USA > Wisconsin > Trempealeau County > History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin > Part 55
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
a mile from his home. He also did the carpenter work himself. The house is a good modern building installed with all necessary equipment and con- veniences. Ole Sesvold was married Dec. 26, 1902, to Mary Tronson, a native of the same locality in Norway as himself, and daughter of Andreas Tronson. Her mother died when she was a child of four years. Mr. and Mrs. Sesvold have four children: Minnie, Josephine, Esther and Oscar, all residing at home. Since coming to this country Mr. Sesvold has prospered as the result of industry and thrift, and has visited his old home in Norway a number of times. The family church is the Norwegian Lutheran.
Joshua Rhodes, a pioneer, was born in Yorkshire, England, March 21, 1827, son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Hinkle) Rhodes, also natives of that shire. He was there reared and in the summer of 1840 set out with his parents for America. After a voyage of several weeks aboard a sailing vessel they landed in New York, and found their way to Wisconsin, where they settled in Brighton, Kenosha County, in which place the parents spent the remainder of their lives, the town of Brighton being named in honor of the several Rhodes families that settled there, they bringing the name "Brighton" from England, a town by that name being in Yorkshire, where they migrated from. Joshua Rhodes lived in Kenosha County in 1850, and then went to Marquette County, where he took up a farm with a land warrant presented to him by his father. In 1853 he came to Trempealeau County, and settled in section 12, Caledonia Town- ship, founding the locality which was afterward known as Rhodes' Station. Aside from this tract of 200 acres he secured various other tracts in Cale- donia and Trempealeau Townships. At once upon his arrival he started developing the farm in section 12. He first erected a log cabin, 10 by 12, and lived a pioneer's life for a time with William Hanson as a companion. Then for a while, until his marriage in 1855, he lived alone. Bringing his bride to his cabin, he started life with new energy, and as time passed, he developed one of the best places in the community. He was prominent in community, township and county affairs, and he was highly honored by all who knew him. He was a man of broad sympathies, gentle toward the faults of others, but unswerving in the rules he made for his own conduct. Honest, upright, with a wide understanding of human nature, he left his impress on the life of the region in which he lived, and his family will never cease to cherish his memory. His death in Trempealeau Village Oct. 6, 1907, was sincerely mourned. As treasurer and chairman of the township, as clerk of his school district, as master of Burr Oak Grange during its entire exist- ence, as treasurer of the Decorah Farmers' Alliance, and as president of the Trempealeau County Agricultural Society, his services were highly valued. Reared as an Episcopalean, he was a friend of all churches, and con- tributed liberally to their support. He was ever a faithful attendance upon church services, and required the same attention to duty on the part of his family.
Mr. Rhodes was first married Feb. 1, 1855, to Susan E. Stevens, daugh- ter of Samuel and Lydia Stevens, natives of Vermont, and pioneers of North Bend, Jackson County, Wis. Mrs. Rhodes taught in the Bigelow school, district 2, the first school in Caledonia Township. Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes
MR. AND MRS. JOSHUA RHODES
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
were the parents of eight children: Mary A., Byron S., Ida J., Henry A., Albert J., William L., Charles W. and Cora N. Mary A. was born Nov. 14, 1857, married Charles Nelson, a native of Indiana. They have one son, Robert. They live on a part of the old home farm. Byron S. was born July 28, 1859, and died Feb. 27, 1879. Ida J. is the widow of John C. Poly- blank, and lives in Caledonia Township. Her sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Henry A. was born April 14, 1863, and is now the proprietor of a department store in Tacoma, Wash. He married Birdella Booker of Ottawa, Ill., and they have two children: Vera and Edward, both living. Albert J., born Dec. 31, 1865, is the proprietor of a department store in Seattle, Wash. He married Harriet Williams of that state. William L. was born Oct. 14, 1867, married Claudia Altenberg of Trempealeau, is the proprietor of a five and ten-cent store at Seattle, Wash., and has two chil- dren: Florence and William. Charles W. was born April 7, 1871, married Lizzie Van Ingen of Trempealeau Township and is associated with his brother Henry in the department store at Tacoma. He has three chil- dren: Glen, Catherine and Kenneth. Cora N. was born Nov. 22, 1873, and died at the age of three years. Mrs. Susan F. (Stevens) Rhodes died Jan. 14, 1890, and in 1893 Mr. Rhodes married Julia Mabie, who survives and resides in Trempealeau Village.
John C. Polyblank, for many years a successful farmer of Caledonia Township, was born in Devonshire, England, July 16, 1855, son of J. C. and Mary (Lakeman) Polyblank. He was reared in England and came to America and Trempealeau County in 1871. About 1877 or 1878 he pur- chased 176 acres of land in section 36, Caledonia Township, from John Nicholls, who obtained it from the government. To this place he brought his bride in 1881, and here he lived until his lamented death, July 27, 1914. He was an active, vigorous man, and built up a good farm. To the original house he added until it is now a two-story structure with a large wing, and containing twelve comfortable and commodious rooms. The barn is 32 by 50 feet, the machine sheds 20 by 30, the two poultry houses 10 by 12, the milk house 8 by 10, and the ice house 12 by 14. The silo is 40 feet high and 121/2 feet in diameter. There is also a swine house, corn crib and other structures. The farm is well fenced and cross fenced. One hundred acres are under the plow, while 76 acres are in timber and hay land. A specialty is made of breeding graded Guernsey cows. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Polyblank has rented the place, but still continues to reside on it.
John C. Polyblank was married March 21, 1881, to Ida J. Rhodes, born in section 12, Caledonia Township, June 30, 1861, daughter of Joshua and Susan (Stevens) Rhodes. The ceremony was performed in the old home by the Rev. Grafton T. Owen, then pastor of the Congregational church at Trempealeau. Mr. and Mrs. Polyblank have had five daughters: Cora M., Ruth M., Mabel L., Nina D. and Evelyn I. Cora M. was born Dec. 31, 1881, married Frank Bain, who holds a very responsible position in the A. J. Rhodes' department store in Seattle, and has one son, Albert. Ruth M. was born May 16, 1884, and has been a teacher for some twelve years past. She is now living with her mother and teaching in district 3. Mabel L.,
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
born March 13, 1886, was graduated from the high schools of Trem- pealeau and Winona, State Normal school, and has been a teacher for some six years. She now teaches at Elmore, Minn. Nina D. was born June 17, 1887, married Asa Gibbs, a farmer of Caledonia Township, and has two children: Ethel and Jack. Ethel I., born May 3, 1899, was graduated from the Treampealeau high school. She is now the wife of Lars Gjeide.
Mrs. Polybank is a lady of many accomplishments. After passing through the district schools, she attended the Trempealeau high school and the Gale College. She has been prominent in the affairs of the Congre- gational church, has reared her family to that faith, and has taught in.the Sunday school for many years.
Mark R. Hewitt, who is engaged in farming and stock raising in sec- tion 2, Gale Township, is a man who has had an active and interesting career. He was born at Midway, La Crosse County, June 14, 1879, son of John Charles and Margaret (Stilts) Hewitt. Mark R. was educated in schools at Midway and La Crosse, Wis. At the age of 17 years he began working in a saw mill and lumbering in the woods. In 1898, when he was still under age, the Spanish-American war broke out, and he enlisted, though without his parents' consent, in Company C, Twelfth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, at Winona, Minn., and was stationed at New Ulm and St. Paul about five weeks, going later to Georgia and Tennessee. His service lasted six months and he was then mustered out at New Ulm. During the fol- lowing winter he worked on the farm, and was then engaged in rafting on the river for about three months, with headquarters at La Crosse. After this he spent some time in harvesting and threshing in North Dakota, the next winter working in the woods of northern Wisconsin. His next employ- ment, during the summer, was log driving on the upper Chippewa River; then lumbering again in the winter at Mountain Iron, 100 miles north of Duluth. Mr. Hewitt then changed the scene of his activities to the Hood River, Oregon, where he spent some time lumbering in the woods at the foot of Mt. Hood. About July 4, 1903, he returned to Trempealeau County, but left soon for North Dakota, where he worked in the harvest fields. In the fall of 1903 he and his brother Charles purchased the old home farm, the winter, however, being spent by him in the lumber woods. The cold weather over, he returned to the farm in Gale Township, where he has since remained, engaged for the most part in agricultural work, with the exception spent in carpentering and three summers in hauling freight between Galesville and Ettrick. He has 160 acres of land highly improved, with modern buildings and every necessary or desirable convenience. The size of his barn is 36 by 80 feet, with 24-foot posts, it too being equipped with all necessary apparatus. Aside from his general farming operations, Mr. Hewitt is engaged in raising pure-bred Chester-White hogs and is a members of the Chester-White Association. He also carries on dairying successfully, and is a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery and in the Ettrick & Northern Railway. In 1906 he homesteaded land in North Dakota, which he sold a year later. In that same year, in the month of March, he was married to Stella Casey, who was born in Ettrick, Trem- pealcau County, Wis., daughter of Morris and Helen (Daily) Casey. He
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
and his wife have one child: Vivian E. They are both members of the Eastern Star lodge, Mr. Hewitt being also a member of the Blue Lodge of Masons at Galesville, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Spanish- War Veterans' Association. In politics he is an independent Republican, his religious affiliations being with the Presbyterian church. He has held some local offices, having served as constable two years and as road super- intendent of Gale Township.
Charles F. Hewitt, proprietor of a good farm of 200 acres, 140 acres of which lie in Gale Township, and the balance in Ettrick, his residence being in section 2, Gale township, was born at Nelson, near Alma, Buffalo County, Wis., Feb. 4, 1875, son of John Charles and Margaret (Stilts) Hewitt. Charles F. Hewitt was the third eldest in a family of six children. In his youth he attended district school in La Crosse County, and after- ward the Wisconsin Business University at La Crosse. He accompanied his parents to the farm in Gale and Ettrick Townships and has resided on it ever since. In 1901 he took charge of the property and has continued to operate it up to the present time, with the exception of three years, during which time he had it let out to a renter. The land is valuable and produces good crops, and Mr. Hewitt has added from time to time to the improvements, until it now has all necessary buildings. He is also a stock- holder in the Ettrick Creamery Company and the Ettrick & Northern Rail- way Company. Mr. Hewitt was married, April 5, 1899, to Jerusha Casey, who was born in Ettrick Township, daughter of Maurice and Helen (Daily) Casey. His fraternal affiliations are with the Blue Lodge of Masons and the Modern Woodmen of America, Mrs. Hewitt belonging to the Royal Neighbors. He is now State oil inspector.
Charles Adolph Sesvold, who is engaged in farming in section 35, Gale Township, was born near Christiania, Norway, July 15, 1871, son of Martin Evenson and Gurena Marthea Swanson, the parents being farming people. He was educated in his native land and at the age of 18 years came to America, locating in Trempealeau County, where he and his brother Ole settled. Here he entered the employ of Ben Dale of Gale Township, for whom he worked for three and a half years. At the end of that time, hav- ing saved some money, he purchased a farm near the Dale homestead and engaged in agriculture for himself. This place was Mr. Sesvold's home until 1915, and on it he made extensive improvements. In August of the year last mentioned he purchased a residence property in Galesville, mov- ing his family to it for the winter in order that his children might have good school advantages. In the spring of 1916 Mr. Sesvold bought his present farm, moving onto it in April and beginning improvements which in time will greatly increase its value. The farm contains 131 acres and Mr. Sesvold is engaged thereon in general farming, of which he has a thorough knowledge. It is his intention that his family shall reside in the village during the winters for the sake of the school and other advan- tages. Aside from his immediate farming interests he is a stockholder in a company operating a threshing outfit. June 27, 1896, Mr. Sesvold was united in marriage with Ragna Hougstad, a native of Norway, and daughter of Hans and Gunel (Bratsven) Hougstad. He and his wife have eight
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
children: Herman and Melvin, who are in the employ of Ivan G. Dale; Gustave, Melva, Agnes, Marion, Alfred and Laura residing at home. Mr. Sesvold and family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Republican, but has not been active in public affairs, nor taken any part in politics beyond casting his vote.
Parley Stoner, an early resident of the town of Gale, and a veteran of the Civil War, whose death was a loss to the community in which he lived, was born in Hancock County, Illinois, Aug. 25, 1843, son of David and Ann (Dean) Stoner. His parents were both born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1817. The father was a practical farmer, and very suc- cessful at his chosen occupation. He with his wife and family came to Wisconsin in 1846, locating at Mineral Point, Iowa County, where he was subsequently engaged in farming until his death in 1895, his wife having died some years before. They had a family of nine children, of whom Parley was the second in order of birth. Parley Stoner in his boyhood attended school at Linden, Iowa County, Wis., and resided at home until he was 19 years of age. Then, in 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Eleventh Wisconsin Volunteers, with which organization he served until the close of the war. He was never wounded, but was confined to the hospital for awhile as the result of a fall. His regiment formed a part of the Army of the West, and with it he participated in some fierce battles. His period of service ended with the close of the war and he then returned home. Sept. 2, 1866, he was married to Elizabeth Ayer, who was born at Mineral Point, Wis., June 26, 1847, daughter of Jonas and Leah (Nutting) Ayer. Her parents were natives of Maine, who came to Wisconsin about 1840, locating at Mineral Point, where Mr. Ayer engaged in farming, in which occupation he continued there until health failed, when he moved to La Crosse County and lived with his children. He died in April, 1879, and his wife in 1893. They had 12 children, of whom their daughter Eliza- beth was one of the younger. After his marriage Parley Stoner settled with his wife in La Crosse County, which was his home for 16 years. He followed the river until 1884, being engaged in logging, in which work he became very expert, knowing all the ins and outs of the business, and being familiar with Black River from its sources to its mouth. In 1884 Mr. Stoner purchased the farm in the southern part of Gale Township, which has since been known as the Stoner, or Black River View Farm, and where his wife is now living, and here he settled down to agriculture. This farm, which contains 200 acres, he operated until his death, May 21, 1916. Severe campaigning in the army, followed by exposure on the river, had made him an early victim of rheumatism, and the trouble grew more aggra- vating with advancing years, until about ten years before his death he became incapacitated for active work. Occasionally he rode to town in his crippled condition and visited old friends, but in his last years he was con- fined to his home. His sufferings at the last were intensified by a diseased foot, resulting in gangrene. For this an operation was performed at the Lutheran hospital in La Crosse, but his case was hopeless. Mr. and Mrs. Stoner were the parents of nine children: Jessie, wife of John Smith, a railroad engineer residing at Ottumwa, Iowa; Esther, now deceased, who
GEORGE HAMMOND AND FAMILY
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
was the wife of Edward De Pooler of Minneapolis, also deceased; Clara, now living, who was the second wife of Edward De Pooler; Susannah, unmarried, residing in Trempealeau County; Polly, wife of Bert McQuain of Minneapolis; Charles, baggage master for the Northwestern Railway Company at Galesville; Harley, who is operating the home farm, his mother residing with him, and Clifford, residing in Galesville and in the employ of William Hegge, bridge contractor. Parley Stoner will long be remembered as a man of sterling qualities. In his younger days he was an athlete. He could hold his own with any of the strong men on the river. He was courageous to recklessness and in every way was a friend worth having. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, also of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mrs. Stoner joined the same church before she was 16 years of age and has always remained a faithful member of it.
George Hammond, proprietor of an excellent dairy farm of 176 acres in sections 19 and 20, Gale Township, was born at Barnbydun, Yorkshire, England, Feb. 25, 1856. His parents, George and Mary Ann (Wittels) Hammond, were natives of the same place, the father being a farmer. They came to America in 1858 and after residing in Canada for 18 months came on to Trempealeau County in 1860, locating in Big Tamarac Valley. Here George Hammond, Sr., bought land and in course of time developed a farm, which he later sold, moving to Jackson County. Three years later he returned to Trempealeau County and took a farm in Gale Township, on which, however, he lived only 18 months. He then returned to Little Tamarac Valley, settling on another farm, which was his home until a short time before his death, as the last three months of his life were spent at the home of his son George. He died in October, 1907, and his wife about two years later. His life was devoted to farming and he took no part in public affairs, but was esteemed as a good neighbor and reliable citizen. George Ham- mond, second, the direct subject of this sketch, was the third born in a family of nine children. His schooling was somewhat limited and was obtained in Galesville and in Melrose, Jackson County. He began to work out on farms at the early age of ten years, living at home a part of the time, and continued to do so for a number of years. At the age of 22, having saved money, he bought land. When 25 he married and later purchased a farm near Ettrick, which he operated for about four years. He then sold it and bought his present place of 176 acres, less than two miles from the city limits of Galesville. On this he has made a number of valuable improvements, having erected modern buildings, including a fine barn, which is one of the best in this locality. He is carrying on a good dairying business and is also engaged in breeding Guernsey cattle successfully, hav- ing selected this as his favorite stock.
Nov. 8, 1883, Mr. Hammond was united in marriage with Mary Speier, who was born at Spring Prairie, Wolworth County, Wis., daughter of Jacob and Josephine (Langenohl) Speier. Her parents were natives of Germany, who came to Trempealeau County from Walworth County, hav- ing previously resided at Green Bay. On coming here they settled in Gale Township, about four miles from Galesville, and farmed for a number of
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years before their death. Mr. and Mrs. Hammond are the parents of seven children: Mary Josephine, wife of George Kells, a contractor and builder residing in Gale Township; Christine G., wife of Ben Deeren, proprietor of a bicycle and motorcycle repair shop in Winona, Minn .; Lois Jeanette, unmarried, and a teacher in Trempealeau County; Lawrence Jacob, who married Nellie Eng and resides on the Hammond farm, assisting his father; Warren Lewis, unmarried, and living at home; and John and Vilas, who died in infancy. Mr. Hammond and his family are affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is an independent Republican, but, like his father, has never taken an active part in public affairs, being content with casting his vote.
John Sutcliffe, a well known resident of section 33, Trempealeau Town- ship, was born in the old log house on his father's farm, Feb. 19, 1858, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Rhodes) Sutcliffe. His parents were both born in England, the father in Halifax, Yorkshire, Aug. 9, 1821. They came to this country single and were married in Marquette County, Wisconsin. Between 1852 and 1854 they came to Trempealeau County, Thomas Sutcliffe buying 160 acres of unimproved land in section 33, Trempealeau Township. As there were no buildings on it, he put up a log house and barn, later building a second log house, hewn inside and out and sheeted inside and out with lumber. It was one and a half stories in height and is still stand- ing, being now used as an ice house. It was in this building that the subject of this sketch was born. In 1866 Thomas Sutcliffe built a square brick house, two stories high and with 10 rooms, which is still standing and is now occupied. He also purchased an additional 80 acres of land adjoining the home farm, making 280 acres in all. He cleared, fenced and developed this farm until he had transformed it into a good piece of agricultural prop- erty, and here he died Feb. 19, 1903. He had been a widower for some years previous to his death, his wife having passed away on the home farm. They are both buried in Evergreen Cemetery. Their family was not large, consisting only of five children, one of whom died in infancy. The others, who are living, are: Phoebe Ann and Sarah Jane, both unmarried, and John. Franklin died at the age of 33 years. Phoebe Ann, who is John's senior by four years, resides in Galesville, Wis. Sarah Jane, who is two years younger than John, lived in Winona, Minn., several years, but is now a resident of Plainview, Minn.
John Sutcliffe acquired his education in district school No. 9, Trem- pealeau Township, which he attended from the age of seven to that of 14, regularly, and afterwards during the winters until he was 20 years old. With the exception of about one year, six months of which he spent in North Dakota and the other six months in Chicago, he has resided all his life on the home farm, of which he became the owner at his father's death, purchasing the interests of the other heirs. When he took possession of it there were 250 acres of the farm under the plow, the balance of 30 acres being in pasture and timber land. After carrying on this farm until Febru- ary, 1911, the subject of this sketch sold it, except a small tract of four acres, on which stands a comfortable house, which is his present residence. In March, 1917, he bought back 1051/2 acres of the old farm, which he
GEORGE B. SHONAT AND FAMILY
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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
now operates. This makes him 1091/2 acres. Here he lieves alone, having never married. He is practically retired and is a great lover of the woods and their inhabitants, taking pleasure and recreation in the study of Nature and her works. In politics he is a Republican, but has not held office.
George B. Shonat, a well known farmer residing in section 1, Gale town- ship, was born in Oswego County, New York, Dec. 31, 1844, son of George and Abigail (Like) Shonat. The father was born in Germany Feb. 3, 1810, and came to America when a young man. In his native land he had learned the shoemaker's and carpenter's trades, so was well equipped to succeed in a country where skilled labor was in demand. In New York, however, where he stayed for a while, he at first found the labor market somewhat crowded, and not being able to find remunerative work immediately at either of his trades, he took the first employment he could find, which was in New York City, that of gathering bones for a sugar refinery with a wheelbarrow. Later he worked on a farm for $7 a month and his board. After some experience in this kind of work he went to Madison County, New York, where also he worked for farmers and continued to do so until he was able to purchase a small farm in the town of Monroe, Oswego County, having previously, however, worked for awhile in Columbia County. After awhile he gave up farming temporarily to become engineer in a sawmill. In 1852 he joined the westward tide of emigration, arriving in Milwaukee July 1 of that year. There he hired two teams to take him and his goods to Waupun, Wis., where on arriving, he rented land and worked for others for two years. Then, in the fall of 1853, he came to Trempealeau County and entered land that now forms a part of Mr. Shonat's present farm, moving onto it in the fall of 1855, November 24. During the intervening years he was engaged in farming in Dodge County, Wisconsin. After beginning farming on his own place he spent his winters in hauling logs and such other work as he could do during the cold season, so kept busy all the year round. This farm was his home for the rest of his life, his death taking place here in 1887. He served as assessor in his township for a number of years and in early days was a member of the school board. His wife survived him about eleven years, dying in 1898. They had two children: George B., subject of this sketch, and Sarah F., who is now the widow of John Stellpflug.
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