History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 47

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 47

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Archie J. Brovold was married Oct. 12, 1915, to Senie Sexie, daughter of Lars O. and Carrie (Bue) Sexie. Her father, who was a native of Hardanger, Norway, came to America at the age of 17 years, located at Beaver Creek Valley and engaged in farming, which occupation he still follows. His wife was born in America. They were the parents of ten children, of whom Senie was the second in order of birth. She was educated at the Hegg High School and always remained at home until her marriage.

Samuel Barr, formerly a leading citizen in Trempealeau Township, of which he was a pioneer settler, was born in Madison County, N. Y., March 28, 1818. While still a single man he came with his brother James, via the Great Lakes, to Wisconsin. They had intended to land at Milwaukee, but owing to heavy weather had to go on to Chicago. There they procured ox teams and proceeded to Fort Atkinson, Wis., overland. James Barr sub- sequently went to Eau Claire County, Wis., while Samuel bought land in Walworth County, this State, and then removed to Dodge County, all this territory lying in the southeastern part of the State. He improved his land and at the same time worked at his trade of cooper. April 2, 1856, he was married in Dodge County to Caroline Lilly, who was born Jan. 13, 1830. in Binghamton, N. Y., daughter of Henry and Anna (Robinson) Lilly. In the same year they came to Trempealeau County, Mr. Barr buying 160 acres of wild land, which now forms a part of the present homestead in Trempealeau Township, sections 28 and 29. To this he later added that part of the farm now contained in section 32. There were no buildings on the land at first, and they spent their first winter in a log house with Thomas Sutcliff, whose place lay just east of their farm, but as soon as possible Mr. Barr built a frame house of studding, with brick between, sheeted inside and boarded up and down outside with boards and batten. This house contained three rooms and an attic, and was superior in construction to most of the neighboring residences. A barn was also erected by Mr. Barr,

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he and Daniel Bonumn rafting the lumber down Black River for both buildings. He cleared and fenced his land and in time brought it to a high state of cultivation. He built other buildings as needed, also the present residence, a two-story house of 11 rooms, which is a commodious and com- fortable dwelling. Here he died Oct. 19, 1902, after an active and successful career, during which he had risen to a prominent place in the community, serving as supervisor of the township many years, chairman of the board and clerk of School District No. 9. His wife did not long survive him, passing away Oct. 24, 1902. They were prominent members of the Trem- pealeau Baptist church, of which Mr. Barr was a trustee for years, and every Sunday the family might have been seen driving to and from church in a lumber wagon-a distance of seven miles. They had a family of eight children, whose record in brief is as follows: Eliza Idella, born May 10, 1857, who died, an artist of some distinction, March 26, 1901; Emma Jane, born July 13, 1858, who died in Trempealeau Village, Nov. 6, 1868; Ira Adelbert, born May 27, 1860, who is superintendent of construction for the General Chemical Company of New York ; Clara Lilly, born Aug. 4, 1861, who died Feb. 19, 1896 ; Irwin Roscoe, born Sept. 11, 1864; Bessie Elsie, born March 12, 1868, and Ella Lelia, born Sept. 24, 1869, both of whom are living on the homestead, and Rose May, born Oct. 30, 1871, who died Jan. 25, 1886.

Irwin R. Barr, who operates one of the best farms in Trempealeau Township-the Barr homestead, in sections 28, 29 and 32-was born on this farm Sept. 11, 1864, son of Samuel and Caroline (Lilly) Barr, his parents having settled here in 1856, the year of their marriage. He attended dis- trict school regularly until he was 15 years old, and from that time until he was 17 he was a pupil during the winter in the grade school in Trempea- leau Village, being employed on the farm in summer. Afterwards he spent two winters at Gale College. In 1886 he became attached to the carpenter crew of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway and was engaged in building depots and in other similar work for two years. During the three following years he, with his brother Adelbert, followed similar work for the Santa Fe road, after which, for about three years, he was with the Northwestern Construction Company of Chicago. He also took part in the construction of the World's Fair buildings in that city in 1893. In the spring of the following year he went to Alaska, in which country he spent about five years. Going first to Edmonton, Alberta, he was employed there in build- ing river boats, but the firm failing, he, with the other workmen, had to take an outfit boat and tug for the wages due them. With that he, with the others of the party, went down Athabaska River, through Athabaska Lake into Big Slave River, through Slave Lake into the Mckenzie River, and down that river to Fort McPherson, the last post of the Hudson Bay Com- pany, situated north of the Arctic circle. Then they went up Rat River 65 miles to McDougal Pass through the "Rockies," then through Porcupine River to Yukon. In December, 1902, Mr. Barr returned from Alaska and took the management of the old Barr homestead in Trempealeau Township. He carries on diversified farming and dairying, keeping a good herd of Shorthorn cows of the dairy type, a large flock of sheep and a good sty of graded swine. He has built a large and commodious barn, the basement

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being constructed of reinforced concrete, with cement floors. It is equipped with the "James" outfit, including "B. L. K." milkers. The horse and cow apartments are divided by a 16-foot driveway. On the floor of the barn are four grain bins, each of 500 bushels capacity. In connection with the barn there is also a large silo, and in the basement of the barn a milk separator run by gasoline power. Both house and barn are provided with running water. Mr. Barr has also built a machine shed and other necessary build- ings. In short, it would be hard to find a better equipped farm anywhere in this vicinity. Although a very busy man, Mr. Barr has found time to assist in local government affairs, having held the office of town chairman for several terms and chairman of the county road and bridge committee. He is always willing to aid in promoting the general interests of the community, knowing that its advancement along either moral or material lines benefits each member of it. In politics he is a Republican.

J. C. Button, for many years a distinguished figure in the legal pro- cedure of western Wisconsin, is now living in retirement in the village of Trempealeau, at the ripe old age of 84 years. He has known varied expe- riences, has seen the world in many lands and climes, has taken an active part in the formation of the policies of several Mississippi valley counties, and has lived to see his fondest hopes and ambitions realized. High think- ing and clean living have given him a store of vitality which is still unim- paired, and the world has brought him a full measure of joy and content- ment, his only sorrow being the passing away of his friends and relatives whom the changing years have taken one by one. His ruggedness of health and staunchness of character are inherited from a long line of worthy fore- bears. The father, Charles Button, was of Colonial English stock. As a young man he studied medicine, but never engaged in extensive practice, choosing rather to spend his life in agricultural pursuits. He was married in New York State to Cynthia Watson, who was likewise descended from Colonial stock. From New York they went to Lorain County, Ohio, and there J. C., the subject of this sketch, was born, June 3, 1830. When he was an infant they went to Oakland County, Mich., and settled on the Stony Creek road, not far from Pontiac. In 1836 they moved to Illinois, and settled on a farm 12 miles south of Ottawa. From there in 1843 they came to Green County, Wis., and took up their home eight miles east of Monroe, the county seat. The father died in 1844 and the mother in 1878. Living in pioneer communities, and left fatherless at the age of 14 years, young J. C. had but meager opportunities for schooling, most of his early education being obtained in a little log schoolhouse. In 1848 he entered the Academic Department of Beloit College, and was graduated from the Collegiate Department in 1852. Then he started out for California in search of gold. The parting with his mother was a pathetic one. Standing hat in hand, and with his mother's arms about his neck, he promised never to use profanity, never to indulge in any game of chance, and never to taste or handle intoxicating drinks of any sort. This promise he has kept to this day, and to it he attributes his health and happiness. His farewells said, he joined his party and continued with them as far west as Salt Lake City, Utah. There he and a friend struck out alone, and located in Salem, Ore.,

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for a time. From there young Button went to Portland, and from there by ship to San Francisco. After a trip to Sacramento and neighboring mines, he embarked on a ship which carried him to the west coast of Panama, where he secured a team which took him to Graytown, on the Gulf coast. Then, touching at points in Florida and Cuba, he reached New York, and returned to his home. Desiring to further perfect his education, he went to Janesville, Wis., and entered the offices of Sleeper & Norton, where he studied law, and was admitted to the bar. It was in 1858 that he opened an office in St. Croix Falls, Polk County, Wis., and started housekeeping in a home which he erected with his own hands. In the fall of 1859 he was elected to the office of district attorney and moved to Osceola, the county seat. At the expiration of his term, he moved to Prescott, and entered into partnership with J. S. White, a partnership which lasted until 1876. Soon after his arrival in Prescott he was elected district attorney of Pierce county, a position in which he ably served for a term of two years. Having been in continuous practice of his profession for 20 years, part of the time as a public official, Mr. Button determined, in 1877, to take a well-deserved vacation, traveling in Europe and Asia Minor. Accordingly he set out and visited in turn England, Scotland, France, Spain, Egypt, the Holy Land, Turkey, Albania, Greece, Italy, Alsace-Loraine, Germany, Russia, Holland, Belgium, France, England, Wales and Ireland. Among the many notables whom he saw may be mentioned Queen Victoria, and it is remarkable that he attended the funeral of King Victor Emanuel, of Italy, who died Jan. 9, 1878, and of Pope Pius IX, who died in February of the same year. Upon his return to America, Mr. Button came to Trempealeau County in the fall of 1878, for the purpose of assisting his brother, S. W. Button. S. W. Button had been in partnership with Judge Newman, and upon the elevation of Judge Newman to the district bench found the work too strenuous for his failing health, and so called his brother J. C. to his assistance, going himself to the Panhandle country, in Texas, where his health was restored, after which he took up the practice of his profession in Sparta, Wis. Accordingly, J. C. Button took up his home permanently in Trempealeau Village, where he has since resided. For one term he was district attorney of this county. He is a man of sincere convictions and is highly honored and respected throughout the community. Mr. Button was married, June 16, 1858, to Charlotte Wheaton, daughter of Cyrus Wheaton, of Green County, Wis. Mrs. Button died in December, 1890. Their only child, Charles, died at the age of 4 years and 10 months of age.

Bostwick Beardsley, a pioneer settler of Caledonia Township, now passed away, was born in Delaware County, N. Y., July 11, 1813. On Dec. 7, 1841. he married Mary Fowler, who was born in East, Pa., Oct. 8, 1820, their marriage taking place in Racine Couny, Wis., Dec. 7, 1841. In 1853 they moved to Burlington, Racine County, Wis., and in 1854 came to Trem- pealeau County, reaching here June 13. Locating in section 29, Caledonia Township (then Montoville) Mr. Beardsley purchased 300 acres of govern- ment land, consisting of prairie and "burr oak openings," and two years later he increased his holdings by buying 200 acres termed by the govern- ment "swamp land," making 500 acres, all in Caledonia Township. This

WIEB ANDRIESEN AND FAMILY

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land, of course, was wild and without improvements, and the first residence of the family here was a one-room log cabin, which he built and in which they lived until the fall of 1854, when he erected a frame house of one story, with three rooms. During their brief log cabin days the members of the family, except the father and mother, slept in a covered wagon drawn up near the shanty. They had at this time six children, who were born in Racine County : Henry D. and Benjamin P., both of whom died in hospital while serving as soldiers in the Civil War; Oscar E .; Narcissa, who is deceased; Lyra Alice, also deceased; Elam, who is a resident of Caledonia Township. Their subsequent children, who were all born in Caledonia Township, were: Huldah, who is the wife of J. O. Wing (he died in 1915 and she now resides in the State of Washington) ; Otto, who resides on the old homestead ; Rebecca May, and Mary, who are deceased.

Oscar E. Beardsley, who is operating a good farm in section 29, Cale- donia Township, was born in Burlington Township, Racine County, Wis., June 28, 1845, son of Bostwick and Mary (Fowler) Beardsley. He was in his ninth year when he came to Trempealeau County, and was brought up on the homestead, where he acquired a knowledge of farming under pioneer conditions. When he reached his majority his father gave him 120 acres of land, 80 acres of which belonged to the original homestead, the other 40 adjoining it. From that time up to the present he has carried on general farming here and has made great improvements in his property. In 1876, about ten years after he started agricultural operations on his own account, he erected his present residence, a brick veneer structure, with brick wing, the house being one and a half stories high, with seven rooms below and four above. The other buildings he has put up include a barn, a stone gran- ary, a stone hog house, with poultry house adjoining, a wood house, a corn crib, attached to the barn, and a machine shed, all being painted and in good condition. For the last 15 years Mr. Beardsley's son Ora has managed the farm for him and built in 1903 in the same yard with his father's house a substantial brick veneer dwelling of seven rooms. The farm is well stocked with horses, cows and hogs of good breeds. His cream is shipped to Winona, Minn. Mr. Beardsley was first married, Dec. 8, 1876, to Lena Olson, of Trempealeau Township, by whom he had two children, Ora, born April 1, 1878, and Clara, born July 4, 1880. Ora, who married Mary Voss, of Cale- donia Township, has one child, Mildred Lena. Clara is the wife of M. E. Risinger, of Winona, Minn., and has two living children, Florence and Harold. Mrs. Lena Beardsley died July 22, 1892, and on Dec. 9, 1895, Mr. Beardsley married for his second wife Betsy Lewis, of Caledonia Township. Of this marriage there have been no children. Mr. Beardsley has served one term as a member of the school board in District 3, but has otherwise taken no active part in public affairs. He is a stockholder in the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company and has been a member of Trempealeau Lodge, No. 117, A. F. & A. M., of Trempealeau, since about 1868. As a good citizen he takes a keen interest in the progress and development of his township and county.

Weib Andriesen, who is carrying on general farming and stock raising on 106 acres of land in section 30, Gale Township, was born in Holland, Jan.

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30, 1864, son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Van Buren) Andriesen. His parents were both natives of Holland, the father being a farmer. Neither came to America, but both remained and died in their native land.

Weib Andriesen acquired his education in Holland and began working on farms at the age of 9 years, also helping his father. For 17 months he served in the standing army of Holland, stationed at Denhaag. After he was 22 he continued work as a farm hand, but kept and saved his earnings except what he used for living expenses. It was in 1903 that he came to the United States, locating at once in Trempealeau County, where he had a brother already settled. After arriving here he rented a farm for three years in Gale Township, subsequently renting another farm for two years. Then going to Montana, he bought 120 acres of land, resided there one year and then sold out, returning to Trempealeau County. Here he purchased his present farm of 106 acres in section 30, Gale Township, and has made practically all the improvements on it, having built a modern house, with a good barn, silo and other necessary buildings. He is engaged in dairy farming, favoring the Durham breed of cattle, his stock of which he is gradually increasing. He is also a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing Company. In addition to the farm he is working he owns another, of 130 acres, near Galesville, on which his son-in-law resides. He now owns from 40 to 50 head of cattle, with horses enough to work his farm, and all neces- sary implements. Although not yet a naturalized citizen of the United States, he has taken the preliminary steps to become one and expects to enter into the full rights of a citizen in the near future. Mr. Andriesen was married in May, 1887, to Johannah Fan-Wal, who was born in Holland, daughter of Henry and Katy (Rondaan) Fan-Wal. Her mother died in Holland and the father came to America with his daughter and her husband, Mr. Andriesen, in 1903, and died subsequently in Onalaska, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Andriesen are the parents of eight children: Elizabeth, unmarried; Katie, married William Boersma, they live in La Crosse, Wis., and have two children, William and Annadean ; Annie, wife of Albert Sandbergen, residing on Mr. Andriesen's farm of 130 acres, above mentioned, they have one child, Johannah ; Nellie, unmarried and residing at home, and Ella, Hessie, Johnnie and Johannah, all living at home. Mr. Andriesen and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. They are industrious and thrifty people who have already reached a prosperous condition in life and whose prospects are bright for the future.

Lars L. Swaim, who for the last 30 years has been engaged in agricul- tural pursuits on a farm of 300 acres in sections 13, 24 and 14, town 23 north, range 8 west, Hale Township, was born in Biri, Norway, Nov. 13, 1852. He is a son of Lars Larson Sveum by his wife Aganetta Larson, both natives of Norway, the father born in 1824. In 1861 the family emigrated to America, settling in Coon Valley, Vernon County, Wis., where the mother died in 1863. Lars L. Sveum afterwards continued to reside on his farm. there until his death, which occurred in 1896. Lars L. Swaim, the direct subject of this sketch, began working out at the age of 16 years and was thus employed for some three years. The next two years he spent on the family homestead, after which he began working in the pineries. Three years

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later he took a homestead in Brookings County, S. D., and was there three years, from 1878 to 1881. He then resumed work in the pineries and so continued until 1886, in which year he bought his present farm from Ole Olson Bates and has since resided on it engaged in its cultivation. The place is now highly improved and is making a good return for the money Mr. Swaim invested in it. In 1901 he built his present residence, of two stories and basement, containing ten rooms, which are heated by furnace and illuminated with gasoline lights. The barn was built in 1898, and measures 48 by 90 by 12 feet, having cement floors and steel stanchions. The other buildings are a granary, 16 by 28 by 14 feet ; a chicken house, 14 by 28 feet, and a machine shed, 42 by 42 feet. Mr. Swaim keeps Shorthorn cattle, having 60 head of graded animals, of which he milks 25. He feeds and ships one carload per year. A good woven wire fence surrounds his farm. May 8, 1886, Mr. Swaim was united in marriage with Caroline John- son, of Ettrick Township, this county, but who was born in Norway, daughter of Eric and Bertha Anderson. He and his wife have had six children : Arthur, who died at the age of 5 years ; Emil, born Oct. 2, 1888; Lila, born July 15, 1892, who was married, Aug. 28, 1915, to Sigvart Peter- son, a farmer of Hale Township; Clarence, born May 8, 1895; Esther, born Sept. 2, 1900, and Lawrence, born Oct. 31, 1902. The three last mentioned, with Emil, are residing at home with their parents. Aside from his farm interests, Mr. Swaim was president and treasurer of the Pleasant Valley Telephone Co., and a stockholder in the Central Trading Association of Whitehall, and in the Whitehall Hospital. He has served three years as treasurer of the school board. Affiliated religiously with the Norwegian Lutheran Church, he holds therein the office of trustee, and it was he who gave land for the church of that denomination at Pleasantville. He has always been strict in the fulfilment of his duties as a man and citizen, and he and his family stand high in the estimation of their fellow townspeople.

Otto Beardsley, a prominent farmer of Caledonia Township, son of Bost- wick and Mary (Fowler) Beardsley, was born in this township, Feb. 13, 1860. Otto Beardsley was educated in the District School No. 3, Caledonia Town- ship, which he attended regularly up to the age of 12 years, and after that during the winters until he was 18. He assisted his father on the farm until reaching the age of 18. From that time until his father's death he rented the farm. It became his property at that time, with the exception of a tract of 80 acres which the father gave to his son Oscar E. Later Otto purchased 40 acres from his mother that had been given her by his father, now 280 acres. The buildings on Mr. Beardsley's farm include a 14-room frame house of one and a half stories ; a frame barn, 36 by 100 feet, with base- ment and modern equipment; the other outbuildings include a granary, poultry house attached to the granary, a corn crib and hog house, with base- ment, and a machine shed. Mr. Beardsley and his sons are engaged in general farming, having a herd of good grade cattle and horses and Poland- China swine. Mr. Beardsley is a stockholder in the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company. For many years he has been a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Foresters at Trempealeau, also of Trempealeau Lodge, No. 117, A. F. & A. M., of Trempealeau, and since 1910 of the Mystic Work-

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ers, of Trempealeau. In politics he is a Republican; though not especially active in local affairs, he has served four years as treasurer of Caledonia Township and as treasurer of School District No. 3 for six years. Mr. Beardsley's farm is fenced and cross-fenced into 40-acre lots, and includes 120 acres of plow land, 100 acres of pasture land, and 80 acres of timber. It is watcred by two spring brooks and a well 120 feet deep. Oct. 4, 1886, Mr. Beardsley was united in marriage with Jennie, daughter of August and Dena (Ehlert) Wagner, of Caledonia Township. He and his wife have five children: Lester Olna, Henry O., Una May, Archie Lee and Cordella D. Lester O., born April 16, 1888, is now living on the north 80-acre tract of the old farm, which he owns. He married Elizabeth L. McCartney, of Caledonia Township, and has two children-Bertha Catherine and Raymond Otto. Henry O., born July 9, 1889, resides on the home farm, which he is renting. Una May, born April 14, 1891, who was graduated from the district school, Trempealeau High School and, in 1912, from Winona Busi- ness College, is now employed as stenographer in Koch's Vegetable Tea Company, of Winona, Minn. Archie L., born July 18, 1893, lives on the home farm, being associated with his father and brother Henry in its opera- tion. Cordella D., born June 14, 1899, is residing at home. Mr. Beardsley and his family attend the Congregational church at Trempealeau, though he is not a member. As a farmer he has been successful, and the Beardsley family in general have contributed their full share to the agricultural devel- opment of Caledonia Township.

Lars K. Underheim, one of the leading merchants in the southern part of Trempealeau county, proprietor of a general store at Hegg, Ettrick Town- ship, was born in Norway, Dec. 10, 1878, son of Knut L. and Margretha (Sunde) Underheim. It was in 1882 that the family came to the United States, settling first in Roland, Iowa, where Knut L. Underheim, who was a carpenter, followed his trade for one season. He then removed with his famliy to Jackson County, Wis., where he was not only engaged in carpenter work for many years, but also bought land and became a farmer. In the spring of 1916 he moved to Trempealeau County and has sold his farm, but still works at his old trade. In Jackson County he served as treasurer of his township for five years and as assessor for four years and was a man highly regarded for his industry, honesty and other personal characteristics.

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History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 47

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