History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 42

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 42


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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and located on a farm in Gale Township, three miles from Galesville. He died there in 1878, and his wife moved to Grand Meadow, Minn. She died in 1896 at Northfield, Minn.


Andrew A. Beck, ice dealer of Galesville, was born in Ekeby, Sweden, Aug. 2, 1843, son of John and Christina (Anderson) Beck, the pioneers. He was brought to Chicago in 1853, attended school there for a while, came to Gale Township in 1857, and attended school here, later taking a course in Gale College. As a boy he was employed by Captain Alex A. Arnold, and when the Civil War broke out, enlisted in August, 1862, in Company C, Thirtieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, which Captain Arnold organized at Galesville. Going in as a private, he was soon promoted to corporal. His company served about a year in enforcing the draft in Wisconsin, a similar period in fighting the Indians on the western plains, and a like interval in doing police duty in Louisville, Ky. For a time, because of a scalded foot, Mr. Beck was confined to a hospital. Mustered out at Madison, he returned to the home farm. After his marriage he moved to another farm near by. In 1879 he moved to the village, and a short time later established his present ice business. He has an ice house, 40 by 40 by 20, and during the summer months disposes of about 100 cakes of ice daily. He also continues his farming operations. By reason of his war service he has joined the G. A. R. and his wife is a member of the Relief Corps, and was a charter member of the O. E. S. of Galesville. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias of Galesville. Mr. Beck was married April 29, 1871, to Hannah B. Ladd, born in Unity, N. H., April 29, 1847, daughter of Lorenzo D. and Laura (Bunnell) Ladd. This union has been blessed with one son, Roy Russell, born May 21, 1878.


Lorenzo D. Ladd, an early settler, was born in Unity, N. H., Aug. 23, 1813, and was there reared and educated. As a youth he devoted his life to farm industry in his native State, but in his young manhood he became a salesman, traveling from farm to farm, selling general merchandise. Later he sold books on the same plan. April 16, 1857, he arrived in Trempealeau, and in a few days located on a near-by farm, and while there served as justice of the peace. In 1873 he came to Galesville and became a general salesman. Here he attained a position of honor and respect in the community. He was a member of the Masonic order. He died July 4, 1893, being buried with Masonic honors. His wife, Laura Bunnell, was born in Clairmont, N. H., Sept. 18, 1817, and died Oct. 31, 1900.


Roy R. Beck, chicken fancier, and owner of the Marinuka Poultry Yards, the home of the Mammoth Light Brahmas, Galesville, was born in the village where he now resides, May 21, 1878, son of Andrew A. and Hannah B. (Ladd) Beck. He attended the schools of the village, and is now engaged with his father in the ice business, in addition to his poultry work. In this line he has won wide recognition, having been awarded prizes at Minneapolis, St. Paul, Omaha, Lincoln, St. Louis and Chicago, and receiving orders for his birds and eggs from all over the United States. The high repute in which his work is held is shown by the fact that he is now the first vice-president of the Wisconsin branch of the National Brahma Club. He keeps about 500 fowls annually, and issued an attractive booklet


W. S. WADLEIGH


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describing his stock. Mr. Beck is a member of Decorah Lodge, No. 177, A. F. & A. M., at Galesville, having served his lodge as Worshipful Master.


Oscar T. Sagen, secretary and treasurer of the Sagen-Schuster Mer- cantile Company, of Galesville, and one of the leading business men of the village, was born in Galesville, Wis., April 20, 1879, son of Ole N. and Ella T. (Tronson) Sagen. Oscar T. was educated in the public schools of Gales- ville. At the age of 18 years he began working for the Galesville Creamery and was thus occupied for about two years. He then spent one year as clerk in the drug store of F. H. Fiedler, after which he was employed for two years in the Galesville postoffice. Then he returned to the drug busi- ness and continued in it for seven years. Then becoming postmaster, he served five years in the office and, at the expiration of his term of office, engaged in the general mercantaile business, in which he still continues. He has other business interests in Galesville, but gives his entire time to the Sagen-Schuster Mercantile Company. In politics Mr. Sagen is a Repub- lican. His five years' service in the postoffice followed his appointment under the Taft administration. He has also served one year as a member of the village board. He is a member of the Lutheran church. The Sagen family, of which the subject of this sketch is a typical representative, has long been prominent in the affairs of Galesville, and its various members have done much to advance the material interests of the village.


William Samuel Wadleigh, who is engaged in the general practice of law at Galesville, Wis., was born in Green Lake County, Wis., Oct. 29, 1869, son of Samuel and Lucy (Towne) Wadleigh. The parents were both born at Kingsey Falls, Province of Quebec, Canada, the father Oct. 28, 1824, and the mother Oct. 3, 1827. They were married in Canada, and came to Wis- consin in 1856, locating on a farm in Green Lake County, near Markesan. There Samuel Wadleigh engaged in farming, although by trade he was an expert blacksmith, and maintained a shop on the farm. He became a prominent man in the community, holding various offices, and died on the farm Feb. 11, 1887. The widow continued to reside on and operate the farm until 1906, when she removed to Brandon, Fond du Lac County, where she resided until her death, which occurred May 1, 1917. Seven children were born of this union, three of whom now survive, the subject of this sketch being the youngest of the family.


William S. Wadleigh laid the foundation of his education in the common schools of Green Lake County, and later the High School at Brandon. At the age of 15 years he left home, and after further attendance at school, taught for a year. He then attended the Oshkosh State Normal, from which institution he was graduated in 1891. After this followed a period of musical and theatrical work on the road, which was given up for the study of the law, and Mr. Wadleigh graduated from the Law Department of Wisconsin University in the class of 1894. After his graduation he entered the law office of M. P. Wing, at La Crosse, remaining until Mr. Wing's death in the spring of 1895. In June, 1895, he located at Galesville, forming a partnership with the late G. Y. Freeman, which continued for about two years, since which time Mr. Wadleigh has practiced alone. Mr. Wadleigh is a stockholder and director of the Bank of Galesville,


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and also interested in other business enterprises in Galesville. He also owns valuable farming properties in this State, and in North Dakota. He has proven himself a reliable lawyer, and enjoys a large practice, and while always a busy man, has at all times found time to interest himself in public work. Some six years ago, as a revival of his musical work, he organized and became director of the Galesville Concert Band, and under his director- ship this organization has made great progress, and acquired more than a local reputation as a musical organization capable of interpreting the best class of music. Weekly concerts are given during the summer season, and have become an institution in Galesville. In politics Mr. Wadleigh belongs to the now increasing order of independent voters. As he expresses it, he is in politics "An American Citizen." While he has never sought public office, he has served the people of Galesville as mayor for nine terms. Mr. Wadleigh is a Mason, having passed all the chairs in the local lodge; also belongs to the Beavers, Mystic Workers, Yeomen and Foresters, in which last mentioned order he has been secretary since its organization in 1898. Mr. Wadleigh was first married Sept. 30, 1895, to Nellie May Atkins, who was born in Sauk County, Wis., daughter of Thornton L. and Caroline (Sim- mons) Atkins. Both of Mrs. Wadleigh's parents still survive, living at Reedsburg, Wis., where Mr. Atkins is in the employ of the Collins Monu- ment Works. Nellie May Wadleigh died at Galesville, April 24, 1909, leav- ing five children, Gerald Eugene, Marjorie Rose, William St. Clair, Lucy May and Thornton Lee, all of whom reside at home with the exception of the eldest son, who is engaged in college work in Chicago, and the youngest, who resides with his grandparenuts at Reedsburg.


On June 30, 1911, Mr. Wadleigh married for his second wife Carrie May Collins, who was born at Reedsburg, Wis., daughter of Sanford A. and Allie (Thayer) Collins. Mr. Collins, the father, is a dealer in and importer of fine monumental work, having an extensive plant at Reedsburg known as the Collins Monument Works. One son, John Collins Wadleigh, born July 22, 1912, is the fruit of Mr. Wadleigh's second marriage.


Frederick Martin Symonds, rear admiral U. S. N., now retired and living in Galesville, Wis., was born in Watertown, N. Y., May 16, 1846, son of Charles F. and Louisa (Grannis) Symonds. His paternal grandfather was a captain in the United States Army in the War of 1812-15, and took part in the battle of Sackett's Harbor. Charles F. Symonds, father of the Admiral, was born in New Haven, Conn., and was a miller the greater part of his life. During the Civil War he was marshal of the northern district of New York. He and his wife-the latter a native of Long Island-never came west of Utica, N. Y.


Frederick Martin Symonds was the third born in a family of six children. He attended school in Watertown, N. Y., and at the age of 16 years entered the Naval Academy, which during the period of the Civil War was located at Newport, R. I. While a member of his class he took part in a cruise after the Confederate steamer Tacony and also in a search for the rebel ship Alabama. He was graduated with the class of 1867 and went to sea as midshipman aboard the U. S. S. Piscataqua, on which vessel, a flag- ship, he remained until November, 1868, when he was transferred to the


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U. S. S. Ashuelot. June 9, 1870, he was returned to the Piscataqua, now named the Delaware, and which was still the flagship of the squadron. On this vessel he came home, being detached from her Nov. 28, 1870, and ordered to Washington for examination. He had already been advanced two grades, having been promoted June 13, 1869, to the rank of ensign, and on March 21, 1870, to that of master.


After examination he returned home to await orders. March 21, 1871, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and on June 2 was ordered to Newport, R. I., on torpedo duty. May 4, 1872, he was ordered to the U. S. S. Tuscarora on duty and proceeded to the Pacific Ocean. April 24, 1875, he was detached from that vessel and ordered home. Sept. 15, 1875, Lieutenant Symonds was ordered to the flagship Minnesota and remained with it until he was detached Dec. 18, 1878. April 14, 1879, he was ordered to the U. S. S. Jamestown for duty in Alaska, being detached and ordered home Sept. 9, 1881. From 1882 to 1885 he served on the New Hampshire, and from 1885 to 1888 on the Mohican. From 1889 to 1892 he was on duty on the Great Lakes, during the latter part of that time serving with the rank of lieuten- ant-commander, to which he was promoted July 31, 1890. From May 5, 1893, to October, 1896, Lieutenant-Commander Symonds was inspector of ordnance at Mare Island, Cal. He then proceeded to Alaska to take charge of the Pinta and was commander of that vessel until 1897, being detached Aug. 4 and ordered to the U. S. S. Marietta, and while on this vessel, June 19, 1897, he was promoted to the rank of commander. In June, 1899, he left the Marietta to become inspector of the Ninth Lighthouse District, with headquarters at Chicago, until April, 1902. April 7 that year he was pro- moted to captain and detached from duty in connection with the lighthouse district April 15. May 23, 1902, he was ordered to the Naval War College and Dec. 1 that year was placed on the list of retired rear admirals. Later he was ordered to the inspection service Oct. 25, 1904, to investigate the manner of conducting the steamboat service on Lake Ontario, Ninth Dis- trict, and afterward sent to Louisville, the Sixth District, on similar duty. June 2. 1905, he was discharged from duty and ordered home, this being his last active service. During the Spanish-American War, while in com- mand of the Marietta, he traveled 44,000 miles in 22 months, his vessel being one of the two-the other being the Oregon-which hastened from the Pacific Ocean, making the voyage around Cape Horn, to the West Indies, to take part in the operations against the Spanish fleet under Admiral Cervera. After arriving he, with his vessel, took part in the blockade of Havana.


Admiral Symonds, while holding the rank of master, was married, Jan. 3, 1871, at Ogdensburg, N. Y., to Anna C. Parker, of that city, daughter of George and Fannie Eliza (Wilcox) Parker, both natives of Vermont. Her father in early life was a railroad man, but later engaged in the wholesale milling business. He was born Feb. 18, 1817, and his wife Nov. 20, 1819. Both died in Ogdensburg, N. Y., of which city George Parker was mayor for a number of years. Ogdensburg was also the home of Admiral Symonds after his marriage and until April, 1906, when he came to Galesville, wishing to get in closer touch with rural nature. He had seen 40 years of active service in his country's navy, 22 years of which had been spent at sea.


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Here in Galesville he has a small farm of six acres, which he calls "The sailor's snug harbor," and where he takes his ease when he does not wish to travel. Admiral Symonds is a member of the Loyal Legion of America, the First Order, affiliated with the Command of Wisconsin, a member of the Military Order of Foreign Wars, at Philadelphia, and member of the Society of Naval Commanders of the United States. He has a Civil War medal and a Spanish-American War medal for efficient services, both issued by Congress. He also belongs to the Masonic order, in which he has advanced as far as the Commandery.


Admiral Frederick M. Symonds and wife have been the parents of four children: George Parker, born in March, 1872, who is a mechanical engineer in New York City and chief engineer of the Alberger Condenser Company ; Frederick W., born June 18, 1876, who is an engineer in Seattle, Wash .; Carl, born June 3, 1881, at Sitka, Alaska, who is a constructing engineer ; and Ralph W., born in August, 1889, who resides with his parents. Admiral Symonds in early life was affiliated with the Episcopal church, but is now a Christian Scientist. In politics he is a Republican.


Ole J. Eggum, attorney-at-law and man of affairs, now located at White- hall, was born in Dane County, Wis., March 10, 1878, the fifth of nine children born to John L. and Martha (Eggum) Eggum. John L. Eggum was born in Sogn, Norway, came to America in 1857 and located in Dane County, Wis., living for a short time in Norway Grove, and then going to Mount Horeb, where he farmed until his death, March 13, 1904. His wife Martha, whom he married in 1865, was also born in Sogn, Norway, and was brought to Dane County by her parents in 1854, when only 9 years of age. She passed away Feb. 9, 1896. Ole J. Eggum passed through the common schools, and in 1897 was graduated from the Mount Horeb Academy, at Mount Horeb, Wis. After teaching for a while he entered the collegiate department of the University of Wisconsin, and graduated in 1904. He then worked in Chicago and Los Angeles. In 1906 he was employed by the Insurance Investigating Committee of the Wisconsin Legislature to compile insurance laws, statistics and other insurance information, at Madison and Milwaukee. Subsequently he entered the Law Department of the University of Wisconsin and was admitted to the bar in 1907. For the next two years he practiced at Abbotsford, Wis., and did law editorial work for a law book company of St. Paul. In May, 1909, he formed a partnership at Whitehall with Herman L. Ekern, who was State Insurance Commissioner from 1910 to 1915. The partnership was dissolved April 1, 1913, and Mr. Eggum has since continued the practice alone. He never sought public office, but has taken an active interest in public affairs and has been called to various positions of public honor and trust. Mr. Eggum was married Feb. 16, 1909, to Alice M. Bushey, of Appleton, born at Plainfield, Wis., June 14, 1878, daughter of George P. and Elizabeth (Hutchinson) Bushey, the former of whom died in February, 1917, and the latter of whom died June 30, 1909. Before her marriage Mrs. Eggum taught in various public schools of the State, includ- ing the State School for Dependent Children at Sparta, and for two years was a district representative of the Wisconsin Home Finding Society.


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Since coming to Whitehall she has taken an active interest in public welfare work and is now president of the Trempealeau County Woman Suffrage Association. Mr. and Mrs. Eggum have an adopted son, Karl William, who was born Nov. 9, 1916.


Henry E. Getts, first postmaster of North La Crosse, first general store- keeper in Whitehall, and for many years owner of the Whitehall Mill, was born in Philadelphia, Pa. He came West during the Civil War, and for several years kept a grocery store at North La Crosse, where he was appointed first postmaster. In 1873 he came to Whitehall, and established the first general store in the village. This store he successfully conducted until 1892, in the meantime having acquired the Whitehall Mill. In 1892 he took his son, Edmond C. Getts, as a partner, and for six years, under the firm name of H. E. Getts & Son, engaged in the hay and grain business at Whitehall. At the end of this period he removed to La Crosse, where, for about six years, he was employed as manager of the shoe department of the Doerflinger Department Store. Then he retired and resided in La Crosse until his death, Sept. 2, 1910. His wife, whose maiden name was Emma Lambert, now makes her home in Whitehall.


Edmond C. Getts, produce buyer of Whitehall, was born in La Crosse, Feb. 9, 1867, son of Henry E. and Emma (Lambert) Getts, who brought him in 1873 to Whitehall, where he was reared and educated. In 1886 he and Frank W. Potter started a cheese factory in Whitehall, which they operated for two years. In 1888 he and C. E. Evenson started the first creamery in Whitehall, and operated it for some four years. In 1892 he and his father engaged in the hay and grain business under the firm name of H. E. Getts & Son. In 1896 with A. E. Wing became interested in the A. E. Wing Company, of which he was made the manager. The firm was changed to Wing & Getts in 1908, and since 1912 Mr. Getts has conducted the business alone as sole owner, under his own name. Mr. Getts buys eggs and poultry on an extensive scale. He also handles coal to some extent. He is a prominent man in public affairs, having been village president for two years and village clerk for four years. In fraternal circles he has taken an active part, belonging to the Blue Lodge of the Masons, in which he has passed through the chair, and also to the Commandery. Mr. Getts was married April 14, 1892, to Pearl Emma Sherwood, of Whitehall, who was born Oct. 23, 1872, and died June 30, 1913, the daughter of Charles A. and Mary (Barrington) Sherwood, who now live at Whitehall, the former being a Civil War veteran and a retired nurseryman. To Mr. and Mrs. Getts were born two children: Clark Hallum and Katherine Agnes. Clark Hallum was born Aug. 5, 1893, pased through the Whitehall graded and high schools, received his degree of A. B. from the University of Wisconsin in 1914, and his LL. B. from Columbia University in 1916, and is now asso- ciated with the firm of Counselman & Co. in Chicago. Katherine Agnes is at home.


Arthur A. Gibbs, manager of the electric plant of Trempealeau, is a man who has had wide experience in various branches of industrial activity. He is a native son of the village, as he was born here July 25, 1863, his parents being O. E. and Louisa (Grant) Gibbs. As a young boy he attended


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the district school of Caledonia Township, and from 12 to 16 continued his studies in the Trempealeau village school. Until 1883 he resided on his father's farm, near the village, during the winters, but his summers, begin- ning with 1880, he spent on a farm which his father owned in South Dakota, near Arlington. In the fall of 1883 Mr. Gibbs became assistant agent for the American Express Company at Tracy, Minn., and was thus occupied until the spring of 1885. He then returned to Trempealeau and bought an interest in the boot, shoe and grocery business with Charles B. Allen, also taking care of the express business for both the American and Adams Express Companies here. In the spring of 1887 Mr. Gibbs sold out his interest in the store to Mr. Allen and in the following summer went back to South Dakota and opened a meat market at Arlington. He conducted this market until the fall of 1889 and then again returned to Trempealeau. He now entered the employ of the "Burlington" Railroad Company as bridge carpenter, and continued in that department until the summer of 1891, when he engaged in train service for the same road as freight brakeman. In 1893 he was promoted to the position of conductor and ran freight until 1898. That fall he went into the meat business at La Crosse, Wis., having a market on George street, and here he remained in business for about two years, selling out in the spring of 1900. He now entered the employ of the Duluth & Iron Range Railroad, as conductor, hauling iron ore and logs, and continued at this work until the close of navigation, in the winter of 1900. From that time until the fall of 1902 he was on the police force of Two Harbors, Minn., but then resigned and went to Arlington, S. D., to take charge of his father's farm there for a season.


In the fall of 1903 Mr. Gibbs went to Ohio and married Minnie McNaughton, a daughter of Harlow and Lucinda McNaughton, of Rutland, that State, and who was born there Dec. 12, 1875. After his marriage he returned to the South Dakota farm. Adjoining the farm was a tree claim of 160 acres, all improved, with good buildings, which Mr. Gibbs purchased in the spring of 1904, and which increased the size of the farm to 320 acres. In 1906 he bought 80 acres more of adjoining land, and on this farm of 400 acres he lived until 1910, when he sold it to John Murphy, of Aurelia, Iowa. In the fall of 1910 Mr. Gibbs returned to Trempealeau Village, but did nothing until the spring of 1911. He then went to Alberta, Canada, where he homesteaded 160 acres of land along the Athabaska River, which lay 65 miles from a railroad, Whitecourt being the postoffice. The first year he broke ten acres and built a log house, and for three successive years he broke ten acres each year in order to meet the requirements of the law, obtaining a land patent from the government in October, 1914. In the winter of 1912-13 he hauled over the country, a distance of 65 miles, a 100-horsepower sawmill outfit, which he set up at Whitecourt and is still operating. In October, 1914, Mr. Gibbs again returned to Trempealeau and has since remained here, having charge of the village electric light plant. He still ownes 160 acres of land near Highmore, Hughes County, S. D., also 124 acres on "Sam Noyes Island," Minnesota, opposite Trempealeau Village, and is president and manager of the Eagle Cliff Lime Product Company, of Trempealeau. His society affiliations are with the Order of Railway Con-


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ductors, Division No. 61, of La Crosse, to which he has belonged since 1894; and Hamilton Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of La Crosse. He and his wife have four children, all living at home: Grace Helen, born at Arlington, S. D., Feb. 26, 1905; Alice Louisa, born at Arlington, Sept. 26, 1907; Clara Eva, born at Arlington, Nov. 23, 1908, and Frank George, born at Trempea- leau, Wis., Sept. 7, 1910. Mr. Gibbs was brought up to attend the Methodist Episcopal church, but has never affiliated himself with the church as a member. His wife is a member of the Christian church in Ohio. They are people well known and esteemed in Trempealeau Village and the vicinity.


Charles Henry Growt, president and general manager of the Trempea- leau Mercantile Company, of Trempealeau Village, was born at St. Charles, Minn., May 10, 1867, son of Bateman and Susanna (Hartley) Growt. The father was for many years a farmer in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and is now living retired in Trempealeau Village. Charles H. Growt attended country school in his boyhood, and also spent three years in Trempealeau village school, and one term in the State Normal School at Winona, finishing his studies June 24, 1888. He then immediately entered the employ of E. J. Hankey, general merchant of Trempealeau Village, with whom he continued as clerk and assistant for 26 years, or until January, 1914, when Mr. Hankey sold the business to the Trempealeau Mercantile Company, Mr. Growt becoming president and manager. In January the same year the company was incorporated by R. H. Parker, Charles H. Growt, Mrs. Minnie Parker and Mrs. Nellie Growt. Mr. Parker is secretary and treasurer. The con- cern deals in general merchandise, dry goods, clothing, shoes, groceries, carpets, rugs, linoleum, etc., and the business is prosperous and steadily growing. Mr. Growt is also a stockholder in the Citizens' Bank of Trempea- leau and the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company, in which latter concern his wife also holds stock. He was married, April 14, 1897, at the home of his bride, to Nellie, daughter of William, Sr., and Charlotte (Dunham) Nichols, of Caledonia Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., the ceremony being performed by the Rev. Mr. Griffith, pastor of the Trempealeau Congre- gational church, of which he and his wife are both members. Immediately after their marriage they began housekeeping in the Bloom residence, on West Second street, where they lived for a year and a half. They then moved to a home on East Fourth street and resided there until 1909. In the spring of 1910 Mr. Growt bought his present residence on East Third street-a comfortable and commodious house. He and his wife have one child, Glen Nicholls, who is now a student in his third year at the Trempea- leau High School. Mr. Growt has served six years on the village school board, being secretary at the present time. He is not active in politics, but votes the Republican ticket. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic order, belonging to Lodge No. 117 at Trempealeau, of which he is now Master, having passed all the chairs from Senior Deacon. With his wife he belongs to the Eastern Star, and is a member of Camp No. 2813. M. W. A., of Trempealeau. .




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