried and resides
in Arcadia Village, following the profession of a chiropractor. Emil, born
July 2, 1894, is unmarried and lives with his parents. Bertha, born Aug. 10,
1881, is now Mrs. John Servais of Buffalo County, Wisconsin. Annie, born
July 12, 1883, is the wife of John Wolfe of Arcadia Township, Trempealeau
County. Mr. Sauer and his family belong to the German Lutheran church
of Arcadia Township. In politics he is a Republican. In the companion-
ship of his wife, and surrounded by his sons and daughters, he is passing
the evening of Ufe in a comfortable retirement, the result of his former
thrift and industry, and is highly respected in Arcadia and the vicinity.
John F. Gilbertson, who came to Trempealeau County in 1878 and hved
on a farm in Arcadia Township from 1889 up to the time of his death,
Aug. 27, 1917, was born near Christiania, Norway, Oct. 10, 1854. He was
a son of Gulbrand and Ele Jacobson, who reared him to farm pursuits. In
1878, with his chum, Carl Larson, he came to America, landed at New
York, and made the trip to Arcadia Village, this county, by rail. Upon reach-
ing here he had but $1.50. This he at once loaned to a friend, who spent
it for drink and never paid it back. Beginning in a strange country, with-
out a penny in his pocket, and with no resources save his own strength and
intelligence, he started in to carve his fortune, working as a farm hand in
the summers and as a woodsman in the winter. In 1889 he located seven
miles east of Arcadia Village, in Newcomb's Valley, where he purchased
80 acres of land in section 29, Arcadia Township, to which he subsequently
added the adjoining 160 acres in section 26. When he acquired the original
tract no buildings had been erected, and only about ten or Mteen acres had
been grubbed and broken. Beginning on a small scale he gradually achieved
prosperity, and from time to time erected necessary buildings. The
improvements on the place consist of a two-story house, erected in 1891, a
good barn, 28 by 58 by 16 feet, a granary, a machine shed, a poultry house
and other structures, all in the best of condition. Mr. Gilbertson devoted
his time to general farming, having 150 acres under the plow and doing
considerable dairying and swine raising. The Republican party claimed
his allegiance, and his fraternal affiliation was with the Modern Woodmen
of America. With his family he attended the Fagerness Norwegian
Lutheran church, three miles east of his home, in the cemetery of which
his remains were laid to rest. Mr. Gilbertson was married Sept. 16, 1889,
to Julia Braaten, daughter of John and Randi Braaten of Valders, Norway.
She came to America at the age of eighteen, and at the time of her mar-
696 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
riage was living with a sister near Arcadia. She and her husband were
the parents of four children: Alvilda, Laura F., Anna E. and Allen R.
Alvilda was born July 5, 1889, and is the wife of Albert Jager of Castle-
wood, S. D. Laura F. was born Jan. 4, 1891, and is»the wife of Melvin
Wangan, who operates a farm in Newcomb Valley. Anna E. was born Sept.
19, 1892, graduated from the Arcadia high school, and is now a successful
teacher. Allen R. was born July 4, 1894, and is now opei'ating his father's
farm, on which Mrs. Gilbertson still resides.
John Sprecher, president of the State Bank of Independence, is one
of the leading citizens of Trempealeau County. Arriving in Arcadia in its
infancy, he became a part of the early story of that village, and then,
coming to Independence in the first year of its establishment, he was
given the opportunity to impress his sterling personality upon its future
destinies. Prominently identified with the grain, implement, lumber and
banking interests of the village, his work has been woven into the warp
and woof of its life, and there is probably no citizen in this region whose
name is more widely known or more closely identified with it. By hard
work, native shrewdness and keen ability he has achieved more than the
usual measure of success, but through these years of culminating pros-
perity he has remained the same genial, generous, democratic John Sprecher
that he was when he first arrived here. Mr. Sprecher was born in Troy,
Sauk County, Wisconsin, Nov. 29, 1850, oldest of the five children of John A.
and Martha (Schiers) Sprecher. He was reared to farm pursuits, but at
the age of twenty-four, having determined to seek his fortune in other
endeavor, he turned his attention to the Trempealeau Valley, through which
the railroad had just been opened. A favorable opportunity presented itself
in Arcadia, and accordingly in 1875 he entered the employ of Krumdick &
Muir, grain and implement dealers at that place. When Independence was
started, the company opened a branch at the new village, and placed their
trusted young employe in charge. In 1878 he purchased Mr. Krumdick's
interests, in the Independence business, and the firm became Muir &
Sprecher. In 1879 he acquired the Muir interests also, and established
the firm of John Sprecher. In 1894, the business had grown to such pro-
portions that Mr. Sprecher determined to dispose of the implement depart-
ment. Accordingly, he sold a half interest in that department to William
Steiner, Mr. Steiner becoming the sole owner in 1897. The grain business
is still retained, and is conducted by Mr. Sprecher and his son, Walter E.,
under the name of John Sprecher & Son. In the meantime, in 1888, Mr.
Sprecher, in company with Henry Schaef er, engaged in the lumber business
under the firm name of Sprecher & Schaef er, a name which upon the incor-
poration of the firm in 1910 was changed to the Sprecher Lumber Co., with
Mr. Sprecher as president. One of his greatest ventures, however, has
been the banking institution of which he is the head. In 1897. seeing the
need of a banking house in Independence, he formed a partnership with
Anton Senty, and on April 1, 1897, opened a private bank, the first bank
in Independence, under the name of Sprecher & Senty. The bank was
incorporated under its present name on June 1, 1902. He has likewise
been interested in the development of the Independence Creamery Co., in
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WALTER E. SPRECHER
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 697
which he is a stockholder. Reared a farmer, and engaged in the lines of
endeavor which most actively touch agricultural life, it is natural that
Mr. Sprecher should have turned to farm life as a hobby. Three of the
finest farms in the Elk Creek valley are his, and these he rents on a cash
basis. In Golden Valley County, North Dakota, he owns 1,000 acres,
which he rents on shares, 200 acres being in wheat and the rest in wild
grass. In Oregon he is a stockholder in a company owning 9,000 acres of
growing timber. His residence in Independence, erected about twenty years
ago, is one of the sightliest in the village, and fully modern in equipment.
Here also he has three other dweUings, and several vacant lots. Busy as
he has been with his numerous interests, Mr. Sprecher has found time for
considerable public service, having been chairman of the township of Burn-
side and president of the village board. His religious faith is that of the
Evangehcal Association Church, of which he has been a trustee for several
years. Mr. Sprecher was married, Feb. 5, 1876, to Carolina Schaefer, born
Aug. 15, 1851, the daughter of Christian and Elizabeth (Amda) Schaefer,
and this union has been blessed with five children, Lizzie, John H., George,
Walter E. and Carrie. Lizzie died at the age of two years and George at
the age of six. John H. is in the employ of the Aetna Life Insurance Co.
at Milwaukee ; Walter E. is cashier of the State Bank of Independence, and
a partner in the grain and seed firm of John Sprecher & Son. Carrie resides
at home. John A. Sprecher, father of John Sprecher, was born near Kure,
in Switzerland, came to America in 1845, and located on a farm in Troy
township, Sauk County, this state, where he died in 1890, his wife passing
away in 1879.
Walter E. Sprecher, financier, cashier of the State Bank of Independ-
ence, and prominent in banking circles throughout the state, is one of the
active young men of Independence, and is earnestly taking his part in the
development of the village which his father assisted in founding. He is
vitally interested in every movement which has for its object the better-
ment of the village and county, and his voice and influence are ever at
the disposal of those causes which he believes to be just and right. As
cashier of one of the leading banks in the county he has been an important
factor in its success, as a co-partner in his father's grain business he is in
close touch with farm life and conditions, as an oflScial of several bankers'
groups he has labored earnestly for the greatest stability in the finan-
cial integrity of the country, as an accountant he has originated methods
which have met with wide favor, and as a church and Sunday school worker
he has been faithful and efficient. Mr. Sprecher was born in the village
where he still resides, April 10, 1884, son of John and Caroline (Schaefer)
Sprecher. He passed through the public schools of Independence, and then
entered the Winona High School, from which he was graduated in 1902.
In 1906 he was graduated from the University of Wisconsin, having taken
his major credits in the department of economics. During his college career
he was much interested in all lines of athletics, but especially in football
and track work. Upon his return to Independence, he entered the State
Bank of Independence as assistant cashier. In 1913 he was promoted to
his present position. In this connection he has been interested in the work
698 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
of the various bankers' associations. In 1913 and 1914 he was secretary
and treasurer of Group 7, of the Wisconsin Bankers' Association, in 1915
he was president, and in 1916 he was made a member of the executive
council of the state association, and the representative of his group on the
educational committee of that association. In 1917 at the state conven-
tion of the association he was elected first vice-president of the State
Bank section of the American Bankers' Association, a section which was
just organized in 1916 at the Kansas City convention, and whose policies
he will have a hand in originating and shaping. In addition to his bank-
ing interests, Mr. Sprecher is vice-president of the Sprecher Lumber Co.
and a co-partner in the grain and seed firm of John Sprecher & Son. In
the cause of the Evangelical Association Church, Mr. Sprecher is especially
active as a loyal and enthusiastic supporter, and his work as superintendent
of the Sunday School has been productive of much good. Confined as he is
to his desk the greater part of the year, Mr. Sprecher has made a hobby
of out-of-door life. He is fond of hunting and fishing in all forms, and one
of his greatest delights is his annual trip to the northwoods after deer.
Mr. Sprecher was married, Sept. 16, 1908, to Florence L. V. Malloy, of
Winona, who was born in LaCrosse, Jan. 10, 1887, daughter of Martin and
Mary (Nagler) Malloy, the former of whom is a retired merchant of
Winona. Mrs. Sprecher, who was a gracious lady of many accomplish-
ments and graces, was killed in an automobile accident on the road between
Independence and Whitehall, Dec. 28, 1915, leaving one son, Drexel Andreas,
born March 25, 1913.
Henry I. Everson, manager of the Pigeon Grain and Stock Company, of
Whitehall, was born in Arcadia Township, Trempealeau County, May 7,
1886. His parents were Knudt and Matilda (Tande) Everson. The father,
a native of Norway, came to the United States with his parents in 1856,
the family settling in Dane County, Wisconsin, where they remained until
1861. They then came to Trempealeau County, where Knudt Everson
engaged in farming, and where he died in 1893 at the age of 56 years. His
wife, Matilda, who was born in 1842, is now residing with her daughter,
Mary, the wife of A. E. Brandon, a farmer of Pigeon Township. They had
a family of nine children: Ever K., who is engaged in the implement and
automobile business at Neche, N. D. ; Matthes, a resident of Whitehall;
Maria, above mentioned ; Pauline, who married W. H. Clark, of Seattle, and
died in 1912 ; Alfred T., who is cashier of the First State Bank of Bowes-
mont, N. D. ; Clara, wife of Albert Mattson, a monument dealer of Detroit,
Minn. ; Ida, wife of William Young, a merchant and postmaster of Lostwood,
N. D. ; Clarence, a barber, living in Winger, Minn., and Henry I., of
Whitehall. About six years after his father's death, Henry I. Everson and
his brother, Clarence, rented the home farm, which they operated together
under the name of Everson Bros, until the spring of 1906. He also went
to school during the winters in Whitehall, and for two years during the
period mentioned he was interested with his brother, Alfred, in mercantile
business at Stephen and Donaldson, Minn. From 1906 to 1914, Henry I.
Everson operated the home farm for himself, buying it in 1911. He still
maintains his interest in it, making a specialty of breeding pure Shrop-
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 699
shire sheep, and now having a herd of over 200. Feb. 1, 1916, he became
manager of Pigeon Grain and Stock Company, of Whitehall, in which posi-
tion he is now serving. He is a stockholder in this company, also in the
State Bank of Independence, the Peoples' State Bank of Whitehall, in the
Farmers & Merchants Bank of Independence, and in the Independence
Telephone Company, of which in 1914 he was treasurer, secretary and
general manager; secretary and treasurer of the same in 1910, 1911 and
1912, and treasurer in 1916. His first connection with the telephone
company was in 1909, when he became its secretary. His fraternal affilia-
tions are with the Independent Order of Foresters, Masons, and Modern
Woodmen of America.
Warner Brothers, Raymond K. and Rufus C, who are engaged in the
implement business at Independence, Wis., are sons of Robert and grand-
sons of William and Hester (Wolf) Warner. Robert was born at Bantry,
County Cork, Ireland, Oct. 20, 1830, and died at his home in Hale, Wis.,
Feb. 10, 1908, aged 77 years, two months and 20 days. He came to the
United States in the spring of 1850. On August 27 of that year he
enlisted in the United States Army and went with his regiment to Cali-
fornia to protect the frontier from Indians. After serving five years in the
army, he returned to Massachusetts, where he was united in marriage to
Margaret Sullivan, and together they came in 1857 to Adams County,
Wisconsin. In 1864 he removed with his family to Trempeleau County,
where his wife died in 1868. In 1870 he married Mary Ann Kershaw,
who now, at the age of 75 years, lives with her daughter, Mrs. Albert
Wingad, at Strum, Wis. The two brothers, Ra^^mond K. and Rufus C.
Warner, were both born in Hale, Wis., Raymond, Jan. 19, 1880, and Rufus,
Aug. Aug. 31, 1882, being the youngest of their father's ten children.
Together they bought the old home farm in 1905, having managed it for
some seven years previously, and farmed there until the fall of 1913. They
still own 80 acres of the original homestead of Grandmother Warner. In
December, 1913, they bought the implement business of Tubbs Brothers
in Independence and have since carried it on successfully. They are agents
for the new spreader, called the "Independence Special," which has been
designed by the Litchfield Manufacturing Company, of Waterloo, Iowa, to
meet the conditions existing in this territory, and a number of which have
already been sold in Trempeleau County. They are stockholders of the
State Bank of Independence, and also dealers in live stock with Tubbs
Brothers, under the style of Tubbs & Warner. As practical farmers them-
selves they are well qualified to succeed in their present business.
Henry Ruseling, owner of the Eleva Roller Mills, with which he has
been connected for 37 years, was born in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin,
June 4, 1856, son of Herman J. and Elizabeth (Jansen) Ruseling. Herman
J. Ruseling was born in Holland in 1815, came to America in the fall of
1847, located on a tract of 120 acres in Lima Township, Sheboygan County,
this state, and there lived until his death in 1896, his wife having died in
1865. Elizabeth Jansen was born in Holland in 1832. Henry Ruseling was
reared on the home farm, and as a young man learned the millers' trade.
In 1877 he was employed in a miU at Granite Falls, Minn. Coming to this
700 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
county in the fall of 1877, he secured work from Jacob R. Bear, as manager
of Bear's Mills, four miles from Whitehall, on Pigeon Creek. In 1880 he
came to Eleva, and bought an interest in the Eleva Roller Mills, of which
he is now the sole owner, and which, with the exception of three years when
he and his brother, William B., operated a stock ranch at Velva, N. D., he has
since continued to conduct. He is a useful and respected citizen, has had an
important part in the upbuilding of the village and the surrounding regions.
As president of the village, and as clerk and treasurer of the school board,
he has given good service. His religious affiliation is with the Methodist
Episcopal Church, of which he is chairman of the board of trustees. Mr.
Ruseling was married in 1879 to Flora C. Follett, whose father, G. W. Fol-
lett, was a hotel keeper and merchant at Coral City. Mrs. Ruseling died
in 1898, leaving two children, Fred F. and Grace C. Fred F. is associated
with his father in the miUing business. Grace C. married G. A. Perry, a
lumber and grain dealer of St. Vincent, Minn., and has two children. Flora
and Brooks. July 11, 1905, Mr. Ruseling married Mabel Hibbard, of Mil-
waukee. One daughter, Henrietta Hibbard, was born March 10, 1912, at
La Crosse. The Eleva Roller Mills, of which Henry Ruseling is proprietor
and Fred F. Rusehng is manager, were built in 1877 by E. J. Carpenter. The
same year he sold the mill to Crocker & Redfield. In 1880, the Crocker
interests were sold to Henry Ruseling, and the firm became Ruseling &
Redfield. The Redfield interests were sold to G. H. Snoyenbos, in March,
1881, and the firm became Ruseling & Snoyenbos. In 1889 Henry Rusehng
became the sole owner, and in 1915 Fred F. Ruseling was made manager.
The present mill was erected in 1890. It is 30 by 60 feet, with a porch with
projecting roof, 58 by 16 feet, and with an engine room 28 by 44 feet built
in 1894. The coal sheds, dynamo room and waterwheel house have been
built since then. The mill is operated by water and steam power with a
capacity of fifty barrels of flour. The equipment includes three double stands
of rolls, six round reels, one purifier, one scalper, one dust collector, one
double stand feed roll, one 22-inch Attrition feed mill, a corn sheller and
cleaner. Since 1914 Henry Ruseling has operated the village electric light
plant and furnished the power therefor.
William Gibson, an early settler of Trempeleau County, was born in
the Province of Quebec, Canada, March 7, 1824. From Canada he came to
Outagamie County, this state, about 1845, and there remained until 1864,
when he came to Trempeleau County and secured a tract of land in Trem-
pealeau Township. Here he remained until his lamented death, Dec. 22,
1907. His wife, Jane McGregor, was born in Scotland in 1830, was brought
to this country by her parents in 1833, lived in Outagamie County, Wis-
consin, until her marriage, came to Trempealeau County with her husband,
and died here in 1895, at the age of 65 years. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson had six
children: Thomas, a farmer of Trempealeau Township; Eliza, wife of
Andrew Johnson, a farmer of Hale Township ; Ann, wife of David Wright,
a farmer of Little Falls, Minn. ; Jeanette, who died in 1893 at the age of
35, the wife of Frank Johnson, a farmer of Trempealeau Township ; Dan.
P., superintendent of schools of Trempealeau County, and Robert, a con-
struction engineer now working in California.
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 701
Dan P. Gibson, county superintendent of schools, is leaving the impress
of his personality and enthusiasm upon the educational life of this region.
Since assuming the duties of his present position he has begun the use of
the telephone and rural free delivery in the rural schools, has introduced
the warm lunch movement, has installed domestic science and manual train-
ing departments throughout the county, and has emphasized the impor-
tance of the teaching of scientific agriculture. That his standing is recog-
nized outside of the country is shown by the fact that he had charge of
the "School Management" section at the 1914 Summer School at the
La Crosse Normal School, and by the further fact that he has been a vice-
president and a director of the Western Wisconsin Teachers' Association.
Dan P. Gibson was born in Hortonville, Wis., Feb. 25, 1863, son of William
and Jane (McGregor) Gibson. After passing through the rural schools
he obtained his higher education by farming summers, teaching winters,
and attending school whenever his funds permitted him to do so. Thus by
dint of hard work, perseverance and much home study, he was enabled to
graduate from Gale College in 1883, and from the Winona State Normal
School in 1893. Since the latter date he has devoted his time exclusively
to educational work. After taking charge successively of the schools of
Utica, Minn., Elba, Minn., Montgomery, Minn., and Melrose, Wis., he
returned to Trempealeau County in the fall of 1908 as the head of the
Ettrick Schools. In the spring of 1909 he was elected to his present posi-
tion and has been successively re-elected every two years since that time.
Fraternally, Mr. Gibson is associated with the Odd Fellows and the Modern
Woodmen, in the latter of which he has filled all the chairs. He was mar-
ried Aug. 15, 1885, to Emma Bowerman, who was born in Gale Township,
June 3, 1864, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Betts) Bowerman, the pioneers.
This union has been blessed with three children, Maida, McGregor and
Marguerite. Maida, a graduate of the Winona High School, is a teacher
of reading and spelling in the Junior High School of New Richmond, Wis.
McGregor is a farmer of Pigeon Township, this county. He married Emma
Hall, of La Crosse, and they have three children, Maida Harriet, Dorothy
June and Ethel Marie. Marguerite graduated from the Galesville High
School and is a teacher in the primary grade at Whitehall.
Charles H. Elkinton, M. D., physician and surgeon of Eleva, is a native
of this state, born in Dodge County, Wisconsin, April 8, 1862, son of Mark
and Nancy (Bush) Elkinton. Mark Elkinton was born in Lincolnshire,
England, July 18, 1816, and after his marriage, Sept. 27, 1851, came to
America and located in Rochester, N. Y., for two years, locating later at
Schleisingerville, Wis., before coming to Lomira Township, Dodge County,
this state, where he farmed until his death, Nov. 6, 1899, his wife, who was
born Nov. 16, 1826, having died Nov. 24, 1881. They were the parents of
nine children, seven of whom are now living as follows: Mark at Winne-
conne. Wis. ; Thomas at Jennings, La. ; Evelyn at Glascow, Mont. ; Frank
and William at Eleva, Wis., and Lucinda at Brownville, Wisconsin. Charles
H. Elkinton was reared on the home farm, attended the district schools
and started teaching in 1880 at the age of 18 years. By working as a
teacher for eight years he secured the funds necessary for further pur-
701' HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
suing his studies, and in 1886 he graduated from the Oshkosh Normal
School. Thus prepared, he entered the Rush Medical College in 1891, and
received his diploma from that institution in 1894. After practicing a few
months in Neillsville, Wis., he came to Eleva in the spring of 1895 and has
since been in active practice here. His standing in his profession is shown
by his membership in the American Medical Association, the State Medical
Society, and the Eau Claire County Medical Society. He is health officer
of Albion Township in Trempealeau County, and Clear Creek Township in
Eau Claire County, and has done considerable work in sanitation in addi-
tion to his regular practice. For ten years he has been clerk of the Eleva
School Board. His fraternal relations are with the Masonic order. Dr.
Elkinton is widely known as a fancier of fine stock. He has a large farm
in Clear Creek Township and makes a specialty of raising Guernsey cattle,
Hampshire sheep and Berkshire swine. On Feb. 24, 1897, Dr. Elkinton was
married to Alice Brown, of Neillsville, daughter of David and Anna (Gra-
ham) Brown. Mrs. Elkinton graduated from the Neillsville High School
after which she attended Oshkosh Normal School and was a successful
teacher for three years. To Dr. and Mrs. Elkinton have been born four
children: Carlos, born Jan. 24, 1898; Doras, born Aug. 14, 1900; Graham,
born April 6, 1904, and Charles, born Aug. 13, 1909. Carlos is in the
United States service, having enlisted June 18, 1917, in Comjpany E, Third
Wisconsin Infantry.
Giles Cripps was one of the earliest pioneers of Burnside Township,
being preceded only by the members of the John Markham household. He
opened a pioneer farm, kept the pioneer postoffice, was an early justice of
the peace, and served his township as chairman for several years. Giles
Cripps was born in Oxfordshire, England, Nov. 5, 1833, and was but three
years of age when he was brought to New York State by his parents. From
there, in 1843, the family came to Waukesha County, this state, where,
though a youth of but nine years, Giles Cripps assisted his father with his
herd of 1,500 sheep. The next move of the family was to Dane County
where they acquired a farm of 200 acres. There on June 9, 1853, he mar-
ried Harriet Wood. For four years they continued to farm in Dane County.
In 1857 they came to Trempealeau County and selected a homestead a few
miles up Elk Creek, being the first settlers in the Elk Creek valley. At
their home the Elk Creek postoffice was established, and the place became
a pioneer center. They developed a good farm and took a part in every
cause which had for its object the betterment of the community. Mr.
Cripps continued to devote his life largely to agricultural interests and for
some years he and Noah D. Comstock were interested in the grain and
elevator business in Independence. A man of broad sympathies and genial
temperament, he early became interested in the leading fraternal societies,
and in time joined the Masonic, Pythian and United Workmen orders. After
a busy and useful life, he died March 21, 1885, and the entire community
joined in its regret, the funeral being conducted under Masonic auspices
by Rev. T. Grafton Owen and attended by the members of the orders of
which he was a member as well as by hundreds of other friends. An
obituary notice in the Republican-Leader said : "Mr. Cripps was a man of
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 703
unimpeachable integrity, honesty and uprightness in every phase of his
daily hfe. In society he was a truly valuable citizen, and in his family a kind
and loving husband and father. His agreeable disposition, pleasing manner,
and clearly defined principles gave him a wide circle of friends as well as
many personal admirers. The death of no man in the community could
be more genuinely or profoundly mourned, his premature decease was the
cause of universal regret." He was survived by his widow, his five chil-
dren, and his aged father. The children are: E. A., of Medford, Ore.;
Charles A., of Iroquois, S. D. ; G. E. and Frederick E., of Independence, and
Mrs. Emma Nicols. Harriet Wood, whom Mr. Cripps married June 9, 1853,
was born in Cattaraugus County, New York, June 15, 1836, and was the
inspiration and help of her husband in all his undertakings. After the
death of Mr. Cripps, she remained on the home farm until Oct. 28, 1898,
when she married J. W. Summers, and subsequently moved to Whitehall,
where she died July 21, 1915. She was universally beloved and respected,
and her gracious hospitality was an important feature of pioneer life in
Burnside.
Frederick C. Cripps, a well-known and respected citizen of Burnside
Township, operating a farm of 240 acres in Section 1, was the first white
child born in this township, the date of his nativity being Nov. 23, 1858,
and his parents being Giles and Harriet (Wood) Cripps, the pioneers. He
was reared to agricultural pursuits. After his marriage in 1883 he moved
into his farm in Section 11, Burnside. It was on Oct. 25, 1891, that he
sold out and moved to his present place. It is a well-developed piece of
property and is being constantly improved. Its fertile acres are devoted
to general farming, a specialty being made of a fine herd of graded Holstein
cattle. The residence is a two-story frame house with a full basement. It
has been substantially rebuilt, and a furnace and other modern conveniences
installed. In 1897 the barn was erected. It is a commodious structure of
frame, 40 by 64 by 20 feet above the basement, the basement being of
stone, with cement floors. In 1917 a large silo was built of Natco imperish-
able hollow glazed black tile, the dimensions being 12 by 40 feet, and the
capacity 96 tons. Mr. Cripps was married Feb. 25, 1883, to Lillian Dale,
of Galesville, who was born in Caledonia Township, this county. May 9,
1863, daughter of Joseph and Albina (Fowler) Dale. This union has been
blessed with two children: Arthur L., born June 19, 1888, who is
residing at home, and Josephine A., born July 24, 1890, now the wife of
Paul Van Horn, the merchant at Elk Creek, Hale Township, this county.
Joseph Dale was one of the earliest pioneers of Caledonia Township,
and of Trempealeau County. He was born at Utica, N. Y., June 22, 1825,
and was there reared and educated. As a young man he came west and
settled in Walworth County, this state. After his marriage in 1850, he
came to La Crosse County, and in 1854 settled in what is now Caledonia
Township, this county. He acquired a tract of wild land, broke and
developed a good farm, and took his full share in the pioneer activities of
the community. In 1868 he moved to Galesville, where he died Aug. 28,
1889. He was married at Hart Prairie. Walworth County, Wisconsin, Dec.
8, 1850, to Albina Fowler, who died Oct. 3, 1884.
704 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Nels L. Fredrickson, agriculturist, public official and man of affairs, is
one of the leading citizens of the county. He did most efficient service as
county sheriff in 1893-94, as under-sheriff in 1895-96, and as county treas-
urer in 1907-11, and since the spring of 1914 has been a prominent member
of the county board, sitting as the member from Whitehall, which village he
has served for two years as president. The cai'eer that has involved this
unusual amount of public work has been a most interesting one. The son
of Fredrick Nelson and Isabella Larson, he was born in Christiania, Norway,
Jan. 26, 1856, and after the death of his father, at the age of 10 he was
brought to this country with the rest of the family, by his mother and
step-father, George Reitzel. After a year in Ettrick, he came with the
family to Preston Township, and was here reared to agricultural pursuits.
In 1877 he started out for himself by securing employment in the lumber
and machinery business with C. N. Paine & Co. at Whitehall, remaining
two and a half years. For a number of years he was in the hardware
business. He had a part in the building of the block on the site of what is
now the Model Block, later destroyed by fire. Upon his election as sheriff he
moved to the official residence and at the expiration of his term purchased
his present farm, where he has since continued to reside. The place consists
of nearly a quarter of a section in the southeast corner of the village of
Whitehall, and is a modern farm in every particular. He has a fine herd of
high-grade Holstein cattle, a good drove of Poland-China hogs, and makes a
specialty of breeding Brown Leghorn chickens. His interest in his herd led
to his connection with the Whitehall Creamery Association, which he served
for a time as president, and of which he has been secretary and manager
since 1914. The success of this institution is a strong tribute to Mr. Fred-
rickson's management. With all his busy work, he has found time for the
development of his social qualities, and has taken a deep interest, passing
through the chairs of the local order, serving as district deputy, and sitting
as a member of the Grand Lodge of the State. Mr. Fredrickson has been
excellently described as a useful citizen. Combining a genial disposition with
sterling worth and an ability to make friends, he has won his way in the
world and has achieved a most satisfactory degree of success. Mr. Fred-
rickson was married Nov. 6, 1896, to Mary Allen, who died Nov. 3, 1902.
Her parents were Martin and Ehzabeth (Ackerman) Allen, the former of
whom is dead and the latter of whom is proprietor of the Allen Hotel at
Whitehall. On Jan. 1, 1910, Mr. Fredrickson married Sigrid Kildahl,
who was born in Norway, daughter of Ole and Martha Kildahl. Mr. and
Mrs. Fredrickson have four children: Isadora M., born Oct. 6, 1910; Sigrid
L., May 27, 1912; Nels L., Jr., May 11, 1914, and Junice Waunita, June
14, 1917.
Fredrick Nelson, father of Nels L. Fredrickson, a leading citizen of
Whitehall, was born in Norway, and was there reared and educated. Com-
ing of a long line of seafaring ancestry, he early took up work as a boatman
on the sea and lakes, and after several years lost his life in this occupation,
being drowned in Lake Mjosen, Norway, in 1861. In early life he married
Isabella Larson, and to this union were born two children : Nels L. and
Elisa.
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 705
George Reitzel, one of the early settlers of Preston Township, was born
in Norway, and there grew to manhood. In 1862 he married Isabella
Larson, the widow of Fredrick Nelson. Four years later they brought their
family to America, and took up their residence in Ettrick Township, this
county. After residing there about a year they moved to Pi-eston Town-
ship, and homesteaded a farm where they lived two years, from there going
to Buffalo County, where they took land on which they remained for about
the same length of time. They next spent a year in Ettrick and after that
removed to Minnesota. In 1876 they came to Whitehall, where Mr. Reitzel
died in 1879. In 1884 Mrs. Reitzel married Ole Larson. Since his death on
March 7, 1908, she has lived in Whitehall. Mr. and Mrs. Reitzel had six
children: Rosa, Anton F., George and Emil (twins), Frank and Rosa.
The two oldest were born in Norway, and with Nels L. and Elisa Fredrickson
were brought to this country by their parents.
Daniel Bigham is one of the earliest pioneers of Trempealeau County.
Making his first trip to this State with his parents as a boy from his home in
New York State in 1856, he became acquainted with some of the leaders
among the first settlers in this region, and one of his greatest delights is in
recalling incidents and events in the lives of the sturdy frontiersmen of
those now far-distant days. His experiences also embraced pioneer lumber-
ing when the great forest wealth of Wisconsin was first being developed,
and when the La Crosse sawmills in which he was employed were the ren-
dezvous of many of the early lumbermen since prominent in the industrial
history of the State. He was born in Putnam County, New York, Nov. 25,
1843, the son of James and Catherine (McVoy) Bigham, and of Scotch-Irish
ancestry. He entered the schools of his native county as a youth, and at
the age of 13, in 1856, was brought by his parents to Glencoe Township,
Buffalo County, this State, where he assisted in developing a pioneer farm,
and at times attended such schools as the time and place afforded. Al-
though he left school at a comparatively early age, he has been a deep
reader, and has thus acquired a substantial education. As a young man
he worked during the lumbering seasons in the sawmills of La Crosse for
ten years. In the meantime he purchased 117 acres in section 1 and section
6, range 9, in Arcadia Township, and in 1864 he took up his home thereon.
This was entirely a wild tract, but he set to work with a will, firm in the
purpose of developing as good a place as could be found in the community.
His first house was a small frame structure, 16 by 22 feet. In 1875 he
erected a more modern home, with an upright, 18 by 26 feet, and an ell, 16 by
22 feet, a 12 by 12 kitchen being added later, so that now it is a sightly,
comfortable structure of 11 rooms. As prosperity increased he erected
a fine barn, 30 by 74 feet, with 16-foot posts, and a full basement with 9-foot
posts. He also erected a granary 16 by 24 by 12 feet, and other buildings
of various descriptions. With the progress of years he developed an
excellent farm, and for many years successfully carried on general farming,
making a specialty of the dairy type of grade Shorthorns, and Shropshire
sheep. In 1875 he rented his farm and moved to Arcadia. Three years
later he returned to the place, but in 1909 he retired permanently. He
has a beautiful home and two extra lots on the hill in Arcadia, and here
706 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
he and his good wife are enjoying the fruits of their many hard years of
incessant toil. His public service has been extensive. For six years he
was chairman of Arcadia Township, and as such did most efficient service
as a member of the county board. For seven years he gave satisfaction
as township assessor. For many terms he was clerk of his school district.
Now he is justice of the peace, in which position he has served for some
time. His business holdings include stock in the Trout Run Farms, of
which he is president, in the Trempealeau County Farmers' Mutual Fire.
Insurance Company, in which he is a director, and in the Farmers' Shipping
Association of Arcadia. Mr. Bigham was married March 24, 1868, to
Florence Caldwell, born in Clinton County, N. Y., Feb. 22, 1849, daughter
of James and Jane (Stark) Caldwell, the former of whom, a carpenter,
brought the family to Fountain City from New York State in 1855. Mrs.
Bigham has been her husband's inspiration in all his undertakings, a
splendid housewife, a loving wife and devoted mother. Mr. and Mrs. Big-
ham have three children : Orrie May, Alice Myrtle and Roy E. Orrie May
was born March 12, 1869, graduated from the Arcadia High School and the
River Falls Normal School, and is now a proficient teacher in the public
schools of La Crosse. Alice Myrtle was born July 21, 1871, graduated from
the Arcadia High School and taught in the Arcadia schools for several
years. Her special interest has been in the public library work in Arcadia.
Her husband. Dr. J. A. Palmer, now a first lieutenant in the United States
Medical Corps, is one of the county's most distinguished citizens. Roy E.
was born May 30, 1879, graduated from the Arcadia High School and from
the law department of the University of Wisconsin, and is now practicing
successfully his profession near Portland, Ore. He married Tennie Talbot
and has two daughters : Florence and Frances.
Ole P. Christiansen was born in Norway, Dec. 29, 1846, and was there
reared. At the age of 21 he came to America, and located in Dane County,
this State. Five years later he came to Trempealeau County and acquired
120 acres in Unity Township. This he successfully worked for a while,
but in 1879 sold out and went to North Dakota. A year later, in 1880, he
returned, married, and secured a farm of 120 acres three miles north of
Strum. There he lived until 1911, when he moved to Strum. His wife,
Paulina Olson, was born in Norway, March 20, 1865, and was brought to
America by her parents at the age of 7 years. Mr. and Mrs. Christianson
have five children: Malner P., the Strum miller; Johanna, who died in
infancy ; Josephine, the wife of Peter Smengson, of North Dakota ; Otelja,
who died in childhood, and Olga, a telephone operator.
Malner P. Christianson is the proprietor of the Strum Mill, one of the
most important enterprises in the village. Born on the home farm three
miles north of Strum, Jan. 7, 1881, he remained with his parents, Ole P. and
PauUna (Olson) Christianson, until 1910. Then, after a year in the West,
he bought the mill which he now conducts. The mill is a substantial struc-
ture, 24 by 46 feet, erected in 1901 by Henry Ruseling, now of Eleva.
Power is furnished by a 38-horsepower gasoline engine, and the equipment
includes a 20-inch grinder and a cob cracker. The capacity is about 30
tons a day. In addition to doing a general grist-mill business, Mr. Christian-
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 707
son handles Pillsburjs White Rose and Wingold flour, stock feed, flax meal,
calf meal, middlings, shorts and bran.
George W. Graul, proprietor of the Maple Lawn Dairy Farm of 320
acres in sections 22 and 26, Burnside Township, has a large and well
equipped place which will compare favorably with the best in the county.
He is an excellent type of the modern farmer, and conducts his operations
along the latest approved lines, taking pride in the appearance of his
home, his barns, his farm and his stock. He was born in Fond
du Lac County, this State, Jan. 24, 1877, son of Emil and
Caroline (Schedler) Graul, the former of whom was born in Milwaukee,
Sept. 2, 1845, and the latter in Germany, Dec. 1.3, 1846. Emil Graul, al-
though born in Milwaukee, was reared in Sauk County, this State. He sub-
sequently lived two years in Fond du Lac and three years in Winona, Minn.
In 1881 he bought the farm now operated by his son George W. and con-
ducted it until the spring of 1905, when he and his wife retired and went
to live in Independence. George W. Graul was reared from early childhood
on his parents' homestead, on which he found abundant opportunity to
become acquainted with agricultural methods, finally developing into a good,
practical farmer. For a number of years he helped his father and then,
in 1905, rented the home farm, operating it on that basis until 1915. In
the latter year he bought the quarter section in section 26, but rents the
other quarter section in section 22 from his father. The residence on his
property was built in 1893, and is a frame two-story and basement dwelling,
well constructed and convenient. In 1916 a barn was built, 40 by 140 by
14 feet above stone basement, with cement floors, having room for 100 head
of cattle and 20 horses. The south side of the basement is composed
entirely of windows, giving an abundance of light. All the buildings on the
farm are also lighted with electricity from Mr. Graul's own plant. The
silo is of frame construction, 18 by 30 feet in dimensions. Mr. Graul raises
graded Holstein cattle, having a herd of 60 head, of which he milks 30. He
also has 50 head of Poland-China hogs, feeds 200 head of sheep a year, and
keeps Buff Leghorn chickens and Toulouse geese. His farm is all fenced
with woven wire fencing 42 inches high. April 7, 1905, Mr. Graul was
united in marriage with Annie Loretz, of Buffalo County, Wis., daughter of
John and Salome (Loretz) Loretz, the former of whom died in 1915, and the
latter in 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Graul have three children, born as follows:
Morris, June 12, 1906; Emil, June 6, 1908, and Laura, Oct. 11, 1911. The
family are members of the German Evangelical Church, of which Mr. Graul
was formerly a steward, also teaching a class in the Sunday school. Since
1898 he has been school clerk of his district.
John Markham was born at "Becca" Hall, near Leeds, Yorkshire, Eng-
land, on June 6, 1797. The family traces its ancestry from a period imme-
diately anterior to the Norman conquest, down to the present time. The
first pubhshed history of the family was prepared and the data accumu-
lated by David Markham, a younger brother of John Markham, who had
spent some twenty years in the work, but had not completed his task when
death overtook him, and the final publication in 1854 was consummated by
David's son. Sir Clements Robert Markham, afterward president of the
708 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Royal Geographical Society of England, who again in 1915 published a
second and very complete history of the family in two volumes. John
Markham's grandfather was Archbishop of York, who was chaplain to
King George II and afterward to King George III, and directed the educa-
tion of the Prince of Wales and Duke of York, and presided over the See
of York for 31 years to the time of his death. When but 13 years of age
John entered the British navy, where he served several years, attaining the
office of lieutenant, but upon sustaining a sunstroke while on the India
station he was obliged to retire. In 1834 he was married to Marianne G. D.
Wood, daughter of I. B. Wood, Esq., by whom he had five sons, the oldest
of whom, John, served in the army and was for years British consul to
Hong Kong, China ; he married and had two daughters, Florence and May,
neither of whom married, and the wife and two daughters surviving
him still are living at Rai-Gate, England. The second son, George Henry
Markham, was born Jan. 24, 1837, in Yorkshire, England, where he and his
brothers received their education under private tutors. He came to
America with his father, mother and brother, Arthur Augustus Markham,
leaving their then home on the Island of Guernsey on Aug. 13, 1856, and be-
coming the first settlers at the present site of the village of Independence,
Trempealeau County, obtaining from the Government and by purchase
a large tract of 'land north and east of the confluence of Elk Creek with
the Trempealeau River. This farm became well known far and near, due
to the residence later built thereon located on a considerable eminence at
the base of a hill facing the south and east and commanding a magnificent
view. This house, commonly known as the Markham castle, was built
with eight sides, octagonal, and originally comprised four stories, including
an observatory at the top. This house was the home of George H. Markham
until 1912, when he sold his half of the old homestead — his brother Arthur
still owns and occupies the other half of the farm — and has since resided
in the village of Independence. The third son, Frederick, died in youth.
The fourth son, Arthur Augustus Markham, was born at Bagnere de Bigorre
in the Pyrenees, France, on June 8, 1840. Here also the last son, Albert Hast-
ings Markham, was born Nov. 11, 1841. He entered the navy prior to his
parents and brothers coming to America and through rapid promotion
finally became admiral of the fleet. His post immediately prior to his
reaching the age of compulsory retirement was at Sheerness, England. He
made several trips into the Arctic Sea in quest of the North Pole and com-
manded a sledging expedition from his ship in 1878, establishing at that
time the farthest northern record. He wrote several books on the question
of Arctic exploration, and also several biographical works, among them
"Life of Sir John Franklin" and "Life of Sir Clements Markham," which
latter work is now just being published. He was knighted by King Edward,
with whom he was quite intimate, there being a great similarity in the
facial appearance of the two men. His wife, Dora Jervers, and one daugh-
ter, Joy Markham, reside with him in the city of London.
George H. Markham, pioneer, assemblyman and public official, is one
of the county's most notable citizens, and has had a most remarkable influ-
ence upon its destinies for more than 60 years. Of distinguished ancestry
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 709
and bearing, he is a genial, courteous gentleman of the old school, and he
and his good wife, a most gracious and kindly lady, have delighted in dis-
pensing cordial hospitality for considerably over half a century. George H.
Markham was born in Yorkshire, England, Jan. 24, 1837, son of John and
Marianne G. D. (Wood) Markham. He led the little group of people who
in 1856 settled near the mouth of Elk Creek, and here he has since con-
tinued to be a leading citizen. George H. Markham was the first town
clerk of the town of Burnside, which then included the present territory of
the village of Independence and the town of Chimney Rock, and served as
treasurer of the town of Burnside and later as treasurer of the village from
its incorporation in 1886 for 30 years or more. He represented Trempea-
leau County in the Assembly during the 1879 session of the State Legisla-
ture and also served his town as member of the county board when the
county seat was at Galesville. At an early day he held the office of justice
of the peace and frequently officiated at nuptials of the settlers in the ab-
sence of a clergyman. He was made a Mason in "Doyles" Lodge No. 99 at
the Island of Guernsey in 1854 ; was a member of the Knights of Pythias
Lodge at Independence and also held a chair in the Ancient Order of United
Workmen, frequently representing his local lodges as delegate to the Grand
Lodge of Wisconsin. He was married Oct. 8, 1862, to Fannie M. Bishop,
a daughter of Dr. Edmund Bishop, of Portage City, Wis., and to this union
one son, George A. Markham, was born on May 7, 1865, who for many years,
and until his death on July 16, 1909, edited and published the Independence
News-Wave. He was married Oct. 11, 1891, to Ada Rogers, of Osseo, Wis.,
an only daughter of Alfred H. Rogers, now living at Independence, who was
an early settler of the town of Burnside, and left no children. Alfred H.
Rogers was born in Dane County, this State, June 4, 1844, and was married
at Osseo Dec. 2, 1866, to Abby Buzzell, who was born in Waukesha County,
this State, April 28, 1849. Except for a year in Iowa and three years in
Missouri their married life has been spent in this county.
Arthur A. Markham, a substantial pioneer of quiet tastes, was born at
Bagnere de Bigorre, in the Pyrennes, France, June 8, 1840, the fourth son
of John and Marianne G. D. (Wood) Markham, with whom he came to
America in 1857, and to the present site of Independence in 1867, he and his
parents having spent the preceding winter at Black River Falls, while his
brother George H. had located the family estate at Independence. Arthur
A. Markham being a younger brother of George H. and of a retiring dispo-
sition was not so well known in the community. He had no taste for public
life and devoted his time almost entirely to the improvement of the large
farm. He did, however, act as treasurer of the town of Burnside, being its
first treasurer, and also acted as secretary of the "Grange," a farmers'
organization which was quite influential in the early '70s. (The "Grange"
obtained supplies from the Montgomery Company, of Chicago, the start of
the mail order business.) He belonged to no secret orders, except the
Good Templars. He was married June 24, 1874, to Rose C. Bishop,
daughter of Collins Bishop, the first settler of Arcadia. They had six
children, four boys and two girls: John Albert, born Sept. 6, 1875, and
Claron Arthur, born Jan. 3, 1878, are practicing attorneys, the first named
7]0 mSTOBT OF TBEMPF.AT.EAr COrXTY
of Independence, and the last named of Beaver Dam, Wis. Marianne Emily
Markham. the third child, -was bom July 21, 1883. She has not married
and resides -vrith her parents on the old Marlcham farm jxist ■within the vil-
lage limits. The founh child. Fredrick Clements, -was bom June 13. 1885.
He. as did his brothers and sisters, completed the course of study at the high
school of Independence, and at once settled upon the old farm, after taking
some advanced study at Madison in agriculture. He married Inez Leonard,
of PottersviBe. Mich., July 4. 1916. The fifth child. William Hughes, -was
bom Dec. 13. 1888. After his gradution at the home schools he attended
Appleton College and then completed the la-w course at the Unversity of
Minnesota, and is now practicing la"w at Horicon, Wis. He married Mae
Spencer, of St. Charles. Minn.. June, 1915, and has one son. The sixth
child, Blanche Fannie Markham. -was bom Feb. 18, 1890. who after com-
pleting the local high school took special training in music and normal work
ar ; ■ ' " " -; ' " ;.rs, at present teaching music and Enghsh
a: " /^ . ^
John A- Markham, former district attorney, three times president of
Independence, and an active worker in the cause of advancement in his
native village of Independence, is worthily fulfilling the traditions of a
diBtinguished ancestry. Energetic, keen-minded and capable, he has im-
ptBSBed his personality upon many causes which he has fostered and
enoonraged, and has been especially active in behalf of the cause of ci^nc
righteouBnesB and improvement, good roads and modem schools. His
sightly home is one of the most attractive residences in the county, and he
and his wife are widely known for their genial hospitality. He was bom
Sept. 6, 1875, son of Arthur A. and Eose C. (Bishop) Markham. and spent
t, 'id on the farm, receiving his education at the Independence High
Sc:. .— _:^d the L'niversity of Minnesota, from which institution he gradu-
ated in June, 1901, with the degree of Bachelor of Law and was admitted
to practice law in the Supreme Court of Minnesota and later in the State
of Wisconsin. That same year he and his brother, Claron Arthtir Mark-
ham, who had completed the same course of education, opened a law oflBce
in the city of Beaver Dam, Dodge County, Wis., where both brothers were
admitted and joined the Odd Fellows' Lodge No. 117. John A. Markham
was married to Eleanor Louise Brown, eldest daughter of Capt. William E.
Brown, of South Bend, Ind., on May 21, 1904. He has three sons : Arthur
Wilham. bora at Beaver Dam. Wis.. May 31, 1905 ; George Francis Markham,
bora Aug. 15, 1909, at Independence, Wis., and Richard Albert Markham,
bora Dec. 13, 1912, at Independence. Wis. In October, 1905, John A. and
ClaroD A. dissolved partnership and John A. removed to Independence,
where he has since continued the practice of law. He served two terms as
prosecuting attorney of Trempealeau County from 1909 to 1913 and has
held various municipal oflBces, including justice of the peace and city attor-
ney, and for the past three years has been president of the tillage of Inde-
pendence. He was made a Mason at "VMiitehall Lodge No. 271 and a Roj-al
Arch Mason at Arcadia, Wis.
Phillip Wolfe, an early settler in Buffalo County, long since passed
away, was bom in Prussia in 1824, and came to America when a young man.
HISTORY OF TREilPEALEAU COUNTY 7U
in 1849. He had learned the blacksmith's trade in his native land and
after landing in this country settled first in Sj-racuse. N. Y".. where he
worked at his trade. After remaining there a year, however, he went to
Galena, 111., where he also followed his trade for a while. He then bought
a farm in Cross Township, Buffalo County — a place that had some small
improvements on it, including a log house and stable. Except for one more
year spent in Galena, he continued to follow general farming in Buffalo
County until his death, July 15. 1886. When he started farming here he
had 160 acres in his original tract, and later bought 160 more, thus being
the owner of 320 acres at the time of his death, of which 170 were under
the plow, the rest being in timber and pasture. He had erected good,
substantial buildings and was in comfortable circumstances. Although a
farmer for so many years, he continued to work at his trade aU his life.
building a shop when he moved onto the farm. As a skillful blacksmith he
was widely known and had a good business. Mr. Wolfe was married in
Galena, 111., to Catherine Reidinger, who died in 1S84. They had five
children, whose record in brief is as follows: Phillip. Jr.. bom Feb. 14,
1857, at Fountain City, Wis., is now Uving retired in Arcadia, and is the
owner of a farm in Buffalo County; Henry, born in Glencoe Township.
Buffalo County. Dec. 31, 1859, is a farmer in Cross Township. Buffalo
County, where he owns 1,000 acres of land : William is a prominent business
man of Arcadia; Bertha, born June 11, 1863, is the wife of Christian G.
Wenger, and resides in Arcadia Village : Fred, bom Oct. 24, 1865, in Cross
Township, is proprietor of a hotel in Fountain City.
William R. Wolfe, a well-known business man and popular citizen of
Arcadia, has taken a part in many of its important ventures, and has been
especially active in fraternal affairs. He was born in Glencoe Township,
Buffalo County, this State. July 31. 1S61. son of Phillip and Catherine
(Reidinger) Wolfe. Reared amid pioneer conditions when his parents were
struggling to develop a farm, he had to work hard as a boy, and thus had
little opportunity for extensive schooUng, though his keen observation and
wide reading have since given him good educational training. In the spring
of 1888 he left the paternal roof and bought the Behlmer Hotel at Fountain
City, which he conducted until 1890. He then came to Arcadia and went
into business on Main Street opposite Hotel Cain, remaining there until
1904. when he came to his present location. Since 1905 he has been lessee
and manager of the Opera House, which he has made one of the best in
the State for a city the size of Arcadia, having refitted and furnished it
tastefully and made every effort to secure high-class entertainments. He
has for a long time given his active support to practically every local enter-
prise calculated to be of benefit to the community, showing in this respect
a commendable degree of public spirit. He is now in comfortable circum-
stances, having accumulated a fair competency. At Arcadia Mr. Wolfe is a
charter member of Trempealeau Tribe. Independent Order of Red Men.
of which he has been treasurer, and a charter member of Maple Brook Camp.
No. 24, Woodmen of the World, of which he has been clerk for four years.
At Fountain City he joined Steuber Lodge. No. 280. 1. O. 0. F.. in 1SS2. At
Winona he is a member of Winona Aerie. No. 1243, Fraternal Order of
712 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Eagles. Mr. Wolfe was married Sept. 3, 1891, to Paulina, daughter of
John and Rose Earney, of Cochrane, Buffalo County, and they began domes-
tic life in Arcadia, where they have ever since resided. They have one
child, Leona, who was born May 26, 1892, in Arcadia Village. She is the
wife of William Knoop, who is engaged in the shoe business in Arcadia.
Mr. Wolfe is a Democrat in politics and has sei'ved as treasurer of the
Democi-atic County Committee for four years.
Christian Kolden, an early settler, was born in Gulbrandsdalen, Nor-
way, and was there reared and married Ingri Ramstad, who was born Dec.
3, 1838, and died Aug. 1, 1903. They came to America in 1870, and located
near Urne, in Buffalo County, this State, remaining until 1884, when he
secured 120 acres in section 10, town 23, range 7, Hale Township. This
farm he developed and improved, increasing the property of 200 acres, and
successfully carrying on general farming. He now makes his home with
his son. Die, who has the farm lying just across the road on the east. Mr.
and Mrs. Kolden had five children : Ole, born Aug. 24, 1867, a farmer of
Hale Township; Eldri, born June 13, 1875, in Buffalo County, who keeps
house for her brother Ole; Torsten, born Jan. 16, 1878, also in Buffalo
County, who died Aug. 27, 1881 ; Karen Torine, born May 16, 1880, who is
the wife of Carl P. Hanson, a farmer near Onalaska, Wis. ; and Thea Lydia,
born Feb. 6, 1884, who married Orville Evenson, a farmer near Whitehall.
She died Nov. 6, 1907.
Ole Kolden, proprietor of the fertile Kolden Stock Farm of 160 acres in
sections 9 and 16, town 23, range 7, Hale Township, is doing his full share
toward developing the agricultural resources of the county. Energetic and
capable, he is a successful farmer, a good neighbor and a useful citizen. He
was born in Gulbransdalen, Norway, Aug. 24, 1867, son of Christian and
Ingri (Ramstad) Kolden, who in 1870 brought him to America and settled
in Buffalo County, this State, coming in 1884 to Hale Township, where he
grew to young manhood and was trained to farm pursuits, assisting in the
cultivation and development of the home farm. He bought his present
farm in 1894, and moved onto it in 1908. Here he has since carried on
general farming, operating it successfully, and keeping graded Holstein
cattle, of which he has 30 head, with a registered sire ; about 30 head of
Poland-China hogs, and a flock of White Leghorn chickens. Like other
enterprising farmers, he has improved his place from time to time by
the ei-ection of new buildings, installed with modern conveniences. Thus,
in 1910, two years after moving onto this property, he built his present
residence, a two-story and basement house of nine rooms, installed with
a hot water heating system and other modern improvements. In 1915 he
built a barn, 44 by 64 by 14 feet above stone basement, with an ell 32 by 20
feet for horses. The barn has cement floors and steel fixtures all through.
His granary and machine shed is a frame building, 16 by 28 feet, with an ell
32 by 34. All the buildings on the farm are well constructed and present
a neat appearance. As one of the substantial and prominent men of his
township, Mr. Kolden has not escaped public office, but has served cheerfully
as township supervisor for four years and as school clerk three years. He
is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. Mr. Kolden
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 713
was married, June 3, 1908, to Kari Moe, of Gary, Minn., who was born in
Norway, June 18, 1878, daughter of Guttorm and Anna (Lyngve) Moe.
She died April 15, 1912, leaving one child, Isabella Alvidia, who was born
Nov. 6, 1910.
George A. Coy, an energetic young business man, was born in Inde-
pendence, Jan. 11, 1892, the son of Elmer and Barbara (Cook) Coy, the
former of whom has been a rural carrier on Route 1, out of Independence,
since 1902. George A. acquired a good education, passing through the
graded schools and graduating from the Independence High School in 1910.
Thus prepared he entered the rural mail service as carrier on Route 3, from
Independence. Two years later he went to Montevideo, Minn., learned the
trade of linotype operator, and followed that line of work for a year and a
half, then returning, and becoming a mail carrier on Route 3, out of Inde-
pendence. In 1916 he entered into partnership with John A. Rumpel
in the firm of Rumpel & Coy, and bought out the meat market of Peter
Filla at Independence and built up a substantial business in meats, groceries
and baked goods, and also renting the building, a substantial two-story
brick building with full basement. He was married, June 8, 1915, to Kath-
erine McClone, of Stevens Point, a graduate of Stevens Point Normal School,
who was a teacher in the seventh and eighth grades of the public schools
for seven years. Her parents were Edward and Sarah (Timlin) McClone,
the father being now a retired farmer living at Stevens Point. Mr. and
Mrs. Coy have one child, Katherine Loraine, who was born July 29,
1916.
William Van Sickle was one of the earliest settlers. Coming to this
county in 1856, he and his family located in Preston Township, where they
began life in true pioneer style, living for three months in a tent, while
William Van Sickle hauled lumber from Merrillan to build a house. This
domicile when completed measured 12 by 20 feet, and besides constructing
it he made his own furniture. He had two yoke of oxen, indispensable for
pioneer farming, and cut his wheat with a cradle, threshing it the first three
years with a flail. His hay he cut with a scythe. For provisions the family
depended largely on the game which he killed, of which there was an
abundance, including bear, deer, ducks and prairie chickens. Indeed, the
family had little occasion for money, as trousers were made from bagging
and moccasins from cowhides, Mr. Van Sickle and his sons wearing blue
denim shirts, and it was always possible to trade hay, corn, wheat or game
for such articles as they could not raise or make themselves. Of course,
there were inconveniences and occasional privations in connection with such
a life, but these were surmounted or endured until conditions gradually
improved.
Levi Van Sickle was born in Will County, 111., April 3, 1840, son of Will-
iam and Carohne (Denny) Van Sickle, who brought him to Preston Town-
ship in 1856. He was reared amid pioneer conditions, residing on the home
farm and assisting his father until he was 25 years old. Then, ambitious
of an independent career, he homesteaded land for himself in Preston
Township, taking up 160 acres, where he resided until 1879 — a period of
14 years. Having during that time considerably improved his place, he
714 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
sold it and went to Blue Earth County, Minnesota, where he remained three
years. He then returned to Wisconsin and rented the David Wood farm
for two years. In 1884 he bought a farm in section 24, Lincoln Township,
where he resided until his death. He was married, Oct. 1, 1865, to Mary
Wood, daughter of Alvah Wood, and a sister of David Wood. He and his
wife had four children: Cora, wife of Erwin Rumsey, who is employed
in the freight depot of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway at La
Crosse, they having one child, Ethel ; Alvah, a farmer in Pigeon Township,
who married Grace Thompson and has one child, lone ; Estella, who resides
at home, and one that died young. Mr. Van Sickle was for many years a
member and trustee of the Presbyterian church at Whitehall.
John Charles Hewitt, pioneer lumberman, successful agriculturist, and
gallant soldier, was born in Canada, Aug. 19, 1832. Early in hf e Mr. Hewitt
became a lumberman and riverman. He was still a young man when he
came to the United States and was in this country when the Civil War
broke out. In that great struggle he took an active part, enlisting at La
Crosse in the First Wisconsin Light Artillery, with which organization he
served three years and escaped unwounded. At the close of the war he
returned to La Crosse County and again took up river work as foreman for
the Black River Improvement Company, soon moving from La Crosse to
Bloomer, Wis., where he lived for two years. He then moved to Beef
Slough, near Nelson, in Buffalo County, as foreman for the Mississippi Log-
ging Company, remaining there about five years, and subsequently returned
to La Crosse County, where he purchased a farm. Not long afterward
he again entered the employ of the Black River Improvement Company,
working on Black River. After spending three years at this familiar work
the farm again claimed his attention and he returned to it and followed
agriculture until 1890, when he quit that occupation and moved to La Crosse,
where he lived retired for about two years. He then came to Gale Town-
ship and purchased the farms on which his sons Charles F. and Mai'k R. now
reside, and resumed agricultural operations, being thus actively engaged
until 1899, when he retired and moved to Galesville, where he died Dec. 12,
1912. Mr. Hewitt was married Sept. 2, 1867, at Minnesota City, to Mar-
garet Jane Stiltz Rooh. Margaret Jane Stiltz was born near Mansfield,
Richland County, Ohio, Jan. 22, 1841, and was brought by her parents to
Juneau County, in this State, in 1855. Four years later she married Jacob
Rooh, who died in 1865, leaving two children, of whom Fred Rooh, of La
Crosse, still survives. Mrs. Hewitt died July 7, 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Hewitt
are survived by six children: Charles F., Harry B., Mark R., Frank B.,
Lottie and Emma. Charles F. is the State oil inspector.
Rev. Emanuel Christophersen was born in Lyngor, Norway, June 23,
1849. Parents: Christopher J. and Margrete Christophersen. At the
age of 13 years he entered Drammen's Latin School and six years later
matriculated at the University of Christiania. In 1873 he concluded his
theological studies and after making a tour of Scotland, England, Germany
and Denmark assumed the position of high school director in Gjerstad.
Here he received information regarding the spiritual want among his fellow
countrymen residing in America, and expressed his wiUingness to enter
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 715
ministerial work among them. Through Bishop Hench he received a call
from Pigeon Falls and affiliated congregations. He was ordained in Vor
Preiser's church in Christiania in 1876. The 23rd of March, the same year,
he married Inger Nilson, also from Lyngor, Norway, born Oct. 3, 1849, of
parents Knut and Helene Nilson. Immediately afterward they emigrated
to America and arrived at Whitehall May 30, 1876. Here they lived a few
months until the parsonage which was being built half a mile north of
Pigeon Falls was ready for occupancy. His call consisted of five congre-
gations and a number of missionary stations. For 33 years he performed
his arduous labors in this large field with rare fidelity, traveling about in
rain and sunshine, summer and winter, preaching the word of Christ's
gospel, administering the sacraments, comforting the sorrowful, and in-
structing the young. During these many years of continued pastorate in
Pigeon Falls he became widely known and respected in this and neighboring
counties. His manly bearing, his clean-cut character and his integrity,
together with his considerable learning commanded universal recognition
and esteem. In his lifework he was ably assisted by his faithful and self-
sacrificing wife, whose crowning work it has been to make a home rich
with joy, peace and contentment. Their married life was very happy.
Eleven children were born to them. The three oldest boys, Christopher,
Knut and Gotlob, all died young. The other eight living are: Anna,
married to Olaf Mosbo and living at Rembrandt, Iowa; Johannes Bjorn,
married to Eva Brevig and living at Roanwood, Mont.; Einar Bjorn, suc-
cessor in the father's call and living at Pigeon Falls, married to Myrtle
Peterson, of Trempealeau Valley; Gerhard Bjorn, married to Addie Dale
and living in Superior, Wis. ; Johanne Marie, married to Rev. J. C. Johnson
and Living in Frankfort, Mich.; Knut Johan, at Pigeon Falls; Ragnhild
Margrete, graduate nurse of Augustana Hospital, Chicago, living in Fargo,
N. D. ; Valborg, teacher in North Dakota. On the 23rd of March, 1909, the
anniversary of his wedding day, he suff"ered a paralytic stroke while seated
at the dinner table and died a few hours later. The funeral took place
on the 29th of March. Right Reverend J. Nordby, the president of the
Eastern District of the Norwegian Lutheran Synod, spoke on 1 Peter 5:10,
11. The Revs. Ramberg, Gimmestad, Urberg, Bestul, Hovde, Berrum, Vik
and Kvaase delivered brief addresses. The funeral services were attended
by a great host of mourners. Floral offerings were sent by many societies
and individuals. A number of old parishioners served as pall-bearers from
the residence of the deceased to the church. Six brother ministers carried
his remains to the grave. Members of his congregations and his family
have erected a beautiful monument upon his grave. At the time of his
death his call consisted of three congregations : Pigeon Creek congrega-
tion, at Pigeon Falls ; South Beef River, Jackson County, and Upper Pigeon
Creek, Jackson County. During his pastorate at Pigeon Falls he had
preached approximately 3,150 sermons, baptized 3,079, confirmed 2,029,
married 480 couples and officiated at 1,002 funerals.
Einar Bjorn Christophersen was born in Pigeon Falls, Aug. 16, 1885.
His parents were Rev. Emanuel Christophersen and Inger Christophersen.
In the fall of 1900 he entered the preparatory department of Luther College,
716 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Decorah, Iowa, graduated from the preparatory department and con-
tinued in the collegiate department in 1902. He was graduated from the
collegiate department, comprising a classical course, in 1906, with the
degree B. A. The following year he taught school and in 1907 was admitted
as a student at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn. Upon completing the
theological course at this institution in 1910 he was called to be his father's
successor as pastor of Pigeon Creek and affiliated congregations of the
Lutheran church at Pigeon Falls. On June 18, 1912, he was married to
Myrtle Birdine Peterson, born Nov. 8, 1888, daughter of Bent and Anne
Peterson, Trempealeau Valley. Three children have been born to them:
Emanuel Bjorn, born May 9, 1913; Rolf Erling, born Aug. 19, 1915; Paul
Gerhard, born May 22, 1917.
Daniel C. Dewey, the pioneer, was bom in Delaware County, N. Y.,
April 16, 1828, of English descent, the son of Aaron Dewey. The original
ancestor in this country was Thomas Dewey, who came from Sandwich,
Kent County, England, and settled in Massachusetts, where he died April
27, 1648. Daniel C. was but 4 years old when, in 1832, he removed with his
parents to Cherry Valley, Ashtabula County, Ohio, where his boyhood was
spent, and this early attachment made him always deeply interested in
everything identified with the "Western Reserve." He came to Wisconsin
when that State was but a Territory, and a few years of his youth were
spent in the vicinity of Horicon, Dodge County. Later he went to Clarkson,
Monroe County, N. Y., where he married. In the fall of 1852, he settled
in Martin, Allegan County, Mich., where for the next five years he labored
clearing up and improving a homestead. This was then a heavily-timbered
country, and it is characteristic of the conditions consequent upon opening
up such lands for cultivation, the felling and burning large quantities of
timber, the decaying vegetation, and the steam arising from the drying
of the soil heretofore shaded, almost invariably produce a state of unhealth-
iness, and this young couple, although each possessed of robustness fitly
typical of the hardy pioneer, escaped not these malarious conditions. To
avoid suffering longer, they sold their homestead and removed to Arcadia,
Trempealeau County, Wis, where they arrived May 8, 1859. His brother,
George D., had settled there five years previously as one of the first in this,
until then, uninhabited locality by civilized men. The mother had come
here in 1857, after the death of her second husband. Henry W. Dewey and
Walter D. Dewey came later. Hence the Deweys must ever be regarded
as among the earliest settlers of Arcadia, who made the early development
of the place, promoted the welfare of the little community, and assisted in
the organization of the town, and its early government. The nearest post-
office was at Fountain City, upon the Mississippi River, over 20 miles away.
It was also the market place, and where supplies were purchased and drawn
to the little community with ox teams over roads of the crudest and most
primitive construction. The community grew, prospered and developed
rapidly. The Deweys were energetic, public spirited and, it is safe to say,
wei-e as potent factors in promoting the interests of the community as any
therein. Daniel Dewey was for a long time a school officer. He solicited
immigration, procured the establishment of mail routes, carried the mails.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 717
laid out and built roads, nearly swamped himself financially by contributing
too liberally to the building of a church. In the War of the Rebellion he
enhsted in Company C, Thirtieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, on Aug. 10,
1862, and served as sergeant of his company. One day when stationed at
Camp Randall, while in charge of a squad of men who had been assigned
to duty in the removal of some stone, to encourage his men he took a hand
with them and, in his enthusiasm, accidentally overdid, the strain producing
double hernia, and not long thereafter was discharged for disability in-
curred. He never fully recovered, and although his death did not occur
until July 4, 1889, it is thought that this army service accident may have
been the remote cause of his disease, an operation for which at the hospital
in St. Paul, whither he had gone for treatment, he did not survive. Like
his father, was a great reader and well informed on the political and other
events of his day. In politics a Republican, though not a strong partisan.
In religious matters his were the most progressive views, very genial in
his nature, broad-minded in his conception of humanity, kind as a friend,
fearless as an enemy, charitable, public spirited, always entertaining a deep
interest in that which was deemed a benefit to the commonwealth. He
suffered much pain from his disease for the last five years of life, but bore it
well and did not complain. He married, June 5, 1852, at Clarkson, N. Y.,
Josephine M. Trumbull, daughter of William and Polly (Cropsey) Trumbull.
His father was born Oct. 4, 1836, in Rensselaer County, N. Y., and died Jan.
15, 1896. After her husband's death his mother lived with her son Jay on
the old homestead, and with her daughter Ida on the farm adjoining. She
was of a quiet, sunny disposition, with a tendency to see only the bright
side of everything of life. Young and old confided in her, knowing that
their secret troubles were safely lodged in the repository of a faithful breast
whose heart throbs would beat in sympathy and pour oil of soothing influ-
ence upon the troubled waters. There are three children : Ida, widow of
D. L. Holcombe, of Arcadia ; Ada, widow of J. C. Haigh, of Bismarck, N. D.,
and Jay I., a leading citizen of Arcadia.
Jay I. Dewey, general manager of the Western Wisconsin Telephone
Company, is one of the best known men in the county. For ten years he
has been a most important factor in the success of the company of which he
has had charge, his wide acquaintance throughout the extensive territory
which the service covers, his executive ability and his genial personality,
coupled with his genuine interest of all those whom his lines serve, all
combining to make him an ideal man for the position. It is not alone in the
affairs of this concern, however, that he is assisting in the development
of the county. Since 1898 he has been president of the Arcadia Board of
Education, in which time he has guided the public school of Arcadia from
a small village academy to the magnificent institution which it is today;
he was actively interested in the building of the present schoolhouse, and
has been a leader in the installation of the vocational and recreational
departments. Since January, 1914, his business experience has been of
much value to the county in his exercise of his duties as president of the
Trempealeau County Insane Asylum. While he has consistently sought
to avoid pubhc office, he has nevertheless listened to the call of duty and
718 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
has served as chairman of his township for eight years, and in other local
offices, besides having been a member of numerous committees and dele-
gations. His business holdings include extensive farming interests at Old
Arcadia, and stock in the Bank of Arcadia, of which he is a director. His
fraternal relations are with the Masonic order, in the Blue Lodge and
Chapter of which he has passed through all the chairs. A native of Kala-
mazoo, Mich., where he was born Dec. 10, 1858, he is a son and nephew of
two of Arcadia's leading pioneer families, his parents, Daniel C. and Jose-
phine (Trumbull) Dewey, having brought him to Old Arcadia in 1859. He
attended the public schools of Old Arcadia, and supplemented this training
with courses in the Winona Business College at Winona, Minn. His early
life was devoted to agricultural endeavor, and farming has since continued
to be his hobby. In 1889, after his father's death, he purchased the old
home farm of 40 acres, and so successfully conducted it that in time he
built up his present splendid place of 298 acres of as good land as is to be
found in the county. He developed the farm, remodelled the house, erected
new barns and outbuildings, and for a number of years successfully carried
on general farming, making a specialty of the dairy type of graded Short-
horn cattle. He now rents the farm, but still lives there. Jan. 1, 1907, Mr.
Dewey listened to the request of his friends who were vitally interested in
the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company and accepted his present posi-
tion, in which he has since faithfully served, greatly to the credit of himself
and the benefit of the community. Mr. Dewey was married, Aug. 6, 1885,
to EUa Arnold, daughter of William B. and Clara (Sawyer) Arnold, the
former of whom lives in Winona, and the latter of whom died in 1902. Mr.
and Mrs. Dewey have had two children : Theron A., who died at the age of
2 years, and Myrrl, who died at the age of 4 years.
John Peterson, one of the early settlers in Preston Township, who did
good pioneer work in helping to subdue the wilderness, belonged to that
hardy Norwegian race to which the great Northwest owes much of its
present civilization and prosperity. Coming to America with his wife, Mary
Peterson, and two children, in 1857, he selected the State of Wisconsin as
the field on which he proposed in future to fight the battle of Mfe, and after
some investigation as to a favorable location, finally purchased 120 acres of
land near Blair, in Trempealeau County. He found no subsequent reason
to repent of his choice, and he and his wife spent half a century or more
on the farm which he developed out of his originally wild tract. The early
years were full of hard work demanded by the struggle with nature, but
Mr. Peterson had in him the stuff of which successful men are made, and
nature was finally conquered, his sons lending him their assistance as they
arrived successively at the age of industrial activity. Mr. and Mrs. Peter-
son spent their latter years in comfort and ease, the former dying in 1902
and the latter in 1904. They were people widely known and universally
respected, and their memory will survive for many years to come. Their
children were : Hans C. ; Martin, who died young ; Martin (second) , now a
farmer in section 3, Pigeon Township; Andrew, Peter and Albert; and
Carl, Mary and Oluf, deceased. The father's name of Peterson has been
changed to the family name of Johnson by the surviving children.
MR. AND MRS. TOSTEN GUNDERSON
MARTIN JOHNSON AND FAMILY
MR. AND MRS. JENS BERC.E
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 719
Martin Johnson, a retired farmer now living at Pigeon Falls, was for a
number of years successfully engaged in agi'iculture in Pigeon Township.
He was born in Sondreland, Norway, April 9, 1857, his parents being John
Peterson and Mary Peterson, both natives of that country, who came to
America in 1857, and shortly afterward settled in Preston Township, Trem-
pealeau County. The name of Johnson has since been adopted as the
family name by the surviving children. Martin Johnson was educated in
the district school and resided on his parents' farm until 1880, assisting his
father. He then moved to Pigeon Township, where he worked on a farm
for several years, at the end of which period he purchased the farm of his
wife's father in section 3, containing 80 acres. To this he subsequently
added until he had a farm of 240 acres, well equipped with a good residence,
barns and other buildings, on which he was profitably engaged in general
farming until 1914, the year of his retirement. The farm is now being
operated by his son-in-law, Jens K. Berge. Mr. Johnson was married in
1880 to Beatha T. Gunderson, who was born in Norway, daughter of Tosten
and Bertha Gunderson, both of whom are now deceased. Of this union
seven children were born : Bettilde Maria, Sept. 15, 1881 ; Johan Theodore,
June 8, 1884 ; Olga T., Oct. 4, 1887 ; Clara H., Dec. 26, 1891 ; Clarence Helmer,
June 22, 1895 ; Clara J., May 24, 1897, and Melvin B., Aug. 10, 1900. Bet-
tilde Maria married Jens Berge, of Pigeon Falls, and they have three
children : Ruth, Clarence and Laura. Johan Theodore died in 1886. Olga
T. and Clara J. reside with their father at Pigeon Falls. Clara H. died Jan.
5, 1892, and Clarence Helmer July 8, 1896. Melvin B. is residing at home.
Mrs. Martin Johnson, in addition to the three deceased children above men-
tioned, has also passed away, her death having occurred Nov. 15, 1912. The
surviving members of the family belong to the United Norwegian Lutheran
Church of America.
Peter KronschnabI, proprietor of the Arcadia Brewing Company, was
born in Bavaria, Germany, June 29, 1870, son of Joseph and Magdalena
(Gaschler) KronschnabI. Both his parents were natives of Bavaria, Ger-
many. The subject of this sketch was reared a farmer. From the age of
7 to that of 14 he attended the public schools and then took a special course
of one year, being mentioned for high honors. Having finished his school-
ing, he worked on a farm until he was 18, and then began to learn the
brewer's trade in Regen, a small town in Bavaria. Having learned his
trade by the time he was 20, he went to Mainz, in North Germany, as brew
master and remained there until June 25, 1892. From that time until Dec.
7, 1902, he traveled over Germany, subsequently returning to Mainz and the
people for whom he had formerly worked. March 23, 1893, a big brewers'
strike took place and Mr. KronschnabI, with the others, left his position, he
going to Zwiesel. The strike lasted for several months, and ended in defeat
for the employees. Remaining in Zwiesel until Oct. 8, 1894, Mr. Kron-
schnabI then went to Traxelsried, Bavaria, where he superintended the con-
struction of a large brewery. In the fall he went to Munich and attended
a brewing school there, after which he accepted a position with the Webber
Bros., of Waedensweil, Switzerland, working for them as brewer until June
12, 1896. In the fall of that year he came to America, landing in New York
720 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
in the month of September. Making no stay in the East, he proceeded
directly to Appleton, Wis., where for a short time he was in the employ of
the Munich Brewing Company. From there he went to Milwaukee, where
he worked for different brewing concerns and also attended a brewing
school, taking No. 4 course. May 26, 1900, Mr. Kronschnabl left Milwaukee
for Waukesha and spent some time in working for different companies in
order to gain a more extended experience. Feb. 1, 1901, he was sent to
Bay City, Mich., to superintend the construction of a brewery. After this
work was done he returned to Milwaukee, and spent a year with the Milwau-
kee Brewing Company, going from there in 1905 to Alpena, Mich., where he
remained one and one-half years, then returned to Milwaukee, going from
there to Appleton, Minn., to superintend the building of a plant. Then
returning to Alpena, Mich., he remained in that city until June, 1908, when
he came to Arcadia as brew master and manager of the Arcadia Brewing
Company. In May, 1909, he leased the plant and still operates it under the
lease. Mr. Kronschnabl was married June 25, 1898, to Anna Schoenberger,
daughter of Frank and Anna (Krause) Schoenberger, and a native of
Bavaria, who came to America alone in 1898. This marriage was the cul-
mination of an acquaintance begun in the old country. After landing in
New York Miss Schoenberger proceeded to Waukesha, Wis., where they
were married. Of this union the children born are : Anna, April 23, 1899 ;
Violet, Aug. 15. 1900 ; Mary, Aug. 6, 1902 ; Peter Paul, born March 29, 1904,
who died Aug. 22, 1911, while accompanying his mother on a visit to
Bavaria, and was buried in that country; Catherine, born Jan. 21, 1906;
Theresa, June 25, 1912, and Peter Joseph, March 13, 1915. All except
Peter Paul are living at home. Mr. Kronschnabl is independent in politics
and has held no public office. He belongs to the Eagles, the Catholic For-
esters, the Bonneventura and for the past 10 years has been a member of the
German verein.
George Haines, who is conducting a prosperous farming business in
section 8, Arcadia Township, was born in Scranton, Pa., Oct. 26, 1867. His
parents, John B. and Elizabeth (Kuntz) Haines, were both born in Germany,
the mother coming with her parents to the United States in 1853. They
were married in Utica, N. Y., in 1853, and came by train from that city to La
Crosse, Wis., in July, 1868, and then by ox team from La Crosse to Arcadia
Township, Trempealeau County. On arriving here they located on what
is now the Louis Remlinger farm in section 1, where they remained until the
following year. In 1869 they bought 40 acres and homesteaded 160 acres
in Myers Valley, section 8, Arcadia Township, and here Mr. Haines built a
small house and began to make a home. His efforts were successful and he
continued to work the farm for many years, and to make improvements,
when he sold it to his son George in 1890. He died Nov. 18, 1908. His
wife is still living in her own home in Arcadia Village, her daughter Eliza-
beth, who is unmarried, residing with her. Their children were: Chris-
tiana, Mary, John, Elizabeth, Anton, Margaret, William and George, all of
whom are living. Mary and Ehzabeth reside in Arcadia Village, Margaret
in Pennsylvania, Anton at Rice Lake, Wis., and John and William are with
the Massuere Company, general merchants in Arcadia. George Haines
\ HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 721
had limited opportunities as a boy for acquiring an education, but made the
best of those he had. He lived with his parents until 23 years old, at
which time he bought the old homestead, where he has since resided, and
which he is cultivating with profitable results. He is also a stockholder in
the Bank of Arcadia. Jan. 26, 1897, he was married to Mary, daughter of
John and Pauline Kostner, of Arcadia Village. He and his wife have a
family of eight children: Clotilda, born Sept. 26, 1898, who resides at
home ; Cyrill, born Nov. 4, 1899, residing at home ; Marcellus, born April 29,
1902, who is a student in St. John's University at Collegeville, Minn. ; Or-
lando, born Oct. 9, 1904 ; Thelma, born Jan. 15, 1906 ; Eldred, born May 10,
1909 ; Dolores, born Sept. 19, 1911 ; Everett, born Aug. 8, 1914, and Brun-
etta, born Sept. 24, 1917. Mr. Haines is a Democrat in politics and has
served as supervisor one term. Since 1897 he has belonged to the Catholic
Foresters and to the Knights of Columbus since 1914. He and his family
are members of the Catholic church.
Edward Haines has lived in Arcadia Township since early childhood, his
parents having brought him here in 1865. Growing up with the county, he
has taken his part in its development, and is now one of the solid and sub-
stantial men of the community. He was born in Herkimer County, N. Y.,
March 12, 1858, son of Christian and Margaret Haines. The parents were
born in Germany, located in New York State as young people, there married
and lived there until coming to Wisconsin. Edward had attended school a
short time in New York State, and continued his studies in the school of
district 6, Arcadia Township, until about 14 years of age. He was reared
to farm pursuits and remained with his parents until his marriage in 1882,
when he took his bride to a rented farm in Bill's Valley, now known as the
Michael English place. In 1883 he rented the Scholidon farm on the
Fountain City Ridge. Misfortune overtook him, and he lost nearly every-
thing that he possessed. But in August, 1884, he acquired 180 acres of
partly improved land in Meyers Valley, two and a half miles south of
Arcadia Village. Moving into a log house covered with boards, which
stood on the place, he and his good wife set to work to establish their for-
tunes. Gradually they added to their possessions until the farm now con-
sists of 488 acres, and in addition to this they own several residences in
Arcadia Village. The log cabin has been replaced with a sightly set of
buildings, including a two-story, 11-room modern brick house; a frame
barn, 34 by 80 feet with full basement ; three poultry houses ; a machine
shed, 18 by 40 feet ; a stone milk house, a garage and other buildings. The
place is devoted to general farming and dairying, a good herd of Durham
and Holstein cattle being maintained. The equipment, tools, machinery
and implements are adequate and ample. Mr. Haines' business holdings
include stock in the Arcadia Co-Operative Creamery Company, the Bank of
Arcadia, the Farmers' Bank, the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company
and other organizations. A Democrat in politics, he has served as super-
visor of Arcadia Township two years and has been a member of the school
board of district 6 for three years. Mr. Haines was married Oct. 23, 1882,
to Julia Woutchik, daughter of Jacob and Ehzabeth Woutchik. Mrs. Haines
came to America at the age of 17 years, following a sister who had come
722 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
several years before. She and her husband have had 15 children: Mar-
garet, born Oct. 3, 1883, died April 6, 1890 ; Frank, born Sept. 20, 1884, died
Feb. 24, 1913; Elizabeth, born Jan. 14, 1885, is now Mrs. Isadore Meyers;
Michael, born July 15, 1887, is now on the Casper Meyers farm, owned by
his father ; Catherine, born March 20, 1889, is the wife of Henry Fernholz,
of Arcadia Village; Edward T., born Aug. 22, 1890, lives at home; Mary,
born Nov. 18, 1891, is a clerk in Arcadia Village ; Anna, born April 9, 1893, is
in the Convent of Notre Dame, at Milwaukee ; Rose, born Sept. 28, 1894,
lives at home; Agnes, born Feb. 26, 1896, died in infancy; Agnes (second),
born April 11, 1897, is in the Convent of Notre Dame at Milwaukee; Flor-
ence, born Sept. 19, 1898, lives at home ; Raymond, born Sept. 3, 1900, died
in infancy; Lenora, born Feb. 28, 1902, is a student in the Arcadia High
School ; Fiorina was born Feb. 4, 1905, and lives at home. The family faith
is that of the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at Arcadia Village,
of which Mr. Haines was a member of the building committee when the
parochial school was erected.
Andrew Gleason, who is engaged in farming 125 acres of productive
land in sections 20, 29 and 30, Arcadia Township, was born in Bill's Valley,
this township, June 2, 1866, son of Michael and Mary (Cashel) Gleason.
His parents were both natives of Ireland, the father coming to America
about 1861, and locating in Buffalo County, Wis. After residing there
about five years, Michael Gleason, who had come to this country with some
means, purchased 250 acres in Buffalo County. Of this latter farm he
subsequently sold 130 acres, and then moved to Bill's Valley, Arcadia Town-
ship, Trempealeau County, being one of the first settlers in the valley.
The remainder of his Buffalo County farm he retained until 1882, when he
sold it. In Bill's Valley he homesteaded 40 acres, and bought 165 acres
adjoining the Christ Haines farm. The land was wild and there were no
improvements, but he set to work and grubbed and cleared it, having six
yoke of oxen, which he had brought with him. The frame house that he
built is still standing on the farm. The lumber for it and other buildings
that he constructed was hauled from Merrillan, 50 miles, by ox-team.
Among these buildings was a good barn, the timber for which he cut and
hewed in Tamarack. Here Michael Gleason resided until 1893, and then
moved to Arcadia Village, where he purchased a house in which he lived
until his death in 1911. His wife died in Arcadia Village March 25, 1915.
They had been married in Buffalo County, Wis., in 1858, and had enjoyed a
happy married life together of 53 years until death separated them for a
while. Their children were : Maggie, now Mrs. J. D. Stevens, of Beecher,
111. ; Mary Ann, who died in infancy ; Julia, now Mrs. S. R. Hunter, of Arcadia
Village; Andrew, the direct subject of this sketch; Christian, who is a
farmer in Buffalo County, Wis.; Katherine, who is an invalid; Elizabeth,
unmarried, who is now living in the village home of her parents, which she
inherited at their death ; May, wife of J. J. Enwright, of Plymouth, Wis. ;
John L., residing in Gymon, Okla., and Anna, wife of L. F. Messman, of
Enid, Okla. Michael Gleason was a staunch Democrat in politics, but
never aspired to public office. Andrew Gleason was brought up on his
parents' farm, on which he began to make himself useful at an early age.
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 723
gradually acquiring a competent knowledge of agriculture. He was mar-
ried April 14, 1896, to Mary, daughter of Joseph and Anna (Scholidon) Kost-
ner, of Arcadia Township, and for two years subsequently he and his wife
resided on his father's "Bill's Valley" farm. In 1898 he moved to a rented
farm at Glencoe, Buffalo County, where he lived until 1902, in which year
he purchased 200 acres of land in the same neighborhood. After keeping
the latter farm one year he sold it and bought 125 acres of improved land
in sections 20, 29 and 30, Arcadia Township, which constitutes his present
farm. In 1917 he remodelled the brick house and frame barn. The barn
was struck by lightning and destroyed the same year. It was replaced by
another barn, which in turn was struck by lightning and destroyed Sept. 6,
1916. It was rebuilt the same fall, on the same foundation. The entire
acreage of the farm is now under the plow. Mr. Gleason carries on general
farming and dairying, keeping from 10 to 12 grade Shorthorn cows. He
is well supplied with all equipment for a modern farm and is doing a
prosperous business. His property lies about a mile and a half northwest
of Arcadia Village, the land being very rolling, like all in this vicinity, but
fertile and capable of producing excellent crops. In poUtics Mr. Gleason
is a Republican, and has served as a member of the district school board and
as chairman of the township board. He and his wife have had five children :
Gladys, born Oct. 18, 1897, who graduated from the Arcadia High School
and is now teaching in Trempealeau County ; Clifford J., born Sept. 19, 1900,
who is a student in Arcadia High School ; Kenneth, born July 31, 1910, who
died in 1912 ; Gerald, born Sept. 27, 1911, and Melvin L., born July 20, 1912,
who reside with their parents. Mr. Gleason and family belong to the
Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at Arcadia. He is a member of the
Knights of Columbus.
Morris Anderson is a native of Hale Township, this county, and was
brought to his present farm by his parents in 1883. He now owns 170
acres in section 1, Chimney Rock Township, and carries on general farming,
making a specialty of Durham cattle, Poland-China swine and Rhode Island
Red chickens. Mr. Anderson was born July 16, 1877, and with the excep-
tion of six years spent as a traveling salesman he has devoted his life to
farming. He was married in Minneapolis, Dec. 31, 1913, to Cornelia Carl-
son, of Chimney Rock Township, daughter of Carl and Anna (Hendrickson)
Carlson, and they have one son, Eldridge Rudel, born July 25, 1914; they
have also adopted a bright girl, Margaret Meachin, born July 2, 1905. The
family faith is that of the United Norwegian Lutheran church. Mrs.
Anderson's parents came to America from Varmland, Sweden, in 1887,
settling in Chimney Rock Township. Her father died in 1897, and her
mother is still living on the old homestead. Five children were born to
them : Charles, Emma, Beda, Cornelia and Julia, all living.
Andrew Anderson came to Trempealeau County in 1873, and lived in
Hale Township until 1883, when he moved to Chimney Rock Township and
purchased 170 acres in section 1, which in 1911 was purchased by his son,
Morris. Andrew Anderson was born in Varmland, Sweden, May 20, 1841,
and upon coming to America in 1866 located in La Crosse until settling in
this county. He died Feb. 3, 1911. His wife, Olivia Jacobson, whom he
724 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
married in Chimney Rock Township, was born in Sweden, March 6, 1838,
and died Dec. 3, 1911. In the family there were three children: Morris
has been mentioned. Amanda is the wife of Die Storberg, of Albion Town-
ship, this county. One is dead.
F. Carl Zeller came to Trempealeau County in 1857, took his part in the
pioneer endeavors of this region, and here lived until his death, Nov. 26,
1898, a period of over 40 years. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, Aug.
11, 1831, and at the age of 23, in 1854 came to America, landing in New
York, and finding his way directly to Prairie du Sac, Wis., where he lived
until coming to Trempealeau County. Here, with his brother, Frank J., he
bought 240 acres at the head of Meyers Valley, in section 17, Arcadia Town-
ship, the brothers having saved a little money during their residence in
Sauk County. In 1861 the partnership was dissolved, F. Carl marrying
and moving to what is now the George Haines farm in Meyers Valley, sec-
tion 8, Arcadia Township. There he and his family lived until 1869, when
he purchased the 240 acres of wild land adjoining on the west, which has
since remained the homestead. He set at work with a will, grubbed and
broke the land, erected a frame house and barn, and gradually achieved
success and prosperity. A Democrat in poUtics, he did not seek public office,
but consented to serve as school treasurer, a position he occupied for many
years. He was a devout member of the German Catholic church, and was
an important factor in the progress of that faith in this community. He
was one of the first members in this vicinity, the early masses being said
in a log residence on the Nick Myers farm in section 7, adjoining the Zeller
place. Later he assisted in building the church at Hartman's Corners,
three-quarters of a mile north of the old home. He did not live to see this
pioneer structure replaced by the magnificent Church of Our Lady of Per-
petual Help, in which the congregation now worships at Arcadia. Mr.
Zeller was married in 1861 to Margaret Frederick, the daughter of Adam
Frederick. She still lives on the home place with a daughter, Elizabeth,
and four sons, Adam, John M., Charles W. and William. Barbara died at
the age of 12, and another Elizabeth died in infancy. Anton farms near
Bismarck, N. D.
Adam Zeller has spent his life on the farm where he now lives in section
7, Arcadia Township. He was born March 23, 1865, son of F. Carl and
Margaret (Frederick) Zeller, attended the district school, and was reared
to farm pursuits by his father. In 1896 he took charge of the home farm,
which he now operates. He has made many improvements thereon, includ-
ing a sightly barn, 52 by 102 feet, with full basement, cement floors, James
stanchions and other modei-n equipment. At the time of his father's death
he succeeded him as treasurer of the school district, in which position he
is doing most excellent service. In connection with the marketing of his
dairy products and stock, he has acquired an interest in the Farmers' Co-
operative Creamery at Arcadia, and in the Farmers' Shipping Association
of Arcadia. Like his father before him, he is a Democrat in politics, and
his faith is that of the Catholic church.
James Hopkins, for many years a leading citizen of Trempealeau
County, came to this region as a youth with the earhest settlers, grew up
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 725
with the country, and became an integral part of its life and progress. Born
in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, Oct. 5, 1839, he was but 8 years of age when
his parents, John and Mary Hopkins, came to America and took up their
home in Troy, Walworth County, this State. In 1855 they came to Trem-
pealeau County and located on the north bank of the Trempealeau River, in
the western part of Preston Township. In this primitive spot they erected
a sod home and later a log cabin, and started to develop the fertile tract
which has since been known as the Hopkins farm. Comforts and con-
veniences were lacking, farm and domestic equipment was of the crudest,
marketing and trading facilities were of the poorest, the nearest point at
which provisions could be secured being Galesville, far away and over the
rugged bluffs. Often, while a mere boy, James Hopkins went to the mill at
Galesville and brought back flour and other provisions on his back, or in the
winter on a hand sled, trudging his way over the rough and sometimes dan-
gerous trail. With the passing of the years and the growth of the county,
conditions changed, and the farm became a beautiful estate in the midst
of a thickly-settled community. Here the parents spent the remainder
of their years, the father dying Jan. 9, 1888, and the mother Feb. 27, 1875.
James Hopkins continued to hve on the home farm improving and develop-
ing it, and successfully carrying on general farming. He was an important
factor both in public service and in the business life of the region in which
he hved. As a farmer he was the staunch friend and the earnest advocate
of the agricultural interests of the county. A thorough believer in co-
operative effort among farmers, he was active in the Preston Creamery
Company and the Farmers' Trading Association, both at Blair, and served
for a time as president of each. At the annual meetings of the Trempealeau
County Agricultural and Driving Association, held at Whitehall, in years
past, he was always a prominent figure. He did good service as chairman
of his township, and as treasurer and clerk of his school district, also doing
excellent work several different terms as deputy sheriff. He was faithful
to every pubhc trust committed to his cafe. He held the conscientious
discharge of every pubhc duty above personal or private consideration. He
was a firm believer in Prohibition and strove earnestly and persistently to
bring it about. His was a positive nature, whatever he beheved, he be-
lieved with all his might, and he had the courage to avow his convictions,
as well as the ability to assert them, yet he was a just man, able to see the
other side of public questions as well as his own, and demanding of himself
an even stricter standard than he expected of others. In a few words, he
had common sense, an honest heart and tireless energy. About a year
before his death Mr. Hopkins, accompanied by his wife, went to Seattle,
Wash., intending to remain there with their sons. While there he was
stricken with paralysis. Realizing that he had not long to hve, and desiring
to see his old friends again, he returned to Whitehall. Thus it was his good
fortune when the end came, April 17, 1913, to be under his own roof, sur-
rounded by family and friends so near and dear to him. Through his illness
he was uniformly cheei-ful and bright, and bore his sufferings, which were
at times intense, with remarkable patience. The faithful wife, son and
daughter were with him to administer to every want, and to extend him
726 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
that sympathy which one's own alone can give. He lies buried in Lincoln
Cemetery, at Whitehall, in and near which village he had spent the greater
part of his life. Mr. Hopkins was married to Angelina Van Sickle, and their
union was blessed with five children.
Florison D. Hopkins, county treasurer, and president of the Auto Sales
Co. of Whitehall, was born on the Hopkins homestead in Preston Town-
ship, July 12, 1861, son of James and Angelina (Van Sickle) Hopkins. He
attended the district schools, and was reared to farm pursuits. As a young
man, he purchased a tract of 160 acres adjoining the homestead, and set
about developing it, erecting a home, barns and other buildings, and build-
ing up a splendid farm. For a time he also rented the homestead. Reared in
the home of prominent and influential people, it was natural that his atten-
tion should early turn to public affairs. In the old Convention days, he
was delegate to many a convention that has helped to make political history
in the county and state. For eight years he was chairman of the township,
and for one term he was treasurer. His excellent service on the school board
extended over a period of fifteen years. Upon the solicitation of his friends
he ran for county treasurer in the fall of 1916, and was elected by a comfort-
able majority. His work in this important office has met with general
approval, his wide acquaintance, his knowledge of the county and its people,
his genial disposition, and his clear-cut business methods all being factors
in favor with which he is held. In 1913 Mr. Hopkins sold his farm and
took up his residence in the village. In Whitehall he purchased an interest
in the Auto Sales Co. and is now its president. Reared as he was on the
farm, he has continued his interest in outdoor life. He is an enthusiastic
motorist, and takes especial delight in fishing, seeking both health and
recreation at this pastime. Mr. Hopkins was married Aug. 26, 1885, to
NeUie Shephard, the daughter of Henry and Phelina Shephard, pioneers of
Preston township. This union has been blessed with four children : Goldie,
Deva, Margaret and Harley J. Goldie is the wife of E. A. Guyton, M. D., of
Eau Claire, Wis. ; Deva is the wife of Sidney Jacquist, of Blair, Wis. ; Mar-
garet is the wife of Oscar Dahle, of Whitehall, Wis.; and Harley J. is a
corporal in the Marine Service, having previously been a student in the
University of Wisconsin.
John Maurer, a pioneer of Buffalo County, and one of the founders of
Arcadia, is an excellent and typical example of the sturdy Swiss, who though
few in number, have had so important a part in the upbuilding of America.
Energetic, capable, versatile and generous, he was for many years an active
leader among his fellow men, and though modest and unostentatious, his
influence has been tremendous. As agriculturist, as hotel keeper, as pioneer
postmaster and as merchant, he was the same quiet, genial personality, a
pleasant companion, a loyal friend and a good citizen. But his supreme
joy has been in his home, he reared his children with the affection and
care characteristic of his race, and now in the afternoon of hfe, as he looks
back over a well-spent life, his greatest pride is in the substantial positions
in life which each of his children has attained. Born in Oberstammheim,
Canton of Zurich, Switzerland, July 27, 1832, he was there educated and
reared. Upon attaining his majority, he determined to broaden his oppor-
F. D. HOPKINS
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 727
tunities by transferring his scene of activities to the new world. Accord-
ingly, having saved his slender earnings, he was enabled to realize his
ambitions by setting sail for America in 1855, reaching Fountain City, in
Buffalo County, this state, in June of that year. The next March he home-
steaded a farm in Waumandee Township, in the same county. There he
remained until 1864, when he sold out to Fred. Schoepp, and moved to
Fountain City, where he became landlord of the Eagle Hotel, and for a
time served as postmaster. Ten years later, in 1874, he sold out his
interests in Buffalo County, and came to Arcadia, where he erected one of
the first stores in the village, and whose destinies he had an important
part in shaping. From the date of his arrival until 1900 he successfully
conducted the general mercantile business, building up a good trade, and
winning a high regard in the esteem of his fellow men for his honest deal-
ing. Since 1900 he has led a retired life, still, however, looking after his
various interests. Mr. Maurer was married at Milwaukee on July 5, 1855,
to Katherine Moos, born in Wihlen, Canton Zurich, Switzerland, April 1,
1833. This union has been blessed with four children : Catherine, now Mrs.
John Durisch, of Arcadia; Albert A., a physician, of La Crosse; Emil,
banker, of Arcadia, and Edward R., professor of Applied Mechanics at the
State University of Wisconsin.
Emil Maurer, president of the Bank of Arcadia, financier and man-of-
affairs, has been a leading factor in the life of Arcadia for many years, and
the civic movements in which he has not had an active part are few indeed.
Coming here as a boy of twelve, he has grown up with the village and has
had a share in its growth, having been one of the original supporters of
several of the ventures which have contributed most largely to its develop-
ment and progress. In spite of his substantial success in life, Mr. Maurer
is democratic and approachable by nature, a sincere friend to every inhab-
itant of the village and countryside, and ever willing to give his time, voice
and support in behalf of every good and worthy progress. At the prime of
his activities he finds himself in an enviable position of respect and honor,
satisfied in his work, and happy in his wide circle of friendships. He was
born in Waumandee, this state, July 7, 1862, son of John and Katherine
(Moos) Maurer, the pioneers, spent his boyhood in Fountain City and
Arcadia, and was educated in the schools of Buffalo and Trempealeau
Counties. At the age of 17 he entered the employ of G. G. Oppliger at
Fountain City where he remained for eighteen months. With this expe-
rience, he returned to Arcadia in 1884, and purchased the drug business
of James Pierson & Son. This concern he developed into one of the most
important commercial ventures in the village, erecting for its occupancy
in 1893, the handsome building which now houses the establishment of his
successor, and in the upper story of which he still makes his home. While
conducting the drug store he became interested in the Bank of Arcadia, and
in 1901 he sold out his drug business to become president and active man-
ager of the bank. His personality, integrity, standing, and wide friend-
ships have been the important elements in the success of the institution.
He is also one of the moving spirits in the Western Wisconsin Telephone
Co., which he helped to organize and of which he has been the only secretary.
728 HISTORY OF tre:mpealeau county
The Trempealeau County Bankers' Development Association has likewise
found in him a valued member and an efficient secretary. In public life he
has been president and member of the village council, and member of
the board of education and of the library board. When he was president
of the council, some of the village's best improvements were undertaken, and
the present library was built when he was a member of its board. In the
Masonic order he has served in all the chairs of the Blue Lodge and Chapter.
His Elk affiliation is with the lodge at La Crosse. He is also a member of
the Independent Foresters at Arcadia. Mr. Maurer was married June 13,
1885, to Magdelina Danuser, born in Buffalo County, this state. May 22,
1861, daughter of Jacob Danuser, the pioneer. This union has been blessed
with four children: Erna E., Nettie E., Mae Alice and Merrill E. Erna E.
graduated from the University of Wisconsin, and is now a teacher. Nettie
E. graduated from the Winona State Normal School, taught school for a
while, married Oscar A. Erickson, a merchant of Kasson. Minn., and has
one son, William. Mae Alice is a graduate of the Stout Institute at Menom-
onie. Wis., and is now teaching domestic science at Evansville, Wis. Mer-
rill E. has been a student at the Lawrence University, Appleton, Wis., and
is now a student of the State Normal School at La Crosse.
Knudt Leofson Strand, the lirst settler in Norway Cooley, Arcadia
Township, where he is still an honored and respected citizen, is one of the
very few men in this county who are still living on homesteads which they
selected before the close of the Civil War. He has been an industrious, hard-
working man and a good citizen and has had his share in the progress which
has changed this region from an unsettled wilderness into one of the best
farming countries in western Wisconsin. The second of the six children of
Leof Sorenson and Anna Knutsen Aaakre, substantial and God-fearing
farming people, he was born in Strand, Telemarken, Norway, Feb. 8, 1834,
and was there reared, receiving his education by studying two months
each year under a traveling schoolmaster, and spending his youth in assist-
ing his father at farming and lumbering. At the age of seventeen he left
home and for several years continued to be employed as a farmer and
lumberman. During the latter part of this period he devoted most of his
time to hauling timber from great forests, sometimes as a day laborer and
sometimes by contract. July 13, 1859, he married Anna, the daughter of
Hoover and Margaret Hooverson, and began farming in a modest way in
his native parish. Here was born the oldest son, Leof K., now a pros-
perous Arcadia farmer. But the ambitions of the young man were stirred
to seek wider opportunities in the New World, so on April 4, 1861, with his
wife and child, he set sail for America. After a tedious trip of ten weeks
aboard a sailing vessel, they landed at Quebec, and from there found their
way to Detroit, Chicago, and La Crosse, then the terminal of the railroad.
Locating in Vernon County he secured such emploj-ment as he could at
from fifty cents to $1.00 a day, and the following year pre-empted 40 acres
of farm land. Trempealeau County was at that time attracting numerous
settlers, and with a friend, John Gunderson, Mr. Strand determined to look
over the land with a view to settling here. Selecting a pleasant location in
Holcomb Cooley, the two men started cutting hay in the summer of 1863,
HISTORY OF TRKMPEALEAU COUNTY 729
with a view of making their permanent home there, but hearing of land to
the northward, he and Ole Guttormson started out one day on a further trip
of exploration. After a weary march, they reached the mouth of one of
the most beautiful cooleys they had ever seen. Here, on the gentle slope,
lay rich land, ready to be broken for crops, while water was pure and
abundant. No settlers had yet erected cabins in its virgin expanse, and
here Mr. Strand determined his future home was to be located. Hasten-
ing back to La Crosse he found that the land was still open and imme-
diately filed on 160 acres in Sections 23 and 14. His preparations for mov-
ing were made during the winter, and as soon as travel was opened in the
spring he came up and built a pole hut in which he took up his residence.
The hut had the trodden earth for a floor and was thatched with hay. A
small window with one pane of glass admitted the light, while a crude
door on leather hinges furnished the entrance. Another pole and hay
structure fui'nished a shelter for the yoke of oxen, two yearling steers, and
two sheep which he had brought with him from Vernon County. Thus,
with but a dollar in his pocket, began the first settler in Norway Cooley.
In June he brought his family, and his happiness was complete. Few people
of modern times can realize the difficulties with which the early settlers
contended. The nearest neighbor on the east was the George Vernon
family five miles away. The nearest on the west was Tolef Bergeson, four
miles west. Indians thronged the cooley, and though friendly and harm-
less, kept Mrs. Strand in a constant state of apprehension by their savage
ways. The nearest road was five and one-half miles away. Bishop's
settlement, now Arcadia, was six miles away. Trempealeau was
fourteen miles away, the trail leading through Dodge Township and
over Whistler's Pass. The Big Tamarack Swamp was at that time impas-
sable. Grain had to be hauled over hills and through swamps, the unshod
oxen picking their way as best they could. In the winter grain was some-
times taken as far as the mill at Pickwick, in Minnesota. Such a trip was
long and cold and filled with dangers. At times the ice on the river and
marshes was so smooth and glaring that a trail of hay had to be made
to prevent the oxen from falling and breaking their legs. There were no
physicians nearer than Trempealeau and Galesville. Life on the Strand
homestead was filled with work. By Christmas, 1864, the pole hut had
been replaced with a substantial log structure, 14 by 16 feet, one and a
half stories high, and well protected against the winter storms. It is
interesting to note that the present home was built of hewn logs in the
middle seventies. It is 16 by 30 feet, two stories high, with a full base-
ment. In recent years the house has been veneered with lumber, thus
making a thick-walled, comfortable home of solid proportions, fully plas-
tered. The original farm has been increased to 280 acres, well divided into
cultivated land, timber and pasture. Here, hale and hearty in his old age,
Mr. Strand, with his good wife, is spending the afternoon of life, well con-
tent with what the years have brought him. Mr. Strand is a man of
intense patriotism, a devout church member, and a believer in education
and good roads. When the need of men to fight the Civil War was the
greatest he was drafted, and walked to La Crosse to enter his command.
730 HISTORY OF TRE:\IPEALEAU COUNTY
but upon reaching that city he found that he was physically disqualified
owing to the after-effects of an attack of pneumonia which he had expe-
rienced some years previous. He assisted in organizing the first school
district in Tamarack, a district which has since been divided into several
more districts. He laid out the first road over the hill to Arcadia, and gave
liberally of his time and money to further the cause of good roads through-
out this region. He was one of the founders of the Norway Cooley Lutheran
Congregation, of which he and all his family are members. He was on the
building committee when the present edifice was erected, he was a trustee
for many years, and has been one of its liberal contributors since its organi-
zation. All in all, he has been one of the county's most useful citizens, and
justly deserves the high esteem in which he is held. Mr. and Mrs. Strand
have been the parents of the following children : Leof K., born in Strand,
Norway, March 10, 1860, now a well-known farmer of Arcadia Township;
Hoover, born in Vernon County, Wisconsin, December 23, 1861, who resides
at Thief River Falls, Minn. ; Anna, born in Holcomb Coulie, who died Jan.
18, 1867 ; Margaret, born in Norway Cooley, Jan. 6, 1866, who is the wife
of Ludwig Johnson, of Ossian, Iowa; Sam, born in Norway Cooley, Nov.
8, 1867, who is a farmer there at the present time; Anna (2d), born in
Norway Cooley, June 22, 1869, who is now Mrs. John Kasse, of Dane County,
Wisconsin; Ellen, born in Norway Cooley, April 23, 1871, who is the wife
of A. Emmerson, of Ettrick; Knudt L., Jr., born in Norway Cooley, Jan. 5,
1873, who died May 8, 1911, and Birgit, born in Norway Cooley April 19,
1877, now Mrs. Sam M. Swenson, of Tamarack.
Leof K. Strand, a successful farmer and business man residing in
Section 22, Arcadia Township, was born in Strand, Norway, March 10,
1860, son of Knudt and Anna (Hooverson) Strand. He was one year old,
when, in 1861, he came to America with his parents, pioneers of Norway
Cooley, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin. There he attended the district
school organized by his father, which was the first school in that section,
and grew to manhood, assisting his father on the latter's farm. On Dec.
19, 1885, he was united in marriage with Amelia Amundsen, daughter of
Andrew and Agnes (Olsen) Amundsen, of Norway Cooley, and who had
been a schoolmate of his. For ten years after his marriage he remained
on his parents' farm and then removed to a separate location, buying from
his father 40 acres in Section 22, which tract lay in the vicinity of the old
home. Here he erected his present residence, a two-story house consist-
ing of upright and two wings, into which he and his wife moved the year
he took the farm. He also built a frame barn, 28 by 46 by 16 feet, on full
stone basement. Here he has since followed general farming and dairying
with good success. His farm is well watered by springs and is provided
with a full equipment of teams, tools and machinery. Mr. Strand in 1885
became interested in the first farmers' co-operative creamery in Trempea-
leau County, known as the Ettrick Farmers' Creamery Association, of
which he became a stockholder. In this enterprise he took a very active
part, working up the cream routes and hauling two routes himself for ten
years, daily in summers and four days a week in winters. In 1896 he with-
drew from the association, selling his stock. In company with Peter Larson,
MR. AND MRS. LEOF K. STRAND
MR. AND MRS. KNUDT L. STRAND
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 731
Mr. Strand in 1891 bought the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter
of Section 27 in Tamarack. Later Mr. Larson sold his interest to Ole A.
Olson and Mr. Strand, but afterwards bought back an interest. Later
Strand, Olson and Larson built the main part of what is now the Tamarack
store at the head of Norway Cooley, which they rented to Levi Henderson,
of Ettrick, who put in the stock. After remaining one year, Mr. Hender-
son sold his stock to Tver C. Myhre, who conducted the business to 1898.
He then sold out to C. L. Boleng, who now operates the store. Mr. Boleng
rented the building from the company until February, 1902, when he
bought it. Mr. Strand is a stockholder in the Farmers' Shipping Associa-
tion of Arcadia, the Arcadia Farmers' State Bank, the Tamarack Telephone
Company, of which he has been president for the last twelve years. In this
enterprise he has ever taken an active part to perfect its service and equip-
ment. In politics he has always been a Republican and was chairman of his
township board for six years. Mr. and Mrs. Strand are the parents of ten
children, all of whom are living, their record in brief being as follows:
Annetta, born Nov. 20, 1886, is now Mrs. A. 0. Severson, of Norway Cooley.
Clara, born March 18, 1888, is unmarried and resides at home. Hilda, born
Dec. 12, 1898, is now Mrs. C. W. Peterson, of Buffalo, S. D. Elmer, born
Dec. 26, 1891, is operating a homestead farm in Lavinia, Mont. Clarence,
born Jan. 25, 1894, is residing at home unmarried. Margaret, born Oct.
7, 1896, is now Mrs. A. M. Olson, of Thompson Valley, Arcadia Township.
Laura, born Sept. 17, 1898. Henry, born Dec. 3, 1900 ; Milton, born March
19, 1903, and Mildred, born May 4, 1905, are all hving at home. Mr. Strand
and his family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church at Norway
Cooley, which he helps to support. Through enterprise and industry,
backed by inteUigence, he has gained a position among the prosperous
and respected citizens of his township and has never forfeited their good
opinion.
John Durisch, a well known and highly esteemed citizen of Arcadia
Village, now living retired after a long and active career, was born in
Switzerland, June 21, 1846. With his parents, Thomas and Anna Durisch,
also natives of Switzerland, he came to America in 1852, landing at New
York. From that city the family came west to Prairie Du Sac, Wis., where
they lived until 1856. They then migrated to Buffalo County, making the
trip overland by ox team and driving before them twenty-one head of
cattle. Arriving after a twelve-days' journey, they settled in Danuser's
Valley, Montana Township, where Thomas Durisch bought 160 acres of
new land from the government. With the aid of his son, John, he grubbed
and cleared the land, building of tamarack a comfortable log house, 16 by
20 feet, hewn inside and out, which was the pride of all that region. Mr.
Durisch continued to cultivate and improve his farm until his sudden
death while plowing in the field in 1861. The mother, Anna Durisch, was
born Sept. 4, 1810, and died at the home of her son in Arcadia at the age
of 100 years. John Durisch was six years old when he accompanied his
parents from Switzerland. He had attended the common and parochial
schools in his native land and had but little further education after coming
to America. At his father's death he was sixteen years of age and he
732 HISTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
subsequently operated the farm for his widowed mother up to 1869, break-
ing about forty acres more of the land. His father had built a substantial
log barn, 20 by 24 feet, which added to the value of the property. In 1872
Mrs. Durisch rented the farm and with her family moved to Fountain City.
The family included, in addition to the subject of this sketch, a daughter,
Agnes, who was born in Switzerland, and who married Christ Mauele, a
farmer of Montana Township. She died at Arcadia in 1893. The subject
of this sketch and his mother resided in Fountain City up to 1874. He mar-
ried Lucy, daughter of Christ and Ehzabeth Kindschy, pioneer settlers of
Buffalo County, in 1870. In the spring of 1874 he arrived in Arcadia Village
with his wife. Building a small house on what is now Deer Park Street,
he entered into the teaming and livery business, and was thus occupied until
1898. He then traded the business for an improved farm of 160 acres in
Lewis Valley, Arcadia Township, but remained in town and rented the
farm. In 1876 the big flood came and wrecked Mr. Durisch's house in
Arcadia. He then built his present brick veneer residence on Main Street,
a nice-appearing and comfortable dwelling. His first wife died in 1893. They
had one son, Thomas C, who was born February 10, 1872, died in 1884. Mr.
Durisch remained a widower for a short time and then, in 1895, married
Katherine, daughter of John and Katherine Maurer, of Arcadia. A Repub-
lican in politics, he was elected sheriff in 1894, and served one term, retain-
ing his residence in Arcadia, and having a deputy, N. L. Fredrickson, in
charge at Whitehall. For many years he served as village marshal, a
member of the village board and as street commissioner. In 1914 he
retired from active business life and in the same year sold his Lewis
Valley farm. A number of years ago he invested in lands in the state
of Montana, his interest in which he still retains. He is also a stockholder
in the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company. Among his earUer activities
may be mentioned the fact that, with J. I. Dewey, Charles Miller and
James Gaveney (father of John C. Gaveney), he made the first canvass of
Arcadia Township for 500 cows to stock the first creamery in this section,
which creamery was built at Arcadia, west of the Trempealeau River. For
a number of years Mr. Durisch hauled cream and butter from this creamery,
often taking as many as sixty 60-pound tubs at one load. Mr. Durisch was
reared in the faith of the German Evangelical Church and is an active
member of St. John's Church of that denomination at Arcadia, of which
with A. F. Hensel, Herman Cloug and Jacob Schneller, he was one of the
founders. He was treasurer of the church for twenty-two years and for
a number of years superintendent of the Sunday School. He and his wife
are members of the best society in the village.
Collins Bishop was a type of the noblest ideal of the American pioneer.
Lofty of purpose, keen of mind, kindly of heart, rugged of body, strong
of personality, resourceful of disposition, he represented those noble tradi-
tions which are infused into the very soul of our national life, and in defense
of which so many a noble patriot has given his all. His contemporaries
whom he met in the stress and toil of every-day life delighted to do him
reverence and honor, they regarded him as the possessor of every moral
and manly excellence, with character and life that were well nigh flawless.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 733
The spirit of the whole community which took his name, also took on
something of the aspect of his high worth, and his excellencies and influence
were woven into the very warp and woof of the community's gi'owth.
Citizen, friend, patriot, pioneer, soldier, farmer, official, husband and father,
in every capacity of life he did his highest duty, and nobly fulfilled his
loftiest destinies. The halo and heritage of honor which he left has been
passed on not only to his family, but also to the entire population of that
prosperous county in whose founding he had so important a part. Collins
Bishop was born in Nelson Township, Portage County, Ohio, January 9,
1822, one of a family of four sons and three daughters born to Ebenezer
and Annie Bishop, all of whom lived to adult years, and all but two of
whom became residents of the Trempealeau Valley. He was reared in his
native state, and as a young man came to Wisconsin and located in Dodge
County. From there, in 1855, accompanied by James Broughton, George
Shelley and George Dewey, he came up the river from La Crosse to Foun-
tain City, and found his way over the ridge to the present site of Old
Arcadia, where he founded the colony long known as Bishop's Settlement.
Thus located, he devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, living upon the
same place for some fifty-five years. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he
assisted in the raising of Co. C, 30th Wis. Vol. Inf., that famous company
commanded by Captain Alex. A. Arnold, and recruited from the flower of
fearless and heroic young manhood of Trempealeau County. Owing to dis-
ability, Mr. Bishop was soon transferred to Co. A, Veteran Reserve Corps,
but he was as lion hearted in his patriotism and fealty to the Union as
though baptized in fire like his comrades in the gallant Company C. As
the years passed he was blessed with prosperity and success. He changed
a wild tract of land into a rich, fertile, modern farm, he passed through
the strenuous endeavor and hardships of pioneer life and lived to see his
little settlement the metropolis of a great county. After a long and useful
life he died Jan. 19, 1911, surrounded by the love and care of his large
family. At that time it was said of him: "He died as he lived, with a
clear mind, a clean conscience and without a fear of going into the Great
Mystery. In his death his children lost a worthy parent, his friends lost
a genial, kind-hearted and companionable fellow, his community and county
lost an upright citizen and a soldier-patriot. His character and repute may
be commended as most worthy of emulation. The virtue and excellence of
such a man deserve to be recorded in the archives of history. Mr.
Bishop was married July 24, 1844, at Cherry Valley, Ohio, to Emily A.,
daughter of Obed and Delight Warren, and this union was blessed with
eight children: Florence, Rose, Emily, Blanche, May, Hiram, Howard W.,
and Winfred E. Florence married George W. Webb, and is now deceased.
Rose married Arthur A. Markham, of Independence. Emily died in infancy.
Blanche is the v/idow of Martin Woodhull. May is the wife of Frank
Warren, of Black River Falls, Wis. Hiram died in 1868. Howard W.
lives in Whitehall. Winfred E. lives in Arcadia. A book might be written
of the life of Collins Bishop, and it would be replete with interest from
cover to cover. A few stories of his experiences are still preserved in the
traditions of the county. In the early days there were no physicians in
734 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
the vicinity. A new family moved into the adjoining towTi of Glencoe. Soon
after that a visit of the stork was expected. Having received a medical
education through a two years' course in a medical college in the East, Mr.
Bishop had acquired, through pioneer necessity, considerable skill and repu-
tation as an obstetrician. On this occasion, after a hard day's work on the
farm, he walked several miles to the sick woman's house, performed his
duties as an obstetrician, and cared for the mother and child until the next
day, when he was relieved by a neighbor woman. He never asked nor took
pay for such errands of mercy. His resourcefulness in the most trying
circumstances is shown in the story of his dead ox. One hot summer day
he was on his way to obtain provisions at Fountain City, twenty or more
miles away, with an empty wagon drawn by a pair of oxen. Over on the
ridge, four or iive miles from Fountain City, one of the oxen became over-
heated. Mr. Bishop unyoked him and went down in the valley afoot and
brought a pail of water. But on his return the ox was dead. So Mr. Bishop
rolled him aside and gave the water to the other ox. By means of ropes
and chains he harnessed up this remaining ox so that he could pull the
wagon to town, while Mr. Bishop himself put his own head through the
other bow, and thus held up the yoke as he walked beside the ox and con-
tinued his journey.
Winfred E. Bishop, one of the leading agriculturists and seed-corn
growers of this county, is known far and wide for his character as a man,
his usefulness as a citizen, and his worthy efforts in the cause of rural
betterment. The son of the county's most distinguished pioneer, he lives
on Arcadia's pioneer farm, and is worthily following the high traditions
of his family, combining an intensely modern spirit of progress with the
stability of the foundation upon which his career is based. Born on the
historic place where he now lives, Jan. 25, 1869, the son of Collins and Emily
Bishop, he was reared in an atmosphere of piety and culture, and received
his education in the district, graded and High schools of Arcadia, supple-
menting this with a course in the Lambert Business College at Winona.
Trained throughout his boyhood as an agriculturist, he became his father's
partner at the age of 20, and this arrangement continued until his father's
death, when he bought the interests of the other heirs and became sole
owner and proprietor of the farm which he had assisted so materially in
developing and improving. This development and improvement has since
continued. The character of this farm, and the care with which it has
been conserved during the sixty years that it has borne crops, is shown by
the fact that it contains the first piece of land broken in Arcadia, which
bore its first crop in 1857, and in 1917 yielded 85 bushels of oats to the
acre. The two houses on the place are surrounded with a beautiful wooded
lawn, the barns and outbuildings are commodious and modern, the farm is
well fenced, and the tools and equipment are in every way adequate to
the demands made upon them. Mr. Bishop makes a specialty of raising
seed corn of the Golden Glow Yellow Dent Wisconsin No. 12 variety, with
which he has won many prizes at the county and state exhibitions, and
for which the demand is so great that it is only by refusing many orders
that Mr. Bishop is able to keep enough for his own use. The industry was
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 735
inaugurated several years ago on a small scale, when Mr. Bishop started
the preparation of his first seed by drying and ripening it by the fire. Now
he has a hot-air fan system, and raises some twenty acres each year, six-
teen acres being for seed purposes exclusively. The pride of the neighbor-
hood is Mr. Bishop's fine herd of Holstein-Friesian cattle, all high grade.
While not the largest herd in the county, these creatures are acknowledged
to be the sleekest and best cared for in every particular. Farming, as he
does along such modern lines, it is natural that Mr. Bishop should take an
active part in the work of the Wisconsin Agricultural Experiment Associa-
tion, and that he should have been chosen to his present position as presi-
dent of the Farmers' Co-operative Creamery of Arcadia. He has not cared
for public office, but has listened to the call of duty and for two terms has
done most excellent service as town treasurer. His fraternal relations are
with the Masonic and Independent Forester orders. Mr. Bishop was mar-
ried Jan. 25, 1890, to Hattie E. Wheeler, who died in March, 1891, leaving
one son, Glenn, who is now a telegraph operator for the Northwestern
Railroad in South Dakota. Nov. 30, 1893, Mr. Bishop married Ruth Weeks,
and they have one child, Florence M., who is soon to graduate from the
Arcadia High School. The family faith is that of the Christian Science
Church.
John F. Brom, one of the successful farmers of Dodge Township, resid-
ing in Section 6, was born in Pine Creek Valley, this township, May 23,
1875, a son of Frank and Katherine (Pribyl) Brom. Both parents were
born in Bohemia, the father in 1850. Frank Brom came to America in
1861 or 1862, with his parents, they settling first in Winona, Minn., but
soon the father of Frank homesteaded 160 acres of wild land in Section
6, Range 9, Township 19 (Dodge), and Frank was brought up on this farm,
having abundant opportunities to make acquaintance with hard work. In
course of time he succeeded to the property. He cleared and developed the
land, adding 49 acres to the farm, which increased its size to 209 acres.
He also built a two-story frame house, two large barns, a granary, machine-
shed and poultry house. All the buildings are painted and in good shape,
while of the land, 125 acres are under the plow, the balance being in pasture
and timber land. Frank Brom was engaged in general farming and dairy-
ing, keeping grade cows and selling cream at Arcadia and later at Dodge.
He died at Winona, Minn., in 1911. His wife died in Pine Creek Valley,
Dodge Township, in 1887, and is buried at Winona. John F. Brom remained
on the farm with his father until his marriage, his education having been
acquired in the district and parochial schools. January 24, 1899, he was
married to Frances, daughter of Joseph and Susan (Weir) Brizinski, and
took his wife to his father's home, where they resided until the fall of
that year. They then moved to the Pribyl farm, adjoining the Brom home-
stead on the northeast, which farm had been bought by Frank Brom, who
gave it to his son. On this place the present residence had been built in
the summer of 1899. The house is a two-story upright with two wings and
is modern in its furnishings, having bath, hot and cold water and every-
thing desirable except electric lights. The barn is a frame building with
hip roof, 36 by 60 by 20 feet ; the granary is 20 by 28 feet, with a lean-to,
736 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
20 by 28 feet ; the other buildings being a wood shed, 14 by 20 ; buggy shed,
14 by 24, with shop lean-to, 10 by 20; poultry house, 12 by 24; machine
shed, 24 by 60, and a cement block silo, 12 by 26 feet, all painted and in good
condition. Mr. Brom has 120 acres of land under the plow, the balance of
242 acres being in pasture and timber land. In 1912 he bought the old home-
stead of 120 acres from his brother, Martin, who had inherited it at the
father's death. He is engaged in general farming and dairying, keeping
18 grade Shorthorn cows, 25 grade Duroc Jersey hogs and 160 Shropshire
sheep. He also has a small orchard of three acres. His farm is 16 miles
from Winona, 15 from Galesville and 9 from Arcadia. In politics Mr. Brom
is a Democrat. He has taken part in the government of his township,
having served as supervisor two terms, being chairman of the board one
term, and clerk of School District No. 2 for nine years. Aside from his
farming interests, he is a stockholder in the First State Bank of Dodge, in
the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company and in the Dodge Shipping
Association. He and his wife have had eight children: Benjamin, born
March 24, 1900, who is assisting his father on the farm ; Theodore, born
August 24, 1902, who died October 15, 1908; Richard, born September 2,
1906; Florence, August 7, 1908; Cyril, May 25, 1910; Clarence, April 14,
1912 ; Alvin, January 23, 1914, and Isadore, October 17, 1915. Mr. Brom,
with his wife and family, are members of the Catholic Church, attending
Sacred Heart Church at Pine Creek.
Edward B. McWeeny, town chairman of Arcadia, prominent member
of the county board, and enthusiastic road builder, is one of the leading
citizens of the county. Coming of a family of which several members
have gained national prominence, he has preferred to devote his life to this
vicinity, and his work has been productive of much good. His voice on the
county board has ever been raised in behalf of those things which he
beheves to be for progress and betterment consistent with consideration
for the tax payer, and his work in behalf of good roads is widely known.
He successfully farms on Section 29, Arcadia Township, and has a pleasant
and attractive place. Edward B. McWeeny was born at Glencoe, Buffalo
County, this state, March 28, 1874, son of James and Catherine (Scanlon)
McWeeny, thrifty farmers. James McWeeny is now dead, having passed
away in 1900, but his wife is still living. They had a family of eight
children: John, who resides in Chicago, 111.; Nellie, unmarried, who is a
trained nurse at South Bend, Ind. ; Mary, wife of Adam Ziegweid, of Beach,
N. D. ; Elizabeth, who is the widow of Joseph Boyle and resides in Chicago ;
Patrick, of Chicago; James, who is a foreman in the Illinois Steel Com-
pany's plant at South Chicago; Edward B., subject of this memoir, and
Frank, a cattle buyer, who resides in Arcadia. Edward B. McWeeny
acquired his education in the district school, which he attended from the
age of eight years to that of 17. He remained on the McWeeny farm at
Glencoe until he was 27, except for one summer which he spent in North
Dakota. April 8, 1902, he was married to Sophia, daughter of Engelhart
and Elizabeth (Bills) Doelle, of Cross Township, Buffalo County. Previous
to this event he had purchased a 200-acre farm on Independence Road, two
miles north of Arcadia Village, and here he and his wife began housekeep-
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 737
ing in the two-story frame house on the property. Since then he has erected
a good frame barn, 36 by 84 feet, with half basement. He does general
farming, having at present 125 acres under the plow. He has an ample
equipment of teams, wagons and tools for the profitable cultivation of his
land, and his property presents a neat and thriving appearance. Aside
from these interests, he is a stockholder in the Arcadia Shipping Associa-
tion and the Farmers Co-operative Creamery of Arcadia. A Democrat in
politics, Mr. McWeeny has been chairman of the town board for four
years. He and his wife have had eight children: James, Leo, Lenore,
Bernard, Albin, Henry, Eleva, and Elizabeth, of whom the last mentioned
is now deceased. All were born on the farm. The family are members of
the Catholic Church at Arcadia, and Mr. McWeeny has been a member of
the Catholic Order of Foresters for the past twenty years, and of the
Knights of Columbus since 1913.
Lorenzo D. and Frank Tubbs, livestock dealers and real estate agents,
constitute the firm of Tubbs Brothers, for many years intimately con-
nected with the business life of Independence. They came to Burnside
Township from Hixton, this state, in 1874, with other members of the
family, and engaged in farm pursuits on the home farm. Later they engaged
in the livestock business. In this connection Lorenzo D. had charge of the
Dakota interests of the firm. For a while they engaged in the implement
business in Independence, but later sold out to R. Warner Brothers. The
Messrs. Tubbs now handle considerable real estate, and deal extensively in
livestock, making a specialty of buying and selling horses. The parents of
these gentlemen were Lorenzo and Mary Jane (Colwell) Tubbs, both now
deceased. After the death in 1856 of the father, who was an Ohio farmer, the
care of the family devolved upon the mother, who in 1872 brought them to
Hixton, this state, and in 1874 to Burnside. Mr. and Mrs. Lorenzo Tubbs had
nine children: James, Mary L., Elma, Elizabeth, Frank, Adelle, Lorenzo D.,
Sarah Jane, and Alice. James, Mary L. and Elma are dead. Elizabeth is
the widow of Lee Hutchins, of Independence. Frank is in the real estate
and livestock business. Adelle is the wife of Robert Watson, a farmer of
Buena Vista, Colo. Lorenzo D. was born Oct. 18, 1852, was educated in the
district schools and in Gale College, was married in October, 1894, to Lydia
L. Grout, is engaged in the real estate and livestock business and has been
a member of the village council of Independence since 1910. Sarah Jane is
the widow of George Walker and lives in Detroit, Mich. Alice is the wife
of J. M. Hall of Detroit, Mich.
John Schmidt was one of the early settlers of Buflfalo County, this
state, and by developing a good farm took a part in its progress and growth.
He was born in Langwies Canton, Graubuen, Switzerland, in 1817, there
grew to sturdy manhood and married Mary Roth. She died in her native
land, leaving four children — George, Dorothy, Nicholas and Ursula — and
in 1867 Mr. Schmidt with his children set out for the United States,
embarking at Hamburg on the steamship "Saxonia." Landing at New
York after a voyage of nine days, they came directly from that city by
train to La Crosse, Wis., and then by boat up the Mississippi River to
Fountain City, where they landed May 29, 1867. Mr. Schmidt lost no time
738 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
in getting settled, as he immediately took up 180 acres of partially improved
land in Cross Township, Buflfalo County, and set to work to develop it.
There was much hard work to do, but he persevered, and in time his efforts
were rewarded, and he found himself the owner of a good farm with sub-
stantial buildings. This place was his home until 1883, in which year
he went to North Dakota, where he spent ten years, dying in Cass County
in that state in 1893.
George Schmidt, educator, agriculturist and public official, is doing
most efficient service as assessor of incomes for Wisconsin District No. 28,
comprising Buffalo, Pepin and Trempealeau Counties, and has to his
credit a long term of office as superintendent of schools in Buffalo County,
as well as considerable other public work. Born in Langwies Canton,
Graubuen, Switzerland, June 26, 1857, the son of John and Mary (Roth)
Schmidt, he was brought to Buffalo County by his father in 1867, and
remained on the paternal farm until he had grown to manhood. He first
prepared himself in the district schools of Cross Township and in the
Fountain City graded school, after which he attended Gale University (now
Gale College) for one year. When he was 18 years old he began teaching
school in District No. 1, Buffalo Township and County, and taught subse-
quently for 11 years in different schools of the county. That he made
a good record may be inferred from the fact that in the fall of 1886 he
was elected to the office of superintendent of schools in Buffalo County,
commencing his duties Jan. 1, 1887, at Alma, the county seat. He remained
superintendent of the Buffalo County schools for eight years, maintaining
a high standard of efficiency. Then, in the fall of 1895, he moved to
Trempealeau County, locating on the Hiram Tracy farm of 276 acres,
which he had previously purchased. He later increased the acreage of the
farm by additional land purchases until it now contains 440 acres, having
two sets of commodious buildings. In 1905 Mr. Schmidt purchased the
Henry Dewey farm of 63 acres, situated one mile east of the village of
Arcadia, the location being known as East Arcadia. The first store in
Arcadia was built on this place in 1857, but after the Green Bay Railroad
was constructed in 1873 the population moved into the valley, thus changing
the location of the village. Mr. Schmidt removed to the Dewey farm in
the spring of 1906, preferring this place for a residence in order that his
childi-en might enjoy the advantage of attending the Arcadia high school,
and here he has since made his home. He was married May 14, 1888, to
Lina, daughter of John and Louisa (Waelty) Ochsner of Waumandee,
Buffalo County, Wis., and he and his wife are the parents of six children :
Erwin R., Walter E., Oscar J., George A., Louisa M. (first) and Louisa M.
(second), whose record in brief is as follows: Erwin R., born Dec. 26,
1889, in Alma, Wis., graduated from the Arcadia high school in 1913, and
from Washington University at St. Louis, Mo., in 1915, receiving the degree
of M. D. He is now an interne at Barnes Hospital, St. Louis. Walter E.,
born at Alma, Wis., April 2, 1891, is a graduate of the Arcadia high school
and of the Wisconsin University (agricultural department), in the class
of 1913, and is now engaged in farming at Spring Grove, Va. Oscar J.,
born at Alma, Wis., June 5, 1895, is a graduate of the Arcadia high school
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GEORGE SCHMIDT
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 739
and also took a two years' course in agriculture at the Wisconsin University.
He is now residing at home. George A., born at Arcadia, Wis., Dec. 7,
1896, graduated from the Arcadia high school and is now a student at the
Wisconsin University. Louisa M. (first), born in Arcadia Township in
1898, was accidentally drowned at the age of 18 months while playing on
the farm. Louisa M., the second of the name, was born in Arcadia Town-
ship, May 30, 1903, and is now living at home and attending the Arcadia
schools. Mr. Schmidt is a Republican in politics. In addition to his service
as school superintendent, already mentioned, he served two terms as clerk
of Cross Township, Buffalo County, was alderman for several terms at
Alma, Wis., treasurer of Arcadia Township two terms, superintendent of
assessment of Trempealeau County for six years, and is now serving his
second term as district assessor of incomes. Aside from his personal farm-
ing interests and public employment he is a stockholder in the Bank of
Arcadia, the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company and the Farmers
Co-operative Creamery at Arcadia. He and his family are Protestants,
though not aflSliated with any particular church.
Ellis G. Bigham, manager and secretary of the Farmers Co-operative
Creamery of Arcadia, was born Nov. 11, 1878, in Arcadia Township, son
of John and Grace (Gardner) Bigham, his parents being farmers in that
township. He was educated in the graded school and high school of
Arcadia Village, graduating from the latter in June, 1898. During the
following winter he taught district school in the Smith district, Arcadia
Township. In the fall of 1899 he began teaching in the Galesville school,
having charge of the seventh and eighth grades and also taught for a
while in the Galesville high school. The next summer, 1900, he went back
to his father's farm and remained there for ten years. While living on
the farm, in 1904, he was made manager and secretary Of the Farmers
Co-operative Creamery of Arcadia, but remained on the farm until the
fall of 1913, when, with his family, he moved into the village, and has since
given his undivided attention to the creamery. Under his management
the business has steadily increased until in 1916 a new and larger plant
became necessary, and accordingly a new building, with full modern equip-
ment, was put up on a site adjoining the old one. Mr. Bigham is a stock-
holder in the creamery and also in the Western Wisconsin Telephone Com-
pany. He is one of the enterprising young business men of the village,
and is a member of the village board, though he has held no other public
offices. In politics he is independent. Mr. Bigham was married Oct. 18,
1902, to Alice, the daughter of George and Katherine Kindchy of Montana
Township, Buifalo County, Wis., and he and his wife have three children:
Katherine, born Nov. 10, 1903; Mona, born Feb. 28, 1907, and Margaret,
born July 27, 1911. All the children were born on the Bigham farm and
all are attending school. Mr. Bigham was reared in the faith of the
Methodist Episcopal church, and his wife in that of the German Evan-
gelical church. In 1908 he joined the Masonic order, in which he has
advanced as far as the Chapter, and in 1916 was junior deacon of the
lodge. Since 1901 he has belonged to the Independent Orders of Foresters,
and since 1906 to the Beavers.
740 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
John Busby, a well known and successful farmer of Arcadia Town-
ship, was born in Waukegan, Lake County, 111., Sept. 27, 1857, son of
Thomas and Mary (Knight) Busby. His parents were born and married
in England and came to America in 1854, later settling on a farm
one mile north of Arcadia Village, on the east side of Trempealeau River.
They are now living retired at Wakefield, Neb., their unmarried daughter,
Florence, keeping house for them. Thomas Busby was 89 years old Aug.
24, 1917, and his wife 80 years Jan. 1, 1917. John Busby was less than
a year old when he accompanied his parents to Wisconsin. He was brought
up on the home farm and remained with his father until he was 30 years
old. At the age of 22 he bought a threshing outfit with which he threshed
for the neighboring farmers every fall. In 1888 he bought a farm in
Korpal Valley, six miles north of Arcadia and four south of Independence.
It consisted of 120 acres and was partly improved, having a small house
but no barn. That same year he was married to Gertrude Lewis, daughter
of John D. and Charlotte (Maybury) Lewis of Lewis Valley, Arcadia
Township, and they settled on the Korpal Valley farm, where they resided
until 1903. Mr. Busby then traded his farm for the Lewis homestead of
240 acres, a well improved piece of property, with frame house, a full base-
ment barn, 30 by 66 feet and 16 feet above basement. He has since built
a granary, machine shed and garage building and has put every part of
the property into excellent condition. One hundred and seventy-five acres
of his land is under the plow. Mr. Busby carries on general farming and
dairying, keeping 25 grade "Red Poll" cattle, all young cows. He has a
full equipment of machinery, teams and everything necessary to carry
on a modern farm. The land in this valley is extremely fertile and is
among the best farming sections in the county. Mr. Busby is a stock-
holder in the Glencoe Co-operative Creamery of Arcadia Village. In poli-
tics he is independent, voting for the man rather than for the party. He
has served for a number of years as treasurer and clerk of the school dis-
trict. He and his wife have two children — Benjamin and Irene. Benjamin,
born Feb. 2, 1890, who is unmarried and hves at home, was graduated
from the district school and the Arcadia high school, and attended for one
year the department of Letters and Science at the University of Wisconsin.
Irene, born March 24, 1897, resides at home with her parents. Mr. Busby
has had four sisters and six brothers : Emma, Thomas, Florence, Charles
Andrew, Oliver, Mary, Lilly, Mark and William. Of these Emma, Andrew,
Lilly and Mark are deceased.
Andrew Losinski, Sr., an early pioneer, was born in West Prussia,
Poland, Nov. 13, 1832, and was there reared. He came to America in 1861
and found his way to Winona, where several of his countrymen had pre-
ceded him. For a time he worked at what he could find to do in the vicinity
of RoUingstone and St. Charles, in Winona County, and for one or two
seasons was employed on steamboats on the Mississippi River. He also
worked for Andrew Hamilton, proprietor of a lumber yard at Winona,
being employed both in the lumber yard and about his residence. Mr.
Hamilton had but one horse at that time, which he used both as a carriage
horse and for delivering lumber, so that Mr. Losinski's work in looking
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 741
after the stable was not arduous. In 1865 Andrew Losinski came to Dodge
Township, Trempealeau County, and bought the Wright farm of 133 acres
in section 19. Only two acres of the farm had been cleared, and there
was neither house nor barn. One of the first things he did, therefore,
was to erect a log house and a log barn and then he set to work to clear
and improve the land. He resided there until 1899 and then moved to a
farm of 180 acres situated a little east of the old home in the same section,
which is the farm now owned by his son, Andrew, Jr. It was not until
1892, however, that he purchased the property. Here he resided until his
death, July 29, 1911, when he was 78 years old. During his active years
he improved the property, erecting a two-story brick house, with upright
and wing, and a barn 24 by 84 by 14 feet. A man of sincere religious con-
victions, Mr. Losinski helped to build the first Catholic church in Pine
Creek and was for many years a trustee in that congregation. He and his
wife were hard workers and in the early years endured many privations
and hardships, but succeeded in acquiring a competency for their old age.
For a number of years previous to his death the farm was operated by
his son, Andrew, Jr. His wife is still living and resides with her son
Andrew, enjoying remarkably good health for one of her years. She was
born in West Prussia, Poland, in 1847, and came to America as a child
about 1860. Andrew Losinski, Sr., and his wife had nine children : Stan-
ley, born in Dodge Township in 1867; Lorenz, born in 1869, who died in
1883 as the result of blood poisoning from a gunshot wound; Phela, born
in 1871, wife of Joseph Poehler, a farmer of Arcadia Township; Vincent,
born in 1873 and now living on the old homestead ; Andrew, Jr., proprietor
of the homestead ; Frances, born in 1878, and now Mrs. Vincent Bambenek,
living near Dodge Village ; Mary, born in 1880, now the wife of Tony Walski,
a farmer of Trempeleau Township; Jacob, born in 1882, now a farmer of
Arcadia Township, and Frank, born in 1885, who is proprietor of a gen-
eral store at St. Phihp, Mont., and also postmaster.
Andrew Losinski, Jr., who is engaged in farming in section 19, Dodge
Township, was born on the place where he still lives, Sept. 7, 1875, son of
Andrew and Anna (Rudink) Losinski. He was reared on the home farm,
and under his father's instruction gained a good knowledge of agricul-
tural methods. As his father grew old the management of the farm
feU more and more into his hands until at last he had the entire man-
agement of it. Three years before his father's death, or in 1908, he
bought the property, since which time he has built a new barn and a silo
of good capacity, besides a tool shed. His education was obtained in the
district and parochial schools. Like his father before him he is a mem-
ber of the Sacred Heart Catholic church at Pine Creek. In politics he is
a Democrat.
Emil F. Rotering, county highway commissioner, is leaving a per-
manent record of his work in the magnificent system of public roads which
the county is developing under his able supervision. As a contractor he
was the pioneer builder of macadamized roads in Buffalo and Trempealeau
County, and he is thus familiar with the technical details of road building
in all its departments. In his present position his experience, his diplomacy
742 HISTOKV OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
and his ability to inspire others with his enthusiasm are all finding their
reflection in the work which he is accomphshing. Thoroughly democratic
by nature, he is of genial and pleasant temperament, and being still a
young man. and having already worthily achieved much of merit, his friends
predict for him a brilliant future of wide influence. He was born in
Glencoe Township. Butt'alo County. Oct. 4, 1886. son of Henry and I\Iary
Rotering. Henry Rotering was born in Germany, came to the United
States in 1878, married Mary, a native of Buffalo County, this state,
farmed in that county for a number of years, and later operated a livery
business in Arcadia. Emil F. Rotering acquired a district school educa-
tion, and also took a course in the Arcadia high school. He farmed at
home until attaining his majority, and then became a rural mail carrier
on Route 2, out of Arcadia. Wis. Five years later he associated himself
with his father in the livery business. It was thus that he became inter-
ested in the good roads movement, and in 1911, the State Road-Aid Law
having been passed, he engaged in the road contracting business. In this
capacity he built the first macadamized roads in Buffalo and Trempealeau
Counties, and also did considerable road grading, receiving practically all
the important contracts that were let under the State Aid Law while he
was in business. So highly did his work in this capacity commend itself
to the people of the county that in 1915 he was appointed to his present
position as county commissioner of highways. Taking hold of his new
work with a vim. he has followed a consistent plan of improvement, and
in spite of the difficulties of road building in Trempealeau County, owing to
the inequahties of the surface and the scarcity of good road material, he
has evolved a splendid system and accomplished good results. After taking
office he disposed of his livery and traded his road-building outfit for a
fertile tract of 200 acres near Osseo. which he still owns and which he
has fenced and improved in various ways. He also owns a pleasant home
in Arcadia, and considerable other real estate, and his business holdings
include stock in the Trempealeau Lime Products Company of Trempealeau,
the Farmers & Merchants State Bank at Independence, and the Ettrick
& Northern Railroad at Ettrick. His fraternal relations are %vith the
Knights of Columbus, the Woodmen of the World and the Red Men. Mr.
Rotering is one of the most active and wideawake young men in the
county, and he is always willing to give his time and Influence in behalf
of every movement which he believes to be for the best interests of the
county and its people. He is an out-of-door man, an able motorist and an
enthusiastic hunter. Mr. Rotering was married Dec. 30. 1913. to Isa
Faulds, daughter of John and Margaret Faulds and five years postmistress
of Arcadia. John Faulds was born in BaiUieston, Scotland, and came to
America with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. James Faulds, in 1847. They
settled in Hazelton. Pa., and in the spring of 1855 came to Glencoe, Wis.,
they being one of the pioneer settlers of that place. He enUsted
in Company F. Seventh West Virginia Cavalry. Nov. 4. 1864, and served
to Aug. 1. 1865. when he received his honorable discharge. In 1871 he was
married to Margaret Wright of Tollcross, Glasgow, Scotland, making their
home on the farm in Glencoe until 1880, afterwards mo\ing to Arcadia,
EMIL F. EOTEEING
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 743
where they resided until they died. Margaret Faulds died Jan. 15, 1907 ;
John Faulds died Sept. 6, 1908.
John D. Lewis, the first permanent settler in Lewis Valley, Arcadia
Township, and now one of the oldest and most esteemed residents in the
township, was born at Syracuse, N. Y., Feb. 19, 1828, son of Morgan
and Lydia (Comstock) Lewis. The father was born in DeRuyter, a small
village in Madison County, New York, June 29, 1805, and died in the same
place July 1, 1855. His wife survived him over 40 years, dying at the home
of her son, the subject of this sketch, in Arcadia Township, June 14, 1896,
at the age of 90. She was buried in Arcadia Village. The Lewis family is
of Welsh origin. John D. Lewis was brought up in his native state, where
he learned the carpenter's trade. At. the age of 23 years, Aug. 5, 1851,
he married Charlotte Maybury. Three years later, in 1854, he set out for
the great Northwest, reaching Winona, Minn., July 8, that year. Here he
found work at his trade, and on September 5 was joined by his wife, his
son Kossuth and daughter Inez. The family resided in Winona until Jan.
1, 1855, Mr. Lewis working as carpenter for Mr. Sowner, who was then
postmaster of Winona. On the date last mentioned he moved with his
family to Fountain City, Wis., where he continued to follow his trade.
While residing here his little son Kossuth was accidentally drowned, July
8, 1857, which calamity came as a sudden shock and caused great grief in
the family, but in October of the same year another son was born, and
the name of his dead brother was bestowed on him. On the breaking
out of the great Civil war, in April, 1861, Mr. Lewis enlisted promptly in
the Sixth Wisconsin Infantry, and obtained the rank of heutenant in Com-
pany H. Going south with the regiment, he remained in the service until
Dec. 22, 1861, when he was discharged and returned home. March 29,
1865, he re-enlisted as captain, but this time served only one month, when
the war ended with the surrender of General Lee. Early in 1866, a Mr.
Davis, a surveyor and a friend of Mr. Lewis, told the latter of the value
of the land in section 8, Arcadia Township, Trempealeau County, especially
in what was then called Niffin Valley. He and his wife decided that this
was a good opportunity for them to acquire a homestead, and accordingly.
May 26, 1866, Mr. Lewis bought a piece of land in the valley and he and
his family moved onto it. Lewis Niffin, who had been a resident there for
awhile, had moved away, and the valley now took the name of Lewis
Valley, which it bears to this day. Mr. Lewis was very poor when he
began farming, and had many difficulties to struggle with. Provisions had
to be brought overland from Fountain City, 22 miles away, and there was
an immense amount of work to be done on the farm. Mr. Lewis hastily
erected the most necessary buildings and began the cultivation of the land.
His children were all young and could be of little assistance, so the burden
of toil for the first few years fell upon himself and wife. As fast as he was
able he increased his improvements on his property, in time erecting a
frame house and barn and adding to the number of acres under cultivation,
5n the meanwhile practicing habits of strenuous industry and economy.
Prosperity came gradually but surely. Occasionally there were hard times,
as in the years of financial depression, but general conditions continued
744 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
to improve ; other settlers came in, farm machinery was introduced more
extensively, lightening the fai-mer's burdens and increasing the size of his
crops; better roads were constructed, and with the general rise of prices
the value of Mr. Lewis's farm increased. His children grew up, the boys
helping their father on the farm and the girls their mother in the work of
the household, until some of them married and moved away. In the mean-
while Mr. Lewis has become prominent in the community, and well known
not only in his own neighborhood, but also throughout the county. Elected
to the office of county clerk, he served in it efficiently for five years, and
was also a member and chairman of the county board three terms. He
was also a justice of the peace for many years, and for 25 years was school
director, also serving for years as clerk of the district. In 1903 Mr. Lewis,
then 75 years old, sold his farm to John Busby, a son-in-law, who has since
operated it, and with whom, and his daughter, Mrs. Busby, he now resides.
Although 89 years old, he retains his faculties in a remarkable degree,
being quite active for one of his age, and is quietly enjoying his declining
years. His wife died April 1, 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis had a large family,
of whom the following is a brief record: Kossuth (1), born in New York
state, Feb. 4, 1852, died from drowning at Fountain City, Wis., July 8,
1857 ; Inez, born in New York state Aug. 7, 1853, who is now Mrs. John Burt
of Myers Falls, Wash. ; Charles, born in Winona, Minn., Dec. 24, 1854, who
died in infancy; Kossuth (2), born at Fountain City, Oct. 4, 1857, who is
now living in Topeka, Kans. ; Blanche, born Dec. 1, 1860, who married
Frank Ducker of Green Bay, Wis., and died in 1913; Gertrude, born at
Fountain City, Jan. 1, 1863, who is now the wife of John Busby, owner
of the Lewis homestead; Clive, born at Fountain City, Dec. 9, 1864, and
now living at Beach, N. D. ; Delos, born in Arcadia Township, Jan. 4, 1867,
who resides at Glendive, Mont.; Adelbert A., born in Arcadia Township,
June 28, 1869, who resides in Minneapolis, Minn. ; Archie, born in Arcadia
Township, who died at Fridley, Mont., in 1914, and Hugh, born in Arcadia
Township, Oct. 6, 1876, who is now living in Korpal Valley, this township.
Mr. Lewis, though reared a Baptist, has never united with any church. He
is one of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of Trempealeau
County and has attained his present position in life through honest indus-
,try, fulfilhng his obligations to all men and doing whatever he could to
advance the interests of the general community. His surviving children
are also prosperous and respected.
Stephen Richmond was born in St. Lawrence County in the state of
New York in the year 1848. His father, John Richmond, was an English-
man, and his mother, Margaret Hoy, was of Irish nativity. He i-eceived
his education in the common schools of his native village, Louisville, and
in the Lawrence Academy and Potsdam State Normal school. After com-
pleting his academic schooling he taught school for several years in the state
of New York with marked success. About the year 1870 the "call of the
West" reached him and bent his course toward the Badger state, and set-
tling in Trempealeau County he became one of the pioneer schoolmasters.
He was a strict disciplinarian, yet withal possessed of infinite kindness of
heart — not that kind which finds its only expression in a sentimental
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 745
demonstration, but rather of that character which looks to final results
and the building up of better citizenship. The motto of his life, and the
one that he sought to impress upon his pupils was, "Hew to' the line, let
the chips fall where they may." For five years he was principal of the
schools of Galesville, during which time he carefully instructed and became
an important factor in moulding and forming the characters of many who
today are among Galesville's best citizens, people who justly attribute
much of their success and happiness to his untiring vigilance during those
all but forgotten school days. In 1878 Mr. Richmond, feeling that he could
be of greater use to his fellows in a new and untried field, moved to Arcadia,
the village that was thenceforward to become his permanent home. Here
for some years longer he pursued the noble profession of instructor, devot-
ing all his moments of leisure to the study of the law, to such good pur-
pose that in the following year he was duly admitted to practice that honor-
able profession. At about the same time, recognizing his unusual talent
and ability as an instructor and organizer of schools the people of Trem-
pealeau County elected him to the office of County Superintendent of
Schools, which office he honorably filled for some time. Mr. Richmond
married Ida Merwin of Centerville in 1871, and seven children were born
to them, two daughters who died in infancy and two daughters now liv-
ing, Gertrude and Lulu, and three sons, Frank C, Ben F. and William M.
The two sons, Frank C. and Ben F., following in the footsteps of the father,
pursued the study of the law, were admitted to the bar and became mem-
bers of the law firm of Richmond & Richmond. Frank C. Richmond is also
a graduate physician. Ben Richmond enlisted in the Spanish-American
war and died soon after being mustered out from disease contracted in
the army. The unusual brilliancy of this son was the source of continual
pride to the father, and the shock of his untimely death was almost more
than the fond parents could endure. This crushing blow seemed to affect
the health of the father and marked an apparent decline in his previous
robust health. It shattered his great hopes for the future of the firm
he had so carefully launched; but with his usual undaunted courage he
buried his sorrow in his great heart and manfully took up the added
burden. As a lawyer he was deeply, conscious of his duties to his client,
making the sorrows and passions of his client his own so that all enemies
of his client were his enemies during the time he was engaged. These
cares and duties were with him both day and night. To have put them
aside during his hours of rest and diversion would have been to him a
grave wrong to his cUent — an unforgivable sin. Mr. Richmond was a man
of true friends, men of worth and character, who were drawn to him by
the depth and sincerity of his nature, who loved the man for what he was —
a friend not in prosperity alone, but as well in the dark day of adversity.
In the course of nature a well rounded life, rich in those achievements which
distinguish one from his fellows, reached its close, Sept. 4, 1912; the dis-
tinguished and respected citizen, the loved and loving father and husband,
with every earthly obligation fulfilled, lay down to his last sleep. Mr.
Richmond was deeply interested in historical matters, especially in the
history of pioneer times in Western Wisconsin. It was his aspiration to
74(i HISTORY OF TRP:]\IPEALEAU COUNTY
prepare a History of Trempealeau County. He died before his task was
completed, but he left behind many valuable manuscripts, which have
been used as the base of much of the material in this present history.
Frank R. Paine, a prosperous business man of Arcadia Village, deal-
ing in farm loans, was born at Cascade, Sheboygan County, Wis., Oct. 29,
1862, son of Rensselaer C. and Laura (Bigelow) Paine. The father was
a native of Vermont, who came west and married Laura Bigelow at Cas-
cade, Wis., in 1860. They settled near Winona, Minn., where in the spring
of 1862 he was killed by a kick from a horse. After her husband's death
Mrs. Paine returned to Cascade, and there the subject of this sketch was
born in the following fall. In 1865 Mrs. Paine contracted a second mar-
riage with H. T. Miller of Cascade, and she and her husband resided there
until her son Frank was nine years old. Then, in 1871, the family moved
to Sheboygan Falls, Wis. In the fall of 1874 they came to Arcadia, Trem-
pealeau County, and here Mr. Miller bought a half interest in the flour
mill of Broughton & Thomas, Mr. Broughton withdrawing from the firm,
which then became Miller & Thomas. Soon after this Jacob R. Bear bought
out the interest of Mr. Thomas, and the style of the firm was changed to
Miller & Bear. In the meanwhile Frank R. Paine had grown to manhood.
He had been educated in the common schools of Cascade, Sheboygan Falls
and Arcadia, and at the age of 18 became clerk on a Mississippi River
steamboat. Some time after the firm of Miller & Bear was formed, having
now some means, he bought a half interest in the flour mill and was con-
cerned in its operation until 1886 or 1887. In 1890 the entire property,
including the mill dam, was destroyed by a great flood, but in the same
year Mr. Paine organized a stock company and rebuilt the mill and prop-
erty, managing it subsequently until 1910. Since then he has been engaged
in selling farm loans. These have not been his entire activities, however,
as in 1883, with Mr. Bear and his brother Fred he opened a general store
at Durand, Wis. Mr. Bear died the same winter at Durand and Frank R.
and Fred Paine continued the business up to 1886, when they sold out and
Frank went to La Crosse, Wis., where he conducted a grocery store for
about a year. In 1887 his health failed and for three years he was an
invalid. May 22, 1885, Frank R. Paine married Kate A., daughter of
Albert R. and Adeline Rathbone of Arcadia, the ceremony being presided
over at the bride's home by Rev. T. G. Owen. Of this union two children have
been born, Ina L., May 29, 1886, who is now Mrs. Ralph W. Danuser, her hus-
band being a druggist in Arcadia, and Adehne, born Jan. 17, 1888, who died
March 20, 1889. Mr. Paine is an independent in politics and has served as
president of the village board of Arcadia two terms, having been a mem-
ber of the board for a longer period. He is a member of the Masonic order,
having belonged to the Blue Lodge at Arcadia since 1886, to the Chapter
at Arcadia since 1887 and to the Eastern Star. He has belonged to the
Modern Woodmen of America for many years, being a charter member
of his lodge; also to the Independent Order of Foresters, of which lodge
he is also a charter member, and to the Elk Lodge at La Crosse, of which
he has been a member since 1904. Mr. Paine has a brother, Fred, who was
born at Winona, Minn., in August, 1861, and who is now hving in Arcadia ;
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 747
also a half sister and a half brother. The half sister, Laura, born in 1872,
is now Mrs. G. O. Banting of Chippewa Falls, Wis. ; the half brother, Charles
Miller, born in 1866, resides at Stoughton, Wis., where he is superintendent
of the electric department of the Mandt Wagon Works. Mr. Paine's mother
is still living and resides at Chippewa Falls, with her daughter Laura, whose
husband, G. 0. Banting, is superintendent of city schools.
Christian G. Wenger, who is now living retired in Arcadia Village,
after a successful career as an agriculturist, was born in Ohio, Aug. 18,
1852, son of Christian and Magdalena Wenger. When a boy he accom-
panied his parents to Buffalo County, Wisconsin, they settling on a farm
in Cross Township. There he was reared, acquiring his education in the
district school, and also becoming familiar with farm work on the home-
stead. On April 29, 1884, he was united in marriage with Bertha Wolfe,
daughter of Phillip and Catherine (Rudeiger) Wolfe, who lived on a neigh-
boring farm. Mr. Wenger and his wife had known each other from child-
hood, having attended the same school. In the spring in which they were
married they took a rented farm in Cross Township, near the old home, and
in the following year Mr. Wenger purchased the farm. After operating it
until 1890 he was attacked by rheumatism, which compelled him to give up
farming for awhile, so he rented out the place and took up his residence in
Fountain City, where he made his home for a year and a half. He had
recovered from his rheumatism, however, at the end of a year, and during
his last six months in Fountain City he was engaged in a brick yard. In
the fall of 1892 Mr. Wenger went back to his Buffalo County farm and
resumed agricultural operations. It contained 160 acres, mostly improved,
and he operated it for ten years longer. Then in 1902 he sold it and pur-
chased the Meili farm, two miles north of Arcadia on Independence road.
This also was a farm of 160 acres, well improved. In 1908 Mr. Wenger
bought the Winkel farm of 113 acres, all improved with good buildings,
and situated one mile north of Arcadia on Independence road. These two
farms he operated until the summer of 1917, when he retired and, building
a beautiful residence in Arcadia Village, has since resided here in the enjoy-
ment of an ample competency gained through his own efforts as a general
farmer and dairyman, in which branch of industry he achieved a marked
success. He has rented his farms to his two sons, Alvin operating the
Meili farm and Walter the Winkel farm. Mr. Wenger is a Republican in
politics. He served one term as a member of the township board and was
for a number of years a member of the district school board. For many
years also he has belonged to the Modern Woodmen of America, being
a member of Camp No. 769 of Arcadia. Mr. and Mrs. Wenger are the
parents of four children: Oscar C, Alvin E., Olivia Ida and Walter H.
Oscar C, born in Cross Township, Buffalo County, Nov. 29, 1886, is resid-
ing in Arcadia and is a rural mail carrier. He married Lena Ulbrecht of
Courtland, Wis. Alvin E., born Feb. 25, 1889, in Cross Township, is a
farmer, as mentioned above. He married Marie Shunk of Union Grove,
Wis. Olivia Ida, born May 14, 1891, was graduated at the Arcadia high
school and for some time was a teacher. She is now the wife of Rev. C. H.
Kolander, pastor of the Evangelical church at Madison, Wis. Walter H.,
748 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
born Nov. 22, 1894, in Cross Township, is unmarried, and, as already men-
tioned, is operating the Winkel farm, residing with his brother Oscar
and wife. The family are members of the Evangelical Association, being
active in its good work and aiding in its support. They are good repre-
sentatives of the best agricultural class in this part of Trempealeau
County.
Leonard E. Danuser, well-known merchant of Arcadia, was born in
Sauk County, Wisconsin, April 18, 1849, son of Florian and Celia (Buehler)
Danuser, the pioneers. Florian Danuser was born in Canton Grisons,
Switzerland, came to America in 1848, lived for some years in Sauk County,
Wisconsin, and in 1855 came with other members of the family to Buffalo
County, where they settled in the ravine that has since been known as the
Danuser Valley. Leonard E. Danuser was reared to farm pursuits, and
early turned his attention to merchandising. In 1877 he engaged in the
hardware business in Independence, and thus continued until he came to
Arcadia and purchased the business of Emil Maurer. The store is con-
ducted under the name of L. E. Danuser & Son, and the son Ralph W. is
the active manager. The company occupies a sightly brick building on
Main street, compounds prescriptions, conducts a soda water fountain
and deals in drugs, cigars, stationery, toilet articles, rubber goods, china,
cut glass, jewelry and silverware. Mr. Danuser was married Dec. 6, 1877,
to Hannah E. Lehman of Naperville, 111., daughter of Henry M. and Sarah
(Huber) Lehman. Mr. and Mrs. Danuser have four children: Ralph W.,
his father's partner ; Sadie, wife of O. B. Strouse, cashier of the State Bank
of Arcadia, and Lulu, who died at the age of seven years; Lillian, who is
at present clerking in the store.
Ralph W. Danuser, licensed pharmacist and active manager of the
store of L. E. Danuser & Son, Arcadia, was born in Independence May 14,
1880, passed through the graded schools and graduated from the Indepen-
dence high school in 1896 and the Arcadia high school in 1898. Then he
took a course in pharmacy and chemistry at the University of Wisconsin,
with the degree of Ph. G. Since then he has been connected with his
present concern. Fraternally Mr. Danuser is a member of the Masonic
order, the Elks and the Independent Foresters. Mr. Danuser was married
May 22, 1909, to Ina L. Paine of Arcadia, daughter of Frank R. and Kate A.
(Rathbone) Paine, and this union has been blessed with four children:
Donald, born April 12, 1900; Eileen, Aug. 12, 1911; Adeline, Nov. 13, 1914,
and Bruce, May 26, 1917.
William H. Selck, manager of the electric light plant at Whitehall, Wis.,
and proprietor of the W. H. Selck Electric Company, was born in Arcadia,
Trempealeau County, 1877, son of Timothy and Anna (Ehlers) Selck.
Timothy Selck, who was born in Germany, came to America in 1860, resid-
ing for a few years in Winona, Minn., and Trempealeau, Wis. He then
moved to Arcadia, where for over 30 years he followed the tailor's trade,
dying in 1894 at the age of 52. His wife Anna, whom he married in Winona,
now lives in Fargo, N. D., with her daughter Cora, who is the wife of
Thomas Sullivan, a newspaper man. There were three elder children in
the family, which numbered four in all, namely: Lena, wife of John
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 749
Danuser, an electrician living in Arcadia ; Lydia, wife of Henry Schroeder,
a barber of Arcadia, and William H., of Whitehall. WiUiam H. Selck, after
acquiring his elementary education, attended the Arcadia high school, and
subsequently the University of Wisconsin. He then found employment
as a bookkeeper, first at Pittsburgh, Pa., where he remained one year, and
later in St. Paul, Minn., of which city he was a resident for two years.
Returning to Arcadia he entered the employ of the Arcadia Telephone
Company, and was with them for one year, during which time he helped
to install the electric light plant at Independence, which he operated for
one year subsequently. In 1903 Mr. Selck assumed the duties of his present
position and has been thus employed up to the present time. In February,
1915, he bought from the village of Whitehall the electrical supply busi-
ness which he is now operating under the name of the W. H. Selck Electrical
Company, doing all kinds of electrical construction work. This business
and his official duties as manager of the local light plant keep him busily
employed in remunerative work. He is a member of the German Lutheran
church and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. May 12, 1902, Mr.
Selck married Ellen Michaels, daughter of John Michaels, a liveryman
of Ackley, Iowa. He and his wife have had six children : Harold, who died
at the age of 12 days ; Miles, who died at the age of four years ; Rolland,
Norman and Warren, who are living, and one other who died at birth.
Daniel Scholz, who for many years was one of the best known and
most respected citizens of Lincoln Township, was born in Schlesan, Ger-
many, May 4, 1863, son of Gottlieb and Annie (Reuter) Scholz. The
parents, both of whom are now deceased, came to America with their chil-
dren in 1874, locating in section 7, Lincoln Township, this county, from
wJiich place they removed subsequently to a homestead in section 11. On
this latter farm they spent the rest of their lives. Daniel Scholz was eleven
years old when the family settled in Trempealeau County. At an early
age he assisted his father in the work on the farm, and after the death
of his parents came into possession of the homestead, where he followed
farming until his own death from drowning, March 24, 1913. His sudden
removal while in the prime of life was a great grief to his family and a
shock to the whole community. He had served as school clerk for nine
years, and was a member and for most of his life had been an official of
the German Lutheran church. Daniel Scholz was married Oct. 5, 1886, to
Augusta Strege, who was born in Pomerania, Germany, Nov. 27, 1861,
daughter of Herman and Caroline Strege, and who came to America in
1885. Mr. and Mrs. Scholz had nine children: Carl F. C, who manages
the farm for his mother ; Bertha, the wife of Henry Underwood, who assists
Carl on the farm; Annie, who married Carl Woychik, a carpenter living
near the Scholz farm, and has two children, Raymond and Adeline; Ella,
wife of Albert Fromm, also living in the neighborhood, who has one child,
Evelyn ; Emma, a graduate of the La Crosse normal school, who has been
teaching for four years in Hale Township ; Clara, Rudolph, Paul and Otto,
all of whom reside at home.
Martin Gunderson, Jr., who owns and operates the old Gunderson
farm in Hale Township, was born April 1, 1882, son of Martin, Sr., and
750 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Olea (Olson) Gunderson. The father was born in Soler, Norway, in 1834,
and came to the United States in 1862, settling in Blair, Trempealeau
County, Wis., where he remained two years. In 1864 he homesteaded a
farm in section 6, range 8 west, township 22 north, Hale Township, and
devoted the rest of his active period to its cultivation, his death taking
place in October, 1881. His wife Olea, who was born in Soler, Norway, in
1842, after her husband's death contracted a second marriage with Brede
Ramstad of section 1, Chimney Rock Township. She died Jan. 8, 1906,
her second husband surviving her and being still a resident of his farm
in Chimney Rock. Martin Gunderson, Sr., was an industrious, capable
man and during his career as an agriculturist in Hale Township did much
to improve his farm. He is still remembered by the older residents of
the township, among whom he had many friends. Martin Gunderson, Jr.,
who was the youngest of eight children, acquired a good knowledge of
agriculture and on the death of his mother purchased the old homestead,
which he has since carried on with profitable results, doing general farming.
His two-story frame residence, having seven rooms and basement, was
erected in 1910 and is a neat and substantial dwelling. In 1915 he built
a frame barn, with basement of cement blocks, 36 by 70 by 16 feet above
basement, the latter having cement floors. It is equipped with steel
stanchions and other necessary or useful appliances, furnishing ample
accommodations for his stock. Dec. 25, 1908, Martin Gunderson, Jr., was
united in marriage with Amelia Anderson, who was born in Whitehall,
Wis., Feb. 20, 1872, being the eldest of the 12 children of Gilbert and Mary
(Matson) Anderson. Her father, who was born in Norway in 1849, came
to this country in 1860 and engaged in farming in Rosko's Coolie, Hale
Township. He died March 8, 1911. Her mother, born in Soler, Norway,
Jan. 19, 1854, is now a resident of Eleva, this county. Mr. and Mrs.
Gunderson have no children of their own, but are rearing a son of
Mrs. Gunderson's brother, Otto, Roy Anderson, who was born Nov. 20,
1903.
Olof C. Olson. Among the model farms of Unity Township is that of
Olof C. Olson in section 19, containing 200 acres, and which is one of the
old established farms of the township, its development having occupied
a period of over 40 years. It was settled in 1873 by Christ Olson Poajakka,
father of the subject of this sketch, who, born in Norway in 1834, emigrated
to the United States in 1872, first locating in La Crosse County, Wisconsin.
There, however, he remained only a year, at the end of that time coming to
Unity Township, Trempealeau County, where he bought from the railroad
company the land which now constitutes the above mentioned farm, and
which is now known as Beef River Valley Stock Farm. Here Christ Olson
Poajakka resided subsequently until his death in 1894, actively engaged in
the development and improvement of his property, in which enterprise he
made considerable pi'ogress. His wife, whose maiden name was Marie
Flatten, is still living and resides with her son Olof C, the present pro-
prietor of the farm, being now 76 years old. Olof C. Olson was born on
the farm he now owns, July 21, 1873, soon after his parents had moved onto
it, and here he has passed all his subsequent years. Until March, 1901,
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 751
he worked for his parents, and then purchased the farm, since which time
he has made some important additional improvements on it. In 1912 he
built a barn, 36 by 100 by 16 feet above the basement, which is constructed
of cement blocks, having cement floors, steel stalls, stanchions and man-
gers, cement water troughs and steel calf pens, with room for 75 head of
cattle. He has also a side barn, 16 by 48 by 8 feet, and another, 16 by 24 by
9 feet ; two stave silos, 14 by 32 and 14 by 30 feet, and a hog house, 20 by 30
feet, with cement floor. His residence is a good substantial frame house
of six rooms. The farm is well fenced with woven wire fencing. Mr. Olson
keeps and raises pure-bred Shorthorn cattle, having a herd of 50 head, all
registered, the head of his cattle herd being the five-year-old bull Roan Duke,
weighing 2,250 pounds. His hogs are of the large type Poland-China breed,
all full-blooded, registered animals, of which he has 200 head, selling 150
head in the season of 1916. The heads of the hog herd are King Jumbo,
two years old and weighing 850 pounds, and Big Type Jim, which weighed
as a pig in March, 1916, 250 pounds, and has won several prizes at various
important fairs. Mr. Olson also raises Percheron horses, having two stal-
Uons, has a flock of 60 pure-bred Mammoth Bronze turkeys and flocks of
Toulouse geese and Black Minorca chickens. June 6, 1899, Mr. Olson was
united in marriage with Paulina Thomasgaard, who was born in Unity
Township, Sept. 16, 1872, daughter of Ole and Marie (Kleven) Thomas-
gaard, of whom a memoir appears elsewhere in this work. He and his
wife have five children: Colonel, Edwin, Mabel, Melvin and Juha. The
family are members of the United Norwegian Lutheran church, and Mr.
Olson belongs also to the Order of Beavers. He is a stockholder in the
Unity Co-operative Creamery at Strum. His present prosperity aff'ords
a strong contrast to the conditions which prevailed when his parents first
settled on this farm, as the house in which he was born was a dug-out in
the hill, roofed over with marsh hay, and with a dirt floor and sod walls.
In his boyhood days luxuries were unknown except that game was more
often seen on the table than it is today, but often had to be eaten when
other food would have been more palatable. As the son of early settlers,
and himself a native of Unity Township, he is widely acquainted through-
out this and neighboring townships, and he and his family stand high in
public esteem.
Louis N. Larson, M. D. C, who is engaged in veterinary practice in
Whitehall, Wis., was born in Norway, Aug. 30, 1874, son of Bernt and
Johanna (Nelson) Larson. The father, also a native of Norway, came
to America with his family in 1880, settling in Berton, S. D., where
he foflowed farming until 1909. He then removed to Pearson,
Wash., which is his present place of residence. At the age of
62 he retired from farming. His wife Johanna died in 1889 at the age
or 39 years. Louis N. Larson, after acquiring his elementary education,
spent two years in the high school of Spring Valley, Minn., and afterwards
one year at Minneapolis Academy. He then entered the Chicago Veterinary
College, from which he was graduated in 1905. Locating in Whitehall in
the spring of the same year, he has since followed his profession here suc-
cessfully. He has made special studies in bacteriology and histology, espe-
752 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
cially as applied to veterinary science, and is rapidly becoming recognized
as an expei't in his line. He is a member of several medical associations, the
Society of Graduate Veterinarians of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Veter-
inary Medical Association. One of the stockholders of the Peoples State
Bank of Whitehall he takes an interest in the success of that institution.
His fraternal affiliations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
the Independent Order of Foresters and the Modern Woodmen of America.
In politics he is a Republican. Dr. Larson was married May 23, 1906, to
Tina Gusk of Preston Township, who was born in that township Nov. 23,
1881, daughter of Bernt and Jonena (Strate) Gusk. Her father, who still
lives on the Gusk homestead, was born in Norway and came to America
in 1870. Dr. and Mrs. Larson have a wide circle of friends and acquaint-
ances in and around Whitehall.
Clarence J. Van Tassel, county surveyor of Trempealeau County, was
born in Hale Township, this county, July 5, 1879, son of James and Clara
(Wegner) Van Tassel. The father, who was born in Kenosha, Wis., came
to Trempealeau County with his parents in 1863. They located in Hale
Township, where he spent the rest of his life, dying in 1898 at the age of
40 years. His wife Clara, to whom he was married in Whitehall, is living
at the age of 62 years. Clarence J. Van Tassel after acquiring an educa-
tion took up the occupation of school teacher in 1895 and was thus engaged
four years. Then, having learned the trade of photographer, he followed
it in Whitehall till January, 1916, when he sold out. In the meanwhile he
studied civil engineering at home, devoting a part of his time to it from
1907 to 1912, since which time he has followed it exclusively. He was
elected county surveyor in the fall of 1910 and re-elected in the fall of 1914,
having held the position continuously up to the present time. He also
does engineering work for the Ettrick & Northern Railroad from Ettrick
to Blair. His fraternal connections are with the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, in which he has passed all the chairs. Mr. Van Tassel was
married Nov. 1, 1899; to Anna Stanley of Onalaska, who was a public
school teacher, daughter of Lyman and Diana Stanley. Her mother is
now a resident of North Yakima, Wash. Mr. and Mrs. Van Tassel have
been the parents of five children : Wilma, who died at the age of six months ;
Thurman, Howard, Gerald and Olive. The family reside in Whitehall,
where they have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
Edward Torgerson, popular and efficient sheriff of Trempealeau County,
from Jan. 1, 1915, to Jan. 1, 1917, is a native of this county, having been
born in Independence July 2, 1885, second of the eight children born to
Christ and Martha (Bidney) Torgerson, the former of whom is a hard-
ware merchant in Independence. He passed through the public schools,
and as a boy began work in his father's general store at Whitehall. There
he remained until his father sold out in 1912. In the fall of 1914 he was
elected sheriff. As sheriff he did excellent work and won the admiration
of all the people of the county. Mr. Torgerson's fraternal affiliations are
with the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen. He was married April
28, 1911, to Stella Torson, daughter of Ole and Anna (Skogen) Torson, the
former of whom is a meat dealer in Whitehall.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 753
Frank L. Koepke, who is engaged in business in Whiteiiall as horse
trainer, and as manufacturer and distributor of the Koepke controller
bridles and the Koepke leading and subduing bridle, was born in Pommern,
Germany, July 14, 1868. His parents, William H. and Albertina (Geffe)
came to the United States with their family in 1869, settling in south-
eastern Pennsylvania, where the father engaged in railroad work. In
1885 they came to Wisconsin, and for two years resided in La Crosse. Then
coming to Trempealeau County, William H. Koepke took a farm in Burn-
side Township, which he operated five years. Subsequently buying a farm
in Hale Township he made that place his residence for the rest of his life,
dying in 1911 at the age of 76 years. His wife died in 1913 at the age of 78.
Frank L. Koepke was employed in railroad work for two years in early
manhood. He then worked on his father's farm until 1898, in which year
he took up the business of horse breaking, in which he has become an expert,
having handled successfully all kinds of vicious horses. For some time
he worked on horse ranches in Western Nebraska, handling as many as
83 horses for one ranch. He was employed on the Spade ranch, the largest
ranch in Nebraska, and also on the Ostrander ranch at the same place.
In 1906 he came back to Whitehall and in 1911, in company with his brother
Carl, he conducted his father's farm, afterwards operating part of it for
himself until 1914, since which time he has lived in Whitehall. Mr. Koepke
was married Nov. 2, 1910, to Frances Gibson of Whitehall, a daughter
of James and Alice (Bateman) Gibson, and who for some 12 years before
her marriage was engaged in teaching. Mrs. Koepke's father, who was a
pioneer settler in this region, died in Whitehall in 1902 at an advanced age.
Mr. and Mrs. Koepke have three children: William James, born Oct. 26,
1913; Fern Majorie, born Jan. 16, 1912, and Donald Richard, born June
13, 1916.
Theodore B. Olson, proprietor of the Whitehall Cement Block Factory,
at Whitehall, Wis., was born in Moe Cooley, Pigeon Township, Dec. 25, 1884,
son of Brede and Tina (Peterson) Olson. The father was born in Norway
in 1829 and came to America in 1871, buying a farm in Pigeon Township,
this county, where he remained until his death in September, 1912. His
wife, to whom he was married in Norway, was born there in February,
1841. She is still living and resides with her son Brede in Pigeon Town-
ship. Their living children are four sons and one daughter : Johanna, who
is now Mrs. B. P. Moe of Pigeon Township ; Ole, a retired farmer living in
Whitehall; Brede B., a farmer of Pigeon Township; Martin, a farmer in
Sumner Township, and Theodore B. of Whitehall. Theodore B. Olson was
the youngest member of his parent's family, which numbered in all 11
children. He remained at home until he was 20 years old, working during
the last four years of that time for his brother Brede. In 1907 he began
leai-ning the carpenter's trade, and worked at it subsequently in various
places until August, 1912. Then taking up his residence in Whitehall, he
entered the employ of A. E. Wood, a contractor, for whom he worked until
December, 1915, at which time he bought an interest in the Whitehall
Cement Block Factory, of which he is now the proprietor. The business is
carried on in a one-story frame building, 36 by 90 feet, which is equipped
754 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
with one press machine for making ell-blocks, a tamping machine for
8-inch blocks and a brick machine. The factory has a capacity of 500 blocks
a day, and employs three men, having a ready sale for all the product they
can turn out. Mr. Olson at first bought a one-third interest in the busi-
ness, but purchased the remaining two-thirds May 4, 1916. He is a member
of the Norwegian Lutheran church.
George N, Hidershide, M. D., dean of the medical profession in Trem-
pealeau County, pioneer physician, retired army officer, useful citizen, and
man-of-affairs, came to Arcadia in 1875, less than eighteen months after
the railroad was opened, and his experiences were typical of that heroic
band of medical practitioners who had so important a part in the develop-
ment of the Noi'thwest. The story of his career presents him as working
out the destinies of pioneer life hand in hand with the other forces for
the common good. He was an integral part of the pioneer social fabric.
As such he shared the aims and ambitions of his companions. Only rough
outlines can be given of the heroic and adventurous side of his long and
honored life. The imagination cannot, unaided by facts, picture the primi-
tive conditions with which he had to contend. Long and dreary rides
by day and night, in summer's heat and winter's cold, through flood and
drought, through snow and mud, through rain and hail, were his common
lot. Often he went for a week without being out of his clothes, and some-
times he went days without sleep. He trusted himself to the wilderness,
crossed unbridged streams, made his way over untrodden ridges, and
traveled the roadless wilderness. What few roads there were, were in the
worst of condition. Often he took routes which showed not a single trace
of human travel. Some roads consisted merely of parallel wheel tracks,
from which the rain had washed the earth, leaving ruts whose stones
made travel a constant succession of jolts. The present generation cannot
realize the difficulties of a physician's travels in those days. Oftentimes
the traveler had to make a temporary bridge across the swollen streams
with planks or logs or poles. Sometimes in a dangerous place the horses
had to be unhitched and led for a distance and tied, and then the vehicle
hauled over the same route by the driver. Sometimes the patient was in
a cabin so inaccessible that the physician had to leave his horse in a shel-
tered nook and find his way to the cabin on foot. But Dr. Hidershide was
not unaccustomed to pioneer life and conditions. He had settled in Mt.
Vernon Township, in Winona County, when that township was a wilder-
ness ; he was not only in active sympathy with pioneer life, but was pre-
pared by his own experiences to cope with its conditions. It was indeed
particularly fortunate for the pioneers of Trempealeau County that a
man of Dr. Hidershide's type was the one who should have cast his des-
tinies in this county at the time he did. There was much sickness and
much suffering. The people were poorly nourished and poorly housed.
Sanitary conditions were of the worst. No quarantine restrictions were
observed. Contagion was carried from family to family, and within the
families there was no opportunity for isolation. To lay four or five con-
tagion-stricken children in a single grave under the prairie sod was no
uncommon experience. Physicians were few. The resources of the best
X ,/K M,'.^,^^^!:^^ M. h
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 755
physicians were limited. The doctors were without any of the modern
equipment for fighting disease. The doctors at Black River Falls, Merrillan,
Whitehall, Fountain City, Galesville, Trempealeau, Arcadia and Winona,
who served this entire district, were greatly overworked. They were with-
out our present means of physical diagnosis, without our laboratories and
experiments, our medical journals, our chemistry, our bacteriology, our
Roentgen rays, our experimental pharmacology and our antitoxin serums ;
abdominal surgery was considered almost an impossibility, the Dr. McDowell
case in Kentucky being the only one on record at that time. Many dis-
eases which now yield to treatment were considered fatal. But Dr. Hiders-
hide had his eyes, his ears, his fingers, his native vigor and resourcefulness,
his kindliness of heart, and his adaptability. He learned much for him-
self, he kept pace with modern discovery, he readily adjusted himself to
changing conditions, he put his heart and sympathies into every case. Up
to the time of his serious illness six years ago he never refused a call.
He always responded to the poor and gave as freely to those who could
not pay as to those who were able to recompense him. In the early days
the only income of the farmers came from small grains, and this money
did not come until late fall. Many a farmer had hardly a single dollar
during the spring and summer months. Business was done on credit.
Often without funds himself. Dr. Hidershide year after year worked
through winter, spring and summer, waiting until fall for the meager pay
for his faithful services, only to find even then that many of the patients
were unable to pay, and that he would have to wait until another fall, or
sometimes forever. The long and exhaustive rides, the exposure to con-
tagions, the heartaches and discouragements, the patient vigils by bed-
sides of agony when his own body was exhausted by exposure and racked
with pain of fatigue, the kindly deeds of charity, the reassuring messages
to the despondent, the shielding of the innocent, the guarding of secrets,
the numberless self abnegations of such a man cannot be chronicled. He
became almost a member of the families to whom he ministered. He was
the adviser in matters not always purely medical. How welcome was his
coming in the stormy midnight to a lonely cabin miles from the nearest
neighbor. Earnest, cheery, capable, confident, his presence lightened the
burden, shouldered the responsibility and brightened the gloom. From the
toils and exposures of his professional life the doctor has found surcease
in his love of the beautiful in nature. Passionately fond of flowers, he has
laid out his lawns in a profusion of shrubbery and plants, and his estate,
situated on the slope of land which separates the flats from the table lands
on the principal street in Arcadia, represents the loving care which he
has devoted to its arrangement and perfection. George N. Hidershide was
born in Luxembourg, June 13, 1850, son of Nicholas and Anna M. (Salen-
ting) Hidershide. They were well established there, but willing to sacrifice
the comforts of their position and the companionship of their friends that
their family might escape from the shackles of militarism, they determined
upon cutting loose from old traditions and estabUshing themselves in the
new world. Accordingly in 1857, with their four children, Peter, now a
retired farmer of Mt. Vernon Township, Winona County, Minn.; Mary
756 HISTOEY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Jane, now of Brown's Valley, Minnesota, widow of John Rodenbour;
George N., the subject of this sketch ; and Mary A., now the wife of Henry
D. Stevens of Winona ; (Louisa, who like her husband, Joseph Meyers, is
now deceased, having been born later in this country), they set sail, and
reaching Minneiska, Minn., in July of that year, they settled on a farm in Mt.
Vernon Township, Winona County, in that state. There the father died,
and in later years the mother moved to Arcadia, where she was given lov-
ing care and attention by her devoted son, the subject of this sketch.
George N. grew to sturdy young manhood on the Mt. Vernon farm, attend-
ing the district schools, and rounding out his preparatory education with
a course in the Winona State Normal School. In the meantime he had
spent a year learning English in the home of Dr. George F. Childs, in
Minneiska, and this had inspired him to adopt medicine as a profession.
In due time he entered the Louisville Medical College at Louisville, Ky.,
and was graduated therefrom in 1875. This education he has supplemented
by extensive reading and study, and by post-graduate courses in the Rush
Medical College at Chicago, the Vienna University at Vienna, Austria,
and in other institutions, so although the whole tenor of medical practice
has changed since his entering the profession, he has nevei'theless kept
fully abreast of the latest discoveries and the most modern methods. After
a short practice in Chicago he was called home by the death of his father,
and it was while home on the farm that he was induced to cast his destinies
in Arcadia, with whose history his name has since been inseparably con-
nected. His professional duties have taken him as far as Tacoma, Wash.,
Davis City, Iowa, and Jamestown, N. D. In Arcadia, where he is deeply
loved and respected, he has been president of the village, president of the
board of health, and president of the library board, of which last named
body he is still the head. He was one of the founders of the Western Wis-
consin Telephone Company, of which he is vice-president, and installed the
first telephone in the Trempealeau Valley in this county. His financial
interests also include stock in the Bank of Arcadia, in which he is a director,
and whose destinies he has helped to shape. An active Republican in poli-
tics, he was chairman of the Republican County Committee for two terms,
and in the old convention days was a delegate to many a political gathering,
and the center of many a hot contest. For a time he was a member of the
county board and has also served in other offices. He is a Thirty-second
degree Mason and also associates fraternally with the Modern Woodmen,
the United Workmen and the Beavers. He is a member of the American
Medical Association, the State Medical Association and the Trempealeau.
Jackson and Buffalo County Medical Association, and was first president
of the Trempealeau County Medical Association, and at one time pi-esident
of the Western Wisconsin Medical Society, now superseded by the individual
county societies. He is also an active member of the Trempealeau County
Historical Society. As a patriot he has given loyal service to this state
and country. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War he off'ered his
services to the state, and became assistant surgeon of the First Wisconsin
Volunteer Infantry, with the rank of first lieutenant, serving through the
war and being mustered out with the regiment at the close of the conflict.
HISTOKV OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 757
His kindly services so endeared him to the members of the regiment that
upon the request of several of them the adjutant general recommended
him to the governor for reappointment when the National Guard was reor-
ganized. Accordingly he became assistant surgeon with the rank of first
lieutenant on the staff of the Third Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry,
being promoted to captain in the same regiment in 1903. In 1912 he
received his commission as major, and became chief surgeon of the Second
Regiment. He was retired from military life June 13, 1915. Dr. Hidershide
was married in September, 1892, to Joseph Agnes, daughter of Michael
and Margaret (Pfeiffer) Agnes. Michael Agnes, a merchant, was the
original proprietor of the townsite of Minneiska, Minn.
Mrs. Sophia Proctor, proprietor of a lumber yard in Arcadia, with a
branch at Dodge, is an excellent type of a modern business woman. She
was born in Waumandee Valley, Buffalo County, this state, April 28, 1861,
daughter of William and Grace (Muir) Robertson. Educated in the village
schools of Arcadia, she made good progress in her studies and at the age
of 18 years engaged in teaching. In this occupation she continued for three
terms in the rural schools and four years in the Arcadia Village schools.
She made a most proficient teacher, had unusual success in instilling knowl-
edge, and is still held in loving regard by those who were then her pupils.
July 19, 1883, when she was 22 years old, she was married to Richard
Proctor. She entered thoroughly into his life and work, assisted him with
his books in the lumber and grain business, and in 1896 became his partner.
Since his lamented death Sept. 3, 1904, she has carried on the lumber busi-
ness alone. She is the only woman member of the Wisconsin Retail Lum-
bermen's Association, and the only woman retail lumber dealer in Wis-
consin. In public, fraternal and church affairs she has taken an active
interest. For some years she did excellent service as trustee of the Arcadia
Cemetery Association and as a member of the public library board. In
Golden Rod Lodge, No. 100, Order of Beavers, she was worthy queen two
years and secretary five years. In Coral Rebekah Lodge, I. 0. O. F., of
Whitehall, she is likewise a faithful member. The Methodist Episcopal
Church has found her a faithful member as treasurer, trustee and steward,
and for many years she has been a teacher in the Sunday school. Energetic,
capable and public spirited, Mrs. Proctor enjoys a wide popularity both in
business and social circles.
Richard Proctor, for many years a lumber dealer and grain buyer in
Arcadia, was born in England in 1844, and at the age of nine years was
brought to this country by his parents, who settled on a farm near Old
Arcadia. He was there reared, and for a short time attended school, but
was largely a self-made man. He became interested in the lumber and
grain business, was grain buyer for the Cargill Company at Arcadia, and
conducted a lumber yard of his own. He died Sept. 3, 1904. He was-
married July 19, 1883, to Sophia Robertson, and this union was blessed with
two children, Lloyd R. and Mabel G. Lloyd R. was born Sept. 21, 1884.
He passed through the Arcadia schools, graduated from the Arcadia high
school, attended Morgan Park Academy, a preparatory branch for boys
of the University of Chicago, and completed in the University of Wis-
758 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
consin. He is now engaged in the retail grocery and bakery business at
Grangeville, Idaho. He married Nora Johnson. Mabel G. was born Sept. 6,
1886, passed through the Arcadia schools, graduated from the Arcadia high
school, attended Downer College at Milwaukee for two years, and in 1909
was graduated from the Northwestern University at Evanston, 111. She
then taught for two years at Biwabik, Minn. She is now the wife of W. C.
Schaefer, a dentist at Dallas, Ore., and they have one child, a daughter, Jean.
Christian Haines, a pioneer of Bill's Valley, Arcadia Township, was
born in Hohenzollern, Germany, Oct. 11, 1835, and in 1856 came to America
with his parents, who settled at Herkimer, N. Y. Two years later the father
died, and in 1858 the family moved to Canastota, N. Y., where Christian
Haines engaged in the mercantile business until the close of the Civil War.
He was unfortunate in business, however, and lost all he had, so to retrieve
his fortunes he came west, locating first at Fountain City, Buffalo County,
this state. A little later he came to Arcadia Township, this county, setthng
in Bill's Valley on a farm. He was a skilled apiarist, keeping numerous
colonies of bees, and producing as much as 7,500 pounds of honey in one
year, also taking first premiums at county and state fairs. A prominent
citizen of the community in which he lived, he took part in local government,
sei-ving a number of years on the Arcadia town board. His wife, Margaret
Bill Haines, to whom he was married at Herkimer, N. Y., in 1856, was born
in Wilsenrode, Germany, Aug. 22, 1840, and came to America as a child
with her parents, who settled at Utica, N. Y. She shared all the hardships
and privations of pioneer life with her husband and also shared in his suc-
cesses, being a true and worthy helpmeet. She died May 3, 1916. Mr.
Haines died Dec. 26, 1914. Both were members of the Church of Our Lady
of Perpetual Help at Arcadia. Of their family of 14 children nine are now
living.
Joseph W. Haines, proprietor of the Pleasant View Farm, in section 16,
Arcadia Township, was born in Herkimer, N. Y., July 7, 1863, the son of
Christian and Margaret (Bill) Haines, who brought him first to Buffalo
County and then to Trempealeau County. He resided at home until he was
21 years old, during which time he had some schooling, though his educa-
tional opportunities were limited. On attaining his majority he went to
Utica, N. Y., where he entered the employ of the New York Central &.
Hudson River Railway, but finding the work too dangerous, he stayed but
a few months, then returning to Wisconsin. In the winter of 1886 he
entered the employ of the Goodyear Lumber Company, near Mather, Wis.,
and remained with this firm for three years, in 1889 returning to his
parents' homestead. In the same year he purchased his present farm.
Jan. 7, 1890, he was married to Anna K., daughter of Jacob and Mary
George of Glencoe, Buffalo County. This homestead, where the young
couple began housekeeping, was a tract of 200 acres, partially improved,
there being a small frame house on the property. Here Mr. Haines has
resided ever since, engaged in general farming, and also in honey produc-
tion, being, like his father, a skilled apiarist and putting up for sale the
best honey that can be obtained in the market. He has made many improve-
ments on the farm, including the erection of new buildings. His present
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 759
residence is a two-story frame house, consisting of upright and wing, and
piped for both soft and hard running water, the house being heated by fur-
nace. He has also a full basement, frame barn, measuring 34 by 72 by 14
above the basement; a granary, machine sheds, double corn crib, and a
combined ice and milk house, all the buildings being in good condition.
Aside from his own fai-ming interests Mr. Haines is a stockholder in the
Arcadia Co-operative Creamery, the Arcadia Shipping Association and
the Trout Run Farming Company. In politics he is a Democrat, and has
been director on the Cortland school board for many years. He and his
wife had a large family of 18 children, whose names are respectively:
Herman, Elmer C, Leo J., Minnie E., Christian J., Henry E. (deceased),
Joseph M., Elsie L., Margaret A., Henry E. (second), Norbert, Jerome J.,
Armilla E., Arthur F., Clarence A., Frank N., Alfred M. and Virginia A.
Their record in brief is as follows: Herman, born Dec. 3, 1891, graduated
from the Cortland grade schools, from the Alma (Buffalo County) Training
School for Teachers, and from the Winona Business College. He has been
in the employ of the Interstate Packing Company of Winona and the
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad at Owatonna, Minn., and is at
present teller of a bank at Owatonna, Minn. He served as corporal and clerk
with the Minnesota State Guard on the Texas border during the recent dis-
turbances in Mexico. Elmer C, born March 1, 1892, graduated from the
Cortland graded school, taught school for some time, and is now at Amidon,
N. D., where he is foreman of the Farm Land & Coal Company. Leo J.,
born Aug. 17, 1893, graduated from the Cortland graded school and the
Alma Training School, and has taught at Amidon, N. D., where he pur-
chased a quarter section of land. He is now preparing at Ft. Dodge for
service in the great war, with Battery E, Field Artillery, being kitchen and
dining room orderly in charge of the food supplies in his barracks. Minnie
E., born Aug. 20, 1894, graduated from the Cortland graded school, the
Arcadia high school, and the Alma Training School, and has been a teacher
for four years. Christian J., born Dec. 31, 1895, is living on the homestead
with his parents. Henry E., the first of the name, was born April 25, 1896,
and died July 25, 1899. Joseph M., born Sept. 24, 1898, resides on the
parental homestead. Elsie L., born Feb. 4, 1900, is a student in the Arcadia
high school. Margaret A., born July 26, 1901, and Henry E., second, born
Oct. 7, 1902, are both students, residing at home. The other children living
at home are: Norbert J., born Jan. 16, 1904 ; Jerome J., born Oct. 30, 1905 ;
Armilla E., born Dec. 10, 1906; Arthur F., born April 14, 1908; Clarence A.,
born Jan. 31, 1910; Frank N., born Oct. 5, 1911; Alfred M., born Dec. 13,
1912, and Virginia, born Jan. 25, 1917. Mr. Haines and his family are
Catholics in rehgion and attend the church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
at Arcadia. He and his wife have been fortunate in rearing their large
family, as they have lost but one child. Their other children are all well
trained in I'eligion and morality and give promise of growing to useful
manhood and womanhood.
Albert Bautch, a pioneer miller and millwright, was born in Germany,
was there educated and reared, and became an adept in various lines of
mechanics and woodworking. In 1854 he and his wife Josephine set out
760 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
for the United States aboard a sailing vessel, the long and tedious voyage
taking nearly three months, and entailing many hardships. Landing at
Quebec, strangers in a strange land, and with their trunk lost, containing
not only a part of their baggage, but also a letter of directions from their
cousin Joseph Bautch, who had preceded them, they made their way down
the lakes to Milwaukee, and thence to Watertown, landing at New Lisbon,
in Juneau County, this state, Dec. 24, 1854. There Mr. Bautch opened a
farm, also working as a mechanic, as a broad-axe hewer and as a logger
on the Wisconsin River. Later he located in Trempealeau County. Here
in 1862 he helped to build the mill at New City, near what is now Indepen-
dence. Later he moved to Arcadia. In 1869 he moved to a farm in section
26, Burnside Township, which has since been the family home. There he
built a flour mill, which is still in existence, having been owned for some
fifteen years by a son, Albert J., and now by another son, John L. Mr.
Bautch was a pioneer in the true sense, a public spirited man, and a most
estimable and useful citizen. He was a member of the Catholic church and
one of the organizers of the North Creek Congregation. He and his wife
both died in Trempealeau. They had a family of eight children: John L.,
Peter, Albert J., Anna, Mary, Julia, Kasper and Thomas, of whom the three
last mentioned are now deceased.
Albert J. Bautch, municipal expert, promoter, contractor, geologist
and linguist, is widely known in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and has extensive
interests in Canada and Texas. As a well driller and waterworks expert
he has bored wells along the right of way of the Green Bay & Western from
Green Bay to Winona, he has installed the extensive waterworks systems
of Winona, Minn., Independence, Wis., and Spring Valley, Wis., as well as
in smaller places scattered throughout Western Wisconsin. As a telephone
promoter he has installed telephones in Western Wisconsin and Eastern
Minnesota, and founded several leading systems in these regions. As an
auctioneer he has been successsf ul and popular, and has served more years
than any other man in the county. As a business man he established
the first Independence jewelry store. As a man of scholarly attainments he
is well versed in mathematics, science, geology, general history and the
classics, and is the master of three languages : English, German and Polish.
As a lecturer he has addressed audiences in all three of these languages, one
of his favorite topics being "Natural Experiences." As a musician he has
a deep appreciation of harmony and has done considerable musical teaching.
With all of these broad experiences he is genial and approachable, a pleas-
ant, courteous, deep thinking man in every respect. At the present time,
though he makes his home in Independence, much of his attenticm is given
to his holdings in Canada. Albert J. Bautch was born in New Lisbon,
Juneau County, Wis., Jan. 13, 1859, son of Albert and Josephine Bautch,
and was brought to this county by his parents. He attended the public
schools of this county and the Northwestern Business College at Winona,
and remained for a number of years with his father. For a while he
operated the mill on his father's place, but in 1895 disposed of it to his
brother, John L., and bought the mill at Independence. Mr. Bautch was
married in Winona, Minn., to Paulina Rozek, who is now deceased. They
<^-<.
HISTORY OF TKEilPEALEAU COUNTY 761
became the parents of seven children: Carl F., Thomas, Delia. Albert,
Esther, Josephine and Sylvester, the last mentioned of whom was drowned.
All the children were well educated by their father and are well qualified to
make their own way in the world.
Eben Douglas Pierce, M. D., physician, historian, poet and nature lover,
is a native of this county, having been born at Williamsburg, Aug. 13, 1874,
the son of Henry E. and Mary M. (Morrow) Pierce, the pioneers. He lived
on the home farm until ten j^ears of age and was then taken to Arcadia,
where he was reared on a small fruit farm owned by his father. As a
child he attended the district school of Williamsburg, and then passed
through the public schools of Arcadia, graduating from the Arcadia high
school in June, 1895. With this preparation he took a two-year course
in the University of Michigan, and completed his medical course in the
University of Oregon in 1899. In the fall of the same year he started prac-
tice in Pickwick, Minn. In the summer of 1900 he toured Scotland, and
returned to Winona, Minn., in the fall. In 1901 he moved back to his old
home in Arcadia, and did journahstic and other literary work until 1904.
The following two years he practiced his profession at Arcadia in partner-
ship with Dr. George N. Hidershide. The years 1906-1907 found him prac-
ticing at Hillsdale, Wis. But for some time he had been impressed with
the possibilities of the west, and in 1907 he went to Vancouver, Wash.,
where he continued his practice. There, in 1911, he married Hettie M., the
daughter of G. A. and Samaria (Grant) Carsley, an artist and newspaper
illusti'ator. Together the young couple settled in a beautiful spot at
Trempealeau. Both lovers of Nature and of the out of doors, they have
enhanced the natural charms of the place, and there they are now making
their home, the Doctor devoting his time to his practice, to his research
work, and to his literary and historical writings, while Mrs. Pierce, as time
permits, follows her art career and takes charge of the village library.
Dr. Pierce is the author of a number of historical papers, which are pre-
served in the published collections of the Wisconsin Historical Society and
in the published collections of other societies, as well as in the unpublished
collections of the Trempealeau County Historical Society. He is the author
also of numerous poems, and has ready for early publication a book of verse
called "Wild Flowers and Woodsy Ways." His newspaper and magazine
contributions are widely known. Dr. Pierce has been honored with mem-
bership in a number of learned and historical societies and associations.
He is a member and curator of the Wisconsin Historical Society, and a
member of the Trempealeau County Historical Society, the Wisconsin
Archaeological Society, the Mississippi Valley Historical Association and
the American Historical Association. The people of Trempealeau are
indebted to him in a measure for the beautiful Trempealeau Mountain Park,
his enthusiasm having been the basis of the interest which has been taken
by the donor, John A. Latsch. He has also been interested in a number of
other projects for the progress of Trempealeau along all civic, commercial
and patriotic lines, and he has been the moving spirit in several home-
coming and historical celebrations there.
Much of this public work has been done as secretary of the Trem-
762 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
pealeau Commercial Club. The officers of this club are : President, George
G. Gibbs ; vice-president, C. S. Ford ; secretary, Dr. E. D. Pierce ; chairman
of the executive committee, L. M. Pittenger ; chairman of the finance com-
mittee, L. S. Sanders; chairman of the entertainment committee, A. A.
Holmes. Through the Commercial Club the Farmers' Shipping Association
was organized, a stock company was organized to take over the Lime
Products Plant, the village has been supplied with electric service, the
village library has been started, and a publicity campaign conducted.
Mrs. Pierce has mothered the public library, carrying the project on
her own shoulders when there seemed little encouragement, and devoting
her spare time to its care and growth at considerable personal sacrifice.
A lady of literary and artistic tastes, and coming of a family that has been
prominent in this region since the earliest pioneer days, she at once upon
her taking up her residence here after her marriage, became imbued with
the idea of establishing a library. Her constant endeavor was to interest
her friends in the project, and her husband carried her enthusiasm to the
meetings of the Commercial Club, until the members of that club were
convinced of its desirability and possibility. The library came into exist-
ence in the fall of 1914, as a reading room in the little village hall, with a
few books bought by the Commercial Club and a number of periodicals
donated by interested residents. In a short time, for greater convenience,
the books were moved to Dr. Pierce's office, and the Commercial Club had
shelves made and partially furnished a room. Arrangements were made for
the securing of boxes from the Traveling Libraries at Madison and White-
hall. A special effoi't was made to get good children's books. The library
was well patronized from the first. Jan. 1, 1917, a library board was elected,
and the village took charge instead of the Commercial Club, making a
yearly appropriation to furnish new books and to pay the running expenses.
There are now about 400 books permanently in the library, and about 200
additional from the traveling libraries. Mrs. Pierce is the librarian, as
she has been from the first.
Henry E. Pier.ce, the pioneer, was born in Whitehall, N. Y., March
3, 1836, and when about six years of age was brought to the present site
of Milwaukee, in the then territory of Wisconsin, by his parents, who kept
the Buck Horn Tavern there. He was educated in the pioneer schools
and as a young man crossed the plains on a gold seeking expedition to Pike's
Peak. Then he filed a claim on the present site of Denver, and traveled
over the old Santa Fe trail to New Mexico. While in the West he had many
interesting adventures, and was accorded the pleasure of meeting Kit
Carson. He retained in after life vivid memories of the West in the early
days, and often described his adventures, telling with particular relish of
the vast herds of buffalo that were then to be seen. At the outbreak of
the Civil War he went to Cattaraugus County, New York, where his father
was then living, and there he was married March 26, 1861, to Mary M.
Morrow, who was born in that county, Aug. 15, 1840, daughter of John D.
and Harriet (Simmons) Morrow. The young couple came to Wisconsin,
and after living a time at Sparta, came to Trempealeau County and pre-
empted a tract of land at Williamsburg, five miles up the Trempealeau
HISTORY OF TKEMPEALEAU COUNTY 763
Valley ±rom the present site of Arcadia. Here he acquired in state and
other lands 300 acres, and gained the I'eputation of being one of the most
scientific farmers in Wisconsin. He later moved to a fruit farm at Arcadia.
He died Feb. 27, 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce had four children : Hattie E.,
now Mrs. Moseley, was born at Sparta, Feb. 25, 1862. Etta M. was born
at Williamsburg, June 30, 1868, and died at the age of five years. Ira Frank
was born at Williamsburg, June 27, 1872. Eben Douglas was born at
Wilhamsburg, Aug. 13, 1874. Mrs. Pierce, Mrs. Moseley and Ira F. live in
Vancouver, Wash., while Eben D. practices medicine at Trempealeau, Wis.
George Asbury Carsley, veteran and pioneer, was born in Springfield,
Maine, April 21, 1840, and subsequently was taken by his parents to Port-
land, and then to Westbrook, in the same state. He attended school in all
three places. He also had the advantages of study in the Westbrook
Seminary, for though he was not far enough advanced for this institution,
the friendship of the principal of the institution with his family made possi-
ble his taking courses there. From Westbrook the family moved to New
Gloucester, in the same state, where they remained for five years. Then
they decided to seek their fortunes in the West. Making their way by
steamboat to Boston they went to Dubuque, Iowa, by way of Chicago, and
then took a boat up the Mississippi. The scenes along the trip are ones
never to be forgotten. At Boston they noted the ships of the world's trade
lying at anchor, and from the Boston Monument a vast expanse of land
and sea spread before them. In New York state they saw the old Erie
canal, with its picturesque tow boats. At Niagara they crossed the suspen-
sion bridge and viewed the falls. It was April when they reached the
Mississippi, which was then full of floating ice. But the boats were run-
ning, and, in due time, the family reached Winona County, Minnesota,
where the father took government land on the ridge three miles directly
south of Pickwick. George A. helped construct the large log house, and
assisted his family in meeting the new conditions of pioneer life. Of those
far distant days he has many an interesting tale to tell. He attended a
few winter terms of school near Pickwick, and received a teacher's certifi-
cate, but never cared to take up the teaching pi'of ession. In 1862 he enlisted
in the Civil War, served through the conflict and was mustered out at the
close of the war at Ft. Snelling. In 1870 he moved from Pickwick to the
Big Tamarack Valley in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, where he built
a mill and remained eight years. Then he built a mill at Pine Creek, in the
same county, but this was washed out by the high water two years later,
For a while he was employed in the car shops at Winona, and in 1880 he
moved to St. Paul, where he became a general contractor and builder, in
which capacity he was assistant superintendent during the building of the
old State Capitol. In 1887 he went to Helena, Mont., where he assisted in
erecting many beautiful residences, and where he lived until about 1900,
when he moved to Portland, Ore., where he and his wife are still living.
Mr. Carsley was married Aug. 27, 1865, to Samaria M. Grant of Trem-
pealeau, and this union was blessed with seven children: Ella A., now
Mrs. C. W. Clark of Portland, Ore. ; Benjamin F., who died at the age of
eighteen months ; G. Hollis of Helena, Mont. ; Hettie M., wife of Dr. F. D.
764 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Pierce, of Trempealeau ; Glen W. of Zion City, 111. ; Myrtle A., wife of George
Lewis of Hoquiam, Wash., and Ruth S., wife of W. A. Hicks of Portland,
Ore. Mrs. Carsley was the daughter of G. W. T. Grant, the first settler in
Pickwick, Minn., coming from Dubuque, Iowa, in 1853, chosing the site for
the mill, then returning home, and the next year bringing his family and
building the first house in the village, afterward building the mill with
Webster Davis.
.John Brownlee, an enterprising and successful farmer, whose home-
stead is located in section 30, Arcadia Township, was born at Court Bridge,
Scotland, May 28, 1841, son of William and Isabella (Cummings) Brownlee.
He had to aid in supporting himself at the early age of nine years, as his
parents were people of little means, but he was made of the right stuff and
got along, so that when he was only 20 years old he found himself able to
marry, taking as his wife Margaret, daughter of John and Sarah (Lindsay)
Robertson. By this marriage he had seven children, the first four of whom
were born in Scotland. These six children were: John, whose where-
abouts is unknown ; William, residing in Mondovi, Buffalo County, Wis. ;
Thomas, an attorney who died in Boulder, Colo., in 1907 ; James, a merchant
living in East Arcadia, who is now clerk of Arcadia Township ; Isabella, who
was born in Chicago, married Helmer Smart of Hillsdale, Wis., and died
in 1913, and Robena, born in Arcadia, who was a teacher, but who died in
1906. In April, 1871, Mr. Brownlee. with his wife and four eldest children,
left their native land for America. Landing at Philadelphia, they pro-
ceeded to Chicago, 111., where they had the misfortune to be burned out in
the great fire of October, 1871, which destroyed the greater part of the city.
In 1872, having found Chicago too hot a place for them, they came over-
land in a canvas-covered wagon to Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, locat-
ing on a homestead of 160 acres in Lewis Valley. It was all new land and
on it Mr. Brownlee built a log house. The fire fiend still pursued him,
howev^er, as this first residence burned down, but, not discouraged, he
erected a frame house, together with a small barn and granary, and went
on with his agricultural operations. Here on this farm his wife died in
1880, and three years later he sold the property and for the next two years
rented a farm on the "bottoms." In 188-5 he purchased his present home-
stead, which then consisted of 308 acres. This property is situated at the
head of Trout Run Valley and the land is fertile and well adapted to the
plow. Since buying it Mr. Brownlee has increased its size by adding 40
more acres. When he bought it it was slightly improved, and he erected on
it a comfortable log house, hewn inside and out, which is still standing, and
in which he lived until 1900. He then built his present residence, a two-
story, 11-room frame house, also erecting a frame barn, 36 by 60 by 16
feet above full basement, a granary 18 by 26 by 14 feet and a machine
shed 18 by 24 feet. He is engaged in general farming and for years has
been a breeder of fine grade horses and cattle. In 1885 he married for his
second wife Sarah, daughter of Thomas and Margaret Harvey Broehead.
She died' in 1907, having been the mother of six childi'en: Robert, now
living at Sentinel Butte, N. D. ; Alexander, a resident of the same place;
Minnie, now Mrs. Frank Hess of Livingston, Mont.; Florence, wife of
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 765
Edward Hess of American Valley, Arcadia Township ; Margarite, a graduate
of Arcadia high school, who is unmarried and is keeping house for her
father; and Raymond, hving at home with his father and working on the
farm. Mr. Brownlee is independent in politics, voting for the man rather
than for the party. He is a stockholder in the Western Wisconsin Tele-
phone Company. Religiously he was reared in the faith of the Scottish
Presbyterian church. His success in life has been well earned and he and
his family are both widely known and respected.
Albert C. Kiekhoefer, a well-known agriculturist of Arcadia Town-
ship, proprietor of a flourishing farm in section 24, is one of the estimable
men of the county, who by diligently developing his farm is doing his full
share toward the growth and progress of the community at large. Coming
of a family widely known in agricultural, religious and educational circles,
he has added substantially to the high regard in which the family name
is held. His parents, William and Caroline (Tisch) Kiekhoefer, were born
in Prussia, Germany, and were there married. In 1857 they bravely set
out for the new world to establish their home among the broader oppor-
tunities of America. The voyage across the water aboard an old style
sailing vessel occupied four months and entailed many hardships. But
in time they set their feet on land, found their way to Milwaukee, and
thence came to Trempealeau County, where they homesteaded 160 acres
of wild land in Trout Run Valley. Here the son, Albert C, the subject of
this sketch, was born Oct. 29, 1859. Beginning work with an ox team, after
the fashion of the pioneers, William Kiekhoefer grubbed and cleared his
land, which had a very rolling surface, and built a log house as his first
dwelling, subsequently replacing it by a two-story frame residence. After
continuing his work on the farm until 1879, he died, having previously
willed it to his son Albert C. Albert C. Kiekhoefer, who had one brother
and five sisters, remained at home with his mother, assisting the latter on
the farm until it came into his own possession, at which time he was 30
years of age. He had in the meanwhile acquired some education in the
common school of the district, although able to attend only occasionally.
The frame house built by his father was a building 16 by 30 feet in dimen-
sions, and he has since added a wing to it, making it into a good ten-room
house. He has also erected a silo, 14 by 28 feet ; a granary, 18 by 30 ; a
machine shed, 30 by 50 ; a hog house, 26 by 50, and a corn crib. The barn
built by his father was 32 by 90 feet. Mr. Kiekhoefer does general farm-
ing and breeds high grade Holstein cattle, having a herd of 35 head, as well
as a herd of Hampshire hogs. His farm is well equipped with machinery
and teams, and presents a thriving appearance, the land being well culti-
vated and the buildings kept in good shape. Mr. Kiekhoefer usually votes
the Prohibition ticket, though reserving the right of independent action
as he sees occasion. Since 1904 he had belonged to the Order of Beavers,
and since 1891 to the Arcadia Lodge of Modern Woodmen of America. He
is a stockholder in the Glencoe Co-operative Creamery, of which he is vice-
president. March 11, 1890, Mr. Kiekhoefer married Augusta, daughter
of Robert Lull and Henrietta Sitzman of Germany, her parents being
natives of Germany. The children of this marriage, 13 in number, are:
766 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Ralph, born Dec. 24, 1890, now a carpenter, residing at Arcadia ; Leafe, born
in 1892, who is a professional nurse; Floyd, born in 1893, who lives at home,
assisting his father on the farm ; Orpha, born in 1894, now a student in the
Winona Normal School; Alta, born in 1896, who is residing at home;
Beatrice, born in 1897, who is a public school teacher residing at home;
Elsie, born in 1898, now a student in the Arcadia high school ; Lillian, born
in 1900, also a student in the high school ; David, born in 1902, Frederick in
1903, Wilton in 1905, Doris in 1907 and Albert, Jr., in 1908, all living at
home. Mr. Kiekhoefer was reared in the faith of the Evangelical church,
to which he and all the members of his family belong. They are well
known throughout this part of the county; the older children are success-
fully making their way in the world and the younger ones are showing that
application to their studies that will enable them in time to uphold the
credit of the family name. All have received a sound moral and Christian
training. x
E. Scott Hotchkiss, pioneer, business man, agriculturist, former sheriff
and former United States consul, is one of the most prominent men in the
county. In commercial life he has assisted in the development of the mer-
cantile, milling and lumber business since his first arrival in 1859, and he
has been actively identified not only with rural progress, but also with the
intimate life of two prosperous villages. In public service, within the
county, he most efficiently occupied the office of sheriff for a term, he
was a valued member of the county board for four years, he was a capable
town clerk for twelve years, he was justice of the peace and court com-
missioner several terms, and in addition to this has held numerous local
offices, and has been a member of various committees and delegations. As
United States consul to two Canadian cities he assisted materially in exploit-
ing and promoting American trade interests within the Dominion. As a
Mason he has taken a deep interest in the Ancient Rites, and cherishes a
number of important mementoes which have been handed down in his
family from generation to generation. E. Scott Hotchkiss was born at
Cairo, Green County, N. Y., March 27, 1837, son of Henry E. and Alice
(Smith) Hotchkiss, and a grandson of Lemuel Hotchkiss, who served from
Connecticut in the Revolutionary War, was a personal friend of DeWitt
Clinton, governor of New York, and a prominent leader in Master and Royal
Arch Masonry. The subject of this sketch was educated in the district
schools, and has supplemented this training by wide reading and observa-
tion. He was designed to follow his father's occupation as a cabinet maker,
but deciding to seek the broader opportunities of the west, he left his old
home in 1856, and located in Richland County, this state. In 1859 he
joined a colony, and set out for Osseo, where he homesteaded the south-
west quarter of section 14, Sumner Township. He broke, improved and
developed this land, until 1868, when he sold out, and engaged in the
general mercantile business at Osseo with W. H. Thomas. In 1870 he and
Mr. Thomas, together with William Fuller, built the Sumner Mill at Osseo,
now owned by J. N. Lee. Soon after this he traded his interest in the store
for Mr. Fuller's interest in the mill, and took over its active management.
In 1872 he and J. L. Linderman built the Linderman Mills, one mile west
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 767
of Osseo, on the Beef River. The mills were destroyed by fire in 1880, but
were a once rebuilt, and are still operated by members of the Linderman
family. In 1876 Mr. Hotchkiss was elected sheriff of Trempealeau County,
and so excellent was his record in this capacity that he was retained as
under sheriff under K. K. Hagestad, his successor. In 1880, upon the
expiration of this service, a favorable business opening presented itself
at Independence, so, coming here, he purchased a lumber yard in the vil-
lage, and a farm on the village limits. He still owns the farm, and he and
his son Frank A. operate it, though both live in the village. The lumber
yard was sold to John Sprecher and is now operated by the Sprecher Lum-
ber Company. It was in 1902 that Mr. Hotchkiss received his greatest
opportunity for public service. In that year, through the influence of
Senator John C. Spooner, he was appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt
as American consul at Brockville, Ontario, Canada. When that consulate
was abandoned in 1906 he was sent to establish the consulate at Calgary,
Alberta, Canada. When he went there American business represented
but 45 percent of that city's imports. The official records show that owing
to the work of the consulate during his administration the American busi-
ness was increased until it represented 90 percent of the imports. In the
fall of 1913, Mr. Hotchkiss retired, owing to the change of administration.
In the meantime he had been offered, but had refused, the consulate at
Hobart, Tasmania. Since then Mr. Hotchkiss has led a retired life at Inde-
pendence, looking after his numerous holdings and interests. Mr. Hotch-
kiss' career as a Mason dates from 1872, when he joined the Blue Lodge
at Augusta, Wis., being raised in March, 1873. He is now a member of the
Blue Lodge at Whitehall, has served as its senior warden, and has been
presented with a beautiful token in acknowledgment of his long fidelity in
the work. He belongs to the Chapter and Commandery at La Crosse, hav-
ing originally joined the Chapter there and the Commandery at Brock-
ville, Ontario. Mr. Hotchkiss was married Dec. 16, 1862, to Harriet A.
Field, a daughter of Robert C. and Mary (Stoddard) Field, intimately
associated with the early history of Osseo and Sumner. After a long and
useful life, filled with good deeds and gracious kindliness, she died Nov. 6,
1915, leaving two children : Alice and Frank A. Alice lives in Milwaukee,
and is the mother of two children, Claude and Albert Maurer. Frank A. is
president of the Farmers & Merchants State Bank of Independence.
James Muir, a pioneer of Buffalo County, was for many years inti-
mately connected with the life of this region. He was born in Franklin,
Scotland, July 14, 1833, and was there reared and educated, coming to
America in May, 1853. For a time he was employed as a miner in Penn-
sylvania, coming to Buffalo County in 1856, landing at Fountain City,
April 1, and homesteading a farm, where he spent the remainder of his
days. He first erected a shack, then improved and developed the land,
and in time had as good a farm as was to be found in the county. He died
Sept. 2, 1916. His wife, Martha Faulds, to whom he was married in Glencoe
Township, Buffalo County, June 2, 1860, died Nov. 5, 1906.
Frank A. Hotchkiss, banker, public official, farmer, horse fancier and
man-of-affairs, is well known throughout the county, and his advocacy
768 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
of good roads, during his term of office as chairman of the county board,
places him in the ranks of the county's most useful and constructive citi-
zens. With keen business insight he combines a genial temperament, with
a nature of unbounded enthusiasm in good work he combines a proper con-
servatism, and with a thorough belief in progress he combines the sincere
conviction that all progress must be founded upon the firm ground of expe-
diency and common sense. A native of this county, and connected with
several of its most prominent pioneer families, he was born in Osseo, this
county, Oct. 18, 1866, the son of E. Scott and Harriett A. (Field) Hotch-
kiss. He received a good education in the schools of Osseo, Arcadia and
Independence, and early in life determined to devote his life to agricultural
pursuits. As he grew to manhood he devoted his time and attention to
the improving and developing of his father's farm at Independence, and
as a hobby became more and more interested in the breeding of pure-blooded
Percheron and Belgian horses, and developed a string of trotters and pacers
that won many a prize at fairs and racing meets. Of late years, however,
his attention has turned more and more to public and commercial life. In
1916 he with others organized the Farmers & Merchants State Bank, of
which he became president. He is likewise president of the Independence
Grain & Stock Company. Both of these institutions are important
factors in the business and financial life of Independence, and under
his fostering care are constantly growing in size and importance. In 1900
he became a member of the village council and served for several terms.
It was in 1904 that he was elected to the county board, of which he was
chairman in 1914, 1915 and 1916. He has served on numerous committees
on the board, and his work is acknowledged as having always been for the
best interests of the people of the county at large. Being of a fraternal
disposition, he has affiliated himself with the Blue Lodge and Chapter of
the Masonic order, and he is likewise a popular member of the Independent
Order of Foresters. Mr. Hotchkiss was married Oct. 18, 1893, to Agnes
Muir, born in Buffalo County, this state, June 25, 1870, daughter of James
and Martha (Faulds) Muir. This union has been blessed with three chil-
dren: Ina A., born May 28, 1896; Eldridge Scott, born April 13, 1906, and
Robert Addison, born April 7, 1912.
Philo J. Linderman, in the United States mail service at Osseo, was
born near Troy, Bradford County, Pa., moved to Rockford, 111., in 1859, and
there lived until 1868, when he moved with his parents to Eau Claire, Wis.,
where he Hved until 1872, then removing to Osseo, where his father, James
L. Linderman, built the Linderman Mills in 1872. James L. Linderman died
in 1905, and since that time Philo J. Linderman has been employed as a
mail carrier. He married Stella Tracy, who was born in Richland County,
Wisconsin, in 1855, and they have three childi-en: Glenn 0., a prominent
attorney of Eau Claire ; Phylancia, who married Dr. F. S. Maxson of Mil-
waukee, and has one child, Josephine; and Marion, who died at the age of
six years.
Glenn O. Linderman, prominent attorney of Eau Claire, is a native
of Trempealeau County, and was for a number of years actively identified
with the life and progress of this region. He was born in Osseo, Sept. 29,
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 769
1875, son of Philo J. and Stella (Tracy) Lindei-man. As a youth he attended
the schools of Osseo. Later he entered the schools of Augusta, in Eau
Claire County. In that city also he studied law for three years in the
offices of Attorneys L B. and E. M. Bradford. The education thus obtained
was rounded out with a summer course in the University of Michigan at
Ann Arbor. Mr. Linderman was admitted to the bar in 1898, and at once
opened an office in Osseo. Here he successfully practiced for many years.
His worth was soon recognized and he was called upon to serve in a number
of important public positions. For thirteen years he was a member of the
county board, three years of which time he was its chairman. While serv-
ing on the Osseo school board he assisted in erecting the sightly building
which is now the pride of the village. He helped to organize the Osseo
Telephone Company, which is still successfully operating. He was presi-
dent of the Citizens State Bank of Osseo during its entire existence. Mr.
Linderman moved to Eau Claire in the spring of 1916. Deeply interested
in Masonry, Mr. Linderman has passed through the thirty-two degrees of
the Scottish rites, and he is also a member of the Commandery and of the
Shrine. The Knights of Pythias also count him as a valued member. Mr.
Linderman was married Aug. 6, 1897, to Bertha H. Bradford of Augusta,
who died June 18, 1902, daughter of Rev. E. and Cynthia Bradford. Sept.
17, 1907, he married Hilda 0. Halverson, a trained nurse, who was the
daughter of Gilbert and Ingeborg Halvorson of Sumner Township, and
died Nov. 2, 1913, leaving two children: Marion Abigail, born June 20, 1910,
and Glenn Otis, born Aug. 8, 1908. Mr. Linderman was married April 5,
1916, to Jessie M. Stillman, daughter of Charles Wesley and Bertha Stillman.
John Bigham, for many years one of the stury farmers who helped to
develop the agricultural resources of Trempealeau County, but who now
resides in the village of Arcadia, was born in Putnam County, New York,
Aug. 27, 1838, son of James and Catherine (McVoy) Bigham. Both his
parents were born in Ireland, the father being of Scotch descent. He was
reared in his native state, attending district school there until the age of
14 years, and subsequently learned the mason's trade. At the age of 19
he began working away from home, and in June, 1855, he came west alone,
traveling by rail to Dunleith, 111., and from there by boat to Fountain City,
Wis. His father was already located in Glencoe, Buffalo County, having
arrived there in the preceding April. John Bigham remained with his
father about a month and then went to La Crosse, Wis., where he worked
in a mill until 1859. While thus employed, however, he was making plans
for future independence and took the surest way of doing this by investing,
in 1857, in a small tract of land in Buffalo County. In the following year
he bought 80 acres in Arcadia Township, two and a half miles south of the
village. The Buffalo County tract he held for some years. All this land
was wild and there were plenty of Winnebago Indians in the vicinity. In
the fall of 1859 Mr. Bigham began breaking his land, using ox teams. Two
years later he purchased 80 acres more and from time to time added to the
size of his farm, continually improving it, until it now contains 253 acres
in a high state of cultivation, and well equipped with good buildings and
all needed accessories. In 1902 Mr. Bigham quit the farm and moved into
770 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Arcadia Village, where he and his wife are enjoying the fruits of their
industry and thrift in days gone by. Mr. Bigham was married, Jan. 9, 1867,
to Grace K., daughter of Henry and Miranda (Shelby) Gardner, who died
Sept. 8, 1917. Their children, five in number, are: Bertha, born April 16,
1868, who is the widow of Clifford Baumbach, and is now engaged in teach-
ing school at Whitehall ; Minnie, born Sept. 9, 1870, now the wife of John
McKivergin, of Whitehall, Wis. ; Elmer, born March 6, 1873, Hving on the
old farm ; Ellis G., manager and secretary of the Farmers' Co-Operative
Creamery in Arcadia Village, and Byrd, born Nov. 27, 1879, who is a drug-
gist in Chicago, 111. Mr. Bigham is a staunch Republican in politics and
cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. Religiously
he was brought up in the faith of the Scotch Presbyterian church.
Peter Myers, one of the elderly residents of Arcadia Village, who may
justly lay claim to being one of the pioneer settlers of Trempealeau County,
was born in France, Oct. 8, 1836. When a boy of 10 years he came to
America with his parents, who settled on a farm eight miles from Syracuse,
N. Y., and here young Myers was reared and resided until he was 25 years
old. Then, in 1861, he was married to Lena Kraner, daughter of George
Kraner, a neighbor. In 1864, with his wife and eldest child, George, he
came West, journeying by train to La Crosse, Wis., from there by boat to
Trempealeau, and then by ox team to Arcadia Township. Here he home-
steaded 160 acres of land in one of the beautiful valleys three miles south of
Arcadia Village, which took its name from him and his family and is now
known as Myers Valley. The land on which he settled was wild and there
were no buildings on it, so his first work was to erect a small log house
and barn. There were plenty of Indians in the vicinity, but they gave him
no trouble, and he grubbed and cleared his land without interference. After
awhile he bought an additional tract of 80 acres, and still later on other
land until the farm contained 330 acres. He also built a substantial frame
house, a stone barn, 36 by 60, and a stone granary, 24 by 40 feet in dimen-
sions. His farming operations were conducted with intelligence and indus-
try and proved successful, so that in time he became prosperous. Mr.
Myers resided on this farm until 1888, at which time he retired and moved
to Arcadia Village, which place has since been his home. He has always
been a Democrat in politics, but was never politically active and has held
no public offices. Reared a Catholic, he has been true to his faith and is a
member of the German Catholic church of Arcadia. Though grown some-
what feeble with advancing years, he is a man highly respected and his
neighbors took a warm sympathetic interest in his celebration of his
eightieth birthday, on Oct. 8, 1916. He is now a widower, his wife having
passed away in December, 1899. They were the parents of eight children :
George, Anna, Anton, Agnes, Clara, Rosa, Otto and Isadore. George, who
was born in New York State, Feb. 14, 1862, remained on the home farm
when his father moved to the village, and operated it for 15 years. He
is now on one of the other farms of his father. Anna, now Mrs. John
Whifller, is residing in Arcadia and keeps house for her father. Anton,
born in 1867, died in 1915. Agnes, born Jan. 6, 1869, later Sister Wilfreda,
of Notre Dame, died Jan. 3, 1917. Clara is the wife of Peter Dahm. of
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUiNTY 771
Arcadia. Otto is living in Arcadia with his father. Isadora, born Sept.
13, 1881, is living on the old family homestead, where he has been since 1904.
He married Elizabeth, 'daughter of Edward and Julia Haines, who reside on
an adjoining farm. His marriage took place Sept. 26, 1905, and he and his
wife now have six children: Hildegard, Irene, Wilfred, Ethelreda, Evan-
geline and Aurelia.
Louis Remlinger, proprietor of a good farm in Arcadia Township, about
two and a half miles southeast of the village of that name, was born at
Mauley Station, N. Y., Oct. 6, 1863. His parents were John and Mary
(Seibert) Remlinger, who were married at Mauley Station about 1851, the
mother having been born at that place in 1839. The father, John Rem-
linger, was a native of Germany, born in 1832. In 1865 he came West with
his wife and family, making the journey by rail to Dunleith, 111 (now East
Dubuque) , from which place they took boat to Trempealeau Village, where
they remained about a week. Then they came by ox team to Arcadia Town-
ship, this last trip taking a day and a half. Here Mr. Remlinger settled on
160 acres of wild Government land in Meyers Valley, on which he built a
log shanty, and began improving his land. In 1875, having by this time
made fair progress on his farm, he put up a more pretentious and com-
modious log house, together with a barn. Later he sold this property and
moved to Dodge Township, near Pine Creek, where he spent practically the
rest of his life, dying at Arcadia in 1894. He was then, and had been for
some time, a widower, his wife having passed away at Arcadia in 1886.
They had a family of nine children : John, born in New York State, in 1853,
who is a resident of Eau Claire, Wis.; Polly, born in New York State, in
1855, who is now Mrs. Fred Wenzell, of Arcadia Township ; George, born in
New York State, in 1857, whose present whereabouts is unknown ; Jennie,
born in 1859, in New York State, who is the wife of John Thompson, of
Winona, Minn.; Louis, the subject of this sketch; Nicholas, born in 1867,
in Arcadia Township, where he died in 1892 ; Frank, born in Arcadia Town-
ship, in 1869-, who is living at St. Mary, Idaho ; Mary, born in Arcadia Town-
ship, in 1871, who is now Mrs. George Sentz, of Red Wing, Minn.; and
Joseph, born in Arcadia Township, in 1873, who is living in Winona, Minn.
Louis Remlinger was educated in the common and parochial schools, but
never reached advanced studies, as he had to assist his father on the farm
at an early age. He resided at home until he was 21 years old and then
worked out five years for others. He was married Sept. 9, 1887, to Eliza,
daughter of Louie and Eva Fischer, of Arcadia Township. He subsequently
rented and worked farms in Trempealeau County until 1895, in which year
he bought 72 acres in section 1, township 20, range 10, situated about two
and a half miles southeast of Arcadia Village, which place is his present
home. Here he does general farming and dairying, keeping graded cows,
and having an ample supply of teams and other equipment. He built his
present residence, which is a very comfortable one-and-a-half-story brick
house, consisting of upright and wing. He has also put up good barns, a
granary, tool sheds and other necessary buildings. His wife, Eliza, died
July 18, 1911, and on April 12, 1915, he married for his second wife, Barbara,
daughter of John and Anna Maier, of Arcadia Township. His children, by
772 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUi\TY
his first marriage, are : Gertrude, born June 29, 1888, who is the wife of
Henry W. Werner, a contracting electrician and^ prominent citizen of
Winona, Minn. ; Frank, born Jan. 8, 1889, who is a farmer in Arcadia Town-
ship ; William, born March 23, 1891, who resides on the old Remhnger home-
stead ; Albert, born May 8, 1892, who served with the Wisconsin State militia
on the Texas border ; Ehzabeth, born Oct. 4, 1895, who is residing at home ;
Leo, born March 12, 1897, who lives at home and assists his father on the
farm, and Raymond, born March 28, 1900, who resides at home. Mr. Rem-
linger is a Democrat in politics, and for one year was a member of the
township board, but otherwise has not been active in public affairs. He and
his family are members of the German Catholic church at Arcadia, and he
belongs also to St. Joseph's Catholic Society at Winona, Minn.
Ole Gulbrandson Eid, one of the pioneers of Hegge Cooley, spent many
years of his life in developing a farm in this county, and was numbered
among the substantial and successful citizens. He was born in Blakjar,
Norway, and was there reared on a farm. In 1871, hoping to better his
condition and to seek the broader opportunities of the New World, he
brought his family to America, and while looking about for a location, estab-
lished himself in Minnesota for six months. Then he came to Ti'empealeau
County and purchased 160 acres in Hegge Cooley, Pigeon Township, and
began his career as an American farmer. He broke and developed a fine
place, and became one of the representative men of the county. After
many years of hard work and successful endeavor, he retired, but continued
to live on the homestead with his son, Gilbert, 0. He died there Aug. 26,
1904, and his wife passed away Dec. 21, 1893. They were the parents of six
children : Ole and Marius, who are dead ; Gilbert 0., on the old homestead ;
Andrew, a merchant at Merrillan, Wis., and Hans and Ole, farmers in North-
field Township, Jackson County.
Gilbert O. Eid, of Hegge Cooley, Pigeon Township, has one of the best
developed farms in this region, and is regarded as one of the most modern
and progressive agriculturists in this part of the county. Since young
boyhood, he has devoted his efforts to improving his present place, and the
results, bearing testimony on every side to thrift, foresight and apprecia-
tion of.beauty, have fully justified his endeavor. Born in Blakjer, Norway,
June 14, 1858, son of Ole Gulbrandson Eid and Marte A. (Thoreid) Eid he
came with them to America in 1871, lived six months in Minnesota, and then
with them came to Hegge Cooley. He assisted his parents with the farm
duties, and in 1884 purchased the home place. Previously he had purchased
two 40-acre tracts adjoining, and later he bought other adjacent property,
until he now owns 420 acres of as good land as is to be found in the county,
all being in section 2, except 40 acres in section 3. Upon acquiring owner-
ship of the homestead, Mr. Eid continued its improvement. He remodeled
and enlarged the dwelling, barns and other buildings, and in 1900 he erected
his present sightly home. This is an ideal farmhouse in every way, beauti-
ful, comfortable and convenient. It is heated with hot air system, equipped
with modern plumbing, furnishing a continual supply of hot and cold water,
and is provided with an electric light plant, illuminating both house and
barns. The other farm buildings are fully in keeping with the residence.
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 773
The whole place is beautified with a well-kept lawn, dotted with flowers and
shrubbery, and sloping in grassy sweeps from the building to the highway.
The farm is a fertile one and produces the usual crops ; diversified farming
and stock raising being conducted along the latest approved methods, and a
specialty being made of a fine dairy herd of Holstein cattle headed by a
full-blooded sire. In addition to his farm holdings, Mr. Eid is a stockholder
in the Pigeon Grain & Stock Company, the People's State Bank, of White-
hall, and the Whitehall Community Hospital. Mr. Eid was married July 2,
1882, to Karen Koxlien, who was born in Faaber, Gulbrandsdahlen, Norway,
on Nov. 25, 1859, and died Sept. 20, 1907. Throughout all her married life
she proved a faithful wife, a loving mother and a kind and charitable
woman, and her death was not only a great loss to the family, but a matter
of sincere grief to the community wherein her worth was known. She left
seven children : May, Olga Nora, Clara, Ella, Anna, George A. and Orvel.
May was born May 28, 1883, and is the wife of Charles Borreson, a farmer of
Rat Cooley. Olga Nora was born May 22, 1885, and is the wife of Albert
Johnson, who helps operate the Eid farm. Clara was born Sept. 30, 1886,
and lives at home. Ella was born Feb. 7, 1891, and is now the wife of Ed-
ward Goplin, of Hale Township. Anna, born Sept. 22, 1892 ; George A., born
March 12, 1895; and Orvel, born Dec. 25, 1897, are at home. March 27,
1913, Mr. Eid married Mrs. Amelia (Christopherson) Foss, born Feb. 12,
1860, daughter of C. Christopherson and Christine (Peterson) Christopher-
son, and widow of Anders Foss, who died April 26, 1900, leaving four
children : Anna, now Mrs. Richard Lieske ; Carolina, Mabel and Jose-
phine.
Henry R. Trowbridge, a successful farmer of section 20, Trempealeau
Township, was born on the homestead on which he now resides, Oct. 20, 1877,
son of Hiram I. and Eliza (Brown) Trowbridge, a memoir of whom appears
elsewhere in this volume. In his boyhood he attended the district school,
also spending two seasons in the schools of Winona, Minn. He was trained
to agriculture from his early years, and has always remained on the home
farm. Sept. 29, 1902, he was married to Tillie, daughter of Gilbert and
Auline Gooden, of Holland Township, La Crosse County, Wis., the marriage
taking place at the home of the bride's parents and the ceremony being
performed by the Rev. W. C. Hill, pastor of Galesville Presbyterian church.
Mr. Trowbridge brought his wife to the farm just before Christmas, 1902.
Their family circle has since been widened by the birth of two children:
Grace, born Aug. 2, 1903, and Gerald, born April 2, 1909, both of whom are
living. Mr. Trowbridge is engaged in general farming and dairying. His farm
contains 250 acres, of which 140 are plowed land, the balance being in
pasture and timber. The buildings are in good condition and the farm is
well stocked. Mr. Trowbridge is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Co-
operative Packing Company, of La Crosse. He is not active in politics, but
votes the Republican ticket and has served as treasurer of the school
district. Since 1898 he has been a member of Camp No. 2813, Modern
Woodmen of America, Trempealeau Village, and he and his wife belong to
Trempealeau M. E. church, of which he is a steward, Mrs. Trowbridge being
active in the Ladies' Aid Society.
774 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Hiram I. Trowbridge, in former years one of the leading citizens of
Trempealeau Township, and known and respected throughout the county,
was born in Meadville, Crawford County, Pa., May 15, 1837. Subsequently
he accompanied his parents to Belvidere, in the northern part of Illinois, and
just before the Civil War the family came to Trempealeau County, Wis.,
where the father bought a tract of prairie land. Hiram, with two of his
brothers, Edward and Henry, purchased the farm in Trempealeau Town-
ship, which included a portion of the old mission grounds. On April 20,
1875, he was married to Eliza (Brown) Johnson, widow of Samuel A. John-
son, who had served as a soldier in Company C, Thirtieth Regiment, Wis-
consin Volunteers. She was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., July 30, 1848. and
at the age of 7 years came West with her parents, the journey being made
by train to Dubuque, Iowa, and from there by boat to La Crosse, Wis. Her
marriage to Mr. Trowbridge took place on the latter's farm in Trempealeau
Township, where their son Henry now Hves, and there they began house-
keeping, Mr. Trowbridge continuing to improve his farm. In this work
he was successful and in time became not only one of the prominent men
of his township, but a representative citizen of the county. He and his
wife had children as follows: Robert D., born March 17, 1876, and now
living in Trempealeau Township ; Henry R., born Oct. 20, 1877, residing on
the home farm ; Guy E., born Aug. 14, 1880, who is a resident of Great Falls,
Mont. ; Irenus, who died in infancy, and Myrtle A., born May 31, 1889, who
resides with her mother in Winona, Minn. Hiram I. Trowbridge died Nov.
23, 1900, the news of his death being received with sorrow by a wide circle
of friends and acquaintances, by whom he was esteemed for his many
sterling traits of character.
Julius Hensel, a pioneer, was born in Prussia, Jan. 7, 1833, and was
brought to this country by his parents at the age of 5 years. His wife,
Sarah E. Simpson, whom he married at Cross Plains, Dane County, Wis.,
was born in England, Dec. 25, 1835, and came to America at the age of 5
years. In 1856 he came to Buffalo County, in this State, and two years
later brought his wife here, overland by ox-team. Together they started
to carve their fortunes in the wilderness. So well and faithfully did they
labor that their original tract of 160 acres had in 1861 been increased to a
whole section of land. Loyal to his adopted country, he listened to the call
of duty in 1862 and enlisted in Company F, Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Volun-
teer Infantry. After doing valiant service for about a year he was wounded
at the battle of Atlanta and as a result was confined in the Alfred Harvey
Hospital, where, after his partial recovery, he was retained as an assistant
for a while before his honorable discharge. Upon his release he returned
to his farm, where he successfully carried on farming operations until the
summer of 1876, when he retired and moved to Arcadia, where he and his
wife spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of 11
children : Phalana, of Whitehall ; Frederic W., of Hay Creek, Ore. ; Frank
(deceased); Alfred Harvey (deceased); Hiram E., of Ai-cadia; Leroy
(deceased) ; Ruth E., the wife of Robert Pedder, of Arcadia: Charles, of
Sheyenne, N. D. ; Earl F., of Whitehall ; Herman T. (deceased) , and Fannie J.
(deceased) .
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 775
Rev. Thomas Grafton Owen, clergyman, poet and philosopher, was born
in Champaign County, Ohio, July 30, 1830, and at the age of 7 years was
taken to McDonough County, 111., where he received a common school educa-
tion. At the age of 28 he entered the service of the Methodist Episcopal
church, being ordained deacon at Hannibal, Mo., in 1858, and elder at Hud-
son, Mo., in 1860. Mr. Owen took charge of his first cJiurch in Illinois.
The principal part of his work was in Missouri until the outbreak of the
Civil War. In that conflict he did volunteer service as a chaplain. As a
member of the Christian Commission he came North, and spent the re-
mainder of his life here. In 1870 he left the Methodist church and entered
the Congregational church. As pastor of that denomination he came to
Trempealeau. Later he moved to Arcadia, where he resided for many
years. During his latter years he was a clergyman of the Unitarian faith,
serving numerous congregations throughout the Trempealeau Valley and
elsewhere. Much of his time was devoted to philosophical and poetic writ-
ings, many of which are embodied in his "Drippings from the Eaves," a
book worthy of a high place in American literature. After a long and use-
ful life, he died April 26, 1912. He was married in Bushnell, 111., in 1858,
to Isabell Provine, who died in October, 1873. In 1874 he married Margaret
Craig, who was born in England in 1839.
Earl F. Hensel, attorney, journalist and public speaker, former county
judge and former county attorney, has been prominent in political and
public affairs in Trempealeau County for many years, and being still a
young man, his friends predict for him a still more brilliant future. He
is a native of this State, having first seen the fight of day in Glencoe Town-
ship, Bufl'alo County, Feb. 2, 1875, son of Julius and Sarah E. (Simpson)
Hensel, who brought him to Arcadia, in this county, as an infant. As a
youth he passed through the public schools of Arcadia, and was graduated
from the high school there with the class of 1892. With this preparation,
he became a teacher for seven terms, three in Buffalo County, one in
Trempealeau County, and three in Lamoure County, N. D. In 1897 he
entered the law department of the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and
was graduated therefrom. with the class of 1900, receiving the degree of
LL. B. At Blair he hung out his shingle, and there began his professional
career. While at Blair he was for a while one of the editors of the Blair
Press. His practice soon assumed proportions of importance, his legal
ability commanded attention, and when the death of Robert Christianson in
July, 1904, left a vacancy in the office of district attorney, he was appointed
to the position and moved his family to the county seat. So faithfully and
ably did he serve that he was elected to the office that fall and re-elected in
the fafi of 1906, serving until the close of 1908. In 1912 he was again
elected, serving until the close of 1914. In the meantime, July 3, 1909, he
had been appointed county judge to serve out the term of Robert S. Cowie,
giving universal satisfaction to the attorneys and to the people. Since
retiring from county office, Judge Hensel has devoted himself to the practice
of his profession, as well as to journalism as local editor of the Whitehall
Times-Banner. In addition to the offices mentioned. Judge Hensel has been
village attorney of Blair for four years, village attorney of Whitehafi eight
776 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
years, township attorney of several towns at various times, president of the
village of Whitehall one term, and member of the county board one term.
His fi-aternal relations are with the A. F. & A. M. and the B. R. F. F. Of
commanding physique, compelling voice, brilhant oratory and broad kindli-
ness. Judge Hensel is a man of marked personality, and it is natural that he
should be a leader in local and county affairs. His abilities as an orator
are widely known, and in the dark days of the entrance of the United
States into the Great War he has been of valuable service on the side of
loyalty and patriotism. Judge Hensel was married March 19, 1902, to
Eunice G. Owen, daughter of Rev. T. Grafton Owen. This union has been
blessed with two children: Alfred Harvey and Margaret C. Alfred Har-
vey was boi-n Dec. 31, 1902, endeared himself to all of those with whom he
came in contact during his brief life, and died Dec. 24, 1916. Margaret C.
was born Dec. 20, 1909. Mrs. Hensel is one of the leading women of the
community. She is prominent in all society and charitable work, was one
of the founders of the Ladies Chautauqua Circle, has been very active in
Red Cross work, and has been an important factor in the daily life of
Whitehall for many years.
August Reck, now living retired in Arcadia Village, after a busy life
devoted to agricultural pursuits, was born in Poland, Aug. 26, 1844, son of
Matt and Chrestena Reck. In 1870 he came to the United States with his
parents and other members of the family. Journeying by train to La
Crosse, Wis., they took boat from that place to Trempealeau, and from there
the party, consisting of father and mother, August, with three sisters and
a brother, walked to American Valley, where another brother of our subject.
Veto Reck, had already settled. On their arrival, August, then 26 years
old, found that he had but 35 cents left of his pecuniary resources. How-
ever, the family got together money enough to purchase 80 acres of land in
American Valley, which they obtained from Dan Dewey. There seems
to have been no improvements on the place, for Mr. Reck at once built a
diigout in the side of the hill, with sod roof, for a residence, in which primi-
tive dwelling the family lived for two years. The work of grubbing and
clearing followed immediately after and furnished him and his sons with
sti-enuous work for some time to come. Until they were able to raise a
crop, August had to carry provisions from Trempealeau, a distance of 17
miles, on his back. In 1872 August erected a small log house. By 1874
things were in more promising shape and he began a separate domestic life
by marrying Mary Ressel, daughter of Martin and Katherine Ressel, of
Arcadia Township. He purchased the farm in his own name and continued
to develop it, gradually increasing its value by cultivation and the addition
of needed improvements, including the building of a stone house to replace
the old log structure, this more substantial dwelling being inhabited
up to 1913. In 1905 August Reck sold the farm to his son George, who now
owns it, and who in 1913 replaced the stone house by a modern two-story,
square, frame house of nine rooms. At the same time, or in the same year,
he bought 160 acres in Korpal Valley, to which farm he moved, and
where he resided until 1915, when he sold it to his son Joseph and took up
his residence in Arcadia Village, where he is now living retired, with his
m«TORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 777
wife and two daughters, being 72 years old, and his wife 68. During his
active career Mr. Reck was widely recognized as one of the most thrifty
and prosperous settlers of Polish origin in the county. In company with
Charles Hess, who came to the valley about the same time that he did, he
owned and operated one of the very first threshing outfits owned in the town-
ship. He is a member of St. Stanislaus Congregation of Arcadia ; also of St.
Stanislaus Society. In politics it has been his custom to vote the Demo-
cratic ticket, which was the limit of his activities in the political field, as
he never sought a place in local government, being too busy in developing
his farm. He and his wife have had eight children : George, born in 1879,
who is now proprietor of the old family homestead; Paulina, born in 1881,
now Mrs. J. F. Kokot, of Korpal Valley ; Victoria, born in 1883, wife of Peter
Gondara, of North Creek, Trempealeau County ; Haittey, born in 1885, who
resides with her parents in Arcadia Village ; Frances, born in 1887, now the
wife of Valanty Misch, of Arcadia Village; Estella, born in 1889, who is
the wife of Valentine Stetmach, of North Creek; Joseph, born in 1891, now
a farmer in Korpal Valley, and Rosa, born in 1893, who resides with her
parents in the village. Mr. Reck is a man of good record, whose life and
labors not only resulted in his own advancement, but added to the sum total
of the wealth of the community in which he lived, and while he is now indulg-
ing in well-earned repose, his sons are continuing the good work which he
began.
George Reck, a farmer residing in section 1, Arcadia, Township 20,
range 9, was born in American Valley, this township, Nov. 16, 1879, son of
Augustus Reck. In the old log house, which was his birthplace, he resided
until it was replaced by a stone house, helping his father on the farm and
attending school at intervals until reaching the age of 12 years, when his
services being needed all the time, he had to lay aside his school books, and
never resumed them. The farm consisted of 160 acres, and he assisted his
father in its cultivation until 1905, at which time he purchased it from his
father. The next year he married Mary Pampuch, daughter of Thomas and
Mary Pampuch, of Independence, Trempealeau County. In 1913 he tore
down the old stone house, which was inadequate to his needs, and erected a
modern, square, two-story, 9-room residence. He has also provided himself
with a good barn and other out-buildings. He carries on general farming
and dairying, keeping 35 head of cattle, 20 hogs and six horses, besides hav-
ing a good supply of tools and farm machinery and keeping an automobile
for rapid transit purposes. He is a charter member of St. Stanislaus So-
ciety, having been one of the founders in 1910. For nine years also he has
been treasurer of St. Stanislaus Congregation, of which he and his family
are members. In politics Mr. Reck is a Democrat and has been clerk of the
school district for two years. He is recognized as one of the thrifty and
prosperous young farmers of the county. He and his wife have five chil-
dren : Ignatz, born in 1907 ; Tracy, in 1909 ; Mary, in 1911 ; Stanley, in 1913,
and Elanora, in 1917.
Wheat Brom. In 1868 a farmer of the dorf or village of
Todne, near the city of Budweis, in the county of Swegnie.
Bohemia, Wheat Brom, the father of Mathias and "Big Wenzel"
778 HISTORY OF TREilPEALEAU COUNTY
Brom, sold his lands of nearly 100 acres there and with his
wife and family, married son Frank, unmarried son John and unmarried
daughter Mary, immigi-ated to America, leaving Bohemia July 21, 1868, and
arriving at Bremen Haven took passage to New York, where they arrived
Aug. 7 and immediately left for Winona, Minn., where they arrived Aug. 15,
1868. Wheat Brom settled in Pine Creek, in Trempealeau County, purchas-
ing of John Pehler the farm later owned by Joe Eichman, on which farm
Wheat Brom died, and is buried in the cemetery at Pine Creek. Mrs. Brom
survived her husband and for many years made her home with her son,
Frank Brom, and where she died. At the end of the first year in the cooley
Mr. Brom had about five acres of lands under cultivation, but continued
to make improvements from year to year, as did his neighbors, until many
excellent farms are in the cooley. John Brom, the youngest son of Wheat
Brom, married in Winona, and later than 1868 homesteaded lands in the
cooley, which he sold in 1881 and went to Kansas, where he still resides.
Big Wenzel sold his farm in the cooley and moved to Kansas in 1885, where
he died a few years ago. Frank Brom purchased the farm of Little Wenzel
in 1904, Wenzel removing to Winona, Minn., where he died in 1908.
Mathias Brom, for many years a resident of Pine Creek, in Dodge Town-
ship, was born in September, 1828, in the village of Todne, near the city of
Budweis, in Swegnie, Bohemia, his father, Wheat Brom, being a farmer in
that locality. Mat Brom was the oldest child of his father's family, and was
married in his native village to Elizabeth Marisech prior to his immigrating
to America in 1861. His brother, Wenzel Brom, known as "Big Wenzel,"
and a cousin, Wenzel Brom, known as "Little Wenzel," immigrated with
him. They landed in New York and immediately journeyed to Winona,
Minn., where they had Bohemian acquaintances. Mat Brom settled in
Winona and for nearly two years worked in a grain warehouse. In the
latter part of 1862 he purchased 80 acres of land from the United States
Government at $1.25 an acre, and moved onto these lands in 1863, improving
and cultivating them. In 1869 he deeded these lands to his son, Frank
Brom, and purchased 120 acres in section 11, town 19, range 10 west, from
John Shonat, who had for several years resided upon them and who upon
a sale of them removed to Decorah Prairie, where he long was a prominent
and prosperous citizen. This 120 acres, with additions, constituted the Mat
Brom farm at Pine Creek. Mr. and Mrs. Brom retired from farming and
for years lived quietly in a small home on a tract of land near the Pine
Creek church. They reared a family of two daughters — Eva and Mary —
both of whom married, Eva dying some years ago and three sons — Frank,
Martin and John.
Frank Brom came to America with other members of his family, reach-
ing Winona, Minn., Aug. 15, 1868. The following day Frank Brom and his
wife, whom he had married in the old Bohemian home early in July, started
on foot to Pine Creek under the guidance of Mathias Brom, Jr., a son of
Mathias Brom, to the home of his father, where they arrived and partook of
dinner, and then on foot crossed the hills into the Tamarack Valley, which
they crossed and journed to the home of the brother, "Big Wenzel," where
they made their home during the remainder of the summer, thus their set-
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 779
tlement in Holcomb Cooley dates from the 16th day of August, 1868. Frank
Brom was born Oct. 27, 1841, at No. 14, Todne, Bohemia, grew to manhood
there and married EHza Tasick, who immigrated with him as a member of
the family of Wheat Brom. Frank Brom and his wife lived with Wenzel,
who in the course of a month aided him in making a homestead claim on
160 acres of lands on section 26, township 20 north, range 9 west, upon
which he made final proof and cultivated. Mr. Brom purchased other lands
from time to time until he owned a few years ago 784 acres in the cooley.
When Frank Brom and his wife reached Holcomb Cooley they had $3 in
money, no team and a scant amount of clothing. They were not daunted,
nor often weary and discouraged, but worked and saved and reared a family
of five daughters and four sons, so that at the time his wife died, Oct. 30,
1903, they had a comfortable home, a valuable farm with barns and out-
buildings. Their first house was a rough unbarked log house with a single
room, made from the forest about them. For many years Frank Brom has
enjoyed good health and prosperity, and has always been respected by his
neighbors and acquaintances as a man of great industry and thrift, of
integrity and fine neighborly qualities, and he is in good health at 76 years,
weighing 220 pounds and standing 6 feet 2 inches in his stocking feet. Mr.
Brom has been and is a man of good habits, a kind father and was a good
husband, thoroughly American in his notions. He and his wife had a family
of 10 children: Katherine, now Mrs. John Kruger, residing in Winona
County, Minn.; Thomas, who resides in Arcadia Village; John, who also
lives in Arcadia; Martin, the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth; Estella,
who is now Mrs. August Tonditzke, of Holcomb Cooley; Rose, the wife of
Michael Herrick, of Arcadia ; Mary ; and Frank, now deceased.
Martin Brom, one of the prosperous agriculturists of Trempealeau
County, whose well-cultivated farm lies in section 26, Arcadia Township,
was born in Holcomb Valley, this township, Nov. 12, 1884, son of Frank
and Eliza (Tasick) Brom. In his boyhood he attended the district school
up to the age of 12 years. He then assisted his father on the farm and
remained with him subsequently until the latter's retirement, with the
exception of a short period of four months in 1909, which he passed in
Jamestown, N. D. In 1913 he purchased the home farm of 260 acres from
his father, and in the following year, Feb. 17, 1914, he married Mary,
daughter of Paul and Elizabeth Ressel, of Lewis Valley, Arcadia Township.
Beginning housekeeping in the old log house on the farm, he and his wife
lived there until 1916, in which year he built a modern, cement block resi-
dence, also erecting a frame barn, 30 by 60 by 12 feet in dimensions, with
full basement. The homestead lies 13 miles southeast of Arcadia Village,
and the noticeable improvements attract attention and give evidence of
industry and thrift. Mr. Brom is a Democrat in politics, but has held no
public office. He and his wife are members of the German Catholic church
of Arcadia, and have many friends throughout this vicinity.
Charles J. Gibson, one of the leading citizens of Blair, is widely known
for his progressive spirit, and the part he is having in every move which has
for its object the upbuilding of the village and county. He was born in
Cleveland, Ohio, June 24, 1872, the son of James and Catherine (Kutcher)
780 HISTORY OF TREilPEALEAU COUNTY
Gibson, who brought him to Trempealeau County at the age of 9, arriving
here Jan. 3, 1881. He was reared to farm pursuits and attended the district
schools, supplementing this later with special courses in embalming. In
1895 he moved to Blair, where he has a large and successful furniture store,
and where he is pi'acticing his profession as a licensed embalmer and funeral
director. He has been president, trustee and treasurer of the village, he
has been prominent in educational affairs, and has been one of the moving
spirits of the annual Chautauqua course. Mr. Gibson was married March
30, 1896, to Mary Elizabeth Ellison, and they have had four children:
Merle, James (who was drowned at the age of 13), Evelyn and Lertha.
Rev. A. J. Orke, a clergyman of the Norwegian Lutheran faith, and
pastor of four congregations with headquarters at Pigeon Falls, is a splendid
representative of that faithful body of clergy who have made his faith so
highly honored throughout the civilized world. Fulfilling the old ideal as a
father of his people, he combines a deep and sympathetic understanding of
human nature with much scholai'ly ability, and his work has resulted in a
most decided uplift to the community. Modest as to his personal achieve-
ments, he places his church and the welfare of his congregations as above
everything else in his life, and the results he has achieved, with the assist-
ance of his Divine Master, have been far reaching and permanent. At
Northfield and at Whitehall churches have been built under his leadership,
and the spiritual life of all his congregations has been greatly quickened.
Rev. Orke was born in Skjold, Stavanger, Norway, Sept. 26, 1857, of a
long line of God-fearing people who had lived on the same place for several
generations. The father, John Orke, and the mother, Anna Roaldsvik, are
both dead, the former having died in 1897 and the mother in 1899. They
were the parents of 11 children. The subject of this sketch, as a youth,
attended the common schools, and in 1881 was graduated with honors from
the Koppervik Normal School. In 1882 he came to America and secured
employment as teacher in a parochial school at Kenyon, Minn., while per-
fecting himself in the English language. In 1883 he entered the Brecken-
ridge Institute at Decorah, Iowa. Then in 1884, having decided to devote
his hfe to the service of the church, he took up his studies at the Augsburg
College, and in 1886 entered the Theological Seminary. Graduating in 1889,
he was ordained to the ministry by the Rev. G. Hoyme. His first charge
was at Chetek, in Barron County, this State, where he had charge of five
congregations. In 1895 he came to Pigeon Falls, taking charge of the
congregations at Pigeon Falls and Smithfield, organizing the one at White-
hall in 1899 and taking charge of the one at Independence in 1913. Of
these, the one at Pigeon Falls is the largest, having about 800 members.
Rev. Orke was married May 6, 1891, to Olga Peterson, born in Colfax, Wis.,
daughter of Peter and Olava Peterson. This union has been blessed with
seven children : Agnes 0., Mildred P., Selma, Hazel R., Hjelmar A.. Beatrice
S. and Gerhard.
The Pigeon Falls Norwegian Lutheran Congregation was organized in
1878 by Rev. C. J. Helsem, of Strum, with about 60 members, a number
which has since increased to about 830. Early services were held in the
schoolhouse for several years. In 1888 a church edifice was started and
REV. AND MRS. A. J. ORKE
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 781
in 1 893 completed. Rev. Helsem served until 1892, then Rev. M. Gulbrand-
son took charge and moved to Pigeon Falls. He was an energetic and
successful worker, and the congregation prospered. About this time Our
Saviour's Congregation was united with it, and it became a strong organ-
ization. Rev. A. J. Orke took charge in 1895. The congregation has con-
siderable valuable property. The church and cemetery are valued at $10,000.
The parsonage, built in 1892 and rebuilt and enlarged in 1907, has a value
of about $6,000. A Young People's Hall, built in 1896 and rebuilt and
enlarged in 1914, has a value of about $4,000. There is no indebtedness on
the property, and the congregation has contributed liberally to missions,
schools and different charitable institutions. There are two Ladies' Aid
Societies, a Young Ladies' Aid Society and a large and active Young Peo-
ple's Society, Sunday school and choir.
The Immanuel Norwegian Lutheran Congregation at Whitehall was
organized in 1899 by Rev. A. J. Orke, with a membership of 50, which has
since been increased to 200. The church, having a value of about $5,000,
was built in 1901. The congregation has one Ladies' Aid Society, a Sunday
school and choir.
The Independence Norwegian Lutheran Congregation was organized
in 1879, with a membership of 80, now increased to 150. The church,
valued at $5,000, was built in 1883. There is also a fine cemetery. The
congregation has supported missions and schools. The pastors have been :
Rev. H. A. Meyer, 1879-1884 ; Rev. A. Hauge, 1884-1898 ; Rev. Halbert Ras-
mussen, 1899-1913 ; Rev. A. J. Orke, 1913.
The Northfield Norwegian Lutheran Congregation at Northfield, in
Jackson County, was organized in 1889 by Rev. C. J. Helsem, of Strum, with
a membership of 50, which has since been increased to 370. The original
officials were : Knut Olson, L. Johnson, Sam. Thompson, trustees ; L. E.
Larson, secretary; C. A. Severeide, treasurer. The first pastor. Rev. Hel-
sem, served until 1892, followed by Rev. M. Gulbrandson, who in 1895 was
succeeded by Rev. A. J. Orke. In 1896, with a membership of only about
70, a church was built, having a value of $5,000. In 1914 the church was
struck by lightning and destroyed. In 1915 a larger and modern church was
built, having a value of $12,000, absolutely without indebtedness. There is
a Ladies' Aid Society and a Young People's Society, very active. The
congregation has contributed to missions, schools and different charitable
institutions.
John Manning, one of the pioneer farmers of Trempealeau Valley, who
passed away some 21 years ago, was born at Fedamore, County Limerick,
Ireland, in 1838. In 1855, when only 17 years of age, he came to the United
States, landing at New York. The next few years of his life were spent
in the Eastern States, as in 1859 he removed to Philadelphia and was
there until 1862, in which year he located in Cleveland, Ohio. It may have
been here that he heard of the opportunities for self-advancement in the
Northwestern State of Wisconsin, but however that may be, just three
days before Christmas, 1864, he made his appearance in La Crosse, Wis.,
where he spent the next six months. June 27, 1865, he arrived in Arcadia,
riding in the ox-team wagon of J. H. Gleason, who had preceded him to this
782 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
county by two years, and who furnished him transportation from La Crosse.
He had been married in Philadelphia Nov. 1, 1859, to Mary McGrath, daugh-
ter of Michael and Ellen McGrath, and she accompanied him to this new
country. After looking over the ground, Mr. Manning decided that Trem-
pealeau Valley possessed advantages of beauty, together with fertility of
soil, that made it a desirable place for settlement, and he accordingly took up
160 acres of wild Government land in section 12, township 20, range 9, and
set to work to develop a farm. Building a small log house and barn, he
began the arduous work of clearing the land. For years, while primitive
conditions lasted, he made use of ox teams, oxen being hardier than horses
and able to survive under conditions impossible for the more noble animal ;
but in time he had plenty both of horses and cattle, together with a good
basement barn, and a substantial frame house to replace his primitive
log dwelling, besides a granary, tool shed and other necessary buildings,
all of which he erected. When he died, March 19, 1895, he had cleared
and bi'oken 120 acres of his land. He was survived by his wife, who is
still living, being cared for by her daughters, Mrs. Michael Crawford and
Mrs. Manning. She is, however, in feeble health, having suffered a stroke
of paralysis in 1912 and a second stroke subsequently. Their family con-
sisted of six children: Cornehus, born in Philadelphia, Pa., Aug. 9, 1858,
who was a railway employee and was killed at New London, Wis., Dec. 9,
1890 ; Michael J., born at Philadelphia, Pa., July 6, 1861, who died at the
old home in Arcadia, June 10, 1898 ; James, born in October, 1862, at Phila-
delphia, who died in that city, July 15, 1864 ; Joseph, born at Arcadia, Wis.,
Sept. 15, 1865, who died Aug. 25, 1871 ; Ellen, born in Arcadia, Wis., Sept.
27, 1867, who is now the wife of Michael Crawford, and resides on the old
Manning farm ; and Agnes, born in Arcadia, Aug. 25, 1869, who died Aug.
15, 1871. In 1893 the daughter Ellen, with her husband, Michael Crawford,
came from their home in Superior, Wis., so that she might care for her
mother, her husband taking care of the farm, of which he is now the
manager. In politics John Manning was a Democrat, but contented him-
self with casting his vote, never seeking or holding public office. He was a
member of the Catholic church in Arcadia, to which all the family belong.
As one of the hardy pioneers of this county his memory deserves per-
petuating.
Walentine Pietrek, proprietor of a large and flourishing farm of 560
acres in section 15, Arcadia Township, was born in Posen, Germany, Feb.
9, 1863, son of Andrew and Frances (Susa) Pietrek. In 1870 the parents
came to the United States with their family, locating in section 15, Ai'cadia
Township, this county, their farm lying about four miles north of the
village. This property, which was known as the O'Rourke farm, consisted
of 200 acres and was partially improved. Here Walentine Pietrek was
brought up and trained to farm work, and here he has resided ever since,
having added 360 acres to the farm. June 6, 1890, Mr. Pietrek was mar-
ried to Barbara Sluga of Independence Township, and he and his bride set
up housekeeping on the Pietrek homestead, Andrew Pietrek and wife mov-
ing across the railroad to a location east of the old home. The father
died in 1899 and was buried at North Creek ; his wife survived him and is
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 783
still living, being now 84 years of age. In 1902 the subject of this sketch
built a modern, two-story, brick-veneer house of 10 rooms; also a frame
barn, 38 by 78 feet in dimensions. The latter burned down in 1898, but
was rebuilt the same summer. Mr. Pietrek has also built a third barn,
together with woodsheds, hog house, granary and garage, all the buildings
being substantially constructed and in good shape. He has now 350 acres
of his farm under cultivation, the balance consisting of post and timber.
The property is located on Independence road, midway between Indepen-
dence and Arcadia, just at the foot of Lewis Valley. Aside from general
farming, he is engaged in dairying, having a fine herd of 18 graded Hol-
steins, with 45 to 50 head of young cattle. His equipment is all modern
and in first class condition, and his horses and wagons the best of their
kind. Mr. Pietrek is a stockholder in the Glencoe Co-operative Creamery
Company of Arcadia. Politically he is a Democrat, but has held no public
office. He and his wife are the parents of ten children : Sophia, now Mrs.
John Gondora of North Creek, this county; Roman, unmarried, who is
employed on the Chicago & Northwestern Railway; Theresa, unmarried,
residing at home, and Paul, Andrew, Joseph, Martha, Mary, Benjamin and
Anna, all of whom reside with their parents. The family belong to St.
Michael's (Polish) Catholic church.
Louis Leterski, for many years a highly esteemed citizen of Trem-
pealeau Township, but now living retired in Winona, Minn., was born in
Butuf, Germany, Aug. 19, 1852, son of Joseph and Josephine Leterski.
When he was six years old his parents emigrated to America, accompanied
by their four children, the other three being a son, John, and two daughters,
Alice and Lena. The family landed at Ottawa, Canada, but six months
later arrived in Milwaukee, Wis., where they remained for one year. In
1859 they settled in Winona, Minn., where Joseph Leterski found employ-
ment with R. A. Foster, an egg dealer. Moving to Dodge Township, Trem-
pealeau County, in 1864, they settled on a partially improved farm in sec-
tion 18 (then Trempealeau Township) , which Mr. Leterski had previously
purchased. The buildings consisted of a log cabin and a log shed for a
barn. Twenty acres of the land were already plowed. Here the family
remained until the fall of 1889 — a period of 25 years — during which time
Mr. Leterski made many improvements on the place and increased the
acreage of tilled land. On this farm were born four more children: Mary,
Josephine, August and Joseph, who lives on the old homestead. In the
meanwhile Louis had grown to manhood. He had little chance to obtain
an advanced education, but acquired a good knowledge of agriculture in
its various branches. About 1882, when 30 years of age, he began busi-
ness for himself, buying a farm and in 1889 a store at Dodge. After con-
ducting the store for about eight years he sold it and bought a farm in
Clay County, Iowa. In the spring of 1902 he sold that farm and returned
to Wisconsin, buying the Herman Carey farm of 244 acres of improved
land in sections 29 and 30, Trempealeau Township, this county. The farm
included an orchard of seven acres and the ten-room residence now stand-
ing, and 170 acres of the land were under plow. He also repurchased his
former store at Dodge, which he sail owns. During the following summer
1^4 IIISTOKV OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Mr. Leterski built a frame barn, 32 by 60 feet in size, and in 1911 he erected
a silo of cement blocks, 12 by 38 feet inside. He continued to develop and
improve the property and it was in fine condition when, on June 22, 1914,
a cyclone passed over this region, devastating this farm and two others,
Mr. Leterski having a granary, corn crib, machine shed, three barns and
a windmill swept away. The only buildings left standing were the house
and silo. By the next day Mr. Leterski had a force of 30 men at work
repairing the damage, and by July 4 new barns had been built on the old
foundations, the other buildings being speedily restored. In the spring
of 1914, having decided to retire from active work, he turned over the
management of his farm and store to his son, Leo H., and took up his resi-
dence. May 16, at No. 626 East Sanborn street, Winona. He received the
rent of his farm from his son and is also a shareholder in the telephone
company. During his active career Mr. Leterski took a more or less active
part in public affairs. While in Dodge Township he served six terms as
assessor and five years as township treasurer. He was also chairman of
the county board two years and constable for one year. A member of the
Catholic church, he served as secretary of the church for 15 or 16 years.
Louis Leterski was married Jan. 13, 1880, to Louisa Maraszwski, who was
born in Winona, Minn., Dec. 9, 1852, daughter of Anton and Veronica
Maraszwski, her parents being natives of Germany, who came to the United
States in the fifties and were married in Winona. The father, who was a
farmer of Trempealeau County, is still living, being now 87 years of age.
To Mr. and Mrs. Leterski were born eight children, seven sons and one
daughter: Frank, Leo H., Louis, Jr., Millie, Daniel and Jerome, living, and
John and Edward, deceased.
Thomas Truog, Sr., came to America in 1856 and for several years
worked at the carpenter trade in Iowa, Tennessee, Missouri and other
southern states. During the Civil War he was employed by the govern-
ment to help in the construction of bridges in Tennessee and Kentucky.
In 1866 he located on a tract of land in Buffalo County, this state, in that
locality which is now called Glencoe. This tract of land, which consisted
of 120 acres, he grubbed and broke and brought under cultivation, erect-
ing such buildings as were necessary. In 1881 he moved to the villagi^
of Arcadia. Leaving his family there he traveled westward through the
states of Iowa, Colorado, the Dakotas and Montana, but not being favor-
ably impressed with the west he returned and bought a tract of land partly
in section 2, Arcadia Township, and partly in section 25, Lincoln Town-
ship. To this he has since added until he now has 226 acres. This tract
of land was but partially improved and the buildings thereon consisted of
a board shanty and straw shed. He developed it fully, erecting a good
home and barns. The place is located two miles south of Independence,
and commands a beautiful veiw of the surrounding hills and valleys. Here
Mr. Truog continued to reside until his death Sept. 25, 1906. He was born
in Switzerland in 1834, where he spent the first 22 years of his life. It
was there that he learned the carpenter trade. His wife, Magdalena
Keller, was born in Switzerland July 1, 1845, came to America in 1854 and
was married Sept. 1, 1866. They had ten children, four sons and six
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 785
daughters. Two sons and two daughters preceded their father in death.
Thomas, Jr., farms the home place, while the youngest son, Emil, is an
instructor in the agriculture department of the University of Wisconsin.
John A. Latsch, philanthropist, public benefactor and leading whole-
sale grocer, is a native of Trempealeau County, having been born in Latsch
Valley, Aug. 15, 1860, son of John and Anna (Buol) Latsch, the pioneers.
He left Trempealeau County with the family in 1867, and has since spent
his life in Winona. In 1874 he started working for his father in the retail
grocery business in Winona, and since 1887 he has been connected with
the large wholesale grocery firm of Latsch & Son, of which he is now the
head. A lover of the out-of-doors, Mr. Latsch has long dreamed of pre-
senting to the general public tracts of land for public recreation. Already
he had presented for public use a strip of land extending from Winona
nearly to Minneiska, along the Mississippi river, which will be used as a
game preserve and general recreation tract. He is now planning to present
Trempealeau Mountain to the state of Wisconsin. The John A. Latsch
public baths, across the Mississippi River from Winona, are another boon
to the people from Mr. Latsch's generosity. And his friends declare that
this is but the beginning of an elaborate pi-oject which he has under way
for the establishing of reserves, which will be open to the public for all
time for recreation, health and sport. Trempealeau County has benefited
directly by his benefactions, and is proud of having given birth to this
distinguished and generous citizen, whose name will be honored in grati-
tude for countless generations. As modest as he is big hearted, Mr. Latsch
shrinks from public expressions of gratitude, and lives an active life of
quiet modesty, taking his greatest delight in his business through which
he realizes the money for his gifts, and in spending his time out in the
open, enjoying those delights which he has now made possible for the
general public.
John Latsch, founder of the firm of Latsch & Son, Winona, Minn., and
the first settler in Latsch Valley, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, was
born in Wald Canton Zurich, Switzerland, March 18, 1832, and was
educated in the public schools of his native country. After completing his
schooling he was employed for about six months in the drug business at
Frankfort-on-the-Main. Later he was engaged in Paris at the Chocolet
Menier factory. He remained in Paris three years and then decided to
emigrate to America. He had heard of the wonderful opportunities in the
new country, and had planned to cross the mighty Atlantic and cast his
lot with the great republic whose form of government appealed to the
hberty-loving native of the free land of lofty mountains. Therefore, in
1854, he sailed for this country, coming by way of the Great Lakes to Green
Bay. From there he went south, determined to look the country over before
making a permanent settlement. The new country thrilled him with its
prospective enterprise, and the horizon loomed large with undeveloped
resources, while the atmosphere was vibrant with the spirit of adventure.
The wanderlust seized the Swiss youth and he went from place to place,
drinking in the strange sights of the land and seeking an opportunity for
his brain and muscle in the rich regions of the Gulf states. During his
786 IIISTOKY OF TKEMPEALEAU COUNTY
first year in America he traveled some ten thousand miles, and at last
found desirable employment in the cj^prus swamps of Louisiana cutting
timber for barrel staves. He had been at work but a few months when
he was taken down with malarial fever and was removed to a hospital in
New Orleans, where he was confined for some time. When he was con-
valescent he returned north in 1855 and located in Dakota, Winona County,
Minn. After remaining there about a year he decided to look over Trem-
pealeau County, Wisconsin, with a view to locating land, as the new country
was being rapidly settled by homeseekers from the East, and by people
from southern Wisconsin. In 1856 he pre-empted government land in
Trempealeau County, in a valley three miles northeast of Dodge. He set-
tled near a creek at the mouth of this valley, and purchased some state land
adjoining his claim, in the same county, as well as some state land in
Buffalo County. After his marriage in 1859 he continued to improve his
farm land in Trempealeau County. He also taught a few terms of school
and served for a while as justice of the peace. Feb. 27, 1864, he enlisted
in Company C, Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Infantry, was mustered in at
La Crosse, and was transferred the following spring to Company E, Twelfth
Wisconsin Infantry, in which command he participated in Sherman's
famous march to the sea. At the close of the war he was mustered out at
Louisville, Ky., and resumed farming in Trempealeau County. But in 1866
he met with an accident, which compelled him to abandon agricultural
pursuits. His foot was badly cut with a breaking plow, and the injury
left him a cripple for several years. In 1867 he moved his family to Winona
and there engaged in the retail grocery business, which he conducted until
1887, when he, T. J. Preece and John A. Latsch established the wholesale
grocery business of Preece & Latsch Company. This was the beginning
of the business which is now one of the largest of its kind in the Northwest.
In 1892 he purchased Mr. Preece's interest and the firm became Latsch &
Son. Mr. Latsch's activities were not confined to this business, which he
was instrumental in building up, but extended to other lines. For many
years and up to the time of his death he was director of the First National
Bank. He also served a term as alderman of Winona. He revisited his
native country three times — in 1873, 1882 and in 1900. Mr. Latsch was
highly esteemed by all in his wide circle of acquaintances and his death
was sincerely mourned by many. The subject of this sketch was married
in Buffalo County, Wisconsin, in 1859, to Anna Buol. Four children were
born: John A. Latsch; Nettie, who died in 1887; Emma, who died in 1873,
and Edward G. Latsch, who died in 1909. Mrs. Anna Latsch died in 1898.
In October, 1899, Mr. Latsch married Mrs. Ursula Ruedy of Bangor, Wis.,
the wedding taking place in Minneapolis. Mr. Latsch passed away May 21.
1909. An extract from a former history of Trempealeau County, regarding
Latsch Valley, is well worthy of preservation in this sketch. The history
says : From 1865 to 1870 a number of Polish and Hungarian settlers located
in the main portion of Latsch Valley, and in honor of these Hungarian
pioneers the valley was called Hungary Valley, from their native land. But
this long narrow valley that sets back from the Trempealeau River will
live in history of Latsch Valley, and the Trempealeau County Historical
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 787
Society is glad to honor the memory of a man whose life history reads like
a romance — a man who came here and used his energetic brain and capital
in wresting a part of our fertile territory from the wilderness. The wild
rough country did not discourage this Swiss youth; he was used to the
mighty Alps, and could see the great possibilities in agriculture in this
land of cozy valleys and wooded hills. With the energy characteristic of
his race he set to work and accomplished things. Others followed, and
today we can look out upon farms rich with the promise of harvest, and
if there used to be anything in the saying that a person would get hungry
wandering through Hungary Valley (on account of its length and meager
settlement), it is not true today, because there is abundance written on
every farm in this sequestered glen.
Perry Heath, proprietor of a good farm of 320 acres in section 16,
Arcadia Township, was born at Marengo, McHenry County, 111., Oct. 26,
1843, son of Joel and Margaret (Miller) Heath. His parents, who were
natives of New York state, migrated to Illinois about 1842, buying 80
acres of land at Marengo. After residing there until 1853 they moved to
La Crosse County, Wisconsin, locating not far from where the village of
Holmen now stands. Here the Heaths began farming on 160 acres of
land, for which Mr. Heath had traded his Illinois property. In 1856 they
returned to Illinois and remained three years, coming back to Wisconsin
in 1859. The father came first, however, in order to get a settlement for
the La Crosse county farm, for which it seems he had not been fully paid,
and while here was taken sick and died, his body being returned to Illinois
for burial. The widowed mother and her family then took up their resi-
dence on the La Crosse County farm, the subject of this sketch being
then 16 years old, and here she lived until her death in 1868. There were
eight children in the family : Lusetta, Oscar, Lydia Ann and Permelia, all
of whom are now deceased ; Perry, Barnabas, who is now residing at Strum,
Trempealeau County ; Emmett, deceased ; Matilda, now Mrs. Charles Hil-
liard of Fargo, N. D. Perry Heath acquired his education in the district
schools. After his father's death he remained at home with his widowed
mother until he was 22 years old, at which time he purchased 40 acres
adjoining the home farm in La Crosse County. Aug. 13, 1865, he married
Jennie Briggs, daughter of Thomas and Phoebe Briggs of La Crosse County,
and, building a house on his 40-acre farm, took his bride there and began
housekeeping. After operating his farm for about four years, in 1869
he bought 160 acres of wild land in Lewis Valley, section 16, Arcadia
Township, and built a small house on it, to which he moved his family,
then consisting of his wife and two children, in addition to himself. The
journey was made overland by horse team. Here Mr. Heath has since
remained. He has greatly improved his property, the size of which he
increased by purchasing 160 acres more, making a farm of 320 acres, 200
of which are under the plow, the balance consisting of timber land and
pasture. In 1879 he built a comfortable frame house and in 1902 a good
frame barn. In September, 1888, his first wife died. She had borne him
eight children: Lusetta, born in 1866, who is now Mrs. John Busby of
Fridley, Mont. ; Elsie, born in 1869, now Mrs. Henry Smith of Whitehall,
788 HISTORY (>F TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Wis.; Alonzo, born in 1871, who is now living in Osseo, Trempealeau
County ; Lela, born in 1874, wife of Fi-ank Horsey of Utica, Minn. ; Alvah,
born in 1876, who is deceased ; Lester, born in 1878, now living on the old
farm ; Chauncey, born in 1881, now residing in Arcadia Village, and Pearl,
born in 1885, who is the wife of Grant Smith of Roundup, Mont. March 27,
1891, Mr. Heath married for his second wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Mal-
colm and Margaret Malles of Fountain City, Wis., and of this marriage
there has been one child, Ervin, born in 1892, who is living at home.
Mr. Perry is a Republican in politics and for many years has served as
school director in his district. Aside from his own farming interests he
holds stock in the Glencoe Co-operative Creamery of Arcadia Village.
Though reared a Methodist, he is not at present a member of any
church.
Francis Asbury Goodhue in former years was one of the leading mer-
chants of Trempealeau Village, where he was highly esteemed as a man
and citizen. His father was one of those itinerant preachers of the
Methodist denomination known as "circuit riders," who had so much to
do with civilizing the frontier settlements at various stages of this coun-
try's history. Francis early learned the trades of millwright and cabinet-
maker. On Oct. 29, 1852, he married Alsina Manning, who was born in
Russeltown (now Frankfort), Canada, June 23, 1835, daughter of Abram
and Anna Manning. Abram Manning had died in 1841, when she was six
years old, and she had then come to the states, going to live with a cousin
at Moores, Clinton County, New York, which place was her home up to
the time of her marriage and for two years after that event. Her mother,
on coming to the states, located in Springfield, 111., later moving to Chicago.
Francis A. Goodhue and wife resided at Moores until 1854 and then went
to Jericho, Vt., which was his old home town. In 1856 they joined the tide
of westward emigration, locating in Trempealeau Village, Trempealeau
County, Wis., where Mr. Goodhue followed the trades of millwright and
cabinetmaker until 1862. During that time he built several mills on Black
River, near La Crosse. After 1862 he confined himself to carpenter and
cabinet work, and later entered into partnership with A. P. Ford and
opened a furniture business on Front street, Trempealeau Village. This
partnership was continued for about four years, at the end of which time
Mr. Goodhue sold his interest in the business to Mr. Ford. He then opened
a book and stationery store, and though burned out in the "big fire" he
reopened the store and continued in the business until 1888, when his
health failed. On June 29, 1900, he passed away and was buried in the
family lot in Trempealeau Cemetery. Mr. Goodhue was an active and
useful member of the Congregational church, which he had joined in his
youth, serving it as deacon for a number of years and taking a leading
part in all its affairs. He was also warmly interested in the growth and
development of the village, which he could remember in its early stages,
as he had often killed bear and deer immediately in front of where the
family residence now stands. His aid and influence as a business man and
well-to-do citizen were always to be depended upon on behalf of any feasible
project for the public good. His life was unselfish and there were few
HflfflSUfJIp^
LONE MOUND FARM; WILLIAM NICHOLLS, PEOPRIETOE
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 789
men in.Trempealeau, if any, who were more highly esteemed or whose loss
was more deeply regretted. Mrs. Goodhue was a member of the Congrega-
tional church, to which her husband belonged, almost since its organization.
She and her husband were the parents of six children : Sarah Eunice, who
died in infancy; Edwin Francis, Elbert Newton, Beard, Alletta D. and a
babe, unnamed, that died in infancy. Edwin F., who was in the railway
mail service for a number of years, is now living in Helena, Mont., being
retired from active work. Elbert N., who was for a tiinc editor of the
Trempealeau Herald and for 18 years district court stenographer in Winona,
Wabash and Rochester, Minn., died in Winona, Jan. 10, 1916, and is buried
in Trempealeau Cemetery. Beard, also deceased, is buried there. Alletta,
who is editor and proprietor of the Trempealeau Herald, resides at home
with her mother.
Alletta Dixon Goodhue, editor and proprietor of the Trempealeau
Herald, is a native of this village. She received a high school education,
which was supplemented by instruction in painting and music. After-
wards she became identified with the business interests of the town in the
book and stationery line, in which she has since continued. Later she
entered the field of journalism by purchasing the Herald from her brother.
While others sought new and, as they thought, more promising fields else-
where, she has remained in her home town, and now has the satisfaction
of knowing that she has been fully as successful as most of those who
have tried other locations. In its infancy the Herald was published under
a leased roof, as are most of the papers in the county today, but is now
issued every week from its own building and is operated on a paying basis.
This happy result has been achieved by devotion to clean journalism and
close attention to business on the part of its proprietor, who not only edits
the paper and attends to its business management, but also superintends
its mechanical production, and, if necessary, can set type and get out the
paper alone. By reason of her artistic ability she can also illustrate local
or general events, doing all the work herself. The Herald is Republican
in politics and is on the high road to prosperity.
William Nicholls, Sr., a pioneer, was born in Kingsbridge, Devonshire,
England, June 11, 1824, and was there reared and educated. He came to
America in 1848, and lived two years in Montreal and Quebec, before locat-
ing in Whitewater, Wis. From there, in 1851, he came to Trempealeau,
and homesteaded ,145 acres in section 36, Caledonia township, about one
mile and a half east of Trempealeau village. There he built a shanty and
started to develop a farm. As time passed he achieved prosperity, and
became one of the leading men in the community. For many years he
did most admirable service as a member of the town board, and he also
occupied other positions of public honor and private trust. He continued
in active work until he reached the age of 70 years, when he had the mis-
fortune to fall and break his hip. J'rom that time he was able to do but
little work. After a long life filled with worthy endeavor, he died Novem-
ber 11, 1910. Mr. Nicholls was married July 9, 1863, to Charlotte Dun-
ham, then of Trempealeau Village, who was born in New Haven, Vermont,
Feb. 17, 1833, and came to Wisconsin with her parents. Mr. and Mrs.
790 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Nicholls were the parents of three children: One who died in infancy;
William, who was born July 18, 1870, and is now a prominent man of
Trempealeau, and Nellie, who was born Sept. 24, 1874, and is now the
wife of C. H. Growt of Trempealeau.
William Nicholls, one of the leading agriculturists of Trempealeau
County, carries on farming operations in Caledonia Township, not far from
Trempealeau Village, and has as good a farm as is to be found in this
region. Bom on the homestead of his parents, William and Charlotte
(Dunham) Nicholls, July 7. 1870, he has spent his life on the home place,
and has established for himself an excellent reputation among his fellow
men. Until 12 years of age he attended the school of district 3, near his
home, then he entered the Trempealeau schools, and was graduated from
the high school there at the age of 17 years. During the winter of 1887-88
he was a student in the agricultural department of the University of
Wisconsin, at the time when that department was still in its infancy.
With this preparation he took over the active management of the home
place, and here he has since remained. This he has improved in every
way, adding to its value year by year through careful cultivation, build-
ing operations, fence construction, and the purchase of tools, implements
and machinery. The original home has been remodelled until it is a large
commodious structure, modern in many ways, and well furnished through-
out. Three new barns, 28 by 64 feet, 40 by 72 feet, 20 by 46 feet, a swine
house, 20 by 46 feet, and many other buildings have been constructed. To
the original tract he has added 255 acres, and now has a place of 400 acres,
150 acres of which are under the plow, and 250 acres in pasture, hay and
woodland. The cattle on the place are Guernseys, his herd containing
about 60 head. From this herd he secures some 15,000 quarts of cream
annually, which is shipped to Winona and sold at retail. His cattle are
widely known and are shipped from coast to coast. In addition to stock
raising and dairying he specializes in pure blood Chester White swine. He
likewise successfully carries on general farming. Mr. Nicholls is a public-
spirited citizen, and while not actively interested in political affairs, has
consented to serve for several terms as a member of the town and school
board. He helped to organize the Citizens State Bank of Trempealeau,
and has been its president since 1912. He is a stockholder as well in the
Western Wisconsin Telephone Company, the Trempealeau Lime Products
Company, the Galesville Creamery and other organizations. In the Con-
gregational chuixh, of which he and his family are all members and active
workers, he is a trustee. His fraternal relations are with the Masonic
order, the Eastern Star, the Modern Woodmen and the Independent For-
esters, in all of which local lodges he has held office. Mr. Nicholls was
married June 22, 1893, to Elizabeth Carr, daughter of Thomas and Regina
Carr, of De Soto, Wis., and born in Winona, March 1, 1872. Mr. and Mrs.
Nicholls have had three children: Auline, WiUiam Carroll and Charlotte
Elizabeth. Auline was born March 25, 1895, graduated from the Trem-
pealeau high school and the La Crosse normal school and is now a teacher.
William Carroll was born May 13, 1897, gi'aduated from the Trempealeau
high school, and is at home with his parents, assisting with the work of
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 791
the farm. Charlotte Elizabeth was born June 12, 1901, and is still attend-
ing school.
Peter Johnson, who is successfully farming 160 acres of land in sec-
tion 15, Gale Township, his place being known as Rolling Prairie Farm,
was born in Toten, Norway, April 3, 1880. His parents, Johanas and
Josephena (Christensen) Johnson, natives of Norway, are both living, the
father being a stone mason by occupation. Peter Johnson was the fourth
born in a family of eight children. He began to work when he was 12 years
old and remained in his native land until 1908, when he came to the United
States, locating in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin. He was at this time
ignorant of the English language, but applied himself to learn it as speedily
as possible, and with good success. After arriving in the county he found
employment with Mr. Hardie, with whom he remained about 18 months.
Then, ambitious to be his own master, and have chances for advancement
which he could never have working for others, he rented his present farm
and began agriculture on his own account. Not long afterwards he pur-
chased the farm, consisting of 160 acres, and is now engaged in operating
it, doing general farming, including stock raising and dairying. He is
gradually improving the place and is doing a profitable business. Mr.
Johnson was married in Norway in 1899 to Hannah Evenson, who was
born in Vordval, Norway, daughter of Even and Eliza Evenson. Her parents
came to the United States many years ago, settling near Deer Park, St.
Croix County, Wis., where they followed farming. Both are now deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have five children : John, Alfred, Ingvald, Paul and
Hannah, all residing at home. With the thrift and energy characteristic
of most Scandinavian people, Mr. Johnson has made good progress since
coming to this country, and with good health and prolonged life he can
hardly fail of further self-advancement.
Andrew J. Klundby, who is engaged in farming in section 26, Gale
Township, was born in Biri, Norway, April 24, 1861, son of Jens and
Martha (Nelson) Klundby, both parents being natives of the same place.
They came to the United States at some time between 1886 and 1888,
locating on a farm in Jackson County, Wisconsin, where Jens Klundby died
about 1904 and his wife in 1914. They had a family of nine childi-en,
Andrew J. being the fourth born. Andrew J. Klundby acquired his educa-
tion in his native land, where he resided until he was about 19 years of
age. Then, in 1880, he came to this country, and from that time until
his marriage in 1895, he made his home with John Johnson in Gale Town-
ship. Oct. 31, 1895, he married Bertha Johnson, who was born in Gale
Township, daughter of Hans and Gulena Johnson, her parents being natives
of Norway, who came to America in the early seventies. They located
first on Half Way Creek, in this township, but afterwards moved to Hardie's
Creek Valley, where Hans Johnson followed farming, and where he still
resides, though now retired from active work. His wife died in the fall
of 1916. They had a family of five children. At the time of his marriage
Mr. Klundby moved onto a farm in Skunk Coolie, near the Grant school
house, where he was engaged in agriculture for eight years. He then came
to his present farm, which contains 80 acres of land in one piece, while he
792 HISTORY (W tre:\ipealeau county
has 20 acres more across Black River in La Crosse County. His buildings
are modern and substantial and his farm is equipped with all necessary
machinery and implements. Mr. Klundby carries on general farming and
dairying and devotes all his time to his business, having taken no part
in local politics. He and his wife have had two children : Ella, who resides
at home, and Nels, who died at the age of 12 years.
Alexander B. Flemington, who for many years was a leading farmer
of Trempealeau Township, was born in Renfrewshire, Scotland, May 31,
1826, son of James and Mary (Dove) Flemington. He was descended from
an honorable and worthy ancestry. His parents had but two children, he
being the younger, and the elder being a sister. In 1842 he came to
America to establish a home for his family and first located in Rhode
Island. The following summer he traveled west as far as Michigan and
finally made a settlement in East Greenwich, R. I. In 1844 the father was
followed to the new country by his wife and son, with whom he went
in the following year to Taunton, Mass., where, being an engine driver
by occupation, he found employment running an engine for a manufactur-
ing company. The parents came to Trempealeau County to join their son,
but after remaining one year they returned to Rhode Island, where they
subsequently remained until their death. Alexander B. Flemington was
about 18 years of age when he came to America with his parents. He
worked in the muslin de laine print works at Taunton, Mass., and then
returned to East Greenwich, R. I., going thence to Southbridge, Mass.,
where also he was employed in the print works. In 1848 he came west
to Milwaukee, where he remained five years and during that time learned
the trade of carriage making. He was married in that city Aug. 20, 1851,
to Mary Taylor and subsequently removed to Walworth County and
engaged in wagon making. In 1855 he came to Trempealeau County and
engaged in agricultural pursuits. Here his death occurred in July, 1911.
For the last eight years of his life he had been a widower, his wife having
passed away in May, 1903. Their children were : Alexander D., Elizabeth
F., Jessie, Allen J., Andrew F., Mary and Ada. Alexander D. took a course
of instruction at the high school of Trempealeau, and also a literary course
at the Wisconsin State University. He was also for some time teacher
in the intermediate department of the Ti'empealeau school and went thence
to Whitehall, where he was principal for one year. He studied law with
Judge Newman and was graduated from the law department of the State
University of Wisconsin. In July, 1874, he located in Ellendale, Dakota,
and was there honored by being chosen a delegate for circuit judge. Eliza-
beth F. is the widow of Louis Tatro and resides at Thompson Falls, Mont.
Jessie is now Mrs. George Cummings. Allen J. resides at Finlayson, Minn.
Andrew J. is deceased. Mary is now Mrs. William Suttie of Trempealeau
County, Wis. Ada, who is now deceased, was the wife of WiUiam Walker.
Willis W. Suttie, a well known member of the agricultural community
in Caledonia Township, whose farm — the old Suttie homestead — is located
.in section 8, was born on this homestead Nov. 24, 1866, son of William J.
and Eliza (Weston) Suttie. The birth of William J. Suttie took place near
Edinburgh, Scotland, Nov. 11, 1834, and eighteen months later, in the
HISTORY OP" TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 793
spring of 1838, he accompanied his parents to the United States. Settling
first in New York state, they remained there until 1841 and then removed
to a location near Ypsilanti, Mich., which was the home of the family until
1856. Then, following the stream of western emigration, they continued
onward until in that year they arrived in Caledonia Township, Trempealeau
County, Wisconsin, taking land in section 9. Wilham J. was by this time
22 years old and was of material assistance to his father in the hard pioneer
work which fell to their lot in this then wild country. About three years
later, in 1859, he felt prosperous enough to marry and chose for his wife
Eliza J. Weston, daughter of Jesse and Hester Weston, who resided near
Ypsilanti, Mich. Of this union were born Charles A., EUiva and Willard
and Wilhs (twins). Chai'les now lives at Lake Forest, 111.; Willard at
Glasgow, Wis., near North Bend, and Elliva is the wife of Philip Kribs,
residing in West Prairie, Ti-empealeau Township, near Centerville. The
first of the two parents to pass away was the mother, her death occurring
May 22, 1873. Her husband survived her 13 years, dying in 1886. Willis
W. Suttie was educated in the district school, which he attended during
the winters only after he was 14 years old. At 18 he became a pupil in
the grade school at Galesville, Wis., but attended only one term. On Dec.
16, 1890, he was married at La Crosse by the Rev. J. W. Winder, pastor
of the Presbyterian church, to Mary, daughter of Alexander and Mary
(Taylor) Flemington of Trempealeau Township, and began housekeeping
on the homestead in Caledonia Township, of which he is now the owner.
It consists of 100 acres, of which he has 80 acres under the plow and
20 in pastui-e. His buildings include a two-story house, upright and wing ;
two good barns, a corn house, a machine shed, a milk house and a silo of
100 tons capacity, the buildings being all painted and in good condition.
Mr. Suttie is engaged in general farming and keeps only grade stock. He
has attended every fair held at Galesville during his life, taking a par-
ticular interest in everything relating to his business. He and his wife
have been the parents of six children, whose record in brief is as follows :
Donald A., born Jan. 5, 1893, is unmarried and is renting a farm near
Trempealeau Village. Ada F., born April 11, 1894, is a graduate of the
Galesville high school, class of 1913, and of the La Crosse Normal School,
class of 1916, and is now engaged in teaching grades three and four in
the schools of Norwalk, Wis. John A., born Aug. 11, 1898, died in infancy.
Floyd W., born May 10, 1900, resides on the farm and is assisting his
father. Lawrence, born Oct. 8, 1901, is helping on the farm. Cedric A.,
born Oct. 1, 1903, is a student living at home. In politics Mr. Suttie is
independent. He has served one term on the district school board, but has
not otherwise been politically active.
George W. Knutson. One of the best and most highly improved farms
in Lincoln Township is that of George W. Knutson, in section 36, and which
contains 232 acres of good fertile land. Mr. Knutson was born in West
Salem, La Crosse County, Wis., May 20, 1873, son of Even Knutson and
his wife, Mary Anderson Knutson. The father was a native of Norway,
who came to America in 1870, locating at West Salem, where he farmed
until 1903, subsequently removing to Holmen, La Crosse County, where
794 HISTORY OF TKE.AIPEALEAU COUNTY
he died in 1913 at the age of 68 years. His wife, now 73 years old, is now
residing in Holmen. George W. Knutson remained on the home farm
until reaching the age of 16 years. He then went to work on the farm of
James McEldowney at West Salem and was employed there for 14 years,
only taking one week off in all that time, which was when he visited the
World's Fair at Chicago in 1893. At the end of that period he rented
Mr. McEldowney's farm and operated it on his own account for 15 years
with profitable results. Being now ready to purchase a farm of his own,
he selected that which he now owns and operates, and has since resided
here. The residence is a good frame structure of 10 rooms, with furnace
heat, bath, electric light and other modern conveniences. Mr. Knutson
owns his own electric light plant by which his other buildings are simi-
larly illuminated. In 1915 he rebuilt his barn, which is now a substantial
frame structure, with cement block basement and cement floor, in size
32 by 108 by 20 feet. It is provided with Louden stanchions and litter car-
rier. In the same year he built a cement block silo, 16 by 35 feet. Among
his other buildings are a good machine shed — a frame building 24 by 80
feet and an ice house and milk house combined, 15 by 24 by 12 feet. The
farm includes an orchard of two acres. Mr. Knutson at this time keeps
about 60 head of Holstein cattle, 20 being registered, and milks 30 cows.
Of Duroc-Jersey hogs he feeds 200 a year. In his farming operations he
follows the three years' rotation plan, planting corn and clover. As a
farmer he has been highly successful, a result due to his thorough training
in early life and his habits of industry and intelligent application to his
self-appointed tasks. Mr. Knutson was married Nov. 1, 1900, to Mary
Anderson of West Salem, who was born in Sweden. He and his wife have
six children : Raymond, LaVerne, Margaret, Clarence, May and Glen.
Haines Brothers. — Five miles south of Arcadia Village, in section 15,
Arcadia Township, lies one of the best farms in Trempealeau County. Its
proprietors, John and Adam Haines, are sons of Christian C. and Margaret
Haines, who came to Bill's Valley, Arcadia Township, about the close of
the Civil War, their former home having been in New York state. Both
John and Adam Haines were born in Bill's Valley, the former Oct. 26, 1867,
the latter March 2, 1872. They were early trained in everything pertain-
ing to agricultural work and dairying, and the farm of 372 acres which
they bought from their father is a well productive farm. It was partially
improved since that time; on it stood a small house and a small barn. In
1895 they entered into a partnership to carry on the farm and since then
have made numerous valuable improvements, among them a large two-
story brick house, well supplied with running water and electricity
throughout the barn and house. They erected in 1901 a full basement
barn, 34 by 64 by 16 feet, above the basement. They have also built a
machine shed, 20 by 50 feet, and other necessary buildings. Carrying on
general fai'ming and dairying, they keep a number of cows and horses.
Adam Haines was united in matrimony Nov. 5, 1895, to Elizabeth Pam-
puch, daughter of a prosperous farmer near Arcadia. . They have nine
children, whose names with dates of birth are: Clarence, born Oct. 15,
1896 (died in June, 1899) ; Mathilda L., March 17, 1898; Delia I., Dec. 18,
HlfiTdRV OF TREMPEALEATT COUNTY 795
1901; Clara A., Dec. 13, 1902; Ervine, Oct. 2, 1904; Gilbert C, Dec. 16,
1906; Amanda E., Nov. 8, 1908; Benzell, Feb. 7, 1912, and Eugene, Nov.
30, 1917. All except Clarence are living and are yet in district, parochial
and high school, but will latter attend higher institutions. John and
Adam Haines are patriotic American citizens, who are very active in the
district, the father for some years was a member of the school board.
They are also stockholders in the Arcadia Co-operative Creamery, John
also holding stock in the Arcadia Bank and Adam Haines owns property
in town. They were reared as German Catholics and are members of
the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at Arcadia.
Thomas Truog, Jr., is a native of this vicinity, having been born in
Glencoe, Buffalo County, two miles west of Arcadia Village, Jan. 3, 1872,
son of Thomas Truog, Sr. He attended school in the neighborhood of his
home and in Arcadia Village, and as a youth went to Minnesota and worked
on farms in Lewiston and Kasson. At the age of 21 he went to Devils
Lake, North Dakota, and there lived a year. Upon returning to Wisconsin
he and his brother John rented the farm which his parents had acquired
in section 1, Arcadia Township, and section 25, Lincoln Township. A year
later he took charge of the farm alone. From 1896 to 1904 he lived in
Independence, at the end of which period he again returned to the home
farm, which he rented for several years. In 1915, with his brother Emil,
a professor in the agricultural department of the University of Wisconsin,
he purchased the place from the other heirs, and has since continued to
reside thereon. Here he carries on general farming and dairying along
the latest approved methods, and makes a specialty of breeding registered
Guernsey cattle. The buildings are a feature of the place. The home is
roomy and comfortable, the barn is a large frame structure, 36 by 122 feet,
with full basement, cement floors. West Bend stanchions, box stalls, and
all other modern equipment. The tile silo has a capacity of 155 tons, and
the tile ice house is a valuable adjunct to the dairying activities on the
place. The farm is unusually well provided with tools, implements,
machinery and other supplies. The plow land consists of some 180 acres,
while about fifty acres are in pasture and timber. An experienced, well-
read farmer himself, Mr. Truog has the advantage of his brother's advice,
and the farm is one of the model places of the county. A thorough friend
of the cause of education, Mr. Truog has done good service on the school
board for the past twelve years. His fraternal afliliation is with the
Modern Woodmen of America. April 28, 1897, Mr. Truog was married to
Maggie, the daughter of Paul and Martha Bautch of Wickham Valley,
Arcadia township, and this union has been blessed with seven children:
Mabel, born Dec. 26, 1898; Edith, born Oct. 1, 1901; Lloyd, born May 7,
1904 ; Murel, born Jan. 26, 1907 ; Blanche, born June 29, 1909 ; Laura, born
Jan. 10, 1911; and Wesley, born Dec. 26, 1913.
Christ and Edward Halverson, two brothers who own and operate
a fine farm in Norway Coulie, Arcadia Township, were born in this valley,
Christ June 13, 1875, and Edward March 22, 1881. They are the sons
of German and Jennie Halverson, both of whom were born in Norway, the
father in December, 1842, and the mother in October, 1844. German and
796 HISTOKV OK TREMPEALEAU COUXTY
Jennie Halverson came to America in 1864, locating first in Dane County,
Wisconsin, where they resided one year. Arriving in Trempealeau County
in 1865, Mr. Halverson homesteaded 160 acres of w-ild land in Norway
Coulie, Arcadia Township, it being situated in sections 13 and 24. The
first residence of the family here was a dugout in the side of a hill, and
it was in this humble dwelling that their first child, Ella, was born. Later
on Mr. Halverson built a frame house, one and a half stories high, with
upright and wing, which building is now standing, being occupied as a
dwelling by the subjects of this sketch. He also built a frame barn, which,
though delapidated, is still standing. In 1900 the property came into
possession of Christ and Edward Halvei'son, and nine years later the
father died. His wife is still living with her two sons, the joint proprietors
of the farm, but since 1915 has been an invalid. She is now 71 years of
age. The two brothers have built a frame barn with hip roof, 24 by 67 by
16 feet, together with machine sheds, granary, hog house and poultry
house, corn cribs and all necessary buildings, which are kept in first class
condition. They carry on general farming and dairying, having at this
time 50 head of cattle, with hogs, horses and poultry. They are stock-
holders in the Arcadia Shipping Association, the Arcadia Co-operative
Creamery and the Farmers Telephone Company. Their religious aflilia-
tions are with Norway Coulie Lutheran church, of which their parents
were among the founders. Edward Halverson was married June 21, 1913,
to Carrie, daughter of Ole and Helena Olson of Norway, she coming to
Amei'ica alone in 1911. They have one child, Josie, now three years of
age. The brothers and sisters of Christ and Edward Halverson are as
follows: Ella, born in 1867, who is now Mrs. Carl Haagen of Fosston,
Minn.; Ole G., born in 1869, who is a farmer at Big Tamarack. Arcadia
Township; Halvor, born in 1871, and now living at Valley City, N. D. ;
Maline, born in 1872, now Mrs. Jens Lee of Valley City, N. D. ; Mary, born
in 1876, now the wife of Carl Lee of Valley City, N. D. ; Minnie, born in
1878, who is the wife of Louis Nelson of Koba, N. D. ; Julius, born in 1883,
whose present whereabouts is unknown, and Julia, born in 1885, who is
now Mrs. Oscar Olson, now of Valley City, N. D. The Halverson farm lies
in one of the most beautiful coulies of Trempealeau County. The land is
very rolling but fertile, and the labors of the two brothers, Christ and
Edward, have greatly increased its value.
G. C. Nelson, who is successfully engaged in general farming and dairy-
ing in section 3, Arcadia Township, was born in Norway March 27, 1865,
a son of Christ B. and Maria Nelson. When he was three years old his
father came to America, homesteading 160 acres of land in Newcomb
Valley, Arcadia, this county. A year later the father sent for his family
to join him, which they did, and for many years thereafter were industrious
members of the farming community in Arcadia Township. Christ B.
Nelson is still living, though now much advanced in years. His wife died
in 1915 at the venerable age of 96. G. C. Nelson resided with his parents
until he was about 30 years of age. In 1894 he married Anna M. Olsen,
daughter of Andrew and Caroline Olsen of Arcadia Township. He now
conducts the Olsen farm, doing general farming and dairying, which Indus-
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 797
tries he carries on successfully. In 1907 he bought 64 acres of land in
North Dakota, near Sentinel Butte, and removed to that place with his
family. He returned with them, however, in 1911, though he still owns
the Dakota property, and is also a stockholder in the Farmers Co-opera-
tive Elevator Company of Sentinel Butte. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have had
four children of their own, and have an adopted daughter. Hazel, born
Dec. 5, 1906. Their own children were : Aymaar, born July 9, 1895, who
is a graduate of the Arcadia high school, and is financially interested with
his father in the North Dakota farm; Ernest D., born March 13, 1897,
also a graduate of Arcadia high school, who is now a student at Wisconsin
University at Madison, and Henry and Spencer, born in 1901, who died,
one when ten months and the other when 11 months old. In politics Mr.
Nelson is a Democrat. He served as township assessor one term and as
township treasurer two terms. Since 1904 he has belonged to the Order
of Beavers at Arcadia. Religiously he was reared a Lutheran.
William C. Thompson, who owns and operates a farm of 187 acres
in section 6, Pi'eston Township, was born in this township, Nov. 29, 1869,
son of William and Laura (Hine) Thompson. He was reared to agricul-
tural pursuits and worked on the home farm until his marriage Dec. 26,
1912. to Emma Kremers, daughter of Wilham and Bertha (Joerris)
Kremers. Her father was a native of Germany, who came to Trem-
pealeau County in 1881 and was engaged in farming in Preston Township
until his death, which occurred March 26, 1901. Mrs. Bertha Kremers,
who was born in Germany May 22, 1839, is now Hving in Whitehall, this
county. There were three children in the family: Lydia, who graduated
from the Winona Normal School and is now a teacher; Carl C, now a
retired farmer, and Emma, wife of William C. Thompson. Mrs. Thompson
was born in Manitowoc, Wis., Oct. 25, 1873. She acquired a good education,
graduating from Stevens Point Normal School in 1904. She, however,
taught school previous to that, as she followed that occupation 15 years
in all, including five years in the Whitehall schools as teacher in the fifth
and sixth grades. At the time of his marriage Mr. Thompson rented the
Kremers farm and operated it until the following year, 1913, when he
purchased his present farm from his father. He keeps Shorthorn cattle,
having now 35 head, of which he milks 12 ; he also raises Chester White
hogs and Rhode Island Red chickens. In 1915 he erected his substantial
frame barn 40 by 80 by 12 feet in dimensions, with basement and concrete
floor, well provided with modern equipment. As an enterprising and suc-
cessful farmer he is well known in Preston Township and his family hold a
respected place in the community. They are affiliated religiously with the
Presbyterian church.
William P. Mailer, D. D, S,, who has been engaged in the practice
of dentistry in Galesville, Wis., for the last 18 years, was born in Edin-
burgh, Scotland, April 8, 1869, son of John and Joan (Peddle) Mailer. His
parents were born in the same locality, the father Nov. 26, 1842, and the
mother Oct. 29, 1843. John Mailer, who was a master mechanic, came to
the United States with his family in 1871. locating in Buffalo County,
Wisconsin, where until 1887 he followed the occupation of machinist,
798 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
working on his own account, though without having a regular estabhsh-
ment. He then entered the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Northern,
now a part of the "Burlington" system, and continued with that road until
1893, when he went to Winona. There he was master mechanic for the
Winona & Western Railway until that road was sold, when he went to
Scanlon, Minn., and became master mechanic for the Minnesota & North-
ern. About 1898 he went to Ft. Smith, Ark., where he was master
mechanic for the Ft. Smith & Western road. In 1907 he retired and took
up his residence in La Crosse, where he was elected alderman and served
in other local office. Two years later he moved to Onalaska, Wis., where
he died July 17, 1913. His wife died in Onalaska, July 13, 1916. WiUiam
P. Mailer was one of the eldest children in a family of 13. He attended
school in Buffalo County and in La Crosse County, Wis., and when 14 years
old was employed on the Chippewa River at logging. One year later he
taught school in Buffalo County one term, then returned to logging, in
which occupation he continued until 1887. He then took a course in the
pharmacy department of the University of Wisconsin, with which prepara-
tion he obtained a position as drug clerk in La Crosse and was thus
engaged until 1890. Subsequently entering the American Dental College
at Chicago he was graduated from that institution in the class of 1892,
and began the practice of his profession in St. Paul, where he remained
about four years. From there he went to Durand, Wis., where he continued
in practice for a while, but on account of an injury to his hand went back to
the drug business at Pepin, Wis. In 1898 he returned to his profession,
practicing in Winona, Minn., a short time, and coming to Galesville in
March, 1899. Here he has since remained, having built up a good clientele
and become known all over the county as a skillful and reliable dentist. He
is also a stockholder in the Bank of Galesville and has other interests in
the village, besides owning his own residence. Dr. Mailer was married
Sept. 20, 1897, to Sarah A. Perry, who was born in St. Paul, Minn., daughter
of William Perry, a coal and fuel merchant. Both parents are now
deceased. Mrs. Sarah A. Mailer died July 9, 1906, leaving no children.
Dr. Mailer married for his second wife, July 22, 1908, Saidel Lee, who was
born at Stevens Point, Wis-. Of this marriage there are two children,
Ann P. and Jean. In politics a Republican, Dr. Mailer has held various
local offices, and is at present serving as alderman and as secretary of
the board of education. He and his family attend the Presbyterian church.
The Doctor's fraternal society affiliations are with the Blue lodge of Masons
at Galesville, of which he is treasurer; the Eastern Star lodge, of which
he is worthy patron ; the Chapter and Commandery at La Crosse, and the
Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the county, state and national
dental associations. He attends the Presbyterian church.
Adam Smith, a well known and respected resident of Galesville, was
born in Scotland, Oct. 16, 1842. He came to America with his parents
in 1855, locating with them in Maryland, where his father worked in the
coal mines one year. In 1856 they came to Jackson County, Wisconsin,
where Adam Smith was married, July 18, 1865, to Jane D. Love. She was
born in Scotland July 29, 1846, and came to this country with her parents
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 799
in 1849, they also locating in Maryland, where her father became a fore-
man in the coal mines. The Love family came to Jackson County in 1864.
Following agriculture in Jackson County until 1893, Adam Smith then
came with his family to Trempealeau County, purchasing a farm of 120
acres in section 17, Gale Township. Later he added to this a 20-acre tract
of timber land, thus enlarging his property to 140 acres. This farm he
operated until 1908, when he retired, renting it to his son, Edward D., and
he and his wife taking up their residence in Galesville. They were the
parents of eight children : John Thomas, a ranchman at Panhandle, Texas ;
Arthur Love of Keokuk, Iowa; James W., deceased; William James, a
farmer of Caledonia Township, this county; Margaret Clark, now Mrs.
Hugh Baird of Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, her husband being a contractor ;
Janet Minus, wife of Milton Butman, a farmer of Gale Township, Trem-
pealeau County; Edward D., residing on the old farm in Gale Township,
and Flora Elizabeth, now Mrs. John Twesme of Galesville.
Edward D. Smith, who is engaged in operating a stock farm of 120
acres in section 17, Gale Township, was born near Melrose, Jackson County,
Nov. 1, 1884, son of Adam and Jane D. (Love) Smith. He acquired his
education in the district schools of Gale Township and his industrial train-
ing on his father's farm, where he obtained a good knowledge of agricul-
ture. At the age of 22 years, being still a single man, he rented the home
farm of 120 acres and has since operated it continuously as a stock farm,
breeding Jersey cattle, and also keeping a number of high class horses.
He is also a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing Company and in the
Industrial Harvester Company at Piano, 111. Mr. Smith was married
June 3, 1913, to Bertha Nordstrum, who was born in Jackson County,
near North Bend, Wis., daughter of Carl and Bertha (Olson) Nordstrum.
Her parents were married in the United States, the father being a native
of Sweden and the mother of Norway. Carl Nordstrum learned the car-
penter's trade early in life and followed it for many years, also devoting
some time to agriculture. He is still actively engaged in the vicinity of
North Bend. His wife died 13 years ago. Their daughter Bertha, who
was the youngest of five children, was educated in Jackson County. Mr.
and Mrs. Smith are the parents of one child, Leolah Dorine. Mr. Smith
is affihated in membership with the Modern Woodmen of America and the
Beavers. He attends the Presbyterian church, though not a member, and
in politics is independent. He is doing a profitable business in stock rais-
ing and is well to do.
Clarence J. Van Tassel, civil engineer, is having an important part in
the road work which is giving to Trempealeau County its justly-famed
system of public highways. The new roads over some of the most difficult
ridges in the county owe their location and grades to his skill, and his
efficiency is highly praised throughout the state, being in constant demand
over a wide territory. His work in locating the route of the new Ettrick
& Northern Railroad has permanently established his record among the
successful engineers of the state. Mr. Van Tassel is a native of this county,
having been born in Hale Township, July 5, 1879, son of James and Clara
(Wegner) Van Tassel. James Van Tassel was born in Kenosha, Wis., came
800 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
to Trempealeau County with his parents in 1863, married Clara Wegner,
and devoted the remainder of his life to agricultural pursuits, dying in
1898, since which time his wife had made her home in a comfortable resi-
dence in Whitehall. Clarence J. Van Tassel was I'eared to farm pursuits
and received a solid foundation for an education which he has since sup-
plemented by wide reading and close observation. For several years he
was a teacher, after which he was a successful photographer. But he
was a man of resource and ambition, and determining to become a pro-
fessional man he took up the study of civil engineering at home, and found
it not only to be an occupation which he found congenial, but one for which
he had great natural aptitude. He devoted a part of his time to this
profession for several years, and in 1912 adopted it as his life work.
For several terms he has been county surveyor. A popular genial man of
many friends, Mr. Van Tassel has allied himself with the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, in the local lodge of which he has passed through
all the chaii's. Mr. Van Tassel was married Nov. 1, 1899, to Anna Stanley
of Onalaska, Wis., daughter of Lyman and Diana Stanley, a former school
teacher, and a gracious lady of manj^ accomplishments. Their pleasant
and hospitable home is blessed with the presence of four children: Thur-
man, Howard, Gerald and Olive. The family has a wide circle of friends
and is highly regarded and respected.
Rudolph and Henry Kube, who are prosperously engaged in farming
in section 17, Arcadia Township, are sons of Gustave and Ernestine Kube,
and were born, Rudolph in Arcadia Township May 1, 1887, and Henry in
Arcadia Township Oct. 28, 1893. Their parents came to America from
Germany in 1883. locating first in West Salem, 111., where they remained
nine months, and then coming to Arcadia Township, this county, where
they purchased 80 acres of land from John G. Greiner. There were some
improvements on it, but none very important, a one-room house with a
log barn and granary being the only buildings. Water had to be carried
or hauled for about a mile, but after a few years a 340-foot well and steel
windmill were put in. Whenever time and money would permit land was
bought adjoining the 80 acres until the farm now contains 396 acres. A
quarry of hmestone was also opened and is today one of the finest in the
county, being operated by steam and drill. The father and mother had
built a commodious two-story brick upright to the house, a basement
barn, 36 by 96 feet, and a machine shed and granary. The sons have
since added a poultry house, 16 by 36 feet, and a silo. Mrs. Kube was
born May 30, 1850, in Rohrsdorf, Province of Pommern, Germany, and
, died July 15, 1912, in this township. Mr. Kube was born Sept. 13, 1849,
in Gebersdorf, Province of Pommern, Germany. They were married Nov.
28, 1878, in Rohrsdorf, at the Lutheran church, with which church the
family is affiliated. Nine children were born of this union, namely: Julius,
Frederick, Martha, Gustave, Rudolph, Ida, William, Henry and Edward,
the last mentioned of whom died in infancy. All are engaged in farm-
ing in this township, with the exception of William, who is operating a
farm at Alma Center, Wis., and Martha, who is now Mrs. Percy T. Veto of
Sanish, N. D., also living on a claim. Their father sold the old home Dec.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 801
15, 1913, to the two sons, Rudolph and Henry, who have since operated
it together in partnership. The father, who became a naturalized Amer-
ican citizen Oct. 4, 1915, lives with them, and Ida attends to the house-
keeping, since neither of the sons is married. Rudolph and Henry had
but little opportunity for schooling, but attended the district school when-
ever they could and thus picked up the rudiments of knowledge. They
remained at home with their parents and worked on the farm, acquiring
in good time a knowledge of agriculture. The subjects of this sketch are
among the energetic and prosperous young farmers of Trempealeau County
and are respected both for what they are and for what they have done.
Robert Van Tassel, an enterprising and successful farmer of Sumner
Township, having a fertile farm of 185 acres in section 3, was born in
Adams County, Wisconsin, near Kilbourn, June 18, 1861. He is a son
of Jacob and Harriet (Bradford) Van Tassel. Jacob Van Tassel was
born in New York state in September, 1821. Mrs. Harriet (Bradford)
Van Tassel died in 1863, and three years later Jacob Van Tassel married
Catherine Costello, who now resides at Madelia, Minn. They came to
Trempealeau County in 1868, homesteading a farm in Hale Township,
where Jacob Van Tassel spent the rest of his hfe. Robert Van Tassel was
the youngest of the six children by his father's first wife. He acquired
a knowledge of agriculture in his youth and early manhood and after his
father's death rented the home farm in Hale Township for two years. He
then went to Verdi, Minn., where he resided until 1888. Subsequently
returning to Hale Township he rented farms until 1898, in which year he
bought the old home farm in Hale Township. There he remained until
1913, after which he sold it and bought his present farm, which is a well
improved piece of property. The residence is a good two-story frame
structure, with basement, and containing nine rooms. The barn meas-
ures 34 by 64 by 20 feet, with cement floors and steel stanchions, and in
addition there is a stave silo, 12 by 32 feet, and a machine shed, 22 by 40.
The property was purchased from E. J. Matchett and is well fenced with
woven wire. Mr. Van Tassel was married March 31, 1889, to Dora Bailey
of Verdi, Minn., who was born near Melrose, Jackson County, Minn., Jan.
4, 1871, daughter of Zaccheus W. and Catherine (House) Bailey. Her
father, born in New York state in 1842, died Sept. 9, 1902; his wife
Catherine died Dec. 19, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Van Tassel are the parents
of seven children : Ethel, born March 17, 1891, who married Elmer Wood,
railroad agent at Alma Center, and has one child, Muriel; Vern, born
Aug. 30, 1893 ; Ruth, born March 26, 1897, and now a teacher ; Bessie, born
Sept. 2, 1899 ; Cecil, born May 30, 1902 ; Alfred, born Dec. 19, 1909 ; and
Dolores, born Sept. 4, 1914.
CHAPTER XVI
BANKS AND BANKING
There are sixteen State Banks and one National Bank in Trempealeau
County, as follows : John 0. Melby & Co. Bank of Whitehall, People's State
Bank of Whitehall, Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of Independence, State
Bank of Independence, Farmers' State Bank of Arcadia, Bank of Arcadia,
Bank of Galesville, Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of Galesville, State Bank
of Osseo, Farmers' Exchange Bank of Osseo, Citizens' State Bank of Trem-
pealeau. Bank of Eleva, First State Bank of Strum, Bank of Ettrick, Home
Bank of Blair, First State Bank of Dodge, and the First National Bank of
Blair.
The first bank in the county was the Trempealeau County Bank, estab-
lished at Whitehall, May 10, 1878, by James and Frank C. Allen. June 1.
1879, it was moved to Arcadia. The oldest bank in the county is the Bank
of Ai'cadia, which dates from June 6, 1883. The second is the Bank of
Galesville, established July 30, 1883, the first incorporated bank in the
county. The next is the John 0. Melby & Co. Bank of Whitehall, estab-
lished Oct. 28, 1888. The next is the State Bank of Independence, estab-
lished April 3, 1897.
The Bank of Arcadia had its beginning as early as 1855, when John
Gillispie began dealing in notes and loaning money at Arcadia. He estab-
lished the Bank of Arcadia June 6, ,1883. Associated with him was J. M.
Higbee. In October, 1898, the bank was purchased by Joseph Ruth, J. M.
Fertig and Emil Maurer, and Mr. Ruth, who had long been cashier, was
placed in charge. Aug. 1, 1901, there was a reorganization as a State bank,
with Emil Maurer as president, Joseph Ruth as cashier, and J. M. Fertig as
the third member of the board. The capital was increased to $25,000 and
Mr. Maurer, who for many years had been a leading citizen and prosperous
business man, entered into active participation in the management of the
institution. Sept. 4, 1901, John C. Gaveney and G. N. Hidershide became
stockholders, and other stockholders were admitted the following year.
Aug. 12. 1907, John C. Gaveney and N. Lehrbach were added to the Hst of
directors. On April 21, 1908, Mr. Ruth was succeeded as director by G. N.
Hidershide, and as cashier by 0. B. Strause, a rising young business man
of Winona, who has since been an active factor in the bank's progress.
At the same time, J. I. Dewey was added to the directorate. Mr. Fertig
was succeeded July 25, 1910, by F. C. Richmond. The new bank building,
started in 1913 and occupied Jan. 1, 1914, is one of the most sightly and
imposing banking houses in the county. The structure is of brick, and
a facade of Bedford rock, with Greek Ionic pillars and cap. The interior
is finished in mahogany, marble and stucco-work and is equipped with all
the latest equipment for banking sightliness and safety. Aside from the
802
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 803
private offices and directors' rooms, there is a consultation and rest room
for the use of the patrons. The officers are : President, Emil Maurer ; vice-
president, John C. Gaveney ; cashier, 0. B. Strouse ; directors, Emil Maurer,
John C. Gaveney, Nicholas Lehrbach, J. I. Dewey, Frank C. Richmond,
George N. Hidershide. Statement May 1, 1917: Capital, $25,000.00;
deposits, $538,595.01; surplus and undivided profits, $12,961.18; loans and
discounts, $366,777.94; cash and due from banks, $171,870.78. Statement
June 20, 1917: Resources — Loans and discounts, $361,883.40; overdrafts,
$7,909.20; bonds, $29,000.00; bank building, $8,750.00; furniture and fix-
tures, $7,665.05 ; due from banks, $113,814.67 ; cash, $14,478.49 ; total, $543,-
501.81. Liabilities— Capital stock, $25,000.00; surplus fund, $10,000.00;
undivided profits, $3,333.78; deposits subject to check, $93,350.17; certifi-
cates of deposit, $353,059.02 ; savings deposits, $57,983.84 ; cashier's checks,
$775.00; total, $543,501.81.
The John O. Melby & Co. Bank of Whitehall has for nearly three decades
been a leading factor in the financial stability and business and agricultural
development of the county. Starting as a private bank in 1888, it has
gradually increased its scope and influence, and has woven its history into
the warp and woof of Trempealeau County life. In 1887 John O. Melby
became cashier of the Bank of Galesville, this and the Bank of Arcadia
then constituting the only two banks in the county. In this relation, he
came to see the advantages of opening a financial institution in Arcadia,
the county seat. Accordingly on Oct. 28, 1888, he started business under
the name of John O. Melby, Banker. Its success was assured from the
start. With an increased volume of business, Mr. Melby was influenced by
the tendency of many of the leading bankers of the State to incorporate their
institutions, and accordingly he decided to associate himself with a number
of other business men and enlarge the field of the bank by incorporating.
This step was taken during the summer of 1894, and in the fall the new
firm received its charter from the State of Wisconsin, the business of Mr.
Melby being merged in the present corporation on Oct. 1, 1894. The John
0. Melby & Co. Bank was incorporated Sept. 22, 1894, and started business
under that name Oct. 1, with a capital of $25,000 and a charter to operate
for twenty years. The incorporators were John 0. Melby, 0. P. Larson,
A. W. Newman, Anton 0. Melby, J. B. Beach, H. A. Anderson, David Wood,
E. N. Trowbridge, C. P. Thompson, J. C. Lamberson and Peter Ekern. The
first officers and directors were: John 0. Melby (president). 0. P. Larson
(vice president), Anton 0. Melby, E. N. Trowbridge, O. P. Larson, Anton O.
Melby and Peder Ekern. July 7, 1896, E. N. Trowbridge was elected
assistant cashier, and in July, 1897, was made a vice-president, which posi-
tion he held until his death, Jan. 1, 1900. Feb. 21, 1900, H. A. Anderson
was elected vice-president to succeed Mr. Trowbridge. July 2, 1901, 0. P.
Larson became vice-president. July 3, 1906, H. A. Anderson succeeded
him. April 3, 1909, C. B. Melby was elected as assistant cashier. May 10,
1909, 0. P. Larson again became vice-president. July 6, 1909, H. A.
Anderson was elected president to succeed John 0. Melby, deceased. P. H.
Johnson was elected second vice-president. July 5, 1911, Anton O. Melby
was elected presWent and C. B. Melby cashier. July 8, 1913, David Wood
804 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
was elected a vice-president. The composition of the present staff is as
follows : Anton 0. Melby, president ; P. H. Johnson, vice-president ; David
Wood, vice-president ; Charles B. Melby, cashier. In 1892 the bank erected a
two-story brick building, which was destroyed by fire in March, 1894. The
present structure was started at once and completed the same year, 1894.
Extensive remodeling was done and a two-story addition built in 1914, which
provides a commodious room for the bank officials and directors, and which
is also given over to the use of its customers and the public. This insti-
tution has ever been conducted along lines of conservatism, safety being the
watchword from the beginning. Its policy has been to conduct a banking
business strictly, in a manner that will best serve the needs and require-
ments of the people of the community, bearing in mind that to do this one
must be progressive, keeping pace with the changes in methods and service
which time imposes. Its service, treatment and courtesy extend to all
uniformly. It has stood for the best that goes to build up any locality and
has interested itself in all movements and endeavors which have tended to
better the vicinity in which it operates, whether moral, social or religious.
The bank's statement issued May 1, 1917, showed the following items:
Capital, $50,000.00; deposits, $660,618.09; surplus and undivided profits,
$25,909.18; loans and discounts, $567,478.93; cash and due from banks,
$159,935.01. The statement showing the condition of the bank at the close
of business Sept. 11, 1917, is as follows: Resources — Loans and discounts,
$556,689.87; overdrafts, $472.13; bonds, $34,100.00; banking house,
$4,000.00; furniture and fixtures, $3,600.00; due from approved reserve
banks, $131,317.77 ; due from other banks. $10,441.10 ; checks on other banks
and cash items, $568.83 ; exchanges for clearing house, $10.00 ; cash on hand,
$9,605.40 ; total, $750,805.10. Liabilities— Capital stock paid in, $50,000.00 ;
surplus fund, $15,000; undivided profits, $7,572.75; individual deposits sub-
ject to check, $181,503.28; time certificates of deposit, $394,898.56; savings
deposits, $94,402.17; cashier's checks outstanding, $4,088.41; reserved for
taxes, $2,739.93 ; Liberty bond account, $600.00 ; total, $750,805.10.
The Bank of Galesville was organized and opened for business in July,
1883, as a private bank by Isaac Clark and Walter C. Brooks, with a capital
of $10,000.00,of which each partner contributed $5,000.00. For twoyears the
business was carried on very successfully as a private bank. In 1885 it was
incorporated under the Wisconsin laws, with a capital of $25,000.00. It was
the first incorporated bank in Trempealeau County. The stock was dis-
tributed among the leading business men in Galesville and vicinity. The
first officers were : Isaac Clark, president ; A. W. Newman vice president ;
W. C. Brooks, cashier. The first board of directors were Isaac Clark, J. 0.
Melby, A. W. Newman, Wilson Davis, Tver Pederson, W. C. Brooks and
Daniel Kennedy. In 1887 W. C. Brooks sold his interest in the bank and
J. 0. Melby was elected as cashier, which office he held for one year, resign-
ing so as to organize the bank at Whitehall known as The J. 0. Melby Co.
Bank. Upon the resignation of Mr. Melby in 1888, C. M. Kellogg was elected
as cashier and continued as such until July, 1896, when he resigned and Mr.
J. F. Cance was elected to fill the vacancy. Isaac Clark was president con-
tinuously from the time of the incorporation of the bank until his death
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 805
in 1894, when his son, E. F. Clark, was elected to the office, which he has held
ever since. The present officers of the bank are : E. F. Clark, president ;
S. C. French, vice-president; Ben W. Davis, vice-president; J. F. Canoe,
cashier ; R. H. Ashley, assistant cashier ; J. A. Hammer, assistant cashier.
The present directors of the bank are: E. F. Clark, Ben W. Davis, S. C.
French, L. N. Hammer, F. A. Kellman, W. S. Wadleigh and J. F. Cance. As
stated above, Mr. Clark is now president of the bank and has occupied that
office since 1894. The cashier, J. F. Cance, has been with the bank since
1889 and has held the office of cashier since July, 1896. He is the active
managing officer of the institution. The bank owns its building — one of
the best structures in Galesville. The policy has always been as liberal
as is consistent with safety. It has always been foremost among the citizens
of Galesville to promote any worthy enterprise for the benefit of the town.
Statement May 1, 1917 : Capital, $50,000.00 ; deposits, $683,868.15 ; surplus
and undivided profits, $26,583.40; loans and discounts, $542,604.23; cash
and due from banks, $151,929.80.
The Home Bank of Blair was incorporated March 20, 1903, the incor-
porators being H. C. Hjerleid, 0. B. Borsheim, W. G. Hyslop, J. B. Ellison,
K. K. Hagestad, Reier Thompson, John McKivergin, K. S. Knutson, A.
Anderson, 0. Gulbrandson, P. T. Herreid, Morris Hanson, G. L. Solberg and
L. L. Grinde. The first officers were H. C. Hjerleid, president ; W. G. Hyslop,
vice-president, and 0. B. Borsheim, cashier. The directors were H. C. Hjer-
leid, Reier Thompson, K. K. Hagestad, J. B. Ellison, John McKivergin, W. G.
Hyslop and 0. B. Borsheim. The bank was opened for business as a private
institution Oct. 7, 1899. The building was erected in 1901. The present
officers are: 0. B. Borsheim, president ; G. L. Solberg, vice-president; G. L.
Hjerleid, cashier. Statement May 1, 1917: Capital, $30,000.00; deposits,
$431,651.38 ; surplus and undivided profits, $10,427.13 ; loans and discounts,
$413,492.66 ; cash and due from banks, $52,305.78. Statement May 7, 1917 :
Capital, $30,000.00; surplus and undivided profits, $12,300.00; deposits,
$440,000.00 ; loans and discounts, $443,000.00 ; building, furniture and fix-
tures, $3,500.00 ; cash and exchange, $65,000.00.
The State Bank of Osseo was estabUshed Jan. 12, 1900, and was incor-
porated as a State bank May 11, 1903. The officers are : President, F. M.
Smith; vice-president, A. E. Bradford; cashier, T. J. Thompson; assistant
cashier, C. Pupikofer; directors, E. Hagen, F. M. Smith, Paul Christopher-
son. Statement May 1, 1917: Capital, $30,000.00; deposits, $350,000.00;
surplus and undivided profits, $1,500.00; loans and discounts, $112,000.00;
cash and due from banks, $36,000.00.
The Farmers' and Merchants' State Bank of Galesville was incorpo-
rated Sept. 17, 1908, by J. A. Berg, A. O. Nelson, H. F. Claussen, John Dick
and L. M. Gimmestad. Its first officers were: A. 0. Nelson, president;
H. F. Claussen, vice-president; J. A. Berg, cashier, and G. 0. Sagen,
assistant cashier. The directors were A. 0. Nelson, H. F. Claussen, J. A.
Berg, A. T. Twesme, G. H. Lawrence, John Dick and J. M. Benrud. The
bank opened for business Nov. 9, 1908. It is located in a rented building,
but the building is controlled by a corporation composed mainly of directors
and stockholders of the bank, which has been in its present quarters for
806 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
five years. A. O. Nelson, who was neither an active officer nor a resident
of Trempealeau County, saw the advisability of resigning, for the best
interest of the bank, which he did Jan. 13, 1913, and on the same date the
present president, G. O. Gilbertson, was elected. Mr. Gilbertson is one of
the oldest business men in the village, having conducted the largest mer-
cantile store in town for more than 40 years, and is one of Galesville's most
reliable citizens. The present officers of the bank are: G. 0. Gilbertson.
president; John Dick, vice-president; J. A. Berg, cashier; G. 0. Sagen,
assistant cashier. Directors: A. J. Baardseth, J. M. Benrud, John Dick,
J. 0. Hovre, F. J. Stellpflug, G. 0. Gilbertson, S. D. Grover, C. C. Wason and
J. A. Berg. Statement March 5, 1917: Resources — Loans and discounts,
$233,467.89 ; overdrafts, $826.25 ; furniture and fixtures, $2,000.00 ; due from
approved reserve banks, $24,336.79 ; checks on other banks and cash items.
$491.51; cash on hand, $6,767.80; total, $267,890.24. Liabilities— Capital
stock paid in, $15,000.00; surplus fund, $6,000.00; undivided profits,
$2,683.50; dividends unpaid, $8.00; individual deposits subject to check,
$60,808.58 ; time certificates of deposit, $134,003.79 ; .savings deposits, $49,-
386.37; total, $267,890.24. Statement May 1, 1917: Capital, $15,000.00;
deposits, $244,712.96; surplus and undivided profits, $9,300.00; loans and
discounts, $231,770.46; cash and due from banks, $36,660.00. Statement
Sept. 7, 1917: Total deposits, $265,426; loans and discounts, $230,500;
cash and due from banks, $57,285.
The Bank of Ettrick was incorporated Aug. 28, 1911, by H. F. Claussen,
0. E. Runnestrand, John Raichle, M. T. Pederson and E. E. Runnestrand.
The first officers were: Iver Pederson, president; E. J. Brovold, vice-
president; H. F. Claussen, cashier; directors, Iver Pederson, E. J. Brovold,
H. F. Claussen, J. E. Cance, A. P. Ofsdahl, A. J. Ekern and L. K. Underheim.
The bank opened for business Dec. 21, 1911. It occupies its own building,
which was remodeled in 1911. On May 13, 1914, K. A. Knutson was
elected vice president in place of E. J. Brovold, deceased, and on Oct. 20, the
same year, H. F. Claussen was elected president in place of Iver Pederson,
deceased. The present official staff is composed as follows : H. F. Claus-
sen, president ; K. A. Knutson, vice-president ; H. F. Claussen, cashier; Lucile
Claussen, assistant cashier; A. M. Pederson, secretary; directors, H. F.
Claussen, K. A. Knutson, A. M. Pederson, J. E. Cance, A. J. Ekern, L. K.
Underheim and A. P. Ofsdahl. Statement May 1, 1917: Capital, $15,-
000.00; deposits, $198,539.68; surplus and undivided profits, $3,382.89;
loans and discounts, $144,140.82; cash and due from banks, $67,011.31.
Statement Sept. 7, 1917: Resources — Loans and discounts, $153,856.05;
bonds, $4,000.00; banking house, $3,750.00; furniture and fixtures,
$1,750.00; due from banks, $35,074.40; cash on hand, $2,986;97; overdrafts,
$466.29 ; total, $201,883.71. Liabilities— Capital stock, $15,000.00 ; surplus,
$2,500.00; undivided profits, $1,507.02; deposits, $182,876.69; total,
$201,883.71.
The Citizens' State Bank of Trempealeau was estabhshed Dec. 6, 1912.
The officers are : President, William Nicholls ; vice-president, F. W. Graves ;
cashier, L. S. Sanders ; assistant cashier, Carroll Nichols ; directors, William
Nichols, F. W. Graves, L. S. Sanders, N. H. Carhart, W. A. Bright. State-
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 807
ment May 1, 1917 : Capital, $10,000.00 ; deposits, $112,000.00 ; surplus and
undivided profits, $1,500.00; loans and discounts, $90,700.00; cash and due
from banks, $21,000.00.
The Farmers' State Bank of Arcadia was established Aug. 15, 1913.
The officers are: President, Dr. J. A. Palmer; vice-president, Robert
Ashton; cashier, D. G. Wieland ; directors. Dr. J. A. Palmer, Robert
Ashton, Joseph Danuser, M. N. Lehnerts, A. C. Stielow, H. E. Hensel.
Statement, May 1, 1917: Capital, $15,000; deposits, $150,000; surplus and
undivided profits, $800; loans and discounts, $151,000; cash and due from
banks, $17,000.
The First State Bank of Dodge was incorporated Oct. 3, 1914, by Frank
J. Rohn, M. D. Brom, J. B. Literski, M. J. Kulas, S. Losinski, J. K. Rezab and
J. F. Brom. The first oflficers were : M. J. Kulas, president ; M. D. Brom,
vice-president; Frank J. Rohn, cashier; directors, M. J. Kulas, M. D. Brom,
Frank J. Rohn, J. B. Literski, S. Losinski, J. K. Rezab and J. F. Brom. This
institution opened for business Dec. 4, 1914. On Oct. 2, 1916, Harry J.
Satka, formerly with the First National Bank of Winona, Minn., was elected
cashier to succeed Frank J. Rohn, who resigned. The present staff" is as
follows: M. J. Kulas, president; M. D. Brom, vice-president; Harry J.
Satka, cashier. The policy of the bank is to treat all its customers alike,
whether large or small, and give them prompt and courteous treatment.
Its motto is "Safety, service and courtesy." This bank is a new one and
has had many difficulties to overcome. There had never been a bank in
Dodge, and the people naturally tributory to this village have been accus-
tomed to do their business elsewhere, so that there is strong competition
on all four sides. Obligations for financial accommodations in time of need
are not easily forgotten, and there is a reluctance to break long-established
connections. The establishment of the bank here, however, is a strong
move toward bringing other business to Dodge, and is proving an important
factor in increasing Dodge's advantages as a trading center. While prog-
ress in developing the bank was at first slow, the present cashier has won
the confidence and esteem of the people, and under his management the
business has nearly doubled. Statement May 1, 1917 : Capital, $10,000.00 ;
deposits, $37,978.12; loans and discounts, $41,612.14; cash and due from
banks, $6,654.70. Statement June 20, 1917: Resources — Loans and dis-
counts, $43,498.27 ; overdrafts, $142.54 ; furniture and fixtures, $1,624.49 ;
due from approved reserve banks, $3,351.13; checks on other banks and
cash items, $22.50 ; cash on hand, $2,586.69 ; total, $51,225.62. Liabilities-
Capital stock paid in, $10,000.00; surplus fund, $2,000.00; undivided profits,
$200.75 ; individual deposits subject to check, $9,773.14 ; time certificates of
deposit. $7,609.25; saving deposits, $18,785.38; cashier's checks outstand-
ing, $357.10 ; bills payable, $2,500.00 ; total, $51,225.62.
The Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of Independence, with its
clever slogan, "The Bank That Banks the Farmer," is one of the youngest
banks in the county, but has some of the oldest citizens of the county as
its stockholders. The bank was incorporated May 9, 1916, and opened for
business Nov. 27, 1916, the incorporators being William L. Lambert, Paul
Sura, A. C. Stielow, Robert S. Cowie, Peter Nelton, J. P. Libowski, William
808 IILSTORY OF TKEilPEALEAU COUNTY
H. Meyer, Math Elstad, Ole H. Berg and Peter C. Skroch. The officers and
directors are : President, Frank A. Hotchkiss ; vice-president, Peter Nelton ;
cashier, Paul T. Schultze; directors, F. A. Hotchkiss; James N. Hunter,
P. M. Lambert, Peter Nelton, William H. Meyer, Mike Skroch and F. G.
Theisen. The institution is doing business in a rented building, but expects
soon to erect an edifice in keeping with its growing business. Mr. Hotchkiss
and Mr. Schulze are giving their personal attention to the bank, their motto
being "To serve, and help build up Independence and the surrounding com-
munity." Statement May 1, 1917: Capital, $20,000.00; deposits, $62,-
705.43 ; surplus and undivided profits, $2,852.50 ; loans and discounts, $69,-
936.06; cash and due from banks, $12,782.68. Statement, Sept. 13, 1917:
Resources — Loans and discounts, $91,820.76; bonds, $1,000; furniture and
fixtures, $1,583.20; due from reserve banks, $9,031.09; cash on hand,
$5,669.67; total, $109,104.72. Liabilities— Capital, $20,000.00; undivided
profits, $2,378.25; bills payable, $3,000.00; deposits, $83,726.47; total,
$109,104.72.
The Farmers' Exchange Bank of Osseo was incorporated May 22, 1916,
the incorporators being Dr. Oscar Knutson, George Gjuul, C. S. Van Gorden,
S. H. Van Gorden, B. L. Van Gorden and M. P. Skogstad. The first officers
were C. 0. Dahl, president; William J. Fisher, vice-president; M. P. Skog-
stad, cashier; directors, C. 0. Dahl, S. C. Van Gorden, William J. Fischer,
George Gjuul, William Stubbe, H. M. Olson, Ludvig Person, Oscar Knutson
and M. P. Skogstad. The bank opened for business July 10, 1916, in the
Van Gorden Building, in small quarters, and immediately started the erec-
tion of its handsome bank building on Seventh Street, into which it moved
in January, 1917. No change in officers has been made. The bank is
progressing, having total resources of $160,000.00 at the close of the first
year's business. Its policy is always to help promote the welfare of this
locality, rendering service to the farmers and business men of northern
Trempealeau County. Statement May 1, 1917: Capital, $25,000.00; de-
posits, $130,000.00; sui-plus and undivided profits, $1,500.00; loans and
discounts, $112,000.00; cash and due from banks, $36,000.00.
The First State Bank of Strum was incorporated Dec. 2, 1904. by
Severt Rekstad, H. N. Robbe, William Peterson, J. C. Johnson and J. A.
Call. The first officers were : H. A. Warner, president ; Wilham Peterson,
vice-president, and J. A. Nelson, cashier; directors, H. A. Warner, J. A.
Nelson, Severt Rekstad, J. A. Call, T. J. Johnson, H. N. Robbe and William
Peterson. The bank, which owns its own building, erected in 1905, opened
for business on January 24 of that year. The following changes in officers
have since taken place: H. N. Robbe was elected assistant cashier in
1906, president in 1912 and cashier in 1916. Severt Rekstad was elected
vice-president in 1912 and president in 1916. M. P. Skogstad was elected
cashier in 1911 and resigned in 1916. J. M. Olson was elected vice-presi-
dent in 1912. The present official staff is composed of Sevei't Rekstad,
president ; J. M. Olson, vice-president ; H. N. Robbe, cashier. The directors
are Severt Rekstad, H. N. Robbe, J. M. Olson, J. J. Dahl, 0. H. Dahl, Even
Holte and J. P. Hanson. The statement of this in.stitution for Sept. 11,
1917, was as follows: Resources: Loans and discounts, $179,870.99; over-
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 809
drafts, $769.16; bonds, $10,500.00; banking house, $2,000.00; furniture and
fixtures, $1,600.00; due from resident banks, $42,543.80; checks on other
banks, and cash items, $1,660.29 ; cash on hand, $2,905.52 ; total, $241,849.76.
Liabilities: Capital, $20,000.00; surplus, $3,000.00; undivided profits,
$442.80; individual deposits, $63,168.04; time certificates, $117,041.46; sav-
ings department, $36,590.91 ; cashier's checks, $1,606.55 ; total, $241,849.76.
Peoples State Bank, Whitehall. The articles of incorporation of this
institution were drawn May 13, 1913, the incorporators being Ludwig L.
Solsrud, E. A. Sorenson, C. Q. Gage, R. H. Holtan, E. F. Hensel, J. E. Wil-
berg, Anton Void, F. A. Caswell, Geo. Larson and Ludvig Hammerstad.
The charter was granted Sept. 29, 1913, and the bank opened for business
on the same day, with the following officers and directors : Officers : Lud-
wig L. Solsrud, president ; R. H. Holtan, vice-president ; J. E. Wilberg,
cashier; S. N. Hegge, assistant cashier. Directors: Ludwig L. Solsrud,
P. K. Risberg, E. F. Hensel, Ludvig Hammerstad, J. E. Wilberg, R. H.
Holtan and C. A. Adams. At the annual stockholders' meeting held Jan.
6, 1914, the following directors were elected: Ludwig L. Solsrud, R. H.
Holtan, C. A. Adams, Ludvig Hammerstad, E. A. Hegge, Claude E. Everson
and F. W. Lowe. Following this meeting the directors appointed the fol-
lowing officers : Ludwig L. Solsrud, president ; R. H. Holtan, vice-president,
and S. N. Hegge, cashier. Examining committee: E. A. Hegge, E. A.
Sorenson and G. 0. Eid. On June 2, 1914, R. H. Wiezorek was appointed
an assistant cashier. There have been no further changes in officers or
directors, those selected Jan. 6, 1914, being in charge at the present time.
A condensed statement of condition, as reported to the commissioner of
banking Sept. 11, 1917, shows as follows : Resources : Loans and discounts,
$235,182.78 ; banking house, $4,527.74 ; due from reserve banks, $25,419.89 ;
cash on hand, $12,207.10 ; total resources, $277,337.51. Liabilities : Capital
stock, $15,000.00; surplus, $1,500.00; undivided profits, $2,338.16; deposits,
$258,499.35; total liabilities, $277,337.51. The pohcy of this institution is
to aid in every way possible in the growth and development of this com-
munity, including the introduction into the community of high grade live
stock and pure bred seeds. The bank has 60 stockholders, all of whom
are residents of this community.
The First National Bank of Blair is the only National bank in Trem-
pealeau County. It was organized in 1914 chiefly through the efforts of
Albert B. Peterson and his son Ernest A. Peterson, assisted by leading
business men and farmers. It has grown in importance during its brief
existence. With a capital stock of $25,000 it has now (July 20, 1917) a
total of $129,937.78 in deposits, and its surplus and undivided profits amount
to $5,064.46. The officers are: John Thompson, president; Frank G.
Richmond, vice-president ; Gabriel Anderson, vice-president ; Basil I. Peter-
son, cashier, and Omer Houkom, assistant cashier. The board of directors
consists of A. B. Peterson, E. B. Christopherson, Byron R. Curran, John
Thompson, Frank C. Richmond, Gabriel Anderson and Thos. Mattison.
The cashier of the institution, Basil I. Peterson, has the honor of being
chairman of the Liberty Loan Committee for the county. The membership
of this bank in the Federal Reserve Bank gives it the necessary machinery
810 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUXTY
for securing funds with which to finance legitimate agricultural, commer-
cial and industrial enterprises, and thus develop the resources of this part
of the county.
State Bank of Independence. This institution was started April 1,
1897, by John Sprecher and Anton Senty, as a private bank, with a capital
of $10,000, and was carried on under the firm name of Bank of Indepen-
dence. In 1902 the business was incorporated as a state bank under the
name of State Bank of Independence, with a capital of $25,000, John
Sprecher and Anton Senty being the incorporators, the new organization
taking over the business of the old company June 2, 1902. In January,
1914, the capital was increased to $50,000.00. The bank owns a good sub-
stantial brick building, which was erected in 1901, the first story being
used by the bank, while the second is rented for offices. John Sprecher was
elected president at the first organization and has served in that capacity
continuously. Anton Senty was the cashier from its organization to
January, 1913, at which time he was elected vice-president, in which
capacity he has served to the present time. O. A. Sprecher was appointed
assistant cashier in January, 1905, and W. E. Sprecher in January, 1907,
the latter being appointed cashier in January, 1913. The present officers
are : John Sprecher, president ; Anton Senty, vice-president ; W. E.
Sprecher, cashier, and 0. A. Sprecher, assistant cashier. This bank has
always been conservative, but mindful of the best interests of the com-
munity and its patrons, and has always tried to assist in the development
and upbuilding of the surrounding territory. The deposits have steadily
increased and at this time are $580,577, while the total assets are $645,-
960.93.
The Bank of Eleva was organized in 1901 as Larson-Melby Company,
Bankers, by 0. P. Larson, John 0. Melby and Even Bratberg. It was incor-
porated as a state bank under the name. Bank of Eleva, June 17. 1903, the
incorporators being 0. P. Larson, John 0. Melby, Even Bratberg and George
Esbensen. The first officials were: O. P. Larson, president; J. 0. Melby,
vice-president ; E. Bratberg, cashier, and George Esbensen, assistant
cashier. The bank was located in the Larson-Melby Company store until
its own building was erected in August, 1910. The first change in the
oflicial staff occurred Aug. 24, 1907, C. P. Larson taking the place of 0. P.
Larson as president. Even Bratberg, the cashier, died in April, 1910, and
since that time the offices of president and cashier have both been filled
by C. P. Larson. The present staff is composed of C. P. Larson, president
and cashier; Chas. B. Melby, vice-president, and L. Nicholson and H. A.
Moltzau, assistant cashiers. The bank's statement of Sept. 11, 1917,
showed its condition as follows : Resources : Loans and discounts, $169.-
153.19; banking house, furniture and fixtures, $4,947.06; due from banks,
$22,667.23 ; cash on hand, $6,063.79 ; total, $202,831.27. Liabihties : Capital
stock, $10,000.00; surplus, $3,500.00; undivided profits, $702.95; deposits,
$188,628.32; total, $202,831.27.
CHAPTER XVII
DAIRY INTERESTS
The dairy industry is one of great importance in Trempealeau County.
In 1916 the 14 creameries had an output valued at $1,191,950.33, the two
cheese factories had an output valued at $10,648.71, and the value placed
upon butter made on the farms was $118,321.75, thus giving an aggregate
value of $1,320,920.79 to Trempealeau County butter and cheese, in addition
to the milk and cream sold, and fed to stock.
The Eleva Co-Operative Creamery Company is located in Albion Town-
ship ; the Farmers' Co-Operative Creamery Company in Arcadia Township ;
the Glencoe Farmers' Co-Operative Creamery Company at Arcadia Village ;
the Dodge Valley Creamery Company in Dodge Township; the Ettrick
Creamery Company in Ettrick Township ; the Arctic Springs Creamery Com-
pany in Galesville Village ; the Elk Creek Creamery in Hale TownshSip ; the
Independence Creamery Company in Independence Village ; the Whitehall
Creamery Association in Lincoln Township ; the H. H. Solie Creamery in
Osseo Village ; the Williams Creamery Company in Osseo Village ; the P.
Ekern Company (Pigeon Falls Creamery) in Pigeon Township; the Preston
Creamery Company in Preston, and the Unity Co-Operative Creamery Com-
pany in Strum, all manufacturing butter.
The H. H. Solie Company at Osseo and the Little Elk Cheese Association
in Chimney Rock each conduct cheese factories.
Several small cheese factories were started in Trempealeau County in
the '60s, the most important of which was that of James Gaveney and Noah
Comstock, located on the Comstock farm south of the present village of
Arcadia.
But the making of cheese in the '60s in this county did not reach any
considerable proportions.
The production of milk was not regarded with high favor. Wheat was
the big crop, and while the farmers all had a few cows for the purpose of
providing milk and meat for family use, stock raising was looked upon
merely as a side line, and dairying was of not much more importance than
kitchen gardening.
Here and there were housewives noted in nearby villages for their
ability as butter-makers, and their product met with a ready local sale, but
for the most part the butter made on the farms of the county was of poor
quality.
Storekeepers took butter "in trade," and by charging a good price for
the goods sold "in trade" usually came out even on the transaction, though
much of the butter which they thus took in was suitable only for lubricating
purposes, and was in fact often shipped by the merchants to makers of axle
grease in the larger cities.
811
812 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
This condition is not to be wondered at, as the farms had few facilities
for making butter or for caring for dairy products. On many of the farms
there was not even a well. Icehouses were almost unknown. The milk was
left to "set" in shallow pans, the cream skimmed off by hand, and saved until
a sufficient quantity was collected, when it was put in a wooden keg or earthen
crock, and beaten into butter with a wooden paddle. The tumbling barrel
churn did not come until later, and was never in extensive use in this county.
Corn was raised only in small tracts. Even as late as 1864 there was
probably not 100 acres of tame grass in the whole county.
Wheat was the staple, and on this the farmers depended for their living.
But with the passing of the years, the land refused to repeat its heavy crop of
wheat. The cynch bugs also came to work their havoc. At first appearing
only in spots, they gradually increased their ravages.
In 1878 came an almost total failure of the wheat crop. For three
days, when the wheat was in milk, there were alternating hours of rain-
storms and periods of extreme heat, which resulted in baking the kernel
and stopping further growth. When the wheat was harvested it weighed
but about 30 pounds to the bushel, instead of the 60 pounds which wheat
should weigh when fully matured. Only about $3 an acre was realized, and
great distress followed.
This failure was almost coincident with the rush to the Dakotas, which
affected all the Northwestern States, and many farmers left the county.
It was at this juncture that the people began to turn their attention to
dairying.
Not long after, the creameries were established. Those at Galesville
and Arcadia were started in 1883, and the papers of those villages expressed
great surprise that butter could actually be made by machinery. In 1885
K. K. Hagestad, of Ettrick, interested the farmers and business men in
starting a creamery, and the first co-operative plan creamery in the county
was the result.
These three places have since continued to be important creamery
points.
Creamery operations in Arcadia, as noted, date back to 1883, when a
creamery, the old Arcadia Creamery Company, was erected near the
Arcadia Mineral Spring. After the creamery had been in operation for
some time the Koenig Brothers started a creamery south of the village.
The Koenig concern went into bankruptcy and was in time acquired by
J. M. Fertig. April 9, 1909, it was incorporated as the Arcadia Co-Opera-
tive Creamery Company and absorbed the Arcadia Creamery Company.
Later the name was changed to the Arcadia Farmers' Co-Operative Cream-
ery Company. It had been in operation for several years when the Glencoe
Farmers' Co-Operative Creamery Company was organized, and the village
now supports two creameries.
The Arcadia Farmers' Co-Operative Creamery Company is managed
by Ellis G. Bigham. The report for the year ending April 30, 1916, was
as follows: Value of property, $4,200; number of patrons contributory,
310; number of cows contributory, about 10 per patron; pounds of cream
received, 1,820,250; pounds of butter made, 441,127; amount of money
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 813
received for products sold, $119,307.81. This creamery was incorporatetl
April 23, 1904.
The Glencoe Co-Operative Creamery Company is managed by J. J. Fern-
holtz. The report for the year ending April 30, 1916, was as follows : Value of
property, $6,000; number of patrons contributory, 170; pounds of butter
made, 210,755; amount of money received for products sold, $53,038.59.
Galesville dates its creamery operation from Nov. 1, 1883, when a
private concern was organized and started operations. Editorial writers
at that time expressed wonderment that butter could actually be made by
machinery. The Arctic Springs Creamery was organized as a co-operative
association May 3, 1899, with G. 0. Gilbertson, M. J. Scarseth, D. D. Chap-
pell Francis Stellpfling, L. L. Odell, John Bohrnstedt, L. 0. Moe, C. M.
Kellogg and George Uhl as directors. Isaac Clark was chairman of the
committee and L. L. Odell secretary. The profits the first year were
$2,111.87. This company took over the old creamery and as soon as pos-
sible erected the present building. The present officers are : W. F. Raichle
(president), John Norgaard (vice-president), 0. S. Bergquist (secretary)
and J. A. Berg (treasurer). Will Stellpfling, J. R. Barge, F. J. Stellpfling,
J. M. Bibby and John Dick. The cream is gathered and 13 routes are main-
tained.
The report for the year ending April 30, 1916, is as follows : Value of
property, $5,000; number of patrons contributory, 300; number of cows
contributory, 2,800; pounds of butter made, 525,1681/2; amount of money
received for products sold, $158,734.90.
The Ettrick Creamery Association was organized by farmers and
business men of the vicinity, and incorporated Oct. 23, 1885, with officers
as follows: K. K. Hagestad, president; Johannes A. Hogden, vice-presi-
dent; Iver Knutson, treasurer; C. F. Ringlee, secretary. This association
served its patrons successfully on a co-operative basis until 1907, when most
of the stockholders having quit tilling the soil, or moved away, it was
thought advisable to reorganize, so that its patrons could have an active
voice in its management. With this in view the Ettrick Creamery Company
was organized by about 200 stockholders, with a capital stock of $3,000,
March 25, 1907. This company bought the stock of the old association.
It is now doing a business amounting to nearly $150,000 yearly. The
present officers are as follows: A. J. Ekern, president; A. C. Hagestad,
vice-president; R. J. Cantlon, treasurer; A. P. Ofsdahl, secretary; directors,
Ed. Quammen, Ole Mustad and M. B. Hilten. The i-eport for the year
ending April 30, 1916, is as follows: Value of property, $6,500; number
of patrons contributory, 400; amount of money received for products,
$119,439.35.
The Pigeon Falls Creamery is located at Pigeon Falls, in Pigeon Town-
ship, and is owned by the P. Ekern Company. The report for the year
ending April 30, 1916, was as follows: Value of property, $3,500; number
of patrons contributory, 210; number of cows contributory, 2,520; pounds
of butter made, 356,324.8; amount received for products sold, $121,058.52.
The Pigeon Falls Creamery was established by Peter Ekern, the
building being erected in the fall of 1885 and operations started Dec. 8,
814 HISTORY OF tre:mpealeau county
the same year. Mr. Ekern operated the creamery up to May 1, 1892, at
which time he sold the institution to a farmers' organization, the Pigeon
Creamery Association, incorporated April 9, 1892. This association oper-
ated the creamery until the middle of October, the same year, or for about
five and a half months, when it burned. It was promptly rebuilt on the
same premises by P. Ekern and opened again for business Dec. 1, 1892, Mr.
Ekern conducting the creamery from that date to April 19, 1898, when
this branch, together with other business interests of P. Ekern, was incor-
porated as the P. Ekern Company. The present officers are: Andrew
Ekern, president; Minnie Sletteland, vice-president; B. M. Sletteland,
secretary, treasurer and manager. The butter-maker is John A. Houkom,
who has held this position since April 1, 1895. The Holstein and Durham
cattle are the principal breeds raised by the patrons. For a number of
years there were two large separators run at the creamery, taking in only
milk at that time. A skimming station was also run in connection at North-
field, Jackson County, whence the cream was hauled by the company's own
teams to the creamery. These separators were removed years ago when
the individual farm separators took their place. An exchange station is
still maintained at Northfleld. In 1897 an addition was built and equipped
for a cheese factory, but was discontinued as such after being operated one
season.
The first creamery in Dodge was operated by the Dodge Creamery
Company. This company was organized in 1902, with M. J. Kulas as
president, J. K. Rezob as treasurer, and Joseph Jeriski as secretary. This
company sold out, in 1907, to F. J. Rohn. He was the sole owner, but
operated the concern under the name of the Rohn & Kulas Creamery Com-
pany. In the spring of 1909 the wooden building was burned, and Mr.
Rohn erected the present adequate edifice of solid brick on the old founda-
tion, resuming operations in August, 1909. On Feb. 14, 1914, W. 0. Berthol
and B. C. Kreher acquired the creamery under the name of the Dodge
Valley Creamery and have since successfully conducted it. For the year
ending April 30, 1917, the company took in $28,120.78, and of this paid the
patrons $23,646.22. There are 96 patrons, averaging about 20 cows each.
The favorite breeds are the Polled Durham and the Wisconsin natives.
The report for the year ending April 30, 1916, is as follows: Value of
property, $4,000 ; number of patrons contributory, 96 ; number of cows con-
tributory, 600; pounds of milk received, 1,900,000; pounds of butter made,
100,000; amount of money received for products sold, $26,000. This
creamery is a thriving and growing company under excellent management
and ownership, both of the owners being substantial citizens in every
respect.
The Eleva Co-Operative Company is located in Eleva, Samuel Bollinger
being the manager. The report for the year ending April 30, 1916, was as
follows: Value of property, $2,800; number of patrons contributory, 190;
number of cows contributory, 1,312; pounds of cream received, 1,245,454;
pounds of butter made, 327,4781/2; amount of money received for products
sold, $87,093.86.
The Elk Creek Creamery is located in Hale Township, H. H. Solie being
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 815
the owner. The report for the year ending April 30, 1916, was as follows :
Value of property, $2,500 ; number of patrons contributory, 90 ; number of
cows contributory, 800 ; pounds of milk received, 336,000 ; pounds of butter
made, 90,720 ; amount of money received for products sold, $26,116.
The Independence Creamery Company is located at Independence Vil-
lage, its manager being Jacob Jackson. The report for the year ending
April 30, 1916, was as follows: Value of property, $4,000; number of
patrons contributory, 200; number of cows contributory, 1,000; pounds of
milk received, 916,896; pounds of butter made, 224,364; amount of money
received for products, $58,168.38. This company was incorporated Feb.
6, 1894.
The Whitehall Creamery Association is located in the township of
Lincoln, its manager being N. L. Fredrickson. The report for the year
ending April 30, 1916, was as follows: Value of property, $3,000; number
of patrons contributory, 450 ; number of cows contributory, 4,050 ; pounds
of butter made, 397,600 ; amount of money received for products sold,
$110,000. This creamery was incorporated May 27, 1892.
The H. H. Solie Creamery is located at Osseo Village and is owned by
H. H. Solie. The report for the year ending April 30, 1916, was as follows:
Value of property, $3,000 ; number of patrons contributory, 82 ; number of
cows contributory, 800; pounds of milk received, 312,300; pounds of butter
made, 77,850 ; amount of money received for products sold, $23,356.
The Williams Creamery Company is located at Osseo Village, and is
owned by Charles A. Williams. The report for the year ending April 30,
1916, was as follows : Value of property, $2,390 ; number of patrons con-
tributory, 100; number of cows contributory, 700; pounds of butter fat
received, 106,625.28 ; pounds of sweet cream, 40,643.40 ; butter made, 133,-
793; amount of money received for butter, $37,393.06; for sweet cream,
$16,306.05.
The Preston Creamery Company is located at Blair Village, its manager
being Thomas Mattison. The report for the year ending April 30, 1916,
was as follows : Value of property, $2,800 ; number of patrons contributory,
300; number of cows contributory, 3,000; pounds of butter made, 423,845;
amount of money received for products sold, $116,613.62. This company
was incorporated Jan. 23, 1899.
The Unity Co-Operative Creamery Company is located in Strum, Unity
Township, J. P. Hanson being the manager. The report for the year ending
April 30, 1916, was as follows: Value of property, $5,000; number of
patrons contributory, 325 ; number of cows contributory, 2,000 ; pounds of
butter made, 438,374; amount of money received for products sold,
$119,324.19.
The Little Elk Cheese Association is located in Chimney Rock Town-
ship, the president being H. Weum. The record for the year ending April
30, 1916, was as follows : Value of the property, $700. Number of patrons
contributory, 16 ; number of cows contributory, 250 ; pounds of milk received,
450,398 ; cheese made, 45,694 ; amount of money received for products sold,
$6,158.71.
The H. H. Solie Cheese Factory is located at Osseo Village and is owned
816 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
by H. H. Solie. The report for the year ending April 30, 1916, was as fol-
lows: Value of property, $3,000; number of pati'ons contributory, 82;
number of cows contributory, 800; pounds of milk received, 312,300; cheese
made, 77,850 ; amount of money received for products sold, $23,356.00.
The totals for the creameries for the year ending April 30, 1916, are as
follows: Number, 14; value, $54,690.00; number of patrons contributory.
3,241 ; number of cows contributory, 26,922 ; number of pounds of butter
made, 4,176,398 ; amount of money received for products sold, $1,191,950.33.
The totals for the cheese factories for the year ending April 30, 1916,
are as follows: Number, 2; value, $1,700.00; number of patrons contribu-
tory, 42; number of cows contributory, 520; number of pounds of milk
received, 815,398 ; pounds of cheese made, 79,314 ; amount of money received
for products, $10,648.71.
The 450,030 pounds of butter made on farms for the year ending April
30, 1916, and valued at $118,321.75, were disti'ibuted among the various
townships as follows: Albion, 22,836 pounds, valued at $6,850; Arcadia,
16,200 pounds, valued at $3,240; Burnside, 31,800 pounds, valued at $9,483;
Caledonia, 16,970 pounds, valued at $5,090; Chimney Rock, 21,675 pounds,
valued at $5,481; Dodge, 16,000 pounds, valued at $4,800; Ettrick, 41,200
pounds, valued at $12,.360; Gale, 53,580 pounds, valued at $10,805; Hale,
60,000 pounds, valued at $15,000; Lincoln, 10,305 pounds, valued at $3,000;
Pigeon, 31,490 pounds, valued at $9,447; Preston, 54,275 pounds, valued at
$13,568.75; Sumner, 10,000 pounds, valued at $3,000; Trempealeau, 54,270
pounds, valued at $13,567 ; Unity, 8.729 pounds, valued at $2,435.
The only village in which butter was made in any considerable quantity
outside the creameries was Independence, where 700 pounds, valued at $195,
was made in homes.
No cheese is made on the farms or in the homes in Trempealeau County,
with the exception of sour milk cheese made for immediate use.
CHAPTER XVIII
NORWEGIAN LUTHERAN CHURCHES
The people of Norwegian blood in Trempealeau County constitute about
seven-tenths of its population, the German and Polish people constituting
about one-fifth, and a scattering of nationalities the other tenth.
These Norwegians are the descendants of that fearless race, the Vik-
ings, who peopled the coast of Norway, and swept the oceans with their
swift craft, venturing to Iceland, then to Greenland, and then, it is beUeved,
even to the Atlantic coast of North America as far south as Long Island. It
is stated that Bjarni Herjulfson, while driven about in a storm, sighted the
coast of Labrador in 986. Eric, the Red, was one of the pioneers of Iceland
and Greenland, and his son, Leif Ericson, or Leif the Lucky, as he was
called, was early filled with the spirit of adventure. In the year 1000, this
Leif with a company of 35 men set out for Greenland and started down the
North American coast, landing on the Island of Newfoundland and on the
peninsula of Nova Scotia. Continuing their voyage, they reached the
vicinity of what is now Massachusetts and Rhode Island, in the fall of the
year. The wild grapes were hanging heavy on the vines, and Tyrker, a
German, who accompanied the expedition, called the place Vineland. Nor-
wegian historians have declared that Leif landed and settled near what is
now Fall River, Mass. Even to the present day there exists in New England
a stone believed to have been the work of these Norsemen.
In 1003, Leif's brother, Thorwald, was killed by the savages while
leading another expedition in about the same locality. In 1007 came a
larger expedition, headed by Thorfinn Karlesfin, who had married Gudrid,
a widow of Thorstein, a brother of Leif. This expedition consisted of 600
men and possibly some women. They landed near what is now Buzzards
Bay. Three years later this settlement was abandoned and the party
sailed back to Greenland with hides and timber.
Other expeditions followed (see P. DeRoo, History of America Before
Columbus— Philadelphia and London. 1900^Vol. 88, pp. 174-282). A
stone has recently been unearthed at Kensington, Minn., bearing what pur-
ports to be Runic characters, which if genuine, apparently furnishes evi-
dence that eight Swedes and 22 Norwegians penetrated Wisconsin and
Minnesota in 1362.
In 1619, a Norseman, Jens Munk, visited America at the head of a
Danish expedition, the intention of which was to take possession of a part
of the country in the name of the King of Denmark. He returned to Nor-
way in 1620, the only survivor of the attempt.
In 1633, a Norwegian shipbuilder by the name of Hans Hanson Bergen,
who had for some time resided in Holland, came to New Amsterdam, as New
SIT
818 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
York was then called. It is also believed that there were some 20 other
Norwegian settlers in that early colony. Claus Vam Sande. the Indian
interpreter of the New Amsterdam colony, was a Norwegian.
July 4, 1825, a party of Norwegian Quakers left Stavanger, Noi'way,
and in due time reached New York. What subsequently became of the
party has never been positively established.
In 1839 a large colony came to Wisconsin. The first Norwegians came
to Trempealeau County in 1854, with a colony that settled over the line in
Jackson County. There is considerable difference among Scandinavian
writers and investigators as to the first Scandinavian in Trempealeau
County. Possibly Gullick Olson, a member of a colony which located over
the line in Jackson County, settled in this county in 1854. Possibly Sever
Johnson settled here that year. Both were in the vicinity of what is now
Blair. In 1855 a considerable colony settled in the same vicinity.
Rev. H. A. Stub organized the Trempealeau Valley Congregation, over
the line in Jackson County, in 1857, and this was the parent church of
many of the churches of the county. Later he organized churches in Beaver
Creek Valley.
The history of all the congregations in Trempealeau County, past and
present, has been gathered by 0. M. Norlie, and is embodied in a work
called "Norsk Lutherske Menigheder I Amerika, 1843-1915," which is being
published this year by the Augsburg Publishing House of St. Paul. Dr.
Norlie's material is here reprinted.
North Beaver Creek Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation.
(Beaver Creek) Ettrick (six miles east). Independent (Ns.), 1859-61;
Norwegian Synod, 1861-89. Organized Sept. 11, 1859. Divided 1889 on
doctrinal grounds. (The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation
of North Beaver Creek — Ns. ; Beaver Creek — Fk.). Four hundred seventy-
nine souls in 1875, 654 in 1885. Pastors : H. A. Stub, 1859-60 ; P. L. Larson,
1860-61 ; J. B. Frich, 1861-66 ; 0. Waldeland, 1866-69 ; E. Jensen, 1870-73 ;
A. 0. Alfsen, 1871-73; A. L. Lobben, 1875, 78; B. Hovde, 1878-93; S. S.
Urberg, 1893. Officials in 1859 : Ivar Troblaa, Siver Nilson, Nils 0. Her-
reid. Nils Haugland, Ole Dale, Tosten Solfest. "Kirketidende," 1891, 455-57 ;
1892,453-54; 1909, 1,042-47. Church, 1862. Church 2, 1877. (3,386-650.)
The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation (Synod) of North
Beaver Creek. From 1859 to 1889 was part of The Norwegian Evangelical
Lutheran Congregation of North Beaver Creek, Ettrick. Norwegian Synod,
1889 (1861). Organized 1889 (Sept. 11, 1859). 161 souls in 1889. 450 in 1914.
Pastors: H. A. Stub, 1859-60; P. L. Larsen, 1860-61; J. B. Frich, 1862-66;
0. Waldeland, 1866-69; E. Jensen, 1870-73; A. 0. Alfsen, 1871-73; A. L.
Lobben, 1875-78; B. Hovde, 1878-93; S. S. Urberg, 1893. Officials in 1915:
a, T. T. Odegaard ; b, Gunleik Myrland ; c, Thomas P. Herreid ; d, Arne C.
Stone, Carl J. Hagestad, Andrew C. Hagestad ; e, T. T. Odegaard, R. Lewis
Thorkelsen, Hans Anderson ; f , J. S. Hovelsrud ; g, J. E. Hovelsrud. Church
1, 1862. Church 2, 1877. Church 3, 1891, $5,000. Schoolhouse, 1902, $400.
Parsonage 1, 1866, $3,000. Parsonage 2, 1902, $5,000. Cemetery, two
acres, $100. Land, six and a half acres, $500. Ladies' Aid Society. Young
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 819
Peoples' League. Choir. Pastor's salary, $233 (1914). "Menighetshis-
torie," 1909, Severin Nelson, K. K. Hagestad, S. S. Urberg ; "Kirketidende,"
1891, 45.5; 1892, 455; 1909, 1,042, S. S. Urberg (1328-651).
The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Beaver Creek. (From
1859 to 1889 was part of North Beaver Creek. Ettrick (six miles east).
Antimissouri, 1889-90 ; United Church, 1890. Organized 1889 (18.59). 432
souls in 1890, 631 in 1914. Pastors: N. O. Brandt, 1858; H. A. Stub,
1859-60 ; P. L. Larsen, 1860-61 ; B. J. Frich, 1861-66 ; 0. Waldeland, 1866-69 ;
E. Jensen, 1870-73; A. 0. Alfsen, 1871-78; A. L. Lobben, 1875-78; B. Hovde,
1878-88; 0. Waldeland, 1890-95; Ole Gulbrandson, 1895-14; A. J. Boe, 1914.
Officials in 1915: a, Anton Strand; b, Syver Herreid; c, Lars Underheim;
d, Jacob Selgstad, John Brovold, Lewis Herreid; e, Anton Strand, Ole
Sylfest, Mathias Anderson; f, Syver Herreid. Church 1, 1862. Church 2,
1877. Church 3, 1905, $12,500. "Konstitution," 1864. A. J. Boe (3387-
652).
Hardie's Creek Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. Et'trick
(six miles south). Independent (Ns), 1862. Organized 1862. About 60
souls in 1862, 273 in 1914. Pastors: J. B. Frich, 1862-69; S. Svennungsen,
1869-74; L. 0. Sherven, 1874-80; G. A. Lunde, 1880-90; 0. A. Myhre, 1890-
1900; G. I. Breivik, 1900-01; C. B. Bestul, 1901. Officials in 1862: b,
Marthinus Scorseth; c, Ole Hemma; e, M. J. Scorseth, 0. Gryhte, Mikkel
Spedalen ; f , Ole Hemma. In 1915 : b, I. B. Scorseth ; c, C. M. Scorseth ;
e, Bernt 0. Evenson, Mathias Pederson, Idius Johnson; f, A. Oksnee; g,
Miss Helen Olsen. Church 1, 1876, $1,000. Church 2, 1915, $10,884. School-
house, 1894, $600. Cemetery, 13/4 acres, $350. Ladies' Aid Society, 1890,
$1,707. Young Peoples' League, 1914, $264. Pastor's salary, $100 (1915).
"Konstitution," 1904. C. B. Bestul (1339-654).
French Creek Norwegian Lutheran Congregation. Ettrick (three miles
west). Independent (Ns), 1862. Organized 1862. About 35 souls in
1862, 517 in 1914. Pastors: L. Larson, 1862; J. B. Frich, 1862-66; 0. Wal-
deland, 1866-69; S. Svennungsen, 1869-74; L. 0. Sherven, 1874-70; G. A.
Lunde, 1880-90; 0. A. Myhre, 1890-1900; G. I. Breivik, 1900-01; C. B.
Bestul, 1901. Officials: g, 0. J. Engen, 1868-85. In 1915: a, H. B. Nilsen;
b, O. J. Engen ; c, I. B. Enghagen ; e, H. B. Nilsen ; Carl Breiningen, John
Holstad, Emil Benrud, Ibert Engelien ; f , A. Oksnee ; g, A. Oksnee. Church
1, 1878, $4,000. Church 2, 1904, $9,085. Parsonage 1, 1875. Parsonage 2.
1894. Cemetery, two acres, $50. Land, 38 acres, $1,243. Four Ladies'
Aid Societies, 1890, $2,600. Young Peoples' League, 1896, $2,500. Mis-
sionary society, 1910, $.320. Pastor's salary, $242 (1914). "Konstitution,"
1880. C. B. Bestul (1336-653).
Ettrick Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. Ettrick.
Independent (Ns) 1897. Organized 1897. 90 souls in 1897, 200 in 1914.
Pastors : S. S. Urberg, 1897. Officials in 1897 : a, Iver Pedersen ; b, H. J.
Hagestad ; c, 0. E. Runnestrand ; d, Hans Christiansen, C. F. Ringlie, 0. S.
Folkedal; e, Iver Pedersen; h, 0. S. Folkedal. In 1915: a, A. M. Pedersen;
b, A. G. Tjofiot ; c, 0. A. Ask ; d, M. T. Pederson, Hans Christiansen ; e, A. M.
Pederson, Filing E. Runnestrand,- S. W. Swendson. Ladies' Aid Society,
1898, $2,000. Pastor's salary, $100 ri897), $125 (1914), $1,875 (1897-
820 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
1914). Church, 1898, $7,000. Cemetery, three acres. "Konstitution,"
1898; "Kirketidende," 1898, 664; 1902, 1066. S. S. Urberg (1326-655).
Tamarack Valley Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation.
Tamarack. Norwegian Synod, 1863. Organized 1863. About 45 souls in
1863, 198 in 1914. Pastors: J. B. Frich, 1863-66; 0. Waldeland, 1866-69;
S. Svennungsen, 1869-74; L. 0. Sherven, 1874-80; G. A. Lunde, 1880-90;
0. A. Myhre, 1890-1900; G. L. Breivik, 1900-1901; C. B. Bestul, 1901.
Officials in 1915: b, A. 0. Syversen; c, 0. A. Olsen; e, Olaf 0. Syversen,
Oscar H. Olsen, Halfdan Olsen, Ole "t. Thompson ; f , A. Oksnee ; g. A. Oksnee.
Church, 1878, $6,500. Cemetery, one and a half acres, $150. Ladies' Aid
Society, 1889, $3,100. Young Peoples' League, 1897, $1,179. Missionarv
Society, 1907, $566. Pastor's salary, $100 (1914). "Konstitution," 1867.
C. B. Bestul (1335-656).
Tamarack Preaching Place. Tamarack. Conference, 1880-81 (?).
Started 1880 (?). Discontinued (?). Pastor: E. M. Midtbo, 1880-81 (3399-
657).
Fagernes Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. (Plum
Creek Evangelical Lutheran Congregation, Plum Creek, 1868-85.) Blair
(six miles west). Independent (Ns), 1868-1912; Norwegian Synod, 1912.
Organized in fall of 1868. About 90 souls in 1868, 219 in 1914. Pastors:
0. Waldeland, 1867-69; S. Svennungsen, 1869-74; L. O. Sherven, 1874-80;
G. A. Lunde, 1880-90; 0. A. Myhre, 1890-1900; G. I. Breivik, 1900-91 ; C. B.
Bestul, 1901. Officials in 1915 : b, Ole Arnesen ; c, H. C. Fagernes ; e, C. M.
Larsen, Halvor Hansen, James Hansen; f, Ole Arneson. Pastor's salary,
$120 (1914). Church 1, 1875, $540. Church 2, 1892, $2,700. Church 3,
1901, $5,500. Cemetery one and a half acres, $29 ; donated, one aci'e. "Kon-
stitution," 1907. C. B. Bestul (1337-658).
Silver Creek Valley Congregation. Frenchville (five miles southeast).
Norwegian Synod, 1869 (?)-78 (?). Organized 1869 (?). Dissolved 1878
(?). Sixty souls in 1872, 30 in 1877. Pastors: S. Svennungsen, 1869-74;
L. 0. Sherven, 1874-80 (3394-659).
Our Saviour's Congregation. (French Creek.) Ettrick (three miles
west). Conference, 1875 (?) -90; United Church, 1890-98. Organized 1875
(?). Dissolved 1898. Forty-seven souls in 1876, 70 in 1897. Pastors:
E. H. Midtbo, 1873-81; N. Heierman, 1881-84; 0. H. Stenson, 1884-88;
O. Waldeland, 1890-94; O. Gulbrandson, 1894-98. Church (3393-660).
Trempealeau Village Congi-egation. Trempealeau. Norwegian Synod,
1869 (?)-74 (?). Organized 1869 (?). Dissolved 1874 (?). Eighteen souls
in 1873. Pastor: S. S. Svennungsen, 1869-74 (3397-661).
Trempealeau Congregation. Trempealeau. Conference, 1871 (?)-73
(?). Organized 1871 (?). Dissolved 1873 (?). Fifty souls in 1871, 96 in
1872. Pastor: Ole Amundson 1871 (?>-73 (3396-662).
Kongsberg Congregation. Hamlin (10 miles ?). Norwegian Synod,
1879 (?). Organized 1879 (?). Dis-solved (?). 157 souls in 1879, 168 in
1883. Pastors: H. A. Heyer, 1879-84; A. E. Hauge (?), 1884 (?) (3398-
663).
Big Creek Congregation. (North of Eleva ?.) Norwegian Synod,
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 821
1872 (?)-74 (?). Organized 1872 (?). Dissolved 1874 (?). 85 souls in
1873. Pastor: L. 0. Sherven, 1871-74 (3400-664).
Galesville Congregation. Galesville. Norwegian Synod, 1878 (?)-90
( ?) . Organized 1878 ( ?) . Dissolved 1890 ( ?) . 30 souls in 1878, 40 in 1886.
Pastors: L. 0. Sherven, 1871-80; G. A. Lunde, 1880-90. Church (3392-
665).
Eden Congregation. The New Norwegian Lutheran Congregation in
Galesville and the Community. Galesville. Independent (Kf). 1886-90;
United Church, 1890. Organized Oct. 9, 1886. 18 souls in 1886 (1 Swede),
100 in 1914 (1 Swede). Pastors: 0. H. Stenson, 1886-88; Chr. K. Ytrehus,
1891-99; R. Anderson, 1899-14; 0. C. Myhre, 1915. Officials in 1886: a,
Theodor Larson ; b, A. J. Quarberg ; c, 0. N. Sagen ; e, L. 0. Moe, Theodor
Larson, L. W. Hammer; f, Theodor Larson; h, A. J. Quarberg. In 1915:
b, P. J. Enghagen ; c, D. H. Strand ; d, L. N. Hammer, Nils Rosewald, A. J.
Quarberg; e, D. H. Strand, S. H. Dale, Iver Herreid; f, A. J. Quarberg; h,
Alice Feton. Ladies' Aid Society, 1893. Choir. Pastors salary: $100
(1886), $260 (1914). "Konstitution," 1886. 0. C. Myhre (1049-666).
Trinity Congregation. Galesville. Norwegian Synod, 1894. Organ-
ized 1894. 31 souls in 1894 (four Germans, two Americans), 224 in 1914
(two Germans, one American). Pastors: L. M. Gimmestad, 1894. Officials
in 1894: a, Ole Hemma; b, Benjamin Dale; c, Ole Hemma; e, Benjamin
Dale, P. Sauers, A. J. Scarseth; f, Ole Hemma. In 1915: b, Einar Olson;
c, A. J. Berg; e, L. Gilbo, Hans Benrud, Chr. Braaten; f, Andreas J. Scar-
seth; h, Louise Scarseth. Church, 1909, $6,000. Ladies' Aid Society, 1902,
$2,954. Young Peoples' League, 1905, $400. Pastor's salary: 0 (1894),
$300 (1914), $1,925 (1894-14). Janitor, etc., $1,100 (1894-1914). Parochial
school, $970 (1894-1914). Denominational schools, $3,615 (1894-1914).
Missions, $839 (1894-14). Gale College is connected with this congregation,
1901. Gimmestads "Menighetshistorie," 1914. L. M. Gimmestad (1136-
667).
Pigeon Creek Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. Pigeon
Falls. Norwegian Synod. 1865-85. Organized Aug. 18, 1866. Divided 1885
on doctrinal grounds (Pigeon Creek Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Con-
gregation— Ns; Pigeon Falls Norwegian Lutheran Congregation — Fk).
40 souls in 1866, 354 in 1885. Pastors : 0. Waldeland, 1866-69 ; S. Svennung-
sen, 1869-71 ; N. E. S. Jensen, 1869-71 ; 0. Sherven, 1871-76 ; Em. Chris-
tophersen, 1876-1909 ; 0. K. Ramberg, 1909-10 ; E. B. Christophersen, 1910.
Officials in 1866 : e, Ole Larson, Peder Pederson, Erik Larson ; f , Ole Paul-
son. Church, 1874 (3407-668).
Pigeon Falls Norwegian Lutheran Congregation. Pigeon Falls. Con-
ference, 1878-87. Organized 1878. Dissolved 1887 in order to organize
a new congregation with Our Saviour's Congregation of the Antimissou-
rians. Seventy-five souls in 1878, 240 in 1887. Pastors: C. J. Helsem,
1878-92. Officials in 1878 : b, Hans Karlstad ; c. Nils Nilsen ; d, Peder Ekern,
Andreas Olsen ; e, Nils Nilsen, Ole Tuff, Soren Thompson ; f , Ole Tuff (3410-
670).
Pigeon Creek Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. (From
1866 to 1885 was part of Pigeon Creek Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran.)
822 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Pigeon Falls. Norwegian Synod, 1885 (1866). Organized 1885 (Aug. 18,
1866. 354 souls in 1889, 395 in 1914. Pastors: O. Waldeland, 1866-69;
S. Svennungsen, N. E. S. Jensen, 1869-71 ; L. 0. Sherven, 1871-76 ; E. Chris-
tophersen, 1876-1909; 0. K. Ramberg, 1909-10; E. B. Christophersen, 1910.
Officials in 1915 : b, Bernt P. Moe ; c, Peter Estensen ; e, Eddie Nelson, Emil
Nerson, Anton Johnson, Carl Tomte, Christopher Foss ; f , H. Samuelstad,
John Olson, J. Eilertson, P. P. Dahl, T. Lee; h, Melvin Moe. Church, 1874,
$4,500. Parsonage 1, 1876, $600. Parsonage 2, 1912, $4,500. Cemetery,
three acres, $30. Land, 23 acres, $450. Ladies' Aid Society, 1890, $2,900.
Young Peoples' League, 1895, $3,200. Pastor's salary, $50 (1867), $300
(1914). Parochial school, $4,400 (1866-1914). Denominational schools,
$4,200 (1866-1914). Missions, $4,420 (1866-1914). Charitable institutions,
$2,500 (1866-1914). "Konstitution," 1888; "Kirketidende," 1892, 456-57;
1910, 822-23. E. B. Christophersen (2261-669).
Our Saviour's Congregation. Pigeon Falls. Antimissouri, 1885-87.
Organized 1885. Dissolved 1887 to form a new congregation with Pigeon
Falls Church of the Conference. (Pigeon Falls Norwegian Lutheran Con-
gregation.) Pastors: P. Stromme, 1885-87; A. E. Hauge, 1885-87; H. C.
Wik, 1885-87 (3408-671).
Pigeon Falls Norwegian Lutheran Congregation. (Merger of Our
Saviour's, 1885-87, and Pigeon Falls, 1878-87.) Pigeon Falls. Independent
(Kf ) , 1887-89. Organized 1887. Divided 1889 on account of the Conference
people wishing a Conference pastor and the Antimissourians wishing an
Antimissouri pastor. 257 souls in 1887, 257 in 1888. Pastor: C. J. Helsem,
1872-92. Officials in 1888: b,O.Goplem. Church (3409-672).
Our Saviour's Congregation. (From 1885 to 1887 a part of Our
Saviour's) ; from 1887 to 1889 a part of Pigeon Falls. Pigeon Falls. Anti-
missouri, 1889-90; United Church, 1890-91. Organized 1889. Dissolved
1891 in order to organize a congregation with Pigeon Falls of the United
Church. 80 souls in 1890, 80 in 1891. Pastors: P. Stromme, 1889-91; A. E.
Hauge, 1889-91; H. C. Wik, 1889-91 (3411-673).
Pigeon Falls Norwegian Lutheran Congregation. (From 1878 to 1887
a part of Pigeon Falls ; from 1887 till 1889 a part of Pigeon Falls.) Pigeon
Falls. Conference, 1889-90; United Church, 1890-91. Organized 1889. Dis-
solved 1891 in order to organize a new congregation together with Our
Saviour's of the United Church. 116 souls in 1890, 220 in 1891. Pastor:
C. J. Helsem, 1878-92 (3412-674).
Pigeon Falls Norwegian Lutheran Congregation. (Merger of Pigeon
Falls, 1889-91, and Our Saviour's, 1889-91.) Pigeon Falls. United Church,
1891. Organized 1891 ( 1878- 1885). 220 souls in 1892, 820 in 1914. Pas-
tors: C. J. Helsem, 1878-92; M. Gulbrandson, 1892-95; A. J. Orke, 1895.
Officials in 1915: b, Even Hegge; c, B. M. Sletteland; d, Ole Paulsrud, Jens
Vosseteig ; f , Ole Paulsrud. Two Ladies' Aid Societies, 1884, $4,400 ; Young
Peoples' League, 1892, $5,567 ; Girls' Club, 1914, $30. Choir, 1892. Pastor's
salary, $50 (1878), $550 (1914), $12,324 (1878-14). Janitor, etc., $15,000
(1878-14). Parochial school, $7,000 (1878-14). Denominational schools,
$4,827 (1878-1914). Missions, $3,650 (1878-1914). Charitable institutions,
$2,500(1878-1914). Church, 1888, $8,350. Parsonage, 1892, $5,000. Hall,
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 823
1896, $3,500. Cemetery, two acres, $1,000. Land, five acres, $200. "Kon-
stitution," 1885, 1891. A. J. Orke (894-875).
Whitehall Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. Whitehall
(one mile). Norwegian Synod, 1870-87. Organized June 14, 1870. Divided
in 1887 on doctrinal grounds (Our Saviour's Norwegian Lutheran — Fk;
Whitehall Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran — Ns). 20 souls in 1870 (two
Swedes), 260 in 1886. Pastors: N. E. S. Jensen, 1870-71; L. 0. Sherven,
1871-76; S. Svennungsen, 1871; Em. Christophersen, 1876. (See below)
(3404-676).
Whitehall Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. (From 1870
to 1887 as above.) Whitehall Norwegian Synod, 1887 (1870-1887) . Organ-
ized 1887 (June 14, 1870). 246 souls in 1889, 262 in 1914 (12 Swedes). Pas-
tors: N. E. S. Jensen, 1870-1871; S. Svennungsen, 1871; L. O. Sherven,
1871-76; E. Christopherson, 1876-1904; O. K. Ramberg, 1904-12^ E. B.
Christopherson, 1912. Officials in 1915: b, 0. C. Hanson; c, G. F. Steig; e,
John Iverson, H. Hagen, Albert Bringsosen, P. C. Pederson ; f , H. Samuel-
stad, John Olson, J. Ellertson, P. P. Dahl ; h, Mrs. Gilbert Rice. Church 1,
$125. Church 2, 1892, $6,500. Parsonage, $3,500. Cemetery, one acre,
$20. Three Ladies' Aid Societies, 1896, $32,000. Young Peoples' League,
1896, $350. Choir, 1904. Pastor's salary, $300 (1914), $9,850 (1870-1914).
Janitor, etc.. $7,000 (1870-1914). Parochial school, $3,500 (1870-1914).
Denominational schools, $2,700 (1870-1914). Missions, $3,100 (1870-1914).
Charitable institutions, $2,400 (1870-1914). "Konstitution," 1888; "Kirke-
tidende," 1893, 759. E. B. Christopherson (2262-677).
Hauges Norwegian Lutheran Congregation. Whitehall (eight miles
east). Hauges Synod, 1887-93. Organized 1887. Dissolved 1893. 58 soul
in 1889; 47 in 1891. Pastors: A. 0. Oppegaard, 1887-89; Th. Himle, 1889-
93 (3406-678).
Immanuel Norwegian Lutheran Congregation. Whitehall. Indepen-
dent (Fk), 1899-1908; United Church, 1908. Organized 1899. 46 souls in
1899; 190 in 1914. Pastor: A. J. Orke, 1899. Officials in 1899: b, E. Berg;
c, Peter Nilsen ; d, John Void ; e, E. B. Guland, John Schansberg ; f , E. Berg.
In 1915: b, Lewis Schansberg; d, Ludwig Solsrud; e, Olaus Galstad,
Erik Baalrud, Peter Ekern; h, P. K. Risberg. Church, 1901,
$5,200. Ladies' Aid Society, 1888, $2,214. Choir, 1907. Pastor's salary,
$50 (1899), $175 (1914), $1,375 (1899-1914). Janitor, etc., $6,000 (1899-
1914). Parochial school, $1,100 (1899-1914). Denominational schools,
$600 (1899-1914). Missions, $800 (1899-1914). Charitable institutions,
$200 (1899-1914). "Konstitution," 1899. A. J. Orke (892-680).
Our Saviour's Norwegian Lutheran Congregation. Whitehall (eight
miles east). Antimissouri, 1887-90. United Church, 1890-91. Organized
1887. Dissolved 1891. Reorganized 1899 (Immanuel— Fk). Pastor: A.
Ronnerberg, 1887-90 (3405-679).
Elk Creek Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. Hale.
Norwegian Synod, 1870. Organized 1870. Divided 1911 on account of the
Pleasantville people desiring a congregation of their own. (Pleasantville
Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation.) 170 souls in 1876, 299 in
1910. Pastors: E. P. Jensen, 1871-73; Em. Christophersen, 1873-80;
824 HISTORY OV TREMPEALEAI' COUNTY
H. Heyer, 1880-99; P. Toft, 1899-1908; S. Folkestad, 1909. Three Ladies'
Aid Societies. Young Peoples' League. Church 1, 1892. Church 2, 1915,
$7,000. S. Folkestad (2715-681).
Pleasantville Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. From
1870 to 1911 a part of Elk Creek Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congre-
gation. Whitehall (seven miles north). Independent (Ns), 1911. Organ-
ized 1911. 84 souls in 1911. Pastors: S. Folkestad, 1911. Officials in 1911 :
b, C. T. Hulberg; c, C. T. Hulberg; e, Lars Swaim, Chaly Gilbertsen, T. H.
Hauge ; f , Ole O. Hovre ; h, T. H. Hauge. In 1915 : b, C. T. Hulberg ; c, C. T.
Hulberg; e, Lars Swaim, Chaly Gilbertsen, William Gjestvang; f, Ole 0.
Hovre; h, Gilbert Hulberg. Pastor's salary, $50 (1911), $50 (1914), $200
(1911-14). Church, 1911, $4,000. S. Folkestad (2714-682).
Elk Creek Valley Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation.
Osseo (three miles south). Hauges Synod, 1872. Organized 1872. 50
souls in 1872, 140 in 1914. Pastors: P. J. Solberg, 1872-74; S. Berntson,
1874-78; A. O. Oppegaard, 1878-88; H. Hjertaas, 1888-89; Th. Himle,
1889-94 ; 0. H. Elstad, 1894-1906 ; J. C. Hjelmervik, 1906. Ofiicials in 1872 :
a, Andrias Prestegaarden ; b, Anton Larson ; d, Andrias Prestegaarden,
Anders Larson, Hans Bagstad; e, A. H. Lewis, S. P. Solberg. In 1915: a,
H. H. Lewis; b, A. N. Freng; c, J. H. Call; d, H. H. Lewis, Sam Gunderson,
John Prestegaarden ; e, Anton Amundson, John Void, Albert Ihle ; f , H. H.
Lewis; h, Sam Gunderson. Church, 1892, $1,400. Cemetery, two acres,
$65. Ladies' Aid Society, 1885. Y^oung Peoples' League, 1895. Girls'
Club, 1900. Choir, 1895. Pastor's salary, $70 (1872), $200 (1914). J. C.
Hjelmervik (186-683).
Mauls Valley Congregation. Osseo (?). Hauges Synod, 1889 (?).
Organized 1889 (?). Dissolved 1906 (?). 36 souls in 1889, 42 in 1900.
Pastors: H. Hjertaas, 1885-94; 0. H. Elstad, 1894-06. Church (3413-684).
Osseo Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. Osseo. Hauges Synod,
1893. Organized 1893. 79 souls in 1897, 142 in 1914. Pastors: Th. Himle,
1893-94 ; 0. H. Elstad, 1894-1906; J. C. Hjelmervik, 1907. Officials in 1893:
a, H. F. Larson ; b, J. J. Aasgaard ; d, Knudt Robeson, H. F. Larson ; e, 0.
Blexrud, Knudt Robeson, M. Johnson. In 1915: b, C. L. Ihle; c, 0. Waller;
d, J. N. Lee, C. H. Larson, A. L. Erikson ; e, J. N. Lee, Even Terpen, Ludvig
Anderson; f, J. N. Lee; h, John Carson, Torger Stenson. Church, 1894,
$4,000. Ladies' Aid Society, 1892. Young Peoples' League. Two Girls'
Clubs. Choir. Avholdsfor. Pastor's salary, $300 (1914). J. C. Hjelmervik
(187-685).
West Beef River Congregation. Strum (one and one-half miles east) .
Norwegian Synod, 1872-87. Organized 1872. Divided in 1887 on doctrinal
grounds. (Strum Congregation — Am; Strum Congregation — Ns). 368
souls in 1874, 350 in 1885. Pastors: 0. Waldeland, 1868-71; E. Jensen,
1871-73 ; L. 0. Sherven, 1873-76 ; I. L. P. Dietrichson, 1876-79 ; F. A. Moller,
1880-81; H. A. Hyer, 1881-99. Church, 1885 (3402-686).
Strum Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. (From 1872
to 1887 a part of West Beef River Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Con-
gregation.) Strum. Independent (Ns), 1887-1900; Norwegian Synod,
1900. Organized 1887 (1872). Divided 1887. 329 souls in 1889, 369 in
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 825
1911. Pastors: 0. Waldeland, 1868-71; E. P. Jensen, 1871-73; L. O. Sher-
ven, 1873-76; I. L. P. Dietrichson, 1876-79; F. A. MoUer, 1879-80; H. A.
Hyer, 1880-99; P. A. Toft, 1899-1908; D. Kvaase, 1908-09; S. Fokestad,
1909. Officials in 1915 : b, Even Holte ; c, C. 0. Dahl ; f , Lars Moe ; h, Olaf
DahL Four Ladies' Aid Societies. Young Peoples' League. Girls' Club.
Church 1, 1885. Church 2, 1915, $15,000. Parsonage, 1908, $2,200. S.
Folkestad (2716-687).
Strum Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. (From 1872
to 1887 a part of West Beef River Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran.)
Strum. Antimissouri, 1887-90. Organized 1887. Dissolved 1890 to merge
with Conference Congregation (St. Paul's). 50 souls in 1887. Pastor:
A. Ronnerberg, 1887-90 (3403-688).
St. Paul's Congregation. Strum. Conference, 1877-90. United
Church, 1890. Organized Feb. 23, 1877. 128 souls in 1877, 714 in 1914
(eight French-Norwegian). Pastors: G. Hoyme, 1877-78; C. J. Helsem,
1878-1914; 0. J. Hylland, 1914. Officials in 1877: b, E. Evensen; c, 0. J.
Romundstad; d, Erik 0. Holden, Berger Semingsen, C. Svendby; e, Ole J.
Romundstad; E. Evensen, Andrew Call; f, Esten Johnsen. In 1915: b,
Sivert Rekstad; c, Ole P. Berg; d, Ole Halvorsen, Christ. Amundsen, Otto
Skaug ; Anders J. Romundstad, Sivert Rekstad ; e, Ole Thomasgaard, Gilbert
Dahl, Hans E. Hanson, Christian Dahlby, Arne Hageness, Martin Stuberg,
Daniel Anders, Matias Semingson, Paul Eide; f, Ole Halvorsen. Pastor's
salary, $100 (1877), $400 (1914), $11,100 (1877-1914). Janitor, $2,060.
Church, 1915, $4,500. Parsonage 1 (Helsem's). Parsonage 2, congrega-
tion's). Cemetery, two acres. "Menighetshistorie," (1916, Sivert Rekstad.
O.J. Hylland (1987-689).
Bruce Valley Congregation. Whitehall (10 miles northwest). Nor-
wegian Synod, 1888. Organized 1888. 99 souls in 1888, 99 in 1914. Pas-
tors: H. A. Hyer, 1888-99; P. A. Toft, 1900-08; 0. K. Ramberg, 1909;
S. Folkestad, 1909. Officials in 1915: b, Ole Bergsland; c, Erik Hagen; e,
Ole Bergsland, Knudt Johnsen, Ole Bergersen; f, Ole Bergsland. Church,
1911, $4,000. Schoolhouse 1, 1870. Schoolhouse 2. 1891. S. Folkestad
(2713-690).
The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. (From 1857 to
1879 was part of Trempealeau Valley.) Blair. Norwegian Synod, 1879-89.
Organized 1879 (1857). Divided 1889 on doctrinal grounds (Blair — Am;
The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Synod Ns). 496 souls in 1886, 496 in
1889. Pastors : H. A. Stub, 1857-60 ; P. L. Larson, 1860-61 ; J. B. Frich,
1861-66; 0. Waldeland, 1866-69; E. Jensen, 1870-73; A. 0. Alfsen, 1871-73;
A. L. Lobben, 1875-78 ; B. Hovde, 1878-93 ; S. S. Urberg, 1893. Officials : a,
Stener Hansen; b, C. A. Berg; c, Gullik Olson; d, Ole Helgeson, Martin
Hansen, Anders Wraalstad ; e, Mattis Mattison ; h. Matt. Skyrud. Pas-
tor's salary, $167 (1879). "Kirketidende," 1877, 587. Church, 1877, $6,000
(3388-691).
The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Synod Congregation of Blair.
(From 1857 to 1879 a part of Trempealeau Valley ; from 1879 to 1889 a
part of The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Blair. Blair.
Norwegian Synod, 1889 (1857). Organized 1889 (Nov. 3, 1879, 1857). 133
826 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
souls in 1889, 350 in 1914. Pastors : B. Hovde, 1879-93 ; S. S. Urberg, 1893.
Officials in 1915: a, Ole Malmin; b, Glaus 0. Mitskogen; c, C. O. Grinde; d,
Emil Hanson, S. G. Ness, A. M. Mesundstad ; e, Ole Malmin, Otto J. Berg,
Peder 0. Urlien. Church 1, 1877, $6,000. Church 2, 1895, $2,000. Church
3, 1899, $12,000. Parsonage 1, 1866. Parsonage 2, 1903, $5,000. Cemetery,
two acres, $200. Land six and one-half acres, $500. Ladies' Aid Society,
1895, $2,000. Pastor's salary, $333 (1914). "Konstitution," 1876 ; "Kirke-
tidende," 1877, 587; 1895, 631; 1900, 617; 1903, 1053. S. S. Urberg (1330-
692).
Blair Congregation. (Corness. From 1857 to 1870 a part of Trem-
pealeau Valley.) Blair. Conference, 1870-90. Organized 1870. Dissolved
1890 in order to organize a new congregation together with the Antimissou-
rians of Blair. 141 souls in 1876, 183 in 1887. Pastors: A. Weenaas, 1870-
73 ; E. H. Midtbo, 1873-81 ; N. Heierman, 1881-84 ; O. H. Stenson, 1884-88.
Church (3391-693).
Blair Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. (From 1857 to
1879 a part of Trempealeau Valley ; from 1879 to 1889 a part of The Nor-
wegian Evangelical Lutheran in Blair.) Blair. Antimissouri, 1889-90.
Organized 1889. Dissolved 1890 in order to organize a new congregation
together with Blair of the Conference (Blair — Fk). Pastor: 0. Waldeland,
1890 (3389-694).
The Norwegian Evangelical Congregation of Blair. (Merger of Blair
of the Antimissourians, 1889-90, and Blair of the Conference, 1870-90.)
Blair. United Church, 1890. Organized 1890 (Jan. 15, 1881). 678 souls
in 1891, 811 in 1914. Pastors: 0. Waldeland, 1890-94; 0. Gulbrandson,
1894-1914; A. J. Boe, 1914. Officials in 1915: a, Peter Overby; b, Edwin
T. Mattison; c, Peter T. Herreid; e, Ebert Everson, John Pederson, A. 0.
Dahle. Ladies' Aid Society. Young Peoples' League. Choir. Pastor's
salary, $375 (1914). "Konstitution," 1881. Church 1, 1877, $6,000.
Church 2, 1907, $19,000. Parsonage 1, Parsonage 2, 1915, $4,200. Ceme-
tery, three acres. Land, one acre. A. J. Boe (3390-695).
Trempealeau River Congregation. Arcadia (?). Norwegian Synod,
1872 (?)-74 (?). Organized 1872 (?). Dissolved 1874 (?). 70 souls in
1873. Pastor: L. O. Sherven, 1873 (?) 74 (?) (3395-696).
Independence Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. Inde-
pendence. Indepedent (Ns, Am), 1879-90; United Church, 1890. Organ-
ized 1879. 80 souls in 1879, 150 in 1914. Pastors: H. A. Hyer, 1879-84;
A. E. Hauge, 1884-98; H. J. Rasmussen, 1899-1913; A. J. Orke, 1913.
Officials in 1879 : b, Nathan Anderson ; c, 0. P. Larson ; d, J. A. Johnson, Ole
Rodningen; e, John C. Leafland, 0. P. Larson, Nathan Anderson. In 1915:
b, G. B. Anderson ; c, C. Torgerson ; e. Otto K. Lindberg, Christian Stuve,
James Elstad. Church, 1883, $5,200. Cemetery, two acres, $600. Ladies'
Aid Society, 1885, $1,600. Pastor's salary, $75 (1879), $180 (1914), $5,260
(1879-1914). Janitor, etc., $7,500. "Konstitution," 1879. A. J. Orke
(1267-697).
Eleva Norwegian Lutheran Congregation. Eleva. United Church,
1893. Organized Feb. 27, 1893. 13 souls in 1893, 314 in 1915. Pastors:
J. C. Helsem, 1893-1905; John Erikson, 1905-11; A. O. Langehough, 1911.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 827
Officials in 1893: b, Knute Jenson; c, Tom Olson; d, Martin Olson, Alick
Toppen ; e, John Volan, A. C. Hollanger, Ole Halvorson ; f , S. H. Anderson.
In 1915: b, N. I. Gilbert; c, Henry Void; d, Andrew Hagen, A. Finreite,
Anders Isakson; e, Andrew Gilberg, Knute Steffenson, Magnus Moen; f,
S. H. Anderson; h, Magnus Moen. Church, 1897, $3,500. Parsonage, 1908,
$2,500. Cemetery, two acres, $150. Land, one acre. Two Ladies Aid Socie-
ties, 1893, $4,722 (1896-1916). Young Peoples' League, 1912, $320. Pas-
tor's salary, $100 (1893), $300 (1914), $4,000 (1893-1914). Janitor, etc.,
$1,025 (1893-14). Denominational schools, $300 (1906-15). Missions,
$572(1907-15). "Konstitution," 1893. A. 0. Langehough (970-699).
Chimney Rock Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. Chim-
ney Rock. Norwegian Synod, 1869-88. Antimissouri, 1888-90; United
Church, 1890. Organized 1869 (1874). 60 souls in 1874, 424 in 1914. Pas-
tors: L. 0. Sherven, 1874-76; F. A. MoUer, 1876-78; E. Christopherson,
1878-79; H. A. Hyer, 1879-84; 0. 0. Daehlen, 1884-88; Olaf Guldseth.
1888-92; M. C. Holseth, 1892-1906; M. C. Stenson, 1906-11; A. 0. Lange-
hough, 1911. Officials in 1874: b, H. 0. Haagensen; v, Peder Pedersen; d,
Lars L. Instenes, Ch. Cotholfsen; e, C. 0. Wenberget, T. 0. Holstad, Ch.
Botholfsen; e, C. 0. Instenes. In 1915. b, Julius M. Lek; c, Ole Paulsen;
d, Lars L. Instenes, Johan Spangberg ; e, Carsten Paulsen, Adolph Hendrig-
sen, C. K. Risberg; f, Lars Instenes. Church 1, 1877, $1,200; church 2.
1908, $8,600. Ladies' Aid Society, 1879, $2,485. Young Peoples' League,
1907, $1,300. Pastor's salary, $140 (1874), $.300 (1914), $5,400 (1874-
1914). Janitor, etc., $800. Parochial school, $2,000. Denominational
schools, $1,400. Missions, $1,100. Charitable institutions, $600. A. 0.
Langehough (632-698).
East Bennet Valley Congregation. Eleva (seven miles south). Inde-
pendent (Ns, Fk), 1890-1909; United Church, 1909. Organized 1890. 120
souls in 1890, 254 in 1914. Pastors: F. A. MoUer, 1890-1901; M. C. Hol-
seth, 1901-03; H. C. Wik, 1903. Officials in 1890: b, Johan Langseth; c.
Halvor Svensen; e, Knut Stevens, Anfin Gray; f, Hans Olsen. In 1915:
b, Hans Lengseth ; c, G. A. Gundersen ; d, Mons Hefte, Johannes Langseth ;
e, Andreas Klevgaard, Sylf est Rene, Johannes Langseth ; f , John Hansen.
Church 1, 1901, $400. Church 2, 1910, $4,000. Cemetery, two acres, $120.
Ladies' Aid Society, 1890, $1,900. Young Peoples' League, 1910, $300.
Choir. Pastor's salary, $125 (1914), $1,270 (1901-14). Janitor, etc., $800
(1890-1914). Denominational schools, $250 (1901-14). Missions, $150.
H. C. Wik. (586-700).
East Bennet Valley Congregation. Eleva (seven miles south). Nor-
wegian Synod, 1901-05 (?). Organized 1890. Dissolved 1905 (?). 120
souls in 1890, 30 in 1905. Pastor: F. A. Moller, 1890-1905 (3401-701).
Travis Valley. Independence (two miles). Conference 1875 (?)-84
(?). Organized 1875 (?). Dissolved (?) 1884 (?). 55 souls in 1877, 82
in 1884. Pastors: E. H. Midtbo, 1875-77; 0. C. Schonhovd, 1877-79 (4105-
702).
Gale College Preaching-place. Galesville. Norwegian Synod, 1911.
Started 1901. Leader: L. M. Gimmeatad, 1901 (4119-703).
The reference letters in the article are as follows: (a) president, (b)
828 HISTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
secretary, (c) treasurer, (d) deacon, (e) trustees, (f) "klokker," (g)
teacher, (h) Sunday school superintendent.
The history of several of these churches is given in greater detail in
the following articles. In the preparation of this work letters have been
sent to all the pastors of the county, asking for material, but only a part
have responded. The histories which follow are, however, to a large extent
typical of the growth and progress of all the Norwegian churches.
1 — French Creek, Tamarack, Hardie's Creek Fagernes and South
Branch Beaver Creek Congregations, by Rev. C. B. Bestul.
The French Creek Congregation. One of the oldest Lutheran congre-
gations in Trempealeau County is the French Creek Congregation, located
in the fertile French Creek Valley in the Towti of Ettrick and comprising
also Abrahams Coulee in the Town of Gale. Pioneers from the eastern part
of Norway moved in as early as 1859. Three years later there were at
least ten families. These early settlers had to travel by ox-team or on foot
to Trempealeau Valley when they desired to attend religious worship.
Seven of these early settlers organized the French Creek Congregation in
March, 1862. These seven were: Ole Gloppestuen Gilbertson, Johannes
Hodgen (still living), his brother Andreas Anderson Hodgen, Johannes
Nilson Odegoord, Johannes Christensen Engehen, Peder Anderson, Peder
Olson. The congregation was organized by the Rev. Dr. Lauritz Larson,
then residing pastor and president of Luther College, started in Half Way
Creek, La Crosse County, and moved to Decorah, Iowa, in 186-3. As people
moved in family after family joined the church. Its growth was rapid. At
present the congi'egation comprises 140 families of 339 communicant
members.
At first the preaching was conducted in the simple log huts of the set-
tlers, later in a spacious schoolhouse built near the I. P. Enghagen home.
This schoolhouse served as the meeting house of the congregation for six-
teen years. A tract of land was bought for cemetery in 1869. A church
building 60 by 34 feet, with a seating capacity of 400, was erected in 1878,
which cost when completed $4,000. So rapid was the growth of the settle-
ment and congi-egation that it was decided to rebuild in 1903. The
present building was completed two years later at a cost of $8,000, not
counting the gratuitous work done by members. It was dedicated May 28,
1905, by Prof. Dr. J. Ylvisaker of Luther Seminary, St. Paul. The con-
gregation has four Ladies' Aid Societies, three Missionary Aid Societies
and a Young Peoples' Society divided into three districts. The money raised
is used for various purposes, a part is given to local church an,d not a little
to charity.
Tamarack Congregation. Another old settlement is the Tamarack
settlement, comprising Norwaj- Coulee, Little Tamarack and Thompson
Coulee in the Town of Arcadia, and Holcomb Coulee in the Town of Gale.
The pioneers here came mostly from Telemarken. Norway. The earliest
settler was Ole Guttormson. He moved in from Vernon County in 1862.
Within a year the settlement had ten families. The first church service
was held in 1862 in the home of John Hendrickson. The Rev. J. B. Frich
from La Crosse County preached the sermon and organized the congrega-
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 829
tion, The Tamarack Valley Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church. The
congregation grew fast. The 10 families of 1863 was increased to 48 in
1869 and to 61 in 1877.
The settlers met with reverses, however. Poor crops and the ravages
of the chinch bugs disheartened many. The growth of the settlement was
not only checked, but original settlers sold out and left for points north in
this state and Minnesota. Of the 61 families of 1877 probably 50 percent
moved away. In Holcomb Coulee only a handful remained. The heavy
emigration had its depressing effect also on church work. The congregation
which promised to outnumber its sister congregation in French Creek
gradually fell behind. Today the congregation numbers 56 families with
108 communicant members. But what is lost in numbers is compensated
for in quality. A vigorous and intelligent church activity has obtained.
In 1864 a cemetery was bought. In 1877 a site for a church was purchased.
A building was erected and so far completed that it could be used in May,
1878. Though ample in size this building has about outgrown its useful-
ness. Steps have been taken to replace the old building with a new. The
young people have taken the initial step. The Ladies' Aid and individuals
have been boosting the project so that the congregation has a promise of
$5,000 for a new church. A Missionary Aid Society contributes annuallj'
liberal donations for charity. The earliest settlers in Tamarack were : Ole
Guttormsen, Tollef Egilsen, Sigurd Bjorguvsen, Bjorguv Bjorguvsen, John
Gunderson, Knut Leinfson, Egil Mikkelserf, Trond Osovson, John Hanson,
John Henricksen, Henrik Oleson, Hans C. Olesen.
Hardie's Creek Congregation. Still another communitj' of Norwegian-
Americans that has shown a vigorous and praiseworthy church activity is
the Hardie's Creek settlement, located mainly in the Town of Gale. Early
Settlers moved in prior to 1862, mainly from Biri, Norway. They were a
Godfearing people. The nearest congregation was in Lewis Valley. There
was a Black River to cross. In the winter the going was good. But when
spring and summer came it was different. The river was too deep to ford,
too swift of current to swim and no boats to row. But there was plenty
of material for raft building. Two logs tied together was all that was
needed to bring a man and his family across, and all who could footed it
the rest of the way. Small children were carried the whole way. Finally
the minister at Halfway was urged to come to this constantly growing settle-
ment, and he came. His transportation means- were the same as those used
by the apostles of old. His means of navigation were still more primitive,
the log raft. The Rev. J. B. Frich organized the Hardie's Creek Congrega-
tion in December, 1862. The following twelve families constitute the charter
members: Christian Hoff. Gulbrand Ekei'n, Andreas Ekern, Amund Bjorn-
stad, Peter Bjornstad, Martinus Scorseth, Ole Semb, J^ars Grythe, his two
sons Martinus and Ole, Amund Krisselstuen, Mikkel Spedalen. Church
services were held in the homes, also in the Glasgow schoolhouse. In 1876
a building was erected, 40 by 24 feet, on land donated by Otto Rindahl.
This building was in time added to and beautified. In time demands grew
for a larger and better equipped church. Finally in 1915 the old church was
taken down and in its place was built a handsome structure that cos; com-
830 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
pleted $10,000, not reckoning the gratuitous work done by members. This
church has a seating capacity of 300. The cornerstone to the new church
was laid Oct. 3, 1915, and the church dedicated the same day by Rt. Rev.
J. Nordby of La Crosse. The church will, as long as it stands, remain a
fitting monument to the Christian faith and love of its builders. This com-
munity has not appreciably suffered from emigration. The second and third
generations who constitute the present membership of the Hardie's Creek
Congregation have succeeded in building themselves homes within its
boundaries, a circumstance that has contributed to the welfare of them-
selves no less than to that of the parent congregation. The Ladies' Aid and
the Young Peoples' Society has been very active and contributed gener-
ously towards the strengthening of church work.
Fagernes Congregation. The Fagernes congregation was at one time
called Plumb Creek. Another early designation of this settlement was
"Storskogen," Big Timber. The reason for this name is obvious. There
was little or no timber on the surrounding hills, the virgin growth having
been annually burned off by the Indians. For some reason parts of the
town of Preston was spared from these destructive fires. When white men
finally settled sections to the south of this wooded land they would refer
to it as the Big Timber, where fuel and material for building the simple log
huts were plentiful. These conditions do not obtain now, there being plenty
of timber throughout the county north and south. The first settlers came
to the Fagernes community between the years 1865-1871. It is believed
that no church service has been held within this settlement prior to 1866.
People were hungry for the Word of God in those days. The nearest meet-
ing place was in Trempealeau Valley many miles away, a little too far to
travel forth and back in one day by ox-team or on foot. Torsten Nerhagen
was appointed to visit the residing pastor in Trempealeau Valley and make,
if possible, a more satisfactory arrangement. The outcome was that Rev.
0. Waldeland agreed to come. The first service was held at the home of
Even Hanson Sveum in 1866. Finally a congregation was organized after
a church service held in the home of Lars Stokke in the fall of 1867. The
growth of the settlement must have been quite rapid. In 1866 the whole
settlement could come to its first meeting in a little log hut. The whole
assembly consisted of Levor Olson, Hans Sedal, George Reisel, Ole Fagernes,
Andreas Larsen and Lars Stokke and their families. When the congrega-
tion was organized a year later this little band was increased to eighteen
and in 1874 to thirty-nine. Prior to 1874 the congi-egation had no church
building, but owned a cemetery lot, donated by Ole and Christian Fagernes
and Torsten Nerhagen. Shortly after that a small church was built at a
cost of $540. This building was taken down and replaced by a new one in
1892 at a cost of $2,700. This building was struck by lightning Aug. 26.
1901, and burned to the ground within one hour. The 4th of September of
the same year it was decided to rebuild. So fast did the work progress
that the building could be used during the winter. It gave slight protection
against the cold, it is true. One was strongly reminded of what is told
about the non-heated churches of Siberia: The temperature outside is
measured by the number of coats worn by the preacher in the pulpit. The
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 831
janitor did his best to heat the Fagernes church during the winter of
1901-02, but the heat escaped too freely by way of nuhierous knot-holes
and cracks in the board wall. The building was completed before May 17
the following year. On this day it was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. H. Hal-
verson of Westby, Wis. Its length is 60 feet, width 30 feet. Its total cost
$4,000, besides gratuitous work. The congregation now consists of fifty
families of 166 communicant members. Its members live in the Towns of
Preston and Arcadia.
South Branch Beaver Creek Congregation. This congregation con-
sists of two distinct settlements separated by a narrow German settle-
ment. The lower district comprises about 26 families, who originally came
from Biri, Faaberg or Ringsaker, Norway. The upper district lies in
Jackson County and comprises about 40 families, the first settlers coming
fi'om Solor, Norway, and some from Sweden. Prior to 1867 these com-
munities were united with the congregation of North Branch congrega-
tion organized in 1859. This was a great disadvantage. Their pastor.
Rev. Waldeland, residing at Trempealeau Valley, was in time induced to
hold services also in South Branch. In 1867 a separate congregation was
organized in this valley. Its official name became South Branch Beaver
Creek Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church. The families belonging
to this congregation from the beginning and residing in Trempealeau
County, Town of Ettrick, were: Ole Christensen, Gulbrand Nilson, Even
Swenson, Mathias Swenson, Peder Larson, Christian Syljeberget, Lars
Osley, Peder Bratstiengen, Ole Brendhangen and Sven Bergum. Some of
the oldest settlers in the upper district in towns of North Bend and Melrose
were: Hans Hanson, Nils Johnson, Ole Olson, Bernt Olson, Ole Karlstad,
P. Smedsturn, Erik Paulson, Ole Lindberg, Peder and Lars Amundsen. Not
until 1885 was a church built on a site that commands a full view down the
valley. Its cost was $2,000, fully equipped. The congregation has 66 fami-
lies, 233 communicant members.
This brief sketch of the religious activity within the five congrega-
tions constituting the so-called French Creek charge would be incomplete
without appending an account of the establishing of this charge and adding
a few words about its beneficiaries.
The early immigrants from Norway came to the United States with
good traditions. Honor, frugality and enlightenment were some of their
characteristics. They were a religious people, whose spiritual sentiments
are expressed in these lines so often sung:
"God's Word is our great heritage,
And shall be ours forever ;
To spread its light from age to age
Shall be our chief endeavor ;
Through life it guides our way,
In death it is our stay;
Lord grant, while worlds endure,
We keep its teachings pure.
Throughout all generations."
832 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
So soon as a settlement was formed a congregation was organized and
a pastor was called. The pioneer pastors were a highly educated class of
men, being largely graduates from the University of Christiania before
entering upon their theological studies. They were eminently qualified to
bring true culture and high ideals into the communities in which they
labored. They were men with a will to work and a readiness to share the
privations of pioneer hfe. The field was extensive. Each pastor had
charge of twenty and more settlements throughout many counties. It
meant incessant travel over primitive roads by oxen, horses and very often
on foot. As the number of pastors increased and the congregations were
able to support a minister the field was divided. There are circuits now
served by fifteen to twenty pastors — circuits that for years were served
by one.
Thus it was in Trempealeau County. Up to 1866 there was no residing
pastor in the county. Rev. H. A. Stub organized the first Lutheran con-
gregation, serving the people of this county in 1857. This was the Trem-
pealeau Valley Congregation, over the line in Jackson County. He resided
in Vernon County. He had eighty-five miles to travel. Another congre-
gation was organized by him within the county, namely, North Branch
Beaver Creek, in 1859. He is said to have preached in the newly started
French Creek settlement before 1861. Rev. Stub had a number of congre-
gations in La Crosse, Vernon, Crawford, Monroe and other counties. In
1861 this vast field was divided. A pastor, Lauritz Larson, was stationed
in Halfway, La Crosse County. He had charge of all congregations north
of La Crosse. When Prof. Dr. Larson moved to Iowa in 1862 Rev. J. B.
Frich took charge of the field. Finally a pastor was stationed in Trem-
pealeau County. Rev. Ole Waldeland came to Trempealeau Valley in 1866.
He took charge of all congregations north of the Black River except Hardie's
Creek, which was served by Rev. Frich until 1869. In the month of July
of this year a new division was made. French Creek, Tamarack, Fagernes,
South Branch of Beaver Creek and Hardie's Creek were united to form
the so-called French Creek charge, and Rev. S. Svennungsen was called.
He came to French Creek in September, 1869. The following spring 40
acres of land was bought for a parsonage. In 1874 Rev. Svennungsen was
called to Winona, Minn. The next pastor was Rev. L. Sherven. He entered
upon his work July 12 and remained until in the fall of 1880, when he
accepted a call fi'om South Dakota. In 1875 a new house was built for the
minister. Rev. G. A. Lunde succeeded Shevren. He came in October, 1880,
and remained until 1890, when he was called to Nebraska. A call was now
extended to Rev. O. A. Myhre, who came May 1 of this year. During his
incumbency the old manse was sold and a more modern building erected.
In the spring of 1900 Rev. Myhre got leave of absence and went to Norway.
In his absence Rev. G. I. Breivik had temporary charge of the work. In the
fall Rev. Myhre resigned and when Breivik left in December the charge
was vacant until March the following year. Rev. C. B. Bestul was called
and entered upon his work March 10, 1901. He is still the resident pastor.
Finally a few words about the religious work done for the young. The
Lutheran church has always maintained that parochial schools were a
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 833
necessity. Neglect of the child spells the gradual disintegration of the
church. The Master knew whereof He spoke when He delivered this man-
date: "Feed My lambs," and again: "Teach them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you." In compliance with this demand the
Lutheran church endeavors to supply the religious training of her children
through trained teachers besides the pastor. Inestimable good has been
accomplished by supplementing the secular training received in the com-
mon school with the systematic, intelligent religious training of the paro-
chial school. A number of capable men and women have taught in the
church schools of the various congregations of the French Creek charge.
Ole J. Engru taught in French Creek and Tamarack 1869 to 1891 with the
exception of three or four years ; H. G. Saebo, 1891 to 1897 ; A. Oksnee, 1887
to the present time. In Fagernes 0. T. Arneson taught for many years.
In Hardie's Creek the first teachers were Ole Skundberg, Lars Orevig, J. E.
Hovelsrud. In South Branch the first teachers were Christian Syljeberget
and Mr. Ringstad. In Hardie's Creek and South Branch both the following
teachers have taught: J. 0. Saeter, J. M. Systad, A. Modal, M. Rund,
John Ellertsen, Ida Myrstuen, Hilda Anderson, Helen Olson. These names
deserve a place in history. They are the names of men and women who
have striven and succeeded to make successive generations good citizens of
both church and state.
2 — Whitehall and Pigeon Creek Congregations, by Rev. Einar B.
Christophersen.
Whitehall Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized June 14, 1870.
Services were held in the homes of the different members and in the school-
house at Whitehall until the Baptist church was bought in old Whitehall
in 1874. In 1892 a new church edifice was built in Whitehall on a lot adjoin-
ing the court house. Oct. 22, 1893, the church was dedicated by H. A. Preus,
president of the Norwegian Lutheran Synod of America. The following
ministers assisted : B. Hovde, I. Waage, T. L. Brevig, Th. Nilson, H. Rosen-
quist, F. A. Moller, A. Heyer and the local pastor, Em. Christophersen.
The charter members of the congregation were Hans Bringrosen, Lars
Skjonsby, Peder Kristianson and Kristian Pederson. The records of the
congregation do not show who preached the first sermon nor when the con-
gregation was organized, but very likely it was Rev. E. Jenson from Trem-
pealeau Valley who helped organize the congregation, and the congregation
was undoubtedly organized in the home of one of the charter members.
From 1871 to 1902 the congregation has been affiliated with the Pigeon
Falls charge. Rev. L. O. Sherven serving from 1871 to 1876, Rev. Em.
Christophersen 1876 to 1902. In 1902 it organized a separate charge and
called Rev. 0. K. Ramberg as resident minister. A modern and beautiful
building was erected on Dewey street to serve as parsonage. In 1912 Rev.
O. K. Ramberg accepted a call to West Prairie, Wis. Since then the con-
gregation has been served temporarily by Rev. E. B. Christophersen. In
1913 a basement with heating plant costing about $2,000 was installed in
the church. The first baptism performed in the congregation was June
14, 1870, when Nels, a son of Lars and Ingeborg Skjonsby, and Martin, a
son of Peder and Maren Kristianson, were baptized.
834 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
The first wedding recorded was the one of Ole Jacobson and Helene
Olson, May 19, 1871. The first funeral recorded was May 3, 1874. for one
Olive Olsdatter, aged 30.
The Pigeon Creek Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of
Pigeon Falls was organized Aug. 18, 1866, by Rev. 0. Waldeland of Trem-
pealeau Valley. He had been requested by the few early Norwegian
Lutheran settlers residing in the vicinity of the present Pigeon Falls to
come and preach for them. He complied with the request. Services were
usually held in the homes and on week days. The minister could not
preach for them on Sundays, because his call was so large that he could
not reach around to them all on Sundays. His call comprised at that time
a tei-ritory extending from Black River Falls to Galesville. Among the
early settlers who organized the congregation were : Peder Pederson, Kris-
tian Kaas, Erick and Lars Larson, Ole Iverson Hofstad, Anton Ekern and
Anders Kristianson. Services were usually held in Peder Pederson's and
Erick Larson's homes and in the schoolhouse. In 1867 seven services were
held. In 1868 eight services were held.
Rev. 0. Waldeland and his call were affiliated with the Norwegian Evan-
gelical Lutheran Synod of America. Therefore when the time camq m
1870 to call a resident minister for Pigeon Creek and affiliated charges in
its vicinity, it was decided to put the matter of calling a minister in the
hands of the church council of the Norwegian Synod. Rev. L. Sherven
was called. He accepted the call and preached his introductory sermon
Sept. 26, 1871. Up to this time the congregation had been served by the
pastors of Trempealeau VaUey. 0. Waldeland, E. Jenson. Svennungson
from French Creek and John Frich from Halfway Creek also preached a
few times. At the time Rev. L. Sherven was called the field comprised
Pigeon Creek, Chimney Rock, Bennet Valley, Thompson Valley, Strum,
South Beef River and Whitehall congregations. Whitehall congregation
had been organized June 14, 1870. Rev. L. Sherven served these congre-
gations and did considerable mission work outside of them until 1876. The
president of the Norwegian Synod, H. A. Preus was then asked to secure
a minister. There being a scarcity of Norwegian Lutheran ministers in
the country. Bishop Heuch of Norway had been requested by President H. A.
Preus to endeavor to induce young ministers from Norway to go to America
and serve Norwegian Lutheran congregations there. As a result of these
transactions Rev. Emanuel Christophersen was called. His field was to be
Pigeon Creek, Whitehall, South Beef River, Elk Creek and Upper Pigeon
Creek congregations. Upper Pigeon Creek, Jackson County, having been
formed of a part of Pigeon Creek congregation May 31, 1876, he was intro-
duced to the Pigeon Creek congregation by Rev. L. Sherven. From that
time until his death, March 23. 1909, he served continually as pastor of
this congregation and the other congregations affiliated with it. A piece
of land, about 23 acres, had been bought about one-half mile noi'th of
Pigeon Falls, which was to belong to the parsonage. Here a parsonage
20 by 20 feet was first built late in the fall of 1876. This was later on added
to in 1887 very extensively. In 1912 a completely new parsonage was built.
In 1883 the Elk Creek congregation and Strum and other congi-ega-
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 835
tions formed a separate call. In 1902 the Whitehall congregation also
formed a new call and Rev. 0. K. Ramberg was called as resident pastor.
From 1909 to 1910 the Pigeon Creek call was served temporarily by 0. K.
Ramberg. In 1910 Rev. Einar Bjorn Christophersen was called as pastor
to these congregations. On June 10, 1910, he was ordained a minister in
the Pigeon Creek Church by Rt. Rev. J. Nordby.
The present church edifice, which is the original one, was commenced
in 1871, but not completed and dedicated until several years later. In 1906
a substantial Young Peoples' Society hall was erected on property belong-
ing to and adjoining the church. In this hall regular meetings are held
by the Young Peoples' Society of the congregation, also by the Ladies' Aid,
and the business meetings of the congregation are held in it.
The first child baptized in the congregation was Oline, daughter of
Anders and Randine Kristianson, Sept. 18, 1866. Since that time 1,002
children have been baptized.
The first to be married were Anton Hendrickson and Johanne Louise
Anderson. They were married April 21, 1868. Two hundred and eighteen
couples have been married in the congregation since.
The first to be buried in the church cemetery were Agnette Larson, 33
years old, and an infant, Gustav Anderson, Nov. 14, 1867. Three hundred
and three have been buried since. The records of the congregation also
show that 1,026 services have been held up to Sept. 1, 1917. Sept. 17, 1916,
the congregation celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. A great number of
people took part in the celebration. Rt. Rev. J. Nordby delivered the anni-
versary sermon. Rev. L. Shurer preached to an overflow meeting in the
United Lutheran church. The following ministers took part in the cele-
bration: J. Nordby, E. Jenson, L. Shuren, S. S. Urberg, A. J. Orke, C. B.
Bestul and E. B. Christophersen.
In 1885 doctrinal differences which had caused dissension and separa-
tion in the Norwegian Lutheran Synod of America also brought about a
rupture in the membership of the congregation. A great number severed
their connections with the original congregation, and as a result of this a
new congregation, later on known as the United Lutheran Church congrega-
tion was formed, called thus because it affiliated with the general Lutheran
body organized in 1891, the United Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.
Negotiations looking toward the amalgamation of the two church
bodies, the Noi'wegian Lutheran Synod of America and the United Norwe-
gian Lutheran Church of America, and also the Hauges Synod have been
carried on for several years. The fruit of these negotiations was the gi-eat
union meeting in St. Paul, Minn., where, June 9, 1917, these three bodies
were merged into the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. Locally
the two congregations continue as two separate organizations, but the future
will undoubtedly see them united in one congregation.
CHAPTER XIX
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
(By Rev. Joseph L. Hauck)
The mind may travel with hghtning speed from the Atlantic to the
Pacific, from the frozen planes of the North to the sunny plantations of the
South ; and grasp with keen perception all that this great country symbolizes
and displays. The intellect may study the principles upon which our laws
and institutions are founded, and understand the liberty, justice and equal
rights they guarantee. The heart may love America with a love not only
warm and ardent, but self-sacrificing and heroic ; and we may well glow with
righteous pride for our industrial and agricultural achievements. But in
addition to all this, should not the share Catholics have had in the discovery,
exploration, and development of America be lifted from obscurity into the
light of reverent knowledge, and into the forum of due recognition ? There
are many histories of the United States, each bearing its message of patriot-
ism. Yet seldom the text of any of these mentions the efforts of the church
in America. However, her work has become so teUing and pronounced
_that it is now nigh impossible to obliterate, or pass over it unnoticed.
Why should the facts be concealed that the men who first touched the
borders of America — Columbus and Ericson; that the discoverer of the
Great Lakes — Champlain; that the men who first traversed the broad
Mississippi Valley and its fertile western plains — Father Hennepin, Du
Luth, Joliet, Father Marquette and La Salle — were Catholics ! What harm
could there be in this knowledge? No one will deny the truth, that our
virgin soil was hallowed by the blood of Catholic missionaries, that the
Catholic statesmen whose voices rang in the council halls of the land were
eloquent and efficient, that the Catholic soldiers who bled on its battlefields
were fearless and patriotic, and that the Sisters of Charity who served as
army nurses were ministering angels. Let, then, history pay them the
tribute of recognition they so well deserve.
Our country is justly proud of the liberty it offers to all its children.
Though these are diversified in faith and race peculiarities, it places them all
on equal footing. In recognition of such treatment its children are most
grateful and are ever ready by heroic deeds, in peace as well as in war, to
demonstrate their loyalty. Strong common interests unite the citizens, yet
the strongest bond of unity is inculcated by the church. From the teach-
ings of the church the moral and religious aspect of patriotism is received.
Hence we find Catholics loving their country — America — not only because
its fields are fair and fertile and its mighty hills with bounty stored ; but
because its gorgeous beauty and countless wealth are the lavish gift of our
tender, provident Father. We see Catholics loving their rulers and bowing
836
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 837
to their laws not only because these are wise, calm, just and true, but
because they believe that they hold authority to rule from the Almighty
Father. Loyalty to them, they beUeve, means loyalty to God. Respect
for them is, they believe, respect for God. Catholics love America's insti-
tutions not only because they guarantee peace, justice, liberty, and equal
rights to all, but because they believe the principles upon which these are
founded are the fundamental laws of God. Where such spirit and faith are
dominating forces, true and permanent union and unswerving loyalty
must spring forth.
It is proper that the history of Trempealeau County should offer its
readers an exposition of the efforts, struggles, and results of the Catholics
of the county. It is, however, not the scope of this article to give an exposi-
tion of the teaching and moral practices of the Catholic church ; books cover-
ing these subjects are ample and within reach of everyone. Nor is it the
object to extol the spiritual life of the Cathohcs or to define their standard
of catholicity, or to compare it with the religious spirit of their fellow-
citizens of a different faith. To what standard their moral lives have
climbed the angel of God has recorded in the book of hfe to be brought on
judgment day to hght and unto everlasting remembrance. It shall be
merely the object of this article to show what, in a material way, by organ-
izing parishes and building churches and schools, Catholics have accom-
plished.
The early Catholic settlers were immigrants. Trempealeau County's
fertile fields and salubrious air invited them from Germany, Austria, Ireland,
Poland, and other European countries in search of new homes. The free
institutions of this Republic seconded nature's invitation. Modern inven-
tions narrowed sea and oceans ; and so, during the last half of the nineteenth
century hundreds of Catholics poured into this district. They were well
fitted for the work of rehgion amid a new people in a new age. They were
sons and daughters of races who had suffered martyrdom for their faith ;
they were inured for every trial and trained to be unbending before the most
violent storms. Such names as Nic and Casper Meiers, Peter Meyers,
Frank Zeller, Carl Zeller, Jerome O'Brien, Christ Haines, John B. Haines,
Paul Liberia, Albert Bautch, Lawrence Bautch, Peter Sura, Con Wiever,
Anton Sabotta, and Antoine Grignon should be mentioned as among the
earliest Catholic settlers and as being instrumental in having many others
follow them to Trempealeau County.
The Catholics are located mostly in the southern and western parts of
the county, in the towns of Dodge, Arcadia, Burnside, Gale and Trempealeau.
They number about 5,000, or one-fifth of the population of the county.
They are aflfiliated to eight parishes which are hereafter mentioned and
described in their chronological order. The first settlers, with few excep-
tions, are now laid to rest, but their work is with us yet.
Noble pioneers ! Who will tell, as it should be told, the story of your
labors and sacrifices ? Poor were you in earthly goods ; willing hearts and
strong arms were, in most cases, your sole possession ; toil and hardship,
verily the scriptural hewing of wood and the drawing of water were your lot.
Only through your savings from slender wages or small incomes were you
S38 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
able to build churches and schools and support your pastors. Oh ! may we
who are heirs to the rich fruitage of your faith and charity, be ever mindful
of our debt of reverence and gratitude !
Sacred Heart and St. Wenzeslaus' Parish,
Pine Creek, Wisconsin.
Hedged in on all sides by high hills, which like guarding sentinels are
ever on their post, on an inviting spot below, stands Sacred Heart and St.
Wenzeslaus church, wrapped in quiet repose. To enter this delightful spot,
the traveler mounts with difficulty the steep and rocky hill which lies be-
tween it and the Dodge Station. As he steps over the crest of that mount,
at the base of the opposite hills, he beholds the village of Pine Creek, con-
sisting of the Sacred Heart and St. Wenzeslaus' church property, one or
two business houses and a few dwellings. The view before him
is a picture of beauty and fascination. Beckoning, it seems to speak:
"This is the final barrier, cross it and I am yours." It was during the
winters of 1862 and 1863 that the first settlers arrived at Pine Creek. They
were mostly Bohemians. On Feb. 7, 1864, they organized the parish and
called it St. Wenzeslaus', in honor of the Duke and patron of Bohemia.
Having received as a donation from Paul Liberia a site of ten acres, they
erected on it a little church, a wooden structure. For many years thi;^
little church heard the prayers and witnessed the devotions of the early
settlers. Their number began to increase rapidly and soon the little struc-
ture could no longer accommodate them. In 1875, under the direction of
Rev. A. Singoski, the present church 44x12.5 was erected at a cost of $18,000.
It is claimed that this church, at that time, was one of the most handsome
edifices in Wisconsin. While the tendency of late has been to build large,
lofty and costly structures the church in Pine Creek by no means is obliged
to take a back seat among them. It was recently frescoed and newly
furnished and in its new appearance must be classed today as a church of
the first rank.
Soon after the organization, the number of Polish families became more
and more prevalent while that of the Bohemian families remained sta-
tionary. At present the parish numbers 170 families ; of these only ten are
Bohemian and three German. For that reason was prefixed to the old title
of St. Wenzeslaus' that of the Sacred Heart. At times the parish sustained
heavy losses by fire, thus in 1882 their parsonage was destroyed. The
present beautiful parsonage was erected in 1906 at a cost of $7,000. It is
the fourth parsonage the parish has erected.
In 1891 the schoolhouse was erected at a cost of $3,000. The school
attendance at that time was less than fifty pupils. In 1909 an addition was
erected which made room for three further class rooms. The attendance
now is 200 pupils. With the exception of two short intervals the Sisters of
St. Francis have always taught the school. The school is well graded and
maintains a high standard of efficiency.
On Nov. 16, 1912, the parish celebrated with great solemnity the fiftieth
anniversary of its foundation. It is claimed that Sacred Heart and St.
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 839
Wenzeslaus' Parish is the third oldest Polish parish in the United States,
the oldest being in Texas, and the second oldest in Palonia, Wis. The total
value of the Pine Creek church property amounts to $60,000.
The following societies have been established and are enjoying a large
membership, namely: For men, the Sacred Heart Society, St. Joseph's
Society and the Catholic Order of Foresters ; for boys, St. Stanislaus' Soci-
ety ; for women. Holy Rosary and Lady Foresters ; for girls, the Children of
May Sodality ; for school children, the Union of the Infant Jesus.
The hst of pastors and time of their pastorate is as follows: Until
1866 neighboring priests attended to the spiritual wants of the early set-
tlers; Rev. Florintine Zadzioski, 1866-68 (He was the first resident pastor) ;
Rev. Weglikowski, 1868-71; Rev. T. Musiclewiez, 1871-73; Rev. C. Brat-
kiewiez, 1873-74; Rev. A. Singoski, 1874-78 (he erected the present church) ;
Rev. D. Mayer, 1878-84 ; Rev. R. Tomaszewski, 1884-87 ; Rev. Roman Guzow-
ski, 1887-89; Rev. R. Tomaszewski, 1889-90 (this was his second appoint-
ment) ; Rev. Roman Guzowski, 1890-95 (this was also his second appoint-
ment) ; Rev. T. Lugowski, 1895-1898 ; Rev. A. W. Gara, 1898-1901 (he was
brother to the present pastor) ; Rev. J. M. Koresyk, 1901-1904 ; Rev. J. W.
Gara, 1904.
Rev. J. W. Gara, the present pastor, was born March 3, 1875, at Jawis-
jowice, Poland. He attended the following schools: Jawisjowice at his
birthplace, normal school at Biala, Poland, classical school at Wadowice. In
1893 he came to America, and at once went to the Polish Seminary at
Detroit, Mich. In 1894 he entered St. Francis Seminary near Milwaukee,
where he was ordained to the priesthood Jan. 6, 1898. Before coming to
Pine Creek he was stationed at Rosellville and Junction City, Wis. He has
made many substantial improvements to the church property at Pine Creek,
and put the parish on a good financial basis. He is a hard worker and
enjoys the confidence of his people. The warm spot in their hearts he has
weH merited by his kind and self-sacrificing labors and clean life !
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish
Arcadia
Running down the vista of time for almost two generations, we find
amid the twilight of the early settlements the nucleus of "Our Lady of Per-
petual Help" congregation in 1858-1863. In the year 1858 Nic and Casper
Meiers came to Arcadia from Roxberry, Wis. Within a few weeks Frank
and Carl Zeller followed. The trip from Roxberry to Arcadia was made with
oxen. The land they bought from the Government. Within the next year
Peter Meyers, Remlinger, John Bill, and Mike Rohn came to Arcadia
from the State of New York. These settlers were a part of the "Bishop
Settlement." They went to church in Glencoe, where a little log church
stood near what is now the Martin Reible Farm. There was no bridge
across the Trempealeau River and it was difiicult and at times impossible
to cross the water. Besides the log church being too small to accommodate
them all the Catholic settlers east of the Trempealeau River obtained per-
mission from Most Rev. Henni, of Milwaukee, to organize a parish in
840 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Meyer's Valley. At that time the pioneer priest, Rev. Joerger, residing at
Fountain City, Wis., occasionally forded the Trempealeau River, down near
the John and Con Gleason homestead, to administer to the spiritual wants
of the early settlers scattered south of the present village of Arcadia. A
church building was an unknown luxury in those days in Trempealeau
County. Priests, carrying the necessary paraphernalia on their shoulders,
were compelled to use the home of some good and willing member of their
scattered flock. Nic Meiers, of sturdy Teutonic blood, gladly offered his
homestead in this locality. Thus the august sacrifice of mass was offered
up in his humble home from 1864-1867. This house is still standing as a
landmark out in Meyer's Valley, owned now by Ed. Haines and family.
In 1867 an apology of a church, seen for many years on Meyer's
Valley Cemetery, was built under the direction of the Rev. Florentine
Zadzioski of Pine Creek. The lumber was hauled with oxen from Merrillan,
the timber cut from the neighboring forests and sized by hand. Besides
this some members donated as high as $100 — certainly a larger sum in
those days than $1,000 today. The names of Peter Meyers, of the brothers
Nicolaus and Casper Meiers, of Frank Zeller and Jerome O'Brien will ever
live in memory of that undertaking. From 1867-1884 this humble little
church witnessed the prayers and devotions sent to heaven by the pious
and thrifty settlers. It never had a resident pastor, but was attended to
from neighboring parishes. As in all new places, the changes of pastors
were frequent. It was served as follows : Rev. L. Lay from Waumandee,
1870-1876; Rev. P. Schmidt from Glencoe, 1876-1880. (This reverend
gentleman left this community for that part of the vineyard of the Lord
known as St. Paul diocese, and being a personal friend of Dr. G. N. Hiders-
hide visited here quite frequently. We were all sorry to hear that he died
in the spring of 1917) ; Rev. Flamming from Glencoe, 1880-1881 ; Rev. J.
Bauer, at present pastor at Prescott, 1881-1882; Rev. W. Hackner from
Fountain City and Rev. L. Lay from ^aumandee attended from 1882-1883
at intervals ; Rev. B. Klein, who died at Racine 1916, resided at Glencoe and
had charge of Meyer's Valley as mission from 1883-1885.
In the meantime the village of Arcadia had sprung up on the marsh
of the Trempealeau River and developed into the metropolis of Trem-
pealeau County. Naturally Catholics of the village could not be expected
to walk to Meyer's Valley, a distance of one and a half miles. The farmers,
having outgrown the primitive condition of early settlers, were all well
supplied with vehicles. The congregation, too, overtaxed the capacity of
the little country church. Hence the conclusion was imminent that a new
church must be erected and this in the village. Here ensued a most stub-
born contest, threatening to disrupt the small flock. The farmers held
tenaciously to their rustic idea, that every second farm should have a
church at its door, and the villagers defended the theory that a church
should be in the village ; that the farmers could drive to church just as well
as to market. Had the farmers then foreseen that within thirty years
every one would drive to church and market per automobile, as they do
today, they would not have been so obstinate. The good sense and judg-
ment of the villagers finally prevailed, and certainly the community is
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 843
much to be congratulated thereon. The present site in the village was
picked and the old site turned into a cemetery, now called Meyer's Valley
Cemetery, wherein lie the hallowed ashes of the past generation of Catholic
settlers. It is a most enchanted spot, dotted with stately monuments, and
graced with fragrant and beautiful evergreens and variegated flowers.
After the decision to move the church location to the site in the
village work was begun on the erection of a building. This structure now
has been remodeled into a residence for the sisters. This church cost the
parishioners $6,000. On the first of January, 1885, the first services were
held therein by Rev. B. Klein. By successfully supervising this building
Rev. B. Klein had established on a solid basis the future of "Our Lady of
Perpetual Help" congregation, and must therefore be classed as the father
of the present parish. Starting with this data the record shows the baptism
of Emil Krumholz, the marriage of Mary Zeller to Charles Wasserburger
and the burial of Anthony Zeller to be the first extraordinary function per-
formed in the newly established parish. The parish having now a proper
beginning, its growth was to be only a matter of time. Rev. J. H. Untraut
pastorated from 1885 to 1893. Having received charge of the parish he
at once realized that Arcadia had overtaken Glencoe, and that the future
of the church must be in the former place, so that instead of Glencoe being
the parish and Arcadia the mission, Arcadia should be the parish and
Glencoe the mission. In virtue of this he, June 9, 1888, established his
residence at Arcadia. The minutes of the parish of July 31, 1888, show
that the parish was incorporated and that John B. Haines and Nic Meiers ,
were chosen as first trustees according to the acts of incorporation. On
Dec. 8, 1890, it was decided that the old title of the parish, which was that
of the Meyer's Valley Church, namely, "St. Peter and Paul," should be
changed to the title "Our Lady of Perpetual Help." This change was made
because Rev. Untraut had procured from Rome a copy of the miraculous
picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. This picture has now been placed
in a splendid shrine in the new church, and on account of its symbolic
meaning and artistic beauty is highly treasured. Rev. Untraut established,
in September of 1889, a good parochial school, bringing all kinds of sacrifices
both in time and money ; in fact he paid a part of the teachers' salary from
his own penurious income. He is now pastor at Sacred Heart Church, Eau
Claire, Wis. Rev. A. Birsner was pastor from 1894 to 1896. During his
pastorate a new school house was built at a cost of $2,800. It is much to
be regretted that his health failed and he was compelled to resign. He is
now pastor at St. Henry's Church, Highland, Wis. 'On July 5, 1896, he was
succeeded by Rev. J. B. Hauck, who remained until Aug. 4, 1907.
Even in the early nineties it began to be realized that the parish would
outgrow the dimensions of the church building, and remarks, caUing for
an addition, began to be heard. In August, 1899, the pastor called a meet-
ing to consider either an addition or a new church building. Here the
motion for a new church prevailed with an overwhelming majority. The
building business was shelved, however, for an entire year on account of
the ill health of the pastor. The year 1901 was spent in making building
preparations. On March 10, 1902, the contract was awarded for the present
842 HISTORY OF TREJIPEALEAU COUNTY
church, and on May 3, 1903, the church was dedicated by Rt. Rev. James
Schwebach, D. D., Bishop of La Crosse. The files of the Arcadia papers
of that week carry a detailed description of the solemnity. There were
about ten pi'iests present and a large gathering of people filled the church.
It was estimated that there were 2,000 people present.
On Aug. 4, 1907, Rev. J. B. Hauck was transferred to Menomonie (at
present he is pastor of St. Mary's, Wausau, Wis.), and was succeeded by
his brother. Rev. Joseph L. Hauck from Neillsville. The latter, during his
pastorate, liquidated the remaining indebtedness on the new church, and
in the summer of 1909 erected, at a cost of $8,000, the beautiful parsonage.
In 1912 he had the interior of the church frescoed, bought a new pipe organ
and a new scagliola high altar, which were a further improvement of
$7,000. The parish has not had a cent of debt for the last six years. Dur-
ing the coming year 1918 a new school house and auditorium will be erected
at an estimated cost of $30,000. A fund of $10,000 has already been col-
lected and all the plans and specifications are on hand.
To this historical sketch may well be added a brief description of the
property.
The site is a most beautiful one. The grounds comprise two and one-
half acres and were procured from the early pioneer, James Gaveney.
It is located three blocks south from the principal business center of the
village, hence sufficiently removed from the distractions and annoyance
of busy city life, yet near enough to avoid isolation. The grounds are about
ten feet higher than the level of the street and surrounding lots, this giving
it a prominence of sight and a splendid frontage. The sides of the elevation
are terraced and neatly sloped to the level of the street and the plain of the
hill is laid out in cement walks, in an extensive lawn and beautiful shade
trees.
The church is a structure of stone and brick. The style of architecture
is modern Romanesque. The floor plan represents a Roman cross and has
a seating capacity of 800. The facade is flanked by two massive towers,
the one seventy-five and the other one hundred and thirty feet high. Enter-
ing the church one is impressed by the mildness of its light, by the fresh-
ness of its woodwork, by the magnificence of its vaulted ceiling, the beauty
and boldness of its triumphal arch and the richness of its frescoing. The
cost of the church was $25,000. Anton Dohman of Milwaukee was the
architect, and Henry Roetiger of Fountain City was the contractor. The
congregation at present numbers 150 families. The English language is
used throughout in sermons and instructions.
The school is under the able tutorship of the school sisters of Notre
Dame, and the services of these worthy ladies is certainly much esteemed.
The school is well graded throughout, consisting of the full eight grades.
There are besides the regular curriculum, courses in singing, music, needle-
work and domestic science. For manual training the boys go to the public
school, which is nearby. The school is frequented by 180 pupils, divided
into four rooms. Soon, however, two more teachers will be added. The
proposed school building will be modern and up-to-date in every way, special
attention has been given to ventilation, heat, light and fire protection. The
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 843
halls and class rooms will be spacious and arranged with individual ward-
robes and lockers. The auditorium will have a seating capacity of 600 and
the stage will be large enough so that all the pupils can appear at one and
the same time.
The parsonage is a beautiful two-story brick building. The interior
is well arranged into twelve rooms, vestibule, halls and wardrobes. The
finish throughout is oak and maple, and the walls are stained to match the
woodwork. <
The sisters' home is the old church, which was remodeled into a resi-
dence. While not fancy or showy, the apartments are commodious and
cheery. The total value of the parish property is estimated at $70,000.
To the parish are affihated strong societies, such as the Knights of
Columbus, with a membership of 140; the Catholic Order of Foresters,
with a membership of 85 ; the Catholic Order of Women Foresters, with a
membership of 45; St. Anne's Society of women, with a membership of
90; the Young Ladies' Sodality, with a membership of 75, and the Holy
Name Society, with a membership of 245. In the parish have grown up
two priests and fourteen sisters.
Rev. J. L. Hauck, the present pastor, was born at Cresco, Iowa, in
1877. After completing the primary school at St. Lucas, at the age of
fourteen he began his classical course at St. Lawrence College, at Mt.
Calvary, Wis. Completing this course, he entered the philosophical course
at Dubuque College, graduating in 1898. Thence he went to St. Francis
into the theological course and was ordained to the priesthood June 16,
1901. He was assistant at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Superior, Wis., for
one year, and in 1902 took charge of St. Mary's Parish, Neillsville, Wis.
On Aug. 4, 1907, he was transferred to Arcadia. He has made many friends
and commands the respect of both Catholics and Protestants. Many a
civic celebration he enhanced by his eloquent and interesting speeches. He
is an enterprising and public-spirited man. (Note. — This brief biography
is inserted in Father Hauck's article by the editors. Deference to his mod-
esty prevents the editors from dwelling more fully on his many activities,
and upon the great influence which his devoted work and sterling worth
are having upon the life of the community. This article on the church in
Trempealeau County is in itself a striking encomium to his scholarship and
ability.— F. C-W.)
St. Bridget's Parish,
Ettrick, Wisconsin.
The early Catholic settlers in the southeastern part of the county
were few and widely scattered. Some lived in the town of Ettrick, some
in the town of Gale and some in the town of Trempealeau. Being widely
scattered, they never formed strong centers, such as we find in the towns
of Arcadia, Dodge and Burnside. Having no parochial schools, prospective
Catholic famiUes who might otherwise have located there hesitated to
do so. Hence the growth of the church in these three townships was not
very rapid. Up to this day none of their parishes has sufficient means
and a membership large enough to support a resident pastor without the
844 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
assistance of some outside mission. None of them conduct a parochial
school. For thirty-five years the priests residing at Ettrick had Gales-
ville, Trempealeau and Roaring Creek as missions. Considering the dis-
tances from one church to another and the condition of the roads, one can
easily imagine the hardships endured by the priests in administering to
their scattered flock. More than one priest imperiled his life. At present
the condition has been somewhat improved by the fact that Trempealeau
has a resident pastor with Galesville as a mission, and that the pastor of
St. Bridget's Parish is only obliged to attend to the mission at Roaring
Creek. The early settlers in the sixties had no church, but mass was
offered occasionally in the homes of some of the Catholics by pioneer
priests from St. Mary's Church, La Crosse, Wis. Among these is espe-
cially remembered Rev. M. Marcoe. St. Bridget's Parish was organized
by Rev. C. A. Gerst in 1869 and the first church was erected at a cost of
$2,000 in 1870. On account of hardships connected with the work at St.
Bridget's and its remote missions the good spirits of the pastors were put
to such a test, and their health so greatly impaired, that many had to
request their bishop for a change after serving but a short time. Thus
St. Bridget's was blest with frequent changes of pastors. The list of pas-
tors is as follows: Rev. C. A. Gerst, 1869-1870; Rev. Herman Kamph-
schroer, 1870-71; Rev. Martin Connolly, 1871-72; Rev. Twohy, 1872-73;
Rev. Chas. Gunkel, 1873-75; Rev. N. Flammang, 1875-77; Rev. N. White,
1877-80; Rev. J. B. Conroy, 1880-82; Rev. J. H. Neubrand, S. J., 1882-83;
Rev. J. Harrier, 1883-84; Rev. J. J. Briene, 1884-89; Rev. Aug. Biersner,
1889-92; Rev. Daniel McElhaney, 1892-95; Rev. Tehse Bryne, 1896-99;
Rev. M. P. O'Connor, 1899-1905 ; Rev. M. A. Keegan, 1905-06 ; Rev. B. A.
Enis, 1906-07; Rev. Jos. Colling, January, 1907- April, 1907; Rev. J. F.
McGinnity, 1907-08; Rev. M. Morris, 1908-1911; Rev. J. J. Garden, May,
1911-November, 1911; Rev. Jos. Buschelmann, 1911-14; Rev. Peter Briody,
1914-17 ; Rev. Henry Engelhardt, 0. M. L, since March, 1917. Among these
special mention must be given to Rev. White and Rev. Felix Bryne, who
greatly improved and renovated the dilapidated condition into which,
through age, the property had sunk. In 1904 Rev. M. Mark O'Connor built
a church at Galesville, and, for a time, it was thought that the future of
the church in this section of the county would be in Galesville. Hence
three pastors who followed Rev. O'Connor established their residence at
Galesville and St. Bridget's became a mission. This, however, did not
please the people of Ettrick. Greatly chagrined they took a determined
stand against such a move. In time it did prove to the ecclesiastical
authorities that the move to Galesville was impracticable, and in 1907 the
residence of the pastor was re-established at Ettrick. This served to reunite
the people of St. Bridget's and filled them with new hope and courage.
Since then, under the administration of Rev. Briody, they erected a beau-
tiful new church at a cost of $9,000. This church was completed in June,
1917. Unfortunately Rev. Briody did not see the full completion of the
new church. On Feb. 5, 1917, he was found dead in his home. On the
previous day, which was bitter cold, he attended a sick call twenty miles in
the country through large snowdrifts. This overtaxing of himself is sup-
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 845
posed to have been directly responsible for his death. By boarding up the
windows it was possible to conduct his funeral from the new church. His
remains rest in the cemetery to the left of the church.
St. Bridget's now counts 75 families or 220 souls. Now that they have
an inviting church and are united the parish will see a period of great pros-
perity and healthy growth.
The present pastor, Rev. Henry Engelhardt, is a native of Germany.
He was born on Oct. 5, 1886, and ordained on July 9, 1911. He belongs to
the congregation of Oblate Missionaries and spent five years as missionary
in India. At the outbreak of the war he was interned by the English, for
no cause other than that he was a German in an English colony. "Being
confined for two years in a detention camp, he was released upon the con-
dition that he would leave English soil. Coming to the United States, he
was appointed pastor of St. Bridget's Church. He is a man of great experi-
ences, well versed in many languages, of energetic and courageous disposi-
tion, yet kind and winning in his ways. He has made many friends in a
short time and already done much for St. Bridget's Parish.
St. Michael's Parish,
North Creek, Wisconsin.
Five miles northeast of the village of Arcadia, and about 100 yards
from the highway leading into North Creek Valley, on a seven-acre tract
is located St. Michael's Parish. In the spring of 1875 the parish was
organized. Prior to that date the Pohsh settlers attended church at
Glencoe and Meyer's Valley. The land for a church site they bought from
Anton Sabotta. Some names of the organizers are: Albert Bautch,
Laurence Bautch, Peter Sura, Anton Sabotta and Con Wiever. The first
church was dedicated Oct. 6, 1875, by Most Rev. Heiss, archbishop of
Milwaukee. The lumber for the church was hauled from Arcadia, and in
doing so Mr. Sabotta lost his life, being thrown from his wagon into the
Kamla Mill pond. Considering the means of the early settlers and the
condition of the times their first church, which still stands and is used,
was a credit to its members.
For a time St. Michael's was a mission, attended by the pastors of
Pine Creek. Rev. H. Klimecki was pastor from 1876-82. Rev. D. Meyer
1882-85. During the next thirty-two years more than thirty diff'erent
priests had charge of the pastorate. Among them might be mentioned
Rev. Tomaszewski, 1885-86; Rev. Guzoski, 1886-87; Rev. Dutkiewicz
1887-90 ; Rev. A. Kroll, 1890-92 ; Rev. Frydrychowycz, 1893-96 ; Rev. Siwiek,
1896-99 ; Rev. Rayski and the present pastor. Rev. Micisc.
In 1910 the parish had about 120 families, a good school and was in
flourishing condition. But then came a crisis which greatly lessened the
membership. After the destruction of their school house by fire in the
spring of 1909 very many members were opposed to the erection of a
school in North Creek, and in favor of changing the location of the church
to the village of Arcadia. The families living in the valleys south and
west of the church claimed that they had just as near, if not nearer, on
846 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
the highway to Arcadia as to North Creek, and knowing the advantages
of a church pi*operty in a village to retired farmers they were determined
to have their plan carried out. The families in the immediate vicinity of
St. Michael's opposed such a move. This led to a division of the parish.
Some sixty farmers left St. Michael's and started the new St. Stanislaus
Parish in Arcadia. Being greatly weakened in members the remnant did
not abandon the future of St. Michael's, bringing great sacrifices, they sus-
tained the parish. They erected a new school house in 1910, and have
made since then great improvements on the church. The present church
is the first one that was erected, but from time to time, as demands
required, additions were made. In its renovated dress it makes a pleasing
appearance.
The present pastor was boi'n in Galicia in 1861. He was ordained in
Leonberg, Galicia, in 1884. He spent much of his pastoral life in attending
to city parishes, but finds it more congenial to his declining years in a
rural district. He has done much good work at North Creek and is well-
liked by his people.
St. Peter's and St. Paul's Parish,
Independence, Wisconsin.
The most valuable church property in this section of Wisconsin is to
be found one-fourth mile north of the village of Independence, and is that
of St. Peter's and St. Paul's Congregation. In the beginning of the last
half of the nineteenth century quite a number of Catholic families had
arrived from Poland and formed two neighboring settlements, just as
they, in the old country, had come out of two neighboring villages. One
settlement was made in the territory that surrounds what is now known
as North Creek, the other in the territory that is now known as the district
surrounding Independence (at that time there was no village of Indepen-
dence and no train service) . One of the very first thoughts of a Catholic
settler is, "what about church facilities?" and therefore these settlers at
once organized themselves into two parishes. For the site of St. Peter's
and St. Paul's parish a ten-acre tract had been donated by Geo. H. Mark-
ham. This was in the year 1875. Rev. Klimecki, then pastor of Pine
Creek, administered to their spiritual wants and also assisted them in
the building of the first church. At the same time Rev. Klimecki had
charge of the erection of the church of St. Michael's at North Creek. The
church at North Creek was dedicated Oct. 6, 1875, by Rt. Rev. M. Heiss,
and on the following day, October 7, St. Peter's and Paul's Church was
dedicated. Rev. Klimecki had told the members of these two settlements
that as soon as a parsonage would be erected in either of these localities a
resident pastor would be appointed. In the following year on March 8,
1876, Rev. Klimecki himself moved from Pine Creek to North Creek, that
settlement being the first to erect a parsonage, and consequently St. Peter's
and St. Paul's Parish became a mission attached to North Creek. This
arrangement continued until March 19, 1883, when St. Peter's and St.
Paul's had erected their own parsonage and Rev. A. Warnagiris became
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 847
the first i-esident pastor. Rev. Warnagiris was followed in 1885 by Rev.
Tomaszewski, under whose supervision the first brick school house was
erected at a cost of $3,000. This building was dedicated by Rt. Rev. Flash,
September, 1886. In March, 1888, Rev. Tomaszewski was succeeded by
Rev. R. L. Guzowski. In 1889 the parsonage, which was occupied as a
priest house until 1915, was erected. After an interregnum of eight months,
during which A. A. Kroll of North Creek looked after the spiritual affairs
of the parish. Rev. Babinski took charge of the administration on Sept.
2, 1890. During his pastorate a new beautiful church, 56 by 131 feet, at a
cost of $25,000, was erected. The building was begun in 1895 and com-
pleted in 1896, being dedicated on October 3 by Rt. Rev. J. Schwebach.
Rev. Babinski remained until 1901, when he was transferred and under-
took the work of establishing a new Polish parish in Superior, Wis. This
reverend pastor, who will long be remembered for his affability, zeal and
efficiency, died some five years ago. His remains are buried in St. Mary's
Cemetery, Winona, Minn., according to his special request. In September,
1901, Rev. A. W. Gara, the present pastor, took charge of the parish.
Under his wise administration the following buildings were erected and
extensive improvements made: In 1903 a new school house at a cost of
$11,000. In 1908 a large addition to the church at a cost of $18,000. This
addition makes St. Peter's and St. Paul's Church the largest in the diocese
of La Crosse, and gives it a seating capacity of 1,200. In the same year
the interior of the church was beautifully frescoed at a cost of $2,200.
Many improvements were made on the exterior of the buildings and on
other parts of the grounds. In 1915 the new palatial residence was erected
at a cost of $15,000. The erection of a new parsonage became all the more
necessary and imperative since, on account of the large amount of work
due to the size of the parish, room had to be made for an assistant to the
pastor. April 7, 1917, Rev. James Bercezinski assumed his duties as
assistant.
The parish today numbers 425 families or 2,100 souls. The increase
in membership has been most phenomenal, evidently due to two factors,
namely : the large number of immigrants and the large size of their families.
While there has been within the last ten years no further immigration,
still the parish continues to flourish and increase, which must be explained
as due to the large number of children in each family. The Polish people
have as yet not begun to practice race suicide. If the immigrants of other
nationalities had followed their example we would not find them dying out,
and we could add one-third to the population of the United States.
The school is attended by 225 children. This does not, however, repre-
sent the total number of children. If all the children could be enrolled
the number would be between six and seven hundred. On account of dis-
tances many children are obliged to attend the nearby public schools.
These come to the parochial school at a later period, but then not longer
than for two years. The school is in charge of one lay teacher, who also
is the parish organist, and four sisters. The sisters' motherhouse is at
Stevens Point, Wis., they are designated as the Polish Sisters of St. Joseph.
The societies of the parish are SS. Peter and Paul, Holy Cross, Holy Rosary,
848 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
St. Augustine and the Children of Mary. All these societies enjoy a large
and active membership.
The site of St. Peter's and St. Paul's Church is very beautifully located
on a slight elevation overlooking to the south and west the village and lake
of Elk Creek, and to the north and east rich and fertile farming districts.
On the parish grounds are situated not only the church building, but a
portion is set aside and laid out for cemetery purposes, and the rest is
converted into a shady park. The church can be seen from a distance, and
its heaven-ward towering steeple and massive dimensions make an impres-
sive appearance. The structure is gothic in style. The interior, with its
vaulted ceiling, rich frescoing and beautiful altars and statutes, makes a
dignified and pleasing impression. It must certainly be an edifying and
inspiring scene to see this large edifice on any Sunday morn filled to its
capacity with people in silent reverence kneeling before their God or with
blended voices chanting His praises. The people of St. Peter's and St. Paul's
Parish must be congratulated upon the sacrifices they have made for their
parish. These sacrifices speak volumes for their faith and generosity, as
well as for their diligence and thrift.
Rev. A. W. Gara, the present pastor, was born in the year 1860 in
Yawiszowica, Galicia, Austria, where he received his early training. He
continued his studies at the College Zywice, and the College Wadowice.
Philosophy and theology he studied at Rome. In 1885 he came to America
and on June 24, 1886, was ordained at St. Francis' Seminary, St. Francis,
Wis. For two months he was assistant at Marshfield. Then he became
pastor of the parish at Paniatowski, Wis. On July 1, 1898, he became
pastor at Pine Creek, where he made great improvements on the church
property. Rev. A. W. Gara is a man of great zeal and energy and of much
ability, of minute exactness and a strong and firm character. His work
at St. Peter's and St. Paul's alone will ever make him known as a "builder"
and successful pastor.
St. Mary's Parish,
Galesville, Wisconsin.
The Catholics of the village of Galesville for many years had no serv-
ices, being obliged to go either to Ettrick or Trempealeau for spiritual
ministration. From 1890 to 1904 mass was oflfered occasionally by the
pastor from Ettrick in the Czepull hall. In 1904 Rev. O'Connor, pastor
from Ettrick, superintended the erection of a beautiful church at a cost
of $5,000. The site was donated by Capt. A. A. Arnold and is located on
the east side of Galesville. Rev. Keegan, Rev. Enis and Rev. Colling, dur-
ing their pastorate of two years, resided at Galesville and attended to
Ettrick and Trempealeau. The parish of Galesville not owning a priest
house and not showing any sign of being financially fit to erect one in the
near future, the ecclesiastical authorities became cognizant of the imprac-
ticability of maintaining a residence at Galesville, and the coming of Rev.
McGinnity re-established the pastor's residence at Ettrick. When Rev.
Buschelmann established his residence at Trempealeau, Galesville became
a mission of the former place. Galesville now has 44 Catholic families.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 849
A Court of C. 0. F., to which also members of St. Bartholomew's and of St.
Bridget's belong, is maintained. The parishes of St. Bartholomew, St.
Bridget and St. Mary are rather small in number, but they are located in
the heart of a great and rich agricultural district, and no doubt undei
prudent, vigilant and consistent supervision will spring up like mush-
rooms, but unlike mushrooms become strong and firm and a source of pride
to the community, contributors to moral uplift and powerful factors in
expelling the miasma of irrehgion and bigotry. Bigotry, we find, thrives
in localities but sparsely settled by Catholics, because it is there possible
to misrepresent the church and the lives of her children.
St. Bartholomew's Parish,
Trempealeau, Wisconsin.
On the east bank of the Mississippi, the father of waters, and at the
foot of the historic Trempealeau mount, twelve blocks west from the busi-
ness center of the village of Trempealeau, stands St. Bartholomew's Church.
The early Catholic settlers in this section were few in number. In
the sixties they received spiritual ministration from the pastors of St.
Mary's Church, La Crosse. It is related that Rev. Marcoe came twice a
year carrying the sacred vestments and other paraphernalia, and offered
the sacrifice of the mass in the house of Antrim Grignon, where all the
Catholics of the vicinity, having received information of the priest's com-
ing, gathered. In 1872 fifteen families erected the present church at a
cost of about $3,000, completing the same in 1873. The site was donated
by the Grignon family. Since they were too few to support a resident
priest, St. Bartholomew's Congregation was, until 1914, a mission, attended
to from Ettrick. On Nov. 1, 1914, Rev. Joseph Buschelmann was trans-
ferred from Ettrick to Trempealeau as first pastor thereof. The house of
Mrs. Taylor was bought at a price of $1,400. It is located two blocks east
of the church and was suitably furnished into a pastor's residence. When
the church was erected there were but fifteen families, now there are
fifty-one. On account of the smallness of the parish and its limited revenue
St. Bartholomew's is not able to insure the pastor's support, hence Rev.
Buschelmann was given Galesville as a mission, thus affording also assist-
ance to the latter place. There now being good train service between
Trempealeau and Galesville the ministration of both places no longer offers
the hardships of former days, when the distance from Ettrick to Trem-
pealeau or from Galesville to Trempealeau had to be made by vehicle over
a poor stretch of road often in most unfavorable weather. The present
arrangement of having a resident pastor in Trempealeau and one in Ettrick
seems to have solved the difficulty which confronted the pioneer priests
and which made work so arduous. St. Bartholomew's has an altar society
of sixty active members. The parish made great progress since the arrival
of Rev. Buschelmann, and just at present is enjoying a lively boom. More
than ten prosperous families came from Iowa and settled in this locality
and others are following. In view of these features the parish has a bright
future before it. Rev. Buschelmann was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Feb.
850 HISTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
15, 1884. He finished his classical course of studies in the famous Canisius
College of Buffalo, N. Y., conducted by the Jesuit Fathers. His seminary
course he completed at St. Bernard's Seminary, Rochester, N. Y., where
he was ordained in 1911. His first charge was Ettrick, whence he attended
to Trempealeau as a mission until in 1914, when he estabhshed his residence
here. He is a young man of good ability, zealous, active, pubhc spirited and
of a happy and jovial disposition. He has won the hearts of many, who
believe that his future career will be bright and fruitful.
St. Stanislaus' Parish,
Arcadia, Wisconsin.
The youngest of Catholic parishes in the county — the Benjamin of
the family and the second Catholic parish in the village of Arcadia — is
St. Stanislaus' Congregation. It was organized in the fall of 1910. Prior
to this date the members belonged mostly to St. Michael's Church at North
Creek. After fire had destroyed the school house of St. Michael's parish
in the spring of 1910 about one-half the members favored changing the
church locality from North Creek to Arcadia Village. Being opposed in
this move by the other faction at North Creek they seceded and obtained
permission to organize a separate Polish parish. Instrumental in this
move and at the same time hard workers for the parish were John Soppa,
Sr., Mike Sabotta, J. J. Korpal and Andrew Stachowski. The first two
were also the first trustees. During the summer of 1910 a site was pro-
cured from the Hon. John C. Gaveney for $700. This site is located on
the hill one-half mile east from Main street. Plans were made for a church
by J. G. Schneider. The end of this year saw the completion of the church
building and on July 4, 1911, it was dedicated by Rt. Rev. James Schwebach,
bishop of La Crosse. The church cost $18,000. At that time the parish
did not have a resident priest, and in all their building operations and col-
lections of funds they proceeded without the advice or assistance of any
pastor. Yet the Rev. John Rayski, who was pastor of North Creek, attended
to their spiritual wants and held services after the new church was com-
pleted every second Sunday. In 1912 they erected the parsonage at a cost
of $2,500, and Rev. Ignatius Orlig was appointed as first resident pastor.
In 1914 they erected a school house at a cost of $8,000. This was dedicated
Oct. 25, 1914. In September Rev. Orlig left and was followed by Rev.
Francis Barszczak, the present pastor. In September 1915 the school was
opened and placed in charge of the Sisters of St. Joseph from Stevens Point.
The present enrollment is about 100 pupils. The present membership of
the parish numbers about 500 souls or ninety families. The societies of
the parish are as follows: The Rosary Society, St. Stanislaus' Society and
the Pohsh Union. The total value of St. Stanislaus' Church is about $30,000.
The parishioners have brought great sacrifices and showed intense interest
in the progress of the same. Because they are so strongly united soon this
will be numbered among the leading parishes of the county.
The present pastor was born in Galicia, Austria. His early education
he received in Przemysl, Austria, and his theological course he finished at
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 851
St. Francis Seminary, St. Francis, Wis., where he was ordained in February,
1913. His first charge was at Stanley, Wis., whence he was transferred to
Arcadia. He is a zealous and active man and of good and regular habits.
The aggregate wealth of the Catholic church property of Trempealeau
County is approximately $260,000. The work that the Catholics of Trem-
pealeau County have done for the good of the cause they have espoused
is not merely evident from the establishment of parishes and schools within
the county, but the fact that many children of the past generation who have
received their early training in faith and religion here have moved to the
western states and have there helped to organize new parishes must not
be overlooked. The writer is acquainted with five or six parishes whose
membership consists mostly of former Trempealeau County folks. Also
the fact that the Catholics of Trempealeau County have made great con-
tributions to the upbuilding of La Crosse diocesan institutions, e. g., the
orphan asylum, cathedral and seminary aid, must not be overlooked. At
present the contributions to outside funds from the Catholics of Trem-
pealeau County amount to over $2,000 annually. Lastly the number of
young men who have embraced the priesthood, or who are preparing for
the same, and the number of young ladies who have joined religious com-
munities and who are engaged in school work speaks well for the religious
spirit of our Catholics. There have come forth five priests, eight semi-
narians and forty-six nuns. The Catholics of this county have also fur-
nished in 1917 forty-four volunteers to the army and about twenty-five
or thirty drafted men. A good proof that patriotic spirit runs true and high.
The children of the noble, self-sacrificing pioneers constitute the pres-
ent generation, like their forefathers they are physically strong and hardy ;
socially, industrious, thrifty and neighborly; intellectually, well versed in
the three Rs, and that not only in their mother tongue, but also in the
language of the country; morally. God-fearing and law-abiding citizens.
CHAPTER XX.
OTHER CHURCHES.
In addition to the Norwegian Lutheran churches in Trempealeau
County there are five other Lutheran churches, four German and one
Swedish. There are also in the county churches of the EvangeUcal Asso-
ciation, Presbyterian, Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, Congregational and
Protestant Episcopal faith. There is one independent church.
An effort has been made to gather the histories of these churches, but
in many instances the pastors have failed to furnish the desired information.
German Evangelical Lutheran.
There are five German Evangelical Lutheran congregations in Trem-
pealeau, four of which have church edifices. Two are at Arcadia, St. John's
and St. John's Christ. One is in Hale Township. One is in the Tamarack
Valley. The congregation at Galesville worships in the Swedish Lutheran
church.
Swedish Lutheran.
There is one Swedish Lutheran church in the county, located at Gales-
ville.
Evangelical Association.
(By Albert Hess.)
Arcadia Circuit of the Evangelical Association is composed of four
local organizations located as follows: Independence, Tamarack, Cortland
and Arcadia. This circuit has been supplied regularly with pastors since
the early sixties, but the earhest records now in existence date back only
to 1871, and even some of those since that date are incomplete. In speak-
ing today with older settlers we are informed that the Rev. Israel Kuder
was the first pastor who in pioneer days occasionally preached at these
various settlements in connection with the Buffalo County settlements of
Fountain City, Montana, Alma and Scotch Prairie, now known as Anchor-
age. The earlier pastor. Rev. Jacob Seder, probably did not visit Trem-
pealeau County. The pastors who were stationed here since 1878 follow
in order. Sometimes the field was supplied with two pastors, an elder and
a probationer. In this case usually both Trempealeau and Buffalo County
congregations were served, with the elder living at Montana and the
younger preacher at Arcadia. Arcadia being the central congregation, it
follows that the parsonage is located here. The first parsonage was pur-
chased about the year 1883. In the year 1909a modern parsonage was built
on the same lot the old one had occupied. The present pastor is B. O.
852
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 853
Maschmann, who has served the congregation since May 1, 1914. The
ministers on the Arcadia circuit wei-e as follows: R. F. Habermann, May
1, 1878 to 1881; M. C. Werner, 1881 to May, 1885; H. Best, 1885 to 1886;
H. Clement, 1886 to 1889; H. Brockhaus, 1889 to 1890; F. Ausmann and
F. G. Hack, 1893 to 1895 ; F. Ausmann and W. Koten, 1895 to 1896 ; J. J.
Stuempfig and W. J. Hillmann, 1896 to 1897 ; J. J. Stuempfig and H. P. Jor-
don, 1897 to 1900.
Trinity Church of the Evangelical Association. — The first church was
a small edifice erected on River street in Arcadia about the year 1878,
which was moved in 1883 to a site west of the Trempealeau River, on what
is now designated as Main street in West Arcadia. A new church was
erected in the year 1903 at the cost of $6,000, and a new parsonage, at a
cost of $3,500, was built in the year 1909. Both church and parsonage are
of modern design and are equipped with electric lighting and hot air heating
system. The property valuation of the church is $6,500 and the parsonage
$4,000. The auxiliary organizations of this church are a Sunday .school.
Young People's Alliance, Junior Alliance and a Woman's Missionary and
Aid Society. The trustees and officers of this congregation are: Julius
Senty, president; Albert Hess, secretary; Jacob Hotz, treasurer; J. J,
Schramm and J. P. Runkel, trustees. The present membership is 94. The
original members of this congregation when first organized were: A. F.
Hensel, John Durisch, H. Klug, P. A. Koenig, J. F. Koenig, Leonard Schneller
and Jacob Hotz.
Emanuel's Church of the Evangelical Association of the Arcadia Cir-
cuit is located in section 15, range 9, township 20, and was formerly known
as the "Home" church, and later named "Cortland." Early services were
held in the homes of the old settlers at first. Li 1868 a church was built,
the first members being A. F. Hensel, William Kiekhoefer, William Garbe,
Martin Joos, August Garbe, Ludwig Hensel, Friederich Kiekhoefer and John
Miller. The first record we have of the Emanuel's church is dated Novem-
ber, 1871. The church was remodeled in 1910. Home and Cortland con-
gregation has always been served by the pastors of the Arcadia circuit.
The present officers of this congregation are: H. F. Ulbrech, president;
Walter Kiekhoefer, secretary ; William Miller, treasurer ; William Rohleder
and Frank Kiekhoefer, trustees. The present membership is 50 ; the prop-
erty valuation, $2,200. This congregation has a Sunday school as an
auxiliary organization.
Zion Church of the Evangelical Association, known as the Tamarack
church, is located in section 15, range 10, township 19, known as German
Valley. Services were first held in the residences of the early settlers as
far back as 1885. A church was erected in 1903. The early members were
E. Bockenhauer, Charles Klein, Charles Wier, Gottlieb Schultz and William
Yarchow. A Sunday school is conducted in connection. The property
valuation is $600; membership, 11.
Independence Congregation of the Evangelical Association was organ-
ized about the same time as the Arcadia congregation. Services were held
in the residences of the members until the year 1880, when a union church
was built by the members in connection with the members of the Methodist
854 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Episcopal congregation, both organizations using this edifice alternately
to the present date. Among the first members of the Independence branch
were John Sprecher, Emil Graul, Henry Schaefer, William Steiner, John
Steiner, William Runkel, Jacob Klavadetcher and John Martins. This
congregation also conducts a Sunday school and has a Junior Alliance.
The present membership is 35. Officers: John Sprecher, president; Emil
Graul, secretary; John Steiner, treasurer.
Congregational.
There are two Congregational churches in the county, one located at
Osseo and one at Trempealeau.
The First Congregational Church of Osseo. At the time of the first
organized Christian efforts in Osseo, in 1868, at the time of this writing
(1904) thirty-six years ago, Osseo was a village not incorporated and so
small that one sti-anger in seeking the place drove to the principal hotel
and inquired how far it was to Osseo. V. W. Campbell was the proprietor
and carried the mail between Augusta and Osseo. There was no railroad
communication in existence for Osseo at that time, nor for about twenty
years after. In front of the present hotel on the south side of the business
street was an open square, where the circus held forth, ball games were
played and the Fourth of July sports were witnessed. The town hall was
then the school house of one department. It occupied the site of the later
school building and like the antiquated personage was pushed aside to give
place to the more pretentious structure. In its belfry hung a cracked bell
not so melodious as the one which now calls the urchin to his task, but
serving the purpose for which it swung quite as well. There were no walks
then in any section of Osseo. In the section west from the depot bridge
there were no buildings. We can scarcely imagine what this section would
be without the depot, elevators, lumber yard, the flat and the cottage near.
In 1882 or 1883 the residences of Frank York, of Dr. E. A. Olson and Mrs.
Julie Shores were built, also the beginning of the Central House, the large
store building of Field Bros., which was burned in 1891, and the first portion
of the school building. The population then numbered about 150.
Such was Osseo when thirty-six years ago Samuel Thompson came
here, took for a homestead the land later owned by Bert Wilson and built
the house later burned. Through his efforts a Congregational congrega-
tion was organized. Some preferred the Methodists, some the Presbyterian
and still others the Friends or Quakers, but the Congregationalists were
in the majority and effected their organization. After a very few years
this pastor moved away, some members followed his example and some
died, until none were left to carry on the work. At that time the Congre-
gational Association was caring for a great territory in Northern and
Central Wisconsin, for the most part as needy as Osseo, and was in con-
sequence of this financially embarassed. These facts resulted in Osseo
having no religious service for some time. Then the Methodists took up
the work. We have been able to learn of but two pastors of that denomina-
tion holding service here — a Rev. Massee and later Rev. Conway. This
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 855
latter denomination was in quite the same circumstances that the first was,
not having enough ministers to supply their needs, so Osseo was again left
without spiritual guidance.
It is now more than a quarter of a century since the Congregational
Association of the Eau Claire district asked Rev. J. S. Norris, then pastor
of the Mondovi church, to visit Osseo Village. On reaching our little town
he says : "I was directed to the home of Samuel and Sarah Cox, as being
the best Christians in the place." This good brother and sister implored
Rev. Norris to visit them occasionally and to send them a pastor. Both
he promised to do. Being acquainted with Rev. M. McPhail of Moline, 111.,
he believed, and rightly, that he was the man for the place. Accordingly
through the influence of this good man the father of Christian work in
Osseo came to our needy village. H was minister in every sense of the
word. He could sing as well as speak the Master's message. He acted
efficiently as church clerk or convention delegate. He not only superin-
tended, but took the principal part in the building of the church and par-
sonage, acting as cai'penter, mason and painter. He was sympathetic. Of
him it might be said, "He rejoiced with those who did rejoice and wept
with those who wept." Although at times the burden seemed great, yet
he was untiring in his efforts to consummate the work God had given him.
Rev. McPhail arrived in Osseo probably in the early part of 1878. On
July 16, 1878, the committee appointed by the Chippewa Convention met
at Osseo and formally organized a church consisting of the following mem-
bers: Rev. M. McPhail, Samuel Cox, Sarah Cox, John Cox, Rhoda Cox,
WiUiam Henry, Elizabeth Henry, Geo. F. Newell, Sr., Walter Newell, Sarah
Shores, Storm Zhee, Maria Zhee, Horatio M. Tracey, Sarah Elsom, Thomas
Love. Wm. K. Levis, Sr., Mary E. Levis, Joseph W. Jaquish, Geo. Colburn,
Harriet Colburn and Mary Lovesee. All services were held at that time in
the school house. A little melodian was the only instrument procurable.
Mrs. F. N. Thomas was organist. Mrs. S. Field, Geo. F. Newell, Sr., and
J. W. Jaquish were prominent in the choir. Zoe Shepard, Nettie Tracey,
Emma Linderman, Lizzie Field, Bert Cox, Mr. Marson and wife. Curt Van
Housen and Ed Olson were also helpers in this line. Rev. McPhail was the
janitor, and often he and his son went into the woods near by to gather
fuel, carrying it in their arms or on their shoulders to the school house.
This was an added burden to both mind and body. In speaking of burdens
we are reminded of the burdens borne by the dear wife who by the greatest
economy made it possible for the family to exist on three hundred dollars
a year. Had it not been for her sacrifices, her devotion, her unfaltering
faith even Rev. McPhail could not have carried on this great work. Regular
services were held in Tracey Valley and in South Valley.
About March 1, 1879, work on the parsonage was begun. This work
progressed but slowly, probably because financial matters were not easily
adjusted, and most of the work being done by the pastor had of necessity
to be interrupted by pastoral duties. May 1 of the same year the record
tells of the donation of a communion set from the La Crosse church. The
pastor's family reached Osseo Aug. 20, 1879, but even then the parsonage
was not entirely finished, much of the minor work, as painting and plas-
856 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
tering, being done afterward. May 12, 1879, a lot was bought of S. Field
for $25, on which to erect a church.
Nov. 21, 1879, a committee consisting of John Cox, Thomas Newman
and Wm. Henry was appointed, which succeeded in raising the church
indebtedness by subscription. Sept. 4, 1880, a church building committee
was appointed consisting of five members, Rev. McPhail, Wm. Henry,
F. N. Thomas, Horace Field and Elias Gay. About the same time Messrs.
Gay, Hyslop, Henry and McPhail were appointed a committee to visit the
Hixton church for the purpose of devising plans for the new church. The
foundation wall had been laid in June previous to these arrangements.
September 14 a bee was made to haul the lumber from Humbird. A great
many in and around the village helped in this.
On Sept. 30, 1880, the erection of a house of worship was commenced.
Much of the work on the edifice was by Rev. McPhail and his son George.
E. Hyslop was also prominent in the work. In fact nearly every one helped,
contributing labor or talent unsparingly.
The Ladies' Aid Society was organized in 1882, making their first
financial efforts the donation of paint for the building. Much credit is due
this society for their help in a financial way, not only paying a good por-
tion of pastors' salaries, but repairing or refitting parsonage or church
whenever or however necessity required.
In April or. May, 1883, the church received $412 from the American
Congregational Union to finish paying the church debt. This debt being
removed, June 17, 1883, the finished house was dedicated.
On Jan. 1. 1893, a bell, which was the gift of the King's Daughters, was
dedicated. This was purchased by direct effort of this society at a cost of
$225, the last of the amount being raised by circulating a subscription
paper. Nearly ten years later in December, 1902, a window to the memory
of the late Pastor McPhail was placed in the chui'ch. This was purchased
and placed by a subscription under the direction of Mrs. Mary Fox at an
entire cost of $72.75.
The pastors of the church have been: Rev. McPhail, 1880-86; Rev.
Pinkerton, 1887-88 ; Rev. Sparrow, 1889 ; Rev. W. M. Betts, 1890 ; Rev. W. C.
Haire, 1891; Rev. D. H. Richie, 1892; Rev. G. H. Marsh, 1894; Rev. John
DeCow, 1896; Rev. John Evans, 1897-98; Rev. John Evans, 1899; Rev.
Luther Spears, 1901 ; Rev. Otto J. Scheibe, 1903-04.
In the years which have passed since the above article was written
in 1904 many changes have taken place. New streets have been opened,
many beautiful new residences erected and improvements so numerous
made in our little village that space will not permit the mention of all. One,
aside from the church and its properties, should not be omitted, is the erec-
tion of as fine a new school building as can be found in a long travel. There
is established a four years' high school course, with excellent equipment
for domestic science, manual training and gymnasium. Such a school would
be a credit to a city many times the size of Osseo. The old school building
has been purchased by the village to be fitted up for city hall, offices and
library. The public library is also a recent addition to our progress. The
Osseo Study Club, with a membership of sixteen ladies, established this,
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 857
paying one hundred dollars at its foundation. The village has taken it
over and at present it contains 900 volumes. In 1916 over 4,000 volumes
were taken for reading. At present — 1917 — the periodicals on the maga-
zine table are Review of Reviews, Literary Digest, Musician, Popular
Mechanics and Good Housekeeping.
Our church has progressed most perceptibly since 1904. The pastors
since that date have been : Rev. A. S. Newcomb, 1905-06 ; Rev. Morton, a
supply for three months ; Rev. C. S. Johnson, 1907-09 ; Rev. F. E. Hall,
1911-12; Rev. C. S. Johnson, 1912-14; Rev. Harry Milford, 1914 to the
present.
In 1908 the church was remodeled at an approximate cost of 81,500,
making a greater seating capacity and providing a pastor's study, church
parlors, kitchen and dining room. In 1916 the parsonage was sold and a
new modern bungalow erected, a parsonage of which the church is justly
proud. — (By Harriet Campbell Schultz.)
The Congregational Church of Independence, not now in existence,
was organized in June, 1879, at Taylor's Hall, under the direction of the
Rev. J. H. Pollock, with twelve members. The congregation was long
since dissolved.
Presbyterian Churches.
There are three Presbyterian churches in Trempealeau County, the
Presbyterian Church of Whitehall, incorporated Feb. 14, 1893 ; the Pres-
byterian Church of Pleasant Valley, incorporated May 20, 1893, and the
Presbyterian Church of Galesville, incorporated Feb. 17, 1896. The Pres-
byterian Church of Independence was incorporated Nov. 20, 1879, but is
not now in existence.
The First Presbyterian Church of Galesville was organized with 23
members, Sept. 17, by D. C. Lyon and Henry Day, from the presbytery of
Winnebago. The roll of officers and members was as follows : Price Mars
and John McMillan, Jr. (elders), Franklin Gilbert (elder-elect), Mrs. Julia
A. Gilbert, Mrs. Gertrude Gale, Mrs. Nancy Young, Mrs. Janet Mars,
Robert Cance, Mrs. Christian Cance, Mrs. Mary Cance, Mrs. Martha Purves,
WiUiam Dick, Mrs. Rosina Dick, Mrs. Jane Harris, George W. Stearns,
Mrs. Maria Stearns, Mrs. Ann McMillan, Andrew Gatherer, Mrs. Sophia
Gatherer, Mrs. Mary Faulds, John McMillan, Sr., Mrs. Isabella McMillan
and Mrs. Mary Bibby. On Dec. 10 following Mr. Lyon, of the Committee
of Presbytery, received by certificate John Cance, Mrs. John Cance, Alex
Cance and James Hardie, and on profession of their faith Mrs. Maria Mars,
Wm. Thomas, John Bibby, Richard Bibby and Mrs. Mary Bibby. Since it
is known that these persons were prevented from joining at the earlier
date by sickness, delay of their expected letter, or other accident, they are
given a place among the charter members.
On Sept. 5, 1859, the Board of Domestic Missions, at Mr. Lyon's request,
formally commissioner Sheldon Jackson for "La Crescent, Hokah and
vicinity in Minnesota." Mr. Jackson interpreted "vicinity" to mean as far
as he could reach. In fact he was already searching out the land. On
858 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
horseback, and often on foot, he was fording streams, climbing hiDs, pene-
trating valleys, opening every school house, telling the Gospel story by
every fireside. Did he find a little group of Presbyterians, he organized
them into a church and set them to work. He soon had preaching stations
in 13 counties in Minnesota, and in Chippewa, Eau Claire, Jackson, Trem-
pealeau and La Crosse Counties in Wisconsin, — a parish of 13,000 square
miles and a salary of $300 a year. (See Stewart's Life of Sheldon Jackson.)
There is record to show that Mr. Lyon and Sheldon Jackson supplied
the Galesville church alternately on the second Sabbath of the month for
several months, probably till the arrival of the first pastor, the Rev. John
Frothingham. This young minister was from the presbytery of Albany.
He had refused flattering calls from eastern congregations and had chosen
the career of a home missionary in a frontier town under the influence of
his boyhood friend and neighbor, Sheldon Jackson. GalesviUe was on the
frontier in 1860. The houses were lighted by tallow candles and the streets
not at all. There were but three span of horses in the town, and the nearest
approach to a carriage, excepting the doctor's rig, was one two-seated
spring wagon ; but said wagon, which was painted red, did free service and
was even used for a hearse. There was but one mail a week. It went out
on Friday to La Crosse, the nearest railway point, and came in on Satur-
day. Everyone worked hard and life was rude, but it was not altogether
without refining influences. A newspaper had been established by Mr. S. S.
Luce, and a lyceum organized, while Galesville University — now Gale Col-
lege— was in its second year. The people were intelligent, some of them
college-bred, and there were few whose mother tongue was not the English
language. If all were not godly by profession and in practice they were at
least God-fearing — respecting God's book, God's day and God's minister.
The one man in the village who talked infidelity and habitually worked on
Sunday was regarded with abhorrence by his fellow townsmen. There had
been a Union Sunday school, but the ©O'er of a library to a Presbyterian
school and no other led Mr. Frothingham to organize one June 7, 1863. He
was superintendent of this school till he left the place. It was organized
in the little old school house, but the church building was already under
way. At the county fair in October of this year the ladies served dinners
and earned $75,000 for the building fund. The building moved slowly, how-
ever, for lack of means, and was not completed and ready for dedication till
Jan. 1, 1865. It was a very plain structure — that old church — but every
dollar of the $1,200 that went into it represented hard work and much
self-sacrifice. It was fitting, therefore, that the minister's corn-crib should
furnish material for the belfry, as the crowning act of self-denial. The
pews were rented at first, but the arrangement proved unsatisfactory and
was abandoned after the second year. In 1866 a church was organized at
North Bend, and the McMillan, Bibby, Faulds and Gatherer famihes, 12
members in all, withdrew to cast in their lot there. In 1868 the Froth-
inghams removed to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Four months later Mr. Froth-
ingham was laid to rest in Cedar Rapids.
Dec. 10, 1868, one month after Mr. Frothingham's removal. Rev. Henry
R. Wilson became the minister. Mr. Wilson left us in April, 1871, to take a
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 859
position in the office with his father, who was secretary of the Board of
Church Erection. The next minister, the Rev. Samuel Brown, came fresh
from the University of Belfast.
The next pastor was Rev. J. C. de Bruyn Kops. While he was pastor
the choir was removed to a platform at the right of the pulpit, and the
old walnut desk used by Mr. Frothingham was replaced with the pulpit
now in use, designed and made by Rev. Kops. During this ministery the
first Woman's Missionary Society was organized and the Sabbath school
put in a flourishing condition under the leadership of Dr. J. R. Branch.
The presbytery having accepted the custody of Gale College in 1877, it
became necessary to have a minister who would do some work in the class-
room. Accordingly Mr. Kops resigned and the Rev. John Moore was called.
Mr. Moore came as pastor and as the professor of Belles Lettres in the
college. He resigned in September, 1880, to accept a call to Ripon, Wis.
Mr. Moore died in 1888 and his wife followed him two years later.
Mr. Moore's successor. Rev. J. Irwin Smith, D. D., began his ministry
here in April, 1881. He became financial agent of the college and entered
with ardor into the work of gathering funds both before and after the fire ;
later he became college president and took charge of some classes — all this
time fining his pulpit regularly and doing much pastoral work. Dr. Smith
resigned the next year, but no one being found to fill the vacancy he sup-
plied the pulpit without compensation when his other duties permitted until
he severed his connection with the college in 1888 and removed to Toledo,
Iowa. He died in Cedar Rapids, March 16, 1908, at the age of eighty-two.
It was September, 1889, when the Rev. John L. Gage entered upon his
ministry here. During the vacancy of nearly two years several leading
members had removed from the place and the organized work of the church
had languished. The Y. P. S. C. E. was now reorganized and another
Woman's Missionary Society was started. Early in 1890 a series of union
evangehstic meetings was held under the leadership of a "Band" from
Minneapolis, and the town was stirred from center to circumference. After
these meetings Mr. Gage received 22 members, the largest number ever
added to one communion. Dr. Smith had taken in 15 March 21, 1886, and,
after the Kennedy tent meetings, Mr. Winder received 14, Sept. 16, 1894.
After a stay of two years Mr. Gage removed to Iowa, where Mr. Gage is
still in the work, although on the retired list. Mrs. Gage died four years ago.
The Rev. Joseph M. Winder, who succeeded Mr. Gage, was stated supply
and pastor from September, 1891, to February, 1897. During this time
the parsonage was bought and refitted and the new church was built.
It was May, 1898, more than 14 months after Mr. Winder left us,
before Rev. T. C. Hill came. The pulpit had been supplied a part of the
time by the Rev. G. James Jones of the college. Mr. Hill resigned in April,
1905. The Rev. J. M. McKnight was here for a time, but he felt unequal
to the work of so extensive a field. The outlook was gloomy until Rev.
N. F. Chapman was sent. In less than two years the Neillsville church,
desiring an energetic young man of the evangelistic type, gave Mr. Chap-
man a call, and he left us in October, 1907. The pulpit was vacant six
months before our next pastor, the Rev. Benjamin Thomas, was secured.
860 HISTORY OF TREMPP:ALEAIT COUNTY
He resigned in October, 1916, and in April, 1917, was succeeded by the
present pastor, the Rev. Norman K. Tully.
(Note. — An elaborate booklet, issued Sept. 19-20, 1909, at the time
of the celebration of the semi-centennial, is a valuable contribution to the
social and economic, as well as religious, history of an old Wisconsin com-
munity, and contains many interesting pen pictures of men and events and
conditions during the fifty years that it covers.)
Methodist Episcopal.
There are seven Methodist Episcopal churches in the county, located
at Whitehall, Independence, Arcadia, Trempealeau, Osseo, Centerville and
Eleva. The church at Galesville is vacant. The church in Hale Township,
incorporated March 4, 1892, is no longer in existence.
Methodist Episcopal Church of Arcadia. The organization of this
society was perfected in 1857, under the auspic.es of an itinerant minister
of the Wesleyan faith, with Collins Bishop, Anna Bishop, Narcissa Robert-
son and Rhoda Shelley as the constituent members. Services were con-
ducted at the residences of members until an increase in the members of
the congregation required more extensive quarters, when the school house
was secured and appropriated to their uses. This was continued until 1876
when preparation looking to the erection of a house of worship, meanwhile in
progress, took shape, and resulted in the building of the present edifice,
which was completed during that year at a cost of $5,000. It is of frame,
of a quaint Elizabethan order of architecture, handsomely finished, and
with accommodations for a congregation of 500 persons.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Independence was organized about
1877, and met in Taylor's Hall at intervals for prayer and worship. In 1880
a Union church was built with the people of the Evangelical Association
faith.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Trempealeau was organized in
1856 by H. M. Hays, with the Goodhue, Payne and Kribbs families as the
original members. The first church was built in 1857.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Galesville was organized at an early
day, and until 1875 the congregation worshiped in the court house and
school house. In that year a church was built.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Whitehall. Services of the
Methodist faith were held at the homes of pioneers as early as 1856. The
Methodist Society at Whitehall was organized in 1867. For several years
services were held in the school houses by pastors from the Arcadia charge.
In 1873, at the time that the G. B. & W. R. R. passed through what is now
Whitehall Village, then only a grain field, D. W. Wade secured a lot from
the railroad company for the site of the M. E. church. He drew up a sub-
scription paper to secure money for building the church, and he succeeded
in getting $1,000 in money and work. Mr. Wade wrote to the presiding
elder of the La Crosse district for a pastor. Rev. J. E. Webster was
obtained, and he took up the work of securing further subscriptions.
Another $1,000 was subscribed in money and labor. The work was com-
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 8C1
menced early in 1874. Dui'ing that summer the building of the church had
so far progressed that it was opened for services during the winter of
1874-1875. It was later completed in the summer of 1875.
In December, 1874, Mr. Wade and family went east to New York and
New Jersey, his former home states. While there he visited Methodist
Episcopal book rooms and purchased a fine pulpit Bible and hymn book.
The church being a mission church, having raised a small sum of money
toward purchasing books for the Sunday school library, the committee was
allowed dollar for dollar and forty per cent off on all books. The committee
also secured a large Sunday school map of Palestine and a framed motto:
"God Bless Our Sunday School." The church was dedicated Aug. 29, 1875,
Rev. J. E. Webster being the first pastor. The Bible and hymn book wei'e
formally presented at that time, and used in the dedication service.
During the- pastorate of Rev. F. E. Lewis the church was moved from
its first location to its present site, and later during the pastorate of the
Rev. Chalfant, a basement and many other improvements were added. The
pastors have been: J. E. Webster, J. B. Richardson, William Galloway,
E. J. Bickle, F. W. Straw, E. T. Briggs, G. D. Brown, A. M. Lumkins,
H. A. Snyder, G. F. Cowling, G. Limkuhlr, W. H. Cheneweth, J. T. Bryan,
C. G. Gaman, W. E. Doughty, F. E. Lewis, L. N. Wooley, J. E. Boyer, J. G.
Haigh, Edwin Tench, William Cook, Harry Philpot, Arthur Chalfant, David
Levin, E. D. Upson.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Centerville is served by the pastor
from Trempealeau, services being held every Sunday.
Baptist.
There are two Baptist churches in the county one at Whitehall and one
at Blair. For some years the Baptist Society was active in Arcadia, and
a frame church edifice was erected. It was afterward used as a Peoples
church.
The Baptist Association at Trempealeau was instituted in 1857 by the
Rev. J. M. Winn, with 23 members. Until 1866 services were conducted in
the school house and at a hall on Front street. In that year a church was
erected. The society is not now in existence.
The Whitehall Baptist Church was first known as the First Baptist
Church of Preston. It was organized July 4, 1858, and began life with eight
constituent members. In 1860 the membership was 20. The field covered
by the membership of this church extended from Hixton in Jackson County
to Glencoe in Buff'alo County, a distance of 40 miles up and down Trem-
pealeau Valley. In 1864 the church was admitted to the La Crosse Valley
Association. Jan. 9, 1866, the name of the church was changed to that
of the First Baptist Church of Lincoln. The first church building was
erected at old Whitehall in 1870, at a cost of $1,100, and was sold in 1875
to the Scandinavian people for $300. The present building was erected the
same year at a cost of $1,600 and was dedicated Jan. 12, 1876, free of debt.
At this time the church adopted its present name. The first Baptist min-
ister to preach in this locality was the Rev. Mr. Bunnell of Trempealeau
Village. He preached a few sermons in the home of Deacon Alvah Wood
862 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
in the winter of 1857-85. In 1858 the church was organized and the fol-
lowing brethren have served as pastors consecutively: Revs. Thomas
Slade, S. S. Tucker, G. P. Dissmore, Calvin E. Fisher, G. P. Dissmore, E. D.
Barbour, F. S. Witler, H. G. Carroll, G. P. Dissmore, L. J. Sawyer,
Catchpole, D. I. Coon, N. L. Sweet, N. K. Larson, A. B. Cannady, C. 0.
Booth, W. D. Wells, Samuel Batchelor, J. J. Enge, Madison Reynolds and
G. N. Doody. Says Mrs. Mary Wood: "Pastor Dissmore has been with
us longest. He has proved his words by an honest, upright hfe, winning
the respect of the community and the affection of the church, who felt
the comfort of his presence and counsel. Pastor N. L. Sweet was the
sower sowing beside all waters, up the coulies, down the valleys, always
feeling the stress of the work, appreciated by the church, disparaging
himself, ever reaching out toward more effective service." The present
parsonage was purchased of N. K. Larson August 1, 1911. •
Protestant Episcopal.
There is one church of this denomination in Trempealeau County,
which is located in Osseo.
St. Elizabeth's Church and Parish. — The first service of this congre-
gation was held in the York Inn parlors, Osseo, in the summer of 1911,
W. F. Hood, Jr., then in deaccm's orders, being the priest in Charge. The
first baptismal service was held St. John's Day at eight o'clock p. m. in
Carson's Hall, with the Rev. P. H. Linley of Eau Claire as the priest in
charge. On May 7, 1912, Bishop Webb of the Milwaukee diocese confirmed
the following class of thirteen: Mrs. L. H. Field, Mrs. G. I. Thew, Mrs.
B. F. York, Mrs. W. S. Gilpin, Misses Florence Roberts of Superior, Ruth
Esbenson, Alice Thew, Myle and Beatrice Gilpin, Doris Jones, Clara Zhe,
Keith Jones and Silby Gilpin. Mrs. Crane and Mrs. Nettie Jones were
already communicants of the church. The different priests in charge since
the beginning of the mission have been Archdeacon W. F. Hood, Rev.
P. H. Linley and Missionary Priest Rev. W. Wolfe. The first baptism after
the mission was started was that of Ruth Hanson, the service being held
in Carson's Hall. The first baptism in the Mission House was that of
Mary Louise Vincent of St. Paul. The first wedding in the parish was
that of Ruth I. Jones to H. J. Vincent of St. Paul, W. F. Hood officiating.
The funerals have been those of Mrs. G. O. Linderman and Mr. and Mrs.
D. A. Gates, Archdeacon Hood officiating, and Mrs. F. York, with the Rev.
P. H. Linley of Eau Claire in charge. St. Elizabeth's Guild has held two
very successful bazaars and given one home talent play. A portion of
each year they took up the work of the Woman's Auxiliary and pursued a
mission study course, with the subject of "Japan Advancing," "Social
Aspect of Foreign Missions," and "Conquest of the Continent," and derived
much benefit from the work. The officers of the Guild are: Mrs. A. G.
Cox, president; Mrs. W. S. Gilpin, secretary and treasurer; Mrs. Nettie
Jones, educational secretary and missionary treasurer; Mrs. Crane, parish
treasurer. Of those who have officiated in charge of the parish as deacon
or priest. Archdeacon Hood is now chaplain of the Third Regiment, now
HISTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 863
(Sept. 17, 1917) stationed at Camp Douglas ; Rev. P. H. Linley is chaplain
of the drafted regiment now in training at Rockford, and Rev. W. Wolfe
is archdeacon and rector of the chbrch at Lancaster, Wis. — (By Mrs. Net-
tie F. Jones.)
Independent.
The church of God in Christ was incorporated at Eleva, May 5, 1909,
and holds regular meetings, but has no church edifice.
Union Service.
For more than fifty years the school at West Prairie has been used for
union church and Sunday school purposes.
CHAPTER XXI.
BENCH AND BAR,
When the Indian title to this region was relinquished in 1837, the
area that is now Trempealeau County was under the jurisdiction of the
territory of Wisconsin, whose judicial power was vested in a Supreme
Court, District Courts, Probate Courts and justices of the peace. The
little settlement at Trempealeau remained under the judicial jurisdiction
of Crawford County throughout the territorial days and during the early
years of statehood.
By the state constitution which went into effect in 1848, Crawford
County, of which Trempealeau County was a part, was made a pai't of
the fifth circuit. Mortimer M. Jackson went on the bench Aug. 28, 1848.
When the sixth circuit was created in 1850, the little settlement at Trem-
pealeau fell under its jurisdiction, and in that district this county still
remains. Wm. Knowlton went on the bench Aug. 6, 1850.
In 1851 the settlement at Trempealeau came under the jurisdiction
of La Crosse County, and at the first town election held at La Crosse in
April, 1851, James A. Reed was elected justice of the peace. At the
county election held in the summer of that year, 'Timothy Burns was
elected county judge, and William T. Price clerk of the circuit court. In
the fall of that year George Gale was elected county judge, and Robert
Loomey clerk of the ciixuit court.
In February, 1853, the part of Trempealeau County north of the line
between Townships 18 and 19 was placed in Jackson County, and on July 6
of the same year that part north of the line between Townships 18 and 19
and west of the line between Ranges 7 and 8 was placed in Buffalo County.
This jurisdiction, however, was only nominal, for the settlement at Trem-
pealeau was still a part of La Crosse County, and few settlers had ven-
tured north of the line between Townships 18 and 19.
When Trempealeau County was created, Jan. 27, 1854, a provision was
made that the county should remain attached to La Crosse County for
judicial purposes until Jan. 1, 1855, when it was to be fully organized for
judicial purposes and attached to the sixth circuit. Court was to be held
at the county seat on the first Monday in March, June, September and
December of each year. But a few days later court was ordered to be held
at the county seat of Trempealeau County the fourth Mondays of April
and October.
B. F. Heuston was chosen as county judge at an election held in Novem-
ber, 1854, and in November George H. Smith was elected clerk of the cir-
cuit court, and Charles Utter, district attorney.
The first term of circuit court in Trempealeau County was called
April 28, 1856, with A. M. Brandenburg, sheriff, and Geo. H. Smith, clerk,
864
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 865
in attendance, but the judge being absent the first court was held the next
day in the lower part of the court house at Galesville, then in the process
of construction by Isaac Noyes and Amasa P. Webb. Hiram Knowlton,
judge of the sixth district, presided, and the only business transacted was
the admission to the bar of Romanzo Bunn, who thus became the first
lawyer in Trempealeau County. July 23 of the same year the court house
was completed, and on October 28, following. Judge Knowlton held court
there, with Sheriff Brandenburg and Clerk Smith in attendance. The
docket contained two cases, one of which was non-suited, and the other
continued. At the same session John F. Brewin and Christian Schmitz
were admitted as citizens of the United States. The grand jury list con-
tained the names of William Lee, D. B. Thomson, John Nicholls, Edward
Barnard, James Nichols, Byland Parker, HoUister Wright, Bostwick Beards-
ley, Francis Hoffner, Absolom Cui'ry, David Cook, Richard Collins, Jacob
Holmes, G. W. Parker, William Dick, L. P. Armstrong and WiUiam Adams.
Beardsley was chosen foreman.
The names on the petit jury list were: Charles Holmes, Warren
Adams, George Batchelder, Richard Grant, Isaac Nash, Joshua Rhodes,
John Salsman, William Olds, Ale.xander Stevens, Joseph Dale, Douglas
Hunter, L. F. Niffen, George Olds, William Nichols, Jonathan Ramsden,
Archibald Grover, Robert F. Farrington, John Pardon, William Bright,
Frederick Clark, George B. Terry, Jeremiah Finch, B. B. Healy and James
Reed.
George Gale held his first court April 13, 1857, William P. Clark being
the sheriff and George W. Parker the clerk. No business was transacted.
April 28, 1857, B. F. Heuston was admitted to the bar.
Nov. 11, 1857, the county commissioners rejected a number of bills
for charges in sundry criminal cases tried in justice courts. The report
of the committee stated that much of the expense of older counties arose
from the cost of useless litigation and declared that everything possible
should be done thus early in the history of Trempealeau County to dis-
courage such litigation. One of the suits for which expenses were asked was
for stealing a pocket knife. Several were for assault and battery in trifling
neighborhood quarrels. The only serious case was one in which the defend-
ant was charged with horse stealing. None were sustained. The com-
mittee recommended that in such cases the justices exercise their powers
under the statutes and require security from the complainants for costs
in suits before issuing any papers. Such a course, the committee said,
would put a stop to much useless and vexatious litigation, which when
suffered to go on involves often great expense besides provoking much ill
feeling and discord in whole neighborhoods. The committee also expressed
the opinion that as a general rule in such small matters where the parties
were determined to go to law, the civil remedies should be applied.
In 1861, Isaac E. Messmore contested Judge Gale's seat. Judge Gale
had been elected for the six years beginning Jan. 1, 1857, as judge of the
sixth district, then embracing Crawford, Bad Ax, La Crosse, Monroe,
Jackson, Clark, Buffalo and Trempealeau Counties. But by an act of the
Legislature (approved March 30, 1861) the counties of Crawford, Bad Ax,
866 HISTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
La Crosse, Monroe and Jackson were constituted the sixth district, and
the counties of Trempealeau, Buffalo, Pepin, Dunn, Dallas, Chippewa, Clark
and Eau Claire were constituted the eleventh district. Judge Gale was
by this act made judge of the eleventh district. The governor on April
10, 1861, appointed Isaac E. Messmore judge of the sixth district. The
matter went to the supreme court (14 Wis. 164) and it was determined
that the Legislature had no authority to assign Gale to the eleventh dis-
trict, and that the governor had no power to appoint Messmore to the sixth.
Judge Gale, therefore, remained the judge of the counties which constituted
his district at the time of his election. In 1862 the Legislature placed
Crawford, La Crosse, Monroe, Jackson, Clark, Buffalo, Trempealeau, Rich-
land and Vernon in the sixth district.
Judge Gale served until the end of 1862. When he went on the bench
the only lawyer in Trempealeau County was Romanzo Bunn. In 1857 F. A.
Utter located in Trempealeau, and A. A. Arnold and Geo. Y. Freeman in
Galesville. In 1858 A. W. Newman and John A. Daniels located in Trem-
pealeau, and not long afterward Lyman Cowdry and C. E. Turner also
settled there. This constituted the Trempealeau County bar up to the
outbreak of the Civil War.
Edwin Flint became judge Jan. 1, 1863, and served six years.
Romanzo Bunn, the first lawyer in Trempealeau County, went on the
bench Jan. 1, 1869, and served eight years, retiring to go on the bench
of the United States federal court for the western district of Wisconsin
after the October term of the Trempealeau County court in 1877.
A. W. Newman of Trempealeau, after long service as district attorney,
succeeded Judge Bunn after the October term of the Trempealeau County
court in 1876. He served seventeen years and resigned late in 1893 to
become an associate justice of the supreme court of Madison.
With the resignation of Judge Newman the judgeship went out of
Trempealeau County for the first time since Judge Gale moved here in
1857. Joseph M. Morrow of Sparta, appointed late in 1893, served one year.
0. B. Wyman of Viroqua went on the bench Jan. 1, 1895, and served
until his death, Dec. 2, 1900.
John J. Fruit of La Crosse succeeded Judge Wyman and served until
his death in 1909.
Judge Fruit was unable to sit in March, 1909, and postponed the term
until June, when Judge James O'Neil of Neilsville presided. E. C. Higbee
of La Crosse, a former Arcadia attorney, was appointed that summer, held
the fall term of 1909, and has since remained on the bench.
The present bar consists of the following gentlemen : Whitehall —
H. A. Anderson (admitted in 1888), Robert S. Cowie (admitted in 1894),
Earl F. Hensel (admitted in 1900) and Ole J. Eggum (admitted in 1907).
Galesville — George Gale (admitted in 1868), W. S. Wadleigh (admitted in
1894) and A. T. Twesme (admitted in 1908). Arcadia — John C. Gaveney
(admitted in 1888), F. C. Richmond (admitted in 1902) and Elmer E.
Barlow (admitted in 1910). Independence — John A. Markham (admitted
in 1901) and John F. Kulig (admitted in ). Trempealeau — J. C. But-
ton (admitted in 1858). Osseo — J. Reese Jones.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 867
Among the lawyers who have practiced in Trempealeau County may
be mentioned: Galesville— C. W. Farrand, M. Mulligan, H. T. Smith,
E. White Moore, M. F. Hegge, E. W. Freeman, G. R. Freeman, Robert Chris-
tianson, James M. Pryse and Richard F. Smith. Trempealeau — J. E. Rob-
inson, Bert E. Clark and Seth W. Button. Arcadia — L. W. Griswold, C. W.
Farrand, Stephen Richmond, H. R. Day, E. C. Higbee, Peter Phillippe, E. Q.
Nye, Seth Mills, W. H. Graves, T. J. Connor, H. S. Comstock, C. E. Perkins,
R. S. Cowie, Ben F. Richmond, J. A. Cashel, Lewis Runkel, Nathan Com-
stock, Emil Scow and Roy E. Bingham. Whitehall — O. J. Allen, P. A.
Williams, R. A. Odell, Carroll Atwood, Sam S. Miller, H. Gilliland and H. L.
Ekern. Independence — M. Mulligan, Nathan Nichols, H. R. Day and W. W.
Arnold. Osseo — G. 0. Linderman and E. S. Gedney.
CHAPTER XXII.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE TOWN OF PIGEON.
(By H. A. Anderson.)
Preliminary Observations.
Good men and women make little history. Peaceful communities are
seldom in the historian's searchlight.
A thousand trains freighted with human lives may cross the con-
tinent without receiving a line in history, because their runs were merely
a part of successful routine ; but the train which, through folly or careless-
ness, is wrecked, makes an event impressed on history's page forever.
The principles underlying the above statements impress me as I glance
backward over the fifty years which have passed since I first became a
resident of the town of Pigeon. And as I review, one by one, the living
and the dead who helped in the development of this town, there comes
to my mind the picture expressed by Gray's beautiful lines :
"Along the cool sequestered vale of life.
They kept the noiseless tenor of their way."
Strictly an agricultural community, splendidly fitted by nature for
man's oldest and most serviceable occupation, the course of social organi-
zation and development in this town has been exceedingly tranquil.
The fact that during the thirty years I have been connected with the
practice of law I have never had a single lawsuit nor even heard of a law-
suit between residents of this town, leads me to the conclusion that during
those thirty years there has not been a suit at law between residents of
the town of Pigeon, and the suits had during those years by residents of
this town with people of other localities can be counted on the fingers of
one hand. Arrests for crime have also been very rare.
Territorially considered, this town includes now about thirty-nine sec-
tions of land.
Topographically it lies almost wholly within the boundaries of a single
main valley traversed by a stream sufficiently large to afford its inhab-
itants much useful service, while all the cooleys which radiate from the
main valley stretch out like arms inviting to their pleasant embrasure
such as seek the quiet comforts of rural life. One of the attractive features
of early life in these cooleys were the almost innumerable springs which
bejeweled nearly every hillside when the rays of the sun were caught and
refracted by these bubbling wells of nature.
Show me the place where the pioneer laid his first hearthstone and I
will find close by a spring, or, at least, the spot where a spring used to be,
for it is true that a large number of these springs have disappeared.
868
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 869
There are many cherished memories from pioneer days, such for
instance as ridges or points of bluffs mantled with the purple of ripening
blue berries ; or some strip of prairie where the sod had been broken, crim-
soned with the sweet wild strawberry. But of all memories concerning
natural conditions and environments, no recollection is dearer and coupled
with more unfading gratitude than the memory of our pioneer springs.
And those who are fortunate enough to possess springs, that promise con-
tinuing constancy, ought to build around them arboreal shades and places
for rest, yes, even altars for meditation and worship.
But if I indulge in sentimental reflections, I am afraid this sketch will
not merit the appellation "Historical."
Before I take up the man-made history of this town it may not be out
of place to present to the reader who may belong to a later generation a
brief sketch of the prevailing or general physical conditions found by
the pioneer.
The town of Pigeon has no elevations or bluffs comparable in height
with bluffs found in some other parts of our country, but it has many eleva-
tions from which a large part of the town could have been seen fifty years
ago. And the view obtainable from any hill by the first settlers was that
of barrenness. Along the main stream, now known as Pigeon Creek, was a
strip of level land, generally known as prairie, dotted here and there with
shrub-Hke burr oaks, while the stream was bordered by alders and willows.
And the hills were even more barren than the valleys because of the
frequent fires which kept down all vegetation to a one or two-year growth.
Exceptions to this rule were found only in a few north hollows where, pro-
tected by late snows, white oak and black oak, through repeated efforts of
nature, reached a size sufficient to withstand the occasional onslaughts
of the fire demon. These prairie fires, as they were called, occurred with
equal regularity spring and fall for many years. In fact, they were fostered
by the first settlers for two reasons. First, to furnish better pasture for
stock which roamed at large ; second, to secure a constant supply of blue-
berries; for the berries disappeared wherever the brush was allowed to
get a few years' growth. Pasturage was a necessity, and berries, though
much cheaper than now, were nevertheless a considerable source of income
and food supply for the early settlers. Two well authenticated accounts
will attest the plentifulness of blueberries in those days.
The William Van Sickle family in one day gathered twenty bushels,
and one year Mrs. Van Sickle had twelve bushels of dried berries.
During the early seventies Mads Knudtson lived just east of Pigeon
Falls, on what is now the Thompson farm. Having a numerous family he
frequently found it necessary to go out to work with his "Duke and Dime,"
as his oxen were called. Andrew Olson and Hans Johnson had lately
opened a store at Pigeon Falls and during July and August every summer
they found themselves almost compelled to take blueberries in exchange
for goods or let the trade of their neighbors go to Coral City and Sechler-
ville. When we remember that there were no railroads nearer than
Sparta and La Crosse nor towns big enough nearby to use the great quan-
tities of berries gathered and the perishable nature of this product, we
870 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
will appreciate that buying blueberries in those days was not always
profitable to the merchant. It was during one of these early years that
Olson & Johnson, finding themselves almost swamped with this luscious fruit
from the hills, hired Mads Knudtson to take a load of berries to La Crosse,
where they had arrangements with a dealer to handle the berries for them.
Nowadays we would crate them in small boxes. But at that time they were
dumped into an ordinary wagon box with extra sideboards on. No cover-
ing of any kind to protect them from sun, rain or dust.
Thus equipped Knudtson proceeded on a trip which took almost five
days to make. Before he reached La Crosse a heavy rain came on, and
after the rain he says there was a trail of purple wine for miles along the
road he followed.
But these wild fires, though to a certain extent desired and encour-
aged, were often a source of great danger to property and sometimes to
human life. They also destroyed thousands of birds' nests and drove away
deer and other game useful to man. Of the first settlers who still remain
there is probably none who cannot recall one or more occasions when for
hours men, women and children fought as they never had fought before
to save grain, hay and buildings from destruction. But the memories of
these unpleasant contests are offset by memories of the beauty and gi'andeur
of one or more long lines of fire gradually creeping up through the night
over highland and hill when the element of immediate danger was not
present.
The writer remembers several occasions when half a dozen or more
fires could be seen from the same place, and one of my friends has repeatedly
told me that, looking from an elevation one night he counted seventeen
distinct and separate lines of fire. Notwithstanding the destructive effect
of forest fires on animal Ufe, game was very plentiful for several years
after the coming of the first settlers. Deer were frequently seen in droves,
and prairie chickens were sufficiently numerous to furnish every home with
delicious meat in proper season.
Elk was seen in Pigeon as late as 1872, and a few years earlier their
great white horns were found in large numbei's.
The common black bear was also a frequent visitor. Hares, now rarely,
or perhaps never, seen here, were very plentiful.
The late James Hopkins told the writer that he and two of his neigh-
bors killed seventy hares in an afternoon. Another friend of mine, still
living, states that he and his family were saved from starvation the first
winter of his residence in this county by the plentiful supply of hare meat
which he was able to secure.
Rats were unknown for several years, but rodents, such as various
kinds of gophers, were numerous enough to constitute a real pest.
Snakes were extremely numerous, but as all, except the rattlesnake,
were harmless, they were only a source of fear to the immigrants, who
saw in every snake man's first enemy. The rattlesnake, however, was a
real menace, and at least two persons in the town of Pigeon came near
losing their lives by reason of their poisonous character. Mrs. Karen
Iverson Kveseth was one of the victims ; the other a son of Aslak Knudtson.
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 871
As I am writing from the standpoint of a pioneer of conditions and
things forever passed away I make no apology for mentioning matters now
entirely of no importance except as historical curiosities.
One of these curiosities was the lightning bugs or fireflies. They are
still with us, but their number has been so reduced that the younger genera-
tion cannot conceive, even by the use of a vivid imagination, the splendid
spectacle presented on still, warm summer nights when whole valleys fairly
blazed with the light shed by these tiny insects. I have seen a new comer
stand for an hour or more, practically hypnotized, silently admiring and
wondering, while a white mist changed the scene into a gently undulating
flaming lake. And if by chance this same newcomer continued his watch
until dawn, another vision awaited him just as marvelous as that of the
night.
For now the valley is filled with the music of wings, while the ground
is covered with the shadows of innumerable birds which the radiance of
the rising sun cannot lift. Minute after minute passes. Still, from horizon
to horizon, the air is filled with this moving mass. Half an hour goes by
and the watcher's wonder changes into awe as the incredible scene con-
tinues. And as he is informed that the same condition exists in many of
the adjoining valleys at the same time he naturally questions, "How can
the earth support these vast numbers of birds?" And finally he may
explain, "This must be a plague sent to chastise man for his wickedness."
The above scene is no exaggeration, but is the result of the personal experi-
ence of the writer, confirmed by the testimony of many contemporary
witnesses. Yes, I still wonder whence did they all come, and whither did
they all go, for it is years since the last Passenger Pigeon was seen in the
town that, through its name, will help perpetuate the memory of these
transient impressive visitors. It would not be true to call the Passenger
Pigeon a plague, though they at times did great damage to newly seeded
crops.
The potato bug, first known as Colorado beetle, was here more than
fifty years ago. When these pests made their first appearance in this
county the writer has been unable to ascertain.
A general survey of physical conditions found by the .first settlers in
the town leads to the conclusion that most of the pioneers, notwithstanding
some hardships and many privations, were a favored people. The character
of the country was such that labor was not only necessary but obtainable
the year round. This, for obvious reasons, ought to be considered one of
the greatest privileges granted to man. Water was not only plentiful
everywhere, but of such excellent quality that no better can be found.
Timber, though scarce in the territory under consideration, was easily had
nearby, practically without cost except labor. Nutritious grasses for fodder
were abundant in every little valley. And the surviving pioneer, in dreams
of memory, recalls with pleasure many a natural meadow or marsh wav-
ing with Red-top and Blue-joint from four to six feet tall. Land was cheap,
and most of its soil wonderfully fertile. And as a dessert to these observa-
tions, which all will relish, I will add that every brook abounded with native
trout, chubs, bullheads and other edible varieties of fish.
872 HISTORY OF TREilPEALEAU COUNTY
Man-Made History.
The date when the first white man located in the town of Pigeon has
not been found, and there is even a slight uncertainty as to who the man
was, though it is generally believed that this distinction belongs to Edwin
Cummings, who made his first home on the northwest quarter of Section
19, Township 22, of Range 7, a little north of the bridge which now spans
the creek on the road leading into Fly Creek Valley. The date of settle-
ment was probably 1860, and not later than 1861. Mr. Cummings was
born in Massachusetts June 13, 1827, and died at his home in the town of
Pigeon Jan. 20, 1899. In person, Mr. Cummings was tall and spare. His
presence marked him as genial, easygoing and generous. Left an orphan
when nine years of age he led a life rich in adventures and toils common
to pioneers, for he came to Wisconsin in the early forties, crossed and
recrossed the plains in search of California gold, afterwards settled in Clark
County, this state, then came to Trempealeau County. He served sixteen
months in the Civil War, being color sergeant in Company C, Thirty-sixth
Wisconsin Regiment. The date of his marriage, which occurred before he
came to this county, I cannot give. His wife's maiden name was Minerva
Jessup, a resident of Green Lake County at the time of her marriage. At
his death he was survived by his wife, four daughters and one son, all of
whom have long since gone west.
He was also Pigeon's first fiddler, using his left hand in this enter-
taining exercise. In later years he became a member of the M. E. Church.
His funeral services were conducted by Rev. Emery Stanford, assisted by
Revs. Hackman and Dissmore. His dust rests in the Lincoln cemetery.
In the settlement of this town Mr. Cummings was soon followed by
his brothers, Israel and Chauncy, and later on by Caleb. All of his brothers
moved away before his death, and only a part of one branch of the Cum-
mings family remains in the county, namely, the widow and some of the
children of Wallace Cummings, who was a son of Israel.
If it is conceded that Edwin Cummings was the first settler in the
town it is certain that Joshua D. Southworth was the second. With his
wife Catherine, daughter Frances and sons Edward and Charles he settled
on the northeast quarter of the same section first occupied by Edwin
Cummings, in the summer of 1861. Mr. Southworth was born in Cayuga
County, New York, March 31, 1820, and died at the home of his daughter,
Frances Williams, in the t^ity of Marshfield, Wisconsin, Jan. 28, 1909. He
was one of sixteen children. He was married to Catherine Wheeler, who
came from a family of twelve children, in Cattaraugus County, New York,
Sept. 9, 1849, and after various removals came to Trempealeau County in
1860, living near where Blair is located about a year. He also was a tall,
spare man, possessed of wonderful health and a restless energy that mani-
fested itself in manual labor until the accident occurred which caused his
death. Always temperate in his habits, he lived the life of a clean man,
ardent in his attachments to the best institutions of our land. His wife
preceded him in death by several years, and both rest in Lincoln cemetery.
Mrs. Southworth was one of the most generous and genial-hearted women
HISTOEY OF TREjVIPEALEAU COUNTY 873
the writer has ever met. Her face always reflected sunshine and good will.
The sons are still with us, happily combining in their personahties the
splendid physical vigor of the father with the sunny temperament of the
mother.
In 1863 came Phineas Wright, who at once began the erection of
a mill, ready for custom in 1864. The mill, as usual, proved to be the
beginning of a village. Uncle Phin was a very good-natured, likable man,
and soon attracted other settlers. His brother Benjamin came, followed
soon by other relatives. In 1868 Uncle Phin platted the land south of the
mill and called the plat "Coral City." The origin of this name, as given
by many who lived at Coral City at the time it was adopted, is as follows :
When the mill dam was being put in Granville IMcFarland superintended
the work. In the bluff north of the mill some of the workmen, while
getting material for the dam, found some peculiar looking rock which
McFarland called coral. Some add that it was only a joke on the part of
McFarland, but evidently Uncle Phin believed the stuff to be genuine coral.
After the Civil War the village grew rapidly for two or three years.
Among the men prominent in business affairs in Coral City may be men-
tioned the Wright brothers, miUers ; William Harlow, Joshua Southworth,
Elliot & Egbei't, carpenters ; Christopher Scott, Andrew Olson. Amassa
Hodgkins and A. Searles, merchants; George W. Follett, A. Englesby,
Philetus Nott, Joseph Popham, hotel keepers; Merritt Most, James Tull,
Senecca Johnson and "Peg-leg" Olson, shoemakers ; Wm. Douglas, Geo. W.
Follett, Mart Allen and Lars Hanson, blacksmiths.
There were also tanners, wagon makers and other artisans too numer-
ous to mention. Samuel Sheldon was the only one educationally qualified
to treat the sick. Wm. Harlow built the first store about 1865. He died
March 8, 1870, and left his property to his fiancee. Miss Frances South-
worth. His store was also used for the first postoffice, although George W.
Follett was the first postmaster. Later on Senecca Johnson was appointed
postmaster and remained such until the postoffice was discontinued May
27, 1878.
The mill built by Wright proved a good venture and remained until
bodily carried away by the great flood March 10, 1876. The following
summer it was rebuilt under the name "Centennial Mills," and though the
old French burrs have for many years been still and silent, A. Jacobson,
the present owner, is still doing good business at the old stand.
Trempealeau County's now "Deserted Village" was in its day a very
lively place. Its decline and fall was not caused by any direct act of Provi-
dence, but indirectly by Henry Ketchum, D. M. Kelly and others, who
caused the G. B. & W. R. R. to be built down through Trempealeau Valley
in 1873. Many memories of this httle village tempt me to finger with
reminiscences of men, women and events now made sacred by time and
associations. Of all the happenings in Coral City there was probably none
that gained a wider notoriety than George W. Follett's tort action against
Duke Porter.
The suit was based on the fact that Porter had taken or disposed of
a few dollars' worth of hay which evidently both parties claimed title to.
>74 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
After trial judgment was entered against Mr. Porter for the value of the
hay and costs : Porter refused to pay. Execution against the body was
issued, and Porter was confined within jail limits at Trempealeau until pay-
ment of judgment and cost of board for his keeping were paid. Mr. Follett
was delighted to pay Porter's board so long as he could technically keep
him in jaU. Mr. Porter was determined to suffer even a curtailment of his
liberty rather than pay what he considered an unjust judgment. Months,
years went by. the bill against Porter getting constantly larger, while
Follett 's abUity to meet this constant drain grew less and less as time roUed
by. Finally, after seven years. Follett found that he needed all he had to
support himself and family and gave up this contest, which probably has
no parallel in this state. In future years some of our debating societies
may debate the question: '"Which was the ^ictor in this contest. Follett
or Porter ?" It is only fair to say of Follett that nature had dealt with him
verj- liberally, and he responded to this liberality by exercising skill and
ability in many directions, though not always in the interest of the highest
social welfare. He was blacksmith, carpenter, postmaster, justice of the
peace, merchant, hotel keeper, legal ad\"iser. and I think the sole dispenser
of spirits under sanction of law.
One more incident illustrative of those early days, which is vouched
for by one of our most worthy citizens present as a juror at time of its
occurrence. West Daggett and Leonard Kicker was brothers-in-law and
neighbors, but not always friends. Ricker sued Daggett to recover for
various items of property, and Daggett counterclaimed. 0. J. AUen was
Daggett's attorney. Andrews, then located at Taylor, in Jackson County,
was ilr. Ricker's counsel. Allen was a man possessed of a bulldog tenacity,
limited ability and very little education. In the conduct of the lawsuit he
always tried the patience of the opposing counsel fully as much as he tried
his case. Andrews was a man of education, fair ability and not always the
master of a red-hot temper. The suit in question dragged on from day
to day. his honor, A. L. Sherwood, presiding, while six men. good and true,
acted as jurors. One day in course of the trial, while Allen was displaying his
usual tactics in objecting to everything on technicalities. Andrews sprang
to his feet, his face glowing like a furnace, reached across the table and
grasped AUen by the abundant hair on top of his head and shook him with
a \iolence almost sufficient to scalp him. But AUen won the suit just the
same. It may sound strange to the present generation that a petty suit of
this kind lasted for days, but Hon. M. J. Warner assures me that he attended
a suit at Coral City that lasted a week.
Among other settlers who came into the town in 1863 Elder George
P. Dissmore and Joseph Fitch deserve special mention. Dissmore settled
on Section 8, Fitch on Section 4. Dissmore was an ordained Baptist
preacher. For about forty-five years he foUowed his calling as preacher,
besides teaching school and farming, with a zeal and constancy worthy
of the highest praise. Night or day. without regard to weather conditions,
distance or roads, he unhesitatingly obeyed everj- summons where his
ministry was needed. A grateful appreciation or a "God bless you" was
often the only reward he sought or received. By the side of his worthy
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COl'XTY 875
wife. Mary Elizabeth, the mother of his thirteen children, he sleeps in the
Lincoln cemetery, long to be remembered as one of the best of our pioneer
preachers. His son. D. R. Dissmore. still hves on the "Dissmore homestead."
Joseph Fitch Lived only about a year after coming to Pigeon. He also
rests in the Lincoln Cemetery. His wife Elizabeth was the mother of
fourteen children. She died at her daughter's home at Greenwood. Clark
County, and is buried there. The name of this family will be remembered
as long as "Fitch Cooley" has any inhabitants, though none of the Fitch
family ever lived in this cooley.
In 1864 the upper part of Fly Creek was settled by Aslak Knudtson,
Ole Anderson Aga and Hans Ole Xielson. All had families and made the
journey with oxen from Dane County. Wisconsin. They were all worthy
people, Mr. Knudtson being especially mentioned by all who knew him as a
man of exemplary life and habits. So far as known, these were the first
Norwegians to settle in this tov^Ti. In the fall of the same year Orson
Lamberson settled near the lower end of Fly Creek Valley.
It is well remembered by many of the early residents of Coral City
that the Uttle valley which lies almost directly north of the mill was first
settled by a man named Johnson. That he lived on the northwest quarter
of Sections 18-22-7 ; was married, had no children, and he and his wife
were comparatively young, good looking and agreeable, is also weU remem-
bered. But I have found no one who can recall his first name, nor the
name of his wife. Neither is it known when he came nor when he left,
but it is safe to state that he did not come there prior to 1865. nor remain
later than 1867. He hved there long enough, however, to give his neigh-
bors reason for calling the little valley. Johnson Cooley. Other early set-
tlers in the valley were Lars Engen, William Farrell, Ole Linrud. 0. J. AUen
and Peder Thompson.
The Dissmore Cooley is one of the smallest valleys in the town, and
this accounts for the fact that Elder Dissmore was for many years the only
resident in the valley. Ole Iverson Kveseth was the next, settling there
in 1871.
The next valley above the Dissmore Cooley is the Daggett Cooley.
Here West Daggett and his wife Ann were the first settlers. They came
in 1865. With the Daggetts came Leonard Ricker and family, but they set-
tled on the south of Pigeon Creek on the Prairie. The Daggetts and Rickers
came originally from Maine, where Daggett was born in 1809. In 1875,
his wife died on the farm where they first settled. In 1876
he sold the farm to C. S. Worth, moved to Whitehall, married Sophronia
FuUer. widow of Isaac Fuller, who will be mentioned later on. He died
at ^Miitehall June 26, 1900. In stature. Daggett was of medium height,
thick-set. and very strong built. He was of a quiet, rather phlegmatic tem-
perament, firm and upright character.
The next settlers in this valley were E. H. Chase. Nels Moe. Hans
Mortenson, Olaus Knudtson. Stener Skillerud and John Moe.
Passing over the ridge from Daggett Cooley eastward we find Fuller
Cooley. This valley was first settled by Isaac Fuller, who built a shanty
there in the fall of 1867. FuUer came from Illinois and verv little is known
876 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
concerning him except that he had been in the Civil War. He married
Sophronia, the widow of Wilham Slyter, and was killed in his home March
14, 1871, by lightning. In person he was rather slender, little above medium
height and dark.
The valley that now bears his name is one of the largest and most
prosperous valleys in the town. At the present, I am told, there are seven-
teen farms. Among the earliest settlers that followed Fuller may be
named Christian Stenslie, Ole Engen, Christian Tangen, Hans Tangen,
Mathias Tangen and Hans A. Fremstad.
The next valley east is Skaarstad Cooley, which has been unique in
the fact that it has had no public highway through it until the present
year, 1917. This valley was first settled by Johan Hammer and wife Eli.
They came there from La Crosse County in 1867, sold out to Christian
Anderson Skaarstad in 1869 and moved away. They had no children.
Christian Skaarstad and wife Eline moved into this valley in 1869,
with six children. They came from Norway in 1868, stayed for awhile in
Vernon County, Wisconsin, then came direct to Pigeon. Mr. Skaarstad
was born May 17, 1819, and died at his home Sept. 2, 1886. His wife was
born Nov. 18, 1822, and died June 20, 1904. The Skaarstads have always
been a conservative people, who strictly minded their own business and
prospered.
The next settler in this valley was Tomter.
Going a little further east, we have part of Steig Cooley in this town.
It was here that Erick Larson Roterud began his pioneer life in 1865,
together with his good wife Ohne, and two sons, Lars and Ole. In a year
or two he was followed by Christian Kaas and his wife Pernille.
The Roterud and Kaas people were by nature very social, and after
the coming of the Steigs, John Thorson and his wife Ingeborg, in 1868,
life in the neighborhood took on a new aspect. The Steigs settled in the
same valley, over the line in the town of Hale, and are mentioned here to
explain how the valley got its name.
Of all those jolly first settlers in that neighborhood who have not died
or moved away, John Thorson is the only one still on the old homestead.
Erick Roterud, born in Norway in 1826, died on his farm Nov. 15, 1893.
His wife, born in Norway in 1816, died July 25, 1894. Prior to their com-
ing to Pigeon they had lived for about six years in La Crosse County.
The beginnings of the several settlements on the north side of Pigeon
Creek have now been briefly mentioned. On the south side of the creek,
opposite Steig Cooley, is a valley traversed by a spring brook known as
Old's Creek. This valley is nameless until about a mile south of Pigeon
Creek it divides into two branches known as Big Slough and Tuv Cooley.
In this sketch we are interested only in Tuv Cooley, because the other
branch lies in Jackson County.
Near the lower end of this valley, on Sections 36-23-7, George H. Olds
settled in the fall of 1864. The next year Isaac Richardson settled just
east of Olds in the same section. Lemual B. Mann came in 1865 and made
his home a httle to the southeast of George Olds. James D. Olds came in
the same fall as his brother George, but settled over the hill to the south-
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 877
west of George in a little valley by himself. The men just mentioned
were better equipped, financially and educationally, for pioneer life than
most of the people who settled in the eastern part of this town.
The first settlers in Tuv Cooley were Peder Pederson and his wife
Guro, Lars Larson Roterud and his sister Agnette, who came there in
June, 1865. These people, together with Erick Roterud, came from La
Crosse Valley with oxen, and were the first Norwegian settlers in the
eastern part of the town. In 1866 Mikkel Hagen and Mads Knudtson set-
tled in this cooley.
Mathias Johnson Tuv, from whom the valley gets its name, came there
in the summer of 1869.
The next valley to claim our attention is Hegge Cooley. The first set-
tler here was Benjamin Oliver, the father-in-law to George Olds, who, with
a large family, settled here in August, 1864. Ohver, the olds brothers and
Mann, all came from the town of Caledonia in this county. Nels Hegge,
who gave his name to the valley, came there in 1871 with his wife Nicoline.
The home he bought had formerly been occupied by WiUiam Abbott and
Andrew Olson. Another early settler in this valley was Ole Gulbranson
Eid, who bought the Ohver farm.
West of the Hegge Cooley lies Fitch Cooley. The Fitch family never
lived in this valley, but for several years they were the only settlers in the
vicinity.
Ole Iverson Hoff'stad, his wife Anne, and Anton Ekern, were the first
home builders in this valley. They came in 1866. Other early settlers
were John Hovern and wife. His father, Even Hovern, and mother, Anne,
Olaus Nelson and wife, Iver Hanson Tofte, Emert Brandon, John Ringness,
Hans Bagstad, Anton Larson and Lars Flikkeshaug.
Between Fitch Cooley and Fly Creek hes Sjuggerud Cooley. The
first settler here was Mathias Sjuggerud, who came in 1875. Mr. Sjug-
gerud, wose name the Cooley bears-, was born in Hedemarken, Norway,
May 16, 1844; came to the United States in 1867; spent eight years in
La Crosse, Wis. ; was married first to Agnette Haug, who died in 1877 ; mar-
ried again to Oline Mathiasdatter Feb. 26, 1880. He died June 10, 1914,
leaving widow and five children.
Pigeon Falls.
This beautiful and prosperous village and its vicinity deserves special
notice from me, whose fife and career, through a period of more than forty
years, has to a large extent been moulded and determined by influences
radiating from the hands and hearts of its inhabitants.
Kings and war lords, for the display of their great and arbitrary powers,
have sometimes caused cities and marts of trade to spring up in places
unfitted for industries and habitation ; but most of the world's centers of
population and trade have had their origin in harmony with the great
natural law of supply and demand.
When Cyrus Hubbard Hine in exploring the stream now known as
878 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Pigeon Creek, in the summer of 1865, found a place where the waters leaped
and sang over a rocky bottom, through a narrow channel between high
banks, from which rich agricultui'al lands stretched far in every direction,
Reason at once whispered : "Here is a place for a mill and a factory ;" and
Hine, who was a natural mechanic and had experience in mill construction,
found the voice of the singing waters a call to him which he gladly followed.
Mr. Hine, with his wife Catherine and daughters, had been a resident
of the town of Preston in our county since 1856, but having found what
he considered a natural fall in the waters of Pigeon Creek he at once began
the building of a home, feed mill and carding mill, and in the fall of 1865
became the first inhabitant where the village of Pigeon Falls is located.
For five years he was practically monarch of all he surveyed, but in
1870 Andrew Olson and his brother-in-law, Hans Johnson, opened a store
right across the road from Mr.- Hine's mill. April 8, 1873, a commission
was issued appointing Hans Johnson postmaster at Pigeon Falls. This I
believe is the first public and oflicial recognition of the name Pigeon Falls,
and whether Hine or someone else suggested the name for the new post-
office is not known. Prior to 1870 and for several years after Pigeon Falls
was in general parlance spoken of as "The Factory," because of the card-
ing outfit operated by Mr.'Hine. It would surprise the present generation to
see from what distant places wool was brought to Mr. Hine's mill. Nearly
every settler had a few sheep and the wool raised was usually manufactured
by the industrious pioneers at home into some form of garment.
Olson & Johnson continued as storekeepers until the fall of 1875,
when Peder Ekern bought their building and stock of merchandise.
On June 9, 1880, Peder Ekern bought from Mr. Hine the farm and
mill and Mr. Hine and family at once moved to Whitehall.
It is proper at this point to give the reader just a few lines concerning
the man who laid the foundation for a business center which promises to
continue as such for centuries to come. A little wizened, wiry man, weigh-
ing but a little more than a hundred pounds, as independent in his habits
and actions as he was in thought, Mr. Hine gave but little attention to
social conventions, religious creeds or even political issues. His world lay
mostly within the reach of his hands and within these limits he labored
contantly and cheerfully, never meddling with outside affairs. His integ-
rity, sobriety and freedom from all social vices were taken for granted,
because contrary qualities would have been absolutely out of harmony with
his general character.
Mr. Hine was born in Chautauqua County, New York, April 8, 1819 ;
came to Illinois in 1843 ; married Catherine Barber at Joliet, 111., 1847, with
whom he had two children, to-wit: Laura Thompson, who was killed by
lightning at the home of her husband, William Thompson, in the town of
Preston, June 17, 1882, and Mrs. Eva S. Bather, who at present lives at
Spooner, Wis. Mr. Hine died at Whitehall, Wis., Feb. 13, 1884.
Mrs. Hine was noted for her excellent table and industrious habits.
She was born May 2, 1830, and died at Whitehall May 6, 1894. She sleeps
beside her husband in the Whitehall Cemetery.
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 879
From 1880 forward to the time of his death, Peder Ekern became the
central figure in the community, not only because he prospered in business,
but also because of his ability to grasp the larger problems of a rapidly
growing settlement. Immediately after buying the mill he began to put
it into condition for making flour, and on September 30 of the same year it
was ready for custom and on October 28 burned. It was a very severe
blow to Ekern's financial prospects, as he had no insurance. But the day
following the fire he climbed into his one-horse buggy, drove to Whitehall
and other places to get extension of credit from those he owed and the
promise of further help to build another mill. The force of the man's
character is illustrated by the fact that by Jan. 1, 1881, he had a mill ready
for business, better equipped than the one that burned, but the carding
machinery was never restored.
In the spring of 1882 F. W. Hinkley from Sheboygan County, Wiscon-
sin, built a cheese factory near the location of the present business place
of Ludvig Knutson, which he conducted with varying success for about
three years. In the fall of 1885 a creamery plant was put up by Mr. Ekern,
which began operations on the 8th of December, 1885.
May 1, 1892, Ekern sold his creamery to a farmers' association, which
operated it until the middle of October, when it was destroyed by fire. Mr.
Ekern at once commenced the building of another creamery, which was
opened for business on December 1 the same year.
April 19, 1898, Ekern caused his business to be incorporated under the
name of "P. Ekern Company." Since that time the P. Ekern Company has
conducted a general mercantile business, operated a creamery, mill and
farm. Peder Ekern died June 25, 1899, and since that time the business
affairs of the P. Ekern Company have been almost wholly managed by
B. M. Sletteland, a son-in-law of Mr. Ekern, whose unfailing courtesy, com-
bined with eminent business efficiency, has given him a well deserved promi-
nence in the community.
In 190 — , Steig & Jacobson began a general mercantile business, which
is still in operation, though interrupted by a fire Nov. 3, 1914, which
destroyed the building and a considerable portion of the stock. The busi-
ness is now wholly managed by Henry Jacobson. For forty years Pigeon
Falls has always had a good blacksmith and most of the time a good
shoemaker. During several years past it has also had a meat shop, which
is at the present time conducted by Ludvig Knudtson.
In social activities of the better kind Pigeon Falls and vicinity has
ranked with the very best communities in our county. As early as 1876
it had a very active literary and debating society known as the Pigeon
Falls Sentinels, which continued for many years. During the fall of 1876
a library association was organized and before the end of the year a cir-
culating libi'ary was in full operation.
Singing, both English and Norwegian, has been assiduously cultivated
since the early eighties. The interest of the people in music is evidenced
at the present time by an active band of forty pieces.
Since 1885 the village has had two churches and for many years two
880 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
resident pastors, and in connection with these churches there have been
for many years two young people's societies that have their own com-
modious halls for meetings, where devotional and literary exercises are con-
ducted and usually followed by a generous lunch, for which the halls are
specially fitted with kitchen utensils, tables, dishes, etc. As aids to the
moral upkeep of the community the influence of these societies cannot be
overestimated.
A lodge of the Scandinavian American Fraternity Society has for many
years past been actively supported by the people of Pigeon Falls and
vicinity. This order has also a hall for its meetings, built several years ago.
The village has had a graded school with two teachers since 1903.
The first school taught in the village was begun by the writer, in the main
part of the school house now used, Dec. 10, 1881. Prior to that time, school
was held in what was known as the "Olds' school house," about one mile
southeast of the village. The first school in the district, which was also
the first in the town, was taught in 1866 by Mary Nott, now Mrs. Zenas
Wright of City Point, Jackson County, Wis. Her salary was twelve dollars
a month and board.
Political History.
The town of Pigeon, from April 2, 1861, until Jan. 5, 1875, was a part
of the town of Lincoln. As a separate political unit it held its first meeting
at Pigeon Falls April 13, 1875.
The first town officers were as follows : Peder Ekern, chairman ; Caleb
Cummings and Nels Johnson Moe, supervisors; Hans Johnson, treasurer,
and George P. Dissmore, clerk.
Mr. Ekern continued as chairman for six successive years. Other
chairmen from this town have been James D. Olds, Ole E. Larson, Gilbert
H. Neperud, Nels Agneberg and Even A. Hegge, the present incumbent.
Anton E. Brandon, the town's present efficient clerk, has served in that
capacity for fourteen years.
Local issues have rarely caused factional divisions in this town, but
there have now and then been lively rivalries for some particular office.
On national issues the people have, as a rule, sided largely with the Repub-
lican party. At one general election Leonard Ricker had the distinction
of casting the only ballot in favor of the Democratic party. After the great
panic of 1873 James D. Olds became an earnest advocate of the Gi'eenback
party. He also helped nurse the Populist party, rocked the cradle of the
People's party, and followed the hearse of all these parties to their respective
places of interment. But today, at the age of eighty-seven, down in his
Florida home, he rejoices in the fact that, though all these parties seemed
too deeply buried to ever again disturb capitalism and monopohsm, their
spirits still walk the earth, shaping the policies and destinies of all exist-
ing parties.
"Truth crushed to earth shall rise again;
The eternal years of God are hers."
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 881
Some General Matters.
In the foregoing sketch some events and matters pertaining to the
people generally rather than to any particular portion of the town have
been omitted.
The burning of Bear's Mill, April 26, 1880, belongs to this class of
events because of the discussion which followed and the fact that Bear had
to sue the company which had insured the mill. The mill was built by
J. R. Bear in 1879, on the south half of the southeast quarter of Section
4-22-7. From the beginning, many people thought the building of the mill
a foolish venture, and after the fire some were unkind enough to say that
the burning of the mill proved that the owner had also discovered his mis-
take. However, the result of the lawsuit did not sustain this suspicion,
for Mr. Bear recovered his insurance.
The greatest affliction suffered by the people of Pigeon was the loss
of numerous children from repeated epidemics of diphtheria. So fatal
was this disease that it usually claimed a victim in every home where it
entered. From the home of Lauritz Sinrud, in January, 1888, five children
were taken in a week.
The most destructive storm which has visited the town since it was
settled occurred June 24, 1914. A large number of expensive barns and
sheds were blown down, but fortunately no human lives were lost.
The division of the Lutheran congregation in 1884, over doctrinal
differences, was an event of more than ordinary importance, and cause
for grief among many earnest seekers after truth. Happily, time and a
now reunited church have healed the wounds caused by that unpleasant
occurrence.
The question of a railroad through the valley has agitated the people
on two occasions. First, prior to the building of the Green Bay & Western.
A survey then made, it is claimed, showed that the company would have
saved thousands by building their road through the Pigeon Valley instead
of the Trempealeau Valley, but did not do so because the promoters got
larger bonuses in following the latter route.
In November, 1884, the Freeport & Northern submitted a proposition
to the town for a sale of its stock in exchange for $6,000 in municipal bonds
to be issued by the town. Nothing was done except to discuss the matter.
In 1912 and 1913 a determined effort was made by local people to
interest capital in the building of a road through the valley to connect
with the Omaha near Fairchild. This project also went to sleep. But
some day the dream of T. R. Kittelson and others who sacrificed so much
time four or five years ago to bring about this object will come true.
There are many characters and events connected with the history of
this town worthy of particular mention which have been omitted for want
of space. May I therefore be permitted to state that I have in course of
preparation a history of this town in which it is my purpose to describe
separately every farm and its several occupants, from the beginning to the
present time, so far as the facts can be ascertained. This history will prob-
ably ifivpr he Dubhshed by me, but the manuscript, I trust, will always be
882 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
accessible in the archives of the Trempealeau County Historical Society.
And when death and time shall have removed all the witnesses of early
events, may coming generations find this labor of love a source of interest
and inspiration.— (Dated at Whitehall, Wis., Oct. 24, 1917.)
Pigeon Township is in nearly every respect a typical western Wisconsin township.
A geographical unity, lying in the valley of a picturesque river, sui)porting near its head
a flourishing village without a railroad, flowing past two deserted villages, and having
its mouth at the county seat, it was first settled by New Englanders, and gradually pos-
sessed by the Scandinavian element. Hon. Hans A. Anderson, who for some thirty years
has been gathering historical material regarding the county, has taken a particular interest
in this township, and the article which is here presented is a splendid example of the
thoroughness of the material which he is leaving to posterity, as well as a valuable his-
torical review of a t\T)ical Wisconsin community. It is to be hoped that in the years to
come Judge Anderson will treat of the other townships in the county with the same
completeness. — F. C-W.
CHAPTER XXIII.
MORE HISTORICAL PAPERS.
Trempealeau Mountain Park. Trempealeau Mountain, the thrilling
history of which has been told in earlier chapters, is soon to be a state
park. John A. Latsch of Winona, whise benefactions have given to the
people of Minnesota a vast reserve lying north of Winona along the Mis-
sissippi, proposes to make the gift to the state in order that the resi-
dents of Trempealeau County may enjoy the pleasures to be found in
romping at play over this unique mountain and the land at its base. These
are people who live in the county where his father, the late John Latsch,
lived and was engaged in farming for many years. Latsch Valley, in Trem-
pealeau County, has carried Mr. Latsch's name through the years. The
donors will make the mountain a memorial to his father, as he has his
rich gifts to the city of Winona. The deed that Mr. Latsch will make will
be to the Wisconsin Historical Society through the conservation body.
Four years ago residents of Trempealeau County interested themselves
in the proposition of preserving this rare mountain. They found barriers,
however, in the effort to purchase the property from the individual owners.
Finally, after Judge H. A. Anderson, Whitehall ; Attorney F. C. Richmond
and Attorney E. E. Hensel, both of Arcadia; and Dr. E. D. Pierce, Trem-
pealeau, had decided that the project was too great and the difficulties too
serious to make immediate action possible, the proposition was abandoned
for a while. Dr. Pierce, however, was determined that the plans should be
carried out. His interest in the matter brought the attention of Mr. Latsch
to the mountain and the surrounding territory, and in June, 1916, the
project began to take definite shape. Now Mr. Latsch owns practically
all of the land on the mountain, in all about 130 acres. He also recently
purchased the Brady farm across the bay and opposite the mountain. This
is to be a portion of the park. In this farm tract are over 200 acres.
Because the mountain is an island and its treasures not easily accessible
to the "commercial pirates," much of its original growth and peculiarities
have been retained. Probably nowhere on the upper Mississippi is there a
more unusual bluff, not only because of its scenic prominence but because
of its unusual contour and the rare plants that grow upon it.
There are over 30 varieties of wood on Trempealeau Mountain, among
them the Chinkopin, southern locust that blossoms and has pods like bean-
pods. There are thousands of kinds of wild flowers. :«*mong the shrubs there
is the famous gensing and it was a place where Indians came for years
to secure "medicine." The rare wild huckleberry grows there. Apart from
the other bluffs surrounded by water, the mountain has preserved its orig-
inal flora. It cannot be pastured. That explains why the ladyslipper, the
painted cup, the quaint showy orchid, the hepaticas, the anemone, the
883
884 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
trillum, the blue and yellow violets, and the jack-in-the-pulpit all can be
found there.
On the mountain there have been built many of the famous mounds,
some of them still unexplored. In recent years wonderful discoveries have
been made. These mounds, it is proposed, will be restored and its timber
and flora kept intact for the future generations.
The residents of Trempealeau County have expressed to Mr. Latsch
a feeling of gratitude for his eagerness to assist in preserving so great a
treasure. He has won their everlasting thanks for presenting the moun-
tain. Important and extensive improvements will be made to the mountain
and the park by the State Society.
The settlers looked upon Trempealeau Mountain in the earliest day
as a historic landmark — a guiding hand in the wilderness — and that feeling
has been handed down so that the people today of this vicinity have a
friendly interest in the old mountain and regard it as their historic home
ground. People have heard its traditions told — its singular place in his-
tory— beheld its beautiful part of the Mississippi River scenery and in
the evolution of things no wonder that they have come to have a sentiment
in favor of its preservation in a wild state so that it may be handed down
to future generations adorned in all the glory of its old-time attire.
Many citizens of Trempealeau and vicinity have in the past expressed
a desire to have the mountain preserved as a State park. The Trempealeau
County and State Historical Societies have been interested in it, but it
remained for John A. Latsch, of Winona, to offer a solution for the problem
for acquiring title and turning it over to the State. It is desired to preserve
the mountain in its natural grandeur, keeping its flora intact and re-estab-
lishing its despoiled mound, erecting suitable markers and making cozy
by-ways through its woodlands so that the botanist, the geologist, the bird
student and whoever else may enjoy the call of the wild, may come and drink
their fill of outdoor glory.
Galesville University, I'ecently renamed Gale College, is located at Gales-
ville. It was founded by the labors of the Hon. George Gale, LL. D., assisted
by donations of the citizens of Galesville, La Crosse, Winona, and a few
other friends of education, mostly residents of Wisconsin. The charter was
obtained from the Legislature of Wisconsin in January, 1854. The board
of trustees was organized in 1855 ; the college building commenced in 1858 ;
the prepai'atory department opened for students in May, 1859, and the
collegiate department in September, 1861, the first college class graduated
July 13, 1865.
Judge Gale, the founder, was the first president, though the educational
and literary management of the institution was under the supervision of
the Rev. Samuel Fallows, later a Bishop of the Reformed Episcopal Church,
Chicago, 111. During the years in which the building was under construc-
tion the school was conducted in the county court house.
The first epoch in the history of the school includes the years between
1859 and 1877. It was deemed desirable to place the institution under the
control of some church organization, and this was accomplished when, in
1859, the Methodist Episcopal Church accepted this trust, which remained
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 885
in its charge until the year 1877. During this period the school board
labored under great difficulties. A considerable amount of money was re-
quired to erect the building, and to meet the requirements from time to time,
and being in the early settlement days, the number of those who were able
to render pecuniary aid was very small; hence the burden fell heavily on
these few. The attendance, which had averaged about 50 students per
term, was greatly decreased by the outbreak of the Civil War. Many of
the young men in attendance responded to their country's call for soldiers.
This decrease in attendance added to the difficulty of meeting the financial
requirements. But, with the firm conviction that the attainment of greater
educational facilities was worthy of their best efforts, the pioneers willingly
assisted to the extent of their ability, and the enterprise was not abandoned.
In 1861 Prof. Fallows resigned his position as principal, and was suc-
ceeded by Mr. Magill, who served in that capacity only a short time, and
who was in turn succeeded by the Rev. J. L. Farber, of New Yoi'k. Rev.
Harrison Gilliland was the next president, and he was elected to fill the office
of president of the Board of Trustees, which had been made vacant by the
resignation of Judge Gale.
For a time after President Gilliland took charge the school seems to
have prospered, the records showing an attendance of more than 100
students per year. But the financial condition of the institution 'caused
the officers much anxiety, and application for aid was made to the church.
The Conference of the M. E. church accordingly passed a resolution to raise
a sum of $50,000 among its members. An attempt to solicit this money was
made, but proved futile.
Pi'esident Gilliland then tendered his resignation, and recommended
that the institution be placed under the control of some religious denomina-
tion which was able to render the necessary financial support. Accordingly,
in 1876, the Chippewa Presbytery then in session in La Crosse was requested
to appoint a committee to confer with the local board for the transfer of the
control of Galesville University from the M. E. church to the Presbyterian
General Assembly. After some reluctance the charge was accepted by that
body, and a board of trustees was appointed which assembled for the first
time on May 15, 1877. This body made provision for ascertaining and
meeting claims against the institution and for procuring pecuniary means
for the operation of the school. The course of study was readjusted so
that the schedule, instead of being collegiate grade, was modeled after the
plan of Philip's Academy. A Normal Course for teachers was also devel-
oped. A faculty was appointed with R. S. Winans as president. The
following year John W. McLawry was made president, and Rev. John Moore,
the resident pastor, also became a member of the faculty.
At a meeting of the officers in March, 1878, a resolution was made to
petition the War Department to provide for an instructor in military tactics
and drill in Galesville University. This petition was granted, and in 1880,
Lieut. John L. Clem, known in the story of the Civil War as the Drummer
Boy of Chickamauga, was appointed as such instructor and entered upon
his duties at once. This arrangement which provided military training
for the young men at the university was a happy one. The real advan-
886 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
tages to be derived from such training were appreciated, and a lively interest
was aroused, which together with the well-deserved popularity of Lieut.
Clem, combined to attract a large attendance of students. This increase
entailed the need of more room and the enlargement of the building was
agreed upon. In 1881, the building, which originally was two stories high,
was enlarged by the addition of a third story, thus providing space for more
students and also for drill room in winter.
Lieut. Clem was succeeded in 1882 by Lieut. G. N. Chase, who served
in that capacity until 1883, when the military department was discontinued.
In January, 1884, the main building was destroyed by fire. This was such
a terrible blow to the institution that for a time its fate seemed dubious.
But such was the untiring zeal of the friends of the institution at home and
abroad that in the course of a year a new building was erected on the site
of the one destroyed. For several years during the early '80s excellent
work was done at the college. Under the able guidance of such scholarly
men as Moses Peters and E. O. Hagen, a large number of young men, since
prominent in their professions, laid the foundations of their education.
Rev. McLawry, having tendered his resignation. Dr. J. Irwin Smith assumed
the presidency in the year 1886, and continued in the discharge of the duties
appertaining to that office for a period of two years. Rev. Smith had pre-
viously rendered the institution valuable aid in the capacity of financial
agent. In the early '90s the attendance began to decrease from year to
year, until the number of students became so small that to maintain the
institution under those conditions was impossible. Something had to be
done to give the school a new impetus.
In March, 1901, the deliberations, which finally resulted in the transfer
of the control of the institution from the Presbyterian Board of Trustees
to the Lutheran Synod, were commenced. The La Crosse Conference of the
Lutheran Synod, then in session in La Crosse, elected a committee to go to
Galesville for the purpose of examining the property, and to confer with the
local board to determine the conditions under which the transfer might be
effected. The committee, after having performed its duty, reported that
by the payment of $6,500 the transfer could be made. The city of Galesville
pledged itself to furnish $2,500, and the purchase was made in August, 1901.
It was deemed necessary to make extensive repairs on the building
before the school could be opened. A sum of more than $2,000 was con-
tributed by members of the Lutheran congregations in the district and
judiciously expended in repairing and improving the building. This work
was completed in the fall of the year 1901. On the first day of December
the institution was dedicated, its name being changed from Galesville
University to Gale College. Prof. H. G. Stub, of Minneapolis, performed the
ceremony. On the following day the school commenced its work under the
new administration with Rev. L. M. Grimmestad, who has since remained
with the school, as president.
The time during which the school has been under Lutheran supervision
has been a period of success and constant progress. The old courses have
been improved, and additional courses have been introduced. In 1908-1909
a music department was established, which has now become a permanent
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 887
and prominent feature of the school. During the same year the Classical
and Scientific Courses were introduced, taking the place of the Academical
Course. To the Commercial Department was added a Four- Year Course
leading to the degree of Bachelor of Accounts. All of these courses, as
well as the Luther College Preparatory and the Normal Parochial Courses,
have continually been improved and broadened. In addition to the courses
mentioned above, some work of Collegiate grade has also been carried on.
Musical and literary organizations have always played an important
part at Gale College. A band was organized by Prof. A. F. Giere in 1903.
Several tours were made during the summer months. Perhaps the most
successful was the tour of 1909, when a distance of 800 miles was covered,
the route of travel being through Western Wisconsin and Southern and
Central Minnesota. An orchestra was organized by Prof. H. Onsgard in
1911. This work is now being successfully carried on by A. M. Fredrickson.
The Utile Cum Dulci, a literary society organized by students of the
school 35 years ago, is still in a flourishing condition. All students are
members. Normannalaget is a Norwegian society based on the same gen-
eral principles as the Utile Cum Dulci. At this point may be mentioned the
Gale College Club, organized in 1906, which has for its objects the lending of
moral and financial support to the institution. All friends of the school are
kindly requested to become members of this organization.
Literary activities are being stimulated further by the publishing of
The Gale Pennant, a student's publication, first issued in 1908.
The work of the school is facilitated by a good library, the value of
which was much increased by a careful cataloging in 1912-1913.
The Boys' Dormitory, built in 1906, furnishes comfortable accommo-
dations for 55 students. The Ladies' Hall, completed in 1915, is a beautiful
structure which accommodates about 50 students. This building contains
also a gymnasium which fills a long-felt need.
For a church home the students have the Trinity Lutheran church, a
pleasant and attractive building, erected by the Galesville congregation of
the Norwegian Lutheran Synod in 1909. — (By L. M. Gimmestad, President.)
The advantage of a college of this size and order, is the individual atten-
tion that can be given pupils to develop them in accordance with their
mental qualifications and ability. In other words it brings out the indi-
vidual brain strength and character of the pupil, thus enabling action on
the part of the faculty, along the most beneficial lines, in other words, give
the students a harmonious education.
. The faculty comprises the Rev. L. M. Gimmestad, A. B., President, and
a staff' of five assistants, each well qualified for the work of education. It
well becomes the character of this work to compUment Rev. Gimmestad on
the splendid success he is making of the college and in qualifying the
graduates for the position in life they desire to occupy. He is also entitled
to the gratitude and unqualified consideration of all those who are interested
in the college. He has sacrificed his personal ambition in a worldly way, to
y build up an institution creditable to himself and the denomination he repre-
sents. He is a scholar of fine attainment, an orator of finished ability, and
888 HISTORY OF TREMPP:ALEAIT COUNTY
a man of affairs, who honors Galesville and its people by his association
therewith.
Arcadia in 1876. Arcadia Village, succeeding Old Arcadia, was started
in the winter of 1873 when the railroad came through, and grew in 1874 and
1875. In the spring of 1876, when the flood came, the flats already con-
tained a village of considerable size, the business houses being scattered
along Main Street both sides of the track, and on side streets.
The depot was located on the present site. Northeast of it was the
elevator of Elmore & Kelly, and still further along the elevator of Krumdick
& Muir, who also dealt in agricultural implements. Along the track south-
west of the depot, and across the street, were the elevator of the W. P.
Massuere Company and the farm implement warehouse of A. E. Smith &
Co., on opposite sides of the track from each other, and further southwest,
and like the Smith Company on the east side of the track, was the elevator of
Canterbury & Smith. East of Elmore & Kelly was the lumber yard of
J. W. Hiles, of which Henry Wirtenberger was the manager, and east of
the Krumdick & Muir elevator was the lumber yard of H. Ketchum, of
which C. E. Hollenbeck was the agent.
East of the depot, on the north side of Main Street, was a saloon owned
by George Hiles and operated by James Hiles. Then came the livery barn of
Le Vant Johnson. Next was the lumber office of H. Ketchum. Next east
was the E. J. Gorton general store. Then came a vacant stretch of land.
Further east there were two buildings, the first being the blacksmith shop
of Nichols & Pike, and the second being the millinery store of Mrs. Ranee
Jones.
The Arcadia Hotel, of which John Eckel was the proprietor, occupied
the present site of the Wolfe Opera House. South of this on the east side of
the street, there were thi-ee buildings, the first going south, being the meat
market of John Nickly, the second being the dry goods and grocei-y store
of Mutz & Stariha, and the third being the saloon of J. K. Cysewski.
East of the Arcadia Hotel, on the south side of Main Street came the
office of Drs. Frank L. Lewis and George N. Hidershide. Next was the
Burt House, of which John and Richard Burt were the proprietors. Then
came the general store of W. P Massuere Company. Next, on the corner
of Washington street was the drug store of I. R. Bryan & Co.
East of Washington Street on the present site of the W. P. Massuere
Co. was the hardware store of the Merrill Brothers, L. G. and Benjamin.
In the upper story of this building the Masonic order met. Considerably
east of this was the poolroom and saloon of W. W. Barnes. Still further
to the east was the Shamrock Hotel, of which A. Flynn was the proprietor.
South of the Merrill Bros, hardware store, and on the east side of Wash-
ington Street was the Merrill Bros, lumber yard.
West of the depot on the north side of Main street there was a large
vacant space. The present site of the Fugina Brothers Fertig Store was a
swamp. Between the track and Commercial (Grant) Street, north of Main
street and west of the track there was not a business house except the
John D. Rainey Commercial Hotel, which stood on its present site. On
the -west side of Commercial Street, and north of the present site of the
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUXTY 889
Fugina Brothers Fertig Store, was the livery barn of the Bigham Brothers.
Next north was the saloon of Matt. Danuser. Next was the tailor shop
of Tim. Selck. Further along was the store of Bohri Brothers & Hensel.
Still further was the saloon and restaurant of George Kump.
There were no business houses on River Street except the shoe and
repairing shop of Henry Klug, who was on the corner east of Jackson Street
and south of River Street.
On the north side of Main Street, west of the present site of the Fugina
Brothers Fertig Store, was the meat market of Anton Baertsch, Then
going west came the furniture store of Zeph Dupois (in the upper story were
the offices of Capt. J. D. Lewis and P. H. Varney), the restaurant of Emile
Dohlan, the saloon of Gregory Ripply, the tin shop of Thomas E. Murphy,
and the millinery store of Mrs. F. A. Morgan. Next west, and on the
corner of Jackson Street was the Fugina Brothers & Fertig store.
Across Jackson Street to the west, and on the corner, was the furniture
store which had been built by Herman Tracy and was operated by F. J. Tracy
and Casper Wohlgenant under the firm name of E. J. Tracy & Co. Further
to the westward was the building which housed the postoffice and the
Arcadia Leader, N. D. Comstock being the postmaster, and G. A. Hacston
the editor of the Leader.
On the south side of Main Street, west of the track, was a vacant space.
THen came the feed store of John Maurer. Next west was the general store
of Gasal Brothers. Then came the harness shop of Richtman & Mallinger.
Further to the west was the saloon of John Kastner. Next was the wagon
shop of Joseph Kutz, and on the corner of Jackson Street was the blacksmith
and machinery shop of Christ Van Wold. Across Jackson Street to the
west, on the other corner was the harness shop of John Hentges. Still
further along was the cigar factory of Jacob Schneller. The planing mill
of Nic. Mueller was on the east side of Jackson Street, some rods south of
Main Street. (Outlined by John C. Gaveney, after examination of the
newspaper files and consultation with old settlers.)
Pioneer Schools. School conditions were materially difl"erent in the
early days from what they are now. The pioneer schoolhouses had home-
made desks placed close to the wall. Sometimes as many as twenty pupils
had to rise to let the classes pass to and from, recitation. In many schools
there were no recitation seats and the classes had to stand. The desks and
woodwork were often unpainted, but teacher and pupils were expected to
keep all as white as soap and sand would make them. Each teacher, with
the help of her pupils, cleaned her own schoolhouse. Long-handled dippers,
washbasin, soap, towels, and mirrors came gradually, as did maps, charts
and other helps. The three R's, with the addition of grammar and spelling,
were the essentials, and pity the teacher who could not do all the "sums."
It may be that undue emphasis was placed upon arithmetic, as nothing
was omitted, even though it had no practical value in itself. But for those
pupils who had no hope of ever studying the higher mathematics or a foreign
language, the mental discipline from their arithmetic was invaluable.
In mental arithmetic drills, and it was mental, the pupil would listen
attentively while the teacher read a problem once. He would then stand.
890 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
repeat the problem correctly, give each step in the solution, and the conclu-
sion, training along many lines. The pupils of early days did not have the
culture that the pupils of later days have, but they learned how to work, they
were able to help themselves, and they could spell.
What a frolic was the old-time spelling school ! How the children did
work over those spelling lessons ! Books were taken home and hours were
spent preparing for the next spelling school. Often three or more schools
met and fought hard, if bloodless, battles for the championship. Yes, it
was exciting fun, but it also taught spelling.
The children furnished their own text books, and often there were not
enough to go around. Nor were the books always suited to the needs of
the child. Four different kinds of readers or arithmetics were often found
in one class.
Out of school the teacher was truly a part of the family with which she
boarded. She sat with them around the kitchen fire, washed in the family
basin, used the common family towel, and shared not only a room, but a
bed with one or two children. The food was plain, but plentiful and whole-
some, and although the houses were small and often very cold, they were
real homes. Every one shared the joys and sorrows of the others. — By
Margaret Anderson.
The Galesville Fair. The agricultural fair or "cattle show" was a
tradition brought from the Eastern States, from whence most of the settlers
came. In 1859 the time seemed ripe for such a venture in Trempealeau
County. The rich virgin soil had brought forth abundantly. The pioneers
were boasting of vegetables of great size, of experiments made in raising
the standard of crops, of excellent results with stock, and of the success in
solving the many problems incidental to the creation of a rich agricultural
region from the hills and valleys that had only a few years before been an
untraversed wilderness. A fair would not only give the widely-scattered
settlers a chance to compare experiences and results, but would also demon-
strate the resources of the county and attract immigration.
Accordingly a call was issued and the Trempealeau County Agricultural
Society duly organized at the Court House on October 1, 1859.
"A. Call. — We, the undersigned, desirous of organizing an Agricultural
Society in the County of Trempealeau, do appoint a meeting for that pur-
pose, to be held in the Court House at Galesville, on the 1st of October, 1859,
at 2 o'clock p. m. It is to be hoped and expected that every town in the
county will be fully represented. The cause is one that should engage the
attention of everyone. Come, old and young, that we may have two essen-
tial qualities — experience and fire. — George H. Smith, A. Cary, Isaac Clark,
George Gale, Alex. A. Arnold, Ryland Parker, Samuel F. Harris, William T.
Clark. Romanzo Bunn and George Y. Freeman, of Gale, and H. Lake and
John B. Duning, of Preston."
The ofiicers chosen were : President, George H. Smith ; vice-presidents,
Isaac Noyes, Alex. A. Arnold and John B. Duning; secretary, George Y.
Freeman; treasurer, Isaac Clark; general committee, John C. French, of
Gale; Cyrus E. Turner, of Trempealeau; Henry Lake, of Preston; Jacob T.
Holmes, of Caledonia; David Bishop, of Arcadia, and Willard H. Thomas,
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 891
of Sumner. W. A. Johnson, a few days later, was appointed general super-
intendent.
Preparations were at once made for the first fair. Seventy-five men
contributed $1.00 each, and the people of Galesville turned out with axes
and grubhoes and cleared the brush from the lower table about where the
Public Square is now located and surrounded it with a race track, a track
rough and uneven, but nevertheless one which answered its purpose. The
fair was duly held October 21 and 22. The entries numbered 168 and the
competition was keen. All the cash awards were returned by the prize
winners. On the second day an address was delivered by Prof. Samuel Fal-
lows. At the 1860 fair the exhibits were increased in number and quality.
The third fair was held at Trempealeau in 1861, the only fair of the society
that has been held outside of Galesville. Preparations were being made
for the Civil War, and a feature of the gathering was a military parade by
the Galesville Greys and the Trempealeau Guards.
In the fall of 1862 fair grounds were purchased from Isaac Clark, and
the fair of that year held at the new location.
The annual fairs were held on these grounds until 1892, when the
present grounds were purchased and put in use that fall for the Thirty-third
Annual Fair. Improvements which were at once inaugurated have con-
tinued until the grounds and equipment are numbered among the best in
the State.
Some 20 years later interest in the fairs seemed to wane. From the
first the maintenance of the fair had been a financial burden to the people
of Galesville. and vicinity, and had frequently necessitated contributions of
considerable size. The unpaid $1,000 due for the property was a constant
menace to the existence of the organization.
New life was infused in 1907 when the citizens organized the Galesville
Park, Fair & Improvement Company and by soliciting subscriptions paid
the outstanding indebtedness on the property and took over the land which
it leases to the Agricultural Society free. Since then the fairs have in-
creased in importance and success, until the year 1916, when rumor of an
infantile paralysis scourge reduced both the attractions and the attendance.
The present officers are: President, Carl McKeeth; vice-president,
Emil Francar ; secretary, Ben W. Davis ; treasurer, J. A. Kellerman. The
executive committee consists of the officers and of all the living ex-presi-
dents, of whom there are now two, Capt. D. D. Chappell and N. H. Carhart.
The Trempealeau Valley Poultry Association, incorporated Feb. 21,
1913, was organized as the Trempealeau County Poultry & Breeders' Associ-
ation in October, 1912, by M. F. Risinger, John A. Markham, Walter E.
Sprecher, L. C. Larson, H. J. Hacker, C. A. Sherwood, C. C. Kremer and Bert
Thompson. In 1914 Mr. Markham succeeded Mr. Risinger as president.
Shows have been held as follows: 1912, Whitehall; 1913, Independence;
1914, Blair ; 1915, Alma Center ; 1916, Arcadia. The 1917 show is scheduled
to be held at Independence, but probably will not be held on account of war
conditions.
Agricultural Development. Agriculture in Trempealeau County had its
beginning on Decorah Prairie, when the squaws of Decorah's band planted a
892 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
small corn field. Later Wabasha's band had a small corn field near Trem-
pealeau.
The agriculture of the white man originated in this county in 1836,
when the Rev. Daniel Gavin, the Swiss missionary, and his helper, Louis
Stram, broke some land near a clear spring, east of Mountain Lake and some
three miles northwest of the present village, and endeavored to teach the
Indians farming. The attempt was not a success. John Doville, who
arrived in 1838, started a garden on the land broken by Stram. Oats and
peas were the principal crop. The oats were threshed in a primitive way
with horses driven in a circle. Doville also broke a tract of land in the
upper part of the present village. In those days the pigeons were a serious
drawback.
The history of agriculture in Trempealeau County is the history of
very many newly settled regions. The early settlers found a land rich in
the natural resources of a silt loam soil. A land, which, with a minimum of
labor and the use of the crudest of agricultural implements, yielded large
crops of wheat, oats and corn.
For a few years after a piece of land was broken the yields were amaz-
ing, 45 to 50 bushels of wheat per acre not being unusual. Their machinery
at that time consisted of a breaking plow, crossing plow, V-shaped drag and
a scythe, cradle and flail.
A few years before the Civil War broke out a threshing machine run by
a tread-power was introduced. This was little besides a cylinder, concave
and fan. It had no straw stacker and one man stood at the rear with a fork
and threw the straw back. In a short time a machine run by horse-power
and tumbling rod, and equipped with a straw-carrier and measuring device
was invented ; and the settlers would have thought they were pretty well
fixed, except that every bushel of grain in Trempealeau County had to be
hauled either to Trempealeau or Fountain City, a round trip of 50 miles or
more over roads that were barely passable.
Some little improvement was made on farm machinery during this
time, but not much. And the threshers were not greatly changed for many
years. Not long after the war, reapers began to be used; great heavy,
clumsy machines, very apt to clog in heavy grain and requiring two men to
operate them. One drove and the other was strapped to a post set in the
center of the platform and removed the grain with a rake as it was cut.
Their haying was all done with a scythe, hand-rake and pitchfork.
They kept only such cows as were needed to supply the family with milk and
butter, and raised a few hogs for their own use, and sometimes hauled some
dressed pork to the lumber camps and exchanged for lumber.
But this method of farming could not continue forever. Grain crops
gradually dwindled until the yield of wheat was very small. Chinch bugs
and weeds helped to crowd it out. Wheat was about their only money crop
and when that failed they were at a loss how to live. At this time many,
through a ruinous system of usury practised by money lenders who profited
by the farmers' misfortune, were compelled to gather up their personal
belongings and journey on toward the West, there to repeat the sad experi-
ment of trying to take from the land continually without putting anything
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COFXTY 893
back. But others, strong in the faith which every true farmer must have
in his "spadeful of earth," hung to their homesteads, and soon after they
saw a great hght, for Gov. W. D. Hoard came preaching the gospel of corn,
clover, cows and creameries.
The land had by this time become so robbed of humus, nitrogen and
phosphorus that only meager and unprofitable crops could be raised. But
with the advent of clover and cows, agriculture received a stimulus which
has had a healthy and prosperous effect upon the county's farming industry
ever since.
Farmers, pretty generally, started rotating their crops, keeping cows
and hogs, thus adding to the fertility of the soil, and also giving them a
steady income instead of the uncertain one afforded by grain raising.
About this time better machinery began to come into use and many
farmers found their labors lightened by the use of combined reapers and
mowers. These machines were usually drawn by three horses, two abreast
and one on the lead ridden by a small boy. This was done to avoid injury to
the unbound gavals which would result from driving three horses abreast.
The next evolution w^as in the nature of a harvesting machine which
required three men to opei'ate it. One drove and the other two bound the
grain as it was elevated to them. This was followed by the self-binder.
The old horse-power threshers were gradually improved until we now
have the modern steam thresher with wing feeders, automatic elevators and
weighers, and wind stackers. Nearly every farmer now uses a cream sepa-
rator in place of the old gravity system of separating cream. Harrows,
disks, cultivators, drills and seeders have come into universal use, and the
land has been brought back to its oi'iginal fertilitj\
Silos and leguminous crops have insured the farmer a summer ration
for his stock all the year round. And Trempealeau County has in this year
1917 the proud distinction of raising 156,000 bushels of wheat and of being
the banner winter wheat county of Wisconsin. — By W. E. Bishop.
The Orchard and Its Advancements. The apple stands at the head of
the list of all fruits and thrives in more localities than any fruit grown. In
the early settling of Trempealeau County, along in the '50s, very few trees
were set, and what were, were an experiment. The first apples in Trempea-
leau County were harvested in 1858 by George Batchelder. In about 1860 .
Messrs. Gray and Sparks started a nursery southeast of the village of Trem-
pealeau, and induced the farmers to set trees. Then came E. Wilcox in
1862 and at the close of the war bought out Gray and Sparks and started
to run a nursery on a larger scale. In an article written by E. Wilcox in
March, 1870, to the Record, he stated that those who had orchards doing
Avell were E. Barnard, J. Nichols, Amos Whiting, L. D. Ladd, Mr. Burns,
D. W. Gilfillan, A. Grover, C. Perkins, J. Rhodes, Mr. Bomun, Mr. Gary, Mr.
Wilbur, S. S. Luce, George Markham, Henry Lake and others. E. Wilcox
was a strong believer in the idea that apples would succeed in Trempealeau
County, and had set out an oixhard of 1,500 trees. J. Nichols had three
orchards of considerable size. These trees were coming into bearing
nicely when the severe winter of 1872 destroyed most of them, as well as
894 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
the nursery stock of 60,000 trees. Those that withstood the winter were
Dutchess, Transcendent and a few other crabs.
In the fall of 1871 W. A. Jackson, of Galesville, bought 500 trees of
Wilcox and buried them in the ground over winter. They thus escaped the
severe winter and were set out the following spring. A few other farmers
did likewise, only on a smaller scale. These trees did well. Those who
were not discouraged replaced their orchards with hardier varieties, and in
the fall of 1882 or 1883 A. J. Scarseth, of Galesville, packed 500 barrels of
apples. The empty barrels were procured from the cooper shop of Wilson
Davis, conducted in connection with the flour mill. These apples were sold
to E. White, of Winona, with the exception of a few barrels which were
shipped farther west. There were some fine specimens of Snow, Perry
Russet, Golden Russet, Utter, Seeknofurther, Pound Sweet, Talman Sweet,
St. Lawrence, Ben Davis and many other varieties.
We boys, who were then in our teens, never will forget how these
apples swelled our stomachs; and also the taste of those apple dumplings
and the boxes of apples stored for winter. I also remember helping father
load about 500 pounds of hay on the rack, and in the center of the load, on
top, were placed 20 sacks containing one bushel each, and taking them to
Winona, selling them for from $1 to $1.25 a bushel. The apples were free
from worms' or other defects.
Then came another winter when it seemed that the mercury would
never stop going down. This was in 1884, the low temperature killing
nearly all varieties but the Dutchess of Oldenburg, Transcendent and a few
top-worked varieties on the Transcendent. Those Dutchess and Tran-
scendents bore well, but there was no market for them. Twenty-five cents
a bushel was considered a good price for these varieties. Almost everybody
had a few trees.
William Kass was another lucky man who had 160 trees buried in the
ground. The winter of hard frost last mentioned (1884) froze mostly
Utter's Large. This variety comes into bearing in from five to seven years
after planting. Mr. Kass was known as "The Apple Man from the Little
Tamarack," and had everything his own way for 10 years.
In the spring of 1891 I set out 500 trees. It was a favorable season
and I did not lose half a dozen. Some of the neighbors laughed at the folly
of trying to raise apples in Trempealeau County, but I thought I knew my
own business. Their ridicule served to aggravate me, like when one tries
to drive a hog bound to go the other way. So the following spring I set
out 1,000 more trees and later added 300 to that. Then N. Perkins planted
out 500 trees. Mr. Kass, S. D. Grover, M. S. Grover, John Perkins, William
Trim and J. Nicholls planted 100 trees each. Many others tried smaller lots.
In 1895 I planted out in nursery rows 10,000 root grafts. In three or
four years these trees were sold to the neighbors, George Trim buying
the largest amount at any one time, something like 650, and Ed Grover was
another heavy buyer. The tree agents from outside the State got busy and
sold one-acre orchards. These amounted practically to nothing. The first
fruit these orchards bore were sold to the grocerymen of Winona. Each
year these orchards were more productive. In 1902 we began to ship in
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 895
barrels to Minneapolis and St. Paul. The output of the crops at this time
was about 3,500 bushels. Mr. Ward, of Winona, came over and bought five
carloads of late fall and winter apples. These were delivered in bushel
crates at his cold storage. That same fall two dealers came along from
Milwaukee. We sold them a car of No. 2 apples, which was shipped to
the iron mines of Northern Wisconsin. The years 1908 and 1909 were two
more banner years, with an estimate of 10,000 bushels each year. W. H.
Craig, of Winona, was a heavy buyer and shipping was general. In 1910
the spring opened up early and the trees were in full bloom by the 20th of
April, one month ahead of time. A snow storm and a heavy freeze settled
the apple crop for that year. This freeze set all of the older trees bearing
every other year. Then 1911, 1913 and 1915 were our fruit years. There
are a few exceptions with the younger trees. There has been about 20,000
bushels raised each fruit year since 1910, and they have been distributed as
far north as Duluth, Winnipeg, North and South Dakota, Minnesota,
Nebraska and Illinois. There are many varieties being planted that will
not withstand our severe winters. When one comes along they will die
out. In the southern part of Trempealeau County there are about 225 acres
planted to apples, about half of which are bearing fruit. (By John Grover.)
First Meeting in Sumner. "At the first town meeting held in the town
of Sumner, April 6, 1858, the following number of votes were cast for town
oflficers: William Harman received 13 votes for chairman supervisor;
James T. King, 13 for supervisor ; Jay H. Chase, 13 for supervisor ; Alvin H.
Daniels, 13 for town clerk; Austin Ayrs, 13 for treasurer; Henry C.
Blanchard, 12 for superintendent of schools; Alva H. Daniels, 13 for justice
of the peace ; George Silkworth, 12 for justice of the peace ; David R. Chase,
13 for justice of the peace ; James Chase, 13 for justice of the peace ; Austin
Ayers, 13 for assessor ; John Spalding, 13 for constable ; H. C. Blanchard, 13
for constable; Russel Bowers, 13 for constable; Albert Taylor, 11 for town
sealer. Whole number of votes cast, 13. William Harman, James T. King,
Jay H. Chase, inspectors ; Alva H. Daniels, clerk.
"We, the undersigned inspectors of election, after comparing all the
votes, find that the following persons were elected to the following town
offices in and for the town of Sumner, composed of township No. 24, range
7, 8 and 9 :
"William Hartman, chairman of supervisors ; Jay H. Chase and James
T. King, supervisors ; Alva H. Daniels, town clerk ; Austin Ayrs, treasurer ;
A. C. Blanchard, superintendent of schools; Alva H. Daniels, George Silk-
worth, David H. Chase and James Chase, justices of the peace; Austin
Ayers, assessor ; John Spalding, H. C. Blanchard and Russel Bowers, con-
stables ; Albert Taylor, town sealer of weights and measures.
"We further certify the above to be the result of the first town election
for town officers held at Blanchai'd Tavern on Beef River Station on April 6,
1858, and that the above report is true and correct. Dated at the town of
Sumner, this 6th day of April, 1858. William Harman, Jay H. Chase, James
T. King, Inspectors of Election.
"I certify the above to be true and correct report of said town election.
Alva H. Daniels, Clerk of Election." — (Copy of the Records.)
896 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Trempealeau Municipal Improvements. Trempealeau Village was
incorporated in the pioneer days. All records were lost in the fire of 1888.
The village was reincorporated March 10, 1900, and A. H. Hoberton
elected president and F. L. Fields, W. Stauge and Thomas Bohen as trustees.
W. A. Bright is the present president, and C. S. Ford, Ed. Davis, Alfred
Kutchera and W. A. Graves as trustees.
The village owns the village hall, which is used for general village pur-
poses, and the electric light plant. The hall was purchased from the
W. C. T. U. and had previously been used as a reading room. The electric
hght service, which is secui-ed by tapping the lines between the Hatfield Dam
and Winona, was installed July 4, 1915. Before this the streets were lighted
with kerosene lamps on corner posts.
The village part was platted for its present purpose when the sur-
rounding lots were laid out. The band stand therein was erected about 1888
through the efforts of Dr. C. H. Cutter, and the members of the band here
at that time. — (By A. A. Gibbs.)
Independence Municipal Improvements. The waterworks system in
Independence dates from June 14, 1886, when M. Mulligan, the village
president, volunteered to ascertain the cost of the waterworks at Galesville
and report at the next meeting. June 22 of the same year J. C. Taylor,
Henry Hanson and L. E. Danuser were appointed a committee to ascertain
the cost of pum.ps to put out fires. Sept. 13, 1886, President M. Mulligan
was instructed to make arrangements with the Mill Company, and to draw
up a contract with Goulds & Austin for pumps, pipe and the like. There
was actually built and constructed that fall, three blocks, about 1,000 linear
feet, extending from the Mill on Railroad Street and Washington Street, to
what is now known as Lyga's Corner. This main was laid so shallow that
the entii'e system froze up solid during the following winter. In the follow-
ing spring and summer the main was lowered. Sept. 7, 1887, a 200-pound
bell was purchased for the village hall. Feb. 27, 1888, firemen's caps and belts
were purchased. Aug. 6, 1894, J. Zimmers, A. Gai'thus and C. H. Short were
appointed to investigate the waterworks of other places. On petition of 23
voters, a special election was called for Aug. 25, 1894, to vote on the question
of issuing bonds of $2,500 for a waterworks system, but owing to certain
technicalities which were not observed, a second election was called May 30,
1895, and at this meeting it was decided by a vote of 102 to 2 to issue bonds
of $3,000 payable in three, four and five years. A. J. Bautch, 0. P. Huff and
C. H. Short were appointed on the committee to consult with an engineer.
Plans and specifications were accepted May 6, 1895, and a contract was let
to J. F. Zilla to build an artesian well, 500 feet deep, on the village lot. A
lease was secured from Albert J. Bautch for the site for a reservoir on the
hill just west of the village limits. June 20, 1895, the contract was let to
install the waterworks for $5,244.34. Aug. 20, 1895, the well was completed
and Mr. Zilla paid $722.06. That summer the pumphouse and reservoir
were completed. Sept. 25, 1895, a contract was made with John Dagan to
lower the old water mains from Third Street to the Mill. Dec. 9, 1896,
trouble had developed at the pump by reason of sand. The trouble con-
tinued. By a resolution passed Oct. 11. 1897, a large and shallow well was
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 897
constructed, arranged to filter water through from the creek. The well
was in working order early in the summer of 1898. Jan. 24, 1901, it was
voted to extend the mains on Fifth Street, 640 feet, and on Third Street, 460
feet, with four new hydrants.
Sept. 12, 1908, a contract was awarded A. J. Bautch to extend the water
mains across the lake, and up to the Catholic church, and to install the
proper hydrants. On June 22, 1909, the citizens by a vote of 65 to 54
rejected the proposition to bond the village for $3,200 for a sewer system.
But on March 27, 1911, in accordance with a petition previously presented,
the village board ordered an election to be held on April 25, 1911, on the
question of bonding the village $3,500 for waterworks and a like amount for
a sewer system. On the date set both propositions were carried, the sewer
vote being 95 to 37 and the water vote being 95 to 35. Jan. 23, 1911, a con-
tract for the sewer system was let to F. C. Robinson & Co. for $9,200. Oct.
24, 1911, the village board purchased for $1,000 an acre of land from Jacob
Jackson, on which to dig wells and erect a pumping house. Oct. 31, 1911, a
contract was let for about $700 for an addition to the sewer system on Fifth
Street. April 19, 1912, a contract was let for furnishing an oil engine,
pumps, pump house, extension of the water mains and completion of the
entire work, at $4,000, and on May 29, 1912, it was voted to purchase an
oil tank for the water plant at $470. Oct. 6, 1913, an extension of the sewer
system was voted, 620 feet, for $690. In October, 1915, sewer and water-
works extensions were made at a cost of $3,200.
Independence is noted for its excellent street system. As early as
May 24, 1886, the village purchased at a cost of $218.50 a road grader, prob-
ably the first in Trempealeau County. May 31, 1886, John Elstad was
appointed street commissioner at $2 for each day's work of 10 hours. It
was also decided that the road grader be let to districts desiring it, the
grader to be in charge of a man designated by the village board, his wages
to be paid by the district using it. On Aug. 7, 1899, by a vote of 59 to 3,
the citizens declared in favor of issuing bonds of $3,000, payable in two,
three and four years, with interest at 5 per cent, for the purpose of building
a 150-foot span steel bridge over Elk Creek at the mill. The contract
was let Sept. 4, 1899, to J. G. Wagner & Co., of Milwaukee, for $5,047. May
11, 1900, a sidewalk resolution was passed, leading to the construction of
many miles of cement walks. Aug. 23, 1913, the village board took the
necessary action to place certain streets of the village on the county system
of prospective highways, and raised $1,000 to macadam the following year
the Osseo-Independence highway from the mill to the north limits of the
village. The work was done in 1914, and $3,000, including county and State
aid, was expended. Aug. 3, 1914, the board raised $2,000 for 1915 street
improvements under the State aid plan, so that $6,000 became available.
May 20, 1915, the board adopted brick laid over a sand cushion as the type
of pavement for the main streets of the village. In 1915 there was con-
structed on the main street of the village 7,500 square yards of asphalt
bound brick pavement at a cost of $11,000, 1,900 square yards of macadam
pavement costing $1,600, and curb and gutter costing $500. In 1916 there
was constructed 3,500 yards of brick paving costing $5,500, and 2,000
898 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY,
linear feet of curb and gutter costing $1,050. The permanent street im-
provements for the two years cost the village $25,000, without creating any-
bonded indebtedness.
The sightly village hall at Independence has an interesting history.
June 14, 1886, the board voted to purchase a building from John Sprecher
for $135. May 17, 1886, it was voted to purchase lot 4, block 10, original
plan, 60 by 120 feet, for $100. Later lot 5 was purchased. As the years
passed, there came the necessity for a larger hall. Consequently at an
election held May 5, 1902, by a vote of 79 to 18, it was decided to issue
bonds of $8,000, payable in eight instalhnents, the first in two years, and
then annually thereafter, for the purpose of erecting a village hall and
electric light plant. C. G. Maybury, of Winona, was secured as architect.
All the original bids were found to be too high, and so the plans were
revised to reduce the cost. Aug. 20, 1902, the contract was let to H. and F.
Roettiger, of Fountain City, for $11,000. At a special election held May
25, 1903, by a vote of 66 to 20, the voters declared in bonding the village for
$2,950, payable in six annual installments beginning in 1917, for the
purpose of erecting an electric light plant. The cyclone came Oct. -3, 1905,
causing considerable damage and suffering in the village, and partly demol-
ishing the city hall. A temporary roof was built. July 30, 1906, a con-
tract was let to C. A. Sweet for completing the hall at $2,812. and the
heating contract was let to J. V. Cummings for $1,225. The same year
$200 was expended for stage scenery and $135 for a piano. Aug. 20, 1909,
it was voted to buy a new boiler for the electric light plant at $1,366. July
14, 1910, it was voted to buy a clock and bell for the city hall tower at
$1,000 from the Seth Thomas Clock Company. March 7, 1892 the first
appropriation was made for a public library. July 22, 1907, $500 was
appropriated for the purpose of installing a library in the city hall. The
franchise to the Arcadia Telephone Company was granted July 11, 1896,
and to the Independence Farmers' Telephone Company on Feb. 4, 1901. —
(Gathered from the Records by John A. Markham, village president, and
Jacob Jackson, village clerk.)
Early Burnside Records. At a meeting of the town of Burnside, held
at the house of Giles Cripps, April 5, 1864, pursuant to an order issued by
the County Board of Supervisors, the following were elected officers of the
meeting: George E. Parsons, H. W. Rumsey and T. Moore, inspectors;
G. H. Markham and Giles Cripps, clerks. The following named persons
were duly elected town officers for the year 1864 : G. E. Parsons, chairman,
9 votes ; T. Moore and A. C. Baker, supervisors, 9 votes ; George H. Mark-
^ham, clerk, 9 votes ; Giles Cripps, treasurer, 9 votes ; H. D. Rumsey, assessor,
9 votes; justices of the peace, Charles Lyne, 1 year, 9 votes; G. Parsons, 2
years, 5 votes ; H. W. Rumsey. 2 years, 9 votes ; Giles Cripps, 1 year, 9 votes ;
constables, H. D. Rumsey, 9 votes, and L. Bautch, 9 votes. The inspectors
of elections were G. E. Parsons, Talcott Moore and H. W. Rumsey. The
poll list consisted of A. C. Baker, sworn ; Charles Lyne, Peter Sura, Lawrence
Bautch, Talcott Moore, Giles Cripps, George H. Markham, H. P. Rumsey,
George E. Parsons; total, 9. Cripps was unanimously elected overseer
of highways, district No. 3 of the town of Burnside. The following acts
HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 899
were passed: 1. Hogs not to be allowed free commons under a penalty of
one-quarter of a dollar for each head. 2. Five dollars ($5) raised for the
purpose of buying a burial ground. 3. Motion made, seconded and carried
that the board of supervisors be appointed a committee to confer with
Giles Cripps and H. W. Whitmore for the purchase of a burial ground. 4.
Moved, seconded and carried that we hold the next town meeting at the
schoolhouse. 5. Moved, seconded and carried that this meeting be ad-
journed at 4 o'clock p. m., Nov. 5, 1864.
At a meeting of the board of supervisors held at the house of George
H. Markham, April 9, 1864, it was determined that the town of Burnside
should compose one road district to be known as road district No. 3. Dated
April 9, 1864. G. E. Parsons and Talcott Moore, supervisors. At a special
town meeting held at the schoolhouse, district No. 1 of the town of Burnside,
on June 20, 1864, a tax of $100 was raised for the purpose of opening a road
to Beef River; also a tax of $50 for the contingent expenses of said town.
G. E. Parsons, chairman ; T. Moore and A. C. Baker, inspectors.
A special meeting was held June 20, 1864, at which it was determined
that road district No. 3 should hereafter be known and described as road
district No. 1 of the town of Burnside. By an order of the town board dated
July 6, 1864, a new school district was established as district No. 2. Nov. 8
school district No. 3 was established. By an order of the town board dated
Dec. 10, 1864, these two districts were consolidated as school district No. 2.
By an order of the town board dated January 23, 1865, two new road
districts were formed as districts No. 1 and No. 2.
At a special town meeting held Jan. 23, 1865, held at the schoolhouse in
district No. 1 of the town of Burnside for the purpose of raising $660 to
procure volunteers, the proposition was carried unanimously. The proposi-
tion of raising a tax of $264.69 to pay the indebtedness of the town on the
back call, was carried by one vote, votes standing 7 for, 6 against. In the
poll list of this meeting are the names of Michael White, James Reid, J. L.
Hutchins, T. Bennett and Nephi Nichols for the first time recorded ; total
votes, 13.
The financial statement of the town for 1864 and 1865 is : County and
State tax, $225.17 ; town tax, $155 ; school tax, $270 ; total, $650.17. Amount
of orders drawn, $426.65 ; amount of orders paid, $339.40 ; deficit of $87.25.
Dehnquent tax list, $455.31 ; due on orders, $87.25 ; leaving on hand, $360.06.
Beef River road and county, $270; leaving on hand a surplus of $98.06.
There was also paid out on what the record calls the Arcadia War Fund
$76.43.
There is a record, June 29, of $168.67 paid the town of Arcadia in full
on this fund at the town meeting April 4. 1865. There were 20 votes cast.
It was voted that $100 be raised for the contingent fund ; that no money be
raised for town school purposes ; and that no highway tax be raised for road
purposes.
At the town meeting April 3, 1866, the following resolution was
adopted : "Resolved, That the public money raised for bounty purposes by
the county of Trempealeau shall be paid only to the soldiers who have been
honorably discharged from the service of the United States and to the heirs
900 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
of the soldiers who have died before receiving the county bounty of $50.
Resolved, that in order that the public money raised for bounty purposes
may not be paid to other than the soldiers or their heirs, the county board
of supervisors should take no cognizance of any transfer or assignment of
bounty, but should adhere to the rule heretofore adopted to allow the bounty
only on the application of the soldier, accompanied by his certificate of
honorable discharge from the United States service, and on the application
of the heirs of deceased soldier upon satisfactory proof of the service and
death of the soldier and the heirship of the applicants. Resolved, That a
copy of this resolution be presented to each of the county supervisors."
The following territory was taken from the town of Burnside and added
to the town of Lincoln, to take effect April 1, 1867 : The southeast quarter
of the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter, section 25 ; the east half
of the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter, and the southeast quarter
of the northeast half, section 35 and section 36 ; town 22, range 9 west.
At the election held April 7, 1868, the question of removing the county
seat from the village of Galesville to the village of Trempealeau, 44 votes
were cast, 10 for removal and 34 against.
May 3, 1873, a special election was held for the purpose of voting on the
proposition to grant bonds to the amount of $20,000 to aid the Green Bay and
Lake Pepin Railroad (now the G. B. & W). The vote stood 9 for and 93
against, with one deficient.
In 1879 the inhabitants of that part of the town that now comprises
the town of Chimney Rock (township 23) agitated the splitting of the town.
The question was voted on at the spring election of 1880 with the following
result: In town 22, for, 38; against, 157; in town 23, for, 110; against, 5.
The proposition not receiving a majority in both parts of the town, it was
lost. It was again voted on in the spring of 1881 and carried. — (By James
N. Hunter.)
Early Adventures. At the time of the Indian Massacre of 1862, the
settlers were greatly frightened, and many left. George Hale, who was
working for the Markhams at Independence, went to Fountain City with
a team, and obtained a keg of powder and lead. The settlers were deter-
mined to hold their ground against all comers. The Watson family from
the town of Hale fled to the Markham house for mutual protection. But
the Indians did not come. Some time previous to the Massacre the Indians
borrowed a rifle from Giles Cripps, promising to return it a little later.
Cripps made sure he had lost his gun and was greatly surprised some weeks
later when the Indian returned the rifle in good condition. Cripps felt sure
that the gun had been in use at Mankato in the Indian uprising.
In the early days, great difficulty was often encountered in obtaining a
physician. During the second winter or early fall that the Markhams were
here, Mr. Lyne, the tutor, was taken dangerously ill. George H. Markham
started on foot for Black River Falls, fording the Trempealeau River and
other streams. He took supper at Jim Finn's place east of Blair, and
found Dr. Hutchinson, of Black River Falls, who gave him some medicine
and promised to follow later. Mr. Markham then ate some food, and set out
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 901
immediately, reaching home within 24 hours of the time he started, after
having covered a distance of over 70 miles.
The Flood of 1876. The great flood of March, 1876, marks an important
epoch in Trempealeau County life, for while there were no casualties, and
only a few serious injuries, old pioneers date all the events of the early days
as happening "before the flood" or "after the flood."
The flood was ushered in by a severe rain. Soon every river and creek
was flooded. In the Trempealeau Valley, where the Green Bay had caused
a number of new villages to spring up, the damage was the worst. Some
of the millers in order to save their dams, opened their sluice gates, and this
made the condition in the lower valley all the worse. The villages and ham-
lets were flooded, the people had to go about in boats. There were a number
of thrilling rescues, amusing stories are told of people taken from wood
piles and box cars, and even of one adventurous cow which made its way
with its calf up a pair of stairs and was found the next morning safe on a
stair landing, many feet above the raging flood. The flood was followed by
severe cold, some isolated families had to burn furniture and laths from
their houses to keep warm. Vast tracts of water froze shortly afterward,
making the valley one great ice field.
Many thrilling scenes were also enacted in the Beaver Creek Valley,
especially at Galesville.
The saddest affair was at Independence. It began to rain there in the
forenoon, and continued most of the day. The ground being hard frozen,
the creeks were soon roaring torrents. Toward evening four boys — Lee
Fay, Fred Hill and two Schmidt boys — went on the railroad bridge across
Elk Creek to watch the ice break up. So intent were they in watching
the ice that they did not observe that the track was covered with water, and
they were unable to get off" and had to cling to the truss of the bridge all
night. As they had told no one where they were going, their friends were
unable to locate them and when found next day they were in a pitiful
condition. The physicians called concluded that immediate amputation of
the feet was necessary. The operation was performed by Drs. George N.
Hidershide and Frank L. Lewis, of Arcadia.
The experience of Dr. Geo. N. Hidershide in this connection throws an
interesting light on the life of a physician in the early days. Word reached
Arcadia of the tragedy at 5 o'clock in the afternoon, and Dr. Hidershide,
crossing the raging river in a skifl", secured a saddle horse from a farmer and
started on his errand of mercy. At the Two-Mile Bridge he was forced to
take to the hills. At every valley he had to go nearly to the head of the
stream, as all were too swollen for crossing. All that terrible chilling night
he toiled on his way, and it was not until 5 o'clock the next morning that he
reached his destination at Independence, only nine miles from Arcadia. He
made the boys as comfortable as he could, and then returned to Arcadia.
Later he and Dr. Lewis performed the amputating operation.
Borst Valley. This valley comprises parts of three towns. Its two
westernmost branches head in Dover, Buffalo County ; the main east branch
rises near the center of Chimney Rock ; the lower half of the valley lies in
Burnside, where its general slope is to the southeast. In greatest length
902 JII.STOKV OF TRE]\IPP]ALEAU COUNTY
the valley extends about eight miles. Its waters find outlet into Elk Creek
near the east line of section 11, Burnside.
The valley never bore the name of its first settler, whose family and
others called it Little Elk. Afterward by many it was known as Warring
Valley. Later it sometimes was designated as Borst Valley. Fifteen years
after the coming of the first settler another name was added — Markham
Valley, for a man who arrived in 1875. All these names were current at
the same time. There never was concerted action on the part of the inhab-
itants to decide upon a single designation, nor rivalry as to choice. The
valley's present name appears to have been generally adopted about 1892.
William S. Cramer, a native of Connecticut, was the first settler. His
wife, Deborah Ann, nee Smith, was a native of Ohio. They emigrated from
Ohio to Marquette County, Wis., in 1851. A few years later they went to
Green Lake County, and in 1861 moved to Butler County, Iowa. In October,
1863, they reached Borst Valley. All these migrations were made by ox
team, for the Cramers were typical pioneers. They had five boys — George
F., Elmer, Theodore, Charles and Willie. Mr. Cramer squatted on the north-
west quarter of section 11, town 22, range 9, a half mile above the valley's
mouth, and began gathering logs to build a cabin. A few of these were cut
on his claim, the rest being taken wherever a suitable tree was found. The
red oak bolts from which he split shakes for the roof Mr. Cramer secured in
the head of a coolie above George Hale's location in Pleasant Valley, about
five miles distant. In November the family occupied the cabin, moving in
before the door was hung or the window fitted.
After finishing the cabin Mr. Cramer went to La Crosse to make home-
stead filing and learned the land had been withdrawn from entry pending
determination of definite limits of a land grant to a railway that afterward
became the Omaha line. He returned home, built a shed for the oxen, gath-
ered firewood sufficient for a year or more and laid in a stock of family sup-
plies. Then on Jan. 13, 1864, he enlisted at La Crosse and became a soldier
of the Civil War. His son George says Mr. Cramer's enlistment was cred-
ited to the town of Gale, that he received $450 bounty, was assigned to Com-
pany G, Thirty-second Wisconsin Infantry and sent to Tennessee. Mr.
Cramer died of dysentery in the military hospital at Nashville, Sept. 3, 1864,
aged about 43.
Mrs. Cramer continued to occupy the claim, making only such improve-
ments as would supply the family with corn and the necessary vegetables,
until the land was restored to entry in 1866, when she sent her son George,
then about 18 years old, to La Crosse to make homestead entry, instructing
him to file in her name. Finding this not permissible, George made entry
for himself as head of the family. In 1869 they sold relinquishment of the
homestead to Henry B. Fay.
Wanderlust had a firm hold on Mrs. Cramer, an impulse acquired in
early life. On leaving Borst Valley she went to Bear Creek, between Mon-
dovi and Durand. where she married Peter Vroman, who died six months
later. Notwithstanding the legal change of name, she was known through
life as Mrs. Cramer by her old acquaintances. In 1876 she moved to Kansas
and in 1878 returned to Wisconsin. Three years later she emigrated to
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 903'
Oregon and took a homestead six miles west of The Dalles, where she passed
a settled life for 25 years. Then seUing her land, Mrs. Cramer went to
Western Oregon, and in 1911 to San Diego, Cal., where she died July 3, 1912,
in her 83d year.
Of the Cramer children, Willie died in the spring of 1864, aged 3 years.
His was the first death in Borst Valley, and his burial in the plot that after-
ward became the Cripps Cemetery was the first interment there. Theodore
and Charles in the early '80s went to Oregon, where the first named died in
October, 1913. Charles is near Hosier, Ore., and Elmer near Kellogg, Minn.
George was the last of the family to leave Trempealeau County, going to the
West in 1887. He hves near Hillsboro, Ore.
In the fall of 1863 Hamlet D. Warring, native of New York, and Lowell
Fay, native of Massachusetts, came to view the valley and selected locations.
Both returned the following spring, and with them came Mrs. Lydia Meigs,
Warring's housekeeper ; Reuben and Harriet Meigs and James and Angeline
Hosier. Reuben was Mrs. Meigs' son and Harriet and Angeline were War-
ring's daughters. They came from Oxford, Marquette County. Mr. War-
ring located above and adjoining the Cramer claim and Meigs directly west
and adjoining Cramer's. Hosier squatted on section 3, but in the fall aban-
doned the claim and returned to Marquette County. Mr. Warring brought
the first horses and the first reaper to the valley. He lived there until his
death, Dec. 19, 1888, aged about 75 years. Mrs. Lydia Heigs moved to
Hinnesota in the late '70s. Reuben Heigs died in Hontana. His widow-
lives in North Dakota.
Lowell Fay located at a point where the valley merges into Pleasant
Valley. With him were his wife and son Lea. In 1865 Hr. Fay was fol-
lowed by his sons Henry B. and Aaron, both Civil War soldiers. Henry
settled first in Lincoln, but in 1869 he bought the Cramer relinquishment
and built the first brick house in Borst Valley. Except Aaron, the Fays
moved to Hinnesota in the early '80s. Aaron died at the Hilwaukee soldiers'
home in 1916.
Samuel Beswick bought land at the mouth of the valley from an Eastern
owner in 1864. Mr. Beswick was a bachelor. He died in the early '90s and
his farm passed into possession of Fred Cripps.
In the fall of 1864 came James Kelly and wife, natives of Ireland, with
their sons, James, Jr., and John, and daughters, Laura and Marcella. They
were from Marquette County. Hr. Kelly located on section 4, Burnside.
James Kelly, Jr., married Cornelia, daughter of Talcott Moore, of Pleasant
Valley. This was the first marriage of a Borst Valley resident. With the
exception of James, Jr., who lives in Northern Wisconsin, the Kellys removed
to Hinnesota in 1869.
Daniel and Emily Borst, with four children, arrived in the valley in 1865,
coming from Harquette County. Their homestead was in section 34,
Chimney Rock. They went to South Dakota in 1870, thence to Washington
State. Daniel died at Seattle Sept. 12. 1906. Emily died early in 1917.
904 HISTORY OP TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
In the fall of 1865 George and Martha Meigs reached the valley, coming
from Marquette County. George was Reuben Meigs' brother and Martha
was H. D. Warring's daughter. George was a Civil War soldier, serving in
a New York regiment. His homestead was Mosier's abandoned claim in
section 3, Burnside. The first child born in the valley was his son Decatur,
July 22, 1866. Mrs. Meigs died April 10, 1873. George moved to Minne-
sota in 1878, and thence to Montana, where he died early in 1917 in the
soldiers' home at Columbia Falls.
In 1866 William Nicols, a native of Scotland, purchased from a non-
resident owner a quarter section adjoining the Cramer claim on the east and
built a cabin. The next year he broke a few acres. In 1874 he married
Giles Cripps' daughter Emma. Mr. Nicols died May 17, 1916, aged 80 years.
Of the earliest settlers he continued longest in possession of a single tract of
land — 50 years.
The next settlers were Martin W. and Sarah Ann Borst, from Decorah,
Iowa, who reached the valley May 12, 1867. They had six children : Virgil,
Curtis, Henry, Harvey, Mina and Russell. Mr. Borst visited Trempealeau
County in 1866. He first contemplated erection of a grist mill at the site
of the present Elk Creek Mill in Pleasant Valley, and made homestead entry
of the 160 acres near there that afterward became the Christ Gassow farm.
Negotiation for the millsite and flowage rights failing, Mr. Borst abandoned
his homestead entry and bought land in Borst Valley. These purchases
comprised tracts in both Burnside and Chimney Rock. His house was built
on the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 3, Burnside,
and in the vicinity he operated for several years the largest farm in that
region. Mrs. Borst died Nov. 22, 1873. Mr. Borst left the valley in 1878,
going to South Dakota. He returned to Wisconsin in 1889, and died at
Mondovi, Dec. 21, 1899, in his 87th year. Of the Borst children, Curtis was
killed by road agents Nov. 27, 1877, at Frozen Man's Creek, 40 miles west of
old Fort Pierre, South Dakota; Russell died at Independence Nov. 11, 1888;
Virgil lives in St. Paul, Minn. ; Henry, Harvey and Mina (Mrs. C. J. Ward)
are residents of Mondovi.
Peter Peterson Norman made homestead entry in the upper part of the
valley in the fall of 1867 and started erection of a log house. The following
spring he brought his family. With him this time came his brother Sever.
These men were the first Norwegian settlers in Borst Valley.
Among those who came in the next four years were the following :
1867 — Peter and Emma Decker; Mrs. Decker, a widow, and sons
Stephen and George ; Joseph Mericle and wife and George Mericle. ^11 came
from Winneshiek County, Iowa. Peter and Emma were the last of the party
to leave the valley, going to Ellendale, N. D., in 1884. Silas Parker and
family came from Galesville, remained a year and removed to Hale.
1868 — Lyman Back, native of Connecticut, came from La Crosse and
took a homestead in the Chimney Rock section. In the fall he moved on his
HISTOKY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 905
location with his wife, Lucy, and daughter Lydia. Mr. Back was killed by
lightning Sept. 6, 1875, his being the first violent death in the valley. His
wife died exactly seven weeks later. George L. Back, son, and George
Bartlett and Robert Brookins, sons-in-law of Lyman, made homestead
entries, but did not occupy them until the following March. George L. Back
is still a resident there. The others left many years ago. George Fisk
and family and Augustus Huguenin and wife arrived from Iowa. The latter
soon returned to Iowa. Mr. Fisk in 1872 emigrated to California. William
Harris and William Barnhart, with their families, came from Dorchester,
Iowa, and settled in the west branch, the first in the Burnside section, where
he established the first blacksmith shop in the valley. In 1872 he sold to
Michael Lee. Mr. Barnhart's location was at the head of the branch. He
lived in Dover, half his farm lying in that town. He sold to Charles Short.
Chester Beswick bought land in the lower part of the valley, moving in with
his family the following February. He now lives near Blair. Al Osgood
and wife, from Arcadia, and John Sprinkle and wife, from the head of
Wickham valley, were residents in 1868, remaining but a year.
1869 — Palmer Back, another son of Lyman Back, arrived from La
Crosse, bought the Kelly location in section 4, Burnside, and moved thereon.
In 1871 he sold to William Russell and left the valley. David Barnhart,
whose wife was a daughter of William Harris, came with a large family
from Marengo, 111., and settled in the west part of Chimney Rock. He
moved to Eau Claire County in 1883. Thomas and Elizabeth Burt came
from Glencoe, Buffalo County, and located in the Burnside section.
1870 — In March Mrs. Laura Campbell, widow with a large family, ar-
rived from Grant County, Wis. Soon afterward she married P. H. Varney,
also from Grant County, and lived at Arcadia, where she died Feb. 18, 1879.
None of the Campbell family acquired land in the valley. In May William
Hunter, native of Scotland, his sons, William, Jr., and James N., and
daughter, Janet, reached the valley, coming from Allegheny County, Pa.
They settled in the Burnside section. Mr. Hunter, Sr., died in June, 1897,
aged 74 years. His sons are still living in the valley. With the Hunter
family came Charles and Mary Short, also natives of Scotland. Mr. Short
bought the William Barnhart place and lived in Dover. There were eight
children in the Short family, two of whom are David and Charles Short, of
Independence. The elder Short died in May, 1907, and his wife in Decem-
ber, 1914.
1871 — In the spring of this year William and Christina Russell, natives
of Scotland, came from Allegheny County, Pa. Mr. Russell bought the Kelly
Homestead from Palmer Back. The Russells at that time had four chil-
dren: Alexander, Mary, Isabella and Christina. Mary is the wife of
Anton Liver, living at Independence. The three others are dead. William
Russell died April 26, 1887, aged 55 years. Mrs. Russell resides on the old
homestead. — (By Virgil Borst.)
The Green Bay & Western Railroad has been one of the principal
factors in the development of central Trempealeau County. Incorporated
by special Act of the Wisconsin Legislature, the company was, April 12.
906 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
1866. chartered as the Green Bay & Lake Pepin Railway Company, with
Wabasha as its objective western terminal. Four miles were graded in
1869 and 30 miles in 1870. Track laying was commenced in the fall of 1871,
and completed 39 miles from Green Bay to New London, Dec. 20, 1871.
Four days later the first passengers were carried by special train. During
the summer of 1872, 110 miles between New London and Merrillian Junction,
in Jackson County, were graded and the tracks laid. The whole work was
completed at 5 o'clock on the afternoon of Dec. 24, 1872. During the sum-
mer and fall of 1873 the tracks were graded and iron laid from Merrillan
Junction to Marshland, where connections were made with the old La Crosse,
Trempealeau & Prescott Raih'oad, now the Madison division of the Chicago
& North Western. The first regular passenger service between Green Bay
and Winona was inaugurated Dec. 18, 1873. Sept. 5, 1873, the name was
changed to the Green Bay & Minnesota Railroad. At that time it was
believed that the road would be consolidated with the Winona & St. Peter,
John L Blair being a large stockholder in both roads. But the Chicago &
North Western absorbed the Winona & St. Peter, and the Green Bay was
left to its own devices. The struggle was a severe one. Running through
209 miles of a new and sparsely settled country, the receipts were not suffi-
cient to maintain it. January 24, 1878, it went into the hands of a receiver
and remained in the receiver's hands until sold, Oct. 15. Jan. 20, 1881, it
was sold to John L Blair, representing the bondholders, and reorganized as
the Green Bay, Winona & St. Paul Railway Company. Articles of incorpora-
tion dated May 6, 1881, filed in Wisconsin May 16, 1881. The company
defaulted on bond interest and the Farmers' Loan & Trust Company was
appointed Trustee in Possession, the trusteeship continuing from March 23,
1885, to Oct. 25, 1886. A second default was made on the bond interest
and the Farmers' Loan & Trust Company again appointed Trustee in Pos-
session. Trusteeship from Aug. 1, 1890, to June 10, 1896. The property
was sold under foreclosure May 12, 1896, to Mark T. Cox and others. The
deed of sale from Mark T. Cox and others to the Green Bay & Western Rail-
road Company is dated June 5, 1896.
In 1891 a spur track was completed from Marshland to East Winona,
and the Winona terminal was established at the Burlington station instead
of at the North Western station.
At the time of building the Green Bay & Western Railroad through
the fertile Trempealeau Valley in 1873, the now prosperous cities of Dodge,
Arcadia, Whitehall and Blair were but little hamlets. Little was known
of them for the reason they were so small, one passing through the country
would not consider a few houses grouped together as of sufficient importance
to give them a name.
The railroad crossed the Jackson and Trempealeau County line three
miles east of the now prosperous city of Blair, which was so named in honor
of the famous and well-known pioneer railroad builder of the West, Hon.
John I. Blair, of Blairstown, N. J. He was the first man of great wealth
who, far in advance of the times, realized the vasrness of the great North-
west and lavishly advanced his money in building railroads to develop the
countrv now so fertile. He trusted with unerring judgment to the future
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 907
to bring returns on his investments, and, thanks to the all-wise Providence,
his hfe was spared to see his judgment confirmed and his investments in
several of his railroads, notably the Chicago & North Western Railway,
bring ample returns, for he lived to the ripe old age of ninety-five years.
At the time the railroad passed the present location of Blair, there were
but a few scattering farm houses, and the store of T. I. Gilbert, which was
at the west limits of the present village. The first store in the village was
built by C. C. Hanson and T. I. Gilbert in 1874, and was burned in the fire of
1891. Blair is now a very thriving village of about 700 people, doing a
lai'ge business in general farm products.
The next hamlet passed by the railroad on its westerly course was what
is now known as Whitehall, a beautiful and thriving little city of about 1,000
souls, on a broad, flat plateau of land between picturesque hills on the north
and south sides and is the county seat of Trempealeau County, the county
seat having been moved there from Arcadia in 1878. The first store was
built by H. E. Getts in 1874 and still stands just noi'th of the John O. Melby
Bank. At the time of the advent of the railroad there was but one farm
house to mark the location. Like Blair, it derives its support from the rich
farming land surrounding it in every direction and from the very fertile
Pigeon Creek Valley leading to the northeast.
Independence, the next thriving little city six miles west of Whitehall,
was a farm owned by Jake Pampuch at the time the railroad was built and
until it was bought by D. M. Kelley in 1876, and the present village of Inde-
pendence was platted May 30. There are about 900 people living in this
village, which is supported by a very rich farming community.
Arcadia, eight miles to the west, with a population of 1,200, is a very
prosperous city. At the time of the building of the railroad there was a
little hamlet about one mile to the southeast of the present business location
of Arcadia. The first store was built by A. F. Hensel in 1874 and was oper-
ated as a general store by Bohri Bros. The first elevator was built in 1873
by Remby, Canterberry & Smith on the site now occupied by the W. P. Mas-
suere & Co. elevator. The same year Elmore & Kelley, of Green Bay, Wis.,
built an elevator at Arcadia, they being the first two elevators built along the
line of the railroad in Trempealeau County. Arcadia was for a time the
county seat, having been moved there from the village of Galesville, where it
was located for many years. It is supported by a very large area of very
productive farming land.
From Arcadia westward the railroad followed the low land bordering on
the Trempealeau River, which in the early days got on an annual rampage
at the opening of the spring and caused very great damage to the railroad,
notably in the great floods of March, 1876, when the railroad between
Arcadia and Marshland was nearly obliterated and was out of commission
for two months.
Thirteen miles to the west of Arcadia we arrive at the village of Dodge,
at the west side of Trempealeau County. It was named in honor of William
E. Dodge, of New York City, a prominent financier for many years. He
was associated with John I. Blair, Moses Taylor, Joseph H. Scranton, E. F.
Hatfield and many other well-known financiers of New York in the pioneer
908 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
railroad building of the West. He was also connected with many philan-
thropic institutions and at one time was treasurer of Protestant Syrian
College at Constantinople, Turkey. Unfortunately for the village of Dodge,
it was located too near the city of Winona, Minn., where the farm products
were mostly marketed. However, within the last few years conditions
have changed and the business has improved very much.
From Dodge the railroad passes into Buffalo County and soon passes
over the Father of Waters into the beautiful city of Winona, Minn., the
history of which is well known. — (By F. B. Seymour, Oct. 10, 1917.)
The Risberg County Accounting System. Paudor K. Risberg, county
clerk of Trempealeau County, has evolved a system of county accounting
which is being adopted in many other counties of the Northwest. When
he became county clerk nine years ago, after a long career as an educator, he
found that the county accounting system was far from satisfactory. In the
neighborhood of a hundred different officials had at the time the authority
to issue orders for money upon the county treasury. The State registrar of
vital statistics, the asylum trustees, the county highway commissioner, the
circuit judge, the county judge, clerk of court, district attorney, county
clerk, sheriff, county assessor and every justice of the peace in the county
were authorized by law to draw orders upon the county treasury; and in
addition to this the county treasurer was authorized to pay out all State
taxes and all school funds, together with certain fees to town and village
treasurers, without any written order from anybody.
The danger of two or more officials issuing orders upon the same funds
is very apparent, for the reason that one official does not know w-hat amount
of orders the other one has issued, and no one of them knows at any given
time whether there is sufficient money in the treasury to meet his order.
When the new state highway law of 1911 went into effect the old
accounting system was found inadequate, and something had to be done
to handle the funds of the county in a more modern and businesslike man-
ner. Plans were drawn up by Mr. Risberg and submitted in part to com-
mittees, a new system being a vital necessity. In 1915 the work had
progressed so far that it was submitted to the county board and was unani-
mously adopted.
The new system provides that no money shall be paid out of the
county treasury except upon a written order signed by the county clerk
and countersigned by the county treasurer ; a voucher must also be on file
in the office of the county clerk for every order issued. The following
records are parts of the system :
Clerk's Combined Journal, Cash Book, Order Book and Ledger.
Treasurer's Combined Journal, Cash Book, Order Book and Bank
Ledger.
Clerk's Record of Taxes Levied and Collected.
Treasurer's Record of Taxes Levied and Collected.
Clerk's Tax Sale and Redemption Recoi'd.
Treasurer's Tax Sale and Redemption Record.
Clerk's Petition Record for Road and Bridge Aid.
Clerk's Listing Record of Road and Bridge Orders:
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 909
Clerk's Listing Record of Asylum Orders.
Treasurer's Inheritance and Fines Record.
Under the new system the county clerk has an exact knowledge of all
the funds in the county treasury at all times.
These records are prepared by a leading printing house and are in
the general market.
Mr. Risberg has also devoted his spare time to systematizing the old
records in the clerk's office, so that any document from the first organiza-
tion of the county is easily to be found, and in addition to this he has com-
piled many statistics from the records which were in the custody of the
clerks before he took office.
CHAPTER XXIV.
SOURCES.
The principal sources of strictly local Trempealeau County History
are the files of the newspapers, the county and village records, the records
of various institutions, letters, diaries, and the memories of the pioneers.
The results of interviews with hundreds of pioneers have been preserved
in the files of the Trempealeau County Historical Society. The five prin-
cipal collectors of historical material in the county have been Judge George
Gale, Judge Benjamin F. Heuston, Judge Hans A. Anderson, Dr. E. D.
Pierce and Attorney Stephen Richmond. George H. Squier has devoted
nearly half a century to the study of the geology and archaeology of the
county.
Judge B. F. Heuston was the first to enter the field. Coming here
when Trempealeau was still Reed's Landing, and for many years taking
an active part in public life, he was the personal friend of all the early
pioneers, and was closely in touch with pioneer activity in all its phases.
He spent many years in writing down his own observations, and in travel-
ing about interviewing the early pioneers and transcribing their remi-
niscences. Many of his writings are preserved in the newspapers, and he
assisted in furnishing material for the History of Western Wisconsin,
published in 1882. Upon his death he left a completed manuscript history
of the county. The manuscript is in the custody of the Trempealeau
County Historical Association, but owing to certain conditions regarding
its use has not been made available for general examination. The work
of Judge Heuston regarding geology, archaeology, Indian history, explorers,
fur traders and French settlement days has been superseded by later
research by others, but his material regarding the pioneer period is of
considerable value.
Judge George Gale was the next to enter the field. His book, "The
Upper Mississippi," embodies much of his general research in this vicinity,
and the Galesville "Transcript" preserves in its files many, of his articles,
largely of an archaeological nature.
Some thirty years ago Judge Hans A. Anderson became interested in
the subject. His spare time has since then been largely devoted to gather-
ing material at first hand from the pioneers. He has interviewed hundreds
of early settlers, he has examined numerous records, he has conducted an
extensive correspondence with the people in all parts of the countrj', and he
has made extensive collections of photographs and mementoes. The result
of his investigations are embodied in numerous personal note books, in
newspaper articles, and in the collections of the Trempealeau County His-
torical Society. For nearly a year the newspapers contained a weekly
series of articles on the place names of the county by Judge Anderson and
910
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 911
Dr. Pierce. The article in this book on Pigeon Township shows the thor-
oughness of his work. Judge Anderson is still conducting his studies, and
hopes to leave for posterity material for a complete history of pioneer
times. To Judge Anderson's painstaking research and accurate work, as
well as to his unfailing courtesy and kindliness, the editors of this work are
greatly indebted.
Eben D. Pierce, M. D., has made a hobby of the study of history since
his earliest boyhood. Sixteen years ago while living at Arcadia, his native
town, he threw into the work a natural enthusiasm which inspired the
cooperation of the pioneers whom he interviewed. After collecting during
the winter of 1901 he prepared a newspaper article which appeared as a
Historical and Industrial edition of the Arcadian April 24, 1903. This
attracted the attention of Reuben G. Thwaites, then secretary of the State
Historical Society of Wisconsin, who invited the budding historian to
become a member of the State Historical Society. Dr. Pierce gladly
accepted the invitation and joined the society, offering at the same time
to do whatever he could toward preserving the history of Trempealeau
County communities by interviewing pioneers and writing down their recol-
lections. For the next four years he interviewed old settlers in and about
Arcadia and Trempealeau, at the same time corresponding with some
of the daily papers of Wisconsin and Minnesota. This collecting data of
a historical nature has grown into a habit with Dr. Pierce, and during his
many years of activity he has contributed a number of valuable historical
papers to the State and County Historical Societies. He was particularly
interested in the pioneer epoch, and made especial effort to get the recol-
lections of the first settler in each community. This resulted in Collins
Bishop's story of the first settlement of Arcadia, of Grignon's Recollec-
tions of Early Trempealeau, of Capt. John D. Lewis's account of his Lewis
Valley Experiences, of Mrs. H. E. Pierce's Memories of Williamsburg and
of Harold Newcomb's Reminiscences of Pioneering in Newcomb Valley.
He is the editor of the present work, and the author of several of its chap-
ters. In this connection he has said: "Our interest has been stirred by
the thought that the work will arouse a deeper interest in our home country.
The country belongs to the people and we should be patriotic enough to
study its past, preserve its present and hope for its welfare in the future.
We hope the work will awaken a more profound study of our country's
history, and if we have been instrumental in preserving records that other-
wise would have fallen into obscurity, and portrayed the pioneer life, and
rescued phases of it that would have faded into oblivion, then have we
been repaid for our efforts."
Stephen Richmond planned to write a history of the county, and at his
death left a vast amount of manuscript. A completed manuscript, "A
Panorama of Trempealeau County for Forty-one Years," contains much
of interest, and many of his uncompleted manuscripts appear in this present
work. Mr. Richmond worked on his history for several years, paying
especial attention to the valleys and cooleys of Arcadia Township. Had
he lived to complete his work the resulting publication would have been one
of the greatest interest. His entire collection of manuscripts, letters,
912 HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
observations and the like are in the custody of the Trempealeau County
Historical Society and are available to the public.
The Trempealeau County Historical Society was organized in 1910,
and held its first annual meeting on Nov. 17, 1910. The officers elected
were: President, Capt. A. A. Arnold; vice-presidents, M. J. Warner,
James N. Hunter, E. J. Matchett; advisory committee, F. C. Richmond
and John A. Markham; secretary, H. A. Anderson; treasurer, Herman
Hoberton. The members present at the first meeting were: Edward J.
Matchett, H. A. Anderson, John C. Gaveney, W. J. Boyd, Jas. N. Hunter,
D. H. Neperud, F. A. George, Peter Nelton, E. F. Clark, F. C. Richmond,
C. Q. Gage, C. 0. Dahl, H. F. Clausen, A. J. Ekern, Herman Hobertson,
P. J. Skogstad, John Ring, L. L. Grinde, L. K. Strand, A. N. Nelson, J. A.
Markham, P. H. Johnson, Henry Kopp, John F. Hager, P. K. Risberg,
F. A. Hotchkiss, T. Grafton Owen, E. F. Hensel, A. A. Markham, Stephen
Richmond, George Markham, J. O. Dewey, Collins Bishop, Alexander A.
Arnold, Frank M. Immell, Milo B. Gibson, Knudt Hagestad, John C. Muir.
From that day the collection of historical material has gone steadily
forward under the management of the able secretary. Judge H. A. Ander-
son, until the collections embody hundreds of photographs, hundreds of
relics, books, newspaper files, and many historical papers, letters, docu-
ments, records and the like, probably exceeding any county collection in the
state. The collections are catalogued and are found at Judge Anderson's
office. All have been placed at the disposal of the editors of the present
work.
Dr. Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge, the compiler of this work, became inter-
ested in the field of research in Trempealeau County in the summer of
1916, after ten years of research in Minnesota, and has devoted over a
year to the preparation of this work, compiling the material already gath-
ered, examining all available manuscripts and published material, closely
studying the records, soliciting manuscript contributions, and interviewing
leading citizens. He has been ably assisted by people in all parts of the
county.
The gentlemen originally appearing on the prospectus were John C.
Gaveney, Arcadia; George Gale, Galesville; E. E. Barlow, Arcadia; W. E.
Bishop, Arcadia; Bert A. Gipple, Galesville; E. F. Hensel, Whitehall; Dr.
A. H. Kulig, Dodge ; N. H. Carhart, Trempealeau Prairie ; B. M. Sletteland,
Pigeon Falls; William Nicholls, Caledonia; L. M. Pittenger, Trempealeau;
John A. Markham, Independence; H. F. Claussen, Ettrick; Frank Smith,
Osseo ; C. 0. Dahl, Osseo ; Clarence P. Larson, Eleva, and Charles J. Gibson,
Blair.
For the most part the authors of the contributions are indicated with
their articles. In addition to these W. E. Bishop is the author of the article
on the early settlement of Arcadia, Mrs. Ida Gibson Englesby of the article
on the settlement of Albion, Earl F. Hensel of the article on Blair, Nathan
H. Carhart of the article on Trempealeau Prairie and Bert A. Gipple of
the article on the newspapers. Bert A. Gipple, Earl F. Hensel, John C.
Gaveney, J. P. Larson, Claude Burton, John A. Markham and others have
assisted in reading manuscripts and proofs. At Whitehall assistance was
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY 913
rendered by H. A. Anderson, Paudor K. Risberg, Morris Hanson, Eugene
F. Kidder, E. E. Barlow, Ed. Erickson, Dan P. Gibson, C. J. Van Tassel,
Charles B. Melby, Robert S. Cowie, Fred E. Beach, Earl F. Hensel, 0. J.
Eggum, Peter H. Johnson, Sigvald N. Hegge, Evan Hegge, C. A. Adams,
David Wood and Miss Francina Chaffee. Mr. Barlow, the efficient district
attorney, placed his office at the disposal of the compiler, and all the county
officers assisted with the work on the records. Judge E. C. Higbee also ren-
dered assistance. At Arcadia help was secured from E. E. Barlow, Emil
Maurer, Robert Barlow, W. E. Bishop, Daniel Bigham, J. M. Fertig, Jay I.
Dewey, Frank C. Richmond, George Schmidt, J. C. Muir, William C. Bohrn-
stedt, Emil F. Rotering, Leof K. Strand, 0. B. Strouse, Dr. G. N. Hidershide,
Albert Hess, Casper Wohlgenant, Henry Wirtengerger and others. John
C. Gaveney assisted in gathering all of the Arcadia material and reviewed
it after it was written. At Independence help was rendered by John A.
Markham, George H. Markham, James N. Hunter, Mrs. Ada Markham,
E. Scott Hotchkiss, Dr. C. F. Peterson, Jacob Jackson, Paul T. Schultze,
Paul Sura, A. Garthus, Frank Hotchkiss, J. F. Kulig and Philip M. and
William L. Lambert. At Osseo E. J. Matchett, W. S. Gilpin and D. L.
Remington furnished information.. At Strum J. P. Hanson and Claude
Burton were the helpers. At Eleva, A. U. Gibson, Mrs. Ida Gibson Englesby
and others were the helpers. E. K. Edison furnished material about Chim-
ney Rock Township. Mrs. E. D. Pierce, A. A. Gibbs and George H. Squier
helped at Trempealeau. At Galesville assistance was rendered by the
genial mayor and ex-assemblyman, A. T. Twesme; the efficient editor,
Bert A. Gipple ; the pioneer, George Gale ; the state oil inspector, Charles
F. Hewitt; the banker and senator, E. F. Clark, and the clergyman and
college president, L. M. Gimmestad. At Blair information was gathered
by the editor from Simon Berseng, Henry Thorsgaard and Charles J.
Gibson, while Judge Hensel gathered his material from the records and
from personal interviews. Nathan H. Carhart helped with West Prairie
and Centerville. Bankers, newspaper editors and clergymen have furnished
information regarding their own institutions. Frank B. Seymour, general
superintendent of the Green Bay; T. A. Polleys, tax commissioner of the
Northwestern, and C. A. Leggo, assistant secretary of the Omaha, have
sent material from their records.
The chapter on the Early Explorers was reviewed by Dr. Milo M.
Quaife and Dr. Louise Phelps Kellogg of the Wisconsin Historical Society
and by Dr. Solon J. Buck and Franklin F. Holbrook of the Minnesota His-
torical Society. Benjamin F. Shambaugh of the Iowa Historical Society
has furnished information. The secretaries of other historical societies
have also rendered helpful suggestions.
INDEX TO BIOGRAPHIES
Ackley, Paul 447
Amotli, George 522
Aimiiidson, Charles J 623
Amundson, Christian 459
Antlerson, Andrew 723
Anderson, Andrew W 547
Anderson, Bennett 548
Anderson, Cornell H 625
Anderson, Ever B 548
Anderson, Gilbert 549
Anderson, Henrv 625
Anderson, Morris 723
Anderson, Ole J 454
Andreson, Charles H 623
Andriesen, Weib 351
Arnold, Alexander A 290
Asylum Trempealeau County 383
Augustine, Clarence 452
Augustine, Frank 452
Augustine, Joseph 452
Auto Sales Co 547
Axness, Albert K 691
Baardscth, Albert J 335
Baalrud, Gilbert 451
Babbitt, Marvin T 445
Barr, Irwin R 348
Barr, Samuel 347
Bartholomew, William E 306
Bartle, William 401
Bautch, Albert 759
Bauteh, Albert J 760
Beach, Charles Grant 295
Beach, Joseph Barnes 294
Bcardsley, Bostwiek 350
Beardslev, Oscar E 351
Beardsley, Otto 353
Beck, Andrew A 308
Beck, John 307
Beck, Rov E 308
Becker, Peter V 436
Beirne, Andrew J 584
Beirne, James C 523
Bell, Willis A 439
Berg, Iver A 538
Berg, John A 431
Bergeson, Tolef 318
BestuI, Rev. Christian Brandt 540
Beswick, Chester, Jr 609
Bibbv, John M 361
Bibbv, Richard 648
Bilibv, Thomas 360
Bibbv, Thomas W 360
Bigham, Daniel 705
Bigham, Ellis G 739
Bigham, John 769
Birchard, Walter 339
Bishop, Collins 732
Bishop, Winfred E 734
Blue, John Jacob 320
Bohrnstedt, John 434
Bohrnstedt, William G 688
Bolcng, Christ L 611
Borsheim, Ole B 453
Breitcnfield, Theodore A 559
Brekke, Andrew A 647
Brekke, Olav A 647
Brenengan, Charles L 523
Brenengen, Christian N 344
Brenengen, Johanas N 540
Brenengen, John N 3^7
Bright, Robert 441
Bright, William A 440
Brohelden, Anton P 521
Broni, Frank 778
Brom, John F 735
Brom, Martin 779
Brom, Mathias 778
Brom, Wheat 777
Brophy, Richard 587
Brovoid, Archie J 347
Brovold, Sever J 346
Brownlee, John 764
Bue, Odell S 323
Busby, John 740
Busbv, Oliver 688
Butman, Ernest H 344
Butman, Frank Melton 323
Butman, Stark 524
Button, J. C 349
Call, John A 622
Call, John H 599
Callahan, Peter J 579
Cance, James E 486
Cardinal, Samuel 622
Carhart, Nathan H 393
Carlson, Carl T 477
Carslev, George Asbury 763
Carson, John 620
Casey, Maurice 584
Casey, Maurice, Sr 583
Central Trading Association 386
Chappell, Darius D 383
Christiansen, George, M. D 525
Christianson, Hans 484
Christiauson, Malncr P 706
Christianson, Ole P 706
Christophersen, Rev. Einar B 715
Christophersen, Rev. Emanuel 714
Cillev, Darwin C 653
Cillev, David C 653
Clark, Eugene F 288
Clark, Isaac 289
Clausscn, Hans F 485
Comstock, Xoah D 672
Conrad, William Henry 483
Corcoran, John B 582
Cowie, George 287
Cowie, Robert S 286
Cox, Albert G 651
Cox, Henry A 387
Coy, George A 713
Cram, Almon Everett 358
Cripps, Frederick C 703
Cripps, Giles 702
915
916
INDEX TO BIOGRAPHIES
Cripps, Giles E 624
Crogaii, Peter 482
Crosen, John H 389
Crouch, William 290
Dahl, Christian 0 596
Dahl, Lars .1 630
Dale, Ivan George 497
Dale, Joseph 703
Dale, N. E 526
Dale, Svend H 498
Danuser, Leonard E 748
Danuser, Ralph W 748
Davidson, Anton 448
Davidson, David L 620
Davidson, John Y 337
Davidson, William 400
Davis, Ben W 301
Dewey, Daniel C 716
Dewey, Jay 1 717
Dick,' William H 500
Dissmore, David R 518
Dopp, John C 338
Durisch, John 731
Dutton, Isaac Arthur 341
Duxburv, Herbert 531
Edison, C. K 593
Eggum, Ole J 312
Eid, Ole Gulbrandsoii 772
Eid, Gilbert 0 772
Eide, Lars 459
Eide, Paul 555
Eimon, Iver 649
Ekern, Alexander J 423
Ekern, Peter 686
Elkintou, Charles H., M. D 701
Elland, John 437
EUiason, Edward Christian 420
Emerson, Alfred Edward 422
Enghagen, Bernt 1 428
Enghagen, Iver P 427
Enghagen, Nicholas 429
Enghagen, Peter J 298
Englesbv, Edward S 640
English,' Daniel 672
English, Michael 671
Erickson, Edward 693
Erickson, Hans C 319
Erickson, John 456
Erickson, John 692
Erickson, Ole 461
Evenson, Andrew 474
Evenson, August 690
Evenson, Bernt 0 421
Evenson, Peter 549
Everson, Ebert S 659
Everson, Henry 1 698
Everson, Syver 659
Fagerland, Nels S 638
Field, Chester 1 618
Field, Robert C 667
Field, Stoddard 668
Flemington, Alexander B 792
Ford, Clif 355
Ford, Mrs. Lizzie D 356
Francar, Eniile 453
Fredrickson, Nels L 704
Fredrickson, Ole 633
Freeman, George Young 292
Fremstad, Albert H 627
Fremstad, Anton H 438
French, Edmund C, D. D. S 617
French, Ernest E., D. D. S 617
French, Stanley Clark 402
Freng, Anton N 619
Gale, George 295
Gale, George, Jr 297
Gallawav, E. Jennie 328
Gallawav, William 325
Ganrud,' Ole 603
Garthus, Amund 664
Gaveney, James 673
Gaveney, John C 674
George, Frank A 631
Getts, Edmond C 313
Getts, Henrv E 313
Gibbs, Arthur A 313
Gibbs, George Grant 315
Gibbs, Oliver E 317
Gibson, Arthur A 325
Gibson, Charles J 779
Gibson, Dan P 701
Gibson, William 700
Gilbertson, Alfred E 331
Gilbertson, John F 695
Gilbertson, John 0 330
Gilbertson, Ole 616
Gilpin, William S 616
Gimmestad, Rev. Lars M 306
Gipple, Benjamin F 302
Gipple, Bert A 303
Giuul, George 614
Glassford, Arthur 328
Gleason, Andrew 722
Goodhue, Alletta Dixon 789
Goodhue, Francis Asburv 788
Goplin, August E ' 652
Goplin, Ludwig 0 517
Grant, Duncan 491
Grant, Robert 503
Grant, William D 504
Graul, George W 707
Graves, Fred Warren 507
Graves, Warren A 510
Grover, Archelaus 499
Grover, John 514
Growt, Charles Henrv 315
Gullord, Olaf C ' 613
Gunderson, Martin, Jr 749
Gunderson, Samuel 666
Gunderson, Torger 666
Hagen, Alfred 613
Hagen, Edward M 444
Hagen, Erie 591
Hagen, Fred 539
Hagen, Thomas M 446
Hagestad, Andrew C 604
Hagestal, Knut K 454
Haines, Adam 794
Haines, Christian 758
Haines, Edward 721
Haines, George 720
Haines, John 794
Haines, Joseph W 758
Halderson, Albert 376
Halderson, James 0 484
Hallanger, John B 373
Hallanger, Knut K 373
Hallanger, Knudt P 371
Halverson, Christ 795
INDEX TO BIOGRAPHIES
917
Halverson, Edward 79-j
Halvorson, Halvor J 641
Hammer, Ludwig N 302
Hammer, M. N 359
Hammond, George 413
Hankey, E. J 378
Hansaasen, Lars Mikkleson 423
Hanson, Edwin C 575
Hanson, Henry M 463
Hanson, James 681
Hanson, Johannes P 656
Hanson, Lars 684
Hanson, Morris 545
Hanson, Odell 362
Hanson, Ole C 443
Hanson, Peter 656
Hanson, Samuel 685
Hanson, Theodore M 526
Hardie, La Verd Ernest 369
Hare, Claud Harrison 576
Harlow, William E 644
Harmon, Thomas 368
Hartman, Frank J 536
Hass, George M. and Walter R 374
Haug, Ole 638
Hange, Thomas H 655
Heald, Elizabeth 476
Heath, Perry 787
Hegge, Eveii A 639
Hegge, Nels F 639
Hegge, Sigvald N 517
Hellekson, Andrew M 416
Helstad, Ole 0 374
Henry, Edward J 611
Henry, William 611
Hensel, August F. . . : 681
Hensel, Augustus W 683
Hensel, Earl F 775
Hensel, Iven L., D. D. S 683
Hensel, Julius 774
Hermann, Walter 365
Herreid, Gilbert M 367
Herreid, Gilbert Olson 366
Herreid, Ole G 559
Herreid, Peter T 389
Herreid, Thomas P 368
Herreid, Tosten G 417
Hess, Albert 676
Hewitt, Charles F 411
Hewitt, John Charles 714
Hewitt, Mark R 410
Hidorshide, George N., M. D 754
Hogan, Thomas 557
Hogdeu, Christian J 370
Hokland, Frederick N 610
Holmes, Arthur Atwood 376
Holmes, Charles Francis 375
Holtan, Hans 558
Holtan, Richard H 558
Holte, Even 636
Hoi)kins, Florison D 726
Hopkins, James 724
Hotchkiss, E. Scott 766
Hotchkiss, Frank A 767
Hotz, Jacob 679
Hovre, Ole 0 624
Hulberg, Bernhard 662
Hulberg, Conrad 663
Huleatt , Clarence F 388
Huleatt, Thomas P 388
Hume, Bert L 610
Hunter, James N 613
Hunter, John 363
Hunter, Thomas 529
Hunter, Thomas R 364
Hunter, Walter 577
Hunter, William 613
Huslegard, Emil 635
Hutchins, Byron L 642
Hysloji, William 6 556
Immell, Elmer L 392
Immell, Omer F 628
Instenes, Gustave M 633
Instenes, Sever 541
Instenes, Sven 633
Instenes, John S 542
Instenes, Lewis 0 542
Irvine, James 358
Irvine, John Quinton 358
Isom, Alva E 609
Isom, David 608
Jacobsen, Amos 554
Jacobson, Henry A 444
James, Roy E 536
Jegi, Henry A 503
Jegi, Simon 502
Johnson, Gust G 607
Johnson, John S 502
Johnson, Louis 475
Johnson, Martin 719
Johnson, Ole T 501
Johnson, Oscar B 341
Johnson, Peter 791
Johnson, Peter H 386
Johnson, Sanf ord J 527
Johnson, Thomas 440
Jones, John W 345
Jones, J. Reese 606
Jones, Milo Albert 530
Kass, Cyrus 304
Keith, Lincoln S 515
Kellman, Frank A 512
Kellman, J. Alfred 513
Kidder, Eugene J 549
Kiekhoef er, Albert C 765
Kittlcson, Carl L 343
Khindby, Andrew J 791
Knudtson, Knut A 607
Knutson, Andres 506
Knutson, John A 506
Knutson, Knut S 393
Knutson, George W 793
Knutson, Julius 0 395
Koei)ke, Frank L 753
Kolden, Christian 712
Koldcn, Ole 712
Konz, John, Jr 606
Kopp, Henrv 329
Kopp, William E 326
Kribs, Philip G 516
Kronschnabl, Peter 719
Kube, Henrv 800
Kube, Rudolph 800
Ladd, Lorengo D 308
Ladd, Moses E 385
Lamberson, Albert J 601
Lamberson, George W 663
Lamberson, John C 663
Larson, Clarence P 642
Larson, Lars P 425
918
INDEX TO BIOGRAPHIES
Larson, Louis N., M. D. C 751
Larson, Ole E 487
Larson, O. P 299
Larson, Ray H 644
Latseh, John 785
Latsch, John A 785
Lee, Anton M 323
Lee, Sim E 606
Letcrski, Louis 783
Levis, Clark M 604
Levis, William K 604
Lewis, John D 743
Linderman Glenn 0 768
Linderman, James L 652
Linderman, Philo J 768
Liver, Anton W 603
Lomsdahl, Tom 605
Losinski, Andrew, Sr 740
Losinski, Andrew, Jr 741
Ijovlieu, Andrew F 629
Lovlien, Olnf [ 629
Lovlien. Ole F 532
Lowe, Fred W 588
Lyngdal, Lars M 635
McCallum, Daniel Levi 300
MeDonah, James 461
McKeeth, Carl 304
McKivergin, James 382
MeKivergin, John 382
McWain, Everett 399
McWeeney, Edward B 736
Mailer, William P., D. D. S 797
Maionpv, James 640
Manning, John 781
Markham, Arthur A 709
Markham, George A 585
Markham, George H 708
Markham, John 707
Markham, John A 710
Marsh, James A 422
Mattison, Thomas 661
Mattison, Edwin T [\ 395
Mattison, Mattis 661
Mattson, Eichard 595
Maurer, Emil 707
Mauer, John 726
Meier, George 678
Melhv, Anton 0 286
Melby, Charles B 285
Melby, Jennie L 284
Melbr, John O [ ' ' 283
Mikkelson, Gilbert 528
Mitskogen, Olaus 0 384
Moen, Halvor K 670
Molstad, Smith 396
Moltzau, Paul H 599
Mork, Ole, M. D 396
Mortenson, Hans H ' 643
Muir, James 767
Myers, Peter 77O
Myhers, Jakob T , ,[ 598
Myhers, Thomas J., D. V. M 597
Myhre, Anton A 597
Myhre, Olaf M ,[[ 540
Nash, John W 543
Nelsestuen, Thomas P 489
Nelson, Frederick 704
Nelson, G. (; 796
Nelson, Joseph P 556
Nelson, Peter 555
Nelton, Peter 669
Nicholls, William 790
Nieholls, William, Sr 789
Nieols, Dell 595
Nordhus, Paul 488
Odell, Levi L 363
Ofsdahl, Andrew P 509
Olds, George H 295
Olsen, Axel K., M. D 521
Olson, Adolph C 569
Olson, Ever A., M. D 581
Olson, Jorgen 637
Olson, Louis Crawford 572
Olson, Ludwig C 535
Olson, Marcus 571
Olson, Olof C 750
Olson, Theodore B 753
Olson, Tobias 508
Olson, Tobias M 594
Onsrud, Ole 0 321
Oppengaard, John 510
Orke, Be V. A. J 780
Owen, Rev. Thomas Grafton 775
Paine, Frank R 746
Palmer, Judson A., M. D 669
Pederson, Albert M 380
Pederson, Bent 657
Pederson, Iver 379
Pederson, Gunarius G. Eognrud 647
Pederson, Jacob 602
Pederson, Mathias T 490
Pederson, Nels 493
Pederson, Peter J 492
Perkins, John A 397
Peterson, Ador G 568
Peterson, Albert B 638
Peterson, Basil 1 656
Peterson, Charles F., M. D 580
Peterson, Ernest A 657
Peterson, H. George 592
Peterson, John 718
Peterson, Peter C 550
Phillips, Donald M., D. D. S 569
Pierce, Ebcn Douglas, M. D 761
Pierce, Henry E...* 762
Pierson, James Saurin 496
Pietrck, Walentine 782
Pinorsky, Mike 494
Pittenger, Abraham 495
Pittenger, Luther Melville 495
Polvlilank, John C 409
Poss, John P 492
Proctor, Richard 757
Proctor, Mrs. Sophia 757
Quammen, Edward L 406
Quammen, Lars 406
Quarne, Edward E 468
Raichle, Christian 432
Raichle, John 626
Raichle, John 433
Raichle, William F 433
Raichle, William 433
Rail, George 513
Reck, August 776
Reek, George 777
Reitzel, George 703
Rekstad, Sivert 578
Remington, D. L 589
INDEX TO BIOGRAPHIES
919
Eemington, Ernest H 586
Remlinger, Louis 771
Ehodes, Joshua 408
Rice, Gilbert S 546
Eichmond, Stephen 744
Rindahl, Olof 435
Eing, John 586
Einglien, Andrew J 550
Risberg, Paudor K 552
Eobbe, Henrv N 591
Robbe, Nils H 592
Eognlien, Martin M 590
Eognlien, Nicholas M 589
Eogurud, Albert G 646
Eogurud, Gunarius G. Pederson 647
Romundstad, Michael J 575
Rotering, EmU F 741
Rumpel, John A 582
Runnestrand, Knudt E 566
Ruseliug, Henry 699
Russell, Henrj- 573
Sagen, Alfred N 470
Sagen, John M 469
Sagen, Oscar T 309
Sanders, Leland S 481
Sauer, Albert F 694
Sauer, William 694
Searseth, Charles M 468
Searscth, Idius B 470
Searseth, Marenius M 467
Schaller, John H 418
Schansherg, Louis J 570
Schmidt, George 738
Schmidt, Joachim 538
Schmidt, Joachim J 538
Schmidt, John 737
Schneider, John J 677
Scholz, Daniel 749
Schuman, Fred 475
Scow, Albert Mark 678
Scow, Matt 678
Seiler, C. F. W 665
Selck, William H 748
Sentv, Anton 668
Sesvold, Charles Adolph 411
Sesvold, Ole 407
Shephard, Henrv C, Jr 553
Shonat, George B 415
Shonat, Warner E 478
Sielaff, Eheinhold 465
Skjeic, Martin H 654
Skogstad, Mattinus J 534
Skogstad, Mel vin P 580
Skroch, Peter C 574
Skroeh, Simon 574
Skulhus, Peter 0 632
Skumlien, Andrew K 519
Skumlien, Ole C 519
Skvrud, Madts M 528
Sletteland, Ben M 687
Smith, Adam 798
Smith, Edward D 799
Smith, Frank M 666
Smith, Frederick A 577
Smith, James W 578
Smith, William A 419
Solsrud, Ludwig L 381
Sorenson, David M 562
Sorenson, Eugene A 380
Speestra, Seth S 626
Sprecher, John 696
Sprecher, Walter E 697
Squier, George Hull 479
Squier, Rev. James 480
Staff, Jens J., Jr 472
Steig, Frederick C 660
Steig, Gilbert F 561
Stellpfiug, Frederick John 473
Stellpflug, Joseph C 407
Steudahl, Ole T 690
Stoner, Parley 412
Strand, Knudt Leofson 728
Strand, Leof K 730
Strum, Paul Olson 466
Stutlien, Ebert K 402
Sura, Paul 571
Sutcliffe, John 414
Suttie, Willis W 792
Sveum, Christian E 650
Swaim, Lars L 352
Sylfest, Ole 661
Symonds. Frederick Martin 310
Tallman, Algernon P 629
Tappeu, Julius 0 493
Tenneson, Tennes 472
Thomas, C. 0 568
Thomas, Cullen A 460
Thomas, Peter 339
Thomasgaard, Ole 0 567
Thompson, Allen B 564
Thompson, Bert 614
Thompson, Carl 569
Thompson, John 618
Thompson, Olaus 569
Thompson, Soren 337
Thompson, William, Sr 620
Thompson, William C 797
Thorsgaard, Henrv 336
Tjoflat, Amund G.' 553
Tobe v, Horace N 405
Tomt'er, Ole 52?
Toraason, Goodwin, D. D. S 340
Torgerson, Christ 645
Torgerson, Edward 752
Torkelson, Albert 658
Towner, John C 401
Towner, William K 404
Trim, George A 357
Trim, William 448
Trowbridge, Henry R 773
Trowbridge, Hiram 1 774
Truog, Thomas, Sr 784
Truog, Thomas, Jr 795
Tubbs, Frank 737
Tubbs, Lorenzo D 737
Tucker, David C 528
Twcsme, Albert T 457
Twesme, Nels J 458
Uhl, Frank A 531
Uhl, Peter J 504
Uhl, Philip 505
TJnderheim, Lars K 354
Van Gorden, Clyde S 565
Van Gorden, S." H 566
Van Sickle, Levi 713
Van Sickle, William 713
Van Tassel, Clarence J 799
Van Tassel, Robert 801
Void, Anton, D. D. S 520
920
INDEX TO BIOGRAPHIES
Wadleigh, William Samuel 309
Wagstad, John 563
"Waller, Lemuel H 535
Waller, Oliver 564
Warner, Raymond K 699
Warner, Euf us C 699
Webb, William J 551
Weeks, Edward D 615
Wenger, Christian G 747
Weverstad, Lars H 646
Whalen, Thomas A 426
White, William 645
Wilber, Edwin E 332
Wilber, Elmer Elsworth 333
Wilber, Francis M 334
Wilcox, Mrs. Thomas D 429
Wilcox, Dean G 430
Williams, Delbert G 563
Willinger, William 428
Witt, Ferdinand 560
Wohlgenant, Caspar 676
Wolfe, Phillip 710
Wolfe, William E 711
Wood, David 551
Wood, Frank 560
Wood, Ralph W 643
Wyman, William A 533
York, Charles F 530
Young, Frank W 562
Young, Walter D 544
Ystenes, Oscar 507
Zeller, F. Carl 724
INDEX TO PORTRAITS
Amundsen, Mr. and Mrs. Amuud 555
Anderson, A. W 547
Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew 723
Anderson, Eldridge 723
Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Morris 723
Andriesen, Wieb, aufj Family 351
Babbitt, Mr. and Mrs. M. T 445
Barr, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel 347
Beach, ,T. B 294
Bell, William A., and Family 439
Berg, J. A., and Family ' 431
Berge, Mr. and Mrs. Jens 719
Bergeson, Tolef 318
Bestul, Rev. and Mrs. Christian B 540
Beswiek, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Chester 609
Beswick, Jr., Chester 609
Bibby, John M., and Family 361
Bibbv, Mr. and Mrs. Joshua 360
Bishop, Collins 734
Bishop, W. E 734
Bohrnstedt, Mr. and Mrs. John 434
Boleng, C. L., and Family 611
Borreson, Mr. and Mrs. Hans 650
Brekke, Mr. and Mrs. O. A 647
Bright, Mr. and Mrs. Robert 441
Butman, Mr. and Mrs. Stark 524
Call, John H., and Familv 599
Carhart, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan H 393
Chappell, Mr. and Mrs. D. D 383
Christophersen, Rev. and Mrs. Einar B. . . 715
Christophersen, Rev. and Mrs. Emanuel.. 715
Christophersen, Mr. and Mrs. G. B 497
Church of Our Ladv of Perpetual Help . . 843
Cilley, Mr. and Mrs. David C 653
Clark, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene F 288
Cripps, Mr. and Mrs. Giles 624
Cowie, Mr. and Mrs. Robert S 286
Cox, Henvy A., and Family 387
Crosen, Mr. and Mrs. John H 389
Dahl, C. 0 596
Dale, Mr. and Benjamin 497
Dale, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph 497
Dale, Ivan G 497
Davidson, William, and Family 400
Dissmore, David R., and Family 518
Dissmore, Rev. and Mrs. George 518
Dopp, John C, and Family 338
Dutton, Isaac Arthur, and Family 341
Edison, C. K., and Family 593
Eid, Gilbert O., and Familv 772
Eid, Mr. and Mrs. G. 0 772
Eid, Mr. and Mrs. Ole Gulbrandson 772
Eide, Mr. and Mrs. John 555
Eide, Paul, and Family 555
Eimon, Iver 649
Ekern, A. J., and Family 423
Ekcrn, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew 423
921
Ekern, Mr. and Mrs. Peter 687
Elkinton, Dr. C. H., and Family 701
Engen, Mr. and Mrs. O. 0 427
Enghagen, Mr. and Mrs. B. 1 427
Enghagen, Mr. and Mrs. Iver P 427
Enghagen, Nicholas, and Family 423
Erickson, Edward 693
Evenson, Mr. and Mrs. August 690
Everson, Ebert S., and Family 659
Francar, Eniile 453
Fremstad, Mr. and Mrs. Hans A 627
Fremstad, Albert H., and Family 627
Field, R. C ' 668
Field, Stoddard 668
Fredriekson, Ole, and Family 633
Fredrickson, Nels L., and Family 704
French, Mr. and Mrs. Henry 402
French, Stanley C, and Family 402
Gale, Sr., George 295
Gale, Jr., George 295
Gallaway, E. Jennie 325
Gallawa.y, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac 325
Gallaway, William 325
Garthus, Mr. and Mrs. Amund 664
Gaveney, John C 674
Geological Plate No. 1 23
Geoige, Frank A 631
Gipple, Bert A 303
Goplin, August, and Family 652
Granrud, Mr. and Mrs. Ole 602
Grant, Duncan, and Family. 491
Grant, Mr. and Mrs. Robert 503
Graves, Fred W 507
Grover, Mr. and Mrs. Archelaus 499
Gulbrandson, Mr. and Mrs. Ole Eid 772
Gunderson, Mr. and Mrs. Sam 666
Gunderson, Mr. and Mrs. Torger 666
Gunderson, Mr. and Mrs. Tosten 719
Hagen, Erie 564
Hagestad, A. C, and Family 604
Hagestad, Mr. and Mrs. K. K 604
Haines, Edward, and Family 721
Halderson, Albert, and Family 376
Halderson, J. O., and Family 484
Hallanger, Mr. and Mrs. Knut K 373
Hammond, George, and Family 413
Hansaasen, Mr. and Mrs. Lars M 423
Hanson, Morris 545
Hanson, J. P., and Family 656
Hardie, Mr. and Mrs. L. E 369
Hauck, Rev. .Joseph L 843
Hauge, T. H., and Family 655
Hegge, Mr. and Mrs. Even A 639
Hegge, Mr. and Mrs. Nels F 639
Hellekson, A. M., and Family 416
Hensel, Mr. and Mrs. Earl F 775
Herroid, Gilbert O., and Family 366
Hes^, Albert, and Family ' 676
Hewitt, Mr. and Mrs. John C 714
Hidersliide, George X., M. D 754
Hogan, Thomas, and Family 557
922
INDEX TO PORTRAITS
Holtan, Mr. and Mrs. Richard H., and
Sons 558
Hotehkiss, Mr. and Mrs. E. Scott 765
Homestad, Jacob Pederson, and Family. 602
Hopkins, F. D 726
Hotz, Jacob 679
.Johnson, Martin, and Family 719
Jones, Mr. and Mrs. J. W., and Grand-
child 345
Knudtson, Mr. and Mrs. K. A., and Daugh-
ter 607
Koldcn, Christian, and Family 712
Kolden, 01c, and Family 712
Kopp, Mr. and Mrs. Henry 329
Lamberson, Mr. and Mrs. John C 663
Lamberson, Orson S 663
Larson, Clarence P 642
Larson, Lina W. (Mrs. O. P.) 300
Larson, O. E 487
Larson, O. P 299
Lee, A. M., and Family 323
Lone Mound Farm, William Nichols, Prop. 789
Lovlien, Mr. ami Mrs. Fred 0., and Chil-
dren 532
Lovlien, Olo F., and Family 532
Lowe, Fred W., and Family 588
Lowe, Mr. and Mrs. Wessel 588
Lowe, William, and Family 588
Maloney, Mr. and Mrs. David 640
Maloney, James, and Family 640
Markhani Castle, Ronceval 707
Markham, Mr. and Mrs. George A 708
Markham, Mr. and Mrs. George H 708
Melbv, Anton 0 286
Melb'v, Charles B 283
Melbv, Jennie L. (Mrs. John O.) 283
Melby, John O Frontispiece
Mikkelson, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert 528
Nclton, Peter, and Family 669
Nicholls, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. William 790
Nieholls, William, and Family 790
Odcll, Harlan Sumner 363
Odcll, Mr. and Mrs. L. L 363
Olson, Dr. E. A., and Family 581
Olson, Jorgen, and Family 637
Olson, Ludwig C, and Family 535
Onsrud, Mr. and Mrs. Ole 0 321
Orke, Eev. and Mrs. A. J 780
Pederson, Mr. and Mrs. Gunarius G.
Rognrud 647
Pederson, Jacob (Homestad), and Family 602
Perkins, Mr. and Mrs. John, and Daugh-
ter 397
Peterson, Mr. and Mrs. A. B 658
Peterson, Basil 1 656
Peterson, Ernest A 656
Pierce, Eben D., M. D 761
Proctor, Mr. and Mrs. Richard 757
Quamman, Lars, and Family 406
Eekstad, Sivert, and Family .* 578
Rhodes, Mr. and Mrs. Joshua 408
Rice, Gilbert S., and Family 546
Risberg, Paudor K., and Family 552
Rogers, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred H 708
Rognrud, Mr. and Mrs. Gunarius G. Ped-
erson 647
Romundsfad, Mr. and Michael J 575
Romundstad, Mr. and Mrs. Ole J 575
Ronceval, the Markham Castle 707
Rotcring, Emil F 741
Russell, Henry, and Family 573
Russell, Mr. and Mrs. William 573
Sanders, L. S 481
Scarseth, C M., and Family 468
Scarseth, Idius B., and Family 470
Scarseth, M. M., and Family 467
Schansberg, L. J., and Family 570
Schmidt, George 73S
Schmidt, Jr., Joachim, and Family 538
Schmidt, Sr., Mr. and Mr.s. Joachim.... 538
Schuman, Fred, and Family 475
Seller, C. F. W., and Family 665-
Seiler, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick 665
Senty, Anton, and Family 668
Shonat, George B., and Family 415-
Shonat, Mr. and Mrs. W. R 478
Skumlien, Ole C, and Family 519
Slcttelaud, Mr. and Mrs. B. M 687
Smith, W. A., and Family 419
Soreuson, Eugene A., and Family 380
Sprechcr, Caroline (Mrs. John) 696
Sprechcr, John 696
Sprecher, Walter E 697
Steig, Frederick C, and Family 660
Strand, Mr. and Mrs. Knudt L 730
Strand, Mr. and Mrs. Leof K 730
Strum, Mr. and Mrs. Paul 0 466
Sveum, C. E., and Family 650
Sylfest, Ole, and Family 661
Tappen, Julius O., and Family 493
Thomas, Cullen, and Family 460
Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. Peter 460
Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Bert 614
Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. John, and Fam-
ilV 618
Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. William 620
Tibbitts, Mr. and Mrs. A. P 463
Tomter, John L., and Family 522
Tomter, Ole, and Family 522
Towner, Mr. and Mrs. John C 401
Trim, William and Family 448
Twesme, A. T 457
Underheim, Lars K., and Family 354
Wadleigh, W. S 309
Waller, Oliver 564
Weeks, Mr. and Mrs. Edward D 615'
Wilber, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin R 334
Wilber, E. E., and Family 333
Wilber, F. M., and Family 334
Witt, Ferdinand, and Family 560
York, Mr. and Mrs. Abel 530
York, Charles F., and Family 530
Zimmer, Mr. and Mrs. John .Jacob 624
H 122 81
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