History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 54

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn; Pierce, Eben Douglas
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Chicago Winona : H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1318

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William Davidson acquired his education in the district school at Decorah Prairie. He learned the science of agriculture from his father, whom he assisted on the home farm until he was 23 years old. In the spring of 1884 he went to Wyoming, and later, in 1885, to western Nebraska, where he homesteaded land and remained until he had fulfilled the requirements of the homestead law and obtained a full title to his property. He was engaged in the stock business there for several years, but finally gave it up and went to South Dakota, still, however, retaining possession of his land for the time. In South Dakota he purchased land in Deuel County, near Revillo, and resided there most of the time for a number of years, going back and forth between his various holdings as occasion required. In 1905 Mr. Davidson purchased his present farm and soon after sold his lands in Nebraska. In 1909 he sold also his Dakota lands and is now con- fining his attention to his farm of 160 acres in Gale Township, which is a highly improved piece of property, provided with substantial modern buildings and everything necessary for up to date farming. He is also a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing Company, the Independent Harvester Company of Plano, Ill., and the Farmers Elevator Exchange at Galesville. Feb. 25, 1914, Mr. Davidson was united in marriage with Mrs. Anna John- son, a native of Kansas and daughter of William and Alice (Bonum) Leh- mann, who are now residents of Trempealeau County, Mr. Lehmann being a farmer in Trempealeau Township. By a former marriage to Frederick

WILLIAM DAVIDSON AND FAMILY

MR. AND MRS. JOHN C. TOWNER

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

Johnson Mrs. Davidson is the mother of one child, Harry Johnson, who resides at home. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson have had two children: Wilma, who died at the age of 15 months, and Dorothy Helen, born Feb. 6, 1917. Mr. Davidson is a member of the order of Beavers and of the American Society of Equity. The family are members of the Presbyterian church and he is independent in politics.

William Bartle, an early settler of Trempealeau County, was born in Devonshire, England, Jan. 12, 1823, and came to America as a young man. He was married in Cleveland, Ohio, May 16, 1856, to Ellen Seary, who was born in Inniskillian, Ireland, in May, 1830, and came to America in 1849, locating in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1862 Mr. Bartle and wife, with three chil- dren, came to Trempealeau County and settled on a farm in Ettrick Town- ship, where he followed farming until 1876. He then moved to Trem- pealeau and for the two years following worked at burning lime. In 1878 he received a stroke of paralysis, which rendered him unable to perform heavy labor during the balance of his life. He passed away May 29, 1888. Just seven years to the day his good wife followed him, dying May 29, 1895. They were the parents of nine children, as follows: Sarah, born May 19, 1857, who is now Mrs. George Tibbitts of Keddleston, Canada; Emma, born in June, 1859, who died at the age of eleven years; Ellen, born in November, 1860, who died in 1904; Mary, born in 1863, and now Mrs. Thomas S. Bramwell of La Crosse, Wis .; William, born June 10, 1865, now a resident of Trempealeau; Charlotte, born April 1, 1868, now Mrs. Ed Huttenhow of Trempealeau Village; Margaret, born April 12, 1870, now Mrs. John C. Towner of Trempealeau Township; John, born Nov. 19, 1872, who is living at Keddleston, Canada, and Harriett, who was born Dec. 17, 1874, and died Sept. 1, 1913.

John C. Towner, a successful agriculturist of Trempealeau Township, is a native of this county, having been born in Caledonia Township, Aug. 1, 1869. His parents were John C., Sr., and Margaret (Carleton) Towner, who setlted in section 19, Caledonia Township, in 1859. John C. Towner in his boyhood attended district school No. 3, Caledonia Township, until he was 14 years of age, and one or two terms afterwards during the winters. At the age of 17 he began working away from home, but contributed to home expenses until he was 21. April 12, 1893, he was married to Margaret, daughter of William and Ellen (Seary) Bartle. The day after his wedding they moved to Pickwick, Minn., where he had rented a farm. After a year there he came back to Trempealeau Township and for five years there- after operated a rented farm. In 1900 Mr. Towner bought 110 acres in sections 22 and 23, this township, the land being under plow but destitute of buildings, so to remedy this deficiency he erected that year a two-story frame dwelling, consisting of upright and wing. In October, 1902, his resi- dence was destroyed by fire, but was replaced at once by a seven-room, frame house, of one and a half stories, with upright and wing. In 1910 he built a barn, with a lean-to on the east and south; also a corn crib, machine shed and cream house. A cyclone in 1913 demolished his barn, machine shed and windmill, but he has since replaced the barn and built a tool shed, a granary and a sito, all good substantial buildings. Mr. Towner

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

has now 105 acres of plow land, with five acres of waste land, one mile out of Trempealeau, and does general farming, keeping a good grade of stock, both cows and hogs, also having sufficient horses for his farm work. He finds a ready market for his produce and is one of the thriving farmers of his township. For 19 years he has been identified with Camp No. 2813, M. W. A., at Trempealeau, and holds the office of camp advisor. He is also manager of the Trempealeau Farmers Shipping Association. He and his wife are the parents of four children: Lloyd E., born Feb. 3, 1894, who is a fireman on the C. & N. W. Railroad; J. Carleton, born Aug. 6, 1896, now a student at the La Crosse. State Normal School; Elmer R., born Oct. 5, 1898, who was graduated from the Trempealeau high school in the class of 1917, and is assisting his father; and Hazel Margaret, born Oct. 24, 1901, who is student at the Trempealeau high school. Mr. and Mrs. Towner are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Trempealeau.

Ebert K. Stutlien. Among the choice farms of Preston Township is that known as "Springdale," in section 10, a 234-acre farm belonging to the subject of this sketch, who also owns 160 acres in Welch Coolie, this township. Mr. Stutlien was born in Houston County, Minn., Nov. 23, 1866, son of Arne Knudson Stutlien and wife Mary, whose maiden name was Hellekson. The father, born in Norway in 1832, came to this country in 1854 and resided first in Dane County, Wis., moving from there to Houston County in 1858. Ten years later he and his family settled in Welch Coolie, Preston Township, Trempealeau County, which was his home until his death. His wife still resides in Welch Coolie, being now 76 years old. Ebert K. Stutlien was reared to agricultural pursuits and has been thus engaged since he was old enough to begin industrial life. He has been proprietor of his present farm since 1915, and is conducting it with profitable results. Nov. 25, 1893, he was united in marriage with Ida M. Scow, who was born in Arcadia Township, Aug. 2, 1874. Her parents, Matt O. Scow and Isabel Larson, were both born in Norway, the former in 1832 and the latter in 1834. Mr. Scow died in Arcadia Township, July 7, 1904, and his wife July 21, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Stutlien are the parents of ten children: Ingwald, assistant bank cashier at Bowman, N. D .; Alfred, Leona, Emil, Palmer, Alma, Lester, Eunice, Florence and Sidney, all but Ingwald living at home.

Stanley Clark French, one of the leading stock farmers of Trempealeau County, and a business man widely known throughout this section, his farm being located in section 29, Gale Township, was born on this farm Oct. 3, 1869. His parents were Henry and Parmelia E. (Clark) French, the father born at Kingsfield, Maine, in 1834. The mother was a native of the same place and was somewhat older than her husband. Henry French was trained to agriculture in his youth, but subsequently worked in a sawmill in Pennsylvania, to which state his parents had removed. He came to Wisconsin in 1856, driving a yoke of oxen from Monticello, Green County, Wis., to Trempealeau County, his father having arrived here in the previous year. The latter bought 400 acres of land from Judge Gale, of which land Henry purchased a part and started to break it up, using his team of oxen for that purpose. His tract consisted of 170 acres adjoining the village limits of Galesville, and here he resided until his death in April,

MR. AND MRS. HENRY FRENCH STANLEY C. FRENCH AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

1898. He became a prominent man in this locality, serving as assessor and chairman of the township board for a number of terms, and also assisted in founding the Bank of Galesville. He served two terms as county treasurer and was serving his third term at the time of his death. His wife survived him some years, dying Jan. 12, 1905. They were the parents of three children: Lunette, now Mrs. D. C. Burns; Clinton H. of Concord, Calif., and Stanley C. Stanley Clark French acquired a good practical education, after attending the Galesville high school, spending one year at Galesville University and one year at Winona Business College. Previous, however, to taking the commercial course, he taught school at Decorah Prairie one year, beginning at the age of 16 years. After leaving the business college he returned to the farm for the summer. Subsequently he was employed in the Bank of Galesville for about eight months and then went to Minneapolis, where he worked the next summer. He next removed to Grand Forks, N. D., where, however, he remained only a short time, returning to Minneapolis, where he passed the next winter. The summer following was spent on the farm, after which he spent a winter at Gale University. When the warm weather again came around, he joined a surveying expedition bound for the Missouri River, leaving Williston, N. D., and going to Bismark in the same state. On the completion of this work he was at home for 18 months. The summer following was that of 1893 and Mr. French obtained a position as guard at the World's Fair held in Chicago, serving until the fair closed. From Chicago he went to Phila- delphia, where he spent six months. After this he was superintendent for a brush contractor in the state reformatory at Huntington, Pa., until the following year, when he returned to Galesville and took charge of the homestead. His father dying in the following April, he has since remained here as proprietor of the estate, which now contains 343 acres. In addition to general farming Mr. French makes a specialty of breeding Guernsey cattle and Shropshire sheep, besides hogs, and keeping a large stock of each on hand, making extensive shipments every year. Mr. French is also vice-president of the Bank of Galesville, secretary of the Galesville Farmers Exchange, treasurer of the Trempealeau County Farmers Mutual Insur- ance Company and a director of the Farmers Packing Company of La Crosse. He is also a stockholder in the Arctic Springs Creamery Company and was its president for ten years, besides having been connected with various other local enterprises, including the Trempealeau County Fair Associa- tion, and organizations of wide scope, among which may be mentioned the Wisconsin Fine Stock Breeders' Association, the Shropshire Register Asso- ciation and the Western Wisconsin Guernsey Breeders' Association. Mr. French has made valuable improvements on his farm, among things having rebuilt the old family dwelling, which he has turned into a fine modern residence, installed with every convenience. The Farmers Exchange, men- tioned above, of which Mr. French is secretary, is now doing a business of $75,000 a year, but his executive ability enables him to attend to his official duties in connection with it, in addition to managing his own large business, which has grown from year to year. His farm is recognized as one of the best stock farms in the county and he is continually adding to its equip-

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

ment and facilities. Mr. French was married July 27, 1898, to Mollie D. Arnold, daughter of Capt. Alexander A. and Mary J. ( (Douglas) Arnold, her father being for many years a prominent citizen of Galesville and Gale Township. Mr. and Mrs. French have been the parents of three children: Henry Clinton, born Jan. 1, 1901; Miriam Helene, born April 12, 1902, and Arnold Stanley, born April 1, 1905. In politics Mr. French is a Republican but has not held office, having preferred so far to devote his time solely to his various business interests.

William K. Towner, owner of a flourishing farm in section 30, Caledonia Township, was born on the farm on which he now lives, Oct. 15, 1874, son of John C. and Margaret (Carleton) Towner. The father was born in Steuben County, N. Y., Aug. 29, 1830, and his wife Jan. 17, 1833, at Big Flat. Mr. and Mrs. Towner came as young people with their parents from New York to Wayne County, Michigan, and in that county were married. In 1859 they came west, settling in Trempealeau County, Wis., taking land in section 19, Caledonia Township. John C. Towner had come to the county a short time previously and selected his land and then returned to Mich- igan for his family in the winter of 1858-59, the early part of the latter year being the time of their settlement. The farm in section 19 was their residence until the fall of 1864, at which time John C. Towner bought 80 acres of wild land in section 30, Caledonia Township. On this he built a temporary shanty, in which he and his family lived during the winter of 1864-65. In the year last mentioned he erected the present residence, an upright, two-story dwelling of five rooms, to which a few years later a wing was added. After a long career of nearly 40 years as an agricul- turist in this township, he died Feb. 2, 1905, at Eau Claire, Wis., his wife having preceded him, passing away Sept. 9, 1902, at West Prairie, Trem- pealeau County. They are both buried in Trempealeau Cemetery. Their family numbered eight children: Mary, Emma, Elmer, Clara, Milton, Lena, John and William K. With the exception of Mary all the children were born in Caledonia Township.

William K. Towner attended district school No. 3 until 12 years of age and subsequently spent one year in the graded school at Winona, Minn. From the age of 14 to that of 16 he attended winter school at Trem- pealeau Village, and then laid aside his school books to take up the active duties of life. He had already gained some knowledge of agriculture and remained on the farm with his father, from whom he leased it in 1896, con- tinuing as a renter or lessee until 1900, in which year he bought the prop- erty. Feb. 23, 1898, he was united in marriage with Rennie S., daughter of Orlando M. and Laura F. Robinson, the ceremony being performed at the home of his mother and sister in Minneapolis, after which he brought his bride home to Caledonia Township. He is engaged in general farm- ing and dairying, having a herd of grade Holstein cows, and selling his cream to the Galesville Creamery. His swine are of the Poland-China breed. The buildings on his farm are substantial and convenient and include a barn, corn crib, machine shed, hog house and a silo. Aside from his farm duties he is a stockholder in the Galesville Creamery. He has devoted some part of his time to public affairs, having served three years as treasurer

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of school district No. 3 and eight years as clerk. As a progressive citizen he is alive to the best interests of the community and is one of those who may be counted upon to support a worthy cause, whether of a moral or material character. Since Jan. 25, 1900, he has been a member of Lotus Court, No. 3346, I. O. O. F., of Trempealeau. Mr. and Mrs. Towner have had three children born to them: Cary W., June 7, 1902, who is a student living at home; Albert R., April 12, 1907, also a student, and Laura Mar- garet, born May 19, 1913, who died in infancy. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Trempealeau, of which Mr. Towner is a trustee, his wife being a member of the Ladies' Aid Society of that denomination.

Horace N. Tobey, who is successfully engaged in farming and dairying in section 8, Trempealeau Township, was born in Tioga County, Pa., April 17, 1840. He resided in his native place until 1842, when his parents removed to Kalamazoo, Mich. The father, who was a carpenter by trade, worked at his trade there and in Galesburg, in that vicinity, until 1850, in which year he returned to Tioga, Pa., on account of. his wife's health. Aug. 16, 1863, Horace N. Tobey, who was now of age, enlisted at Williams- port, Pa., for service in the Civil War. He had an adventurous career as a soldier, taking part in 14 engagements, including the battle of the Wil- derness, Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania, and the North Anna, the capture of the Weldon Railroad, Hatches Run, both battles and charge on Petersburg, which were among the bloodiest of the war. He was fortunate, however, in that he was never wounded and never in a hospital, but was discharged from the service in good health at Elmira, N. Y., June 29, 1865, the war being then over. In 1868 he returned to the west with his parents, locating in Trempealeau Township, Trempealeau County, on what is now the Thomas Gibson farm. This property, which was improved, having good buildings, including a house and barn, he bought in company with his brother George, and subsequently they purchased together the A. Dutton farm in section 4, which was an unimproved tract of 80 acres. In 1884 Mr. Tobey and his brother dissolved partnership and Horace in 1885 bought his present home- stead of 80 acres in section 8, Trempealeau Township. The place was partially improved, but in 1898 he erected the present residence, and in 1915 built a frame barn, 32 by 52 by 16 feet, and a silo, 12 by 38 feet. He has also improved the farm materially and brought it into a good state of cultivation, and besides general farming and dairying pays special attention to butter making, in all of which branches of farming he has been successful.

Mr. Tobey was married Oct. 28, 1866, to Harriet O. Beach of Tioga County, Pa., and of this union were born three children: Minnie, Sept. 23, 1867, at Tioga, Pa., who died in April, 1868; Raymond, Sept. 15, 1873, at Trempealeau, who married Ada Spalding and resides in Trempealeau Township; and Harriet, December 13, 1877, also at Trempealeau who mar- ried Frank Edwards and resides near Jacksonville, Fla. Mrs. Tobey died Dec. 13, 1877. Feb. 16, 1879, Mr. Tobey married for his second wife Lillie A. Merwin of Trempealeau, by whom he has had two children: Hazel, born Sept. 16, 1885, in Trempealeau, who is unmarried and living at home; and

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

Glenn, born March 5, 1890, at Trempealeau, who is also unmarried, and is manager of his father's farm. Mr. Tobey was reared in the Baptist faith, but is not identified with any church; his wife and daughter, however, are affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Tobey is a Republican, but holds no public office. He is highly esteemed as a prac- tical farmer and a good neighbor. For his services in the Civil War he receives a pension. He is a member of Ford Post, G. A. R.

Lars Quammen, a well known and respected citizen of Ettrick Town- ship, was born in Hardanger, Norway, April 26, 1841, and came to America when a lad of 17 years, settling in Dane County, Wis. After working a while for others he became a land owner and farmer, and was there mar- ried to Anna Leland, who was born in Voss, Norway, Dec. 13, 1844. In 1875 they came to Trempealeau County, locating on the farm now owned by Eward L. Quemmen, where the father and mother are still living, though he has been retired since 1901. During his years of activity he was a prominent citizen of the township and served at various times in local office. On July 1, 1916, Mr. and Mrs. Lars Quammen celebrated their golden wed- ding. They have been the parents of seven children: James, now deceased ; Edward L., the present proprietor of the old homestead; Andrew and Louis, residing in Montana; Caroline, now Mrs. Henry Legreid of Ettrick Town- ship; Albert, who is manager of the Farmers' Exchange at Blair, Wis., and Sena, who is a visiting nurse in Chicago, having formerly been nurse at the Cook County Hospital there.

Edward L. Quammen, proprietor of Elm Grove Farm of 123 acres in section 14, Ettrick Township, was born in Dane County, Wisconsin, Feb. 23, 1869, son of Lars and Anna (Leland) Quammen. He was the second born of his parents' children and was a child of six years when he came with the family to Trempealeau County in 1875. He was educated in the district school and early gained a knowledge of agriculture, helping his father as soon as he became old enough. When 18 years of age he began working in the north woods during the winter, continuing work on the home farm in the summer. In 1901, on his father's retirement, he bought the homestead, which consists of 123 acres of valuable land, and which he is operating as a general stock farm, making a specialty of Short- horn cattle, of which he has about 40 head. He is also a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery, the Farmers' Exchange at Blair, the Ettrick Telephone Company, the Bank of Ettrick, the Ettrick Lumber Company and the Ettrick & Northern Railroad Company.

June 12, 1901, Mr. Quammen was united in marriage with Emma Rogne, who was born in Jackson County, Wisconsin, daughter of Ole and Eli (Grae) Rogne, both natives of Voss, Norway, who came to Trempealeau County before the Quammens located in Shake Hollow, Jackson County. Mr. Rogne, who was a farmer in Franklin Township, has been dead a num- ber of years, but his wife is still living and resides on the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Quammen are the parents of three children: Lloyd Rogne, Alice Evelyn and Clifford Ernest, all of whom are attending school. The family are members of the Lutheran Synod Church. In politics Mr. Quammen is a Republican, but has not been active in local affairs. As a

LARS QUAMMEN AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

stock farmer he is doing a prosperous business and is regarded as one of the substantial men of his township.

Joseph C. Stellpflug, a general farmer on 120 acres of land in section 25, Gale Township, was born in this township, Nov. 23, 1870. His parents were John and Sarah (Shonet) Stellpflug. The father, John Stellpflug, who was born in Germany, was a farmer by occupation. He came to the United States in 1853, resided in Milwaukee about seven years, and then, coming to Trempealeau County, located on Decorah Prairie, Gale Township, where he bought land and developed a farm. For a number of years he served as a member of the township board. His death, which took place about 1906, deprived the township of a worthy citizen and a good public official. His wife is still living and resides on the old home farm. Their family was a large one, numbering 14 children. Joseph C. was the third born in his parents' family. In his boyhood he attended the Grant school in Gale Township, where his future wife, Elizabeth Grant, was also a pupil. To her he was married Jan. 8, 1902, having spent the intervening years in working on his parents' farm and acquiring a good knowledge of agricul- ture. Miss Grant was a daughter of Robert and Jane (Dick) Grant, whose farm is located on Trempealeau Prairie, this county.

At the time of his marriage Joseph C. Stellpflug moved onto his present farm, on which he has since made numerous improvements, so that it is now a good piece of agricultural property, consisting of 120 acres of land, with substantial modern buildings and a full equipment of machinery and tools. Mr. Stellpflug carries on general farming and is also a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing Company, the Farmers' Exchange Elevator Company and the Farmers' Telephone Company. He and his wife have one child, Elizabeth, who was born Nov. 15, 1914. The family are affiliated religiously with the Roman Catholic Church, and he and his wife with the order of Yeomen. He also belongs to the C. O. F. In politics Mr. Stellpflug is independent and has not been active in local government matters, leaving that to others while he has devoted his entire attention to his farm. As the result of his industry he is prospering and he and his family are in comfortable circumstances.

Ole Sesvold, who is engaged in farming in section 30, Gale Township, was born in Sesvold, Norway, near the city of Christiania, March 6, 1865, son of Martin Evenson and Gurena Marthea Swanson, the father being a farmer. The parents, who never came to America, are both now deceased. Ole Sesvold was the second born in a family of eight children. He attended school in his native land and began to contribute to his own support when only 14 years of age as a worker on farms. When he was 22 he came to the United States, locating in Trempealeau County, where he found work on the farm of Ben Dale, and continued at that kind of work, and also as an employee in the brick kiln and lime kiln for 16 years. He then worked one year for the city of Galesville, after which he purchased his present farm of 60 acres on which he is engaged in general farming and stock raising. He has made some valuable improvements on the property. In 1903 he erected his present residence, which is a two-story brick building, con- structed of brick, which he himself burned in the Dale brick yards, situated

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History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 54

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