History of Dane County, Biographical and Genealogical, Part 8

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 8

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Michael Berg is a retired pioneer farmer of the town of Perry and a veteran of the Civil War. His parents, Iver and Carrie Berg. were natives of Norway, where Mr. Berg served for a time in the

HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

army. Michael was born in Norway. October 13, 1830, and came to Wisconsin in 1853 with several brothers and sisters. For a few years he worked out by the day and then purchased eighty acres in the town of Perry, where he lived ten years. He then sold this property at a considerable profit and purchased one hundred and forty acres also in the town of Perry, to which was later added one hundred and sixty acres. Mr. Berg has now a fine property, well- equipped, and a large proportion of it under cultivation. His suc- cess has been earned by untiring energy and patience. Iver Berg had six children, of whom five came to America. Ever and Austin reside in Iowa; Ole in Trempeleau county. Wis .; Anna in Prim- rose and Ingebor in Norway. Michael served the Union cause during the Civil War as a private in the Twenty-second Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. His detachment was engaged in guard duty and Mr. Berg served from October, 1864 to May, 1865, when he was discharged at Madison. In October, 1856, he married Miss Barbara Haaverud, born July 26, 1833, daughter of Knudt and Christina Haaverud, the former of whom never come to America. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Berg ; Carrie (deceased) ; Ever married Emma Johnson and lives in Perry ; Knudt (de- ceased) ; Christine married Oliver Iverson and resides in Kossuth county. Iowa; Carrie lives with her parents; A'nna Olena is the wife of George Matson of Moscow, Iowa county; Evan married Annie Stenseth and lives in Sioux county, Iowa; Carena is the wife of John Jensvold of Kossuth county, Iowa: Anna Berthine is Mrs. Edward Benson of Mount Horeb; Ingebor married Theodore Johnson and lives in Clark county, Wis .; Henry lives with his par- ents. Mr. Berg is allied with the Republican party and is a mem- ber of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

John B. Berge, a retired farmer, living in the village of Deerfield, . was born at Voss, Norway, January 7, 1832. both his parents, Bun- gel and Mary (Golickson) Johnson, being natives of that country. Mr. Berge received a moderate education in the schools of Norway, and in 1850 came alone to America, making his way directly to Dane county. He bought one hundred and sixty acres of land from his brother, who had purchased it from the government a short time before, and began farming. In 1890 he bought some lots in the village of Deerfield and built the house in which he now lives. However, he still owns the farm, which is now conducted by his son. In politics he belongs to the Republican party ; has served five terms as town treasurer; four terms as assessor; and has several times been elected as a member of the board of supervisors. He is

BIOGRAPHICAL.

a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and is a man of high moral principles, noted for his generosity. In the fall of 1855 he married Angeline Michelson Erdall, daughter of Michael Erdall, and they have the following children: Bungel and Michael on the home farm in Dane county ; Nickoli in Vernon county ; Tena, mar- ried Peter B. Winde of Deerfield ; Ellen, married Andrew Hollman, St. Croix county.

Ole O. Berge, who carries on a general farming business in the town of Dunn, is an experienced farmer and has lived in the vicinity of Dunn for nearly thirty years. Born in Tellemarken, Norway, June 14, 1862, he came to America when a boy of fifteen, with a cous- in, and located in the town of Dunn. Two of his brothers and a sis- ter came to America later but the remainder of the family, which in all numbered nine children, remained in Norway, where three have died. Mr. Berge's father, also Ole O., married Julia Osman and lived in Tellemarken, Norway, of which place both were natives. In 1866 she was left a widow and later married Ole Evenson of Tellemarken. They were members of the Lutheran church, in which they brought up their family. Ole O., the subject of this sketch, received such education as the common schools of Telle- marken afforded and embarked for the west in 1877. For a time he worked out upon farms near Dunn and then rented a farm. In 1896 he purchased twenty-two acres of farm land to which he soon added another tract of thirty-seven and one-half acres, which is his present home. All of the improvements have been made by Mr. Berge, who has spared no pains to make his property valuable. He bu'lt the comfortable home and has made many other additions to the farm upon which he raises much fine stock, also grain, tobacco, etc. Mr. Berge started in with no capital but by his ambition and energy and his own unaided efforts has made himself one of the substantial members of the community. He is a Republican but has never been an active politician and is a member of the Stough- ton Lutheran church. In 1889, he married Miss Gunil Knutson, a native of Norway. Seven children have been born to them ; Oscar, Carl, Gilmer, Alma,-who died in infancy,-Alma, the second, Clara and Olin. All attended the home schools and the Lutheran church.

Peter B. Bergum, owner of one of the large farms of Dane county, located at DeForest, Wis., was born on the old homestead at Bristol, October 4, 1856. His parents were Botolf and Betsy (Farness) Bergum, both of whom were born in Norway. Botolf Bergum left the old country and arrived at Bristol about 1846 where he passed

HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

the remainder of his life. His wife immigrated to America in 1844. They were married in Dane county, and had five sons and one daughter, all of whom are living. They settled on a farm and by thrift and diligence greatly prospered, finally becoming the owners of six hundred acres of land. Botolf died in Bristol, March 23, 1904, and his wife d'ed April 8, 1903. Peter Bergum was thus one of a family of several children. He received such an education as the common schools afforded. His father had been a strong Repub- lican and a member of the Lutheran church and the son followed in the foot-steps of his parent in politics and in religion, as well as in occupation. Farm-bred and farm-reared, he became an unusually successful agriculturist. He now owns two hundred and seventy acres of land, which he devotes to his extensive tobacco interests. He also makes a specialty of Poland China hogs, short-horned cat- tle, and thorough-bred Shropshire sheep, his interest in dairying having led him to serve as president of the creamery of North Bristol. He is honored and respected by the community and is one of the trustees of the Lutheran church. He married on October 30, 1879, Susan Amundson, who was born in Chicago, March 14, 1862, the daughter of Arne and Inger Amundson, both of whom were born in Norway. Mr. Amundson came to this country when a young man, living first in Chicago and then in California. He re- turned to Norway, but came back to Chicago where he was married. After his marriage he settled in Hamden, Columbia county, Wis., in 1865, where he died in 1889, his wife surviving him until Septem- ber 2, 1905. Beside the father and mother, the family consisted of five children, three sons and one daughter of whom are now living. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bergum as follows: Bennie, educated at Stoughton academy and the Dixon normal school, engaged in farming; Albert and Andrew, educated at Albion academy and both farmers; Emma, a student of Albion academy ; Arthur, Mabel and Lena, the last three being at present at home.

Charles Bernard, Sr. In retirement after a busy life covering a period of more than four score years, Charles Bernard, Sr., is en- joying his declining years at his home, 624 East Gorham street. liv- ing with his son, William P. Bernard, and family. His life of eighty-two years has been one of industry, frugality and thrift, and unt'l six years ago, when he fell and injured his spine, there were few days that he was not actively engaged in some useful form of work. Extremely fond of water and being connected with the boat building trade from his youth, Mr. Bernard finds a keen degree of pleasure, even at his advanced age, in gazing upon the broad ex-

BIOGRAPHICAL.

panse of Lake Mendota, a fine view of which his room at the family residence commands. In the summer months a favorite spot of the aged boat-builder was in an easy chair in the boat-house adjoining the pier where, with observation glasses, he would note the move- ments of the lake craft and watch the steamer Columbia, which was largely his own creation. Mr. Bernard was born in Baden, Germany, May 23, 1823, coming to this country when a lad of but eight years. ' He learned tailoring in New York city during a resi- dence there of thirteen years and at the same time became quite expert in cabinet making, which was accounted a desirable trade in those days, everything being done by hand. Just as Mr. Bern- ard was arriving at man's estate the Mexican War broke out and he was among the first to enroll, enlisting in the Second artillery of New York, with which regiment he saw five years of active service. He participated in many battles and was with General Winfield Scott at the bombardment of Vera Cruz. The storming of the fortress of Chapultepec and the capitulation of the city of Mexico, he remembers well, and the fight at Cherabusco, where he was wounded, is vivid in his memory. Mr. Bernard was shot in the right shoulder by one of Colonel Reilly's deserters, the ball pene- trating the joint. After he felt the sting of the missile, he fired nineteen of the twenty cartridges in his belt, then fainted from loss of blood. After a hospital residence of several months, Mr. Bernard was appointed standing orderly under Colonel Monroe, a position he held until mustered out of the service.

At the hospital the ball was extracted from the wound and given to the young man who treasured it as a keep-sake until more re- cent days, when it disappeared. At the beginning of the Civil War Mr. Bernard joined the Sixth Wisconsin Battery, but was not long in the service. The desire to better his position in life induced the young man to look to the west for opportunity and he came to Madison in 1851. He had accumulated some money and this he en- trusted to a friend who promised to purchase with it a nice tract of land for him west of Madison, but he proved false to his agree- ment, took the money and skipped for parts unknown. This cir- cumstance changed his plans and there was no alternative but to begin tailoring again until he could accumulate enough to begin building row-boats. His shop was located on the lot owned by George Stoner, where now stands the Bethel Lutheran church. Mr. Bernard acquired his knowledge of the proper construction of boats, while working in the Brooklyn navy-yard where he was em- ployed as finisher on large vessels. The pointers thus gained stood

HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

him in good stead, for, with money gone, there was no prospect of getting a farm as he had planned and the boat business promised a livelihood. In 1890 he built his first steamboat, which he named Ann in honor of his daughter, who now lives in Cincinnati. After two years on Lake Mendota, the Anne was sold and was taken to Green Lake. In 1893 the year of the world's fair in Chicago, Mr. Bernard built the Columbia, the work on both vessels being done by hand. Last spring the Columbia was dismantled and superseded by the new steamer, Wisconsin, built by the Madison Boat Com- pany and owned by William P. Bernard. In 1849 at New York city. Miss Margaret Cartes became the wife of Mr. Bernard, com- ing to Madison with her husband in 1851. Nine children were born to them, five sons and four daughters. Those now living are Charles Bernard, Jr., chief of the city fire department of Madison ; Henry Bernard, captain of the fire department ; William P. Bernard, boat and ice-yacht builder of Madison ; and George Bernard of Sioux City. Iowa, superintendent of a telephone company. Only two daughters are living .- Mrs. H. J. VanKeulen of Madison and Mrs. F. G. Pfaff of Cincinnati. Catherine died at an early age and a few months ago Mrs. Frank Baker passed away. A son, George, died in Chicago, and Mrs. Bernard was called seventeen years ago. Mr. Bernard's parents died at a comparatively early age, his father be- ing killed in battle and his mother died from grief soon after, at the age of forty-eight. He has but one brother living. This is Constan- tine, whose home is in New York city. Mr. Bernard is a member of the Mozart lodge, I. O. O. F., and has been connected with the old No. 2 fire company since 1859. Although seriously hampered physically by reason of the injury to his spine six years ago, this veteran of two wars finds enjoyment in reading and recalling events of earlier days. He is possessed of strength of memory quite re- markable. Mr. Bernard's career is one of that varied character common only to the generation now almost gone.

Charles Bernard, Jr., chief of the Madison fire department, and a son of Charles Bernard, Sr., whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume, was born in New York city on February 22, 1849. His early educational advantages were such as were afforded by the Mad son schools and during the time he was not occupied in the pursuit of knowledge he assisted his father in his boating and fish- ing business. At the age of twenty-two he served his apprentice- ship as a painter and followed that vocation continuously up to 1899. Six years of that time he was senior member of the firm of Bernard, Dresen & Rhodes. Mr. Bernard's connection with the

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Madison fire department dates from 1871. In that year, just one week before the great Chicago fire, he became a member of the old E. W. Keyes steam engine company. Upon the disbandment of that company he joined the S. U. Pinney hose company, and for some time was its captain and treasurer. It was while he was a member of the hose company that the city council in 1882 elected him to the position of assistant chief of the department. He served in that capacity for seven years, and then was placed in charge of the department, which position he has most capably filled since that time. When the exigencies of the city required a larger depart- ment Mr. Bernard gave up his other business interests so as to de- vote his entire time to the needs of the department. In 1900 the de- partment was placed under civil service and he was chosen perma- nent chief by the board of fire and police commissioners. In politics the chief shows a preference for the Democratic party, but has never aspired to political office. His religious affiliations are with the Presbyterian church. In 1843 Chief Bernard married Miss Mary McConnell, a daughter of Richard McConnell of Madison. Two children have been born to this union,-Bertha, the wife of Charles Warnke of Madison, and Henry, a stenographer for the Portland safe company of Portland, Oregon.

Dr. Joseph H. Bertrand 's a leading physician and business man of De Forest, Wis., and the descendant of a Canadian family. His father's father came from France to Canada and his mother's par- ents were early French settlers of Canada. Peter Bertrand, father of Joseph H., was born in Canada, educated there and there mar- ried to Miss Seraphine Courtmanche, also a native of Canada. In 1855 they came to Chicago and made that city the'r permanent home. Mr. Bertrand died in 1883 and his wife in 1905. They were members of the Church of Notre Dame (Roman Catholic) in Chi- cago. Two sons and one daughter were born to them, all of whom are living. Joseph H. was born in Chicago, September 27, 1862, attended the public schools in that city and was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the University of Ill., in 1886. For a short time he practiced medicine in Chicago but, seeing a fav- orable opportunity in De Forest, has been ever since successfully engaged in practice there. Since 1891 he has been engaged in the drug business and also aided in the organization of the De Forest State Bank in 1902, of which he has always been president. A' Republican in political sympathy, Dr. Bertrand is first and foremost an active and public-spirited man, to whom De Forest can look for interest in her welfare. He is particularly active in the promotion

HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

of the best interests of the De Forest schools. In the Hansann Lumber Co., he is president and principal stock-holder. With the following medical societies he is identified: the Central Wisconsin Medical Society, the Dane County Medical Society, the State Medical Society of Wisconsin, and the American Medical Associa- tion. He is also a member of the Wisconsin State Pharmaceutical Association and was instrumental in the organization of the De For- est Mutual Fire Insurance Co., of which he was President for a num- ber of years, November 26, 1891, he married Miss Tina Dahl, daugh- ter of N. L. Dahl, an account of whose life appears elsewhere. Three children have blessed the marriage; Pearl, born February 13, 1896 ; Norman and Joseph Bernard. The family are identified with the Lutheran church.

George Bevitt, an inventor of Madison. was born at Stanley Hill, near the city of Wakefield, Yorkshire, England, October 2, 1819. He is a son of George and Elizabeth (Smith) Bevitt, both natives of Yorkshire. The father was a carpenter and mill-wright, and also built boats. The paternal grandfather, William Bevitt, lived near Thorn and was also a carpenter. He had a large family, owned considerable real estate, was the poor pay-master for two villages and kept a hotel. He also built and was the owner of several boats and two of his sons were sailors. George Bevitt, the subject of the sketch, is one of a family of ten children, and the only one to come to this country. He received a fair education in the schools of his native county, and after leaving school learned the trade of cabinet maker. At the age of twenty years he left home and for about two years worked at his trade as a journeyman in different localities. He then went to Bolton, where he found employment in an organ factory and later started in business for himself. In 1849 he came with his family to America, and on September 20, of that year, arrived at Madison. Here he worked for Darwin Clark and others as a cabinet maker, until he was employed by the Chicago, Milwau- kee & St. Paul Railroad Company to look after the pumping sta- tions, etc., in Illinois and Wisconsin. While thus employed he invented a tank-spout and valve which is now used by the leading railroad companies of the United States. He also invented a car- coupler and various other appliances, having taken out altogether twenty-two patents. Mr. Bevitt was a member of the old fire com- pany No. 1, and was for six years a constable of Dane county. In 1841, at Leeds, England, he married Miss Mary, daughter of Rob- ert and Mary Critoph, and to this marriage were born twelve chil- dren, only three of whom are now living. Mary E. is the wife of

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Rev. Justin Thompson, of Poynette, Wis .; Henrietta J. lives with her father ; and Hannah is the wife of William L. Steele, a whole- sale jeweler of Chicago, with offices in the Masonic Temple. The mother of these children died in March. 1902.

Ole Bilstad, a well-known Cambridge druggist, has been engaged in mercantile business for a number of years. He is of Norwegian descent, both of his parents having been natives of Telemarken, Norway. His father, Even, was a farmer in Norway and was there wedded to Miss Dagna Midgard. In 1843. they came to the United States in a sa ling vessel, which was twenty-one weeks in crossing the ocean. After a very short stay in New York, where the vessel arrived at length, the young couple came to Wisconsin and settled on a farm in Oakland, Jefferson county. Their property consisted of one hundred and sixty acres obtained from the government and on it they bu'lt a rude dug-out and proceeded to improve the farm. The first wheat they raised was carried ten miles to Lake Mills on the back of the pioneer farmer. Their efforts were crowned with success and later the dug-out was replaced by a snug cabin. In 1866 the farm was sold and the family moved to Dane county and purchased eighty acres of improved farm property. Five children were born, but two of the older ones, Stena and Tollaf, died. Tona, the second child, now lives at Seattle, Wash. Gunel lives at Neils- ville, Wis. and Ole. the subject of this sketch, is the youngest son. The family attended the Lutheran church. Ole Bilstad was born at Oakland, Jefferson county, March 28, 1848, attended in the win- ter time such schools as the district afforded in those days and helped his parents on the farm in his spare time. October 24, 1872, he married Miss Ingobar Mandt and soon after came to Cambridge, where he was employed as clerk by T. C. Stagg, who owned a drug and general store. He became Mr. Stagg's partner and a dry goods department was added to the store. In 1879, Mr. Bilstad bought the drug business and since that time has carried on a drug, sta- tionery, paint and wall-paper business. Mr. Bilstad is a Republican in political sympathy and has served as trustee and school clerk in the village for a long period. With his family he attends the Pres- byterian church of Cambridge. Mrs. Bilstad is the daughter of Gunder T. Mandt, a prominent citizen of Stoughton, Wis., whose sketch appears elsewhere. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bilstad: the oldest son. Gunerius E., attended the Cambridge schools, the Stoughton Academy and the University of Wisconsin; was also graduated from the Northwestern Medical College and is a practicing physician of Cambridge. His wife was Miss Clara War-

HISTORY OF DANE COUNTY.

ren, daughter of Dr. George B. Warren, of Chicago, and they have a family of three children, George, Esther and May. The oldest daughter of Ole Bilstad is Sena D., wife of John Richardson of San Francisco, Cal. Clara, the next in age, is the wife of Will F. Krip- pen of Barron, Wis., and they have one child, Paul B. Florence O. Bilstad, the youngest daughter, resides with her parents at Cam- bridge. Mr. Bilstad is a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge No. 135 of Cambridge and Dr. Bilstad belongs to the State Medical Society of Wisconsin.

Wenzl Binstock, a farmer in the town of Cottage Grove, was born at Waterloo, Jefferson county, Wis., June 11, 1863. His father, whose name was also Wenzl, was a native of Austria. He grew to manhood in his native land, married there Hannah Freidel, and June, 1859, located in Jefferson county. After nine years on this farm they sold it and bought s'xty-eight acres in another locality. Here they added to their possessions until they owned a fine farm of one hundred and seventy acres, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Of their ten children six are still living. They are August, living retired at Waterloo; Peter. a farmer at Sun Prairie ; Wenzl, the subject of this sketch ; Hannah, now Mrs. Frank Veith, of the town of Medina ; Rose. the wife of Ferdinand Vieth, of Wat- erloo, and Anna, the wife of Anton Thomas, of Sun Prairie. At the age of twenty-five years Wenzl Binstock, the son, began farm- ing for himself on a farm belonging to his father. This tract of land he afterward bought. and it has been his home ever since he commenced life on his own account. On April 17, 1888, he married Mary, daughter of Vincent and Victoria Semon, of the town of Medina, and Mrs. Binstock has been a real helpmate to her husband in all his undertakings. This, coupled with the fact that he is a man of super or judgment and untiring energy, accounts for his success. He and his wife have had the following children. Hattie, born March 2, 1889 ; Anna, born on March 28, 1891, and died on October 5, 1891 ; twins, born March 25, 1893, one of them died in infancy and the other, John. died on September 8, 1893 ; Cary M , born March 26, 1896. Vincent and Victoria Semon, had four children, viz: Mary, now Mrs. Wenzl Binstock ; Joseph, living in Illinois ; John, at Ocon- omowoc, Wis .; and Vincent, living in the town of Medina. Mr. Binstock is a member of the Catholic church and in his political affil'ations is classed as an independent voter. He belongs to the Lodge of Woodmen at Cottage Grove, and to the Catholic Order of Foresters.

William H. Birkinbine, one of the successful farmers and stock-

BIOGRAPHICAL.

growers of Sun Prairie township, was born in Delafield, Waukesha county, Wisconsin, October 1, 1854, and is a son of Henry R. and May (Austin) Birkinbine, the former of whom was born in Penn- sylvania, in 1807, and the latter in the state of New York, Decem- ber 15, 1833. The father came to Madison, Wisconsin, in an early day and there erected the first saw mill for the late Andrew Proud- fit. He later settled near the city of Milwaukee, where he owned and operated a saw mill for a number of years. He passed the clos- ing years of his life in Nashville, Tennessee, where he was for some time employed as a machinist. He was both an engineer and mill- wright, and finally was placed on the retired l'st of pensioned en- gineers of the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad. His twin brother, William, was awarded a prize as an engineer at the World's Columbian Exposition, in Chicago, in 1893. Henry Birkinbine was a Democrat in politics, in earlier life, but supported the Republican cause from the time of Lincoln until his death, which occurred in 1888. His widow now resides in Scotland, South Dakota, and of their four children two are living. The paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch was a native of Germany, whence he em- migrated to America, locating in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he passed the remainder of his life, having been in independent cir- cumstances financially. The maternal grandfather, Hezekiah Aus- tin, was born in the state of New York, and came to Wisconsin about 1845, settling in Waukesha, where he engaged in the work of his trade, that of blacksmith. Both he and his wife, whose maiden name was Lucinda Stowell, continued their residence in Wisconsin until their death. William H. Birkinbine completed his educational tra ning in the public schools of Sun Prairie, and he has made farming his vocation in life, while he has won his way to success and independence through earnest and well directed per- sonal effort. He now owns a well improved and valuable farm of one hundred and ninety acres, one hundred acres of which are in the corporation of Sun Prairie and the remainder in Sun Prairie township, the tract being all in one body, however. In 1903 he erected his present large and well equipped barn, and in 1904 com- pleted his fine modern residence. He gives his attention to general farming ard stock raising and is alert and progressive in his methods and ideas, while he commands the esteem of all with whom he comes in contact. Mr. Birkinbine is a stanch Republican, but has never sought official preferment. He is identified with Sun Prairie Lodge, No. 143, Free and Accepted Masons, and attends and gives support to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Birkin-

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History of Dane County, Biographical and Genealogical, Part 8

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