Biographical history of La Crosse, Trempealeau and Buffalo Counties, Wisconsin : containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States, with accompanying biographies of each; engravings of prominent citizens of the counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families, Part 48

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 938

USA > Wisconsin > Buffalo County > Biographical history of La Crosse, Trempealeau and Buffalo Counties, Wisconsin : containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States, with accompanying biographies of each; engravings of prominent citizens of the counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 48
USA > Wisconsin > La Crosse County > Biographical history of La Crosse, Trempealeau and Buffalo Counties, Wisconsin : containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States, with accompanying biographies of each; engravings of prominent citizens of the counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 48
USA > Wisconsin > Trempealeau County > Biographical history of La Crosse, Trempealeau and Buffalo Counties, Wisconsin : containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States, with accompanying biographies of each; engravings of prominent citizens of the counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 48

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When Mr. Dayl was a lad of fourteen years he assumed the responsibility of his own support. and for four years was employed by 1 the farmers in the neighborhood of his home. Hle formed a partnership with 1. O. Kerms, I and for five years they two conducted a black- sinith and wagon shop at West Salem; they built up a profitable trade and won an euvi- able reputation in commercial circles as honor- able, upright men. Previons to this, how- ever, Mr. Dayi had had an experience of ten years as a blacksmith, having learned the trade in his early manhood. When he severed his relationship with Mr. Kerms he embarked in the agricultural implement business; his sales in 1890 amounted to more than $3,000, Land J. George M .. a druggist at Merrill,

ries a full stock of all kinds of agricultural implement-, including threshing-machines, and in all his dealings he is known to employ the most correct business methods.

Hle was nited in marriage Angust 30,

B SURT DAYL, dealer in agricultural im- 1884, to Miss Bertha Larson, a daughter of plements, West Salem, is one of the Erick and Agnete Larson. Mrs. Dayl's par- ents emigrated from Norway to America about twenty-six years ago, and settled in La Crosse connty ; they had born to them seven children: Mary, Lars, Mrs. Dayl, Ole, deceased: Otilda, Anton B .. deceased, and Anna Emelia.

Mr. and Mrs. Dayl are the parents of three children: Hilma, Elmer and Alice. They attend the services of the Norwegian Lu- theran Church, and contribute liberally to its support.

RIK B. RYNNING, dealer in clothing and men's furnishing goods. 727 Rose street, La Crosse, is one of the leading spirits in commercial eireles in his adopted city, for he is not a native American. lle was born in Norway, February 14, 1858, a son of Fredrik and Wilhelmina (JJachwitz) Rynning, also Norwegians by birth: the father was editor of a newspaper in the northern part of that country, and was widely and favorably known. He died in 1889, at the age of sixty-eight years; his wife died in 1863, at the age of thirty-two years: they were both consistent members of the Nor- wegian Lutheran Church. The family, num- bering four children, were named as follows: Erik B., the subject of this biography; Fredrik Wilhelin, a painter in Tacoma, Wash- ington: Marie, who died among the pine clad "hills of her own land at the age of four years;

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Wisconsin; he was formerly in business at West Salem.

Mr. Rynning acquired an education in one of the leading schools and high schools of Christiania, Norway, and in the Polytechnie College of Gothenberg, Sweden; he was graduated from the latter as a civil engineer in 1876, and following this event he was em- ployed in a bank for a period of twelve months. The opportunities and advantages of America being pictured to him in glowing colors, he determined to eross the sea and investigate for himself. Accordingly, in 1877, he bade farewell to the seenes of his childhood and set sail for the United States. Ile came at once to La Crosse after landing here, and the first employment he had was with the Southern Minnesota Railroad; he worked on the survey of this line for two summers, and during the winter did whatever presented itself. He then secured a permanent position with N. B. Holway as book-keeper and general manager of the office ..

In the fall of 1885 he formed a partnership with Ole Pederson, the firm name being Pederson & Rynning; this relationship con- tinued with great success until July, 1887, when Mr. Rynning purchased Mr. Pederson's interest in the business. He has been doing a thriving business, and has received his share of the patronage of La Crosse county. He is a self-made man, the only capital he had be- ing that with which nature and a good educa- tion had endowed him. Ile is an excellent type of the Norwegian thoroughly American- ized; he is enthusiastic in his support of the Government of the United States, and his experience has proven that thrift brings its own reward, and that enterprise rarely fails of reaping its just harvest.

Mr. Rynning was married, May 18, 1883. to Miss Cathinka Steen, a daughter of Thor Steen, who came to America from Norway

about 1867; he died in 1884, at the age of fifty-two years; his wife lived to be sixty years of age. Their children were: Gunda, wife of A. Magnusson, who had three children; Mrs. Rynning: Thora, wife of P. A. Bjorn, who has two children; Inga, wife of Frank H. Emery, of Mayville, North Dakota; and Agnes; Theodore is deceased.

Mr. and Mrs. Rynning have had born to them four children. three of whom are now living: Albert Jerome, Rolf Steen and Paul Bertheau. They are members of the Nor- wegian Lutheran Church. Mr. Rynning be- longs to the Masonic order, is an honorary member of the Norwegian Workinginen's Society, secretary of the Normnauna Sangerkor, a male chorus numbering thirty voices, with a membership of eighty; he was for many years the leader of this society. He has for years been the leader of the choir of his church, and also superintendent of its Sunday- school. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party.

AMES WILSON was born August 5. 1856. His father, James Wilson, Sr.,

a native of Ayrshire, Scotland, was reared on a farm in that country and received his education there. For a time he was em- ployed in a mill. He married Janet Bar- clay, who was a daughter of David Barclay, and who was born, reared and educated in the same neighborhood with Mr. Wilson. Shortly after their marriage, June 12, 1855, they came to America and direct to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, in the summer of 1855, where they had relatives, James Barclay being a half brother of Mrs. Wilson. They first settled in Hamilton township, where they lived for some years. In 1565 they moved to the town of Campbell, and in 1869

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came to the farm near Stevenstown, on which of Mindoro Lodge, No. 318. A man in the the subject of our sketch now lives. Their prime of life, frank and cordial with all, and honorable in his every dealing, Mr. Wilson man. family was composed of nine children, seven of whom are now living, viz .: James, Kate, is regarded as a good citizen and a popular Alex., ,Fessie, Mary. Maggie and Lizzie. Alex. is now in Montana. Mary is a graduate of the West Salem High School, and since her graduation has been engaged in teaching school. Margaret and David died in infancy, the former at the age of eighteen months, C. CROOK dates his arrival in La Crosse county in 1953, and since that time has been a resident of Farming- ton township. He is one of the enterprising and successful farmers of the county, and as such is deserving of appropriate mention on the pages of its history. and the latter at the age of three years. James Wilson, Sr., departed this life on the 12th f January, 1575, when in his sixty-first year. Politically he was a Republican; re- ligiously a Presbyterian. His wife died on the Sth of October, 1881, at the age of forty- eight years. She too was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

The subject of our sketch was reared on a farm, and received his education in the pub- lie schools of the neighborhood. After the death of his father he took charge of the farming operations, and has successfully con- dueted the same. On him devolved the care of the younger children, a duty he has most faithfully discharged. The Wilson farm con- sists of 100 acres of line land, and is well improved. with a nice cottage home, good barn, modern windmill, eribs, sheds, yards. ete., and on it general farming and dairying are carried on.

Mr. Wilson was married April 24, 1589, to Mary Diek, who was born in Trempealeau county, Wisconsin, daughter of William and Rose (Neal) Diek, natives of Scotland and early settlers of that county. This union has been blessed with one daughter. Lulu Janet.

Mr. Wilson is a Republican, and is one of Crook died in Oregon. The father departed the wheel horses of his party. He has served three years as Township Clerk, and is now a two years. He had been a farmer all his Justice of the Peace. He has been a mem ber of the School Board for eight years. Socially he is an I. O. O. F. being a member

Mr. Crook was born in Orange county, Vermont, June 7, 1-33. His father, Orlan- do Crook, was a native of the same county. and was a son of Benjamin Crook. also a New Englander. The Crooks trace their ancestry back to a sea captain who came across the Atlantic. Mr. Crook's mother was, be- fore her marriage, Sarah Elkins; and she too was a native of Vermont and a descendant of English ancestry. J. C. Crook was thirteen years of age when his parents came to Wis- consin and settled in Rock county. eleven miles cast of Janesville. In 1953 they came to this county and settled on the land where he now resides. When Mr. Crook was eight years old he had the misfortune to lose his mother, who died in Vermont, leaving four children: Mareia, James C., Sarah and Helen. His father was subsequently married to llar- riette Piper, by whom he had two daughters, Ruth and Alma, born in this county. Mrs. this life in March. 1855, at the age of eighty-

life. Politically he had at different times affiliated with the Whigs, Democrats and Re- publieans: in religion he was a zealous and

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active Methodist, having served for years as elass-leader and steward.

The subjeet of our sketch was reared on a farm and was edueated in the common schools. Six months he worked in a printing- office at Galena, Illinois. The farm on which he now resides consists of 160 aeres, and is well improved, with a comfortable cottage home, good barn and other buildings, modern wind pump, fences, ete., and is conveniently arranged for successfully carrying on agri- cultural pursuits.

Mr. Crook was married when he was twenty-nine years of age, to Catharine Ranck, who was born in New York city and reared in La Crosse county, Wisconsin. ller parents, John and Elizabeth Ranek, are deceased, the father dying in New York, and the mother in this county. By his marriage with Miss Ranek, Mr. Crook had five children, viz .: George, who resides in Montana; Mareia, wife of George Travis, of Holland township, this county; Elvin C., of Montana; Minnie, a successful school-teacher; and Harvey, in Montana. The mother of these children died in July, 1876. In 1879 Mr. Crook married Mrs. Mary L. (Cook) Jones, by whom he had two sons, Albert and Jesse. By Mr. Jones she had one daughter, Ida. who is now at Gales- ville College. Both Mr. Crook and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Churel.

try; his wife was of Irish extraction. John Davis and wife were natives of Massachusetts and lived in that State all their lives. Their families were early settlers of that Common- wealth, and were among the leading manu- facturers in colonial days.

Sammel Davis was reared and educated in Massachusetts, at Amesbury. and at the age of nineteen years went to work on a railroad, the Lower Eastern. His first work was exca- vating, but he soon had charge of a gang of men, and later on was road-master; this was one of the first railroads built in the State, and afterwards he was employed on the Old Colony. In 1852 he eame West, stopping in Chicago for a time, and arriving in La Crosse October 19; by the 21st of the month he was laying the first rails of the North- Western Railway on Kinzie street. ITis wide experience in railroad building in the East rendered him a very valuable man at this time, and his services were duly appreciated. When he settled in La Crosse county, in 1854, he purchased a farm in Farmington township, buying Government land at $1.25 per acre. Ile first built a log cabin, which in after years was replaced with a comfort- able structure, after a more modern style of architecture. The dwelling is surrounded by a good wind-break of forest trees, and the barns and cribs are neat and substantially built; the farm consists of 240 acres, 120 of which are in Jackson county.

Mr. Davis was married at the age of twenty-three years, at Newburyport, Massa- chusetts, to Lavinia B. Merrill, a daughter of James and Betsey Merrill, members of very highly connected families. To Mr. and Mrs. Davis were born eight children, five of whom are living: Josephine Goodenough, James M., who served in the United States army three years during the civil war, Lavinia F.,

AMUEL DAVIS, one of the prosperous and reliable citizens of Farmington township, has resided here since 1854. He was born at Amesbury, Essex county, Massachusetts, May 20, 1818, and is a son of John and Betsey (Bagley) Davis; the paternal grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was of English ances- I Lora Quackenbash and Washington L.

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Lavinia B. died at the age of seven years' tion. After his marriage he settled on the Franklin at the age of three years, and one in farm where he now resides. This place, which consists of 130 acres of fine land, is located four and a half miles from Holmen and is opposite the school building in dis- triet No. 2. He has a modern cottage home, other good buildings, windmill, etc., and keeps every thing in the best of order.

infancy.

Politically our subject affiliates with the Republican party. He has been Assessor of the township, and is a member of the board. He has always lent a cordial support to edu- cational enterprises, and has given his chil- dren advantage of the best schools in the

Mr. Black was married in 1871 to Johanna State. He is now seventy-three years old, Larson, a native of Norway, and a daughter but bears his age lightly and bids fair to of Lars and Johanna Johnson. They have

see many more useful days.

LE O. BLACK, JR., Assessor of Hol- land township, La Crosse county, is one of the prominent and well-to-do men of this vicinity.

Ile was born in Norway, March 26, 1849. His father, Ole O. Black. Sr., was among the first settlers of this township, he having located here in 1852, when all was new and Alliance. wild. When he settled here his nearest neighbors on the south were at Holmen, four miles away. and on the north at Gordon, also a distance of four miles. Mr. Black's mother was Johanna (Gilbertson) Blaek. flis parents were both born and reared in Norway, and lived there until 1850, when they came with their family to Wisconsin. They are still living on the old farm where they have ! passed thirty-nine years of their lives. Here they have reared a family of children that are now occupying useful positions in life. The name of their eight children are as fol- lows: Ole O., Jr .; Gilbert; Johanna and Carl, twins: Anna: Frederica; Anton, a mer- chant and the Postmaster of Holmen: and Bertena.

The subject of our sketch was three years old when he came here, and in the district schools of this county he received his educa-

tive children living: Julia, Ida, Oscar Lud- ovie, Frederick and Einma. Two of their children, lda and Lena. are deceased.

Mr. Black is an active and enthusiastic Republican. He has acceptably filled the ofhee of Township Assessor for two years; has been a member of the board of Super- visors four years; has been Clerk of the school board ten years. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and is one of its trus- tees; is also a member of the Farmers'

HOHN A. JOHNSON, a well known and highly respected citizen of Holland town- ship. La Crosse county, Wisconsin, al- though a foreigner by birth, has lived in this State ever since he was two years old.

John A. Johnson was born in Norway, June 8, 1548, son of Andrew and Martha Johnson. In 1550 the family came to this country and settled in Racine county, Wis- consin, where the father worked two years to get money to come further west : and in 1852, with a yoke of steers and a wagon, he brought his wife and children to La Crosse county and located at Half- Way Creek, on what is known as the Andrew Johnson farm, now owned by R. R. Lafleur, Esq., of this township. The Johnsons were among the first families to

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settle here. The city of La Crosse could at that time boast of only six houses, and Ona- laska had bat three. There were no bridges here, and the pioneer forded the streams to and from his primitive cabin; Indians and wild game were plenty on all sides, and La Crosse county was then on the frontier of civilization. This family came to Holland township in 1862. John A. was the oldest of the eight children born to his parents. The names of the others are Betsey, Hans, Lonie, Mat, Minnie, Anna and Helen. The father and his son Louie are conducting the old farm, which consists of 180 acres of well-kept land, and on which they have lived since 1862. Being the oldest of the family, much of the work devolved on John, and he remained on the farm, assisting his father until he was twenty-three years of age. Ile attended the district schools near his home, receiving the usual education that was afforded here during those days. At the age of fifteen he was confirmed in the Lutheran Church.

Like many of the early settlers of this section of the country, Mr. Johnson got his start by working in the woods, an employ- ment that was open to all. He worked in the woods nine winters. In 1871 he came upon his present farm, 140 acres of as good land as can be found. Ilis comfortable and attractive home was built in 1890; is 28 x28 feet, two-stories, and is on a rock foundation. It is well finished and furnished throughout, has a good cellar and all modern eon- veniences, and everything about this rural home indicates that the Johnson family are people of taste and refinement. The barn, 30 x 18 feet, a modern wind pump, other buildings, good fenees, etc., are among the improvements that add value to this farm.

Mr. Johnson was married September 30, 1870, to Martha Monson, also a native of

Norway. She was seven years old when she came to Wisconsin, and here she was reared and educated. Her parents, Thomas and Mary Monson, live in this township. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson eleven children have been given, nine of whom are now living: Adolph, Minnie. Olaf, Bertenna, Henry, Mabel. James, Selma and Elmer. Bennett, the fourth-born, died at the age of seven months, and Male, the sixth-born, died when three years old.

Mr. Johnson is an active member of the Farmers' Alliance. He has been Clerk and Treasurer of the School Board for several years, always discharging his duty faithfully; is now serving as a member of the Town Board. He is enterprising, intelligent, pro- gressive, and favors the advancement of any measure that will promote the good of the community in which he resides. From his youth np he has been a consistent member of the Lutheran Church.

Aside from his general farming, Mr. John- son has been operating a threshing-machine during the autumn season for seventeen years, and in this business has been very successful.

EORGE B. HEWITT has resided near Mindoro in Farmington township, La Crosse county, Wisconsin, since 1857. Ife was born near Ottawa, Canada, April 22, 1846, son of James and Eleanor (Barton) Ilewitt, his father being a native of Europe. The family lived in Canada until 1857, when they came to Wisconsin and settled in Farm- ington township. James Hewitt purchased a farm of M. B. Ladd, who had made some improvements on it, and here he lived until his death, which occurred at the age of seventy years. Ilis wife survived him, pass-

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

ing away at the age of eighty-one. They had a family of four sons and three daughters: Isaac, Ann. Jane, Eliza, James C., Eleanor, William E. and George B. The father was a farmer all his lite; was, politically, a Repub- liean; religiously, a member of the Christian Advent Church. He was a zealous and active Christian man and a deacon, and was a liberal supporter of the church.

George B. was a boy of eleven years when his parents came to Wisconsin, and he was reared on the old farm on which he still lives. flis education has been only that of the common schools. He worked some time in the lumber woods, and for seventeen years operated a thresher during the autumn. Ilis farm contains 240 acres, has good house, barn and other improvements. It is located in the Lewis valley, and in the bottom land is a fine grove of tamaracks.

Mr. Hewitt was married, May 22, 1587, to , borders of La Crosse county. Wisconsin, dates Anna Koenm. a lady of rare culture and of a good family, and a native of Melrose, Jackson county, Wisconsin. She is a daughter of Matthew and Auna Koenm. Mr. and Mrs. IJewitt have two children: Barton Matthew and Nelly.

Mr. Hewitt is one of the enterprising men of this vicinity. Hle affiliates with the Repub- lican party, and is actively identified with the Farmers' Alliance, being president of his club, No. 187, of Mindoro.

ESSE J. JOHNSON, a prominent repre- ser.tative of the agricultural interests of La Crosse county, Wisconsin, is a brother of John W. Johnson, a sketch of whom appears in this work. In his sketch is embodied a brief mention of his ancestors, and the subject of this sketch has in his possession a chopping knife which belonged to his maternal great-

grandfather, Jacob Kent, and which he values very highly. Jacob Kent was born in New England Anne 11. 1726. his wife being Mary White, also of New England.

Jesse J. Johnson was reared on a Vermont farm, and was edneated in the common schools of Orange county. At the age of eighteen years he went to Boston, Massachu- setts, and elerked in a hotel and store until 1553. In 1857 he removed to Galena, Illi- nois, for a short time and then went to Lake City. Minnesota, and for some time was in the mercantile business on the Indian Reserve. At the end of one year he went to Iowa City, where he had charge of a store for the same length of time; then went back to Galena, Illinois, and from 1962 to 1568 was clerk on a steamboat running from St. Louis to St. Paul, Dubuque and other points on the Mississippi river. Ilis residence within the from 1868, where he soon after purchased a track of wild land, which, by a judicious nse of brain and brawn, he has put in a high state of cultivation. In addition to the land being fertile, a considerable amount of money has been spent on it in the way of buildings, fences. ete., and at a glance it can be seen that Mr. Johnson is a inan of sound and practical views in conducting his agrienltural operations. He has a commodions and hand- some residence, built in modern style, and heated by furnace, handsomely arranged and furnished. The grounds are spacious, and it ean with truth be said to be one of the most beautiful places in the county.

August 27, 1857, he was married to Miss Martha Elizabeth Hardon, a refined and in- telligent lady, who is well fitted to dispense hospitality in her beautiful home. She was born in Mansfield, Massachusetts, was reared and educated there, and prior to her marriage was engaged in the millinery business, a call-

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ing her exquisite taste admirably fitted her for. Her parents, Jacob and Sarah (Field) Hardon, were native New Englanders and died in Massachusetts, the mother at the age of forty- one and the father when seventy years of age. Of seven children born to them, two survive: Abbie Bellows, of Albany, New York, and Mrs. Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have two children, Elsie Anna and Abbie Louisa. The latter was married January 20, 1892, to Carroll Wileox, of Lavalle, Wisconsin. Will. iam II., their eldest child and only son, died at the age of four months. Mr. Johnson is a Republican, and socially belongs to the Masonic order, of which he became a member in 1865. He also belongs to the La Crosse county Agricultural Society, of which he has been president since 1890, and was Treasurer of Pomona Grange while it was in existence. Ile was born in Orange county, Vermont, May 23, 1830, and is therefore sixty-two years of age, but does not look it. IIe is broad and liberal in his views on all subjects, is well posted on the general topics of the day, and his home is noted for its hospitality, which is dispensed without regard to politics or religion.

P. QUALL .- Not without justice Mr. Quall is conceded to hold an enviable position among the prominent and successful men of La Crosse county, and has rendered it valuable serviee as a law abiding citizen. He was born in Lille Hammer, Norway, June 2, 1849, to Peter and Bertha (Anderson) Olson, who are still residents of Norway. To them three sons and three daughters were born, and of this family O. P. Quall was the eldest. He attended school until he was fourteen years of age, and at the -

age of fifteen he was confirmed in the Lu- theran Churel.

Ile then worked on a farm until May, 1871, when he took passage on board a steamer from Christiania to New York, soon after came to Wisconsin and for one year was a resident of Dane county. In 1872 he became a resident of La Crosse county, and for eleven winters worked in the woods. He was married July 3, 1877, to Miss Isabelle Maria Johnson, daughter of Ole Johnson, one of the early settlers of the county, who was born at Skien, Norway, in 1800, where he was reared, educated and first married. llis first wife bore him two children: John, who was a soldier in the civil war and died while in the service, and Anna, who died after having borne her husband a number of chil- dren. Ole Johnson's second marriage oc- eurred in Racine, Wisconsin, to Gertrude Sammelson, who was born in Norway, a daughter of Samuel and Carrie Johnson. She was twenty-five years of age when she came to Wisconsin in 1850, and now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Quall. Ole Johnson died at the age of seventy-five years. To him and his wife four chiklren were born: Isabelle Maria; Caroline, who died at the age of nineteen years; Mary, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Andrew. Mrs. Johnson is seventy-seven years of age, but is yet an act- ive and intelligent old lady. O. P. Quall and his wife have five children : Caroline, born September 23, 1878; Orville Guy, Jannary 21, 1881; Perry Burns, May 1, 1884; Milan Sidney, November 18, 1886; and Stella, August 11, 1891. Mr. Quall is independent in politics, but has held the following official positions: Justice of the Peace, Schoo! Direc- tor three years, Constable four years, and Clerk of the school board. Ilis services were very satisfactory in the different positions he hekl and he is considered one of the upright men

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Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Lewis Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 938

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 938