History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 43

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 43

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George Grant Gibbs, of the firm of Ford & Gibbs, implement dealers, of Trempealeau Village, is a man who has had a thorough training in the line of work in which he is now engaged, although he has been established

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

here but for about three years. He is, however, a native of the county, hav- ing been born in Caledonia Township, Nov. 13, 1865, the youngest son of O. E. and Louisa (Grant) Gibbs. His father being a farmer, he was early initiated into agricultural methods, gradually becoming acquainted with the various kinds of machinery used on a farm and the respective value of the different types of machines. He attended school up to 19 years of age, working on the parental homestead during his vacations, and after putting away his class books, continued to do so all the time until he was 23, except for the summer of 1887, when he was employed as clerk on a Mississippi River steamboat. March 8, 1890, he was married to Jennie Hudson, daugh- ter of Henry and Kate (Stark) Hudson, of Trempealeau County, and imme- diately after went to South Dakota, and until the spring of 1892 was engaged in managing his father's farms in the vicinity of Arlington, that State. It was just after this that he became connected with the implement business, taking a position as local salesman with S. C. Cornell, of Arlington, for whom he worked one year. In the spring of 1893 he entered the employ of the Altman Miller Company, of Akron, Ohio, in the same capacity. traveling in South Dakota, but remained with them only one season. His next employers were Sherman Bros. & Bratager, wholesale implement dealers, of Sioux Falls, S. D., for whom he traveled eight years, at the end of which time they went out of business. In 1900 he went with the Janes- ville Machinery Company, of Janesville, Wis., and until July, 1911, was engaged in selling goods for them in South Dakota. In the year 1900, when he went with the Janesville company, he was living in Brookings, S. D., but in the spring of the following year he moved to Watertown, that State, his next removal being a return to Sioux Falls in the spring of 1903. During his last two years in Sioux Falls, 1909 and 1910, he was associated with P. F. Sherman, of that city, as proprietor and manager of a wholesale and transfer implement house, the business being the jobbing, storing and reshipping of agricultural implements. Mr. Gibbs now returned to his native county, taking up his residence in the village of Trempealeau, but until Jan. 1, 1914, he continued to travel for the Janesville Machinery Com- pany. Having saved some money, he now resolved to sell goods for himself, and accordingly, taking as partner his brother-in-law, C. S. Ford, he opened his present place of business in Trempealeau Village, and his success up to date has fully justified this action. He has taken an active part in promot- ing the general business interests of the village and has been president of the village commercial club since settling here. For the past three years he has also been president of the La Crosse and Trempealeau County Imple- ment Club-a similar position to that which he held while living in Sioux Falls, where he served as president of the Sioux Falls Implement and Vehicle Club. In short, Mr. Gibbs has always endeavored to rise above mere routine work, and has proved himself a "live wire" whenever there was opportunity for advancing his personal interests, those of his employers, or of the com- munity in which he lived. For the last three years he has rendered good service on the county board. In politics he is a staunch Republican. Brought up in his youth to attend the Methodist Episcopal church, he aids in its support, but is not identified with it as a member. His wife also

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takes a similar interest in the church. They have a neat and substantial residence in the village, provided with modern conveniences. Mr. Gibbs has membership in several fraternal orders, including Lodge No. 117, A. F. & A. M., of Trempealeau ; Lodge No. 838, B. P. O. E., of Watertown, S. D., to which he has belonged since 1902; the A. O. U. W. Lodge at Arlington, S. D., which he joined in 1890, and the U. C. T. Lodge, No. 100, of Sioux Falls, S. D., which he joined in 1897.

Oliver E. Gibbs, pioneer, public official and prominent citizen, was born at Cherry Creek, Chautauqua County, N. Y., April 15, 1837, son of Israel and Charlotte (Wright) Gibbs, the former of German descent and the latter of Colonial English stock. The father, who was a building contractor, special- izing in bridges, piers and warehouses, came West, bringing the family, in 1844, and settled at Racine, Wis., where he spent the remainder of his days. In the family there were eleven children: Sidney, Melvin, Augustus, Gil- bert, Oliver E., Lewis and Hoel, Ruth, Mary and Grace. All are now deceased except Oliver E. Of these children, Gilbert was the one who first contemplated settling in Trempealeau County. He started out in the fall of 1854, with an ox team, provisions, household goods, and a herd of young stock. Oliver E., in his brother's employ, drove the stock. After a journey of over two weeks they reached their destination, four miles east of Trem- pealeau Village. There Oliver E. worked on Gilbert's farm for four years. In the meantime, in 1856, he bought 200 acres of wild land in Section 25, Caledonia Township, and 40 acres in Section 26, Trempealeau Township. In 1858 he built a house on Section 25, and there established his home. The succeeding years were busy ones. Land had to be broken, buildings erected, equipment secured, fences constructed, and the farm developed. Together with general farming on an extensive scale, Mr. Gibbs bought and sold cattle, swine and horses, and even shipped horses to South Dakota. The opportunity presented itself to acquire more land, so he purchased 30 acres of heavy timberland in Caledonia Township, which he is still preserv- ing, and 50 acres of meadow and pasture land in Trempealeau Township. For a while he also owned a quarter section of good land in Ridgeville Town- ship, Monroe County, Wis., which he sold in 1860. For several years he was interested in South Dakota real estate, though, aside from staying long enough to prove upon a claim, he never actually lived there. In 1880 he homesteaded 160 acres near what is now Arlington, in Brookings County, S. D. The same year he took a tree claim of 160 acres, adjoining the other claim, but across the line in Kingsbury County. On the homestead he built a good two-story house, a large barn, a swine house, a granary, and other buildings, and set out a fruit orchard. On the tree claim he built a good house, a large barn, two granaries, a swine house, a chicken house and a large tool shed. The buildings on both places were painted, well furnished and well equipped. In 1904 Mr. Gibbs disposed of all his South Dakota holdings. In the meantime, in 1882, he had moved his family to Trempea- leau Village in order to secure better educational advantages for his children. He bought a house and two lots, improved the house, and has there made his home since that time. With all his busy life, Mr. Gibbs has found time for active public service. For a considerable period he was chairman of the

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board of supervisors of Trempealeau Township, and chairman of the board of supervisors of Trempealeau County. At one time he was master of the poor in Trempealeau Village and Township. His distinguished work in relation to the establishment of the County Insane Asylum at Whitehall is recorded elsewhere in this history. On many different occasions he has done jury service in the district court. He has also served on various committees and delegations.

Mr. Gibbs was married at Trempealeau, Sept. 21, 1861, to Louisa Grant, who was born in Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio, April 7, 1841, and came West with her parents. She was an able helpmate to her husband in all his undertakings, a faithful wife and a loving and considerate mother. Her services in the Methodist church, especially her work in the Sunday school department, will never be forgotten. In 1910 her health began to fail, and on Dec. 16, 1914, she died. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs was blessed with five children : Arthur A., George G., Jessie, Grace B. and Blanche. Arthur A. is superintendent of the village electric light plant at Trempea- leau. He was married in 1903 to Mary McNaughton, of Ohio, and they have four children, Grace, Alice, Clara and Frank. George G. is a member of the firm of Ford & Gibbs, of Trempealeau, dealers in farm implements. He married Jane Hudson, of Bloomington, Wis. Jessie was married April 5, 1901, to Clifford Ford, of the firm of Ford & Gibbs, and they have four children, Neil, Harold, Edith and Jessie. Grace B. and Blanche are at home.

Tolef Bergeson, a well-known resident of Arcadia Township, where he settled at an early date, was born in Telemarken, Norway, Nov. 24, 1847, son of Bjorgub and his wife Anna Sigerson. When he was 21/2 years old his parents decided upon emigrating to the United States, Bjorgub having a brother residing in Dane County, Wis. The father came first, being fol- lowed soon after by his wife and their five children, Tolef, Sigor, Jack, Charles and Jennie. After a ten weeks' voyage on the ocean in a sailing vessel the party landed and came on to Dane County. Here, a few weeks later the children were bereaved by the death of their mother, who had been taken sick on the vessel and never recovered. She died without having seen her husband in America, as before she and the children arrived he had gone on further west seeking a good place in which to locate. He found a temporary place in Vernon County, not far from La Crosse. There he was rejoined by his children, who, in the meanwhile, had been taken care of by friends, some of whom, coming West, brought them to him. While residing in Vernon County Bjorgub heard favorable reports of White- hall, Trempealeau County, and set out to investigate the prospect. With Ole Gottornson he left home with an ox team and on arriving in Trempealeau County halted for a short time at Francis Creek. There a Norwegian blacksmith advised them to leave the ox team there and proceed on foot in search of land, which they did, the blacksmith accompanying them eastward and taking them up on a bluff where they were able to obtain a good view of the surrounding country. Looking down Tamarac Valley, they saw good opportunities for raising hay, with plenty of timber, and decided on that locality as their future home, giving up the idea of Whitehall. Then returning to La Crosse they made arrangements for settlement. Mr.

TOLEF BERGESON

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Bergeson liked a quarter of Section 28 better than any other claim he had seen, but this had previously been selected by Sigor Chastelson. The latter, however, gave up his right to Mr. Bergeson and this place accordingly became the home of the family and has remained so to this day. Mr. Berge- son cut hay there during the summer of 1863 and built a pole shanty, to which he brought his children in the fall. He never remarried, his daughter Jennie keeping house for him. Later he built a hewn log house of one and a half stories, 14 by 16 feet in dimensions, a hewn log barn, 20 by 32 feet, and other necessary buildings. With the help of his sons he developed about 85 acres, the balance of the quarter section remaining in timber. When he settled on the place there were no roads and easy access to his farm was barred by Big Tamarac Swamp. There were settlements at Trempealeau and Galesville, but his nearest neighbor was K. L. Strand, who was also a native of Norway, coming from the same locality as himself. Bjorgub Bergeson died in 1888, being cared for in his latter years by his son Tolef and daughter Jennie, into whose possession the homestead came. There was a heavy indebtedness on the place at the time of the father's death, but this in time they cleared away, Tolef continuing to improve the place and to engage in general farming and dairying, to which latter branch of agriculture he has in recent years given special attention with profitable results. By the purchase of 40 acres more land he increased the size of the farm to 200 acres. He also built a comfortable frame house consisting of upright and wing, one and a half stories in height. The farm is watered by fine springs. In his early years he had little opportunity for obtaining an education, as there was no school here until he had reached working age. He acquired as much book knowledge as he needed, however, and when a boy and young man learned much about nature from the Indians, who were then numerous in this vicinity. His sister Jennie, who always remained with him, died in June, 1916, and he and his brother Charles, who is living near Leonard, are now the only surviving members of the family. Mr. Bergeson is a Republican in politics, but has taken no active part in public affairs. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church at Norway Coulie, and is a well-to-do and prosperous citizen, having a wide acquaint- ance. The memory of his father is well preserved in the neighborhood as that of a kind, helpful and honest man, universally respected.

Hans C. Erickson, a well-known and successful farmer of Ettrick Town- ship, is a good example attained by those foreign-born citizens of Trempea- leau County who came to this region endowed with the necessary qualities of industry and perseverance. He was born in Stange, Hedemarken, Nor- way, May 9, 1863, a son of Christopher and Bertha Erickson. His parents were natives of the same district in Norway, where the father worked for a number of years for wages, but seeking greater opportunities for success, in 1869 he emigrated with his family to the United States, locating in La Crosse, Wis., where he resided until 1877, working in a sawmill during the summers and in the pineries in winter. In the year last mentioned he came to Trempealeau County and bought the farm now owned by his son, Hans C. Here he remained for about 18 years engaged in its improve- ment, in which task he made considerable progress. In 1895 he bought

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another farm, located on Beaver Creek, to which he moved in the following year, and which was his home until his death, Dec. 10, 1916. He had before that become an extensive land owner and was recognized as one of the successful men of his township. In his selection of stock he favored Shorthorn cattle, always kept good horses, and his farm presented an air of thrift and prosperity that made a favorable impression upon every passer-by. He was an upholder of religion, morality and good government, and every Sunday, unless he was prevented by sickness or other strong reasons, found him in his place, with his family, in the French Creek Lutheran church. For many years before his death he was a widower, his wife Bertha having died in 1871. They were the parents of seven children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth.

Hans C. Erickson's education was begun in the Fifth Ward School at La Crosse, and he continued his studies later in District School No. 1, at French Creek. When 12 years old he began working in a sawmill at North La Crosse and was thus occupied for two summers. His connection with the lumber business was continued for many years after he came to Trem- pealeau County, as he spent 17 winters in the north woods cutting timber. At the end of that period, or about 1894, he bought his father's farm and has since given his whole time to agriculture and stock raising. The farm is known as Crystal Springs Stock Farm, and is now a highly-improved piece of property, the most valuable improvements having been made by himself. It takes its name from one of the finest springs in the State, which is located on it, and contains 217 acres of good, fertile land. Mr. Erickson is a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery and the Ettrick Farmers' Telephone Co., and, like his father, is affiliated with the Lutheran church.

In June, 1900, Mr. Erickson was united in marriage with Dorthea Folkedal, who was born in Hardanger, Norway, daughter of Amund and Anna (Meckletuen) Folkedal, the parents being natives of the same district. The father, Amund Folkedal, who was for 18 years a surgeon in the Nor- wegian army, in 1885 came to the United States, his family joining him two years later and settling in Osseo, this county. After another two years' interval they removed to Ettrick, wher both the father and mother died, the former March 12, 1913, and the latter April 30, 1915. Their daughter Dorthea (Mrs. Erickson) was the second born of eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Hans C. Erickson are the parents of seven children, who were born as follows: Christopher, June 10, 1901; Eddie Francis, Feb. 2, 1903; Anna Birdella, Feb. 17, 1905 ; Haakon Goodwin, Oct. 27, 1908; Albert Einar, April 15, 1910; Gulena Elizabeth, April 29, 1912, and Donald Ludvik Ber- nard, Dec. 26, 1916.

John Jacob Blue, a representative of the manufacturing interests of Trempealeau County as proprietor of the woolen mill at Ettrick, was born at Mechanicsburg, Champaign County, Ohio, Feb. 4, 1844. His parents were John and Sarah (Baldwin) Blue, the father being a native of Pennsyl- vania, from which State he emigrated to Ohio, where he died in 1847. Mrs. Sarah Blue was born in Scotland and was granddaughter of Richard Baldwin, who served as a soldier in the War of 1812-15 between Great Britain and the United States. She died about 1881. John Jacob Blue

MR. AND MRS. OLE O. ONSRUD

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was one of the younger members of a family of ten children. He began industrial life in Ohio at the age of 16 years, at intervals working as clerk or as an employe in the woolen mills. After a service of four months in the army during the latter part of the Civil War, he moved in 1864 to Lincoln, Ill., where he was clerk in a hotel for about six months, and also dealt in stock. His residence in Lincoln lasted three years and he then went to La Crescent, Minn., having been hired to set up the machinery of a woolen mill there. After this job was accomplished he became an employee of the mill and continued to be so for three years. The end of this period found him on the road as a traveling salesman, in which occupa- tion he was engaged continuously for 14 years, or until 1884. That year witnessed the establishment of the present woolen mill in Ettrick, a work accomplished by Mr. Blue, who came here, put in the machinery and began the operation of the mill, which is a one-set mill with three looms. He has since been engaged continuously in its operation, disposing of his product in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and other States. The con- cern has been a success and is an important factor in the industrial life of Trempealeau County. Mr. Blue is also a stockholder in the Bank of Ettrick and the Ettrick & Northern Railroad now being constructed, and is the owner of business and residence property in the village. He belongs to the Masonic lodge in Galesville and to Camp No. 2940, Modern Woodmen of America. Since taking up his residence in Ettrick he has taken a good citizen's interest in the general advancement and prosperity of the com- munity, and has not hesitated, when called upon, to serve in local office. Thus he was township clerk for eight years, township treasurer two years and clerk of the school board 12 years, justice of the peace four years, notary public for 12 years. In politics he is a Republican.

September 26, 1870, Mr. Blue was united in marriage with Dora B. Ketchum, who was born in the State of New York, daughter of Ambrose and Harriet (Burr) Ketchum, both her parents being natives of that State. The father, who was a farmer, emigrated about 1853 or 1854 to Houston, Minn., during the latter part of his journey having to follow a blazed trail. Arriving in Houston County, he took a tract of government land and engaged in farming there, which was his occupation until his death in 1881. His wife is still living and now resides at Lisbon, N. D., having attained the advanced age of 88 years. They had five children, of whom Dora B. was the second born. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Blue have been eight in number, their record in brief being as follows: Effie, now deceased ; Harry, who married Minnie Coocher, and resides in Ettrick, being in business with his father; Herby, deceased; Inez, residing at home and engaged in the millinery business in Galesville; Guy B., engaged in the drug business in Roanoke, Ill .; Frank, engaged in the drug business at Tremont, Ill .; Anetta, wife of Frank Hewett, who reside in Ettrick Village, and Amy, who lives in Tremont, Ill., where she is employed in her brother Frank's drug store. Mr. Blue is a member of the Presbyterian church and he and the members of his family residing here are prominent in the social circles of Ettrick and the vicinity.

Ole O. Onsrud, who died on the old Onsrud farm in Section 28, Ettrick

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Township, was an early settler in this county and township, coming here immediately or soon after the close of the Civil War, in which he carried arms as a soldier of the Union. He was born in Biri, Norway, Dec. 26, 1835, son of Ole and Marie Onsrud, the father being a well-to-do farmer. Neither of Mr. Onsrud's parents came to this country, both dying in their native land. Ole O. Onsrud was educated in Norway and was there confirmed in the Lutheran church. From the time he was 18 until he was 22 years old he worked on a farm. In 1857 he took passage on a sailing vessel for the United States, among the members of the party being the family of Amon Amundson, whose daughter Andrine subsequently became his wife. The voyage was long and tedious, lasting seven weeks and three days, and all were glad when they set foot on the Land of Promise. Mr. Onsrud at once proceeded to the home of his brother Lars, at Westby, Vernon County, Wis., which place he made his home until he came to Trempealeau County in 1866. During the last year of the war, while in Monroe County, he was drafted and served nine months in Company B of the Sixth Wisconsin Infantry as a private. Though not wounded, he had many narrow escapes and partici- pated in some heavy fighting, including seven pitched battles, which ended with Appomattox, after which he took part in the Grand Review at Wash- ington and was honorably discharged. He then returned to Westby, but soon came from that town to Trempealeau County, purchasing a farm in Section 28, Ettrick Township, on which he settled and began the work of improvement. It could hardly be called a farm at that time, however, as it was all wild land and he had all a pioneer's work to do in clearing it. This work took him many years, but was finally accomplished, and not only was the land well cultivated, but good buildings erected and enlarged or rebuilt from time to time. The size of the farm was increased from 160 to 240 acres and the crops indigenous to this region were raised and an excellent grade of stock kept. Mr. Onsrud was also a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery, which he assisted in organizing. He also aided in the organiza- tion of the Lutheran Church, of which he was for many years a prominent member and trustee. He also served on the school board a number of years. Mr. Onsrud's marriage to Andrine Amundson took place Feb. 4, 1862. She was born in Biri, Norway, Dec. 22, 1839, daughter of Amon and Agnetta Amundson, who were natives of the same district or province of Norway. As already narrated, they and their family came to America in 1857 on the same ship with the subject of this sketch. On reaching Wisconsin they located at Halfway Creek, La Crosse County, where they made their home for a number of years. They then came to Ettrick Town- ship, this county, settling on French Creek, where they developed a farm, on which Mr. Amundson died in 1890. After his death his wife took up her residence with her daughter, Mrs. Onsrud, at whose home she died in 1897. The latter was the second born of five children, of whom three are now living, and was educated both in Norway and in Trempealeau County. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Onsrud: Alfred Oscar, Amos Marion, Henry, Frank A., and Orrin Melvin. Alfred Oscar, who is now residing in Spokane, Wash., is a retired railroad contractor, and is interested as a stockholder in range properties. He married Etta Harris, of Trempealeau

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County. Amos Marion died in 1907. Henry, who resides in Arcadia Town- ship, this county, with his wife Elizabeth, a native of Norway. Frank A., who is a farmer in Arcadia Township, married Josephina Lund, of Trempealeau County. Orrin Melvin died in California while on the way home from Alaska. Mrs. Onsrud, who survives her husband, still resides on the old homestead, the farm being rented and operated by E. Anderson. She is a lady highly respected throughout this part of the county, having made many friends since she arrived in the township over half a century ago.

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History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 43

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