USA > Wisconsin > Dane County > History of Dane County, Biographical and Genealogical > Part 35
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G. T. Gullickson, a well known farmer in the town of Pleasant Springs, was born on July 4, 1850, in the neighborhood where he now lives. His father, Thurston Gullickson, was born in Tele- marken, Norway, but came while still a young man to America. After locating at Pleasant Springs he married Thirbur Halverson,
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also a native of Telemarken, bought one hundred and eighty acres of unimproved land in section 15, and there lived until his death in 1875. His widow is now living in the town of Burke with a son. They were members of the Lutheran church and were the parents of eight children, viz: Gulick .T., the subject of this sketch; Isa- belle, living in Clark county, Wis .; Halvor, a farmer in the town of Pleasant Springs; Ole, also a farmer in the same vicinity ; George and Henry, farmers in the town of Burke; Martha, living in the town of Burke, and Julia, at Stoughton. Gulick T. Gullickson re- ceived a moderate education and lived with his parents until he at- tained his majority. He then bought seventy-five acres of land from his father and lived npon it for two years, when he sold it and bought one hundred and forty acres where he now lives. This place he has improved until he has one of the best farms in the lo- cality. He raises all kinds of grain and tobacco, and does a gen- eral farming business, also paying some attention to dairying and .stock raising. He is a Republican in his political views and a mem- ber of the Lutheran church. On July 16, 1876, he married Ellen, daughter of Iver and Maren Olsen, natives of Norway, who came to this country in 1867 and located at Stoughton, where both passed the rest of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Gullickson have eight children, viz: Tillie, Gerena, Thomas, Ole, Julius, Malida, Ella and Harold. Tillie is the wife of Ole Loftus of Monroe county, Wis., and the others are at home, attending the home schools.
Ole E. Gulseth is a well known and successful resident of Dane county. From his early youth he carried on an extensive farming business in the town of Christiania but in recent years has been more interested in the real estate business and now makes his home in Madison. With his parents Even Erickson and Gunild (Harrison) Gulseth, he came to the United States in 1849 when he was eleven years old. Even Gulseth was a farmer in Gulseth, Nor- way, and brought six children to American on a sailing vessel. After a stormy voyage they landed in New York and continued their jour- ney as far as Whitewater, Wis .. where they purchased a farm. For fifteen years this was the home of the family and then the parents moved to Utica, where they lived with their son Erick until the death of Mr. Gulseth in 1877 and that of his wife in 1878. Six chil- dren were born to them. Harris is a farmer and painter of Iola, Wis. Esther married Andrew Ingebrigtson of Whitewater. Marie married Andrew Holverson, both of whom are deceased. Eric Even- son was a farmer in section 31, Christiania, and married Kissen Nel-
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son. Halvor lived in Albion, married Tora Matteson and died in 1905 ; his widow still lives on the farm in Albion. Ole E. was born June 16, 1838, attended the home schools when possible but owing to the change of residence of his parents opportunity for school at- tendance was limited. At the age of twenty-three years he left home and obtained a farm in Pleasant Springs, where he lived until 1863. when he purchased his present home. The farin in Chris- tiania consists of one hundred and fourteen acres upon which all the improvements have been made by Mr. Gulseth. In December, 1860, he married Miss Ingeborg Johnson, who came from Holden. Norway, with her parents, Amund Erickson and Lieve (Dorhalt) in 1844. The marriage was blessed with ten children. The older ones. Lavina, Amelia and the next daughter. also named Amelia, and Maria are deceased. Martin E. married Miss Sarah Berge of Deerfield, who died in 1904 leaving two children, Olen Jerome and Inestheny. Amelia Josephine married Edward Fods, a car- penter of Stoughton. They have had three children ; Russell, Lloyd and Eva Josephine, the last of whom is deceased. Alfred S. married Miss Samanda Brickson of Madison, and has three children ; Oscar is a farmer of Sun Prairie and married Miss Clara Bjornstad. Mel- ward G. is a farmer of Madison. Thea is the wife of Thomas Hal- vorson of Madison. Mr. Gulseth and his family have always been loyal members of the Pleasant Springs church. Mr. Gulseth is a Re- publican but has never desired office.
Rev. Severin Gunderson is one of the most popular citizens of the village of Mt. Horeb and is a recognized leader in church and educational affairs. He was born June 13. 1854, in Bergensteft. Norway, and at the age of fifteen years went to Bergen, the capital city of the province, where he secured employment as clerk in a grocery store. Later he worked in a wholesale and retail estab- lishment and remained in the city until 1874, when he emigrated to America, his chief purpose being to prepare himself for the ministry. Upon his arrival in the United States he at once entered Luther college at Decorah. Iowa, and remained as a student there five years. Later he spent three years at the Lutheran sem- inary in Madison, Wis., and was ordained at La Crosse in 1882. His first charge was that of the Norwegian Lutheran church at Madison, where he remained eight years, and in 1890 he removed to Mt. Horeb to take charge of the congregations in Springdale, Blue Mounds. Vermont and Black Earth, also serving a congre- gation at Mt. Horeb four years. He was one of the chief pro-
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moters of the Mt. Horeb Lutheran academy at the latter place. Rev. Severin Gunderson was married September 28, 1882, to Miss Clara Antona Widsted, who is a native of Hammerfest, Norway, the most northern city in the world. To this union there have been born eight children: Sophia, Gerhard (deceased): Dorothea (deceased), Valborg, Dorothea, Gerhard, Sigurd,, and Hector, all of the surviving ones remaining at home with their parents. Rev. Severin Gunderson takes great interest in everything that con- tributes to the moral and material betterment of the community in which he resides. He pays considerable attention to affairs of a public nature, and in his political views he gives allegiance to the principles of the Republican party.
John D. Gurnee was born in Rockland county, N. Y., December 25, 1831, and was the oldest child of Daniel S. and Abigail (Wood- ward) Gurnee, who were also natives of that county. Their an- cestors were of Huguenot descent, and were prominent residents and land-owners in that section of the Empire state. The name of Gurnee in Rockland county was an insignia of prominence and char- acter, and John D. Gurnee's native ability and worth came to him as an inheritance. Daniel S., his father, a fine scholar, largely self-made, was well read in history, national affairs, politics and theology. He died in Brooklyn in 1813 at the age of seventy-five years. The mother of John D. Gurnee, a woman of the highest Christian character. beloved by all who knew her, died while the future distinguished Madison citizen was yet a boy, but from her he inherited the kindness and gentleness of spirit for which he was noted. His grandfather, on his father's side, was Judge John J. Gurnee, after whom he was named. During the Revolutionary War, General La Fayette was entertained for six weeks at the home of Judge Gurnee, and on the general's return to France he in- sisted on his host returning with him to claim an estate of im- mense value, to which General La Fayette assured him he was heir, but the trials incident to an ocean voyage in those days caused him to decline. John D. Gurnee was graduated from Princeton University in 1854, and afterward studied law with Judge Hasbrouck of Newburgh. N. Y. Immediately after being ad- mitted to the bar, he came west and setttled in Madison in 1857, where he at once entered upon the practice of his profession. For a number of years he gave much of his time to the investment of large sums of money in real estate in Wisconsin, and the attention he gave to that business caused him to withdraw from more active
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professional pursuits. In later years his inclinations led him to devote his time largely to the quiet of office practice, and he seldon participated in the labor and worry of jury trials. He enjoyed the confidence of his professional associates and all business men who availed themselves of his counsel in difficult matters. He was industrious and untiring in his pursuits, honorable in all the relations of life, and was distinguished for his ability and his safe and wise counsels. Mr. Gurnee took a lively interest in public affairs, but was little inclined to hold office himself. He accepted the nomination for the assembly from the Democratic party in 1871, and served during the session of 1872, devoting himself closely to the affairs of legislation and enjoying the fullest confidence of his associates and constituents. He was appointed by Governor Wash .. burn a member of the park commission, and aside from those al- ready mentioned held no official positions. He severed his con- nection with the Democratic party in 1896. and thereafter took no active part in political affairs. In 1863 Mr. Gurnee married Miss Madeline M. C. Reynolds of Madison, Wisconsin, and she with three sons survive him, Daniel C., with Armour & Company of Chicago; John S., who is a wholesale merchant in California, and Paul D .. all of whom were born, reared and educated in Madison. An only daughter, Anna Breese, died in 1880, while yet in her girl- hood. Aside from his immediate family, Mr. Gurnee is also sur- vived by an only sister, Martha Antoinette, wife of Rev. A. Messler Quick. of Brooklyn, N. Y. Paul D. Gurnee, one of the promising young men of the city of Madison, was born in that city March 31, 1872, and was educated in the public schools and at the University of Wisconsin, and was graduated from the law department of the lat- ter institution with the class of 1900. In politics he gives allegiance to the principles of the Republican party, particularly to those cham- pioned by the junior senator from Wisconsin, Robert M. La Fol- lette. He was appointed to the position of actuary of the de- partment of insurance of Wisconsin on November 1, 1905. His social affiliations are with the Phi Delta Theta of the university, the Phi Delta Phi of the law alumni, and he is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Gurnee resides with his mother at 115 East Gilman street, in Madison.
Hans C. Guthaug is the owner of a farm of three hundred and fifty acres in the town of Perry, in which locallty he has lived ever since he came to the United States in 1878. He was born in Nor- way, May 20, 1843, son of Christopher and Martha (Erickstead) Lar-
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son, natives of Norway. Both father and son served in the Norwe- gian army, the former five years and the latter one year. In 1878, the year of his marriage, Hans determind to come to America and. upon his arrival in Dane County commenced to work out as a farm hand which occupation he continued for four years. He then pur- chased a farm of eighty acres in Perry township, improved the prop- erty and made it his home for eighteen years. After selling this farmi he bought one hundred and twenty-six acres which is his present home and a short time ago added another tract of one hundred and twenty-six acres. This large and valuable farm is the reward of years of perseverance and industry on the part of Mr. Guthaug and is evi- dence of the wisdom of his judgment in farm affairs. May 8, 1878, Mr. Guthaug married Miss Mary Olson, born in Norway, Nov. 14, 1858, daughter of Ole and Martha (Omansdauter) Hanson of Nor- way. Six children were born to the marriage; Betsey Matilda, the. wife of Arne Anderson of Clark county, Ole Christian, James Gus- tave, Clara Otilda, Lena Estella and Hilda Maria. All but the oldest. daughter reside with their parents. Mr. Guthaug was the fifth child of a family of eleven, of whom but three are living. Mrs. Guthaug has three sisters and one brother, all of whom came to America. Car- rie is Mrs. Olaf Lacken of Blue Mounds. Hans Edset is a resident of Primrose, Anna is Mrs. Oneson and lives in Clark county, Wis. Lena lives in Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Guthaug are identified with the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Guthaug is a republican in his political affiliations.
Alois Haack, one of the representative farmers and dairymen of Cross Plains township, was born in Germany, December 6, 1860, and is a son of Alois and Justina Haack, who were likewise born in that same section of the German empire, where the father followed agri- cultural pursuits until 1852, when he came with his family to America,. locating in New York city, where he was employed in a glass manu- factory three and one-half years, at the expiration of which he re- turned to the old home in Germany, where he passed the remiander of his life, both he and his wife dying in 1891. They were communi- cants of the Catholic church. Of their five children the subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth. August, Julius and Lud- wig are deceased, and Justina still resides in Germany. Alois Haack was afforded the advantages of the schools of his fatherland, where. he was reared to matur'ty and where he learned the trade of shoemak- ing. The confinement incidental to this vocation caused his health to become impaired, and in 1884 he came to America and took up his resi --
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dence in Dane county, Wis., where he has since continued to make his home and where he has gained the unqualified esteem of those with whom he has been thrown in contact. He purchased one hundred and forty acres of land in section 16, Cross Plains township, where he has developed a valuable farm, upon which he has made good improve- ments in the way of buildings and other permanent appurtenances. He gives his attention to diversified agriculture and to dairying and has been zealous and constant in his application to work, having gained independence and prosperity through his own efforts. He gives his allegiance to the Democratic party but has never sought or held office of any description. He and his wife are communicants of the Catholic church. being members of the parish at Pine Bluff. In 1887 Mr. Haack was united in marriage to Miss Annie Kalshire, who died in 1892, being survived by three children,-Peter, Frank and Mary. For his second wife Mr. Haack married Miss Annie Holtz, a native of Dane county, and they have three children,-Justina, John and Matthew.
Gustave Haack is a successful and popular business man in the village of Pine Bluff, Cross Plains township, where he has a well equipped establishment. He was born in Reidern, Bavaria. Germany, February 3, 1867, and is a son of Isadore Haack who passed his entire life as a forester in the Forest of Liningen at Auerbach, passing away November 16, 1905. But few representatives of the family have come to America. Frank Haack, a brother of the sub- ject of this sketch, was a resident of California at the time of his death, having there been identified with the hotel business. Gustave Haack was reared to maturity in his native land, where he received some- what limited educational advantages and where he learned the carpen- ter's trade. In 1889 he came to the United States, landing in the city of New York May 3. He was engaged in farming in Butler county, Pa. until 1893, when he came to Dane County, Wisconsin, being employed at Mount Horeb about one year, after which he passed a brief interval in Pennsylvania. Upon his return to Dane county he located in the city of Madison and opened a grocery store at 301 Frances street. Three years later he removed to 610 University ave- nue, where he was engaged in the same line of enterprise for the ensu- ing two years. He then sold his property and business in the capi- tal city and removed to Pine Bluff, where he has since conducted a general store, and where he has been successful in his efforts. He is a skilled artisan at the carpenter trade, and followed the same at intervals for a number of years. He is independent in poli-
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tics, and both he and his wife are communicants of the Catholic church, holding membership in St. Mary's church, in their home town. November 10, 1897, was solemized the marriage of Mr. Haack to Miss Anna M. Link, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Link, of Madi- son, and of this union have been born four children all of whom are living,-Louis G., Raymond A., Marion G. and Elizabeth Anna Cas- ilia. Volkin Kukenbrand, grandfather of Mrs. Haack, was born in Bavaria in 1815 and came to this country in 1843 settling at Hampton, Portage county, where he died December 18, 1895 being in his eigh- tieth year. His wife preceded him by eighteen years.
John H. Hagenah, traveling salesman for the J. I. Case plow works of Racine, Wis., whose home in Madison is at 1044 Jenifer street, was born near Hanover, Germany, January 28, 1844. His parents were Christopher and Elizabeth (Oehlers) Hagenah, both deceased. Christopher Hagenah was a German farmer who set- tled in Reedsburg, Wis., on his arrival in this country. He was widely and favorably known around Reedsburg and for a time was the chairman of the town board. His death occurred at the home of his son in 1888. His wife passed away just a week after land- ing in the the United States. The subject of this sketch was the eldest of their five children. Of the remaining children the follow- ing facts are of interest. Peter, born in 1847, died in 1903 in Reeds- burg. Claude was killed in the latter seventies in a railroad ac- cident on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. Henry. a travel- ing salesman for the McCormick Farm Implement company, resides at Hillsboro, Wis. George is a retired business man who makes his home in Reedsburg. John H. Hagenah received his ed- ucational advantages in German schools. In January, 1867, he immigrated to this country and a year later went to Kilbourn City, where he became clerk in the Tanner House. The following year he went to Baraboo, and the next year removed to Chicago. His employment there was with the Elder & Taylor hardware com- pany. In 1870 he settled in Reedsburg. where his father had located, and with a partner established the hardware concern of Hagenah, Gifford & Company. This business continued until 1888 and in 1889 Mr. Hagenah came to Madison. For three years he was traveling salesman for the David Bradley Manufacturing com- pany of Kankakee, Ill., and then assumed his present position with the J. I. Case establishment. While a resident of Reedsburg he was chairman for one year of the village board and for two years was town treasurer. He also belonged to the congregation of St.
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John's church. On April 26, 1878, Mr. Hagenah was united in marrage to Miss Catherine Meyer, also a native of Hanover, Ger- many, and a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Meyer. Mrs. Meyer died in September, 1905, in her eighty-fifth year. Her husband, although eighty-five years of age, is an active farmer residing near Logansville, Wis. To Mr. and Mrs. Hagenah have been born five children. Two died young, Alvin when nine months old and Ralph in his twelfth year. The latter was a boy of exceptional promise. Clara. the eldest, is the wife of Philip Kuehne, secre- tary-treasurer of the Madison Dairy Produce Company of Madison. A sketch of William J., the only son living, appears elsewhere in this volume. Alma, the youngest, is at present traveling in Europe. Mrs. Hagenah is a member of the Lutheran church. Her husband is a member of the Independent Order of Good For- esters, of which organization he has been noble grand, a member of the A. O. U. W., is a thirty-second degree Mason, and a mem- ber of the Wisconsin consistory. He is a man of whom nothing but good is spoken, a thorough gentleman and a wholesome citizen.
William J. Hagenah, deputy commissioner of labor and industrial statistics and one of the leaders of the coming generation of bar- risters, was born in Reedsburg, Sauk county, Wis., Jan. 25, 1881. He is a son of John Henry and Catherine (Meyer) Hagenah. William J. Hagenah was educated in the Madison schools, graduat- ing from the English and science courses of the high school in 1899. In 1903 he was graduated from the academic department of the Uni- versity of Wisconsin with the degree of B. L. Two years later he com- pleted the law course in the same institution and was given the degree of LL. B. On March 7, 1906, he was made deputy commissioner of
labor and industrial statistics and has been serving in that capacity since. From 1903 until his appointment to his present position he served as statistical clerk in the same department, keeping up his studies in the law school. Mr. Hagenah is a member of the Evan- gelical church and of the Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity. During his collegiate course he was one of the leaders of the university on the forensic platform. He was leader of the debating team representing the University of Wisconsin which in 1903 defeated a team from the University of Iowa and the following year was on the team which debated with and defeated the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1904. He was one of the orators in both the 1903 and 1905 com- mencements and in 1901 was a member of the joint debate team. At present he is a special investigator for the Pennsylvania society for 23-iii
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the prevention of cruelty to children. He was a delegate from the state at large to the national convention of charities and corrections held at Philadelphia, May 9 to 16, 1906. Mr. Hagenah is unmarried. His friends predict a brilliant future for him.
Stephen Haight, who owns and operates a large farm in the town of Christiania is a native of Wisconsin and son of one of its pioneers. His father, John T. Haight, was a native of Monkton, Vermont, and married Miss Elizabeth Holmes of the same place. He came to Wis- consin in 1832, lived at Fort Atkinson and Koshkonong, where he owned a farmi and became prominent in territorial and state affairs. As attorney and surveyor he was interested in land titles in the new country, where much litigation ensued and he also took a prominent part in politics. A Democrat in political affiliations he represented his district in the legislature and held many minor offices. Five chil- dren were born to John Haight and wife; Mary E., who lives at the old home; Julia, also at home; Ann, the wife of George Pounder of Fort Atkinson, Wis .; John T., who farms the old homestead and Stephen, the subject of this sketch. Stephen was born at Kosh- konong, Jefferson county, Wis., June 23, 1843, received such education as the schools of the district afforded at that time and lived at home until he was thirty-two years of age. In October, 1874, he married Miss Etta Ives and came to Dane county, town of Christiania, where he purchased a farm which has ever since been his home. Mrs. Haight is the daughter of Gideon and Mary Ann (Silverton) Ives, who were early settlters of Jefferson county. Mr. Ives was a native of Connecticut and Mrs. Ives of Canada. The marriage was blessed with four children; Jolin T. is the principal of the Cambridge high school. He married M'ss Augusta Granger. George I. is a lawyer with offices at 134 S. Clark St., Chicago, Ill. He was educated at Fort Atkinson, Madison and the Northwestern University, at Evans- ton. and has been in Chicago engaged in the practise of law since 1889. W. Harrison attended the University of Wisconsin and was a student in the Northwestern University law school, where he was graduated with the class of 1906. Bert S. attended the agricultural college of the University of Wisconsin and is engaged with his father n the management of the farm. A large general farming business is carried on by the father and son and considerable tobacco raised, but their specialty is butter-making in which they are very successful. For seventeen years the butter from their farm has been shipped to Congle Bros. of Chicago, Ill. Mr. Haight has a splendid farm of two hundred forty-five acres with one hundred sixty-five acres under cultivation and raises a fine breed of Holstein cattle and also Poland
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China hogs. Mr. Haight is a member of the Fort Atkinson Blue Lodge No. 139 of the Masonic Order and takes much interest in its aifairs.
John P. Halbach, the genial and efficient sheriff of Dane county during the term of 1905-1906, was born in Louisville, Ky., June 10: 1861. He was a son of Lewis and Henrietta (Stoltz) Halbach, natives of Germany. The father was born April 26, 1836, at Bruck- muekl-bach. Rhein Bavaria, and lost his life while working in a foundry, a heavy casting falling upon him and crushing him. His wife died a year previous, aged thirty-eight, leaving six children,- Lewis. now deceased; Henrietta, now deceased; John P., the sub- ject of this sketch ; Catherina, wife of Dr. Embery of Chicago; Ed- ward Charles, superintendent of the Winslow Bros. company of New York; and William, now foreman of a printing establishment in San Antonio, Tex. Two other children. an infant and Michael Lewis, passed away before the death of their mother. John P. Halbach received his education in the common schools of Louis- ville, Ky. There, also he learned the trade of harness maker. On coming to Madison he established the John J. Halbach Harness company, and has since successfully maintained it. Politically he is a Republican and before his elevation to the office of sheriff had served two terms as supervisor from the fourth ward of Madison. On May 29, 1882, Mr. Halbach married Cora, daughter of Zachariah and Martha Ramsdale. Mr. Ramsdale died October 5, 1901. aged sixty-eight years. Mrs. Ramsdale is still living and makes her home with her daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Halbach have one son, Lewis Frank, a pupil in the high school. The sheriff is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mrs. Halbach is a. member of the Episcopal church.
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