USA > Wisconsin > Trempealeau County > History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin > Part 49
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years of age. He was married Nov. 24, 1884, to Louise Emerson, who was born at French Creek, Trempealeau County, Wis., daughter of Henry and Mary (Gilbertson) Emerson. Her parents were natives of Norway, who came to this country in the early fifties, locating at Lewis Valley, La Crosse County. In 1868 Henry Emerson engaged in farming at North Bend, Jackson County, until his death, March 13, 1911. His wife died May 2, 1917, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. M. Bibby. They had six chil- dren, of whom their daughter Louise was the eldest. When he was 22 years old Mr. Bibby began working for his future father-in-law, Mr. Emer- son, and was thus engaged for 18 months. Subsequently for two years he was employed in hauling cream to the creamery at Galesville. He then went into the creamery as a butter maker, and was manager of the estab- lishment, now known as the Arctic Springs Creamery, until Jan. 15, 1915, his period of service being little short of 25 years. Subsequently to 1902 his family resided on his present farm, which he had previously purchased. Here he is now engaged in breeding Holstein cattle, milking 18 cows and having 20 head of young Holsteins. He is also a stockholder in the creamery and in the Farmers Co-operative Packing Company at La Crosse. Mr. Bibby was so long in the creamery that, since going back to his land, he says he has had to learn farming over again. He has made some important improvements on his place, one of the most recent being a fine barn, 72 by 40 feet in dimensions. He has also a good residence and other necessary buildings, all in good condition. While residing in Galesville he served on the village board. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. Bibby is a Republican. His fraternal affiliations are with the Beavers and Yeomen. Mr. and Mrs. Bibby are the parents of six children: Dwight H., residing at home; Irwin J., who married Ruth Erwin of South Dakota, and for four years was a teacher in the State Agricultural College of Pennsylvania. He is now in the employ of the government, manufacturing cheese from the byproducts of the creamery, such as whey and buttermilk. Harold F., who married Ida Alstrom and is employed in the creamery at Centerville; Joseph W., Mary V. and Mildred L., who are residing at home.
Odell Hanson, a general farmer in sections 26-27, Gale Township, where he has 295 acres of land, was born in this township, March 14, 1881, son of Ole P. and Carrie (Peterson) Hanson. His parents were natives of Norway, the father born in Krageru, March 13, 1843, and the mother in Biri, Oct. 3, 1851. Their marriage took place in this country. Ole P. Hanson came to the United States during the Civil War and settled in Wisconsin. For a number of years he worked in a saw mill near Black River Falls. At the time of his marriage, about 1876, he located on a farm on Hardie's Creek, Gale Township, Trempealeau County, where his son Hans now lives and with whom Mr. and Mrs. Hanson now reside.
Odell Hanson was the fourth born of his parents' cight children. He attended the Grant school in his boyhood and began working out for others at the age of 16 years and was thus occupied for about nine years. For one year he was engaged in hauling cream, after which he farmed for seven years. At the end of that time he bought his present farm, which
MR. AND MRS. L. L. ODELL AND GRANDSON, HARLAN SUMNER ODELL
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was known as the old Hardie farm, and on which he raises most of the crops cultivated in this section. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Exchange and the La Crosse Packing Company. Nov. 7, 1910, Mr. Hanson was married to Clara Anderson, who was born in Long Coolie, La Crosse County, Wis., daughter of Anton and Agnes (Evenson) Anderson. Her parents, natives of Norway, came to this country in 1880, locating on Beaver Creek, Ettrick Township, this county, where Mr. Anderson engaged in farming and where he still lives. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson have three chil- dren: Elmer Oscar, Kelmer Alton and Clinton, all residing at home. The family are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Hanson is independent.
John Hunter, who is successfully engaged in farming in section 35, Gale Township, was born on the farm of his parents at Decorah Prairie, which adjoins his present farm, April 4, 1871. John Hunter was educated in the district school at Decorah Prairie. He resided with his parents, assisting on the home farm, until he was about 27 years old and then went to Nebraska, where he engaged in farming and stock raising, remaining four years. He then sold out his interests there and returned to Trem- pealeau County. In 1908 he purchased his present farm and has since been engaged here in general farming. He has made practically all the improvements on his place; his farm is fertile, giving good yields of the ordinary crops, and his buildings are in good condition. He is also a stock- holder in the La Crosse Packing Company. Mr. Hunter was married, Dec. 21, 1898, to Effie Bidwell, who was born in Easton, Adams County, Wis., daughter of Jacob and Julia (Vanhooser) Bidwell. Her father, who was born Nov. 15, 1845, in Easton, Adams County, N. Y., was a soldier in the Civil War, going to the front as a member of Company K, 38th Wis- consin Volunteers. At the end of his military service he settled at Easton, Wis., and engaged in farming until some time before his death, which took place in 1884. His wife died Nov. 16, 1913, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. John Hunter, where her last years were spent. They had six children, of whom their daughter Effie was the third born. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter have two children: Maud Arleen, born Oct. 29, 1904, and Edith Margaret, born July 5, 1907, both of whom reside at home. In politics Mr. Hunter is independent. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hunter are members of the Order of Beavers.
Levi L. Odell, a well to do citizen of Galesville, who is now living retired after a long and active career, which included military service in the Civil War, was born in Elizabethtown, Essex County, N. Y., Dec. 18, 1833, son of R. F. and Harriett (Lobdell) Odell. His parents were natives of New York state, the father being a son of Robert Odell, also a native of New York state, whose father, also named Robert, was born in Scotland and after coming to America took part in the Revolutionary War, as a member of the Continental army, which he joined from the colony at Albany, N. Y. Robert Odell, second, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, fought against Great Britain in the War of 1812. R. F. Odell, father of Levi, late in life migrated westward with his family, settling in Black Hawk County, Iowa, where he lived retired until his death. He
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and his wife were the parents of six children, of whom Levi L. was the third born. Levi L. Odell attended school for a limited period in Elizabeth- town, N. Y. He resided at home until he was 21 years old, working in his father's iron business from the age of 14. On coming of age he began teaching school, receiving a salary of $16 a month, which was the highest paid in the county. He then went into a forwarding house in Westport, New York, handling expressage and doing similar work for eight months. He then came to Chicago, and, starting Dec. 1, 1854, drove from that city to Green Bay, Wis., passing through Milwaukee. After arriving there he worked in the pineries around Green Bay and in Marinette County until September, 1861, when he enlisted in Company F, 12th Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry, as a private, being one of 68 men who enlisted the same night. Mr. Odell was elected first lieutenant and for three years had com- mand of the company's drill. He was never wounded or confined to the hospital, and up to the time of the surrender of Vicksburg had never been off duty. Mr. Odell continued his military career until December, 1864, when he was mustered out at Madison, Wis. His brother had purchased a farm for him near Galesville, Trempealeau County, and this he resided on from 1865 to 1889, engaged in agriculture. He was then appointed postmaster of Galesville and moved into the village, serving in the office until President Cleveland's second administration, when that administra- tion going out he was superseded. Four years later, however, he was reappointed and served three terms longer. He has a comfortable home in Galesville, and still owns his farm of 160 acres. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and has been a delegate to the Encampment. In early life Mr. Odell was a Whig, but later became a Republican, which he has since remained. He and his wife are the parents of one child : Harlan B., who is a railroad contractor, doing an extensive business in Ohio. He married Josie Bryant, and they have three children: Harlan W., Aulis L. and Robert E.
Thomas R. Hunter, one of the pioneers of Trempealeau County, who came here more than 60 years ago, was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, about eight miles from the city of Glasgow, Nov. 26, 1836, son of John and Agnes (Ferguson) Hunter, his parents being natives of the same locality. In 1842 John Hunter came alone to the United States, his family following in 1848. For about a year he operated a mine at Bloomsberg, Pa., then moved to Clinton County, Pa., and from there to Maryland, where he remained about 18 months. In the summer of 1853 he came to Wis- consin, locating in La Crosse County, where he remained about six weeks. He then came to Decorah Prairie, near Galesville, Trempealeau County, which locality was then, however, a part of La Crosse County. In the fol- lowing year Trempealeau County was organized and John Hunter became the first treasurer of Gale Township. He had obtained land, which he set to work to develop and improve, and was thus engaged when his death occurred in 1864. He and his wife were the parents of ten children, of whom the youngest and the only one now living is Thomas Russell, the subject of this sketch.
Thomas R. Hunter was a lad of 17 years when he accompanied his
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parents to Trempealeau County. He assisted his father on the farm until the latter's death and then became its owner, his father leaving it to him by will. Here he has since resided, carrying on general farming. He has 180 acres of highly improved land, all a part of the original homestead, which is now operated by his youngest son Robert. The nearest trading point when he came to this farm was La Crosse. The Indians frequently came to the vicinity, but never molested him. In fact he had some warm friends among them, frequently gave them shelter over night and was thanked by them for his favors. Mr. Hunter was the instigator and prime mover in having the bridge across Black River constructed, on the main Galesville-La Crosse road, this improvement being accomplished in 1895. It is known as "Hunter's bridge," this name being given to it by the La Crosse County board. When a young man living in the state of Mary- land, Mr. Hunter was a member of the denomination known as Bible Chris- tians. He has never joined any church in Trempealeau County, but for over 50 years has been connected with the Sunday school at Decorah Prairie. In politics he is independent. He was township chairman two years and was two years a member of the side board. Thomas R. Hunter was married Oct. 31, 1862, to Agnes Grant, who was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, May 28, 1842. When a child of six years she accompanied her parents to the United States, the family settling on Big Sandy River in Kentucky. After residing there until 1855 or 1856 they came to Wisconsin, traveling by rail to Prairie du Chien, from there by boat to Trempealeau, and by team to Gale Township. Here Mr. Grant bought land and engaged in farming. He died on his homestead about 1871 and his wife about 1877. They had four children, of whom their daughter Agnes was second in order of birth. Thomas Hunter and wife have 11 children: Walter, residing on an adjoining farm, who married Jeanette Oliver of Gale Township and has eight children: Elizabeth, wife of Andrew McCall, a farmer and exten- sive land owner in Rock Island County, Ill., who has three children ; Agnes, residing with her parents; Thomas, a resident of Galesville; John, living on an adjoining farm, who married Effie Bidwell, and has two children; Ellen, wife of Henry Shoffell, a farmer in Nebraska; Ruth, wife of Fred Docken, a farmer and ranchman in Montana; Mae, residing with her parents ; Jennie, wife of Talmadge Vicery, a lumber dealer of Sheridan, Wyoming; Isabelle, residing at home, and Robert, who is operating the home farm.
Walter Hermann, a well known farmer in sections 27 and 28, Gale Township, was born in La Crosse County, Wis., July 8, 1884, son of Jacob and Augusta (Yootic) Hermann. The parents were natives of Germany, who came to the United States when children, the family of Jacob Hermann settling at Smith's Cooley in La Crosse County, Wis., where he later engaged in farming. He continued there until 1908, when he retired and took up his residence in the city of La Crosse. He and his wife celebrated their golden wedding there in the fall of 1915. Of their family of nine children their son Walter was the youngest. Walter Hermann when a boy attended district school in Smith's Cooley, La Crosse County. He assisted his father until his marriage, and then located on his present farm in Gale
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Township, which consists of 160 acres of highly cultivated land. Here he is engaged in general farming and dairying, also in raising pure-bred Guernsey cattle, his other live stock including hogs and horses. He is also a stockholder in a threshing outfit owned in the vicinity. Mr. Hermann was married, March 24, 1909, to Minnie Beyer, who was born in Smith Cooley, La Crosse County, July 7, 1883, daughter of August and Minnie (Hoffman) Beyer. Her parents were natives of Germany. Mr. Beyer came to the United States at the age of 7 years and mother came at age of 14. They are now retired from farming labor, but still reside on the farm. They had a family of 12 children, their daughter Minnie being the third in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Hermann have one child, Alice Dorothy, a bright girl, born Feb. 3, 1914. The family are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Hermann is independent. He has never sought office, but has always taken an interest in good government and cast his vote accordingly. He has always, too, shown a willingness to support any practical movement for the general good of the community. He and his family are well known and respected in this part of the county.
Gilbert Olson Herreid, a pioneer settler in Ettrick Township, now deceased, was born in Hardanger, Norway, June 23, 1836. He was married in his native land to Ingeborg Torgersdater Twinde, who was born in Vosse Naugen, Norway, March 20, 1832, Mr. Herreid being then engaged in operating a rented farm in that county, near the village of Lodi. In 1863 he and his family started for Trempealeau County, arriving here with one of the first teams ever seen in the county, hitched to a home-made wagon. They settled on the farm now owned by their son Gilbert M., and on which the original log house is still standing. Mr. Herreid at once began clear- ing the land and was thus engaged when, in 1865, he was drafted to serve in the Civil War. He had only proceeded as far as Madison, however, when the war came to an end and he was allowed to return home. When he first arrived here he had but $6 in money and was destitute of provisions or supplies, but having an old army musket he made use of it to shoot prairie chickens and other game, on which he and his family chiefly lived for awhile. About a year after his arrival he bought a cow from his brother, but the animal was stolen before he had had a chance to milk it, the thief at the same time taking the halter of one of his horses and putting it on the cow to lead it away with. The cow was never recovered, nor ever afterwards heard of. At that time there were plenty of Indians in this vicinity, and they often came to the cabin begging, but were not unfriendly. Mr. Herreid worked hard and in course of time began to prosper. He increased the size of his farm until he had 360 acres of land in it, and from time to time made improvements in his buildings. That he was an enterprising man may be gathered from the fact that he bought the first steam engine used on any farm on Beaver Creek, with which he did work for others for a number of years. He also kept his eyes open for other opportunities, was a stockholder in the Hegg store, helped to organize the first creamery at Blair and also the Ettrick creamery. He owned stock in the first Norman horse ever brought to Ettrick Township, and assisted in organizing the Farmers' store in Blair, keeping up his varied activities
GILBERT O. HERREID AND FAMILY
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until a year before his death, which took place Jan. 29, 1914, when he was in his seventy-eighth year. Although so active in business matters Mr. Herreid would never accept office of any kind. His wife assisted him not only in the household, but also practicing as a midwife throughout all this part of the county, and was so efficient in this profession that she was frequently called to render service not only in Galesville, Whitehall, Center- ville, Blair, and other places in this county, but also sometimes in La Crosse. She is still living and makes her home with her son, Gilbert M. Herreid.
Gilbert M. Herreid, a prosperous representative of the agricultural interests of Ettrick Township, was born on his present farm, and in the same house in which he now lives, in section 16 E, May 10, 1872. His parents were Gilbert Olson and Ingeborg Torgersdater Twinde Herreid, farming people near the village of Lodi, who came to America, and settled in Ettrick Township, this county, in 1863. Gilbert M. had limited educa- tional opportunities, but in his boyhood attended school for awhile in Ettrick Township. Under his father's instruction he acquired a good knowledge of agriculture and began working for his father by the year when he was 21 years old, becoming a partner in the farm when he was 25. Jan. 1, 1906, he purchased the entire farm, which now consists of 160 acres, he having recently sold 40 acres. He is engaged in the breeding of registered Shorthorn cattle and since 1902 has also been breeding Poland- China hogs. Aside from his immediate farming interests Mr. Herreid is a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery Company, the Co-operative Packing Company of La Crosse, the Farmers' Exchange at Blair, the Ettrick Tele- phone Company and the Ettrick & Northern Railroad Company.
Oct. 10, 1900, he was married to Ida Gilbertson, who was born at French Creek, Ettrick Township, daughter of Even O. and Maria Antoinetta Gilbertson. The parents, natives of Biri, Norway, came to Ettrick Town- ship at an early date and engaged in farming. Mr. Gilbertson, who was a brother of J. O. Gilbertson, became a prominent citizen of the township, serving as chairman of the township board and a member of the county board and in other local offices. He was also president and secretary of the Scandinavian Insurance Company, a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery, and as manager of a stock company organized here, bought two fine Clydesdale stallions, the first of the kind brought to Ettrick Township. He also took a prominent part in church work. His death occurred Sept. 26, 1913. His wife, who survives him, is a resident of Centerville, Wisconsin.
Mr. and Mrs. Herreid are the parents of two children: Eugene Guy, born Aug. 18, 1902, who is attending the agricultural college at Onalaska, and Irene Marcella, born May 31, 1905, who is attending school. Mr. Herreid is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the United Lutheran Church, to which his family also belong. In politics he is a Republican, and while never ambitious to hold public office, as a good citizen he has several times consented to serve, and was supervisor for three years and school clerk six years, after which he declined further service. A list of his parents' children, living and deceased, is as follows: Tosten G., born Oct. 31, 1857; Ole, born April 5, 1863; Thomas, born April 27, 1865,
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now residing near Galesville; Carl, born July 21, 1868, who died June 8, 1879; Sena R., wife of A. M. Hellekson, born May 31, 1870; Gilbert M., born May 10, 1872; Iver, born April 5, 1874, now a resident of Galesville; and Emma Marthina, born April 7, 1877, who died Jan. 15, 1879.
Thomas Harmon. In reviewing the history of the notable pioneers of Trempealeau County those who have passed away must not be for- gotten. Among them was Thomas Harmon, whom the older residents of Ettrick Township still remember as a good neighbor and reliable citizen, as well as the founder of one of the flourishing homesteads in the town- ship. Mr. Harmon was born in County Louth, Ireland, in 1822, and was a young man when he came to the United States, being as yet unmarried. After a long voyage in a sailing vessel, he reached port. Landing at New Orleans his first work was turning a hand corn sheller at $3.00 a day, but on account of the cholera he removed to Illinois, where he worked in a factory. From there he proceeded to Walworth County, Wis., where, not long after, he was married at Lake Geneva to Julia Rafter, a native of Kilkenny, Ireland. About 1861 he came with his wife and two children, Andy and Katie, to Trempealeau County, making the journey in a covered wagon with ox team. Arriving here he located on land in Ettrick Town- ship, which he owned in partnership with his brother John. Later he homesteaded 80 acres more. On his farm he built a frame shack and later a house of hewed logs, 16 by 24 feet, which was so well and substantially made that it is still occupied by the family. Here Thomas Harmon passed the rest of his life engaged in improving his farm, his death taking place May 3, 1887, when he had reached the age of 66 years. He served some time on the school board, and as a good Catholic helped to build the first church at Ettrick. His wife died March 6, 1904. Their children were: Andj', born, Sept. 14, 1857; Kate, now Mrs. James Kennedy of Morris, Minn .; James, born April 3, 1863; Mary, who is Mrs. S. Thompson and resides at Nome, Alaska; Bridget, wife of Tom Whalen of Ettrick Town- ship, and Julia, who died Dec. 8, 1908. She always remained at home, assist- ing her mother, and after her mother's death she became housekeeper for the boys until her death. James and Andy are now the proprietors of the old homestead, on which they have made some valuable improvements, among other things erecting a good basement barn, 34 by 60 feet. Like their father, they are devout members of the Catholic Church. Neither have ever married.
Thomas P. Herreid, a farmer of section 14, E. Ettrick Township, is a native of this township, having been born near Hegg, Nov. 26, 1886. His parents, Peter O. and Segried (Larsdatter) Herreid, were both born in Hardanger, Norway, and were married in that country, coming to America while still a young couple. After arriving in Trempealeau County, Wis., they resided with Peter Herreid's brother, K. O., for one year. Peter then bought land in Ettrick Township and began farming, in which occupation he continued for the rest of his life, his death taking place in December, 1911. He had learned the trade of stone mason in his younger days and followed it here at times when work was slack on the farm. He was a member of the United Lutheran Church. His wife, who survived him, still
MR. AND MRS. L. E. HARDIE
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resides on the old farm. They were the parents of eight children, of whom Thomas P. was the seventh in order of birth.
Thomas P. Herreid was educated in the district school at Hegg. At the age of 16 years he began working out on farms, and continued to work for others, besides assisting his father, until two years before he mar- ried. He then settled on the farm which he and his wife now own and which contains 180 acres of land. Mr. Herreid has added to the improve- ments and the property is now well supplied with suitable buildings and a good equipment of machinery and implements. It is registered as Meadow Brook Farm and is a good piece of agricultural property. Sept. 10, 1911, Mr. Herreid was married to Ella Amelia Augeness, who was born in Ettrick Township, where she now lives. Her parents were Peter J. and Martha S. (Nelson) Augeness, the former born in Hardanger, Norway, Feb. 28, 1864. Mr. Augeness came to this country two or three years before he was mar- ried, locating in Trempealeau County, Wis., and working at first for others. After his marriage he lived on the farm of his wife's father until his early death at the age of 27 years. His wife subsequently continued to reside with her parents until her own death, June 16, 1900. One year previous to that event the family moved from the farm to Ettrick, where the mother died. Mrs. Herreid was the first born of two children, and the only one now living. In her girlhood she attended the district school at Hegg, where her husband was a fellow pupil and a member of the same class, and sub- sequently her education was continued in the school in Ettrick Village and at Gale College, which latter institution she attended a part of a term only, being obliged to give up her studies on account of the illness of her grand- mother. Simon Nelson, her grandfather, was one of the first settlers in Trempealeau County. She was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Synod Church. Mr. and Mrs. Herreid are the parents of one child, Stanley Mirald Palmer, who was born April 29, 1913. The family are members of the Lutheran Synod Church. Mr. Herreid is a Republican in politics, but takes no active part in township affairs, devoting his whole attention to the farm. He is a prosperous citizen and he and his family are well known and respected in this part of Trempealeau County.
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