History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 45

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 45

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John O. Gilbertson, who is successfully engaged in farming in section 33, Gale Township, was born in Lewis Valley, La Crosse County, Jan. 17, 1859, son of Ole and Olena (Larson) Gilbertson. His parents were born in Biried, Norway, the father Dec. 22, 1818, the mother in 1825. They were married in their native land and came to the United States in 1856, locating in Lewis Valley, La Crosse County, Wis. Ole Gilbertson, who was a farmer by occupation, soon afterwards bought land, but in 1860 he moved with his family to French Creek, in Ettrick Township, Trempealeau County. Here he was engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1898. His wife died Aug. 9, 1888. He was a prominent man and held office at various times, being school clerk for many years.

John O. Gilbertson was the youngest in a family of four children. He attended school in his boyhood at French Creek and afterwards the Gales- ville High School. Residing on the parental homestead until 22 years of age, he then became a land owner, buying a farm in Ettrick Township, which he operated for five years. He then engaged in mercantile business at Hale and later in Whitehall, being thus occupied for six years. At the end of that time he concluded to go back to farming, and accordingly pur- chased his present property at Frenchville, Gale Township, which consists of 80 acres of improved land, the improvements having been chiefly made by himself. These include his neat and comfortable residence, erected in

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

1910, and barns and other necessary buildings in 1905, the house being thoroughly modern in its appointments. Mr. Gilbertson devotes his whole time to his farm and is doing a prosperous business in his line. He is an independent Republican in politics and a member of the Lutheran Synod Church.

Oct. 22, 1879, John O. Gilbertson was united in marriage with Mina Helen Nelson, who was born in Biried, Norway, daughter of Borre and Bertha (Haslie) Nelson, natives of the same place. The parents were married in Norway, where the father was born July 29, 1821. They came to America in 1867, locating in Abrahams Valley, Gale Township, where he engaged in farming, his occupation in the old country. He died April 28, 1898. His wife survived him nearly ten years, passing away in Febru- ary, 1908. Their daughter, Mina Helen, was the third born in a family of six children, and was educated in Trempealeau County. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbertson have three children: Odell, a mail clerk in the employ of the Northwestern Railway, residing in Winona, who married Ida Thompson of that city ; Ella Josephine, who is a teacher residing at home, and Celia Berenice, also residing at home, who has been a teacher for eight years, being now in her third year in the Frenchville school.

Alfred E. Gilbertson, an enterprising and successful farmer of Ettrick Township, comes of one of the pioneer families of this township, of which he is a native, having been born here May 11, 1873. His parents were Even and Antoinette Marie (Ofsdahl) Gilbertson, natives of Norway, who were married in Wisconsin, the father being a son of Ole and Oline Gilbertson. Even was born in 1843 and when a boy of 13 or 14 years his parents emi- grated with their family to the United States. The voyage, made in a slow sailing vessel, was long and tedious, but the shores of America were sighted at last and a landing effected. Making no stay in any eastern city or state, Ole Gilbertson and his family pushed on for the Northwest, which he had heard was now the land of opportunity for newcomers. He came to a halt at Stevenstown, La Crosse County, Wis., but seems not to have stayed there long, as soon after we find him homesteading 160 acres of land on French Creek, Ettrick Township, this county, and beginning its cultivation with an ox team. There were at that time but few settlers in the county, he being one of the original pioneers. As such he and his family had many hardships to endure and much hard work to perform, but in time his energy bore fruits, and with the assistance of sons he developed a good farm, and became one of the prominent and respected citizens of his township, aiding in the building of a church and taking a leading part in other public affairs. He and his good wife have long since passed to their final reward.

Even Gilbertson spent most of his boyhood days in assisting his father, when he was not attending school. In early manhood he started in for himself, buying a tract of 160 acres, and another of 80 acres, this land being situated in section 20-24-13, Ettrick Township. It was all wild land and there was not even a road in the vicinity, so that his task was to carve a farm out of the primitive wilderness. His first house was a shanty, 16 by 24 feet, and 12 feet high, and with this beginning he set to work, his

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

labors being hard and strenuous and lasting many years. He was made of the right stuff to succeed, however, and gradually the wild appearance of this land changed its aspect for one of cultivation, the old primitive shanty giving place to a dwelling more suggestive of domestic comfort. Barns and outbuildings, too, appeared, and increased in size with successive enlargements, or the erection of new buildings, while similar changes went on in the neighborhood with the advent of new settlers, until the community presented a civilized and flourishing appearance. On this farm Even resided to the end of his life, dying at the age of 72 years in 1912. He held a leading place among his fellow townsmen, was chairman of the township board for many years and served as assessor eight years, being well informed as to the value of all real property in the township. In politics he was a staunch Republican. A Lutheran in religious faith, he and his family helped to start the church of that denomination on French Creek, he being one of its officials, acting as trustee, foreman and collector of funds. He also aided in the building of the school and served as its clerk and treasurer. Among other enterprises which he took an active part in starting were the creamery and mill at Frenchville and the insurance com- pany. In short, for a number of years there were few important enterprises started in the vicinity in which he was not interested in one way or another. The insurance company he served as clerk for 20 years, and he also became a stockholder in the telephone company. During his active career he developed two farms, starting with straw sheds, which he later replaced with wooden buildings, hauling the lumber from the old mill at Alma, Buffalo County. He kept good stock, favoring Durham cattle and Shrop- shire sheep, and his horses were also of excellent quality. His wife Antoin- ette was a worthy helpmate to him, and to her he owed much of his suc- cess, which he always readily acknowledged. She was about 12 years younger than himself and is still living, being now 65 years old. Their eight children also are living, namely: Lena, Bertie, Ida, Laura, Sophie, Stella, Emma and Alfred E.

Alfred E. Gilbertson was reared to manhood on the old homestead and acquired his education in the district school. In course of time, as his father became advanced in years, he took over the management of the farm, which he has since operated successfully. For the past three years he has been a trustee of the Lutheran Church, but has held no town office. Mr. Gilbertson married Oriana Hegge, of La Crosse, Nov. 8, 1902, daughter of J. O. and Carrie (Olson) Hegge. He and his wife are the parents of one child, Mildred. On his farm are some fine pine trees, which were set out by his grandfather, Ole, at a very early date, while others were planted by his father, Even, 50 years ago. The development of this place from the original wilderness to its present flourishing conditions, with its highly cultivated land, neat and substantial buildings and modern equipment, is typical of the great changes that have taken place in the county since the pioneer settlers first appeared upon the scene with their ox carts and home- made appliances some 50 or 60 years ago.

Edwin R. Wilber, a pioneer settler of Trempealeau County, now passed away, was of New England birth, born in the southern part of Connecticut,

E. E. WILBER AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

Sept. 5, 1822. He was married in the state of New York, May 28, 1853, to Elizabeth A. King, who was born in Holland, Europe, Jan. 30, 1836. After farming for a few years in New York State, they came west in June, 1857, making the journey overland by team to Cleveland, and from there by boat by way of the Great Lakes to Sheboygan. They had brought teams with them, and from Sheboygan drove over country to Trempealeau County, crossing Black River at Gordon's Ferry and spending their first night in the county at the home of two bachelors, who lived at the ferry. In the party were the grandparents of the subject of this sketch, Samuel and Amanda Wilber, who had accompanied them from New York. The grandfather died in 1866 and the grandmother passed away in 1876. The families first located at a point just east of Centerville, but stayed there only two or three weeks until they had located homesteads. The home- stead of Edwin R. Wilber consisted of 120 acres of wild land in Big Tamarac Valley, sections 17 and 20, there being no improvements on it. Here Mr. Wilber put up a log house of one and a half stories and three rooms, which is still standing. He soon realized that the horse teams he had brought with him were not adapted to rough work amid pioneer surroundings, and accordingly traded them for oxen, which he used to clear and develop his land. In a few years he had added 160 acres to the original tract of 120, buying 80 acres of this new land from the government and the other 80 from speculators. His four brothers-Samuel D., William M., Acil H. and Nathan P .- had come west with him, and Nathan P. settled with him in Big Tamarack Valley, while Samuel, William and Acil located in Pine Creek Valley, then in Trempealeau but now in Dodge Township, the distance from the two farms being about two miles. Nathan took a wild tract of 40 acres adjoining that of Edwin R., and cleared and improved it. The latter, with his wife, lived in the log house first built but one year, when he erected a second log house, larger and more convenient, into which they moved. This latter dwelling was 16 by 24 feet, with an upper story, and was erected on an "alternate" section, on which Edwin R. Wilber "squatted." It was about 60 or 80 rods north of the first location. He also built three frame barns, which are still standing. In the second log house they lived about 18 years, at the end of which time the residence now occupied by the sub- ject of this sketch was erected. This is a two-story frame dwelling, with upright and wing, containing eight rooms in all.

Elmer Elsworth Wilber, who is engaged in operating the fine piece of agricultural property known as the "Wilber homestead," in sections 17 and 20, Trempealeau Township, was born in the old Wilber residence in section 17, Nov. 27, 1860, son of Edwin R. and Elizabeth A. (King) Wilber. He acquired his education in the district school of Trempealeau Township, which he attended regularly until 15 years old, after which he continued attendance during the winters only until 18. In the meanwhile he assisted his father on the home farm, of which he finally became the owner. To the buildings which his father erected he has added a frame barn. There he resided until his death July 5, 1893, being survived by his wife and several children, of whom he had seven: James M., Mary Jane, Francis M., Elmer E., Mary A., Samuel and Henrietta E. James M., born in February,

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1855, in New York State, is now living at Rochester, Minn., being a retired blacksmith. Mary Jane, born Sept. 19, 1856, also in New York State, died Nov. 22, 1861, in Trempealeau Township and is buried in Evergreen Ceme- tery. Francis M., born Oct. 24, 1858, in Trempealeau Township, is now a prosperous farmer of this township, living near the old homestead. Elmer E., born Nov. 27, 1860, is now owner of the homestead and is engaged in farming. Mary A., born Nov. 8, 1862, is the widow of Frank Bunnell and lives in Minneapolis. Samuel, born Dec. 4, 1870, died Feb. 27, 1871. Henrietta E., born Nov. 2, 1872, is the wife of Clarence Bunnell, a real estate dealer of Orlando, Florida. Mrs. Edwin R. Wilber died in Minne- apolis, Minn., April 21, 1909.

Elmer E. Wilber acquired his education in the district school of Trem- pealeau Township, which he attended regularly until 15 years old, after which he continued attendance during the winters only until 18. In the meanwhile he assisted his father on the home farm, of which he finally became the owner. To the buildings which his father erected he has added a frame barn, with concrete basement, fitted for cattle and horses, the distance from floor to ridge being 40 feet. He carries on general farming and dairying, keeping Shorthorn grade cattle, of which he has a good herd, also Poland-China swine and a large flock of graded Shropshire sheep. He is also interested as a stockholder in the Galesville Creamery and the Farmers' Co-operative Packing Company of La Crosse.

March 28, 1886, Mr. Wilber was united in marriage with Cora A., daughter of James and Amanda (Towner) Adams of Caledonia Township, their marriage taking place at the home of the bride's parents, and the Rev. J. R. Chamberlain of the Trempealeau Congregational Church officiat- ing. Mr. and Mrs. Wilber have four children : Hazel E., born Oct. 22, 1887, who was graduated from the Trempealeau High School, the La Crosse Normal School and the State University at Madison, and is now a teacher in Madison, Wis .; Raud E., born March 18, 1890, who lives at home and is assisting in the management of the farm, and who married Grace E. Dolbier, Jan. 4, 1917; Cora Madge, born April 16, 1893, who was married March 8, 1917, to Edwin Severson and resides in Trempealeau Township, and Mabel A., born Sept. 21, 1894, who is unmarried and lives at home. Mr. Wilber belongs to Camp No. 2977, M. W. A., of Galesville, Wis. He is a Republican in politics but not an officeholder.

Francis M. Wilber, one of the enterprising farmers of Trempealeau Township, section 20, was born Oct. 24, 1858, at Big Tamarack Valley, this township, son of Edwin R. and Elizabeth A. (King) Wilber. His educa- tional opportunities were limited to attendance at the district school, and he had to become self-supporting at the time when many boys nowadays are thinking of high school and college. The habits of industry he then learned have remained with him all his life and have been the main factor in his present prosperity. Brought up to farming, he has followed that occupation since boyhood, buying and moving onto his present farm of 207 acres in sections 20 and 21, Trempealeau Township, soon after his marriage in 1885 to Emma Bell Bunnell, daughter of George W. and Louise (Atwood) Bunnell. Since taking possession of this property Mr. Wilber

MR. AND MRS. EDWIN R. WILBER

F. M. WILBER AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

has made a number of valuable improvements on it. Among them is a two-story frame house, erected in 1908, also a fine large barn with modern equipments; and in addition he has a good granary, hog house, poultry house, machine sheds and other necessary buildings. The farm itself is located in one of the richest valleys in Trempealeau County, and has good fertile soil, yielding bountiful crops. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Wilber includes five children: Grace, who is the wife of Webster J. Calkins, a farmer of Trempealeau Township; Myrtle, wife of Benjamin Rhodes, a farmer at Little Tamarack Valley; Lizzie, now Mrs. William Lakey, whose husband is a farmer in Caledonia Township; Cliffie, who is unmarried and resides at home, and Dewey, also unmarried, who is engaged in assisting his father on the farm. Mr. Wilber is a Republican in politics, but takes no active part in township affairs, being always ready, however, to support any practical enterprise for the welfare of the general community. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and his wife to the Royal Neighbors, both of Galesvlile.

George W. and Louise (Atwood) Bunnell, parents of Mrs. F. M. Wilber of Trempealeau Township, were natives of New Hampshire. In early days they came west to Baraboo, Wis., where they resided for a time, subse- quently returning to New Hampshire. In 1860 they came again to Wis- consin, this time settling on Trempealeau Prairie, where Mr. Bunnell bought 60 acres of land and engaged in farming. A little later, however, he sold the 60-acre tract and purchased one of 120 acres close by, and there built up a good farm, on which he remained until 1878. He then rented the farm and went to Farmington in Dakota County, Minn., where he lived for two years. The remainder of his life was spent in Minneapolis, his death occurring May 2, 1891. Mrs. Bunnell later married George Harold. She died at Seattle, Wash., June 6, 1916, to which state they had moved. The children of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Bunnell were as follows: Willard, born Aug. 30, 1857, who died Feb. 10, 1911; Frank, born March 11, 1860, who died Aug. 15, 1904; Emma Bell, born April 14, 1863, now Mrs. F. M. Wilber of Trempealeau County ; Clarence, born March 22, 1866, now a real estate dealer at Orlando, Florida; Lizzie Rose, born Nov. 24, 1871, residing in Spokane, Wash .; and George Otis, born Dec. 26, 1875, who is the efficient chief of police of Seattle, Wash.

Albert J. Baardseth, proprietor of a general store and feed mill at Hardie's Creek, Gale Township, was born at Hardie's Creek, this township and county, July 4, 1879. His parents were Andrew and Mary (Hemma) Baardseth, both of whom were born in Ringsaker, Norway. Andrew Baard- seth came to the United States when 30 years of age, about 50 years ago, locating in Lewis Valley, La Crosse County. For 13 winters he worked in the pineries and in the summers on farms. He then bought land near North Bend, Jackson County, and was engaged in farming there for seven or eight years. At the end of that time he located on the farm on which his son Albert J. was born, and where he is still living, though it is now the property of his son. His wife, to whom he was married in this state, died in 1885, at Hardie Creek. Mr. Baardseth was the fourth born of his parents' six children. He acquired his elementary education at the Glasgow school

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

where he is now living retired after a long and successful career as an agriculturist, was born on his parents' farm at Decorah Prairie, Gale Town- ship, Sept. 3, 1856, son of John and Mary (Young) Davidson. He was educated in the district school of his neighborhood and resided on the home farm until he was 21 years old, assisting his father and acquiring a good practical knowledge of farming in all its branches. When he came of age he began working in the pine woods at timber cutting during the winters, spending the summers in northern Wisconsin. After being thus occupied for six or seven years he returned to the parental homestead and resumed farming operations with his father, with whom he continued until the latter's death. Then buying out the other heirs, he operated the home farm on his own account for 12 years, at the end of which time he sold it and bought his present residence in Galesville. He still owns land in the county and is now in possession of a competence, acquired by years of industry. In addition to his land holdings he is a stockholder in the Inde- pendent Harvester Company at Plano, Ill., and the Arctic Springs Creamery of Galveston, Wis. July 5, 1904, Mr. Davidson was united in marriage with Mrs. Cornelia A. Fuller, who was born in Michigan, daughter of Elijah and Lucinda (Overacker) Brown. Her father was a native of Ohio and her mother of Albion, Mich. In 1865 they came to Wisconsin and settled at Davis Ferry on the Black River, but the following year moved to Wrightsville, and a year later to Jackson County, where Mrs. Brown died. Mr. Brown then took up his residence in Neillsville, Clark County, where his death subsequently occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson have an adopted child, Stella, who was born Feb. 1, 1906, and is now attending school at Galesville. Mr. Davidson is independent in politics and for six years was treasurer of District School No. 2 of Decorah Prairie. He has always taken an interest in good local government, and though taking little personal part in politics, has ever been ready to support measures calculated to promote the general welfare of the community.

John C. Dopp, who is conducting a good farm in sections 3, 10 and 11, Gale Township, known and registered as "Pleasant View Farm," is a native of Trempealeau County, having been born near Frenchville, in Gale Town- ship, April 17, 1865. His parents were born in Germany, but were married in the state of Iowa. The father, John Dopp, born in Mecklenburg, Ger- many, Feb. 25, 1837, came to the United States while still a young man under 20 years of age, and lived for awhile in McGregor, Iowa. His first winter in this country was spent in Prairie du Chien, where he earned only 25 cents a week as wages, his employer evidently taking advantage of his ignorance, as he was unable to speak English. In addition to the anxiety caused by his inability to find remunerative employment, he was attacked by typhus fever and was very sick, though finally recovering. Later he was in the employ of an English family at Iowa, in which were two little girls, who taught him to speak English. After a year with this family he came to Trempealeau County, crossing the river at Trempealeau in a skiff. Here he worked awhile for Mr. Healy, but soon after took a homestead near Frenchville, which farm he developed and improved, residing on it until his death, Oct. 16, 1908. He married Fredericka Schmidt, who was

JOHN C. DOPP AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

born in Germany, Jan. 26, 1838, and who survived him and is now living in the old home with her daughter, Mrs. Dennis Brophy. They have five children, of whom John C. was the first born.

John C. Dopp in his boyhood attended school at Frenchville. He learned agriculture on his father's farm, and at the age of 17 years began working out for others, varying this employment with work on the home farm at intervals. From the age of 21 to that of 30 he worked by the month. He then took his present farm, which at the time had practically no improvements. He has 160 acres of land, which is now well cultivated, and has erected large well equipped barns, and a good modern brick resi- dence. Here he carries on general farming, including the raising of stock, and is doing a prosperous business. His breeding operations are confined chiefly to Durham cattle, Poland-China hogs and Percheron horses. In addition to his immediate farming interests, he is a stockholder in the Arctic Springs Creamery Company and the La Crosse Packing Company. In politics Mr. Dopp is independent. While not politically active, he served as justice of the peace for two years and as school clerk six years. May 1, 1898, Mr. Dopp was united in marriage with Anna Margaretha Elizabeth Claussen, who was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, March 11, 1869, daughter of Peter H. and Anna M. (Messer) Claussen, both natives of the same province, where the father was born Nov. 7, 1836, and the mother Aug. 17, 1837. They came to the United States in April, 1870, and after one summer in Chicago, came in the following November to Trempealeau County, Mr. Claussen locating on what is now known as the old Claussen homestead at Frenchville. He is now practically retired, his son operating the farm. At various times Mr. Claussen held local office and for many years has been one of the best known and most respected citizens of his township. Mr. and Mrs. Dopp are the parents of five children: Esther Margeretha, Herman Claussen, John Henry, Mary Magdalene and Anna Elizabeth. The three older children are students at the Galesville High School, while the two younger ones are attending the rural school of this district. Anna Elizabeth, the youngest, only seven years old, will enter the fourth grade September, 1917. Religiously the family are affiliated with the Presbyterian Church.

Peter Thomas, a former resident of Trempealeau County, but now deceased, was born in Germany, Oct. 15, 1840. When eight years old he accompanied his parents to the United States, they settling at Mineral Point, Iowa County, Wisconsin, in which locality he was reared. When a young man he engaged in mining. About 1880 he and his family settled at Onalaska, La Crosse County. About a year later he came to Trem- pealeau County and located on a farm about two miles from Galesville, the property being now known as the Stoner farm. A few years later he bought a farm at Frenchville, where he died August, 1914. Mr. Thomas married Leah Ayer, a native of the state of Maine, and they were the parents of nine children, one of whom, Cullen A., is now a farmer in Gale Township. Another, Leah, married Walter Birchard, who lives on a farm on the outskirts of Galesville. Mrs. Leah Thomas died in Galesville in 1909.

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History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 45

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