History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 1

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1919
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 885

USA > Wisconsin > Buffalo County > History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2) > Part 1
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO

AND PEPIN

COUNTIES

ONSIN

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F 587 B9 C8 1990z v. 2

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ATE HISIC sbs

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1846 OF WIS

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HISTORY OF BUFFALO AND PEPIN COUNTIES WISCONSIN

COMPILED BY FRANKLYN CURTISS-WEDGE

VOLUME II

ILLUSTRATED

WINONA, MINN. H. C. COOPER, JR., & CO. 1919

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F 527 B9 C8 17902. V. 2

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CHRISTIAN SEVERSON AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF BUFFALO AND PEPIN COUNTIES

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Christ Severson, a well known farmer of Modena township, Buffalo county, is a native of this township, having been born in a log house on the farm of his parents, John and Mary Severson, Nov. 17. 1868. The parents were born in Norway, but were married in Wisconsin, and located in Buf- falo county, about 1857. John Severson taking 160 acres of wild land in section 6, Modena township. There he built a log house in which his son, Christ, was afterwards born. His early farming operations were carried on with the aid of an ox team and he and his wife went through most of the experiences common to the pioneer settlers, taking produce to market on his back and bringing home supplies in the same manner. His wife died when the subject of his sketch was quite young, but he survived her many years, and died at Urnes Corners. at the age of 75. They were members of the Norwegian Lutheran church in Church valley, which he helped to build. Of their five children, Christ was the third in order of birth. He attended the district school and grew up on the home farm, where he began industrial life, at the age of 15, commencing to work out. When he was 28 years old he married Anna Olson, daughter of Ole Olson, of Modena township, and began farming independently on 160 acres of land in section 28, Modena township, where he is now located. The place was slightly improved and had an old log building on it, which he has since replaced as a residence with a nice brick house of ten rooms and closets. He has also built a barn, 60 by 36 feet in size, together with other necessary struc- tures, and has bought ten acres more land. In 1918 he erected a horse barn, 60 by 20 feet, and a silo, 30 by 12 feet. He also operates a silo filler with a 6-horsepower gas engine. The farm is stocked with a good grade of Durham cattle, Poland-China hogs, and horses and is yielding satisfac- tory returns for the money and labor invested in it. Mr. and Mrs. Severson have two children, Myrtle and Ella. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

Emil Farner, one of the leading farmers of Waumandee township, Buffalo county, whose residence is in section 21, is also promnient in gov- ernmental affairs, being at the present time a supervisor on the town board. He was born in Waumandee township, Dec. 25, 1871, son of John and Paulina (Ganz) Farner. The parents were natives of Switzerland and came to America in 1857. They had 13 children: Emma, John, Emil, Rosina, Eliza, Alvina, William, Amelia, Henry, John, Jr., Louisa, Albert, and Paulina. John died at the age of 14 years; Rosina, at the age of four, and Paulina, in infancy. The others are now living, as also are the par- ents, the latter being residents of Cochrane Village. Emil Farner, in his youthful days, attended public school, and assisted his father on the farm. After arriving at the age of 20, he worked out for about six years, after which he rented a farm in Waumandee township, and operated it for six years. In 1903 he bought the farm on which he now lives, and which contains about 5731/2 acres, 250 of which are cleared. Mr. Farner is en- gaged mainly in dairying and hog raising, though he also does general farming. In 1912 he built a barn, 36 by 120 feet in size, with a stone base- ment, and his other buildings are all in good condition and adequate to all the purposes of modern farming. His cattle are of the Red Poll variety,

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of which he has a good herd. Mr. Farner is doing a successful business, employing help throughout the year, and he is one of the best known and most substantial citizens of his township. In addition to the office of supervisor, which he now holds, he served four years as township treas- urer, and for eight years has held the office of school director. Mr. Farner was married, Feb. 23, 1897, to Clara Hohmann, who was born in Wauman- dee township, Nov. 22, 1872, daughter of Charles and Wilhelmina (Kirch- ner) Hohmann. She was one of a family of twelve children, namely: William, Otto, Adolph, Albert, Robert, Henry, Clara, Edward, Lillie, Charles, Ann and Alvin. Of these children, Adolph, Henry, Charles and Ann are now deceased, as also is Charles, the father. The latter, who was born in Germany, there learned the trade of baker, but after coming to America engaged in farming in Waumandee township. His death oc- curred in 1902, twelve years after his retirement from active work. His wife is now residing at Fountain City, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Farner are the parents of three children: Raymond, born March 19, 1898; Earl, born Feb. 27, 1904, and Roy, born July 9, 1905. The two latter are attend- ing school. Raymond, who is single, also resides on the home farm.

Otto Serum, who has built up a good farm in Modena township, Buffalo county, which he now is operating successfully, was born in Norway, March 1, 1864, son of Ole and Agnes Serum. The parents spent their lives in their native land of Norway. Of their six children, Otto, Ole, Nels, Christina, Anna and Herman, all came to the United States, except Ole and Nels. Otto, who had learned the trade of tailor, came to this country in April, 1884, locating in Norwegian valley, Nelson township, Buffalo county. He was unable at the time to speak a word of English, but began working for farmers, and at the same time applied himself to learn the language, in which he made quick progress. He had borrowed money to pay for his passage to the United States, and this he paid back as soon as possible, afterwards saving a part of his earnings with the view of becom- ing an independent farmer. At last the day arrived when he found him- self able to realize his ambition, and also to assume domestic responsi- bilities by marrying Louisa Thompson, who was born on the place where he now lives, a daughter of Ole Thompson, one of the early settlers of this locality. Mr. Serum first rented this farm, containing 150 acres, and afterwards purchased it. He has improved the house and built a barn of hexagon shape, 54 feet from one corner to the opposite corner, and is rais- ing a good grade of stock. He has also beautified his place by setting out some nice pine trees and shrubbery, and is now the proprietor of a fine farm. A member of the Lutheran church, he has served on its official board. He and his wife have had eleven children, of whom three-two sons named Carl, and Olof, a daughter-are now deceased. The living are: Anga, now the wife of Dr .. A. C. Lundgren, of Minneapolis; Oscar, Cora, Olga, Edwin, Minerva, Sylvia and Mildred. Anga taught school for seven years, and Cora and Olga have also been teachers.

Louis C. Serum, who is now living retired in Modena, Buffalo county, after a mercantile career of many years, was born in Norway, July 31, 1842, son of Christ F. and Anna Serum, the family name at that time.

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NELS SERUM AND FAMILY

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however, being spelled "Sorum." In 1861 the family, consisting of father and mother, and four children-Louis C., Ole, Nels and Mary-embarked on board a vessel at Bergen, Norway, and four weeks and five days later were landed at Montreal, Canada. From there they proceeded by canal boat to Hamilton, Ontario, thence to Detroit, Mich., from the latter place to Chicago, then to Prairie du Chien, Wis., and finally up the Mississippi river to Alma, Buffalo county. On this long trip they saw some beautiful scenery and many interesting places, but their main object was to find a place where they might build a home, and this they found in Norwegian valley, Nelson township, this county, where the father secured a tract of 40 acres of land. On this he built a log house and began the work of improvement with an ox team. His stock also included a single cow. There he resided for a number of years, making progress on his farm until death called him from his labors. His wife, thus left a widow, lived until 1894, when she died in Church valley, Modena township. Louis C. Serum was about 19 years old when he arrived in Buffalo county. For some time he worked on various farms, but at last his industrial activities took a new direction and he became clerk in the store at the old Farmers' Home in town of Nelson. After being thus employed for a while and getting an insight into business methods, he went to Wabasha, Minn., where he found employ- ment in a store, and afterwards conducted one of his own. About 1885 he returned to Buffalo county, becoming employed in a store in Modena village, where he has ever since resided, having been retired from active work since 1901. For twelve years and seven months he was postmaster of Modena, and for two years served as township treasurer. He is a mem- ber of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and is a bachelor, having never married. During his mercantile career he made many friends and ac- quaintances and gained a personal popularity that has not deserted him.

Nels C. Serum, an early farmer in Modena township, Buffalo county, where he did good pioneer work in developing the soil, was born in Nor- way, Feb. 23, 1848. He was 14 years old when he came to the United States and grew to manhood in Buffalo county. There he was married in 1875, to Anna Urnes, who was born in Norway, Dec. 26, 1848, daughter of Sener and Ingeborg Urnes. She had come to America alone in the early sixties, by sailing vessel, landing at Quebec after a voyage of three weeks and several days. From there she proceeded west to Madison, Wis., from which place she came to Buffalo county. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Serum located on 150 acres of land in section 27, Modena township, moving into an old frame house which stood on the place, and in which they began housekeeping as a young married couple. There was also an old log barn covered with straw, and they had a cow. A few acres of the land had been cleared and the first year Mr. Serum bought a horse team and set resolutely to work to improve conditions and develop a farm. This was no easy task, but was in time accomplished, Mr. Serum being assisted in later years by his sons. He also more than doubled the size of his farm by the purchase of 160 acres more land, and built two barns and a granary. As a prominent citizen of Modena township, he served as township treasurer and was a member of the side board for a number

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of years. In religion he was a Lutheran. Mr. Serum died Oct. 30, 1895. at the age of 47 years.' Though his life had not been prolonged to the ordinary span, he had accomplished a great deal of useful work and was respected as a worthy citizen, good neighbor and competent public official. Since his death his widow and sons have carried on the farm and con- tinued the work of improvement which he started. They have erected the present fine residence, improved the barns, erected a silo, and installed the house with electric light and water, making the place thoroughly up to date and adapted to all the purposes of modern farming. Mr. and Mrs. Serum were the parents of seven children: Christ, who is now a farmer in Modena township; Gertie, wife of Joseph Montague, of Minneapolis; Albert, who lives in Modena township, which he has served as an official; Edward, Sever and Henry, who are operating the home farm, and Emma, married Louis W. Folt, and lives in Minneapolis. The sons are share- holders in the Bank of Modena, while Mrs. Serum owns stock in the creamery here. The family is both prosperous and respected, its members being worthy representatives of the best agricultural class.

Ole Ugulen, proprietor of a good farm of 155 acres, in Modena town- ship, Buffalo county, but who is now living retired, after a long and useful career as an agriculturist, was born in Norway, March 16, 1837, son of Lars and Anna Ugulen. The other members of his parents' family were: John, Carrie, Susie, Gertrude and Peter. Peter, who came first to the United States, served as a soldier in the Civil War. Ole came next, in 1866, accompanied by his wife, Ulga, and one son, Louis. Their first settlement was made at Black Earth, in Dane county, Wisconsin, where they remained for a year. After that they resided two years in Goodhue county, at the end of that time coming to Modena township, Buffalo county, and taking 65 acres of wild land, which forms a part of his pres- ent farm in section 11. It was a wild tract without buildings, and his first task was to build a log house. Oxen were used for his early farming operations and for many years Mr. Ugulen was kept busy in clearing and developing his place, the size of which he increased by additional pur- chases of land to 155 acres. The present house and barn were erected by him, the barn being the second he had built, as the first was destroyed by fire. After a successful career Mr. Ugulen retired, and turned over the management of the place to his son, Louis, who is now conducting it. Mr. Ugulen is a shareholder in the Modena creamery. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, in Modena, which he helped to build, being one of the prime movers in that enterprise. His first wife, Ulga, dying in 1893, he subsequently married Bertha Johnson, a native of Nor- way, who is still living. They are people highly respected, and are in comfortable circumstances, the result of their former industry and thrift. Louis Ugulen, who was town clerk for ten years, is a stockholder in the Farmers' State Bank of Modena, and a director in the Modena Co-operative Telephone Company.

Jens Severson. Among the pioneer settlers of Buffalo county, who took a leading part in advancing the agricultural development of Modena township, was the subject of this sketch, who was born in Lysters Presteg-

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faeld Dale, Sogen, Norway, Dec. 11, 1836, son of Sever and Christie Sever- son. The first members of the family to emigrate to the United States were Jens and his brother, Sever, who came in 1857, locating in Springdale, Dane county, Wisconsin, on May 14, that year. On April 18 Jens and his brother Sever came to Buffalo county, where they met Erick Alme, Ole Hanson, Jens Horeland and Arne Otteson, all friends and comrades from Norway, who had preceded them to this country. Jens and his brother soon sent for the rest of the family, the parents arriving with four of their children-Gertrude, Christie, Olga and Martha. A son, Peter, came later with his family, and another son, Knute, remained in Norway. In 1858 Jens Severson came to Buffalo county and filed on a homestead in section 19, Modena township. It was a tract of 80 acres of wild land, with no road in the vicinity. Here he erected a log building, splitting shingles for the roof. He was fortunate in the possession of an ox team, and for about five years, besides doing work on his own farm, he broke land for others in association with Erik Alme, they owning a breaking team to- gether. Soon after he had filed the claim to his land, Mr. Severson was married, Oct. 14, 1863, to Olena Thompson, who was born in Norway, and who came to this country with her parents in 1854, when eight years old, the voyage in a sailing vessel occupying 13 weeks. The parents, Thor and Elizabeth Thompson, located on Center Creek, Nelson township, Buf- falo county, where she was reared to womanhood. Beginning domestic life on his farm in section 19, Mr. Severson set to work resolutely to carve out his fortune, and so well did he succeed that in time he became the owner of sixteen 40-acre tracts of land, or 640 acres in all. He also showed his enterprise by erecting the largest farm house in Buffalo county, and a large basement barn. He also raised large herds of cattle, but was especially noted as a successful wheat grower, his wheat being of such good quality the Wabasha mill paid him two cents a bushel more than it paid others, for being its best customer on the Wisconsin side of the river. Among Mr. Severson's other interests were those of a stockholder in the Burnside creamery. For a number of years he served as town treasurer and was a member of the district school board during many years. He also helped to build the Norwegian Lutheran church, to which he was one of the heaviest contributors, and for years held various official positions in the church. For 44 years Mr. Severson operated his farm without a single vacation, establishing a record for unremitting industry that has rarely been excelled. In the summer of 1902 Mr. Severson took a trip to Norway, to visit the scenes of his childhood and young manhood, return- ing that same year, his wife and son, Martin, looking after the farm during his absence. When he had left Norway, as a young man, they were just starting to build what are known there as the King highways, and on his return there he found them in full operation and some of them being rebuilt. In 1904 Mr. Severson sold his farm to his son, Martin, with whom he and his wife continued to reside, though retired. In January, 1915, Mrs. Jens Severson died, at the age of 68 years, having faithfully done her part in building up the home. Of their nine children, three-Christy, Sever and Elizabeth-are now deceased. The six living are: Sever, Thor

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J., Christy (second), Elizabeth (second), Martin and Ellen. Of these, Sever is now residing in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Thor J. Severson, one of the leading farmers and citizens of Modena township, Buffalo county, engaged in operating 400 acres of land, consti- tuting the old homestead, established by his father, was born in the original log residence on this farm, Jan. 12, 1870, son of Jens and Olena (Thomp- son) Severson. In his youth he acquired a better education than the average farmer's son, as, after completing his district school studies he spent three years in the academy at Northfield, taking the English course, and later spent a winter in the Stevens Point Normal School. Thus mentally equipped, he taught school for two winters in his home district, working on the home farm during the summers. He then engaged in the general mercantile business at Modena, being sole proprietor of a general store there for eight years. At the end of that time he sold out his stock and rented the building, which he still owns, and in which O. E. Hillman is now located. Going to Roundup, Mont., he there bought a corner lot and erected a store building, of two stories, with full stone basement, 24 by 100 feet, which he owned for three years. He then traded his inter- ests there for the farm of about 400 acres, on which he now lives, in Modena township, Buffalo county, which was the old family homestead, and has since been successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising, breading Shorthorn cattle, Percheron horses and full-blooded Poland-China swine. He was one of the founders of the Farmers' State Bank of Modena, in which he is a shareholder, and he also holds shares in . the First National Bank of Nelson, of which he is a director, and in the Modena creamery, of which latter institution he has been treasurer for two years. Taking an active interest in the affairs of local government, he served two years as town clerk and one year as assessor. He has also served on the committee of the Norwegian Lutheran church, of which he is a member. Mr. Severson was married, Dec. 20, 1900, to Soverena Lar- son, who was born in Modena township, Buffalo county, daughter of Ole and Gjertru (Heltne) Larson. He and his wife have three children: Julius, Oscar and Jens, all living at home.

Charles William Herman Linse, better known as Herman Linse, a farmer of Modena township, was born in Germany, Aug. 26, 1840, son of William and Ida (Keuhn) Linse. Coming to America in 1848, and locating first near Milwaukee, the family, after several removals, and a residence of about ten years eight miles east of La Crosse, settled, in 1864, in Modena township, Buffalo county. Herman Linse was educated chiefly in Germany, having little time to attend school here. At the age of 26 years he began farming on his own account on his present place. It consisted of 160 acres, of which ten acres had been broken. He paid $70 for the improvements made by the previous owner, though there was no building, and he had to erect a log house and barn himself. He was then a single man, but on Feb. 17, 1869, he married Frederica Triser, a native of Germany, and began domestic life. He had an ox team and two cows and from that beginning he went on to develop a farm, in which task he, in time, suc- ceeded. In 1886 he had so far progressed as to be able to build a fine frame

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MR. AND MRS. JENS SEVERSON

MR. AND MRS. T. J. SEVERSON

CHILDREN OF MR. AND MRS. T. J. SEVERSON

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MR. AND MRS. F. O. LINSE

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house, having previously, in 1882, erected a frame barn, which he still uses. The work of clearing the land was hard, but was at last accomplished, and Mr. Linse has since increased the size of his farm to 340 acres. He is a member of the German Lutheran church, and aside from his immediate farming interests owns shares in the Modena creamery. His wife died at the age of 58 years. They had nine children, of whom two, Herman and Wilhelmina, are now deceased. The survivors are: Minnie, Odelia, Paulina, Emelia, Henry, William and Alvin.

William Linse, one of the pioneers of Modena township, Buffalo county, long since passed away, was a native of Germany. He was there married to Ida Keuhn, and in 1848, accompanied by their five children, Charles, Emelia, Herman, Matilda and Fritz, they emigrated to the United States, making the voyage in a sailing vessel. They located first near Milwaukee, then removed to a place 30 miles from there, where Mr. Linse farmed for one year, subsequently removing to Portage. They also spent some time near Watertown. After moving about in this way until 1854, making trial of different locations, they settled on a place eight miles east of La Crosse, where they remained ten years. In 1864 Mr. Linse and all the members of his family, except Charles, came to Buffalo county, Mr. Linse securing 80 acres of land in section 12, Modena township. It was unbroken and full of "grubs," which had to be removed, and there were no buildings. Consequently, there was a great deal of hard work to be done, and Mr. Linse began by erecting a log house. His labors were continued, however, only for a few years, as he was already an elderly man, and his death occurred in 1872, when he was aged seventy. His wife, who was born in 1811, survived him, dying in 1889. Of their children, already mentioned, Charles and Matilda are deceased. Emelia is the wife of August Lauter- bach. Herman resides in Mondovi township. Fritz Oscar is residing in Modena township, after a successful career as a farmer.

Fritz Oscar Linse, a prosperous agriculturist of Modena township, was born in Saxony, Germany, Nov. 26, 1845, son of William and Ida (Keuhn) Linse. His parents settled on the farm on which he now lives, in section -, as far back as 1864, the father residing on the farm until his death, in 1872. Some time before that, however, owing to his father's age, Fritz O. Linse had taken over the management of the place, which then consisted of 80 acres, and from that time on he continued to improve it, also in time buying more land until he had 260 acres. Among the im- provements were two fine barns, the larger one of which was erected in 1882, and in 1892 the brick residence was built. The place is now operated by his sons, who raise Jersey cattle, a good grade of horses, and other stock. In early days Mr. Linse used to drive to Alma with an ox team, a distance of 18 miles. On one occasion he drove with 55 bushels of wheat to Alma, having a yoke of four oxen. There was high water in the creek and in crossing the bridge the planks gave way and the oxen's legs went through. With the assistance of eight men, who came along, he unloaded his wheat and extricated the oxen. Then, loading the wagon again, he proceeded on his way until he got to within three miles from Alma, when his team and wagon slid down a bank 20 feet high, so that he had to unload

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History of Buffalo and Pepin Counties Wisconsin (Volume 2), Part 1

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge Publication date: 1919 Publisher: Number of Pages: 885

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1919
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 885