History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 51

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 51

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

E. J. Hankey, who for a number of years was the leading merchant of Trempealeau Village, where he is now living retired, was born in Czarnikow, Province of Posen, Prussia, Germany, Nov. 17, 1844, and there resided until he was 10 years old. When he was 5 years old his father died, and about 1852 his mother married for her second husband a Mr. Maschke. In 1854 the family came to America, landing at Quebec, Canada, from which city they came directly to Wisconsin, locating at Beaver Dam, Dodge County. Here Mr. Maschke found work at his trade of cabinet-maker, and was thus employed there for the rest of his life. When no longer able to work he went to live with his daughter Celia, who was the wife of Charles Owen, a farmer, living near Fox Lake, and there died about 1899, when 80 years of age. This daughter and her husband are still living, Celia being 58 years old. There was another daughter, Minnie, who died about 1892 or 1893, at Beaver Dam, Wis.

E. J. Hankey was the first-born son by his mother's first marriage. He attended common school in Germany from the age of 5 to that of 10 years, and being an apt pupil, was well advanced in the common branches for his years when he came to America. Subsequently he attended school at Beaver Dam, in which city he resided until he was 24 years old. At the age of 17 he began working as clerk for J. H. & D. Newman, who kept a general merchandise store in Beaver Dam, dealing, however, principally in dry goods, and he continued in the employ of this firm until he came to Trem- pealeau early in 1868. On arriving here he at once formed a partnership with Thomas Veltum, and under the firm name of Hankey & Veltum they started business on Front street, dealing in groceries, crockery and notions. This partnership continued until 1873, when Mr. Hankey sold out to Mr. Veltum. A year later, however, the partnership was renewed and con- tinued until 1878, in which year the subject of this sketch bought out his partner, the latter going to St. James, Minn. Mr. Hankey remained on Front street until 1888, and then moved to a new store he had erected on the west side of Main street, one block north of the river. This was a two- story brick block, with basement, 34 by 70 feet in ground dimensions. It was built by Charles Thomas, of Trempealeau, and was the best and largest block in the village. While on Front street, however, Mr. Hankey had made a removal from his first location, a block east of the Melchoir place, to a double building about half a block further east, so that this was his second removal. When he took possession of his Main street store he enlarged his business, and it continued to grow during the many subsequent years that he was its proprietor. During the winter of 1913-14 Mr. Hankey's health began to decline, and as he no longer felt able to give that close attention to his business which he felt it required, he resolved to retire, and accordingly sold out in January, 1914, to the Trempealeau Mercantile Company, though retaining ownership of the building. Throughout his long commercial career he strove not only for personal success, but also to advance the general interests of the community, taking a leading part in every progressive movement, and it is largely owing to him and to a few other men of like public spirit that Trempealeau is today one of the most prosperous villages of its size in this part of the State. During his

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business career Mr. Hankey passed through two serious fires, having to move his stock both times, but sustained no material loss. He adheres to the principles of the Republican party, but was never personally active in politics. As a good citizen, however, he rendered service for a number of years as a member of the board of education, and was its secretary at the time the high school addition was made to the village school.

Mr. Hankey was married, Dec. 16, 1868, to Mary Frances, daughter of Thomas and Caroline McCune, of Beaver Dam, Wis., at which place their wedding occurred. She was born there July 14, 1848, and died at Trempea- leau, Wis., March 4, 1900, after a happy married life of over 31 years. After coming to Trempealeau, which they did immediately after their marriage, they boarded for a short time, subsequently beginning housekeeping on East Third street. They had two sons: William T., born Oct. 10, 1869, and Adelbert G., born Feb. 4, 1876. The latter died April 7, 1887. William T. is now engaged in the drug business in Cleveland, Ohio, to which city he went in 1894. He married Nellie Barker, of Cleveland, and has four chil- dren: Howard B., Ruth, Helen and William T., Jr.

Mr. Hankey was reared in the Lutheran faith, but is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, which he has served as trustee. He is a mem- ber also of Trempealeau Lodge, No. 117, A. F. & A. M., of Trempealeau, having joined the order while living in Beaver Dam. He resides with an adopted daughter, Mrs. J. W. Johnston, who is the wife of John W. John- ston, a pioneer in telephone construction work in western Wisconsin, their marriage taking place June 24, 1901. Mrs. Hankey during her life was very active in church work and benevolent enterprises, and was a woman loved and respected by young and old.

Iver Pederson, founder of Ettrick, merchant, manufacturer, Indian fighter and veteran of the Civil War, was a splendid example of the descendants of the Vikings who fought their way to America, and with no other assistance than their native ability and capacity for hard work established for themselves an enviable position in this new country. He was born in Biri, Norway, March 13, 1842. He was there reared amid rugged conditions, and acquired such education as the parish afforded. In 1859 he came to America and located in Westby, Vernon County, this State, where a number of his countrymen had preceded him. Only three years later, in 1862, he responded to Abraham Lincoln's call for troops to defend the Union and enlisted in the now-famous Company K, Twenty-fifth Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry, in which he served until the close of the war. Immediately after its organization the company was sent to the frontier to defend the white settlers against the Sioux Indians. In 1863 the regi- ment was sent to Columbus, Ky., and joined the expedition against Vicks- burg under command of Gen. Jeremiah Rusk. From Vicksburg the regi- ment was sent to Jackson, Mo., later returning to Vicksburg, and from there being sent to join Sherman's army in its march to the sea. After the general review at Washington, Veteran Pederson returned to Vernon County. From there, a short time later, he moved to Coon Valley, La Crosse County. It was in 1867 that he began his career in Trempealeau

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County by establishing a store at Frenchville in company with Ole Skow. Two years later he sold this store to Mrs. Skow and moved to what is now the village of Ettrick. After homesteading a farm, which now includes the village site, he opened a store in 1870 and engaged in the general mer- cantile business. Later he platted the village and increased its material prosperity by erecting a flouring mill and woolen mill and a creamery. Here he continued to spend the remainder of his life. After a long and useful career, in which he had done much to increase the material prosperity of his village and county, he died Sept. 29, 1914, and was sincerely mourned by a wide circle of friends and associates. Mr. Pederson was married at Ettrick to Mary Nelson, who was born in Biri, Norway, Nov. 15, 1852, and came to this county with her father in 1861. Mrs. Pederson, who proved a loyal helpmate and faithful mother, still resides at the family home at Ettrick. Their union has been brightened with five children. The oldest, Peder, died in infancy. Albert M. is still conducting the store and mill at Ettrick. Emma is the wife of P. M. Benrud, of Frenchville, Ida is the wife of Carl Aaby, who is associated with Albert M. Pederson in the mercantile business. Anna is the wife of Morris Berge, a druggist at Elk Mound, Wis.

Albert M. Pederson, merchant, miller and leading citizen of Ettrick, is a native of the village where he still resides, having first seen the light of day Aug. 27, 1874, in the home of his parents, Iver and Mary (Nelson) Pederson, the pioneers. As a boy he attended the school of his neighbor- hood, and later was accorded the advantages of a course at Galesville University, now Gale College. Still later he rounded out his education with a year at the Wisconsin State Normal School at River Falls. From his earliest boyhood he assisted his father in his numerous business ventures, and in 1898 became a partner in the business. After the father's death, the estate was incorporated as the Iver Pederson Company. The subject of this sketch is president and manager. This concern, which conducts the store and the flour and grist mill, is in a flourishing condition, and is one of the strong commercial assets of the village. In addition to its holdings in Ettrick, it owns various tracts of valuable land throughout the county, especially in the Ettrick Valley. Mr. Pederson is a public-spirited citizen, and is a stockholder in the Bank of Ettrick, Bank of Galesville and the Wisconsin Telephone Company. He has done valuable service as a member of the school board for twelve years, and has served on numerous com- mittees and delegations. His fraternal association is with the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his family are staunch supporters of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Pederson was married May 17, 1898, to Emelia Evenson, also a native of Ettrick Township, daughter of Bernt and Lena (Ekern) Evenson, also natives of Biri, Norway, who came to America in the winter of 1868 and located in Gale Township, where Mr. Evenson is engaged in farming. Mrs. Evenson died in 1907, and Mr. Evenson now makes his home with his daughter.

Eugene A. Sorenson, dealer in leaf tobacco and inventor of the Victor Piston Ring, is one of the genial, energetic young men of Whitehall, and his work in developing the tobacco industry has been an important feature.

EUGENE A. SORENSON AND FAMILY

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in the modern agricultural progress of Trempealeau County. He was born in Dane County, Wis., March 16, 1876, second of the six children of John and Ellen (Otteson) Sorenson, was reared on the home farm, and left school at the age of 13 years. Starting out for himself at the age of 22, he worked a little over a year for the Utica Creamery Co., Utica, Wis .; about four years for the Wheeler Prairie Creamery at Stoughton, Wis .; and a little over two years for Jokum Johnson, general store keeper at Utica, Wis. It was in 1905 that he came to Whitehall and for five years was one of the firm of R. Holtan & Co., dealers in and packers of leaf tobacco. In 1910 he engaged in business for himself as buyer and packer, and two years later purchased the warehouse of the Home Tobacco Co. at Whitehall. In November, 1916, the business was incorporated under the name of the Mabbett Leaf Tobacco Co., with a capital of $30,000 and with W. F. Mabbett as president, E. A. Sorenson as vice-president, and C. W. Birkenmeyer as secretary and treasurer. The company has large warehouses at Whitehall and at Edgerton. Mr. Sorenson is in full charge of the large Whitehall warehouse. This establishment is fully equipped for the best work, em- ploys from 30 to 40 people during the busy season, and has a yearly output of from 200,000 to 500,000 pounds. In addition to his position of honor in the tobacco world, Mr. Sorenson is widely known as the inventor of the Victor Piston Rings, for automobiles, aeroplanes, motorcycles, steam engines, marine motors, compressors, gas engines and pumps. The rings are manufactured by the A. E. White Machine Works, of Eau Claire, Wis. Mr. Sorenson was married Feb. 15, 1900, to Emma Johnson, daughter of Jokum and Aasil (Smithback) Johnson, born June 4, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Sorenson have two children, Adeline, born Feb. 20, 1904, and Eldora, born Aug. 18, 1908.

Ludwig L. Solsrud, part owner of the Solsrud Mercantile Co. and president of the People's State Bank, both of Whitehall, was born in Chris- tiania, Norway, Sept. 24, 1864, son of John and Anna O. (Halvorsen) Solsrud, the former of whom died in 1900 and the latter in 1872. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in the old country. He came to America in 1883, locating in Spring Valley, Minn., June 9, of that year. A little over two years later, in December, 1885, he came to White- hall. For a time he was variously employed. In August, 1900, he entered the store of his uncle, L. L. Solsrud. By attention to business and intel- ligent effort, he gradually mastered the business, and in 1895 became a partner, the firm at that time taking the name of Solsrud, Kidder & Co. In 1899 Mr. Kidder retired, and the firm became Solsrud & Solsrud, a name which was retained until the present name and organization was adopted in 1901. The building, which is of solid brick, two stories, with basement, is one of the sightly business houses of the village. It was erected in 1895. The firm carries a good stock, and does a large business, its reputation for fair prices, honest dealing and high quality having been deservedly gained through its many years of existence. When the People's State Bank was organized, Mr. Solsrud as one of the leading business men of the city was selected as its president, and in that capacity he has since continued to serve. A thorough believer in the brotherhood of man, Mr. Solsrud has

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allied himself with several fraternities. In the Masonic order he is a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Commandery, Consistory and Shrine. In the I. O. O. F. he has passed through all the chairs of the lodge and is a popular member of the Rebekah degree. In the Independent Order of Foresters he is also a valued member. His public work has included efficient work on the village council for eight years. His religious affiliation is with the United Norwegian Lutheran church, in which he has been the treasurer since 1914. Mr. Solsrud was married June 9, 1897, to Lena Larson, who was born in Hale Township, Jan. 21, 1875, daughter of Martin and Marie (Bjorke) Larson, the pioneers, the former of whom makes his home with Mr. and Mrs. Solsrud, and the latter of whom died in 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Solsrud have had five children: Mary (who died in 1909 at the age of 11 years), Louise, Alice, John and Dorothy.

John McKivergin, the efficient superintendent of the Trempealeau County Asylum, is a native of this county, having first seen the light of day in Preston Township, June 18, 1864, a son of James and Ann (Conway) McKivergin. He was reared on the farm, attended the district schools of his neighborhood, and thoroughly learned agricultural pursuits from his parents. After his father's death, he and his brother Thomas took charge of the old homestead. A few years later the two brothers, in connection with their farm work, began buying and shipping live stock, and this busi- ness grew to such proportions that in 1903 the subject of this sketch moved to Blair in order to devote his attention exclusively to this line of industry. In 1910, in company with W. E. Kidder, under the firm name of Kidder & McKivergin, he engaged in the hardware business at Galesville for several months, after which he assumed the duties of his present position. Under his administration the institution has undergone many improvements, and he has made it one of the model asylums of Wisconsin. Aside from his present position, Mr. McKivergin has seen considerable public service. For a time he was a member of the board of Preston Township, and for about ten years he was a member of the school board. His business holdings include stock in the Home Bank of Blair. His fraternal affiliation is with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. McKivergin was married Dec. 31, 1902, to Minnie H. Bigham, who was born in Arcadia Sept. 9, 1872, daughter of John and Grace (Gardner) Bigham. Mrs. McKivergin is a lady of many accomplishments and has ably assisted her husband in his splendid work at the asylum. She was educated in the Arcadia High School and the Winona State Normal School, and for some nine years was efficiently engaged as an educator, specializing in primary department work, at Arcadia and Galesville, in this county, and at Wadena, Minn.

James McKivergin, pioneer, was born near Banbridge, in the north of Ireland, in 1818, and came to America as a young man about 1839. After living in the Eastern States for a number of years, he came to Trempealeau County in 1862 and located on section 18, Preston Township, about three miles west of the present village of Blair. There he successfully farmed until his lamented death in 1886. A man of considerable ability, he possessed a strong influence over his fellow citizens, and did good service on the township and school boards. His wife, whose maiden name was

MR. AND MRS. D. D. CHAPPELL

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Ann Conway, was born June 20, 1830, and still resides on the old homestead. They were the parents of eight sturdy children.

John Bigham, an early settler, was born in Brewsters, N. Y., and was there reared and educated. In 1855 he was brought to Wisconsin by his parents. For several years he worked as a stationary engineer in some of the pioneer mills of the county, and in 1859 homesteaded a tract of land about one and one-half miles southwest of Arcadia. He served during the Civil War, and after that conflict returned to his farm and devoted his life to agricultural pursuits until his retirement in 1899, when he moved to the village of Arcadia, where he has since resided. He was married Jan. 9, 1868, at Arcadia, to Grace Gardner, who was born in Indiana, Sept. 9, 1850. Their happy union was blessed with five children.

The Trempealeau County Asylum, widely famed as a model institution of its kind, is located in the town of Lincoln about one mile west of the village of Whitehall. Its story is told elsewhere. Buildings were erected in 1899, and the institution opened April 6, 1900. J. A. Johnson, the first superintendent, was succeeded by P. H. Johnson, who in turn was followed on April 1, 1911, by John McKivergin as superintendent, and Mrs. McKiv- ergin as matron. The institution has accommodations for about 130, the average number of patients being about 112.

Darius D. Chappell, a pioneer of Trempealeau County, who for the past 18 years or more has resided in Galesville, was born in Warren County, Pa., Dec. 8, 1833, son of Chubil D. and Mary Ann (Palmeter) Chappell. The father, Shubil, son of a Revolutionary soldier, was a native of Herkimer County, N. Y., and a carpenter and joiner by occupation. With his wife, who was born near New York, he removed to Walworth County, Wis., in 1854, and engaged in contracting and building and also in farming. He remained in that locality until 1862, in which year, with his family, he came to Trempealeau County, locating in Caledonia Township, where the rest of his life was spent.

Darius D. Chappell, who was the eldest of ten children, in his boyhood attended school in Warren, Pa. He resided at home until he was 19 years of age, and then, with but little money, he came West to Wisconsin, locating in Walworth County. After working through the harvest season, he returned home for the rest of the family, and brought them to Walworth County. Here he worked for others and for his father, assisting the latter as carpenter, and in the winter worked in the Eau Claire woods. At the time of his marriage in 1857 he came to Trempealeau County, settling in Caledonia and entering into business as carpenter and builder, in which occupation he continued until the summer of 1862, when, on Aug. 15, he enlisted in Company C, Thirtieth Wisconsin Regiment, as a private. He was appointed first lieutenant and was later promoted to the rank of captain of Company E in the same regiment, and served as such until the close of the war. Though never wounded, he was seized with sickness and confined to his bed for several weeks at Fort Rice, where Bismarck, N. D., now stands. At the close of the war he was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., and returned to Caledonia Township, where he engaged in farming. This occu- pation he followed without intermission until 1898, when he purchased his

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present residence in Galesville and retired from active life. Previous to settling in the village, however, he, accompanied by his wife, took a trip to his old home in Pennsylvania, from which they made trips, visiting the battle grounds of Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga, Chick- amauga and others, subsequently taking a far western trip to Tacoma, Wash., and California.

Mr. Chappell was married June 21, 1857, to Caroline F. Fowler, who was born in Racine, Wis., before that town was named. Her parents were Benjamin and Martha (Kocher) Fowler, both natives of Pennsylvania, the father born in Harrisburg and the mother in Philadelphia. The former was a farmer, capitalist and real estate dealer who came to Wisconsin in or about 1833, settling on the site of the present city of Racine. Subsequently he sold his last business holdings to the J. I. Case Company and moved to Walworth County, where he died Dec. 26, 1874. His wife died at Hart Prairie, Wis., in 1876. Mr. Fowler was a busy man during his active career and never sought to mix largely in politics, but at different times he held local office. He and his wife had a family of 13 children, of whom Caroline F. was the eleventh in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Chappell have three children: Elmer Elsworth, Ella Swartling (an adopted daughter), and Daniel Earl. Elmer Elsworth, born July 8, 1861, died March 21, 1916, at Lawton, Okla., where he was engaged in business as a contractor and builder. He married Jennie Dunlap and left two children, Carrie E. and Carl D. Ella (Swartling) Chappell is now Mrs. Henry Marsh, of Caledonia Township, and has three children, Glenn, Ray and Ethel. Daniel Earl, born May 29, 1869, resides on the old home farm in Caledonia. He married Nellie Gilbert, and they have two children, Alice Myrl, a teacher at Kewaunee, Wis., and Giles Earl, residing at home. Mr. Chappell is the owner of considerable land in Trempealeau County. He belongs to Charles H. Ford Post, No. 258, G. A. R., of which he has been commander several times, and is a member of the county commission for the soldiers' indigent fund, which he has served as secretary since its organization. He and his wife have many warm friends throughout this part of the county. On the twenty-fifth anniversary of their wedding they were given a surprise party by about 200 of their friends, who presented them with many beautiful and costly gifts, and a similar event took place on their fiftieth anniversary. On the latter occasion Mrs. Chappell was presented with a gold-headed umbrella and Mr. Chappell with a gold-headed cane, a golden clock and other beautiful gifts. In thanking their friends Mr. and Mrs. Chappell said that they might have accumulated more of this world's goods, had they tried to do so, but they doubted if they would have seen so much real happiness and would not exchange the high esteem of their friends for all the gold in Alaska. Mr. Chappell is a Republican in politics and when a resident of Caledonia Township served as town treasurer for a number of years.

Olaus O. Mitskogen is a native of this county, having been born in Lake's Coulie, five miles south of Blair, Jan. 6, 1873, son of Ole O. and Lisa (Hendrickson) Mitskogen. The father, Ole O. Mitskogen, was born in Sweden, in 1822, came to America in 1867, followed by his family in August, 1868, worked as a farm hand one year, homesteaded a farm in Lake's Coulie,

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section 2, range 8, township 20 (Preston), and there lived until his death in 1900. The mother, Lisa Hendrickson, was born in Sweden, in 1834, and died in the spring of 1914. Olaus O. Mitskogen was reared on the home farm, and remained with his parents until 1896, when he purchased his present farm of 160 acres in section 34, range 7, township 22 (Preston). Since coming here he has made many improvements, and has developed as good a place as is to be found in the community. His home, a frame struc- ture, two stories high, with eight rooms and a basement, was erected in 1908. The barn, 28 by 56 by 14 feet, with cement floors, and modern equipment, was erected in 1905. The farm is well fenced, and the imple- ments, machinery and tools are of the best. In carrying on general farni- ing, Mr. Mitskogen makes a specialty of raising a good grade of Holstein cattle for beef and dairy purposes. A prominent man in the community, Mr. Mitskogen has served on the township board, and has been a member of the school board since 1910. Since 1906 he has been secretary of the Synod Norwegian Lutheran church (now united). Mr. Mitskogen was married June 8, 1894, to Nellie Haug, who was born in Ettrick Township, Jan. 11, 1874, the daughter of John O. and Nina Haug, and died Jan. 11, 1900. Odin, a child of this union, was born Oct. 15, 1897. Of the other two children, Olava died at the age of 2 years, and Julia at the age of 10 years. On May 4, 1901, Mr. Mitskogen married Amanda Anderson, who was born in Pigeon Township, Aug. 17, 1878, daughter of Halvor and Chris- tian (Benson) Anderson, natives of Norway.

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History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 51

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