USA > Wisconsin > Dane County > History of Dane County, Biographical and Genealogical > Part 37
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itowoc, continuing in his line of occupation two years, at the expira- tion of which, in 1899, he took up his residence in Stoughton, where he entered the Stoughton Academy, in which he completed an eight months' business course, after which he served four years as book- keeper, two years with the Stoughton Wagon Company and two with the Mandt Wagon Company. March 29, 1904, he engaged in the . furniture and undertaking business in this city, being associated in the enterprise with E. J. Kjolseth, under the firm name of Kjolseth & Hal- verson, until November 14, 1905, when the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent, Mr. Halverson purchasing the interests of his partner and having individually continued the business since that time. He is a progressive business man and loyal citizen, is a Repub- lican in his political proclivities, is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, and both he and his wife are members of Christ church, Nor- wegian Lutheran. October 15, 1902, Mr. Halverson was married to Miss Sena Erdahl, daughter of Gunder and Trine (Felland) Erdahl, of Stoughton, and they have one child, Esther Margaret.
Nels Halvorsen (Kalhagen), the efficient and popular superin- tendent of the shops of the Stoughton Wagon Company and repre- sentative of the third ward on the board of alderman of the city of Stoughton was born on the farm Kalhagen in Holmedal, Prae- stagields, on July 4, 1852. He is a son of Gaardman Halvor An- derson Kalhagen and his wife Oline Thorsdatter. The schools of his native land afforded him his early educational advantages, and there also he served an apprenticeship at the trade of cabinetmaker, to which he devoted his attention about five years. Later he was employed for a similar period as a ship carpenter and while acting in this capacity visited the East and West Indies. In 1884 he came to the United States, taking up his residence in Stoughton, where he has since continued to make his home. For the first six months he was employed at the carpenter's trade, working for Lars Vingum, and he then entered the employ of the Stoughton Wagon company, with whom he has since remained and in whose shops, by faithful and able service, he has worked his way up to his present responsible position. He has the confidence and esteem of his employers and of the men who work under his direc- tion. He has been incumbent of the office of shop superintendent since 1894. He is the inventor of the first and only anti-tip bob- sleighs in America, as well as the Vicking bolster spring for wagons, steel bolster sticks for lumber wagons, skeins for double trusses on lumber wagons, steel-bent hounds for the same class of
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vehicles, and other useful devices which are utilized by the com- pany by which he is employed. He is a stanch advocate of the principles of the Republican party and takes a lively interest in public affairs in his home city. He is serving his first term as a member of the board of aldermen, representing the third ward. He and his family are members of the First Norwegian Lutheran church, and he is affiliated with Social Lodge No. 60, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. September 27. 1883, Mr. Halvorsen was united in marriage to Jannikke Ostensdatter Haaland, the daughter of Osten Bergentsen Haaland and his wife Johanne Jensdatter. She was born March 26, 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Halvorsen have six children, namely: Jennie T., Laura O., Ada E., Harry B., Geneva A., and Esther C.
Halvor Halvorson is one of the prominent farmers and influential citizens of Blooming Grove township, and is present chairman of the township board of supervisors. Mr. Halvorson was born in the township which is now his home, the date of his nativity hav- ing been April 22. 1852. He is a son of Evan and Anna (Olsen) Halvorson, both of whom were born and reared in Norway, the former having been born in 1810 and the latter February 14, 1817. They were numbered among the pioneers of Dane county, where the father became a prosperous farmer. in Blooming Grove town- ship, where he died June 24, 1901; his widow still resides on the old homestead and is in excellent health, though nearing the age of four score years. The subject of this sketch is administrator of his father's estate. Halvor Halvorson received limited educational advantages in his youth, having attended the district schools in an irregular way. His father greatly objected to his securing an English education being loyal to the language of his native land, but the son has made good this early handicap, having been a close observer and having gained a wide fund of information and definite knowledge through personal application and through active asso- ciation with men and affairs. He was reared to the sturdy dis- cipline of the farm. and when he initiated his independent career he took up such legitimate labor as would render him due returns, following principally pursuits of a mechanical nature. In 1881 he became a fully qualified mason and plasterer, and he followed his trade as a vocation about fifteen years, after which he engaged in farming, in Pleasant Springs township, where he remained two years, at the expiration of which he purchased his present finely improved homestead. in section 21, Blooming Grove township,
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where he has a landed estate of two hundred and seven acres. He is a man of marked executive ability and indomitable energy, and the results are shown in the thrift and prosperity so evident in his attractive farmstead. Mr. Halvorson is generous, genial and kindly, progressive in his ideas and ever ready to lend his aid and influence in the support of all measures advanced for the general good of the community. His pleasant home is a center of hos- pitality, and the family is prominent in the social life of the com- munity. Mr. Halvorson is aligned as a stanch supporter of the principles and policies of the Democratic party, and is one of the leaders in public affairs in his township. He served two years as township treasurer, and was chairman of the township board of supervisors from March 27. 1892, to March 26, 1896, while in 1902 he was again elected supervisor, and has since been re-elected each year, his last election having occurred on April 4, 1905. He is the present chairman of the board and in his official capacity he has done much to further the best interests of the township and county. He and his family are members of the Norwegian Luth- eran church. On October 11, 1880, Mr. Halvorson was united in marriage to Miss Carry Johnson, who was born May 29. 1859, a daughter of Hans and Carry (Yvesager) Johnson, of Blooming Grove township. Mr. and Mrs. Halvorson have one son, Theo- dore E., who was born January 3, 1881, and who is associated with his father in the work and management of the home farm. He married Miss Sarah Anderson, who was born in Norway, March 15, 1882, and they have one child, Harley Cornelius, who was born July 26, 1904.
Jacob Halvorson is a prominent farmer near Dahleville, where he owns a large farm, one of the best equipped in this section of the country. He is the son of Halvor Evenson, who was born in Norway, spent his entire life there and died in 1860. Halvor Evenson married Hagg Jacobson and after the death of her husband Mrs. Evenson, in 1861, came to the United States with her two sons and two daughters. The family all worked together to gain a foothold and in 1866 bought a farm in the town of York, where Mrs. Evenson lived until her death in 1896. Jacob was born in Telemarken, Norway, Dec. 25, 1844, had but little opportunity to go to school and assisted his mother in every way possible after the arrival of the family in Wisconsin. When they became established he purchased a farm in Iowa county, containing one hundred twenty acres to which he has since added eighty acres. This property Mr. Halverson retained, gradually cleared it, brought
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almost all of it under cultivation and added substantial buildings, modern farm machinery, etc. For many years he has carried on a general farming business with which he has been very successful and he now contemplates the sale of his property and retirement from ac- tive business. A brother of Mr. Halvorson, Evan, resides near, and Turil who married Ona Killeswick, resides in the town of York, Green county. In October, 1870, Jacob married Miss Turbier Olson, who was born in Norway in 1837, daughter of Ole and Ingebor Olson, and four children were born to the marriage. Henry the oldest, re- sides in South Dakota, Ole Andreas in Dodgeville, John at home and Hannah Maria in Los Angeles, Cal. The family is identified with the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Halvorson is a Republican and has served as school clerk for three terms.
Rev. John Halvorson, who has in his charge the Lutheran con- gregation of Rockdale was born in Stavanger City, Norway, De- cember 4, 1861, and came to the United States with his parents when he was but ten years old. At the age of eighteen, after being graduated from Luther college, he entered Northwestern university at Watertown, Wis., and was graduated in 1881. He studied theology in Concordia seminary, St. Louis, and at Luther seminary, Madison, and when he was ordained in 1884 was prepared to hold services in any one of three languages. Soon after his ordination he was called to Mayville, N. Dak., next took charge of the church of Norway Lake, Minn., and then of Zion church of Minneapolis. In 1902 he came to Rockdale. From 1890 to 1894, he was English lecturer at the Norwegian Luther seminary in Minneapolis and also preached often in English. In 1889, he married Miss Bertha Glesne of Norway Lake, Minn., the first white person born in that township. Their family consists of seven children: Ella Clara, Elmer N., Sigurd J., Inga M., Ruth E., Victor D .. and Signe J. C. Rev. John Halvorson is the son of Zacharias and Ellen (Peterson) Halvorson of Stavanger City, Norway, who were members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Zacharias was a baker by trade but entered the marble business in Marshalltown, Iowa, where he located upon his arrival in the west. After three years in Mar. shalltown he moved with his family to Decorah, which was his home the reaminder of his life and is still the home of his widow. He was trustee and secretary of the Norwegian Lutheran church of that community. Of the seven children of Zacharias Halvorson. but three are now living. The Rockdale church, of which Mr. Halvorson has charge, is the out-growth of the old East Kosh-
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konong Synod church, which was organized in 1844 and became part of the first Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Amer- ica, containing twenty-seven other organizations at its beginning. The East Koskonong church is the oldest of these united churches and the mother of many others. Its first pastor was Rev. J. W. C. Dietrichson, the second, Rev. A. C. Preuss, then for thirty-one years Rev. I. A. Otteson. He was followed in 1891 by Rev. D. G. Ristad and since 1902, the parish has been under the care of Rev. John Hal- vorson. The latter is interested in Scandinavian history and literature and particularly in the lives and careers of his com- patriots in the United States and has published a historic account of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Synod, part of a complete history of representative Scandinavians of the United States. He is also the author of a treatise on the Minnesota district of the synod.
Henry A. Ham, a well-known Stoughton butcher, served his ap- prenticeship with his father in England, where Henry was born and grew to manhood. The home of the family was Congressburg, Somersetshire, England, and there Edward Ham and his father, Jo- seph, were butchers for many years. Henry was born in Congress- burg, March 8, 1848, son of Edward and Emma (Baker) Ham and was apprenticed to his father until he reached the age of twenty-one years, when he came to the United States and located at Whitewater, Wis. There he was butcher and farmer for ten years and in 1879 moved to Stoughton, which has since been his home. In 1881 the firm of Nye & Ham opened a market in Stoughton and after one year the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Ham continued in business alone. Until 1902 he carried on a most successful business by him- self and at that time retired and was succeeded by his son George, who has since carried on the business. George Ham has a finely equipped market furnished with all modern appliances and conducted in a thoroughly scientific manner. April 2, 1867, Mr. Ham married Miss Martha Alvis, a native of Congressburg and daughter of John and Eliza (Ball) Alvis. Four children blessed the marriage; George, Anne, who married Andrew Swenson, Hattie M., the wife of Griffith Jehu and Dot E., who is Mrs. John Connor. The daughters were all born in Whitewater. George, the only son, was born in Congressburg, England, August 15, 1868 and was but ten months old when his parents brought him to Whitewater. He attended the Whitewater schools and followed in occupation, the footsteps of his father and grandfathers. Mr. Ham is a Republican in his political 24-iii
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sympathies and is always ready to do his share to promote the best interests of the community. He owns a substantial business block of three stores on East Main street in Stoughton and a pleasant home. His energy and ability have made him prominent in the ranks of Stoughton business men.
Edward C. Hammersley, one of the representative farmers of the town of Madison, was born at Barnett, England, November 20, 1847. His parents, William and Ann (Barwise) Hammersley, were both na- tives of that country, the former of Cheshire and the latter of Liver- pool. The father was a farmer, dairyman and veterinary surgeon prior to his coming to this country. In January, 1850, he landed in America, and the same year located on eighty acres of wild land in the town of Madison. Early in the Civil War he enlisted in Company L; Third Wisconsin cavalry, and served as a veterinary surgeon until his death, which occurred at Little Rock, Ark., in 1864. His widow survived him until March 5, 1888. Their children were Elizabeth, Sarah, Edward C., William and Ann, (twins) George, Harriet and Mariam. Edward C. Hammersley's opportunities to acquire an edu- cation were extremely limited, as the death of his father made it nec- essary for him to aid in the support of the family. He therefore stayed at home, cleared his father's estate of indebtedness, and upon arriving at maturity began life for himself on rented land. After a few years in this manner he bought eighty acres where he now lives, improved it and added to it until he now owns nearly six hundred acres in Dane county, besides other property. For many years he dealt in live stock, and has been prominently indentified in real estate transactions. Politically Mr. Hammersley is a Democrat. For some time he served as clerk of the school board, and was for nine years treasurer of the town of Madison. On September 15, 1880, he married Miss Ella A., daughter of Andrus and Mary (Lemon) Viall, and to this marriage have been born the following children. Charles Edward, an attorney, living at home with his parents, Ellen, now a student at the state university; Fay, a farmer, attended the Wisconsin Academy; Mildred and George, both students at the Wisconsin Acad- emy, and Morris, attending the district schools. . Mr. Hammersley is a fine example of a self-made man. Beginning life in the most hum- ble circumstances, he has risen to his present social and business standing by his own energy and a strict adherence to correct principles.
Robert Alexander Hammond resides on the farm in Cottage Grove township, on which he was born, the date of his nativity having been August 18, 1855. It is interesting to note the fact that all of his children have been born in the same house and room in
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which he himself was ushered into the world. He is one of the prominent farmers and popular citizens of his native township and county and represents one of the sterling pioneer families of this section of the state. His father, Alexander Hammond, was born at historic old Fort Ticonderoga, New York, June 22, 1800, and died September 28, 1879, at the age of seventy-nine years. He took up his residence on the present homestead farm of the subject of this review in the year 1845, and he reclaimed the same from the virgin forest, thus aiding materially in forwarding the march of improvement in this now attractive agricultural district. His wife, whose maiden name was Caroline Brown, was born in the state of Pennsylvana, in 1821, and came with her parents, Roswell Brown and wife, to Cottage Grove in 1837. She survived her husband by many years, her death occurring on February 13, 1893. Of their children it may be recorded that three died in infancy. Emma who became the wife of Frank B. Marble, is now deceased; Joann is the wife of George M. Kelly, of Cottage Grove township; and Robert Alexander is the younger of the two surviving chiaren He was educated in the district schools, which he attended in an irregular way, his advantages being limited, as schools were not of high standard in this vicinity in his boyhood. He assisted in the reclamation and other work of the farm, and has always made his home on the place, which comprises one hundred and sixty acres, in section 20. Good buildings add to the attractions of the home- stead, while all departments of the farm show careful and effective management on the part of the progressive owner. Mr. Hammond gives his political allegiance to the Republican party and has served two terms as a member of the township board of supervisors. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. On May 7, 1877. Mr. Hammond was united in marriage to Miss Annie Ar- thur, who was born in County Derry, Ireland, on November 8, 1856, being a daughter of Samuel and Eliza (Steel) Arthur. both natives of County Derry, Ireland, the former of whom was born March 19, 1834, and the latter in 1826. The family came to the United States in 1858, and came directly to Cottage Grove, Dane county. Both died on their homstead in Cottage Grove, the father in November 5, 1899. and the mother on April 5, 1890. To Mr. and Mrs. Ham- mond have been born six children, namely . Mary Maud, who was. born March 10. 1880, and who is the wife of C. J. Nelson, of Stoughton, Wisconsin ; Arthur Asa, who was born September 28, 1881, on the home farm; Harry Howard, who was born June 7. 1883, and who died in infancy ; Edith Emma, who was born July 13.
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1885 and who died in infancy ; Olive May, who was born December 13, 1889; and Robert Lee, who was born February 18, 1895.
Gisle Julson Hamre was, for the greater part of his life, a farmer in the town of Christiana and still owns two hundred and twenty-five acres of farm property in the township, which he leases, having retired from active business life. He is the son of Jule and Anna Gisleson, who wore natives of Nummedahl, Norway, married there and came to the United States in 1842. They made Wisconsin their goal and after the long journey across the ocean and thence by the lakcs to Milwaukee, they procured a team to bring them to Dane county and obtained a farm in section 33, Christiana. Helick, brother of Jule, who came to Portage in 1838, soon joined them and purchased a farm in section 28. They were among the first settlers of the district. The home of . Jule consisted of two hundred acres of wild land with a log cabin and this the young couple improved and always made their home. Six chil- diren were born to them, of whom four are living ; Gisle J. is the oldest son ; Christian lives in Christiania ; Jule J. and Alex. are farmers of Christiania. The family have always been devotei members of the East church of Christiania. Gisle Julson was born in Nummedahl, Norway, April 1, 1840, and came with his parents to America when he was two years old. He attended the home schools and assisted his parents with the farm and lived at home until he was twenty-six years of age. With his brother Gunder he purchased a farm of one hundred acres in section 34 and this they worked together for four years. In September, 1870, he married Miss Martha Peterson, who was born in Gubensthal, Norway in 1843, daughter of Peter Evenson and Bertha (Larson) Evenson. Mrs. Hamre came from Norway with her brothers and sisters in 1869. Of a family of five she is the only sur- vivor. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Hamre lived on the old homestead in Christiania for some years and then moved to Utica. They are members of the East church of Christiania. Mr. Hamre is a Democrat in his political affiliations, as was his father, but has never ciesired to hold office.
John K. Hamre is a retired farmer of Morrisonville, who came to Wisconsin from Norway. His parents, K. G. and Tura (Malend) Hamre, were natives of Norway and lived upon a farm. Of their four children John K. is the only survivor. Mr. K. G. Hamre died in 1884 and his wife in 1848. John K. was born in Norway, January 15, 1844, was educated in Norway and there engaged in trade with the tarmers, from whom he bought farm produce and to whom he delivered manufactured goods from the city. For five years he owned and managed a farm in Norway, which he afterward sold in eleven differ-
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ent sections, each a farm. In 1868, he married Miss Bertha S. Meland, daughter of Sjur and Anna (Tjugen) Meland, of Norway. In 1874, Mr. Hamre came to the United States, with the intention of making it his home and he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Leeds township, Columbia county, Wis, In 1875, he brought his family to the new home and there resided until 1902, when he moved to Morrisonville. The farm was ,added to until it comprised four hundred and thirty-five acres and is a weil equipped and valuable property. Mr. Hamre also ownes an eighty-acre tract one-half mile from Morrisonville Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hamre; Knudt, Turi, and Sjur (deceased) were born in Norway. The other children were born in Spring Prairie, Wis .; Eddie, Carrie (deceased), John, Carl, Benne (deceased) Anna, Benne and Joseph. The family attends the Lutheran church. Mr. Hamre is a member of the Republican party but not active in political affairs. He is extensively interested in gold, copper and coal mines and is a stock-holder in the Alaska Central Ry.
Christian Hansen .- In the great competitive struggle of life, where each must enter the field and fight his way to the front, or else be overtaken by disaster of time and place, there is ever par- ticular interest attaching to the career of one who has turned the tide of success and gained the haven of substantial prosperity through well directed personal effort. Christian Hansen, president and manager of the Wisconsin Wagon Company, manufacturers of high-grade carriages and delivery wagons, in the city of Madi- son, has indelibly impressed his influence on the commercial his- tory of the capital city, has proved a force in local industrial affairs and aided in furthering the commercial advancement of his city and county, while he has never failed to realize the responsibilities which success imposes, having ordered his life on a high plane of honor and integrity. Mr. Hansen was the founder of the flourish- ing and important enterprise at whose head he now stands. The Wisconsin Wagon Company dates its inception back to August 20, 1874, while the concern was duly incorporated under the laws of the state. in 1883, with the present executive corps, comprising Mr. Hansen and his two sons. He is president and manager, as has already been noted: Clarence S., is secretary, and Harry E., treasurer. The business was started on a very modest scale, the original location of the little shop and salesroom having been on Webster street, between King and Main streets, where operations were continued, with gradual expansion of the facilities of the plant, until 1883, when the present finely equipped building was
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erected by the company, on Blair street, the cost of the same, with tlie improvements now represented in the plant, being about ten thousand dollars. In this building the company manufacture the best grade of carriages, buggies and delivery wagons and also do general repair work in this line, employing skilled artisans in the handling of all details of manufacture. They also deal in medium and high-grade carriages and other vehicles in addition to those of their own manufacture, having a well appointed emporium for all finished work, while the trade controlled is large and representa- tive, indicating the reliability of the products of the factory and the correct business methods which have begotten popular confi- dence and support. The trade of the company extends throughout the wide section of the territory of which Madison is the normal commercial and distributing center, and also ramifies into other states than Wisconsin, while it is constantly expanding in scope and importance. An average of ten men is retained in the employ of the company in carrying forward the work of the plant and sales departments, while the entire capital stock of the concern is held by Mr. Hansen and his sons, who are numbered among the repre- sentative business men and honored citizens of Madion. Chris- tian Hansen comes of stanch Danish lineage, and was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, which was then a Danish province, on June 2, 1852, being a son of Hans and Catherine (Mueller) Han- sen, who were natives of the same place, where they passed their entire lives, Germany acquiring the province through force of arms in 1864. George Jorgenson. a half-brother of Christian Hansen, was at that time in the military service of Denmark and took part in the conflict with the German forces. In 1867, having previously availed himself of the excellent advantages of the schools of his native province, Mr. Hansen entered upon an apprenticeship at the trade of carriage woodworking, in the town of Nordborg, on the island of Alsen, where he remained until 1870, when the Franco- Prussian war broke out. Having no desire to be drafted into the service of the German empire, Mr. Hansen, with a few personal effects. made his way to Denmark's capital, the city of Copenhagen, and about two weeks later he decided to seck his fortunes in America, having a good knowledge of his trade and being ani- mated by that self-reliance and determination which have been the main factors in securing his advancement in life. From Copen- hagen he sailed to England and thence proceeded to Glasgow, Scot- land, finally embarking for New York city, where he landed late in July of the year mentioned, his capitalistic reinforcement at the
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