USA > Wisconsin > Trempealeau County > History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin > Part 53
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121
MR. AND MRS. NATHAN II. CARHART
393
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
able dealing. Fraternally, Mr. Immell is connected with the Modern Wood- men and the Beavers. He was married Nov. 19, 1885, to Rose McKivergin, and this union has been blessed with four children: Hugh E., who is in the hardware business in Appleton, Wis .; Russell H., who is at home; Clin- ton B., who is a student at the La Crosse Normal School, and Ralph M., who is studying law in the University of Wisconsin.
Knut S. Knutson has been one of the leading citizens of the county for many years. As an agriculturist he developed a good farm in the Beaver Creek Valley, as a merchant he assisted in the progress of Blair by building up an important store, and as county, village and school official he has done most efficient service to the community at large. Mr. Knutson is a native of Ulvik, Hardanger, Norway, born Feb. 20, 1856, the son of Urians and Brita (Severson) Knutson. The parents, born, respectively, July 6, 1823, and Dec. 13, 1830, brought the family to America in 1869, and settled on a home- stead in the Beaver Creek Valley, in Ettrick Township, where the father died Feb. 15, 1901, and where the mother now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. O. T. Johnson. As a young man Knut S. Knutson secured a farm in the Beaver Creek Valley, which he owned and operated for a number of years. Having attained success in this line, he determined to seek broader fields of opportunity, and in 1903 moved to Blair, where, with his sons, Julius O. and Edwin B., he purchased the hardware and implement store of Charles Johnson and established the firm of K. S. Knutson & Sons, which was succeeded in 1909 by the son, Julius O. Knutson. The subject of this sketch now devotes his time to looking after his various interests and to public service. As a member of the county board he has the advantage of eight years' experience, and he is regarded as one of the influential men of that body. For twenty years in Ettrick and for three years in Blair he has been a member of the school board. For two years he was on the village council of Blair. His fraternal relations are with the Independent Order of Foresters. His business holdings include stock in the Home State Bank, of Blair, of which he is a director, and in the Minneapolis (Minn.) State Bank of Commerce. Mr. Knutson was married June 8, 1878, to Anna Skaar, who was born in Ettrick Township, Dec. 23, 1858, daughter of O. N. and Engeborg Skaar, the former of whom was born June 27, 1822, and died Oct. 16, 1909, and the latter of whom was born Feb. 10, 1822, and died July 12, 1908. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Knutson has been blessed with four children: Julius O., Edwin B., Irvin N. and Ida. Julius O. is the leading hardware and implement dealer in Blair. Edwin B. organized the State Bank of Commerce at Minneapolis and of this institution he is now cashier. On June 23, 1903, he married Adah Pooler, of Onalaska, Wis. Irvin N. is cashier of the Coon Valley (Wis.) State Bank. He married Minnie Neprud, of Coon Valley, and they have two children, Genevieve and Irvin N., Jr. Ida is the assistant cashier of the Coon Valley State Bank. In addition to his holdings in this county, and in Grant County, N. D., Mr. Knutson and his two sons, Julius O. and Edwin B., own a 240-acre farm in Imperial County, Cal.
Nathan H. Carhart, who owns and operates an ideal farm of 156 acres section 36, township 19, range 10 west (Trempealeau Township), was born at Broome, Schoharie County, N. Y., Nov. 20, 1848. His parents, Isaac D.
394
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
and Nancy A. (Bangs) Carhart, were married at Kortright, Delaware County, N. Y., Sept. 14, 1830, which place was their home for a number of years. In the fall of 1855 they came West to Milwaukee, by way of the Great Lakes. From that city they proceeded by train to Fox Lake, Dodge County, Wis., where they lived until 1861, Mr. Carhart renting and working land there. Leaving Dodge County in the year last mentioned, they set out for Fillmore County, Minn., but on reaching Trempealeau County, Wis., they camped one Sunday on the land now owned by Mr. Carhart. The loca- tion and surroundings proved so fascinating to him that he went to La Crosse, met the owner, and closed a bargain for 156 acres, all of it being wild land. On this, for a first residence he erected a board shanty, 12 by 12 feet in dimensions, and here he and his wife, and their family, then num- bering eight children, lived for some years. His first barn was a shed with hay roof. He later enlarged the shanty, as it was too small a dwelling for so large a family, and it served as a residence until 1869, in which year he built the present house, a two-story with basement, built of lime and sand brick, with hollow walls.
Sept. 2, 1885, Isaac D. Carhart died on the homestead. His wife sur- vived him until May 7, 1889, when she, too, passed away. They were quiet, industrious and worthy people who had worked hard to obtain what few comforts they possessed, and who were held in esteem by their neighbors for their sterling qualities. They are buried in Greenwood Cemetery, which Mr. Carhart had platted on the farm, and of which for many years he was treasurer. He and his wife were active members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Centerville, which he served for many years as treasurer. Their family, in addition to the subject of this sketch, consisted of four sons and five daughters, or five sons and five daughters in all, the other sons being Lewis Henry, John McKendree, Andrew R. and Isaac W., and the duaghters Mary L., Delia Elizabeth, Emma Frances, Charlotte Ophelia and Clara Josephine. All but Clara Josephine were born in New York, Clara being born in Dodge County, Wis.
Nathan H. Carhart was trained to farm work at an early age, attend- ing school as he had opportunity, and he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits ever since. His farm is one of the best in this part of the county, 120 acres of the land being under the plow and 36 acres in timber and pasture. Through the farm flows Big Tamarack Creek, furnishing an abundant supply of running spring water all seasons of the year. He is a stockholder in the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company and the Citizens' State Bank, of Trempealean, Wis., and for years has been president of the Farmers' Trempealeau County Mutual Insurance Company. In politics he is a Republican and for a long time has been more or less active in local · government matters, having served many years as supervisor of Trempea- leau Township, and for some years as a member of the school board, both as clerk and treasurer. Oct. 24, 1883, Mr. Carhart was married at the home of his bride to Mary Ellen, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Rhodes) Brown- sell, of Fond du Lac, Wis., the Rev. John P. Hale officiating. She became the mother of three children: Thomas Brownsell, born Oct. 2, 1884, who is engaged in railroad business at San Antonio, Tex .; Clarence Nathan, born
395
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
April 1, 1886, who died Oct. 1, 1886; and Clara Ellen, born Aug. 18, 1888, who is now Mrs. Franklin Dickman, of Pine Island, Minn.
Mr. Carhart was married, secondly, April 12, 1893, to Emma Towner, daughter of John and Margaret Towner, of Caledonia Township, this county, their marriage taking place at his bride's home, and being presided over by the Rev. W. A. Allen, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church. The children of this second marriage were: Mildred, born Jan. 26, 1894, who is a graduate of the high school and the Winona Normal School and is now a teacher, residing at home; Emma, born April 29, 1895, who died Aug. 2, the same year; Nathan Towner, born Dec. 6, 1897, and now residing at home; Lawrence Harvey, born Aug. 1, 1901, who is a high school student living at home, and Carroll Curtis, born Jan. 17, 1903. Mr. Carhart and his wife are members of Centerville Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee. His children, Mildred, Lawrence and Carroll, are also members of the church, and Mrs. Carhart is active in the Ladies' Aid Society con- nected with it, and is president of the Harmony Circle of King's Daughters, of West Prairie.
Julius O. Knutson, a leading business man of Blair, was born on the homestead in Ettrick Township, this county, Sept. 2, 1878, son of Knut S. and Anna (Skaar) Knutson. In 1903 he became a member of the firm of K. S. Knutson & Sons, and on Jan. 1, 1909, he purchased the business and has since conducted it under his own name. He carries on a general hardware and implement business. The modern building which houses the estab- lishment, is owned by his father, K. S. Knutson. It is a two-story structure with full basement, 60 by 60 feet, of brick veneer. It is equipped with an elevator and other conveniences. In the spring of 1917 Mr. Knutson erected a modern brick garage 33 by 70 feet adjoining the store building. This he conducts in connection with his other business. Handling a good line of automobiles and accessories, the garage is fully equipped, where auto repair- ing is done by expert mechanics. Mr. Knutson is a stockholder in the Home Bank of Blair, and in the Western Wisconsin Telephone Co. of Arcadia. With his brother, Edwin B., and his father, K. S., he owns a large farm in Imperial County, Cal. His public work has included service as village clerk for five years and school treasurer five years, being now president of the village council. His fraternal relations are with the Independent Order of Foresters. Mr. Knutson was married, May 23, 1906, to Alice B. Thompson, who was born in Jackson County, Wis., Feb. 20, 1875, daughter of Reier and Brunhild (Haugland) Thompson, of North Dakota. This union has been blessed with three children: Kenneth Ralph, born July 5, 1907, and died Sept. 2, 1907; Kermit Russell, born Aug. 22, 1911; and Blanche Annabel, born March 21, 1916. The family faith is that of the United Norwegian Lutheran church.
Edwin T. Mattison, the present postmaster of Blair, Wis., was born in Preston Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., Feb. 18, 1882. He is a son of Mattis Mattison, a native of Sweden. Edwin T. Mattison was reared on his parents' farm and remained at home until reaching the age of 24 years. He then married and began farming for himself in Preston Town- ship, staying there till June, 1915. On July 1 of that year he assumed his
396
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
present duties as postmaster of Blair. He is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Blair, a member of the United Norwegian Church, serv- ing as secretary of the same, and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Mattison was married, Aug. 4, 1906, to Ida Thompson of Preston Township, a daughter of Ole and Ingeborg (Brekke) Thompson, her father being a native of Sweden and a pioneer farmer of this county, who died June 25, 1916, at the age of 75 years. Her mother still lives on the old farm. Mr. and Mrs. Mattison have been the parents of six children : Magnus, Delbert, Victor, Alvin, Ralph and Esther. Alvin died in December, 1914 at the age of one year and eight months.
Ole Mork, M. D., who for the last eight years has been engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Blair, Wis., was born in Thele- marken, Norway, July 14, 1873, a son of John and Anna (Landsverk) Mork. His father and mother are both living in Norway, the former at the age of 70 and the latter at that of 65 years. Ole Mork attended school in his native land and was subsequently graduated from the University of Norway, at Christiania, with the degree of M. D. For six months he was assistant physician at the asylum at Throndlijem. From 1901 he prac- ticed medicine in Ulvvik, Hardanger, and was thus occupied for seven years. In 1908 Dr. Mork came to the United States, and located in Port- land, Ore., where he remained several months or until the fall, when he came to Blair. Here he has since been engaged in practice, many of his patients being his own countrymen. He is a member of the county, state and national medical societies, and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Sons of Norway. Dr. Mork was married Feb. 2, 1900, to Karina Grotevik of Solum, Thelemarken, Norway. Her father, Halvor Grotevik, was a farmer, who died in his native land. Her mother, whose maiden name was Bertha Thorson, still resides in Norway. Dr. and Mrs. Mork have been the parents of nine children: Anna, Kaare, Madli, Hjordis, Bjarne, Martha, Olga, John, who died in 1914 at the age of one year, and Ella.
Smith Molstad. Among those engaged in developing the agricultural resources of Gale township, and whose efforts have met with success, must be taken into prominent consideration the subject of this sketch. Mr. Molstad is a native of Wisconsin, having been born in La Crosse County, July 17, 1867. His parents were Ole and Martha (Peterson) Molstad, both born in Ringsock, Norway, and who were married in that country. Desir- ing to better their condition and give their children a better prospect in life, they emigrated to the United States, the voyage being made on a sailing vessel, settled in Holland Township, La Crosse County, Wis. Here Ole Molstad acquired a homestead and set at work to till the soil. He was not, however, destined to long life, as he died in 1875, when his son Smith was a boy of eight years. His wife, who was constitutionally more hardy, or more fortunate, survived him about 37 years, passing away at an advanced age in 1912. Their family was large, numbering eleven chil- dren, their son Smith being the eighth born. Smith Molstad's schooling was obtained in a district school in Long Coolie, La Crosse County, and his agricultural training on his father's farm in that locality. After he was
MR. AND MRS. JOHN PERKINS AND DAUGHTER
397
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
21 years old he worked on other farms for two or three years, and then tried railroad work, at which he continued for about two years. He then married and about this time went to work in a lumber mill at Onalaska, and was thus occupied for four years. Then he took a farm near Onalaska and operated it for a year, after which he changed the scene of his activ- ities to Pine Creek, Minn., being engaged in agriculture there for four years. At the end of that time he purchased a farm near Brownsville, Minn., where the next six years of his life were spent at his old occupation. He then tried farming in Winnishiek County, Iowa, and was there six years, after which he came to his present farm in Gale Township, Trempealeau County, in 1914, which is a good piece of agricultural property of 290 acres, equipped with good modern buildings and everything· essential in up-to-date farming. Here he raises the usual crops indigenous to this region and keeps a fair amount of stock. His farm is kept in excellent condition and he is doing a good business as an agriculturist.
Mr. Molstad entered into the bonds of matrimony in October, 1893, choosing as his wife Miss Dorthea Peterson, a native of Norway and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Peterson. Her parents remained in Norway. She came to the United States in 1890 and resided at Onalaska until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Molstad have had seven children: Oscar, Melvin, Selmar, Emma, Lula, Lillie and Paul. Lula and Paul are deceased, the latter dying in infancy. All the others are residing at home. In addition to his farming interests Mr. Molstad is a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing Company and also has some business interests in other enterprises. He and his family are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Republican. He has, however, served two terms on the school board of his township.
John A. Perkins, who owns and operates a fine farm of 272 acres in section 25, Trempealeau Township, was born at Prairie Du Chien, Wis., Feb. 13, 1850. His parents were Charles and Mary (Farnham) Perkins, the father born in Prairie du Chien, March 25, 1824, and the mother at Rock Island, Ill., October, 1826. They were of French and English descent, Charles Perkins being a farmer by occupation. In the fall of 1850 the family came to Trempealeau County, the father buying 160 acres of wild land in section 35, North Trempealeau Township, but instead of moving onto it at once, they took up their residence in Trempealeau Village, where they remained two years. Then the whole family moved back to Prairie du Chien and spent one year there on a rented farm. In the fall of 1854 they returned to Trempealeau County and moved onto their farm here. As there were no building on the land, the father built a shanty and pole stable. He cleared and broke quite a number of acres and in time erected a good frame house, residing on the place until his death, Nov. 7, 1906. His wife died May 15, 1886, on the homestead, where she was living. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Perkins were as follows: John A., sub- ject of this sketch; Charles, born in Trempealeau Village, May 28, 1851, who was killed while walking on the tracks of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad; Timothy, born June 30, 1853, at Prairie du Chien, who died in infancy ; Mary Agnes, born at Prairie du Chien, Aug. 5, 1854, who
398
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
is now Mrs. Edward House and lives in Trempealeau Village; Nicholas, born in Trempealeau Township, June 9, 1856, who was a farmer and is now living in Trempealeau Township and is an invalid; Joseph, born in Trempealeau Township, Oct. 10, 1858, who resides at the old home, in section 35; Elizabeth, born in Trempealeau Township April 22, 1861, now living at Cando, N. D .; Victoria, born in Trempealeau Township, Jan. 24, 1864, became the wife of Nason Grover, she died in November, 1916; Solo- mon Robert, born July 15, 1867, in Trempealeau Township, who is now in Iowa ; Ida E., born in Trempealeau Township, Oct. 3, 1869, who is unmarried and resides at Cando, N. D. John A. Perkins when a boy attended dis- trict school No. 3, Trempealeau Township, regularly until he was 14 years old, and afterwards during the winters until he was 18. He remained at home until he was 24, but previous to this, in 1871, he purchased 40 acres of wild land in section 25, north, Trempealeau Township, this being the land on which his present residence stands. Oct. 28, 1874, he was married to Victoria, daughter of John and Victoria La Vigue of Cedar Creek, Minn., their marriage being solemnized at the Catholic church in Trempealeau Village by Rev. Fr. Gongal. The young couple at once took up their resi- dence on the farm and began housekeeping. Being poor, they could at first make few improvements, and for some time the house remained in an unfinished state, but Mr. Perkins finally built an upright to it, which gave them .more commodious quarters. He had but one horse to begin farming with, but his father loaned him another to make a team, and it was more than two years before he was able to buy a second horse. He made gradual progress, however, and added to his original 40 acres of land from time to time until the farm now contains 272 acres, 100 of which is plowed land, the rest being in pasture and timber. The farm is in a favor- able location, lying on the east side of the beautiful Little Tamarac Val- ley, and is 14 miles from Winona, five from Galesville and seven from Trempealeau. For 36 years Mr. Perkins has marketed butter, the product of his farm, at uniform prices for the year to regular customers. His son William now operates the farm. The present house is an upright, two- story and a half building, with two wings, nicely finished and well fur- nished. In addition there is a barn with stone basement, having dimensions of 36 by 86 by 20 feet above the basement, the latter having a cement floor. The basement has a capacity of 73 heads of cattle and 12 horses. On the farm there are also corn cribs and granary, with a garage attached, a machine shed, with an extension, a milk house and ice house and engine house, all the buildings being painted and in excellent shape. Mr. Perkins carries on general farming and dairying, and also has a good orchard of 15 acres, the trees all bearing, and the varieties being well selected. He keeps grade Shorthorn cows and Poland-China hogs. Aside from his per- sonal farming interests he is a stockholder in the Farmers' Exchange Elevator of Galesville, and the Farmers' Co-operative Packing Company of La Crosse, Wis. His thorough knowledge of farming in all its branches was acquired from his father, who in 1847 and- 1848 was employed by the Government to assist James Reed in instructing the Sioux Indians in the vicinity of Winona in agriculture. Sept. 9, 1913, Mr. Perkins' wife died
399
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
on the old homestead after a long illness and was buried in the Catholic cemetery in Trempealeau Village. She had borne her husband two chil- dren: Mary Louise and William J. Mary Louise, who was born Oct. 28, 1878, is now Mrs. Stanford Bortz, a resident of Trempealeau Village. William J., born Oct. 24, 1882, is unmarried, and, as before stated, is working the farm for his father. Mr. Perkins is independent in politics and has held no pub- lic office. He is a member of the Mystic Circle at Trempealeau Village, having been connected with that organization for the past 16 years. He and his family are members of the Catholic church, attending St. Mary's at Galesville.
Everett McWain. Among those who have helped to develop the soil and promote the agricultural interests of Caledonia Township is the sub- ject of this sketch, who was born near the famed Green Mountains of Vermont, in the town of North Dorset, that state, Dec. 17, 1850, his parents being John W. and Helen (Parker) McWain. The family, including Everett, came to Wisconsin in 1854, locating on a farm in Outgamie County, near Stevensville, in which locality they spent about four years. They then moved onto David Parker's farm (grandfather of Everett McWain), near St. Anthony, now a part of Minneapolis. From there they returned for one winter to Outgamie County, coming to Trempealeau County in March, 1864, and settling on the land on which Everett now resides. The father after a long career as an agriculturist, spent his last years in retirement, dying at the home of his son Bert, in Winona, Minn., at the venerable age of 91. His wife, who was born in Vermont, in April, 1833, died at her own home in Gale Township, near Galesville, Feb. 8, 1904, at the age of 71 years.
Everett McWain was a child of less than four years when he came to Wisconsin. His educational opportunities were not great, but he attended district school until he was 14 years old and learned to read, write and cipher. When 15 he began working for himself at threshing, being asso- ciated for 12 years in this branch of farming with Frank Bender, and dur- ing the latter part of this period they owned their own machine. In this business Mr. McWain continued until he had reached the age of 45 years, owning his own outfit and using horse-power before the days of steam threshing. He bought his first land on section 6, Caledonia Township, it being a tract of 80 acres, to which he has since added by purchase until he and his two sons now own 240 acres-200 acres in one body, and 40 acres one mile south of his home. On the original farm in section 6, some land was broken when he bought it. He now has 160 acres under the plow and 40 acres in pasture. On the original tract he has built a substantial one- story and a half frame house, consisting of upright and wing; also a good barn, a milk house and a silo of 120 tons capacity, all the buildings being painted and in excellent condition. Mr. McWain is carrying on general farming very successfully and is numbered among the prosperous citizens of his township. He is also a stockholder in the Galesville Creamery.
Sept. 26, 1875, he was married to Johanna, daughter of Thomas and Ellen (Brophy) Roach of Gale Township, this county, and to him and his wife have been born the following children: Ethlyn, born June 17, 1878, who married Ernest Post, and has two living children-Verna and Gladys
400
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
May, another child, Della May, being deceased; Roy, born Sept. 28, 1882, who married Beulah Cook, and lives on a farm in Caledonia Township, his children being Gerald, Vilas and Evelyn Lucille; Lloyd, born May 2, 1887, who is unmarried and resides on the home farm; and William, born March 16, 1896, also unmarried and living on the farm. In politics Mr. McWain has always been a Democrat and has given some of his time to assisting in local government matters, having served many terms as a member of the township board, and having also been assessor. As a prosperous farmer and good reliable citizen he is well known in his township and with his family occupies a respected position among its inhabitants.
William Davidson, a prosperous farmer residing in section 36, Gale Township, was born on his father's farm at Decorah Prairie, Jan. 15, 1861, son of John and Mary (Young) Davidson. His parents were both natives of Scotland, the father born at Strathaven, Oct. 24, 1820. John Davidson came to the United States when a young man, locating first in Maryland, where he engaged in mining and other occupations. After awhile he went back to Scotland on a visit, then returned to Maryland with his wife, whom he had married in his native land, where she was born in 1824. In all he made three trips across the ocean. He and his family removed from Mary- land to Kentucky, and after residing there awhile came in 1855, or there- abouts, to Trempealeau County, Wis., and took a farm on Decorah Prairie, Gale Township. The rest of his life was spent in the development of this property, which he improved considerable before his retirement from active work. He lived to be over 80 years of age, his death taking place in 1901. His wife Mary passed away in middle life, in 1863. She was the mother of eight children, of whom William was the seventh born.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.