History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 106

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn; Pierce, Eben Douglas
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Chicago Winona : H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1318

USA > Wisconsin > Trempealeau County > History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin > Part 106

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has 20 acres more across Black River in La Crosse County. His buildings are modern and substantial and his farm is equipped with all necessary machinery and implements. Mr. Klundby carries on general farming and dairying and devotes all his time to his business, having taken no part in local politics. He and his wife have had two children: Ella, who resides at home, and Nels, who died at the age of 12 years.

Alexander B. Flemington, who for many years was a leading farmer of Trempealeau Township, was born in Renfrewshire, Scotland, May 31, 1826, son of James and Mary (Dove) Flemington. He was descended from an honorable and worthy ancestry. His parents had but two children, he being the younger, and the elder being a sister. In 1842 he came to America to establish a home for his family and first located in Rhode Island. The following summer he traveled west as far as Michigan and finally made a settlement in East Greenwich, R. I. In 1844 the father was followed to the new country by his wife and son, with whom he went in the following year to Taunton, Mass., where, being an engine driver by occupation, he found employment running an engine for a manufactur- ing company. The parents came to Trempealeau County to join their son, but after remaining one year they returned to Rhode Island, where they subsequently remained until their death. Alexander B. Flemington was about 18 years of age when he came to America with his parents. He worked in the muslin de laine print works at Taunton, Mass., and then returned to East Greenwich, R. I., going thence to Southbridge, Mass., where also he was employed in the print works. In 1848 he came west to Milwaukee, where he remained five years and during that time learned the trade of carriage making. He was married in that city Aug. 20, 1851, to Mary Taylor and subsequently removed to Walworth County and engaged in wagon making. In 1855 he came to Trempealeau County and engaged in agricultural pursuits. Here his death occurred in July, 1911. For the last eight years of his life he had been a widower, his wife having passed away in May, 1903. Their children were: Alexander D., Elizabeth F., Jessie, Allen J., Andrew F., Mary and Ada. Alexander D. took a course of instruction at the high school of Trempealeau, and also a literary course at the Wisconsin State University. He was also for some time teacher in the intermediate department of the Trempealeau school and went thence to Whitehall, where he was principal for one year. He studied law with Judge Newman and was graduated from the law department of the State University of Wisconsin. In July, 1874, he located in Ellendale, Dakota, and was there honored by being chosen a delegate for circuit judge. Eliza- beth F. is the widow of Louis Tatro and resides at Thompson Falls, Mont. Jessie is now Mrs. George Cummings. Allen J. resides at Finlayson, Minn. Andrew J. is deceased. Mary is now Mrs. William Suttie of Trempealeau County, Wis. Ada, who is now deceased, was the wife of William Walker.

Willis W. Suttie, a well known member of the agricultural community in Caledonia Township, whose farm-the old Suttie homestead-is located in section 8, was born on this homestead Nov. 24, 1866, son of William J. and Eliza (Weston) Suttie. The birth of William J. Suttie took place near Edinburgh, Scotland, Nov. 11, 1834, and eighteen months later, in the

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spring of 1838, he accompanied his parents to the United States. Settling first in New York state, they remained there until 1841 and then removed to a location near Ypsilanti, Mich., which was the home of the family until 1856. Then, following the stream of western emigration, they continued onward until in that year they arrived in Caledonia Township, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, taking land in section 9. William J. was by this time 22 years old and was of material assistance to his father in the hard pioneer work which fell to their lot in this then wild country. About three years later, in 1859, he felt prosperous enough to marry and chose for his wife Eliza J. Weston, daughter of Jesse and Hester Weston, who resided near Ypsilanti, Mich. Of this union were born Charles A., Elliva and Willard and Willis (twins). Charles now lives at Lake Forest, Ill .; Willard at Glasgow, Wis., near North Bend, and Elliva is the wife of Philip Kribs, residing in West Prairie, Trempealeau Township, near Centerville. The first of the two parents to pass away was the mother, her death occurring May 22, 1873. Her husband survived her 13 years, dying in 1886. Willis W. Suttie was educated in the district school, which he attended during the winters only after he was 14 years old. At 18 he became a pupil in the grade school at Galesville, Wis., but attended only one term. On Dec. 16, 1890, he was married at La Crosse by the Rev. J. W. Winder, pastor of the Presbyterian church, to Mary, daughter of Alexander and Mary (Taylor) Flemington of Trempealeau Township, and began housekeeping on the homestead in Caledonia Township, of which he is now the owner. It consists of 100 acres, of which he has 80 acres under the plow and 20 in pasture. His buildings include a two-story house, upright and wing ; two good barns, a corn house, a machine shed, a milk house and a silo of 100 tons capacity, the buildings being all painted and in good condition. Mr. Suttie is engaged in general farming and keeps only grade stock. He has attended every fair held at Galesville during his life, taking a par- ticular interest in everything relating to his business. He and his wife have been the parents of six children, whose record in brief is as follows: Donald A., born Jan. 5, 1893, is unmarried and is renting a farm near Trempealeau Village. Ada F., born April 11, 1894, is a graduate of the Galesville high school, class of 1913, and of the La Crosse Normal School, class of 1916, and is now engaged in teaching grades three and four in the schools of Norwalk, Wis. John A., born Aug. 11, 1898, died in infancy. Floyd W., born May 10, 1900, resides on the farm and is assisting his father. Lawrence, born Oct. 8, 1901, is helping on the farm. Cedric A., born Oct. 1, 1903, is a student living at home. In politics Mr. Suttie is independent. He has served one term on the district school board, but has not otherwise been politically active.

George W. Knutson. One of the best and most highly improved farms in Lincoln Township is that of George W. Knutson, in section 36, and which contains 232 acres of good fertile land. Mr. Knutson was born in West Salem, La Crosse County, Wis., May 20, 1873, son of Even Knutson and his wife, Mary Anderson Knutson. The father was a native of Norway, who came to America in 1870, locating at West Salem, where he farmed until 1903, subsequently removing to Holmen, La Crosse County, where

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he died in 1913 at the age of 68 years. His wife, now 73 years old, is now residing in Holmen. George W. Knutson remained on the home farm until reaching the age of 16 years. He then went to work on the farm of James McEldowney at West Salem and was employed there for 14 years, only taking one week off in all that time, which was when he visited the World's Fair at Chicago in 1893. At the end of that period he rented Mr. McEldowney's farm and operated it on his own account for 15 years with profitable results. Being now ready to purchase a farm of his own, he selected that which he now owns and operates, and has since resided here. The residence is a good frame structure of 10 rooms, with furnace heat, bath, electric light and other modern conveniences. Mr. Knutson owns his own electric light plant by which his other buildings are simi- larly illuminated. In 1915 he rebuilt his barn, which is now a substantial frame structure, with cement block basement and cement floor, in size 32 by 108 by 20 feet. It is provided with Louden stanchions and litter car- rier. In the same year he built a cement block silo, 16 by 35 feet. Among his other buildings are a good machine shed-a frame building 24 by 80 feet and an ice house and milk house combined, 15 by 24 by 12 feet. The farm includes an orchard of two acres. Mr. Knutson at this time keeps about 60 head of Holstein cattle, 20 being registered, and milks 30 cows. Of Duroc-Jersey hogs he feeds 200 a year. In his farming operations he follows the three years' rotation plan, planting corn and clover. As a farmer he has been highly successful, a result due to his thorough training in early life and his habits of industry and intelligent application to his self-appointed tasks. Mr. Knutson was married Nov. 1, 1900, to Mary Anderson of West Salem, who was born in Sweden. He and his wife have six children: Raymond, La Verne, Margaret, Clarence, May and Glen.

Haines Brothers .- Five miles south of Arcadia Village, in section 15, Arcadia Township, lies one of the best farms in Trempealeau County. Its proprietors, John and Adam Haines, are sons of Christian C. and Margaret Haines, who came to Bill's Valley, Arcadia Township, about the close of the Civil War, their former home having been in New York state. Both John and Adam Haines were born in Bill's Valley, the former Oct. 26, 1867, the latter March 2, 1872. They were early trained in everything pertain- ing to agricultural work and dairying, and the farm of 372 acres which they bought from their father is a well productive farm. It was partially improved since that time; on it stood a small house and a small barn. In 1895 they entered into a partnership to carry on the farm and since then have made numerous valuable improvements, among them a large two- story brick house, well supplied with running water and electricity throughout the barn and house. They erected in 1901 a full basement barn, 34 by 64 by 16 feet, above the basement. They have also built a machine shed, 20 by 50 feet, and other necessary buildings. Carrying on general farming and dairying, they keep a number of cows and horses. Adam Haines was united in matrimony Nov. 5, 1895, to Elizabeth Pam- puch, daughter of a prosperous farmer near Arcadia. . They have nine children, whose names with dates of birth are: Clarence, born Oct. 15, 1896 (died in June, 1899) ; Mathilda L., March 17, 1898; Della I., Dec. 18,

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1901; Clara A., Dec. 13, 1902; Ervine, Oct. 2, 1904; Gilbert C., Dec. 16, 1906: Amanda E., Nov. 8, 1908; Benzell, Feb. 7, 1912, and Eugene, Nov. 30, 1917. All except Clarence are living and are yet in district, parochial and high school, but will latter attend higher institutions. John and Adam Haines are patriotic American citizens, who are very active in the district, the father for some years was a member of the school board. They are also stockholders in the Arcadia Co-operative Creamery, John also holding stock in the Arcadia Bank and Adam Haines owns property in town. They were reared as. German Catholics and are members of the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at Arcadia.

Thomas Truog, Jr., is a native of this vicinity, having been born in Glencoe, Buffalo County, two miles west of Arcadia Village, Jan. 3, 1872, son of Thomas Truog, Sr. He attended school in the neighborhood of his home and in Arcadia Village, and as a youth went to Minnesota and worked on farms in Lewiston and Kasson. At the age of 21 he went to Devils Lake, North Dakota, and there lived a year. Upon returning to Wisconsin he and his brother John rented the farm which his parents had acquired in section 1, Arcadia Township, and section 25, Lincoln Township. A year later he took charge of the farm alone. From 1896 to 1904 he lived in Independence, at the end of which period he again returned to the home farm, which he rented for several years. In 1915, with his brother Emil, a professor in the agricultural department of the University of Wisconsin, he purchased the place from the other heirs, and has since continued to reside thereon. Here he carries on general farming and dairying along the latest approved methods, and makes a specialty of breeding registered Guernsey cattle. The buildings are a feature of the place. The home is roomy and comfortable, the barn is a large frame structure, 36 by 122 feet, with full basement, cement floors, West Bend stanchions, box stalls, and all other modern equipment. The tile silo has a capacity of 155 tons, and the tile ice house is a valuable adjunct to the dairying activities on the place. The farm is unusually well provided with tools, implements, machinery and other supplies. The plow land consists of some 180 acres, while about fifty acres are in pasture and timber. An experienced, well- read farmer himself, Mr. Truog has the advantage of his brother's advice, and the farm is one of the model places of the county. A thorough friend of the cause of education, Mr. Truog has done good service on the school board for the past twelve years. His fraternal affiliation is with the Modern Woodmen of America. April 28, 1897, Mr. Truog was married to Maggie, the daughter of Paul and Martha Bautch of Wickham Valley, Arcadia township, and this union has been blessed with seven children: Mabel, born Dec. 26, 1898; Edith, born Oct. 1, 1901; Lloyd, born May 7, 1904; Murel, born Jan. 26, 1907; Blanche, born June 29, 1909; Laura, born Jan. 10, 1911; and Wesley, born Dec. 26, 1913.

Christ and Edward Halverson, two brothers who own and operate a fine farm in Norway Coulie, Arcadia Township, were born in this valley, Christ June 13, 1875, and Edward March 22, 1881. They are the sons of German and Jennie Halverson, both of whom were born in Norway, the father in December, 1842, and the mother in October, 1844. German and

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Jennie Halverson came to America in 1864, locating first in Dane County, Wisconsin, where they resided one year. Arriving in Trempealeau County in 1865, Mr. Halverson homesteaded 160 acres of wild land in Norway Coulie, Arcadia Township, it being situated in sections 13 and 24. The first residence of the family here was a dugout in the side of a hill, and it was in this humble dwelling that their first child, Ella, was born. Later on Mr. Halverson built a frame house, one and a half stories high, with upright and wing, which building is now standing, being occupied as a dwelling by the subjects of this sketch. He also built a frame barn, which, though delapidated, is still standing. In 1900 the property came into possession of Christ and Edward Halverson, and nine years later the father died. His wife is still living with her two sons, the joint proprietors of the farm, but since 1915 has been an invalid. She is now 71 years of age. The two brothers have built a frame barn with hip roof, 24 by 67 by 16 feet, together with machine sheds, granary, hog house and poultry house, corn cribs and all necessary buildings, which are kept in first class condition. They carry on general farming and dairying, having at this time 50 head of cattle, with hogs, horses and poultry. They are stock- holders in the Arcadia Shipping Association, the Arcadia Co-operative Creamery and the Farmers Telephone Company. Their religious affilia- tions are with Norway Coulie Lutheran church, of which their parents were among the founders. Edward Halverson was married June 21, 1913, to Carrie, daughter of Ole and Helena Olson of Norway, she coming to America alone in 1911. They have one child, Josie, now three years of age. The brothers and sisters of Christ and Edward Halverson are as follows: Ella, born in 1867, who is now Mrs. Carl Haagen of Fosston, Minn .; Ole G., born in 1869, who is a farmer at Big Tamarack, Arcadia Township; Halvor, born in 1871, and now living at Valley City, N. D .; Maline, born in 1872, now Mrs. Jens Lee of Valley City, N. D .; Mary, born in 1876, now the wife of Carl Lee of Valley City, N. D .; Minnie, born in 1878, who is the wife of Louis Nelson of Koba, N. D .; Julius, born in 1883, whose present whereabouts is unknown, and Julia, born in 1885, who is now Mrs. Oscar Olson, now of Valley City, N. D. The Halverson farm lies in one of the most beautiful coulies of Trempealeau County. The land is very rolling but fertile, and the labors of the two brothers, Christ and Edward, have greatly increased its value.

G. C. Nelson, who is successfully engaged in general farming and dairy- ing in section 3, Arcadia Township, was born in Norway March 27, 1865, a son of Christ B. and Maria Nelson. When he was three years old his father came to America, homesteading 160 acres of land in Newcomb Valley, Arcadia, this county. A year later the father sent for his family to join him, which they did, and for many years thereafter were industrious members of the farming community in Arcadia Township. Christ B. Nelson is still living, though now much advanced in years. His wife died in 1915 at the venerable age of 96. G. C. Nelson resided with his parents until he was about 30 years of age. In 1894 he married Anna M. Olsen, daughter of Andrew and Caroline Olsen of Arcadia Township. He now conducts the Olsen farm, doing general farming and dairying, which indus-

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tries he carries on successfully. In 1907 he bought 64 acres of land in North Dakota, near Sentinel Butte, and removed to that place with his family. He returned with them, however, in 1911, though he still owns the Dakota property, and is also a stockholder in the Farmers Co-opera- tive Elevator Company of Sentinel Butte. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have had four children of their own, and have an adopted daughter, Hazel, born Dec. 5, 1906. Their own children were: Aymaar, born July 9, 1895, who is a graduate of the Arcadia high school, and is financially interested with his father in the North Dakota farm; Ernest D., born March 13, 1897, also a graduate of Arcadia high school, who is now a student at Wisconsin University at Madison, and Henry and Spencer, born in 1901, who died, one when ten months and the other when 11 months old. In politics Mr. Nelson is a Democrat. He served as township assessor one term and as township treasurer two terms. Since 1904 he has belonged to the Order of Beavers at Arcadia. Religiously he was reared a Lutheran.

William C. Thompson, who owns and operates a farm of 187 acres in section 6, Preston Township, was born in this township, Nov. 29, 1869, son of William and Laura (Hine) Thompson. He was reared to agricul- tural pursuits and worked on the home farm until his marriage Dec. 26, 1912, to Emma Kremers, daughter of William and Bertha (Joerris) Kremers. Her father was a native of Germany, who came to Trem- pealeau County in 1881 and was engaged in farming in Preston Township until his death, which occurred March 26, 1901. Mrs. Bertha Kremers, who was born in Germany May 22, 1839, is now living in Whitehall, this county. There were three children in the family: Lydia, who graduated from the Winona Normal School and is now a teacher; Carl C., now a retired farmer, and Emma, wife of William C. Thompson. Mrs. Thompson was born in Manitowoc, Wis., Oct. 25, 1873. She acquired a good education, graduating from Stevens Point Normal School in 1904. She, however, taught school previous to that, as she followed that occupation 15 years in all, including five years in the Whitehall schools as teacher in the fifth and sixth grades. At the time of his marriage Mr. Thompson rented the Kremers farm and operated it until the following year, 1913, when he purchased his present farm from his father. 'He keeps Shorthorn cattle, having now 35 head, of which he milks 12; he also raises Chester White hogs and Rhode Island Red chickens. In 1915 he erected his substantial frame barn 40 by 80 by 12 feet in dimensions, with basement and concrete floor, well provided with modern equipment. As an enterprising and suc- cessful farmer he is well known in Preston Township and his family hold a respected place in the community. They are affiliated religiously with the Presbyterian church.

William P. Mailer, D. D. S., who has been engaged in the practice of dentistry in Galesville, Wis., for the last 18 years, was born in Edin- burgh, Scotland, April 8, 1869, son of John and Joan (Peddie) Mailer. His parents were born in the same locality, the father Nov. 26, 1842, and the mother Oct. 29, 1843. John Mailer, who was a master mechanic, came to the United States with his family in 1871, locating in Buffalo County, Wisconsin, where until 1887 he followed the occupation of machinist,

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working on his own account, though without having a regular establish- ment. He then entered the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Northern, now a part of the "Burlington" system, and continued with that road until 1893, when he went to Winona. There he was master mechanic for the Winona & Western Railway until that road was sold, when he went to Scanlon, Minn., and became master mechanic for the Minnesota & North- ern. About 1898 he went to Ft. Smith, Ark., where he was master mechanic for the Ft. Smith & Western road. In 1907 he retired and took up his residence in La Crosse, where he was elected alderman and served in other local office. Two years later he moved to Onalaska, Wis., where he died July 17, 1913. His wife died in Onalaska, July 13, 1916. William P. Mailer was one of the eldest children in a family of 13. He attended school in Buffalo County and in La Crosse County, Wis., and when 14 years old was employed on the Chippewa River at logging. One year later he taught school in Buffalo County one term, then returned to logging, in which occupation he continued until 1887. He then took a course in the pharmacy department of the University of Wisconsin, with which prepara- tion he obtained a position as drug clerk in La Crosse and was thus engaged until 1890. Subsequently entering the American Dental College at Chicago he was graduated from that institution in the class of 1892, and began the practice of his profession in St. Paul, where he remained about four years. From there he went to Durand, Wis., where he continued in practice for a while, but on account of an injury to his hand went back to the drug business at Pepin, Wis. In 1898 he returned to his profession, practicing in Winona, Minn., a short time, and coming to Galesville in March, 1899. Here he has since remained, having built up a good clientele and become known all over the county as a skillful and reliable dentist. He is also a stockholder in the Bank of Galesville and has other interests in the village, besides owning his own residence. Dr. Mailer was married Sept. 20, 1897, to Sarah A. Perry, who was born in St. Paul, Minn., daughter of William Perry, a coal and fuel merchant. Both parents are now deceased. Mrs. Sarah A. Mailer died July 9, 1906, leaving no children. Dr. Mailer married for his second wife, July 22, 1908, Saidel Lee, who was born at Stevens Point, Wis: Of this marriage there are two children, Ann P. and Jean. In politics a Republican, Dr. Mailer has held various local offices, and is at present serving as alderman and as secretary of the board of education. He and his family attend the Presbyterian church. The Doctor's fraternal society affiliations are with the Blue lodge of Masons at Galesville, of which he is treasurer; the Eastern Star lodge, of which he is worthy patron; the Chapter and Commandery at La Crosse, and the Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the county, state and national dental associations. He attends the Presbyterian church.

Adam Smith, a well known and respected resident of Galesville, was born in Scotland, Oct. 16, 1842. He came to America with his parents in 1855, locating with them in Maryland, where his father worked in the coal mines one year. In 1856 they came to Jackson County, Wisconsin, where Adam Smith was married, July 18, 1865, to Jane D. Love. She was born in Scotland July 29, 1846, and came to this country with her parents

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in 1849, they also locating in Maryland, where her father became a fore- man in the coal mines. The Love family came to Jackson County in 1864. Following agriculture in Jackson County until 1893, Adam Smith then came with his family to Trempealeau County, purchasing a farm of 120 acres in section 17, Gale Township. Later he added to this a 20-acre tract of timber land, thus enlarging his property to 140 acres. This farm he operated until 1908, when he retired, renting it to his son, Edward D., and he and his wife taking up their residence in Galesville. They were the parents of eight children : John Thomas, a ranchman at Panhandle, Texas ; Arthur Love of Keokuk, Iowa; James W., deceased; William James, a farmer of Caledonia Township, this county; Margaret Clark, now Mrs. Hugh Baird of Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, her husband being a contractor; Janet Minus, wife of Milton Butman, a farmer of Gale Township, Trem- pealeau County ; Edward D., residing on the old farm in Gale Township, and Flora Elizabeth, now Mrs. John Twesme of Galesville.

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History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 106

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn; Pierce, Eben Douglas Publication date: 1917 Publisher: Chicago Winona : H.C. Cooper Number of Pages: 1318

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn; Pierce, Eben Douglas
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Chicago Winona : H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1318