History of Dane County, Biographical and Genealogical, Part 25

Author: Keyes, Elisha W. (Elisha Williams), 1828-1910
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Madison, Wi. : Western Historical Association
Number of Pages: 998

USA > Wisconsin > Dane County > History of Dane County, Biographical and Genealogical > Part 25

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

248

HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

Gunder Edwards, dealer in flour, feed and seeds. Deerfield, was born in Telemarken, Norway, January 2, 1841; his parents, Avan Edwards and Ingeborg Olesdaughter, both being natives of that province. In 1859 he came to America, locating in the town of Burke, Dane county, Wis. His cousin advanced him the money to pay his way to this country and for a year he had to work to re- pay his debt. He then worked for another farmer during the win- ter, after which he was employed by J. V. Robbins until August 15, 1862, when he enlisted as a private in Company I, Twenty-third Wisconsin Infantry. He was in the engagements at Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Cypress Bend. Port Gibson, Champion's Hill, Black River Bridge, the siege of Vicksburg, and several minor skirmishes. On November 3, 1863, he was taken prisoner at Car- rion Crow Bayou, La .. and was held until May 1, 1864, when he was exchanged and rejoined his regiment. He was then at the battle of Little Jackson, La., in the military operations about Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, and was mustered out at Mobile, Ala., July 5, 1865. After being discharged from the service he returned to Wisconsin and in the fall of 1865 bought forty-five acres of land from his cousin and began farming. Soon afterward he bought forty acres in the town of Madison. In 1869 he sold both these tracts and bought a farm in the town of Pleasant Springs, where he made his home until 1898. In 1886 he bought two hun- dred and twenty acres in the town of Christiana, but did not live on it, and owns the same at present. During the last five years of his residence at Pleasant Springs he conducted a feed and imple- ment store in the town of Stoughton. In 1897 he came to the vil- lage of Deerfield, where he started another store of the same kind in partnership with his son Alfred, and in 1898 removed his family to Deerfield. A year later he sold the business in Stoughton to John Bjoin. In the fall of 1902 he sold the implement business in Deerfield to Alfred Edwards & Co., but retained the feed, seed and grain business. Mr. Edwards is a fine example of what can be accomplished by industry and frugal management. Starting in life without a dollar he has, without any assistance, accumulated a competency for himself, and has given his family comfortable surroundings. Politically he is a Republican. For nine years he was school treasurer of the town of Pleasant Springs ; was one year the town treasurer; was several years a member of the board of supervisors, and is now serving his fifth year as director of the Deerfield high school. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and was for six years counsel of the synod. On July 1,

249

BIOGRAPHICAL.

1862, he married Miss Sibbe L., daughter of Narie and Margaret (Leverson) Torgeison, of the town of Burke, and to this marriage have been born the following children. Eddie N., born May 23, 1863, married Anna Johnson and now lives at McFarland, Wis .; Mary O., born July 27, 1866, married Andrew Rine and lives on the the farm in Pleasant Springs; Emma A., September 4, 1869, now Mrs. Nels Orvold, lives in the town of Dunn; Theodore, January 21, 1872, married Mary Olson and lives at McFarland; Alfred, April 28, 1874, married Carolina Jensen and lives in Deerfield ; Tilla A., born May 8, 1876, married Thomas Ossen and lives at McFarland; Anna K., born November 16, 1878, now at Janesville, where she holds a position as stenographer and typewriter; Mal- vina, born April 10, 1881, and died December 22, 1884; Gerhart, born July 27. 1884, and married Lizzie Quammen, and Malvina, born December 3, 1886, are at home with their parents.

Christ O. Egeland, timekeeper for the Stoughton Wagon Com- pany, was born in Norway, March 3, 1858, coming of stanch Norseland stock and being a son of Ole and Martha (Johnson) Yorgeson. He was reared and educated in the land of his nativ- ity, completing the curriculum of the common schools and supple- menting this by a course in a local school of navigation, where he secured a diploma of the best degree in 1877. He then secured a position on a sailing vessel named "Ganymedes," on which he held the office of second mate, later was promoted first mate. He crossed the Atlantic twelve times while in the maratime service, remaining all this while on the same vessel. In the spring of 1882: he took up his permanent residence in America, making Wiscon- sin his destination and settling in Stoughton, where he soon after- ward entered the employ of the Stoughton Wagon Company, his first service being work in connection with the making of wagon boxes. Later he was assigned to a position in the carriage depart- ment and still later was employed in the pattern-making depart- ment. With the exception of a period of about eighteen months. he has remained consecutively in the employ of this company. and has won promotion through faithful and effective service, having held his present position since 1900. In politics he is an advocate of the cause of prohibition and he takes a lively interest in public affairs of a local order, and served one term as representative of the third ward of Stoughton on the board of county supervisors. He is a prominent and valued member of the Norwegian and Dan- ish Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is a local preacher. Mr. Egeland has been twice married. November 12, 1881, he

250

HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

wedded Miss Olena Olsen, daughter of Paul Inborg Olsen, of Norway, and of this union were born five children, namely: Olga, Emma. Elna, Oscar and Clarence. Mrs. Egeland was called to the life eternal on October 10, 1892, and on July 25, 1896, Mr. Ege- land was united in marriage to Miss Martha Helbarg, daughter of Michael Helbarg, a native of Norway, and they are the parents of three sons .- Merrill, Wilbur and Earl Morris.

Rev. Thore Eggen, pastor of Bethel Lutheran church, Madison, was born in Os, Norway, July 6, 1859, the son of Nels and Marit (Nygaard) Eggen. The family came to America in 1870, locating first in Rushford, Minnesota, where they remained two years. In 1872 they moved to Barron county, Wisconsin, where the father took up a homestead and which is his home at the present time, the nearest village being the little hamlet of Prairie Farm. The mother died in 1874. Rev. Mr. Eggen is the second of a family of seven children ; the others are Paul in Minnesota ; Jens (deceased) ; Ingred, married to C. P. Hanson, of New Auburn, Chippewa county, the supervisor of assessments; Ole and Mollie. (twins) ; the former is a mail carrrier in Omaha, Nebraska, and the latter a resident of New Auburn ; Amelia, married Oscar Anderson, of Sand Creek, Dane county ; Peter. the youngest, resides on the home farm with his father. The subject of this sketch received his early education in Norway, as he was eleven years of age at the time of the removal of the family to America. After coming to this country he was sent to the public schools of Minnesota and Wisconsin and in 1873 he entered Luther College at Decorah, Iowa, from which he was grad- uated in 1879 with the degree of A.B .; he then took a three years' course at the Lutheran seminary, of Madison, receiving his degree from this institution in 1882. He served as assistant pastor of the Norwegian Lutheran church of Decorah, for two years and was then installed as the pastor of the same church, which position he filled until 1892. At that time he responded to a call from the Lutheran church of Grand Forks, North Dakota, where he remained until 1895. He then accepted the pastorate of the Bethel church of Madison, which has been his field of work up to the present time. The church was organized in 1855 and has a membership of about four hundred. The church edifice is on the corner of North Hamilton and Butler streets, and its first pastor was Rev. H. A. Preus who officiated for a long term of twenty-seven years. Rev. Mr. Eggen was married on August 26, 1882, to Miss Regina Neprud, of Coon Valley, Vernon county, Wisconsin. She is the daughter of Nels

251

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Neprud, deceased. Her parents were among the early settlers in that part of the state.

Lars S. Egre is one of the prosperous farming community of Christiania. He is the son of Stephen Sjuren Egre and Ingobar (Quale) Egre, natives of New Bergen, Norway. Both parents were educated in Norway and came to the United States early in their married life. In 1850 they embarked for Quebec but imme- diately proceeded further west and settled in Dane county, Wis., section 4, town of Christiania. Their farm consisted of one hun- dred and twenty acres of wild land, which the family cleared and improved. Seven children were born to Stephen Egre. Seren S. lives in Pleasant Springs; Lars S. is the second son ; Breta is Mrs. Charles Roam of Christiania; Martha is the wife of Martin Sco- land and resides in Turner, S. D .; Annie is Mrs. H. O. Tuxley of Cambridge; Betsy is the wife of Theo. Olie of Eau Claire county ; Andrew makes his home in Christiania. Mr. Egre died in 1861 and his wife in 1902. Lars S. was born in Christiania, Dane county, Wis., February 18. 1852, attended the district school near his home and lived at home with his father assisting in the management of the farm until he was twenty-six years of age. At this time, November 31, 1878, he married and soon after purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in section 10, town of Christiania. All of the improvements have been made by Mr. Egre. and in 1899 a large brick farmhouse was erected. Mr. Egre carries on a pros- perous general farming business and is well posted on modern farm- ing. Mrs. Egre was Miss Bertha Roam, daughter of John and Barbara (Lien) Roam of Normandahl, Norway. The Roam family were pioneer settlers of Dane county. To Mr and Mrs. Egre were born six children ; Nelia D., Ella, John E .; Sandie A., Belinda L., and Lenota J., all of whom reside with their parents. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church south of Rockdale. Mr. Egre is a loyal adherent of the Republican party.

George Eighmy, deseased, was born in Genesee county, N. Y., in October, 1831. His parents. Jacob and Pamelia Eighmy, were na- tives of the same state, where Jacob Eighmy was a farmer. George was the second of six children, the others being Freeman, who now lives in McFarland ; Eugene, who makes his home in Madi- son : Elizabeth, now Mrs. Moulton : Kate and John. George received what education the common schools of his native county afforded. Upon the completion of his school work his first labor was done as a farmer. In 1864 he struck out for the west, and for three years made Chicago his home. In 1867 he purchased sixty-five acres

252

HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

of land on Liberty Prairie in Dane county, and moved onto the property the same year. For fifteen years Mr. Eighmy farmed this property, and in 1883 removed to Deerfield, where the following eleven years he managed the leading hostelry of that village. At the end of that time he brought his wife and family to Madison and built the handsome residence at 1010 East Gorham street, where the widow and the son now make their home. It was here that Mr. Eighmy passed away in November 1898. On March 15, 1864, he married Martha, daughter of John and Nancy (Schofield) Radcliff. Though Mrs. Eighmy was born in Northhampton, Mass., her parents were natives of England, who early in the century located in Massachusetts and later moved to Genesee county, N. Y., where they died. Their children were Betsy, widow of Thomas Brierly, living in New York state; Esther, widow of .Alva Holton of New Hartford, N. Y .; Mary, Mrs. Joseph Wrigley, deceased ; Joseph, an architect of Chicago; Benjamin, a farmer living near New Hartford, N. Y .; Jane. widow of George Coles, living in Chi- cago; Sarah. Mrs. Park Overocker, residing in New Hartford N. Y .; and Mrs. Eighmy. To Mr. and Mrs. Eighmy was born one son, George Sanford, who is now a prosperous real estate dealer in Mad- ison. Though Mr. Eighmy never aspired to office, he was a life long Democrat and his opinion was highly valued by his party leaders.

Charlies A. Elies is the owner of the mill at Token Creek and learned the miller's business with his father in Germany. Charles. August Elies, father of Charles A., was born in Germany in 1831 and was a miller. He married Miss Mary Oltersdorf, born in 1838 in Germany, and six children blessed the marriage, of whom three daughters and one son are living. Mr. Elies died in Germany in 1878 and his wife in 1876. Charles A., their son, was born in Germany, December 15, 1861, was educated in Germany and worked in the mill with his father. In 1883. he came to the United States, worked in a mill at Ripon and then went to Markesan, Green Lake county where he resided for six years. In 1891 he was employed by Gottlieb Maisch of Token Creek in his mill, where he remained for three years. On account of ill health he left the mill and worked as a carpenter for five years, after which he rented the mill at Token Creek and finally purchased it. He is also the owner of his home in Token Creek and fifty-five acres of farm land. Mrs. Elies was before her marriage Miss Paulina Paskarbeit and was born in Germany, January 15, 1863, daughter of Carl and Hen- rietta (Kordasky) Paskarbeit, who came from Germany to Ripon

253

BIOGRAPHICAL.

township and thence to Token Creek. Six children were born to them, of whom four are living. Mr. and Mrs. Elies were married June 15, 1884, and have had nine children. Only five are living ; Herman, Martha, Ida, Emma and Arthur. The family attend the Lutheran church of Sun Prairie. Mr. Elies is allied with the Democratic party in his political sympathy.

Nelson W. Ellefson, proprietor of the Ellefson lumber yards at 1988 Railroad street, Madison, was born in the town of Pleasant 'Springs, Dane county, October 6, 1856. He is a son of Torbjorn Skaato and Sigri (Felland) Ellefson, both born in Norway. The father was one of the pioneers of Pleasant Springs, settling in what afterwards became the Norwegian settlement of Koshkonong. He came in 1845 and his wife a year later, and they were married shortly after her arrival. The father was a farmer. He was a devout member of the Lutheran church and helped hew the tim- bers of the first church of that denomination, built in this section of the state. His death occurred in Iowa in 1876, in his sixty-third year. His widow is still living at the age of eighty-two, making her home with a daughter, Mrs. A. G. Felland, in the town of Burke. There were seven children in the family. Eliza, the wife of Dr. Sanderson, died at her home in Minnesota recently. She was fifty-four years of age. Stena is the wife of Lars Anderson and now lives in Minnesota. Mr. Anderson is a veteran of the historic Fifteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Martin is liv- ing in South Dakota. Trina. Mrs. A. G. Felland, lives in the town of Burke. Ingoberg died in Minnesota at the age of twenty. Sophia, the youngest, now Mrs. Knute Reindahl resides in Chi- cago. N. W. Ellefson attended the schools of Des Moines, Ia., and Madison, and upon the completion of his studies engaged in the lumber business, becoming a representative of a firm in Winona. Minn. Subsequently he removed to Minneapolis to take up the same line of work. In 1899 he returned to Madison, purchased a lumber yard and "set up" in business. Since that time he has been most eminently successful in operating it. In November, 1882. Mr. Ellefson was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Sanderson, a na- tive of this county, and a daughter of Evan and Serena Sanderson, both deceased.This union has been blessed with five children. Mabel and Elmer Thaulow, both graduates of the Madison high school, are members of the class of 1907 in the University of Wis- consin. Clarence F. is also a graduate of the same preparatory school and is attending the University of Wisconsin. Elsie Lu- cretia has just completed her first year in the high school. The

254

HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

youngest is Edward Arnold. The family are all members of the United Lutheran church. The father is a member of the Blue Lodge of the Masonic order and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has been the incumbent of all the offices of the latter organization. Among his friends Mr. Ellefson is known as a man of sterling integrity, sound business sense and unimpeachable character.

John Ellestad gained prominence and success as one of the pro- gressive farmers of Blooming Grove township, where he accumu- lated an extensive land estate and where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred July 10, 1891. He was a son of John and Grace Ellestad, who were natives of Norway, and he was born in 1853, in Norway, coming with his parents to America before he was a year old. The family located in Dane county, near the pres- ent homestead farm on which his widow and family reside, and he was reared to manhood in this township, remaining with his parents until he was about twenty-one years of age and assisting in re- claiming and operating the home farm. He attended the district school at intervals, when his aid was not required in the work of the farm, and on the foundation thus established he rounded out a good fund of knowledge, being a man of intelligence, well informed in re- gard to the affairs of the day. After attaining his majority he was employed on the farm of one of his brothers for several years, and he continued to work as a farm employe until he was about thirty- one years of age. when he purchased the two hundred and eight acres which now constitutes the family homestead. He made the best of improvements on the place, which is one of the valuable farms of the county. He manifested much energy and ambition, while he so ordered his life as to retain at all times the unquali- fied esteem and confidence of his fellow men, while his interests were centered in his home and family, where his noble character showed forth in its brightest form. He was a loyal supporter of the Democratic party, and was a member of the Norwegian Luth- eran church, as are also his widow and children. In 1875 Mr. Ellestad was united in marriage to Miss Anna Halverson, daughter of Evan and Anna Halverson, of Blooming Grove township, and of the seven children of this union all are living except the eldest, John J., who was born Dec. 1, 1878, and who died Aug. 1, 1901. The names and respective dates of birth of the other children are as follows: Evan, Oct. 15, 1879; Anna Julia, Aug. 4, 1881 ; Sarah Bertina, Jan. 20, 1884; Theodore, Dec. 8, 1885; Henry, Oct. 29, 1887; and Anna Alice, July 5, 1890.

255

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Nels J. Ellestad, one of the prominent farmers and honored and influential citizens of Blooming Grove township, which he served many years in the office of township supervisor, was born in Nor- way, August 9, 1841, being a son of John and Gro (Peterson) Ellestad. The father was born in the year 1805, and in his native land learned the shoemaking trade, to which he there gave his attention as a vocation until 1848, when he immigrated with his family to America, sailing from the city of Bergen on May 7, and arriving in New York city on July 4. The family came at once to Dane county, settling in Blooming Grove township, where the father purchased a tract of wild land, in section 23. The greater portion of the land was covered with heavy timber, and no portion was under cultivation. He erected a log house and bravely set him- self to the task of reclaiming the land and making a home for his little family. He became one of the well-to-do farrmers of the township and continued to reside on the homestead until his death, which occurred in 1891, his widow surviving him, having attained the venerable age of eighty-nine years. Of the ten children nine are still living, three residing in Blooming Grove township and the other six in the state of Iowa. Nels J. Ellestad was a lad of seven years at the time of the family immigration to the United States, and owing to the exigencies of time and space his educational ad- vantages thereafter were limited in scope, being confined to an irreg- ular attendance in the district schools of Blooming Grove town- ship. His parents were in limited circumstances, and the condi- tion of life in the new country called for strenuous exertion on the part of all members of the family. The county was sparsely settled and Milwaukee was the nearest market point. so all grain had to be transported to that place, usually by means of ox teams. Deer and other wild game were plentiful and did much to supply the family larders of the hardy pioneers. The subject of this sketch at once began to lend his aid in the clearing and cultivation of the farm, and has been said of that period in his career. "Those early days of industry were of incalculable benefit to him, as thereby were inculcated habits of usefulness and frugality that have never been forgotten." He continued to reside on the home farm and assist in its management until he had reached the legal majority, when he left the parental roof and for the ensuing two years turned his hand to whatever honest labor he could secure. He then purchased a portion of his present homestead, which now comprises two hundred and twelve acres, finely improved, and constituting one of the most valuable landed estates of Dane county.

256

HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

He purchased the property from his father, and the same is loca- ted in section 23, 26, and 27. Thrift and prosperity are in evidence on every side, and with substantial buildings and finely cultivated fields, the place is one which cannot fail to attract attention as evi- dently representing the property of a man of enterprise and pro- gressive ideas. In his political allegiance Mr. Ellestad has ever been a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and for two years he held the office of township treasurer, while he was a mem- ber of the township board of supervisors for many years. He and his family hold membership in the Norwegian Lutheran church. April 15, 1862, Mr. Ellestad was united in marriage to Miss Anna Nelson, who was born in Norway, being a daughter of Tolaf Nel- son and Mary (Peterson), who were later residents of Crawford county, Wis. Concerning the children of this union the following record is entered: Julia, born May 16, 1863, is the wife of Edde Offerdahl, of Springdale township; Mary, born February 5, 1865, died October 26, 1900; Anna, born March 23, 1867, remains at the parental home; John, born May 10, 1869, died February 19, 1901, leaving a widow and one child. residents of Green county, Wis- consin. The other children remain at the parental home, their names and respective dates of birth being as follows: Tolaf, De- cember 29, 1871 ; Nels, Jr., February 23. 1874; Peter, September 1, 1876; Marin, November 27, 1878; William, January 12, 1881; Albert. November 27, 1883; and Emma, February 20, 1886.

John O. Ellickson manages the farm of one hundred acres in section 27, town of Christiania, of which eighty acres was pur- chased by his father in 1880. He was born in Janesville, Septem- ber 14, 1864, son of Lars and Anna Marie (Onstad) Ellickson, who were both natives of Norway. Lars was born in Hardanger and in 1857 came to Wisconsin, where he met his wife, who came from Sogen in 1854. Mr. Ellickson was a tailor and worked at that trade for thirty years. He then bought the farm in Dane county and with the aid of his sons erected buildings and made many im- provements on the property where together they carried on a suc- cessful farming business. Mrs. Ellickson died in 1896 and her husband lives with his son's family on the old homestead. Four children were born to them; Edward has a farm in section 21, Christiania, married Betsey Teigset and has five children, Alfred, Luella. Clarence, Bernie and Minerva ; John O. is the subject of this sketch; Louisa is Mrs. Oscar Lier of Rio, Wis., and has one daughter, Mytle; Arthur C. is a farmer at Arlington, Wis., and married Charlotte Johnson. The family belong to the First Nor-

257

BIOGRAPHICAL.

wegian Synod Lutheran church. John O. and his brother Edward attended the Janesville public school and John O. has always lived with his father. October 13, 1904, he married Miss Alma Louisa Lier of Christiania, daughter of Lars and Gunild Lier. Lars is the son of Knudt Lier, a pioneer of Christiania. A daughter, Mel- vina G. was born to Mr. and Mrs. John Ellickson December 25, 1905.

Lars O. Ellingsrud was born in Norway, March, 1857, and died in Albion, Dane county, Wis., in February, 1888. He was a promi- nent farmer of the township where he lived since 1876. Lars was the son of Ole Ellingsrud, who spent his entire life in Norway. When he was twenty-one years of age Lars decided to try his for- tunes in the west and made the voyage to the United States in an old sailing vessel, which was many weeks crossing the Atlantic. For several years he lived in Minneapolis and in 1876 came to Albion, where for two years he rented a farm and then puchased one hundred and twenty acres in section 5. On it stood an old log hut; the stables and all of the equipment, including comfortable farm buildings, were added by Mr. Ellingsrud, who was a success- ful farmer. In 1876 Mr. Ellingsrud was married to Miss Andria Stokstad, who was also a native of Norway. Mrs. Ellingsrud still makes the old farm her home. Three children were born to the marriage. The oldest daughter, Clara, is Mrs. John Halvorson of Dunkirk; Rudolph O., who manages the farm, was married November 22, 1905, to Miss Louie Davis, who was born in Albion, daughter of Hiram and Maria Davis; Inga the youngest daughter, lives with her mother. Rudolph has always lived at home, attended the home schools and at the age of sixteen years assumed the man- agement of the farm for his parents. He raises tobacco, oats. corn, hay, etc., and keeps a herd of about twenty-five cattle and also is interested in poultry raising. He is active in matters which con- cern the welfare of the community, is a member of the school board and road commissioner. Rudolph is allied with the Republican party. The family is identified with the United Lutheran church of Stoughton.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Dane County, Biographical and Genealogical, Part 25

Author: Keyes, Elisha W. (Elisha Williams), 1828-1910 Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Madison, Wi. : Western Historical Association Number of Pages: 998

Author: Keyes, Elisha W. (Elisha Williams), 1828-1910
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Madison, Wi. : Western Historical Association
Number of Pages: 998