History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 59

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 59

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Anton H. Fremstad, proprietor of Corn and Clover Farm in sections 4 and 9, Pigeon Township, was born in section 4, town 22, range 7 west, just north of his present farm, Aug. 5, 1873, son of Hans A. and Andrena (Nil- son) Fremstad. The father was born in Nordland, Norway, in 1838, and came to the United States in 1857, settling in Vernon County, Wis., from which place he came to Trempealeau County in 1871, accompanied by his wife and children then born. He bought a farm in section 4, Pigeon Town- ship, and cultivated it until he sold out to his two sons, Albert H. and Anton H. He still, however, resides on the old homestead. His wife, Andrena, who was born in Norway in 1834, died Oct. 1, 1916. Anton H. Fremstad was the first child born to his parents after they came to Trempealeau County. He worked for his father until the year 1900 and then, with his brother Albert, purchased the homestead, the two brothers operating it in partner- ship until 1906. They then bought the farm now owned by Anton H. and operated the entire property until the spring of 1915, at which time they dissolved partnership and divided it, Anton taking the farm he now has, and which consists of 120 acres, 40 acres of which lie in section 4 and the re- mainder in section 9. The buildings on the property include two houses, one of seven rooms, and the new modern home just completed, of 10 rooms. Hot water heat, water system, electric light, bath and all complete. The barn is 32 by 50 by 12 feet, with an 8-foot basement and concrete floors, and a concrete silo, 14 by 30 feet, built in 1912, all the buildings being substantial and in good condition. Mr. Fremstad was vice-president of the Pigeon Grain and Stock Company, and has been its president for the last three years. As one of the responsible citizens of his township, he has devoted some time to public affairs, having served three years as township super- visor, and he is also a trustee of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, to which he and his family belong. His wife, to whom he was united April 11, 1908, was in maidenhood Christine F. Lovlien, and was born in Pigeon Township, Nov. 28, 1885. Her parents were natives of Norway, the father, Frederick Lovlien, who was born in 1840, settling in Pigeon Township, this county,

WILLIAM A. BELL AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

in 1872, and residing here engaged in agriculture until his death in 1913. The mother of Mrs. Fremstad, whose maiden name was Goro Bjornstugen, was born in 1850, and is still living on the old homestead with her sons, Andrew and Olof. Mr. and Mrs. Fremstad have been the parents of four children: Herman, born Jan. 22, 1909, who died at birth; Gladys, born Jan. 22, 1911 ; Harold, born July 20, 1913, and Hulda, born Sept. 22, 1915.

Willis A. Bell, who is successfully engaged in farming and dairying in section 3, Trempealeau Township, was born in Holland, La Crosse County, Wis., March 6, 1860, son of Anson D. and Eliza (Chapman) Bell. The father was born in Guilford, Ohio, April 9, 1818, and the mother at Harrisville, Ohio, Aug. 23, 1820. They were married in Ohio Feb. 2, 1842, and in the same year came West, locating at Geneva, Walworth County, Wis., in which vicinity they began farming. In making the journey overland, they passed through Chicago, which was then a small place. In 1855 Mr. Bell with his family removed to Holland, La Crosse County, where he bought 200 acres of wild land on which there were no buildings. He built a frame house and a small stable and here the family lived until 1863. Then they came to Trempealeau County, renting 80 acres of land in section 2, Trempealeau Township, the property being a part of what is now the O. A. Critzman farm. After residing here until 1865 Anson D. Bell bought 60 acres in section 3, the same township, which land now forms part of the farm of the subject of this sketch. On it at the time stood a three-room log house and a frame barn. This house was the family residence until 1875, which year Mr. Bell built a better one, the later being an upright, story and a half, brick veneer building, which now forms part of his present residence. Later he added a wing of the same material, with ten rooms, a front porch and side porch. In addition to looking after his property, Mr. Bell worked at his trade-that of mason. Anson D. Bell died Dec. 13, 1892, and his wife Jan. 10, 1899, both on the old homestead, and are buried in Evergreen Ceme- tery. They were people much respected for their sterling qualities, and were among the founders of the Centerville Methodist Episcopal Church. Their family consisted of seven children: LeRoy, Alice M., Sarah E., Har- rison B., Ida E., Orville P. and Willis A., whose record in brief is as follows : LeRoy W., born at Geneva, Wis., Aug. 9, 1843, died Feb. 30, 1911, at La Crosse. Alice M., born Nov. 18, 1845, is now Mrs. William Bartholomew, of Galesville, Wis. Sarah E., born Jan. 27, 1847, at Geneva, died Aug. 27, 1863, at Holland, Wis. Harrison B., born March 11, 1849, at Geneva, died Oct. 11, 1863, at Holland, Wis. Ida E., born July 4, 1852, at Geneva, is the wife of William Rich, of Washougal, Wash. Orville, P., born Oct. 3, 1855, at Hol- land, Wis., is a mason residing in Trempealeau Township.

Willis A. Bell in his boyhood attended the district school from the age of 3 to that of 13 years regularly, and afterwards during the winters up to the age of 18 years. At 13 he began working on his parents' farm-the present homestead-and has remained on it up to the present time. He has enlarged the estate somewhat and it now contains a little over 94 acres. Feb. 19, 1896, he was married to Anna F., daughter of Henry and Sophia Bockenhauer, of Trempealeau Township, the ceremony, which took place at the home of W. H. Gibson, being presided over by Rev. Mr. Witherbee.

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

Mr. Bell is engaged in general farming and dairying, marketing his butter in Galesville. He keeps a herd of grade Shorthorn cattle and a large sty of Poland-China swine. His farm is thoroughly up to date in buildings and equipment, some of the most important improvements having been put in by him. Among these is a large barn, which furnishes stable room for 25 head of cattle and eight horses. Attached to the barn is a granary and buggy shed. There is also a sheep barn attached. There are two silos, with a capacity of 110 tons, and 85 tons. In addition there is a poultry house, a corn crib, a hog house, a combined milk and ice house, and a tank house. All the buildings except the granary and corn crib have cement floors and are neatly painted and kept in first-class condition. Indeed, the whole farm presents a thriving appearance, highly creditable to its proprie- tor. Like most prosperous and up-to-date farmers, Mr. Bell keeps an automobile. He is a stockholder in the Exchange Elevator Company, of Galesville, Wis. In politics he is a Republican, and has been director of the school board three terms, and clerk of the board two terms. He and his wife have one child, Robert W., who was born Aug. 13, 1903, and resides at home. The family are members of the Centerville Methodist Episcopal church.

Thomas Johnson, who is numbered among the successful agriculturists of Pigeon Township, being proprietor of the Aga Farm of 120 acres in sec- tion 27, was born in Telemarken, Norway, Jan. 25, 1867, son of John and Berget (Thompson) Halvorson, the latter dying at his birth. The father, born in Norway in 1825, died in that country in 1889. Thomas Johnson, who was the youngest of nine children, resided in his native land until 1885, and then, following the example of so many of his countrymen, in the hope of bettering his condition, emigrated to the United States, locating in White- hall, Trempealeau County, Wis. Here he soon found employment and worked out for some five years, or until his marriage, Dec. 11, 1900, to Malinda Aga, who was born Jan. 10, 1864, daughter of Ole Anderson Aga and his wife, Brita Aga. Mr. Johnson then began farming on his present place, which was previously the property of his wife's father, and has since remained here. The residence on the farm is a good frame building. His barn, erected in 1909, is 32 by 66 by 22 feet in dimensions, and the other buildings are neat and substantial and kept in good condition. Mr. Johnson keeps 30 head of cattle, of which he milks 21, and is a stockholder in the Pigeon Grain and Stock Company. For three years he has served as treas- urer of the school board of his district and is a man of influence and standing in the community. His wife, who was born Jan. 10, 1864, died March 1, 1903, and Mr. Johnson's household is now presided over by his sister, Mrs. Egil Egilson. The latter has four children: Berget, who married Otto Berg, a farmer of Williston, N. D .; Annie, the wife of John Carlson, of Ule- vass, Norway ; Margaret, wife of Anton Ustad, of Stoughton, Wis., and Egil, who resides in Blair, this county.

William A. Bright, a well known business man residing in Trempealeau Village, of which he is the present mayor, was born in Caledonia Township, Trempealeau County, Wis., Nov. 22, 1865, son of Robert and Christiana (Campbell) Bright. His early education was obtained in the district school

MR. AND MRS. ROBERT BRIGHT

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

in his native township, and later he attended school in the village of Trem- pealeau, to which place his parents had moved in the fall of 1873. For some five or six years he assisted his father in the latter's store and then went into business for himself at North Bend, Jackson County, Wis., opening a general store there. A year and a half later he sold out to Patterson Brothers of North Bend, and came back to Trempealeau Village, where about 1890 or 1891 he opened a grocery store, which he carried on for two years. He then sold out and became traveling sales- man for G. W. Marston, a wholesale grocer of La Crosse, Wis. This experi- ence also lasted two years, at the end of which time Mr. Marston went out of business, and Mr. Bright formed a new connection with Ranson Brothers of Albert Lea, wholesale grocers, for whom he traveled three years, in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. In 1898 Mr. Bright entered the employ of J. J. Hogan of La Crosse, engaged in the same line of business, and has remained with him, traveling in western Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota, the territory adjacent to Trempealeau. He was one of the organizers of the Citizens State Bank of Trempealeau, and is now a director and stockholder in it, being also a stockholder in the Western Wisconsin Telephone Company and the Trempealeau Lime Products Com- pany. Mr. Bright was married, at the home of his bride's parents, Aug. 25, 1886, to Lettie C., daughter of Henry C. Shephard, a farmer living near Blair, Wis. He and his wife began housekeeping in the house in which they now reside. He is also the owner of a house and lot next door, which he rents, and of the Trempealeau Hotel on Main street. He and his wife have two children: Vera M. and Jennie O. Vera M., who was born in Trempealeau, May 22, 1887, was married here, Sept. 29, 1909, to E. B. Elkins, now agent for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway. They reside in Trempeleau and have two sons: Winston Alexander and Arnold, aged six and four years respectively. Jennie O., born in Trempealeau, Jan. 7, 1891, is unmarried, and is a stenographer in the employ of the She- boygan Falls Machinery Company, of Sheboygan, Wis. Mr. Bright is a stalwart Republican in politics, but has held no political office. His fraternal society affiliations are with Lodge No. 117, A. F. & A. M. of Trempeleau, which he joined in 1890; the Eastern Star Lodge of Trempealeau, of which he and his wife are charter members, and Lodge No. 96, U. C. T., to which he has belonged since 1898. He is also a member of the B. P. O. E., No. 300, of La Crosse. His wife and daughter are active members of the Congre- gational church of Trempealeau, which he helps to support, though not a member. Mr. Bright is one of the active and enterprising men of his village, of which he has been mayor for the last eight years, and never loses an opportunity to advance its interests. He and his family have a wide acquaintance and are highly esteemed throughout this part of the county.

Robert Bright, a retired farmer now living in Trempealeau Village, was born in Geulph, Ontario, April 8, 1837, son of William and Mary Ann (King) Bright. The parents were both natives of Hampshire, England, the father born May 31, 1798, and the mother October 3, the same year. Married in their native land, they emigrated to Canada in 1836, settling

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at Geulph, where William Bright worked at his trade of carpenter until 1843. In that year he brought his family to Wisconsin, settling on a farm near Beloit. The subject of this sketch was at that time six years old and a year later he began his struggle with the "three R's" in the typical log school house of the district. Most of his schooling was acquired in the winters, and his zest for learning was doubtless stimulated by the two- mile walk he had to take in covering the distance from his home to the rural temple of knowledge. This primitive building being unprovided with steam pipes or furnace, the elder boys, in accordance with a time- honored, pioneer custom, were obliged to cut and haul the wood used for fuel, and in this work, after he was ten years old, he had to take a part. After he was old enough to be of use on the farm, however, he attended school only during the winters, and at 16 he had to lay aside his class books to take up the heavier burdens of life. At 17 he was the mainstay of the family, and was the one upon whom his parents chiefly depended during the rest of their lives. In June, 1855, the family came to Trempealau County, William Bright locating on a tract of 160 acres of school land in section 16, Caledonia Township, near McGilvray's Ferry. This land was without any building that could be used as a residence, so that summer Mr. Bright built a frame house of five rooms, with upright and wings. The subsequent work of the family was similar to that of all pioneer farmers, and was sufficiently arduous to make them all enjoy their nightly rest. In 1859 Robert Bright purchased the farm from his father and began operat- ing it on his own account, his parents residing with him. In November, 1864, occurred another important event of his life, when he took to wife Christiana, daughter of Alexander and Helen (Matthews) Campbell of Guelph, Ontario. Bringing his bride to his parents' home, they resided there for about two years, but in 1866, desiring to establish a separate household, and finding a house for sale in the vicinity, he bought it and moved it onto the farm, he and his wife taking up their residence in it. From time to time he also bought other land until he finally owned 560 acres. Mr. Bright continued his farming operations until the fall of 1873, when, having acquired a competence, he sold half his land and moved to Trempealeau Village with his family, which also included his father and mother. The rest of his land he sold later. In 1891, however, he purchased an improved farm of 160 acres near Black River Falls, which he still owns. In the following year he made a trip to California, but was away but two and a half months. Mr. Bright's present residence is a comfortable brick house on East Third street, where he and his wife are frequently visited by those of their children who live not too far away. His family consists of six in all: William A., Jennie E., Ella May, Ernest A., Frank C. and Eleanor E. William A. was born Nov. 23, 1865, and married Letta Shep- heard of Blair, Wis. He has two children, Vera and Jennie. Jennie E., born Jan. 22, 1868, is the only one of the family who lives out of the state. She married Almon Holden of South Dakota and now resides in Los Angeles, Calif. Ella May, born March 29, 1872, is the wife of Bert Wakefield of West Salem, Wis., and has two children: Majorie and Robert. Ernest A., born Sept. 25, 1874, married Ella Hoberton of Trempealeau, Wis.,

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and has two children: Laura and Ernest, Jr. Frank C., born Aug. 31, 1876, married Metta Miles of Hixon, Wis. He lives on his father's farm near Black River Falls, and has four children: Donald, Marion, Douglas and Majorie. Elmer E., born Aug. 18, 1878, is unmarried and lives with his brother Frank. Mr. Bright's parents have been dead many years. The mother was the first to go, passing away in October, 1875, when 77 years old. The father was 83 when he died, Aug. 21, 1881. There were ten children in their family, including the subject of this sketch-five sons and five daugh- ters, and all except Robert and one of the daughters were born in England. The sons are all living, and there are three of the daughters surviving- two in Wisconsin and one in Sioux City, Iowa. In his youth Robert Bright attended the Methodist Episcopal Church, but after his marriage he and his wife united with the Trempealeau Congregational Church and still maintain their membership. In politics Mr. Bright is a Republican, but has held no public office, except that of postmaster, in which he served in Jackson County, 1896 to 1901, during the time he lived on his farm at Black River Falls. He is now in his 81st year, one of the few survivors of pioneer days in this county, and his memory brings back to his many interesting scenes that the younger generation, accustomed to all the modern conveniences, would find it hard to realize. He can recall the hard physical labor that was necessary to break the new land, the lack of almost every convenience, the frequent scarcity of provisions, the long journey to the mill, and how he once crossed Black River on foot on the ice, hauling a wagon across, and then, laying down planks, went back and led his oxen across (this was Oct. 1, 1855), together with many other incidents of his boyhood and youthful days, when his blood coursed swiftly through his veins and hardships were little minded. Of those of his own age whom he then knew, most have passed away and a new generation has taken up the work which the old hands have laid down. In the success and advancement of his children, and his increasing family of grandchildren and great-grand- children he takes a keen interest, the more so that one and all give fair promise of doing honor to the family name.

Ole C. Hanson dates his residence in Trempealeau County from 1870, when he was brought to Irvin's Coulie, Lincoln County, by his parents, Hans and Bertha (Nelson) Arneson, who the year previous had brought him from Norway, where he was born Sept. 23, 1853. As a young man he did farm work, and for a while was employed in a sawmill at Eau Claire, Wisconsin. In 1884 he purchased his present place of 80 acres in section 29, Pigeon Township, where he successfully carries on general farming. His financial holdings include stock in the Peoples State Bank of Whitehall, the Pigeon Grain & Stock Company of Whitehall, and the Preston Creamery at Blair. His public work has included service as clerk of the school board since 1904. Since 1890 he has been secretary of the Norwegian Luthern Chuch at Whitehall. Mr. Hanson was married, Dec. 30, 1882, to Olena Hanevold, who was born in Toten, Norway, Feb. 22, 1862, daughter of Ole and Andrena Hanevold, who in 1873 came to Fly Creek, in Pigeon Township, and here spent the remainder of their lives, the former dying in 1914 and the latter in 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson have had eleven children, of

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

whom two died in infancy. Heldor is a farmer in Dunn County, Wisconsin. Adolph is a clerk at Whitehall. Matilda is the wife of Hans Svaie of Church's Ferry, North Dakota. Carl, Lewis, Melvin, Louise and Otto are at home. Emma died March 19, 1917, at the age of eleven years. Hans Arneson, father of Ole C. Hanson, was born in Norway, Oct. 22, 1807, came to America in 1869, lived in Dane County, this state, a year, and then came to this county, where he settled in Irvin's Coulie, in Lincoln Township. In 1884 he sold his place, and took up his home with his son, Hans Arneson, where he died Jan. 6, 1896, his wife, Bertha Nelson, who was born in Nor- way, Sept. 22, 1813, dying on Dec. 14, 1900.

Henry A. Jacobson, successful merchant of Pigeon Falls, was born at North Branch, Hale Township, this county, Jan. 5, 1878, son of Hans and Olena (Saastad) Jacobson. Hans Jacobson was born in Norway in 1851, came to America in 1867 with his parents, lived two years in Minne- sota, later settled at North Branch, in this county, and farmed there until 1898, when he moved to Whitehall, where he died in 1907, his good wife, who was born in 1852, still making her home in that village. Henry A. Jacobson, remained with his parents until 19 years of age, and then went to work as a farm hand. May 1, 1901, he secured employment at Pigeon Falls in the store of Torgerson & Steig. In 1905 this firm became Steig & Steig, and in 1906 Mr. Jacobson purchased a half interest and changed the firm name to Steig & Jacobson. The store and stock were destroyed by fire in 1912, and the present edifice was erected. It is a frame structure, 28 by 42 feet, two stories high and a basement, and is well equipped and stocked for the carrying on of a large mercantile business. Mr. Jacobson has been the sole owner since 1913, and has built up a constantly increasing business. He has the confidence and esteem of the village and country people, and his trade extends for miles around. Mr. Jacobson was married July 10, 1904, to Anna Wold, born June 22, 1885, daughter of Ever and Mary Wold, and this union has been blessed with four children, Hansel, Myrtle, Archie and Irene. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.

Edward M. Hagen, proprietor of a farm of 300 acres in section 5, Pigeon Township, known as Hagen's Farm, was born in Biri, Norway, Jan. 12, 1864, son of Mathias Olson and his wife, Annette Thompson. The father died in Norway in June, 1865, and his wife in Norway in 1884. In 1881 Edward M. emigrated to the United States, coming to Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, and locating at Pigeon Falls, where he resided until the spring of 1892, working out and saving his money. Having by that time accumu- lated a fair sum, he purchased his present farm and has since resided on it, engaged in its development and cultivation, in which he has made great progress. The previous period of 11 years was spent in the employ of P. Ekern, for whom he worked seven years as buttermaker at Pigeon Falls. As a progressive farmer Mr. Hagen has sought to increase the value of his property by making substantial improvements. In 1910 he rebuilt his residence, which is a two-story building of 18 rooms and basement. In 1916 he rebuilt the barn, which measures 44 by 60 by 16 feet with base- ment, and has an ell, 26 by 50 by 16, with basement, both furnished with

MR. AND MRS. M. T. BABBITT

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

concrete floors and installed with 40 steel stanchions and litter carrier. The silo, built in the center of the barn, measures 14 by 31 feet. All the buildings are electrically lighted and furnished with running water from a spring, the house having hot and cold water and bathroom. Mr. Hagen plants six acres of his land with tobacco and has a tobacco shed, 26 by 130 feet in size. His herd of Shorthorn cattle numbers 65 head, all high grade animals, of which he milks 25. He also has a flock of 30 sheep and 50 acres of his land is planted in clover. He is a stockholder in the Pigeon Grain & Stock Company, and for six years has served as a director of the school board of his district. May 16, 1891, Mr. Hagen was united in marriage with Jennie Moe of Pigeon Falls, in which place she was born May 4, 1873. Her parents were John and Antoinette (Peterson) Moe, the former of whom, born in Norway, Sept. 17, 1841, came to America in 1869, settling in Pigeon Township, this county. In 1872 he bought the farm on which his son-in-law, Mr. Hagen, now lives, and still resides here. His wife, whom he married at Pigeon Falls Aug. 28, 1872, was born in Norway, March 27, 1846, and is also now living and residing on the Hagen farm. Mr. and Mrs. Hagen have ten children: Aletta, wife of Alfred Nelson, a contractor of Pigeon Falls; Adolph, living at home; Elvina, who graduated from the La Crosse Normal school in 1914 and is now a teacher; Amanda, a student at the Whitehall high school, and Harold, Hilmer, Ansel, Delia, Milfred and Raymond, who are residing at home on the farm.

Marvin T. Babbitt, who operates a 75-acre farm close to Trempealeau Village, and is also the owner of other agricultural property, was born in Colerain, Mass., Nov. 27, 1848. His parents, Adoniram and Sarah (Rid- dle) Babbitt, were American born and of Scotch, Irish and German ancestry. In 1855 the family came west, Adoniram Babbitt settling on 160 acres of school land near Eyota, Minn., from which place they came to Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, in 1873. Here Mr. Babbitt bought the George Perkins farm of 90 acres in Caledonia Township, now known as the George Hess farm, it being situated about five miles from Trempealeau Village on the Galesville road. On the farm at the time the Babbits moved onto it there were a clapboarded log house and a log barn, the said house being still standing. Here the family lived for two or three years, at the end of which time Mr. Babbitt moved to West Prairie, Trempealeau Township, taking up 120 acres of wild land on which there was but little timber. On this farm he built a one-story frame house. In 1878 Adoniram Babbitt sold his place and moved to Lincoln County, Minn., where he homesteaded 160 acres of wild prairie land and took up his residence on it. In the meanwhile Marvin T. has grown to man's estate. His education was somewhat limited, but he acquired the elements of knowledge in the district school and learned agriculture and stock raising from his father, whom he assisted on the farm. When the family removed to Lincoln County, he went with them, accompanied by his wife, whom he had recently married, and after arriv- ing in the county he homesteaded 160 acres of land there, also taking a tree claim of 160 acres adjoining. There he resided until 1880, in which year he went to Grant County, S. D., and pre-empted 120 acres of land on what had lately been the Sioux Indian reservation. This land he improved,

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History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 59

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