History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 41

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 41

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Daniel Levi McCallum, who for a number of years was proprietor of a small but well cultivated and improved farm in Gale township, was born on the same farm, May 19, 1866. His parents were Charles Rodney and Abigail (Lindsey) McCallum, natives of Pennsylvania and of Scotch descent. The father, a farmer, came to Trempealeau County in 1859, locating on the farm above mentioned, where he resided until a few years before his death in July, 1900. He was a veteran of the Civil War and an industrious and respected citizen. For many years before his death he had been a widower.

Daniel Levi McCallum was the seventh born in a family of ten children. He was reared on his parents' homestead, of which he took full charge when 25 years old, later becoming the owner. It consisted of 80 acres of land, supplied with good buildings and other equipment. Here he carried on general farming until his death, which occurred March 6, 1914. He was industrious and enterprising and his efforts were rewarded by prosperity. Mr. McCallum was first married to Mamie Wood, a native of this township, who died Nov. 18, 1903. She left one child, Vilas, who is now residing with his grandfather and guardian, William Wood, of Gale township. May 23, 1908, Mr. McCallum married for his second wife Lena Olsen, who was born in Norway, daughter of Ole and Mary Olsen. Her father came to the United States in 1888, locating in Jackson County, near Melrose, where the family lived two years, and where the father still resides.

Mrs Lina W Larson

Larsan

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His wife died in July, 1916. Of Mr. McCallum's second marriage there were two children: Arlene Beatrice and Nadine Clara, the former of whom is attending school. Mrs. McCallum has recently sold the farm with the intention of taking up her residence in Galesville. Her husband was a man devoted to his home and family. Politically he owned allegiance to the Republican party, but never aspired to official position. He was widely respected and had many friends, to whom his death caused grief.

Ben W. Davis, one of the leading business men of Galesville, where he operates a mill and is engaged in other lines of enterprise, was born in the house in which he now lives, July 28, 1867. His parents were Wilson and Mary E. Davis, the father born March 4, 1827, Kentucky, in which state during his earlier manhood he was engaged in farming. Later Wilson Davis migrated to St. Mary's Landing, Mo., from which place he went to Minnesota, finally coming to Wisconsin. With his father, Timothy, at one time congressman from Dubuque, he built a mill at Elkader, Iowa, which was the first of several that they erected. The second was built at Pick- wick, Minn., in 1854, and this they operated for about 11 years, coming to Galesville in 1866. Soon after their arrival here they built the mill that is now owned by the Davis Mill Company, starting it in 1867 and completing it in 1869. It was built of limestone found near the village and is seven stories high, measuring 98 feet from base to roof, and 50 by 70 feet ground dimensions. Its capacity is 200 barrels of flour a day. Wilson Davis operated the mill until his death in 1898, and was besides a director in the Bank of Galesville. He and his wife had four children: Augustine A., who resides in New York City, where he is engaged in the acetyline welding business; Ella, wife of Alfred Campbell, a farmer of Hartland, Wis .; Frank G., who is engaged in the retail lumber business at Tarboro, N. C., and Ben W., of Galesville. Ben W. Davis acquired his education in the school at Galesville, which he attended until he was 17 years of age. He then became a traveling salesman and followed that occupation until he was about 26 years old. Returning to Galesville in 1892 he became con- nected with the Davis mill in the capacity of manager and the business has since been under his control. In 1894, soon after assuming the manage- ment, Mr. Davis rebuilt and remodeled the mill. In 1898 it was burned down, but in the following year he again rebuilt it, its dimensions and capacity being each time enlarged, until its capacity has been brought up to 200 barrels a day. The company also operate an electric plant fur- nishing light for the city of Galesville. The principal brand of flour turned out is sold under the name of "Peach Blossom," and commands a good market throughout this section and in many of the western states. Mr. Davis gives most of his time to this business, but also has other interests, being vice-president of the Bank of Galesville, president of the Maxwell- Davis Lumber Company of Galesville, a stockholder in the Western Wis- consin Telephone Company. He is a member of the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America. In politics a Repub- lican, he served as mayor of Galesville for nine years. As a business man and public spirited citizen he has proved himself a worthy successor to his father and has taken active part in advancing the growth and interests

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of the city. Mr. Davis was married in June, 1894, to Leora A. Avery, who was born in Seattle, Wash., daughter of the Rev. J. H. and Lucy (Wash- burn) Avery, her father being a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. He and his wife have one child: Katharyne A., who resides at home and is attending Lawrence University at Appleton, Wis.

Ludwig N. Hammer, secretary and treasurer of the Hammer-Enghagen Company, conducting a general mercantile business in Galesville, was born in Heedmarken, Norway, Jan. 26, 1857, son of Nels Burson and Thrine Hammer. Both parents died in their native land, where the father fol- lowed the occupation of millwright. Ludwig N. was the sixth born in a family of eight children and attended both common and high school in Norway. Remaining with his parents until he was 16 years old, he then left home and for some years worked at different occupations, chiefly as clerk in stores. At the age of 23 he left Norway for the United States, locating in Frenchville, Wis., in 1879. In 1881 he came to Galesville as clerk for Wilson-Davis, and remained in their employ until 1889, when he became associated with W. H. Jordan. In 1895 Mr. Jordan sold his interest to Mr. Enghagen, since which time the business was conducted under the style of Hammer & Enghagen. The firm moved into their present quarters in the spring of 1916. They carry a large stock of goods and enjoy a wide and growing patronage. Feb. 15, 1917, the firm incorporated as Hammer-Enghagen Company, with a $50,000 capital. The officers are: P. J. Enghagen, president ; Carl Svensen, vice-president; L. M. Hammer, secretary and treasurer. Mr. Hammer is a stockholder and director in the Bank of Galesville, and also owns business and residence property in the village. He was president of the Business Men's Association for a number of years and is at the present time one of is trustees. He is also a member of the board of trustees of Gale College and has served on the village council several terms. In politics he is an independent Republican, support- ing his party at national elections, but exercising his own discretion on other occasions. Mr. Hammer was married Nov. 7, 1885, to Lena Trondson, who was born in Trempealeau County, Wis., daughter of Anders and Agnethe Trondson. Her parents were both natives of that province in Norway in which Mr. Hammer was born. After coming to the United States they lived for some years in Trempealeau County, Wis., later moving to Duel County, South Dakota, where, after a number of years spent in farm- ing, he died. His wife also died in that county. Mr. and Mrs. Hammer have had seven children, of whom two. Nora and Arthur, are deceased. The survivors are: Joseph, a bookkeeper in the Bank of Galesville; Hulda, who is engaged in teaching ; Margaret, residing at home, who is a graduate of the high school class of 1916; and Ruth and Rolf, who are attending school. The family are affiliated religiously with the Lutheran church.

Benjamin F. Gipple, a pioneer merchant, was born in Scipio, Cayuga County, N. Y., April 26, 1827, of substantial Pennsylvania-Dutch ancestry. He spent his early life in the East, and after learning farming from his father, was apprenticed to a builder, who taught him the carpenter's trade. In 1856 he came West, and located at Hokah, Minn., where he was employed for a year at his trade. In 1857 he went to La Crosse, and started work for

BERT A. GIPPLE

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

Mons Anderson, at that time conducting the largest mercantile establish- ment in the Northwest. In this concern his promotion was rapid, and in a short time he was given charge of all the sales force of the large estab- lishment. During his years in this employ, he gained experience and won the confidence of the people to the extent that he was enabled to open a store of his own. Subsequently he owned stores in Montello, Marquette County, and in North Bend, Jackson County, in which latter place he served as postmaster. In 1889 he came to Galesville and opened a store which he conducted until 1908, when he retired. He died Jan. 7, 1911. It was one of the deep regrets of Mr. Gipple's life that he could not serve in the Civil War. He enlisted twice, and was twice rejected, and was subsequently drafted, but was again rejected, the rejections being due to an injury which he had received early in life. While Mr. Gipple was not a practicing attor- ney, he took a deep interest in the law from the time of his earliest boyhood, and was well versed in legal procedure. He was a justice of the peace for some fifty years, and in this time handed down hundreds of decisions which met with the praise and approval of many distinguished jurists.

Mr. Gipple married Mary Ann Snure in May, 1849. She died Aug. 6, 1862. To this union were born six children, five of whom are living at this date. He married Emily Ruth Bradshaw June 2, 1865. She was born in Indiana Oct. 9, 1843. There were born to this second marriage three sons, Benjamin F., Bert Allen and William B., and one daughter, Mayme, who died at the age of 31. Mrs. Gipple died March 21, 1917.

Bert A. Gipple, journalist and man of affairs, editor of the Galesville Republican for twenty-five years, has taken an active part in every move that has for its object the upbuilding, development and betterment of the community. Few men are better known in the county. He is a native of this State, born in La Crosse, Wis., Dec. 16, 1870, son of Benjamin F. and Emily R. (Bradshaw) Gipple. At the age of seventeen he became shipping clerk in a wholesale house in La Crosse. In 1890 he began his journalistic career as a printer's assistant on the Galesville Independent. His first reportorial work was done under W. R. Finch, on the La Crosse Republican and Leader in 1892. In 1893 he took charge of the editorial department of the Prairie du Chien Union. Subsequently he was employed on the Mondovi Herald, and then returned to Galesville, where he worked on the Independent. In 1896 he took charge of the Cumberland Advocate in the absence of its publisher. Again returning to Galesville later in the same year, he opened a job printing office. He founded the Galesville Republican in 1897, and in 1908 on the organization of the Republican Printing Company he was the principal stockholder. The company absorbed the old Galesville Independent, and now has the only newspaper and job printing plant in the village. Mr. Gipple is a high degree Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge at Galesville, and the Chapter and Council at La Crosse. He was appointed Grand Steward at the communication of the Grand Lodge in 1916. He was a charter member of the Galesville Colony of Beavers. He was married July 28, 1893, to Emma J. Sagen, daughter of Ole N. and Ella (Trondson) Sagen, and they have one daughter, Dorris C. Mrs. Gipple was educated in the schools of Galesville, and in Gale College.

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The daughter graduated from the Galesville High School in 1914, and from the La Crosse Normal School in 1916. She has the unusual record of having attended school for eleven years without being absent or tardy. At this date she is a teacher in the public schools of Sparta, Wis.

Carl McKeeth, who is doing a successful business in Galesville, dealing in farm implements, road machinery and automobiles, was born in Gale Township, six miles north of the village, Sept. 11, 1878. He is a son of John and Lorette (Bigelow) McKeeth, the father a native of New York State and the mother of New Hampshire. John McKeeth was formerly a well-known man in Trempealeau County, to which he came in 1856. He homesteaded a farm in the county, on which in time he made improvements, and being elected sheriff served in that office and as deputy for 16 years. He was also chairman of Gale Township board for 20 years and for a number of years served as mayor of Galesville. During the Civil War he served in the First Wisconsin Battery, enlisting as a private. His death took place in 1908 and was regretted throughout the county. His wife passed away in 1900.

Carl McKeeth was the second-born in a family of three children. He was educated in the grammar and high schools of Galesville, and being 20 years old when the Spanish-American war broke out, he enlisted and served six months. On his return he engaged in business with his father, dealing in farm implements, road machinery, automobiles and other similar goods, this association being continued until the father's death, since which time Carl McKeeth has carried on the business alone. In his auto- mobile department he is now selling the Maxwell, Chalmers, Marion, Hanley and Cadillac cars. He is the owner of a considerable business and residence property in Galesville. Oct. 17, 1900, Mr. McKeeth was united in marriage with Bird Converse, who was born in Caledonia Township, Trempealeau County, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Bender) Converse. Her father, an engineer by former occupation, is now assisting Mr. McKeeth in the store. Her mother is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. McKeeth have three children; Gale, Ray and Verna, all residing at home. Mr. McKeeth is independent in politics and has served as a member of the village council. He belongs to the lodge of Beavers and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.

Cyrus Kass, who operates a good farm in Section 27, Trempealeau Township, was born in Holland Township, La Crosse County, Wis., Feb. 4, 1864. His parents, William and Katie (Dextra) Kass, came to the United States from Holland in 1856, leaving Rotterdam May 27 and landing at New York July 25. From the latter city they came West by rail to Dunleith. Ill., and from there by boat to La Crosse. The parents were both natives of Holland, the father born in Friesland State-the home of the Holstein cattle-April 23, 1835, and the mother in the city of Leeuwarden, Friesland, July 28, 1832. They were married only about three weeks before sailing for America-on May 5, 1856. After reaching La Crosse County, Wis., they resided there near the village of Amsterdam, until 1868, and then came with wagon and team to Trempealeau County, William Kass buying 40 acres of land in Section 27, Trempealeau Township. The land was but slightly

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improved, but there was a small frame house on it, 14 by 20 feet in dimen- sions, and a one-story pole stable, with hay cover, which was, however, of little account. Lying immediately west of Mr. Kass' 40 acres was a tract of uncultivatable bluff land, and of this he homesteaded 120 acres to use as pasture land. A few years later he purchased another tract of 40 acres, some of which was cultivatable land, lying north of the original 40 acres, so that he now had a farm of 200 acres. For the first four years he used oxen on his farm, as, being more hardy than horses, they were better fitted for pioneer conditions. He and his wife endured many hardships, the usual lot of pioneers, but never allowed themselves to become discour- aged or relax their efforts. While he was developing his farm Mr. Kass cut and hauled during the winters thousands of hoop-poles, which he sold in Winona for $8 to $10 a thousand, and in this way maintained his family. He also sold quite a number in Pickwick, Minn., having to start from home at 3 o'clock in the morning, and cross the Mississippi River on the ice with his ox team, returning late at night. In 1869 he built a log barn. For many years William Kass continued the improvement of his farm, he and his wife at the same time bringing up a family of six children, namely: John born July 30, 1857, who died on his parents' farm in February, 1889; Seba, born June 16, 1859, who is now living near Eau Claire, Wis., on a farm; Mary, born Nov. 21, 1862, who died on the farm in Trempealeau Township in February, 1889; Cyrus, born 1864; Theodore, born March 10, 1866, who died in Trempealeau Township in February, 1889; Katie, born September 28, 1868, who is now Mrs. Fred Weiss, of Rock Island, Ill. John, Seba, Mary, Cyrus and Theodore were all born in Holland Township, La Crosse County, and Katie in Trempealeau Township. The deaths in the same month of John, Mary and Theodore were caused by an epidemic of measles, and were a heavy blow to the surviving members of the family. Katie, the daughter born in Trempealeau Township, was educated in District No. 3, at Gale University, and at the Winona Normal School, from which institution she was graduated, subsequently teaching school for years. The other children in the family attended only the district school. The mother, Mrs. Katie Kass, died on the homestead Jan. 14, 1911, and is buried at Evergreen Cemetery, at Centerville. Cyrus Kass was brought up on his parents' farm and has always remained there. He learned farming from his father and is now engaged in it on the old home place, his operations including dairying and the raising of orchard and small fruits. He has 11 head of cattle and five horses, his cows being graded. He has also a herd of 60 sheep, Shrop- shire and Oxford crossed, and a herd of hogs. The house on the farm is a story-and-a-half upright, with two wings, and containing nine rooms. His hay barn, 32 by 48 by 16 feet in dimensions, has a basement in which he keeps his sheep. His other barn, for horses and cattle, measures 28 by 48 by 24 feet. Mr. Kass was married Oct. 30, 1906. to Stella, daughter of Peter and Julia (Wojcie) Chowski, of Winona, Minn. Their children are: Mary, born Oct. 8, 1907; John Cyrus, born June 26, 1909; William Henry, born April 27, 1911, and Stanley Peter, born Nov. 18, 1913. Mr. Kass is a charter member of Galesville Lodge of Beavers, and he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is independent,

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but is not active politically, not having served in public office, but having so far devoted his whole attention to the business of the farm, on which his father resides with him.

Rev. Lars M. Gimmestad, pastor of the Norwegian Lutheran Synod Church in Galesville, Wis., and also president of Gale College, was born in Nordfjord, Bergenhus Amt., the west central province of Norway, Jan. 20, 1868. He is a son of Mons M. and Anna (Vasenden) Gimmestad, both of whom were natives of the same province. The father, a stone mason and carpenter by trade, died in Norway in 1878, and his widow subsequently came to the United States, settling with her family of five sons in Redwood County, Minn., where she died in 1907.

Lars M. Gimmestad, who was the youngest member of the family, acquired his elementary education partly in Norway and partly in Redwood County, Minn. By the time he was 14 years of age he was practically earn- ing his own living, which he did by herding cattle, and later working on a farm for an older brother. In the meanwhile he entered Luther College, at Decorah, Iowa, which he attended for seven years, continuing to work on the farm during his vacations. After graduating from this institution he entered Luther Seminary, at Minneapolis, where he studied theology for three years, during this period teaching parochial school and assisting other pastors. He was ordained July 22, 1894, at Eau Claire, Wis., and for one year subsequently was in charge of a congregation there. From that time until the fall of 1901 he had charge of congregations in Dane, Columbia and Trempealeau counties, becoming pastor of the church at Galesville. In the year last mentioned he took up his residence in Gales- ville in order to become president of Gale College, which at that time was transferred to Lutheran hands. This office he has since held, devoting most of his time to it, though still remaining pastor of the Lutheran congre- gation here, thus making twenty-three years of continuous service. Much of his life has been devoted to teaching, and he has administered the affairs of the college in an efficient manner, maintaining a high scholastic standard and a Christian atmosphere conducive to the moral and spiritual growth of the students. Politically he is an independent Democrat.

Mr. Gimmestad was married July 22, 1896, to Amalie Anderson, who was born in Dane County, Wis., daughter of Hans and Oline (Hanson) Anderson. Her parents, who were natives of Norway, came to America about 1873, locating first in Dane County. A few years later they removed to Eau Claire, Wis., where Mr. Anderson was employed in a shoe factory, and where he subsequently died. His widow is still residing in that city. Mr. and Mrs. Gimmestad are the parents of six children: Marie Helen, Agnes Olava, Herman, Laura Matilda, Bernard Oscar and Victor Edward. Mr. Gimmestad owns his own residence and also a number of acres of land in the vicinity of Galesville.

William E. Bartholomew, a well-known citizen of Galesville, who has resided in Trempealeau County for about 47 years, was born in Atwater Township, Portage County, Ohio, Sept. 4, 1846. His parents, Albert and Minerva (Potter) Bartholomew, were both of Welsh descent, but born in Eastern States. The father in early life was a farmer, but in later life

REV. L. M. GIMMESTAD President of Gale College

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engaged in business as a wagon maker. He came to Elkhorn, Walworth County, Wis., in 1850, and he and his wife both died there some years later. William E. Bartholomew was the youngest of five children. When left an orphan he was still a young child and for some years his home was with his older sisters and other relations, who cared for him until 1859. He then found employment on a dairy farm at $5 a month, and in five months, having saved enough money to pay his fare to Chicago, he went to that city, arriving there without a cent. He succeeded, however, in making his way to Elkhorn, Wis., where he had a sister living, with whom he took up his residence. For a number of years he worked for others, at first having charge of a horse-power used for threshing. In the summer of 1864 Mr. Bartholomew, not yet 18 years of age, enlisted at Spring Prairie Center, near Elkhorn, in Company I, Thirty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served with the organization as a private for about four months. On his return to Spring Prairie he again worked out for others and continued to do so until his marriage in January, 1867, to Alice Bell, who was born in Geneva Township, Walworth County, Wis., daughter of Anson and Eliza (Chapman) Bell, who were early settlers in that county, but are both now deceased. After his marriage Mr. Bartholomew took his wife to Chickesaw County, Iowa, where he farmed for three years. He then sold his farm and came to Trempealeau County. Here he was engaged in farming until 1903, when, on account of impaired health he took up his residence in Galesville, and entered the employ of Dr. Jegi, having the care of his stable and other parts of his estate. His health improving, in the spring of 1914 he entered the employ of the Illinois Oil Company and has since continued with them. He is the owner of several lots in Galesville in addition to his own residence. In politics Mr. Bartholomew is a Republican, and in earlier years was a member of the village board. He and his wife have six children: Albert, who is a marble cutter and drafter in Madison, Wis .; Walter, a butter maker by trade, who is now engaged in the grocery business in Seattle, Wash .; Mary, wife of N. P. Jensen, of Galesville, a deputy of the Order of Beavers; Belle, wife of Julius Keholer, a barber of Galesville; Edith, wife of Mert Jensen, form maker in a printing plant at Bobells, N. D .; and Ida, wife of Lee Merrill, of St. Paul, who is bookkeeper in the purchasing department of the Omaha division of the North Western Railway.

John Beck, the pioneer, was born in Ekeby, Sweden, in 1815, and was there reared. Apprenticed to a carpenter as a youth, he learned the car- penter, furniture-making and cabinet-making trades, and in following his occupation wandered about the Scandinavian countries for a while. Thus he met Christina Anderson, who was born in Kumla, Sweden, in 1815. Taking his bride to his home in Ekeby, he was there permanently employed for a considerable period. While there he was called to service in the Swedish regular army during the time when Denmark was disputing with Prussia and the Germanic Federation, the ownership of Schleswig-Holstein. Although participating in a number of bloody engagements, he escaped injury and wounds. Soon after, he determined to locate in the United States. Reaching Chicago in 1853, he found employment at his trade, and there remained until June 15, 1857, when he came to Trempealeau County

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History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 41

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