History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 112

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1922
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1767

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Andrew Eng, an estimable resident of section 25, west, Dovre Township, for some forty years, was born in Norway, Oct. 4, 1850, the son of Erick and Sina Eng, who spent the span of their years in the old country, the father being a shoemaker by trade. There was one other son in the family, Chris, who died in the military service. Andrew was reared and educated in Nor- way, and there learned the cabinet-making trade. He came to America in

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1871 and located in Door County, Wis., where he followed his trade, and worked in sawmills and in the lumber woods. In 1882 he brought his wife and three children to Barron County and located on 160 acres of wild land in section 25, west, Dovre Township. The lumber for the cabin was hauled by oxen from Rice Lake and Barron, but for two years they did not have oxen of their own. Three cows, however, were soon purchased. For some years, in order to get a little money to help develop his farm, Mr. Eng worked winters in the lumber woods, while his wife stayed at home and looked after the cabin and the family. Gradually better times came and the farm was developed on a profitable basis. On this place Mr. Eng successfully conducted general farming for many years. He helped to establish the Spring Hill Cheese and Creamery Co. and was one of its first officers. He was one of the town supervisors when Dovre was included in Chetek Township, and he was the first assessor of Dovre after the towns were separated. He also served on the school board for several years. Mr. Eng was married in Door County, this state, in October, 1874, to Agnet Olson Rude, who was born in Norway Feb. 24, 1849, and came to the United States in 1874. This union has been blessed with six children: Edward Ward, Anna, Oscar, Sophia, Mary and Alfred. Alfred now conducts the home place for his father. He was born here Nov. 5, 1886, and has always remained at home. He attended the district school and learned farming from his father. He is a steady-going, hard working young man, deeply interested in his work and a leader among the young people of the neighborhood.

Alfred Eng, a representative citizen of section 25, west, Dovre Township, is a native of this county, born on the place where he still lives, Nov. 5, 1886, the son of Andrew and Agnet (Olson Rude) Eng, natives of Norway who settled on the place in 1882. He was reared on the place and attended the district schools. For three winters he worked in the lumber woods and for a few years was employed at Rice Lake. Aside from this he has always been at home. In 1914 he bought eighty acres of the home place and later acquired the remainder. He has a good farm, and everything about it bespeaks the thrift, hard work and good judgment of the owner. He believes in doing his share in everything as a good citizen. He is a director in the Spring Hill Creamery and a stockholder in the Co-operative Mercantile Co. of Chetek. He is well regarded by all who know him and is well on the road to success.

Ole Halverson Lee, now deceased, for many years a solid and substantial citizen of section 28, Dovre Township, was a most estimable man, who left behind him the pleasant memory of a well-spent life. He was a hard worker, a good family man and a helpful neighbor and his death was a distinct loss to the community. Ole Halverson Lee was born in Norway in 1841, and was there reared and educated. He came to America as a young man and landed here almost without means. For a while he worked on farms near Kilbourn, in Columbia County, this state. In 1880 he came to this county and purchased a tract of 80 acres of wild land in section 28. About ten acres had been broken, and a log barn with a straw roof had been erected. He put up a log shanty and in this he was married. They had but little with which to keep house, and less with which to farm. All they had for chairs were sawed off blocks of wood. Their domestic animals consisted of a pair of oxen, a cow, a heifer, a rooster and three hens. With this start they in time achieved success and built up a good place. They also won for themselves an excellent place among the people of the community. After a useful life well spent Mr. Lee died Jan. 28, 1900. Since his death his good wife has continued to carry on the affairs of the home place with the assistance of the two sons. They have built up the barns and the sheds, and are successfully carrying on general farming. Mr. Lee was married on June 4, 1880, to Martha Pinrud, who was born in Norway June 28, 1860, the daughter of Michael and Carrie Pinrud. She came to this country in 1872. This union has been blessed with three children : Henry M., Carl Melvin and Oscar Martin. Henry M., a bright

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ANDREW ENG AND FAMILY

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EDWARD ENG AND FAMILY

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boy of unusual promise, died at the age of fourteen. The other two sons are at home. They are energetic and industrious young men, they take an active part in the affairs of the neighborhood and are well liked by all.

Edward Eng, one of the best known men in Dovre Township, and a man of considerable influence, was born in Door County, this state, July 30, 1876, the son of Andrew and Agnet (Olson Rude) Eng, natives of Norway, who brought him to section 25, west, Chetek Township, this county, in 1882. He was reared here, passed through the district school and had the advantages of courses in the Chetek High School. As a young man he rented farms for three years and in 1906 bought his present place. A crude log house and a log barn had been built and some six acres had been cleared. He has put up a good house and barn and has cleared about 60 acres, carries on general farming and raises Holstein cattle and Duroc-Jersey swine. He early realized the importance of the dairy industry in this region and the necessity of an output for the dairy products. Consequently he assisted in organizing the Ideal Cheese and Creamery Co. and has served as its treasurer since it was first started. He is also interested in the Co-operative Mercantile Co. at Chetek. Since boyhood up he has been will liked by all. He has the happy faculty of making and keeping friends, is of kindly temperament and genial disposition, and is ever ready to lend a helping hand to every cause which he believes to be of benefit to the community. A man of broad information him- self, he is enthusiastic in the cause of good schools and has done good service on the school board. He is also an earnest supporter of the good roads movement. Mr. Eng was married at Chetek on June 6, 1903, to Annett Amund- son, who was born in Dovre Township, this county, June 18, 1882, the daugh- ter of Simon and Annie (Knappen) Amundson. This union has been blessed with five children: Sidney, born June 20, 1907; Edith, Oct. 23, 1908; Gladys, Dec. 13, 1910; Edna, Jan. 3, 1913, and Laura, June 8, 1915. The family attends the Norwegian Lutheran Church at Chetek, of which Mr. Eng is one of the trustees.

Halver Knutson, one of the early settlers of Dovre Township, was a most estimable man in every respect, and had his full share in the upbuilding of the community in which he lived. He was a sturdy, hard working man, a loyal husband, an affectionate father, and good neighbor and a faithful friend, and he was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him. He was born in Norway, Oct. 14, 1841, and was there reared and educated. He came to Amer- ica in 1861, and visited about for several years in Michigan, Minnesota, and this state, before settling down in this county in the late sixties. He secured 160 acres, put up a log cabin, started clearing the land, and in 1872 brought his bride here. They started housekeeping with but few of the comforts. His equipment in farm tools and implements was meager. The live stock consisted of a yoke of oxen, three cows and two pigs. While he worked hard to get a little of the land cleared to raise a few crops, she looked after the household, helped with the chores, and spun yarn which she knitted into mittens and stockings. They were devout people, and early services of the Norwegian Lutheran faith were held in their cabin. As the years passed, their hard work resulted in success. After a useful life, worthily spent, he died Jan. 26, 1900, and his death was sincerely mourned. Mr. Knutson was married May 23, 1872, in the log cabin on the present place, to Clara Olson. She was born in Norway, Feb. 7, 1853, and came to America with her grandfather, Abram Abramson, and an aunt, Inga Nelson, and settled in Oconomowoc, Jef- ferson County, this state. The trip took ten weeks, eight weeks on water aboard an old sailing vessel, and two weeks on land. The grandfather died two months after they arrived in this country. Mr. and Mrs. Knutson had thirteen children, of whom there are living nine: Knute, Emma, Oslo, John, Lena, Ole, Clara, Herman and Gilbert. Knute resides at home. Emma is the wife of Lewis Newman, of Dovre Township. Oslo is the wife of John Peter- son, of Crookston, Minn. Lena is the wife of Oscar Eng, of Superior, Wis.

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Ole lives in Minneapolis. Clara is the wife of Louis Bambo, of Minneapolis. John is a prominent farmer of Dovre Township. Herman and Gilbert carry on the home place. They are two of the best known and popular young men in the township. They are energetic and progressive, they understand farming thoroughly, and they are leaders among the young people of the community. Both were born on the home place, Herman, Dec. 7, 1892, and Gilbert, Jan. 6, 1894, and both attended the log school in the neighborhood. They lost their father when they were young boys, and were reared by their mother, and their older brothers and sisters. Gradually they assumed the responsibilities of the home place, and in 1916 took over its active management. They have a good place of 160 acres, and are successfully carrying on general farming and dairying. In 1920, they erected a fine modern bungalow residence. They are stockholders in the Spring Hill Creamery and in the Co-operative Mer- cantile Co. of Chetek. They are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church at Dovre and are active in its young people's society. Gilbert was inducted into the United States service July 3, 1918, and was assigned to Co. M, 343rd Infantry, 86th (Blackhawk) Division. He trained at Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill., one month, and was then transferred to Camp Mills, Long Island, for over- seas equipment. He sailed Sept. 14, and reached England, Sept. 21. He was sent to a hospital in that country, where he remained until Dec. 12. He re- turned to the States, Dec. 22, and was discharged at Camp Grant, Ill., Jan. 20, 1919, after which he returned home. He and his brother, Herman, are stockholders in the Spring Hill Creamery and in the Co-operative Mercantile Co. of Chetek. They are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church in Dovre, and are active in the young people's society.

Albert J. Tiller, a hard-working and well-regarded farmer of Section 23, Dovre Township, was born in the pioneer log cabin of his father, on the place where he still lives, Feb. 1, 1872, the son of John S. and Martha Tiller, early settlers. He was reared on the home place, and attended district school. As he grew to manhood he took over the management of the farm. He now oper- ates 280 acres on a successful scale, keeps well abreast of the latest develop- ments in agriculture, and is a man of keen judgment and with a deep capacity for industry. He has built over the log cabin into a comfortable home, and has erected a barn, and other buildings. In addition to devoting his life to farming he has spent eight winters in the lumber woods, and twelve springs on river drives. The Spring Hill Creamery has found him a useful official. In public affairs he naturally takes a deep interest as a heavy property holder and native son, and he has served with credit as a member of the board of supervisors. Mr. Tiller has one son, Nels, who is following worthily in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.

John S. Tiller, early settler of Section 23, Dovre Township, was born in Norway and was there educated and grew to manhood. In 1866 he set out for America, and reached this country only after a long, troublesome voyage of many weeks aboard a sailing vessel. He found his way to Chicago, and for some years worked on farms in Illinois. Then he came to Eau Claire, Eau Claire County, this state, and worked in the mills. From there, in 1868, he came to Dovre Township, and secured 160 acres in Section 23. This was all wild. He erected a log cabin, and there he and his wife started home making. For some years times were hard. The trip to Eau Claire for provisions had to be made afoot. Luxuries were unknown and even comforts were few. But the people all had courage and youth and they were bound to succeed. The neigh- bors worked together, those that had oxen or superior tools, working for others for a while, in exchange for manual labor rendered in return. In this way, Mr. Tiller managed to get the timber cut from his place. This timber he sold to Knapp, Stout & Co., thus getting a little money to tide him over until his crops became profitable. While he was working out of doors, his. wife was helping indoors, looking after the family and the household duties, and spin- ning wool and knitting socks and mittens for her family, sometimes even doing

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the out-door chores and working in the garden. Mr. Tiller was married at Eau Claire in 1868 to Martha Amundson. She died in 1892, at the age of fifty-four, leaving two children: John S., now on the home place; and Hannah, now the wife of O. C. Hanson, of Dovre Township. In 1894 he married Dorothy Peterson, who was born in Norway, Dec. 15, 1842, and came to this country in 1882. Mr. Tiller died July 13, 1903, at the age of sixty-four, and his wife is still living on the home place.

Sophus Severson, an estimable farmer of Section 13, Dovre Township, was born in Norway, Oct. 30, 1870, the son of Jens and Mary Severson. He was but seventeen years of age, when in 1887, with his younger brother, Sigwall, then but fourteen, he came to America. For a while the two boys made their home in Chetek, working in the woods in the winter and on farms in the summer. In 1890, they sent for their parents and the younger chil- dren, who located on a farm in Dovre Township, where the father died in 1920 at the age of eighty-four, and where the mother is still living. In 1894, the two brothers purchased a tract of 160 acres in Section 13, Dovre Township. Many years previous, twenty acres had been broken, and some crude shacks erected. But the land had grown over again, and the buildings were not fit to occupy. Sophus, for seventeen years in all, continued to work in the lumber woods winters, and on the river drives in the spring, putting in long hours of hard work. In the summer he operated the farm in partnership with Sigwall. They erected a good set of buildings, cleared up a part of the land, and carried on general farming. The partnership was discontinued in 1900. The subject of this sketch now owns 120 acres. He has put up a comfortable home, and suitable barn and sheds, and does general farming and dairying, making a specialty of Jersey cattle. He believes in concerted effort on the part of the farmers. Mr. Severson was married at Chetek on July 11, 1900, to Emma Thompson, who was born in Dovre Township, on March 28, 1880, the daughter of Louis Thompson. This union has been blessed with six children: Louis, Mabel, Helmer, Norris, Charlotte and Earl. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church at Dovre, in which Mr. Severson has held office.

Hans Christian Olson, a sturdy pioneer of Section 2, Dovre Township, was born in Norway, May 16, 1851, and was there reared and educated. At the age of eighteen, in 1869, he borrowed money enough for his fare, and started for America, arriving in due time in Rushford, Fillmore County, Minn. For a while he worked on farms, and then took up railroad work along the Southern Minnesota, working from La Crosse, Rushford, Wells and St. James. He was also a logger in the lumber woods. In 1874 he took a homestead of 160 acres in Section 2, Dovre Township, and hired a man named Peter Knapp, to build a log cabin, and a neighbor to break ten acres. In the fall of 1875 he moved into the cabin with his bride. There for several years he and his family endured many hardships. The little money that he had saved was soon gone. The first wheat he raised cost more than he could get for it. Often he had to bring in flour and other provisions from Sand Creek, in Dunn County, making the trip afoot. His wife had a spinning wheel, and spun yarn with which to knit socks and mittens. As time passed they attained prosperity and built up a good place. In 1893-94 they built a substantial home, and in 1907 a suitable barn. Other buildings have been put up as necessity has required. The farm has many natural advantages, and is pleasantly located on the banks of the Cedar River which flows through a part of the place. Mr. Olson successfully car- ries on general farming, and raises pure-bred Guernsey cattle, Duroc-Jersey swine, blackface Shropshire sheep, and Percheron horses. He is a thorough believer in the still further development of the county as a dairy region, and was one of the organizers and first officers of the Ideal Cheese & Creamery Co. at Hewitt Bridge, Dovre Township. Mr. Olson was married at Eau Claire in 1875 to Pauline Jensen, a native of Norway. She died in 1901, leaving thirteen children: Henry, Josie, Mary (deceased), Emma (deceased), Arndt, Julius, Ludwick, Hilda, Anna, John, Albert, Agnes and Elmer. Albert operates the

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home place with his father. He is one of the energetic, industrious men of the community, is a good farmer and a good citizen, and is well liked by all who know him. He is an advocate of modern methods in farming and uses good judgment in all his operations.

Arnt Oien, for a quarter of a century a resident of Section 35, Dovre Town- ship, was born in Norway, Jan. 2, 1853, and was there reared and educated. He was but nineteen, when he came to America in 1872, and located in Mar- quette, Michigan. In 1874 he came to Minnesota, and located at Menomonie, Dunn County, where he entered the employ of Knapp, Stout & Co. Six years later he went to Eau Claire, in Chippewa County. In all, he spent twenty-two winters in the woods, and thirteen springs on the river drives, in the meantime spending his summers in farm work. In 1896 he secured a tract of 160 acres in Section 35, Dovre Township, Barron County. Log buildings had been erected, and about fifty acres had been broken. He gradually developed the place, built a good set of buildings, and brought the land to a profitable stage of cultiva- tion. In 1908 he sold the place to his son-in-law, Peter William Nelson, with whom he now makes his home. Mr. Oien was married in Norway to Ingeborg Peterson, who was born in Norway, Sept. 21, 1852, came to America in 1882, and died on this place March 28, 1916. There is one daughter, Clara, the wife of Peter William Nelson.

Peter Nelson, a well-known farmer of Section 27, Dovre Township, was born in Denmark, and was there reared and educated. He married Marie Nel- son, the widow of Christian Nelson, by whom she had two sturdy sons, Julius and Peter William. Mr. Nelson came to the United States in the eighties, and found his way to this state, where he worked in the lumber woods about Ash- land, on Lake Superior. By working hard for two years, he managed to get a little money together, and sent for his wife and the children. In 1899 he brought them to Barron County, and located on 160 acres of land in Section 27. A log cabin had been built and a few acres broken. They moved into the log cabin, and started to develop the place. They have improved the tract into a good place, put up a sightly set of buildings, and placed the land under culti- vation. They still live on the home place, which is operated by the son, Fritz. Fritz is one of the popular men of the community, is a good farmer, thoroughly understands his business, and is well liked by all who know him. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have one other child, Olga, the wife of Peter Lear, of this town- ship.

Peter William Nelson, an enterprising farmer of Section 35, Dovre Town- ship, was born in Denmark, April 18, 1881, the son of Christian and Marie Nelson. He lost his father as an infant, and was brought to this country by his mother, joining the stepfather, Peter Nelson, at Ashland, in this state. The subject of this sketch worked in that vicinity, on farms and in the woods, for a number of years. In 1908 he came to Barron County. He owns and occu- pies the farm in Section 35, Dovre Township, for so many years owned and occupied by his father-in-law, Arnt Oien. He is a prosperous man of good standing throughout the community. He is interested in everything that is for the best interests of the farmers, and is a stockholder in the Farmers' Co-operative Store at Sand Creek, and in the Farmers' Co-operative Warehouse at New Auburn. Mr. Nelson was married on Dec. 19, 1908, to Clara Oien, born in Eau Claire, this state, on Feb. 8, 1888, the daughter of Arnt and Ingeborg (Peterson) Oien, natives of Norway. This union has been blessed with three daughters, Irene, Agnes and Ella.

Hans Anseth, a representative farmer, owning 80 acres in Section 14, Dovre Township, was born on a farm in Norway, June 29, 1881, son of Andrew and Olena (Hoxness) Anseth, the former of whom died in Norway, and the lat- ter of whom is still living in that country. In the family there are six chil- dren : Hans, Anna, Julius, Ole, Andrew and Kgel. Of the children, Julius was the first to come to this country, and in time the others followed. Hans was reared and educated in Norway, and spent his young manhood working on

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HANS ANSETH

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farms. He came to the United States in 1904, and settled at New Auburn, Chippewa County, this state, spending his summers working on neighboring farms and his winters working in the woods. For a time, in order to see more of the country, he traveled in the Northwest, working in the harvest fields, har- vesting grain and husking corn. In 1906 he purchased eighty acres in Section 14, Dovre Township, which, with the exception of about two acres, was all wild and without buildings. He did not at that time settle permanently on the place, but continued his general work for others. At various intervals he cleared and developed his own place, and erected a house, barn, silo and other buildings. For the past few years he has lived here, and is successfully carrying on general farming and dairying. He has a good herd of pure-bred Holsteins, and a good drove of horses, headed by a Belgian stallion. His hold- ings include stock in the Spring Hill Creamery, the Chetek Co-operative Cream- ery, the Chetek Co-operative New Idea Cheese Co., the Chetek Farmers' Co- operative Store Co. and the Consumers' Store at Chetek. In public life he has been road supervisor. He was the first man in Dovre Township to install a tractor for general farm purposes, buying the machine in 1917.

Arthon J. Holt, a substantial farmer of Section 11, east, Dovre Township, was born in Corn Valley, Vernon County, Wis., Oct. 17, 1865, the son of Ole and Mary P. (Fangstad) Holt, natives of Norway. He spent his boyhood in his native place, in Eau Claire, Eau Claire County, this state, and Sand Creek, Dunn County, this state. He became interested in the lumber industry as a mere youth, and for seventeen winters worked in the woods, during six of which he continued into the spring and worked on the river drives. He spent his summers on farms, and for a while operated different places as a renter. In 1905 he purchased his present place of eighty acres. He drove here with a hired team, and with his seven children moved into an old log shack. He started with one cow, and toward fall was able to buy a horse. Just before snow fell he completed a log cabin, 17 by 23 feet, and moved his family from the shack they had been occupying. For several years he divided his time be- tween working on his own place, working in the woods, and working for the neighbors. Gradually, however, he was able to devote more and more of his time to his own place. He has erected a good set of buildings, has cleared the land, and developed a good farm. He also owns another farm of 120 acres, two miles to the west. He carries on general farming and dairying and takes especial pride in his good herd of graded Holsteins. He has been interested in the growth of the town and has taken his share in its progress. For fifteen years he has done most excellent service on the school board as treasurer. He and his family are loyal supporters of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Mr. Holt was married July 9, 1892, at Sand Creek, Dunn County, this state, to Olive Hanson, who was born in Corn Valley, Vernon County, this state, July 29, 1868, and was brought to Sand Creek when she was one year old. She is the daughter of Mathias and Marie Hanson, natives of Norway. This union has been blessed with eleven children: Mamie, Edwin, Ella, Rudolph, Arthur, Edith, Alice, Bernice, Herman, Orville and Maynard. Orville was born Jan. 30, 1912, and died April 17, 1915.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 112

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1767

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1922
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1767