History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 56

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 56

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George B. Shonat first attended school in his native state of New York, afterwards the district school of Decorah Prairie, this county, and subsequently Gale University, now Gale College. He resided on the home farm until his marriage, which event, occurring Nov. 11, 1868, united him with Nettie Dewar, who was born in Scotland, Jan. 21, 1844, daughter of James and Anna Gordon (Harriss) Dewar. Her parents, who were also natives of Scotland, came to America in 1853, settling first in lower Canada, near Montreal, from which place in a short time thy came to the United States and located in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, where Mr. Dewar engaged in agriculture. In 1861 he and his family came to Trempealeau County, locating in Big Tamarac Valley, where the mother died in the spring of that year. James Dewar subsequently left the county and died

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finally in St. Louis. His daughter Nettie was engaged in teaching previous to her marriage. A year after that event Mr. Shonat built a house on a recently purchased farm in Gale Township, and he, with his wife and family, resided there for 24 years. He then purchased his present farm, adjoining his old home, and located in section 1. Here he has resided since 1894, having at present 145 acres of land. His farm was formerly much larger, as he has sold 185 acres to his son, W. R. Shonat. He is a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing Company and was one of the first stockholders in the Galesville Creamery at Arctic Springs. In 1889 Mr. Shonat engaged in buying stock and in June, 1892 shipped the first carload of stock bred by himself. Since that time he has been engaged practically all the time in buying for himself or others and dealing in and shipping stock, and has been very successful in these various enterprises. In politics he is a Demo- crat and is now serving in his ninth year as assessor of Gale Township, having also served on the township board for a number of years and as school clerk for 10 years. He and his wife are the parents of eight children: Warner R., who resides in Galesville; Anna May, wife of Robert S. Cook, residing in La Crosse county ; Abbie E., wife of A. D. Burnett, a hardware merchant at Spooner, Wis .; Catherine A., residing at home; N. Blanche, also residing at home, who was also a teacher; Mary Esther, a teacher residing in Spooner, Wis .; Archie, who is a civil engineer in the employ of the Northwestern Railroad Company, and who is a graduate of the Univer- sity of Wisconsin; and George Martin, who died at the age of 14 months in 1883.

Andrew M. Hellekson. One of the best improved farms in Ettrick Township is that of Andrew M. Hellekson in section 21, a farm of 240 acres, with buildings and equipment indicating even to the casual eye the enter- prise and thrift of its owner. Mr. Hellekson is a native of Wisconsin, having been born in the city of Racine, Aug. 21, 1870, son of Ellef and Christe (Nelson) Hellekson. His father was born in Kragerö, Norway, Sept. 21, 1832, his mother being a native of the same place. The latter died when the subject of this sketch was 1 year old, and Ellef Hellekson subse- quently married for his second wife Mrs. Johanna Halverson. From the age of 14 years he had followed the occupation of a sailor, before the Civil War on the ocean, during which period he visited most of the maritime countries of the world. He was still a young man when he came to the United States, and here he remained, for some time sailing the Great Lakes. The great city of Chicago, which he visited, attracted him and he made it his home, residing there until about 1887, in which year he made a sudden change in his occupation and manner of life, coming to Trempealeau County, Wis., and settling on the farm now owned by his son Andrew M. On a part of this farm he and his wife are still living, after spending many years in the cultivation of the soil, though now retired.

Andrew M. Hellekson was the youngest of four children. His boyhood was largely spent in the city of Chicago, where he attended the Maplewood school. At the age of 14 years he began industrial life in Chicago, first as a door boy in a furniture store, from which position he was advanced to that of collector for the same firm. He remained with the concern until

كيفند

A. M. HELLEKSON AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

1887, in which year he came to Trempealeau County with his father, with whom he remained practically all of the time, except for three winters, when he again worked in Chicago. While at home he was practically the man- ager of the farm from the time he came here, and is now its owner. It consists of 240 acres, 60 acres of which he has cleared. He gives particular attention to raising seeds of barley, rye, corn and oats from selected plants for market purposes and for a number of years he has been engaged suc- cessfully in breeding Guernsey cattle, milking 20 cows. Aside from the immediate profits of his farm, he is a stockholder in the Ettrick Creamery, the Bank of Ettrick, the Ettrick & Northern Railroad, the Farmers' Elevator in Blair, of which he was a former director, the La Crosse Packing Company, the Ettrick Lumber Company and the Farmers' Telephone Company, of which he is president. In 1916 Mr. Hellekson built a fine modern residence, both commodious and attractive in appearance and provided with practically all modern facilities and conveniences, and most of the important improve- ments on the farm, including the neat and substantial buildings, have been put up by him. He has served as county secretary of the American Society of Equity, and was one of the organizers of the society in this county, and is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics indepen- dent, he has performed some public service, including two years as super- visor and three years as clerk of the school board. June 27, 1893, Mr. Hellekson was united in marriage with Sena Herreid, daughter of Gilbert and Ingeborg Herreid. He and his wife are the parents of six children: John Andrew, who is official tester at the State Agricultural College at Madison ; Ida Josephine, residing at home; Ella Gertrude, who is attending the La Crosse School of Agriculture, at Onalaska; Charles Edgar, Emma Sophia and Lawrence Goodwin, residing at home. Mr. Hellekson and his family are members of Beaver Creek United Lutheran church. Through his own enterprise and industry, coupled with good judgment, he has achieved prosperity and attained an honorable place in the community as one of its substantial and reliable citizens. His children are receiving the advantage of a good education to qualify them to make their own way in life and all promise to be a credit to the family name.

Tosten G. Herreid, who owns and operates Pleasant View Farm of 200 acres in section 17, Ettrick Township, was born in Dane County., Wis., near Stoughton, Oct. 31, 1857, son of Gilbert and Ingaborg Torgersdatter (Twinde) Herreid. His parents were natives of Norway, the father born at Hardanger, Bergenstift, June 23, 1836, and the mother at Vosse Nangen, March 20, 1832. Gilbert Herreid came to the United States in the spring of 1857, locating in Dane County, Wis., where he engaged in farming, and in 1863 came to Trempealeau County, locating in Ettrick Township, where he homesteaded land and improved and developed it into a good farm. There his death took place in December, 1914. His wife is still residing on the homestead. Their family numbered nine children, of whom Tosten G. was the oldest. Tosten G. Herreid acquired his education in the local schools of Ettrick Township. He resided at home until he was 25 years old and then bought land in Ettrick Township, farming that place for 13 years. He then sold it and purchased his present farm, which consists

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

of 200 acres of valuable land and which he is operating in a general way, raising various crops and breeding Hereford cattle from pure-bred sires. He has greatly improved the property, having erected modern barns and other necessary buildings, and is doing a successful business. Feb. 19, 1880, Mr. Herreid was united in marriage with Ragnhild Bue, who was born in Hardanger, Norway, daughter of Tosten and Anna (Kjarland) Bue, her parents being natives of the same place. Tosten Bue was born March 6, 1820, and his wife in 1824. They came to the United States in 1866, and within one week after landing in this country the wife died. Mr. Bue continued west to Winnesheik County, Iowa, where he remained some years, or until 1873, when he came to Ettrick Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., and homesteaded land on which he resided until his death in 1886. He and his wife had a family of nine children.

Mr. and Mrs. Herreid have been the parents of seven children: Gilbert Theodore, unmarried and now living in one of the more Western States ; Anna Emelia, wife of John Instenes, a farmer of Ettrick Township; Carl Alfred (the second born), who died in infancy; Clara Martena, wife of Louis Instenes, a farmer residing at Hegg, this township; Andrew Julius, residing at home ; Selmer Imanuel, who died in childhood, and Selma Regina, who graduated at the Galesville High School and is now a teacher in Trem- pealeau County. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

John H. Schaller is one of the enterprising farmers of Gale Township, where he has resided about eight years, following agriculture and raising stock, and is doing a prosperous business. He was born at Freeburg, Houston County, Minn., Sept. 14, 1866, son of John C. and Katherine (Fetz- ner) Schaller. Both parents were natives of Germany, the father born at Heidelberg June 30, 1838, and the mother at Oberkronbach, Germany, June 30, 1843. When a lad of 6 years John C. Schaller came to America with his parents, George and Katherine (Margaart) Schaller, who settled in Steuben- ville, Ohio, just across the Ohio River from Brook County, W. Va., and a few miles above Wheeling, that State. George Schaller was a miller and oper- ated a mill there for a number of years, coming to Minnesota with his family in 1855. In the latter State John C. was reared, and after learning the miller's trade from his father, followed it there until the fall of 1889, when he moved to La Crosse County, Wis., and engaged in the sawmill business. After being thus occupied for some three years, he returned to flour milling, for seven or eight years operating a mill in Mormon Coolie, La Crosse County. He then went to Fairmont, Minn., where he followed the same business for two years. At the end of that time he purchased an interest in the Hartford Milling Company, of Hartford, S. D., where he is still engaged in that business with the same company. His wife died May 30, 1914. They were married April 12, 1863, and celebrated their golden wedding April 12, 1913. The grandparents of our subject, George and Katherine (Margaart) Schaller, celebrated their golden wedding in 1879.

John H. Schaller was the second horn in a family of eight children. At the age of 17 years he was employed in the capacity of wheat buyer for the mills in South Dakota, and, not being able to follow the miller's trade,

W. A. SMITH AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

continued buying grain until his marriage in 1890. He then entered the service of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, being employed as fireman for some seven years, running between La Crosse and Milwaukee. At the end of that time, on account of defective hearing, he was obliged to give up railroad work, but found a position as watchman and fireman in the Federal Building at La Crosse, which he held for nine years and two months. He then took a farm on Silver Creek, Trempealeau County, and operated it for three years. For two and a half years following he operated other farms, and then took his present place, where he has 138 acres of good land and is engaged in dairy and stock farming, doing a profitable business, the advantage of which accrues to himself, instead of working for others. In politics, while usually voting the Republican ticket, he exercises the right of independent judgment. He has served for a number of years as clerk of School District No. 6. In religion he is a Catholic.

June 3, 1890, Mr. Schaller was married to Josephine Schwarzhoff, who was born in Highlandville, Minn., daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Pep- per) Schwarzhoff. Her father was born in Westphalia, Germany, Oct. 5, 1836, and was a miller and merchant. He came to this country in 1853, settling at Highlandville, where he grew to manhood and was engaged in business for some ten years. He then removed to Burgen, Iowa, where the rest of his life was spent in the milling and mercantile business. His wife, who was born in Kleinraken, Germany, Sept. 5, 1843, is now living in Gales- ville. They were the parents of four children, of whom Josephine was the youngest. Mr. and Mrs. Schaller are the parents of six children: Alletta Marie, born March 25, 1891, wife of Rainnie Lun, a farmer residing on Silver Creek, Gale Township; Arthur Joseph, born Sept. 1, 1892; Charles Leo, born Sept. 13, 1894 ; Herman John, born June 29, 1896; George Dewey, born May 15, 1898, and La Verne Alexander, born Aug. 30, 1908, the last five mentioned all residing at home. Mr. Schaller belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and also to the B. of L. F. & E., being the oldest past president of this lodge.

William A. Smith, who is engaged in farming in section 34, Gale Town- ship, was born in Walworth County, Wis., June 26, 1864, son of William and Mary (Wagner) Smith. His parents were born and married in Ger- many and came to the United States in the early '50s, locating in Walworth County, Wis., where William Smith engaged in farming. Subsequently he and his wife came to Trempealeau County and for the first two years occu- pied a rented farm. He then homesteaded land three and a half miles north of Galesville and resided on that farm until his death, which took place in the latter '80s. He was of a well-to-do family in Germany, and when a young man had run away from home to enter the German army, in which he served seven years. His wife survived him a number of years, dying in 1911. Their family numbered six children, of whom William A. was the fifth in order of birth. William A. Smith attended school in the George Smith District in Trempealeau County and was reared on his parents' farm, where he worked when only 14 years old. He remained at home and assisted his parents until he was 26, at times working out at teaming and other work in order to keep busy earning something, these

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industrial activities being carried on mostly in the neighborhood of Gales- ville. Being thrifty and economical, he saved money, so that at last he was able to purchase a house in Galesville, where he took up his residence and engaged in the dray and transfer business, being thus occupied until 1914. He then bought his present farm, consisting of 48 acres of valuable land, on which he has made practically all the improvements, and to which he now devotes practically all of his time, though still retaining possession of his property in Galesville. Mr. Smith was married, July 1, 1899, to Bertha Olson, who was born near Arcadia, Trempealeau County, Wis., daughter of Targe and Bertha (Olson) Olson. Her parents were natives of Norway, the father born in 1834 and the mother Dec. 29, 1849. They came to the United States when young and unmarried and settled in Trem- pealcau County, Wis., about seven miles west of Galesville in Big Tamarac Valley, where Targe Olson engaged in farming. He died 1901, but his wife is still living and resides on the old farm. They had a large family, numbering eleven children. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of one child, Roy Theodore, who was born June 15, 1901. The family are attend- ants of the Lutheran church. Mr. Smith is a member of the Order of Beavers, while Mrs. Smith is a member of the Royal Neighbors.

Edward Christian Elliason, who is conducting a farm of 300 acres in section 25, Gale Township, was born in Layton, Norway, Jan. 31, 1865, son of Peter and Martha (Christenson) Elliason. His parents, also natives of Norway, came to America in 1869, locating in Lewis Valley, La Crosse County, where Peter Elliason, who was a tanner by trade, engaged in farming, residing there until his death, April 7, 1915. His wife died in June, 1896. Edward C. Elliason, subject of this sketch, was the eldest of five children. He attended school in Farmington Township, La Crosse County, and also had the advantage of some home instruction. Residing at home practically all of the time until his marriage at the age of 22 years, he then worked on a farm for one year, and afterward went to La Crosse, where for three years he was employed at the Wheland Cedar Works. Sub- sequently he went on a farm near Holman, where he resided five years, at the end of which time he came to the vicinity of Glasgow, Trempealeau County, and in 1908 purchased his present farm of 300 acres, on which he is carrying on general farming. He is also a stockholder in a threshing and shredding outfit, in the Farmers' Exchange at Galesville, the La Crosse Packing Company and the Independent Harvester Company, of Plano, Ill. On Nov. 23, 1887, Mr. Elliason was united in marriage to Katherine Wilson, who was born in La Crosse Valley, La Crosse County, daughter of James and Jeanette (Barkley) Wilson, her parents being natives of Scotland. James Wilson was born Nov. 22, 1817, and his wife in 1832. They were married in their native land and came to La Crosse County, Wis., at an early date, Mr. Wilson taking a homestead, on which he was engaged in farming until his death in 1878; his wife died in 1882. Their family numbered nine children, of whom their daughter Katherine was the second in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Elliason are the parents of three children: Wilson Peter, born June 12, 1889 ; Malcolm Howard, born Dec. 28, 1893, and Edward Kilmor, born Aug. 16, 1896. Mr. Elliason is a member of the American

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

Society of Equity, and, with his family, belongs to the Lutheran church. In politics he is independent, but usually votes the Republican ticket.

Bernt O. Evenson, who is engaged in general agriculture on a farm of 154 acres in section 33 E, Gale Township, was born in Ringseger, Norway, Nov. 25, 1864, son of Ole and Mary (Hovey) Evenson, who were natives of the same place. The parents came to America with their family in 1867, locating in Holland Township, La Crosse County, Wis., where the father died about 18 months later. His wife remained in La Crosse County until 1888, buying land in Stevens Township, that county, in 1875. From 1888 to 1895, in which year her death took place, she resided in Trempealeau County with her two sons, Andrew and Bernt O.

The subject of this sketch was the third born of four children. He attended school in Stevens Township, La Crosse County, and began indus- trial life at the early age of 9 years, being employed by neighboring farmers to herd cows and do other jobs of which he was capable, and in time he became a regular farm hand. When 22 years old he began working on Black River, having charge of a log driving crew. After being thus occu- pied for two summers he and his brother Andrew bought a farm in Gale Township, which they operated together until the death of their mother. Bernt O. then sold his interest in the property and bought his present farm, which was partly cultivated, and on which he has cleared 35 additional acres. He has also made a number of improvements on the place, his buildings being modern in construction and equipment. He is a stockholder in the Farmers' Exchange at Galesville, the Arctic Springs Creamery and the Independent Harvester Company at Plano, Ill., also a stockholder in the Farmers' and Merchants' State Bank at Galesville.

Sept. 26, 1890, Mr. Evenson was united in marriage with Anna Ekern, who was born in Gale Township, this county, daughter of Andrew and Olena (Emonson) Ekern. Her parents were born in Biri, Norway, the father May 19, 1834, and the mother Aug. 8, 1838. Andrew Ekern came to the United States when a young man, settling in Coon Valley, Vernon County, Wis., where he bought land. Later, while yet a single man, he moved to Lewis Valley, Holland Township, La Crosse County, where he engaged in farming and was there married. Coming subsequently to Trempealeau County, he homesteaded land adjoining the farm now owned by his son-in-law, Mr. Evenson. Andrew Ekern developed the farm which is now operated by his son, Gustav Ekern. He was a man of intelligence and force of character and at different times held local office. He died Nov. 18, 1916, and his wife died March 29, 1914. They were the parents of six children, of whom their daughter Anna was the fourth in order of birth. She was educated in the Norwegian parochial school. Mr. and Mrs. Evenson have five children : Odell Augustus, Orville Milford, Arthur Marvin, Emma Augusta and Roy Chester. Mr. Evenson belongs to the Order of Beavers. He has served as treasurer of the school board for six years and for a number of years as road overseer, rendering good service in each capacity. In politics he is independent, with a leaning towards the Republican party. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church at Hardie's Creek. Indus- trious and enterprising, he is one of those who have the ability to extract

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wealth from the soil, and is doing his full part in developing the agricul- tural resources of his township.

Alfred Edward Emerson, a well-known agriculturist of Gale Township, was born at North Bend, Jackson County, Wis., July 8, 1880, son of Henry and Mary (Gilbertson) Emerson. His parents were natives of Norway, but were married in Wisconsin. Henry Emerson was 12 years old when he accompanied his parents to the United States. They settled in Wis- consin, in which State he grew to manhood. In time he purchased land at North Bend and engaged in farming, which was his occupation for many years. He died on his farm in April, 1911. His wife died May 2, 1917. They had six children, of whom Alfred E. was next to the youngest.

Alfred E. Emerson resided with his parents until he was 26 years old, at which time, a year or two previous to his marriage, he bought his present farm and engaged in agriculture on his own account. He has 220 acres of improved land, with good modern buildings and equipment, prac- tically all the improvements having been made by himself. He carries on general farming very successfully and is now one of the prosperous and substantial citizens of his township. Besides this, he is a stockholder in the La Crosse Packing Company. Mr. Emerson was first married in 1908 to Katie Stellpflug, who was born in Gale Township, a daughter of John and Sarah (Shonat) Stellpflug. She died Nov. 5, 1909, leaving one child, Bernard, who is now attending school.

In March, 1911, Mr. Emerson married for his second wife Abbie Stellpflug, a sister of his first wife. By her he has had two children, Valeria Frances and Flavian John, both of whom are living. Mr. Emerson is a member of the Order of Beavers and of the Foresters, and is a Catholic in religion.

James A. Marsh, one of the up-to-date and thriving farmers of Trem- pealeau Township, was born at Waukegan, Ill., Jan. 24, 1861, son of John A. and Catherine (Haynes) Marsh. The father was born in the County of Kent, England, in 1835, and came to the United States in 1857 at the age of 22 years. Stopping for a while in Michigan, he went on to Waukegan, Ill., where he remained until 1863. In the year 1860 he met and married Catherine Hayes, of Kenosha, Wis. It was in 1863 that he made his advent in Trempealeau County, making the journey with a wagon and two yoke of oxen, settling on a tract of wild land at Big Tamarac Valley, section 15, Trempealeau Township. There were no buildings on the land, but he remedied that defect as best he could by building a one-room log cabin, which had a blanket in place of a door. This primitive dwelling was the family residence for about two years, or until 1865, when Mr. Marsh erected an eight-room log house, which indeed seemed a palace in compari- son with his previous abode, and in this house he resided until his death in 1873. His remains rest in Evergreen Cemetery at Centerville, Wis. His wife still survives him, now residing at Centerville. John A. Marsh cleared and developed the homestead and increased its size by purchasing 200 additional acres. The children in the family were: James A., born in 1861 ; J. H., born in 1863, now a farmer residing at Centerville, Trempea-

MR. AND MRS. ANDREW EKERN

A. J. EKERN AND FAMILY

MR. AND MRS. LARS M. HANSAASEN

NICHOLAS ENGHAGEN AND FAMILY

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leau County; Sumner W., born in 1866, who is now living in Western Canada, and Katherine, born in 1871, who is now Mrs. William McDonah, of Centerville. James A. Marsh acquired his education in the old log school house, which he attended until he was 14 years old. After his father's death the work of the farm devolved upon him more and more as he grew older, until he was bearing the whole responsibility. In 1892 he purchased the homestead from his mother and since then has made numerous improvements on it. In 1906 he erected a fine two-story frame house of 12 rooms, and has also built a large horse and cattle barn, with basement, a sheep barn, a hog house of two stories, with a shop above. He has also a granary and corn crib and a poultry house. Mr. Marsh carries on general farming, keeping a good herd of cattle, hogs and sheep, graded animals. He has added to the size of his farm until it now contains 427 acres, 200 of which are under the plow, the rest being in timber and pasture land. He has also a small orchard. In addition to his farming interests he holds stock in the Farmers' Co-Operative Packing Company, of La Crosse, Wis. A Republican in politics, he has served as member of the town board four terms and has been school director three years. Jan. 31, 1898, Mr. Marsh was married to Agnes, daughter of Michael and Augusta (Collins) Sizons, of Trempealeau Township, their wedding being celebrated at Sacred Heart Church, Pine Creek. Their children, with dates of birth, are: John, Nov. 24, 1899, who resides on the farm with his father; Blanche, 1901; Musey, 1902; James, 1904, who died in November, 1909; Agnes, 1906; Daniel, 1909; Garrett, 1911, and Leone, 1914. Mr. Marsh and his family are Catholics in religion, attending the Church of the Sacred Heart at Pine Creek. Fraternally he has been affiliated with the Yeomen at Centerville since 1906, and with the Mystic Workers, of Centerville, since 1908.

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History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 56

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